VOTER ALERT – 55TH Assembly District
Voters in the 55th Assembly District need to know that this year they are being asked to vote for Boyland 3 times. Assemblyman Boyland, Jr. is running for both the State Assembly and for Male District Leader positions. His wife is also running for the Female District Leader, in other words voters are being asked to vote for Junior Boyland twice and then to vote for his wife. Councilman Charles Barron and the Amsterdam News have endorsed the New Leadership team of Reverend Leonard Hatter for Assembly, Cleopatra Brown for Female Leader and Daniel Goodine for Male District Leader. The choice in the 55th Assembly District is to vote for change or vote for the same name that has controlled this district for the past 30 years.
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As we prepare to journey back to school next week it is with anticipation that this will be a good year. Certainly, I wish all the students and teachers well. We are all pushing for Obama to be elected President of the United States. While he has been vague regarding his education philosophy, I hope that he makes it a centerpiece of his administration. I also hope that his talk of change is reflected in his education philosophy. Being educated at Harvard, he should be familiar with the teachings of Dr. Carter G. Woodson (a Harvard graduate), and if not, he can reference him very easily. I’m told that he has been advised by Dr. Cornel West that “race matters” and I know he spent 20 years being pastored by Rev. Jeremiah Wright. President Obama will have a tremendous opportunity to finally set the course straight regarding the need and right for persons of African ancestry to be educated regarding our history and culture. Great scholars from John Henrik Clarke, John Hope Franklin and Lerome Bennett have all outlined the necessity for the accurate history of African people to be taught in our schools. If Hillary Clinton can quote Harriet Tubman at the Democratic National Convention then New York State can mandate an African History curriculum. Again, as we begin a new school year, educators and activists must be at the forefront advocating an educational agenda on behalf of our children.
My neighbor, Virginia Jones Hawkins, celebrated her 100th birthday on August 29th, 2008. The widow of the late Malcolm Hawkins has lived on the 600 Block of MacDonough Street since 1948. She was born in Staunton, Virginia, but is really a true Brooklyn heroine. She has served as a member of her Block Association since its inception and continues to support it. Ms. Hawkins was one of the first persons to sign up as a “Block Watcher” and still telephones neighbors to move their cars before they are ticketed. She still does her own housekeeping, goes to the store by herself and sweeps her sidewalk. The amazing thing is that her mind is as clear as a bell and she moves around better than some people half her age.
In the past, she has cared for her siblings Francis Hawkins Coster, Gladys Waddy and Lewis Jones. She has a lifelong special friend on the block, Ms. Ruth McMillan, who is like a member of her family.
Virginia is a member of the Newman Memorial Methodist Church. For many years, she served as a member of the Usher Board. All of her neighbors, family and friends salute this very special and spiritual lady in her celebration of 100 years. May God continue to bless Ms. Virginia Hawkins for her life and spirit and all the lives that she has touched.
admin @ August 30, 2008
St. John’s University recently honored the Top 50 basketball players in the 100-year history of the school. Brooklyn Legend and Educator Solly Walker was one of those honored. Solly Walker was the first African-American basketball player to ever play at St. John’s University in 1951. During his tenure, he led the team in scoring, rebounding and assists, as well as to participation in both NCAA and NIT postseason tournaments. He is considered by some as a “Jackie Robinson of college basketball,” being one of the first Blacks to integrate the sport at a collegiate level. Facing tremendous racial opposition, he was the first Black to ever play against the University of Kentucky, or at any major college in the south, which was no easy feat. Jim Crow segregation laws were still in effect as Mr. Walker opened the doors at St. John’s University to other Brooklyn legends such as Tony Jackson, Leroi Ellis and a host of other great players.
Solly Walker graduated from the old Boys High School where he excelled both as a student and as an athlete earning All-American and All-Scholastic honors. After college, he was drafted by the New York Knicks but chose to pursue a career in education. He became one of the first Black high school principals in New York City. In addition to his work as an educator, Mr. Walker continued to serve the youth of our community as a night center director where he taught hundreds of young men the fundamentals of basketball. These night centers fed Brooklyn high schools with some of this city’s finest ballplayers.
It is unfortunate that the majority of the athletes that have played high school basketball over the past 40 years are not aware of the history of Blacks in the sport. Not only are they not aware of the Solly Walker’s story, they don’t know about Connie Hawkins, Oscar Robinson or Bill Russell. This is quite shameful and unacceptable and is another example of a missed opportunity to teach our youth. Solly Walker graduated in 1954, which is the year of the Brown vs Board of Education Supreme Court decision. A lot has changed over the years as we are on the brink of electing our first Black President.
It is important that high school coaches teach Black Sports History to their student athletes. They need to understand the journey to integrate both college and professional sports and to value the opportunities that have been created by those who came before them. They should also know that just 40 years ago, most of the high school basketball coaches were white. Wingate, Tilden, Erasmus, Jefferson, Lincoln and Boys High School all had white coaches.
With basketball being the primary sport in Black communities, we are missing a great opportunity to engage our youth in an important historical dialogue. It is a dialogue that can not only restore a sense of dignity, pride and character in our youth but may also save their lives. This is the legacy of the Solly Walker’s story. It is a very important piece of Black history that we must never forget.
admin @ July 11, 2008