Happily Divorced And After

Hakim Hazim

It’s lamentable when I turn on the radio and hear many young men talking about what they have, did or will do. This show and tell false bravado seems to permeate the air waves.  Attention-seeking behavior rarely appreciates the level of appreciation it receives. It’s never enough. Modern day hip-hop culture has helped to norm this approach to life for many of our young. Now this begs a question about a certain segment of our culture, the poor and marginalized youth who seem to use self-glorification as a way to build their persona due to the fact that most visible means of support are missing from their lives, and the question is this: why? Why do so many feel compelled to act in this manner? Dr. Ryan T Howell hits the nail on the head when he wrote this article “What Drives Us to Get Our Bling On?” (Psychology Today):

“According to the urban dictionary, the term bling came in to the modern vocabulary in the 1990s, possibly imported from Jamaica by American rappers, and meant to indicate either the imagined play of light bouncing off shiny jewelry, or the sound of the metally bits of jewelry “blinging” against itself.

Whatever the specifics of its origin, it turns out to be no accident that a term meant to describe and draw attention to shiny, expensive possessions grew out of low-income, inner-city environments. As a new study in the Journal of Consumer Psychology demonstrated, the ostentatious display of expensive personal adornments is most likely to be practiced by people who perceive themselves to be of low status.”

As a black male raised in an athletics-oriented family, I remember a gnawing desire to distinguish myself and be good at something. Muhammad Ali was my idol so I learned to talk trash, play the dozens and stay witty. Most of this was fun, but some of it was insecurity and false bravado. Fortunately I had a strong father who curbed a lot of this. I learned from his example that self hype was meaningless. He said, “Let someone else toot your horn. If you are really worth something they will.” Sadly, many of our youth don’t have a strong male figure in their lives to curb the excessive showmanship that constantly competes with peers in the form of possessions, women and trash talk. Stuck in a state of perpetual adolescence, the music reflects the wounds of children screaming for affirmation, even when they are well into adulthood.

This social commentary is about a chronic insecurity that has caused many of our young, disadvantaged youth of today to substitute gimmickry, fashion, sexual prowess, material possessions and catch phrases in the place of substance and gravitas. The unfortunate thing is this: once that behavior sets in it proves difficult to change and continues well into adulthood. The cries for attention can be concealed in religiosity, business, sports, entertainment, athletics and just about every other platform. Sadly, no amount of applause, bling or recognition can fill that void. Bling is to fool’s gold what character is to a good name. This is what we need to teach. This is what we need to live.

The 3rd Annual State of Black Male/Female Relationships Conference will take place Saturday, February 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Western University of Health Sciences 701 East 2nd Street Health Education Center in Pomona. ATTENDANCE FEE is $10 for adults  and $5 for teens. Fee includes lunch. Pre-register now at www.pvacdst.org, but remember space is limited! On-Site Registration is available from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at $15/Adults  and $5/Teens. Please note that on-site registration is limited and based on space availability. Couples, singles, and teens are all welcomed.

L to R 1st Row: Mrytle Foster, Ruth Harris, Annette Weathington (President), Rev. Paul S. Munford, Darnetta Duncan, Twillea Evans-Carthen, Harriet Moore, Joni Wright; 2nd Row L to R: Devorlynn Celestine, Carol, Yvonne Ashe, Geri Fox-All Kater, Earnestine Warren, Alice LaTouche, Olivia Taylor-Smith, Lorraine Melbourne)

RIVERSIDE, CA- Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Eta Nu Omega Chapter of San Bernardino-Riverside chapter celebrated the founding of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.106 years of “Service to All Mankind” on Sunday, January 26 at New Joy Baptist Church in Riverside.  The ladies were the guest of golden member, Ms. Darnetta Duncan who has been a member of the sorority for over 50 years and a current member of Eta Nu Omega Chapter.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is known for being an international, community service organization of college women founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. by 16 courageous young women. It is the first Greek letter sorority for black college women with over 260,000 members in more than 900 chapters around the world. It is an organization whose mission is to provide “Service to All Mankind.” The sorority implements this through its many service projects such as the Emerging Young Leaders Program for middle school girls, which benefits the Inland Empire.  Happy Founders’ Day! For future events, please visit www.etanuomega.org

Miss Black San Bernardino 2014, Noelle Lilley

The Westside Story would love to send out a congratulations to one of our interns, Noelle Lilley, who was crowned the 2014 Miss Black San Bernardino this past Saturday, January 25. She will also be graduating from Arroyo Valley High School this summer, and will be attending Arizona State University where she will major in Journalism.

Noelle Lilley, Queen (Left); Leanna Pollard, 1st Runner Up (middle); and Bobbie McFerson, 2nd Runner Up (right)

Rap Artist Nappy Tee

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce,(Inland Cities East Chapter) will be hosting the 45th Annual Black History Super Expo Celebration on Saturday, February 1 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at the Youthbuild Charter School, 606 E, Mill Street in San Bernardino.

The theme for this year is “Transitioning to New Beginnings” which will feature inspirational speakers, dancers, bands, drill teams, poetry, fashion, food and vendors. There will be a Battle of the Bands competition between San Bernardino and Arroyo Valley High School. In addition, a few familiar faces from television will also be in attendance which include rapper Nappy Tee who appeared as “Sweetie” in the reality show ‘Flava of Love’ and ‘America’s Got Talent‘; 10-year-old comedienne Leroya “Roya” Sanford from Disney’s hit show ‘Shake it Up’ and ABC’s ‘The View’ will also be making an appearance.

The Southern California Black Chamber would love to thank the Black Culture Foundation for all of their support and wonderful work they have done over the last 44 years with this event. For more information visit blackchamberofcommerce.org or call 888-466-7408 ext. 12 or 2.

Davie Champagnie at Ronald McDonald House

LOMA LINDA, CA- Inland Empire Invaders are doing an amazing job on and off the court. They are currently ranked number 23 in the NATION. Not bad for their first season in the largest basketball association in the United States. While they are doing work on the court making the IE proud, they have had some very special moments. Coach Al Smith of the Novastars wrote a brief description capturing the emotions from a visit to Ronald McDonald House over the holidays.
Ronald McDonald house in Loma Linda Davie Champagnie, an ABA Basketball Player, made one lucky girl’s night the most amazing night ever! It will be a moment she will remember for the rest of her life. The basketball player spent time to speak with her that was staying at the home in Loma Linda, CA. He took the time to listen to her story and by the end of the night he felt in his heart that she would get more strength from having his ring and he gave it to her without blinking an eye. It was a moment where you could feel the blessings all around you and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
The ABA is MUCH MORE than just a game and Davie Champagnie is a perfect example of what we can do when we are in support of each other. He is coach Al’s new ‘Lord of the Ring’. To Contact Christy Lancaster with the Inland Empire Invaders  call 855-434-6823 Ext. 6, email clancaster@abaieinvaders.com or visit their website at www.abaieinvaders.com.

Gloria, Olivia, Janine, Joan, Tammie, Beth, Tamera, Charmaine, Audrey, Eleanor, Below: Dr. Theresa, Dorcas, Andrea, Pauline, Donna, Dorla, Suezanne and Lea’ann

Devastation, disaster, agony — words that still speak volumes in the hearts of lives of those affected by the 2010 earthquake near Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  At least 300,000 people were injured and over 316,000 were killed.  This earthquake left many children as orphans in the surrounding cities. Although there have been many programs created by generous organizations throughout the years, Haiti still needs help.  A youth outreach program called Tribe of Judah World Outreach has decided to help Haiti on a continual basis. After 13 years of serving in ministry, working with youth and families across the United States, their focus is on the orphans left to fend for themselves on the streets of Haiti.  They have partnered with Dr. Michelle Corral and her ministry Breath of the Spirit and have also started Chesed for Jesus, Youth World Missionary Team.  An orphanage was purchased in the beginning of 2013 in Gonaives, Haiti and named The Fathers Treasure Orphan Home, where 100 children now live and are cared for daily.  Along with the orphan’s home, Chesed for Jesus runs medical clinics, feeding programs, educational instruction, provides spiritual care for the children in Haiti, and gives school supplies, school uniforms, and room and board.  Their main goal is to share the love of Jesus in practical ways by giving specific and direct support to those who are in need.
The team stayed in the County from December 5th to 10, where they interacted daily with the children; making arts and crafts, playing educational games, teaching English, singing worship songs in their native language of French and Creole as well as English.  The team taught the children a stomp routine which they wanted to do every minute.  Daily feeding for the children was done, along with a toy give away.  School uniforms given to every child, along with a medical clinic for the children and all the people in the village.
If you are interested in contributing to the cause, please visit www.sosyouthandfamily.com, or mail in a payment to Tribe of Judah, P.O. Box 2223, San Bernardino, CA 92406. All donations go directly to the children for their day to day care.  As a 501 c3 nonprofit organization, all donations are tax deductible.

Publisher’s commentary, by Wallace J. Allen

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. National Security Agency has been gathering nearly 200 million text messages a day from around the world, gathering data on people’s travel plans, contacts and credit card transactions, Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday.
Code-named “Dishfire,” the NSA program collects “pretty much everything it can,” the Guardian said, citing a joint investigation with the UK’s Channel 4 News based on material from fugitive former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
The above information is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the news stories that BRING TO QUESTION, Can the  NSA actually prevent terrorism or even identify and capture terrorist after the fact, as a result of the “Dishfire” spy program?
The NSA has the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of their infamous spy program… Catch the terrorist hackers that targeted TARGET CORP! Minneapolis-based Target Corp first disclosed the data breach DURING the holiday shopping season. It said then that debit and credit card data from up to 40 million customers were compromised. It later said on January 10 that a separate attack stole data from up to 70 million additional customers.
I cannot see how having access to every phone call and email and text message, as well as every tweet and attempt at social networking, will help prevent a terrorist action. There is too much information to filter as fast as needed to prevent something, but to find out who actually did something (not going to do but did it!) seems to be the least that you could expect from this “all-everything-information-pool”.  If the NSA cannot locate, capture and punish those terrorist who hacked TARGET STORES, then they are truly wasting time and resources with their “Dishfire” project.

AKA Youth Summit

INLAND EMPIRE, CA-The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Nu Omega Chapter of San Bernardino-Riverside, lead two signature events that started on the eve of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Jr.’s holiday and the other on the day of the national holiday observed nationwide in recognition of his birthday.
On Sunday, January 19, in collaboration with American Legion Post 14 and the Ivy Foundation, the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority held their third Annual Sunday Supper at the American Legion Post 14, San Bernardino, CA.  The theme was “Honoring Our Peacemakers.”  The Sunday Supper created a forum to engage the community in promoting dialogue to address challenges that represent barriers to progress in the veteran community. Various speakers spoke on benefits and services available to veterans.  Topics included housing, education, health, jobs, female veteran concerns, and family counselling.  Bryant Taylor, student (Veteran, United States Navy) at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) and one of the guest speakers, encouraged attendees to visit the Veteran’s Success Center (VSC) at CSUSB and to meet the Director, Marci Danials to discuss additional services CSUSB VSC has to offer.  Mr. Taylor also referenced Melissa McQuead’s name as a resource to assist veterans for admission to the university.
Sunday supper was served by the AKA Emerging Young Leaders (EYL) students who had successfully enjoyed the AKA EYL Youth Summit the day before at Brandman University.  Three of the EYL students whose essay was selected among many, made an essay presentation to the guest of this event.  All three students who made presentations were provided with a savings bond for a job well done from the sorority.
Special recognition was given to all three organizations for organizing and communicating information to the veteran’s community from Lisa Blacksher, Field Representative for Assembly Member, Cheryl Brown of the 47th District.    Mayor Pat Morris, City of San Bernardino was an active participant of the program too who provided information on access for resources for the veteran’s community. The evening concluded with veterans in the audience to stand for recognition for their service in all branches within the United States Military.
The national holiday observed on Monday, January 20, in memory of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday “was a day on not a day off” for the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha.  Members continued performing community service by volunteering at various Blood Banks in the Inland Empire.  Life Stream of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties and the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino Catholics of African Descent and Ministry held its 14th Annual Blood of the Martyrs Blood Drive in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  All were encouraged to give the gift of life by donating and/or encouraging others to give blood. As Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”  For future programs and events, visit www.etanuomega.org

Senior King and Queen

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- The  San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation is happy to announce the 2014 Senior King and Queen, Heck and Barbara Thomas.  Barbara was born in Six, West Virginia and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and Sanford, North Carolina. Heck was born and raised in Meridian, Mississippi.  They have been residents of Highland since 1985 and Heck retired from the United States Air Force in 1988.  They are the proud parents of Yolanda, grandparents of Kristy and Kamari, and great-grandparents of Jaxson. The Thomas’ have been very active in San Bernardino.  They attend the Traditional Community Fellowship Chapel in Highland, a church started by the military men and women who were stationed at Norton Air Force Base. Barbara served as Women Auxiliary Chairperson, special events planner, and is in charge of social activities and raising funds to support the church ministry.  She also volunteered as a mentor for some of the adult students at the San Bernardino Adult School who did not have positive female influences in their lives.  She worked for ten years in the Army and Air Force Exchange Service at Norton and Malmstrom (Montana) until her medical retirement in 1989.  She was a member of the Non-Commissioned Officers Wives club and a member of the Radiant Rubies of Highland, a chapter of the Red Hat Society.
Heck was employed by the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health from 1988 to 1996 as a Mental Health Employment Specialist; a Teacher on Assignment for The San Bernardino City Unified School District and worked at the San Bernardino Adult School from 1996-2010.  He has been active in the community, serving as church executive board president, past president and board member of the Kiwanis Club of Highland, past president and board member of the Frazee Community Center, past San Bernardino chapter president of the California Council of Adult Educators and has worked and volunteered with programs to assist the homeless for over 25 years.  Heck has also served with the Highland Youth Accountability Board.  He has received the Black Rose Award from the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, several Kiwanian of the Year Awards, Hixson Fellow, Dunlap Fellow, and several Kiwanis Distinguished Service Awards.  He is also the recipient of the George McCune Collaborative Award.
They are both enjoying retirement, community service, and spending quality time with their great grandson, Jaxson.