WS Chronicle

Rams
The season has ended for the Winston-Salem State Rams.

The football squad’s NCAA DII championship quest fizzled out Saturday with a second round 7–0 loss to Shepherd University. The playoffs are familiar terrain for the Rams. Their tenacity has earned them a chance to fight for the big prize for the last three post-seasons.

The Rams didn’t claim the big prize this time, but their character – on and off the field – continues to inspire us and instill in us a great sense of pride.

Join us in once again giving the mighty Rams a big pat on the back. They have shown again that they have staying power; we look forward to cheering for them even louder next season.

Officer Wilson
In this age of instant celebrity, where everyone’s jockeying for their 15 minutes of fame, Officer

Tim Wilson is an oddity.

Though he has truly earned the lofty title of “hero,” he eschews the attention and other spoils
that come with it. Students at Carver already held Wilson in pretty high esteem before his actions earlier this year diverted what could have been a mass tragedy at the East Winston school.

A few days after Wilson restrained and detained a student who brandished and fired a gun on campus, the school highlighted his bravery during a football game. The humble Wilson reluctantly accepted the attention, but didn’t embrace it. The accolades have continued to come pouring in, and Wilson has maintained his modesty. He says that he was merely doing his job, which, while true, doesn’t diminish the fact that he put himself in harm’s way to save young lives.

Wilson is a credit to all those who wear the badge. Cops take a lot of heat and criticism for a lot of things, so when they selflessly protect and serve as Wilson did, they deserve thanks, respect and adoration.

Holiday Giving

It is that time of year again, when generosity is abundant. While the holiday season can bring out the worst in us (Did you see the videos of the Black Friday shoppers brawling?), it is generally the time of year that folks’ hearts get a little warmer.

Even we are impressed with the outpouring, and we are in the business of touting and promoting good news. Churches, fraternities, sororities, schools, social groups and the like have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors have a happy Thanksgiving and merry Christmas.

This city is better than most when it comes to neighbor helping neighbor. Folks here show time and again that they are willing and ready to step up to help those down on their luck.

The holidays have a way of more clearly defining the income inequalities and food insecurities that are far too prevalent here. Good people are spurred to action because they find it unfathomable that as they sit at plentiful tables and open beautifully-wrapped baubles and gizmos, the family around corner has no money to buy food, let alone Christmas gifts.
Thanksgiving is behind us, and sooner than any us will realize, Christmas will be history, too.

The need, though, is perpetual. Kids, their parents, the elderly, veterans and others go without basic necessities January through December, so our season of giving and benevolence must be a year-round effort.