Starting Off the New Year Right P.1 One Woman’s Opinion P.1

Remaining Optimistic During the Recession P.2 Where’s My Daddy P.3

Starting Off the New Year Right Starting Off the New Year Right Starting Off the New Year Right Starting Off the New Year Right

January 9 , 2010

ISSUE

23

VOL. 2

On January 8, 1967, Chair-

man of the House Educa-

tion and Welfare Commit-

tee, Rep. Adam Clayton

Powell Jr., was ousted from

his position after he has

charged with wrongfully

appropriating Congres-

sional funds, Powell ac-

cused his critics of racism.

On January 8, 1946, Coun-

tee Cullen, poet, died on

this date. Cullen was a

major contributor to the

“Harlem Renaissance.”

Cullen was a 42- year -old

French teacher at a Harlem

public school at the time of

his death.

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By Patrick A. Sellers, An Illinois Correspondent Patrick A. Sellers, An Illinois Correspondent Patrick A. Sellers, An Illinois Correspondent Patrick A. Sellers, An Illinois Correspondent for The Populace Now

A proud partner of the Public Broadcasting Service

Instead of holding on to these things, why not try forgiveness and reconcilia-tion? These are necessary if you plan to have any happi-ness or success in 2010. Forgiveness cleanses and purifies the spirit. It wipes your slate clean and pre-pares you to receive all the good will that is yours by “Divine Right.” Reconcilia-tion will naturally follow a decision to forgive.

Happy New Year!!!Happy New Year!!!Happy New Year!!!Happy New Year!!! From The Populace Now!From The Populace Now!From The Populace Now!From The Populace Now!

you deliberately feed your body garbage? No. Then why would you feed your sp i r i t w i th negat i ve thoughts, behaviors, resent-ments, etc.? Negativism is nothing more than garbage. Sure, some things are hard to let go. But I’m a firm be-liever in the fact that things are only as hard as we make them. If an individual wrongs you, remember that anger and resentment only hurts you. Often the person goes on their merry way, oblivious about how you’ve been affected.

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Many of us have made up our minds to carry over n e g a t i v e thoughts, be-

haviors, anger, resentment, jealousies and other de-structive forces. In time, these will hinder our pro-gress and damage our health. 2009 had its ups and downs. 2010 will be no different. So it is up to us to let go of the things that we can’t control and allow good to flow into our lives. Think of it this way: Would

One Woman’s OpinionOne Woman’s OpinionOne Woman’s OpinionOne Woman’s Opinion

E v e r y reader will agree, we live in a “live and let live” nation. That’s been the prevail-

ing attitude, maybe since the 60’s? It’s like: mind your business and I won’t bother yours. That said, let me say that interracial relationships (primarily involving black males and white females) are something I’ve been

aware of for a long time). It is only lately that the num-ber of interracial couples has accelerated to the point in America that it’s really gotten my attention. But since I’m neither Cu-pid nor a fortune teller, I’ve looked around and seen that in our “land of the free and home of the brave,” we seem to be getting further away from mymymymy ideal. In fact, so much mixing it up is go-ing on that it seems (in my little corner of the world—small town America) that

every other couple is interra-cial. When men and women of different races choose to be together, it’s as personal as it gets. And certainly no one else’s business. However, I can’t help but make a few comments, as a single black woman with opinions. I have a preference for meet-ing and marrying a fine hu-man being who happens to be “tall, dark, and hand-some,” to quote a famous

phrase. (Continued on the bottom of pg.4)(Continued on the bottom of pg.4)(Continued on the bottom of pg.4)(Continued on the bottom of pg.4)

By Bobbie Collins, An Illinois Correspondent Bobbie Collins, An Illinois Correspondent Bobbie Collins, An Illinois Correspondent Bobbie Collins, An Illinois Correspondent for The Populace Now

“A Minority Perspective”“A Minority Perspective”“A Minority Perspective”“A Minority Perspective”

Patrick A. SellersPatrick A. SellersPatrick A. SellersPatrick A. Sellers

Publisher

Bobbie CollinsBobbie CollinsBobbie CollinsBobbie Collins

Editor-In-Chief

Lee DixonLee DixonLee DixonLee Dixon

Webmaster

The Populace Now Volume 2 Issue 23 Page 2

Remaining Optimistic During the RecessionRemaining Optimistic During the RecessionRemaining Optimistic During the RecessionRemaining Optimistic During the Recession

less fortunate. There’s nothing more rewarding than showing compassion to others, especially when you realize

your circumstances could be worse.

Research shows families are finding joy partaking in free services such as museums and parks as well as play-ing games with family and friends, taking walks and other forms of exer-cise, reading, writing etc. Movie/date nights are spent at home instead of going out. Even movie rentals are thought through as many avoid some of the larger video establishments and opt to use the portable stands and

By Buffy Griffin, A North Carolina Correspondent Buffy Griffin, A North Carolina Correspondent Buffy Griffin, A North Carolina Correspondent Buffy Griffin, A North Carolina Correspondent for The Populace Now

As the recession con-tinues, many choose to face it by utilizing their ability to be posi-tive and create oppor-tunities of enjoyment for themselves and

others. Some have even managed to both increase their income and enlighten their hearts while coping with the current state of the economy

and personal financial challenges.

Many are volunteering/contributing to local and afar charities as much as they are able, providing help to those

online rentals at more affordable

prices.

Spending for others may not be at a complete halt but is certainly well planned before making purchases that can wait or possibly be unneces-sary. Even window shopping is a treat which is something I have always en-joyed and recently did while forming ideas and comparing prices before

purchasing some office furniture.

What better way to get through hard-

ships than to be helpful, hopeful and

positive in words and deeds!

One Woman’s OpinionOne Woman’s OpinionOne Woman’s OpinionOne Woman’s Opinion (Continued from pg.1)(Continued from pg.1)(Continued from pg.1)(Continued from pg.1)

I see brown men and brown women producing brown children and living happily ever after. This in part, has to do with black pride and awareness of the black culture’s sufferings and ori-gins. It also has to do with being a stu-dent of (and participant in) black his-tory. More on this next month. Observation of other races and their customs and preferences informs me that I am not the only person that iden-tifies strongly with color and back-ground. It just seems (and maybe I’m imagining this), that blacks are the only folks that people get sensitive about when racism, unfair treatment, and scarring prejudices are pointed out. And when interracial relations is the subject, many become defensive, and even angry when I (and others who share my views) want to see blacks marry blacks because of concerns that my race and heritage could someday disappear. With that question, I turned to my friend, social studies teacher Mr. Wil-liam Vann who explained to me that he

is from the Chicago area and is mar-ried to a woman who is very fair-skinned. Though his preference was for a black woman, he has a number of siblings who chose to marry outside the Negroid race. Mr. Vann addressed my concern about the possibility of our race disappearing by saying that it is not going to happen. He says that when our blood mixes with that of fairer races, particularly those of Euro-pean descent, the skin remains that of a “person of color.” That the black genes dominate, always. He cited the writings of Christopher Columbus (yes, thatthatthatthat one): “The natives are neither light nor dark. And look like the people from the Canary Islands.” (the Canary Is-lands are Spanish-controlled islands off the shores of Northwest Africa). This leads us to believe that Columbus categorized the people he observed as multi-racial as early as 1492. EVERYTHING one is thinking does not need to be shared with others. Be-cause our stated emotions and feel-ings can unnecessarily offend others. Offending should be left to those who’ve carefully chosen their battle and deemed that battle worthy of of-

fense. (Can I get an Amen? ☺) But I am a communicator and love all peo-ple. And it is my hope in this and other future The Populace Now (TPN) arti-cles, to share and show that I care. To share and get your feedback. And to share without compromise so that gen-eral human understanding is reached. Let me conclude: My gripe is not with those who meet, fall in love and marry. Again, it’s your business who you date. My problem is with those who look and choose based on a lustful, self-serving attitude that then produces children who may not identify at all with their African-American roots and may be confused about who they really are. It is clear that some men and women pursue someone of another race for sexual favors (or as one movie called it, a “booty call”), material gain or com-munity status. And that should be un-acceptable to anyanyanyany member of the hu-

man race.

Volume 2 Issue 23 The Populace Now Page 3

By Jim Neusom, A California Correspondent, Jim Neusom, A California Correspondent, Jim Neusom, A California Correspondent, Jim Neusom, A California Correspondent, for The Populace Now

As you can imagine, it caught me totally off guard. The reason that I raise the issue, is to give hope to fa-thers who have lost their children and to

children who are in search of their

parents.

There has been a lot of talk lately about the lack of two-parent families in the Black (meaning the descen-dents of American slaves) commu-nity. Some would like you to think that Black men are just baby-making machines, not fathers. That our com-munity lacks family values…don’t believe the hype! There are many reasons why Black families are sepa-rated in our society (some legitimate

and some not).

As a believer and supporter of the Black family being the greatest power on earth...I want to tell you a story about a 17-year old poor, Black girl out of Meridian Mississippi and her beautiful, resilient, determined daughter, who kept asking the ques-

tion…Where’s My Daddy?

I was in the Navy and stationed in the South during the 70's. There I met an intoxicatingly, gorgeous, young sister. We fell in love and spent a magical summer together. Then I was shipped off to the Far East, never to be seen or heard from again. I didn’t know when I left that

she was pregnant with my child.

Her family (having warned her about the dangers of dating sailors) disowned her. She was left alone to fend for herself with a baby and no support, no education, and no hope. Being the strong Black women that she was (even as a child), she picked herself up, got a job, enrolled in night school and moved on with

her life.

Some 35 years later that aban-d o n e d y o u n g woman became a college counselor in North Carolina, earned two Master’s Degrees, married and now has two grown and gone kids, a true Ameri-can success story. Overcoming racism, sexism, poverty, and life struggles, she

made it.

Having attained a productive career, loving family, and material wealth, she had put her past behind her. But her daughter hadn't. He r d augh t e r , e ve n a s an adult...wanted to know, Where’s My

Daddy?

Being raised in small town Missis-sippi, my daughter had experienced all the pains of illegitimacy. So she was constantly searching for her father. There was a hole in her life. Her bond with her mother was strong but the

relationship was turbulent.

No one seemed to care what hap-pened to my daughter; get over it, move on. This was the constant advice from family and friends. But she could not let it go. This naturally caused is-sues in her life. She was married twice and gave birth to two boys. Yet some-thing was still missing and could not fill that hole in her life. Her mother tried, her maternal grandparents tried, the men in her life tried, but nobody could locate Seamen James I Neusom, US

Navy.

They wrote letters all the way up the

chain of command to the Secretary of the Navy. No success. What no-body knew, was that my military records, were mysteriously lost after I participated in racial unrest activity (some called it a mutiny)

aboard the USS Ranger.

As a journalist, promoter, and on-air personality for Armed Forces Radio and Television (AFRTS), I was constantly on the move. My duties included, traveling from one mili-tary base to another, organizing events and entertaining Black troops. You name any major city in Asia…and I was there. Once I left the military, I went back overseas for another 10 years producing my own shows, and trying to break into the entertainment industry. Like most entertainers and radio per-sonalities, I went by many stage names; Jimmy Gunn, Rev. Funk,

Master J…I was not easy to find.

The smartness of my daughter

was underestimated.

(Continued on pg.4)(Continued on pg.4)(Continued on pg.4)(Continued on pg.4)

Where’s My DaddyWhere’s My DaddyWhere’s My DaddyWhere’s My Daddy

Journalist Jim Neusom pictured here with daughter

Shanin

Words cannot illustrate how I felt at that moment or how proud I am of the both of them, their achievements, their struggles, and their bond with one an-other. As the shock of unexpected fatherhood wears off, I write this story today for more than one reason. Maybe it’s just because I’m a writer and I feel this story of my child’s per-sistence and tenacity has to be told. And maybe the pride of a father moti-

vates me to write you today.

For all the sisters and brothers out there still searching, longing and won-dering about their missing father, mother, son or daughter, don’t give up the struggle. There is hope. And one day, with persistence, you too will find

your loved one.

(Continued from pg.3)(Continued from pg.3)(Continued from pg.3)(Continued from pg.3)

In the 70’s conducted random searches for me. Calling anyone and everyone with the last name Neusom and the spelling variations thereof. Then years later, she got a gut feeling about a profile she found on the

World Wide Web.

He’s from Los Angeles, Lived in Ha-waii, about the right age, has small

eyes, and was in the Navy,

She made a long distance phone call. More out of routine then with any

hope that this was a valuable clue.

After 20 questions, that all ended with yes…her heart jumped into her throat. There was a trembling in her voice as she struggled to utter the words she had dreamed of all her life.

“I know this will come as a surprise, and I don’t want anything, but…I’m your daughter!” The voice on the other end of the line was silent. After what seemed like an eternity, I asked “And

what makes you think that?”

She began to cry as she told me about her mother. Then she repeated a key story her mother had told her all her life. “You had three pieces of glass in your face from an automobile accident when you were 18. Silence on my end again. Then I thought to ask, “Can your mother be contacted? She immediately dialed her mother via the convenience of three-way calling. After the initial shock of hearing who was on the line…her mother somehow uttered the greeting, “Hi Jimmy!” and the confirmation, “This

isisisis your daughter, Shanin.”

Where’s My Daddy Where’s My Daddy Where’s My Daddy Where’s My Daddy

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With Hillary Clinton”