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BRENDA WATERS RETIRES KDKA broadcaster had a passion for reporting the ‘good news’

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www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 111 No. 25

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JUNE 17-23, 2020

A ‘trailblazer’ and ‘tireless public servant’

Black photographer Michael Santiago leaves the Post-Gazette

MICHAEL SANTIAGO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM “BILL” ROBINSON, shown here in a photo with his mother, Annie L. Kemp Robinson, and daughter, Nyota N.P. Robinson. Robinson served for decades in public office on the city, county and state level.

The Honorable William ‘Bill’ Robinson dies at 78

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

In April 2019, longtime New Pittsburgh Courier columnist and Pittsburgh community advocate Louis “Hop” Kendrick penned a column on how, in the crazy world of politics, there were two Pittsburgh Black figures who always served the “people” first.

Kendrick named Dock Fielder, and Bill Robinson.

“Bill proved it when the Democratic Party (Allegheny County, city officials, etc.) built two stadiums (PNC Park, Heinz Field) at the same time, and Bill exposed the fact that not one Black was awarded a major contract. The Democratic Party ordered the colored assassins to get

Bill, and he was voted out of office.”

William “Bill” Robinson, a former member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Pittsburgh City Council and Allegheny County Council, died on June 9. He was 78.

“On behalf of the Robinson family, thank you for allowing him to serve the

great people of this state, Allegheny County and the Greater Pittsburgh region. He died with the utmost love, appreciation and fight in his heart for this region, county, the state and the world. But most importantly, with the love for the people he represented. Thank you SEE ROBINSON A2

Couldn’t work for ‘someone that doesn’t love me,’ he said

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Michael M. Santiago has had enough of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Santiago, who identifies as African American, has snapped photos for Pittsburgh’s major newspaper for roughly two years, covering everything imaginable.

Santiago has been atop Mt. Washington snapping the beautiful Pittsburgh skyline; in tight quarters at Woodland Hills School Board meetings, chronicling the tense moments between board members and concerned citizens;

at the Tree of Life Synagogue, capturing the hours, days and weeks after the shooting that left 11 dead in October 2018…

Santiago’s been taking photos everywhere in his brief time with the Post-Gazette, and now, in the blink of an eye, it’s all over.

Santiago was one of two Black journalists at the Post-Gazette who were banned from covering the local George Floyd protests, after he retweeted a post that reporter Alexis Johnson originally postSEE SANTIAGO A4

IS THIS ‘BIAS?’ City Paper unveils Post-Gazette Executive Editor Keith Burris in photo with Donald Trump from 2016

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

Just as Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Executive Editor Keith Burris penned an op-ed on the newspaper’s website reiterating that two Black journalists under his watch showed “bias” in a tweet, the Pittsburgh City Paper pulled out its Investigative Journalism handbook and found a 2016 published photo of Burris with then-candidate Donald Trump, who, as everyone knows, later became President of these United States.

City Paper editor Lisa Cunningham wrote her own op-ed, posted on

June 10, with the headline, “Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editor’s photo with Trump proves own journalistic bias he claims to condemn.”

Cunningham said her paper received the photo from “a source who took a screenshot of it from John Robinson Block’s Facebook page.”

Block is the publisher of the Post-Gazette.

The City Paper reported that at the time the photo was taken, Burris was the editorial page editor of the Toledo Blade, which is also owned by the Block family. He now is not only the executive editor of the PG, but the director of the opinion pages of both the

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PG and Blade.

“Why is the Trump photo significant?” Cunningham asked. “Because when you’re calling out a staff member for bias, without even explaining what exactly her bias is, it’s important to take a look in the mirror.”

In general, those in the media business are to remain impartial and unbiased, unless they are an opinion columnist. Alexis Johnson, the Black reporter who was banned from covering local George Floyd protests, has endlessly said that her tweet on May 31 which jokingly compared the Pittsburgh looting and destruction from May 30 protests to the annual Kenny Chesney concert tailgate parties at Heinz Field showed no bias.

Her employer disagreed.

Then, the Post-Gazette DONALD TRUMP, then a candidate for president, with Keith Burris, who now is the executive editor banned a Black photog- of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The newspaper’s top editors banned Black reporter Alexis Johnson from covering local George Floyd protests due to a tweet that managers flagged as showing “bias.”

SEE BIAS A4 (Photo obtained by the City Paper via Facebook)

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JUNE 17-23, 2020

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

PROTESTING FOR JUSTICE

PROTESTS HAVE BEEN OCCURRING IN PITTSBURGH nearly every day since the first local George Floyd protest, May 30. Courier photographer J.L. Martello captured these pictures at a recent protest held at Bakery Square in East Liberty.

Hon. Bill Robinson: ‘trailblazer’ and ‘tireless public servant’ ROBINSON FROM A1

for the love and respect that was displayed to him,” read a statement by Bill Robinson’s family, including his children, William R. Robinson II, Nyota N.P. Robinson, and his mother, Annie L. Kemp Robinson.

The pride of Schenley High School, William Russell Robinson graduated from the school in 1960, then attended Ohio State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1964. Robinson earned a master’s degree in political science from Duquesne University in 1972.

A skilled writer, Robinson served as a political editor for the Courier, and would make regular radio and television appearances pertaining to local politics.

In 1978, he was elected to the Pittsburgh City Council, where he served until 1985. In 1989, he took it one step further, becoming a member of the state House, serving in District 19. He served in that position until 2002.

In 2003, Robinson became a member of the Allegheny County Council, where he served until

2015.

“I’m sorry to hear of the passing of former State Representative, County Council Member and City of Pittsburgh Councilman Bill Robinson who represented his community at the city, county and state levels of government,” Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald said in a statement. “I had the pleasure of serving on County Council for eight years with Bill and worked on many groundbreaking initiatives with him, including a countywide smoking ban, creation of a county Human Relations Commission, row office consolidation and many others. It was

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important work as this county transitioned from the commissioner form of government to an executive and council body form of government. My condolences go out to the Robinson family and their friends on this loss.”

Pittsburgh iconic community figure Alma Speed Fox said she can still remember seeing Robinson at his Pittsburgh legislative office in the Hill District.

“Representative Robinson was fair and represented his district very well,” Fox said in a statement provided to the Courier. “He was an affirmative action person which wasn’t true of everybody who had a position of stature.”

Pittsburgh NAACP President Richard A. Stewart Jr. applauded the civil rights work of Robinson, and recalled how Robinson would walk around the Hill District, talking to residents about important issues.

“Over the years, I found the Honorable William Russell Robinson to have earned the title ‘Honorable,’ always serving with dignity, honesty, and with a commitment to serve those for who he was elected,” said Tim Stevens, Chairman and CEO, the Black Political Empowerment Project.

The three African American male state representatives from Western Pennsylvania, Jake Wheatley, Ed Gainey, and Austin Davis, naturally had nothing but praise for Robinson, whose feat to hold elected seats at the city, county and state level are a rarity.

“Bill Robinson was committed to our community, and his service did not end after he left the General Assembly,” Rep. Wheatley, who now represents District 19,

said in a statement. “He continued to work to the benefit of all residents in the City of Pittsburgh and beyond. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones.”

Representative Gainey said Robinson was “one of those individuals who broke the mold, and who everyone seemed to know…Bill showed younger generations what it meant to serve, and was an outstanding role model for so many. I pray for him and for his family. We have lost so much these last few months, but we must remain strong and continue our long march toward justice, freedom and equality.”

Representative Davis, of

the 35th District, called Robinson a “trailblazer and tireless public servant.” He also said “many of the African American elected officials in our region today stand on (Robinson’s) shoulders and have walked in the trails that he blazed. He will be greatly missed.”

An open viewing will be held, Friday, June 19, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Jones Funeral Home, 2644 Wylie Ave., Hill District.

A mask must be worn.

Robinson’s private funeral ceremony (invitation only) will be held Saturday, June 20, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Luke Baptist Church, 659 Herron Ave., Hill District.

HONORABLE WILLIAM “BILL” ROBINSON

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JUNE 17-23, 2020

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‘HAVE A POSITIVE DAY’

Brenda Waters retires after 35 years at KDKA-TV She gave the hard news, but had a passion for reporting the ‘good news’

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

near the end of the show.

It was often seen within the first 10 to 12 minutes of the newscast.

The New Pittsburgh Courier flashed back to a KDKA broadcast from June 2, 1999, where Waters told the “good news” stories of motorcycle maker Harley Davidson’s traveling museum making a stop in Washington, Pa., where residents could see some vintage bikes, and a teacher in West Virginia teaching his middle school class the art of turkey calling.

Waters found good news in nearly all Pittsburgh communities; the African American community was no exception.

She most recently spent years anchoring the Saturday morning news for KDKA, while continuing to report from the field and her signature “On a Positive Note” segments.

In 2018, Waters provided KDKA viewers a story on an area resident, Stephanie Turman, the stepdaughter of iconic singer Aretha Franklin.

Turman’s father, Glynn Turman, was married to Franklin from 1978-84.

“I would come home from school and she (Franklin) and Luther Vandross would be sitting at the piano and singing…I would walk home into stuff like

The new local news is filled with the bad stuff— shootings, stabbings, rapes, robberies, fires, carjackings…

But in the mid-to-late 1990s, it was Brenda Waters who deviated from the usual, and gave Pittsburgh viewers the good news.

Not just the good news, but the “good news in your neighborhood.”

It was a daily staple on KDKA’s highly-ranked 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts back then, further establishing Waters, an African American woman, as a powerful force in Pittsburgh TV news.

BRENDA WATERS began her career at WPXI-TV (11) in 1979 and moved to KDKA-TV (2) in 1985. She officially retired on May 29.

On Friday, May 29, after 41 years on TV in don’t like something, and Franklin died in 2018 at ment of a dream,” Allen ers Pittsburgh home. the market, 35 with KDage 76. said on air, March 27. “It “The entire news staff, Lord knows they’ve told KA-TV (2), she said her It was just one of many was such an honor and they’ve just been great, me when they didn’t like final good-bye. exclusive, motivational a pleasure to work at they’ve been my fami- something I said on TV, “Someone once said that stories that Pittsburgh KDKA, after growing up, ly,” Waters said. “They’ve if they didn’t like somelife is like writing a book, viewers came to expect watching the station.” been with me for ups and thing that I was wearing, there’s a beginning and from Waters.

Allen, a Langley High downs, good days, bad if they didn’t like any of there’s an end, and this is Her final “On a Positive School graduate, told days, they were with me my many hairstyles, and I the end of just one of my Note” segments included the story of how, as he when both of my parents appreciate that so much.” chapters,” Waters said to Waters’ final statement a 19-year-old freshman watched KDKA with his passed away, they were KDKA viewers near the art student at Pitt who mother while in his 20s, with me when my brother on-air as she headed into end of the 6 p.m. newshosted an art challenge his mother pointed to a passed away, and recent- retirement? “I wasn’t cast. “And very few people on social media, and a reporter on the televi- ly, when I had back sur- born and raised in Pittsare blessed to have a caburgh, but I consider mylocal man they call “Mr. sion and said, “You can do gery. reer for more than three Good Deeds,” who drives that.”

“The viewers, they, too self a Pittsburgher…and decades that they really in his “Pittsburgh Good Mom was right. are my family, they’ve this is just the start of the love…I can tell you, I love Deeds” truck helping Waters is not a Pitts- allowed me to come into second act.” getting up every mornothers, such as home re- burgh native, but after their homes for more than ing going to work…and pairs. Waters reported in being in Pittsburgh since 30 years. You know, famiI work with some of the her May 25 segment that the late ‘70s, she consid- ly will tell you when they best in town. Not just in town, in this market, but I would say, in the country.”

Waters began her Pittsburgh career at WPXITV (11) in 1979, then moved to KDKA in 1985 as a general assignment reporter. In 1990, Waters and colleague John Shumway made history, anchoring the first KDKA weekday morning newscast. The mornings was where viewers soon became intimately familiar with Waters’ succinct delivery and poise.

As the ‘90s BRENDA WATERS began her career at WPXI-TV (11) in 1979 and moved to rolled on, view- KDKA-TV (2) in 1985. She officially retired on May 29. ers began to see that,” Turman told Wa- John Potter, aka Mr. Good Waters during the 5 and 6 p.m. news- ters in the exclusive re- Deeds, recently raised and gave away more than casts with, “good news.” port.

“She (Franklin) poured $30,000 to those in need.

KDKA’s 6 p.m. hour-long The “On a Positive Note” newscast has long been into my spirit and helped the market leader in total me become the woman series has won a regional viewers in its timeslot, that I am today, and for Emmy Award.

Waters’ other honors but Waters’ “good news” that I am forever grateinclude two Associated segment wasn’t buried ful,” Turman added.

Press awards, “Who’s Who Among Black Americans,” the Cecile B. Springer Womenpower Award (recognizing women as superior role models in Pittsburgh), two awards from Ebenezer Baptist Church as an “outstanding woman in the community,” and a Woman of Excellence Award from the Courier in 2008.

Waters was born in Goldsboro, N.C., and raised in Washington, D.C. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Maryland and a master’s at American University, in Washington.

Waters’ retirement wasn’t the only African American talent at KDKA to call it a career with the station. Veteran reporter and Pittsburgh native Bob Allen retired on March 27 after 20 years at the One Gateway Center station, and more than 40 years in professional media.

“This is much more than a retirement, it’s a celebration, it’s the fulfillBOB ALLEN, after 20 years at KDKA-TV, retired in March.

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NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Black photographer Michael Santiago leaves the Post-Gazette SANTIAGO FROM A1

ed on May 31 that editors claimed contained “bias,” which disqualified Johnson from covering the protests.

Johnson said she jokingly compared the looting and destruction from lo-

June 5 that he, too, was barred from covering protests, it left a sour taste.

“Yesterday (June 13) I accepted the buyout at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that was offered to

ence two days earlier, in which the two journalists publicly expressed their displeasure with the PG’s decision.

“Let’s start with this: Editors at this newspaper did not single out

MICHAEL SANTIAGO, during a June 8 press conference held on the North Shore. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello) cal protests a night earlier, May 30, with photos of a Kenny Chesney concert tailgate, which showed tons of trash. She never mentioned Pittsburgh by name.

Johnson reported to work on June 1 and was subsequently informed by management of their decision. Johnson said she fought the decision, claiming the tweet showed no bias.

Santiago said all throughout the ordeal that he was in full support of Johnson. But when he found out on

employees in May,” Santiago wrote on Twitter, June 14. “It was not an easy decision, but as I said on Thursday night (June 11) during the PBMF (Pittsburgh Black Media Federation) panel, how can I work for someone that doesn’t love me.”

Neither Santiago nor Johnson were feeling the love from Post-Gazette upper management after the Post-Gazette’s executive editor, Keith Burris, wrote an open letter to the public on June 10, in response to Johnson and Santiago’s press confer-

a Black reporter and a Black photographer and ban them from covering Pittsburgh protests after the killing of George Floyd. And we certainly did not single out two people and keep them from covering local protests because they were Black. That is an outrageous lie—a defamation, in fact,” read part of the op-ed from Burris.

Burris’ op-ed did not include an apology to Santiago or Johnson, rather stating: “We will not apologize for upholding professional standards

in journalism or attempting to eliminate bias.”

Now, Santiago, a member of the Post-Gazette’s Pulitzer Prize-winning team for its coverage of the Tree of Life shooting, is gone.

“Pittsburgh has been an amazing city and I gained so much experience as a journalist working alongside my colleagues and grew as a human being with the work I was able to do within the community,” Santiago’s statement continued. “My fellow NewsGuild members are amazing, dedicated journalists who I will truly miss working with. I hate to be departing under these circumstances but it is necessary.”

The Post-Gazette’s top newsroom editors, Burris and managing editor Karen Kane, have stuck to their guns and have not allowed Johnson to cover any local protests, which have stretched from Dormont, to Mt. Washington, to Bellevue, to Uniontown, to Downtown Pittsburgh, to East Carson Street on the South Side.

In response, Giant Eagle pulled out their bazooka, announcing last week that its stores in the region would no longer sell the Post-Gazette, while simultaneously announcing the store chain would donate $350,000 to support social justice causes.

“It is critical that we uphold the values that have defined Giant Eagle for nearly 90 years.

These measures will remain in place until the publication (Post-Gazette) demonstrates an equal commitment to all those in the communities it serves,” said Laura Karet, Giant Eagle’s CEO, on Twitter, June 10.

Pittsburgh Black Media Federation President Brian Cook Sr. said in a statement that “Pittsburgh is losing a tremendous talent in Mr. Santiago, a man who says he ‘thought’ he found a home in the ‘Steel City.’”

Cook spoke to a larger issue of Black journalists who often leave Pittsburgh after a few years, finding a more prosperous position in another city or just liking the culture better in another city.

“We feel that it is imperative for media outlets to be deliberate in ensuring that their staffs are reflective of the communities they serve, and

“On so many levels I am so sorry to see (Michael Santiago) depart the (Post-Gazette) but I totally understand why he is doing so. Neither he nor (Alexis Johnson) nor any fellow member of the NewsGuild deserved the abominable treatment they’ve received,” wrote Fuoco on Twitter, June 14.

“Management has driven away yet another Black journalist from a far-too-low pool.

MICHAEL FUOCO PG reporter and president of the local Newspaper Guild personnel is trained on ways to reference all communities of Western Pennsylvania, in coverage,” Cook said.

“It is our hope that this is a wake-up call to media organizations to take

Black editor works at the night desk, David Garth.

Seasoned readers of the Post-Gazette might be able to realize that, with the loss of Santiago, there is just one Black photographer whose pho-

ALEXIS JOHNSON, the reporter pulled from covering George Floyd protests. a step back and assess past and current hiring practices and treatment of all employees within their newsrooms,” Cook added. “In addition to that, think about how your loyal supporters would be better served with staff that can identify culturally to all of its audiences across the board.”

At the June 8 press conference, Michael Fuoco, president of the local Newspaper Guild, said African Americans represented only 10 percent of the newsroom staff at the PG. Johnson said in addition to Tyler Batiste, the Post-Gazette’s sports editor, the only other

tos appear in print regularly—Nate Guidry.

“On so many levels I am so sorry to see (Michael Santiago) depart the (Post-Gazette) but I totally understand why he is doing so. Neither he nor (Alexis Johnson) nor any fellow member of the NewsGuild deserved the abominable treatment they’ve received,” wrote Fuoco on Twitter, June 14. “Management has driven away yet another Black journalist from a far-too-low pool.

And worst of all, they are unrepentant in the face of national criticism in journalism and civil rights circles.”

IS THIS ‘BIAS?’

BIAS FROM A1

rapher from covering the protests because he retweeted Johnson’s original post.

Santiago announced on June 14 that he was leaving the Post-Gazette.

Joshua Axelrod, a White reporter at the Post-Gazette, said on June 8 that he was treated in a “more lenient” manner than his Black colleague, Johnson, in a social media post that he made which was questionable. He was permitted to cover the protests.

The Newspaper Guild of

LISA CUNNINGHAM

Pittsburgh, among other organizations, has called for the both Burris and PG managing editor Karen Kane to resign. Neither have resigned nor apologized, as the Guild has demanded, but Giant Eagle responded by ceasing the selling of Post-Gazette newspapers in its Western Pennsylvania stores.

“So ... it’s not biased for a newspaper publisher and executive editor to fraternize with a Republican presidential candidate, who

later becomes President of the United States, and to apply conservative bias into editorial decisions that defend that politician and views that align with him,” Cunningham, the City Paper editor, wrote. “Just as it’s not biased to pull a Black reporter off of protest coverage for a tweet, while not doing the same for a White reporter.

But it is bias for a reporter to tweet a photo about trash in a parking lot and make a joke about looters. Got it.”

“So ... it’s not biased for a newspaper publisher and executive editor to fraternize with a Republican presidential candidate, who later becomes President of the United States, and to apply conservative bias into editorial decisions that defend that politician and views that align with him, just as it’s not biased to pull a Black reporter off of protest coverage for a tweet, while not doing the same for a White reporter.

But it is bias for a reporter to tweet a photo about trash in a parking lot and make a joke about looters. Got it.”

LISA CUNNINGHAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, CITY PAPER

RELIGION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JUNE 17-23, 2020

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Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Sunday Mass 10:30 A.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

East Liberty Presbyterian Church REV. ROCHELLE WILLIAMS

BISHOP W. DARIN MOORE

PASTOR LAMAR LEE

THE NEW NORMAL

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/

REV. JONATHON COUNTS, Pastor of Homewood AME Zion Church, communicating with conference attendees via the new normal, online.

(Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

Held virtually—The 173rd Session of the Allegheny Annual Conference

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

The Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District of the AME Zion Church‘s annual conference, due to the coronavirus pandemic, was held online. The conference convened May 14-16, with a 7 p.m. worship service on May 14 and 15. The theme: “Refocusing on Our Purpose, Reviewing Our Practices, Retooling Our People, Reaching Our Potential.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEXT CHURCH EVENT! REV. JONATHON COUNTS

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

MAGGIE COX

REV. JAMES E. JOHNSON, from Johnstown.

The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.

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During the pandemic, PPS celebrated its teachers Coronavirus forced teachers, students out the classroom, and into the virtual world

DR. MARGARET STOKES, principal of Pittsburgh Miller, in the Hill District. Miller has a deep connection to the Hill District, and it showed during this Community Car Parade on May 8, as students showed their appreciation for teachers. (Photos by Courier photographer Dayna Delgado)

TEACHER, DANA WILLIAMS, is adored by students, as everyone practiced social distancing.

MEMBERS OF THE PITTSBURGH MILLER FAMILY

TEACHER, LAURA FEGER, also adored by students, during the Community Car Parade.

PPS announces ‘All In to Reopen Our Schools’ Coming soon from the Pittsburgh Public Schools, the launch of “All In to Reopen Our Schools.”

In a release from the district, the effort aims to bring the Pittsburgh community together to plan the safe and successful reopening of schools this fall.

“As a caregiver to tens of thousands of children, we see the plan for reopening our schools essential to the effective reopening of the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, said Superintendent Anthony Hamlet, Ed.D., in the release. “Through our partnership with the PFT (Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers) and One Pa, I am sure we can design a plan that considers all voices and will put Pittsburgh on the map as a true innovator in these unprecedented times.”

“We are prioritizing real community voices and broad collaboration to find the solutions we need for our kids,” Angel Gober from One Pa emphasized in the release. The “All In to Reopen Our Schools” plan will be developed by 16 subcommittees, composed of a cross-section of stakeholders, within five categories: 1. Academic Programming and Instructional Support 2. Academic Personnel and Developing Capacity 3. Family Support & Wellbeing 4. School Operations for a Safe and Healthy Environment 5. Communications, Outreach and Community Coordination “The PFT has been eager to work with the Pitts-

burgh Public Schools on a plan that will bring our students and staff back to school safely,” said Nina Esposito Visgitis, president, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, said in the release obtained by the New Pittsburgh Courier, June 3. “Teachers have valiantly embraced our remote learning reality, but of course, they are eager to get back inside of the classroom, where teaching and learning flourish best.”

The work of the subcommittees will be informed by guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and informed by parent feedback gathered through the district’s Remote Learning Parent Survey. The survey ended on June 4.

“Our community and our children are heartbroken by the treatment of Black people in this country right now. It is critical that we work together, across diverse communities to design a safe plan to meet our children’s needs,” said Gober, in the statement. “I believe in us.”

The work of the subcommittees will complement and strengthen the work already underway through Imagine PPS with the assistance of community champions. “All In to Reopen Our Schools” will ensure the short-term work required to respond to COVID-19 strengthens the development of the Imagine PPS strategic plan, the statement read.

The “All In to Reopen Our Schools” plan is expected to be released to the public on July 22.

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Tools and resources to navigate today’s financial crisis (BlackPressUSA)—Wells Fargo is committed to providing the information necessary to help address your unique financial needs and concerns, starting with the tools and resources to find relief.

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Wells Fargo is with you as you embark on your road to recovery. To learn more THE GOVERNMENT HAS DESIGNED PROGRAMS to provide support and relief to those in need during this time. Wells Fargo offers some highlights of the about our COVID-19 relief efforts visit CARES Act that may impact your finances. wellsfargo.com/heretohelp.

NASCAR joins list of those taking stand against racial injustice

by Stacy M. Brown For New Pittsburgh Courier

(NNPA)—Since protestors and demonstrators have taken to the streets around the globe in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, many businesses and organizations have issued statements and taken measures to communicate their stand against racial injustice.

On Wednesday, June 10, NASCAR joined that ever-growing list with the announcement that it’s removing the Confederate flag from all of its events.

“The presence of the Confederate flag at NASCAR events runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry,” NASCAR officials wrote in a statement.

“Bringing people together around a love for racing and the community that it creates is

what makes our fans and sport special. The display of the Confederate flag will be prohibited

from all NASCAR events and properties.”

Companies and organizations like the National

NASCAR DRIVER BUBBA WALLACE stands on pit row at Matinsville. (Photo: nascar.com)

Basketball Association, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Ben & Jerry’s, and Nike have also issued statements condemning racial injustice.

However, skeptics say it remains too early to tell if the growing list of businesses will support African American-owned businesses and the continued cry for racial equality.

“NASCAR isn’t a museum. It’s a sport. And on race day, it’s a sport that invests more time and pageantry honoring America than anyone,” writer Dan Wolken wrote in an Op-Ed for USA Today. “The people who insist the Confederate flag is an important part of that pageantry are not amplifying the values inherent to American sports. They’re mocking the long road to progress that has once again arrived at a defining, historic moment,”

While many took to social media to voice their surprise about NASCAR’s decision, one of the sport’s premier drivers and NASCAR’s lone Black competitor joined in to applaud the move.

“I’m just really proud of the efforts of NASCAR for stepping up and wanting to be a part of the change,” Bubba Wallace, who’s No. 43 Chevrolet car has the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag painted over the vehicle, told Good Morning America.

“I know it’s tough, they’re in a tough situation,” Wallace stated.

“They’ve been in a tough situation for a long time now, but I think this is the most crucial time and time is of the essence right now in the world that we’re in and the nation that we’re in to create change and create unity and come together and really try to be more inclusive.”

Avoid shackles if you’re shacking up When I was growing up if you lived with your intimate partner prior to marriage we referred to it as shacking up. Nowadays, it’s referred to as cohabitating.

The number of unmarried partners living together has nearly tripled in the past 20-years—going from 6 million to 17 million. Shacking up used to be frowned upon.

Today, it’s the new normal.

In fact, 37 percent of couples move in together after they’ve been in a relationship for a mere six months.

Guess you can say, it’s a lot easier to pose the question, “Will you move in with me” instead of, “Will you marry me?”

Common reasons our younger generation is opting for cohabitation in lieu of marriage: Fear of divorce: With the divorce rate being upwards of 50 percent, our younger generation is saying why bother with tying the knot.

Easier exit: If things don’t work out, you can exit the relationship without the emotional, financial, and legal hassle of divorce.

Uncertainty: People are not certain if they want to spend the rest of their life with the person they’re currently romantically linked to.

Financial Reasons: Cost of living is HIGH. It’s cheaper when you have someone helping with the bills, so why not share the cost with the person you spend the bulk of your time with.

Test Drive: Many young couples want to experience what it’s like to live with this person before they commit “til death do them part.”

With each passing generation, it’s been my observation that we’re becoming more and more transparent and outspoken. I respect this generation’s honesty.

But is it wise to play house or take on marital actions and marital responsibilities without marital commitment? What older generations and older people in general have over younger people is wisdom. Life experiences and a more family centered culture during their time helped them to see and experience things that generations after them tend to overlook or shrug off.

There’s a reason why grandma’s food tastes better than our own. Grandma tends to know best.

Good news turns bad than worst: More than 50 percent of couples who move in together prior to marriage, marry within 5 years. Hmmm, per-

haps merging households before merging last names works out after all? 40 percent of couples who move in together prior to marriage calls it quits. Looks like, after kicking the tires or simply being tired of each other, the test drive proved not to be worth it for this group. The remaining 10 percent of these couples are still shacking up. There’s no “commit or quit” u l t i matum with this group.

T h e y appear to be content being buddies.

Researchers conclude that couples who live together before they tie the knot are less likely to be satisfied in their marriage and are more likely to divorce. In fact, there’s a 33 percent higher divorce rate among those who cohabitate prior to marriage than those who waited to marry first then move in together.

Full disclosure! I shackedup before I married. It was over 20-years ago. It was for financial reasons. We were both a long way from home

and we were too broke to be on our own. Heck, financially speaking - we were barely getting by together. Somehow, someway we made it work. But we’re the exception not the norm. Here’s the real. Men and Women think differently. Spoken or unspoken, Women see cohabitation as a step towards marriage. She thinks, if this man is willing to move in with her, he’ll surely marry her. Men on the o t h e r hand are thinking – why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free. In other words, men see it as a way to postpone real marital commitment.

You can see it at weddings.

Women will fight each other at the opportunity to catch the bouquet of flowers thrown by the Bride. The thinking is, the woman who catches the bouquet, is the next to marry. The tossing of the garter belt has the same meaning for men. Whoever catches it, is the next to marry. I have been to several weddings. I have yet to

see men fighting at the opportunity to catch the garter belt.

When considering the reasons, people cohabitate prior to marriage: Fear of divorce, easy exit, uncertainty, financial reasons, and test drive you see a couple of things: 1: Love isn’t a core consideration. 2. Cohabitants are more concerned about planning their exit strategy than they are planning to build a life together.

Nonetheless, I consistently advise people who have made or soon to be making major financial commitments with a person who they are not comfortable making life commitments with. That’s a ticking bomb waiting to explode. Think about that for a second, people making major purchases with people that they’re contemplating and unconsciously planning on not being with for the long the long haul. Cohabitants are merging bank accounts, cosigning leases, co-signing car notes, personal loans, and mortgages together.

When you commit to financial obligations together, you are in effect creating a bind on each other that can have a lingering effect after you sever personal ties.

I’ve observed people dealing

with financial ruin because of taking on expenses with their cohabitant. It’s like having shackles connected to this person long after you have gone your separate ways.

To avoid shackles and a financial mess that often happens with cohabitants, “Do not” do the following until you both say “I do” in marriage. It will allow a cleaner exit should things not work out.

Do not: • Take on any loans in both cohabitants names including car loans, student loans, credit cards, personal loans and mortgages • Pay for the other person’s bills • Open joint checking, saving, and investment account • List cohabitants as primary beneficiaries on insurance and retirement accounts • Base budget on both incomes. Ensure that you can afford expenses and lifestyle on your own, should the worse was to happen • Purchase any shared valuable items together worth over $1,000.

(Damon Carr, Money Coach can be reached at www.damonmoneycoach. com or call him at 412-2161013.)

B2

NATIONAL

JUNE 17-23, 2020

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Black Lives Matter founder Alicia Garza finds hope in global protests over George Floyd death

by Gail Berkley The Sun Reporter

(BlackPressUSA)— For Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza the global outpouring of protests and activism following the alleged murder of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody has been heartening and makes her hopeful for the future. At the same time, she said, “It’s bittersweet that it takes someone being murdered on camera to get to the point of conversation that we’re in.”

“I was horrified,” Garza said of viewing the video of Floyd’s life being taken by a White police officer with his knee on Floyd’s neck. “Every time a Black person is murdered by police there is something disturbing about it.” She added, said in this case, “just the callousness of it; and him calling for his mother. There’s just so much in there that’s horrifying. It’s just a brutal reminder of how Black lives don’t matter in this country.”

Garza, of Oakland, California is Strategy and Partnerships Director for the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Principal at the Black Futures Lab. Seeing Black Lives Matter (BLM) signs held by protestors in all 50 states, including in many small towns with few Black residents, Garza said, “It’s humbling to see it and to have been a small part of it.” She is heartened that people are awakening.

Garza said she is also pleased that many ce-

HOPEFUL—Seeing Black Lives Matter (BLM) signs held by protestors in all 50 states, including in many small towns with few Black residents, Garza said, “It’s humbling to see it and to have been a small part of it.” She is heartened that people are awakening. (Photo: Courtesy Alicia Garza Facebook) lebrities who have large platforms are using them now to push for change.

She said the Black Futures Lab has a strategy for helping celebrities to use their platforms for the movement. “When they use their platforms to activate people, it’s an important way to save our democracy. It makes us active and engaged participants.”

“I got to take over Selena Gomez’ Instagram last week. It was awesome.” She said people are really hungry for information. “We’ve been doing a lot of work and talk about what’s going on. When folk like Selena do that, it engages people in issues of our time. I plan to work with her through this election

cycle.”

Garza said she will also be taking over Lady Gaga’s social media in the coming week. “We’re really focused on transferring this energy into political power.”

She said it’s important to change the people who are making the rules and those who aren’t enforcing the rules. She cited as an example the election in Georgia this week where voters in predominantly Black areas waited hours to vote. Movement for Black Lives is not just about police violence. It’s about how Black lives are devalued. Black Lives Matter is for an opportunity for us to recognize and uphold the right to humanity and dignity for Black

people. She said Black people also have to work “to remove the negatives we’ve internalized about ourselves.”

“For people who are not Black, there’s also work to do.” She said it’s not only about changing the rules, but also about a culture shift. “That’s what I think we’re seeing now. It’s going to take all of us staying committed.”

She said the millions joining protests following the alleged murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Auberry and Breonna Taylor were sparked by, “a powder keg waiting to happen.”

“People are mad about a lot of stuff. We’re all tender right now. It’s an election year. We find ourselves in a global

pandemic. The lack of human touch… and being able to gather. Because of that we also have the expansion of an economic crisis. Not only are people trying to stay healthy, they’re trying to pay their bills.”

“What we can all agree on is that policing is not serving the people that they’re supposed to serve. When we’re afraid of the police that’s not serving. Whenever I see tanks, rubber bullets, and tear gas being used —We pay for that. Are we keeping people safe?

We’ve been defunding the Black community for a long time.”

“Defund the Police” is a controversial slogan that has been held by some protestors. Garza

said that slogan comes from the Movement for Black Lives, a coalition that includes BLM. “This work is something many organizations have been doing for many years,” she said.

“It’s really about getting a handle on how we’re spending our money.” She cited the fact that education funds have been cut, the postal service is near bankrupt, and thousands of homeless are living on the streets.

“We’re using police to deal with homeless. You don’t send a nurse to deal with a drug cartel.”

“We did the largest survey of Black America in 2018—The Black Census Project. The overwhelming majority said in the past six months they’d had a negative experience with the police.”

She said what she supports is “limiting the size, scope and role police play in our communities.

Police also need consequences when harm is enacted. Police unions are a huge, huge issue.

They block transparency for officers.”

Speaking of another campaign that’s getting national attention Project Zero’s “8 that Can’t Wait,” Garza cautioned, “We have to be wary of things that are a quick fix.”

She said, “8 Can’t Wait doesn’t deal with the real issue here, nobody should be above the law.”

“Public safety is not about bloated police budgets. It’s about expanding the safety net for Black people,” she concluded.

Floyd murder unleashes Black parents’ worst fears

by Barrington M. Salmon For New Pittsburgh Courier

(TriceEdneyWire.com) —Dr. Narketta Sparkman-Key said she’s been crying just about every day since she saw the video of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Her tears, she said, are for the senseless, callous murder of another innocent unarmed Black person, for the constant terror that African-Americans live under because of police brutality and extra-judicial murders; and a deep and persistent anxiety about her sons’ safety.

“I had to go out, walk and find other ways to give me energy and reduce the worry and fear,” she said. “Last night I started thinking about all the Black people police officers have killed.

It’s triggering.”

On May 25, cops from the Minneapolis Police Department detained Floyd because they received a call that he had passed a counterfeit $20 bill. Four officers handcuffed him, held him face down on the street and for at least nine minutes one of the officers had a knee pressed on his neck.

Despite Floyd’s pleas that he couldn’t breathe, pleading with the cops to allow him to stand up and his assurances that he wasn’t resisting, none of them paid him any attention. They also ignored bystanders who called on Officer Derek Chauvin to release the pressure on his neck even when it was apparent that Floyd had lost consciousness.

The death of the 46-year-old father of two sparked a wave of civil unrest around the world as well as in about two dozen states and more than 40 cities across the U. S. Many protests were peaceful. But some vented their anger and frustration and some looted and burned businesses and other struc-

tures.

Chauvin was arrested May 29 and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.

Dr. Sparkman-Key, the mother of four sons who works as academic affairs director of Faculty Development and Retention at Old Dominion University, said her anguish has been compounded by the fear the killing has triggered in her 19-year-old.

“My son came to me crying because he is a Black man in America and he doesn’t understand why all this is happening,” she recounted. “He is 19 but will not be seen as a child, but he really is. He is scared for his family. I had to help him process what is happening in the world but I could not say everything will be okay.

Instead, I said ‘you have to be cautious in every decision you make.’ It is disheartening because there are some mistakes he cannot afford to make.

All the Black mothers know what I am saying.

It is our reality. We worry, we pray, we cry and we carry our families.”

Others, like Sparkman-Key, grieved privately.

Sylvestre Hamilton, a 45-year-old mother of a son, said she is deeply angered by Floyd’s murder and understands the rage in Black people that has led to protests with no end in sight.

“I’m thinking about my son, my brothers, my friends and how dangerous it is to be a Black person in America,” said the historical researcher who lives in Northern Virginia. “We live in volatile times. The one stark message of hope is seeing the vast variety of people protesting.”

Hamilton said she expected to see an explosion of anger but didn’t think it would be as large and as diverse as it has been. Black people are angry and scared, tired and frustrated that those in charge have ignored their complaints and

because he couldn’t understand why I was telling him that,” she said.

“And when I gave him examples of things that had happened to Black • You have the right to remain silent. If men, he got more upset but I had to give him you wish to exercise that right, say so a realistic view of the out loud. In some states, you have to world.” say your name.

Dr. Sparkman-Key, Hamilton and other interviewees spoke of the • Do not empty your pockets voluntariheavy burden racism, ly, or reach towards your waistband as discrimination and inthe officer approaches. equality has on Black people, the psychic, emotional and mental dam• If you are arrested, you have the right age, the incalculable cost to a lawyer. Ask for one immediately. of being denied one’s personhood and humanity, and the numbing fa• Stay calm and in control. tigue they all feel. They said the fires burning in a raft of American cities • Don’t argue with, run from, interfere may be the wakeup call with, or resist the police.

White Americans need to begin addressing the • You don’t have to agree to a search. toxic issues around race relations, but none was Say, “I do not consent to a search.” sure the conflagrations would produce a differ• Ask, “Am I free to leave?” If you are ent result.

Meanwhile, over the free to leave—leave calmly. years, various civil rights organizations have tried • Write down everything you remember, to make it easier for parents by giving advice including badge numbers, car numbers, they can pass along conand any other details that you can use cerning how to conduct later. ones self when stopped by the police. The following, from the NAACP, are • Tell your parents or guardian what just a few things to rehappened. member: • You have the right to remain silent. If you • Report it: If you believe your rights wish to exercise that ha e een iolate file a complaint with right, say so out loud. In the agency’s internal affairs division or some states, you have to say your name. a civilian board. * Do not empty your pockets voluntarily, or reach towards your demands that they be attack or a shooting. This waistband as the officer treated fairly and more was far more merciless approaches.

• If you are arrested, humanely by the police, than a shooting. It was a who many African Amer- horrific act, like watch- you have the right to a icans see as an occupying ing someone commit a lawyer. Ask for one immediately. force, she said. rape or a lynching.”

• Stay calm and in con“We really can’t breathe Hamilton resolved, anymore. I fear for my “That officer is nothing trol.

• Don’t argue with, run son’s life every day. I say short of a serial killer. a silent prayer whenev- You could see it in his from, interfere with, or er he leaves the house eyes: no restraint, no hu- resist the police.

• You don’t have to and I don’t rest until he manity, no mercy whatagree to a search. Say, returns,” said the West soever.”

Indian immigrant who Hamilton said she had “I do not consent to a family has roots in the ‘the talk” with her son search.”

• Ask, “Am I free to Eastern Caribbean. “This when he was about 12. leave?”

If you are free to wasn’t an assault, a rifle “He got upset at first leave—leave calmly.

The following, from the NAACP, are just a few things to remember:

• Write down everything you remember, including badge numbers, car numbers, and any other details that you can use later.

• Tell your parents or guardian what happened.

• Report it: If you believe your rights have been violated, file a complaint with the agency’s internal affairs division or a civilian board.

Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever has two sons and said she’s always tried to be honest with them about the perils and pitfalls of being Black men in America. But uncertainty lingers.

“As a mother it’s hard and it’s hard for Black mothers and fathers because we can’t protect our children,” said Jones-DeWeever, a political analyst, commentator, author and public speaker. “I am aware of society’s reaction to my sons as they transition from boys to men and I wanted to make sure they don’t blame themselves. My sons are trained in self-defense but what can you do?”

Geoffrey Philp said little will change until Whites let go of what he described as “an almost childish belief in (their) innocence.”

“America is resistant to growing up and they’re unwilling to mentally leave where they think they are and step out into the real world,” said Philp, a Jamaican poet, novelist and playwright and retired English and Creative Writing professor at Miami-Dade College. “To do so would require recognizing their complicity in the crimes of the nation...They act the way they do because it’s part of the conditioning. That’s how they’re brought up, how they’re raised. It’s fear of a Black planet—that’s it right there. When you demonize a people for so long, when it’s built in, baked into the system, this is what you get.”

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JUNE 17-23, 2020 B3

Bring them down

Guest Editorial

Reform qualified immunity for police The brutal suffocation of George Floyd has caused international protest, condemnations from world leaders and calls for criminal justice reform.

Derek Chauvin, 44, has become the focus of angry and sometimes violent street protests and a federal investigation after he was seen in cellphone video kneeling on the neck of 46-year-old Floyd for almost nine minutes during his arrest on May 25 on suspicion of passing a counterfeit bill.

Floyd, who was heard saying he couldn’t breathe, was pronounced dead later that night.

Before his encounter with Floyd, Chauvin had a record that raises serious questions as to why he had been allowed to remain on the police force for nearly 20 years.

Records show that Chauvin has opened fire on two people during his 19-year career. Online city records also show that 17 complaints have been filed against Chauvin. Sixteen complaints were closed with no discipline. The remaining complaint generated two letters of reprimand, with one apparently related to the use of a squad car dashboard camera.

Online court records indicate that the officer who stood guard at the scene, Tou Thao, was sued in federal court in 2017 for alleged excessive force.

According to the lawsuit, Lamar Ferguson claimed Thao and his partner stopped him as he was walking to his girlfriend’s house in 2014 for no reason and beat him up. The city ultimately settled the lawsuit for $25,000.

City records show six complaints have been filed against Thao. Five were closed with no discipline.

One remains open. The records didn’t include any further details.

Even if the Minneapolis Police Department had fired these officers for their past conduct they would have likely been reinstated because of arbitration and qualified immunity, which has been used to shield individual police officers accused of using excessive force from facing lawsuits from victims and their families, and paying financial settlements, according to a Reuters investigation.

U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, a conservative independent from Michigan, won support from a Minneapolis Democrat for his “Ending Qualified Immunity Act,” which would allow civil lawsuits against police, a recourse that the Supreme Court has all but done away with.

In an exclusive interview with the Philadelphia Tribune on Tuesday, Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden also called for reforms to hold police more accountable when they are accused of abuse and wrongdoing, including seeking to reform qualified immunity.

Qualified immunity has largely shielded police from financial settlements for victims or grieving families. The doctrine protects cops even when courts determine that officers violate civil rights.

“The brutal killing of George Floyd is merely the latest in a long line of incidents of egregious police misconduct,” Amash told colleagues in a letter.

“This pattern continues because police are legally, politically and culturally insulated ... That must change so that these incidents stop happening.”

If we hope to end a pattern of police violence, victims must be allowed to sue officers for illegal and unconstitutional acts. Urge Congress to limit officers’ qualified immunity against lawsuits so that police officers can be held accountable for using excessive force and other serious misconduct.

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune)

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—The aftermath and on-going circumstances of the murder of George Floyd have given each of us reasons to give focused thought to the current state of our nation. Regardless of outlook, all have been forced to take a position on where we are and where we are going as a nation. Welcomed, yet unexpected, citizens of nations throughout the world, inspired by visuals of the brutal murder of George Floyd, have also chosen this time to address the evils of abuse and oppression that impact them.

I am pleased to see the masses gathered in cities across the world expressing, with their words and bodies, unwillingness to accept injustice for themselves and for their social/cultural neighbors. They are addressing every source of oppression—from insult to injury—as a target for change, and this change, seemingly, begins with the elimination of symbols of oppression.

This is a good place to start. Few will deny the impact of symbolism on our social constructs and interaction. The symbols of our favorite teams, organizations, and schools are a source of inspiration and pride. The Pentagon is symbolic of our military strength, Mt. Rushmore edifies inspirational leadership, and the Lincoln Memorial symbolizes the successful rebuff of a traitorous uprising based upon a brutal system of human servitude and oppression.

Recently, I have awakened to the news that symbols of oppression are being rejected world-wide. Wikipedia reports: “As part of the worldwide

Rod Doss Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher Allison Palm

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Commentary George Floyd protests, members of the Black Lives Matter movement have also removed or defaced statues of other historical figures that were responsible for large-scale suffering of Black people. In Bristol, UK, protesters toppled a statue of slave trader Edward Colston, who played a prominent role in the Bristol slave trade, while BLM protesters in Ghent, Belgium, vandalized a statue of King Leopold II, who caused the death of tens of millions of Congolese.”

Later, I learned that NASCAR had banned the display of the Confederate flag at its events. The Marine Corps and Navy have also banned the display of the Confederate flag on their respective installations and ships. Local political leaders are planning and removing Confederate monuments while Congress has resolved to remove statues of Confederate leaders from the Capitol’s Statuary Hall and to rename military installations which honor Confederate leaders.

These actions eliminate symbols that are deeply offensive to many Americans. To African Americans, the Confederate flag and other symbols embody the hatred and brutality of slavery, and discrimination

in the post-Civil War America. To patriotic Americans, symbols of the Confederacy represent edification of a traitorous and defeated enemy which, despite proximity, advocated dissolution of the US. Some argue that these symbols are cultural icons that only represent Southern Heritage. I contend that symbols of the Confederacy represent allegiance to and support for repression of African Americans and anyone non-white. Statues identified for removal are recent additions to the cultural landscape. As an example, Nathan Bedford Forrest, founder of the KKK, has a bust in the Tennessee Capitol which was placed in 1978. Rather than heritage, his bust symbolizes allegiance to the principles of White superiority. No other nation allows or endorses the edification of those who attempted the violent overthrow of their established government. Even post-WWII Germany has outlawed the use of symbols or propaganda that promote Nazism. Shouldn’t we expect as much?

Dr. Carter G. Woodson said, “The oppressor has always indoctrinated the weak with his interpretation of the crimes of the strong.” The objective of this indoctrination has always been maintaining the cultural, social and economic racial disparities of the “Old South.” It is time that we bring down the symbols which provide emotional support to those who endorse those crimes.

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

Investigate not just Ahmad’s death, but the system that let his killers escape ( T r i c e E d n e y W i r e . c o m ) — “ Th e sad truth is that Ahmaud’s case isn’t unique at all. He is a representation of the ongoing level of distrust that a large part of our communities have in law enforcement and elected officials and the importance of placing reform like-minded people in office who will uphold the highest standards of the law for everyone, regardless of color. The anger and frustration being expressed by professional athletes and people of color all over the country stems from a centuries-long thread of violence against the Black body that goes without consequence or justice.”— Former NFL Player Malcom Jenkins, co-founder of The Players’ Coalition The pattern is nauseatingly familiar.

An unarmed person of color is killed by police or by self-appointed vigilantes. Authorities accept, without question, an explanation of self-defense.

It is only after the disinfecting sunlight of public attention arouses outrage that the wheels of justice begin to turn.

And so it has been for Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Georgia man shot to death while jogging in February.

The 64-year-old former police investigator and his 34-year-old son who are charged in his death told police he thought Mr. Arbery looked like a man suspected in several break-ins in the area.

No break-ins had been reported in the area for seven weeks before the shooting.

The father and son, Gregory and Travis McMichael, armed themselves and chased Ahmaud in a pickup truck before the younger man fired the fatal shots from his shotgun.

No one was arrested. Shortly afterward, the prosecutor with jurisdiction over the case recused herself, because the elder McMichael had worked in her office.

The second prosecutor, whose son worked in the same office also re-

Marc H. Morial

To Be Equal cused himself. But before he did, he made it clear to the police that he accepted the McMichael’s claim of self-defense.

By the time the New York Times published its first account of the killing, two months had passed with no arrests. It was only two weeks later, after a video of the armed chase emerged that the third prosecutor assigned to the case said he would present it to a grand jury. That same day, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case from local police. Two days later, Ahmaud’s attackers were arrested.

Appallingly, the defense attorney who leaked the video said he thought it would exonerate the attackers because Ahmaud didn’t freeze when the attackers told him to stop.

It boggles the mind that in the year 2020 there are still people in positions of authority who accept, unquestioningly, the notion that a Black man who fails to heed the orders of a White man on the street deserves instant death.

It seems clear that without the national attention focused on the case, there would have been no justice for Ahmaud. And that, as much as Ahmaud’s death itself, is what must be investigated.

This week the Washington Post revealed that the elder McMichael was stripped of his law enforcement certification and power to arrest a year more than a year before the shooting because he repeatedly failed to complete required training. He also was stripped of his powers to arrest people in January 2006 because of an undisclosed infraction.

Furthermore, the Glynn County Police Department, which led the investigation before the Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case, has a history of corruption and scandals.

Glynn County Police Chief John Powell was indicted for perjury and witness tampering four days after the Arbery shooting. He remains on administrative leave.

The police department lost its state certification in 2018 because it did not meet basic policing standards. Only 12 percent of the police force was African American, even though African Americans make up 26 percent of the county’s population.

Last year, the county’s drug task force was disbanded after a stateled investigation found extensive misconduct by Glynn County officers.

A lieutenant with a long history of violent behavior shot and killed his estranged wife in 2018 before taking his own life. The wife’s family is suing the department for failing to intervene.

Without the persistence of Ahmaud’s family to seek justice, the corruption would have been allowed to fester.

Meanwhile, another tragic killing, the death of 26-year-old Breonna Taylor, has risen to national attention. The EMT shot to death

by Louisville police executing a no-knock search warrant. The police were not wearing body cameras. Her family have sued the police and the case is under review.

The National Urban League stands in solidarity with the other civil rights and social justice advocates and activists who have called on U.S. Attorney William Barr to investigate these killings and the work of the police and prosecutors involved.

An unsigned note left at the spot where Ahmaud was killed reads: “Ahmaud—I am so sorry. I should have stopped them. I am so sorry.” We, as a nation, should have stopped them, and must stop it from happening again.

Brother Malcolm’s message to ‘Sincere Whites’ have that option.

As usual in situations around race in (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Many peothis country, Brother Malcolm provides ple, Black and White, are slapping high sound advice on what he called “sincere fives and shouting Hallelujah over the Whites” can contribute to the battle sizeable number of Whites marching to against White supremacy/racism. In protest the brutal lynching of George his autobiography Brother Malcolm Floyd by a White police officer. Many wrote that often a White person in auother people, including myself, rememdiences attending his speeches would bering similar White participation in ask “What can a sincere White person civil rights protests in the 1960s and do?” [All emphasis in the following are early 1970s, have a more skeptical pohis.] sition about that involvement which is “The first thing I tell them,” he noted, best reflected in the statement, “Been “is that at least where my own particuthere. Done That. Bought that t-shirt.” lar Black Nationalist organization, the We remember that many of those Organization of Afro-American Unity White participants later cut their hair, (OAAU), is concerned they can’t join changed their dress code and eventuus. I have these very deep feelings that ally moved into major positions in the White people who want to join Black academic, corporate and entertainment organizations are really just taking the arenas. It’s not wise to put much trust escapist way to salve their consciences. in an ally who has the option of dropBy visibly hovering near us, they are ping out of the battle whenever he or ‘proving’ that they are ‘with us’ but the she desires to do so. Black folks don’t hard truth is this isn’t helping to solve

by A. Peter Bailey

Founded 1910

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

America’s racist problem.....” Sincere Whites, he continued, “should be out on the battle line where America’s racism really is-and that’s in their own communities....That’s where the sincere Whites who really mean to accomplish something have got to work....I tell sincere White people ‘work in conjunction with us-each of us work among our own kind.’ Let sincere White individuals find all other White people they can who feel as they do-and let them form their own all-White groups to try to convert other White people who are acting so racist. Let sincere White people teach non-violence to White people.”

On another occasion when speaking to young people on the same subject Brother Malcolm said sincere Whites can “function more intelligently and more effectively in the White community itself and this has never been done.”

As always Brother Malcolm was right on target.

New Pittsburgh Courier

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JUNE 17-23, 2020

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QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CONTRACT SPECIALIST Port Authority is seeking a Quality Assurance and Contract Specialist to under general supervision, mea sure and monitoring performance of all materials and vendor activities to ensure quality and performance in meeting Port Authority maintenance and operating efficiencies consis tent with adopted guidelines and ob ectives. Also, to establish, im plement and administer processes to ensure vendor and Port Authori ty compliance with established and proposed contracts.

Essential Functions: orks closely with leet Co ordinator, leet Vehicle Specialist Bus and aterial Control Special ist on matters pertaining to product testing and analysis to ensure con tract specification compliance, both in determining successful bidders and for follow up throughout the contract term. Establishes product testing procedures in order to indi cate the applicability of products for Port Authority use.

Reviews bid specifications to ensure contract compliance clauses are included, current, standardi ed and executable.

Performs complex internal investigations, assessments, and analysis of Port Authority main tenance activities as an in house consultant to operations and main tenance management.

Assists the anager of Vehicle Pro ects in the development and implemen tation of quality assurance stan dards and procedures addressing maintenance quality, productivity and performance as they relate to anchester ain Ship in support of maintenance and service at the bus divisions.

Job requirements include: wo year echnical Degree or Associate Degree in Business or related field. Additional experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the ob may be substituted for the educa tion on a year for year basis. hree years of experience managing bus or heavy automotive eet vehicle maintenance, including a thorough knowledge of bus and or heavy vehicle systems equipment is required.

Demonstrated ability in the use of indows, icrosoft ord and Excel.

Customer focused, well orga ni ed and results oriented.

Excellent interpersonal skills.

Effective and professional communication skills.

Valid drivers’ license.

Preferred attributes: Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field. Additional experi ence sufficient to successfully per form the essential functions of the ob may be substituted for the edu cation on a year for year basis.

Experience in conducting bus eet, heavy vehicle eet or industri al machine maintenance analysis.

Vocational training in mechan ical electrical electronic equipment and systems.

Statistical process control knowledge. nowledge of business prac tices related to the purchasing of equipment, materials and services required for vehicle and or machin ery maintenance.

FLEET VEHICLE SPECIALIST BUS Port Authority is seeking a leet Vehicle Specialist Bus to provide support and assistance with bus technical issues under the general directions of the anager of Bus aintenance Support.

Essential Functions: orks closely with anager of Bus aintenance Support and the leet Coordinator to develop bus maintenance Standard Operating Procedures SOP’s and Standard Practice Bulletins SPB’s for im plementation at the bus operating locations and the main shop.

Directly coordinates and su pervises support level maintenance for fare box and radio head sign activities completed at the bus divi sions and the main shop.

Interacts with division manag ers of maintenance, anchester, Central Storeroom and aterial Control Specialist regarding parts and inventory issues needed for buses to return to revenue vehicle service.

Job requirements include: wo year technical degree or Associate degree in Business, Electronics or related field. Relat ed experience may be substituted for the education on a year for year basis. inimum of three years of maintenance experience with bus eets and or heavy automotive ve hicles.

Valid Commercial Driver’s icense, Class B with Passenger Endorsement and Air Brake Re striction removed or must possess a valid driver’s license and acquire a Commercial Driver’s icense as described above within 0 days of appointment to the position.

Demonstrated ability in the use of indows.

Effective and professional communication skills.

Customer focused, well orga ni ed and results oriented. his is a Safety Sensitive posi tion sub ect to all testing provisions under the Drug and Alcohol Policy, including random drug and alcohol testing. he person selected for this position may be required to be tested prior to being awarded the ob.

Preferred attributes: BA BS Degree in Business, Electronic Engineering or directly related field.

Supervisory experience.

Experience in managing main tenance of bus eets or other eets of heavy automotive vehicles and equipment.

Vocation training in mechani cal electrical electronic equipment and systems.

e offer a comprehensive compen sation and benefits package. Inter ested candidates should forward a cover letter with salary requirements and resume to Amy Giammanco Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 AGiammanco@portauthority.org EOE HOUSEKEEPING POSITIONS Pittsburgh Technical College is seeking qualified applicants for the following positions ousekeeper ull time Day Between the hours of 7:00 a.m.

– 5:00 p.m. hour work shift years prior office institutional cle aning experience ousekeeper Part time Eve ning Between the hours of 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. hour work shift Prior office institutional cleaning experi ence preferred ust pass criminal background check. Immediate opening at our orth ayette campus near Robin son owne Center. Apply to www. ptcollege.edu Employment with P C or www.workforptcollege. com.

EOE M/F PROJECT MANAGER American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.’s Pittsburgh, PA, office seeks a Pro ect anager to manage moderate to high customer facing echnology pro ects.

Send CV with cover letter, references, and salary requirements to American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., Attn Sarah auterbach, Re Pro ect anager, 77 ot etal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 1 20 .

e offer a comprehensive compen sation and benefits package. Inter ested candidates should forward a cover letter with salary requirements and resume to Amy Giammanco Employment Department 345 Sixth Avenue, 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 AGiammanco@portauthority.org EOE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY TEACHER Steel Center, a student focused pu blic school that delivers high quality Career echnical Education for ele ven school districts in southeastern Allegheny County has an opening for the 2020 2021 school year. Seeking highly motivated, results oriented, indi viduals with minimum of years truck mechanic service and repair experien ce. Additional consideration given for continuing education, industry recog ni ed credentials and or certification, and participation in technical semi nars, workshops, and classes related to the field. Excellent communication, technical, and social skills is a must.

Experience working with high school aged youth in any setting a plus. Com petitive compensation and benefits package.

Applications accepted until the po sition is filled. o apply, contact rs.

Elaine rombach at 12 200 ext.

2 or by email to efrombach@steelcentertech.com.

Criminal background clearances are required. o learn more about Steel Center visit www.steelcentertech.com EOE. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR he Avonworth School District seeks a dynamic individual to lead its award winning athletic department.

Applicants should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as knowledge and ex perience with scheduling, budgeting, evaluation, compliance and pro blem solving skills.

Interested applicants should include a cover letter and resume, current background clearances, transcripts, and letters of recommendation to the attention of Dr. homas Ralston, Su perintendent, Avonworth School Dis trict, 2 Josephs ane, Pittsburgh, PA 1 2 7.

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PERFORMANCE ENGINEER LEAD American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.’s Pittsburgh, PA, office seeks Perfor mance Engineer ead to work with Development, DevOps, Quality Engineering, and Business teams to ensure that sites and applicati ons are available to take orders all day, every day. Send CV with cover letter, references, and salary requi rements to American Eagle Outfit ters, Inc,, Attn Sarah auterbach, Re Performance Engineer ead, 77 ot etal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 1 20 .

Estate of MS. MARY R. LEITNER, Deceased, of 202 ightman Street, Pittsburgh, Pa 1 217 Estate No. 02-20-2448, r. Albert eitner, 1 12 Ridge Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 1 10 , Adminis trator, c o ax C. eldman, Esquire and the aw Office of ax C. eldman, 1 22 ifth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 1 10

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR PROJECT BASED VOUCHERS 2020 RFP#125-19-20 he ousing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh ACP hereby request proposals from qualified irms or Individuals capable of providing the following service s Project Based Vouchers 2020 RFP #125-19-20 he documents will be available no later than June 15, 2020 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 11:00 A.M. on July 9, 2020 at which time they will be ime and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd loor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 1 21 .

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP. org.

Questions or inquires should be directed to Mr. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2832 A pre submission meeting will be held via call in on June 25, 2020 at 11:00 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 City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages cer tified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation.

Caster D. Binion, Executive Director Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Focus on Renewal, c ees Rocks, is seeking a Director of Develop ment to direct, lead and manage all development activities ma or gifts, corporate relations, donor relations, fundraising events, new business opportunities, etc. rant writing and grants management are require ments of this position ust have • aster’s degree Bachelor’s de gree with five years of related experience considered • Comprehensive knowledge in not for profit fundraising and marketing • Excellent oral and written com munications skills highly devel oped interpersonal skills • Valid driver’s license, own a ve hicle, and be able to provide all necessary clearances.

If interested in being considered for this position, please forward your re sume to bludlum@forstorox.org.

PRINCIPAL SPEECH ENGINEER COMPUTER AND INFORMATION RESEARCH SCIENTIST Voci echnologies, Inc. A Sili con Vox Corporation in Pittsburgh, PA seeks Principal Speech Engi neer Computer and Information Research Scientist. Duties include continuous responsibilities for de signing and developing the com pany’s acoustic models to increase the accuracy of speech recognition systems. hese ob duties include leading the development of algo rithm and procedures for discrimi natively trained acoustic models, re searching emerging technologies to continue to improve the accuracy of the company’s V Bla e speech rec ognition system, providing in depth testing of Voci’s proprietary V Bla e system, and research supporting the development and maintenance of the company’s product roadmap.

Requires Ph.D. in Computer and Information Systems, Communica tions and Information Systems, or Computer Science, and two years of experience in Speech Recognition research. ust have knowledge of Speech Signal Processing and Ad vanced Signal Processing, umer ic Analysis, Optimi ation heory, acoustic model adaptation technolo gies and their application to speech recognition systems, and speech bandwidth extension for speech recognition. 1 ,000 year. CVs to ennifer.fin ley ocitec.com.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

Estate of DOLORES LEE, Deceased of the 2 th ard Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Allegheny County Court. Claims may be filed as follows Bonita Pannell, Exec Admin. 110 Silo Court Oakdale, PA 1 071 Estate of LORETTA D. ALBRIGHT Deceased of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania NO.02-20-02307, San dra A. Brown, Executor, 12 Drake Drive, exford Pa 1 0 0 or to ODD A. U ER, Atty BRE OVE U ER, C. 01 ashington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 1 017 Estate of FRANCES M. LABELLA No. 022001803 Date of Death December 04, 2019.

P C BA , A IO A ASSOCIA IO A S ARO I E , VP 00 I AVE, 1 PI SBUR , PA 1 222 And or RACE . I ER, ESQ. 2 AS I O ROAD SUI E 210, C URRA , PA 1 17 Estate of MR. GEORGE F. WHARTON, SR., Deceased, of Peppertree Drive, Coraopolis, PA 1 10 . Estate No. 02-20-2447, Mr. Scott B. harton, Sr., Peppertree Drive, Coraopolis, PA 1 10 , Administrator, c o ax C. eldman, Esquire and the aw Office of ax C. eldman, 1 22 ifth Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 1 10

Estate of SABRINA DAVENPORT, Deceased of ew ensington, PA 1 0 No.022001925 of 2020, olly Davenport Adm., 10 Cable Dr. ew ensington, PA 1 0 to Allegheny aw roup, C. Attys. 1 th Ave Ste 00, Pittsburgh, PA 1 21

ANNOUNCEMENTS Meetings

ALLEGHENY REGIONAL ASSET DISTRICT VIRTUAL MEETING otice is hereby given that the Board of the Allegheny Regional Asset Dis trict will hold a public meeting on June 18, 2020 at 3:00PM. he meeting will be held virtually and telephonically through the oom plat form, due to COVID 1 and social distancing requirements and autho ri ed by Act 1 of 2020. o to www.RADworkshere.org for more information on how to oin the meet ing including instruction on the public comment portion of the agenda.

LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER (HCV) DEPARTMENTAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE RFP#400-12-20 he ousing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh ACP hereby request proposals from qualified irms or Individuals capable of providing the following service s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Departmental Technical Assistance RFP #400-12-20 he documents will be available no later than June 15, 2020 and signed, sealed proposals will be accepted until 10:00 A.M. on July 9, 2020 at which time they will be ime and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd loor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 1 21 .

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org.

Questions or inquires should be di rected to Mr. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2832 A pre submission meeting will be held via call in on June 25, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. Please see call in infor mation 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 City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages cer tified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation.

HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, 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.

ACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to itle VII, the air ousing Act, Section 0 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1 7 , the Americans with Disabilities Act, he PA uman Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.

LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL ACHA-1632, Financial (Accounting) Consulting Services he Allegheny County ousing Au thority is requesting proposals from qualified firms individuals to perform inancial Accounting Consulting Services.

Request for Proposals and Contract Documents are on file and may be obtained, at no charge, in the inance Department of the Allegheny County ousing Authority, Pleasant Ridge Community Center, 2 1 Jefferson Drive, c ees Rocks, PA 1 1 , or by contacting the AC A at 12 02 2 , or via email at gphillips@achsng.com.

A pre proposal conference will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Ridge Community Center. Proposals will be due Monday, July 20, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., at the address listed above. he Allegheny County ousing Au thority encourages responses from small firms, minority firms and firms that have not previously performed work for the AC A. he Allegheny County ousing Au thority reserves the right to re ect any and all bids or waive any informality in the Proposals. o proposals shall be withdrawn for a period of at least sixty (60) days subsequent to the opening of the proposals without the consent of AC A. ALLEGHENY COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY Frank Aggazio, Executive Director

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NOTICE OF PAYMENT OF ESTIMATED JUST COMPENSATION INTO COURT IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA, CIVIL DIVISION IN RE: THE CONDEMNATION BY THE COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, OF A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF JEFFERSON HILLS, OWNED BY B. LESLIE BICKERTON AND EOLINE BERKERTON, HUSBAND AND WIFE, REQUIRED TO STABILIZE THE SLOPE ABOVE WORTHINGTON AVENUE AND BELOW GILMORE DRIVE CASE NO.: GD 19-16058 AMOUNT OF ESTIMATED JUST COMPENSATION PAID INTO COURT: $2,000.00 IN RE: THE CONDEMNATION BY THE COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, OF A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND, LOCATED IN JEFFERSON HILLS BOROUGH, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, NOW OR FORMERLY OWNED BY THE COAL VALLEY ATHLETIC CLUB THROUGH ITS TRUSTEES, O. B. SMITH, GEORGE SUSS, HARRY MAXWELL, PORTER DECKER, AND FLORENCE DECKER, REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE EXISTING MCROBERT’S RUN BRIDGE NO. 2 CASE NO.: 20-000776 AMOUNT OF ESTIMATED JUST COMPENSATION PAID INTO COURT: $1,000.00 IN RE: THE CONDEMNATION BY THE COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, OF A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND, LOCATED IN JEFFERSON HILLS BOROUGH, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, NOW OR FORMERLY OWNED BY DEBORAH KUNZ AND JASON KUNZ REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE EXISTING McROBERT’S RUN BRIDGE NO. 2 STRUCTURE CASE NO.: GD 20-000771 AMOUNT OF ESTIMATED JUST COMPENSATION PAID INTO COURT: $500.00 IN RE: THE CONDEMNATION BY THE COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, OF A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND, LOCATED IN JEFFERSON HILLS BOROUGH, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, NOW OR FORMERLY OWNED BY DAVID SCOTT, THOMAS SCOTT, WILLIAM SCOTT, HUGH SCOTT AND ELIZABETH SCOTT, THEIR SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE EXISTING McROBERT’S RUN BRIDGE NO. 2 STRUCTURE CASE NO.: GD 20-000773 AMOUNT OF ESTIMATED JUST COMPENSATION PAID INTO COURT: $200.00 IN RE: THE CONDEMNATION BY THE COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, OF A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND, LOCATED IN HAMPTON TOWNSHIP, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, NOW OR FORMERLY OWNED BY CHARLES E. WOOD, CLIFFORD B. HARMON AND W. E. HARMON, REQUIRED TO ELIMINATE GOURDHEAD RUN BRIDGE NO. 1 CASE NO.: GD 20-000774 AMOUNT OF ESTIMATED JUST COMPENSATION PAID INTO COURT: $200.00 TO: THE ABOVE NAMED CONDEMNEES, THEIR HEIRS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS AND ALL PARTIES IN INTEREST TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Sections 307 and 522 of the Pennsylvania Eminent Domain Code, 26 Pa.C.S.A. §§307 and 522, the County of Allegheny on June 3, 2020, presented a Petition Requesting Order for Possession Upon Condemnor’s Tender of Estimated Just Compensation to the Department of Records. The County’s Petition was originally noticed to be presented on April 27, 2020 but could not be presented due to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Order of March 16, 2020, as amended, declaring a statewide judicial emergency because of COVID-19. On June 3, 2020 the County obtained an Order for Possession in each of the above condemnation proceedings and tendered its estimate of just compensation to the Department of Court Records on June 10, 2020. Pursuant to said Order all moneys are now being held by the Department of Court Records/Civil Family Division until further Order directing payment of said amounts to the Condemnees and/or persons entitled thereto pursuant to 26 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 521 and 522.

An rew . efi County Solicitor PUBLISHED IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 8 OF THE MUNICIPALITY AUTHORITY ACT OF 1945 CONDENSED STATEMENT OF NET POSITION Assets December 31 , 2019 Cash and cash equivalents 175,476,686 Accounts receivable 60,399,617 Restricted cash and investments 235,489,826 Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 629,097,945 Other 13,195,563 Total assets 1,113,659,637 Deferre ut ows of esources 42,807,618 otal Assets an Deferre ut ows of esources 1,156,467,255 Liabilities Accounts available and accrued expenses 59,879,259 Sewer revenue bonds 728,698,732 Total liabilities 788,577,991 Deferre n ows of esources 11,245,660 Net Position: 356,643,604 otal ia ilities Deferre n ows of esources an et Position 1,156,467,255 CONDENSED STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENSES, AND CHANGES IN NET POSITION YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 Operating Revenues 180,238,305 Operating Expenses: Sewer treatment operations 58,858,093 Administrative and other 23,225,303 Total operating expenses before depreciation 82,083,396 Depreciation 22,772,539 Operating Income 75,382,370 Non-operation Revenues 8,966,272 Non-operation Expenses (33,809,945) Change in Net Position 50,538,697 Net Position: Beginning of year 306,104,907 End of year 356,643,604 ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY 3300 PREBLE AVENUE PITTSBURGH, PA 15233 COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT Sealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233 (412.237.3146) on the following items: Bid Proposal No. 1070 – Cisco SmartNet Maintenance Renewal Due date for above: 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 The CCAC Purchasing Department publishes all bids and RFPs via the CCAC website at https:// www.ccac.edu/Bid-RFP_Opportunities.aspx It will be each vendor’s responsibility to monitor the bid activity within the given website (“Bid and RFP Opportunities”) and ensure compliance with all applicable bid documents inclusive of any issued addenda. Failure to incorporate any applicable addenda in the final submittal may result in the rejection of your bid.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

The Community College of Allegheny County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minority/Disadvantaged owned businesses.

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JUNE 17-23, 2020

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PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT Separate sealed Bids for the Work as listed hereinafter will be received at the Purchasing and Materials Management Department of Port Authority of Allegheny County (Authority) Heinz 57 Center, 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222-2527 until 1:30 p.m. on (July 13, 2020) (Please call Cindy Denner at (412) 566-5117 prior to arriving at this location - all participants must provide and wear a mask at all times and practice minimum social distancing of 6 feet between other individuals) and will be opened and read at 2:00 pm via teleconference at: (toll free phone number: 1-855-453-6957 and conference ID #4485786).

Each Bidder shall be solely responsible for assuring that its Bid is both received and time stamped by a representative of the Purchasing and Materials Management Department at or before the advertised time for submission of Bids. Bids received or time stamped in the Purchasing and Materials Management Department after the advertised time for the submission of Bids shall be non-responsive and therefore ineligible for Award.

SOUTH HILLS VILLAGE RAIL CENTER PIT RESTORATION GENERAL CONTRACT NO. SHV-20-01-G REBID, PLUMBING CONTRACT NO. SHV-20-01-P REBID, ELECTRICAL CONTRACT NO. SHV-20-01-E REBID The Work of this Project includes, but is not limited to, the furnishing of all supervision, labor, material, tools, equipment, and incidentals necessary for the performance of concrete repairs, structural steel repairs, painting, as well as removal and replacement of rail, oor protective coating and oor markings, emergency pull chord system, compressed air piping, electrical system lighting, conduit, wiring and related appurtenances, removal of hot water piping, and drainage repairs at the South Hills Village Rail Center Maintenance Facility.

Bid Documents will be available for public inspection and may be obtained on or after (June 12, 2020 at Authority’s offices at the following address (If you are picking up bid documents, please call Cindy Denner at (412) 566-5117 prior to arriving at this location - all participants must provide and wear a mask at all times and practice minimum social distancing of 6 feet between other individuals)): Port Authority of Allegheny County Purchasing and Materials Management Department 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-2527 Bid Documents are available for purchase as follows: Bid Documents are available in an electronic form on compact disk upon payment of $15 per CD. Payment shall be by check or money order (NO CASH), payable to “Port Authority of Allegheny County.” No refunds of payment will be made.

Upon request, Bid Documents can be mailed upon receipt of payment in full.

Should the purchaser wish to have the Bid Documents delivered via special delivery, such as UPS or Federal Express, the purchaser shall provide its appropriate account numbers for such special delivery methods.

This Project may be funded, in part, by, and subject to certain requirements of, the County of Allegheny and/or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Authority, in compliance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, as may be amended, require that certified Diverse Businesses “DBs have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts for this Project.

In this regard, all Bidders shall make good faith efforts in accordance with 74 Pa.C.S. § 303, to ensure that DBs have the maximum opportunity to compete for and perform contracts. Bidders shall also not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, disability, national origin, sexual origin, gender identity or status as a parent in the award and performance of contracts for this Project. If aid is required to involve DBs in the Work, Bidders are to contact Authority’s Director of Employee Relations and OEO at (412) 566-5262.

The Bidder’s attention is directed to the following contacts for Bidder’s questions: Procedural Questions Regarding Bidding: Cindy Denner - Authority (412) 566-5117 email: CDenner@Portauthority.org All other questions relating to the Bid Documents must be submitted by mail or email to: Port Authority of Allegheny County Heinz 57 Center 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527 Attn: Cindy Denner email: CDenner@Portauthority.org In addition, the Bidder’s attention is directed to the following schedule of activities for preparation of its Bid: 9:00 am June 23, 2020

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

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Subscribe to the Courier today by calling 412-481-8302, ext. 140

Pre-Bid Conference (MANDATORY) will be conducted via teleconference at: (Toll free phone number: 1-855-453 6957 Conference ID #4485786).

(Attendance is mandatory)

9:00 am June 24, 2020

Pre-Bid Site Tour (MANDATORY) Port Authority of Allegheny County South Hills Village Rail Center 1000 Village Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15241 All participants must provide and wear Safety Vests and Appropriate Footwear; all participants must provide and wear a mask at all times and practice minimum social distancing of 6 feet between other individuals. Tours will be conducted in limited group sizes and in the order of which bidders sign-in at the site.

1:30 p.m.

Bids Due July 13, 2020 Purchasing and Materials Management Department Please call Cindy Denner at (412) 566-5117 prior to arriving at the Heinz 57 location - all participants must provide and wear a mask at all times and practice minimum social distancing of 6 feet between other individuals.

Bid Opening will be conducted @ 2:00 pm via teleconference at: (Toll free phone number: 1-855-453-6957 Conference ID #4485786).

Authority reserves the right to reject any or all Bids

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Deadline/Closing/ Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication

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B5

B6 JUNE 17-23, 2020

A silver lining to a slap in the face (TriceEdneyWire.com)—The President of the United States hit a new low when he used the military to clear DC’s Lafayette Park of citizens. They were exercising their First Amendment rights of speech and assembly while the president was exhibiting a chest-thumping use of force. He brandished a Bible, something which he seems not to have read. That was his low, and he got even worse in his offensive rhetoric, especially about the murder of George Floyd and the protests of police brutality. He stooped even lower and illustrated his infamous racial insensitivity when his campaign announced that he would have his first rally since the coronavirus shutdown the nation in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Juneteenth. June 19, 1865, was the day when enslaved people in Texas, the last enslaved Black people in the nation, learned that they were free. The Emancipation Proclamation was on January 1, 1863, but Black folk didn’t learn of their freedom until two years later.

Choosing to have his first campaign rally in Tulsa on Juneteenth is a slap in the face to Black Americans. Juneteenth is a celebratory day, but there is nothing to celebrate when our bigoted President co-opts our holiday for a cheap political stunt. The Divider-in-Chief will supposedly deliver a message of “racial conciliation” in Tulsa, a site known for White hate and economic envy that left hundreds dead and thousands homeless. I’m not sure he can deliver such a message, especially when he recently said that

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary issues of prejudice and bigotry could be solved “quickly and easily.”

The Tulsa Massacre of 1921 took place when armed White people swarmed Greenwood, an affluent Black area of Tulsa. They looted houses, then burned them, dripping with economic envy. A gubernatorial commission concluded that the cause of the Massacre was “too many n-—s” having too much money. “ Money wasn’t the only thing the Black people of Tulsa had. They also had an unwavering sense of self-determination and pride. When segregation excluded Black residents from libraries, wealthy Tulsans built their own. Black people had pharmacies, hospitals, grocery and department stores, theatres, churches (one was torched in the Massacre), and schools.

You could find the same professionals in Greenwood as you could in “White” Tulsa —physicians, attorneys, teachers, entrepreneurs, and more. This thriving Black community was threatening to Whites, who were heavily invested in the myth of White superiority. While Greenwood thrived, envious White folks plotted and, according to Dr. Olivia Hooker, a Tulsa survivor who died in 2018, stockpiled guns, waiting for an excuse to attack.

When 19-year-old Dick Rowland jostled 17-year-old Sarah Page in an elevator, Whites were ready. They threatened to lynch Rowland, and then when armed Black men said they would prevent a lynching, it was on. Whites swarmed Greenwood, burning, killing, destroying a symbol of Black pride and entrepreneurial capacity. The people who lost their property were never made whole. Those who had insurance found their claims denied. The White mob responsible for the destruction went mostly unpunished, reinforcing the notion that you could terrorize Black people, destroy their property, and suffer no consequences.

We have a president who insults Black people and experiences no consequences, a president so unabashedly racist in his words, now piles on with his Juneteenth and antics. His press secretary said Juneteenth is a “very meaningful day for him.” Really? The same president who thought, just three years ago, that Frederick Douglass was still alive, has now developed some knowledge and empathy for Black history, empathetic to instances of systemic racism?

While I am repulsed by the president’s decision to go to Tulsa on Juneteenth, there is a silver lining to his cluelessness. The day after his announcement, there was massive news coverage about Trump’s disgusting decision, and accompanying robust commentary. White Americans don’t know much about Black history, but neither do many Black folks.

If you didn’t know about Juneteenth and the Tulsa Massacre before, you surely know about it now. The president’s ill-advised decision has increased awareness about a chapter in Black history that too many want to deny. The destruction of Greenwood, a thriving Black community, because of jealousy and malice is one of the many reasons the demand for reparations is a solid one.

45 walks around with his foot in his mouth; his actions and comments after the George Floyd murder protests are clear examples. But the celebration of Juneteenth and the horrors of the Tulsa Massacre are not taught in standard history books and not well known outside the Black community. Thanks to Trump, these incidents are better known. Every slap has a silver lining.

(Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, educator, and writer.)

FORUM

America’s first ‘wake up call’ of the 21st century At 2 a.m., on April 7, 2001, and was shot dead. JerTimothy Thomas, a 19-year- J. Pharoah Doss maine Lowe was a parole old Black man, ran from two violator wanted for armed Cincinnati police officers robbery. Lowe fled from a that tried to apprehend him. police cruiser in a stolen Thomas had 14 warrants car, crashed into another for traffic violations and for vehicle, shot his gun at evading arrest. The two pursuing officers, and the police officers radioed for officers shot and killed him. assistance. A third officer Alfred Pope pistol-whipped joined the pursuit, cornered Thomas in and robbed a man in an apartment buildan alley, but the 19-year-old reached for ing. Pope pointed his gun at the officers his waistband (according to the officer) that came to arrest him. The officers and was fatally shot in the chest. shot Pope dead. (Only two cases out of Timothy Thomas was unarmed. the 14 were due to an officer’s misjudgProtesters took to the streets with signs ment and excessive force.) that said: Stop Killing Us. Since 1995 The only thing Timothy Thomas had the Cincinnati police killed 14 Black men in common with most of the other men and Timothy Thomas was the latest. “15 killed by Cincinnati police was skin color, Black men” became the protesters rallyand regardless of the individual circuming cry. Local Black officials accused the stances or specific details of each man’s Cincinnati police department of gunning death, the list was compiled to produce a down Black men for sport and suggested racial narrative that accused the Cinwhat happened to Timothy Thomas was cinnati police of killing these men just another racist execution. because they were Black.

The situation quickly turned into the The narrative demonized the Cincinlargest civil disturbance since the 1992 nati police department to the point they Rodney King riots in Los Angeles. Those didn’t want to be held liable for racial that believed rioting was the language of incidents of any type. After order was the unheard, therefore, a justifiable rerestored in the city, the Cincinnati police sponse to White racism, announced that department withdrew their presence the rioting in Cincinnati was America’s from the surrounding area of the Thomas first “wake up call” of the 21st century. shooting. Once law enforcement dropped, The mainstream media automatically arrest fell by 50 percent, crime skyrocketsided with the protesters and agreed that ed, and in two years, Cincinnati’s homi15 Black men shot and killed by the Cincide rate leaped from below the national cinnati police in a six-year period proved average to three times above the national a pattern of systemic racism. average. According to one report: The But no one bothered to ask one simple neighborhoods that were hit the hardest question. Did Timothy Thomas belong by the riots were victimized again by the on the list with the other 14 Black men crime surge. Before the riots these areas killed by the Cincinnati police? were revitalizing with new businesses Thomas’s death was the result of and new homeowners, but due to the riot “threat perception failure”. The officer and the spike in crime all investment perceived a threat due to the suspect’s into the area ended (paving a path for hand motion and discharged his firearm. gentrification).

But the suspect was unarmed and what All of this happened when a police the officer perceived to be a threat was department simply withdrew their presnot a reality. That made the officer’s ence from the area. judgment questionable. (But it doesn’t Now, imagine if Cincinnati’s City Counautomatically mean the officer was moticil decided to disband their police force vated by racism or had criminal intent.) like the city council in Minneapolis has The other names on the list of Black men pledged to do after the police killing of killed by the Cincinnati police included George Floyd on May 25, 2020.

Harvey Price, he killed his girlfriend’s George Orwell said it best: “Some ideas daughter, had a four-hour standoff with are so stupid that only intellectuals SWAT, lunged at an officer with a knife believe them.”

Check It Out

Police reform was never going to be easy—but now’s the time (TriceEdneyWire.com)— shooting at moving vehiAs the worldwide demoncles and more. “Defund the Jesse Jackson Sr. strations continue two police” has been added to weeks after the murder of the massive “Black Lives George Floyd by a MinneapMatter” painted on the road olis policeman, the question leading to the White House is whether outrage will lead in Washington. Trump, to real reforms? Fundamenof course, has jumped on tal reforms would begin the slogan in an effort to with ending the “qualified discredit any reform. immunity” of police, curbing the miliBut the advocates of “defund the police” tarization of police forces, transferring aren’t fools. They understand that the funds and functions to social agencies, police will be with us—but that their role imposing residency requirements and and their functions need to be dramatfinally making lynching a hate crime. ically rethought. “We must end policing There is good reason to be skeptical. as we know it,” stated Lisa Bender, the After the remarkable Black Lives Matter Minneapolis City Council President who demonstrations across the country in leads a veto-proof majority of the city 2014, very little changed. Police continue council dedicated to “recreating a system to kill more than 250 African Americans of public safety that will actually keep a year (of nearly 1,000 Americans each us safe.” Defunding means transferring year). In most cities, racial profiling, conresources that now go to police into instant harassment, routine brutality and vestments in communities in health care, mass arrests continue. Powerful police schools, housing. It reflects the reality unions block reforms. Cynical politicians that in minority communities, particular—in this case led by Donald Trump who ly, overcriminalization has made virtuhas been tweeting “more money for Law ally everyone a potential target. Police Enforcement—fan fears. Callous officials have gotten involved in areas better left like Attorney General William Barr deny to others, from school discipline, eviction the existence of systemic racism in our enforcement, addiction and substance criminal justice system. abuse.

With 18,000 separate police organizaPolice are soldiers in the so-called War tions organized locally across the country, on Drugs when it is fought in poor and real reform is hard. There is also reason minority communities while deferring to for hope. After dozens of commissions bepublic health agencies addressing opioid ginning with the Kerner Commission in and drug abuse in suburban and exurban 1967 and moving forward, we know a lot neighborhoods. Defending would include about what needs to be done. What has organizing community groups to help been missing is will, not ideas. And now, intervene to de-escalate tense situations as the demonstrations reveal, Americans that can lead to violence. Mayors in Los —Black and White, young and old—are Angeles to New York have announced demanding change. plans to transfer some funds from the po Democrats—led by Rep. Karen Bass, lice budget to social services, but what’s chair of the CBC, and Senators Corey required is a real commitment like that Booker and Kamala Harris — have intro- of the Minneapolis City Council to reduced The Justice in Policing Act of 2020 think public safety from top to bottom. which calls for basic reforms. It would One part of this has to recreate real revise the “qualified immunity,” which community policing. In Minneapolis, 92 has protected police from liability for percent of the police live outside the city. excessive use of force, curb the transfer They are literally an outside occupying of military equipment to state and local army, too often seeing the neighborhoods law enforcement agencies, mandate data they patrol as alien, even enemy terricollection of police misconduct and a tory. Residence requirements that a far centralized registry of offenders, mandate higher percentage of police come from racial training and outlaw choke holds the neighborhoods they patrol would and no-knock warrants. It would finally dramatically change the tenor of the make lynching a hate crime, passing cops and the trust of the citizens. Real legislation that has been pending for over change won’t be easy. The resistance will 100 years. Many of these same reforms be fierce. At the national level, Senate can and should be passed at a state level, Republicans will no doubt seek to block not allowing Mitch McConnell and Donthe reforms that pass the House. Trump ald Trump to bottle up reform. will enlist the police unions to posture as Similarly, as Campaign Zero has a law-and-order strong man. The demdetailed in #8Can’tWait, local officials onstrators must build a political force or city councils can simply order basic able not only to defeat those who stand changes in police techniques: outlawing in the way, but to hold those promising choke holds, mandating deescalation change accountable. What is clear is that efforts, requiring warning before shootthe abuses won’t stop, the police murders ing, creating a duty to intervene against won’t end until fundamental reforms are excessive force by other officers, banning made.

Commentary

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Glenn Ellis

Commentary Mental health, police brutality, and Black people (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Have you ever put any real attention on the mental health issues in African Americans associated with police brutality? The data is compelling, and indisputable.

If anyone has any doubt about the magnitude of what is happening, the case was laid out by Radley Balko of the Washington Post: “A 2017 NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation poll found that half of Blacks said they had been unfairly stopped by a police officer.

About 6 in 10 said they or a family member had. That means that if you know two Black people, one of them feels they’ve been treated unfairly by police. Philando Castile, a legal gun owner who was shot and killed during a traffic stop despite by-the-book obedience, had previously been pulled over more than 50 times for petty traffic violations…According to a 2015 YouGov/Huffington Post poll, 74 percent of Black parents had cautioned their children to be cautious around police, versus 32 percent of White parents. A 2016 Pew poll found that 7 in 10 White people thought police usually use the right amount of force, versus just 1 in 3 Black people. A 2017 Pew poll asked police officers if the high-profile police killings of Black people were isolated incidents or part of a more systemic problem...”

Bottom line? White people in this country enjoy a privilege (other than just being White) that we can’t fathom: police brutality is an afterthought in their lives, and the lives of their sons and daughters.

So, right now, many of you are wondering, what does this have to do with mental health?

Well, you’ll probably be as surprised as I was when I met Jacob Bor, a UPENN School of Public Health researcher. Dr. Bor (and colleagues) did some groundbreaking, eye-opening research in 2018.

Let me give my understanding of what the study reveals.

If anyone (of any ethnicity or race) has a son who is killed by the police, it is has a traumatic impact on his survivors; his family, his friends, his neighbors; in fact, everyone who knew him.

Looking at it another way, this says that when any Black person sees, or hears about, a Black male killed by police, they experience “collective trauma”. But wait, it gets better; the same thing does not hold true for White people!

First, we should understand that trauma is simply the impact on a person form an event or injury.

Collective trauma is what happens when this impact is felt by an entire group of people, or a community; or even a nation. The events following the 9/11 terrorist bombings left this country in what would be considered an example of collective trauma.

So, you see folks, what we are witnessing is an example of “collective trauma”. As an African American community in this country, each one of us has carried the burdens of structural racism throughout our respective lifetimes that our shared experiences that has formed a shared emotional bond with every other Black person in this country.

The effect on the overall mental health of African Americans is enormous! African Americans suffer more poor mental health days from police killings of unarmed African Americans than from diabetes.

This study shows that witnessing or hearing about violence, alone, does not account for mental health impact. Instead, it is clear that only African Americans experience this “collective trauma” following police killings of other unarmed African Americans, only because of the shared experiences of structural racism.

What I found fascinating was that not only did the study find that the same thing didn’t when Whites saw unarmed Blacks (or Whites) killed by police, African Americans don’t experience this collective trauma when the police killed and armed Black (White) man!

All in all, the point of this column is the provide some contextual framework for understanding the sense of range and pain many African Americans are filling at this time.

You could say that we reached our “collective tipping point”.

Brother George Floyd was the drop of water that caused our collective glass to overflow, resulting in a collective outrage that none of us have seen before. The generations of trauma from the pain and sufferings of our Ancestors, that we each carry with us, just reached its’ tipping point.

To the outside observer, don’t judge our story by the chapter you walked in on. As my dear friend Terrie Williams said in the title of her book: Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting.

Like many of you, I have been inundated by some well-intentioned people, wondering what they can do.

I point them to the facts and the evidence.

In the conclusions of his study, Dr. Bor states, “efforts to reduce health disparities should explicitly target structural racism.”

Remember, I’m not a doctor. I just sound like one.

Take good care of yourself and live the best life possible!

The information included in this column is for educational purposes only. I do not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a replacement form of treatment for physical, mental or medical problems by your doctor either directly or indirectly.

(Glenn Ellis, is a Harvard Medical School Research Bioethics Fellow and author of Which Doctor?, and Information is the Best Medicine. Ellis is an active media contributor on Health Equity and Medical Ethics.)