AKAs host summit for youth in three counties
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REV. JESSE JACKSON: Brown v. Board of Education was about a lot more than schools See page 4
Report: Blacks, Latinos ‘nearly penniless’ SEE PAGE 8
East Central Florida’s Black Voice
SEE PAGE 3
MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2014
YEAR 39 NO. 22
Low suicide rate in Volusia among Blacks and women Health department releases new data BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County has released a data brief about suicides in Volusia County. The report shows that Whites accounted for
95 percent (115) of the county’s 121 suicides in 2012. Males were 73 percent of the suicide deaths in 2012. “This report takes a closer look at the number of suicides in our county, who is committing suicide, what area of the county is being impacted with suicides and the methods of suicide,” said Dr. Bonnie J. Sorensen, director of the Florida Department of
Health in Volusia County. Several factors are noted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as causes for suicide including: History of mental disorders, particularly clinical depression; history of alcohol and substance abuse; feelings of hopelessness; impulsive or aggressive tendencies; family history of suicide; loss (relational, social, work, or financial) and
www.daytonatimes.com physical illness. “This is certainly tragic news and our hearts go out to the families impacted by suicide. This data can be helpful as our community comes together to find solutions,’’ Sorenson added.
By the numbers The data looks at specific health information at the subcounty level to gain a greater understanding of the health of the various communities comprising Volusia County: • Whites accounted for 95 percent (115) of county suicides (121) in 2012; males comprised 73 percent (88) of 2012 suicides. Blacks, Hispanics, Asian and Native Americans make up the re-
maining 5 percent. • Most suicides (56 percent) in Volusia County from 2008-2012 were by firearms • Percentage of suicide by firearms was greater for females (70 percent) than males (56 percent) in 2012 In 2012, data shows that 121 Volusia County residents committed suicide and 418 of the county residents were hospitalized as a result of self-inflicted injuries. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255. Information is available online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline. org.
Henrys vote against red-light cameras; rest decides otherwise BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
Kimia Gibson, 6, gets a good soaking during an outing at the Ormond Beach Splash Park. Kimia, who lives in Apopka and attends Orlo Vista Elementary School, is the daughter of Avachon Williams and Kim Gibson II. Kamia, left, enjoys playing with her friend Brinna.
A birthday splash Kimia Gibson was showered with affection during a celebration of her 6th birthday at the Ormond Beach Splash Park on Memorial Day. Kimia, the granddaughter Daytona Times photojournalist Kim Gibson, enjoyed a day at the water park with friends and family. Her birthday was on May 21. PHOTOS BY KIM GIBSON/DAYTONA TIMES
PEOPLE SPEAK COMPILED BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is slated to sign a bill that legalizes a limited strain of medical marijuana known as “Charlotte’s Web” after the bill’s passage in both the Senate and the House. Additionally, a Quinnipiac University poll released in November says that 82 percent of Florida voters support legalizing medical marijuana, while
ALSO INSIDE
16 percent oppose it. Breaking it down by party lines, 87 percent of Democrats support it as did 70 percent of Republicans. Over the Memorial Day holiday, the Daytona Times asked beachgoers if they support the medical marijuana bill and if its passage is a step in the direction of legalizing marijuana for non-medicinal purposes.
Hell yes! We have to respect everyone’s religion. There are a lot of people whose religions involve marijuana and even just for the people that want to smoke it, they aren’t killing anybody. Ariante Vargas Legalize it. People are going to do it regardless. D’Andra Myers Legalize it for everyone. People are already saying that if the government is involved, they can
tax it, and then the money can be used for pressing other issues. Woodline Lauvince If they put it in prospective, people are using it for medical reasons, cataracts, glaucoma. It is already hard to control drugs as it is. People pop more pills now then ever before. If you legalize marijuana, which I don’t use it and don’t condone it, it needs to be controlled. Bobby Scott
Ariante Vargas
D’Andra Myers
Woodline Lauvince
Bobby Scott
At last week’s Daytona Beach City Commission meeting, both Mayor Derrick Henry and his brother, Commissioner Patrick Henry, voted against keeping and funding the 18 red-light cameras stationed throughout the city. Commissioners Paula Reed, Pam Woods, Kelly White, Rob Gilliland and Carl Lentz IV were in agreement to keep the cameras for another three-year term approving a contract with Gatso USA to provide assistance with the city’s Automated Red Light Camera Enforcement Program. The agreement is to only keep cameras at existing approaches/locations. Each camera costs $4,200 to operate per month. “There’s no concrete evidence that states red-light cameras reduce crashes at the intersections,” Patrick Henry told the Daytona Times. “They are very controversial.” “I’ve never supported them from day one,” Henry told the commission. “We existed a hundred years without them. I’m just taking my stand.”
Located in Black neighborhoods The only cities in Volusia and Flagler counties that have red-light cameras are Palm Coast in Flagler County and Holly Hill and Daytona Beach in Volusia. Two of the largest intersections in Daytona Beach are home to the cameras that dish out a fine: Nova Road and George Engram Boulevard; and International Speedway Boulevard and Nova Road, both located in Zone 6, a predominately Black district. Four other cameras are also located in predominately Black areas. John Nichols, a Daytona Beach resident was in favor of the agreement. “The big thing is it saves lives, and it does save lives. What you are not seeing and what the public doesn’t realize is that it takes a police officer umpteen hours to sit there and write tickets. He can be used somewhere else,’’ Nichols said. At its inception, city officials said that photo enforcement cameras were one component of a comprehensive traffic safety program, including engineering, education and traditional law enforcement. Redlight cameras allow police officers to be deployed to other more critical law enforcement safety priorities. As a city bringing in millions of tourists each year, one commissionPlease see CAMERAS, Page 2
COMMENTARY: MARC MORIAL: DON’T MESS WITH MAGIC JOHNSON | PAGE 4 COMMENTARY: DR. BARBARA REYNOLDS: DIDDY SATISFIES HOWARD’S HIGH STANDARDS | PAGE 4
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MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2014 access to quality preschool and help them start learning from an early age, but we can’t replace the power of a parent who’s reading to that child. We can reform our criminal justice system to ensure that it’s not infected with bias, but nothing keeps a young man out of trouble like a father who takes an active role in his son’s life.”
Who signed it
FREDDIE ALLEN/NNPA
President Obama announces his “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative on Feb. 27.
Men want ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ to include females BY GEORGE E. CURRY NNPA NEWS SRVICE
WASHINGTON – More than 200 African-American men, ranging from a taxi driver to university professors, sent a letter to President Obama on Tuesday urging him to expand his Black male initiative to include Black girls and women, saying they were “surprised and disappointed” that the president had sought to include only half of the race to tackle communitywide issues. A copy of the letter to Obama was obtained by the NNPA News Service. After praising the president for saying that addressing the needs of those left behind is as important as anything else he is undertaking, authors of the letter wrote, “So we were surprised and disappointed that your commit-
ments express empathy to only half of our community – men and boys of color. Simply put, as Black men we cannot afford to turn away from the very sense of a shared fate that has been vital to our quest for racial equality across the course of American history.”
893-word letter The letter continued, “As African-Americans, and as a nation, we have to be as concerned about the experiences of single Black women who raise their kids on sub-poverty wages as we are about the disproportionate number of Black men who are incarcerated. We must care as much about Black women who are the victims of gender violence as we do about Black boys caught up in the drug trade.” The 893-word letter main-
tained a respectful, dignified tone throughout, but was consistently firm in asserting that President Obama had erred in limiting his initiative to Black males. “We write as African-American men who have supported your presidency, stood behind you when the inevitable racist challenges to your authority have emerged, and have understood that our hopes would be tempered by the political realities that you would encounter,” the letter stated. “While we continue to support your presidency, we write both out of a sense of mutual respect and personal responsibility to address what we believe to be the unfortunate missteps in the My Brothers Keeper initiative (MBK). In short, in lifting up only the challenges that face males of color, MBK – in the absence of any comparable initiative for fe-
males – forces us to ask where the complex lives of Black women and Black girls fit into the White House’s vision of racial justice?”
Florida cases cited On Feb. 27, President Obama announced his “My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, a program to assist young Black males. With the parents of slain Florida teenagers Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis looking on, Obama said: “After months of conversation with a wide range of people, we’ve pulled together private philanthropies and businesses, mayors, state and local leaders, faith leaders, nonprofits, all who are committed to creating more pathways to success. And we’re committed to building on what works. And we call it ‘My Brother’s Keeper.’” He explained, “…What we’re talking about here today with ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ is a more focused effort on boys and young men of color who are having a particularly tough time. And in this effort, government cannot play the only – or even the primary – role. “We can help give every child
Supreme Court won’t hear local public input case NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to take up a case that focused on questions about the public’s right to participate in government meetings. Justices issued a brief order saying they would not hear an appeal from Volusia County resident Barbara Herrin and a group called the Edgewater Citizens Alliance for Responsible Development.
Among those signing the letter to Obama were Luke C. Harris, associate professor of American politics and constitutional law at Vassar College; Robin D.G. Kelly, professor of history at UCLA; Michael Hanchard, professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University; James Turner, founder of the Africana Studies and Research Center at Cornell University; Robert Hill, professor of history and editorin-chief of the Luke C. Marcus Garvey Harris and Universal Negro Improvement Association Papers Project at UCLA; Houston Baker, professor of English at Vanderbilt University; Rev. Charles Steele, president and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; poet Saeed Jones; David Melton, a taxicab driver; writer Robert Jones, Jr.; psychiatrist Adisa Ajamu; filmmaker Byron Hurt; and former NFL player Wade Davis Jr., executive director of the You Can Play Project, an organization dedicated to ending discrimination and homophobia in sports. “Everyone is focused on getting nearly 300 girls safely returned home in Nigeria and rightly so,” said Steele, president of the Atlanta-based civil rights organization co-founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “We should stay focused on the 300 girls in Nigeria, but at the same time not forget about the millions of Black girls and women suffering right here at home.” Harris said the men’s activities will not cease with sending the letter to Obama. He and several others will write a series of articles for the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service and BlackPressUSA.com, NNPA’s companion website, beginning next week. They will host a webinar in June and continue to educate the public about the issues raised in the letter. The group will continue to collect signatures at blackgirls2014@gmail.com and provide updates on future activities at the African American Policy Forum’s website, www.aapf.org.
The case stemmed from a Deltona City Commission meeting in which Herrin was prevented from speaking about a major development known as Farmton. Herrin and the group asked the Supreme Court to consider the issue after the 5th District Court of Appeal ruled the state’s Sunshine Law does not mention the right to be heard or to participate in meetings. In a document filed last year with the Supreme Court, Herrin and the group asked the justices to “clarify that public input is not ‘interference with the decision-making process’ but rather an essential part of legitimate government.’’ The Supreme Court did not detail its reasons for declining to hear the case.
PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ/HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
The open-air amphitheater of the Bandshell can seat 5,000 people.
Good music at the Bandshell Last week, the funk, R&B and smooth grooves of The Love Band were part of the annual free concert series at the Daytona Beach Bandshell. Performances from various bands are held every Saturday evening though Aug. 9. Bands giving tribute to the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Jimmy Buffett are part of the lineup. Vendors and chair rental are available during events. The Bandshell is located in Oceanfront Park on the north end of the Boardwalk amusement area overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. For a full schedule of bands and events, visit www.friendsofthebandshell. com or call the Daytona Beach Cultural Services Division at 386-671-8250.
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er says that visitors should just obey the law. “If you’re a tourist and you’re obeying the traffic laws you won’t get a ticket,” said Commissioner Pam Woods.
Parties held responsible
The Love Band entertains concertgoers with soul, jazz and R&B.
According to the city’s website, tickets for the violation mailed to the registered owner’s address on file with the state Department of Motor Vehicles $158, if paid within 60 days of the postmark date of the notice of violation. Pursuant to the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act, each fine is distributed this way: $100 goes to Florida’s general revenue fund; $45 goes to the local government; $10 goes to
local trauma centers and $3 is allocated for spinal and brain injury research through The Miami Project. Drivers who feel they have been issued an erroneous citation can request a hearing in writing within 60 days of the postmark date of the Notice of Violation. A hearing request form will be included with the Notice of Violation or an administrative hearing can be requested by calling the Violation Processing Center at 866-471-6529. Each year in the United States, car accidents caused by people running red lights result in nearly 1,000 deaths and about 165,000 injuries. In 2003, the Florida Highway Patrol reported that running red lights alone caused 8,900 collisions, 115 deaths, more than 10,000 injuries and $77 million in property damage.
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MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2014 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006
M A YNEWS OR
Youth summit reaches kids in three counties More often we hear negativity surrounding young people and about others having achieved success but failing to give back to make their resources available in the community. But in the following scenario, the path is clear in that achievers’ resources of giving back while helping students, created the nexus of education with the enrollment of awards for outstanding students having achieved high scholastic abilities – and the cycle beginning early on in the lives of young people. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Chi Delta Omega Chapter, and its affiliate, The Ivy Community Foundation, Inc., held the first Tri-county Youth Summit in St. Augustine. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. continues its legacy of mentoring youth through an interactive Youth Summit making up Putnam, St. Johns, and Flagler counties. Guest speakers discussed careers in science, technology, engineering and math in addition to non-traditional careers. Leadership and entrepreneurship skills were reviewed as fundamental talents of acquirement. The goal was to bring young people together and seek solutions to issues facing them in a nonthreatening, supportive environment. Guest panelists additionally spoke on topics like bullying, texting while driving, and a host of other topics concerning the
PALM COAST COMMUNITY NEWS JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY
youth of today. Participants received information relating to self-development, collegiate opportunities, counseling, maintaining healthy relationships, and other topics pertinent to youth.
AKA awards $8,000 in scholarship funds Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Chi Delta Omega Chapter, continues to celebrate education by awarding eight scholarships for college. The sorority hosted a reception luncheon with friends and family for the scholarship recipients to celebrate their achievements. Each student exemplified high scholastic standards with GPAs ranging from 3.5 to 4.6, and dynamic community service. Flagler Palm Coast High School were: Yashauna Bosley, Yumalik Carey, Pedro Vega and Maria Zabala. Matanzas High School were: Rosie Basquin, Michelle Dominguez, Widline Guillaume, and Travis Thompson. The recipients will be attending colleges and universities this fall, majoring in the diverse fields of Education, Technology
The recipients of $8,000 in scholarship funds from AKA were Yumalik Carey, Widline Guillame, Michelle Dominquez, Travis Thompson, Yashaunna Bosley, Pedro Vega, Maria Zabala and Rosie Basquin. Participants in the Tri-County Youth Summit learned about traditional and non-traditional careers. COURTESY OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY
and Medicine. The Chi Delta Omega Chapter since 2002 has granted over $55,000 in scholarship funds to deserving students in Flagler and
the surrounding counties. ••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted and bereaved.
Daytona State to offer free cyber-forensics workshop June 5-7 Daytona State College will host a free cyber-forensics workshop for cyber-security professionals June 5-6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its • Advanced Technology College, 1770 Technology Blvd. in Daytona Beach.
Who would have thought? Dr. Charles Drew did in 1938. The Blood Bank, developed by Dr. Charles Drew,
is just one of the many life-changing innovations that came from the mind of an African American. We must do all we can to support minority education today, so we don’t miss out on the next big idea tomorrow. To find out more about African American innovators and to support the United Negro College Fund, visit us at uncf.org or call 1-800-332-UNCF. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
©2007 UNCF
This introductory workshop will include theory and practice, as well as hands-on exercises using free and open-source tools. Topics to be covered include: • Overview of cyber forensics • Creating a forensic duplicate • Verifying evidence • File systems • File recovery • Identifying mismatched file types • Malware analysis • Data-hiding techniques • Capturing RAM and swap files • Network forensics The workshop is made possible through the Advanced Cyberforensics Education Consortium (ACE)
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Jumpstart your future at an Enrollment Day!
DeLand Campus
Representatives will be available to assist with:
Deltona Campus
• Admissions • Academic Advising • Dual Enrollment • Financial Aid • Student Services • Registration
Tuesday, June 3, 3:30-7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, 3:30-7 p.m.
Daytona Beach Campus Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
For more information, call (386) 506-4471 or email: Admissions@DaytonaState.edu
STAY CLOSER, GO FURTHER
Celebrations Birthday wishes to: Emma D. Wilson, Emma J. Kendrick, Melanee Gaddis, June 3; and Lenora Dabney, June 5.
for which Daytona State is the lead institution among nearly a dozen southeastern colleges and universities. The consortium’s goal is to advance cyber-forensic education in the southeastern United States and is funded by a four-year National Science Foundation grant totaling more than $1.8 million. Beginning this fall, Daytona State also will offer an advanced technical certificate in the growing fields of cyberforensics and cybersecurity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for cybersecurity professionals will increase by 37 percent over the next eight years, with median pay for experienced professionals averaging near $86,000 annually. Cybersecurity jobs are found in business, industry, military, law enforcement, government, academia and the intelligence community. Applications are required and must be submitted no later than June 1. For details on how to apply, visit http://www.DaytonaState.edu/ace/workshop.html, or contact coppae@DaytonaState.edu; (386) 506-4163.
Strapp golf tournament takes place June 7 The 11th annual Elisha J. Strapp Invitational Golf Scholarship Tournament hosted by the Greater Friendship Scholarship Ministry will be held June 7 at the LPGA International Golf Course, 1000 Champions Drive, Daytona Beach. Celebrating 11 years, the community and education 2014 tournament honoree is Harold V. Lucas, Jr. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. with a four-person scramble, shotgun starts at 8:30 a.m. Tournament contests include a $10,000 cash holein-one prize and auxiliary holes prizes are Callaway Razr X HL irons, round-trip air tickets and a Sea Mist golf trip for two. The scholarship ministry raises funds to benefit early childhood learning centers and graduating high school seniors who are seeking higher education at an accredited educational institution to improve their skills and quality of life. For more information, email sandrastrapp@gmail. com or contact tournament co-directors Ronald Gibson at 386.405.8589 or
Lorenzo Hayward at 407341-6464.
Tobacco Free Partnership to meet June 2 The Tobacco Free Partnership of Volusia County (TFP-VC) will have an educational session on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) at its next meeting on Monday, June 2 at 4 p.m. at the Volusia County Health Department (1845 Holsonback Road, Daytona Beach). Vicki Evans of NE Florida AHEC, a health education center, will cover health warnings, safety concerns, current use and regulation of e-cigarettes. The TFP-VC is a countywide, locally organized group committed to saving lives and improving the overall health and wellbeing of residents and visitors by reducing and/or eliminating the use of tobacco products. The partnership is organized to advocate on the local, state and national level for: prevention of the initiation of tobacco use among youth; protection from secondhand smoke; and, promotion of tobacco cessation. Anyone is welcome to attend this and any of the TFP-VC meetings. For more information, call Kristen Mialki at 386274-0601.
Democratic Club to meet June 10 The Democratic Club of North East Volusia County will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the Piccadilly Cafeteria in the Volusia Mall, Daytona Beach. Volusia County Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall will explain recent changes to the county voter laws. McFall spent eight years on the county school board and six years as a member of the County Council representing District 5. She is a graduate of Stetson University. Immediately following her presentation, she will host a brief question-andanswer period. During this meeting Ruth Trager, a candidate for the Daytona Beach City Council will be introduced to the members and guests and she will be invited to offer a brief presentation. A light supper begins at 6 p.m. Each member is responsible for his or her own meal. All Democrats are invited to attend.
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MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2014
Don’t mess with Magic: A man too busy to hate “My whole life is dedicated to urban America.” - NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson Every time ostracized Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling opens his mouth, he reveals how deeply out of touch and stuck in the past he is when it comes to the issue of race. He also appears to have especially mean-spirited and distorted views about a man who has been both a champion in the NBA and a champion for urban America – Magic Johnson. Last week, in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Sterling said that Johnson, who was diagnosed with HIV in 1991, was not a good role model for kids, “should be ashamed of himself” and “should go into the background.”
Record of giving back These comments could not be more wrong. Johnson himself could only respond by saying “I’m going to pray for this ... man” and that Sterling was “living in the stone ages.” Magic Johnson needs no defense. His extraordinary record of giving back to the Black community is well known to almost everyone, including Donald Sterling – even if he cannot bring himself to recognize it. But, lest Sterling’s words have cast any doubt, we want to take this opportunity to set the record straight. Since 1991, Magic Johnson has become one of the most successful business leaders and most generous philanthropists in America. For the past 23 years, the
Investing in the community MARC H. MORIAL TRICE EDNEY WIRE
His investments have included AMC movie theaters, Starbucks franchises, restaurants, fitness centers, sports teams (Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Dodgers) and the Aspire cable TV network – all of which are bringing jobs and services to urban communities long underserved by major corporations. Magic Johnson has also been a great friend to the Urban League movement. He has supported our annual Equal Opportunity Awards Dinner and has served as national spokesperson for “Know Your Money,” the National Urban League’s highly acclaimed curriculum-based financial literacy program targeted to African-American communities. We also awarded him with our Legends Award during our 2010 Centennial celebration in recognition of his accomplishments in urban communities across the nation. In 2012, the Urban League of Greater Atlanta also honored him as the “Business Champion of the Year.” Like Atlanta, which has been called “the city too busy to hate,” Magic Johnson, one of the foremost business and charitable leaders in urban America, is clearly a man too busy to hate. Donald Sterling should follow his lead.
Magic Johnson Foundation has worked to develop programs and support community-based organizations that address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities. Through the Foundation, Johnson has provided HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment opportunities to countless numbers of people. The Foundation’s Taylor Michaels Scholarship program has awarded millions of dollars to help deserving minority students go to college, and Johnson’s network of Community Empowerment Centers is helping to close the digital divide in urban communities through the innovative use of technology. Johnson has also inarguably become one of the most powerful African-American businessmen in the country. In the 1990s, after being repeatedly turned down for bank loans, he believed in the promise of urban America so much that he put up his own money to bring businesses where few others wanted to invest. He started Magic Johnson Enterprises, which has become a billion dollar empire largely devoted to “fostering community/economic empowerment by Marc Morial is the president making available high-quality entertainment, products and services of the National Urban League. that answer the demands of ethni- Write your own response at cally diverse urban communities.” www.daytonatimes.com.
Booze marketer Puff Daddy satisfies Howard’s high standards Next year if your resume includes pushing alcohol to youth, writing female-bashing, profanity-laden lyrics, dropping out of college and being indicted on gun charges or worse, take heart. If you have enough big bucks, you too could end up making a college commencement address and receiving an honorary doctorate. Didn’t Diddy do it? Howard University, my alma mater, prides itself in setting high standards for young people. In May, Howard officials outdid themselves in awarding hip-hopper entrepreneur Sean (Puff Daddy) Combs an honorary doctorate after making a commencement address. Forbes says Combs has a booze-partnership with Diageo, a British-based beverage firm to hawk Diageo’s Ciroc Vodka. The deal reaps Combs millions for his marketing role that entices youth to get high.
Celebrate with alcohol You have probably seen Combs’ TV commercials. Smoothly dressed, fawned over by young girls (he has called them hoes in his rap lyrics) brandishing Ciroc vodka which by his lifestyle equates booze with the good life. In a recent interview he extolled Ciroc vodka’s brand as a great way to celebrate youth.
REV. BARBARA REYNOLDS TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM
Combs really knows how to celebrate, says Britain’s Sun tabloid. Combs-- Howards’ role model-recently blew $164,000 on a party at a London nightclub. “The bill included 17 magnums of Moet Rose, six magnums of Dom Perignon champagne and “several methuselahs” of Sputnik vodka. With all the crises alcohol is contributing to on college campuses, Combs—although a marketing genius—is a bottom of the barrel choice for college students who are setting records getting high without the likes of a Puff Daddy cheerleader. Death, traffic injuries, sexual assault and rape are just a few of the tragic consequences of alcohol on college campuses. About 1,900 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each year from alcohol-related unintentional injuries. More than 690,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by another student who has been drinking. More than 97,000 students be-
tween the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape, according to the National Institute of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
Students divided on Combs Alcohol figures heavily into college dropping outs, missing grades, falling behind and receiving lower grades, which should be another reason to avoid celebrating alcohol on college campuses. Many Howard students were divided over the choice of Combs. Defenders pointed to Combs’ millionaire status, which interim president, Wayne A. Frederick, obviously thought qualified Combs as the kind of doctor their students needed. Pimps, prostitutes, hedge-fund rip-off artists, drug dealers (alcohol is considered a drug) all make money. If that is the greatest measure of success and encouraging young people to get high is a worthy credential for being honored in an academic setting, we have a problem.
Dr. Barbara Reynolds is the president of the Women’s Christian Action Network. Write your own response at www. daytonatimes.com.
Brown v. Board was about a lot more than schools The Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. Board of Education 60 years ago began when Oliver L. Brown, a welder, went to court because his daughter Linda could not attend Sumner Elementary School in Topeka, Kan., seven blocks from her home. The Supreme Court ruled definitively that “separate but equal” has no place in the American Constitution, that separate facilities are inherently unequal. Sixty years later, residential patterns have resegregated many of our schools. First lady Michelle Obama speaking in Topeka noted “many young people in America are going to school largely with kids who look just like them. Too often, those schools aren’t equal, especially ones attended by students of color, which too often lag behind, with crumbling classrooms and less experienced teachers.” And if schoolrooms have resegregated, boardrooms have never really desegregated. We have come a long way, but we have a long way to go.
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: NEVER FORGET
REV. JESSE L. JACKSON, SR. TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM
Not just trains either Yet, just as it is important to understand what remains to be done, the historic importance of the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown should not be overlooked. Brown overturned the ignominious Supreme Court in Plessy vs. Ferguson, in which the court ruled that separate but equal train facilities fulfilled the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment. Just as Plessy wasn’t solely about train cars, Brown wasn’t solely about schools. Plessy legitimized legal apartheid in the United States. African-Americans in the South were banned from using White public facilities, libraries, transportation, swimming pools, schools and more. Segregation ruled all aspects of life
from birthplaces to graveyards. With its decision in Brown, the Supreme Court ruled that separate but equal had no place under our Constitution. It ended legal segregation not just in classrooms but also in all aspects of life. For those of us who were growing up at the time, the ruling was truly revolutionary. Loving parents, fearful for their children’s safety, had taught us to respect the walls that had been built under segregation. We should limit our dreams to the opportunities that existed behind the walls. In Brown, the Supreme Court declared that the walls were unconstitutional. We had rights. We had to march and protest, sit-in, get arrested, and risk our lives to affirm those rights, but we no longer had walls to limit our dreams. Yet, the end of legal segregation, as we’ve learned, did not mean the end of discrimination.
Jesse Jackson Sr. is the founder and president of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. Write your own response at www. daytonatimes.com.
RICK MCKEE, THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE
Our vets’ needs The last Monday in May, Memorial Day, was designed to honor those who died in service to our country. It is tragically ironic that around the same time we honored and remembered the dead, we were learning about inefficiencies in the Department of Veteran’s Affairs that negatively affects the quality of life for those who were injured, not killed, during their term of service. Allegations that many veteran’s hospitals and medical centers do not assist those veterans needing medical care within the mandated 30 days are troubling. Some say that the lengthy waits may have been a factor in the deaths of as many as 40 veterans. The access problem is compounded by poor recordkeeping at some veteran’s hospitals, making it impossible to verify how many veterans waited for medical attention and the length of time they had to wait.
A call for resignation The controversy has led to calls for Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki to resign, but it is unclear whether his resignation will serve any but a symbolic purpose if the medical treatment of veterans does not change substantially. In this highly partisan environment, it makes no sense for the White House to offer Shinseki’s head on a platter to satisfy the hyper partisanship of growling of angry Republicans. Veterans, and those who represent them in Congress, come from all parts of the political spectrum. It ought to be in everyone’s interest to improve access to health care for veterans. There are other issues regarding fair and compassionate treatment for veterans that must be considered. The recent killings at Fort Hood suggest that there is insufficient focus on mental health issues for our military, with the rate of Army suicides doubling between 2004 and 2009. Many veterans say that one of their stressors is the inaccuracy involved in evaluating their disabilities that have come from their service. Missing limbs, impaired mobility, extreme stress and insomnia are all factors included when a monthly disability check is calculated. Even inaccurate claims are difficult to obtain for some veterans. More than
DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM
611,000 claims were backlogged (for more than four months for their claims to be processed.) The number dropped this year to 344,000 claims, which is still too many veterans waiting too long for help.
Other issues The recent exposure of long waits for medical treatment just scratches the surface of the way that veterans are welcomed back into our society. Military skills are not easily converted to civilian labor force skills, unemployment rates for recent veterans (those serving since 2001) are often high – 9 percent for veterans compared to 6.3 for the entire population. President Obama has urged private sector employers to give priority to hiring veterans who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, but unemployment rates, though falling, remain high. Minority and women veterans had even higher unemployment rates, and often greater challenges. More than 58,000 veterans are homeless, representing about 12 percent of the homeless population. More than half have disabilities or mental health problems. As many as 70 percent have substance abuse problems. There might be fewer homeless if the mental and physical health needs of veterans were addressed when these soldiers leave the military. When our soldiers return from fighting for our country, they face a new fight – a fight to be treated fairly. That means shorter waits for medical attention, more focus on mental health issues, more assistance in reentering the job market, and more counseling to help families adjust to new household dynamics. Veterans should not have to fight for this kind of assistance. Haven’t they fought enough?
Julianne Malveaux is an economist and author. Write your own response at www. daytonatimes.com.
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 29 – JUNE 4,DECEMBER 2014 ENTERTAINMENT 14 - 20, 2006
MAYOR
Don Lemon breaking out at CNN Anchor shares opinions on everything from race to equal pay for women BY DAVID BAUDER ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK – CNN’s Don Lemon braced himself after being recognized by a viewer on a Harlem street. “I don’t always agree with you,’’ the person began, ominously. “But keep it up. I’m not always supposed to agree with you.’’ Lemon could think of no sweeter compliment. The 48-year-old news anchor has attracted attention by adding his opinion to stories he’s telling. His bosses are rewarding him with more airtime, and his visibility has increased this spring through coverage of the missing Malaysia Airlines plane and other stories. He frequently hosts the 10 p.m. news hour. His decision to speak out traces directly to coming out publicly as gay in a memoir published three years ago. This month while mod-
erating a discussion with four women on the firing of New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson, Lemon said he didn’t believe in equal pay for equal work in all circumstances – the verbal equivalent of sticking his head in a lion’s mouth. He denounced Florida’s “stand your ground’’ law in coverage of a trial involving it. He offered troubled pop star Chris Brown advice “from one Black man to another’’ in a segment on Tom Joyner’s radio show.
Lemon vs. Simmons No incident attracted more attention than when Lemon said he agreed with some criticism of Blacks by Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly. Young Black men should think about pulling up their pants, staying in school, not using the nword, not having children out of wedlock and taking interest in their communities, Lemon said. That provoked a response from entrepreneur Russell Simmons, who wrote an open letter saying, “I can’t accept that you would single out Black teenagers as the cause of their own demise because they don’t speak the King’s
CNN news anchor Don Lemon has denounced Florida’s “stand your ground’’ law and offered troubled pop star Chris Brown advice “from one Black man to another’’ in a segment on the “Tom Joyner Morning Show.’’ English or wear belts around their waistbands.’’
‘Underappreciated anchor’ Lemon said he knew that he would get a reaction, and that it was important to start a conversation. “What surprised me was how many people would be taking it out of context and trying to turn it into something that it was not, that it was a criticism of African-Americans to tell them how to act, that it had something to do with racism,’’ he said. “That had nothing to do with racism. That was self-empowerment.’’ Too often, he said, people think all Blacks should feel the same way about is-
Kanye goes on tirade at wedding reception
tabloid covers to sell your image, to use you in an SNL spoof,” he said, per an observer. “We don’t negotiate. We’re not like that. We’re not stupid.” A little while later, he added, “The Kardashians are an industry!” He also spoke about his and Kim’s inner circle, saying, “We are warriors! There is not one person at this table that has not had to defend us at some point or another.” Then, referring to a specific group of guests at the wedding, he added, “At this table…the combination of powers…can make the world a better place.”
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More praise and gushing
Kanye West went on one of his trademark tirades – this time at his own wedding reception. After exchanging vows with Kim Kardashian, the rapper delighted his honored guests at the Forte di Belvedere in Florence, Italy, on Saturday, May 24, with a rant against the media and a declaration of the Kardashian brand as an “industry,” according to multiple reports. Us Weekly reports that he started off earlier in the evening with a romantic speech praising his new bride, but then jumped back on the mic later on to ramble for 20 minutes about a bunch of other topics. At one point, he mentioned “public warfare,” and then talked about the perks and pitfalls of celebrity. “They feel like it’s okay to put you on the
He called them “the most remarkable people of our time,” the onlooker says of the rapper. West praised his bride, too, of course. Calling his new wife, 33, the “ideal celebrity…the ideal art,” he mentioned “spending every single day of [his] life with Kim.” The rapper was similarly effusive at the couple’s pre-wedding bash at the Palace of Versailles in France on May 23. “Kanye kept making the cutest remarks to her,” a source previously told Us. “He said, ‘It’s amazing to look around this room; there are so many talented people.’ Then Kim said, ‘And beautiful people.’ Kanye replied, ‘Yeah, but Kim’s way more beautiful than I am talented.’” “It was so sweet,” the insider gushed. “He said a couple adorable things like that. They seemed so happy.”
sues and criticize any deviation, “which to me is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.’’ There’s some concern Lemon is reacting to symptoms rather than the causes of problems in the Black community, said Eric Deggans, author of “Race Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation.’’ “I’ve always felt that Don was an underappreciated anchor, and was afraid that he’d be another one of those Black anchors at CNN who hasn’t seemed to stick around,’’ Deggans said. “I’m really glad that CNN values him enough to put him in prime time because I think it’s important.’’
RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina is now the go-to state for “American Idols.” With Asheville rocker Caleb Johnson’s win on the TV singing competition this month, the Tar Heel State can now claim three “Idol” winners — Season 3’s Fantasia Barrino, Season 10’s Scotty McCreery and now Season 13’s Johnson. Before May 22, North Carolina and Alabama had been tied with two “Idols” apiece. (Alabama can claim Season 2’s Ruben Studdard and Season 5’s Taylor Hicks.) “You deserve it, take it all in! Welcome to the family!” McCreery, the Garner native and current N.C. State University student, tweeted to Johnson the night of May 22. North Carolina’s dominance is even more impressive when you look at those from the state who didn’t win the “Idol” title but still went on to successful music careers: Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken (now a Democratic congressional candidate) is in fourth place in all-
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will tour with the rest of this season’s Top 10 this summer as “American Idol Live!” As previous “Idol” winners have, Johnson released a debut single, “As Long As You Love Me,” before he won. His album will be released on Aug. 12.
State of ‘Idol’ Caleb Johnson was recently crowned the winner of “American Idol.” time “Idol” album sales. (Studdard, who won that season, is sixth.) Season 5’s Chris Daughtry finished fourth but is third all-time in album sales. Season 5’s Kellie Pickler finished sixth but is eighth all-time in album sales.
Top 10 breakdown So, of the Top 10 in sales figures for all “Idol” contestants, five are from North Carolina — Daughtry (third), Aiken (fourth), Barrino (fifth), McCreery (seventh) and Pickler (eighth). The two biggest sellers — by far — are Season 4 winner Carrie
Underwood (more than 14.5 million albums sold) and Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson (more than 12.7 million albums sold.) Johnson, 23, wasn’t the only North Carolinian in this year’s “Idol” final 10. Goldsboro’s Majesty Rose, 22, finished ninth. Two others from North Carolina made the Top 10 in their seasons — Season 5’s Bucky Covington (finished eighth) and Season 7’s Anoop Desai (finished tied for sixth). A favorite all season, Johnson defeated Jena Irene, 17, of Farmington Hills, Mich., in the finals. Johnson, Irene and Rose
CNN has no problem with Lemon’s opinions, so long as he’s not predictably partisan. Janelle Rodriguez, vice president of programming at CNN U.S., said Lemon talks to viewers instead of talking down to them. “Having a personality is a positive attribute,’’ Rodriguez said. Lemon had contracted to write a self-help book a few years ago and the subject even bored him. He turned it into a memoir, including the revelation he is gay. He wasn’t sure he would include that fact before sending his manuscript to CNN’s standards and practices department
for review. His company didn’t try to stop him, only warned him to be prepared for the attention. He worried openly at the time whether it would hurt his career. It hasn’t been much of an issue, although when Lemon criticized Rush Limbaugh for being a “stunt king’’ for comments the radio commentator made about Donald Sterling, Limbaugh made sure his rebuttal included the fact that Lemon “sleeps with men, proudly.’’ Talking openly about his sexuality and being abused as a child has made him free to put more of himself into his work, Lemon said. “For me, personally, it’s been empowering,’’ he said, “and I can’t go back.’’
Reality TV and social media personality Kim Kardashian and rapper Kanye West were married in Florence, Italy on May 24.
North Carolina now tops in ‘American Idols’ BY THAD OGBURN NEWS & OBERVER/MCT
Open about sexuality
Of the 13 “American Idol” winners, three are from North Carolina (Fantasia Barrino of Season 3, Scotty McCreery of Season 10 and Caleb Johnson of Season 13.) Two are from Alabama (Season 2’s Ruben Studdard and Season 5’s Taylor Hicks.) States with one “Idol” winner: Arizona — Jordin Sparks (Season 6) Arkansas — Kris Allen (Season 8) Georgia — Phillip Phillips (Season 11) Illinois — Lee DeWyze (Season 9) Missouri — David Cook (Season 7) Oklahoma — Carrie Underwood (Season 4) South Carolina — Candice Glover (Season 12) Texas — Kelly Clarkson (Season 1)
Braxton believes God gave son autism as punishment for abortion EURWEB.COM
Toni Braxton and her new memoir, “Unbreak My Heart,’’ are back in the news. This time it’s for what she wrote about her son’s health condition that seems to be receiving the most attention. Braxton writes that she believes God gave her 11-year-old son, Diezel, autism as punishment for her having an abortion more than a decade ago. “I was suddenly faced with a choice I’d never thought I’d have to make. Amid my major misgivings about abortion, I eventually made the gut-wrenching decision. “In my heart, I believed I had taken a life — an action that I thought God might one day punish me for… My initial rage was quickly followed by another strong emotion: guilt. I knew I’d taken a life…I believed God’s payback was to give my son autism.”
Strict upbringing In her memoir, Braxton, 46, details her childhood growing up in a strict household, where she claims her homework took a backseat to memorizing 26 scriptures a week and focusing solely on her religious studies. In her home, it was “Shut your mouth and suppress whatever you feel.” Braxton also wrote about the controversial debate between vaccines and autism, a topic that other celebs like Jenny McCarthy have been vocal about for years. “Maybe it’s just a coincidence that after my son’s first MMR vaccine, I began to notice changes in him,” she said, explaining that Diezel wasn’t communicating with others the way he had before she brought him to the hospital.
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MAY 29 – JUNE 4, 2014
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M ASPORTS YOR
MAY 29 –14JUNE 4, 2014 DECEMBER - 20, 2006
Johnson turns NASCAR season around with 600 win ers elected not to pit – Earnhardt, Brian Vickers, McMurray and Tony Stewart – and lined up in the first four positions on the restart on Lap 228. Marcos Ambrose spun in Turns 3 and 4 in an incident that eventually collected Landon Cassill, Josh Wise, Brian Scott and Danica Patrick to bring out a caution on Lap 236. On the restart on Lap 242, McMurray took over the race lead, followed by Kenseth and Harvick. Kurt Busch, who was attempting to become just the second driver to complete all 1,100 miles of the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day, had his car’s engine blow on Lap 274, which brought out the sixth caution of the race. “We gave it our all, and the way we were clawing our way up there and got a lucky break with the caution one time,” Busch said. “I thought we were making good gains on the car. “It was great to race in traffic, and to feel the stock car right after driving an IndyCar was a day I’ll never forget. I can’t let the mood here with the car dampen what happened up in Indy today.”
To the finish line
JEFF SINER/ CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/MCT
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) wins the 55th Annual Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25. BY JIM UTTER CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/MCT
CONCORD, N.C. — The Coca-Cola 600 is NASCAR’s longest race. It also has provided some of the biggest boosts in Jimmie Johnson’s career. Twice before, Johnson has rolled into the 600 winless on the season and rolled out a winner. Sunday night, the third time was the charm. Johnson passed Matt Kenseth with eight of 400 laps remaining and held off Kevin Harvick to earn his first Sprint Cup Series win of the season. Johnson has piled up seven series wins at Charlotte in addition to four in the All-Star Race. Sunday’s victory all but ensures Johnson a chance to earn a record-tying seventh series championship this season when
the Chase for the Sprint Cup gets under way.
Third place for Kenseth Kenseth finished third, Carl Edwards was fourth and Jamie McMurray, who won last weekend’s All-Star Race, was fifth. Brad Keselowski led the first lap, but Johnson, the pole-winner, took over on Lap 2 and held it until the first round of greenflag pit stops, which began on Lap 48. During those pit stops, Kasey Kahne was unable to get into his stall and was forced to circle the track a second time before pitting, going two laps down in the process. When the pit cycle was completed, Johnson returned to the lead on Lap 50, followed by Clint Bowyer and Harvick. Harvick made his way around Johnson to take the lead for the
first time on Lap 76. A second round of green-flag pit stops began on Lap 92 and once that cycle was completed on Lap 98, Harvick remained in the lead followed by Johnson and Bowyer.
Harvick temporarily leads During the round of stops, Denny Hamlin was forced to pit twice with a loose left-front wheel. Debris in Turn 3 brought out the first caution on Lap 109. Harvick remained in the lead on the restart on Lap 114, followed by Johnson and Bowyer. Debris on the backstretch brought out a caution on Lap 149. All of the leaders stopped for fuel with Harvick remaining in the lead on the restart on Lap 154. Johnson quickly assumed the lead and remained out front un-
til the third caution of the race when David Gilliland slammed the Turn 2 wall. “We blew a right-front tire there. We did the wave-around trying to make up some track position, but just blew a rightfront,” Gilliland said. “It got real tight the lap before and just blew a right-front. It’s a tough way for this to end.” Keselowski elected not to pit and took over the race lead on the restart on Lap 170. Harvick finally ran down Keselowski and reclaimed the lead on Lap 192. At the halfway point, Harvick led the way followed by Keselowski, Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon.
‘Lucky break’ Debris on the backstretch brought out the fourth caution of the race on Lap 223. Four driv-
Johnson took over the lead on the restart on Lap 283, followed by Kenseth and Gordon. Patrick’s engine died and brought out the seventh caution of the race on Lap 286. On the restart on Lap 294, Johnson continued to lead followed by Kenseth and Joey Logano. Kenseth quickly passed Johnson on the restart to take over the top spot. Earnhardt was forced to pit under green on Lap 311 for an engine problem just before his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Johnson, retook the lead on Lap 313. Teams began another round of green-flag stops on Lap 330. Johnson retained the lead after lap 345, followed by Kenseth and Gordon. A caution came out on Lap 378 for Alex Bowman, which sent several lead-lap cars to pit road, but Gordon, Kenseth and Johnson all had made their final stops for fuel under green and elected to remain on the track. Gordon was the leader on the restart on Lap 384, followed by Kenseth, Johnson, Martin Truex Jr. and Edwards. Kenseth made his way around Gordon on the restart to take the lead.
50 senators urge NFL to endorse name change of Redskins TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE
Fifty U.S. senators have signed on to a letter sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that calls on the National Football League (NFL) to formally endorse a name change of the Washington football franchise. The call to action marks the largest Congressional endorsement of a name change for the football team in the nation’s capital. It comes amidst building momentum from Tribes, civil rights organizations, sports leaders and elected officials for the NFL to change Washington’s mascot. A pre-Super Bowl video by the National Congress entitled “Proud to Be” has generated more than 1.8 million views on YouTube. On Monday, the state assembly in the home state of NFL headquarters – New York – passed a bipartisan resolution denouncing the use of racial slurs as team names. In the letter – led by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and signed by 47 other senators – the senators urged the NFL to follow the example of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in sending a clear message against racism in sports.
Sterling example The senators pointed to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s swift decision to ban Los Angeles Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling from the league for his racist comments about African-Americans attending basketball games. “Today, we urge you and the National Football League to send the same clear message as the NBA did: that racism and bigotry have no place in professional sports,” the senators wrote. “It’s time for the NFL to endorse a name change for the Washing-
ton, D.C. football team. “The despicable comments made by Mr. Sterling have opened up a national conversation about race relations. We believe this conversation is an opportunity for the NFL to take action to remove the racial slur from the name of one of its marquee franchises.”
Others on board Civil rights organizations and tribes across the nation have called on the Washington football team to change its name. Other prominent national organizations in support of a name change include the NAACP, National Council of La Raza, American Association of People with Disabilities, the ACLU, National Organization for Women, and the Anti-Defamation League. “Now is the time for the NFL to act,” the senators wrote. “The Washington, D.C. football team is on the wrong side of history. What message does it send to punish slurs against African Americans while endorsing slurs against Native Americans?” Tribal organizations representing more than 2 million Native Americans and more than 300 tribes have called on the NFL for a name change. They include the Oneida Indian Nation, which launched a national “Change the Mascot” campaign to end the use of a racial slur in the team’s name. The National Congress of American Indians, the largest organization representing Native Americans passed a resolution in October in support of a name change.
Tribes have spoken A name change has also been endorsed by United South and Eastern Tribes, and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, and the Navajo Nation. This month,
ELIZABETH FLORES/MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE/MCT
James Charging Eagle of Standing Rock, N.D., joins others calling the Washington Redskins nickname a racist slur as several hundred protesters rallied at the Mall of America Field in Minneapolis on Nov. 7, 2013. the New York State Assembly unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution denouncing the use of racial slurs as team mascots. “This is a matter of tribal sovereignty – and Indian Country has spoken clearly on this issue,” the Senators wrote. “Tribes have worked for generations to preserve the right to speak their languages and perform their sacred ceremonies. Yet every Sunday during football season, the Washington, D.C. football team mocks their culture. The NFL can no longer ignore this and perpetuate the use of this name as anything but what it is: a racial slur.” Senators who signed the letter include: Cantwell, Reid, Jon Tester (D-MT), Charles Schum-
er (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), John Walsh (D-MT), Sherrod Brown (DOH), Carl Levin (D-MI), Mark Begich (D-AK), Brian Schatz (DHI), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Johnson (DSD), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Bernie Sanders (IVT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tom Udall (D-CO), Debbie Stabenow (DMI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-
VT), Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Angus King (I-ME), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Claire McCaskill (DMO), Amy Klobuchar, (D-MN), Al Franken (D-MN), Edward Markey (D-MA), Mark Udall (DCO), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Carper (D-DE), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Ben Cardin (DMD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kay Hagan (D-NC), and Mary Landrieu (D-LA). Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) also sent a separate letter to Goodell calling for a name change.
This story is special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the Seattle Medium.
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Report: Blacks, Latinos ‘nearly penniless’ For every dollar in wealth held by the typical White family, AfricanAmerican and Latino families only have six and seven cents, the data shows. BY FREDDIE ALLEN NNPA NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON – The growing racial wealth gap – $200 in median wealth for Blacks in 2011 and $23,000 for Whites – threatens national economic security in the United States, according to a recent report by the Center for Global Policy Solutions. “When it comes to the racial gap in liquid wealth, African-Americans and Latinos are nearly penniless,” stated the report. “The median liquid wealth of Whites is over 100 times that of Blacks.” The report said that when retirement savings are taken out of the analysis, the disparities in liquid wealth are even more disturbing. “Blacks are found to hold a mere $25 and Latinos just $100 in liquid wealth, compared to $3,000 held by the typical White household,” the report said. During a press conference on the report on Capitol Hill, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) said that the racial gap is not some product of changes in the economy. “It’s our tax policy, designed to help the rich, It’s also our trade policy, offshoring our jobs and it’s also the attack on unions,” said Ellison.
Drowning in debt Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) said that families are living paycheck to paycheck and are drowning in debt from predatory loans and mortgages and decreased home values following the housing crisis. This great divide in wealth has contributed to many of the problems that are facing communities of color, including lower educational achievement and family insecurity, according to Horsford. He said that minorities were institutionally restricted from having access to wealth-building tools largely until the Civil Rights Movement and, though explicit institutional racism has somewhat subsided, the wide gap in wealth between families of color and White families is still a reflection of more discreet systematic and social barriers that have limited economic mobility.
Baby bonds The report outlined a number of policy recommendations, including a universal “baby bond” trust program. Darrick Hamilton, associate professor of Economics and Urban Policy Milano Graduate School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy at The New School in New York City said that baby bonds could help close the wealth gap. “The idea is that as an adult you can engage in wealth building you can purchase an asset so that you have the opportunity to build economic security over a lifetime,” said Hamilton. He explained, “If the average account is $20,000 at birth and we have about 4 million babies born per
eral Reserve data shows,” said Rockeymoore, president and CEO for the Center for Global Policy Solutions. “What our study shows is that for every dollar in wealth held by typical White family, AfricanAmerican and Latino families only have six and seven cents.” There are elements of personal responsibility connected to how we build and grow wealth, but the structural elements outweigh the personal considerations, said Rockeymoore. “In order to make policy change you have to be politically involved,” said Rockeymoore. “In order to make sure your bank account looks different, there are certain things that you can do as well.”
PHOTOS BY FREDDIE ALLEN/NNPA
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) discusses the wealth gap as Rep. Barbara Lee (DCalif.) looks on year, that would make the cost of around $80 billion dollars a year for the program.” Hamilton said that would be about 2.2 percent of the federal budget and rival what gets spent at the Department of Education. He added, “If you could design another program like the Department of Education that would help close the racial wealth gap and provide economic security for all Americans I ask, would you do it?”
System blamed Maya Rockeymoore, president of the think tank that produced the report, said that the African-American community should know that it’s not about them, it’s about the system and how it is structured
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) speaks at the conference. with policies that deny their opportunity to have equitable chances for growing wealth in this nation.
“We’ve been told that all of the households have recovered from the recession, that’s what the Fed-
The underlying problem Whatever it takes, the country can’t continue to go down this road, said Rep. Elijah Cummings (DMd.)., noting that in less than 30 years, the majority of people living in the United States will be people of color. Cummings said, “If you have the majority in this country who are not earning enough money to take care of their families, who are not earning enough to create a savings account and don’t have pensions, who’s going to buy the refrigerators, who’s going to buy the curtains who’s going to buy the cars?” He added, “We have to make sure that America understands that this is not just a minority problem, this is an economic security problem. If you cut that many people out of the economic mainstream, your country will literally collapse.”