paradiseweb.org

By: Evaney Nesbitt

Juvenile delinquency can be linked to several different reasons. Fatherlessness is the most harmful demographic trend of this generation. It’s the fuel that drives our most urgent social problems from crime to adolescent pregnancy to domestic violence against women. Fatherlessness is the leading cause of declining child well being in our society. It has been said that the presence of a strong male figure in a household can steer a juvenile down the path of positivity. On the other hand, a juvenile that grows up without a strong positive father figure in the household can also become anything he or she wants to be (President Barack Obama) if they have the will and the determination. The world is filled with productive citizens who were raised in a single female parented home. When compared with mothers, fathers continue to be dramatically, underrepresented in developmental research on psychopathology. Juvenile detention centers also house several juveniles whom have never met the father. So is there a strong link between absent fathers and juvenile delinquency? We know that children who grow up with absent fathers can suffer long lasting damages. Absent fathers can be linked to crime, delinquency, and premature sexuality. The possibility of aggressive or antisocial behavior has been linked to juveniles of incarcerated fathers. Are juveniles who grow up without a father or a father figure more susceptible to a life of crime? The core question is simple, “Do every child need a father”?

Fort Mill, SC

The documentary film “The Road to Paradise” 'A quest for enlightenment' is an inspiring portrait of the rich cultural history of the rural American south. The film is based on historical accounts of the origins of a small Black community passionately known as Paradise. This story follows six generations of Black citizens starting with emancipated slaves and ends with public school desegregation of the 1960's. It explores the much forgotten contributions of former slaves and their quest for knowledge. It also examines the social, economic and political challenges each generation faced during this 100 year period.

This project is an incredible opportunity to commemorate the end of the Civil War and emancipation and highlights various aspects of a community’s quest to assimilate during this turbulent period.

This project has many moving parts. Currently, we are focused on conducting interviews and establishing the basic storyline. The camera and audio equipment issues are working out great and plans are on the way to create a screenplay/re-enactment of daily life in this small southern town.

I want to thank those of you who have contributed to the making of this film and hope that you will continue to support me in this important work.

Our mailing address is:
ParadiseWeb Productions
7219 Cascading Pines Dr.
Tega Cay, SC 29708

My email address is: kdixonsr@paradiseweb.org

Thanks again,
Ken Dixon, Sr.

By Ken Dixon Sr. - kdixonsr@paradiseweb.org
FORT MILL --

Did you know there is a monument in Fort Mill dedicated to slaves? Erected in 1895, this marble stone 15-foot monument is located on the southern side of Confederate Park.
The men listed on the monument, and others like them, took care of the families and properties of soldiers during the Civil War. They were also very instrumental in bringing this town back to life during Reconstruction.
The man credited for erecting the monument, Samuel Elliot White, recognized the role slaves played in maintaining the farms and assisting the families in the Confederate soldiers’ absence. Therefore, he decided to erect the monument to show his appreciation. He was a man of honor and an old soldier himself. He acted out of selflessness. Perhaps the “togetherness of community spirit” that exists in the black community of Paradise was born out of this period of hopelessness and despair.

This monument was the first of its kind in the American South and stands as a testimony of the contributions and sacrifices made by former slaves of the Confederacy. The idea of immortalizing slaves in the form of a monument was inconsistent with the prevailing attitudes towards “Negroes” during the time period. Likewise, and possibly, a more important question comes to mind –why would slaves support a cause that did not guarantee their freedom? The mere notion of a monument to slaves in a southern region known for its racist practices beckons an examination of the relationships between slaves and slave holders.

Columbia, SC…As South Carolina climbs slowly out of the Great Recession, families still find themselves faced with the daunting task of paying for college, even as they watch tuition rates rise. To help those families, ETV and the South Carolina Department of Education’s ITV team have once again put together a special program with updated information for 2011 that no parent or student will want to miss.
“Finding Money for College” airs LIVE Sunday, January 30, 5-7 p.m. on ETV. The new program will be hosted by Bette Jamison, co-hosted by Warren Wise, and will feature West Ashley High School from the Charleston County School District. School counselors from West Ashley will share how they assist students in finding money for higher education, and eight seniors talk peer-to-peer about what has helped them in the process.
Throughout the program, a panel of financial aid experts from SC colleges and universities, the SC Student Loan Corporation, SC Tuition Grants, and the Commission on Higher Education provide the current ins-and-outs of expenditures associated with pursuing a degree in higher education.
Viewers are invited to call in with inquiries during the live broadcast via a toll-free number that will be announced on air. Encore broadcasts are schedule for:

Sunday, Feb. 6 at 6–8 p.m. on the South Carolina Channel
Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 9:30–11:30 p.m. on the ETV World Channel

*Note: Call-in questions will not be answered during encore airings.