Lowry Gang

The Lumbee Tribal Government has finally got a newsletter/magazine out and it only took them 5 years. Wow.
Well the new newsletter/magazine "literally sucks" and that is not a play on words by using the word literal.

I am not a journalist persay but I do know something about journalism and creating and producing a newsletter/magazine having done both the newsletter and alumni magazine at my almamater.

I have to agree with my friend LUMBEE MASHALL and their view on the the new Lumbee publication:
[font=Times New Roman]I just got done looking at the magazine that Lumbee Tribe now has called "The Lumbee Pride." Looks like that got the picture on the front of the paper off of one of Gene Locklear's baseball cards. They don't show his artwork all they talk about is him paving the way. Well excuse us for stating "Gene Locklear is not the one who paved the way for the Lumbee people. This was done by Henry Berry Lowrie and the Lumbee Act of 1956." Well, folks I have to admit it. Cookie was right when it came to the suggestion that the PR department at the Lumbee Tribe doesn't know how to write a news article. And now we know why the Robeson Journal is not the newspaper to read in this area. My God, the Carolina Indian Voice was 100% better than this so called magazine. But, let me go over it with you. For ONE thing - there are no telephone numbers in it or directory of assistance for someone who needs help (and that alone is ashameful thing.) TWO- If they are going to print the photos of the Tribal Council why don't they put their phone numbers so people can reach them. Some of the print it would take bifocals to read. THREE- PR Strickland is speaking in the THIRD person about the fundraising saying "We, the Lumbee Tribe." (We have to remember that not even 50% of the Lumbees voted in the last election so what gives him the right to say "We. the Lumbee Tribe?) FOUR- PR's Revels & Locklear show they have no ability to write with any compassion or understanding. Their articles are enough to make a person go and get a drink of water. (My God, at least when Cookie wrote her column, she could make us laugh, out a smile on our face and let us know that someone did care.)Do you think that both of them have something going on with the Tribal Administrator. It is the talk of the Tribal Government Office. FIVE- In the photographs in regard to the housing program there are three men in a picture and there are NO NAMES UNDER THE PICTURE. "Just what is with this Editor?" SIX- It says Complimentary on the cover and on page 2 where it has the Editor listed it has one copy free to each member of the Lumbee Tribe. Subscriptions are $10 a year $30 for 3 years. Hey did they fall off of Cookie's turnip truck or what? Many of us would love to see Cookie write something in there.At least we can understand her. The only things readable in there are written by James Locklear and Mary Brayboy. This thing is worser than THE LUMBEE NEWS AND REPORTER!

Blackbear

LOL... first issue sucked huh? Why not give the folks some time and always feedback, but it does'nt have to be so meanly worded right ? But what got me is the guy sounded viable as a complaint till he said, "This thing is worser ". ROFLMAO!

__________________
Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song.

Lowry Gang

I hear you BB, use of the term "worser" was not the best choice of words by Lumbee Marshall, and I hear your other points too.

Normally one could forgive the first issue BUT:

We have been waiting for this and we have been promised this since the start of the New Tribal Governement 5 long years ago. Also the Tribal Office just hired 3 new people to be Public Information Specialist to get this thing going.

Most of the Lumbees that I have talked to in person, by phone, and e-mail pretty much agree that the Lumbee Office hired the wrong people for the job. All 3 are ex-paegent people. 2 are ex-beauty queens and 1 is an ex-king paegent participant. They may have PR experiecne being ex-queens and ex-kings in making public appearances, etc. But they do not have any expericne in writing, producing, and editing a publication.

So, no benefit of the doubt here. This first issue should have been killer. We can only hope that they use this and other criticism wisley and make the next issue and every other issue great.

Lowry Gang

Got this information, a direct quote, from the Tribal Office this morning.

"Yes, all 3 Public Information Specilaist are ex-beauty pagents winners. They are Patrick Strickland, Wanda Locklear and of course our own Miss Lumbee and Miss North Carolina Rebecca Revels."

I know them all and have nothing against a single one. In fact I know Patrick and Rebecca from school. I just happen to also know that they have no publication skills and expericece either. Good and nice people but not great for this job.

I hope that they see this and ask for help from those that have some publication skills and expericne, like from the college publication department, local newpapers and other media in the area. So guys, seek the experience and make the next issue and all others "great."

MENINBLK

Instead of posting a lot of negative information,
why don't you offer to help ?

You sound as if you have a lot of great ideas,
and you COULD point these girls in the right direction.

Maybe all they need is a little contsructive critisizm ?

After all, look how long it has taken just to build up Pembroke ?

__________________
Pete...

You're just jealous because the voices only speak to me...

Lowry Gang

Been there and done that Meninblk.

I called and spoke with all three as soon as the newsletter came out. In fact I called the day it hit the stands and spoke on some wonderful ideas for stories, graphics, layout, information, contacts, and much more from both the persepctive of a journalist and a lay-reader.

Rebecah was very nice and listened and said the ideas were great and that she knew of my "journalistic" skills from school.

But both Patrick and Wanda were rude and said they would think about the ideas and the two basically told me to "get lost" in no un-certain words! And that my friend is fact not fiction.

We need more like you and myself and others to let them know we care and want a great piece of Tribal Media!!!!

So I am not posting negativity on purpose - it happens to be that way at present.

I know that the newsletter could be awesome and rival many Tribal papers across the country - but first they have to accept constructive criticism and also accept good ideas from their own people and others.

So let them know what you think and your ideas to reach our peple with the newsletter.

MENINBLK

I have not received a copy of this newsletter.
Who do I contact to subscribe ?

__________________
Pete...

You're just jealous because the voices only speak to me...

Lowry Gang

Meninblk you will have to contact the Tribal Office in Pembroke. Ask for Rebekah, Wanda or Patrick as they are the Information Committee and part of the publication for the Newsletter. Hopefully, Wanda and Patrick want be rude to you like they have been to me and others (have heard some other horror stories about both from other Lumbees).