action!

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MISSING

Serving Southeastern North Carolina since 1927 and an outgrowth of R.S. Jervay Printers established in 1901

N ews from the African American perspective without fear or favo r Wilmington Police are continuing their search for 30 year old Ebonee Spears of Wilmington. The local Crimestoppers organization has joined with the Wilmington Police Department in offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information on Ebonee's whereabouts. If you know where Spears may be, call Wilmington Police at (910) 343-3600 or use Text-a-Tip.

O U T side

Looking IN OUR VOICE

REV. JESSE JACKSON

APRIL 7 - APRIL 13, 2016

VOLUME 89/NO. 14

FIFTY CENTS

RALEIGH

LAWSUIT ALLEGES SRO ABUSE OF STUDENTS SPECIAL TO THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL FROM THE CAROLINIAN A lawsuit filed against Wake County Public School System and assorted law enforcement agencies throughout the county alleging mistreatment of eight African-American students by School Resource Officers has prompted a visit by staff from the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to review whether or not the discipline policies and practices of the District discriminate against African American students are on the basis of race. As part of its investigation, OCR will provide this opportunity for students, parents of students, and other members of the community to share their experiences. A good deal of the investigation may well focus on allegations of WCPSS and local law enforcement agencies deploying school resource officers and dispatching non-SRO officers to schools in a

“Make election about economic justice”

manner that harms countless students, rather than ensuring their safety. This session is billed as a "listening session", and will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Vital Link School Event Center located at 1214 East Lenoir Street in Raleigh. Persons will special needs are asked to contact Marcelo Quinones, OCR Attorney at 202-453-6567 in advance of the meeting. Rev. Dr. Portia W. Rochelle, Raleigh-Apex Chapter NAACP President, commented, "The groups involved in the lawsuit are anxiously awaiting the arrival of OCR. Since filing the suit 5.5 years ago, AfricanAmerican youth continue to be unfairly burdened by Wake County's discriminatory discipline practices. The data is unequivocally clear that AfricanAmerican students are being unfairly targeted by harsh disciplinary and school policing practices in Wake County. This is not

a new trend, but instead one that has been well-documented by students, parents, and advocates in Wake County for a number of years." Rev. Dr. Rochelle continued, "Bold, immediate action is needed to protect the futures of our African-American students who are being disproportionately targeted by Wake's suspension and policing practices. The hugely negative impacts of long-term suspensions and referrals to court can place financial burdens on parents, and derail students' future education and life goals. It is critical that the OCR require Wake County to act swiftly to repair the harms that have already been caused and to prevent even more AfricanAmerican students from being discriminatorily pushed into the school-to-prison pipeline." The complaint states that employees of the WCPSS and law Please see

JOSE V. SARTARELLI

Jose V. Sartarelli formally installed as chancellor of the University of North Carolina Wilmington BY OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY RELATIONS UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA WILMINGTON

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- On March 31, 2016, Jose V. Sartarelli was officially installed as the sixth chancellor and ninth leader of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Please see

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SARTARELLI/Page 2

ACTION!

BY REV. JESSE JACKSON

PAGE 4 BRUNSWICK COUNTY UPDATE

PHOTO CREDIT: NEKIRA WOODBURY/UNCW

KEVIN SPEARS

Kevin Spears juggles his roles as activist and student

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BERNEST HEWETT

NAACP RETREAT BY BERNEST HEWETT CONTRIBUTING WRITER This week, Unit No. 5452 of the NAACP, Brunswick County, will hold a retreat at Brunswick Community College, North Campus, Hwy 74-76. This retreat will be done in three parts. The first part will include all of this district's chapters. This includes the counties of Bladen, Columbus, Brunswick, Pender, and New Hanover. It will cover the district meetings for this year. The second will cover officers on the national, state and local levels and what their duties are to the NAACP and its purpose. It also will cover the constitutions and bylaws of various units of NAACP, its structure, and ways of building good leaders. The third part will be for Unit No. 5452's Please see

BRUNSWICK/Page 2

TO

WILMINGTON --- UNCW senior Kevin Spears lives a busy life as an activist. He is chairman of the MLK Recreation Association, Inc. in Wilmington, president of Peace for the Port and a member Please see

SPEARS /Page 2

ROCAME holds Annual Brunswick County Jamboree BY WILLIAM FLYTHE CONTRIBUTING WRITER ROCAME held its annual Brunswick County jamboree on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at North Brunswick High School. Four middle schools and three high schools (approximately 125 students, teachers, and volunteers) participated in the math and science events. The winners of middle school events are: Write It Do It - Presley Cerrillo and Joselyn Tapia, Shallotte Middle (SMS), first; Brea DePriest and Susie Whalen, South Brunswick Middle (SBMS), second; Alec Candler and Tia Moss (SBMS), third; Metric Mastery - Matthew Robles, CGMS, first; Azuxera Ascerio and David Bonifacio, Waccamaw (WES), second; Kaycee May and Ajia Steve, SMS, third; Road Scholar -

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JOHN DAVIS PHOTO

he Willis Richardson Players will present The Best Plays In Life Are Short... "The Chip Woman's Fortune by Willis Richardson, Jr. and "A Room With A Double Bed" by local Wilmingtonian Ruth Johnson on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday April 16, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The plays will be held at Thalian Hall Studio Theatre, 310 Chestnut St., Wilmington, NC. Tickets are $19.35 at the Thalian Hall Box Office. For more information contact the Thalian Hall Box Office at 910-632-2285. “The Chip Woman's Fortune” and “A Room With A Double Bed” cast. Left to Right seated Nolan Pittman, Louise Harrison and Benjamin Foreman and standing Bertha Quince, Clarkton Moore, Jr., Marion Evans Bryant, Nevaeh Pigford, Lela Thompson, Robert Harrison and Angel Dualeh.

BY JAMES NAGY INTERN UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA WILMINGTON OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

(910) 762-5502

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

NORTH BRUNSWICK WON THE HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP Haleigh Hardee and Carlee Coffelt, CGMS, first; Eva Real and Ashley Esquivel, SMS,

VISIT

second; Morgan Wesley and Sara Dominguez, SMS, third; Egg Drop - Dulce Dominguez

US AT

WWW.WILMINGTONJOURNAL.COM

and Katherine Nugyen, SMS, first; Sara Dominguez and Leslie Cruz, SMS, second;

Cloey Hardee and Aiden Wilkie, CGMS, third; Mystery Architecture - Rury Bautista and Luis Ariza, SMS, first; Juan Velasquez and Qvetzal Gonzalez, WES, second; Maria Hernandez and Presley Cerrillo, SMS, third; Science Clue - Azucem Ascencio and David Bonifacio, WES, first; Kaycee May and Morgan Wesley, SMS, second; Carlea Coffeld and Kaitlyn Toliver, CGMS, third; Science Project Aiden Wilkie, CGMS, first; Eva Real, SMS, second; Kaycee May, SMS, third; Pentathlon - Lilly Gilliland, Aiden Wilke, Lexi Gilliland, Daniel Hetmeyes, CGMS, first; Charlie Olmedo, Zumi Cuji, Rury Bautista, and Anthony Esquivel, SMS, second; Jamia Moody, Adrian Sanchez, Please see

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Thursday, April 7, 2016

NEWS ANALYSIS

ISSN 0049-7649 - AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER Dedicated to R.S. Jervay, Founder of R.S. Jervay Printers, 1901 and T.C. Jervay, Sr., Founder of The Wilmington Journal, An offspring of the Cape Fear Journal, 1927 Published Weekly At 412 South Seventh Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 By Black Press SENC, LLC P.O. Box 1020, Wilmington, NC 28402 Periodical Postage Paid At Wilmington, NC 28402 (910) 762-5502, Fax: (910) 343-1334, Email: [email protected] Website: www.wilmingtonjournal.com Single Copy 50 Cents Subscription Rates All Subscriptions $32 Yearly, Except Foreign, $37 Yearly, Payable in Advance.(Taxes Included for NC Residents) Address all communications and make all checks and money orders payable to: The Wilmington Journal, P.O. Box 1020, Wilmington, NC 28402

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ACCEPT

Shawn Jervay Thatch Chief Operating Officer Mary Alice Jervay Thatch Publisher/Editor Johanna Thatch Briggs Assistant Editor Cash Michaels Reporter/Editorial Staff Edward Crumdy Accounts Executive John Davis Photographer DeShon Briggs Distributor Opinions expressed by columnists in this newspaper do not necessarily represent the policy of this paper. The Wilmington Journal cannot accept yard sale and dinner sale announcements as briefs. These are considered advertisements. Community and religious briefs are designated for public service announcements, which are free and open to the public. All news must be submitted two weeks in advance by Fridays at 5 p.m. There is no charge for submitting briefs, news and photos. All briefs will run for a maximum of two weeks. Please send news near the event date. Briefs/news cannot be taken over the phone. Photos and stories may also be emailed to us at [email protected]. News, but not photos, may be faxed to us at 910-343-1334. Photos may be picked up after appearing in the paper. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited news, pictures or advertising copy unless necessary postage accompanies the copy on a self-addressed envelope.

Member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, Inc. Member of North Carolina Black Publishers Association

BRUNSWICK Continued from Page 1 planning and fundraising for the coming year. We will seek ways to keep members working with civil rights causes and help poor people who are under the attack of oppression and suppression. The retreat is supposed to start at 9:00 a. m. on April 16, 2016. Come out and join us! We have been hit with bills, such as House Bill 2, which uses such issues as transgender restrooms to avert our attention from the whole bill that is against the working class. If we read the whole bill, we will find that the issue of transgender restrooms is just a smoke screen that has been thrown up, and the bill is actually design to take away more of our rights as citizens. We must educate our people and then help them to reach more people so that we don't become White and Black slaves for the rich, those who have set out to undermine our freedom. The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination in this County, this State, or the United States of America. We are the voice of the poor, the elderly, the sick, whether they be Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, or otherwise, those who are targets of oppression or racism. Bernest L. Hewett is President of the Brunswick County Branch of NAACP.

A closer look at law enforcement inside our nation’s public schools BY JAMES A. GILMORE PUBLIC POLICY PROJECT (TriceEdneyWire.com) Last month, the Civil Rights Coalition on Police Reform (CRCPR), co-convened by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the Civil Rights Roundtable on Disability met with leaders in the administration to discuss best practices and sound policies for maintaining school safety. Among the reforms discussed was greater accountability for school resource officers (SROs) who serve inside public schools. Use of force by SROs has a negative impact on students, particularly along lines of race and disability status. Notably, students of color figure prominently into the many stories of police brutality and excessive use of force that continue to make headlines. In October of 2015, a video emerged of a student being violently removed from her chair by a school resource officer (SRO) at Spring Valley High in South Carolina 2015. In the same month, the Department of Justice filed a statement of

SARTARELLI Continued from Page 1 Faculty, staff and students joined members of the Wilmington community for the historic event on Hoggard Lawn - in all, a gathering of nearly 2,000 people. A native of Brazil,

SPEARS Continued from Page 1 of the Wilmington Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Spears, a Wilmington native, will also graduate in May with a major in information technology and a minor in Africana Studies. In fact, he seemed destined to be a

LAWSUIT Continued from Page 1 enforcement agencies are collaborating in a harmful pattern and practice of utilizing largely unregulated law enforcement officers to address minor student misbehavior that is often non-criminal in nature. This results in students being subjected to unconstitutional and unlawful treatment, including unreasonable and excessive uses of force, unlawful searches, interrogations, arrests, and harassment. All of these patterns and practices have a disproportionately adverse impact on AfricanAmerican students and students with disabilities. It was further stated in the complaint that WCPSS has Security Department SAs that are stationed at individual schools and assigned to cover geographic regions of elementary, middle, and high schools. SAs are required to have five or more years of experience in law enforcement, investigations, or other security services, as well as a bachelors degree or equivalent vocational/technical training in criminal justice or law enforcement. The primary duties include investigating incidents, providing presentations on school security-related topics, providing written security risk assessments of school system sites, and assisting schools with

interest in a Kentucky school case where eight and nine-yearold boys were handcuffed behind their backs, above their elbows and at their biceps for behavior that stemmed from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And in March of 2016, the Washington Post reported that the Baltimore school system's police chief and two officers have been placed on administrative leave after a video surfaced of officers violently beating a young man. The President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing's final report highlighted the need for law enforcement agencies and school districts to establish memorandums of understanding (MOUs) to limit police involvement in student discipline. MOUs would delineate specific roles and responsibilities for SROs and limit their participation in non-criminal school discipline matters, and could require specific training and supervision. The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) office of the Department of Justice released a fact sheet outlining how to

develop a successful MOU. In addition to defining roles, accountability measures are necessary for the federal government to ensure recipients of federal grants do not engage in discriminatory behavior. Last year, the COPS office awarded $113 million in hiring grants giving special consideration to departments in need of SROs.

The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1698 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 strictly forbid discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex or national origin by law enforcement agencies receiving federal funds. Lastly, schools should rethink their approach to discipline in light of the document-

ed racial disparities in suspensions and expulsions. The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights reported that while Black children represent 18 percent of preschool enrollment, they represent 48

Sartarelli took office at UNCW on July 1, 2015. Prior to that, he served as chief global officer and dean of the College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University. He also had a three-decades-long career in marketing and management for the international pharmaceutical industry. "I know of no higher call-

ing than guiding this university toward the future," Chancellor Sartarelli noted in his remarks, where he also unveiled a strategic plan that will serve as a blueprint for the university's future. University of North Carolina system president Margaret Spellings formally presided over the installation ceremony. W. Louis Bissette

Jr., Chair of the UNC Board of Governors, noted that while the ceremony marks the formal beginning of Sartarelli's leadership, he has already established himself as a strong leader and guided the campus with a clear vision since arriving in July. "In only 69 years, this institution has already achieved the kind of support and

recognition that many older and more established universities can only dream about," Sartarelli said. "I believe my leadership style will empower us to advance the university's vision and mission collaboratively to the great benefit of our students and our community as well as the state of North Carolina."

Seahawk. "My mother graduated from here, my sister did and one of my best friends did, also," Spears said. "Actually, I have a couple of friends who graduated from here. It's kind of like tradition." Spears places a strong emphasis on education, especially in New Hanover County where he received his

public education. "I've got children, and my oldest is in high school," he said. "I've been involved in the education of my child, and clearly education is important to me." Due to the amount of time his involvement requires, Spears has to start his days early. He often wakes up at 6 a.m., and is often not in bed

until 10 or 11 p.m. In order to keep track of his schedule, he plans around his school and work. In the rare moments he does have free time, he likes to sit at home and talk and laugh with his friends and family. He also enjoys running and hopes to work his way up to a 5K. UNCW is enlightening and he likes meeting new people,

but said the most important lesson he has learned throughout his life is to accept failure. "It's inevitable, but a lot of people with failures, it just tears and breaks them apart," he said. "A good failure - and I don't know if you can call a failure a good failure - always leads to a strong comeback."

coordinating and executing emergency action drills. Their other duties, which closely resemble traditional law enforcement officer activities, also include: Maintaining "internal intelligence;" Developing suspect pools;" Interrogating students and taking written statements; Searching students, vehicles, lockers, and facilities; Planning, coordinating, and participating in periodic canine searches; Photographing seized evidence and turning it over to law enforcement; Inspecting surveillance equipment; Testing students for drugs and alcohol. All of these should be sufficient to guarantee that the rights of the students be protected, except, school administrators, SAs, and SROs reportedly function as an investigating unit with the school administration; according to the complaint this circumstance most often results in the school administration going along with the SROs position. A study commissioned by the National Institute of Justice and the U.S. Department of Justice stressed that "one of the most frequent and destructive mistakes many SRO programs make is to fail to define in detail the SROs' roles and responsibilities before the officers take up their posts in the schools." The complaint continues stating that in

Wake Co. policies should exist regarding when SROs must treat an incident as a school discipline matter and when they can arrest or file charges against students. The complaint also stated that the vast majority of these incidents resulted in the suspension and/or expulsion of students involved, which has resulted in some staggering figures released by the NC Department of Public Instruction. In New Hanover Co. during 2014-1015 2,573 AfricanAmerican students received Short Term Suspensions. If that were not bad enough, Wake Co. for the same period of time has well eclipsed that number with 7,308 Short Term Suspensions. These issues are not singular to North Carolina Public Schools. In an article titled, "A Closer Look at Law Enforcement Inside Our Nation's Public Schools" James A. Gilmore wrote that last month, the Civil Rights Coalition on Police Reform (CRCPR), co-convened by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the Civil Rights Roundtable on Disability met with leaders in the administration to discuss best practices and sound policies for maintaining school safety. Among the reforms discussed was greater accountability for school resource officers (SROs) who serve inside public schools. Use of force by SROs has a

negative impact on students, particularly along lines of 5race and disability status. A graph published with Mr. Gilmore's article (Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, Civil Rights Data Collection, 201112 shows the distinct disparity between the White school population and AfricanAmerican population when it comes to students receiving suspensions and expulsions by race and ethnicity. All of this calls for some rethinking on behalf of administrators, parents, students, and the community, as to just what we are doing to address a problem which would have long term effects on the students involved, as well as the communities they live in. The complaint concluded:

"The WCPSS and law enforcement agencies' school policing policies and practices violate rights guaranteed to students under the U.S. Constitution, and unlawfully discriminate against AfricanAmerican students and Students With Disabilities in violation of Title IV, Title VI, Section 504,and the ADA. Complainants respectfully requested that the Department of Justice fully investigate these claims and require the WCPSS and law enforcement agencies to cease their discriminatory policies and practices and adopt policies and practices that are administered in a manner that does not harm students or discriminate against African-American students and Students With Disabilities.

In October of 2015, a video emerged of a student being violently removed from her chair by a school resource officer (SRO) at Spring Valley High in South Carolina 2015.

GOSPEL JOY - The LIGHT

WWIL1490 still Winning Wilmington In Love! a listener-supported ministry www.CarolinaChristianRadio.org PO Box 957 Wilmington NC 28402-0957

Please see

SCHOOLS/Page 3

Thursday, April 7, 2016 A NATIONAL PUNCHLINE? NC FACES ECONOMIC IMPACT OF HB 2 The economic impact of House Bill 2, passed and signed into law last week, is hard to quantify so far, but economists warn the costs could be steep. The law strikes down local protections for lesSTATE bian, gay, bisexuBRIEFS al and transgender people. San

CONTINUED/STATE NEWS

Francisco, Seattle and New York, City all announced this week that they won't pay for any nonessential city-employee travel to North Carolina because of HB 2. Allan Freyer, director of the North Carolina Justice Center, said the state even has ended up as a topic of late-night comedy. "This Legislature routinely turns North Carolina into a punchline. This is not the first time this has happened in the last five years," he said. "Discrimination isn't good for growing a state's economy. It's

not good for making sure that there is broadly shared prosperity or an economy that works for everybody.

CROSS-CONTINENTAL WIND ENERGY TRANSMISSION PROJECT COULD OFFER POWER TO NC The winds of change are blowing with the U.S. Department of Energy's approval of the Plains and Eastern Clean Line transmission project. The cross-continen-

tal project would deliver energy generated by large wind turbines in Western Oklahoma to the Southeast. John Wilson, director of research for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said Duke Energy would opt to take advantage of cleaner energy. "Maybe 50 or 100 wind turbines would be constructed in Western Oklahoma," Wilson explained. "The power would be delivered across transmission lines to Tennessee and then fed through the grid to all the way into North Carolina. So,

this could make a significant difference for Duke Ener-gy's Carolinas customers." NC METRO AREAS MAKE "FATTEST CITIES" LIST GREENSBORO---Almost 30 percent of adults in North Carolina are considered obese, and a report released by survey company, WalletHub, names four metro areas, Greensboro, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Asheville, among its top 50 Fattest Cities in America. The survey analyzed the percentage

3 of people who are inactive, amounts of fruits and vegetables consumed and, of course, weight. Registered dietitian Pam Kelle says while traditional southern foods may be partly to blame for the obesity rate of southern states, there are other socio-economic factors. "I think that habitual eating in the southern eating style is true, but if you tease it apart," she says. "I think you'll find a lot of those numbers fall into the poverty perspective, more than just a food preference perspective."

ROCAME Continued from Page 1 Donte Clark, and Samantha Washburn, WES, third; PowerPoint - Matthew Robles, CGMS, first; Listi Olmedo, Joselyn Tapara and Eva Real, SMS, second; Alexis Parez and Daniel Padilla, WES, third; Oratory - Jamiere Green, WES, first; Cheyenne Espinoza, CGMS, second; Zavion Stanley, SMS, third; Engineering (NACME) Test - Cheyenne Espinoza, Matthew Robles, Lilly Gilliland, and Daniel Hetmeyer, CGMS, first; Robotics - Lexi Gilliland and Matthew Robles, CGMS, first; Samantha Washburn, Carlos Estrada, and Adrian Sanchez, WES, second; ElectroGames Kaitlyn Tolliver and Cheyenne Espinoza, CGMS, first; Leslie Cruz and Cassie Cruz, SMS, second; Jaimere Green and Cameron Gilbert, WES, third; Quiz Bowl - Isaac Ipatzi, Azucena Ascencio, Samantha Washburn, and Cameron Gilbert, WES, first; Rury Bautista, Zumi Cuji, Anthony Esquivel, and Charlie Olmedo, SMS, second; Cheyenne Espinoza, Lexi Gilliland, Matthew Robles, and Chloey Hardee, CGMS, third. The middle school championship trophy was won by Shallotte Middle. Cedar Grove Middle and Waccamaw Elementary

SCHOOLS Continued from Page 2 percent of children who receive more than one out-of-

SHALLOTTE MIDDLE WON THE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP placed second and third, respectively. High school winners are: Write It Do It - Kyerra Kinsey and Javon Cobb, South Brunswick (SBHS), first; Trissa Floyd and Joshua Vereen, SBHS, second; Sydney Wilson and Angel Johnson, North Brunswick (NBHS), third; Metric Mastery - Quashona Hooper and Derrick Blanks, NBHS, first; Cinnamon Page and Felix Ruiz, West Brunswick (WBHS), second; Unique Hines and Sarah Bell, NBHS,

third; Road Scholar - Oleah Gause and Alliyah Simmons , WBHS, first; Egg Drop Victoria Beatty and Shannon McCoy, NBHS, first; Kiona Johnson and Francesca Abalo, NBHS, second; Macaiah Robinson and Majesty Holden, SBHS, third; Robotics - Felix Ruiz, Monty Stanley, and Cinnamon Page, WBHS, first; Davian Green and Joshua Hall, NBHS, second; Mystery Architecture Kyerra Kinsey, SBHS, first; Junior Santamaria and Eduardo Garcia, WBHS, sec-

ond; Chemistry Clue - Aliah Johnson and Sharyah Anderson, NBHS, first; Quashona Hooper and Mariaelena Navarro, NBHS, second; Pentathlon - Eduardo Garcia, Cinnamon Page, Junior Santamaria, and Oleah Gause, WBHS, first; Veronda Blue, Ju Ju Cason, Cailen Goodman, and Travis Lowe, NBHS, second; ElectroGames - Mariaelena Navarro and Jordan Hall, NBHS, first; Majesty Holden and Macaiah Robinson, SBHS, second; Jaheim Lewis,

WBHS, third; Quiz Bowl Aliah Johnson, Isaiah Bell, Veronda Blue, and Jordan Hall, NBHS, first; Monty Stanley, Junior Santamaria, Eduardo Garcia, and Felix Ruiz, NBHS, second; Trissa Floyd, Javon Cobb, Joshua Vereen, and Majesty Holden, SBHS, third; PowerPoint Victoria Beatty and Taekeem Williams, NBHS, first; Oratory - Shannon McKoy, NBHS, first; Javon Cobb, SBHS, second; Engineering (NACME) Test - Oleah Gause,

Aliyah Simmons, Cinnamon Page, and Monty Stanley, WBHS, first. The high school championship trophy was won by North Brunswick High School. West Brunswick and South Brunswick placed second and third, respectively. The jamboree sponsors were Food Lion (Leland), Harris Teeter (Leland), WalMart (Leland), McDonald's (Brunswick Co.), and Archer Daniel Midland (ADM), Southport.

school suspension and "black children are suspended and expelled at a rate three times greater than white students." For schools that rely on SROs, a disproportionate rate of disci-

pline for students of color and students with disabilities may mean a disproportionate rate of contact with officers. While many people believe SROs should be replaced with

social workers or trained specialists with a background in child development or mental health, others believe SROs are necessary to prevent incidents like the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. Even so, advocates agree that the time for school discipline reform is now. In his

last term, President Obama is focused on improving our criminal justice system -- one that has traditionally worked against people of color. One way to improve the criminal justice system and dismantle the school to prison pipeline is by limiting the use of police in

school discipline, curing racial disparities in school suspensions and expulsions, and creating accountability or law enforcement in schools. James Gilmore is policy analyst with the Public Policy Project of the National Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Civil Rights Data Collection, 2011-12

KYERRA KINSEY, SOUTH BRUNWICK HIGH SCHOOL WON FIRST PLACE IN MYSTERY ARCHITECTURE

VOICES

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Thursday, April 7, 2016

Visual Voice The Wilmington Journal was founded on the principle of the Black Press Credo. The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonism when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back. The Wilmington Journal welcomes letters from its readers. All letters are subject to editing. We will not publish pseudonymous letters. All correspondence must include a home address and a daytime phone number. All correspondence must be signed, unless it is e-mailed. Letters may be sent to our Physical Address: 412 S. 7th Street, 28401 or our Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1020, 28402. We also accept letters via e-mail at [email protected] or via fax at (910) 343-1334.

Our Voice RAINBOW COALITION

Make election about economic justice (Via George Curry Media)

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his year's presidential primaries have highlighted the importance of people of color to the Democratic Party coalition. Hillary Clinton's lead in the party's nomination race comes almost entirely from her strength among African-American and Latino voters. When people of color favor one candidate by large margins, they make the difference. That will be true in the general election as well. Democratic nominees win if people of color vote in large numbers. If turnout is down or the vote is split, Democrats - who regularly lose the majority of White voters --will lose. This reality means that African Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans can make political demands. Politicians must Rev. Jesse compete to win our votes. The power of this Jackson, Sr. can be seen with the Dreamers and the Democrats' embrace of comprehensive immigration reform, with Black Lives Matter and Democratic candidates putting criminal justice reform at the top of their agendas. Voting rights and equal rights under the law also gain traction. Missing, however, is any concerted demand for economic justice, even though African Americans and Latinos still face a stark economic divide. African Americans lost the most wealth in the Great Recession and have recovered the least. They were the most targeted and harmed by the fraud committed by mortgage peddlers. The gap between Black and White household wealth has tripled in the past quarter-century (with Blacks' median level at $11,030 while the White median is $134,230). Black unemployment remains higher and incomes remain lower. African Americans and Latinos are more likely to be in poverty. Thirty-eight percent of Black children are in poverty, as opposed to 11 percent of Whites. Worse, Blacks and Latinos are much more likely to grow up in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty. They are 10 times as likely to be in poor neighborhoods in Chicago than poor Whites are. Nearly 30 percent of poor Blacks live in poor neighborhoods in St. Louis, compared with 1.6 percent of poor Whites. Concentrated poverty what scholars term the "double burden" - digs children into a deeper hole of unsafe streets, impoverished schools, inadequate health facilities, poor markets, poor mass transit, lousy parks and more. We need a movement that does for economic justice what Black Lives Matter has done for criminal justice. We need to develop a plan for targeted investment in neighborhoods of concerted poverty (many of which are rural and White). We need a summit on urban reconstruction that brings together the relevant agencies of government and lays out a plan. Movements like the fast food workers calling for a $15 minimum wage and unions need to gain real support from elected political leaders. Some say targeted investment is inappropriate, even discriminatory. Somehow it is legitimate to target African Americans for voter registration, legitimate to target us for getting out the vote. Yet targeted investment based on need draws objections. That doesn't make sense. Some say a rising tide will raise all boats, but we know that is not true. Some boats are stuck on the bottom. Those who came here on ocean liners as immigrants came looking for a job. Those who were brought here on slave ships found themselves up for sale. The former worked for wages and, with struggle, were able to build wealth. The latter worked for the lash and were stripped of any wealth they helped to create. Race-neutral standards simply ignore a reality where race hasn't been neutral. African Americans and Latinos remain the most optimistic about America. We are far more likely to believe our children will do better than we have. Part of this is President Barack Obama and the natural desire to defend his presidency. Part of this comes from the progress African Americans have witnessed, with ancestors who came over on slave ships and parents who grew up in segregation, and now an African American in the White House. That appreciation should not, however, stop us from pushing for economic justice. It is clear that Democrats can't win without the enthusiastic support of people of color. Surely, we should insist on an agenda commensurate with the size of our problems from those who want our support. We now have the political opportunity that Dr. King dreamed of to demand justice. The question is whether we have the will. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. is founder and president of the Chicagobased Rainbow PUSH Coalition. You can keep up with his work at www.rainbowpush.org.

The BLACK PRESS USE IT or LOSE IT!

Matters of Opinion WHAT WE BLACKS NEED TO DO

Altruistic and audacious leaders in our 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reconstruction 1st RECONSTRUCTION: Hiram Rhodes Revels 1827-1901 Hiram Rhodes Revels was born to free parents in Fayetteville, NC, on September 27, 1827. In an era when educating black children was illegal in North Carolina, Revels attended a school taught by a free black woman and James worked a few years as a barHankins ber. In 1844 he moved north to complete his education. He attended the Beach Grove Quaker Seminary in Indiana and Drake County Seminary in Ohio. Following his ordination in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, he traveled through the country, spreading his religious message and educating fellow blacks. His travels included Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. Although Missouri forbade free blacks to live in the state for fear they would start an uprising, Rev. Revels took a pastorate at an AME Church in St. Louis in 1853. He was put in prison for a short stay in 1854 for preaching to the black community, but after he was let out, he kept on

spreading the word. Hiram Revels was the principal of a black high school in Baltimore and subsequently attended Knox College. When the Civil War broke out in 1861 he helped recruit two black regiments from Maryland and he served as the Chaplain. On February 25, 1870, Hiram Rhodes Revels was sworn in as the first Black man to serve in the United States Senate. He later resigned from the senate to became the first president of Alcorn College in Mississippi. 2nd RECONSTRUCTION: Fannie Lou Hamer 1917-1977 Fannie Lou was the youngest of twenty children born to Ella and James Lee Townsend her sharecroppers parents. At age six, Fannie stopped playing children's games and started working in the fields with her family. Her first job was weeding the cotton fields, then picking cotton. Her parents managed to keep her in school through the eighth grade which was more years than most of her friends were allowed to stay in school. In 1944, Fannie, married Perry Hamer and they lived on a plantation. When the plantation owner found out Fannie could read and write, he promoted her to record keeper. She and her husband never had children but in keeping with her strong belief in GOD

they adopted two girls. It was later in life after one of her hospital stays that she found out that she had been sterilized by a white doctor, without her permission. Fannie joined the Civil Rights Movement and put her life on the line by registering Blacks to vote. She was once arrested and the jailer had other Blacks beat her or risk being beaten within an inch of their lives. She led a delegation to the 1964 Democratic convention and demanded to be seated. She established a freedom farm where poor Black farmers could share with others, not the plantation owners. She worked with the NAACP and SCLC. She was born money poor and died money poor, but the sacrifice and work she did for our people was priceless. 3rd RECONSTRUCTION: Rev. Dr. William J. Barber Jr.

1963-Matthew 22:14 "Many are called, but few are chosen" is the best way to describe our anointed leader. Rev. Barber, President of the North Carolina NAACP, is fighting the good fight on so many issues that I will only mention a few. His 120-year-old church, Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, NC invested over 1.5 million dollars into building 60 low incomes homes,41 units for senior citi-

zens, 90 student pre-school program, after- school academic computer lab for youth and adults, HIV information and testing center, second chance program for training formerly locked-up men and ladies in cooking, landscaping, technical jobs and other self-help programs. He also currently leads Moral Monday, a non-violent protest against the North Carolina General Assembles actions to roll back the civil rights and earned benefits our people fought for and some died for. You can read more about our three non-conforming trailblazers in our local Black newspapers. When you register and vote in2016, you can honor them by taking three people to the voting booth with you. Romans 12:2 (paraphrased) "And be not conformed to the unjust laws of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mine" James J. Hankins graduated from all Black Williston Senior High School, Army veteran, NC A&T alumnus, retired vocational education teacher, past president of the New Hanover County NAACP, member of Friends of Abraham Galloway and author of the book "What We Blacks Need To Do"-to comment or purchase his book you can reach him at www.jhankinsrealty.com.

Just imagine - that Corey Lewandowski was Black! (TriceEdneyWire.com columnist)

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t is probably not especially politically correct to bring more race matters into the debacle that is also known as the Donald Trump quest for the P r e s i d e n c y. He has called out and targeted racial and ethnic groups, as well as targeted individual w o m e n Dr. because of Julianne their appearMalveaux ance (or more, but we won't go there). He has supported basic thuggery, offering to pay the legal fees for a man who suckerpunched an African American protester, and egging on others who beat up a protester. The latest goes from the amusing to the amazing. Although there is a video showing his campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski putting his hands on former Breibart reporter Michelle Fields, he and Trump have said that eyes can lie. Even in the face of video evidence, he denied touching Fields. He and Trump tried to dismiss her as "delusional", essentially "blaming the victim." Imagine that Corey Lewandowski were an African American man.

Imagine that he nearly knocked down a white woman reporter. Can you hear the outrage? Can you hear the demands? Were Lewandowski African American, would he have been caricatured as a hoodlum or thug, pandering to the stereotypes? Or would Mr. Trump have had Black Lewandowski's back as firmly? I am not surprised that Mr. Trump has condoned Lewandowski's violence, nor that he has taken the "wuss" role by suggesting the reporter, who was attempting to get his attention, had "touched" him (and that maybe he should press charges). It is entirely consistent with his other campaign behavior. He has suggested that his supporters should "riot" if he does not get the Republican nomination. His amazing incivility adds to the vaudevillian atmosphere of this bizarre campaign. How different would it be if Corey Lewandowski were Black? A black man could not have put his hand on a white woman with impunity. If he did, he probably would not have had to wait more than a week to be charged for his transgression. He might have apologized, whether he were asked to do so or not, both from civility and from cultural conditioning. Trump and Lewandowski assumed that Michelle Fields, a white woman, could be thrown

under the bus by two powerful white men who called her a liar, delusional, and any other slur they could get away with. A black man would not have had the luxury - he would have had to rush into rapid CYA (cover your hind parts) mode. Those women who are supporting Trump need to be well aware of his propensity to disregard and disrespect women. Loyalty notwithstanding, Lewandowski's untoward behavior deserves some reaction - maybe not a firing, but some form of suspension, or something that suggests that a "hands on" campaign need not be literally hands on, or that the "ground game" that Lewandowski is often praised for does not mean that he should knock reporters down to the ground. Those African Americans (and there are a few), who are supporting Donald Trump need to ask themselves what the reaction would be if Corey Lewandowski were Black. Would Trump be as supportive? Would others? And just for the record, who are the senior African Americans on the Trump team? Just asking. Not complaining if there aren't any. I am of the generation that used to play "what if" all the time. Knowing, but determined to imagine and speculate, what would happen if you flip the script. What if McKinney, Texas police cor-

poral, the white Eric Casebolt had pulled a blonde white girl by the hair instead of pulling the braids of the black Dajerra Becton? Or, what if a black officer, not Casebolt, had pulled a white girl by her blonde locks? The very muted outrage that we heard when Becton was assaulted would have turned into a crescendo had a black police officer had the temerity to assault a white teen. Similarly, if a car full of black plainclothes NYPD police officers had chosen to hassle a white mailman because he hollered at them, would there have been the same arrest and cover-up that has taken place in the white police officers in Crown Heights arrested Glen Grays and forced him to abandon his mail truck? I am not sure why I play "what if" or "just imagine". It is a game that has not point. We know that race still matters, and that matters still aren't fair. Still, as I watch Mr. Trump circle the wagon around Corey Lewandowski, I just have to wonder how different his reaction (and the public reaction) might be if Lewandowski were Black. Just wondering. Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist based in Washington, DC. Her latest is offering "Are We Better Off? Race, Obama and Public Policy" is available atwww. juliannemalveaux.com or via Amazon.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

OPINION CURRY’S COMMENTS

TO BE EQUAL

Rejecting the freedom to discriminate (Via George Curry Media) " A ll possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent national gifts. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support."--President George Washington, Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, RI, August 18, 1790 t was not so long ago when one of the most powerful justifications wielded in support of the American practice of segregation was religious belief. Segregation and discrimina-

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tion against Black citizens was enforced by state-sanctioned Jim Crow laws that legally separated Blacks from Whites and made it illegal for individuals from either group to associate with the other. Schools were segreg a t e d . Restaurants were segregated. Blacks and Whites Marc could not leMorial gally marry. And even water fountains were designated by race. Defenders of these racebased policies employed a variety of arguments to support the institution of discrimination by the books, including arguing that the fact that God "separated the races shows that he did not intend for the races to mix," as was written by a lower court

justice in a landmark civil rights case of Loving vs. Virginia that would later end all state bans on interracial marriage. Today, religious freedom bills are cropping up around the nation that would turn back the clock on American progress versus legal discrimination. Cloaked under the mantle of religious liberty, there are those who want to invoke their constitutional right to freedom of association and religion to deny other citizens - those whose lives and lifestyles they say are at odds with their religious beliefs - employment, professional or private services and the right to marry, among other things. The free exercise of religion sits at the heart of our nation's founding. But we live in a democracy, not a theocracy. We cannot allow religious liberty to be transformed into a tool of oppression against any class of individuals or citizens.

Following a huge public outcry and the threat of millions in lost business in the state, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has announced that he will veto a religious freedom bill that was meant to protect faith-based groups and individuals from legal repercussions if they refused to provide services or employment to people on the grounds of avoiding the violation of their religious beliefs. In Kansas City, lawmakers are looking at legislation that would amend the Missouri constitution to prohibit the government from punishing individuals and businesses that refuse, on religious grounds, to provide goods or services for same-sex marriage ceremonies or celebrations of same-sex couples. As Missouri lawmakers consider the law for a future vote, the

MORIAL Continued on this page

CHILDWATCH

The time is always right to do right (Via George Curry Media)

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arch 31 was the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s last Sunday sermon at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. in 1968 before his assassination four days later: "Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution." Dr. King said he believed a triple revolution was taking place in the world - a technological revolution, a revoMarian W. lution in w e a p o n r y, Edelman and a human rights revolution. To face this triple revolution, he said we must figure out how to develop a world perspective, eradicate racism and economic injustice, rid our nation and world of poverty, and find an alternative to war and bloodshed - all with great urgency: "It may well be that we will have to repent in this generation. Not merely for the vitriolic words and the violent actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, 'Wait on time.' Somewhere we must come to see that human progress never rolls in on the

wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals who are willing to be co-workers with God. And without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the primitive forces of social stagnation. So we must help time and realize that the time is always ripe to do right." We must act upon his warnings if our children, nation's future and founding principles - subverted and still sullied by the legacies of slavery, Native American genocide, exclusion of women and nonpropertyowning men of all colors from our electoral processes - are to be saved. I have said often that too many Americans would rather celebrate than follow Dr. King. Many have enshrined Dr. King the dreamer and ignored Dr. King the "disturber of all unjust peace," as theologian Vincent Harding said. Many remember King the vocal opponent of violence but not the King who called for massive nonviolent civil disobedience to challenge the stockpiling of weapons of death and the wars they fuel and the excessive materialism of the greedy that deprives the needy of the basic necessities of life. And many celebrate Dr. King the orator but ignore his words about the need for reordering the misguided values and national

investment priorities he believed are the seeds of America's downfall. Dr. King's greatness lay in his willingness to struggle to hear and see the truth; to not give into fear, uncertainty and despair; to continue to grow and to never lose hope, despite every discouragement from his government and even his closest friends and advisers. Contributors deserted him as he spoke out not only for an end to the Vietnam War but for a fairer distribution of our country's vast resources between the rich and the poor. Why was he pushing the nation to do more on the tail of the greatest civil rights strides ever made and challenging a president who had declared a war on poverty? Because he saw that our nation's ills went far deeper and that fundamental structural and priorities changes had to be made and that the War on Poverty and Vietnam War were inextricably intertwined. In the Cathedral sermon he announced that in a few weeks he would be coming back to Washington leading a Poor People's Campaign: "We are going to bring the tired, the poor, the huddled masses . . . We are going to bring children and adults and old people, people who have never seen a doctor or a dentist in their lives . . . We are not coming to engage in any histrionic gesture. We are

not coming to tear up Washington. We are coming to demand that the government address itself to the problem of poverty. We read one day, 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.' But if a man doesn't have a job or an income, he has neither life nor liberty nor the possibility for the pursuit of happiness. He merely exists. "We are coming to ask America to be true to the huge promissory note that it signed years ago. And we are coming to engage in dramatic nonviolent action, to call attention to the gulf between promise and fulfillment; to make the invisible visible. Why do we do it this way? We do it this way because it is our experience that the nation doesn't move around questions of genuine equality for the poor and for black people until it is confronted massively, dramatically in terms of direct action . . . And I submit that nothing will be done until people of goodwill put their bodies and their souls in motion." Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children's Defense Fund. For more information go to www.childrensdefense.org.

BLACKONOMICS

Edward Pinkney is isolated in Michigan prison (Via George Curry Media)

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here is a particular evil, among others, going on the State of Michigan. During the election hoopla, the debates, the speeches, and attention focused on Michigan's Black voters, I was appalled that no one took the opportunity to point out this quiet yet outrageous situation. No James one stepped to Clingman the microphone or held a press conference or asked a question or held up a sign about Edward Pinkney. Who is Ed Pinkney? He is a 68-year-old minister from Benton Harbor, Mich., former president of the local NAACP, and most of all, an unwavering activist who fights against social and economic injustice. Pinkney now sits in an isolation cell at the infamous Marquette Branch Prison, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, nearly 500 miles from his hometown, his wife, Dorothy, and his supporters, in an "out of sight, out of mind" attempt by the state to make Brother Pinkney disappear from the public stage and from public discourse. What we saw during the Michigan primary was an indication that their strategy is working. Black folks and other Pinkney supporters, to my knowledge, made no real

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attempt to get the candidates to issue statements of support for Pinkney; the injustices perpetrated against him were not cited in the debates or in the press conferences. Now as we watch the rollout of a revived relationship with Cuba, and folks are talking about political prisoners on that island, why is there nothing mentioned about the political prisoners in this country, especially Edward Pinkney, who is suffering a penalty far beyond the level of crime he is accused of committing. President Obama spoke to Raoul Castro about human rights and political prisoners while nothing was said or done about Pinkney. Obama went to a prison in Colorado and issued pardons for prisoners. He also had a high-profile ceremony at the White House last week, but left Pinkney off his list of those who should be freed. In Pinkney's own words: "A heavy and cruel hand has been laid upon me. On Oct. 6, 2015, I was transferred back to Marquette Branch Prison, a two-day ride on the bus, shackled, mistreated and intimidated. I was forced to strip on five different occasions. I am forced into overcrowding, inadequate exercise, lack of clean clothing and inadequate medical care which violates the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. I estimate over 75 percent of the prisoners in Marquette have mental problems." His history of confrontation with the justice system in Michigan notwithstanding, in

this particular case, the punishment does not fit the alleged crime. An all-white jury convicted him of forgery for changing dates next to signatures on a petition drive for a recall drive. Yes, he has been a thorn in the side of the establishment and local judges in Benton Harbor. Pinkney's willingness to fight for civil rights should not be used as an excuse for retribution against him by the courts. According to our Constitution, he must be treated fairly and he must not be subjected to "cruel and unusual punishment." The crime he allegedly committed does not rise to the level of being held in prison without bond during his appeal. By the time his appeal comes around, if he is found not guilty, he will have served prison time for a crime he did not commit. Among the 248 prisoners ordered released by President Obama, there are some I am sure who committed crimes far more serious than Pinkney is accused of, yet he was not on the POTUS' list for pardon, clemency, or consideration of any kind. Why not? Well, it could be due to a lack of support and advocacy on Pinkney's behalf by folks and organizations in Benton Harbor, especially the NAACP (but I am not surprised by its lack of involvement), as well as those who were so excited about the presidential candidates being in their state but forgot to demand justice for Edward Pinkney. The Congressional Representatives from Pink-ney's dis-

trict and beyond should be swamped with letters, emails, and phone calls from constituents demanding they focus on this case and get this man out of prison pending his appeal. Representatives should contact President Obama and ask Attorney General Loretta Lynch to look into the case as well. And finally, the president himself should be contacted with demands for Pinkney's release, if not complete clemency. Remember what George Bush did for Scooter Libby? Why doesn't Obama exercise the same power for our people? As Pinkney sits in that remote prison, who knows in what physical and mental condition, if something happens to him and, God forbid, if he dies there, Black folks will march, yell and scream, and call for justice for Brother Pinkney. That's not the time to do it; the right time is now, while he is alive and has a reasonable portion of health. Don't sit this one out folks. Our alarm clock went off some time ago; we just keep on hitting the snooze button. Jim Clingman, founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce, is the nation's most prolific writer on economic empowerment for Black people. He can be reached through his website, blackonomics.com. He is the author of Black Dollars Matter: Teach Your Dollars How to Make More Sense, which is available through his website; professionalpublishinghouse.com and Amazon Kindle eBooks.

Obama and the elephant in the room (Via George Curry Media)

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t's been whispered for years so let's deal with the elephant in the room: Many African Americans have privately complained that President Obama has catered to the needs of immigrants more than those of Blacks. The fact that neither group fits in a separate and unique block notwithstanding, an examination of government figures shows that in at least two areas - deportations and presidential pardons - that's not true. Let's first address immigration. "Since coming to office in 2009, Obama's government has deported more than 2.5 million people - up 23% from the George W. Bush years," George Fusion observed. "More shockingly, Obama is now on pace to deport more people than the sum Curry of all 19 presidents who governed the United States from 1892-2000, according to government data. "...And he's not done yet. With the clock ticking down his final months in office, Obama appears to be running up the score in an effort to protect his title as deporter-in-chief from future presidents. To pad the numbers, Homeland Security is now going after the lowest-hanging fruit: women and children who are seeking asylum from violence in Central America. "'This is the only time I remember enforcement raids on families of women and children who are fleeing some of the most violent places on the planet,' says Royce Bernstein Murray, director of policy for the National Immigrant Justice Center. 'The families came to the U.S. looking for a hand, but they got the boot.'" Under the headline, "Barack Obama, deporter-in-chief," the Economist magazine declared, "America is expelling illegal immigrants at nine times the rate of 20 years ago (see article); nearly 2m so far under Barack Obama, easily outpacing any previous president. Border patrol agents no longer just patrol the border; they scour the country for illegals to eject. The deportation machine costs more than all other areas of federal criminal law-enforcement combined." Also troubling are accusations of racial profiling. In February, Heartland Alliance's National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) filed a federal lawsuit demanding that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) release data about the use of racial profiling in the controversial program known as the Priority Enforcement Program (PEP), formerly Secure Communities. Despite the soaring deportations under Obama, Republicans accuse Obama of being soft on immigration. Meanwhile, progressives give Obama little credit for advances he has made trying to reform the criminal justice system. "Today, the President announced 61 new grants of commutation to individuals serving years in prison under outdated and unduly harsh sentencing laws. More than one-third of them were serving life sentences. To date, the President has now commuted the sentences of 248 individuals - more than the previous six Presidents combined. And, in total, he has commuted 92 life sentences, the White House said in a statement March 30. While Obama has commuted the sentences of 248 people, Ford commuted 22, Jimmy Carter 29, Ronald Reagan 13, George H.W. Bush 3, Bill Clinton 61, and George W. Bush 43. A prisoner's commutation of sentence involves the reduction of time being served. Unlike a pardon, it does not remove the conviction from that person's record. Clemency reduces the penalty but also does not remove the conviction. Obama met last week with commutation recipients from both his administration and those granted by Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to discuss how the process can be strengthened. Following lunch, Obama said, "But we're not done, and we're going to keep on working on this until I leave. It's something that I'm going to keep on working on even after I leave the presidency, because - some of you know we had an Easter Prayer Breakfast with ministers, pastors from all around the country of all denominations in which we read Scripture and were reminded of Jesus' teachings. "And at the heart of my faith, and what I believe is at the heart of the American ideal is, is that we're all imperfect. We all make mistakes. We have to own those mistakes. We have to take responsibility and learn from those mistakes. But we as a society have to make sure that people who do take responsibility and own and learn from those mistakes are able to continue to be part of the American family. It's the right thing to do. It's the smart thing to do." The president's embrace of Kemba Smith, who was given a 24.5 year mandatory sentence at the age of 24 and pardoned in 2000 by Bill Clinton, was posted as photograph of the day on the White House website. The White House statement, issued by White House Counsel Neil Eggleston, said, "Despite the progress we have made, it is important to remember that clemency is nearly always a tool of last resort that can help specific individuals, but does nothing to make our criminal justice system on the whole more fair and just. Clemency of individual cases alone cannot fix decades of overly punitive sentencing policies. So while we continue to work to resolve as many clemency applications as possible - and make no mistake, we are working hard at this - only broader criminal justice reform can truly bring justice to the many thousands of people behind bars serving unduly harsh and outdated sentences." Obama has additional work to do on both criminal justice and immigration reform. George E. Curry is President and CEO of George Curry Media, LLC. He is the former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA). He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at twitter.com/currygeorge, George E. Curry Fan Page on Facebook, and Periscope. See previous columns at http://www.georgecurry.com/columns.

MORIAL Continued from this page NCAA is considering bids from other cities for their future sports events - potentially costing the city millions in revenue from lost sporting events. But these states are not outliers. More than 20 states have passed some form of a religious freedom bill or are poised to put policies in place that violate our country's core principles of inclusion and the freedom to live and work free from discrimination. In a democracy as diverse in races, religions, ideologies and orientations, collisions between the rights of religion and the responsibilities of civil authority are inevitable. Our country was founded on the idea that people should not

be persecuted because of their religious beliefs, but like any other right, there are reasonable limits to its free exercise. As our nation's first president articulated, those who live under the protection of the United States of America must also "demean themselves as good citizens." You cannot invoke a special right to deny another their rights as citizens. Religious liberty, as valuable and necessary as it is, cannot be used to break the law, should not be twisted to oppress a class of people, and cannot be tolerated as a means to freely discriminate in a nation whose goal, since its founding, has been to create a more perfect union and establish justice. Marc H. Morial, former mayor of New Orleans, is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

COMMUNITY

6 New Hanover County DNA and Genealogy Interest Group meets once a month before the Old New Hanover Genealogical Society meeting to discuss how DNA can help your genealogy research. Beginners are welcome. The next meeting will be held on April 11th from 5:30 p.m.-6:15 p.m. at the Northheast Library Pine Room. Also Fred Willard, Director of the Lost Colony Center for Science and Research, will speak on solving one of America’s greatest historic mysteries: what happened to the colonists of Roanoke Island in 1590. Revealing secrets hidden on old maps, using satellite imaging and metal detecting, performing archeological digs, Community and administering a DNA project have all led to Willard’s team making some startling discoveries Briefs that may change the way we think about the “lost” colony. The big question is, “Was it ever lost?” Co-sponsored by the Old New Hanover Genealogical Society and New Hanover County Public Library April 11th 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Northeast Library Branch, Pine Room. The Cape Fear Chorale will present "Requiem" by W. A. Mozart with orchestra on April 17, 2016 - 4:00 p.m. at the CFCC Humanities and Fine Arts Center. The Chorale will be holding auditions for adult singers in all voice parts on May 2, 2016 Previous choral experience and the ability to read music will be helpful. Monday evening rehearsals begin August 22, 2016 at Grace United Methodist Church in downtown Wilmington. To schedule auditions please go to www.capefearchorale.org and click on Membership. The Cape Fear Housing Coalition will host a Landlord Seminar on Fair Housing on Thursday, April 14, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the New Hanover County Executive Development Center, 1241 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington, NC 28405. Pre-registration is not required. Discussion will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. The Democratic Women of New Hanover County will meet Thursday, April 14th at McAlister Deli, 740 S. College Rd. We will "meet and eat" from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at which time the meeting will be called to order. Our program, "School-to- Prison Pipeline" will include new student dropout and suspension information. All registered Democrats are welcome. If any questions, please call 910395-4502. The New Hanover County Lupus Foundation Support Group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00pm in Classroom D, Service Level, NHRMC. There is no charge to attend the meeting, and drop-ins are welcome. Contact the LFANC at [email protected] or at 877-849-8271, ext. 1. For more information, visit www.lupusnc.org. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 6:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m. The Saint Augustine's University Alumni Chapter will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, April 16th from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Covil Farms Club House, 7100 Covil Farms Rd. The Wilmington Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at 6:00 p.m. the first Thursday monthly in the SEAHEC Auditorium at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, 17th Street, Wilmington, NC. Invited are men--and their partners--who are newly diagnosed and researching treatments, those previously treated, those who are experiencing a recurrence, and those who are undergoing advanced treatment for prostate cancer. Support is available from those previously treated and formal programs and literature supply information about all stages of prostate cancer and recovery. Brunswick County Farmers, Gardeners, and Homeowners. A Pesticide Disposal Collection Day is scheduled for Brunswick County Saturday, April 16, 2016 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. The collection site will be at Shallotte Middle School, 225 Village Road, Shallotte, NC. There is no charge to the public for this service. Call Ms. Micki Bozeman, HHW Coordinator (910)253-2524 or Sam Marshall 910-253-2610 for more information. Policies for briefs, news, & photos on page 2.

Compiled By Wilmington Journal Staff

Thursday, April 7, 2016

HOMETOWN NEWS FROM BRUNSWICK COUNTY

Spring has sprung!

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pring is the season of the year occurring between winter and summer, during which the weather b e c o m e s warmer and the spring plants are appearing. There are changes in the warm season. There is usualVerniece ly gardening, and fresh vegStanley etables are grown for the family and friends to eat. With much peace, we may watch the birds feeding. There is a world of birds to discover, and it is a favorite pastime of some to feed them. Tasty treats may be put out into the feeders in order to attract them. Some could be strange creatures you have

never seen before. This could be a peaceful time of quiet thinking that will last a long time. It is a time when we may think of hungry children and how we can help them. Hunger hurts physically, and it can cause sickness. A recent report has shown that the number of poor families in the State of North Carolina is growing. More help is needed from the State. Some of these poor people to be able to find decent honest work for the summer and beyond. The state can expend more resources to help the poor and not spend all of the money on beach erosions. Erosion and corrosion are ways by which earth or rock is removed from any part of the earth's surface. Tornadoes and other violent weather also become very destructive to property and lives, and this is the season

for such. Sports and recreation have been growing in popularity in recent years in most major cities. Golf and tennis are most popular in Brunswick County. Other popular games are baseball, basketball, football, etc. In such sporting events, people find much enjoyment, cheering, and related relaxation. The baseball games bring a very friendly gathering for many. Many Mexican immigrants are now legal citizens of the US, and they have the right to vote. They are still getting a way to get across the border. Some are not successful all the time because of heavy guarded places they could not get across. Our elected officials ought to ensure a society where all individuals have equal rights, where there is no racial hatred or racial discrimina-

tion. The mission is to ensure the political, educational, and socio-economic equality for all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. Verniece E. Stanley is a native of Brunswick County. She grew up on a farm but wanted more excitement in life. She graduated from high school in Brunswick County in 1948 and graduated from Fayetteville State Teachers' College in 1952. She taught school in Brunswick County for nine years. She moved to Baltimore, Maryland, married, and taught school for twenty-five more years. She received her master's degree from Morgan State College in Baltimore City. She retired and moved back to Bolivia, N. C. where she enjoys writing articles for The Wilmington Journal and is an active member of the NAACP Board.

Mini grant awarded to Alpha Psi Omega Chapter SUBMITTED BY ALPHA PSI OMEGA PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Alpha Psi Omega Chapter located in Wilmington, NC, has been awarded a mingrant by the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNAUSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These funds of $2, 275 will be used to implement "The Road to Paris" Project. "The Road to Paris"

Project is a strategic campaign and process to help set a Solutions Agenda with business, financiers and governments that will support and complement the historic United Nations climate change conference. "The Road to Paris" Project was launched during the World Climate Summit in 2013 at the Conference of the Parties (COP19) held in Warsaw, Poland. The decision was made to create a bottom-up public/private initiative to provide practical and impactful solutions

to help solve climate change during COP21. "The Road to Paris" Project is timely in that it coincides with the Paris Climate Summit, supports the sorority's implementation of Cycle II of the Achievement, Communications, Self-Awareness, Communication, Engagement Networking and Developmental Skills (ASCENDSM) and links well to Target IV of Alpha Kappa Alpha's Launching New Dimensions of Service- the environmental playgrounds

and greens project. Additional local collaboration of this project is being developed with The Greater Wilmington, NC Chamber of Commerce, The New Hanover County Public School System, and Region "O" Council for the Advancement of Minorities in Engineering (ROCAME). Alpha Psi Omega Chapter celebrates 84 years of service to mankind in the spring of 2016. The Rev. Dr. Rachel D. Stephens currently serves as President of Alpha Psi Omega Chapter.

The Wilmington Chapter of Las Amigas Inc. is “Moving Forward in 2016” BY JACQUELINE DAVIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER The Wilmington Chapter of Las Amigas Inc. is preparing for another vibrant year of contributions to the community. This year started out with the MLK Walk on January 18th. The 2015 Prince, Yamil Hartmann, and Princess, Makyhia Lois Corbett, rode on a Mercedes convertible in the parade and the sisters walked beside the car to support them. Our participation demonstrated that Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. will never be forgotten in our hearts and we would like to keep his dream alive by serving our community and continuing to contribute to charities that support his vision

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

PICTURED L-R: SISTER FAYE JACOBS, SISTER LOUISE SPENCER, SISTER TERRI HALL, REGIONAL DIRECTOR MARILYN WESTINGHOUSE-WEBB, SISTER PEGGY MACK, SISTER JACQUELINE DAVIS, SISTER MARSHA GRAHAM-ALI, SISTER ANECHIA WIGGINS, SISTER LESLIE WATSON, SISTER EVELYN HINNANT, AND SISTER DELORIS WHITTED. of a future in which, "this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." On February 21st, The Wilmington Chapter celebrated their 59th Founder's Day at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in honor of our founder Mary Quick Moore. Invitations were sent to several of our original chapter charter members to attend the service. Attendees from the original charter chapter were Sister Julia Bibbs, Sister Marvis McCrimmon and Sister Louise Spencer. After the service, the members visited the gravesite of our founder, Mary Quick Moore, and placed a flower on the grave which was followed by a fellowship lunch at The Pilot House in downtown Wilmington. We are so proud that one of the founders resided in Wilmington and since 1957 Las Amigas Inc. is still a thriving organization.

LAS AMIGAS 2015 PRINCESS MAKYHIA CORBETT AND 2015 PRINCE YAMIL HARTMANN Las Amigas Incorporated members supported week end Meals on Wheels Program by preparing fourteen nutritious and delicious meals that were delivered to senior citizens in our community. Las Amigas Sisters will continue our commitment to this service project by preparing nutritious meals

for delivery the first Saturday of the month. We are happy to help serve our community and provide meals for those that need them. The mission of Las Amigas, Incorporated is to enhance the quality of life and promote the general improvement of the communities in which we serve.

TELL THEM YOU READ IT IN THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL!!

Harvey H. Bryant

In Loving Memory Of

Harvey H. Bryant, 88, of Bolivia passed away Monday, March 28, 2016 at his home. Funeral services were held at on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Church, 45 N Piney Grove Rd Ne, Bolivia, NC. Davis Funeral Home.

Marian Brown Marian Brown, 88, of Riegelwood passed away Thursday, March 31, 2016 at her home. Funeral services were held Thursday, April 7, 2016 at Spring Green Missionary Baptist Church, Northwest Community. Davis Funeral Home. Harrell Alfonza Wilson Harrell Alfonza Wilson, son of Lucy H. Wilson and the late Fred R. Wilson, Sr., was born on June 10, 1955. He departed this life at New Hanover Regional Medical Center on March 12, 2016. He was educated in the New Hanover County School System. For twenty-five years, Harrell worked as a concrete finisher, working along with his brother-in-law, Neil Ross and friend Norman Wade. He also worked with SurfaceMax, Inc. Harrell accepted the call of salvation in 2003, joined Myrtle Grove Seventh Day Adventist Church in Wilmington, North Carolina and was baptized on May 5, 2004. In addition to his father, Harrell was preceded in death by three brothers, his twin, Darrell, Jonathan and James Wilson; and one sister, Bertha W. Daniels. He leaves to cherish his memories: one daughter, Shelita Ellerby (Carlos) of Rock Hill, SC; two grandsons, Oshay and Cali of Rock Hill, SC; his loving mother, Mrs. Lucy H. Wilson of Wilmington, NC; siblings, Peggy J. Clayton of Galloway, NJ, Fred R. Wilson, Jr. (Debra), Sandra W. Ross (Neil), Jack L. Wilson, Sr. (Lonice), and Janice W. Zipco (John), all of Wilmington, NC, Patricia W. Newkirk and Anita Wilson both of Goldsboro, NC; one uncle, Eddie C. Wilson of Wilmington, NC; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including "The Barrell Brunch". A Service of John H. Shaw's Son Funeral Home.

Color of Change wants Congressional Black Caucus PAC to cut ties with private prisons BY FREDERICK H. LOWE OF NORTHSTAR NEWSTODAY.COM

Cynthia K. Simmons Cynthia K. Simmons, 57, of Wilmington passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice. Services will be announced by Davis Funeral Home. Davis Funeral Home.

7

OBITUARY/NEWS

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Our Mother Willie Mae Faison Murphy Sunset: April 7, 2005

We did hear your last farewell, not your final sigh. We only knew you slipped away, with a last good-bye. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God called you home. Sadly missed by Your son, Alexander Murphy; daughters, Deloris M. Devane, and Celeste R. Murphy, grandchildren and great grandchildren

In Loving Memory Of

(TriceEdneyWire) - Color of Change, the nation's largest online civil rights organization, is in the midst of a national campaign to force the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee to sever corporate ties with a lobbyist for the private prison industry. Color of Change wants CBC PAC to reorganize its board so new board members won't accept funds from groups that advocate for private prisons, which Color of Change argues targets African Americans. There are about 130 private prison companies and they have combined annual revenues of $3.3 billion. The two largest are Corrections Corporation of America, which is based in Nashville, Tenn., and GEO Group, which is based in Boca Raton, Florida. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) who was seeking the Republican Party's nomination for president before he dropped out the race, is closely associated with GEO Group, according to The Washington Post. The CBC PAC said in a statement that it works to increase the number of

African Americans in the U.S. Congress, support nonBlack candidates that champion our interests, and promote African American participation in the political process. Color of Change claims the lobbyists, some of whom are CBC PAC board members, are not working in the best interests of the Black community. "The lobbyists and corporate funders wielding influence over the CBC PAC represent the worst of the worst," Color of Change wrote in an email to supporters. "Perhaps the most disturbing corporate funders of the CBC PAC are the lobbyists from the private prison industry. Ironically, both Democratic presidential candidates have shunned contributions from private prison lobbyists but the CBC PAC has taken thousands of dollars from Akin Gump, the lobbying firm that makes millions lobbying to protect their private prison client, Corrections Corporation of America, from increased regulation and transparency." Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld is an international law firm based in Washington, D.C. Its current and former employees are a who's who of the of former Congressman, governors, cabinet officials and presidential advisors.

There are about 130 private prison companies and they have combined annual revenues of $3.3 billion. The two largest are Corrections Corporation of America, which is based in Nashville, Tenn., and GEO Group, which is based in Boca Raton, Florida. Vernon Jordan, former advisor to President Bill Clinton and former head of the National Urban League, is one of the firm's top officials. The firm employs 900 lawyers. Color of Change added: "Private prison companies are responsible for some of the worst human rights abuses, targeting black communities in America…."

Over the past 25 years, CCA and GEO Group, the two largest private prison operators, have given $10 million to candidates and spent $25 million lobbying for laws that put more people in prison." In 2015, The Washington Post published an article headlined, "How for-profit prisons have become the biggest lobby no one is talking about."

Honor Your Loved One Delonte O'Mar Brunson "Mr. VIP" Sunrise- October 5th, 1981 Sunset- April 8th, 2010 It has been six long years since you were taken from us, It seems like only yesterday, but seems like an eternity without you. Your beautiful smile, although we see it in pictures, it's truly missed. You gave meaning to every life you touched and you certainly touched many. We love you and miss you "Delonte" with all of our broken hearts, and always will. "Gone but never forgotten" "Your loving family" The Brunsons

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RELIGION

New Hanover County Bowen's Chapel AME Zion Church, 3826 Carolina Beach Rd., will hold "Women to Women Fellowship Conference (Keeping It Real) on Saturday, April 16th from 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. All women are asked to come dressed in jeans. Lunch will be provided. The Daughters of Zion of New Jerusalem will hold their Annual Candle Light Service on Sunday, April 10th at 3:00 p.m. The guest church will be Rev. James Malloy and Mt. Pilgrim of Wilmington.

Religious Briefs

Bladen County

The Baldwin Branch Male Chorus will be celebrating their forty-fifth (45) anniversary 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at the Baldwin Branch Missionary Baptist Church. Numerous choruses will be there. Pastor Andy Anderson of Whiteville NC is the master of ceremony. Baldwin Branch is located at 4047 NC 242 Highway South; Elizabethtown NC. Brunswick County Crystal Spring Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate their pastor's 17th anniversary on Sunday, April 10th at 11:30 a.m. Rev. Samuel Stallings, pastor and Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Family, Rose Hill, NC will be the special guests to render service. Dinner will be served immediately following the service. Moore's Chapel will hold their Women's Day Program on Sunday, April 10th at 3:00 p.m. First Lady Linda Brown and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church will be the guests. Policies for briefs, news, & photos on page 2.

Compiled By Wilmington Journal Staff

Thursday, April 7, 2016

SENIOR CITIZENS’ FELLOWSHIP

Why it pays to be honest! BY FANNIE ALLEN AND SHELIA ROSS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Good morning! This is the day that the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it! It was a cloudy day outside, but I praise God for the Son of God that shone within our meeting place! Our opening song was "There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood." Prayer was given by Marie Stitt. The

choral response was "He is Lord." The next song was "The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow." Thanks to our choir director, Brother George Hill, our pianist, Brother Lamanuel Boykin, and our choir. Our speaker for today was Brother George Hill. His subject was "Why It Pays To Be Honest." Forms of dishonesty are the following: lying, slander, and theft. He said that we

can remain honest even when others are not. We need to be honest with ourselves as well as others. He said that there is no way we can serve God and not be honest with our fellowman. He is the One we serve. Remarks and comments were made. A few words were given by President Eloise Purdie. She welcomed Sister Mary Canty back. It was indeed good to see her again. The meeting was then turned over to Vice

President Gladys Taylor. The minutes were read by Sister Mildred Ellerby. We listened to the roll call. B. Matthews had the most members present today. The sick report was given by Sister Anna Haskins. Announcements were made. Our circle was formed. Prayer was given by Minister Doris McQuillan. There were 43 members present.

SENIOR MOMENTS

“Read between the lines” My Fellow Seniors: We all have heard the phrase, “absent minded.” As little children, we were told to keep our minds on what we were doing. However, that becomes more difficult with the passing of time. How many times have your hands done something of which your mind was not aware? The brain has room only for so much. If it gets overloaded, it will start to kick stuff out. Professional people know this. That’s why they always keep notes. If they didn’t they would forget half of what they are supposed to do. However, most seniors do

not make notes about small things, and, when we are reminded of something, we always wonder, “How did I forget that? Am I losing my mind?” The truth is, we need to stop Ruth overloading the Johnson mind with small stuff and start making notes as professional people do. Some of us don’t even try to keep up with what’s going on in the world of politics, but, if we care about our grandchildren, we must stay positive. We must do what

we can to keep this country moving in the right direction. However, some of our politicians seem to be going the opposite way. What do they mean when they say, “Let’s take our country back”? Do they really want us to go backwards? I don’t think so. Yet many republicans seem to be saying, “Let’s get back to where we were,” but they are not clear on how far back they want to go. Sometimes we just have to read between the lines. Does the Republican Party think this country is becoming too integrated? What about the Statue of Liberty? It says, “Give me your tired, your poor,

your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free.” That statue has been standing in the New York Harbor for one hundred and thirty years. I’m sure we would never take it down. The question is “do we still feel that way”? Does the message on the statue represent America as we are today? Maybe we should print that message on signs and tee shirts to let our young people know what America stands for. Maybe we should ask Mr. Trump and his followers how they feel about the Statue of Liberty. Have a good day. Ruth Johnson is a First Baptist Church Ministry Worker.

TELL SOMEBODY

“Signs of His Coming” " A nd as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered, and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you." Matthew 24 1-6 Deception : A Sign of His Coming; Deceive - To mislead or trick by falsehood

W

EARLY WILLIAMSON 1886-1964 To whom it may concern, We are in search of decendants of Early and Lucinda Williamson. Please contact the following numbers with any information. Earl Cotton: Phone: 336-803-4029, Email: [email protected] Norma People: Phone: 612-916-2580, Email: [email protected] Rufus Cotton: Phone: 774-279-4690, Email: [email protected]

ith the occurances of so many casualties and catastrophic tradgedies becoming common place in the world, many in the Body of Christ may be wondering if the end of the world is near. Others who may or may not be disciples of Christ could also be pondering in their minds ," Are these the signs of the end of the world and also of the coming of Christ?". If one really wants to know what is going on, and what the future holds, then we must look to , the One who holds the future , the Lord himself. That is what the disciples did, both then, and now! When the disciples (followers of Christ) asked Jesus what would be the signs of

His coming and of the end of the world, his first answer to them was, to take heed that no man deceive them. One of the first true signs of the coming of the Lord and the end of the word is the magnitude of deception. We see it in the world, and we see it also in the church! That is why Jesus said to his disciples, "Take Heed". The first record of deception Sylvia occurred in Hooper Genesis 3:1-4. When satan seduced Adam and Eve to doubt God's Word….that is when sin and deception entered into the world. Doubt and unbelief are still among the greatest areas of deception to come upon the Body of Christ. To doubt means to be uncertain about something . Doubt also means to distrust the source of information. Unbelief is not accepting something said as truth. Doubt and unbelief entered their heart and mind, and caused them to disobey the Word of God. When we see doubt and unbelief affecting many in the Body of Christ, then we know that these are also signs of His coming! Jesus told the disciples to take heed that no man deceive you. He said in Galatians 6:7-9, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." We have all heard for so long that Jesus is soon to come. Frankly, some of our brothers and sisters believe that, and some don't. The evident sign of doubt and unbelief is willful disobedience to God's Word. That is why we see throughout the bible, the words of warning and encouragement, "Be not deceived!" 'BE NOT

DECEIVED; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Galatians 6:7-8. Deception is a definite sign of His coming! "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." I Cor. 6:9-11 "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." I Cor. 15:33 "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men." Proverbs 22:24 "Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. Proverbs 24:1 "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? II Corinthians 6:14 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of mn, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" Numbers 23:19 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8 The bible was not written for the world, it is written to the church, the Body of Christ. The spirit of deception brought in doubt and unbelief. The spirit of unbelief will spawn a spirit of disobedience. Unbelief is a sin

with catastrophic consequences (Revelation 21: As disciples of Christ, we must take heed and prayerfully watch that we do not be deceived by others, neither should we deceive our selves! "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." Book of James. So when we see and hear of a lot of things happening in the world and in the church, think it not strange, it is just another Sign of the Times. "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; inso much that , if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Jesus told his disciples then, and he is yet saying to them, "Take heed that no man deceive you." Matthew 24:24 Deception: A Sign of His Coming. Prayer: Father in the Name of Jesus, I pray that you will keep my heart and mind from being deceived in these last days. Help me to hold fast to my faith in your Word, for I know that your Word is true!, Amen. Tell Somebody!!! Mrs. Sylvia B. Hooper is a native Wilmingtonian, married to Pastor Johnson A. Hooper, First Lady of Faith Outreach COGIC, Jacksonville, N.C. She is a mother of three wonderful children and a proud grandmother! She is a Licensed Evangelist with COGIC, International. She is the President of P.W.E. Pastors Wives Empowerment Conference, an annual event held in honor of Pastors and ministers Wives. This support group's focus is to Encourage, Embrace and Empower Elect Ladies to be all they can be in Christ Jesus, while providing support to their husbands, who are Gospel preachers and pastors. Her heart's desire is to please the Lord, rescue the perishing, comfort the dying, and live a life that gives God glory!

Attend the religious institution of your choice, this week!

Thursday, April 7, 2016

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LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

PUBLIC ADVERTISEMENT HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WILMINGTON NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ALBERT ROGERS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER

The Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington North Carolina (WHA) invites separate and sealed bids from contractors for ADA Compliant Curbing Per Specs. Please go to www.wha.net for a bid package and further information.

The undersigned, Ricky W. Simpson, having qualified on the 24th day of March, 2016, as Executor of the Estate Mary P. Schickert, deceased, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at GRAVES MAY PLLC, c/o Attorney David Anderson, 5700 Oleander Dr. Wilmington, North Carolina, 28403, on or before the 1st day of April, 2016, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address.

PUBLIC ADVERTISEMENT HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WILMINGTON NORTH CAROLINA The Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington North Carolina (WHA) will be listing surplus vehicles on Gov Deals starting April 15th Please go to www.wha.net for further information. April 7, 2016 NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Dorothy H. Howard, late of Wilmington, NC, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 31st day of June, 2016, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to undersigned. This 31st of May, 2016 Terry L. Jones, Sr., Executor 93 Ridgefield St. Hartford, CT 06112 March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 2016

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY DISTRICT COURT DIVISION JUVENILE SECTION File No. 16 JT 62 NOTICE OF PROCEEDING FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS IN THE MATTER OF: L.D.B. (DOB 01-10-14) To: RESPONDENT MARISSA D. MARKLEY, biological mother to the above-mentioned male child, born in Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina. Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the aboveentitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Termination of all parental rights you have to the above-mentioned child. You are required to make defense to such pleading no later than 40 days following April 7, 2016, which date is the date of the first publication of this Notice. Upon your failure to do so the parties seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought., 2015, that being 40 days after the date of the first publication of this notice, and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought. Attorney Lyana Hunter has been appointed to represent you and she can be reached at 910-343-5400, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. You are hereby notified that a Hearing on the Petition to Terminate Your Parental Rights is scheduled for May 2, 2016 at 9:30 am or as soon thereafter as it may be heard, at the Office of Juvenile Justice Building located at 138 North Fourth Street, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28401 This, the 29th day of March, 2016. THE BOYETTE LAW FIRM BY: Geannine M. Boyette, Esq. Attorney for Plaintiff 105 N. 6th Streeet Wilmington, NC 28401 Phone: 910-251-9213 Fax: 910-251-8880 State Bar No. 25287 April 7, 14, 21, 2016

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April 7, 2016

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WILMINGTON JOURNAL

This 24th of March, 2016. Ricky W. Simpson, Executor David Anderson GRAVES MAY, PLLC 5700 Oleander Dr. Wilmington, NC 28403 March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 2016 EXECUTOR'S NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER Having qualified as the CoExecutors of the Estate of Nathan Andrew Amon, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, this is to notify that all persons having claims against the said estate to present such claims to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of July, 2016, or this notice will be placed in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment. This 7th day of April, 2016. Debra Lynn Amon Thomas Lee Amon Co-Administrators c/o Robert C. Kenan, Jr. MOORE & KENAN Attorneys at Law P. O. Box 957 Burgaw, NC 28425 (910) 259-9800 April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2016

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER IN THE DISTRICT COURT JUVENILE SESSION File No. 16 JT 39 IN THE MATTER OF: J.C.D.W. (DOB: 12-03-2015) TO: ANY UNKNOWN BIOLOGICAL FATHER OF THE ABOVE CAPTIONED FEMALE CHILD BORN IN WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA. Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the aboveentitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Termination of all parental rights you have to the above-captioned minor children. You are required to make defense to such pleading within thirty (30) days following March 24, 2016, which date is the date of first publication of this Notice. Upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT A HEARING ON THE PETITION TO TERMINATE YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS IS SCHEDULED FOR April 25, 2016, AT 9:30 A.M. or as soon thereafter as it may be heard, at the Office of Juvenile Justice, 138 N 4th Street, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28401. This the 24th day of March, 2016. LeeAnne Quattrucci Attorney for the Petitioner 401 Chestnut Street, Suite J Wilmington, NC 28401 Tel.#: 910-795-0230 Fax #: 910-401-1485

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Naomi Chance, late of Wilmington, NC, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of June, 2016, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to undersigned. This 17th of May, 2016 Tibbitt Chance, Executor 627 Colony Circle N. Wilmington, NC 28409 March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 2016 NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Mollie Rogers Johnson, late of Wilmington, NC, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of July, 2016, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to undersigned. This 7th of April, 2016 Paula Johnson Honeycutt, Executrix 206 Headwaters Drive Hampstead, NC 28443 April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2016

Attention Attorneys and Government Agencies When it comes to legal advertising, The Wilmington Journal is qualified to meet all your needs in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 1597. Notice to Creditors, Notice of Bids, Service by Publication, Divorce, Foreclosures, Notice of Sale, Etc. OUR PRICES ARE COMPETITIVE! Contact us for special rates at (910-762-5502) Ext. 22 or [email protected]

ENTERTAINMENT ASK ALMA with ALMA GILMORE

MY CHEATING EX-BOYFRIEND WANTS ME TO BEFRIEND HIS DAUGHTER Dear Alma, I joined the Air Force after graduating from high school. It seemed like the best decision for me and my boyfriend at the time. We wanted to be on our own and start a new life together. We promised to remain faithful to each other, until we could get married once I was settled and sent to my duty station. Well, all that came to a halt when I found out another woman was pregnant by him. He tried to apologize and tell me that he still wanted to get married, but I couldn't. I was heartbroken and just couldn't bear the thought of co-parenting this child that would be a constant reminder of his betrayal. We found each other on Facebook last year, so we started communicating again. We both apologized and had a long conversation about how we could have better handled the situation. I forgave him. I mean after all, life carried on. We've both been married and are both currently divorced. I don't have any children. He has four. We met a few months ago and although there weren't any heavy flames, we decided we will remain the best of friends. He's now seeing someone else, so we agreed to stay in touch and talk often. His oldest, the one that broke up our relationship, will start college next year in what's currently my hometown. He says he's excited that we're talking again, because she doesn't know anyone in the area. He has mentioned on more than one occasion that I can become her family away from family. I've got to be honest, Alma, I don't think that's something I want to do. I can honestly say I'm over what happened many years ago, but I don't want to meet his daughter. How can I let him know, "No thanks," without coming off childish about the situation? Signed, Cheating Ex Needs My Help Now You're coming off childish and immature, because that's still where your heart is. TBT, you're stuck in that summer after high school gradua-

tion, and that's a long, long way away from forgiving. You're still so deep in this yearbook of a broken heart, you can't even turn the page. Let me help you let this go, because honestly, enough time has passed for your heart to have healed. Take my hand and let's face your truth. Here's where we take a minute to grieve the perfect relationship you thought would last forever. Over the years, you've been able to fantasize and worship this extraordinary courtship that never was. You said you've forgiven him, but ahh raah, my sista, I'm not seeing that. Not in your words or actions. Entertaining forgiveness alone hurts and constantly reminds you of the pain unless you forget. What you've gotta do is, erase, delete, zap, remove, shazam, be gone - Umhm, get it allll ooooout! Yes, yes, that's right, remove it completely from your recollection. I know this takes determination, practice and prayer, but that's okay, you can do it. Before you make your decision based on a twenty year-old emotion, lace up your big girl sneakers and invite her to meet for lunch. The encounter will update your gut, give clarity to your heart and make room for the forgiveness you speak of. Step out in maturity and faith. You aren't that teenage girl whose heart was broken by her daddy anymore. The circumstances of her birth, in relation to you, are not her fault. That baby girl doesn't know details I'm sure, or at least I hope. He most likely speaks highly of you and your friendship since high school. No dirty details were necessary in the discussion. I think you may find that she's a lovely young lady. One who happens to be in your city all alone. The way you handle a situation at 20 should be vastly different from the way you handle it at 40. Flip the script and be the blessing she needs at this time. You never know, this acquaintance might only last a season or a semester, open up to it. I've got a feeling meeting her will warm your heart, allow for forgiveness, and bring about a positive resolution to what was once a painful memory. Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington Post. Email questions to: [email protected] m. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and Twitter @almaaskalma.

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