Volume Volume 125 123 No. No.33 20–22
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March 18, 2017 - March 18, 2017, The Afro-American
MARCH 18, 2017 - MARCH 24, 2017
Inside
Baltimore in Early Spring
Washington
• D.C. Remembers ‘77 Hanafi Wilson Building Siege
Young Va. Photographer Captures the Beauty of Brown Ballerinas
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Baltimore
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A man walks through a park in Baltimore on March 14 as a winter storm moves through the region.
Commentary
Lives are in the Balance
Madam C.J. Walker’s Life Headed for Big Screen, Product Line Revived
By Rep. Elijah Cummings
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By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com
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On the eve of Madame C.J. Walker’s 150th birthday celebration (December 23, 1867), her renaissance comes through with the relaunch of her revolutionary haircare line and a 10-part television series of her life. Despite being a household name for more than a century, the life of Walker remains slightly elusive and yoked by conjecture, conflation, and rumor. Considered the first self-made, Black female millionaire, Walker (born Sarah Breedlove), however enigmatic, established a hair care system that revolutionized the beauty culture industry, and simultaneously manufactured an economic stronghold within Black communities that undergirded respectability and race pride.
Courtesy photo
Madame C.J. Walker
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Your History • Your Community • Your News
Families Reconcile Over Dred Scott Decision By Byron Scott Special to the AFRO
March 6 marked the 160 anniversary of what many consider the worst U.S. Supreme Court ruling in history. Known as the Dred Scott decision, it held that people of African descent living in America, were not American citizens, thus, they had no right to sue in federal court whether free or slave. During the anniversary,
about two dozen people gathered on the grounds of the Maryland Statehouse in Annapolis under the shadow of the statue of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney, who handed down the ruling, for a celebration of reconciliation. “So, today for all the Taneys, we face it,” said Charlie Taney, the greatgreat-great nephew of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, “and we offer deep
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apology to the Scott family and to all African-Americans for the injury caused by Roger Brooke Taney and this decision.” In response, Lynn Jackson,
the great-great granddaughter of Dred Scott looked up at Charlie Taney and said, “On behalf of the Scott family and all those African-Americans
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Photo by Bryon Scott
During the 160th anniversary of the Dred Scott decision, Alex Haley (holding mike), Charlie Taney, the great-greatgreat nephew of Superior Court Judge Robert Taney; and Lynne Jackson gathered outside of the Maryland Statehouse in Annapolis under the shadow of the statue of former Justice Taney for a celebration of reconciliation.
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Black Leaders Push for Stronger Preventive Healthcare By Hamil R. Harris Special to the AFRO In light of the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) dismal projections on the state if healthcare coverage under the Republican legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act, some health advocates in the Black community are focusing on strengthening self caring measures. “A big part of healthcare is prevention,” V. Lorece Edwards DrPH, MHS, director of community practice and outreach and an associate professor in the Department of Behavioral Health Sciences at Morgan Continued on A4
This week the Northeastern part of the United States braces for a blizzard that threatens to shut down most of the states in the affected area. As government officials and citizens alike prepare for the worst, we take a look back at when we’ve seen this before, In 1950, the United States was hit with a similarly devastating winter storm, hundreds were killed and millions of dollars in damage assessed.
AFRO Archived History
Storm Toll Heavy; Scores Are Homeless Dec. 2, 1950
Listen to Afro’s “First Edition”
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Walker’s great, great-granddaughter and author of the biography On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker, A’Lelia Bundles, told the AFRO that the renewed interest in the millionaire coincides with a desire among Blacks to reclaim lost narratives. “My own research and discovery process is reflective of a lot of others’, which was like Alex Haley’s “Roots.” As people discover their place in American history, they demand recognition and acknowledgement and I think that is where we are now,” said Bundles, who initially wanted an identity removed from her famous ancestor. “But as I discovered how Madam Walker fit into history; how she was a part of the transformation of African Americans from slavery to freedom, and then to empowerment, I was able to positon myself and other member of my family.” Continued on A3
• Historically Black Cemetery Seeks Community’s Help
Property damage extending well up into the millions and a total of more than 200 dead, to say nothing of untold suffering and inconvenience to thousands of others, followed in the wake of last week’s storm. The American Red Cross reports that the storm caused hardship to over 2 million persons. Ohio, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania were hardest hit. New Jersey this week is putting itself out of the wreckage and havoc brought by a gale Saturday which at its height reached a velocity of 108 miles an hour, leaving Continued on A4
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NATION & WORLD
Harvard Law Review Elects First Black Woman as President By Zenitha Prince Senior AFRO Correspondent zprince@afro.com
A Black woman has been elected president of the Harvard Law Review— the first in the revered publication’s 130-year history. ImeIme Umana, one of four daughters born to Nigerian immigrants, was elected as the 131st president of the Review (The Harvard Law Review) out of 12 candidates, eight of whom were minorities ImeIme Umana. and eight of whom were women. She is the second African American to snag the coveted position: Barack Obama became the first when he was elected in 1990. “It still feels like magic that I’m here,” Umana told The New York Times of her election to the highly competitive position at the most-circulated journal in the world. But colleagues and others said Umana’s election was not by chance. “ImeIme is one of the most brilliant, thoughtful, and dedicated people I’ve ever met, and the Law Review is in phenomenally good hands,” said Michael Zuckerman, Umana’s predecessor, in a statement. “Like many others around campus, I’ve been blown away by ImeIme since she was an undergraduate in Harvard’s Lowell House, and it has been thrilling to watch the Law Review’s membership recognize so heartily what a special human being she is. I am excited for all of the amazing work that she will do for our institution in the year ahead.” Umana, a native of State College, Pa., is a 2014 graduate of Harvard College, where she earned dual degrees in African American studies and government. She plans to intern with the public defender’s office in Washington, D.C. And, she has already lined up a clerkship with Judge Robert L. Wilkins of the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia upon her graduation next year.
Claressa Shields Wins Fight in 4th Round of Milestone Night By The Associated Press
On a milestone night for female boxers, Claressa Shields gave herself rave reviews. Shields became the first woman to headline a fight card on premium cable, stopping Szilvia Szabados in the fourth round on Mar. 10 in their fight for the NABF middleweight championship on Showtime. Referee Harvey Dock stopped the fight 1:30 into the fourth, after Shields had landed a strong left-handed punch to the head of Szabados. “I put on a good show. I used some good technique. I wasn’t just out there brawling with her,” Shields said. “I showed my skill, I showed my power, and I showed how I box like Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Louis mixed together.” Shields (2-0) controlled the fight from the outset in front of a boisterous crowd in her home state of Michigan. The two-time Olympic champion from Flint landed 95 punches to 11 by Szabados. When it came to power punches, the margin was 88-10. Szabados (15-9) did well to avoid being knocked down. The Hungarian was still on her feet when the fight was stopped, and she shook her head a bit in apparent disbelief that it was over. “I’m very sad and heartbroken right now because I only went four rounds and I could have kept going,” Szabados said. Szabados said she’d have to live with the referee’s decision. “Her hits were not painful,” Szabados said. “Her right hook got me a lot, I know. I could feel that one.” Shields, who won gold medals in London and Rio de Janeiro, made her pro debut in November when she won a decision over Franchon Crews in a four-round super middleweight fight. She entered the ring against Szabados to a huge cheer from a crowd that packed the ballroom at the MGM Grand. The venue held about 1,000 people, and the atmosphere was spirited, especially when
Shields landed a couple solid right hands in the first round to take control. “That girl could take a lot of punishment,” said Shields, who turns 22 next week. “She’s tough. She’s a really tough girl. I’m just more skilled and a better fighter.” Shields attempted 56 power punches in the first round and landed 28. “I knew she was going to see if I was as tough as (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) her, and I knew she wasn’t Claressa Shields poses with going to back down if her North American Boxing she was backing me up,” Federation middleweight Shields said. “I wanted to championship belt after she put that power on to let defeated Szilvia Szabados her know, ‘Every time you in the fourth round of the try to come in here and hit boxing bout, early Saturday, me, I’ve got something for March 11, 2017, in Detroit. you. First, second, third, fourth — however many rounds you want to make this go, I’ve got something for you every round.’” Shields said she turned pro in part because she wanted to help women’s boxing grow, and her brash-but-engaging attitude could help her become the type of star the sport definitely could use. Shields said confidently before this fight that she wouldn’t need all six rounds to defeat Szabados, and that prediction turned out to be accurate. “I wanted to get a knockout — like, make her go to sleep. But she was taking a whole lot of punishment. That’s the ref’s job, is to protect the fighter,” Shields said. “I’ll get a KO someday, but right now I’ll just stick with the TKO. It’s fine. I’m cool with it. No pressure.” In the co-main event, Nikolay Potapov (17-0-1) of Russia defeated Antonio Nieves (17-1-2) of Cleveland in a split decision for the NABO bantamweight title. Earlier on the undercard, Wesley Tucker (14-0) of Toledo, Ohio, outpointed Ed Williams (12-2-1) of Detroit in an eightround welterweight bout, and Joshua Greer Jr. (12-1-1) of Chicago stopped James Gordon Smith (11-1) of Detroit in the sixth round of a bantamweight fight.
Joni Sledge, Member of Sister Sledge, Dies at 60 By The Associated Press
Joni Sledge, who with her sisters recorded the enduring dance anthem “We Are Family,” has died, the band’s representative said Mar. 11. She was 60. Sledge was found (AP Photo/Chris Polk) dead in her home by This Aug. 14, 2006 photo shows a friend in Phoenix, Joni Sledge, one of the original Arizona, on Mar. 10, members of “Sister Sledge,” second the band’s publicist, from left, posing with Rodney Biff Warren, said. A Jerkins, second from right, her cause of death has not niece Camille Sledge, left, and her been determined. He cousin Amber Sledge at the “We said she had not been Are Family 2006 – All-Star Katrina ill. Benefit CD and Documentary DVD “On yesterday, Launch” in Century City, Calif. numbness fell upon our family. We welcome your prayers as we weep the loss of our sister, mother, aunt, niece and cousin,” read a family statement. Sledge and her sisters Debbie, Kim and Kathy formed the Sister Sledge in 1971 in Philadelphia, their hometown, but struggled for years before success came. “The four of us had been in the music business for eight years and we were frustrated. We were saying: ‘Well, maybe we should go to college and just become lawyers or something other than music, because it really is tough,’” Joni told The Guardian in an interview last year. But then they met Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers of the hit group Chic, and their breakout soon came. The pair wrote and produced their album “We Are Family,” and soon the women had their first major hit with disco jam “The Greatest Dancer,” which became a top 10 hit in May 1979. (It would be sampled years later for Will Smith’s hit “Getting Jiggy Wit It.”) But their biggest hit would come a month later with the title track, an infectious dance anthem that celebrated their familial connection with the refrain, “We are family, I got all my sisters with me.” While it celebrated their sisterhood, the 1979 hit so also became an anthem for female empowerment and unity. It would become their signature hit, and was nominated for a Grammy. Both the song and album sold more than one million copies. The women also had a hit with a cover of the Mary Wells song “My Guy” in 1982, but would never duplicate the success they had in the 1970s. Still, Sister Sledge continued; while sister Kathy left the group for a solo career, the trio of sisters continued to perform and record, including a performance for Pope Francis in 2015. Warren said they last performed together in concert in October. Joni Sledge is survived by an adult son, her sisters and other relatives.
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The Afro-American, March 18, 2017 - March 18, 2017
March 18, 2017 - March 24, 2017, The Afro-American
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Maryland Court Hears 1st of Several Challenges to Trump’s Travel Ban By The Associated Press Hours before President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban was to take effect, the first of several challenges to the executive order began March 15 in a Maryland courtroom, where attorneys told a federal judge that the measure still discriminates against Muslims. More than half a dozen states are trying to stop the ban that targets people from six predominantly Muslim countries. Hearings were also scheduled for March 15 in Washington state and Hawaii. In Maryland, U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang — who was appointed by former President Barack Obama — said he would try to rule before the end of the day, but he made no promises that his ruling would apply nationwide or address the executive order in its entirety. Government attorneys argued that the ban, which was to go into effect just after midnight, was revised substantially to address legal concerns, including the removal of an exemption for religious minorities from the affected countries.
“It doesn’t say anything about religion. It doesn’t draw any religious distinctions,” said Jeffrey Wall, who argued for the Justice Department. Attorneys for the ACLU and other groups said that Trump’s statements on the campaign trail and statements from his advisers since he took office make clear that the intent of the ban is to ban Muslims. Trump policy adviser Stephen Miller has said the revised order was designed to have “the same basic policy outcome” as the first. The new version of the ban details more of a national security rationale. It is narrower and eases some concerns about violating the dueprocess rights of travelers. It applies only to new visas from Somalia, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen and temporarily shuts down the U.S. refugee program. It does not apply to travelers who already have visas. “Generally, courts defer on national security to the government,” Chuang said. “Do I need to conclude that the national security purpose is a sham and false?” In response, ACLU attorney Omar Jadwat
pointed to Miller’s statement and said the government had put out misleading and contradictory information about whether banning travel from six specific countries would make the nation safer. The Maryland lawsuit also argues that it’s against federal law for the Trump administration to reduce the number of refugees allowed into the United States this year by more than half, from 110,000 to 50,000. Attorneys argued that if that aspect of the ban takes effect, 60,000 people would be stranded in war-torn countries with nowhere else to go. Hawaii will argue that the new order will harm its Muslim population, tourism and foreign students. Ismail Elshikh, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said the ban will prevent his Syrian mother-in-law from visiting. The federal government will argue that the allegations are pure speculation. Justice Department lawyers also say the president is authorized to restrict or suspend entry into the United States. In Washington state, U.S. District Judge James Robart — who halted the original ban last month — will hear arguments in a lawsuit
brought by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, which is making arguments similar to the ACLU’s in the Maryland case. Robart also is overseeing the legal challenge brought by Washington state. Attorney General Bob Ferguson argues that the new order harms residents, universities and businesses, especially tech companies such as Washington state-based Microsoft and Amazon, which rely on foreign workers. California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon have joined the claim. Washington and Hawaii say the order also violates the First Amendment, which bars the government from favoring or disfavoring any religion. On that point, they say, the new ban is no different than the old. The states’ First Amendment claim has not been resolved. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to reinstate the original ban but did not rule on the discrimination claim. Some legal scholars have said the order does not apply to all Muslims or even all predominantly Muslim nations — a point 9th Circuit Judge Richard Clifton made during arguments in Washington’s case.
2017 NCAA Men’s Tournament at a Glance It’s the most wonderful time of the year! March is upon us, and for hoops junkies March equals “Madness,” and “Madness” equals a college basketball overload. For the next three weeks, you will hear the terms “bracket” and “cinderella” more than you would, collectively, for the next 11 months. In terms of great theater, pound for pound, the NCAA Tournament gives you more thrills than any American sporting event. After last season’s dream sequence of late-game shots concluding with the three-point dagger by Villanova’s Kris Jenkins in the National Championship Game against North Carolina, it will be hard to eclipse that for most fans.
AP Photo/John Minchillo
By Dion Johnson Special to the AFRO
Kansas State’s Isaiah Maurice, left, and Wake Forest’s John Collins, right, battle for a rebound in the first half of a First Four game of the NCAA college basketball tournament, March 14, in Dayton, Ohio. Yet this regular season has concluded with more than a dozen teams who can legitimately cut down the nets on April 3 in Glendale, Ariz. The East Region sees two of
Walker Continued from A1 Walker created specialized hair products for Black women, beginning in 1906, and promoted the products through lectures and demonstrations across the country. And far from the conjecture that she invented the straightening comb or chemical hair relaxer, Walker’s pomades were devised to combat a common balding pattern experienced by Black women due to scalp infections. “Madam Walker was going bald due to hygiene practices that were common for that era. It was revolutionary to convince Black women to wash their hair more often when most people didn’t have indoor plumbing. It was before penicillin and aspirin and insulin and so many basic things that we take for granted now. So, skin and scalp care was way down on the priority list for health concerns,” Bundles said. “But when people didn’t bathe very often and didn’t wash their hair but maybe once a month or not at all during the winter, they had horrible skin infections beyond dandruff. What she did was encourage them to wash their hair more often and then apply an ointment that contained sulfur petrolatum (the main ingredient to Vaseline) – used for centuries to heal infections of the skin. With their scalps treated, healthy hair could grow back.” Now, 111 years after Walker founded The Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture company, the products once more create the same buzz among hair culturists. Available at Sephora stores nationwide, the mission of the line remains largely the same: quality ingredients to improve and maintain textured hair. “The thing I love about the new products is that they really pay homage to Madam Walker. When she developed her vegetable shampoo and hair grower in 1906, and put her own image on the label she was determined to have a highquality product with the best available ingredients in a product that really worked,” Bundles said. “What we’ve learned in the last 100 years, petroleum and heavy ointments are not good for the skin and clog pores. So, we no longer use the sulfates, silicones, and sulfurs. We have the spirit of Madam Walker integrated with the latest ingredients using science
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the hottest teams in the country on a collision course for a matchup in the Regional Final as defending champ Villanova earned the No. 1 overall seed. Duke, fresh off four
wins in four nights to claim the ACC Tournament championship on Saturday night, is the second seed. Both teams’ roster stuns as Villanova boasts Big East Player of the Year in Josh Hart, the aforementioned Jenkins and Jalen Brunson. Duke arguably has the most talented team in the entire sport led by sophomore Luke Kennard, super-freshman Jayson Tatum and the polarizing Grayson Allen. It’s hard to envision anyone in this bracket defeating either team until they matchup in the regional final. But look out for the SMU Mustangs (at the No. 6 seed) to give Duke trouble if they were able to meet in the Round-of-32. The Midwest Region features the Big XII regular season champion Kansas Jayhawks as the No. 1 seed. Led by conference Player of the Year and consensus first-team AllAmerican point guard Frank Mason
Jr. and stud freshman Josh Jackson, the Jayhawks should benefit from an unfortunate injury to the second-best player on second-seeded Oregon’s roster in defensive stalwart Chris Boucher, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. Without Boucher, the Ducks will have to lean even more on Pac-12 Player of the Year Dillon Brooks to shoulder the load for a team who some pundits consider the favorites to win the whole shebang. Rick Pitino’s Louisville Cardinals are the third seed but have had trouble making shots virtually all season. We know how good Louisville’s defense is under Pitino, particularly this season, but if sophomore star point guard Donovan Mitchell has an off-night, the Cardinals can struggle to crack 70 points. Read the full article on afro.com
and technology . . . and they really smell Walker’s life and I always had to say, ‘no.’ fabulous.” Now I’m so happy to say that all of the And just as the celebrations over the pieces have fallen into place.” revived product line erupted, Bundles Nicole Asher (Coco) has signed on as received word that the biography she penned scriptwriter with Kasi Lemmons (Shots in 2002 of her great, great-grandmother, Fired, Eve’s Bayou) taking the reigns as piqued the interest of Hollywood A-lister director. Octavia Spencer. Despite having been Walker, born the daughter of slaves, optioned twice before, Bundles said that with was orphaned at seven, married at 14 and shifts in the Hollywood machine following widowed at 20. She died of hypertension the Oscars So White protests, the floodgates in 1919, at age 51, as the sole owner of her of interest reopened – this time with backers. business, which was valued at more than “Late last summer, Octavia Spencer came $1 million (about $14 million in today’s Courtesy photo money). aboard to portray Madam Walker, but she A’Lelia Bundles is the great, also said she wanted to come on with the “Madam Walker personified that first great-granddaughter of 10-part series as a producer. That took the generation out of slavery, who moved to the Madame C.J. Walker. project to another level when she made that city, but in her case it became something type of commitment,” Bundles said. “Since even more unusual because she was able to 1975 I’ve been doing speeches, writing books, and from the start a business and to provide jobs for thousands of women beginning the two things people would always ask me where who were then able to educate their children and buy real estate can I purchase the hair care line and is there a movie of Madam and go on to do other things,” Bundles said.
Dred Scott Continued from A1 who have love in their heart, we accept your apology, and I thank you for it. I thank you for the courage that you have.” Moments later, Taney, wearing a light blue sports coat and Jackson, wearing a full length leather coat, hugged. The crowd applauded the moment. Onehundred and sixty years had come full circle. The ruling, which also affirmed the right of slave owners to expand the institution into the Western territories, was handed down on March 6, 1857, further infusing, under the U.S. Constitution, that Negroes had “no rights which the White man was bound to respect.” Slaves were not people. They were property. The opinion was written by Justice Taney. Many historians believe it helped draw America into the Civil War. “The process of reconciliation has three parts”, said Taney. “The first part is an apology to the injured party. The second part is forgiveness. The third part is a new foundation of trust.” The descendants of both families said they grew up fully aware of the legacy of their existence. Ten years ago, Jackson founded the Dred Scott Heritage Foundation in St. Louis to help educate
the public about the Dred Scott decision and the struggle for freedom. During that time, she said she had been working to track down Justice Taney’s descendants, but to no avail. In 2016, Kate Taney Billingsley, Taney’s great-great-great-great niece, produced a play titled: “A Man of His Time.” It was a fictionalized modern-day story about a Taney descendant and a Scott descendant meeting at a diner on the New Jersey Turnpike. Prior to the
“On behalf of the Scott family and all those AfricanAmericans who have love in their heart, we accept your apology, and I thank you for it.” – Lynn Jackson opening, at The Actor’s Studio in New York, Billingsley searched “Dred Scott” online and came across the foundation. Jackson flew in to New York for the performance and post-play discussion. “The whole thing felt like you were
meeting someone you were destined to meet,” said Jackson. “There was an atmosphere of . . . this is going to be good. We believe the Lord brought us together.” Billingsley said she was nervous. “I didn’t know because I had written this play and I didn’t know . . . it was that unknown part that made me scared. But when I met her, right away, we just sort of . . . it was like I had known her. I felt I had known Lynne before I had met her.” There has been pressure from lawmakers and some groups over the years to move the 83,000 pound structure that was erected just a few years after the Civil War. Instead the Taney and Scott families said they envision the area as an educational tool. “We would very much like to see a statue of Dred Scott here” said Jackson, “and make that conversation open.” “Wouldn’t it be great”, added Taney, if we “built an educational exhibit around it so that people could come here and learn the Dred Scott decision, what it meant, the aftermath, what it’s meant to our history and take this as a tremendous learning opportunity.” Both families were presented with a plaque from Alexander William Haley, the grandson of “Roots” author Alex Haley. It read, in part, “Thank you for the transformative power of racial healing and reconciliation.”
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The Afro-American, March 18, 2017 - March 24, 2017
Storm Continued from A1 in its wake 32 dead, thousands homeless, hundreds injured, many missing and damages running into the millions. The fatally injured include John Henry Kyle, 26, of 94 Court St., Newark, who was electrocuted by broken power lines; Henry Johnson, 70, of 32 Chester Ave., Newark, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver during the storm; Mrs. Ronnie Cartham, 60, of 411 Crapenter St., Bordertown, who was burned to death in a fire which started when winds swept down the chimney and fanned the flames of an oil stove out of control. Also, two other members of the Cartham family were seriously burned. They were Miss Helen Cartham, 19, and her sister, Mattie,
12. The seven other members of the family escaped uninjured. However, another daughter of the fatally burned woman was seriously injured when the wind swept a car she was driving from the highway near Princeton. She is Mrs. Malinda Johnson, 28, of 189 Jefferson St., Trenton. Two other passengers were also injured. They are Mrs. Josephine Thornton, 34, of 189 Jefferson St. and Miss Regina Brown, 18, of 187 Old Rose St., both of Trenton. Causes of death to the 32 storm victims were: Electrocuted by fallen wires, 3; drowning, 11; killed by falling trees, 6; killed by automobiles, 6; died of heart attacks attributed to the storm, 3; burned to death, 1; killed by flying debris, 2. Some 400,000 homes were left powerless. Several thousand persons were forced to flee their home in
March 18, 2017 - March 18, 2017, The Afro-American
the Raritan and Delaware Bay flood areas. State troopers estimated approximately 120 homes were washed away in the 18 mile strip between Port Norris and Sea Bright. Of the several million dollars in damage done, about 3 million was concentrated in the vicinity of Newark and the Oranges. Heavy damages were suffered by the seashore area including Asbury Park, Long Branch and Atlantic City. In Newark proper the streets were littered with an estimated 550 tons of wreckage, 50 tons of which was broken glass. The snow forced cancellation of bus service in Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, Akron and Youngstown, Ohio. By Monday, 22 of 65 Cleveland bus lines were in operation. Schools were not expected to
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reopen before Tuesday and Monday was declared a permissive holiday for banks and building and loan associations. 25-Foot Snow Drifts In Canton, the roof of a night club collapsed but no one was injured. Across the State, highways were blocked and in some places the snow drifts were 25 feet high. At Pittsburgh, only three of the city’s trolley lines were operating on Monday after an all-time record snowfall of 27 inches. Industrial life will be at a standstill for several days. Washington, Pa., 30 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, had a fall of 33 inches. The Pennsylvania Turnpike was ordered closed. Some 300 convicts were saved as fire razed a wooden Alabama State prison barracks at Montgomery, Sunday. The water had frozen making firefighting impossible.
Healthcare Continued from A1 State University’s School of Community Health and Policy, told theAFRO. “In the dismantling of the healthcare system it is obvious that people need preventative health care especially those with pre-existing conditions,” she said. According to the CBO’s estimate, the GOP legislation would increase the number of uninsured by 14 million in 2018, 21 million in 2020, and 24 million in 2026. The CBO also estimates that by 2026, 14 million Medicaid enrollees will lose coverage, a reduction of 17 percent. “Let go, walk away from fast food, but many Black men are refusing to do that. Many can’t satisfy their wives or love ones because
of diabetes. Just drinking water and changing behavior can make a big difference in two weeks,” Renette Dallas, a naturopathic doctor and founder of Life By Dallas, told the AFRO. She said far too many Blacks are “slowly
incomes would see larger credits under the GOP proposal. “This Republican bill is not healthcare legislation – it’s an annihilation,” U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the ranking member of the House Committee on
“It is time that we go from healthcare to self care.” – Baruch Ben Yehudah dying,” from diseases that are preventable. For the private insurance market, CBO suggests that new tax credits for lowincome people would be smaller than under current law, though individuals with higher
Oversight and Government Reform, said in a statement on March 13. “Fourteen million people will have their healthcare wiped out if Republicans get their way. Republicans can make all the false promises they want, but the
cold hard facts are that their bill will decimate coverage for millions of American families, gut Medicaid for the poorest among us, and force consumers to pay much more for far less.” Regardless of what happens on Capitol Hill, Black leaders in the health and wellness field say that Blacks must do more to help themselves. “It is time that we go from healthcare to self care. Why do you want to depend on a system that is not for your betterment,” Baruch Ben Yehudah, a naturopathic doctor and a veteran health care advocate and owner of The Everlasting Life Restaurant in Capital Heights, Md., told the AFRO.
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March 14, 2017 - March 24, 2017, The Afro-American
COMMENTARY
A5
Lives are in the Balance
Recently, as I waited to begin a healthcare town hall with my congressional colleagues, John Sarbanes and Dutch Ruppersberger, I was filled with gratitude for the neighbors who were filling the large meeting room to capacity on a Sunday afternoon. “These good people get it,” I thought to myself. “They understand that we all have to stand together and be counted if we are to successfully defend affordable healthcare as a fundamental human (and civil) right in our country.” John, Dutch and I did not organize this town hall. It was the brainchild of Indivisible Howard County, one of the thousands of “Indivisible” civic action groups that have sprung up across Maryland and America in response to President Trump and the Republicandominated Congress. At the town hall, we were candid with our neighbors that we need the active support of millions of Americans like them if we are to defeat the Republicans’ efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act – and, then, continue to move forward toward truly universal healthcare Elijah Cummings in America. For me, assuring that no American dies because he or she cannot afford healthcare is a deeply personal, moral issue. Nevertheless, to successfully defend the ACA (“ObamaCare”) in a Republican-dominated Congress, we must be able to articulate the real-life impact of repealing the ACA on the neighbors we represent. This is why we Democrats have asked our expert committee staff to evaluate the human consequences of ACA repeal. Here is what we believe would be the human cost in Maryland’s 7th Congressional District. - Our uninsured rate has dropped from 9.4% to 6.0% since the ACA was implemented. This 3.3 percentage point drop in the uninsured rate could be reversed if the ACA is entirely or partially repealed. - More than 355,200 men, women and children in our District who now have health insurance that covers preventive services like cancer screenings and flu shots without any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductibles stand to lose this access. - More than 404,900 of us who are fortunate enough to have employer-sponsored health insurance are at risk of losing important consumer protections – like the prohibition on annual and lifetime limits, protection against unfair policy rescissions, and coverage of preexisting health conditions. - At least 15,500 of my neighbors who have purchased high quality Marketplace coverage stand to lose their insurance if the Republican Congress dismantles the Marketplaces; and 11,600 who received financial assistance to purchase Marketplace coverage in 2016 are now at risk of their coverage becoming unaffordable. - At least 8,300 individuals in the 7th District who are receiving cost-sharing reductions to lower outof-pocket costs – such as deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance – will be at risk of health care becoming unaffordable. - Finally, if the Republican Congress eliminates the ACA’s Medicaid expansion, another 50,200 neighbors who now are covered by this federal funding would lose coverage if the ACA is repealed. These human costs, I should stress, are for people in Maryland’s 7th Congressional District. To fully grasp the devastation to Maryland as a whole, the costs that I have cited would have to be multiplied by about 8. For America, the deadly multiplier would be in the neighborhood of 400. That, as I expressed to my neighbors attending Indivisible’s town hall, would be a morally unacceptable disaster for our nation. Maryland’s Democratic Delegation to the U.S. House and Senate, along with our entire Democratic Caucus, will fight ACA repeal with every fiber of our being. The hard truth, however, is that we Democrats are in the minority – and we no longer have President Obama to protect America against reactionary Republican assaults. Therefore, of necessity, we need the help of more moderate Republicans in the House and, especially, in the Senate. Gaining that help is why an energized and vocal American public is so critical to success.
Across America, local groups of concerned citizens are rising up and coming together, using the Internet to help us take action to protect what is right. Determined to influence national healthcare policy, civil rights and other core values, Americans are now using effective, no cost organizing tools that are available at https://www.indivisibleguide.com . There is clear evidence that citizen activism is working. Growing support for the ACA in major opinion polls and the public outcry against “repeal” appear to be moderating some Republicans’ support for dismantling ObamaCare. Already, the fulcrum of the healthcare debate in Washington appears to be shifting from outright “repeal” to “repeal and replace” and, hopefully, to “repair.” We must be clear, however, that we have not yet won this fight. Engaged Americans and their progressive Members of Congress must keep up the pressure. We must continue to demand that the Republican congressional majority convince us by evidence, not ideological slogans, that their proposed “repair” of the ACA will both maintain the expanded insurance coverage that we have achieved and reduce the cost of healthcare for our nation’s working families. Lives are in the balance. We cannot afford to fail. Congressman Elijah Cummings represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.
Increasing Funding to HBCUs is Essential to Ending Educational Inequality Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been a safe haven for Black students to express themselves without judgement from their White counterparts. In fact, Shirley Caswell wrote in the Washington Post that a 2015 Gallup report measured five elements of well-being — social, purpose, financial, community and physical — and found that Black HBCU graduates were “thriving” to a greater degree, in all categories, than their Black counterparts who attended other institutions. The gap was largest in financial well-being. Black HBCU grads also felt that their colleges better prepared them for life after graduation (55 percent) than Black graduates who attended other institutions (29 percent). Despite successfully educating some of our most underprivileged and underserved students, HBCUs need additional government support. Underfunding has caused student numbers to decline at some HBCUs, and delayed improvements in their physical infrastructure. The request by over 100 HBCU Presidents for a one-time investment of $25 billion may be considerable. However, it is ultimately necessary to ensure that these reputable colleges not only provide a robust education to those who need it most, but continue to survive with sustainable funding sources. HBCUs have been repeatedly underfunded and neglected by policy makers despite the recent efforts of Barack Obama, who invested $5.2 billion to the institutions of learning during his Presidency. Following an executive order by President Trump which makes HBCUs a national priority – but provides no immediate
Susan Lawyer
Letter to the Editor
funding – HBCU leaders have petitioned the White House for largescale investment. As Thurgood Marshall College Fund President Johnny Taylor said after the order was signed, “you cannot have mission without money.” Several leaders of HBCUs are disappointed that no funding was immediately offered. However, meaningful change does not occur overnight. President William R. Harvey of Hampton University said that “a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step,” and this executive order has started that process. It recognizes the importance of HBCUs, while promising to make them more competitive when securing grants and contracts. More importantly, it has directed national attention towards these institutions, highlighting their importance to urban communities and their continued need for support. Across the country, HBCUs enroll approximately 300,000 students and award degrees to more nderprivileged African-American students than non-HBCU institutions. They have educated leading figures of the Civil Rights Movement, and continue to produce notable individuals in the Black community. Despite improving the prospects of urban communities, a lack of financial support has resulted in some colleges suffering from declining enrollment rates. According to the Miami Herald, Florida A&M student numbers have dropped 25 percent in just four years. HBCUs don’t need funding to enhance their academic reputation. Nor do they need it to attract more students to their campuses. They need it to ensure the long-term outcomes of their esteemed missions. HBCU leaders have already suggested how their colleges would
Journalists don’t dream of the quality tribute the Afro-American Newspapers paid me weekly during Black History Month by front-paging stories by and about me. As noted, I was inspired to become a journalist in large measure by the AFRO’s many talented and courageous editors, staffers and contributors who crusaded through the years for racial and human justice nationally and worldwide. Fortunately, by their group leadership and personal example, we all have had the support of the AFRO owners who for 125 good and bad years surely rank among the most dedicated of
use $25 billion. Some suggest increasing support to Pell Grants. This would reduce the college debt of HBCU students, 70 percent of whom are eligible for Pell Grants, yet borrow more than other college students. Increasing Tier III institutional funding would also allow HBCUs to improve staff salaries and campus facilities. Despite African-American citizens contributing greatly to the military, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) funding in HBCUs has steadily declined. Hampton University’s William R. Harvey has argued that government funds could be used to support their programs and training. Other support groups have also offered their suggestions. The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has argued that extra funding could increase the maximum Pell Grant student awards, or allow two years of free tuition at HBCUs – a benefit of many competing community colleges. This could be another opportunity to increase access to higher education and narrow the educational divide. After being deprived of necessary support for years, it remains uncertain whether HBCUs will receive $25 billion from the Trump Administration. This funding would allow them to increase staff salaries, broaden financial aid and reinvigorate their physical infrastructure. However, this should only begin the conversation. Program sustainability is ongoing and the funding should be, too. If anyone wishes to overcome educational inequality in America, supporting HBCUs must be a top priority. Susan Lawyer Willis is chair of Education for All, a nonpartisan national advocacy organization based in Washington D.C. that campaigns for inclusive education policies.
family newspaper proprietors. Unfortunately, much of the decades-long progress supported by the AFRO and other Blackowned media faces serious challenges based both on race and class – making their roles as essential as ever. Moses J. Newson previously served as the executive editor for the AFRO-American Newspapers.
The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American • 2519 N. Charles St. • Baltimore, MD 21218 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com
A6
The Afro-American, March 18, 2017 - March 24, 2017
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March 18, 2017 - March 24, 2017, The Afro-American
B1
WASHINGTON-AREA D.C. Public School Enrollment Spikes Again
D.C. Remembers ‘77 Hanafi Wilson Building Siege
By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com D.C. Council member Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7) wants more physicians to set up their practices in neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River. He recently authored legislation to make that happen. On March 7 Gray, chairman of the Committee on Health, introduced the “Community Health Care Revolving Capital Fund Act of 2017.” The bill creates a fund for the purpose of attracting physicians and
By Lenore T. Adkins Special to the AFRO Enrollment among students in the District of Columbia’s public and public charter schools spiked for the eighth consecutive year to 90,061 students for the 201617 academic year. Officials primarily attribute this increase to robust growth in the city’s charter schools. Audited numbers for the 2016-17 school year released by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education March 7, show enrollment in the District’s public charter schools shot up to 41,506 students, a gain of 2,601 students from the previous year. Charter school growth was acutely felt in the fourth and ninth grades, Tomeika Bowden, director of communications for the Public Charter School Board told the AFRO. Both Bridges Public Charter School (PCS) and KIPP DC Spring Academy PCS added a fourth grade this school year, while Washington Leadership Academy and Goodwill Center PCS opened and added freshmen. Continued on B2
Gray Wants More Doctors in Eastern D.C.
Courtesy Photo-D.C. Council
A picture of the interior damage of the John A. Wilson building in 1977.
By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com On March 9, 1977, the District of Columbia was caught up in a siege of public buildings that still sends chills down the spine of residents, today. That day, a dozen gunmen seized control of the then District Building, now known as the John A. Wilson Building. The building houses government offices and is the international headquarters of B’nai B’rith and the Islamic Center in Washington. On that day, gunmen took hostages, killed WHUR journalist Maurice Williams, shot and almost killed then D.C. Council member At-large Marion Barry, and shot security guard Mack Cantrell. “It was shocking news,” Anise Jenkins, a D.C. statehood activist, told the AFRO. “There was a lot of tension in the city during that time. People must remember that this took place before the era of terrorism that we live in now. This incident was totally out of place and not the norm in D.C.” Forty years later, on March 9, a panel discussion on the incident was moderated by NewsChannel 4 reporter Pat
Collins at the Wilson building. Panelists included, former Ward 4 D.C. Council member Arrington Dixon, the D.C. police chief at that time Maurice Cullinane, former U.S. Attorney for D.C. Earl Silbert, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Tuohey. The leader of the perpetrators was Hamaas Abdul Khaalis, a former national secretary of the Nation of Islam who broke away from that group to form the Hanafi Muslims earlier in the decade. Tuohey told an audience of 30 people that Khaalis lived, with his family, in a house bought by NBA star Kareem Abdul Jabbar on the northern part of 16th Street. N.W. The family was generally a good neighbor before Khaalis spoke out – Anise Jenkins against the NOI. “Khaalis published statements critical of the Nation of Islam in 1972 and in 1973, gunmen came into his house and killed his family, including five of his children and his nine-year-old grandson,” Tuohey said. “I don’t think he ever recovered from that.” The killers were caught and convicted of murder and were sentenced to long prison terms. During the 1977 siege, Khaalis demanded the killers of
“This incident was totally out of place and not the norm in D.C.”
Continued on B3
Courtesy Photo
Ward 7 Council member Vincent Gray has introduced a bill to bring more doctors to the eastern side of D.C. increasing the capacity of existing providers whether they practice in primary care, specialty care, or communitybased care in eastern Washington, D.C. “One of my main priorities coming out of the Ward 7 Summit I convened in Ward 7 Continued on B2
In Spite of Opposition – House Committee Extends SOAR
By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com
To the dismay of members of the D.C. Council, a D.C., the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) program has been slated to continue for at least another five years. The SOAR legislation provides vouchers to D.C. residents and is the only federally-funded voucher in the country. But what may appear to be a beneficial alternative faces staunch opposition from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), and D.C. Council members, including David Grosso (D-At-large), who believe it undermines the integrity of the District’s public school system. In a statement released on the heels of the March 10 vote to renew, the ACLU acknowledged an opposition to the legislation based on its inability to ward off discriminatory practices. “Eighty percent of students who participate in the voucher program attend private religious schools that operate outside the non-discrimination provisions of the DC Human Rights Act. Voucher programs expose students in the District to discrimination, particularly
on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or religion,” the release stated. “This is an assault on the long-standing principle of equal treatment for all students.”
Courtesy photo
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton is an opponent of the SOAR legislation because it takes more money away from public schools. The American Federation for Children, an advocacy group founded by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, noted during the hearing and vote that SOAR offers an “educational lifeline” for low-income families. For city leaders, however, SOAR vouchers funnel approximately $20 million a year in federal taxpayer dollars to private schools in the District. In a statement to the House panel, Norton, a staunch opponent of SOAR,
said while the voucher program suggests District residents have limited school choices, parents have access to “robust” alternatives. “Almost 50 percent of public school students attend charter schools, and 75 percent of public school students attend out-of-boundary schools that they have chosen,” said Norton. Additionally, the nation’s largest teachers’ group, the National Education Association, has opposed SOAR on the grounds it diverts funds from public to private schools at a time when sequester-level budget cuts are hurting students. “Despite ample evidence that the Congressionallyimposed voucher program
Education, it is even clearer that our public education system is and will remain under attack,” Grosso said in a letter to the House of Representatives Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah). Grosso, who serves as chairperson of the Committee on Education, said he found it insulting to Washingtonians that Congress would push a personal agenda on the city, with the express opposition of city officials. “Attacking D.C. home rule, including any expansion of the voucher program, is irresponsible governing on the part of Congress. Rather than siphoning public dollars into private ventures, we should
“This is an assault on the longstanding principle of equal treatment for all students.” – ACLU is ineffective, and while D.C. public schools improve every year, some members of Congress continue to see our city as their personal [P]etri dish. With the new administration and leadership in the Department of
continue the progress made in our public schools – both traditional and charter – that will put every child in the District of Columbia in the best position to succeed,” the statement said.
Continued on B2
Mayor, Police Chief Announce Rise in D.C. Hate Crimes By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com Just days after District officials announced a rise in hate crimes against Blacks and those within the LGBTQI community, local non-profit Casa Ruby reported a third attack on its premises in two weeks. This assault, caught on surveillance March 12, allegedly shows Andrew Cook, the suspect police took into custody March 13, walking onto the property – a celebrated LGBT community center and advocacy group – violently hurl an object at one of the employees, and later throw a brick through the front door of the business. “Unfortunately, we’ve seen a pattern that people begin with threats and then deliver on their promises,” Ruby Corado, the executive director and founder of the organization, told NewChannel8, following the incident. “I used to get a lot of threats. Now they’re showing up here.” She said the altercations are becoming more frequent and harder to predict, ranging from threats to acts of violence. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Acting Police Chief Peter Newsham joined D.C. officials on March 10, at a press conference, to release bias-related crime data and plans by the city to better prevent and treat occurrences. “We value diversity and inclusivity and want all of our residents and visitors to feel safe. No matter your race, your faith, your sexual orientation, your gender identity, your background – you should be able to live, work, and play in Washington, D.C. without fear of violence or discrimination,” Continued on B3
B2
The Afro-American, March 18, 2017 - March 24, 2017
Enrollment Continued from B1
That meant fourth grade growth increased by 11.2 percent, while ninth grade saw 11.1 percent gains. Data from the District of Columbia Charter School Board shows 75.7 percent of its charter school students are Black and nearly 78 percent are low income. Meanwhile, enrollment in traditional D.C. public schools gained 116 students, for a total of 48,555 students for the 201617 school year, per the data. In response to the growth, District of Columbia Public Schools will add additional grades to MacFarland Middle School and Ron Brown College Prep High School next year, Janae Hinson, deputy press secretary for DCPS told the AFRO. In past few years, DCPS responded to the demand by adding about a half-dozen schools, she noted. “One of DCPS’ top priorities is ensuring that students have an opportunity to attend a great school that they love,” Hinson said via email. “Our student satisfaction rate is 82 percent because of the incredible learning opportunities we provide.” Public school enrollment numbers are up nearly 3 percent from the previous school year, with the charter and traditional
“One of DCPS’ top priorities is ensuring that students have an opportunity to attend a great school that they love.” – Janae Hinson public school systems adding a total of 2,717 new students. The school system’s enrollment reached a high of roughly 146,000 students in 1967, before dropping precipitously over the next decades, according to The Washington Post. School officials said the continued upward swing proves the city’s investment in improving public education has paid off, and families recognize it as a new day for public education in the District. “The District is becoming an attractive place to live and people from across the country are moving here and sometimes
they start families and they begin looking for educational options,” Fred Lewis, a spokesman for the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, told the AFRO. “And through the diligent work of both the school sectors — the DCPS and the public charter schools — they are seeing that the quality of education is improving, they want to be part of that movement and they also want to become involved.” David Pickens, executive director of D.C. School Reform Now, told the AFRO that multipronged levers have fueled the growth in both systems over the years. For one, the D.C. Public Charter School Board has added schools with existing track records of success and jettisoned those that are low performing, Pickens said. Existing charter schools also offer students a wealth of educational options and choice, which generates excitement as well. Moreover, the District’s streamlined application process that lets students apply online to 12 schools in one swoop has helped bring more kids to public and charter schools, he said. “The city’s done a very good job in just instilling confidence in the public sector,” Pickens said.
Gray
Continued from B1
three months ago is making sure the residents of the East End of the city have access to a world-class integrated health care system,” Gray, District mayor from 2011-2015, said. “There is a gap in the system – the physicians that are providing the care are absent from the areas of our city that have the greatest need.” Monies in the fund would be loaned to practitioners in medically underserved areas and can be used for costs associated with opening or modernizing a health care practice. All income and interest payments made pursuant to the loan agreements between the administrator of the fund and participating borrowers would be paid back into the fund for future use. Gray said, “Wards 7 and 8 lead the District in almost every conceivable negative health outcome and that needs to change.” The Department of Health published a Physician and Physician Assistant Workforce study in September 2015 that showed Wards 2 and 5 have the highest numbers of doctor’s
offices followed by Wards 1 and 3. The study also showed that Ward 7 is medically under-served and Ward 8 also, despite the presence of the United Medical Center in its boundaries. Ward 8, the poorest ward in the city economically, has the lowest number of primary care and specialty doctors. Gray’s bill is co-sponsored by council members Anita Bonds (D-At Large), Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4), Robert White (D-At Large), Trayon White (D-Ward 8), Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5), and Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), which constitutes a super-majority of the legislative body. The Medical Society of the District of Columbia is the city’s arm of the American Medical Association. Pia Duryea is the director of communications and she told the AFRO that her organization hasn’t taken a position on the Gray bill. But, there is community support for Gray’s bill.
“I support it,” Ward 8 community activist Sandra “S.S.” Seegars told the AFRO. “I recently needed the services of an orthopedic doctor and I googled to find one that is close to me. The closest one is on H Street N.E. and, of course, that isn’t Ward 8.” Seegars said that the UMC’s presence hasn’t increased the number of doctors practicing in her ward, either. She notes that some Ward 8 residents travel to Prince George’s County to visit a doctor. “This legislation isn’t anything new,” Patricia Howard-Chittams, who lives in Ward 7, told the AFRO. “It has been discussed before and included nurse practitioners. I would agree that just as there are food deserts, Wards 7 and 8 are healthcare deserts.” Howard-Chittams noted that many doctors are affiliated with hospitals and UMC is the only comprehensive medical facility east of the Anacostia River. She also said doctors might be reluctant to relocate east of the river for other reasons.
“There is not a lot of space for a doctor in Wards 7 or 8 to set up a medical office,” she said. “We had a center at Penn Branch but it is in a derelict state now. Even if a doctor wanted to set up in this area, there is no place for them to go.”
SOAR
Continued from B1 Despite Grosso’s letter of opposition, which also was signed by Councilmembers Anita Bonds (D-At-large), Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), Trayon White (D-Ward 8), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7), Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), and Elissa Silverman (I-At-large), a House committee advanced the bill on March 10 to renew SOAR. The legislation will next go to the full House for a vote.
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March 18, 2017 - March 24, 2017, The Afro-American
AFRO
Siege
Hate Crimes
his family be turned over to him and he wanted the film, “Mohammed, Messenger of God” pulled from theaters because he considered it sacrilegious. He also sought reimbursement of a $750 contempt of court fine assessed against him during the trial of his family’s killers. The saga ended when ambassadors from Egypt, Iran, and Pakistan helped negotiate the eventual surrender of the Hanafis. They were later tried, convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Khaalis died in 2003. Dixon, who would go on to become chairman of the council and serve a brief term as an at-large member in the 1990s, said the Hanafi siege is indicative of what is going on presently. “This incident is symbolic of what is happening today and how we deal with religious groups,” he said. “There are a lot of things that we can take from this incident. The availability of guns was a large part of this.” “I was blessed,” Dixon continued. “There were people in Sterling’s [then D.C. Council Chairman Sterling Tucker’s] office and they never got over the experience. There was a lot of stress on staffers.” Jenkins remembers the round-the-clock news coverage and noticed, like many Washingtonians, that the focus was on the status of Barry. “We were concerned with Barry’s condition,” he said. “There was a lot of sympathy for the journalist, Maurice Williams and the security guard, but we were wondering what was going on with Barry.” In his book “Mayor for Life: The Incredible Story of Marion Barry Jr,” Barry talked about the siege and his near-death experience. He noted that the well-wishers and
Bowser told the group of about 75. “My administration will continue fostering a culture that encourages people to come forward when they are the victim of discrimination or a biasrelated crime because in order to properly address these issues, we need everyone to feel safe reporting them.” Over the past two years, total crime in the District decreased by nine percent, including a 10 percent decrease in all violent
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“This incident is symbolic of what is happening today and how we deal with religious groups.” – Arrington Dixon sympathy that he got from District residents played a role in his decision to run for mayor in 1978. The press room in the Wilson Building is named after Williams. Myron Williams, the younger brother of Maurice Williams, told the AFRO he misses his brother. “I sometimes wonder how my life would have been had he lived,” Myron said. “He was my mentor. I think I would have been better off.”
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“We value diversity and inclusivity and want all of our residents and visitors to feel safe.” – Mayor Muriel Bowser crime citywide between 2015-2016, with a 17 percent reduction in homicides and a 13 percent reduction in robberies. However, the number of hate crimes reported to police in D.C. grew by roughly 45 percent from 107 hate crimes in 2016, up from 66 the year before. And while bias-related crimes related to race were down 26 percent, significant increases were reported in four categories: ethnicity/national origin, religion, gender identity/expression, and sexual orientation. “The Metropolitan Police Department is committed to safeguarding residents and visitors in Washington, D.C. and providing fair, unbiased and constitutional policing,” said Newsham. “We want to make it absolutely clear that we value the District’s diversity and that we will not tolerate hatred in our community.” Precious Wilson, a transwoman who attended the press conference to hear the new data, told the AFRO she was concerned about the intersection of race and gender where reporting hate crimes may focus on either race or gender, rather than both. “The data is saying that these crimes are specific to gender bias, but the majority of people impacted in the trans world – at least in D.C. – are African-American, which means that the crimes perpetrated against someone like me may be as much for me being Black as for me being trans,” Wilson said. “I may be a target specifically because I am Black and one of these young Black crews, see me and want to attack me or it may be because I am trans and with Trump in office, people feel it is okay to attack people who are different from them, or both. I applaud the city for taking a stand against hate crimes, but there is work to be done to adjust the language to include the overlap of categories.”
WASHINGTON AREA
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Silver Spring, Md.
8900 Georgia Avenue United Methodist Church ‘The Butler’ Fellowship and Conversation
The United Methodist Church located at 8900 Georgia Avenue, is scheduled to hold an evening of fellowship and conversation on March 17 from 7-9:30 p.m. During the event attendees will watch “The Butler.” A conversation on the movie will follow. Attendees can bring a potluck dinner to share. For information, email Ernest Crosby at coachcrozz@gmail.com or Rev. Rachel Cornwell at rachel@silverspringumc.org.
Washington, D.C.
United Methodist Church, 1500 16th Street, NW Rally for Affordable Housing
The Housing for All Campaign, an initiative of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED), and The Way Home Campaign have joined forces with 50 local organizations to hold the More For Housing Now Rally on March 18 at the Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th Street, NW, from 10 a.m. to noon. Doors are scheduled to open at 9:30 a.m. More than 1,000 D.C. residents are expected to attend. The rally will include remarks from Mayor Muriel Bowser and invited Council members as well as moving testimonies by impacted residents and housing advocates. For more information, visit cnhed.org/housingfor-all-campaign/campaign-events/rally-for-more-housing-now/.
Homicide Count 2017 Total
21
Past Seven Days
3
Data as of March 15
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The Afro-American, March 18, 2017 - March 24, 2017
Executives. #ShotsFired is a 10part mini-series that examines the dangerous aftermath of two racially charged shootings by law enforcement in a small southern town. The series premieres March 22. FOX held a “Shots Fired” screening and panel discussion at The Newseum in Northwest D.C. on March 7. More than 500 local residents attended the preview. The event included remarks from Tony Dixon, president of the D.C. chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement
Mack Wilds, cast member who plays Deputy Joshua Beck in the series Jawn Murray, entertainment journalist who works in TV, radio and digital media
Sanaa Lathan, cast member who plays the role of DOJ Investigator, Ashe Akino
Reggie Bythewood, co-creator, writer/ and producer of “Shots Fired”
Ruff Endz, R&B duo, David “Davinch” Chance and Dante “Chi” Jordan
Cast member Richard Dreyfuss
Clinton Portis, former Washington Redskins NFL player and Thomasina Perkins-Washington, Capitol Public Relations, LLC
Kara McCoullough, Miss D.C. USA
April Ryan and political strategist Angela Rye
Wes Felton, singer Ebony Andrews and Lisa Matthews
Stephan James, who plays DOJ Attorney, Preston Terry, Sanaa Lanthan and April Ryan, White House News correspondent was the emcee for the panel discussion
Photos by Rob Roberts
2017 honorees: Richard Finley; Robert L. Wallace, president and CEO of Bithgroup Technologies; Maxine E. Blake; Gerald Boyd Sr., president DB Consulting Group; Alan J. Inman; Raynard Jackson, founder & CEO, Black Americans for a Better Future
Gerald Boyd Jr.; Honoree Gerald Boyd Sr., and Raynard Jackson
Black Americans for a Better Future held its fifth annual Black Republican Trailblazer Awards from Feb. 11-12 at the J.W. Marriott in Northwest Washington, D.C. The awards are given to Black Republicans who have made significant contributions to America, the Black community, and the Republican Party.
Maggie Harris with Carvin Haggins, multi-Grammy award winning songwriter and producer
Former Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll
Former National Education Association President Reginald Lee Weaver
Trailblazer award honoree Robert L. Wallace
Fatmata Koroma and Ben Bangoura
Francine Blake (honoree) with her daughters Maxine E. Blake and Cynthia Blake
Olabimpe Eseyin, Ayomide Oludoyi, R&B/Hip Hop recording artist BriaMarie and Bamidele Oludoyi
R&B/Hip Hop recording artist BriaMarie
Ronnie Underwood, Nolanda Bearden, Maggie Harris, Allen Flood and Raynard Jackson
Photos by Eric Hill
To purchase this digital photo page contact Takiea Hinton: thinton@afro.com or 410.554.8277.
March 18, 2017 - March 24, 2017, The Afro-American
ARTS & CULTURE
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Young Va. Photographer Captures the Beauty of Brown Ballerinas Nadine Matthews Special to the AFRO Twenty year-old photographer Keara Wilson uses photography as a voice to show underrepresented Black ballerinas. According to Wilson, research for a high school project at Booker T. Washington in Norfolk, Va., where she was born and raised, got her focused on (Courtesy photo) photographing ballerinas of color. “I saw how African Keara Wilson is the owner Americans weren’t allowed of Kreative Mindset to be ballerinas because of Photography. our body structure. When I read that it bothered me so I decided to dedicate a project to African-American ballerinas. I decided to give brown ballerinas a spotlight,” she said. She turned her interest into a business. Wilson is the owner of Kreative Mindset Photography, which she started approximately six years ago. She said she considers Gordon Parks, the first Black photographer for Life and Vogue magazines, as her role model. “I remember they had an exhibition of his photography and my parents took me and my brother and I was just amazed how he told stories through his lens. I don’t consider myself a photojournalist like he was even though he did a variety of stuff but I do admire his work.” Wilson is now a junior at Corcoran School of Art and Design at George Washington University in Washington D.C.,
(Courtesy photo)
Red tutu: A photograph taken by Keara Wilson of a Black ballerina.
she said she vividly remembers when she made the decision to turn to photography to sublimate her feelings of rejection. “What got me into photography was the fact that I was bullied,” she said. “There was minor bullying in elementary school. Someone would take something that was mine. In middle school females didn’t like me, wrote a ‘burn book’ about me; same thing in high school. People didn’t consider me the prettiest girl. Guys could be really cruel. I don’t have the smallest nose so I got called pig nose, you know things like that. Photography was my outlet.” Wilson said she got her first camera as a Christmas gift in middle school. Wilson’s work has already gained widespread attention and recognition. Her work has garnered accolades such as being featured on browngirlsdoballet.com, and being selected as the winning piece in the 2016 Art Pop billboard contest that was organized by the organization’s Founder and Executive Director Wendy Hickey in conjunction with the City of Norfolk. “I started my business when I was young,” she said. “Trying to transition to a businesswoman is hard because people sometimes can’t get out of their minds that I am not this young photographer anymore playing with the camera and snapping pictures. I am a businesswoman now.” The only other challenge Wilson said she sometimes encounters is one familiar to many Black business people. “We need people to take us more seriously and to place a higher value on African-American owned businesses,” she said. Wilson is scheduled to speak at career day at Chesterfield Academy, her old elementary school, towards the end of March. “I would love for young women to look up to me,” she said. “I’m not perfect but if I can inspire one person that would be amazing.”
Md. High School Students Prepare for Poetry Out Loud Finals Md., and in addition to playing soccer and volunteering at her church on Sundays, she said she also runs a charity organization called the Tanaka Education Fund, which helps Ten students from across Maryland will compete in children at the Mazvimba Primary School in Zimbabwe, the Poetry Out Loud finals on March 18 at the Baltimore where her father attended, by supplying books, uniforms, Museum of Art, where the winner will go on to compete tuition and food for those who need it. nationally in Washington, D.C. She said she got involved in Poetry Out Loud through her The competition focuses on poetry recitation, which is not English class, where after performing she placed third, but as theatrical as spoken word poetry or monologues. But, in her teacher loved her recitiation enough to give Mukudzavhu memorizing at least one poem, these students gain confidence another chance to perform in front of her entire school, where while building public speaking skills and learning about their she placed first and went on to be a regional finalist. She literary heritage, Chris Stewart, Maryland State Arts Council chose “Russell Market” by Maurya Simon, “The Children’s ( Courtesy Photo) program director, told the AFRO. Hour” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and “A Birthday” by Angeline Faieq of George Washington Carver Center for “I think poetry is often seen as something that is Christina Rossetti for the competition which she said helped Arts and Technology, Tanaka Mukudzavhu of Boonsboro inaccessible, which is absolutely not true,” he said. “By spark a new interest in the elements of poetry. High School, and Erin Malagar from Parkville High are engaging students in this program, students find poems that “I do want to write poetry of my own,” Mukudzavhu said. three finalists from the Northern and Western Maryland speak to them even from the 1500s that they’re very surprised “Before Poetry Out Loud, I didn’t get into poetry all that Poetry Out Loud Regionals and will go on to the to connect with. In the end, it doesn’t matter who wins, the much, I actually only read poems in school or in class when Maryland Poetry Out Loud State finals. poems will stay with them for the rest of their lives, and that’s I had to, but now since I’m more exposed to poems, I found the most important thing.” that I actually like reading poems.” High school students select poems from a list provided by the Poetry Out Loud Isaiah Thomas, 17, is a junior at Arundel High School in Anne Arundel County and was the organization, and must select three poems that consist of one pre-20th century poem, a poem one student selected as Maryland’s “wild card” regional winner which was set up for schools that is 25 lines or less and a free choice. This year, Maryland participation numbers rose with from all over the state that registered after the deadline as the arts council expands the program. approximately 9,300 students, 215 teachers, and 46 schools in 14 counties participating. Thomas, who does the morning announcements at his school, said that he is as passionate about Angie Faieq, 16, is a junior in the literary arts program at George Washington Carver Center motivational speaking as he is about donuts. for Arts and Technology in Baltimore. She is the first contestant from Carver to participate in As an optimist, Thomas said that he had some difficulty choosing his poems because many Poetry Out Loud, which Faieq said she is really excited about. Faieq said she was driven by her of the ones he could choose from were somewhat dark in their tone. After sifting through his Finnish mother and Afghani father to be passionate about her education, and she is involved in options, he decided on “It Couldn’t Be Done” by Edgar Albert Guest, “Invictus” by William many extracurricular activities, like volleyball and the Spanish honor society because of it. Ernest Henley and “Ode” by Arthur O’Shaughnessy -- three poems with more inspirational She chose “What You Have to Get Over” by Dick Allen, “In the Desert” by Stephen Crane messages. and “Tarantulas on the Life Buoy” by Thomas Lux. Faieq said there was a magnetic attraction “I could easily recite a poem about death, but that’s not really my style,” Thomas said. “I to Lux’s poem, and was surprised she had never read it when she studied his work in the past. don’t want to talk about a poem that will get somebody down on their knees and weeping; I just The memorization of these poems did not necessarily come easy, but she said she really enjoys want to say a poem that will get somebody up on their feet and ready to go and inspire them a reading and writing and it motivated her to keep at it. little.” “Me memorizing them, it completely changed my view on poetry, and my perspective on The Maryland Poetry Out Loud finals is free and open to the public, but the arts council writing, and seeing how instinct kind of works,” Faieq said. asks that no children younger than 8 years old be in attendance to decrease any possibility of Tanaka Mukudzavhu, 14, is a freshman at Boonsboro High School in Washington County, distractions. Briahnna Brown Special to the AFRO
Rapper Freeway to Host Kidney Walk in Baltimore By Janneh G. Johnson Special to the AFRO Rapper Freeway will collaborate with the National Kidney Foundation to host a kidney walk fundraiser to promote awareness about kidney disease beginning 9 a.m. on April 30 at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Freeway was born Leslie Edward Pridgen in North Philadelphia, Pa., and was best known for the time he spent affiliated with Roc-A-Fella records alongside Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel. Even though being a Philadelphia native, Freeway is no stranger to Baltimore. “You know I been coming to Baltimore since before I was famous, and throughout my whole career Baltimore always supported me,” said the rapper. “You know I got loved ones here and a lot of people that I care about here and it’s like my second home.” Kidney disease is an ailment that Pridgen himself is all too familiar with. “I was diagnosed with kidney disease September of 2015. You know I was traveling a lot and I’m always on the road performing and I was feeling fatigued and tired but I thought it was just from traveling, so I went to the doctors and got a routine physical and a week later my doctor called me and told
(Wikimedia Creative Commons)
Rapper Freeway will host a fundraiser on April 30 to bring about awareness on kidney disease. me get to the emergency room because my kidney function was low, very low.” This is not the first kidney fundraiser in which Pridgen has been involved. He participated in a kidney fundraiser in his hometown of Philadelphia in 2015 and has been very vocal about his illness and recovery.
“It’s important to spread awareness,” he said. “The whole time I was running around with the three leading risk factors for kidney disease and I didn’t even know it. If I would’ve been aware of the fact that I had the three risk factors I would’ve definitely been more on top of the situation.” The three risk factors Pridgen is referring to are diabetes, high blood pressure, and African- American heritage. “Education is key,” the rapper said. “A lot of people are running around with risk factors and don’t even know it, I guarantee it’s people running around with kidney failure and they don’t even know it, because I was one of those people— who else is better to make them aware than someone they already love and listen to.” Although shocking, Pridgen’s diagnosis has not caused the rapper to lose his faith or drive. “My faith plays a role in everything that I do,” said the performer, who is Muslim. “It’s one of the reasons I try to stay in front of it the way I do; I don’t believe God will give me anything I can’t handle.” He added, “I have a great team and they supported me throughout the whole thing and things are looking good. I’m working on a new album and I’m getting ready to drop a single in a few weeks.” To learn more about the Baltimore Kidney Walk you can visit: donate.kidney.org.
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Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship Tournament -- Women
Hampton Women Win Sixth MEAC Title in Eight Years By: Perry Green AFRO Sports Editor Junior forward Jephany Brown led the Hampton Lady Pirates in scoring with 10 points but it was their tenacious defense that captured the victory over Bethune-Cookman College (BCC) in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship on March 11 in Norfolk, Va. It marked the sixth MEAC title Hampton has won in the last eight years and ninth MEAC crown in school history. It’s also Lady Pirates head coach David Snow’s sixth MEAC championship; he led Hampton to five straight conference titles from 2010’14 before winning his sixth on March 11. Hampton dominated the game defensively from the very start; the Lady Pirates held a 22-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Bethune-Cookman found a little success in the second quarter, using a 15-4 scoring run to cut Hampton’s lead to just eight points at one point. But the Lady Pirates buckled back down on defense to go into halftime with a 13-point lead. Still, BCC wouldn’t go away as it used its own tough defense to hold Hampton scoreless for the first five minutes of the third quarter, cutting the lead to 35-34. From there, it was a back-and-forth battle as BCC tied the score a couple times, only for Hampton to make clutch shots to reclaim the lead. Jephany Brown scored only 10 points but four of those points came when the score was tied, 44-44 late in the game. Brown then scored two straight shots to put her team back ahead to pull away with the victory. Brown, who also grabbed seven rebounds with five steals, was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament. Hampton (20-12) will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, which is scheduled to begin on March 16.
(Courtesy Photo/Hampton Pirates)
Hampton head coach David Snow celebrates his sixth MEAC championship.
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship Tournament--Men
N.C. Central Knocks Off Norfolk State to Claim 2nd MEAC Men’s Title By: Perry Green AFRO Sports Editor Redshirt senior guard Pat Cole scored a team-high 18 points with eight rebounds to help lead the North Carolina Central Eagles to a 67-59 win against the Norfolk State Spartans in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament Championship on March 11 in Norfolk, Va. The win gave N.C. Central its second MEAC tourney title in school history, also giving them their second automatic bid into the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament since joining the NCAA Division I. Norfolk State didn’t make it easy on the Eagles, though. After knocking off South Carolina State and Howard in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, the Spartans were poised to capture the MEAC crown in their home arena. And it was a tough back-and-forth between both schools throughout the entire first half of the game, as neither team led by more than six points. Norfolk State held a 38-35 lead over the Eagles at halftime. It remained a tight game during the first seven minutes of the second half, but the Spartans eventually gassed out and
(Bill Tiernan/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
North Carolina Central Eagles celebrate their win over Norfolk State University in the MEAC championship NCAA college basketball game on March 11 in Norfolk, Va. Central won the game 67-59.
went on a scoring drought that lasted 11 minutes as N.C. Central used a 19-0 run to create enough of a cushion to cruise to the championship finish line. Cole was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament after leading the Eagles with 18 points, but fellow redshirt senior Dajuan Graf also stood out with 17 points, four assists and two steals. Redshirt senior Rashaun Madison also scored double digits in points with 12. Junior guard Zaynah Robinson led Norfolk State in scoring with 18 points, while graduate student guard Kerwin Okoro added 12 points.
AFRO Sports Desk Faceoff
Can the Washington Wizards Win the NBA Title? Washington Wizards were built to be contenders for a deep playoff run. But after an impressive week that saw the Wizards start a five-game road trip out west by winning their first four games, it might be time to recalculate Washington’s chances at winning the whole thing. The Wizards have been on fire lately and are only two-and-a-half games away from first place in the Eastern Conference. The team is playing arguably the best basketball in the league so, can Washington win the title? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley, of the AFRO Sports Desk debate this exciting question.
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) in the third quarter during an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, March 7, in Phoenix. Washington defeated Phoenix 131-127. By: Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley AFRO Sports Writers A few weeks ago, the AFRO Sports Desk debated if the
Riley: Washington’s roster isn’t brimming with star power but from top to bottom it might be the most complete team in the NBA. Through advanced basketball metrics, John Wall and Bradley Beal have been rated as high as the second best backcourt in the league. Forwards Otto Porter Jr. and Markieff Morris are athletic enough at their positions to be effective on most nights while still spreading the floor with their deep shooting touches. Centers Marcin Gortat and Ian Mahinmi provide defense, rebounding and inside scoring at all times over the course of the game. Washington could win it all. Green: The team is solid but they lack that star power that you need to win in today’s NBA. When superstar players like
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LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Steph Curry get going, there’s not much you can do to stop them. We’re fresh off a Finals domination from James that was unreal. That’s what superstars do and I’m not sure if Washington can match that. Riley: It hasn’t just been about the starters. Washington’s roster has finally been rounded out with key reserves like Bojan Bogdanovic and Brandon Jennings. We’ve seen in prior seasons that the team playing the best basketball at the end of the season is the one that wins no matter the strength of the opponent. A balanced roster and strong coaching are key ingredients and the Wizards have both. Coach Scott Brooks has been amazing and has the entire roster in sync. The way Washington is playing, they could match up with any team over a seven-game series. Green: I’d be anxious to see them against James and Irving in a playoff series. We already saw how Cleveland’s two superstars piloted them in a 140-135 overtime win back on Feb. 6. James recorded 32 points, 17 assists and seven rebounds, dominating the Wizards at times. Washington deserves credit for how well it’s been playing but there’s not a large enough sample size of game-play to definitively declare Washington as the next NBA champs.
Send your news tips to tips@afro.com.
March 18, 2017 - March 24, 2017, The Afro-American
BALTIMORE-AREA
Race and Politics
How Should Black People Discipline Their Children?
Most Black people of a certain age (I’m thinking 40 and over) can tell vivid stories about the Sean Yoes most severe Senior AFRO beating (or Contributor beatings) they received as children at the hands of parents or other family members, in the name of “discipline.” The stories are often wrapped in the nostalgia of the, “good ol’ days,” when you got caught doing wrong and a neighbor had the duty (or right) to beat (correct) you, then you would get it again when your parents (or parent) got home. Oh, how we long for the good ol’ days! But, too often those stories of childhood whuppings are deep, painful memories, suppressed and never uttered. Dr. Stacey Patton, an assistant professor of multimedia journalism at Morgan State University and author of the book, “Spare the Kids: Why Whupping Children Won’t Save Black America,” wrote an essay adapted from the book, which appeared in the New York Times this past weekend. “It’s something that I’ve thought about ever since I had moved into my adoptive parents’ home when I was five years old,” she told the AFRO on March 13. “From the very first time she (adoptive mother) ever...popped me in the mouth, my entire world felt like it came crushing down because this was an adult who was supposed to love me and keep me safe and I was supposed to trust her,” Patton added. “And so, as I got older the whippings escalated and eventually funneled me into the foster care system and while I was in the foster care system, I saw so many young people, particularly Black children who had been intellectually, physically, spiritually, psychologically destroyed by that kind of aggressive child rearing practice.” Continued on D2
Historically Black Mount Auburn Cemetery Seeks Community’s Help
Courtesy photo
Mount Auburn Cemetery is in better condition today than in the past, but there is much more needed to fully restore the grounds. By Briahnna Brown Special to the AFRO One of the largest African American cemeteries in Baltimore, Mount Auburn Cemetery hopes to enlist the community in its efforts to fix it. Founded in 1872, the cemetery once known as “The City of the Dead for colored people” is the resting place for an estimated 55,000 people, most if not all of whom were African American. Located in the Westport neighborhood in south Baltimore, Mount Auburn Cemetery is owned by Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church, and was the only cemetery in the city where African Americans could be buried. Major figures in Black history including former Baltimore NAACP President Lille Mae Jackson Carroll, the first Black lightweight boxing champion Joseph Gans, and the AFRO’s founder, John Henry Murphy, are buried there among the many other African Americans from all walks of life. But even with the numerous history-makers buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery, the grounds saw neglect over the years as weeds and other plant life had overtaken the gravesites, making it impossible for people to visit. The AFRO published a story in 1944 detailing the deterioration that blighted the historic landmark in African American history. Because of the work done by volunteers and the inmates participating in the Public Safety Works program in 2012, Mount Auburn is accessible and more presentable. Still, the cemetery faces many issues that make maintaining the grounds difficult without perpetual funding. “Right now, we’re back to a point where it’s manageable,” Jesse Bennett, a member of the board, told the AFRO. “We need to stay where we are or it will look like that again.” In addition to a groundhog infestation creating holes in the ground, the older burials did not get concrete vaults or liners, causing the caskets to deteriorate which created holes in the ground. The resulting uneven terrain has caused some headstones
to tilt over or fall down, making cutting the grass and weeding the grounds a more complicated and costly process. In 2013, the Baltimore-Washington Methodist Conference presented the cemetery with a grant which helped significantly fund the clearing of the weeds debris, but the board is concerned as growing season is quickly approaching and the money left from stretching out that grant will be gone after half of this year’s growing season—between April and November. “We’re at a crossroads where we’re going to be desperate for funding just to maintain [the grounds],” Bennett said. All hope is not lost, Jeanne Hitchcock, chairman of the board and a member of Sharp Street, explained. Because Mount Auburn Cemetery had been in such disrepair, the board had to demonstrate that they could keep the grounds presentable before they could do any fundraising, and now that it is presentable they are getting ready to launch an annual fundraiser for the maintenance and restoration of the grounds. The challenge now will be getting enough funding to get through this growing season while fighting the never-ending battle they face in preventing plantlife from overtaking the – Jesse Bennett the cemetery again. “At this point, it’s really time to do major fundraising to endow the cemetery so we do not have to go through this anymore,” Hitchcock said. “It’s an asset of the city, it’s an asset of the state, it’s an asset of the national government by virtue of their historic preservation, and with that comes a responsibility to really have it be adequately and forever maintained.” The board is also accepting contributions—which are tax deductible—to Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church with Mount Auburn Cemetery as the designee on the memo. “In the environment in which we live today, an appreciation for our African-American heritage is even more important, Hitchcock said. “It’s important for all of us to preserve our history for our future generations.”
“We’re at a crossroads where we’re going to be desperate for funding just to maintain [the grounds].”
HopkinsLocal Keeps Faith with Baltimore By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO HopkinsLocal, the economic opportunity initiative launched by Johns Hopkins University System in the aftermath of the city’s mass unrest in 2015, has so far kept faith with a city in desperate need of seeing its anchor institutions step up and respond to the needs of its citizens. Ronald J. Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University and Ronald R. Peterson, president of the Health System and executive vice president of Johns Hopkins Medicine, recently reported the progress of
HopkinsLocal to the community. “At Johns Hopkins University System we have embraced our community’s call for jobs for our city’s residents. At the end of the first year of this three-year initiative we are encouraged by meaningful progress across our institution as we acknowledge the work that has just begun,” Daniels said. “We are standing by our promise to transparently share our progress against the goals that we have established for this initiative,” added Peterson, who shared the accomplishments of
“At Johns Hopkins University System we have embraced our community’s call for jobs for our city’s residents.” – Ronald J. Daniels
HopkinsLocal at the one-year mark: • $55 million in design and construction spending with businesses certified as minority- owned, womenowned or disadvantaged. • 15 local minority/ women owned/disadvantaged construction businesses expanded their skills and connections through the B-local Build College – a 13-week educational college designed to bolster the skills associated with the architectural and construction enterprise. B-Local Build College was established through the coordination of Hopkins and local firms. • 304 hires from the city’s highest rates of
unemployment hired into targeted positions. (Eager Park, Penn North, Brooklyn, Cherry Hill). • 119 ex-offenders hired at Hopkins Baltimore City locations. • $5 million in increased goods and services purchased from Baltimore-based companies. (Original target was $6 million over three years.) Hopkins supplements the city’s transportation system to ensure that employees hired through HopkinsLocal have access to transportation to get to their jobs. But Hopkins leadership admitted the need for enhanced collaboration with government stakeholders to shore up transportation employee needs. “We have a very extensive shuttle and bus system that is connected to key transportation hubs. But we Continued on D2
D1
From Felon to PhD By Janneh G. Johnson Special to the AFRO Stanley Andrisse is a 33-yearold provost post-doctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins, possessing both his MBA and PhD and participating in research about Diabetes, a disease that plagues millions, Andrisse is what most Americans would call extremely successful, and he is also an exfelon. Andrisse was born in Ferguson, Missouri and first took an interest in the medical field while in prison. “While I was away my father’s health started to plummet and his condition worsened pretty quickly… while I was still in prison I’d get information through phone calls and letters and pictures of how they were amputating his legs piece by piece, up to his torso, due to complications from diabetes. That was the driving motivation behind me wanting to learn more about diabetes, the effect that it had on my dad,” said Andrisse. “While I was away I dove pretty deep into wanting to learn more and I was fortunate enough to have a professor who I met before I went Courtesy Photo away, Stanley Andrisse who sent me research on the topic…while I was away I was already gaining a passion and an understanding.” After serving his time due to drug related charges Andrisse went on to receive his PhD and MBA, however, the road was not easy. “I’ve been denied from a number of jobs whether it was just coaching or a department store job,” said Andrisse. “I had been rejected from
Continued on D2
Baltimore County
Police Shoot 3 Following Robbery Report By The Associated Press Police in Baltimore County shot three robbery suspects, one fatally, in a vehicle that officers said began to accelerate toward them as they approached it to investigate. The men were seriously wounded late on March 13 and are being treated at hospitals, Baltimore County police said. The man who died was identified as 20-year-old Rashad Daquan Opher. In a statement March 14, police said an officer on patrol saw a man running away from a Royal Farms convenience store in the western suburbs of Baltimore. Another officer responded to check on the store, and was told it had just been robbed. The officers found a vehicle parked about a block away in a residential area.
Continued on D2
10
Past Seven Days
64 2017 Total
Data as of March 15
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The Afro-American, March 18, 2017 - March 24, 2017
Race and Politics
Police
Continued from D1
Beyond her own destructive experiences being physically disciplined as a child, Patton illustrates what many believe is the undeniable link between, “aggressive child rearing practice,” a “bastardized” Christian tradition and the ubiquitous American systems of Black oppression, slavery and Jim Crow. “It is a European idea that children are ‘born in sin’ and should have the devil beaten out of them with a ‘rod of correction.’ That brutality cascaded across other cultures through slavery, colonialism and religious indoctrination,” Patton wrote in the New York Times. “It should not be surprising, then, that Black American slaves, who endured trauma of their own beatings, inherited their oppressors’ violence and, for centuries, passed down these parenting beliefs. This is one of the saddest untold stories in American history -- the way in which the victims of racist oppression and violence have hurt the bodies of their own children in an effort to protect them from a hostile society,” Patton declared. She says the reaction to her observations have always been varied and sometimes volatile, from incredulous Whites saying, “How dare you blame White people for Black child abuse,” to the more nuanced argument of, “there’s a difference between spanking a child and beating a child,” Patton said and there has also been affirmation for her findings. “There’s been quite a number of people on both sides of the color line, writing to say thank you, to share their own personal experiences of having gotten corporal punishment as a child, so the piece was validating to them,” she revealed. Patton also refutes that somehow corporal punishment of Black children has somehow saved Black lives from death and destruction. “Between 2006 and 2015, more than 3,600 Black children were killed as a result of maltreatment, according to the Administration for Children and Families. That’s an average of 360 children a year, three times higher than for other racial and ethnic groups,” Patton wrote in the New York Times. “The truth is that White supremacy has done a masterful job of getting Black people to continue its trauma work and call it ‘love,’” Patton wrote. “Black children are also more at risk of being assaulted, seriously injured or killed by a parent than by a police officer, a neighborhood watchman or an irritated racist who hates rap music. We have to stop hurting our children to protect them. It is not working. And worse, it erodes our children’s humanity and co-signs the slave master’s logic that you have to hit a Black body to make it comply.” Sean Yoes is a senior contributor for the AFRO and host and executive producer of, AFRO First Edition, which airs Monday through Friday, 5-7 p.m. on WEAA 88.9.
Continued from D1 “As two officers approached this vehicle on foot, it began to accelerate towards them. Both officers, in fear for their lives, fired at the approaching vehicle, striking all three of the male suspects inside,” the statement said. The men were suspected in a string of robberies, one of which involved seriously injuring a hotel clerk with a handgun, police said. Police said they found a handgun in the men’s vehicle. There is body-worn camera footage from the shooting scene. Police said it’s part on the investigation and it won’t be immediately released. Sgt. Andrea Bylen told The Baltimore Sun that the officers were not injured. The officers will be placed on administrative status while the shooting is reviewed, as is standard procedure. The statement did not list the names or races of the officers or the suspects.
HopkinsLocal Continued from D1
worry about this with respect to broader accessibility,” said Daniel G. Ennis, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Peterson said that many of the employees hired through HopkinsLocal have been among the institution’s best hires. “We are witnessing that many of these folks are becoming among our best
employees. They are taking advantage of additional opportunities to gain skills,” Peterson said. Although HopkinsLocal was conceptualized before the Freddie Gray police incident and mass unrest in 2015, the turmoil pushed Hopkins officials to intensify their efforts. “Is this a complete answer to the challenges that were
underscored during the Freddie Gray unrest? Of course, not,” said Daniels. “But it is a very tangible step forward that we as a private institution have been able to make. We have been encouraged by the interest and support we have received from other Baltimore stakeholders to enhance their commitment to similar types of efforts.”
PhD
Continued from D1 several PhD programs possibly due to the question…I finished my PhD in four years (a program that usually takes 6 years to complete) and I finished at the top of my class and I was getting my MBA in the process, I’m pretty sure I was qualified to get in those other programs but they chose not to let me in, I could only get into a program where I had a professor vouching for me.” The question Andrisse is referring to is the check-off box for felony convictions. Majority of the states within the US require this question to be answered on both job and college applications. This limits the employment and educational opportunities available for ex-offenders. Although Andrisse has faced discrimination and bias due to his conviction, it doesn’t stop him from telling his story. “I enjoy being able to help others and it’s also therapeutic… On a day to day basis I hear so many biases and what people
think of criminals and for the most part nobody knows my background so I have to just suck it up. Things come up and you have to suck it up as a convicted felon because no one really knows for the most part at your job because it may affect your being there so you kind of just don’t talk about it,” said Andrisse. “There’s a psychological part that affects you aside from the obvious things, I can’t vote, I can’t own a firearm, I have all these barriers against employment and education, there are psychological and structural barriers to deal with.” Andrisse is currently working with the Ban the Box organization which is an international campaign geared towards helping ex-offenders with job placement and persuading corporations and employers to remove the check box inquiring about whether applicants have a criminal record. One of the reasons Andrisse chose to pursue a fellowship at Johns Hopkins was their leniency towards ex-convicts. “I did a biomedical 3x3 PhD and I strategically chose to do that coming out of prison because it not only gave me my education coming out of prison but they also paid me to do research. I got out of prison and was able to get a job and my education through having my PhD. When it was coming to an end I was a little
nervous as to what I was going to do. I had tried to get some other employment and I had been denied so then when I was trying to get a job pertaining to my PhD I was a little worried about whether I was going to be able to do that.” I searched for jobs and universities that are lenient towards ex-offenders and Hopkins is actually the leading employer of returning citizens in the state of Maryland.” The term “returning citizen” is used often in political circuits to describe ex-offenders but Andrisse believes it is rather ill-fitting. “I don’t like using (returning citizen). I chuckle but I stop you know because I don’t think we are returning citizens because we don’t have certain rights, we’re looked at as convicts, we’re looked at as criminals and we’ll continue to be looked at in that way until that stigma is broken...I think returning citizens are not what we currently are I think it would be nice to eventually be at that stage but I think right now society still sees us as ex-convicts” Andrisse is currently involved with several organizations seeking to advocate for prison reform and the less discrimination against ex-offenders, although the road has not been easy he remains hopeful. “I have hope that sharing my story will have people talking about it and bring more attention to it…I think it’s good for people to see that these people, us, me, we’re just regular people. I’m just a person that has dreams and aspirations and I’m just trying to meet those.”
In Celebration Mr. and Mrs. Allen and Odessa Harris - “60 Years”
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Our family would like to honor Mr. and Mrs. Allen and Odessa Harris as they celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on March 22, 2017. Mr. and Mrs. Harris met over sixty years ago at a “jook joint” called the T-Pot in Turner Station and as they say, the rest is history! They later married on March 22, 1957 and had their first child in February, 1959. When they first met, Allen was in the Marines and Odessa was in the process of relocating to Baltimore. After leaving the military, Allen landed a job at Bethlehem Steele, where he worked tirelessly for 40 years. While working at Johns Hopkins as a nurse’s Aide, Odessa decided to take on the responsibility of raising her four beautiful daughters Odessa, Cassandra, Kimberly and Dawnyell full time. Coincidentally, they both had familial roots in North Carolina, which is where they ultimately retired to in 1997. They have happily resided there for the past 20 years. Allen and Odessa have never once separated in their 60 years of matrimony! They are loved and cherished by their four daughters, five grandchildren, four great grandchildren and host of family and friends. Congratulations to you both and we wish you many more years together!
March 18, 2017 - March 24, 2017, The Afro-American
“TIS’ THE SEASON TO ENJOY GOOD ENTERTAINMENT” Hello everyone, tis’ the season to enjoy good entertainment with this fantastic weather. I tell you mannnnnnnnnnnn! We are so blessed. So let’s take advantage of it. My “BooBoo and I are on vacation and will return by March 20. We didn’t go far, just to the Poconos. Just a short getaway. Okay, I didn’t leave you hanging, there are a few things I could turn you on to that might seduce your interest in the next couple of weeks such as; Reggie Kelly, the Oldies DJ is hosting a Sunday Oldies event held at Kibby’s Restaurant, located at 3450 Wilkens Avenue (across from St. Agnes Hospital in the Wilkens Plaza Shopping Center) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. He is calling it “Sock Hop” Sundays. There is no
in concert March 17 at 8 p.m. For more information and tickets, call 301-3777800. Also for my die hard jazz lovers; saxophonist and flutist, Laura Dreyer will perform at the Montpelier Arts Center on March 24 at 8 p.m. with the ManhattanRio Connection, I am not familiar with this musician,
Tim Green Trio with Kris Funn and Corey Fonville will perform at the Caton Castle, 20 South Caton Avenue on March 18, 6 p.m. -10 p.m. Tim on Sax, Corey on keyboards and Kris on bass. For ticket information, call 410-5667086. cover charge. So go, support and dance the night away remembering how young you were. You all are invited to
Photo credit Anderson Ward
The 16 th Annual Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Banquet, recently held at Morgan State University was a primary fundraiser for NABVETS under the leadership of Clarence “Tiger” Davis was a success. William “Crab Foster (owner of “Wooden Nickel” night Club in East Baltimore was given an award from the National Association for Black Veterans, Inc. L-R Clarence “Tiger” Davis, unknown friend, William “Crab” Foster and Robert Guye in uniform.
BALTIMORE AREA COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Send your upcoming events to tips@afro.com. For more community events go to afro.com/ Baltimore-events
the Annual Jazz Cabaret Fundraiser for St. Gregory’s The Great Church, which will be held at the New All Saints Church Hall, 4408 Liberty Heights Avenue on March 18 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. You will be entertained by Greg Hatza ORGANzation. It is BYOB and BYOF. For ticket information, contact Mary K at 410-4621347. MarvaD Events will host a “Sunday Serenade” with a tribute show to Teddy Pendergrass featuring “Stan the Man” Hampton at the Magooby’s 9603 Deereco Road, Timonium, Maryland on March 26 at 5 p.m. There will be a special performance by Douglass High Alumni Jazz Band and Mrs. Maybelle will be the Mistress of Ceremony. For ticket information, call 410599-9159. If you mention that you saw this in “Rambling Rose” you will get a discount on your tickets. The Thad Wilson Quartet featuring Allyn Johnson on piano, Blake Meister on bass and John Lamkin III on drums with vocalist Kristin Callahan will be performing at the Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel, Maryland
Reggie Kelly, Oldies but Goodies DJ is hosting a “Sock-Hop Sunday” at Kibby’s Restaurant, 3450 Wilkens Avenue every week from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Larry Lancaster, Comedian will headline Sean E. Merryman Promotions Comedy Show & Dinner on March 18, 4 p.m. at the Forest Park Senior Center, 4801 Liberty Heights Avenue. For ticket information, call 410-2158893. but I bet you are. Anyway she is known for her Brazilian music as well as American Jazz. Her quartet includes pianist, Tim Murphy and Rioborn musicians; Leonardo and Alejandro Lucini. Check it out, you might like it. Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc Iota Chapter
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is celebrating their 70th Anniversary with a luncheon at the Forum Caterers, 4210 Primrose Avenue in Baltimore on March 25 from noon until 3 p.m. For ticket information, call Dorothy Stone at 410-254-3087 or email her at Dorostone1@aol. com. One more thing, Art Sherrod, Jr. will return to Rams Head in Annapolis, Maryland on March 26 for one night and one show starting at 6:30 p.m. Rams Heads Onstage is located 33 West Street in Annapolis, Maryland. For ticket information, call 410-2684545. It has been a pleasure as always talking to you, just remember if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol. com. Until the next time, I’m musically yours.
AFRO.COM
The Priceless Gown Project -- “Health, Wellness and Fitness” The Priceless Gown Project returns to Baltimore for the 13th year to continue granting prom dresses for area high school Junior and Senior girls on March 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards: 110 South Eutaw St., Baltimore, Md. 21201. The Priceless Gown Project is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in Baltimore, MD in an effort to help young women attend their prom who would not ordinarily be able to finance the experience on their own. The Priceless Gown Project provides free prom dresses for hundreds of students in the MD and DC areas. Admission to the event is free and a first come, first serve basis. Early arrival is suggested due to the limited quantity and sizes. The event takes place during Women’s History Month and the theme for this year’s event is “Health, Wellness and Fitness” where each young woman is encouraged to recognize the power, intellect and beauty within themselves to overcome obstacles, resolve issues and maintain a healthy lifestyle. To volunteer, donate a prom gown, jewelry or accessories view pricelessgownproject.com.
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service -- March Madness Benefit
On March 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service will host its annual benefit helps to raise awareness of the vital need for civil legal services for low-income Marylanders. Guests will enjoy upscale tailgate fare, open beer and wine bar, NCAA tournament basketball games on multiple screens, a silent auction, as well as interactive basketball games and live entertainment. To learn more about MVLS, visit mvlslaw.org.
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The Afro-American, March 18, 2017 - March 24, 2017
Donald Chambers, chair, Kappa Lead, Donald Smith, president, Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation, Brandon Wylie, polemarch, Theodore Garrett, 1st vice polemarch “Obscene 14” Line Brothers celebrating 50 years in Kappa Alpha Psi are Bob Young, Turham Robinson, Howard Tutman III, Carl Turnipseed
Vernard Wynn, Yvonne Wynn, Herbert Brown, Deanna Brown
Michael Cryor, Erica Cryor, Dr. Guy Bragg, Gladys Bragg
The Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation of Mieya Duvall-Petitt, Monica Watkins, Metropolitan Baltimore kicked off its 46th Annual Deborah Ferguson, Kim Scarborough Nite in Kappa Vegas on March 3 at Martin’s West in Woodlawn. Brandon Wylie, Polemarch of the Baltimore , Md. alumni chapter, along with the members served as hosts in welcoming approximately 1,200 guests to a night of camaraderie. This premier fundraiser enables Deanna McCrayJames, Audrey the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation to Bennett, Tracey award scholarships to college bound Jamison students and sponsor programs such as the Guide Right/Kappa League, college tours and other programs to benefit the communities in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. Stacey Brown, Todd Brown, Sherry Howard, Melvin Howard Jr.
Del. Angela Gibson, Lora Mayo, Daisy Oliver, Reaus Oliver, Rachael McFadden, Sen. Nathaniel McFadden
Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine
Ashley Rock, Aldonna Wylie
DeJuan Patterson, Mayor Catherine Pugh, Anthony McCarthy
Harriet Tubman Visitor Center Grand Opening
Millicent Sparks, Harriet Tubman re-enactor, performs
The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center held its grand opening in Cambridge, Md. on March 10. The center was opened to preserve the legacy of Harriet Tubman and her life. More than 600 people including the press, descendants and invited guests attended the event. The University of Maryland at Eastern Shore Concert Choir and Brass Quintet performed “B” Co. and the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Re-enactors) presented the colors.
Photos by Anderson R. Ward
Angela Crenshaw, assistant manager
The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center
Peter Franchot, comptroller of Md.; Nancy Kopp, treasurer, State Of Md.; Lt. Gov. Boyd K. Rutherford; Rose Fennell, NPS; Sen. Adelaide Eckardt; Richard Travers, president, Dorchester Co. Council; Nita Settina, superintendent, Md. Park Service; U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin and Md. Gov. Larry Hogan
UMES Concert Choir
Sen. Adelaide Eckardt, Gov. Larry Hogan and Lt. Gov. Boyd K. Rutherford present a proclaimation to descendants of Harriet Tubman
Theodore Mack, Betty Mack and Dr. Joan M. E. Gaither