Monday, November 24, 2014
Great HBCUs in Georgia
African American seniors in metro Atlanta will decide what college or university to attend in the Spring. Many will stay in the state while others go elsewhere. When narrowing their choices, they might want to consider one of the state's historically black colleges and universities or HBCUs.
They could start with the three state-supported historically black institutions of higher learning, which have made a name for themselves over the years. Albany State University, which played a central role in the Albany Movement (1961-1962) during the Civil Rights era, has supplied area hospitals with hundreds of nurses throughout its history with one of the oldest nursing programs in Southwest Georgia. During Jim Crow, the school also educated many of the black teachers in the region and is reportedly responsible for the lion's share of master's and education specialist Degrees awarded to teachers in nearby school systems.
Meanwhile, Fort Valley State University and Savannah State University, Georgia's other two state-run HBCUs, have carved their own niches. Fort Valley State's College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, for instance, is recognized as one of the best in the country as part of a 1,365-acre campus in the heart of Georgia that includes a working dairy farm. Moreover, Savanah State is known for its Journalism and Mass Communication Department and award-winning student newspaper. It is also one of the few schools in the State to offer a degree in social work.
Aside from the public HBCUs, Georgia's private historically black colleges and universities, most of whom comprise the Atlanta University Center, have stood out since their founding. Morehouse College, a nationally known institution dedicated to the education of black men, has produced high-profile figures in business, Civil Rights, and government, including a Nobel Peace Prize winner and a United States Senator. Today, the Morehouse School of Medicine provides much-needed doctors to hospitals and clinics in Atlanta and the country.
They could start with the three state-supported historically black institutions of higher learning, which have made a name for themselves over the years. Albany State University, which played a central role in the Albany Movement (1961-1962) during the Civil Rights era, has supplied area hospitals with hundreds of nurses throughout its history with one of the oldest nursing programs in Southwest Georgia. During Jim Crow, the school also educated many of the black teachers in the region and is reportedly responsible for the lion's share of master's and education specialist Degrees awarded to teachers in nearby school systems.
Meanwhile, Fort Valley State University and Savannah State University, Georgia's other two state-run HBCUs, have carved their own niches. Fort Valley State's College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, for instance, is recognized as one of the best in the country as part of a 1,365-acre campus in the heart of Georgia that includes a working dairy farm. Moreover, Savanah State is known for its Journalism and Mass Communication Department and award-winning student newspaper. It is also one of the few schools in the State to offer a degree in social work.
Aside from the public HBCUs, Georgia's private historically black colleges and universities, most of whom comprise the Atlanta University Center, have stood out since their founding. Morehouse College, a nationally known institution dedicated to the education of black men, has produced high-profile figures in business, Civil Rights, and government, including a Nobel Peace Prize winner and a United States Senator. Today, the Morehouse School of Medicine provides much-needed doctors to hospitals and clinics in Atlanta and the country.
Across the way is Spelman College, a highly ranked institution for African American women, which has graduated nationally renowned scholars and leaders like Marian Wright Edelman and Bernice Johnson Reagon and continues to educate sought-after graduates today.
Morris Brown College, another AU Center member school, has been a beacon of higher education since Reconstruction. It recently fell on hard times and had to close much of its historic campus. Efforts are underway to restore it to its original glory and mission of educating young black minds as it has regained its accreditation.
Noted writer and historian W.E.B. Dubois taught at nearby Atlanta University at the turn of the twentieth century before its consolidation with neighboring Clark College in 1988 to become Clark Atlanta University. He laid the foundation for quality education with groundbreaking research and steadfast devotion to students.
Paine College is a private HBCU in Augusta, Georgia. Like its counterparts in Atlanta, it has produced respected figures in literature, government, journalism, and science. Sadly, it has endured tough financial challenges that have impacted its ability to function as it has for nearly 130 years.
HBCUs in Georgia also offer the latest in student amenities. Fort Valley State boasts a new, state-of-the-art basketball arena, while Albany State recently constructed an on-campus football stadium to welcome home alumni. Other HBCU institutions have broken ground on modern dormitories, student centers, dining halls, fraternity housing, laboratories, and classroom buildings. And the marching bands still mesmerize crowds during sporting events and homecoming parades.
Historically black colleges and universities in Georgia provide students with quality education and a jump start in life. Most first-generation college freshmen from challenging backgrounds are enrolled and equipped with the tools to make it in the outside world. They also benefit from small class sizes and a caring faculty. The majority graduate, with many furthering their education at larger institutions.
Please visit my blog at www.donaldwatson1962.blogspot.com
HBCUs in Georgia also offer the latest in student amenities. Fort Valley State boasts a new, state-of-the-art basketball arena, while Albany State recently constructed an on-campus football stadium to welcome home alumni. Other HBCU institutions have broken ground on modern dormitories, student centers, dining halls, fraternity housing, laboratories, and classroom buildings. And the marching bands still mesmerize crowds during sporting events and homecoming parades.
Historically black colleges and universities in Georgia provide students with quality education and a jump start in life. Most first-generation college freshmen from challenging backgrounds are enrolled and equipped with the tools to make it in the outside world. They also benefit from small class sizes and a caring faculty. The majority graduate, with many furthering their education at larger institutions.
Please visit my blog at www.donaldwatson1962.blogspot.com
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Who Gets the Jobs?
A recent T.V. ad suggests that all the jobs created in this country since 2004 have gone to undocumented workers. That's not the case. Millions of Americans have been hired by corporations and other businesses over the past ten years, which continues today. Immigrants are willing to take on tasks many of us born and raised in the U.S. won't do, such as opening convenience stores or starting landscaping companies, which employ millions. Yes, the nation's economic comeback has a ways to go, but citizens shouldn't blame outsiders for the problem.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
A Poem
I'm in love with a place I've never been New York City.
The subway and tough boroughs turn me on.
It represents the world over.
It's the genesis of Rap and House that changed music forever.
I get a rush when they talk, dance, or put people in check from an NYC perspective.
Anything goes as long as all are included and treated like humans.
They don't care.
It's the most diverse place on Earth to be from.
New York City.
The subway and tough boroughs turn me on.
It represents the world over.
It's the genesis of Rap and House that changed music forever.
I get a rush when they talk, dance, or put people in check from an NYC perspective.
Anything goes as long as all are included and treated like humans.
They don't care.
It's the most diverse place on Earth to be from.
New York City.
A Poem
To be a black man means I got a platform to speak
about the inequities of society as cast upon me or those like me in color or status.
It means a chance to speak out on unemployment or crime, whether it's the sister or brother next door,
mistreated by the mean patrolmen who don't care about me,
black or white.
This opportunity challenges me, a boy from the rural, restricted South,
told to say yes, sir, or no sir to many who don't deserve it of any race but are required by the elderly to see God.
I love sticking up for young black men as no one else will.
They have been deemed criminals, a misfit of a prosperous society whom the world molests in one way or another.
I think it's wise to voice an opinion or make my side of the story known, even if I get laughed at or told to shut up or sit down.
I'm a man,
always a man first.
I'll die if necessary, like Jimmy Lee Jackson, for a cause.
Love me or hate me, I'll do right by you.
about the inequities of society as cast upon me or those like me in color or status.
It means a chance to speak out on unemployment or crime, whether it's the sister or brother next door,
mistreated by the mean patrolmen who don't care about me,
black or white.
This opportunity challenges me, a boy from the rural, restricted South,
told to say yes, sir, or no sir to many who don't deserve it of any race but are required by the elderly to see God.
I love sticking up for young black men as no one else will.
They have been deemed criminals, a misfit of a prosperous society whom the world molests in one way or another.
I think it's wise to voice an opinion or make my side of the story known, even if I get laughed at or told to shut up or sit down.
I'm a man,
always a man first.
I'll die if necessary, like Jimmy Lee Jackson, for a cause.
Love me or hate me, I'll do right by you.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Building The Great Society
Lyndon B. Johnson pursued the "Great Society" while president of the United States. He pushed for civil rights, voting rights, fair housing, and other history-making laws and legislation that made life better for all.
Nearly fifty years later, the debate continues on what constitutes a great society or world that is inviting to all its inhabitants. Some say universal healthcare or full employment is the key, but the search for utopia far outweighs such lofty goals.
To begin with, any hope or talk of paradise in the Twenty-First Century must call for an end to the ethnic or class divide in America today. It means ending racial profiling, which prompted the violence in Ferguson, Missouri, or overall urban strife that tears our cities apart.
One way to heal America or strive toward greatness would be to confront the high school dropout crisis and lack of jobs in the inner city and remote areas of the country. Urban and rural youth must be pressured to earn a high school diploma by family and the community and be required to gain a marketable skill or develop other talents after graduation. Likewise, the economy must expand to make higher education worthwhile like generations ago. In addition, mechanisms such as tax breaks and job training should be put in place by governing bodies to assist the hardcore unemployed and older workers in a tough job market.
The closest we have come to a great society in this country was in the 1990s. The U.S. economy grew, unlike any other time in history. For instance, the unemployment rate dropped to an all-time low, which reflected all ethnic groups. Welfare rolls were also reduced, and other federal programs were cut back. Finally, the federal government ended the decade with a surplus, which hasn't occurred since in the United States.
In a country as great as the U.S., no citizen should be denied access to a quality education or a job to call his or her own. It makes for a better world or life worth living.
Nearly fifty years later, the debate continues on what constitutes a great society or world that is inviting to all its inhabitants. Some say universal healthcare or full employment is the key, but the search for utopia far outweighs such lofty goals.
To begin with, any hope or talk of paradise in the Twenty-First Century must call for an end to the ethnic or class divide in America today. It means ending racial profiling, which prompted the violence in Ferguson, Missouri, or overall urban strife that tears our cities apart.
One way to heal America or strive toward greatness would be to confront the high school dropout crisis and lack of jobs in the inner city and remote areas of the country. Urban and rural youth must be pressured to earn a high school diploma by family and the community and be required to gain a marketable skill or develop other talents after graduation. Likewise, the economy must expand to make higher education worthwhile like generations ago. In addition, mechanisms such as tax breaks and job training should be put in place by governing bodies to assist the hardcore unemployed and older workers in a tough job market.
The closest we have come to a great society in this country was in the 1990s. The U.S. economy grew, unlike any other time in history. For instance, the unemployment rate dropped to an all-time low, which reflected all ethnic groups. Welfare rolls were also reduced, and other federal programs were cut back. Finally, the federal government ended the decade with a surplus, which hasn't occurred since in the United States.
In a country as great as the U.S., no citizen should be denied access to a quality education or a job to call his or her own. It makes for a better world or life worth living.
Friday, October 10, 2014
The Rural South
The problems of the rural South need to be addressed. They range from housing to healthcare. Many communities have ceased to exist or combined, including schools to stay afloat. We need forward-thinking governors and a president who can put isolated towns and cities first. They represent the backbone of America.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Deal Misleads Voters
Republican Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia continues to argue in his reelection campaign that he has created thousands of jobs in the state since taking office in 2011. However, he fails to point out that most recent hiring has occurred in overwhelming white or well-to-do communities north of Atlanta or in suburban Columbus. Very few, if any, companies or businesses have sprung up lately in areas where poor whites or blacks reside, like in central or South Georgia. Nathan Deal must be called out by Democrats for his severe lapse in judgment regarding this crucial issue and others in Georgia's race for governor.
Gov. Deal Breaks Ground With Braves
The Atlanta Braves recently broke ground on their new stadium in suburban Cobb County, Georgia, with Republican Governor Nathan Deal on hand for the ceremony. He did so despite a rift between the team and the city of Atlanta, which was in poor taste. Governor Deal, like many other Republicans in the state, would like to see the state's capital and largest city placed on the back burner like Columbia, S.C., Birmingham, Ala., Jackson, Miss., Little Rock, Ark., or other struggling communities along the East-West I-20 corridor.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Friday, September 5, 2014
HIV/AIDS Still Relevant
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, has disappeared from the headlines as a life-threatening disease but not among those fighting it on the front lines.
"HIV is still a concern and presence. People are still becoming infected every day," with African Americans leading in the number of new infections, according to Dwain Bridges of the Evolution Project, a division of Aid Atlanta that assists young black gay, and transgender males.
"We [African Americans] represent the largest number of people with HIV," he said. "If I had to rank them, African Americans would be number one."
Young black gay men between the ages of 14 and 24 appear to be the hardest hit among black Americans when it comes to contracting the HIV virus as they "...mostly sleep with other black gay men," Bridges stated, and because of the stigma associated with having the disease or people not disclosing their positive status.
Heterosexual blacks, on the other hand, usually become infected with the virus by sharing needles during intravenous drug use or failing to disclose a positive diagnosis with their partner for fear of rejection, according to Bridges and other experts in the field.
"We really need to focus on the stigma part....," Bridges pointed out, and be upfront about the illness.
Condoms remain the best way to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS along with community involvement, according to The Evolution Project of Aid Atlanta. "Condoms work best," barring abstinence, said Larry Walker, also with Aid Atlanta, in conjunction with Truvada, a drug used to lessen one's chances of becoming infected with HIV when taken before sex. He also urges African Americans to speak out more against child molestation since studies show that most young black gay men who test positive for the HIV virus were molested as boys.
"HIV is still a concern and presence. People are still becoming infected every day," with African Americans leading in the number of new infections, according to Dwain Bridges of the Evolution Project, a division of Aid Atlanta that assists young black gay, and transgender males.
"We [African Americans] represent the largest number of people with HIV," he said. "If I had to rank them, African Americans would be number one."
Young black gay men between the ages of 14 and 24 appear to be the hardest hit among black Americans when it comes to contracting the HIV virus as they "...mostly sleep with other black gay men," Bridges stated, and because of the stigma associated with having the disease or people not disclosing their positive status.
Heterosexual blacks, on the other hand, usually become infected with the virus by sharing needles during intravenous drug use or failing to disclose a positive diagnosis with their partner for fear of rejection, according to Bridges and other experts in the field.
"We really need to focus on the stigma part....," Bridges pointed out, and be upfront about the illness.
Condoms remain the best way to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS along with community involvement, according to The Evolution Project of Aid Atlanta. "Condoms work best," barring abstinence, said Larry Walker, also with Aid Atlanta, in conjunction with Truvada, a drug used to lessen one's chances of becoming infected with HIV when taken before sex. He also urges African Americans to speak out more against child molestation since studies show that most young black gay men who test positive for the HIV virus were molested as boys.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Russia Lost In The 80's
U.S.-Russian relations have reached a stalemate since the crisis in Ukraine. Russia took control of the Crimean Peninsula, a key Ukrainian port, at the outset of the conflict and refuses to back down in its support of pro-Russian separatists operating inside the country despite harsh opposition from the West.
Russia seems stuck in the past while other nations have moved on.
Many European, Asian, and South American countries have put war aside in favor of economic development. They have dealt successfully with the "US" versus "Them" paradigm and focused on rebuilding their economies. Germany, for instance, after two world wars, has built an economy that is the envy of the world, with Poland, Hungary, China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Brazil not far behind.
Russia, on the other hand, still harbors a distrust of the United States and Europe. According to most analysts, it stems from former Soviet Bloc nations being inducted into N.A.T.O., among other concerns, after they gained independence. Meanwhile, Russia's economy takes a hit as Western countries impose hard-hitting sanctions for its involvement in the Ukrainian revolution.
Russia seems stuck in the past while other nations have moved on.
Many European, Asian, and South American countries have put war aside in favor of economic development. They have dealt successfully with the "US" versus "Them" paradigm and focused on rebuilding their economies. Germany, for instance, after two world wars, has built an economy that is the envy of the world, with Poland, Hungary, China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Brazil not far behind.
Russia, on the other hand, still harbors a distrust of the United States and Europe. According to most analysts, it stems from former Soviet Bloc nations being inducted into N.A.T.O., among other concerns, after they gained independence. Meanwhile, Russia's economy takes a hit as Western countries impose hard-hitting sanctions for its involvement in the Ukrainian revolution.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Wild Laws on Books in Georgia
Two bizarre laws went into effect in Georgia in July. One is the hotly debated gun law. It allows permit holders to carry guns in public places such as bars, churches, or schools with some restrictions despite recent high-profile incidents of handgun violence in the State. The other involves the possible drug testing of E.B.T. or food stamp applicants, even though most studies debunk such claims among those who benefit from the program. It's been put on hold due to legal challenges dating back to when it was first proposed in 2010. A similar statute was struck down in Florida in 2011. In most instances, the Republican majority pushed these and other controversial measures through the Georgia General Assembly without widespread public support.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Nunn Must Tap All Georgians
The U.S. Senate race in Georgia will feature Democrat Michelle Nunn and Republican David Perdue in a hard-fought contest down to the wire.
Democrats picked Nunn out of necessity. Her father, Sam Nunn, served the state in the United States Senate for twenty-five years. Despite her father's extensive record of public service, Nunn must touch on issues important to all Georgians to head off a G.O.P. takeover of the U.S. Senate.
Nunn, who serves as CEO of The Points Of Light Foundation started by President George H.W. Bush, should first highlight the state's shaky economy to entice voters outside Atlanta. Whereas the number of jobs has gradually increased in metro Atlanta, the same cannot be said for communities in middle and South Georgia, like Macon, Columbus, or Albany, and smaller towns like Cordele, Dawson, and Ft. Gains, where the unemployment rate has topped fourteen percent since The Great Recession with no end in sight.
Nunn could also vow to fix the state's crumbling infrastructure to woo the urban vote. She could stress the need to expand metro Atlanta's rail and transit system with federal dollars to ease traffic gridlock. Likewise, a commitment to upgrade Georgia's freeway system would boost her standing with such voters.
In addition, she should speak out on Georgia's high school dropout rate of nearly fifty percent, one of the highest in the country. She might consider backing initiatives by the president to raise school standards in America. However, she should not spend too much time on this issue since she is not the candidate for governor.
Aside from education, Nunn should take a pro-administration stand on the Affordable Care Act as part of her U.S. Senate race. Terry McAuliffe did in his bid to become governor of Virginia, and it paid off. Sixty percent of Georgians would like to see an expansion of Medicaid as required by Obamacare since thousands lack health insurance. She must put fear aside and wholeheartedly support the program.
Finally, Nunn will have to tackle the ongoing immigration issue that has divided the nation. She must strike a delicate balance between deportation and amnesty to win over conservatives and not offend her democratic base. If not, she risks of losing the independent or crossover vote.
Democrats picked Nunn out of necessity. Her father, Sam Nunn, served the state in the United States Senate for twenty-five years. Despite her father's extensive record of public service, Nunn must touch on issues important to all Georgians to head off a G.O.P. takeover of the U.S. Senate.
Nunn, who serves as CEO of The Points Of Light Foundation started by President George H.W. Bush, should first highlight the state's shaky economy to entice voters outside Atlanta. Whereas the number of jobs has gradually increased in metro Atlanta, the same cannot be said for communities in middle and South Georgia, like Macon, Columbus, or Albany, and smaller towns like Cordele, Dawson, and Ft. Gains, where the unemployment rate has topped fourteen percent since The Great Recession with no end in sight.
Nunn could also vow to fix the state's crumbling infrastructure to woo the urban vote. She could stress the need to expand metro Atlanta's rail and transit system with federal dollars to ease traffic gridlock. Likewise, a commitment to upgrade Georgia's freeway system would boost her standing with such voters.
In addition, she should speak out on Georgia's high school dropout rate of nearly fifty percent, one of the highest in the country. She might consider backing initiatives by the president to raise school standards in America. However, she should not spend too much time on this issue since she is not the candidate for governor.
Aside from education, Nunn should take a pro-administration stand on the Affordable Care Act as part of her U.S. Senate race. Terry McAuliffe did in his bid to become governor of Virginia, and it paid off. Sixty percent of Georgians would like to see an expansion of Medicaid as required by Obamacare since thousands lack health insurance. She must put fear aside and wholeheartedly support the program.
Finally, Nunn will have to tackle the ongoing immigration issue that has divided the nation. She must strike a delicate balance between deportation and amnesty to win over conservatives and not offend her democratic base. If not, she risks of losing the independent or crossover vote.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Friday, July 4, 2014
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Carter Should Blast Deal on Ethics, Jobs
Democratic State Senator Jason Carter has fallen behind in the polls against incumbent Republican Nathan Deal in the Georgia governor's race. However, he can regain momentum by criticizing the state's top leader on issues of ethics and job creation.
Carter could start by addressing recent scandals that have affected the Deal Administration and Republicans statewide. For example, the state of Georgia has had to pay millions to former members of the State Ethics Commission, who were wrongfully terminated by Deal appointees for blowing the whistle or complying with an official investigation of the governor's 2010 campaign. These payoffs represent a waste of taxpayer dollars that could have been better spent on education or infrastructure.
Additionally, Governor Deal displayed a serious lapse in judgment during the January snowstorm that paralyzed the state. He delayed the evacuation of schools and businesses despite the advance warning of the impending blizzard, which resulted in thousands of Georgians, including students, stranded on highways, interstates, and in schools and businesses overnight. Following the incident, the governor's standing in the polls plummeted.
Next, Carter could address the governor's weak record on the economy, which has led to divisions in the state. Like his predecessor, Republican governor Sonny Perdue, Deal has increased jobs primarily in areas like north of Atlanta, which do not represent a cross-section of Georgians. Meanwhile, other parts of the state, particularly the southwestern region, have experienced unemployment rates as high as thirteen percent during Deal's tenure.
Overall, regardless of whether they are Democrats or Republicans- seem eager to see Nathan Deal removed from the governor's office. Jason Carter, a capable and appealing leader, must step up and rise to the challenge to make this change happen.
Carter could start by addressing recent scandals that have affected the Deal Administration and Republicans statewide. For example, the state of Georgia has had to pay millions to former members of the State Ethics Commission, who were wrongfully terminated by Deal appointees for blowing the whistle or complying with an official investigation of the governor's 2010 campaign. These payoffs represent a waste of taxpayer dollars that could have been better spent on education or infrastructure.
Additionally, Governor Deal displayed a serious lapse in judgment during the January snowstorm that paralyzed the state. He delayed the evacuation of schools and businesses despite the advance warning of the impending blizzard, which resulted in thousands of Georgians, including students, stranded on highways, interstates, and in schools and businesses overnight. Following the incident, the governor's standing in the polls plummeted.
Next, Carter could address the governor's weak record on the economy, which has led to divisions in the state. Like his predecessor, Republican governor Sonny Perdue, Deal has increased jobs primarily in areas like north of Atlanta, which do not represent a cross-section of Georgians. Meanwhile, other parts of the state, particularly the southwestern region, have experienced unemployment rates as high as thirteen percent during Deal's tenure.
Overall, regardless of whether they are Democrats or Republicans- seem eager to see Nathan Deal removed from the governor's office. Jason Carter, a capable and appealing leader, must step up and rise to the challenge to make this change happen.
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Jason Carter Should Redirect Campaign
State Senator Jason Carter, the Democratic nominee for governor of Georgia, should fight his Republican opponent on the economy and the Affordable Care Act and less on education. Thousands of Georgians, especially in rural areas, still don't have jobs. Republican Governor Nathan Deal has improved the job picture in metro Atlanta but not in the rest of the state, which must be pointed out. The unemployed lack health insurance and should be enrolled in Medicaid as authorized by the new healthcare law, which Nathan Deal outright opposes. Virginia's Democratic governor Terry McAuliffe built his 2013 campaign around such issues and won the election by not being intimidated by Republicans. Yes, education remains high among voters in the 2014 governor's race in Georgia but not as much as employment and access to decent medical care.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
No to Nathan Deal
Republican Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia recently kicked off his 2014 reelection campaign. As usual, he's deceiving voters on the issues. He claims that since taking office in 2011, he has created at least 150,000 jobs in the state despite an unemployment rate of nearly eight percent, one of the highest in the country. Only a handful of counties north of Atlanta have experienced job growth over the past four years, leaving the rest of Georgia to suffer. He also purports to have made the Peach State one of the friendliest places in the nation to do business by cutting taxes on investors. If such were the case, why is Southwest Georgia considered one of the poorest regions in America? Few companies have relocated there in years.
Instead of making Georgia an attractive place to do business or for companies to relocate, Governor Nathan Deal has done the opposite. For instance, he failed to get a much-needed referendum passed to upgrade roads, bridges, and mass transit in the highly congested Atlanta area. The governor also couldn't get a majority of voters to back a measure that would have increased the number of trauma hospitals in Georgia, especially in hard-hit rural areas. Moreover, like most Southern governors, he has refused to expand Medicaid for the poorest of his constituents as authorized by the Affordable Care Act. But what's worse, Mr. Deal has cut vital funding to public education in the wake of the state's unbelievable high school dropout rate of nearly fifty percent.
Aside from the economy, the governor mishandled the January snowstorm that crippled the state. Governor Deal postponed the evacuation of businesses and schools even after an advance warning that the blizzard was about to hit. As a result, thousands of metro Atlanta workers and students were left stranded on interstates and highways for hours. Many school-age residents were also forced to remain on campus long after the facilities had closed.
State Senator Jason Carter, the Democratic nominee for governor of Georgia, must fact-check Nathan Deal on his deplorable record. If not, he will cruise to reelection like Republican Sonny Perdue before him, who misled the voters as they slept.
Instead of making Georgia an attractive place to do business or for companies to relocate, Governor Nathan Deal has done the opposite. For instance, he failed to get a much-needed referendum passed to upgrade roads, bridges, and mass transit in the highly congested Atlanta area. The governor also couldn't get a majority of voters to back a measure that would have increased the number of trauma hospitals in Georgia, especially in hard-hit rural areas. Moreover, like most Southern governors, he has refused to expand Medicaid for the poorest of his constituents as authorized by the Affordable Care Act. But what's worse, Mr. Deal has cut vital funding to public education in the wake of the state's unbelievable high school dropout rate of nearly fifty percent.
Aside from the economy, the governor mishandled the January snowstorm that crippled the state. Governor Deal postponed the evacuation of businesses and schools even after an advance warning that the blizzard was about to hit. As a result, thousands of metro Atlanta workers and students were left stranded on interstates and highways for hours. Many school-age residents were also forced to remain on campus long after the facilities had closed.
State Senator Jason Carter, the Democratic nominee for governor of Georgia, must fact-check Nathan Deal on his deplorable record. If not, he will cruise to reelection like Republican Sonny Perdue before him, who misled the voters as they slept.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Rescue Rap Music
Those of us who attended high school or college in the 1980s can recall the humble beginnings of Rap Music and often debated its future. At the time, Rap was basically a protest against the inequities of society, especially in the black community. Its goal was to raise awareness of the ills of drugs and crime in urban America and to ignite neighborhood pride. Today, its mission has undergone a severe metamorphosis in the form of materialistic artists who exaggerate sex and violence in their lyrics instead of hope and prosperity. Like the crumbling neighborhoods where it got its start, Rap needs rescuing.
It needs saving from artists who downplay its legacy of public and spit rhymes that glorify life in the fast lane. Such vocals entice youth or young adults by promoting the drug culture, for instance, rather than addressing the high school dropout crisis affecting rural and urban teens, many of whom view rapping as a way out.
It needs saving from artists who downplay its legacy of public and spit rhymes that glorify life in the fast lane. Such vocals entice youth or young adults by promoting the drug culture, for instance, rather than addressing the high school dropout crisis affecting rural and urban teens, many of whom view rapping as a way out.
Rappers who advocate violence and destruction could take a valuable lesson from pioneers in their field like The Sugar Hill Gang, De La Soul, Poor Righteous Teachers, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy, D-Nice and hundreds of other Hip-Hop legends who not only preached tolerance in their raps but saw it as a unique vehicle for self-expression, while having fun doing it. Their music has likewise withstood the test of time in a turbulent industry.
Not all new school rappers should be blamed for the downfall of Rap, however. Newcomers like Kid Cudi, Lupe Fiasco, and Field Mob, for instance, have mostly shied away from Gangster Rap with big record sales and huge followings on social media. It serves as a crucial blueprint for future entertainers.
Many rappers cite the booming record industry for their hardcore image. For example, New York-based rapper Jadakiss and other contemporaries have admitted that music executives and the general public expect a degree of toughness in their Hip-Hop performers compared to less aggressive R-N-B singers. It supposedly boosts much-needed record sales and promotes a cherished sense of manhood, especially in the nation's hard-hit cities, where life can be a constant struggle for African-American males. Anything less, they argue, may not get the full backing of company heavyweights.
Rap saved black music in the 1980s. R-N-B was caught off guard by Disco and the second British invasion. Today, it needs saving from itself to survive as one of America's cherished inventions.
Not all new school rappers should be blamed for the downfall of Rap, however. Newcomers like Kid Cudi, Lupe Fiasco, and Field Mob, for instance, have mostly shied away from Gangster Rap with big record sales and huge followings on social media. It serves as a crucial blueprint for future entertainers.
Many rappers cite the booming record industry for their hardcore image. For example, New York-based rapper Jadakiss and other contemporaries have admitted that music executives and the general public expect a degree of toughness in their Hip-Hop performers compared to less aggressive R-N-B singers. It supposedly boosts much-needed record sales and promotes a cherished sense of manhood, especially in the nation's hard-hit cities, where life can be a constant struggle for African-American males. Anything less, they argue, may not get the full backing of company heavyweights.
Rap saved black music in the 1980s. R-N-B was caught off guard by Disco and the second British invasion. Today, it needs saving from itself to survive as one of America's cherished inventions.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Southern Backlash to the Affordable Care Act
When the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed segregation in public education in 1954, Southern states fought it tooth and nail like the Affordable Care Act of today. They claim it would expand the size of government, but the real reason may be rooted in race or class.
Republicans control most state legislatures in the South. Within those states are those who would benefit the greatest from the new healthcare law, minorities, and the poor who tend to vote Democratic. Republican Governors have refused to expand Medicaid as authorized by the Affordable Care Act, which could aid the unemployed or low-wage earners, despite widespread support for it. In Georgia, for instance, at least 60 percent of respondents in a recent poll back such a move, but the governor refuses as in other states. In most instances, Southern governors, with the full backing of Republican-controlled legislatures, have opted out of any part of the recently passed healthcare bill, causing the federal government to intervene, like during school desegregation in the 1950s and '60s.
Other Southern states headed by Republicans tend to oppose the Affordable Care Act simply because it's the president's or a Democratic plan. Republicans mostly backed Mitt Romney's version of the law while he was the governor of Massachusetts. The conservative Heritage Foundation even threw its support behind such a measure in the 1980s to ease the healthcare burden in the United States. However, as soon as Obama proposed the idea, the G.O.P. bolted for the hills.
However, not all states in the South have backed away from or circumvented the Affordable Care Act. Those states with Democratic governors, such as Kentucky and Arkansas, have fully embraced the newly added social program with expanded Medicaid for its needy citizens.
Republicans control most state legislatures in the South. Within those states are those who would benefit the greatest from the new healthcare law, minorities, and the poor who tend to vote Democratic. Republican Governors have refused to expand Medicaid as authorized by the Affordable Care Act, which could aid the unemployed or low-wage earners, despite widespread support for it. In Georgia, for instance, at least 60 percent of respondents in a recent poll back such a move, but the governor refuses as in other states. In most instances, Southern governors, with the full backing of Republican-controlled legislatures, have opted out of any part of the recently passed healthcare bill, causing the federal government to intervene, like during school desegregation in the 1950s and '60s.
Other Southern states headed by Republicans tend to oppose the Affordable Care Act simply because it's the president's or a Democratic plan. Republicans mostly backed Mitt Romney's version of the law while he was the governor of Massachusetts. The conservative Heritage Foundation even threw its support behind such a measure in the 1980s to ease the healthcare burden in the United States. However, as soon as Obama proposed the idea, the G.O.P. bolted for the hills.
However, not all states in the South have backed away from or circumvented the Affordable Care Act. Those states with Democratic governors, such as Kentucky and Arkansas, have fully embraced the newly added social program with expanded Medicaid for its needy citizens.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Brown v. Board of Education: A Snapshot Of School Desegregation in Georgia
It has been sixty years since the Supreme Court outlawed segregation in public education in the United States in a landmark decision that changed America forever.
However, in Georgia, many schools remain segregated not by law but by custom, especially in counties where blacks outnumber whites.
In 1970 when school integration finally became official or took route in the State, whites, particularly in Southwest Georgia, where African Americans make up the majority in numerous counties, built academies or private institutions to bypass the new law. It occurred in Terrell County, Randolph County, Dougherty County, and Baker County, as well as in scores of other school districts with black majorities. As a result, a lack of economic and racial diversity exists in student enrollment, which impacts the quality of education received in schools.
Segregated school districts also exist in urban areas of Georgia years after court-ordered desegregation in the U.S. Due to white flight and de facto segregation, most public schools in Savannah, Macon, Columbus, Atlanta, and Clayton County are overwhelmingly African American. And in Cobb County, a sprawling diverse suburb north of Atlanta, officials have been accused of gerrymandering or skewing school district lines to create white-majority institutions in high-income areas.
On the other hand, in communities where whites constitute the majority, school desegregation has mostly succeeded. For instance, in Bulloch County, where the population is roughly 60% white and 40% black, the schools are comprised of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds with above-average test scores. The same can be said for several nearby counties in the Southeastern corner of the State and districts in far North Georgia, like Floyd and Bartow.
Racially integrated school systems benefit students and communities in a variety of ways. For instance, towns and counties with ethnically diverse public schools tend to be much better off economically than those that don't. For example, the economies of Bulloch and Emanuel County are much better than Randolph and Terrell, which lag behind in diversity. In addition, CRCT and SAT test scores and college admission rates are much higher in the former than in the latter.
It's been predicted that public education will be the overriding social issue of the twenty-first century in America despite bold efforts to eradicate disparities in U.S. schools in the 1950s and '60s. Unless there's a renewed effort to reform America's school districts shortly, we will continue to advance into a society of haves and have-nots or public educational institutions versus private ones.
However, in Georgia, many schools remain segregated not by law but by custom, especially in counties where blacks outnumber whites.
In 1970 when school integration finally became official or took route in the State, whites, particularly in Southwest Georgia, where African Americans make up the majority in numerous counties, built academies or private institutions to bypass the new law. It occurred in Terrell County, Randolph County, Dougherty County, and Baker County, as well as in scores of other school districts with black majorities. As a result, a lack of economic and racial diversity exists in student enrollment, which impacts the quality of education received in schools.
Segregated school districts also exist in urban areas of Georgia years after court-ordered desegregation in the U.S. Due to white flight and de facto segregation, most public schools in Savannah, Macon, Columbus, Atlanta, and Clayton County are overwhelmingly African American. And in Cobb County, a sprawling diverse suburb north of Atlanta, officials have been accused of gerrymandering or skewing school district lines to create white-majority institutions in high-income areas.
On the other hand, in communities where whites constitute the majority, school desegregation has mostly succeeded. For instance, in Bulloch County, where the population is roughly 60% white and 40% black, the schools are comprised of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds with above-average test scores. The same can be said for several nearby counties in the Southeastern corner of the State and districts in far North Georgia, like Floyd and Bartow.
Racially integrated school systems benefit students and communities in a variety of ways. For instance, towns and counties with ethnically diverse public schools tend to be much better off economically than those that don't. For example, the economies of Bulloch and Emanuel County are much better than Randolph and Terrell, which lag behind in diversity. In addition, CRCT and SAT test scores and college admission rates are much higher in the former than in the latter.
It's been predicted that public education will be the overriding social issue of the twenty-first century in America despite bold efforts to eradicate disparities in U.S. schools in the 1950s and '60s. Unless there's a renewed effort to reform America's school districts shortly, we will continue to advance into a society of haves and have-nots or public educational institutions versus private ones.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Black Radio Stations and the African American Community
Black radio stations have existed with dignity for years. They provided a much-needed outlet for African American artists and on-air personalities when most in the industry would not. Over time, they have become an integral part of the community, with locations throughout the country.
I listened to WJIZ-96.3 in Albany, Georgia, one of the top radio stations in America, growing up in the 1970s. With the slogan The Georgia Giant, it blasted Soul Music across Southwest Georgia, Northwest Florida, and Southeast Alabama, with a 100,000-watt server. In addition, disc jockeys, many of whom didn't have college degrees, kept the vast audience abreast of the local club scene, especially during Friday evening rush hour, through frequent "spots" or commercials while playing the latest in hits. WJIZ would also broadcast live from the grand openings and high school and college football games, which included the highly touted Golden Rams of the then Albany State College. D.J.'s even did live remotes from nightclubs, allowing underage listeners to be there in spirit.
WJIZ also introduced Rap Music to a largely rural audience in the early 80s. I got to hear from Curtis Blow, Africa Bambaataa, Money Love, D-Nice, Poor Righteous Teachers, and countless others at a time when no one thought the new style of music would continue. It was a breath of fresh air for African American musical talent.
WJIZ-96.3 expanded its format in other significant ways. It played Gospel Music each weekday night at 9:00 p.m. and on Sundays. After Sunday church service, it dabbled in oldies with the catchy intro, "Because you dug it, here's that golden nugget," in a program dubbed the Mixing Bowl. But most importantly, the station aired national and international news at the top of every hour by black journalists!
WJIZ-96.3 in Albany, Georgia, and similar stations like E-93 on the coast in Savannah, KISS-104.1 located in the capital city of Atlanta, or WBLS-107.5 based in New York City still exist today after nearly fifty years of being in business with high ratings and high hopes for the future.
I listened to WJIZ-96.3 in Albany, Georgia, one of the top radio stations in America, growing up in the 1970s. With the slogan The Georgia Giant, it blasted Soul Music across Southwest Georgia, Northwest Florida, and Southeast Alabama, with a 100,000-watt server. In addition, disc jockeys, many of whom didn't have college degrees, kept the vast audience abreast of the local club scene, especially during Friday evening rush hour, through frequent "spots" or commercials while playing the latest in hits. WJIZ would also broadcast live from the grand openings and high school and college football games, which included the highly touted Golden Rams of the then Albany State College. D.J.'s even did live remotes from nightclubs, allowing underage listeners to be there in spirit.
WJIZ also introduced Rap Music to a largely rural audience in the early 80s. I got to hear from Curtis Blow, Africa Bambaataa, Money Love, D-Nice, Poor Righteous Teachers, and countless others at a time when no one thought the new style of music would continue. It was a breath of fresh air for African American musical talent.
WJIZ-96.3 expanded its format in other significant ways. It played Gospel Music each weekday night at 9:00 p.m. and on Sundays. After Sunday church service, it dabbled in oldies with the catchy intro, "Because you dug it, here's that golden nugget," in a program dubbed the Mixing Bowl. But most importantly, the station aired national and international news at the top of every hour by black journalists!
WJIZ-96.3 in Albany, Georgia, and similar stations like E-93 on the coast in Savannah, KISS-104.1 located in the capital city of Atlanta, or WBLS-107.5 based in New York City still exist today after nearly fifty years of being in business with high ratings and high hopes for the future.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Atlanta the Violent
It seems that someone gets shot or killed in Atlanta every night. Chicago has nothing on us! And what's worse, there appears to be no outcry from the residents or mayor of the city. It is important to protect Atlanta's precious image as the gateway to the South. However, if the city's violent streak isn't addressed soon, the economic boom it enjoys will go bust as companies rethink relocating here.
Richard J. Daley Vs. Bull Connor
Was the late Richard J. Dailey the Bull Connor of Chicago? Dailey, who served as the city's mayor from 1955 to 1976, cracked down on demonstrators at the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago in 1968, many of whom vehemently opposed his harsh brand of leadership and the war in Vietnam. He also rooted out members of the Black Panther Party the way Southern sheriffs victimized Civil Rights workers in the South in the 1950s and '60s. City police even assassinated Panther leader Fred Hampton and fellow member Mark Clark in a shocking predawn raid of Hampton's residence during the mayor's tenure in 1969. Moreover, any Democrat seeking the party's nomination for president at the time had to first get the blessing or backing of the treacherous leader if he had any hope of making it to the White House. But unlike Connor, he saved his city from economic decline, which continues to this day.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Republican Domination of State Legislatures
It's been fifty years since Freedom Summer 1964 when hundreds of northern college students descended on Mississippi to register black voters despite diehard resistance in the state.
We need a similar movement in 2014 to fight the injustices of our time, such as the Republican domination of state legislatures across the country.
The Republican Party has sought to turn back the clock in state government since gaining the majority in the 2010 elections. For instance, in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin, the Grand Old Party has not only cut aid to public education to the bone but denied needy citizens access to Medicaid as authorized by the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, public pensions have been severely slashed or eliminated by Republican-controlled legislatures, with unions virtually outlawed. And what's worse, Republican leaders have introduced Jim Crow-style voter I.D. laws at the local level and have even vowed to circumvent early voting despite record voter turnouts in 2008 and 2012.
Voters have demonstrated nonstop against G.O.P.'s harsh reforms across the country. For example, concerned citizens in North Carolina have organized Moral Monday, a day when defiant residents storm the state house in opposition to the G.O.P. stronghold. Similar protests have been planned for Georgia later this year. And in Wisconsin, public employees and everyday Wisconsinites protested around the clock in 2011 following severe budget cuts by Republicans, which eventually led to a special election to recall the state's Republican governor. However, such protests desperately need the assistance of outsiders to be successful.
Without a sound or overriding voice in the state or local government, Democrats and independents will continue to suffer setbacks at the hands of one-sided Republicans. Pivotal legislation regarding voting, education, healthcare, and even racial profiling takes place in the states, which calls for a seismic shift in the balance of power at the polls in 2014.
We need a similar movement in 2014 to fight the injustices of our time, such as the Republican domination of state legislatures across the country.
The Republican Party has sought to turn back the clock in state government since gaining the majority in the 2010 elections. For instance, in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin, the Grand Old Party has not only cut aid to public education to the bone but denied needy citizens access to Medicaid as authorized by the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, public pensions have been severely slashed or eliminated by Republican-controlled legislatures, with unions virtually outlawed. And what's worse, Republican leaders have introduced Jim Crow-style voter I.D. laws at the local level and have even vowed to circumvent early voting despite record voter turnouts in 2008 and 2012.
Voters have demonstrated nonstop against G.O.P.'s harsh reforms across the country. For example, concerned citizens in North Carolina have organized Moral Monday, a day when defiant residents storm the state house in opposition to the G.O.P. stronghold. Similar protests have been planned for Georgia later this year. And in Wisconsin, public employees and everyday Wisconsinites protested around the clock in 2011 following severe budget cuts by Republicans, which eventually led to a special election to recall the state's Republican governor. However, such protests desperately need the assistance of outsiders to be successful.
Without a sound or overriding voice in the state or local government, Democrats and independents will continue to suffer setbacks at the hands of one-sided Republicans. Pivotal legislation regarding voting, education, healthcare, and even racial profiling takes place in the states, which calls for a seismic shift in the balance of power at the polls in 2014.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Good Man
What makes a good man?
Is it the guy who works or has his own?
Is it the dude with multiple sex partners who hangs out in the streets from sun up to sun down?
Or does it include the settled man, with a wife and kids, who coaches little league on the side?
Better yet, maybe it's the cat who sags his pants or has swagger without a care in the world?
Or could it be the Harvard or Morehouse fellow who runs the world?
Which is it? I'd like to know!
Is it the guy who works or has his own?
Is it the dude with multiple sex partners who hangs out in the streets from sun up to sun down?
Or does it include the settled man, with a wife and kids, who coaches little league on the side?
Better yet, maybe it's the cat who sags his pants or has swagger without a care in the world?
Or could it be the Harvard or Morehouse fellow who runs the world?
Which is it? I'd like to know!
The Minimum Wage
President Obama and Democratic members of Congress want to raise the minimum wage to a whopping 10.10 an hour. Such a hike could hurt the recovery after years of economic decline. The president should instead focus on rebuilding the nation's crumbling infrastructure, including a stagnant manufacturing base.
The country's roads, bridges, sewer, and mass transit systems, or lack thereof, need immediate care in most instances, causing businesses to make tough decisions on where to locate or expand, especially in urban areas. For example, scores of unemployed workers in Clayton County, Georgia, a sprawling, predominantly African American suburb just south of Atlanta, can't find work due to the lack of a public bus or rail system linking it to wealthier communities elsewhere. The same can be said of Detroit, Michigan, or Gary, Indiana, where massive budget cuts have taken a toll on government-run transportation.
Raising the minimum wage isn't a bad idea. However, it can't be viewed as an annual stopgap solution to fight poverty. Reconstructing America from the ground up by stopping the flow of jobs abroad, investing in technical education, and reclaiming abandoned buildings would do far more, in the long run, to increase workers' wages by ten dollars an hour with better benefits to boot.
Update: The citizens of Clayton County now have transit buses that run to the nearest MARTA or rail station in Atlanta!! And raising the minimum wage to 10.10 an hour or higher would be a great idea!!
The country's roads, bridges, sewer, and mass transit systems, or lack thereof, need immediate care in most instances, causing businesses to make tough decisions on where to locate or expand, especially in urban areas. For example, scores of unemployed workers in Clayton County, Georgia, a sprawling, predominantly African American suburb just south of Atlanta, can't find work due to the lack of a public bus or rail system linking it to wealthier communities elsewhere. The same can be said of Detroit, Michigan, or Gary, Indiana, where massive budget cuts have taken a toll on government-run transportation.
Raising the minimum wage isn't a bad idea. However, it can't be viewed as an annual stopgap solution to fight poverty. Reconstructing America from the ground up by stopping the flow of jobs abroad, investing in technical education, and reclaiming abandoned buildings would do far more, in the long run, to increase workers' wages by ten dollars an hour with better benefits to boot.
Update: The citizens of Clayton County now have transit buses that run to the nearest MARTA or rail station in Atlanta!! And raising the minimum wage to 10.10 an hour or higher would be a great idea!!
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Slavery
Slavery or colonization did a hatchet job on people of color in this country. It's something affirmative action, civil rights, or higher education can't heal. It's like being constantly beaten as a child and then cut loose at eighteen to succeed in the world. Most will struggle to make it, and even those who do well will bare the vivid scars of Jim Crow and racism in the form of high unemployment, crime, colorism, and low self-esteem. It exists in every walk of life in the black community, covertly or otherwise, something an African American president or attorney general can't fix. I don't view the past as a crutch or something to hang failures on, but the aftermath of slavery or Apartheid in America, which only ended in 1965, can't be easily denied or overlooked.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Stuttering
Stuttering disrupts the lives of millions of Americans every day. Stutters are not dumb as many may think. They're just the victims of hyperactive brains, unlike those of typical individuals. Moses supposedly stuttered as well as the late President Ford, and some may even say Barack Obama without a teleprompter! It disrupted my life early on as I descended into the world of the underemployed despite having the equivalent of a master's degree. It's a disorder that ranks with the worst of them as a national health issue and deserves urgent attention as men and women who suffer its unyielding pain finally come to the forefront.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Gay Marriage
A coalition of black ministers has called for the impeachment of Eric Holder, the first African American U.S. Attorney General. They oppose his backing of a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling which states legally married same-sex couples are entitled to federal benefits. Even though the institution of marriage is in free fall, the church shouldn't play politics with such a hot-button issue, especially in the black community, where scores of allegedly gay pastors preach the gospel in churches across the country, as evidenced by the Bishop Eddie Long sex scandal a year ago, when three young men accused him of sexual misconduct. Similar incidents involving other black men of the cloth have surfaced as well. Moreover, Luke 10:25-27 in the case of the Good Samaritan demonstrates the importance of showing compassion for those whose lifestyles may differ. No one knows the exact cause of homosexuality. Therefore, individuals who may be homosexual shouldn't be ostracized or made to feel inferior as a result. Yes, gay marriage is quite a stretch of the law, but it deserves credible debate.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
Strange Fruit
In her hit song Strange Fruit, the late Billy Holiday described how thousands of innocent black men were lynched in the rural South for decades on trumped-up charges. She said their bodies dangled from the poplar tree while their eyes bulged from their heads in the hot sun. Lynching continues today, as evidenced by stand-your-ground laws and racial profiling of minorities, like the Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis murder trials in Florida. For instance, when the perpetrator is white and the victim black, stand-your-ground is often entered as a defense, with the accused getting off scot-free or with a slap on the wrist even if the evidence is stacked against them. The U.S. Justice Department, headed by a black man, and the right-wing United States Supreme Court need to take immediate action to strike down such unfair statutes or racial codes by upholding the Constitution. If not, we will soon witness urban riots on a scale not seen since the 1960s.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
The U.S. Injustice Department
For the first time in history, a black man, Eric Holder, heads the United States Justice Department with the ability to do great things on behalf of disadvantaged Americans.
However, the opposite appears to be the case.
The number of U.S. citizens, especially minorities, incarcerated in this country has skyrocketed during the Obama Administration or Eric Holder's tenure as attorney general. The spike occurred even though sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine have been reduced. The administration's failure to double down in its opposition to racial profiling and other crooked law enforcement practices has likely perpetuated the crisis.
Moreover, the number of undocumented aliens being deported back to Mexico and other countries has jumped dramatically since Obama took office despite the White House's support of the Dream Act and amnesty for undocumented workers. Critics blame the increase on a vain attempt by liberals to appease independent voters and poor whites, who have likely been hit the hardest by the influx of immigrants from south of the border and elsewhere in recent years.
In addition, Holder has failed to address stand-your-ground laws in use across the country. Such unjust statutes hammer home the fears of race-baiters in an ever-growing society of African Americans and other ethnic groups, particularly in the South, which has recently led to the death of scores of law-abiding Americans of all races.
Similarly, the Justice Department under Obama has dragged its feet in responding to Stop and Frisk in New York City. The law was drafted primarily to get guns off the streets of America's biggest city. In most instances, however, the controversial statute has violated the Civil Rights of everyday citizens by stopping mostly residents of Hispanic or African American descent without probable cause. According to legal experts, it netted a small number of unregistered firearms or illegal drugs before being curtailed by a federal judge.
But above all, the current director of the Federal Justice Department has not diligently pursued or reopened Civil Rights cold cases from the past. For instance, the murder of Clifton Walker, who many believe was ambushed by the Ku Klux Klan while on his way home from work in Natchez, Mississippi 1964, has never been solved despite mounting evidence for a conviction. The same can be said for countless other victims of the era who cry out for justice from the grave.
The dismal legal state of scores of minorities and less fortunate whites didn't start with the Obama justice department and may not end when the president's term in office is over. Unfortunately, Americans, especially those of color, view Eric Holder and the president as saviors of human rights due to a shared history of social injustice.
The number of U.S. citizens, especially minorities, incarcerated in this country has skyrocketed during the Obama Administration or Eric Holder's tenure as attorney general. The spike occurred even though sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine have been reduced. The administration's failure to double down in its opposition to racial profiling and other crooked law enforcement practices has likely perpetuated the crisis.
Moreover, the number of undocumented aliens being deported back to Mexico and other countries has jumped dramatically since Obama took office despite the White House's support of the Dream Act and amnesty for undocumented workers. Critics blame the increase on a vain attempt by liberals to appease independent voters and poor whites, who have likely been hit the hardest by the influx of immigrants from south of the border and elsewhere in recent years.
In addition, Holder has failed to address stand-your-ground laws in use across the country. Such unjust statutes hammer home the fears of race-baiters in an ever-growing society of African Americans and other ethnic groups, particularly in the South, which has recently led to the death of scores of law-abiding Americans of all races.
Similarly, the Justice Department under Obama has dragged its feet in responding to Stop and Frisk in New York City. The law was drafted primarily to get guns off the streets of America's biggest city. In most instances, however, the controversial statute has violated the Civil Rights of everyday citizens by stopping mostly residents of Hispanic or African American descent without probable cause. According to legal experts, it netted a small number of unregistered firearms or illegal drugs before being curtailed by a federal judge.
But above all, the current director of the Federal Justice Department has not diligently pursued or reopened Civil Rights cold cases from the past. For instance, the murder of Clifton Walker, who many believe was ambushed by the Ku Klux Klan while on his way home from work in Natchez, Mississippi 1964, has never been solved despite mounting evidence for a conviction. The same can be said for countless other victims of the era who cry out for justice from the grave.
The dismal legal state of scores of minorities and less fortunate whites didn't start with the Obama justice department and may not end when the president's term in office is over. Unfortunately, Americans, especially those of color, view Eric Holder and the president as saviors of human rights due to a shared history of social injustice.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Black Cable Stations
A growing number of black cable stations exist in the United States today. They range from regional to national in scope. Despite their presence, most do not meet the needs of African Americans by relying heavily on frivolous entertainment or lackluster television shows.
BET, the oldest of the so-called black cable stations, leads the way with programming that doesn't benefit its target audience. The network relies exclusively on outdated sitcoms like Martin or Good Times rather than an AM or PM public affairs program the way it did years ago that could employ hundreds of out-of-work journalists of color. In addition, BET wastes valuable air time on B-list movies in heavy rotation like Two Can Play That Game instead of offering cutting-edge documentaries on the black experience that would expand the networks' sagging viewership among older, better-educated blacks. The station could even kick-start its fall line-up by showcasing historically black college football since most major sports networks won't carry the games.
Aside from BET, OWN, or the Oprah Winfrey Network, typically target whites with limited storylines for black viewers. The station often rehashes shows from its parent company, Discovery, instead of redeveloping them with African American themes. For example, Oprah could air weekly segments on the thousands of citizens of color in this country that go missing each year. When it does offer material designed for the black community, it usually consists of halfhearted attempts similar to Love Thy Neighbor, For Better or For Worse, or Houston Beauty, which likely doesn't inspire the network's followers. Otherwise, OWN seems to shy away from anything of stature that deals exclusively with African Americans, except for the popular reality show Sweetie Pies, which depicts a successful black-owned restaurant chain based in the inner city of St. Louis, Missouri.
Compared to other African American networks, TV One, launched in 2004, deserves high marks for content tailored specifically for the black community. The network offers a range of highly acclaimed documentaries from an African American perspective. They included the following: Unsung; Celebrity Crime Files; Life After; Parole Diaries; Save My Son; Fatal Attraction; Deceived, and Find Our Missing, a must-see piece dedicated to the scores of African Americans who have disappeared in the United States in recent years. TV One even devoted countless hours to the 2012 Democratic Convention that renominated Barack Obama president to cement its place among top-shelf television stations.
Besides TV One, only one black cable channel stands out when serving the African American Community. Bounce, which is based in Atlanta, Ga., often rewards its African American audience with timeless classics from the past like Nothing But a Man, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? and the unforgettable Shaft, which has a cult following in the 'hood. The station also airs black college sports to highlight the success of these historic institutions. But the network falls short concerning powerful documentaries or real-life stories featured on TV One.
BET, the oldest of the so-called black cable stations, leads the way with programming that doesn't benefit its target audience. The network relies exclusively on outdated sitcoms like Martin or Good Times rather than an AM or PM public affairs program the way it did years ago that could employ hundreds of out-of-work journalists of color. In addition, BET wastes valuable air time on B-list movies in heavy rotation like Two Can Play That Game instead of offering cutting-edge documentaries on the black experience that would expand the networks' sagging viewership among older, better-educated blacks. The station could even kick-start its fall line-up by showcasing historically black college football since most major sports networks won't carry the games.
Aside from BET, OWN, or the Oprah Winfrey Network, typically target whites with limited storylines for black viewers. The station often rehashes shows from its parent company, Discovery, instead of redeveloping them with African American themes. For example, Oprah could air weekly segments on the thousands of citizens of color in this country that go missing each year. When it does offer material designed for the black community, it usually consists of halfhearted attempts similar to Love Thy Neighbor, For Better or For Worse, or Houston Beauty, which likely doesn't inspire the network's followers. Otherwise, OWN seems to shy away from anything of stature that deals exclusively with African Americans, except for the popular reality show Sweetie Pies, which depicts a successful black-owned restaurant chain based in the inner city of St. Louis, Missouri.
Compared to other African American networks, TV One, launched in 2004, deserves high marks for content tailored specifically for the black community. The network offers a range of highly acclaimed documentaries from an African American perspective. They included the following: Unsung; Celebrity Crime Files; Life After; Parole Diaries; Save My Son; Fatal Attraction; Deceived, and Find Our Missing, a must-see piece dedicated to the scores of African Americans who have disappeared in the United States in recent years. TV One even devoted countless hours to the 2012 Democratic Convention that renominated Barack Obama president to cement its place among top-shelf television stations.
Besides TV One, only one black cable channel stands out when serving the African American Community. Bounce, which is based in Atlanta, Ga., often rewards its African American audience with timeless classics from the past like Nothing But a Man, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? and the unforgettable Shaft, which has a cult following in the 'hood. The station also airs black college sports to highlight the success of these historic institutions. But the network falls short concerning powerful documentaries or real-life stories featured on TV One.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
South Fulton County Blacks seek Autonomy
African Americans in unincorporated South Fulton County, Georgia, want to create their own city like their white counterparts have done in other metro Atlanta areas. They are seeking better services such as fire, trash pick-up, and police protection in an area that's often the target of crime. Also, by forming a separate city, these proud citizens could one day break with the less-than-stellar Fulton County or Atlanta public schools by creating their own school system. But most importantly, they seek self-autonomy to avoid being annexed by Atlanta. Kudos to these aspiring residents of Fulton County, Georgia!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-
De facto segregation existed in most American cities during the dark days of Jim Crow with the effects felt today. It involved, for the most...
-
In the past, political bosses picked their party nominees for president even after the advent of the primary system to ensure the best possi...
