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March 29, 2014 - March 29, 2014, The Afro-American
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Volume 122 No. 34
MARCH 29, 2014 - APRIL 4, 2014
Affordable Care Act Deadline Approaches By Zenitha Prince Special to the AFRO The clock is ticking down toward the March 31 deadline for open enrollment in new insurance plans that are the centerpiece of the Affordable Care Act, creating an urgency among U.S. consumers, businesses and government officials. This month has seen a surge in enrollment—more than 1 million people visited HealthCare.gov on March 24—and an even greater groundswell of demand
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is expected as March 31 approaches, which could put added pressure on the online marketplaces. Obama administration officials announced this week that extra time would be given to Americans who try to sign up but encounter problems or those who have special or complicated cases, according to various news sources. The increased demand could be a response to the revved up outreach efforts on the part of state agencies and the Obama administration to sign up the uninsured by March 31. “We’re going to be working hard right up to the deadline to ensure that that information is getting to the people who need it and that more Americans are enrolling,” said White House press secretary Jay Carney in a press briefing on March 19. The administration has used multiple approaches— radio and television spots and
2014 Black Caucus Agenda
Important Votes This Week as Session Nears End By Sean Yoes Special to the AFRO
interviews, social media and even the president’s recent appearance on a Funny or Die comedic skit –to spread the word, said White House spokesman Shin Inouye in an e-mailed statement to the AFRO. In Maryland, health
Several bills important to many in the state’s communities of color will be voted on this week, while legislators continue to grapple over others as the 2014 Maryland General Assembly nears an end. One of the measures is not actually a part of the state’s Legislative Black Caucus’ official agenda. The legislation would help some of Maryland’s Methodist churches control their assets and even maintain their independence. HB0840 would repeal provisions of current state law which, mandate all assets owned by any Methodist Church to be held in trust and under the general authority of the United Methodist Church even if the local denomination decides to break from the larger church body. The law actually appropriates Methodist doctrine from a text called, The
Book of Discipline. “Back in the 1950’s (1953 specifically) the state of Maryland unlike most states adopted a law…which said any land held by a church affiliated with the United Methodist Church whether or not… the United Methodist Church is the owner or beneficiary of the property, the property is held for their benefit,” said Prince George’s County Delegate Aisha Braveboy, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. Braveboy, who is also a candidate for Maryland Attorney General, claims several older Black churches, some of which were built by slaves and former slaves were unknowingly affected by the law even after they decided to break away from the United Methodist Church. “The question really is for us constitutionally, does it make sense and should the state of Maryland be in the business of adopting language out of religious documents Continued on A5
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Rev. Wanda Duckett Presents
Sacred Slam Poetry a Tool for Worship Jonathan Hunter AFRO Staff Writer As the basis of her doctoral dissertation for Wesley Theological Seminary, the Rev. Wanda Bynum Duckett explored how spoken word poetry can be used as a component of worship. Her work on her doctorate’s degree in urban ministry complete, at 1 p.m. March 22, Rev. Duckett presented her findings to the congregation of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, the church she pastors. She detailed her journey in finding her voice as a poet, and then related it to the theological framework of sacred slam. Rev. Duckett explained that spoken word
is intended for onstage performance, but believes it can be taken further. “What I am proposing with sacred slam is moving from the performance arena to the worship arena, so it’s no longer just entertainment, but also adoration, worship, and literature,” Rev. Duckett said. “It is strongly tied to storytelling, modern poetry, postmodern poetry, monologue theatre, and jazz. It’s kind of this eclectic morph thing that ends up in spoken word poetry.” “Spoken word deals with issues. Sometimes issues we don’t want to deal with in the context of worship. Spoken word handles those things poetically,” said Rev. Duckett. It’s a powerful and high-energy form
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Rev. Duckett shares her research with the community.
Cheatham’s Campaign Slammed By Posters
Continued on A5
Black Participation in Baseball Declining Negro Leagues Museum hopes to help reverse trend
By Blair Adams AFRO Staff Writer Marvin “Doc” Cheatham stared in disbelief at the posters he held in his hands. “We have taken down close to 80 posters,” Cheatham told the AFRO. “There were blue posters posted on top of my posters that read: Do Not Vote for Marvin ‘Doc’ CHEAT HAM.” On March 18, Cheatham noticed his flyers – strategically placed throughout west Baltimore – were replaced with literature for Belinda Conaway – who is vying for the Baltimore City Register of Wills seat. Cheatham said the culprit, who allegedly reposted flyers and issued defamatory posters about him, used a picture of him – found on his website – accompanied with an insult that read: “He stole from the NAACP, and he will
of expression. It’s a way of getting stuff out.” She mentioned that many spoken word poetry demonstrations took place in response to the Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman verdict. Spoken word tends to come from a place of experiences, often derived from an urban setting. Spoken word is traditionally viewed as appealing to a younger crowd, but according to Rev. Duckett, it has the ability to reach anyone, regardless of age. Spoken word, she shared, consists of elements of Black preaching, including spiritual pharmacology, poetic recitation, imaginative insight, and social transformation.
By Roberto Alejandro Special to the AFRO At a time when Black players make up over 50 percent of the NFL and NBA, the game Jackie Robinson desegregated almost 67 years ago languishes far behind. If the trend continues, African Americans will make up less
than 10 percent of major league baseball players when the gates open for the 2014 season on March 31st. According to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, a University of Central Florida research institute that releases diversity report cards on major American sport Continued on A5
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Marvin “Doc” Cheatham holds the political posters that were placed by unknown culprits. STEAL from you.” The community activist said this statement is categorically untrue. Cheatham, who has served as president of The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Baltimore
Branch of the NAACP, and The National Action Network said, “As much as I’ve done for this community, why would anyone want to attack me.” Cheatham, a democrat, Continued on A5
Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball.
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