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CELEBRATING OUR 10TH YEAR STATEWIDE!
Black churches and sex a topic at AIDS Conference See Page B1 www.flcourier.com
AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 11, 2016
VOLUME 24 NO. 32
‘POWER CONCEDES NOTHING… …without a demand,’ said Frederick Douglass in 1857. After criticism from established civil rights organizations, Black Lives Matteraffiliated groups finally put forth a list of demands in time for the presidential election.
BY JAWEED KALEEM LOS ANGELES TIMES / TNS
JIM VONDRUSKA/XINHUA/SIPA USA/TNS
A woman held up a “Black Lives Matter” sign in Ferguson, Mo., last year on the anniversary of Michael Brown’s death.
FLORIDA COURIER / 10TH STATEWIDE ANNIVERSARY
Black farmers and the Deepwater Horizon disaster PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL
Memorial and burial Detzner said the task force has been directed by the Legislature to develop recommendations by Oct. 1 on the creation of a memorial to honor the victims of the reform school, which operated from 1900 to 2011, as well as designating a permanent burial site for victims whose bodies were unidentified or unclaimed. An investigation led by University of South Florida researchers found 51 sets of remains in an unmarked graveyard known as Boot Hill Burial Ground at the Dozier facility, including victims of a 1914 dormitory fire. USF anthropologists identified 21 of the sets of remains through DNA and other methods. The law that created the task force also provided $7,500 for each family for funeral and reburial costs if they claimed the remains of victims.
Rural or urban? Eric Hill, a Jackson County commissioner who serves on the task force, said the permanent burial site and memorial would receive greater exposure if it was in a more populated area of the state, rather than the rural Panhandle county. He was supported by Jerry Cooper, who was sent to Dozier as a runaway teen and who leads a group of “White House Boys,” an organization named for a building where youths said they were beaten and abused. “I see no reason, whatsoever, to reinter these people, these children, back on this property,” Cooper said. “As far as I am concerned, it would be only adding
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BY LLOYD DUNKELBERGER AND TOM URBAN THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
MARIANNA – A state task force on Wednesday began an emotional debate about how to commemorate the victims of abuse and brutality at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys and what to do with the unidentified remains of youths who died at the shuttered reform school. “The mission and goals of this task force are different and sensitive from most other task forces,” Secretary of State Ken Detzner told the nine-member panel, which held its first meeting in Marianna, near the site of the 1,400-acre Dozier property in Jackson County.
It marks the first time that Black Lives Matter, better known for its widespread protests against police shootings of Black Americans, has officially entered the national political fray in terms of policy. The group’s members have been criticized for being heavy on protest and light on policy.
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Dozier memorial meeting gets heated
Days after the close of the national political conventions, Black Lives Matter-related groups on Monday endorsed a wide-ranging platform intended to influence political candidates before the November election.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID DAYTONA BEACH, FL PERMIT #189
Want a love like the Obamas? Author gives some tips B1
Sherrod to Black journalists: ‘It was racism’ A3 VOLUME 18 NO. 32
BLACK HANDS BEHIND THE PLOW BY THE FLORIDA COURIER STAFF
WASHINGTON – It was a big day for thousands of Black farmers in February when the federal government announced an agreement to settle complaints of racial bias against the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But so far, Congress has failed to back up the promise of the $1.25 billion settlement with any money. The U.S. House has approved the spending, but the plan has stalled in the U.S. Senate. Senators have failed several times to approve the payment. Money for the settlement fund has been stripped out of some bills because of concerns that it would add to the deficit.
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AUGUST 6 - AUGUST 12, 2010
PART 1 May slip away Black farmers are becoming anxious, worried that the compensation that they have waited for will slip away. They have an Aug. 13 deadline in the settlement agreement between the USDA, Black farmers and the Department of Justice. If the farmers are not paid before then, the agree- John Boyd ment expires, and all parties will have to go back to the table and renegotiate. John Boyd, founder of the Na-
The Florida Courier begins a series of articles on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s dysfunctional relationship with Black America. This week – waiting on the U.S. Senate.
tional Black Farmers Association (NBFA), said he is concerned that the issue will be shunted aside if the Senate doesn’t vote before the break. By NBFA’s count, this will be the seventh time the Senate has taken up this issue in recent weeks. The Senate goes on recess from Aug. 9 through Sept. 12, and many farmers fear this will result in another long delay. One-third of the Senate is up for re-election. The post-recess period offers no guarantee of legislative action. Boyd has been working 16- to 18-hour days shuttling between Senate offices, keeping the attention on the Black farmer case. See HANDS, Page A2
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Henry Williams harvested okra on his farm in Lantana in 2009.
Six Black teens drown from one extended family
SUMMERTIME AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Kids, adults didn’t know how to swim BY JAMIE STENGLE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SHREVEPORT, LA. – DeKendrix Warner was splashing around in the waisthigh waters of the Red River with his cousins and friends, trying to escape the oppressive Louisiana heat, when he stepped off a slippery ledge – and was plunged into water 25-feet deep. As the 15-year-old kicked and flailed, one cousin rushed to help – and found himself plummeting down the severe drop-off. Then another. In all, six teenagers tried to save DeKendrix – and each other – but none could swim. Their relatives, all nonswimmers, looked on helplessly as the teens screamed out for help. Six vanished and drowned Monday; a bystander rescued DeKendrix. “I stepped and I started drowning,” the boy told The Associated Press Tuesday, speaking in a low voice outside his inner-city Shreveport home. CHUCK MYERS/MCT
Hanging out with Daddy President Barack Obama and daughter Sasha share a laugh while watching a Women’s National Basketball League game last week between the Washington Mystics and the Tulsa Shock. The president’s birthday was Aug. 4.
SNAPSHOTS FINEST | B3
Meet Paulette from Dallas NATION | A3
Alpha Phi Alpha among Black groups boycotting Arizona FLORIDA | A6
Haitian expatriates seek a sense of place in homeland
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Reaching Florida’s Growing Black Consumer Marketplace
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Typical cookout It had started out as a typical summer family get-together – a large group of relatives and friends, including about 20 children, gathered on a sandy shore near the river’s bank for an afternoon of swimming and barbecue. They didn’t even have time to set up the grill before See TEENS, Page A2
Panhandle using BP cash to jumpstart tourism BY MICHAEL PELTIER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Hoping to lure tourists to the region as summer draws to a close, Panhandle communities have begun offering incentives to bring visitors back to a region hit hard by the threat of BP oil. Meanwhile, BP announced it was speeding up the process by which businesses get paid.
Tourists subsidized On Tuesday, tourism officials in Destin announced they will begin offering $250 vouchers for Southwest Airlines, which began flights to the region in May, or to the Silver Sands Factory Stores
for visitors who spend at least three nights in one of more than 500 Walton County hotel, motel or rental properties. The money, provided by a portion of a $7 million grant from BP in the wake of the summer oil spill, is the first of such funds to be distributed under an agreement reached between the company and local communities affected by the April 20 explosion and subsequent oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf. “We know many of our loyal visitors have been concerned about the Gulf oil incident, but our 15 beach communities are open for enjoyment and we’re ready to prove it with this reward,” said Dawn
40 recommendations The platform, which calls for “Black liberation,” makes 40 policy recommendations. Some are mainstream, such as calling for an end to the death penalty – something the Democratic Party has also endorsed in its platform. Others are more radical, such as reparations, including free public tuition to public universities, for “past and continuing harm” against Black people. It also advocates a ban on deportations; federal and state laws that will “acknowledge the lasting impacts of slavery”; and govSee POWER, Page A2
Black Democrat’s exit sparks battle Tampa Bay primary heats up BY DARA KAM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
ST. PETERSBURG – Three Black politicians are pitted against a wealthy newcomer in one of this election season’s most closely-watched Senate Democratic primaries. State Reps. Darryl Rouson and Ed Narain, former House member Betty Reed, and trial lawyer Augie Ribeiro are vying to replace outgoing state Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner, a Tampa Democrat leaving office because of term limits. For nearly 30 years, voters have chosen a Black senator to represent them in previous permutations of the minority-access district. This year’s contest between Democrats has opened up old wounds of racism and sparked “battle of the bridge” acrimony in the race for the newly redrawn Senate District 19, which spans Tampa Bay and includes portions of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. The contest has ignited animosity between Reed, who left office due to term limits two years ago, and her successor, Narain. Reed endorsed Narain in 2014, but Narain has earned the Tampa grandmother’s wrath for reneging on his promise not to challenge her in a bid for the Senate seat.
Possible split Local political insiders believe Black voters could split between Rouson, Narain and Reed, opening up the possibility that Ribeiro could capture enough votes to win Aug. 30. Whoever wins the Democratic primary is expected to go to Tallahassee. While about 75 percent of the district is in Hillsborough County, Democratic primary turnout is more evenly See DEMS, Page A2
SNAPSHOTS EDITORIAL | A4
‘You have sacrificed nothing and no one’
GEORGE SKENE/ORLANDO SENTINEL/MCT
A pleasure boat passes by a barrier system being built at the entrance to the harbor at St. Andrews State Park in Panama City. Moliterno, executive director of the Beaches of South Walton, the local tourist development agency. Other communities, meanwhile are still moving
forward with their own efforts to use the BP money to provide incentives and subsidies to area lodging establishments and other tourism-dependent busi-
ness that were adversely affected by the spill, which spewed oil into the Gulf during the region’s busiest See TOURISM, Page A2
Statistical information provided by The Media Audit Survey/January 2005-March 2006
ALSO EDITORIAL | CHARLES W. CHERRY II: RANDOM THOUGHTS OF A FREE BLACK MIND | A4 INSIDE COMMENTARY | LUCIUS GANTT: TODAY’S BLACK MAN MUST STAND UP | A4
FLORIDA | A3
NATION | A6
Many kids head back to school next week
Death by cop unites Blacks and Whites
Six years ago, the Florida Courier reported Black farmers’ efforts to settle a long-standing lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as efforts in the Panhandle to rebound from the nation’s largest oil spill.
See MEETING, Page A2
ALSO INSIDE
COMMENTARY: DUANE FERNANDEZ SR.: SANFORD POLICE SET TRAP FOR BLACK MOTORISTS | A4 COMMENTARY: MARGARET KIMBERLEY: WIKILEAKS EXPOSES DEMOCRATS’ CORRUPTION | A5
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AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 11, 2016
It’s the ballot or the beatdown It’s 2016, an election year. It also the year of the ballot or the beatdown! If African-Americans don’t stand up now and demand equal rights and justice for everybody living in the United States, our parents, our children and our neighbors will continue to be beat down or killed – physically, mentally and financially!
Hasn’t been great More than one politician is claiming that they can “make America great” again. Well, America has never been great for Native Americans, for slaves and ex-slaves, for nonEuropean immigrants, or for the poor! Election year after election year, voters are told if they vote for the right candidates, hell will turn into heaven; war will become peace; financial collapse will turn into financial abundance; homelessness will morph into home ownership; expensive health care will become affordable health care; and racial dis-
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split, and up to 45 percent of voters this month could come from Pinellas, according to analyses of the past two elections. Narain, a 39-year-old AT&T executive, has the backing of a number of business organizations, including the Florida Chamber of Commerce. He said he was urged by supporters to enter the race earlier this year, after Reed’s campaign struggled with financing. As of the last publicly available totals, Narain had spent about $163,000 of the $202,000 he’d raised for the race. Reed, who won’t give her age but boasts of having 13 grandchildren, had raised about $30,000 and spent $12,000. She is banking on the relationships she developed with constituents during the eight years she served in the House. Over coffee in downtown St. Petersburg, Narain, whose wife is a public school teacher, said he has a “record of standing up for progressive values in the state of Florida.” Joyner, a Tampa lawyer and civil rights activist, heaped praise on Narain, saying he has “built relationships” and delivered funding for local projects during his short tenure in the House.
Closet Republican? Narain likened a win by Rouson – a onetime Republican who has alienated Democrats over the years by sometimes bucking caucus positions – to “having another Republican in that seat, and that’s not something we can afford.” At his law office on Cen-
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ernment investment in education, mental health and job initiatives for Black Americans. “Our grievances and solutions extend beyond the police killing of our people. State violence includes failing schools that criminalize our children, dwindling earning opportunities, wars on our trans and queer family that deny them of their humanity, and so much more,” said Montague Simmons, the chair of the St. Louis-based Organization for Black Struggle and one of the activists who helped write the platform. “That’s why we united, with a renewed energy and purpose, to put forth a shared vision of the world we want to live in,” said Simmons, whose group took part in protests after a White officer
LUCIUS GANTT THE GANTT REPORT
unity, distrust and disrespect will change into a big melting pot of ethnic kumbayaa singers! In my lifetime, American voters have been led astray, bamboozled, misled, poli-tricked, punked, jacked and politically clowned by candidates of all parties and persuasions that love each other far more than they love the people that vote for them!
Still the same No matter who is elected president in the fall, the rich will still be richer and the poor will be poorer. Banks, no matter how crooked they are, will still be too big to fail. Law enforcers throughout the nation will still adhere to their codes of silence that enable them to do wrong without any
consequences! Who should Black voters give their support to in 2016? Should they cast their ballots for Heckle or Jeckle, for Tweedledum or Tweedledee or for Popeye or Olive Oyl? Let’s see. Candidates that represent one party don’t want us. Candidates from the opposing party don’t want to hire us. And many of the candidates that look like us don’t want anything to do with us! What a dilemma!
They already know Even if we don’t know exactly who we will vote for until we get to the voting booths, the powers that be know very well who they will support! The mega-corporations will contribute money to candidates from both major parties. The foreign nationals will give to candidates that support their foreign interests. The women will not hesitate to help female candidates. Latino people will seek to contribute to Hispanic candidates. Political conservatives will
only donate money to conservative candidates.
What will we do? We will endorse, contribute, volunteer and do everything else we can to help politicians that say they are our friends, our benefactors, our protectors, our supporters and our “leaders.” They don’t have to do anything for Black people or for Black communities. All they have to do is profess their love for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; shed a fake tear for victims of police shootings or misconduct; don a T-shirt or a hat from a historically Black college or university; snap their fingers to a Drake or Beyoncé song; or eat a spoonful of collard greens or a slice of watermelon! Billions of dollars are spent in presidential elections and down ballot elections in presidential election years. How much of those billions are spent with Black political professionals, with Black-owned media, with Black political vendors or in Black communities? Hell, Black people can’t even get paid to cook the fried chicken at a political rally or catered reception! Since Black elected officials are
the ones that White candidates run to for advice around election time, I guess the politicians that represent you have the access, the ears and the influence to tell the White politicians to hire some Blacks to give them political assistance. So what do they do? I’m asking a question, but you already know the answer.
You’re not a diner You can’t sit at a dinner table with an empty plate and watch everybody else eat and call yourself a diner. And you can’t go into a voting booth and vote for a number of nobodies and come out of the polling place and say you voted for somebody! I hope 2016 is different. Time will tell if this is a year for the ballot or the beginning of a political beatdown!
Buy Gantt’s latest book, “Beast Too: Dead Man Writing,” on Amazon.com and from bookstores everywhere. “Like” The Gantt Report page on Facebook. Contact Lucius at www.allworldconsultants. net.
nally recruited to challenge incumbent Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican. But Ribeiro said he opted to instead run for District 19 because that’s where he, his wife – Sarah Lind Ribeiro, a onetime aide to former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker – and their two children live. Ribeiro loaned his campaign $302,500 in addition to $136,000 he’d received in contributions as of the latest filing. He’d spent more than $293,000, most of it on mailers and television ads since entering the race. Ribeiro began a recent FLORIDA COURIER FILES lunch meeting at Cassis, Longtime state legislator Arthenia Joyner is giving up a state Senate seat due to a popular restaurant on term limits. downtown Beach Drive in St. Petersburg just blocks away from his $2.3 Joyner called Ribeiro a “carpetbagger” – he million condo, by quoting moved permanently to St. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Petersburg in 2013 – who when asked why he chose “has a lot of money and to enter the political fray. “There comes a time wants to buy a seat” but who hasn’t earned the when silence is betrayright to represent the dis- al,” Ribeiro said. He is flutrict. ent in Spanish and PortuEd Betty Augie Darryl “He’s never walked in guese and touts the philNarain Reed Ribeiro Rouson the shoes of a Black per- anthropic work he’s done son. He has no idea … of in St. Petersburg, Tampa tral Avenue, Rouson – a Joyner’s endorsement of what it is to be Black in and in Connecticut, where America. To have the au- his law firm is based. former prosecutor – is un- Narain. “Everyone looks for en- dacity to walk in with a abashed about his record, pointing out his accom- dorsements, but endorse- fist full of money. … It’s Fought big plishments in the GOP- ments don’t win elections. degrading. He should be companies controlled Legislature as The best endorsement ashamed of himself,” she Ribeiro represented the well as the five years he will be my record and the said in a telephone intercity of St. Petersburg in vote that happens on Aug. view this week. served as president of the “Where was he when the fight for compensaNAACP’s St. Petersburg 30,” said Rouson, who had raised about $108,000 and we’ve had all these fights tion from BP after the 2010 chapter. “Anyone who knows me spent nearly $73,000 as of in the Legislature? All of Deepwater Horizon oil diknows that my leadership the latest available figures. a sudden he’s a knight in saster in the Gulf of Mexshining armor. Where has ico. He’s also made a forstyle has been a shakehe been when we’ve been tune representing plain’em-up, a loving confron- ‘Carpetbagger’ fighting? I’ve been fighting tiffs in lawsuits against tation, strong on what’s competes right for the people – not The three Black candi- for all my life and I’ve nev- General Motors and drug necessarily tied to cor- dates and their supporters er heard of Augie Ribeiro.” manufacturers. “I have a track record porate interests – but the are united in one respect. that’s different than the people,” Rouson, 61, said, They all paint Ribeiro as a Last-minute entry with a subtle dig at the Johnny-come-lately who Ribeiro, a trial lawyer other candidates,” he said. business community’s is out of touch with the who entered the race a day “I don’t let anyone stop support for Narain. needs of the Black com- before the June 24 quali- me when we have a cause Rouson shrugged off munity. fying deadline, was origi- I think is just.”
shot 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., on Aug. 9, 2014. The death sparked days of unrest and brought national prominence to the Black Lives Matter movement.
A year in the making The Movement for Black Lives, an umbrella group that includes members of Black Lives Matter, released the platform. It developed out of a Movement for Black Lives conference that more than 2,000 Black activists attended at Cleveland State University a year ago. “We recognize that not all of our collective needs and visions can be translated into policy, but we understand that policy change is one of many tactics necessary to move us towards the world we envision, a world where freedom and justice is the reality,” said another platform writer, M Adams, who is co-executive director of
Madison, Wis.-based Freedom, Inc. The nonprofit works with poor minorities and youth. The platform was written or endorsed by more than 60 activist groups. One of the best known is the Black Lives Matter Network. The network, which has chapters in dozens of American cities, has largely stayed away from electoral politics and has not endorsed a presidential candidate. Some offshoots that are unaffiliated with it but use the Black Lives Matter name have gotten more directly involved in elections. Last week, one group in Ohio called Black Lives Matter of Cuyahoga County made waves after endorsing a Republican, Sen. Rob Portman, in his reelection bid. Other individual activists who arose out of the Black Lives Matter movement, such as onetime Baltimore mayoral candidate DeRay Mckesson, have also advised the White
House on how to improve relations between Black Americans and police. Last year, Mckesson was one of several activists to launch Campaign Zero, an independent website with policy proposals on how to “end police violence in America.”
More than race The Movement for Black Lives platform’s backers extend beyond Black organizations and ones focused squarely on race issues. They include Dream Defenders, a multiracial Miami-based group that organized against Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law after the shooting of 17-yearold Trayvon Martin, who died after being shot by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in 2012, in Sanford. One endorsee is FIERCE, a nonprofit that works with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth of color in New York City. Showing Up for Racial Justice, a
group made up of largely White allies to the Black Lives Matter movement, has also given its support to the platform. Black Lives Matter and related racial justice movements have been strongly criticized by some politicians, as well as veterans of 1960s civil rights activism, for lacking specific policy proposals. The critics have included Clinton, who last year at a campaign event in Keene, N.H., suggested to Black activists that they work on policy. “I don’t believe you change hearts. I believe you change laws,” she said in a backstage meeting.
Aspirational demands Organizers behind Monday’s platform acknowledged that many parts had a slim chance of being taken on by major political parties or candidates. “At a moment when both parties are putting forth
MEETING from A1
insult to injury.”
‘Make it sacred’ Dale Landry, representing the Florida NAACP, said his civil rights organization was unanimous in believing that the memorial should be at the former reform school. “Our biggest fear is that once you let it go, it will be forgotten,” Landry said, adding the goal should be to “repurpose that land and make it sacred.” Stephen Britt, whose uncle died at Dozier in 1946, strongly objected to the idea of not having a memorial and permanent burial in Jackson County. “They want it to be totally eliminated. They don’t want any reference of it being here. They are ashamed, but they shouldn’t be,” Britt said. “They didn’t commit those crimes. Their ancestors did, but they didn’t.”
‘Unusual’ move David Jackson, a Florida A&M University history professor who was appointed as a non-voting adviser to the task force, said it would be “very unusual” to not have a memorial at the site of the former reform school. “It gives us an opportunity to continue to teach people for generations to come…so we won’t repeat those things going forward,” he said. The task force agreed to wait until its Aug. 19 meeting to begin voting on proposals for creating a memorial and designating a permanent burial site for the unidentified or unclaimed Dozier victims.
policy proposals that either do nothing or actually do more harm to us, we are advancing a collective vision of concrete policy ideas that actually lead to safe and thriving Black communities,” said Karl Kumodzi, an organizer with Black Youth Project 100 in New York City. “We will continue to demand that our elected leaders enact meaningful change, such as divesting from systems that harm us and investing in our communities’ long-term safety. “But regardless of what happens in November, we will continue to build independent Black political power, knowing that’s the only way to implement these transformative policies and hold lawmakers accountable. Our vision necessitates we look far beyond November.” To read or download the complete platform of the Movement for Black Lives, log on to https://policy. m4bl.org.
AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 11, 2016
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Many Florida kids starting school next week Semester exams a factor for earlier start dates for public school districts BY LLOYD DUNKELBERGER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
TALLAHASSEE – Tens of thousands of Florida schoolchildren will return to their classrooms next week as districts take advantage of a state law that allows schools to start as early as Aug. 10. Forty of the 67 public school districts are opening next Wednesday under a 2015 law that decoupled the school start from Labor Day, according to the state Department of Education. A prior law required districts to open schools no earlier than two weeks before Labor Day. Last year, less than a dozen districts used the Aug. 10 start, but this year a majority of the districts have opted to start in the second week of August, which also means those districts will end their 2016-17 school year well before Memorial Day. The state’s two largest districts, Miami-Dade and Broward counties, which have more than 600,000 students, will be among the last to open on Aug. 22.
Backlash from parents This is the earliest opening date for a majority of the districts since the 2006-07 school year, when most opened in the first week of August, with Seminole County starting on July 31. The early opening dates resulted in a backlash from parents and tourism groups, prompting the Legislature to tie the start of school to Labor Day. But Sen. Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat who sponsored the 2015 law, said the primary reason for the legislation was to allow the 67 school districts to decide for themselves on the opening date. “I believe those decisions need to be made at the local level by local elected school boards and the superintendents who get direct input from the parents,” said Montford, who is head of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.
Variety of factors Montford, a former Leon County superintendent, said districts get plenty of input on the annual school calendar from parents, students and others who sit on school and district advisory councils. Although he has heard questions about why schools do not start closer to Labor Day, Montford said a variety of factors make
RED HUBER/ORLANDO SENTINEL/TNS
Florida Gov. Rick Scott shops on first day of the back-to-school tax holiday at a Wal-Mart a few years ago in Orlando. Florida’s taxfree holiday weekend is Aug. 5-7. the earlier starting times more logical, including having highschool students take their first semester exams before the winter holiday break. “You don’t want to come back after two weeks off after the winter break and then take semester exams,” Montford said. “It’s not good for the students, and it’s not good for the teachers.” Another factor is the number of vacation days built into the annual school calendar, including winter and spring breaks as well as time off for Thanksgiving. “If we take all these days off during the year you still have to put in 180 days,” Montford said.
“You either have to start earlier or go later.”
Curbs summer plans Montford said many districts prefer an earlier starting date to give teachers and students more time to prepare for the annual state assessment tests in the spring, which are linked to student progress and school grades. “Some districts tried to get in as many days as they could before the state assessments,” Montford said, noting the annual tests come early in the spring and not at the end of the school year. Opposition to early school
starts has come from some parents who complain that an early August start puts Florida out of sync with other states and complicates summer vacation plans. Groups tied to Florida’s tourism industry have opposed early starts, noting the law linking the start to Labor Day boosted their industry. “This is the time of year that many families take an in-state vacation before the school year starts. We hope that all Floridians have an opportunity to enjoy everything our great state offers over the summer, especially in areas that are economically dependent upon a traditional
summer season,” said Carol Dover, president of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “They make a very good argument for the tourist industry,” Montford said. “But school superintendents and school board members and parents and others make a doggone good argument that what’s really important is the child’s learning.” Montford said the current law gives districts the ability to set school opening dates closer to Labor Day or even after the holiday. “Those decisions should be made at the local level,” he said.
Solar energy amendment to be on primary ballots BY JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
TALLAHASSEE – Florida voters will be asked Aug. 30 to extend to commercial and industrial properties a renewable-energy tax break that residential property owners already enjoy. Crafted by the Legislature, the Amendment 4 proposal on the primary-election ballot is seen by proponents – there is no announced organized opposition – as a way to significantly expand renewable-energy production in the state. The broadly supported measure would exempt for 20 years the assessed value of solar and renewable-energy devices installed on businesses and industrial properties. Voters approved a similar exemption for residential property owners in 2008, with the measure taking effect in 2014.
Benefit of proposal The new proposal also has an element to help residential property owners, as it would exempt all renewable-energy equipment from state tangible personal property taxes. That provision is anticipated by its supporters to flood the market with solar companies. “The overall benefit, we believe, is it would lower energy costs as more solar is developed,” said Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, which expects to spend up to $250,000 to promote the
amendment. “Even if the utilities are doing it, we believe, they’ll be able to get a better price for solar,” Smith continued. “And then we think it will also diversify the different types of energy being developed. Right now, Florida is becoming way too dependent upon natural gas.” With about 6,500 people in Florida currently in the solar industry, Chris Spencer, executive director of Florida for Solar, said the amendment is also about creating jobs. “There will be more solar panels circulating in the market and more solar installers,” said Spencer, a longtime legislative aide for Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican who sponsored the proposed amendment. Florida for Solar is the group overseeing the measure.
Amendment support The proposal has drawn support from groups ranging from the Florida Retail Federation and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association to the League of Women Voters of Florida and the Nature Conservancy. Spencer said the different groups have been vital in spreading the word about the amendment. The amendment requires 60 percent approval from voters and then would need the Legislature in 2017 to enact the changes. Mark Bubriski, a spokesman for Florida Power & Light, said the utility anticipates customers will save money on future FPL
“There will be more solar panels circulating in the market and more solar installers,” said Chris Spencer, executive director of Florida for Solar. solar installations if Amendment 4 is approved. However, he added that regardless of the vote, the utility intends to expand on commercialscale installations already built for customers such as Daytona International Speedway, Florida International University and the Palm Beach Zoo. “And, as you know, our company has been working to advance solar in Florida for many years,” Bubriski said. “We built the state’s first solar power plant, and in 2016, we are building three more new solar power plants – doubling Florida’s solar capacity – in a way that is costeffective for our customers.”
Survey conducted A hurdle for proponents is getting people aware of the amendment, as primary elections generally draw about 20 percent turnout.
The other is that some people may link the measure with Amendment 1, a controversial solar proposal that the state’s major utilities have backed for the November general-election ballot. The November “Consumers for Smart Solar” initiative would generally maintain the status quo in allowing Floridians with solar equipment on their property to sell energy to power companies. Opponents argue the November measure is intended to favor the utilities. An online survey conducted in June by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute found that 77 percent supported the utility-backed “Consumers for Smart Solar” initiative in November and 68 percent supported the August Amendment 4 proposal. Florida for Solar doesn’t comment when asked to compare the two amendments, Spencer said.
Fiscal impact Smith, whose group opposes the November proposal but supports Amendment 4, said a benefit of holding the vote during the primary is that supporters can concentrate marketing in more urban areas, where voter turnout is expected to be higher, and on people more likely to vote in the primary. “We still think that the major markets, Southeast Florida, the I-4 corridor from Orlando to Tampa, are going to be where the majority of the primary votes are cast,” Smith said. The fiscal impact of implementing Amendment 4 is difficult to determine, at least in part because it is unknown how much work will be impacted by the lure of the tax break. “Making it cheap, giving this tax abatement, that could be the factor on the business side on whether or not you’re going to invest in the project,” Spencer said.
EDITORIAL
A4
AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 11, 2016
‘You have sacrificed nothing and no one’ Editor’s note: Khizr Kahn gave this speech at last week’s Democratic National Convention. Tonight we are honored to stand here as parents of Captain Humayun Khan and as patriotic American Muslims – with undivided loyalty to our country. Like many immigrants, we came to this country emptyhanded. We believed in American democracy; that with hard work and goodness of this country, we could share in and contribute to its blessings.
Followed their dreams We are blessed to raise our three sons in a nation where they were free to be themselves and follow their dreams. Our son, Humayun, had dreams too, of being a military lawyer, but he put those dreams aside the day he sacrificed his life to save the lives
KHIZR KHAN, ESQ. GUEST COMMENTARY
of his fellow soldiers. Hillary Clinton was right when she called my son “the best of America.” If it was up to Donald Trump, he never would have been in America. Donald Trump consistently smears the character of Muslims. He disrespects other minorities; women; judges; even his own party leadership. He vows to build walls, and ban us from this country.
Read the document Donald Trump, you’re asking Americans to trust you with their future. Let me ask you: have you even read the United States Con-
Sanford cops set trap for Black motorists On July 17, I was scheduled to drive from my home in Daytona Beach to cover a Black Lives Matter rally in Sanford, about 45 miles away. Because of a traffic stop, I never made it to my assignment that day. Shortly after I came off Interstate 4, I noticed several Sanford Police Department patrol cars following me. I was pulled over by a female officer at about 6:50 p.m. as I was nearing Red Barber Park, the site of a rally which was to end at Sanford Police Department headquarters.
Stopped for no reason The female officer, who looked to be Hispanic, was the first one to approach my car. Standing behind her was a White male. She said that she ran my license plate and the report came back that my license was suspended. I explained that I have to drive for a living and I don’t drive illegally. I have never had any problems with speeding tickets or parking tickets.
DUANE FERNANDEZ SR. GUEST COMMENTARY
(I found out the next day that there had been an error at the Department of Motor Vehicles office and that my license had indeed been suspended.) I rolled all of the windows down in my car so that the officer had a clear view. When I tried to explain to her that I was there to do a job, she didn’t care. I was told that I should call for a ride home and arrange for my car to be towed 45 miles back to Daytona Beach. If I tried to drive home, I would be arrested. She then pulled off and left me sitting on the side of the curve, waiting for a AAA tow truck. She never told me why I was stopped. This experience made me
Black selfdetermination is back on the agenda There have always been two main political imperatives in Black America. One has sought “representation” at all levels within the surrounding, hostile, White supremacist society, and celebrates the elevation of individual Blacks to high social, political and economic status. As a practical matter, under this kind of politics, the condition of the Black masses is secondary – yet, the great bulk of Black people are expected to follow the political direction of the upwardly mobile minority. This “representationalist” Black politics makes no transformative demands on the United States, and is quite satisfied if there is a steady growth in the number of Black faces in high places.
Our own destiny The other main political tendency in Black America seeks self-determination: independent political, economic and social power for Black people as a group. Those that seek self-determination contend that Black people have the right to determine their own destiny and are
GLEN FORD BLACK AGENDA REPORT
certainly not answerable to a White society that has enslaved, oppressed and reviled them. Throughout Black people’s history in the U.S., these two political tendencies have maintained an uneasy coexistence, even simultaneously inhabiting the same individual Black brain. However, with the fall of legal U.S. apartheid in the mid-Sixties and the crushing of Black self-determinationist forces by the U.S. State a few years later, a Black Misleadership Class emerged that was concerned solely with its own narrow interests – with putting their own selfish faces into high places. This grasping and venal political class collaborated with the U.S. State to impose a mass Black incarceration regime – what Michelle Alexander calls “the New Jim Crow” – and ushered in a two-generation-long era of Black social disintegra-
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: KHAN VS. TRUMP
stitution? I will gladly lend you my copy. In this document, look for the words “liberty” and “equal protection of law.” Have you ever been to Arlington Cemetery? Go look at the graves of brave patriots who died defending the United States of America. You will see all faiths, genders and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing and no one. We cannot solve our problems by building walls, sowing division. We are stronger together. And we will keep getting stronger when Hillary Clinton becomes our president. In conclusion, I ask every patriot(ic) American, all Muslim immigrants, and all immigrants to not take this election lightly. This is a historic election, and I request to honor the sacrifice of my son – and on Election Day, take the time to get out and vote. And vote for the healer. Vote for the strongest, most qualified pause and think about the other Black men and women who were killed when traffic stops went bad. I could have been another statistic – another Philandro Castille, who was killed in Minnesota last month – or other Black males who have been victims of “Driving While Black.’’
Lying in wait As I sat in my car and waited on 13th West Street for the tow truck, I noticed the nose of a police cruiser sticking out of a driveway about 50 yards from my car. I looked in my rearview mirror and I could see the front of another police cruiser sticking out of a driveway. There were another two more cruisers riding up and down 13th Street. If an African-American turned left onto 13th traveling east to a stop sign, a police cruiser would follow the car down the street. If the car driven by a Black person turned left at the stop sign, the cruiser would turn right. I watched the police perform this practice for an hour and a half until AAA showed up. I knew then that I had been profiled by the police. As a photojournalist, I have covered the National NAACP Conference, the 50th anniversation, economic retrogression and political confusion.
Movement ascends Today, however, the Black imperative to self-determination is in ascendance. Especially in the last several years, Black people have rediscovered and revived the Black Radical Tradition, with self-determination at the core. The emerging movement that goes under the heading of Black Lives Matter is largely animated by the drive for Black self-determination, albeit commingled with notions of representationalism. Both tendencies find expression in the Movement for Black Lives newly-released demands. The Black is Back Coalition for Social Justice, Peace and Reparations, founded in 2009, has always put Black self-determination first, and has now codified this principle in a 19-point National Black Political Agenda for Self-Determination, to be offered “for discussion and adoption” by Black people in a process that begins at a national conference in Philadelphia, August 13 and 14.
Range of concerns The 19 points cover the broadest range of Black political concerns, from Black Community Control of Police, ending mass Black incarceration, freedom for political prisoners; to demands concerning Black women and
ADAM ZYGLIS, THE BUFFALO NEWS
candidate, Hillary Clinton – not the divider. God bless you. Thank you.
Khizr Khan is the father of Army Captain Humayun ry of the March on Washington, the Emanuel AME Church murders in Charleston, S.C., a KKK rally in Columbia, S.C., the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March, and the funeral of Muhammad Ali in Louisville, Ky. In all of my travels, I have never experienced such disrespect and such disdain.
A reminder Last month’s traffic stops in Sanford reminded me of the stories I heard during my time in Sanford covering the George Zimmerman trial after Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin. When I spoke to people one-onone about how local Black citizens were treated badly by police, I could see their fear of being caught talking to the press. One man told me about his six sons. As each one became old enough, he would let him drive his old truck. Sanford police knew when they saw the truck, it was one of his sons. He recounted how he had lost years of sleep for fear of the Sanford police killing one of his boys. There are so many young Blacks across the country who are treated like I was – stopped for no reason at all. I now have to go to court to and appear be-
families, gentrification, reparations, self-defense, nationalizing the banks, the right to housing, health care, education, and universal enfranchisement; the necessity for socialist democracy, the defeat of U.S. imperialism and a payback of the Western debt to Africa, freedom for Palestine, and saving the Earth’s environment from the capitalist system that is destroying it. Each and every of the 19 points is formulated through the prism of Black self-determination. As the Black Is Back Coalition states in its Declaration on the need for a National Black Political Agenda for Self-Determination, the Coalition “does not believe that our future should be in the hands of any institution that does not have its origins within our own community and
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fore a judge to fight a $164 ticket. I should not have been stopped. I was simply on my way to do a job taking photographs for the Florida Courier newspaper and chronicle what turned out to be a peaceful protest.
Anger, frustration As I sat waiting for the tow truck, I was disappointed and angry. I followed the law. Yet it didn’t matter. While I don’t advocate the killing of police officers as we have seen in Dallas and Baton Rouge, I can understand the why many young Black men in this country are frustrated and fed up with the way Blacks are treated. You can’t build a house on a broken foundation. There will never be trust between the police and the community as long as the police keep avoiding cleaning their own house first. Something has to change, and it’s not just us. This experience makes Black Lives Matter more personal.
Duane Fernandez Sr. is an award-winning photojournalist who has worked for the Florida Courier and for the Daytona Times newspapers.
The Black is Back Coalition for Social Justice, Peace and Reparations, founded in 2009, has always put Black self-determination first, and has now codified this principle in a 19-point National Black Political Agenda for SelfDetermination, to be offered “for discussion and adoption” by Black people in a process that begins at a national conference in Philadelphia, August 13 and 14.
Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher
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.
Khan, an American-Muslim soldier who died in Iraq in 2004 after telling his troops to seek cover before a car bomb exploded. Khizr Khan is an attorney.
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has not been forged through the struggles of our people.”
Meeting in Philly The August 13th and 14th conference in Philadelphia will set the stage of discussions of the Agenda for Self Determination in cities across the country, culminating in a conference in Washington, D.C., following the Black Is Back Coalition’s traditional rally and march on the White House, in November. Black is Back, and so is Black self-determination, because there can be no democracy without it.
Glen Ford is executive editor of BlackAgendaReport.com. E-mail him at Glen.Ford@ BlackAgendaReport.com.
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AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 11, 2016
‘We are the moral defibrillator of our time’ I come before you tonight as a preacher, the son of a preacher – a preacher immersed in the movement at five years old. I don’t come tonight representing any organization, but I come to talk about faith and morality. I’m a preacher and I’m a theologically conservative liberal evangelical biblicist. I know it may sound strange, but I’m a conservative because I work to conserve a divine tradition that teaches us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.
I’m troubled, worried I’ve has had the privilege of traveling the country with the Reverend Dr. James Forbes, and Reverend Dr. Traci Blackmon and Sister Simone Campbell as we are working together in the revival and calling for a revolution of values. And as we travel the country, we see things. That is why I’m so concerned, about those that say so much – about what God says so little, while saying so little – about what God says so much. And so in my heart, I’m troubled. And I’m worried about the way faith is cynically used by some to serve hate, fear, racism and greed. We need to heed the voice of the Scriptures. We need to listen to the ancient chorus in which “deep calls unto deep.” The prophet Isaiah cries out, “What I’m interested in seeing you doing, says the Lord, as a nation is, ‘Pay people what they deserve. Share your food with the hungry.’ Do this and then your nation shall be called a repairer of the breach.” Jesus, a brown-skinned Palestinian Jew, called us to preach good news to the poor, the broken, and the bruised, and all those who are made to feel unaccepted. Our constitution calls us to commit our government to establish justice, to promote the
REV. DR. WILLIAM BARBER II GUEST COMMENTARY
We must shock this nation with the power of love. We must shock this nation with the power of mercy. We must shock this nation and fight for justice for all. We can’t give up on the heart of our democracy, not now, not ever! ... Vote together. Organize together. Fight for the heart of this nation. general welfare, to provide for the common defense and to ensure domestic tranquility.
Never perfect Now, to be true, we’ve never lived this vision perfectly. But this ought to be the goal at the heart of our democracy. And when religion is used to camouflage meanness, we know that we have a heart problem in America.
WikiLeaks exposes Democrats’ corruption Once again, the world owes a debt of thanks to WikiLeaks, an organization dedicated to revealing what the powerful want to hide. WikiLeaks released a trove of more than 19,000 emails hacked from the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The emails revealed the extent of establishment fears of the Bernie Sanders campaign and also the incompetence and pettiness of Democratic “leadership.” They also made clear what critics have long contended: that the Democratic Party is devoid of any ideology. It exists to further the interests of rich people and corporations and to expand imperialism. All claims of concern for workers or people of color are marketing gimmicks meant to get votes and keep their racket in business.
MARGARET KIMBERLEY BLACK AGENDA REPORT
to fear from Bernie Sanders. She had more money, the support of Black voters in the early Southern primaries, and obviously support from the party establishment. Sanders never wanted to challenge Clinton. Be passed up every opportunity to seriously attack her and made clear that he would endorse her in the end. Yet the DNC went out of its way to hit a fly with a sledge hammer. DNC staffers wanted to use Sanders’ religious beliefs (or lack thereof ) to discredit him with Southern voters. Others used Internet trolls to attack his supporters online. The DNC planned to use the Craigslist website to pretend that No real opposition the Donald Trump campaign Hillary Clinton had nothing placed sexist classified ads for fe-
Many ‘movement mothers’ are not campaigning for Hillary I don’t know Geneva ReedVeal, Sybrina Fulton, Lucia McBath, Maria Hamilton, and Gwen Carr. What I know about them is that they’re the mothers of Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Dontre Hamilton and Jordan Davis – four of whom were killed by police, the other by a homicidal right-wing nutcase. I know they’re all members of a club they didn’t volunteer for, one that nobody wants to belong to, and they deserve our respect, our profound sympathy and our support. I know they’re letting themselves be called “the mothers of the movement” and they’re campaigning for Hillary Clinton. I
BRUCE A. DIXON BLACK AGENDA REPORT
know they were trotted in front of the Democratic National Convention, where one of them announced that Hillary was going to lead us into an era of restorative justice.
What I don’t know There’s plenty more I don’t know. I don’t know if the mothers are aware that Hillary Clinton justi-
EDITORIAL
A5
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: WORLD LEADERSHIP
There have always been forces that want to harden and even stop the heart of democracy. There have also always been people who stood together to a stir what sister Dorothy gave called “the revolution of the heart” and what Dr. King called a “radical revolution of values.”
Push for revival I say to you tonight, there are some issues that are not left versus right, liberal versus conservative. They are right versus wrong. We need to embrace our deepest moral values and push for a revival of the heart of our democracy. When we fight to reinstate the power of the Voting Rights Act and to break interposition and the nullification of the current Congress, we in the South especially know that when we do that, we are reviving the heart of our democracy. When we fight for $15 and a union, and universal healthcare, and public education, and immigrant rights, and LGBTQ rights, we are reviving the heart of our democracy. When we develop tax and trade policies that no longer funnel our prosperity to the wealthy few, we are reviving the heart of our democracy. When we hear the legitimate discontent of Black Lives Matter and we come together to renew justice in our criminal justice system, we are embracing our deepest moral values and reviving the heart of our democracy. When we love the Jewish child and the Palestinian child, the Muslim and the Christian, and the Hindu, and the Buddhist, and those who have no faith, but they love this nation – we are reviving the heart of our democracy. When we fight for peace and when we resist the proliferation of military style weapons on our street, and when we stand against the anti-democratic stronghold
of the NRA, we are reviving the with the power of love. We must heart of our democracy. shock this nation with the power of mercy. We must shock this Embrace Hillary nation and fight for justice for all. In times like these, we have We can’t give up on the heart of make some decisions and I our democracy, not now, not evmight not normally as a preach- er! er, an individual, but when I And so, and so I stop by here hear Hillary’s voice and her posi- tonight to ask, is there a heart tions, I hear and I know that she in this house? Is there a heart in is working to embrace our deepAmerica? Is there somebody that est moral values – and we should has a heart for the poor, and a embrace her. But let me be clear, let me be heart for the vulnerable? Then stand up. Vote together. clear, that she, nor any person, Organize together. Fight for the can do it alone. The watchword of this democracy in the watch- heart of this nation. word of faith is “WE.” The heart And while you’re are fighting, of our democracy is on the line sing that old hymn. “Revive us this November and beyond. again. Fill each heart with Thy My friends, they tell me that love. May each soul be rekindled when the heart is in danger, with fire from above.” somebody has to call an emerHallelujah! Find the glory. gency code. And somebody with a good heart will bring a defibrilRev. Dr. William Barber II lator to work on the bad heart. is the president of the North Because it is possible to shock a Carolina State Conference of bad heart and revive the pulse. In this season, when someone NAACP Branches and is the tries to harden and stop the heart pastor of Greenleaf Christian of our democracy, we are being Church (Disciples of Christ) in called like our foremothers and Goldsboro, N.C. He delivered forefathers to be the moral defi- this speech at the 2016 Demobrillator of our time. cratic National Convention. Click on this commentary at Shock America with love www.flcourier.com to write We must shock this nation your own response.
male employees. After months of accusations that Trump is a fascist, it is the Democrats who live up to that description. Former DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz demanded and received consideration from MSNBC and others in the corporate media to get favorable coverage for Clinton and negative coverage for Sanders. Reactions of indignation show that “journalists” know where their bread is buttered. MSNBC talking heads like Chris Hayes and Joy Anne Reid joined the rest of the corporate media in accusing the Russian government of involvement in the computer hacking. The so-called evidence is as good as the specious claim that the North Korean government hacked the Sony Corporation in 2014. The offended scribes downplay the actual substance of the emails. All of their outrage is focused on changing the subject away from corruption and their own willingness to carry the party’s water. The Democratic role in the political duopoly is to engage in pretense about inclusivity. Yet these people who claim to welcome diversity referred to Latino voters as “brand-loyal consumers” who “respond well to storytelling.” Of course, every part of the Demo-
cratic constituency is viewed as for all and start the process of crea consumer who must buy what ating something new. Hillary Clinton has nothing to they sell. They are corporate acoffer aside from not being Donald tors, after all. Trump. No one even tries to make the case for her without using his No local support name as bogeyman of the moThe WikiLeaks documents also point to an issue that explains ment. He is a useful foil, but the why Democrats may win the pres- WikiLeaks documents prove to idency while simultaneously lose anyone who wasn’t already aware that the Democratic Party is unreto Republicans in local races. Despite promises to the con- formable. The only solution is to trary, money that was earmarked jettison this corrupt project and to help candidates around the start anew. This discussion will not be for country ended up in Hillary’s coffers. The paltry and ironic amount the faint of heart or the timid. A of only 1 percent was given to new party will not be bestowed help other races, but Team Hillary upon us from the heavens. There went to great lengths to spin the can be no talk of spoilers and lessstory and conceal the awful truth. er evilism. Sanders used the word “revThe Democrats must be replaced. The task of leftists is to olution” as his own marketing work towards the establishment scheme. If people who voted for of a party that represents the in- him really wanted to see revoluterests of working people. On- tion, they now have a golden oply Trump makes actual reference portunity. Of course he must be discreditto workers. Hillary Clinton barely ed along with Hillary Clinton, but goes through the motions. so be it. This must be the last presidential election when the crooks Sanders a ‘sheepdog’ get a pass. While the Democrats went about the business of hammerMargaret Kimberley’s coling the nails in Sanders’ coffin he umn appears weekly in Blackwent along with being the sheep- AgendaReport.com. Contact dog who keeps progressives in her at Margaret.Kimberley@ line and in the Hillary camp. His B l a c k A g e n d a R e p o r t . c o m . supporters don’t have to go along Click on this commentary at and must seize this opportunity www.flcourier.com to write to leave the Democrats once and your own response.
STEVE SACK, THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
whether these ladies actually thought up that “mothers of the movement” title. It sounds like it came from the sharp tongue of some mouthpiece of the Black political class, that gaggle of Black politicians, preachers and business types which has tied itself hand and foot to the corporate right wing of the Democratic Party. This Black political class relentlessly celebrates and commemorates the Freedom Movement of 50 years ago to create their signature brand, which is the impression that they had something to do with it, and they’re always on the lookout for opportunities to appear relevant to the current movement. Capturing and cynically using some of the mothers of those murdered by police is exactly the kind of move we’d expect from the operatives of our Black political class. They’re old hands at Catchy name the game of power politics, and I have no way of knowing these mothers are newbies. fied and campaigned for the end of welfare in the 1990s, throwing families into deeper poverty and turning millions of poor mothers out into the low wage workforce without child care. I don’t know they’re familiar with the Clinton crime bills of ‘94, ‘95 and ‘96 which financed and fueled the expansion of the mass incarceration state and took Pell grants for college education away from people in prison. I don’t know if they know that Hillary to whom they claim a mother-to-mother bond helped close the courthouse doors to lawsuits against prison conditions and the efforts of the convicted to prove their innocence. She helped incentivize states to lengthen already unjust and draconian prison sentences, and expand the federal death penalty from four to 60 offenses.
Millions of others Geneva Reed-Veal, Sybrina Fulton, Lucia McBath, Maria Hamilton, and Gwen Carr are certainly the mothers of martyrs. But let’s not get it twisted. This movement has thousands of martyrs, and tens of millions of mothers, from maroons and runaway slaves whose names we’ll never know to the Harriet Tubmans and Ida B. Wells, to Eslanda Robeson and Ella Baker, to organized nurses, teachers and home health care workers, to the many thousands of women in the streets today. And it’s safe to say that most of the movement’s mothers are NOT campaigning for Hillary Clinton.
Bruce Dixon is managing editor of BlackAgendaReport. com. Contact him at bruce. di xon@blackagendareport. com. Click on this commentary at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.
NATION
TOJ A6
AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 11, 2016
Death by cop unites Blacks and Whites North Carolina city comes together after Black man killed last month by officer BY JAWEED KALEEM LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — When a White officer launched seven bullets into a Black man outside a housing project here early this month, there were chants of “Black Lives Matter” in the streets, accusations of racism, and demands for an investigation and answers. But unlike other police-involved Jai deaths of Black Williams men across the country, the fatal shooting of Jai “Jerry” Williams on July 2 had no viral video. And instead of dividing a community between those who accept the police version of events and those who question it, Williams’ death has united residents in grief while opening wounds about race in this liberal Southern enclave. In Asheville, a majority-White city of 88,000 whose tourism board has touted it as a place where Americans can live life “any way you like it,” news of the shooting has gradually made its way through the community after being overshadowed by national events, shocking White residents into soul-searching and an identity crisis.
‘Necessary disruption’ Hundreds of Ashevillians, familiar with loud protests over causes like gay rights, fracking and war, have taken to the streets to block downtown intersections
and hold vigils. In a place whose liberal population prides itself on racial understanding, national trauma and local violence have collided. White churches that were pioneers in fighting for same-sex marriage are hosting Sunday dialogues on racism, inviting Black pastors they’ve never met to join. At the downtown organic store, White employees recently agreed to put up a “Black Lives Matter” sign. Massage therapists and yoga instructors are offering healing sessions for people traumatized by bloody viral videos and news coverage. At the same time, residents are unearthing long-simmering racial tensions in a city where many didn’t realize they existed. “It’s somewhat of a startling revelation,” said Esther Manheimer, mayor of the city that’s home to the University of North Carolina at Asheville. “We all walk in our bubbles and assume everybody is experiencing life the way I am experiencing life.” Now, she said, the community is going through a “necessary disruption.”
Blacks driven out Like many Southern cities, Asheville, nestled amid the Blue Ridge Mountains, grew from the labor of slaves, who worked on its extravagant 19th-century plantations and helped build downtown. The city once had a thriving Black business district that declined amid development in the 20th century as new highways were built over Black centers. African-Americans have long complained about mistreatment at the hands of police, including after an officer was cleared of charges in 2014 for the deadly shooting of a 19-year-old Black man after a foot chase.
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Jai “Jerry” Williams is honored by his aunt Terrie Williams, cousin Tristan Earle, mother Najiyyah Avery, center, uncle Michael Williams, and others at The Block off Biltmore in Asheville, N.C., on July 12. Williams, 35, was fatally shot by police in Asheville on July 2.
‘Always been racist’ But the recent death has brought crowds — and some White allies — unlike before. “People are tired of what they are seeing in this country,” said DeLores Venable, a 37-year-old health care worker and Black Lives Matter activist who has led local protests asking police to release records into Williams’ shooting. “I’m fifth-generation from here. It’s always been racist,” said Venable, who had known Williams and said he was “nothing like they make him out to be. He was always joking, the one to cheer you up. Everything that they say happened is completely out of character.”
Account challenged According to police, officers responded to a call about shots fired at a public housing complex southwest of downtown and went on a three-mile car chase of a suspect, ending at another housing project. Officers said they saw Williams, 35, struggling with a woman who was trying to get out of the car they had been chasing. Then, they
said, he ran the car onto a curb and displayed an AR-15 rifle. The White officer who shot Williams is on administrative leave, and the State Bureau of Investigation is collecting evidence. Family members and witnesses deny much of the story, challenging the account of who was in the car and whether Williams threatened to use a gun or even had one.
No video Police say that the officer was not wearing a body camera, and that there was no dashboard camera installed in the patrol car. The police introduced an alreadyscheduled body camera program just days after the shooting. No bystander videos have been released. The local controversy, paired with the graphic videos that catapulted the shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile into social media prominence, have emboldened some White residents here to not only seek answers but explore their own attitudes toward race. “How do we proceed, as a city and a country?” asked Janet Quick, 70, who was spurred this month to go to her first meeting
of the Asheville chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice, a national network of White activists that was founded in response to police shootings of Black Americans. “I feel like I took a red pill from ‘The Matrix.’ I can’t go back,” said Kriya Lendzion, a 45-year-old school counselor who moved to the city nine years ago from Orlando after being attracted by Ashville’s high rankings for safety and the popularity of its holistic wellness community.
Waking people up “It’s taken me so long to understand that all of the things this city prides itself in, they don’t include Black people,” said Lendzion, a White woman whose 18-year-old son is biracial and identifies as Black. “We’re this progressive, White, hippie town, and everyone says, ‘No, we’re not racist,’” said Rae Nebula, a 32-year-old performance artist and hairstylist. “I’m thirsty for a way to wake more people up. It’s our job to make people uncomfortable, because this is how people of color feel all the time.”
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The 2016 AIDS International Conference, the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, policymakers, as well as persons living with HIV, was held July 18-22 in Durban, South Africa. ANN RAGLAND/BLACK AIDS INSTITUTE
TALKING ABOUT
SEX
FROM THE
Leaders at AIDS conference say Black churches must do more in the fight against HIV
BY GEORGE E. CURRY EMERGENEWSONLINE.COM
DURBAN, South Africa – The Rev. Edwin C. Sanders, II, sized up his audience at the 21st International AIDS Conference last month and uttered instructions one wouldn’t normally expect to hear from a minister. “Turn to your neighbor and say, ‘Sex,’” he said, catching delegates to the conference off guard. But after a couple of seconds of nervous hesitation, they complied. “Now say, ‘Good sex.’” “And lots of it.” There was laughter after each instruction, which Sanders interpreted as discomfort. He said the discomfort of discussing that three-letter word – sex – hampers the religious community from more actively addressing the global HIV crisis.
PULPIT
Sanders, senior servant at Metropolitan International Church in Nashville, Tenn., has been at the forefront of trying to persuade the faith community to take the lead in combatting HIV.
‘Gift from God’ In an interview, Sanders said his brief exercise at the conference shows how uncomfortable people are discussing sex. “It makes you realize how uncomfortable people are,” he explained. “Sex, for us, has been framed in such a negative fashion. It’s the no-no. It’s the wild thang. It’s nasty. Understand it’s a gift – it’s a gift from God.” To prove his point, Sanders pointed to the Bible. “In the Bible, the best evidence of that is the old covenant God makes with Abraham,” he See TALK, Page B2
ANN RAGLAND/BLACK AIDS INSTITUTE
Jesse Milan Jr., left, greets the Rev. Edwin C. Sanders II at the conference in South Africa.
Global HIV/AIDS funding on the decline BY LINDA VILLAROSA BLACK AIDS INSTITUTE/ GEORGE CURRY MEDIA
Throughout the AIDS 2016 Conference, whispers that global funds to fight HIV/AIDS have begun to dry up have turned to shouts. In the crowded hallways of the International Convention Center, on panels, plenaries and even Tshirts, everybody seemed to be worried that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria won’t be fully funded and international dollars are fading away. Organizers of a march through Durban, South Africa during the conference said they created their event to bring attention to the “massive disconnect” between the promises to end HIV/AIDS by 2030 and the lack of funding to actually make it happen. But is this a Chicken Little tactic to create the appearance of need? Or is it real? According to a new report, yes, it’s real.
Fewer deaths, less money
$5 billion from U.S.
Donor government funding to support HIV efforts in low- and middle-income countries fell for the first time in five years in 2015, according to data gathered and analyzed jointly by the Kaiser Family Foundation and UNAIDS. In U.S. currency, over $1 billion dried up; AIDS money dropped from $8.6 billion in 2014 to $7.5 billion in 2015, a 13 percent decline. Money matters. With the goal of ending AIDS by 2030, the movement has reached a critical moment. As death rates have plummeted, more and more people require life-saving treatment. In essence, the epidemic has become a “victim” of its own success. In 2000 when the AIDS conference was first held in Durban, 1.5 million people died from AIDS around the world; that number dropped to about 1 million in 2015. Sixteen years ago, 770,000 people living with the virus had access to treatment, compared to 17 million currently.
UNAIDS estimates that to reach its “fast track” goals and end AIDS in the next 14 years requires an increase of at least $7.2 billion by 2020. “Our progress is incredibly fragile,” said Michel Sidibe, executive director of UNAIDS. “If we do not act now, we risk resurgence and resistance.” The United States contributes the lion’s share to global funding-66 percent-and American dollars decreased from $5.6 billion in 2014 to $5 billion in 2015. The vast majority of the money funds specific projects and programs, with an additional 14 percent given to The Global Fund. (Overall contributions to the Global Fund dropped by $305 million.) The U.K. follows the U.S. in donations, supplying 13 percent of AIDS money. With a nod to the disruption occurring in that country, one conference attendee carried a sign that read England-Don’t “Brexit” the See FUNDING, Page B2
B2
SPORTS
AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 11, 2016
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Muslim fencer making Olympic history Ibtihaj Muhammad of New Jersey will be the first American woman to compete in the Games wearing a hijab.
uncomfortable.”
‘Fencing found me’ Riding in the car one day, stopped at a red light, she and her mother glanced at a school building and could see through the windows to where kids practiced an unfamiliar sport in jackets, pants and masks. “Fencing found me,” Muhammad says. “I wanted a sport where I could be fully covered and I didn’t have to look different.” An initial try at epee — which can be slower-paced — proved less than satisfying. She switched to the explosive, clanging action of saber. “I had to be faster on my feet,” she says. “I enjoyed that.” Quickness and determination fueled her climb up the ranks. Muhammad was on her way to winning state championships in high school and competing for Duke, where she was a three-time All-American while earning degrees in international relations and African studies with a minor in Arabic.
BY DAVID WHARTON LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS
Reporters crowd around Ibtihaj Muhammad for the better part of an hour, standing two and three deep, pushing close, a jostling mass of cameras, lights and microphones. Her smile remains steady, her voice measured as she faces question after question. “I have a very short window as an athlete,” she says. “And I’m going to try to take advantage.” Muhammad ranks among the top fencers in the world, but that isn’t what the media asks her about. When the 2016 Summer Olympics begin in Rio de Janeiro, the 30-year-old Muslim will become the first American woman to compete in the Games wearing a traditional headscarf known as a hijab.
Speaking out At a time of terrorist attacks worldwide and Donald Trump calling for a ban on Muslim immigration, Muhammad’s religion has made her a lightning rod for attention. Television news crews have followed her through training and President Barack Obama singled her out at a recent event in Baltimore. Time magazine listed her among the 100 most influential people of the year. Normally a private person, Muhammad has made a point of speaking openly about her life in ways that reach beyond sport.
TALK
from Page 1 said. “After all, He says, ‘I will give you descendants that will number more than the sand by the sea and the stars in the sky.’ That’s a lot of sex. You don’t get descendants without procreation.” He understands that people more are accustomed to getting their sexual advice from Dr. Phil than from the minister they see in church every Sunday. “People are not used to hearing the language of sexuality in church,” Sanders said. “But you cannot talk about the Bible and not talk about sexuality.”
HIV a punishment? Duane Crumb, director of HIV Hope International, told one session that for all of its talk about forgiveness of acceptance, the church can be one of the least accepting places for people with HIV or AIDS. Many see the Black church as having a special
TALK
from Page 1 AIDS Response.
Other factors Funding for HIV declined for 13 of 14 donor governments assessed in the analysis, in part because of a technical reason: The U.S. dollar became stronger, resulting in the depreciation of most other donor currencies. Even some of the drop in funding from the U.S. itself can be explained away on paper. The U.S. pushed some of its dollars into the 2016 spread sheet to pay for the new DREAMS proj-
WIKIPEDIA
Ibtihaj Muhammad has been very vocal against Donald Trump’s proposed ban on Muslim immigration. “It’s a tough political environment we’re in right now,” she told the media at a U.S. Olympic Committee summit in Los Angeles. “Muslims are under the microscope.”
Ban lifted in 2014 Across the room, Alexander Massialas – the top foil fencer in the world – looks at all the reporters surrounding his teammate and shakes his head. “It has to be tough, but she’s handling it extremely well,” he says. “She’s never been one to shy away from a fight.” A half-dozen female athletes wore hijabs at the 2012 London Olympics. The international soccer federaresponsibility, given the disproportionate impact HIV/AIDS has on AfricanAmericans. Although African-Americans represent only 12 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for 44 percent of new HIV infections and 44 percent of people living with HIV in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are some who view HIV as punishment for disobeying what they perceive as God’s instructions. They point to Leviticus 18:22: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” and Leviticus 20:13: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”
Religious and rigid But others view that as a selective reading of the Bible. For example, upworthy. com observes, “Yep. We’ve all heard that Leviticus is ect aimed at attacking HIV infections among girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa and to expand male circumcision services in many of the same countries. Still, in the words of Jen Kates, one of the authors of the report, “it’s a real decline.” In this increasingly complicated and unstable world, other reasons explain the funding drop off. “We know that governments are facing fiscal austerity measures,” explained Kates, a Kaiser Family Foundation vice president. “We also know that they are faced with competing demands, including refugee and humanitarian emergencies that are affecting
tion lifted its ban on headscarves in 2014 and basketball followed a year later. “A step in the right direction,” Muhammad says. Growing up in New Jersey, one of five kids raised by a father who was a narcotics detective and a mother who taught school, she learned early that appearances make a difference. A competitive nature led her to sports, but she often felt awkward playing volleyball or running track with her head covered, a uniform pulled over the top of sweat pants and long sleeves. “I would get stares,” she says. “My skin color, my religion, made other people where the Bible straight-up says that homosexual behavior is an abomination. And yes, it does. It also says that homosexuals should receive the death penalty (!!!). It also says the same thing about eating pork or shellfish, charging interest on loans, and a whole bunch of other restrictions that were a part of the Old Testament Law Code. “But for Christians, the Old Testament doesn’t (dare I say “shouldn’t?”) settle any issue because Romans 10:4 says that Christ is the end of the law. Which is probably why most Christians today eat meat, use credit cards, wear makeup, and support equality for women. Because, as Hebrews 8:13 says, the old law is obsolete and aging.” Dueling interpretations of the Bible notwithstanding, there is no question that African-Americans are extremely religious.
Some change A Pew Foundation study found, “African-Americans stand out as the most religiously committed racial or ethnic group in the nation.” their budgets.”
Unhappy activists No matter the explanations, activists are worried and angry. “We can’t be silent in the face of hypocrisy and broken promises,” said Nkhensani Mavasa, chair of South Africa’s Treatment Action Campaign, during the conference’s opening ceremony. “Governments are refusing to deliver funding increases and this is unacceptable.” More bluntly, she added: “When your house is burning and your family is inside, you don’t beg quietly but you shout and you scream. Our house is still burning.”
Qualifying challenge After graduation, she continued fencing with the national program. “I’ve known her since we were young,” says Daryl Homer, an Olympic teammate who met Muhammad at the Peter Westbrook Foundation, a New York organization that introduces inner-city youth to the sport. “It’s amazing to see the transformation she has made.” Qualifying for the Games can be nerve-racking under the best of circumstances. As Muhammad chased a spot on the U.S. team, the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., made nightly news and Trump proposed “a total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the country. American mosques were being vandalized and Muslim passengers kicked off It explained, “...nearly eight-in-ten African-Americans (79 percent) say religion is very important in their lives, compared with 56 percent among all U.S. adults. In fact, even a large majority (72 percent) of African-Americans who are unaffiliated with any particular faith say religion plays at least a somewhat important role in their lives; nearly half (45 percent of unaffiliated African-Americans say religion is very important in their lives, roughly three times the percentage who says this among the religiously unaffiliated population overall (16 percent).” There are some signs that the Black church is becoming more involved. For example, the NAACP declared July 17 as the Day of Unity whereby pastors
commercial airlines. “That was always one of my concerns,” Muhammad says. “Am I going to be allowed to board my flight to make it to my Olympic qualifier?”
On political stage The fencing strip was one place where she could shut it all out, putting together a string of podium finishes on the World Cup circuit this winter to secure her spot in Rio. At that point, she could have chosen to lay low, avoiding distractions, but it wasn’t in her nature. “For as long as I’ve known her,” Massialas says, “she’s always had an opinion on something.” Sensing an opportunity to inform the national debate, Muhammad took to social media and appeared on network news, “The Today Show” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” to tell her story. Obama invited her to that meeting with Muslims, where he challenged her to win gold, adding: “Not to put any pressure on you.” Two months later, she gave Michelle Obama a fencing lesson during a USOC event.
Setting an example Her public comments were always straightforward – nothing melodramatic. Still, she drew heat. In April, Muhammad tweeted about a man who followed her down the street, asking if she was going to blow something up. Invited to speak at the South by Southwest festival a month later, she was told to remove her hijab for an accreditation photo. Festival officials later apologized. She became a target online. “I just delete them before I can finish reading them,” she says. Muhammad has kept herself in the public eye for two reasons. First, she wants to set an across the U.S. preached on HIV as a social justice issue. Jesse Milan, Jr., interim president and CEO of AIDS United and a former board chair of the Black AIDS Institute, said the Black church could do more. He said the church is very good about praying for and laying hands on members diagnosed with diabetes or cardiovascular disease, but has exemplified an unwillingness to show similar expression of support for those with HIV or AIDS.
Grounded in traditions In a conversation with Sanders at a Black AIDS Institute forum at the AIDS Conference last month in South Africa, Milan said: “If we don’t actually blurt out
example for a Muslim community that, she believes, could do more to encourage girls in sport. Second, she says, “I’m hoping to change the image that people may have of Muslim women.” “We come in all different shapes, colors and sizes and we come from different backgrounds and we’re productive members of society,” she says. “I want people to see we can even be Olympic athletes.”
Ramadan regimen The Islamic calendar is slightly shorter than the solar year, so Ramadan gradually shifts across the seasons. The holy month began in early June this year. Days of fasting and intense prayer forced Muhammad to adjust her training regimen at a critical juncture. “It’s such a spiritual moment for me as a Muslim,” she says. “But at the same time I have to prepare for the Olympics.” Getting up before sunrise gave her time to eat a full meal and have an early workout. Drinking extra water and shortening her midday fencing sessions kept her from becoming dehydrated. After breaking the fast with a large meal at sunset, she made up for lost time by practicing five or six hours into the night. “I have to be aware of my body,” she says. “Just know that I can’t push myself as far as I could if I wasn’t fasting.” Talking about Ramadan is another part of her effort to demystify Islam, another way to help America understand the life of Muslims. “Can I influence the debate?” she asks. “I don’t know.” There will be one more chance for her to re-shape opinions when she steps onto the strip for the women’s saber competition in Rio. “I’m just trying to do well,” she says. “That’s my plan.” those words when we’re doing that call, whether it’s an altar call or prayer, we’re not actually doing everything we can.” To do everything it can, Sanders said, the church must not remain stuck in the Old Testament teachings. “In our churches, we probably have been more conservative, in many instances, in the way in which we have approached social issues,” he stated. “We have not been as effective in translating 1stcentury text into 21st-century realities. What often gets in the way of being able to move forward around complex issues is that we are still grounded in traditions that are past and gone.”
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AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 11, 2016
POLITICS
B3
Ruling against voter ID law could help Clinton G. Roberts Jr., a longtime critic of the preclearance requirement, wrote in the court’s 5-4 decision that the special scrutiny for the South was outdated, brushing aside pleas from civil rights advocates who warned that the protections were still necessary.
BY NOAM N. LEVEY TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON – Three years after the Supreme Court deemed a key antidiscrimination provision of the Voting Rights Act unnecessary, a federal court on July 29 ruled that a subsequently imposed North Carolina law requiring photo IDs at polling places was aimed at discouraging minority turnout. The decision, just three months before election day, likely gives Democrat Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign a boost by removing potential voting barriers that would have fallen hardest on Blacks and other Democraticleaning voters. The strongly worded decision by a three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., blasted the Republican-led state Legislature, all but charging lawmakers with racism in passing a law that also curtailed voting times. “Because of race, the legislature enacted one of the largest restrictions of the franchise in modern North Carolina history,” Judge Diana Gribbon Motz wrote for the panel, all Democratic appointees. “We can only conclude that the North Carolina General Assembly enacted the challenged provisions of the law with discriminatory intent.”
Other actions The decision, which reverses a lower court ruling, is a major victory for the state’s NAACP chapter, the Obama administration and others who sued to overturn the law. And it marked the third time in 10 days that a federal court had concluded a voter identification law en-
‘Almost surgical precision’
DAVID ZUCCHINO/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS
Alberta Currie, center, stands with her twin daughters Linda, left, and Brenda on Aug. 15, 2013, in Hope Mills, North Carolina. Currie never had a birth certificate and feared she would be prevented from voting under North Carolina’s restrictive voter ID law. acted by a Republican-led state government threatened voting rights. Also last month, the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans had ordered Texas state officials to take steps to help minority voters disproportionately affected by that state’s voter identification requirement. And in Wisconsin, a federal judge effectively prohibited that state from requiring voters to have photo identification when they vote. Civil rights groups say such laws put an undue burden on poor and minority voters, who may not have valid photo IDs or would encounter difficulties obtaining one. Such voters also tend to vote for Democrats, leading critics to allege the laws are in-
tended to help Republican candidates. “The timing of these decisions really speaks to the way in which courts are awakening to the fact that race is unfortunately influencing many legislatures that are crafting impediments to voting,” said Ryan Haygood, a former voting rights lawyer for the Legal Defense Fund of the NAACP. “Now that the burden has been lifted, I think we can expect more turnout.”
Key voting state That may prove particularly critical in North Carolina, which emerged as a swing state after record numbers of Black voters helped Barack Obama carry it in 2008. North Carolina had not backed a Democratic presidential candi-
date since 1976. The Clinton campaign has been targeting North Carolina, and Obama campaigned there alongside Clinton last month, the first time the two had appeared together on the stump. North Carolina also may play a key role this year in the battle for control of the U.S. Senate. Democrats, hoping to regain a majority, are eyeing Republican Sen. Richard Burr’s seat.
Vow to appeal North Carolina Republican leaders blasted the court’s decision. “Three Democratic judges are undermining the integrity of our elections while also maligning our state,” Gov. Pat McCrory said in a statement. He pledged to appeal the decision, though it
is unclear whether the Supreme Court would act before the Nov. 8 election. North Carolina and other Republican-led states, including many in the South, enacted new voter identification laws almost immediately after the Supreme Court in 2013 struck down Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which had required states and municipalities with a history of discrimination to seek clearance from the federal government before changing voting rules. Although the Constitution was amended after the Civil War to forbid racial discrimination in voting, that protection had proved ineffective in the face of Southern lawmakers determined to enact rules to limit voting access. But Chief Justice John
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North Carolina responded by cutting back early voting, ending same-day registration and requiring voters to present photo identification before casting a ballot. Like the architects of similar laws around the country, North Carolina lawmakers argued the steps were necessary to prevent voter fraud. In its blistering decision on July 29, the appellate court firmly rejected that reasoning, charging that the state had devised “cures for problems that did not exist.” Instead, the judges concluded, the legislature embarked on an obviously partisan effort to solidify Republican control of state government by targeting Black voters “with almost surgical precision” and undermining a key Democratic voting bloc. “We recognize that elections have consequences, but winning an election does not empower anyone in any party to engage in purposeful racial discrimination,” Motz wrote. “When a legislature dominated by one party has dismantled barriers to Black access to the franchise, even if done to gain votes, ‘politics as usual’ does not allow a legislature dominated by the other party to re-erect those barriers. The record evidence is clear that this is exactly what was done here.”
EDUCATION
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Set the stage for
SUCCESS Tips for a smooth transition back to school
FROM FAMILY FEATURES
For parents putting bright-eyed students on the bus for the very first time and for seasoned moms and dads who know the drill inside and out, gearing up for another year of school is a process. The shopping extravaganzas, trips to the doctor for physicals, endless forms and paperwork all culminate in a single moment: the first day back to school. Often, it’s this first day (or days) that set the tone for the school year to come. Help your child feel prepared and confident to tackle whatever the school year brings with these tips for a successful start.
EXPRESS PERSONALITY WITH STYLE Encouraging your child to develop his or her own unique personality can be tough with social “rules” and official policies that determine dress code, supplies and more. When you get down to it, though, there are dozens of ways to let kids explore personal expression without breaking any rules or subjecting them to unwanted attention. Accessories: Even at schools with uniforms or dress codes, there is some latitude when it comes to accessorizing. Dress codes vary, but many allow flexibility in things such as socks, shoes, hair bows and jewelry. School supplies: Let kids choose their own writing implements as a personal statement of self-expression, which is especially important to middle and high school students. With so many options, it’s easy to bypass the basic bargain selection and choose from an array of new designs and creative features, such as those offered by Zebra Pen. Personal space: For younger students, the area designated as a student’s own may be limited to a backpack or storage cubby. For older kids, there’s an entire locker to consider. Customizing these personal areas lets kids assert a clear stamp of individuality. Photos, artwork and treasured mementoes bring these personal spaces to life.
Plan well-balanced meals
necessary registrations as many extra-curricular activities are closely linked to the traditional school calendar.
Summer break brings a lax approach to many aspects of life, and healthy eating is often one of them. However, nutrition plays an important role in overall development and countless studies show correlation between academic performance and good nutrition. As the school year approaches, work at creating healthy menus. If hectic scheduling makes it difficult to get well-balanced meals in lunchboxes and on the dinner table through the week, allocate a portion of the weekend for a family prep session.
Follow the paper trail The volume of paperwork associated with sending a child to school can be overwhelming. From registration forms and emergency contact sheets to physicals and immunization records, the list goes on and on. Keep on track with a list of all the materials you’re responsible for completing, along with special notes for those that require visits to the doctor’s office or other appointments.
Reinstate bedtimes
Take a tour
Easing back into earlier bedtimes will make things smoother for everyone when the alarms start ringing on early school day mornings. Well before the start of school, gradually back off more time each night – in 15-minute increments, for example – to get kids back in bed early enough to capture at least 10 hours of sleep, the amount recommended for school-aged children and adolescents by the National Institutes of Health.
Especially for new students, but even for experienced kids, spend some time getting familiar with the school before the big day. Seeing the bus dropoff location, classroom, bathrooms, cafeteria and any other major features ahead of time can help soothe jitters and lets you proactively answer worries or questions about how those first days may unfold.
Get creative to boost enthusiasm Part of the fun of heading back to the classroom is a shiny new set of supplies. Build your kids’ excitement by letting them select the tools they’ll use to bring home good grades, like pens and pencils. Despite a keyboard and touchscreen-driven world, sales of color-focused
products like felt-tip markers, porous (fine line) pens and colored pencils are on the rise. In an effort to follow and respond to trends, Zebra Pen continues to introduce products that allow for personal expression, whether in the ink color chosen for notes or the barrel design to complement your kids’ style. “We’re conscious of the influx of technology in the school, but still see the importance of writing instruments in the school environment. There is a great deal of pen or pencil and paper activity in the classroom and we have focused on providing products that meet the needs of teach-
ers and students alike,” said Ken Newman, Director of Marketing at Zebra Pen. “Our Sarasa retractable gel pen, which comes in 14 vibrant colors, boasts one of the fastest drying inks on the market. And for those looking to express style through design, consider a Z-Grip Plus ballpoint pen, featuring our smoothest ballpoint ink and a fashion-friendly barrel design, or perhaps a traditional Z-Grip ballpoint with a floral or animal pattern. For the younger writer whose world of writing is confined mostly to pencil, the Cadoozles line of No. 2 and colored mechanical pencils offers
functionality and fun.” There are options for every stage of a student’s development, whether they are a beginner, intermediate or have progressed toward the end of their academic careers. A complete selection can be found online at ZebraPen.com. Explore outside of academics: Developing interests outside the classroom builds confidence and character, teaches discipline and may help reveal hidden passions or talents that translate into future scholarships or career choices. Now is an ideal time to explore the options available in your community and complete
Establish a transition tradition Celebrate the end of summer and the fresh start ahead by creating a special family tradition. It may be a final backyard campout for the season or a scrapbooking project that captures memories from the summer and describes goals for the school year. The time together to talk about what lies ahead can help get the family geared up for a successful school year.
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FINEST & ENTERTAINMENT
AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 11, 2016
Meet some of
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Cheryl Boone Isaacs was re-elected this week as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She has led efforts to increase diversity within the academy’s membership. Recently, the academy invited 683 new members to join. Forty-six percent were women and 41 percent are people of color. JAY L. CLENDENIN/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS
Two brothers of reality star shot and killed Two bothers of reality TV star Toya Wright – Rudy and Josh Johnson – were shot to death early July 31 morning in New Orleans. According to a NOLA. com report, the two men were discovered shortly after midnight Sunday inside a car near the corner of Pauger and North Miro streets Toya in the city’s Wright 7th Ward. Both had been shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene, New Orleans police said. Less than an hour later, a man was shot to death in the Seabrook neighborhood of New Orleans East. Early this week, police had not released any information about a motive or possible suspects in either fatal shooting. Wright, a New Orleans native, is the ex-wife of Lil
Sweetie Pie’s owner sues son BY TONYA PENDLETON BLACKAMERICAWEB.COM
It looks like things have gone sour between “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s’’ Robbie Montgomery and her son and business partner Tim Norman. Reports state that the former OWN reality star and owner of the Sweetie Pie’s restaurants is currently suing him. According to the St. Louis Dispatch, the suit, which was filed Monday in a St. Louis federal court, claims that Norman illegally used the trademarked Sweetie Pie’s name at three new restaurants he opened in St. Louis and California, which are not franchised under
Wayne and is one of the stars of “Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars” on We TV. She is also a musician, author and owner of a Magazine Street boutique. Shortly after news broke about Wright’s brothers, several stars took to social media to pay their condolences. K. Michelle tweeted a series of messages, writing, “I would DM u but we blocked each other long ago. I just received word of ur loss. Even though we’ve never met my heart hurts 4u. Nobody deserves that type of pain. We may never be best friend but U are my sister in Christ. I pray for u and your whole family. Continue 2fight for 4ur healing. I understand sleepless nights, but the best thing is the sun comes up in the morning. No beef or hate in my heart 4 you. Only support and prayers up. Please know that God has a purpose on ur life. Stay strong.” Raptress Trina also sent her love to Wright, tweeting, “I’m praying for @ToyaWright her mom and her family during this horrible tragedy. My heart is heavy. Life is so short.” his mother’s brand. The lawsuit also accuses Norman of misusing signage and promotional materials for his locations and diverting “substantial sums” of revenue from one of Montgomery’s restaurants to his new ventures, the newspaper noted. Essentially, Montgomery claims that her son has now made it difficult for her to market and sell a Sweetie Pie’s franchise in Los Angeles and the St. Louis region. This lawsuit is just another blow that the Montgomery family has had to endure in the past year. In March, Montgomery’s 21-year-old grandson, Andre Montgomery, was tragically shot and killed. In addition, one of the St. Louis locations was recently broken into and robbed.
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The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) will honor NBC anchor Lester Holt as its Journalist of the Year on Aug. 6 during the organization’s Salute to Excellence Awards Gala. NABJ and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) are hosting a joint convention this week in Washington, D.C. While Holt won’t be at the convention due to Olympics coverage, his achievements will be recognized at the gala.
FRENCH MONTANA
The Bad Boy Family Reunion is coming to AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Sept. 10 and Tampa’s Amalie Arena on Sept. 11. Performers will include Puff Daddy, Faith Evans, Lil Kim, Mase, 112, Total, Carl Thomas, The Lox and French Montana.
HEZEKIAH WALKER
Tickets are on sale for the Festival of Praise on Nov. 30 at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater. Performers include Fred Hammond, Pastor Hezekiah Walker, Israel Houghton, Karen Clark Sheard, Regina Belle and Casey J.
FLORIDA COMMUNITY CALENDAR Miami Gardens: An Orange Bowl Family Fun & Fit Day is set for Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, 3000 NW 199th St. It will include free haircuts, backpacks, school supplies and health screenings. Jacksonville: Maxwell performs Aug. 7 at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts. St. Petersburg: Jill Scott takes the Mahaffey Theater
stage on Sept. 1. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Jacksonville: A-Train Live: The Experience with Rodney Perry makes a stop at the Ritz Theatre & Museum on Aug. 19. Orlando: Man in the Mirror: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band performs Aug. 19 at House of Blues Orlando for a 7 p.m. show. Miami: Drake’s Summer Sixteen Tour, which features Future, makes an Aug. 30 stop at the AmericanAirlines Arena. Jacksonville: Aaron Bing
TRINA
A Kings & Queens of Hip Hop concert is Aug. 27 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Artists will include DMX, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Trina and Scarface.
performs Aug. 14 at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts.
will perform Sept. 13 at the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater.
Orlando: Dru Hill and Lyfe Jennings perform Aug. 27 at House of Blues Orlando for a 7 p.m. show.
Jacksonville: Catch Boney James on Aug. 18 at the Florida Theatre Jacksonville The show is at 8 p.m.
Jacksonville: Jill Scott takes the stage Aug. 28 at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts and Aug. 30 at the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach.
Hollywood: Seal performs Aug. 18 at Hard Rock Live. The show starts at 8 p.m.
Fort Lauderdale: The Keb’ Mo’ Band will perform Sept. 22 at the Parker Playhouse. Miami Beach: Leon Bridges
Jacksonville: Kenny G stops by the Florida Theatre Jacksonville on Sept. 1 for an 8 p.m. show. Miami: Kanye West’s The Saint Pablo Tour stops at AmericanAirlines Arena on Sept. 16.
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FOOD
AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 11, 2016
STOJ
OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIE CORN Yield: 10 cups 8 cups popped popcorn 3 tablespoons melted butter 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 cup crunchy granola 1 cup raisins 1 cup walnut halves In bowl, toss popcorn with melted butter. Combine sugar with cinnamon; sprinkle over popcorn. Toss with granola, raisins and walnuts until combined.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Corn
CRUNCHY POPCORN TRAIL MIX Yield: 9 cups 5 cups popped popcorn 3 cups whole-grain oat cereal 1/3 cup raisins 1/3 cup peanuts (or other nuts) 1/3 cup sunflower seeds 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine 6 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons light corn syrup In large, microwavable bowl, stir together popcorn, cereal, raisins, nuts and seeds; set aside. In small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Heat until boiling; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour over popcorn mixture, stirring to coat evenly. Microwave 3-4 minutes, stirring and scraping bowl after each minute. Spread onto greased cookie sheet; cool. Break into pieces and store in airtight container.
FROM FAMILY FEATURES
Next time you reach for a snack, go for a great-tasting option that delivers on both flavor and nutrition. Sensible snacks can be surprisingly delicious when you choose ingredients wisely. One popular choice: popcorn. Ideal for between-meal snacking since it satisfies but doesn’t spoil the appetite, popcorn is also the perfect addition to treats such as snack bars and trail mix. The key to smart snacking is finding good-for-you ingredients that make your body healthy and your taste buds happy. With no artificial additives or preservatives, popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories. The whole grain provides energy-producing complex carbohydrates and contains fiber, providing roughage the body needs in the daily diet. Find more healthy snack solutions at popcorn.org. CRISPY CRUNCHY APPLE POPCORN Yield: 7 cups 6 cups popped popcorn 1 tablespoon butter, melted 2 teaspoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 2 cups dried apple chips Heat oven to 300 F. Line 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil; butter foil. Spread popcorn in pan and drizzle with melted butter; toss popcorn. Sprinkle popcorn with sugar and cinnamon, and toss again. Bake 7 minutes. Sprinkle apple chips over popcorn and heat an additional 3 minutes. Serve warm, or cool to room temperature. Store in airtight container.
Crunchy Popcorn Trail Mix
Crispy Crunchy Apple Popcorn
Popcorn Granola Snack Bars POPCORN GRANOLA SNACK BARS Yield: 16 bars Nonstick cooking spray 1/2 cup honey 2/3 cup peanut butter 1 cup granola cereal 1 cup roasted and salted peanuts 3 cups popped popcorn Line 8- or 9-inch square baking pan with foil. Spray foil lightly with cooking spray; set aside. In large saucepan, heat honey until boiling. Stir in peanut butter until well blended. Remove pan from heat and stir in granola, peanuts and popcorn until coated. Press mixture evenly into prepared pan. Refrigerate until cool; cut into bars to serve.
PERFECT POPCORN There’s nothing like the taste of freshly popped popcorn and nothing like the disappointment of burnt popcorn. Follow these simple steps and you’ll have perfect popcorn every time. • Whether on the stove or in the microwave, popcorn will begin popping in a few minutes. • When the popping begins to slow, listen until you can count two seconds between pops. Remove the pan from heat or bag from microwave. • Remember to lift the lid or open the bag away from your face to prevent steam burns.
Yummy Yogurt Popcorn
YUMMY YOGURT POPCORN Yield: 2 1/2 quarts 2 1/2 quarts popped popcorn 1 cup plain yogurt 1 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup light corn syrup In large bowl, keep popped popcorn warm. In 2 1/2-quart saucepan, combine yogurt, brown sugar and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat to hard ball stage (250 F on candy thermometer). Pour over popped popcorn, stirring to coat.