Virus-tightened budget scenario has Shelby County’s mayor, commissioners at odds

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05/07/2020

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and his team of administrators is set to meet with the Shelby County Board of Commissioners on Friday in pursuit of a budget agreement.

Harris is warning of potential county layoffs after the commission rejected his wheel tax proposal on Monday. A balanced budget must be completed by July 1st, the start of the new fiscal year.

According to Harris, the proposed $16.50 wheel tax increase was needed to balance the county’s $1.4 billion operating budget. The increase was expected to generate at least $10.5 million in needed revenue to equalize the 2021 fiscal budget, set to go into effect July 1. Without it, the Mayor said the County could be in trouble.

“My fear is that these decisions by the County Commission will ultimately lead to layoffs,” Harris said after the meeting. “We are estimating that up to 144 county jobs will be put in jeopardy if the Commission cannot find a replacement revenue source for the $10.5 million that the Commission took out of the budget.”

In an overwhelming defeat, only three commissioners voted in favor of Harris’ proposal during the virtual meeting, Monday: Commissioners Mickell Lowery, Reginald Milton and Van Turner.

Turner told his fellow commission members before the vote that they should leave all options on the table and that he feared opposing Harris’ plan would mean ‘somebody won’t eat.’

“We’re having to make significant calls as it relates to the budget,” Turner said. “We’re not just cutting the fat. We’re cutting jobs. We’re cutting away the ability for these people to provide for their family.”

Edmund Ford Jr. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)

The monetary county discussions have caused a stir this budget season. On April 28, after hours of debate between commissioners and Harris’ administration, the conversation turned personal between Harris and Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. The sparring of words occurred after Ford referred to the mayor’s plan as “garbage.”

“You’re good at messing up stuff and leaving,” he told Harris. “And I’m not going to let you do that with the Shelby County budget.”

Harris said that Ford has always held a personal grievance against him, allowing it to stand in the way of his proposals, including MATA funding – something Harris has pushed for since taking office in 2018.

Earlier this year, Harris proposed a $20 wheel tax to fund the city’s transportation authority. The measure also failed to be approved by the commission.

Ford has denied Harris’ claim and doubled down on his disdain for the wheel tax increase at Monday’s commission meeting.

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I will not vote for this,” Ford said before pointing out that many of the community members in his district oppose the tax. “I’ve spoken to a lot of constituents in my district and despite popular opinion they appreciate my leadership on this matter.”

Other commissioners made similar statements as Ford saying that the constituents in their districts also opposed the increase.

But Harris said without it the commission will have to figure out a way to supplement the plan in order to balance the budget and prevent massive layoffs.

Although the county is set to receive Relief Funding through the CARES Act due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it won’t cover the full burden of the budget’s deficit.

Still, commissioners said the current health crisis is another reason why they can’t raise taxes on residents.

“I cannot in good conscience approve a $16.50 increase in the wheel tax,” Commission Chairman Mark Billingsley said. “It’s crucial that Shelby County decrease expenses and not put a further burden on taxpayers who are already suffering with furloughs and pay cuts.”

Harris said his proposal for a lean and balanced budget has always been with the residents of Shelby County in mind; but the funds must come from somewhere in order to prevent county-wide layoffs.

“I’m not sure where the Commission will find $10.5 million to resolve the budget hole created by their action today. But, I do know that now is not the time to put up to 144 jobs, and the families who depend on those jobs, in jeopardy.”

LEGACY: Lawrence Johnson – ‘loving, kind and generous’

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Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell

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05/07/2020

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LawrenceJohnsonandhiswfe (2) — Lawrence Johnson with his wife, Magnolia Johnson (Courtesy photo)

Services have been set for May 9 for Memphis Realtor Lawrence Johnson — an “idol” to some and the man many credit with helping them purchase their first home.

The death of Mr. Johnson, 80, quickly traveled across social media outlets Monday morning.

Daryle Barnes shared on Facebook that Johnson – the founder of Lawrence Johnson Realtors – was “one of my idols.” Scores of condolences and prayers for his family were posted as the news was shared repeatedly over the course of the week.

Although it has been confirmed that Mr. Johnson died from complications of COVID-19, his children said their father should be remembered for how he lived, not how he died. All three work at his realty office.

Lawrence Johnson with his daughter and granddaughter. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

“Our father always put Christ first in everything he did,” said his daughter, Elaine DeVerne Johnson-Miles. “He would begin every office meeting with a prayer and a song.”

Johnson-Miles said her father helped many, many people buy their first home, even if they had credit problems. He would help work through their credit issues.

“Our dad always said he wanted to be as kind to everyone as he would be to his own children.”

The younger son, Eric Johnson, remembered the advice his father gave him in 2005 when Eric first received his real estate license.

“My father told me never to take advantage of anyone and put them in a house they can’t afford,” Eric Johnson said. “Some real estate agents would do it for bigger commissions.”

The eldest child, Spencer Johnson, lauded his father for his strong leadership in the community, church and in his family.

“Our father was loving, kind and generous,” said Spencer Johnson. “And he had a great sense of humor. He could make anybody laugh, and he never met a stranger.”

It was widely known that Mr. Johnson would bring kids in to do odd jobs around the office so they could earn some money and stay out of trouble. He would talk to young people about being obedient to their parents and developing a strong work ethic.

Mr. Johnson established Lawrence Johnson Realtors more than 40 years ago, helping many aspiring realtors get started in the local real estate market. The company also managed single-resident, rental properties, as well as apartment buildings.

Mr. Johnson holds the distinction of being the first African-American to become a Lifetime member of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors Multi-Million Sales Club.

He was a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Tennessee Association of Realtors, the Memphis Area Association of Realtors, the Northwest Mississippi Association of Realtors and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers.

Mr. Johnson was working full-time at his Whitehaven office when he contracted the virus during the latter part of April. After a weeklong stay in Methodist South Hospital, he was released and returned to his home, where he died Monday.

In addition to his three children, Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Magnolia; a brother, Harold Johnson; a sister, DeVerne Howell; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The May 9th services for Mr. Johnson begin with visitation from 9 a.m. until noon at Middle Baptist Church, 801 Whitehaven Lane in Whitehaven. Only 10 viewers will be allowed inside the sanctuary at a time. Everyone in attendance is asked to wear a mask and observe social distancing of six feet apart.

The funeral service will begin at noon. Only 150 people will be allowed to attend because of COVID-19 safety precautions.

R.S. Lewis and Sons Funeral Home has charge. For more information, call 901- 526-3264.

Indie Memphis Movie Club hosts virtual discussion with director Robert Townsend

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Brianna A. Smith

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05/07/2020

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Indie Memphis Artistic Director Miriam Bale conducts an interview the virtual way with Robert Townsend. (Screen capture)

TSD’s All Over Town columnist Brianna A. Smith.

Although Indie Memphis postponed all upcoming events as a precaution to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, they still found a way to use their resources to educate and support independent filmmakers during this time.

On last Tuesday, Indie Memphis Movie Club held a virtual discussion with actor and director Robert Townsend.

Artistic Director Miriam Bale lead the discussion; she opened the segment introducing Townsend as the “Godfather of Black Independent Film”.

Over the past 30-plus years Townsend has made a name for himself in black homes across the country as a trailblazing filmmaker who uses his talent to uplift people of color. He is the mastermind behind films such as, Hollywood Shuffle, The Five Heartbeats, B*A*P*S, The Meteor Man, Holiday Heart, Eddie Murphy Raw, and one of my all -time favorite’s Carmen: A Hip Hopera.

The discussion focused mainly on his debut film Hollywood Shuffle, a satirical look at what it was like to be a black actor in Tinseltown. The film stamped Townsend’s place in the industry as a filmmaker.

“We have a lot of filmmakers tuned in today,” said Bale. “Can you share your experience in creating Hollywood Shuffle?”

Townsend was inexperienced—he didn’t go to film school and hadn’t directed a film—but he was determined to tell a story about being marginalized by the industry.

In 1984, he had a small role in the Oscar-nominated A Soldier’s Story. “I told my agent I want to do more movies like this,” said Townsend. “My agent was like, ‘Robert, they only do one black movie a year. You just did it. Be happy.′”

But Townsend wasn’t satisfied. “I thought my dream of being an artist was dying, because at the time, the only roles I was auditioning for were slaves and pimps and stereotypes of basketball players who couldn’t read,” Townsend says. “It was frustrating.”

“Then I started talking to my good friend Keenan Wayans (actor and filmmaker) about us doing a movie about our lives and that’s how it all started.”

Townsend and Wayans wrote the script together but because the film didn’t have a studio backing, Townsend was faced with financing the film on his own. “The idea of somebody writing, directing, producing, and starring in a movie, especially a person of color, wasn’t heard of then,” said Townsend.

“Everybody said the bar was so high in Hollywood, you couldn’t get in if you didn’t have millions and millions of dollars.”

Eventually, Townsend raised $100,000 to make Hollywood Shuffle, using $60,000 he earned from acting gigs and $40,000 using credit cards.

Townsend helped to kick the door wide open for black talent in the late 80s—ushering in a fertile period of comedic and dramatic films starring black actors in complex roles that were also directed by black directors.

“I don’t want to take credit, but I just know that we planted seeds that it was okay to be funny, to write-direct-produce,” Townsend said. “When people heard the story of Hollywood Shuffle and how we did it, I think it gave inspiration to a lot of filmmakers to say, ‘If Robert can do it with a credit card, I can do it.’”

The discussion was informative and inspiring to filmmakers.

Bale closed out the conversation asking Townsend what many viewers tuned in to see, “How does someone make a film for less than $100,000 now?”

Townsend replied, “These new iPhone’s don’t need a lot of extra lights. Use your resources, find a location and write the script around that location.”

“Always remember that the acting and story telling is most important when creating a film.”

Check out the discussion here:

Real story: How to prepare for a telehealth visit

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Special to TSDMemphis.com

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05/07/2020

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By Ali Whittier

BCBSTUpdates.com

Jennifer Brantley was diagnosed with cancer in October 2019. After months of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, she had to have a tumor removed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Her surgery was set for March 25 – during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the surgery, Jennifer would also need a follow-up appointment a couple weeks later. When her doctor’s nurse called, she asked Jennifer if she’d be interested in setting up a telehealth visit.

“COVID-19 was a major concern for me due to my compromised immune system, so I jumped at the chance to do a virtual appointment. That way I wouldn’t have to leave my house,” Jennifer says. “It was nice the doctor’s office was open to helping me come up with a ‘plan B’ for my post-op appointment.”

Jennifer says the scheduling process was similar to an in-person visit, but after experiencing her own first telehealth visit, here are 3 things she recommends to help you prepare.

1. Give yourself enough time for the initial set-up

Ask the nurse or staff setting up the appointment what app or website they use for telehealth so you can plan enough time to get your computer or device set up.
Download the appropriate app or visit the website before the day of your first telehealth appointment in case you have questions.
If the app or site allows, test both your speakers and microphone ahead of time to make sure you can hear and be heard.

2. Prepare others in your home for the appointment

Find a quiet place for your visit, and let people in your home know when you need them to avoid interrupting you.
Consider sending a reminder message a few minutes before the appointment is scheduled to start.
If you have children or pets that might disrupt your conversation or distract you, consider finding a place for them somewhere in your home where they can’t be heard or finding an activity for kids to work on.

3. Treat the appointment like a normal in-office visit

Make sure you still have a list of questions to ask your provider during the visit.
Wear loose-fitting clothes in case you need to show any incisions, wounds or potential issues to your provider.
Have a notepad and pen to write down any instructions provided or consider allowing someone to sit-in on your appointment to help you take notes if you need it.

What are some other things you should keep in mind?

Don’t be intimidated by technology.

Some health care providers have help desks that can walk you through how to download the technology you need for the appointment. Ask for a number to call if you have trouble getting the technology to work when it’s time for your appointment. Most providers will expect the possibility of glitches in the technology and understand the need to restart the visit if this happens.

Ask your provider to send any important treatment or therapy information prior to the appointment.

If you have telehealth visits with providers who need to show you how to perform treatment or therapy at home, you may consider asking them for this information before your appointment. That way when it’s time to discuss these instructions or exercises you have to do at home, you’ll have already had enough time to review and come up with any questions you can discuss together during your appointment.

On the other hand, if the visit concerns a new condition or issue you’re having, you may want to ask your provider if having a photo ahead of time will help them prepare for the upcoming visit.

Think about your privacy needs for the appointment.

You can expect privacy when you visit your provider in person, but is this something you need during a telehealth visit at home, too? Consider your comfort level for the appointment scheduled and plan the location in your home appropriately for your privacy needs.

Remember, your provider can be running late to telehealth visits, too.

Don’t hang up or leave the meeting if your provider isn’t on time. Just like being in a doctor’s office, they sometimes run late so try to be as patient as you can.

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members have options for telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic – visits with in-network providers are covered with the same benefits as in-person visits, and PhysicianNow visits are free for many members through June 30.

For the latest information on our response to COVID-19, visit BCBSTupdates.com

Black Restaurants cooking up ways to keep it moving!

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Terrisa Coreen Mark

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05/06/2020

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TSD freelance videographer Terrisa C. Mark looks at the challenges faced by African-American restaurants during the pandemic and the creative way many are responding.

Barack Obama will headline televised prime-time commencement

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TSD Newsroom

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05/06/2020

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NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Barack Obama will deliver a televised prime-time commencement address for the high school Class of 2020 during an hour-long event that will also feature LeBron James, Malala Yousafzai and Ben Platt, among others.

ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC will simultaneously air the special May 16 at 8 p.m. EDT along with more than 20 other broadcast and digital streaming partners, according to the announcement Tuesday from organizers.

Several high school students from Chicago public schools and the Obama Youth Jobs Corps will join, as will the Jonas Brothers, Yara Shahidi, Bad Bunny, Lena Waithe, Pharrell Williams, Megan Rapinoe and H.E.R.

The event is titled “Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020.” It’s hosted by the education advocacy group XQ Institute, The LeBron James Family Foundation and The Entertainment Industry Foundation.

Obama will reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption of school life, especially for seniors who have missed out on their milestone rites of passage.

“This high school graduation season will be anything but ordinary — but that’s all the more reason why the Class of 2020 deserves extraordinary advice, heartfelt encouragement, and hard-won wisdom about facing new challenges in an uncertain world,” Russlynn Ali, CEO and co-founder of XQ Institute, said in a statement.

“We are grateful to President Obama for giving this gift to our nation’s three million high school seniors as they #GraduateTogether,” she added.

TSD COVID-19 Flash! — Clyburn’s oversight role, mask rage, event reminders, numbers, today’s music vibe: Al Green — ‘A Change is Gonna Come’

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Karanja A. Ajanaku

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05/05/2020

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GSWE_1192 — The line of cars was long because the need was great in ZIP code 38126 as the Women's Foundation For Greater Memphis spearheaded a COVID-19 relief outreach last Friday. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)

Rep. Jim Clyburn will lead House Oversight Committee on coronavirus

Rep. Jim Clyburn, a 14-term U.S. Congressman and the dean of the South Carolina congressional delegation, has spent his career working to improve and empower the lives of African Americans. Former President Barack Obama once noted that Clyburn is “one of a handful of people who, when they speak, the entire Congress listens.”

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Healthcare and other fraud has run rampant during the current novel coronavirus pandemic and, more than ever, African Americans are being victimized, says Re. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.).

“This pandemic is visiting family after family after family. We know from all of the data that it is being visited more harshly and more prevalent among African American communities, and some Latino communities all over the country.” READ the story

Three charged in killing of store security guard over virus mask

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A woman, her adult son and husband have been charged in the fatal shooting of a security guard who refused to let her daughter enter a Family Dollar in Michigan because she wasn’t wearing a face mask to protect against transmission of the coronavirus.

Calvin Munerlyn was shot Friday at the store just north of downtown Flint a short time after telling Sharmel Teague’s daughter she had to leave because she lacked a mask, according to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.

Teague, 45, argued with Munerlyn, 43, before leaving. Two men later came to the store.

Teague; her husband, Larry Teague, 44; and Ramonyea Bishop, 23; are charged with first-degree premeditated murder and gun charges. READ more

Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 Daily Update: May 5, 2020

Total COVID-19 Cases Recovered in Shelby County as of 05/04/2020

Data Source: National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) Note: “Recovered“ is defined as (1) people who are living and have been confirmed to be asymptomatic by the health department and have completed their required isolation period. or (2) are at least 21 days beyond the first test confirming their illness

Shelby County COVID-29 Cases by Race and Ethnicity as of 5/04/20

Shelby County Health Department has added a data page to its COVID-19 webpage: www.shelbytnhealth.com/coronavirus.

REMINDER: Christ Community to host free drive-thru testing in Hickory Hill

Christ Community Health Services — in partnership with the Safety Net Collaborative, the state of Tennessee and the the Health Department — will host a COVID 19 testing at Christ Community Health Services Hickory Hill at 5366 Mendenhall Mall from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday (May 6). Testing is FREE and open to everyone and it is not necessary to be experiencing COVID 19 symptoms. Citizenship will not be verified during testing to encourage participation from all communities.

LATER TODAY:

Gov. Bill Lee will be featured during the Memphis Townhall hosted by The Redwing Report at 5 p.m. CDT today (May 5).

Watch here

TODAY’S TSD MUSIC VIBE:

Judge rules Tennessee’s voucher law is unconstitutional

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Associated Press

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05/05/2020

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School vouchers — Gov. Bill Lee: “There are about 250 families that have actually applied (for vouchers but) those approvals have not been made yet. ... The process is underway.”

by Kimberlee Kruesi —

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee judge on Monday ruled that the state’s much-debated school voucher program is illegal and cannot be implemented despite education officials receiving thousands of applications from parents hoping to use public tax dollars on private school tuition.

Davidson County Chancellor Anne C. Martin said in her order that the voucher law, which Gov. Bill Lee signed into effect last year, violated the Tennessee constitution’s “home rule.” Lee’s administration had backed the legislation during his first year as governor, gaining just narrow support from the GOP-controlled Statehouse and strong opposition from Democratic members and public education advocates.

Plaintiffs in the legal challenge had ranged from Nashville and Shelby County, which includes Memphis; as well as parents opposed to education savings accounts. They had argued Republican lawmakers did not receive local consent when drawing legislation affecting local communities, which is required under Tennessee’s constitution

According to the law, the voucher program would only apply to Nashville and Memphis, the areas with the lowest performing schools and regions with Democratic political strongholds.

The original version of the measure included several other counties, but it was eventually whittled down after Republican lawmakers objected due to uneasiness about launching a voucher program in their own legislative districts.

“The entire process of the General Assembly, including the amendments and ‘horse trading’ associated with changing eligibility criteria to satisfy legislators who wanted their counties excluded, resulted in an act that, in form and effect, is local,” Martin wrote in her 32-page order.

Pro-voucher groups had countered that such claims over the “home rule” are moot because they said the provision does not apply to school boards, while the county does not have proper standing to sue over the school voucher program.

On Monday, Martin agreed that Nashville’s school board did not have standing to sue and dismissed the board from the case. However, she said counties had a stake in public education.

“We strongly disagree with the court’s ruling and will swiftly appeal on behalf of Tennessee students who deserve more than a one-size-fits-all approach to education,” said Lee’s spokesman Gillum Ferguson.

Other groups who had petitioned the court to argue in favor of the voucher program also objected to Martin’s decision.

Shaka Mitchell {Photo: American Federation for Children/Joy Asico}

“This is an extremely disappointing decision, and unfairly penalizes the thousands of families who were hoping to utilize the ESA program,” said Shaka Mitchell, Tennessee’s state director for the American Federation for Children. “These families are desperately looking for options to help their children succeed academically.”

American Federation for Children, a school choice group Education Secretary Betsy DeVos once chaired, had said earlier Monday that 2,200 children had applied for Tennessee’s voucher program as of last week.

Other groups that had sued, however, praised Monday’s decision.

“Chancellor Martin’s ruling is an enormous victory for Tennessee public school students,” said Chris Wood, a private Nashville attorney for the plaintiffs. “This unpopular voucher program was forced on two communities without their consent, and it threatened to drain public resources from already underfunded public schools.”

The program — known as education savings accounts — would allow eligible Tennessee families to use up to $7,300 in public tax dollars on private schooling tuition and other preapproved expenses.

State education officials had been working to implement the program in the upcoming school year. Applications for students were already being accepted until early May.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Education did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Nikole Hannah-Jones’ essay from ‘The 1619 Project’ wins commentary Pulitzer

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Tri-State Defender National Stories

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05/05/2020

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pulitzer — The New York Times’ writer Nikole Hannah-Jones. (Photo: mpi43/MediaPunch /IPX)

by Tom Jones — (POYNTER) —

Of all the thousands upon thousands of stories and projects produced by American media last year, perhaps the one most-talked about was The New York Times Magazine’s ambitious “The 1619 Project,” which recognized the 400th anniversary of the moment enslaved Africans were first brought to what would become the United States and how it forever changed the country.

It was a phenomenal piece of journalism.

And while the project in its entirety did not make the list of Pulitzer Prize finalists, the introductory essay by Nikole Hannah-Jones, the creator of the landmark project, was honored with a prestigious Pulitzer Prize for commentary.

After the announcement that she has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize, Hannah-Jones told the Times’ staff it was “the most important work of my life.”

While nearly impossible, and almost insulting, to try and describe in a handful of words or even sentences, Hannah-Jones’ essay was introduced with this headline: “Our Democracy’s Founding Ideals Were False When They Were Written. Black Americans Have Fought to Make Them True.”

In her essay, Hannah-Jones wrote, “But it would be historically inaccurate to reduce the contributions of black people to the vast material wealth created by our bondage. Black Americans have also been, and continue to be, foundational to the idea of American freedom. More than any other group in this country’s history, we have served, generation after generation, in an overlooked but vital role: It is we who have been the perfecters of this democracy.”

Hannah-Jones’ and “The 1619 Project,” however, were not without controversy. There was criticism of the project, particularly from conservatives. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich called it “propaganda.” A commentator for The Federalist tweeted the goal of the project was to “delegitimize America, and further divide and demoralize its citizenry.”

But the most noteworthy criticism came from a group of five historians. ln a letter to the Times, they wrote that they were “dismayed at some of the factual errors in the project and the closed process behind it.” They added, “These errors, which concern major events, cannot be described as interpretation or ‘framing.’ They are matters of verifiable fact, which are the foundation of both honest scholarship and honest journalism. They suggest a displacement of historical understanding by ideology.”

Wall Street Journal assistant editorial features editor Elliot Kaufman wrote a column with the subhead: “The New York Times tries to rewrite U.S. history, but its falsehoods are exposed by surprising sources.”

In a rare move, the Times responded to the criticism with its own response. New York Times Magazine editor-in-chief Jake Silverstein wrote, “Though we respect the work of the signatories, appreciate that they are motivated by scholarly concern and applaud the efforts they have made in their own writings to illuminate the nation’s past, we disagree with their claim that our project contains significant factual errors and is driven by ideology rather than historical understanding. While we welcome criticism, we don’t believe that the request for corrections to The 1619 Project is warranted.”

That was just a portion of the rather lengthy and stern, but respectful response defending the project.

In the end, the 1619 Project — and Hannah-Jones’ essay, in particular — will be remembered for one of the most impactful and thought-provoking pieces on race, slavery and its impact on America that we’ve ever seen.

And maybe there was another reason for the pushback besides those questioning its historical accuracy.

As The Atlantic’s Adam Serwer wrote in December, “U.S. history is often taught and popularly understood through the eyes of its great men, who are seen as either heroic or tragic figures in a global struggle for human freedom. The 1619 Project, named for the date of the first arrival of Africans on American soil, sought to place ‘the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.’ Viewed from the perspective of those historically denied the rights enumerated in America’s founding documents, the story of the country’s great men necessarily looks very different.”

There’s no question that Hannah-Jones’ essay, which requires the kind of smart thinking and discussion that this country needs to continue having, deserved to be recognized with a Pulitzer as the top commentary of 2019. After all, and this is not hyperbole, it’s one of the most important essays ever.

In addition, we should acknowledge the other two finalists in this category: Washington Post sports columnist Sally Jenkins and Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez.

Jenkins continues to be among the best sports columnists in the country. Meanwhile, has any writer done more to shine a light on homelessness than Lopez? This is the third time in the past four years (and fourth time overall) that Lopez has been a finalist in the commentary category.

In any other year, both would be deserving of Pulitzer Prizes. But 2019 will be remembered for Nikole Hannah-Jones’ powerful essay and project.

(Tom Jones is Poynter’s senior media writer. For the latest media news and analysis, delivered free to your inbox each and every weekday morning, sign up for his Poynter Report newsletter.)

Pulitzers honor Ida B. Wells, an early pioneer of investigative journalism and civil rights icon

By

Tri-State Defender National Stories

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05/05/2020

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by Barbara Allen — (Poynter) —

In granting a posthumous citation to Ida B. Wells, the Pulitzer Prizes honors one of America’s earliest and most intrepid investigative reporters.

Pultizer Prize winner Nikole Hannah-Jones on Twitter:

Ida B. Wells was born a slave in Mississippi in 1862. She became a writer and publisher who crusaded against lynching and for civil rights in the deep South after the Civil War. It was death-defying work for a black woman, who spent months journeying through the Southern states, investigating the lynchings of black men through records research and in-person interviews — a process that laid the groundwork for modern investigative techniques.

At 30, and as the co-owner and editor for The Memphis Free Speech and Headlight, Wells took on that most famous work, attempting to investigate the trope that lynchings usually followed the rape of white women by black men. She discovered, of course, that this was patently false: “Nobody in this section of the country believes the threadbare old lie that Negro men rape white women,” Wells wrote.

Instead, she wrote, the horrible violence — and threat of that violence — were simply a means for white citizens to terrorize and oppress African Americans. Her writing was published across the United States and abroad, and included the pamphlets-turned-books “Southern Horrors” and “The Red Record.”

She continued her career as a journalist and advocate for civil rights, even after her life was threatened and she was forced to flee Memphis, her newspaper offices plundered and her presses destroyed. She is considered one of the founders of the NAACP and her later advocacy included organizing boycotts, the suffrage movement and anti-segregation activism.

She died in Chicago in 1931 of kidney disease. She was 68.

Wells was among the first people recognized when The New York Times launched its “Overlooked” series of obituaries — people whose deaths did not merit a writeup at the time. Said her Times obit writer Caitlin Dickerson, “As a journalist, I’m grateful that in investigating lynchings of black men, Ida B. Wells pioneered reporting techniques that remain central tenets of modern journalism.”

Most recently, The Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, established in 2016, is “a news trade organization dedicated to increasing and retaining reporters and editors of color in the field of investigative reporting.” It was founded by journalists Ron Nixon, Topher Sanders and Nikole Hannah-Jones, who also was named a Pulitzer winner today.

The citation comes with a bequest of $50,000, said Dana Canedy, Pulitzer administrator, with details to come.

(Barbara Allen is the director of college programming for the Poynter Institute. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @barbara_allen_)

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1. Give yourself enough time for the initial set-up

2. Prepare others in your home for the appointment

3. Treat the appointment like a normal in-office visit

What are some other things you should keep in mind?

Don’t be intimidated by technology.

Ask your provider to send any important treatment or therapy information prior to the appointment.

Think about your privacy needs for the appointment.

Remember, your provider can be running late to telehealth visits, too.

Share this:

Share this:

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