CARE FREE
Concerned Americans For Racial Equality Different Shades Scattered Globally Same Goal
A Take Power Publication — Economic Deprivation Edition
www.ourcare.org
26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn, NY 11242 n Tel: 718.243.9431 n Fax: 718.222.3153 n Email: carejournal@aol.com n Issue #22
The Correlation between Economic Deprivation & Crime
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BY RANDALL TOURE, ESQ.
ince the 1960’s, sociologists have discussed the connections between economic deprivation or poverty and crime. Now most people would say, of course there is a connection between the two. Poor people steal, take drugs and commit violent crimes. However, what they won’t say, is that people who are economically deprived are captives of a society that has put social Darwinism and unfettered capitalism before the ideals of helping the downtrodden and creating opportunities for those less fortunate. As we move further in this new century, the echoes of the past century still ring. Remnants of the New Deal from the 1930's and the Great Society of the 1960’s are disparaged and dismantled by rightwing ideologues and Democratic blue dogs who assert the mythology of millions of undeserving people living off the
government while driving Cadillacs and having babies by the dozens. However, this is not the reality of people who are economically deprived and struggling to live from day to day. The reality is that most people on some sort of government assistance are poor working people who
cannot get by on the meager salaries they earn as service workers, low level manufactory employees, or farm workers. The economically deprived are people who, during the Great Recession, found themselves laid off from a job that was never replaced and their duties’ outsourced to another country for pennies on the dollar. So as Wall Street and Big Business reap hundreds of billions of dollars from government bailouts, the average American suffering most during this recession is castigated for accepting food stamps in order to feed his/her family. What has happened to this country that so many people are suffering and hurting economically? Children are going hungry; crime is creeping up and murders are on the rise. In places like Chicago where violence recently became national news, as 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton was
continued on page 8
Taking the High Road during a Divorce... see page 9
Local Chambers Offer FREE Paralegal Certificate Program
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BY JANET HOWARD
joint effort by the New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) and the African American International Chamber of Commerce (AAICC), offers to residents of the tri-state community, an opportunity no one should allow to pass by—that of participating in free paralegal courses. President of AAICC, Randall Toure, says the three-month course will be an ongoing program open to as many individuals as possible:
continued on page 26
FREE Legal consultations for CARE readers. See page 14
Brian Figeroux, Esq.
An Old-Fashioned Brooklyn Fight for District Attorney
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Democratic Nominee, Ken Thompson
fter the primary elections loss on September 10, 2013, incumbent and 24year veteran, Charles Hynes conceded and promised a smooth transition for the Democratic nominee winner, Kenneth Thompson. However, all this changed. Hynes will now run on the Republican and Conservative lines on November 5 and now, there will be a battle for Brooklyn.
See pages 6 and 7 for each candidate’s interview
District Attorney, Hon. Charles J. Hynes
Why the Obama Administration Must Do More To Help Families on Affordable Housing
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BY BRENT WILKES AMERICA’S WIRE WRITERS GROUP
y many accounts, the economy is prospering again and the housing market is on the road to recovery. But, reality is nowhere near as comforting as fiction, and the facts point to a very different reality faced by working families and minority communities, continued on page 12
Evelyn Gibson Lowery Civil Rights & Women’s Champion...see page 5
Chatting with Chirlane McCray; wife of Bill de Blasio ...see page 21
CARE
IN THE NEWS
Fighting Stop & Frisk: Chants of Stop the Stay, Stop the Stay
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BY VANDELL PARK
ith chants of “Stop the stay, stop the stay” opponents of Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD stop and frisk policy converged in the rain on the steps of City hall, voicing what they term their “disgust “ at Mayor Bloomberg’s continued refusal to adhere to a court ruling that renders his stop and frisk policy unconstitutional, and what they term his presumptuous effort by way of repeated court actions to stay the implementation of Judge Shira Scheindlin’s ruling on reforms to the stop and frisk policy currently practiced by the NYPD. The group which consisted of cvommunity activists, attorneys from the Center of Constitutional rights, faith based organizations, labor representatives, law enforcements groups, community members and City Council legislators, gathered to show support to plaintiffs in the case. Democratic Mayoral Candidate Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn who submitted legal filings to the Appeal Court, to oppose any form of delay sought by the Bloomberg Administration to the implementation of reforms to the stop and frisk policy as mandated by the federal judge. Bloomberg’s legal team
first filed a motion on August 27, 2013 to stay the reforms mandated by Judge Scheindlin , but that motion was denied. The City has now moved yet again to file another stay of the judge’s ruling until the appeal case is heard. City Councilwoman and Democratic Public Advocate Candidate Leticia James, speaking out against the Mayor’s actions says: “Justice delayed is justice denied. The rain today represents the countless number of people who cried because they did absolutely nothing wrong, and all they wanted was to be
treated as equals…Mr. Mayor, respect the law, respect the constitution… the gig is up.” In addition, Attorney Darius Charney from the Center for Constitutional Rights, said that it is “absurd” for the City to appeal the federal judge ruling. He contends that the City is using the legal system to continue its unconstitutional practice of stopping and frisking, but the time has come for the rule of law to be respected: “With representatives from all corners of New York life coming together to voice their opposition to yet more delays sought by the
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
Bloomberg administration, the community has spoken: it is past time to begin the process of reforming the NYPD to make our City a place where all New Yorkers feel safe and respected.” Both Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelley say the ruling by Judge Scheindlin spells disaster for the fight against crime in New York City and vows to do everything in their powers to repeal the decision. Republican Mayoral Candidate Joe Lota also joins Mayor Bloomberg’s bandwagon and vows to take the fight against the current stop and frisk policy to the Supreme Court should he be come the next Mayor of New York City. Meanwhile, a number of civic groups and organizations are calling on Mayor Bloomberg to adhere to the judge ruling and commence Police reform here in the City. As to the Mayor’s attempts to derail the recommendations by Judge Scheindlin, Constitutional Rights attorney Darius Charney says they will all prove futile since the legal system follows a certain process. The actual merits of the appeal case filed by the Bloomberg administration, Charney says, may not be heard until spring of 2014, by which time Mayor Bloomberg would be long out of City Hall.l
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Contributors Vandell Park Janet Howard Tiffany Thomas D’Arcy Lyness, Phd Denise M. Brown Paul McDaniel Ctherine Conlan Michelle New Durado Brooks, MD, MPH Coulter Boschen Email info@ourcare.org
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CARE
FAITH IN THE COMMUNITY
Reverend Dianne Tam: Singing for God’s Glory
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BY VANDELL PARK
he Psalmist David, declared in Psalms 37: 4: “Delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” This passage of Scripture is the epitome of success for Reverend Dianne Tam, an ordained elder of the St. Stephens African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Reverend Tam, who is blessed with the spiritual gifts of preaching and singing, says her singing gift is just that—a gift from God—because singing was not her forte while growing up. However, after six years of practice and classical vocal tutoring, under the tutelage of the renowned soprano-vocalist, Cynthia Springsteen, she now sings to glorify God at various churches, concerts and at other events: “Well for one thing, I want people to know that it is only in Jesus Christ that we can truly self-actualize, as Maslow speaks of the Hierarchy of Needs [so that we can achieve] … our innermost desires. For me I was a ‘late-bloomer’ when it came to singing. I didn’t feel that I had the singing gift. My sister was the designated singer in our family singing at weddings and special events. I was the ‘closet singer.’ One day I remember when I was
I do love to sing. Singing is a wonderful way to
spread the Gospel for there are people who may never come
[to church] but do in fact
listen to Gospel music.
Gospel is good news... —Reverend
in my home mission under Elder Mary Graham, I mustered the courage to sing ‘Take My Hand Precious Lord’ as a solo. She heard my voice, saw my potential and encouraged me to get vocal training which I did, and today I am wonderfully blessed with the gift of singing.” In fact, Reverend Tam released her first gospel single album in 2012 called “Jesus He Rescued Me,” a song that has made her popular among the Christian community and has landed her performance appearances at a number of con-
Tam
certs, funerals and other gospel events. This singing evangelist says while preaching the Gospel of Jesus is one of the major evangelistic tools, singing also promulgates the message of salvation in a unique way: “Inasmuch as I am a preacher of the Gospel, I do love to sing. Singing is a wonderful way to spread the Gospel for there are people who may never come [to church] but do in fact listen to Gospel music. Gospel is good news and it’s critical that everyone gets exposed to it whether they are hearing a
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
sermon or a song.” Reverend Tam is currently working on her next musical project which is scheduled to be released either by the end of this year or early in 2014. Meanwhile, she continues to serve at her church as choir director, and engaging in a number of other ministries such as praise and worship, teen ministry and visiting the sick and shut-ins of her church in nursing homes and in hospitals. Reverend Tam has been involved in the ministry for over 20 years and is committed to continue sharing the Gospel of Jesus through singing. She said that there is much to praise God for because both she and her sister, Melody, who also sings, were told by doctors that they would be afflicted with a rare disease to which their mother succumbed when they were teenagers. Reverend Tam says doctors categorically told her that she would fall sick in her 20s, but, her spiritual mother and mentor, Mary Graham, directed her to Deuteronomy, Chapter 28, to claim God’s promise of healing. That scriptural passage she says, moved her faith in an unprecedented way, to the point where both she and her sister, who are now both in their fifties, are continuing to praise God for his care—which is why she is committed to singing for God’s glory. Her single, “Jesus He Rescued Me,” is currently on YouTube. Reverend Tam also has a website: www.diannetam.com, where her work can be seen and people can be blessed by her ministry.l
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CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER
Evelyn Gibson Lowery: Civil Rights & Women’s Rights Icon
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BY TIFFANY THOMAS
railblazer, team player, distinguished leader, and a legend are some of the characteristics that American civil rights activist, Evelyn Gibson Lowery embodied. “Her legacy, will continue to encourage many individuals, like me, to live with integrity, pride, courage and faith,” said Kasim Reed, the mayor of Atlanta. The civil rights icon was introduced to the life of activism by her parents, Reverend Dr. Harry and Evelyn Gibson. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Lowery’s inspiration for activism was built on the foundation her parents laid as a lifetime of involvement in human rights. Dr. Gibson served as president of the Memphis chapter of the NAACP, while Mrs. Gibson was involved in community organizations. Laying the groundwork to her illustrious future, Lowery attended Clark College and Youngstown State University. She later met and married the love of her life for approximately 70 years, Reverend Joseph Lowery, a prominent civil rights activist who worked alongside American civil rights movement leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Reverend Lowery served as the presi-
Evelyn Lowery with her husband, Reverend Lowery who called her his partner and best friend
dent of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Mrs. Lowery was the backbone; she was his constant companion. At every march that Reverend Lowery was involved in, Mrs. Lowery was sure to be present by his side. She was his pillar of strength. “She stood tall at this influential man’s side, ever in support of his public persona,” said Sam Massell, president of the Buckhead coalition and former mayor of Atlanta. The distinguished leader saw the need for women and families. She wanted to give women a voice. In doing so, Lowery founded the Women’s Organizational Movement for Equality Now, Inc
(W.O.M.E.N.) a sister organization of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. She worked tirelessly for the rights of women, children and families. Regardless of their race, religion or ethnicity, SCLC for women was open to everyone. Through the empowering organization, she created the annual Drum major for justice awards and the annual Evelyn Lowery civil rights heritage educational bus tour. Lowery spearheaded mentoring programs for young girls, educational activities, gave scholarships to college bound students and spread HIV/AIDS awareness. Her tireless leadership to empower
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
women is admired and respected. In 2004, Lowery was inducted and honored by the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King Jr. national historic site. Sadly, Evelyn Lowery died recently at 88 years old. She leaves to mourn, her husband, who said “my beloved Evelyn was a special woman whose life was committed to service, especially around the issues of empowering women. She was a wonderful mother and wife and I thank God that she didn’t suffer any pain and that I was blessed having her as my partner, my confidant and my bestfriend for close to 70 years.” Evelyn Lowery touched and inspired lives. She exemplified purpose, strength, and fought for women’s rights, and social justice for all people. “We will never forget to remember Mrs. Evelyn Gibson Lowery’s legacy by continuing to do the work every day fighting for the empowerment of women and girls to achieve equal rights economically, educationally and politically now and for the future generations,” said Melanie L. Campbell, the president and CEO of Black Women’s Roundtable. Her legacy, life and hard work exemplify a champion activist. l
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CARE
VOTE 2013
Thompson: I Will Be a Progressive DA
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BY VANDELL PARK
n September 10, 2013, Mr. Ken Thompson made history by becoming the first candidate to defeat a sitting Kings County District Attorney in 102 years. The last time such accomplishment was recorded was in 1911. Thompson defeated incumbent District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, 55% to 45% to become the Democratic nominee for the top prosecutorial position in Brooklyn. On the night of the Democratic primary, Hynes conceded to Ken Thompson and pledged a smooth transition of the DA’s Office, extending what many considered an olive branch to Mr. Thompson. However, on Monday October 7, 2013, Hynes threw a wrench in the District Attorney’s race he had conceded, by announcing he is still in the race, but this time as both the Republican and the Conservative parties’ candidate. Thompson, when asked about Hynes reentering the race as a Republican Candidate, had this to say: “What happened that night is, the current DA called me to concede, congratulated me and told me that he wanted to give me office space so we could start working together on a smooth transition because we have to keep the people of Brooklyn safe. I took him at his word because I believe that we need to have a smooth transition in Brooklyn. He’s been in office for almost 24 years. We need to get ready for a new
administration. It is also important to note that I beat Joe Hynes fair and square on September 10 and so when he told me that he wanted to work on a smooth transition I thought that was what we were going to do; but when I called him 2 weeks ago to set up a meeting because I just wanted to meet with him privately so we can discuss the smooth transition that he promised, he said no, he wouldn’t meet with me. Secondly, he has now decided to turn his back on the people of Brooklyn and turn his back on his word on September 10th that he was not going to run as a Republican. But also what he did last week, he stood on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall with Tea Party and Republicans and declared that he is going to run for Brooklyn DA. So now I am going to defeat him again on Tuesday November 5. I am someone who is determined to change the Brooklyn DA’s office for the better.” Thompson says Hynes action in this District Attorney’s race is reflective of the way he ran the office for the past 24 years, flip-flopping on key decisions that altered people’s lives for the worst in a significant way. Thompson criticized Hynes for failing a number of Brooklynites by prosecuting and sending people to jail wrongfully, even disrupting the lives of many young men and women by staying silent on the current Stop and Frisk policy, even prosecuting them, thus presenting them
with an unnecessary criminal record which would prevent them from securing jobs and other essential services in the future.Thompson added: “We have a DA’s office that is in crisis because of Joe Hynes failed leadership, we have a DA’s office where there has been a pattern of wrongful conviction cases where innocent men are put in prison for murders they did not commit, and we have to stop that. We have to make sure that the DA does justice. I believe the role of the DA is to do justice where innocent people do not go to prison for crimes they did not commit, and so over the next couple of weeks I’m going to campaign throughout Brooklyn. I hope all the Democratic voters come out on November 5th and vote, and then I would be able to assume the office in January to usher in a new era in
Brooklyn.” Mr. Thompson also had this to say about Hynes charge against him regarding his use of convicted felon, Mr. Clarence Norman: “Mr. Hynes is trying to deceive the people of Brooklyn. It is absolutely untrue that Clarence Norman ran my campaign. You see what’s happening here…here is a man who was beaten fair and square in the Democratic primary and is now running with Tea Party Republicans, so he has to come up with a pretext to explain his reversal and his pretext has been so far to point to Clarence Norman to say that Clarence Norman was running my campaign. That is absolutely false… now the DA claims to be a DA of second chances, why is he so obsessed with Clarence Norman whom he convicted, went to prison, paid his price, does he not think that Clarence Norman deserves a second chance?” Thompson says he will continue most of the programs Mr. Hynes has set up, such as his rehabilitation programs, however, as the Kings County District Attorney, his approach will be more proactive, rather than rehabilitative. He will put programs in place that will help to prevent young people from engaging in criminal activities. He will work with all stakeholders within the borough to help eliminate poverty and other social issues that are associated with crime.l
“Celebrating the life and times of our Pioneers and Visionaries”
The NAACP New York City Housing Authority Branch Presents its
“5th Annual Awards Ceremony” Friday, November 1, 2013 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM Alhambra Ballroom 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard New York, NY 10027
Raymond Ballard President NYCHA Sumner Houses and Brooklyn West COP
Leroy Gadsden President, NAACP Jamaica Branch NAACP New York State Conference-Criminal Justice Chair
Merrill Pond President/Co-Founder Brooklyn Children’s Holiday Fund
Daniel Tisdale Founder/CEO Harlem World Magazine
2013 HONOREES
Marvin Bing Jr. Former Regional Director NAACP- New York State Conference
Anthony Harmon Director of Parent and Community Outreach United Federation of Teachers
Bishop Mitchell Taylor President East River Development Alliance
Lucy Yau Community Liaison Affinity Health Care
GUEST SPEAKER:Tamika Mallory Former Executive Director National Action Network Johnny Figueroa President NYC Housing Authority’s Hispanic Society
Pearl Phillip President New American Chamber of Commerce
Ken Thompson, Esq. Former Federal Prosecutor Democratic Party Candidate for Brooklyn District Attorney
Ticket Price: $85 members and $95 non-members For general information, please email us at nychabranch@gmail.com or contact Lynn Spivey (347)669-2421 | Diandra Archibald (718)834-0190 Thank you for your generous support!!!
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
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CARE
VOTE 2013
DA Hynes: I am the Same Person; Vote the Person, Not the Party
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BY VANDELL PARK
he incumbent Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes says his bid to run the DA’s office for another 4 years is not yet over, despite conceding to Democratic District Attorney candidate Ken Thompson in the September Democratic primaries after a defeat. Hynes announced with much fanfare with Brooklyn Democratic, Republican and Conservative supporters on the steps of Borough Hall, that he will be contesting for the District Attorney’s position in the November elections on the Republican and Conservative lines. According to Hynes, only about 9% of Democratic voters went to the polls on primary day, an indication that some 81% of Democratic voters either chose to sit out the electoral process or for some other reason did not exercise their rights to vote. He believes that once people are properly apprised of the issues they will come out in larger numbers for the November elections which will give him a chance to defeat Ken Thompson. This Hynes says will give him an opportunity to continue working on behalf of the people of Brooklyn. Hynes says: “The fact that I have more time to inform people of the issues at hand, coupled with the dishonesty of Thompson by allowing a felon in Clarence Norman Jr. to head his get out the vote campaign, and denying that the guy
worked for his campaign, along with him being unqualified for the position and his lack of experience, I guarantee I will win come November. In addition, the days following the primary I was bombarded by phone calls and emails from people urging me to run and to give the voters of Brooklyn a real opportunity to decide who their DA would be over the next four years.” Hynes says Ken Thompson’s decision to have Clarence Norman as part of his Campaign in an apparent undercover manner is reckless and sends the wrong message. When asked if a rehabilitated Clarence Norman Jr. does not represent a part of the rehabilitation program that, he, Hynes implemented, and should be allowed to work on rebuilding his life, Hynes said: “I do not have any problem with that at all if Ken Thompson had said look, I asked Clarence Norman to run my field operations because of his expertise in that area … and I am not doing anything wrong more that to help people who has come home from prison, if that was his answer, I would not have had a problem with it. My problem was the deceitfulness of Clarence Norman initially saying he wasn’t involved with the campaign and then later on acknowledging that he was, and Ken Thompson adamantly refusing to suggest in any shape or form that Clarence Norman had anything to do with his cam-
paign.” According to Hynes, Thompson should have come clean and admit that Norman worked for him. Hynes added that he initially entered the District Attorney’s race with the option of running on another ticket if he chose to, and since a number people in Brooklyn and the Republican Caucus approached him to run again for the office, he decided to give it a shot once he was guaranteed of the necessary funding. He quickly noted that he is still a lifelong Democrat, and his allegiance to the Democratic Party is still solid. While Hynes is running on the Republican and Conservative lines in the November 5 elections, he has always had all 3 lines: Democratic, Republican and Conservative.
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
Meanwhile, Hynes decision to switch party so as to continue on as Kings County District Attorney is met with fierce disapproval by many of the Democratic brass. During his announcement, meeting at Borough Hall, he was heckled by some angry protestors. One very vocal protester, who was Jewish, openly challenged Hynes on his decision to fight for the position of District attorney. Hynes in his response to the hecklers said: “This is not about Party politics… this is about people, it is about public safety. It is about the ability to bring issues to the public and have them decide on November 5 just who should lead them.” Hynes says he believes the November elections will be different than the September Primaries and that many Democrats who did not vote in September will go to the polls and vote for him. He made this appeal: “There’s no religious mandate that would prevent you from now rethinking it and deciding that since I am in the race, you’ll support me. Nothing has changed about me. I’m still the same person. I would hope that people reconsider. I also happen to believe that a lot of people who’ve already endorsed Ken Thompson, when they get into the voting booth they will vote for me.” Hynes vows to continue changing lives in Brooklyn once he wins the November elections.l
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CARE
HOT TOPIC
Economic Deprivation & Crime
What if the government funded entrepreneur
continued from page 1
murdered after a drive by shooting. Ms. Pendleton was returning home from attending an inaugural event as the guest of First Lady Michele Obama. In New York, the Brownsville and East New York sections of Brooklyn continue to see a steady rise of gun violence, even after the NYC Police Department instituted the racially biased policy of “Stop and Frisk”. A mandated police action that has stopped over 650,000 primarily black and Latino individuals with less than 8% of these individuals actually carrying weapons while gun and gang related violence continues to rise. Meanwhile, the NYC Summer Youth employment program is cut in half, daycare and after school programs are cut, sports programs, food pantries, section 8 housing vouchers, art programs and creative activities for young people. All cut. Youth center and public library hours are cut or closed completely. All, eventually, will be phased out of existence and why? So that those who have made it or believe they have made it can say that economically deprived citizens are in such a state because they are not taking advantage of opportunities, that taxes are too high and that they are tired of the “waste, fraud and abuse” going on within this system. The reality is that the nexus between
CARE
training to show people how to open small businesses
and run them successfully so that they could have an
alternative to selling drugs or other illicit activities?
economic deprivation and crime is a real one, but no more so than Wall Street executives and insider trading or elected officials and bribery and graft. The difference is that those who are economically deprived will turn away from crime if opportunities exist to better their lives. They avoid crime when they have career and skill training for employment that is long term with a future; when we offer preschool programs that have been shown to effectively cut down on the dropout rate in HS; when we have public schools that teach and graduate students; or afterschool and youth programs that offer young people alternative to gangs and youth violence. What if the government-funded entrepreneur training to show people how to open small businesses and run them successfully so that they
could have an alternative to selling drugs or other illicit activities? If given a choice, those who are economically deprived would not commit a crime. Those who are in positions of power and influence have many choices and news reports of graft and greed increase every day. So if given a choice, wouldn't you rather have a government bailout for those in need? Assist those who are economically deprived; who with the right help, can change their lives and contribute to society. Or, should we continue to pour billions into Wall Street and big banks while top executives line their pockets and pay off politicians. We must invest in our community. We should insist on it. l
Concerned Americans For Racial Equality
IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED: þVerbal Abuse by Police
þPhysical Abuse by Police þDenial of a Lawyer
þViolation of your Constitutional Rights
þLearn How to Expunge Your Criminal Results
þLearn How to Apply for Civil Relief
Report on Workplace Discrimination
I
n the past year, Make the Road New York (MRNY) surveyed over 250 LGBTQ individuals and 100 nonLGBTQ individuals. The report highlights the experience of LGBTQ, and in particular, transgender and gender nonconforming people, with job discrimination—from application, to harassment on the job, to forced termination. Although New York City Human Rights Law explicitly prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of gender identity, discriminatory practices are still commonplace. There is a clear need for employers to adopt proactive policies and practices to address discrimination, and for government agencies to improve enforcement and education efforts. The report recommends the passage of state legislation to address these issues, including the Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act (GENDA) (S.195A Squadron/A.4226A Gottfried) and the Whistleblower Protection Bill (S.3862 Klein/A.5696 Benedetto) which would protect workers from discrimination and retaliation if they do report discrimination. The 2-page summary of the report can be downloaded at www.ourcare.org.l
Different Shades Scattered Globally Same Goal
FREE Police Misconduct Complaint Procedure & Litigation Seminar
Then attend a FREE Seminar to learn how to bring a lawsuit against the CITY
To register please call 718-243-9431
Free Seminar The first Thursday of each month at 6pm. To register call: 718-243-9431
Demographics: As of the census of 2010, there are 2,504,700 people and 1,000,293 households in the County of Kings. The racial makeup of the County is 42.8% White, 34.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 10.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 10.08% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races; 19.8% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race; 35.7% of the population are Whites not of Hispanic origins. Question: Why are a disproportionate number of “people of color” being arrested and charged in criminal court?
Get a free consultation on police misconduct or any other discrimination issue, when you become a member of CARE. Call 718-243-9431 Ext. 106 to schedule an appointment For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
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FAMILY ISSUES
Taking the High Road during a Divorce
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REVIEWED BY D’ARCY LYNESS, PhD
hat's the best way to help your family get through a divorce? Every situation — and every family — is different. But some stressreducing guidelines might make the adjustment a bit easier. These suggestions can make the process less painful for kids, teens, and families. Parents will need to interpret them in their own ways; honesty, sensitivity, selfcontrol, and time itself will help the healing process. Be patient — not everyone's timetable is the same.
Helping kids manage their feelings Encourage kids to openly discuss their feelings — positive or negative — about what's happening. It's important for divorcing — and already divorced — parents to sit down with their kids and encourage them to say what they're thinking and feeling. But you'll need to keep this separate from your own feelings. Most often, children experience a sense of loss of family and may blame you or the other parent — or both — for what is going on in their lives. So, you'll really need to be prepared to answer questions your kids might raise or to address their concerns. Make talking about the divorce and how it's affecting your kids an ongoing process. As kids get older and become more mature, they might have questions or concerns that they hadn't thought of earlier. Even if it seems like you've gone over the same topics before, keep the dialogue open. If possible, sit down with the other parent and plan how you're going to talk to your child or children about what is going on. Although kids may struggle with a divorce for quite some time, the real impact is usually felt over about a 2- to 3-year period. During this time, some will be able to voice their feelings but, depending on their age and development, other kids just won't have the words. They may instead act out or be depressed. For school-age kids, this is usually evident when their grades drop or they lose interest in activities. It may be tempting to tell a child not to feel a certain way, but kids (and adults, for that matter) have a right to their feelings. And if you try to force a "happy face," your kids may be less likely to share their true feelings with you.
Keep adult conflict and arguments away from the kids This is one of the hardest things to do. But it's important never to say bad things about your ex in front of your kids, or within earshot. You'd be surprised at how good kids can be to picking up on these things. Research shows that the single biggest factor in long-term adjustment for kids of divorce is the level of parental conflict they are exposed to. It puts kids in really difficult positions if they want to or have to take sides, or listen to negative things said about one of their parents.
It's equally important to acknowledge real events. If, for example, one spouse has simply abandoned the family by moving out, you need to acknowledge what has happened. It isn't your responsibility to explain the ex-spouse's behavior — but if your kids want to ask you questions, it's important to answer as neutrally and as factually as possible.
Try not to use kids as messengers or go-betweens, especially when you're feuding Even though it is tempting, don't use your kids as messengers. There are plenty of other ways to communicate with your ex-partner. Also, resist questioning your child about what is happening in the other household — kids resent it when they feel that they're being asked to "spy" on the other parent. Wherever possible, communicate directly with the other parent about relevant matters, such as scheduling, visitation, health issues, or school problems.
Expect resistance and difficulties as kids adjust to a new mate or the mate's kids New relationships, blended families, and remarriages are among the most difficult aspects of the divorce process. A new, blended family can add more stress for a while, and can cause another period of adjustment. Keeping lines of communi-
It's important never to say bad things
about your ex in front of
your kids, or within
earshot. cation open, allowing one-on-one time for parents and kids, and watching for signs of stress can help prevent problems developing.
Figure out how to reduce stress in your life to help your family Support from friends, relatives, church and religious groups, and other organizations, can help parents and their kids adjust to separation and divorce. Kids can meet others who've developed successful relationships with separated parents and can confide in each other. Whenever possible, kids should be encouraged to have as positive an outlook on both parents as they can. Even under the best of circumstances, separation and divorce can be painful and dis-
appointing for many kids. Parents also need to remember to take care of themselves. Find your own way to reduce stress in your life by finding supportive friends and asking for help when you need it. Try to keep some old family traditions, while building new memories to share. Showing your kids how to take good care of mind and body during difficult times can help them become more resilient in their own lives.l Reviewed October 2013
©1995-2013. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission.
Family Law Practice Summarized
NEW YORK IS NOW A NO-FAULT DIVORCE STATE
nDIVORCE nSEPARATION nSUPPORT nCUSTODY The lawyer you hire does make a difference!
uContested &
Uncontested Divorces
uSeparation & Prenuptial Agreements
Has your spouse disappeared? We can find your spouse!
Matrimonial Investigations
u Business & Degree Evaluations
u Spousal Maintenance u Custody/Visitation
uBank & Asset Searches
uRelocation
uAlimony Reduction
uWire Transfers
u Paternity
uChild Support
uCo-habitation
uAbuse/Neglect
Investigation
uRestraining &
uDivorce/Dating/Fraud
Protective Orders
uModification of Previous Orders & Awards
LAW OFFICES OF FIGEROUX & ASSOCIATES
uInternet Dating/Fraud uVideo Surveillance
BROOKLYN: 26 Court Street, Suite 701. Tel: 718-834-0190
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
9
CARE
MOVING FORWARD
Local Group Takes Gun Violence Education to Schools
A
BY VANDELL PARK
small local group, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV) is working to curb the growing problem of gun violence here in New York City, by taking the educational route, teaching school children the dangers of gun use. NYAGV Executive Director, Leah Gunn Barrett, says her organization believes in being proactive rather than reactive; thus, the approach of commencing a program in schools in communities with high risk crime areas to educate youths about the severe negative impact of guns: “We’ve worked for the past eight years with high schools here in New York City. We started out with the High School for Public Service in Crown Heights, with an after school program called “reAaction”. It is call “reAction” because it’s the kids reacting to the gun violence that they see in their neighborhood, and the program is a yearlong after school program which teaches children about our current gun laws, where guns come from thus giving them power to advocate for themselves, their friends and their communities and to learn that guns do not really protect you. The students would take a survey at the beginning of the year answering the
Youth from the reACTION program when they went to Washington, DC last April to talk to their representatives about gun safety legislation
questions do you know anybody who has a gun? And, do you think a gun protect you? Their answers are typically yes, we know someone who has a gun and yes, a gun protects you. But at the end of the year when asked the same questions, they would say yes to knowing some who has a gun, but no to a gun protecting you, because the realize that guns do not protect you, so they find more self-empowerment by not resorting to guns.” The main focus of the after-school training is advocacy. Students are trained to do public speaking so they can eloquently speak to community groups and their peers about the dangers of guns.
According to Ms Barrett, the students would go to Congress in Washington D.C and before State legislators in Albany, to lobby their legislators by telling their stories about how gun and gun violence has affected them and their communities; and, then ask legislators to support policies against guns. One such policy is micro-stamping of guns, which requires all guns to be made with a stamp on the firing pin, thus imprinting the shell casing with the stamp of that particular gun. This micro-stamping enables law enforcement officials to identify the gun used and ties hat gun to the person who
purchased it. This year the group will lobby for a child access prevention law in New York State, to prohibit how guns are stored in homes by owners. Ms Barrett believes the program is very effective to the point where it is now being extended to schools in the Bronx and Washington Heights in Manhattan. The group is calling on parents in communities where the program is carried out, to encourage their children to participate in the after-school classes. The ultimate objective of the program is to ensure that young people in New York City are educated about guns to eradicate the resulting violence. The organization is a 501 C3 and 501 C4 nonprofit to do advocacy work. NYAGV was formed in 1993 by three mothers who were moved by the shooting death of a teacher in Prospect Park. This year the organization celebrates its 20th annual education benefit fundraiser with an award and recognition ceremony, honoring the three founders, Barbara Hohlt, Ellen Freudenheim and Katina Johnstone as well as Governor Andrew Cuomo and the families of the Sandy Hook Promise.l
Introduction to Non-Profits & Internet & Community Radio Hosting
Non-Profits - Some Topics lIntroduction to Non-profits: Naming & Structuring lThe Purpose Clause: Dynamic or Static Business Plan lIntroduction to the 501 (c)(?) Process & IRS 1023 lIntroduction to QuickBooks for Non-Profits lFinancial Strategies for Non-Profits lSpecial Issues for Churches lNon-Profit Guide to Publishing lEffective Fundraising for Non-Profits
Internet Radio is the Future of Radio!
Radio Host - Some Topics: lCreating Your Own Radio Show lMarketing Your Radio Show lIntroduction to Social Media lVoice Training lInterview Techniques lStudio Etiquette
Registration: $250. Plus one-month bonus time for your radio show!
Location: 26 Court Street, Suite 701, downtown Brooklyn Space is limited. Must register to attend.
Fridays: 1pm to 3pm Dates: October 25 & November 1, 8, 15 and 22 For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
Visit www.mynacc.org to register today!
10
CARE
MOVING FORWARD
The Six Stages of a Caregiver’s Journey
C
aregivers travel a unique and winding road that is sometimes hard to understand unless you have traveled the same route yourself. While it can bring great joy to be able to care for a loved one in need, the journey itself presents distinctive concerns and issues for both the caregiver and the care recipient. Denise M. Brown, a certified caregiving coach, has been working with caregivers since 1990. In an effort to help make their journeys in that realm meaningful, she founded Caregiving.com in 1996, as a comprehensive resource that offers testimonials, resources, education, support groups and facts regarding caregiving. Denise also wrote a handbook called The Caregiving Years: Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey. Part of this handbook defines the six stages of caregiving Denise has recognized and organized to provide valuable advice and encouragement to those caring for loved ones. The following is a condensed version of Denise’s six steps. In each segment of her handbook, Denise provides a keyword and purpose, along with options to consider. These help ensure you stay on the right track and are able to not only survive your caregiving experience, but also cherish the time you are able to give.
Stage 1: The Expectant Caregiver. In the near future, I may help an aging relative. You and your loved one realize you may soon begin your caregiving role, and you both take steps to prepare for that process. This is the time to get the care recipient’s affairs in order — visit with an attorney to set up necessary processes, consult with doctors and discuss with your loved one the level of care she may need, depending on the situation. Together, you prepare for every possible circumstance.
Stage 2: The Freshman Caregiver. I am starting to help an aging relative. As this stage evolves, it provides a sneak preview of the future. You may begin by providing meals and running errands. At this time, you should fully educate yourself on all aspects of your loved one’s condition and decide how you can help. Join support groups that are specific to the illness with which you are dealing or caregiving in general. Support groups provide a needed outlet and help you learn how to take care of yourself and your care recipient properly.
Stage 3: The Entrenched Caregiver. I am helping. You are firmly grounded in all aspects of giving care to a loved one, which plays a large part in defining who you are. Your feelings may be bittersweet — you are glad you can help, but you sometimes wonder “why me?” You are exhausted, physically and mentally. During this stage, re-evaluation is critical, and the main focus should be receiving help from others. Take breaks from responsibilities, so you can rejuvenate and continue on a healthy caregiving
memories you have shared. Openly discussing these feelings with your care recipient now will make performing the final stages of care easier for both of you.
path. Establish a routine for both you and your loved one and determine limits of care with which the two of you are comfortable. Accept help from family and friends or hire a respite care provider. Lean heavily on support groups during this time. Sharing your feelings with others will help maintain your focus, as well as your sanity.
Stage 4: The Pragmatic Caregiver. I am still helping an aging relative. You have been caregiving for quite some time, and your purpose now is to look at yourself and ask, “Who am I?” Allow
yourself to forgive your care recipient for past grievances and find ways to add fun to your days by singing songs or other engaging activities and finding humor in your situation. If possible, involve your loved one in helping you determine your goals and dreams and start thinking about your future.
Stage 5: The Transitioning Caregiver. My role is changing. Your caregiver duties are coming to an end, either because you can no longer adequately care for your loved one, or their remaining time is coming to an end. Allow yourself to mourn and to reflect on the
Stage 6: The Godspeed Caregiver. My caregiving has ended. Your days of caregiving have been over for several years now, and your life is ahead of you. You may choose to become an advocate of caregiving, offering advice, writing about your experience, heading up support groups or merely being the go-to person for other family and friends who may be embarking on caregiving themselves. You are moving forward in your life now and are able to look back on your caregiving years with happy thoughts and sweet memories of the one you cared for.
The caregiver’s journey is special — full of emotional ups-and-downs. Denise’s steps give you permission to experience caregiving at its worst and also at its best. Most of all, her words and advice let you know that you will get through it and enjoy your life to its fullest after your caregiving days end.l For the complete handbook, please visit Caregiving.com. Resource: Brown, Denise M. The Caregiving Years.
A Special Invitation
to all faith-based leaders to empower their congregation and membership
from the IJLEF, Inc., a 501(c)(3) approved not-for-profit organization offering
FREE IMMIGRATION SEMINARS/ PRESENTATIONS & CONSULTATION CARDS ($100 VALUE) ON THE DAY OF THE PRESENTATION
Call 718-243-9431 to schedule a presentation
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
11
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
Must Do More to Help Working-class Families on Affordable Housing continued from page 1
especially in the barrios. The Great Recession pushed millions of willing workers off the labor force, put many others in lower-paying or multiple jobs, and communities are still reeling from assets lost. At a time when we should be discussing how to stimulate our economy and job growth, many policymakers seem to only want to discuss how to mimic European austerity measures. The regressive nature of our economic recovery has not gone unnoticed in our communities. We hear it every day from friends and family members, and in Washington D.C. we see it in reports like the one issued by Joseph A. Smith, who heads the Office of Mortgage Settlement Oversight. Mr. Smith oversees the agreement between 49 state attorneys general and the nation’s largest lenders to provide up to $25 billion in relief to borrowers who lost their homes to foreclosure. Yet, his report shows that many lenders are instead pushing homeowners to sell, resolving subordinated debt entanglements to drive owners toward short sales, and avoiding principal modifications at all costs. More recently, attorneys general detailed how lenders grossly underreported the extent of their fraud and misdealing. There is no shortage of scathing reviews that show lenders dragging their feet on modifying mortgages, and regulators fumbling their responsibilities while trusting those
very same lenders to police themselves. The fact is that housing is hot again and investors want inventory. Which inventory exactly? Those would be the homes that were previously or are currently owned by modest wage families and across many communities of color. There is also a big investor driven effort to commercialize renting. If you think that’s a good idea, ask working families in Providence, Rhode Island where it is all too common for families to spend, at a minimum, fifty percent of their take home pay on rent. There’s no doubt that banks are working hard to settle liabilities to process more foreclosures, and many more homeowners that may yet lose their home as the allure of profits take hold. What is so frustrating is that there is so much the government could do to provide relief, like utilizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for principal reductions and modifications, but holdovers of the Bush Administration refuse to act. Indeed, regulators and agencies on the front lines of housing finance have so little diversity within their ranks that it is not
Real Estate Transactions for Buyers & Sellers, Foreclosure Inoculation & Financing Your Business through Home Ownership
Buying a home is an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming if you don’t understand the entire process. Knowing what to expect will help you make the right decisions about your home purchase. So, whether you are considering homeownership for the first time or currently own a home and need help with your mortgage, or interested in building a real estate portfolio, this seminar provides you with the important tools and resources you need today.
CARE
We need positive solutions... affordable rental housing...policies that allow families to own a home, build roots in their community and depend on those assets for their children’s education, starting a business and retirement.
even clear that they genuinely understand the plight of ordinary citizens, and especially minorities. That can be seen in proposed changes that would benefit Wall Street over Main Street, raise down payments and make it more difficult for anyone except the wealthiest to own a home. From policies that have already been approved, like the Qualified Residential Mortgage, rule to ideas like privatizing Fannie and Freddie, these all undermine the American Dream of homeownership that is so important to working wage families. We need positive solutions, and increasing the inventory of affordable rental housing is absolutely important, but it should compliment the policies that allow families to own a home, build roots in their community and depend on those assets for their children’s education, starting a business and retirement. There are too many private interests actively lobbying to privatize the GSEs and therefore carve out the most profitable pieces, like multifamily, for themselves.
At the same time, they want to shift the government guarantee from GSEs to instead guaranteeing large too-big-to-fail financial institutions. We cannot allow the laws that helped build the post-WWII middle class, in part through homeownership, to disappear. Or worse, to turn the institutions and laws that help average and minority families own a home into yet another subsidy for Wall Street. It is too easy to forget that many of these laws and institutions that would be upended helped tear down redlining and the obstacles that prevented minorities from owning homes, and promoted community reinvestment and home mortgage disclosures that helped working families with little access to credit. Now, those that would undo a generation’s worth of progress are cynically claiming that their efforts are meant to help minorities, but we know better. Latino families are deeply interested in this discussion. And, while Treasury may have few officials that understand the plight of our community, we will continue to demand more accountability. Because we will not allow the aspirations of working wage and Latino families on credit access and homeownership to take a back seat to moneyed interests angling for a good return on investment. We simply cannot allow that to happen, again.l
Brent Wilkes is Executive Director of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities.
RSVP:
Telephone: 718-722-9217 Email: info@mynacc.org Website: www.mynacc.org
Location: 26 Court Street, Suite 701, downtown Brooklyn Space is limited. Must register to attend.
Date: Thursday, November 7, 2013 6pm to 8pm
Visit www.mynacc.org to register today!
For more civil rights news & updates visit
12
CARE
IMMIGRATION
From Coast to Coast, Immigrants Drive Local Economies
I
BY PAUL McDANIEL
mmigrant entrepreneurship has transformed Atlanta’s northeastern suburbs along and near Buford Highway into “International Village” – an area filled with immigrant restaurants, markets, specialty stores, and other businesses. Through ventures such as Chinatown Square, Asian Square Mall, and Plaza Fiesta immigrants have “economically and socially revived an area that faced economic stagnation and population decline.” As one researcher noted, “the five-mile stretch of highway running through Chamblee, Doraville, and Norcross constitutes the greatest concentration of ethnic-owned businesses in the southeastern U.S.”
Throughout the country, examples of the role immigrants play in promoting economic growth and community development abound: •In Georgia overall, almost sixteen percent of all business owners were immigrants in 2010, and in the Atlanta metropolitan area, that figure was even higher at 21 percent. •In 2010, in Missouri, 4.6 percent of all business owners were foreign-born and new immigrant business owners had
total revenue of $650 million. Additionally, the immigrant share of business owners was 8 percent in the St. Louis metropolitan area, a rate higher than the foreign-born share of the total population. •In 2010, in New Jersey, 28 percent of all business owners were immigrants, comprising over 22 percent of business income in the state. •In Oregon, many immigrants and refugees have become entrepreneurial farmers of crops from their native countries – including Burma, Bhutan, Cambodia, and Nepal – selling their produce at local farmers markets in Portland and throughout the state. •In small towns across Tennessee – places like Bells, Monterey, Shelbyville, and Morristown – immigrants have opened shops and restaurants to cater to the populations working in nearby agricultural and food processing industries. •The State of Washington is home to many successful companies with at least one founder who was an immigrant or child of an immigrant, including large businesses such as Nordstrom, Weyerhaeuser Company, Costco Wholesale, and Amazon.com. Those four companies together employ over 250,000 people and bring in $180 billion
Throughout the country, examples of the role immigrants play in promoting economic growth and community development abound...
in revenue each year. As the evidence of their economic importance grows, cities and metropolitan areas are devoting more attention to pursuing policies and initiatives to welcome immigrants, facilitate immigrant integration, and encourage immigrant entrepreneurship. The New York Times recently profiled these initiatives, focusing in particular on Dayton, Ohio, whose Welcome Dayton initiative has long been a model for other cities hoping to reboot their older downtowns and re-energize their communities by attracting immigrants. Dayton, whose suburban neighbors on three sides are represented by House
Speaker John Boehner, is in the forefront of a movement that is doing everything it can within the system to encourage immigration, and is tired of waiting. Dayton’s Mayor Gary Leitzell remarked, “We’ve found that we can repopulate our city and we can educate the people and inspire them to employ themselves. In 10 years, when the federal government figures everything out, we’ll be thriving.” And while this may be true for Dayton, the future economic vitality of the country depends in part on creating more space and opportunity for immigrants to contribute to communities through immigration reform legislation.l
ALL IMMIGRATION MATTERS lGET THE FACTS
lBE SMART
lMAKE THE RIGHT DECISION
lBEWARE OF IMMIGRATION FRAUD
uHealth Care (RN/OT/PT/TSHH/SLP’S & IT Cases) uExtension of Status & Visa Renewals uWork Authorization uH-IB Professional Workers uF-1 Students uJ-1 Exchange Visitor Trainees uO-1 Extraordinary Ability uR-1 Religious Workers uU.S. Citizenship uFamily-sponsored Permanent Residence uGreen Cards/Labor Certification (RIR) uImmigration Visa Petitions:Employment Based uTemporary Work Visas uNaturalization Derivative Petitions uLabor Certifications uApplication for Asylum uPetitions for Writ of Habeas Corpus
uAppeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals
uLawsuits involving Eligibility and Processing for Citizenship
LAW OFFICES OF FIGEROUX & ASSOCIATES BROOKLYN: 26 Court Street, Suite 701. Tel: 718-834-0190
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
CALL 718-834-0190 26 Court Street, Suite 701 Brooklyn, NY 11242
lPERSONAL INJURY lACCIDENTS lFAMILY LAW lPOLICE BRUTALITY lCRIMINAL LAW lCIVIL LITIGATION lBANKRUPTCY lREAL ESTATE
Visit our website at: www.figeroux.com
13
CARE
MARKET & BRAND YOUR BUSINESS
Success Begins June 19, 2014, at NACC Multicultural Business Expo
B
BY MARILYN SILVERMAN
rooklyn, NY: The New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), established in October 2005, is having its Annual Multicultural Business Expo on Thursday, June 19, 2014, at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, 333 Adams Street, Downtown Brooklyn. All businesses, chambers, entrepreneurs, budding and current of all ages, professionals, non-profit organizations and youth accompanied by their parents or an adult are invited to this oneday, business-to-business, empowering and networking event. This Expo is produced in partnership with the AfricanAmerican International Chamber of Commerce (AAICC) and the HispanicAmerican International Chamber of Commerce (HAICC) The day starts off at 7:30am with a Welcome VIP Breakfast where attendees can hear from, meet and mingle with top business experts. There will be a special guest speaker. Tickets cost $25 for members and $50.00 for non-members. During the day, attendees will have the opportunity to network with other businesses and share information about their products and services as well as attend FREE educational seminars and work-
shops. These include a small business boot camp series, social media and tecnology, fashion and entertainment, procurement, top business authors and more. For registration of seminars and more information, please visit www.mynacc.org. The day climaxes with a Cocktail Reception & Awards in the evening, the theme is “Economic Deprivation & Its Correlation to Crime.” Topics discussed include the Role of Our Chambers of Commerce, the Role of Faith-based Organizations and the Role of Labor Organizations. Tickets cost $25 for
members and $50.00 for non-members. For more information and registration visit www.mynacc.org. We are making a special plea to youth to attend. Parents, guardians and family members, please come with your daughter, son, niece, nephew, granddaughter, grandson, cousin, and neighbor’s kid(s). We to plant the seed of entrepreneurship in our young people; and, to think as employers, not employees. Too many of our youth are unemployed, graduating from college with a degree and no hope for employment or gainful employment.
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
There’s going to be a special seminar, “I’m Going to College to Start a Business, Not Get a Job.” June is Caribbean-American Heritage Month as well as the Juneteenth commemoration date – June 19, 1865. This Expo is a celebration of multiculturalism, empowerment and achievement which all minority communities can be part of. The Expo will be held on June 19, 2014 so Juneteenth commemoration will be an integral part of the day’s events. Success starts on Thursday, June 19, 2014. It’s one day, one location, endless opportunities. What you will learn is secrets and strategies for success. You can and will realize your entrepreneurial dreams, and grow and take your business to new heights. Don’t miss this opportunity. Don’t miss out on this event. Register to attend at www.mynacc.org. Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities are available. Tables start at $695. Special conditions apply. Call 718-7229217 ext 112. Remember to listen to the NACC Empowerment Hour every Saturday at 2pm on www.diasporaradio.com.l
14
MARKET & BRAND YOUR BUSINESS at our
Multicultural Business Expo Presented by the New American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) in partnership with the African-American International Chamber of Commerce (AAICC) and the Hispanic-American International Chamber of Commerce (HAICC)
ON THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2014 8:00am - 8:00pm
New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, 333 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Exhibit tables start at *$695.00. Book yours today. Call 718-722-9217 *Conditions apply
For a
One day. One location. Endless Opportunities.
FREE MARKETING & BRANDING consultation and to participate in our annual conference, please call 718-722-9217 ext 112 or email info@mynacc.org
Day includes: lWelcome VIP Breakfast l20+ Empowering Seminars lGreat Exhibits lCocktail Reception Awards lGreat Networking
For exhibitor space and sponsorship opportunities, please call 718-722-9217 ext 112 or visit www.mynacc.org
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
15
CARE
TAXES & FINANCE
Lending Money to Family? Make It a Tax-Smart Loan
L
ending money to a cash-strapped family member or friend is a noble and generous offer that just might make a difference. But before you hand over the cash, you need to plan ahead to avoid tax complications down the road. Let's say you decide to loan $5,000 to your daughter who's been out of work for over a year and is having difficulty keeping up with the mortgage payments on her condo. While you may be tempted to charge an interest rate of zero percent, you should resist the temptation. Here's why. When you make an interest-free loan to someone, you will be subject to "below market interest rules". IRS rules state that you need to calculate imaginary interest payments from the borrower. These imaginary interest payments are then payable to you and you will need to pay taxes on these interest payments when you file a tax return. Further, if the imaginary interest payments exceed $14,000 for the year, there may be adverse gift and estate tax consequences. Exception: The IRS lets you ignore the rules for small loans ($10,000 or less), as long as the aggregate loan amounts to a single borrower are less than $10,000
and the borrower doesn't use the loan proceeds to buy or carry income-producing assets. In addition, if you don't charge any interest, or charge interest that is below market rate, then the IRS might consider your loan a gift, especially if there is no formal documentation (i.e. written agreement with payment schedule) and you go to make a nonbusiness bad debt deduction if the borrower defaults on the loan—or the IRS decides to audit you and decides your loan is really a gift. Formal documentation generally refers to a written promissory note that includes the interest rate, a repayment schedule showing dates and amounts for all principal and interest, and security or collateral for the loan, such as a residence. Make sure that all parties sign the note so that it's legally binding. As long as you charge an interest rate that is at least equal to the applicable federal rate (AFR) approved by the Internal Revenue Service, you can avoid tax complications and unfavorable tax consequences. AFRs for term loans, that is, loans with a defined repayment schedule, are updated monthly by the IRS and published in the IRS Bulletin. AFRs are based on the bond market, which change frequently.
For term loans, use the AFR published in the same month that you make the loan. The AFR is a fixed rate for the duration of the loan. Any interest income that you make from the term loan is included on your Form 1040. In general, the borrower, in this case your daughter, cannot deduct interest paid, but there is one exception: if the loan is secured by her home, then the interest can be deducted as qualified residence interest—as long as the prom-
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
issory note for the loan was secured by the residence. If you have questions about the tax implications of loaning a family member money, don't hesitate to call us. We're here to help. Call 718-834-0190 to schedule an appointment. Source: www.nettaxservices.com
16
SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
What Did They Say about the Early Bird?
W
hether it is our annual Multicultural Business Conference, visit www.mynacc.org to register your business, or our regular seminar schedule, NACC (New American Chamber of Commerce), AAICC (African American International Chamber of Commerce) and HAICC (Hispanic American International Chamber of Commerce) are partnering and are working together to help your business succeed. How do we accomplish this goal? Through our fivepart Small Business Boot Camp series: nBusiness Plan Basics nFinancing Your Business nMarketing & Social Media nSmall Business Solutions nMinority Certification
We also help your business succeed through our “Building a Successful” series, for example, Construction Business, Beauty Salon Business, Tax Business, Not-For-Profit, Restaurant Business, Technology Business, Networking Business, Entertainment Business or your Make a Suggestion Business. Additionally, through our Credit Restoration, Identity Theft, Home Buyer & Seller Seminars, we empower
you to establish the three Cs of credit worthiness: Capital, Character and Capability. To successfully brand or market your product or service, please visit www.myiqinc.com and then schedule a Branding & Marketing consultation with our President, Ms. Pearl Phillip at 718771-0988, Ext 112. We are also proud of our sister nonprofit organizations serving all Americans and new immigrants — the Immigrant’s Journal Legal & Educational Fund, Inc., (IJLEF), www.ijlef.org and Concerned Americans for Racial Equality, (CARE), www.ourcare.org. Please volunteer, or refer any-
one in need of a free legal consultation. We encourage all our Chamber members not only to participate in our events, but to also attend and network at other Chamber events and join other Chambers. We have done so and so should you. Additionally, we are working with various groups and Consulates to help them establish their own chambers of commerce. Examples of these are the Trinidad & Tobago American Chamber of Commerce, the Guyana American Chamber of Commerce, the Congo American Chamber of Commerce . Various European American chambers of commerce have been in existence for decades. Caribbean, Hispanic and African Chambers are now starting. If you would like assistance in forming your country’s chamber, please do not hesitate to contact our legal adviser and founder, Brian Figeroux, at bfigeroux@msn.com. l
CARE
Vacancies!
Bookkeeping,Payroll, Pay Receiver and Auditing Clerks: Access our statewide or regional occupation report for more information about wages, employment outlooks, skills, trainingprograms, related occupations, and more. Interested candidates should email a Cover Letter and Resume with references to: jobservicesdept@gmail.com, and include subject line: "Payroll/Pay Receiver Candidate". We are accepting applications now and will conduct interviews until position is filled.
Picture This...
Your Career Success Seminar
Creating career success can be very simple. It’s as simple as being prepared and putting forward the best, confident you. If you are a high school student or recent college grad or have been out of the workforce for awhile or simply looking to move up from your present job, this seminar is for you.
Topics: lKill the Competition: Tips for Writing a Knockout Resume lImage is Everything: Are You Projecting the Right One? lInterviewing for Success lJob Strategies & Researching Potential Employers lIntroduction to LinkedIn Date: lProfessional Etiquette
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 6pm to 8pm Registration Fee: $10
Be a success story! Register today!
Location: 26 Court Street, Suite 701, downtown Brooklyn Space is limited. Must register to attend.
Visit www.mynacc.org to register today!
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
17
RECESSION & JOBS
5 Reference Mistakes that Can Cost You the Job
Y
BY CATHERINE CONLAN MONSTER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
our carefully crafted resume got your foot in the door, and you nailed the interview. Don’t mess up your chances of getting hired by making these common mistakes with your references.
Don’t tell your references to expect a call. While this seems like an easy mistake to prevent, “there are always the reference checks where candidates forgot to tell employers they would be receiving a call,” says Julie Kline, SPHR, executive HR consultant at Prastmark Consulting. It’s a professional courtesy to ask people’s permission to use them as a reference, so they know to expect a call sometimes in the future. If your references respond with surprise and confusion when a potential employer contacts them, it gives the impression that you are unprofessional or disorganized.
Give references that have little relevance or are inappropriate. An example, Kline says, would be listing the CEO when you were actually 15 steps below C-level on the food chain. Or worse: “I had a candidate who listed his
mother as a reference. I didn't know whether to ask if he made his bed every day or if he was a good listener at home.” Giving a reference who barely knows you — or knows you a little too well — makes potential employers question your judgment, professional networking abilities and past performance. After all, if you don’t want potential employers to talk to past managers, they will automatically wonder what those past managers might say.
Make it hard to contact your references. “If you don't list different ways that your references can be contacted, it could cost you the job,” says Cheryl Palmer, owner of Call To Career. “It is standard to list phone numbers on your references sheet, but it can also be useful to list email addresses and even Skype usernames if your refer-
ences are outside the country. Giving employers different ways to contact your references can speed up the process.” Be sure that your references will be there when you need them, as well. Anastacia Kurylo, president of Fortified Communication Consulting, says she pushed to get some references from a job candidate, but “they would not call us back after leaving several messages. Admittedly we were making the decision quickly; they could have been on vacation. We hired him after finally securing better references and he was fantastic for what we needed. We almost missed out. Candidates should know that their references may not be available to speak when the employer needs them in order to make a hiring decision.” Don’t prepare your references.
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
CARE Your references might be from jobs you had awhile ago, and they might not know what you’re doing now. If your potential employer feels like you’re not in touch with your references regularly, they may wonder why you listed them. “If it has been a couple of years since you worked with the people who serve as your references, you may need to update them on what you have been doing as well as what your job target now is,” Palmer says. “A recent copy of your resume can fill in the gaps for your references, and vacancy announcements that are representative of the type of position that you are seeking can give your references more specific information about what aspects of your background they should highlight when talking with employers about you.”
Give a reference without knowing what they might say. “You should never ask someone to be your reference if you are not sure what they will say about you,” Palmer says. “Employers usually check your references as a last step before they make you an offer. You can't afford to be in a position where you have to guess what your references will say. You should know that they will speak glowingly of you.” Kline says she called a reference on a candidate once and got the response, “Oh, that [guy]? We canned him three years ago.” Kline says, “The candidate didn’t get the job.”l
For job listings visit http://www.mynacc.org/6154/monster.html
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CARE
MONEY MATTERS
Talking to Your Kids When Money Is Tight
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BY MICHELLE NEW, PhD
verybody's talking about money these days: House prices are going down; more families are facing foreclosure on their mortgages; gas prices, energy prices, and grocery bills are all going up—and uncertainty over when things will take a turn for the better is making everyone tighten their belts. But how do parents explain this to their fashion-conscious middle-school kids? How about teens with dreams of out-ofstate college or a new car?
What to Say Be honest with your children — but don't tell them more than they need to know. Avoid overloading older kids with too many details or worries that might scare them. Stick to brief explanations and be clear about changes made to the family budget. Even young kids are brand- and consumer-aware these days, so don't expect them to volunteer to scale back on their treats or activities right away. But if you want to encourage budgeting behavior, offer incentives to get kids on oard. Knowing what you want to say, what changes will be made — and how those changes will affect each child — can help make this a little easier.
Talking to Younger Kids Ali is 6. Her best friend just got a new doll
for her birthday — the expensive kind that you know you can't afford. Ali starts to whine, "I never get anything I want. It's not fair..." It's hard to keep your cool when you're working hard to keep the family afloat or stressed out because the bank has threatened foreclosure. Take a deep breath and stay calm. If necessary, tell your child that you'll talk about it later, then be sure to set aside time to do so. Remind yourself that it's OK to reject pleas and set limits. You're not depriving your children—you're teaching them important lessons about delaying gratification, earning treats and rewards, and how family finances work. After all, food and rent come before toys. When you're ready, tell your child that you cannot buy new toys right now, but perhaps the toys can be put on a wish list for the next birthday, Christmas, Hanukkah, or other gift-giving occasion. If you can afford it, offer a small reward in exchange for good behavior or keeping the bedroom straight. Short-term rewards, such as stickers or tokens, can keep younger kids motivated. Financial incentives can help older kids earn money toward their goals while teaching them valuable lessons about saving.
Talking to Preteens Catelyn, 11, is going to another birthday party. It's a sleepover and she's given you a list — birthday gift for her friend, new
pajamas, and a new sleeping bag. She insists her friends will all laugh at her if she brings the old sleeping bag again — it's so last year. And 12-year-old Brandon wants a new skateboard and those cool new skate shoes. How do you tell them that your family can't afford all of these new things without scaring them? Kids this age may not be interested in the global economy or why money is tight, but they can be told that there is a limited amount of money in the family budget. Do not cave into their every whim, and instead encourage kids to plan ahead for new purchases. Preteens are old enough to save money from a weekly allowance or earn it by doing chores around the house, raking leaves, or shoveling snow around the neighborhood. When talking to your kids, let them know that they're not alone in their desires. Say how you feel when you see something that you want, but can't purchase it right away. Explain that everyone in the family has to cut down on spending — including you — and remind them that, if they're motivated, you can work together to help them try to earn money and work toward their goals.
Talking to Teenagers Jaime, 16, needs a car to drive to school. Or does he? He may roll his eyes when you tell him that you walked or rode a bus to school, but challenging him to find a costeffective, environmentally friendly way to get around town may appeal to his ambi-
tion of living a more "green" lifestyle. Likewise, suggesting that he save up for that big-ticket item — and seeing his goal through — will help him feel more empowered as he moves toward adulthood. Through part-time jobs or regular babysitting, teens can earn money outside the home and cover many of their own expenses.
Encouraging kids to find creative ways to save or make money not only helps them feel empowered — it helps them feel like they're doing their part to help out.
Making Rules Stick Family meetings are a great way to establish these new rules, even if they're temporary until family finances are in better shape.
Explain the new rules and also new opportunities for earning privileges and treats. Make it fun: challenge kids to come up with family-friendly, cost-effective activities that everyone will enjoy. Once you've had "the talk" with your kids, keep a list posted — perhaps on the refrigerator door — of the new house rules so that everyone knows what is expected.l ©1995-2013. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission.
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19
CARE
SOCIAL CONCERNS
IBO Report Outlines Disparities in NYC Public High School Regards to Race and Income
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BY RANDALL TOURE, ESQ.
ecently, the NYC Independent Budget Office released a report at the request of the Alliance for Quality Education about the “Availability and Distribution of Selected Program Resources in New York City High School” in light of the constant reorganization of the NYC school system over the past 11 years. Over this period of time, many large high schools have been closed and the creation of “smaller” schools have replaced them with several of these smaller schools housed in the same building. Educational advocates have raised questions about these smaller schools being able to provide student with necessary courses to attain the minimum standards for graduation in New York State, as well as the availability of specialized rooms and non-classroom support services in different types of schools and for different types of students. The report is comprehensive, in that it looks at the distribution of Advanced Placement course throughout NYC high schools, as well as looking at how many schools are offering science courses and music and arts course in their curriculum. The report also looks at schools budget for critical human resources such as school counselors, school psychologists, social workers, arts teachers, and librarians and how there are continuing inconsistencies throughout the educational system particularly in school in poorer neighborhood. A critically essential part of a well-rounded education are facilities that enhance the student’s experience, which the report also addresses such as gymnasia, science labs,
art/music rooms, libraries, and medical offices. Some of the major points made in the report that is central to most students in NYC high schools and for their parents, for instance, are that 30% of students do not have access to art or music rooms. Over half the NYC high schools do not have art or music rooms. Most small high schools lack dedicated libraries, medical offices, and gyms and often have to share these facilities with other schools colocated in the same building creating stress on the facilities and the limited staff that has to oversee large numbers of students. Another telling aspect of this report is that there are obvious educational disparities that have to been addressed by the current administration at the NYC Department of Education, for example the average White or Asian student is in a school with more than twice as many Advanced Placement courses that the average Black or Hispanic student, this is
As you go through this report, the more you see that we have two school systems in the New York City... Black and Hispanic students have fewer arts subjects, fewer music rooms, fewer science labs...
important because many colleges look at how many AP courses a high school has to recruit their students, this lowering the number of Black and Hispanic students recruited by colleges. Black and Hispanic students have access to fewer science courses than White or Asian students which of course puts them at jeopardy of not meeting minimum standards to graduate. As you go through this report, the more you see that we have two school systems in New York City, Black and Hispanic students have fewer arts subjects; Black and Hispanic students attend schools that have fewer music rooms; they are less likely to have a gym, medical facilities, or libraries. White and Asian students are likely to have twice as many science labs than Black and Hispanic students. This disparity is even starker as you look at schools that are likely to have students on free or reduced lunch, which is an often an indicator of the economic levels of the students and the lack of facilities and support
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staff those schools have. In addition, the report looks at how “small” schools are faring in light of the push by the NYC Department of Education to create more small schools and to close traditional large high schools and the numbers are not favorable to the students; large high school average five times more Advanced Placement courses than smaller high schools, large high schools average more science course than small schools; larger high school average more arts subjects; larger high school are more likely to have gyms, medical facilities and libraries than small schools. The small schools just do not have the resources; 60 percent of small schools do not have art rooms; the same percentage do not have music rooms; 90 percent of small schools have at least one science lab but still below the average of large schools. The IBO, working with the Alliance for Quality Education, has created a report that should be read by all parents of NYC public school students, and should be read and addressed by the next administration because the number in this report shows that the system if not quite broken is in need of a major overhaul that is geared toward equity and parity among all public high schools so that Black and Hispanic students in poorer neighborhoods have the same opportunities and resources as White and Asian students so that we have one school system serving all of its students. l
To read the NYC Independent Budget Office report, go to www. ibo.nyc.ny.us.
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CARE
CONVERSATIONS
Chatting with Chirlane McCray; Wife of Mayoral Candidate Bill de Blasio
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BY PEARL PHILLIP
hey say behind every great man, is a great woman. Chirlane McCray, wife of the presumptive mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio is standing beside her husband. A woman who gives off an aura of organic calmness has been sharing the spotlight along with her two kids, Chiara and Dante in one of the city’s most exciting political campaigns in recent years. A profile in the New York Times, described McCray as this onetime student of powerlessness, a woman whose early identity was profoundly shaped by feelings of alienation — because of her race, her gender and her evolving sexuality — is emerging as the ultimate insider: a mastermind behind the biggest political upset of the year and a sought-after voice as the city re-evaluates what it most wants from its first family. Chatting with McCray, one will realize that she is definitely a woman of her own merit and is posied to be New York’s Michelle Obama. The following is a brief chat, conservation, with Chirlane McCray:
Who is Chirlene McCray? In five words, then expand. Grand-daughter of Bajan Immigrants. Active woman. I am
Chirlane McCray with her husband, Bill de Blasio and two kids, Dante and Chiara
writer and an activist, I don’t want to say how long, it might date me. I am the mother of two wonderful children, Chiara, 18 and Dante, 16 and very happy to be speaking to you today.
Speaking of your children, Chiara and Dante, how proud of them are you? Of course, with Dante and his iconic Afro and Chiara, casting her first vote for her dad and then introducing him so eloquently on election night. Yes. I am incredibly proud of both of my
children, Chiara, you saw her introducing Bill on election night and she showed such grace and such maturity, and Dante, we were a little nervous after the ad because he received so much attention but Bill and I are very impressed with how he has handled it. He has both feet firmly on the ground and is not letting it go to his iconic Afro. He is very grounded; both of our children are. As the presumptive first lady of New York, what can be expected? Are you
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
going to be a presence at ribbon-cutting and other similar events or are you looking to have an active role, say like Michelle Obama? First, I like to say we are really looking forward to Nov. 5th, and I hope everyone comes out to vote, that is the attention of our focus right now because we have to first win the General Election then we can start thinking about what happens next. I think you can tell already that I am not a ribbon-cutting kind of gal. However, no matter what happens on Nov. 5th and we hope for the best, I am going to be out there. I am going to be working hard and taking an active role especially on issues affecting working class families, like Universal Pre-kindergarten and afterschool programs. The type of issues that we have not had enough attention paid to them, the people that have not had enough attention paid to them, what I call the “forgotten voices” of our city.
Currently, you are rocking the dreadlocks which traditionally is not “socially acceptable”. Are you planning to stay true to who you are or are you going to be spotting a wig or weave soon? Is there any pressure at all? continued on the next page
21
CONVERSATIONS
Chatting with Chirlane McCray/continued from the previous page
I am very focused on Nov 5th but no matter what happens I am a natural woman so I will keep my locks or Afro and I am not thinking about my hair but whatever I do, it will be natural. I had to ask and as insignificant as it might seem, hair is a big issue. Yes it is.
I remember this young woman who won the Gold medal at Olympics, Gabrielle Douglas; instead of everyone focusing on her historic accomplishments, they focused on her hair. I am very proud of my hair and Dante is proud of his Afro and my daughter who is locking up now, too. I think that it’s very important to be proud of who you are.
I want to talk about your Caribbean roots, your Bajan heritage. Tell us a little something about that. My great grandmother and my grandfather came from Barbados, I have been to Barbados a couple of times and I look forward to getting back there. There is not a whole lot I can say since I have not been there in the last year or so but I have family there and we stay in touch and I am looking forward to getting back there soon. I also want to say my great grandmother, and I want to make sure I get this point across, it was a very big deal to make that trip from the island of
Barbados to the United States especially when she came over during the early 1900s. She was a Marcus Garvey follower and really instilled in our family a pride in who we are and she was a person who stressed education. I think that stayed with me and I often think about what life must have been like when she came over. I want to make sure, and not just my children, but all of our children really learn about the history of Caribbean immigrants and understand how that has made us the people that we are today. What quality about your husband, mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio that you think will make him a great mayor?
I think it is quite evident that he is very intelligent and he has the best experience, experience that well equips him to be mayor. He was a public school parent so he understands the importance of reforming our education system. His plan to provide Universal Pre-K for every student who is eligible because it is so important and people should know he really wants to help all New Yorkers. We all benefits when the middle class is growing and more of our citizenry are lifted out of poverty.
Ms McCray, we want to thank you for this chat and wish your husband Mr. mayaoral candidate, Bill de Blasio all the best on Nov. 5th and beyond that, your family as well. l
CARE
Yes, Toni Braxton Has Lupus — Find Out If You Do Too!
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upus is an inflammation that causes damage to the joints, tendons, connective tissues, and organs, including the heart, lungs, blood vessels, brain, kidneys, and skin. It can range from mild to severe and can be fatal. Although the reasons are not known, African-Americans are three times more likely than Caucasians to develop lupus and their cases are more severe. In addition to African Americans, lupus also affects Asian Americans, Latinos, and American Indians more than white Americans.
What are the symptoms of Lupus? People affected by Lupus may have different symptoms, but the most common include: •Inflammation and pain in the joints •Decreased appetite, weight loss and anemia •Loss of hair •Sensitivity to light •Fluid around the heart and lungs •A butterfly-shaped rash on the bridge of the nose and the cheeks
What causes Lupus? The cause of Lupus is autoimmune related, which means there is a problem with the body's immune system or ability to fight off infection. Lupus causes the
body's immune system to attack healthy cells and tissues. The problem with Lupus is that it is not easy to diagnose because it can look like different diseases in different people. Several tests and studies are required by a physician in order to properly diagnose Lupus.
Is there a cure for Lupus? Unfortunately, there is no cure for Lupus. Physicians can treat the symptoms; however, there are ways in which Lupus patients can help themselves feel better. These include learning to pace yourself, avoiding stress, and mild exercise, particularly those that build strength. l
Call 718-771-0988 ext 112 for registration information.
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CARE
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Planning a Happily Ever-after? Simple Ways to Minimize the Impact of Potential Mishaps
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our wedding is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life, but what happens when the caterer closes, the head count is wrong and the band is a no show? More than one couple has experienced these types of wedding disasters. Make sure your wedding day is only filled with blissful memories by taking a few steps to do what you can to protect yourself from the financial and emotional impact of wedding-day dilemmas and put your mind at ease.
1. Solidify a budget The average wedding costs a whopping $28,427, according to theknot.com, which means couples are spending big bucks to say "I do." Whether you're able to spend $5,000 or more than $50,000, it's important to create a realistic budget and stick with it throughout the weddingplanning process. A good way to stay within budget is to set priorities. Do you care more about the food and not so much about the flowers? Allot more funds for catering and keep the bouquet modest. Create a spreadsheet and involve your partner so you both are on the same page. No one wants to be mid-wedding planning and realize they can't afford what they promised guests,
or worse, have a huge bill at the end that risk delays to other goals, such as buying a home.
2. Purchase wedding insurance Imagine it's two weeks before the wedding and you just found out the reception hall suddenly closed, the tailor lost your dress and the photographer was in a car accident and therefore can't attend the ceremony. There's always an element of the unknown, and when so much money and emotion are involved in an event like a wedding, it's crucial to get wedding insurance. "Wedding cancellation insurance can
help cover losses for deposits sent to businesses who have unexpectedly closed, replacement of damaged wedding dresses and attire, and restaging of photos if a photographer is a no show," says Steve Lauro, vice president of a wedding insurance program. "It may even cover up to the full cost of your wedding if your event is postponed due to unforeseen circumstances such as extreme weather or a venue shutting its doors." "Event Liability insurance, required by many venues, is another type of coverage you may be required to obtain in order to adequately protect your wedding," adds Lauro.
3. Investigate venues and vendors National average wedding costs: $2,379 for a photographer, $1,997 for a florist, $12,905 for a reception venue and $63 per guest for catering. When investing so much money into a wedding, you want to make sure the businesses you select are the best of the best. Spend time researching different venues and vendors before you sign on the dotted line. When researching, ask and make sure each business carries liability insurance. Get references and spend time emailing and making calls — a real person will give you the best insight into what type
of experience to expect. Check out every business on BBB.org and read online reviews.
4. Stay organized and confirm details one month out Many couples plan a wedding a year or more out, so it's important a month prior to confirm all the details to ensure a smooth and beautiful wedding day. Call vendors and event sites to verify times and services. You'll receive lots of paperwork during the wedding-planning process. Keep copies of all contracts in a specified folder. Record how much was put down on deposits and when additional amounts are due so you don't miss a payment. Keep a spreadsheet of all important numbers in one document for easy reference. Give this document to several trusted people so if you need assistance calling, particularly on the day of the wedding, your mother-in-law or best man can step in and help. Make sure your special day ends in wedded bliss rather than a wedding disaster. These simple tips can help ensure a beautiful experience for you and your guests, and protect you should you encounter an unexpected surprise.l (BPT)
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ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
23
ENTERTAINMENT
CARE
Hilarious Food for the Soul
F
or 10 years, Platanos Y Collard Greens, a play by David Lamb and produced by David and Jamillah Lamb, has made New York audiences laugh, cry and stand up and cheer. Hailed by New York Times as the little play that could, Platanos is a play that doesn’t get old on repeated viewings because the playwright updates the play constantly to comment on the news of the day or popular trends in the culture. For more than a decade, Platanos has enlightened audience and caused them to fall out of their seats laughing at cultural differences between African-Americans and Latinos, while at the same addressing how this separation is perpetuated by stereotypes created by a dominant culture that thrives on “divide and conquer” tactics that keep people of color apart based on such minor differences and language and skin shading. This is one of the reasons this play has hit home for so many people because its truths mirror their own lives and experiences. Now, the playwright has taken his masterpiece and has tossed more kerosene on the bonfire of cultural differences between similar groups and by presenting his all new production of Platanos, Collard Greens y Callaloo, which takes the story of Freeman, the African American student and his girlfriend, Angelita, the Dominican student and mixes in the element of the Caribbean community and ongoing cultural clashes between African Americans and folks from the West Indies. This new production broadens the scope of the original by revealing in hilarious sequences, what happened the first time Freeman’s father met his Jamaican mother. And by introducing new characters such as Fiftay, the ultra-
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cool Caribbean Lothario who thinks he is a ladies man. The genius of the play is that it deftly tackles cultural issues, politics, history and romance with non-stop humor that makes it impossible to stop laughing. Lamb’s creative brilliance shines through, as he once again use the humor of the characters to show the silliness of the stereotypes that the characters espouse that divide them throughout the play. Instead of changing the essence of the play, the inclusion of Caribbean culture and conflicts with African-Americans raises the play to new heights and once again highlights the need for communities of color who have been culturally divided, to come together as times get tough and as repression gets harsher. Mr. Lamb has made a point of including such current issues affecting communities of color like “Stop and Frisk” and the rising cost of tuition in the City University system that has severely dealt a blow to Black and Hispanic enrollment. Political and social commentaries done with a wry sense of humor and irony makes this lesson in racial and cultural politics one worthy of such great playwrights as August Wilson and Lorraine Hansberry. Lamb shows an understanding for the issues without mocking or belittling yet makes you smile and laugh along with them. This is a rarity among plays. This fantastic new production blends humor; politics and romance to create a hilarious theatrical meal that will make audiences want to see it again and again! For more information on upcoming dates and ticket information, visit www.platanosandcollardgreens.com or call TheaterMania at 212-352-3101. For group tickets call 646-522-4348.l
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CARE
HEALTH
Why Are Black Men Negatively Affected by Prostate Cancer More than White Men?
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BY DURADO BROOKS, MD, MPH
hen the U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce (USPSTF) made their startling recommendation against screening for prostate cancer last year, there was a widespread outcry from prostate cancer doctors and patients. Resistance was especially strong among black prostate cancer survivors and the doctors who care for them, arguing that the scientific studies that led to the USPSTF recommendation did not include many black men. Is this simply another case of "political correctness?" Isn't prostate cancer colorblind? Doesn't cancer behave the same in all men, regardless of race? In reality there are a number of differences in how prostate cancer impacts black men compared to men of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Black men are 60% more likely than white men to be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, and are more than twice as likely to die from the disease. Black men are also diagnosed at a younger age (about 3 years younger on average) and are more likely to have "high grade" tumors — the kind of tumors that grow rapidly, spread to other parts of the body, and often cause death. Research has given us some insights on why these differences exist and what they mean for black men who face decisions about prostate cancer screening and treatment.
Genetic factors may be part of the explanation A number of genes have been identified in black men that are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer and with high grade tumors. However, none of these gene differences is found in the majority of black prostate cancer patients, so their role remains a mystery.
Socio-economic factors make a huge difference Differences in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment account for a significant portion of the gap in death rates between blacks and whites, and both are heavily impacted by health insurance. Black men are less likely than whites to have insurance. Uninsured men have lower rates of screening for prostate cancer, are less likely to see a health care professional quickly for further tests if they have abnormal screening results, and are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease (cancer that has spread outside of the prostate gland, is more difficult to treat and more likely to cause death). Studies of blacks and whites in the military, where men have equal access to health care services, have shown that this equal access gets rid of most (but not all) of the death rate gap. Education level also may contribute to the excess burden of prostate cancer in black men. "Shared decision making" is
Black men are 60% more likely than white men to be diagnosed with
prostate cancer during their lifetime, and are
more than twice as likely an approach used to help patients understand the various options available for their care and to assist them in making decisions that are right for them. This is particularly important in prostate cancer, where men often can choose between several types of effective treatment. Studies have shown that shared decision making is much less likely to take place when patients have low levels of education, and black men on average have lower educational levels than white men. There is evidence that they don't receive all the information to begin with, or they may not understand it in the way it's presented. That means they may not be fully aware of the possible consequences of treatment and end up regretting their choice.
'Race-specific' evidence missing Even when information is shared, it may not be complete or accurate information at least as it relates to black men. The overwhelming majority of published prostate cancer research studies include few (if any) black men as subjects. This means that decisions on prostate cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment in black men is based largely on what is known about how the disease behaves in white men. A study published earlier this summer shows why this is a problem. It looked at the criteria used to identify men with "very low risk" prostate cancer. Such men may not need immediate treatment for their cancer, but instead can have their disease monitored (an approach called "active surveillance"). This study looked at a group of black and white men, all of whom decided to have immediate surgery instead of active surveillance despite having what appeared to be very low risk disease. Surgical findings and tumor analysis after surgery showed that the traditional criteria for determining very low risk disease worked well for white men, but a significant number of black men actually had more risky types of prostate cancer than originally suspected. If these men had chosen active surveillance instead of surgery they would have experienced higher rates of complications and death from prostate cancer than the white men in this study. Prostate cancer screening recommendations provide another example of this phenomenon. The major studies used to
to die from the disease.
make those recommendations included more than 250,000 men, less than 5,000 of whom were black. These small numbers mean that the study results can't accurately measure the impact of screening in black men. Yet, since these are the only large studies available, they have been used to establish screening recommendations for everyone. Getting rid of these disparities in prostate cancer will require changes to how we have historically done research. We must increase our efforts to get more black men included in prostate cancer research, and more emphasis placed on studies geared toward identifying the reasons for and solutions to the excess suffering and death from prostate cancer seen among black men.
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What black men currently can do So what can black men and their health care professionals do right now? The advice is the same for black men as for all other men: they must learn all that they can about the benefits, limitations, and uncertainties surrounding screening and treatment for prostate cancer. Because of their higher risk and the fact that the disease hits black men earlier, the American Cancer Society and other organizations recommend that a discussion about prostate cancer screening begin at age 45 for black men (and at age 50 for men at average risk). Screening and treatment discussions with black men should include their higher risk of developing prostate cancer and dying from it than other men in the US, and acknowledge the things we don't know related to screening and treatment. Men should then weigh this information in light of their own values and preferences, and make a decision about screening or treatment that is right for them. Learn more about the variety of tools and resources to help men and their clinicians understand these issues.l Dr. Brooks is director of prostate and colorectal cancers for the American Cancer Society.
25
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Medical Malpractice: What You Need to Know
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BY COULTER BOCSCHEN
edical malpractice occurs when a patient is harmed by a doctor (or other medical professional) who fails to competently perform his or her medical duties. The rules about medical malpractice — from when you must bring your lawsuit to whether you must notify the doctor ahead of time V vary from state to state. But there are some general principals and broad categories of rules that apply to most medical malpractice cases. Here's an overview of the law and some of these special rules.
Basic Requirements for a Claim To prove that medical malpractice occurred, you must be able to show all of these things:
A doctor-patient relationship existed. You must show that you had a physicianpatient relationship with the doctor you are suing — this means you hired the doctor and the doctor agreed to be hired. For example, you can't sue a doctor you overheard giving advice at a cocktail party. If a doctor began seeing you and treating you, it is easy to prove a physician-patient relationship existed. Questions of whether or not the relationship exists most frequently arise where a consulting physician did not treat you directly.
The doctor was negligent. Just because you are unhappy with your treatment or results does not mean the doctor is liable for medical malpractice. The doctor must have been negligent — not reasonably skillful and careful — in your diagnosis or treatment. To sue for malpractice, you must be able to show that the doctor caused you harm in a way that a competent doctor, under the same circumstances, would not have. The doctor's care is not required to be the best possible, but simply "reasonably skillful and careful." Whether the doctor was reasonably skillful and careful is often at the heart of a medical malpractice claim. Almost all states require that the patient present a medical expert to discuss what standards of treatment are considered to be reasonably skillful and careful in a particular case.
The doctor's negligence caused the injury. Because many malpractice cases involve patients that were already sick or injured, there is often a question of whether what the doctor did, negligent or not, actually caused the harm. For example, if a patient dies after treatment for lung cancer, and the doctor did do something negligent, it could be hard to prove that the doctor's negligence caused the death rather than the cancer. The patient must show that it is "more likely than not" that the doctor's incompetence directly caused the injury. Usually, the patient must have a medical expert testify that the doctor's negligence caused the injury.
CARE
Free Paralegal Program continued from page 1
The legal profession always has openings; therefore, equipping one’s self with additional
knowledge only augurs well for their future.The paralegal
profession is one of the fastestgrowing careers in the U.S.
The injury led to specific damages. Even if it is clear that the doctor performed below the expected standards in his or her field, the patient can't sue for malpractice if the patient didn't suffer any harm. Here are examples of the types of harm patients can sue for: •physical pain •mental anguish •additional medical bills, and •lost work and lost earning capacity.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice A wide variety of situations can lead to a medical malpractice claim — from a doctor leaving a sponge in a patient's stomach during an operation to failing to tell a patient that a prescribed drug might cause heart failure. Most medical malpractice claims fall into one of these categories:
Failure to diagnose. If a competent doctor would have discovered the patient's illness or made a different diagnosis, which in turn would have led to a better outcome than the one actually achieved, then the patient may have a viable medical malpractice claim.
Improper treatment. If a doctor treats the patient in a way that no other competent doctor would, the patient could have a medical malpractice claim. In a similar vein, it may also be malpractice if the doctor selects the appropriate treatment but administers it incompetently.
Failure to warn a patient of known risks. Doctors have a duty to warn patients of known risks of a procedure or course of treatment — this is known as the duty of informed consent. If a patient, once properly informed of possible risks, would have elected not to go through with the procedure, the doctor may be liable for medical malpractice if the patient is injured by the procedure (in a way that the doctor should have warned could happen).
Special Requirements in Medical Malpractice Cases Many states have special rules and procedures for medical malpractice claims. It is important to know about these rules and follow them carefully.
Medical malpractice cases must be brought soon after the injury. In most states, you must bring a medical malpractice claim fairly quickly — often between six months and two years, depending on the state. (The time period in which you must bring the lawsuit is called the
"statute of limitations.") If you don't file the lawsuit within the specified period of time, the court will dismiss the case regardless of the facts. When the time period starts ticking also depends on the state. In some states, the clock starts when the negligent act occurred; in others, it starts when the patient should have discovered the injury.
Special medical malpractice review panels. Many states require the patient to first submit the claim to a malpractice review panel. This panel of experts will hear arguments, review evidence and expert testimony, and then decide whether malpractice has occurred. The panel decision does not replace an actual medical malpractice lawsuit, and the panel cannot award damages, but it's a hoop the patient must jump through before getting to court. The findings of the review panel can be presented in court, and courts often rely on a review panel's finding of no medical malpractice to throw out a case before it goes to trial.
Special notice requirements. Some states require that the patient give the doctor notice of the malpractice claim, in the form of a basic description, before filing anything.
Expert testimony is required. Expert opinions are often a crucial feature of the patient's case. A qualified expert is usually required at trial. (And often, expert testimony or an expert affidavit is required at the malpractice review panel proceedings prior to commencing trial.) State rules vary as to what makes somebody qualified to provide expert medical testimony, but generally it is someone with experience in the particular field at issue. In a very limited number of circumstances, expert testimony is not required, such as when a surgical towel is left inside the patient after a surgery. Limits on damage awards. Many states cap the amount of money that can be awarded to a medical malpractice patient.
Getting Help Medical malpractice law is highly regulated by a complex body of rules, which vary considerably from state to state, so it's often essential to get advice or representation from a lawyer. Remember legal information is not legal advice.l
Source: nolo.com
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
“This is a means of giving back to the community. Pretty much anyone from the tristate area has access to the program. It is for all individuals who are at a crossroads in life to engage in where they want to find other employment opportunities or if they want to change their career. We have people from the Caribbean, Hispanics; we have people from India, people from China. We have people who believe that this is a great opportunity for them to learn new skills.” Toure says the program covers a number of key subject areas within the legal profession, such as legal writing, criminal law, the American judicial system, the big three categories of law, bankruptcy and immigration law among other subjects that are adept enough to enable one to function effectively as a trained paralegal: “This program is a conduit for members of the community to equip themselves with the tools necessary to obtain jobs. Being a paralegal is a gateway to getting into a legal office, therefore, this course allows community members to prepare themselves to work as a paralegal in any legal office, a city agency or even do work at a not-forprofit organization. It is a great opportunity for individuals who are unemployed to develop a career and make themselves marketable.” With the job market being somewhat slow and crowded now due to the recent downturn in the economy, taking advantage of opportunities like this is certainly a viable option for anyone adventurous enough to embark on different career paths. According to Toure, the legal profession always has openings; therefore, equipping one’s self with additional knowledge only augurs well for their future. He noted that the paralegal profession is one of the fastest-growing careers in the United States. A certified paralegal professional he says, has unlimited scope since they can land part-time jobs; they can freelance as well as secure a position in any of the thousands of law firms in the tristate area or anywhere else in the United States. Currently, paralegals can earn upward of $40,000 a year. Participants of the program are required to complete at least six of the subject areas and pass a written test before they receive the NACC Paralegal Certificate. The program is the brain child of NACC Chief Executive Officer Brian Figeroux. Students at the end of the three-month course will receive a certificate from NACC. Classes are two-hour sessions held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Information about the course can be accessed on NACC ‘s website: www. mynacc.org or via telephone number 718243- 9431.l
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CARE Concerned Americans For Racial Equality CARE
Different Shades Scattered Globally Same Goal
Stop Police Misconduct — Stop Racism
Concerned Americans for Racial Equality
w w w .f i g er o ux. co m
Tel: 718.243.9431 Fax: 718.222.3153
Ahmadou Diallo
Are you a victim of police misconduct or a victim of racism? Then visit our office for a free consultation! Call 718.243.9431 for an appointment. We will work with you for justice.
Egbert Dewgard
Patrick Dorrismond
Alberta Spruill
Abner Louima
WHAT TO SAY TO THE POLICE: 1. What to say to the police is always important. What you say can be used against you and it can give the police an excuse to arrest you, especially if you bad mouth an officer. 2. You don't have to answer a police officer's questions but you must show your driver's license and registration when stopped in a car. In other situations you can't be legally arrested for refusing to identify yourself to a police officer. 3. You don't have to consent to any search of yourself, your car or your house. If you DO consent to a search, it can affect your rights later in court. If the police say they have a search warrant, ASK TO SEE IT. 4. Do not interfere with or obstruct the police - you can be arrested for that. IF YOU ARE STOPPED FOR QUESTIONING: 1. It's not a crime to refuse to answer questions, but refusing to answer questions can make the police officer suspicious of you. You can’t be arrested merely for refusing to identify yourself on the street. 2. Police may "pat-down" your clothing if they suspect a concealed weapon. Don't physically resist, but make it clear that you don't consent to any further search. 3. Ask if you are under arrest. If you are, you have a right to know why. 4. Don't “bad mouth” the police officer or run away, even if you believe that you are innocent.
IF YOU ARE STOPPED IN YOUR CAR: 1. Upon request, show them your driver's license, registration and proof of insurance. In certain cases, your car can be searched without a warrant as long as the police have probable cause. To protect yourself later, you should make it clear that you do not consent to a
.IN YOUR HOME! 1. If the police knock and ask to enter your home, you don't have to admit them unless they have a warrant signed by a judge. 2. However, in some emergency situations (like when a person is screaming for help inside or when the police are chasing someone) officers are allowed to enter and search your home without a warrant. 3. If you are arrested, the police can search you and the area close by. If you are in a building, "close by" usually means just the room you are in. We all recognize the need for effective law enforcement, but we should also understand our own rights and responsibilities—especially in our relationships with the police-Everyone, including minors, has the right to courteous and respectful police treatment. If your rights are violated, do nott try to deal with the situation at the scene. You can discuss the matter with an attorney afterwards or file a complaint with the Internal Affairs or Civilian Complaint Board.
What to Do If You're Stopped by the Police: Be polite and respectful. Never “bad mouth” a police officer. Stay calm and in control of your words, body, language and emotions. Don't get into an argument with the police. Remember, anything you say or do can be used against you.
Our Message
Do you remember these names - Eleanor Bumpers, Michael Stewart, Anthony Baez, Ahmadou Diallo and Patrick Dorrismond? Ancient history? What about these names Egbert Dewgard, Alberta Spruill and Ousmana Zongo? Sounds more familiar? Police brutality is not ancient history; it is current reality. In the first four days in January 2003, five young Blacks and Hispanics were shot to death by "New York's Finest." In the first six months of 2003, 27 young Blacks and Hispanics have been shot to death by the "Men in Blue.” The most effective weapon we can use is the weapon of knowledge. "An informed community is an empowered community."
For a FREE Police Misconduct Complaint Procedure & Litigation Seminar Visit www.mynacc.org
search. It is not lawful for police to arrest you simply for refusing to consent to a search. 2. If you are given a ticket, you should sign it; otherwise you can be arrested. You can always fight the case in court later. 3. If you're suspected of drunk driving (DWI) and refuse to take a blood, urine or breath test, your driver's license may be suspended.
IF YOU ARE ARRESTED OR TAKEN TO A POLICE STATION: 1. You have the right to remain silent and to talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police. Tell the police nothing except your name and address. Don't give any explanations, excuses or stories. You can make your defense later in court based on what you and your lawyer decide is best. 2. Ask to see a lawyer immediately. If you can't pay for a lawyer, you have a right to a free one. Ask the police how the lawyer can be contacted. Don't say anything without a lawyer. 3. Within a reasonable time after your arrest or booking you have the right to make a local phone call to a lawyer, bail bondsman, relative or any other person. The police may not listen to the call to the lawyer. 4. Sometimes you can be released without bail, or have bail lowered. Have your lawyer ask the judge about this possibility. You must be taken before the judge on the next court day after arrest. 5. Do not make any decisions in your case until you have talked to a lawyer.
Keep your hands where the police can see them. Do not run. Do not touch any police officer. Do not resist even if you believe you are innocent. Do not complain on the scene or tell the police they're wrong or that you're going to file a complaint. Do not make any statements regarding the incident. Ask for a lawyer immediately upon your arrest. Remember the officer's badge & patrol car numbers. Write down everything you remember, ASAP. Try to find witnesses’ names and phone numbers. If you are injured, take photographs of the injuries as soon as possible, but make sure you seek medical attention first. If you feel your rights have been violated, file a written complaint with the police department's internal affairs division or civilian complaint board. Text prepared by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Volunteer
If you are a student, computer analyst, journalist, doctor, lawyer, minister or community activist, and you wish to volunteer in this battle against police brutality, please contact us at 718-243-9431 or at email us at immjournal@aol.com. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." We will prevail, because our cause is just.
WANT TO START A BUSINESS OR GROW YOUR BUSINESS? Attend our Small Business Bootcamp Series Visit www.mynacc.org to register now
For more civil rights news & updates visit www.figeroux.com/civilrights
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