EE FR
BRUCE A. DIXON: Obama administration keeps PRESORTED
thousands imprisoned unfairly See pageSTANDARD 4
Daytona
City helps students with school supplies See page 3
U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #189 Daytona Beach, FL
Weldon Ryan talks to residents about his art See page 3
East Central Florida’s Black Voice
www.daytonatimes.com www.daytonatimes.com
AUGUST 8 - AUGUST 14, 2013
YEAR 38 NO. 32
NAACP, Black clergy: No sweetheart deal for officer
PEOPLE SPEAK
Slater, Durham concerned about action for Volusia’s Todd Snipes whose Facebook page included derogatory remark about slain teen BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
The local NAACP and Black pastors are threatening action “should Volusia County be moved to offer a ‘sweetheart deal’” to beach patrol officer Todd Snipes in the form of early retirement as is being alleged. Snipes remains on paid administrative leave as his future with the county is yet to be determined after a commentary was discovered on his Facebook page last
month regarding Trayvon Martin who was killed last year by Sanford neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman who was acquitted last month of murder charges. Slater and Durham said in a press release this week that sources close to the county have told them a deal has been worked out for Snipes to apply for early retirement with benefits.
‘No say’ Dave Byron, a spokesman for the county, told the Daytona Times
this week that no deal has been reached in regards to Snipes. “That’s not the way personnel matters are handled by the county. The county has no say in retirement benefits because all county employees are in the Florida Retirement System. The state, not the county, sets the retirement benefits,” Byron said. Byron said immediately after the county became aware of the communications in question from Officer Snipes, an internal affairs investigation was started.
“Mr. Snipes is a law enforcement officer and is entitled to due process through the county’s Merit Rules (personnel code) and the Florida Policeman’s Bill of Todd Rights. That in- Snipes vestigation is very near to completion and the county intends to have an announcement in the very near future,” Byron continued.
Delay wanted Slater and Durham said in their
Closing out summer with Community Unity Festival Aug. 17 event also will be fundraiser for Bryon Center
press release they want Volusia County Manager Jim Dinneen to delay his final decision on Snipes until the Volusia County Council is apprised of the findings of the internal investigation at a public forum in the council chambers. “This matter will not come before the County Council. By Volusia County charter, all employees work for the county manager and personnel matters are exclusively the purview of the county manager,” Byron concluded. Durham said he learned recently that discussions between attorneys representing Snipes and a representative from the Please see no deal, Page 2
Private firm begins hiring for custodial jobs at schools BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
Live music, food and fun for the entire family are in store for those attending the Aug. 17 Community Unity Festival scheduled from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Daisy Stocking Park. Hosted by Daytona Beach Commissioner Paula Reed, the Community Unity Festival is designed to give residents a family-friendly venue and age-appropriate activities to celebrate summer’s end in the heart of Daytona Beach. “As a new commissioner, I wanted to host a fun event where all residents would feel welcomed and embrace our great community. I also wanted to raise money for the Rose Marie Bryon Center. They do so much for the children in our community and I want them to know how much I appreciate their service,” Reed said. Proceeds raised at the Community Unity Festival will benefit the Rose Marie Bryon Center, which has been at its South Street location since 1964.
A jobs fair for custodial workers in Volusia County Schools took place Aug. 6 and 7 at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach and Galaxy Middle School in DeLand. The fair was conducted by Aramark, a private firm chosen by the county earlier this year to perform their custodial services. “We have transitioned a majority of the Volusia County schools custodial employees. but we are still hiring for additional positions,” Karen Cutler, Director of Communications, stated in an email to the Daytona Times this week. “ARAMARK has partnered with Volusia County Schools for 25 years. We provide a complete range of food, facility, uniform and other support services to more than 500 K-12 school districts in the U.S,” Cutler added.
Activities for all ages
Millions saved
There are three distinct times when agespecific activities are planned: The “Kid Zone” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature arts and crafts, choo-choo train rides, inflatables and pony rides for children under 12 years of age and their parents. From 2 to 6 p.m., teenagers will be able to congregate and listen to live music, participate in a dance-off competition, enjoy a comedy show and a gospel showcase. Adults, 21 years of age and older are welcome from 6 to 10 p.m. for live music by local favorites LA Robinson & Street Life, dancing and the spoken word by Milton McCullough. Refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the day courtesy of local Daytona Beach businesses. The Community Unity Festival is sponsored by PepsiCo, Bethune-Cookman University, AFSCME, Vitas, Brown & Brown Insurance, and the City of Daytona Beach.
By outsourcing custodial work, the School District of Volusia County projects it will save an estimated $30.3 million over a period of five years. These savings exceed earlier projections by the district. On Feb. 12, the School Board authorized the superintendent, Dr. Margaret Smith, to proceed with a request for proposals (RFP) for private firms to provide custodial services beginning on July 1. The superintendent stated that she would recommend contracting with a private firm only if it would result in substantial cost savings to help the district meet its obligation to have a balanced budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal years in the face of a significant
FROM STAFF REPORTS
FILE PHOTO
Shown above is an image from Youth on the Move held in May at Daisy Stocking Park. Similar activities such as face painting are planned at the Community Unity Festival.
Please see JOBS, Page 2
Local photographer teaching youth to shoot with cameras, not guns BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
COURTESY OF DUANE FERNANDEZ, SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Youngsters on the Living Faith Jaguars football team work together to complete a project for the Teaching Youth to Shoot with Cameras Not Guns Youth Awareness Program.
Photographer Duane Fernandez, Sr. is working to increase appreciation of the arts by helping to expose youth to photography as a hobby or profession Fernandez, who also takes photos for the Daytona Times, graduated with a photography degree from Daytona State University. Along with capturing local events, Fernandez took numerous trips to Sanford during the George Zimmerman trial. His photographs from the cov-
erage were featured in the Times and its sister newspaper, the Florida Courier. Fernandez also is giving back to young people in the local community through his youth awareness program, Team Hardnotts University.
Works with local partners
Duane Fernandez
Fernandez, who also has been a youth motivational speaker, created the Teaching Youth to Shoot with Cameras Not Guns Youth Please see CAMERAS, Page 2
R2
7 FOCUS
AUGUST 8 – AUGUST 14, 2013
Popular coach, educator Johnny Charles to be funeralized on Saturday BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
Longtime Daytona Beach resident Johnny L. Charles passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on Aug. 2 A wake celebrating his life will be held at R.J. Gainous Funeral Home on Friday, Aug. 9 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The family invites all who desire to reflect on Charles’ life to be a part of this memorial service. The final celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 10, at Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church followed by a Committal Service at Greenwood Cemetery with Pastor Nathan L. Mugala officiating.
Army veteran, director at prison
DUANE FERNANDEZ, SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Living Faith Jaquars supporters help youngsters with a photography project.
CAMERAS from Page 1
this program is designed to tap into the artistic expressions of our youth.”
Focus on teamwork
Awareness Program. He began partnering with other local youth organizations and programs such as Halifax Health, StewartMarchman and other nonprofits and youth sports teams. His therapeutic photography program is located at the new Yvonne ScarlettGolden Cultural and Educational Center. “It seemed like a great fit,” said Fernandez. “The goal of the center is to help expose our youth to more arts and culture-based activities and
Fernandez says running the program at a center located in the heart of the community has been great for the visibility of his program and he expects to benefit significantly from it as participation and interest continues to grow. Recently, Fernandez shared his program with a group of youth from the Living Faith Jaguars football program as part of their efforts to grow beyond the playing field. During a recent session, participants were asked
NO DEAL
Probing questions
from Page 1 county held last week in the offices of Snipes’ attorneys “may result in a sweet deal for Officer Snipes.’’ Durham said the communications in question by Snipes were allegedly viewed and received on county computers on county time.
JOBS
“The terms of his dismissal for his repulsive and revolting commentary regarding Trayvon Martin – a captioned Facebook picture of Trayvon with these words – “These skittles are to die for!” and other pictures – are being negotiated by his attorneys on the grounds that there is insufficient evidence to prove a breach of the Florida Department Law Enforcement Code of
from Page 1
vices, Inc., $11.4 million; ISS Facility Services, $10.9 million; and Owens, Renz, & Lee, Inc., $13.4 million.
budget deficit.
Review process
Who sent proposals Volusia County School spokesperson Nancy Wait said in a press release that Aramark providing custodial services “is part of a larger and ongoing effort to achieve cost savings to protect student instructional programs, services and activities from further major budget cuts.” The school district has eliminated nearly 2,000 positions since 2007. The district’s current custodial services expenditures for fiscal year 2013 are $17.6 million. Five firms submitted proposals on April 5 in response to the RFP. They were Aramark Education, $11.5 million; DTZ, Inc., $11.1 million; GCA Educational Ser-
Wait said each proposal was thoroughly reviewed by an evaluation committee to determine the lowest responsible bid. Aramark Education received the highest ratings by the committee, which recommended to the superintendent that the school board authorize district staff to begin negotiations with Aramark Education. “We are committed to a smooth transition. Steps have been taken to ensure an opportunity for our hardworking custodians to be employed by a private vendor,” said Smith. “This process demonstrates that a private provider can meet our level of service, save millions of dollars and offer the same salary to our custodians.”
to discuss their definition of teamwork. They were then provided cameras and asked to capture an image that represents teamwork. Students later returned to discuss their images with the group. “It was a great experience,” Fernandez said. “Whenever I have a group like that, I try to make sure the session topic relates to the goals of that particular group.’’ Fernandez is currently working on bringing several other youth groups into the Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Cultural and Educational Center to participate in his program. The youth program takes
place Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the Scarlett-Golden center. The program is funded by Fernandez, funds and donations received from various photography jobs as well as support from Daytona Beach Commissioner Patrick Henry. Henry provided the materials for Hernandez to start the program. For more information on the program, visit www, HardnottsUniversity.com or contact Fernandez by email at Duane@hardnottsuniversity.com or call 386-756-9504.
Ethics, and Florida Law Enforcement Contract,” said Durham. Durham and Slater are worried the county will bow to pressure from Snipes’ attorneys rather than call for the immediate dismissal of Snipes. According to Durham and Slater, the question should be, “What part of the Code of Ethics did Snipes not breech?” Asked Durham: “Did his comments on duty serve
the interests of justice impartially, equitably, consistently and with discretion? Did he ‘conduct [himself ] in a manner that reflects our core values of service, integrity, respect and quality? Did his words demonstrate that he treats all citizens with fairness, courtesy, respect and dignity? Is he accepting complete and total responsibility for [his] words, decisions and actions.’’
Lawn maintenance contract
A press release said that using GCA Education Services would save Volusia County Schools an estimated $3.88 million over a period of five years. Those interested in information about jobs at Volusia Schools in a custodial capacity who didn’t attend the jobs fair can call 386575-4214, ext. 40042.
The School District of Volusia also recently award contract to GCA Educational Services, Inc. to perform grounds keeping services, such as lawn maintenance. Twenty-eight employees currently provide groundskeeping services for the district.
GOSPEL HALLELUJAH WORLD WIDE RADIO MINISTRIES Hosted by: Pastor Harold Ford and Prophetess Deborah Ford LISTEN TO WPUL 1590 Saturdays 10 am -noon Sundays 5am- 7am & 1pm-3pm Listen online at: www.wpul1590.com website: www.gospelhallelujah.com
Come let the Holy Ghost Get Ya!
Johnny Charles was born July 4, 1928, to the late Raymond and Eddie Lee (Driskell) Charles. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean War. Johnny Charles grew up in Daytona Beach, one of nine siblings. He attended Bonner Elementary, Campbell Sr. High School, Bethune-Cookman College, Stetson College, and International Seminary in Plymouth. He worked at Jerkins High School in Jasper as a physical education teacher, coach of football and basketball. Charles also served as the director of the Cypress Street Recreation Center and Ormond Beach Recreational Center.
Played in Negro league He also was a professor and assistant football coach at Edward Waters College, in Jacksonville. He also worked for Florida’s prison system in Stark as the athletic director. He retired as a wellness specialist for the state prison system after 30 years of service. Charles had a full football scholarship to BethuneCookman College. He played semi-professional baseball with the Black Cats and Redwings. He also played for National Negro League, Quebec Braves, and Richmond Virginia Giants. He and his brother, Ed Charles, also played with the Kansas City Royals. In addition, Johnny Charles was a longtime member of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church. He is survived by his wife, Vivian Hickley. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Dec. 24. They had two sons, Stacy Mark and Scott Marlo (deceased). Charles’ siblings include two brothers, Elder Charlie L. Charles (Mildred), Daytona Beach, and Edwin (Ed) Charles of New York; and one sister, Virginia Charles of St. Petersburg.
Longtime Daytona resident Elbert Adams dies at 81 Funeral services were held Aug. 3 for longtime Daytona resident Elbert Adams at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church. Adams, a cement mason, passed on July 26 at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, Daytona Beach. He was 81. The Rev. Jeffrey Robinson delivered the eulogy. Adams was laid to rest at Daytona Memorial Park. Arrangements were handled by R.J. Gainous Funeral Home.
Born in Alabama Adams was born on March 2, 1932, in Hatchechubbee, Ala. In 1945, he relocated from Alabama to Orlando and later to Daytona Beach where he resided until he departed this life. He loved fishing, hunting, and attending his church at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist. Adams was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert Adams, Sr. and Minnie Lee Willis; brothers Jack, James and Eddie Adams; and sisters Elizabeth, Lucile and Lucy. He leaves to cherish his memory, three sons, Elbert “Ray” Adams, III (Teresa), Ormond Beach; Larry Adams (Diane), Daytona Beach; and Reginald Adams, Atlanta; a daughter: Judy Yenwo, Daytona Beach; and his companion of 25 years, Barbara Williams.
East Central Florida’s Black Voice Visit us online at daytonatimes.com
M A NEWS YOR
AUGUST 8 – AUGUST 14, 2013DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006 COMMUNITY
An evening with an artist Artist Weldon Ryan greeted about 100 visitors at a reception in his honor July 26 at the Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Center Cultural and Educational Center in Daytona Beach. Ryan’s artwork replaced Anthony Armstrong, who was the first artist to have his work on display at the center, which opened to the public last month. Ryan was born in Trinidad and Tobago and arrived to the U.S. at age 6 in the Bronx, New York, where he spent most of his childhood. He graduated from the High School of Art and Design in 1977, the state University of New York (New Paltz) and later the Fashion Institute of Technology. For more information about the Yvonne Scarlett-Golden center, located in Daytona Beach at 1000 Vine St., call 386-671-5780.
3 7
Grimes, Reed to help recognize gifted students at Master’s Domain Aug. 11 FROM STAFF REPORTS
DUANE FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Weldon Ryan talks to guests gathered to view his artwork last month at the Yvonne Scarlett center.
Judge Hubert Grimes and Daytona Beach City Commissioner Paula Reed will be the speakers at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Master’s Domain Church of God in Christ for “Young, Gifted, & Black, A Salute to Youth.’’ The event is sponsored by the Business & Professional Women’s Federation, Daytona Beach Chapter. Shirley Shabazz is the president of the chapter. The purpose of the event is to recognize and honor youth from the community that have excelled academically. The honorees are Jasmine Harris, James Harris, Brianna Dudley, Isaiah Dudley, Jadyn Doe, Danielle Harris, Destiny Harris, and Christopher Johnson. “It is so important for us to encourage our youth, because they are the future. And we feel that recognizing some of the ones that have done well in Judge Hubert school will encourage them and those Grimes around them to continue and to want to achieve more,” said Kezia DunklinDoek, spokesman for the event. Master’s Domain Church of God in Christ, pastored by Superintendent Derrick Harris, is located at 211 Bay St., Daytona Beach. For more information, call Shirley Shabazz at 813390-7077.
Promise Keepers convention coming to Ocean Center Oct. 25-26
DUANE HERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Volusia County School Board Member Ida Wright and Daytona Beach City Commissioner Paula Reed were on hand at the Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Cultural and Educational Center Saturday to greet kids and pass out supplies.
City gives away backpacks, supplies Hundreds turned out at the Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Cultural and Educational Center Saturday for the city’s annual Mayor’s Back Pack Give Away Backpacks and other supplies were
given to students ages 5 – 18 as long as they were accompanied by guardian. Another giveaway is planned Saturday at the John H. Dickerson Community Center, 308 S. Martin Luther King
Blvd., from 9 to 11 a.m. The city will be giving away 3,500 backpacks. Drinks, snacks and other goodies will be passed out as well from volunteering vendors.
Zumba instructor hosting supplies giveaway Monica Adolphe, a Zumba instructor at the Midtown Cultural and Educational Center in Daytona Beach, is sponsoring a backpack and supplies giveaway on Aug. 10 at the Baritz Club, 308 Pearl St. (behind Joe Harris Park.) Supplies will be given out starting at 8 a.m. until they run out. The giveaway is sponsored by G-2-E Investments, Super Green Party Rentals and Kimmis Kleaning with Kare.
Promise Keepers, a nonprofit Christian organization for men, has chosen the Ocean Center for one of its 2013 national men’s conferences. The “Awakening the Warrior” conference, set for Oct. 25 - 26, is expected to draw 5,000 to 7,000 attendees. Speakers will include: • Miles McPherson, author of “Do Something: Make Your Life Count,” founder and president of the outreach ministry Miles Ahead, and a former defensive back with the San Diego Chargers • Gary Rosberg, an author, radio host and cofounder of the international ministry America’s Family Coaches • Rick Rigsby, a former television reporter and college professor • Dan Seaborn, founder of the ministry Winning at Home • Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference • Dr. Raleigh Washington, president and CEO of Promise Keepers Gospel rapper Propaganda will emcee the event. Other performers include vocalist Jeremy Camp and comedian Michael Jr. Since its founding in 1990, Promise Keepers has reached more than 6 million men through conferences in the United States, Canada and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.promisekeepers. org.
Volusia’s Citizens Academy deadline extended to Aug. 9
Monica Adolphe, center, is pictured with some of her Zumba clients at the Midtown Cultural and Educational Center.
The deadline to submit applications for Volusia County’s Citizens Academy has been extended to Friday, Aug. 9. The 12-week, hands-on program is designed to educate citizens about county government operations. Classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays from Aug. 27 through Nov. 5. The final class is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 11. There is no charge for the program, but applicants are asked to commit to attending all 12 classes. Members will meet at various county facilities, including the Sheriff’s Communications and Emergency Operations Center, Tomoka Landfill, Volusia County Branch Jail, Marine Science Center, Ocean Center and Daytona Beach International Airport. They also will tour county construction projects.
Must be county resident Topics will include growth management, community services, public protection, property assessments and budgets. Participants must be residents of Volusia County and at least 21 years old. Basic knowledge of computers is helpful as class materials are posted online and email is used to communicate with class members. Applications are available online at www.volusia. org/government/citizens-academy. The program is limited to 25 participants. For more information, contact Cindy Finney, program administrator, at 386-740-5160.
County Council to hold special meeting Aug. 20 BIG HELP FOR LOCAL BOYS AND GIRLS Florida State Sen. Dorothy L. Hukill, center, presented a check to the DeLand/Bright House/Spring Hill chapter of the Boys and Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler Counties on Aug. 2. Also pictured with Hukill and local kids are Boys and Girls Unit Director Althea Chavers and Joe Sullivan, CEO for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler Counties. Volusia/Flagler will receive $325,000, which will be divided between the eight clubs in the counties, which reaches more than 1,400 at-risk children yearly.
The Volusia County Council will hold a special meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, to continue discussion of the five-year forecast presented by independent accountants from James Moore & Co. The meeting will be in the Frank T. Bruno Jr. County Council Chambers of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand. The public is invited to attend, and public participation will be permitted. For more information, call the County Manager’s Office at 386-736-5920.
R4
7 EDITORIAL
AUGUST 8 – AUGUST 14, 2013
Overdraft fees cost consumers $16.7 billion In recent years, many banks and credit unions have encouraged new checking account customers to accept two items: a debit card that replaces cash transactions and a “protection” known as overdraft coverage. Overdraft programs automatically pay for transactions not covered by available funds; the bank then repays itself the overdraft amount along with fees – often hefty ones – from the customer’s next deposit. However what many unsuspecting consumers soon discover is that this so-called protection from banks comes at an extremely high cost. In 2011, financial institutions charged consumers $16.7 billion in overdraft fees, affecting more than 36 million Americans’ checking accounts. High-Cost Overdraft Practices, the latest installment in the Center for Responsible Lending’s research series, The State of Lending, found that debit cards trigger the most disproportionate fees. On debit card purchases, the median overdraft charge is $35 for a $20 overdraft. Further, debit card and ATM transactions account for at least 35 percent of all overdraft fees charged.
Severe consequences The high share of fees generated by debit cards is ironic, since banks and credit unions can simply decline these transactions at no cost to the consumer – and some institutions do. For banks that continue this pernicious practice, the consequences for their customers can be severe. The report states, “Abusive overdraft programs drive consumers out of the banking system; indeed they are the leading reason
Charlene Crowell NNPA FINANCIAL WRITER
consumers lose their checking accounts.” Today, three-fourths of the nation’s largest banks and large numbers of smaller banks and credit unions charge fees on debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals, or both. Moreover, these overdrafts and associated fees are assessed without regard to a consumer’s ability to repay them. In response to widespread criticism surrounding overdraft programs, the Federal Reserve Board made a 2010 regulation that required institutions to obtain a customer’s ‘opt-in’ for overdraft coverage on debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals before fees would apply. Additionally and in the same year, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s guidance advised that more than six overdraft fees within a 12-month period was excessive for any account holder.
Opting in However, CRL and others have found that many financial institutions aggressively market their overdraft programs, pushing customers most likely to generate the most fees to “opt-in” for coverage. Customers with small and no cushions in their accounts may initially view overdraft coverage as a way to save money. But as overdraft fees are assessed per transaction, the costs can quickly become burdensome, leaving fewer available dollars for the next month.
“Over time, the repeated fees strip away consumers’ cash assets, leaving them financially worse off than when they first over-drafted and unable to meet obligations they otherwise could have met even with no overdraft coverage at all,” says CRL. “Banks and credit unions have long defended overdraft fees by saying they protect customers from bounced checks, which typically trigger insufficient funds (NSF) fees and potentially merchant fees,” states the CRL report. “But the same justification could not be made for debit card purchases, since there is no NSF or merchant fees charge for debit card transactions that are declined at check-out when the customer’s account is short.”
Spawning ground A great spawning ground for corruption are the minority business programs throughout our nation. City, county, state, federal and corporations have some form of outreach and technical assistance for businesses that come from racial/ socio economic disadvantaged groups. Most require participants to be “certified” as a minority, female, etc. type of business ownership. There is so much fraud involved in many of these applications that we can’t count them all. Cheating applicant, cheating employee overseeing the program and usually a
HARRY C. ALFORD NNPA COLUMNIST
CRL offers a set of policy remedies to halt overdraft’s harmful features. Highlights include banning overdraft fees on debit cards, ATM transactions and on pre-paid cards. CRL also advocates banning banks from manipulating the order of consumers’ checking transactions to increase fees. Concluded CRL, “Without substantive reform of the product, the fees overdrafts generate provide financial institutions too powerful an incentive to ensure that customers continue to incur overdraft fees – an incentive that will continue to outweigh even the best disclosures.”
Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene. crowell@responsiblelending. org. Click on this story at www. daytonatimes.com to write your own response.
into this AGOA action. The island nation of Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean and has been given “nominal status” as an African nation. India is shipping tons of raw products to this island of mainly Indian expatriates and then shipping the finished products to the Unites States under AGOA benefits. How many trillions of dollars are taken out of our general economy because of corruption? How many good decisions and acts of leadership are lost to bribery, kick-backs and many other forms of corruption? It is an attitude that focuses on greed, quick money and a life style of cheating. You can’t get to Heaven living that way. Sooner or later most of the corrupt operators will get their justice. Too bad, most will be replaced with others of the same ilk. Just how deep is corruption? Too deep!
cheating White-owned seasoned business conspiring with the others. Every one of these programs has some form of corruption in their daily process. Some do it for quick bucks and some do it to prolong their racist attitudes and/or greed. There is much corruption going on with the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). This is similar to a free trade treaty. AGOA certified nations in Africa may export goods to America without paying any duties. There are two big abuses going on. 1. German auto manufacturer BMW has built a plant in South Africa for the sole purpose of Harry Alford is the co-foundshipping the product to the United er, president/CEO of the NationStates duty free. al Black Chamber of Commerce. Website: www.nationalbcc.org. Corrupt operators Email: halford@nationalbcc. In essence, a European firm is org. Click on this story at www. benefitting from a program meant daytonatimes.com to write your for African firms. India has jumped own response.
Teddy bears, toy guns, and real runs Imagine your kindergartner is visiting a new friend’s house. During the hour they are running around together, they’ll pick up and play with all three of the following things, but only two of them have been tested by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for safety standards. Which one do you want to be sure has been regulated for safety? The teddy bear sitting on his or her friend’s bed? The plastic gun with the cowboy costume in the toy box? The real handgun kept unlocked and loaded in his father’s nightstand? If you hoped you could count on safety features on the real gun, you’d be making a tragic mistake. Many Americans heed the CPSC and its recalls of dangerous products to help keep their families safe. As the agency describes its job, “CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products
Marian Wright Edelman NNPA COLUMNIST
over the past 40 years.”
Lethal product But thanks in large part to the work of the gun lobby, guns are specifically not under the CPSC’s jurisdiction and are the only consumer product not regulated for safety. Instead the CPSC is expressly forbidden from regulating the manufacture and sale of guns, although they are one of the most lethal consumer products. A 1976 amendment to the Consumer Product Safety Act specifically states that the Commission “shall make no ruling or order that restricts the manufacture or sale of guns, guns ammunition, or components of guns ammunition, including black powder or gun powder for guns.” As a result, the CPSC can regulate teddy bears and toy guns but not real guns. In the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF)’s new report, “Protect Children Not Guns 2013,” we’ve identified consumer safety standards, childproof safety features, and au-
TAYLOR JONES, EL NUEVO DIA, PUERTO RICO
Policy remedies
How deep is corruption? I have seen examples of corruption throughout my life. Some are pretty much like the CocaCola driver peddling hot drinks throughout my old neighborhood. How about the time when one of my football coaches offered cash under the table for us if we made major hits, touchdowns, interceptions, etc.? I have seen it all. Some has been petty and some had the potential of serious implications and outcomes if I would have agreed to it.
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: A-ROD
thorized-user identification technology for all guns as three major gaps in our nation’s current gun safety policy where we can do better to protect child lives.
White NFL player saying ‘nigger’ stirs debate I typically don’t write about professional athletes doing stupid things because I have absolutely no interest and it serves no purpose. But Riley Cooper’s actions from last month can be very instructive and deserves my attention. Riley Cooper is about to begin his fourth season as a wide receiver with Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL. The 25-year-old was born in Oklahoma City and raised in Clearwater. He played football for the University of Florida. By all accounts, he is a very good receiver and has been a model teammate during his years in the league. Last month, he attended a Kenny Chesney concert in Philadelphia. He was denied backstage access before the concert and became visibly angry based on the video that has gone viral. In the video, Riley can be seen and heard telling security (who cannot be seen in the video and is said to be Black), “I will jump that fence and fight every nigger here, bro.”
Riley Cooper apologizes After the video went viral, Riley issued a series of tweets apologizing for his actions and words, “I am so ashamed and disgusted with myself. I want to apologize. I have been offensive. I have apologized to my coach, Jeffrey Lurie, and Howie Roseman and to my teammates. I owe an apology to the fans and to this community. I am so ashamed, but there are no excuses. What I did…was wrong and I will accept the consequences.” The chairman and CEO of the team, Jeffrey Lurie issued this statement on behalf of the team, saying: “We are shocked and appalled by Riley Cooper’s words. This sort of behavior or attitude from anyone has no role in a civil society. He has accepted responsibility for his words and his actions. He has been fined for this incident.” The team then posted a statement on their website: “In meeting with Riley yesterday, we decided together that his next step will be to seek outside assistance to help him fully understand the impact of his words and actions. He needs to reflect. As an organization, we will provide the resources he needs to do so.”
RAYNARD JACKSON NNPA COLUMNIST
What Cooper said was stupid. But, what I am having a problem reconciling is the reaction of the public in general and the team and NFL in particular.
Used freely I have had many professional athletes as clients and friends and spend a considerable amount of time with them both in public and in private. I am appalled at how freely the word nigger is used by these athletes in mixed crowds. Riley is White, but I can assure you that his Black teammates use the word nigger around him – on the field, in the locker room, and when they are together privately. I am not making a judgment as to whether it is right or wrong; I am simply sharing my personal interactions with professional athletes in various settings. This is the dilemma the Black community has created for the broader public. We give rappers, entertainers, and other Blacks a pass when they use the word nigger, but then want to hold a White person to a different standard. There must be one standard when it comes to the usage of this word – it is not acceptable for anyone, under any circumstance to use it. Period. My point is very simple: If we in the Black community didn’t use the word nigger, then others wouldn’t feel comfortable using it, either. Cooper is totally responsible for what came out of his mouth; but the Black community is responsible for making him feel comfortable saying it.
Raynard Jackson is president and CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a Washington, D.C.-based public relations/government affairs firm. He can be reached through his website, www.raynardjackson.com. Click on this story at www.daytonatimes.com to write your own response.
Childproof guns Every gun in our country should be childproof. One-third of all households with children have at least one gun in the home, and it’s estimated that nearly 2 million children live in homes with an unlocked and loaded gun. But federal law is silent on gunrelated consumer safety standards and child access prevention, and for nearly forty years the CPSC’s hands have been tied even as potentially lifesaving technology has been innovated. As a result, many handguns don’t contain easily installed life-saving safety features. Congress must subject guns to the same consumer product safety regulations that cover virtually every other consumer product. It’s time for childproof safety features on all guns to save young lives.
Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children’s Defense Fund. For more information, go to www.childrensdefense.org. Click on this story at www.daytonatimes.com to write your own response.
W W W.DAY TONATIMES.COM Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC, P.O. Box 48857 Tampa, Fl 33646, publishes the Florida Daytona Times on Thursdays. Phone: 877-352-4455, toll-free. For all sales inquiries, call 877-352-4455; e-mail sales@ flcourier.com.
Charles W. Cherry, Sr. (1928-2004), Founder Julia T. Cherry, Senior Managing Member, Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC
Subscriptions to the print version are $59 per year. Mail check to P.O. Box 48857 Tampa, Fl 33646, or log on to www.daytona.com; click on ‘Subscribe’.
Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Chief Executive Officer
SUBMISSIONS POLICY SEND ALL SUBMISSIONS TO NEWS@DAYTONATIMES.COM. Deadline for submitting news and pictures is 5 p.m. the Monday before the Thursday publication date. You may submit articles at any time. However, current events received prior to deadline will be considered before any information that is submitted, without the Publisher’s prior approval, after the deadline. Press releases, letters to the editor, and guest commentaries must be e-mailed to be considered for publication. The Daytona Times reserves the right to edit any submission, and crop any photograph, for style and clarity. Materials will not be returned.
Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Cassandra CherryKittles, Charles W. Cherry II, Managing Members
Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher Dr. Valerie Rawls-Cherry, Human Resources Jenise Morgan, Senior Editor Lynnette Garcia, Deborah Ford, Marketing Consultants/Sales Linda Fructuoso, Marketing Consultant/Sales, Circulation Angela van Emmerik, Creative Director Larry Steele, Circulation James Harper, Andreas Butler, Ashley Thomas, Staff Writers Delroy Cole, Kim Gibson, Photojournalists MEMBER National Newspaper Publishers Association Society of Professional Journalists Florida Press Association Associated Press National Newspaper Association
5 7
MAYOR
AUGUST 8 – AUGUST 14, 2013 DECEMBER 14 - 20,COMMENTARY 2006
PHOTOS BY DUANE HERNANDEZ, SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Members of the panel included NAACP member Thaddeus Collins; the Rev. L. Ronald Durham, president of the Daytona Beach Black Clergy Alliance; Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry; Daytona Times Staff Writer James Harper; Bethune-Cookman Student Government Association Vice President Reuben Rifin; local NAACP president Cynthia Slater; B-CU Provost and Chief Academic Officer Makola Abdullah; attorney Eddie Bell; and Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood.
Forum reminds us dreams still deferred I recently participated in a panel discussion on Daytona Beach’s future and what needs to be done to prevent a Trayvon Martin situation from happening here. I was pleasantly surprised to see the diverse turnout of approximately 300 people at Greater Friendship Baptist Church July 25. The panel was made up of myself, Daytona Beach’s mayor, the city’s police chief, a preacher, two educators, a lawyer, a Bethune-Cookman University student, and the Daytona Beach NAACP president.
Jobs wanted The best solution to preventing innocent Black men and boys from being shot by a George Zimmerman type is if they are employed and productive members of society. A problem that exists in Sanford and Daytona Beach is that Blacks, specifically Black men and youth, are not being hired to work for the city, county, school system and major employers. Unfortunately many have records, some for minor drug possession. Even though these employers are not supposed to discriminate against them because of their past discretions, they do and don’t hire them for jobs.
Talked to many My purpose for being on the panel was sharing what I learned while covering the Zimmerman trial in Sanford. During and after the trial, I talked to a diverse group of people – the Rev. Al Sharpton; the Rev. Jesse Jackson; NAACP President Ben Jealous; local Sanford pastor Valarie Houston of Allen Chapel AME Church; Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte; and the local NAACP branch president, Turner Clayton. I interviewed Attorneys Darryl Parks and Ben Crump, who represented Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, Trayvon Martin’s parents. I met the parents in January. But most importantly, I talked to a couple of dozen Black Sanford residents. What they shared with me eerily mirrored some of the same problems that exist in Daytona Beach. It was not hard for me to come to the conclusion that my hometown is fertile for a similar Trayvon killing to take place.
JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES
by police and White residents; not enough Blacks worked for the city, county and school system; a disproportionate number of Blacks have been arrested, preventing them from voting, serving on juries and getting certain jobs; city and county leaders weren’t investing in predominantly Black populated areas; Black children and communities disproportionately were targeted for arrest by police; and the existence of the “good old boy network” continues, which includes women. One big difference between Daytona Beach and Sanford is we have three Black commissioners and they have only one. Volusia County does have one Black County Council member and one Black on the School Board. Sanford has a Black city manager who has been on the job two years and a Black police chief, who was hired a few months ago to replace the White police chief who gave the order to not initially arrest George Zimmerman for killing Trayvon.
Above: An audience member expresses her outrage over the not guilty verdict in the George Zimmerman trial. Left: The Rev. Kenneth Sharpton Glasgow, center, is surrounded by the Rev. John Long, Reuben Rifin, Dr. L. Ronald Durham, Mayor Derrick Henry, NAACP President Cynthia Slater, B-CU Provost Makola Abdullah.
Key positions Daytona Beach has Blacks in key positions with the city – city clerk, leisure services director, assistant city manager and economic and community development director. But under, them there are fewer and fewer Blacks over the years being hired to work for the city as other Blacks quit or retire, an investigation uncovered by the Daytona Times disclosed. One Sanford resident I talked to referred to the Blacks working for the city and other “Black leaders as “house niggers.’’ doing the bidding of their White bosses. That may have been the case in Daytona Beach years ago, but a new crop of Blacks such as Commissioner Paula Reed (who was the only elected official present at the forum) and deceased Commissioner Charles Cherry and former Mayor Yvonne Scarlett Golden changed the trajectory.
Many problems
Complaints plentiful
The Black Sanford residents told me that for decades they have been prejudged and racial profiled
Though Daytona Beach attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year to the “World’s Most Fa-
Below left: About 300 residents attended the forum at Greater Friendship Baptist Church. and marches if necessary for all of us, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Indian to come together to bring attention to the problems that exists and put people in positions who are willing to go against the grain and make a difference.
All needed at the table
mous Beach’’ and to the “World Center of Racing,’’ many of the 60,000 of us who live here year-round are suffering with low wages or no wages compared to other cities with similar attractions. The forum shed light that Blacks don’t think monolithically. Many in the audience support Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood even though his department has been accused of some of the same actions as the Sanford Po-
lice Department. NAACP President Cynthia Slater said her office gets complaints about the police department every day and a week doesn’t go by that someone doesn’t approach me about the DBPD.
More forums needed There will unfortunately be more Trayvon Martins, unless, as Slater said, more of us register to vote and elect people in local, county, state and national offic-
es who are willing to make a difference for the least of us and change laws on the books that weigh heavily against us. I’m hoping the future Martin Luther King Jrs., Malcolm X, Fannie Lou Hamers and Dorothy Heights have been awakened after this verdict. Some believe the verdict and the current “stand your ground” law gives some a license to kill innocent Black men and boys. It will take more forums,
As writer Langston Hughes once asked, “What happens to a dream deferred?” The time has come for all our dreams to come true. This won’t happen unless all of us are at the table – Blacks, Whites, elected officials from Daytona Beach and surrounding cities; county council members; school board members; representatives from city, county and school system staffs; and representatives from major employers in the area.
James Harper can be reached at harperjames59@yahoo.com.
R6
7 CLASSIFIEDS
AUGUST 8 – AUGUST 14, 2013
Florida Health Care Plans www.fhcp.com EOE/AA A Drug Free – Smoke Free Work Place
Body language can tell you all sorts of things. Like someone is having a stroke.
Advertise For all local sales for The Daytona Times & WPUL AM 1590 News Progressive Talk, Sports & Inspiration call Deborah E. Ford at 386-492-2908 Ext. 12
SPEECH DIFFICULTY
FACE DROOPING
ARM WEAKNESS
TIME TO CALL 911
strokeassociation.org
Know the sudden signs.
Spot a stroke F.A.S.T.
You don’t see bullying like this every day. Your kids do. Teach your kids how to
be more than a bystander. Learn how at
StopBullying.gov
7
SPORTS MA YOR
AUGUST 8 – AUGUST 2013 DECEMBER 14 - 20,14, 2006
B-CU, Grambling to resume football rivalry in 2014 SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
DAYTONA BEACH – BethuneCookman and Grambling State announced a future home-andhome football series for 2014-15, renewing an HBCU rivalry that began in 1947. Bethune-Cookman will host Grambling on Sept. 13, 2014, while the second game will be held on Sept. 12, 2015, with the Wildcats traveling to Grambling, La. “We are elevating the non-conference portion of our schedule, and as we complete the schedule for the next few years, it will be sprinkled with opponents from BCS conferences as well as FCS power conferences in our attempt to improve the out-of-conference experience for our student-athletes,” said B-CU Direc-
tor of Athletics Lynn W. Thompson.
FIU on schedule With the addition of the series, Bethune-Cookman’s non-conference schedule for 2014 is nearly complete. One additional game contract is being worked out be-
fore the schedule announcement expected in February 2014, with the Wildcats once again playing a 12-game slate. Already on the schedule is another trip to Miami against Florida International University. The last time the Wildcats played Grambling State was in
2004 as part of the Proctor & Gamble Ohio Classic in Cincinnati. A crowd of 35,608 saw the Tigers escape by the slimmest of margins, 24-23, with B-CU going on to win its next three games consecutively. Prior to that contest, the two teams played each other regularly, competing against one another four times from 1984-88. During that span, B-CU traveled to Grambling twice, and the Tigers returned the favor with trips to face B-CU as part of the Gateway Classic in Jacksonville.
First game in 1947 The first game between the two schools occurred on Dec. 6, 1947, as first-year B-CU head coach Rudolph “Bunky” Matthews suffered a 46-7 setback against fifth-
year head coach Eddie Robinson of then what was known as Grambling College. The game was played as part of the Lions Bowl in Ruston, La. “To renew this longtime relationship is great for both institutions and our fans,” continued Thompson. “Doug Williams is fondly remembered by Florida fans for his stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And reverse of that, Brian Jenkins honed is coaching skills at Louisiana Lafayette. Both coaches were elated to reach this agreement.” For the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, log on to www.bcuathletics.com.
Overhaul of utilities kicks off renovation of Speedway FROM STAFF REPORS
After breaking ground at the beginning of July, Daytona International Speedway’s Daytona Rising project is off to a fast start, according to a press release from DIS. Here are the construction activities currently under way: Demolition of all underground utilities and overhead power lines along the entire frontstretch Relocations of fire pump, emergency generators and electrical panels Installation of water and storm sanitary lines on the west side Installation of electrical duct bank and manholes on the west side Demolition of Americrown buildings at Hospitality Village Demolition of the commissary building at the base of the Sprint Tower Initial installation of anchors and footings for temporary ticketing gates
Barton Malow is serving as the general contractor for the project. Rossetti, an award-winning architectural design and planning firm, is leading the master planning of the Daytona Rising site.
Successful event More than 200 minority, women and local contractors turned out for a Daytona Rising subcontractor outreach forum held July 17 at the Daytona International Speedway (DIS). Senior Director of Public Relations Lenny Santiago called the event successful and told the Daytona Times that DIS will be planning another one in the fall. Santiago said subcontractors also were given an overview of diversity outreach and information on how firms can pre-qualify for the bidding process on various aspects of the project. In addition, subcontractors were given a list of various upcoming bid packages – everything
Construction is under way at the Daytona International Speedway. from masonry, finishing, roofing, wall panels, drywall, landscaping and other jobs. All attendees were encouraged to email DIS.Outreach@barton-
malow.com to get on the bidders’ list. Santiago said there also would be more work for non-contractors, who will be able to bid on jobs like
All but A-Rod accept baseball suspensions BY FRANK FITZPATRICK PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER/MCT
Twelve of the 13 players involved in baseball’s Biogenesis investigation accepted 50-game suspensions Monday. However, the biggest name in the sport’s latest drug scandal, Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees, remained locked in a legal rundown with Major League Baseball. According to an MLB statement, Rodriguez likely will appeal his suspension for the remainder of this season and all of 2014. He can continue to play until that process is complete. Baseball reportedly has threatened him with a lifetime ban if he fails to accept the punishment. The game’s Joint Drug Agreement allows players to appeal suspensions in front of an independent arbitrator, Fredric Horowitz of Santa Monica, Calif. Rodriguez’s case is expected to be heard within three weeks.
Harshest penalty The 38-year-old superstar received the harshest penalty, MLB said, be-
cause he tried to impede its probe; used and possessed numerous illegal substances, including testosterone and human-growth hormone; and misled officials about his past drug use. After hip surgery in January and a recent minorleague rehabilitation stint that included stops in Reading and Trenton, the third baseman returned to the Yankees for Monday night’s game against the White Sox in Chicago. “Obviously, I’m disappointed with the news today,” Rodriguez said during a news conference before the game. “What we’ve always fought for is the process, and I think we have that and I think at some point we’ll sit in front of an arbiter and we’ll give our case. That’s as much as I feel comfortable saying right now.”
Support decision Without Rodriguez this season, the Yankees’ record is 57-53. They are in fourth place in the American League East, 91/2 games behind divisionleading Boston. “We are in T:7” full support
food service and landscaping. The Florida Courier and the Daytona Times both published stories in April and May about minority contractors.
‘What we’ve always fought for is the process, and I think we have that and I think at some point we’ll sit in front of an arbiter and we’ll give our case. That’s as much as I feel comfortable saying right now.’ Alex Rodriguez New York Yankees
SCOTT STRAZZANTE/CHICAGO TRIBUNE/MCT
The New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez flies out in fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field in Chicago on Monday. (of MLB’s decision),” the Yankees said in a statement. “We all recognize and respect the appeals process. Until the process
T:4.875”
under the drug program is complete, we will have no comment.” Phillies relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo and the others, a group that includes all-stars Nelson Cruz of Texas and Jhonny Peralta of Detroit plus National League stolen-base leader Everth Cabrera of San Diego, will begin their suspensions immediately. “Obviously, the Phillies are very disappointed to learn of Antonio Bastardo’s violation,” Phillies president Dave Montgomery said in a statement. “We look forward to a time when performance-enhancing drugs are completely out of baseball. Hopefully, the sanctions announced today will bring us closer to that day.”
Florida clinic connected Two weeks ago, former National League most
valuable player Ryan Braun of Milwaukee accepted a 65-game ban for his connections to the now-shuttered Biogenesis of America, an anti-aging clinic in South Florida that is suspected of providing performance-enhancing substances to the suspended players. Three other players connected to the clinic — Oakland’s Bartolo Colon, Toronto’s Melky Cabrera, and San Diego’s Yasmani Grandal — have completed 50-game bans. Officially, Rodriguez’s punishment is for 211 games. Notified Monday, Rodriguez had three days to appeal before the penalty began. At that point, 49 games would remain in the Yankees’ regular season.
16,000 urine, blood tests The mass suspensions mark the most sweeping penalties in the sport since the lifetime bans imposed on several White Sox players suspected of fixing the 1919 World Series. “Despite the challenges this situation has created during a great season on the field, we pursued this matter because it was not only the right thing to do, but the only thing to do,”
MLB commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. “For weeks, I have noted the many players throughout the game who have strongly voiced their support on this issue, and I thank them for it. ... “It is important to point out that 16,000 total urine and blood tests were conducted on players worldwide under MLB’s drug programs in 2012. With the important additions of the HGH testing and longitudinal profiling this season, we are more confident than ever in the effectiveness of the testing program.” At the heart of the Rodriguez matter is his record salary. He is owed $8.56 million of his $28 million salary this season as well as $86 million for the final four years of his Yankees contract.
Other suspensions The others suspended Monday were Jesus Montero of Seattle; Francisco Cervelli of the Yankees; Jordany Valdespin of the New York Mets; and minor-leaguers Jordan Norberto (free agent), Fautino De Los Santos (San Diego), Sergio Escalona (Houston), Cesar Puello (Mets), and Fernando Martinez (Yankees). Peralta and Cruz, both of whose teams are in contention for a playoff spot, can serve their suspensions before the postseason would commence. “I made a terrible mistake that I deeply regret,” Peralta said. “I apologize to everyone that I have hurt as a result of my mistake. ... I take full responsibility.” Cruz told officials he used the drugs to recover from an illness that caused him to lose 40 pounds before spring training in 2012. “I was unsure whether I would be physically able to play,” Cruz said. “ ... I made an error in judgment that I deeply regret.”
R8
7 EDUCATION
AUGUST 8 – AUGUST 14, 2013 tending top schools. According to the report, “Eighty-two percent of the growth in White freshman enrollment has been in the nation’s 468 most selective four-year colleges from 1995-2009.” On the other hand, Blacks represented 48 percent of the enrollment in open-access schools, while Whites accounted for just 21 percent of the growth in such schools.
Analyzing test scores
JOHN WALKER/FRESNO BEE/MCT
Alicia Steve waves to family during commencement ceremonies for Fresno State University in May 2012 in Fresno, Calif. In a new report, Blacks accounted for just 7 percent of freshmen student enrollment at the best 468 colleges and universities in the nation, compared to Whites students who captured a 75 percent share of the students attending top schools.
Blacks attend underfunded ‘racially separate’ colleges ‘Separate and Unequal’ report by Georgetown shows 72 percent of African-Americans at resource-bare schools BY FREDDIE ALLEN NNPA NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON – Despite high test scores and access to higher education, Black students often attend poorly funded colleges and receive certificates instead of earning degrees, according to a recent report. The report titled “Separate and Unequal’’ by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, found that, “White students are in-
creasingly concentrated today, relative to population share, in the nation’s 468 most well-funded, selective four-year colleges and universities while African-American and Hispanic students are more and more concentrated in the 3,250 least well-funded, open-access, two- and four-year colleges.” According to the report, Black freshman enrollment increased by 73 percent compared to 15 percent for Whites freshman
from 1995-2009, but 72 percent of Black college students attend resource-bare schools. “The American postsecondary system increasingly has become a dual system of racially separate pathways, even as overall minority access to the postsecondary system has grown dramatically,” said Jeff Strohl, one of the report’s co-authors and the research director at the Georgetown University Center on Educa-
tion and the Workforce.
Still underrepresented Blacks were underrepresented at the nation’s top schools by 8 percentage points, Whites were overrepresented by 13 percentage points compared to their share of the college age (18-24 years-old) population, the study found. Blacks accounted for just 7 percent of freshmen student enrollment at the best 468 colleges and universities in the nation, compared to Whites students who captured a 75 percent share of the students at-
According to The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, a nonprofit organization that advocates for educational and training opportunities after high school, openaccess schools are “public four-year colleges and universities that admit at least 80 percent of applicants.” Georgetown researchers found that even when Blacks and Hispanics finish high school with good SAT/ACT test scores, they still don’t go to college as much as their White counterparts and are often guided into two-year and openaccess colleges. “This data clearly shows that race matters, even controlling for readiness – high scoring African-Americans and Hispanics go to college at the same rates as similarly high-scoring, Whites but drop out more often and are less likely to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree,” stated the report
Race-based admissions Even as colleges and universities are urged to adopt race-neutral diversity policies for admission, the report found that admission policies based on class or income alone would not improve racial diversity in the our colleges and universities. “While politically attractive, the direct substitution of class for race-based preferences does not yield
Scoop up hugs, kisses and
Savings.
What can make “Mommy and me” time even sweeter? How about the money you save shopping at Publix for your favorite treats and other items your family loves. With a little planning, you can enjoy great Buy One Get One Free deals and weekly specials throughout the store. Bring in your coupons, and save even more. With all the ways Publix helps you stretch your grocery dollars, you can indulge and have something left over: money.
Love To Shop Here. Love To Save He r e . For a list of current Buy One Get One Free deals, weekly specials and coupons, visit publix.com/save. To view deals on your smartphone, scan the code.
the same numbers of African-American and Hispanic candidates as a more direct reliance on race-based admissions,” stated the report. Only 12 percent of lowincome Black college students graduate with bachelors’ degrees, compared to 23 percent of low-income Whites that earn bachelors’ degrees.
Gateway to higher earnings The bachelor’s degree is often seen as the gateway to higher lifetime earnings with more than $2 million in earnings separating those with bachelors’ degrees and those without them. “African-Americans and Hispanics gain 21 percent in earnings advantages when they attend the more selective schools compared with 15 percent for Whites who attend the same colleges,” stated the report. Researchers admitted that admission policies alone would not change the enrollment numbers for Blacks at high-achieving selective colleges and universities; that would take a concerted effort among policymakers. “In combination, both race- and class-based affirmative action can ensure that highly qualified African- American, Hispanic, and lower-income students gain access to wellfunded and selective colleges that lead to elite careers,” said the report. “Affirmative action, whether it is race- or class-based or some combination of the two, can help out those who strive and overcome the odds, yet does relatively little to change the odds themselves.” The report stated: “Ultimately, there is no better way to guarantee a certain level of racial diversity than by employing race per se at some juncture in the selection process.”