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December 3 - 9
Rochester, NY
Obama vs bOehner
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From Information to Understanding
MinorityReporter
www.MinorityReporter.net
In this Issue:
VOL 6. NO. 4 December 3 - 9
1 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012
Rochester, NY
Obama vs bOehner
Fiscal cliFF:
From Information to Understanding
MinorityReporter
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cOvEr
Pg 8
-Kodak Accepts Improved Financing - City of Rochester Public Market to Begin Holiday Schedule - New Appointments at Hope Hall - UofR and Service Workers Reach Agreement, Approve Contract - New Bus Pass System in Effect for RCSD Students -RCSD Names New Communications Chief - City Breaks Ground on New Transit Center - Mayor Richards Announces Appointment of Ann McCormick to Joint Schools Construction Board stAtE Pg 6
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AdvErtIsIng
dave mccleary Lucy Smith-fulmore advertising@minorityreporter.net temple boggs, Jr. todd elliott
PHOtOgrAPHy cOLuMnIsts
- Federal Prisons Urged to Grant More Money Early Releases for Ailing Inmates Hcr Health - Caring For Your Loved One nAtIOnAL Pgs 7, 12 Pg 10
Gloria winston Al-Sarag c. michael tillman rev. michael Vaughn Vincent felder diane watkins mike dulaney davy Vara Ayesha kreutz
- New Face of America: Democratic Shifting Changing Electorate - Blacks Must Become Number One Employer of Blacks cOLuMns: Pgs 13-15
minority reporter, Inc. is a family of publications and other media formats committed to fostering self awareness, building community and empowering people of color to reach their greatest potential. further, minority reporter, Inc. seeks to present a balanced view of relevant issues, utilizing its resources to build bridges among diverse populations; taking them from information to understanding. minority reporter reserves the right to edit or reject content submitted. the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. minority reporter does not assume responsibility concerning advertisers, their positions, practices, services or products; nor does the publication of advertisements constitute or imply endorsement. minority reporter invites news and story suggestions from readers. deadline for all copy is tuesday at noon. call 585-301-4199 or email info@minorityreporter.net.
- Another Rising Star Crashes and Burns! By Gloria Winston Al-Sarag - Al Sharpton, Ben Jealous, Should no Longer be Invited to the White House By Boyce Watkins - Its Really Slavery! By E. Faye Williams - The Flawed New York State Court System and How Women are Permitted to Abuse it By Davy Vara
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LOCAL
The Rochester Public Market, 280, N. Union St., will begin its annual holiday shopping schedule next week. In addition to its normal schedule, the Market will be open for pre-Thanksgiving Day shopping on Wednesday, Nov. 21 and the annual Holidays at the Market event spanning the first three Sundays in December (Dec. 2, 9 and 16). The Market will be closed for the Thanksgiving (Nov. 22) and Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and New Years Day (Jan. 1) holidays. The Markets regular hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Markets holiday schedule from Nov. 21 through Jan. 1 is as follows: Open Wednesday, Nov. 21; 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Pre-holiday special hours); Closed Thursday, Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving Day); Open Sunday, Dec. 2; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Holidays at the Market); Open Sunday, Dec. 9; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Holidays at the Market); Open Sunday, Dec. 16; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Holidays at the Market); Closed Tuesday, Dec. 25, (Christmas Day); Closed Tuesday, Jan. 1 (New Years Day). For more information, please contact the Market office at (585) 428-6907 or visit www.cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket.
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LOCAL
Shaunta Collier-Santos
Diana Dolce
Michele Kaider-Korol
Debbie Diederich
LOCAL
RCSD Names New Communications Chief
Rochester City School District Superintendent Bolgen Vargas, today announced that Bruce Chip Partner, the director of public relations at Roberts Communications, will serve as the City School Districts Chief Communications Officer beginning Dec. 10. In his new role, Partner will report to the Superintendent and lead the team that supports communications to district families and employees, along with community partners and the news media. Linda Dunsmoor, the current director of communications, is moving to a new District position to lead the implementation of a major, grant-funded initiative to enhance the recruitment and development of District teachers and other staff. Partner brings more than 25 years of professional communications experience to his new post. For eight years he has served as PR director at Roberts, one of Rochesters leading advertising and marketing communications agencies. Before that he was president of Saphar & Associates Inc., a PR and advertising agency that Roberts acquired in 2004. In his agency roles, Partner and his team have served a wide range of businesses, non-profit organizations and government clients. Major privatesector clients have included Eastman Kodak Company, ITT Goulds Pumps, M&T Bank, Second Wind Inc. and the law firms Boylan Brown, Faraci Lange and Nixon Peabody. Non-profit clients include Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency, the Rochester Business Alliance, Rochester Regional Health Information Organization, Unity Health System and the University of Rochester. While at Saphar, Partner led the agencys political consulting practice and served as media adviser to Mayor Bill Johnson, Assemblymember Susan John, Family Court Judge Marilyn Hoffman OConnor, and numerous other candidates. He has done project work for the City of Rochester under two mayors and for the Rochester City School District under three superintendentsDr. Clifford Janey, Dr. Manuel Rivera and Dr. Bolgen Vargas. Partner has been a Rochester resident since moving to the area in 1989 from Washington, D.C., where he spent six years on Capitol Hill as press secretary to Rep. Sam Gejdenson and Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, both of Connecticut. A native of Indiana, Partner is a 1983 graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and political science.
LOCAL
Mayor Richards Announces Appointment of Ann McCormick to Joint Schools Construction Board
(Monday, Nov. 26, 2012) Rochester Mayor Thomas Richards announce the appointment of Ann McCormick to the Rochester Joint Schools Construction Board, effective this week. The sevenmember board oversees the Rochester Schools Modernization Program - a joint initiative of the Rochester City School District and the City of Rochester. I believe that Ann McCormick will be a valuable addition to the Board as it works to provide state-of-the-art facilities for our children. said Mayor Thomas S. Richards. Ms. McCormick is a long-time city resident with considerable construction contracting and related legal experience. Ms. McCormick has had the opportunity to discuss the responsibilities of the board with Lois Giess, the current Chair of the Board, prior to accepting this appointment. Ms. McCormicks appointment will fill the vacancy which was created following the resignation of Ken Bell. Ann McCormick is currently the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Home Properties, Inc.,-- a multifamily real estate investment trust which owns, operates, develops, acquires and rehabilitates apartment communities. Ms. McCormick, a graduate of Colgate University, also serves as Board Chair of the Greater Rochester Housing Partnership. (Ms. McCormicks resume is attached). The Rochester Schools Modernization Program is a $1.2 billion program which will update and improve school facilities, over a three-phase, 15-year span. The program, which began in 2007, is expected to infuse $325 million into the local economy during Phase 1, making it the largest public project in Rochesters history. State legislation provides the City and the District with increased flexibility to meet the needs of its school children by providing alternative financing mechanisms for up to thirteen projects. Mayor Richards
STATE
Federal prisons urged to grant more early releases for ailing inmates
NEW YORK (AP) For humanitarian and economic reasons, the federal Bureau of Prisons should grant more early releases to incapacitated and terminally ill prisoners, two advocacy groups say in a report depicting current policies as sometimes cruel as well as senseless. The report, issued Friday by Human Rights Watch and Families Against Mandatory Minimums, says the Bureau of Prisons oversees more than 218,000 inmates, yet has recommended an average of only two dozen compassionate releases a year since 1992. Human Rights Watch senior adviser Jamie Fellner, a co-author of the report, said Congress in 1984 granted federal courts the authority to reduce sentences under extraordinary and compelling circumstances. However, the report says federal prisoners cant seek such a sentence reduction from the courts on their own; only the BOP has the authority to file a motion requesting judicial consideration of early release. Justice sometimes requires compassion, even for people who have broken the law, Fellner said. But prison officials prevent judges from deciding when compassion requires a sentence reduction. This is unfair to the prisoners and costly to the country. Responding by email, the BOP said it reviews each early-release request on a case-by-case basis and also takes into consideration information provided by the U.S. Attorneys Office. It is the bureaus responsibility to consider public safety when determining whether to pursue these motions, the BOP statement said. Though the new report is generally critical of BOP policies, it cites some promising signs including formation of a BOP working group to look at the compassionate release program. It said the BOPs new director, Charles Samuels, has expressed interest in reforming the program and noted that the number of release cases forwarded to the courts had risen slightly under his leadership, to 37 between Jan. 1 and Nov. 15 of this year. The report urges Congress to change the existing law, which gives prisoners no right to challenge BOP decisions in court. It also says the BOP should bring compassionate release motions to court whenever a prisoner presents compelling arguments, regardless of whether prison officials believe early release is warranted. The BOPs budget is more than $6 billion, and care of ailing and aging prisoners is a major factor in rising expenses. The report says one way to curb these costs would be increased use of compassionate release for prisoners posing minimal risk to public safety. The report says the BOP does not keep an overall count of prisoners who seek compassionate release, but provided a breakdown for the Federal Medical Center in Butner, N.C., which houses nearly 1,000 inmates with medical problems. During 2011, the report says, the warden made decisions on 147 requests for compassionate release and approved 12 of them. Based in 2010 figures, the per capita cost of caring for a prisoner in a medical center such as Butner was $40,760, compared to the BOPs overall per capita cost of $25,627, the report said. The BOP requires prisoners to be within 12 months of death or profoundly and irrevocably incapacitated to be eligible for compassionate release consideration. It generally does not make motions to the courts on nonmedical grounds, though the report says this could be done for example, for prisoners seeking early release to care for dying family members. The report acknowledges that many Americans oppose early release, especially for offenders who inflicted serious harm on victims. But it argues that a prison sentence that initially seemed justified may become disproportionately severe due to changed circumstances, such as grave illness. Keeping a prisoner behind bars when it no longer meaningfully serves any legitimate purpose cannot be squared with human dignity and may be cruel as well as senseless, the report says. Mai Fernandez, executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime, offered this advice to the BOP: We hope that, in fairness to victims, any compassionate release process provides notice to victims and the opportunity for them to be heard. Many states have laws permitting early release for medical or other reasons, but Fellner said these provisions were greatly underutilized in most states. The report cites several examples of inmates who unsuccessfully sought to have early-release requests considered by the courts. Among them is a 73-year-old inmate at the Butner medical center who has served half of a 20-year federal sentence for sexually touching a child, taking lewd pictures and possessing child pornography. Because of a spinal condition, the inmate is now permanently paralyzed below his upper chest and will require skilled nursing care until he dies, according to the report. The report says Butners warden rejected his bid to be considered for early release, contending that he was still deemed a threat to society who deserved to stay imprisoned out of deference to his victim.
NATIONAL
Obama vs bOehner
HATFIELD, Pa. (AP) President Barack Obama argued Friday that allowing taxes to rise for the middle class would amount to a lump of coal for Christmas, while Republican House Speaker John Boehner declared that negotiations to surmount a looming fiscal cliff are going almost nowhere. Obama took his case to an audience in a Philadelphia suburb, saying that this move would present a Scrooge Christmas for millions of wageearners. Speaking at a toy factory, the president said Republicans should extend existing Bush-era tax rates for households earning $250,000 or less, while allowing increases to kick in for the wealthy. On Capitol Hill, Boehner argued that Obamas latest offer to raise revenue by $1.6 trillion over the next decade would be a crippling blow to an economy that is still struggling to find its footing. The Ohio Republican told reporters he would continue working with Obama to avoid hundreds of billions in tax increases and spending cuts that will take effect beginning in January if Washington doesnt act to stop it, but gave a gloomy assessment of the talks so far. Theres a stalemate. Lets not kid ourselves, Boehner said. Right now, were almost nowhere. Obamas speech came a day after his administration proposed $1.6 trillion in new taxes over 10 years, new spending for the unemployed and struggling homeowners and savings of about $400 billion in entitlement programs like Medicare. The proposal amounts to requests that were already d in Obamas Fiscal 2013 budget plan. Republicans rejected the offer as unreasonable. Obama said he believed both parties can and will work together to reach an agreement to get its long-term deficit under control in a way thats balanced and is fair. In Washington, nothings easy so there is going to be some prolonged negotiations and all of us are going to have to get out of our comfort zones to make that happen, he said. Im willing to do that. I hopeful that enough members of Congress in both parties are willing to do that as well. White House officials hoped Fridays trip would build momentum for the presidents case, even as Republicans describe the outing as an irritant and an obstacle to fruitful talks. The road trip was part of a dual White House strategy of having the presidents team meet with members of Congress while Obama travels the country to pressure Congress to act. Republicans have said they are open to new tax revenue but not higher rates. Obama spoke at the Rodon Group manufacturing facility, showcasing the company as an example of a business that depends on middleclass consumers during the holiday season. The company manufactures parts for KNEX Brands, a construction toy company whose products include Tinkertoy, KNEX Building Sets and Angry Birds Building Sets. The president joked that hes keeping his own naughty and nice list for members of Congress and only some would get a KNEX set for Christmas. Administration officials said the offer, presented to Hill Republicans by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, constituted much of what Obama has previously suggested in budget proposals. One new feature in the Geithner plan is a call for increasing the nations debt limit without the need for congressional approval. Under last years debt ceiling deal, Obama simply had to notify Congress that he was raising the debt ceiling, a move that could be blocked only if both houses of Congress approved resolutions of disapproval that Obama could veto. The administration wants a permanent extension of the debt ceiling with a similar legislative arrangement and with no offsetting spending cuts, as demanded by Republicans. Unfortunately, many Democrats continue to rule out sensible spending cuts that must be part of any significant agreement that will reduce our deficit, Boehner said after meeting with Geithner Thursday. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Friday that the proposal for $1.6 trillion in tax revenue was presented in context of a balanced approach to deficit reduction throughout the campaign. This is the way that we can ask the wealthiest Americans to pay a little bit more to deal with our deficit challenges, Earnest said aboard Air Force One as Obama flew to Pennsylvania. This was what the president has campaigned on for a long time and that was what president pushed for in context of the discussions with House Republicans, Earnest said. Earnest said the proposal laid out by Geithner should not come as a surprise to anyone. Referring to comments by House Republican staffers who expressed surprise at Geithners proposal, Earnest said, This morning I was surprised they were surprised.
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HEALTH
ethnic minority caregivers have a lower socioeconomic status and are more likely to receive support from family members and friends; Asian American caregivers tend to use less professional support; African American caregivers tend to have lower levels of caregiver depression as do Hispanic and Asian American caregivers. In one study, all ethnic minorities reported worse physical health than that of their white counterparts. Help for the Caregiver Open and consistent communication is one of the best ways to help a caregiver. Discuss care options, treatment plans, finances, and health care wishes with
everyone involved in the care Be sure to include the person in need of care in these conversations. These may not always be easy topics to discuss, but they are important. Ensuring everyone involved is agreeable and on the same page will help create a positive care environment. Be sure to take advantage of community resources and find support. Agencies such as Meals on Wheels or any adult day programs can help alleviate some of the burden caregivers face. Become active in caregiver support groups so you can express your concerns and questions with others who can appreciate how you feel.
No matter what your ethnic background is, at some point in your life you may become a caregiver to a family member or friend. Remember you are not alone in providing care. Reach out to other family members or friends. Use the community resources available to you. Most of all, remember to take care of yourself. Taking a few minutes to care for yourself will give you the energy and strength to care for those around you. Resources: Family Caregiver Alliance 800-4458106 or www.caregiver.org (click on Family Care Navigator) References: Cultural Diversity and Caregiving, American Psychological Association, www.apa.org Ethnic Minority Caregivers, Empowering Caregivers, www.caregivers.com Caregiving, Family Caregiver Alliance, www.caregiver.org Mary Pat Adams is a Director of Nursing at HCR Home Care. HCR Home Cares purpose is to reduce disparities in health outcomes of African Americans, Latinos, and other minority groups. HCR provides nursing, therapy, home health aide service, and companion care to older adults in the comfort of their homes. It is the only home care agency in our region to be designated a five-time winner of the national Top 100 Home Care Elite Award, and is a valued partner of Minority Reporter and the Perspectives TV show. To learn more call us at 585-295-6590, or visit www.hcrhealth.com.
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1,2,8,9 Holiday Pictures with Santaand Your Pets! Time: 10:00 AM Whether the household includes cats, dogs, guinea pigs, turtles (or all of the above!), Lollypop Farm can help create a unique holiday portrait of the whole family! Celebrate the season with a one-of-a-kind keepsake at Holiday Pet Photos presented by Boom Towne Canine Campus. Each sitting costs just $25, and clients will leave with four 4 x 6 prints and a CD of the portrait. Plus, there will be holiday activities, a bake sale and hot cider, holiday shopping, and more! Portrait sittings may be reserved at www.lollypop.org/petphotos and walk-ins are also welcome. Proceeds benefit the animals and programs at Lollypop Farm. For more information, please contact Karen Stolt at (585) 223-1330 x241 or kstolt@lollypop. org. 1 Have Breakfast with Santa and Support Military Personnel! Time: 9 am and 10 am Location: Stokoe Farms - 656 South Road Scottsville, NY, 14546 Price: $10 for all you can eat pancakes, as well as sausage, juice, coffee and hot chocolate oin Stokoe Farms on December 1, 2012 at 9 am or 10 am for Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus! All you can eat pancake breakfast, along with sausage, juice, coffee and hot chocolate. Have your good little girls and boys bring their Christmas wish list and sit on Santas lap. Dont forget your camera!$10 for breakfast, with a potion of proceeds going to support our military! The Trees for Troops program sends Christmas trees to military personel and their families at home and abroad. This year Stokoe Farms will send over 100 trees to our troops at Fort Drum, and 50 trees to those serving abroad, including Afghanistan, Korea, Gitmo, Germany and an Air Craft Carrier. Helping make Christmas a little brighter for those serving our country.Call 889-0770 for reservations. 1 Liberty Pole Lighting Time: 4:30 to 5:10 p.m. Location: Liberty Pole Join the Flower City School No. 54 Chorus and Prime Time Brass for a time-tested tradition unique to Rochester as Mayor Richards switches on the lights of the Liberty Pole outside the Sibley Building. Holiday costumed characters and Santa will be available to take photos with families. Parking is available at the
Washington Square Parking Garage, 111 Woodbury Blvd. and the East End Garage, 475 E. Main St., for $2. More information can be found at: http://www.cityofrochester.gov/ libertypolelighting/ 1,2 Holiday Open House Time: 9am-5pm Location: Corning Museum of Glass One Museum Way Corning, NY, 14830 All Ages: Free admission, craft activities, live music, and special glassmaking experiences kick off the holiday season. Have Breakfast or Lunch with Santa, make an ornament at The Studio,and get your picture taken with Santa in front of a giant ornament tree! 2, 9, 16 Holidays at the Market and Cookie Contest Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location: Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union Street Holidays at the Market features numerous vendors with art, crafts, decorations, holiday food delicacies, gifts, stocking stuffers, and much much more. Take advantage of the largest selection of holiday trees, wreaths and fresh garlands found in Western New York. Bring the children to Holidays at the Market for a visit with Santa and free horse-drawn sleigh rides! 4 Harvesting Justice Dinner Time: 5:30 pm Location: Temple Brith Kodesh at 2131 Elmwood Avenue Rural & Migrant Ministry will be hosting the Harvesting Justice Dinner to benefit the Justice for Farmworkers Campaign. The event will feature a keynote address by The Reverend Dr. Marvin A. McMickle, President of the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and an integral figure in struggles for social, racial, and economic justice. The Dinner will also honor Ms. Librada Paz, the 2012 Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Laureate and will feature music by the Justice for Farmworkers Musicians. Tickets are $50.00 For further information and other sponsorship opportunities, please contact Laura Lecour at (845)-485-8627 or at rmmllecour@optimum.net or visit our website www.ruralmigrantministry. org
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The views expressed on our opinion pages are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position or viewpoint of Minority Reporter.
The Flawed New York State Family Court System and how Women are Permitted to Abuse It
For the second time since my daughter Isabella was born, I find myself a defendant in New York States flawed Family Court legal system. illegally gain entry into my home, without a warrant. Ill never forget what my lawyer said to me a few years ago: The courts hand out orders of protection to women like they are handing out candy. You know a legal system is flawed when a person can repeatedly use it as a way of vindictively retaliating against another person -which is exactly what my daughters mother has done - and continues to do. Combine that with the fact that for the past 17-plus years I have been an activist against police misconduct and corruption, and you not only have a woman abusing a flawed legal system, you also have law enforcement officers who obviously have their own agendas, taking advantage of the situation and crossing the line, like Sgt. Carroll did. But perhaps what is most disturbing here - aside from someone being able to abuse the legal system - is I am the one who called 911 in the first place. Yes, before my daughters mother made good on her threat to set me up, I called 911 asking that officers check on my daughters welfare. And, in a telephone conversation I had with Monroe County Sheriffs Sgt. Steve Michaels, I advised him of my daughters mothers threats to retaliate against me, for my concerns about my daughter. Despite the fact that I contacted police for assistance, and despite my alerting Sgt. Michaels of my daughters mothers threats Sheriffs Deputy Steven Stepnick took a false report from my daughters mother and actually encouraged her to get an order of protection. Of course, all this is no surprise, given my very public denouncement of the Monroe County Sheriffs Department this past summer, after deputies executed a family dog in Penfield. I not only wrote about the incident extensively, I also held two protest rallies, one in front the Sheriffs headquarters downtown, the other in front of their Zone A substation, in Penfield. And if theres any doubt that this is personal as a result of my work as an activist against police misconduct and corruption, then think about this. What changed?
OPINION/EDITORIAL
After my daughters mother filed false allegations against me in Family Court, she returned just a couple of days later to have her original petition amended.
Recently, after expressing concerns to my daughters mother of how her poor judgment and decision making is endangering my daughters well-being, she responded as she has in the past: She threatened to set me up. And, exactly as she did last time, she made good on her promise. And like last time, some underpaid, overworked clerk at Monroe County Family Court, named Aisha was more than eager to whisk my daughters mother into an office, and let her tell her lies as Aisha typed away. Less than 48 hours later, Monroe County Sheriffs department Sgt. James Carroll banged on my door, terrifying my children. He then turned my door handle several times, attempting to
dAvy vArA
My daughters mother printed an article I wrote on Copblock.org headlined Monroe County Sheriffs Department Intimidation Tactics Exposed! where I wrote about Sgt. Carroll attempting to illegally enter my home without a warrant. Before the amended order, I could still talk to and see my daughter. After the amended order, I cant talk to or see my daughter at all. The fact that Monroe County Family Court would allow my daughters mother to include my work as a writer, which is protected freedom of speech under the First Amendment, in an attempt to somehow influence the Court, is very disturbing. Even more disturbing is how Monroe County Family Court would punish a father for exercising his First Amendment rights, and not allow him to see or talk to his daughter.
In the context of his request for a jobs program, Morial specifically stated that the programs should be implemented with a special focus on those communities where unemployment is and remains stubbornly and persistently high. We who represent the nations urban communities will demand a seat at the table in these discussions, he also wrote in his letter. Do you notice the difference in leadership here? The first two men, Al Sharpton and Ben Jealous, sound like defacto employees of the Obama Administration, as if they are punching a time clock and picking up a check at the end of the day. The easiest way to manipulate someone with a feeble mind is to give them your idea and make them think that its their own. While Sharpton and Jealous are certainly intelligent men, their special gifts and validation from the White House have led them to dumb themselves down to the administrations wishes, like an abused wife standing behind her man under any circumstances. This is, quite honestly, just shameful and depletes both men of the credibility necessary to engage in legitimate leadership. Morial, on the other hand, has served as nothing less than a textbook example of how to play the political game at the top. Morial has preserved his access
to the White House by not presenting himself as an adversary to a popular president. At the same time, hes never said anything to indicate that he is a water boy for the administration. Morial has kept his agenda clear and non-partisan, reaching out to leaders from both major parties and all branches of government, with the expectation that the focus is going to remain on urban communities. Morial doesnt even force Barack to say the word black and has given him enough evasive language to allow him to help his most loyal constituents without worrying about what some bigot is going to think about it. It saddens me to see our most powerful civil rights leaders bowing to a racist American power structure by giving Democratic leaders carte blanche to leave the black community in ruins. Its oddly ironic that nearly every word that comes out of the mouths of Sharpton and Jealous is in complete lockstep with whatever talking points theyve received from Valerie Jarrett and the White House. This is not leadership this is followership, and Jealous has unfortunately tarnished the already fragile reputation of the NAACP by allowing his work for the president to override his interest in protecting African American people. I am not one to say that Sharpton and Jealous dont deserve a seat at the table, but I can certainly say that they should not possess most of those seats. These White House meetings with President Obama have as much credibility as a group of white, Republican managers gathering to plan Black History Month. Their incentives are as polluted as the Hudson River, and the greatest victim of this high-level civil rights corruption is the African American community itself. This is merely a replication of the kind of corruption that often occurs in some African countries, where well-paid dictators live a life of luxury by allowing Al Sharpton, Ben Jealous...contd on next page
I think the president heard us loud and clear. The collective message was, Lets build on where we already are, said Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton then continued to speak to the need to help the black community by fighting to support President Obama by averting the pending crisis on the fiscal cliff. Ben Jealous was also quoted, saying the following: We need Republicans to think hard and to pull back from the cliff 98 percent of our families, who make up the bulk of this nation, from seeing our taxes being raised, Jealous said. Marc Morial took the conversation in a different direction. Rather than simply repeating the agenda of the Obama Administration and pretending that it is the same as the black agenda, Morial actually spoke to the issues that affect the black community directly. He spoke about a jobs plan for urban areas that have
Al Sharpton, Ben Jealous...from previous page large European corporations to extract resources from the people nearly free Dr. Julianne Malveaux, as an MIT of charge. educated economist, has the expertise necessary to engage in When these meetings at the White serious conversations about black House occur, they should include at unemployment. At least I speculate least some of the following people: that she knows more about the Marc Morial, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. topic than a preacher with no formal Julianne Malveaux, Dr. Wilmer Leon training in basic economics. Dr. Wilmer and perhaps even Father Michael Leon has taught classes on how the Pfleger. Rev. Jacksons 40 years of presidency works, and would therefore service cannot be erased by any be able to make recommendations that president (black, white or bi-racial) and are reasonable and fair to President the White House decision to freeze Obama. Father Michael Pfleger is a out one of our most storied civil rights long-time friend of the Obama family, leaders is nothing short of the most as well as Valerie Jarrett, and has blatant and disrespectful display of shown a consistent commitment to counter-productive cronyism. The solving problems that were previously Obama Administration refuses to deal deemed to be unsolvable (note that he with Jesse Jackson because they dont single-handedly produced a significant want to have to answer hard questions reduction in gang violence by bringing from a leader that wouldnt so easily fit the gangs together for a Peace into their pockets. Basketball Tournament in Chicago).
OPINION/EDITORIAL
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If the White House is going to gain any credibility in their alleged commitment to African American people, they have to take these cupcake meetings off the agenda and start doing things of real substantive value. We tried the Sharpton-Jealous-Morial-Obama meetings over the last four years and black unemployment continued to grow to the crisis levels that theyve reached today. Weve also seen no significant advances in the epidemics of mass incarceration or urban violence, proving beyond any reasonable doubt, that these meetings have been highly ineffective. When one coaching staff cant win games, you replace it with another. We cant afford to drag our feet while millions of families are suffering and children are dying in the streets. Its time for a civil rights mutiny.
The Obama Administration spent millions of dollars begging black people to stand in line and vote. They asked us to have their backs and we put it on the line unlike any other demographic in America. Now that weve shown the courage necessary to endure the political backlash of standing up for the White House to get another four years, its time for Obama and his team to return the favor. The days of this onesided relationship must come to an end and its time for this relationship to be one of mutual respect. President Obama knows this himself, and I encourage him to do the right thing. --------------------------------Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of the book, Black American Money.
(TriceEdneyWire.com) Despite the economic and social trials and tribulations that many of us face, most of us will join in the common expression of thanks for the blessings of family, friends and life during this season. Whatever our faith, well join the celebration of the winter holiday season. In truth and in our festivity, most of us are far removed from a travesty dr. E. FAyE WILLIAMs, Esq. that has plagued humankind since time immemorial. We have, unfortunately or unwittingly, turned a blind eye to the circumstance of Human Trafficking. I say unwittingly because the phrase human trafficking usually does not elicit an immediate and objectionable response. Most will question the term and ask for clarification, Trafficking of humans, what does it mean? To understand the scourge of human trafficking on an emotional level, we must reframe the term and the image that the words really reflect. We must call human trafficking what it is SLAVERY! While forced labor remains an element of human trafficking, sex slavery is the primary result of this modern slavery. Young women are bought or kidnapped and shipped to areas where networks of prostitution have been established. The victims usually live in fear with no support systemno one to whom they can turn for help. As a descendant of slaves, the condition of slavery is completely objectionable to me. On a brutally personal level, I consider the perpetrators of this offense among the lowest forms of life existing on Earth. I find it impossible to fathom how one human being can rationalize the total exploitation of the physical and emotional essence of another merely for profit. Unfortunately, like most who are familiar with this problem, Ive been at a loss to conceive of how I can make a difference as just one person. The answer to that is more obvious than would be expected. It begins with interest, concern and information. It ends with commitment, involvement and action. As early as 2004, (http://www.humantrafficking. org/events/51) Congressional Hearings were held in response to an investigative report aired in 2002 (Cleveland, Ohios Fox Affiliate WJW-TV). This report indicated that U.S. troops in South Korea were patronizing bars and other establishments where women from the Philippines and former Soviet states were trafficked and forced to prostitute themselves. The DoD IG conducted investigations in South Korea,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo and issued two reports assessing the U.S. militarys policies and practices with respect to activity that might fuel sex trafficking and prostitution. The reports contain numerous recommendations for action by DoD, including recommending a new department policy on trafficking. In January 2004, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz issued a policy directive on human trafficking. Wolfowitzs policy directive outlined four specific objectives, including anti-trafficking education requirements for all service members and DoD civilians serving overseas and the incorporation of language into DoD contracts for services overseas reflecting such trafficking-related prohibitions. Our national interest in human trafficking is not exclusive to the involvement of our servicemembers abroad. The U.S. State Department estimates that at least 14,500 people are trafficked to the U.S. annually. The city of Houston and the state of Texas
are considered the epicenter of human trafficking in the US. The I-10 corridor is the most heavily traveled thoroughfare for traffickers and victims of international human trafficking. A quarter of victims who are rescued in the US are rescued in Texas. President Barack Obama highlighted human trafficking at the United Nations recently. As individuals, we cannot combat a problem as wide-spread as human trafficking. However, we can become as familiar with this problem as possible and make our voices the voice of popular indignation. We can join with others to whom this problem is objectionable, and together direct the efforts of local and Federal officials to remedy this situation. -----------------------------------Dr. E. Faye Williams is Chair of the National Congress of Black Women. www.nationalcongressbw.org.
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OPINION/EDITORIAL
strAIgHtNO CHASER
The views expressed on our opinion pages are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position or viewpoint of Minority Reporter.
serious, example setting offense. He surely forgot that his connection and support to the Obama administration irritated some folks badly. So what will happen next? Will the former congressman be able to rebound politically? My guess is yes, depending on how well he looked out for his constituents. When one can get re-elected as he just did recently; to a congressional seat that he never campaigned for, chances are his constituents love him are loyal to him and will remain so. My guess is, much like much like Marion Barry being re-elected mayor after stepping out of prison, the young disgraced congressman will be reelected because his people love him. There will no doubt be a family member taking control of the congressional seat until all is said and done. It would not surprise me if his current wife and Chicago Alderman Sandy Jackson becomes the likely candidate when a special election is held. If not her, then it is possible we will see either Yusef, or Jonathan; one of his two brothers, toss in their hat. The family is political and they have way too much clout in the Chicago area to let that seat fall into the hands of strangers. They also have far too many potential rising stars within the family to consider the congressmans resignation to mean anything other than a temporary setback because the Jackson legacy and the familys commitment to their community are not over.
When I heard that Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. recently resigned from office, I heard the brakes on the train that ran him over squeal. I felt a sense of personal loss. My first thought was: Oh, no, not another one. Our communities cant afford to keep losing its rising stars to stupidity or ego driven events. I felt the same emotions I normally experience when a family member is in trouble and when I know there is nothing I can do about it; even though I would like to help them. Its no secret that I was a member of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.s national staff when he first ran for president. You dont get to be on his staff and survive the experience without being considered family. It is no secret that ever since then I have been a casual observer, constant supporter and monitor of the careers of his talented children. Just recently we brought Congressman Jackson to Rochester to keynote a recognition dinner honoring community icon and a personal friend of his family, Minister Franklin Florence. The congressman did not disappoint. And the visit to our fair city may have been one of the last public events he participated in before his health issues took precedent, and the unraveling of his career began to pick up pace. All of the children born and raised by Rev. Jesse Jackson and his wife Jackie have done well with their lives. I attribute their successes to the strong parenting skills of the Rev. Jackson, and his extraordinary wife. I have over the years watched with pride, the degrees
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