by J. Williams-Gibson
For New Pittsburgh Courier

(INDIANAPOLIS, IN)—Once upon a time, when couples decided to end their relationship, they did so face-to-face. The break up rules and norms have somewhat changed. Today, some individuals are ending their relationships by using other, and arguably tactless, ways to say goodbye—social media.

Just ask Andrew Locke.

Before Harry Rideout, former field supervisor for the Pittsburgh Public Schools, was keeping order in the schools, he was fighting for freedom and protecting his country in the military during a time when most Blacks could not even go to the same establishments as their White counterparts. For more than 20 years he served in the military, fighting in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

LEGACY—Veteran Harry Rideout shares his photos and memorabilia of his time in the military and his service in three wars.

Rideout, 83, was born in the Charleroi area of Pittsburgh and grew up in Beltzhoover. He volunteered with the army at the age of 17, was sworn in at 18 and was one of five brothers who also served in the military.

“I enjoyed my time in the service. During my time in the wars, I was never really worried about anything,“ Rideout said. Although there was a lot of discrimination and unfair treatment of Blacks, Rideout said he enjoyed what he was doing. “There were many disparities of Blacks. We (were not liked) but we were always the first on the front line,” he said.

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Former Department of Agriculture Rural Development Director Shirley Sherrod of South West Georgia, still reeling from the blow of an assault on her job, character and civil rights record last week, told the Black Press of America that she hopes the travesty of justice that happened to her will now help America move forward with racial healing.

RELAXING AT HOME--The Rev. Charles and Shirley Sherrod relaxed in their South West Georgia home on July 25 after coming through yet another racial storm. She was still considering the offer of another job from U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. PHOTO: Francine D. Caldwell/NNPA

On July 20, citizens of the East End community gathered to voice their concern over proposed changes for several schools in their region. Though the group of past and present school administrators, parents and neighbors differed on why they opposed the plan or what they would rather see accomplished, they called for a postponement of the school board vote scheduled for the following night.

NAACP REP— Marilyn Barnett, Ed.D., NAACP education chair, hosted a press conference regarding the East End schools.

“In that the proposed realignment of Pittsburgh Public Schools for the East End of Pittsburgh was only released on June 25, and the possible impact on the students affected could be significant and long lasting, B-PEP requests that the final decision on this plan be delayed,” said Black Political Empowerment Project Chairman Tim Stevens in a letter to the superintendent. “Because of the importance of this decision, there should be at least one community meeting, if not more, held in the East End where the superintendent and his staff present the proposed plan, along with its justification and the potential impact on the student, parents and the community.”