THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

The world hungers for positive attitudes.

Alphonso Jackson

Alphonso Jackson is reported to be ready to resign as Secretary of HUD today. After months of rumors and whispers, and an investigation into him helping a friend get a contract in New Orleans, he is about to call it quits in his appointed position.

I like Alphonso Jackson. I believe that under his leadership, Dallas Public Housing became a new entity with the mission of improving public housing for all in the city of Dallas. I also like his lovely wife,and there is no question that I am praying for them.

DISD BOND

The Bond Program for DISD is not revealing many details to the public. This is the same trick that was used by DISD on the budget for this year. The school board had very few details on the budget when it was adopted, and that allowed the superintendent to use his discretion in some areas.

I believe the district has a reason for holding information from the voters. I you give the taxpayers very few details, they will not be interested and stay at home. This would give the bond supporters an opportunity to get out their voters and win the approval of the bond program with a very small number of voters.

I am always for improving public education, and there is no doubt that the classroom environment plays a very important roll in student learning and student achievement, but I am not sure the last bond projects were handled in the most prudent way and I am not sure that this bond program will be handled adequately because of the many element of secrecy that are taking place.

I am a firm believer in giving the voters the information and letting them make an intelligent decision.

Michael Sorrell resigns from DFW Airport Board

Oh well. Lets see how this plays itself out. I wish you well Michael and thank you for all that you are doing at Paul Quinn College. Another young professional that I have a great deal of faith in.

State Representative Helen Giddings to be honored at Dallas Can Academy luncheon

On May 13th 2008, State Representative Helen Giddings will receive a lifetime achievement award at the 15th annual Motherhood luncheon hosted by Dallas Can Academy.

She is a successful entrepreneur and a well respected community leader who is serving her eighth term as a member of the Texas State House of Representatives. She is also well known for her work in South Africa.

Rep. Giddings is known for her many passions which include education and the arts where she has spent tireless hours serving. She served on the boards of the African American Museum, Dallas Symphony Board, Dallas Summer Musicals and the Dallas Theater Center. She has also been recognized by the Concerned DeSoto Citizens where they established a scholarship in her honor and by Pearl C. Anderson School in Dallas who named their library "The Helen Giddings Media Center".

She is a member of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church.

Young Professionals

There is always talk about letting the younger generation get in position to be leaders in the community, and in some regards that makes sense, but you need committed and intelligent people who are not bitter, ignorant and selfish.

I would like to think that the younger generation would be respectful, hard workers, intelligent and not name callers and mudslingers. There are people that I come in contact with on a daily basis that meet that criteria and I am so proud of them. People like Joyce Tapley at The Martin Luther King Clinic and Dr. Terry Flowers at St. Phillips School. These two young professionals along with their staffs and board of directors announced on Wednesday that their organizations would be getting 1.5 million dollars (combined) in grants from the Crystal Charity Ball.

Good work young professionals.

New Target at I20 and Wheatland

I have lived in the Redbird area of southern Dallas for over 30 years. So that would not make me a new comer. I know when people are being mislead. There is a new Target at I20 and Wheatland, but the Target at I20 and Cockrill Hill is being closed. It is my hope that the new store will generate more tax revenue for the city, but this is a replacement store and not new revenue for the city.

If people are going to tell what is happening in southern Dallas, please give all of the facts.

Why Are They Leaving?

Many professional and middle class African Americans are leaving the City of Dallas and heading for the southern Dallas suburbs. Duncanville, DeSoto, Lancaster and Cedar Hill are growing rapidly with these new arrivals and southern (south) Dallas is missing their talent and intellect.

Why are they leaving? Is it Dallas Public Schools? Is it politics in black Dallas? Is it housing? Is it access to shopping? Is it back biting?

Have they finally just given up on Dallas?

Pastor Tyrone Gordon

Steve Blow

In Steve Blow's Column on Sunday "Wright's not the only pastor to shock", Blow tried to twist the words of Pastor Tyrone Gordon of St. Luke "Community "United Methodist Church.

My response to Steve Blow:

Steve, for your information, not only some African Americans mistrust the government, but some people of other races have the same concerns. It is never a situation of all of anything.

I am a member of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church and a supporter of Pastor Tyrone Gordon. It was not shocking to me that Pastor Gordon responsed to the questions about AIDS being created by the US government by saying " I have heard that, and not only from him." Many people in the Africn American community have heard that statement at one time or another. As you stated "Half-baked conspiracy theories about drugs and AIDS in the black community have floated around for years without a shred of proof." You should not be surprised that because of the past history of Africans in America there are some who would believe the conspiracy theory.
You state "I was relieved to call Dr. Gordon and hear him reject such conspiracy nonsense."

Why did you believe that you had a story? If people like you continue to twist the story or tell part of the story for a newpaper article, the races will never come together. Remember, "Criticism is the easiest form of mental activity and ...creativity is the toughest."

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

It's the 'start' that stops most people.

Author unknown

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick

I can not believe that such a defiant person would reject the City Council's call on Tuesday for him to resign because of accusations that he lied under oath about not having an affair. Why would he continue to take his city through the unfortunate situation that has come since these accusations arose.

"My reaction is: This issue is over It has no effect. It's not binding.Let's get back to work." says the Mayor. How can they get back to work when in a 7-1
vote the City Council showed a lack of confidence in the Mayor. It is now time for the Mayor to take responsibility for his actions.

SILENCE

There are times when one should speak out on an issue and there are times when silence is golden. The reason that some people choose to be silent is because they want to move on with their lives.

Some people who are unknown and unproven in this community will always want to profit on others misfortunes.

Lynn Flint Shaw and Rufus Shaw

May you rest in peace.

HILLARY CLINTON WINS TEXAS PRIMARY

North Texas was solidly behind Senator Barack Obama. Collin,Tarrant,Dallas,Denton,Ellis, Rockwall and Kaufman counties went with Senator Obama with a range from 1 percentage point to 23 percentage points. He also took the overall votes of men at 52%,African Americans at 85% and ages 18-29 years at 60%.

Senator Clinton scored high with women at 53% and they were 57% of the overall vote. She also did well with the 60 and older where she received 62% of the vote along with 64% of the Hispanic vote where they made up 33% of the overall vote.

The best thing about this primary race is the number of people who showed up to vote in the Democratic primary. The Democrat Party should take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage the large trunout and make the process easier for them to fully participate.

I had a relative to call me from Rowlett while in line to participate in the caucus,she was under 30,and was frustrated. I had to talk with the person running the caucus to try and talk her through the caucus process. They had the rules but were struggling to understand. That should not have happened.

Democrats, we have a window of opportunity and we need to use it.

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

Stand on your own two black feet and fight like hell for your place in the world.

Amy Jacques Garvey




"They do not have to do it to us, we do it to eachother"