Columnist can't 'sit comfortably' while there is discrimination in the U.S.

Here we are, having just celebrated the birthday of our nation. Before I get started and before you get your dander up, let me tell you this: I am one very proud American.

And no, I don't like "The Star Spangled Banner." It is hard to sing and too often those who sing it don't know the words. In my opinion, "America the Beautiful" is a much better song for our national anthem.

Even so, when the time comes to stand and sing "The Star Spangled Banner," I do so with gusto and a bursting pride in the fact that I can stand and sing it as a free, black woman.

That doesn't mean that I am oblivious to all that is happening to African Americans, immigrants and other downtrodden people in this great country of ours. What it means is, because I am a free, black woman in sound mind and body, with the blood still running warm in my veins, I have a God-given opportunity to do something to help make America live up to its Declaration of Independence.

I am living in the winter of my life, as I have so often said. Still, as long as there is breath in my body and a will to do good in my heart and soul, I don't have an excuse to sit back and look the other way as our children are being killed in so-called "safe places" — our schools and playgrounds and even our homes, and neither do you.

I can't look the other way as long as there is discrimination against a living soul in this country. I can no longer sit comfortably in my rocking chair on my front porch, while I know that there are abused American and immigrant babies who would benefit from the warmth of a loving lap and the cuddling arms of this and other caring grandmothers. I must find a way to get this done.

While arthritis won't allow me to stand or march for hours in protest, I find that this small column can be a great weapon against the wrongs that I witness daily — through news reports and also as a resident in one of the most dangerous communities in Miami-Dade County, Miami Gardens. Through this column, I can speak loud against the injustices I have seen, and still see as I and my country grow older.

Recently a reader wrote me that I was only "preaching to the choir" when I use my column to speak out against what is wrong. While that may be true, I believe that you, choir members, who faithfully read this column can help me.

With this freedom of the pen, I can speak out against the bullying and lies that our president spews out almost daily, while proclaiming to "make America great again." Such childish actions often overshadow whatever good he does. So you, who read the column and believe in the dignity, goodness and fairness for all people, can tell somebody else about what you have read in this column. And that somebody can tell another somebody.

And as we spread the word I ask you, my friends, to also join me in prayer for President Trump. It doesn't matter whether or not you voted for him. What matters is that he is our president and it is a good thing to ask God's blessings over him.

Fifty years of preaching

I was in the congregation when a young Walter Thomas Richardson asked at The Church of God Tabernacle (True Holiness) to pray for him, "because prayer changes things."

I was there a few weeks later when, during a revival, he along with several other young people, got saved. I was there two years later, when he was called to the ministry at age 20. And a few months later, I was a bridesmaid in his wedding, when he married his soul mate, the former M. Dolores Turner.

God willing, at 10 a.m. July 15 in the church where his spiritual journey started, I will be there to help him celebrate 50 years of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now a celebrated and internationally known minister and musician, the Rev. Dr. Walter T. Richardson served as the senior pastor of Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church in Perrine for nearly 27 years until his retirement in 2010. Recently he came back to his roots to serve in the church where his father Bishop Walter H. Richardson, has served as the spiritual leader for 53 years.

The younger Richardson is no stranger to the Miami-Dade Community and his honors and accolades are many. He was a professor at St. Thomas University for 28 yeas until his retirement in 2016, and still serves on the university's Religious Board of Trustees. He is also the senior chaplain for Miami-Dade Police Department, where he has served for 29 years. Richardson also served as the chairman of Miami-Dade County Community Relations Board, which he resigned to serve on the Board of the Public Health Trust.

The order of the anniversary service will include a sermon preached by Richardson and special tributes from friends and family members.

He and his wife, also a minister, have been married 49 years. They live in South Dade and are the parents of Walter LaMark and LaKisha Dolores Jones, the grandparents of 12 and the great-grandparents of many.

The anniversary celebration is open to the community.

Cuban heroes of war in Israel

In 1948, a group of 23 Cuban Jews answered the call to help the young, struggling nation of Israel. Their efforts have never been forgotten and at 12:30 p.m. July 29, the Inter-American Chapter of Hadassah will remember them as the "Cuban Heroes of the Israel War of Independence" at a special luncheon at Miami Shores Country Club, 10000 Biscayne Blvd.

Four of the original 23 heroes will be honored at the event. They are Israel Behar, Mordechai Maya, Elias Tacher and Sabetay Yahia.

The deceased members of the heroic group are, David Bacalchuz, Isaac Barrocas, Ruben Behar, Salvador Ben Nun, Israel Bichachi, Dr. Alberto Forma, Jaime Goldberg and Jose Hasday.

Also, Daniel Levy, David Mitrani, Salomon Mitrani, Primitivo Ramirez, David Roffe, Al Rossof, Sabeto Yahia, El Frances Halfon, and Carlos Gabrilevich. All will be honored posthumously.

Lior Haiat, consul general of Israel has been invited to the event.

If you go, you must RSVP by July 15. The dairy brunch buffet is $75 per person and $65 if your reservation check is received by July 15. Checks should be mailed to: Inter-American Chapter of Hadassah, P.O. Box 546166, Surfside, FL 33154-0166

Community concert

The community is invited to a concert presented by Illuminare, an ensemble of collegiate and Youngstown, Ohio area music professionals, directed by Jon Simic, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at Trinity Cathedral, 464 NE 16th St..

The concert is called "Where Saints and Sinners Have Trod" and will include pieces by Monteverdi, Handle, Marenzio, Pearsall, Goss Stanford Paulus and other great sacred choral music composers.

The Illuminare musical group has performed throughout northeastern Ohio, nationally, and internationally, including performances in the U.K. at Salisbury Cathedral in England, St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, and Newport Cathedral in Wales.

The concert is free but a free-will offering will be received.

United Way honorees

Congratulations to the five United Way volunteers recently honored at the 2018 Annual Meeting and Volunteer Awards event June 27 at Jungle Island.

The honorees: U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, the Public Service Leadership Award; Annelies Da Costa Gomez, the Dorothy Shula Award for Outstanding Volunteerism; Francisco "Paco" Velez, the Monsignor Walsh Outstanding Human Services Professional Award; Shekeria Brown, the Essie Silva Community Builder Award, and Joshua Williams, the Outstanding Youth Award.

This story was originally published July 5, 2018 at 1:40 PM.