Florida Courier, June 22, 2012, #25

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JUNE 22 - JUNE 28, 2012

VOLUME 20 NO. 25

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A RACIAL DIVIDE ON VOTER PURGE Scott and other supporters say they are trying to make sure only eligible voters cast ballots, but critics – including the U.S. Department of Justice – argue that Florida is violating federal election laws.

White and Hispanic voters support the governor’s efforts while Blacks oppose it, according to a new poll.

Meanwhile, groups filed a lawsuit this week to stop the removal of non-citizens from election rolls.

Suit filed in Miami

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

A new poll released Wednesday shows that Florida voters support Gov. Rick Scott’s effort to remove non-citizens from voter rolls by a 60 percent to 35 percent margin.

The Quinnipiac University poll also shows a racial divide – White voters back the purge 67 percent to 29 percent, while Black voters oppose it 56 percent to 38 percent and Hispanic voters support it 49 percent to 42 percent.

On Tuesday, two Miami-Dade County women and a coalition of five groups filed a federal lawsuit to try to block Florida’s effort to remove ineligible voters from the election rolls.

The lawsuit, filed in Miami, argues in part that the purge discriminates against minority voters.

“The alleged non-citizen voter purge program is not uniform, has been discriminatory against minority voters, namely Hispanics and Blacks, and has disproportionately impacted lawful, eligible minority voters,’’ the lawsuit says.

One of the plaintiffs, Karla Vanessa Arcia, is a Nicaraguan-American who is a U.S. citizen. The lawsuit says Arcia’s name apCARL JUSTE/MIAMI HERALD/MCT peared on a purge list, and she faces the Voters wait outside a polling place at the New Birth Baptist Church in Miami on possibility of being removed from the vot- Nov. 4, 2008. Opponents of Gov. Rick Scott’s voter removal efforts say they un-

BOG grills Ammons on grad rate, debt load

See VOTERS, Page A2

fairly target minorities and could impact this November’s election.

A DREAM REALIZED

Obama’s immigration decision praised, criticized

BY BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE – A clearly skeptical Board of Governors committee approved Florida A&M University’s plan for the coming year, but only after sharply questioning President James Ammons over the institution’s low graduation rate and heavy debt load on students.

At the same time, James board members Ammons said they would be hard-pressed to approve a 15 percent tuition hike that Florida A&M (FAMU), like many other universities, has requested.

It was the second time this month that Ammons has faced strong pushback on his leadership at FAMU from a panel overseeing the school. Two-thirds of the university’s board of trustees voted for a motion of no confidence in the president June 7. During a break in that meeting, Ammons briefly considered resigning, but has since said he will remain.

See AMMONS, Page A2

AL SEIB/LOS ANGELES TIMES/MCT

Baola Martinez, 24, right, from the Dominican Republic, joined more than 150 students and Dream Act supporters that rallied in front of the Federal Office Building in downtown Los Angeles on June 15 to voice their support for President Obama’s decision to halt the deportation of young illegal immigrants. See related story on A6.

SNAPSHOTS

Underground Railroad Conference under way in St. Augustine

NATION | A3

What the polls say about Obama, Romney

National event to highlight contributions of Blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans

BY JAMES HARPER FLORIDA COURIER

NATION | A6

Citations for juveniles working in state FINEST | B3

Meet Toni FOOD | B5

A new take on picnic favorites

When thinking of the Underground Railroad, historian Derek Hankerson says most people think about Blacks escaping slavery by leaving the South and heading to the North.

Hankerson, one of the organizers of the 2012 National Underground Railroad Conference being held in St. Augustine through June 24, said what most people don’t know is that the Underground Railroad first went from Georgia and South Carolina to Florida, to the Caribbean Islands, and into the western borderlands

of Indian territory, Texas, and Mexico.

This Underground Railroad began in the 1600s before the founding of the original 13 colonies of the United States of America.

It refers to the effort of enslaved African-Americans to gain their freedom by escaping bondage, according to the National Park Service website.

First time in Florida “Wherever slavery existed, there were efforts to escape, at first to maroon communities in remote or rugged terrain on the edge of settled areas,” the website states.

The Network to Freedom joined with partners to present the annual conference, which began in 2007. The conference brings together a mix of grassroots researchers, community advocates, site stewards, government officials and scholars to explore the history of the Underground Railroad.

Rotated to different parts of the country, the conferences highlight the history of various regions and present new research.

This is the first time the conference is being held in Florida.

can contributions that have been overlooked in the formation of the United States and, to a certain extent, in St. Augustine.

“The goal of our work is to correct and garner recognition for this largely overlooked but fundamental and important part of our Ameri- Derek can history,” said Hankerson Hankerson.

Highlights Black progress

Cultural identity a focus

Hankerson is the cofounder of the Freedom Road Trail. The goal of the organization is to highlight Native and African-Ameri-

The theme for this year’s conference is “Escaping to Destinations South: The Underground

ALSO COMMENTARY: STACY SWIMP: IS THE NAACP NOW A PARTISAL TOOL? | A4 INSIDE COMMENTARY: BARBARA REYNOLDS: SMACKDOWN NOW COULD PREVENT BEATDOWN LATER | A5

See UNDERGROUND, Page A2

FOCUS

A2

JUNE 22 - JUNE 28, 2012

Juneteenth was worth remembering What did you do to celebrate Juneteenth?

Although the majority of African-Americans aren’t enthusiastic participants, Juneteenth is worthy of contemplation and memorial. Juneteenth comes from a portmanteau of the words “June” and “teenth” and represents the legacy of injustices done Blacks in this country.

It honors African-American heritage by commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas in 1865.

Blacks across America begin special activities each year on or about June 19. There reason? June 19, 1865 is the date when the last slaves in America were freed. Actual emancipation of American slaves did not come for a year and a half after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth is a date for African-Americans to rec-

WILLIAM REED BUSINESS EXCHANGE

ognize because it represents the chance for a new beginning. Unless we collectively expose the truth about the African-American slave experience, Americans won’t be truly free.

‘Debt’ still real Juneteenth represents remembering our history and moving to bring friends and neighbors together to ensure previous mistakes are not repeated and that everyone has an opportunity to succeed.

We reflect on Juneteenth so that we can learn from one another and grow together.

The paramount issue is that African-Americans start to unabashedly ap-

preciate our contributions and constantly remind our heirs of the trillions of unpaid dollars earned by our ancestors.

They made the largest national loan in history and financed the world’s greatest power. Most of that “loaned money” is still in circulation today and the “debt” is still alive and real.

Slavery conjures up a host of negative images for Black people. So much so, we fail to realize the tremendous economic contributions we made to the development of the United States into a world power. This lack of realization stems from the national shame of slavery and the national denial.

Never forget To a large degree, Blacks and Whites have bought into this denial. Through the shame of slavery, AfricanAmericans continue to in-

crease the “debt” we are owned instead of steadfastly demanding payment.

Calculations of our ancestors’ coerced and uncompensated labor totals more than $7 trillion dollars in today’s money. Yet, African-Americans will continue yielding to the empty symbolism of reelecting Obama as president rather than rekindle the movement to be paid just reparations.

Black Americans must never forget our ancestors’ endurance of one of the worst experiences in human history.

Blacks cannot forget or forgive the fact that every American has benefited from the wealth Blacks created through free labor and commemorating Juneteenth allows us to acknowledge that.

Come together From the outset, we’ve been robbed. It’s time we

do for ourselves and not be browbeaten or deprived of having important discussions about racial issues that persist.

The idea that the election of the first Black president would nullify racial grievances, bridge racial differences and erase racial animosities has faded and we still wrestle with the meaning and importance of race in politics.

In reality, racial attitudes in politics have become more fraught with racial motives and political objectives as accusations and denials of racism and reverse racism serve as a subterfuge of resentment and prejudice.

Let’s start a tradition of Juneteenth empowerment.

Annually, we need to come together so that we can include celebrations of enunciated public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation. These should be congratulatory and festive events.

Reunions, reenactments African-Americans can use this opportunity to re-

AMMONS from A1 Lowest graduation rate

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN ALISON

The Battle of Bloody Mose Commemoration (re-enacted above) also takes place in St. Augustine this weekend. It’s an affiliated event of the National Underground Railroad Conference.

UNDERGROUND

nity activists, public historians and preservationists, and multimedia and performance artists.

from A1

History lesson

Railroad, Cultural Identity, and Freedom Along the Southern Borderlands.”

The 2012 conference theme addresses the resistance to slavery through escape and flight to and from the South, including through international flight, from the 16th century to the end of the Civil War. Escape from enslavement was not just about physical freedom but also about the search for cultural autonomy.

The conference will explore the transformation and creation of new cultural identities among southern freedom seekers that occurred as a result of their journeys to freedom.

It will include participation by independent and academic scholars at all levels, educators, commu-

Hankerson, 47, said he noticed a huge hole in history when he was 10 years old.

Since then, Hankerson has taken on the mission of educating Americans about their history.

“Florida was here before the United States. Why wasn’t Florida history talked about in history textbooks?” asked Hankerson, adding that those who attend the St. Augustine conference will learn about the contributions of Blacks, Native Americans and Hispanics.

“American history didn’t just begin in 1776.

There is 500 years of history going back to the 16th century,’’ Hankerson noted.

For more information about the Underground Railroad conference, visit www.freedomroadtrail. org.

VOTERS from A1 er-registration system because she did not respond to a notice sent by the Miami-Dade County supervisor of elections.

Groups join in The other individual plaintiff, Melande Antoine, is a Haitian-American who did respond but contends she should have never been on the purge list because she is a U.S. citizen. The lawsuit is the latest round in a fight about purging ineligible voters that has drawn national attention.

The groups named as plaintiffs in the new lawsuit are the Florida Immigrant Coalition, Florida New Majority, Inc., the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and Veyeyo, a MiamiDade civic organization.

Push for national law Also on Tuesday, Tea Party-backed Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) unveiled a new push to enact a national voter ID law ahead of the 2012 elections.

His proposed Federal Elections Integrity Act would require voters to present a government-issued photo ID in order to vote in federal elections.

“Current federal law requires those voting in federal elections to be American citizens,” Walsh said in a press release. “This long overdue bill simply enforces that requirement and will be a huge step towards combating voter fraud in this country.”

Walsh said voter fraud was a “real issue” in the country, using an oft-repeated Republican refrain about the supposed prevalence of the problem.

“We have seen plenty of examples of people lying about who they are, and convicted felons, dead people, and illegal immigrants voting. This bill is just common sense,” he added. “The American people understand that it makes no sense that a photo ID is required to get a library card or board an airplane, but not required to do something as sacred as voting.”

Over-hyped message While Republican-led hysteria about alleged efforts to sway elections through illegal voting ef-

The criticism Ammons faced from the Board of Governors on Wednesday was concerned less with the hazing and related scandals that have buffeted one of the nation’s largest historically Black universities and more with long-standing problems related to how often and how quickly FAMU students move through the school.

“I want FAMU to go forward,” board member Mori Hosseini said during a meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee.

“I really want to go forward. I think we owe it to our students. ... They deserve better.”

Hosseini was the only member to bring up the FAMU trustees’ vote.

“I personally would have a hell of a time approving anything when you come before us with a vote of no confidence from your own board,” he said.

FAMU’s six-year graduation rate for students entering college for the first time in 2005 was 39 percent, the lowest in the State University System and a number that has been flat over the last four years. Only three other state universities – Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University and Florida Gulf Coast University – have six-year graduation rates below 45 percent.

‘Profile admits’ criticized Board members focused their criticism on FAMU’s practice of allowing a sizable number of “profile admits” – students who don’t meet the same

Tuition hike sought The president also stressed that the 15 percent tuition increase the university is asking for – which was to be taken up on Thursday – was needed to help boost the graduation rate.

Except for the 30 percent of the funds legally required to be used for financial aid, Ammons said, the remainder of the money will go to hire full-time faculty and advisers and purchase equipment, all with the aim of encouraging students to remain at the school.

“If we’re going to achieve the goals that we have set for improving graduation rates and reducing student loan debts, we have to have the 15 percent,” Ammons told reporters after the meeting.

The board asked Ammons to come back with further details about FAMU’s graduation plan in September.

JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINEL/MCT

while actual instances are “more rare than death by lightning.”

Negative approval of Scott overall The new poll about Florida also revealed Wednesday that Scott’s approval rating remained in the negative. Forty-nine percent say they disapprove of the job he is doing compared to 39 percent saying they approve.

It also found Scott strong-

William Reed is head of the Business Exchange Network and available for speaking/seminar projects through the Bailey Group.org.

admissions standards as more traditional students. Many board members pushed Ammons to nudge those students toward local state and community colleges.

“I don’t understand why you’re taking so many that are obviously not prepared to do your work and then say you’re struggling to understand why they can’t get through in four years, five years,” board member Norman Tripp said. “Until you correct that problem, I think you’re kidding yourself.”

Ammons defended the practice.

“At the end of the day, FAMU has an historical mission even today where we allow students who have the potential to come to the university and have the experience of a four-year college,” he said.

Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott holds up his red veto pen to make a point during remarks before signing the state budget, during an outdoor ceremony in The Villages, Florida, on May 26, 2011. In a new poll, 49 percent say they disapprove of the job the governor is doing compared to 39 percent saying they approve. forts has remained at the forefront of political debate – fueled by misleading documentaries and Florida’s controversial voting purge efforts – activists maintain that the trepidation is unfounded.

According to a 2007 report by the Brennan Center for Justice, many of the examples Republicans have sought to highlight in their advocating for voter ID laws are often over-hyped and easily sensationalized,

trace roots to ancestors who were held in illegal bondage, as we exchange artifacts and stress responsibility to strive to be the best that we can be.

Juneteenth celebrations also include a wide range of festivities to celebrate American heritage such as parades, rodeos, street fairs, cookouts, family reunions, or park parties that include African-American music and dancing or contests of physical strength and intellect.

Events may include Black Cowboy historical reenactments or Miss Juneteenth contests. Traditional American sports such as baseball, basketball or football tournaments may also be played.

For more information, visit www.NationalJuneteenth.com.

ly backed by Republican respondents, and generally supported by independents. Democrats generally oppose his policies, but one in three poll respondents said they agreed with the voter purge. Among Republicans, 90 percent agree with the effort to remove ineligible voters, while independents support it 5937 percent.

When it comes to the state’s Stand Your Ground law, Florida voters poll

supported it by 56-37 margin. The law allows citizens to defend themselves with deadly force if they feel threatened.

The law has been under fire since the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in February. George Zimmerman cited the law after he fatally shot the teen in Sanford.

The poll surveyed 1,697 registered voters with a margin of error of 2.4 percentage points.

“Gov. Rick Scott may be a lot less popular in Florida these days than President Barack Obama, but on the face-off between the two on the purge issue, Floridians seem to be solidly in Scott’s corner,” Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said in a statement.

“There is solid support for ‘Stand Your Ground’ among Florida voters, especially Republicans,” Brown said. “Republican lawmakers, who dominate the state Legislature, would be taking on their own base if they were to change the law.”

Reports by David Royce of the News Service of Florida and Blackvoices. com were used in compiling this report.

JUNE 22 - JUNE 28, 2012

NATION

A3

Candidates not wowing voters – yet Polls showing lack of movement for Obama and Romney

BY DAVID LAUTER TRIBUNE WASHINGTON BUREAU (MCT)

Since mid-April, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has dropped nearly 40 cents, President Barack Obama has announced support for same-sex marriage, government statisticians have delivered two disappointing monthly jobs reports, tensions have ebbed and flowed with Iran, and Mitt Romney has clinched the Republican presidential nomination.

And the presidential polls?

Flat-lined.

Contradicting reams of punditry, national polls have not moved an inch amid those events – not to mention the lesser political battles that have animated cable news programs.

In Gallup’s daily polling, to take one example, Romney and Obama were tied 46 percent to 46 percent on April 11. Two months later, the poll had Obama up one point, 46 percent to 45 percent, a statistically identical result.

For more than seven weeks, neither candidate’s standing has moved more than three points – well within the poll’s margin of error.

Why it’s problematic Instead of a race, the campaign for president has turned into something more closely resembling trench warfare: dug-in armies, intense exchanges of fire, no movement.

The lack of movement is problematic for Obama. Both candidates, of course, would like to have broken free by now. But for Romney, just keeping Obama below 50 percent counts as an advantage, on the assumption that a majority of late deciders are more likely to vote against the incumbent.

By contrast, many Democratic strategists had hoped that by now Obama would have started

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to build a lead over the Republican, whom they derided earlier this year as a weak nominee with little popularity even within his own party.

The stasis reflects the electorate. Over the last decade, voters have become polarized into warring partisan camps, more so than at any point since the 1930s.

Obama and Romney each get nearly 90 percent support from their respective partisans, most of whom have strongly held views.

Blame the economy Meantime, pollsters report that the percentage of undecided voters hovers somewhere in the high single digits, with even fewer in some swing states. “Two big things are going on,� said Stanley B. Greenberg, who served as the chief pollster for Bill Clinton’s campaign in 1992 and Al Gore’s in 2000.

The poor condition of the economy holds Obama’s vote down, he said. At the same time, demographic trends that favor Democrats – an increasing number of non-White voters and a greater percentage of college-educated professionals – pushes his

vote up.

Those opposing forces have combined to lock the race into a nearly even division that has proved stubbornly resistant to change. “Obama right now is a 47 percent candidate� while “Romney is a 45 percent candidate,� Greenberg said, reflecting the findings of his own polls and several other independent surveys that show Obama with a slight lead. “Structurally, it will probably stay there for some time.�

Little enthusiasm Still, the election is nearly five months away, and in 2004, the last presidential re-election contest, President George W. Bush did not establish a lead over Sen. John F. Kerry, the Democratic nominee, until August. (That lead took hold before the airing of “Swift boat� television ads attacking Kerry’s war record, which many Democrats have blamed for Kerry’s defeat.)

But already this year, the battle has been fiercely joined, at least in key swing districts. Parts of Ohio — particularly the Columbus area — Virginia and North

‹ 0&7

Carolina are already seeing campaign commercials at near-saturation levels.

The lack of movement in the campaign, something that shows up generally in polls of individual states as well as in national polls, suggests that many voters have tuned out the advertising din, perhaps until the fall presidential debates.

Indeed, a significant number of voters who currently call themselves undecided may simply not vote, said Emory University political scientist Alan Abramowitz. Unlike supporters of either Obama or Romney, the undecided, on average, report very little enthusiasm for voting this year, he said.

New voters crucial From the Obama campaign’s standpoint, that may be just as well, Abramowitz said. The swing voters in swing states mostly disapprove of his performance in office. “They don’t care for either candidate, but to the extent that they vote, they’re more likely to vote for Romney,� Abramowitz said. Disapproval of an incum-

bent’s record in office usually trumps doubts about the challenger, he noted. “The election’s more about Obama than about Romney.�

For Obama, the best hope may be the campaign’s efforts to register new voters, Abramowitz said. Unlike the undecided, the unregistered – many of whom are Black or Latino – tend to approve of Obama’s job performance, although they also report low enthusiasm for voting.

Beyond voter registration, ideas abound on both sides on how to break the stalemate.

New narrative wanted Last week, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker became the latest Republican to say that Romney would do better if he “goes big and goes bold.� “I don’t think we win if it’s just about a referendum on Barack Obama,� he said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.�

The Romney campaign, preferring to keep voters focused on Obama and the struggling economy, so far has not taken that advice.

On the Democratic side, Greenberg and former Clinton adviser James Carville circulated a toughly worded memo that criticized Obama’s emphasis on the number of new jobs created during his administration.

Bragging about signs of economic growth only alienates swing voters, most of whom are suffering economically and don’t see improvement in their lives, the two men said, basing their conclusions on recent focus groups in Ohio and Pennsylvania. “We will face an impossible head wind in November if we do not move to a new narrative,� they wrote, arguing that Obama needs to put more emphasis on raising the taxes of wealthy Americans and show more empathy for the economic struggles of middleclass families.

EDITORIAL

A4

JUNE 22 - JUNE 28, 2012

Will affirmative action disappear?

The most conservative Supreme Court in the past four decades is poised to overturn the already limited affirmative action provisions in the latter part of this year (after October 1) unless good sense visits one or two of them and they vote in favor of student body diversity.

The case, Fisher v. University of Texas, was brought

by Abigail Noel Fisher, a White woman student who did not qualify for the Texas “Top Ten Percent” plan, which automatically admits the top ten percent of every high school class in Texas to the University of Texas. Ms. Fisher contends that she was denied Fourteen Amendment protection and was discriminated against because of her race.

Though more than 80 percent of UT students are admitted under the Plan, others are admitted based on talent, leadership qualities and family circumstances as well as race.

Meets current standards This seems to meet the Grutter v. Bollinger standard that race may be one, but not the only, factor in determining college admissions. However, Abigail Fisher is one of a long line of relatively mediocre White students who might or might not have been admitted to UT, regardless of

This isn’t a case the Supremes had to take. They DR. could have taken a pass JULIANNE and decided to let the lowMALVEAUX er courts speak. One must think that there is an agenTRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM da to dismantle affirmative action, because the court its cases. The matIt’s clear that there chooses ter may be decided anytime after October 1, and affirare still major mative action in college adgaps in college mission may be outlawed at universities. completion between allIpublic am concerned that Fisher case is generAfrican-Americans, the ating much less publiciLatinos and Whites. ty than either the University of Michigan cases or While 29 percent of the 35-year-old Bakke case.

One might argue that things the U.S. population have changed so significantly that communities of over 25 has a color do not find affirmative action necessary – or college degree, that we are so used to being attacked that we will not the number for fight back. But it’s clear that African-Americans there are still major gaps college completion beis 14 percent and 8 in tween African-Americans, and Whites. While percent for Latinos. Latinos 29 percent of the U.S. population over 25 has a college degree, the number for African-Americans is 14 perrace. The student is blamcent and 8 percent for Laing the fact that she didn’t tinos. get into UT on AfricanAmerican students instead Shortsighted policies of blaming it on herself.

Policy makers are remarkLower courts have found in favor of the University of ably shortsighted when it Texas. But with a conserva- comes to affirmative action. tive, race-hostile Supreme By 2040, our nation will be Court, Fisher’s lawyers were majority minority, and our able to convince the court nation’s economic survival to review this case. will depend on this popu-

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: RICK SCOTT’S LAWSUITS

JEFF PARKER, FLORIDA TODAY AND THE FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS

lation being well-educated and able to provide the services our nation will need.

We need more Black and Brown physicians, nurses, computer programmers, professors, and so many others. We won’t have them unless we educate them.

The average age of White Americans is 42, while the average age of Latinos is 25. African-Americans fall somewhere in between, at around 31 years of age. As Whites age, who will replace them in the labor market? If we don’t educate the diverse U.S. population, everything from the reading of medical tests to com-

When kinfolk become ‘sin folk’ Walk up to most AfricanAmericans and ask them how they feel about President Obama. The majority of them will speak of him in very loving terms, but there are small numbers of Black Americans that hate Obama with a passion!

The Black “family” is both its own best friend and its worst enemy when it comes to how we treat each other or how we support each other. Like the late Rodney King once asked, “Can we all get along?”

People say, “You always hurt the ones you love,” but in 2012, some of us also hate the ones we are supposed to love! We don’t have to go too far to find drama, hatred, jealousy, envy, thievery, adultery,

LUCIUS GANTT THE GANTT REPORT

snitching and other undesired feelings and behavior in our own homes, communities and families.

You tell me Who is the one in your family that always feels they have to run and snitch and tell mama everything that you do? Who is the family junkie that will take or con or steal anything and everything from everybody?

Who is the cousin that can’t stand you because

you worked hard and became successful and they did not? It’s probably the same sibling or cousin that always wants to borrow money.

What family members have borrowed and worn your clothes without your permission? Who in the family feels they should always run everything and make every decision?

Which relative chooses to blame you for the bad choices and decisions that they made themselves?

It’s easy for you to straighten your friends, coworkers or strangers. But it’s more difficult for some of us to put our family members in check. Brother, sister and cousin can push us too far sometimes and cause us to

react or even fight. But it’s hard to tell Daddy to back off, and you had better not say anything smart back to your mother.

Sometimes, however, when you’re trying to do what is best and what is right, you may have to call out brother or sister or even put mama and daddy in check!

Jesus checked Mary Mary, mother of Jesus, was a party girl often in attendance at events where liquor was flowing. At one party, some family and other important folk came strolling in very late. When they got there, much of the food and drink had been consumed.

Jesus and some of his fol-

Is the NAACP now a partisan tool?

Legislative report cards that favor some politicians over others are nothing new, but the NAACP’s newest one throws the group’s nonpartisan mandate into question.

Every single Republican in the 112th Congress received a failing grade from the NAACP! Of Democrats and the independents who caucus with them, the House score from the NAACP was much friendlier – more than 95 percent As and Bs, and over 98 percent As and Bs for senators.

Not only does the NAACP’s report card seem like an outright admission of the group’s partisan bias, the way it found its grades exposes the NAACP’s support of failing policies. They are an affront to Black America.

Which bills?

What bills best represented the NAACP? Among the selected votes were opposition to ending taxpay-

STACY SWIMP PROJECT 21

er funding of the abortion provider Planned Parenthood, opposing a balanced budget amendment, protecting discriminatory Davis-Bacon Act union preferences and supporting EPA rules that will raise energy prices. This is a civil rights agenda? What happened to the NAACP of yesteryear?

While the NAACP’s report card essentially skewers Republicans for opposing what they deem to be civil rights, closer examination of their legislative preferences reveals that the NAACP’s agenda is the one working against freedom and liberty.

In Brown v. Board of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the segregationist separate-but-equal doc-

trine practiced in schools was unconstitutional. In 1954, the court cited the psychological, sociological and academic consequences of segregation based on ethnicity, deciding that Black Americans have a right to place their children schools of their choice. It was the NAACP that argued this case.

Times have changed. In 2011, the NAACP essentially refuted Brown by joining with teachers’ unions in a lawsuit to stop the opening or expansion of privately-run charter schools in the same buildings that house government-run schools. In many ways, limiting such school choice options segregates children all over again – usually by class. This disproportionately impacts Black children.

To the chagrin of the NAACP, Republican lawmakers also oppose Obamacare. A major reason they do so is because of Obamac-

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.

THE CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that Americans can best lead the world away from racism and national antagonism when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person. The Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief...that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

are-related mandates on insurers to enroll more people and offer more services that will increase demand and lower the supply of medical resources. This will drive up costs – disproportionately hurting economically marginalized Blacks.

Supporting unions The Black unemployment rate was reported to be 13.6 percent in January 2012. It is far higher than the rate for other ethnic groups, as well

puter programming done abroad.

Some say we should base college admissions solely on merit. When has that ever happened? We admit legacy students, whose parents attended a college, preferentially. We admit athletes simply because they can play. With women representing more than 55 percent of our nation’s undergraduates, I’ve actually attended meetings about affirmative action for men (and that probably means White men, since the number of African-American men attending college has declined).

The Fisher case makes no sense, but silence around it makes no sense either. Last time there was an attack on affirmative action, lots of Fortune 500 companies, colleges, civil rights organizations, and even the United States Army weighed in.

Amicus briefs must be submitted to the Supreme Court by August 6 in order to be considered. Time is running out and too many are fiddling while affirmative action is being dismantled.

lowers had accepted an invitation to join the festivities and when Mama Mary saw Jesus, she went up to him and said, “They want more wine.” Jesus looked his dear mother straight in the eyes and asked Mary, “What does that have to do with me? The Lord doesn’t give you what you want.

God gives you what you need!”

Jesus explained just because he could turn water into wine, that didn’t mean every time somebody ran out of Ripple or MD 20-20 the Lord would provide them with more alcohol. If Jesus could talk to Mary like that, you should be able to talk to your family members when a good talking to becomes necessary.

Too many African-Americans die from stress-related injuries like strokes and

heart attacks. Drama that causes you to have hypertension can kill you. Most dramatic things you can ignore or walk away from, but some things demand to be dealt with.

God is on the side of the righteous. You should not be afraid to tell your biological and extended family members, in-laws, friends, neighbors, or your coworkers the truth about their hurtful ways and words and how they can live better and more honest lives – regardless of whether they like you putting them in check or not.

as the nation as a whole. Yet the NAACP favors job-killing environmental regulations and union preferences that raise labor costs and hurt unskilled Black workers over free-market alternatives.

Whether it’s ending union preferences, reforming onerous regulation or repealing mandates such as minimum-wage laws, the free market is going to help Black America climb the economic ladder so much better than the socialism of the left. Yet the NAACP seems to have linked themselves to the Democrat Party to a degree that it challeng-

es the nonpartisan credibility that they must maintain by law.

The NAACP’s 112th Congress report card fails to demonstrate a true nonpartisan evaluation of public policies. Rather, it confirms what many of many have suspected for some time: the NAACP is now inextricably linked to the Democratic Party.

Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer.

Contact Lucius at www. allworldconsultants. net. Click on this story at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

Stacy Swimp is a member of the national advisory council of the Project 21 Black leadership network. Click on this story at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

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JUNE 22 - JUNE 28, 2012

A smackdown now could prevent a beatdown later If only I could load up a bunch of bad kids across the nation and bus them to Pastor Creflo Dollar’s church in Atlanta for a good oldfashioned smackdown, I would certainly do it.

Dollar was arrested after his 15-year-old daughter called 911 at about 1 a.m. on a Saturday morning and told a Fayette County sheriff’s deputy that she and her father argued when he said she couldn’t go to a party. A police report says the girl told a deputy her father charged at her, put his hands around her throat, began to punch her and started hitting her with his shoe. The deputy noted a scratch on her neck.

From his pulpit shortly after being arrested and jailed for alleged beating, the megachurch pastor denied intentionally hurting her, adding, “I should have never been arrested.�

Denies incident The pastor countered that the scratch on her neck was actually a 10-year-old mark from a skin condition called eczema. He denied punching her, but did admit, “the conversation over her going out became emotional and things escalated from there.�

Let’s just say that the truth lies somewhere between the police report and the pastor’s view of what happened. He smacked, spanked, or jerked his daughter around to keep her from what could have been a bigger threat.

If all that happened was a smackdown, I unashamedly agree he should not have been arrested. I have attended his church in Atlanta and watched his TV broadcast daily. As a fan, I did not like his being paraded in front of the media

REV. BARBARA REYNOLDS TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM

in an orange prison jump suit on misdemeanor charges stemming from disciplining his daughter.

What if?

When you think of all the trouble that can happen to a young girl out after midnight, the pastor should be applauded for trying to stop her from defying his rules.

What if his daughter had wound up in trouble? Couldn’t you have seen the Father’s Day headlines blasting Dollar, the father of five children, as an unfit dad, a moral leader with millions of followers who can’t keep his own daughter in check?

Too many kids these days do not respect nor fear us as parents.

Situations like the arrest of Dollar only reinforce beliefs among the young that parents will be punished for disciplining kids much harsher than kids ever will punished for misbehaving.

I’m not saying all kids deserve a smackdown – but it shouldn’t be ruled out either as a last resort. Some parents can enforce order simply by taking away privileges, such as denying trips to the movies, locking up their X-Boxes or snatching their ubiquitous cell phones.

That might not work, however, for the hardcore knuckleheads who curse their parents, hang out in the streets late at night and walk around disgustingly with their

EDITORIAL

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VISUAL VIEWPOINT: THE CLASS OF 2012

pants hanging down showing their underwear or the girls wearing tattoos on low-hanging breasts.

Smackdowns at home might prevent them from getting in the kind of trouble that would warrant more serious beatdowns from police – or prison guards – later on.

Filling two roles Parents need to establish more spiritual and moral authority in our homes just as I believe Pastor Dollar was trying to do. Up to seventy percent of African-American homes are headed by women. It is tough trying to be both nurturer and disciplinarian. We need more men in the home not only to love our children, but also to help us discipline them – especially the disorderly males, who often get away with too much because of how many women raise our daughters to be responsible, but pamper and overindulge our sons.

As a single mother who reared a son, I tried everything to keep him in check, ranging from praying, switching, paddling, spanking and threats. When that didn’t work, I sent him to boarding school until he decided to comply with my rules. Now a college graduate with a career in law enforcement, I think I found the proper balance.

One of the best ways to control our bad kids is to scare them half to death. If your child is convinced you are capable of being a serial killer, or your former job was torturing prisoners at Guantanamo, they are more likely to obey. While the love of my grandmother who reared me inspired me, her hard knocks kept me in line. On Sundays at church, she was a proper lady wearing white gloves and

NATE BEELER, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

a nice hat. But at home my antics could turn her into a domestic terrorist.

I attended Catholic school. It was not unusual for the nuns to throw us over a desk and beat us with a belt if we did not complete our homework, or whack our knuckles if our assignments were late. Later in life I found that fear factor worked for my advantage. To this day, I have a built-in reluctance to miss deadlines or procrastinate.

‘Never OK’ Some doctors, such as boardcertified pediatrician and psychiatrist, Dr. Jan Hutchinson, hotly refute my parenting advice. “According to the American Society of Pediatricians it is never OK to strike your child. The only modification I would add is it could be acceptable in self-defense, if a life is being threatened. But this is rare and unusual.�

Referring to a major study of 2,500 mothers by Tulane University in April, Hutchinson said, “Not only is spanking children of limited effect, it has long-term neg-

atives. The study showed that children who are spanked twice monthly at age 3 are twice as likely to become destructive, aggressive and mean-spirited by the time they are five. There is a great correlation between hitting a child and increasing aggression. It is important that children are disciplined, but it should be done in the framework of love and support and not harshness and cruelty.�

To spank or not to spank. If that is the question, it looks like Pastor Dollar chose the smackdown.

If that act has taught his daughter a valuable lesson about honoring a father who apparently has provided and cared for her all her life, perhaps jail was not too hard a price to pay.

Dr. Barbara Reynolds is a lecturer at universities and seminaries, an author of six books, and a book coach. Contact her via www.reynoldsworldnews. com. Click on this story at www. flcourier.com to write your own response.

The Obama thrill is gone Black Americans’ devotion to Barack Obama during his 2008 run for the presidency was unparalleled in American political history. From the moment he won the Iowa caucus and proved that White people would vote for him, any and all questions or concerns raised about Obama were promptly forgotten.

The opportunity to see a Black president created a level of enthusiasm previously unseen, and unfortunately a blind devotion too. A group of reliably progressive people changed their political religion and coalesced nearly unanimously around the only kind of person the system will allow to compete – a corporatist and imperialist with no inclination to put Black people anywhere on the agenda of the day.

Why stay engaged?

On Election Day in November 2008, the Black turnout for Obama was so huge that he won states like Indiana, North Carolina and Virginia, states that had not voted for Democratic presidential candidates in decades. That level of turnout meant that thousands of

MARGARET KIMBERLEY BLACK AGENDA REPORT

Black voters who had either never voted before or hadn’t voted in many years came out to the polls with the goal of putting Obama in office.

The downside of that phenomenon is that those people who were previously disengaged from the system still have no reason to be engaged four years later. Their motive was race pride, albeit for a man who has only a passing, academic connection to their life experiences and who never saw them as anything more than saps who would vote for him no matter what he said or did.

Now that Obama has been president for nearly four years, the bloom is off the rose, as well as the inclination to excuse his dismissal of the Black community. These days any defense of the Obama administration consists of little more than protecting him from the likes

of Donald Trump and Rush Limbaugh, and not because he has done anything for the millions of people who were so devoted to him.

Fantasies came true The fantasies of Black life created by centuries of oppression were made real when Obama become president. Many powerful longings were met at the sight of Obama on Air Force One wearing his presidential jacket or knowing that White people admired the Black first lady’s fashion sense.

The Obamas have presided over state dinners and met the queen of England and the pope in Rome.

These images meant a great deal to people whose very right to exist and live in this country has been precarious at the very least.

But now the thrill has diminished considerably. The novelty of seeing the Obamas in places previously reserved for White people has worn off, and while the numbers of Black people willing to publicly criticize Obama may still be small, the level of disappointment has grown.

In November 2012 it is almost

certain that Black turnout will be lower. The depth of Obama love was bereft of political ideology to begin with, and the flimsy rationales are visibly threadbare. The self-delusion has come to a head.

‘Stop complaining’ In 2008, Obama critics were advised to “hold his feet to the fire� after he got into office. The more honest Obama lovers admitted that they wanted to see a Black man in office, and had no intention of holding his feet to fire or anything else. Now a small but growing number have grown weary of the charade and know they have been played for fools. While the Obama win at any cost mantra was the directive, a desire remains for Black people to have the same political expectations that other groups do.

The LGBT community has seen an end to the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell� policy and an expression of support for marriage equality.

The Jewish community has seen no change in the pro-Israeli policies advocated by every president since the state of Israel was founded. When Black people dare to ask

for any acknowledgement of their political aspirations the president tells them, publicly and pointedly, to “stop complaining.�

If seeing a Black man sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office was the goal, it has been reached. The apathetic can now go happily back to being apathetic. If Obama wins a second term it won’t be because of high turnout in Gary, Cleveland, Richmond, or Charlotte. It will be because the Republicans have shot themselves in both feet with White women voters who will not put up with openly sexist appeals for votes from right-wingers.

It is possible for Barack Obama to win a second term, but even in victory his mandate will be diminished. The people who were inspired to go to the polls 2008 will not show up in the same numbers.

The discontent will be largely unspoken, but the results won’t lie.

Even Barack Obama can’t fool all the people all the time.

Margaret Kimberley’s column appears weekly in BlackAgendaReport.com. Click on this story at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

Smartphones provide upward mobility Any “rom-com� fans out there?

I am talking about romantic comedies. Who remembers “My Best Friend’s Wedding,� which starred Julia Roberts?

I was channel-surfing and I found myself cracking up when Julia’s character – the hip, successful NYC food critic and bestselling author – whipped out her cool cell phone in a restaurant scene. It was a gigantic flip model (almost the size of a quart bottle of milk), and featured a nifty retractable antenna. And this was just 15 years ago, in 1997. This could very well be prehistoric to you, depending on your age and perspective.

CHERYL PEARSONMCNEIL SPECIAL TO NNPA

phone and might even be reading this column on your mobile device, because the study reports that the majority of African-American mobile subscribers (54.5 percent) now own these phones, which are really tiny computers that allow us to do almost everything – including talk. Compare these numbers to a year ago when 33 percent of African-American mobile subscribers owned smartMoving fast phones, which was reported in Technology and our addiction “The State of the African-Amerito it are moving so quickly, a few can Consumer Report.� months can seem like ancient history. New Nielsen consumer data Still fighting of U.S. mobile subscribers reveals The battle among Apple iOS, that between December 2011 Android OS and other operatand March 2012, the number of ing systems continues. Apple recell phone owners who opted for mains the top manufacturer of smartphones rose from 47.8 per- smartphone handsets (the iPcent to 50.4 percent. A year ago, hone), while Android was the top less than 40 percent of all mobile smartphone OS, with 48.5 persubscribers in the country owned cent of smartphone owners havsmartphones. ing a device that uses the Android Chances are you’ve got a smart- system during the first quarter of

2012. Blackberry owners are a small but loyal group, holding on with an 11.6 percent share of the smartphone market.

Nielsen’s look at U.S. smartphone owners breaks down who’s purchasing and using what even further: r QFSDFOU PG XPNFO NPbile subscribers opted for smartphones in March 2012 compared to 50.1 percent of men. r .PSF UIBO UXP PVU PG UISFF young adults (age 25-34) own a smartphone. Asian-Americans lead the pack as smartphone adopters with 67.3 percent using a smartphone as their primary mobile handset. r "MNPTU UISFF JO GJWF )JTQBOJD mobile subscribers (57.3 percent) use smartphones.

How do we use these devices? Another Nielsen study reports that all Android OS and Apple iOS users in the U.S. account for 88 percent of those who have downloaded an app in the past 30 days. That means the number of apps per smartphone has jumped 28 percent, from 32 apps to 41. It doesn’t matter whether you’re hunting for the best prices for anything from food to shoes, navigating your way through unfamiliar territory or catching the

latest news scoop – there’s an app for that.

A constant, however, is the Top Five Apps: Facebook, YouTube, Android Market, Google Search and Gmail; and the amount of time the average smartphone user spends on apps each day is 39 minutes compared to 37 minutes in 2011.

Among African-American smartphone owners: r QFSDFOU SFTFBSDIFE PS looked up shopping info using a search engine. r QFSDFOU WJTJUFE B SFUBJM TJUF app. r QFSDFOU MPPLFE VQ QSJDFT UP compare between retailers. r QFSDFOU SFBE QSPEVDU SFviews. r QFSDFOU WJTJUFE B TIPQQJOH TJUF BQQ r QFSDFOU MPPLFE GPS BOE downloaded a coupon. r QFSDFOU BSF NPSF MJLFMZ UIBO average to visit Twitter through a mobile web. r QFSDFOU VTF NPCJMF *OUFSnet (compared to 57 percent of Hispanics, 56 percent of Asians and 41 percent of Whites). r QFSDFOU UFYU DPNQBSFE UP 78 percent of Hispanics, 73 percent of Asians and 68 percent of Whites).

Some concerns The downside of the miracle of smartphones is the issue of privacy. In 2012, Nielsen reports 73 percent of all smartphone owners (70 percent in 2011) expressed concern over the scary reality of personal data collection. Fifty-five percent were wary of sharing information of our whereabouts via those smart smartphone apps.

It’s amazing how mobile apps have changed the way we exercise our recreational habits. When my teenage son was younger, I remember arming him with crayons and a coloring book in an effort to keep him occupied and reduce his fidgeting during church services.

Guess those childhood staples are almost obsolete. A little kid across the aisle from me last year was happily playing a game or “coloring� on his Mom’s smartphone. Sign o’ the times.

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is the senior vice president of public affairs and government relations for The Nielsen Company, a global information and measurement company. For more information and studies, go to www.nielsenwire.com.

TOJ A6

FLORIDA

JUNE 22 – JUNE 28, 2012

Sighs of relief from America’s ‘Dreamers’ Obama rule change allows children of undocumented workers to remain in U.S.

BY MICHAEL PELTIER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE – The Obama Administration announced on June 15 that nearly 100,000 “dreamers” – undocumented children who grew up here – won’t face deportation but be offered at least temporary safe harbor in the United States, bringing reaction from all sides on an issue that has long vexed the nation and Congress.

Speaking to reporters from the White House, President Barack Obama said the Department of Homeland Security would immediately adopt a set of guidelines that would allow the children of illegal immigrants to stay in the United States in many cases.

Called “Dreamers,” for the “Dream Act” proposals that have sought to provide a path to college for “American” children of undocumented immigrants, the group includes children and young adults who came to the United States before they turned 16 and consider their adopted country home. Many, in fact, do not remember living in their native country and have forgotten or never acquired the language of their parents.

Number of criteria In the meantime, they have grown up going to U.S. schools, working in U.S. jobs and sometimes fighting in U.S. wars, all the while facing potential deportation because their parents brought them into the country illegally.

“They are Americans in their hearts, in their minds and in every other way but one, on paper,” Obama said.

The directive gives immigration officials the right to focus their attentions elsewhere without actually changing the law. The rule sets out a number of criteria, limiting the protections to people under 30 who were brought to the U.S. before they turned 16. To qualify, they must also have been enrolled in school, lived at least five consecutive years in the country and have no criminal record.

Congress has been wrangling over the Dream Act for several years but has failed to act, Obama said on June 15, in explaining in part why the administration was stepping in. The same day, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the change in policy, which can go into effect without congressional approval.

GOP reaction Reaction to the new rule and Obama’s announcement was immediate.

“Today’s announcement will be welcome news for many of these kids desperate for an answer, but it is a short-term answer to a long term problem,” Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio said in a statement.

“And by once again ignoring the Constitution and going around

BRAD LOPER/DALLAS MORNING NEWS/MCT

Lorena Tule-Romain, right, tries to hold back tears of joy, as Ramiro Luna talks to the media following the announcement by President Obama. Luna and Tule-Romain, and other Dream Team members and supporters, gathered at the offices of Domingo Garcia in Dallas on June 15.

Congress, this short term policy will make it harder to find a balanced and responsible long term one.”

GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, agreed.

“If I’m president, we’ll do our very best to have that long-term solution,” Romney told reporters during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. “An executive order is, of course, just a short-term matter that can be reversed by subsequent presidents.”

Praise from Latinos Interviewed by “The Hill” newspaper, U.S. Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) said he’s concerned that the effort could be used as a “backdoor” to ultimately allow non-citizens to vote, either this fall or in the future.

“How far down the rabbit hole will it go?” West asked.

Other groups offered unequivocal support.

The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials praised the move for recognizing the contributions of immigrants to improve their adopted home.

“The Administration’s directive recognizes that law-abiding immigrant youth who are currently in school, or have completed their high school education or served in the military and meet several other key criteria should ROBERTO KOLTUN/EL NUEVO HERALD/MCT be provided protection from reStudents Tomas Pendola of Argentina, right, and Nouseline St. Jean, of Haiti, listen to President moval and the ability to seek Barack Obama’s televised speech during a news conference at the Wolfson Campus of Miamigainful employment in the UnitDade College in Miami on June 15. ed States,” the group said.

Juvenile Justice: Civil citations instead of arrests working Programs keep troubled kids from being locked up, getting records

BY MARGIE MENZEL THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE – Florida law enforcement and criminal justice officials say the use of civil citations for troubled youth, rather than a lock-up, is slashing costs, and giving kids a better chance of a turn-around, and they want the practice to become more widespread.

But civil citations also represent a new way of doing business that threatens contracts for more traditional providers mainly those who run detention facilities.

A civil citation is offered in lieu of an arrest only kids who commit misdemeanors. They get one chance to avoid a criminal record that can affect their future educational, professional or military lives what amounts to a lifelong punishment for an offense such as trespassing or fighting at

Children as young as five or six have been arrested and that information follows them for life.”

Carlos Martinez Miami-Dade public defender school.

“We don’t want [youth] to go deeper into the criminal justice system, because it’s detrimental to them and it’s very expensive,” said Steve Casey, executive director of the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA).

Cuts criminal records Roughly 40 programs statewide offer civil citations, which seek to target the roots of their delinquency through family counseling and substance abuse and mental health treatment.

Miami-Dade public defender Carlos Martinez, who has worked with civil citations for seven years, calls them “one of the most important innovations we’ve had in juvenile justice in the last decade” in his jurisdiction.

“It’s a critical issue in Florida,” he said, where unlike most other states if young people are arrested, they get fingerprinted and their prints are forever on file at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“Children as young as five or six have been arrested, said Martinez, “and that information follows them for life, even if the case is dismissed in Florida, even if this person doesn’t have any future problems.”

Reduced recidivism What’s more, said David Utter, policy director at the Southern Poverty Law Center, often juveniles are arrested and then the charges evaporate, leaving them with criminal records. In 2010, he said, 11,300 young Floridians were arrested at school only to have their cases dismissed or diverted.

In Florida, criminal records are public records, so a youthful arrest even if ultimately dismissed can affect getting an apartment, not to mention a job.

“Future employers will look at it,” agreed Nancy Daniels, public defender for the Second Judicial Circuit and president of the Florida Public Defender Association.

According to a 2011 study by the Florida TaxWatch Center for Smart Justice, civil citation programs save taxpayers between $44 million and $139 million annually and reduce the number of youth in the juvenile justice sysWansley tem by 40 percent Walters 30,153 youngsters between 8 and 17.

The study also showed reduced recidivism and the redirection of time and money to more pressing public safety concerns.

The state Department of Juvenile Justice is strongly behind civil citations, and its research shows that seven percent of youth who receive them go on to re-offend within a year, com-

pared to nine percent of youth who re-offend after participating in prevention programs. Fully 99 percent of those who receive civil citations complete the programs, officials say.

“Eighty-six percent of the children are not violent,” said DJJ Secretary Wansley Walters, “and most are not even serious offenders.”

Teen courts work But while DJJ is working to get stakeholders on board, different jurisdictions have different approaches teen courts, law enforcement agencies or private providers to deal with juvenile delinquency.

“We have teen court because it’s so good,” said Scott Wilder, spokesman for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Wilder said the teen court program, which uses peer review to decide an offender’s punishment, also eliminates his or her arrest record. “That goes away for them.”

The FSA’s Casey said smaller counties with fewer resources aren’t able to do much in the way of youth diversion. “But DJJ can help, and they are helping,” he said.

LIFE | FAITH | HEALTH | MONEY | EVENTS | CLASSIFIEDS | ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS | FOOD Entertainer now a TV pastor See page B3

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‘CAN WE ALL GET ALONG?’

JAY L. CLENDENIN/LOS ANGELES TIMES/MCT

Rodney King is shown on March 25 in his home in Rialto, Calif. He was looking at a photo of himself from May 1, 1992, the third day of the Los Angeles riots. King died June 17 at age 47.

Rodney King’s shocking death this week shines a new spotlight on the beating victim’s profound 20-year-old question.

TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE

play and no trauma to King’s body.

T

55 died during 1992 L.A. riots

he death of 47-year-old Rodney King, the man whose name has become synonymous with police brutality and excessive force, has shocked the nation.

Twenty years after the vicious beating of King by Los Angeles police officers, his sudden death by apparent drowning on Sunday shines a new spotlight on injustices that continue against African-Americans and recalls his resounding question, “Can we all get along?”

“Rodney King had become such a fixture in our lives, both the tragedy and the triumphs of his life,” said the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. in a telephone interview shortly after the announcement of King’s death.

Jackson connects case to Martin killing Jackson drew a parallel between the March 2, 1991 beating of King and the Feb. 26, 2012 shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin in Sanford. He reminded that what triggered national outrage in both cases was the fact that in both instances the killers were initially allowed to walk free – let off the hook by the criminal justice system.

“Rodney King would not have been believed without the film. And even with the film, those who beat him walked free. And that’s what created the corruption.

“And that’s what created the connection between Rodney King and Trayvon Martin because all these years later, Trayvon Martin was killed, but the killer walked away free. So, the blatant racial injustice continues.”

No initial evidence of foul play Police in Rialto, Calif., reported that King’s fiancée, Cynthia Kelly, called 911 after hearing a splash in the pool around 5:25 a.m. and finding King at the bottom of his swimming pool.

She said they had been talking throughout the morning. Police said they tried to revive him after removing him from the pool, but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead around 6:11 a.m. according to reports.

There was no initial evidence of foul

This was one of the houses that King bought with his share of a $3.8 million settlement from a federal civil rights lawsuit filed against the four officers who beat him viciously with batons after a high-speed chase that ensued when police observed him speeding and intoxicated. He bought a second house for his mother.

In the state criminal case, a jury acquitted three of the officers and was hung on the forth. The acquittals on April 29, 1992, sparked violent rioting resulting in the deaths of 55 people, the injuries of 2,000 and more than a billion dollars in damages to homes and businesses, mostly by fire.

It was King’s televised plea, “Can we all get along?” that was largely credited for ending the riots.

2 officers convicted in civil case In the civil case, brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, two of the officers were convicted of violating King’s civil rights.

Officers Laurence Powell and Stacey Koon were found guilty and sentenced to 32 months in prison. Officers Timothy Wind and Theodore Briseño were acquitted of all charges.

Cynthia Kelly, the lone Black juror in the civil case, befriended King after the trial and had become his fiancée after 16 years.

Just over a month since the 20th anniversary of the beating, civil rights leaders, this week, find themselves revisiting the significance of the case and the legacy of King.

Ogletree calls beating ‘a wake-up call’ “His life was a reminder of how voiceless, powerless and often nameless people can rise above their weakest moments,” said Harvard Law School Professor Charles Ogletree, director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Center for Race and Justice.

“When King was beaten by Los Angeles police, it was a wake-up call to many. He made us focus on the role of police in powerless communities and

Bystander George Holliday filmed the brutal beating by L.A.P.D. on Rodney King on March 3, 1991.

Left: Rodney King’s daughters, Candice, left, and Lora, console each other outside the home of their father who was found dead in his swimming pool on June 17 in Rialto, Calif.

WALLY SKALIJ/ LOS ANGELES TIMES/MCT

push for reforms. He made us think about the ills of racial profiling and to seek an end to racial profiling. Rodney King will be sorely missed but his plea for peace will forever be remembered.”

Sharpton: King became civil rights symbol The Rev. Al Sharpton says King had become “a symbol of civil rights.”

Sharpton stated in a release, “He represented the anti-police brutality and anti-racial profiling movement of our time. It was his beating that made America focus on the presence of profiling and police misconduct.

“I recently spent time with him on the release of his new book just a couple of months ago and he did my radio and TV show. Through all that he had gone through with his beating and his personal demons he was never one to not call for reconciliation and for people to overcome and forgive.

“History will record that it was Rodney King’s beating and his actions that made America deal with the excessive misconduct of law enforcement.”

Racial profiling and Martin case Rev. Jackson says he believes King’s death will heighten attention to all areas of racial profiling in America – including that exposed in the case of

Trayvon Martin.

The shooter, George Zimmerman, walked free with no police charges until protests erupted across the nation. After an investigation by a special prosecutor, he was arrested April 11 and charged with second-degree murder.

“It can only compound the Trayvon Martin season. We have to deal with the growth of racial profiling and violence upon Black people,” Jackson said. “Racial profiling by banks, home foreclosures, racial profiling in the judicial system – more time for the crime, the racial profiling and attacks on the president.

“There’s a strong undercurrent of racism that simply cannot be denied…

So, the lesson to be learned and not ignored is that Blacks remain the weak link in the justice chain.”

National Urban League President/ CEO Marc Morial agrees: “The beating captured on videotape and the subsequent acquittal of the four Los Angeles police officers exemplified criminal justice system inequities that continue to plague this nation.

“His words following the Los Angeles riots captured the sentiments of a nation and continue call to question: ‘Why can’t we all just get along?’”

CALENDAR

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FLORIDA COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Miami Beach: Joshua’s Heart Foundation will host Socially Stomping Out Hunger, a happy hour event June 27 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. to raise awareness about the foundation and especially the Backpack Program and food drives. Your $10 donation at the door includes event entry, a raffle ticket to win a new Citizen bike, a glass of wine and Rex Goliath giveaways. HaVen Lounge 1237 Lincoln Road. More information: Katie at 786-531-4388 or Christina at 305-746-2783.

Watson Island: Miami Children’s Museum will bring the world of construction to life as it opens its newest exhibit, Seth’s Construction Zone, June 24 at 10 a.m. The opening will kick off with Think It, Build It! Day, featuring activities that cover every aspect of building, from the development of projects to clean up. Families can participate in a number of construction related activities, complete with costumes and props to help set the tone. General admission is $16; Florida residents, $12; and free for children less than 1 year and Miami Children’s Museum members. 980 MacArthur Causeway, Watson Island. More information: 305-3735437.

For more than 30 years, Robert Caro, the Pulitzer Prize winning biographer of “The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York,’’ has been in hot pursuit of Lyndon Johnson.

In the first three volumes of his magnificent and monumental series, “The Years of Lyndon Johnson,’’ Caro traced Johnson’s journey from the Texas hill country to Washington, D.C. and his tenure as “master� of the United States Senate.

Caro’s Johnson was a complicated and contradictory creature: a champion of the poor and oppressed; a faithful lieutenant of the anti-civil rights Southern caucus; a brilliant legislative tactician; and a politician with insatiable appetites and ambitions, who would do just about anything to acquire and retain power.

Insightful volume In volume four, “The Passage of Power,’’ Caro takes Johnson from his unsuccessful race for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States in 1960 to banishment from the corridors of power as John F. Kennedy’s vice president to the breathtaking achievements of the nine months following Kennedy’s assassination, which culminated in the passage of the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Like Caro’s earlier volumes, “The Passage of Power’’ is entertaining, engrossing, mind-boggling in its command of detail, and awash in insights, some of them speculative, about critical moments in Johnson’s career.

Had Johnson entered the presidential sweepstakes earlier, Caro suggests, not all that persuasively, he

The Urban League of Broward County to host forum

Celebrities at the Central Florida Black Expo and USA Crown Pageant will include actress Vivica Fox, choreographer and producer Darrin Henson along with TV One’s relationship expert Hasani Pettiford.

The event is July 29 and 30 at the Orange County Convention Center. More information: www.cfblackexpo.org.

SUSANNA GREEN

Author Susanna Green will present “Swim, Sip & Sign’’ on June 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Tahitian Inn Hotel poolside, 601 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. She will sign copies of her new book, “Remembering the Sweet Nectar.’’ More information: www. sweetnectarpublishing. com or e-mail sweetnectarpublishing@ yahoo.com.

ICE CUBE

Ice Cube, T.I., Young Jeezy, Wale, DJ Khaled, Fat Joe and Waka Flocka Flame will be at the Klipsch Amphitheater in Miami on July 7 for the Radio One Fest.

Festival returns to Miami Beach through June 23 at various theaters throughout Miami Beach. More information: 646-375-2411 or www. abff.com.

Fort Lauderdale: A three-hour cooking class with professionally trained chefs is scheduled at City College Fort Lauderdale, 2000 W. Commercial Blvd. The class is 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Cost: $39.99 per person per class.

More information: 954-703-6745 or www.chef954.com.

Miami: The Overtown Rhythm and Arts festival featuring church choirs, marching bands, vendors, entertainment and food will be held June 23 on NW Third Avenue, between 9th and 11th streets.

Boca Raton: An open mic night for 18 and up featuring comedy, poetry and music is held every Monday at the Funky Biscuit in the back of Royal Palm Plaza, 303 SE Mizner

Blvd. Sign up is at 8 p.m.; show time begins at 8:30 p.m. More information: Richy Lala 561-5128472.

BOOK REVIEW

show at 9 p.m. at J.C. Bermudez Park, 3000 NW 87th Ave. More information: www.cityofdoral.com.

Miami: Fantasia, Keith Sweat, Guy, K-Ci & Jo-Jo will be at the American Airline Arena for the Fresh Music Festival July 12 for an 8 p.m. show.

Miami: Miami-Dade County hosts a Downtown Harvest Market every Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Residents and visitors have the opportunity to purchase seasonal produce directly from Miami-Dade growers, handmade artisanal foods and crafts, green products, healing arts and plants, and more at the Stephen P. Clark Center’s Courtyard, 111 NW 1st St. More information: www.earth-learning.org.

Doral: The City of Doral hosts its annual Independence Day Celebration beginning at 7 p.m. Festivities include a concert and fireworks

‘Passage of Power’ explores LBJ’s presidential journey DR. GLENN C. ALTSCHULER SPECAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER

S

VIVICA FOX

Miami: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade and the Miami Marlins will host a weekend of events June 22-24 at Marlins Park, 501 Marlins Way, as the Marlins take on the Toronto Blue Jays. During the Charity Partner Weekend, the Marlins will highlight the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade. Friday’s 7:10 p.m. game features an after-party, Club Blue Nite at the Clevelander. On Saturday, for the 1:10 p.m. Baseline reserved seats are $20 (regularly $35), and a portion of ticket sales during the weekend will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade.

Miami: The American Black Film

JUNE 22 - JUNE 28, 2012

the House Rules Committee controlled by Howard Smith of Virginia and a filibuster in the Senate. “That man will twist your arm off at your shoulder and beat your head in with it,� Senator Richard Russell, Johnson’s one-time mentor, observed, in a mixture of admiration and resignation.

Miami: Nicki Minaj will be at the James L. Knight on July 24 for an 8 p.m. show.

Miami: Tickets are now on sale for a show featuring Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez at the American Airlines Arena on Aug. 31.

Miami: The King’s Men Tour with Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin and Israel Houghton is scheduled at the American Airlines Arena on Sept. 30.

Miramar: Jeffrey Osborne, Millie Jackson, Ken Boothe and more will be at the Miramar Regional Park in Miramar July 8 for a 3 p.m. show.

Hollywood: Al Green will perform at Hard Rock Live Hollywood July 2 at 8 p.m.

The Urban League of Broward County will host the Community Justice Day “Voices 4 Change� Forum on June 22. The event will be held at the Urban League’s new Community Empowerment Center, 560 NW 27th Ave. Fort Lauderdale, at 5 p.m. The forum provides an opportunity for young people to communicate their concerns around the criminal justice system, violence and substance abuse issues in their neighborhoods and schools. The forum will allow teens to communicate solution-based approaches to a broad audience that includes the business community, social service providers, local program funders and parents.

Prior to the evening forum, youth participants will work on teambuilding and leadership skills training. Activities for the day will include an “object lesson� project.

The program is designed to be a fun and thought-provoking interactive series of activities focusing on community-building. The team project will yield a series of mini commercials/PSAs that target community issues related to juvenile arrests, flavored alcohol/tobacco use, violence/gangs, and a youth perspective on bullying.

A panel presentation from community leaders who will discuss juvenile justice and substance abuse issues will also be held. The forum is sponsored by the Office of the Attorney General in partnership with United Way of Broward County’s Commission on Substance Abuse, Boys & Girls Club, Broward County Parks and Recreation, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward Youth Coalition, HANDY, and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

For more information about the Community Justice Day “Voices 4 Change� event, contact the Joe N. Toliver, Vice President of Community Relations & Communications, at 954-625-2509 or jtoliver@ulbcfl. org or visit us online at www.ulbroward.org.

MOVIES

Mark S. Allen, CBS-TV

Volcanic temper at times The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is shown with President Lyndon B. Johnson in the background. The photo was taken by Yoichi Okamoto on March 18, 1966. might have prevented Kennedy from being nominated on the first ballot. Caro makes a compelling case, however, that had Kennedy run for re-election he might well have dumped Johnson from the ticket.

Pushed civil rights bill Revisiting the clichĂŠ that power always corrupts, Caro reminds us in this book that “power always reveals.â€?

Told by an adviser soon after he became president that he should not waste his time on lost causes like civil rights (and antagonize southern Democrats), Johnson apparently replied, “Well, what the hell’s the presidency for?�

In a breathtakingly knowledgeable narrative, a practical primer on the inner working of the United States Congress, Caro shows how Johnson made good on his vow that if he ever had the power he would “make sure that every Negro had the same chance as every white man.�

As if by magic, the civil rights bill, which had been stalled when Kennedy was president, made it through

Johnson secured the confidence of the American people during the presidential transition, Caro indicates, not only by displaying his virtuosity in getting legislation passed, but by holding in check the doubts and fears that had, at times, paralyzed him, a volcanic temper, a predilection to crush his enemies, and perhaps most important, his hatred for Robert Kennedy.

To be sure, he remained willing to destroy the careers of journalists intent on investigating his connections to Bobby Baker, a Senate staffer (and LBJ protĂŠgĂŠ), who was under investigation for influence peddling, larceny, and tax evasion. But he seemed composed, calm, competent, and even humble.

The qualities he subdued, Caro reminds us, “were still there, as powerful as ever.�

They would return, with a vengeance, when riots plagued American cities, anti-Vietnam War protestors chanted, “Hey, hey LBJ, how many kids did you kill today,� a “credibility gap� emerged, and the blood feud with Bobby Kennedy was renewed. And we can bet that Caro will have a lot to say about them in the final volume of his extraordinary biography.

Dr. Glenn C. Altschuler is the Thomas and Dorothy Litwin Professor of American Studies at Cornell University.

UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND MEDIA RIGHTS CAPITAL PRESENT A FUZZY DOOR PRODUCTION A BLUEGRASS FILMS PRODUCTIMUSICON A SMART ENTERTAIEXECUTIVE NMENT PRODUCTION A FILM BY SETH MACFARLANE MARK WAHLBERG MILA KUNIS SETH MACFARLANE “TED� JOEL MCHALE GIOVANNI RIBISI BY WALTER MURPHY PRODUCER JONATHAN MONE STORY SCREENPLAY PRODUCED

BY SETH MACFARLANE & ALEC SULKIN & WELLESLEY WILD

BY SCOTT STUBER SETH MACFARLANE JOHN JACOBSJASON CLARK BY SETH MACFARLANE DIRECTED A UNIVERSAL RELEASE

BY SETH MACFARLANE SOUNDTRACK ON UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC RECORDS

Š 2012 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

STOJ

JUNE 22 - JUNE 28, 2012

FINEST & ENTERTAINMENT

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Think you’re one of Florida’s Finest?

E-mail your high-resolution digital photo in casual wear or bathing suit taken in front of a plain background with few distractions, to news@flcourier.com with a short biography of yourself and your contact information. (No nude/glamour/ fashion photography, please!) In order to be considered, you must be at least 18 years of age. Acceptance of the photographs submitted is in the sole and absolute discretion of Florida Courier editors. We reserve the right to retain your photograph even if it is not published. If you are selected, you will be contacted by e-mail and further instructions will be given.

Toni is majoring in pre-professional biology to become a nurse. She’s currently a fulltime fashion model working her way to the top. A selfproclaimed free spirit, she loves to have fun and takes every opportunity to travel and enjoy life.

Connect with her on Twitter @Mzzmoyay.

Photo credit Toni.

South Florida resident Reemuhlus has a passion for entertaining others and bringing smiles to their faces. He’s looking to pursue his dreams of becoming a complete brand that will be known worldwide.

Photo courtesy LLMT- Imagez.

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Arsenio Hall returning to late night Comic’s new show returning to television in September

New series featuring popular comedian set in St. Louis

BY SCOTT COLLINS LOS ANGELES TIMES

The Dog Pound will woof again: Arsenio Hall is returning to late-night TV. Two decades after his self-titled show rebuilt the talk genre for a new generation, the 56-yearold comic and recent “Celebrity Apprentice” winner will attempt a major comeback with a nightly syndicated offering starting in September 2013.

Hall is partnering with syndicator CBS Television Distribution and Tribune Co., which will broadcast the 11 p.m. show on 17 of its TV stations, including WGN-TV in Chicago and KTLATV in Los Angeles.

Those stations, plus six major-market CBSowned outlets and seven from station group Local TV LLC, will give Hall instant access to more than half the country. Tribune, which hopes to emerge from 3 1/2-year bankruptcy proceedings later this year, also owns or is a partner in scores of websites and operates eight daily newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times.

Crowded field “In the end I’m a comic, and nothing fits the talk-show mode like a stand-up comic,” Hall said in an interview Monday. Referring to the crowded field in late-night TV, which includes “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” as well as traditional venues such as “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” he added: “I know there are a lot of shows, but I think there’s a space for my show.”

Hall’s earlier show was a surprise smash when it premiered in 1989, bringing a youthful energy and diversity to a format that had been dominated by Johnny Carson on NBC’s “Tonight” for nearly 30 years.

His studio audience greeted the host by pumping their fists and barking, with the most devoted among them coming to be known as “The Dog Pound.”

The show reached a peak 20 years ago this month, when sunglasses-wearing presidential candidate Bill Clinton famously blended retail politics and pop culture with a saxophone rendition of “Heartbreak Hotel.”

But the program suffered after CBS in 1993 hired David Letterman to host an 11:35 p.m. show that kicked Hall to an even later hour on many local stations.

Hall won Donald Trump’s reality competition last month, besting other contestants including ex-“American Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken and ’70s supermodel Cheryl Tiegs.

Strategic move The host will oversee the show with his longtime manager, John Ferriter, and a search is under way to find an executive producer who can manage the production on a day-to-day basis.

Hall, who had started a family and mostly faded from public view since his show was can-

Cedric the Entertainer goes home for ‘Soul Man’

BY GAIL PENNINGTON ST. LOUS POST-DISPATCH (MCT)

Arsenio Hall says ‘there’s a space’ for his new late-night show. celed, decided months ago he wanted another shot at late-night TV. But he realized that to sell studio and station executives on the idea, he would have to reintroduce himself to the public and especially to viewers under 30 who had little idea who he was.

The obvious solution was a network reality show such as “Celebrity Apprentice” or “Dancing With the Stars.”

“This could have backfired,” Hall acknowledged. “I could have been on the plane with Cheryl Tiegs saying, ‘Why did I do this? I should have danced.’”

Risky endeavor John Nagowski, president of CBS Television Distribution, which syndicates hits such as “Judge Judy,” “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune,” conceded that Hall will be re-entering a teeming marketplace. But he added: “No one’s doing anything like what we did before” with Hall’s show. “The advertiser wants 25 to 54. He’s dead-on.”

“It’s risky, but we’re going back to the guy who had the healthiest demos in late-night TV,” said Sean Compton, president of programming and entertainment for Tribune Broadcasting. “This is the only guy who ever gave Johnny Carson a run for his money.”

As for Hall, he says he’s already brimming with plans for the new show, even though it won’t premiere for another 15 months. Some ideas will be new; others will be updates of standbys from the old show.

Take, for example, the Dog Pound, which was a pop-culture signpost of the early 1990s. Hall would like to revive it — with a twist.

“I might,” he said, “come up with another animal noise.”

TV Land wanted Cedric the Entertainer to make Cleveland his home. He held out for his real home: St. Louis.

In “The Soul Man,” a comedy, which made its debut Wednesday at 10 p.m. on the cable network, Cedric plays R&B star Boyce “The Voice” Ballantine, who has given up the fast life and moved home to take over his father’s church in the Central West End. Viewers first met Ballantine on TV Land’s “Hot in Cleveland” in an episode that found him offering premarital advice to Betty White’s character.

“When we were talking about the new series, they asked if I wanted to be from Cleveland, but I wasn’t really comfortable with that,” Cedric says. “I said, let’s make it St. Louis, so the setup is that I leave Las Vegas and come home to St. Louis.”

considers St. Louis home, or at least a second home, and visits family here often.

Maybe it was their similar roots, “but we had a nice rhythm together right away,” Cedric says of Nash.

“We have so many connections.”

(Plus, Nash has pointed out, “My first husband was an R&B singer turned pastor. How about that for coincidence?”)

In “The Soul Man,” Boyce and Lolli Ballantine have been married for 18 years, with a teenage daughter, Lyric, played by Jazz Raycole (“My Wife and Kids”).

Similar roots

Not so righteous

As co-creator and an executive producer of “The Soul Man,” Cedric, who also co-wrote the pilot, had a hand in other details, including casting. But choosing fellow St. Louisan Niecy Nash to play his wife, Lolli, was a coincidence, he says.

They had met years before and worked together on a movie (“Code Name: The Cleaner”), but as for their similar roots, “I didn’t know!”

The two soon compared notes about their St. Louis childhoods and some of their favorite spots.

Cedric, 48, was born Cedric Kyles (he still uses the name in his personal life) in Jefferson City and lived in Caruthersville before moving to St. Louis, where he graduated from Berkeley High School. He worked as an insurance claims adjuster here before making it in comedy.

Many connections Nash, 42, was born in California but spent much of her childhood with her grandmother, Mildred Brookins, in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood in northwest St. Louis. She has often said that she

Cedric the Entertainer and Niecy Nash star in TV Land’s new sitcom, “The Soul Man.’’

When his father (John Beasley of “Everwood”) decided it was time to retire from the church he had led for many years, Boyce saw a chance to turn his life around by taking over.

As viewers meet him, he’s getting comfortable in the pulpit and trying to fit into the church community, often asking God for help along the way.

“I built the character off a joke I did about how everybody has a right to change, that even R. Kelly could become a minister,” Cedric says. “Boyce’s music didn’t always sit well with his father. His biggest hit was ‘Sex Wichoo,’ and he made a lot of money, but he felt the calling and is making a big transition.”

Now, “he’s a minister, but he’s not sin-free,” Cedric says. “That’s very important. Christians can be portrayed as so righteous, that they can do no wrong, but most of us know it’s a struggle.”

TV Land ordered 12 episodes of “The Soul Man,” co-created with Suzanne Martin of “Hot in Cleveland,” and will pair it with Season 2 of “The Exes.”

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EDUCATION

STOJ

JUNE 22 – JUNE 28, 2012

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

FRIM FAMILY FEATURES

A DIFFERENT KIND OF EDUCATION

T

he phrase “back to school” doesn’t just apply to kids. Many adults are headed back to the classroom in hopes of starting a new career or improving their odds of promotion within their current job.

In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the number of students over age 25 grew 43 percent from 2000 to 2009 — and it’s expected to increase another 23 percent by 2019.

“Anyone considering going back to college needs to do their homework,” said University of Phoenix School of Business Dean Dr. Bill Berry. “Returning to school is a big decision, and you have to be sure of your reasons so you get the most out of your educational experience.

Do your research and ask questions. Additionally, talk with your family to make sure they’re prepared to support you. Going back to school is a commitment, but it’s one that could change your life for the better.”

So how do you know if going back to school is right for you? How do you choose a college and program? If you’ve been thinking of going back to school, Dr. Berry recommends asking yourself the following questions and answering them honestly: r What are my goals? You need to be clear about why you want to go back to school. Some common goals include getting ahead in your career, starting a career in a new field, or the personal satisfaction that comes with completing your degree. r Do I have time to take classes? Building in time for coursework and using time management skills is necessary for success. According to the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, whether taking classes online or in a classroom, it can take at least eight hours a week of work to successfully complete assignments. Consider how you will structure your week in order to maximize time. r Am I self-motivated and self-disciplined? Many adult learners have responsibilities other than school, such as families and jobs, which require time and personal commitments. You need motivation and discipline to do the work — no one will do it for you. r Do I have a place to study? Having a dedicated space to complete assignments — whether it’s reading, writing a paper or creating a presentation — is important, even if it’s small or shared with someone else. If you’re taking online classes, you’ll either need your own computer and Internet access or access to these in order to participate in online group discussions, submit assignments or take advantage of electronic learning resources. r How can I leverage my support system? Having personal as well as professional support is critical. Ask family or friends if they are willing to look after your children while you’re studying. If you work, discuss your situation with your supervisor to ensure you have a plan in place to address work-related deadlines and responsibilities. r How are my computer skills? How comfortable are you with basic computer programs and Internet research? As more and more course work is done online, it’s critical to have these skills in order to succeed. If your computer skills are a bit rusty, look to see if your college or university offers any courses to help strengthen your skills before enrolling. r Do I really know what to expect? If you haven’t been to school in a while, or you never had a college experience, starting out can be overwhelming. Programs such as the University of Phoenix University Orientation workshops are required for incoming students with less than 24 credits. This provides those students with an opportunity to experience the University of Phoenix classroom without incurring a financial burden. The three-week, no-cost workshops allow students to experience the University’s academic rigor.

“We want our students to succeed,” said Dr. Berry. “Offering this workshop lets them figure out if this is a good fit for them, and what is expected of them as students.”

College education has changed dramatically over the years, and often in ways that benefit working adults.

Schools now offer a variety of online and campus course options.

Smart phone applications allow students to check in on class discussions.

Online libraries make the latest textbooks and research available at the click of a mouse.

Diverse tutoring options and academic resources mean the education experience has become more customized to individual student needs.

You’ll be more likely to find other working adults and practitioner faculty who bring their own diverse work experience into the classroom.

What to look for If you’ve decided that you’re ready for school, you need to choose one that will help you achieve your goals. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning recommends that you: r Look for colleges that are accredited — Check for their accreditation on their website, or look for them at www.ed.gov. r Ask about Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) — If the school has a system for evaluating your prior learning, you could save time and money when earning your degree. r Find out about student services — Will you have access to the library whenever you need it? Is tutoring or online help available? If it’s an online program, will you be able to interact with other students? Will you have access to faculty and advisors to help you with classwork and your program goals?

For example, University of Phoenix assigns every student a Graduation Team made up of advisors for enrollment, academics and finance, in order to help you navigate your entire college experience.

“You also need to determine how you will pay for school,” said Dr. Berry. “Between scholarships, federal financial aid, pay-as-you-learn plans, student loans or tuition reimbursements by employers, there are a lot of options available to help you get the education you want. Make sure you’re clear on tuition costs, and talk with the school’s finance advisors before enrolling.”

Going back to school is a big decision, but if you ask the right questions and do the right planning, it will be a decision you can make with confidence, knowing it will pay off with a brighter future. You can learn more about University of Phoenix programs at www.phoenix. edu.

WHAT’S YOUR STYLE? Everyone learns differently.

Understanding what learning styles work best for you helps you make better, more informed decisions about how to learn new things, and whether you’re best suited for online or classroom learning. Here are a few of the learning styles — which style best describes you?

Solitary — These students focus best when alone and tend to be highly motivated.

They benefit most from having alone time for studying.

Social — Social learners often need to bounce ideas off of others. Study groups — both in-person and online — work well for these students.

Visual — This type of learner often doodles, using visual cues to help understand and retain new information. Study aids could include graphics or color coded notes.

Verbal — These students have a way with words, enjoying reading, writing and

crosswords. Reading aloud, summarizing content in their own words or using acronyms are good study tools for verbal learners.

Aural — Aural learners have an affinity for music and sound. They can learn content by making musical associations, such as playing music while studying, making up songs, or putting facts to tunes they know.

Logical — These financial and math-minded learners frequently make use of ordered lists. They benefit by using to-do lists for studying tasks.

Physical — Moving around helps physical students retain information. Taking lots of notes during class, as well as walking or jogging while memorizing facts are helpful study aids.

You can take a self-assessment to find out your learning style by visiting www.phoenix. edu/LearningStyleAssessment.

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JUNE 22 - JUNE 28, 2012

FROM FAMILY FEATURES

Picnics are a perfect way to enjoy getting together with friends and family this summer. No matter what your destination â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beach, park or just your backyard â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no need to settle for standard fare.

Instead, make summertime favorites like pasta salad, potato salad, vegetable dip and California style wraps even more delicious by adding the new Hellmannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sÂŽ or Best FoodsÂŽ mayonnaise dressing with Olive Oil recipe. Made with high-quality ingredients, including olive oil, cagefree eggs, and vinegar, it combines the creamy, rich taste of Hellmannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sÂŽ or Best FoodsÂŽ with the delicious goodness of olive oil.

Visit www.Hellmanns. com or www.BestFoods. com for more summer recipes and additional information.

PICNIC FOOD SAFETY TIPS Make sure you properly store and serve your picnic treats so they stay fresh and delicious.

COLD FOOD

Cold perishable food should be kept in a cooler at 40°F or below until itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to serve.

Foods like cold salads or desserts in individual serving dishes can be placed directly on ice. Drain off water as ice melts, and replace ice frequently.

HOT FOOD

Hot food should be kept hot, at or above 140°F. Wrap hot foods well, and place in an insulated container until serving.

Once served, no food should sit out for longer than two hours â&#x20AC;&#x201D; one hour if the outdoor temperature is above 90°F. To be safe, throw away any food that has been left out longer.

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN WRAP Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 minutes 3 tablespoons Hellmannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sÂŽ or Best FoodsÂŽ Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil 4 6-inch fajita size whole wheat flour tortillas 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled and sliced 1 medium avocado, peeled and sliced 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1/4 cup sliced red onion 2 cups mixed salad greens Spread Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil on tortillas.

Layer chicken, avocado, red pepper, red onion and salad greens down center of each tortilla.

Roll and fold the filled tortillas.

THE ORIGINAL POTATO SALAD Serves: 8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes 2 pounds potatoes (5 to 6 medium), peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks 1 cup Hellmannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sÂŽ or Best FoodsÂŽ Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil 2 tablespoons vinegar 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon sugar

FOOD

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1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup thinly sliced celery 1/2 cup chopped onion 2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped (optional) Cover potatoes with water in 4-quart saucepot; bring to a boil over mediumhigh heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Drain and cool slightly.

Combine Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil, vinegar, salt, sugar and pepper in large bowl. Add potatoes, celery, onion and eggs and toss gently. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes 3/4 cup Hellmannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sÂŽ or Best FoodsÂŽ Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil, divided

EASY VEGETABLE DIP Makes: 2 1/2 cups Prep Time: 5 minutes Chill Time: 2 hours 1 package KnorrÂŽ Vegetable recipe mix 1/2 cup Hellmannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sÂŽ or Best FoodsÂŽ Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil 1 container (16 ounces) sour cream Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Cover and chill 2 hours to blend flavors.

Stir before serving. Serve with your favorite dippers.

1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, chopped

PASTA SALAD WITH VEGETABLES Serves: 8

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 6 cups assorted fresh vegetables (zucchini, red and yellow peppers and/ or red onion), sliced 1 box (16 ounces) fusilli pasta, cooked, drained and cooled 1/3 cup sliced Kalamata or pitted ripe olives

Blend 1/4 cup Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil, vinegar and ground black pepper in medium bowl. Stir in vegetables.

Arrange vegetable mixture in grill pan or on foil on grill. Grill vegetables, stirring once, 20 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Cool.

Combine vegetables with remaining ingredients in large bowl. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tip: Vegetables may also be roasted in the oven.

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TOJ B6

STOJ

JUNE 22 – JUNE 28, 2012

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