Flagler NAACP members learn about pensions for veterans SEE PAGE 3
EE FR
WALTER FIELDS: ’Thug’ is in the eye of the beholder SEE PAGE 4
EYE CARE AS YOU AGE SEE PAGE 7
East Central Florida’s Black Voice MAY 7 - MAY 13, 2015
YEAR 40 NO. 19
www.daytonatimes.com
Learning to ascend to greatness Roland Martin, others share key to success with B-CU brothers BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
Bethune-Cookman University continues to invest in the lives of young men of color as the nation grapples with an incensed conversation on race, policing and the justice system across America. Nearly two weeks following the death of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old Black male who died while in custody of Baltimore police officers that led days of protests and rioting, B-CU hosted its
Second Annual Male Empowerment Summit April 29-May 1. “A lot of those things that are happening around the country are isolated incidents. Our job is to debunk the myth that is out there about African-American males. There are a lot of scholars. There are a lot of educators. There are a lot of educated young men. We want them to understand that THAT is who we truly are,” Jermaine McKinney, director of student leadership and Black male initiatives at B-CU told the Daytona Times. McKinney co-chaired the weekend of events along with Brendon Johnson, coordinator of male educational programs. Please see MEN, Page 5
DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Black male initiative brings men together during second annual summit.
B-CU will graduate 325 on May 13 BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
PHOTOS BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS/DAYTONA TIMES
Women sit with pictures of their moms at a Daughters Remember program.
Achievements
Precious memories: Daughters share stories about their moms BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
W
omen shed tears, shared laughter and recalled stories of old during an event remembering their mothers on Saturday. “Out of everyone who loves you, I love you the most,” singer Shaunta Williams belted out at the “Missing Our Mothers, Daughters Remember” program sponsored by VITAS Healthcare. “The event joins together women who share a common bond, who may not know each other in everyday life but come together in celebration for a special person, and that’s their mother,” VITAS General Manager Shanda Nobles-Milton told the Daytona Times. The eight-to-a-table program began with breakfast followed by a treasured memories table exercise. Each woman, some in their 70s pulled a question from a box asking such questions as “What kind of car did your mom drive? What do you remember about your mom’s bedroom? What was your favorite meal that your mom cooked? What do you remember about your mom’s purse? What fragrance do you remember your mom wearing?” White Shoulders and Chanel No. 5
Bethune-Cookman University is preparing to graduate 325 students at its 2015 Spring Commencement at noon on Wednesday, May 13 at The Ocean Center. The keynote speaker is the Rev. John W. Harrington, chairman of B-CU’s board of trustees and one of three honorary degree recipients. The other recipients are Dorothye Carithers Henderson and Lesa France Kennedy. “I plan to say to those fine young people the things I wished someone said to me when I was about 22,” Harrington told the Daytona Times. “I’m not going to be talking about ‘pie in the sky, by and by.’ I’m going to talk about the specific principals that lead to life success.” Harrington is a native of Richmond, Va. and senior pastor of Morrison United Methodist Church (UMC) in Leesburg. He has served as chairman of B-CU’s board since 2012. Under his leadership, enrollment increased, the university’s endowment grew, and the graduate program expanded. Other notable achievements under Harrington include the renovation of the HarrisonRhodes building, Municipal Football Stadium upgrades and plans for construction of new residence halls. Harrington is a graduate of Florida State University and the Candler School of Theology of Emory University. Harrington and wife Betsy have four children.
Henderson: Board member, educator
Women join hands for a moment of silence in honor of their mothers. topped the list of fragrances, while candy and change were memories of mothers’ purses. “Wait now,” one daughter shared. “We didn’t go in mom’s purse. If she told us to bring her something in her purse, we didn’t go in it, we brought the whole bag to her and she reached in and got what she needed. We didn’t go in her room either.” “But when we did,” she laughed. “We
would try on her jewelry and make a point to put it back just how we found it. I mean perfectly. She always knew though!”
Sears and Roebuck license “Mother drove a Willys car,” Dr. Gwendolyn Goldsby Grant shared. Many in the room were not familiar with the brand which was founded in 1908. Production Please see MOTHERS Page 2
Dorothye Carithers Henderson is a member of the B-CU board. As an educator, she served for 35 years in the Atlanta school system teaching science to gifted students. Henderson is an active member of the United Methodist Church and continues teaching classes, singing in choirs, conducting workshops and mentoring other members. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology, from Spelman College; a Master of Arts in Science Education from Atlanta University; and she was a Peabody Scholar from Vanderbilt University. She has one daughter, Please see B-CU, Page 2
ALSO INSIDE
COMMENTARY: CHARLENE CROWELL: BLACK FAMILIES MUST FOCUS ON ASSET BUILDING | PAGE 4 BUSINESS: APPLE WATCHES AND DARK WRIST TATTOOS ARE NOT MESHING WELL | PAGE 8
7 FOCUS
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MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2015
Family celebrates at Relay for Life The American Cancer Society Relay For Life event in Port Orange was held Saturday at the Port Orange Pavilion. Cancer survivor Louis Bell was accompanied by friends and family at the event, which promotes research, funding and education to end the disease. “It was a year ago today, May 1, that I had my operation at Moffitt Cancer Center,” Louis Bell contended. “And a year later, here I am.” Bell says he has appreciated the support from his family, friends as well as members of his
church, Westside Baptist Church in Daytona Beach. “We’re here because my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March of 2014. He underwent laparoscopic surgery and is now totally cancer free,” Marva Bell shared. Participating in the Relay For Life event is a way to honor cancer survivors, remember those who lost, and raise funds and awareness to help find a cure. Forty-nine teams and 218 participants raised $71,601.99 for the Relay for Life of Port Orange event.
AME Men’s Ministry planning ‘Save Our Sons’ solidarity march
Jackson, president of BethuneCookman University, will speak. According to the Rev. Nathan Mugala, pastor of Allen Chapel Church, the chief goal of the Sons of Allen Ministry is to lead men, especially Black men in the 21st century, into a relationship with God. “We want to bring awareness to the community to save our young men. It is the responsibility of the church and community,” he said. “We also want to show solidarity with those in other cities protesting the death of young Black males. We invite those wanting to support this effort to do so by coming out and marching with us,” said Mugala. The march is one of the many events that will take place at the 14th Annual Sons of Allen Retreat hosted by the Allen Chapel AME Church May 14 -16. For more information about the march, contact the church at 386-255-1195.
More than 300 men from across the state of Florida and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, called the Sons of Allen Ministry, will spearhead a “Save Our Sons” march on May 15. The coordinator of the march is the Rev. Jeffrey Dove, pastor of Allen Chapel AME in New Smyrna Beach. The group will leave the Allen Chapel AME Church, 580 George W. Engram Blvd, Daytona Beach, at 4:45 p.m. and proceed to the Midtown Cultural and Education Center, 925 George W. Engram Blvd. There, Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry, Police Chief Mike Chitwood and Dr. Edison O.
Women shared photos of their mom at the event including keynote speaker Lucille O’Neal who shared this photo of her mom pinning a corsage on her dress the day son Shaquille O’Neal was signed to the NBA.
Morgan Freeman and Scarlett Johansson star in “Lucy,’’ an action-thriller that tracks a woman accidentally caught in a dark deal who turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.
New Smyrna Beach library showing free movies
ASHLEY D. THOMAS/ DAYTONA TIMES
MOTHERS from Page 1
of the vehicles ended in 1955, changing names to Kaiser-Jeep Corporation in 1963. “My mother and other women- Black women, didn’t drive back then. My mom got a Sears and Roebuck License,” she shared. “I bet you didn’t know you could get a license through Sears and Roebuck.” It’s true. During the first third of the 20th century, women and men were able to be licensed through the company. Other women shared their dismay of not being able to make dishes the same way their mothers could. “A pinch this, a pinch that,” a daughter remembered. “And then you wonder why when you made it, it didn’t come out right. Well because what you remembered as a pinch was really a cup.” The room exploded with laughter. “Just to have the mothers we have, we’re so blessed.”
A master plan Luicille O’Neal was the keynote speaker at the morning event. The author of “Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go,” is widely known for
B-CU
from Page 1 Leah, and is the grandmother of two grandsons.
Kennedy: Speedway, NASCAR leader Lesa France Kennedy is “The Most Powerful Woman in Sports” according to Forbes, and serves as CEO and vice chairperson of the board of directors for International Speedway Corporation (ISC). She is also vice chairperson of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). Kennedy has received sever-
ASHLEY D. THOMAS/DAYTONA TIMES
Louis Bell, center, is surrounded by family and friends at the Relay for Life event in Port Orange.
her motivational messages as well as being mom of retired NBA player Shaquille O’Neal. “I’m not just Shaquille’s mom. I’m Jamal’s mom. I’m Lateefah’s mom. I’m Ayesha’s mom,” she acknowledged. O’Neal shared with the women that she was a teen mom, having Shaquille when she was 17. “God has got a master plan over your life,” she said. “My mom was encouraging, she was praying for me.” O’Neal lost her mom, Odessa Chambliss, in 1996 to ovarian cancer but explained to the women, most of who’s moms had passed that “Mother will always be with you.” Before closing O’Neal implored the women present to think of what their legacy will be. As the women exited, each were given a pink carnation. Outside two women who had only met that morning commented to one another the gratitude they felt of coming out to remember their moms. “My mom passed just three months ago, and I’ve been holding this in and holding it in and I’m just so glad that I pulled myself out of bed this morning. I know time heals all and I’ll never get over losing her, but this was a great step for me. She left me with great memories. She was like that.”
al honors, including the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy Award for Philanthropy at the 2014 Bethune-Cookman University Annual Gala. She is an avid supporter of the Halifax Habitat for Humanity, the American Heart Association, the Victory Junction Gang, the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences, and serves prominently as a member of the Moffitt Cancer Center Board of Advisors. She received a B.A. in economics and a B.A. in psychology from Duke University. Other senior week activities include the School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony, Service of Consecration, ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, and President’s Reception for Seniors. The Ocean Center is located at 101 North Atlantic Ave.
The New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway, will show free movies every Friday in May. They include: • “Exists”: 2 p.m. May 8. Five friends camping in the Texas Big Thicket are terrorized by an evil force seeking murderous revenge. Rated R, 86 minutes. • “Lucy”: 2 p.m. May 15. A woman falls prey to sinister underworld forces, but gains superhuman abilities that allow her to strike back. Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman star. Rated R, 89 minutes. • “The Remaining”: 2 p.m. May 22. The rapture disrupts a young couple’s wedding, leaving them to fight for their lives in a world decimated by God’s wrath. Rated PG-13, 83 minutes. • “The Song”: 2 p.m. May 29. An aspiring singer-songwriter’s life and marriage suffer when the song he writes for his wife propels him to stardom. Rated PG-13, 129 minutes. For more information, call the library at 386424-2910, option 4.
Stewart Memorial schedules Women’s Day events Dr. Stephanie Henry, an international educational consultant and the wife of Daytona Beach Mayor Derek Henry, will be the Women’s Day speaker at 4 p.m. May 17 at Stewart Memorial
United Methodist Church, 317 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Daytona Beach. A series of events are planned. On Thursday, May 7, “Worship in the Yard’’ is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. with a message by the Rev. John T. Long, pastor of Tubman-King Community Church. The event will include music, giveaways, refreshments and games. A Mother’s Day Brunch begins at 11:30 a.m. in the church’s fellowship hall on Saturday, May 9. A “WIG” event is scheduled at 3 p.m., Saturday, May 16. WIG stands for “Work It Girl.” A wig can be worn if desired. This is scheduled to be a fun afternoon of relaxation and fellowship. Included will be a brief message on stress reduction techniques. For additional information and tickets to the brunch, call the church at 386-255-7222.
Refuge house hosting financial forum May 9 Abraham Daughters House of Refuge will present a community forum titled “BuildingWealth for The Next Generation Of African Americans” on Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to noon. The forum will be at Fifth Third Bank, 1030 W.International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach. Topics will include Stopping the Capital Drain in Our Community, Black-owned Businesses and Developing Strategies for Group Economics. For more information, call 386-215-0552.
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MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2015 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006
M A YNEWS OR
Flagler NAACP members learn about pensions for veterans Community members, showing up at a Flagler NAACP meeting, were met by a presentation of little-known benefits that were available to wartime veterans and their spouses. The meeting was recently called to order by Branch President Linda Sharpe Haywood at the African American Cultural Society. Holsey Moorman, retired National Guard Brig. Gen./Veterans Affairs Chair, called for Chay and Katie Stewart to peruse the “Veteran Aid Outreach,” explaining how an eligible veteran can receive a tax-free monthly pension from the Veterans Administration (V.A.). Holsey The V.A. puts Moorman together a thick, annual publication with as much as two sentences devoted to the pension. The Stewarts have made the trek down the road of working with seniors. They are specialists in finance and health care, University of Florida graduates, and the principals behind the Stewart Planning Group. Moorman, in light of his reserve duties, has been of assistance to former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman. Moorman is the former Palm Coast City Councilman for District 1. In 2000, when the stock market took its first crash, Katie’s dad helped save Moorman and his wife’s retirement fund from going out the window. Chay and Katie still work with the Moormans so they can save and increase what they have.
Qualifications for benefit Chay spoke of his talks around town, paying attention to benchmarks effecting “The Non-Service Connected Disability Improved Pension Benefit With Aid & Attendance.” The benefit is somewhat known as “The Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit.” “That’s a mouthful,” said Chay. “...What are the qualifications to get this benefit for veterans and their widows? he queried. “No. 1: No dishonorable discharge... No. 2: You must have had 90 days of active duty with at least one of those days served during a declared state of war,” he said. The principals behind the Stew-
Daytona State to host free summer camps for teens Daytona State College is inviting local teens to sign up for a series of free, eightday summer camps for Flagler County and Volusia County students in grades 9, 10 and 11. All camps will be held June 15-25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A total of 120 students (20 students per camp) will have the opportunity to participate in two of the following camps. • Music production technology: Students will learn about the music recording process and par-
PALM COAST COMMUNITY NEWS JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY
art Planning Group desire to be contacted on whether you served during a declared state of war as defined by the government. “... you must be disabled, or over the age of 65. And, you must have a medical need,” Chay continued. Requiring assistance with the “Activities of Daily Living (ADL)” qualifies a claimant that’s impacted by: transporting, toileting, dressing oneself, medication, food preparation, or things along these lines, said Chay. Nearly 2 million veterans, or their widows, are missing out on $22 billion a year in pensions. The Stewart Planning Group assists wartime veterans and their families. The V.A. says that they themselves have limited success in finding the claimants. Folks are unaware that the program exists. “And, widows are hit the hardest! Chay said. “Let’s talk about money,” he pointed out. “This is what everybody like the most, their favorite subject: If you are a veteran and you qualify and become eligible for this benefit, you can get as much as $21,108 per year. That comes to about $1,759 a month, he asserted. “If you are the widow of a veteran, you can get $13,560 per year. On a monthly basis, that’s about an extra $1,130 per month... If there is a veteran and a spouse that both need care, you can get $25,020 per year, and on a monthly basis, that comes to a little more than $2,000, stated Chay. “If you are a veteran with a dependent, so that means there is a veteran, and he doesn’t quite need care yet, but his wife does, then $16,572, which is available, comes to about $1,380 a month,” Chay admitted. The benefit does not affect a veteran’s Social Security pension. The Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit is completely tax-free.
Free help with paperwork However, Chay warns not to
ticipate in the development of a CD, including pre-production and master recording sessions with the band, recording equipment set-up and performance. Instruction will take place in the studios of Daytona State’s Music Production Technology program at the News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St, Daytona Beach. Each student will receive a CD of the session in which they participated. • Be an engineer: Participants will design and assemble objects that will utilize solar power. Students will assemble analog and digital electronic cir-
Stay connected to your friends and family with a free captioned telephone. A captioned telephone phone allows you to hear and read everything said by the person on the other line. Must be a Florida resident with a certified hearing loss. For more information to see if you qualify for a free captioned telephone:
Call 800-222-3448.
JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY/DAYTONA TIMES
Tax-free money
Katie and Chay Stewart disclosed that nearly 2 million veterans, or their widows, are missing out on $22 billion a year in pensions. apply for the benefit without trained assistance. It is important that the government application gets done correctly; otherwise the V.A. will bounce back the paperwork. It generally takes at least 12-16 months to start receiving the benefit. The Stewart Planning Group “has been able to cut that time in half because we’re doing everything correctly. All the forms that need to be submitted are getting done correctly, and they’re getting done all at the same time, rather than piecemealing it...” he said. You need to contact the Stewarts, sit down, and through their intake form, they’ll find out if you are currently eligible or not, or you may be eligible in the future. If, in fact, you are eligible, they will complete and submit the application for your benefits, and then you will start receiving your checks. The Stewart’s service is free of charge, and they look forward to serving veterans because these veterans served “U.S.” “There are people out there that will charge you to do this some attorneys that charge outrageous fees to do this - and it’s simply not necessary,” Chay stated. Chay and Katie Stewart can be reached by phone at 386-6736697; by fax at 866-246-0428 or email: veteranaidoutreach@yahoo.com. The Stewarts can be reached through the web at vet-
cuits, and use simple machines to build articulated structures The camp features a hands-on learning environment using state-ofthe-art technology. It will be held at the Advanced Technology College, 1770 Technology Blvd., Daytona Beach. • 3-D modeling: Students will explore their creativity through drafting and design in this handson, fun-filled camp. They will learn the methods and techniques of design through various goal-oriented activities, then apply those lessons using 3-D modeling software to create and interact with a
eranaidoutreach.com.
Museum to host orienteering event The Florida Agricultural Museum announces it will co-host an orienteering event on May 16, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., at the museum, 7900 Old Kings Road North in Palm Coast. The event is produced by the Florida Orienteering Club. There’s a $2 per person registration fee. In addition, there’s a $4 map fee for club members, and $6 for non-members. Orienteering is the sport of navigating a series of designated locations on an outdoor course with a map and compass. It’s suitable for all ages. No experience is necessary and instructors will be on site for assistance. Closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, and water are recommended for all participants. “This is an adventurous sport for a lifetime,” said Bob Putnam, vice president of the club. “The museum’s course offers many interesting features and is lots of fun to use.” The museum recently opened a permanent orienteering course at the museum and it’s available when the museum is open to the public. There’s a $5 charge per user. “We are excited to provide an orienteering course,” said museum director Andrew Morrow. “It
3-D model “car” born from their imagination in virtual space. They will then create a model using a 3-D printer to see their idea grow into a tangible real-life object. It will be held at the Advanced Technology College, 1770 Technology Blvd., Daytona Beach. • Architecture course: Participants will use the standard school bus blueprint and its basic shell as the model for a truly custom “mobile” home. The transformation will begin as they learn how to draw using an architectural scale and put ideas on paper for the best summer pad on wheels. For advanced campers, there will be the opportunity to use AutoCAD drafting software to print the bus layout. Finally, they will learn how to build an architectural scaled model of an original design to take home. The class will be at the Advanced Technology College, 1770 Technology Blvd., Daytona Beach. • Interior design: The students will design their own college dorm room. They will start with creating a furniture layout using AutoCAD software. Next, they will begin decorating a private bedroom and bathroom, making selections from the resource library that expresses their personal style. They also will learn the elements and principles of design to help carry concepts through to the communal living room and kitchen. At the end of camp, they will explore how to assemble the printed floor plan of furniture
is a unique way for visitors to experience the Agricultural Museum.” The May 16 event takes place rain or shine. For further details, visit www. floridaagmuseum.org, or www. floridaorienteering.org, or email info@myagmuseum.com - or call 386-446-7630.
‘Pink Tea’ coming to First Church Wanda Brinson White and Nellie Chapman Davis have invited the community for a “Pink Tea,” taking place May 9, 11 a.m., at the First Church of Palm Coast. They are coordinators of the Women’s Day event for a relaxing brunch, reflection, and fun-filled entertainment. The ticket price is $10. First Church - pastored by the Rev. Gillard S. Glover - at 91 Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast, can be reached at 386-446-5759. ••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted and bereaved.
Celebrations Birthday wishes to Cleveland Gaddis, May 8; Lucille Huesner, May 9; and Alicia Pincham, May 12. Happy anniversary to Lloyd and Deborah Freckleton, May 9.
choices onto a presentation board to take home. The class will be at the Advanced Technology College, 1770 Technology Blvd., Daytona Beach. • Public safety: Students can get a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes in the day of a police officer, corrections professional, and fire and emergency medical services personnel. To participate in this camp, students cannot wear open-toed shoes. Long pants must be worn for leg protection and they can expect to get wet on fire days. The class will be held at the Advanced Technology College, 1770 Technology Blvd., Daytona Beach. Eligible Flagler County and Volusia County high school students must be in grades 9, 10 or 11, in a standard diploma track and have a teacher recommendation. Limited bus transportation will be provided from Daytona State College campuses to the camp locations. As lunch will not be provided, participants should bring their own lunch. Students can pick up applications from their school guidance department or their career and technical teacher. They must be submitted by Friday, May 22, to: Cindy Bunton, Daytona State College, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., Academic Support Center, Room 103, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. For more information about the free summer camps, send email to Bunton at buntonv@DaytonaState.edu or call 386-5063459.
Poetry Slam series wraps up May 30 at Cinematique On Saturday, May 30, the Daytona Beach arts cinema, Cinematique, concludes its current Poetry Slam series. The competition, which begins at 9:30 p.m., is open to all spokenword poets. First prize is $50, while second prize is a $25 Cinematique gift certificate. Admission for the evening is just $5. Poetry slams are an opportunity for poets to show off their talent in competition. The first 12 poets to reserve a spot will be allowed to compete, but the general public is welcome to come and read a poem at the open mic that follows. Joining the competitions will be Kevin Campbell, director of MACDeLand Slams, who will offer winning poets the chance to join his team and travel to national competitions. Local poet David B. Axelrod, director of the Creative Happiness Institute, will be there to emcee. “Of the dozen winners since September, 2014, we have been able to hire many to be featured poets at our other events,” Axelrod explained.” The series isn’t just paying a cash prize, it is helping launch poetry careers.” The bimonthly competitions will resume in the fall. Cinematique is located at 242 South Beach St. For competition rules, visit http://www.cinematique. org/spoken-word/. To compete, contact Axelrod at 386-337-4567 or email Axelrod@creativehappiness.org.
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7 EDITORIAL
MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2015
No better time to end racial profiling Freddie Gray, 25, was racially profiled and then chased down by Baltimore police officers. He subsequently died as result of police action taken after what the mayor called an unjust arrest. But the Gray tragedy is not an isolated case. It is symptomatic of a criminal justice system gone mad with racism and bigotry. This deadly scenario of racial profiling and the use of fatal police force against Black Americans continue to increase across America with blatant disregard for precious value of life. Yes, Black Lives Matter all the time everywhere.
A federal offense Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) have once again introduced a bill designed to make racial profiling a federal criminal offense. It’s called The End Racial Profiling Act of 2015 (H.R. 1933). If police officers knew that they could face federal imprisonment for committing acts of racial profiling, this law would have a definite impact toward reducing these racist practices. The growing public demonstrations in Baltimore and across the nation are indications that something substantive needs to change. Even with the calls for better police training and the proposed transition to more community based policing will not work effectively as long as racial profiling by police officers is openly permitted without punitive consequences.
sue in the past 50 years?
DR. BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS, JR. NNPA COLUMNIST
Systemic and stigmatizing Conyers stated, “This is a systemic issue plaguing men of color in America, stigmatizing them from youth throughout adulthood. The bill introduced by Sen. Cardin and I would make for the first time, use of racial profiling a federal offense. By ending use of racial profiling in police tactics and prioritizing community relations, we can cultivate community focused; smart policing that rebuilds trust in law enforcement.” Of course with a Republicanled Congress, it will take significant bipartisan support to get the Conyers’ bill passed. Senator Cardin represents the state of Maryland and this is the state that the whole world is now watching and waiting to see what will be the outcome in Baltimore of the Freddie Gray case. Cardin emphasized, “Tragic events in Baltimore and New York, North Charleston and Ferguson, and elsewhere around the country have shown us that federal legislation finally ending racial profiling is essential.” It has been 50 years since the infamous Watts riots in Los Angeles that were also triggered in part by racial profiling and hideous acts of police brutality. So have we learned anything about this is-
Victim criminalization The attempts to divert attention away from the unjust racial profiling actions and deadly brutality of the police in Baltimore against Freddie Gray to speculation about whether Gray broke his own spine and crushed voice box in a so-called self-inflected rage is a classic example of how the police always criminalizes their victims. Police officers guilty of brutality always in the aftermath attempt to demean the character of those they have brutalized. Keep in mind Gray was deemed suspicious at first by the police only because of how he looked. In other words, the fact that Gray was racially profiled ultimately led to his death at the hands of police. We must, therefore keep marching and keep demanding equal justice. We should definitely express our support the Conyers-Cardin bill. Racial profiling should not be tolerated and must be made a crime by law. Changing laws and enacting The End Racial Profiling Act, are the right steps to be taken, but that will not be the complete journey towards equal justice and fairness. All forms of racial injustice must continue to be challenged. We still have long ways to go.
Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). Click on this article at www.dayotnatimes.com to write your own response.
Black families must focus on asset building As the wealthy few continue to prosper, the rest of the nation is caught in a financial tug-of-war between stagnant wages and a rising cost of living. In communities of color, chronic unemployment and underemployment and a host of other social ills are added burdens to an already challenging economy. These and other disturbing trends were the focus of the recent Color of Wealth Summit, conceived and convened by a national research organization, the Insight Center for Community Economic Development and a solution-oriented social change nonprofit, the Center for Global Policy Solutions. The two-day conference engaged prominent leaders to propose solutions to the growing racial income and wealth divide that has come to characterize America’s economy.
Economic security According to Maya Rockeymoore, its president and CEO, “Most organizations and policy makers focus on improving income and income supports such as safety net programs. While this approach is vital, it is not enough to build economic security for vulnerable families over a lifetime. To achieve true security for vulnerable families, asset building must be part of the strategy. Through wealth, families can have the financial resilience they
CHARLENE CROWELL NNPA FINANCIAL WRITER
need to sustain themselves in the event of a job loss or illness. Wealth also gives families the resources to invest in their future and realize their dreams. A truly transformational economic security strategy should focus on both income and wealth.” Recent research confirms how hard it is for families that lack adequate earnings, to make it from one payday to the next. While the idea of saving is valued, for too many consumers nothing is left once basic living expenses are met.
Falling net worth According to the most recent report of the Joint Economic Committee of Congress: • Median net worth in Black households fell by more than 40 percent from 2007 to 2013. White households during this same period saw median net worth drop 26 percent; • Median weekly earnings of Black college graduates working full-time and their White counterparts showed that the Black grads’ annual earnings were $12,000 less;
• Overall, the Black median earnings of $34,600, is nearly $24,000 less than the same measure for Whites. “The same groups of people who have historically been left behind are growing in number and population,” observed Angela Glover Blackwell, a summit participant and founder and CEO of PolicyLink. “It is critical that we support asset-building programs and policies that create and protect opportunities for all families to save and invest in themselves, their futures, and their communities.” “There are a number of wealth gaps that are troubling,” said John A. Powell, Director of the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society at the University of California at Berkeley, “One is the gap between the very rich and everyone else. Another is the gap between people of color and their White counterparts. What is not appreciated and needs to be explored is the relationship between these gaps.” Concluded Powell, “Our lives, our economy and our democracy are at risk.”
Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. Click on this article at www. daytonatimes.com to write your own response.
Global migration is about survival The recent deaths of more than a thousand African refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in order to get to Europe highlights an on-going and growing global migration crisis. Contrary to commentators on the political right – in both the USA and Europe –what we are witnessing is not representative of a search for the good life by undesirables from the global South: This is about survival. Many people in Europe and North America have a strange attitude toward the entire question of immigration. It’s as if there has been an epidemic of historic memory loss. Immigration from Africa, Asia and Latin America to Europe and North America is treated in the mainstream outside of any context. Migrants are frequently referenced as being “infiltrators.” In the U.S., migrants from the global South are demonized. In much of Europe, Islamophobic and anti-Arab racism is used against migrants from the Middle East and Central Asia, blaming them for economic decline and/ or suggesting that they – the migrants – lack the will and capacity to assimilate.
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: GOP DIVERSITY
TA) resulted in the destruction of Mexican agriculture, the weakBILL ening of the public sector, and a FLETCHER, resulting migration of Mexicans JR. north to the U.S. in search of survival. It is demonstrated factuNNPA COLUMNIST ally that migration shot upwards nean, or closer to home, migrants when NAFTA was signed into law. crossing the Mexican border and dying in the deserts, is a direct Blame game outgrowth of two major factors. Thus, it is highly ironic that so The first is represented by colomany people in Europe and North nialism and neo-colonialism. The second is represented by the im- America blame the migrants for pact of the reorganization of glob- allegedly ruining the “destination al capitalism in the form of neo- countries.” The migrants from the global South left their homeliberal globalization. Migration patterns tend to be lands due, largely, to the political, from the former colonies to the economic and, yes, military poliformer colonizer, or from those cies of Europe and North Americountries that have historical- ca. To put it another way, in order ly been dominated by Europe or to address migration, one needs North America to the country that to push for European and North has been the historical domina- American governmental politor. People are leaving countries cies that address the devastation that were, in some cases, artifi- wrought by the global North over cially created by the former colthe last several hundred years. onizer or completely abandoned It’s simple: You cannot ignore by the former colonizer when history. It has this odd way of comthey were either forced to leave or when the colony no longer held ing up and biting you when and where you would least expect it. value. In the second case – the impact Bill Fletcher, Jr. is the host of of globalization on migration – all Desperate times one has to do is to look at Mexi- The Global African on TelesurThe desperation evidenced by co to understand the problem. English. Click on this article the deaths of so many people at- The passage of the North Ameri- at www.daytonatimes.com to tempting to cross the Mediterra- can Free Trade Agreement (NAF- write your own response.
NATE BEELER, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
‘Thug’ is in the eye of the beholder A small section of Baltimore, no more than four to six blocks on the city’s west side, experienced looting and property destruction after the funeral of Freddie Gray, the young man whose spine was mysteriously crushed after being taken into police custody. Gray would later die from his injuries and ‘Charm City’ has been in a meltdown ever since. The anger over Gray’s death should come as no surprise in a city that has had a history of questionable police tactics and where jobs and opportunity are foreign concepts for the masses of the city’s Black majority.
Thugs and criminals Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake chose to call the looters ‘thugs,’ a conscious choice of words meant to label as criminals those involved in property destruction. President Obama also blamed the unrest on “a handful of criminals and thugs who tore up the place.” During the weekend protesters who lashed out violently were called ‘outside agitators’ by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, the same term Gov. George C. Wallace of Alabama used to dismiss civil rights activists in the 1960s. As I watched the wretched reporting of Wolf Blitzer on CNN – the Can’t get it right News Network – it became clear to me that this will not be the last flash point because justice is now a commodity only available to the highest bidder or the politically connected.
Property or personhood? As I survey social media and see and hear on-air commentary on the eruption in Baltimore, what stands out is the rush to condemn the looters without any context. There was more concern expressed over the loss of property, most of it that should be insured, than the decades-old economic deprivation that has wiped out generations of Black Baltimoreans. America knows the Baltimore of the Inner Harbor, Fort McHenry, Camden Yards, and the world renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital. It does not know the Baltimore that exists on the corner of North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, where most of the prop-
WALTER FIELDS NNPA COLUMNIST
erty destruction took place. The nation doesn’t have a clue about Whitelock Street, in the west Baltimore neighborhood where I lived for almost three years, or the gritty neighborhoods of East Baltimore or Cherry Hill. It is the Baltimore made famous by the gritty HBO series “The Wire” that is on edge. For many, Baltimore is just a star spangled tourist destination and its Black majority invisible…until this weekend.
‘Disconnected youth’ Those aren’t thugs you see on television. They are what social science researchers define as ‘disconnected youth.’ They are not ‘outside agitators.’ They are Baltimore youth, some teenagers and some young adults. They are the children of a city that has for some time now provided an inadequate education, offered little by way of employment and, like so many other cities, used the criminal justice system to corral youth engaged in the commerce of last resort but easy entry – crime. It is beyond disappointing to hear a Black mayor and a Black president call Black children thugs but offer little programmatically to give youth confidence that their futures will not be as bleak as their present. There has been an absolute failure in political leadership in cities such as Baltimore that has resulted in little or no effort to drive substantive change. Mayors, city council members, governors and state legislators come and go, and the problems persist. What I read on social media in reference to the looting is that ‘this is not the way’ or ‘they should vote’ or ‘they need to seek justice’ and criticism that ‘they’ are burning down their own neighborhood. Let’s get one thing straight: the system has failed Black people, and particularly Black youth, time and time again.
Walter L. Fields is executive editor of NorthStar News.
Opinions expressed on this editorial page are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of the newspaper or the publisher.
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MAY 7DECEMBER – MAY 13,142015 - 20, 2006 EDUCATION
MAYOR
MEN
from Page 1 “There is so much going on in this country that is negatively impacting us as Black men. We have to come together to encourage, educate and empower each other to go out and do great things,” says Johnson. “This has to happen now and it needs to happen often.” As a group, the latest federal census figures show that 690,000 men ages 18-24 who identify solely as Black are enrolled in college, a far cry from the 75,000 Black males of that same age group in prison. B-CU wants the upward trend of educated, Black men to continue and regularly holds seminars and workshops geared toward them.
Build your brand Speakers during the summit included B-CU President Edison O. Jackson; News One Now correspondent, Roland Martin; Pastor Marvin Winans; Grammy-winning gospel star, Smokie Norful; Rhodes Scholar and FSU All-American, Dr. Myron Rolle; NFL star, Maurice Clarett; and B-CU head football coach, Terry Sims. “They are still talking about it,” McKinney shared. “We want them to understand we are committed to them. We’re intentional about learning and lifting as we climb.” McKinney says that young men, especially young Black men have to understand the importance of building their brand –what they are known and stand for- for both themselves and the university. The summit was a part of helping the students develop just that. “It was a phenomenal cause. For them to just come and empower not just the male and females on campus but the faculty as well,” John McMullen, a junior political science major from Atlanta shared with the Daytona Times. “In society they are dehumanizing males, saying they are no good, selling drugs, going to jail. But having this summit shows just how well we are doing.” “It’s truly about helping our young men develop. In building their brand you don’t just want to be able to market locally, but market globally. It’s all about ascending to greatness,” he intimated.
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“Having the summit gives us something to move forward with as we go into our fall semester. Some of us are welcoming in our freshman males. It gives us a lot of motivation with what we are trying to do this year with our young men.”
Social media spreads message Martin, commentator for TV One and the host of News One Now shared a picture of the summit on his personal Facebook page to his over 200,000 followers, in turn creating conversation beyond the halls of Bethune-Cookman, reaching the realms of the cyber world. Such comments lauded the discussion including commenter Lydia Lindsey saying the timing of the event was a “good deal!” Added Jswanda Jackson, “That is what our kids need, men in y’all power to help with our young Black men, love it.” Another topic touched on at the summit was holding one another accountable. Said McKinney, “The latest book we read is ‘The Pact.’ It talks about having a bond with one another and being accountable. True friends hold each other accountable.” McKinney added that having the star-studded group was intentional. “We reached out to them and told them, this is what we are doing, this is the vision of our summit. Everyone wants to be part of building young men, especially building young Black men. The truth of the matter is they are looking to come back. We have to be intentional.” “They realize that changes come from many. We are committed to coming together. That is the power of one. It was a team effort and I’m thankful for our great coordinator (Johnson) and to President Jackson for giving us a platform to really run with it.” McKinney also told the Daytona Times that the Black male initiatives of B-CU are not limited to Bethune-Cookman students. “Mentor up, mentor down,” he said. “We welcome young men from all walks of life. We want them to see how it is to be on a college campus.” Added McKinney, “I’m available to all our young Black men, have them call me, anytime day or night.” McKinney can be reached at 386804-2432.
PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Young men listen to B-CU President Dr. Edison O. Jackson at breakfast.
A question-and-answer period gave panelists the opportunity to speak directly to students.
B-CU leaders and students participated in the “Bow Ties and Socks” breakfast on April 30.
Young men actively listen to valuable insight.
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7 CLASSIFIEDS
MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2015
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HEALTH MA YOR
MAY 7 –14MAY 2015 DECEMBER - 20,13, 2006
PHOTOS COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES
FROM FAMILY FEATURES
Which health screenings and exams are top priorities for you? If you’re like most adults, monitoring your weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure is probably part of your health care routine. But what about vision care? When adults reach their 40s, they often start to notice small changes in their vision, which can impact their daily lives and job performance. Whether having difficulty reading a book or working on a computer screen, such changes can be frustrating, but they can often be addressed by an eye care professional. A comprehensive dilated eye exam is the best way to detect diseases and conditions that can cause vision loss and blindness. That’s because many have no symptoms in their early stages. According to the National Eye Institute, all adults aged 60 and older should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam, with the exception of African Americans, who are advised to get the exams starting at age 40 due to a higher risk of developing glaucoma at an earlier age. Even if you haven’t experienced any issues with your sight, a dilated exam can detect serious eye diseases and conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic eye disease, and glaucoma. During a dilated eye exam, your eye care professional places drops in your eyes to dilate, or widen, the pupil.
This lets more light enter the eye, similar to the way an open door lets more light into a dark room and allows your eye care professional to get a good look at the back of your eyes to examine them for any signs of damage or disease. Regular eye exams go a long way in helping you see well for a lifetime. But there is more you can do. Experts at the National Eye Institute recommend following these additional steps to protect your vision. 1. Live a healthy lifestyle. Living an overall healthy life is good for your eyes. This includes: • Maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision loss from diabetic eye disease or glaucoma. • Eating healthy foods. You’ve heard carrots are good for your eyes, but eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens is important for keeping your eyes healthy, too. Research has also shown there are eye health benefits from eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut. • Not smoking. Smoking is as bad for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body. Research has linked smoking to an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataract and optic nerve damage, all of which can lead to blindness.
2. Know your family history. Talk to your family members about their eye health history. It’s important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with an eye disease or condition since many are hereditary. This will help to determine if you are at higher risk for developing an eye disease or condition. 3. Use protective eyewear. Protect your eyes when playing sports, working with hazardous materials, or doing chores like mowing the lawn. Protective eyewear includes safety glasses and goggles, safety shields and eye guards specially designed to provide the correct protection for a certain activity. Most protective eyewear lenses are made of polycarbonate, which is 10 times stronger than other plastics. Many eye care providers sell protective eyewear, as do some sporting goods stores. 4. Wear sunglasses. Sunglasses are a great fashion accessory, but their most important job is to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation. Exposure to excess sunlight can increase your risk of cataract and age-related macular degeneration, tissue growth on the white part of eye that can cause discomfort and blurred vision. You can find more information on these preventive measures and dozens of other vision-related topics at www.nei.nih.gov.
COMMON EYE DISEASES AND CONDITIONS Just as the rest of your body ages, so do the eyes. The following are common diseases and conditions associated with aging that can be detected with proper monitoring from an eye care professional: • Cataract. People who experience this clouding of the lens in the eye often report increased glare and fading of colors. • Diabetic eye disease. A complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness, its most common form is diabetic retinopathy, which happens when the disease damages small blood vessels inside the retina. • Dry eye. Dry eye can feel like stinging or burning, and can lead to blurred vision or even vision loss if left untreated. • Glaucoma. Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye’s optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of the disease. • Age-related Macular Degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that blurs the sharp, central vision you need for “straightahead” activities such as reading, sewing, and driving. AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail.
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7BUSINESS
MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2015
Hotel booking scams costing Americans up to $220 million a year BY HUGO MARTIN LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS
Hotel booking scams are on the rise partly because one in three vacations is set up online, with many hotel and airline reservations punched in on those tiny, hard-toread smartphone screens. Now a hotel trade group is asking Congress and the U.S. attorney general’s office to take action on the problem, which may be bilking 2.5 million travelers each year. “If you book the room online you may not find out there is a problem until you show up at the front desk,” said Maryam Cope, vice president for government affairs at the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
Bogus sites PHOTO COURTESY OF BEYONCE.COM/TNS
Beyonce sports her custom-made 18-karat gold link Apple Watch, which is estimated to be worth more than $17,000.
Apple Watches and dark wrist tattoos are not meshing well BY RYAN PARKER LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS
Well, that inks. The newly released Apple Watch may be problematic for people with dark tattoos on their wrist, the company acknowledged after complaints from customers. “Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance. The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings,” according to the official Apple Watch support page, updated last week. Apple did not respond to re-
quests for comment. The issue comes down to light. The Apple Watch’s green light sensor that tracks the wearer’s heartbeat needs to be bounced off blood flow for measurement, said Steven LeBoeuf, president of Valencell, which develops biometric sensor technology — though not specifically for the Apple Watch. “The key to obtaining accurate biometric data in the wrist lies in the sensor’s ability to measure pulsatile blood flow in blood vessels less than 1 to 2 millimeters from the surface of the skin, while also rejecting noise,” he said. Green light is considered
safer because it does not penetrate deep into the skin. “But that’s its blessing and its curse,” LeBoeuf said. The green light, while less harsh, is easily absorbed by the dark ink. “The darker the ink and the deeper the tattoo, the more problems you will have,” he said. Scars may also be a problem for some users because they pose a thicker layer to penetrate, he added. A combination of green and yellow light wave sensors, and amplified blood flow detection, probably would fix the tattoo hurdle, LeBoeuf said. But until a new edition comes out, tattooed enthusiasts may be out of Apple time.
In the most common scam, travelers will book on an online site that resembles a legitimate booking site,
Seminoles seek gambling negotiations THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is asking the state to resume negotiations on renewing a five-year deal, set to expire June 30, that gives the tribe exclusive rights to operate banked card games such as blackjack at most of its casinos. The tribe sent letters on May 1 to Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Senate President Andy Gardiner formally renewing its request for negotiations on the deal, a portion of a $1 billion, 20-year agreement called a “compact” signed in 2010. Lawmakers failed to address the compact during the legislative session that ended last week, in part because negotiations between House and Senate Republican leaders and the tribe went nowhere.
only to find out later that the site was bogus, Cope said. Bogus sites may resemble legitimate hotel sites, even adopting the logos and emblems of major hotel chains, she said. It may be hard to tell the difference on a tiny smartphone screen. In some cases, the bogus website will take a commission but will fail to include special requests such as a room with an extra cot or disabled guest access. In other cases, the bogus website will simply take a guest’s deposit and make no reservation at all.
Spreading the word Cope estimates that the scams are costing U.S. travelers more than $220 million a year. “They are not getting cracked down on for this,” she said. “And until they do, they will continue to do it.” On behalf of the hotel trade group, five members of Congress have written to the U.S. attorney general’s office, asking the Justice Department to spread the word about the scams. “If the hotel booking site doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t,” she said. “If you suspect something, call the hotel directly.” In the waning days of last year’s legislative session, Scott failed to convince the Legislature to sign off on a plan that would have allowed the tribe to add craps and roulette. This year, Scott deferred to the Legislature, which must authorize any agreement between the governor and the tribe. “The Seminole Tribe of Florida regrets that the Florida Legislature has concluded its 2015 regular session without renewing the gaming compact provision for the Tribe to continue to offer banked card games at five of its casinos,” the tribe said in a statement. “The certainty provided by a multi-year agreement to renew the banked card games would allow the Tribe to move forward with plans to invest over $1.6 billion in capital improvements and hire thousands of new employees. The state would further benefit by receiving billions of dollars in exclusivity payments from the Tribe over the term of the new agreement.” Scott spokeswoman Jackie Schutz said: “We are in receipt of the letter.”