Atlanta Dream Suffer Heartbreaking Loss to Washington Mystics in Crucial Playoff Showdown

Atlanta, GA – September 14, 2024

By Milton Kirby

In a dramatic Friday night matchup, the Atlanta Dream faced off against the Washington Mystics at Gateway Center Arena with a crucial playoff spot on the line. Despite a strong performance from the Dream, they fell short in a heart-stopping 72-69 final.

The Dream, who have relied on the starting lineup of Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, and Tina Charles for much of the season, came out strong in the opening quarter. Their offense quickly established a 4-0 lead, with Canada leading the transition game and finding Hillmon to secure an early 9-5 advantage. This prompted the Mystics to call their first timeout.

Atlanta’s dominance in the paint was evident, as they scored six of their first nine points from inside. The Dream ended the quarter with a 15-5 run, fueled by Howard’s impressive performance, including six points, two steals, one assist, and one block. Howard’s assist to Gray also marked a milestone, moving her up to sixth on the Dream’s All-Time Assists List. By the end of the first quarter, the Dream led 20-14, having outscored the Mystics in points in the paint (12-8), second-chance points (4-0), and fast break points (7-2).

Gray finished with a team-high 17 points and 10 rebounds as the game progressed, earning her ninth career double-double. Hillmon also recorded a double-double, contributing 10 points and 11 rebounds, which was her first of the season. Additionally, Tina Charles set a new franchise record for the most rebounds in a single season, surpassing Érika de Souza’s previous record of 337. Charles achieved this milestone with her third rebound of the night and ended the game with 13 points and five rebounds, bringing her season total to 340.

Video courtesy of the Atlanta Dream

Despite these individual achievements and a strong start, the Dream couldn’t hold off the Mystics, who ultimately secured the win. The defeat was a tough blow for Atlanta, as they now face a challenging road to the playoffs.

The Dream have three games remaining in the regular season: they will play the Mystics again on Sunday, September 15, at Washington’s home court, followed by a matchup against Chicago at Gateway Center Arena on Tuesday, September 17, and concluding with a final regular season game in New York against Lynx on Thursday, September 19.

While New York has already clinched a playoff berth and is playing for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, Chicago and Washington are still fighting for their playoff positions.

The WNBA Boom Came with an Ugly Side. It Just Burst into the Open.

By Rachel Bachman – The Wall Street Journal

From the moment she entered the WNBA, Caitlin Clark has helped boost TV audiences, grow attendance and vault the league into the sports mainstream. The most-watched games have featured Clark’s Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese—rivals since they faced off in the 2023 NCAA women’s championship game.

But as the WNBA surged this year, an undercurrent of ugly discourse has circulated between followers of Clark, who is white, and Reese and many of the rest of the league’s players, who are Black. Players have received racist abuse online, physical intimidation and even death threats.

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

The issue burst into the open Tuesday, when WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was asked during a TV interview about her efforts to curb social-media discourse that takes a “more menacing” tone regarding players’ race or sexuality. Engelbert responded that this season is the WNBA’s Larry Bird-Magic Johnson breakout moment and advised those being targeted to simply ignore the abuse.

The reaction from the players was swift. Several posted on social media or gave interviews criticizing Engelbert’s comments.

“This is not about rivalries or iconic personalities,” the WNBA Players Association posted on X. “Racism, and the toll it takes on everyone, is NEVER tolerable, let alone justifiable, in the name of economic growth.”

On Friday morning, in response to the fallout, Engelbert sent an apology to all of the league’s players. In the letter, reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, she wrote: “I was asked a question about WNBA rivalries and the dark side of social media and race and simply put, my answer missed the mark and I’m sorry.”

She continued: “I regret that I didn’t express, in a clear and definitive way, condemnation of the hateful speech that is all too often directed at WNBA players on social media. This is a teachable moment and one that I embrace with humility.”

Engelbert pledged that the league would be swift in denouncing racism, misogyny and homophobia, would continue providing mental-health resources and would listen to its players.

Players have long received sexist barbs from the public, said Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm forward and president of the players’ association. But this season has brought a surge in racially motivated abuse, she said, adding that she has experienced it herself.

“Players have had to shut down their (social-media) accounts,” she said. “Players have had to be escorted away from certain high-concentrated fan environments.”

Reese, who recently suffered a season-ending injury, said on a podcast that she had received death threats and even been followed home.

Ogwumike spoke with Engelbert on Thursday and said, “We’re looking to move forward together. I encouraged her, you know, to develop that personal relationship with players, to maybe understand our lived experiences and, in fact, help the league grow bigger and better.”

This season, the league instituted league-wide charter flights for every game. In one incident last season, a man shouted at and filmed WNBA star Brittney Griner as she and the Phoenix Mercury traveled through a commercial airport.

The league also requires teams to include security in their travel parties and in arenas, and has security representatives in each market and at all games.

Audiences for the WNBA on ESPN networks have jumped 170% this season, to an average of 1.2 million per game. The WNBA playoffs begin Sept. 22.

Write to Rachel Bachman at Rachel.Bachman@wsj.com

Taylor Swift endorses VP Kamala Harris for President of the United States

By Milton Kirby – Atlanta, GA – September 11, 2024

Shortly after the 2024 Presidential Debate, hosted by ABC News, Taylor Swift announced on her official Instagram Page that she would be voting for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. As of our writing today, her post has received 8.5 million likes.

In her post Taylor said, “Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most. As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country,” Swift wrote on Instagram, shortly after the conclusion of Harris’ debate with former President Donald Trump, her Republican rival, on ABC News.

“Recently, I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth. I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election.”

Swift also said she was “so heartened and impressed” by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz being chosen as Harris’ running mate, adding that he “has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.”

Swift concluded her post by encouraging fans to register to vote and to vote early if they can, saying she would share links in her Instagram story on how to do so.

She signed off her post with her name and “Childless Cat Lady” — a callback to a 2021 comment from Sen. JD Vance, in which he smeared Harris and other Democrats for not having biological children, and a reference to her owning three cats.

Swift released her debut album, “Taylor Swift,” on October 24, 2006, under the Big Machine Records imprint. She has since been awarded 14 Grammys from 52 nominations. Swift wrote her third album all by herself and released it when she was 20 years old. It marked her transition into more of a pop sound, though you can still hear the country influence. The album sold 1 million copies in the U.S. in its first week, ultimately going platinum six times.

Taylor is one of the most prolific and influential recording artists currently recording and performing.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Face Off in Fiery Presidential Debate

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clashed in a heated debate, highlighting their differing visions for America’s future, with Harris emphasizing her plans for economic recovery and social policy.

By Milton Kirby – Philadelphia, PA – September 11, 2024

With just 56 days remaining before the November 5, 2024, election, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clashed in what is expected to be their only face-to-face debate of the 2024 campaign season. The debate, held in Philadelphia, was a heated exchange filled with policy proposals, personal jabs, and contentious moments that highlighted their starkly different visions for America’s future.

The debate quickly turned combative, with Trump repeating false claims about the 2020 election results, immigration, and abortion. Harris, in contrast, appeared calm and composed, emphasizing her plans for economic recovery, and social policy.

Regarding immigration, Harris pointed out that the former President killed a bipartisan immigration legislation that would have provided needed resources at the border and more restrictive border and immigration policies by personally calling on several members of Congress.

At the onset, Harris said, “You are going to hear from the same old tired playbook, a bunch of lies, grievances, and name-calling. What you are going to hear tonight is a detailed and dangerous plan called Project 2025 that the former president intends on implementing if he gets elected again. I believe very strongly that the American people want a president who understands the importance of bringing us together. We have so much more in common than what separates us. I pledge to you to be a President for all Americans.”

For his part, Mr. Trump said, “Number one, I have nothing to do with it as you know, and she knows better than anyone, I have nothing to do with Project 2025. That’s out there, I haven’t read it, I don’t want to read it purposely, I am not going to read it. This is a group of people that got together. They came up with some ideas, I guess some good, some bad, but it makes no difference. I have nothing to do with it; everybody knows that I am an open book. Everybody knows what I am going to do; I will cut taxes substantially and create a great economy like I did before.”

Policy Proposals and Clashes

During the debate, Harris outlined her policy priorities, including tax breaks for small businesses and parents and a proposal for a first-time homebuyer credit to assist with down payments. Repeatedly declaring, “I have a plan,” Harris sought to contrast her approach with Trump, who referred to his own agenda as having “concepts of a plan,” particularly when questioned about replacing the Affordable Care Act.

Harris’s stance on energy policy also came under scrutiny, with the Vice President explaining her moderated position on fracking, stating, “My position is that we have got to invest in diverse sources of energy, so we reduce our reliance on foreign oil.”

Trump, meanwhile, sidestepped a direct question about whether he wanted Ukraine to win its war against Russia, instead pivoting to criticize Harris’s policy shifts and accusing her of adopting his own political philosophy. “Everything that she believed three years ago and four years ago is out the window—she’s gone to my philosophy now,” Trump claimed while warning that Harris’s election would mean “the end of our country” and labeling her a “Marxist.”

Personal Attacks and Heated Exchanges

The debate also saw Harris directly attack Trump, accusing him of being a poor businessman who inherited $400 million “on a silver platter and then filed for bankruptcy six times” and highlighting that he was “fired by 81 million people” in the 2020 election. Harris took aim at the enthusiasm of Trump’s supporters, quipping that attendees at his rallies “leave early out of exhaustion and boredom.”

Trump, not one to shy away from personal attacks, responded with a quip reminiscent of Harris’s famous line from the 2020 vice-presidential debate, “Wait a minute, I’m talking now if you don’t mind. Please.”

Contentious Moments on Afghanistan and Democracy

The debate also revisited the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. When asked whether she bore any responsibility for the manner of the withdrawal, Harris defended the decision to pull out, stating, “I agreed with President Biden’s decision to pull out of Afghanistan. Four presidents said they would, and Joe Biden did.” However, she did not directly address whether she felt accountable for the 13 U.S. service members killed in a terrorist attack during the withdrawal nor for the U.S. equipment left behind. Harris noted that the Trump administration had previously negotiated a weak deal with the terrorist organization the Taliban circumventing the Afghanistan government.

Trump seized on the issue, criticizing the withdrawal as “disastrous” and blaming the Biden administration for the chaos and loss of American lives. He also reiterated his longstanding claim that he is not a threat to democracy, stating, “They talk about democracy—I’m a threat to democracy. They’re the threat to democracy with the fake Russia, Russia, Russia investigation that went nowhere.”

Looking Ahead to November 5

With the November 5 election approaching, the debate underscored the high stakes of the 2024 race and the deep divisions within the electorate. As the only direct confrontation between the two candidates, it provided voters with a rare opportunity to see Harris and Trump challenge each other on stage and articulate their contrasting visions for the country’s future.

The outcome of this heated exchange and its impact on the election will unfold in the coming weeks as both campaigns make their final push toward Election Day.

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NC Republicans seek a voter purge that would violate federal law

North Carolina Republicans are suing to remove 225,000 voters from the state rolls, citing alleged registration form errors, but the State Board of Elections claims federal law prohibits such removals so close to the election.

By: Lynn Bonner – NC Newsline – August 27, 2024 

Republicans want the courts to kick 225,000 voters off the North Carolina rolls by the end of next week. 

The North Carolina Republican Party and the Republican National Committee said in a lawsuit filed Monday in Wake County that the State Board of Elections failed to act when resident Carol Snow complained about violations of a federal law called the Help America Vote Act. Snow said the state had used registration forms that failed to require a driver’s license number or the last four digits of a Social Security number. 

Republicans and far-right groups are seeking voter purges in states around the country, including the swing states of Arizona and Pennsylvania. 

In an email, state Board of Elections spokesman Pat Gannon said the lawsuit asks the impossible. Federal law prohibits removing voters so close to the election, he said. 

“Despite being aware of their alleged claims months ago, the plaintiffs have waited until two weeks before the start of voting to seek a court-ordered program to remove thousands of existing registered voters. Federal law itself prevents such removal programs if they take place after the 90th day before a federal election, which was August 7. So, the lawsuit is asking for a rapid-fire voter removal program that violates federal law.”

This is the second lawsuit Republicans have filed against the state Board of Elections in less than a week.  

Snow has made several claims about inaccurate voter rolls this year, telling the state board that registration lists are not adequately maintained. Snow belongs to a group called NC Audit Force. 

“Defendants’ failure to require necessary HAVA identification information before processing and accepting hundreds of thousands of voter registration forms allowed untold numbers of ineligible voters to register. Now, those ineligible voters could vote in the upcoming November 5, 2024 election and beyond,” the GOP lawsuit says. 

If the elections board can’t purge the voters, Republicans want the court to make voters who did not provide the required documents when they registered to cast provisional ballots. Those ballots would be counted only after the elections board received and verified the necessary information.

Gannon wrote that the lawsuit dramatically overstates alleged problems with voter registrations. 

“The lawsuit also misunderstands the data and vastly overstates any alleged problems with voter registrations,” he said. “If a voter does not have a driver’s license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number populated in the voter registration database, that does not necessarily mean that they were allowed to register improperly.”

Voters who did not provide driver’s license or Social Security information with their registration will still be asked for photo ID when they vote, Gannon said.

Ann Webb, policy director at Common Cause NC, called the lawsuit “meritless and dangerous.”

It is not designed to fix a real problem, Webb said in a statement, but to “spread disinformation that undermines public confidence in our elections while fomenting anti-immigrant hate. If the self-serving politicians behind this suit get their way, hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians could have their voter registration unfairly thrown out in direct violation of federal law.”

In a statement issued Tuesday morning,  state House Democratic Leader Robert Reives blasted the lawsuit as part of an ongoing GOP strategy to use “intimidation, chaos and even outright disenfranchisement” to limit voting rights.

“The same folks who try to rig our legislative and congressional elections with gerrymandered maps now want to rig our statewide elections by purging hundreds of thousands of voters from the voting rolls just weeks before a presidential election,” Reives said.

James Earl Jones, Iconic Voice of Film and Stage Passes Away at 93

James Earl Jones passed away on September 9, 2024, at 93, leaving behind a legacy of iconic roles, including Darth Vader and Mufasa, and a voice that defined a generation of cinema and theater

By Milton Kirby – Pawling, NY – September 10, 2024

James Earl Jones, the actor whose voice was known around the world, went silent on Monday, September 9, 2024 he was 93.

Over a career spanning more than six decades, Jones became a towering figure in American entertainment. He starred in an array of memorable films, including Coming to America, Field of Dreams, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Clear and Present Danger, Claudine, and The Hunt for Red October. He was widely celebrated for his versatility and talent, described as “one of America’s most distinguished and versatile” actors, and often hailed as “one of the greatest actors in American history.”

Jones amassed nearly 200 screen credits throughout his prolific career and received numerous awards and honors. He won three Tony Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Daytime Emmy, and a Grammy Award. Jones was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1985 and was honored with the National Medal of Arts in 1992, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2009, and an Honorary Academy Award in 2011.

Jones’s distinctive, commanding voice has resonated across generations and continents. To Star Wars fans, he will forever be remembered as the voice of Darth Vader, and to millions of children, he is Mufasa, the wise lion king from Disney’s The Lion King.

He achieved the rare distinction of an EGOT, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony—though his Academy Award was honorary. His Grammy came in 1977 for a spoken-word recording “Great American Documents,” adding another dimension to his multifaceted career.

Jones made his Broadway debut in 1958 in the play Sunrise at Campobello at the Cort Theatre, which has since been renamed in his honor as the James Earl Jones Theatre. Originally built by John Cort, a former vaudeville performer turned theatrical manager, the theatre became part of the Shubert Organization in 1927. It stands today as a testament to Jones’s enduring legacy in the world of theater.

James Earl Jones visits for the first time the theatre that bears his name in 2022

At the time of his passing, Mr. Jones resided in Pawling, New York, where he lived quietly in the later years of his life.

Jones leaves behind a legacy not only of memorable performances and iconic roles but also of a voice that, for many, defined a generation of cinema and theater. He will be deeply missed but remembered for his monumental contributions to the arts.

White Wealth and Privilege Unveiled: 19-Year-Old African American PFC Robert Lee Scott Was Killed in Vietnam While Draft-Dodging Donald “Bone Spurs” Trump Ascended to the U.S. Presidency

a personal reflection on the Vietnam War and its impact on a family, particularly the author’s cousin, PFC Robert Lee Scott, who was killed in 1968.

By Lola “C.R.T.”  Renegade 

Critical Race Truths

After fifty-six years, I still remember my daddy coming into the dilapidated shack we called home in Redwood, Mississippi, and delivering the heartbreaking news to Mama: “ Darlin’, Pat and Minnie’s boy got killed in ‘Nam!”  He was referring to Army PFC Robert Lee Scott who was not only a casualty of war abroad, but also a victim of the racism, poverty, and injustice of the still-confederate Jim Crow-Mississippi at home.  Robert began his tour of duty on August 28, 1968. Just fifteen days later, on September 11th —one day before his 20th birthday—he was killed in Quang Tin Province, 9,133 miles from the Ballground Plantation in Redwood, where he had grown up. 

Redwood is part of the Vicksburg Micropolitan Statistical Area and is located near the junction of U.S. Route 61 and Mississippi Highway 3.  It is approximately 10 miles north of Vicksburg, a city made famous by the Battle of Vicksburg, which marked a critical turning point in favor of the Union Army during the Civil War..

Robert’s parents worked on the plantation – Mr. Pat drove tractors, and Ms. Minnie worked as a domestic in the homes of the white people who claimed the land – the Simralls.  African Americans who lived in this rural part of the Delta were a close-knit community, equally steeped in poverty, inequality, and a searing belief in God.

All of us remembered when Robert was drafted, went off to Vietnam, and returned home in a flag-draped coffin and a Purple Heart. Though I was eleven at the time, the vision of Robert’s young wife pregnant at his funeral with their first child will always be with me.  Robert is buried in the cemetery at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, up Highway 3.  I still visit his grave when I am there paying respect to my parents, other relatives, and extended family members who are long gone.

PFC Robert Lee Scott’s name is etched on Panel/Line:  44W/29 of the Vietnam War Memorial.  He is sandwiched between 20-year-old Marine Corps PFC Billy J. Scott, an African American from Cincinnati, Ohio, killed in Quang Nam Province, and 21-year-old Marine Corps CPL William Slade from Greensboro, North Carolina, killed in Quang Tri Province, also an African American.  A total of sixty-three were killed in battle that day–on September 11th –many of them barely twenty years old.  Among this group were eleven African Americans and four Latinos – more than 23% young men of color.

While searching the Wall, I came across another young African American man with the same name,  Marine PFC Robert Lee Scott.  He was killed nine months before “our” Robert.  A resident of Houma, Louisiana, he was sacrificed in Vietnam on January 26, 1968, just twenty-three days after his 20th birthday—in Lam Xuan Cua Viet River Sector, South Vietnam, Quang Tri province, 9,016 miles from home.

Nearly 60,000 Americans perished in Vietnam.  Draft-dodger Trump has labeled these fallen soldiers “suckers and losers.” It was during his presidency that he made these disparaging remarks.  His father used his influence to obtain a medical deferment, citing bone spurs as the diagnosis.  This practice was common among wealthy white elites who avoided the draft while the poor – both whites and minorities – were served up as cannon fodder in foreign lands all under the pretext of defending democracy.  Meanwhile, the privileged lived their hedonistic lifestyles neck-deep in the blood of the fallen.

While both Robert Lee Scotts were tragically killed in Vietnam, Donald “Bone Spurs” Trump, was shielded by his wealth and white skin.  He evaded the draft and lived a life of ruthless excess.  Dodging the draft allowed him to revel in a life of decadence – amassing fortunes, partying with pedophiles, traveling the world, skiing the slopes, playing endless games of golf, discriminating against people of color, demanding the death penalty of five innocent young men of color (Central Park Five), bankrupting businesses at least six times, stealing from his charity resulting in the State of New York shutting it down, creating a scam university for personal profit, sexually assaulting women and bragging about it, sexing up a porn star and Playboy bunny while married, hating immigrants unless they are from European countries or he is married to them, marrying three times (twice to immigrants), fathering four anchor babies plus one other non-anchor, overtly lying and cheating in every facet of his life without consequences.

Trump was gifted a “reality” television show, The Apprentice, that propelled him to fame and, ultimately, the U.S. presidency in 2016.  While running for president, he became the leader of a domestic extremist group (MAGA) and incited an insurrection to overturn the 2020 election when he lost his bid for re-election.  Trump and his gang attempted to disenfranchise voters in battleground states, demanded secretaries of states to “find votes” to overthrow outcomes not in his favor.     

During his tenure as president, he ended women’s reproductive healthcare, stole classified documents from the White House, destroyed government documents, appointed many grossly incompetent loyalists, withheld funding from Ukraine for a personal favor, courted dictators, flagrantly mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in the death of hundreds of thousands of American citizens.

Now, as a convicted felon facing 34 counts with more trials to come, and as a twice-impeached former president, Trump is once again running for president. His goal is, more than likely, to evade prison, erase all the charges against him, exploit the country’s Treasury for himself, his family and wealthy supporters, and further downgrade America into a third-world dictatorship. The list of his dastardly deeds goes on into infinity giving credence as to why Trump should not be allowed back on Pennsylvania Avenue or any close proximity to the White House. 

In stark contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris is running for president against Trump. She presents a career marked by a commitment to public service and a track record of legal and legislative accomplishments. Before becoming Vice President, Harris served as a U.S. Senator, Attorney General of California, and District Attorney of San Francisco. In her various capacities she has championed progressive causes and worked on a range of national issues, including healthcare reform, criminal justice reform, fair housing, environmental justice, consumer protection, and economic inequality. Her campaign for the presidency represents a continuation of her commitment to public service, aiming to build on the progress made during the Biden-Harris Administration. Unlike Trump, Harris is a non-felon with a career dedicated to making America great.

America will never truly be the greatest country in the world as long as 45% of its voting citizens continue to support, embrace, and elect the likes of Donald Trump.  They are intent on turning America into a kleptocratic kakistocracy, run by racists,  misogynists and plutocrats.  This historical and deep-seated flaw will forever be America’s greatest weakness and its ultimate undoing.

At 67, I have more years behind me than ahead, and I have worked for over forty years to make America a better place by embracing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Beloved Community.  I am reminded of another fellow Mississippian and advocate for social justice, Fannie Lou Hamer.  She endured decades of racism, inequality, violence and eviction from her home for registering herself and others to vote and suffered a non-consensual sterilization—commonly known as a Mississippi appendectomy.  In 1964, in her testimony before the Credentials Committee at the Democratic National Convention, Ms. Hamer asked a poignant question:

 “Is this America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, where we have to sleep with our telephones off the hook because our lives are threatened daily, simply for wanting to live as decent human beings, in America?”

On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, sixty years later, we will answer Ms. Hamer’s question and send a powerful message to the world about who America truly is. When Vice President Kamala Harris is elected President, we can finally tell PFC Robert Lee Scott and countless others who sacrificed their lives for democracy that their deaths were not in vain. 

#where-truth-is-never-a-theory

Round Top, Texas: Small Town, Big Impact

Round Top, Texas: A small town with a big presence, hosting the biannual Round Top Antiques Fair, a world-renowned music institute, and historic landmarks, attracting over 500,000 visitors during its major events.

By Milton Kirby – Round Top, TX – September 8, 2024

Tucked away in Fayette County, Texas, halfway between Austin and Houston, lies Round Top; one of the smallest incorporated towns in the state, with a population of just 87. Despite its size, Round Top is a powerhouse, drawing visitors worldwide for its famous biannual antiques fair.

Since its inception in 1968, the Round Top Antiques Fair has grown into one of the largest and most prestigious events of its kind in the United States. Held every spring and fall, the fair transforms this tiny town into a bustling hub, with the population surging to over 500,000.

The Fall 2024 show, set to run from October 5th to 19th, promises to be another spectacular event. Among the many exhibitors are Brian and Tammie Wilson, owners of French Bleu, who have participated in the Round Top shows for over 15 years.

The Wilsons, who recently relocated their business from Atlanta, GA, will showcase their collection in a brand-new, fully enclosed facility – a significant upgrade from their previous open-air space that required constant setup and teardown. The Wilson’s say that “Round Top has been a lot of work, a lot of fun and it is still a viable event even-though the number of vendors has increased significantly since our first show.” Set up time for their two-week show is approximately 30 days.

Photo by Milton Kirby

Round Top is more than just an antiques destination. Its Main Street exudes small-town Texas charm, with historic buildings, boutique shops, art galleries, antique stores, and locally owned restaurants. Iconic landmarks like The Round Top Mercantile Company, The Big Red Barn, and the Blue Hills Complex provide a unique flavor to the town. Established in 1884, the Mercantile serves as both a general store and café, while the Big Red Barn, built in 1981 by Emma Lee Turney—the founder of the antiques fair—stands as a central venue and a symbol of Round Top’s passion for antiques, art, and history.

Round Top’s cultural offerings extend beyond antiques. The town is also home to the Round Top Festival Institute, a world-renowned music institute founded in 1971 by concert pianist James Dick. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Festival Hill, this institute hosts a summer music festival featuring young talents from across the globe. It offers concerts, training, and events throughout the year. Its intensive six-week program helps young musicians transition from academia to professional careers.

History is preserved in every corner of Round Top. For example, the Round Top Children’s Library occupies a former church that was relocated and repurposed after being used as a hay barn.

Round Top Children’s Library

Nearby, the Winedale Historical Complex, showcases Texas history with its collection of historic homes, barns, and buildings and hosts the annual Winedale Shakespeare Festival. The Complex is managed by the University of Texas at Austin.

The magic of Round Top lies in its ability to blend a welcoming, small-town atmosphere with world-class events. Its rich history, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality make it a unique destination that continues to attract visitors year after year.

Following the Fall 2024 antiques fair, the town will prepare for its next big event: the Spring 2025 show, scheduled for March 20th to April 6th. Round Top is again ready to welcome an influx of visitors eager to experience its charm and excitement.

From a population of just 87 to over half a million during its major fairs, Round Top may be small, but it has a mighty presence that continues to leave a lasting impression.

Remembering Michael Jackson: A Look Back at the King of Pop’s Legacy

Michael Jackson: A Legacy of Music, Dance, and Enduring Impact. Discover the King of Pop’s remarkable life, career, and legacy, from his early days with the Jackson 5 to his solo success and lasting influence on music and culture.

Atlanta, GA – August 31, 2024

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, was born on August 29, 1958, and would have celebrated his 65th birthday this year. On this date, radio stations across the country played his iconic songs in tribute to the legendary performer.

Jackson’s extraordinary career transformed music and dance and left an enduring legacy before his untimely death on June 25, 2009, at age 50 in Los Angeles, California. His death ruled a homicide, was caused by a lethal combination of sedatives and propofol administered by his personal doctor, Conrad Murray, who was later found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in 2011.

Jackson’s musical journey began early. Fifty-six years ago, on July 13, 1967, he and his brothers entered Chicago’s One-derful Studios for their first recording session, which produced the song “Big Boy.” This was the debut of The Jackson 5, a group founded in 1964 in Gary, Indiana, and managed by their father, Joe Jackson. The group, composed of Michael and his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon, was one of the first African American bands to achieve mainstream success, with crossover appeal that won them a diverse fan base.

The Jackson 5 quickly rose to fame with their 1970 single “I Want You Back,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100. They followed up with other number-one hits like “ABC” and “The Love You Save.” They achieved 17 Top 40 singles in just five years, including six number-one Billboard R&B hits. In 1976, the group left Motown for Epic Records, becoming “The Jacksons” and releasing several successful albums, including Destiny (1978) and Triumph (1980). Notable singles like “Enjoy Yourself,”, “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground),” and “Can You Feel It” further solidified their place in music history.

While Jackson started his solo career in 1971, it wasn’t until 1979, when he teamed up with producer Quincy Jones for his album Off the Wall, that he began to gain recognition as a solo artist. The album featured hits like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Rock with You.” Jackson’s next album, Thriller (1982), became one of the best-selling albums of all time, spending 37 weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 and producing seven top 10 singles. Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, Jackson remained a dominant figure in music, earning the title of “Most Successful Entertainer of All Time,” according to Guinness World Records.

One of Jackson’s most iconic moments came on March 25, 1983, when he performed the “moonwalk” dance move during the television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. The dance move, originally known as the “backslide” and taught to Jackson by dancer Jeffrey Daniel of Shalamar, quickly became world-famous.

Jackson’s education was anything but conventional. He attended public grammar school in Gary, Indiana, until the age of 11, when his burgeoning music career made traditional schooling impossible. Instead, Rose Fine tutored him and his brothers, whom Michael viewed as a second mother. Fine instilled in him a lifelong love for books and literature; Jackson famously owned over 10,000 books at his Neverland Ranch, and he was known to finish at least one book a day. His favorite subjects included history and biographies.

Jackson’s three children, Prince (27), Paris (26), and Bigi (formerly known as Blanket, 21), have also lived their lives in the spotlight. Following their father’s death in 2009, they became more visible to the public, starting with Paris’s heartfelt tribute at Jackson’s funeral. Despite the intense public scrutiny, Jackson’s children have grown into well-adjusted adults who support each other in their various pursuits.

Fourteen years after his death, Michael Jackson’s influence endures. As a solo artist, he achieved 13 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 – the most by any male artist – and remains a beloved figure worldwide. His unparalleled contributions to music, dance, and popular culture continue to inspire new generations.

Six Little-known facts about Michael Jackson

1. He held a patent for a unique shoe design

2. He Owned the Rights to Many Songs, Including the Beatles’ Catalog

3. He Was Nearly Cast in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”

  • Jackson was interested in playing Quasimodo in Disney’s animated film “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” He even offered to produce the soundtrack. However, Disney declined his offer, likely due to concerns about his public image at the time.

4. He Created a Children’s Charity

5. He Holds the Record for the Most Charities Supported by a Pop Star

6. He Broke a World Record with His “Thriller” Album

  • “Thriller” remains the best-selling album ever, with sales exceeding 66 million copies worldwide. The Library of Congress also inducted the music video for “Thriller” into the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

Michael Jackson – Bad (Official Video)

Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal (Official Video)

Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Official Video)

Decatur Unveils Statue of Civil Rights Icon John Lewis

Decatur, GA Unveils New Statue Honoring Civil Rights Legend John Lewis: A new monument dedicated to John Robert Lewis has been unveiled in Decatur Square, celebrating his extraordinary journey and lasting impact on civil rights.

Decatur, GA – August 28, 2024

On Saturday, August 24, a very large crowd witnessed the Decatur Square unveiling of a new statue honoring civil rights legend John Robert Lewis. This monument, crafted by renowned artist Basil Watson, replaces the Confederate obelisk that was removed from the square in 2020.   

Organizations such as the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights and Hate Free Decatur had been advocating for the removal of the monument since the fatal 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

This monument was part of a broader national trend where such structures became focal points for demonstrations against police brutality and racial injustice, especially after George Floyd’s death in May of 2020 at the hands of Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin who now serving a twenty-one year prison sentence . Consequently, the city of Decatur requested a Georgia judge to mandate the monument’s removal, citing frequent vandalism and graffiti that had turned it into a public safety concern.

The new statue in Decatur Square is a tribute to John Lewis, the “Conscience of Congress,” celebrating his extraordinary journey and his lasting change in pursuing civil rights.

The statue pays tribute to Lewis’ enduring legacy of seeking “good trouble” and his lifelong dedication to freedom, justice, and equality. The unveiling ceremony was marked by speeches from prominent figures, including Georgia’s US Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock, Congresswoman Nikema Williams, civil rights activist Xernona Clayton, and Ambassador Andrew Young. Dr. Rashad Richey, an award-winning talk radio personality, was master of ceremony for the event.

L to R DeKalb County Georgia CEO, Michael Thurmond, US Congressman, Sanford Bishop, US Senator, Reverend Raphael Warnock, US Congresswoman, Nikema Williams

The monument resulted from four years of planning by the John Lewis Commemorative Task Force, which conducted a global search to find the right artist. Watson’s design reflects Lewis’ significant role in the civil rights movement, symbolizing his profound impact on the pursuit of equality.

John Lewis, born to Alabama sharecroppers, faced the harsh realities of segregation in the Jim Crow South. Inspired by figures such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., he rose to prominence through his courageous activism. Notably, on Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965, Lewis just twenty-five years old, played a pivotal role in the Selma to Montgomery marches, where he sustained a skull fracture during a brutal confrontation with law enforcement.

Despite these challenges, Lewis remained steadfast in his advocacy for civil rights, serving diligently in the U.S. Congress for Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020. His leadership extended beyond the Selma marches, encompassing participation in the Nashville sit-ins, the Freedom Rides, and the 1963 March on Washington. Lewis was a crucial figure in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and one of the historic march’s “Big Six” organizers.

Unidentified audience listening to the speakers

Lewis’s legacy is a testament to his perseverance and unwavering commitment to justice. His humble beginnings did not hint at the global impact he would achieve, yet his efforts have inspired countless individuals to confront and overcome adversity. In recognition of his contributions, President Barack Obama, the first African American President, awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, signing a commemorative photo with the words: “Because of you, John. Barack Obama.”

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More video highlights from the unveiling.

Beverly H. Burkes, Mayor – Clarkston, GA

Leslie McFarland

Belinda Robinson

Priscilla

Paster Jamal Bryant

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