Author: Carma Henry

Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

       Humanity may be approaching one of the strangest crossroads in its history: authentic ignorance confronting artificial intelligence. Yet authentic ignorance must never be confused with stupidity, intellectual incapacity, or the absence of common sense. Authentic ignorance begins with the most consequential confession ever uttered by humankind: “I do not know.” But humanity seldom stopped there. What lies beyond the horizon? What are the stars? What causes disease? What resides inside the atom? What makes us human?

       Black Americans lived through Jim Crow and fought to make the ballot a right. Today, barriers can be harder to recognize: a polling place moves, a registration requirement changes, or a voter learns too late that the rules are different. Voting laws have changed in recent years, and polling locations can change between elections.

       In life, it can be easy to judge someone based on how they look, how they talk, where they come from, or the choices they make. But the truth is, we never truly know what someone else is going through. Judging people without knowing their story can be hurtful, unfair, and wrong.

Despite steady rain throughout the day, children and parents turned out to impressive numbers at the Carver Ranches Branch Library for a memorable community event hosted by West Park Commissioner Dr. Katrina Touchstone. For nearly four hours, families participated in reading activities, educational presentations, health and safety demonstrations, and community fellowship.

Eddie Duran, a former sheriff’s deputy from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, who shot and killed U.S. Airman Roger Fortson, a 23-year-old African American, is still headed for trial after a judge rejected his latest attempt to dismiss the manslaughter charge against him. The Sept. 11 ruling keeps the case on track for a Sept. 28 trial, although Duran’s attorneys plan to appeal and have also asked Judge William F. Stone to step aside.