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www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 111 No. 51
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DECEMBER 16-22, 2020
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LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
SYLVIA OWUSU-ANSAH, M.D., 42, AND JA’RAY GAMBLE, 29, were among the first UPMC employees to receive the first part of the new COVID-19 vaccine, which arrived Monday morning, Dec. 14, at UPMC Children’s Hospital. (Photos courtesy UPMC)
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine arrives in Pittsburgh by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
At 9:15 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, a Black man, dressed in UPS brown, delivered perhaps the most important box in Pittsburgh medical history. The United Parcel Service (UPS) employee, Dallas White, wheeled into the garage of UPMC Chil-
dren’s Hospital in Lawrenceville a large white box containing 975 vials of the FDA-approved Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The UPS delivery driver was met by UPMC officials, who were overwhelmed with excitement at the sight of the long-awaited vaccine. A few hours later, UPMC officials publicly adminis-
Frontline healthcare workers will be first to receive vaccine tered the first doses of the vaccine to several frontline UPMC workers who provide various aspects of care, including Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, M.D., 42, an emergency department
physician at UPMC Children’s, and Ja’Ray Gamble, 29, a transporter at UPMC Mercy. “This is truly a momentous occassion,” said Tami Minnier, chief quality
officer at UPMC, before administering the first COVID-19 vaccine dosage in Pittsburgh history to frontline worker Charmaine Pkyosh, a 67-yearold advanced nurse practitioner at UPMC Presbyterian. “Over the last nearly 10 months, they (the frontline workers) have worked tirelessly at the front line, taking
care of our communities, and have made sacrifices that we will all stand in honor of as we go forward.” Minnier, a registered nurse for more than 40 years, made the correlation of how roughly 65 years ago, just a few miles from UPMC Children’s, Dr. Jonas Salk created the SEE VACCINE A4
Will Rosemary Crawford become the next Common Pleas judge? B-PEP urges Gov. Wolf to nominate more Black judges Pittsburgh Courier NEW
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by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
What are the chances that an African American judge would have referred to a Black female juror in their court as “Aunt Jemima,” as Mark Tranquilli was accused of doing? Tranquilli, who is White, was an Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas judge who resigned in November, months after he was accused of referring to
a local Black female juror as “Aunt Jemima” and for using other phrases that suggested racial and discriminatory overtones usually not suited for a person entrusted with a black robe. Tim Stevens, the President and CEO of the Black Political Empowerment Project, believes there’s a simple way for these types of alleged discriminatory SEE CRAWFORD A2
ROSEMARY CRAWFORD, ESQ.
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DECEMBER 16-22, 2020
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
B-PEP urges Gov. Wolf to nominate more Black judges to state, county courts CRAWFORD FROM A1
actions to be prevented in the future—appoint more Black judges to the court. And to appoint them now, as there are three current openings on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas bench. Stevens directed his most recent letter to Pennsylvania’s top man, Gov. Tom Wolf, who has the authority to nominate individuals to the court. “The number of African American judges in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County had actually regressed from seven in the 1970s, to only three in 2019,” Stevens’ Dec. 1 letter to the governor read, obtained by the New Pittsburgh Courier. “In this past year where the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ became more a meaningful reality to many citizens of both Pennsylvania and the nation, regardless of race or party, it is the hope of the Black Political Empowerment Project that you as the governor of our commonwealth will utilize your power and influence to begin to correct this historic wrong that persists in our courts.” The openings on the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court are due to Tranquilli’s resignation, the death of Judge John Zottola in October, and the retirement of Judge Don Walko in August. There are currently four Black judges in the Allegehny County Court of Common Pleas—President Judge Kim Berkeley Clark, Judge Dwayne Woodruff, Judge Elliot Howsie, and Judge Joseph K. Williams III. Williams is in the orphans’ division; the others are in the family division. There are no Black judges in the criminal division. Tranquilli’s alleged comments were made as he was presiding over a criminal trial, allegedly spoken to attorneys in Tranquilli’s chambers. “There are still no African American judges in criminal court, yet the number of African Americans coming before criminal court judges remain significant,” Stevens’ letter read. Governor Wolf ’s most re-
cent nomination to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas was Judge Bruce R. Beemer, nominated in November 2019, confirmed in December 2019. Judge Beemer, who is White, currently serves in the criminal division. Prior to Judge Beemer, Gov. Wolf nominated Judge Elliot Howsie to the Court of Common Pleas’ family division. Judge Howsie was nominated in March 2019, and sworn-in two months later. Judge Howsie, who was raised in Wilkinsburg and graduated from Central Catholic High School, became Allegheny County’s first African American chief public defender on March 19, 2012. Stevens’ letter pointed out another “first”—he is lobbying for Gov. Wolf to nominate Rosemary Crawford, Esq., to the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. She would be the first Black woman to be nominated or appointed to the Common Pleas Court in the county since President Judge Clark was appointed to the court in 1999 by then-Governor Tom Ridge. “We (B-PEP) mentioned in our letter of March 11, 2019 that Ms. Crawford had been ‘highly recommended’ by the Allegheny County Bar Association in 2013, and was also endorsed by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Tribune Review, and the New Pittsburgh Courier in that same year,” Stevens wrote. “...With the number of anticipated openings we strongly request that you not stop with merely the appointment of Ms. Crawford, but that you use this opportunity to expand your ability to help correct the wrongs of the past.” Crawford, a graduate of Georgetown University Law School, is a veteran attorney of 30 years. She’s had unsuccessful runs for the Common Pleas Court in 2013, 2015 and 2017, the Courier reported in a 2019 article. But she acknowledged in the article that she’d been getting increasing support from more Black community leaders. “I’m getting more interest
with each run and that’s important for a grassroots campaign,” Crawford said in the Courier’s 2019 article. “Sometimes you just have to be committed, not give up. Because enough people have given up on our community. I’m not going to be on that list.” There could be more judicial openings across the state in the Commonwealth Court, Superior Court and Supreme Court come next year. Stevens urged Gov. Wolf to do whatever he could to “influence the endorsements of African Americans” for those positions. A Courier analysis of those statewide courts shows that there are no African Americans on the state’s Supreme Court, Superior Court or Commonwealth Court. Amanda Green-Hawkins, a Black woman who serves as associate counsel for the United Steelworkers, nearly won a seat on the state Superior Court last year. Green-Hawkins, a New Jersey native, moved to Pittsburgh in 2002 and also served on Allegheny County Council from 2008 to 2014. She’s been a recipient of the Courier’s Fab 40 under 40 award. “We remind you of the loyalty of African American voters to the Democratic Party in both Pennsylvania and across the nation,” Stevens wrote to Gov. Wolf. “It has been well-established in the recent Presidential Election that the Black vote played a powerful and pivotal role in helping to elect the next President and Vice President of the United States of America, and that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania helped to bring the Biden/ Harris ticket to victory. The African American community now seeks a victory in the courts of Pennsylvania in terms of judges who are appointed and elected to serve the citizens of our commonwealth. ...We look forward to hearing good news, real soon.”
CURRENT BLACK COMMON PLEAS COURT JUDGES
JOSEPH K. WILLIAMS III
KIM BERKELEY CLARK
“It has been well-established in the recent Presidential Election that the Black vote played a powerful and pivotal role in helping to elect the next President and Vice President of the United States of America, and that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania helped to bring the Biden/Harris ticket to victory. The African American community now seeks a victory in the courts of Pennsylvania in terms of judges who are appointed and elected to serve the citizens of our commonwealth. ...We look forward to hearing good news, real soon.”
TIM STEVENS B-PEP PRESIDENT AND CEO
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ELLIOT HOWSIE
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
DECEMBER 16-22, 2020 A3
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METRO
DECEMBER 16-22, 2020
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine arrives in Pittsburgh
UPS DELIVERY DRIVER DALLAS WHITE safely delivers the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to UPMC officials, Dec. 14. (Photos courtesy UPMC)
VACCINE FROM A1
vaccine for the paralyzing viral disease polio. “And we all know the benefit that humanity has seen from that,” Minnier said. The other UPMC employees who received the first dosages of the vaccine on Monday, Dec. 14, were Christian Schott, 36, an intensive care unit nurse at UPMC Passavant, and Manny Philavong, 46, an environmental services supervisor at UPMC Passavant. The five UPMC employees who received the vaccine on Dec. 14 will
receive the second part of the vaccine in 21 days, Minnier said. The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses; one dose via a shot in the arm taken three weeks apart. Now comes the understatement of the century: The COVID-19 vaccine couldn’t have come soon enough. The pandemic has killed more than 300,000 people in the U.S. and infected more than 16 million Americans. All ethnicities of all ages have been affected, and health experts predict that the winter season will only make things worse. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has shut down pretty much all entertainment-related indoor activities in the state until Jan. 4, 2021, including gyms, bars, bowling alleys and movie theaters. Indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people; outdoor gatherings limited to 50. The Allegheny County Health Department reported 1,647 coronavirus cases from Dec. 13-14,
which brought the seven-day average of new daily cases at the time to 965. Compare that with, say, Oct. 1-2, where there were 94 and 72 total cases in the county, respectively. Pittsburgh’s African American community has lost some notable members due to COVID-19 recently. The New Pittsburgh Courier reported in its Dec. 2 edition the death of Mon Valley civil rights advocate Clifton Pitts, and Marlon J. Lucas, a longtime bus driver for the Port Authority of Allegheny County. Pitts was 76 years old; Lucas was 57. Local Pastor Milton Raiford told WPXI-TV (Channel 11) that Lucas “was the kind of guy that if somebody came to church that was troubled, and they were broken, and they didn’t have a father, he was like an oak tree. I would say sit next to Marlon because he’ll provide the shade that you need and comfort that you need.” At least 94 of the 665
COVID-related deaths in Allegheny County as of Dec. 14 were African Americans, according to county Health Department data. And while the Pfizer COVID vaccine arrived in Pittsburgh on Dec. 14, it will be months before the general population here will be able to receive the two-part vaccine. The state will first focus on vaccinating healthcare personnel, such as EMS technicians, nurses, transporters, etc. Residents and employees at long-term care facilities will also receive the vaccine. Next will be other first-responders, other essential workers in places like schools and jails and in law enforcement, and those over the age of 65 with underlying health conditions. Then, those under age 65 with high-risk conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure, liver disease, etc., will be vaccinated. The final phase includes the rest of the general population. It’s hard for anyone to know exactly how long it will take for all Pennsylvania residents who want the vaccine to get it. The Pa. Department of Health said on Dec. 14 the length of time it takes for all to be vaccinated depends on the availability of the vaccine. On Dec. 14, the state said it received 97,500 Pfizer COVID vaccine doses for 66 Pa. counties, with Philadelphia County receiving its own 13,650 doses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tasked with allotting the vaccine to states. Graham Snyder, UPMC’s medical director of infection and prevention, and hospital epidemiology, said to reporters as the first UPMC employees were about to be vaccinated: “I think we’re starting to see the beginning of the end.”
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
RELIGION/METRO
Port Authority bus driver Marlon Lucas among those who’ve died from COVID-19 Local Pastor Milton Raiford told WPXI-TV (Channel 11) that Lucas “was the kind of guy that if somebody came to church that was troubled, and they were broken, and they didn’t have a father, he was like an oak tree. I would say sit next to Marlon because he’ll provide the shade that you need and comfort that you need.”
DECEMBER 16-22, 2020 A5
Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH 91 Crawford Street Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Sunday Mass 10:30 A.M. www.sbtmparishpgh.com
East Liberty Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 Worship Online on Facebook/YouTube www.ELPC.church Journey Worship...........8:45 a.m. Sanctuary Worship...........11 a.m. Taize -Wednesdays.........7 p.m.
Curious about Quakerism? You Are Welcome at our Meetings for Worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Pittsburgh Friends Meeting 4836 Ellsworth Avenue www.quaker.org/pghpamm/
Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community! For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext. 128. MARLON LUCAS, shown above in various family photos. (Photo collage shared on Facebook by Amalgated Transit Union Local 85)
UPMC employees get first vaccine dosages
TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEXT CHURCH EVENT! We want to place your event in our Church Circuit weekly calendar! Send info to: New Pittsburgh Courier 315 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh PA 15219 Or Email us! religion@ newpittsburgh courier.com
CHARMAINE PKYOSH, a 67-year-old advanced nurse practitioner at UPMC Presbyterian, was the first employee to receive a dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Photos courtesy UPMC)
JA’RAY GAMBLE, 29, a transporter at UPMC Mercy, was the fourth employee to receive a dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine.
CHRISTIAN SCHOTT, 36, an intensive care unit nurse at UPMC Passavant, was the third employee to receive a dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Courier is THE VOICE of Black Pittsburgh.
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DECEMBER 16-22, 2020
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New Pittsburgh Courier
President-elect Biden’s ‘unrelenting’ commitment to diversity?
J. Pharoah Doss B4
BUSINESS
Classifieds
Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing B5
DECEMBER 16-22, 2020
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
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Working from home for the holidays: Tips to stay productive and employed The holiday season brings families together, but it also means added distractions for the many people working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. How can remote workers keep their focus sharp and their productivity high while noise and interruptions surround them? And what can businesses do to ensure their employees aren’t slacking and projects are on track? “Working from home creates a different psychological vibe from the all-business environment of a brick-and-mortar office setting, and that feeling is magnified during the holidays,” says Cynthia Spraggs (www.virtira. com), a veteran of working remotely, author of How To Work From Home And Actually Get SH*T Done, and CEO of Virtira, a completely virtual company that helps other businesses work virtually. “The holidays bring new challenges to getting work done efficiently at home, and at the same time, employers have concerns about how the holidays can affect workers’ productivity in a home setting. It can cause tension between managers and employees.” Spraggs offers tips to employees and employers about working from home productively during the holidays: How WFH employees can overcome holiday distractions • Create a mental commute and brain warm-
up. A morning routine can help clear the mind and prepare for the working mindset. “The drive to the office used to create a mental separation between home life and work life and give the worker space and time to prepare for the day,” Spraggs says. “A similar separation time is vital at home, especially in a holiday atmosphere, in order to focus on the work tasks ahead. Develop a routine, such as reading
or exercise, that warms up your brain.” • Create must-do lists. The holidays are filled with gift lists, parties, family obligations, baking plans, and other tasks that aren’t usually on the everyday agenda. “When these distractions make it difficult to focus,” Spraggs says, “it helps to start the day with a list of work tasks that must be completed that day. Prioritizing them makes it more likely they’ll
get done, even if your mind does veer off into visions of sugar plums.” • Keep your office space a quiet place, and show everyone the door. “Establishing a clear boundary is a must,” Spraggs says. “I strongly advise you to put a door between you and the rest of the household, and keep it shut. Otherwise, the home holiday cheer will break your concentration as people and pets stream in.”
How Employers Can Keep WFH Workers From Slacking During Holidays • Trust, don’t micromanage. Some businesses go so far as screen- or mouse-tracking software on company-provided devices to check in on their workforce. But Spraggs says that type of micromanaging can be counterproductive as employees feel distrusted and overly pressured. “Such a man-
agement practice during the holidays comes across worse,” she says. “Managers can find less intrusive ways to help employees stay on track. Set targets and measure results, preferably using online dashboards with status reports. This makes it easy for employees to earn your trust. The more you trust those who have earned it, and don’t hound them, the more they will produce.” •Have daily checkins. Remote managers should establish either a daily one-on-one call or team call with their employees. In the holiday season, Spraggs says, extra efforts should be made in communication to compensate for people taking time off and getting projects completed. “A regular routine of calls provides a forum for the employees to consult with the manager and each other,” Spraggs says, “and the manager can track performance in real time.” • Set holiday goals and rewards. “Your quarterly goals can be augmented by special holiday goals and rewards for meeting them,” Spraggs says. “These dangled carrots incentivize working diligently at home during the holidays and give them a bonus. Making it fun and competitive, the productivity goes up.” “It’s all about discipline and knowing how to protect the work side of your home from the fun side during the holidays,” Spraggs says.
MSNBC Executive Producer Rashida Jones named first Black woman network president by Betti Halsell Los Angeles Sentinel
MSNBC NETWORK PRESIDENT RASHIDA JONES (Courtesy of NBC)
Mass media conglomerate MSNBC has moved forward with presenting their highest-ranking senior role to executive producer, Rashida Jones. She will become President of the network on February 1. Sources such as Vogue report Jones will be succeeding Phil Griffin, who
has been president of MSNBC for roughly 25 years. Jones will be the first Black woman to hold this type of influence at the network. This will be the first change in leadership since 2008. Reports from by NBCUniversal News described the transition, Chairman Cesar Conde sent a release of the information throughout the station. Conde took over as chair-
man of NBCUniversal News Group, which includes NBC News, MSNBC, and CNBC after Andrew Lack decided to step down as active chairman. Jones’ promotion was the first appointed decision Conde made as chairman. In reflection of the current global enlightenment in social change, Conde has made the pathway clear for diversity in leadership. Jones will be the first
Black Executive to be president at this influential mass media channel. Quoting one of Conde’s statements when reflecting on Jones, “She leads with a laser-like focus and grace under pressure,” This action aligns with Conde’s public goals of NBC consisting of 50 percent women and 50 percent people of color. SEE NETWORK PRESIDENT B2
Is the credit scoring system fair? I think so I get into more arguments about credit scores than any other subject I cover. People have a love affair with their credit score. Many mistakenly believe that a credit score is their financial report card. It’s not! A financial report card will take into account your income, debts, savings, investments, assets, insurances and other financial details. As you’ll see in this article, I understand how the scoring system works. Before I go into details about credit scores, let me first say that your focus should always be on raising your net worth—not raising your credit score. A high net worth will lead you to financial freedom and financial independence. A high credit score will lead you to more debt and more bills. A high credit score emphasizes you “managing your debt.” A high net worth emphasizes you “eliminating your debt.” When you apply for a car loan, insurance, credit cards, personal loans or a home loan, etc., they will evaluate your FICO score, also known as a credit score. There are many scoring models that exist. FICO, which stands for Fair Isaac and Company, named after its founders, is the most recognized scoring model of them all. A FICO Score or any credit score is a comprehensive, mathematical evaluation of your credit profile. It looks at various factors and forms an objective view of your credit behavior. The system measures your borrowing and payment patterns against a database of borrowing and payment patterns of the general borrowing population. It then develops a score ranging from 350-850. The higher the score, the more likely you will repay your debts on time, pos-
ing little risk to the lender/investor. The lower the score, the more likely you will default on your debts, posing great risk to the lender/ investor. These FICO scores have proven to be accurate and most, if not all, lenders rely on them. A score of 680 and above is considered to be a good credit risk. There are five factors that determine your FICO score. Here are the factors that determine your credit score broken down broken down by priority: • 35 percent of your score is based on your past payment history on an existing account. Recent payment history is weighted more heavily. • 30 percent of your score is based on the amount you owe on your debt in relation to your credit limit or original balance. • 15 percent of your score is based on how long you’ve been using credit. • 10 percent of your score is based on you shopping for new credit. Note: Be careful when shopping for credit. It can give a new meaning to the phrased “Shop to you Drop.” Many inquiries and/or many new credit accounts will result in lower scores. • 10 percent of your score is based on the mix of credit you hold, including credit cards, installment loans, leases, and mortgage. Bankruptcies, judgments, collection accounts and accounts written off as a profit or loss are an indication of not making timely payments and results in reduced scores.
There have been many debates about whether or not the credit scoring system is adverse against Black people and other minorities. Based on my experience, I would have to say the credit scoring system is fair. Here is the basis for my reasoning. Most mortgage companies offer a free credit analysis. The credit analysis is free for the applicant but it’s not free for the mortgage company. A trimerge credit report costs anywhere $15-$60 per person. Therefore a tri-merge credit report for a married couple cost anywhere from $30-$120. On average, a loan officer takes about six applications per day. Some may qualify. Some won’t. Some may be interested in the loan they qualify for. Some may not. While the average loan officer takes six applications per day, only two or three of those applications may turn into a deal. Let’s do the math. That’s 30 applications per week and only three actually turn into a deal. While working for other mortgage companies, I pulled a credit report on every person I talked to. The company paid for the cost. Not me. When I became an owner of a mortgage and financial planning company, I had a whole different mindset. Credit reports I pulled had a direct effect on my bottom line. As a result, I had to figure out a way to offer a free credit analysis and mitigate the cost. The solution: I studied the factors that determine the credit score. I also reviewed files
that I had previously worked—evaluating their payment and borrowing habits and their credit score. Before I considered pulling a credit report, I’d ask questions that I will be looking for on a potential customer’s credit report. I ask them questions based on factors that the scoring systems use to determine a credit score. I worked with people of all ethnic backgrounds. I knew whether or not it was worth incurring the expense and pulling a credit report. I grew so comfortable with this process that I’d pull a person’s credit report at the last minute. During this time when I was originating mortgage loans, I never had a mortgage application fall through following this approach. Below are some tips to help you retain or regain good credit scores: • Correct errors on your credit report • Pay your bills on time • Pay off delinquent accounts • Don’t max out your credit cards (never allow balance to equal more than 30 percent of the limit) • Don’t apply for credit too often (a lot of inquiries and new accounts can reduce your scores) • Don’t have an abundance of open credit cards and installment loans (three trades is more than sufficient) • Use credit only when absolutely necessary For more on FICO scores visit www.myfico. com
(Money Coach Damon Carr can be reached at 412216-1013 or visit his website at www.damonmoneycoach.com.)
B2 DECEMBER 16-22, 2020
BUSINESS
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Mellody Hobson named Chairwoman of the Board of Starbucks by Stacy M. Brown For New Pittsburgh Courier
(NNPA)—Mellody Hobson, a Princeton graduate who in 2019 earned the Woodrow Wilson Award, the university’s highest honor, was named Chairwoman of the Board of Starbucks. With the promotion, Hobson becomes the only African American woman to chair a Fortune 500 company. “I am thrilled and honored to take on the role of chair,” Hobson exclaimed. “Over nearly two decades, I have seen the company continue to elevate and transform its business—adapting to various market environments and evolving consumer trends. “I look forward to working with the Board and talented leadership team on accelerating our strategy, supporting our valued partners, and continuing to create significant value for all of our stakeholders.” Hobson, 51, also serves as chairman of After School Matters, a Chicago non-profit that provides area teens with high-quality after-school and summer programs. Additionally, the Chicago-born businesswoman is vice-chair of World Business Chicago, co-chair of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, and a board member of the George Lucas Education Foundation and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). She is a member of The Rockefeller Foundation Board of Trustees and serves on the Investment Company Institute’s executive committee. Besides serving over 15 years on the Starbucks board of directors, Hobson is the co-CEO of Ariel Investments, LLC, a global value-based asset management firm. In that role, she is responsible for the management, strategic planning, and growth for all areas of Ariel Investments outside of research and portfolio management. Hobson also serves as Chairman of the Board of the company’s publicly traded mutual funds. Before being named CoCEO, Hobson spent nearly two decades as the firm’s President. “Beyond Starbucks, she has brought invaluable experience to boardrooms across the nation. She currently serves as a director of JPMorgan Chase,” the company wrote in a news release, noting that Hobson is also a past director of Estée Lauder Companies and served
MELLODY HOBSON was named Chairwoman of the Board of Starbucks. as Chairman of the Board of DreamWorks Animation until the company’s sale. In addition to graduating from Princeton, Hobson also received honorary doctorate degrees from Howard University, Johns Hopkins University, St. Mary’s College, and the University of Southern California. In 2015, Time Magazine named her one of the “100 Most Influential People” worldwide. “From the very beginning, I set out to build a different kind of company—one in which all decisions were to be made through the lens of humanity,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks’ modern day founder and chairman emeritus. “Mellody has been a trusted advisor to me and the company for more than 20 years. She is a fearless leader defined by her grace and wisdom. She has long embraced Starbucks’ purpose and, along with the leadership team, will continue to reimagine Starbucks’ future through the foundation of its past. My heart is full and thankful that Starbucks will have Mellody’s leadership as chair.”
How young professionals should save and invest by Albert Lalonde For New Pittsburgh Courier
When starting a retirement savings and investment plan, the rule of thumb is the earlier, the better. For young professionals, that can be easier said than done. High rent, student loan payments, and modest junior-level salaries make saving a challenge. And now in this unprecedented year come the dynamics adding economic uncertainty – the coronavirus, a global recession, and the upcoming presidential election. Those young people whose 401(k) values were rising steadily before 2020 now are nervous and wondering how to plan for a retirement that’s a long way away. But while the seas are stormy, there are (Stacy M. Brown is NNPA Newswire Senior proven principles they can use to navigate National Correspondent.) and stay on a steady course toward retirement—no matter how distant it appears on their map. As many of us know, it gets here soon enough. These are some key points young savers should consider as they develop a financial plan for retirement: • Become a disciplined saver. The optimal savings rate toward retirement is at least 20 percent of gross income. That may be too high for young savers, given their other financial obligations, but the important thing is to make savings a priority. Save at a consistent rate and increase it as soon as possible. The best way to stick with your savings plan is to develop automated savings strategies, such as to have contributions made directly to a 401(k). Another option that’s popular is splitting up direct deposits, with one going into a dedicated savings account. • Keep contributing to your 401(k)— even if your employer stopped matching. Due to the pandemic, many companies suspended or reduced their 401(k) matching contributions to save cash and avoid layoffs. While such a move slows one’s accumulation of retirement funds, the bigger long-term damage is done when an employee stops contributing to the 401(k) at the same time that the employer stops matching. At minimum, maintain your current retirement contributions or, if you can afford to, increase them to compensate for the temporary loss of your employer’s 401(k) match. Another alternative is redirecting a portion of your retirement contributions to a Roth Individual Retirement Account. Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with funds on which you’ve already paid income tax, and in many cases offer more flexibility when it comes to investment
choices. But whatever you do, keep contributing. By staying the course, either in your 401(k) or Roth IRA, you can continue to grow your nest egg and take advantage of a market recovery when it arrives. And if you can afford to increase your contributions, you’ll keep your retirement plan on track. • Diversify savings and investment vehicles. 401(k) contributions accumulate on a tax-deferred basis, usually are withdrawn when investors are in a lower tax bracket, and often include some employer-matching funds to augment savings. While these are all positives, it’s important to save elsewhere. Remember, qualified retirement funds are functionally locked away until age 59 1/2, so they aren’t available in the event that a cash need arises. Moreover, 401(k) savings are taxed at the time of withdrawal. Young investors should consider balancing traditional 401(k)s with a Roth IRA— or Roth 401(k) if it’s offered—or a normal brokerage account. Roth contributions are made after tax, but they allow tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement. They also typically allow penalty-free withdrawals up to the amount contributed. This provides some liquidity as well as an excellent tax benefit for accounts that appreciate substantially. Regular brokerage accounts provide no tax advantages, but they are liquid and still offer growth. Having a growth mindset is central to building a good retirement plan while young. With many years until retirement, a young investor’s accounts should be weighted toward stocks, with enough diversification to protect against poor performing stocks or industries. Success in the stock market comes over the long haul, and young people have time to ride out cycles and downturns. With a long time horizon and relatively low income relative to their later career earnings, young investors are in a unique position to realize the benefits of these vehicles. Using a mixture of these different account types will diversify tax exposure and balance savings and earnings with accessibility. For young investors, it cannot be emphasized more: start saving early, be consistent, be diligent, be growth-minded. Start saving in a systematic way and diversify as you can. Whatever 2020 is throwing at you, it doesn’t have to stop you from having a good, disciplined plan that will pay off many years from now. (Albert Lalonde, a financial planner and investment advisor representative, is the founder of Kaizen Financial Group (www.kaizenfinancialgroup. com)
Rashida Jones is network president NETWORK PRESIDENT FROM B1
MSNBC is a mix of trending news and political commentary that is powered with the content on a 24-hour period. MSNBC has perceived notion of being at odds with NBC News. When some of their talents appear on MSNBC tailored shows, they have expressed concern of the network’s strong liberal ties in the “evening lineup.” Similar accusations have been made about the assumed bias at Fox News and other news outlets. Looking at Jones’ background, she graduated from a Historically Black college and received her degree in broadcast journalism from Hampton University. She has accumulated over two decades of media experience on a national and local level. Jones joined MSNBC in 2013, after she worked at a local news station in South Carolina. Before the role of MSNBC President, Jones was acknowledged for her leadership in breaking news coverage at MSNBC and NBC. Additionally, she looked over daytime and weekend news programming. Some of the noted work included two town-hall
meetings with Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden. Jones also had a hand in producing and overseeing the Presidential Debate. With competing news platforms, MSNBC is looking for ways to stabilize and create their own lane of presenting the news with greater pay-off. Numbers reflect various networks such as Fox, CNN, and Warner Media making anywhere from 1.7 to 2-billion dollars, whereas MSNBC is only projected to make 1.1 billion dollars in revenue; that may be the main focus for Jones to strategize around. Many presidents of network companies are preparing the steep decline in views as the transition within politics begins to settle down. Jones has curated her career to be ready to feel the network’s need for innovative ideas. Making herself known through her strategies in special news reports, Jones has covered discussions of equity and most notably the presidential debates. She will continue to execute and add refinement to the change that NBCUniversal are looking to conduct in the wake of social change.
OPINION
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
DECEMBER 16-22, 2020
B3
Stimulus or relief?
Guest Editorial
The importance of music in shaping our minds A late popular deejay used to say that “music is the soundtrack of our lives.” On the surface that might not sound like it is of profound import, but looked at more closely, it really is! During the course of dealing with a national upsurge of the dreaded COVID-19, music is one of the things keeping a lot of people sane. In essence, music is much more than a trivial pursuit, which is why musical artists are so important and are so lauded in society. The most prominent instrumentalists, vocalists, rappers, et al are the keepers of the culture so to speak. If you think back on your life, a lot of pivotal activities and events have been encoded with the music of those times. In fact, listening to certain songs or compositions can bring a person to tears based on the memories that they conjure up. The power of music is the reason why we venerate so many prominent artists; they have an important influence on our psyches. Examples of great artists/musical healers include, but are definitely not limited to, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Gloria Gaynor, Isaac Hayes, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Michael Jackson, Jay Z, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Tupac Shakur, Biggie Smalls, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Alicia Keys, India.Arie, Ike and Tina Turner, Eartha Kitt, Billy Eckstine, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Queen Latifah, Ella Fitzgerald, B.B. King, Kirk Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Charlie “Bird” Parker, and many, many others representing a wide array of genres. Listening to the right music can bring a person out of a deep funk. By the same token, it can also pull people down into the dumps. This brings to mind the following discussion. While music is definitely influential and can impact people in a positive way, it can also wreak havoc. This is what happened during the advent of gangsta’ rap. Initially, hip-hop was basically harmless and whimsical. It later morphed into a more sinister version of music, and those in the know have been able to draw parallels between the rising prominence of gangsta’ rap with its themes of violence, bloodshed, misogyny, materialism, self-hatred, and more, to the rise of fratricidal murder, domestic violence and other community ills plaguing Black people. Just think about it, music is connected with every aspect of our lives; movies, weddings, funerals, church services, meditation, memories, actually just about EVERYTHING!! Music is anything but frivolous. This is why it is so important that we pay close attention to our musical diet, because it portends the nature of the dominant memes in our communities. Music, in a very real sense, is the soundtrack of our lives. Because music is so important, we need to take control of what kind of music we embrace as a community. Regarding negative rap music, the late, great Dr. Frances Cress Welsing stated, “We’re the only people on this entire planet who have been taught to sing and praise our demeanment. ‘I’m a bitch. I’m a hoe. I’m a gangster. I’m a thug. I’m a dog.’ If you can train people to demean and degrade themselves, you can oppress them forever. You can even program them to kill themselves, and they won’t even understand what happened.” Dr. Welsing’s words ring very true during this age of degenerate Black rap music. Of course, there is beautiful music still available, but there is a bias on the part of mainstream media to broadcast music that encourages Black people to self-destruct. This is apparent if we pay attention to what many of our youth listen to and then watch their behavior. Music is important; this is why we must meet negativity with positivity. We must encourage our youth to support positive music that uplifts, as opposed to lowdown “art.” One of the most prominent new artists today is rapper Megan Thee Stallion. She has collaborated with rapper Cardi B to produce a huge best-selling album titled “W.A.P.,” which is an acronym for “Wet A$$ Pu**y.” Our youth are musically embracing this music. We can’t, in all fairness, watch them listen to this kind of music and then expect them to become well-behaved, high-minded folks. We must be realistic and begin to take control of the airwaves that are arguably ruining our youth! We must do something about this now!!! (Reprinted from the Chicago Crusader)
Founded 1910
Rod Doss Editor & Publisher Stephan A. Broadus Assistant to the Publisher Allison Palm
Rob Taylor Jr.
Jeff Marion
Office Manager
Managing Editor
Circulation Consultant
John. H. Sengstacke
Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Demos is a Greek word which refers to the common people of a nation, the populace. It is the root word for many other words to which we often refer. Democratic, Demonstrations, Demonstrators, Demography, Demographics, Demographer, Demobilize and Democracy are some of those terms which come to mind. Ideally and in the scheme of history, Democracy is a noble idea. The concept of government based upon mutuality and, ostensibly, the belief in the will of the majority of citizens is, theoretically, preferable to any other form of government. As a principle of Democracy, mutuality is one that my observations determine is more often forgotten or ignored. With the extremely rare exception, no one individual can afford to build or maintain the thoroughfares that take us to and from work. Our public schools are established with the understanding that while we cannot individually afford to finance teachers or facilities, with each of us paying a smaller amount, we can collectively educate our children. The same principles apply to public safety, national defense, and disaster preparation/management. Despite naysayers, one of the important elements of Democracy is the implied collaborative agreement that we will work to achieve and “provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.” We are at war with COVID. Without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, or
Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.
Commentary nationality this disease is challenging the health and welfare of everyone on earth. Unfortunately, while COVID is a world-wide problem, the United States is currently at ground-zero for infections and death. The necessity for social distancing in a COVID environment has wreaked havoc on economies and the people attempting to survive under deteriorating financial conditions. Yet many refuse to acknowledge the common threat facing us all. Even dying COVID patients reportedly express disbelief in the disease or its ability to kill. I have always believed that effective communication is essential to problem solving. I value those attempting to accurately describe the nature of the problem with all participants agreeing that problem resolution is the bottom-line goal. It is problematic that those currently responsible for COVID policy management and implementation fail to acknowledge the need for earnest action. Beyond contracting the disease is the problem of surviving secondary impacts of the disease. Unemployment and lack of funds spawn increasing
food insecurity (starvation) and threats of homelessness. Every day, those blessed with an operating television see the surface of suffering by our fellow citizens. Listening to the news daily, I anxiously await a report that the Senate and House have reconciled their differences and that a new economic package is on the way to the White House for signature. Each day, I am met with the disturbing news that Mitch McConnell and his Republican cronies have identified another obstacle in the pathway to mitigating the economic pain that is now common to so many. What is worse is a President who has abandoned all leadership responsibilities in quest of reversing an election he has unquestionably lost. Incidentally, the current Republican COVID response presents ample reason to flip the Senate with the election of Warnock and Ossoff in Georgia. Let us all encourage that outcome! As we approach the winter recess, I wonder what we will face if Congress fails to act before reconvening in January. Will Congress return to a nation that only requires a small nudge to get things moving again? Or will we face a situation so dire as to threaten our internal order and security? Will politicians allow our nation to devolve into social and economic chaos? I pray our national circumstance will not deteriorate to the point of needing incalculable relief. The consequences of benign neglect should already be emblazoned in our memories! (Dr. E. Faye Williams is President of the National Congress of Black Women.)
Biden should revive the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (TriceEdneyWire.com)—A new president takes office with the sense of possibility that comes with a new dawn. This is particularly true for Joe Biden, taking office after the divisive turmoil of Donald Trump’s years in office. Biden inherits truly fearsome troubles—among them the spiking pandemic, the collapsing economy, corrosive inequality, catastrophic climate change and entrenched structural racism. He stood up for Black Lives Matter and has promised a new day for civil rights, with particular emphasis on police reform. America’s institutionalized racism goes far beyond the police, of course. We’ve witnessed the spread of brazen voter suppression schemes since the Supreme Court disemboweled the Voting Rights Act. Our public schools grow ever more separate and unequal. Blacks and Latinos have suffered disproportionately in the economic collapse surrounding the pandemic, and from the pandemic itself. The racial gap in housing, health care, wealth and more grow worse. And now as America grows more diverse, discrimination against other minorities from Latinos to Native Americans demands redress. Biden will no doubt appoint an attorney general sensitive to these concerns. Across the government, civil rights divisions will be revived and recharged. Action on voting rights, on reducing mass incarceration, on police reform will follow. As part of this renewed commitment, Biden should consider steps to revive and empower the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, preferably with new leadership, new authority and adequate staffing, to undertake the crucial mission of monitor-
Jesse Jackson Sr.
Commentary ing civil rights progress, investigating abuses and recommending remedies. The U.S. Commission was created under President Dwight D Eisenhower, a Republican, in the 1957 Civil Rights Act. Its mission was “the continuous appraisal of the status of civil rights and the efficiency of the machinery with which we hope to improve that status.” It was charged with collecting data, holding hearings, providing a clearing house and coordination of state and private agencies working in civil rights. It would issue regular reports and make recommendations in regard to remedying civil rights abuses. In its early years, the commission played a vital role. Its prestigious members helped develop the case and formulate the reforms that informed the early civil rights acts, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 among others. In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan sought to weaken the commission, reducing its staff and resources. After illegally attempting to fire three of the commissioners, Reagan forced a compromise in which eight commissioners would serve staggered six-year terms, with half appointed by the president and two by the speaker of the House and two by the president pro tempore of the Senate. Since that time, the com-
mission has declined in stature and effectiveness. Biden should seek to revive the commission. He should appoint a new director of national stature, and commit the resources needed to rebuild the staff and the functions of the commission. He should seek new legislation to give the president power to nominate the commissioners, investing them with greater authority. An active commission could help spearhead the investigations and reforms vital to addressing civil and human rights in this country. It could review how civil rights legislation should be updated to address the challenges of a much more diverse country. It could hold hearings on voter suppression and gerrymandering—and on reviving the Voting Rights Act—to bring public attention to what is a growing problem. It could investigate the challenge of reforming police forces into effective agencies of public safety. What’s clear is that no department or bureau of government can undertake this effort. Each has its own sphere of authority and concern. Inter-agency efforts are cumbersome and seldom effective. An independent commission could in fact serve the function Eisenhower envisioned—providing a central monitoring agency across the broad range of civil rights concerns and helping to define the next generation of reforms. As the new president selects the officials that will work to fulfill his pledges of civil rights and criminal justice reform, and as he formulates his initial package of administrative and legislative actions, he would be wise to include revival of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights as a central element in that agenda.
Israel, settler colonialism and religion (NNPA)--On a regular basis those of us who demonstrate our support for Palestinian self-determination and freedom are demonized as being anti-Semitic or otherwise insensitive to the religious persecution that has been perpetrated against Jewish people. Such allegations are nothing more than sophistry and aim at deflecting the criticisms of the expropriation of the Palestinian land by Zionists settlers and the establishment of a neo-apartheid state by the Israeli political establishment. But it is useful to turn to the question of religion for a moment. The religious argument for the establishment of Israel is based on a particular interpretation of the Bible. That the Zionist movement, established in Europe during the 19th century as a secular response to the persecution of European Jews is frequently ignored. What is also ignored was the search, by the leadership of the Zionist movement, for a European colonial-imperial ally with the aim of establishing a Jewish state somewhere in the world (within the sphere of that colonial empire!). This included overtures toward the major colonial empires of the time such as Britain, Russia, and Turkey. The fact that the Zionist movement saw
Bill Fletcher Jr.
Commentary itself as having shared interests with colonial powers that were dividing up Africa, Asia and, in a different manner, Latin America, should tell us something about the motive of the movement. It is also worth noting that the proposed Jewish state was not located exclusively in what is today Palestine. Uganda and Madagascar were two of several other locations that were explored. Once it is clear that multiple locations were explored—only one of which had any relationship to the Bible—and that this exploration was viewed in the context of the European division of the world, it becomes clear that the ultimate establishment of the state of Israel had little to do with a fair treatment of the Bible. It had to do with power and the aim of Europeans to establish a
settler-colony in the Middle East. Yet here is another interesting part of this saga. It turns out that nearly every settler colony, if not every settler colony, associated itself with religion. Whether one is discussing the British colonization of Ireland, the British colonization of North America (and the ultimate founding of the USA), or the Boer/Afrikaner invasion of southern Africa, religion was used by the colonizers as a justification. In each case the colonizers claimed that God instructed them to go forth and seize the land from those who had been occupying it. This religious justification became central in the atrocities carried out against the indigenous peoples—in each case—and the lack of any degree of empathy with those who had originally inhabited the land. Thus, the establishment of Israel was neither unique nor otherwise unusual. It just happened to be the last in a long line of European settler colonial experiments carried out at the expense of those who had inhabited the land, in each case using a religious explanation as the rationale.
(Bill Fletcher Jr. is the executive editor of globalafricanworker.com and a past president of TransAfrica Forum.)
FORUM
B4 DECEMBER 16-22, 2020
The Biden cabinet — mainstream, moderate middling
President-elect Biden’s ‘unrelenting’ commitment to diversity?
(TriceEdneyWire.com)—I neither expected sparks nor extreme surprises as President-elect Joe Biden begin to announce his Cabinet. I did expect diversity, and we’ve seen it. But I didn’t expect the number of Obama-era retreads to be included in this Cabinet. As I write this in mid-December, I can hardly contain my disappointment that Tom Vilsack, the man who fired Shirley Sherrod for specious reasons, is being asked, again, to lead the Department of Agriculture. Many of us had hoped that Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, who served several years on the House Committee on Agriculture, would get this position. Instead, she has was nominated to be the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), still a cabinet position. HUD, however, is one of those “Black folk or people of color” positions. Robert Weaver, an African American Harvard Ph.D. in economics, was the first HUD Secretary. Noted attorney and civil rights activist, Patricia Roberts Harris, was the eighth. Some HUD secretaries were quite distinguished and qualified, others (like present secretary Ben Carson) much less so. In any case Congresswoman Fudge will do an exemplary job, no matter where she serves. But I am among those, including the legacy civil
President-elect in Baltimore after a J. Pharoah Doss Joe Biden told the Black man, Freddie American people, Gray, died in police “My administracustody. Two news tion’s going to headlines summalook like America, rized the consensus: not just my staff, —Baltimore exposthe administraes America’s systemic tion from the vice racism, poverty, and president straight inequality down through —Baltimore riots: cabinet members to major players Locals say, unrest is response to syswithin the White House and the temic racism courts.” According to the diversity doctrine, That sounds good, but what’s accom- the second headline makes no sense. plished by having an administration By the time of Gray’s death Baltimore that looks like America? was on its fourth Black mayor—two The President-elect’s statement rein- men, two women—and three were forced a previous pledge—to have an also Baltimore City Council presunrelenting commitment to diversity. idents. During the time of Gray’s Diversity is multifaceted, but Biden death Baltimore’s police chief was was referring to Title VII diversity. Black. Baltimore’s police force had Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act 2,745 active-duty police officers and prohibited discrimination based on 1,445—more than half—were Black, race, color, religion, sex, and national Hispanic, Asian, or Native American, origin. (Today the diversity doctrine plus four of their top six commanders includes other groups.) However, prowere Black or Hispanic. hibiting discrimination was the easy Of the six officers charged with part. Integrating, or including the for- Gray’s death, three were Black; two merly excluded, without government men and one woman. The judge that fiat was the difficulty. presided over the trial of the officers was a Black man and the state proseDiversity became the doctrine for cutor was a Black woman, plus there voluntary inclusion. were five Black women and three During the last three decades of the Black men on the jury. 20th century, experts have described The people in charge of Baltimore to American institutions the benefits of diversity and American institutions looked like the people of Baltimore. Yet the not guilty verdict for the offihave been diversifying rapidly. By cers involved in Gray’s death was, and the 21st century, American institustill is, cited as an example of systemtions were competing and giving out ic racism. It’s never considered a fair awards for ingenuity and leadership and impartial proceeding conducted in diversity. Both the Obama and by a diverse system. George W. Bush presidential adminisWhy not? trations were respectively considered One news headline answered: Black the most diverse in American history. cops, Black mayors, didn’t save BaltiThat’s why Biden’s “unrelenting” more from police abuse—The limits of commitment to diversity sounds overdiversity. dramatic. But the “experts” in systemic racism However, Biden also pledged his went further and theorized any sysadministration would finally “root out systemic racism” in the United States. tem that disproportionately produced negative outcomes for minorities was According to the diversity doctrine, racist by result, regardless of the rasystemic racism exists because politcial make-up of its administrators. ical administrations and corporate These “experts” not only rendered boardrooms didn’t look like America, the diversity doctrine antiquated, and diversifying the positions of powthey also claimed diversity had no er was a preemptive strike against practical utility in the first place. the racism that prevailed post-Jim Therefore, Biden’s “unrelenting comCrow. Experts theorized diverse admitment” to create an administration ministrations and boardrooms would that looks like America, in an effort detect and eliminate the unconscious to finally root out systemic racism, bias that materialized into systemic proves an ancient political adage: You racism. can’t teach an old senator new tricks. However, during Biden’s second vice-presidential term, a riot erupted
Julianne Malveaux
Commentary rights leaders, who is not excited about Vilsack returning to Agriculture. There is no one under 50 among the Biden nominees. There are few progressives among the Biden nominees. A glimmer of hope lies in the fact that the Council of Economic Advisor leans somewhat left and is also labor-centered, with the nominated chair, Cecilia Rouse, a Princeton University labor economist. The others, Jared Bernstein and Heather Boushey, have past relationships with the Economic Policy Institute, a worker focused think tank in DC (I serve on their board). It is also hopeful that Janet Yellen has been nominated as Treasury Secretary. She is worker-focused and the first woman to hold the post. But in retreading Vilsack and Kerry, choosing international expert Susan Rice to lead the Domestic Policy Council, and choosing other mainstream moderates, Biden has thrown ice water on the hopes and dreams of the progressives who put their interests aside to unite around him. Where is the appointment for Mayor Pete Buttigieg, whose youth and knowledge will bring much to the Cabinet? Who will be the Secretary of Labor? Bernie Sanders would like the position and is highly qualified for it. But so, too, is Thea Lee, President of the Economic Policy Institute, or Bill Spriggs, an African American labor economist who was an Assistant Secretary under President Obama. What about the Attorney General? Of the four top picks, only one, Former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick, is African American. There are opportunities for the Cabinet to be younger, more progressive, and more diverse. President-elect Biden has to consider their concerns. For a week or so, I’ve been encouraging patience, telling people we need to wait to see “the whole thing” of this Cabinet. But I’m reminded (thank you, Congressman Jim Clyburn) of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s book, “Why We Can’t Wait”, that Black people are always waiting, always being cautioned to be patient, always being told that it is not yet time for our concerns to be addressed. We have been cautioned on patience by both our friends and by those who would oppose us. President-elect Jo Biden still has selections to make, and he can make them younger and more diverse. I’d also encourage him to speak up about the racism that has increased in our streets with these “Proud Boys” defacing Washington DC churches and roaming through our streets picking fights with people. We need a strong voice to stand against this racism. It wouldn’t necessarily come from the mainstream, moderate and middling. Those like the so-called Proud Boys (what are they proud of) aren’t likely to listen to Biden since they’ve been given the thumbs up by the tantrum-throwing loser who can’t figure out how to concede this election. But President-elect Biden would be well advised to speak firmly about this racism. Perhaps he should, as NAACP President Derrick Johnson said, appoint a race czar, just as he has selected the climate czar in John Kerry. In any case, the middling and the moderate, those who enjoy the status quo, aren’t the ones to fix a mess that has been brewing for more than four hundred years. President-elect has never been especially bold, but this is a moment for boldness.
Check It Out
The Republican reckoning From the time it was clear that DonLarry Smith ald Trump would be the Republican nominee for president in 2016, I have warned my GOP friends— publicly and privately—that their party would eventually pay a steep price for his brand of politics. Some chose to ignore his tiresome, vitriolic, insipid, intemperate, bigoted and even dangerous antics. Some chose to rationalize or even normalize them. And, most ashamedly, some actively championed them. In the end, all of them are complicit in the disgrace that is the Trump presidency. Attorney General William Barr’s confirmation that there is no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election will—hopefully—be the death knell of the tortuous and tragic saga that his boss launched even as votes were still being counted. Indeed, now that Donald Trump’s defeat is certain, Republican leaders have belatedly begun to cast their gaze introspectively. They’re trying to determine what kind of postTrump party should emerge. Of course, one major challenge for Republicans is that Trump is likely to be around for the foreseeable future. Rather than disappear gracefully, as former presidents of both parties tend to do, he’ll be looking—lurking—over their shoulders. Some will welcome his dour and disruptive presence, at least until they commit some unforgiveable “transgression” (such as telling the truth). Others will, no doubt privately, lament that he won’t simply ride off into the sunset in a Trump-branded limousine. It’s not simply that Trump will cast a long shadow; it’s that his falling star will likely burn up everything in its wake. (Those who will be vying for the 2024 GOP nomination have to be ticked off about Trump’s teasing another run.) Even with Trump out of the White House, “Trumpism” will continue unabated. The fact that more than 70 million Americans voted for him is a sobering reality. As I’ve repeatedly shared with my liberal friends, Trump voters (regardless of their eventual party label) are not going anywhere; the results of the 2020 congressional elections should confirm that. (And, yes, I’m aware that Republican-led voter suppression efforts in several states
play a role.) This leads me back to my original point. The question is whether Republicans will fundamentally change— and I’m not solely talking about their support for Donald Trump. Will they continue to tolerate, and even tacitly endorse, the racism that routinely prevents roughly 90 percent of Black voters (and roughly 70-75 percent of other voters of color) from supporting them? Will they continue to embrace incumbents and candidates who openly peddle insane conspiracy theories? These questions are separate from the equally important—and inveterately sad—likelihood that they will continue to champion tax policies that substantially increase our national debt, burden the middle class, and disregard the poor and working class. Equally as likely, Republicans will continue to perpetuate the false dichotomy that we must choose between so-called “job-killing regulations” and a strong economy. As the saying goes, Black folk don’t have permanent political allies; we have permanent political interests. In the not-too-distant past, Republicans had a legitimate opportunity to secure 25 percent or more of Black votes. Unfortunately, they chose to double down on Richard Nixon’s “Southern strategy” (which hasn’t been confined to the South). In short, for the past five decades the GOP has increasingly appealed to White supremacy, which is an increasingly shaky strategy as our nation’s demographics change. (Unfortunately, given this year’s election results, there is a distinct possibility that at least half of Hispanic voters might not care as much about racism as the overwhelming majority of Black voters do.) Finally, the “steep price” to which I referred earlier is not confined to the voting booth. Republicans must decide the extent to which they care about character and morality—far beyond the core issue of abortion. What does their party actually stand for, as opposed to what they stand against? What will historians say about them? How do they want their descendants to view them? Only time will tell.
Commentary
(Larry Smith is a community leader. Contact him at larry@leaf-llc.com.)
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
Raynard Jackson
Commentary
Once again, Democrats are off to the racists Once again the Democrat Party has shown what they think about the Black community in general and Black Democrats specifically. Because of their sheer incompetence, the Republican Party and the conservative movement have allowed us to be painted as racists; in reality, it’s the radical left Democrat Party who are the real racists! This recent presidential election once again provides another opportunity to prove how racist the Democrats are towards the Black community and how the Republican Party and the conservative movement has yet another opportunity to build stronger bonds with the Black community! I was once told by a prominent Democrat, “The number one rule of politics is that you reward your friends and punish your enemies.” So, what is the first decision Sen. Harris makes as Biden’s VP running mate? She chooses an extreme radical homosexual, Karine Jean-Pierre, as her chief of staff. WTF? Are you kidding me? Black women saved Biden’s hide during the primary and you reward the homosexual community? Jean-Pierre is an immigrant of Haitian descent who is a naturalized citizen; but again, it was native Black women who pressured Biden and his team to put Harris on the ticket! Most Blacks do not support the homosexual agenda. Don’t believe all the bogus polls you read to the contrary. Media appointed supposed Black leaders like Al Sharpton (The National Action Network), Marc Morial (The National Urban League), Derrick Johnson (NAACP) have sold out the Black community on this issue, but the rank and file within our community is vehemently against their agenda. During his victory speech last month, Biden said, “…those moments when this campaign was at its lowest ebb, the African American community stood up again for me…You’ve always had my back, and I’ll have yours.” Biden has repeatedly stated a few of the things he will do on his first day in the White House: Restore transgender students’ rights, make DACA permanent, end the “Muslim ban,” eliminate restrictions on union workers to name a few. Isn’t it amazing that everyone credits the Black vote with salvaging Biden’s campaign, but when Blacks ask for something specific, the Democrats default position is always, “I am not president of Black America, I am president of all of America?” Oh, but it’s OK to do something specific for homosexuals, illegals, Muslims, unions, etc., but just not Blacks. Jim Clyburn, the House Majority Whip, is one of the most influential and respected members of Congress. Why is he being forced to beg and grovel for some of his people to be appointed to Biden’s cabinet? He wanted Ohio Congressman Marcia Fudge for Agriculture Secretary; but she was given the designated “Black” cabinet position of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Democrats are constantly disrespecting Clyburn and Blacks continue to allow them to get away with it. There was not one mention of Clyburn’s treatment when these bougie Black folks met with Biden last week. They obsessed about “social justice,” whatever the hell that is! Biden chose to resurrect an old White male to fill the position at Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. Vilsack is the former governor of Iowa and two-term secretary of said agency. It’s interesting to note that after Vilsack’s nomination by Biden, his Wikipedia page was cleansed of any reference to the Shirley Sherrod incident. Sherrod, a Black woman, was falsely accused and fired from HUD after an altered video tape seemed to show her discriminating against a White farmer. She was never given due process and was fired the same day only to have Vilsack issue an apology and asked her to rejoin HUD. She declined. Civil entitlements leaders vociferously complained and objected to Biden’s choice of Vilsack during the meeting with him and Sen. Harris last week; but they were quickly and derisively dismissed. Blacks continue to be the largest voting block of support in the Democrat Party; yet are relegated to begging for crumbs. This is the personification of racism. To the Republican Party and the conservative movement, Blacks are still waiting for you to give them a reason to join forces. We don’t need to be persuaded, we simply need to be asked and shown that you are interested in SUBSTANTIVE engagement. No more Diamond & Silk or Candace Owens. Blacks are not here to entertain you! The sooner the party and conservatives realizes this, the more open Blacks will be to them! (Raynard Jackson is a Pulitzer Award nominated columnist and founder and chairman of Black Americans for a Better Future (BAFBF). For more information about BAFBF, visit www.bafbf.org.)
New Pittsburgh Courier
CLASSIFIED
B5
DECEMBER 16-22, 2020
www.newpittsburghcourier.com
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
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Help Wanted
Meetings
PITTSBURGH ACTION AGAINST RAPE JOB POSTING SUPERVISOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES Supervisor of Clinical Services position is designed to provide clinical and administrative supervision of therapists, intake staff, counseling interns, case managers, and volunteers who provide clinical services to adults and children at PAAR. While providing clinical expertise this full-time position carries a small caseload of clients. Job Type: Full-time Required education: Professional license and Graduate degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or related field Required experience: Minimum four years’ experience providing clinical supervision and service management/evaluation Minimum five years’ experience in providing assessment, evaluation and therapy to adult and/or child clients Required license or certification: Must be licensed to practice in the state of Pennsylvania (LPC, LMFT, LCSW) DEI Imperative PAAR seeks to recruit candidates for employment that represent our diverse community in race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and ability. Inclusive and equitable in our recruitment and retention practices, we are dedicated to uplifting diverse opinions and backgrounds in order to grow and evolve as a welcoming workplace for all. Pittsburgh Action Against Rape is an equal opportunity employer. To see full posting visit Jobs - PAAR To apply e-mail your cover letter and resume to Lisa Kadlecik at lisak@paar.net
DECEMBER HACP BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING Due to the COVID-19 protective guidelines set forth by federal, state, and local governments, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s Board of Commissioners will hold its monthly meeting for December on December 17, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. on a remote basis. The meeting will be held remotely, with public access to be provided online. HACP will provide a direct link to a livestream of the meeting, and instruction on how to make a public comment. Details will be made available on http://www.hacp.org, in advance of the meeting.
LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE SCHOOL NURSE (SCHOOL NURSE CERTIFICATION, PA RN LICENSE, AND CPR CERTIFICATION REQUIRED) Persons interested in the position listed above, should submit their application by 11:59 p.m., Sunday, December 20, 2020, through the on-line application system at the following link: https://www.applitrack.com/fcasd/ onlineapp/. EOE AVONWORTH PRIMARY CENTER (AVONWORTH SCHOOL DISTRICT) is currently accepting applications for qualified candidates for anticipated openings for the 20-21 school year - second semester. Multiple positions may be available as a general education teacher in K-2 to ensure social distancing for the return of full instruction in spring 2021. Successful candidates may be required to teach virtually and/ or in-person. Applicants should be proficient with Common Core curriculum standards, strong language arts background and integration of technology. Interested candidates should email a letter of interest, resume, and PA Certification to applications@avonworth.k12. pa.us by December 22, 2020. Fall/ Winter graduates are encouraged to apply. Due to the nature of this posting, please do not apply through PA-Educator, email is preferred. EOE ROCHESTER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT located in Rochester, PA. Part-time, Temporary position of an Instructional Technologies Assistant at a rate of $15 per hour up to 200 hr. Deadline: Until the position is filled. Anyone interested in the position should submit an application online at www.rasd.org
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LEGAL ADVERTISING Bids/Proposals
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR VENDING SERVICES AUTHORITY WIDE - RESIDENT OWNED BUSINESSES ONLY RFP #250-35-20 The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request bids from qualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): Vending Services Authority Wide -Resident Owned Businesses Only The documents will be available no later than December 7, 2020 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 10:00 A.M. on January 5, 2021. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh will only be accepting physical bids dropped off in person from 8:00 AM until the bid opening time of 10:00 AM on January 5, 2020 in the lobby of 100 Ross St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Bids may uploaded to the Authority’s online submission site, the link is accessible via the HCP website and within the IFB. Sealed bids may still be mailed via USPS at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP.org. Questions or inquires should be directed to: Mr. Kim Detrick Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Department 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-643-2832 A pre-bid meeting will be held via call in; on December 17, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. Please see call in information below: Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 948 4955 8914 Passcode: 545597 +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minority business enterprises and women business enterprises to respond to this solicitation. HACP’s has revised their website. As part of those revisions, vendors must now register and log-in, in order to view and download IFB/RFPs documentation. Caster D. Binion, Executive Director HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH
HACP conducts business in accordance with all federal, state, and local civil rights laws, including but not limited to Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, The PA Human Relations Act, etc. and does not discriminate against any individuals protected by these statutes.
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LEGAL ADVERTISING
LEGAL ADVERTISING
Bids/Proposals
Bids/Proposals
PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY Electronic Proposals will be received online at the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority.org). Proposals/bid submittals will be due 11:00 a.m. on January 15, 2021 and will be read at 11:15 a.m., the same day, at Port Authority’s Heinz location (Please contact the respective Contract Specialist for Tele-Conference dial-in information for the Bid Opening), for the following: Electronic Proposal - Ebusiness website (http://ebusiness.portauthority. org)
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Bid Number B201298A B201299 B2012100A B2012101
Bid Name Meritor Drivetrain Parts Direct Fixation Tie Plates EGR Coolers - Cummins Engines Drop Table System Replacement
Paper Proposal - Documents are available for the following item at Port Authority’s Main Offices 345 Sixth Avenue, Third Floor, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15222-2527
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Bid Number B200975A
Bid Name Off-Site Record Storage & Service
No bidder may withdraw a submitted Proposal for a period of 75 days after the scheduled time for opening of the sealed bids. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held via tele-conference on each of the above items at 10:00 a.m. on January 5, 2021. Please contact the respective Contract Specialist for Tele-Conference dial-in information. Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Questions regarding any of the above bids will not be entertained by the Port Authority within five (5) business days of the scheduled bid opening. These contracts may be subject to a financial assistance contract between Port Authority of Allegheny County and the United States Department of Transportation. The Contractor will be required to comply with all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations. Contractor is responsible for expenses related to acquiring a performance bond and insurance where applicable. All items are to be FOB delivered unless otherwise specified. Costs for delivery, bond, and insurance shall be included in bidder’s proposal pricing. Port Authority of Allegheny County hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprise will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award. The Board of Port Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
America’s Best Weekly 315 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Classifieds 412-481-8302
E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/ Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication
Estate of MARSHA GILMORE A/K/A MARSHA A. GILMORE, Deceased of Pittsburgh, PA Estate No. 022006516 of 2020, Sharmar Gilmore Admr., requests all persons having any claims or demands against the named decendent’s Estate to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the Decedent to make payments without delay to Aministrarix Gilmore c/o, Irene M. Clark, Esq., 8908 Upland Ter, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Estate of BLANCHE DELORES FORCUCCI A/K/A FORCUCCI DELORES BLANCHE , Deceased of 1264 Lakewood St, Pittsburgh, PA, Estate No. 022003952 of 2020, Ryan Forcucci Extr., 1264 Lakewood St, Pittsburgh, PA, to Louis C. Coles, Esq, 41 Stratford Court, Carnegie, PA 15106
To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128 or 129
OFFICIAL ADVERTISEMENT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed proposals shall be deposited at the Administration Building, Bellefield Entrance Lobby, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213, on January 12, 2021, until 2:00 P.M., local prevailing time for: Service & Maintenance Contracts at Various Schools, Facilities, Facilities & Properties: -Gas and Oil Burners, Boilers and Furnaces Inspection,Service, and Repairs (REBID) -Fire Extinguisher and Fire Hoses Service and Maintenance (REBID) -Concrete Maintenance (REBID) Various Schools Carbon Monoxide Detectors Phase III Mechanical and Electrical Primes Pgh. Mifflin PreK-8 Various Asphalt and Concrete Repairs General Prime Project Manual and Drawings will be available for purchase on December 7, 2020 at Modern Reproductions (412-488-7700), 127 McKean Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15219 between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. The cost of the Project Manual Documents is nonrefundable. Project details and dates are described in each project manual.
Subscribe to the Courier today by calling 412-481-8302, ext. 140 America’s Best Weekly 315 East Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219
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To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128 or 129 SONNY BOY
Classifieds 412-481-8302 Ext. 140 E-mail: ads@newpittsburghcourier.com Deadline/Closing/Cancellation Schedule for copy, corrections, and cancellations: Friday noon preceding Wednesday publication
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DECEMBER 16-22, 2020
METRO
NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER
NETFLIX TO RELEASE THE MOVIE ‘MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM’ ON DEC. 18
VIOLA DAVIS as Ma Rainey in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” to be released Dec. 18 on Netflix. (Photos courtesy Netflix)
‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ further cements August Wilson’s legacy August Wilson’s literary brilliance, historical relevance and timeless legacy permeate the streets of Pittsburgh. Lifelong residents of the Steel City, along with temporary students and transitory techies, have felt the presence of August Wilson and his wonderful work. Mr. Wilson has attracted some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, such as Denzel Washington, Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman to the commonwealth’s second-largest city. The notoriety and promotion have continued to make Pittsburgh a pit stop for cinematic creativity. But most importantly, when adaptations like Netflix’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” are filmed here, it further proves the strength and longevity of August Wilson’s legacy. Set to release Dec. 18 on Netflix, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is everything we crave during this global pandemic. The adaptation is set in the
1920s when the sassy South- red-carpet premiere. It is when ern songstress, Ma Rainey (Vi- locals like me get to rub elbows ola Davis), records her album with the upper echelons of Holin Chicago. Ma Rainey finds an lywood. But not this time—no array of problems when there’s movie theaters, no red carpet, creative differences with music producers and fellow band memMerecedes J. Williams bers. You know how they say, “Save the best for last.” Well, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is one of the year’s best films. As this difficult year comes to a close, Netflix’s stab at August Wilson’s cycle play is remarkably stellar. From the music to Ma Rainey’s makeup, everything no glitz and glamour. is picturesque. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” The timeless, turbulent makes up for glitz and glamthemes of racial intimidation, our with grit, grime, and star childhood trauma and sexual power. The film stars Viola Dafluidity that surfaced in the vis, Colman Domingo, Glynn film are still relevant today. Turman, Michael Potts, and Typically, when a film is made the late, great Chadwick Bosein Pittsburgh, we flock to the man in his final performance. sticky floors at the South Side Similar to Paul Walker in Works Cinemas (RIP) for a “The Fate of the Furious,”
On Movies/TV
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Boseman gave us one last sweet memory to add to the vault. He was phenomenal, in life and in film. This year has taken so many notable people. But Boseman’s death has been one of the most difficult pills to swallow. Battling cancer (one could even say dying) while filming was a true testament to his talent and tenacity. Academy Award-winner Viola Davis reflected on working with Boseman and described him as a man who “lived right” and “lived in the moment.” “This is a man who is an artist,” she said. The cast agreed that they were on a “blessed journey” to be with Chadwick Boseman in his last film. The cast of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and director, George C. Wolfe, joined a virtual discussion on Nov. 14 moderated by Samuel L. Jackson to
CHADWICK BOSEMAN, in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” his final appearance as an actor. Boseman died earlier this year.
talk about the film. As I sat in on that discussion, Viola Davis said something that I will never forget about the authenticity of her character, Ma Rainey, and her “grease paint makeup”: “White people get a hold of our narratives, and then it’s told through a filter.” Like Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, to be apologetically Black means to not to let White people to get a hold of our story to retell it for profit or reshape it for public consumption. I promise you; you have never seen Viola Davis like this. The versatility of Ma Rainey could only be played by one woman. She is dark and poignant, but she is also lively and spunky at the same time. Everything makes sense when Viola Davis transforms into Ma Rainey. Netflix’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” celebrates “the beauty of August.”