Forever the provocateur!
No, this narrative isn’t about presidential combatants Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, although in a way it is since they both are frequently at the center of sometimes heated dinner table and barroom debates, let alone news cycles and social media forums. Rather, this time I’ll explain why I enjoy baiting my provocative hook and dropping my line into the waters of social media. And, like I do at my favorite fishing hole, I get immense pleasure from catching and releasing my “fish” with knowledge that I’m certain to pull them in later.
With that as an entrée, let me say that if one seeks to fine-tune his/her online debating skills or let off steam, just drop your line into your favorite social media forum and gauge reactions. And if you relish controversy and are thick skinned, pick the right one and brace yourself for some occasional angry sharp-tongued responses.
Okay, I admit that I’m drawn to several such forums because I thoroughly enjoy playing the role of the contrarian, the devil’s advocate, the envelop pusher in order to provoke debate or to test the strength of my own and opposing arguments. Now if you want an example of a typical Myers Briggs contrarian personality type, well look no further than yours truly because few things light up personalities like mine than vigorous written and verbal sparring – and if the conversation veers into a controversial terrain, ahh, so much the better. Inarguably, our political and social histories are littered with examples of folks who engaged in strategic provocation and agitation; among them Frederick Douglass, James Baldwin, John “Good Trouble” Lewis, and I can go on.
Now given my propensity for playing the devil’s advocate on thorny political, social and cultural issues, I’ve been called my share of some not so nice names (“jerk,” “fool,” “ignorant,” “leftie” and “imbecile” among the most frequent and printable ones). I can only imagine what colorful things they say about me offline, under their breaths or among trusted and like-minded buddies.
But what’s interesting is the fact that while most of my name-calling antagonists tend to drop out of sight after lambasting me, “Wendy” and “Lydia” will hang around to duke it out with me in exchange after exchange, barb after barb. Chances are slim to none that these two of my favorite sparing partners will send me a Christmas card this year.
Here’s how my fishing expeditions typically get started.
When a contemporary topic of discussion is underway – for the most part political or just whining or bellyaching – I’ll “bait” my hook with a provocative comment and toss it out to see who bites. And to my delight, you take it to the bank, I’ll reel in either “Wendy” or “Lydia.” A commonality with these two is their amusing tete-a-tete attempts to prove me wrong plus their blind obsession with getting the last word in. They’re lots of fun.
But here’s the deal; often when you pierce through echo chambers – my calling card – you risk getting a strong “how dare you” pushback. More times than not, some resent my “who the heck is he” intrusion into the tranquility of their space and comfort zones Thus, I’m not at all surprised by how quickly they craft acerbic retorts out of emotions and not on reason.
So it’s not at all unreasonable for me to take a position that I don’t really believe in just to get a reaction. Sometimes all it takes is for me to ask, “Are you serious?….. “Tell us what on Earth were you thinking when you posted something so outrageous?” Or maybe something less threatening, i.e., “Help me understand why you say that,”….“Okay, our point is?”…. “Point us to the facts that support your assertion.”
Now let me be clear on one point: I will not sit on my rear end in politeness when bigoted comments that disparage someone based on race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, immigration status, etc., appear in social media platforms since they have the potential of putting someone at risk. I have zero tolerance for racism and sexism. And when someone like a courageous “Sue,” or “Joe” is quick to challenge bigotry, falsehoods, or just plain stupidity and sheer nonsense, they’ll get a “like” and “ditto” from yours truly.
Second, challenging warped views can actually encourage those who are intellectually honest with themselves to pause and reexamine – not necessarily alter – their preconceived opinions about issues, i.e., “you know, maybe there is a flaw in my thinking and blind spots in my knowledge that I’m not aware of.” As the saying goes, “a mind stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimensions.”
Third, knowing that something they post could be met with a strong pushback may make the sender have second thoughts before putting it out there. The operative words here are common sense and accountability.
So at the end of the day, typically after a few rounds of back and forth with “Wendy” and “Lydia,” I’ll smile before tossing them back into the pond knowing full well that I’ll reel them in the next time… with or without bait on my hook!
“I want to urge you to make waves. I want to urge you to rock the boat. I want to urge you to get off your duff. I want to urge you to speak out at whatever cost if it comes from your heart.” -Anne Richards
© Terry Howard is an award-winning writer. He is a contributing writer with the Chattanooga News Chronicle, The American Diversity Report, The Douglas County Sentinel, Blackmarket.com, recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award, and third place winner of the Georgia Press Award.
Chattanooga Area Food Bank receives $275,000 from Publix Super Markets Charities
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Chattanooga Area Food Bank announced today it received $75,000 for its mobile pantry programs and $200,000 for a new delivery truck from Publix Super Markets Charitiesto support the organization’s hunger relief efforts.
The food bank serves an estimated 180,000 people facing food insecurity in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. Last year wasthe food bank’s busiest year on record asthey provided enough food for 17 million meals. Publix Charities has given over $1 million to the food bank since 2008.
“The Chattanooga Area Food Bank has a storied and trusted friendship with Publix and Publix Charities.
Today, another great chapter has been written,” said food bank President and CEO Melissa Blevins. “Both the food bank and Publix stand for the same thing: Treating others with kindness, respect, and dignity, and doing everything in our power to feed our neighbors.”
“At Publix, we believe providing food for our neighbors in need is our greatest opportunity to give back and doing so is at the heart of our philanthropic efforts,” said Publix CEO Kevin Murphy. “We’re also grateful to Publix Super Markets Charities for its continued commitment to helping people experiencing food insecurity. Publix and Publix Charities’ continued work with food banks acrossthe Southeast provide vital resources and nourishment to better the lives of individuals in our communities.” The $75,000 donation from Publix Super Markets Charities to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank is one of several donations made this year to help provide food and other essentialsupport to people facing hunger. In all, Publix Super Markets Charities has donated $11 million to Feeding America partner food banks and other nonprofit partners in 2024.
Voting Is Bigger Than the Harris Campaign
by Dr. John E. Warren
In November 2024, weeks and days away, each of us will have an opportunity to either cast a vote or help someone vote who would not otherwise do so. The stakes are bigger than the race for the Presidency between Vice President Harris and Donald Trump. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are on the ballot; a third of the U.S. Senate, including a seat from the State of California are on the ballot; local races for Mayor, City Council seats and County Supervisors, or Commissioners as they are called in some areas, are on the ballot. Propositions are on the ballot, such as Rent Control to name one in the State of California. These issues will determine our quality of life for the next two to four years. Each of us has a say, whether or not we think we are important.
Every Black person in America does not want Kamala Harris as President any more than all White people want Donald Trump re-elected. This means that the obligation each of us have to vote is bigger than the battle for the Presidency. It’s about each of us taking responsibility for our own future. If you have not registered to vote, there is still time to do so regardless of where you live. Don’t let your future be determined by people who neither know you nor personally care about you when you can participate in shaping your future. Remember, if those running for office didn’t ask you for your vote, then they probably think either you won’t vote, so why bother, or they have decided that they don’t really need your vote. By voting, you can send a message. Find someone to vote for. It’s not too late to register and vote, even if you are homeless.
First Black Mom and Daughter Duo to Be Certified Sports Agents For the NFL
Nationwide — Jackson Lawson and her daughter, Samira Jackson, have made history as the first mother-daughter duo certified as sports agents by the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). Originally from Maryland, Edy Lawson-Jackson, who started her career in sports law during the late 1980s, focused on representing athletes and advocating for increased opportunities for women and minorities in the sports world. In 2010, she achieved her NFLPA certification, becoming one of the few Black women to represent players at the professional football level.
Dr. Thomas J. Brooks III Running for District28 Seat
Dr. Thomas J. Brooks III, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, is running as an Independent candidate in the general election on Nov. 5, challenging the incumbent, Rep. Yusuf Hakeem.
After years of witnessing the challenges faced by disenfranchised communities, Dr. Brooks said he decided to run for office, inspired by the need for change.
“This is not about me,” he noted. “God has a role for all of us. Now is the time. Your priorities will be my priority.”
Born and raised in Nashville, Dr. Brooks has deep roots in his community, and his platform reflects his lifelong dedication to civil rights, health care reform and economic development. With his extensive experience in medicine and community activism, Dr. Brooks aims to bring attention to the needs of District 28, focusing on a range of issues critical to the area.
A cornerstone of his platform is economic development, with an emphasis on supporting locally owned businesses and encouraging community-driven projects. He advocates for the fair distribution of federal funds, ensuring all communities receive equitable resources, as outlined by Title VI.
Another of Dr. Brooks’ key priorities is housing fairness. He plans to establish oversight measures to protect private citizens from being short-changed in property sales, particularly when buyers know the true value of the land.
Dr. Brooks also seeks to address violence and create safe learning environments in Hamilton County’s schools. His proposed reforms include enhancing curriculums to better equip students for post-graduation success, whether through higher education or vocational training.
With decades of medical experience, Dr. Brooks proposes a “Patient Bill of Rights,” emphasizing informed consent and protecting patients from retaliation when challenging medical recommendations. His health care policies also advocate for 24-hour telemedicine access, stronger relationships between patients and doctors, and preventive care.
Additionally, Dr. Brooks pledges to back law enforcement while ensuring their accountability. His crime platform calls for equal application of the law to all citizens, regardless of race or social status, and a commitment to rooting out corruption in the judicial and law enforcement systems.
Dr. Brooks’ personal story is one of perseverance and community advocacy. Growing up in Nashville’s John Henry Hale public housing projects, he went on to receive his education at historically Black institutions, earning a medical degree from Meharry Medical College in 1978.
His medical career brought him to Chattanooga, where he opened his practice in 1982 and helped establish Family Health Services, the state’s first Black-owned multi-specialty health care center.
In addition to his medical achievements, Dr. Brooks has held leadership roles in several civil rights organizations, including the NAACP and Operation PUSH. He co-founded the Hamilton County Human Rights Commission and worked to mobilize African-American voters through the African-American Voters’ Coalition. In 1992, he was honored with the prestigious Economic Development Award by the Tennessee Black Caucus.
“Mentally, we must truly embrace an attitude that demonstrates we understand that every citizen can contribute to our struggle for true social justice and change,” Dr. Brooks stated. “Citizens of the 28th Legislative District can set an example of what all districts and communities across the state can do.”
The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 7. Early voting will be held from Oct. 16-31, and the general election is scheduled for Nov. 5. PAID FOR by COMMITTEE to ELECT Dr. THOMAS BROOKS
Opera Based on the Fisk Jubilee Singers to Debut in Seattle This October
Jubilee tells the story of the singers who brought African American spirituals to audiences around the world
SEATTLE— In October, Seattle Opera audiences will experience a unique new work by visionary writer and director Tazewell Thompson, whose opera Blue was hailed by The New York Times as “the most elegant libretto heard in a long time.” Jubilee tells the story of a group of Black American singers who brought African American spirituals to audiences around the world, forever changing the trajectory of music history.
With a score comprising over 40 spirituals, from “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Wade in the Water” to “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel” and “Balm in Gilead,” the opera follows the Fisk Jubilee Singers as they embark on their first tours, raising money for the fledgling Fisk University. Founded just after Emancipation and the American Civil War, the university offered education and empowerment to newly freed Black Americans. The ensemble served as ambassadors and fundraisers, performing for audiences and dignitaries across the United States and Europe, including Queen Victoria, Mark Twain, and President Ulysses S. Grant, establishing a legacy that continues to the present day.
“Spirituals formed the foundation of gospel, blues, jazz, R&B and even hip-hop—and the Jubilees introduced this music to the world,” said Thompson, who began studying and collecting spirituals over 30 years ago. “Their fundraising concerts were also directly responsible for the survival of one of America’s earliest Black universities. The Jubilees put their lives on the line quite literally, going without food, freezing in the winter, suffering from illness and violent hostility on a punishing tour schedule—because they knew that education was the path to real power and lasting freedom.”
Thanks to the resilience and dedication of these young musicians, Fisk University still exists today, having educated generations of Black Americans, including W. E. B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, John Lewis, Nikki Giovanni, and Roland Hayes. Such iconic names are known now, in part, because the Jubilees’ success helped challenge prevailing racial stereotypes and shift perceptions about Black culture and talent. Their performances also showed the world that spirituals were a legitimate art form, deserving of the same level of artistic excellence as European classical music.
“Every student at Fisk University learns the history of their school—they are taught that each brick was sung into existence,” said Lisa Arrindell, who plays the pivotal role of Ella Sheppard, the group’s de facto leader. “But elsewhere in our America, the Jubilees’ story has been left in the dark. I want African Americans to know, viscerally, that we come from a formidable history of stalwart creativity, fortitude, and excellence.”
Tazewell Thompson first encountered the Jubilee Singers through a PBS documentary that aired in 2000. He became obsessed with the spirituals they sang, collecting hundreds of books, scores, CDs, and records as he sought to understand why these songs mattered, and why they endured. By 2016, he knew the Jubilees’ story deserved operatic telling. When a commission to write a theater piece arrived first, the story became an a cappella stage play, appearing at DC’s Arena Stage in 2019. This fall, Jubilee will finally be premiered in its full operatic form on the mainstage of Seattle Opera—a particularly meaningful tribute to the troupe of dedicated singers who demonstrated the artistic value of spirituals in concert halls around the world.
“I’m proud that this important new work will be the final mainstage production of my tenure at Seattle Opera,” said General Director Christina Scheppelmann, who begins her term as General and Artistic Director of Belgium’s La Monnaie in January 2025. “And it is only fitting that this story about the Jubilees should find its fullest expression on the opera stage—their championing of spirituals has been carried forward by a long and distinguished line of Black opera singers, including Paul Robeson and Jessye Norman. Tazewell has written a remarkable tale of resilience that pulls together so many wonderful songs, and I’m eager for more people to learn the fascinating story of the Fisk Jubilee Singers through this beautiful opera.”
Conceived and written by Thompson, Jubilee features vocal arrangements by Dianne Adams McDowell and orchestration by Michael Ellis Ingram. Under Thompson’s stage direction, the world premiere production runs October 12–26 at McCaw Hall. Conductor Kellen Gray, in his Seattle Opera debut, will lead the 13-member ensemble cast along with a 48-piece orchestra. While much of the opera will have orchestral accompaniment, the diegetic choral numbers— those performed by the choir of characters within the narrative world of the opera—will be sung a cappella, just as they were on the real-life Jubilee tours.
“From the beginning of the opera to the end, you are saturated with glorious spirituals,” said Thompson. “The inventive vocal arrangements, lush harmonies, and crisp rhythms are breathtaking. I hope audiences will come to understand that spirituals tell the story of who Black Americans are as a people: their faith, pain, anguish, hope, loss, work, success, celebration, love, and joy. These songs are a living legacy—functioning beacons of hope and history.”
Hoodoo Men Make the Music–The Music, Art, and Storytelling Bring the Delta Blues Experience
Blues fans are sure to have their calendars marked and tickets purchased for the Hoodoo Men featured at the UT Chattanooga Fine Arts Center on Friday, October 4, at 7:30 pm.
Patrons will be immersed in the multisensory experience of the art of the Delta Blues through sound, art, storytelling, and performance as Bill Steber–award-winning musician, photojournalist, documentarian, and storyteller–has a week-long residence at UT Chattanooga (UTC) which concludes with the Friday concert performance.
One of the two-man band, Hoodoo Men, Bill Steber is a Tennessee native noted to be “one of the last living links to the greats and history of the Delta Blues,” according to Robert Boyer, the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Director of UTC Live! Performing Arts Series.
So, what’s the difference between Blues and Delta Blues?
Geographically, Mississippi River Delta terminates one of America’s longest rivers. However, the Mississippi Delta is an alluvial plain creating a fertile land mass that climbs from the lip of the river from sediment that serves as the literal lifeblood of the area for commerce and culture.
B.B. King was once asked by the Smithsonian Magazine to name the birthplace of the blues. He didn’t hesitate – “the birthplace of the blues…all started right here.” An icon of blues stood on Dockery Farm on Delta ground where Charly Patton, Tommy Johnson, Willie Brown, Eddie “Son” House, Chester Burnette (Howlin’ Wolf), and Roebuck “Pops” Staples all got their start and used as their base.
The original Delta Blues featured acoustic guitar, harmonica, and makeshift instruments like a bottleneck to slide along guitar strings and a cigar box with three strings. The vocals are driving and soulful to reflect the times when slaves hoped for freedom, yet faced illiteracy, dire poverty, and other cultural limitations–like prejudice.
“The history of the blues parallels the history of Black Americans,” Bill Steber explained speaking to the Chattanooga New Chronicle while walking among his deeply expressive photography and art which is on display and open to the public for viewing in the UTC Fine Arts Center.
“Mississippi…is an ancestral homeland of sorts… from which they escaped social and economic bondage. The same Mississippi soil that transformed the Delta into the land of king cotton with the sweat and suffering of slaves and sharecroppers also produced a cultural legacy of music, religion, and rural traditions, that shaped and defined the African American community.”
The Hoodoo Men perform Delta Blues, but also introduce concertgoers to influences brought to the Mississippi Delta from West Africa. Steber and partner Sammy Baker are “blues conjurers” who’ll perform on a staged set to immerse the audience in the cultural and spiritual practices rooted in superstition and African traditions coupled with Catholicism.
• See Bill Steber’s art Wednesday, Sept. 25-Friday, Oct. 4 in the Fine Arts Center lobby.
• Enjoy Steber’s storytelling presentation and discussion of his visual art at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, free to the public. • Enjoy the pre-concert exhibition of art and photography of Steber at 7 p.m., Friday, October 4 prior to the evening’s concert at 7:30 p.m.
If you’re Black and thinking about donating blood or ever donated blood, read this first…
In this country, over 100,000 people have sickle cell disease – the great majority of whom are African American or of African descent. These patients may require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lifetime. Unfortunately, many people are hesitant to donate blood out of fear or due to a lack of information.
To combat this, we spoke with Dr. Yvette Miller, executive medical officer at the American Red Cross, to discuss the most pressing things people should know before they donate blood.
1. A large percentage of Blacks have type O blood
One in 3 African American blood donors are a match for people with sickle cell disease.
“Type O blood is the most common blood type in this country. The majority of people in this country have group O blood. African Americans are the second largest population of individuals with group O blood,” Dr. Miller says. “We encourage and we need Black people to donate just to ensure that we have enough group O blood on the shelves to meet the transfusion needs of the general population. We need group O blood, particularly when there’s an emergency and [first responders] don’t know the specific blood type of a recipient.”
Group O blood also comes in handy in medical emergencies, such as when a mother is hemorrhaging or when there’s a mass casualty such as a shooting.
“We need to have blood on the shelves for any and every emergency,” Dr. Miller adds.
2. You don’t need to know your blood type to donate
“You don’t need to know your blood type in order to donate blood,” Dr. Miller shares.
However, if you are curious about your blood type, you will receive a donor card the first time you donate blood with the American Red Cross. The e-card includes what blood group you are in – A, B, O or AB – and if your blood type is positive or negative.
The Red Cross also has a blood donor app, where donors can access their donor card and blood type as well as track their blood pressure, and hemoglobin levels, and even find out when their blood has been distributed for use at a hospital.
3. You can donate if you have the sickle cell trait
It’s estimated that 8-10% of African Americans have the sickle cell trait, according to the American Society of Hematology. However, many are unaware that they carry this trait because they were never tested.
Testing for the sickle cell trait is important because you can pass the trait down to your children. The Red Cross is currently providing sickle cell trait screening on all blood donations from self-identified African American donors. Results are available within one to two weeks of your donation through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
The good news, however, is that even if you have the sickle cell trait, you are still eligible to donate blood.
4. You can donate if you are on medication
“Donors who are taking blood pressure medications are acceptable as blood donors. There are very few medications that restrict a person from donating blood,” Dr. Miller adds.
If you have concerns about whether or not it is safe to donate under a medication you are taking, you can visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS and a medical officer can help you determine if it is safe for you to donate.
6. There are things you can do to prepare yourself
“We know when a person donates a unit of blood, you lose iron and so to build that iron back up, we definitely recommend that our regular donors consult with their healthcare provider about taking a multivitamin,” Dr. Miller suggests.
She also encourages people to eat a healthy diet that is rich in iron, drink plenty of water and get lots of rest prior to their appointment.
“Drink plenty of water because that helps replenish some of the fluid that you will lose when you donate a unit of blood,” she shares.
To ensure you are feeling well after donating, you will be asked to spend 10 to 15 minutes in the refreshment and recovery area before you leave.
You will also be asked to drink an extra four glasses (eight ounces each) of non-alcoholic liquids, keep your bandage on for the next five hours, and refrain from heavy exercising or lifting for the day.
If you’ve never donated blood before, Dr. Miller advises calling 1-800-RED CROSS or simply coming in to see if you are eligible because many people assume they aren’t eligible when they are. For more information on donating blood or to schedule an appointment to give, visit Joined by Blood or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
Sarah Parker Remond (1824-1894)
Born in 1824 Sarah Parker Remond entered the world as a part of an exceptional family. The ninth child of two free born and economically secure black parents, her life was unusual among African Americans. It was unimaginable in the minds of most white Americans. Before her death Sarah carried her family’s legacy well beyond the shores of her native land. With financial security rooted primarily in food catering and hair salons, the men and women of the Remond clan actively supported antislavery and equal rights for all. After honing her skills lecturing against slavery in the Northeast and Canada Sarah expanded her reach across the ocean. In January 1859 Sarah Parker Remond delivered her first lecture in Liverpool, England, gradually incorporating Ireland and Scotland into her itinerary. With the approach of the Civil War Remond urged Europeans to lend their support to the North and the “poor enslaved Blacks of the South.” During this time she also decided against returning to the United States. By 1868 Sarah Parker Remond had settled in Italy and completed some form of medical training. Although subsequent records of her life remain scarce, one of the last sightings comes from none other than Frederick Douglass. While visiting Italy in 1886 Douglass encountered Remond and two of her sisters. All three Remond women had chosen exile over life in the United States. On December 13, 1894, Sarah Parker Remond died of undisclosed causes. She is buried in the Protestant Cemetery in Rome. (Contributed by: Willi Coleman)