the lincoln echo - Library

THE LINCOLN ECHO
PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Fort Smith, AR
PERMIT#240
HAPPY NEW YEAR
We Report the NEWS. You Interpret It.
Volume 23 Issue 8
Website www.thelincolnecho.com
P.O. BOX 771 Fort Smith, Arkansas 72902
FORT SMITH ALUMNAE
CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA
THETA SPONSORS
MEMEORIAL BENCH FOR
DR. McDONALD
JANUARY 2014
50 CENTS
NELSON MANDELA
LIVES ON
The sorors of the Fort Smith Alumnae Chappter of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority are sponsoring a memorial bench in
honor of Dr, H. P. McDonald.
Donations are needed for landscaping and construction to
bring this wish to reality. please send your donation to P.O. Box
4674, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72914.
Pictured below is a sketch of the proposed bench. Your participation is greatly appreciated
KEVIN DEAS TOPS LAST
YEARS PERFORMANCE
Bass/baritone Kevin Deas
appeared at Helzberg Hall with
the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra December 6, at 8 P. M.,
December 7, at 8 P. M. and at
2 P. M. on December 8 to sold
out crowds at all performances.
Because of the popularity of
last years show a third show
was added for this year. Kevin
did not disappoint the audiences by giving a superb redition of
Handel’s story.
Kevin Deas is a native Fort Smithian and is the son of Lincolnite Eloise Deas.
MISSISSIPPI’S YOUNGEST
STATE LEGISLATOR IN HISTORY
It is often said that the
younger generation are disinterested and disengaged from
politics. But one young man
is living proof that this stereotype is wrong.
Jeramey D. Anderson, who
still has not graduated from
college, has just been elected
to the Mississippi House of
Representatives.
The fresh-faced politician is
the youngest person ever to
be elected to the state legislature.
Anderson, a Democrat, was
officially sworn in to his House
of Representatives District
110 seat the same day he
turned 22. He defeated his
party-backed opponent, former Moss Point Mayor Aneice
Liddell, with 60 percent of the
vote.
In an interview with Chuck
Todd on MSNBC’s The Daily
Rundown, Anderson said he
campaigned on issues relating to education, flood insurance and youth involvement in
community affairs.
He said he decided to run
for public service to motivate
young people who have political aspirations
Nelson Rilohlahla Mandela passed from his earthly surroundings on December 5, 2013 leaving us a clear map to follow
on embracing our enemies and the judicious use of power.
Explaining his committment to the cause Mandela said “I had
no epiphany, no singular revelation, no moment of truth, but a
steady accumulation of a thousand slights, a thousand indignities and a thousand unremembered moments produced in me
an anger, a rebelliousness, a desire to fight the system that
imprisoned my people. There was no particular day on which
I said, Henceforth I will devote myself to the liberation of my
people; instead, I simply found myself doing so, and could not
do otherwise.”
It is not only what he did but the way he went about involving
disparate parts in to focusing on one goal, “freedom.”
BEYOUNCE REVEALS DETAILS
BEHIND NEW ALBUM
Beyoncé is opening up
about some of the intimate
details behind her new selftitled album. At a release party
and directors’ screening for
the album at the School of
Visual Arts Theater Saturday
in New York City, the superstar singer arrived looking
stunning in a body-hugging
black mini dress and matching
over-the-knee black peep toe
boots.
The various directors from
the 17 music videos on the
visual album were in attendance, as were fans who won
a radio contest to be there.
After guests at the event
viewed all of the videos,
the “Grown Woman” singer
headed to the stage to answer
questions via Instagram, and
revealed some special details
about how the album came
together. During the social
networking interview, Beyoncé
said she wrote the treatments
for most of the videos and
handpicked the directors.
The 32-year-old stunning
songbird also dished on why
she decided to be so open
about her relationship with
her hubby Jay Z on the album, saying it was because of
motherhood–that it is “something that changes you” and
that she is comfortable in her
own skin. As for what Beyoncé wants fans to take away
from the album, she said,
“Own your imperfections and
all the things that make you
interesting.”
And she has one main thing
in mind when she’s putting
on a show. “The biggest goal
is having happiness…when
people come to my shows, I
want them to leave there feeling
like there is hope,” she went on.
Beyoncé said she wanted
her album to be a surprise as a
gift to her fans and thanked her
team for keeping it under wraps,
adding she was “nervous because this was a huge risk.”
Page 2 THE LINCOLN ECHO
NEWS YOU CAN USE
JANUARY 2014
XHOSA TRIBE OF AFRICA
The Xhosa tribe are peoples of Bantu ancestry who live
in south-east South Africa. In the last 2 centuries they have
spread throughout the southern and central-southern parts of
the country. Presently around 8 million Xhosa people exist. The
peoples are divided into several sub-groups - the main subgroups being the Bhaca, Bomvana, Mfengu, Mpondo, Mpondomise, Xesibe, and Thimbu - with related but distinct heritages. They have their own language, with Xhosa being South
Africa’s most common home language, after Zulu, to which
Xhosa is closely related. One characteristic of the Xhosa language are the renowned click sounds (15 of them), originally
borrowed from now extinct Khoisan languages of the region.
The name “Xhosa” is meant to have originated from a tribal
leader called uXhosa, although there is also a theory that the
word xhosa may be a deviation from Khoi-khoi or San meaning ‘fierce’ or ‘angry’ - the AmaXhosa are known as the fierce
people. Their language is known as isiXhosa.
In 1994 the apartheid system - a system of ethnic separation
in South Africa from 1948 - of bantustans, the Xhosas were
denied South African citizenship, and tried confine them to the
nominally self-governing “homelands” of Transkei and Ciskei,
now both a part of the Eastern Cape Province where most
Xhosa remain.
The traditional Xhosa belief includes diviners/seers, also
known as sangoma. These people serve as herbalists, prophets, and healers for the community. Women in the main fulfil
this role, after taking a 5 year apprenticeship.
One traditional ritual that still regularly takes place is thmanhood ritual, a secret rite initiating boys into adulthood. The initiates (abakwetha), live in isolation sometimes several weeks,
frequently in the mountains. White clay is put on their bodies
and they observe numerous taboos. The pinnacle is ritual circumcision.
This has sparked controversy in this modern day and age.
Over 300 circumcision and initiation related deaths occurred
since 1994. There has been a spread of sexually transmitted
diseases including HIV due to circumcising initiates with the
same blade
Girls too get initiated into womanhood and are secluded, but
for less time and they aren’t circumcised
Amongst other rites, there is also the seclusion of mums for
10 days after giving birth, aswell as the burial of the afterbirth
and umbilical cord near the village. This mirrors in the traditional greeting ‘Inkaba yakho iphi?’ translating directly to ‘where
is your navel?’ The answer tells someone where you live, your
clan affiliation, your social status, and it also holds a wealth of
cultural information. Most importantly, it determines where you
belong”
In the 1820’s, Christian missionaries set up outposts among
the Xhosa. The first Bible translation was done in the mid1850s, though the Xhosa did not convert in great numbers until
the 1900s, especially within the African Initiated Churches.
There are some denominations that blend Christianity with the
more traditional beliefs.
The traditional diet foods include goat meat, beef, mutton, sorghum, maize and umphokoqo (dry maize porridge),
umngqusho (made from dried, stamped cord and dried beans),
amasi (milk that is frequently sour ), beans, pumpkins and vegetables.
Traditional crafts include pottery, weaving and beadwork.
Traditional music features drums, mouth harps, stringed-instruments, rattles, flutes, whistles and especially group singing accompanied by hand clapping. For various ritual occasions there
are songs - a well known Xhosa song is a wedding song called
Qongqongthwane, performed by Miriam Makeba as Click Song
#1.
Nelson Mandela - the former President of South Africa is
a Xhosa-speaking member of the Thembu people. Charlize
Theron - the South African film-star is a competent Xhosaspeaker. Helen Zille - the Mayor of Cape Town and leader of
the opposition in Parliament is a competent Xhosa-speaker.
Other famous Xhosa speakers include - Amampondo, Stephen
Biko, Fats Bookulane, Brenda Fassie, Ken Gampu, Chris Hani,
General Bantu Holomisa, Archibald Campbell Jordan, John
Kani, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Miriam Makeba, Govan
Mbeki, Thabo Mbeki, S.E.K. Mqhayi, Victoria Mxenge, Bongani
Ndodana, Bulelani Ngcuka, Makhaya Ntini, Winston Ntshona,
Percy Qoboza, Walter Sisulu, Robert Sobukwe, Enoch Sontonga, Oliver Tambo, Zwelithini Tunyiswa, Desmond Tutu, Ashley
Buti , St John Page Yako, Dr. George Clark.
Fort Smith Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
On behalf of the Fort Smith Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, I would like to thank the community for their support
of the 2013 Debutante Cotillion. We appreciate the businesses, and individuals who recognize the importance of education for
our young ladies. The funds received will go towards college scholarships for all of the 2013 Debutantes.
Again we thank you for your support.
Yvonne Keaton-Martin, Chairperson
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
JANUARY 2014
WHAT’S GOING ON
THE LINCOLN ECHO PAGE 3
AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
By Allene Stafford
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
MLK FESTIVITIES
A series of events spanning almost a
week in January will honor the life and
legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther king
Jr., the civil rights leader and Nobel
Peace Prize recipient.
Sponsors of the events include the
local Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Planning Committee and the University
of Arkansas - Fort Smith.
Activities include a parade, two
prayer services, an evening banquet,
a breakfast followed by educational
presentations and a march, an Unsung
Hero Award announcement, a studentled panel discussing ìFinding Your Voice
in the Arts,î and a dramatic presentation
by the daughter of a legendary civil rights
lawyer.
The MLK Committeeís theme for this
year is ìOut of a Mountain of Despair, a
Stone of Hope.î
Celebratory events are:
Jan. 11: The Martin Luther King Jr.
Holiday Planning Committee has
scheduled a parade for Jan. 11 as a
kick-off of community events. Parade
participants will gather by 12:30 p.m.
for the parade beginning at 1 p.m. at
Garrison Ave and N. 7th St. The parade
will continue through downtown Fort
Smith, with local bands performing.
For more information, contact Deborah
Woodard at 479-561-1349.
Jan. 15:
The Ministerial Alliance Prayer Service
will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 at First
Missionary Baptist Church, 3110 Kelly
Hwy. For more information, contact
Ministerial Alliance president Rev. Jerry
Jennings at 479-785-1773.
Jan. 18: An Awards and Recognition
Banquet, including scholarships for
area college students, is planned for 7
p.m. Jan. 18 in the Reynolds Room at
the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center.
Individual tickets are $30, with tables
available for $350. Tickets are available
from Bruce Wade at 479-379-7904 and
are also available at the UAFS Box
Office in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus
Center.
Jan. 20: Breakfast, which begins
at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 20 in the SmithPendergraft Campus Center at UAFS,
is free and open to the public. A full
morning of activities is slated, including
educational sessions provided by UAFS
faculty and representatives from the
MLK Committee. A symbolic march,
reminiscent of the freedom marches of
the 1960s, will begin at approximately
9:45 a.m. and move from the Campus
Center to the Reynolds Tower while the
carillon plays ìWe Shall Overcome.î A
brief ceremony will be held at the tower.
For more information, contact Mark
Horn, UAFS vice chancellor for university
relations, at 479-788-7006.
Jan. 20:
An Ecumenical Prayer Service will be
held at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at St. James
Missionary Baptist Church, 4916 High
St. For more information, contact Bobbie
Woodard Jones at 479-782-5756.
Jan. 23: Crystal C. Mercer of Little
Rock, daughter of legendary civil rights
lawyer Christopher C. Mercer Jr., will
give a dramatic performance Jan. 23
as part of ìUnsung Heroes: Celebrating
Freedom in the Visual and Performing
Artsî at UAFS. Mercer is a freelance
performance artist and sole proprietor
of Columbus Creative and The Social
Soapbox. She is also the company
and production manager of The Unified
Artists Movement, a non-profit theatre
company. The 10 a.m. presentation
will be held in the Reynolds Room of
the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center.
The event will also include a studentled panel speaking on ìFinding Your
Voice in the Artsî and the presentation
of the Unsung Hero Award given by the
American Democracy Project at UAFS.
For more information, contact Dr. Amy
Jordan, campus coordinator for the ADP,
at [email protected] or 479-7887295.
This is the third year for UAFS and the
MLK Holiday Planning Committee to join
forces to honor and celebrate Dr. King.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, slated this
year for Jan. 20, was established as a
U.S. federal holiday in 1986.
Literacy Council of Western Arkansas
“We have a large assortment of Books,
DVDs, and Magazines for sale for
any monetary donation you would like
to give. Come by and check out our
selections”. Monetary donations are tax
deductible. 479 783 2665. The Literacy
Council will be closed for the Christmas
and New Year Holidays. Regular
schedule will resume January 6th 2014.
Phillis Wheatley Girls
The Phillis Wheatley Girls Club will meet
Wednesday, January 8, 2013 at Windsor
Library. Girls ages 5-8: 9-12. are
welcome to join us. For more information
, please call Allene Stafford 479 452
5742 or Dorothy Johnson 479 782 4629.
Time 3:30-5:00.
United Methodist Women Offers
Grants to End Child Trafficking
A brighter future for Children & Youth
grant is offered by the United Methodist
Women for projects that help prevent
child trafficking and sexual exploitation.
The grant is for organizations that have
experience and a level of expertise in
this area. Human trafficking is a form of
slavery and is a crime. It is the second
largest criminal industry in the world.
There are 27 million people worldwide
who are trafficked for sexual exploitation,
and 80 percent of them are women and
children. A brighter future for Children
and Youth provides grants up to $10,000
to non-profit organizations that can
help prevent this horrible crime. Eligible
organizations may provide services that
include support for survivors, increase
education and awareness, work with
law enforcement to stop trafficking in
communities, and work to change social
and cultural norms that may be causing
human trafficking. Organizations may
use the grant money to either begin
a new program or extend an existing
program. Organizations are not required
to be United Methodist to qualify. children
and youth. For more information, visit new.
gbgm-umc.org/umw/give/brighterfuture/t
To spread the word of happenings
Please call:
479-783-6830
Fax:
479-783-6840
Email: [email protected]
PAGE 4
THE LINCOLN ECHO
EDITORIALS
POE’S THOUGHTS
REFECTIONS
By Napoleon Black
something special for
As this article is being writ- Christmas. A dining room set,
ten, we are approaching my
a suit for dad a dress
father’s favorite time of year,
for mom.
Christmas.
I was living in Little Rock in
Our house had ten foot
the mid 1970’s and I would
ceilings and my father would
stop on the way home for
always get an eight foot
Christmas in Blackwell, which
Christmas tree. is seven miles west of Our family consisted of five Morrillton and my mothers
children, Allene and Allen who
were twins, Carolyn, me and
baby brother Kenneth, my
mother Amy and father Allen,
Sr.
When the tree arrived
we decorated the tree as a
family and it was a festive
activity. The lights,tinsel,angel
hair and all the other
ornaments were arranged and birth place, to pick up a
crowned with a star on top of
Christmas tree that my
the tree. After all the uncle, Hilary Templeton had
decorations were placed
cut. We would tie the tree
we all gathered around and
on top of the car and after
watched as the lights were
visiting with uncle Hilary and
turned on. What a beautiful,
aunt Helen I would bring the
happy sight.
tree on to Fort Smith. With the
Christmas day, after
help of our children we would
opening the presents, the
decorate the tree. family and the extended
Christmas of 1978 we had
family, which included Mike
planned on giving mom
Taylor, Leonard Hicks and
and dad a trip to the holy
sometimes Will Davis, would
land because they had
gather to eat dinner. Turkey,
celebrated their fiftieth
Ham, Greens, candied yams, wedding anniversary. dressing, giblet gravy, green
Dad had a stroke just
beans, mac and cheese
after his seventieth birthday
mashed potatoes, rice,
in October and he died chitterlings, yeast rolls, pecan on my birthday, December
pies, sweet potato pies,
14, 1978. We continued
pound cake, yellow cake with
coming to Fort Smith for
chocolate icing all made from
Christmas until Mom Died
scratch.
in June 1985. We did not
My father, who was an only
come to Fort Smith that year.
child would sit at the head
We decided we would rotate
of the table and beam. He
Christmas at each siblings
looked so happy. Mom
house starting with my sister
was happy to have her brood
Carolyn in Queens, NY. We
around and made sure each
have continued this tradition
person had their favorite food all these years.
available.
Last year Allene’s son
This became a tradition with Steve was the first of my
our family. After we all finished parents grandchildren to host
school and went our separate the Christmas gathering.
ways, we all would come
This year it will be held at
home for Christmas. All the
Allene’s in Ft. Smith. There
married folks would be their
are only three of us now
with their families and we had plus Kenneth’s, Joann,
a grand time.
her daughter, Monica and
After all the kids were
Granddaughter Brianna.
employed we tried to always
Allen, Kenny & Devaughn rest
give mom and dad in peace.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Lincoln Echo, USPS 240, is published each month at 115 N 10th in
Fort. Smith, Arkansas. Napoleon Black is the Publisher. It is entered as
periodic matter at the USPO in Fort Smith. SUBSCRIPTIONS PER YEAR:
$25 per year nationwide, Single copy $.50 POSTMASTER: Send all address changes to The Lincoln Echo. Our address is P.O. Box 771, Fort
Smith, Arkansas, 72902. Email: [email protected]
Phone: 479-783-6830 Fax: 479-6840
Correction Policy
The Lincoln Echo will print corrections of any errors published in the newspaper. The correction will be made ASAP after it has been brought to the
attention of the Echo Staff.
JANUARY
2014
MY VIEW
SAME SEX MARRIAGE
By DeNay Burris
follow metaphorically? Who
There are now eighteen
determines this?
states in the United States
Now back to the
that allow same sex marriage. Constitution. We all know that
As of December 2013,
the Constitution is not an all
California, Connecticut,
inclusive document. We know
Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois,
this because it refers to the
Iowa, Maine, Maryland,
Negro as five eighths human.
Massachusetts, Minnesota,
But even with this horrid
New Hampshire, New Jersey, depiction of the Negro, the
New Mexico, New York,
Constitution notes that there
Rhode Island, Utah Vermont,
should
and Washington as well as
be a
the District of Columbia, have
legalized same-sex marriage.
And the question that so many
ponder is, how can this be
when the Bible, God’s word
distinct
forbids such an occurrence?
And then we have written in separation between church
the Constitution, that there will and state. And even with
be a separation of church and this, all those Bible thumping,
Constitutionalist out there
state. Meaning no religious
spouting their beliefs
belief would be forced upon
concerning the gay rights
a group, an individual or
topic completely disregards
entity. This means that each
these two documents and
individual has the right to live
their teachings to pacify their
his or her own life the way
they choose. The constitution own religious beliefs.
These two documents, the
also states that, “All Men are
Constitution and the Bible, are
Created Equal.” This means
pretty much the doctrines of
that no man has the rights
this country. Either the people
above and beyond the rights
of this land choose to follow
of another. And people here
and abide by the number one
in this great country of ours
doctrine of this land which
believe that they can impose
their thoughts, their ideas, and would be the Constitution
which states, ‘that there
their values on the next man.
should be a separation of
This is an endeavor for God,
church and state or this land
not your fellow neighbor.
will destroy itself as we have
Homosexuality can not be
seen so many others do in the
a natural act. We know this
name of God. Or could it be
because two men that lay
that with the lack of regard or
together and two women
concern for God or a superior
that lay together can not
being, that man destroys
reproduce. And past that
himself in pursuit of his own
man can not be sure of
selfish desires.
anything. Now if man has
And here is the dilemma, if
faith in God and believes
there is a complete separation
in the Bible scriptures, then
of all church and state, would
yes this man would believe
we then be nothing more
that the act of homosexuality
than savages pacifying our
to be Ungodly. But the fact
own individual wants and
is, all men do not believe
desires, nothing more than a
in the Bible and all men do
pack of dogs running along
not believe in God. And then
the highway looking for their
you have the differences
next meal. Without the sense
in interpretations of just
of a superior being, without
about everything, including
the sense of a home base,
the Bible. There are those
without some sense of a
that say the Old Testament
moral compass, what will
is obsolete and the New
become of humanity? I have
Testament is the scripture
said it before and I will say it
to adhere to. Who decides
again, there is such a thing as
which parts of the Bible to
too much freedom.
follow literally and which to
DUTY & DUTY ATTORNEYS AT LAW
CELEBRATING 102ND ANNIVERSARY 2013
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY - THAT’S ALL WE DO
DAVIS DUTY - FORMER SOCIAL SECURITY JUDGE
The Lincoln Echo
Napoleon Black
Allene Stafford
Publisher Office Manager
Denay Burris
Advertising Manager
JOHN DUTY - DISABILITY ADVOCATE
Cecil Greene, Jr
Executive V,P.
Allen, Kenneth & DeVaughn Black Inspiration
“The Voice That Brings the Community Together”
Established June, 1992
479-785-3889
909 SOUTH 20TH STREET
Toll Free 877-785-3889
Fort Smith, AR 72901
JANUARY
2014
NEWS & COMMENTARY
AN EDUCATOR’S
POINT OF VIEW
Holiday Projects Expand Learning Opportunities
Benny L. Gooden
Superintendent
of Public Schools
Fort Smith, AR
The end of one year and the
beginning of another always
provides great opportunities
for our schools to become
engaged with the community
in ways which will teach
lasting values transcending
the academic classroom.
These values include giving
associated with the less
fortunate in our community
as well as a respect for those
whose lives of sacrifice have
made living in a free society
possible.
It is always amazing to
see the sheer volume of
canned food products which
students in Fort Smith
Public Schools provide to
one or more of the seasonal
campaigns. While the largest
of these partnership efforts
is conducted in cooperation
with the Salvation Army,
several other organizations
also engage in similar
partnerships. More than
44,000 cans of food were
collected for the Salvation
Army alone by Fort Smith
schools. Other giving
opportunities during the
holiday season involve
students of all ages.
The giving spirit is especially
noteworthy since more than
seven in ten Fort Smith
students qualify for meal
subsidy based on their
family income. This statistic
verifies that the giving spirit
is strong—even among those
who likely need assistance
themselves. That fact makes
the message even more
positive.
Student engagement in
holiday traditions does not
stop with giving to those
in need. The Christmas
Honors at the Fort Smith
National Cemetery has
been embraced by school
groups who provide many
volunteer hours in support of
this worthy project. From the
preparation of wreaths to their
placement and final removal,
The Obama administration
has launched the first steps of an
ambitious plan to dramatically
improve academic achievement
among African-American students from the “cradle to career.”
President Obama signed an
executive order last week, which
established the first ever White
House Initiative on Educational
Excellence for African-Americans.
The new initiative will coordinate federal agencies, various
partners and communities nationwide. Its charge will include
seeking and sharing evidencebased `best practices’ around the
critical issue of black student
achievement.
The initiative has sweeping
goals. They include providing
African-American students with
greater access to high-level, rigorous course work and support
services; developing and retain-
student groups flock to the
National Cemetery for this
important project. Their sheer
manpower helps keep the
project on schedule.
Time at the Fort Smith
National Cemetery is more
than just a service project
with limited meaning. Many
students have relatives
who are interred there
and relatives whose final
resting place is among the
honored dead at the National
Cemetery. Their connection
to what the Fort Smith
National Cemetery means
serves as a reminder that
freedom is not maintained
without cost. This lesson
complements their classroom
experiences which emphasize
the history of conflict
throughout the years in order
to preserve our freedom and
that of others.
For Fort Smith Public
School students, the holiday
season has definitely provided
opportunities for expanded
learning. These lessons
are important and can only
strengthen these young
people as students and as
members of our community.
Lessons like these will
continue into a new year. THE OBAMA PLAN FOR AFRICAN
AMERICAN STUDENTS
ing greater numbers of top-notch
African-American teachers and
principals; reducing dropout rates
and increasing college access; and
expanding access to quality adult
education, literacy, and technical
programs
In order to achieve that goal, Jarrett said, the Obama administration
will dedicate new resources and
support services to the new initiative, which builds on the president’s
existing educational efforts.
They include a 2010 executive
order he signed to strengthen the
nation’s Historically Black Colleges
and Universities (HBCUs).
The White House Initiative on
Educational Excellence for AfricanAmericans will use a series of
approaches to tackle its mission.
Among them is creation of an office
housed within the U.S. Depart-
ment of Education, designed to
work with the president, his cabinet and other federal agencies.
THE LINCOLN ECHO PAGE 5
GREETINGS FROM
THE MAYOR
During the recent snow and
ice storm, a large number of
people who work for you did
a great job on behalf of the
people of Fort Smith.
The Street Department
had crews working before,
during and after the snow
and ice fellÖspreading
materials to clear city
streets, making them as
safe as possible as quickly
as possible. City crews
worked basically around the
clock. Our Fire and Police
Departments were also
extremely busy during the
storm and provided great help
throughout the city.
Our Sanitation Department
is now providing additional
services through midFebruary picking up and
removing debris from tree
limbs, downed trees, etc.
The Utilities Department
(water/sewer) also faced
some large challenges. Due to power outages a
large portable generator
was rented and rewired into
electrical service entrance
at the Mill Creek wastewater
pump station and the new
Candlestick pump station
was commissioned on an
expedited basis and placed
into service. And, personnel
responded to higher than
normal field underground
utility locate requests due to
electric and communication
system pole replacements. All water system standby
power generators and
previously commissioned
wastewater standby power
generators performed well.
Christmas Honors and
Wreaths Across America once
again transformed the Fort
Smith National Cemetery into
a place of uncommon beauty. Thanks to all the volunteers
who prepared and placed
wreaths at each grave marker. I encourage you to make a
visit to the National Cemetery
and see how it looks with
each veteran honored with a
wreath.
MANDELA’S HOME FOR 25
YEARS: ROBBEN’S ISLAND
By Ron Allen NBC
I’ve been to South Africa
many times dating back to the
early 1990’s, just after Nelson
Mandela was released from
prison, and just before apartheid ended.
But I had never been to
Robben Island, and its notorious and iconic prison where
Mandela spent 18 of his 27
years in captivity. After the
week of historic events mourning his death and celebrating
Mandela’s life, I seized the
moment, took a flight to Cape
Town and then the 30 minute
ferry ride across the bay to a
place that is disturbing, moving and surreal.
The hot sun was beating
down that summer day. Not
long after leaving the beauty
of Cape Town, in the distance,
tiny Robben Island starts
coming into view. It’s a forlorn,
dusty, and eerie place. The
last prisoners left in 1991.
Soon after that, Robben Island
was turned into a museum.
A few other structures, such
as the jailer’s residences,
administration buildings, and
perhaps ironically a church,
are scattered across the flat
landscape, its brush battered
by the sea breezes. The brutal
contradiction about this horrible place is that it sits in a
very beautiful corner of the
world, close to the bottom of
the African continent. There’s
an absolutely spectacular
view of Cape Town and its wondrous Table Mountain about 4
miles away. Mandela wrote in his
autobiography, The Long Walk to
Freedom, that the view of Table
Mountain was like a “beacon of
hope,” that helped keep him connected to the mainland, where
he was determined to return
someday. It truly is a stunning
sight to behold.
The most intense place on
Robben Island is Mandela’s
former cell, since his death a
shrine. It’s the fourth cell on
the right as you enter from the
courtyard. And it is absolutely
stunning how small it is, about 7
feet by 7 feet, with a tiny barred
window, barely wide or long
enough for a prisoner to lay fully
extended. There’s a thin straw
mat for a bed. Real beds arrived
in the 1980’s for some. Mandela
never had one. The cell has
a partial view of the courtyard
where prisoners gathered and
exercised. Tennis was a favorite
sport, and very pragmatic past
time as well. The prisoners communicated with inmates in other
parts of the facility by slitting the
balls, and hiding paper messages inside.
One thought that makes Robben
Island perhaps a bit less disturbing, is that at the end of the day,
decades later, the horrors ended
and South Africa became a free
and democratic nation. A prisoner became President. Other
former inmates are now prominent leaders in their own right.
The human spirit triumphed over
the decades of inhumanity and
deprivation.
PAGE 6 THE LINCOLN ECHO
NEWS &COMMENTARY
JANUARY
2014
AROUND AND ABOUT LITTLE ROCK
By Wanda Hamilton
“The Gifts That Keep On Giving”
Tis the season with holiday
celebrations and shopping in full swing. There are items of every description to
give as gifts; however, some don’t come
from the Mall. We have gifted people in
our communities that share their talents,
wisdom, time and good will. Those
gifts often remain in our memories and
sometimes shape our lives. Annie Mabel McDaniel Abrams is
one of Little Rock’s icons who has
shared her gifts for over six decades. She is described as a walking, talking
history book, insightful and a very
wise woman. She has worked with
historical leaders and politicians over
disadvantaged. Recently, she shared her
gift of speech with the Book Lovers Club
of Charleston, West Virginia. The club
celebrated its 90th Anniversary Sunday,
December 15 at the Women’s Club of
Charleston and is the oldest African
American book club in West Virginia. The topic of her speech was “The Politics
of Healthy Community Building -- A
Woman’s Perspective”. Ms. Abrams was
given a proclamation from West Virgina’s
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin declaring her
an Honorary Mountaineer.
Robert “Say” McIntosh pranced down
Little Rock’s main streets decades ago
dressed in a red Santa suit. He created
a “Black Santa” for Little Rock and
his reputation spread. Each year, he
solicited toys, bikes and clothes for the
disadvantaged as well as contributed
from his own resources. During his time
as a restaurateur, he became known for
his sweet potato pies. He also worked
with others in the “Stop The Violence”
initiative to deter Black on Black crime. In honor of “Say” McIntosh, the Mosiac
Templars Cultural Center established
a baking competition called “Say It
Ain’t Say’s”. The sweet potato pie is a
large part of the African American and
southern culture according to Sericia
Cole, MTCC Director. The contest
showcases creativity and gives bakers
a chance to show off their favorite sweet
potato pie. The contest was judged by
a panel of local celebrity judges and the
crowd had a chance to sample each pie
and cast a vote. The contest was held
during the Cultureal Center’s Annual
Open House December 1 and included
other family activities. A highlight was a
visit by “Say” McIntosh himself. Holiday Open House features
“Say it Ain’t Say’s”
Sweet Potato Pie Contest
sixty years to promote social justice for
women, children, minorities and the
The 2013 Holiday Open House
celebration at the Mosaic Templars
Cultural Center took place Sunday, Dec.
1, and included the second annual “Say
It Ain’t Say’s” Sweet Potato Pie Contest,
featuring an array of traditional and nontraditional sweet potato pie recipes by
professional and amateur bakers.
“Sweet potato pie is such a large part
of the African American and southern
cultural tradition, particularly around
the holidays,” said Sericia Cole, MTCC
Director. “The ‘Say It Ain’t Say’s” contest
showcases creativity and ingenuity, and
gives great bakers a chance to show off
their favorite sweet potato pie recipes
while blending the best of southern
culture with an African American holiday
staple.”
The competition was judged by a
panel of local celebrity judges that
selected 1st and 2nd place winners in
both categories. Additionally, the crowd
had the opportunity to sample each
contestant’s pie and cast a vote for
their favorite to win the People’s Choice
Award.
2013 winners include:
People’s Choice “Sweet Potato Pie Cheesecake” by
Sondra Strong
Amateur Classification 1st Place – “Sweet Potato Pie
Cupcakes” by Michelle R. Smith
2ndPlace – “Woo Pie Sooie” by Kamiya
Merrick
Professional Classification 1st Place – “Sinfully Sweet Sweet Potato
Pie” by Sweet Love
2nd Place - “Pecan Shortbread Sweet
Potato Pie” by Latrice Catering & Design
JANUARY
2014
NEWS & COMMENTARY
THE LINCOLN ECHO PAGE 7
BARACK OBAMA AND T. BARIDI NOKOKHELI
By Napoleon Black
Fort Smith, Arkansas
is a small example of
the pettiness which has
engulfed our political moral
compass in America.
We are supposedly the
example to the rest of
the world of a functioning
democracy. We are
functioning but barely. We
can do a lot better.
We have allowed a few
citizens to monopolize our
public discourse not with
policy discussion but with
personal attacks on public
officials. These attacks are being done without any repudiation
by the leaders of the most vocal, complaining factions.
It is well known our President has been the recipient of
uncounted acts of disrespect without so much as a whimper
from congressional or dissident group leaders reminding their
members of conduct expected of them as elected leaders. The
general public sees how disrespectful our elected officials act
toward one another then emulate that action during their public
discourse.
Their are multiple reasons for the name calling, agitation and
disrespect. The reasons consist of resistance to change, who
is making the change and suppressed animosity.
Is it coincidental that Baridi and Barack have names and hue
different from the majority? Did those two things spur name
calling and vocal resistance?
Baridi submitted a plan the automate trash pick up in Fort
Smith, Arkansas and showed how automation would save
money for the city and
the customers, speed up
trash pickup, be safer for
sanitation workers and bring
the sanitation department
into the twenty first century.
The only change besides
new trash containers was
the trash pickup location. All
trash would be picked up on
the street instead of in the
alley.
In a city of over eighty
thousand a small section
totaling around two hundred
fifty balked.
At further expense to the tax payer more surveys were run
and meetings were held explaining in great detail the reasons
behind the switch to automation but to no avail. A resolution
was passed by the City Board of Directors giving this section
an exemption on automating.
Now it is only supposition but if this group of protesters
resided on the Northside of town between H and S street north
and South and thirteenth and sixth street East and West I don’t
believe the same consideration would have been given. In
either case there should not have been this back and forth. A
decision had been made and money spent for new equipment,
time to move on.
To resist change is normal but to make personal attacks
because you disagree goes against the moral fiber for which
we say this country was founded. Respect one another. We
don’t have to like each other but we can respect each other
and get along
PHILIP E. KAPLAN CHAIRMAN ARKANSAS MLK COMMISSION
During the month of January we will celebrate the life of Dr. Martin
Luther. There are many chapters of the
MLK Comission in Arkansas and they will
all have different fuctions to celebrate the
occasion.
Almost everyone is familiar with the
Executive Director of MLK in Arkansas,
Dushun Scarbourgh but not many people
are fiamiliar with the Chairman, attorney
Philip E. Kaplan.
Philip E. Kaplan has practiced in the
area of employment law, civil rights, and
business litigation since his licensing by
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
in 1962. From 1962 until 1967, he was
a field attorney with the National Labor
Relations Board in St. Louis. In January 1968, he was licensed to practice in
Arkansas, when he became associated
with the firm of McMath, Leatherman,
Woods & Youngdahl. In 1969, he left that
firm to continue his practice of employment law and civil rights law with the firm
of Walker, Kaplan & Mays, where he remained a principal until December 1977.
From 1978 until August 2007, Mr. Kaplan
was a principal with the firm of Kaplan,
Brewer, Maxey & Haralson P.A. The
firm had an extensive litigation practice,
primarily in the area of employment law,
commercial litigation, and family law. Mr.
Kaplan joined Williams & Anderson PLC
in 2007.
Mr. Kaplan is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA),
the American College of Trial Lawyers
(ACTL), and the American Academy of
Appellate Lawyers (AAAL). He was a
long-time adjunct law faculty member at
the University of Arkansas at Little Rock
William H. Bowen School of Law, where
he taught trial advocacy. He has been a
member of the Board of Governors of the
Arkansas Bar Association and the Chair
of that organization. He is an emeritus
member of the William Overton Inn of
Court and a member of the Pulaski, Arkansas, and American Bar Associations.
He is a Fellow of the American Bar Association Foundation.
Mr. Kaplan began his activity in class
action cases when he was appointed to
be the attorney for the inmate population
of the Arkansas prison system, where
the court ultimately declared the entire
prison system unconstitutional. Mr. Kaplan appeared before the United States
Supreme Court in his capacity as attorney for the inmates in the case of Finney
v. Hutto, which resulted in a declaration
establishing the constitutionality of 42
U.S.C. § 1988, the civil rights attorney
fee act. He has most recently been lead
counsel for a Fortune 10 company in
a nationwide class action. Mr. Kaplan
was also lead counsel on behalf of the
University of Arkansas and its Board of
Trustees in a challenge by the terminated
head basketball coach in the matter
of Richardson v. Sugg et al. He has
throughout the years represented local,
regional, and national companies on matters involving employment discrimination
cases, non-competition agreements, and
stock purchase agreements. In addition
to his extensive trial work, Mr. Kaplan
has successfully argued many cases
before the United States Circuit Court
of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the
Arkansas Supreme Court.
Mr. Kaplan received an A.B. degree from
Harvard University in 1959, and an LL.B.
degree from the University of Michigan in
1962.
Mr. Kaplan is listed in Best Lawyers in
America under Appellate Law, Bet-theCompany Litigation, Commercial Litigation, First Amendment Law and Labor
and Employment Law; in Chambers
USA as a “Leader” in the field of General
Commercial Litigation and Labor & Employment Law; and in Mid-South Super
Lawyers in the areas of Employment and
Labor Law and Business/Corporate Law.
Mr. Kaplan was appointed Chairman of
the MLK Commission in August of 2009
by govenor Mike Beebe, Mr. Kaplan has
brought structure, viability and revalence
to the Mlk Commission.
As is his personality Mr. Kaplan gives
most of the credit for the positive personna of the Commission to Executive Director Scarbourgh but for those who know
him his steady hand and results oriented
personality are evident.
Mr. Kaplan is married to his lovely wife
Ruthie and has two grown children.
Dr. King could not have chosen a more
dedicated man for the job himself.
In the End, we will remember
not the words of our enemies,
but the silence of our friends.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
PAGE 8 THE LINCOLN ECHO
LOCAL NEWS
JANUARY
2014
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
15
OBITUARIES
1
Charles R. Gordon
Zelma Leona Releford 73
Death: November 26, 2013 Van Buren, AR
Funeral: November 30, 2013 Zion Baptist Church
Interment: Beal Cemetery
Benjamin “Buddy” Banks 69
Death: November 28, 2013 Van Buren, AR
Funeral: December 7, 2013 Greater Pilgrim Rest
Interment: The body was cremated
Henrietta Easterling 66
Death: November 29, 2013 Fort Smith, AR
Funeral: December 7, 2013 House of Prayer
Interment: The body was cremated
Buddy Leonard Christian 79
Death: November 30, 2013 Fort Smith, AR
Funeral: December 7, 2013 St. James Baptist Church
Interment: Washington Cemetery
Edward Bernard Jones 60
Death: December 6, 2013
Funeral: December 12, 2013 New Morning Star Baptist Church
Interment: Shady Grove Cemetery
Rosie Lee Williams 79
Death: December 12, 2013 Fort Smith, AR
Funeral: December 17, 2013 New Morning Star Baptist Church
Interment: Shady Grove Cemetery
Jakiyah M. Alston
Linda Barnett
Topazia Smith
Thelma Howard Henderson
17
Freda J. Gordon
2
Cameron Jeffers
18
Dennis L. Wilson
Arlesta Lucille Dodson-Sneed
Jaylin Stroble
3
Rochelle D.Slaughter
6
Alice F. Guthie
7
Sheila Lyons
Randy Williams
8
Norma Jean Ford
9
Alexa Barker
10
Shirley Lee
Eva Davis
Fleta Lucille Crockett
22
Paul Knauls
23
Alice McBay
Qwan Tolbert
26
Harold G. Parish
27
Lula Black
28
Willie E. Spencer
Margaret Haynes Owens
12
Farrell Lee Batson
29
Mildred Ingram
Betty Smith
14
Rev. A.J. Parish
McKenzie Wilkins
OPEN OUR EYES
By Leon Lumpkins
Father, open our eyes, that we
may see
To follow Thee, oh, Lord
Grant us Thy lovin’ peace, oh
yeah
And let all dissension cease
Let our faith each day increase,
oh yeah
And Master, yeah, please, yeah,
oh please
Open our eyes, open our eyes
Open our eyes, Lord, open our
eyes
Robert Lee Thurman Sr. was born unto this earth on May 14,
1937 in Ft. Smith, AR to parents, Warren Thurman, and Mary
Louise Walker. Robert spent all of his childhood and teen ears
as a resident of Ft. Smith, AR. He attended Catholic school
most of his early childhood and teens years. He received the
Sacrament of Baptism in the Catholic Church at a young age.
Robert enlisted in the United States Armed Forces on
September 10, 1954. He served three years in the Korean War
and received an honorable release from active duty on August
9, 1957. He was very proud of his service to this country.
Robert married Joann W. Vann on December 4, 1958. To this
union, two children were born, daughter Robbie A. Bridgewater
and son Robert L. Thurman Jr. Robert’s legacy includes two
older children, daughters Thelma Harris (deceased) and Zelia
Mae Thurman. At the time of his transition to Heaven, Robert
was the proud grandfather of ten grandchildren and 19 great
grandchildren.
Robert was an accomplished and noted poet as well as song
writer. Robert will be missed by many people, including friends
and family. His gentle, affectionate, loving, God fearing ways
will be an inspiration for generation to come!
21
Martha Hall Fisher
11
Stephanie E. Phillips
George Templeton
13
Michael T. Hall
Remembering Robert Lee Thurman Sr.
May 14, 197 – October 22, 2013
19
Beverly Willis
Terry Hardy
He has given us, hills and mountains
He has given us, oh yeah, level
plains
30
Charlene Templeton
Dorothy R. Simpson
31
Arshawan Carter White
He has given us food and clothing
Gave us shelter from the storm
and rain, oh yeah
And all that He provided
Kept us good, good, oh yeah
From the storm and the plague
Grant us Thy lovin’ peace,
And let all dissension cease
Let our faith each day
increase,oh yeah
And Master, yeah, Lord, yeah
Open our eyes, open our eyes
Open our eyes, oh, open our eyes
Yeah, yeah, ah, Lord
And smile down on Your helpless children
JANUARY
2014
POLITICS
SENATOR BOOZMAN’S
COLUMN
Reviewing and Planning for the Future
Like a new school year for
students and teachers, the
new calendar year gives us
an opportunity to start fresh.
It marks a time of year of
optimism and change. Many
of us make resolutions to alter
our habits and look
forward to what the
New Year holds.
While we
reevaluate our own
lives, business,
community and
government leaders
are also making
goals as they plan
and prepare for a
new chapter.
Fort Smith has been
mapping out a plan for the
future with the help of the
community. Input sessions
allow residents an opportunity
to brainstorm and help
shape the city in upcoming
years. Just like Fort Smith is
planning development and
growth of the city, my office
is preparing for the future
and how we can be the most
helpful to Arkansans. Helping
constituents navigate the
bureaucracy remains at the
top of my list of priorities.
In 2013 we received nearly
2,800 requests for help
from Arkansans with a wide
range of issues involving
the federal government. The
vast majority were related to
military and veterans issues
while more than 500 requests
for assistance involved
problems with Social Security
and Medicare. We also
helped with issues involving
passports, IRS paperwork,
veterans’ awards and many
other problems.
As we plan for 2014
we want to make sure we
make it more convenient
for Arkansans to use our
services to help cut through
the red tape of the federal
government. We’ll be
hosting mobile office events
across the state as we
continue to help navigate
the federal bureaucracy and
continue outreach to county
officials and participate in
civic meetings to look for
opportunities to help.
We made great progress on
a number of legislative fronts.
This includes steps to rein in
spending. There is no doubt
that we have to get our fiscal
house in order. The federal
government can’t balance the
books with its out-of-control
spending. In an effort to cut
costs, President Obama
proposed across-the-board
cuts known as sequestration.
While indiscriminately cutting
everything is not the best
policy, sequestration allowed
us to reduce discretionary
spending for two
consecutive years
for the first time
since WWII.
In the coming
year I look forward
to continuing
our work toward
further spending
reductions.
This begins with
approving appropriations bills,
a process that Washington
has failed to do for number of
years. Following this proper
procedure allows for proper
oversight to help eliminate
waste, fraud and abuse of
taxpayer dollars.
The Senate passed a
bipartisan Farm Bill in 2013
and we are now working to
craft a compromise bill with
the House that will protect our
farmers and provide certainty
to the agriculture community
while supporting cost-saving
measures. I’m confident that
we will have a bill that both
chambers can support early in
2014.
The Senate also passed
the Water Resources
Development Act (WRDA).
This major water resources
law improves our nation’s
water resources policy to
expand opportunity, promote
commerce, and reduce flood
risks. The legislation that
passed the Senate improves
oversight of U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers projects
in Arkansas, increases
coordination between the
Corps and non-federal project
sponsors and stakeholders,
ensures more reliable
maintenance of Arkansas
ports on the Mississippi River,
and improves levels of service
at Corps navigation projects.
While media reports
indicate that Congress is at a
stand-still and unable to work
together, that is simply not the
case. We were able to pass
important pieces of legislation
in 2013 and that could not
have happened without
bipartisan support. I’m hopeful
that will find common ground
to advance the policies
important to our national
interests both home and
abroad as we look forward to
the New Year.
Where globalization means, as it so often does,
that the rich and powerful now have new means
to further enrich and empower themselves
at the cost of the poorer and weaker,
we have a responsibility to protest
in the name of universal freedom.
Nelson
THE LINCOLN ECHO
PAGE 9
GOVERNOR BEEBE’S
COLUMN
Ten years ago, during my
first year as Attorney General,
I spent a fall morning at the
Port of Little Rock. There
I watched as members of
the Arkansas Army National
Guard’s 39th Infantry Brigade
loaded up gear for their first
deployment to Iraq. Speaking
with them, it was obvious that
some were anxious, others
eager, and most
were unsure of
what exactly to
expect. These
courageous
men and women
served our nation
honorably and
bravely in Iraq,
many signed up
for additional
deployments, and,
sadly, some gave the ultimate
sacrifice.
Today, 10 years later, I’m
proud to report that for the
first time in a decade, all
members of our Army National
Guard will be stateside for
the holidays. We reached
this wonderful milestone
earlier this month, when 47
guardsmen completed a
nine-month deployment in
Kuwait. As a State, we thank
them for their service, and
we honor their loved ones for
the sacrifices they made, as
well. Their return has come
just in time to make this an
unforgettable holiday gift for
many Arkansas families.
These members of the
Guard return with skill sets
that will bolster the workforce
in Arkansas. For example, the
last group to return consisted
of highly trained mechanics,
electricians and technicians.
However, returning veterans
have found it more difficult
to reclaim or find new jobs
during the slow national
recovery. Recently, we’ve
seen a groundswell of efforts,
including in Arkansas, to
ensure that these servicemen
and women can find
successful livelihoods upon
their return home.
Walmart, for example, projects
that it will hire more than
100,000 veterans over the
next five years as part of its
Veterans Welcome Home
Commitment. But it doesn’t
take a major employer to do
something positive. Each of
us can contribute to the wellbeing of our men and women
in uniform.
Unfortunately,
some military
employees living
in Arkansas
have recently
seen financial
hardship due to
the recent federal
government
shutdown. While
they received
back pay after the shutdown
was resolved, the lapse in
claims and paychecks caused
many in the military to fall
behind on bills and incur late
fees. Many are still trying
to catch up and put their
households back on stable
financial footing.
This holiday season, as
you exchange gifts with
loved ones, remember the
gifts our military members,
past and present, have given
to us. Arkansans remain
deployed around the world
with active military forces and
the Arkansas Air National
Guard. Some remain directly
in harm’s way in Afghanistan
and elsewhere.
Their sacrifices have helped
to safeguard the freedoms
we enjoy this holiday season.
We salute their service, honor
their sacrifice, and thank them
for supporting our State and
our Nation. And most of all,
we are so happy to welcome
all of the men and women of
the Arkansas Army National
Guard back to American
soil. For many families, it will
make this a special Christmas
to remember. Ginger and I
hope yours is memorable and
happy as well.
Living My Life
By Robert Lee Thurman
Many is the time I think of how things might have been.
Beaming with pleasure at the shapr I could have been in.
Life could be better with a break or two.
I have yet to accomplish in life all the things I set out to do.
I am not a Saint Preacher or President.
I’m just an average American citizen, working to
buy groceries and make ends meet.
My possesions are few but I prize them still and I
value friend shipmuch more than a dollar bill.
There are those who think I’m bitter, that deep down
I resent what I feel. But, I’ve been there, done that
and I’ve yet to climb that hill.
So regardlees of life’s indignities, I have faced beneath
the sun. I have learned to live with hardships,
And still have lots of fun,
PAGE 10 THE LINCOLN ECHO
HERITAGE
JANUARY
2014
BLACK SEMINOLE INDIANS
From slaves to American heroes, the
Scouts were true frontiersman who
played a huge part in securing the
American border and taming the west. By the end of the Civil War, the U.S.
was having major problems defending
the Texas-Mexican border. The border
was under constant attack by invading
Comanche and Apache Indians, as
well as marauding bandits who sought
to advance themselves through
lawlessness. In fact, 1n 1867, out of the
16, 066 U.S. soldiers stationed in the
South, one-fourth of them were in Texas,
mainly to address Indian warfare.
In 1870, The U.S. Army met with Black
Seminole leaders, John Kibbetts and
John Horse, with a request that the group
help the government stop the raids on
Texas by the raiders. The Seminoles
were excellent candidates because of
their skills in hunting and tracking. They
were also experienced horseman and
marksman, and they understood Indian
culture. They also were able to speak
several of the Indian languages. Horse
and Kibbetts agreed to the government’s
use of the scouts in exchange for
provisions of food, travel expenses and
land grants for the scouts’ families.
Many of the Black Seminoles were eager
to get back to the United States after
the Civil War. Mexico was in a constant
state of civil war during the time of the
Mexican Revolution, and the Black
Seminoles had to carry a heavier load of
fighting against raiding Indians crossing
the Mexican border when the larger
group of Seminoles migrated back to
Indian Territory.
The Seminoles left Mexico in two
waves, the first, under John Kibbetts,
arrived in Texas on July 4, 1870, and a
year later, the second under Horse. The
groups settled in Southwest Texas, in
Fort Duncan near Eagle Pass and Fort
Clark in Brackettville. It was Col. Zenas
Randall Bliss who brought the Seminole
Negro Indians to Fort Duncan August 16,
1870. At Fort Duncan, Kibbetts was
commissioned a sergeant and his
followers enlisted as privates. The first
Seminole Scouts in active duty at Fort
Duncan were Kibbetts, Joe Dixie, Dindie
Factor, Pompey Factor, Hardie Factor,
Adams Fay, Bobby Kibbetts, John
Ward, John Thompson, and George
Washington.
At the start of their service at Fort
Duncan, the Black Seminoles served
as scouts for the 25thinfantry. There,
they received pay at the regular army
rate for privates, plus rations, arms, and
ammunition for their service.
At first, the Black Seminole Indian Scouts
worked under Kibbetts leadership. Shortly afterward, the Scouts were
placed under the leadership of U.S. Army
Lt. John Bullis. The Black Seminole Indian Scouts’
primary focus was to help stop the frequent
raids of Indians on the Texas-Mexico
border villages. In May of 1873, under the
leadership of Col. Ranald Mackenzie, a
group of sixteen Scouts along with Lt. Bullis
and joined by the 4thCalvary, crossed the Rio
Grande into Coahuila, Mexico. Their mission
was to conduct a raid on the menacing
Kickapoo tribe. The Kickapoos carried out Texas cattle
raids for years and had become a huge
problem for the Texas ranchers. The
Kickapoo hated the Americans for taking
their land and exacted revenge on them
often because of it. When Mexico offered
the Kickapoo land grants in exchange for
protection from Texas ranchers, they quickly
accepted.
They were brave trackers and fighters who
had command of the English, Spanish and
multiple Indian languages, which made
them extremely effective in service along the
border. Once in Mexico, the Kickapoos frequently
raided ranches as far north of the Rio
Grande as San Antonio. On May 16, 1874,
Mackenzie and his group left from Fort Clark
and traveled about seventy miles into Mexico
to reach one of the Kickapoo villages. The Scouts did there part by conducting
surveillance on the village and notifying the
Colonel that the Kickapoo warriors were
gone. The attack was swift as the troops
swept in and burned the village. Nineteen
Indians were killed, forty more were taken
as prisoners, and the village’s supplies were
destroyed, which left the group vulnerable.
The Black Seminole Scouts served at Fort
Duncan from 1870 to 1876 and at Fort Clark
in Bracketville from 1872 to 1914. From
1873 to 1881, during twenty-six expeditions
they engaged in twelve battles without losing
a single scout in combat, even when greatly
outnumbered. They also served and fought
alongside the 8th, 9th, and 10th Calvary.
Lt. Col. Wesley Merritt of the 9th Cavalry
was impressed with the Seminole Scouts
service and had many of them transferred
to Ft. Clark. At Fort Clark, when they were
not on patrol, the Black Seminoles lived in
Seminole Camp nearby Las Moras Creek
with their families. It was at Ft. Clark that the
scouts came under the leadership of Lt. John
L. Bullis. Four of the Black Seminole Scouts won
the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor for
their brave and heroic service. The first of
the Black Seminole Scouts to receive the
Congressional Medal of Honor was Pvt.
Adam Paine. Paine received his award for
his gallant fighting during the Red River War
of 1874-1875, but most specifically for his
duty in the Battle of Canyon Blanco in 1874. The other three Scouts, Sgt. John Ward, Pvt.
Pompey Factor, and trumpeter Issac Payne,
received their awards for their heroic actions
in saving their commanding officer, Lt. John
Bullis, during a Comanche raid at the Eagle’s
Nest Crossing of the Pecos River in 1875. Despite being grossly outnumbered thirtyto-four, the Scouts risked their lives to save
Bullis, who was unable to mount his horse. While Factor and Payne provided cover,
Ward went back and retrieved their leader
before retreating to safety. As life along the border became less
tense, the Seminole Scouts continued
to provide invaluable service. In 1885, a
detachment of Seminole-Negro Scouts
garrisoned a camp at Nevill’s Springs in
what is now Big Bend National Park. In
1882, Black Seminole Scouts were recruited
to provide security for the Galveston,
Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railroad. They
also served six years at Nevill’s Springs with
troops from Fort Davis, and were stationed at
Camp Pena Colorado near Marathon.
In the end, despite the valiant service
they provided to the U.S. government, the
Seminole Scouts were victims of broken
promises. The scouts were promised
land grants in exchange for their service,
but never received it. Many were forced
to steal cattle to provide for themselves
and their family when the U.S. military
stopped providing rations for anyone who
was not a regularly enlisted scout. Even
with the endorsements of several high
ranking military officials, including Bullis
and Mackenzie, the Scouts were left
without provisions. Many, including Factor,
were denied pensions by the U.S. Army. Without money or land to call their own, the
Scouts became squatters on U.S. military
reservations. The military fed and housed
them for a while, but by 1914, the military
disbanded the scouts and they were ordered
to leave the military grounds. Socially the Scouts also suffered from
harsh acts of racism and discrimination. On
Christmas Day of 1874, Seminole Scout
George Washington was shot and killed in an
altercation at a saloon in Eagle Pass, Texas
by a member of the notorious King Fisher
gang. Adam Paine, the Congressional
Medal of Honor, was viciously shot in the
back and killed by a Texas Sheriff while he
was enjoying a dance celebration on New
Years morning in 1877. In response to
the killing, some of the Seminole Scouts,
including Factor, returned to the Nacimiento
community in Mexico.
Many Whites around the Fort Clark/
Bracketville area pressured the military to
disband the Scouts so they could purchase
the land that the Scouts and their families
settled on.
When the Scouts unit was finally
disbanded on July 10, 1914, the U.S.
Government kicked the Black Seminole
Scouts off of the Fort Clark base. Many
of the scouts moved with their families to
Bracketville, Texas. Many of the Seminole
Scouts’ descendants still live in Bracketville,
working as farmers and ranchers, proudly
embracing the great history of their
ancestors. Although largely ignored or
completely forgotten in American history
in the past, the Black Seminole Scouts
are now beginning to receive the proper
attention and recognition that they
deserve. JANUARY
2014
HERITAGE
THE LINCOLN ECHO
NELSON MANDELA
Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the
Madiba clan in Mvezo, Transkei, on July
18, 1918, to Nonqaphi Nosekeni and
Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela,
principal counsellor to the Acting King of
the Thembu people, Jongintaba Dalindyebo.
His father died when he was 12 years
old (1930) and the young Rolihlahla became a ward of Jongintaba at the Great
Place in Mqhekezweni. Hearing the elder’s stories of his ancestor’s valour during the wars of resistance, he dreamed
also of making his own contribution to the
freedom struggle of his people.
He attended primary school in Qunu
where his teacher Miss Mdingane gave
him the name Nelson, in accordance with
the custom to give all school children
“Christian” names.
He completed his Junior Certificate at
Clarkebury Boarding Institute and went
on to Healdtown, a Wesleyan secondary
school of some repute, where he matriculated.
Nelson Mandela began his studies for
a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University College of Fort Hare but did not
complete the degree there as he was
expelled for joining in a student protest.
He completed his BA through the University of South Africa and went back to
Fort Hare for his graduation in 1943.
On his return to the Great Place at
Mqhekezweni the King was furious and
said if he didn’t return to Fort Hare he
would arrange wives for him and his
cousin Justice. They ran away to Johannesburg instead, arriving there in 1941.
There he worked as a mine security
officer and after meeting Walter Sisulu,
an estate agent, who introduced him to
Lazar Sidelsky. He then did his articles
through a firm of attorneys, Witkin Eidelman and Sidelsky.
Meanwhile he began studying for
an LLB at the University of the Witwatersrand. By his own admission he was
a poor student and left the university in
1952 without graduating. He only started
studying again through the University of
London after his imprisonment in 1962
but also did not complete that degree.
In 1989, while in the last months of
his imprisonment, he obtained an LLB
through the University of South Africa. He
graduated in absentia at a ceremony in
Cape Town.
Nelson Mandela, while increasingly
politically involved from 1942, only joined
the African National Congress in 1944
when he helped to form the ANC Youth
League.
In 1944 he married Walter Sisulu’s
cousin Evelyn Mase, a nurse. They had
two sons, Madiba Thembekile ‘Thembi’
and Makgatho and two daughters both
called Makaziwe, the first of whom died
in infancy. They effectively separated in
1955 and divorced in 1958.
Nelson Mandela rose through the ranks
of the ANCYL and through its work, in
1949 the ANC adopted a more radical
mass-based policy, the Programme of
Action.
In 1952 he was chosen at the National
Volunteer-in-Chief of the Defiance Campaign with Maulvi Cachalia as his deputy.
This campaign of civil disobedience
against six unjust laws was a joint programme between the ANC and the South
African Indian Congress. He and 19 others were charged under the Suppression
of Communism Act for their part in the
campaign and sentenced to nine months
hard labour, suspended for two years.
A two-year diploma in law on top of his
BA allowed Nelson Mandela to practice
law, and in August 1952 he and Oliver
Tambo established South Africa’s first
black law firm, Mandela and Tambo.
At the end of 1952 he was banned for
the first time. As a restricted person he
was only permitted to watch in secret
as the Freedom Charter was adopted in
Kliptown on 26 June 1955.
Nelson Mandela was arrested in a
countrywide police swoop on 5 December 1955, which led to the 1956 Treason
Trial. Men and women of all races found
themselves in the dock in the marathon
trial that only ended when the last 28 accused, including Mr Mandela were acquitted on 29 March 1961.
On 21 March 1960 police killed 69
unarmed people in a protest against the
pass laws held at Sharpeville. This led to
the country’s first state of emergency and
the banning of the ANC and the Pan Africanist Congress on 8 April. Nelson Mandela and his colleagues in the Treason
Trial were among thousands detained
during the state of emergency.
During the trial on 14 June 1958 Nelson Mandela married a social worker,
Winnie Madikizela. They had two daughters, Zenani and Zindziswa. The couple
divorced in 1996.
Days before the end of the Treason
Trial Nelson Mandela travelled to Pietermaritzburg to speak at the All-in Africa
Conference, which resolved that he
should write to Prime Minister Verwoerd
requesting a non-racial national convention, and to warn that should he not
agree there would be a national strike
against South Africa becoming a republic. As soon as he and his colleagues
were acquitted in the Treason Trial Nelson Mandela went underground and
began planning a national strike for 29,
30 and 31 March. In the face of massive
mobilisation of state security the strike
was called off early. In June 1961 he was
asked to lead the armed struggle and
helped to establish Umkhonto weSizwe
(Spear of the Nation).
On 11 January 1962, using the adopted
name David Motsamayi, Nelson Mandela
secretly left South Africa. He travelled
around Africa and visited England to
gain support for the armed struggle. He
received military training in Morocco and
Ethiopia and returned to South Africa in
July 1962. He was arrested in a police
roadblock outside Howick on 5 August
while returning from KwaZulu-Natal
where he briefed ANC President Chief
Albert Luthuli about his trip.
He was charged with leaving the country illegally and inciting workers to strike.
He was convicted and sentenced to five
years’ imprisonment which he began
serving in the Pretoria Local Prison. On
27 May 1963 he was transferred to Robben Island and returned to Pretoria on 12
June. Within a month police raided a secret hide-out in Rivonia used by ANC and
Communist Party activists, and several of
his comrades were arrested.
PAGE 11
On 9 October 1963 Nelson Mandela
joined ten others on trial for sabotage in
what became known as the Rivonia Trial.
While facing the death penalty his words
to the court at the end of his famous
‘Speech from the Dock’ on 20 April 1964
became immortalised:
“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black
domination. I have cherished the ideal of
a democratic and free society in which
all persons live together in harmony and
with equal opportunities. It is an ideal
which I hope to live for and to achieve.
But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I
am prepared to die.”
On 11 June 1964 Nelson Mandela
and seven other accused: Walter Sisulu,
Ahmed Kathrada, Govan Mbeki, Raymond Mhlaba, Denis Goldberg, Elias
Motsoaledi and Andrew Mlangeni were
convicted and the next day were sentenced to life imprisonment. Denis Goldberg was sent to Pretoria Prison because
he was white, while the others went to
Robben Island.
Nelson Mandela’s mother died in 1968
and his eldest son Thembi in 1969. He
was not allowed to attend their funeral
On 31 March 1982 Nelson Mandela
was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison
in Cape Town with Sisulu, Mhlaba and
Mlangeni. Kathrada joined them in October. When he returned to the prison in
November 1985 after prostate surgery
Nelson Mandela was held alone. Justice
Minister Kobie Coetsee visited him in
hospital. Later Nelson Mandela initiated
talks about an ultimate meeting between
the apartheid government and the ANC.
On 12 August 1988 he was taken to
hospital where he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. After more than three months
in two hospitals he was transferred on
7 December 1988 to a house at Victor
Verster Prison near Paarl where he spent
his last 14 months of imprisonment. He
was released from its gates on Sunday
11 February 1990, nine days after the
unbanning of the ANC and the PAC and
nearly four months after the release
of his remaining Rivonia comrades.
Throughout his imprisonment he had
rejected at least three conditional offers
of release.
Nelson Mandela immersed himself in
official talks to end white minority rule
and in 1991 was elected ANC President
to replace his ailing friend Oliver Tambo.
In 1993 he and President FW de Klerk
jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize and on
27 April 1994 he voted for the first time in
his life.
On 10 May 1994 he was inaugurated
South Africa’s first democratically elected
President. On his 80th birthday in 1998
he married Graça Machel, his third wife.
True to his promise Nelson Mandela
stepped down in 1999 after one term as
President. He continued to work with the
Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund he set
up in 1995 and established the Nelson
Mandela Foundation and The Mandela
Rhodes Foundation.
In April 2007 his grandson Mandla
Mandela became head of the Mvezo
Traditional Council at a ceremony at the
Mvezo Great Place.
Nelson Mandela never wavered in
his devotion to democracy, equality and
learning. Despite terrible provocation, he
never answered racism with racism. His
life has been an inspiration to all who are
oppressed and deprived; to all who are
opposed to oppression and deprivation.
He died at his home in Johannesburg
on 5 December 2013.
PAGE 12 THE LINCOLN ECHO
NEWS
JANUARY
2014
WHERE DO WE STAND?
Andre’ Good, City Director
Ward 2
Happy New Year! Just a
quick reminder that the Where
Do We Stand articles will
focus on events taking place
primarily in Ward 2 which is
the north side of Fort Smith
to inform you and to hopefully
get you motivated to take
interest in city issues. The
boundaries are River Front
Dr to Kelley Hwy, I-540 to
North O St, Old Greenwood
Rd to Grand Ave, N. 13th St
to Garrison Ave and back to
River Front Dr.
Sadly, we lost Henrietta
Easterling Nov. 30th, 2013.
Memorial services were
Saturday, December 7th
at 10am at the House of
Praise, 1903 N 50th Street
Fort Smith, AR 72904.
Arrangements for the service
were entrusted to RowellParish Mortuary. Henrietta
was many wonderful things;
but of those, she was also
the first African-American
to be hired in the dispatch
office of the Fort Smith Police
Department and worked from
04/05/1976 to 10/27/2005.
The laying of the wreath by
the FSPD Honor Guard was
very much appreciated as
was the poem read by one
of the officers very fitting
for Henrietta called The
Dispatchers Prayer. I would
like to thank Fort Smith Police
Chief Kevin Lindsey and his
staff for authoring written
protocols for using our Honor
Guard for future services
for dispatchers and other
non-sworn employees. I’ve
asked that such be named
in memory and honor of
Henrietta. To date, I have
not yet heard back on that
request. Thank you Pastor
Jackie Flake and Rev. A.J.
Parish for the memories and
the laughs. We love and miss
you “Mimi”. Fort Smith has
indeed lost another one of her
treasures.
Recently I was told by
a concerned citizen that
crime rates, calls for service
(CFS) by the FSPD and their
response times were steadily
increasing in Fort Smith’s
north side. The response
times are calculated as the
average time a service call
is received to arrival for
patrol division officers only
(no animal control officers)
and all priorities, 1 - 9, with 1
meaning the highest priority
(most serious) and 9 meaning
the lowest priority (least
serious). So I posed this
question to FSPD Chief Kevin
Lindsey. Within two days,
Captain Risley provided me
with the following information
in regards to the average
response time of calls for
service in Ward 2 from
January 1 to November 30,
2013.
Priority
Avg. Response
in Minutes
Total # of
Ward 2 Calls
1
3
14
2
5
325
3
6.2
2389
4
8.6
1018
5
10.2
2806
6
14.1
3434
7
18.3
226
8
21.5
626
9
8.5
2033
Captain Risley provided a 2nd
graph with information with
total CFS, average received/
arrival minutes and years
2000 – 2013, but for the sake
of space I’ll give the quick
snapshot: Total CFS ranged
from 43943 to 64319 with the
lowest being 43943 calls this
year, 2013 as of 11/30/13.
The ranges of response times
were 9 to 15 minutes. This
information was obtained
through the Report Smith
reports in the ICIS records
management system.
My conclusion: The
information as I see it
refutes the claim that service
calls and response times,
regardless of the priority,
are not increasing in ward
2 or throughout the city. I
have to say the total number
of Calls For Service seem
staggering to me. The 2013
information pertaining to
Ward 2 seems as though we
are giving excellent service
to Northside residents. Of
course I welcome comments
and questions anyone would
like to submit pertaining
to personal experiences
involving the Fort Smith PD.
Sebastian County and the
City Fort Smith partnered to
build what was originally an
$8 million water park. The
March 2012 special election,
Fort Smith voters approved a
sales tax plan that included
funding for a proposed water
park at Ben Geren Regional
Park. The water park plan
portion of the tax question
was approved by 64% of the
about 14.5% of registered
voters who turned out.
Inaccurate information and
lapsing time frames turned
this joint venture into a fiasco
with a mix of escalating cost
and shrinking plans. The
projected cost rose to $8.8
million to $9.2 million to $10.9
million depending on timing
the amenities chosen and the
size of the features. At the end
of the day, Tuesday, Dec. 17th
2013 the city and the county
voted separately in favor of the
larger plan with aspirations of
the $10.9 million water park to
boast of multiple high slides,
a lazy river, toddler’s area and
the big draw… a wave pool! In
order to do so, allotted funds for
other park projects will have to
be rearranged in the priority on
the Parks 5-year Capital Improvement Program. One board
approved project that is affected
is the River Valley Sports Complex’s 8 softball fields at Chaffee
Crossing. The Fort Smith Parks
and Recreation Commission will
have a study session meeting
Thursday, Jan. 2nd, 2013 to discuss the capital Improvements
Plan.
At the Tuesday Dec. 17th
board meeting, I asked for a
study session on the proposed
Northside girls’ softball field at
Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.
The project is yet another joint
venture with NHS, The Boys and
Girls Clubs and the City of Fort
Smith (if funding is approved).
Currently, the NHS girls’ softball
team has to travel to Ben Geren
Park. This ball field at the southwest corner of MLK Park is a
needed facility that will enhance
the parks aesthetics, provide
NHS a premium field several
months of the year, and will provide space for the Boys and Girls
Clubs the other months with both
entities maintaining the field.
Because I know some of you
want to be more involved and
ask what City board and commission positions are available,
monthly I’ll list those vacancies,
if any. Be sure to check the City’s
website for updates such as
these positions, job opening and
added listings to the Business
section – Minority and Women
Owned Business Directory. Also
consider signing up for the City’s
notification system Blackboard
Connect to access information
about Fort Smith, customized
to suit your preferences – delivery methods and the type of
information you want to receive.
Upcoming Board appointments:
Sebastian County Regional
Solid Waste Management Board
(1-Jan) and the Plumbing Advisory Board (1-Feb). We are still
trying to fill the position on the
Animal Services Advisory Board.
Current Employment Opportunities: FSPD Telecommunicator,
FSPS Crime and Intelligence
Analyst and Environmental Technician. www.fortsmithar.gov
Again, because it’s so appropriate and to drive the point home,
I would like to end with a quote
from our City Administrator Ray
Gosack from a Public Dialogue
Editorial submitted last year.
“The success of our democracy
depends on engaged citizens.
Citizens shouldn’t be passive
consumers of services provided
by their governments. They
should be engaged in helping to
determine what those services
are. It shouldn’t be like buying a
product from a vending machine
where you have no say in what’s
offered. Rather, the decisions
about governmental policies and
services should be determined
like a community barn-raising
where many are involved.
I hope you find these articles
beneficial and motivational. Be
encouraged…Good things are
happening! If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions,
please feel free to reach out to
me - [email protected]
or 479-285-4932.