Dear Dean Magazine: August 2023

DEAR DEAN 

M A G A Z I N E 

BLACK PEOPLE TO GOP: 

JUST DON’T BREAK THE LAW 

Indictment Special 

+ WHY BLACK & JEWISH FOLK 

ARE NOT FIGHTING 

V O L . 2 0 | A U G U S T 2 2 , 2 0 2 3 

+ 

+ 

BUT WHAT IF? 

NOT GOING TO 

PLAY SUN CITY — 

TIME FOR ARTISTS 

AND ATHLETES TO 

BOYCOTT FLORIDA 

Plus! 

Myron's Hit or Miss List 

New Movie Reviews 

What I'm Streaming Right Now 

Hot Takes 

Featured Books 

WE CAME 

TO OUR RESCUE

THE GOODS 

03 Welcome From Myron 

06 

We Came To Our Rescue 

by Myron J. Clifton 

09 Why Black & Jewish Folk Are 

Not Fighting 


14 Black People to GOP: Just 

Don’t Break the Law 


20 

But What If? 

by Steven Evangelista 

24 

Not Going to Play Sun City — 

Time for Artists and Athletes to 

Boycott Florida 


28 Pursuing Passion & Independence 

by Robin Stevenson 

30 

32 

34 

Myron's HIT or MISS List 

Hot Take! x4 

Movie Reviews / My Favorite 

Things Streaming Right Now 

D E A R D E A N M A G A Z I N E , W E B S I T E , 

B L O G S A N D B O O K S A R E D E S I G N E D 

B Y K A T Y A J U L I E T L E R N E R

Welcome! 

We are deep into summer and while students are 

getting ready to go back to school and Hollywood 

writers and actors are striking, the movies, concerts, 

and side of the dock brawls are all over the place. 

We have excellent articles from contributors every 

month and this month is no different. 

We’ve packed a lot into this issue because this is the 

summer month that gave us so much. 

We’ve got brawls in Alabama that tell more about us 

than just the jokes and memes that flooded social 

media in the immediate aftermath of Fade in the 

Water, as many now refer to the cultural event of the 

summer. 

We dive into the cultural meanings behind Jaime 

Foxx’s statement which offended some Jewish folk 

and for which he immediate apologized. 

And we look again at the never ending 

announcements of more indictments for the former 

president-this time from the state of Georgia. 

Your favorite regular features What’s Streaming, 

Hit/Miss, and Hot Takes are all inside, as well as this 

month’s contributors Steven Evangelista and Robin 

Stevenson. 

There’s a lot here and we hope you enjoy it all, share 

it all, and let us know on social media (see our 

contributor handles with articles). 

We publish thought-provoking articles on 

government, gender, race, and politics, while also 

providing space for movie and television reviews, 

poetry, short stories, food, pets, fun, and a 

welcoming platform for independent authors and 

writers. 

And we provide this space for free – because our 

motto is and will remain: Some Art Deserves to be 

Free. 

Enjoy this month’s issue, please support the writers 

and the authors whose books we advertise for free. 

We appreciate you as a reader and we thank you for 

sharing the magazine to your social media network, 

friends, and family. 

And we look forward to seeing YOUR contribution 

soon. 

August 

2023 

All your favorites are here – movie and television 

reviews, Hot Takes, Hit/Miss, and don’t miss our 

latest book advertisements from our readers. 

-Myron 

DEAR DEAN MAGAZINE | August 2023 | p.3

About Me 

Website | Bookshop | Twitter 

Myron J. Clifton is an author of novels Jamaal’s Incredible Adventures in the Black Church; 

Monuments: A Deadly Day at Jefferson Park; BLM-PD: Revenge was Inevitable; Her Legend Lives in 

You: The Untold Story Honoring the Goddess & Our Daughters; and short story collection, We 

Couldn’t Be Heroes, and Other Stories. Also check out his weekly podcast, Voice Memos, his FREE 

digital magazine, Dear Dean Magazine, and his weekly blog at both Medium and DearDean.com. 

Myron lives in Sacramento, California, and is an avid Bay Area sports fan. He likes comic books, telling 

stories about his late mom to his beloved daughter Leah, and talking to his friends. BOOKS ON 

AMAZON 

Loving Myron J. Clifton's Content? 

S H O W Y O U R S U P P O R T W I T H 

A C O N T R I B U T I O N T O D E A R D E A N ! 

Advertising / Contributions 

words@deardeanpublishing.com 


F E A T U R E D B O O K 

The intimate and heartbreaking story of a Black undercover police officer who famously kneeled by the 

assassinated Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr--and a daughter's quest for the truth about her father. 

In the famous photograph of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on the balcony of Memphis's 

Lorraine Motel, one man kneeled down beside King, trying to staunch the blood from his fatal head wound 

with a borrowed towel. 

This kneeling man was a member of the Invaders, an activist group that was in talks with King in the days 

leading up to the murder. But he also had another identity: an undercover Memphis police officer reporting 

on the activities of this group, which was thought to be possibly dangerous and potentially violent. This 

kneeling man is Leta McCollough Seletzky's father.. 

Marrell McCollough was a Black man working secretly with the white power structure, a spy. This was so 

far from her understanding of what it meant to be Black in America, of everything she eventually devoted 

her life and career to, that she set out to learn what she could about his life, his actions and motivations. 

But with that decision came risk. What would she uncover about her father, who went on to a career at the 

CIA, and did she want to bear the weight of knowing? 


F E A T U R E D S P O T L I G H T 


I keep thinking of this scene. It captures America & our 

history horribly perfectly. 

we stopped in unison and expressed centuries of pentup 

joy. 

I think all Black folk connected in the moment we saw this 

in that Rodney King memory we have. In Emmet. In 

Strange Fruit. In lynching postcards. In photos of whites 

at picnics celebrating our deaths. 

Don’t be fooled into thinking it wasn’t and isn’t joy. 

That’s exactly what we’re expressing, full stop. 

Aside from sports or our idols and legends in concert, 

and for church folk the spirit in song or preaching... we 

rarely get this moment. It’s different than Obama being 

elected or Kamala or Jeffries or Ketanji. Those are life 

affirming in lofty ways. 

But Montgomery is unique. 

I think about Michael Brown left lying dead in the streets 

of Ferguson for hours. Of that knee to George Floyd’s 

neck, Trayvon’s back, Sandra’s hanging, and Breonna 

waking up to gunfire from police. 

I don’t think any white american can fully understand the 

DNA scars we carry. It surfaces like a tornado during the 

moment we collectively see that scene. 

It’s fear. Anger. 

And it’s the Not Again that shreds or collective 

consciousness. 

But then something happened that has rarely rarely 

happens. It was so rare and unique and called upon that 


M Y R O N J . C L I F T O N 

Someone said Black folk are tired. Tired of it “all” and so 

this collective celebration is beyond what white 

Americans expected or can grasp. The outpouring of 

humor within minutes of the videos being released 

proved again that the best American humor comes from 

us. 

And I’m glad it does because there’s something 

powerful about expression after repression. Some 

wonderful about defeating the confederate army with 

Black lives skipping, running, & swimming into battle. 

The summer hit isn’t in theaters it’s online in Black 

twitter. 

Montgomery is not moving off sidewalks, and not 

dreading police pulling us over just because. It’s years of 

underpaid, overworked, dismissed, and disrespected 

the moment we step outside. 

Montgomery is a rescue. A response long overdue. An 

answered scream for help. 

There are few things that pull the diaspora together. 

Montgomery was one and it’ll always be a rallying point 

because the answer to our call to stop a lynching was 

answered by... us. 

By young nephews and older uncles. And aunties were, 

as always, right in the mix. 


Jamaal's Incredible Adventures in the 

Black Church by Myron J. Clifton 

Before Jamaal's seventeenth birthday, he’s appointed as his preacher uncle’s 

designated driver and unwilling personal confidant. Behind the fine outfits and 

hats, behind the delicious cooking, Jamaal is exposed to crazy aunties, sexy church 

sisters, corrupt pastors, and predator deacons. A good kid who just wants time to 

finish his homework and kiss a girl his own age, Jamaal is dragged through the 

strange world of the Black church. You best pray for him. 


WHY BLACK & JEWISH FOLK 

ARE NOT FIGHTING 

I N T H E N E W S & C A T C H I N G H E A T 

Myron J. Clifton 

Our cultural norms are not the same as white cultural 

norms, especially Black church words which 

simultaneously speak against the “devil” and racism. 

The genocide attempted by white Christians against 

Jewish people is distinctly white, but antisemitism can 

come from any Christian. 

Jaime Foxx spoke common Black church words and 

tagged #fakefriends to further specify who he meant 

when he tweeted “They.” But his online following isn't 

just the Black community. Many Jewish friends 

necessarily are always on guard against attacks -we 

both have that in well-earned measures -and they 

rightly spoke out. 

And as a result, we have both communities deeply 

explaining why, how, what for, and how could he. Our 

fights are against mutual community ignorance and 

seeking to explain vs seeking to listen to understand. 

It’s overwhelming and sad because we aren’t enemies. 

Never have been. 

I don’t like anyone not Black telling me what is or isn’t 

racism. I suspect my Jewish friends rightly feel the same 

regarding antisemitism. 

Sometimes maturity means apologizing because friends 

expressed their hurt. That matters more than 

protecting one’s ego. More than proving a point. Jaime 

apologized and I’ve seen many Jewish folk online accept 

his words of apology. 

For a people, us, who rarely get any apologies for 

anything, I find the expediency of his apology 

refreshing. It’s not mine to accept though. 

Friends can argue but we will never debate each other’s 

humanity. Our disagreements and desire to seek 

understanding and peace should matter. 

I hope the “sides” can see a way through and come out 

with better understanding of each other’s communities 

and culture as we have work to do with and for each 

other. 


CLICK TO MEET 

THE HOSTS! 

MYRON 

JENN 

Two longtime friends have informative, yet 

brief discussions about multitudinous topics. 

NEW EPISODES ON FRIDAYS! 


MYRON J. CLIFTON & JENNIFER VANLAANEN'S PODCAST 

VOICE MEMOS REVIEWS 

Listen Now! 

Stay 

Shallow! 

Like listening to your BFFs 

June 2, 2022 

kjlerner


Motorcycling in California's 

Central Valley 

The heart of California's Central Valley--from Lodi, Stockton, and Tracy through Modesto, Oakdale, and 

Turlock--embraced motorcycling from the beginning of the sport and lifestyle. Eleven riders from the region 

are in the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Hall of Fame, spanning every decade from the 1900s. 

The popularity of bicycling in the 1890s led to early motorcycle shops, riders, and champion racers 

in the 1900-1910s. 

Area motorcycle club recreational rides and field meets started in 1914. Central Valley police departments 

were among the first to develop motorcycle traffic units in the 1920s, before the California Highway Patrol. 

Early racing venues such as repurposed bicycle velodromes, college stadiums, and horse tracks were 

expanded when the Lodi Cycle Bowl was developed in the 1950s; it gave newcomers such as Modesto's 

Kenny Roberts and Stockton's Alex Jorgensen, Chris Carr, and Fred Merkel--all now AMA Hall of Famers--a 

track at which to compete weekly. 



Marcus A. Banks-Bey, M.Div 

Gathered experience and elevation gained from years as an Army & hospital chaplain, mental health worker 

and clinical psychology doctoral student, equips Marcus A Banks to aid in journeying the reader to 

intelligently question their past belief systems and future creative visions of thought and identity as a 

purposeful means to developing their own personal reality for establishing their “true identity.” 

Within Dig Deep lies practical language, developed to help the reader grow the relationship with 

themselves, and understand why nurturing the relationships we have with our Faith, Family, Friends, Fitness 

and Finances will support our Purpose, Planning, Patience, and Persistent-Perseverance. This system helps 

one establish their own 5×5 Side by Side Guide through life. Dig Deep was written following a series of 

extremely challenging life occurrences, including the suicide of the author’s brother, Iverson; divorce; and 

war deployment. From this place, the author engaged in the process of self-discovery, self-awareness and 

meaning. 


Black People to GOP: Just 

Don’t Break the Law 


District Attorney Fani T. Willis did the job Fulton County 

voters elected her to do: Enforce Georgia law. 

And Fani and her team of attorneys set the nation on fire 

by bringing charges against Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, 

John Eastman, Mark Meadows, Jenna Ellis, Sidney Powell, 

Trevian Kutti, Harrison Floyd, and other losers who 

thought they could subvert the will of Georgia voters — 

especially but not exclusively Black voters — and switch 

eleven-thousand votes from democrats to republican. 

The charges include violation of Georgia Rico 

(racketeering), Solicitation of oath by public office, False 

statements, Forgery, Conspiracy, and a what’s what of 

felony crimes to the extent that Fani Willis kept the judge 

and courts open past midnight so she could deliver the 

devastating must-see news. 

It is odd that the party of “Law and Order” is so against 

enforcing the law that they and their voters voted for 

and profess to love. 

It is odd that republican voters who always vote for 

“Tough on crime” district attorneys are suddenly against 

what they have long stood for and lectured Black and 

brown voters about with condescending regularity. 

And it is very odd that the national media are already 

asking if D.A. Fani Willis is being and unfair to Trump, as 

the Washington Post published? 

Most of the nation agrees with efforts to investigate and 

when warranted charge Donald Trump and all his lackeys, 

henchmen/women, and co-conspirators. 

But surprising to no one, republicans and their media 

mouthpieces are losing their minds over the charges from 

Georgia. Just like they lost their minds over the charges 

from New York, Florida, and Washington, D.C. 

Imagine that. 

There has long been two systems of justice in America. 

One for white people and one for Black people.


The prison industrial system is a moneymaking 

enterprise for wealthy companies and individuals who 

profit off mass incarceration which is disproportionally 

Black, brown, and poor. 

Republicans love law, order, prison, harsh sentencing, 

life in prison, and writing laws that make it virtually 

impossible to be exonerated even when one is 

incorrectly convicted. And don’t even think about reearning 

your right to vote if ever convicted of a felony 

because they will change laws to stop you from even 

trying. 

Prisons are built in heavy republican areas which gives 

those areas more federal tax dollars, more jobs, and more 

population to count in the census which in turn grants 

them more representatives and thus more federal dollars 

in a never-ending cycle of political unfairness. 

We’ve watched the Civil Rights movement and all the 

other movements that republicans absolutely hated — 

Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street, union 

organizing, women’s march, covid vaccinations and 

shutdowns, abortion protests, Obamacare, Hillary 

Clinton candidacy, and protesting by kneeling for the 

national anthem — turn into calls for arrests, jailing, 

beatings, deportation, and even loss of voting rights for 

everyone involved. 

Republicans first reflex to anyone exercising their 

constitutional rights is to demand that person or 

organization be arrested and charged to the fullest 

extent of the law. 

Copaganda is so powerful that most podcasts are crime 

related, and the most popular genre of television shows 

are about crime, police, and other law enforcement 

agencies like the FBI, CIA, and Homeland Security. 

Copaganda is so ingrained in this nation that they started 

an entire counter narrative to Black Lives Matter specific 

to police with “blue lives matter.” 

They love law enforcement so much that more than 90% 

of district attorneys are white, most attorneys general 

are white, most judges are white, most lawyers are white, 

and most police are white. And of course almost 

everyone who has anything to do with the death penalty 

is white — except for those put to death. 

But now we know that republican allegiance to law and 

order is a sham. It has always been a lie and a con. 

They’ve used law and order as a cudgel against Black folk 

to feed their need for superiority. 

They literally and figuratively beat us with the law to 

prove they are more advanced, more civilized, more 

cultured, and more capable of maintaining better homes, 

neighborhoods, schools, and family life. 

We know none of that is true and there are nuances to 

life but they’ve convinced themselves none of it 

matters… until life touches them. 



D R . M Y R O N J . C L I F T O N 

And we are seeing their disproportionate reaction to Fani 

Willis’ indictment against Trump and the rest. They are 

angry and lashing out at law enforcement, the district 

attorney, Black voters, the department of justice, and of 

course President Biden and Vice President Harris and the 

democratic party. 

Even though they witnessed the January 6th insurrection 

just like the rest of us, they’ve swirled down Donald 

Trump’s drain and now are floating in his sewer of lies, 

threats, deflections, and stunningly frequent proclamations 

of his hatred for America. 

Black folk in every generation have been told “If you don’t 

like this country go back to Africa.” Just like Latino and 

Hispanic folk have been told to “If you don’t like it here, go 

back to your country” whenever any of us speak out about 

injustice, particularly as a response law enforcement 

injustices. 

Trump is now under indictment in in multiple states and 

there could be more indictments forthcoming from 

Arizona, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. 

But no matter how many indictments, no matter how 

many charges and co-conspirators, and no matter how 

many laws he has or will break, a significant portion of the 

white population will continue to excuse his unlawful 

actions because to them the worst outcome for white 

Americans is for their chosen leader to be held 

accountable to the same laws they insist Black and brown 

folk are held accountable to. 

And that type of race-blind equality and equal justice 

under the law is an America the republican party and their 

voters never want to see happen. 

So it is particularly galling seeing republicans now go after 

D.A. Fani Willis, Department of Justice AG Merrick 

Garland, Special Counsel Jack Smith, and Attorney General 

Leticia James for doing the jobs republicans have long 

claimed to honor and respect. 

It must be mentioned that both Fani Willis and Leticia 

James are Black women. We know Trump hates Black 

women but it is also a fact that the two demographics that 

are the most opposite politically, Black women and white 

men, have a long intertwined history in this country that is 

the root of racism even more so than white men vs. Black 

men. 

Republicans have been exposed more than ever for being 

cons and fakes who only support rule of law when it benefits 

them, and only when it is used to attack and subjugate the 

rest of us. 

Donald Trump not only destroyed the republican party and 

their voters, he forever destroyed the myth of who really 

honors and respects the rule of law. 



In anticipation of the fiftieth anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, Catherine 

Prendergast draws on a combination of insights from legal studies and literacy studies to interrogate 

contemporary multicultural literacy initiatives, thus providing a sound historical basis that informs current 

debates over affirmative action, school vouchers, reparations, and high-stakes standardized testing. 

As a result of Brown and subsequent crucial civil rights court cases, literacy and racial justice are firmly 

enmeshed in the American imagination—so much so that it is difficult to discuss one without referencing 

the other. Breaking with the accepted wisdom that the Brown decision was an unambiguous victory for the 

betterment of race relations, Literacy and Racial Justice: The Politics of Learning after Brown v. Board of 

Education finds that the ruling reinforced traditional conceptions of literacy as primarily white property to 

be controlled and disseminated by an empowered majority. Prendergast examines civil rights era Supreme 

Court rulings and immigration cases spanning a century of racial injustice to challenge the myth of 

assimilation through literacy. Advancing from Ways with Words, Shirley Brice Heath’s landmark study of 

desegregated communities, Prendergast argues that it is a shared understanding of literacy as white 

property which continues to impact problematic classroom dynamics and education practices. 

To offer a positive model for reimagining literacy instruction that is truly in the service of racial justice, 

Prendergast presents a naturalistic study of an alternative public secondary school. Outlining new 

directions and priorities for inclusive literacy scholarship in America, Literacy and Racial Justice concludes 

that a literate citizen is one who can engage rather than overlook longstanding legacies of racial strife. 


We Couldn't Be Heroes 

Short Story Collection: We Couldn't Be Heroes And Other Stories What if a Black 

man could control the weather, God called 911, or aliens took our souls? Would 

we notice? Would we care?... Enjoy the entire collection, seven stories in all, on 

earth and in space and in any order. 


Download the App Free! 

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made for Music Artists! 

sayeYO is more than just storage - it's a global music 

community. Share music & collaborate with others. 

www.sayeyo.com

But What If ? 

by Steven Evangelista 

“What if the world is flat?” Premio was in an inquisitive 

mood. 

“What do you mean, ‘What if’? We know it isn’t.” I wasn’t 

interested in having it this week. 

“I mean, I don’t really think it is,” he said. “But some of those 

videos are really convincing. I mean, I heard them say, 

‘Water finds its lowest level.’ I heard that over and over 

again on YouTube, and I kept watching. Do you know where 

I heard that before?” 

“Where?” I asked, guessing I would not hear anything about 

high school physics class. 

“Hurricane Sandy,” came Premio’s reply. “Back in Staten 

Island, all those years ago. ‘Water finds its lowest level.’ It’s 

science. You probably think the Flat Earthers don’t believe 

in science, but there they are, using science. 

“What if,” he continued, “what if it really is flat, and they 

know it’s flat, all the scientists, and they just don’t want us to 

know the truth?” 

“That’s the hallmark of a good, catchy conspiracy theory,” 

I said. “Premio, they are the ones pulling the wool over 

your eyes with that. They play to your emotions and 

make you think you are part of an exclusive club, but 

there is irrefutable evidence for the roundness of the 

planet. It’s a planet, not a disk.” My voice was rising. “We 

have freakin’ pictures from space. None of the rest of 

science makes sense otherwise!” 

Premio paused, appearing chastened. Perhaps I was too 

harsh. Did I unfairly bring a bad mood to our weekly 

chat? I was trying to win over a member of this 

millennial generation, not further alienate him. 

“You can’t call everything a conspiracy theory, you 

know,” he said quietly. 

My frustration mounted. 

“Look at the Trump charges,” Premio continued as I 

gathered my thoughts. “Conspiracy this, conspiracy 

that. They are making stuff up just to go after him.” 

“You understand,” I said, “that an indictment has to be 

based on evidence. And they released dozens of pages 

of evidence, all based on his own words, his own 


S T E V E N E V A N G E L I S T A 

actions, and his own people that he hired and chose to 

work with. Remember ‘the best people’? They are 

testifying against him because of his crimes!” 

“They’re jealous,” Premio said. “They always go after the 

strong ones. And meanwhile, Biden is still sitting in office 

with all his corruption.” 

“Okay,” I said, prepared for this one. “And what evidence is 

there for Biden’s supposed corruption?” 

“Hunter Biden, there’s so much there. Didn’t you hear 

about the government witnesses? I saw it on TV, they have 

mountains of evidence. The laptop, the crack pipe, Biden’s 

involved in all of it.” 

“How do you know any of this is true?” I said, and realized 

immediately I was stuck back where I started with Premio. 

“So you have nothing to say about the government 

witnesses, then. They are all corrupt, which proves my 

point that they are going after Trump just because they are 

afraid of him and they are jealous.” 

“Okay, okay,” I said. “These government witnesses. Half of 

them disappeared before they could even testify. In fact, 

they might not even exist. One is an ex-government 

employee with an ax to grind, and another one, I think his 

name was Devin Archer, this guy even proved that Biden 

was not corrupt! 

“And remember,” I continued, “Hunter Biden is not an 

elected official, unlike the corrupt Trump family was 

when he was in office. They took literally billions of 

dollars, while they were in the White House! Hunter can 

do whatever he wants, he even pleaded guilty to tax 

evasion or whatever, but that doesn’t mean anything for 

Joe’s administration. 

“All they proved,” I concluded, aware of my burgeoning 

sanctimony and with that little voice telling me it wasn’t 

going to work. “All they proved is that Joe Biden loves his 

son.” 

Premio pointed a lanky finger through the screen at me. 

“How do you know what you say is true? You’re making 

excuses.” 

“Because of evidence!” I practically screamed. “There is 

an indictment about Trump that you can read online, with 

all the information, and a lot more to come in the,” I 

paused and cocked my head, “actual trial. Trials, actually! 

So many indictments, because there’s so much evidence 

against Trump. There is only hearsay and rumor about 

Biden’s supposed corruption. 

“It’s just like the Flat Earth Theory. If you examine what 

they call evidence, and compare it to reality, it just falls 

apart and makes no sense.” 

“I don’t believe that, I told you,” said Premio. “But what 

if?” 

Steven Evangelista, a lifelong New York City resident and 

a product of New York City public schools, is a father of 

two living in Manhattan. After teaching various elementary 

school grades in Upper Manhattan, he co-founded and coled 

Harlem Link Charter School for 17 years. 


Vernon L. Andrews 

Policing Black Athletes 

Racial Disconnect in Sports 

O R D E R 

T O D A Y !

BLM-PD 

BLM-PD 

BLM-PD 

BLM-PD. BLM-PD. BLM-PD. BLM-PD 

BLM-PD 

In the not too distant future, the US has been taken over by white nationalists, and 

the institutionalized racism that has underscored the country’s entire history has 

once again been codified. California has seceded from the US, and a band of strong 

women plan to start the next civil war following the death of their friend at the hands 

of the police. This is BLM-PD.

F E A T U R E D S P O T L I G H T 

NOT GOING TO PLAY SUN CITY — 

TIME FOR ARTISTS AND ATHLETES 

TO BOYCOTT FLORIDA 

 


In the 1980’s the United Nations imposed a “Cultural 

Boycott” of Sun City, a resort in South Africa that the racist 

apartheid government used to get around sanctions 

imposed by the U.N. and some world governments. 

The resort hosted concerts and other artists who were 

saying they didn’t support apartheid while at the same time 

helping to fund and legitimize apartheid until they were 

pressured into stop performing in the racist nation. 

Almost all that money bypasses the athletes and fills 

the coffers of the school, the coaches and assistants, 

local businesses, and of course greedy politicians. 

Florida college football coaches make millions of dollars 

per year coaching mostly Black athletes and yet none 

are speaking up in support of Black history, Black voting 

rights, or any of the other divisive statements made 

daily by Ron DeSantis and other Florida republicans. 

Florida and its governor, Ron DeSantis are at the forefront 

of the racist war against Black people and Black history, 

migrant workers, the lgbtqi community, women and girls 

access to abortion and medical care, and voting rights. He is 

banning books — especially those by Black and minority 

authors, he has stripped universities of autonomy, driven 

teachers and professors out of jobs, and fired teachers for 

sharing library books. 

The state of Florida makes billions of dollars from Black 

athletes who fill Division 1 universities like the University of 

Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Florida Atlantic 

Owls, University of Miami Hurricanes, and the Central 

Florida Knights. The football programs bring in billions of 

dollars from national and local television and radio 

contracts, and from merchandise and ticket sales. 

They want to profit off our bodies but don’t want to 

support our right to exist or our rights to have our 

history accurately told. 

They know all our football and sports statistics but don’t 

know how many times we fought off racist attacks, how 

many of us died in all of America’s wars, what happened 

to our freedom after “reconstruction”, or how many 

small businesses we start, how AAVE is its own 

language, and how there are more famous Black 

Americans other than Dr. King and Harriet Tubman. 

The coaches will make certain their Black players eat, 

sleep, and drink the playbook so they know it like the 

backs of their hands, while ignoring that they 

themselves know nothing Black scientists, 



mathematicians, scholars, philosophers, writers, or those 

in the arts. 

I am even willing to bet those coaches don’t even know 

the Black scholars and professors on their own 

campuses. 

Ron DeSantis wants us dead, wants migrants dead, wants 

women and girls to die from lack of medical care, and 

wants anyone he determines to be “Woke” to die horrible 

deaths, no matter he can’t define “woke.” 

The schools and especially the state do not deserve to 

profit off Black athletes while remaining indifferent or, 

worse, supporting Ron DeSantis fascism. 

The only Black athletes that should continue to play are 

those at Historically Black Colleges and Universities — 

HBCUs. And in fact, Black families should stop sending 

their sons and daughters athletes to Florida colleges — if 

they are good enough to play in Florida, they are good 

enough to play in any other division I or II school. 

Florida doesn’t deserve the best Black athletes when 

they are teaching the worst Black history. 

The summer concert season going on and, like with the 

Sun City boycott that was led by singers and musicians, 

all the current touring singers and performers should 

refuse to perform in Florida. 

The politicians supporting Ron DeSantis expanding racist 

campaign and commentary are the same ones hosting 

tailgating parties during college football season cheering 

on all those Black athletes whose history their favorite 

governor is determined to erase. 

The singers who led the boycott of Sun City — Artist 

United Against Apartheid — were organized by Steven 

Van Zandt, and the song “I Ain’t Gonna Play Sun City” 

and included a who’s who of stars including Run-DMC, 

Bruce Springsteen, David Ruffin, Pat Benatar, Hall & Oates, 

George Clinton, Eddie Kendricks, Bonnie Raitt, Lou Reed, and 

Bono, Jackson Brown, and Bob Dylan. 

It is time to boycott Florida. 

All Black football players should immediately boycott 

playing for their university. All basketball players should 

boycott when their seasons start. Those two sports are 

worth hundreds of billions of dollars to universities and 

the state. 

DEAR DEAN MAGAZINE | August 2023 | p.25 

In January 1987 the American Committee on Africa and The Africa Fund hosted a 

reception for African National Congress (ANC) President Oliver R. Tambo. Seen here is 

Africa Fund chair Tilden LeMelle presenting Tambo with a check for more than 

$100,000 from money raised from the anti-apartheid album Sun City. The Sun City 

project raised more than $1 million for ANC projects to meet the educational, cultural 

and health needs of South African exiles; to aid South Africa political prisoners and their 

families; and aid the anti-apartheid education work in the United States, including 

campaigns to free detainees and political prisoners and mobilize communities to protest 

apartheid.


In other words, some of the biggest artists of the time 

and those who had been invited to perform in Sun City 

over the years. They joined the decades long protests 

and requests by Black South Africans to stop feeding 

money to the racist regime. 

Through the efforts of a global community of artists 

and governments the racist apartheid government was 

finally removed from power — though their supporters 

and those who benefited from their racist policies, like 

Elon Musk and his family, still infect the world with 

their racism and hate. 

Beyonce’s Renaissance and is the biggest tour of the 

summer. She is big enough to cancel shows and it 

would not harm her career. 

But there are many more performers who will play 

Florida this summer, including Snoop Dogg, Wiz 

Khalifa, Too $hort, 50 Cent, Lionel Richie, Earth Wind 

and Fire, Busta Rhymes, Stephen Marley, Carol G, 

The Hip Hop 50th Anniversary Tour, Patti Labelle, 

Katt Williams, and many other singers and comedians 

who should immediately announce the cancelation of 

their shows and performances. 

We already saw the oldest Black Fraternity pulled 

their annual convention from Florida due to DeSantis’ 

due to what Alpha Phi Alpha’s President Dr. Willis 

Lonzer called the “Continued assault” on Black people. 

The NBA has teams in Orlando and Miami and both 

are, like the rest of the NBA, filled with Black 

basketball players and coaches. Same with college 

basketball and professional baseball teams. Black 

athletes on all of Florida sports teams should boycott, 

too. 

Why should Black players play for teams that, like the 

Orlando Magic, support and give money to Ron 

DeSantis? 

Hollywood writers and artists are rightfully on strike 

against the studios who are cheating them out of 

money and healthcare. Once they end their strike they 

should show solidarity and refuse to film on location in 

Florida. Why should Black actors and production staff 

be forced to work in a location that is hostile to their 

existence? 

The time is right and the opportunity is calling for 

professional athletes, entertainers, conventions, and 

hollywood to apply pressure on the state of Florida 

and Ron DeSantis by supporting Black citizens and 

Black History. 

Black people and students, fans, and supporters of 

sports teams have every right to fight back against the 

racist policies of their governor. 

Now is the time to boycott Florida. 


Her Legend Lives In You: 

The Untold Creation Story Honoring The 

Goddess And Our Daughters. 


Available on

PURSUING PASSION 

& INDEPENDENCE 

Robin Stevenson NTMS LLC 

Pursuing Passion and Independence: Robin Stevenson's 

Resilient Journey of Starting "Now That Makes Scents, 

LLC" Amidst the Pandemic 

In the face of adversity, some individuals find the courage 

to follow their dreams and take bold steps toward 

financial independence. Meet Robin Stevenson, a 

remarkable Black woman at the age of 51, who defied the 

challenges of the pandemic and embarked on an inspiring 

entrepreneurial journey. Fueled by her desire for financial 

independence and passion for luxury home scents and allnatural 

self-care products, she founded "Now That Makes 

Scents, LLC" in September 2021, a business located in the 

Now That Makes Scents, LLC: A Fragrant Vision 

vibrant community of Prince George's County, MD. This is 

In September 2021, my vision came to life with the 

the uplifting story of Robin's unwavering determination, 

inception of Now That Makes Scents, LLC. Located in 

as she balances her 9 am - 5 pm day job to fund her 

the heart of Prince George's County, MD, my business 

business and make her entrepreneurial dreams a reality. 

was more than just a store; it was a representation of 

my passion and dedication to creating exquisite luxury 

A Spark of Inspiration: The Drive for Financial 

home scents and all-natural self-care products. 

Independence 

For me, the pandemic served as a turning point in my life. 

At Now That Makes Scents, LLC, customers are 

As a Black woman who had faced my share of challenges, I 

welcomed into a world of delightful aromas and 

understood the significance of financial independence. 

products that are designed to nourish the body and 

The uncertainties brought on by the pandemic further 

soothe the soul. From artisan candles and incense that 

underscored the need for security and stability in one's 

infused living spaces with enchanting fragrances to 

financial life. I saw this as an opportunity to create 

indulgent shower steamers and facial oils that 

something of my own, to break free from the confines of 

embraced natural well-being, every product is 

the traditional 9 am - 5 pm job, and to chart a path towards 

meticulously crafted with love and care. 

freedom and success. 


R O B I N S T E V E N S O N 

Balancing Dreams: The Financial Bridge of a Day Job 

Launching a business during a pandemic required careful 

planning, dedication, and a reliable financial strategy. I 

decided to continue my 9 am - 5 pm day job while 

building Now That Makes Scents, LLC. This decision not 

only provided a stable source of income but also ensured 

that I could fund this entrepreneurial venture without 

compromising my financial security. 

My day job serves as the financial bridge that allowed 

me to take calculated risks and invest in the business. 

Balancing the demands of a day job with the dedication 

required to nurture the business was no easy feat, but 

my determination and passion were unwavering. 

A Digital Oasis: www.nowthatmakesscentsllc.com 

In the digital age, having a strong online presence is 

crucial for any business. I understood this and created a 

virtual oasis for my customers on the website 

www.nowthatmakesscentsllc.com. Here, visitors could 

explore the diverse range of luxury home scents and allnatural 

self-care products, learn about the brand's 

ethos, and get to know the woman behind the fragrant 

vision. 

Through the website and social media channels, I’m 

fostering a community of loyal customers who 

appreciated the authenticity and craftsmanship infused 

into each product. This virtual connection became 

especially vital during the pandemic, as it allowed me to 

engage with customers and share my passion and 

offerings. 

Weathering the Storm: Navigating Pandemic 

Challenges 

Starting a business during a pandemic was not without 

its share of obstacles. The pandemic had disrupted 

supply chains, altered consumer behavior, and 

challenged traditional marketing and sales approaches. 

However, I navigated these challenges with resilience 

and adaptability. Embracing technology and social 

media, I found innovative ways to showcase my products 

and connect with customers. By staying true to the 

brand's values and commitment to quality, I hope to 

create a loyal customer base that appreciates the 

exquisite products and personalized service offered by 

Now That Makes Scents, LLC. 

Inspiring Others: A Beacon of Representation 

I hope my entrepreneurial journey embodies the spirit of 

resilience and determination that will serve as an 

inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women 

and individuals from underrepresented communities. 

This story proves that age, gender, and background 

should never hinder one's pursuit of entrepreneurship. 

The representation of a Black woman entrepreneur in 

her 50s holds immense value. It sends a powerful 

message to others who may harbor entrepreneurial 

dreams but may hesitate due to societal norms or 

preconceived notions. I hope this journey inspires others 

to chase their passions and chart their paths toward 

financial independence and fulfillment. 

In Conclusion 

My journey of starting Now That Makes Scents, LLC 

amidst the pandemic is a testament to the power of 

following one's dreams and embracing the pursuit of 

financial independence. With unwavering determination, 

dedication to quality, and commitment to this vision, I 

have created a fragrant haven that delights my 

customers and inspires others to take charge of their 

destinies. 

The ability to balance a 9 am - 5 pm day job with an 

entrepreneurial pursuit showcases the possibilities that 

arise when passion meets practicality. Through her 

website, www.nowthatmakesscentsllc.com, I connect 

with customers and share my love for luxury home scents 

and all-natural self-care products, nurturing a community 

of fragrance enthusiasts and well-being advocates. 

As Now That Makes Scents, LLC continues to grow and 

flourish, this story will undoubtedly inspire others to 

embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, breaking 

barriers and embracing the journey towards financial 

independence and self-fulfillment. 


MYRON'S 

HIT OR MISS 

list 

Judge Tanya Chutkan is showing how to cut through all of 

Trump and his attorney’s bullshit and keep things moving. 

She put them in place multiple times, gotten hearings done 

on time, and set up deadlines and restrictions that she says 

they, Trump’s team, will abide by and so far, they have, 

despite their nonstop protestations. 


MISS 

The US Women’s Nation soccer team 

gave it a good run in the Women’s 

World Cup in Australia but ultimately 

fell in their first knockout game 1-0 to 

Sweden. 

MISS 

The New York Times decided that 

in wake of the devastating fires 

that ravaged Lahaina, Hawaii, that 

they should write an article about a 

wealthy Trump supporting couple 

who were afraid they lost their 

Rolex watch in the fire but who 

ultimately found it. When there 

were thousands missing and over 

100 dead, plus thousands of 

burned down structures it was 

appalling the New York Times 

decided to focus on superficial and 

temporary loss of expensive 

trinkets by non-native people. 

HIT 

More student debt is erased by the Biden 

administration, this time another $39b for 

800,000 students. This brings the total to $117b 

for 3.4m borrowers. 

MISS 

The New York Yankees have the highest payroll 

in baseball but are in last place in their division. 

The Oakland A’s have the lowest payroll in 

baseball and are also in last place in their division. 

HIT 

Stephen Curry not only wins NBA championships, but now he 

can call himself a pro golfer after winning a summer pro/am 

tournament by sinking an eagle to win the match. During the 

tournament, Curry also hit a highlight reel hole-in-one. For 

good measure, Curry also showed up on stage at the 

Paramore concert and sang with Hayley Williams. 

MISS 

Has-been Australian rapper Iggy Azealia 

again embarrassed herself by writing a 

lengthy letter to the judge who rightly 

sentenced Canadian rapper Tory Lanez to 10 

years in prison for shooting Megan Thee 

Stallion. 


Myron's 

HOT TAKE 

#1 #3 

The Alabama Brawl spurred the most memes, songs, 

videos, gifs, and humor of any event this year. A 

testimony to the ability of Black people to find humor 

Hurricane in southern California an earthquake 

at the same time, and the most deadly wild fire 

in Hawaii in history is more proof of what 

in the darkest places. 

climate scientists have long said: Global 

warming means more extreme weather in more 

places and with more devastating effects. 

#4 

#2 

The Barbie movie surpassed a billion dollars in earnings 

and all those angry sad little men who hoped the movie 

bombed are all online whining. They are the same little 

boys who destroyed Barbies and the same grown men 

who got to watch 20 years of marvel movies. 

The Little Mermaid and Barbie dominating global 

box offices demonstrate again the value of 

creating inclusive movies for women and girls is 

the best financial plans for movie studios. 


NEW! 

ON SALE 

NOW 

A cup of coffee or tea paired with interesting company is an unbeatable combination. We learn 

and share so much through this simple social ritual. Nuanced origin stories. Brow-raising 

secrets. Good news. Bad news. Hopes and dreams, insecurities and fears. Sip by sip, we do 

business, catch up, plan our lives, and discover common ground. 

To gain a better understanding of his friends, Myron went on a mission to try their favorite 

drinks. He was struck by the complex flavors and simple pleasures that characterized their 

personalities. Sweet. Spicy. Bold. Bewitching. Optimistic. Ostentatious. Practical. Perfectionist. 

In Coffee, Grounded, Myron reviews these drinks and brews up a perfect blend of culture and 

caffeine. He examines the history of various ingredients and coffee-growing regions, painting a 

vivid picture of faraway lands and hometown haunts. 

Pour yourself a cup and curl up with this tasty collection of stories steeped in friendship and fun. 

Order & Indulge! 


MOVIE 

REVIEWS 


Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol 

Tom Cruise runs, jumps, rides a motorcycle off a cliff, 

fights on and on top of a train, and races through a 

city while handcuffed to a car. There’s also a plot in 

part one of the two-part series. The movie gives fans 

of the franchise all the intrigue to go along with the 

action, plus Rebecca Ferguson as Ethan Hunt’s equal, 

teammate, and nemesis. It is another fun MI movie, 

and it is 2:43 minutes long in case you need to plot 

your bathroom break. 

Barbie 

Barbie is a fun, zany, silly, movie that graciously takes from Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, Wizard of 

Oz, and the old Artificial Intelligence movie. Barbie stumbles into an existential self-actualization and 

internal struggle about who she is and what impact she has on women and girls. 

Margo Robbie is very good and brings all the heart, confusion, and full range of Barbie outfits and 

lifestyle. America Ferrera is a delight and brings heart, but also represents 30-, 40-, and 50-year-old 

women who used to love Barbie (and still do!). Ryan Gosling as Ken is mostly funny and appropriately 

uncentered. 


MOVIE 

REVIEWS 

The inside jokes are for adults but the colors 

dance numbers and songs, along with Barbie’s 

initial innocence are Disney-eque and they each 

work well. 

Barbie and Ken learning about the “real world” 

causes different problems that cause most of the 

tension and mild conflicts. There are surprises in 

learning about the world and people Barbie meet 

while on her hero’s journey. 

Issa Rae was underused that was the only 

disappointment. 

It was nice to writer/director Greta Gerwig 

realize that brown and Black people exist. Like 

the Barbie movie, hopefully she’ll continue to 

grow as an inclusive director. 

The movie has surpassed $1B in earnings despite 

the hatred from men who for some reason 

thought a Barbie movie should be for and about 

them. 

Barbie is a very good summer movie that kids 4- 

years and up will enjoy. 


MY FAVORITE THINGS 

streaming right 

now...

S T R E A M I N G N O W 

Hulu – Claim to Fame 2 Seasons 

Contestants who are related to famous 

people vie to uncover who is related to who. 

The celebrity relatives are big time singers, 

actors, politicians, scientists, and other very 

famous people. The relatives are at times 

funny, spoiled, refreshing, and silly. 

Prime - Good Omens. The irreverent and 

decidedly controversial series is back in all its 

making fun of religion glory. Our angel and 

demon are back and up to their wings and horns 

while causing all sorts of trouble on earth and in 

heaven and hell. 

NBC - America’s Got Talent 

The summer series is back with talented singers, 

dancers, comedians, acrobats, and magicians… 

and bad singers, bad dancers, terrible acrobats, 

and poorly trained comedians and magicians. 

The series is easy to watch, fun in parts and 

always entertaining when you get the summer 

doldrums. 

Paramount+ - Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. 

If it seems like there is a new Star Trek series 

every year it is because there really is a new 

series every year or so. Discovery joins recent 

Star Trek series Picard, Lower Decks, and 

Discovery. The series is set after the original 

Star Trek but before the Next Generation. It is 

clever, funny, and heavy on personalities and all 

the best of what folk like about the Star Trek 

universe. 


NEW! 

ON SALE 

NOW 

Sometimes, when you’re at a crossroads, a door will open and what enters will inspire you. Other 

times, what enters will make you gag. These stories by a ride-share short-timer might have the 

same effect on you. A man, recently laid off from his job and intrigued by the people he might 

meet (and the money he might make) decides to drive ride-share while looking for a new 

professional management position. 

Don’t want to drive drunk? Well, then, by all means, plug in your location and get your friendly 

neighborhood ride-share driver to ferry you to your next bar. Need to move but can’t afford 

movers? There’s an App for that! Tired of waiting for tricks on the corner? Wait—I’ve got an idea. . 

. 

The behavior and stories of folks who call on ride-share turned into a unique anthropological 

study for one man who decided to drive ride-share while looking for a new professional 

management position. Recently laid off from his job and intrigued by the people he might meet 

(and the money he might make), the author unwittingly became the anonymous confidant for 

men, women, nonbinary people, and children. Unfortunately for him, he also became the innocent 

target of people who couldn’t hold their liquor, others who couldn’t hold their temper, and at 

least one who couldn’t keep his hands to himself. 

Little did they know they were in the Prius of a writer, who would be able to look in the rear view 

and tell their stories. 

This collection of anecdotes is non-judgmental, full of irony and dry humor, and may help 

someone else decide: Is driving ride-share for you? 


Robin Martin, Editorial 

The Joyful Warrior 

Podcast Network 

Music App 

Mark Lerner Astrology 

Katya Juliet's Jewel Box 

Great Start Initiative

Indictment special

Dear Dean Magazine: August 2023

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