http://www.nnpa.org/news/lead/sequestration-continues-to-harm-blacks-by-freddie-allen/
http://www.nnpa.org/news/lead/head-of-black-mayors-group-urges-accountability-by-george-e-curry/
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LARGEST "MORAL MONDAY" PROTEST YET - As people chant protest songs around him, Rev. Dr. William Barber, president of the NC NAACP, urges then to go back to their respective counties, organize and register people to vote in 2014 to overturn the Republican-led NC General Assembly. State NAACP officials confirm that at least 2000 demonstrators from across North Carolina came to the Legislative Building Monday to protest GOP policies on budget cuts, tax and education reform. Authorities say 151 people were arrested during the peaceful protest, the largest number since "Moral Mondays" began six weeks ago. Over 300 have been arrested since April. More people are expected to return to the Legislative Building next Monday, June 10th [Cash Michaels video clip]
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WAKE SCHOOL BOARD "UPSET"
BY ENLOE HIGH ARRESTS
By Cash Michaels
Editor
If
Tuesday’s meeting was any indication, several members of the Wake School Board
have serious questions about the May 16th arrests of seven students
at Enloe High School after a playful water balloon fight.
All
of the students were black.
Several
board members who saw a tape of the arrests say they were “saddened and upset.”
At
least two other people – not involved in the incident – were arrested by Raleigh
police. One was a parent, Kevin Hines, who was charged with trespassing after
complaining to school officials about the arrests; the other a 15 year-old
student who was reportedly slammed to the ground by an officer and handcuffed
for no apparent reason.
That
student, who was injured as a result, was never charged, and the parent, after
spending the night in jail, was released with all charges dismissed.
Last
Thursday during a press conference at Martin Street Baptist Church, all of the
students and their parents demanded that the charges of disorderly conduct and
assault stemming from the water balloon prank be dismissed.
They
also railed against receiving short-term suspensions for the incident.
Wake
School system officials say officers were called because Enloe High administrators
believed harmful substances other than water would be used in the prank.
The
students and their parents maintain that only water was used.
Citizens
who spoke before the Wake School Board Tuesday evening said the “Enloe 7”
incident called into question not only the training that SRO’s (school resource
officers) are supposed to get in dealing with students on high and middle
school campuses, but also the wisdom of calling in untrained Raleigh police
officers to a school for what was essentially a prank.
A
junior at Cary High School complained to the board that the Enloe 7 were
“handcuffed and p[laced in jail overnight without the courtesy of being allowed
to tell their parents where they were.” The student went to allege that SRO
interaction with students of color
is almost always “exclusively punitive,” adding to the feeling that they are
not really wanted at the schools they attend.
“As
a youth of color, …I need for you to stop criminalizing me and my community,”
she told the board, adding that Wake County students of color “are under
attack.”
Later
that evening, the board did vote to renew its contracts with the Wake Sheriffs
Dept. and Raleigh Police Dept. for SROs, but added that they would also review
the policies of SROs in the system.
Fernando
Martinez asked board members before they voted why invest $500,000 into
hiring more SRO’s if there are
still critical questions about “proper training” for them. Citing research,
Martinez says there is no evidence that SRO’s make schools safer. Indeed, he
maintains, the presence of SRO’s increases arrests and student intimidation.
Wake School Board member Jim
Martin, even before outraged citizens spoke, acknowledged the controversy and
other issues, saying that the board was aware of their concerns, and would be
addressing them.
“The
Board has heard, and will continue to hear the issues you raise,” Martin said,
reading from a statement. “We’re going to start really digging into the
discipline issues, and how we handle them. We have heard from you, and this
board is acting.”
Martin
later added that the school system needs to “keep track” of SRO interaction
with students and parents, and encourage SROs to “de-escalate” situations and
not criminalize students.
Even
board member Deborah Pritckett, who rarely agrees with Martin, openly agreed
that students shouldn’t be arrested for certain actions that the school should
be well equipped to handle.
“Parents
want their students to be safe, but there are other ways of dealing with
students,” Prickett said. “I’m glad we’re taking a look at our policies.”
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TRIANGLE NEWS BRIEFS 6-6-13
MOORE TAKES OVER FROM
GAINEY AS INTERIM WAKE SUPT.
The Wake County Board of
Education voted on June 4 to appoint Cathy Q. Moore as the district’s interim
superintendent, to serve from June 14 until the arrival of the district’s next
permanent superintendent. Moore takes over from Dr. Stephen Gainey, who leaves
his post on July 1. Moore has served as Deputy Superintendent for School
Performance since September 2011, and previously worked as area superintendent
for the Central Region for three years. The announcement of a permanent Wake
superintendent was delayed this week until final contract details could be
resolved. That pick is expected to assume post on August 1.
NCCU OFFICIALLY
WELCOMES CHANCELLOR SAUNDERS-WHITE
History
was made June 3rd when Debra Saunders-White officially took over as
permanent chancellor of North Carolina Central University, the first woman in
that historically black institution to do so. Chancellor Saunders-White was
welcomed by staff, faculty and students, along with Durham Mayor Bill Bell.
Saunders-White said she will continue NCCU’s mission of excellence for all
students, seeking to improve four-year graduation rates and enhancing
technology studies. Saunders-White
served as assistant secretary for the Office of Postsecondary Education at the
U.S. Department of Education. She previously worked as a technology
administrator at both Hampton University and UNC Wilmington and began her
career as a systems engineer at IBM.
REPUBLICANS RACIALLY
“STACKED AND PACKED” DISTRICTS, SAY BLUE AND HALL
There
was no practical need for Republican lawmakers to “stack and pack” black voters
into districts that already had sizable percentages of African-American voters,
unless it was deliberate,” two state lawmakers told a three-judge panel this
week during a two-day hearing on the GOP redistricting plan. State Rep. Larry
Hall of Durham and state Sen. Dan Blue of Wake, both Democrats, told the panel that
race was the key factor in the Republicans packing the state’s black voters
into six districts in an effort to weaken white Democrats during elections. The
judges must decide whether to dismiss lawsuits against the GOP redistricting
plan that claim the districts were illegally drawn by race, not party
affiliation.
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STATE NEWS BRIEFS 6-6-13
MCCRORY BLASTS “MORAL
MONDAY” MOVEMENT AS “UNLAWFUL”
[RALEIGH]
If it wasn’t clear before, Gov. Pat McCrory is making it clear now that he is
no fan of the weekly “Moral Monday” movement that has seen thousands of
protestors at the Republican-led Legislature, with over 300 arrested for
peaceful civil disobedience. “Unlawful demonstrations should be unacceptable,”
McCrory, a Republican, told reporters Tuesday, adding that “…lawful
demonstrations are welcomed. “We should not give credence to unlawful
demonstrations.” Rev. William Barber, president of the NCNAACP and leader of
the Moral Monday Movement, was not pleased with the governor’s remarks.
“His comment is
indicative of the extreme right wing and their regressive immoral unconstitutional
agenda,” Rev. Barber said in a statement. “They make things personal when they
can’t defend their policies. That's sounds like totalitarianism, not
democracy. This sounds like a reincarnated attitude of George Wallace with a
21st century twist. Though he won't talk or listen, the people will never stop
raising their voices and organizing their votes. Forward together, not one step
back.”
STATE HOUSE VOTES TO
REPEAL RACIAL JUSTICE ACT
[RALEIGH]
At presstime Wednesday, the NC House was schedule to take a final vote on
repealing the Racial Justice Act, the 2009 law that allowed death row inmates
to challenge possible racial bias in their sentences. The Republican-led House
voted Tuesday to repeal the law along party lines, and was scheduled for a final
vote Wednesday. The GOP-led state Senate had previously voted to repeal the
RJA. Governor McCrory has indicated that he will sign the measure.
The
state House was also scheduled Wednesday to approve changing the Wake County
School Board’s election district at the request of the Republican Wake County
Commission Board. Critics say the measure is GOP retribution for Democrats
taking the school from Republicans in 2011, and then firing Wake Supt. Tony
Tata, a conservative supporter who publicly criticized his Democrat board. That
bill was also already passed in the state Senate.
“SIX BIG ONES’
PREDICTED FOR HURRICANE SEASON
[WILMINGTON]
There's a
good chance the North Carolina coast could be battered by hurricanes this
season, with strong storms predicted this year that scientists say are being
fueled in part by global warming and subsequent rising sea levels. Experts, like Orrin
Pilkey, a Duke University geology professor, predict as many as three times the
number of major hurricanes this season as in years past. Pilkey adds that North
Carolina is particularly at risk. Some scientists blame extreme temperatures
and rising sea levels brought about by global warming for the increased
strength of the storms.
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WELCOMING HISTORY - President Barack Obama
embraces Myrlie Evers-Williams during her visit in the Oval Office, June 4,
2013. The President met with the Evers family to commemorate the approaching
50th anniversary of Medgar Evers' death. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
CASH IN THE APPLE 6-6-13
By Cash Michaels
MORAL
MONDAYS – Last Monday evening I was at the NC Legislature for the sixth “Moral Monday,” the weekly peaceful
demonstration at the NC General Assembly by the NC NAACP and its coalition partners, protesting the regressive
policies of the Republican majority.
Well
over 2,000 people were there from all over the state (press reports of only
1,000 were woefully wrong – the rally had to be moved from its original
location BECAUSE the crowd was going to larger than the previous five weeks),
all from different walks of life, all for the singular purpose of speaking with
one voice. The air was filled with the spirit of justice. The American flag was
waved. Freedom songs were sung. Mothers and fathers brought their children.
And,
of course, in the tradition of peaceful civil disobedience, 151 courageous
people allowed themselves to be arrested for the cause they most believed in.
The
nation has taken notice of what the NCNAACP is doing here in North Carolina,
and rightfully so. As the weeks and months to 2014 come closer and closer,
let’s pray that these peaceful demonstrations, founded in the core beliefs that
make this nation great, continue on, and become bigger, and even better.
Please
pray that they do, and that change, positive change, is the ultimate result.
COMMEMORATING CIVIL RIGHTS – This
year, 2013, is an important year, because it marks several important milestones
in civil rights history.
Next
week, June 12th, marks the fiftieth anniversary of the assassination
of civil rights leader Medgar Evers
in Mississippi. His widow, Myrlie Evers
Williams, is commemorating that this week at the Newseum in Washington,
D.C.
In
August it will be the 50th anniversary of the historic March on
Washington, lead then by the Rev. Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr., and organized by a gay American, Bayard Rustin.
In
September, the fiftieth anniversary of the 16th
Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, where four little
girls were murdered by a dastardly terrorist act by white supremacists.
And,
of course, the year started on January 1st with the 150th
anniversary of the Emancipation
Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 to free the
slaves in the South when the Confederacy refused to drop its arms against the
North.
So
this is an extraordinary year, indeed, and an opportune time for all of us to
share some of this enriching civil rights history with our children.
The
one place I know I want to take my youngest is the NC Museum of History at 5 East Edenton Street in Raleigh to see the
“Freedom Coming, Freedom For All” exhibit now through June 16th.
On
key exhibit is the Preliminary
Emancipation Proclamation, the document issued by President Lincoln in September 1862 which was a warning to the
Confederacy after the Union victory at the Battle of Sharpsburg, that if it did
not lay down its arms against the North in 100 days, that he would free all of
their slaves.
On
loan from the National Archives in
Washington, DC, the seven-page document is, without question, one of the most
significant in American history, if not human history.
Museum
curator Earl Ijames told us during a
recent interview why not just all North Carolinians, but African-Americans must
take time to come and examine this extraordinary piece of history, and release
what a central role Pres. Lincoln played in changing the course of history for
all.
On
July 1st through Oct. 6th, a second phase of the exhibit,
displaying North Carolina’s original copy of the 13th Amendment to
the US Constitution – which formally and legally outlawed slavery - will be
open and available for the public to see.
“Freedom Coming
conveys how securing freedom for all was more of a process than a single act or
proclamation, and the exhibit highlights North Carolina’s unique role in that
process,” Ijames said in a statement.
For more information, contact the NC Museum of History at
919-807-7900.
BLACK MUSIC MONTH – I said it
before and I’ll say it again, June is supposed to be Black Music Month, when all of us celebrate the rich and proud
history of some of the greatest music ever known to man. But Black Music is in
serious trouble today. Gone, indeed long gone, are the great singers, writers,
produces and performers who built on the great legacies of those before them.
Who is this generation’s Stevie Wonder or Anita Baker? Where is
the next Ella Fitzgerald or Dinah
Washington coming from? Will we ever hear a great group like the Spinners or the Temptations again?
When you listen to some of the
current stuff on pop radio, you hear a lot of stolen material from Black Music.
That means we’re doing a poor job of protecting our music, or its heritage, and
that’s sad, indeed.
SNIPES IN “EXPENDABLES 3” – Now that he’s spent his three years in
federal prison for tax evasion, actor Wesley Snipes is back on the market
to perform, and one of his first movies out the box will be “Expendables 3,”
starring Sylvester Stallone. Along
with Snipes will be Jackie Chan and Nicholas Cage.
I’m glad to see that Sly has
welcomed Snipes back to acting to get his career jumpstarted again.
TRAYVON MARTIN TRIAL JUNE 10TH
– You know that the defense for George
Zimmerman is desperate when they start trying to paint his 15 year-old
shooting victim, Trayvon Martin, as
a dangerous black male. The intent is not only to garner favorable public
opinion going into the murder trial on June 10th, but also pollute
the jury pool there in Florida as much a possible.
Zimmerman has pleaded innocent,
saying that he shot young Martin in self-defense. Prosecutors counter that
Martin was walking home from the store after purchasing a beverage and a bag of
Skittles, realized that he was being followed by Zimmerman, and a fight ensued,
with Martin being shot with the gun Zimmerman had in his possession.
So buckle yourselves in, because
after the jury is selected, we’re going to hear a wild opening argument by
Zimmerman’s defense alleging all kinds of things about Trayvon Martin. And
where they can, the defense will do it’s best to portray the young man as a
dangerous thug, and try to introduce photographs accordingly.
America will be watching this
trial, and something tells me it won’t be pretty.
TARGETING REV. SHARPTON – One of
the great surprises of the past year has been the success of “PoliticsNation”
with the Rev. Al Sharpton on MSNBC.
In the year that it’s been on the air, the 6 p.m. show has been informative,
insightful and entertaining. Rev. has proven that he is a master communicator
who is able to hold his own with some of the best political analysts in the business.
So why are conservatives trying to
put pressure on MSNBC to take Rev off the air? He hasn’t done anything wrong,
and in fact, has improved the ratings of the 6 p.m. slot on the network?
Maybe it’s because Sharpton is
doing his show so well, and being so effective in using this major platform to
push the progressive movement forward, that conservative feel bringing him down
off his lofty perch would be a major victory.
Well Rev, that means you should do
what you do even TWICE as strong. Make ‘em hate you even more. It means you’re
being effective and refuse to bow down.
That’s the Rev. Al Sharpton I know
and respect – a man and leader who stands up, and refuses to bow down.
Keep standing Rev, keep standing
until it makes them hurt!
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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WILMINGTON JOURNAL EDITORIAL
WILMINGTON JOURNAL EDITORIAL
THE MORAL OF "MORAL MONDAYS"
Let’s
face it, the majority of citizens never have, and never will leave the busy
schedules of their complicated lives to take part in a public demonstration of
any sort. There are many, understandably, who see such expressions of outward
displeasure as “meaningless” or “a waste of time” or “selfish.”
Thus,
when they see a public protest of any sort on television or in the newspaper,
they consider it more of a nuisance. In their minds, if somebody wants change,
let them run for political office. Just stop making so much noise and being
disruptive.
As
we said, that is a pervading view in and beyond our community.
It
is not, however, our view.
Those
very people who would criticize the minority of those who indeed stop their
lives to take a public policy stand from which all of us can benefit,
apparently don’t realize that that’s exactly why they can criticize protesters.
In the finest tradition of this nation, courageous people have stood up,
marched, and spoke in the loudest voices possible, challenging those in power
to not only obey, but enforce the letter and spirit of the US Constitution that
not only governs us all, but promises every citizen “life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.”
The
problem always has been that some get that entitlement a lot easier than
others.
They’re
called the rich, and they usually invest tons of their money into electing
politicians, who in turn will vote to invest tons of YOUR money into keeping
their rich and powerful benefactors happy.
“Happy”
as in passing a voter ID law that restricts young, elderly and voters of color
from casting their rightful ballot at election time.
“Happy”
as in cutting unemployment benefits for people who are without work through no
fault of their own.
“Happy”
as in denying 500,000 of our fellow poor North Carolinians Medicaid benefits so
that they, too, can have access to decent, affordable healthcare.
And
keeping the rich and powerful “happy” with proposed tax reform packages that
would lower the personal and corporate income tax dramatically for the rich,
while extending sales taxes to food, medicine, and other essential services and
items people need to survive.
Needless
to say, when someone is elected to office for the expressed purpose of keeping
the rich “happy,” they tend to become arrogant, sure of themselves, invincible
even. They think that they are in charge, and this state and nation really
belongs to them!
And
they even entertain the idea that there are certain people – fellow American
citizens and North Carolinians now – who simply don’t count because THEY are
the “enemies” of the America the rich…you know the folks that must be kept
“happy” – hate the most.
Oh,
and we forgot the most important element to this crazy way of thinking – they
firmly believe in their hearts and souls that Almighty God wants it this way,
so whatever they do, and however they do it, it is blessed by the God they were
always taught favored THEIR kind, over others.
These
politicians thank “God” they will be in power for at least the next ten years
after rigging the rules! And they count on the fact that the majority of us –
the ones who never march, rally, protest and rarely vote – won’t say a bloody
word about it.
Enter
NC NAACP Pres. Rev. Dr. William Barber.
Rev.
Barber has been an unflinching warrior for justice since he was just a
teenager. A man of great love, courage and compassion, Rev. Barber has been,
and continues to be a powerful voice for freedom, justice and equality. It is
in his DNA to empower those in poverty; those denied fundamental human rights,
and those who only ask that their government live up to the true meaning of the
creed that “all men and women are created equal.”
Rev.
Barber, however, is first and foremost a man of GOD, and it is because of that
reason that he is fearless in his mission for justice. He knows that true power
lies in the people, so Barber makes sure that wherever he goes, and whatever he
does, that the people are always with him, speaking truth to power.
And
that’s why, for the past six weeks, Rev. Barber has courageously led thousands
of protesters at the Republican-led NC General Assembly is peacefully,
nonviolently, but forcefully, using the only collective power the citizens of
North Carolina have over these runaway-rich-people-protectors – their numbers,
voices and spirit.
And
every week since April, they’ve all come – black, white, Hispanic, elderly,
young, straight, gay, in wheelchairs and on canes – all following this powerful
man of GOD, letting Republican lawmakers who are putting the rich first know
that their repressive policies are intolerable, and come the next Election Day
in 2014, they will be held accountable.
You
see, getting out in the street, marching and protesting, and yes, getting
arrested week after week after week to peacefully dramatize your principles,
may not be your way of doing things, but it produces more positive energy and
prospect for change than just sitting on your butt pointing fingers.
This
state that we love so much is a good place to live because people STOOD UP for
what was right. Some, like our beloved Wilmington Ten, paid a dear price for
standing up, but that kind of courage means something in the end.
Rev.
Barber knows this, and courageously travels the length and breath of this
state, waking more and more people up every day, regardless of who they are,
and what their political persuasion is.
To
bring about meaningful change, you must engage in powerful and positive action.
Our history proves this, and it’s proving it again.
You
don’t necessarily have to march and rally with Rev. Barber to at least
understand what he is doing, and why. And if you do, then it shouldn’t be a
stretch to be thankful for this man, and this movement led by the NAACP, to
fight for rights that you and your children deserve.
This
is why The Wilmington Journal, which unabashedly has always considered NCNAACP
Pres. Rev. William Barber a true friend and GOD-sent leader, wholeheartedly
endorses his “Moral Monday” movement, and prays that more and more eyes in
North Carolina will be opened by the truth he is revealing.
We
ask GOD to continue to bless him, and protect him, and be with the thousands of
brave demonstrators who have joined him in this gallant mission for justice.
The
entire nation is following the Moral Monday Movement her in North Carolina, and
its gaining inspiration from it.
We
invite those who haven’t joined the movement yet, to do so. But at the very
least, pray for those who are, so that they can continue to effectively
advocate for you.
As
Rev. Barber proudly says, “Forward together, not one step back!”
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