Author: Carma Henry

  I’ve been writing editorial and opinion columns for most of my life. My writing longevity has endured because I’m smart enough to know to stay away from writing about “hair” and “religion”.

      Americans need to take time and regroup before the world’s most powerful Country with the greatest Democracy self-destruct. Democrats in a cavalier manner characterizes Democracy as being messy whenever in fighting causes them to quarrel rather than comprise. Republicans’ use Democracy as a political weapon to take control of government at the state and national levels by means of party dominance.

     Across the country, Republican state legislators have been busy imposing new voting restrictions and devising corrupt redistricting schemes to give their party more power than they could win under a fair system. Republicans in the U.S. Senate protected that wrongdoing again in October by using filibuster rules to stop federal voting rights legislation from coming up for debate. This is political obstruction of justice, and President Joe Biden and Senate Democrats must not allow it to stand. 

     Previous years’ conferences on climate change have been toothless agreement that has resulted in the lip-service Kyoto Protocol (1997) and the Paris Agreement (2016). This year’s conference, known as COP26, is scheduled to take place on November 1-12 in Glasgow, Scotland.

“The USDA has a documented history of discriminating against Black people and communities of color. The federal government’s attempt to rectify this injustice should be applauded, not stopped,” said Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “If this critical assistance is not provided soon, Black farmers and other farmers of color who have struggled to overcome decades of discrimination and the economic impacts of the global pandemic will face the threat of losing their land and their livelihoods.” — Greene County Democrat

     Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County recently received a $30,000 grant from Truist Foundation to support the agency’s powerful mission of igniting the power and promise of youth through one-to-one mentoring relationships. The funding from the Truist grant is dedicated to enhancing technology at the nonprofit, strengthening long-term sustainability to continue its mission for years to come.

     During November, many in the northeastern state have vowed to recognize Black history and cultural awareness ahead of the nationwide observance of Black Consciousness Day on November 20.

    The setup for this shoot ’em up started with the 2013 short film They Die by Dawn, the brainchild of Jeymes Samuel, aka “The Bullitts.” He’s a British singer-songwriter, producer and writer/director who is also the brother of the Grammy Award-winning musician Seal. In the past, Samuel would make films to accompany his album releases. They Die… fits that pattern and featured Western characters based on real people: Nat Love, played by Michael K. Williams and Stagecoach Mary portrayed by Erykah Badu. Eight years later, after a perfect gestation period, The Harder They Fall comes to theaters and Netflix and its genius is no fluke. It’s been nurtured by Samuel and co-writer Boaz Yakin (Remember the Titans) who’ve thoughtfully created a wild West tale of biblical proportions with a new cast and additional characters.

Legendary poet, musician and author Gil Scott-Heron will be inducted posthumously in the “Early Influencer” category among the 2021 class of inductees at the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held October 30th at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, Ohio. Scott-Heron, who died in 2011, will be represented by family at the ceremony. “We are thrilled by this honor,” said Rumal Rackley, Scott-Heron’s son and Administrator of his estate.

     Ali Cultural Arts Center is thrilled to welcome The Melton Mustafa Orchestra to the stunning outdoor covered courtyard venue in Pompano Beach. The orchestra, started by the late Grammy® Award-winning artist Melton Mustafa, is now led by his son, Melton Mustafa, Jr., a renowned saxophone player. The orchestra is the only African American-led 18-piece jazz big band in South Florida. The concert is Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available at www.pompanobeacharts.org. Food and beverages will also be on sale.