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THE ARTIS BLOG
3/20/09
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I'LL BE BACK APRIL 1'ST WITH A NEW EDITION OF THE ARTIS BLOG. TAKE CARE.
JEFF ARTIS, PUBLISHER JeffArtis.com
UNTIL THEN. . . . .
* I've been asked to reconsider my decision not to run against Roanoke, Va. House of Delegate member, Onzlee Ware in the upcoming November General Assembly Election.
* I will.
* My district needs better representation in the Virginia Assembly than Ware is providing.
* Unlike two years ago, I'm as health as a horse. I've gotten a clean bill of health from my doctors.
* I am up to the challenge. If I decide to run against Ware, I look forward to the challenge.
* And no, I'm not worried about the amount of money I will need to raise to defeat Ware. Ware's got the big bucks. I have the "Little Man's" bucks. I wouldn't have it any other way. Unlike Ware, I sell my soul to no one.
* Ware has a couple of clear advantages over me. I have no control over "The Onzlee Ware Political/Media Action Committee," led by The Roanoke Times Newspaper and Channel 10, "We're on Ware's Side, News." If I do run against Ware in November, I expect these two news organizations to do a number on me. But, that's politics. Ware is their boy, man crush city, in fact. I'll just have to deal with it.
* Ware also runs faster than I do. Ware would win an Olympic gold medals and set the world records for running away from the issues, his record in Richmond and political accountability. I already know Ware won't debate me one on one. Frankly, with his record, I don't blame Ware. What is he going to say? What can he say? Not much outside of, "Vote for me because I'm a nice guy," or "Vote for me because I'm down with the brothers and the sisters."
* Ware is much better than I am at one other thing. Ware is a master at playing the victim. If he were in Hollywood, Ware would win an Oscar for the, "Best Performance For A Politician Who Claims To Be Picked On Unfairly."
* I have my family's blessings to run against Ware in November. We will see.
WE THE PEOPLE
HAVE A NICE WEEKEND
SEE YOU APRIL 1.
THE ARTIS BLOG
3/18/09
AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE ROANOKE, VA. SCLC "JUNETEENTH '09"
THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
BOX 6011
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA 24017-0011
Good Morning,
On June 13’th at 12 noon, the Roanoke, Va. Southern Christian Leadership Conference will hold “JUNETEENTH ’09,” at Washington Park in Roanoke, Va. “JUNETEENTH ‘09” is a day we celebrate the end of slavery in America along with unity, fellowship and brotherhood.
Due to the generosity of Wal-Mart, Pepsi, Frito Lay, Pepperidge Farm, Sara Lee, Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Roanoke City School Superintendent Dr. Rita Bishop, and others, this event is free to the public, food and entertainment included.
What is “JUNETEENTH?” On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. On April 9, 1865, the American Civil War ended. However, the last slaves held in the former Confederate States of America did not know of their freedom until June 19, 1865. On this date, Major General Gordon Granger led the United States Army into Galveston, Texas. Upon arriving in Galveston, General Granger read “General Order Number 3” which stated:
“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”
With General Granger’s reading of “General Order Number 3,” the last 250,000 slaves of the former Confederacy were freed. The date of June 19, 1865, became known as “Juneteenth Day,” the day all of the slaves in the South were finally free.
“JUNETEENTH ’09” is also part of SCLC’s gang prevention program. The Roanoke SCLC wants to provide our young people with an opportunity to meet positive role models from all spectrums and all walks of life in hope that our youth will become productive citizens. To meet this objective, businesses, churches, clubs, colleges, schools and civic organizations are invited to attend “JUNETEENTH ’09” to set up a table free of charge for community education. You may also serve food at your table as people visit your table.
In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., founder of the SCLC, “JUNETEENTH ‘09” is not a Black gathering, it is a community gathering. Again, “JUNETEENTH ‘09” is a day of unity, fellowship and brotherhood. “JUNETEENTH ’09” is a day we can all come together as brothers and sisters regardless of race, color, creed, socioeconomic level or political party affiliation to simply have a good time and to get to know each other better.
Last year’s “JUNETEENTH” celebration was huge a success. This year’s event will be even better. To see an updated roster for this year‘s event or to see pictures and information concerning “JUNETEENTH ’07 or JUNETEENTH ’08, please log onto, www.jeffartis.com and visit any of the "JUNETEENTH" links. If you would like to participate in “JUNETEENTH ‘09”, please contact me at (540)366-3719. I would be honored for you to attend and/or participate in this wonderful event of unity, fellowship and brotherhood.
Yours truly,
Jeff Artis
Juneteenth ‘09 Coordinator
The Roanoke SCLC
(540)366-3719
WE THE PEOPLE
SEE YOU FRIDAY
THE ARTIS BLOG
3/16/09
* It seems a number of people are upset concerning my comments on the Roanoke, Va. School Board's plans to redraw attendance zones in the city.
* First, Roanoke City Public Schools are already segregated. To say they aren't is simply ridiculous. Second, I'm a believer in neighborhood schools. Children should go to school closest to the neighborhoods they live in. Third, I'm a believer in our children getting a quality education. In the process of creating neighborhood schools, if our schools become mostly Black, White or whatever and the children in those schools are getting a quality education, great.
* You may ask what about the resources a school may or may not get? One of the few good things about "No Child Left Behind" is school systems must put their resources where they are needed most. The days of school systems shifting their resources at the expense of educating our children equally are, for the most part, over.
The Roanoke, Va. Public School System is famous for taking resources aimed for one group of children and shifting them to another group because of race and/or economics. Under past Roanoke City Public School superintendents, rich White children got the resources. Poor children and Black children got the leftover resources. "No Child Left Behind" makes it harder to play this educational shell game.
* Finally, it's not 1970 anymore. Unlike the past, the Roanoke, Va. Public School System is not engaged in a systematic attempt to keep our schools segregated. To say the Roanoke Public School System is systematically working to make our schools more segregated is ridiculous.
* As far as I am concerned, it is far more important that our children get a quality education than a diversified education. Diversity is nice. Quality is better. For me, a quality education trumps a diversified education any day of the week and twice on Sunday. If a Black child is going to a mostly Black school and that Black child is getting a quality education, great. If a Black child is going to a mostly Black school and that mostly Black school is getting the needed resources so that child can get that quality education, great.
For example, if your child, White or Black, goes to Addison Middle School, be happy. Be very, very happy. Addison is a mostly Black school. However, it has an outstanding staff and one heck of a principle, Principle Johnson, a young Brother who instills in all of our children that it isn't o.k. to be an underachiever simply because you are Black, poor, or don't know who your Daddy is. Isn't that the kind of environment we want our children to learn in?
* Now, if that Black child is going to a mostly Black school and that mostly Black school isn't getting the resources needed to give a quality education to our children, you'll see me raising hell until the cows come home like I always do and have done sine I've lived in Roanoke.
* Funny thing about my critics. Where were they when I said in 1994 that the Roanoke City Public School System was rigging the graduation rates and the drop out rates? Where were they in 1994 when I said that it was a disgrace that Black children made up less than 2% of the students in Advanced Placement Classes and the overwhelming majority of the children in Special Education and Alternative Education classes?
Where were these people in 1994 when I said Black children were being targeted for and herded into these classes because the way funding formulas worked, putting these children into Special Education and Alternative Education classes created additional revenue the Roanoke City Public School System? Where were these people in 1994 when I called for the Roanoke City Public School System to invest more money into Vocational Education since many children decide not to go to college and instead turn to the way of the streets?
Where were these people in 1995 and 1996 when I ran for public office and my campaign platform included detailed plans to fix these problems? Frankly, anyone who questions my commitment to making sure our children, especially our Black children, get a quality education is out to lunch. No one, and I mean no one, has been as outspoken as I have been when it comes to making sure our children, especially our poor White children and Black children, get a quality education.
* And for those of you who say I've been bought off by the Roanoke City Public School System now that I am a teacher for the school system, guess what? I took a pay cut to go back into teaching. I made more money at Wal*Mart; better health insurance, better benefit package.
* On Saturday, I was asked why I don't run against Onzlee Ware in the upcoming House of Delegate election in November. Given my wife's health, my place is with her, not on the campaign trail. If I could run against Ware, I would. The 11'th District needs someone in Richmond who is going to represent them, not exploit them.
Ware is a thug politician who is nothing more than a cheap imitation of former Washington D.C. mayor, Marion Berry. At least Berry had people skills. The 11'th District needs better, it deserves better. Roanoke, Va. Vice-Mayor Sherman Lea is perfect for the job. But, sadly he won't run.
* By the way, my next column in "The Roanoke Star-Sentinel" newspaper will be about Mr. Onzlee Ware, Roanoke, Va. House of Delegate member from the 11'th district.
WE THE PEOPLE
SEE YOU WEDNESDAY
THE ARTIS BLOG
3/13/09
* Some people like to say that nothing in life is free.
* These people haven't been to any of the Roanoke, Va. SCLC's JUNETEENTH Celebrations.
* This year, for the third year, the Roanoke SCLC is sponsoring "JUNETEENTH '09." This event will take place June 13, 2009, beginning at 12 Noon, at Washington Park, in Roanoke Va. As always, this event is free to the public. FREE FOOD, FREE ENTERTAINMENT, A FREE GOOD TIME.
* When I say free, I mean free. Thanks to the many businesses, organizations and individuals who help the Roanoke SCLC stage this event, JUNETEENTH '09, like JUNETEENTH '08 and JUNETEENTH '07 before it, is free, free, free. There are no hidden charges with any Roanoke SCLC JUNETEENTH event.
* All the Roanoke SCLC wants you to do is come, eat and have a good time. And in these tough economic times, where can you go and have a good time with free food and free entertainment in a family atmosphere.
* Juneteenth celebrations are more than celebrating the end of slavery in America. JUNETEENTH '09 is a day to give back to the community. It is a day of unity, brotherhood and fellowship. It is a day in which we come together as brothers and sisters, not as Black or White, rich or poor, Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal. JUNETEENTH '09 is a day the community comes together as one.
* As with the very first Juneteenth, another component of JUNETEENTH '09 is community education. Local businesses, organizations, churches and others will be in attendance to share information with those in attendance on how to make the community a better place to live, as well as, share information on ways to improve people's individual lives.
* Geared to our youth, JUNETEENTH '09 is part of the Roanoke SCLC's gang prevention program. All Roanoke SCLC JUNETEENTH events, including JUNETEENTH '09, has the goal of exposing our young people to positive role models, businesses and organizations so they will not fall into the trap of gangs and gang violence. Many of our young people feel there is no place to turn when they need help. The Roanoke SCLC's JUNETEENTH events and JUNETEENTH '09 shows our young people that there is help out there when and if they ever need it.
* Of course, with any event, there are critics. This is especially true when people either wish to make a name for themselves, are jealous of the Roanoke SCLC's success with JUNETEENTH, or wish to exploit the community to make a buck.
However, Dr. King had his critics, also. And like Dr. King, the Roanoke SCLC, "ain't gonna let nobody turn us round."
* The Roanoke SCLC and I hope to see you at JUNETEENTH '09; June 13, 2009, beginning at 12 Noon, at Washington Park in Roanoke, Va. FREE FOOD, FREE ENTERTAINMENT, A FREE GOOD TIME. See you there.
For more information on JUNETEENTH '09, as well as, any Roanoke SCLC JUNETEENTH event, please visit the "JUNETEENTH '09" or any "JUNETEENTH" page on JeffArtis.com. Links to these pages are posted at the top of this page.
WE THE PEOPLE
HAVE A NICE WEEKEND, I'LL SEE YOU MONDAY
THE ARTIS BLOG
3/11/09
* The Roanoke, Va. Public School Board is redrawing attendance zones for the city's elementary and middle school students. Good.
* It should be noted that according to housing patterns, Roanoke, Va. is the most segregated city in Virginia. According to those same housing patterns, Roanoke, Va. is one of the top 30 segregated cities in America.
* The segregated housing patterns in Roanoke, Va. are caused by two factors. First, people in Roanoke, Va. usually choose to live in neighborhoods where their neighbors are most like them. Blacks choose to live with Blacks. Whites choose to live with Whites and so on. Second, and most important, landlords and realtors in Roanoke, Va. are free to practice racial discrimination in housing without any fear of anything being done to them.
* I've never lived in a place that is as racist as Roanoke, Va. when it comes to housing discrimination. I've never lived in a place where landlords and realtors openly practice and admit to racism and discrimination in housing as they do in Roanoke, Va.
* Nor have I ever lived in a place where there is such little, if any, enforcement of fair housing laws as in Roanoke, Va.
* Because of these facts and the fact that students in any given school system in America are usually assigned to schools in the neighborhoods they live in, schools in the Roanoke, Va. Public School System are mostly segregated.
* These schools will remain segregated until Roanoke, Va. City Government cracks down on the high number of housing discrimination cases in the city.
* Some say the Roanoke, Va. School Board's efforts to change attendance zones will lead to more segregation in the city's schools. These people forget that Roanoke's schools are already segregated.
* These people also don't seem to realize that unlike the days of Jim Crow segregation, today's segregated schools in Roanoke, Va. are created by the city's housing patterns and not by a concerted racist attempt by the Roanoke, Va. School Board to keep White children and Black children from going to school with each other.
* Because of this, I do not have a problem with the way the Roanoke, Va. Public School Board wants to redraw its attendance zones to maximize the utilization of neighborhood schools. Children should go to school in the neighborhood where they live beginning in elementary school. As long as resources are allocated to Roanoke's public schools fairly and as needed, and I've been assured they will be, I don't have a problem with any of the new attendance zones being proposed by the Roanoke, Va. Public School System.
WE THE PEOPLE
SEE YOU FRIDAY
THE ARTIS BLOG
3/9/09
* O.K. folks, it's time to cut through all the bull. Here goes. Rush Limbaugh is the de-facto leader of the Republican Party. To my Republican friends, quit crying. Quit whining about media bias. Quit babbling about some mysterious White House plot to make Republicans look bad or some self-serving White House plan aimed at taking the heat off President Obama and the Democratic Party over the supposed "failed" stimulus package.
Rush is the man. Rush is Mr. Republican. He will remain the face of the Republican Party and the de-facto leader of the Republican Party until someone in the Republican Party has the guts to stand up to him. I don't see that happening anytime soon. Why? Republicans by and large agree with what Rush is saying.
* Speaking of the Stimulus Package. Has part of America gone mad? I'm hearing some say the Stimulus Package isn't working. To those folks, I ask, "Have you lost your minds?" The economy is in bad shape. It's going to take 3 to 5 years to get the American economy straight. But, when the economy gets straight, look out. The economy is going to take off like a rocket.
Also, while the American economy is in bad shape, the worldwide economy is in far worse shape. Fixing the economy isn't like fixing your car, where you take your car to the shop, the shop puts on a new part or two and your car is running as good as new in a couple of hours.
Fixing the economy takes time. There will be some discomfort. There will be some pain. There will be some suffering. There will be some mistakes made by both Democrats and Republicans. But, the economy will get fixed. However, it will be a slow process. In fact, our government may have to spend even more money than it has spent now.
* Some are saying President Obama is too ambitious. Again, are these people nuts? Personally, I want President Obama to be ambitious. I want him to tackle health care. It's simple really. Once the health care system is fixed and I'm paying less for medical care and/or health insurance, I'll have more money to spend somewhere else. So will most Americans. Talk about an economic stimulus for our economy.
* What's with these folks on the network news referring to President Obama as Mr. Obama? I have a big problem with this practice. In the 8 years President Bush was in the White House, I never heard anyone call him Mr. Bush. It was always President Bush.
* I'm hearing a lot about government earmarks, like earmarks are a bad thing. There's a big difference between government earmarks and government waste. I don't know about you, but I want my representative in the United States Congress to make sure government money gets sent home for local projects and such. Those earmarks mean jobs. Those earmarks mean communities don't have go do without.
* The Republicans are running their mouths about class warfare being declared in America. Republicans turned class warfare into an art form in 1980. Or have the Republicans forgotten about Ronald Reagan? Reagan declared war on the poor when he started cutting taxes in order to get rid of social welfare programs when he was elected President.
* Not only that, Reagan then proceeded to legitimize false stereotypes about the poor. Have we forgotten what Reagan said about the poor? The poor are poor because they want to be poor. The unemployed are unemployed because they are too lazy to work. People on welfare are on welfare because they want to be on welfare. I haven't forgotten.
Class warfare in 2008 America my foot. Republicans should be ashamed of themselves. Even Warren Buffet says the rich aren't paying their fair share of taxes. Yes, that Warren Buffet, one of the richest men in the world.
* In Roanoke, Va., community activist, Martin Jeffrey, has announced that he is running against Roanoke, Va.'s House of Delegate member, Onzlee Ware, for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming June Primary.
* Jeffrey needs five things to defeat Ware; money, organization, credibility, political connections and some dirt on Ware that no one knows about. Remember, Ware's district and the local media have forgiven Ware for his involvement in the drug trade in 1975, Ware's cover-up of his involvement in the drug trade in 1975 which nearly cost Ware his life and Ware's sorry record in the Virginia General Assembly, which includes several sellouts of his constituents, a refusal by Ware to help remove a racist, sexist judge from the bench, putting campaign contributions ahead of his constituents and Ware's refusal to help Black candidates in local City Council elections.
Nor can we ignore the fact that Ware's district and the local media have forgiven Ware for attempting to rig the 2008 Roanoke City Council Democratic Primary, Ware's war on Carolyn Word, a Black woman who was elected head of the Roanoke City Democratic Committee several years ago who Ware undercut and undermined, Ware's attempt to keep Mignon Chubb-Hale, another Black woman and noted educator, off the Roanoke, Va. School Board if she would have re-applied for the position, Ware's attempt to have Perneller Chubb-Wilson, another Black woman and Civil Rights icon, removed from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Ware's attempt to sabotage the Roanoke, Va.'s SCLC's Juneteenth Celebration, his keeping of "secret files" on Roanoke citizens who refuse to kiss Ware's ring and keep Ware accountable, and Ware introducing legislation to make it easier for local governments to take the land of tax paying citizens through eminent domain by using the phony guise of public safety.
Plus, Ware is a master at going into the White community and saying one thing while telling the Black community the complete opposite. White Republicans just love Ware. And Ware knows no one will take the time to check the record, especially the local Roanoke media.
I could go on. But, I'm running out of room.
* Roanoke, Va. Vice Mayor, Sherman Lea, can defeat Ware in any election. In any election, Lea beats Ware like a drum. The problem is, Lea won't run. To have a chance of beating Ware in the June primary, Jeffrey will need to raise at least $100,000 for his campaign. Given Ware's Republican support, even that amount may not be enough. Still, I admire Jeffrey's spunk. No elected official should be allowed to run for re-election unopposed. That's unAmerican.
WE THE PEOPLE
SEE YOU WEDNESDAY
REBECCA COLLINS, ONE GREAT LADY
THE ARTIS BLOG
REMEMBERING ONE GREAT LADY
THE FOLLOWING IS MY COLUMN FROM THE 3/5/09 EDITION OF "THE ROANOKE STAR-SENTINEL."
A great woman passed away last Sunday, March 1'st. You probably do not know her. She has never been in the news. She has not done anything to make her famous. Yet, to many, especially to her family, she was a hero. I have loved and been in awe of this woman for over 20 years.
Her name is Rebecca Collins; Becky, to her family and friends. Becky was 85-years-young. She was not old. To say so would be a mistake. Becky never let age get in the way of doing things. In fact, Becky never let anything get in the way of doing things. She was one tough woman. I mean that as a compliment. Becky had an iron will. She never allowed herself to be a victim regardless of her circumstances. That is why I am so much in awe of her. Never mind that this wonderful woman was also my mother-in-law.
Becky had 5 children. Her husband passed away from a heart attack 45 years ago. Because of her husband's early passing, she raised those 5 children largely by herself, no whining, no complaining and no excuses. She did what she had to do. None of her children became statistics. All of her children became productive citizens. Her reward was 14 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. That was fine with Becky. She had everything she ever wanted.
Becky never re-married or even dated. She had a crush on the singer Kenny Rogers until Kenny did his wife wrong. Kenny quickly lost his biggest fan. Becky was a good looking woman. She had her suitors. There were plenty of men interested in her. But, she loved her husband. Becky once told me that her husband was such a wonderful man, she would never get married again. No man could ever measure up to her husband so why bother?
I first met Becky when I started dating her daughter. Becky let me know right away how she felt about anyone who dated one of her daughters. When Sandy and I got married, Becky then let me know what she expected of any man who married one of her girls. Becky never had a problem looking you in the eye and telling you exactly what was on her mind.
Actually, I did not have it so bad. One of my brother-in-laws had it much worse than I did. Still, I knew I had passed the final test when I ran for office in 1995. Becky told me, "I will not vote for you just because you are my son-in-law and I do not vote for Republicans. But, I will vote for you."
Family and friends came from all over to spend time with and say goodbye to Becky in her final days. There was no fussing, feuding or fighting, only love. The greatness of a person should always be measured by what that person left on this earth when they are no longer with us. Rebecca Collins is not in the history books. However, she left a loving legacy beginning with her children. If that is not greatness, I don't know what is.
