Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Dec. 20, 2012, edition 1 / Page 9
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OPINION/ FORUM (jjRONICLEiS) Ebnest H. Pitt Elaine Pitt T. Kevin Walkee Publisher/Co-Founder Business Manager Managing Editor All Acts of Violence Deserve Our Indignation Sandy Hook Elementary has now joined the infa mous ranks of Columbine, Aurora and Virginia Tech - all scenes of horrific acts of gun violence that left many dead and families shattered. Understandably, the nation's collective interest is piqued and heartstrings pulled when such senseless acts of violence are committed - especially against the young and innocent. But let's spread the outrage around a little. Gun violence is a reality in American cities and towns each and every day, though it may not garner international headlines. The Windy City, for example, has become the Bloody City. The murder rate in Isaiah Brooks Porshe Foster Chicago is staggering, this year alone, nearly 500 mur ders have been committed. Many of the victims have been kids like 15-year-old Porshe Foster, who was fatally shot earlier this month as she stood in a friend's backyard during a sleepover. During the weekend before the Sandy Hook tragedy, eight people were killed and more than 30 were injured in Chicago as a result of gun vio lence. Are their deaths less newsworthy because they did not occur in the same place as a result of the same gunmen, or because these victims lived in the inner-city and not the suburbs? While last week's school shooting in Connecticut was jarring to all of us, we are not immune to senseless violence here in our own city. Police still have made no arrest in the nearly seven year old murder of 13-year-old Isaiah Brooks. The local honors student was found shot to death on a drive way on Machine Street. During remarks he made over the weekend at an interfaith prayer vigil in Newtown, Conn., President Obama said of the Sandy Hook massacre, "We can't accept events like this as routine." Sadly, though, we have become immune to violence in this nation - the gun capital of the world. Acts like the one that occurred at Sandy Hook still rattle us - at least tem porarily - but the everyday gun-related deaths barely register with most of us and hardly ever create a national uproar, especially if the victims are black or brown. There should be indignation over Isaiah's death and others whose lives have been senselessly claimed. When we accept violence of any sort as the norm, we not only surrender a piece of our humanity, but belittle victims and disrespect the families that love them. If there is one very narrow silver.lining in the Sandy Hook tragedy, it is the very real possibility that lawmakers may finally act on an assault weapons ban. Pushing through such legislation won't be a walk ip the park. The National Rifle Association (NRA) his most conservative members of Congress wrapped around their AK-47-bearing fingers. A ban on assault weapons also won't solve the problem of everyday violence in the innercity, where handguns are often the weapon of choice. But a ban on such weapons - which were not what those who drafted the Constitution had in mind - is a start. i a FfeoBuaM-. twaseop ~M2L v?\j&ucaN P2RTS Sfe iv^aPaRxw op ou>, wwe G*siz>.%% EEl Thanks for Coverage To the Editor: Hello - hope you're having a pleasant day. Season's Greetings to you and your quality newspaper! I am Ronnie "Dale" Goins writing to you from the Cherry Street prison. Your paper did an article on Forsyth Jail & Prison Ministry's Recent Fundraiser Art show at Forsyth Country Club. I'm the winner of the Prison Entry "Brother's Keeper." Thank you for the media exposure of my work and thank you most importantly for coverage of the ministry that goes on here and in this wonderful city. Great city - greatest people! I'm from Mt. Airy, N.C. I've lived in Winston in the past (and) probably will in the future, as well. Hope to be newsworthy (for) my art someday when I'm out. Again - Thank you! Sincerely, Ronnie Dale Goins Goins' winning piece A Giant of a Man Mae Rodney Guest Columnist On Nov. 20, 2012, Winston-Salem lost a loyal friend and champi on for all. Although Rev. Cedric S. Rodney was brought to the city by the Southern Provence of the Moravian Church, he served the entire city with distinc tion. His lifetime com mitment to being a pastor to all of God's children allowed him to provide a service to all; he shared kind words and a warm smile with everyone that he met. He did not con centrate his attention on any one type of agency or cause. He willingly con tributed his expertise to counseling individuals in personal crisis and plan ning extended living facilities for senior citi zens. In later years, he served on the Senior Services Board, as well as with Hospice. He also offered his expertise to educating young people through his tenure on the Winston-Salem Forsyth Board of Education, the Salem Academy and College Boards of Trustees for two terms, and working full-time at Winston-Salem State University. His appreciation of history was demonstrated by his extended work with area historical soci eties including Old Salem Museums and Gardens, and most significantly assisting with the plan ning and restoration of the original St Philips Moravian Church, which led to the inclusion of the African American experi ence at Old Salem. He also participated on the Wachovia Historical Society and the Bethabara Historical Society boards. He even transformed > Ffenmo Dr. Mat Rodney with her late husband, Dr. Cedric Rodney. his fascination with ama teur radios into a service for the community. He performed telephone patches for many mis sionaries who wanted to remain connected with their local family mem bers. He welcomed the area TV station to his home based station when there was a hurricane in the West Indies. He served multiple roles with the Forsyth Amateur Radio Club for many years. He was also a member of the Downtown Rotary, where he often gave the noon time prayer. As a minister, he was very proud of the fact they he had preached at many churches in Winston-Salem, not just to Moravian congrega tions. His ability to con struct and masterfully deliver a prayer that did not offend, but instead lifted everyone up, put him on the top of the list to pray at groundbreak ings, ribbon cuttings and other public and private events. Cedric was just as involved at Winston Salem State University, where he served on many committees and had a multiplicity of positions from teacher, advisor to the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religion and Ethics. At the university, he ful filled his life dream to be a chaplain. He enjoyed teaching and shaping the lives of the many young people that he taught and counseled. His second career at the university was serv ing as the James A. Cray Distinguished Professor of Religion and Ethics. It was the pinnacle of his career. He was able to travel throughout the United States listening to and recruiting and then sharing the best ethicists and preachers with his adopted hometown. He personally enjoyed listen ing to the speakers, often for the second time. He was frequently in awe of their knowledge and skills. He was proud of the quality of speakers that he brought to the university. TL. L _r ...J. i nc nuinoci 01 tuus, calls, prayers, well-wish es that the Rodney family received after his passing truly validated the impact that Cedric Sydney Rodney had on Winston Salem and the Winston Salem State University community. Our hearts and spirits were lifted especially by the careful ly thought out words that confirmed he accom plished his mission on Earth. He did the work that his Heavenly Father commissioned him to perform. He was a men tor, friend and comforter to so many people. The family has his earthly possessions radios, clocks, cameras etc. and wonderful mem ories of life with a loving father and husband. These items will provide us with some comfort; we also have friends who offer comfort. We pray that the residents of the greater community will find the comfort they need and the courage to emulate his values and ' ethics as you work with each other to make Winston-Salem the best place to live in the United States. A heartfelt th&nk-you is shared for spreading the word about his death through print and elec tronic media. Thank you to the staff and congrega tion at Home Moravian Church for hosting his requested Moravian Life Celebration. A special thanks is shared with Mark Wright for stream ing his service live so many people who could not attend the celebration could " indeed attend" the service. To the entire Winston-Salem commu nity: your prayers, cards and memorials to St. Philips Moravian Church and the WSSU Friends of the Library have indeed allowed the Rodney Family to take two more steps forward in this new journey without him. The many memories or reflec tions that you shared with us indeed helped us. Again, thank you for your kindness. You are invited to enjoy and contribute to the Rev Dr. Cedric S. Rodney blog at http://drrevrodney.word press.com/ Dr. Mae L Rodney, the widow of Dr. Cedric S. Rodney, is the director of Library Services at k
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