9.9.20 NPC

America’s best weekly

HIGHLAND PARK TENNIS CLUB Organization awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors Page A7

Pittsburgh Courier NEW

www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 111 No. 37

Two Sections

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

thenewpittsburghcourier Published Weekly $1.00

A clear message—‘Vote in Every Election’ Divisiveness in country ‘at a level I’ve never seen,’ says B-PEP’s Stevens

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

President Donald Trump, during a recent bevy of remarks, called the upcoming November Presidential Election the “most important election in the history of our country.”

And on Thursday, Sept. 3, nearly 50 local organizations came together on Wylie Avenue and Kirkpatrick Street in the Hill District, feverishly urging Pittsburgh’s Black community to vote in the upcoming election, Nov. 3.

Problem for Trump is, the more that Pittsburgh’s Black community turns out to vote in the upcoming election, the better the chances are that Trump could lose Pennsylvania, making way for Democrat

Joe Biden to become the next U.S. president.

“This election is pivotal,” said Tim Stevens, Chairman and CEO of the Black Political Empowerment Project, the organization that hosted the unified press conference at Wylie and Kirkpatrick. “The divisiveness in this country is at a level I’ve never seen.

And it’s troubling, it’s sad, and people need to look at that. Is this the direction that we want to continue in as a nation? If it is, keep moving. If it isn’t, move in a different direction.”

You name the organization, and they are involved in the “Campaign For Power,” urging Black residents to vote: The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh NAACP; YWCA of Greater Pitts-

TIM STEVENS, Chairman and CEO of the Black Political Empowerment Project, wants Black residents to vote in the upcoming General Election, Nov. 3; and better yet, vote in every election. (Photos by J.L. Martello) burgh; Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; Alpha Kappa Alpha

Links; the Voter Empowerment Education and Enrichment Movement; and many more.

“Is this the direction that we want to continue in as a nation? ... If it isn’t, move in a different direction.”

TIM STEVENS CHAIRMAN AND CEO, B-PEP

CELESTE TAYLOR, WITH B-PEP

Sorority Inc.; South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace; League of Women Voters; Pittsburgh Chapter of the

Take a look at the Port Authority Buses rolling around town; 20 of them are sporting a B-PEP ban-

ner urging people to apply for a mail-in ballot now, or vote at their usual polling location on Nov. 3. Unlike the June Primary Election, Allegheny County will have all of its usual polling locations open for the Nov. 3 General Election.

And beginning Oct. 1, there will be 17 billboards plastered high in the sky in Pittsburgh and Wilkinsburg, with the same information from B-PEP. “We don’t want anyone to wake up (after the election) and not feel that they did what they needed to do to get into office who they

wanted elected,” Stevens told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview. “If they like what’s going on, put him (Trump) back; if you don’t like what’s going on, you take him out. But we have to be in the polling place to make our decisions, individually and collectively.”

Across the U.S., 750,000 fewer African Americans voted in the 2016 Presidential Election than in 2012, when Barack Obama was re-elected.

Why did less African SEE VOTE A2

Arrests made in shooting death of baby in Spring Hill

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Police and the community are unified in their outrage at the shooting death of 1-year-old Zykier Young, who was sleeping in a residence in Three Rivers Manor in Spring Hill when a stray bullet struck him in the head, Aug. 24.

And after a dayslong search, Pittsburgh Police announced early Friday, Sept. 4, that they had ar-

rested two men in connection with the shooting death, and are currently looking for a third man.

Police have arrested Andre Crawford and Marvin Hill. As of Tuesday night, Sept. 8, they’re still looking for Devon Thompson.

All are being charged with criminal homicide.

“At 1 year old, what was cut down was a prince that did not have an opportunity to be a king. An athlete that didn’t even get a

ZYKIER YOUNG was shot and killed by a stray bullet in Spring Hill, Aug. 24.

chance to be on the field. A scholar that didn’t even get a chance to read a book,” said Rev. Anthony Dent, of Canaan Baptist Church in Hiller, Pa. He made the remarks during a vigil and balloon release for Young, Aug. 26. “We cannot blame God on this. God is sovereign, he’s still a loving God. But what we can blame… is those that took it upon themselves to spray with weapons instead of putting the weapons down…in our

community.”

Reverend Dent added: “We’re killing a 1-year-old over senseless stuff…The Bible says to be angry, but sin not.”

Pittsburgh Police have had it with the spurt of shootings that’s happened inside the city over the past few weeks. But they had to speak out after a baby was taken away.

“These shooters are going SEE SPRING HILL A4

PITTSBURGHERS TRAVEL TO LOUISVILLE IN MEMORY OF BREONNA TAYLOR

MICHELLE KENNEY, left, the mother of Antwon Rose II, with Tamika D. Mallory. Mallory is a co-founder of the racial justice organization Until Freedom.

Pittsburgh Courier NEW

To subscribe, call 412-481-8302 ext. 136

MIRACLE JONES, JASIRI X, MICHELLE KENNEY, BRITTNEY CHANTELE LOCAL ORGANIZATION 1 HOOD MEDIA led a Pittsburgh contingent to Louisville in late August, not only in Breonna Taylor’s memory, but to demand justice for her death. Taylor, 26, was killed by Louisville Police while she was in her apartment, prompting a national outcry of police shootings against African Americans. (Photos by Emmai Alaquiva)

A2

METRO

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

A clear message—‘Vote in Every Election’ VOTE FROM A1

Divisiveness in country ‘at a level I’ve never seen,’ says B-PEP’s Stevens

Americans vote in 2016 than 2012? Was it because there wasn’t a Black candidate for president?

Did Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, not appeal enough to Black voters?

No matter the reason, most African Americans are unhappy with Trump as president. National polls suggest that 83 percent of Blacks favor Biden, and just 8 percent favor Trump. African Americans have watched Trump criticize iconic civil rights figures like the late John Lewis, and rebel against Colin Kaepernick, the NFL player who originally took a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.

African Americans have watched Trump seemingly side with police over police brutality against Blacks; they’ve watched Trump visit Kenosha, Wisconsin, to see the damage rioters caused, but didn’t meet with the family of Jacob

Blake, the Kenosha Black resident who was shot seven times by a White police officer on Aug. 23.

Many of the speakers who represented local organizations at the Hill District press conference stayed non-partisan, including Stevens. But Stevens did tell the Courier: “What’s at stake for the Black community is so drastic in terms of the whole direction (of the country). How many Supreme Court rulings have been 5 to 4 (vote)?

And the courts have been going in a certain direction, so if people don’t like that direction, they need to correct it.”

Stevens added: “The whole direction of the country and the priorities of government are determined, to some degree, by the president and their administration. That’s just the way it is.”

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, residents are being urged to mail their ballots in rather

THIS BANNER is already on the sides of Port Authority buses around town, and beginning in October, will be on 17 billboards across the city. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello) than going to the polls in-person. Many Allegheny County residents applied for a mail-in ballot for the Primary Election in June, and voted in that manner.

However, for the upcoming General Election, you must apply again to receive the new ballot, which is for the Nov. 3 election.

To apply online for a General Election ballot, visit alleghenyvotes.com.

To download and print out a paper copy of the mail-in ballot application, you can also visit alleghenyvotes. com, and then send the application via the regular mail. If you’d like to apply in-person for a mail-

WILLIAM ANDERSON, with B-PEP.

ESTHER BUSH, President and CEO of The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.

in ballot, visit the County Elections Office at 542 Forbes Avenue, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The deadline for all mail-in ballot applications to be received by the County Elections Office is Oct. 27. The deadline for all completed mail-in ballots is 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Officials are urging residents not to wait until the last minute to apply for a ballot or in mailing their completed ballot.

“There’s a drastic difference in the philosophy, the style, the orientation at the top of both tickets,” Stevens told the Courier, referring to Trump, the Republican incumbent, and Biden, the Democratic contender. “Very different approaches to government, very different approaches to interacting with its citizenry…the pandemic… on race…this is a pivotal moment.”

THE NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER PUBLISHING COMPANY

Publication No.: USPS 381940 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: 412-481-8302 Fax: 412-481-1360 The New Pittsburgh Courier is published weekly Periodicals paid at Pittsburgh, Pa. PRICE $1.00 (Payable in advance) 6 Months—$25 1 Year—$45 2 Years—$85 9-Month School Rate $35

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

New Pittsburgh Courier 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219

MOMS DEMAND ACTION, one of the many organizations collaborating to urge African Americans to vote in not just the Nov. 3 Presidential Election, but all elections.

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020 A3

A4

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Arrests made in shooting death of baby in Spring Hill

BALLOONS ARE RELEASED IN MEMORY OF ZYKIER YOUNG, the 1-year-old who was killed by a stray bullet in Spring Hill, Aug. 24. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

KIDS POINTING at the balloons released for Zykier Young.

PASTOR DORTHY STUBBS speaks to the crowd at the vigil and balloon release.

WARREN PARKS AND KAMIA JONES, grandparents of Zykier Young.

SPRING HILL FROM A1

to be held accountable for what they did,” said Victor Joseph, of the city police’s major crimes unit.

“This is a baby. This is an innocent, innocent baby.”

“This has got to end,” added Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert at a

recent press conference.

Prior to the suspects being arrested, Rev. Dent said that whoever was responsible for the shooting death should have willingly turned themselves in. Pastor Dorothy Stubbs of New Evangelistic Ministries had said that any-

one who knew something about the shooting should have said something. She said that people like to remain quiet, but then, when something happens to a friend or family member, “you want everybody to open up their mouths.”

It’s unclear if community members gave police tips on who was responsible for the shooting. But police did say they were able to identify some of the suspects through surveillance video.

Pastor Stubbs knows Young’s grandfather, Eugene Young Sr. Eugene Young Sr.’s son, Eugene Young Jr., died at age 27 in a motorcycle accident in Ohio, Aug. 12. Zykier Young’s tragic death was yet another heartbreak that the Young family had to endure.

“The baby had a lot of love,” Pastor Stubbs said, “but didn’t have a chance to grow up in the love of a family that was full of love.”

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020 A5

A6

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH

RELIGION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Rev. Andrew Jackson’s 10th pastoral anniversary at Webster Ave. Christian & Missionary Alliance

Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Sunday Mass 10:30 A.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

East Liberty Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 Worship Online on Facebook/YouTube www.ELPC.church Journey Worship...........8:45 a.m.

Sanctuary Worship...........11 a.m.

Taize -Wednesdays.........7 p.m.

Curious about Quakerism?

You Are Welcome at our Meetings for Worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Pittsburgh Friends Meeting 4836 Ellsworth Avenue www.quaker.org/pghpamm/

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

REVEREND ANDREW JACKSON, and wife, first lady Rev. Helen Jackson, in front of Webster Ave. Christian & Missionary Alliance, 2325 Wesbter Ave., Aug. 29. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

REVEREND ANDREW JACKSON, and wife, first lady Rev. Helen Jackson, waving to all of their supporters.

A CAR DRIVING BY, wishing Pastor Andrew Jackson a happy pastoral anniversary.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEXT CHURCH EVENT! We want to place your event in our Church Circuit weekly calendar!

Send info to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh PA 15219 Or Email us! religion@ newpittsburgh courier.com

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

A DRIVE-THROUGH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY for Rev. Andrew ONE OF THE CHURCH DEACONS grabbing the cards for Pastor Andrew Jackson’s pastoral anniversary.

Jackson.

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

A7

Highland Park Tennis Club presents its annual scholarships Joyce Scott, with the Highland Park Tennis Club, is always delighted around this time of year.

It’s the time when the organization presents local high school graduates with scholarships, and who doesn’t want a scholarship?

Lundyn White, David Missry and Omri Raz were grateful to the Highland Park Tennis Club for their scholarship awards. All three are Class of 2020 members, with White graduating from Westinghouse, and Missry and Raz graduating from the home of the Dragons, Allderdice.

“The Highland Park Tennis Club (which has been in existence since 2001 and has more than 150 members) has always been about giving back to the community

in many different ways,” Scott told the New Pittsburgh Courier, Sept. 3.

“We have given a free tennis clinic for the last 18 years at Highland Park….we sponsored a 5K race in honor of one of our tennis members (who passed away), Dr. Morris Turner.”

Under normal conditions, the organization would also hold a Steelers party food drive, where attendees donate a bag of non-perishable items, the items then donated to local food banks.

But due to COVID-19, neither the tennis clinic nor the Steelers party could happen this year.

However, COVID couldn’t stop the scholarships.

LUNDYN WHITE, center, a Westinghouse High School graduate, with her scholarship award, presented in August from the Highland Park Tennis Club.

ALLDERDICE GRADUATE DAVID MISSRY, with his scholarship award.

OMRI RAZ, an Allderdice High School graduate, with his scholarship award.

A8

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

HEALTH

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Take Charge Of Your Health Today. Be Informed. Be Involved.

ESTHER BUSH

Pause: Take care before you share This month, the Take Charge of Your Health page discusses COVID-19 and its impact in the past six months. With the number of COVID-19 messages coming across our television and phone screens daily, we are becoming overwhelmed with information about this virus that has taken the world by storm. In the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 was believed to only affect countries outside of the United States. As the virus has spread, now the United States is a known hot spot for COVID-19 and has taken the lives of more than 180,000 people (including more than 300 people in Allegheny County). We are challenged to mourn these deaths while still trying to comprehend the virus’s devastating effects and how best to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

As we navigate this pandemic together, we have lost, in one way or another, the sense of what is “normal.” What once was routine no longer feels as reliable now that our lives have become derailed. From employment, childcare, education, access to food and much more, we have had to shift into an unknown world where COVID-19 has controlled our lives for the past six months. Since March, when we began to self-quarantine, we have turned to religion, family, friends or community for support. Many of us have also turned to social media and other news sources in an ongoing attempt to gain an understanding of this virus.

Social media can be both helpful and harmful when it comes to learning about COVID-19. In this month’s Take Charge of Your Health page, researcher Beth Hoffman discusses the ramifications associated with this first pandemic during the social media era, which makes it easy for information and misinformation to spread rapidly. The results are leaving people with both a virus pandemic and an infodemic of misinformation about the virus. So we should ask ourselves, when reading Facebook posts or Instagram stories that we see on a daily basis, how we can decipher which information is true. This is all the more important when we consider how COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black communities and continues to expose deep health disparities and social inequities.

Social media often fills people’s immediate urge for information with its instant access, but often such information itself also changes quickly, if it is even accurate to begin with. The spread of misinformation on social media is so concerning that the United Nations has begun a campaign called “Pause. Take care before you share,” which stresses sharing only trusted, accurate, science-based social media content (https://news. un.org/en/story/2020/06/106742?2).

I, along with Ms. Hoffman and Dr. Sidani, encourage readers to “pause” before sharing information on social media.

Most of all, we need to be sure of reliable sources of information. For example, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) is a great resource for the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 ( h t t p s : / / w w w. a l l e g h e n y c o u n t y. us/Health-Department/Resources/ COVID-19/COVID-19.aspx).

In recent numbers provided by ACHD, more than 10,000 people in Allegheny County have tested positive for COVID-19. With the death rate at 83% for people older than 70, we must do what we can every day to protect ourselves, as well as others. Wearing masks correctly, properly social distancing by staying six feet away from other people and washing our hands thoroughly and for at least twenty seconds are some basic ways to stop the spread of COVID-19.

2020 has been an unsettling year for us all. Our promise to you is that the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh will remain a trusted resource of information as we continue to navigate this pandemic together.

Please watch for the Take Charge of Your Health page next month when we shine a light on what it means to provide care during COVID-19.

Take charge and take care.

Yours in the Movement, Esther L. Bush, President and CEO Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh

‘COVID-19 Infodemic’ Stopping the spread of misinformation As the COVID-19 pandemic has gripped the United States, most people’s lives have been derailed in some way—their health, employment, child care, education, etc. People have searched for ways to understand what is happening and how best to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. During the pandemic, an overwhelming amount of COVID-19 information has circled online and on social media. But is the information always accurate or helpful?

Social media often fills people’s needs for information because it of- BETH HOFFMAN, MPH JAIME E. SIDANI, PHD, fers immediate access. But the inMPH formation that is spreading through social media is not always updated tagged in this infodemic,” says Jaime E. or factual. The World Health Organiza- Sidani, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of tion has deemed the spread of COVID-19 medicine, School of Medicine, and faculty information an “infodemic,” which it de- member with the Center for Behavioral fines as an “overabundance of informa- Health, Media, and Technology at Pitt. tion—some accurate and some not—ocOne part of the COVID-19 infodemic curring during an epidemic,” as serious that stood out to the researchers was the enough for a coordinated response. The misinformation related to a potential vacamount of information available about cine for the virus. No vaccine exists yet.

COVID-19 is so vast that it becomes diffi- However, Ms. Hoffman and Dr. Sidani cult to sift through and confusing to find were surprised to see antivaccine sentiwhat is accurate. Inaccurate informa- ment and misinformation from groups tion—or “misinformation”—often travels on Twitter that are not usually against quicker and can be taken as fact just as vaccines or spreaders of misinformation. readily as factual information.

“This is particularly concerning be“This is the first pandemic in this age of cause we have seen some targeting of ubiquitous social media use, which makes this misinformation to communities that it that much easier for misinformation to are particularly hard-hit by COVID-19, travel rapidly all over the globe,” says like the African American community,” Beth Hoffman, MPH, research assistant says Ms. Hoffman. with the University of Pittsburgh’s CenRecent polls show that only about 50% ter for Behavioral Health, Media, and of people in the United States plan to get Technology and a PhD student at Pitt’s a COVID-19 vaccine when one is availGraduate School of Public Health. “We able. Communities hard-hit by COVID-19 have a pandemic of a virus and an info- are also hesitant about a vaccine (https:// demic of misinformation about that vi- www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/06/justrus.”

50-americans-plan-get-covid-19-vaccineMs. Hoffman and her colleagues at Pitt here-s-how-win-over-rest). Ms. Hoffman are researching how the infodemic has and Dr. Sidani want to learn the reasons spread in order to help stop the acciden- why people are hesitant about a vaccine tal sharing of inaccurate information. and correct any misinformation so that They have examined information shared when a vaccine is available, people will online about COVID-19, especially on have facts on which to base their deciTwitter, and found it steeped in misinfor- sions. mation.

But how is COVID-19 misinformation “From who’s susceptible to COVID-19 spreading? Ms. Hoffman and Dr. Sidani to how can you protect yourself, every cite the prevalence of social media and single facet of the coronavirus has been how quickly information travels digitally.

And, because physicians and researchers are trying to learn about the virus as it spreads, the science is rapidly evolving and being updated.

“Everything we know about COVID-19 has been changing constantly,” says Ms. Hoffman. “When people were initially told to not wear masks so that health care professionals had enough, we didn’t know about asymptomatic spreaders.

Now we know that people can spread the virus without experiencing symptoms and that everyone should be wearing a mask. The virus has spread rapidly, the science changes sometimes weekly, social media use is prevalent, people have been at home using social media more— these are prime conditions for this viral spread of misinformation.”

The researchers also note that the infodemic shows that our population needs more media and health literacy.

“People will share misinformation on social media without knowing whether it’s true,” says Dr. Sidani. “We have to empower people with the knowledge to look at who’s spreading information, what their qualifications or potential biases are, whether the information makes sense and whether multiple, reputable outlets are reporting the same information.”

The spread of misinformation on social media is so concerning that the United Nations has begun a campaign called “Pause. Take care before you share,” which stresses sharing only trusted and accurate science-based social media content (https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/06/1067422). Both Ms. Hoffman and Dr. Sidani also urge people to pause before sharing information on social media and to remember that we are all affected by COVID-19.

“This is scary and new for all of us,” says Ms. Hoffman. “Scientists are working around the clock to get out the best available information. We can all do our parts by pausing and really knowing what we’re sharing. It may feel overwhelming, but just as we can all do small things each day to help curb the spread of the virus, we can all take small actions to help prevent the spread of misinformation.”

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020 A9

A10

METRO

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Celebrating Black Women’s Suffrage and the 150-year anniversary of the 15th Amendment

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

The 15th Amendment gave U.S. citizens the right to vote while not to be denied on the account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. It, in effect, granted African American men the right to vote, though, for generations, Blacks’ voting rights have been suppressed and discarded. Even with the 19th Amendment, which, in 1920, guaranteed American women the right to vote, that didn’t mean Black women were willingly placed into the voting booth.

Voting, in its simplest form, happens all the time. Families have a vote on where to spend vacation. Sports teams have an inner-management vote to choose who they’ll pick in, say, the NFL Draft.

But the true meaning of voting

has so much more at stake, which is why, to this day, some people still make it harder for Blacks to vote, their voices to be heard.

African Americans using their power to vote can easily influence, say, who the next mayor of Pittsburgh is, or the next state Representative, or the next Councilman, or the next U.S. President.

Don’t take voting for granted.

It is a right that many fought for African Americans to have. When they say, “your vote matters,” it truly does.

A Black Voting Rights Forum was held, Aug. 29, at St. Benedict the Moor Church in the Hill District, where the importance of voting was the top subject.

The next general election occurs on Nov. 3. Whether you send in a mail-in ballot or vote in-person, there’s one thing you must do.

Vote.

KORYN HAWTHORNE PERFORMS AT THE BLACK VOTING RIGHTS FORUM

AERION ABNEY

SAMARIA RICE, left. Rice is the mother of Tamir Rice, the 12-year-old who was shot and killed by a Cleveland Police officer in 2014.

The Black Voting Rights Forum was held, Aug. 29, at St. Benedict the Moor Church in the Hill District. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

NICKOLE NESBY, THE MAYOR OF DUQUESNE

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

PITTSBURGHERS TRAVEL TO LOUISVILLE, DEMAND JUSTICE FOR BREONNA TAYLOR PHOTOS BY EMMAI ALAQUIVA

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

There’s no way that Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman from Louisville who worked as an Emergency Medical Technician, could have thought her life would end the way it did.

She was in her own home, on a calm night, with her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, when someone created a loud bang on the front door. When the two asked who it was, no one responded. Fearing someone was breaking in, Walker fired a shot at the intruder.

What he didn’t know was, the intruders were actually Louisville police officers, in plainclothes, and coming unannounced, executing a “no-knock” search warrant on the residence. Officers returned fire, striking Taylor five times, killing her.

Word of the early-morning March 13 encounter didn’t spread across the country initially. Police in Louisville tried to keep it quiet, but slowly and surely, word began to spread.

The person the police were looking for, Jamarcus Glover, who is Taylor’s ex-boyfriend, wasn’t at the residence. He was arrested on the other side of the city.

And the police never found any drugs in the apartment, as they believed they would. As they investigated Glover, police believed drugs had been dropped off at Taylor’s residence.

Then word began to spread that the police had been instructed to identify themselves prior to entering the residence.

The officers said they did, but Walker contends they didn’t. Most supporters of Taylor are discrediting the police’s assertion.

Then, word spread of an ambulance, which was originally stationed near the residence, being told to leave the area. Proper protocol is to have the ambulance nearby just in case something goes awry, which, obviously, it did.

But the ambulance was nowhere to be found when Taylor needed assistance.

“Breonna was a woman who was figuring everything out in her life, who had turned a corner,” Sam Aguiar, a lawyer representing Taylor’s family, told The New York Times. “Breonna was starting to live her best life.”

As the Ahmaud Arbery shooting death by White vigilantes in Georgia gained nationwide steam in late March, Taylor’s shooting death started to gain national traction, too.

It became even bigger news after George Floyd’s death by a White police officer in Minneapolis, May 25.

Taylor’s death is just a stark reminder that Black lives do not matter, activists said. Which is why the “Say Her Name” hashtag and phrase has been widely used and publicized throughout this country for Taylor and others, like Sandra Bland. Activists and supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement want this country to know that Breonna Taylor’s life mattered, along with Floyd, Arbery, Rayshard Brooks and countless others who’ve lost their life due to police or vigilante violence.

From Aug. 22 to Aug. 26, a celebration of Taylor’s life was held throughout the streets of Louisville, with thousands marching for justice. Justice for Breonna. Justice for Black and brown people throughout America.

Pittsburghers made the trip to Louisville, too. The local organization 1 Hood Media led the Pittsburgh contingent, which featured those like 1 Hood’s Jasiri X, Miracle Jones, and Michelle Kenney, the mother of Antwon Rose II, the 17-year-old killed by an East Pittsburgh police officer in 2018.

“She was a better version of me,” said Tamika Palmer, Taylor’s mother, to The New York Times. “Full of life. Easy to love.”

A11

A12

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

New Pittsburgh Courier

Biden’s condemnation of violence and political fiction J. Pharoah Doss B6

BUSINESS SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Classifieds

Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing B4-5

B

THE TOP PRIORITY FOR THE HOTEL INDUSTRY is the health and safety of guests and employees.

Hotel industry releases top 5 requirements to travel safely (NNPA)—WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) recently released the “Safe Stay Guest Checklist” for guests on how to travel safely while also creating a standardized safety experience nationwide.

This checklist is part of AHLA’s Safe Stay guidelines, an industry-wide, enhanced set of health and safety protocols designed to provide a safe and clean environment for all hotel guests and employees.

The Safe Stay Guest Checklist includes: 1. Require face coverings in all indoor public spaces and practice social distancing in all common areas.

2. Choose contactless options, where available, including online reservations, check-ins, and payments.

3. Consider daily room cleaning, only if necessary. Ask the hotel about your options.

4. Request contactless room service delivery.

5. Refrain from traveling if you have, or recently had, any symptoms of COVID-19 or contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19.

“The top priority for the hotel industry is the health and safety of guests and employees. Utilizing these best practices, including requiring face coverings and practicing social distancing in public spaces, will create an even safer environment for all our guests and employees,” said Chip Rogers, President and

CEO of AHLA. “As an industry, we want every guest to experience a clean and safe hotel no matter where they stay.

We applaud governors who have standardized the use of face coverings in all indoor public spaces and we urge all lawmakers to help make this a national standard by implementing this requirement in their states. These preventative measures make it safer and easier for Americans to travel while also supporting hotel and tourism employees.”

Statements below from AHLA Member Companies: Chris Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton said, “Hilton is united with the hospitality industry in prioritizing the health and safety of our guests and employees. We are supportive of the industry adopting consistent guidelines and practices that adhere to public health guidelines, including the wearing of face coverings indoors and in public areas. As part of our Hilton CleanStay program developed in partnership with Lysol and the Mayo Clinic, all Hilton Team Members are required to wear face coverings in an effort to protect all who enter our more than 6,100 properties worldwide.”

Mark Hoplamazian, President & Chief Executive Officer, Hyatt said, “At Hyatt, we require face coverings for hotel guests across the U.S. and Canada in order to care for the health and safety of our guests and colleagues. To help enable safe travel amidst the ongoing

challenges of COVID-19, we need to come together as an industry and promote clear guidelines, which for the foreseeable future include the wearing of face coverings in indoor public spaces and practicing social distancing.”

Elie Maalouf, CEO, Americas, IHG said, “It is critical we take action to protect the health and safety of guests and colleagues to build confidence in travel as the industry begins to recover. IHG fully supports the AHLA Safe Stay program, which complements the protocols in our own IHG Way of Clean, and the new Covid-19 best practices implemented in all of our hotels in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic. Requiring face coverings in all indoor public spaces across our industry will help create an even safer environment for all travelers and frontline hotel colleagues.”

Jonathan Tisch, Chairman & CEO, Loews Hotels & Co. said, “The travel & tourism industry is rooted in partnerships. As an industry we need to work and align together and AHLA’s Safe Stay Guidelines is an opportunity to do just that. As hotel operators and owners, we have a role and responsibility to provide a welcoming, safe and comfortable environment for team members, guests and our communities, and now more than ever we need to ensure we are exceeding expectations in this area.”

Arne Sorenson, CEO, Marriott International said, “The health and safety of associates and guests has always been a

top priority at Marriott. Part of our Commitment to Clean is that we’re redefining our cleaning and safety standards to align with evolving expert protocols as we all work together to manage the spread of COVID-19. Health guidance is clear on wearing masks and it is a simple step everyone can take when in public spaces of hotels to protect themselves, each other and associates. We’re pleased to join with the industry to create consistency and collectively support our communities so we all can travel more safely.”

Jim Alderman, Chief Executive Officer, Americas, Radisson Hotel Group said, “One of Radisson Hotel Group’s highest priorities is the continued health, safety and security of our guests, team members, and partners. One of the easiest ways to help slow the transmission of COVID-19 is by wearing a face covering, especially indoors. It’s going to take all of us working together, which is why we stand alongside AHLA in asking our government leaders to help make this national standard by implementing this requirement in their states.”

To further expand the hotel industry’s Safe Stay initiative, AHLA also recently launched COVID-19 Precautions for Hotels, an online course developed in partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute(AHLEI) to help hotels train their staffs on the enhanced safety and cleanliness guidelines.

The Notorious ‘10 Money Commandments’ I was having a nostalgic moment driving through my childhood neighborhood bumping to some Notorious B.I.G., the song “10 Crack Commandments” started playing. When I listen to music, most times I’m grooving to the beat. I’m not necessarily listening to the lyrics. But on this day, I listened to the words. In this song, Biggie details his step-by-step manual on how to successfully navigate through the drug world. He gives 10 “commandments” on how you can get your game on track. Not your wig pushed back. In other words, Biggie is describing how you can win with money in the drug game without being victim to the streets —be it robbed, jailed, or killed.

I’m in the business of teaching people how to win with money. We often feel robbed by low wages, high prices, high interest rates, and limited opportunities.

We feel imprisoned by our lifestyle, our responsibilities, escalating expenses and mounting debt. Our dreams are often killed as we navigate through life trying to figure out how to create forward momentum and get ahead financially.

When you can’t see and experience forward progress with your money it’s akin to getting your wig pushed back. How can we survive and thrive as we navigate through life with all the ups and downs?

If Biggie, who’s often quoted saying, “Mo money, mo problems” can provide insight on how to win in the violent world of drugs, surely, we can find wisdom in his commandments to apply and win with money. Let’s dive into his step-bystep manual. His lyrics are explicit and

revolve around drugs. So, I’ll take creative liberty to make his words applicable here. I’ll also add some commentary.

Rule #1: Never let anyone know how much money you have because money brings jealousy—People don’t openly discuss money. But you have several people who are flashy and braggadocious. This can create unwanted attention and make you a mark for robbery. Also be smart about things you post on social media.

Letting people know you’re away on vacation can make your home a target.

Rule #2: Never let them know your next move—They say bosses move in silence.

If they’re not helping you achieve your next goal, there’s no need for them to know anything about what you’re doing until it’s done. There are too many dream-killers out there including close friends and family. Be mindful and very selective of who you include in your circle of influence.

Rule #3: Never trust anybody—Do you want to see how people really are? Wait until money is involved. When it comes to money, everybody is a suspect. Money has a way of exposing the worst in people. When dealing with money, allow people to earn your trust over time by transacting small amounts first. Don’t lend money—especially to family and friends. If you have the money, can do

without it, and it’s within reason—give it to the person whom you deem has a sincere need.

Rule #4: Never get high on your own success—It’s OK to be confident and proud of your accomplishments. You should always remain humble. Success is hard to come by but easy to go. Stay grounded and hold true to the principles, hard work, and characteristics that launched you to success. Once you have achieved a sustained level of success, circle back and launch others on their path to success.

Rule #5: Never sell a product or service without disclosing all known facts—Be honest and upfront with people you do business with.

Frustrations breed from unmet expectations. Highlight the pros and cons of the services and products being provided—thus allowing the consumer to make an informed decision with open eyes and pertinent facts.

Rule #6: Credit? Dead it! Use credit wisely? NO!! Dead it!—Use credit only when absolutely necessary. If you use credit, pay it off as soon as humanly possible. Nothing separates man/woman from wealth like debt! Wealth is defined as what you own minus what you owe (debt).

Rule #7: Keep family and business separated. Money and blood don’t mix—

Doing business with family can create lingering negative ramifications. It’s easy to cut off a business relationship with people you will not see at Thanksgiving Dinner. It’s hard and can be devastating to sever ties with family members because of business dealings.

Rule #8: Never keep large sums of cash on you—Money is the best magician. It can disappear in front of your eyes without you knowing. Carrying large sums of money can subject you to loss, theft, and waste.

Rule #9: Allow money to police you— We get all black and blue (bruised) by money because we make money the master instead of the servant. Money should be used to protect and serve our needs, wants, and desires. It should be used to preserve our best interest. Money used otherwise is brutality.

Rule #10: Never co-sign for anyone other than your spouse—When you cosign for a person, you’re saying if they fail to make timely payments at any time, you assume full responsibility for the debt. If the bank whose lifeline is dependent upon their ability to lend money and earn interest off of loans is saying: This person is a credit risk. The only way they will lend money is for them to have a cosigner. Then the person in question has a high probability of default. Why would you vouch for them and risk your financial wellbeing?

Notorious B.I.G. concludes saying by following these rules you’ll have serious money and less headaches.

B2

NATIONAL

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Chairwoman Maxine Waters sounds alarm on coming wave of evictions

by Lauren Victoria Burke, For New Pittsburgh Courier

(NNPA)—Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), who is the Chairwoman of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, is sounding the alarm on what she says will be an eviction crisis in the U.S. after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which hit the U.S. in the middle of March, has resulted in over 177,000 deaths and counting. It has also resulted in state and local governments mandating that people stay home and not go to work. As a result of those directives, businesses remained closed for three months with states currently still attempting to re-open in stages.

Some cities are estimating that thousands will face eviction and/or foreclosure as local governments re-open, unfreezing moratoriums on rents and mortgages and enabling landlord and tenant disputes for non-payment of rent to move forward.

Though some Governors have put in place or extended eviction moratoriums others have not, exacerbating outcomes for the millions of Americans facing unemployment.

The U.S. is currently experiencing record days of both new positive coronavirus tests and spikes in cases in Texas, Florida, Georgia and California. As a result, Texas, Florida and California have either delayed planned re-openings or made modifications to their planned staged rollouts.

According to the most recent reporting from the U.S. Department of Labor, the advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 10.2 percent for the week ending August 8, a decrease of 0.4 percentage point from the previous week’s unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending August 8 was 14,844,000, a decrease of 636,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The previous week’s level was revised down by 6,000 from 15,486,000 to 15,480,000. The 4-week moving average was 15,841,250, a decrease of 326,750 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised down by 1,500 from 16,169,500 to 16,168,000.

But the resulting economic shutdown has led to over 40 million people filing for unemployment—over 20 percent of the U.S. labor force. On June 29, nearly 60 days ago, Rep. Waters introduced H.R. 7301, the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020. However, typical

THE RESULTING ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN has led to over 40 million people filing for unemployment — over 20 percent of the U.S. labor force. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) of the state of play with a U.S. House run there who are going to be evicted, and so

by Democrats and a U.S. we have pulled it out Senate run by Republiof the Heroes Act and cans, Waters’ legislation we are taking it up inremains stalled by Redependently so that publican Senate Majority we can send a message Leader Mitch McConnell. to the Senate that we Speaking on the House want this measure floor, Waters said, “this heard and so we have bill includes several proa number of Members visions that were includwho participated in ed in the Heroes Act and putting this legislation independently led by a together and who had number of Members of independent bills to do the Financial Services so.”

Committee. Some people “We can’t wait any hearing about this bill longer we got to move. won’t understand what The CARES Act was we are trying to do in this an important step toMAXINE WATERS bill today. As I said, this wards providing relief, was part of the Heroes but more help is needAct that passed this House, but we have ed. We knew, for example, that an eviction been waiting on the Senate to take up moratorium without the provision of rentthe Heroes Act. They are not taking it up, al assistance would only delay disastrous they don’t seem to care, they don’t seem outcomes as families would have to pay, to understand that there are people out more than they could afford, a lump sum

of three to four months of unpaid rent at the expiration of the moratorium,” said Waters.

The Washington Post reports that despite President Trump’s repeated claims that his administration and executive order would protect people from losing their homes, evictions have continued across the country. “It risks doing more harm than good by giving people a false impression that Trump is doing something to prevent evictions,” said National Low Income Housing Coalition President and CEO Diane Yentel about the president’s executive order.

A push led by Democrats is expected for a second stimulus is underway with bipartsan agreement to assist small businesses in particular.

Representatives Lacy Clay, Denny Heck, David Scott, Chuy Garcia, Cindy Axne, Nydia Velazquez, Ayanna Pressley, Katie Porter, and Al Green.

(Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA.)

John Thompson, coaching legend and mentor, dies at 78

by Lauren Victoria Burke For New Pittsburgh Courier

(NNPA)—John Thompson was the first Black coach to win the NCAA Championship. In 1984, he led the Georgetown Hoyas to victory over the Houston Cougars. In 1985 Thompson was named Coach of the Year. He coached at Georgetown University from 1972 to 1999.

Thompson was a coach who set the bar high for his players on and off the basketball court. He coached Patrick Ewing, Allen Iverson, Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutumbo. He became a mentor to many long after

they left Georgetown and competitive basketball.

Thompson had a preference for players that had a passion for the game on the court. He once said, “you can calm down a fool before you can resurrect a corpse.”

He emphasized the power of habit, attitude and state of mind with his players. “If you think you are beaten you are. If you think you dare not, you won’t,” he once said.

“Big John Thompson is the single most important African American man in the history of D.C. sports,” said writer Clinton Yates.

In 1999 he was selected to be in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

In 27 seasons, Thompson compiled a coaching record of 596-239. Most importantly to Thompson, 97 percent of his players stayed four years and left Georgetown University with a college degree.

Thompson was born in Washington, D.C., and went on to play in the NBA for the Boston Celtics.

Thompson is survived by his three children, John Thompson III, who also coached basketball at Georgetown, Ronny Thompson and Tiffany Thompson. Thompson’s autobiography is due out in January 2021.

(Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA.)

JOHN THOMPSON

Death of Chadwick Boseman puts focus on colon cancer and African Americans

by Lauren Victoria Burke For New Pittsburgh Courier

(NNPA)—The death of actor Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer at age 43 has brought new attention on the disease and how it disproportionately impacts African Americans.

Boseman was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at 38. It later advanced to stage 4. Boseman was filming movies that included completing his own stunts while undergoing cancer treatment that included chemotherapy. The actor died on August 30. His death caught many who worked closely with him by surprise.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women in America. It is the second most common cause of death related to the disease. African Americans are disproportionately impacted with a 20 percent greater rate than Whites and an even greater degree of mortality.

Every year on average 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer with about 50,000 succumbing to the disease. For Afri-

can Americans the death rates are higher. Diets high in animal fat and low in fiber are associated with the development of colon cancer. Cigarette smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and vitamins C and E deficiency are also contributing factors tied to colon cancer.

Dr. Wayne Frederick, who is the President of Howard University and a medical doctor, where Boseman graduated in 2000, commented on Boseman’s trip to Howard University’s commencement in 2018 as the featured graduation speaker. Frederick focused on the importance of knowing what one’s family history is and knowing what close relatives died of. He instructed that if you’re unclear how a close relative died you should investigate and find out.

“When I was in medical school, we got screening guidelines that it should start at 50. What we are seeing now is individuals getting colon cancer now is much younger. It is something for us to watch,” said Dr. Frederick on Roland Martin Unfiltered on August 31. Martin broadcast a two-hour tribute in honor of Boseman on his daily show.

“African Americans are much less

likely to get the generic screening,” he added. Dr. Frederick also mentioned that popular historian Dr. Ibram X. Kendi was diagnosed with colon cancer at 36.

In January 2018, Kendi learned he had colon cancer after a colonoscopy.

Though the cancer spread to his liver, further tests revealed that Kendi was cancer free after six months of chemotherapy and surgery. In January 2019, Kendi wrote “What I Learned From Cancer,” in The Atlantic. Kendi was trying to complete another epic work “How to Be an Antiracist,” as he was being treated for colon cancer.

“In the hours of each day when I managed to submerge myself inside the writing zone, the metastatic cancer was an afterthought. The symptoms from the six months of chemotherapy, from January to June last year, were an afterthought: my marathons of tiredness, the bubbling nausea, my hands and feet tingling and darkening and drying and blistering, making them unusable at times,” Kendi wrote regarding this cancer battle.

(Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA.)

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

B3

Open Season

Guest Editorial

‘Q’ and their questionable Messiah Most people will admit that these are very special times in America. The challenges have impacted every aspect of our lives, and one individual seems to be at the center of attention of just about everything that is happening, and that person is President Donald J. Trump. Interestingly, there are two notable movements that have sprung up around him, both painting him with a messianic veneer, which goes a long way toward providing certain segments of the masses with a reason to throw their support behind him no matter how ridiculous, insensitive, cruel or illogical his actions seem to be.

One of the movements was initiated by a “Holy Man” named Tom Zimmer who, in Loretto, Italy in 1983, prophesied that Donald J. Trump “Will lead America Back to God.” He said God was going to use Trump in the future. This was prophesized during a time when Trump had the reputation of a rich playboy who cavorted with starlets.

Zimmer had been a World War II veteran who, upon his return to civilian life, spent his time as a pilgrim for the sake of the upliftment of humanity. He attended multiple masses every day, and when not in church, spent the remainder of his time praying. As testimony of his prediction, he actually purchased a brick for a Holy Door in the Vatican with Trump’s name on it. This is a fascinating story, and more details can be found on The John Henry Westen Show on YouTube.

The other very curious spiritual veneer comes from a far–right movement known as QAnon. This group, which is gaining momentum all over America, posits Trump as battling a deep state as a sort of messiah, or as the precursor to the messiah.

Basically, they believe that Trump is the one who will bring down a satanic cabal that is running the world and that centers on pedophilia and cannibalism. Many of them also believe that John F. Kennedy Jr., the publisher of the magazine George, was aware of the cabal, and faked his own death in a plane crash in order to remove himself as a target of their wrath. During these times, Kennedy is expected to return and Trump is seen as his go-between.

QAnon is a dangerous movement and its adherents are known for violent acts. They have been designated as domestic terrorists by the FBI. Alarmingly, they are making political inroads by being elected to political offices. They are emerging in the mainstream.

This apocalyptic thrust has ignited a firestorm of controversy. For one, it explains why so many people support Trump no matter what he does. We must realize that we are facing a quasi-religious movement with Trump as the focus. (Interestingly, the matriarch of the Trump clan, his great-grandmother, had the maiden name of “Christ”).

When faced with the strange pieces of this puzzle, it will become very important that we wade through the misty elements of deception in order to discern truth. We are, indeed, in the midst of a veritable fake news blizzard, but there is hope.

Donald Trump ran on the platform of “Make America Great Again.” And those who are Christian note that the slogan is worn “on the forehead” on red caps, which can bring to mind the “sign of the beast” spoken about in the Book of Revelations in the Bible. With that said, we have but to look at the fruits of his term in office to determine his true nature.

Donald Trump has, indeed, changed America, but his role as messiah is questionable. By all accounts he is a racist; he is an individual who has surrounded himself with criminals; more than 174,000 Americans have died partially due to his inaction regarding strategic planning around the prevention of the spread of COVID-19; the economy and attendant unemployment are atrocious; the suffering of families at the southern border brings to mind the plight of the Jews during World War II; and he threatens to dismantle all types of programs that would help the poor and middle classes while at the same time greasing the palms of the rich!

Everything that Donald Trump does has the stench of selfishness, and love is nowhere in the equation. Yes, Trump has changed America; he has been used to destroy and not to build. Because of this, it is feasible to conclude that Trump can, indeed, bring America back to God; but it will not be as a messiah – rather through suffering the American people will finally understand the folly of hatred and fight like heck to overcome the pall of evil that is temporarily blanketing our country.

(Reprinted from the Chicago Crusader)

Founded 1910

Rod Doss Editor & Publisher

Allison Palm

Rob Taylor Jr.

Jeff Marion

Office Manager

Managing Editor

Circulation Consultant

John. H. Sengstacke

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary In memory, there was no or little difference between law enforcement and the KKK. The badge you saw during the day was replaced by a hood at night. In Black communities, law enforcement’s only mandate—“control the niggras!” This mandate gave complete license to law enforcement to be as brutally creative as they chose. The Black community was at the complete whim, mood or mercy of any law enforcement person they might meet.

The woes of Black folks were increased by the activities of the “night riders,” the Ku Klux Klan or similar organizations. Their extra-legal activities gave a new dimension to controlling the Black community. Their activities are legendary. A Black person was fearful of looking at a White person in a manner that could be perceived as insolent or disrespectful. This was dramatically demonstrated by the fate of Emmitt Till. No wonder most Blacks cowered and looked down in the presence of a White person. The foundation of their control was fear.

Considering how far we’ve come in time, most would pray and think that we are long past those times. They

would be wrong!

Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Laquan McDonald, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and now, Jacob Blake are more notable names on a long list of victims of police violence. Neither age, gender, nor social status distinguishes one from another. Their common characteristic is their race. Whether a part of the culture of their agency or the result of an established personal bias, officers involved with those individuals have chosen “nigga control” above “serving and protecting.”

In addition to the travesties of the police, we’re now menaced by a new generation of “White supremacist vigilantes.” The most recent example is given in the person of Kyle Rittenhouse. He is 17. He’s a resident of Illinois and lived 21 miles from Kenosha, WI. His mother drove him and his AR-15 to Kenosha where he, according to an interview (with him), was there to do his “duty” to protect property and maintain order. This terrorist killed two and severely wounded a third. Right-wing analysts and #45 weigh in with the opinion Rittenhouse’s activities were appropriate and his actions were taken in self-defense.

If this trend is called “Making America Great Again,” I want no part of it and will VOTE to do my part toward eliminating the leadership which condones and encourages this type of violence.

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of the National Congress of Black Women.)

The Commitment March for 2020: Get your knee off our necks (TriceEdneyWire.com)—“And so this march must go beyond this historic moment. We must support the strong. We must give courage to the timid. We must remind the indifferent, and we must warn the opposed.

Civil rights, which are God-given and constitutionally guaranteed, are not negotiable in 1963.”—National Urban League President Whitney M. Young, 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Justice Fifty-seven years to the day after Whitney M. Young stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to declare that civil rights are not negotiable, I stood on the very same spot to say: racial justice is not negotiable in 2020.

Transforming our racially-biased criminal justice system and mass incarceration crisis is not negotiable.

Protecting and defending our sacred right to vote against racially-motivated suppression and foreign sabotage is not negotiable.

Dislodging the structural racism that infects our institutions and paving a patriotic pathway to shared prosperity, economic parity and educational opportunity is not negotiable.

Last week’s Commitment March, “Get Your Knee Off Our Necks,” was convened in support of police accountability in solidarity with the families of African Americans killed or injured at the hands of the police.

In conjunction with the March, the convening organizations—National Urban League, National Action Network, NAACP, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., along with Martin Luther King III—have issued a Statement of Principals to establish a shared civil rights and social justice agenda. These principles are: • Fundamentally Transforming the Criminal Justice System • Protect and Defend Voting Rights During the Pandemic and Beyond • Achieve Economic Parity for African Americans • Promote Equity in Educational Opportunity • Promote a Fair and Accurate Census • Promote a Healthier Nation by Eliminating Disparities and Prioritizing Testing, Treatments and Cures for Covid-19 in Communities of Color The Commitment March, like the March in 1963, happened as people all across the country are taking to the streets to demand justice.

The cycle of lawlessness against Black people extends back through the centuries. Police have shot and

Marc H. Morial

To Be Equal killed an average of approximately 1,000 people in the United States in each of the past three years, and 2020 is on track to meet or exceed that number. Moreover, Black people are three times more likely than White people to be killed by police.

We support the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year. We urge the U.S. Senate to pass, and the president to the bill into law.

When we gathered to march in 1963, the White establishment stopped Black people from voting with violence, literacy tests, and poll taxes. Today, they are sabotaging the Postal Service. Reductions of early voting, restrictive identification requirements, onerous registration procedures, exact name match requirements, purges of voting rolls, foreign and domestic disinformation campaigns, and mandated in-person voting during a pandemic are all efforts designed to undermine the rights of African Americans to the franchise. We urge the Senate to pass and the president to sign the Voting Rights Advancement Act. This is the most fitting tribute to the late Congressman John Lewis, who dedicated his life to the advancement of voting and civil rights.

The pandemic has thrust long-standing economic injustices into the forefront of our consciousness. Our leaders must adopt a fair response to the Covid-19 pandemic that has destroyed the nation’s economic output, thrown tens of millions of people out of work, left families with greater food insecurity, cut off millions of school-age children from learning, and has left municipal and state budgets for public services in shambles. In the immediate term, we believe that the HEROES Act, passed by the U.S House of Representatives on May 15, 2020, represents the best response to the economic devastation caused by the pandemic. We urge the Senate to pass the HEROES Act and the president to sign it into law immediately.

The disparity in educational investment in minority communities and the resulting achievement gap

among Black youth is the biggest threat to equality and upward mobility. Therefore, we support progressive funding mechanisms that promote quality and direct more resources to those areas where the need is greatest—more often in high poverty and minority communities. We support a universal early childhood curriculum that prepares our youngsters to learn and achieve at a competitive level. We believe college should be an attainable— and affordable—goal, and that federal resources should be structured to ensure that financial aid does not become a barrier to the development of the next generation of leaders in business and government.

For several years, concerned communities across the country have worked tirelessly to spread the word about the importance of the 2020 Census and the need for everyone— especially Black Americans—to participate. Even so, Black America is facing an historic crossroad due to low participation in the 2020 Census. To make matters worse, the current Administration is trying to end all counting efforts by September 30th, a month sooner than previously announced. The National Urban League has sued to stop it. We urge the Senate to include much-needed language and allocation of funds in the next COVID relief package to extend the statutory reporting deadlines for the 2020 Census by four months.

According to one recent estimate, Covid-19 is the third-leading cause of death among Black Americans.

For too many people of color, healthcare is tied directly to employment.

High unemployment means low access to healthcare. Furthermore, low wage workers often do not have employer-provided healthcare and too few states have opted into Medicaid expansion. During the Covid-19 pandemic, too few African Americans have access to rapid testing, antibody testing, therapeutics, and vaccines. We support prioritizing the availability of testing in communities of color. Personal protective equipment, paid for by employers, should be made available to front-line workers. We also encourage funding for research into the long-term health effects of Covid-19 infection. By providing access to quality and affordable health care for all, promoting community-based prevention efforts, and expanding Medicaid to our most vulnerable citizens, the Affordable Care Act will play a pivotal role in reducing the human cost of these disparities.

Letters to the editor for publication

Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—I read with interest that our neighbors directly to the south, in Virginia, were experiencing an uptick in the numbers and presence of coyotes. Although dog-like in appearance, these predators threaten outside pets and other small wildlife. In rural areas, wild hogs destroy millions of dollars of commercial agriculture. Even normally non-threatening animals have become problems. Locally, Dulles Airport programs hunt for deer to reduce the potential for aircraft-deer collisions on runways! The expanding range of what’s called “nuisance” animals has created increasing problems.

Except for programmed hunts, elimination of these nuisance animals is open to individual citizens. There’re no limits or special requirements. A farmer experiencing crop damage may kill as many offending hogs as his judgment considers necessary. Unlike “game” animals, there are no closed seasons—it is ALWAYS open season for nuisance animals. Sadly, it appears as though many in this country have come to emotionally accept the fate of the nuisance animal as comparable with the fate of African Americans and other people of color.

The recurring murders of people of color demonstrate a callous disregard for the lives and humanity of the victims. This is not new! Further back than anyone living can remember, African Americans were brutalized and murdered without regard for their circumstance or humanity.

The New Pittsburgh Courier welcomes all responsible viewpoints for publication. All letters should be typewritten and contain writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters will be edited for clarity and length.

Address all letters to: Letters to the Editor, New Pittsburgh Courier 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 You may fax your letter to 412-481-1360, or via e-mail to letters@newpittsburghcourier.com

New Pittsburgh Courier

CLASSIFIED

B4

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

SUPERVISOR – AFCS RETAIL SALES ort Authority is see ing a upervisor A etail ales to report all retail sales activity and A fare media and e uipment disputes. rovides prompt and professional resolution to A third party retailers by assisting with A e uipment issues through the A helpdes and escalates issues when outside of scope. nsures prompt and professional resolution to all A complaints and provides support to the owntown ervice enter.

Essential Functions: upervise the ustomer ler s at the owntown ervice Center onitors monthly sales activity of third party retail outlets. erifies and validates claims for incorrect charges due to A e uipment malfunctions load errors on sales terminal, or incorrect amounts loaded to cards. econciles third party accounts and generates monthly invoices.

•Provides responsive, timely support to all third party retail outlet accounts by providing basic level diagnosis of remote ales utlet erminal e uipment to identify source of problem and either assists client by wor ing through processes or escalates issue as needed. ubmits monthly reports summari ing helpdes activity and follow up.

Job requirements include: igh school diploma or .

Associate degree or successful completion of two (2) years or college level coursewor in usiness Administration or related field. irectly related experience may be substituted for the education on a year for year basis. wo (2) years of e perience providing administrative support, hree (3) years of e perience providing customer service emonstrated ability in the use of indows icrosoft ord and cel. alid A driver’s license ffective and professional communication skills, including strong telephone s ills.

Ability to prioriti e multiple wor obectives and schedules.

Preferred attributes: ustomer ervice e perience.

PROJECT CONTROLS ANALYST ort Authority is see ing a ro ect Controls Analyst to assists in developing contract specifications for equipment and supplies, including developing e uest for ids. esearches non contractual products for price uotes according to specifications. rders office supplies for company researches and purchases non contractual office supplies e uipment furniture and printing services. onitors trac s contracts and budgets. econciles invoices and resolves invoice discrepancies. aintains ade uate stoc of office products for the company. oint of contact for all purchases office e uipment and furniture repairs and purchases. oint of contact for ost ffice mail accounts.

Essential Functions: esearches products and obtains price uotes for non contractual products such as paper stoc non paper supplies technology e uipment under furniture and professional printing services. aintains ade uate stoc for company with products provided by Administrative ervices. eviews purchase orders from other departments creates purchase orders and obtains order approval shipping verification returns delivery confirmation.

•Assists in monitoring department budget against e penditures. econciles purchase orders and invoices for payment for Administrative ervices and nformation echnology. esolves invoice discrepancies with vendors. aintains databases pertaining to all orders placed. odes invoices for payment. Arranges new mail accounts and maintains adequate postage in various accounts. enerates costs analysis and provides input to manager for proposed capital and budget e penditures.

Job requirements include: A in usiness Accounting or inance or related field. irectly related experience may be substituted for the education on a year for year basis. inimum of five (5) years of pro ect management e perience.

•Experience in data analysis, budgeting and office e uipment and maintenance. emonstrated ability in the use of indows icrosoft ord and cel. ffective and professional communication and organi ational s ills.

Preferred attributes: perience in eople oft. perience as a member of an implementation team.

•Experience in evaluating database applications.

•Experience supervising or coordinating efforts of others.

e offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits pac age. nterested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to: Deborah Slocum Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 DSlocum@portauthority.org EOE SOUTH FAYETTE TWP. SCHOOL DISTRICT Everyday Building Substitute Teachers Complete job description is available at: www.southfayette.org Deadline September 18, 2020 EOE ADJUNCT INSTRUCTORS (DAY AND EVENING) C.A.D., CULINARY, ELECTRICIAN, WELDING, AND HVAC/R Pittsburgh Technical College is see ing ualified applicants for the following positions •C.A.D. Instructors for AET & MET Programs Associate degree re uired achelor’s preferred •Culinary and Pastry Chef Instructors Associate degree re uired achelor’s preferred A or preferred but not required •Electrician Instructor Electrician journeyman experience or licensure required •HVAC/R Instructor, A niversal ertification re uired ust pass criminal bac ground chec . mmediate opening at our orth ayette campus near obinson owne enter. Apply to www.ptcollege.edu (Employment with PTC) or www.workforptcollege.com .

e offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits pac age. nterested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to: Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 @portauthority.org EOE

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

SONNY BOY

6 0 9

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128 or 129

Classifieds

315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219

412-481-8302 Ext. 140 E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS…THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

1 5 8

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Help Wanted

Legal Notices

Bids/Proposals

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST ort Authority is see ing a elecommunications pecialist to process incoming telephone and radio calls dispatching the appropriate police fire and emergency medical services units as needed. o monitor activities throughout ort Authority subway stations ensuring the safety of employees property and the general public.

Essential Functions: bserve monitors throughout the subway stations ensuring that no unusual or threatening acts are ta ing place against ort Authority employees property and the general public. rocess incoming calls from the public via emergency and non-emergency telephone lines.

•Make response decisions regarding police fire and emergency medical services dispatching appropriate agency. ollow proper procedures and techni ues in communicating with transit/local police, emergency medical services and fire departments.

Answer the emergency patron phones located in the subway as re uired.

Job requirements include: igh chool iploma or . inimum of one 1) year experience within the emergency response security services field. rofessional and effective communication s ills.

•Must be CLEAN (Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network certified. ust be willing to successfully complete the course re uired for A ertification basic telecommunications training and other courses as assigned by supervisor. emonstrated ability in the use of indows. ust be able to wor e tended shifts as needed. his is a afety ensitive position subject to all testing provisions under the rug and Alcohol olicy including random drug and alcohol testing. he person selected for this position may be required to be tested prior to being awarded the ob.

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION NONPROFIT CORPORATION

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR PROJECT-BASED VOUCHER & GAP FINANCING PROGRAM 2020 RFP #600-29-20 he ousing Authority of the ity of ittsburgh HACP hereby re uests proposals from ualified irms or ndividuals for the following Project-Based Voucher & Gap Financing Program 2020 he documents will be available no later than September 8, 2020 and signed sealed proposals will be accepted until 10:00 A.M., September 29, 2020. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical proposals dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the bid opening time of 10:00 AM on September 29, 2020 in the lobby of 100 Ross St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Bids may uploaded to the Authority’s online submission site, the link is accessible via the HCP website and within the RFP. Proposals may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the olicitation from the usiness pportunities page of www.HACP.org. uestions or in uires should be directed to: r. im etric ousing Authority of the ity of ittsburgh rocurement epartment oss treet nd loor uite ittsburgh A

e offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits pac age. nterested candidates should forward a cover letter (with salary requirements) and resume to: Holly A. Jenkins Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 HJenkins@portauthority.org EOE LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

state f MARIO L. TOLLIS AKA MARIO TOLLIS, Estate No. 02-20-03446, of the ity of oraopolis ounty of Allegheny and ommonwealth of ennsylvania. inda ollis Administratri c o tate treet uite rie A Attorney Alan atalie s uire tate treet uite rie A

America’s Best Weekly

3 7 2

state of JOSEPH H. FISHER A/K/A/ JOSPEH H FISHER, SR., Deceased of ridgeville ennsylvania. Estate No. 02-20-03960, atricia Ann isher ecutor edrome ircle est ridgeville A or oseph . isher r. ecutor lannigan ranch ane harlottesville A or to A. Atty . ashington Avenue ridgeville A state of WILLIAM H. SULLIVAN, Deceased of t. ebanon ennsylvania. Estate No. 02-2003962 aniel . ullivan ecutor lde anor ane oon ownship A or to A. Atty . ashington Avenue ridgeville A state of NORMAN J. MILLER, JR., Deceased of t. ebanon Allegheny ounty ennsylvania. Estate No. 02-20-04010, addie eber ecutor roughton oad ittsburgh A or to A .

Atty . ashington Avenue ridgeville A state of CHARLES E. CLARKE, Deceased of ewic ley Allegheny ounty ennsylvania. Estate No. 02-20-04007, Anne Clarke once ecutor Academy Avenue ewic ley A or to A .

Atty . ashington Avenue ridgeville A

Jay Arthur Gilmer, Esq. ampania Avenue ittsburgh A . otice is hereby given that Articles of ncorporation were filed with the epartment of tate of the ommonwealth of ennsylvania, on August 18, 2020 with respect to a nonprofit corporation ALL RISE CHURCH which has been incorporated under the onprofit orporation aw of .

FICTITIOUS NAME

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the provisions of the ictitious ames Act of ennsylvania that an application for egistration of a fictitious name was will be filed with the epartment of tate of the ommonwealth of ennsylvania for the conduct of a business under the fictitious name of THAI PLACE PITTSBURGH with its principal office or place . of business at A A . he names and addresses including street and number if any of all persons who are parties to the registration are A A A .

A .

A .

A . A A A . Attorney’s . .

A

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

COMMUNTIY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT ealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the ommunity ollege of Allegheny ounty Allegheny Avenue ittsburgh A on the following BID PROPOSAL NO. 1072 – Decorative Plaster Restoration at CCAC Center for Faculty Innovation BID PROPOSAL NO. 1073 – Leaded and Stained-Glass Restoration for CCAC Center for Faculty Innovation BID PROPOSAL NO. 1074 – Interior Demolition at CCAC Center for Faculty Innovation Beginning on Thursday, September 3, 2020, id orms nstructions pecifications and onditions regulating the bidding may be obtained at no charge via email re uest to i e vetic irector of urchasing at mcvetic@ccac.edu.

A virtual pre bid meeting for all three bids will be held beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2020. Attendance for all bidders is highly recommended. he lin to get to this registration page is https:// ccac.zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_DZ5Ay3EvRVmSUVDsOn9Mow. egistration is re uired. hose who register are approved automatically and will receive a uni ue oin lin and .ics calendar file that allows them to easily add the event to their calendars. lease chec un mail or spam filter if you do not receive a registration lin shortly after registering. roposals will be received at the urchasing epartment until 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at which time they will be publicly opened.

PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT COMPLIANCE IS REQUIRED FOR BID 1074.

CCAC is requesting bids to be made “net of insurance” for Bids 1072 and 1073 and will award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder net of insurance all as more thoroughly described in the ontract ocuments. nder this approach ontractors and ubcontractors must remove the cost of insurance from the ase id price.

Any proposals received after this deadline will be considered as a “late bid” and will be returned unopened to the offerer.

Proposals may require Bid Bonds, erformance onds ayment onds and urety as dictated by the specifications. o bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled closing time for receipt of bids. he oard of rustees reserves the right to re ect any and all bids. he ommunity ollege of Allegheny ounty is an Affirmative Action ual Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from inority isadvantaged owned businesses.

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS

A pre submission meeting will be held via call in on September 17, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. Please see call in information below Join the audio conference by phone: United States - Washington, DC +1.202.602.1295 Access Code 598-776-271# he ousing Authority of the ity of ittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP has revised their website.

As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and login, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT INVITATION FOR BID ACHA-1631, EMERGENCY GENERATOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE he Allegheny ounty ousing Authority is re uesting ids from ualified vendors to provide preventive and remedial maintenance, inspection and repair of standby by emergency generators. nvitation for ids and ontract ocuments are on file and may be obtained at no charge from the Allegheny ounty ousing Authority efferson rive c ees oc s A or by contacting uy hillips at gphillips@achsng.com . A pre bid conference call will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Bid submittals are due no later than 12:00 pm., Monday, October 19, 2020. he Authority encourages responses from small firms minority firms and firms that have not previously performed wor for the A A. he Allegheny ounty ousing Authority reserves the right to re ect any and all submissions.

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS!

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

CLASSIFIEDS/SPORTS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BID (IFBs) FOR HOMEWOOD NORTH SPRINKLER SYSTEM MODIFICATION, AMP-020 HACP IFB NO. 600-24-20 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH will receive sealed bids for the Homewood orth prin ler odifications AMP-20 The construction work is estimated to begin in November of 2020.

Bid Documents will be available on or about Monday, August 31, 2020 and may be obtained from the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s webpage www.hacp.org.

Bidders may register on the website and download the bid documents free of charge. Electronic versions of the id ocuments including bid forms pro ect manual and drawings can be pic ed up in person Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.(Appointment is required) at: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Development and Modernization Department oss treet uite ittsburgh A ose olis ro ect anager A Pre-Bid Conference and Site Visit will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.: omewood orth Albertice t ittsburgh A Bidders shall come prepared to review all aspects of the construction site necessary to prepare a bid.

Bids will be received at: HACP Procurement Department 100 Ross Street, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Attn: Mr. Kim Detrick, Director of Procurement/Chief Contracting Officer HACP will also accept online submissions for this Invitation for Bid in addition to accepting submissions at our oss treet office. or respondents wishing to submit online please access the instructions provided in the pro ect manual to submit the bid digitally.

In addition to the electronic submittal above he ousing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical bids dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the bid opening time of 10:00 AM on September 29, 2020 in the lobby of oss t. ittsburgh A . ealed bids may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at oss treet nd loor uite ittsburgh A . All bids must be received at the above address no later than September 29, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. regardless of the selected delivery mechanism.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH reserves the right to waive any informality in or re ect any and all bids.

No bid shall be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days subsequent to the opening of bids without the consent of the HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for ederally Assisted onstruction Contracts. The Contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of race color religion se ual preference handicap or national origin.

HACP has revised its website. As part of those revisions vendors must now register and log in in order to view and download documentation.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH STRONGLY ENCOURAGES CERTIFIED MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO RESPOND TO THE SOLICITATION. Additional information may be obtained by contacting im etric irector of rocurement at pt .

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH

HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

America’s Best Weekly 315 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140 E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and

cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

B5

SONNY BOY

To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext.

128 or 129

Bill Nunn Jr. named finalist for pro football hall of fame rom being born and raised in ittsburgh to becoming a legendary sportswriter at the Pittsburgh Courier and the trailblazing scout and personnel e ecutive for the ittsburgh teelers ill unn r. could soon be bestowed an honor that many believe is long overdue—induction into the ro ootball all of ame. o one new the lac ollege ootball scene in the s and s better than unn. e would select a lac ollege All America team which gave him the upper hand in knowing what players would work best for the Steelers. ou now the names el lount ohn tallworth onnie hell . . reenwood rnie olmes among the high profile and some already in the all of ame players from lac olleges that oined the teelers during the s as the team of the decade won four uper owls. n eb. the all of ame induction committee will gather in ampa la. to ma e the final selections. f unn is inducted he would become the first person of color to enter the all of ame as a contributor. unn died in .

BILL NUNN JR., right, with Courier sports columnist Aubrey Bruce.

Bill Nunn Jr., a critical component in turning the Steelers around for good

by Aubrey Bruce For New Pittsburgh Courier

The NFL season for the Pittsburgh Steelers is set to kick off the 2020 Monday Night Football schedule against the New York Giants at Metlife Stadium this Monday, Sept. 14.

News flash—the late Bill Nunn Jr., arguably the most successful athletic scout from any professional sports league, is now an eligible finalist as a candidate to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor. He will be profiled during the pregame program. During the program I will be speaking about my experiences with Bill Nunn Jr. and our encounters that spanned more than three decades.

Many so-called football aficionados with “rain man” type tendencies may have to display their full trivia skills to prove themselves worthy to even discuss the exploits and deeds of Bill Nunn Jr. before he began his legendary career as a part-time scout for the men of steel in 1967. When he was hired full-time as the assistant director of player personnel in 1970, the won-loss record of the team was an abysmal 1-13

just the year before in 1969. That was also the year that began the maiden voyage of their future Hall of Fame and legendary head coach, Charles Henry “Chuck” Noll.

Just a decade later, armed with the sharp eye of talent displayed

by Bill Nunn Jr. and the coaching and teaching techniques of Chuck Noll, the team had won four Super Bowl Trophies, sporting a 4-0 record in NFL Championship games. Once upon a time the Pittsburgh Steelers were infamous for being incompetent and unstable…now, they’d become a beacon of excellence for the entire sports world to admire.

Before Bill Nunn Jr. joined the Steelers nation, Sunday was just a day off for the Steelers before repeating the long weekly grind.

But the team had evolved to provide the raw materials to redefine the game of football and the team now represented a life-changing experience for its fan base and made sure that the world respected their love for the team even after their death.

Case in point: my adopted brother-in-law, George Keith Williams (the Williams family blessed me when I was shunned by my own

family years ago), passed away just prior to the Steelers’ 2020 training camp at Heinz Field concluding. The only things that would elicit a bigger smile from George aside from the Steelers was his love for family and music. With a perpetual smile he would always ask me this question; How are the Steelers lookin’ this year, “Brey?” Well, George, they would be looking a lot better this year if you were here to see them.

Another case of eternal loyalty for “dem dere Stillers” was James Henry Smith. In July of 2005, Smith, a Pittsburgh native, died of prostate cancer. Based on his “undying love” for the Black and Gold, his family put together a very unorthodox viewing prior to his actual funeral services and burial.

The Samuel E. Coston Funeral home built a stage in a viewing area and created a replica on how Smith’s home would look on Sundays. His body was placed on a recliner causing him to appear as if here were watching a game.

He was decked out in black and gold silk pajamas, slippers and a robe.

Hopefully a bronze bust of Bill

Nunn Jr. will soon inhabit a long-overdue place in the Great Hall even if the honor is awarded posthumously.

I have a theory. The spirits of those that are in the Great Hall welcome the ghosts of those that are worthy but have yet to be inducted after the crack of dusk.

I can hear Dan Rooney, Chuck Noll and Bill Nunn Jr. discussing some of the current and recent draft choices of the Black and Gold. I can hear Bill Nunn now saying to Coach Noll: “Hey Chuck, I’m glad you decided to bring back that Dobbs kid and I’m sorry you had to let “Duck” go because based on heart there was no one in the league that can compare to him.” Coach Noll, who was always the epitome of practicality, would respond by saying, “You may be right, Jr., but in the end it is more about numbers than heart.”

Well, Coach Noll, it looks as if the NFL may have finally got the numbers straight regarding your partner-in-excellence, Bill Nunn Jr., but tonight, like every other night, there’s a party going on at the HOF like its 1999.

‘By Any Means Necessary!’

Message heard loud and clear when many sports leagues protested the shooting of Jacob Blake All things considered, let us not remain confused by what Brother Malcolm meant. Clearly at that time, in that time, a message was being sent and it was clear – “…to bring about the complete independence of people of African descent here in the Western Hemisphere, and first here in the United States, and bring about the freedom of these people by any means necessary” (Malcolm X).

Now of course, your recollection of those now-iconic words gives you immediate reason to believe that it spoke only of violent means. But to understand the statement, clearly it does not suggest only violent means.

It says, “…by any means necessary!” (Malcolm X).

If we look at it and accept it in its total meaning, then we should have no problem supporting the NBA players and all the other sports teams and individuals for stepping off their perspective playing fields last week in a show of solidarity…In other words, whatever it takes.

As we all know and have been taught all our lives, sometimes actions can speak louder than words and it’s clear to me that LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Doc Rivers, members of the WNBA, MLB and the NFL felt their actions would speak volumes and it did. To say it was “the shot” not heard around the world would be an understatement. But don’t get it twisted little Johnny, the rippling effect

was powerful and global. Never have words ever been truer, hit in the pocket where it hurts, that will get their attention.

For those that didn’t hear, after Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the back by a White Kenosha, Wisconsin, police officer, on Aug. 23, the Milwaukee Bucks protested by not playing their playoff game a few days

step out of the light by announcing their position through Coach Tomlin as opposed to shutting it down. That is not the action I expect from the rule-setter, aka, “The Rooney Rule,” that I was hoping for. Further discussion for another time!!! No…wait a minute…the heck with that. I put off the last time they stayed in the tunnel to avoid taking a

Overtime

Bill Neal later. That prompted the entire NBA to shut down for three days, while players discussed if they would even want to return to the court. In the same realm, multiple MLB games were postponed, along with the NHL and Major League Soccer. The WNBA was postponed, too. Eventually, everyone returned to the court or field, but a statement had been made, unlike at any other time in American history.

And just a little sidebar here for the record…and keep in mind no one bleeds Black and Gold more than I do. But your Pittsburgh Steelers took a side-

knee. Come on, Pittsburgh Steelers, how abut backing up those stronger-than-hate, hard-assteel quotes posted all over town.

Nuff said, back to the matter at hand. Not only do I applaud the boycott, I think it’s long overdue.

Remember, I am the guy that wrote in this very paper about a year ago that if on any given Saturday if every college football player in America from Slippery Rock to Alabama shut it down for the day, they would be able to get anything they wanted from the NCAA or NAIA…the right to own their own name, be paid to perform and transfer colleges

the same way coaches do.

However, yet again I digress.

Here’s the point…no movement ever moved with extreme cause and effect. The great Frederick Douglass put it best…if you’re looking for and wanting an end result, the sure way to get it is “Agitate! Agitate! Agitate!” Coupled with hitting them where it hurts, and results are soon to be gained.

Case in point, if games are not played and of course for humanitarian reasons, there are no commercials sold, no cars parked, no programs printed, no refreshments, no officials or security, then ultimately, no owners make a dime. If you think after that snowball gets rolling that messages aren’t getting to police departments, mayors, governors, congressmen, senators, and even to the bump on the log at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, you are sadly mistaken.

To be sure, it won’t happen overnight, and it won’t be easy.

Change is never easy, but sometimes it’s necessary and this is the most necessary time we’ve encountered since Dr. King spoke of the dream and it’s sad but true, we are still after the dream.

But hear this and hear it well.

While Dr. King spoke defiantly of “The Dream,” the reinforcement of that vision was made matter-of-factly and by no uncertain terms by Brother Malcolm: “By Any Means Necessary!”

B6

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2020

Is the economy rebounding?

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—On the Friday before Labor Day, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its monthly report, The Employment Situation.

It reported good news—the unemployment rate dropped to 8.4 percent, higher than in February before the pandemic hit. We added 1.4 million jobs last month, the highest gain since the corona recession began. But while this is progress, it is no cause for celebration. The Black unemployment rate remains double-digit and has not dropped as rapidly as either the overall rate or the White rate, 7.3 percent. Eleven million fewer people held jobs in August than in March. And the “rebound” is not spread evenly across populations.

The top 10 percent have already recovered. The bottom 40 or 50 percent are still struggling.

Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris told CNN that “one in five mothers is describing her children as hungry.” The lines at the food banks have not gone down, and in some communities, they are getting longer. Once thought to be relatively immune to the virus, smalltown America is now being hit, and forcefully. The challenge is that there

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary are fewer hospitals or health care facilities in rural areas. Economic recovery is dependent on the development of a COVID vaccine, which the current President says will be ready in October or November. More realistic, such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, say a vaccine might not be ready until next summer or even later.

The bottom line is that the macro indicators may show some progress, but a deeper dive is far less optimistic. Hundreds of thousands of small businesses, including 40 percent of Black-owned companies, have closed, resulting in permanent job loss.

Some of the hardest-hit industries include the leisure industries—travel, dining, and more. Women, especially women of color, heavily populate some of these industries. While COVID hit women of color harder than others, recovery will not make these women whole.

The economy will not regain its position from early March. Indeed, the slight comeback in leisure industries has been partly a function of people enjoying safer, outdoor dining.

The colder it gets, the more likely it is that people will choose to pass up dining out in favor of eating at home. People bought more groceries between March and August, not wanting to risk the possibility of contagion. Many have cautiously begun to eat out again, but restaurants lose money when they reduce seating because of social distancing.

By mid-September, we will know whether the Labor Day weekend will spark another COVID outbreak. And if there is another outbreak, count on the economy to slow again. Congress could at least prevent some of this if the Senate passed the HEROES (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions) Act, which would extend unemployment insurance, provide relief for cities and states, and provide money for schools. The HEROES legislation has been caught in partisan drama, with a bipartisan group of Congressional representatives passing it, but with Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell failing to even put the legislation up to a vote. Some Republicans dispute the need for the HEROES Act because of the latest unemployment rate data. But many states and local jurisdictions will lay off public servants—teachers, police officers, sanitation workers, transportation workers, health care workers, and others, pushing the unemployment rate back up.

The August Employment Situation report has more good news than bad.

It indicates that for the fourth month in a row, things are improving. But this improvement is not enough, and it could be much better if our legislators would offer some assistance, especially to those at the bottom. Even though 45 has made the economy his issue, repeatedly proclaiming that he created “the best economy in the world” until COVID, his inability to grasp the many ways that COVID will continue to plague the economy raises issues about his sagacity and discernment.

Don’t celebrate the rebound yet. Don’t stop the pressure either.

The Senate must pass the HEROES Act or face the consequences. If we want economic recovery AND economic justice, we must vote.

(Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist and author.)

FORUM

Biden’s condemnation of violence and political fiction Recently, Willie Brown, condemn the chaos. the first Black mayor J. Pharoah Doss Therefore, the Biden/ of San Francisco (1996Harris campaign 2004), told the San Franlaunched an ad called: cisco Chronicle, the bigDon’t Be Afraid. Biden’s gest threat to Democratic voice was over images of victory in November was destroyed property and demonstrators tearing Biden said, “I want to up cities in the name of make it absolutely clear. racial justice.

Rioting is not protesting.

Brown’s statement Looting is not protestcame after internal Democratic polls re- ing. It’s lawlessness, plain and simple, and vealed President Trump could win re-elec- those that do it should be prosecuted.” Then, tion due to a dramatic shift in public opinion. like the right-wing pundits theorized, Biden The director of the think tank Democracy blamed President Trump for the chaos, and Institute stated: The polls confirm that the said the president’s “failure to call on his own Democrats completely misread the effect of supporters to stop acting as an armed militia the Black Lives Matter protest and the de- in this country shows how weak he is.” sire of Americans to restore law and order.

But pundits on the left thought the ad conInternal polls have shown for the last three tributed to “political fiction” by overemphamonths the overwhelming majority of Amer- sizing property destruction. icans, including Black voters, are opposed to They pointed to a recent report by the the organized anarchy—looting, vandalism, Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Projmayhem, and murdering of innocent peo- ect (ACLED) and insisted that violence ocple—while Democratic public officials turned curred at only 7 percent of the thousands of a blind eye. peaceful protests that popped up around the After the police killing of George Floyd, United States, and 12 percent of the Trump Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden led counter-protests have ended in violence. supported “peaceful protest” and condemned Of course, this is misleading. violent hijackers of the Black Lives Matter It appears like the Trump counter-protests movement. But all of Biden’s statements were involved in more violence. But the against violence were weak.

ACLED reported since May 26, the day after Right-wing pundits have suggested Biden George Floyd was killed by the police, there is in no position to forcefully condemn the vi- were 7,750 Black Lives Matter demonstraolence because he made a deal with the hard- tions and 360 Trump-led counter-protests. left of his party. The hard-left will create Twelve percent of 360 is 40 violent events, chaos and blame it on President Trump in ex- but 7 percent of 7,750 is 542 violent events. change for Biden adopting their progressive The long, hot summer of 1967 only had 159. agenda after he wins the presidency.

If Biden’s campaign ad engaged in political But the poll numbers have forced Biden to fiction, I would hate to see non-fiction.

Check It Out

Needed: All Black police officers in inner-city neighborhoods (TriceEdneyWire.

White counterparts....I becom)—In a 1992 column A. Peter Bailey lieve that Black police offiwritten for the Richcers have a better chance mond Free Press I wrote, of sifting out information “Someone should tell from people in the neighyoung Black males who borhood than White cops are killing each other most of whom don’t give with such deadly efficiena you-know-what about cy that they are being alinner-city neighborhoods. lowed to do so precisely Their chief goal is to prebecause they are killing vent inner-city street each other. The harsh reality is that there crime from spreading into other parts of the are many White people in this city who be- city. It must be admitted that they have lieve that it is cheaper to let them kill each been very successful in doing this; it doesn’t other off than to educate them or to keep take a rocket scientist to know that if Black them in jail.” street criminals were killing or brutalizTwo years later for the same newspaper I ing Whites on any income level, from street wrote, “I have a suggestion on how to more bums to corporate executives, the way they effectively combat street crime in Black kill and brutalize each other, they would be neighborhoods in Richmond which is to put stopped by any means necessary....What the all Black police officers in our inner-city young street criminals fail to comprehend is neighborhoods....This would eliminate race that their destructive behavior towards each as a major factor in crime control by taking other and towards their communities is althis cover out of the hands of the minority lowed, sometimes encouraged, by a system of residents who indulge in criminal behav- which regards them as expendable. By their ior mainly against their own people. Many behavior the minority of young Black people Black people, for legitimate historical rea- who disrupt their communities have, for all sons, don’t trust White police officers. Black practical purposes, become allies of White sucriminals are well aware of this situation and premacists/racists.” take advantage of it.”

That is as true in 2020 as it was in 1992 In a 2009 column distributed by the News when I first wrote about the subject.

Service of the National Newspaper PublishThere are organizations within inner-city ers Association, I noted that my all Black communities throughout the country who police officer position “...was based on the are trying to deal with this unfortunate premise that many, if not most, Black offi- situation. They have earned and deserved cers either live in inner-city neighborhoods support from all of us who really care about or have relatives or friends who live there. the present and future of Black folks in this Thus, they have a much more vested interest country. in safety in such neighborhoods than their

Commentary

Letter to the Editor

Wake up the vote: A call to action Dear Editor: I think we can all agree that Voting is the foundation of our Democracy. Most of us can also agree to equal rights for all. Right now, we are in the fight of our lives to preserve what so many people have fought and died for. So, when we hear we do not have enough poll workers we are perplex. We are demanding the taking down of statues of people who did not believe in Democracy, but we do not have enough poll workers. We know from very reliable sources that foreign entities are trying to mess with our election, but we do not have enough poll workers. We know that our postal system is being sabotage, but we do not have enough poll workers. We want the means and the right people in place to make out of control police accountable for actions, but we do not have enough poll workers. We want Election Day declared a national holiday, but we do not have enough poll workers. Our call to action is to young people who want to change the world. The next step can be working the polls, getting to know the voters and eventual being on the ballot. Our call to action is to the Universities and Colleges, engaging in the civic process should be a key

part of education, call upon your students to become engaged by working the polls. Our call to action is to businesses and organizations whose operations are depending on a functioning democracy, allow workers to take off if they are willing to work the polls. Many of the poll workers are seniors who have been working the polls long before they became seniors. We cannot ask them to commit to work and make the sacrifice that exists in today’s environment. But we can ask individuals who are in good health, young and ready to take a place in history, to do your part to make sure everyone has access to voting. Without enough workers, polling places will be forced to consolidate which leads to confusion and very long lines. We may not be able to control everything that is trying to interfere with our voting rights and our Democracy. But we can control ease of access to our polling places which will allow as many people as possible to exercise their right to vote. Volunteer today. In Allegheny County go to: www.Alleghenycounty.us, democracy needs your help.

Elaine Harris-Fulton Pittsburgh

Letters to the editor for publication The New Pittsburgh Courier welcomes all responsible viewpoints for publication. All letters should be typewritten and contain writer’s address and phone number for verification. All letters will be edited for clarity and length. Address all letters to: Letters to the Editor, New Pittsburgh Courier| 315 East Carson St. Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 |You may fax your letter to 412-481-1360 or via email to letters@newpittsburghcourier.com

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.

Commentary

Black Americans and COVID-19 clinical trials (NNPA)—The unrelenting spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout the United States of America in 2020, continues to pose an unprecedented public health crisis for all Americans, but in particular for Black Americans and other people of color who are disproportionately negatively impacted by COVID-19.

As the trusted voice of Black America, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) in March of 2020 established the NNPA Coronavirus Task Force as a means of increasing public awareness about the overall preexisting health disparities in Black America and the disproportionately fatal consequences of COVID-19 for Black Americans and other people of color.

In fact, the NNPA and our Coronavirus Task Force were the first to issue a national “State of Emergency” declaration on April 3, 2020 to warn Black Americans and others about the evolving dangers and public health risks of COVID-19.

Earlier this year, there were just too many myths and other misinformation circulating primarily via social media falsely asserting that “Black people and people of African descent were immune to COVID-19 because of the presence of melanin.”

Of course, that assertion is not true.

Yet, unfortunately, too many people in our communities began to risk infection to COVID-19 because of falsehoods and misinformation.

The media has a responsibility to research and report the truth.

This year marks the 193rd year of the Black Press of America. Since Freedom’s Journal was first published in March of 1827, the Black Press has remained on the front lines of publishing and speaking truth to power by demanding freedom, justice and equality.

All of this brings me to state categorically, “Black Americans have to be involved at all levels of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot afford to be silent, detached, denied, or prevented from being at the decision-making tables in terms of COVID-19-based public health policies, research, clinical trials, remedies, and vaccine development.

Our lives and future are at stake.”

The good news is that today there are many Black American physicians, infectious disease scholars, clinicians, medical researchers, nurses and others on the front lines as first responders and as leaders inside the major pharmaceutical companies that are striving to develop a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19.

We are profoundly aware that within our communities there has been a historical and contemporary distrust of medical research. However, the challenge today is for more Black Americans to be involved at every point of the development of a COVID-19 vaccine to ensure that the medical rights and interests of Black Americans are thoroughly protected, respected, and addressed effectively and truthfully.

In other words, Black American engagement is crucial and critical in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine—including participation in clinical trials—to make sure that the new vaccine is effective to prevent Blacks and others from COVID-19 infections.

Three years ago, the NNPA, Howard University and Pfizer collaborated to do a national landmark poll and study of awareness of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) among Black Americans. This was important because Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by SCD across the nation.

Included in that NNPA-Howard University-Pfizer poll was the issue of Black Americans’ willingness to participate in clinical trials with respect to SCD. We were pleased to learn and to document that 76 percent of the Black American poll respondents had positive or neutral attitudes toward SCD clinical trials, and a majority indicated a willingness to participate in future clinical trials for SCD, given appropriate knowledge and recommendations from health care professionals.

It is urgent that in the strategic rush to develop an effective COVID-19 vaccine for all people, that Black Americans are not left out of the process.

The health of our families and communities necessitates our involvement to raise all the questions that need to be raised, and at the same time to participate responsibly in the COVID-19 clinical trials.

(Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa.org.)