By Erica Chayes Wida

Spanish moss draped over St Helena Island, South Carolina, as Elting Buster Smalls and his children hummed down the earthen path in their 1960s station wagon. It was the summer of 1974, and the harvest from the Smalls’ 20-acre farm – passed down since the late-1800s through their family of newly freed enslaved and runaway West Africans – was bountiful. Smalls and his children packed baskets of fresh honeydew, peanuts and sugar cane, and fish they’d caught in the river, to drop on the porches of local elders who were no longer able to work the land.

But today, nearly 50 years after Elting first taught his young daughter Victoria Smalls about the traditions integral to their identity, many Gullah Geechee can no longer work the land, as the land – and thereby the Gullah Geechee way of life – is being rattled by climate change.

Victoria, the 13th of Elting and his wife Laura’s 14 children, grew up Gullah – a word she didn’t actually learn until after college in the early 1990s. (Colloquially, Gullah distinguishes whether a Gullah Geechee individual lives north of the Savannah River, while those south of it are referred to as Geechee.) For Victoria, Gullah Geechee wasn’t the mystic, isolated culture of inherited Africanisms and Southern landscapes that had become of interest to 21st-Century academics, tourists and hungry land developers.

“It was just our way of life,” said Victoria, who later moved from St Helena to Charleston, South Carolina, to work on the International African American Museum, which, when it opens in 2020, will illuminate South Carolina’s global historical significance and show the role enslaved Africans and free blacks had in shaping the US.

The Gullah Geechee are descendants of Central and West Africans who are believed to have been trafficked into what is known as the Low Country for their expertise in coastal rice farming and irrigation systems. After the American Civil War ended in 1865, Union General William T Sherman established Special Field Order 15, which designated 400,000 acres of land along the coastline of the Southern US, from South Carolina to Florida, to newly freed black families in parcels of roughly 40 acres each. The isolated geography, which is spread out over 12,000 sq miles known as the Gullah Geechee Corridor, created insulated coastal and island communities, most of which were at least 90% black, with well-preserved cultural traditions.

Gullah Geechee religion incorporates Christianity with African belief systems, much of which was reflected in the lessons Victoria was taught as a child. Respect for nature, as well as elders and community, was sacred. African crafts were passed down for necessity, like cast nets and flat-bottomed boats known as ‘bateau boats’, which Victoria said are based off the West African dugout and redesigned to easily navigate shallow shores and waterways. The craft of sewing pieces of cloth into large, colorful patterns was combined with European quilting to become a creole art form that also allowed Gullah Geechee women to sit and socialize.

The Gullah Geechee are descendants of freed African slaves who inhabited coastal lands in the Southern US (Credit: Gado Images/Alamy)

“We didn’t have a bridge on [St Helena] until 1939. The island was like an incubator for the culture, the language. You don’t hear it now, but when I was growing up I had a very thick accent,” Victoria said.

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, which strives to preserve the Gullah Geechee sites and stories, describes the Gullah Geechee language as a creole dialect that sprung from the linguistic influences of “European slave traders, slave owners and diverse African ethnic groups”.

“Beaufort was only 7 miles away, and when I was four, five, up to 10 years old, people would laugh at me in Beaufort, even the blacks who were still Gullah Geechee people,” Victoria said. “The nurturing you received on St Helena Island was so wonderful that the language and the way of life and working the land, farming, living off the water and living in tight-knit communities – it was so different than that just 7 miles inland on the mainland.”

The Gullah Geechee Corridor’s isolated geography created insulated coastal and island communities (Credit: David Lyons/Alamy)

Today, the pejorative perception of the Gullah Geechee being uneducated or backcountry has shifted to one in which the identity is celebrated, both by academics and those who grew up in the culture. Yet the Gullah Geechee ways are slipping away.

According to Dr Albert George II, director of conservation at the South Carolina Aquarium who was raised Gullah Geechee, individuals residing in the more isolated communities such as St Helena still subsist on their own agriculture, sourcing food from their farms and gardens and fish from the waterways rather than going to the grocery store. But due to environmental changes, such as rising sea levels and salt water erosion, connecting to the earth through food is becoming a complicated feat.

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By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— “Blow the trumpet and warn the people. Say unto them, as I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked: but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die?” [Ezekiel 33:11]. Judgment is about to come to the earth like never before. The storm is about to break in all of its fury. Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. [Luke 13:3].

“For if you go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” There will be no salvation. If you reject Christ, there’s no way to be saved. [Hebrews 10:26]. That’s what the writer is saying. There is no other sacrifice, there is no other provision. All you have then is a “certain terrifying expectation of judgment.” This is described as the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries, the fiery furious judgment of hell where the worm dies not, the fire is not quenched, blackness and darkness forever, weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth in eternal torment. Repent while it is still day!

The Lord clearly points out that the time is short and what is about to come to pass in the fulfillment of His prophecy. He says, as He slew the first-born of Egypt from the Pharaoh to the cattle, so it will be to those that refuse to turn from their evil and wicked ways and seek his gift of salvation.

The warning to repent has been given! 

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live…” [Deuteronomy 30:19]

“Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water… the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night. Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!” Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. The sixth angel sounded: demonic army of horsemen released to kill a third of mankind…But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.”

 “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” [Luke 10: 1-16]

By James Ramos, San Bernardino County Supervisor, Third District

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- “Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our Nation,” John F. Kennedy, 1961.

The Cradle to Career approach that the County of San Bernardino developed with other community leaders is a collective impact methodology that begins with a strong developmental foundation for our young children and follows them through their educational years to give them the best opportunity for a college education while giving them the skills for a career beyond their degree.

I have been a strong supporter of the Cradle to Career initiative since its inception and am proud to announce that because of the strong partnerships we have and the community’s involvement, the Countywide Vision Cradle to Career program has even greater opportunities for our students.  

Generation Go! is San Bernardino County’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth program.  The Workforce Development Board is partnering with the K-12 and the community college system to provide work-based learning for students in career pathways.  Students will co-enroll in a community college work experience class while completing an internship after they take a non-credit work readiness class that teaches the soft skills they need. 

This allows students to graduate high school with some work experience and college credit, and in some cases, with industry recognized credentials.  It is my pleasure to announce that 14 students from Cajon High School and 12 students from San Andreas and Sierra High School completed internships at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and were placed with positions with private employers.

Another 280 students from the San Bernardino and Colton school districts completed the work readiness class over the past few months.  These students will be placed in internships that will be completed during the spring semester. 

As John F. Kennedy believed, education is the key to a stronger future for our communities, our businesses and our nation. 

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— FONTANA, CA —- Ephesians New Testament Church cordially invites you to join them for their Annual Community Awards Luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn Fontana located at10543 Sierra Avenue in Fontana on Saturday, September 8 at 11:00 am.

This is the semi-annual luncheon where we honor individuals that have made significant contributions to the overall quality of life of the Fontana community. The luncheon seeks to exhibit and say thank you to those that serve us as ideal citizens and role models for our youth. We hope that their continued work will inspire others to serve this community. This year the committee has chosen (6) individuals.

Supervisor Josie Gonzales, for her work here in Fontana as “The Original Fontana Girl’ she has done so much to help seniors, veterans and to make the vision of a wholesome place to live for families. She serves the County of San Bernardino but Fontana is her home she loves children and has been supportive and personally encouraging to them as a role model.

Mr. Michael Tahan, before he became a councilman he supported every nonprofit group in our community with his businesses as well as his personal time and donations.  Mr. Tahan, as a resident speaks to many moral issues and to the fairness in our society.  He is a wonderful father and has found a way as an elected official to balance his family time and serve his community.

Mr. Danny Marquez, is the board chairman for Veterans Partnering with Communities Organizations.  Mr.  Marquez saw a need in this community to help veterans socially and informationally connect the many vets we have here in Fontana.  He was able to secure a place where vets could come and get help with their benefits and meet others. His passion has brought light to the many vets that live here in Fontana and their needs.

ABS Collision Center, Mr.  Idilio Sanchez is the president of ABS Collision Center one of the prominent businesses in our community he is a community supporter and operates with integrity. He has helped many organizations in this community and currently serves in the Rotary and Chamber of Commerce helping other business to connect and succeed.

Ms. Jasmin Hall, is a Fontana resident that became interwoven into the fiber of our community by simply saying I’ll serve she was a candidate for city council appointment.   She has been appointed to the Inland Empire Utilities Agency and has served on that board for (5) years. Dir. Hall has extensive experience in community leadership by serving as the Fontana Planning Commission Secretary and serving as Chairwoman for the Fontana Parks and Recreation Commissioner.  Her willingness to help be it volunteer or public service is a role model in that  she has mirrored the JFK quote “Ask Not What your Country Can Do For You Ask What You Can Do for Your Country” 

Westside Baptist Church, Samuel Dawkins, Sr. Pastor.  Westside Baptist Church has been in the community for over 20 years.  They are community centered and serve us in many capacities, from a food and clothing giveaway program, to a feeding program.  Pastor Dawkins is entrenched in the community as well as his wife who now serves as president of the Exchange Club.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, striking approximately 165,000 men each year with about 30,000 dying of the disease, making it second only to lung cancer as the deadliest cancer in men.

Caught early, prostate cancer can be treated, usually successfully, but remember, in early stages, prostate cancer has no symptoms, so don’t wait for “something bad” to happen to Get It Checked.

For almost 30 years, doctors have had a powerful weapon in their arsenal for detecting prostate cancer. In addition to the DRE (a physical exam allowing the doctor to feel the prostate), patients can have a simple blood test called a PSA (which stands for prostate specific antigen) that will detect a majority of prostate problems early. Since the PSA has been used, prostate cancer deaths have declined and the number of successfully treated prostate cancer cases has risen.

During September, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Men’s Health Network is urging men to talk to their healthcare providers about prostate cancer.  They also encourage women to get involved and urge their husbands, fathers, brothers, and other loved ones to talk to their healthcare provider about prostate screening, including the PSA and DRE tests. 

Let others know about the risks of prostate cancer and the potential benefits of screening.  Posters, fact sheets, and a social media tool kit, for use at your place of worship, where your work, and for your fraternity or sorority, can all be downloaded for free at the www.ProstateCancerAwarenessMonth.com web site.

A federally staffed panel of experts, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), makes recommendations about screenings that healthcare providers look to for guidance.  At its meeting in May of this year, the Task Force recommended that men age 55-69 should speak to their healthcare provider about using the PSA test to screen for prostate cancer.  But Men’s Health Network, many other patient advocate organizations, and many healthcare providers don’t think that goes far enough.

Men’s Heath Network urges the following men to talk to their healthcare provider about routine prostate cancer screening:

• All men over age 50, and at age 40 for African Americans
• Men with a family history of prostate cancer
• Veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and
• Men exposed to pesticides and certain other chemicals.

If you are on Medicare, prostate cancer screening is a part of your Welcome to Medicare physical, the free comprehensive physical exam you receive in your first year of eligibility. But you may have to ask for the “Welcome” physical since many healthcare providers don’t seem to know about it. And, Medicare continues to cover prostate cancer screening in following years.

For younger men, over 30 states require that insurance companies offering health insurance in their state provide coverage for prostate cancer tests.  Insurance companies may offer prostate cancer screening in the remaining states, but are not required to do so.

And, know your numbers! When you receive your PSA test results, ask the healthcare provider what your PSA number is, write it down, and compare it against future tests.  If the number goes up in future tests, talk to your healthcare provider.

The bottom line?  Having an annual prostate exam, including a PSA test, just might save your life. No matter what age you are, that annual PSA test creates a benchmark to judge future tests against.

And ladies, if the men in your life don’t want to make an appointment, do it for them – and drive them to the healthcare provider’s office if you have to.

No insurance and limited funds?  Watch for free screenings in your area.  Many healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics, and health fairs offer free prostate screenings in September and at other times during the year.

Take any opportunity you can to Get It Checked (www.GetItChecked.com).

Resources:

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month:  www.ProstateCancerAwarenessMonth.com

Prostate Health Guide:  www.ProstateHealthGuide.com

Get It Checked (screening guidelines for men and for women): www.GetItChecked.com

Men’s Health Network:  www.MensHealthNetwork.org

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- ANGELUS OAKS, CA— This summer — and every summer since 2013, students from Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy dedicated several days of their summer break volunteering at Camp Conrad Chinnock.

A comprehensive educational program located in Angelus Oaks, California, Camp Conrad Chinnock provides training to kids ages 7 to 12 with Type 1 diabetes and their families by teaching them how to manage their medication, eat properly and integrate physical activity into their lifestyle.

Kaitlyn Phumirat, a third-year student at the School of Pharmacy, was one of 22 students volunteering at Camp Chinnock this summer. She said her experience was eye-opening.

“It was impressive to watch these kids work their pump devices, change their pump site injections, test their blood glucose, and calculate how much insulin they need to cover their carbohydrates intake really well at such a young age,” said Phumirat, who would have to wake up with kids in the middle of the night to check their glucose and tend to any specific needs the kids may have.

Diabetic children aren’t typically able to experience summer camp because diabetes has to be so closely monitored. “Diabetes management is tough,” Phumirat said. “While at camp I realized how much diabetes affects one’s sleep cycle, physical activity, and so much of one’s everyday life.”

Campers sleep in cabins, make new friends, learn archery, fish, swim, hike, and take turns cleaning the mess hall after meals.

The camp was started in 1957 by Robert Chinnock, MD, a Loma Linda University Health pediatrician. His son, Richard Chinnock, MD and grandson Timothy Chinnock, MD, both pediatricians, continue to support and participate in the camp today.

The camp is a safe haven to kids with diabetes, says Nancy Kawahara, PharmD, associate dean for professional affairs and community engagement at Loma Linda School of Pharmacy.

In 2008, Kawahara’s son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes — he was 11. That year, his endocrinologist encouraged him to attend the camp, which he did every summer through high school. 

“Camp Conrad Chinnock was a place where everyone understood him, and he cherished the time he had there,” Kawahara said of her son’s experience.

The summer of her son’s junior year of high school, Kawahara dropped her son off at the teen camp while she, along with four students from the School of Pharmacy, spent six days at a session with younger children. Kawahara and the students participated in various recreational activities and educational sessions to help kids with insulin-dependent diabetes. One of those students was Christopher (CJ) Jacobson, PharmD, who is now on faculty at Loma Linda University.

“That experience led to a robust pharmacy program,” said Kawahara, who, along Jacobson now take around 20 pharmacy students to camp every year. “It has been a blessing to the education of pharmacy students because they gain first-hand experience with what it is really like to live with a chronic disease,” she said.

Since that initial summer at camp in 2013, Jacobson has spent every summer there volunteering his time. Of this year specifically, he said he enjoyed watching how integrated the pharmacy students were becoming in camp life.

“They worked on fostering relationships with the campers,” Jacobson said. “It was warming to see not only how the pharmacy students embraced camp, but how camp embraced the them.”

Several students from Loma Linda University School of Medicine also volunteer at the camp each year.

“This camp experience definitely pushed me beyond my comfort zone,” said Phumirat, the pharmacy student, who feared she might hurt a camper while poking them or giving them an insulin injection. “But watching these fearless kids do their own shots and glucose tests helped me.”

Phumirat said her positive camp experience has helped her to understand diabetes and has helped her in her journey to be a pharmacist with compassion.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The San Bernardino Pastors United (SBPU) will be having another Community Block party on Saturday, September 22 at Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School located at 1250 Medical Center in San Bernardino. 

The Pastors are coming together to continue to unite the community through love, compassion and fellowship. The Churches continue to take a stand together as a united front to encourage and bless the community. These engagements help families with much needed resources, increases goodwill within the community and allows law enforcement to interact with residence in a positive environment.

There will be free food, groceries, shoes, backpacks for kids, clothes, health checks, face-painting and jumpers for kids. There will also be a life-saving message by Pastor Raymond Turner of Temple Missionary Baptist Church, powerful gospel music and good fellowship.

Please register by phone, email or at at www.sbpastorsunited.org.

Together we are strong; join with us as we bring, “Healing, Change and Progress” to the City of San Bernardino.

For more information call (909) 353-7977 or email sbpastorsunited@gmail.com.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— RIVERSIDE, CA—The Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce is the happy recipient of a 16-passenger bus recently donated by the Riverside Transit Agency.

Pepi Jackson, President of RCBCC stated, “I am elated about the fact that the bus is so roomy that I can get three-wheel chairs in it! This gift will allow us to provide even more services to our members, constituents and clients.” 

For more information about RCBCC call (951) 823-0175 or visit their website Riversidecountybcc.org.

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Video Shoot for Rap Artist Mack Pepperboy is What it Do! This Sunday in the beautiful city of Lake Elsinore it will be a movie. The making of Mack Peppperboy’s new hit single, “Right There,” featuring R&B Singer Yung Muusik will take place.

The shoot will also star the beautiful and sexy Coffee Brown of Coffee Brown Entertainment. There will also be special appearances by Tresunda De La Cruz, Lue Productions’ BBW Queen; Riisha Shelby of Diva Outlaw; The Bourne’s; Comedian Mac Rome; L.P. model Porscha Dillard; Jonathan Fields of Ambiance Magazine; James McCoy a.k.a. OJ; Jasmine Hall; Essence Johnson; Mrs. Perris and Mrs. California.

The videographer for the shoot will be Nycee Dreams and we’ll be on set with Ilondon Fog Studios. Our management team at LUE Productions/LPM is excited and happy for our artist. It’s been a moment due to him being in hibernation working diligently on his new project titled, “It’s The Pepperboy”, which will drop at a later date.

“On this project you will be able to hear the difference and the growth in his writing skills. He’s connected with other talented and unique artists in order to bring forth a new sound,” Deeveatva Bourne, Core member of LUE Productions Management Team, stated.

Please be on the lookout for this fiery artist based right here in the Inland Empire. The video shoot will be wrapped up that evening in Riverside. You can catch his performance live at Status Night Club for Legendary Entertainment’s artist spotlight. Doors open at 9 p.m. The event will be hosted be KG. Early arrival is strongly suggested.

Until next week L’s!

Publisher’s Commentary By Wallace J. Allen 

Nike has voted! The Nike 30^th Anniversary advertising campaign features Colin Kaepernick and the phrase “Just Do It!”  The signature Nike theme phrase implies much more than accomplishing a sports goal! Colin Kaepernick’s image widens the context to include protesting injustice and inequality!

Please register so you can vote! Ask your friends, real and virtual, to verify their registration and reregister if need be!  You can register via your computer. You can register at your County Registrar of Voters/ Elections Office. You can help others register via your computer.

Once registered you can then vote your conscience. I hope that you will vote with me and with Nike as we seek justice and equal access in this great country that our forefathers/mothers have vested their lives to create!