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What’s Going On by Victoria Horsford

By Victoria Horsford

Donald Trump

Donald Trump

2016: U.S. ELECTION SEASON

Earlier, I observed that it was media’s imperative to destroy the ogre that it created named Donald Trump, the GOP candidate for the United States presidency. What I failed to realize was that media had already started plotting his demise. For two successive weeks, 60 MINUTES covered segments about the US Commander-in-Chief and his/her ability to greenlight a nuclear attack. While viewing both segments, I was convulsed with fear thinking that Trump would be this close to world security and/or annihilation.

Despite the positive news flowing daily about Hillary Clinton’s lead in electoral college projections in swing states’ polls, it is necessary to put a hold on a collective sigh of relief until the votes are tallied on November 8. Nationally, the Democrats are strategic and allocating funds not only for a Clinton victory but for a US Senate majority. The more Trump talks, the more the Republicans seem to lose traction with the electorate. His relentless chatter about the system being rigged is unbelievable. Yeah, right, rigged….. And a Black man won two terms as the US President. Donald advised his flock to go and vote then monitor the votes in areas like Watts, St. Louis, Philadelphia. Is he telling whites to go to polls in Black areas to suppress the vote?

Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton

Trump’s talk about a rigged system seems to fall on the attentive ears of his followers who may stay home, believing what he says so why go out to vote! The man is scary and should be evaluated by a team of American psychologists and psychiatrists.  With abundant luck, maybe a Democratic House majority is within the realm of possibility.

Political scientists and punditocracy are generous with voting projections by ethnic groups. The only group for whom little is known is America’s Black mystique. We will turn out in large numbers. Our voter registration numbers are awesome, and we can make a big difference on November 8.

 

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LOUISIANA: Dillard University, a prominent New Orleans-based Historically Black College and University, will be the venue where the candidates for the US Senate will debate this week. David Duke, former felon and Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard, avid “Trump for President” supporter, will be one of the candidates who will be debated. Sixteen candidates are vying for the coveted Senate spot. Duke, ostensibly, has the most name recognition. 

HARLEM NOTES

Charles Rangel

Charles Rangel

Join politicos Nancy Pelosi and the NYS Congressional Delegation, Congressman Gregory Meeks and the Congressional Black Caucus, who will attend THE Swan Song Gala, a celebration of Congressman Charles Rangel’s 50 years of public service. Event will be held at the Sheraton NY Times Square Hotel, located at 811 Seventh Avenue, Manhattan on November 17 at 6 pm.  Governor David Paterson will be the MC and vocalist Freddy Jackson will perform. Muckety mucks from both sides of the political aisle will be on hand for the festivities. Tickets start at $250. [Visit charlierangel.org or call 212.531.2858]

 

 

 

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Cordell Cleare

Cordell Cleare

In addition to the Hillary Clinton electoral victory, Central Harlemites have a lot to discuss about its elected officials. Democratic Councilwoman Inez Dickens of NYC Council District 9 is running for the NYS Assembly. Who will replace her is all the chatter as locals navigate the Lenox Avenue-to-Frederick Douglass Boulevard watering holes and bistros.  As stated earlier, there are approximately 16 interested parties, official and unofficial, including Assemblyman Keith Wright; Senator Bill Perkins; Cordell Cleare, District Leader and former Chief of Staff for Senator Perkins; Attorney Stacy Lynch, Bill’s daughter; Larry Scott Blackmon, FreshDirect; Charles Cooper, Jr., Liberia- born entrepreneur who runs AirRail; and Brian Benjamin, real estate developer and Chairman, Community Board 10. I recently ran into veteran political organizer Chet Wyhe, who said that it would be appropriate for Inez Dickens to be succeeded by a woman and suggested that my niece, Alyah Horsford Sidberry, Cove Lounge owner, should toss her hat in the ring. She said that she has no electoral politics ambitions. The succession contest seems to pit baby boomers against Gen-Xers.

Alyah Horsford-Sidberry

Alyah Horsford-Sidberry

Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network headquarters at 106 West 145th Street is a drop-off center for packages or dry goods designated for Haitian families displaced by Hurricane Matthew. The NAN will accept packages from 10 am to 5 pm until November 30.

BROOKLYN: A Haiti Emergency Relief Drop-Off Center at the Bridge Multicultural & Advocacy Project is located at 1894 Flatbush Avenue; from October 23-28, 10 am to 5 pm. Only accepting first-aid kits, medical supplies, clean clothing and shoes, plus blankets. [347. 546.5242]

 

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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Karl and Faye Rodney’s NY Carib News hosts its 21st Annual Caribbean Multicultural Business Conference from November 10-13 at the Riu Plaza Hotel in Panama City, Panama. The Multicultural Business Conference, a magnet for    business, cultural, thought leaders and elected officials from the United States and the Caribbean who commingle to take care of business. It is a marathon of workshops and colloquia-spanning subjects such as International Trade and Investment, Technology, Travel and Tourism, HIV/AIDS and STEM Education. Ambassador Andrew Young and former Prime Minister of Jamaica PJ Patterson are conference co-conveners.   [Visit 2016caribnewsconference.com]

 

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NEWSMAKERS

Happy Birthday greetings to Scorpions: Lisa Bonet, Odell Beckham, Jr.;  Sean (Diddy) Combs; Drake; Whoopi Goldberg; Vy Higginsen, Stanley McIntosh; Earl “The Pearl” Monroe;  Ahmad Rashad; Dr. Condoleezza Rice; Willow Smith; Pele; Rosetta Torrence; Gloria Torruella and Anita Webster.

 

FALL PREVIEWS

Lowell Hawthorne

Lowell Hawthorne

The Sylvia & Herbert Woods 15th Annual Fundraising Scholarship Gala will be held on October 28 at the Riverside Church, South Hall, located at 490 Riverside Drive, Harlem, USA. Gala honorees include Fay Leeper and Yvette Leeper-Bueno, Vinetaria Restaurant; Leslie D. Eaddy, American Heart Association; Dean Bonita Stanton, MD, Meridian School of Medicine; and Lowell F. Hawthorne, CEO, Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill. [Call 212.502.0658]

The 44th Annual AUDELCO Awards will be held on November 21 at the Symphony Space Theater on Broadway at 95th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan. The Audience Development Committee(AUDELCO) was founded by Vivian Robinson. It is a NY awards ceremony acknowledging excellence in Black Theater.   It is the African-American Tonys, the show of shows and the best Monday theater experience in NYC.   [Visit audelco.org]

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A Harlem-based businesswoman, Victoria Horsford can be reached at Victoria.horsford@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

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