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Vol. 109 No. 26

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JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

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‘THREE SHOTS TO THE BACK… HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY THAT?’

Protesters, family attorney, community at-large want Zappala to file criminal charges against officer who killed Antwon Rose II

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

First, what’s unclear: If District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. will decide to officially press criminal charges against East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld.

Now, to what is clear: Pittsburgh-area residents will continue to stage protests, call for charges to be filed against the officer in question, and fight for justice, fight for a 17-year-old Black teenager who no longer can fight for himself.

Antwon Rose II’s body was laid to rest on Monday, June 25, after a funeral service with so many in attendance it had to be held at Woodland Hills Intermediate School. Those in attendance, of all ages, remembered Rose’s smile, his laugh, his athletic talents, his desire to “make it.”

“Beautiful,” is how Missy Carter, Rose’s cousin, described the funeral service.

“And he deserved it.”

Carter added: “He was a good person, a good student, loved his family, as we loved him.”

“He was a very good person,” said his aunt, Karen Keyes, “and his life should not have been taken like it was.”

In the days leading up to Monday’s funeral service, dark clouds and treacherous rain showers flooded the Pittsburgh region.

After all, it was a gloomy week—news of an officer-involved shooting in East Pittsburgh on the evening of June 19 was the rumor, but the video post-

ed to Facebook of an officer firing three times at an unarmed Black teenager who was running away from the officer turned rumor into reality.

It turned Pittsburgh upside down.

The following day, protesters congregated outside East Pittsburgh police headquarters, making their way onto Electric Avenue, then heading down to the Tri-Boro Expressway, blocking the intersection so that cars on both sides of the expressway had to come to a halt.

Police—numbering upwards of 50 in uniform, some with guns in hand— did nothing to stop the protests. But then again, what could they do? In the eyes of many protesters, the police already did the damage— taking Antwon Rose II’s life, for reasons still unexplained by authorities.

“Police, the biggest terrorist group, are going to keep SEE ROSE A6

Elected officials call video of shooting ‘disturbing’— Peduto wants ‘trial by jury’

by Christian Morrow Courier Staff Writer

Even before the video of East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld fatally shooting 17-year-old Antwon Rose II in the back, June 19, went viral, public officials responded with outpourings of sympathy and calls for a thorough and transparent investigation.

But by the time of Rose’s funeral six days later—and after daily protests had shut down parts of East Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg, Homestead and Pittsburgh—many of the same officials were calling for Allegheny County District AtANTWON ROSE II was shot and killed by East Pittsburgh police torney Stephen A. Zappala Officer Michael Rosfeld on June 19. He was 17 years old.

Jr. to immediately charge

LEON FORD JR. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

BRANDI FISHER (Photo by J.L. Martello)

Officer Rosfeld, or to recuse himself from the investigation due to conflict of interest.

The first official reaction to the shooting came from the public official who was farthest away—Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, who was attending a global warming conference in Canada.

Peduto’s response on Twitter to a tweet by social activist Shaun King was: “It wasn’t in Pittsburgh. It was in the suburbs of East Pittsburgh. Not part of the city. Not Pittsburgh Police.

Not Pittsburgh. Please clarify.”

After loads of backlash, Mayor Peduto apologized the next day, again on Twitter: “Last night I tweeted about the tragedy in East Pittsburgh. I was wrong.

In an attempt to clarify, I made a tragic event worse.

To the family and friends of Antwon Rose, I apologize for any additional grief I may have caused.”

He also linked his official statement: “Any loss of life is tragic, and especially the loss of life of a child. This is a devastating situation and I am saddened for Antwon Rose and his family. While Tuesday’s shooting was not within the city’s official borders it impacts all of us SEE OFFICIALS A5

Who is East Pittsburgh Officer Michael Rosfeld?

by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer

To say that East Pittsburgh police Officer Michael Rosfeld has gone into hiding is putting it mildly.

Following the Tuesday, June 19 shooting death of Antwon Rose II by an East Pittsburgh police officer, officials with both the East Pittsburgh and Allegheny County police departments delayed on releasing the name of the officer who fired the fatal shots.

It wasn’t until Thursday afternoon, June 21, when a joint statement from East Pittsburgh’s mayor, council and police was released, along with Allegheny Coun-

ty police naming Officer Rosfeld as the officer involved in the shooting.

“We are profoundly saddened by the death of Antwon Rose,” the release said.

“This is a tragic loss for his family and friends as well as for our community as a whole. We offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to Mr. Rose’s family and friends, the residents of East Pittsburgh and all those affected by this tragedy.

MICHAEL ROSFELD “This is a very stressful time for our communi- through this together as a ty. We are seeking truth community.

“We have confidence in and answers but the process takes time. We hope the Allegheny County PoA PROTESTER holds up a sign denouncing the shooting of Antwon Rose II by East Pittsburgh Police that everyone can respect SEE ROSFELD B8 Officer Michael Rosfeld. (Photo by J.L. Martello) this process. We will get

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This Week In Black History

TEAM MEMBERS—In this photo taken Monday, June 18, Ugandan Brian Gitta, left, and team members Moris Atwine, center, and Shafik Sekito, right, show the non-invasive malaria test that Gitta invented in Kampala, Uganda. (AP Photo/Stephen Wandera)

Non-invasive malaria test wins Africa engineering prize

by Rodney Muhumuza Associated Press Writer

laboratory.

Others are also working to fill the need for quicker, easier malaria tests. There are more than 200 rapid diagnostic test products for malaria on the market, according to the WHO. The fifth-generation prototype of Matibabu, with an accuracy rate of 80 percent, is still a work in process. Gitta and his group aim to refine the device until it achieves an accuracy rate exceeding 90

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP)—Languishing with fever and frustrated by delays in diagnosing his illness, Brian Gitta came up with a bright idea: a malaria test that would not need blood samples or specialized laboratory technicians.

That inspiration has won the 25-yearold Ugandan computer scientist a prestigious engineering prize for a non-invasive “It’s a perfect example of how engineering malaria test kit that he hopes will be widely used can unlock development—in this case by across Africa. improving health care. Matibabu is simply a For developing the reusable test kit known game-changer.” as Matibabu, Gitta this REBECCA ENONCHONG, Africa Prize for Engineering month was awarded the Africa Prize for EngiInnovation judge neering Innovation.

The award by the Royal Academy of Engineering in Britain comes percent.

Matibabu has yet to be formally subjectwith £25,000 ($32,940). ed to all the necessary clinical trials under Malaria is the biggest killer in Africa, Ugandan safety and ethics regulations. and the sub-Saharan region accounts for “It excites me as a clinician,” said Meabout 80 percent of the world’s malaria dard Bitekyerezo, a Ugandan physician cases and deaths. Cases rose to 216 million in 2016, up from 211 million cases in who chairs the National Drug Authority.

2015, according to the latest World Malar- “I think the National Drug Authority will ia Report, released late last year. Malaria approve it.”

The government should invest in the deaths fell by 1,000, to 445,000. project so that its developers don’t strugThe mosquito-borne disease is a chalgle financially, he added. The unit cost of lenge to prevent, with increasing resisthe latest prototype is about $100. tance reported to both drugs and insectiDespite the optimism, Gitta has found a cides. hurdle he didn’t anticipate: Some patients The new malaria test kit works by are skeptical of unfamiliar technology. shining a red beam of light onto a finger “The doctors will tell you that some to detect changes in the shape, color and people will not leave the hospital until concentration of red blood cells, all of which are affected by malaria. The results their children have been pricked, and are sent within a minute to a computer or until they have been given anti-malaria drugs and painkillers, even if the kid is mobile phone linked to the device. not sick,” he said.

A Portugal-based firm has been con“We think we are developing for hostracted to produce the components for pitals first, so that people can first get Matibabu, the Swahili word for “treatattached to the brand, and gain the trust ment.” of patients over time.”

“It’s a perfect example of how engineering can unlock development—in this case by improving health care,” Rebecca Enonchong, Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation judge, said in a statement. “Matibabu is simply a game-changer.”

Gitta and five colleagues, all trained in computer science or engineering, developed an affordable, bloodless test that does not need a specialist to operate.

The test will be suitable for use in Africa’s rural areas, where most cases of malaria occur, because it will not depend on sending FEEDING—This file photo provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a feeding female Anopheles Steblood samples to a distant phensi mosquito crouching forward and downward on her forelegs on a human skin surface, in the process of obtaining its blood meal through its sharp, needle-like labrum, which it had inserted into its THE human host. (James Gathany/CDC via AP, File) NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER PUBLISHING COMPANY

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Week of June 27-July 3 June 27 1872—Paul Lawrence Dunbar, one of the most popular poets in Black American history, is born in Dayton, Ohio.

Dunbar first gained national recognition with a collection of works published in 1896 entitled “Lyrics of a Lowly Life,” which included “Ode to Ethiopia.” Despite the power of his poetry, Dunbar angered some Blacks who were concerned about “what will White people think” because he generally used Black dialect and not Standard English in much of PAUL LAWRENCE DUNBAR his poetry. Dunbar’s first poem was published in a newspaper owned by high school friends and American airplane pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright. The Wright brothers would also provide Dunbar with funds to open the Dayton Tattler—a newspaper geared toward the city’s Black community. Unfortunately, Dunbar died at the age of 34 in 1906 of Tuberculosis.

June 28 1839—Cinque (original name Senghbe), after being kidnapped and sold into slavery, is placed on the Spanish slave ship Amistad.

The son of a King of the Mende (Mendi) tribe in West Africa would lead the most successful revolt on a slave ship during the entire history of the slave trade. The Amistad was captured by the slaves who killed the captain and attempted to sail the ship to Africa. But due to delaying tactics by the remaining White crew, the ship was captured by a U.S. naval ship. Cinque and the rebellious slaves were taken to New Haven, Conn., and put on trial for murder.

Amazingly they won their case and were allowed to return to JOSEPH CINQUE Africa.

1971—Muhammad Ali is allowed to box again after winning a victory in the United States Supreme Court. The court overturned his conviction for refusing to be drafted and serve in the United States war in Vietnam. When asked how he could claim to be a pacifist opposed to war while being a professional boxer, Ali’s most frequent response was, “I am not going 10,000 miles from here to help murder and kill and burn poor people to help continue the domination of White slave masters over the darker people.”

1978—The United States Supreme Court hands down the Bakke Decision which undermined affirmative action programs that had been designed to give preference to Blacks and other minorities in education and industry in order to compensate for decades MUHAMMAD ALI of past discrimination. Although the court ruled affirmative action programs were constitutional; it struck down the use of quotas and that had the effect of weakening the affirmative action programs.

June 29 1970—NAACP Chairman Stephen Gill Spottswood creates a national controversy by telling the annual convention of the civil rights organization that the administration of President Richard Nixon was “anti-Negro” and was pursuing policies “inimical to the needs and aspirations” of African-Americans.

1972—The United States Supreme Court rules in a STEPHEN GILL SPOTTSWOOD historic five to four decision that as it was being carried out in America, the death penalty was “cruel and unusual punishment” and thus violated the Constitution. The ruling also suggested that the death penalty was racist.

At the time 483 of the approximately 600 people waiting to be executed in the nation were Blacks or members of other minority groups. However, since the decision, at least 38 states and the federal government have re-instituted the death penalty by supposedly meeting Supreme Court guidelines.

June 30 1847—Dred Scott (and his wife, Harriet) files his famous lawsuit in St. Louis Circuit Court arguing that after living with a slave master for several years in non-slave territories, they should be considered free.

After several twists and turns, the case makes its way to the United States Supreme Court where the court rules against Scott and Justice Roger B. Taney writes what may be the most racist decision ever rendered by the court. Taney wrote that Scott was “private property” and had no right to sue in federal court. He also declared that Blacks were not citizens of America and never could be. Then he topped the decision by writing of Scott and all Blacks, “being of inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with the White race…they have no rights LENA HORNE which the White man is bound to respect.”

1917—Glamorous Singer-Actress Lena Horne is born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to an upper-income Black family. She would perform with Jazz greats such as Artie Shaw, Teddy Wilson, Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington. She also became the first African-American woman to sign a long-term contract with a major Hollywood studio. But she became disenchanted with Hollywood and returned to her nightclub career. She is best known for her 1940s hit “Stormy Weather.” In her later years she became active in civil rights including participation in Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic 1963 March on Washington. Horne died on May 9, 2010 at the age of 92.

1967—Major Robert H. Lawrence is named the first Black U.S. astronaut in the NASA space program. The Chicago-born Lawrence would later die under somewhat mysterious circumstances during a training exercise in December 1967.

1974—A deranged Black man, Marcus Chennault, shoots and kills the mother of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Along with Alberta Christine Williams King, a church deacon was killed and another church member wounded. Chennault, a Dayton, Ohio, native, reportedly claimed that Black Christians were deceiving and misleading Black people.

1995—Song-stylist and singer Phyllis Hyman commits suicide in New York City shortly before she was scheduled to perform at a concert. Hyman was one of the premier female vocalists of her day. The reasons for her suicide were unclear.

She left a note which read in part “I’m tired. I’m tired.” Hyman was 45—six days short of her 46 birthday—when she died.

July 1 1863—Walter Francis White is born in Atlanta, Ga. For nearly 25 years White was one of the most influential Black leaders in the nation. He headed the NAACP from 1931 to 1955.

PHYLLIS HYMAN However, he first received national attention because of the way he looked. As a light-complexioned Black man with blue eyes, White was able to infiltrate racist groups and investigate planned brutality against Blacks. But in 1919, he barely escaped with his life while attempting to investigate the deadly Elaine Race Riot in Phillips County, Ark., which had left more than 200 Blacks dead. Somehow the mob discovered that White was in the area and set out to lynch him. But he was able to catch a train back to Little Rock before he could be identified. While on the train, the White conductor told him he was leaving town too early because the mob had discovered “a damn yellow Nigger passing for White and the boys are going to get him.” White would die in New York City in 1955. His autobiography is entitled “A Man Called White.”

1899—Thomas Andrew Dorsey is born in Villa Rica, Ga. Dorsey is widely credited with being the “Father of Gospel Music.”

During the early 1930s, after leaving Atlanta for Chicago, Dorsey combined gospel and the blues while performing under the name “Georgia Tom.” He wrote more than 400 gospel and blues songs including his most famous “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” He died in Chicago in 1993 at the age of 96. Once asked to comment on his life, Dorsey said, “I had hope, faith, courage, aspiration and most of all determination to accomplish something in life.”

July 2 1777—Vermont becomes first U.S. territory to abolish WALTER WHITE slavery. By 1783, New Hampshire and Massachusetts had followed Vermont’s lead. The abolition of slavery was formally placed in the Vermont Constitution, which was formally adopted on July 8, 1777. A major force in the early abolition movement was a group known as the Rights of Man Movement.

1822—Denmark Vesey and five of his co-conspirators are hanged in Charleston, S.C. Vesey’s “crime” had been the organization of the largest slave rebellion in American history. But the insurrection was betrayed by a “house slave” before it could be implemented. Vesey was actually a former slave who had purchased his freedom.

1908—Thurgood Marshall is born in Baltimore, Md. Marshall would go on to become chief counsel for the NAACP and the lead attorney in the Brown v. Board of Education case, which led to the desegregation of the nation’s schools. President Lyndon Johnson would, in June 1967, nominate him to be the first African-American Justice on the United States Supreme Court because as Johnson put it, “It was the right thing to do and the right time to do it.”

1943—Lt. Charles Hall became the first African-American pilot to shoot down a Nazi warplane during World War II. Hall was from Brazil, Ind. July 3 1775—Prince Hall founds African Lodge Number One—the first Black lodge of Free Masons in the United States. Hall would become the pioneer builder of Black Masons in America. He was also a leading voice against slavery and for Black rights in the North.

1962—The first Black man permitted to play Major League Baseball, Jackie Robinson, is named to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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Elected officials call video of shooting ‘disturbing’ OFFICIALS FROM A1

in the Pittsburgh region, and particularly those in the African American community. In my reactions to the incident I should have acknowledged that these shootings affect all of us, no matter where we live, and for that I am sorry.”

By June 21, several more local, county and state political leaders expressed their condolences, including U.S. Senator Bob Casey: I want to express my condolences to the family and friends of Antwon Rose. I grieve with them, and the communities of East Pittsburgh and the Woodland Hills School District. I am disturbed by what I saw on the video, and I have numerous questions about exactly what happened and why. A thorough investigation is necessary.

Antwon’s family has a right to answers.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald released nearly identical statements, both extending their sympathies, both saying they would commit the resources to ensure “justice and a fair investigation,” and both calling the video of the shooting “disturbing.”

Democratic State Reps.

Austin Davis, Ed Gainey, and Jake Wheatley recorded a video message in front of the state capitol expressing their sympathy and condolences for the Rose family. They also released a press statement in the same vein with outgoing Rep. Paul Costa, who represents East Pittsburgh, again calling for a complete and transparent investigation.

But those calls were augmented to include Zappala turning over control of the investigation to state Attorney General Josh Shapiro, after both Black Political Empowerment Project Chairman and CEO Tim Stevens and Alliance for Police Accountability President Brandi Fisher called for his removal from the investigation.

Stevens, at a June 21 press conference, said Zappala cannot be impartial when investigating local police.

“We are aware of the difficulty a local district attorney has in investigating and prosecuting a law enforcement officer when he or she must depend on local police on a regular basis to prosecute offenders—we view this as a conflict of interest,” he said.

Fisher was less subdued.

At a protest in front of the Allegheny County Courthouse later that day that drew more than 300 people, she noted that Zappala did not prosecute the Pittsburgh officers who beat student Jordan Miles, nor did he charge Port Authority Officer Brian O’Malley after he shot Bruce Kelley Jr. 10 times.

Fisher called not just for Zappala’s recusal, but his removal.

“Get this evil, racist man out of office,” she said. “He has to be gone!”

1Hood Media co-founder Jasiri X echoed Fisher. “He didn’t charge the officer who shot Leon Ford, either,” he said. “This is the referendum on Stephen Zappala.”

On June 25, Davis, Gainey, Wheatley and their fellow members of the Pittsburgh Black Elected Officials Coalition; City Councilmen Ricky Burgess and R. Daniel Lavelle, and County Councilman DeWitt Walton, called for Zappala to charge Officer Rosfeld.

“Officer Michael Rosfeld took the judicial system into his own hands when he ended Antwon’s life,” they said in a statement. “A fair and impartial jury, representative of the community, now deserves an opportunity to assess Officer Rosfeld’s actions and deliver a verdict.”

Mayor Peduto agreed.

After addressing the Corporate Equity and Inclusion Roundtable meeting at Duquesne University on June 25, the mayor said there should be a trial whenever police shoot an

unarmed person.

“Yes, I think there should be a trial. I think that it should be a trial that is done by a jury,” he said.

Mike Manko, spokesman for Zappala, said he would address the investigation

after the grieving process and funeral, but there is still no timetable for when that would happen. The funeral was held June 25 in Swissvale.

In the meantime, Allegheny County police Super-

intendent Coleman McDonough addressed media reports that a video from an earlier June 19 drive-by shooting in North Braddock—which led to East Pittsburgh Officer Rosfeld pulling over the car Rose

fled from before he was shot—showed Rose shooting that victim, and that he had gunshot residue on his hands.

“While ACPD does have a video showing the North Braddock incident, that

video does NOT show Antwon Rose firing a gun,” he said in a statement. “The information about gunshot residue is also false. Crime Lab reports are still pending and have not yet been issued.”

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PROTESTERS DEMAND JUSTICE

HUNDREDS OF PROTESTERS marched across the Roberto Clemente Bridge, June 22, demanding justice and accountability for the police shooting of 17-year-old Antwon Rose. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

Shooting death of Antwon Rose II sparks national outrage

ROSE FROM A1

on killing us if we don’t stand up for ourselves,” said Taylor Williams, a 2013 Woodland Hills High School graduate, the same school Rose attended. “I have nephews. I have young Black men in the community that I care about that can be killed, and the cop can get a paid leave. We are sick of being targeted by the color of our skin.”

Williams continued: “I tell my nephew whenever the police come in contact with him, put your hands up whether you are right or wrong. You shouldn’t have to teach your nephew that’s 11 years old that.

These people are supposed to be here to protect and serve….We are modern-day slaves. We are nothing but walking target practice for them. We are sick of being executed by police, and that young man (Rose) was simply executed.”

The June 20 protest lasted roughly three hours and

am not going to receive justice, because there’s no way to restore the balance in my life, in my mom’s life.

There’s no way to restore balance in Miss Michelle’s life. We can move closer to justice. But justice is really an illusion. We gotta hold these people accountable.”

Later that evening, another rally was underway again in East Pittsburgh, but this time, it ended, of all places, on the Parkway East.

Not seen in Pittsburgh since anyone can remember, more than 100 protesters stopping the Steel City in its tracks, all in the name of Antwon Rose II. Big-rig trucks hit the brakes. Cars that tried to use an exit ramp soon found protesters blocking that path, as well.

Pittsburgh had become the talk of the country, and for all the wrong reasons.

Anger and frustration built up so much over the police killing of Rose that people

TIA TAYLOR, who attended high school with Antwon Rose, sheds tears during the June 22 rally. blocked the Tri-Boro Expressway for the same period of time.

That was only the start.

Thursday, June 21 brought another round of protests, beginning at noon in front of the Allegheny County Courthouse. Among those who graced the microphone was Leon Ford, the Black male who was shot five times by Pittsburgh police Officer David Derbish in November 2012 during a traffic stop in Highland Park.

“Like I told Miss Michelle (Kenney, mother of Antwon Rose II), her son is not going to die in vain. He’s not,” said Ford. “We talk about justice. The restoration of balance. Well, even if you put the officer that shot me…in a wheelchair, I still

walked three miles from East Pittsburgh, then to Ardmore Blvd., climbed over highway guardrails, and took over the heavily-traveled Parkway East, just to make the point—police officers shooting and killing unarmed Black men will not be accepted nor tolerated.

“A whole entire child’s family is inconvenienced because they’ll never see their child again. Next time they see him, he’s going to be in a casket…and you’re probably on your way home to your kids, on your way home to your house, and you don’t have to worry about being alive and you don’t have to worry about your child being home when you get there,” said Nia Arrington, in an exclusive

interview with the New Pittsburgh Courier. Her comments were in response to some who expressed on social media that blocking a highway or traffic was the wrong way to protest.

“Your slight inconvenience isn’t worth a human life that was taken.”

Protesters blocked the parkway for more than five hours, and didn’t leave the parkway until just before 2:30 a.m., when police came in riot gear, threatening to take the protesters away in handcuffs. Only one person was arrested.

Friday, June 22 was a scheduled Fireworks Night at PNC Park, following the baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks.

But protesters didn’t need

the services of Zambelli.

Hundreds of Antwon Rose II supporters flooded the Roberto Clemente Bridge just moments before the 7 p.m. game-time start, then blocked certain North Shore streets just as the Pirates game was ending.

This caused some tense moments between Pirates fans and protesters, while other Pirates fans seemed to side with the protesters.

Chants of “Three shots to the back, how do you justify that” boomed from the protesters’ voices just as loud as the explosive fireworks from the Allegheny River. A person driving a black Mercedes Benz drove through the protesters, who then chased the vehicle, pelting it with rocks, fists, whatever they had, whatever they

JASIRI X, co-founder of 1Hood Media, tells the crowd during the Juneteenth Parade, June 23, that he wants Officer Michael Rosfeld to be held accountable in the shooting death of Antwon Rose. could find. The vehicle got away. Authorities are still trying to locate that vehicle.

No injuries were reported.

Some miles away in Homestead, more protesters had attempted to take over the Homestead Grays Bridge, but were met with opposition from local police.

One man was arrested.

Another protest occurred Saturday night, June 23, along Carson St. on the South Side. It remained peaceful, as the rain continued to pour on the protesters.

No protests were held on Sunday, June 24, or Monday, June 25. Monday was the homegoing service, a day in which there was not

a drop of rain—only sunshine filled the Pittsburgh skies.

“A celebration, that’s how we do, we celebrate our lives,” Carter told the Courier moments after the service. “And we’re going to continue to celebrate Antwon Michael Rose Jr.” “Young Antwon, his spirit, his soul, is going to resonate throughout the city, and be around all of us for the rest of our lives,” Ayodeji Young told the Courier.

Young is known in Pittsburgh for mentoring Black male youth. “It’s up to us to keep his mission alive.”

“What happened today, we SEE ROSE A7

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‘He murdered my son in cold blood’ ‘If he has a son, I pray his heart never has to hurt the way mine does.’

- Michelle Kenney

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can’t keep congregating together to come together for tragedy, this has to change,” said Leonard Hammonds II of Hammonds Initiative, a Penn Hills-based organization that mentors young Black males. “We have to change the narrative. We have to show that Black men are not the stereotypes that they perceive us to be. This young man (Rose) was an extraordinary young man, he was a gifted student, he was brilliant, he was able to play instruments, he was able to ski, he was able to surf, he was able to enjoy all these great things in life, but yet they want to brand him as a criminal, something that he isn’t.”

Officer Rosfeld originally pulled over the Chevrolet Cruze vehicle in East Pittsburgh because it matched the description of a vehicle that possibly was involved in a shooting just moments prior in North Braddock. The silver vehicle had bullet holes on its side.

As Officer Rosfeld ordered the 20-year-old driver out of the vehicle and onto the ground, two other occupants bolted from the vehicle. “The East Pittsburgh officer fired his weapon, striking one of the fleeing suspects several times. The

gunshot victim, a 17-yearold male, was transported to McKeesport hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 9:19 p.m. The occupant who was detained was later released.

Two firearms were later recovered from the suspect vehicle. The third occupant

who fled remains at large,” according to a statement from the Allegheny County Police Department, dated June 20.

These developments, along with erroneous reports of a different video allegedly showing Rose firing a weapon in the

North Braddock shooting, and his running from the scene, led some people to paint Rose with the “guilty” brush.

A Freeport Volunteer Fire Department Station 70 executive officer, Christopher James Negley, was suspended indefinitely

after he posted the following comment on Facebook: “It’s cause none of those niggs gotta use the parkway in the morning to go to work…and there’s your problem right there…I’m guessing they are all smoking strong ass menthols and all have brand new

A YOUNG GIRL holds up a sign during the protest at the Allegheny County Courthouse, June 21. (Photo courtesy PublicSource)

THIS YEAR’S JUNETEENTH PARADE took on an especially important meaning, as many elected officials joined parade-goers during the June 23 event. (Photo by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

nikes!!!”

And the City of Pittsburgh has placed a Pittsburgh police officer on “modified duty” pending an investigation for “posting insensitive remarks on social media,” according to a June 25 statement from Chris Togneri, Pittsburgh police public information officer.

It’s now eight days since the death of Antwon Rose II, and Lee Merritt, a Philadelphia-based attorney for the family, continues to press county, state and federal officials for criminal charges to be filed against East Pittsburgh Officer Michael Rosfeld, for the killing of Antwon Rose II. But here locally, the decision to criminally charge Officer Rosfeld is in the hands of Zappala. As of Tuesday, June 26, he has yet to make a decision.

“We all know his seat is up next year…I’m asking Stephen Zappala to make a decision,” Ford told the crowd during the Courthouse rally, June 21. “You have a decision to make right now that can have an everlasting impact on this city forever…and so, if Stephen Zappala decides not to pursue charges against the officer who shot Antwon, I’m asking for someone to stand up and run against him.”

RELIGION

A8 JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

Praise & Worship ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

SOCIAL JUSTICE SATURDAY

Crawford & Centre Ave. Pgh., PA 15219 412-281-3141 Mass Sunday 9:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. www.stbtmchurch.org

East Liberty Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Randy Bush, Senior Pastor 412-441-3800 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

www.cathedralofhope.com

Summer Worship Hour.....10:00 a.m.

Curious about Quakerism?

You Are Welcome at our Meetings for Worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Pittsburgh Friends Meeting 4836 Ellsworth Avenue 412-683-2669

THE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE BLACK CAUCUS of Allegheny County hosted “Social Justice Saturday,” at Ebenezer Baptist Church, May 5. It was a chance for local residents to hear from local elected officials, while Cliff Pitts from the Mon Valley People’s Action Committee, in the left photo, received an award. (Photos by J.L. Martello)

New Destiny CME Church 114 North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-231-7882 Rev. Kornelus Neal, pastor The Rt. Rev. Marvin Thomas Sr., presiding bishop Sunday School....................................9 A.M. Morning Worship Service............11:00 A.M.

Join our growing Praise and Worship Church Community!

For rate information, call 412481-8302, ext.

128.

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!

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TERRI GILMORE

CONGRESSMAN CEDRIC RICHMOND of Louisiana, addressed the audience. He also serves as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Clairton native Rev. Dr. Sherri Arnold-Graham Spreading God’s word all the way to North Carolina

by Genea L. Webb For New Pittsburgh Courier

REV. DR. VINCENT CAMPBELL

STATE REP. AUSTIN DAVIS

ROOSEVELT DALTON SR. 1924-2018

Roosevelt (Roe) Dalton, Sr., was born on November 11, 1924 in Walnut Cove, Stokes County, North Carolina to John William McKinley Dalton and Ethel Mae Hairston Dalton. He received his wings and went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Monday, June 18, 2018. Roosevelt leaves behind his beloved wife Fai of 67 years, who will miss him more than words could ever express and his 10 children and their spouses.

Also left to mourn are 20 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. He also leaves behind 5 of his 11 siblings and their spouses as well as two brothers-in-laws. He left North Carolina to serve his county in the Navy during World War II and spent his war years stationed at Treasure Island in San Francisco where he drove a supply truck. He moved to Pittsburgh when WWII ended. He worked with the Miorelli Brothers as a plasterer for 20 years and they were commissioned to plaster at architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s greatest masterpiece-Fallingwater-during its renovation in the early 60’s. When back surgery prevented further plastering he re-invented himself and took the preparation necessary and became a member of the Teamsters Union & was hired as a route salesman for ITT Braun Baking Company.

Although Rev. Dr. Sherri Arnold-Graham has served as the former pastor of the historic Oberlin Baptist Church of Raleigh, where she became the first female pastor of a mainline Baptist Church in the history of that city, and has the unique distinction as the first Director of Development for a Lily Grant Shaw Divinity School, the Clairton native believes one of her highest and greatest honors was to be asked to preach at her beloved Mt. Olive First Baptist Church during the church’s revival.

“It was a huge honor to be asked back to Pittsburgh.

I’m always learning when I’m with Rev. Callaway. I’ve learned the beauty and the power of the Christian fellowship. My Christian foundation was formed at Mt. Olive and being raised in a household with my parents and grandmother,” Rev. Dr. Arnold-Graham told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “God brought Rev. Callaway and me together this season.”

She continued: “My grandmother was the Mother of the church and going to church was always the norm. It was all I knew, but I found my strength in that.

It’s another dimension of family life.”

Rev. Dr. Arnold-Graham earned her Bachelor of Applied Arts in Personnel and Enterprise Management from Emory University in 1984 and a Master of Divinity from Shaw University Divinity School in 2007. She worked as a graduate research assistant to Dr. Gardner C. Tay-

REV. DR. SHERRI ARNOLD-GRAHAM lor and associate professor at Shaw Divinity School for the class, “The Preaching of Gardner C. Taylor.” She earned her Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary.

Despite her Christian-centered upbringing, Rev. Dr. Arnold-Graham shied away from her call to preach for more than two decades.

“I just felt that there wouldn’t be an acceptance of female pastors and I didn’t want that struggle, so I went to law school and I ran from my calling. But once I accepted it and kept in prayer, doors opened. I realized I had to take God at his word. Where he guides he provides. God’s word doesn’t return to him void.

God has a plan,” she said.

She is the founder and president of the Sherri Arnold-Graham Foundation, a non-profit ministry for breast cancer awareness and support that provides free mammograms and awareness campaigns to uninsured and underinsured women in the United States, the Caribbean Islands and the United Kingdom.

“That was an assignment from God. I didn’t intend to

do it. I didn’t want to be the posterchild for breast cancer awareness. My dad passed away from lung cancer, so I knew the cancer journey.

God cares about health and we wanted to build collaborations. We partnered with two hospitals and we had an open-ended contract with these hospitals. We delivered meals to people’s homes for a while,” Rev. Dr. Arnold-Graham said. “I wanted to champion the fact that early detection saves lives and we don’t charge anything for the services.

In 2016 Rev. Dr. Arnold-Graham fulfilled a childhood dream and opened Sherri’s Crowning Glory Hairdresser & Spa. She did so by orchestrating a community development mission and purchased a 6,000 square-foot building on Fayetteville’s Restaurant Row. “My mother was a licensed cosmetologist—she didn’t work in that professionally, she worked as a social worker—she did the family’s hair and she pressed our hair at the stove and I read about Madame CJ Walker,” Rev. Dr. Arnold-Graham said. “She was one of my she-roes.”

ENTERTAINER

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

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The 10th Annual

SHYNE AWARDS

June 3, 2018 – Union Trust Building, Downtown SHYNE, or Showing How Youth Need to Excel, held their annual awards ceremony, which honors local youth ages 13-19. The Shyne Foundation’s vision is to see that all youth realize their purpose and reach their destiny.

Shyne’s philosophy is that if given the proper tools, resources and modeled guidance, all youth can be successful in any and all areas of their interest or purpose, in spite of their background or current environment.

ZION HARRIS, the Service in Ministries honoree (Photos by J.L. Martello)

LEAH BAKER FOWLER, the honoree in Entrepreneurship

KHALIYA JACKSON is presented the community service award by ex-Steeler Will Allen.

DOMINIQUE GREEN, the honoree in Academics

HONOREES IN SCIENCE—Youth from the Sarah Heinz House Robotics Program

LEAH BAKER FOWLER is honored for Entrepreneurship. The presenter was Alex Portis, left.

JEAN BRYANT, right, receives the Gwendolyn J. Elliott Lifetime Achievement Award, named after Dr. Kathi Elliott’s mother.

LIFESTYLES New Pittsburgh Courier

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JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

Debbie Norrell

Lifestyles Report

Is protesting the answer?

It’s Thursday night, June 21, and my phone starts to ping time and time again.

What’s going on? It seems like a portion of the Parkway East has been closed by people protesting the recent shooting of Antwon Rose II. The news feeds are going wild. There is support for the protest from as far away as Los Angeles.

People are weighing in on both sides. I can actually watch what is happening live on Facebook. Some have elected to place lawn chairs in the middle of the parkway.

Reportedly it started in East Pittsburgh, the location of the police station where the police officer who shot Rose was employed.

Then around 8 p.m. the crowd marched from the station towards the Parkway East and were 100 strong. They were asked to disperse but stayed put until about 2 in the morning.

Traffic was disrupted and backed up for miles. Many cannot understand, why a protest on the Parkway East? Some feel the protest should have stayed at the police station. To me that sounded like a good idea.

With the parkway shut down in both directions, people were trapped on the parkway for hours trying to get home, trying to make deliveries and trying to live their life.

There it is, trying to live their life...a life Rose can no longer live.

One of the protesters asked to speak to the news media was asked why block the parkway. The reply?

“Getting in the way draws attention to the situation.”

I think one Facebook post summed it up perfectly. “So it’s easy for y’all to think it’s OK that cops shoot unarmed people out of fear, but hard for y’all to believe he ran out of fear?”

The police officer that shot Rose as he was fleeing from the stopped vehicle had just been sworn in by East Pittsburgh a few hours before the fatal shooting. Reportedly Officer Michael Rosfeld had been an officer in Allegheny County since 2011 and had previously worked in Harmarville, Oakmont and the University of Pittsburgh. Allegedly he had been fired from some of his previous positions.

Rose was a passenger in a car that had been pulled over because it matched the description of a vehicle that had fled a shooting that resulted in a 22-yearold man’s injury, said the Allegheny County Police Department. Officers stopped the vehicle and took the driver into custody. However, as the driver was being handcuffed, two of the passengers fled—one of which was Antwon. That was when he was shot three times. There is video of the shooting that’s been viewed nationwide.

According to Tennessee v.

Garner 471 U.S (1985), a civil case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that, under the fourth Amendment, when a law enforcement officer is pursuing a fleeing suspect, “the officer may not use deadly force to prevent escape unless the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significate threat of death or serious injury to the officer or others.”

Rose was unarmed. I think protesting is the answer.

(Email Debbie at debbienorrell@aol.com.)

AKAs PRESENT BOUQUETS TO THEIR SORORS, PEGGY B.HARRIS & LYNNE HAYES-FREELAND

The Pittsburgh Club of NANBPWC Celebrates Founders’ Day

by Debbie Norrell Lifestyles Editor

The Pittsburgh Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc., is part of a national organization that dates to 1935. The organization is founded on the principles of service to the community and empowerment of African American women at the local, district and national level. Dr. Monica Reese said she is honored WINIFRED TORBERT INTRODUCES and humbled to serve as PAST PRESIDENTS president of the Pittsburgh Club.

On May 10, at the Blakey Program Center, The Pittsburgh Club held their 2018 Founders’ Day Dinner honoring three outstanding women in the Pittsburgh Community. Lynne Hayes Freeland, a general assignment reporter known for live, late-breaking reporting for KDKA-TV News and host of “The Lynne Hayes-Freeland Show” was presented with the highest honor from NANPBWC, The SojournSOULFUL VOCALS—Bridgette er Truth Award. Deborah Perdue Holland, president of DLJ

& Associates, a consulting firm providing a full range of general human resources expertise, received the Business Woman of the Year Award, while The Professional Woman of the Year Award was presented to Peggy B. Harris, President and CEO of Three Rivers Youth, where her work has been focused on sustainability and re-imagining of one of the oldest institutions in the county serving at-risk youth and families.

Two well-deserving high school seniors received scholarships. Mikaela Jessamy, a senior vocal major at Lincoln Park Performing Arts School, will attend Norfolk State University. There, she will major in Biology and minor in Psychology.

Tamia Law is a graduate of Propel Andrew Street High School. Law will attend the University of New Haven in the fall.

With Terri White as mistress of ceremonies, guests enjoyed a delightful

NANBPWC SOJOURNER TRUTH AWARDEE—Lynne Hayes-Freeland and Monica Reese meal and multiple musical selections by Bridgette Purdue. Two new members were pinned during the dinner, Anita Edwards and White.

The dinner planning committee included: Curtistine

Walker, chairperson, Monica Reese, president, Valerie Waters, Sharon Sales and Winifred Torbert. Debra Roberts, Claudia Thomas and White served on the planning committee support team.

SCHOLARSHIP RECEPIENTS—Mikaela Jessamy and Tamia Law NEW MEMBERS RECEIVE PINS—Anita Edwards, Terri White and Monica Reese (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

NANBPWC BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR—Curtistine Walker, Deborah Holland and Monica Reese

NANBPWC PROFESSIONAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR—Curtistine Walker, Peggy B. Harris, and Monica Reese

GRADUATION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

New Pittsburgh Courier

Class of 2018

JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

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New Pittsburgh Courier

Celebrating The Graduates

NAZARETH COLLEGE AND CAREER PREP HIGH SCHOOL On June 7, 2018, Nazareth College and Career Prep high school celebrated the graduation of its first senior class. Founded in 2014, the independent, Catholic high school uses a STEM-focused, project-based curriculum and four-year internship program to bridge the education-to-employment skills gap for students of all backgrounds. Members of the class of 2018 have been accepted into 38 different colleges and universities, trade schools, trade apprenticeships and direct career opportunities.

DEAN GARLAND JR.

CITY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL

Congratulations. As you continue your journey on the road of life, maintain your determination and focus, and you will succeed. Your goals and dreams will become realities.

Your efforts, to help those less fortunate than you, are commendable. We love you and wish you the best.

- From Grandma and Poppy

ROSSLIN WATSON

SERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Rosslin Watson, a highly-motivated academic scholar, graduated with honors from Serra Catholic High School.

She excelled on the court as a member of the Girls Basketball Team. She has received numerous academic recognitions and is a member of the National Honor Society. Rosslin looks forward to the academic challenges that await, and will enter Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa. with the vision of being in the graduating class of 2022 and receiving an undergraduate degree in Pre-Medicine.

New Pittsburgh Courier

DR. LAYANA BIGLOW

ST. GEORGE’S UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

Dr. Layana Biglow, along with her brother, is a proud graduate of Pittsburgh Public Schools. They both were also recipients of the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship while undergraduates.

After graduating from Pittsburgh Perry Traditional Academy, and from the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Biglow earned her medical degree from St. George’s University of London, and Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in Huntington, West Virginia. Dr. Biglow is currently an Internal Medicine intern at Cabell-Huntington Hospital, and she plans to pursue a career in hematology/oncology medicine.

TYRELL MINNIEFIELD

TAYLOR ALLDERDICE HIGH SCHOOL

Tyrell Minniefield graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School with honors. While at Allderdice, Tyrell served as Secretary of the African American Centers for Advanced Studies Executive Committee. He was also a captain of the 2017 City League Champion Dragons football team and earned City League Player of the Year. Tyrell will attend Clarion University this fall, where he will study Engineering while playing football. He would like to thank his family for all the love and support as he begins his next chapter.

Class of 2018

BRIDGETT ANDERSON

BARACK OBAMA ACADEMY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Bridgett graduated from Barack Obama Academy of International Studies on June 10, 2018. She will be attending Lincoln University this fall and is going to be a midwife.

Bridge, it’s such an honor being your father. I am so proud of all you’ve accomplished thus far and look forward to your future. Words cannot express how proud I am to have you as my daughter. Congratulations, Bridge!! - Love, Dad

JOHN HARVEY COLE

SETON HILL UNIVERSITY

John Harvey Cole, pictured at left, is a past graduate of Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh. He is now a 2018 graduate of Seton Hill University with a B.S. degree in Biology. He has been accepted into the UPMC’s Cytotechnology program which begins in July. John aspires to be a medical doctor and hopes to contribute his talents to helping others. He is standing with his brother, “Trey,” who graduated from Seton Hill University last year.

New Pittsburgh Courier

Celebrating The Graduates

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JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

BUSINESS New Pittsburgh Courier

Manufacturing reasonable doubt Forum B6

Classifieds

Find what you need from jobs to cars to housing B4-B5

JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

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Brandon Mendoza named NAIOP Pittsburgh executive director PITTSBURGH—Brandon Mendoza has been named Executive Director of NAIOP Pittsburgh, the local chapter of the national association that represents the interests of developers and owners of industrial, office, mixed-use and related commercial real estate. Mendoza succeeds Leo Castagnari, who retired from the position earlier this year. In this role, Mendoza will lead NAIOP Pittsburgh’s continued growth and advance the organization’s public policy agenda.

“We are thrilled to have Brandon joining us as he will leverage the strong foundation NAIOP Pittsburgh has established and propel us to the next level of success.” said NAIOP Pittsburgh Board President David Weisberg. “We will continue to focus on promoting economic growth in the region as a result of a strong commercial real estate community.”

“Brandon is the ideal choice to lead NAIOP’s next growth phase, emphasizing advocacy on

important issues to the Development Com- directed the chamber’s legislative events, munity” said NAIOP Pittsburgh Board and raised nearly $1 million in Vice President Don Smith. “Our insponsorships in his tenure, while dustry contributes huge numbers of growing the events’ reputation jobs while building new neighborin the community. Mendoza hoods and homes for our region’s also brings a strong economic growing companies.” development track record to Mendoza most recently served the position, having led the as Government Affairs Managchamber’s advocacy efforts er for the Greater Pittsburgh to build the incentive packChamber of Commerce, the adage for Shell Chemical’s mulvocacy affiliate of the Allegheny tibillion petrochemical investConference on Community ment in Beaver County.

Development. He led Prior to joining the the chamber’s c h a m b e r, federal and Mendoza local governwas Assoment affairs ciate Projstrategies. In ect Manaddition to ager at his advoDuane cacy role, Morris BRANDON MENDOZA Mendoza Gov-

ernment Strategies in Pittsburgh.

“I am excited to join a growing, vibrant association like NAIOP Pittsburgh” said incoming NAIOP Executive Director Brandon Mendoza. “I look forward to supporting the development community in building bridges with our public officials, regional partners, and our communities. NAIOP and its members are critical to supporting longterm growth in the Pittsburgh region.”

Mendoza received his Master of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public & International Affairs (GSPIA), and his B.S. from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh’s Leadership Development Initiative XXI and was selected by The Incline as one of 18 rising political leaders shaping Pittsburgh’s tomorrow.

Brandon and his wife Jacinta reside in Zelienople with their two young sons, Miguel and Isaiah.

Harry C. Alford

Beyond the Rhetoric

It’s official—The Obama administrations decimated Black business procurement RECRUITMENT EFFORT—The energy industry must begin to recruit a younger, more diverse workforce, such as those pictured above, says David McGowan, the executive director of the North Carolina Petroleum Council. (Photo courtesy Pexels.com)

Energy industry continues to court younger, more diverse workforce

by Freddie Allen For New Pittsburgh Courier

(NNPA)—As workers in the energy sector reach retirement age, the need to recruit, train and hire younger, more diverse talent will increase, dramatically.

That’s why the American Petroleum Institute (API), “the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America’s oil and natural gas industry,” according to the group’s website, has increased their outreach and engagement efforts in the Black

community.

According to a report by IHS Global prepared for API, “nearly 1.9 million direct job opportunities are projected through 2035 in the oil and natural gas and petrochemical industries” and “African Americans and Hispanics will account for over 80 percent of the net increase in the labor force from 2015 to 2035.”

David McGowan, the executive director of the North Carolina Petroleum Council (NCPC), said that the oil and natural gas industry “absolutely” sees the

value in the ability of the Black Press to reach audiences that can benefit from learning more about opportunities in the energy sector; that’s especially true when it comes to reaching Black families with young children.

The key, McGowan said, is to empower parents and students, beginning in elementary school, with information about the importance of a rigorous education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics commonly known as STEM.

“Starting that conversation early with students and encouraging them to look at fields of study that would prepare them for any type of energy industry career path, whether that path is in oil and natural gas, electric utilities, wind, solar or renewables…if they have that STEM background they’re going to be better served as students and as future professionals than if they didn’t have that background,” McGowan said.

SEE ENERGY B2

It may sound crazy, as the Dramatics would say in their song, “I Want to go Outside in the Rain” but it is documented. It hurts to say but someone must tell it for us to regroup and move forward with our “eyes on the prize.” The experiences we have gone through over the last couple of decades are stuff good books are made of. I will get to that soon but right now I want to get this off my “chest.” In this business of fighting for Black business participation there is no bigger obstacle than the federal government.

The federal government is the biggest potential customer to American business per se. If Black owned businesses are to develop a major business client base it will be the federal government with all its agencies.

The National Black Chamber of Commerce was founded during the month of May 1993. It was at that point that we set our main mission on networking through the maze of federal procurement. President

Clinton was the new fresh President. Alexis Herman was the White House Public Liaison and she met us with open arms. President Clinton started forming his cabinet and to the surprise of everyone the great Ron H. Brown was chosen as his Secretary of Commerce and Congressman Mike Espy was picked for Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, a gigantic agency. The Black business advocacy started sprouting around the Clinton movement. Retired Congressman Parren J. Mitchell’s Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense & Education Fund and the high energy of businessman Joshua Smith led the charge in nouveau advocacy for Black business development at the federal level and we felt energized to the maximum.

We got organized and the movement became known to all. Progress became a reality. Our motivation SEE PROCUREMENT B2

Federal regulator ready to reform CRA but won’t say if discrimination exists When the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) was enacted in 1977, urban disinvestment, redlining and blockbusting were widespread across the country.

Credit was also tight in rural communities where the mortgage needs of rural residents were mostly served by smaller banks. In both types of communities, little oversight paid attention to fair lending.

For communities of color, CRA was welcomed with hopes that banking and credit needs would be as fair as they were accessible. Clearly CRA was intended to address lending discrimination aimed at individuals and businesses in low-to-moderate income communities.

Years later when the law was amended in 1992, meeting the credit needs of all communities was added to the criteria covered in bank examinations. Investments with minority-owned financial institutions was also added and included Blacks, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian-Americans and multi-racially-owned banks.

Yet when the Trump-appointed Comptroller of the Currency, Joseph Otting testified in a House Financial Services Committee hearing on June 13, he dodged questions about whether he believed discrimination exists in America. Instead, Otting responded by saying he had never personally observed discrimination but had heard about it from others.

Rapid reactions followed Otting’s comments.

“While you may be fortunate enough to have never personally witnessed discrimination, it is alarming that an individual

entrusted with regination Council. ulating institutions Charlene Crowell On June 21, OCC that provide critical released a report on financial services to banking revenues. In a broad range of conjust the first quarter stituencies appears of 2018, banks and shockingly unfamiliar federal savings assowith the rationale beciations reported $8.2 hind the promulgation billion, a 62.8 percent of specific regulations increase - $3.2 billion aimed to address the larger than the last problem,” wrote U.S. quarterly report.

Rep. Cedric Richmond, chair of the ConBefore Otting’s appointment as Compgressional Black Caucus to Otting later troller, he had a lengthy career as a bankthat week. er, with a series of positions with major “The CRA has done important work to institutions like Bank of America, Union drive financial equity and ensure banks Bank of California, and OneWest Bank, serve all communities where they have a N.A. financial footprint,” noted Scott Astrada, So how could financial discrimination be Federal Advocacy Director with the Cen- so elusive to Otting? In his senior executer for Responsible Lending. “Comptroller tive roles, how did he and his staff report Otting’s proposal to radically restructure CRA compliance? the law should be closely scrutinized beAnd if he somehow missed the history cause, given his remarks, he is apparently of discrimination, perhaps it would be oblivious to the historic and systemic dis- helpful for him to glean insights from crimination that the CRA was enacted to an important annual report. On June 19 eliminate.”

Harvard University’s Joint Center for As an independent bureau of the U.S. Housing Studies released its annual reTreasury Department, OCC regulates, port, The State of the Nation’s Housing and supervises all 1,300 national banks, 2018. federal savings associations and federAccording to the report, Black consumers al branches of foreign banks. An agency are the only racial/ethnic group that has staff of 4,000 employees works with the made no appreciable progress in homeComptroller who also and concurrently ownership over the past 30 years. In 1987, serves as a director of the Federal Deposit 43.1 percent of Blacks owned homes. In Insurance Corporation, member of the Fi- 2017, Black homeownership dropped even nancial Stability Oversight Council, and lower to 40.4 percent. the Federal Financial Institutions ExamLatino and Asian-American homeowner-

Commentary

ship levels are slightly better respectively at 46.2 and 55.8 percent. And among White households, homeownership is greatest—72.3 percent.

In other words, despite 50 years of the Fair Housing Act or 40 years since enactment of the CRA, Black people are still waiting for access to safe and affordable loans. And as we wait for our own American Dreams, racial wealth disparities will continue to worsen. Having a home remains a solid building block to family wealth.

Without homeownership and its potential for equity appreciation, every generation of Black Americans begins anew the quest to climb the economic ladder to financial security. At the same time, white families have the ability to transfer wealth from one generation to another because our nation’s federal homeownership policies gave them a head start in wealth building.

Reportedly, Comptroller Otting has agreed to meet with the Congressional Black Caucus. That meeting should be the beginning of several others to better attune Otting to the realities of being Black in America.

“I hope he will work collaboratively with civil rights, housing, and consumer groups on any changes to the law to ensure he accounts for the harsh realities of discrimination that still plague the financial marketplace,” concluded Astrada.

(Charlene Crowell is the Communications Deputy Director with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.)

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JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

BUSINESS

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

The Obama administrations decimated Black business procurement PROCUREMENT FROM B1

and optimism were very apparent and evidently our Congress became a little worried. To our horror, formal Congressional investigations were launched against Secretary Brown and Secretary Espy. They were “hit jobs” meant to serve notice to all of us that Black business development was taboo to the federal government and would not be tolerated. We stood firm in our resolve and kept pushing forward.

Brown and Espy were exonerated (of course). But eventually Ron Brown’s government plane fell out of the sky. He knew so much and was about to do historical things in the name of Black America. The honorable Hazel O’Leary became Secretary of Energy and caught hell all the way as she tried to diversify this good old boy agency.

In the year 2001, the Bush Administration came in power and we were prepared to set the stage for continued progress.

We made immediate contacts and started to work the various federal agencies.

President George W. Bush is one of the most sincere and honest persons I have ever met. This commitment was contagious to his entire Cabinet. Under his two administrations Black business procurement started growing at a steady rate. By 2008 we were at nearly 8 percent participation at the federal level. The growth meant hundreds of billions of dollars into the Black community replete with new employment.

The biggest hero in the Bush cabinet was Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of HUD. He instructed his procurement executives to exploit the 8a Business Program throughout their procurement activity. By doing this, they legally increased minority business participation from nearly nothing to over 30 percent. This was historical!

The Congressional Black Caucus formally recognized his accomplishments. The NBCC gave him our Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award. Congress had a different reaction. They launched a corruption investigation of monumental proportions. It emotionally drained him.

He was found innocent but not before he resigned and spent much of his net worth to prove his innocence.

Maybe this is what shook Barack Obama’s view on Black business as he became the 44th President of the United States. He was timid and was not going to enrage Congress by appearing friendly to the thought of Black business participation. His “markers” were being held by socialists, environmentalists and unions all of which have anathema towards Black business. His allegiance would be with them and, besides, we were going to love his half-Black body no matter what.

He betrayed our movement and the numbers started to show it. We started going south of the 8 percent level on a steady ride “south.”

We sounded the alarm and went to the press. The Obama Administration would lie and claim they had no idea what Black procurement levels were. “We don’t keep those numbers” they would repeatedly claim. Silly people! The numbers are kept by the General Service Administration —Federal Procurement Data Systems.

They count every procurement dollar by race, gender, economic level, disabilities, veterans, etc. I guess they thought we didn’t have the connections or the savvy to get to those numbers.

We have fallen from 8 percent Black participation in the Bush Administration to the following after the horror of the Obama years: Fiscal Year 2016: Blacks accounted for 1.8 percent percent of the

total federal spend. Fiscal Year 2017: Blacks accounted for 1.8 percent of the total federal spend. Fiscal Year 2018 to date (June 22, 2018) Blacks accounted for 1.6 percent. Note: Fiscal years are from Oct. 1 ]through Sept.

30. Fiscal year 2018 will end this September 30.

Oh yes, what is HUD doing now? In 2017 they came in at 1.4 percent Black participation. Quite a difference from the Bush years.

The NBCC will launch a new campaign to help the Federal Government rebound from the dismal Obama years with Black participation. We begin next month at our Annual Conference. WHAT DOES NOT KILL US, MAKES US STRONGER! (Harry Alford is the co-founder, president/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®. Website: www.nationalbcc.org Email: halford@nationalbcc.org @NationalBCC)

More diverse workforce ENERGY FROM B1

NCPC is the division of API that represents the oil and natural gas industry in North Carolina. McGowan joined API after serving as the director of regulatory affairs for the North Carolina Association of Realtors.

McGowan recently met with the North Carolina Black Press Association to discuss strategies for improving energy literacy and sharing aspects of the industry that many families in the Black community don’t know exist.

“It was a great first step in opening, what I hope will be, an on-going dialogue and relationship,” McGowan said. “That’s the model that we want to employ throughout our state network, because we recognize the value in those relationships.”

API partnered with the National Newspaper Publishers Association to increase the awareness about job and business opportunities in the energy sector. The NNPA is a trade group that represents more than 200 Black-owned media companies in the United States, that reach more than 20 million readers, combined, in print and online every week.

“We not only have a need for a diverse workforce, but also a younger workforce,” McGowan said. “We need new workers to come into the industry.”

McGowan said that a critical component to NCPC’s outreach efforts in North Carolina also includes engagement with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the state.

In a partnership with the American Association of Blacks in Energy, NCPC hosted an event about opportunities in the energy sector at Winston-Salem State University. NCPC also invited HBCU students from schools like Johnson C. Smith University to attend an event focused on the oil and natural gas industry at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

“We’re not neglecting college students, that’s still an important outreach avenue for us, but we’ve seen, more recently, that it’s also important to start getting in front of these students earlier,” McGowan said.

“We start [reaching] them at the elementary, middle and high school levels so that they are aware of the

opportunities in [STEM careers] and so that they’re best prepared to take advantage of those opportunities when they get to college.”

Touting the creation of job and business opportunities, McGowan said that his group advocates for expanding access to offshore environments and offshore waters off the coast of North Carolina for energy exploration and production in the Atlantic Ocean.

Earlier this year, The News and Observer reported that, “Supporters and opponents of offshore drilling gathered in Raleigh for the state’s only public hearing on the Trump administration’s controversial plan to open up the Atlantic coast for oil and gas exploration.”

While supporters of offshore drilling in North Carolina said that “the oil and gas industry would create good-paying, full-time jobs to prospect and later drill for oil and natural gas,” opponents argued that “oil spills would be an ever-present threat to the state’s environment, its tourism and fishing industries, and coastal people’s way of life,” The Observer reported.

The Virginian-Pilot reported that, President Donald Trump’s vision for dramatically expanding offshore exploration for oil and natural gas in the U.S., “calls for the largest auction of offshore leases in U.S. history—a total of 47 sales between 2019 and 2024, compared with 11 that had been scheduled in the 2017-2022 plan ironed out under President Barack Obama.”

The plan also includes three lease sales in the region that include federal waters off Virginia and North Carolina, The Virginian-Pilot reported.

Still, McGowan said that, based on research provided

by API, more than 50,000 jobs would be created by 2035, if offshore drilling and exploration moved forward off the coast of North Carolina.

McGowan continued: “That could be a tremendous opportunity, not only from an employment standpoint, but also from an economic development standpoint, as well.”

(Freddie Allen is the Editor-in-Chief of the NNPA Newswire and BlackPressUSA.com.

You can follow Freddie on Twitter @freddieallenjr.)

BUSINESS CALENDAR Special Breakfast Meeting

JULY 9—The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania will host a special breakfast meeting, 8 a.m. at the Rivers Club, One Oxford Center, 301 Grant St., Pittsburgh, 15219. The speaker will be U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa. Call 412-392-0610 for more information.

Diversity Certification Workshop

JULY 11—The Chatham University Women’s Business Center presents Is M usiness Certifiable, to 10:30 a.m. at Colab18 @ Nova Place (Former Allegheny Center Mall), 100 South Commons, Pittsburgh, 15212. The interactive workshop will allow attendees to learn about the different types of diversit certification programs for Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, including DBE, WOSB, EDWOSB, VOSB, MBE, WBE, MWBE, SBA 8(a) or SBA HUBZone, and is designed to help business owners determine if they should consider diversity certification, then assist in strategizing and selecting which program might best fit. he session is free, but registration is required.

For more information, call 412-365-1448.

Diversity Golf Outing and Fundraiser

JULY 23—The Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council will host its Youth Entrepreneurship Golf Invitational, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Fox Chapel Golf Club, 426 Fox Chapel Rd, Pittsburgh, 15238. The event provides certified M s and corporate representatives the opportunity to network, build relationships, and develop partnerships, and also supports the council’s activities, programs and scholarships. The event includes breakfast, golf or a clinic and seminar, cocktails and networking and an awards dinner.

Registration for Sponsorship opportunities closes July 13, for participants July 19. Visit www.EMSDgolf.org for more information.

Start-up Financing Workshop

AUG. 2—The Chatham University Women’s Business Center presents Financing Your Business, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Colab18 @ Nova Place (Former Allegheny Center Mall), 100 South Commons, Pittsburgh, 15212. The workshop will look at various new business financing options and is presented in collaboration with PNC Foundation, the Diversity Business Resource Center, Urban Innovation21, Riverside Center for Innovation, and Colab18.

Programming will be facilitated by Jonnet Solomon, Founder & CEO of J. Solomon and Associates, LLC. The workshop is free, but registration is required. For more information, call 412-3651448.

Training Event

AUG. 20—The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center presents First Step: Business Start-up Essentials, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Rockwell Hall, Rm. 505, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh. Topics include: Business Structure and Formation, Fictitious Name Registration, Employee Issues, Insurance, Government Procurement, Environmental Concerns, Financing Options, Taxation Requirements and Major Components of the Business Plan. Cost: $25, for more information, call 412-396-1633.

OPINION

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

B3

Has America lost its soul?

Guest Commentary

‘The strength of the wolf is the pack’

Donald Trump and his evil minions are not an anomaly or an apparition, they are emblematic of the reoccurring phenomenon of the evil of White supremacy that’s endemic to American culture. We have experienced this vitriol at least twice in the last hundred-plus years. he first time as the hite supremacist response to econstruction. The nascent attempt to establish citizenship for newly emancipated Blacks was violently rejected. Blacks in the South were forced to live under Jim Crow, America’s apartheid system. Except from Blacks not being chattel property, this was arguably no different than slavery. It’s worth noting that while Black Americans were being newly re-enslaved under Jim Crow, America was actively implementing genocide on Native Americans.

The second time we’ve experienced this kind of virulent and violent White reaction was the period during and after WWI. More than 350,000 Black Americans fought in WWI to make the world safe for democracy. The greatest fear among White supremacists was they would return home demanding, and ma be prepared to fight for, full citizenship.

So what was this reaction? An epidemic of race riots -- crazed armed White men attacking defenseless Black men, women and children, burning and destroying their communities. Think East St. Louis, Omaha, Chicago, Tulsa.

Then there’s the White community’s other favorite community event of the day, lynching Black men, women and even boys, followed by the burning and desiccation of their bodies for the amusement and pleasure of the assembled White mob, which often included children. Lynchings were such a scourge that Black Americans even petitioned the federal government for relief, to no avail.

Lastly, the explosion of Confederate Civil War monuments happened during this period as a reminder to Black Americans of the power of White people and the proper place of Black people. It was during this period that America instituted a racebased quota system for immigration.

But we not only survived these White supremacist assaults, but actually prevailed in this political, cultural death match. espite the horrific origins of the lack communit in merica, we created a community that was intelligent, strategic and resilient. We beat America’s worst because we were smarter and tougher. It was a community that, no matter how adverse the conditions, had the structural integrity to protect its children and prepare them to prevail in America, despite America. We ere unified in the face of the enem . t as this indivisibilit on the issue of race that was the key to survival and victory.

We are no longer that community, and what does that mean when we again engage this existential enemy? In the rush to integrate into White America, millions of us abandoned the Black community. I’m not just speaking about physically, but emotionally and psychologically as well. Because of this, we are considerably weaker going into this next political death match against America’s most deplorable. But, as always, we’re not a people without hope.

Our destiny now rests with this emerging generation that I’ll call the Black Lives Matter generation. As a group, they are intelligent, fearless and committed. They also appear to lack a critique of America that speaks to our historical reality. But this is our fault, because they are the progeny of the Black communit e abandoned. he had to find their o n a politically; they never got to learn the lessons from the history of our struggle because we never told them.

There’s one thing I want you to remember, and I didn’t write it. It’s from “The Jungle Book,” a 19th century book of fables by Rudyard Kipling: “Now this is the law of the jungle, as old and as true as the sky, And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die...

For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.”

(Mike Jones is a former senior staffer in St. Louis city and county government and current member of the Missouri State Board of Education and The St. Louis American editorial board. In 2016, he was awarded Best Serious Columnist for all of the state’s large weeklies by the Missouri Press Association.)

(Reprinted from the St. Louis American)

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

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Commentary more.

We are told this tragedy is bringing joy to the White House. This cruelty to babies who may never see their parents again is so hard to witness. Parents have been detained and deported with no fair hearing. They are being sent back to the horrendous, dangerous situation from which they were fleeing and being forced to leave their children behind. This is almost too much to bear.

The psychological impact on the children who’ve been viciously torn from their parents’ arms, some who are even told lies to get them away from parents, only to find their parents have been arrested and taken away, is unimaginable in America—and yet it’s happening.

Our government has no procedure to give the children back to their parents. Indeed, it is clear that #45’s strong men and strong women have no idea where many of the children are!

Reporters have been asking where

the girls are. Where are the babies?

Kirstjen Nielsen, HHS Secretary, didn’t know where they were! She’s responsible for carrying out the imprisoning these children and with a straight face, she can say she doesn’t know where they are! Incredible!

It is unconscionable that this Administration would use babies for ransom to get a wall around the U.S.--Mexico border. #45 claims he has so much money, so it seems his conscience would dictate that he builds the wall himself—but did I just say “his conscience?” It’s clear that he is a mad man and he doesn’t have one.

On the bright side, many state governors, through this chaos, have taken an action that proves all politicians have not gone mad. They’ve decided not to send their National Guard or use their state’s resources to support this shameful effort at state borders. Some who have Guard already there are recalling them.

This gives us some hope that gut wrenching cries by innocent babies and the cruelties at our borders have proven that there is a shred of humanity left among us.

My question is how long do we have to put up with this mad man and his policies? Where will he go from here? What will he do next to set our country back hundreds of years?

(Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. is national president/CEO/General Counsel for the National Congress of Black Women.)

‘The Black Panther:’ It’s all about the money I saw “The Black Panther” at a Cinemark theater in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, March 14, 2018. On that same day thousands of American high school students walked out of school in protest against the endemic gun violence that is sweeping across the United States. “The Black Panther” is a Marvel Studios film rated PG-13.

It’s a direct appeal to Black youth.

A lot of Black adults have flocked to see it, and they argue it features positive Black heroes and heroines for Black youth. It is no surprise that Black teenagers would eat popcorn, drink soda pop, laugh, clap, and scream at the top of their voices at this comic book movie. They are out to have a good time. The same is more or less true for the Black adults who don’t try to argue the film is anything more than a Sunday funny-paper cartoon on the silver screen. It is altogether different for full grown Black folks to try to defend it.

Most important, is there any empirical evidence that Black youth believe this film is anything more than just another hyper-action movie like Spiderman?

The Wynan Brothers’ animated satire “Thugaboo: Sneaker Madness” has a far more important political and economic message for Black youth and adults than The Panther film. Thugaboo is also very humorous. But Donald Trump and the international sneaker industry must despise it.

“The Black Panther” is the 18th film in Marvel’s Superheroes series. Captain America and Spiderman are in the series. The Panther is based squarely on the motion picture industry’s staple consumer product. That product is glorifying mass violence for mass entertainment and profit. Factor out the violence and the Black Panther has nothing to attract its audience.

Hollywood’s western, gangster, horror, and sci fi films have glorified every kind of violence imaginable.

Rambo, and Freddie Krueger are two well-known examples of the countless violence-mongers that White America loves.

White America is searching frantically in every nook and cranny for the roots of the gun violence that killed 56 people in Nevada, 17 people in Florida, and many others elsewhere. This everyday real world “White-on White violence” terrifies, and allegedly confounds White America. White America blames violent video games, the National Rifle Association and so on. White America is right. The blame lies everywhere.

Hollywood is a major culprit. Hollywood’s “Cowboy and Indian” movies were made to justify and sanctify the genocide of the indigenous nations of the Americas. Mainstream America refuses to acknowledge that this genocide is directly related to the “White on White” gun violence that

Marvel Studios’ deep pockets purchased raves for the Panther in the mainstream US media. And it surely paid for some of the “unprecedented” high profile film-related parties that were widely reported in the media. This was to get-the-ballrolling. It worked. Black folks who love to party, and will party at the drop of a hat, took the cue immediately. They dressed up in Afrikilled school students and staff mem- can-print outfits made in Hong Cong. bers on Feb. 14, at Parkland High They flocked in mass to the nearest School in Florida. But it is. screening of The Black Panther.

The Black Panther opened to They came eager to talk trash, drink overwhelming receptions in Black Marvel’s liquor, and pose for the enclaves as far apart as Kenya and local TV station to spotlight them on Chicago. Gun violence is a major the next news broadcast. They raved problem in both locales and in many about how “Black” the film is when others where the Panther film glorieven from the on-line trailer, it is, at fying mass violence has been target- its very best, just another episode ing Black youth. This critical aspect in the Marvel Comic’s Batman, and of The Black Panther craze is being Spiderman fantasies. ignored by many prominent Black In the final scene, the Black superspokeswomen and men. hero T’Challa stands before, apparThe film is so juvenile that it is very ently, the United Nations and promdifficult not to be sarcastic in reply ises to work for world prosperity and to the full-grown Black folks who try peace. This is ballyhooed as the film’s to defend it. National Urban League closing Black liberation moment. AfCEO Marc Morial praised the film as ter 2 hours and 15 minutes of comic “a significant milestone.” He praised book flying saucers, robot rhinos runthe image of Black women in the ning wild, cartoon cinematography, film. A lot of other Black people have super-duper iPhones, and endless also. The Panther’s Black female nonsense, it does not work. T’Challa warriors are nothing but slightly comes across like Daffy Duck standrevised replicas of the comic book ing before the UN General Assembly super heroine Wonder Woman (A.K.A reading from the works of Frantz Diana Prince), this time killing AfFanon. T’Challa is Black, they argue. rican people. If the Panther’s Black Well, Daffy is too. cheering section argues on the one Be clear on this point, Marvel Stuhand the film is just entrainment dios not Black folks produced “The and should not be taken seriously, Black Panther.” And Marvel not the they have no grounds to argue, on Black community has raked in some the other, the Panther’s image of $1 billion and is still making money.

Black women can be taken seriously.

Measured by that yardstick of Marvel Comics cannot establish the capitalism, it’s a resounding unprecimage of Black women on the motion edented success for a “Black movie.” picture screen or anywhere.

As one of my late friends loved to Independent Black cinema is resay, “Hey! It’s all about the money!” plete with images and portrayals of That’s the bottom line.

Black women that are light years The media reports The Panther has ahead of the Marvel Comic Black been a box office hit in Kenya, Brazil women. The astounding captiand across the African diaspora. Now, vating images of Black women in the American film industry is gearJulie Dash’s 1991 groundbreaking ing up for the “globalization” of films film “Daughters of the Dust” set based on the Panther’s production and new cinematic standards for Afpromotion template and it is ready to rican American women. This epic rake in billions from across the Black cinema also recognizes and cherWorld. Marvel Studios heard Trump ishes indispensable cultural links recently tell US capitalism to go and between continental Africans and get rich by further exploiting Africa’s African Americans that stand aumaterial resources and its peoples, tonomous of the European American and Marvel aims to do that. cultural hierarchy. For this reason, In the Tarzan tradition, the White the motion picture establishment has former CIA agent, who saves the never sought Julie Dash for a full African kingdom, appeals to many length theater film.

White people. This is another audiAnd in all of world cinema, ence for Marvel Studio’s box office there is no more powerful image receipts. So, get ready for “The Black of African women than Princess Panther II,” the return of “Blacula” Doir Yacine in Ousman Sembene’s and “Blackenstein” and Blaxploitamasterpiece “Ceddo.” Doir Yation films at large.

(Fred Logan is a member of the Sembene cine stands bold, rooted in the imFilm & Arts Festival based in Pittsburgh. age of Yaa Santewaa of Ghana, This commentary does not reflect the views of Queen Nzinga of the Congo, and this organization.)

Africa’s real-world warriors.

Fred Logan

Commentary

Make a call for justice

Founded 1910

Editor & Publisher Emeritus (1912-1997)

(TriceEdneyWire.com)—Dick Gregory left us in August of last year. At least a year before passing away, he told me we’d soon be facing chaos. Well, naturally, since so many, including me, thought that Hillary Clinton would be our President and our nation would function normally, we could not imagine what we are seeing. Usually I believed everything Mr. Gregory said because so often I saw everything he said come true. To believe Hillary would lose, and we’d see the chaos we are seeing today totally stretched my imagination!

When people ask me, “I wonder what Dick Gregory would say about what’s going on today,” I don’t have to wonder. I know what he would say, because he laid it out for us while he was here. We just didn’t always want to believe what he was saying.

We’ve seen the chaos he predicted since the 2017 inauguration of #45.

What’s going on right now though is beyond what anyone could’ve imagined.

What is happening with 45’s Administration and its zero-tolerance policy of tearing children from the arms of their parents, while the children are screaming in protest, is too much for many to bear. We are seeing sit-ins at the offices of Members of Congress, press conferences on the grounds of the Congress, picketing at various sites, men and women leaders seen with tears rolling down as they talk about this outrage and

Dear Editor: This past week, we, along with all our constituents and much of America, watched a video of Officer Michael Rosfeld of the East Pittsburgh Police, shoot Antwon Rose, a 17-yearold, unarmed Black boy, three times in the back while running away from a traffic stop. And right before our eyes, tragically, Mr. Rose’s life was gone.

In the days since we have all wrestled with how to process another death at the hands of those

sworn to protect and serve us. We are hurting, and our community is hurting. The pain and trauma we all feel may not leave our souls any time soon. But, the healing process can only begin when Antwon, his family, and the community get justice.

The PBEOC believes the District Attorney’s office should immediately bring charges against Officer Rosfeld. Officer Michael Rosfeld took the judicial system into his own hands when he ended Antwon’s life. A fair

and impartial jury, representative of the community, now deserves an opportunity to assess Officer Rosfeld’s actions and deliver a verdict.

Respectfully yours, The Pittsburgh Black Elected Officials Coalition and other Black elected legislative officials from the region—State Rep. Jake Wheatley Jr., State Rep. Ed Gainey, State Rep. Austin Davis, County Councilman DeWitt Walton, and City Councilmembers Rev. Ricky Burgess and R. Daniel Lavelle.

CLASSIFIED New Pittsburgh Courier

B4

JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

www.newpittsburghcourier.com

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

RESEARCH ENGINEER

South Fayette Twp. School District

The University of Pittsburgh seeks Research Engineer to work in Biodynamics Laboratory of Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery in Pittsburgh, PA. Collect, process & analyze data; integrate hardware & software into laboratory; troubleshoot equipment & software; & disseminate scientific findings. ppl at Pittsource.com, #0133726. The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative ction ual Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity.

EEO/AA/M/F/Vets/Disabled.

CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT ASSOCIATE

United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Office Seeking a high-energy individual who will support fundraising efforts of United Way’s Workplace Fundraising team, part of the larger Donor Relations team and currently comprised of five full time fundraising professionals. In this role, the individual will assist in raising nearly $25 million from hundreds of top local companies, and will be able to e perience first hand the strategies developed and utilized in large-scale corporate fundraising. This position will play a critical role in the overall success of the fundraising team – including organizing and facilitating fundraising events, assembling and analyzing key donor data, ensuring corporate contacts have the necessary tools to fundraise internally, and supporting the Workplace Fundraising team as necessary. This entry-level position is well suited for an individual interested in deepening their development experience, or an experienced professional interested in a collaborative, team-based role.

This individual should be able to display an exemplary degree of customer service and must have reliable transportation.

Bachelor’s degree preferred. One to two years of experience in fundraising or development preferred.

Visit our website at https://uwswpa.org/careers/ to view job description and apply for this position.

Submissions will only be accepted electronically.

The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity, serving Allegheny, Butler, Westmoreland, Fayette and Southern Armstrong Counties.

SENIOR QUANTITATIVE ANALYTICS AND MODEL DEVELOPMENT ANALYST

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. seeks a Senior Quantitative Analytics and Model Development Analyst in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to be responsible for: (i) independently audit the model development work done b PNC s first line of defense for conceptual soundness and compliance with regulations across a wide spectrum such as credit risk, market risk and stress testing; (ii) independently audit the model validation work done by PNC’s second line of defense to ensure that it is providing an effective challenge to the first line of defense across a ide spectrum such as credit risk, market risk and stress testing; (iii) challenge management for any unacceptable risks in existing models and related risk management practices; and (iv) revie the robustness and sufficiency of work done by management to resolve regulatory concerns.

Master’s degree in Finance, Management, Economics or Statistics and one year of experience in a position in the financial industr performing financial modeling is re uired.

Experience must include: (i) stress testing, including PPNR, model development, enhancement, documentation, performance tracking, and execution experience for multiple lines of businesses of financial products; (ii) compliance experience for at least two of the following regulatory requirements: Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Research (CCAR), Dodd-Frank Act Stress Test (DFAST) stress testing, and Liquidity Test and Resolution Plan; (iii) one year of experience with the use of at least one of the following: SAS, Eviews, Essbase and Teradata; (iv) experience interacting with model risk management, including model documentation maintenance, model validation issue remediation and EUC model control compliance; (v) experience with Regulatory Matters Requiring Attention (MRAs) resolution and vi financial statement projection work experience.

40 hours/week, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Interested individuals apply online at www.pnc.com using keyword 295477BR. PNC provides equal emplo ment opportunit to ualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by law.

COURIER CLASSIFIEDS… THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

SONNY BOY

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION

Complete job description is available at: www.southfayette.org South Fayette Twp. School District 3680 Old Oakdale Road McDonald, PA 15057 Deadline: July 3, 2018, or until position is filled EOE ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Meetings

MEETING

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s Board of Commissioners will hold its monthly meeting for June on Thursday, June 28, 2018. The board meeting will be held at 10:30 A.M. @ 200 Ross Street, 13th Floor, Wherrett Room, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

LEGAL NOTICE OPENING OF WAITING LISTS

Effective at the start of the business day Monday, July 2, 2018, the Allegheny County Housing Authority will be opening the Waiting List for the following Low Income Public Housing Sites: Ohiovie o ers fficiencies 250 Jefferson Drive, McKees Rocks, PA 15136 •Pleasant Ridge Apartments (2 Bedrooms) 251 Jefferson Drive, McKees Rocks, PA 15136 (3 months only) ALL APPLICANTS INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR ALL LOW INCOME PUBLIC HOUSING SITES CAN APPLY AT: •Apply online www.achsng.com through WEBAPP from a mobile device (compatible with most) or from a computer workstation •Apply online through WEBAPP - visit our Central Office location and use our computer workstation: 625 Stanwix Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or any one of our property site kiosks.

• New applications are also available upon request by calling the leasing agent at 412-402-2641 or any Allegheny County Housing property sites.

CLOSING OF WAITING LISTS Effective Monday, July 2, 2018, the Allegheny County Housing Authority will be closing the Waiting Lists for the following Low Income Public Housing Sites: •Caldwell Station (2 Bedrooms) 314 Commerce Street, Wilmerding, PA 15148 •Scattered Sites (2,3,4 Bedrooms) 511 Groveton Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108 •Carnegie Apartments (1 Bedrooms) 514 Lydia Drive, Carnegie, PA 15106 • Dumplin Hall (1 Bedrooms) 502 Hay Street, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221 •Groveton Village (1, 2, 3, 4 Bedrooms ) 511 Groveton Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108 •Homestead Housing Partnership Building B (1 Bedroom) 481 East Eighth Avenue, Homestead, PA 15120 •Hawkins Village (1 Bedroom) 500 Kenmawr Avenue, Rankin, PA 15104 Effective Tuesday, October 2, 2018, the Allegheny County Housing Authority will be closing the Waiting List for the following Low Income Public Housing Sites: •Pleasant Ridge Apartments (2 Bedrooms) 251 Jefferson Drive, McKees Rocks, PA 15136 Applications for these waiting lists will not be accepted after the closing date.

Notice will be given in this publication when the Authority determines to re-open the Waiting Lists for these sites.

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

LEGAL ADVERTISING

Legal Notices

Bids/Proposals

Bids/Proposals

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND CLEANUP RFP #300-28-18

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) FOR COMBUSTION AND HOT WATER HEATER SERVICES REBID IFB# 300-21-18REBID

In the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Orphans’ Court Division, Estate of Aquilla Hairston, deceased, Case No. 021803497 of 2018: Notice is hereby given that on May 18th, 2018, a Petition as filed to terminate the interests of the heirs and devisees of Aquilla Hairston, deceased, in the real estate located at 496 Park Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15221, and determine that fee simple title is in Ronald Hairston. If no exceptions to the Petition are filed ithin 30 days, Petitioner will seek an Order adjudging that Aquilla Hairston’s title is in himself.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY LEGAL NOTICE Pre-Qualification Testing for Contract No. 1692

The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) is issuing an invitation to Polymer Manufacturers interested in participating in Pre ualification esting for Contract No. 1692, Furnishing and Delivering Polymer for Centrifuge Dewatering System. Bid documents for Contract No. 1692 will be issued by invitation only to those manufacturers who successfully complete the Pre ualification esting. he successful bidder for Contract No. 1692 shall be awarded a one-year polymer supply contract.

Pre ualification esting shall take place in ALCOSAN’s Laboratory facilities at 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 only during the period of June 25, 2018 through July 6, 2018. Polymer Manufacturers interested in participating in this Pre ualification esting shall submit a letter of intent to participate to Elizabeth A. Joyce, Project Engineer II, by e-mail at elizabeth. joyce@alcosan.org or by fax at (412) 734-8716 no later than 4:30 P.M. EST on July 2, 2018.

ALCOSAN encourages businesses owned and operated by minorities and women to submit bids on Authority Proposals or to participate as subcontractors or suppliers to the successful bidders. Successful Bidders are to use minority or women’s businesses to the fullest extent possible. he Pol mer Pre ualification and Evaluation document is available upon request at the Engineering office of the uthorit , 3300 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. To request a copy of this document, or for any questions regarding the Pre ualification documents or testing requirements, please contact Elizabeth A. Joyce at elizabeth.joyce@alcosan.org, by phone (412) 734 8719, or by fax to (412) 734-8716.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SANITARY AUTHORITY David W. Borneman, P.E. Director, Engineering and Construction LEGAL ADVERTISING Legal Notices

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.

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from ualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): COMBUSTION AND HOT WATER HEATER SERVICES REBID IFB# 300-21-18REBID The documents will be available no later than June 25, 2018 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 10:00 a.m. on July 27, 2018 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud.

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP. org.

Questions or inquiries 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 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre bid meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 July 19, 2018 10:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minorit 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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Frank Aggazio, Executive Director Allegheny County Housing Authority 625 Stanwix St., 12th Fl., Pittsburgh, PA 15222

To place a display ad in the New Pittsburgh Courier call 412-481-8302 ext. 128 or 129

The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) hereby request proposals from ualified Firms or Individuals capable of providing the following service(s): EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND CLEANUP RFP #300-28-18 The documents will be available no later than June 25, 2018 and signed, sealed bids will be accepted until 9:00 a.m. on July 27, 2018 at which time they will be Time and Date Stamped at 100 Ross Street 2nd Floor, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, at which time they will be opened and read aloud.

Parties or individuals interested in responding may download a copy of the Solicitation from the Business Opportunities page of www.HACP. org.

Questions or inquiries 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 412-456-5116 Opt 1 A pre-submission meeting will be held: Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Procurement Dept.

100 Ross Street 2nd. Fl. Ste. 200 Pittsburgh, PA 15213 July 19, 2018 9:00 A.M. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh strongly encourages certified minorit 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

Estate of WILMA JEAN SCOTT, Deceased of Pittsburgh, PA. No. 021801703 Derek E. Scott Executor, 6412 Olivant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 or to Bruce S. Gelman, Esq., Gelman & Reisman, Law & Finance Bldg., 429 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1701, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Estate of BRAY DOROTHY A. a/k/a BRAY DOROTHY ANNA, Deceased of Shaler Township No. 02749 of 2018 Michael J. Saldamarco, ESQ., STE. 100, 908 Perry HWY., Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Admin. or to Michael J. Saldamarco, ESQ., STE. 100, 908 Perry HWY., Pittsburgh, PA 15229.

Estate of GARY NATHAN PARKER, Deceased of Pittsburgh, PA No. 03576 of 2018 Administratrix Diana James, 2376 E. 37th Street, Cleveland, OH 44115 or to Thelma C. Spells, Esquire, Atty., 1533 Bidwell Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15233.

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THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PITTSBURGH

Sealed bids will be received in the Office Of he Chief Operations Officer, oom 2 1, dministration uilding, 341 outh ellefield venue until 11:00 A.M. prevailing time July 17, 2018 and will be opened at the same hour for the purchase of the follo ing e uipment and supplies: Window Cleaning Calculators General Information regarding bids ma be obtained at the Office of the Purchasing Agent, Service Center, 1305 Muriel Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. The bid documents are available on the School District’s Purchasing web site at: http://www.pghboe.net/pps/site/ default.asp Click on Bid Opportunities under Quick Links.

The Board of Public Education reserves the right to reject any and all bids, or select a single item from any bid.

M. Jordan Purchasing Agent e are an e ual rights and opportunity school district

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Sealed bid proposals are hereby solicited for the Community College of Allegheny County, 800 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233 (412.237.3020) on the following items: Bid Proposal No. 1026 – Tele/ Data Upgrade at Homewood Brushton Center A mandatory pre-bid meeting and site-visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. The assembly point will be the front entrance to the center, 701 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208.

Proposals will be received at the Purchasing Department until 2:00 P.M. Prevailing Time on Tuesday, July 10, 2018.

The CCAC Purchasing Department publishes all bids and RFPs via the CCAC website at https://www.ccac. edu/Bid-RFP_Opportunities.aspx.

It will be each vendor’s responsibility to monitor the bid activity within the given website (“Bid and RFP Opportunities”) and ensure compliance with all applicable bid documents inclusive of any issued addenda.

Failure to incorporate any applicable addenda in the final submittal ma result in the rejection of your bid.

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The Community College of Allegheny Count is an ffirmative ction ual Employment Opportunity Employer and encourages bids from Minorit Disadvantaged owned businesses.

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JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

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B6

JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

Trump: The isolationist (TriceEdneyWire.com)—Usually, I call him 45. Don’t want to feed the ego of a narcissist by calling out his name. But every shred of ignominy that is associated with this era needs to be associated with this putrid 45th President of the United States. So let’s call it, the Trump era. The era of indifference to human rights, the era of obduracy around international cooperation, the era of pugilism with our allies, the era of abdication of international leadership.

We are riveted by the harrowing sounds of children crying when they are torn from their parents, disgusted when we learn that even a nursing child is torn from her mother’s breast, disturbed when we hear that a child with Down’s syndrome is separated from her parent, angered when a Trump (yes, time to call his name) spokesperson mocks the Downs syndrome children with his sound “wonk, wonk.” And our collective anger pushed our non-apologetic “leader” to sign an executive order that potentially stopped the separation of children from their parents.

At the same time, the international scandal minimized any moral authority our nation has in calling out others on human rights violations.

The sound of wailing children makes it impossible for us to take a moral high road against any other country with their own human rights challenges. Thus, when United States Ambassador Nikki Haley announced that the United States would resign from the UN Human Rights Council, one had to wonder if she was avoiding approbation for the inhumanity toward children at the US-Mexico

Julianne Malveaux

Commentary border, or if she had another agenda.

She said that she was resigning because the group was unfair to Israel, without acknowledging that there are extreme human rights violations toward Israel against Palestinians. Perhaps she was also removing the US from a body that could censure us for the way children are treated at our border.

President Trump (yes, I’m going to call him by the name this time) has picked fights with anyone he can, isolating our country against our allies, aligning him with dictatorial opponents. He wants to be appreciated like Korean dictator Kim Jung Un, asking that people pay as much attention to him as they do to a man he once denigrated as “Little Rocket Man”. At the same time, he picks a fight against our Canadian and Mexican allies, our continental partners, because he is flexing his muscles and making the point that he does not need friends.

Thus, as New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman reported that 158 Canadians were killed, and 658 wounded, since the United States was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. Canadians sent their troops to fight alongside us.

They didn’t have to. They did because there was a relationship, a connection. Now, Mr. Trump is ungratefully picking a fight with Canada over pennies in tariffs, just because he can. He is making an enemy, creating enmity, just because he can.

His behavior at the G-7 meeting in Canada was another alienating, isolating, experience. He went late and left early, signaling disrespect, maybe even contempt for his peers.

He chafed when he was called on his nonsense and declined to sign the customary closing document. Without even attempting to give others advance notice, he suggested that his mentor (the kindest words I can manage) Russian leader Vladimir Putin, should be part of the G7. Trump’s advocacy and behavior place him outside the orbit of reason. He is isolating himself, and our country, with his nonsense.

While the world has always been clear about our nation’s flaws, and we who live here are clear about our nation’s history of oppression, there was a time when we had some moral authority in the world. We chastised others about human rights violations, excoriated others when they strayed from the tenets of participatory democracy, bribed others to “do the right thing” with foreign aid that was connected to improvements in education and health offerings. We showed up at international conferences and meetings, chanting “women’s rights are human rights,” but now we see no attempt to embrace anybody’s rights.

Donald Trump has isolated the United States from its human rights legacy and moral history. Donald Trump is an isolationist who has failed to understand the ways that our global connection has benefitted us. In isolating us, what has Trump done? And what will we do about it?

(Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist.)

FORUM

We should be tired of what they say I generally have numbers that eduno idea what my Louis ‘Hop’ Kendrick cation was not imweekly column is portant. The coungoing to focus on. selors in public However, the other school would emday I happened to phasize that Black watch a television females should put movie that focused an extra focus on on six Black youths cooking and sewdeveloping into ing, and that they a championship would be domesswimming team. They became champions tics. They would tell the Black males you because there happened to be a person in will not join the unions of skill crafts, their lives who was able to change their so just learn how to sign a paycheck on mindset. He replaced the mindset, “What whatever menial job you get. they won’t allow us to do,” and instilled in They said that Blacks lack the intellithem P.D.R. gence and skill to play in the NBA, NFL, For generations we have heard the ex- and NHL and definitely lack the intellipression that “they won’t allow us” and gence to play certain positions. They dehistory indicates they have done every- nied Blacks admission to certain colleges. thing possible to dehumanize Blacks. They took prayer out of schools and disThey brought us from the motherland, cipline out of the parents’ control. They Africa, shackled in the bowels of slave focused on how they treated Japanese citships. They enslaved us, raped our wom- izens during World War II, but never how en, castrated our men, lynched us and they mistreated Black American soldiers separated the families. They gave us during every war we were involved in. I their family names, they made it illegal served in the Army during the Korean to learn how to read and write. They sep- War and discrimination was still ramarated us—there was the house nigg__ pant, and my being in uniform made aband the field nigg___ and this mentality solutely no difference. A perfect example: existed for hundreds of years and cre- I was stationed in Camp Breckenridge, ated distrust of each other. In the year Kentucky, and on federal land I was deof 1863 the Emancipation Proclama- nied service in the restaurant, but I could tion was signed which, in theory, made have take out. I challenged being denied us free people. They, the descendants of service and was informed by superior ofthe slave masters by law, could control ficers that state laws of Kentucky superand profit of untold numbers of inven- sede federal laws. tions of slaves and even former slaves.

As I close this week’s column, it is with They instilled in the world the image of an immense sense of pride, because with Blacks as Uncle Remus, Step in Fetchit, all of their tremendous attempts to stifle Sambo, shuffling, “yassa boss,” “we tired us, THEY could not suffocate our P.D.R.— boss,” “we sick boss”…all of this tried to Pride, Determination, Resilience.

(Louis “Hop” Kendrick is a contributor to the destroy our self-esteem.

They were able to brainwash untold New Pittsburgh Courier.)

To Tell The Truth

Manufacturing reasonable doubt In 1988 Edward S. armed Black teenage Herman and Noam J. Pharaoh Doss boy, Antwon Rose II. Chomsky published This teenager was a book called, “Manshot three times in ufacturing Consent.” the back after he fled The authors claimed from a vehicle the the mass media police pulled over. carried out a “sys(The vehicle matched tem-supporting” prodescriptions of a car paganda campaign involved in an exagainst their readers change of gunfire that and viewers. The authors highlighted how left a person wounded, and the vehicle in the media designated “worthy” victims question had gunshot damage to its back and “unworthy” victims. Victims of “en- window.) Unlike the Michael Brown shootemy states” were worthy of sympathetic ing, this one was recorded on video. The coverage to generate support against spe- footage was similar to the 2015 shooting of cific regimes, but those victimized by the Walter Scott in South Carolina.

United States were “unworthy” of media Scott was shot in the back while he ran coverage and indignation. away from a police officer. (Scott ran beBut this notion of “worthy” and “unwor- cause he owed child support and didn’t thy” victims existed internally throughout want to go to jail.) But Scott was given the United States for centuries because “worthy” victim status because the “fear of the country’s racial problems. And in for life” defense was eliminated, Scott this millennium these old problems con- posed no threat to the officer. There was tinue to play out, in their own way, when nothing the media could manufacture a White police officer shoots and kills an to justify the shooting. That police ofunarmed Black male. ficer was fired from the police force and In Ferguson, Missouri, this dynamic charged with murder. played out with police officer Darren WilThe East Pittsburgh police officer, Mison and the deceased, Michael Brown, chael Rosfeld, should be deemed “unworcompeting for “worthy” victim status thy” for the “fear for life” defense and also due to conflicting narratives of the police charged with murder. The lawyer for the shooting. Brown’s side said he did noth- family of the victim said, “It’s obvious (the ing wrong, had his hands up, and said teenager) did not present a danger to law “Don’t shoot.” Wilson said Brown attacked enforcement officers or to the public. To him and the two fought over Wilson’s shoot him several times in the back— handgun. At first Wilson’s “fear for life” there can be no justification for that kind defense was scrutinized. Wilson was the of action.” same height as Brown, substantially oldBut the day after the police shooting, the er, and Wilson was an experienced police media reported there were guns found on officer. Wilson’s “fear” sounded like a poor the floor of the vehicle the victim fled from. excuse. At this point Brown was slight- The day after that the media reported: ly in the lead for “worthy” victim status Pennsylvania law allows police officers until the media released footage of Brown to use deadly force to prevent someone committing a strong-arm robbery inside a from escaping arrest if that person has convenience store. committed a forcible felony or possesses a The footage had nothing to do with deadly weapon.

Brown’s fatal confrontation with the poThat’s beyond manufacturing reasonlice officer, but it brings in Herman’s and able doubt, it’s manufacturing a defense.

Chomsky’s theory of media manufacturAnd the following day the media reporting. Here, it wasn’t consent being manu- ed, “Boy who died was unarmed, but had factured, it was reasonable doubt. clip for handgun in pocket.”

(J. Pharaoh Doss is a contributor to the New Recently, in East Pittsburgh, there was another fatal police shooting of an un- Pittsburgh Courier.)

Check It Out

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Jesse Jackson Sr.

Commentary

Slave owners and Nazis quoted Romans 13 to justify immorality, too (TriceEdneyWire.com)—The Trump administration has separated some 2,000 children from their parents, most of whom have come to the United States seeking asylum. Attorney General Jeff Sessions cited the Bible, Romans 13, as justification for this zero-tolerance immigration policy.

The first verse reads: “Everyone is to obey the governing authorities, because there is no authority except from God and so whatever authorities exist have been appointed by God.” The Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Romans.

But Paul spent many days and nights in jail, so he did not always abide by the rule of unjust governors. Romans 13 has been invoked by scoundrels throughout its history. British Royals cited it to chastise rebellious American revolutionaries.

Slave owners in early America justified the institution of slavery by quoting it. American law authorized slave owners to separate Black sons and daughters from mothers and fathers by selling them to another slave owner. Jeff Sessions is an old school Alabamian raised in the ways of the segregated South, so maybe such thinking is not unfamiliar to him.

The Nazis in Germany and apartheid South Africa quoted Romans 13 to give religious authority to genocide and apartheid. Former first lady Laura Bush wrote in the Washington Post on Sunday that warehousing children in a former Walmart and a Texas tent city is “eerily reminiscent of the Japanese American internment camps of World War II, now considered to be the most shameful episodes in U.S. history.”

“This zero tolerance policy,” she concluded, “is cruel. It is immoral. And it breaks my heart.”

Even as President Trump was defending the policy, first lady Melania Trump called for immigration reform in a statement, saying she “believes we need to be a country that follows all laws, but also a country that governs with heart.”

Sessions says he is merely enforcing the law, but there is no zero-tolerance immigration law. The law hasn’t changed; Sessions invented a new interpretation to justify an immoral policy change. He said the Justice Department would begin prosecuting everyone who crosses the southwest border and separating children from parents as a deterrent.

Sessions said he wanted to send messages that if you don’t want to be separated from your children, don’t come. This immoral theory hasn’t worked in practice. Desperation, not calculation, drives parents to leave their homes and seek asylum. Asylum is enshrined in both the United States and international law. Seeking asylum because of government oppression, domestic or gang violence, sex trafficking or natural disasters is not a crime.

Contrary to Trump, these parents are not illegally breaking the law. They are legally seeking asylum. The current immigrants coming to the U.S. are mainly poor people from Central America escaping government or gang violence—boys recruited by gangs, girls recruited for sex traffickers. They may or may not be granted asylum.

But there is no justification—moral, legal or simply human—for ripping their children from them as they wait for a hearing on their status. No subject in the Bible is mentioned more than caring for the poor—the stranger on the Jericho Road—treating them with respect and allowing them to maintain their dignity, which is the opposite of Trump’s and Session’s harsh immigration policy. In the New Testament, Matthew reports Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod’s order to kill every newborn. Jesus’ parents became immigrants in Egypt seeking asylum for their son Jesus from Roman violence.

All major religions—Christianity, Judaism and Islam—value keeping families together, rather than tearing them apart. Even conservative evangelical and Roman Catholic Christians allied with Trump are taking issue with his immigration policy. One of his strongest advocates, evangelist Franklin Graham, called the separations “disgraceful; it’s terrible to see families ripped apart and I don’t support that one bit.”

The Southern Baptist Convention passed a strong resolution calling for immigration reform that maintains “the priority of family unity” and called for a legal path to citizenship. Trump keeps railing against immigrants, warning Democrats that they should accept his policies before the election “because you are going to lose.” That reveals the foul motivation behind this human horror.

As former Trump strategist Steve Bannon has argued, as long as Democrats are arguing about immigration, Trump is winning. Sessions and Trump are traumatizing innocent children to serve their partisan political purposes—and trying to use the Bible as a cover story. Congress will vote on two immigration bills this week. Both give the president much of what he has demanded, including billions for the inane border wall (that he pledged the Mexicans would pay for). The more moderate bipartisan bill also would allow families to be detained together.

As of this writing, it does not have sufficient Republican support to pass. The trauma these children are experiencing will scar them for a lifetime. Is there no shame? Are the hearts of partisan politicians so callous that they will turn their backs on innocent children?

METRO

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

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ANTWON ROSE II’s LIFE CELEBRATED

ANTWON ROSE II, shown here in the left photo on the night of Woodland Hills High School’s 2017 homecoming dance. The right photo is the actual program from Rose’s funeral service, held June 25 at Woodland Hills Intermediate School.

‘He was a good person, a good student… he loved his family, as we loved him. And justice will be served.’

- Missy Carter, cousin of Antwon Rose II

THOSE WHO ATTENDED the funeral service for Antwon Rose II remembered the 17-year-old by taking a photo with Rose’s funeral program. (Photos by Courier photographer Dayna Delgado)

Hundreds attended the funeral service for Antwon Rose II, June 25, at Woodland Hills Intermediate School. Missy Carter, Rose’s cousin, told the New Pittsburgh Courier that the service was “beautiful,” and that Rose “deserved it.”

Karen Keyes, Rose’s aunt, told the Courier that Rose “was a very good person,” and that “his life shouldn’t have been taken like it was.”

THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN MOMENTS after the funeral service for Antwon Rose II ended. (AP PHOTO)

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METRO

JUNE 27-JULY 3, 2018

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER

Second teen who ran from police is arrested On Tuesday afternoon, June 26, Allegheny County Police announced they have detained a suspect, whom they believe was the other male seen bolting from the Chevrolet Cruze that was stopped by East Pittsburgh Officer Michael Rosfeld on June 19.

Allegheny County Police did not iden-

tify the suspect by name as of Tuesday evening, June 26, but local television outlets identified the suspect as Zaijuan Hester, 17. Investigators located Hester in the Hill District after he allegedly removed his electronic monitoring bracelet. As of Courier press time, Allegheny County Police did not give

specific details as to why they believe he is the teen that ran from the vehicle in question. Antwon Rose II was also seen on video running from the vehicle that was stopped by police in East Pittsburgh on Grandview Ave., but he was shot and killed by Officer Rosfeld. The other teen who fled, according to police, is Hes-

ter. Officials say he will be charged in relation to the shooting of a 22-year-old male in North Braddock, which occurred roughly 15 minutes prior to the felony traffic stop in East Pittsburgh. The exact charges that will be filed against Hester were unknown as of Tuesday evening, June 26.

Will Officer Rosfeld be held accountable for his actions?

ROSFELD FROM A1

lice and District Attorney’s Office and we will be transparent with any and all information that they need during the investigation.”

WPXI-TV (Channel 11) reported on June 25 that a photo circulating the Internet of Officer Rosfeld was confirmed to be authentic

by NBC News. But aside from the photo, which has also been used by the New Pittsburgh Courier, Officer Rosfeld has not spoken publicly about the situation on camera, nor has he issued a public statement.

WTAE-TV (Channel 4) stated that reporter Marcie Cipriani spoke to Officer Rosfeld “in person” on June 21, with the officer saying that “he and his family are trying to deal with what happened.” Officer Rosfeld called the situation “a difficult time for them,” according to WTAE-TV. Rosfeld

BRANDI FISHER, leader of the Alliance for Police Accountability, speaks to a crowd gathered in front of District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr.’s office, Downtown, June 21. Fisher, along with Carol Morrison, right, a family member of Antwon Rose, wants criminal charges to be filed against Officer Michael Rosfeld. (Photos by Courier photographer J.L. Martello)

did not grant WTAE-TV an on-camera interview.

Officer Rosfeld had been sworn in as an official East Pittsburgh police officer just hours before he pulled over a silver Chevrolet Cruze on Grandview Avenue, with three males inside, one of which was Rose. In the video of the shooting which originally was posted on Facebook, another East Pittsburgh police vehicle is seen

approaching the scene at Grandview Avenue seconds before Officer Rosfeld fired three shots at Rose.

The Pitt News reported that Officer Rosfeld was employed as a University of Pittsburgh police officer from Oct. 10, 2012 to Jan. 18, 2018. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that due to discrepancies the university found between Officer Rosfeld’s sworn statement and evidence in a December 2017 arrest, Officer Rosfeld exited his position.

Officer Rosfeld is currently on unpaid leave. He is represented by attorney Patrick Thomassey, who has yet to comment publicly as well.

Officer Rosfeld has also worked for the Harmar and Oakmont police departments.

Brandi Fisher, president of the Alliance for Police Accountability, told the

New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview that she questions the hiring of Officer Rosfeld by East Pittsburgh in the first place, given the discrepancies found by investigators when he was a University of Pittsburgh police officer.

“Why would anyone want to hire an officer like that?”

Fisher said. “This is not an isolated incident for him.

This is who he is, an aggressive, violent officer who needs to be charged.”

Fisher said there was no reason for Officer Rosfeld to use “deadly force” in the situation with Rose.

“He (Rosfeld) is able to hide away from being accountable for his actions and not have to speak to it, and I think that says a lot.

We’ve heard nothing from that side (Rosfeld or his lawyer). I think it’s because there’s nothing that can be said. The video definitely says it all.”

SUMMER LEE, the Democratic nominee for the state House District 34 general election in November, leads a chant in the rain during a protest against East Pittsburgh police, June 20.