My, how time flies when you’re having fun,” is a clever pun that people often use when they’re doing something fulfilling, but suddenly realize that they can’t possibly finish the activity before it’s time to turn out the lights and call it a day. That sentiment definitely came to mind, when we heard that the Acres Home Citizens Chamber of Commerce’s 16th Annual Awards Banquet could be its last. However, the “having fun” sentiment isn’t unanimous, because the Chamber’s leaders are often criticized, more than they’re praised. Even so, their stiff neck refusal to allow politicos with special agendas to use their organization to divide and confuse their community is the key to their success.
The Chamber’s leadership has been steadfast in doing what’s best for African Americans, in general, and the Acres Home community, in particular, consequently discord was inevitable. Need we explain why there’re several organizations made up of former Chamber members? If so, we’ll explain later, because this precious space must be used to better define “awards and rewards.” First, however, let’s affirm that the Chamber has done more to help its community than all of the splinter groups combined. Including, the Super Neighborhood Council, that really insults community activist’s intelligence. Sour grapes notwithstanding, but the Chamber simply couldn’t join Mayor Lee P. Brown’s Super Neighborhood. His intentions might have been noble, but he made the same mistake that Pres. George W. Bush made in Iraq.
We Must Understand, you simply can’t impose a democratic concept on a divided and conquered people who have historically allowed petty differences to keep them from uniting against tyrannical regimes that made sure that they remained disenfranchised and confused. In addition, he also choose the wrong advisers, who just happened to have been born in a particular community, although they’ve never done very much to make them better. Truth is, it simply doesn’t make sense for citizen advocacy organizations to be micromanaged (by the very system that they were created to hold accountable...on behalf of their underserved community. Unfortunately, public schools indoctrinate descendants of slaves to reject their whole village culture and embrace, or emulate the people who enslaved their forefathers.
It’s very difficult for common sense thinking community leaders to bond with educated (domesticated to work within the system) community leaders, who on some level of consciousness think that “the White man’s ice is colder.” Unfortunately, those fitting that description fail to understand that you can’t spell community, without ending the word with “unity.” However, that’s not news to our estimated 2 million readers, because Brown’s political Trojan horse was easy for a vigilant editorial watcher on the wall to see coming a mile away. But this is about awards and rewards, therefore let’s define them. Awards, ideally, are prizes given for doing something better than others, and rewards are given to one in return for something done for the system, to the detriment of their community.
From a Black perspective community leaders who’ve ex-celled, beyond their call of duty, should be awarded. Denial aside, Black faces are rewarded (with positions in high places), when they sell their community out for thirty pieces of silver. Believe it or not, but one of the main reasons that the Black community is so politically fractious is because of “OUR” mindless penchant to give “Outstanding Citizens” awards to Black faces in high places, who’ve already been rewarded for selling “US” out. Surely, that’s not news to our readers, insofar as they already know why the Chamber holds all of their events in the Acres Home community. Cutting to the chase, it’s long past time for Black organizations to stop spending two thirds of the dollars that we raise at major fundraisers, with big, White hotels.
We Must Understand, we become a joke when we go to big hotels (that squeeze us into smallest space and give us as little service as possible), and expound on empowering or own community economically. So, if you are among the brainwashed African Americans, who truly believe that we don’t have a facility big enough to hold your major “Dog & Pony” shows we invite you to the Chamber’s of 16th Annual Awards Banquet, at M. C. Williams High School, 6100 Knox, on March 4, 2005. When you arrive at the 7:30 p.m. event, you will be amazed at the polite efficient young people working as valet parking attendants. Once inside, much younger, but even more courtesy students, will greet and seat you. The vast facility’s (that’s an auditorium and cafeteria) dazzling décor will make you think you’re in the grand ballroom of a big, expensive hotel.
The proof of the pudding is the taste, so suffice it to say that the delicious cuisine will be catered by Lacy’s Restaurant, that’s located on Mesa @ W. Tidwell, in the ‘hood. Rev. William “Bill” Lawson, the keynote speaker will edify you. And, last but not least, you’ll be waylaid by the Old African warrior, who will be M. C… for the first and last time. RSVP before Feb. 25, by calling Sharon Johnson @ (713) 692-7003, or fax to (713) 692-1183.