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NAACP from page Al jority. Derick Smith, a political science professor at N.C. A&T State University, explained some of the recent bills, includ ing voter ID laws to pre vent what Smith says is a nonexistent voting fraud issue. "You don't really have to look too deep to figure out what's going on in our General Assembly - our government has been hijacked by a group of lob byists," declared Smith, whose students were among "the first foot sol diers" in the Moral Mondays movement. "...I believe that it's time to reclaim democracy for the citizens of this state." Last week. Republicans killed the Racial Justice Act, a law sponsored by local Democratic lawmakers that gave death row inmates an opportunity to win a reduced sentence if they could prove that racism played a part in their sentenc ing. Winston Salem Branch N A A C P President S. Wayne Patterson told the diverse group of atten dees that soli darity is the key to the move ment's success. "We can come together as a unified body," Patterson said. "Black, white, Hispanic, old, young, male, female - it doesn't make a difference because we are all citizens of North Carolina." McCrory and House Speaker Thorn Tillis have refused to meet with NC NAACP President William Barber II and others to dis cuss the current legislative session and have allowed peaceful protestors at the General Assembly to be arrested. Tillis has been caught on tape "literally running away from Rev. Barber and a group of peo ple who tried to engage him," Stephens said. "It reflects the public policy that they're pushing through to ignore people," he said. A handful of attendees had firsthand experience with the Moral Mondays protests. Six men. Rev. Steve Boyd, Patrick Donnelly, Dr. Carlton Eversley, Norman Hill, Rev. Ron LaRocque and Smith, shared their experi ences of being arrested and detained for as many as 12 hours as part of the Moral Mondays movement. LaRocque, the pastor of * Metropolitan Community Church, said his attendance was "simply a matter of faith." "Bills that further mar ginalize some of the most vulnerable citizens of our state, that is the very defi nition of injustice," he intoned. "My faith requires me to raise my voice against injustice until God's righteousness comes back into our state." - - " ? ? Patterson Photos b> I -? ? j Rob Stephens holds Democracy NC's Legislative Report Card. Despite being arrested, Donnelly described his participation in the effort as "a wonderful experi ence. "1 got involved because I see what's coming down the pipe from Raleigh and it truly upsets me - I'm outraged," he said. "They're focused on vot ing rights and everyone's rights to vote. TTiere's nothing more fundamental than that, I think, to being American." Hill, a math instructor at Davidson County Community College, accom panied Donnelly at the June 3 protest, where more than 150 were arrested for civil disobe u;n UI^IIVV. 11111 railed against cuts in educa tion funding and programs, especially pre kindergarten program ming, which he says has been a key factor in the state's ability to increase its graduation rate. "Education is some thing that's really impor tant to me," Hill said. "Nothing's more important to me than education, and I see that under attack." State Sen. Earline Parmon has been with the protestors, whom she affectionately refers to as "jailbirds," every step of the way, even waiting out side the jail until the wee hours of the morning to greet them and thank them for their efforts. Parmon, a Democrat who represents the 32nd District, told attendees that Moral Mondays are making an impact on her conservative foes. She urged all those in attendance to also lend their support to the move ment. "God told us what He requires of us, and that is to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God," she proclaimed. "We cannot be a part of the con spiracy of silence. If you do, you are a part of them ." To receive NAACP news and updates via text message, text "NAACP" to 46988. ROCK-SOLID ADVICE Mother of actor/comedian speaks to local students BY LAYLA GARMS THE CHRONICLE Comedian Chris Rock's mother, Rosalie "Rose" Rock, visited Kernersville Monday. Rock, an educator and host of the weekly Myrtle Beach, SC radio program, "The Mom Show," addressed students and parents at Sedge Garden Elementary School on June 10 - the next to last day of school - during the Fifth Grade Celebration. Rock is a veteran par ent. She and her late hus band Julius Rock reared 10 children and 17 foster chil dren. The family has roots in South Carolina, where Chris Rock was _ Knrn anH I wiut U1IU B e d f or d - Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where the family relo cated when Chris was a child. The ? wisdom of Rose Rock's experi ences is chroni cled in the 2009 book, "Mama Rock's Rules: Ten Lessons for Raising a Houseful of Successful Children." Rock addressed both the rising middle schoolers and their parents in her remarks. She advised the youngsters to make wise choices about the company they keep. "Companions are just like elevators - they can take you up or they can take you down, so you be very, very mindful of who you're hanging with," she said. "Because if you're the smartest person in your group, then you're in the wrong group. Look out for people who you want to emulate." Rock, whose book is billed as "a kicky blend of maternal spirituality and a 'don't mess with me or you won't get old' sense of authority," told parents to remain vigilant as their children move into middle school and the teen years. "Your living room is the first and the best class room. What you teach at home is what they bring into this environment." stated the former teacher. "You are the first, and you should be the best teacher, but now your job's going to get harder because they're going out into another world." Rook touted the impor tance of a sound education, a luxury she says American Warren LI Photos by L?yU Ganrn Elfreida Dixon (left) with Rosalie "Rose" Rock. children too often take for granted. 'Teachers come bear ing gifts," she told the stu dents. "They give us the gift of an education, they give you the gift of a future, if you want it." Rock s visit was facilitated by Elfreida Dixon, a fifth grade teacher who has a special connec tion to the Rock family. "I lived around the comer from the Rocks, before they were 'The Rocks,"' related Dixon, who babysat for Chris Rock when he was a youngster. "They're a beautiful family... they're just down to earth, good people. Fame has not affected them at all." Dixon says she has remained in close contact with the family, and has marveled, watching Chris, whom she described as a quiet and reserved child, rocket to stardom. A veter an educator, Dixon said she felt Mama Rock's mes sage would resonate with the audience. "She is such a brilliant woman," Dixon said. "And she's family oriented - she's all about the chil dren." Principal Ramona Warren said she felt privi leged to have Rock as a guest. "I was in disbelief when Frieda Dixon first told me that she would agree to be our speaker," she said of Rock. "This is something that just doesn't happen, to have someone of her wisdom and her stature speak to our stu dents." Rock was joined onstage by student speaker Theo Howard, a former Sedge Garden class presi Theo Howard speaks. dent. Theo, now a fresh man at Glenn High School, offered some words of advice to the Class of 2020 as they prepare to enter middle school. He told the students to respect their teachers, avoid negative influences and, most of all, put their schoolwork first. "I just want all of you to do a great job in middle school," commented Theo, whose younger brother Jason Redmond is a mem ber of the fifth grade class at Sedge Garden. "Make sure you handle your busi ness ... I wish you all good luck." Rock, whose eldest child has used his comic wits and acting ability to become a household name, told the students that the future is their responsibili ty "1 want you to go out there with vim and vigor with your minds open and your hearts open to be the best that you can be," she declared. "Success is a decision. You decide right now where you want to be in life - that is your deci sion." ??? .. . i ? The Chronicle (USPS 067-910) was established by Ernest H. Pitt and Ndubisi Egemonye in 1974 and is published every Thursday by Winston-Salem Chronicle ftiblishing Co. Inc., 617 N. Liberty Street, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101. Periodicals postage paid at Winston-Salem, N.C. Annual subscription price is $30.72. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Chronicle, P.O. Box 1636 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-1636 BIISMESS DEVELOPMENT ANOTHER REASON TO JOIN THE CHAMBER: WE CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS SUCCEED WITH ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTING, REFERRAL GROUPS, TRAINING PROGRAMS AND MORE ? | CHAMBER I IN BUSINESS FOR BUSINESS winstonsalem.com > ' i/ I EVENING CONCERTS B UMday, $um 14 The Household Mum: E Salem CompoMrs of the 19th Contury - wC 7:30 pm I Horn* Moravian Church, Old Salem M $13 Adults/$10 Students* Hannah Cartar, Mary Siebert, Glenn Sbbart, Jason MdGnnay, Susan Fostar, Barbara Ustmr-Sink U W tfatuAday, $UM 15 I Th? Krugor Brother* 'Appalachian Concerto" I ' Jim Lauderdale and The Amigos Band, J with tpedal guests from Musde Shoals I 7:30 pm I Parformanca Place Freed man Theatre I $25 Adults/$20 Students* I. 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