No Struggle, No Progress
No Struggle, No Progress
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Devonte Brown was in serious pain about a week ago on October 1, 2020 when he realized that he needed to go to the hospital. Brown, who was at home with his mother and placed a 911 call. A local ambulance soon arrived at their residence. After the arrival of the ambulance, Brown was asked about his condition and it was determined that he should go to a hospital. According to Brown, the two attendants forced Brown to walk to the ambulance instead of bringing a stretch for him, despite his mother’s insistence that he wasn’t able to walk. Bro...
Well, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden sure kept the nation in suspense with regard to who his running mate would be in this fall's presidential election. California Senator Kamala Harris is one step closer to being the first woman who may become the vice president of the United States, as Joe Biden picked Harris to be his running mate. Biden kept his cards close to his chest as political analysts kept the guessing game going for weeks on who Biden would pick. However,...
Voters have a really easy choice to make in this year’s presidential election. Probably well over 90% of voters know who they will vote for, as the only question left is who will win. In one corner is the incumbent President Trump and in the other corner is Democrat Joe Biden. The bell in this contest sounded a long time ago, as each man appeals to their base, but also to the so-called undecided voters. The president will run on his record as will Biden when he was a Senator and as the vice president under former president Barack Obama. One t...
A local Ouachita Parish man can be grateful that he will not spend a long time in prison for a crime that he didn't commit. Cameron Powe was allegedly involved in the murder of Michael Robinson, a Richwood resident, who was the alleged victim of a robbery committed by him and Michael Mitchell Jr. on July 29. According to law enforcement, Powe was in a vehicle being driven by Michael Mitchell Jr. when they were pulled over by a Louisiana State Trooper (LSP) in Franklin Parish for speeding....
It has been a whirlwind few days after Friday Ellis attended his first city council meeting as Monroe's mayor. Within mere days after his council meeting, Ellis fired interim Police Chief Reggie Brown and replaced him with the man that Brown replaced as chief of police. Former Police Chief Eugene Ellis was brought back on board after retiring earlier in the year, "stepping in at an important time, as we continue our process and search for a permanent chief of police", Mayor Ellis said in a...
Whenever COVID-19, the coronavirus that has almost brought the world to a standstill finally goes away, the U.S. will have lost its standing as a nation combating pandemics. As other nations get somewhat of “a handle” on slowing down the virus, we are usually where they are or ahead, the U.S. is looking as though the nation is stuck in quicksand. It seems as though the more this nation races to fully reopen, the more it plunges back into a hole that is met with more reported cases/deaths. We’re told that the more one struggles in quick...
The march to justice for Timothy Williams took a significant turn when news of Monroe Police Officer Jared Preston Desadier was booked at Ouachita Parish Correctional Center Saturday night (July25). The arrest of Desadier is in conjunction with a lawsuit filed by attorneys on behalf of Williams who alleges that he was beaten by Monroe police officers following an incident that happened April 21. Desadier was charged with malfeasance in office and second-degree battery. A photo provided to the...
When children go back to school in a few weeks, it will be vastly different from this time a year ago. A year ago, school districts around the nation and even around the world were making preparations for the start of the new school year. There was excitement in the air, friends who hadn’t seen each other over the summer and those that kept in contact with each other, were all talking about going back to school. Parents were glad for school to start because they knew where their children would be for at least 6-7 hours of the day. But this year...
The family of Robert Dwayne Johnson said that when you see him smile, he is like a "big old baby". They said that he is a gentle person, from the time he was young, into his adult life. But while growing up, Robert developed mental issues that became a hindrance to him, as the family sought medical assistance for him. It was because of those issues that Robert would get into trouble and he wouldn't hurt anyone. But an incident that happened on Sept. 3, 2011 would change Robert's life forever....
This is not rocket science. However, the Great Divide that this nation is experiencing over something as simple as wearing a mask when it is necessary to save a life, is tearing it apart. Furthermore, nowhere is that divide made more evident than from the White House. President Trump who was never someone who was in favor of wearing a mask, said in an interview on Fox that he “believes in and supports” masks, but he will leave the call up to the governors. Why won’t the president just go camera (not twitter) and simply say, “let’s all wear...
One of the questions that is being asked in the community following the tragic ending to Errol Johnson's life is, why couldn't police officers wait him out. People are saying that Johnson, being in a motel room with only one way out, may be alive if police officers were a little more patient. Johnson had nowhere to go. He may have surrendered if given more time as there is no "set time". We won't know. According to law enforcement, Johnson was shot after he opened fire on officers. Multiple...
If African-Americans needed an incentive to vote in massive voting blocs, they need to look no further than what happened during last Saturday's July 11 mayor's race in Monroe. According to sources, hundreds, if not thousands of potential voters were denied their constitutional right to vote for the candidate of their choice in, you guessed it, predominately black precincts. Sources tell the Monroe Dispatch that the regular polling station at Carroll High School was changed, but none of the...
Hoax: (n) humorous or malicious deception, practical joke, deceive (a person) with a hoax. To swindle, trick, (con) snow job, gyp, deception, flimflam, defraud, cheat, trick and bamboozle. That’s quite a collection of meanings for one word. That also happens to be the one word that President Donald Trump uses when he has nothing else to say. If the president ever goes on trial in a real court (not one run by Republican senators), he would have a difficult time explaining to jurors how every time someone disagrees with him on a particular s...
Brooke Foy, Rodrecas Davis and Vitus Shell are three local artists that may not be known to many in the Monroe area, but they have a big dream in mind. The three millennial artists went before the Monroe City Council Tuesday (July 14) night to present their presentation of having a Black Lives Matter Street Mural on DeSiard St. in the near future. Saying that mural would be a tribute to the movement that has occurred around the nation following the controversial deaths of George Floyd and...
James Savannah says that for a long time, he was a bitter person. Savannah said that because of circumstances that happened to him at an early age, left him with a hatred for people that he says, did him wrong. Savannah went to jail for some youthful indiscretions that he felt was unjustified when it came to his sentencing, and also the fact that his lawyer abandoned him. Add to the fact, that as a diabetic, he didn’t receive the kind of medical attention while incarcerated Savannah eventually went blind. Savannah was an angry man. But t...
A white owner of one of the area’s consortium of funeral homes is under fire for comments that he allegedly made on social media about Afro-Americans. Kenneth Griffin, owner and operator of Griffin Funeral Home located in Monroe/West Monroe allegedly wrote comments saying, “you blacks never did anything positive for the country. We wouldn’t expect your kind to get it”. According to sources, when confronted over the message, Griffin did not explicitly deny that he wrote the words. Sources also said that Griffin allegedly refused to delete...
The chilling reports of the deaths of two transgender women in Louisiana both black, shows us a segment of the population that has been marginalized; continues to suffer. According to reports, the women were identified as Draya McCarty and Shakie Peters. Their bodies were found in Baton Rouge and Amite respectively. As of press time, there has been limited information released by law enforcement regarding the women's deaths, as agencies say that they are working to resolve those cases. However,...
Jonesboro's Mayor, Leslie Thompson has gone "through the fire" as some religious folks might say, seeing the mayor still has legal hurdles that he must overcome. Ever since Thompson won his first term as mayor, he has had to face one legal obstacle after another because of the way that he tried to be a good mayor for Jonesboro. Thompson faced a hostile environment when he first assume office as mayor, as there were some racial overtones from certain people in/around Jonesboro. Thompson also...
President Donald Trump sometimes likes to boast about his “robust” support from the black community and about what he “has done” for the black community. The president has black Americans like Herman Cain (has the virus) Diamond and Silk, Ben Carson and others who are on the president’s band wagon, but nowhere near the support that he claims, or would love to have. Maybe not enough black people have drunk the Kool-Aid. But the president has no problem directing his ire toward certain black individuals such as Kolin Kaepernick when it suits his...
A local woman and her family is heartbroken/heartsick as they can’t understand why a loved one is still incarcerated in a Texas correctional center. The mother has not seen her son in years since he was incarcerated, wants to know why her son’s case has taken so long to come to trial. She told The Dispatch that her son went to live in Texas after starting a relationship with a young woman. They had a child, but soon after, things took a turn for the worst. According to the family, a situation happened where officers were called, and the son...
Someday historians will explain to us why President Trump had a relationship with our number one adversary that defied conventional wisdom. The president’s relationship and mannerism that he has exhibited with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stands in stark contrast to presidents from the past who had to contend with the Russians on a global scale. Almost from day one of his presidency, Mr. Trump has shown a propensity to avoid saying anything remotely harsh about Mr. Putin, but he has no reservations calling out this nation’s European all...
Gloria Dean James says that she is a determined woman who will fight for what she believes is right. James has been embroiled in a dispute with the Monroe Office of Social Security for a number of years over what she believes are benefits that she is entitled. It all started in September 2017 after the death of her husband, though they were separated at the time. While living separately, James was receiving disability, and at the time of her husband's death, she went to the local Social...
The coronavirus commonly known by its scientific name COVID-19 is showing everyone that it is not about to go away anytime soon. Especially here in Louisiana. That was made painfully aware Monday(June 22) when Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that Louisiana would not be moving to Phase 3 of a federal mandate program for states to follow to completely reopen the nation. In making the announcement, Edwards clearly was disappointed by not being able to move the state to Phase 3, but the evidence has been trending to significant increases in...
Members of the Monroe City Council passed several resolutions Tuesday(June 23) night, one of which that may impact the city in a way that it doesn’t want. Council members passed a resolution that grant an exception to the Open Container Ordinance for 2 Dudes Brew & Que to sponsor a block party in the downtown area. It will be an open atmosphere event where there is expected to be a crowd where close contact will be possible. Though officers will be present, Council Chairwoman Juanita Woods expressed caution, saying that she “hoped that those pa...
The community is still reeling from the tragic deaths of two adults and four children from a shooting that will remain in people's minds for a long time. It was last Thursday (June 11) around 7:45 at the Parkview Apartments. when alleged suspect Brittany Tucker armed with a handgun approached 20-year old Antiesha Logwood as she was talking to another individual. A question was asked and Tucker shot Logwood, killing her. Tucker then went to her apartment where she shot and killed her four...
There seem to be more and more people expressing themselves, saying just about anything that comes to mind. People who used to be quiet are telling others what’s on their minds, seemingly without a thought of how their words will be received. Some people are speaking with a boldness that was unheard of over the last 10 to 15 years to the point that one wonders, “what were they thinking”. Two recent examples illustrate that it is vitally important to think before one speaks. African-American actor Terry Crews put out a tweet that he undou...
Can anyone out there tell me who has been given immunity from not being held accountable for their actions/words by God? No one? Adam, the first man created in God’s image was not immune from God’s punishment, nor was Eve when they violated God’s command. So, if God didn’t grant any living soul immunity from punishment for violating His law, why would a “practicing” Christian nation not do/say anything when government officials in the U.S. hardly ever face prosecution? This nation that has “In God We Trust” on its currency and other symbols,...
When Jacques D. Lowery was arrested on a multitude of charges several weeks ago, it hopefully will mark the end of a campaign of violence against Monroe resident Shardra Green and her family. Lowery allegedly was in a relationship with Green's daughter that started out like many relationships, but it soon turned violent. According to Green, at first glance, Lowery seemed like an "ok" guy, but when her daughter showed signs of domestic abuse, the mother instantly knew that something was wrong....
By Eddie D. Gillis Has anyone noticed how quiet Republicans/conservatives has gotten since Saints quarterback Drew Brees has inserted himself in the flag kneeling National Anthem controversy? There has not been one Republican who has openly criticized Brees for his amended statement addressing the kneeling controversy. Not even a sound from VP Mike Pence, who usually echoes what the president says. Louisiana Republicans were all over Colin Kaepernick four years, and were all for him being out of football. But now, Brees has taped their mouths s...
Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo held a press briefing Monday(June 8)morning to announce that the city is no longer under a consent decree issued against it since 2004. The decree was issued after it was determined that the city of Monroe over many years, did not maintain its sewer collection system up to federal standards as required by the Department of Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), as the city had to enter into an agreement the Agency to perform certain tasks in order for the decree to be lifted. Mayor Mayo along with various department...
"I can't breathe", said the dying black man. Did he fall into water and was gasping for air? Was the man overcome from gas or dangerous fumes in the air? No. Those were the last words that George Floyd would say as a white Minneapolis police officer applied enough pressure on the back of Floyd's neck, resulting in his death. To millions of African-Americans, those words "I can't breathe" are haunting, because they know that another black man died under the same circumstances by a white police...
Rev. Ambrose Douzart said that he is pleased with the way in which a protest march held the weekend of May 30 and 31. Douzart, who is head of the chapter of the NAACP said, " the march which was peaceful, it was in support of the family George Floyd, as they grieve on his death that came at the knee of a white Minneapolis Police Officer that pressed against Floyd's neck, causing his death. Douzart said, t"he march Saturday at city hall had a low turnout, but after discussions among themselves,...
The United States as a nation, keeps ignoring defining moments in its young history as a sovereign nation to live up to the words recorded in its Constitution. Defining moments do not come as often as we like them. When they come, they are to be recognized as an opportunity for an individual or a nation to do something that will either change the trajectory of its history, or follow the course of others that have failed before it. The United States may well be the last of the many nations that stood out among other nations with what it was...
Update: Clampit Apologizes Over Comments Furor District B Ouachita Parish Police Juror Jack Clampit issued an apology one day after he was heavily criticized by a delegation of African-American men over his comments about looting during protests following the death of George Floyd. The world has seen disturbing videos of Floyd dying at the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer while Floyd pleading for his life, was restrained on the ground. Clampit in a statement Tuesday (June 2) said that he “apologize for a comment that he “didn’t proof...
A local woman is still determined to “right the wrongs” that she firmly believes happened to her following the deaths of her parents. The pain of losing her father at Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe continues to bring pain and sorrow to this woman, as she has lingering memories of how her father looked just days before he passed in 2017. To this day, Darlene Caesar has many questions and the answers are just as elusive as someone trying to catch the wind. Her journey to know the truth has just been that difficult. Still Cae...
All the president had to do was say, “I may play a little golf the weekend”, and everything may have been all right. It might have gone over better if he had said, “See you in church Sunday”. Well, I out of 2 is not bad. I guess. Someone in the White House is not telling President Trump how to make himself “look presidential” in the midst of a pandemic that may cost him a return trip to the White House in November. Every president will be remembered for something that will be with voters long after he is gone. Jimmy Carter’s “I have sinned in...
The Monroe City Council passed a resolution At its regular Tuesday (May 26)night meeting that will make major changes to two the city’s landmark buildings. The fifty two year old Jack Howard Theater and the Miller-Roy Building on Desiard St., are slated for major changes in the coming months, The renovation project at Jack Howard will consist of replacing sound proofing and fire proofing material that is in the building. The material needs to be replaced because it has asbestos in them, as that constitute a safety hazard which must be a...
The American justice system is once again on trial before the nation and the world, as those who are in charge of rendering fairness to all through the system, has an opportunity to show it in the Ahmaud Arbery shooting incident. The confrontation started by a father-son team of some who have called them vigilantes for perceiving without evidence that Arbery had committed a crime, killed the young black man, and according to authorities claimed “self-defense”. What made this case so astounding was that the shooting took place way back in Feb...
The American justice system is once again on trial before the nation and the world, as those who are in charge of rendering fairness to all through the system, has an opportunity to show it in the Ahmaud Arbery shooting incident. The confrontation started by a father-son team of some who have called them vigilantes for perceiving without evidence that Arbery had committed a crime, killed the young black man, and according to authorities claimed “self-defense”. What made this case so astounding was that the shooting took place way back in Feb...
There are two “viruses” currently running all over the United States. One is COVID-19, a virus that is rapidly approaching 100,000 deaths in just under three months. Imagine how the nation would react if 100,000 soldiers were killed in that amount of time. Someone starting with the president would have to answer some very tough questions as to why so many soldiers are dying. A fresh approach, no doubt would be looked at. The virus, according to some at the CDC hasn’t reached its peak. The initial peak estimate was that between 100,000 to 200,0...
Every government entity whether it’s state or local has felt the impact of the havoc that COVID-19 has had on their budget. The City of Monroe and other municipalities have seen their revenue from sale taxes shrink because of spending related to COVID-19. The Ouachita Parish Police Jury met Monday (May18), as it discussed various infrastructure projects that are ongoing and how they will be paid. There are various projects being done on both sides of the Ouachita River, as Parish Engineer Kevin Crosby gave updates on some of the projects in v...
In what is starting to look like watching the same movie over and over, there was another incident of inmates escaping from the Swanson Youth Correctional Center here in Monroe. According to law enforcement and media accounts, eight inmates escaped from the facility soon after midnight on May 9, as they allegedly were somehow able to get control of a van, and plow through a fence that borders Jackson Street. The fence was breached in about the same spot where an earlier vehicle was used several weeks ago when about a dozen inmates used the...
"Let the good times roll," is a popular phrase that we hear ever so often when people are ready to, well, have a good time. That may well be the sentiment of thousands of Louisianans, now that the state's governor, John Bel Edwards has lifted his stay in place order used to mitigate the COVID-19 virus. Starting Friday, May 15, residents will be able to go to restaurants, beauty/barber shops, and yes, even attend churches under strict State Fire Marshal guidelines. Many around the state thought that Edwards would rescind his order on May 1, but...
By Eddie D. Gillis You knew it was only a matter of time. President Donald Trump has spent the better part of 2020 downplaying the seriousness of COVID-19, aka the coronavirus, telling Americans that basically, they had nothing to worry about. Even when the virus struck the state of Washington early in the year, the Trump took a “wait and see” attitude before addressing the public with any contingency if the virus started to spread. It did. Statements from the White House that “they” had the virus “contained”, was only a “stick of dynamite...
A Ouachita Parish woman says that she is feeling good and happy to be alive. Those who know her and anyone else who has been in her shoes would say the same. This particular woman said that her recent bout with COVID-19 has left her with a renewed sense of faith, knowing that it was the hand of God that kept her. She said that one of the things that kept her content during her confinement, was the joy that singing spiritual songs brought to her. She was in a hospital for about six weeks, and she said that all she could think about was,...
Two men employed as guards at the Richwood Correctional Center located in the town of Richwood died recently, and their families strongly believe that their deaths could have been prevented. Carl Lenard, 62, and Stanton Johnson, 51, died after contacting COVID-19 while working at the Richwood facility. According to media reports and family members, both men are believed to have contracted virus from detainees (some of whom has been confirmed to have the virus) while working at the facility. The...
This nation that sits between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in the northern hemisphere of the Americas that is called the United States is a lot of things, but “united” is not one of them. Even being in the midst of the possible worst pandemic known to mankind, some areas are being torn apart at the seams. As of this writing, over 65,000 people have died from the COVID-19 virus in just a little of over two months. A big argument over whether the nation was adequately prepared, or foresaw the consequences of the virus is still being hotly deb...
District A Ouachita Parish Police Juror Scotty Robinson seemed to be convinced that the parish’s governing body could make use of a lobbyist. At one of its regularly scheduled meetings, Monday, May 4, Robinson again tried to get his colleagues to see the benefits of hiring a lobbying firm to do work on behalf of the police jury. Not everyone is on board just yet. Robinson told jurors that The Picard Group, a lobbying firm, is interested in doing business with them and that they are ready to begin. District B Juror Jack Clampit appeared not t...
President Donald Trump has uttered a few quotes that will go down in the annals of political history that will stand besides Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death” quote. The president’s “I take no responsibility” answer to a reporter’s question over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic will certainly be one of the strangest. Then again, maybe not. At his last press briefing that some have called “campaign rallies”, President Trump said something that has got to have even his most diehard supporters scratching their...
Monroe Mayor, Jamie Mayo and Louisiana Governor, John Bel Edwards on Monday(April 27)both gave updates on the condition of where Monroe and Louisiana are concerning COVID-19. Mayor Mayo also gave an update on the condition of residents affected by the Easter tornados. The mayor talked about the need for more testing in Ouachita Parish to see if there will be a flattening of the curve to show a decrease so that accurate projections can be made about when the virus will show a noticeable decline; based on the number of deaths reported in the...
