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Washington DC - The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation's Black Women's Roundtable (BWR) paused for a photo after a meeting recently with Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor and assistant to the President office of public engagement and intergovernmental affairs. The BWR was invited to the White House to meet with Jarrett (center standing) to discuss important issues that impact African American women including: health care, education, foreclosures, mentoring, and global empowerment. The Black Women's Roundtable is a national, intergenerational network that promotes the involvement of African American women in policy discussions and works to ensure that their priority issues are communicated to policy makers.
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Associated Press - HOUSTON, July 22 -- Dozens of police and federal agents descended on the Houston clinic of Michael Jackson's doctor Wednesday in what his lawyer said was a search for evidence of manslaughter, thrusting the doctor back under suspicion in the singer's death.
Conrad Murray was with Jackson in his final moments June 25 at the singer's rented mansion in Los Angeles and accompanied him to the hospital. He has cooperated with investigators.
Police have said little about the probe, neither confirming nor denying the possibility of criminal charges. The Los Angeles Police Department said Murray was still not considered a suspect. Read the full story at The Washington Post.
CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien will interview Professor Henry Louis Gates about his recent arrest by the Cambridge police. the interview witll take place tonight on Moment of Truth: Countdown to Black in America 2, a live television event from Times Square beginning at 7 pm Eastern Time.
I have a lot of respect for Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr and it is sad that this kind of foolishness still goes on in America. But, I have to admit, I'm getting a kick out of it.
Just think, of all people to mess with, the cops selected one of the nation's pre-eminent African America scholar. And, when people want a statement from him, he directs them to his boy, Dr. Charles Ogletree, a Harvard Law Professor. Oh Lord, it doesn't get any better than this! The Po-Po is gonna have to be more careful these days and watch who they pick fights with. Black folks have come a long way and you never know who you're messing with. I hope this incident gets back to the boys in the hood - they can celebrate because Gates and Ogletree are the two best people to show that the "post-racial/Obama era" people keep referring to is a figment of someone's imagination.
When I initially heard about this incident I hoped that it was just the police protecting the neighborhood. If there were two men of any race kicking or appearing to force a door in at my home I would hope someone would call 911. Too bad people are no longer neighborly - back in the day my neighbors would have looked out the window and known who it was if they lived in the area.
But nowadays they would call 911.
The problem with this incident seems to be the fact that they arrested Dr. Gates even after they found out who he was and had a problem with him being "loud and tumultuous."
The man was home. He had a right to be as loud as he wanted to be after showing proof that he was not a robber on a cane. I suspect Dr. Gates used words the police couldn't even spell and it got them mad. Perhaps that's what the tumultuous means.
We can't jump to conclusions and think this was racist - although I doubt that a frail white man using a cane would have been treated this way. I believe it's something I often talk about with police - white, black or otherwise - they have a power problem and tend to abuse the power they were given. If someone does not give police the respect they think they deserve because they carry a gun, some police feel like they can arrest you for disrespect. Any, police often arrest people because they feel they were disrespected. In addition to being ignorant, that is abuse of power but it happens every day with these insecure police officers trying to find their manhood (or womanhood) in a badge.Black scholar's arrest raises racism claims
BOSTON - Police responding to a call about "two black males" breaking into a home near Harvard University ended up arresting the man who lives there — Henry Louis Gates Jr., the pre-eminent African-American studies scholar.
Gates had forced his way through the front door because it was jammed, his lawyer said. Colleagues call the arrest last Thursday afternoon a clear case of racial profiling.
Cambridge police say they responded to the well-maintained two-story home after a woman reported seeing "two black males with backpacks on the porch," with one "wedging his shoulder into the door as if he was trying to force entry." Other stories:
MSNBC - Black scholar's arrest raises racism claims
NY Times - Harvard Professor Jailed; Officer Is Accused of Bias
Chicago Tribune - Esteemed Harvard professor nabbed while trying to enter his own home
Los Angeles Times Blog - Henry Louis Gates Jr. arrested. Seriously, Cambridge?
To be honest, I didn’t expect much tonight when I went to see the advance preview of CNN’s Black in America 2 at the Carter Center in Atlanta. I never made it through Black in America Part 1 at one time - my blood pressure kept reaching dangerous levels.
It looks like CNN responded to the tough-love I know they received after part one. Tonight, I have to admit, CNN put their foot in it big time! Black in America 2 touched on marriage and families, excellence in schools, and training black leaders for corporate America. I truly believe it’s award winning material.
In Black in America 2 CNN's Soledad O'Brien criss-crosses the U.S., reporting on groundbreaking solutions that are transforming the black experience in America. She uncovers pioneers who are making a difference: people inspiring volunteerism, programs that are improving access to quality health care and education, and leaders working to address financial struggles and develop strong families.
I would not allow my grandchildren to watch part 1. I figure they will learn about the dark side of the African American community soon enough. Since they are lucky enough not to live in poverty, and have fathers and grandfathers in their life, the negativity was not something I wanted to promote.
On July 22 and 23 I will watch the show with my four older grandchildren. Their assignment is to write two paragraphs stating what the show meant to them and how they will strive for excellence. Contrary to what our President thinks about black people, not all black children are playing Xbox or worrying about their jump shot all the time (although the president has a pretty good jump shot I hear).
Perhaps President Obama can learn from CNN and find something positive to say about what is happening in the African American community. I read that while I was enjoying the positive stories that CNN was able to unearth about black America, tonight the President gave another tough-love speech to tuxedo and gown-wearing black professionals gathered in the ballroom of the New York Hilton to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. He was quoted as mentioning Lil Wayne - I wonder how many people in that audience knew anything about Mr. Wayne.
Thanks CNN for finding some of the positive and inspiring stories – and there are many. As one of the panelist after the screening said, “Black America wins much more than they lose or we wouldn’t be here.” If someone could let the President know that most of us are trying and succeeding, like his mother did, to raise our children to aspire to be doctors, lawyers, and even president of the United States of America. He's not the only African American living a constructive life. As a matter of fact, it was the hard work of the black community that helped to get him in office.
President Obama is just back from Africa and still finds it necessary to criticize the African American community rather than lift up the many accomplishments. I’m beginning to believe he is suffering from a little self-hatred. It may be time for a little tough-love for Mr. President. I know I'm sick of the negativity.
I hope someone convinces President Obama to take a minute from grinning, holding press conferences, and scolding black America to watch Black in America 2, he may learn something.
To read about some of the stories on Black in America 2 visit CNN.com.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele urged members of the NAACP to count the Republican party as an ally during a speech at the NAACP Convention in New York. Steele also poked fun at past Republican speeches to African-Americans.
"I spent some time looking at previous remarks by Republicans before this body," he said, "and I was struck by the litany of phrases that Republicans often cut and paste into a speech to this organization. ... 'Party of Lincoln' four or five times ... oh, and one of my favorites, 'Bull Connor was a Democrat.' "
Read the full story by Krissah Thompson at the Baltimore Sun
Melanie L. CampbellBlack Women's Roundtable Congratulates Past Honoree, Dr. Regina Benjamin, for Nomination as Surgeon General."Healthcare is one of our highest priorities. Dr. Benjamin clearly has the educational and professional credentials to serve as America's chief health educator; and her personal testament speaks volumes. In addition to demonstrating a commitment to providing healthcare to the poor by enduring fires and hurricanes to stay in her rural health clinic, Dr. Benjamin has family that died from preventable diseases like lung cancer, high blood pressure, and HIV related diseases. She is extrodinarily qualified to provide leadership as we work to ensure quality health care for all. We look forward to working with Dr. Benjamin to usher in an era of health, healing, and wellness." Felicia M. Davis:Given the enormous health disparities confronting African American women, the appointment of Regina Benjamin as Surgeon General is just what the doctor ordered. Under her leadership our nation will move to close enormous gaps in care for low income and rural communities. Dr. Benjamin's work after Katrina distinguished her as a physician dedicated to healing whole communities. President Obama has indeed selected the most qualified person for the job. LaTosha Brown: As a native of the gulf coast, I have served with Dr. Benjamin on the Gulf Coast Fund's board for the past few years and I can attest that she has tirelessly worked towards improving the healthcare system in America. Because of Dr. Benjamin's work in the gulf coast region and overall leadership on healthcare issues throughout the country, she offers a unique understanding of the barriers and challenges for rural and marginalized communities. This appointment is a major victory for the millions of Americans in both rural and urban communities. Read the full story here
 President Obama announced that he has chosen Dr. Regina Benjamin to serve as Surgeon General for his administration.
According to the Washington Post, "Benjamin gained fame through her public efforts to rebuild her rural health clinic after Hurricane Katrina devastated it. She founded the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic in 1990 and rebuilt it after the hurricane.
Benjamin has also served as the first black woman to head the State of Alabama Medical Association and was associate dean for rural health at the University of South Alabama's College of Medicine." Read the full story at WashingtonPost.com.
About Dr. Benjamin from Associated Press:
The surgeon general is the people's health advocate, a bully pulpit position that can be tremendously effective with a forceful personality.
Benjamin has that reputation.
A decade ago, the New York Times called her "angel in a white coat," a country doctor who made house calls along the impoverished Gulf Coast, paid whatever her patients could scrounge.
From those early days she has emerged as a national leader in the call to improve health disparities, pushed by the need in her own fishing community of Bayou La Batre, Ala., and its diverse patient mix — where immigrants from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos make up a growing part of the population. Read the full story here
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