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REV. EARLE J. FISHER: After #MLK50: #MLK51 – Going in circles

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Here we are, again, musing the question, “Where do we go from here?” And I continue to contend the critical question is, “Where have we gone from there?” The answer is – in circles. #MLK51 looks and feels a lot like just another commemoration.

Published

7 years ago

April 6, 2019

Oakland Post

By Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher, Special to The New Tri-State Defender

I remember the pomp and circumstance of #MLK50. Plenty of lights, cameras, actions, and lofty promises.

A year later the lights have dimmed, cameras disappeared, action has distilled, and promises have been unfulfilled or flat out broken. For instance, President Trump stated, “We rededicate ourselves to a glorious future where every American from every walk of life can live free from fear, liberated from hatred and uplifted by boundless love for their fellow citizens.” Clearly that hasn’t happened. Mayor Strickland highlighted that we had, “too many people getting poor education…living in poverty…and afraid in their own homes because of the violence that is outside.” We still have not come close to resolving these issues.

So many celebrities, clergy, community leaders and everyday citizens have been unable to maintain the fervor of last April’s hope, potential, and festivities.

Here we are, again, musing the question, “Where do we go from here?” And I continue to contend the critical question is, “Where have we gone from there?” The answer is – in circles. #MLK51 looks and feels a lot like just another commemoration.

Poverty rates, educational inequity, contracting and health disparities look eerily similar to 2018 (and in some respects 1968). We have some new faces in political leadership but still haven’t come close to the political revolution (or even reform) many people were promising last spring.

We are living in a hamster’s wheel of social stagnation, chasing the carrot of political opportunism. We claim to have done better, or at least want better, but continue to repeat practices, and return to patterns (or personalities) that compromise our potential for progress.

We can change this trajectory.

As #MLK51 befalls us, we will be best served by employing a few strategies to ensure our movement forward. We should employ:

Assessments – Where are we really? We have had enough disparity studies and heard enough testimonies from the ground for us to adequately assess where we are. We seem to be reluctant to accept or address the complex realities and results. Memphis is both an epicenter for poverty and philanthropy. Until we can embrace and affirm the pain and the possibility of our current condition, we will continue going nowhere fast and serving the public an unhealthy diet of spin, smoke and mirrors.

Audits – Where have we invested our resources? It is past time for some independent, forensic audits at the government level (and non-profits need to be interrogated as well). We also need a robust audit of political engagement. We need to accurately measure the pulse of the city and county to see what people really feel beyond the pageantry and punditry. Let’s not oversimplify how people are experiencing this complex moment in Memphis and Shelby County. These audits should be done independent of governmental manipulation. Done properly, these audits can help us craft more comprehensive and inclusive plans for progress and oversight. We should also audit all of those statements made during #MLK50 and see who has followed through and who was blowing smoke.

Accountability – Who has been responsible for the manufacturing and maintenance of our current condition? Yes, there is blood on everybody’s hands. However, some people are holding weapons of mass destruction via public policy and producing weapons of mass distraction via public media. Equity requires the righteous application of responsibility. We’ve done enough victim blaming. We must apply more weight to those elected and appointed to improve our conditions and less burden on those who creatively express our legitimate discontent with what has and has not happened. We deserve better returns on our investments.

Activism – How can we mobilize more people to ensure equitable progress? Simply, we need more people engaged, informed, and empowered. Until we organize and mobilize a bloc of citizens with the capacity to influence electoral politics and neighborhood sovereignty, our conditions won’t change. It will not matter how many parties we throw or programs we produce. More of us need to be actively involved in the production of power.

One remedy we are is working on is organizing of the Memphis People’s Convention 2019 that will take place in a few weeks. When I mounted the stage at the National Civil Rights Museum for #MLK50 I introduced #UPTheVote901 as our initiative to increase voter turnout and give more political power to more people. The People’s Convention will produce a democratically constructed agenda which will authentically reflect the pulse of the people and the issues deemed important. We also seek to mobilize 2500 people as a voting bloc to ensure increased political engagement and accountability. We hope the convention will garner consensus candidates for the October Municipal elections and provide organizing partners an opportunity to support these candidates consistent with their organizational policies.

I was recently interviewed by Stacy Jacobson of WREG about the imbalance between politics that benefit candidates and corporations but not communities and everyday citizens. As I elaborated on our efforts and philosophies of engagement she commented, “You’re trying to change the entire landscape of Memphis politics.”

She’s right. Because we cannot afford to keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. That’s insanity.

(The Rev. Earle J. Fisher, Ph.D. is senior pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Whitehaven, Founder of #UPTheVote901 and the Henry Logan Starks Fellow at Memphis Theological Seminary.)

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NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper with nine seconds left for the game winning touchdown as his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville. Hurts finished the day 26/37 for 264 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 […]
The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

7 days ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 yards. During the final drive Hurts went 6-8 with 61 passing yards and the touchdown. Titans defensive tackle — and team captain — Jeffery Simmons said this week that the way to defend Jalen Hurts is to make him “play quarterback.”

Hurts said to Simmons after today’s game: “You started that sh**. I had to finish it.”

Running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in the first half but he ultimately finished the game. He had four carries and nine yards and one catch for eleven yards. He will get an MRI for his injury, but admitted to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network he was fine.

Caleb Williams leaves game against Vikings with apparent lower-body injury

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was helped off the field with a right leg injury with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams was down, writhing in pain after scrambling to his left. After departing the injury tent, Williams raised his right fist, acknowledging the crowd while expressing his frustration. Testing will commence on Monday to find out more details about his injury.

“We’ll know tomorrow,” Johnson admitted regarding Williams’ injury. “He’s in good spirits. He’s a team player.”

Williams finished the day with 138 passing yards and one interception.

“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee — that was my first inclination,” Johnson said. “But, a hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Bryce Young once again dominated the Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is 5-1 against the Atlanta Falcons and is undefeated at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Today, Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Panthers to a 34-3 dismembering of the Atlanta Falcons. Georgia Tech alumnus Darren Waller caught two touchdowns and linebacker Devin Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

Cooper Rush started his second straight game for the Falcons and it did not go well. The partisan crowd voiced their displeasure after Rush completed 10/17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Jack Strand entered the game for Rush prompting cheers from the Falcons fans. The rookie threw a pick-six on his first career pass attempt. Strand was the first QB to accomplish that feat since Sam Darnold in 2018 and is the first Falcons player to do that since Brett Favre in 1991. Strand finished the day with 59 passing yards and 16 rushing yards.

According to reports, quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is expected to make his season debut this Thursday at the Green Bay Packers. His return should help the Falcons. They are the first team since the 2008 Rams to not run any plays in the red zone after the first two games to open a season.

The bright spots for the Falcons today were the Spelman College Jaguarettes performing with the Falcons cheerleaders and Florida A&M’s marching band, The Marching 100, also performed during halftime!

Jayden Daniels gets carted off after apparent arm injury

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels appeared to injure his left elbow on the final play of the first half in his game against the Dallas Cowboys. During the play, Daniels got stepped on, braced himself for the fall, and his elbow bent the wrong way. Daniels draped a towel over his head as he exited the field on the cart.

He was later ruled out.

Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow to the same arm during week nine of last season against the Washington Commanders, which led to him being shut down for the remainder of the season.

The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win

Master the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework with Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt. Learn every stage, tactic, and win!
The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

7 days ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Negotiation framework stages, tactics, and winning strategies from AutoNetwork

Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt deliver the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework in Episode 8 of The Color of Our Money Is Green. This episode covers the three foundations of every effective negotiation, the full seven-stage negotiation sequence with exact language for every stage, and five of the most common dealership tactics with the specific response each one requires.
What You Learn in This Episode:
The three foundations that make every negotiation tactic work
The complete seven-stage car-buying negotiation sequence
Exact language for every stage of the dealership conversation
Five common dealership tactics — the turnover, the four-square, the packed payment, spot delivery, and forced add-ons — and how to counter each one
Why signing preliminary paperwork isn’t the same as signing the final contract
___________________________________________________________________
“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
____________________________________________________________________
AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

AutoNetwork.com
CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts

Stay toasty in the CX-90! Plush Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, and a memory-equipped heated steering wheel deliver ultimate luxury.
The post Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 week ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Mazda CX-90 interior with heated seats offering premium comfort.

Experience ultimate comfort in the CX-90. Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, 8-way power adjustments, and memory settings for both front passengers. The heated steering wheel with memory tilt/telescope adds premium convenience.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/EH5A4eQ4ipY