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Show Notes

• Archived Blog Post

  Date / Time: 7/27/2009 1:04 AM UTC

  Reporters Roundtable with Cheryl Smith with Sgt. Preston Gilstrap of the National Black Police Assoc
  

  Sunday, July 26 and I am broadcasting LIVE from Chicago where Kevin and Karen Fleming are celebrating their 50th birthdays. They were born in February (6) and January (22) respectively but they would have a hard time getting quite a few of us to travel to Chi-town during those months--especially the Elusive Ladies from the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and there were 9 of us in attendance!
  
  Jasmine provided the news and Bilal was on hand with our health report.
  
  The topic that sparked today’s discussion was the arrest of Harvard University Professor Dr. Henry Louis Gates who after returning from an overseas trip had a hard time getting into his home. Eventually he was able to get inside only to find the Cambridge, MA. police at his door because a neighbor called the police to report two suspicious looking Black men attempting to enter the house. Sgt. James Crowley was the lead officer arriving on the scene.
  Sgt. Preston Gilstrap is a veteran with the Dallas Police Department and he says that he read the police report.
  “I understand what vicariously happened because of my 37 years in law enforcement,” said Sgt. Gilstrap, who described in his own words what the report said. “Usually burglars don’t walk around with canes.”
  According to Sgt. Gilstrap, who is the Past President of Texas Peace Officers Association and former Chairman of the Board of the National Black Police Association the situation could have been defused.
  “Sgt. Crowley was being chastised by Dr. Gates,” explained Mr. Gilstrap, who added that the charge against Dr. Gates were scurrilous because “you can not disturb the peace” of a police officer. “Dr. Gates violated a law he was unaware of -- P O P or pissing off the police.”
  Sgt. Gilstrap described Prof. Gates as a stalwart scholar and Sgt. Crowley as a hardnosed officer. The two were involved in a situation that involves perception and has caused an international furor. President Barack Obama, who spoke out on the issue, was also praised by Sgt. Gilstrap, who pointed out that the NBPA also issued a statement on the issue.
  This subject will be discussed further during the NBPA National Education and Training Conference in Dallas, August 16-23 at the Fairmont Hotel. Veteran journalist Bob Ray Sanders, of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, will provide the keynote address so it is sure to be exciting.
  For more information about the conference, log on to www.blackpolice.org.
  
  Next week, Reporters Roundtable will be broadcast LIVE from Harwood 609 and we’re inviting all HBCUs to come out. So far I have heard from Paul Quinn, FAMU, Prairie View A&M, Grambling, Southern, UNCF, Dallas Metroplex Council of Black Alumni Associations and I am still waiting to hear from all the other schools.
  
  ISSUES In the News--
  -Popular bestselling author E. Lynn Harris died last week and reports identified a heart attack as the cause.
  -Today was Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin last day in office.
  -Former Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill’s trial is still going on.
  -We hope to have District Attorney Craig Watkins on to talk about budget issues effecting Dallas County.
  -Health Reform
  -Today Min. Louis Farrakhan is going to talk about the crucifixion of Michael Jackson at 11:00. Contact Muhammad’s Mosque No. 48 for more information.
  -I have six tickets to the Ringling Brothers for August 1. They are $20 each and they are prime seats.
  - Saturday is Paul Quinn Giving Day and there will be a pep rally at noon. Come by and make your donation in support of the only historically Black college in Dallas.
  -Deb Brown and Vernell Sturns will be married on Saturday.
  
  During the final segment, Monica Lewis was on to talk about Nehemiah Christian Academy. Students are able to learn at their own pace at this online academy and homeschool cottage school. It’s mission is to “rebuild the walls of faith to students whose doors and gates have been closed; that no gap in their lives remain unfinished that have not yet been repaired.” The school goes from third grade to 12th and school begins on August 24th. The Grand Opening is on August 8, 10am-4pm at 103 East Beltline Road in Cedar Hill. For more information log on to www.nehemiahchristianacademy.org or call 972-293-6114 or 1-877-293-6113.
  
  
  SHOUT OUTS -
  
  -Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream in Chicago
  -Uncle Joe’s Jamaican Restaurants, also in Chicago
  • Tags:
  • KKDA
  • Cheryl Smith
  • Reporters Roundtable
  • Karen and Kevin Flem
  • Preston Gilstrap
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