baton
THURSDAY, december 8, 2011
rouge,
louisiana
Vol. 36 • No. 29
a people’s publication
Maritime Security Operations Center Opening Plans Underway To Bring Ceremony at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge Grocery, Fresh Foods To Scotlandville ‘Desert’
Photo by James Terry III
Shown in the photo is Edgar Cage, commentator with Mr. William Jones at the St. Michael Episcopal Church, where the discussion was about bringing a grocery store to the Scotlandville community. The new Maritime Security Operations Center at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge.
BATON ROUGE, LA - A keynote address by a U.S. Coast Guard rear admiral, comments from members of Congress and a ribbon cutting were among the activities held this morning, December 5th, 2011 to dedicate the
IRS Seeks to Return $153 Million in Undelivered Checks to Taxpayers WASHINGTON — In an annual reminder to taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service announced today that it is looking to return $153.3 million in undelivered tax refund checks. In all, 99,123 taxpayers are due refund checks this year that could not be delivered because of mailing address errors. Undelivered refund checks average $1,547 this year. Taxpayers who believe their refund check may have been returned to the IRS as undelivered should use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov. The tool will provide the status of their refund and, in some cases, instructions on how to resolve delivery problems. Taxpayers checking on a refund over the phone will receive instructions on how to update their addresses. Taxpayers can access a telephone version of “Where’s My Refund?” by calling 1-800-8291954. While only a small percentage of checks mailed out by the IRS are returned as undelivered, taxpayers can put an end to lost, stolen or undelivered checks by choosing direct deposit when they file either paper or electronic returns. Last year, more than 78.4 million taxpayers chose to receive their refund through direct deposit. Taxpayers can See IRS, on page 3
new Maritime Security Operations Center at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge. The recently completed facility overlooking the Mississippi River and the capitol city is located next to the port’s admin-
By Jasmine Hastings Josef Syndicate reporter istrative offices in Port Allen. This regional center has the capacity and resources to operate during catastrophic events such as hurricanes, floods or other natural or man-made disasters and will assist multiple federal, state and
local agencies in responding to maritime emergencies and in facilitating security of the Mississippi River in the port region, which encompasses approxiSee maritime, on page 2
Condoleezza Rice Says America Will Never Be Race Blind In 2004, then-U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama made his national political debut by delivering an eloquent and moving keynote address at the Democratic National Convention about the role of race and a more perfect union in this nation that would aspire to provide educational and economic opportunities for all. Four years later, he became the first African-American to be elected president of the United States. But, according to former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, the second African-American to serve in
that role, despite how far the nation has progressed, it still has a long way to go. “We have a Black president. We’ve had two Black secretaries of state. We have Black CEOs. Obviously African-Americans are pushing way into territories that, probably, my grandparents would never have thought possible,” Rice said on CBS’s Face the Nation, but added that race will always be a factor in American life. “It is a birth defect with which this country was born
Condoleezza Rice
See blind, on page 7
SCOTLANDVILLE - The Food Access Team of Together Baton Rouge revealed the organization’s plan to bring a “high-quality” grocery store or farmers market to North Baton Rouge, an area identified as a food desert for decades. “The progress we have made in less than three months is very encouraging. We are not there yet, I don’t want to be too optimistic but we are very, very close,” said Together Baton Rouge leader Edgar Cage. The organization looked to Nielsen Company research to understand the Scotlandville market. The company reported that the 2011 demand for food and beverage stores in north Baton Rouge is more than $20.9 million dollars, while the supply was only $7.6 million. “This leaves a leakage of $13.3 million which has an investor interested,” said Cage. The investor, identified as connected with Associated Groceries, is interested in property adjacent to the Palisades apartments on Scenic Highway, near Southern
University. Although the property has legal issues, redevelopment authorities said they can be resolved and two to three acres can be carved from the 10-acre track for a grocery store. “(The grocery) will be brand new, serve this neighborhood, and it will be in accessible to the people,” said Together Baton Rouge leader Margret Reed. But, Broderick Bagert, lead Together Baton Rouge organizer, said this is nowhere near being a done deal. “Although the land looks like it has potential, the community is merely organizing for this. No one is saying ‘we want to put a grocery store in Scotlandville,’ it’s the community saying this is what we want.’” Bagert said. Now the broader community needs to respond by completing a food access survey, organizers residents who met Dec. 1 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1620 77th Ave. This was the first public food access committee meeting. The next meeting will be February 9 at 6:30 at the church. Surveys were distributed for residents to share with See plans, on page 3
Attorney General Buddy Caldwell Recognized for Strengthening Diversity New Orleans --Attorney General Buddy Caldwell has received the Diversity Challenge Award from the Network 2011 Coalition. Caldwell was honored during an awards ceremony in New Orleans on November 25. The Network Coalition is a collaboration of elected and appointed officials from various organizations and business and religious leaders from across the state. Special awards are presented annually to outstanding
Pigford Settlement Claims Filing Period Opens
individuals who demonstrate the willingness to make a difference in public service. Other recipients of special merit awards at this year’s event included State Senator Sharon Weston Broome, State Representative Herbert Dixon, Baton Rouge Attorney and former National President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Arthur Thomas, and former National President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Adrian Wallace.
local & state news
Pictured from left to right are Wallace, Caldwell, Broome, Dixon, and Thomas.
Business NEWS
Health news
religion
The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage had commandeered the Christmas decorating operation for yet another year. I am not quite sure how she remembers when to start all of this, ...See Page 6
INDEX
Alumni Association Christmas Baskets Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently reminded African American farmers and ranchers that the period to file a claim in the Pigford II settlement has opened, and eligible candidates must file claims no later than May 11, 2012....See Page 3
The Scotlandville High School Hornets Alumni Association will distribute “Christmas Baskets” containing all the essential items for a complete Christmas dinner on December 13, 2011 at 1:00 p.m for Scotlandville residence. . ...See Page 3
Andrews Receives Visionary Award
Dr. Donald R. Andrews, dean of Southern University’s College of Business, the recipient of the “Charles I. Hudson Visionary Award”...See Page 5
Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetes affects nearly 26 million people in the United States. In addition, another 79 million people are estimated to have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts people at increased risk for diabetes...See Page 7
Local & State............................2 Commentary.............................4 Business....................................5 Religion....................................6 Health.......................................7 Sports.......................................8
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Southern University’s College Of Education Receives Re-Accreditation
BATON ROUGE – A national teacher accreditation organization has announced that it is continuing the accreditation of Southern University’s College of Education. The accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) means that the College of Education has met “rigorous” NCATE standards set by the profession and members of the public. NCATE standards require teacher candidates to have in-depth knowledge of the subject matter that they plan to teach as well as skills necessary to convey it to students. The NCATE accreditation system is a voluntary peer
Maritime
review process that involves a comprehensive evaluation of the professional education unit. The review is based on NCATE Unit Standards, a set of research-based national standards developed by all sectors of the teaching profession. Accreditation requires an on-site review of the unit and a review of the individual programs within the unit. “In meeting all rigorous accreditation standards, the College of Education has been branded with a badge of excellence in teacher education,” said Dr. Verjanis Peoples, dean of the College of Education. “The College of Education is a leader in producing teachers,
counselors, educational leaders and other school professionals that can integrate best practices to improve teaching and learning in schools,” Peoples said. Some of the NCATEaccredited schools in Louisiana include Southern, LSU, Centenary College, Louisiana Tech, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Please contact Edward Pratt the Southern University Director of Media Relations at (225) 771-4545 or (225) 771-2160 and by e-mail edward_pratt@ subr.edu.
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mately 100 river miles, said Larry Johnson, current president of the Port Commission. Input from the maritime community, including the Coast Guard, river pilots and industry located on the river, as well as multiple emergency response agencies, identified a need for improved communications and a central command center for coordinating response to maritime
emergencies. Examples of the interagency groups that respond to such emergencies include local, state and federal law enforcement; U.S. Attorney; U.S. Corps of Engineers; U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Customs and Immigration Services; FEMA and Louisiana National Guard. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the dedication by sheriffs of seven
The office is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday and located at 1283 Rosenwald Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Correction Policy The Baton Rouge Weekly Press strives to be fair and accurate. The newspaper corrects any significant errors of fact brought to the attention of the editor. If you think an error has been made, call 225-775-2002
parishes along the Mississippi River near the port: East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge; Ascension; Iberville; West Feliciana; East Feliciana and Point Coupee. Known as “Joint Task Force 7” or JTF7, the group of sheriffs will share resources in responding to maritime emergencies and utilize the Maritime Security Operations Center whenever necessary in their cooperative efforts. Bud Torres, Sheriff of Point Coupee Parish and an instrumental figure in the organizational efforts of establishing JTF7, said, “This has been the vision for area law enforcement for some time, and we are all committed to securing the vital resources within the maritime industry in this region. This is a unique regional effort and will have a very positive impact from here forward.”
McKinley Middle Magnet Parents, Faculty to Hosting “Black Tie Affair” Fundraiser
Parents and faculty from McKinley Middle Magnet will host “A Black Tie Affair” fundraiser, Thursday, December 22nd from 7 to 11pm at the Lyceum Dean Ballroom on Third Street in downtown Baton Rouge. Tickets may be purchased by calling the school. All proceeds from the event will go to help defray cost of a student trip to Beijing, China in the spring of 2012. This gala event will feature music from U4Ria, featuring The Hip Hop Doc, Rani Whitfield, and sampling of food from some of the area’s finest chefs. What a perfect pre-holiday evening out.
In previous years, McKinley Middle students, parents & faculty have traveled to Rome & Greece in 2009, London & Paris in 2010 and Spain in 2011. The trip to Beijing will be “A once in a lifetime opportunity for learning that a textbook cannot provide. Students live through an experience that others only read about”, according to Tiffany Miles, a Science teacher at McKinley Middle Magnet. Sponsorship opportunities on all levels are available for “A Black Tie Affair”. For more information call Sean Joffrion, 225-388-0089, sjoffrion@ebrschools.org
Baton Rouge’s ‘61st Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade’ Set to Roll on New Expanded Parade Route BATON ROUGE, LA - The Cortana Kiwanis Club, organizers of the annual Christmas Parade, announced today that a new expanded route for the parade has been approved by the City of Baton Rouge. The Parade consists of over 70 floats, bands, specialty vehicles and special guests, and will roll at 5.30 p.m. on Saturday, December 10th, 2011 and expects to attract over 70,000 attendees. The Battle of the Bands will now be held at 4:00 p.m. in A.Z. Young Park (close to start of route on Capitol grounds) where local high school bands will compete to be this year’s top band.
The new 2011 parade route will be: • START from North Third and Spanish Town, in front of State Capitol • Right on Fourth Street • Left onto North Street • Right on to Sixth Street • Right onto Convention Street • Right on Fourth, • Left on Main • Right on Lafayette Street, ending where Lafayette meets North Third Street Email production@1stco. com to request route, or parade photos)
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Thursday, December 8, 2011 • The Weekly Press • Page 3
marge's
Chit Chat
MARGE’S CHIT include shedding CHAT any pounds. Call THOUGHT FOR overeaters. THE WEEK: We must GOOD NEWS educate in order to elFROM THE OBAMA evate our children of ADMINISTRATION this state. State Senais that our service tor Sharon Weston men are returning Broome during the holidays. H O L I D AY Many, many families Marge GREETINGS to you cannot wait! Many Lawrence and family memchildren are looking bers! Just hoping as forward to seeing you plan for your big day that their mother or father or both the reason for the season is re- who have served so admiraviewed and known by all who bly in the armed forces. Let’s are around you. It may be wise celebrate this good news and to tell the children that lots of rejoice with the families, as we sacrifices are made for them honor our veterans. to have and achieve their inTHE BATON ROUGE dividual goals and aspirations, COMMUNITY COLLEGE whether at school or in their (BRCC) held an induction own personal lives. Try it. ceremony for their first annual TIMES OF STRESS AND Kappa Beta Delta business maDEPRESSION are during the jors. The first to be inducted holiday season. Whether you were Advisors Dr. Raymond know it or not some of your Miller, Ms. Erin Rice, Andrea best friends may seek profes- Virile, Monique Cross, and sional help during this season Dr. James Horton. Founding because of lost loved ones and student members of the new goals that are not met. If plans Beta Xi Chapter are Eva Stubbs, are made and kept, this will Megan Richardson, Amanda eliminate most of the stress. Chambers, Patricia Carr, RusWhen someone said that we sell Williams, Tabitha Lindley, should “plan your work, then Joplin Jones, Lanier Cut no and work your plan” that person Liquid Causey. Congratulagave us a good rule of thumb. tions and best wishes. This really does work and HERITAGE will be in conwill eliminate the challenges cert on Saturday, 11:00 am on of sad times at the end of the December 17 at Berean Seventhyear. Then everyone can sing day Adventist Church at 5511 “Should ole acquaintances be Fairfields. Your presence is forgot “ and no tears would requested to enjoy some great be shed. holiday music. Talented ClarBEST WISHES TO THE ence Jones is director of HeriWINTER CLASS OF 2011. tage. It is such a happy time to see LOUISIANA STATE UNIthe historically black colleges VERSITY (LSU) football team and universities enumerate will be Alabama again! Go the many fine young women Tigers. and men as graduates of their HAPPY BIRTHDAY to institutions. Our children face Marion Lepinay, Patricia Carter, so many challenges that were Marian Wilson, twins Domiunheard of during our college nique and Dominic Hooper, years. Yet, they seem so happy and in loving memory of Cyrus and some have great goals. We Hooper on his birthday. are proud of you-CONGRATWith Love and Sympathy ULATIONS! to the family of the late Inez OVEREATERS ANONY- Harris Boston who was laid to MOUS is seeking all who plan rest on last weekend. to pig out during the holidays. Enjoy the weather and During Thanksgiving you may have a blessed weekend. I am have eaten mama’s cooking, enjoying my year off in rest and grandma’s pie, auntie’s dress- recuperation. ing and are still full. Yet, you Love, have plans, and they do not Marge
IRS
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receive refunds directly into their bank account, split a tax refund into two or three financial accounts or even buy a savings bond. The IRS also recommends that taxpayers file their tax returns electronically, because e-file eliminates the risk of lost paper returns. E-file also reduces errors on tax returns and speeds up refunds. Nearly 8 out of 10 taxpayers chose e-file last year. E-file combined with direct deposit is the best option for taxpayers to avoid refund problems; it’s easy, fast and safe. The public should be aware that the IRS does not contact taxpayers by e-mail to alert them of pending refunds and does not ask for personal or financial information through email. Such messages are common phishing scams. The agency urges taxpayers receiving such messages not to release any personal information, reply, open any attachments or click on any links to avoid malicious code that can infect their computers. The best way for an
individual to verify if she or he has a pending refund is going directly to IRS.gov and using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool. Please contact Dee Harris Stepter the Media Relations personal for LA and MS at 504-558-3081 or at e-mail deirdre.h.stepter@irs.gov. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/ DeeHS_IRS, facebook.com/ dee.h.stepter and IRSvideos on YouTube.
Pigford Settlement Claims Filing Period Opens for Farmers and Ranchers
BATON ROUGE, LA - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently reminded African American farmers and ranchers that the period to file a claim in the Pigford II settlement has opened, and eligible candidates must file claims no later than May 11, 2012. “With the opening of the claims process, African American farmers and ranchers who believe they are entitled to compensation under the Pigford II settlement must file a claim within 180 days in order to receive cash payment or loan forgiveness,” said Secretary Vilsack. “The opening of this claims process marks another milestone in USDA’s efforts to correct the wrongs of the past and ensure fair treatment to all current and future customers.” In February, USDA and Department of Justice announced an agreement with African American farmers to settle the Pigford II litigation for $1.25 billion. Congress passed the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 that funded the settlement in November 2010, and President Obama signed the bill in December 2010. The settlement arises from a class action lawsuit against USDA that alleges the Department discriminated against African-Americans who applied for
Plans
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently reminded African American farmers and ranchers that the period to file a claim in the Pigford II settlement has opened, and eligible candidates must file claims no later than May 11, 2012.
or attempted to apply for farm loans or other farm benefits between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1996. The settlement applies only to African-American farmers who meet specific eligibility requirements, including the requirement that they previously submitted a request to file a late claim in the 1999 Pigford I class action Consent Decree. The filing period opened November 14, 2011, and continues for 180 days, until May 11, 2012. Claimant services representatives can also be reached through calling 1-877-810-8110 or
1-866-950-5547. Claimants must register for a claims package (by calling the number or visiting the website) and the claims package will be mailed to claimants. All those interested in learning more or receiving information about the claims process and claims packages are encouraged to attend a meeting and contact the website or claims telephone number. The website is www.blackfarmercase.com The call number is 1-877810-8110 or 1-866-950-5547 Claims period: November 14, 2011 to May 11, 2012
lence. CPEX has developed an innovative van or bus system that, once funded, will stop at scheduled times with vegetables and fruits from p local farms. Boudreau said CPEX is looking for resources and up to $500,000 to fund the unit, which will be operated by BREADA and circulate throughout areas in North Baton Rouge. “We are very interested in providing fresh healthy options to the community, improve the access, and show that the demand is here because it’s so difficult sometimes to get the grocer to commit because it is a
large investment,” said Darlene Rowland, BREADA director of development. BREADA’s mission is to “build a strong and healthy food system to support local farmers/fishers and food producers and build communities through public markets.” The group manages the Red Stick Market, every Saturday downtown in Baton Rouge. Food access is one of five major groups that Together Baton Rouge, a grassroots, faith-based group, has organized to improve transportation, education, crime, and health care.
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neighbors and complete. Organizers said the results will be given to RDA, elected officials, and investors with Associated Groceries to show community need and support for the possible store. Copies are available at area churches, the Scotlandville Branch Library, or by emailing contact@togetherbr.org. Residents, like Ebony Galloway and Thomasina Joseph, agreed to go “door-to-door” and to churches to complete surveys by December 16. “What we are trying to do is give the people of Scotlandville access to quality, fresh fruits and vegetables at a reasonable price… considering the transit situation in Baton Rouge there are a lot of people who don’t have access to vehicles who can’t get to (the nearest) Piggly Wiggly on a regular basis,” Cage said. According to the USDA, there are seven census tracks around Scotlandville identified as food deserts, a term used to describe a community’s lack of access to a major grocer or supermarket within walking distance. North Baton Rouge also has other options for fresh foods, said Marcelle Boudreau, economic development project manager at the Center for Planning Excel-
The Scotlandville High School Hornets Alumni Association to Distribute Christmas Baskets The Scotlandville High School Hornets Alumni Association will distribute “Christmas Baskets” containing all the essential items for a complete Christmas dinner on December 13, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. for the residents of the Scotlandville Community. They will distribute the baskets from the First Presbyterian Church of Scotlandville located at 1246 Rosenwald Road. They intend to distribute about 50 baskets in an effort to provide aid to the community during this special time of the year. “Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Men.”
Annual French Creole Christmas Lights Up the Holidays BATON ROUGE — On Dec. 11, Magnolia Mound Plantation hosts its French Creole Christmas celebration. From 3-6 p.m., guests will celebrate Christmas the oldfashioned way with traditional food and games as well as live music, plantation tours and demonstrations from period craftsmen. The night concludes with a bonfire the whole family can enjoy. Students from Baton Rouge’s South Boulevard Elementary Foreign Language Immersion Magnet (FLAIM) perform French and Spanish music. Also, the LA Vintage Dancers show off traditional steps for visitors. The event remains free, and food vendors will be on hand. For more information, visit brec.org/magnoliamound or call 225-343-4955. It is the BREC mission to provide parks and recreational opportunities for all residents of East Baton Rouge Parish
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Commentary Thursday, December 8, 2011 • The Weekly Press • Page 4
The Way I See It
Governor Jindal : New Education Procedures
are saying is going on in these meetings. The It seems to me that saying is that as long as in institution of higher the “Favoritism” and learning the school that kinship is enforced I love so much is headed among other things for self-destruction. Southern will continue I can see it in my its downhill journey. crystal ball that SouthI have yet to hear ern University is headfrom the higher salaing for destruction if it ried people concerning William continues on its present Southern’s financial Jones path. problems. Meanwhile, Though I hate of the Board of Supervicomparing SU to LSU; however, sor for Southern University met these schools have both experi- “this weekend” during the Bayou ence financial problems. Classic game. The street comRecently, LSU was about the mittee includes people that live close a portion of its Agriculture in other states that graduated department. I must point out from Southern and do not send that I do not hear too much about back a dime to bail out Southern LSU financial problems. I saw University. where LSU rebound from this Listen to the Street Comproblem. When LSU showed the mittee because they are saying problem it had a state, as well as, out loud – straighten up and fly a University problem. right. I am not on the street committee, my dear leaders of SouthThat Is The Way I Hear It. ern, but, I do hear what the people By William Jones
Child’s Suicide Prompts Call for Change
Americans Need Fundamental Attitude Adjustment. Author Says The 10-year-old who committed suicide recently in a rural Illinois community came home from school the day before in tears. It wasn’t the first time. Ashlynn Conner, a fifthgrader, had complained of bullying for two years. After the most recent episode, Ashlynn asked to be home-schooled and her mother promised to take her for a chat with the principal the following Monday. The next night, her older sister found her hanging by a scarf in her bedroom closet. “It’s yet another example of the horrific things happening in our society because people still judge other people for everything but how they behave,” says Shay Dawkins, author of The Good News: How Revealing Delusions in Christianity Will Bring Peace to All (www.thegoodnewsbook. com), an analysis of the Bible that compares contemporary Christian values with scripture. “We start forming biases at a very young age,” he notes. “Unfortunately, some people use even the Bible to justify judging others for circumstances those people didn’t choose.
These biases are often so ingrained, people aren’t aware they even have them. Change starts with each individual, Dawkins says. • Become aware of your personal biases. We all have them. Children start picking them up from family members, TV and others in their environment about the time they start walking. Studies have shown that as early as age 3, some toddlers are using words associated with racial prejudice! As evidenced by Ashlynn Conner’s devastating experience, by elementary school children may have acquired a grown-up set of biases that are manifest in taunts, jeers and other acts of bullying. See what biases you may have by taking the Hidden Bias Tests developed by psychologists at Harvard, the University of Virginia and the University of Washington. Visit implicit. harvard.edu/implicit/ • Hone your empathy skills. People who can empathize well are good at putting themselves in another person’s shoes. They See suicide, on page 5
To Be Equal
“Occupy the Hood ... Now!” By Marc H. Morial NNPA Columnist “I just want to help somebody’s child go to college” Oseola McCarty, recipient of 1995 Presidential Citizens Medal The Black “Twittersphere” and “blogosphere” are abuzz with talk about ways to engage more African Americans in the “Occupy” movement. There are even social networks forming under the banner: “Occupy the Hood.” From Zuccotti Park in Manhattan to Westlake Park in Seattle, the participants in Occupy events tend to be overwhelmingly young, white, and middle class. This is the case even though the ills the Occupy Movement have identified -- income inequality and the corrupt and predatory actions of big banks – are hitting communities of color the hardest. In pondering the potential reasons for this disconnect, I thought that maybe the stress of unemployment and lack of opportunities are so draining in the “hood” that there simply isn’t enough time or energy to join a rally. Or maybe with more of a focus on racism’s role in structural inequality more people of color would join. But then I thought about a woman named Oseola McCarty from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In 1995 at the age of 85, Ms.
McCarty, an African American woman who earned a living washing and ironing other people’s laundry, donated her entire life-savings, $150,000, to the University of Southern Mississippi to give black children the chance she never had to attend the previously segregated university. Her actions inspired many and led President Clinton to award her the Presidential Citizens Medal. Osceola McCarty’s only wish was that she be allowed to attend the graduation of the first recipient of the McCarty Scholarship. She developed a friendship with that student, Stephanie Bullock, and died a few months after Stephanie’s graduation in 1999. I tell that story because it reminds us of the legacy of community service and philanthropy that have always been at the heart of the black community. There is no way we could have survived the hardships of slavery, Jim Crow, the Great Depression and the Great Recession without leaning on one another – whether that meant assisting travellers on the Underground Railroad, or sharing food with an out-of-work neighbor. Giving back has always been front and center in the African American experience. The Black church has led the way. Community “Giving Circles,” where individuals collecSee now!, on page 7
Newt Gingrich’s War on Poor People
By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist
Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich launched a nuclear attack on the needy last week by using ugly stereotypes to argue that people are poor because they are lazy and the solution to widespread poverty is scrapping child labor laws and putting poor kids to work in menial jobs. He said in a speech in Council Bluffs, Iowa: “Start with the following two facts: Really poor children in really poor neighborhoods have no habits of working and have nobody around them who works. So they literally have no habit of showing up on Monday. They have no habit of staying all day. They have no habit of ‘I do this and you give me cash’ unless it’s illegal.” What planet does Gingrich live on? My entire childhood was spent in poverty and I can’t remember a time that my mother and stepfather didn’t have a job. In fact, I can’t remember a time when Mama didn’t have at least two jobs. I’ve held jobs since I was in the 6th grade, jobs that included cutting the grass of my elementary school principal, delivering newspapers, washing dishes at the University of Alabama while I was a student at Druid High School in Tusca-
By Dr. Julianne Malveaux Last week, I had the opportunity to testify before the Congressional Progressive Caucus. I am grateful to Congressman Keith Ellison for the invite. Here are excerpts of my testimony: While I am sure that you are familiar with the data, I would like to take a moment to discuss the magnitude of the unemployment challenge. Officially, the unemployment rate in October was 9 percent, which meant that, officially, 13.9 percent of all Americans were unemployed. 5.8 millionof these folks, or 42 percent of the unemployed have been without work for more than 27 weeks, or half a year. The average unemployed person has been out of work for 39 weeks. But these data are a pleasant fiction that ignores the reality of our nation’s unemployment. From Table A-15 of the monthly BLS Employment Situation report (USDL-11-1576) we learn that when those marginally attached to the labor force and those working part time who want full time work are included as unemployed, the rate for all Americans soars to 16.2 percent.
loosa, and working as a waiter on trains during Christmas breaks while enrolled at Knoxville College in Tennessee. Evidently, my experience was not atypical. An analysis of Census Bureau data by Andrew A. Beveridge, a professor at Queens College in New York, found that most children live in a home where at least one parent works. In fact, three of every four poor working-aged adults have jobs. The problem isn’t that those living below the poverty line are unwilling to work. The problem is that their jobs don’t pay enough to lift them out of poverty, which is defined as $22,050 for a family of four. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, “Nearly 15 million children in the United States – 21 percent of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level – $22,050 a year for a family of four. Research shows that, on average, families need an income of about twice that level to cover basic expenses. Using that standard, 42% of children live in low-income families.” Gingrich falsely asserts that poor children don’t have a work ethic except when it comes to illegal activity. His solution is to repeal child labor laws and put poor kids to work as library assistants or assistant janitors.
Federal law already allows young people to work. The Department of Labor notes, “The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets 14 as the minimum age for most non-agricultural work. However, at any age, youth may deliver newspapers, perform in radio, television, movie, or theatrical productions, work in businesses owned by their parents (except in mining, manufacturing or hazardous jobs), and perform babysitting or perform minor chores around a private home.” Republicans have a record of railing against welfare, labor unions and the poor as part of their political strategy. During his 1976 presidential campaign, for example, Ronald Reagan told the story of a woman from Chicago’s South Side who had 80 aliases, 30 addresses, 12 Social Security cards, collected veteran’s benefits on four non-existent husbands, received Medicaid, got food stamps and collected welfare under each of her fake names, netting her tax-free income of more than $150,000. It was later determined that the woman resided only in Reagan’s head. Like Reagan, Gingrich has sought to eliminate many federal programs that assist poor people. In 1994, he proposed kicking young mothers off of welfare and using that money to create
We Must Create Jobs
That means that one in six Americans are unemployed. The situation is far more severe in the African American community, where the unemployment rate is 15.1 percent. This represents an improvement over the 16 percent rate that was measured last month, yet this is a rate that is still too high. If we look at this through the lens of the A-15 data, in other words, using the same projection that is used with overall rates, the 15.1 percent black unemployment rate actually looks more like 27.2 percent. African American men over twenty, with an official unemployment rate of 16.2 percent, actually experience unemployment at the 30 percent rate. In some of our nation’s largest cities, half of all African American men do not have work. Overall, the employment population ratio for adult African American men is 57.4 percent, a full ten percent below the same rate for white men. It is important to review the magnitude of this problem because different tactics may be used to respond to a 9 percent unemployment rate than a 16 percent unemployment rate, than a 27 percent unemployment
rate. A 9 percent rate might simply be considered a challenge, but a 27 percent rate, or the 30 percent rate for African American men must be considered a crisis. What are the solutions, then, for the challenges we face. Not only must the federal government be involved in job creation, but the private sector must be offered incentives to be part of this solution. We have a rich tradition of federal involvement in job creation, ranging from the Depression era Works Progress Administration (WPA) to the JTPA (Jobs Training Partnership Act) of the 1980s. There are unmet needs in public infrastructure, in health care, and in social services. Creating 5 million jobs at $50,000, with benefits and administrative costs would run us $500 million, and would reduce the unemployment rate by about 5 percent, and would increase tax revenue significantly. Those employed by federal programs could work in schools and in libraries, in repairing infrastructure, and in implementing neglected public services. It is would be my recommendation that employment funds flow to cities, not
Boys Town-like orphanages. The New York Times observed in an editorial, “The party that professes to support family values seems excessively eager to yank poor children away from their mothers and dump them in institutions.” He also opposes extending unemployment benefits for those unable to find a job. In an Aug. 12, 2011 e-mail to supporters, Gingrich claimed “the extension of unemployment benefits has given people a perverse incentive to stay on unemployment rather than accept a job.” The only thing perverse is Gingrich’s inability to understand that most people do not choose to be either poor or unemployed. In an attempt to smear President Obama, Gingrich has repeatedly called him “the most successful food stamp president in American history.” Gingrich asserted, “We have people who take their food stamp money and use it to go to Hawaii.” First, what was known as food stamps has been called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, since October 2008. Instead of using old paper food stamps, recipients are issued a plastic card similar to a bank debit-card to make See people, on page 5
states, as urban issues are far more acute that state-wide issues, and because cities are likely to be blacker, browner, older, younger, and both richer and poorer than the rest of American. The economic bifurcation we see in cities is likely to be one of the reasons we see such strong Occupy movements in urban areas. Many will ask where the money will come from to create jobs, especially as Congress grapples with debt ceiling related issues. There is overwhelming evidence that a country does not work its way through a recession, official or unofficial, by cutting employment or cutting programs. While there is no denying the self-imposed constraints that have come from the August agreement to cut the long-term debt, I might posit that the debt might be eliminated more quickly if American were put back to work. I would suggest that if cuts are necessary, then a tax increase to put America back to work would be in order. However, it might also be necessary to consider a special appropriation directed See jobs, on page 7
The views expressed in the editiorial columns are not necessarily the veiws of The Weekly Press or its staff. Address all opinions and comments to: Letters to the Editior, P.O. Box 74485 Baton Rouge, La. 70874 or E-mail them to: theweeklypress@yahoo.com
Thursday, December 8, 2011 • The Weekly Press • Page 5
business
Southern’s Andrews Receives Charles I. Hudson Visionary Award
BATON ROUGE – Dr. Donald R. Andrews, dean of Southern University’s College of Business, the recipient of the “Charles I. Hudson Visionary Award”. The award is given in recognition of Andrews’ commitment to the development of small businesses in Louisiana and abroad. Andrews received the award Nov. 26 at the Lob’s 27th annual Bayou Classic Scholarship Jazz Brunch in New Orleans. The award is named in honor of the late Louisiana state legislator and businessman from Opelousas who worked to raise the quality of life for African-Americans in the areas of human rights, civil rights, education, health care, policy reform and economic development. For more information,
People
Donald R. Andrews
please contact Edward Pratt, Southern University Director of Media Relations, or Fallon Louis at (225) 771-4545 or (225) 771-2160 or by e-mail at edward_pratt@subr.edu.
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grocery purchases. Second, the program has specific limitations of what can be bought with the funds, excluding such items as beer, liquor and wine. The average monthly “food stamp” benefit is $133.49. That’s not enough to purchase an airline ticket to Hawaii on Southwest, Jet Blue or any other cheap carrier. We should not be surprised by anything Gingrich says. This is the same person who claimed he “helped balance the federal
Suicide
Introducing LDR Mobile: Louisiana Department of Revenue Makes Services Available to Smartphone Users
budget for four straight years [1998 to 2001].” He wasn’t even in office those last two years. Gingrich will say anything, even if he knows it is a lie. George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the NNPA News Service, is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. He can be reached through his Web site, www. georgecurry.com You can also follow him at www.twitter.com/ currygeorge.
from page 4
y not agree with that person’s feelings, but they can understand them – sometimes they can actually feel what another person feels. Empathy helps us relate to others and erodes biases by pushing us beyond baseless preconceived notions. Some of us have to work harder at being empathetic than others. To work on your skills, ask yourself how your children, co-workers or spouse would describe you. Be honest! Would your children say you yell a lot? Would your spouse say you spend more time complaining about what he or she doesn’t do than acknowledging what he does? Empathy also helps us meet that gold standard of rules: Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. • I f you have a negative attitude, change it. If you tend to make negative comments or respond negatively when talking about or to certain groups of people, practice turning them into positives, even if it means following your negative with a positive. (Your friends should be only mildly confused at first.) Believe it or not, heart and mind often follow our spoken word and it’s a good way to start changing your attitude. Dawkins says he wrote The Good News after a long study of the Bible made him realize
that many Americans taking stands on divisive contemporary issues erroneously base their views on “Christian belief.” “The message in the Bible, and probably other religions as well, is a positive one,” Dawkins says. “It doesn’t tell us to be cruel to people who are different from us, it tells us to embrace them – all of them. “I’m not sure if peace on Earth is possible, but if everyone simply judged others on how they treat people – not on whether they’re gay, or Muslim, or black, or overweight, the world would be a happier place.” Please contact Ginny Grimsley at 727-443-7115 ext 207 or by e-mail at Ginny@ newsandexperts.com.
BATON ROUGE – Owners of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets can interact with the Louisiana Department of Revenue through a new, mobile-friendly version of the LDR website, the agency announced Tuesday. LDR Mobile is designed for maximum readability and functionality in mobile Internet browsers. Visitors to LDR Mobile
can check the status of their income tax refunds, make credit card payments and send e-mail inquiries to LDR subject-matter experts. “Full-featured mobile devices are part of the fabric of daily life for many people,” said Secretary of Revenue Cynthia Bridges. “This is why the Department of Revenue is making many of its customer service functions available on mobile
platforms.” According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, one in three American adults owns a smartphone [i]. Twenty five percent of smartphone owners say the phone is their primary means of accessing the Internet. To use LDR Mobile, simply point your mobile browser to www.revenue.louisiana.gov. The site will recognize that you
are visiting from a mobile device, and will load LDR Mobile instead of the regular website. Use the Add to Home Screen feature to download the LDR Mobile icon to your phone. For more information, please contact Byron Henderson the Press Secretary at 225.219.2700 Ext. 2156 or by email at Byron.henderson@ la.gov.
New Poverty Measure Highlights Dire Circumstances and Positive Effect of Government Assistance By David Cooper and Elise Gould
The U.S. Census Bureau recently unveiled the Research Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), a more dynamic method of assessing poverty that shows, yet again, the dire circumstances of numerous Americans in the wake of the recession. The new measure shows higher levels of poverty – 49 million people, or 16 percent of the population under the SPM, versus 46.6 million, or 15.2 percent under the official poverty threshold – and a far greater proportion of people living at very modest means. According to the SPM,
nearly half the United States lives within 200 percent of the poverty line. The new measure is also useful because it examines poverty levels after government policy (e.g., food stamps, child care subsidies, etc.). In effect, it shows the ability of the government to mitigate the incidence of poverty. The figure below shows what the poverty rate would be under the SPM, in the absence of certain government programs. It should be noted that on top of these targeted government programs, non means-tested cash transfers—such as Social Security and unemployment insurance—also have an enor-
mous role in alleviating poverty. A previous Census Bureau analysis estimated that 23.5 million people would fall into poverty without Social Security
and unemployment insurance. Data on their effects under the SPM is not yet available.
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Page 6 • The
Weekly Press • Thursday, December 8, 2011
Religion
Whatever Happened to Cute? By Rev. James L. Snyder The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage had commandeered the Christmas decorating operation for yet another year. I am not quite sure how she remembers when to start all of this, because the thought had not yet entered my mind. Here it is Christmas and I am about as prepared for Christmas this year as I was last year. One of the great things about my wife is that she keeps all of these holidays in order and on time. I am still reeling from my Thanksgiving Day turkey indulgence. Once again, our home is in decorating mode. My great contribution to the Christmas holiday decorating plan is to keep out of my wife’s way. One year I tried to help her and let’s just say we will not repeat that again. I just have no decorating expertise at all. I cannot tell the difference between a wrapping bow and a Christmas tree bulb. Before I could get out of the way of the decorating frenzy in our home, I ran across something in the back of a box.
How it got there, I have no way of knowing. How I got up this morning, I have no way of knowing either. However, there was a photo album from when I was a young person. I want to stress the fact that there was a time when I was a young person. We will not discuss how long ago that was, but just know that there was a time in my illustrious career when I was a young person. I opened up the album and saw all of those photographs from when I was a young person. The photograph that really caught my attention was one taken before I was one year old. I had forgotten this photo. Of course, I have no recollection of when that photo was taken. I was about nine months old and I was mostly occupied with the rascal who confiscated my bottle. I had simple concerns at that time. I was not worried for example about world affairs, politics or the economy. As long as I knew where my next bottle was coming from, I was a happy little camper in a diaper. I miss those days of naivety. I am looking
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forward someday returning to that state of mind. I delighted looking at all of those pictures of what’s was supposed to be me when I was very young. Then I found a picture I had completely forgotten
of reliving the past. These were the old black and white photographs, so you know how long ago that was. The photo that really caught my attention was when I was very young. I believe this
is the first photo ever taken of me. It was in the year of our Lord 1951 and I was nine months old. Looking at that picture I had to admit to myself that I really was See cute, on page 7
‘Married To Commitment’ Is A Book Every Church Should Have For Marriage, Singles Ministries By Donald Lee What’s an awesome thing I can say about “Married to Commitment,” the bestseller in the making that I produced with my friend and prayer partner Brigitte “Bre” Eaton? This book is so powerful that every pastor should have a copy of it in his study. Every church should be using this book to help with its marriage and singles ministries. Rooted in the Bible, “Married to Commitment” shares wisdom by the volumes on how to build and maintain healthy, godly relationships. The book ministers to married couples, singles and divorcees alike. There are enough nuggets of wisdom in this dynamic book from which all who read it can glean. “Married to Commitment” also serves to help those caught up in abusive marriages or relationships discern whether the church they attend is equipped to minister to them or whether they should look elsewhere for help — such as another, more grounded church headed by fearless, Christ-centered, lead-
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about. It is valuable at times to go back and relive the past. I know you cannot really relive the past, but you can look at the past and see how far you have come. Photographs are a marvelous way
ership. What I mean is there are countless numbers of people who are in marriages who turn to their pastors or church leadership for help when they have major marital problems. But those particular pastors are not filled with (or led by) the Holy Spirit, thus they are not equipped to help them deal with their problems. At such churches, or under such leadership, a “leader” in the church is still allowed to minister to the congregation even though his (or her) spouse has gone to that (senior) pastor with a legitimate concern about that leader’s character. C’mon, y’all. I’m talking about the married deacon who has a girlfriend on the side, yet he still holds a leadership position, when he should actually be sitting in the pews (and developing a repentant heart). I’m talking about the church songstress who never has time to cater to her husband at home. I think y’all get the point now. In so many churches, people cry out to their pastors (or church leadership) for help,
for guidance. And all they can get, at best, is: “Just continue to pray. The Lord will work it out for you” or “Trust God” or “God can change him (or her).” Let me make this clear: I’m not saying this is the norm at every church. There are some great churches out there, and some awesome pastors who operate in divine wisdom, understanding and discernment, and they bear the fruit of the Spirit. So, to those pastors, I offer up great applause. But, again, to the pastors (or church leadership) who are quick to tell people who cry out to them for help to just pray (but then you don’t have in place a system of helping them beyond just prayer), you’re taking the weasel way out of dealing with what needs to be dealt with. Sure, people should be prayerful. At the same time, there are many instances where prayer, alone, won’t cut it. Some folk need to be dealt with. Some issues need to be met head on. “Married to Commitment” deals with this very real subject. In the book, we share with our readers how to identify the right pastor, the right church,
where they can get the help — the ministry — they need. And if you’re divorced or single and you’d like to know how to avoid the mistakes of the past (as they relate to relationships), understand: Successful, new marriages or relationships are birthed from honest, self-evaluations concerning what went wrong in previous ones. Donald Lee is founder-pastor of nondenominational, multi-ethnic Kingdom Living Christian Center in Dallas. He co-authors “Married to Commitment,” (Xulon Press, $14.99) a book on relationships. To obtain your copy of the book, visit http://www.xulonpress. com or call toll-free (866) 909-2665. Lee can be contacted regarding prayer, counseling, this column, the book or for scheduling him for speaking engagements at pastordonjlee@yahoo.com. He’s also available for free-lance reporting, copyediting and ghost writing for both aspiring and accomplished authors. Follow him on http://www.twitter.com at @donaldj_lee. To hear his sermons “LIVE,” call (760) 466-8123 (conference code: 279498#) at 10 a.m.
Thursday, December 8, 2011 • The Weekly Press • Page 7
Blind
out of slavery; we’re never really going to be race blind,” she said. In fact, Rice fears that educational achievement gaps and gaps in the quality of education received by minorities and whites could erase some of the gains African-Americans and others have made. “I think it goes back to whether or not race and class
Jobs
HBCU colleges represent just 1.6 percent of the 4-year degree granting colleges, we produce more than 5.6 percent of our nation’s college graduates. We do more than our share of heavy lifting, preparing inner city, first generation, and financially challenged students. We need more support, not less. Our nation is losing ground and losing our leadership status internationally because we are neither generating jobs nor investing in the education that will prepare the workforce of the future. I realize that these are trying times, and yet innovation often emerges from trying times. We can create jobs at a modest cost, and improve communities along the way. We can support higher education, especially for the underserved. We can connect the public and private sectors with tax incentives to encourage business to employ those who have been out of work. Finally, we can encourage entrepreneurship by strengthening new businesses with government grants and tax incentives. Dr. Julianne Malveaux is President of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, NC
from page 4
tively pool their resources and decide what projects to fund, are on the rise. And for years, philanthropic organizations such as the National Urban League, National Black United Fund and the United Negro College Fund, have been providing critical and in some cases, life-saving, assistance to millions of African Americans. A new generation of African American philanthropists is also making a difference – people like Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, and Alphonse Fletcher are empowering the most vulnerable to dream and create better tomorrows. As we enter the holiday season, we should draw strength from that wellspring of compassion. And
Cute
— that is, race and poverty — is not becoming even more of a constraint,” Rice said. “Because with the failing public schools, I worry that the way that my grandparents got out of poverty, the way that my parents became educated, is just not going to be there for a whole bunch of kids. And I do think that race and poverty is still a terrible witch’s brew.”
from page 4
to job creation. Our nation’s future depends on it. Job creation is only the first step for securing America’s future. We also have to look at the issue of workforce readiness and job preparation. We are lagging woefully behind in the STEM areas, and in other international indicators of economic prosperity. We are 11th in the world in the number of people over 25 who have AA or BA degrees, falling behind Finland, South Korea, Ireland and Canada, among other nations. In order to continue to innovate, and to produce educated global citizens, we must spend more money, not lest, on both K-12 and higher education. While I realize that there must be a spirit of shared sacrifice in this economic climate, I would also suggest that cutting higher education is equivalent to a farmer eating her seed corn, choosing to sacrifice tomorrow for the exigencies of today. My special concern is for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the work we do in post-secondary education and job creation, and the extent to which we may experience cuts in Title III funds in Supercommittee deliberations. Although the 38
Now!
tantRum from page 6
from page 1
we should remember, while public protest has its place, African Americans who have walked through the doors of opportunity and achieved economic success, as well as all of us, have an absolute responsibility to make a difference and to give back. You don’t have to be rich. You don’t have to be a college graduate. And giving back can be in the form of time and talent as well as money. Occupy the Hood with whatever gifts you have. As Oseola McCarty put it, “If you want to be proud of yourself, you have got to do things you can be proud of.” Marc H. Morial is President and CEO of the National Urban League.
from page 6
a cute little guy. It was a black-and-white photo but my mother had carefully colored it with crayons. She did a marvelous job but then she had a great piece of work to begin with, if I say so myself. The important thing about this photo was it was a picture of me, but it was also a picture of the winner of the cutest baby award in our community in 1951. I had won a beauty award when barely 9 months old. How many people can boast about that? I really do not know any of the details of that beauty contest. After all, every ninemonth-old baby is cute. I really do not think I was the cutest baby but then again I won the title and I have the picture in my hand. Unfortunately my beauty career peak then and it has been on a downward slide ever since. I have the skid marks to prove it. After looking at that picture for a while went into the bathroom and looked into the mirror. What a shock. I could not see any resemblance in the mirror to anything in the picture. It would be a stretch for anybody to say that the two pictures were of the same person. When anybody says that
beauty is in the eyes of the beholder I would like to correct them and say that beauty is in the hands of the holder of a picture of the baby who won the cutest baby award in 1951. In the years since that picture was taken, I have lived quite a bit and Father Time has carved his initials on my face. I can honestly say I am not the same person in that photo. What innocence then. What naivety. There in that photo was a person who had not yet experienced the lumps of life yet. The verse of Scripture that has encouraged me throughout my life has been Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV), “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Life is full of ups and downs, gains and losses but in the end, those who trust Christ are marvelously guided throughout life and enjoy life of blessing to the Lord. The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship. com.
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apart. You must continue to hold therefore, humble yourselves on to your faith and stay before under the mighty hands of God, the Lord. But, it may be that the that he may exalt you in due time, time has come when you may “casting all your cares upon him, need to take some quality time for he cares for you,”(1st Peter for yourself and spend some of 5:6-7). that time with God. After you finished having your Get on your knees before God tantrum. 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While you praying, you orantiretroviral months trying drugs. to take matters know you a person Today, want to focus three into might Iforget some ofon thethe things our that handsifand trytreat to solve our living with HIV effectively, you key interventions that can make it that vexed you but God knows own problems. We are not super reduce the risk of transmission possible achieve AIDS-free what youtoare going an through. he humans; we can’t handle everyto a alone. partner 96 God’s percent. generation. can read the pain, which flows thing Weby need help.For years, some have feared that scalNow, by an AIDS-free through your tears. even though We have to let go of those situing up treatment wouldthem. detract generation, I mean one where, he knows what’s troubling you, ations and let God handle from are prevention efforts. Now first, virtually are there he still wants tonotellchildren him about some things we can’t we know beyond a doubt born with the virus; second, as it and bring your problems and humanly do anything about. if we these children become teenagers take a comprehensive view of burdens to him. and adults, they are at far lower our approach to the pandemic, risk of becoming infected than treatment doesn’t take away from they would be today thanks to a prevention. It adds to prevenwide range of prevention tools; tion. So let’s end the old debate and third, if they do acquire HIV, over treatment versus prevenpage that 4 tion and embrace treatment as theyhildRen have access tofrom treatment helps prevent them from devel- prevention. None intervenoping and passing the virus the citizens ering AIDS all children. of of thethe nation must tions can an AIDS-free on the to others. CDF Action Council, build- demand that create our leaders free our generation byfalse itself. But used focus on three children ing on Ithewant best to practices in states from the ideological in combination with each other key interventions that can make and lessons learned about children and political tugs of war among and who withput other powerful prevenitfalling possible to achieve an AIDS- those through the bureaucratic excess profits ahead tion methods, they do present an free generation. First,and preventing cracks of Medicaid SChiP, of children’s lives. extraordinary opportunity. Right mother-to-child transmission. strongly urged Congress to enact how well did Congress protect Today, a one in seven new infec- now, more people are becoming the All healthy Children Act, children in 2007? Not well enough: tion occurs when a mother passes infected every year than are startS. 1564/h.r. 1688, introduced 276 Members of We Congress had ing treatment. can reverse the virus to her child. We can get by representative Bobby Scott good CDF Action Council Conthat number to zero. And we can this trend. Mathematical models (D-VA) in the house of 80 show thatScorecard scaling upscores combination save mother’s lives and too.Senator gressional Bernie In Sanders (i-Vt) in the Senpercent or higher, and 198 of those prevention to realistic levels in addition to preventing ate. the measuretransmission, would provide stellar scores of 100 percent. high-prevalence countries would mother-to-child an had comprehensive benefitsprevention including But 231down members 60 percent drive thescored worldwide rate effective combination dental and health, simpli- oroflower—a failing grade new infections by atfrom leastour 40 to strategy hasmental to include voluntary fied bureaucracy, and a national days. That’s on top of the 60 percent. medical male circumcision. In school eligibility plan for families up to Whether Members of Congress drop we’ve already the past few years, research has 25 percent 300 percent thelow-cost federal poverty liberal, conservative or modseen in the past decade. proven thatof this proce- are level.reduces We thank therisk 62 house co- erate; Democrat, republican As the world scales uporthe dure the of femalesponsorstransmission for their support. children need allmethof most effective prevention to-male byhowmore independent, ever, we that neither a single vote, lobby, speak for and ods,tothe number of new infecthan 60 regret percent, and that the them house republican nor any other protect them. Adults need to listen Senator joined them to push for carefully to what candidates say coverage for all children. they will do for children and famithe CDF Action Council strongly lies and, once they are in office, supports long overdue health cov- we need to hold them accountable. erage for everyone in America as Please thank your Members of Consoon as possible—because children gress with scores of 80 percent or cannot wait. As SChiP comes up above and let those with scores of again for reauthorization in early 60 percent or below know you are 2009, we hope every Member of dissatisfied with their performance. Diabetes affects nearly 26 Diabetic eye disease often has no Congress will insist on covering And please convey that same mesmillion people in the United early warning signs, but can be every child and pregnant mother sage to each presidential candidate. States. In addition, another 79 detected early and treated before now by enacting and adequately We must demand that our leaders million people are estimated to noticeable vision loss occurs.” funding the provisions of the All commit to children as a condition have pre-diabetes, a condition Diabetic eye disease refers healthy Children Act. of our vote. that puts people at increased risk to a group of eye problems that Specious claims that we could for diabetes. All people with dia- people with diabetes may face not find the money—$70 billion Marian Wright Edelman is Presibetes, both type 1 and type 2, are as a complication of the disease over five years—to cover all dent of the Children’s Defense Fund at risk for diabetic eye disease, a and includes diabetic retinopathy, children is belied by that amount and its Action Council whose Leave leading cause of vision loss and cataract, and glaucoma. Diabetic spent in eleven months for tax cuts No Child Behind® mission is to blindness. retinopathy, the most common for the top one percent of richest ensure every child a Healthy Start, “The longer a person has diabetic eye disease, is the leading Americans and in seven months a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe diabetes the greater is his or her cause of blindness in adults 20–74 for the iraq War. We do not have Start and a Moral Start in life and risk of developing diabetic eye years of age. According to NEI, a money problem in America: We successful passage to adulthood disease,” said Dr. Suber Huang, 4.1 million people have diabetic have a priorities and political will with the help of caring families chair of the Diabetic Eye Disease eye disease and its prevalence is deficit. it is time for all adults to and communities. Subcommittee for the National projected to increase to 7.2 milprotect the health of our children. Eye Institute’s (NEI) National lion by 2020. Eye Health Education Program. While all people with dia“If you be sure to 4 betes can develop diabetic eye alkhave diabetes, adio from page have a comprehensive dilated disease, African Americans, eye exam at least once a year. American Indians/Alaska Naall funny or remotely appropri- we forget o’reilly’s less-thanate about the use of a lynching informed comments regarding a reference about Michelle obama,’’ dinner he shared last year with he said. ‘’it’s - i’m speechless.’’ Sharpton at Sylvia’s in harlem? As President Bush pointed out o’reilly expressed surprise over so eloquently during the Black how similarSylvia’s was to other history Month event, the noose restaurants in New York restaurepresents ‘’more than a tool of rants. murder but a tool of intimidation’’ ‘’there wasn’t one person in to generations of African-Ameri- Sylvia’s who was screaming, cans. Nooses not only robbed some ‘M-Fer, i want more iced tea,’’’ of their lives but many of their he said. peace of mind. As the Washington Post’s rob‘’As a civil society, we must inson sadly observed on MSNBC understand that noose displays in February, ‘’All you can go by and lynching jokes are deeply is his words and his actions. And offensive. they are wrong. And he keeps saying these things that they have no place in America sound pretty darn racist to me.’’ today,’’ he said. has talk radio learned anything Neither o’reilly nor ingraham from imus’ decline and fall? of has been reprimanded by their re- course not, because it didn’t take spective employers even though imus too terribly long to get a the Fox News personality did offer new gig. a half-hearted apology. our nation’s media outlets At least ingraham didn’t drop should not provide a platform for the l-word but her suggestion that racialhostility and hateful speech Sharpton, a former presidential now or in the future. What kind of candidate and respected member of messageare we sending to our chil6920 Plank Roadcommunity • Baton Rouge 70811 • (225)-356-0253 the African-American dren, our nation and our world? Bordelon’s Pharmacy Hours: and beyond, is a petty thief reeks in such an historic election year, Monday-Friday: to 8:00p.m. • and allow of race-baiting and negative ste-8:30a.m. we cannot stand aside Saturday a.m. to 3:00 p.m. •individuals Sunday 9:00 p.m. reotyping of 9:00 African-Americans toa.m. use to the1”00 airwaves and black men in particular. as an outlet for insensitive and Pharmacist On Duty But it’s hardly4the first time ei- misguidedcommentary. if you We Carry Both Name Brands & Generics ther has ventured into questionable hear something thatDrug offends you, and offensive territory.supplies: how can cards, speak up.lights, & toys. Christmas
Good For Your Heart Is G Creating an AIDS-FreeWhat’s Generation
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(NAPSM)-A survey commissioned tions will go down, and it will by possible two leading organizations be to health treat more people foundare thatbecoming although two out of each three than infected African Americans (61 percent) exyear. And so, instead of falling pressed year concern about developing behind after year, we will, heart and two of five (40 for thedisease first time, getout ahead of the percent) expressed concern about pandemic. We will be on the path developing Alzheimer’s, only about to an AIDS-free generation. That one 20 are awareofthat heart health is theinreal power combination is linked to brain health. prevention. the But Alzheimer’s is successAssociation is not inevijoining forces the American table, nor will itwith be easy. If we’re going to make the most African of this heart Association to educate moment, we must Americansthere that are by steps managing their take together. risk, they may also cardiovascular First, wecognitive need to health. let scistrengthen their ence guidegood our efforts. “What’s for yourSuccess heart is depends onbrain,” deploying our good for your says Jennifer tools on the bestAssociaavailManly,based Ph.D., Alzheimer’s able evidence. Now, know tion spokesperson. “everyI healthy that occasionally it feels in and heartbeat pumps about one-fifth of around Washington there your blood to your brainthat to carry on are someprocesses who wish us to live in the daily of thinking, proban evidence-free zone. But it’s lem solving and remembering.” imperative – that “By the year 2030,we the stand numberup of for evidence and for science. African Americans age 65 or older is The step is totoput expected to second more than double 6.9 more emphasis on country million,” said emil Matarese, M.D., ownership of HIV/AIDS proAmerican heart Association spokesgrams. We know we can’t creperson. “Althoughgeneration Alzheimer’sby is ate an AIDS-free not part of normal aging, age is the dictating solutions from Washgreatest Our risk factor for Alzheimer’s ington. in-country partners disease. So it is important Af– including governments, that NGOs, rican Americans take steps now and faith-based organizationsto – decrease their risk heart disease, need to own andoflead their nawhich response. research has shown we’re could tion’s Finally, also decrease the risk of cognitive calling on other donor nations decline.” to do their part, including by supporting and strengthening the Global Fund. Consider just one example of what the Global Fund has already done. In 2004, virtually none of the people in Malawi who were eligible to
receive treatment actually received it. As of last year, with significant help from the Global Fund, nearly half did. The goal of an AIDS-free generation may be ambitious, but it is possible with the knowledge and interventions we have right now. Imagine what the world will look like when we succeed. Imagine AIDS wards that once were stretched far beyond their capacity becoming outpatient clinics caring for people with a manageable condition, children who might have been orphaned and then trafficked or recruited as child soldiers instead growing up with the hope of a better future, communities where despair once reigned filled instead with optimism, countries that can make the most of every single person’s God-given potential. An AIDS-free generation would be one of the greatest gifts the United States could give to our collective future. We’ve made a lot of progress together in the last 30 years. It hasn’t been easy. It hasn’t been without controversy. But it has been steady, and we have stayed the course as a nation. Let’s not stop now. Let’s keep focused on the future. And one of those futures that I hope we can be Research shows a link between heart and brain heal part of achieving is an AIDS-free heart function could lead to impaired brain functio generation. Hillary Rodham Clinton is the U.S. Secretary of State. Her comments are excerpted from a speech given November 8, 2011 at the National Institutes of Health.
(NAPSi)-here’s an alert worth paying attention to: According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), learning your risk for type 2 diabetes could save your life. Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 21 million children and adults in the U.S. it is named the “silent killer” because one-third tives, and6 of thoseHispanics/Latinos, with the disease--more than older adults million--do notwith knowdiabetes they haveare it. at higher riskdiagnosis of losingmay vision or For many, come going blind fromafter it. All people seven to 10 years the onset of with have a ditype 2diabetes diabetes.should early diagnosis is lated eye at leasttreatment once a year critical forexam successful and to detect problems early. In can delayvision or prevent some of the fact, with early detection, timely complications such as heart diseases, laser surgery, appropriate blindness, kidneyand disease, stroke and follow-up amputation.care, people with advanced retinopathy can that’sdiabetic one reason the ADA holds reduce their risk of blindness by the American Diabetes Alert® Day, 90 percent. a one-day wake-up call to inform the Clinical research, American public about supported the seriousin part by NEI, has shown that maintaining good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can slow the development and progression of diabetic eye disease. In addition to regular dilated eye exams, people with diabetes should do the following to
ness of diabetes, particularly when it is left undiagnosed and untreated. the day is held on the fourth tuesday of every March. on that day, people are encouraged to take the Diabetes risk test, either with paper and pencil or online. the risk test requires users to answer seven simple questions about age, keep their health TRACK: weight, lifestyle andon family history- * Take your medications. all potential risk factors for diabetes. • Rscoring each 10 and maintain People points or more area healthy weight. at a high risk for type 2 diabetes and • Add physical activity to are encouraged to talk with a health your daily routine. care professional. Control your bloodAmerisugar, An• estimated 54 million blood pressure, and cholescans have pre-diabetes. those with terol. pre-diabetes have blood glucose lev• Kickthan thenormal smoking els higher but habit. not high “Don’t sight ofwith diabetic enough to belose diagnosed type eye disease,” added Dr. Huang. 2 diabetes. “Don’t until you an earlywait intervention vianotice lifestyle eye problem to weight have an exam changes such as loss and because vision that is lost often cannot be restored.” For more information on diabetic eye disease and tips on finding an eye care professional or financial assistance for eye care, visit www.nei.nih.gov/diabetes or call NEI at 301-496-5248.
Could You Be At Risk?
Don’t Lose Sight of Diabetic Eye Disease
Thousands of American adults are at risk of losing their vision as a result of complications from diabetes
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