HIRAM E. JACKSON Publisher
A Real Times Media Newspaper 479 Ledyard, • Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 963-5522 e-mail:newsdesk@michronicle.com May 18-24, 2016
Page B-4
Quote of the Week:
CATHY NEDD Associate Publisher
“Whatever we believe about ourselves and our ability comes true for us.”
KEITH A. OWENS Senior Editor SAMUEL LOGAN Publisher 1933-2011
JOHN H. SENGSTACKE Chairman-Emeritus 1912-1997 LONGWORTH M. QUINN Publisher-Emeritus 1909-1989
The power of the black press By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. NNPA Columnist
Whenever there is a steady series of public questions being raised about the “power” of black Americans, you should always first consider the motive and purpose of the questions. Such was the case when Richard Prince wrote a column, which was posted on The Root, titled, “Is the Black Press Still Powerful?” Of course, the answer is “yes,” What was the underlying motive for this question being asked?
Benjamin Chavis
There is a larger contextual reality that also needs to be considered. The truth is that during past year, there has been a consistent series of so-called “mainstream” news articles, editorials, and blogs that have questioned the relevance, power and legitimacy of black-owned businesses and institutions. In addition, during this same time period, the effectiveness and contemporary purpose of our traditional civil rights organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) have been called into question. A few months ago the New York Times published a story that questioned whether Howard University and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were still relevant and worthy of continued existence. It is not a mere coincidence that some of these news articles and blogs are being written again by supposedly “well-intentioned” African Americans. We certainly support and defend the right to freedom of the press and the right of all people to express themselves. Of course, the press has the right to be wrong. With that right, however, goes a responsibility not to distort the truth. This is not about neither freedom of the press nor freedom of speech. This is about the issue of racism and its proclivity to define and question reality. This is about the fact that we still live in a society that continues to be undergirded by the ideology of white supremacy that presupposes the false notion of black inferiority. And as long as that is the case, there will be a need for powerful black institutions.
The black church is powerful. The black press is powerful. HBCUs are powerful. The NAACP and SCLC are still needed. While we have made considerable progress in the last 50 years, we still have not overcome racism and its negative impact on black America. And that fact is sometimes conveniently overlooked by black journalists who work for such White-owned outlets such as the Washington Post and The Root. For me and my codefendants in the civil rights case known worldwide as the Wilmington Ten, this is a personal matter when someone takes issue with the present-day “power” of the black press. In 1972, the Wilmington Ten were unjustly sentenced to a combined total of 282 years in prison in the state of North Carolina. We were falsely accused and wrongly convicted of arson and conspiracy to assault charges doing a 1971 racial riot over public school desegregation in Wilmington. A little more than a year ago, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the Black Press USA, launched an effective national campaign to get an official “Pardon of Innocence” for the Wilmington Ten. For more than 40 years, many in the established media in the U.S. had published articles about the alleged “guilt” of the Wilmington Ten. In fact, the New York Times published a story in the late 1970s under the headline: “The Case Against the Wilmington Ten.” By the end of 2012, however, North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue agreed with the NNPA-led effort as she issued an unprecedented Pardon of Innocence to each member of the Wilmington Ten. Gov. Perdue courageously stated, “This was a case of naked racism.” We are very grateful to all of the black newspaper publishers and writers throughout the United States. Let’s us never underestimate the enduring value and respect of all our blackowned businesses and institutions. Of course, we always open to constructive criticism and recommendations concerning how to strengthen the economic status of the businesses that are vital to our forward progress. However, it would be a tragic error to assume that because we now have a black American as president of the United States, there is no longer a need to sustain the very institutions, organizations and businesses that have contributed so much to our progress. We all should be more supportive of the black press, black church, HBCUs, Editor’s Note: This editorial is being repeated due to its ongoing relevance.
A city desperate for action By Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. Chicago, America’s third largest city, is plagued by violence and poverty, made worse by racial and class divisions. A poll just released by the Kaiser Foundation and the New York Times depicts a city that is losing faith in its basic public institutions from the police to the mayor’s office. The vast majority think the city is on the wrong track, Jesse Jackson with the greatest unity found in their unfavorable opinion about the job Mayor Rahm Emanuel is doing. Chicago has nearly equal numbers of black, Hispanic and white residents, but they live largely in separate sides of town and in separate realities. African Americans and Latinos are far unhappier with basic aspects of their neighborhoods, from parks to public schools. Crime and violence is the biggest issue for all Chicagoans, but while 41 percent of blacks think their neighborhoods are not safe or not too safe, only 17 percent of whites share their fears. In the wake of the Laquan McDonald shooting — where a teenager was shot 16 times and killed by a white Chicago policeman, Chicagoans believe the police are biased, unaccountable and badly in need of reform. On the poverty-ridden south and west sides of town, parents fear for the young. Among African-Americans, overwhelming majorities worry that it is likely or very likely that a young person in their neighborhood will end up in a gang (75 percent), abuse alcohol or drugs (83 percent), got to jail (81 percent) or be a victim of violence (86 percent). These are measures of despair. The Kaiser/NYT poll only documents what we already knew. It details the “whereas.” Any statement of action begins with the whereas — whereas this is true, and this is true — detailing the
conditions that demand action. What is missing in Chicago isn’t evidence of the whereas, it is the plan for the “therefore.” Whereas these conditions are unjust and unsustainable, therefore we will take the following actions. On police reform, Chicago is beginning to see the first stirrings of reform, although nothing close to the comprehensive reforms demanded by the mayor’s own independent commission. But on violence, crime, jobs, housing, public schools, parks, trash removal, violence and drugs, there is no plan for action, no “therefore” to address the wretched whereas. In Chicago, 60 percent of whites think their neighborhood is a good or excellent place to raise children. Seventy percent of blacks think their neighborhood is only fair or poor (nearly half — 44 percent — say poor). More than two-thirds would rather live somewhere else. Blacks and Latinos in Chicago believe that the mayor does not care about people like them. While a majority of whites believe he cares, nearly twothirds of black think he does not. The lack of action is assumed to express a lack of concern. Look across the country at our major cities: Chicago is not alone. The problems of racial isolation, entrenched poverty, bad schools and lousy services, dangerous streets, guns and drugs plague many of our cities. The “therefore” ought to be a national initiative, driving state and local activity, on jobs and urban development. But Washington is dysfunctional, with even minor reforms held hostage by the obstructionist Congress. President Obama has chosen not to put this high on his priorities. And the rich and entrenched interests that dominate our politics continue to ignore the misery. But a whereas without a therefore isn’t a stable reality. Trapped people with no hope are like dry kindling, susceptible to any spark. If the powerful don’t leave people with hope, people will express their despair. Real action — a serious plan for reform with the resources needed to provide it — is long past due.
- Susan L. Taylor American editor, writer, and journalist
Drug abuse policy is personal By Debbie Dingell U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) about her family’s experience with addiction and efforts to address the current opioid epidemic. The impact of prescription drugs on families and young people is something I have been aware of all my life. As a child, I didn’t realize I was an enabler for my father, when several times a week I would head to the neighborhood drugstore to pick up “his medicine.” We never understood what all the pills were, but we knew some were speed and others were opioids. Years later, when my parents ultimately di- Raynard Jackson vorced, he ended up in a drug treatment center. I never really spoke to my father again after the divorce until the weekend he died. Too much damage had been done, and it’s only decades later that life gives you the strength of experience to comprehend what happened. I had a baby sister too. My siblings and I loved her. There are so many Mary Grace stories — ones that make us laugh and find comfort in our hearts. And there are the nightmares — not knowing where she was. Was she dead or alive? We did everything we could to save her but the little girl we loved died at 40 of a drug overdose. We’ll soon see bipartisan support in the House of Representatives for a package of bills aimed at preventing and
treating opioid addiction. I am passionate about the subject because it has influenced my life so deeply, but I also recognize that how we regulate opioids and the discussion we have about their use matters. All drugs are not evil. We must ensure the pendulum does not swing too far in one direction, and that we don’t stigmatize those with very real medical needs. Consider my husband of 35 years who suffers from intense debilitating pain. He is as sharp as ever, yet cannot get out of bed some days. Opioids are the only answer for his pain, but he is afraid of becoming addicted. Much of that fear is from the national conversation we are having right now. There is no question we must address this issue in the public policy arena, but we must do so in a measured way that ensures medical professionals are empowered to treat patients. Studies have shown opioids to be safe when they are used correctly. We need to ensure doctors have a full picture of their patients’ history with addiction, that treatments are available to reverse drug overdoses, and get treatment for those who have become addicted at young ages. But we must also ensure that those with legitimate needs and real and constant pain have access to the treatment and relief they need. We cannot add one more level of stress to already difficult and, what too many feel, are hopeless situations. So as we look for answers and develop policies that address this issue we need to be very careful of the words we use and the messages we send so we do not create or make worse the stigma associated with using pain killers and that we create a climate for patients and families to seek help and get answers.
Malia Obama got into Harvard and Fox News fans called her ‘a little monkey’ By Julianne Malveaux NNPA News Wire Columnist
Malia Obama deserves congratulations. Admitted to Harvard University, she has decided to take a gap year, a mature choice that many students make when they want a break between intense and competitive studies and college. This is a great time for her to take a gap year. After these eight years in the White House as a “first daughter,” she now has a chance to enjoy life and pursue some of her non-academic interests. She speaks fluent Spanish, so perJulianne Malveaux haps she’ll take some time to travel to Mexico, Cuba, or Spain. She is interested in television and film, so perhaps she’ll work as a production assistant (or even a commentator) on a television program. She may be interested enough in politics to volunteer for some down-ticket candidate. Imagine the boost she could give to California Attorney General Kamala Harris in her Senate race this fall! It is going to be interesting to see how this young woman’s life unfolds. In reaction to Malia’s good news, the racists are out in full force. According to the website AddictingInfo.org, the Fox crew was so vitriolic that Fox had to close down a page due to the volume and negative comments regarding her announcement. The content of the messages hardly deserves reprint, but it is no surprise that the beautiful young lady was called a “monkey,” not to mention the “N-word” and worse. She was admitted because of affirmative action, several wrote. Every stereotype one can imagine was heaped on this young woman. Come on, people! Malia Obama won’t be 18 until July 4. She’s a kid. Dislike President Obama and his wife, Michelle, if you want to. Call them names. I am sure that by now, ugly name-calling affects them as much as water rolling off a duck’s back. But it is especially vile for racist haters to direct such ire to a young woman, who is really just a girl. Perhaps some feel she has no right to innocence because she lives in the White House. But it’s heartbreaking to bear witness to the venom this young lady has attracted.
While it is heartbreaking it is hardly surprising. Hatred seems to be the winning ticket in our nation. That Donald Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee for president is frightening. He won by dominating a large and crowded field, winning primaries and delegates when some thought he had little chance and even less organization. He’s thrown more than $30 million of his own money into this race, so far, and is likely to spend millions more even as he begins to stump for contributions. His winning platform has been to insult any and everyone, from Mexicans (“rapists”), Muslims (moratorium on entering the country), his opponents (Lying’ Ted, Little Marco, and more), Hillary Clinton (Crooked Hillary, “screeching” Hillary, playing the “woman card”), to all the women he has insulted (taking swipes on everything from their looks to their bodily functions). The “Stop Trump” movement was too little, too late. Apparently, the plurality (not majority) of primary voters want a blustering, bullying, braggart to lead our nation. And judging from the abhorrent comments Malia Obama’s success has garnered, there are many who would emulate Mr. Trump with his vile meanness. How has meanness and racial resentment become the order of the day? Whatever happened to civility? What happened to the adage that if you have nothing kind to say, say nothing? What happened with being glad for a young person who has been admitted to college? W Republicans don’t own a monopoly on meanness. I was appalled that Secretary Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders went after each other like mortal enemies, shouting over each other, bandying hostile accusation, and generally behaving as if they were auditioning to lead the Republican Party in style, if not content, when they last debated. They’ve both calmed down, perhaps realizing that they have much more in common than not. Indeed, Hillary Clinton owes Bernie Sanders a “thank you.” His candidacy has appropriately pushed her to the left, especially on issues of economic justice, and made her a much better candidate. I don’t ever want to hear the word “post-racial” again. Comments directed toward Malia Obama suggest that our nation is pre-civilized, not post anything. The hate directed at a young woman, and the hateful rhetoric that has characterized the Trump campaign are two sides of the same coin.