Florida Courier - March 22, 2013

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MARCH 22 - MARCH 28, 2013

VOLUME 21 NO. 12

WAS IT WORTH IT? COMPILED FROM WIRE REPORTS

Billions of dollars spent. Millions of armed services members deployed. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis killed. Thousands of Americans dead. Ten years after George W. Bush started the Iraq War, we count the cost – thus far.

COLUMBUS, GA. – Every morning, Phyllis Bailey whispers a prayer and lights a candle at her Fort Mitchell home in memory of her daughter, Lakeshia, an Army sergeant who died in 2010 while serving in Iraq.

“I find peace within that candle, I don’t know why,” she said softly while re- er of the toll war took on flecting on her life without their families.

ROBIN TRIMARCHI/COLUMBUS LEDGER-ENQUIRER/MCT her daughter. “It just helps me.”

Sgt. Lakeshia Phyllis Bailey lights a candle every day next to a photoFor survivors like Baigraph of her daughters Lakeshia, left, and Candace, and a ley, this week’s 10th an- M. Bailey family portrait of the Baileys. Sgt. Lakeshia M. Bailey was Lakeshia Bailey was a niversary of the Iraq in23 when she was killed in Iraq on March 9, 2010. vasion is another remind- fun-loving military brat

who wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father, Sgt. 1st Class Tony Bailey.

A native of Greenville, Ala., Bailey grew up traveling the world with her military family. She grad-

uated from high school in 2004 and began pursuing an early childhood education degree in college.

But she soon decided she wanted to travel abroad.

So she joined the Army in February 2006.

Her parents were supportive. But Tony Bailey, who served in Bosnia and Desert Storm, warned his daughter of the potential dangers.

“She told me in so many words, ‘Well, Dad, if I lose my life, then I will lose my life fighting for what I believe,’” Tony Bailey said.

See IRAQ, Page A2

Former State ‘Reasons’ to go to Jazz in the Gardens Sen. Larcenia Bullard dies FLORIDA COURIER / OUT AND ABOUT

South Florida Democrat loved friends, foes COMPILED FROM WIRE AND STAFF REPORTS

Former Sen. Larcenia Bullard, a popular and gregarious figure in the Capitol whose husband and son followed her into the Florida Legislature, died March 16. She was 65.

Sen. Bullard, a Miami Democrat who was replaced in the state Senate last fall by her son Dwight, had health problems in recent years. She died in her hometown, Allendale, S.C., while on vacation with her husband, former state Rep. Edward Bullard. She went to the emergency room after feeling ill and later died there.

A tearful Sen. Dwight Bullard paid tribute Tuesday on the Senate floor to his mother, calling her his “No. 1 cheerleader.”

The Miami Democrat described his mother walking the halls of the Capitol, smiling, hugging and speaking to everyone.

“She lived to serve,’’ he said. “Many of us discovered service. My mother was born into it.”

Flood of tributes

KIM GIBSON / FLORIDA COURIER

Ralph Johnson and Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire belted out the band’s hits at Jazz in the Gardens in Miami Gardens last weekend. Florida Courier photojournalists Kim Gibson and Delroy Cole were there.

See story and pictures on Page B1; more pictures at www.flcourier.com.

SNAPSHOTS FLORIDA | A3

Public comes to aid of 10 children whose mom died in accident

Jackson becomes B-CU’s ‘permanent’ president

BY JAMES HARPER FLORIDA COURIER

NATION | a6

GOP report: Party must change to win again

FINEST | B5

Meet Rose

ALSO INSIDE

During a scheduled board meeting at Bethune-Cookman University, the B-CU Board of Trustees asked interim president Dr. Edison Jackson if he wanted the job permanently.

Jackson – who last month told the Florida Courier exclusively, “If asked, I will serve” – agreed to do so. In a statement released by the university, Trustee Board Chairman John W. Harrington announced Jackson as the university’s 6th president.

“President Jackson has

brought the emphasis on academic excellence and our core values that was sorely needed,” Harrington said.

Following his Dr. Edison appointment, Jackson Jackson said, “It is quite an honor to be selected by the Board of Trustees of Bethune-Cookman University and serve as the permanent president ushering in a new era of excellence for this university.”

Harrington said board members realized during a January retreat that they had in place an interim president who represented the kind of leader they sought to be president.

Three-year term Jackson became B-CU’s interim president on May 14, 2012.

He replaced Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed, who retired after seven years with the institution. Reed was the first woman president of B-CU since its founder, Dr.

Mary McLeod Bethune.

Jackson’s tenure will begin immediately and will conclude on July 1, 2016.

A search committee will be appointed in January 2015 to name a successor before Jackson’s departure.

This will be Jackson’s third college or university presidency. He served as president of Compton Community College in Compton, Calif., and Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York.

Last week, Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, sent a memo to senators and staff noting that Larcenia Bullard had been on the Senate floor to be with her son on the session’s first day.

“Larcenia Bullard had the biggest heart in the Senate,’’ Gaetz wrote. “A proud Democrat, she was never an uncompromising partisan. A political pioneer among African-Americans, her passion for fairness and justice extended to all people. Every hard fight in committee or tough debate on the Senate floor always ended with her warmly embracing those with whom she disagreed and assuring them of her love.”

Senate Minority Leader Chris Smith, DFort Lauderdale, issued a statement saySee BULLARD, Page A2

New initiatives Since arriving at B-CU, Jackson has established what he calls Freshman College, which provides new students a comprehensive first-year experience with structured support to ensure a seamless transition from high school to college.

He has established an Honors College to provide the university’s brightest students with a variety of opportunities to develop as scholars and what he calls “servant leaders.”

FLORIDA COURIER FILES

Larcenia Bullard died a few days after her last appearance in the Florida Senate.

COMMENTARY: CHARLES W. CHERRY II: RANDOM THOUGHTS OF A FREE BLACK MIND | A4 COMMENTARY: DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX: OBAMA SHOULD FOLLOW LEAD OF CATHOLICS | A5

FOCUS

A2 U.S. troop deaths 4,486

U.S. wounded 32,200

MARCH 22 – MARCH 28, 2013

Iraqi civilian deaths 102,700-113,300

Cost $806 billion

Internally displaced 1.2 million

Refugees 1.6 million

Iraq reconstruction $61.8 billion

Outside Fallujah, Nov. 8, 2003

President George W. Bush, March 7, 2003

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney, Bush, March 21, 2003

Baghdad, April 12, 2003

President Barack Obama, Dec. 14, 2011

Ten years since the U.S. invasion of Iraq Although U.S. intelligence officials said Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein had no role in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the administration of President George W. Bush led the U.S. and its allies into a costly eight-year war that they believed would last just a few months and would rid the world of a terrorist threat.

2002

2003

Jan. 29 Bush says Iraq, Iran, N. Korea are “Axis of Evil” in State of the Union speech

April 4 British Prime Minister Tony Blair visits Bush to discuss Iraq; Bush: “I’ve made up my mind that Saddam needs to go”

August White House Iraq Group set up to convince U.S. public that Iraq War is inevitable, necessary Sept. 7 Bush says a U.N. report states Iraq is six months from having nuclear weapon; there is no such report

Oct. 8 Knight Ridder reports that military officers, intelligence professionals say Bush officials exaggerating threat of Saddam Nov. 8 U.N. offers Iraq final chance to comply with disarming; Iraq agrees; weapon inspectors return

• $1 trillion projected cost for veteran disability, medical care

2004

Jan. 9 U.N.’s Hans Blix says weapons inspectors haven’t found any “smoking guns” in Iraq

Feb. 5 In major speech to U.N., Secretary of State Collin Powell says Iraq has weapons of mass destruction – WMD Feb. 15 Protests against Iraq war in 600 cities worldwide March 19 Bush announces invasion of Iraq has begun April 9 U.S. and coalition forces defeat Iraqi army

May 1 Bush declares end to major combat May 23 Coalition Provisional Authority disbands Iraq army, sending thousands of well-armed men into the streets Dec. 13 Saddam captured

Late Dec. Insurgents begin targeting U.S. forces; fighting between rival militias • 1.7 million veterans from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

Coalition forces Thirty-eight countries contributed about 25,000 troops; nations with most deaths U.K.

179

Italy

Poland

Ukraine

Bulgaria Spain

33 23 18

Total deaths

13 11

2005

Jan. 24 Bush administration says its prewar statements about WMD in Iraq appear to have been mistaken March 31 Four U.S. contractors killed, burned and hung from a bridge in Fallujah; al-Qaida in Iraq begins suicide bombings against Shiites

April 28 Abuse in U.S.-run Abu Ghraib prison made public; Senate report says senior officials asked for such behavior June 28 Coalition Provisional Authority gives sovereignty to interim Iraqi government Aug. 5 U.S., Iraqi forces battle Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s militia for weeks in Shiite holy city of Najaf

Nov. 7 U.S.-led forces begin Battle of Fallujah; take control after a month of fierce fighting

Oct. 15 Iraqis vote in constitutional referendum; two months later, election held for parliament; Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, is named prime minister

2008

Jan. 10 “Surge” to stem mounting insurgent attacks begins with 20,000 additional U.S. troops; led by Gen. David Petraeus

Dec. 31 Suicide bombings hit all-time high in 2005 of 478

Aug. 19 Suicide truck bombings kill hundreds in village near city of Mosul

2006

– CIA chief George Tenet when asked

by President Bush if there were any doubt about the existence of WMD in Iraq (Dec. 21, 2002)

Dec. 30 Saddam hanged; video is circulated widely

July Last of the five surge brigades leaves Iraq

from A1 Multiple deployments Lakeshia was deployed to Iraq in 2007 and again in 2009. A month before she left she married Harrison Bateman, a high school friend.

In a phone conversation with her mother just before she died, she said she would be driving to another military base in Iraq.

“I said, ‘OK, well, just call us to let us know once you make it back,’ ” Phyllis Bailey said before passing the phone to her husband. “ ‘Always remember, keep God first and I love you.’ ”

Found out on Facebook On March 8, 2010, Phyllis Bailey was on her job as an administrative assis-

BULLARD from A1 ing he was “incredibly saddened” by the former senator’s death.

“On the Senate floor, she spoke of things that gave inspiration to many; she never shied away from controversial issues,’’ Smith said.

“And she never shied away from standing up for issues she believed were right.”

Gov. Rick Scott issued a statement that said Bullard represented the families of South Florida with “passion and integrity.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those close to her and the rest of Florida as we honor a woman who put her constituents first,” Scott said.

“I am reasonably certain that they [Iraqi people] will greet us as liberators ...”

Troop levels 200 150

100

$805.5 billion

tant. Her younger daughter Candace called to say she saw “RIP Lakeshia” posts on Facebook. Bailey called her husband and he assured her that there would be casualty assistance officers at the door if Lakeshia had been killed.

Bailey called Candace to check, and she said there were some men in the driveway. And that’s when Bailey began to scream.

She found out later that her daughter had died in a vehicle rollover crash.

Now, the Baileys honor Lakeshia with daily rituals and annual events. On the anniversary of her death, they visit her gravesite and release balloons. The family also named a driveway at their home “Keshia Drive.” And they painted her Grand Prix pink and gray because she always wanted a pink car.

Common numbers Ten years after the Iraq War, one of the most com“We remain grateful to Senator Bullard for her service to this great state and pray that her family can find peace during this difficult time.”

As word spread of Bullard’s death, lawmakers and others posted messages on Twitter that praised her.

“Rest in peace, Senator Bullard,’’ wrote Kathy Mears, chief of staff to House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel.

“We will miss you terribly.

Our loss is heaven’s gain.”

Family affair She was born Larcenia Jean Dunbar on July 21, 1947. A graduate of Antioch College in Ohio, she moved from Philadelphia to Richmond Heights, a predominately Black neighborhood in Miami-Dade County, in

Anbar

IRAQ

Fallujah

As of Dec. 31, 2011

Troops leave Iraqi cities

Troop surge 170,300

April 137 deaths March

Deaths

IRAN 100 km

Baghdad

100 miles

Najaf Basra

SAUDI ARABIA

KUWAIT

March 2005-July 2011, in thousands

3,389 3

200

Troop level below 50,000

50

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Mosul Kirkuk

SYRIA

Estimates Iraqi civilian deaths

100

Total

Sept. 19 U.S. intelligence report says Iraq is allowing Iran to resupply the Assad regime in Syria via Iraqi airspace

– White House advisor Richard Perle (Feb. 23, 2003)

Obama drawdown begins

In thousands

Aug. 6 U.S. says it is downsizing its huge embassy in Iraq; security is biggest expense as violence in Iraq escalates

TURKEY

– Assistant Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz (Feb. 27, 2003)

By month, total who served: 1.5 million; total deaths: 4,486

$142.1

318

Dec. 19 Iraqi government accuses Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, a Sunni, of directing terror attacks; he flees to Turkey

“U.N. weapons inspectors are being deceived. It reminds me of the way the Nazis hoodwinked Red Cross officials”

150 100

2

1

50

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Source: Congressional Research Service, U.S. Defense Department, iCasualties, Council on Foreign Relations, Mother Jones, NPR, Voice of America, MCT Photo Service

IRAQ

Dec. 21 Al-Maliki’s government begins second term nine months after election

U.S. troops in Iraq, number of deaths

Estimated war funding by fiscal year, in billions of budget authority

50

Dec. 18 Last U.S. soldiers cross border from Iraq to Kuwait

Aug. 31 Combat operations end

Sept. 1 U.S. military turns over security of Anbar province to Iraqis; seen as symbolic step toward U.S. withdrawal

2012

Oct. 21 After talks on legal immunity for U.S. troops stall, Obama announces that all remaining U.S. troops will leave Iraq by year’s end

2010

Nov. 27 Iraq ratifies Status of Forces agreement; allows U.S. presence in Iraq until end of 2011

“It’s a slam-dunk case”

June 8 Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, is killed

2011

June 30 U.S. combat troops withdraw from 150 U.S. bases in Iraq as part of Status of Forces agreement

Nov. 4 Barack Obama wins presidential election; says he will withdraw combat troops from Iraq within 16 months

Sept. 17 Private security guards kill 17 civilians in Baghdad; outcry over security contractors

Feb. 22 Sunni extremists destroy the gilded Shiite shrine in Samarra; violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims escalates

2009

March 24 Loyalists to Shiite cleric al-Sadr attack U.S. and Iraqi forces in Baghdad and Basra

June 1 U.S. forces recruit Sunnis to take up arms against militants; reduces insurgent violence

Oct. 19 Saddam Hussein goes on trial for crimes against humanity

War costs 150

2007

mon numbers associated with the conflict is the tally of Americans killed: nearly 4,500. Add in the twin war in Afghanistan, and the tally goes to more than 6,600.

But for the men and women who served, the number of people affected is far larger. And for many of those people, the impact of the war will last a lifetime.

Since the U.S. went to war in Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003, about 2.5 million members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and related Reserve and National Guard units have been deployed in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, according to Department of Defense data. Of those, more than a third were deployed more than once.

As of last year, nearly 37,000 Americans had been deployed more than five times, among them 10,000 members of Guard or Reserve units. Records also the early 1980s. She taught first grade before she entered elected politics by running for the Florida House in 1990 – the only political race she ever lost.

Bullard, who also earned a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University, served in the House from 1992 to 2000 and in the Senate from 2002 to 2012, when she was termlimited. Her husband, Ed, replaced her in the House and served from 2000 to 2008. Dwight Bullard then won the House seat, serving until 2012, when he was elected to the Senate.

Though she lived in Miami, Larcenia Bullard represented a sprawling Senate district that started in the Keys and went all the way to Hendry and Palm Beach counties. She easily

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Graphic: Judy Treible and Robert Dorrell

show that 400,000 service members have done three or more deployments.

Lingering effects The effects of the war will linger for years, possibly a lifetime, according to a review of VA documents.

Already, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have produced more disability claims per veteran than other wars on the books.

While Vietnam extracted a far higher death toll – 58,000 died in that war – the total number of documented disabilities suffered by recent veterans is approaching that of the earlier conflict, according to VA documents.

As of last September, about 670,000 veterans have been awarded disability status connected to their military service. Another 100,000 have their initial claims pending, according to a November VA analysis.

Those numbers are constantly climbing – and won her House races and prevailed in tough Senate primaries in 2002 and 2004. In 2002, she beat four other Democrats, while in 2004 she held off former Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West.

‘Animals as husbands?’

Bullard was a friendly figure in the Capitol, smiling and having a good word for people she saw in the hallways. She garnered headlines – as well as laughter on cable news outlets – in 2009, when she became confused by a reference to animal husbandry during a committee debate to outlaw having sex with animals in Florida, which was not illegal at the time.

“People are taking these animals as their husbands?

might continue to rise for decades.

According to Linda Bilmes, a Harvard University professor who’s written extensively on the long-term costs of the wars, the ultimate bill for war costs comes due many decades later.

As veterans age, their health deteriorates and their disabilities – which might have been manageable early in life – worsen.

Today’s veterans are far more likely to put in for benefits than their fathers’ and grandfathers’ generations were. Beyond that, far more soldiers in this all-volunteer military have been back for multiple tours, and the long-term impact on hearing and from traumatic brain injuries caused by improvised bombs will be felt for years.

A trillion dollars Among the most pressing – and potentially costly – disabilities is post-trauWhat’s husbandry?” Bullard asked. “Husbandry” is actually the breeding and raising of livestock.

Services set Bullard was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the National Council of Negro Women, and a life member of the NAACP, among other organizations.

A Delta Sigma Theta Sorority memorial service is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday at the Church of the Ascension, 11201 SW 160th St., in South Miami-Dade. A litany service will follow at 7 p.m.

Her homegoing service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the South Dade Cultural Arts Center in Miami. The Senate held a moment of silence, and will

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© 2013 MCT

matic stress disorder, a serious mental ailment that can have a dramatic, ongoing impact on a veteran’s life. As of last year, the VA’s health system had seen more than 270,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans for potential PTSD, and the agency’s disability system had awarded PTSD benefits to more than 150,000 of them, according to VA reports.

In her paper, Bilmes says the cost of providing Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with disability and medical care and related services will approach $1 trillion; it might top that if the number and complexity of claims continue to exceed estimates.

Alva James-Johnson and Tony Adams of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer; and Hannah Allam and Chris Adams of McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) all contributed to this report. have a service for her on March 26.

In addition to husband, Edward, and son Dwight, Bullard is survived by son Vincent Brooker of Philadelphia, daughter Edwina Simms of Orlando, and grandchildren Vinicia, Myles, Mylicia and Gavin Jr. The family asked that instead of sending flowers, friends make contributions to the Rachel and Edward Bullard Jr. Foundation, 14842 Robinson St., Miami, FL 33176.

Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida contributed to this report, which also used information from the Associated Press and the Miami Herald.

MARCH 22 – MARCH 28, 2013

FLORIDA

A3 the first place?” asked Linda Radsick, an owner of TelSweeps in Clearwater.

Sen. Bill Montford, DTallahassee, while empathizing with supporters and workers at the arcades, said sheriffs in rural counties have struggled with the legality of the establishments.

“I understand it’s an employment issue, and I understand it’s a recreational issue, but I think we have an obligation to what is right and wrong,” Montford said.

Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, while voting for the bill, expressed concern that an unintended consequence of the bill could be elimination of games at state fairgrounds and businesses such as Chuck E Cheese and Dave & Buster’s, though supporters said they are not expected to be impacted by the rewritten bill.

“It’s a wide net and you bring in a lot of different things that may need to be brought back to the ocean,” said Sachs.

‘Sweepstake’ prizes

GARY W. GREEN/ORLANDO SENTINEL/MCT

Thirty-three Allied Veterans of the World defendants wait for their turn to stand before Seminole County Judge James Dekleva for their first appearance at the Seminole County Jail for their involvement in the illicit Internet Cafes in Sanford on March 14. The case prompted the resignation of the state’s lieutenant governor, Jennifer Carroll.

Odds growing against Internet cafes Senate committee backs ban; House heading that way

BY JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE – The deck looks more and more like it will be stacked in the Florida Legislature against Internet cafes and adult arcades, whose supporters implored lawmakers to consider the fiscal and personal impacts of shuttering the businesses.

The Senate Gaming Committee on Monday joined a counterpart House committee in moving forward

with a measure (SB 1030) that would close Internet cafes and adult arcades that have used a charity loophole in state law to offer what legislators say is unregulated gaming with something more akin to Las Vegas-style slot machines.

While Legislators have been critical of the arcades for several years, the bill has been rushed in response to a statewide investigation into alleged illegal gaming by a charity, Allied Veterans of the World.

The probe, announced last week, has already led to 57 arrests. The investigation also resulted in Jennifer Carroll, who had consulted for Allied while in the Legis-

lature, to resign as lieutenant governor.

One more stop The vote moves the Senate closer to outlawing the cafes and arcades, a proposal that was approved by the House last year but never reached the Senate floor.

The proposal, which may have one more committee stop before reaching the full Senate next week at the earliest, also drew concerns about the potential impact on other amusement games used by charities and amusement arcades.

Senate Gaming Chairman Garret Richter, R-Naples, said the bill, merely clarifies the definition

of slot machines and other electronic gaming machines used at Internet cafés – noting that technically they already could be considered illegal.

“Gambling and gaming is illegal in Florida unless it’s legal,” Richter said. And “internet cafes are illegal.”

The House voted Tuesday on its bill.

Jobs, entertainment The vote came over the objection of owners of small family amusement arcades, workers from Internet cafes and adult arcades, some wearing shirts pleading “Regulate do not eliminate.”

Also urging lawmakers

Jobless numbers in Florida looking better

Andrea Wingster gets emotional as she watches men from Westgate Resorts set up furniture in her Orlando home on March 11. Westgate Resorts foundation donated furniture and linens to Wingster, who is raising her 10 grandchildren after their mother was struck and killed by a car in December.

Unemployment rate falls to 7.8 percent forfirst time in years

By DAVID ROYSE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

JACOB LANGSTON/ORLANDO SENTINEL/MCT

Public comes to aid of 10 children whose mom died in accident

BY LAUREN ROTH ORLANDO SENTINEL/MCT

Six of the 10 siblings scurried around the house, eating snacks and playing computer games, as workers from Westgate Resorts unloaded four dressers and carried in sheets, blankets and pillows.

In December, those six children saw a car strike and kill their mother, Desire Andre, as she crossed Lee Road in Orlando, after her car broke down. Andre, a homehealth aide, had worked two and three jobs to keep her tight-knit clan under one roof.

After the tragedy, Andre’s mother, Andrea Wingster, took in the eight youngest children in an attempt to honor her daughter’s wishes.

And the community has responded with an outpouring of support.

Fully stocked “Everything in the house was donated,” Wingster said last week, gesturing around her at the well-appointed four-bedroom house around the corner from Edgewater High School in College Park.

Two weeks ago, Wingster and the children moved in and found the house cleaned and fully stocked by parents at Lake Silver Elementary School, which four of the children attend. Wingster and the children brought a living room set, dining room table, a Chihuahua named Dutch and little else.

“I’m not going to look for people to feel sorry for me,” said Wingster. “I’m just appreciative of everything.” The two oldest children are living with other family members while they attend high schools in Apopka. Elias

to be careful were lobbyists for groups such as the Florida Arcade and Bingo Association, concerned that the rule will impact games at children and senior arcades, where no cash or alcohol is offered as prizes.

Internet café employees talked about the positive, social atmosphere at the parlors that they say employ an estimated 13,000 to 16,000 statewide, disputing comments from legislators that the centers prey on the poor and seniors.

Supporters of the establishments said some seniors will lose their primary means of entertainment.

“If we’re illegal, why did they let us get a license in

The centers have been able to proliferate in strip malls throughout the state in part because they have claimed to be charities and businesses that only offer “sweepstake” prizes. Critics, from the Florida Chamber of Commerce to Hollywood’s Mardi Gras Gaming, contend the businesses skirt state regulations and don’t have to pay the 35 percent tax rate that licensed pari-mutuels are charged by Florida.

The committee had been expected to wait on a proposed moratorium that would have prohibited new arcades from opening until after a study on the overall impacts of existing and proposed gaming in Florida is completed by October 1, Richter said.

Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, who had initially proposed the moratorium, said he revamped the bill because the multi-state investigation exposed how the businesses have exploited state law.

“This is a loophole that cries out to be closed,” Thrasher said.

Glasgow, father of two of the children, also lives in the house and helps out while Wingster goes to work at Orlando Health.

Fund set up She said Lake Silver families and teachers have cooked for them, taken the children to church and have donated gift cards and other items. An anonymous donor has paid for them to stay in the home for an entire year, and Wingster hopes the family will be eligible for a Habitat for Humanity house after that.

Even parents who didn’t know the family stepped in to help, said Erin LeRoy, a resource teacher at Lake Silver. “We’re still getting calls every day,” said Laura Weckerle, the school’s guidance counselor.

Orlando Magic players brought the children toys, and WFTV Channel 9 paid for the entire family to attend a Harlem Globetrotters game on March 10. The TV station also has set up a fund for the family through Heart of Florida United Way at www.hfuw.org/Wingster_Family_Fund.php.

Wingster said the loss of their mother has been hard on the children: Kiara, 17; Kierin, 15; Kiera, 14; Kaira, 13; Jade, 11; Jadarius, 10; Jadon, 8; Jalen, 7; Jalonta, 4; and Javonta, 3.

‘Don’t judge her’ She said teachers have helped the children when they have struggled academically or emotionally — “they have their moments,” she said — and she is seeking counseling for them, and possibly for herself.

“It’s still hard. I still cry because I miss her,” Wingster told Ellen Tatich, director of the Westgate Resorts Foundation as they sat in the living room.

“Don’t judge her because she had 10 kids. She didn’t depend on the government. She worked to take care of them,” Wingster said, breaking down in tears.

The children find comfort in being back together after several months sleeping apart.

“I just like being with my sisters and brothers,” said Kaira, 13, who now shares a room with three of her sisters. “I’m just used to it.”

TALLAHASSEE – The jobless rate dipped slightly in Florida in January, but the tiny percentage point decline marked a huge psychological milestone.

In dropping from 7.9 percent in December to 7.8 percent in January, Florida’s jobless rate went below the national rate, which was 7.9 percent in January, for the first time since January of 2008.

Gov. Rick Scott, who ran almost solely on a platform of lowering the state’s jobless rate, it was more vindication that his “let’s get to work” theme is showing success.

“Everything we do is geared toward job creation – today we have more proof that: It’s working,” Scott said in a statement, hitting a new catchphrase he’s rolled out in the last couple of months.

‘Our work isn’t done’ Scott went to Mitsubishi Power Systems in Orlando to highlight the new numbers, while continuing to call for a tax break for manufacturers who are buying new equipment.

“We are glad to see our unemployment rate fall below the national average for the first time in years, but our work isn’t done until every Floridian who wants a job can find one,” Scott said.

In dropping to 7.8 percent, Florida’s jobless rate is now at its lowest point since November of 2008, near the beginning of the recession, and down from over 9 percent just a year ago.

And rather than simply improving the rate by losing workers from the workforce – as was the case with some earlier gains – Florida’s economy created jobs in January, the Department of Economic Opportunity said.

Tourism rebounding There were 15,400 more jobs in January than in December, a 0.2 percent increase, putting the total employment in the state at more than 7.4 million. Trade, transportation and utilities led the way in job growth among all sectors, DEO said.

A tourism rebound is also starting to be evident. The hospitality industry continued to come back in January, with 3.5 percent growth in job creation. Construction was slightly down month-to-month, but year-over-year the building industry is up 7 percent.

Monroe County, which is made up of the Florida Keys, continued to have the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 4.6 percent, followed by Walton, Alachua and Okaloosa counties, all at 6 percent or lower.

Hendry County continued to struggle, with an 11.4 percent unemployment rate. Flagler, Putnam, Dixie and St. Lucie counties all had rates above 10 percent.

EDITORIAL

A4

MARCH 22 – MARCH 28, 2013

Obama should follow lead of Catholics The selection of Argentinian cardinal Jorge Mario DR. Bergoglio as the next leader of the Catholic Church was, JULIANNE in some ways, inevitable.

MALVEAUX Latin America is home to TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM the largest Catholic population in the world, and it has been more than overtime deal with these proposals. for the tradition of selecting With some competition European popes to end. for the papal position, I am not sure why the College of Cardinals settled on Pope Modernize Francis. A nod to diversity the church may or may not have played Proposals to allow wom- a role in the selection. Still, en to be priests and to allow Catholic cardinals have married priests into the cler- been able to embrace divergy are, for Catholics, revolu- sity in ways that other world tionary ways to modernize institutions have not been. the church. Pope Francis, When we look at world who brings a reputation of monetary institutions – the frugality and humility to the World Bank and the Interchurch, may well be able to national Monetary Fund, we

find no such nods to the way that world demographics and realities have changed.

While the United States and Europe are still seen as trend leaders in world economic matters, China is nipping at our heels, and both Latin America and the African continent, despite internal problems, are world players. These continents are excluded from G8 meetings where global economic leaders gather to talk policy.

World monetary matters The custom that the United States should nominate the head of the World Bank, and that Europe should nominate the head of the In-

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: CLINTON VS. PALIN

ternational Monetary Fund speaks to the hegemony that these two countries have assumed in world monetary matters.

When Christine Lagarde was selected to lead the International Monetary Fund (succeeding the disgraced Dominique Strauss-Khan), France declared their “victory.” But, Lagarde faced unprecedented competition from countries out of the US/Europe monopoly.

A Mexican finance minister threw his hat in the ring, and attracted attention, if not sufficient votes to outpoll Lagarde.

Similarly, the U.S. nominee to lead the World Bank was former Dartmouth President Jim Yong Kim. While Kim is Korean born, as President Obama’s nominee to lead the bank, he maintains the tradition of a US nominee to lead the bank.

He has also been criticized for his lack of monetary experience. At the same time, the amazing Ngozi

Okonjo Iweala, a Nigerian economist, was a strong contender for World Bank leadership. Apparently the selection of a woman of African descent was too far of a stretch for the bank.

Obama challenged Speaking of stretches, why has President Obama been so unable to find AfricanAmericans to sit on his cabinet? Only Attorney General Eric Holder and International Trade Representative Ron Kirk remain on the Cabinet, and Kirk is not a key cabinet member.

Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, leader of the Congressional Black Caucus, has taken on the President in a stern letter that reflects the concern of many in the African-American community.

Why, when Obama garnered 97 percent of the African American vote, should the African-American community be so underrepresented in the Obama cabinet?

Is the Obama admin-

istration running behind the conservative Catholic Church in its commitment to diversity?

Either for diversity or for merit, the College of Cardinals stepped outside its history of European domination to select a Pope from Argentina. What might have happened if the World Bank had decided to step outside the tradition of U.S. domination to select a candidate as qualified as Ngozi Iweala who, one might argue, is a far superior candidate to the U.S. selection of Jim Yong Kim? If our country ever gets its economics straight (instead of continuing the crisis of the month club), it will continue to be a world leader, though not forever. World demographics are changing.

Catholic cardinals acknowledged it. Why can’t the U.S. and Europe?

Julianne Malveaux is a D.C.-based economist and author. Click on this story at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

‘We the people’ in jeopardy

RANDALL ENOS, CAGLE CARTOONS

Random thoughts of a free Black mind, v. 172 “The Bible” – This popular History Channel miniseries is lazy, historically inaccurate tricknology. I refuse to watch. Why? Any story of the Bible that doesn’t include an allBlack cast is a LIE, because (1) science says that mankind was born in Africa. AFRICA IS BLACK. That means the first people were Black. (2) Many of the Bible’s key characters are linked to Africa. Moses, the father of Judaism, was born in Egypt; Jesus’ parents escaped INTO Egypt prior to His birth. (Would White people hide in a Black nation?) Between 2,000 and 5,000 years ago, people living in those areas looked as Black as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, as Brown as Beyoncé – and were every shade in between.

But instead of conscious, knowledgeable, educated Black American ministers who know the truth – and there are a few – calling these lies out for what they are, God-fearing Black folks tune in to such crap, while Hollywood laughs all the way to the bank. (Remember how Black folks helped make Mel Gibson stinking rich by lining up for “The Passion of the [White] Christ” in 2004? The film made more than $600 million. And Gibson doesn’t even like Black people.)

So Satan looked like Bro. Prez in the History Channel version. What’s the problem – other than Satan being played by a Whitelooking actor made up to look Black? (Another issue for another time.) Bro. Prez is a

quick takes from #2: straight, no chaser

Charles W. Cherry II, Esq. PUBLISHER

Black man. He being ‘Satan’ is historically more accurate than Jesus looking like a White surfer boy.

If your ‘God’ is a White man, you worship a lie.

And until Black people stop supporting this foolishness – and other sa‘Satan’ tanic, White supremacist biblical revisionism such as the Holy Land Experience in Orlando – Christians worldwide will never understand the real truth of the Bible, ‘White’ will continue to be ‘right,’ and Black people will never get the respect we historically deserve.

Bro. Prez Contact me at ccherry2@gmail.com; holler at me at www.facebook.com/ccherry2; follow me on Twitter @ccherry2.

Opinions expressed on this editorial page are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of the newspaper or the publisher.

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Editor’s Note: The State of Equality and Justice in America” is a 20-part series of columns written by an all-star list of contributors to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Here’s the ninth op-ed of the series.

We must take the urgency of now very seriously. Not just because of the pending 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, but because the future of America’s people; especially those who have been long oppressed, depends on right now.

‘We the people’ It is clear by studying recent events; coupled with patterns of history, that the democratic principle of “We the people” is constantly endangered by plutocratic mindsets, those who are often controlled by greed and quests for power.

Plutocracy, according to Webster, is one, “Government by wealthy people”; two, “A society governed by wealthy people”; or three, “A ruling class whose power is based on their wealth.”

I caution that America could succumb to this social mindset - if we do not continue to stand guard using our democratic powers of “We the people” to the fullest.

It is important to note that throughout history, struggles for equality and justice in America have continued to move from victory to setback and from setback to

REV. DR. C.T. VIVIAN TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM

victory.

In fact, about every 30 to 35 years, there’s a new movement in this country. The civil rights movement was the last one. The one before that was the labor movement. Somewhere between 35 and 40 years, there’s always a new people’s movement. This time, it’s the continuation of the civil rights movement, which includes the movement on behalf of the poor.

Marched with King At the blessed age of 88, I recall the degradation of segregation and Jim Crow. I struggled for justice through the freedom rides and alongside Dr. King. I marched on Washington on August 28, 1963 and I was there to ultimately rejoice at the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

And then we suddenly found ourselves mourning upon the assassination of my dear friend and brother, Dr. King, in 1968.

He was only in Memphis for the cause of the sanitation workers, the poor, the struggling, and the oppressed who were suffering unequal wages and working conditions.

Fast forward, to see America elect and then reelect its first Black president

nearly 50 years later is reason to rejoice. And yet even President Obama’s inaugural speech called for honest labor wages that “liberate families from the brink of hardship.”

Power of the vote This is a clear reason that we must continue to march to the polls as well as to take up our banners and plead our causes. We must win our battles in the basic oldfashioned way that it has historically worked - with non-violent direct action protests, coupled with the vote. In doing so, our movement will continue to grow.

The state of equality and justice in America is a continued struggle for the poor despite all of the strides America has made. The urgency of now is to maintain the power and sanctity of the vote, which has become the greatest power held by the poor. As Dr. King said, if we do what is right, others will follow us. This is the power of “We the people”.

The Rev. C.T. Vivian is national president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was also a close friend, lieutenant and advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Lawyers’ Committee is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, formed in 1963.For more information, please visit www. lawyerscommittee.org.

Click on this story at www. flcourier.com to write your own response.

Women are wired differently As I write, Chaka Khan’s empowering “I’m Every Woman” loops in my head – like a soundtrack.

It’s Women’s History Month and the lyrics to that iconic anthem should be resonating with all women, and those who love us, as we celebrate ourselves and the countless contributions we make everyday – both large and small – that keep the world turning.

No matter how small or far-reaching the radius of your world is every choice you make is important.

Nielsen shines the light on women’s choices and our dynamic impact as consumers with two new global reports: Does Gender Matter and 10 Things to Know About Today’s Female Consumer.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – “Vive la différence.” Yes, we know that girls are just as smart as boys and women can do pretty much everything a man can – but, like it or not – our brains are wired differently. And, that’s ok.

Women are master multitaskers and there’s a scientific reason for that. Who knew, right? Nielsen’s Neu-

CHERYL PEARSONMCNEIL NNPA COLUMNIST

roFocus research shows that “ability” is driven by what happens to developing brains in the womb.

Traits such as big-picture thinking and multitasking are hard-wired in women’s brains, along with “gut” reasoning, social and verbal skills and the worry/empathy tendency.

We balance work (either outside or in the home), take care of our families – nurture, budget, shop, schedule, run hither and yon – and keep it tight with ourselves as best we can.

Men’s brains, on the other hand, are pre-conditioned for concrete thinking, goaloriented tasks, logical solutions and competition/defense.

And, you know how we love a bargain and will hunt high and low to find the best price? That’s something American women have in common with our sisters around the world.

A Nielsen survey of more than 29,000 people with Internet access in 58 countries shows that we women are browsers, no matter where we live – going for the best deal (in the store or online) while men are more likely to pay a higher price. That’s because men are typically on a mission to just win (uh, get the item no matter what).

Here and across the globe, women are responsible for $12 trillion of the $18 trillion of global buying power. So, if marketers want our business, they need to offer products and services that reflect our needs.

There’s so much more wonderful information on www.nielsenwire.com that affirms women’s power and influence as consumers.

Take time to visit the site during March, and feel free to belt out a couple of lines along with Chaka, “I’m every woman. It’s all in me...”

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of public affairs and government relations for Nielsen.

Click on this story at www. flcourier.com to write your own response.

MARCH 22 – MARCH 28, 2013

‘The Paradox of Progress’ Editor’s note: U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan spoke to the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) at a White House policy briefing last week. Here are edited excerpts of his remarks.

It is a pleasure to talk to the members of the NNPA, who have played such an important role in giving voice to communities whose voices too often go unheard.

Whenever I have the opportunity to help recognize and honor our nation’s civil rights heroes, I am struck by the paradox of progress.

As a nation, America has made enormous strides in race relations since Brown v. Board of Education.

We meet in the shadow of a White House that few could imagine in our lifetimes.

And yet, we all know we still have so far to go to live up to the American dream of providing equal opportunity for all. We are on the journey now, but we are a long, long way from Dr. (Martin Luther) King’s mountaintop.

What is it?

What is the paradox of progress?

In 2013, children of color in America not only confront an achievement gap, they confront what I call an opportunity gap that, too often, is unacceptably wide. In a newsman’s terms, you might call the paradox of progress a good newsbad news story.

The good news is that after the Brown decision, school segregation declined dramatically in the South. The bad news is that our schools today are as segregated as they have been at any time since the death of Dr. King.

The good news is that many more Black students today are graduating from high school and enrolling in college than ever before. The bad news is that Black students are still less likely than their peers to receive equal access to top-notch teachers and the college-prep classes they need to succeed in today’s globally competitive economy.

The good news is that there are now many more Black men in college than in prison. The bad news is that not enough of those young men are staying in college to get their degree – and far too many of them are losing their lives as a result of gun violence and our unwillingness to do what is necessary to keep our children safe.

The opportunity gap The scope of the gap today – and the reasons it persists – is spelled out in the recent report of the Equity and Excellence Commission and in the data we gathered as part of our Civil Rights Data Collection Project.

This opportunity gap is deeply troubling. It is painfully at odds with the American creed – that if you study hard and play by the rules, you get a fair shot at the future, regardless of your zip code, skin color, or the size of your bank account.

Today, nearly 40 percent of Black and Hispanic students attend schools where more than 90 percent of students are non-White.

The data are clear: A decrease in diversity and an upswing in racial isolation are one reason that the opportunity gap is not ending.

We also know that in a knowledge-based economy, academic rigor matters more than ever in preparing students for college and careers. Yet today, a student in a school with high-minority enrollment is much less likely to go to a school that offers calculus and physics than a student in a high school with low-minority enrollment. Less than eight percent of students taking AP (Advanced Placement) mathematics or AP science courses today are AfricanAmerican.

Arne Duncan U.S. Department of Education

in America, there is often gross inequalities in per-pupil spending.

We know many of these struggling schools are filled with children of color and low-income students.

In too many places, our education system is falling short of being the engine of mobility, the prized pathway to the middle class. Instead, tragically, these schools often perpetuate inequality and restrict opportunity.

What is our vision?

The same good news-bad news story shows up when we look at high school dropout factories, those schools where fewer than 60 percent of ninth graders graduate four years later.

Since 2008, the number of high school dropout factories has dropped by almost 20 percent to roughly 1,425 high schools. That means nearly 700,000 fewer teenagers are trapped in those high schools today than in 2008.

(That) progress puts the lie to the myths that somehow poverty must be destiny in the classroom, or that Black and Brown children can’t succeed academically.

Educators and members of the public often shrugged their shoulders in the face of persistently poor performance in our lowest-achievTargeted help Closing the opportunity gap will ing schools. Too many school leadrequire that school resources, tal- ers wrote off poor children and ent, and spending be targeted to children of color. the children and communities who need help the most. Today Fatalism ‘unacceptable’ President Obama and I refuse to that doesn’t happen. In fact, we are one of the few advanced nations accept that fatalism. Both our life that has this backwards, providing experiences working in the comstudents in better-off schools with munity tell us that with supports, access to more teachers and more opportunities, and guidance, our children can and do achieve at experienced principals.

There are high schools all across high levels.

So the administration created America today where fewer than 60 percent of students graduate on a $5 billion School Improvement time – we call them dropout facto- Grant program to drive dramatic improvement in our lowest-perries.

And there are schools all across forming schools.

We invested up to $6 million America where teacher turnover is crippling, where the average per school to turn around 1,300 of teacher has just one or two years the country’s lowest-performing schools. And about 45 percent of of experience.

There are schools where family the students in those turnaround engagement is minimal. And be- schools are African-American.

For the first time, our country tocause of the way we fund schools

A5

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: EDUCATION AND POVERTY

day has a new national movement underway to dramatically change the life chances of hundreds of thousands of students in historically underserved communities.

That movement is led by courageous educators and leaders, parents, and students themselves from across the country. This work is difficult, complex, and controversial. But it is also some of the most important work in education today.

More progress I’m pleased to report that in just the first-year of implementing the school turnaround program, twothirds of schools showed gains in math, and two-thirds of schools showed gains in reading. And it is good news that communities chose to improve low-performing schools rather than close them. Less than 20 of the 1,300 schools in the turnaround program were closed.

Now for all that progress, the bad news here is pretty plain, too. One-third of the turnaround schools had declines in achievement in the first year of the program. And why should any child be stuck in a chronically, low-performing school, much less hundreds of thousands of students?

Why should any child attend a high school dropout factory – or be stuck in one of the nation’s 1,400-plus dropout factories? We must get that number down to zero as fast as possible.

What is the goal for closing our opportunity gaps, so that we can then close the achievement gap?

President Obama and I believe that every student should have access to a world-class education.

We believe every student must have access to rigorous, collegeand career-ready coursework that prepares them to succeed. We believe every student should have an effective teacher.

We believe that schools must be accountable for the needs and performance of all students, and that information must be transparent. We believe schools must work in partnership with families and communities, not in isolation.

And we believe that college must be accessible and affordable College good, bad news The good news is that Black enfor all students who have earned rollment in college went up by the right to attend college. about 15 percent from the fall of 2008 to the fall of 2011. Nearly Some progress 400,000 more Black students are in We saw some real educational college today than when the presprogress in the Black community ident took office. The bad news is in the administration’s first term. that Black enrollment was essenBut it’s not enough. We must get tially flat between 2010 and 2011. better, faster than ever before. And And enrollment is not increasing that sense of urgency is tangible. nearly as fast as it should.

The good news is that by 2010, Hispanics are increasing their the on-time graduation rate for ranks in college faster than Black Black students had risen to 66.1 students, both in percentage terms percent. Two-thirds of Black and in numbers. I want to see both ninth-graders now graduate on Black and Hispanic enrollment in time. That is an increase of almost college increase even more drasix percentage points from 2008 – matically. And I want to see many and it is probably the highest high more students of color persist to school graduation rate for Black earn their degrees. The goal is not students in our nation’s history. to go to college – the goal is to gradBecause the on-time graduation uate, to get that diploma. rate rose from 2008 to 2010, an additional 47,000 Black high school Closing the students graduated on time. That is 47,000 people with a better ‘opportunity gap’ chance of getting a good job, ownSome national leaders like Reing their own home, and support- publican Congressman Paul Rying a family. an have taken the position that in The bad news is that one-third of tight economic times, it’s necesBlack students are still not gradu- sary to disinvest in education. ating on time – and we know those I absolutely disagree. I don’t see numbers are even higher in many how the answer to the opportunity inner-city neighborhoods. gap can be to cut early childhood And unlike when I was grow- education or to freeze Pell Grant ing up on the South Side of Chica- scholarships for ten years for lowgo, there are no jobs anymore that income students. pay a living wage for high school In his State of the Union, Presidropouts. You can’t go down to the dent Obama called for “smarter steel mill or auto parts factory and government.” Under the acrossland a good job today if you drop the-board cuts of sequestration, we out of school. In the legal econo- are going to have to implement inmy, there are no high-wage jobs discriminate, automatic cuts to edfor a high school dropout. ucation programs. We are seeing dumber government at its finest.

‘Dropout factories’

EDITORIAL

The effects Sequestration would cut Title I, which serves our nation’s poorest students, by $725 million. That blanket cut could affect 1.2 million children – and would require states and districts to cover the costs of about 10,000 teachers and aides.

And who thinks it is a good idea to implement cuts to Head Start that would require providers to make hard choices about how to cover what amounts to the dollar equivalent of cutting 70,000 children out of the program?

Cutting programs for our most vulnerable children is economically foolish and morally indefensible. And it is mind-boggling to me that folks here in Washington have manufactured a crisis, when educators, parents, students, and communities are facing so many real challenges every day in times that are already tough.

This is a man-made mess...And it can be fixed by men and women in Congress – if they act with courage, commitment, and a willingness to compromise.

America’s best investment High-quality early learning is the best educational investment we can make in our children, our communities, and our country.

That’s why I am thrilled about President Obama’s plan to create a new partnership with states to provide universal access to highquality preschool for all four yearolds. It would provide the largest expansion of educational opportunity in America in the twentyfirst century.

BOB ENGLEHART, THE HARTFORD COURANT

Parents who hunger for affordable, high-quality early learning programs, teachers who work tirelessly to provide children with opportunities, and business leaders who seek well-prepared workers all want to see the president’s vision recognized.

The biggest beneficiaries of all would be our children – particularly disadvantaged children, English language learners, and children with disabilities.

The bottom line is that dramatically expanding high-quality early learning is a win-win proposition for all. It would make America more productive, more competitive, and save untold millions in taxpayer dollars.

being shot and killed. And when you grow up and see your mentors and role models dying, that both shapes and scars you in ways that are difficult to articulate.

After I went off to college in 1984, Benji Wilson – who was then the number one high school player in the country – was shot and killed outside his high school.

Years later, when I came back to Chicago to run an after-school tutoring program and an “I Have a Dream” program for a class of sixth graders, one of my first memories was of one of our young men, Terriance Wright, whose teenage brother was shot one afternoon.

Going to that funeral, and trying to help that family through that process, was brutal. We have far too many parents burying their Level the field America can’t win the race for children – that is not the natural the future by cheating children at order of life. the starting line. And it’s past time that we get our public schools out Every two weeks of the catch-up business. We have When I led the Chicago Public to level the playing field before Schools, we lost one child due to children enter kindergarten. gun violence every two weeks. We The president’s plan would cre- took steps that no public school ate a new federal-state partnership system should ever have to take. to enable states to provide univer- We created burial funds for famsal, high-quality preschool for ilies that couldn’t afford to bury four-year olds from low-and mod- their children. We raised money erate-income families, up to 200 to reward tipsters who would help percent of the poverty line. And it identify shooters. would provide incentives for states When I moved to D.C. four years to cover all families who want to ago, I thought it couldn’t get any send their children to preschool. worse. Unfortunately, it has. Back The urgent need for greater ac- home in Chicago, just this week, a cess to high-quality preschool is six-month old girl was killed after not really in dispute today. Just ask being shot five times. What do you a parent or a kindergarten teacher write on her tombstone? As a peoif there are gaps in learning when ple, who have we become? a child walks through that kinderI refuse to accept the status quo. garten door.

I have two simple goals for change We know that, on average, chil- that I think and I hope everyone dren from low-income families can agree on: First, many fewer of start kindergarten 12 to 14 months our nation’s children should die behind their peers in language de- from gun violence; and second, velopment and pre-reading. And many more children can grow up we know that fewer than 30 per- free from a life of fear. cent of four-year olds today – less Sometimes the time picks you; than three in ten – are enrolled in sometimes you pick the time. Tohigh-quality preschool programs. day, sadly, the time has picked us.

Under the president’s plan, states If we don’t move forward now in a would be required to meet quality thoughtful way to protect our babenchmarks linked to better out- bies, then we as adults, as parents, comes for children – like having as community leaders have brohigh-quality state-level standards ken a sacred trust with children to for early learning; qualified and nurture them and keep them safe well-compensated teachers in all from harm. preschool classrooms; and a plan to implement comprehensive as- One last story sessment and data systems.

On my wall in my office in ChiThis has to be not only about ex- cago, I kept a picture that one of panding access to preschool but our teenagers had drawn for me. It about boosting quality. Black chil- was a picture of him as a fireman. dren are more likely than other And the caption that he wrote to children to be enrolled in full-day go along with it was: “If I grow up, preschool program – 40 percent I want to be a fireman.” “If,” not of Black children ages three to five “when.” are in full-day programs.

If you are just trying to survive, if We need to make sure that ev- you are living with that level of fear ery child is in a high-quality proevery single day, what does that do gram. Six hours of bad preschool, to your ability to think long-term? of babysitting, doesn’t help chilEverything we are preaching to dren to develop academically or young people about going to colsocially or prepare them to suclege, building careers, deferring ceed in school. gratification, and planning for the future, it is all undermined when a Smartest use child is afraid they will get caught As President Obama has said, up in the craziness of gun vio“if you are looking for a good bang lence. for your educational buck,” highquality preschool is the place to ‘When,’ not ‘if’ look. The best early-learning proWe need all of our children, grams provide life-transforming whether it is in Newtown, Conopportunities for children. necticut or the South Side of ChiIn the near-term, high-quality cago, or Aurora, Colorado to think preschool reduces placements in of themselves in terms of “when I special education. It reduces grade grow up.” And when children do retention. It boosts graduation have that confidence, our opporrates. And in the long-term, hightunity gaps, our achievement gaps, quality preschool both increases will shrink. the odds of holding a job and deWhen that day comes, educacreases crime and teen pregnancy. tion will fulfill its role in America Rigorous, longitudinal studies as the great equalizer. It will truly of both the Perry Preschool Projbe the one force that overcomes ect and the Chicago Child Parent differences in race, privilege, and Centers have projected a return national origin. of seven dollars for every one dolThe need is urgent. Our children lar of investment in high-quality and our country cannot wait. And I preschool programs. It is the right would only challenge all of us to rething for children, it is the right double our efforts to make Amerithing for education, and it is the ca live up to its promise of equalright thing for taxpayers. ity and opportunity for all of our children. In the coming months, Gun violence, school safety I hope you will make your voices I grew up playing basketball on heard in your community and on the streets in many of Chicago’s in- Capitol Hill. ner-city communities. I had oldClick on this story at www.fler teenagers who looked out for me and who helped protect me. courier.com to write your own Far too many of them ended up response.

NATION

TOj A6

MARCH 22 – MARCH 28, 2013

GOP report: Party must change to win again Analysis commissioned

by RNC reflects stale policies and image of intolerance

Democratic cities in the country, in hopes of better connecting with people who can improve the party’s technology, he said, and the party may try to change the timing and format of primary debates.

But the GOP chairman said he saw no need to shift the party’s issue positions.

“Our policies are sound,” he said.

BY PAUL WEST TRIBUNE WASHINGTON BUREAU/MCT

WASHINGTON — The Republican Party is smug.

Uncaring. Rigid. An immovable collection of “stuffy old men.”

The assessment did not come from Democrats still gleeful about November’s victory — the fifth time Republicans have lost the popular vote in the last six presidential elections. It came from the Republican Party itself.

An unflinching analysis commissioned by the Republican National Committee and released Monday said female, minority and younger voters have been alienated by what they see as the GOP’s stale policies and image of intolerance.

Younger voters, it warned, are “increasingly rolling their eyes at what the party represents, and many minorities wrongly think that Republicans do not like them or want them in the country. When someone rolls their eyes at us, they are not likely to open their ears to us.”

Report: Embrace immigration reform Unless changes are made, the report concluded, “it will be increasingly difficult for Republicans to win another presidential election in the near future.”

But if the report provided evidence of how seriously some in the party

Conservative activists not buying it

MELISSA LYTTLE/TAMPA BAY TIMES/MCT

Veronica Jackson of Cincinnati, Ohio, left, chants into the microphone while Cara Jennings of West Palm Beach holds the megaphone as protesters marched from Mirror Lake to the Republican National Convention’s official welcome party at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Aug. 26, 2012. A new report shows the RNC must campaign among Hispanic, Black, Asian and gay Americans “and demonstrate we care about them too.’’ take its problems, it also made clear the deep and complicating divisions Republicans face on issues such as immigration, gay marriage and the role of government.

Surveys during the presidential campaign and since have repeatedly shown that Republican policies are driving away groups of voters in ascendancy nationally. But the report’s most specific policy suggestion was to urge the GOP to champion “comprehensive immigration reform,” which some see as a gateway issue for Latino voters.

While some Republican lawmakers have tried to craft a compromise on

immigration, a vast, and potentially unbridgeable, gulf remains on a key issue: a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, which many on the right reject as amnesty for lawbreakers.

Little change from 30 years ago In releasing the report he had commissioned, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus on Monday called female voters the party’s biggest problem. But the report was noticeably silent on specific social issues, including abortion and same-sex marriage, on which GOP positions

have turned off many voters, especially unmarried women.

Others involved in the revival effort suggest that Republicans are caught in a trap in which policy shifts designed to broaden the party’s appeal as the electorate changes risk destroying the conservative coalition at its heart.

The report noted that the GOP agenda has changed little from the policies that Republicans offered 30 years ago, describing that as a weakness.

“Republicans have comfortably remained the party of Reagan without figuring out what comes next,” it said.

CBC chair: President’s cabinet is too White Congressional Black Caucus complains to Obama about absence of ‘diverse voices’

BY ZENITHA PRINCE TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE

The Congressional Black Caucus this week scolded President Obama about his White male-dominated cabinet.

The president’s second term in the White House began amid a cacophony of criticism that the president had surround-

ed himself mostly with White men and not enough women and minorities.

In January, CBC Chair Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) wrote the president asking him to consider her colleagues Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.) and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) for the posts of Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Labor, respectively.

Now, she is taking the president to task for his failure to consider those recommendations or to otherwise nominate an African-American to head a department.

“I am concerned that you have moved forward with new cabinet appointments and yet, to date, none of them have been African-American,” she told the presi-

Marcia Fudge

‘Behind in both data and digital’ Party strategists are divided over whether to focus on problems with policy or shortcomings in the mechanics of campaigns.

Priebus mentioned both on Monday, but he mostly emphasized mechanics.

In the 2012 election, “Our message was weak.

Our ground game was insufficient. We weren’t inclusive. We were behind in both data and digital. And our primary and debate process needed improvement,” he told a National Press Club audience.

The Republicans plan to open an office in San Francisco, one of the most

dent in a letter dated March 11. “You have publicly expressed your commitment to retaining diversity within your cabinet. However, the people you have chosen to appoint in this new term have hardly been reflective of this country’s diversity.”

Holder only Black

Attorney General Eric Holder is currently the only African-American member of the Obama cabinet. But he is a holdover from the president’s first term and it is not certain that he will serve through a second Obama presidential term.

There are two African-Americans with cabinet rank but who are not part of the order of succession for the presidency: U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice. Kirk announced he would step down

An opposing view, however, could be found in the cautiously veiled language of the new report, which called for Republican “flexibility on certain policy issues, especially in diverse demographic areas.”

“We need to campaign among Hispanic, Black, Asian and gay Americans and demonstrate we care about them too,” the report advised. “But it is not just tone that counts. Policy always matters.”

Even without specific policy proposals, the study is likely to intensify a growing debate over the GOP’s future between those who believe the party can win with better messaging and others who are convinced that the message itself has to change.

Just last week, when conservative activists gathered in the Washington suburbs for an annual conference that has long been a major event on the calendar for aspiring GOP politicians, the loudest applause went to speakers who urged the party to stick to its guns.

Many in attendance wrote off last year’s defeat as the fault of a weak nominee with an ineffective campaign, maintaining that a better messenger is all the party needs to win back the White House.

March 14.

This absence of diversity among Obama’s top advisors and agency heads has frustrated Blacks, a feeling that Fudge said “is compounded by the overwhelming support” the president has received from that community.

“The absence of diverse voices leads to policies and programs that adversely impact African-Americans,” the Black lawmaker added.

“As you continue choosing your critical advisors, we want to stress the importance of ensuring every community has a seat at the table,” Fudge added. “The absence of diverse voices leads to policies and programs that adversely impact African-Americans.”

This story is special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the Afro American Newspaper.

Voter laws threaten political clout for people of color

BY CATHY COHEN AND JON C. ROGOWSKI TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE

In a democracy, few rights are as cherished as the right to vote. Yet, in the United States people of color, mainly Latinos, AfricanAmericans, Asians and Native Americans, are finding that the more they demonstrate their civic responsibility by voting, the more obstacles that surface designed to weaken the power of their votes.

Since 2008, when the nation elected its first African-American president, there have been numerous efforts in various states to impact ballot access. Legislatures in 19 states have tightened identification requirements for citizens who wish to vote. Many of these new laws require citizens to show a state-issued form of photo ID. The New York University School of Law Brennan Center for Justice warned in 2006 that because identification documents are not distributed equally across the population, voter ID laws would significantly affect voter access for people

of color — especially Latinos and African-Americans — who possessed photo identification at considerably lower rates than Whites.

The youth vote That prediction became reality last November. A study conducted immediately after the 2012 election surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,500 young people between the ages of 18 and 29 with large oversamples of Blacks and Latinos.

Consistent with other national reports, the study sponsored by the Black Youth Project confirmed that a high voter turnout among youth. It also determined that young people of color — especially Black youth — were asked to show identification when voting at considerably higher rates than White youth.

Even in states with no identification laws, 66 percent of Black youth and 55 percent of Latino youth were asked to show ID, compared with 43 percent of White youth. When nonvoters were asked to indicate the reasons why they

did not vote, Black youth were three times as likely as White youth (17 percent compared with 5 percent) to say that they did not vote because they lacked the proper identification documents. The study provides compelling evidence that identification laws are applied inconsistently across racial groups, and appear to reduce turnout disproportionately among people of color.

In the aftermath of the 2012 election, also under attack is the principle of “one person, one vote” established in 1964 when the Supreme Court ruled in Reynolds v. Sims that legislative districts must contain equal numbers of citizens.

Measures considered Several states, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia, recently considered or are considering measures to apportion their electoral votes by congressional districts in place of the winner-take-all system currently in place.

Discussions of these proposals have focused, not incorrectly, on the implica-

tions for the outcomes of presidential elections. But these proposals are designed explicitly to reduce the electoral influence of citizens living in densely populated areas — precisely those areas more likely to contain larger proportions of people of color — and increase the electoral importance of people living in more sparsely populated areas that take up larger swaths of geography.

As Sen. Charles Carrico, who introduced the measure in the Virginia State Senate, explained, residents in rural areas “were concerned that it didn’t matter what they did, that more densely populated areas were going to outvote them.”

Supreme Court debate This tension between individuals and geography is also found in the debate surrounding the current Supreme Court case Shelby County v. Holder. At issue is Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires states with a history of racially discriminatory voting practices to receive federal

clearance before changing electoral laws.

In oral arguments on Feb. 27, attorney Bert Rein argued on behalf of Shelby County, Alabama that this provision is “an inappropriate vehicle to sort out the sovereignty of individual states.”

But the sovereignty of states should not be privileged over the equal protections constitutionally granted to individual citizens. Just as states like Ohio and Pennsylvania should not be allowed to weigh the votes of rural residents over votes from urban areas, neither should Alabama be excluded from provisions designed to protect Alabama citizens’ voting rights because Alabama’s sovereignty is judged to be more important than their citizens’ electoral voices.

Rein is right, though, on at least one point. As he and some of the conservative justices on the Court pointed out, the South is not uniquely racially discriminatory. Schemes to apportion Electoral College votes by congressional district, for instance, have been discussed mostly by states that

are not required to receive federal preclearance. But this is not an argument for striking down Section 5. Indeed, any measure that limits ballot access or dilutes some group’s electoral influence in any state ought to be opposed.

However, if states like South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and others currently subject to Section 5 have their way, significant numbers of people of color are especially likely to feel the negative consequences of new electoral laws. Keeping Section 5 in place will continue to help guard against attempts to limit the influence of people of color on Election Day.

Dr. Cathy Cohen is the David and Mary Winton Green Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and Jon C. Rogowski is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Washington University. For more information, visit www.americaswire. org. This story is special to the Trice Edney News Wire from America’s Wire.

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Father of microcredit movement discusses ‘the power of the loan’ See page B3

March 22 - March 28, 2013

SHARING BLACK LIFE, STATEWIDE

More Black boomers getting in shape See page B4

SUN COAST / TAMPA BAY www.flcourier.com

Jazz in the Gardens

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SECTION

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Something for everyone

PHOTOS BY KIM GIBSON/FLORIDA COURIER

Charlie Wilson, (center) delivered an “Outstanding’’ show at the eighth annual Jazz in the Gardens held in Miami Gardens March 16-17.

Florida Courier contributor describes sights and sounds of eighth annual music event

BY KEISHA PICKETT SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER

An

overflow of energetic excitement is how I describe Jazz in the Gardens. The City of Miami Gardens was the temporary home to nearly 60,000 music lovers last weekend. The Sun Life Stadium was packed with fans, both young and old. Attendees couldn’t have asked for better weather with highs in the upper 70s with a slight cool breeze as the sun set. The scenery was perfect for these two nights of absolute, musical bliss.

The Saturday lineup featured Fantasia, Kenneth “Babyface’’ Edmonds, Charlie Wilson and New Edition. As usual, Fantasia tore it up.

She showed off her new, slimmer figure in an off-the-shoulder, shimmering gold dress. In true Fantasia fashion, she was immediately out of her shoes as soon as she hit the stage.

Fantasia has a way with her fans. She continues to prove her love to her them by instantly connecting with them from the stage.

She opened with “I’m Doin’ Me” and sang many of her other popular songs including “Collard Greens & Corn Bread,” “Man of the House,” “Free Yourself,” “Bittersweet” and “Lose to Win.’’

Fantasia sang crowd favorites “Free Yourself” and “Bittersweet.”

Wearing his trademark hat and shades, Ne-Yo (above) was among a star-studded lineup at this past weekend’s Jazz in the Gardens.

The scenery was perfect for these two nights of absolute, musical bliss.

Babyface still got that ‘Whip Appeal’ Babyface followed Fantasia. He definitely still has that “Whip Appeal” on his fans. The ladies and men alike grooved to his best baby makers. Babyface sang chart toppers, including “Soon As I Get Home,” “When Can I See You Again,” Never Keeping Secrets” and “For the Cool in You.” You can definitely tell he is getting up there in age by the very apparent salt and pepper mix in his hair. While his hair is telling his age, his voice sounds like he’s not a day past 25. Babyface went down in the crowd to greet some of his fans up and down the front aisles.

He even stopped to hug and sing to a few of the ladies.

Charlie Wilson: ‘Outstanding’ show What can you say about Charlie? Last name, Wilson? He is a phenomenal man and he delivers each and every time. His energy is absoSee JAZZ, Page B2

Click, click. Cell phone pictures were being taken all night as some event-goers had the pleasure of sitting while there was standing room only for others.

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CALENDAR

B2

MARCH 22 – MARCH 28, 2013

toj

FLORIDA COMMUNITY CALENDAR

CHAKA KHAN Thousands of walkers will take part in the eighth annual Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival March 24 from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Chaka Khan will headline a concert following the walk at Fort Lauderdale’s South Beach Park.

Tampa: A free multimedia seminar hosted by the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists will be held at the University of South Florida’s Patel Center for Global Solutions on March 23 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Audio editing, photography skills and social media will be discussed.

Bring your laptop and smartphone.

RSVP at tampabayabj@gmail.com.

OLIVER DOULIERY/ ABACA PRESS/MCT

Tampa: A free professional grant writing workshop will be held March 22 from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, 1002 E. Palm Ave. The workshop is designed for staff, administrators, board members of non-profits, faithbased organizations, government agencies and other tax-exempt status organizations. RSVP to Michael Randolph, 813-857-7657 or wefindgrants@aol.com. No one will be admitted without an invitation.

Tampa: A workshop titled Our Health in Our Own Hands: Taking Back Control of Our Bodies will be held March 23 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Supa D’s Tropical Bar and Grill, 810 E. Skagway Ave. The event will include vendors, a panel of experts, open forum, food and music. Women are encouraged to bring their children and partners/ husbands. More information: Iyapo, 813-843-4717 or iyapo4uhuru@ yahoo.com.

Jacksonville: Jazz and Blues group Fourplay will be at the Florida Theatre Jacksonville along with Harvey Mason, Chuck Loeb and Nathan East April 21 for an 8 p.m. show.

Orlando: The University of Central Florida Book Festival/Orlando 2013 will be held April 13 from 9 a.m.

– 4:30 p.m. at the UCF Arena. The free festival will feature nationally renowned authors. More information: bookfestival.ucf.edu.

Jacksonville: The 17th Annual Southeast US Boat Show, formally known as the Jacksonville spring boat show, will take place April 12,

JAZZ from B1 lutely unbelievable. That man hit that stage with all kind of lights and bright colored suits. He took the crowd on a journey of old hits and new favorites.

The audience danced and partied to classic Gap Band hits like “Outstanding,” “Yearning for your Love,” and “You Dropped A Bomb On Me.” He satisfied his new-school fans with “There Goes My Baby,” “Can’t Live Without You” and “All I Have.’’

Wilson also took it to church as he testified about his tough times with alcoholism and drug addiction. He proudly announced that he was 18 years clean and sober and talked about how “outstanding’ God is.

Late night with New Edition Lastly, New Edition came out and closed the Saturday night show out. The six-member band got fans out of their seats as soon as they got on stage with “Hit Me Off.” Bobby Brown made a grand entrance after the third or fourth song. The crowd went crazy when he popped up on stage to sing. Brown definitely stole the show with his bad boy persona and raspy voice.

New Edition sang classic throwbacks, including “Candy Rain,’’ “Telephone Man,” “Cool it Now,” “Can You Stand the Rain,” “If It Isn’t Love” and “Jealous Girl.” They also broke out and sang some individual songs.

Johnny Gill gave red roses to the ladies as he crooned “My, My, My!” Brown sang “Tenderoni,” a crowd favorite. Of course, Bell Biv Devoe did a few of their hits like “Poison” and “Do Me Baby.’’

Ralph Tresvant also performed his hit “Sensitivity”.

The only thing that I noticed were the droves of people leaving during their performance, including me. I didn’t leave because I was uninterested in their show. I left because I was tired.

New Edition didn’t start their show until around 11:30 p.m.

I think the show ran kind of long throughout the night and people were just worn out from a whole day of being in the park.

Maitland and Winter Park. Venue: 642 W. New England Ave. Free.

More information: 407-539-2680 or www.hannibalsquareheritagecenter. org.

Orlando: A Heart & Soul gallery exhibit will be held at the Grand Bohemian Gallery, 325 S. Orange Ave. Free.

Tampa: The 76th Annual District Meeting of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Seventh District will be held April 4-7 featuring a golf tournament, picnic, job fair, step show and worship service. More information: PiIota.org.

St. Petersburg: Youths ages 7 to 11 can enjoy a night of football, kickball, ping-pong, foosball, video games and dance parties during “Freestyle Fridays” at the Fossil Park & Willis S. Johns Center, 6635 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N. First visit free; $6 each following visit.

More information: 727-893-7756.

TRACY MORGAN

SALT N PEPA 1990s rap stars Salt N Pepa are among the artists slated to perform at Funk Fest 2013 at Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park May 3 and 4. Concerts also are scheduled in Jacksonville and Orlando. Complete lineup: http://funkfestconcerts.com.

JONATHAN MANNION

13 and 14 at the Metropolitan Park & Marina to include live seminars, live music and hundreds of new boats.

Tampa: Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry Campus will host an annual job fair April 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd. in the student services building.

Jacksonville: Jillian Michaels’ “Maximize Your Life” tour comes to the Times-Union Center for the

Tracy Morgan will be at the Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater April 19 during the South Beach Comedy Festival.

Performing Arts April 17. Jillian shares her keys to health, success and happiness.

Jacksonville: The stage play and musical “Dreamgirls” will be at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts May 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Tallahassee: The Women of Color 2013 Legislative Days will be held April 3-5 at multiple locations at the state Capitol. Committee meetings, a Women of Color luncheon and banquet, the State of Black Florida

workshops, updates from elected officials and the Florida Black Caucus Gala Celebration are among featured events. More information: www.woclc.com or call 407-9535599.

Winter Park: As a tribute to the 125th anniversary of the City of Winter Park and incorporation of the City of Eatonville, Crealdé’s Hannibal Square Heritage Center will feature an original exhibition through April 13 among the three AfricanAmerican communities – Eatonville,

St. Petersburg: First Fridays are held in downtown St. Petersburg at 250 Central Ave. between Second and Third Avenues from 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. More information: 727-393-3597.

Tampa: Songstress Alicia Keys brings her World On Fire tour to Florida with performances at the Tampa Bay Times Forum March 24 and Miami’s American Airlines Arena March 23.

Orlando: Funny man Mike Epps will be at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre on May 24 for an 8 p.m. show.

Jacksonville: Rap artist Bubba Sparxx will be at Brewster’s Roc Bar in March 30 for a 7 p.m. show.

Tampa: The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Centennial Torch Tour makes a stop in Tampa on May 18. The day, hosted by the Tampa Alumnae Chapter, will include an event for students at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A Crimson Yacht Soiree on the Yacht StarShip starts at 6:30 p.m. More information: Call 850284-3386 or visit www.dstta.com.

The people leaving could also have been the older people who may not have known New Edition’s music back in their day. Either way, I felt New Edition, as the show headliner, may have gotten a little slighted.

Some disconnect with super talented Ne-Yo A similar disconnect occurred on Sunday with Ne-Yo. This young man is super talented and brings a wealth of diversity to the music realm. He performed hit after hit – I’d honestly forgotten that he had so many great songs.

Ne-Yo gave the audience a mix of pop and R&B with songs like “Closer,” “Mad,” “Sexy Love,” “Ms. Independent” and “So Sick.”

Ne-Yo had a little heart-toheart with the audience as he shared his desire to create all kinds of music. He said he didn’t want Black people to put him in an R&B box, but instead wanted everyone to hear his talent. Unfortunately, Ne-Yo’s show didn’t evoke as much energy as I feel he deserved. It was to no fault of his own; it was the crowd’s lack of knowledge of his music. Even I checked out on a few of his songs because I didn’t know them.

Monica came on before Ne-Yo and she was simply amazing. Her voice is so strong and pure. Monica proved why she is still standing against all odds. She catered to the audience and made sure the sound was just right for all to clearly hear her. She performed old and new songs. including “Angel of Mine,’’ “Before You Walk Out My Life,” “Don’t Take It Personal” and “Love All Over Me.” She also did a beautiful tribute to the late Whitney Houston.

Earth, Wind & Fire kept crowd energized Closing out the night were the elements: Earth, Wind and Fire.

As soon as they hit the stage, the crowd stayed on their feet. They came out singing “Let’s Groove” and took us down memory lane with “Reasons,” “September,” “Shining Star,” “After The Love Has Gone” and more. These men looked great and still had the moves.

I was truly impressed with their energy. It was evident that they were the crowd favorite as people left feeling good and still singing

Photos by KIM GIBSON/FLORIDA COURIER

Bell Biv Devoe performed a few of their hits like “Poison” and “Do Me Baby’’ on Saturday night. songs on their way to their cars.

Mary Mary opened the show on Sunday and did a phenomenal job. They came back to speak with the press and answered questions about their ability to remain relevant and stay true to who they are. The sisters spoke about the criticism they faced for their delivery of the gospel and its similarities to secular music.

Erica and Tina Campbell also commented on balancing life as artists and as mothers. “I am a mother of three and my sister has five. Sometimes I feel guilty about being on the road and away from my family. But I also realize that this is how I support my children” said Erica of Mary Mary.

One of the show’s disappointments was the absence of Rachelle Ferrell, renowned for her talent as a contemporary jazz singer. The Jazz in the Gardens producers informed the public that she wouldn’t be there on Sunday morning before the show. It was reported that she was very ill with a high fever and flu like symptoms. Nicole Henry, a popular local artist, stepped in to fill in the gap.

Monica (above) performed new music as well as tracks from her 1995 album “Miss Thang’’ that included “Don’t Take It Personal” and “Before You Walk Out My Life.”

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BUSINESS

MARCH 22 – MARCH 28, 2013

B3 made possible largely because of her mother’s drive and a $100 loan, the first of several, from Grameen. Zaman says her goal is to earn a graduate degree in politics and economics and be part of political reform in Bangladesh.

A: This is fantastic. I’ve been talking about the children of Grameen Bank. That’s very exciting for me to see girls completing their education. To see qualitatively there is no difference between a poor child and one from a rich family.

Called Nelson Mandela of microloan phenomenon

MARLIN LEVISON/MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE/MCT

Muhammad Yunus’ Grameen Bank in Bangladesh has loaned billions to women and small entrepreneurs. Yunus, left, meets with Fahmida Zaman in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was speaking on March 8. Zaman is attending college on a loan from Yunus.

Father of microcredit movement discusses ‘the power of the loan’

BY NEAL ST. ANTHONY STAR TRIBUNE/MCT

Muhammad Yunus, the father of microcredit and founder of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, has proved that poor entrepreneurs, mostly women, can advance economically with small loans. The doctor of economics made his first loan of $27 out of his pocket to several women who were paying exorbitant loan rates to a loan shark in order to buy bamboo to make tables.

Before Grameen, there was no bank to lend money to the people who needed modest amounts of capital to buy a sewing machine

or expand inventory in anticipation of greater sales. Yunus spoke recently at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum hosted by Augsburg College and the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

Question: It’s said that Grameen Bank has loaned something like $7 billion to workingpoor entrepreneurs since you started it in 1983, after several years of successful making small loans of less than $100 to people out of your own pocket. How do you quantify the impact of microlending?

Answer: Each person is a story by herself. There are millions of them who transformed their

A: I never believed this could be so large. I was trying to solve a local problem. Loan sharks were putting poor people under so much misery. I thought I could solve this problem, in one town.

I began with $27 and it was paid back to me. I thought, “Why can’t I go on doing that?”

Q: What has been the repayment rate at Grameen?

A: Microcredit at Grameen has always been 96 or 97 percent throughout the years. And there is no collateral. People pay back even though we could not force them. At Grameen Bank in New York City, the repayment is 99.6 percent. The system of solidarity groups responsible for the loan and a small repayment every week is why it works. They are not overwhelmed by the size of the loan. You build up the customer and the culture of investment and repayment that they can handle. Earn income. Keep the door open. And cooperate with each other.

Q: I recently wrote about a young woman from Bangladesh, Fahmida Zaman, who is studying at St. Catherine University in Minnesota. She says this was

lives from a feeling of nothingness, to somebody who can take care of herself. That is the power of the loan … and the ability to go from a lower-size loan to a larger-size loan. There are now a lot of seasoned businesswomen, and their children are inspired by them. This is the story of how microcredit has expanded, including in the United States. We have 6,000 borrowers of Grameen Bank America in San Francisco and New York.

Small act makes big difference Q: Are you surprised that the movement has grown so large?

Q: The success of microlending and Grameen Bank led to conflict with the Bangladesh government that eventually led to your retirement from Grameen. How do you describe this period, and what effect did it have on you?

A: It was a sad experience, but I’ve continued with my work. I’m developing social businesses in Bangladesh and other countries.

My work continues … and I’m 72 years old.

Q: How do you spend your time now?

A: I started the Yunus Centre after winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. People were calling and emailing and visiting. I couldn’t handle it all by myself.

And I have a few volunteers and other people working with me.

Now we have some cooperative organization like the Yunus social business based in Germany that does programs in Haiti and Albania. We have a global business summit in November. Last year, in Vienna, we had about 500 people. This year in, Kuala Lumpur, there will be about 1,000 delegates.

Q: Somebody called you the Nelson Mandela of the microloan phenomenon. Are you wealthy from your work?

A: All my life I’ve created companies, about 50 in Bangladesh.

But I don’t own any shares in any company in the world. I create business to solve human problems. That’s a “social business.”

Grameen used to pay me about $400 per month. The income I receive from my lectures and books, all this money goes to the Yunus Centre to run it and arrange programs. I live very modestly. I don’t need much. My family understands that. I do what makes me happy. … I am lean and thin.

I like a simple life. I don’t like luxury.

Q: What do you hope will be your legacy?

A: Making money can make you happy. But making other people money, too, and changing the world, can really make you happy. I mean what is the purpose of life — to make money? Or to tap the creativity of human beings to solve problems?

If we put our human power into that, we can overcome the problems of the world.

Samsung pulls out all stops with Galaxy S4 smartphone ) cm .7 (12

Galaxy S4

4.6 oz.

(130 g)

) cm

The new phone’s 13-megapixel rear and 2-megapixel front cameras are higher-resolution than those on the iPhone. And unlike Apple’s phone, it includes a humidity and temperature sensor, though it’s

Samsung, however, isn’t content with just upgrading the hardware. Most of its presentation focused on the new software features it built into the S4. And it’s there that Samsung really may make iPhone fans jealous.

The S4’s camera has several new features. One allows users to incorporate a picture of themselves — taken with the front camera — into a picture or video they take of others. Another will take a burst of pictures and incorporate images from the best of them into one collage. Still another feature allows us-

5.4 x 2.8 x 0.3 in.

(13.6 x 7.0 x 0.79 cm)

.2 (10

Picky about pixels?

Beyond the cameras

Samsung’s new Galaxy S4 will compete with Apple’s iPhone 5; how they compare:

n.

The event was bizarre and over-the-top and in sharp contrast to what we’ve seen from Apple, whose events are typically understated — if overhyped.

That’s true of Apple’s products as well. Each new iPhone has typically had one main feature that distinguishes it from its predecessors and its competition.

The list of new features for the Galaxy S4, by contrast, is both impressive and overwhelming — and maybe more than consumers can get their heads around.

It has a 5-inch screen, which is even bigger than its predecessor’s and dwarfs that of the iPhone 5. The display also offers a greater pixel density than Apple’s vaunted Retina Display.

Spec showdown n.

New features

not yet clear how that will be used.

It’s true that many of these specs feel more like feature creep than real innovations. For example, if the average person can’t spot the pixels on an iPhone 5, then there really is no need to have a screen with even greater pixel density (and smaller pixels), because no one will be able to tell the difference.

But to a consumer who wants to have a device with the latest and greatest hardware, those specifications may seem impressive.

4i

Having grabbed the smartphone lead from Apple, Samsung now seems determined to overwhelm its archrival by announcing a new version of its Galaxy S4 smartphone that’s bigger and better and includes a large laundry list of new features.

With the new Galaxy S4 smartphone that it announced last week, Samsung appears to be trying to prove it can beat the iPhone not only in sales and specs, but in Apple’s bread and butter: software and innovation. But it’s anybody’s guess whether the company is taking things too far.

Samsung’s event unveiling the Galaxy S4 is emblematic of the company’s ambitions, its desire to distinguish itself from Apple — and its lack of restraint.

Held at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, the event featured Broadway star Will Chase and numerous other actors playing out skits designed to illustrate new features of the Galaxy S4.

It included a tap-dancing kid; supposed backpackers making their way through Brazil, Paris and China; and scads of lame jokes.

COMMENTARY

5i

BY TROY WOLVERTON SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS/ MCRT

iPhone 5

4.0 oz.

(113 g)

4.9 x 2.3 x 0.29 in.

(12.4 x 5.9 x 0.76 cm)

O.S. Storage Pixels per inch Screen resolution Camera Video Source: Samsung, Apple

Galaxy S4

iPhone 5

Android 4.2.2 16, 32, 64 GB 441 ppi 1920 x 1080 pixels 13 megapixels, rear 2 megapixels, front 1080p, rear 1080p, front

iOS 16, 32, 64 GB 326 ppi 1136 x 640 pixels 8 megapixels, rear 1.2 megapixels, front 1080p, rear 720p, front

Graphic: Melina Yingling

© 2013 MCT

The above graphic compares features on the newly unveiled Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone to its main competitor, Apple’s iPhone 5 ers to erase unwanted people from photographs.

But the software innovations go beyond the cameras. Perhaps the most innovative involve gesture recognition and eye tracking.

Users can answer a phone call or turn a page just by

waving their hand in front of the phone. The device will scroll pages when users merely tilt it up or down while looking at it, and it will automatically pause videos when users’ eyes leave the screen.

The Galaxy S4 also in-

cludes a translator program that’s able to listen to foreign speech and translate it to English and vice versa. It has a feature called Knox that separates work and personal files and applications on the phone.

And its video chat feature is now more like a video conferencing system, able to accommodate three-party calls, allow users to make notes on the screen while talking and stream video from both the front and rear cameras at the same time.

It’s unclear whether any of these new features will catch on with consumers.

There are so many of them it may be hard for the company tout any particular one as the primary selling point of the new phone.

But it’s clear that Samsung is trying to show that the Galaxy S4 is not just as good as or distinct from the iPhone. It’s trying to convince consumers that it’s much, much better.

I’m eager to play with the Galaxy S4 and find out if it is.

Troy Wolverton is a technology columnist for the San Jose Mercury News. Reach him at twolverton@mercurynews.com or follow him on Twitter @troywolv.

TOj B4

HEALTH

STOJ

MARCH 22 – MARCH 28, 2013

Feeling a whole lot better More AfricanAmerican boomers taking better care of their health

BY GRACIE BONDS STAPLES ATLANTA JOURNALCONSTITUTION/MCT

ATLANTA – Five days a week, Carolyn Banks rises at 5 a.m., dresses and drives 22 miles to the Beulah Baptist Church Family Life Center to work out the kinks in her joints, to rev up her heart and health.

Exercise, she says, has been a part of her daily routine since 2009, when she was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis, a chronic inflammatory disorder, and her physical health began to decline.

“I had been completely incapacitated,” the 63-yearold retired DeKalb County, Ga., educator said after class recently. “Doctors predicted my death.”

But within a year of joining the aerobics class, she was feeling better, and the neurosarcoidosis went into full remission.

Banks became a firm believer in the benefits of exercise and good nutrition and the self-appointed spokeswoman for her church’s exercise program.

She and fellow classmates work to attain optimum health.

Reducing risk factors “They are demonstrating that barriers to a healthy lifestyle can be overcome, and the benefits of regular physical activity and a healthy diet can be achieved at every stage of life,” said Leandris C. Liburd, associate director for minority health and health equity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

“We’re thrilled to know that they are effectively reducing their risk factors for certain diseases, managing chronic diseases and im-

HEALTH IMPACT OF OBESITY More than 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.

People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high levels of blood fats, and LDL cholesterol, all risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

In 2010, AfricanAmericans were 70 percent less likely to engage in active physical activity than Whites.

Deaths from heart disease and stroke are almost twice the rate for AfricanAmericans as compared to Whites.

African-Americans are 1.4 times more likely than nonHispanic Whites to have high blood pressure.

African-American adults are twice as likely as nonHispanic white adults to have been diagnosed with diabetes by a physician.

Black adults are 60 percent more likely to have a stroke than their White adult counterparts.

proving the overall quality of their life.” Banks said she hopes her story motivates and inspires other AfricanAmericans, who statistically lead reports on adverse health conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol.

For instance, healthy officials say that 53.9 percent of Black women aged 65 to 74 are considered obese compared to 38.9 percent of White women in the same age group, said Dr. Ashleigh May, a CDC epidemiologist.

“That’s a huge concern, especially since we know obesity can put people at risk for some of the leading causes of death in the United States,” said May. “Some of these include heart disease, certain cancers and stroke, as well as Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.”

Normal blood pressure Banks’ classmates are a mix of retired male and female baby boomers — former teachers and firefighters, city employees and media specialists who found their way to the church after becoming concerned about their health.

Some are members of Beulah, but most aren’t.

All of them say the fitness classes, emotional and nutritional support they receive from classmates have helped them overcome one illness or another.

Wayne K. Jones, 60, a retired Delta Airlines employee from Decatur, Ga., was suffering from high blood pressure when he joined the class. And Nick Bowers, 58, a retired Atlanta fireman from Lithonia, Ga., was overweight. Not any more.

Bowers said a friend invited him to the class in 2010, but he didn’t accept until one morning “I was putting on my underwear and noticed I had to sit to put them on.” “I weighed 204 pounds when I walked into the gym,” he said.

A year later, Bowers, who also became a member of the all-male line-danc-

PHOTOS BY PHIL SKINNER/ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION/MCT

An exercise group does abdominal work together on Feb. 22 at the Beulah Baptist Church Family Life Center in Decatur, Ga.

‘Doing what the doctors ask’

Marilyn Bell, who had a double knee replacement, works out with an exercise group last month at the Beulah Baptist Church Family Life Center Decatur, Ga. ing class called the Beulah Boys, said he weighed in at 180. His goal now is to drop

five more pounds and run the Peachtree in 55 minutes.

How sweet the sound: Singer never misses a Monday ministering at hospice center

BY HELENA OLIVIERO ATLANTA JOURNALCONSTITUTION/MCT

ATLANTA — Shirley Gunn-Walton reads the Bible to her mother every time she visits her at a hospice. One day, while reading Psalms 23, Gunn-Walton hears a sound — so sweet, like a gentle breeze.

She opens the door to discover Kevin Dunn singing, his soft, pitch-perfect voice floating inside this 16-room building.

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. … I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.”

Every Monday, for the past decade, Dunn has filled the West Georgia Hospice in LaGrange, Ga., with soul-stirring songs.

“His voice is so pretty.

My mom lights up when she hears his voice. And honey, I really enjoy it, too,” said Gunn-Walton.

Gunn-Walton’s mother, Beulah Burton, recently turned 100 years old.

Burton, who has dementia and recently suffered a stroke, spends much of the day in her room — with daffodils and a poster that reads “Aged to Perfection” — with her eyes closed.

But her eyes fluttered open when Dunn stepped inside and crooned at her bedside, “How Great is Our God.” Jesus loves me.

This I know, For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me.

‘Voice’ said ‘hospice’ A decade ago, Dunn became a singing hospice volunteer after a layoff from a job as a pressman for a printing company.

At first, the suddenly-outof-work Dunn thought he would donate his time to a nursing home. But during a fateful traffic stop after dropping his kids off

PHIL SKINNER/ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION/MCT

Kevin Dunn sings gospel songs to 100-year-old Beulah Burton on March 4 at West Georgia Hospice in LaGrange, Ga. at school, he said a voice pointed him in a different direction.

“I heard a voice say, ‘hospice,’” said Dunn, “and at first I thought, no way; that is where people went to die. I don’t want to be there. But I kept hearing the voice, so after a week or two, I made some calls and looked into what I needed to do to volunteer at hospice.”

‘Christ-like spirit’ Growing up, Dunn sang in a church choir and enjoyed singing, but he didn’t tackle his first solo until he

was 18, when he sang “We are going all the way,” by Jeffrey Osborne at his sister’s wedding.

“He’s a blessing,” said Tammy Forbus, volunteer coordinator for West Georgia Hospice, who is moved to tears talking about Dunn. “He’s so encouraging to all of us. He does this completely voluntarily, every Monday. He is so faithful. I love his singing and you can feel his beautiful, gentle, Christ-like spirit. He just wants to bring comfort.”

Dunn, 45, also takes requests, and if he doesn’t

When he joined the class two years ago, Jones said he had high blood pressure. At a doctor’s appointment seven months later, he learned his blood pressure was normal.

“Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it,” Jones said his doctor told him. “I was shocked.” Jones said he attends classes religiously and misses it when he’s away on vacation.

“I feel a whole lot better.

I have much more energy, and my blood pressure is excellent,” Jones said. “I’m a firm believer now in exercise and diet. The combination has made a significant difference in my health.”

That’s the message Banks said she is trying to spread, especially to African-Americans. The proof, she said, is the changes she has witnessed not just in her own health, but that of her classmates.

“This isn’t just about know a song he learns it.

Over the years he’s learned “Sweet Beulah Land,” “Saved by Grace,” “Precious Memories” and “Go Rest High on that Mountain.” On a recent Monday afternoon, Dunn ambled from one communal space to the next. A fire was crackling in the fireplace. Visitors streamed in and out.

His voice doesn’t take over, but instead, the gentle tone is easy listening.

Doors open as Dunn sings a series of gospel songs, one blending into the next: “How Great Thou Art;” “Sweet Sweet Spirit;” “The Lord’s Prayer.” “If they are scared or unsure what the next life holds, I am hoping they hear God’s voice through my singing and that yes, they know that yes, there is a God,” he said.

Requested at funerals too Moved by the loving care of hospice workers and efforts to make patients as comfortable as possible, Dunn’s views on hospice have changed. Over the years, he’s grown close to people during their final days.

And he’s even been asked to sing at funerals — more than 60 during the past decade.

Angie Senter of LaGrange met Dunn about five years

Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health

weight loss, though that’s important,” she said. “It’s about being healthy.”

Banks said she started slow, walking around the indoor track before graduating to the 6:30 a.m. boot camp. Within a year of joining the class, she said, she was stronger and had regained her equilibrium.

Anthony Watson, director of the church fitness center, said the 6:30 a.m. class averages about 15 members, up to age 70.

Three days a week, members run through an hour’s worth of circuit training, strength training, aerobics and muscle toning.

In addition to fitness classes such as zumba, line dancing, Pilate’s and water classes for increased mobility, there’s a full offering of arts and crafts classes.

“We’re doing what the doctors ask,” Watson said.

“Matter of fact, one doctor says if everybody would eat right and move, I would not have a practice because they’d be healthy.” ago when her grandmother was in hospice for several months.

“My grandmother was there for a long time and they became close,” said Senter. “My grandmother looked forward to Kevin coming every week to sing.

He would sing songs very special to our family: “In the Garden,” and “Go Rest High on the Mountain.” After my grandmother died, I asked Kevin if he sings at funerals, and he said, ‘I will.’” Since her grandmother died in 2008, Senter has lost two relatives, including her stepfather who died just recently.

“When we learned our stepfather died, my sister looked at me and said, ‘Can you call Kevin?’” said Senter.

Over the years, jobs have come and gone for Dunn.

All the while, he’s never missed a Monday at hospice.

He recently got a job in sales at a local TV station. Dunn, who lives in LaGrange with his wife, Deborah, and two children, is happy to have a job and thrilled to be able to set his own hours, allowing him to be at the hospice every Monday at noon.

Dunn, who is Baptist, also gets requests to sing at churches as well as to perform at other events.

TOJ

MARCH 22 – MARCH 28, 2013

FINEST & ENTERTAINMENT

Meet some of

FLORIDA'S

finest

submitted for your approval

B5

Think you’re one of Florida’s Finest?

E-mail your high-resolution (200 dpi) 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.

Model and United States Army veteran Rose hails from Cap-Haitien, Haiti. In addition to English, she is fluent in patois creole, Spanish and French, and has a degree in culinary arts.

Contact Rose at facebook.com/ wittyrosegallery or on Twitter @1wittyrose.

IMAGE 1ST, LLC

Ishmael, 29, participates in runway shows, print modeling and acting.

He has been featured on MTV, VH1 and BET as well as theatrical stage productions.

Contact Ishmael via email at blue832004@ yahoo.com.

ishmael

rose Amazon criticized for selling racially insensitive game

BY CHRIS B. BENNETT SPECIAL TO THE NNPA

Ghettopoly, a racially insensitive game modeled after the popular Monopoly board game, is stirring up controversy once again.

The game, which uses stereotypes often related to African-Americans as the butt of its humor, was removed from the shelves from Urban Outfitters in 2003 after a nationwide protest by the NAACP that ultimately led to the game being barred from sale in the United States after Hasbro, makers of the game monopoly, sued the inventor of the game, David Chang, for copyright infringement.

According to Kathy Carpano, a spokesperson for Hasbro, “the company was successful in obtaining a default judgment against Mr. Chang and in June of 2006, the Court issued a permanent injunction against the Ghettopoly game and Hasbro was awarded both damages and costs.”

However, despite the permanent injunction, the game, which features a pimp, a hoe, a 40-ounce bottle, a machine gun (oozie), a marijuana leaf, a basketball and a piece of crack as game pieces, is once again avail-

able for sale — most notably through Seattle-based, online retail giant Amazon at a premium price of $114.99.

(On Monday, the game was not available for purchase on Amazon’s site.)

Defending the game The game’s official website had been automatically redirecting visitors to the page where the product was sold on Amazon’s website.

According to a domain registration search, the domain is registered under Ghetto Poly Inc. The domain registration was last updated in August 2012, and lists Chang as both the administrative and technical contact.

In a 2003 interview with The Seattle Medium, Chang, who emigrated at age eight from Taiwan with his family, said he views the game as humorous and not degrading.

“Ghettopoly is controversial because its both fun and real life,” Chang told The Medium. “The graphics on the board depict every race in the country and both genders. It draws on stereotypes not as a means to degrade, but as a medium to bring together in laughter. If we can’t laugh at ourselves and how we each utilize the various ste-

Amazon had been selling Ghettopoly, a controversial board game that allows players to buy crack houses and projects instead of houses and hotels. reotypes, then we’ll continue to live in blame and bitterness.”

‘It’s a satire’ According to a press release promoting the game, Chang did his market research by watching MTV and studying the lyrics of rap and hip-hop music, and video games provided him insight into the culture of the ghetto allowing him to come up with the names of the properties of the game in just a few hours.

Chang doesn’t feel that the game depicts any single group, rather that it pokes fun at everything associated with the ghetto.

“The playing of the game is not to offend people, that’s not my intention,” stated Chang.

“It’s a satire. If they can’t see that there is nothing I can do about that. I’m not here to convince them otherwise.”

Obama lookalike playing Satan in ‘The Bible’ EURWEB.COM

Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni is shown left in “The Bible.’’ Twitter followers pointed out a resemblance to President Obama, right.

The History Channel’s 10-part miniseries “The Bible” is stirring up extra attention for its casting of Satan.

Folks are saying it’s no coincidence that the actor who plays the devil, Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni, bears a startling resem-

However, many African-American leaders found the game to be offensive, as it allows players to buy crack houses and projects instead of houses and hotels.

Property names include: Ray Ray’s Chicken and Ribs, Harlem, Busta Rap Recording, Malcolm X Ave., Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and Hernando’s Chop Shop.

In addition, instead of having railroads like the original Monopoly game, players can purchase liquor stores. One of the Ghetto Stash cards (equivalent to Monopoly’s Community Chest cards) reads: “You got yo whole neighborhood addicted to crack. Collect $50 from each player.”

Sparked nationwide protest Carl Mack, former president of

blance to President Barack Obama.

The resemblance was pointed out on Twitter during the show’s broadcast last Sunday. Glenn Beck, the Christian conservative broadcaster who has called the series “one of the most important shows in decades,” sent out a tweet with a screenshot. Beck, who refuses to use Obama’s name, referred to the president as “That Guy.” Ouazanni has featured in several religious-themed programs before, including the TV movies “David” (1997); “Jeremiah” (1998, with Patrick Dempsey in the starring role); “In the Beginning”; and the Emmy-nominated “The Ten Commandments” (2006).

the Seattle/King County NAACP, did not find the game funny or amusing.

“Everything about the game is degrading,” said Mack during an interview with The Medium in 2003. “It promotes every insensitive and racial stereotype that America has been in the forefront of creating with Black folks.”

Mack and a former Seattle/ King County NAACP member, Eric Dawson, were the catalyst of the 2003 nationwide protest of the game when they went into the Downtown Seattle Urban Outfitters store and demanded that they game be taken off the shelf.

The recent discovery that the game is once again available for sale has many in the AfricanAmerican community questioning the availability of the game through a retailer like Amazon.

The Medium contacted Amazon regarding the sale of the game on their website.

According to Amazon’s website, ‘listings for items that Amazon deems offensive are prohibited on Amazon.com. Amazon reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of listings on its site, and remove any listing at any time.’

Examples of prohibited listings include, ‘Products that promote or glorify hatred, violence, racial, sexual or religious intolerance or promote organizations with such views.’

This story is special to the NNPA from the Seattle Medium.

The producers of the series have yet to comment. “The Bible” is in part a collaboration between Mark Burnett and his wife, Roma Downey. Burnett has donated to Democratic candidates, including Obama in 2008 and the DNC in 2009, but he also produces Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” and was behind Sarah Palin’s first reality effort.

Downey, while not publicly identifying with a party, is a devout Catholic who has spoken in public about her faith quite often. She starred in the TV series “Touched By an Angel,” and through LightWorkers Media, a religious production company behind “The Bible,” she produced the children’s animated program Little Angels.

FOOD

TOj B6

STO

MARCH 22 – MARCH 28, 2013

Easter Spicy Candied Bacon with eggs

EASY

FROM Family Features

BRUNCH

The ingredients for an easy weekend breakfast or a special Easter brunch may be in your pantry right now. Holidays are the perfect time to sprinkle additional creativity or fresh new thinking into meals for family and friends and — by using staples like pancake mix, syrup and instant mashed potatoes in unexpected ways — you can craft new and deli­cious dishes sure to make everyone smile.

Try these recipes from Hungry Jack® using simple pantry staples, and turn them into what will become new brunch favorites: • Put a unique spin on brunch food with a savory Ham, Egg and Cheese Pizza.

• DIY Pancake Breakfast Sandwiches: You can assemble them for your guests, or get everyone involved by letting them build their own and add some custom touches like eggs, cheese or bacon.

• Combine sweet, spicy and smoky flavors for Spicy Candied Bacon, a definite crowd pleaser.

• Set out some flavored or Greek yogurt and a bowl of Good Morning Granola so guests can create their own breakfast parfaits.

For more creative recipes and ideas, visit www.hungryjack.com.

Ham, Egg and Cheese Pizza Spicy Candied Bacon Yield: 6 slices Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes 1/2 pound extra-thick cut bacon, about 6 slices 1/4 cup Hungry Jack Original Syrup 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper Heat oven to 375°F. Line 15 x 10-inch baking pan with foil. Lay bacon slices on foil.

Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until bacon edges begin to curl. Remove from oven.

Tilt pan to drain. Pat bacon with paper towel. Combine syrup, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and pepper in small bowl.

Drizzle evenly over bacon slices.

Bake 5 minutes or until evenly browned. Remove to wire rack. Cool 5 minutes.

Serving suggestion: Candied Bacon Breakfast Sandwich: Layer fried egg on English muffin. Top with shredded cheese, Spicy Candied Bacon and a dash of hot sauce or ketchup. Top with other half of English muffin.

Good Morning Granola Yield: 5 cups Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1 cup sliced almonds 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut (optional) 2 tablespoons wheat germ 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons Crisco Pure Vegetable Oil 1/2 cup Hungry Jack Sugar Free Breakfast Syrup 2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar 1 cup dried fruit, such as raisins, golden raisins, cherries or cranberries Heat oven to 350°F. Combine oats, almonds, coconut, wheat germ, salt and cinnamon in large bowl. Combine oil, syrup and brown sugar in another bowl. Pour over oat mixture. Toss until well coated. Spread evenly in 13 x 9-inch pan.

Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. Cool completely. Stir in dried fruit. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

with a pantry punch

Ham, Egg and Cheese Pizza Yield: 8 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Crust: Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray 1 3/4 cups Hungry Jack Complete Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/3 cup water 2 tablespoons Crisco Pure Olive Oil Filling: 3 large eggs 1 cup sour cream 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh dill weed or 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup shredded Swiss or cheddar cheese 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onion 4 ounces thinly sliced deli-styled baked ham, coarsely chopped Fresh dill sprigs (optional) For crust: Heat oven to 425°F. Coat 12-inch pizza pan with no-stick cooking spray. Combine pancake mix, Parmesan cheese, dry mustard and onion powder in medium bowl, stirring until blended. Stir in water and olive oil until dough forms.

Press dough onto bottom of pre­ pared pan to form a crust, building up outside edge to form a rim.

Bake 7 minutes.

For filling: Whisk eggs, sour cream, Dijon mustard, dill and salt in medium bowl. Stir in cheese and green onions. Pour over hot crust, spread­ ing evenly. Toss ham to separate pieces. Sprinkle evenly over egg mixture. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until egg mixture is set in center.

Cool 5 minutes before cutting.

Garnish with fresh dill, if desired.

Pancake Breakfast Sandwich

Good Morning Granola Pancake Breakfast Sandwich Yield: 4 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Pancakes: Crisco Original No-Stick Cooking Spray 3/4 cup Hungry Jack Complete Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix 1/3 cup water 1/4 cup Hungry Jack Original Syrup 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1cup frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed, chopped into bitesized pieces 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 3-inch round sausage patties* Eggs: 1 tablespoon butter 1/3 cup diced red pepper 4 large eggs 1/8 teaspoon salt For pancakes: Coat griddle or skillet with no-stick cooking spray. Heat griddle or skillet on medium heat (350°F).

Whisk pancake mix, water and syrup in medium bowl. Stir in cheese, potatoes and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Cook sausage patties as directed on package.

Pour 2 tablespoons batter on griddle, spreading batter to make a 3-inch circle or by using 3-inch pancake molds, coated with no-stick cooking spray. Repeat to make 7 more pancakes. Cook 2 minutes or until golden brown. Turn. Cook second side 2 minutes.

For eggs: Melt butter in large skillet. Add red pepper. Cook and stir about 1 minute.

Whisk eggs and salt in small bowl. Pour into skillet with peppers. Cook slightly, then shape into four 3-inch circles about the same size as the pan­cakes and sausage.

Place one pancake on plate. Top with cooked sausage patty, egg and another pancake to make breakfast sandwich.

Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 3 more sandwiches. *Tip: If using pre-made sausage patties, flatten slightly into 3-inch rounds, if necessary.