BOTTOMLINE…

Douglas A. Blackmon is the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Slavery by Another Name: The Re-enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II.” He teaches at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center and is a contributing editor at the Washington Post. This article, the first of an 11-part series on race, is sponsored by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and was originally published by the Washington Monthly Magazine

In the first years after the Civil War, even as former slaves optimistically swarmed into new schools and lined up at courthouses at every whisper of a hope of economic independence, the Southern states began enacting an array of interlocking laws that would make all African-Americans criminals, regardless of their conduct, and thereby making it legal to force them into chain gangs, labor camps, and other forms of involuntarily servitude. By the end of 1865, every Southern state except Arkansas and Tennessee had passed laws outlawing vagrancy and defining it so vaguely that virtually any freed slave not under the protection of a White man could be arrested for the crime. An 1865 Mississippi statute required Black workers to enter into labor contracts with White farmers by January 1 of every year or risk arrest. Four other states legislated that African Americans could not legally be hired for work without a discharge paper from their previous employer-effectively preventing them from leaving the plantation of the White man they worked for.

After the return of nearly complete White political control in 1877, the passage of those laws accelerated. Some, particularly those that explicitly said they applied only to African-Americans, were struck down in court appeals or through federal interventions, but new statutes embracing the same strictures on Black life quickly replaced them. Most of the new laws were written as if they applied to everyone, but in reality they were overwhelmingly enforced only against African- Americans.

In the 1880s, Alabama, North Carolina, and Florida passed laws making it a crime for a Black man to change employers without permission. It was a crime for a Black man to speak loudly in the company of a White woman, a crime to have a gun in his pocket, and a crime to sell the proceeds of his farm to anyone other than the man he rented land from. It was a crime to walk beside a railroad line, a crime to fail to yield a sidewalk to White people, a crime to sit among Whites on a train, and it was most certainly a crime to engage in sexual relations with-or, God forbid, to show true love and affection for-a White girl.

Lue Dowdy

By LuCretia Dowdy

This week artist review is of Sity Council, an independent record label founded and ran by Executive Producer Mike Anthony also known as Mike Diesel or Dieselio. This independent record label is making some serious noise in the streets. Upon completing his MBA, Anthony’s dream was to establish a label in order to help promote independent artists. Gathering all his resources, Anthony created SITY COUNCIL. The labels production team consist of Claibonics as the certified sound engineer and producer JRock.

Currently, Sity Counsil is focusing on building their brand by mobilizing a street team to expand their fan base. Their future goals consist of a production deal with a major label and establishing a charity to give back to the community.

Sity Counsil

Artists that are signed to the label consists of hip-hop artist MI$FIT THE BORN HUSTLA”  who’s  single, “Where Dey Do Dat At” drops on August 27, 2013.  The other artist is “IRA LEE” who currently has an album out called Fishtanks and Flatscreens with songs available on iTunes.

Upcoming events for Sity Counsil include an album release party and WDDDA video shoot on August 3 at Rack’s in Corona.

For more information on Sity Council visit SITYCOUNSIL.COM or email Mike Anthony at contact@sitycounsil.com.

Black Culture Foundation Committee

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-  Now is the time to nominate unsung heroes in your community for the 24th Annual Black Culture Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year, Community Service and Black Rose Awards, which take place Friday, September 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the National Orange Show Renaissance Room, 689 South E Street.

To nominate someone for this award, go to www.sbbcfoundation.org to download a nomination form, or email the incoming chair Troy Ingram at firstvice@sbbcfoundation.org.  Nominations are due by July 31. The Foundation is now selling tickets to the award ceremony at the price of $60 per person, until August 17.  Tickets purchased after that date will be $75. To order tickets or reserve a table, contact Troy Ingram at firstvice@sbbcfoundation.org.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- For  those that are trying to eat healthier or love fresh produce, then the KRSTMoor/Crestmore Produce Stand is the place to go. Every Saturday at the Dorothy Ingram Library from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. there will be a booth for KRSTMoor/Crestmore Produce. The market offers whole, fresh and self sustainably grown produce that support healing and healthy nutrition. In addition to fresh produce, KRSTMoor has several new features to better cater to customers, which include an EBT machine and a food box program. The food box program offers a delivery program in the Inland Empire that consists of fresh farm produce. Vendors are also needed for the Farmers Market. If you have products that you produce or distribute, please contact KRSTMoor Produce.  The Dorothy Ingram Library is located at 1505 W. Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92311. For more information on KRSTMoor farms contact Sis Nova Kafele at 562-786-9898 or visit krstmoorproduce.spruz.com.

San Bernardino Trayvon Martin Verdict Protest Starts Outside of The SB Court.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- With Trayvon Martin protests going on through out the state of California, Visual Voices decided to gather a group together and protest for justice and equality. The group meet in downtown San Bernardino in front of the court house where they chanted “We want justice!” as cars honked in agreement as they drove by. The group then walked through downtown San Bernardino from the court house. They plan on having more protests and meetings to bring awareness to more issues regarding human rights in America.

17th Annual PARTY IN PALM SPRINGS

WEEKEND GETAWAY

JULY, 26-28 2013 VIP Champagne Welcome Reception

• Live music by the pool
• Monte Carlo White Linen Casino Party
• PIP’s Golf tournament (additional cost)
• Pool Basketball, Volleyball Games
• Domino tournament
• Oasis Pool Party
• Lingerie & Masquerade Ball
• Midnight Concerts

Bronco Riding

CITY OF INDUSTRY – The exciting Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, the only nationally touring Black Rodeo, brings two days of enjoyment for the whole family for days on Saturday and Sunday July 20 and 21 at the Industry Hills Expo Center, and featuring Urban Cowboys and Cowgirls performing feats of bravery and expertise.  It is by far “The Greatest Show on Dirt!”  These competitors will also be joined by horse riding celebrity cowboys like actors Glyn Turman, Bill Pickins, Jr., and Delroy Lindo. In fact you never know who is going to show up to celebrate the historical cultural legacy of Black Americans shaping America’s Western heritage at the Bill Pickett Rodeo!

Events will include Bare Back Ridin’, Tie Down Ropin’, Ladies Steer Undecoratin’, Barrel Racin’, Bull Ridin’, Muttin Bustin’ (for kids), and of course Bull Doggin’ the rodeo stunt invented by none other than the  Legendary Black Cowboy from Texas Bill Pickett!

“Bull Dogging” is when horse-mounted rider chases a steer, drops from the horse to the steer, then wrestles the steer to the ground by grabbing and twisting its horns. Pickett also used his teeth, as a dog would do.  His exploits also made Mr. Pickettl one of America’ s first stunt men.  He provided the vision for all those cowboy movies where the hero jumps from his horse to stop wild horses or a runaway stage coach.

Born in 1870, Pickett was also a ranch cowboy and he and his brothers also operated Pickett Bros. Bronco Busters and Rough Riders Association in Texas.  Pickett became very famous for his work on the rodeo circuit where he was often billed as the “Dusky Demon.” In 1905 the Miller Brothers who operated the famous 101 Ranch Wild West Show, hired Pickett for their show and moved him and his entire family to Oklahoma. Pickett performed across the U.S. as well as in Madison Square Garden in New York and across the seas in England, and appeared in at least one cowboy movie.

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma inducted Pickett into its Hall of Fame in 1971, and the museum (www.nationalcowboymuseum.org)  hosts a regular Bill Pickett Program every Saturday where children learn all about the feats and exploits of this pioneering Black rodeo cowboy.  In 1987, a large bronze statue depicting Pickett bulldogging was unveiled at the Fort Worth Cowtown Coliseum and a . The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum in Fort Worth, Texas (www.cowboysofcolor.org ) features displays and programs on prominent figures in American history, including African American, Native American and European trailblazers from the Old West and the Buffalo Soldiers and inducted Pickett into its Hall of Fame in 2003.  The Texas Historical Commission and the Woodson-dickey History Club erected a monument plaque to Pickett in 1991.  Mr. Pickett is also depicted on a U.S. Postage stamp (so is his brother Ben due to a photo mix-up.) Pickett died in 1932 and is buried on White Eagle Monument Hill in Oklahoma.

The Saturday show starts at 7 p.m. and the Sunday show starts at 3 p.m.  Tickets: Children $17 Adv/$20 at gate; Adults $20 Adv/$24 at gate; Arena $30 Adv/$35 at gate.  Tickets for the Bill Pickett Rodeo are available at Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, Black Voice News in Riverside-San Bernardino; in Carson, CA at  Venni Mac’s M&M Soul and at the Postal Annex on E. University Dr.; in Inglewood at  Inglewood Tickets on S. Market Street,  at Ms. B’s M&M Soul Food on W. Manchester Blvd at Zahra’s Books N. Things on N. La Brea Ave., and also at A Cultural Affair Boutique also on N. La Brea Ave.; in Long Beach at Shades of Afrika on E. 4th St.; in Los Angeles at Zambezi Bazzar on Degnan Blvd. in Leimert Park and at Simply Wholesome on W. Slauson Ave..

Proceeds also benefit the Bill Pickett Memorial Scholarship Fund which provides scholarships to Black high school and college students involved or interested in pursuing careers in Rodeo or animal Science. The Industry Hills Expo Center is located at 16200 Temple Ave. in the City of Industry, CA 91744. For Information and Group Sales call 310-674-6700, or the Hotline at 310-599-5555, and visit online at www.billpickettrodeo.com, 866-LVRODEO. (L.E. Pezant, WSSN 7-11-13)

Michelle Myers-Heard and Pastor Artis Glass, Jr.

Leap of Faith Community Baptist Church, Inc. is a small congregation that has rejoiced in the money it has saved on its electric bill.  Established in 1997, the Inglewood, Calif., church has saved about $3,500 in less than two years by simply changing 91 of its lights to compact fluorescent ones as part of Southern California Edison’s (SCE) energy-efficiency program.

The arrival of summer and high temperatures brings higher electric bills, and Pastor Glass believes it is important that organizations, businesses and individuals take advantage of money-and-energy-saving programs.

Pastor Glass learned about SCE’s Energy Efficient Express Solutions program from a church member. Brother Rutherford is a contractor who mentioned that the church lighting was very dim and that a simple solution would be programs offered by SCE to increase lighting and generate savings.

“Signing up for the program was easy,” said Pastor Glass. “The program was free and it is paying for itself.”

The pastor of the congregation of 50 admitted that he did not know much about other programs offered by SCE, but that he was interested in learning more.

Michele Myers-Heard is an SCE account executive who focuses on helping faith-based organizations use energy wisely.  In addition to switching the lights, Myers-Heard also discussed other energy solutions with Pastor Glass, such as the Summer Discount Plan.

“Get the information and make a decision on whether or not a program would work for you or your business,” said Pastor Glass. “The program we have at Leap of Faith is working for us and that is something that I can stand behind.”

But the savings aren’t limited to places of worship, according to Myers-Heard.

“Whether you are a business or a resident, we want to help our customers save money on their bills by helping them partner with us,” she said. “We want to help our customers be a part of the solution by making sure we have enough safe and affordable energy for all of us.”

For more information on ways to conserve energy and save money, go to SCE.com/save.

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Retirement_Planning

LOS ANGELES , CA— This presentation on retirement planning will be held on Thursday, July 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m..  Topics and discussions will cover what steps business owners should take both pre and post-retirement.  It combines investment strategies with non-registered strategies and products. Includes strategies on how to plan for the future; Fundamentals of Asset Allocation, shifting from Asset Accumulation to Asset Distribution, and financial concepts every business owner needs to consider for retirement.  The presentation will be held at New York Life Insurance Company, a co-sponsor of the event, located at 6300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. FREE for GLAAAC members FREE: $10 for Non Members. Expedite registration by pre-paying online at http://glaaaccnylseminar.eventbrite.com/.  RSVP by emailing to info@glaaacc.org by Tuesday, July 16, 2013. . Information: 323-292-1297| www.glaaacc.org. [GLAAC is located at 5100 W. Goldleaf Circle, Suite 203, Los Angeles, CA 90056]