By Keith Magee

Keith Magee

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- The election of Donald Trump embodies White supremacy theology that is hostile toward non-whites Black — in particular Black men. He began spurring flames of discord, as the driving force of the birther movement, and also called Mexicans rapists and targeted Muslims with a travel ban. These are underpinnings of the hate of the Ku Klux Klan and a deeply seeded Evangelical apocalyptic theology of a Holy Race War. It is a fact that White evangelicals voted at a rate of 81 percent for Trump.

As someone who attended Vacation Bible School, in the conservative bayou of Louisiana, one of the first songs I remember was “Yes, Jesus Love Me”. Winan United Methodist Church was the place where a White, blonde hair, and blued-eyed Christ was introduced to me as the Savior of the world. This Christ and his church was a place of safety from our personal sins, the social ills on the outside, yet assuredly as place of his love.

The fact that, in 1915, a UMC minister, William J. Simmons, played a major role in the new charter of the KKK, was either unknown or accepted by many. Simmons’ first public order was consecrating their Christian morality by setting a fire to the old rugged cross atop of Stone Mountain, Georgia. And yet there is an idea of racial hierarchy, embedded into religious teachings, that has been a part of our culture for over 400 years.

While confined within the chattels of slavery, religion was an outlet that gave hope in this faith of a suffering servant. The idea was that suffering with him might make it possible to reign with him in eternity. His blood shed, on the cross, was the horror of death and yet the beauty of a saving grace for all. However, it is the same symbol of the cross that is burned, as a form of intimidation, to remind Black people that even this White Savior can’t save them from the venom of White hate.

It seems that daily, throughout America, another Black life is suffocated to death at the hands of someone, in a blue uniform, who is protected by the government. Recently, the death of Botham Jean of Dallas has created a deeper level of anger and outrage. Now it is being communicated that not only are Blacks in danger while driving, standing on a street corner, and in their back yard. But, there is no safe place – even in the sanctuary of their own home.

While Muslim mothers and children have been caged like animals. And, in the last 48 hours, Jews are being reminded of the never-ending antisemitism through the loss of 11 lives during a baby naming ceremony.

The use of religion to stoke racial strife and violence is prevalent in our societies. This past August 2018, while meeting with Evangelical Christian leaders, Donald Trump told them that there would be “violence” if Republicans lost their majority in Congress, as a result of November’s mid-term elections. He told them to take to their pulpit to tell their followers that this is a referendum on him, their religion and freedom of speech. The same religion that teaches love thy neighbor, don’t steal, cheat or commit adultery, is seemingly using white-out to affirm this American president. The adulterer, one who pays for sex and speaks freely about being able to walk down 5th Avenue and shoot someone, is touted as the one to save and make America great again.

The duality of religion and vulnerability was something I Iearned a long time ago from my father who was a lover of dogs. As he would sit out back on a stump, he would give me world wisdoms. He often told me that “if you keep kicking a dog, he will bite back.” The preaching of “whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also”, seemed to apply only to those seen as less than human while these White Christians raged injustice and violence against our communities and leaders. Just over 50 years ago the KKK offered a $100,000 bounty for the assassination of the non-violent Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., resulting in the cowardly shooting of James Earl Ray.

The snuffing out of his life led to anger and biting back with people taking to the streets in over 125 riots in American cities and around the world. This isn’t 1968 when impassioned response for a revolution, from was Pittsburgh to Paris to Prague, happening with protest in the streets. It would appear that this indignation of these Whites is ushering Jesus’ sign of the end, “nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” The word nation is translated from ‘ethnos’ which is the root of ethnicity.

It is clear that the White House is being led by an Imperial Wizard and king, the GOP is serving as his Klexter (outer-guard), and his latest US Supreme Court Associate Justice is his Klarogo (sergeant-at- arms). By invoking an evangelical theology and using the Bible to justify their cruel actions, while also trying to subjugate Black people under that same God, there appears to be no recourse but to go to war.

A war for the soul of the country is the true meaning of a righteous doctrine. This hatred under the guise of religious teachings can no longer be met with patience, peace talks or Twitter protests. And, if there’s resistance in it being met with preaching the gospel of Jesus’ love to a Christian sect who apparently welcome the KKK’s, “So I’ll cherish the bright fiery cross, till from duties at last I lay down, then burn over me a bright fiery cross, the day I’m laid in the ground.”

Nor can we have any hope that this President, who just affirmed to his Texas supporters that he’s a proud nationalist and believes that if the synagogue had an armed guard there would have been a different outcome. The only thing that he can do is continue to spark and ignite more flames of discord and hatred.

It calls to question: Do we have to accept that non-White Christians, along with White Christians, who don’t believe this rhetoric, won’t be able to enter paradise through the same pearly gates? Possibly there’s a backdoor for the rest, on a lower level, because of an unequal salvation? Or perchance there’s a difference in how Jesus loves me verses them?

It is obviously that this sect of Christians has completely forgotten the Jew, from Nazareth, who came to fulfill the law through the good news of love. It was his belief, and that of his father, Yahweh, that his death would save the entire world, regardless of difference – through his selfless act and message of love. It is that love that most dominates all of our hearts and theologies, so that we can have peace on earth.

Dr. Keith Magee is a public intellectual, theologian, and social justice scholar. He is Senior Fellow in Culture and Justice, University College London and serves in leadership, The Berachah Church, Boston, MA and The Tab Church, London, England. For more information visit www.4justicesake.org or follow him at @keithlmagee.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— FONTANA, CA—- Project Boon’s 7th Annual Eat & Be Well Pre-Thanksgiving feast serves up free fun, food, haircuts, much-needed health services and eye exams to Inland Empire’s under-served populations.

Thanksgiving traditions get people into the spirit of giving. For the past seven years Project Boon’s Eat & Be Well event has brought this experience to every part of the community—connecting those who have to those who don’t.

Long-time volunteer, Karla Duarte of Korra Yoga says, “Volunteering for Project Boon events has given me a new perspective on life. A view that we could be grateful for each and every moment and every single blessing life gives us.”

On November 21st, the day before Thanksgiving, at Seville Park in Fontana beginning at 11 a.m., Eat & Be Well will enter its 7th consecutive year of bringing the Inland Empire community together for the common good.

The annual Project Boon event draws hundreds if not thousands of people together for a fun-filled day of feasting, entertainment, and games for the kids. Most importantly, it helps people in need stretch their budgets while still enjoying all that the season has to offer. Though providing a free bountiful meal to those in need is a reward in and of itself, Eat & Be Well also serves up health and wellness by partnering with both nonprofit and for-profit businesses that have programs to help the under-served.

In past years, this has included free flu shots from Walgreens, haircuts from local stylists and bus passes from Omnitrans to help people without transportation get to and from the event.

To serve up to 2500 attendees, Eat & Be Well relies on donations to cover costs and food items. You can contribute or sign up to volunteer at Eat & Be Well’s website or drop off turkeys and/or canned food such as sweet potatoes, corn, green beans, gravy, and cranberry sauce at The Hitch Burger Grill in Rancho Cucamonga. Visit our site for a complete list of items needed. Any excess food will be donated to support other food banks and holiday based events.

For more information on how to volunteer, donate, sponsor, or attend, visit eatbewell.org.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- To thank and honor the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces, Omnitrans again is offering free bus rides to US military veterans on Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11.

Veterans just need to show a veteran-status ID when boarding any Omnitrans bus to get a free ride.

“We’re pleased to honor our veterans with free bus rides on Veterans Day,” said Omnitrans CEO/General Manager P. Scott Graham, himself a veteran of the US Marine Corps.   About eight percent of all Omnitrans employees are military veterans.

Since Omnitrans introduced a veteran fare in January 2015, an increasing number of retired military personnel have taken advantage of the discount.  Boardings attributed to veterans in 2015 averaged 13,061 per month.  By 2018 it is up to 15,941 per month on average, an increase of 22%.

Omnitrans offers year-round discounts for veterans.  A single ride is $0.75 for veterans, compared to $1.75 regular fare. Discounted veteran 1-day, 7-day and 31-day bus passes are also available. Accepted veteran IDs include those issued by US Departments of Defense or Veterans Affairs, San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs, and the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

All Omnitrans bus routes will be running regular Sunday schedules on November 11. The veteran free ride offer applies to Omnitrans freeway express and local bus routes, the sbX rapid line, and OmniGo community shuttles; it is not applicable to Access service for persons with disabilities.

Personalized trip planning assistance is available through the Omnitrans information center, at 800-9-OMNIBUS (800-966-6428), or online at www.omnitrans.org.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Keith Wade Dedeaux was born August 21, 1951, in Pasadena, California. He was the youngest of six children born to Carl and Vitelsia Dedeaux.  Keith began school in Pasadena attending Grover Cleveland School.  His father constructed a home for the family in Good Hope, California and the family moved from Pasadena in 1960.  Keith attended Perris Elementary School.  He also attended Perris Junior High School and Perris High School where he enjoyed playing the drums and participated in band and running track.  It was through these activities that he made lifelong friendships with Carl Collins and the late Willie Collins.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

After high school, following in the trade of his father, Keith completed his apprenticeship as an equipment operator in the Operating Engineers, Local 12 in 1979.  He had a tremendous work ethic operating large earth grader for several housing tracts, commercial, industrial and institutional projects.  Until health issues deterred him from labor, he worked as a crane operator on 40-ton and 90-ton cranes for Hill Crane Rental in Bloomington, California.  He enjoyed pointing out buildings and projects he had worked on throughout Southern California.

In March 1982, Keith joined Park Avenue Baptist Church and was baptized by Rev. L.B. Moss.   He was a member of the Voices in Christ Young Adult Choir and delighted in serving as an usher.  He also assisted David Ross with the planning of the parking lot at the church property on Martin Luther King Boulevard.

He married Barbara Collins in September 1982 and lovingly took on the duties of father to Sadiki Nezart.  Even though he worked many long hours, leaving for work during the wee hours of the morning, he made time to attend football and basketball practices and games for Sadiki from Riverside Junior Tackle and through college at Northridge University.  His involvement only began again with the arrival of Vitelsia to complete the family.  She was involved in a few sports until she found her passion in dance.  Keith then became a back-stage dad, moving props and sometimes even dancing a step or two to stretch breaks while dancers made costume changes.  Watching Vitelsia perform on stage has been the highlight of his life.

Keith leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Barbara; children, Sadiki (Maria) and Vitelsia; grandchildren, Derek, Aliah, Auset and Shakira; brothers, Carl of Los Angeles, CA, Ralph (Nancy) of Rio Rancho, NM, Rudy (Judy) Santa Maria, CA and Gerald (Helene) Riverside, CA; sister, Audrey of Los Angeles, CA; in-laws, Cecelia Collins of Riverside, CA, Joseph Hester (Jacklyn) of Riverside, CA, Carl Collins, San Jacinto, CA, Sharon Collins of Lithonia GA, Christopher Collins (Brenda) of Victorville, Linda Collins of Moreno Valley CA and Eric Collins (Celia) of Chino, CA; aunts, Barbara Keel of Los Angeles, CA and Pearl Haggins of Pasadena, CA; godchildren, Charles Grays III and Ashton Grays; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— I love a strong, beautiful and powerful Black woman on the move and honey, Mrs. Coffee Brown, is just that.

Coffee Brown is a major key in the entertainment industry and has branded herself as a well-known booking agent. She is a published model who mentors young models in the industry on how to create, grow and brand their modeling careers.

Before growing her brand, Coffee worked as a popular exotic dancer/model in Los Angeles nightlife and now she is the CEO of Coffee Brown Entertainment and Dynasty Pole Fitness.

She has been credited in numerous fashion shows and projects including HBO’s “Insecure” and has her own reality talk show called “But Coffee 1st”. Coffee credits her entertainment background training to Hollywood High School Performing Arts where she studied dance, acting and singing. She continued training at numerous pole/dance studios which include: Millennium Dance Complex, Edge Performing Arts and Evolve pole studio.

Coffee is a student currently studying for her degree in business marketing and financial services and is a licensed financial advisor working on becoming a broker and has achieved high accolades in her industry while pursuing her passion helping and giving back to the community.

In her spare time, she loves reading self-development books, enjoys photography, going to the beach and spending time with family and friends.

Now ya’ know what it do, so please catch me next week. L’s!

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- Election results are updated as often as new data is received from county elections offices after the polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Many ballots are not counted on Election Day; county elections officials plan to complete their work by December 7, 2018.

Click here to view results

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—-SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce (SCBCC) is proud to present its inaugural awards gala and fundraising dinner. Set for Thursday, November 15 at the beautiful and historic Rezek Centre (on St. Bernardine Medical Center Campus) located at 2101 N. Waterman Avenue in the City of San Bernardino. The event is set to begin at 6 p.m.

This promises to be an event you don’t want to miss. The entertainment is provided by jazz sensation Mark Allen Felton aka Panther.

The SCBCC is a non-profit business organization with a mission to improve the economic environment for the minority business community while fostering business development and prosperity.  The SCBCC also support the Alzheimer’s Foundation which provides resources, training and support for individuals and families affected by the disease and YouthBuild Charter School of California, a free, project-based charter high school rooted in social justice and community action for students ages 16-24, who need to earn a high school diploma. YouthBuild’s main focus is providing opportunities to low income and marginalized students.

The goal of the gala is to raise money to support the non-profit programs that the SCBCC serves and recognize individuals and organizations who have demonstrated dedicated service to the community through professional, personal and philanthropic endeavors.

Among the awards to be handed out will be those honoring Community Support, Community Advocate, Business Advocate, and the Humanitarian of the year.

The event promises to be a who’s who in the local business community.

Entertaining the gala crowd for the evening will be Mark Allen Felton. Felton, who is affectionately known as, Panther, is an entertainer extraordinaire. The saxophone is his instrument of choice. His musicianship is the stuff of the legendary artists that he holds in high esteem. Artists like Earth, Wind & Fire, Grover Washington, Jr. and Kool & the Gang have influenced the Chicago native, and current Los Angeles resident. Panther has graced the stage with a number of legendary artists including Patti LaBelle, Jeffrey Osbourne, Chaka Khan and the late Al Jarreau just to name a few. He also toured the world with Ray Parker, Jr for five years.

For additional information on the Southern California Black Chamber Awards Dinner and how to purchase tickets visit the website at www.blackchamberofcommerce.org or call (888) 466-7408. Ticket prices are $25.00 per person, and a table of 10 is $250.00.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Last week, Youth Action Project (YAP), a San Bernardino based non-profit organization, announced funding from the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)’s 2018 Mentoring Opportunity for Youth Initiatives grant program or $500,000.

In making the announcement YAP founder Joseph Williams was accompanied by Rep. Pete Aguilar (D- San Bernardino), Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson and San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis. The grant will allow YAP, Young Visionaries’ Executive Director Terrance Stone, Sigma Beta Xi’s Director Corey Jackson, and the Youth Action Mentoring Network – to detect and assist Inland Empire students who show risk factors for opioid abuse.

“Our region has not been immune to the nationwide opioid crisis, and too often when a young person in our community struggles with addiction, they have no clear place to turn. I’m grateful for the work of Youth Action Project to provide Inland Empire youth with the resources they need to lead happy and successful lives free from the weight of opioid addiction,” said Rep. Aguilar.

The OJJDP e3p3 Modeled Grant will include the City of Rialto, and middle and high schools in Rialto.

Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson said, “Rialto continues to be a pioneer in moving initiatives forward that will empower our residents.  The e3p3 Model, created by M.H.M. & Associates (a professional grant firm) serves in creating strategically aligned public, private partnerships.  This win affords the City of Rialto, students and their families in being one of the first that will benefit from the program efforts to dress the Opioid Crisis.”

The project was one of 12 projects funded nationwide to provide mentoring to youth at-risk of Opioid abuse.

YAP, Young Visionaries and Sigma Beta Xi have all been funded under prior initiatives using the e3p3 Model, designed to accelerate grant resources into cities/regions, and were excited to see it work once again to further assist youth in the region.

Earlier this year, Rep. Aguilar’s office held a Federal Grants Workshop to highlight best practices and share strategies for success when applying for federal grants which was attended by a representative from YAP.

“Our youth are in crisis, they are being influenced by many fronts to experiment with drugs and we will do all we can to help them combat bad information. Now more than ever drug use is promoted in music, movies and social media. We have to continue helping and mentoring our youth in making informed decisions. The resources awarded by OJJDP will support our efforts to make sure the real winners are our youth,” said Joseph Williams President San Bernardino Community College Board District Board and YAP CEO.”

Today’s announcement comes just over one year since Rep Aguilar announced an additional $500,000 to combat the broader opioid crisis within the Inland Empire.

For questions regarding this announcement, the project or the e3p3 Model contact Joseph Williams at 909-75-1068 or call Luvina Beckley from Grant writing firm M.H.M & Associates at 951-692-4646 or go online http://mhmandassociates.com

Publisher’s Commentary by Wallace J. Allen IV

My number one recommendation is that you vote…  Either vote early, vote by mail or go to your polling place on November 6^th and pick up and fill in your ballot! I am willing to tell you how I am going to vote on State issues, and being that “Politics is Local”, I am willing to live with your decisions and deal with our local elected officials and staff at our regular meetings… Councils, boards, commissions, etc…

Regarding the eleven propositions that are on our state wide ballot; Prop 1; Prop 2, Prop 3, and Prop 4 are bonds… I vote Yes! They allow the State to Borrow money for these projects today and pay back with interest in the future. If you vote yes, be prepared to “follow the money” and how it is really spent! If you vote against them, we prolong the problem with no immediate replacement solution. However it goes those of us who are compassionate will always find ways to help others. And you can be sure that there are people who will need it!

Prop 5 allows a homeowner tax break for senior citizens… I vote Yes! I am a senior citizen homeowner!

Prop 6 repeals the recent gas tax and vehicle registration fee… I vote No! The tax costs me money and thus I am looking at a non-gas-burning –vehicle, and maybe you should too.  Plus our roads need help which means, “follow the money”!

Prop 7 saves daylight… I vote No! Whatever you do is fine with me, I am not a morning person!

Prop 8 reflects the ongoing war between health-care and profits… And in this case the unions are pushing for what they regard as their share. I vote No! Your vote will not end the war.  Only when we decide which is more important, profit or people, will that be solved.  Hint, people can create profit, profit cannot create people!

Prop 9 was disqualified by the courts!

Prop 10 gets rid of existing state restrictions on rent control leaving Cities and Counties to do as they please.  I vote Yes! If we don’t like what they do we can vote them out!

Prop 11 solves a problem that does not exist… I vote No!

Prop 12 is expensive for food producers, but I have been told that the less trauma in the lives of animals that are raised for food, the better the taste!  I vote Yes!

By Lou Yeboah

… Because you haven’t received what you want. Trust God! For in Matthew 6:25-27 He says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” The keynote is DO NOT WORRY because He already knows your need.

I want you to know that it angered God so much that the Israelites complained in the desert after all the miracles that He performed to get them out of Egypt to the point that He allowed the trip to be much longer than it needed to be… “Take another lap, God said…. See if you can get this right.” Again and again they complained until God said: “Just die in the wilderness – a whole generation in the wilderness.” That is how serious God took complaining.

I tell you, complaining to others or having a bitter heart towards God about not having received what you want does not help the situation. Stop it already! And take the counsel that David took for his own soul– “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from You. For You alone is my rock and my salvation; my fortress, I will not be shaken…” Murmur not, repine not, but wait upon God.

Yes, there are many times we find ourselves in situations that we just don’t understand. But I tell you, it is in these times that we are called upon to exercise our faith and just TRUST in the LORD.  I know that it’s not always easy for us to give our cares to God and trust Him completely, but when life presents itself with ever-changing variables; we’ve got to realize that we serve a God who is stationary in His Goodness. Consider “The Source,” God, and stop stressing yourself out – losing sleep, being weary, anxious, worried, depressed and sad. Trust God! He is forever faithful and true.

“Faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen…”  [Hebrews 11:1]