This week the Memory Train is traveling all over the place. Come along for the journey because you are in for several surprises. You are in for several hidden stories about overrated heroes.

Let’s start with President Andrew Jackson, whose face appears on the $20 dollar bill. Many of his opponents called him a “bloodthirsty military tyrant” who had “bland blood” in his veins.

In the 1820s the Cincinnati Gazette herald said, General Andrew Jackson’s mother was a common prostitute bought to this country by the British soldiers. She afterwards married a mulatto man with whom she had several children, of which general Jackson is one.” Also, another issue of the paper revealed that Jackson’s  older brother was sold as a slave in the Carolinas.

Andrew Jackson responded to his critics by being a slaveholder and racist, who went out of his way to prove he had no love or affection for people with “Black blood.”

Was there  a curse  in the White House? Did someone cast a spell or a curse on the office of President of the United States and the White House? If not, how do you explain that at the beginning in 1840, nearly every candidate elected died in office or was the target of an assassination attempt? Is it a curse on the American presidency? Take look of these patterns.

William Henry Harrison Died in office in 1840. Abraham Lincoln, was killed in office in 1860. James A. Garfied was killed in office in 1880. William McKinney was killed in office in 1900.

Warren G. Harding died in office in 1940. Franklin D. Roosevelt died in office in 1940.  Ronald Reagan was wounded in office. George W. Bush did have to duck when someone threw shoes at him during a political meeting.

If you are really interested in “More Dirty Little Secrets” by Dr. Claud Anderson and Brant Anderson, check out local bookstores.

Even though they are not here physically, I would like to wish my Mother Mittie a happy birthday. It was on Oct. 20, and to my father who would be well over 100 on Oct. 30. They are gone but not forgotten.

Also, I have been informed that “God’s World” bookstore is in dire need of patronage. Please stop by and make a purchase or make a donation.

Words of Wisdom: “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.” — George Washington Carver

Until next time, I’ll plant U now, and dig U later.

Peace and chicken grease!

Hugh Burrell can be contacted at (313) 872-3437 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

True to their commitment to offer students at Timbuktu Academy of Science and Technology (TAST), a Detroit Public Schools charter academy, opportunities usually afforded schools with greater affluence, Brenda Parker, principal; Cha-Ronda Ellis, assistant principal; Bernard Parker, CEO of Magnum Educational Management Company; Warrington Parker, director of Professional Development; and teacher Dialo Smith recently escorted three middle school students to the Digital Youth Network (DYN) in Chicago.

TAST student representatives were eighth graders Jessica Tolen and Keymontez Hairston and 7th grader Keilone Wilson.  The students visited the DYN where they were introduced to digital technology advancements in the areas of video, audio and film production.

The DYN is a digital literacy program that creates opportunities for youth to engage in relevant, real-world learning opportunities through the use of digital technology.   The DYN model focuses on the 6th through 8th grade experience linked to school-based curriculum and student interest to support using new media to stimulate and expand their creativity and imagination.
DYN is supported by the Urban Education Institute (UEI) of The University of Chicago and provides full-time services to students participating in UEI/University of Chicago charter schools.
During their visit to the DYN studio, the students were greeted by mentors who took them on a tour of the state-of-the-art recording and editing rooms all equipped with digital equipment and application technology.

The students were inspired and wanted to know when TAST would be implementing the technology program at the school.

The trip also had a surprise for the students as they visited the Chicago home of President Obama.

To contact Timbuktu, call (313) 823-6000 or visit www.timbuktuacademy.org.

Sure, much of the news is bad these days. But here’s a story that holds glimmers of hope that things can get better.

The Internet provides a wealth of health information and research for the health conscious person or someone needing to research a health issue.