Dogon Village News Alerts

Civil Liberties Union Sues Prison Officials

By REBECCA BOONE (AP) BOISE, Idaho The American Civil Liberties Union sued state prison officials and a private company Thursday, claiming violence is so rampant at the Idaho Correctional Center that it's known as "gladiator school" among inmates.

The ACLU filed the lawsuit against Nashville, Tennessee-based Corrections Corp. of America in U.S. District Court in Boise.

The lawsuit says Idaho's only private prison is extraordinarily violent, with guards deliberately exposing inmates to brutal beatings from other prisoners as a management tool.

The group contends the prison then denies injured inmates medical care to save money and hide the extent of injuries. Read the full story here.

LA Teachers Removed Over Choice of Black Heroes - OJ, RuPaul & Dennis Rodman

By: Christina Hoag, Associated Press - LOS ANGELES (AP) Three Los Angeles elementary school teachers accused of giving children portraits of O.J. Simpson, Dennis Rodman and RuPaul to carry in a Black History Month parade have been removed from their classrooms, a school district spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Children from other classes at the school displayed photos of more appropriate black role models, such as Nelson Mandela, Harriet Tubman and President Barack Obama, Los Angeles Unified School District spokeswoman Gayle Pollard-Terry said.

The incident occurred Friday at Wadsworth Avenue Elementary School in South Los Angeles, where the student body is more than 90 percent Latino.

District Superintendent Ramon Cortines placed the teachers all white men who teach first, second and fourth grades on administrative leave on Tuesday while an investigation is conducted, Pollard-Terry said. Read the full story here.

Advocates say minorities losing stimulus work

Jesse Washington, AP - Hispanic and black businesses are receiving a disproportionately small number of federal stimulus contracts, creating a rising chorus of demands for the Obama administration to be more inclusive and more closely track who receives government-financed work.

Latinos and blacks have faced obstacles to winning government contracts long before the stimulus. They own 6.8 and 5.2 percent of all businesses, respectively, according to census figures. Yet Latino-owned business have received only 1.7 percent of $46 billion in federal stimulus contracts recorded in U.S. government data, and black-owned businesses have received just 1.1 percent.

That pot of money is just a small fraction of the $862 billion economic stimulus law. Billions more have been given to states, which have used the money to award contracts of their own.

Although states record minority status when they award contracts to businesses, there is no central, consistent or public compilation of that data, according to Laura Barrett, director of the Transportation Equity Network. She and other minority advocates are calling for complete and publicly accessible demographic information on all contracts and jobs financed by the stimulus.

Minority businesses are often too small to compete for projects; do not have access to the necessary capital, equipment or bonding requirements; or lose bids to companies with well-established relationships. There also has been an emphasis on spending stimulus money quickly, which favors businesses that have won past contracts. Read the full story here

Mississippi woman could die in prison for $11 robbery

By Myranda Stephens, The Grio - Evelyn Rasco has been living a nightmare for more than 15 years.

"It's torture," she sobs over the phone from her Pensacola, Florida home. "It tortures me on a daily basis."

The nightmare began on Christmas Eve in 1993 when Rasco's two daughters, Jamie and Gladys Scott, left a mini-mart near their home in Scott County, Mississippi. Their car broke down, and they hitched a ride from two young men, one of whom they knew. But later that evening, the men were robbed at gunpoint by three teenagers in another car. The robbers got away with an estimated $11 and no one was hurt, but police accused the Scott sisters of setting the victims up.

Although the young women denied having any involvement and had no criminal record, a jury found them guilty of armed robbery. On October 13, 1994, a judge ordered them to each serve double-life sentences in the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, where they remain today. Read the full story here

Oscar Winners

Best Picture
The Hurt Locker - Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro

Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart

Actor in a Supporting Role
Christoph Waltz -Inglourious Basterds

Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

Actress in a Supporting Role
Mo'Nique - Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Film
Up - Pete Docter

Continue reading "Oscar Winners"

UNCF Digital Media and Public Forum Series at Morehouse College Feb 4

Check out UNCF's Digital forum, TO BE YOUNG, DIGITAL AND BLACK, TOMORROW Feb 4 at Morehouse College 6:00 8:30 pm (404) 302-8607 Ext.8507 clarissa.myrick-harris@uncf.org. For more information click here.

Reid Spoke the Awful Truth about Obamas Racial Exceptionalism

By Earl Ofari Hutchinson - Senate Majority leader Harry Reid apologized profusely for his unguarded quip that Obamas light skin and non-Negro dialect stood him well with him and by implication other whites. President Obama graciously accepted his apology and applauded him as a supporter and friend. But the embattled leader spoke the awful truth that millions did give Obama a racial pass. The pass did not win the White House for him; money, timing, a skillful campaign, and most importantly Bush blunders and GOP disgrace ultimately tipped the White House his way. But Obamas racial pass made a difference, maybe a crucial difference. Read Earl Ofari Hutchinson's full editorial here.

AP reports Teddy Pendergrass has died

AP is reporting that 59-year-old soul singer, Teddy Pendergrass, died Wednesday at Bryn Mawr Hospital in PA. Read the full story here: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=9557397.

Wyclef Jean leads charge to help Haiti earthquake victims through Yele Haiti charity

Wyclef Jean Haiti earthquake: Singer leads charge to help through Yele Haiti charity - and Twitter
Hip Hop artist Wyclef Jean is urging people to donate $5 to his Haitian charity, Yéle Haiti, by texting "YELE" to 501501. (The donation will be automatically charged to your cellphone bill.) His is one of many Haiti earthquake relief efforts underway.

By Matt Clark Staff writer / Christian Science Monitor
Platinum-selling Hip Hop artist Wyclef Jean - a native son of Haiti - is leading the charge to help his beleaguered homeland ... through Twitter.

Mr. Jean's platform of choice seems to be Twitter, where the former Fugees star is urging people to donate $5 to his Haitian charity, Yéle Haiti, by texting "YELE" to 501501. (The donation will be automatically charged to your cellphone bill.)

"I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse," said Jean in a statement. "We must act now... Haiti needs your prayers and support." Read the full story here

Arriving Port-au-Prince, Earthquake Damage Can be Seen Everywhere

Brian Wagner, Voice of America (listen here MP3)
As rescue operations accelerated to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti, correspondent Brian Wagner flew into Port-au-Prince Wednesday to begin covering the story for VOA. He did not have to travel far to give a detailed account of the devastation, which damaged the city's airport. Here are his first impressions of the severe impact of the earthquake:

Our small plane landed in Port-au-Prince shortly before twilight. Getting into Haiti has been extremely difficult because there has been a lot of confusion about whether the airport here in Port-Au-Prince is operational.

Several people told us that only planes carrying humanitarian aid, doctors, supplies or journalists were allowed to enter the country. Read the full story here.
Watch the story here

Eunice W. Johnson, Publishing Pioneer & Producer of Ebony Fashion Fair, Dies at 93

Eunice W. Johnson, 1916-2010: Widow of Johnson Publishing founder gave Ebony magazine its name By Trevor Jensen, Tribune reporter January 5, 2010

Eunice W. Johnson gave Ebony magazine its name and for almost 50 years produced an influential traveling fashion show that brought haute couture to African-Americans while raising millions of dollars for charity.

The widow of Johnson Publishing Co. founder John H. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson, 93, died of renal failure Sunday, Jan. 3, in her Chicago home, according to a company spokeswoman.

A close business partner of her husband's since the beginning of Johnson Publishing in 1942, Mrs. Johnson remained the company's secretary-treasurer at the time of her death and for years wrote a monthly fashion feature for Ebony magazine.

Johnson Publishing's flagship, conceived as an African-American version of Life magazine and published since 1945, was named by Mrs. Johnson to reflect the mystique of fine black ebony wood, said Wendy Parks of Johnson Publishing. Read the full story here

President Obama addresses crowd in Copenhagen

In a quiet, monotone manner President Obama spoke urged nations to come together and reach an agreement in Copenhagen. He said:

All major economies must put forward actions to stop climate change.
We must have a mechanism to review whether we are living up to our obligations. There is no international agreement if there is no way to monitor.
Must have financing that helps developing countries.
Mitigation, transparency, financing - that's what's important.
Right now will tell whether we prefer posturing to action.

Time for talk is over. Embrace this accord and continue to refine it. Or, fall back into same divisions with same stale arguments while the danger of climate change grows until it is irreversible.
Now is the time for people of the world to come together. Better for us to choose action over inaction.

President Obama to speak at Climate Conference in Copenhagen

I am here in Copenhagen waiting for President Obama to speak. Very high level officials are here from all over the world including Hillary Clinton. Nancy Pelosi brought a US delegation that includes Congressman Charles Rangel. Everyone is eagerly waiting for President Obama to speak as if he can solve the impasse here.

Protesters arrested at Copenhagen climate summit

Over 1,000 people were arrested as activists marched in Copenhagen in support of world leaders signing an ambitious, legally binding agreement on emissions cuts. I was there for the full program at the beginning of the march and the crowd was lively and peaceful. It was cold so I headed back to the hotel at the end of the program. A reported 100,000 people marched from Parliament where we were assembled for the program across town (4 miles) to the conference center where officials are meeting.

I dont know what the protesters did to prompt the police to start arresting people but I can say there were loads of vans filled with police that looked like SWAT units. All of the police seemed very polite and were not intimidating at all. You got the feeling that they were really PEACE officers - there to keep the peace. It's almost 2010, you would think that young people would understand that violence will not get you anywhere.
This was the peaceful demonstration

Copenhagen climate summit: 1,000 anarchists arrested
Nearly 1,000 people were arrested in Copenhagen yesterday as anarchists and left-wing activists fought running street battles with police in the Danish capital as negotiations continued at the climate summit.
By Colin Freeman

Cobble stones were thrown through the windows of the former stock exchange building and foreign office buildings in the city, but police made a large number of pre-emptive arrests under a controversial anti-hooligan law.

Suspected troublemakers were herded into a closed-off street, made to sit down and then tied up with plastic cuffs. They were then bused to a detention centre set up for the climate conference.

Copenhagen climate summit descends into row

Police said four cars were set on fire during the evening. One policeman was hurt by a stone and a Swedish man injured by a firework. Read the full story here

Climate Conference in Copenhagen

I am in Copenhagen at the UN Climate Conference coordinating media for a number of organization's participating in the conference including Black Women's Roundtable and Environmental Justice and Climate Change. I am finding out quite a few alarming facts about the dangers of climate change and how it disproportionately impacts people of color. The Black Diaspora is represented here. There's a lot of anticipation about a climate agreement. There's also excitement from people around the world about President Obama's decision to attend the conference. He will be here on the 18th.

To see photo's, video and updated information on COP 15 in Copenhagen visit: http://beyondcopenhagen.ning.com/

Federal judge rules mismanagement by Army Corps responsible for flood damage after Katrina

Wow! Tonight a federal judge ruled that the Army Corps of Engineers mismanaged the maintenance of the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet which was directly responsible for flood damage of homes in St. Bernard Parish and the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The decision could result in the government paying billions in damages. Read the full story here.

Mother of murdered 5-year-old to be charged with prostituting her daughter

Criminals are getting sicker by the minute so Im not surprised by some of the crazy, vicious activities perpetrated by heartless crooks; but the story about Shaniya Davis, the missing Fayetteville 5-year-old, sends chills though my body. This is one of the most shocking and tragic stories Ive ever seen. Shaniyas body was found in the woods in North Carolina and now her mother has been charged with child prostitution. How sick is that?

Body of child 'sold as prostitute by mother' found By Tom Leonard
The mother of a five-year-old girl has been charged with prostituting her daughter as police on Monday discovered the child's body hidden in woodland in North Carolina.

Shaniya Davis had not been seen since last Tuesday when a security camera recorded a man carrying her into a hotel room in Sanford, 40 miles from her home at a trailer park in Fayetteville.

Acting on a tip-off, 250 police officers and volunteers scoured a wooded area off a local main road, discovering the girl's body seven miles from the hotel.

Her mother, Antoinette Davis, 25, has been charged with human trafficking, child abuse involving prostitution and filing a false police report after she declared the little girl missing last week. Read the full story here.

Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program provides innovative outreach to black men

I'm just getting back from Los Angeles where I assisted my associate and owner of jazzmyne PR, Makeda, in coordinating media for the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program (BBHOP). Led by Dr. Bill Releford, the BBHOP provides free diabetes and blood pressure screening in Barbershops across the country. The programs goal is to address healthcare disparities and cardiovascular disease in African American men. Dr. Releford decided that innovative outreach to black men is critical because they are disproportionately affected by diabetes and hypertension more than any other ethnic group.

The day started out at the The New Millenium Sports Beauty & Barber Salon on Crenshaw in the Leimert Park area. In addition to volunteer doctors on hand for a discussion and to perform screenings, a number of celebrities stopped by to encourage men to get screened. There was a two-hour panel discussion broadcast live by KJLH addressing health issues impacting African American men.

I was shocked to witness the amount of men coming in off the street in need of a free screening. There were men with and without health insurance that had not been screened. Click here for a video news story of the event.

After spending the morning at the New Millenium Barbershop, the doctors and celebrities went on a bus tour to visit some of the 100 barbershops performing health screenings.

The experience on Saturday certainly made me recognize the critical need for our hard working black men to get screened for life or death health issues.

Radio talk show producer extraordinaire, Laurence Gaines, passed away

After spending Saturday witnessing the critical need for our hard working men need to get tested for health issues, I woke up to the devastating news that a wonderful associate, Laurence Gaines, passed away. Laurence was the executive producer of The Bev Smith Show. I knew Laurence had been sick but thought that he was on the road to recovery. My thoughts and prayers go out to his biological family and his family at American Urban Radio Networks. Laurence was a wonderful producer and person, he will be missed.

From Bev Smith (BWO www.radiofacts.com)

It is with the deepest sorrow that I inform you that my friend and my executive producer Laurence Gaines has passed away after a long battle with his health. We thought he beat it because he returned to work but God had other plans for Laurence. For those of you who knew him well, you know that he is in heaven trying to get me that interview that I asked for with God (smile). Tonight at 8pm EST, The Bev Smith Show will dedicate time to remember Laurence Gaines and the impact he made on the show. If you would like to be a part of that show to share your memories, please call the studio at 1-888-331-1210 starting at 8PM EST. Memorial arrangements are incomplete at this time. Pray for his family and The Bev Smith Show family.

Listen to The Bev Smith Show online at
www.waok.com/

Kasim Reed has a good chance of becoming the next mayor of Atlanta

Looking at the numbers Mary Norwood 45%, Kasim Reed 37% and Lisa Borders 14% - it is safe to assume that Kasim Reed has a pretty good chance of replacing Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. Based on her performance in several debates, I have to wonder about Norwoods intellectual capacity. She doesnt come off as the brightest bulb in the fixture. Anyway, if Reed gets a little over 80% of Borders/others votes and maintains his count, its game time.

I hope hes prepared to spend some money right to cross the finish line. Norwood did a great job with her commercials. Even though I was bothered by the fact that the commercials seemed like negative attacks against the Franklin administration, Norwood came off as a likeable candidate concerned about the issues confronting. She should never have participated in a debate. It was like Sarah Palins interview with Katie Couric. She also messed up with the last ad denouncing Republicans. What was up with that? She made it sound like Republicans have some kind of contagious disease. That was a bad move.

If Norwood runs some positive ads, keeps hugging people, and doesnt open her mouth she has a better chance of winning on Dec. 1. Of course, if I were Kasim Reed I would publicly ask for a debate.

Norwood and Reed in runoff Dec. 1 by Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta has one more month and one more election to go before it chooses the city's next mayor: Councilwoman Mary Norwood and former state Sen. Kasim Reed will face each other in a runoff Dec. 1.

With 100 percent of the vote counted, Norwood led the race with 45 percent. She maintained a comfortable margin throughout the vote counting Tuesday night but was unable to muster the 50 percent required to put the race away. Reed finished a strong second, with 37 percent, and City Council President Lisa Borders faded to a distant third with 14 percent in the eight-way race.

"I will hit the ground running," a smiling Norwood vowed late Tuesday night, addressing a buoyant crowd at the Varsity, the unusual site of her election-night gathering. "I feel wonderful. We are 10 points ahead. I think that's a great place for anyone to be." (Norwood wound up seven points ahead, although she was 10 points up when she made that statement.)

Reed emerged to greet supporters at the Hyatt Regency at 11:15 p.m., saying that Norwood had run her best race, and that the trajectory of his campaign showed that he was on the road to be the next mayor. Read the full story at ajc.com (Staff writers Ernie Suggs and Steve Visser contributed to this report)

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Black lawmakers subjected to ethics probes

You have to admit this does not look good, there should be equal opportunity ethics investigations. But, I hope in 2010 the House ethics committee can't do anything to the lawmakers if the are innocent....

Racial disparity: All active ethics probes focus on black lawmakers

The House ethics committee is currently investigating seven African-American lawmakers more than 15 percent of the total in the House. And an eighth black member, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), would be under investigation if the Justice Department hadnt asked the committee to stand down.

Not a single white lawmaker is currently the subject of a full-scale ethics committee probe.

The ethics committee declined to respond to questions about the racial disparity, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus are wary of talking about it on the record. But privately, some black members are outraged and see in the numbers a worrisome trend in the actions of ethics watchdogs on and off Capitol Hill. Read the full story here

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Bernice King elected SCLC president - by Ernie Suggs

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - The Southern Christian Leadership Conference on Friday named Bernice King, the daughter of SCLC co-founder Martin Luther King Jr., as its next president.

Bernice King was selected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Rev. Byron Clay (left) watches as Helen Butler, of the Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda, opens the sealed envelope containing the votes for a new SCLC president on Friday.

SCLC interim President Rev. Byron Clay (left) grabs sealed votes from the safe as Executive Director Ron Woods closes it.

King was elected over Arkansas Appeals Court Judge Wendell Griffen.The vote by the board of directors was 23-15. King was not present when the vote was announced. The Rev. Byron Clay, interim president, phoned King with news of her victory. Read the full story here

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TSU drops Tavis Smiley's name from school

Seems that Texas Southern Universitys governing board has decided to drop Tavis Smileys name from its communications school.

From the Houston Chronicle:

Smiley promised in 2004 to donate $1 million and to raise another $1 million for TSU. The school later created the Tavis Smiley School of Communication in his honor.
In return, Smiley made one $50,000 donation in mid-2005 and raised $250,000 from three corporate donors.
But he said Friday that he had intended to fulfill his personal $1 million pledge.

Any institution that turns away a $1 million gift in this economy, I think ought to have good reason for doing that, he said in a telephone interview.

He also said former university President Priscilla Slade offered to name the school for him before he pledged any money.

I even made a joke, how much is this decision going to cost me? he said. She said, This decision has already been made.'

It doesn't feel good, he said of the board's decision. My intentions were to help the students.
Read the full Houston Chronicle story here

Hmmm I cant decide which way to go on this one. I totally understand that the school needs the money and Mr. Smiley is reneging on his agreement for whatever reason, however, I have to wonder if TSU already has someone to name the school after. Like many other HBCUs of late, TSU doesnt need any more publicity that can be construed as negative. Nor do they need to remind potential donors that former university President Priscilla Slade was, according to the article, accused of using school money for personal expenses,fired and eventually sentenced to 10 years probation after a grand jury indicted her.

Its certainly a good idea to develop a new naming policy stating the amount of donation required and the need to receive at least half of the pledged before naming the school. The problem is that TSU did not have a policy in place so its their mistake for not requiring half the money in advance. Plus these are hard times to raise money. I think they should have negotiated with Tavis on payments and come up with a better solution than removing his name.

Sound Bites of Protest Book Talk and Book Sign to be Taped by C-SPAN

The grande dame of the civil rights movement, Dr. Dorothy I. Height, will be on hand to introduce Dr. Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich, author of Sound Bites of Protest, at a Book Talk and Book Signing next Thursday November 5th from 5 to 7 PM. The event is being taped by C-Span Book TV and will take place at Howard Universitys Book Store, 2225 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.

Sound Bites of Protest is an intellectual memoir, a chronicle of written thought and protest about specifically debilitating indignitiesagainst African Americans, other people of color, women, and poor folks. The book has a foreword by dR. Dorothy I. Height and published by Third World Press. Click here to read a review of Soundbites of Protest, or visit www.yscruggs.com to read more about Dr. Scruggs-Leftwich.

WSB-TV's Jovita Moore, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, and PR Maven Diane Larché Among Rolling Outs 25 Most Influential Women in Atlanta

Rolling out Urban Style Weekly and American Family Insurance recently announced the honorees for the 2009 Female Success Factor's 25 Most Influential Women in Atlanta Awards.

Atlanta PR Maven Diane Larché, WSB-TV's Jovita Moore, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, Demetria McKinney of "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," Janice Mathis, Rainbow PUSH, Dr. Beverly Tatum, Spelman College and a host of others to will receive awards during a reception on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at The W Hotel - Midtown Atlanta, located at 188 14th Street NE.

The awards were established to honor women who have broken barriers in their respective fields. The 2009 25 Most Influential Women in Atlanta are:

Continue reading "WSB-TV's Jovita Moore, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, and PR Maven Diane Larché Among Rolling Outs 25 Most Influential Women in Atlanta"

From nurse's aide in Pennsylvania to Ugandan king

What a moving story. King Mumbere might have President Obama beat. Charles Wesley Mumbere was a nurses aide in Maryland and Pennsylvania for years. He did not reveal that at 13 years-old he inherited a royal title in his African homeland. Yesterday the 56-year-old Mumbere was crowned a Ugandan king.

Former nurse's aide in US becomes Ugandan king - by Tom Maliti - Associated Press

The new King of Uganda's Mountains of the Moon has undergone many transformations from teenage leader of a rebel force to impoverished student to a nursing home assistant working two jobs in the U.S., where he lived for nearly 25 years.

Mumbere's royal roots only became public in Pennsylvania this July, when he granted an interview to The Patriot-News of Harrisburg as he was preparing to return to Uganda.

He inherited the title when his father, Isaya Mukirania Kibanzanga, died while leading a secessionist group in the Rwenzori Mountains, otherwise known as the Mountains of the Moon. The rebels were protesting the oppression of their Bakonzo ethnic group by their then-rulers, the Toro Kingdom. Read the full AP story here.

Al Sharpton threatens to sue Rush Limbaugh

Seems that Rush Limbaugh the talk show host that seems to say anythin about anyone who isnt ultra conservative is miffed that his dreams of becoming part owner of the St. Louis Rams have been shattered. Rush seems to think Rev. Sharpton and Rev. Jackson made comments that caused the NFL team to kick him to the curb. Methinks his anger is misplaced - Rush most likely made his own comments that got him nixed.

Anyhoo, in a column published by the Wall Street Journal Rush claimed that Rev. Sharpton played a leading role in the 1991 Crown Heights riot" and the "1995 Freddie's Fashion Mart riot."

Rev. Sharpton, who was not present at either of the incidents mentioned by Rush, demanded an apology. Associated Press reports that Rev. Sharptons spokeswoman released a statement saying, "Unless Mr. Limbaugh apologizes and clarifies his statements, attorneys for Rev. Sharpton will move forward with a lawsuit..He has the right to criticize Rev. Sharpton, but he does not have the right to accuse him of criminal activity, and riots and murders are criminal."

Will good ol Rush apologize? I guess well have to stay tuned for part two since his camp did not respond to APs request for comment. Read the full story here

First Lady Michelle Obama one class act as President Obama dances salsa with Thalia

This is hysterical. The White House held a fiesta to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. President Obama was so moved by the music during a performance by Latina star Thalia, he jumped up and danced salsa with the singer. When he returned to his wife she sat smiling, clapping, and enjoying the music. Some people say that the media is making something of nothing. I say GO Michelle! She gave President Obama the classiest South Side of Chicago attitude she could muster. I guarantee you, Mr. President is checked and will not try that again. While people debate the body language going on here, Mr. Pres knows what's up - won't be no Clinton scandals on Mrs. Obama's watch. Michelle Obama is one class act.

Rev. Bernice King among final 2 candidates for president of SCLC

Rev. Bernice King, the youngest daughter of the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. is among the final two candidates to serve as president of SCLC National, the civil rights group co-founded by her father.

Even if the board of SCLC National does not select Rev. Bernice King as the next president of the organization, the fact that they considered her a woman is a major accomplishment for the traditionally male-lead organization.

Lets hope the organizations board of directors is smart enough to select Rev. King.

SCLC narrows finalists for new president to 2By Errin Haines and Dorie Turner (AP) 2 days ago
ATLANTA The civil rights group co-founded by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. narrowed the list of finalists for its next president Saturday to his youngest daughter and an Arkansas judge.

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference's board of directors will consider the Rev. Bernice King and Arkansas Court of Appeals Judge Wendell Griffen for the organization's top spot. They will succeed the Rev. Byron Clay, who has served as interim president since February, when Charles Steele resigned after five years in the position.

The SCLC will hold elections to select the next president Oct. 29 at the group's Atlanta headquarters. The two finalists were chosen from a list of five candidates.

Martin Luther King Jr. was the SCLC's first president, serving from 1957 until his death in 1968. His son, Martin Luther King III, was president from 1997 to 2004.

If she is chosen, Bernice King would be the first woman to lead the SCLC. Its longest serving president was the Rev. Joseph Lowery, who served from 1977 to 1997. Read the full story here

1st Woman to Lead Army's Drill Sergeants is African American

Teresa King, an African American and 28-Year Military Veteran becomes the first woman to lead the army's drill sergeants.

1st Woman Leads Army's Drill Sergeants
by Susanne M. Schafer, Associated Press Writer
FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Command Sgt. Maj. Teresa King can dress down a burly, battle-hardened sergeant in seconds with a sharp phrase and a withering look, then turn around and tell trainee soldiers to be sure they get seven hours of sleep.

As the first woman to take charge of the Army's school for its order-barking drill sergeants, the 28-year military veteran and sharecropper's daughter said she's used to breaking down barriers in military roles normally reserved for men.

"It's so easy because I love it," said King, a single, 48-year-old North Carolina native. "I have a family in the Army. It is my family."

The stern discipline dispensed by her late father to his 12 children set her on a path of taking responsibility for herself and her siblings early on, King said during a recent interview on the Army's training base next to Columbia.

She learned to "give a hard day's work for whatever I earned and take no short cuts," said King, who enjoys passing her values to young soldiers and watching them grow into senior officers and enlisted men and women.

Lt. Col. Dave Wood, King's battalion commander, said she was chosen for her approach to "the business of taking civilians and making them into soldiers." Read the full story here

Wheres the Money?: NNPA Chairman Bakewell Takes Capitol Hill by Storm

Kudos to Black Leadership Forum executive director, Gary Flowers for setting up this meeting and NNPA chairman, Danny Bakewell for asking the question: Wheres the money?

Inquiring minds and people hit hard by the depression want to know!

I attended the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference last week and asked everyone I bumped into if they have any idea of where ANY of the stimulus money is and I received a unanimous NO. Im glad to see that the Black press is on their job. This is why we must continue to support our Black newspaper publishers.

Wheres the Money?: NNPA Chairman Bakewell Takes Capitol Hill by Storm

by Pharoh Martin and Hazel Edney
It was a closed-door face to face conversation between U. S. senators and the top leadership of the nations premier Black institutions and new NNPA Chairman Danny Bakewell was on the front line for all of them.

Weve had landmark legislation in terms of the stimulus bill. Yet, when you talk to Black businesses, when you talk to newspaper publishers, where is the money? Where is the money, Bakewell demanded rhetorically as the audience inside the Mansfield Room of the U. S. Capitol broke into applause.

He continued, General Motors got almost a hundred billion plus dollars of stimulus money. They have a billion plus dollars advertising budget. The Black Press probably cannot find $2 million dollars in advertising throughout the entire country of the United StatesWhere is the acknowledgement of our community? Where is the acknowledgement of Black businesses?

The meeting, organized by Gary Flowers, executive director and CEO of the Black Leadership Forum, was closed to press; therefore responses and other details of the meeting can not be published, due to agreements. Read the full story here

Black Women's Roundtable Health & Wellness Forum Part 1

Black Women's Roundtable Health & Wellness Forum Part 2

The National Coalition recently launched the Healthy, Wealthy & Wise National Policy Forum Series amid a packed room at CBCF Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. The Health and Wellness Dialogue and Webca.st was hosted by Black Women's Roundtable and the National Council of Negro Women to kick-off policy forum series.

Brutal School Bus Attack - Bullies Need the Scared Straight Program

This is absolutely ridiculous. Black people need to get together and march against this type of behavior. Why were they beating this young man? He looks like he is White. Are they beating him because he is not Black? It's hateful and we should yell just as loud about this as we do when Whites attack Blacks! After watching this video you have to wonder why White people aren't marching. Perhaps incidents like this are motivating some of the tea party attendees.

These children need something like the Scared Straight program they once had at Rahway State Prison in NJ. Let them get bullied by some of those muscular inmates doing double life and see what they have to say then.

Read about bullies here

Hearing Regarding Cora Masters Barry's Tennis Center

By Khaliah Kendrick

Raising $3.7 million in capital funds, Cora Masters Barry dedicated years to establish a fun, clean and safe environment for the children of the Washington DC area. With DC constantly being referred to as the murder capital of the United States Mrs. Masters Barrys vision was definitely needed. Statistically DC is one of the most dangerous areas in the country. In 2007 alone there were 14 violent crimes for every 1,000 residents, which is about three times higher than the national average. Although the crime rate has dropped since then, it is still very high in comparison to other places.

In the first three years the group hosted donations and cleanup projects that benefited east-of-the-river rec centers. They spent half a million dollars providing vans for kids during sporting events, as well as helping to build computer labs and dance studios.

The center is like a body, says 14 year old Devonta Williams (in a Washington Informer article). The left side of the building -- thats the brain. Thats where we learn, do our homework and get tutoring. Then, you have lding, which is the strong side -- the feet. Thats the tennis side where you can be active and not lazy.

And, then you have the middle -- and thats Mrs. Barrys office. I think thats the heart of the center. Its keeping us running and keeping us breathing, she said. (Read the full Washington Informer article here)

Youd think something that was doing so much good as well as being so publicly supported and endorsed by such notable people as Hilary Rodham Clinton, Maya Angelou and many tennis greats such as Serena and Venus William would have longevity and continue to benefit the community. However that doesnt seem to be the case. Surprisingly with new Mayor Adrian Fenty in office, Mrs. Barry has been given an eviction letter and told to vacate the Tennis and Learning Center that has been benefiting the community for over a decade.

Anybody can see how Mrs. Barry's determination has brought nothing but good to inner city youth. Why is it that DC is trying to shut down such a prominent community resource and safe haven? The government is calling it a technical error but many people believe there may be some personal vendetta behind it. Whatever the case may be, wouldnt it be a great loss for the city if such a vital community resource were to close? At this point it seems as if Mrs. Masters Barry has done all she can. Its now up to us to do what we can to keep her vision alive. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, September 15th at 9:30am on the 4th floor at the Superior Court located at 500 Indiana Avenue, NW-WDC 20001. It will be in Judge Susan Whinfield's chambers. They are urging everyone, more specifically youth to come and do as much as they can to support. All involved should be there no later than 9:00am.

For more information on this ludicrous decision see the Washington city paper http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=37677 and click here to read the Washington Informer article.

To contact the mayors office about their mistake go to DC's official government page: http://app.dc.gov/apps/about.asp?page=atd&type=dsf&referrer=[$DSF_SERVER_NAME$]&agency_id=1075&portal_link=hr .

Ghetto South Carolina Representative Refuses to Apologize again for Calling the President a Liar

The South Carolina Republican acted ignorant and ghetto during President Obama's health care address says he will not apologize again for his outburst. I understand why our President is acting classy enough excepting his apology, however, since I'm just "joe public" I'm gonna call it like I see it. There are some old-school ignorant folks that refuse to give President Obama the respect given to ALL presidents. It seems that every time you mention race these days you get "accused" of playing the race card. Call it what you want, I'll call it racism. I don't believe Mr. Wilson would have disrespected a white man the way he did President Obama. I also believe he made a decision to disrespect the president and apologize later. They should have dragged his GHETTO butt out of the building.

Several articles claim that Mr. Wilson is a good guy and this is not normal for him. Guess what? This is the first African American President so he had no need to act like this in the past. You will never convince me or anyone with common sense that all of this hoopla over health care is not an undercover way to protest a black President. To all the nuts out there all I can say is get over it, there's a black man in charge.

Two of the articles below: "A Dangerous Kind of Hate" by Colbert I. King of the Washington Post and "Boy, Oh, Boy!" by New York Times op-ed columnist, Maureen Dowd, are quite revealing. Take a minute to click and read them.

A Dangerous Kind of Hate by Colbert I. King, Washington Post

On Aug. 16, pastor Steven L. Anderson of Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, Ariz., told his congregation that he prays for the death of President Obama. In a sermon titled "Why I Hate Barack Obama," Anderson preached: "I'm not going to pray for his good, I'm going to pray he dies and goes to hell." Read the full story here

Boy, Oh, Boy! by Maureen Dowd

The normally nonchalant Barack Obama looked nonplussed, as Nancy Pelosi glowered behind.

Surrounded by middle-aged white guys - a sepia snapshot of the days when such pols ran Washington like their own mens club - Joe Wilson yelled You lie! at a president who didnt.

But, fair or not, what I heard was an unspoken word in the air: You lie, boy! Read it here

Wilson: No more apologies for outburst against president

(CNN) -- Rep. Joe Wilson said Sunday he will not apologize again for yelling out that President Obama lied during the president's speech to Congress last week.

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-South Carolina, shouts "You lie!" during President Obama's speech Wednesday night.

"I am not going to apologize again," the South Carolina Republican said on "FOX News Sunday" when asked about pending disciplinary steps against him by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.

Wilson said he already apologized to Obama and that the president accepted it. However, he insisted that Obama "was misstating the facts," and that Democratic leaders in the House were "playing politics" by continuing to focus on the issue.

The controversy has shifted the focus of the heated health care debate by calling attention to claims by Republicans that a health care overhaul sought by Obama and Democrats would provide free insurance coverage for illegal immigrants. Read the full story on CNN.com

Georgia professor asks "when will white people get over it?" in insightful op-ed

Andrew M. Manis, author of Macon Black and White steering committee member of Macons Center for Racial understanding, wrote the following op-ed:

For much of the last forty years, ever since America fixed its race problem in the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, we white people have been impatient with African Americans who continued to blame race for their difficulties. Often we have heard whites ask, When are African Americans finally going to get over it?

Now I want to ask: When are we White Americans going to get over our ridiculous obsession with skin color?

Recent reports that Election Spurs Hundreds of Race Threats, Crimes should frighten and infuriate every one of us. Having grown up in Bombingham, Alabama in the 1960s, I remember overhearing an avalanche of comments about what many white classmates and their parents wanted to do to John and Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King. Eventually, as you may recall, in all three cases, someone decided to do more than talk the talk.

Since our recent presidential election, to our eternal shame we are once again hearing the same reprehensible talk I remember from my boyhood.

We white people have controlled political life in the disunited colonies and United States for some 400 years on this continent. Conservative whites have been in power 28 of the last 40 years. Even during the eight Clinton years, conservatives in Congress blocked most of his agenda and pulled him to the right. Yet never in that period did I read any headlines suggesting that anyone was calling for the assassinations of presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, or either of the Bushes. Criticize them, yes. Call for their impeachment, perhaps.

But there were no bounties on their heads. And even when someone did try to kill Ronald Reagan, the perpetrator was non-political mental case who wanted merely to impress Jody Foster.

But elect a liberal who happens to be Black and were back in the sixties again. At this point in our history, we should be proud that weve proven what conservatives are always saying -that in America anything is possible, EVEN electing a black man as president. But instead we now hear that schoolchildren from Maine to California are talking about wanting to assassinate Obama.

Fighting the urge to throw up, I can only ask, How long? How long before we white people realize we cant make our nation, much less the whole world, look like us? How long until we white people can -once and for all- get over this hell-conceived preoccupation with skin color? How long until we white people get over the demonic conviction that white skin makes us superior? How long before we white people get over our bitter resentments about being demoted to the status of equality with non-whites?

How long before we get over our expectations that we should be at the head of the line merely because of our white skin? How long until we white people end our silence and call out our peers when they share the latest racist jokes in the privacy of our white-only conversations?

I believe in free speech, but how long until we white people start making racist loudmouths as socially uncomfortable as we do flag burners? How long until we white people will stop insisting that blacks exercise personal responsibility, build strong families, educate themselves enough to edit the Harvard Law Review, and work hard enough to become President of the United States, only to threaten to assassinate them when they do?

How long before we starting living out the true meaning of our creeds, both civil and religious, that all men and women are created equal and that red and yellow, black and white all are precious in Gods sight?

Until this past November 4, I didnt believe this country would ever elect an African American to the presidency. I still dont believe Ill live long enough to see us white people get over our racism problem. But heres my three-point plan:

First, everyday that Barack Obama lives in the White House that Black Slaves Built Im going to pray that God (and the Secret Service) will protect him and his family from us white people.

Second, Im going to report to the FBI any white person I overhear saying, in seriousness or in jest, anything of a threatening nature about President Obama.

Third, Im going to pray to live long enough to see America surprise the world once again, when white people can in spirit and in truth sing of our damnable color prejudice, We HAVE overcome.

Andrew Manis is author of Macon Black and White and serves on the steering committee of Macons Center for Racial understanding.

It take a Village to protect our President!!!

From Wikipedia:
Andrew Michael Manis is a historian, author, and professor at Macon State College, in Macon, Georgia.

An ordained Baptist minister, Manis was educated at Samford University (B.A. in Religion and History) and at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he earned a Master of Divinity and a Ph.D. in American Church History in 1984. He also studied briefly at the University of Chicago Divinity School. From 1985 to 1988, he was the first Protestant scholar to teach in the Theology Department at Xavier University of (New Orleans) Louisiana, and prior to teaching at Macon State College, he taught at Averett University in Danville, Virginia.

Dr. Andrew Manis is an award-winning historian whose research focuses on the role of religion in American life, with particular attention placed on the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Manis recently received the Lillian Smith Book Award from the Southern Regional Council for his book, A Fire You Can't Put Out.[1] The book, a biography of civil rights leader Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, was also nominated for the Robert F. Kennedy Prize. Dr. Manis is a popular speaker, addressing churches and schools on the role of the church in crusading for social and political justice. Dr. Manis organized an on-campus event at which Rev. Shuttlesworth spoke, drawing record attendance. Dr. Manis has appeared on C-SPAN and the History Channel as well as Fox News.[2]

Dr. Manis has recently been selected as a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence. He will spend four months in 2009 teaching and researching at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece.[3]

Other Publications:

-Macon Black and White: An Unutterable Separation in the American Century. Macon: Mercer University Press/Tubman African American Museum, 2004. -- Winner of the 2005 Georgia Author of the Year Award (History Division) -- National Semifinalist for the 2005 Robert F. Kennedy Book Award

-Southern Civil Religions in Conflict: Civil Rights and the Culture Wars. Mercer University Press, 2002. [Revised and expanded edition of my 1987 book; see below]

-Birmingham Revolutionaries: Fred Shuttlesworth and the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. Contributor and Co-editor with Marjorie White. Mercer University Press, 2000.

-A Fire You Can't Put Out: The Civil Rights Life of Birmingham's Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth. University of Alabama Press, 1999. -- Winner of the 2000 Lillian Smith Book AwardWinner of the 2001 James F. Sulzby Prize, Alabama Historical Association, 2001, for best book on Alabama history published in 1999-2000Winner of the 1998 James McMillan Prize, University of Alabama Press, for best manuscript submitted in 1998.

-Southern Civil Religions in Conflict: Black and White Baptists and Civil Rights, 1947-1957. University of Georgia Press, 1987.

Dog of Michael Vick's leading critic dies in hot car

Hmmm... what fate... I'm hoping these people get rid of the stones they've been casting. To think that animal lovers that border on obsessive would be this careless. Well let's give them a second chance - perhaps they will realize the need to do the same for Mr. Vick and leave him alone. Perhaps they will allow the brother to make a living in his chosen profession.

By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Robin Starr has been an outspoken critic of NFL quarterback Michael Vick for leading a cruel dogfighting ring. Vick acted despicably, then served his time in prison.

But today Starr is dealing with a cruel twist of fate.

A 16-year-old family dog died in the back seat of her car last week after being left there for four hours on a hot day in Richmond, Va.

Let's be clear: By all accounts so far, this was an accident that could have been avoided. Read the full story atKansasCityStar.com

Senator Edward Kennedy has died

The patriarch of the Kennedy family, The Lion of the Senate, and one of the longest serving senators, Edward Teddy Kennedy passed away

Senator Edward Kennedy has died from brain cancer. The 77-year-old Senator was one of the longest serving and most prolific Senators in history and the last surviving brother in a political dynasty. Some may remember him for his role as patriarch of the Kennedy family after his brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy were assassinated. Others will remember him as the compassionate Senator who crossed the aisle to pass over 300 bills while he was in office. And others may reflect upon his fight for health care.

But Senator Kennedy was a civil rights icon. His role in the Senate was to provide a voice for the voiceless. Many people believe Senator Kennedys early endorsement of President Obama helped Barack Obama win. However, Senator Kennedys journey to make President Obama the first black president started over 50 years ago.

Our condolences go out to the Kennedy family. America loved Senator Kennedy and he will be greatly missed.

Read about Senator Kennedy at CNN.com

Washington Post Photo Gallery/Timeline

Man carries assault rifle to Obama protest

OK, things are getting a little deep here. In a minute we're gonna have to send FOI to the President's events! It looks like folks are getting a little heated and now want to "exercise their right to bear arms" at events featuring President Obama. A police spokesman was quoted in this article saying "It was a group interested in exercising the right to bear arms."

PHOENIX, Arizona (CNN) -- A man toting an assault rifle was among a dozen protesters carrying weapons while demonstrating outside President Barack Obama's speech to veterans on Monday, but no laws were broken. It was the second instance in recent days in which unconcealed weapons have appeared near presidential events

A man is shown legally carrying a rifle at a protest against President Obama on Monday in Phoenix, Arizona.

Video from the protest in Phoenix, Arizona, shows the man standing with other protesters, with the rifle slung over his right shoulder. Read it here

Medal of Freedom presented to civil rights icon, Dr. Joseph Lowery

Civil rights legend, Dr. Joseph E. Lowery was presented with the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. The Medal of Freedom is the highest honor given to a civilian. The co-founder of SCLC with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other ministers, Dr. Lowery worked alongside Dr. King fighting for blacks to get the right to vote, and has continued working to empower the African American community to this day. Dr. Lowery gave the benediction at the Inauguration of the first black leader of the free world, President Barack Obama. Also receiving Medals of Freedom at a ceremony in Washington yesterday was: Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, and world renown actor, Sidney Poitier.

Dr. Joseph E. Lowery to receive Medal of Freedom

Lowerys honor much deserved - Selma Times Journal
For nearly two decades the Rev. Joseph Lowery was the co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which had its genesis in Montgomery during the bus strikes in the mid-1950s.

He walked beside the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to bring worldwide attention to the plight of African Americans who were denied the right to vote on the basis of their skin color. That Selma-to-Montgomery march forced the hand of President Lyndon Johnson to urge passage of the national Voting Rights Act in Congress.

But his activism did not stop there. He is co-founder and former president of the Black Leadership Forum, a consortium of African-American advocacy groups, which protested apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s until Nelson Mandela was elected president.read it here

16 'agents of change' get Medal of Freedom
U. of C. geneticist among awardees named by Obama
By Mark Silva | Washington Bureau Chicago Tribune

WASHINGTON - -- President Barack Obama, attempting to spotlight several "agents of change," announced Thursday that he will bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor, on a cast of living and deceased figures widely known in politics, the arts and sciences, sports and social movements.

BWR visits the White House for meeting on African American issues

Click here to donate $1, $5, $10, $100

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.

Help the National Coalition continue to advocate for African American issues. Click here to donate $1, $5, $10, $100 or more to help us continue our work. https://ncbcp.org/donate/

Raid on Michael Jackson's doctor's clinic in Houston

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's Soledad OBrien to interview Professor Henry Louis Gates tonight

CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad OBrien 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.

Cops arrested Harvard professor as he tried to get into his locked home

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?

Black in America 2 could teach President Obama a few things

To be honest, I didnt expect much tonight when I went to see the advance preview of CNNs 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 its 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 wouldnt 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. Im 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 Steele pitches GOP to NAACP

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

Members of Black Women's Roundtable Comment on Benjamin Nomination

Melanie L. Campbell

Black 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

Obama Selects African American Woman for Surgeon General

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

Dogon Village News Alerts

Civil Liberties Union Sues Prison Officials

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UNCF Digital Media and Public Forum Series at Morehouse College Feb 4

Reid Spoke the Awful Truth about Obamas Racial Exceptionalism

AP reports Teddy Pendergrass has died

Wyclef Jean leads charge to help Haiti earthquake victims through Yele Haiti charity

Arriving Port-au-Prince, Earthquake Damage Can be Seen Everywhere

Eunice W. Johnson, Publishing Pioneer & Producer of Ebony Fashion Fair, Dies at 93

President Obama addresses crowd in Copenhagen

President Obama to speak at Climate Conference in Copenhagen

Protesters arrested at Copenhagen climate summit

Climate Conference in Copenhagen

Federal judge rules mismanagement by Army Corps responsible for flood damage after Katrina

Mother of murdered 5-year-old to be charged with prostituting her daughter

Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program provides innovative outreach to black men

Radio talk show producer extraordinaire, Laurence Gaines, passed away

Kasim Reed has a good chance of becoming the next mayor of Atlanta

Black lawmakers subjected to ethics probes

Bernice King elected SCLC president - by Ernie Suggs

TSU drops Tavis Smiley's name from school

Sound Bites of Protest Book Talk and Book Sign to be Taped by C-SPAN

WSB-TV's Jovita Moore, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, and PR Maven Diane Larché Among Rolling Outs 25 Most Influential Women in Atlanta

From nurse's aide in Pennsylvania to Ugandan king

Al Sharpton threatens to sue Rush Limbaugh

First Lady Michelle Obama one class act as President Obama dances salsa with Thalia

Rev. Bernice King among final 2 candidates for president of SCLC

1st Woman to Lead Army's Drill Sergeants is African American

Wheres the Money?: NNPA Chairman Bakewell Takes Capitol Hill by Storm

Black Women's Roundtable Health & Wellness Forum Part 1

Black Women's Roundtable Health & Wellness Forum Part 2

Brutal School Bus Attack - Bullies Need the Scared Straight Program

Hearing Regarding Cora Masters Barry's Tennis Center

Ghetto South Carolina Representative Refuses to Apologize again for Calling the President a Liar

Georgia professor asks "when will white people get over it?" in insightful op-ed

Dog of Michael Vick's leading critic dies in hot car

Senator Edward Kennedy has died

Man carries assault rifle to Obama protest

Medal of Freedom presented to civil rights icon, Dr. Joseph Lowery

Dr. Joseph E. Lowery to receive Medal of Freedom

BWR visits the White House for meeting on African American issues

Raid on Michael Jackson's doctor's clinic in Houston

CNN's Soledad OBrien to interview Professor Henry Louis Gates tonight

Cops arrested Harvard professor as he tried to get into his locked home

Black in America 2 could teach President Obama a few things

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele pitches GOP to NAACP

Members of Black Women's Roundtable Comment on Benjamin Nomination

Obama Selects African American Woman for Surgeon General

Reid Spoke the Awful Truth about Obamas Racial Exceptionalism

WSB-TV's Jovita Moore, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, and PR Maven Diane Larché Among Rolling Outs 25 Most Influential Women in Atlanta

Wheres the Money?: NNPA Chairman Bakewell Takes Capitol Hill by Storm

CNN's Soledad OBrien to interview Professor Henry Louis Gates tonight