Bronx Politicians kick off Black History Month
BY ALEX MITCHELL
Black Bronx politicians launched
into Black History Month with a discussion
of racial issues that hit close
to home and told of their own beginnings
and upbringings on Tuesday
night through a Facebook Live
stream.
Speaker Carl Heastie of the Assembly
told that he aimed to “take
communities of color with me” when
he became speaker years ago in an
effort to to change New York and to
change the world for people of color, a
message which resonated with fellow
Bronx men like newly elected councilman
Kevin Riley.
Riley shared that he grew up with
his father incarcerated, “thinking
that’s inevitable” for himself until he
began to see other paths emerge for
young Bronx men by way of Heastie
and senator Jamaal Bailey.
He added that while growing up,
Riley was taught in school that racism
was something of the past, only
to see that it is still a highly prevalent
issue in American and global society.
Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner
also spoke to the Bronx’s diversity
and that this generation’s wave of
success in the borough has been a
fi rst for many local families.
Bailey spoke to such a point, encouraging
Bronx residents to become
strong community partners through
many mediums, not just running for
political offi ce.
Meanwhile, newly elected congressman
Ritchie Torres boasted the
signifi cance of the black vote, particularly
in this election.
Speaking on the history made by
incumbent Vice President Kamala
Harris, Torres said that is a step
closer to a multiracial democracy for
the nation – though much more needs
to be done here and now, he added.
Citing racial disparities within
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, F 36 EBRUARY 5-11, 2021 BTR
the paycheck protection program,
Torres said “black businesses were
largely left behind” and that moving
forward racial equity should be at the
center “of everything we do,” adding
that the current democrat majorities
give way for a potential “FDR moment”
in socioeconomic policy.
While fellow freshman congressman
Jamaal Bowman dismissed
a comparison to former president
Franklin Delano Roosevelt on account
that “FDR negotiated with
southern racists,” according to Bowman,
he did call for a Black New Deal
which would promote racial equity.
Using the example of Bronx housing
and educational needs underfunded,
Bowman said such a wealth
gap is “by design” and needs to be
changed.
Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo
also addressed “the reality that
identity is so critical to everything
that we do,” a point reiterated by assemblywoman
Chantel Jackson.
Jackson said she does her job to be
an inspiration to young black girls
and other women and men of color,
later discussing her stance on the
Black Lives Matter movement and
protests from this summer.
Downplaying the violence, rioting,
and looting which came separate
to peaceful protests in many cases,
Jackson said “bodies matter more
than business” in the context that
she believes larger issues are still at
hand.
Though, Bronx District Attorney
Darcel took an opposite stance on the
issue, denouncing the looting and
riots which happened on Fordham
Road and Burnside Avenue in June.
“It’s not going to help our cause,
she said, adding that destruction of
one’s community is not the answer to
such racial issues.
Clark continued, citing the Bronx’s
gun violence epidemic and saying
that there is a need to take “ownership”
of such issues.
She also noted in the areas where
many of the year’s shootings occurred
there are a lack of resources such as
libraries, community centers, along
with a slew of abandoned buildings
and homelessness.
Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson,
who has joined Clark in several antigun
violence movements while also
protesting violence against minorities
and trans people also addressed
Black Lives Matter, saying that the
movement itself is being gentrifi ed in
many ways.
FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF THE BRONX
Docket # NN-10039-20
SUMMONS
In the Matter of
MASON STEWART
A Child(ren) Under Eighteen Years Alleged to be Neglected by
MICHAEL STEWART
LAKIYAH BLAKE
Respondent(s)
BRONX FAMILY COURT – VIRTUAL INTAKE
Microsoft Teams link:
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NOTICE: PLACEMENT OF YOUR CHILD IN FOSTER CARE MAY RESULT IN YOUR LOSS OF YOUR
RIGHTS TO YOUR CHILD. IF YOUR CHILD STAYS IN FOSTER CARE FOR 15 OF THE MOST RECENT
22 MONTHS, THE AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FILE A PETITION TO TERMINATE YOUR
PARENTAL RIGHTS AND TO COMMIT GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY OF YOUR CHILD TO THE
AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION. IN SOME CASES, THE AGENCY MAY FILE BEFORE
THE END OF THE 15-MONTH PERIOD. IF SEVERE OR REPEATED CHILD ABUSE IS PROVEN BY
CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE, THIS FINDING MAY CONSTITUTE THE BASIS TO TERMINATE
YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND TO COMMIT GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY OF YOUR CHILD TO
THE AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION.
TO: MICHAEL STEWART
A petition under ARTICLE 10 of the FAMILY COURT ACT having been filed with this court alleging that th
above-named child(ren) is a neglected child(ren), a copy of said petition being annexed hereto:
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to appear before this court at 900 Sheridan Avenue, Bronx, New
York 10451, VIRTUAL COURTROOM – CALL THE NUMBER PROVIDED AND DO NOT GO TO THE
COURTHOUSE on March 3, 2021, at 9:00 AM of said day to answer the petition and to show caus
why said child(ren) should not be adjudicated to be a neglected child(ren) and why you should no
be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of ARTICLE 10 of the FAMILY COURT ACT and why
an order of support under SECTION 235 of the FAMILY COURT ACT should not be made if the fina
disposition is an order of placement.
On your failure to appear as herein directed, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.
FURTHER NOTICE: Family Court Act §154(c) provides that petitions brought pursuant to Articles 4,5,6,8
and 10 of the Family Court Act, in which an order of protection is sought or in which a violation of an orde
of protection is alleged, may be served outside the State of New York upon a Respondent who is not a
resident or domiciliary of the State of New York. If no other grounds for obtaining personal jurisdiction ove
the Respondent exist aside from the application of this provision, the exercise of personal jurisdiction ove
the respondent is limited to the issue of the request for, or alleged violation of, the order of protection. Wher
the Respondent has been served with this summons and petition and does not appear, the Family Cour
may proceed to a hearing with respect to issuance or enforcement of the order of protection.
STEPHEN BYRNE
CLERK OF COURT
D
ated: January 27, 2021
A Trusted Name In The Community For Over 50 Years
CHERICO REAL ESTATE
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