Florida Courier - July 5, 2013

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Black Sanford residents discuss trial, treatment by police Page B1

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JULY 5 - JULY 11, 2013

VOLUME 21 NO. 27

‘THE WORLD IS WATCHING’ The attorneys monitoring the George Zimmerman trial differ on the final outcome. One believes there could be ‘a powder keg going off’ if the jury delivers a not guilty verdict.

BY JAMES HARPER FLORIDA COURIER

POOL PHOTO BY JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINEL/MCT

Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda, right, demonstrates a possible scenario while questioning state witness Chris Serino, a Sanford police officer, during the George Zimmerman trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford on Tuesday.

Obama pushes power, honors Mandela, victims of terrorism, slavery during Africa trip

One of the attorneys for the parents of Trayvon Martin told the Florida Courier this week that he believes George Zimmerman will be found guilty.

Daryl Parks, who shares a law firm in Tallahassee with Benjamin Crump, also has been at the Zimmerman trial in Sanford since jury selection began two weeks ago.

“He (Zimmerman) was following Trayvon. Was the amount of force justified? Pros-

ecutors are proving it wasn’t justified,” Parks noted.

On Feb. 26, 2012, Zimmerman fatally shot 17-year-old Martin in a gated community in Sanford. Zimmerman is claiming self-defense in the shooting.

Parks said he was not upset that the judge ruled out letting experts testify during the trial over whether or not the voice on a 911 call was Martin yelling for help.

“The layperson can identify the voice better,” he remarked.

Response to lack of protests Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton was scheduled to take the stand as the Florida Courier was going to press to validate that it was her son’s voice asking for help on the 911 call.

“The world is watching this case. They are listening,” Parks said when he was asked by the Courier if he was upset that Sanford residents and others have not been protesting outside the courthouse since the beginning of the trial.

See TRIAL, Page A2

The Marching ‘100’ is back

FAMU lifts band’s suspension

FROM WIRE REPORTS

President Barack Obama concluded his trip to Africa Tuesday after making a final pitch for partnership at a Tanzanian power plant.

Obama was in Africa to promote an increased partnership amid criticism the United States has, outside of military interests, focused its attention on other areas of the world.

The three-nation trip began last week and included stops in Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania.

Some 70 percent of Africans lack access to reliable electricity, Obama said, and the United States can help bring more power on line.

“The first step that we’re going to take is to try to bring electricity to 20 million homes and businesses,” he said.

The president spoke at the Symbion Power Plant at Ubungo, was had been idle until the Tanzanian government used U.S. help to revamp it.

“This is just the beginning. We look forward to even more companies joining this effort,” he said.

Such partnerships create more jobs and exports in the United States, he said.

Joined by Bush Before his remarks, Obama kicked around an energy-generating soccer ball that harnesses kinetic energy to provide power.

“I don’t want to get too technical, but I thought it was pretty cool,” Obama said.

Also Tuesday, Obama was joined by former President George W. Bush for a wreath-laying ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Dar el Salaam, the site of a 1998 terror attack that killed 10 Tanzanians and in-

JIM RASSOL/SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL/MCT

The Florida A&M University Marching ‘100,’’ shown at the 2010 Super Bowl at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, had its suspension lifted on June 28. The band had been suspended from performing, practicing or meeting since the November 2011 hazing death of drum major Robert Champion following the Florida Classic football game in Orlando.

See OBAMA, Page A2

Miami Times named one of best Black newspapers in country Arizona Informant publisher re-elected chairman of NNPA during Nashville convention

Carib News. “We congratulate not only the winners, but other papers that exemplify excellence every week.”

The Florida Courier took second place for Best News Story. The story, titled “Hovering Over the Classic,’’ appeared in the Nov. 16, 2012 issue of the Courier.

Written by Ashley Thomas, it focused on NNPA NEWS SERVICE preparation for the annual football classic NASHVILLE, TENN – The St. Louis in Orlando following the hazing death of American won the top award for gener- Florida A&M University drum major Robal excellence for the second consecutive ert Champion. year last week at the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) Annual Election held June 28 Also at the convention, Cloves CampMerit Awards ceremony.

For the first time, the NNPA also pre- bell, Jr., publisher of the Arizona Inforsented excellence awards for two small- mant, was re-elected to a second term er categories. Winning in Category B was as chairman of the National Newspaper the Houston Defender. The Miami Times Publishers Association at the NNPA’s anCOURTESY OF KELVIN BRAXTON FOR NNPA nual convention. The voting took place won in Category C. NNPA Publishers Charles W. Cherry II, left, and “There were many exceptional en- on June 28, near the conclusion of the asKaren Carter Richards, right, flank an award tries this year,” said Karl B. Rodney, Mer- sociation’s four-day convention. winner during Merit Award ceremonies.

See NNPA, Page A2 it Awards chairman and publisher of the

ALSO INSIDE

SNAPSHOTS FLORIDA | A3

New laws in state kick in NATION | A6

March on Washington anniversary plans announced OBITUARIES | B2

Actor, martial arts expert Jim Kelly dies at 67 BUSINESS | B3 FINEST | B5

Meet Kris

COMMENTARY: CHARLES W. CHERRY II: RANDOM THOUGHTS OF A FREE BLACK MIND | A4 COMMENTARY: BRUCE DIXON: BLACK MISLEADERSHIP CLASS COMPLACENT, COMPLICIT | A5

Questions for small business owners

FOCUS

A2

JULY 5 – JULY 11, 2013

‘Thickness’ is no excuse for Black female obesity How do Black women make the distinction between being “thick” and being overweight?

In the South, and perhaps other areas of the country, the word “thick” is commonly used to describe African-American women who were curvaceous and shapely. It is a term that suggests a woman is physically goodlooking, well-proportioned and healthy – not skinny.

In the Black community, we celebrate our thick lips and hips, curly-kinky hair, diverse skin tones, full faces and robust body types. Indeed, we should celebrate all aspects of ourselves because we are beautiful people.

Tell the truth Although we proudly celebrate our heritage, our ethnic identities, and embrace our culture and roots, we must remain conscious of our responsibility to tell ourselves the truth. Being shapely and curvaceous may be a good thing in the Black community, but when Black women conceal weight issues under the guise of “thickness,” they deny the truth about themselves.

Health statistics indicate that African-Americans have the highest rates of obesity in the United States. In general, African-Americans are dispropor-

SHANI K. COLLINS GUEST COLUMNIST

tionately affected by obesity-related illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Specifically, Black women are most likely to die from heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In lieu of the health trends that indicate Black women are most likely to die from obesity-related illnesses, isn’t it time for the Black community to redefine “thickness” and reevaluate some of its traditional notions about health?

‘Protective boundaries’ Many Black women are physically shapely in certain areas; therefore, our definition of what is unhealthy or obese may differ from other ethnic groups’ definition. Because we live in society that often devaluates and denigrates Black women’s bodies, the Black community has formed protective boundaries around its women.

Instead of saying a Black wom-

an is overweight and dealing with the causes and implications of being physically unhealthy, our community uses protective terms of endearment such as “pleasantly plump,” “thick,” “full-figured,” and even “fine” to qualify a weight. Those protective boundaries are important and have helped to support Black women’s self-esteem and allowed them to celebrate their unique God-given bodies.

On the other hand, those same protective boundaries have led to the casual dismissal of beautiful, Black female bodies that are overweight, unhealthy and negatively affected by preventable diseases.

In other words, in the Black community, we do acknowledge that an obesity problem may exist, but to cope with it, we consciously call it another name and/or dismiss the issue entirely.

This does not serve our community well.

Under the rug Unfortunately, Black women may sometimes shy away from discussions about health and weight management. We conveniently sweep such taboo topics under the rug and busy ourselves with work, family, church, and community obligations. Often, it is not until a Black woman has a “wakeup call” or a near death health-related experience that she recognizes the need to make a lifestyle change.

Sadly, the negative cycle of dismissing weight issues and calling

them another name perpetuates through generations. The perpetuation of negative behavior and thinking about health is seen among young Black girls who are struggling with food addiction, who have weight management issues, and who have self-esteem challenges.

Realistically, if a Black mother has not dealt with her own weight issues, or if she chooses to ignore her own health concerns, how will she teach her daughter to be healthy?

The issue I raise is not about the terms of endearment that used to qualify weight in the Black community. Instead, the real issue is about addressing a taboo topic: Black women who struggle with weight management issues. The real issue is about Black women learning to embrace the truth about themselves, even when it is hard to face. Black women are so valuable to this earth and to the Black community. We cannot afford to continue to lose our most precious jewels to preventable illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

As a Black woman born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, I have had candid conversations with myself about my own weight challenges. As a busy doctoral student, I noticed that I was living an unhealthy lifestyle and gaining weight as a result of a poor diet and lack of exercise.

I decided to make a change and become more conscious about my health. Today, I am healthier and remain committed

putting on a public display of mutual affection in a discussion moderated by American journalist Cokie Roberts. Mrs. Obama said she wanted to appear with Laura Bush because “I like this woman” and it’s therapeutic to share the challenges of their roles.

“It’s sort of a club, a sorority, I guess,” Mrs. Bush responded.

Their goal was to encourage African first ladies to raise their voices for causes they are passionate about, even if the public is some times focused on more trivial matters, they said.

PETE SOUZA/THE WHITE HOUSE

President Obama greets Senegalese youngsters on Goree Island, the slave trade island in Senegal, Africa.

OBAMA from A1 jured more than 85 Americans and Tanzanians.

The U.S. presidents observed a moment of silence together at a monument to victims of the 1998 embassy bombing in the east African city where Bush coincidentally happened to

be as Obama wrapped up a weeklong tour of the continent. While the two leaders didn’t say anything publicly, their wives engaged in a warm and chatty joint appearance at a summit on African women.

Initially the two presidents weren’t even planning to meet while in town, but First Lady Michelle Obama joked as she sat next to her predecessor, “They’re

TRIAL from A1 “We live in a different age,” Parks added, noting that the TV ratings for the trial have been phenomenal with millions of people watching it every day.

Seminole County NAACP President Turner Clayton Jr. was quoted last week, saying that the “so-called demonstration area” that has been designated you will not see us protesting in that particular area cause no one tells us where to go, how long to stay, what to do, and what to say.”

‘We are crusaders’ Regardless of what happens during the criminal trial, Parks said they will be going after Zimmerman in civil court for monetary damages.

They are waiting for the results of the Department of Justice investigation into whether Martin’s rights were violated.

Parks said the Martin case is just one of many incidents where Blacks have been killed unjustly and he said their work Daryl for the voiceless Parks will continue.

“We are crusaders. There are all kinds of battles going on,” he concluded.

Parks also told the Courier: “Zimmerman said this guy threw the first punch. Zimmerman has admitted he was on top. Was Zimmerman in fear of

learning from us.”

The Obamas departed Africa for home shortly after crossing paths with the Bushes, who were hosting a summit promoting the role of African first ladies in bringing change to their countries. Bush ended up joining the current president for the wreath-laying ceremony.

During that time, Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Bush were

Trayvon? He was following him in the dark.’’ Parks added that he believes Zimmerman may have been overzealous and attempted to hold Martin until the police arrived.

Another point of view Attorney Ted Williams, who is based out of Washington, D.C and is a legal analyst for the Fox News show “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren,” was in Sanford this week to monitor the trial. Unlike Parks, he is apprehensive Zimmerman will be found guilty.

Considering what the prosecutors have presented and the witnesses they have called, Williams said, “every witness the prosecutor has put and evidence presented helps the defense.”

“I’m very concerned the defense is not going to put on a case,” he declared, speaking to the Florida Courier on Monday.

Williams said what must be proven is that Zimmerman was the aggressor.

Williams added that if the prosecutors can prove Zimmerman approached Martin and touched him in any way, “if there was any physical contact

by Zimmerman, he could be seen as the aggressor and selfdefense cannot be used.”

Williams noted, “I do believe there could be a powder keg going off (if there is a not guilty verdict.’’

Zimmerman’s profane words Inside the courtroom this week, jurors got to hear Zimmerman tell his side -- through phone calls and video.

Visited Mandela’s cell Obama arrived in Cape Town Sunday from Johannesburg, where he met privately with members of Mandela’s family and spoke with the former president’s wife. In keeping with the family’s wishes, Obama did not visit Mandela in the hospital.

The president’s address at the University of Cape Town on Sunday capped an emotionally charged day in the picturesque coastal city of Cape Town. The visit to Cape Town included a sol-

In a phone call with a police dispatcher minutes before he shot Martin, Zimmerman said offhandedly “those (expletive) punks.’’

On Tuesday, that phrase became one of the most important of the trial so far.

Chris Serino, the Sanford police detective who led the homicide investigation, told jurors that when Zimmerman said it, that showed the Neighborhood Watch volunteer had “ill will” toward Trayvon.

Up to that point — although they had put on more than six days of testimony — prosecutors had failed to show one of the key elements they must prove to convict Zimmerman of second-degree murder: that the defendant acted with a depraved mind, hatred, malice, evil intent or ill will toward the high school junior from Miami Gardens.

Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda suggested that when Zimmerman called Trayvon a “punk,” he was profiling the teen as a criminal.

Zimmerman didn’t say a word in court Monday but jurors spent much of the day hearing from him as prosecutors set about trying to catch him in a what Assistant State Attorney John Guy called a “tangled web of lies.”

“The truth about George Zimmerman is going to come directly from his mouth and from the lies that he told,” Guy had told jurors in his opening statement.

The struggle On Monday, prosecutors played four statements Zimmerman gave to police — one

to living a lifestyle that will allow me to live free of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. I want the same for my grandmother, mother, aunts, sister, cousins and niece. I want the same for all Black women across the world.

In essence, redefining thickness does not mean Black women should reject their culture or ethnic identities, deny the beauty of their robust bodies, or avoid using terms of endearment that have been used within our community for centuries. However, redefining thickness does mean that we hold ourselves accountable to being physically healthy.

We can do so by consciously visiting the doctor, having recommended health screenings, and evaluating our weight, blood pressure, cholesterol level and food choices to ensure that we are truly physically healthy and not living in denial.

We must do so for ourselves and we must do so for the generation of young Black girls who look up to us, who love us, and who seek our guidance, wisdom and direction for their own lives.

Shani K. Collins is a freelance writer, a college instructor, a health advocate, and a social work doctoral degree candidate at the University of Alabama. Click on this story at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

emn visit to the Robben Island prison where Mandela was confined for 18 of his 27 years in captivity. Obama stood stoically with his family in Mandela’s cramped cell and peered across the lime quarry where Mandela toiled each day, causing the damage to his lungs that led to his latest hospital stint.

Emotional time with Tutu The president also stopped Sunday at a health center overseen by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a visit aimed at highlighting the impact of a U.S.-funded program to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS. The president’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, was started by Bush and continued by Obama.

Obama praised Tutu’s work in an emotional meeting in which Tutu said Africans are praying that Obama will be a success and a leader for peace, particularly in the Middle East.

Many of their aides were brought to tears as the two men embraced in a hug.

The White House said the U.S. will spend about $4.2 billion on PEPFAR funding this year, money that has

a video-recorded walk-through the day after the shooting.

In each, Zimmerman gave the same general story but some details changed, especially about what Martin said and what happened as they struggled on the ground.

In each, Zimmerman consistently maintained that he found Trayvon suspicious because although it was raining that night, Feb. 26, 2012, the Miami Gardens teen was standing in the yard of a Zimmerman friend whose home had been burglarized.

Zimmerman called police then followed Trayvon on foot, he said. He lost him so Zimmerman turned back toward his truck and was leaving, then the two came face to face.

There was a short exchange of words, Zimmerman said, then Trayvon punched him in the nose, knocking him to the ground. The teen then got on top of Zimmerman and began hitting him and slamming his head against the sidewalk, he said.

Accounts varied In a statement he wrote for police that night, Zimmerman added, “My head felt like it was going to explode.”

But his accounts varied. He originally told police he was not following Zimmerman – that he got out of his truck because he was trying to find a street sign to pass along better location information.

But in an interview three days later, Zimmerman said something different and was challenged: “I wasn’t following. I was just going in the same direction.”

been used to increase the number of people receiving life-saving anti-retroviral drugs and to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

Toured slave trade island On June 27, the first full day of the president’s eightday visit to Africa, he and his family visited Goree Island in Sengalese.

The president said the tour helped him “fully appreciate the magnitude of the slave trade” and “get a sense in an intimate way” of the experience of slaves, who were shipped from the island across the Atlantic Ocean.

“Obviously, for an African-American, an AfricanAmerican president, to be able to visit this site, I think, gives me even greater motivation in terms of human rights around the world,” Obama said.

Obama’s trip to Africa did not include a stop in Kenya, his father’s homeland.

Reports by Mariano Castillo of CNN and Julie Pace of the Associated Press were used in compiling this story.

NNPA from A1 “I am honored that my colleagues have chosen to give me another term as chairman,” said Campbell, head of a federation of nearly 200 newspapers with a combined readership of more than 19 million.

“It was a strong vote of confidence for our leadership team as we embark on a strategy that includes collaborating with other organizations, forming new partnerships and inviting a new generation of readers to step into the ever-evolving world of the Black Press.”

Campbell was challenged by Florida Courier Publisher Charles W. Cherry II and Dorothy Leavell, publisher of the Chicago Crusader.

Jackson, Martin honored Mary Alice Thatch, publisher of the Wilmington Journal, was selected “Publisher of the Year” by her colleagues. Thatch was the driving force behind the NNPA’s successful national campaign win pardons of innocence for the Wilmington Ten. Her paper provided the lead coverage of the issue. The stories were then distributed to member newspapers by the NNPA News Service.

NNPA Legacy Awards were presented to Jesse Jackson, Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and James Farmer, former vice president of General Motors Acceptance Corp. (GMAC).

The NNPA’s Front Page Award was presented to Roland Martin, host of “Washington Watch with Roland Martin” on TV One cable network, and Larry Waters, Senior Director of Community Commerce and Partnerships for MillerCoors.

JULY 5 – JULY 11, 2013

FLORIDA

MANDI WRIGHT/DETROIT FREE PRESS/MCT

Reina Shields, a Detroit teen, takes the Allstate Safe Driving Challenge last year. Florida’s ban on texting and driving won’t take effect until October, but there are plenty of other bills that became law this week.

New laws in state kicked in July 1 Bills passed include rules on drones, cyberbullying, bongs

BY JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE – The state’s $74.1 billion budget, which will fund 114,481 positions, 3,955 more than in the current fiscal year, kicked in on Monday.

The fiscal package also includes the first raise those workers will see in seven years.

At the same time, nearly 200 new laws approved by the Legislature and signed

by Gov. Rick Scott hit the books.

The bills range from a limit on the law enforcement use of drones, to a bill spelling out how money is raised to build nuclear power plants to new rules for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. There also is a crackdown on “cyberbullying,” conversion of lowspeed vehicles into golf carts and a prohibition on the sale of bongs.

A new law against texting while driving (SB 52) doesn’t take effect until October 1, while changes to campaign fundraising (HB 7013) go into place next year.

Here are highlights of some of the bills that took effect July 1:

Education HB 21: Requires the Department of Education to conduct background screening for non-instructional contractors that will be on school grounds, and creates a statewide identification badge for the contractors.

HB 209: Changes the name of Lake Sumter Community College to Lake Sumter State College.

SB 284: Allows private schools to be notified by first responders about emergencies and makes sure public schools spell out which agencies are supposed to contact them.

HB 609: Cracks down on “cyberbullying” in public schools by expanding what school districts are allowed to punish at school and when children are not at school – if the non-school bullying affects education.

HB 801: Changes guidance counselors to certified school counselors.

SB 1664: Requires that at

least 50 percent of a classroom teacher’s or school administrator’s performance evaluation be based on the growth or achievement of the students under their charge. The other half would be based on districtdetermined plans. Teachers with less than three years experience would only be judged on 40 percent of their students’ performance.

Employment HB 655: Aimed at Orange County where a 2014 referendum was planned, the law blocks local governments from requiring employers to offer paid sick leave to workers. The law also creates an EmployerSponsored Benefits Study Task Force, which is directed to analyze employment benefits.

Transportation HB 55: Could help head off lawsuits alleging that auto dealers have engaged in deceptive and unfair practices by requiring customers to provide a demand letter before they can sue auto dealers. If dealers pay the claims and related surcharges within 30 days, they could not be sued.

SB 62: Allows street-legal, “low-speed vehicles” to be reclassified as golf carts, a move to reduce registration and insurance costs.

HB 93: Let’s people voluntarily contribute to the homeless when renewing a driver’s license.

SB 606: Creates the Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Commission for Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties.

HB 4001: Abolishes the state law requiring most gasoline to include nearly 10 percent ethanol by repealing the 2008 Renewable Fuel Standard Act. Because of federal ethanol mandates the state action is mostly symbolic.

HB 7125: An omnibus transportation package that: prevents ticketing motorists as long as vehicles come to a stop, even after crossing the stop line, before making legal right turns on red; creates specialty license plates for the American Legion, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Lauren’s Kids, which is a program aimed at preventing sexual abuse of children; and bars left-lane drivers from going more than 10 mph below the speed limit if they know they are being overtak-

en from behind by fastermoving vehicles.

Insurance and banking HB 157: Allows insurers to electronically transmit insurance policy to the insured.

HB 223: Lets property and casualty insurance policies and endorsements be made available on an insurer’s Internet website rather than being mailed, if agreed to by the customer.

SB 468: Exempts medical malpractice insurance from the state rate filing and approval process for some facilities and practitioners and continues the exemption of med mal insurance from the CAT Fund assessment program.

SB 1770: The Citizens Property Insurance Corp. overhaul, less imposing than initially proposed, still prevents coverage for new homes in high-risk, environmentally sensitive coastal areas, creates an internal inspector general position, and a clearinghouse intended to shift at least 200,000 policies into the private market.

Environmental and agriculture SB 336: Allows tourist development tax dollars to be used for the benefit of certain not-for-profit run museums or aquariums.

SB 444: Requires six utilities in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties to end the practice of dumping treated wastewater into the ocean

by Dec. 31, 2025.

SB 674: Requires animal shelters and animal control agencies keep more records on euthanasia and make them available to the public.

SB 948: Expands the role of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services with local utilities in water supply planning.

Law enforcement HB 49: The “bong ban” prohibits the sale of metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, or ceramic smoking pipes, chillums or bongs.

SB 92: Restricts the use of unmanned aerial drones by law enforcement unless a judge issues a warrant, there is a “high risk of terrorist attack” or officials fear someone is in imminent danger.

HB 95: Declares that money given to charities by

Ponzi schemers wouldn’t have to be later returned to victimized investors if it was accepted in good faith.

SB 390: Prohibits organizations from holding themselves out as veterans service organizations if they’re not.

SB 454: Allows police departments at state colleges to enter into mutual aid agreements with local law enforcement.

HB 489: Requires railroads to cover cost of continuing education for railroad police officers and adds penalties for assaulting the officers.

Medical SB 56: Replaces the concept of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) with Sudden Unexplained Infant Death, while altering requirements for training first responders and protocols for medical examiners.

SB 160: Requires the Department of Health waive certain licensure fees for veterans.

HB 239: Allows optometrists to prescribe certain types of drugs.

HB 365: Allows pharmacists to offer certain types of complex drugs known as “biologics” for illnesses such as cancer.

SB 662: Allows doctors to charge 112.5 percent of drugs’ average wholesale prices – a measuring stick in the pharmaceutical industry – and $8 dispensing fees. Those amounts are higher than what pharmacies can charge for providing medications to workerscompensation patients.

HB 1129: Intends to protect infants born alive after attempted abortions by requiring health-care professionals to “humanely exercise the same degree of professional skill, care and diligence to preserve the life and health of the infant” as would be the case in a natural birth. It also requires that infants born alive after attempted abortions be immediately taken to hospitals.

SB 1844: Is intended to bolster the Florida Health Choices program, a longplanned online health marketplace, by increasing funding and eligibility standards.

Housing HB 77: The “Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act” allows a landlord to accept partial rent without waiving the right to evict, clarifies that week-

ends and holidays do not stay a sheriff’s 24-hour eviction notice, and prohibits landlords from retaliating against a tenant who lawfully pays a landlord’s association dues or complains of a fair housing violation.

HB 179: Allows certain interest on deposits collected in eminent domain proceedings to go to property owners rather than the government.

HB 217: Requires checkcashing companies to report checks worth $1,000 or more to a new state online database. The checkcashing database, intended to prevent workers’ compensation fraud, is not expected to be funded until 2014.

SB 342: Allows someone with a homestead exemption to rent their property out for 30 days without losing their homestead exemption.

Courts SB 186: Clarifies that foreign judgments issued by United States territories are entitled to full faith and credit in this state under the Florida Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act. SB 286: Allows a design professional, such as an architect, geologist or engineer, to be immune from tort liability for damages occurring within the course and scope of the performance of a professional services contract under certain circumstances.

SB 1792: The medicalmalpractice bill requires that expert witnesses have the same specialties as the physicians who are defendants in medical-negligence cases.

HB 7015: Imposes the more-restrictive “Daubert” standards for admitting expert witness testimony in lawsuits, taking into account whether the expert testimony is “based upon sufficient facts or data;” whether it is the “product of reliable principles and methods;” and whether a witness has “applied the principles and methods reliably to the facts of the case.” The change will lead to Florida using the same standards as are used in federal courts.

HB 7083: The “Timely Justice Act” that is intended to reduce final delays in carrying out the death penalty.

The measure includes several changes in the death-penalty process.

As an example, the act requires the clerk of the Florida Supreme Court to notify the governor when a Death Row inmate’s state and federal court appeals have been completed. The governor would then have 30 days to issue a death warrant if the executive clemency process has finished. The warrant would require that the execution be carried out within 180 days. Scott’s office has repeatedly contended that the law doesn’t “fast-track” the death penalty process.

Utilities HB 1083: Establishes a permitting process for natural gas to be injected underground and stored until it is needed.

SB 1472: Establishes new benchmarks for electric utilities that want to collect controversial fees while planning nuclearpower plants. The measure alters a 2006 law intended to encourage more nuclear power. Florida Power & Light and the former Progress Energy Florida – now Duke Energy – have used the law to collect hundreds

A3 of millions of dollars in preconstruction nuclear fees.

Beverages HB 347: Allows about 20 small craft distillers in Florida that annually produce less than 75,000 gallons of spirits to offer onsite sales. The bill imposes a two-bottle-per-customer annual cap for the purchases.

HB 623: Allows the sale of wine in 5.16 gallon canisters, which can be tapped like kegs, allowing easier sales of wine by the glass in restaurants and bars.

Protocol SB 142: The term “mental retardation” will be replaced by “intellectual disability.”

SB 230: The governor will be required to adopt flag display protocol on displaying the state flag and for the lowering of the state flag to half-staff.

With more than 50 bills still awaiting action by Scott, there are other potential new laws that would go into effect Monday if Scott signs them.

Schools SB 1388: Allows school districts to create their own instructional material adoption process.

HB 7009: An omnibus education package that adds both new accountability measures and new flexibility for charter schools.

High-performing charters would be allowed to boost their enrollment annually, and the Department of Education is charged with proposing a standard contract for charter schools.

Allows school boards the ability to set up a public “Innovation School of Technology” that could get much of the same flexibility as charter schools get if they use new technology in instruction. And bars students from being taught by low-performing teachers in the same subject two years in a row, though parents could allow districts to ignore that rule in the case of extracurricular courses.

HB 7165: Moves the state’s voluntary pre-kindergarten and school readiness programs to the Department of Education and tighten accountability.

More environment, agriculture HB 203: Prohibits local governments from regulating or charging fees on certain farm land under certain circumstances.

SB 244: Allows watermanagement districts to enter into cooperative agreements.

Security HB 875: Makes it a crime to impersonate a security officer and allows authorized security officers to detain trespassers in some cases.

HB 1355: Blocks gun sales to some people who voluntarily admit themselves for mental-health treatment.

Licenses HB 1285: Abolishes the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center Authority and transfer its assets and liabilities to Florida State University, with a provision that directs a division of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to issue a special alcoholic-beverage license for the civic center.

HB 1421: Allows some hotels and motels in Madison County to get a special alcoholic beverage license.

Award given to Florida teen for helping to save life of friend CNN

BOYNTON BEACH – Checking Facebook is usually a fun time to catch up with friends for Joanne Nicholas. But earlier this month, it quickly turned serious.

A couple hours after school, a friend posted that she wanted to take her own life.

“She put a picture of a knife and said since no one was re-

sponding she was going to take her own life after dinner,” said Joanne Nicholas.

Nicholas didn’t take it as a joke, she called an adult from school for help alerting police.

“She didn’t know where the student lived and knew I could access the name and address at school, we jumped into action,” said LoriAnn Roderick, who works as a sec-

retary at Boynton Beach High School.

Chatted with friend until police arrived But Nicholas didn’t stop there. She took on a role that isn’t easy. She continued to chat with her friend online, stalling her until police arrived.

“She told me to give her a

reason why she shouldn’t take her own life and I told her that I was there for her and people do care and want her to be here still,” said Joanne Nicholas.

On Tuesday, she was honored by the Boynton Beach Police Department for her courage in speaking up.

The Citizen Save A Life Award reads, “Officers responded and met with girl

who was emotionally distressed. Nicholas was instrumental in saving her life.”

It’s a lesson she hopes others won’t take lightly.

“If someone needs help whether they’re kidding or not, you should act on it. You never know what might happen,” said Nicholas.

This story is by Marissa Bagg of www.wptv.com.

Joanne Nicholas

EDITORIAL

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JULY 5 – JULY 11, 2013

Did Zimmerman injure himself?

Many African-Americans in Central Florida and people of African descent around the world are anxiously awaiting the disposition of the George Zimmerman trial.

At the end of the trial, will African-Americans celebrate the conviction of a child murderer or will they light Disney World, Sea World and other Central Florida attractions up in protest of a premeditated, callous, hateful killing of an innocent, unarmed boy?

On a Sunday evening in February, George Zimmerman loaded a full clip and

Lucius Gantt THE GANTT REPORT

put an extra round in the chamber of his 9mm handgun and went out searching for someone Black that he thought he could handle.

When he saw a 17-yearold child walking home after buying a beverage and a bag of Skittles candy, Zimmerman called law enforcement and described an innocent child walking in a

neighborhood that he had a right to walk in as “suspicious.’’ He described Black youth to police employees as “punks” and “assholes” that always get away.

But Zimmerman was not going to let that happen that night!

Despite being told not to follow the Black child, Zimmerman ignored a police 911 operator and instead followed, stalked and hunted down the teenager, confronted the boy and shot him and killed him.

Devilish defense attorneys seeking to help Zimmerman evade jail time

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: GEORGE ZIMMERMAN

showed photo after photo of mouth and does not get Zimmerman with a bloody transferred blood on their face and head. But no one own hands? showed a picture of how Zimmerman got bloody.

No blood on Trayvon How can someone showZimmerman blood- er with 50 blows to a bloody ied himself? face and nose without getWhy couldn’t Zimmer- ting blood on their own man have been bleeding fists? In such a bloody batbefore he even met up with tle, why didn’t the teenagthe child he murdered? er have blood spatter on his Couldn’t Zimmerman have clothing?

The child didn’t have bloodied himself by hitting himself in the nose with the blood on him because no deadly weapon he was car- blood was there until after the child was killed. The rying?

After killing the boy, Zim- “injuries” to Zimmerman merman didn’t walk away could easily have been selffrom the body to contem- inflicted to pretend a murplate; he walked away to get der was self-defense.

All kinds of credibility out of eyesight of the many witnesses so he could make has been given to a White long cuts on his head. He man that said the few secwasn’t holding his head; he onds that he saw Zimmerwas cutting his head to fake man and the teen, the teen more injuries, in my opin- was on top of Zimmerman.

But every woman that testiion.

I’m no lawyer, but I have fied said the opposite. They represented myself in a tri- said Zimmerman was on al that went all the way to top of the child.

The daughter of a defense a jury and all of the Florida Bar members reading lawyer said the testimony this, you tell me, how in the of the friend that heard the hell can someone cover a confrontation on the phone person’s bloody nose and was “stupidity.”

Zimmerman was ‘creepy’ But I think it is stupidity to not recognize and respect the fact that this socalled “melting pot” called America has a variety of people with different cultures, different accents and different feelings about the American judicial system.

The young lady on the phone when her friend was murdered never swayed from the truth on the main issues of the Zimmerman trial.

If someone is “creepy,” that means they are scary!

The child ran from Zimmerman, screamed for help but was shot down in cold blood anyway by someone that wanted to kill a Black child that February night.

Buy Gantt’s book “Beast Too: Dead Man Writing” at any major bookstore.

Contact him at www.allworl dcon sultant s .net .

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

Sean Hannity’s Black conservatives RANDALL ENOS, CAGLE CARTOONS

Random thoughts of a free Black mind, v. 181 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) convention in Nashville, Tenn. – Your humble writer lost the national election for chairman by a substantial margin, coming in third of three candidates. In fact, my fellow newspaper colleagues beat me like I stole something, despite the fact that I wore European-style suits for all three days of the convention. (Generally I only wear African attire, which seemed to be an issue for some people.) People were shocked, SHOCKED, I tell you – that I actually had a vision for the organization, plans, goals and objectives – AND wore suits; but it wasn’t enough. (In fact, some publishers preferred me to look “like an African” rather than a suit-wearing “sellout,” as one told me.) So the current NNPA administration of Cloves Campbell, Jr. of Arizona gets two more years; he’s termed out and can’t run again in 2015. Cool. I’m not going anywhere, God willing…

NNPA Merit Awards – Congrats to the legendary Miami Times newspaper and Publisher Rachel Reeves, along with Publisher Emeritus Garth Reeves. For more than 85 years, they’ve done great work week-in and week-out. Their “Best Newspaper” award was well-deserved…

Africa House – In our April 5, 2013 issue, writer Daphne Taylor wrote an excellent feature article on Dr. Arikana Chihombori, an African doctor who purchased a former slave plantation just outside of Nash-

quick takes from #2: straight, no chaser

Charles W. Cherry II, Esq. PUBLISHER

ville and turned it into “Africa House.” The Florida Courier, our sister newspaper the Daytona Times, and Global Health Professionals, Inc. sponsored a reception at Africa House so that NNPA and the African Union, the organization of African countries, can build a close working relationship.

I stayed at Africa House for a few days while I was at the NNPA convention. On Sunday night, I spent hours sitting in the backyard in pitch-black darkness, listening to music and watching dozens of fireflies blinking in the night as they floated above land that, 150 years ago, was tilled by enslaved Africans and their descendants…

Bro. Prez in Africa – I’ve been involved in NNPA so I haven’t had time to follow and digest the trip. I’ll comment next week; hope your July 4th holiday went well.

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.

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

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However, current events received prior to deadline will be considered before any information that is submitted, without the Publisher’s prior approval, after the deadline. Press releases, letters to the editor, and guest commentaries must be e-mailed to be considered for publication. The Florida Courier reserves the right to edit any submission, and crop any photograph, for style and clarity. Materials will not be returned.

Charles W. Cherry, Sr. (1928-2004), Founder Julia T. Cherry, Senior Managing Member, Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Cassandra CherryKittles, Charles W. Cherry II, Managing Members Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Chief Executive Officer Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher Dr. Valerie Rawls-Cherry, Human Resources Jenise Morgan, Senior Editor Lynnette Garcia, Marketing Consultant/Sales Linda Fructuoso, Marketing Consultant/Sales, Circulation Angela VanEmmerik, Creative Director Chicago Jones, Eugene Leach, Louis Muhammad, Lisa Rogers-Cherry, Circulation James Harper, Andreas Butler, Ashley Thomas, Staff Writers Delroy Cole, Kim Gibson, Photojournalists MEMBER National Newspaper Publishers Association Society of Professional Journalists Florida Press Association Associated Press National Newspaper Association

As anyone who regularly reads this column knows, I have absolutely no regard for Sean Hannity, the obnoxious, right-wing talk show propagandist for Fox News. However, journalistic reasons compel me to occasionally watch him deliver his spiel to those who believe that they must “take back” their country from alien forces.

A recent such occasion was a Hannity program featuring members of his posse whom he lovingly calls “Black conservatives.” Hannity, who comes off as a know-it-all college frat boy, smiled from ear to ear as his Black conservatives launched attacks on Black folks in general for their refusal to see the light about race and politics in this country and on the Obama administration in particular.

Hannity’s Black conservatives basically oppose the Obama Administration for the same reasons as does Hannity and his right-wing cohorts. One of the main reasons for their fervid opposition is his advocacy for and support of governmentsponsored programs. Such programs, they insist, destroy individual initiative and lead to dependency.

Children left to suffer That position has some small grain of truth but they never say what will happen to children who need food

A. Peter Bailey TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM

stamps, day care, health care, etc. What they are basically saying is that children should be left to suffer because of the actions of irresponsible parents and other adults.

Another problem that Hannity’s Black conservatives have with President Obama is that he’s not grateful enough to Whites in this country for the opportunities provided him. Black conservatives always come off as being deeply grateful to the U.S. for all the goodies they have accumulated.

What they so conveniently ignore is that the opportunities they now have don’t result from White folks becoming more accepting and their studying and working hard. Their opportunities are the direct result of thousands of Black folks (and a few Whites) putting their lives on the line in the late 1950s and 1960s fighting for equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity.

Black men, women and children were killed, brutalized and arrested in the intense struggle against White supremacy/racism. Many lost jobs and job opportunities. Others’ homes were firebombed. Their courage and determination is the

main reason Hannity’s Black conservatives enjoy current opportunities.

Fighting for independent movement Finally, not one of Hannity’s Black conservatives showed the slightest interest in helping to develop an independent Black economic, political, and cultural movement in this country not tied to the Republican Party or the Democratic Party but willing to work with either on any given issue of mutual interest.

Ironically, this is a trait they share with Black liberals. What Black conservatives and Black liberals fight each other about is what group of Whites should we become an appendage of – White liberals or White conservatives, White Republicans or White Democrats, White Tea Partiers or White Wall Street Occupiers.

Neither faction has demonstrated the slightest interest in organizing a serious Black movement in this country which explains why the Sean Hannitys of the world have so little real respect for either Black liberals or Black conservatives.

Peter Bailey, a former associate editor of Ebony, is currently editor of Vital Issues: The Journal of African American Speeches.

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

On race, Supreme Court is out of touch In its decision last Monday on affirmative action, the Supreme Court punted.

It reviewed the University of Texas affirmative action program — in which race is admittedly “a factor of a factor of a factor” in admission, one of many factors used with a university committed to the educational benefits of a diverse student body — and said the lower court had to give it even stricter scrutiny. Or in essence, take another, harsher look and come back next year.

100 years of apartheid

it their right to vote. The pat-

Rev. tern of continuing discrimiJesse L. nation is pervasive and inJackson, escapable for all who care to Sr. TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM

Amendments (13-15).

Finally, under Chief Justice Earl Warren, the court, driven in part by the civil rights movement and in part

by Cold War concerns that legalized discrimination might discredit the U.S. in the nations emerging from colonialism, ruled that segregation was unconstitutional and accepted affirmative action to bring equality of opportunity to all Americans. And that revolution in civil rights for Blacks led directly to the women’s movement, the gay liberation movement, and the Latino movement.

In making the decision, the court once more revealed how out of touch it is with reality. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution was passed to provide equal protection of the laws to African-Americans emerging from slavery. But Continuing 150 years of slavery was followed by 100 years of apart- discrimination In red states across the heid, as the courts and the Congress perverted the pur- country,conservatives pushpose of the Reconstruction ed various measures to lim-

look.

That’s why Justice Ruth Ginsberg dissented from the opinion, arguing that more scrutiny is not needed. After a yearlong review, the university, she writes, reached a “reasonable, good faith judgment that supposedly race-neutral initiatives were insufficient to achieve the educational benefits of student-body diversity.”

The purpose is constitutional; the means appropriate.

Nothing else should be required.

Keep up with Rev. Jackson and the work of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition at www.rainbowpush.org.

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

JULY 5 – JULY 11, 2013

Black misleadership class complacent, complicit The Supreme Court ruling on June 25 tearing the guts out of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 should be a surprise to nobody. As recently as 2009, Chief Justice John Roberts telegraphed his specific intent to kneecap the Voting Rights Act by invalidating its enforcement formula.

Enforcement of the Voting Rights Act rested on the history of open and legal Jim Crow in the south persisting right up until the 1960s, along with the enormous disparities between Black and White voter registration and turnout. In 1965 for example, only 7 percent of African-Americans in Mississippi were registered to vote, compared to 70 percent of Whites.

Shaky ground predicted By the early 1980s, when Black registration and turnout in Chicago for the first time surpassed that of Whites, enabling the election of that city’s first Black mayor, it might have dawned on some that the rationale for the Voting Rights Act stood on increasingly shaky ground.

If and when Black voter participation reached similar levels nationwide, the victory of voting rights would have to be consolidated, put beyond the reach of succeeding Congresses, judges and executives. The only way to do that is by amending the U.S. Constitution to make the vote a constitutional right.

The argument for putting the right to vote in a constitutional amendment was best made by Frank Watson and Jesse Jackson Jr. in their 2001 book “Toward a More Perfect Union.’’ A constitutional voting rights amendment, specifying a citizen’s right to vote, they explained, would have far reaching consequences.

It would require the establishment of a uniform standard of who could register and how registration takes place, along with standards for how voting machines are procured, allocated and operated, and how votes are counted.

Constitutional right to vote A constitutional right to vote would provide easy grounds for removing corporate money and the contributions of wealthy indi-

BRUCE A. DIXON BLACK AGENDA REPORT

viduals from political campaigns, ending felony disenfranchisement, banning gerrymandering, voter caging, discriminatory voter ID laws, and a thousand other ruses and schemes employed to keep minorities and the poor away from the polls and to minimize the effect of their votes when these are cast.

Amending the U.S. Constitution however, is hard work, not for the lazy or faint of heart. It requires a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress and ratification by 38 state legislatures, a herculean task unthinkable without the creation of a powerful grassroots movement, the like of which Black leaders no longer knew how to build.

On the positive side, opponents of such an amendment would be stuck having to explain why the right to vote should not be a constitutional right. But the negatives won.

Looking the other way The Black political class instead crossed its fingers, complacently pretended the partial victory of the Voting Rights Act was “settled law,” and concentrated on boosting their own and each others’ illustrious careers, and ceaselessly commemorating the victories of the sixties, since beyond those careers there was little indeed to show.

I worked with Barack Obama in a 1992 Project Vote Illinois registration drive that signed up 130,000 new voters and flogged them out to the polls. President Clinton signed a Motor Voter registration law to make voter registration easier in the brief period he had a congressional majority, but dozens of state governments dominated by Republicans including northern states like Illinois refused to implement it.

By the late 1990s states like Florida were deploying legal barriers to the conduct of similar registration drives, such as levying huge fines on volunteer registrars for clerical errors and making mistakes on

Preclearance needed It’s obvious that five Justices wore blinders or blatantly ignored the actions of the many states which directly or indirectly at-

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VISUAL VIEWPOINT: US INTERVENES IN SYRAN WAR

registration forms felonies.

A decade later, the kinds of successful voter registration drives we conducted in Illinois in the ’80s and’90s were legally impossible in much of the United States, thanks to nearly identical legislation introduced in state after state. A coordinated assault on voting rights was clearly underway. Alarm bells should have been ringing from one end of the Black political class to the other, but the Black political class was too lazy to hear them.

Reducing Black vote Barack Obama, whose first political act was the successful 1992 voter registration drive in Illinois, reached the US Senate in the 2004 election. It was the same year Florida officials repeated everything they’d done four years earlier to reduce the Black vote, and the same year county officials in Ohio sent new and functional voting machines to their White suburban constituents, and old and defective ones to minority areas.

Black voters had to stand in line 10 hours for a chance to vote.

A freshman senator, Barack Obama was assigned right away to the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees, prestigious assignments coveted by senators of many years’ seniority. The Judiciary Committee interviews, questions, and passes or rejects all presidential nominations to the US Supreme Court. While Obama sat on that committee, the nominations of Samuel Alito for associate justice and John Roberts for chief justice were considered.

Right wing extremists It was no secret that both Alito and Roberts were committed right wing extremists, and associated with the Federalist Society, a fraternity of lawyers founded in 1982 dedicated to repealing social security, the New Deal, antitrust law, the FDA, consumer protections and civil rights legislation of all sorts, basically civilized and civilizing reform passed in the 20th century.

Though the Federalist Society does not disclose its membership, Roberts appeared in their 1997-98 leadership directory, and after his ascent to the high court, Alito has been an honored guest at more than one Federalist Society event.

Vote to save us from a second slavery W.E.B. DuBois said, “The power of the ballot we need in sheer defense, else what shall save us from a second slavery?” When it comes to fair voting, we came up short again. Most of our coalition had to struggle to gain the right to vote.

The decision of the Court in Shelby County v. Holder threatens to reverse the rights earned through decades of struggle and sacrifice. Nonetheless, we are grateful for the four Justices who still believe in the concept of protection for our voting rights - the most basic of all the rights of our citizenship.

EDITORIAL

Joe Scarborough is having a difficult time understanding that our complaint is not just about an ID card. It’s about the obvious effort to decrease our vote because most of us do not vote the way that benefits his political “right”.

Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, do those five Justices deciding to limit our vote believe the hearts and minds Dr. E. Faye of those who think they are inherWilliams, ently superior and covet power Esq. have changed to the extent that we no longer need pre-clearance TRICE EDNEY WIRE or Justice Department interventempted to erect obstacles to the tion?

We actually need to expand it! free exercise of our right to vote in the 2012 elections. Pre-clearance prevented a lot of major prob- Racial entitlement?

We already knew, by his own lems.

The significance of voting in declaration, Justice Scalia thinks 2012 inspired a historical out- African-Americans have been pouring of eager voters in greater awarded the right to vote as a “ranumbers than ever before. Appar- cial entitlement.” We harbored ently, the five justices who struck no illusion that he would live up down the provisions of Section 4 to his obligation to provide equal of the Voting Rights Act are philo- protection under the law for us. sophically and politically aligned Justice Thomas always distorts with those who have dedicated the meaning of the word “Justice” themselves to making the vote when it relates to African-Amerimore difficult for many of us. cans — so we had no expectation

RJ MATSON, ROLL CALL

As a former president of the Harvard Law Review, Senator Obama was intimately familiar with the goals and objectives of the Federalist Society. Grassroots Democratic activists besieged Senators Obama and Kerry, both on the Judiciary Committee, to vote against Alito and Roberts, if need be to lead a filibuster against them.

Obama and Kerry said just enough encouraging words to get the pressure off themselves, then repudiated the idea of a filibuster altogether. When the nominees came before the committee, they passed up the opportunity to grill them on their Federalist Society associations and what this might tell about their expected rulings from the bench on civil rights and other questions, opting to ask softball questions instead.

Alito, Roberts thugs Obama’s decision on the Senate Judiciary Committee not to fight, filibuster or meaningfully oppose the advancement of neo-segregationist Federalist Society thugs Alito and Roberts to the Supreme Court guaranteed the virtual nullification of the Voting Rights Act which has now occurred.

By the time Barack Obama got to the White House the coordinated assault on voting rights took the form of ALEC-introduced voter ID laws. The Justice Department was slow, at best, at contesting voter ID laws, and paid no attention at all to state laws that criminalized voter registration drives such as the one the president once headed in Illinois.

The rest of the Black political class, following their president’s lead, did the same, and the rest is he’d stand on the side of defending us against patterns of injustice born from historical elements of racism.

We always pray that a spark will ignite a flame of fairness in the hearts of a majority of the Justices, but it didn’t happen.

The Court has referred us to Congress – the body that cares so little about us that it has spent 37 tries this session to repeal health care that our citizens so badly need. They refer us to the Congress that’s openly declared war on women!

Does the Court really believe throwing the ball back to Congress for the purpose of insuring equal voting rights for us will fare any better than women have already fared with this Congress?

Maybe we should’ve kept it a secret that in 2012 our glorious coalition succeeded in electing many officials, including President Barack Obama, who best represent our interests.

tragic history.

Black political class The Black political class, which was brought into existence by the Voting Rights Act, has failed to protect its constituency, failed to protect even themselves. They possessed the moral high ground and the political initiative for a generation and squandered it through inattention and inaction.

They spent more time celebrating the victories of the sixties than consolidating them, and we will all pay the price.

Blacks still lazy We can and must blame neosegregationist Republican thugs in black robes for doing what they do. That’s clear, cut and dry. But a large share of the blame in this week’s kneecapping of the Voting Rights Act also belongs to our lazy and complacent Black political establishment, our Black misleadership class, who lacked the vision to see this coming, or the courageous leadership to avoid it, or in most cases both.

It’s not too late to begin organizing for and demanding a constitutional right to vote, along with perhaps an amendment to take the rights of citizenship away from corporations. But we can’t expect any help from traditional black leadership on that one.

Bruce A. Dixon is managing editor at Black Agenda Report, and a member of the state committee of the Georgia Green Party. Click on this story at www.flcourier.com to write your own response. ilance is the price we pay for our achievements — lest they become temporary.

Our greatest challenge is to reemerge with all the resolve we demonstrated to achieve our initial civil and voting rights successes. The 50th Anniversary of Dr. King’s “March on Washington” comes none too soon.

Our antagonists have set the level of our response for us. We must work for a constitutional amendment that will unconditionally guarantee the right and freedom for all of us to vote. It is through our struggles that we gain our victories. The worst thing we can do is throw up our hands and do nothing.

Dr. E. Faye Williams is National Chair of the National Congress of Black Women, www.nationalcongressbw.org.

202/678-6788). Click on this Eternal vigilance The Court’s example of justice story at www.flcourier.com to clearly teaches us that eternal vig- write your own response.

Urban and rural America: Unleashing possibility in partnership A few weeks ago in New York City, the two of us had an opportunity to visit about expanding partnerships between the National Urban League and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

At first blush, our organizations work in different areas of the country on different issues. The Department of Agriculture does a great deal of work in the small towns and communities that make up rural America, but often is not associated with urban parts of the country.

The National Urban League has achieved tremendous results over its 103-year-history to achieve economic empowerment for people in our cities – but often is not associated with rural America.

MARC H. MORIAL TRICE EDNEY WIRE

a world with more priorities and limited resources, partnership is more important today than ever before. America is bigger than the sum of its many parts, and as we look to fuel the economic recovery, partnership is more important than ever before. Leaders across our nation, from government agencies at every level, to non-profit organizations, to the business community, must branch out and expand our work together if we are to keep up ecoUnited in a belief nomic growth.

While folks may think that a diWe had this discussion because we are united in a belief that in vide exists between rural and ur-

ban America, the fact is that we depend on one another for economic growth.

America’s farms and ranches provide more than 80 percent of the food we consume in the United States, and provide for agricultural exports that support more than one million jobs – many of them in our largest cities. Meanwhile, the work happening in America’s cities, from small businesses to companies in nearly every field, add value and demand for products from rural America.

New advancements in biobased products promise to further this connection.

Biobased products For example, auto manufacturers are creating car parts from soybean foam that replaces petroleum-based products – increasing value for soybean producers

and giving vehicle manufacturers a way to produce a biobased product in city factories.

Ford Motor Company has already used more than 62 million pounds of soybeans in manufacturing. Dasani, the bottled water distributor, now uses bottles made from corn-based plastic. Ohio State University is researching ways to use waste from hog farms to produce asphalt. The possibilities are truly endless – and such advancement holds promise in every corner of the U.S. economy.

Working together We know there’s an opportunity to strengthen connections like these that build on the strengths of communities everywhere in the nation. We recognize, understand and appreciate that rural and urban America are interconnected and interdependent. Working

together, we can leverage more investment and cooperation to achieve greater results.

All of this work has the same key goal: to build up economic capacity and opportunity for Americans. In the coming months, we hope to further explore opportunities for USDA and the National Urban League to work together.

We hope that our first meeting in New York City was just the beginning of a lasting partnership and further cooperation. We look forward to penning similar notes to this one on our progress in the future.

Marc Morial is president/CEO of the National Urban League.

Tom Vilsack is secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Click on this story at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

NATION

TOj A6

JULY 5 – JULY 11, 2013 were King’s sister, the Rev. Bernice King; the Rev. Al Sharpton, who presided at the press conference’ Ben Jealous of the NAACP; Melanie Campbell of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation; Wade Henderson of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights; Charles Steele of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; and Dr. E. Faye Williams of the National Congress of Black Women.

Sharpton, who will co-lead the planned march with King, stressed that the 50th anniversary commemoration will not be a one-day event. “This will be the realigning of a coalition that will go and impact and affect where we are going in this country for the next several years and decades to come,” he said.

King’s daughter takes lead

EBONIE RILEY/NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK

Martin Luther King III, surrounding by fellow civil rights leaders, tells his dream for the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

King siblings join other leaders to announce plans for March on Washington anniversary TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE

At the time of the Aug. 28, 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, there were 22 million people living in poverty in America. Upon the 50th anniversary this year, that number has nearly tripled to 60 million.

This is according to Martin Luther King III, who has joined with dozens of civil and human rights leaders to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the march led by his father. A press conference held at the National Press Club last month drew dozens of high profile religious, civic and labor leaders, all vowing to unite and

not only commemorate but renew the fight for equality and justice.

They expect at least 10,000 to converge on Washington, D.C. for at least five days of events in late August.

“This is almost like a campaign,” King said. “First I’d like to think that we’d achieved the dream that Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned for our nation and parts of our world. But I’m sad to say that we have not achieved that dream. And so while some will see this as a commemoration, it is truly a continuation of being in the struggle of organizing communities around this nation – again, not just for this day.”

Gathering of leaders King continued, “We already know the issues. We know the issues around immigration. We know the issues around voting, we know the issues around poverty and no jobs in this country; We know that in 1963 there were 22 million people living in poverty, roughly and today there are nearly 60 million - unacceptable in a nation with so much wealth and so many resources and so much ingenuity. And the only way that we can change this is creating the right climate.”

Among dozens of national or-ganizational heads in attendance for the press conference

AMERicANHicoNs

Unlike 1963, Sharpton said women and gays will play prominent roles on the forefront of the march and other activities, indicating how today’s civil rights leaders have ended misogynistic and other discriminatory ways.

Moreover, the desire is to impact the nation for the better, Sharpton said.

“Like what Dr. King, Roy Wilkins, A. Phillip Randolph and Dr. [Dorothy] Height did in 1963 led to the ‘64 Civil Rights Act and the ‘65 Voting Rights Act, what we do in this August we intend to help shape and change legislation and the body politic and the spirit of this country going forward,” Sharpton said. “And we intend to address the powers in the kingdom and make change happen.”

Rev. Bernice King, president of the Martin Luther King Center for Social Change, who has taken the lead in organizing the five-day event, ticked off numerous festivities, including the commemorative march on Washington, slated for Saturday, Aug. 24. More details, including times and locations, will be announced later.

Not a one-day event In a nutshell - the following are among the events she outlined: Thursday and Friday, Aug. 22 and 23 a string of town hall meetings, youth trainings, forums, re-

ceptions and a women’s intergenerational dialogue will take place.

On Saturday, Aug. 24, there will be the march culminating on the Washington Mall, but also a “global freedom festival” will open on the mall. She described the global festival as four days of education, entertainment and activities for families and youth.

On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 25, 26, and 27, there will be youth initiatives focused mainly on educating the next generation.

On Wednesday, Aug. 28, the actual anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, a 9 a.m.

Interfaith Service will be held at the foot of the King Memorial, the Stone of Hope. She said it will feature tributes from children and adults.

Also on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 1 p.m., there will be a “Let Freedom Ring Global Commemoration Celebration Call to Action” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. That event will include tributes and entertainment from leaders; culminating with a “Let Freedom Ring” bell ringing at 3 p.m. Rev. King said states are asked to participate in the bellringing, “recommitting ourselves” to continue the work of freedom.

‘Mobilizing at every level’ “Struggle is a never-ending process,” Rev. King quoted her mother, Coretta Scott King. “We are still fighting for freedom. This is a continuation of the freedom struggle.”

The leaders of the commemoration are hoping for a new movement that will sweep the nation.

“I am confident and convinced that our nation can and must and will do better,” said Martin King III. “But, it is our responsibility to challenge this nation. And again, that’s why we will come together in large numbers on Aug. 24.

“But we will be going around to communities all over this nation over the next 24 months, mobilizing at every level - bringing business leaders, community leaders, religious leaders and elected officials together to determine how we’re going to define a strategic plan that brings about that freedom, justice and equality for our communities and ultimately for our nation,’’ he added.

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IFE/FAITH PBS plans documentary on march See page B5

July 5 - July 11, 2013

SHARING BLACK LIFE, STATEWIDE

Washington among winners at BET Awards See page B5

SHARING BLACK LIFE, STATEWIDE www.flcourier.com

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PHOTOS BY DUANE FERNANDEZ SR./FLORIDA COURIER

A memorial for Trayvon Martin and 10 other people who were killed in Sanford was dedicated in April at at the Goldsboro Welcome Center on Historic Goldsboro Boulevard in Sanford.

‘We are about nonviolence’

Black Sanford residents tell why they aren’t protesting at the Zimmerman trial. And despite a new AfricanAmerican chief, many Blacks in the city are concerned that problems with the police department won’t improve anytime soon.

BY JAMES HARPER FLORIDA COURIER

T

urner Clayton has been Sanford’s NAACP president for 26 years.

So far, he said he’s pleased with the process of the George Zimmerman trial and wants the jury to render a fair and impartial verdict.

When asked why the Black residents of Sanford are not at the Sanford courthouse protesting, he said it is “not part of their culture.”

He noted that “we have been prepping the community.

We are about nonviolence,” he continued.

Clayton said their demands were met; Zimmerman was arrested and he is being tried by a jury of his peers.

He noted there are still problems with the Sanford Police Department. Many in the Black community believe that had the death of Trayvon Martin not gotten national media attention, he would have been just another statistic.

1. Larry Allen

2. Bongo Ashley

Black chief too new?

And Clayton is upset that just last week a young man was stopped and detained at gunpoint by a Sanford police officer, which Clayton says, was for no reason at all.

He says the new Black police chief, Cecil Smith, who has been on the job three months, “hasn’t been here long enough.”

“It’s going to take more than knocking on doors,” said Clayton, referring to Smith going out in the community to meet the people Sanford resident Bongo Ashley, 64, is a lifelong resident of Sanford.

He said the police department is known for harassing Blacks.

Recently, he said he went fishing and was told by an officer it was against the law for him to fish where he had cast his pole.

“But he didn’t tell White people anything who were also fishing in the same spot,” Ashley told the Florida Courier.

He said the police only target the Black neighborhoods to make arrests.

‘Only house niggers’ Ashley also believes Zimmerman will not be found guilty “because he is White.’’

“If it had been Trayvon who shot Zimmerman, he would have been in prison by now,” Ashley stated.

Ashley said he is not surprised the people of Sanford are not protesting.

“We do not have any more field niggers, only house niggers,” said Ashley about the Black leaders in Sanford.

Larry Allen, a member of Allen Chapel AME church, was born in Sanford, went to Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach and was determined to return back to his hometown after graduating.

Allen also is concerned that Zimmerman is not going to be found guilty.

“The way the jury is made up (five White women, one Hispanic) the jury can’t consider lesser charges such manslaughter, only second degree murder,” Allen noted.

Youth won’t stay Allen also said he is not optimistic about the police department changing how it treats Blacks.

“The new police chief doesn’t mean anything. I was

3. Turner Clayton

JOE BURBANK/ ORLANDO SENTINEL/MCT

pulled over for headlights. They pulled me over and searched my car. The men who are under him (Smith) are still the same,” he said.

Allen said there are people in Sanford who are trying to make a difference but among them are not enough young people.

“Part of the problem is people who are educated and young move away. They might come to a barbecue, get a haircut but they don’t live here,” he concluded.

Agreed not to protest Aleatha Williams-Jones works for the Seminole County school system.

“We have to believe in the justice system. No matter what, he (Zimmerman) should be found guilty. He is

4. Aleatha Williams-Jones guilty of murdering a young man who was doing something all teenagers do. Zimmerman had the upper hand.

He had a gun and he knew the environment,” WilliamsJones told the Florida Courier.

Williams-Jones said she agreed with the decision by Black leaders to not protest.

“We were told to let the justice system handle. We want to show the world how the system works without problems,” she continued.

Referring to what happened to Emmett Till 60 years ago, Allen said in the 21st century Blacks are still facing the same issues.

“We are in same fight. We want equality. Trayvon would have been another statistic if his death hadn’t gotten media attention,” she said.

CALENDAR & OBITS

B2

JULY 5 – JULY 11, 2013

TOJ

Actor Jim Kelly dies at 67

BY JOHN HORN LOS ANGELES/MCT

LOS ANGELES — Jim Kelly, a martial arts expert who starred opposite Bruce Lee in “Enter the Dragon,” has died at the age of 67.

Kelly, whose credits also included the “blaxploitation” films “Black Belt Jones” and “Three the Hard Way,” died June 29 in San Diego, said his exwife, Marilyn Dishman.

No cause of death was disclosed.

“I broke down the color barrier — I was the first Black martial artist to become a movie star,” Kelly told the Los Angeles Times in 2010. “It’s amazing to see how many people still remember that, because I haven’t really done much, in terms of movies, in a long time.”

Distinguished by an oversized Afro, Kelly played college football but believed he had a better

chance at becoming a karate champion than making it into the NFL.

Discovered karate in 1960s Raised in Millersburg, Ky., and San Diego, where his father ran a locker-rental service for Navy personnel, Kelly excelled at sports in high school and attended the University of Louisville on a football scholarship, but he abruptly quit school in protest of a coach’s racist treatment of a fellow player.

He discovered karate by chance in the mid1960s and quickly made it his life’s focus. By decade’s end, he was living in Los Angeles, studying and competing with prominent martial artists and teaching at his own karate school.

“My ultimate goals were to get into the movie business, to become famous, to make a lot of money and motivate and inspire

young people, people of all nationalities and colors,” Kelly said.

“But I didn’t know anything about acting. And there weren’t a lot of Black heroes in the movies at that time. I felt that with the martial arts, I could offer Hollywood something different. So my goal was to become a world champion martial artist and try to get noticed.”

Breakthrough role In 1971, Kelly won the middleweight division title at the Long Beach International Karate Championships.

Soon afterward, he was hired to train actor Calvin Lockhart in karate for the 1972 thriller “Melinda,” and he ended up playing a martial arts instructor. His breakthrough role in “Enter the Dragon” came after Rockne Tarkington, the actor originally set to play Kelly’s role in the classic

Jim Kelly, martial arts expert and actor, is shown during “Three the Hard Way.” film, dropped out of the production.

“Two or three days before we left to shoot in Hong Kong ... suddenly I was stuck without an actor,” producer Fred Weintraub recalled. “Somebody told me about a school that Jim Kelly had on Crenshaw Boulevard.

I went down to see him, watched him work out and

hired him immediately.”

In addition to “Enter the Dragon” and the blaxploitation films, Kelly subsequently landed some minor roles on television and some direct-to-video titles.

But his career quickly petered out in the 1980s. He was a competitive tennis player later in his life, and a ranked senior and coach.

He said that working

with Lee, who died in 1973, was one of the best experiences of his life.

“I probably enjoyed working with Bruce more than anyone else I’d ever worked with in movies because we were both martial artists,” Kelly told Salon in 2010. “And he was a great, great martial artist. It was very good.”

William Gray III, first Black majority whip in Congress, dies at 71 ASSOCIATED PRESS

PHILADELPHIA – Former U.S. Rep. William H. Gray III, who rose to influential positions in Congress and was the first Black to become majority whip, died Monday at 71.

Gray passed away suddenly Monday while in London with one of his sons to attend the Wimbledon tennis championships, said William Epstein, a former aide to Gray.

Born in Baton William Rouge, La., Gray Gray

graduated from Franklin & Marshall College and Drew Theological Seminary in Jersey City, N.J., before being elected as a Democrat to Congress in 1978.

He served as chairman of the powerful budget committee and became the first African-American in the 20th century to become majority whip of the U.S. House. During his tenure, he authored legislation implementing economic sanctions against South Africa.

Headed UNCF In 1991, he surprised colleagues by resigning to run the United Negro College Fund, for which a biography on his com-

pany website says he raised more than $2.3 billion for minority institutions. In 1994, President Bill Clinton tapped him as a temporary special adviser on Haiti.

Succeeding his father as pastor of Bright Hope Baptist Church in 1972, he continued in that position until 2007. Epstein said he commuted back to the city on weekends to deliver Sunday sermons.

Gray also founded Gray Global Advisors, a business and consulting firm of which he was chairman emeritus at the time of his death.

He is survived by his mother, his wife and three sons.

‘Transformative leader’ Mayor Michael Nutter hailed him as “a transformative leader among leaders” and ordered flags at all city buildings to fly at half-staff beginning Tuesday.

“He knew guys on the corner, and he knew Nelson Mandela and everyone in between,” Nutter said in a statement. “He created a political organization that for decades has continued to be one of the most powerful, productive and progressive forces in the social and political life of our city’s history.”

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., called Gray “a tireless advocate for the people of Philadelphia and a trailblazer for a new gener-

ation of African-American elected officials.”

U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., credited Gray with helping to develop housing for low- and middle-income residents through the nonprofit Union Housing Corp. and with providing federal resources for renovations that have made the city’s Amtrak station “one of the best, most efficiently run train facilities in the nation.”

“And finally, Bill Gray was my friend — he was the very embodiment of how to turn the power and platform of the House of Representatives for true public service,” Fattah said.

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CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER Cedric The Entertainer will be at the Florida Theatre Jacksonville, July 19 and the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, Orlando, July 20.

GW World Designs FAMILY REUNION Special T-Shirts BEYONCÉ

Sunrise: The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour Starring Beyoncé is scheduled July 9 at the BB&T Center.

FLORIDA COMMUNITY CALENDAR St. Petersburg: New York Giants’ wide receiver Louis Murphy, Jr. will host his annual charity weekend July 12-13. It will include a Hooping 4 Success celebrity basketball game hosted by comedian Alex Thomas and a football camp for youth ages 8-19. Tickets for Friday night’s basketball game are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

Saturday’s camp is free. Camp registration, tickets for the game and more information is available at www.firstdownsfl.org.

Tampa: The America’s Most Wanted Festival starring Lil’

Wayne, T.I., Tyga and G-Eazy is scheduled July 13 at Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

Clearwater: A Bikers Beyond the Bay fundraiser to help the needy in Tampa Bay as well as victims of the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma. The event is July 7 at Jack’s Joint, 2950 Gulf to Bay Blvd. More information on items needed or to make a donation, call 727-643-7559 or email blackvelvetent@gmail.com.

St. Petersburg: Tickets go on sale July 12 at noon for a concert at The Mahaffey Theater Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly.

The show is Sunday, Sept. 15.

Kissimmee: Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane,

Starting at

BRUNO MARS

The singer’s Moonshine Jungle world tour makes a stop at the Tampa Bay Times forum on Aug. 28. will host the Youth Basketball of America National Championships through July 13. Boys and girls basketball teams from around the nation will compete during a two-week tournament.

Ticket prices are $50 adult tournament pass, $15 daily, $20 student tournament pass, $10 daily (17 and under) and youth 5 and under free (cash only.) More information: www.ohpark.com.

Orlando: 2013 “American Idol’’ winner Candace Glover and finalists on the Fox show will be on tour at the Amway Center in Orlando on Aug. 1 and AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Aug. 2.

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 and Willis S. Johns Center, 6635 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N. First visit free; $6 each following visit. More information: 727-893-7756.

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: State Rep. Janet Cruz will host a West Tampa Job Fair July 30 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Higgins Hall, 5255 N. Himes Ave. Admission for job seekers is free and an eight-foot table is free to employers. More information and to register as an employer: 813-673-4673.

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STOJ

JULY 5 – JULY 11, 2013

BUSINESS

B3

Questions for small-business owners to ask midyear Small-business owners and consultants give best tips and strategies

BY CAROLINE MCMILLAN THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/ MCT

Am I networking enough?

Joe Garen, senior operations manager of Vine American Kitchen, a restaurant that opened late last year in Ballantyne, N.C., said the hours he recently spent passing out free jambalaya, chocolate-chip cookies and menus at the annual Ballantyne Business

JEFF WILLHELM/CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/MCT

Yvette Smith, of CORT, right, chats with a potential customer on June 6 at the sixth annual Ballantyne Biz Bash.

Bash were fruitful. Summer can be a slow time of the year, especially if you’re new on the scene, Garen said. But that’s just another reason to make sure you keep your name circulating.

“You don’t let your guard down,” he said. “You’ve got to stay up on your business. … Stay sharp.”

Someone’s more likely to seek out a restaurant where they know someone, Garen said, and summertime business events and family-friendly festivals facilitate that one-onone interaction. “You exhibit what you have, you have fun, and you generate business,” Garen said.

Am I playing off the news?

David Tobin, one of the founders of Tobin Starr and Partners, a Charlotte, N.C.based architectural and design firm, said he starts ev-

ery meeting with a discussion of local and national news. Those few minutes help them stay apprised of the marketplace, which, in turn, has generated a lot of business, Tobin said.

His firm designed the NASCAR Hall of Fame building in Charlotte and has big-name clients, such as Brixx Pizza and Pandora Jewelry.

These updates were especially important when the economy crashed and many of the private-sector gigs dropped off. Tobin Starr and Partners relied on news to find opportunities for public-sector jobs, such as the renovation they recently worked on at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

“It’s important for us to pay attention … to even try to participate,” he said.

“We’d be in much worse shape if we simply sat at

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our desks and did our work … and before we know it, we’ll be looking up at our desk and our phones won’t be ringing.”

How are my financials?

At the midyear mark, it’s important to take a look at profits and losses over the first six months — and consider an outside opinion, said Carol Daly, a consultant with the Rock Hill, S.C.-based Winthrop Regional Small Business Development Center.

For a quick, budget-conscious tune-up, consider free resources through local nonprofits and publicly funded business incubators. The Winthrop Regional Small Business Development Center, for example, has a certified financial planner on staff who can sit down with a business owner, quickly run through the

BY MARK EMMONS SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS/MCT

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Mike Liguori returned home after two tours of duty in Iraq with the Marines and slipped into a depression that, at its depths, left him contemplating suicide. But he emerged from the darkness of post-traumatic stress disorder and today feels his life is in a great place.

“The only complaint I have is not having a steady amount of work,” said Liguori, a San Carlos, Calif., native. “I want what we all want: a job.”

He has no single explanation why his resumes over the past year largely have been ignored. But Liguori did write a poignant book about his experiences in the military and afterward, and he believes it’s possible the PTSD issue has contributed to why he is still unemployed.

“It’s not like it’s a secret,” said Liguori, 29, who has a Menlo College business degree. “Just Google my name.

I don’t know if that gets in the way. But if it is, I would tell those companies, ‘God bless, but you don’t know me and you don’t understand PTSD.’ ” The psychological aftereffects of a life-threatening event, PTSD is the invisible wound of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One in four recent veterans who has sought treatment at the Department of Veterans Affairs has been diagnosed with the condition.

But the media-driven stigma of the “damaged veteran” also may have become a mostly unspoken reason for joblessness among the post-9/11 generation of veterans.

“There’s a much greater awareness about PTSD than ever, and that’s a good thing,” said Michael Blecker, a Vietnam War veteran and

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What is my competition doing?

It doesn’t cost any money, but a few simple Internet searches can go a long way toward helping your

How do I get ready for fall?

It may be the last thing on your mind as you consider the office policy on flip-flops, but it’s crucial to look ahead at upcoming events and holidays in the next six months, especially if you want to save money.

Consider what you want your staffing to look like and how many people you’ll need to hire, Daly said. Do you need to install security cameras, revamp the layout to decrease shoplifting, or budget for part-time security? Don’t let those considerations sneak up on during the busiest, most stressful time of year.

And for retailers, consider what inventory you’ll need to order ahead of time. “Think ahead,” Da-

Post-traumatic stress disorder stigma hurts veterans in job search

Invisible wound

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finances for the last two to three years, and highlight problem areas and solutions, Daly said.

It’s not an alternative to an in-depth analysis from a business’ financial consultant or CPA who knows the operation intimately, but it’s often beneficial to get fresh eyes and new ideas, Daly said. “We’ve seen some places close … that we’ve all known needed help, that we even tried to reach out and help,” Daly said. “But they always say, ‘Oh no, we’re doing fine.

We’ll see it through.’ Then they close up two months later. Had they asked for help sooner, they probably wouldn’t have.”

executive director of the San Francisco-based community services agency Swords to Plowshares. “But it’s also a two-sided thing. With all the attention, it’s bad if employers feel like somebody is a time bomb waiting to go off. Why would they bring veterans into the workplace if they believe that?”

Negative stereotypes Surveys suggest some companies feel exactly that way. A Society for Human Resource Management analysis last year found about one in three HR professionals cited PTSD or other mental health issues as “challenges” to hiring veterans. A report from the Center for a New American Security, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, also released last year, found executives from more than half of 69 leading companies had negative stereotypes about veterans because of concerns about combat stress.

Gwen Ford, head of the San Jose nonprofit Project Hired that helps the disabled, including veterans, find employment, said companies have told her point-blank: Don’t send us veterans with PTSD. “What they then hear from me is the lecture of their life because it’s illegal to discriminate against someone with a disability,” Ford said. “They are educated very quickly about PTSD and how it probably won’t have any effect at all in their workplace.”

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Whether the summer means tourism slam, business as usual or slow goings, every entrepreneur should make time for a midyear checkup on their small business, experts say.

“Running a business is a day-to-day process,” said Gregg Thompson, North Carolina director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

“But it’s much more than (that). It’s a longer-term planning process.”

June and July are months when businesses should assess the year so far and begin planning for the next six months and beyond, Thompson said. But even the prospect of an assessment sounds daunting and potentially expensive.

So The Charlotte Observer spoke with a handful of small-business owners and consultants for their best tips and strategies for a midyear analysis that won’t break the bank — or consume those longawaited vacation days.

Here are five questions to ask about your business:

business better compete in the marketplace, said Dawn Newsome, founder and owner of Moonlight Creative Group, a Charlotte marketing agency that predominantly works with nonprofits.

Start with your own “brand checkup,” Newsome said. Have you gotten any positive or negative press? Are customers talking about your brand? Are they saying what you want them to say?

This will give you a point of reference and a way to analyze your goals for the next six months, she said.

As for the competition: See what’s being said about them. Visit their websites, blogs and social media pages. See what they’re touting, and the medium they used to do it.

“It’s not like you’re spying,” Newsome said. “You’re just staying current, making sure you know what’s going on in the industry.

You may learn some trends that you weren’t aware of that you want to get up to speed on.”

Hollywood depiction The National Institutes of Health estimates 7.7 million adult Americans suffer from PTSD — often the residual effects of accidents or violent crime.

And mental health professionals and veterans advocates say the idea of the unbalanced veteran who is a simmering danger to those around him is most-

ly a pop culture myth created by a litany of movie and television characters such as Rambo.

“Hollywood does a real disservice,” said Sara Landes, a research health science specialist for the National Center for PTSD at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. “It makes it seem like people with PTSD are likely to do something violent, and it’s just not true.”

Tragic story But Nathan Patterson, 27, a former member of the Army who recently attended a job fair in Walnut Creek, Calif., said he has gotten the sense in job interviews that employers are concerned.

“No one likes to be or feel discriminated, so yeah, it doesn’t feel good,” said Patterson, of Richmond, Calif.

Known in past conflicts by names such as shell shock and combat fatigue, PTSD manifests itself in an array of symptoms that include anxiety, depression, irritability, social isolation, alcohol and substance abuse, flashbacks and nightmares.

While violence involving emotionally scarred veterans is rare, the episodes that occur are what the public tends to remember.

In March 2012 there was the tragic Northern California story of veteran Abel Gutierrez, who killed his 11-year-old sister, mother and then took his own life.

The Gilroy resident reportedly was being treated for PTSD. “Whenever there’s a story of a veteran robbing a convenience store and it’s learned that he has PTSD, it ruins it for the 99.9 percent of veterans who are getting help for this,” Liguori said. “Just because you have PTSD doesn’t mean that you are a crazy war veteran.”

San Jose Mercury News staff writer Gary Peterson contributed to this report.

ENTERTAINMENT

TOj B4

STOJ

JULY 5 – JULY 11, 2013

Hoops Course

Set up a series of wickets for relay races, target practice, soccer croquet and more.

Hurdle over them!

By Jordan DeFrank FamilyFun magazine

Three easy ways to turn inexpensive pool noodles into cool backyard toys

Target station

Join rings into a colorful target for noodle javelins, flying disks, soccer balls and more. Stakes keep the target upright.

Crawl under them!

Dribble a ball through them!

Lay the station on the ground to play beanbag toss or hopscotch, or use it for an agility course.

How to make a ring How to make a wicket

Use a hammer to pound two chopsticks or 1/4 -inch dowels (cut to 10 to 12 inches long) halfway into the ground about 30 to 40 inches apart, depending on how tall you want your wickets.

Slide a hollow pool noodle in place.

Cut a toilet paper tube lengthwise.

Ring things

Roll up the tube and insert it into a thin (2½-inch-wide) hollow pool noodle.

Attach the other end of the noodle and secure it with duct tape.

Our homemade noodle rings can be used to play a host of games, including catch and human ring toss.

PUT IT TOGETHER Duct-tape six rings to one another, then tape them to thicker (3½-inch wide) hollow pool noodle posts.

STAND IT UPRIGHT Hammer two ¾-inch dowels (ours were 48 inches long) securely into the ground and slide the posts on top.

photos by David Roth/FamilyFun magazine

Assign different point values to the rings for an extra challenge.

STOJ

JULY 5 – JULY 11, 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.

More than 4,000 cruisers joined nationally syndicated radio talk show host Tom Joyner on the 13th annual Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage 2012 aboard Royal Caribbean’s “Navigator of the Seas,” one of the world’s largest cruise ships. The Florida Courier spotlights some of the best-looking people on board.

Kris Cain, a Houston resident, was on her first Tom Joyner cruise.

Chris Simmons, who lives in Kansas City, was on his first Tom Joyner cruise.

DELROY COLE / FLORIDA COURIER

kris chris O’Brien to do documentaries for Al Jazeera America EURWEB.COM

Former CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien will be joining Al Jazeera America to produce long-form documentaries and appear as a special correspondent on the primetime newsmagazine “America Tonight,” the network announced Monday.

Soledad The Hollywood ReportO’Brien er previously reported that the former CNN anchor’s production company, Starfish Media, was in talks to produce documentaries for the forthcoming network.

“I look forward to beginning a relationship with Al Jazeera America, which has made a commitment to producing

quality programming and pursuing underreported stories,” O’Brien said in a statement. Kim Bondy, who previously worked on CNN’s American Morning, is the senior executive producer of “America Tonight.”

Inks deal with HBO “I am thrilled to be back in business with Kim Bondy, who is a longtime friend and among the finest journalists in the broadcast news business today,” O’Brien stated. “With this agreement, Starfish continues its expansion as a cross-platform media company dedicated to compelling storytelling and enterprise journalism.”

In addition to the Al Jazeera America deal, O’Brien recently inked a first-look deal with HBO for Starfish Media to produce documentaries. She also appears on the HBO program “Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel.”

In February, O’Brien announced that she was leaving CNN as a host of “Starting Point” and would be forming her own production company.

The documentary will include key players from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s inner circle. He is shown above during his “I Have A Dream’’ speech.

PBS’ ‘The March’ to air on eve of iconic event in Washington EURWEB.COM

BET Awards recap: Winners include Drake, Foxx, Washington FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

The BET Awards aired Sunday night with Chris Tucker as the host. Here’s a summary of the winners, presenters and performers.

Drake was nominated for 12 and went home with three – Best Collaboration with A$AP Rocky, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar for “Problems”; Video of the Year for “Started From The Bottom”; and the Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award.

Kendrick Lamar beat Drake for Best New Artist and Best Male Hip-Hop Artist.

The Best Female Hip-Hop Artist award went to Nicki Minaj for the fourth year in a row.

The male and female actor categories were claimed by Jamie Foxx and Kerry Washington. Meanwhile, “Think Like a Man” beat out “Beasts of the Southern Wild” and “Django Unchained” for Best Movie.”

Performers during the evening included Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, R. Kelly, Miguel, India.Arie, Ciara and Kendrick Lamar. Tucker also performed a tribute to Michael Jackson.

Presenters included Angela Bassett, Gabrielle Union, Don Cheadle, Paula Patton and La La Anthony.

Drake

Jamie Foxx

Kerry Washington

Wade, Wilson honored Miami Heat basketball star Dwyane Wade was honored with the Humanitarian Award presented by State Farm and R&B singer/songwriter “Uncle” Charlie Wilson received the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award.

In other awards, Mary Mary took Best Gospel Artist while the YoungStars Award went to Gabrielle Douglass.

Kendrick Lamar was named the Best New Artist and Miquel the Best Male R&B/Pop Artist. Rihanna was named Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and the Best Group was Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

The Centric Award went to Tamar Braxton for “Love and War.’’ In sports, Douglass was named the Subway Sportswoman of the Year. LeBron James was the Subway Sportsman of the Year.

The Best International Act, United Kingdom, went to Emeli Sandé while the Best International Act, Africa, went to Ice Prince (Nigeria).

Visit www.bet.com for repeat dates and times of the awards show.

“The March,” a documentary that recounts the story behind the 1963 March on Washington, is set to air Aug. 27 – on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the march where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in front of more than 250,000 people gathered on the National Mall.

The film includes interviews with key players from King’s inner circle, including Jack O’Dell, director of voter registration for King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference who was forced out of the movement over ties to the Communism; Clarence B. Jones, King’s legal counsel and close friend; Norman Hill, a march coordinator who would continue to organize marches after King’s assassination in 1968; and Rachelle Horowitz, top lieutenant to the late Bayard Rustin, chief organizer of the March on Washington.

The film is directed by John Akomfrah of U.K.based Smoking Dogs Films and co-produced by Robert Redford’s Sundance

Productions.

“History has a way of repeating itself,” says Laura Michalchyshyn, Redford’s partner at Sundance Productions and an executive producer on the film.

“We’re telling the story of the March on Washington in a manner that is frankly very provocative. Our hope is to create something where you feel like you’re actually there.”

Celebs featured too Harry Belafonte, Diahann Carroll and Oprah Winfrey are featured. And producers also have unearthed rare home movie footage, including performances by Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, says Akomfrah.

Akomfrah and his team also tracked down Edith Lee-Payne, the 12-year-old featured in the now iconic picture from the march, and Rowland Scherman, the photographer who snapped the picture. And CBS News anchor Roger Mudd plays an important part in stitching together the narrative of that day.

Akomfrah also attempted to wrangle Dan Rather, but Rather’s schedule proved prohibitive.

“This is one of these events that I swore as a kid if I ever became a filmmaker I would do something with,” says Akomfrah, who was born in Ghana and has produced a series of historical and music documentaries on subjects ranging from Malcolm X to British jazz composer Stan Tracey to pop star Mariah Carey.

Asked if the Supreme Court decision striking down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act will be acknowledged in “The March,” Akomfrah replies: “At the moment, my epilogue is the signing of the [Civil Rights Act of 1964].

So it screws with my narrative somewhat. But it’s important so we may have to say something about it.

“When you look at the civil rights movement, the Supreme Court was absolutely critical,” he continues, citing Brown v. Board of Education. “So the idea that that very system through which redress was sought would now be the one that would be clawing back some of those gains is ironic to say the least.”

For more information and airtimes, check your local PBS listing.

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Family Features

Every big, juicy steak deserves to be seasoned with an equally big, bold flavor. Next time you fire up the grill, layer on savory goodness with spices and marinades. They bring out the natu­ ral flavor of steaks, ribs, roasts, burgers, chicken and fajitas.

Start with a tender, savory cut and there is no need to marinate. Simply rub on a few com­ ple­men­tary herbs and spices then sear in the good­ness on the grill. Come up with your own combination or let the professionals do the work.

Prepared blends, such as those from Mrs. Dash, are a quick and easy way to give guests greattasting dishes, salt-free. After all, salt has noth­ ing on the smokin’ flavor of Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle Seasoning Blend. A blend that includes sweet chili, cayenne and chipotle pepper, it gives a flavorful kick to ribs, chicken, rice or beans.

Herbs and spices aren’t just for entrees. Shake some extra flavor on side dishes and appetizers.

They can turn your backyard grilling into some­ thing grand and gourmet.

For more recipes and information, visit www.mrsdash.com.

Quick and Easy Chicken Dinner on the Grill

Marinade for Tender, Tasty Meats Marinades are sauces designed to flavor and tenderize meat, chicken, fish or vegetables. Build­

ing a great marinade is a matter of finding the perfect balance of oil, acid and seasonings.

Some spend a great deal of time on trial and error in an effort to perfect their recipe. Others leave it to professionals and buy a pre­

pared sauce, such as Mrs. Dash Spicy Teriyaki Marinade.

A blend of salt-free seasoning with a touch of pineapple, it adds a kick to beef, chicken, pork or vegetables. Prepared mari­nades make your entrees juicy, tender

and down­right delicious. They al­ so make entertaining easy. Place your protein or vege­tables in a zip-top bag, fill with your favorite marinade and let it hang out until the guests arrive.

Crunchy Baked Fish Servings: 2 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 19 minutes Cooking spray 4 (4-ounce) tilapia or catfish fillets 3 tablespoons Mrs. Dash Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend Juice from 1/2 lemon 1/2 cup corn flake crumbs Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray cooking spray on 9 x 9 x 2-inch pan. Place fillets in pan. Evenly sprinkle tops of fish with 1 tablespoon seasoning blend. Squeeze lemon juice over fish.

Toss corn flake crumbs with remaining 2 tablespoons season­ing blend. Carefully top fillets with corn flake crumbs.

Bake for 20 minutes or until fish is fork tender.

Crunchy Baked Fish

Carrot Salad

Fruity Couscous

Fruity Couscous Servings: 4 Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes 1 cup water 2 tablespoons natural butter flavor sprinkles 1/2 cup uncooked whole wheat couscous 1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Original Blend 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted* Combine water and natural butter flavor sprinkles in small saucepan; bring to a boil.

Remove from heat. Stir in couscous and seasoning blend.

Cover and let stand 15 min­ utes. Fluff couscous with a fork.

Stir in apricots, cranberries and almonds just before serving. *To toast almonds, spread in single layer in heavy-bottomed skillet. Cook over medium heat 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until nuts are lightly browned. Remove from skillet immediately. Cool before using.

Quick and Easy Chicken Dinner on the Grill Servings: 4 Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 12 minutes 4 sheets non-stick aluminum foil, 12 x 18 inches 4 (4-ounce) boneless chicken breasts 1 1/3 cups instant rice 12 thin slices red onion 12 thin slices red pepper 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced 4 teaspoons natural butter flavor sprinkles 4 teaspoons Mrs. Dash Original Blend 1 1/3 cups low-sodium chicken broth Preheat grill to medium high.

Place 4 sheets of non-stick aluminum foil on a flat surface.

Turn up edges to form a lip. Place 1 chicken breast on each sheet of foil. Arrange 1/3 cup instant rice around chicken breasts.

Arrange 1/4 of the red onion, red pepper and zucchini on top of each chicken breast. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon natural butter flavor sprinkles and 1/4 tea­spoon of seasoning blend on each chicken breast. Add the balance of the seasoning blend to the chicken broth.

Double fold top on one end; pour 1/3 cup of the chicken broth into each package. Fold ends tightly, leaving room for heat to circulate and rice to expand.

Place on grill and cook for approxi­mately 12 minutes.

Remove from heat; be careful of steam when opening foil.

Remove chicken breasts to serving plate. Stir instant rice and vegetables together, place on plate with chicken breasts and serve.

Carrot Salad Servings: 6 Prep time: 5 minutes 1 pound carrots, grated 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 cup low-fat fruit-flavored yogurt (pineapple or lemon) 2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash Onion & Herb Seasoning Blend 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar Combine carrots, raisins and walnuts in a medium bowl.

Stir yogurt, seasoning blend and brown sugar in small bowl until smooth and well combined.

Stir into carrot mixture. Cover and refrigerate until chilled and ready to serve.