Ain't I still a Negro? My birth certificate is the same as it was the week I was born

National News
Article 2, Volume 2                            January 15, 2012

                                                 Ain't I Still a Negro?                                                      

Just who am I? I mean, I know I am a child of God, but they keep changing or crossing me up about what I should be called.  Tell me, just who am I?

I was born a Negro. That is what they put on my birth certificate. I can show it to you. When I started elementary school. I was informed that Negro is a slave name, therefore, I should refer to myself as Colored. I told the teacher that everybody was colored. She told me I was being smart, so just shut up Colored boy and have a seat.

My first year in high school the teacher informed me that I was now Black and I should not use the words Colored or Negro because they were demeaning. She said I should use the word black, with a capital B. I told her that last year I was suspended 2 days because I called a boy Black, after he called me red. The teacher said that was last year, and now this is this year.

My freshman year in college they told me I was out of touch. I should use Afro/American for race. I told them I have never been to Africa so how can I be Afro/American?  My White friend from Africa can be Afro/American but not me.

But wait. If I am Afro/American, is the White man classified as European/American or the Asian as Asian/American? Oh, no, they say, just call them Americans or Asians.

Through all of the changes with my classification, America has been steadfast with the overall classification for white folks for hundreds of years. Just write White, and that is all right.  However, for us Black folks, there has been a constant change.  Tell me, how come?

I asked a lady from South America what classification did she use for her family. She said that her family use the category, Other.

Other is interesting. That means that you are other than all the others. In a sense, all of us are Other.

Somebody tell me the truth, ain't I still a Negro? Because through all the changes, my birth certificate, in block eight, still list me as a Negro.

So, just call me a Negro.  I won't complain, because all them other names are just nicknames, subject to change.

Copyright 2012 Grady E. Bryant  All Rights Reserved

Natural Death: Nine habits or practices that may be good to you, but may not be good for you, because they can lead to early death. But is it really natural?

National News

Article 1 Vol 2

Natural death is a common occurrence and classification. Whenever a person dies and it is determined that he/she was not killed in some manner, the death is generally classified as due to natural causes. Often there is  no explanation given. Although the death is natural, further examination will often disclosed that it could have been prevented or delayed for many years.

The body is made to last a long time if it is taken care of properly.  We can exercise and eat properly, but those practices do not guarantee a long life if we are not sound in many other areas of our lives.

I will list and discuss eight habits and practices that contribute to natural death:

1. Water. a. Lack of enough on a regular basis can cause our system to dry up and lead to kidney failure, improper body development and many diseases. b.  Too much water. Water is good, but too much of it can wash nutrients out of our system, thus leading to many of the sicknesses that we encounter for not drinking enough water.

2. Food. a. Eating too much of foods that we enjoy - knowing or unknowlngly - disregarding the facts that they are bad for our bodies.  For example, eating raw or poorly cooked meat, too much fried and processed food, consuming too much food cooked in improper oil. Also the intake of too much salt and sugar contribute to poor health and early death. b. Failure to eat enough of proper foods.Often, just a dab will do, but that dab may not be enough to keep the body functioning for a long period of time.

3. Stress. Worrying constantly about things that are completely out of your control or influence. For example, constantly in distress about money, work, children, family, friends and the economy. These worries causes our immune system to go bad and leads to early death.

4. Preventable diseases. a,Refusing to get vaccinations that can prevent sickness or diseases from destroying your body. b. Avoiding regular check-ups that can detect symptons of diseases that can lead to early death.

5. Excessive Time in Traffic. Spending three to four hours in traffic for 5 days a week can be very stressful. Also, the sitting down for a long period of time and be constantly in an anxiety mood, and the stress that goes through your body can lead to long term body damage.

6. Smoking. There is no upside, in my opinion, to smoking tobacco products. You can do all the things necessary to keep the body fit, but if you don't avoid the habit of smoking it may all go for nay, when it comes to living a long healthy life. I had a relative who was in excellent health, except for the lungs which was eaten away by tobacco. A lot of people are fooled by smoking mild ciggarettes. They believe that will help them avoid cancer. But, in my opinion, it just mean they will kill the person softly in a matter of time.

7. Drinking.  Excessive consumption of alcohol does not have an upside.  The alcohol will gradually destroy the liver and many other parts of the body.  Although, it may not cause death, it can lead to many sickness that will make a person unable to function mentally and physically.

8. Lack of Exercise. When you are able, but yet fail to get a minimum amount of exercise, the body will decay gradually, though you are still able to walk around. You can develop shortness of breath, overweigh, bones deficiencies, and worsen the effects of diabetes.

9. Fumes from household products.  Bleach is used to clean bathrooms and kitchen floors, cabinets, tables and many other household items. This product generally leaves a specific odor. We often just ignore it, and proceed with whatever we are doing.  Often, we ignore the odor and continue working in it, and even sat down to relax while the odor is still still strong in the house. Inhaling these fumes can lead to cancer, respitory problems,  and internal body damage.  The consequence can potentially contribute to early death. In  days of old, some families would spray DDT just before meal time. and wait about 15 minutes and start serving dinner while the odor was still in the house.  This practice, I believe, lead to many early deaths. They call them natural deaths. But were they?

There is one more that can be good to you but an over consumption can be very bad for you. So, you have to determine, in a logical manner how to deal with it. I can not go in detail because I promised to only write about nine habits and practices.

Nevertheless, be aware that natural death is often caused by habits and practices that we enjoy and we  refuse to make corrective adjustments even when we know the potential consequences.

Be safe, develop good habits and remember, the body, like fruit on the vine, if treated properly, can survive a long time. 

Bailey's Community Center, Bailey's Crossroads, VA news will be reported on a special dedicated website.

In the future, news pertaining to the Bailey's Community Center and the Bailey's Crossroads community will be reported on a dedicated website for community news.  This website is made possible, in part, by a special community grant.
See my latest post, with pictures,  at the Website listed below. It may surprise you.

The website is, http://www.bxrcc.blogspot.com/

Baby Due: Child born one minute before midnight on December 31, 2015 can make a difference of $5,000 in tax refund

Article 12 Volume 1                                       Updated and re-published: December 31, 2015

The Baby is Almost Here!

A father's plea:  Doc can our baby be delivered at 11:59 p.m. on December 3l, 2015 instead of 12:01 a. m. on January 1, 2016?  You may ask what difference does it makes? Well, if the baby is born in 2016 you may get the baby and your picture in the local newspaper.  The baby may be recognized as the first born in the region for the new year and the parents receive a bouquet of flowers.

However, this is the flip side, if the baby is born in 2015, before midnight, and the parent or married couple income is at a certain level, the family may qualify for the following: (1) an additional dependent (2) $1,000 child tax credit ( credit is cash, not a deduction), and (3) possibly an additional $3,000 in earned income credit (real money).  Then, when the State taxes savings are factored in, the parent(s) could possibly be receiving even more in tax savings.

(This report continues below in Article III, Volume 1 or google, baby due soon.All in All.grady bryant ) Do not use .com

Last year several parents from all over the country were happy to receive this news before their child was born.

Santa Clause Did a Flyover of my House on Christmas Eve. I Almost Cried a Tear

Article XI, Volume 1

Santa Flew Over My House

I'm going to share a  story about my experience, many years ago, with Santa Claus.

 Every year at Christmastime, several of my friends and myself would go downtown to a local department store and tell Santa what we wanted for Christmas.  He would give us a big laugh and promise to deliver on Christmas Eve. 

On the night before Christmas, me and my four Siblings would stay awake - virtually all night - waiting for Santa to come.We would jump up if we heard a car passing by or an airplane flying overhead.  My brother Jeff jumped up one freezing cold Christmas Eve night, about 2 a.m. and ran outdoors barefooted , because he thought he glanced Santa landing in the yard.  It turned out to be a deer, walking through the yard.  So, we all went back to bed. About an hour later, my sister, Shirley ran on the porch because she heard a noise. We looked in the sky and saw a helicopter flying over our yard.  We assumed it was Santa and he was using the helicopter because he had too many toys for his sled.

So, all of us went back to bed, feeling assured that Santa was in the neighborhood, and shortly, he would be stopping at our house. We made sure the fire was out in the fireplace.

Before we went to sleep, we heard the sound of an airplane flying over - we did not get up this time - because we felt that Santa was in the neighborhood and on his way. I surmised, the noise was his backup sled or helicopter because he had a lot of toys to deliver.

When 7 a.m. came, we all jumped out of  bed (from separate rooms) and ran to the Christmas tree to get our presents.  Sure enough there was a gift for all of us, but the gifts were a far cry from what Santa had promised to bring.

My youngest sister, Audrey, had been anxiously awaiting two years for Santa to bring her a colored barbie doll. (This was before they started making black dolls readily available). She got a doll but it was a far cry from a barbie doll.  She was disappointed.

I got my usual, single shot, cap pistol, an apple, orange, nuts and candy.  All of us got something, but that something was not what Santa had promised to bring.

I stepped outside, and saw one of my friends,-who was an only child in his family - coming toward me, dressed in a full cowboy outfit, with two automatic six shooter cap guns and holsters. He was really decked out.  My friend invited me to his house.  His front room was loaded with toys.  All I could say was, "Wow, Santa left you more than he delivered for me and my four siblings combined!"

(Continued at http://www.esh60.blogspot.com/.

Copyright 2011 Grady E. Bryant, Sr. All Rights Reserved

BCS National Championship Game 2012 Cannot Be a Real Championship Game

Article X, Vol 1
  
 BCS Football National Champion Selection process is flawed and open to corruption

The forthcoming BCS game between Louisana State University (LSU)  and Alabama should not be called a national championship game.  There is no logical trend  that can elevate this game to championship status. To me, it is a mean less game, that will not prove anything if Alabama wins.
Let's look at the facts. LSU has already beaten Alabama (Tide) in the division when it really counted. So, if bama wins, they will be tied at one game each.  Therefore, to determine which team is better than the other, you would need a third game. A third game would determine which team is better between the two, but it would not decide which team is the best in the land.
If they played a third game and LSU won, they would have a one game loss, like four other teams. If bama wins, they will still have a one loss season just like all the other one loss teams.
Plus, how can you call bama National Champions when they did not win their division or conference championship?
If a team that finished second in the division of a conference can be crowned national champion, then why even bother to have all these conference championships labeled as a potential step to the championship game?
The BCS selection system is messed up so much, in my opinion, possibly corrupt,and filled with the opportunity for voters to vote in a manner that will bring millions of dollars to their conference.
For example, why would a coach in the SEC cast a vote for Oklahoma State over Alabama if it has the potential to cost his conference millions of dollars in bowl money?
This year the voting was so close, it probably only took two coaches to vote bama as number two (2) to secure assurance that the SEC would get the two top teams in the ranking.  Thus, the SEC will receive the first and second place money.
In conclusion, regardless of how you look at it, there is no logical way the BCS Championship game 2012 can be a real championship game. They can call it whatever they want to, but they cannot make it a reality.
I'll consider the Oklahoma State game against their opponent as the BCS Championship Game for 2012.  After all, since there is no real playoff system, isn't the truth in the mind of the beholder?

             Copyright 2011.Grady E. Bryant.All Rights Reserved

Bailey's Community Center:Don't Bother Them About Youths Participating in Basketball Leagues! They Don't Appear,in my Opinion, to Have the Will To Make It Happen.

Article 9, Volume 1
                                                             Youth Basketball

The powers that be at Bailey's Community Center (BCC)  in Bailey's Crossroads, Va are not, in my opinion, willing to put forth the necessary effort to ensure that children in the Bailey's Crossroads community have an opportunity to participate in the Fairfax County Youth Basketball League (FCYBL) or any other basketball leagues for youths. This situation is sad when you consider the FCYBL is funded, in part, by the county and more than 75,000 youths in the county and surrounding jurisdictions participate.

 Each year I receive about 40 to 50 calls from parents and students about youth basketball. If I refer them to the BCC there is nobody there who can give them an adequate answer. Oh, they may invite them to come in and sign up, but after they sign up, the follow-up action by BCC is unacceptable.

Also, once a child signs up for a team at Bailey's, he or she get the impression that Bailey's is going to have a team, so they don't pursue signing up with another organization. Then, when they find out that BCC is not going to have a team it is too late to join another club.

This year, the pattern continued, except no real effort was made to organize any teams. According to my calculation, and the sign-up sheet that was posted, at least 40 children signed up or expressed an interest in playing.  Again, this year I was told that they are not good enough to have teams.

The powers in place are willing to tease the children every year about organizing teams for the league, but then before the time for league registration they will come up with some lame excuse as to why it cannot be done.
Then the children are told that can sign up for house league because they do not think they are good enough to play in the county league.Chances are the children will not play in any league this season.
Four parents called and told me that they took their children to practice on two or three occasions and there was no coach present and the children was just clowning around.  In frustration they went back home.

                                                             Background

For 25 years BCC was one of the highest rated youth organizations in the region. We received several commendations for our efforts. I had 12 outstanding volunteers working with me in 2008-09. We had 70 children participating on 6 teams. Our girls team Division 1, went to the finals and barely lost. One of our boy's teams won a league championships. In fact, one of our teams won a championship every year for 10 straight years.

We were one of, if not the most diverse organizations in the area. Our players came from at least 22 different countries.

On November 24, 2008, I invited the center  director to our coaches meeting and he invited Pam Washington to accompany him.   Two weeks after the meeting , 6 citizens of the community, members of the Bailey's Crossroads Community Center, Inc., advisory board, came together and decided they were going to take over the basketball operation. They  agreed to call themselves the "Bailey's Community Center Advisory Board" collected all the money, opened a bank account, and essentially eliminated organized youth basketball teams at the center. These six, decided to eliminate usage of any reference to the official board that was in place.

Despite the distraction we had a successful season.

In September 2009 the board and center director had the children to sign up for FCYBL league play, and started practicing in October. After 8 weeks of hard practice, the children were told that they were not going to play in the county league.
I had one team organized and they played one game in the FCYBL. Then the league and the team was told that Bailey's team would not be participating.  I pleaded with the powers that be to let the children play since I had assumed all responsibilities and the schedule was set.

A meeting was called and 8th graders were informed that could not play in the FCYBL, instead they could play in the house league against 5th graders.  This was very disappointing. Several of the children cried openly when they were informed.

They participated in the house league and defeated teams by scores like 80-6. It was a total disgrace. The house league, in February 2010, rightfully, found a way  to disqualify the team before the season ended.

In September 2010, I told the director, at BCC that I had four teams that wanted to play. He told me that the unsanctioned advisory board was going to have teams, so it would not be right for me to try and organize any teams.

Again, they had the children sign up. Put an unprepared, coachless team in the league and only showed up for one game.

The situation was so pitiful, in January 2011, the FCYBL, rightfully, had to drop them from the league.

It turned out that Bailey's didn't have any coaches or organization for teams to be formed.

Who is the contact person?
                                          
I really don't know who to talk to anymore. I talked with Community Services director, Chris Leonard; area director, Chris Scales; area director, Bruce Patrick and BCC director, Chonn Lacey.

Who do I contact? I ask the BCC director, and he refers me to the appointed commissioner, Daryl Lucas, then he refers me back to Chonn. Then I'm referred to the board or back to the commissioner. Round and around I go, but end up getting no where.
 
They all gave me varying stories.

But the bottom line is, the children in this area are denied an opportunity to play.  Money is not a problem, in 1993, I was successful in getting the county to set aside $5,000 to use primarily for youth basketball at BCC and three other community centers. Since BCC does not have any teams, I cannot attest to how the they are spending or spent the money.

The contact person is Pam Washington. I don't believe any other board member is active in the decision making process.

Each year I have to pass up at least $15,000 in free camps, games and other freebies that are offered to county teams. Why? Because we do not have an organized program.

What Can We Do?

Organize. They are not going to pay me any attention. I need parents and citizens who have an interest in seeing youths participate basketball to come forth and join me in my efforts to restore the game and all the activities that go with it back to the Bailey's Crossroads community.

Youth basketball is not just about playing, it is also about scholarships, jobs, interacting with other children, using the gym for the community, strengthening local high school teams and many other benefits.
For example, our last 8th grade girls team sent 6 girls to varsity as freshmen in high school.

For more information on the status of BCC, and pictures that show, in part, the condition of the gym, visit our new dedicated Website, http://www.bxrcc.blogspot.com/

My email address is, gebryant411@gmail.com

Reactions by insiders of the Penn State scandal is akin to the reaction by the mass in society to slavery and discrimination in America for over 400 years

Article VIII, Vol 1

   Penn State Scandal: Fear of personal welfare by observers left door open for abuse to continue

  Corrective action pertaining to the abuse of the helpless children in the Penn State community was very slow.  It is troubling to know that so many people knew about it, but yet condoned it. Seemingly, some felt they had full filled their obligation when they passed the information upward.  Once the information was passed upward, the informed continued their friendship and interacting with the perpetrator, Jerry Sandusky.

     The alleged perpetrator, probably just laughed, and continued in his unlawful acts, and the children continued to suffer.

     I still cannot understand why it took from 2002 to 2011 for this matter to come to light. That is nine years!  I can imagine the insiders were busily working to keep the lid on the matter to protect the good name of the University and the head coach.Sandusky, the alleged perpetrator, I imagine, was aware of the University actions, so he just kept right on performing his abusive acts.

     Also, it was reported that Sandusky could sign one or some of the children out of school without the parents consent. What kind of school system is that?  Well, they probably figured  that it was okay because he was Jerry Sandusky, the man who worked with Joe Paterno. 

     I admired Paterno for his coaching ability and all the things he did to help in society.  Yet, I cannot accept the fact that he ignored the cry for help from the children.  Yes, he had a moral obligation to report and keep reporting the incidents to the legal authorithies until something was done. This requirement was not only for Paterno, but for every coach,  player and school staff member who was aware of the situation. You are soaping in folly, if you believe only a few people knew what was happening.

     You may ask and wonder how does this matter relate to slavery and discrimination? Let us look back.

     Slavery was ingrained in this country's system for over 400 years.  There were a lot of Bible toting people who was morally oppose to slavery, but openly continued to support it.  It was a status thing to own and control the lives of other human beings.  The slave owners could sell, beat, kill, whip and treat them like animals - with the confort of knowing there would be no consequences.  (The movie, "Roots" has a lot of truth in it. It is not shown on TV much now, in part, because O. J. Simpson is in it).

     Men who openly professed to be Christians and knew that slavery was wrong, continued to accept slavery, in part, because they were the beneficiary of the free labor or they feared for their lives and/or status.

     After the Civil War ended in 1865, slavery, on paper ended, and discrimination against the ex-slaves increased.  The Negro was discrimimated against in virtually every walk of life. Many persons were in a position to speak up and do something to halt it, but they did not do a thing. 

    There is a lot of evidence that thousands of Blacks  were wrongfully killed, but no action was taken by persons in power against the killers because they feared to speak up would affect them politically, financially, or harm their status in society.  Many white peoples were aware of what was going on, but felt helpless.  You ask, What could they do?  Well, they could have been more outspoken and denied the fruits of the discrimiation practices.
      Lots of us marvel at the great works of President Thomas Jefferson. He made sure the Constitution stated that, "All men are created equal...." but he did not put those words into practice. He knew it was morally wrong to own slaves, but he continued ownership until the day he died.

    So, in conclusion when you consider the two matters presented above, you will be able to see a linking point.  Men in society, churches, and other high places saw what was going on, but just stood by for a long time and did nothing about it.

    What a pity, what a real pity!

       Copyright 2011.Grady E. Bryant, Sr. All Rights Reserved.     

Bailey Community Center News: The Bailey's Community Center Advisory Board is responsible for sponsoring basketball teams in the FCYBL this year. The contact person is PAM WASHINGTON.

 Article VII, Vol 1

  On August 18th I was invited to a special meeting concerning youth basketball in the Bailey's Community Center.  Three members of the unofficial Bailey's Community Center Advisory Board; Chonn Lacey, BCC director and Wendell Byrd were present.  The three board members were Pam Washington, Houston Summers and Robert Wright. Wendell Byrd was present on behalf of the county. 
     The invitation I received stated that it was a coaches meeting.  However, no coaches were present.  Mr. Byrd main mission appeared to be to inform me that they (Advisory Board) did not want me to coach this year.
     I informed him and everybody present that I had not coached a team at BCC since 2004 and that I didn't have any plans to coach this year. However, I will continue to work with the youths in other communities in the region.
     I am hopeful that the Advisory Board can keep its promise to the children this year.
     Sign up sheets are posted at the center. I encourage parents and children to sign up for basketball this year at Bailey's Community Center.

For more current news on the center, visit http://www.bxrcc.blogspot.com/

     

    
    

    
  

BAILEY'S COMMUNITY CENTER, Summer Lane, Falls Church, VA. The rise and fall of a community landmark. In the last two years it has gone down, down, down.and the citizens just watch without taking any action at all. They complain to each other but let the director have his way

Article VI, Vol 1                                                        Published on 5/27/2011                                    

                                 
                                The Community Center is moving on without citizen's input

Bailey's Community Center (BCC) was the place to go after school and work for citizens in the community from 1979 until about 2 years ago. Now, the citizens, for the most part, just stay away.  You may walk in the center and see a list of all the activities that are scheduled. But when you go there to attend the activity you will see that it never existed or it just petered out.

There are activities going on, but considering the size of this community, there should be a lot more activities and citizen participation.

Volunteers are not always welcome. I had 10 volunteers, educated and qualified to teach and coach youth basketball, and we were denied an opportunity to use the gym to organize teams to participate in the county league. This rejection occurred despite the fact we had participated in the league for over 22 years. (more about this matter later)

I can speak about BCC because I spent more than 25 years as a volunteer who organized programs and activitities. I served as the president and chairman of the center's advisory board and performed many, many, functions. I am not a disgruntled employee or worker because I have plenty to do as a volunteer in other activities and a member of the Fairfax County Youth Basketball League (FCYBL).

For the purpose of this alert I just want to name 7 things that I do not understand about BCC. These comments are offered based on my belief or knowledge that they are true:

(1). Why did we go from 7 teams in the county league in 2009 to zero in the 2010 and 2011 seasons.(two years)? The center director said that he was in charge, and he appointed the assistant director to be the assistant commissioner in the 2010 season. I managed to get one team organized and they played one game and I was told by the center director that  they could not play in the league. So, they were yanked from the league.Therefore, children in the Bailey's community, had a gym and teams from all over the county used the gym for league games and the Bailey Crossroads kids were just spectators on Saturdays for the whole basketball seasons. (2) Why were the youths told that they could not play basketball on Friday nights or after school because they did not attend a dance spearheaded by the director?. He should have known that the Muslim kids generally did not participate in dances. The director had security, lots of  food and about 5 children to show up. The Muslim community was upset. (3) Why did the director request or allow a cinder block to be put in the wall in the gym, where the sound system goes?. We offered to donate the $100 piece of equipment to fix the system but we were rejected. (4) Why did the director pay over $3,000 for four (4) basketball teams in the FCYBL when he knew or should have known that he did not have a single team organized . (5) Why does the director control funds designated for the advisory board to spend for youth programs without consultation with the Chairman of the board? (6) Why did the director send Merit Employees out to collect money in the community for a program sponsored by a private group (7) Why does the director have a seven hour work day. (10:a.m.to 5:pm)? I was told that the director takes his lunch hour at the end of the work day. I just do not understand how that works.

I plan to use the seven points listed as my talking points when I meet with county officials on behalf of the youths and adults in the community concerning activities at Bailey's Community Center

The young adults and parents in the community need to become organized and active in the operation and programs that are conducted at the center. This task can be achieved by organizing an Advisory Board that represent the community. The late Mr Walter Hawkins worked with the advisory board and community and we were able to accomplish a lot for the youths and adults. Now it is different.  The citizens need to understand that the director works for the community and he is not a dictator. Other communities in the county appear to have effective advisory boards. Why not the Bailey's Crossroads community?

For more current news and condition of the center, visit http://www.bxrcc.blogspot.com/                             

                                      Copyright 2011. Grady E. Bryant, Sr. All Rights Reserved
                                        

Bible Study: Chapter by chapter, book by book is a good method to learn the bible

Article V, Vol 1

I spent a lot of years of my life hopping and skipping all over the bible, as I read.  I was also lead down this path by many good ministers. I have no complaints about the ministers because that is the teaching method that is and was in place.  For many that method works well.  They can take you to certain scriptures that have had a major influence on their lives.

Currently, at Warner Baptist Church we are engaged in studying the Bible on a book by book, chapter by chapter approach. We find the approach informative, educational, uplifting, and revealing.

Following is our outline for study on April 26, 2011 at 7 p.m.

Chapter 24 of Deuteronomy
  In this book Moses is continuing to preach and teach the people how God wants them to live and treat others after they enter into the promise land.

                                                           Study Outline
       1.  Laws about divorce                                               5. Skin Diseases
              a. lst husband                                                             Ask Priest
              b. 2nd husband                                                          Remember Mirian
              c. 3rd husband

       2.   Newlyweds                                           
                less than a year                                                                                                                
                no war
                stay home

       3.    Loans
                 collateral
                 no millstone
       
        4.     Kidnapping
                  No Israelites
                  What about others?

         5.    Skin Diease

         6.   Loans
                  Don't go into house and take
                   coat (give back before sunset)
 
          7.   Poor People Wages
                  Pay on day of work
                  (cotton picking, day labor)

          8.     Death Penalty
                    a. No substitute
                    b. Each must stand for self
              
           9.   Don't mistreat the Powerless
                   Orphans & foreigners fairly
                     (story about man begging)

        10.   Leave Some harvest for the poor

                                                           Chapter 25

           1.   Whipping for crime
                      40 lashes

            2.   Don't muzzle an ox
                       why not?
            3.    Brother marry dead brother wife
                        refuse
                       elders
                       sandal
             4.   When two men fight
                      woman stay out of it
                      don't hit man below belt
                           punishment?
              5.   Be honest in business
                       2   explain
                    (buying oil for heaters)
                    poor man prices ($ store)
                      Main point:  Be honest

               6.  Wipe out Amalik
                      (What would we do today?)

                 Close out Hebrew Chapter 13: 1-5
 
 This edition for Bible Study on April 26, 2011 at Warner Baptist Church Falls Church, VA at 7:p.m.
                                                                                                                                                            
                  

South Suffolk/Pleasant Hill: A community where poor folks lived a rich life in Suffolk, VA - even richer than the rich

 Article IV, Vol 1
Reissued:  January 3, 2013

South Suffolk/Pleasant Hill: A Community to Behold in Suffolk, Virginia

 South Suffolk/ Pleasant Hill (SSPH)  is a community located in a 5.4 mile square area cradled in the southeastern part of  Suffolk, Virginia.. It is surrounded by railroad tracks and farm land. The main streets into the neighborhood are County Street and Spruce Street. By automobile or walking, just keep going south until you cross the railroad tracks.

      Family

 SSPH was a unique kind of community in the 40's, 50's, and 60's. Generally, family life was evident. When it was dinner time, the whole family would be present. If a family member did not like what was on the the table, he or she would have to wait until the next meal because there was no McDonald or Burger King in the vicinity. After dinner, family members would go their separate ways until bed time.
                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                            Christmas

 Christmas time was special. Seemingly, every child got a toy or something for Christmas. The children who had asked Santa for a big toy was content to receive a small toy. At least Santa had not forgotten them. The poor children, such as myself, were not in the frame of mind to try and figure out why our friend, who was an only child, usually got a room full of top line toys. In fact, he received more toys than me and my six siblings combined. We didn't try to figure it out.

 I remember Santa brought him two automatic six shooters and a complete cowboy outfit, plus an electric train. He couldn't figure out why Santa left so many toys at his house.  Bulemus (assumed name) was always willing to share his gifts with my family and other children in the community. We thought Santa left more toys at his house  because he had more space.  He wanted us to understand that he was a regular guy like us. To us, he was a regular guy.

 Me? I got a single shot cap pistol. Shoot and reload. Bulemus  could get off six shots before four of us could reload. We didn't really care as long as we were having fun.
    
                                                                        Business owners

 There were a lot of  individual skilled persons and self owned businesses in the community. Also there were independent owned stores such as Baker Street Grocery, Majett Grocery, Biggs Grocery, Mitchell Dry Cleaner, Griffin Shop; also painters, carpenters, and other skill persons.  Drive through vendors selling fish, crabs, watermelons and fresh vegetables drove slowly through the neighborhood daily during the spring and summer. If I listen carefully, I can still hear Mr.Thompson yelling,"Fresh fish and crabs today,just caught" .

You could get a good water melon for .25 cents and a mess of collard greens for .30 cents.
 Several families  marketed Enhanced Water(EW).  I can remember, in one block, 3 families marketed the product. There was no conflict - because the marketers had their own customers.

  My father worked at the Navy Ship Yard.  His pay was .75 cents an hour or $30 a week, before deductions. Seemingly, he was furloughed a lot. The small income made it hard for him to make a living with a wife and  7 children.  So, he went into the Enhanced Water business.  He was involved in the business as a manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer. This business enabled him to take better care of his family.  Still, it was not easy - but the family's welfare was much better than before the EW days.   The business helped my family stay intact.
                                                                        

 Playgrounds

     The community did not have any county supported playgrounds.  We made our own playgrounds.on vacant lots or fields. We would clean off a lot or field and put up a basketball goal or lay out a softball field.  Then after a year or two the owner or somebody would build a house or put a garden on the lot.  Then, we would go find another vacant lot. A lot of accomplished athletes came from the playgrounds of  South Suffolk. Among them were: Alex Cobb, J. R. Beale, Eugene Scott, Wilbur Cherry, Pete Barnes, Joe Riddick and William Harrell-Porter,(five years varsity football & four baseball), George Lee, William Bailey, Douglas Boone, and  in the 80's Lamont Strouters

  Of course, the youths in Suffolk city  had a nice playground. (we lived in Nansemond County which was a separate jurisdiction).
    
                                                                 Hard times?  If so,  we didn't know

     We ate well - Lots of fresh vegetables and fresh meat.  - Lots of exercise. Generally, starting in the 6th grade we walked about 2 to 2  1/2 miles to advance elementary & high school - rain, snow, sleet or sunshine - there was no school bus for the community.

  Poor? No, no, not us.  There was very little sickness in the community. When somebody took sick there was a lot of home remedy medicine available.  It worked.  Poor? Um, not us.
  The conditions that surrounded us in those years would be totally unacceptable today.  For example, no running water, outdoor toilets, water pumps, unpaved streets, hog pens in back yards, lack of enough street lights, wood stoves and heaters, a tiny "colored only" hospital with limited services and only 3 doctors  to serve the whole colored community in the county (we were colored then).They were Dr. Reid and his wife, Margaret and Dr. Diggs.  If you went  to the doctor, you had to be prepared to spend the whole day. Once the doctor determined a patient was not dying, he would slip out the back door and make his rounds and return 2 or 3 hours later.

 Only about 5% of the homes had indoor plumbing.  Everybody else had to take that walk to the out house.   See, we did not have one or two baths inside - instead we had two paths to the out house.
   
                                                Families working together & enjoying themselves

Families were generally willing to help each other perform major tasks - particular on hog killing days.  Several  women would gather and assist in making sausage, chittling, lard, soap and other products that are made from hog meat.  Men would gather and help with killing & cleaning the hogs. They would rejoice in cooking and sharing the oyster part of the hogs. All participants appeared to be so happy as they sung beautiful spiritual and blues songs all day..
                                                           
                                                              Children will be children
     
     Generally, children did not separate themselves by class. We all played together.
 To us, we were as rich as the rich, at least considering the joys and pleasures that we had. Children and families shared food and other items without giving it a thought.  Also, there was a lot of bartering between individuals and families. For example: a cup of sugar for a cup of flour or a cup of meal for some butter.
   
                                                  Stalwart citizens from the community
    
     From the background I described, emerged some of the nicest and well known citizens in Suffolk and around the country.  Among the well known former South Suffolk residents are:

   Amanda Riddick - Rogers (retired teacher and current ambassador for the needy in Suffolk); Susan Harrell - Bennett (ESH'52 - class Salutatorian retired teacher, community activist and spouse of a City Councilman; as a child and youth, seemingly, Susan always had a book in her hands everywhere she went); Ella Porter - Ward ( ESH '64- class Valedictorian, retired teacher, community activist and elected politician in Chesapeake,VA); Frank Kahan (president of the East Suffolk HS Alumni Assoc); Lamont Strouters (former NBA basketball player and he is still active in volunteering a lot of time with youths in and around Suffolk); Johnnie Barnes (former NFL player); Sandra Jean Deloatch  (Norfolk State University official); Mary Sebron - Stevenson, Annie Felton, amd Marion Bemory Wright (retired  teachers and community activists); Lelia Bell - Manley (retired govt worker, teacher & activist) and Evelyn Horton - Jackson (retired teacher and well known musician). There are many, many more.
                                                           
                                                                          Conclusion

     In appearance, we may have looked poor, but inside we felt rich and had a good time. Yes, living in South Suffolk was a good experience.

     Poor? Oh no, not us. We lived a rich life, even if it was only in our mind.

 .

   
Copyright 2010 Grady E. Bryant, 2010

 Reissued January 3, 2013

Copyright 2013 Grady E. Bryant, Sr.

Baby Due Soon: Delivery one minute before midnight on December 31st can make a difference of $5,000 in tax refund (real money)

Article III, Vol 1

    Doc, can our baby be delivered at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2010 instead of 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 20l1? What difference does it make? Well, if the baby is born in 2011, you may get your picture and the baby's in the local newspaper - the baby could be recognized as the first born in the region for the new year.
That sounds good.
    This is the flip side. If the baby is born in 2010, before midnight, and the parent or married couple income is at a certain level, the family may qualify for the following:  (1). an additional dependent, (2) $1,000 child tax credit (credit is cash, not a deduction), and (3) possibly an additional $3,000 in earned income credit ( real money).  Then, when  the State taxes are considered, the parent(s) could possibly be receiving a greater tax savings.

    Come December 31st, a lot of doctors and their staff will be waiting until the clock strikes midnight and racing to see who can be the first to deliver a baby in the new year.
    In a virtual conversation recently, a father told me he wanted the doctor to move a little faster in the deliver process and deliver their new born on December 31 in 2009 - instead the doctor waited until one minute past midnight to deliver the baby.
    The father said that when the clock hand struck midnight and the baby had not been delivered, "all he could do was cry, cry, cry". Of course, he was happy for the new baby, but he was crying because the baby did not arrive 2 minutes earlier, which would have been before midnight.
    Here is a little insight according to IRS's tax guidelines for 2009: A qualified head of household, with income of $16,500 could possibly qualify for over $3,000 in Earned Income Credit with one child and over $5600 with three dependent children.
    Also, a married couple, filing jointly, with a combined income of $21,500, if determined qualified, received over $3,000 for one child and more than $5,600 with three, qualified, dependent children.
    Now, I'm not in the new baby delivery business. It is a joy whatever time the baby or babies arrives. That being said, I wonder, how many persons are willing to ask the doctor if the delivery could be in 2010, if possible, without any complications.?  Then again, in many cases, it may not really matter.
    Another thing to consider in the delivery process, is insurance. The year of deliver could determine how much out of pocket expenses the parent or parents have to pay. But that is another story.
    In conclusion, what a difference a minute can make. Perhaps, in some cases up to $5,000 in real money in tax refund or savings!

Disclaimer: This blog is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be a basis for anybody to form an opinion about medical, tax, or any other life matters. I suggest that readers consult a medical professional, accountant, or a legal advisor before acting on any information presented in this blog. All information contained in this blog is subject to be updated, modified, or amended at any time.

Grady E. Bryant, Sr.

Copyright 2010 Grady E. Bryant, Sr.  All Rights Reserved.
 

Language Barrier: Is it me, Ebonics, improper English or just what?

Article II, Vol 1

     First alert

 I have wrestled with this question for a long time. Growing up in Suffolk, Virginia I just knew I could speak proper English - because everybody told me so - including my teachers at East Suffolk High School. This opinion changed rapidly in the spring of my junior year. My English teacher, Mr. Herbert Briscoe, Jr. brought a tape recorder to class.  He recorded the presentation of the top five speakers. My speech drew a loud ovation. I went to my seat feeling real good.  What happen next had a profound effect on my life.  Mr. Briscoe played the tape. I could not believe that was me speaking. I heard words like "yeing, heing, ain't gat, ain't chu, them thare," and a whole lot of poor English or near English pronunciations.
 Because most of us spoke that way, I realized then and there that I had to be my own critic. Our teachers  put emphasis on writing correct English, but very little emphasis on speaking. Listening to that tape recording let me know how I sounded..I was not speaking Ebonics, but just plain improper English..

 Consequences

I started working on improving my speech.  I had a long way to go.
My first year from home, reality knocked on my door. I joined the Army in 1960. During basic training in Fort Jackson, my platoon sergeant came to my barrack and asked for a soldier who was out. I answered, "Heing helin (he is not here). Then he asked, "Do you have a broom I can borrow? I replied, "ain't gat nay one helin (do not have one here). The sergeant said, "Soldier I don't really know what you said, but I think I figured it out."
As he walked away, I mused, "He must have trouble understanding English."
     
Speech improved

When I went back to my hometown. Many of my friends, accused me of trying to speak proper. I told them that I thought that  I was suppose to speak proper. Anyway, it worked out.
Finally, I got it together and improved. My self improvement made a difference in my military, college, work, family, and social life.

Teachers awareness

Today, my childhood situation still exist with many young and old persons in Suffolk.Why? Well, for one thing, many of the teachers, write good English, but they are trapped in the web speaking English improperly. Often the teachers reply may be, "been talking like this all these years, ain't no need to change now."
So the beat goes on.

 Need parents & students involvement

 For a change to come, it is going to be up to the students, teachers, and parents to implement changes. Speaking correct English does make a difference in the world beyond Suffolk or whatever little or big town you live in.

Closing Statement

Well, as for me, after all these years, and several hundred published articles, reports and stories, my writing is still a work in progress. My speaking has improved, but I'm studying to improve in that category too.
   
 Note
  The East Suffolk High School Alumni Association is scheduled to meet monthly in Suffolk, VA
                               
 Revised publication (original published December 7, 2010)  This is a Pre-Edited Release

Copyright 2010 Grady E. Bryant, Sr.  All Rights Reserved.

Chemical Plants Near Your Home May Be Harmful

 Article I, Vol I

     Recently, a chemical plant on Dill Road in Suffolk,Virginia burned down. A picture of the burning plant was published in the Suffolk News Herald (12/07/09). When I saw that picture I immediately thought of  many of the people who lived near that plant who had died of cancer or suffered with cancer. I instantly thought of eight  cancer victims who died. Two sisters who lived within a 100 yards of the plant died at a very young age 2009. Then I thought of many more who became sick and remained sick for a long period of time.
    
     Did the chemical plant have anything to do with these people death and sickness?
    
     When this question was raised in the neighborhood, citizens advised me to just let it be-because they did not have anywhere else to go.  Sadly, this is the feeling among the citizens.  During the 30 plus years the plant was operating in the community, to my knowledge, no official protest of substance was ever lodged.
    
     A gentleman, who I know only as Nebo recalled that the fumes were noticeable in the 60s and 70s, but they were not as noticeable when the plant caught on fire.  The lack of smell does not mean the chemicals are not emitting into the air.Think of a cup of strong black coffee. Add cream and sugar and the taste is so much better. Similar, add some perfumes to the deadly chemicals and a person may not smell the chemicals at all as they emit into the air. Please understand, chemicals kill softly over a period of time. But they do kill.

    My suggestion is, if you grew up near a chemical plant you need to get checked out.  Don't take the city or county officials word that it is okay.  Generally, they are not going to say these plants are safe for the environment, without a qualifying word - such as "probably, maybe, or perhaps- to ease your mind.

    In summary, I recommend citizens come together and fight to keep chemical plants out of their neighborhoods.

    Need I say the neighborhoods that you will find chemical plants operating?

   
Copyrights 2010 Grady E. Bryant, Sr.  All Rights Reserved.