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

       Rats, in the literal sense, are creatures that infest, gnaw, and devour. They leave destruction in their wake, spreading disease and chaos. Metaphorically, R.A.T.S. infest our society with behaviors and attitudes that breed division, hatred, and inequity. They force financial collapse, annihilate unity, and devastate entire communities. But worse than material destruction, they destroy the human spirit—they destroy dreams.

       Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s fourth and final book was published in 1967 after a decade of activism that led to the enactment of federal laws on civil rights (1964), and voting rights (1965).  Despite notable and significant victories, he wrote of the unfinished journey that America still faced, and was morally-bound to pursue.

       The article you are about to read had its origins at my friend, Dr. Augusta Clark’s house, located in the very community, Carver Ranches, the primary focus of this piece. My college teammate, Thomas Ballard, and I have developed a lasting friendship with Dr. Clark or Gussie as she is affectionately known by many. When she comes home, it is a foregone conclusion that we have lunch together while simultaneously taking a nostalgic peak down memory lane as Broward educators, Gussie and Ballard at Hollywood Hills and I at South Plantation. It was following one of those gatherings that I had the privilege of meeting Audrey Warren, the creator and founder of The Legacy Ball 2024. As an occasional contributing columnist and sports editor with the Westside Gazette, Broward County’s oldest African American owned newspaper, I was extended an invitation to both attend and cover this auspicious event, honoring the legacy of the Carver Ranches pioneers while celebrating the current beneficiaries and their continuing, impactful contributions to and on this amazing community. In addition, I met Ms. Cynthia Strachan-Saunders, a multi-talented singer, author, historian and founder of the Bowles-Strachan House. Immediately I recognized the passion and commitment deeply held by these phenomenal women for their beloved Carver Ranches community.

       Anytime a natural disaster occurs, it is normal for those of us outside of the zone of impact to be moved with compassion for those who are coping with the devastating effects of the latest fire or storm, and while I joined the chorus of millions by using my Facebook platform to check on my family members and friends living in Southern California yesterday, while most noted that they were “safe” from harm, several close friends that I met during our collegiate years—each hailing from the Pasadena/Altadena areas in California—indicated via social media that their homes and hometowns were being razed in real time .