About The Savannah tribune. (Savannah, Ga.) 1973-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 12, 2008)
The Savannah Tribune • Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 13 SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY NEWS Black in America The Savannah Tribune announces the second in a series of articles written by guest columnist Taquaa Falaq Saleem. Taquaa is a 2008 honor graduate with the B.A. in English Language and Literature from Savannah State University where she was also awarded the coveted President’s Second Mile Award at the commencement ceremonies. She is currently a graduate student and teaching assis tant at Georgia Southern University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. By Taqwaa Falaq Saleem America made me proud on November 4th by showing that change should not always be considered some sort of poison but can be a valuable medicine or treatment. America asserted voice and voted for change in this election. Not since immediately following the September 11th tragedies have I felt such pride in being American. Everyone will remember where he or she was when the announce ment bellowed through air waves around 11:00pm EST that Barack Obama is the President-Elect for the United States of America. Shocked to stillness, I sat on the edge of my bed to wit ness history unfolding. I Taqwaa Falaq Saleem thought my ears were deceiving me until emotions spilled from my eyes. We had done it and I was and remain so humbled and proud. Being black in America is the awareness that our country has regained control of its trajectory. We as a peo ple can now tell our children, without any doubts or reser vations, that they can be or do anything, including becoming president. Being black now is feeling the awareness of forward strides in economic, healthcare, educational, environmental, gender, and social issues. Being black is looking past color and on to character. Now is the time where we are seeing glimpses of acreage in the Promised Land that we've not seen before. Now is the time for action. Change will not be instant but I believe change will be increasingly steady. Being black in America feels powerful. There is an exam ple of finer humanity, strug gles overcome, grace, and determination in the highest position of the free world. He looks and sounds like me, the black American. Moreover, he looks and sounds like Americans who are Hispanic, Jewish, Islamic, Asian, or Native American because Barack Obama speaks on the issues that relate to the masses of people, regardless of shades, hues, or complexions. Being black in America is feeling the ties of brotherhood and sisterhood as felt by those on the front lines of the Civil Rights movement. A new day dawns and we have the responsibility to look onward and upward. Being black in America is about broadening our knowledge and patterns of thinking by continuing to actively and attentively go to work or school. We must shatter the glass ceilings that our ancestors cracked. Now is the time to embrace the change we prayed for. The future President and first family are black in America. Our country has a new face to represent us globally. Being black in America is looking the world in the eye and saying, with valor and dignity, we are rising. Exhibit... Continued from page 2 visual talents in a free public exhibition to win awards, scholarships and prizes. This year’s program will involve 84 exhibiting organizations from 43 states and the District of Columbia. Savannah’s organizer, Debra Zumstein, Arts Programs Coordinator for the City’s Department of Cultural Affairs, says interest in the exhibition has been strong among City of Savannah employees and family mem bers. “Our first exhibition was overwhelming in terms of the number and quality of works submitted,” Zumstein said. “This year's show is proving to be just as good. There is an incredible range of work from a variety of ages and skill levels. It's important to recognize the artistic talents of these indi viduals, aside from what they do in their work as city employees.” Employees from all eight of the City’s bureaus will have artwork on display. The participating artists’ skill levels range from youth to professional. The exhibition is free and open to the public. Gallery S.P.A.C.E. is located at 9 W. Henry St. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, contact (912) 651-6783 or visit www. savannahga. go v/arts. For more information on the National Arts Program visit http://www.nationalartspro- gram.org. NAACP's President Responds To Recent Article Appearing In the News By Dr. Prince Jackson, Jr. After hearing from at least 10 persons who read an article submitted to the news media by Ms. Felecisa Halton, it is apparent that there is an erroneous impres sion, intentional or uninten tional , that I am not a candi date for reelection to be pres ident of the Savannah Branch NAACP. Let me state unequivocally that I am a can didate for reelection. This response was not written ear lier because all of the time and energy of the local Branch was expended in the efforts to elect the first African American President of the United States of America in the person of U.S. Senator Barack Obama. The efforts of millions of Americans were successful because by the Grace of God, what was thought to be not possible at this time of our existence, became a reality. The Savannah Branch regis tered nearly 1000 new voters and assist heavily in provid ing transportation to get many citizens to the polls to cast their ballots. The Nominating Committee of the Branch Dr. Prince Jackson, Jr. made its report to the mem bers on October 18, 2008 at Palen United Methodist Church. Alderman Clifton Jones presided at the meeting. The report was approved and Mr. Jones called for addition al nominations from the floor. After no person offered a nomination, Mrs. Halton nominated herself. After being told that self nomina tions were not allowed, but additional nominations could be made via petitions from members in good standing. After no one offered to file a petition for Ms. Halton, and it was apparent that she really wanted to run, I offered to file a petition on her behalf but it needed additional signatures. After a brief silence, Ms. Solona Plaines who came to the meeting with Ms. Halton offered her name in support of the petition. Although I talked with Ms. Halton about running for an Executive Committee mem bership she was adamant about running for the office of president. Since I had com mitted to file a petition on her behalf, I went through with it. In a nutshell, that is why there are two persons running. In the election, which, is being held at the Branch Office, 918-B Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard, 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on November 20, 2008, only members in good standing can vote. A member in good standing, is one whose membership has been current since September 20, 2008, or is a Life Member or Subscribing Life Member. Identification of a voter may be required. A current NAACP membership card can be used to established eligibil ity for voting. If the reader of this arti cle has any questions regard ing its accuracy and veracity he/she may call someone who was present at the meeting. I will appreciate your vote. AWWIN.. • Continued from page 3 your career in the legal field. There will be other great groups and employers sharing on “How To” Area universities and colleges will be in attendance also to speak with you about how to return to school, etc. Additionally, attendees will hear from notable motivation al speaker, Miller Bargeron of BOAN Consults. Some of the other notable speakers are Caroline Keller, an attorney at Gulfstream, Marti Barrow, Executive Director of Savannah Area Tourism Leadership Council, Lydia Syed with Cumulus Broadcasting, Nancy Johnson with St Joseph's/Candler and Rose deVries with Darby Bank. The speakers will share how they received their start in the career of their choice and will share with you how you can get your start or move up in your career of choice. They will also share their challenges and how they were able to overcome the chal lenges they faced. To register or for more information call Sarahlyn U. Argrow at (912) 659-0241, or visit www.awwininc2.org or call Kareem Hill at 912-235- 5208. Seating is limited. Registration fee of $25.00 includes both days of summit attendance, a wealth of knowl edge, lunch, goodie bags, etc. Ynin' Loved Ones Desa've the Very Best Adams Funeral Services Beautiful I inal Tribute” 5 10 Stephenson Avenue Savannah, Georgia 3 1405 Office: (0 12) 354-6260 Fax: (0[2) 354-6261 Mr. E, Bruce Adams, Owner/JVlortician Mr. Amari "Triple A” Adams, Owner/Apprentice Mrs. Laura Singleton, Of lice Manager “Call Us With Confidence When You Truly Need A Friend" First Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church November 16-19, 2008 MONDAY. November 17, 2008 (7 PM) " 7 ri tu i ty E wp ft u i is \ !g h t " Rev. Aiphonso C. Piper (Goodwill Baptist Chgrth) TUESDAY, November 18 2008 (7 PM) ■ t It tin h ) tup h it i /1 \ t g h t * Per, Craig Daughtry (New 'JenersiiDM full Gospel Church) WEDNESDAY, November 1 9. 2008 ruuRfi Sight’ 1 Rev Gregory Tyson (Jar LJ talent B.iplisl ChUfChl Rev Dr Clarence ‘Teddy" Wild am*. 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