UMTV Brief

UMTV Web Brief 2/5/03 –

Buried Treasure – Intro:

Welcome to UMTV’s Web Brief; I’m Reed Galin.

Six decades ago, in the heart of Dallas, thrived an affluent African-American community. It was during a time when civil unrest and industrial progress swept the country. The community was swallowed up, except for the church that bound the town people together – St. Paul United Methodist Church. Today, students from the University of Texas and church members are working to uncover and document African-American history.

Buried Treasure –Story:

Sifting through soil, members of St. Paul United Methodist Church are getting help looking for roots – their own.

University of Texas archaeological student: “We are finding all different kinds of things that are getting us a picture of the daily lives of these people that aren’t recorded in any sort of history books.”

In the 1940s, this was the center of a vibrant African-American community in downtown Dallas, known as Freedman’s Town. Today, it is surrounded by progress.

For church trustee Reggie Smith, it is an unearthing of feelings.

Reggie Smith, St. Paul United Methodist Church trustee: “We are just looking for our roots and I think that is ironic, just digging, you know, because that’s where roots are.”

Reggie is a descendant of the Cole family, whose row house once stood on church property. His mom remembers having dinner every Sunday after church at the Cole home.

Seeing the artifacts today is a reminder of the family legacy and the church’s rich history.

Reggie Smith: “That was an expensive piece of porcelain for it to have that type of markings on it.”

For Reggie, the church is like a spiritual museum.

Reggie Smith: “You look at the brick on the exterior of this building and it is a patchwork of different types of brick, of people literally bringing a brick to church.”

And the cornerstone of the church still stands as a pillar to the community, now and then. Here, Reggie’s grandfather’s name is carved in granite.

Reggie Smith: “I feel him. I tell people sometimes these old Africans come and they touch you. He’s here.”

Buried Treasure – Tag:

The archaeology students are busy carefully cataloging the artifacts, and when they’re done, the family treasures will be on display in the welcome center of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Dallas. 

Finding the Fu in You – Intro:

The exhilarating and death-defying action of movies like “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Fists of Fury” is Hollywood’s version of the martial arts.  But movie portrayals are sometimes very different than reality. The original purpose of kung fu training, in fact, was in achieving tranquility through spiritual enlightenment.

Grandmaster Leo Fong, a United Methodist pastor and a former student of film action hero Bruce Lee, has studied the ancient Chinese practice for 60 years. He’s developed a series of exercises that strengthen the body and the spirit.

Finding the Fu in You – Story:

He doesn’t fit the stereotypical image of “a man of the cloth,” yet this United Methodist minister is a force to be reckoned with.

Nat Sound: Kung fu movie with Fong fighting

Leo Fong studied with Bruce Lee, his work seen in dozens of movies. Fong says learning about martial arts is very similar to learning about faith.

Leo Fong, United Methodist pastor: “What it’s taught me today is to always look inward because true martial arts is a spiritual journey.”

Fong’s journey began in the 1930s when his family immigrated to rural Arkansas. Being Chinese made him a target of bullies.

Fong: “The first day of school, a group of kids were surrounding me and they were singing a song, you know, ‘Ching, Chong, Chinaman,’ and all that business.”

Rather than be a victim, he chose to fight. That led to a lifelong interest in martial arts and spreading the gospel of a healthy lifestyle.

Nat Sound, Fong teaching class: “OK, we’re going over the chair.”

Fong: “I always say to people, the more time you put into exercise, the less hours we spend at the doctor’s office.”

The 74-year-old mixes elements of tai chi, yoga and kung fu into a workout that challenges the body without breaking it.

Diana Nava, martial arts student: “A lot of times, when you take a regular, fast-type pace class, you end up hurting yourself even more. What Leo’s class does is it not only works on just the muscles, but on your energy.”

Nat Sound, Fong teaching class: “Everything nice, loose and easy …”

Ultimately, for Fong, the goal is to calm the mind and from that quiet place, he says, comes God.

Fong: “Faith enables us to see everything as possibilities.”

Finding the Fu in You – Tag:

Fong says everyone can incorporate the “Three Rs of self-defense” into their daily lives:

Don’t react; wait and listen to what others are trying to tell you.

Don’t reject – meaning don’t judge people.

And don’t resist; go with the flow.

Tease next week:

On the next UMTV Web Brief, a former refugee lives up to a promise to help his fellow countrymen.

“”This is not easy to believe, but the Lord can do this for us!”

Thanks for watching. Make it a good week.