PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EDITION
Volume 123 No. 27
A3
FEBRUARY 7, 2015 - FEBRUARY 13, 2015
Civil Rights Leaders Upset Over Non-Voting Rights Act Hearing
AFRO Series–Part Four
Is Digital Redlining Causing Internet Caste System? By Zenitha Prince Senior AFRO Correspondent As the digital revolution continues to evolve, the gap between the “haves” and “have nots” continues to persist in what former Secretary of State Colin Powell coined a “digital apartheid.” The Internet and broadband connectivity has become the backbone of society. Commerce, political engagement, health care, communication—such as making free international calls via Internet, education, job applications, company promotion, news and much more are all moving to the online information superhighway. But while
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The Internet and broadband connectivity has become the backbone of society some are on the fast lane, too many are forced to traverse by foot and donkey-cart speeds. And, that connectivity divide—usually among poor, rural and Black and Brown communities, who have zero or merely subpar access to the marvels of digital technology and the Internet— can create permanently marginalized individuals who lack the skills and tools to navigate successfully in an increasingly globalized, knowledge-based society, experts say. “You cannot function at a high level in our digital age if you don’t have broadband,” said Mark Cooper, director of research at the Consumer Federation of America. “As more and more of daily life goes on the Web, then being left behind becomes worse and worse. We have a good 20 percent of the nation Continued on A7
By James Wright Special to the AFRO Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, sparked controversy on Jan. 14 saying that, “The Voting Rights Amendment Act” – which would restore the preclearance requirement by the Justice Department for states mainly in the South – “is not necessary.” He has decided not to hold a hearing on the bill that would restore key wikipedia.org elements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and this has President Johnson and Martin Luther King, Jr. at the signing of the Voting Rights Act on outraged African-American Aug. 6, 1965. and civil rights leaders. bipartisan work of Reps. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and Jim Goodlatte said the watered Clyburn (D-S.C.). If this is indeed the position of the entire down Voting Rights Act (VRA) that is presently in effect protects voters from discrimination but Rep. George Butterfield Republican Conference, then they have clearly drawn a line in the sand – one in which they are on the wrong side of.” (D-N.C.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law by disagrees. “I am deeply troubled that Goodlatte doesn’t think President Lyndon B. Johnson, a Democrat. It has been renewed it is necessary to restore the Voting Rights Act,” Butterfield Continued on A6 said. “We began this Congress very hopeful to build upon the
Black Millennials Encouraged to Get Health Insurance By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO Like many African-American college graduates living in the District, Keysa Towns has experienced the highs and lows of living outside of a dependency on her parents. Aside from escalating living costs – her Northwest apartment building was sold and subsequent leasing expenses almost tripled –Towns’ non-profit employer eliminated health insurance from its listed benefits. That decision placed Towns among the millions of American millennials – roughly 1 in 5 between the ages of 18 and 34 – without health insurance. Despite understanding the need for health care insurance, many African-American millennials believe they cannot afford the cost. “I have been in pretty good health, but understand that some health conditions that surface in a person’s forties, take root in their twenties. I want to be proactive about my health, but have
found it easier to take advantage of free mobile health units, or the new clinics inside CVS stores,” Towns said. Towns is correct in noting that young African Americans suffer disproportionately from poor health outcomes including chronic illnesses and
“I was happy living with the bare necessities… I understand now that health insurance is a necessity like food because without it, you really are screwed.” – Jerome Pettigrew
the lack of health insurance contributes greatly to these health disparities. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy said, in a conference call panel for the Jan. 29 National Youth Enrollment Day, that
United Way NCA Gives Grants to Prince George’s County Nonprofit Organizations
Continued on A10
I can help forge partnerships between these worlds and build bridges between young and older generations to address the biggest health care challenges that Continued on A4
Black Women Embrace Holistic Healing in Prince George’s County
By Courtney Jacobs AFRO Staff Writer Seven nonprofit member organizations in Prince George’s County will start February off in a new light after receiving over $100,000 in grants from the United Way NCA. For the past 40 years, United Way NCA has raised approximately $30 million each year to address the needs of the community, focusing on the areas of education, financial stability and health in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. “The Community Impact Fund and grant program serves Prince George’s County, as well as all of United Way NCA’s regions, so well because the organizations that receive Community Impact grants do an amazing job of transforming
while patients ages 18 to 34 are typically healthy, they tend to fall ill when they least expect it. “As someone who has cared for patients in the hospital, conducted research in the laboratory, and built public health programs in the community,
Photo by courtesy of Avalaura Gaither Beharry
Avalaura Gaither Beharry, owner of Avalaura’s Healing Center. By Christina Sturdivant Special to the AFRO For the past nine years, Avalaura Gaither Beharry has
been transforming the lives of women in the D.C. metro area through her company, Avalaura’s Healing Center. Beharry works primarily with women who are highpowered leaders. She likes to refer to them as “recovering perfectionists.” “They’re women who are trying to do big things in the world, but they’re recognizing that somehow their life is out of balance,” Beharry said. “So maybe they’re doing really well professionally, but they need help in their personal life, or maybe they’re just
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realizing that they’re not at the level that they want to be in life.” In addition to one-onone coaching and spiritual counseling, Beharry’s calendar is often filled with workshops and speaking engagements. Her educational accolades include a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in social work from Howard University. Utilizing alternative methods of healing are an important aspects of her practice. Beharry is a certified hypnotherapist, holistic Continued on A4