The doors of a once proud school district have been closed forever, as Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District is no more. There is no need to go into the scandals, mismanagement, and poor record of education the district leaves as its final legacy. The predominantly black district, made up of predominantly black students and teachers, run by predominantly black administrators embarks upon a new phase. And when Wilmer-Hutchins was unable to open for the 2005-2006 school year, Dallas ISD was the only school district to step up and educate the children of Wilmer-Hutchins. It was more than Dallas being able, but they were willing to take the kids for at least one year. Just as in the days following Katrina, Dallas took on the challenges had by others, while trying to deal with issues of its own. Again, allowing the surrounding cities to look the other way in a time of need. I have a cousin who was bused from Wilmer-Hutchins to a DISD high school last year, and for her it has worked out relatively well. Some W-H parents are not happy with DISD, but I'd argue that it beats the alternative. The next school bond issue scheduled to be voted upon ...

I was listening to the Willis Johnson Show on KKDA Soul 73 last week and he posed an interesting question: Why didn't the Essence Festival choose Dallas instead of Houston. I suppose this is a fair question. So I then asked myself; Could Dallas successfully host the Essence Festival? It took me two seconds to answer, of course not. Look, to say I don't care for Houston is putting it mildly. I've gone through varying degrees of a Hate/Hate relationship with H-Town, and my boys and I constantly debate the viability of each city. Nevertheless, I must give credit to Houston for making a mild rebound from stinky city by the Gulf, to being rated the #1 city in the U.S. for African-Americans by Black Enterprise Magazine. Back to the question at hand, why would Essence choose Houston over Dallas? The overwhelming reason is Reliant Park/Reliant Stadium. Reliant Stadium is the only facility this side of the Georgia Dome in Atlanta that could serve as a concert venue with the same atmosphere as the New Orleans Superdome. So when Dallas let Jerry Jones pack up his ball and take his new football stadium to Arlington, it will cost the City of Dallas ...

There is no way around the fact that there were heavy hitters from the black community here in Dallas (Oak Cliff as the paper kept referencing this morning) yesterday. Though some may disagree with the politics of Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson, no one can deny the fact that these men have worked tirelessly in the struggle for justice and equality. The National Conference and Revival for Social Justice made me reflect on that struggle and look forward towards the challenges that are before us. I saw before me what promises to be a changing of the guard on yesterday. Rev. Sharpton and Rev. Jackson have been on the front line for years, and when looking into the eyes of either man, one can see the toll it has taken on each. It was not lost on me, the fact that the older Sharpton, Jackson, or even Charles Steele of the SCLS, were hosted by a younger pastor of similar ilk: Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III. Dr. Haynes is taking the substance of their approach and infusing it with fresh perspectives and unique ideas. Martin Luther King was referenced throughout the day, as he should be, for the ...

The National Action Network will host a National Conference and Revival for Social Justice in the Black Church. According their website (http://www.nationalactionnetwork.net) "National Action Network (NAN) is a political, social, and activist-oriented organization that was conceived with a focus on action." The Conference will be held at Friendship-West Baptist Church and Conference Center; 2020 Wheatland Road, Dallas Texas, 75232. Speakers for the two-day event include: Rev. Al Sharpton Dr. Cornell West Rev. Jesse Jackson Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson Marc Morial Rev. Dr. Boise Kimber Rev. Marvin Mercer Dr. Joseph Lowrey Dr. Calvin McKinney Workshops open to the public will be held during the day, and a revival each night beginning at 7 pm. The goal of this event is to reawaken the African-American Church, and take the church back to it's roots of fighting for justice and addressing the social ills of our community.

If Dallas South Blog were a store, this would be the Grand Opening. If Dallas South Blog were a ship, this would be the Maiden Voyage. If Dallas South Blog were a movie, this would be the Initial Screening. Welcome to the Official Launch of Dallas South Blog! As I began to share with my friends and my family that I was starting a blog, surprisingly enough, the most frequently asked question was, "What is a blog?" The name Mark Cuban usually followed soon thereafter. So for those who made it here but are still wondering, blog is short for "web log" and is an online journal created for the consumption of the general internet public. Blogs are places where a blogger (that's me) can communicate with an audience (that's you) on varying topics. It's sort of a modern day water cooler. This particular blog was created to discuss issues unique to Southern Dallas and Dallas County, specifically focusing on its African-American citizenry. There will also be comments on Black Issues in the national news as well. Please read the welcome post for a more detailed description. The first necessity of a successful blog is TRAFFIC. That's where you come in. Log on to Dallas South ...

For centuries we as African-Americans have divided ourselves, on many levels. As a matter of fact, those who brought us here in shackles and chains have taken every available opportunity to promote separation within our race, be it physical, mental, or spiritual. You need look no further than The Willie Lynch Letter to see that there was a deliberate and systematic plan to divide those who were enslaved, and ensure that it be a permanent condition. The document does not try to hide the intention of these slave holders, as it suggests how differences should be used to instill distrust and envy amongst it's property: On the top of my list is "AGE" but it is there only because it starts with an "A"; the second is "COLOR" or SHADE, there is INTELLIGENCE, SIZE, SIZE PLANTATIONS, STATUS ON PLANTATION, ATTITUDE OF OWNERS, WHETHER THE SLAVES LIVE IN THE VALLEY, ON THE HILL, EAST, WEST, NORTH, SOUTH, HAVE FINE HAIR, COURSE HAIR, OR IS TALL OR SHORT....DISTRUST is stronger than TRUST, and ENVY is stronger than ADULATION, RESPECT, or ADMIRATION. The Willie Lynch Letter In 2006, we are still divided along many of these same lines, but for the sake of today's blog, I ...

When I started this site, my intention was to update it every 2 or 3 days with information pertinent to Southern Dallas, and the Dallas area as a whole. And there have been so many things happening over the last few weeks that could provide great discussion amongst readers. However, the launch of this site coincided with something that has captured the imagination of the entire city: The Playoff Run of the Dallas Mavericks. It seemed like every evening I had something good to blog about, the Mavs had a game, and once I sat down, it was at least 3 hours before I was anywhere near useful. The entire city has been caught up in MAVS EUPHORIA, and that includes fans that inhabit every portion of North Texas. In the supermarket, at the work place, on the radio, even in the House of the Lord, Mavericks Basketball was top of mind for any and everyone. Not since the Cowboys of the 90's had a Dallas sports franchise captured the national spotlight to this extent, and given the locals such a rallying point Last night, that run came to an end, as Dwyane Wade single handedly ended what was still the greatest ...

What is the difference between Dallas and other big cities in the United States? A better question would be; what does Dallas lack, that all other municipalities it's size can already boast of having? That question probably has lots of answers; including the lack of a vibrant nightlife, the lack of a viable downtown, and lacking a park system of which its residents can be proud. But think about this statement: Dallas is the largest city in America that does not have a public institution of higher learning. Think about that. Now many of you probably thought immediately of SMU, but Southern Methodist is a private university. No Money, No SMU. L.A. has UCLA and USC. New York has NYU. In Texas, Houston is home to both the University of Houston and Texas Southern (TSU). Even San Antonio has UTSA. And I'd be remiss if I didn't at least acknowleged the school housed in the state capital (that's the best an A&M grad can do). While each of these cities realized sooner (NYU founded in 1831), or later (UTSA established in 1969) that it was important to provide college level education to its masses, Dallasites have sent their students ...

Welcome to the Dallas South Blog, a forum dedicated to the discussion of all thing south of the Trinity River in Dallas, Texas. Although most of my blogs will focus on Southern Dallas, i.e. South Dallas, Oak Cliff, and West Dallas, there's also room for discussion of the Southern suburbs. So Lancaster, DeSoto, Duncanville, and Cedar Hill may also be in the mix. Having grown up in East Texas, my family and I made plenty of trips to the city; Big D, D-Town, The Metroplex. I got to know the city pretty well, at least the parts that surrounded Red Bird Mall. Weekend excursions during my high school years led my friends and I to prominent destinations like Kiest Bazaar, Big T Bazaar, Shamrock Skating Rink, the aforementioned Red Bird Mall, and the mother of them all: The Grambling-Prairie View Football Game at the State Fair. Throw in a yearly trek to Six Flags, and this was my view, my experience, my understanding of Dallas. Upon Graduation from Texas A&M University in the late 90's. I was eager to get a job and move to Dallas. Once I got here, I quickly realized how narrow and limited my view of the city ...