Community
Stirring the Pot: Keeping Black History Real
It was about this time last year; I was driving and listening to one of the music radio stations in Phoenix, Ariz. The host of the particular show I was listening to took the obligatory “let’s recognize Black History Month moment” and shared with her listeners that that day’s historical honoree was … drum roll, please … Donna Summer.
I paused for a moment and tried to figure out what the five-time Grammy Award winner did, besides being an extremely talented singer, which warranted this type of
recognition.
Now, I love me some Donna Summer – “Last Dance” is one of my favorites from the Disco era – but unless there is some E! “True Hollywood Story” or “Unsung” episode on the late singer planned that enlightens us all with more than the stellar recording career she had, to this day, I still am not sure that I agree with this particular honoree.
For ANY Black History Month recognition.
Now the fact that I was in the capitol of Arizona – the same Arizona that has spawned several lawmakers that seem to have a different definition of “diversity” than the rest of us (think the MLK Day fiasco, Sheriff Joe and Madam Gov. Brewer), I shouldn’t have been so surprised.
But I was.
Growing up, Black History Month was a big thing … especially for those who, like me, did not grow up in a black community. It was a time that the country turned to you and said, you are important … at least for 28 days. But despite the time frame, it was an opportunity to learn about people that looked like me … a little black fish in a sea of white and brown waves.
People like Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth. People like Frederick Douglass and George Washington Carver. People whose blood, sweat and tears not only helped build this country, but who never truly got the recognition they deserve until after their death.
As I grew older and became an adult, and the advancement of Blacks became more “appreciated,” people like Martin Luther King Jr., Ruby Bridges and Dr. Maya Angelou were recognized for their Civil Rights efforts. And one day, my grandchildren will learn about our country’s first black president and the steps he took to end hatred and bigotry and support equality on all levels.
Actors, educators and even celebrities like Summer have and continue to open doors for young Black youth – and I don’t deny this for a moment. They should be recognized and honored as playing an important role in not only Black history, but all history.
However, if we want our children, our grandchildren and their children to stay connected to their history, we must teach them and honor people whose efforts did more than win them a music award.
And maybe one day, we will honor people who made it possible to honor Black and other cultural history more than 28 days a year.
Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig is an award-winning, professional journalist who resides in Oakland. If you have an individual, organization, issue or other topic that may be of interest to our readers, contact her at talk2mfc@yahoo.com. Need more stirring? Visit stpminute.blogspot.com.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
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Alameda County
DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland
Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.
Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.
City Government
Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall
At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.
Special to The Post
At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.
Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.
Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”
According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.
“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”
When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.
At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”
While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.
On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.
“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.
The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.
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