Season’s Greetings baton
THURSDAY, December 24, 2009
rouge,
louisiana
Vol. 34 • No. 36
a people’s publication
Obama Reaches Out to African Americans there’s somebody in your family that’s still hurting because we’re not that far away from the neighborhood. And people need to know that I carry their stories with me whenever I come into the Oval Office.” Black Caucus members have been the source of much of the criticism targeted at Obama. Earlier this month, ten members held a dramatic boycott of a House Finance Committee to bring attention to the disproportionately high levels of unemployment among
By Krissah Thompson
President Obama is pushing back this week against criticism that he has not been concerned enough about the disproportionate impact of the economic recession on African Americans. In interviews this week with media outlets targeted at the black community, he defended both his record and his connection to the community against accusations that he is taking black voters for granted. Recently members of the Congressional Black Caucus have said his administration and Congressional leaders are not doing enough to target aid to the black community, which has higher levels of unemployment than others. Nationally, unemployment stands at 10 percent, but 15.6 percent of blacks are jobless. Obama said he is doing what he can, and on Monday told April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks
Rep. Maxine Waters
that “this notion, somehow, that because there wasn’t a transformation overnight that we’ve been neglectful is just simply, factually not accurate.” In a Tuesday phone interview with syndicated radio host Tom Joyner, Obama added: “One of the things about being part of the African American community is that no matter how well you do, you know
See Obama, on page 3
President Obama pushed back this week against criticism that he has not been concerned enough about the disproportionate impact of the economic recession on African Americans. In interviews this week with media outlets targeted at the black community.
Sales Tax Revenues Drop Speaker to Southern University Grads: Help Stem Dropout Rate Among Black Males 22% in October 2009 BATONROUGE — Sales tax revenues in East Baton Rouge Parish for October fell 22.4 percent compared to October 2008. In the month of October, sales tax revenues totaled $12,477,865, down from $16,079,741 the previous year. Mayor Kip Holden attributed the drop to the effects of Hurricane Gustav last year, when thousands of property owners were making repairs caused by the storm. “The sharp decrease from last October wasn’t unexpected and was actu-
Casino Regulator Approve Project Cost Scaled Back
BATON ROUGE - Southern University graduates were urged to be part of the solution to the growing high school dropout rate of African-American boys. “It’s time for us to take some action” to stem the tide of black males dropping out of high school, Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., said in his address Friday to 517 new graduates during commencement exercises on the Baton Rouge campus. Terry L. McCullum, Jr., of Baton Rouge, was honored as the Chief Student Marshal, the student with the highest cumulative grade point average among the undergraduates. McCullum, a mechanical engineering major, graduated with a See Black males, on page 2
ally built into our 2009 budget,” Holden said. “As a result of conservative budgeting, we are able to absorb the drop in sales tax revenues without any negative impact on cityparish services.” Sales tax revenues for the first 10 months of 2009 are down 4.64 percent compared to the same period last year. The mayor said no service cuts or layoffs are anticipated in the 2010 budget, which is also based on conservative sales tax projections.
BATON ROUGE — Louisiana gambling regulators have approved a reduction in Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.’s investment in the company’s second casino project in Lake Charles. Without objection, the board agreed Tuesday to cut Pinnacle’s minimum investment in Sugarcane Bay from $350 million to $300 million. The project includes a second gambling riverboat
Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.
NATIONAL/state & Community watch
STATE & LOCAL NEWS
Religion NEWS
Health news
and 400-room hotel directly next to Pinnacle’s L’Auberge Du Lac casino-hotel. Pinnacle officials say the project’s cost was cut by redesigning the new hotel so it can share certain functions with the existing hotel, such as a check-in area. The reconfigured hotel also will have less restaurant and retail space than previously planned. Pinnacle agreed to have Sugarcane Bay finished by the end of June 2011.
Business news
Classics Sports Radio Network will broadcast the Russell Athletic HBCU Bowl on Saturday, December 19 live from the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery AL. ....See Page 5
INDEX
FEMA NEW Administrator The 2009 National Rice Month Scholarship grand prize was awarded to Daniel T. McFarland of Keithville, LA, the USA Rice Federation announced today. The award was presented during the USA Rice Outlook annual Rice Awards luncheon at the New Orleans Marriott. ....Page 3
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate swore in Tony Russell as the new regional administrator of FEMA Region VI at the regional headquarters in Denton, Texas. ...See Page 2
New Diet Book for Blacks
As the Christmas holiday nears, what I want for Christmas is for people all over to start taking better care of their temples — better care of their bodies. That’s a Christmas gift that I’m so looking forward to receiving.....See Page 6
Respiratory Care Recognition
The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) awarded the 2009 Quality Respiratory Care recognition to Woman’s Hospital for providing quality respiratory care services to their patients and their community... See Page 7
Local & State............................2 Commentary.............................4 Business....................................5 Religion....................................6 Health.......................................7
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FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate Swears in Tony Russell as New Region VI Administrator NEW ORLEANS – Today, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate swore in Tony Russell as the new regional administrator of FEMA Region VI at the regional headquarters in Denton, Texas. “Regional Administrators are one of the most important positions in our agency, connecting our headquarters to the states and citizens we serve,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Tony is an experienced emergency manager and a dedicated public servant who has already shown his deep understanding of the team approach that is required for success in this field. I know he will continue to work closely with governors and leaders as he builds on the progress he has already made in Louisiana.” Mr. Russell, whose official first day as Region VI Administrator will be Monday, December 21st, has coordinated the federal
disaster response and recovery support to state and local emergency management officials as a Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) from FEMA Region VIII for more than six years. He has managed a diverse collection of complex disasters and emergencies in Washington, Texas, Alabama, South Dakota, North Dakota, Illinois, New Mexico, and Montana, among others. Most recently, Mr. Russell served as Acting Director of the Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office (LATRO) where he led a staff of over 1,300 FEMApersonnel working at various strategic locations and offices throughout the state. Through this position, Mr. Russell played a central role in streamlining the assistance process, working with the governor, Louisiana Recovery Authority and congressional members.
In his new role as Regional Administrator, Mr. Russell will continue to work closely with officials in Louisiana, as well as leaders in Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas – the additional four states in Region VI – leveraging regional as well as national resources as we expand our nation’s emergency response team and as recovery efforts in the region continue. While this transition takes place, Mark Landry, who currently serves as the deputy director, will be the interim director at the LATRO until a permanent director is identified. Mr. Russell holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Political Science from the University of New Mexico. He went on to obtain a Masters of Arts (MA) in Management and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from National University and a Masters in Homeland Security Studies from the Naval Post Graduate School. In addition, Mr. Russell has earned the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) designation.
Black Males from page 1 3.9 gpa. Citing huge dropout statistics among African-American boys in a number of major U.S. cities, Dortch said, had those numbers reflected the dropout rate among white young men, “Corporate America, the President of the United States” and others “would declare a national emergency.” The chairman emeritus of 100 Black Men, Inc. said he has partnered with a number of national celebrities to start an effort to recruit 1 million people to mentor 1 million black teenag-
ers. He encouraged Southern’s fall 2009 graduating class to join the effort. Dortch, a noted community activist and author, told the students to become financial contributors to their alma mater. “You have to make investments in your college,” he said, adding that the economic viability of the school depends on their giving. He told the students to be proud of themselves and to maintain high moral and professional standards. “If you place a low value on yourself, rest
assured that the world won’t change your price,” he said. Dortch has developed fund-raising projects designed to empower single parents and communities to meet the needs of their children. He is the author of “The Miracles of Mentoring, the Joy of Investing in Our Future,” a how-to guide for adults seeking to mentor youth. He co-founded the Black College Alumni Hall of Fame and the Georgia Association of Minority Entrepreneurs. He also serves on the boards of the Sickle Cell Foundation and the National Assault on Illiteracy. Ebony Magazine has listed him as one of the 100 most influential Black leaders.
marge's
Chit Chat
THOUGHT A Christmas FOR THE WEEK: Tea was held at the Watchman, what of home of Catherine the night? White Johnson. She ARE YOU welcomed guests, READY & PREalong with niece Sarah PARED FOR White and mother WATCH NIGHT Martha White. Guests SERVICES? enjoyed an assortment WELCOME of homemade party MARGE BACK TO THE CANfoods and fine fellowLAWRENCE ship. CER SURVIVORS WHO ATTENDED “Stabbed in “Living Beyond Canthe Art” was held cer” in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- recently by local artists who vania. Some local attendees showed off their talents. Their included Gloria Graham, eclectic shows are held on the Gloria Dorsey, Amelia Hill- first Friday night of every month iard and Julia B. Moore. The from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 pm. In conference was held in mid addition to T.J. Black, Yvette Creel November. and Alex Harvie other local artists BATON ROUGE HOS- are welcome. PICE FOUNDATION sponA New Krewe is in the sored “A Night of Music” to Area! Sleet and snow did not celebrate its 25th anniversary stop the formation of a new krewe of Hospice. This special ben- called Poseidon in Baton Rouge efit concert was held at First area. The first king and queen of United Methodist Church the krewe are Donald McLaurean and the post-performance and Kristen Oaks. Officers introreception was enjoyed by all. duced included Lisa Shepherd Kathryn Grigsby is the local of Prarieville. Little Miss Lexy Hospice director. Smith was a page. Ms. Caroline Hicks Ms. Laura Edwards and cousin Mary Ash- was among the fine young women ton Honore’ were hon- presented by the Krewe of Gaored at a brunch given by their briel fall debutante presentation. host of cousins. These two fine Congratulations, Laura! young women are debutantes LSU Campus Club was of the Karnival Krewe deLoui- also spreading holiday cheer with siana. Attending the brunch their enthusiastic members who were hostesses Karen Cullins, wanted to help somebody during Geretta Guillaume, Michelle this holiday season. Members Honore, grandmothers Betty who attended enjoyed the hostess Honore’, Mildred Patin and Jacqueline O’Quinn. Edna Hicks. Congrats to Did You See It? It is the Mary & Caroline. Princess and the Frog, Disney’s Thanks to local Girl new film of 2009. This is Disney’s Scouts for the “Cookies for first time to have a minority as a All” exchange program. main focal point in the film. The girls involved included Happy Birthday to Camerean Cash, Courtney Lillian Barr, Lonnie Dixon, Sr., Lawrence, and Wesley Ann Shamika Dixon, and Buffy HamForeman. ilton. Dr. & Mrs. Albert Have a blessed NEW Sam hosted a reception to YEAR - 2010! Would you believe welcome cardiovascular and it’s another year? thoracic specialists Nervin Watch night services begin Fanous and Antoine Keller. on Friday at sunset!! Attending this event were See you there!! Drs. Joe Griffin, Victor Tran, Andy Olinde, in addition to Love, other guests.
Marge
Decreasing Among African Americans
May this special time be filled with food, love and laughter for you and your family.
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Since the inception of the SU Ag Center ’s Communities of Color Network in 2003, Louisiana has seen a significant decrease in the prevalence of tobacco use among African Americans. According to Tonia Moore, grants and contract coordinator with Louisiana Public Health Institute, Louisiana has witnessed a large volume of African-American callers to the Louisiana Quit Line in the last four years (approximately 31-37% of the callers are African Americans). “This speaks volumes to the number of Louisianians who are ready to kick the habit and improve their overall health,” said Moore. Although the numbers continue to decrease, African Americans in Louisiana are
twice as likely as other races to die from tobacco-related illnesses such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. According to data from the 20072008 Adult Tobacco Survey, African-American nonsmokers are more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke at work than white nonsmokers. African-American smokers are less likely to have smoke-free homes than white smokers. According to the 2009 Louisiana Youth Tobacco Survey, 49% of African-American middle school smokers usually smoke menthol cigarettes and 64% of African-American high school smokers usually smoke menthol cigarettes. African-American youth are much more likely to smoke Black & Mild cigars than white youth.
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Thursday, December 24, 2009 • The Weekly Press • Page 3
USA Rice Federation Names National Rice Month Scholarship Winners
NEW ORLEANS — The 2009 National Rice Month Scholarship grand prize was awarded to Daniel T. McFarland of Keithville, LA, the USA Rice Federation announced today. The award was presented during the USA Rice Outlook annual Rice Awards luncheon at the New Orleans Marriott. To vie for a scholarship, eligible high school juniors and seniors in rice-growing states (Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas) must conduct a promotion during September National Rice Month with U.S.-grown rice as the central theme. McFarland took top honors and earned a $4,000 scholarship for his promotion entitled “Rice... Anytime, Any-
Gus Young Meat Market 4896 Gus Young Avenue Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806 Telephone: (225) 928-0989
Daniel T. McFarland accepts the grand prize.
one, Anywhere.” Additional scholarship prizes were awarded to Zach-
ary Joseph Romaine of Abbeville, LA (second place, $3,000), Rachel Brown of Jennings, LA
(third place, $1,500) and Jasmine Rethmeyer of Kansas City, MO (honorable mention, $500).
Obama from page 1 black workers, which in some of their districts has soared beyond 20 percent. “We’re out of the box, we’re full speed ahead and we are not going to sit back and watch our communities suffer in silence,” Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), who led the boycott, said in an interview this week with the National Newspaper Publishers Association, a federation of black community newspapers. “We have cooperated with the leadership. We have cooperated with the administration. We have supported the bailout and now we’re saying, ‘What do we get for all of this cooperation? What are we delivering to our communities?’ And the answer is little or nothing.” Obama mounted a defense against that notion, citing aid from the economic stimulus bill that saved the jobs of teachers, firefighters and police officers. “The only thing I cannot do is, by law, I cannot pass laws that say ‘I’m just helping black folks.’ I’m the president of the entire United States,” Obama
told Ryan in the Oval Office interview. “What I can do is make sure that I am passing laws that help all people, particularly those who are most vulnerable and most in need. That in turn is going to help lift up the African American community.” Obama told Joyner that the health care bill the Senate is expected to pass this week will help the one in five black people who don’t have health insurance. And he closed his interview with the radio host by saying: “I think the main message that I’ve got for the African American community as we go into this next year is that this has been a hard one. It’s been a tough one. But Michelle and I are so blessed by the support that we receive, and everywhere we go, people come up to us and say, ‘We’re praying for you, thinking about you and rooting for you.’ I just want everybody to know that goes both ways, and I’m praying for all your listeners and thinking about all your listen-
ers, and we’re rooting for you. And that’s not just Michelle and me -- that’s Malia and Sasha, the first grandmother.” An edited version of the Obama’s conversation with Joyner follows. The full transcript can be read on BlackAmericaWeb. Joyner: What do you have to say to the struggling people this Christmas? Obama: Well, I think the main message I have is a) I know you’re hurting. I get letters from people across the country everyday that I read, and you know, the stories are heartbreaking. Folks are worried about losing their homes. They’ve lost their jobs. They’re trying to figure out how they can still pay for their kids’ college education. They’ve been sending out resumes, and nothing’s happening. They’ve lost their health care. The main message I have for them is help is on the way. I know it’s not coming as quick for some as we would like, but our first job this year was to make sure that the economy just didn’t collapse
because then it would have been even worse. We could have had an unemployment rate that is double what it is right now. We’ve stabilized the economy and it’s starting to grow again. By the way, people need to understand that one out of every five African-Americans do not have health care. Nobody stands to gain more from this health care bill passing - 30 million people who are going to get health care from this insurance deal. It’s going to be disproportionately people who are of low-income. They work every day, but they’re not getting health care, so that’s going to be in place. But then next year, we’ve also got to focus on things like the education reforms that we’ve been initiating. Additional child care dollars. Setting up green jobs so that we can train some of those young men on the street to weatherize homes and put up insulation, put in new windows. That saves
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Commentary Thursday, December 24, 2009 • The Weekly Press • Page 4
The Way I See It
Christ The Saviour is Born
gift of Our Father sending His only son only Well, it is that to give him up later in time of year again. This early life to die for our is the time of year we sins. May we not just hear “Jingle Bells Ringusher the words joy to ing.” This is the time the world the Lord has of year just about every come, may we not just one is in the spirit of sing the song “Silent giving gifts. This is the Night, Holy Night,” William time of year we put up may we not just say the Jones beautiful Christmas words - old little town lighting. As signs of of Bethlehem. May we praise of the Blessed one, Jesus, not just listen to our kids sing, the son of God who was sent to Twas the Night Before Christmas, us by his Father and thus our Santa Claus is Coming to Town. God, and born under uncom- Let us remind ourselves that this mon condition in a manger by is a precious time to think of the a common woman (Mary) who real meaning of what the celebrahad Diehard faith in our God. tion is all about. Therefore as Christmas Let us teach our kids what approaches all of our thoughts Christmas is all about. Teach should surround the crib in them the first part Christmas Bethlehem where our Saviour Christ. Put Christ in your Christwas born. Christmas is a time mas. to celebrate the most boundless That Is The Way I See It.
By William Jones
Letter To The Editor
The Negative Impact on the North Baton Rouge Sewage Treatment Plant
From: Congressman Bill Cassidy, M.D. House of Representative Washington, DC
CC: Mr. Greg Mitchell, Representative, Concerned Citizens of University Place Subdivision Recently, residents in the University Place Subdivision met with the Congressman Bill Cassidy, M.D., and his staff to discuss the dilemma with the North Baton Rouge Treatment Plant.
According to the residents, they have experienced great difficulties with the plant for several years. For example, the expansion, decrease in their standard of living, depreciation of property value, and health issues. In addition, the citizens of the subdivision believe their civil rights are violated. The residents want a buyout of their property. If anyone wants to contact Representative Bill Cassidy’s office they can contact Shawn Hanscom in the Baton Rouge office at (225) 929-7711.
Minority Businesses Locked Out of Stimulus Loans New America Media, News Report By Aaron Glantz Loans handed out to struggling small businesses as part of President Barack Obama’s stimulus package have largely shut out minority businesses -- especially those owned by Blacks and Latinos -- according to data provided by the federal government’s Small Business Administration (SBA) to New America Media (NAM). On June 15, the SBA, using money from the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, launched the ARC program, America’s Recovery Capital, giving banks and credit unions 100 percent guarantees so they’re taking no risk when they make loans of up to $35,000 to previously successful, currently struggling small businesses to help them ride out the recession. Under the program, the borrower pays no interest and makes no payments for 12 months, then has five years to repay the loan. SBA charges no fees and pays interest to the lender at prime – the rate of interest at which banks lend to favored customers – plus 2 percent. The Obama Administration does not report the racial breakdown of who’s benefiting from these loans at Recovery.gov, but data obtained by NAM from the SBA found that of the 4,497 ARC loans where the race of the borrower was reported, 4,104 (over 91 percent) went to white-owned firms, 140, (3%) went to Hispanicowned businesses, and 151 (3%) went to Asian- or Pacific Islanderowned businesses. Only 65, (1.5%) went to black-owned firms. Overall, white-owned businesses received over $130 million in loans through the program, while Hispanic-owned businesses got $4 million and black-owned
businesses less than $2 million. In five states – Alabama, Arkansas, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Wyoming -- every single firm that received an ARC loan was white-owned. In eight other states, including Louisiana and Nevada, all but one loan went to a white-owned firm. Civil rights groups and representatives of the minority business communities reacted with anger when told of NAM’s findings. “It’s just horrendous,” said Anthony Robinson, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Minority Business Legal Defense and Education Fund (MBELDEF). “During this economic recession, there is no recognition or sensitivity to the need to support and benefit people of color.” “The data raises troubling questions” and should trigger an investigation,” says Oren Sellstrom of San Francisco’s Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights. “This should be a red flag for the SBA and the banks. It gives us the indication that something may be amiss and further explanation is warranted.” Census figures put black business ownership at 5% and Hispanic business ownership at about 7% -- more than double the numbers getting these SBAbacked loans. At the SBA in Washington, spokesman Jonathan Swain argued racial disparities in the ARC loan program don’t paint the full picture of the agency’s lending practices. Many of the SBA’s other loan products, he says, have large minority business participation. For example, he says, minorityowned businesses receive 29% of loans given through the SBA’s See REPORT, on page 7
Why is Everyone Teeing Off on Tiger?
By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist
The Tiger Woods’ women count is up to 20. That’s the number of women who haven’t gone to bed with the world’s busiest golfer. Until now, I have managed to stay away from this subject. But in many ways, the reaction to Tiger ’s fall from grace says more about us as a society than Woods’ personal problems. First, Tiger Woods should be viewed for what he is: A great athlete. And the unending skank-of-the day disclosures cannot alter that reality. In fact, the Associated Press just crowned him Athlete of the Decade. If we’ve learned anything over the years, it should have been that athletes and entertainers in particular make poor role models. If you’re looking for good role models, turn to the men who take the time to mentor young boys, the women who head Girl Scout troops and the men and women who try to live by what they teach in Sunday School. If you were looking for Tiger Woods to be your role model, you were looking in the wrong place. The disclosure that Woods had cheated on his wife a time or two, or three, or four, or whatever number, led some people to feel personally betrayed. Mind you, these people have never met Tiger Woods, they have never
spoken with him on · The wife of the telephone and South Carolina Gov. they didn’t receive Mark Standford moved any of the numerous out of the governor’s text messages he had mansion and filed for been evidently senddivorce this month ing out. after learning that her Is Tiger a hypohusband had a rendezcrite? Unquestionvous with Maria Belen George ably. But that’s someChapur, whom he deE. Curry thing he’ll have to exscribed as his Argenplain to his God, not tinean lover and soul to people he doesn’t mate. know exist. • President Bill Clinton Talking heads on cable barely escaped being kicked out TV and talk radio are treating of office after it was disclosed Woods’ transgressions – his that he had a sexual relationword, not mine – as though ship with Monica Lewinsky, a professional athletes in the past 22-year-old White House intern. haven’t violated their marriage After months of denying the livows. Do the names Magic aison, Clinton finally acknowlJohnson and Kobe Bryant ring edged the relationship to a grand a bell? jury on Aug. 17, 1998. But let’s not just pick on • Pressured by DNA test professional athletes. Let me results, former Democratic presirefresh your recollection about dential candidate John Edwards some other high-profiled viola- was forced to admit this year tions: that he fathered a child with Rielle Hunter, his mistress and · Eliot Spitzer was a former campaign worker. His forced to resign as governor of wife was bravely fighting cancer New York last year after it was at the time. disclosed that he patronized a • Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., prostitution service while serv- a married father of five, had a ing as the state’s attorney gen- daughter outside of his marriage eral and as governor. His most a decade ago with Karin L. Stanpublicized tryst occurred at the ford, director of the Washington Mayflower Hotel in Washington, bureau of Jackson’s Rainbow D.C. on February 13, 2008 with PUSH Coalition. a 22-year-old from New York. • Larry Craig, a Republican According to federal authorities, senator from Idaho, was arrested he paid the prostitute $4,300 in for lewd conduct in a men’s recash, which included a $1,100 stroom at the Minneapolis-St. deposit for future service. Paul International Airport. He
pleaded guilty in 2007 to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct. The names of at least 50 others could be added to the list if space permitted. But I am sure that by now you get the point. Woods’ critics, directly and indirectly, point to the race of his mistresses. Under the headline, “Tiger Saga Widens his distance from Blacks,” Jesse Washington, a reporter for the Associated Press, quotes Denene Millner, author of several books on Black relationships: “We’ve discussed this for years among black women. Why is it when they get to this level…they tend to go directly for the nearest blonde?” Woods, the son of an African-American father and Thai mother, has never prided himself on being Black. He coined the term “Cablinasian,” to reflect what he calls his Caucasian, Black, Indian and Asian heritage. No one should be surprised that most of his mistresses look like Elin Nordegren, his Swedish wife. And nor should anyone consider it an honor if he had cheated on his wife with Black women. Or, with any other women for that matter. Tiger Woods’ wounds were self-inflicted and it didn’t help any that his initial statement had more holes in it than a golf course. But there is simply too much interest in what did or did not happen in his home. People should get a life instead of being obsessed with Tiger’s.
The Politics of Credit for Health Care Reform By Ron Walters NNPA Columnist (NNPA) - A few weeks from now, lots of people will be trying to assess the one year anniversary of the performance of President Barack Obama and I wonder in that picture where will be his victory in getting a health care bill passed. I say “his victory” because whether or not others – even in his own party -- consider it a victory, it will give his administration a concrete accomplishment to stand on that Republicans have been trying to prevent. I also think that even those in the Democratic Party who are not crazy about this attempt at health care reform will tout it because it will give those who are running for re-election some currency to run on and try to keep their number up in the 2010 elections. Nevertheless, it will be tantalizing to know whether the narrative will favor Barack Obama’s leadership strategy as having been successful. Remember, he decided not to commit Bill Clinton’s mistake
and present to the works, demanding Congress – and the to include or exclude American people – a things from the legis2,000 page detailed lation in exchange for health care bill of his their votes. own; rather he deMeanwhile, cided to lay out the Harry Reid, Demogeneral principles he cratic Leader in the wanted and let the Senate, has emerged Congress take the as something of a hero Ron lead in fashioning in resolving the issues Walters the details. His role, raised by Lieberman, then, was to move the Nelson and others debate along by occasionally in- in his negotiations that have tervening to remind the country given Democrats sixty votes to of the principles he was fighting pass the bill. At least, at this for acting and essentially act as point, there are sixty votes for a cheer-leader at points in the cloture, whether there will be legislative process. sixty votes to finally pass the That strategy carried a sub- bill remains to be seen. Some stantial risk because at times other Senators may hold up he was criticized for not lead- passage of the bill – and thereing, and thus not being seen fore, the process – in exchange wrestling with the details of the for inserting their issues to get issues that came forth in the de- their votes on final passage. bates. The result was that since Nevertheless, because of the the House was far more disci- negotiations to satisfy conservaplined Speaker Nancy Pelosi tive Democrats the Senate bill passed a bill over Republican has become the “gold standard” objections and the drama then, and will be favored the House/ shifted to the Senate where Senate conference that emerges folks like Democratic Senator with the House. Ben Nelson and Independent The House bill bears the Joe Lieberman held up the stamp of Speaker Nancy Pelosi
and the Senate bill is the Reid Bill. The question is whether bill that emerges from the House/Senate Conference will be the Obama Bill. If his strategy is to have a result that factors him into the picture as a leader and as one largely responsible for the resulting legislation, he will have to play a stronger role in the Conference. Otherwise, the credit for the bill’s passage will probably go to Harry Reid. Obama may be satisfied with that for now because Reid is in a close Senate race in Nevada, but he will obviously point with pride to it as a major and historic accomplishment of his administration as he moves toward his own re-election in 2012. The President’s poll numbers have been moving down as the year closes and his one year anniversary comes into view. But his personal favorable numbers remains adequate at 50 percent on a recent Washington Post/ABCNew Poll and 47 percent in a Wall Street Journal/NYTimes Poll. I am someSee Reform, 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 24, 2009 • The Weekly Press • Page 5
business
SU’s College of Education Hosting ‘Spring Teacher Job Fair’ BATON ROUGE - Southern University’s College of Education is inviting recruiters, along with current and prospective teachers, to its Spring 2010 Teacher Job Fair on March 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Felton G. Clark Activity Center. Job interviews will be conducted by recruiters representing school districts from several states, including Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. Recruiters will be interviewing candidates in all areas of certification. Persons seeking to be interviewed should bring at least
10 resumes. Interested recruiters should submit a completed registration form and payment by Monday, March 1, 2010 to: Southern University, College of Education, Teacher Job Fair, P. O. Box 9983, Baton Rouge, LA 70813. For an In-State or Out-ofState registration form, visit www.subr.edu <http://www. subr.edu/> and click on Spring 2010 Teacher Job Fair. For more information about Southern University’s Spring Teacher Job Fair, contact Sheila D. Lewis at 225.771.3944 or 225.771.2290.
Cortana Mall Retains Wright Feigley Communications BATON ROUGE, LA – Wright Feigley Communications, a full-service advertising, marketing and public relations firm in Baton Rouge, La., today announced that Cortana Mall has hired the agency to lead its advertising and marketing efforts. Wright Feigley assumes control of the shopping center’s advertising strategy, placement and direction beginning Jan. 1. “So many of us in the agency have grown up with Cortana, so we jumped at the chance to help them focus their approach,” explained Jeff Wright, principal. “Because of our personal histories with the center and our understanding of the retail climate in the Baton Rouge area, we’re confident we can bring them new successes in their marketing efforts.” According to Monique
Hester, Cortana marketing director, Wright Feigley was selected based upon their innovative mall program ideas, knowledge of the local media market, and their fullservice capabilities. “For years our marketing team has consisted of out-of-state folks who increasingly didn’t understand the subtleties of the Baton Rouge market,” added Hester. “Wright Feigley gets it and understands the increasingly competitive retail landscape. We know this will be a winning partnership.”
Classics Sports Radio Network to Broadcast HBCU Bowl FUQUAY-VARNNA, NC Classics Sports Radio Network will broadcast the Russell Athletic HBCU Bowl on Saturday, December 19 live from the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery AL. The broadcast of the game is part of a two-year broadcast agreement between DWCommunications, LLC, parent company of Classics Sports Radio Network and Synergy Sports Associates, rights holder of the game. Classics Sports Radio Network was established in 2008 and broadcasts some of America’s biggest Black College Football games and sporting events. Games broadcast in 2009 include MEAC/SWAC Challenge (South Carolina State vs. Grambling), Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis (Jackson State vs. Tennessee State), Atlanta Football Classic (Florida A&M vs. Tennessee State), State Fair Classic in Dallas (Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling), CIAA Championship Game (Bowie State vs. Fayetteville State), first round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs (South Carolina State vs. Appalachian State), and SWAC Championship Game (Alabama A&M vs. Prairie View A&M). CSRN also broadcasts Shaw University and Winston-Salem State University basketball. The game will be played in Montgomery, AL at the Cramton Bowl. Kickoff is slated for 3:00
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Taylor, while the West team is made up of players from the SWAC and the SIAC and coached by Alabama State head coach Reggie Barlow. The players will participate in a “combine” atmosphere during the week as NFL personnel administer tests. The broadcast will begin with the pregame show at 2:30 p.m. ET and can be heard on radio stations and online at www.classicsportsradio.com. Eight stations are currently slated to pick up the game with more scheduled to be added. Donal ware will handle play-by-play duties and the color analyst and sideline reporter will be named later. DWCommunications, LLC See HBCU BOWL, on page 7
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First Care Physicians The Baton Rouge General, a multi-campus, acutecare, has an opening for a Board-Certified or BoardEligible Infectious Disease Physician to join First Care Physicians at our Mid City campus in Baton Rouge, LA. Must hold a current LA Medical License or have the ability to obtain one. Interested candidates should apply online at HYPERLINK “http://www. brgeneral.org” www.brgeneral.org or in person at our Mid City campus located at 3600 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA
Page 6 • The
Weekly Press • Thursday, December 24, 2009
Religion Author’s Diet Book for African Americans a Great Start to Learning How to Eat, Live Healthier By Donald Lee As the Christmas holiday nears, what I want for Christmas is for people all over to start taking better care of their temples — better care of their bodies. That’s a Christmas gift that I’m so looking forward to receiving. I’m big on using scriptures to support my preaching of how God wants us to live long, healthy, satisfied lives — lives of longevity and filled with vigor and joy. And I believe most people want that for themselves as well. But where the problem lies is in our failure, generally speaking, to consistently eat right and get plenty of exercise. And when we fail to do that, we as the human race, find ourselves having difficulty in our bodies because the types of foods that we take into our system do more harm than good, and our general lack of exercise — and information — contribute to many of us being obese, suffering from various ailments such as diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, shortened lives, and the list of negatives go on and on. But be ye of good cheer. Today’s column is purposed by God to set the captives free. Who are the captives, you ask? People of all ages, genders, races and socioeconomic backgrounds who are either suffering from poor health, obesity or who are on the verge of either. People who lack knowledge concerning what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. Baton Rouge doctor Raynando L. Banks Sr., author of the recently released book “Country
Diet: A Diet Book for AfricanAmericans”, offers a phenomenal word of encouragement for healthy living — supported by years of experience in the healthcare profession — both in his book and in the many interviews he does with the media on health topics. “What I’ve seen over the last 20 years in medicine is that the African-American population was leading in all of the bad health parameters — high blood pressure, strokes, diabetes, end-stage renal disease (kidney failure) and its related illnesses,” Banks says. “Most of these illnesses trace back to obesity, and I just believe that either you’re part of the problem or the solution. I’ve tried to develop treatment both pharmacologically and non-pharmacologically (both with medicine and without medicine) to attack obesity. “I’ve even opened up my own gym to see what really is the problem,” he says. “So I gathered all of the information over all of these years and I now know what is effective and what is not effective for the majority of African Americans regarding obesity.” In “Country Diet”, Banks says the so-called modern Western diet has rendered African Americans, a mostly healthy people, to a populace which is too sick to properly compete or live healthy in today’s society. He says what has been accepted as the modern diet is laden with sugars, processed flour and starches is foreign to the digestive systems of African Americans. With the body not being able to properly metabolize the
Baton Rouge doctor Raynando L. Banks Sr., author of the recently released book “Country Diet: A Diet Book for African-Americans.”
food ingested, it does what any machine would do with unused energy: It stores it. And in the case of African Americans, the unused energy is stored as fat. In the portion of his book that talks about the importance
of loving one’s self, Banks says, “I have met many people who are defensive about their obesity and state that they are happy, and being thinner would not make them happier, and they are right, but being healthier would be one
Church Directory Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. - Hebrews 10:25
St. Mary Baptist Church “The Church that Love Built” 1252 N. Acadian Thruway East • Baton Rouge, LA. 70802 Telephone (225) 387-2926 Rev. Conway L Knighton, Pastor Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service - 11:00 a.m. Lord’s Supper - 1st Sunday 11:00 a.m. Prayer Meeting - Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Thursday 10:00 a.m.
Good Shepherd Full Gospel B.C. The People’s Church 2865 Mission Drive • Baton Rouge, 70805 • Telephone (225)356-5873 Bishop H. Hayes, Pastor Hour of Power 12 Noon Each Wednesday Sunday School 8:00 AM Church Service 9:00 AM Lord’s Supper 2nd Sunday 6:00 PM Bible Study Wednesday 7:00 PM Sister/ Brotherhood 6:00 PM You Will Be Blessed Under The Anointed Man Of God
less worry and would be a hell of a lot more comfortable.” Banks says another thing that African Americans should beware of is how Hollywood perpetuates the notion that obesity is OK. “Hollywood is threatened by well-figured black women,” Banks says. “(Comedienne-actress) Monique gets more parts (in films) than Beyoncé,” Banks says. “Hollywood has always perpetuated that it is OK to be big if you’re black. But it’s not healthy,” he adds, noting popular black actresses such as Nell Carter of the ‘80s sitcom “Gimme a Break!” and Mabel King of ‘70s sitcom “What’s Happening!!” and the movie “The Wiz,” who both died with the disease. King, who lost both of her legs, an arm and suffered two strokes as a result of diabetes, died from the disease at age 66 in 1999. Carter, who had long suffered from diabetes, died at age 54 in 2003. Banks’ book also delves into how infants become obese and how they later become obese adults. Banks attributes much of that to many African Americans’ lack of knowledge concerning what constitutes good foods and foods that should be avoided. “We don’t have a long history of consuming white rice, for example,” Banks says. “And our bodies don’t recognize it. Our bodies don’t know what to do with it — they don’t know how to materialize it.” Another example of the kinds of food that African Ameri-
cans should generally avoid, he says, is white potatoes. “It’s European food and the African diet should use more of the yams and sweet potatoes — foods that are indigenous to the African continent,” says Banks, who adds that white potatoes — like white rice — is a fat problem. Bottom-dwelling fish such as catfish, buffalo, carps, and gar are scavengers and should be avoided, Banks notes. Foods that are good for the body and that contribute greatly to good health, Banks says, include brown rice, sweet potatoes and whole-wheat bread. “With brown rice not being so processed like the white rice is, it gives the pancreas enough time to handle the load of carbohydrates,” Banks says. Carbohydrates, or carbs, are sources of energy for the body. As for sweet potatoes, “African Americans (the majority of them) can trace their genetics back to West Africa, where the yams are consumed,” Banks says. “So our bodies recognize and digest it.” The thing that makes whole-wheat bread great to eat is that it is “not already processed .... it gives the body enough time to digest the enzymes,” Banks says, noting that enzymes in the body break down food — carbs and proteins. Banks has dedicated his life to helping others become healthier, thus enabling them to live longer. For information on how to obtain his book, please visit Banks’ Web site http://www. See Book, on page 7
Shekinah Shalom Covenant Tabernacle Full Gospel Ministry 8141 Greenwell Springs Roads Building C-1 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70814 Ph: (225) 927-2269
Sunday Service 10:00 A.M. Wednesday Midweek 7:00 P.M. Intercessory Saturday 10:00 A.M. Audrey Briggs Pastor/Evangelist Dr. Davy Kendrick Overseer
Jesus Name Apostolic Temple, Inc. 2548 Weller Avenue Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70805 Telephone: (225) 356-1160 Communion 1st Sunday......................... 1:00 p.m. Sunday School.................. 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Bible Class Tuesday................................7:30 p.m. Mission Night Thursday ..........................7:30 p.m. Deliverance Night Friday ........................7:30 p.m. Bishop Jimmie & Rose Lee Wade
Heritage Search Ministry Pentecostal Church 4313 Airline Highway (located in the Metro-Aire Shopping Ctr) Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70807 • Phone: (225) 355-1045 Mackie C. Allen, Pastor Paul Hammock, Apostle and Overseer Order of Service Sunday School...................9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship................11:00 a.m. Monday-Prayer...................7:00 p.m. Wednesday-Praise and Worship.............7:30 p.m. Friday-Bible Study......7:30 p.m. “Where your inheritance is amongst the Saints”
Greater Central People Baptist Church 9012 Scenic Highway • Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70807 (225) 241-9946
Sunday School............................................................... 7:30 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. Church Service................................................................................ 9:00 a.m. Lord’s Supper............................................................. 4th Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Prayer Meeting.......................................................... 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study.............................................. 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
New Birth
Full Gospel Ministries 1283 Rosenwald Road • Baton Rouge, La. 70807 Phone: (225) 775-6713 • Fax: (225) 775-4216
Ivory J. Payne, Pastor
Order Of Service
Sunday Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:00 A.M. Holy Communion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3rd Sunday1:00 P.M. Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 A.M. Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thursday 7:00 P.M.
Pastor, Bishop John Thomas Co-Pastor Evangelist Barbara Thomas
“The New Life”Therefore if any man be in christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all thing are become new. —I Corinthians 5:17
thewpres@bellsouth.net
Radio Broadcast 1st & 3rd Sunday WXOK at 8:00 am
NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH 5856 Greenwell Springs Road • Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806
Telephone: (225) 926-0246 • Facsimile: (225) 927-8500 • Toll Free # Sunday Morning Worship - 10:45 AM Sunday School - 9:30 AM 1-888-700-6174 Lord’s ESupper -3rd Sundays Prayer Service - Wed. @ 6:00 PM Mail Address # nhbc@nhbc.brcoxmail.com - Wed- @ 7:00 PM Pastor Bible Leo Study D. Cyrus Sr., Pastor
Schedule Mission Statement: NewChurch Hope Baptist Church is a family of baptized believers who worship the Lord our God in spirit and in truth, teachSchool the saved Sunday Morning Worship - 10:45 AM Sunday - 9:30to AMreach the lost and minister to the needs of others, while encouraging one another through s Supper -3rd Sundays Prayer Service - Wed. @ 6:00 PM acts ofLord’ love and living in obedience to Gods Word Bible Study - Wed- @ 7:00 PM
Mission Statement: New Hope Baptist Church is a family of baptized believers who worship the Lord our God in spirit and in truth, teach the saved to reach the lost and minister to the needs of others, while encouraging one another through acts of love and living in obedience to Gods Word
If you would like your church to be included on the Church Directory. Please Call The Baton Rouge Weekly Press for details at 225-775-2002 or, e-mail us with your billing address to thewpres@bellsouth.net
ChildRen from page 4 Reform from page 4 what relaxed about the polls showing declining numbers for health care because they are mostly symbolic of the heavy toll that unemployment and continuing economic instability has taken on the American people and that most people don’t know what is in the health care bill and how it will help them yet. They are listening to the confused media criticism of Obama that doesn’t paint a positive picture of the process. As an example, the Wall Street Journal poll showed that respondents had a higher opinion (41 percent) of the Tea Party people than Democrats.
Except that Rachel Maddow of MSNBC found out that nearly 75 percent of those folks took most of their news from FOX TV. So, that isn’t exactly a general picture of the views of the American people. To move his numbers up, President Obama will have to jump down into the weeds of the Conference, be seen shaping the result, and the claim victory. Dr. Ron Walters is Professor of Government and Politics Emeritus at the University of Maryland College Park. His latest book is: The Price of Racial Reconciliation (University of Michigan Press).
Report from page 4 regular lending program and 37% of Microloans doled out by the agency. “It’s hard to look at the ARC program by itself,” he told NAM. “It’s just one tool in the tool box, just one tool in the array to help small business in these tough economic times.” One reason for the extremely low level of minority participation in the ARC loan program, he maintains, is that the Recovery Act specifically prohibits the agency from allowing an ARC loan to be used to refinance a regular SBA loan, which minority firms are more likely to have. That explanation isn’t enough for minority business and civil rights groups, however. Sellstrom of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights isn’t convinced by that argument. “You would think that minority owned firms could use $35,000 for a lot of uses other than paying down SBA loans.” Sellstom said SBA’s response only underscores the need for further investigation. “It’s often the case that the first explanation leads to further questions,” he said. Javier Palomarez, the president and chief executive
officer of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, says the ARC loan program was poorly designed and “destined to fail.” When Congress was drafting the stimulus package, Palomarez said, his agency and other minority business groups argued the severity of America’s recession should have led to the government handing out loans to struggling small businesses directly – rather than simply backing up loans from the very banks that caused the country’s economic recession. But the SBA and the banks lobbied against direct government financing of small business, he said, and so Congress devised a $35,000 loan program that requires a small business to wade through nearly the same paperwork needed to obtain one of SBA’s regular $2 million loans. Because of the paperwork and the small sums involved, “most banks don’t want to participate in the loan program, and many of those that are participating are restricting applications only to long-term clients.” And those long-term clients often exclude small, minority businesses, which banks see as “risky.”
Obama from page 3 people on their energy bills, but also starts refurbishing and revitalizing communities that have been neglected too long. So there’s some long term projects to revitalize communities that are going to be in place next year, and I’m confident that 2010 is going to be better than 2009. And I think 2011 is going to be better than 2010. We just want to keep making steady progress for a more just and equal society, and that may not be complete consolation for folks who are really struggling right now. Just know that Michelle and I are thinking about them every day. As I said to one interviewer the other day, it’s not as if Michelle and I don’t have relatives who are going though this stuff and are unemployed. One of the things about being part of the African American community is that no matter how well you do, you know there’s somebody in your family that’s still hurting because we’re not that far away from the neighborhood. And people need to know that I carry their stories with me whenever I come into the Oval
Office. Joyner: You told us when we last talked, and it’s been about a year, that it was going to be tough, and it was going to be a tough job ahead. You warned us about it when we talked to you. So what’s been the toughest part for the first year as the first African-American president? Obama: You know the truth is that I probably had more crises on my desk than any president since FDR, and that’s just subjectively speaking. You think about two wars, the economic crisis, the banking crisis, swine flu, we just had a lot of stuff coming at us quickly. I think we have managed it well, but the thing that I think is the toughest is, number-one, that the job growth is not as quick as we’d like. We’ve got the economy growing, but companies are not hiring back yet, and so we’re doing everything we can to try to push companies now that they’re making a profit again to start hiring some of those folks who were laid off so that they can further support the economy.
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Dr Paul Matthews
SyStem from page 4 cally pointed out that changes which occur in a human being is redirected to pull from the core of his own humanity to reaffirm self worth and purpose. he will then by nature acquire the will to do for himself and others. Space is not available to cover concerns of so many people
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ering all children. the citizens of the nation must the CDF Action Council, build- demand that our leaders free our ing on the best practices in states children from the false ideological and lessons learned about children and political tugs of war among falling through the bureaucratic those who put excess profits ahead cracks of Medicaid and SChiP, of children’s lives. strongly urged Congress to enact how well did Congress protect the All healthy Children Act, children in 2007? Not well enough: S. 1564/h.r. 1688, introduced 276 Members of Congress had by representative Bobby Scott good CDF Action Council Con(D-VA) in the house and Senator gressional Scorecard scores of 80 Bernie Sanders (i-Vt) in the Sen- percent or higher, and 198 of those ROUGE - The had stellar scores of 100 percent. ate. BATON the measure would provide American Association for Respi- But 231 members scored 60 percent comprehensive benefits including ratory Care (AARC) awarded the or lower—a failing grade from our dental and mental health, simpli2009 Quality Respiratory Care school days. fied bureaucracy, and a national recognition to Woman’s Hospital eligibility plan for families up to Whether Members of Congress for providing quality respiratory 300 percent of the federal poverty are liberal, conservative or modcare services to their patients level. We thank the 62 house co- erate; Democrat, republican or and their community. sponsors for their support. how- independent, children need all of The purpose of this proever, we regret that neither a single them to vote, lobby, speak for and gram is to help consumers make house republican nor any other protect them. Adults need to listen choices about their health care by Senator joined them to push for carefully to what candidates say recognizing hospitals that procoverage for all children. they will do for children and famimote patient safety by providing the CDF Action Council strongly lies and, once they are in office, access to respiratory therapists overdue health cov- we need to hold them accountable. tosupports deliverlong their care. The AARC erage for everyone in America as Please thank your Members of Conmaintains and publishes a datasoon as possible—because children base of hospitals that meet their gress with scores of 80 percent or cannot wait. AsThis SChiP up above and let those with scores of requirements. listcomes is posted again for reauthorization in early on its web site for consumers, 60 percent or below know you are 2009, we hope every Member of dissatisfied with their performance. YourLungHealth.org. Congress will insistreceiving on covering The hospitals the And please convey that same mesevery child and pregnant mother Association’s Quality Respira- sage to each presidential candidate. nowCare by enacting and adequately tory Recognition (QRCR) We must demand that our leaders funding the provisions of the All commit to children as a condition designation meet the following healthy Children Act. of our vote. requirements: Specious that we theracould · Allclaims respiratory not find the money—$70 billion Marian Wright Edelman is Presipists employed by the hospital over five years—to cover all dent of the Children’s Defense Fund children is belied by that amount and its Action Council whose Leave owlforfrom page No 5 Child Behind® mission is to spent in eleven months tax cuts for the top one percent of richest ensure every child a Healthy Start, and in firm, seven whose months ning a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe isAmericans a multi-faceted back Maurice Hicks. for the iraq War. We do not have Start and a Moral Start in life and services range from public relaThe Mission of the HBCU a money problem in America: We Bowl successful passage the to adulthood tions, sports information and is to become premier have a priorities and political will college with thefootball help of caring families marketing consulting, radio showcase for deficit. it is time for all adults to and communities. networking, to multi-media HBCU senior football players. protect the health our children. services such as of audio, video These players will receive inand web design. DWCom- tensive evaluations from NFL, munications, LLC isfrom the paralk adio page 4UFL, Arena Football, and Canaent company of the nationally dian Football league personnel. syndicated sports talk show They will also receive training all funny or remotely appropriforget o’reilly’s less-thanFROM THE PRESS BOX TO inwethe area of finance, represenate about the use a lynching informed regarding PRESS ROW, theofsports talk tation, andcomments post football skills.a reference about Michelle obama,’’ dinner he shared lastBowl year is with show which places major em- The HBCU Senior a he said.on‘’it’s - i’m speechless.’’ Sharpton at Sylvia’s inbetween harlem? phasis HBCU Sports. Other joint collaboration As President pointed out Synergy o’reilly Sports expressed surprise over entities ownedBush and/or oper& Associates, so eloquently during the Black Inc. howand similarSylvia’s was to other ated by DWCommunications, Parks & Recreation history Monthboxtorow.com, event, the noose of restaurants in New, York restauLLC include Montgomery Alabama . represents ‘’more than a Black tool of All rants. Boxtorow.com/BASN players participating will murder but a tool Top of intimidation’’ wasn’t seniors one person College Weekly 10 Media be ‘’there draft eligible whoin to generations African-AmeriSylvia’s who was screaming, and Coaches of Football Polls, have exhausted their college cans. NoosesPress not only robbed some football ‘M-Fer, eligibility. i want moreThe icedplaytea,’’’ HBCSports Association, of their lives but many of their ers he said. Football Fantasies calendars, are selected the selection peace of mind. As the Washington Post’s robBoxtorow Blitz, DWCommu- committee which evaluated ‘’As a Radio civil society, we and must game inson film, sadly reviewed observed on MSNBC nications Networks statistics, understand that noose displays in February, ‘’All you can go by movethestickshicks.com, the reviewed coaches recommenand lynching jokes are deeply is his words and his actions. And official Web site of NFL run- dations. 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 chilthe African-American community dren, our nation and our world? and beyond, is a petty thief reeks in such an historic election year, of race-baiting and negative ste- we cannot stand aside and allow reotyping of African-Americans individuals to use the airwaves and black men in particular. as an outlet for insensitive and But it’s hardly the first time ei- misguidedcommentary. if you ther has ventured into questionable hear something that offends you, and offensive territory. how can speak up.
Manly, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association spokesperson. “every healthy heartbeat pumps about one-fifth of your blood to your brain to carry on Thursday, December the daily processes of thinking, prob-24, 2009 • The Weekly Press • Page 7 lem solving and remembering.” “By the year 2030, the number of African Americans age 65 or older is expected to more than double to 6.9 million,” said emil Matarese, M.D., American heart Association spokesperson. “Although Alzheimer’s is not part of normal aging, age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. So it is important that African Americans take steps now to decrease their risk of heart disease, which research has shown could also decrease the risk of cognitive Research shows a link between heart and brain heal heart function could lead to impaired brain functio decline.”
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Weekly Press • Thursday, December 24, 2009
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