WILMINGTON TEN PARDONS PROJECT PANEL - As North Carolina Central University School of Law Professor Irving Joyner (2nd from the right) speaks, (from left to right) Carolinian editor Cash Michaels, Wilmington Ten leader Dr. Benjamin Chavis and lead defense attorney James Ferguson listen during a panel discussion about the successful pardons project during the NNPA Mid-Winter conference Jan. 23rd in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. [ Photo by Fran Farrar of The County News]
PARDONS TEAM AT NNPA - NNPA Chairman Cloves Campbell (right) poses with members of the Wilmington Ten Pardons of Innocence Project (from left to right), co-chair and Wilmington Journal publisher Mary Alice Thatch; project coordinator and Carolinian/Wilmington Journal writer Cash Michaels; co-chair and NCCU Law Professor Irv Joyner; Wilmington Ten leader Dr. Ben Chavis; and Wilmington Ten lead defense attorney James Ferguson [Photo by David I. Muir]
WILMINGTON TEN PARDONS PROJECT TEAM - Members of the Wilmington Ten Pardons of Innocence Project Team pose before a Jan. 23rd panel discussion at the NNPA Mid-Winter Conference in Florida. From left to right, Wilmington Journal publisher Mary Alice Thatch; Carolinian/Wilmington Journal writer Cash Michaels; Dr. Benjamin Chavis; NCCU law Professor Irv Joyner, and Wilmington Ten lead defense attorney James Ferguson [Photo by David I. Muir]
http://www.nnpa.org/news/lead/wilmington-ten-team-thanks-black-press-for-pardons-by-george-e-curry/
http://www.nnpa.org/news/lead/obama-opens-second-term-with-a-return-to-his-base-by-george-e-curry/
http://www.nnpa.org/news/lead/cbc-member-says-obama-disrespects-blacks-by-george-e-curry/
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EXPECT GOP
LEGISLATIVE
REGRESSION, SAY
CRITICS
By Cash Michaels
Editor
The
long era of Republican legislative dominance has now officially begun.
With
the first GOP governor in over twenty years starting his term, and a
Republican-led NC General Assembly kicking off its much-anticipated legislative
session yesterday – the first of many, thanks to redistricting – Democrats are
lamenting what they see as a period when progress achieved under their
leadership in the areas of education, business growth and the state’s social
fabric, will erode.
Translation
- especially for North Carolina’s
communities of color – the clock is about to be turned back, especially when
Republicans are expected to aggressively implement voter photo ID; cut
unemployment maximum benefits from $535 a week to $350 a week; and dramatically
raise the state sales tax on food and services in lieu of eliminating the state
corporate and individual income taxes.
“If
you look at who it impacts, it impacts low-and-moderate-income individuals,
says state Sen. Floyd McKissick (D-Durham). “Sales taxes are inherently
regressive, and 60 percent of our population, particularly 60 percent of the
low and moderate income, are going to be paying more rather than less.”
The
result, analysts say, would be to raise taxes on middle-class and poor citizens
in the state, while the wealthiest 20 percent of citizens making at least $1
million would actually get a $41,000 break
According
to Alexandra Sirota, director of the nonprofit NC Budget and Tax Center in
Raleigh, Republican lawmakers in the state Senate are floating the idea of
raising the sales tax on food from two percent, where it is now, to a whopping
eight percent. In bad economic times, when citizens cut back on shopping and
spending, a state tax system dependent solely on sales tax revenues would fail
to raise the requisite revenues needed to improve schools, build roads, and
meet the ever increasing needs of the state.
Pointing
to Kansas, Sirota says, “Tax cuts have not generated improved economic
performance in states where they have been implemented.
Beyond
their questionable tax reform agenda, there is little doubt that Republican
leadership insistence on a mandated voter photo identification law is also
raising concerns. The NC NAACP – which is holding it’s seventh Historic
Thousands on Jones Street march and People’s Assembly on Saturday, Feb. 9th
- is calling it nothing short of the voter suppression of communities of color,
the elderly and young people.
“North
Carolina elections are working,” said NC NAACP Pres. Rev. Dr. William Barber
during a press conference last week. “North Carolina had the largest increase
in voter turnout between 2004 and 2008. North Carolina was one of only six
states where more people voted this year than in 2008 (200,000 more). Black
registered voters turned out at a 70.2% rate, exceeding the rates of 68.6% for
whites and 54.3% for Latinos in 2012.”
Rev. Barber continued, “Instead of trying to
restrict voting in the 150 year anniversary of the emancipation proclamation
and 50 year anniversary of the march on Washington, we should as a people -
Democrat and Republican- should be trying to protect and expand access to
voting rights and NOT attempting to restrict and suppress them. This is why we
must fight these efforts locally in our state and nationally with every tool
available.”
The
NCNAACP leader apparently hit a Republican nerve.
“This is as
insulting a diatribe as I have seen in years,” wrote Rep. Michael Speciale
(R-Beaufort) in a Jan. 23rd response to Barber’s press conference
remarks. “The NAACP has a proud history of working on behalf of black
Americans to address the problems of society directed at them. You
tarnish that with your racist diatribes and your race-baiting attitude.”
“The
photo requirement to vote is to prove that one is who they say they are,” Rep.
Speciale continued. “Nowhere in anyone’s minds but yours and your fellow
race-opportunists is race, ethnic background, or color of one’s skin mentioned,
insinuated or inferred regarding the proposed voter ID laws.”
“You
do minorities and the elderly a disservice when you assume that they are
incapable or incompetent to the point that they cannot provide a photo ID to
vote,” maintained the Republican lawmaker. “Photo ID’s are required in
nearly every aspect of American life, and most Americans over the age of 16
have some form of photo ID. Your talking points make no sense, as you
ramble on with Constitutional phrases to give an impression that you know what
you are talking about, and it is apparent that you are grasping at
straws. Your attempts to make minorities and the elderly believe that
they are victims in this effort is contrary to common sense but apparently
necessary to your economic survival.”
Rep. Speciale concluded his email rebuke of Rev. Barber by saying,
“Your comments, both today and in the past are racist and inappropriate,
therefore, I request that you remove me from your email list.”
The Carolinian called Rep.
Speciale’s legislative office Jan. 31st and left word to confirm that
he, indeed, sent the email to Rev. Barber, and to confirm its content. At press
time, he had not returned our call.
Democratic State Sen. Floyd McKissick, who says voter ID “has the
potential of preventing 600,000 people in the state [from voting], adds that he
and other Democrats in the Legislature – like new Democratic Minority Leader
Rep. Larry Hall of Durham – will have to fight every issue as they come,
especially those that negatively the poor and communities of color.
“Absolutely. We’ll be fighting vigorously and courageously, whatever
the issue may happen to be, making certain that the public is enlightened as to
the way the Republican majority wants to take this state,” McKissick said.
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TRIANGLE NEWS BRIEFS
INTERIM RALEIGH
POLICE CHIEF GETS GROUPS ENDORSEMENT
After
last week’s police chief candidates’ forum where the three finalists for
Raleigh Police Chief answered questions and met the public, The Raleigh Police
Protective Association, a group of 600 officers on the force, has endorsed
interim Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown to get the job. "Interim Chief (Cassandra) Deck-Brown
exhibits the characteristics that are essential in the next police chief:
experience, knowledge, expertise and integrity," the group said in a
statement this week. Like Chief Deck-Brown, the other two finalists – Chief
Bryan Norwood of Richmond, Va. and Deputy Chief Malik Aziz of Dallas, Texas,
are all African-American. During last week’s forum, they all spoke of the need
for community policing, gang control, and greater technology for fight crime.
DURHAM CHURCH IS
SUED FOR SINGING PRAISES TOO LOUD
Nine
families living close to the New Hope Church in Durham have had enough, and
have filed a lawsuit complaining that church leaders have refused to turn down
the decibel level of their praise and inspiration. Those families, residents of
The Hills of Southpoint on Fayetteville Road claim that noise from New Hope is
“akin to rock concerts,” and interferes with their peace. The church counters that
it has complied with the neighbors’ requests to turn the music down, and even
has changed worship times.
WCPSS’
SOCIOECONOMIC DIVERSITY POLICY HAILED IN DUKE UNIVERSITY STUDY
Despite
criticism from the Tea Party conservatives who took over the Wake County School
Board in 2009 and ended the policy, a new Duke University study this week shows
that Wake’s old socioeconomic diversity policy maintained the best racial
balance of any major public school system in the state. "Wake County, with its
longstanding policy of busing for economic balance, maintains relatively
integrated schools." The study added that school systems dependent
on school choice “in lieu of busing, such as Charlotte-Mecklenburg, have higher
rates of racial imbalance.”
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STATE NEWS BRIEFS
STATE TEEN
PREGNANCIES AT HISTORIC LOW, SAYS STUDY
[GREENSBORO]
Improved methods of contraceptives, in addition to decisions to forestall sex,
may explain a dramatic drop in teenage pregnancies in North Carolina between
2003 and 2011, say members of the NC Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention. Teen
pregnancies during that period dropped a stunning 28 percent, even though the
rate of sexual activity among NC teenagers remained basically the same. Per the
most recent figures available, less than five percent of North Carolina girls,
ages 15 to 19, became pregnant. However, almost 14,000 teens did become
pregnant in 2011 – more than the national average – some officials say still
needs to be addressed.
CHARLOTTE NETTED
$163.6 MILLION FROM 2012 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
[CHARLOTTE]
The final figures are in on what the economic impact of last summer’s historic
Democratic National Convention was on the Queen City of Charlotte. With approximately
35,000 visitors attending, $163.6 million was generated, with $91 million in
direct spending. City officials had been projecting at least $200 million
before a private firm crunched the numbers for them.
LT. COL. BELL
APPOINTED ACTING COMMANDER OF NC HIGHWAY PATROL
[FAYETTEVILLE]
With Col. Michael Gilchrist retiring at the end of this week, Lt. Col. Gary
Bell has been appointed to take his place temporarily as acting commander of
the NC Highway Patrol. New Dept. of Public Safety Secretary Kieran Shanahan
says that Bell, “has a breadth of experience and demonstrated leadership skills that make
him well-suited for this assignment. He has garnered the respect of his peers
as he has risen through the ranks of the patrol over the past 27 years.” Lt.
Col. Bell has overseen patrol statewide operations, managed the Professional Standards
Division, and commanded Troop B. Col Gilchrist steps down after over two years
in command.
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CASH IN THE APPLE -01-31-13
By Cash Michaels
HK ON J 7 – Before we say or do anything else, mark
your calendars now for Saturday, Feb. 9th, for the Seventh Annual
Historic Thousands on Jones Street – the People’s Assembly March and Rally.
This year’s theme is “Mobilizing to End Poverty and Economic Injustice.” Gather
in front of Shaw University on South Street in Raleigh at 9:30 a.m., then march
down to the NC Legislative Building on Jones Street at 10:30 a.m. to rally for
justice. For more information, go to http://www.hkonj.com/, or call (919)
682-4700.
NNPA CONFERENCE – If ever it was to be proven to me
how much securing pardons of innocence for the Wilmington Ten a month ago today
meant to people, it was definitely proven last week during the National
Newspaper Publishers Association, the African-American newspaper group that
sponsored the effort.
Last week in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the
NNPA held its annual mid-winter conference, and welcomed Wilmington Ten Pardons
of Innocence Project members Dr. Ben Chavis, Prof. Irv Joyner and attorney Jim
Ferguson and myself to talk about our victory, and we did so, shortly after
screening a short video of the Jan. 5th pardons ceremony worship
service conducted by the NCNAACP at Gregory Congregational Church in Wilmington
(go to YouTube - http://youtu.be/0CQjBiUOPb4).
Nary an eye was dry after the video, because NNPA
black publishers were able to see members of the Wilmington Ten, and the family
members of the deceased Wilmington Ten members, happily receive their official
certificates of pardon, signed by Gov. Beverly Perdue.
Afterwards, the panel talked about the challenges of
obtaining the pardons, and what it means to the African-American community, and
the still ongoing civil rights movement.
To make a long story short, the Wilmington Ten
Pardons of Innocence Project story is one of total community effort, of
bringing together the Black Press, the Black Church, civil and social rights
activists, academia and social networking. The Black Press led the way, but we
were smart enough to realize that weekly stories alone weren’t going to get the
job done, weren’t going to apply the requisite pressure needed to get the job
done.
Thus, an extraordinary coalition was built based on
close partnerships. No question that our partnership with the NCNAACP was our
most significant, and to this day, we’re proud to have had it.
Our panel discussion inspired NNPA publishers to
replicate the same kind of effort in their respective communities. If that is
indeed the case, then I’m even prouder of our effort here in North Carolina for
being the source for more movements of justice.
Now onward to the documentary.
WARREN BALLENTINE – I’m sure the “Truthfighters” out
there know who Warren Ballentine is. Ballentine, who lives in Durham, NC, helms
the nationally syndicated “The Warren Ballentine Show” (heard in the
Raleigh-Durham weekdays at 10 a.m. on Power 750 WAUG-AM). An attorney by trade,
Ballentine has addressed many of the top issues in the African-American
community, particularly economic empowerment.
But now Ballentine is in a bit of trouble himself.
Recently, the radio host esquire was hit with a six-count indictment by a
federal grand jury for an alleged $9.7 million mortgage fraud that dates back
to 2004. Specifically the charges are bank fraud, making false statements to
lenders, wire fraud and mail fraud.
He is expected to make his first federal court
appearance Feb. 5th, though it’s not clear at press time where.
I don’t know Ballentine personally, though I have met
him twice, the last time being at the Democratic National Convention in
Charlotte last summer. Our laws say everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
So all anyone can say is pray for the brother, and
hope that he is able to mount a strong defense against these charges. It never
fails that those who step forward from amongst us, get targeted for one reason
or another.
Stay strong, Bro. Ballentine.
CISSY SPEAKS ON WHITNEY – In her new book,
“Remembering Whitney,” Cissy Houston, the mother of Whitney Houston, who died
February 11, 2012, says that she misses her super talented daughter, but admits
that she was no angel. Mother Houston had no respect for Whitney’s husband,
singer Bobby Brown, and lamented the fact that her daughter had a drug problem
that eventually caught up her, causing her untimely death.
I haven’t read the book, but I have no doubt that
Cissy Houston speaks her mind. She’s entitled to. She lost her dearest baby,
and the world lost an extraordinary talent.
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY – Ok, so who do you have, the San
Francisco 49ers, or the Baltimore Ravens in this Sunday’s Super Bowl? I love
the heart of the Ravens’ Ray Lewis, and given that this is his final NFL pro game
as a player, I have to go with him. The Ravens have shocked everyone this year,
proving that they are the team with heart and skill.
So the Ravens all the way, baby!
(Lord I hope I just didn’t jinx the team.]
Make sure you tune in every Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m.
for my talk radio show, ''Make It Happen'' on Power 750 WAUG-AM, or online
at www.myWAUG.com.
And read more about my thoughts and opinions exclusively at my blog, ‘The Cash
Roc” (http://thecashroc.blogspot.com/2011/01/cash-roc-begins.html).
I promise it will be interesting.
Cash in the Apple - honored as the Best Column Writing
of 2006 by the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Columnist Cash
Michaels was also honored by the NNPA for Best Feature Story Journalist of
2009, and was the recipient of the Raleigh-Apex NAACP’s President’s Award for
Media Excellence in Sept. 2011.
Until next week, keep a smile on your face, GOD in your
heart, and The Carolinian in your life. Bye, bye.
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