Our Time PressThe Local Paper with the Global View

Excerpt from the Narrative
of James Curry
…When my master’s family were all gone away on the Sabbath, I used to go into the house and get down the great Bible and lie down in the piazza and read, taking care, however, to put it back before they returned. There I learned that it was contrary to the revealed will of God, that one man should hold another as a slave. I had always heard it talked among the slaves, that we ought not to be held as slaves; that our forefathers and mothers were stolen from Africa, where they were free men and free women. But in the Bible I learned that ‘God hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the Earth.’
While I worked in the house and waited upon my mistress, she always treated me kindly, but to other slaves, who were as faithful as I was, she was very cruel. At one time, there was a comb found broken in a cupboard, which was worth about twenty-five or thirty-seven and a half cents. She suspected a little girl, 9 or 10 years old, who served in the house, of having broken it. She took her in the morning, before sunrise, into a room, and calling me to wait upon her, had all the doors shut. She tied her hands, and then took her frock up over her head and gathered it up in her left hand, and with her right commenced beating her naked body with bunches of willow twigs. She would beat her until her arm was tired, and then thrash her on the floor and stamp on her with her foot, and kick her and choke her to stop her screams. Oh! it was awful! And I was obliged to stand there and see it, and to go and bring her the sticks. She continued this torture until ten o’clock, the family waiting for breakfast meanwhile. She then left whipping her; and that night she herself was so lame that one of her daughters was obliged to undress her. The poor child never recovered. A white swelling came from the bruises on one of her legs, of which she died in two or three years. And my mistress was soon after called by her great Master to give her account.
Before her death, my mistress used to clothe her people with coarse, common clothing. She had been dead eleven years when I came away. She died in October, and in the following spring, my master bought about one hundred yards of coarse tow and cotton, which he distributed among the slaves. After this, he provided no clothing for any of his slaves, except that I have known him in a few instances to give a pair of thoroughly worn-out pantaloons to one.
They worked in the night upon their little patches of ground, raising tobacco and food for hogs, which they were allowed to keep, and thus obtained clothes for themselves. These patches of ground were little spots they were allowed to clear in the woods or cultivate upon the barrens and after they got them nicely cleared and under good cultivation, the master took them away, and the next year they must take other uncultivated spots for themselves.
There were on this plantation nine men and eight out of this nine were always as decently clad as any slaves in that part of the country; and each had a better suit for Sunday. The ninth was a young fellow who had not been taught by his mother to take care of himself, but he was fast improving when I came away. It was to him that my master gave the worn-out pantaloons. My step-father felled trees in the woods and built for his family a commodious log-house. With my mother’s assistance, it was furnished with two comfortable beds, chairs and some other articles of furniture. His children were always comfortably and decently clothed. I knew him, at one time, to purchase for my mother a cloak, and a gown, a frock for each of my two sisters, two coats for two brothers younger than myself, and each of them a hat, all new and good, and all with money earned in the time allowed him for sleep.
My mother was cook in the house for about twenty-two years. She cooked for from twenty-five to thirty-five, taking the family and the slaves together. The slaves ate in the kitchen. After my mistress’s death, my mother was the only woman kept in the house. She took care of my master’s children, some of whom were then quite small, and brought them up. One of the most trying scenes I ever passed through, when I would have laid down my life to protect her if I had dared, was this: after she had raised my master’s children, one of his daughters, a young girl, came into the kitchen one day, and for some trifle about the dinner, she struck my mother, who pushed her away, and she fell on the floor. Her father was not at home. When he came, which was while the slaves were eating in the kitchen, she told him about it. He came down, called my mother out, and, with a hickory rod, he beat her fifteen or twenty strokes, and then called his daughter and told her to take her satisfaction of her, and she did beat her until she was satisfied. Oh! it was dreadful, to see the girl whom my poor mother had taken care of from her childhood, thus beating her, and I must stand there, and did not dare to crook my finger in her defense. My mother’s labor was very hard. She would go to the house in the morning, take her pail upon her head and go away to the cow-pen, and milk fourteen cows. She then put on the bread for the family breakfast, and got the cream ready for churning, and set a little child to churn it, she having the care of from ten to fifteen children, whose mothers worked in the field. After clearing away the family breakfast, she got breakfast for the slaves, which consisted of warm corn bread and buttermilk, and was taken at twelve o’clock. In the meantime, she had beds to make, rooms to sweep. Then she cooked the family dinner, which was simply plain meat, vegetables, and bread. Then the slaves’ dinner was to be ready at from eight to nine o’clock in the evening. It consisted of corn bread, or potatoes, and the meat which remained of the master’s dinner, or one herring apiece. At night, she had the cows to milk again. There was little ceremony about the master’s supper, unless there was company. This was her work day by day. Then in the course of the week she had the washing and ironing to do for her master’s family (who, however, were clothed very simply), and for her husband, seven children and herself.
She would not get through to go to her log cabin until nine or ten o’clock at night. She would then be so tired that she could scarcely stand, but she would find one boy with his knee out, and another with his elbow out, a patch wanting here, and a stitch there, and she would sit down by her lightwood fire, and sew and sleep alternately, often till the light began to streak in the east; and then lying down, she would catch a nap and hasten to the toil of the day. Among the slave children were three little orphans, whose mothers, at their death, committed them to the care of my mother. One of them was a babe. She took them and treated them as her own. The master took no care about them. She always took a share of the cloth she had provided for her own children, to cover these little friendless ones. She would sometimes ask the master to procure them some clothes, but he would curse them and refuse to do it. We would sometimes tell her, that we would let the master clothe them, for she had enough to do for her own children. She replied, ‘Their master will not clothe them and I cannot see them go naked; I have children and I do not know where their lot may be cast; I may die and leave them, and I desire to do by these little orphans as I should  wish mine to be done……..
The above excerpt is Slave Testimony: Two Centuries of Letters, Speeches, Interviews and Autobiographies. Edited by John  W. Blassingame, Published by Louisiana State University Press.  Available locally at Brownstone Bookstore.

By Eric Adams

He was a true American Hero and the entire country joins in mourning the lost.  That comment often follows men who have made the transition from the physical world to the spiritual.  In many cases American citizens of African ancestry are swept up in the media frenzy and we find ourselves joining the long list or mourners in spite of the roles they played while alive.  We do this without having a full understanding of our actions.  This scenario was once again played out after the announcement that ex-President Ronald Reagan had died. 
As cameras span the crowds that lined up at the nation’s capital in Washington, D.C., you could not help but notice the substantial number of Blacks who were waiting on line to give their last respects to the ex-president.  Giving our respect to the dead is something that we hold dear and important in our culture; however, this fact was not dear to the ex-president.  While he was alive and serving out his role of president he did all that he could to besmirch the name of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his death.  He did this by attempting to place legislative road blocks to stop Dr. King’s birthday from becoming a national holiday. 
His disrespect for the dead did not stop there.  The ex-president also played a major role to ensure that the racist Apartheid South African government continued to flourish and grow.  Desecrating the spirit of those African student’s who lost their lives in the 1976 Soweto uprising.  This fact was expressed to me by some of the students, who are now adults now, when I visited some of them in South Africa a few years ago.  They were very clear on the role that our “American Hero” Ronald Reagan played.
Yes, as we mourn the passing of the falling “American Hero” let us not allow our teary eyes to cloud the vision of the reality that Reagan and Reagonomics had a devastating impact on our race.  The impact can still be viewed today. 
Ex-President Reagan gave our community another “American Hero,”  Rudolph Giuliani.  Yes for those of you who have forgotten, “America’s Mayor” was a lawyer with the Justice Department under the ex-president.  In his role there he did all that he could to ensure Haitian refugees were prevented from entering the United States.   There is no need to report on his legacy as Mayor of the City of New York, for we all know that it includes names such as Louima, Diallo and Dorismond. 
All the draconian actions that followed his regime was buried with the rubbish at ground zero and New Yorkers of African ancestory joined other Americans in greeting him as the new “American Hero.” 
We as American citizens of African ancestry must show our respect for the lost of a human being, but at the same time we must stay grounded in the reality of their legacies.  It is important that we fully understand that the full extent of what it takes to be a true “American Hero.”  After a close examination, I am sure you will find that that term has often been  synonymous to oppression of people of color. The passing of these “American Heroes” are mourned throughout the country and the nation has a day of mourning.
The rotunda of our nation and state capitals become a location that has been reserved for the bodies of only America’s national “Heroes.”  Ex-President Ronald Reagan’s body will lay in state in the same manner as other “American Heroes”, such as the racist FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and “segregation now and always” Senator Strom Thurmond.

The First Bedford-Stuyvesant Children’s Book & Reading Fair, an intergenerational literacy event featuring reading awareness and learning activities for families and young people, will take place Sunday, July 18 (12:00 Noon – 5pm) at Von King Park, 670 Lafayette Avenue (between Tompkins & Marcy Avenues),  with concurrent informative and inspirational workshops (2:00pm – 4:30pm) for parents and caregivers at the Magnolia Tree Earth Center across the street at 677 Lafayette Avenue.
“The Bedford-Stuyvesant Children’s Book & Reading Fair is designed to celebrate reading while promoting the message that ‘literacy is the foundation of learning,” say the publishers of Our Time Press community newspaper.  
“The long-range goal is to help impact reading scores in area school districts.  The short-term goal is to increase awareness of existing reading, literacy and educational resources in the community, like Magnolia, the Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant, the Child Development Support Center, and many more.”
Schools Without Walls
Von King Park and its neighbor Magnolia Tree Earth Center, are the “schools-without-walls” locations for this daylong event. Local writers and national authors will sign books, neighborhood “Griots” will tell their stories and local residents, including business,  political and civic leaders will read from their favorite works or share life experiences in informal group sessions. The Von King Park open-air amphitheatre will provide the setting for brief presentations and it will also substitute as a large reading room space for readers of all ages. 
Also, while a child’s stroll-along of book characters will be a highlight, the Brownstoners of  Bedford-Stuyvesant workshops for parents and caregivers at Magnolia led by distinguished specialists, educators, parent peers and writers are intended to be just as lively.
In Von King Park, between 12:00 noon – 5:00 P.M., event highlights include storytelling  and “telling our story” sessions, in the Our Time Press Griot Circle with Joan Maynard, executive director emeritus of The Society for the Preservation of Weeksville and Bedford Stuyvesant History; noted scholar and African storyteller  Dr. Mary Helen Harden Umolu, chairperson, Department of Mass Communications, Creative & Performing Arts & Speech at Medgar Evers College; Tuskegee Airman John Mulzac (see page 11); artist/sculptor/teacher Otto Neals with art curator Dolores Inniss Carty, Mary Sobers, Jitu Weusi, BaabaSurya and others; origami craft sessions with award-winning paper-folders Karen Bishop and Vernon Isaacs (who is known for his Metro Card creations, among other creations);  face painting by artist/educator Derrick Cross, book giveaways and a stroll-along of book characters and heroes with teen artist Jitu Maat, a protege of acclaimed artist/author Danny Simmons, who also will be present. 

The Patricia Robinson Music School, Von King Park summer program and others will provide ambient in-park or a brief on-stage performing presence.
     Author Book Signings
As of this printing, confirmed authors include:  Sam Anderson, Carolyn M. Davis – also a publisher, Kani Diop (“Eye on Africa”), David Mark Greaves (‘The Sycamore Tree”), Kellie Magnus (“Little Lion Goes to School”), Ansel Pitcairn (illustrator, “African-American Heroes”), Lynnette Velasco (“Zinzi”) and Cathie Wright-Lewis are confirmed to attend.  Among the invited authors are: Dr. lindamichellebaron, Bryan Collier,  George Ford, Wade Hudson, Walter Dean Myers, Angela Pinckney,  Jaira Placide, Javako Steptoe, Phyllis Stickney, Wanda Thomas.
Dynamic Workshops
Workshops for parents/guardians/caregivers (and their children) sponsored by Our Time Press and the Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant’s Education Committee, will take place in Magnolia Tree Earth Center, currently celebrating 40 years of nature education in the community.   The topics will range from “Are You Raising Winners or Losers?” to “What to do if Your Child is Arrested.” The presenters include Aminisha Black, Our Time Press’ “Parent Notebook” columnist;  Marceline Watler, PhD, Agency for Child Development; Debra Lamb ________, Renee Gregory-Turner, Assistant District Attorney; and Willa Jones, executive director of the Association of Black Social Workers.  Also, in Von King Cultural Arts Center’s Eubie Blake Theater, Marcia Pendelton will lead a seminar centering on reading stage productions with children, acting out scenes, and attending the play together.  Carolyn M. Davis, CEO, Word for Word Publishing, Inc., will explain “How to Get Your Book Published.”  A genealogy workshop is also being planned.

FREE Books, Information and Sharing
Free information will be distributed at the workshops, and in the Park.  The Brooklyn Public Library will distribute Reading is Fundamental books, and provide information on its services. In the Griot Circle, there will be a “kiosk” of materials from the Office of Public Education and Interpretation of the African Burial Ground.  Community-based organizations disseminating  free information and advice will rim the park’s northern quadrant on the Lafayette Avenue side.  Nationwide Insurance, ever a popular and well-received presence at community events,  will provide lessons in “safety literacy” during its distribution of much-needed home safety items. As of this writing Dial, Penguin and Simon and Schuster will provide books.  Scholastic is offering “Read & Rise” materials.  (Free items and gift bags will be given out on a First Come, First Served basis.)

Residents, friends and supporters are invited to join in the initiative by bringing a book and reading in the Park, sharing a story or participating in any of the seven (as of this printing) workshops. Also, elected officials, community leaders and area residents will participate in reading or storytelling sessions with small groupings on the grass, in the amphitheater or in the park’s cultural center.

 “This Book and Reading Fair is a celebration of reading and learning,” says Lemuel Mial, manager of Von King Park. “It is the first event of its kind for this area of Brooklyn, and it has special significance in that it is being held here. Formerly known as Tompkins Park, Von King Park has a library history dating back to 1899; it is the site of one of New York City’s first Free Libraries.  The park also is celebrating 135 years as a community landmark and family destination. It is my hope that this event will be the spark to help create another library here in the Park.”

“So much can be learned about life just by knowing words associated with environment and nature,” says Arthur Sheppard, executive director of Magnolia Tree. “In support of the fair, Magnolia Tree Center is hosting a children’s art exhibition, and parent/child workshops to deliver the message: reading is essential for a child’s growth from a sapling to maturity.”

“Reading is essential  to every aspect of modern-day life,” says Lynnette Velasco, president of Black Americans in Publishing.  “We are happy to join with Von King Park, Our Time Press, the Brownstoners of Bedford- Stuyvesant and other community groups to support programs that promote our best and our brightest, and encourage our children to excel.  This event is not presented for the community; it is presented by the community.  We expect this day to be festive, with the message that while learning is serious business, it can be fun.”

~Conceived by DBG Media, publishers of Our Time Press, the event is sponsored by Magnolia Tree Earth Center, the managers of Von King Park, Our Time Press and Legacy PR in association with the Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Black Americans in Publishing. It is also supported by organizations and individuals,  including, the Agency for Child Development, Child Development Support Corp. with Freddie Hamilton and Mireille Massac,  Bedford Stuyvesant Community Head Start, Bedford-Stuyvesant Health Task Force, Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, Big Deal Books, Bridge Street Prep, Brooklyn Public Library, Central Brooklyn Churches, Brownstone Books,  Long Life Information and Referral Network, Inc., Nationwide Insurance, New Visions for Public Schools, Nichole Anderson, Senior Citizens Centers, 79th Precinct Community Council, Elizabeth Fulcher of the _________,  The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture,  Office of Public Education and Interpretation of The African Burial Ground, The Charter Excellence School,  Walk Tall Girl Productions, The Weeksville Society,  Word for Word Publishing Company, UniWorld Group, advertisers in Our Time Press community newspaper, Brownstone Books plus Scholastic publishing companies.

No vendors are allowed at the Book Fair that day.  If you are interested in supporting or volunteering, please E-mail your request to contactlegacy@aol.com.  For more information, see www.ourtimeathome.com.  Or call 719-574-5427. (See ad in Centerfold for approximate times and refer to www.ourtimeathome.com for Book Fair program and schedule updates.)

We were introduced to Patrick Gaston, the new president of Verizon Foundation, at the recent Ebony Women in Marketing and Communications Awards luncheon event. Mr. Gaston had just been named president of the foundation, which leverages good work with $70 million in contributions annually.   
It was not until early June that we spoke by phone with Mr. Gaston.  In that time his wife Sheryle had given birth to their first child Daniel, instantly re-centering the household.  “Now I have two jobs, one is being a father and good husband,” Gaston said delightedly.  The day job, the Verizon Foundation, has the saving grace of being a passion. Through its mission and intent, Mr. Gaston is able to express the drive that brought him from Haiti, through high school in Montreal and up through the Verizon ranks to grab what has to be one of the more fun and challenging jobs you can have.
“I’ve had 12 jobs in 20 years at Verizon,” said the MBA graduate who credits his management and organizational abilities with his success.  “I looked across the company to see where I can live my interest and passion and build on my skills.”   Safely navigating his way across corporate terrain for two decades must have taken very good “people skills” as well, which would make Mr. Gaston an effective public persona for Verizon in his previous position as the executive director for strategic alliances in Washington, D.C.
Speaking of how it prepared him for his new position, “it gave me a good feel as to who was out there.”

Saying he did not have a plan to become president of the foundation, he found that the position allows him to make social responsibility a part of the company, to “heighten the level of awareness of the importance of being socially responsible.”  In fact, company volunteers are the “foundation of the Foundation,” says Gaston.  “We match time and we match dollars.”  
Working through a network of community managers, the Verizon Foundation partners with local community groups, a list of which can be seen online at www.verizon.com/foundation. 
Mr. Gaston had said that the work of the foundation is targeted at communities in which they do business and suggested we visit the site and check out our area, which we did. Looking at grants made in Brooklyn, we saw the Brooklyn Academy of Music,$25,000.00; the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, $10,000.00; Brooklyn Information & Culture, Inc., $5,000; and Brooklyn Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Inc., $5,000.
Looking at how phone use is in the African- American and Caribbean communities in Brooklyn, this listing did not reflect organizations controlled by those communities, so we checked with Kevin Mahoney, director, Community Affairs for Brooklyn and Staten Island.   Mr. Mahoney sent us a more complete listing of agencies that, as Mr. Mahoney said, “have a significant percentage of African American constituents.”   Among those agencies, those that not only have African-American constituents, but African-American operational control, include Brownsville Community Center,  Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration and The Society for the Preservation of Weeksville and Bedford-Stuyvesant History.
Agencies in Central Brooklyn controlled and operated by people of African descent should visit the foundation’s Web site, determine which elements of their program fits the Verizon Foundation mission, and submit their application.
Mr. Gaston says the goal of the foundation is to find partners who are fulfilling a social need, and give grants and or assistance based on how the community group’s goals mesh with the mission of the Foundation.  A part of that mission is social responsibility. “We will reinforce this by investing in innovative programs that have a direct impact on society and the communities in which we operate.”

by  Stanley Kinard
Hands off Ray!
Ignorance allied with power is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.
-James Baldwin
Educator, sports legend, and community leader Ray Haskins is under attack.  Mr. Haskins was recently dismissed as principal of M.S. 390 where he served for the past two and a half years. M.S. 390 is located across from the Albany Houses, which is known to be a dangerous housing development.  Despite the reputation of his “hood,” Mr. Haskins is well known and liked by his students, parents and a host of community residents.  Through Principal Haskins extraordinary
leadership, a previously troubled school is now under control. 
Why fire Principal Haskins when for two years now the Board of Education awarded him an incentive bonus for exceptional student performance on standardized English tests (the ELA)?  Math scores at his school also improved this year.  Principal Haskins is also a recent recipient of the Magnolia Tree Education Leadership Award along with Dr. Renee Young and Frank Mickens.
There is neither precedent, nor rationale for his dismissal.  This past year Mr. Haskins received two disciplinary letters in his file, both for non-academic reasons.  One letter was for ordering carpet for his school and not using a Department of Education approved vendor.  According to Mr. Haskins, there are no D. O. E. carpet vendors.  If they do exist, he says he couldn’t find them at the time this order was placed. 
The other letter placed in his file addressed his lateness in submitting an evaluation of an assistant principal.  Mr. Haskins does not feel that these two cases warrant his dismissal-  neither do the 5,000 persons who have signed petitions in support of him keeping his position.
In addition to his career as principal, Mr. Haskins is highly regarded as one of Brooklyn’s best coaches.  He served as basketball coach at Long Island University, where he led them to a berth in the NCAA playoffs.  Furthering his commitment to both sports and students, Principal Haskins is currently a member of Brooklyn U.S.A., an organization which provides scholarships for student
athletes. 
Why is Principal Haskins being removed?  Ray Haskins along with numerous other public school principals are being systematically removed from their positions in order to make spaces for new graduates of the chancellor’s pet project, The Principal’s Leadership Institute.  Chancellor Klein is looking to open up positions in order to fill them with principals graduating in from his new
Institute.  Whereas the re-training of Principals is a good idea generally, it cannot masquerade as the rationale for rampant dismissal of qualified leaders like Principal Haskins.
Ray Haskins belongs to us.  We should support and protect him, not allow this injustice to take place.  Black role male models are rare, especially at public middle schools, which are the most out of control in the city school system. He has proven his capacity to deal with this endangered middle school population of black children. Principal Haskins combines street credibility with
true community appeal.  If the black community cannot make a commitment to saving Ray Haskins, then we as a community are in real trouble. 
Our community must come together at this time to say “Hands Off Ray!”  The Ray Haskins Support Committee asks that you please email your outrage to Chancellor Klein directly at http://www.nycenet.edu/webforms/chancellormessage.aspx.
Black New Yorkers for Educational Excellence will salute valedictorian Tiffany Schley on Thursday, July 1, at 6 p.m. at the House of the Lord Church.  Tiffany was denied her diploma for speaking out during her valedictorian’s address.  She provided a pointed critique of the negative situations at the High School for Legal Studies. 
Tiffany is an inspiration to both young and old, and we will take this opportunity on Thursday to express our appreciation fully, openly and uncensored.  The Chancellor has been requested to present Tiffany with her diploma personally at Thursday evening’s event.  Tiffany will also receive other awards, including the Harriet Tubman- Ida B. Wells award, appropriately reflecting her warrior spirit. Thank God for Tiffany, who came just at the right time. 
***
The New York State Legislature and The U.S. Congress have passed bills requiring Underground Railroad Education be taught in all elementary, middle, high schools and colleges.  This legislation was passed in 1997, but to date, no comprehensive curriculum has been implemented. 
Black New Yorkers for Educational Excellence hosted an Underground Railroad forum at LIU this past month.  Presenters outlined curricular objectives, shared information, and gave us updates on Underground Railroad activities.  The Schomburg Library was commissioned to develop curricula over 6 years ago, and BNYEE is attempting to get an update on the status of their efforts.  It is a primary goal of BNYEE to launch a crusade to engage our community in the
development and implementation of African centered curriculum this next school year.
        ***
Our community’s newest High School, Bedford Academy, had 100% of its students pass the Math A Regents.  96% passed the Living Environment Regents, and 90% passed the U.S. History Regents.  This is an incredible feat accomplished within the first year of the school’s existence.  Mr. George Leonard and his staff should be applauded for the excellent work they are doing.
P.S. 21 students are again among the top performers in the city based upon the results of the citywide reading and math exams.  The consistent success of this school, located across from the Brevost Houses has been nothing short of amazing.  This tradition of excellence began when Regent Adelaide Sanford served as principal, followed by Alice Uzaoga, continued under Dr. Renee Young, and now under current principal of P.S. 21 alumni, Harold Anderson.
***
Condolences go out to the family and friends of educator and athlete Mr. Albie Grant, who made his transition last month.  Mr. Grant was a star player at LIU, who brought tenaciousness to the center position.  Family and friends will dearly miss him.  Someone should host a community memorial for this beloved departed brother.
Peace and Blessings