Despite turbulence, Daytona Beach,Fl residents show resilience in peaceful protest !

Posted on by Bruce Walton Jr

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  • Daytona Beach, Fl – May 30, 2020

 

In 2014, New York lost Eric Garner to the hands of police. Eric Garner was put in a choke hold by NYPD for allegedly selling unlicensed cigarettes. A crime that doesn’t hold a death sentence. Yet, this was the outcome for this father and family man. After protest, marches, and constant pressure it seemed things started to change. Fast forward to 2020, in Minneapolis, a man by the name of George Floyd would meet a very similar fate. It makes us wonder what will it take to truly get a change. To actually feel protected by police instead of uncertain. But before we dig deep, I’d like to point out an interesting observation that will show an uncanny and underlining truth about the state America and how it may have intensified.

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Daytona Beach,Fl held a peaceful protest led by Rell Black, a pivotal young man in the city’s moral & educational development along with being an important voice when it comes to injustices and black culture. Rell was apart of a large team that visited Houston,TX to deliver essential goods after the devastating hurricane Harvey hit in 2017. Even recently, Rell held a beach clean up the day after large crowds flooded the city for Memorial Day Weekend. This is only two of many examples that shows the extremes Rell has gone to to impute change.

I found the peaceful protest as they approached Beach St & ISB Blvd. As I approach I noticed a man jump out of a truck from the passenger side; a white man.  The truck carried a boat behind it and the boat carried a huge Trump flag. The man snatched the flag off his boat and put it inside of the truck before he passed the protest. At first it didn’t make sense to me. How does that even correlate to the situation and why would he want to hide a Trump flag as he passed a protest about a man being killed by the police? It hit me later. As I sat in the median on ISB Blvd, to get a unique vantage point take a photo, a man drove by in a white pick-up truck flicking off the crowd of protestors. It sort of hurt my feelings to know that someone, who could potentially be my neighbor, had such harsh feelings towards the situation. As I stared at the truck while it passed guess what sticker he had stamped on the back of his truck? A Trump sticker.

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Before I give my opinion I’d like to point out that the protest was one of the most beautiful protest I’ve ever seen. It was diverse. It warmed my heart to see that it wasn’t just a black and white thing. Some people just want what’s right and see the obvious inequalities. Social media and the new age of technology definitely intensified situations that would have ultimately gone unseen or unheard.  Which brings me to my earlier point. In order for a man to hide his Trump flag as he passed a protest about a black man being killed by a cop, yet again,  says to me that he felt that Trump flag held a deeper meaning. Which was that it fueled racism and the death of George Floyd was fueled by racism. Which is a very sad sentiment towards the state of this country. I mean, if the country’s leader made racist feel more comfortable what does that really say?

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Despite this saddening observation this protest gave me great vibes. There was so much passion there. So much love. I was proud for our city. I’ll be honest, I was discouraged moments before I joined the protest. Wondering how things could actually change. This protest gave me a new outlook. A new motivation. We’re definitely lucky and blessed to have leaders such as Rell Black, along with other great leaders.

The picture above is Rell Black being carried away by ambulance after having his foot run over. It happened moments after a man yelled, “They’re trying to hit us with their cars now!”. Yet, the look on his face isn’t troubled at all. It seemed that we are used to being resilient during times like this. This is the strength I felt.

This scene happened after I left. When I was there things were pleasant. I had a photoshoot to do at 1pm so I left the protest early. Some of the protestors said that they had been marching for hours already when I arrived around 12. My photoshoot ended around 4pm. I went to WAWA on the corner of ISB Blvd and people were still out protesting. I was literally amazed at the perseverance they had towards making sure this message was heard. Despite the heat, despite the discouragement, despite the rage from racist, they didn’t let up. The beauty of some people is something to really awe upon, at times. Big shout out to Kale Cafe (116 N Beach St, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114) and the entire family for handing out cold smoothies for protestors to drink.

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Don’t be confused. I started this article off rough because I wanted you to understand the resilience of our people. George Floyd can’t get anything from us physically now. But his family still has to push through in this tough time here on Earth. This is why it is so necessary that we have situations such as these peaceful protest. It is to constantly remind the people that we can’t let up. The moment we ease up is the moment they feel they can do as they feel to us. But the people show resilience every time. If you don’t believe me, just go back to Rell’s picture above moments after his foot was crushed.

Thank you to all the people that dedicated their time for this moment. Keep the fight alive and continue to apply pressure!

 

Written : Bruce Walton Jr

Please show your support for the Primetime Gamechangers

Posted on by Keedie's Corner

By: Keidra Ponder

I had the opportunity to speak with the Primetime Gamechangers’ Assistance Coach, Houston Cadette. Like many good men, he is an active father in his little athlete’s life. This an eight on eight spring tackle football team composed of energetic 9,10 & 11year olds. The Coaches William Bell and Bobby Candidate are very passionate about their players, often offering assistance to the parents who can’t afford the fees.

The Coaches have started a gofundme page to rally contributions for the players. As we know it’s many talented individuals who just need that little bit of hope to keep them going, please donate to their campaign. Your donation will go towards the player’s fee of $160.00 for needed equipment such as; jerseys, padded pants and pride packs consisting of team shorts and shirts. Assistant Coach Cadette said, “We really want to make this a great experience, looking good makes you feel good and feeling good helps you play good.” 

Click the link below to donate to the Primetime Gamechangers equipment and uniform drive;

https://www.gofundme.com/equipment-and-uniform-drive?pc=fm_co_campmgmt_m&rcid=r01-154929953923-7b5d3cd493e14161

 

Artist in the Spotlight: Shauna Ti’er

Posted on by Keedie's Corner

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Gospel Artist and Aspiring Actress Shauna Ti’er was born March 23, 1976 in Jacksonville, FL. She was raised in Daytona Beach, Florida and started singing at the age of 5 in her local family church, New Mt. Zion Baptist. At the age of 12, she landed the lead role in a school play where her acting and singing talents were displayed. She has always loved to sing and share her gift with people.

Even at a young age, she learned to love the art of music and was inspired by several known legends in the industry including Shirley Caesar, Helen Baylor, the Clark Sisters, and also R&B sensation, the late Whitney Houston to name a few. At the age of 15, Shauna Ti’er was offered a very unique position as a Special Teen Advisor for Fashion (STAFF) with JCPenney. During this time, she was afforded the opportunity to showcase her modeling talents and began to blossom as a performer at that point. She started to write music and really began to develop a deeper love for her craft as a music artist.

In 1996 she moved to Atlanta, GA and another chapter in her life began. She was blessed to become a praise and worship leader at a local church, where God began to really show her his plan for her life. During this time she wrote a gospel play that was showcased in several churches around the local area. In 2016, after writing many songs, she felt compelled to move forward with her career in the entertainment industry. She was blessed to be signed with NTM Group, under the management of Shanita Brown, after which she released her first single in March of 2017, titled “Lord You Are Worthy”. The single was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Will Neal.

After 21 years of different roles in the kingdom and even a few seasons of falling away from her beliefs, she never lost her faith in God, nor her desire to serve him wholeheartedly by using her gifts. In March 2017, God commissioned her and her family to move to Harrisburg, PA, where she is now a member of the Bridge of Faith Ministries under the leadership of Pastor Sheila Harris. Shauna Ti’er is now in full swing using her God-given talents by singing, acting, and speaking/teaching as requested! She has completed the video of her single that will be released in early June of 2018 and is now working on an EP with new music to be released in the spring of 2019.

To contact Shauna Ti’er or for booking, please contact Shanita Brown at ntmanagementgroup@gmail.com