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JANUARY 7 - 13, 2016 VOL. 5 NO. 15

Bernie Sanders is not your typical politician

Why black folks don’t fear socialists Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

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Bernie’s socialism? Not a problem Candidate Bernie Sanders understands that American radical thought added fuel to the early civil rights movements.

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Political Analyst AUGUSTA Bernie Sanders and socialism.

As we get closer to the actual primary balloting for the Republican and Democratic parties we’re bound to hear much more about Bernie Sanders and his Democratic Socialism.

We will have to concede from the outset that what passes for political discourse in America in 2016 is more noise and nonsense than serious dialogue. American voters who have a real understanding of the most important political concepts of the past 100 years are in short supply.

With apologies to the raft of rightwing true believers who gush over Ronald Reagan and various mystical notions of “American Exceptionalism,” one can safely assert that the average American — black, white, brown, red or other — hasn’t the foggiest notion of what “socialism” is or what “capitalism” is, or even a grasp of the real meanings of “conservatism” or “liberalism.”

And yet, the politicians and their operatives rave on an on — as if people understand what they’re talking about. Americans of all political persuasions continue to “mouth off” just to score political points.

We should also concede, in defense of most Americans, that the understanding of the real meaning of the most important political concepts require study, dialogue and debate.

That, however, doesn’t prevent so-called conservatives, black or white, from ranting that the problems with blacks in America is that they’ve bought into the “socialist” myth of

Bernie Sanders and Cornel West. Radicalism is a vital part of American progress in the 20th century. dependency, lack of initiative and the welfare state mentality.

Socialism is to blame, they spout.

Most black folks haven’t a clue as to what any of that even means.

Most white folks don’t either, but it sounds good.

Here’s what else sounds good.

Folks really believe and would assert positively that America is a Christian nation as well as a capitalist nation.

Now, while there’s nothing wrong with believing any of that, those are absurd statements, except, of course, on the most superficial level where Americans carry out most of their political discourse.

Simply put, the labels are for denigrating opponents when in the process of ranting on the radio, internet blog or twitter feed.

So now, here comes Mr. Progressive, Bernie Sanders, with his declaration that he’s a socialist.

I can well understand that Mr. Sanders knows what he means when he calls himself a socialist, but I think that he’s kidding himself if he seeks to gain any traction trying to explain what he means without resorting to “dumbing” down the entire discourse just to keep people’s attention.

One of the most fascinating aspects

of African American history is the struggle for survival in a hostile America against the backdrop of radical American ideology in its many forms including communism, socialism, black nationalism, black liberation theology, anarchism, and flat-out rebellion against the state.

Most conservatives, it is safe to say, have never studied black history, so can be excused for not understanding the historical importance of socialist thought in African American history.

And while too many African Americans, themselves, are clueless about the historical antecedents that place them squarely in the position where they find themselves today, they nevertheless live with the reality day in and day out.

They simply have to ask of any political movement that seeks their support — what have you done for me lately?

The classical civil rights period in African American history, say from 1950s to 1970 ­ — the period where most of the legislative gains were codified — owes a great deal to socialist ideology and activism which grew out of the American labor movements.

If you were a black intellectual in mid 60s, you were paying attention

to the liberation movements in South America, Africa and Asia.

Martin Luther King Jr., Kwame Ture, Nelson Mandela and youth movements like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee were all familiar with socialism, its tenets, and had no fear of it.

It’s not a coincidence that black America’s most dynamic leaders had no fear of socialism. The works of W.E.B. DuBois, Kwame Nkrumah, Ahmed Sékou Touré, Franz Fanon, and Che Guevera were well known to civil rights workers black and white.

That’s where Bernie Sanders makes his connection. He gets it.

But trying to break it down to where he can be understood and appreciated is probably beyond his capability.

It can be done, of course, but more likely in the context of a political science or history concentration at a university.

The world has changed. When V.I. Lenin wrote Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism in 1916 or when Nkrumah wrote Neo-Colonialism the Last Stage of Imperialism, things were very different in the world.

For Sanders, and other Progressives who want to make a difference, the slogans of the 20th century fall on deaf ears.

Now, slamming the One Percent and hammering on economic issues resonates with black people and while the average black person in 2016 can’t define capitalism, he does understand low wages, high rent, rising prices and diminishing opportunities.

In 2016, there’s no such thing as classical capitalism and certainly no such thing as classical communism.

The dreaded Soviet Bear no longer inspires fear despite attempts by conservatives to resurrect the ghost of Joseph Stalin.

Is it any wonder then that younger Americans, along with black Americans and Hispanic Americans, have a negative view of capitalism (as recent polls demonstrate).

As I’ve already stated, they really can’t understand what capitalism is. They have a negative view of it because they know and realize that it simply has not lived up to the hype.

UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 7 - 13, 2016

ELECTION COMMENTARY

UrbanProWeekly - JANUARY 7 - 13, 2016

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NEWS

Augusta legislator seeks to reduce penalties for marijuana possession

By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer AUGUSTA On the heels of Georgia’s first ever embrace of medical marijuana last year, State Senator Harold Jones (D-Augusta) introduced legislation this week that would end for all time felony prosecutions for marijuana possession.

While Jones is quick to point out that his bill will not legalize “pot,” it’s passage would have huge social, economic and law enforcement impacts.

Currently Georgia’s marijuana laws are some of the most Draconian in the nation.

The American Civil Liberties Union has long identified Georgia as one of the worst states when it comes to

punitive marijuana statutes.

An 2013 ACLU study points out that the state’s harsh marijuana laws result in racially disproportionate arrest rates.

“Georgia has some of the most punitive marijuana laws in the country, with possession of a mere two ounces being punishable by up to 10 years in prison. It’s clear these laws have not been successful, and new evidence shows that Georgia’s laws are not being evenly enforced,” ACLU documents say.

According to the study, “although blacks and whites use marijuana at nearly identical rates, blacks in Georgia are 3.7 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana possession.”

According to language in the bill that was pre-filed earlier this week

(SB254), “Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of Code Section 16-13-31, any person who is charged with possession of marijuana, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 12 months or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00, or both, or public works not to exceed 12 months.”

The way the current law reads, you have to possess less than an ounce of marijuana, in order for the offense to be treated as a misdemeanor.

Georgians who possessed more than an ounce of marijuana were charged with a felony.

Under Jones’ bill, other than selling, growing or trafficking marijuana, simple possession would be a misdemeanor.

Georgia is not the only state trying

to inject some common sense into marijuana sentencing. Legislatores in Illinois, Wyoming, and Virginia are seeking to downgrade simple possession of marijuana. New Mexico is trying to join Colorado and Oregon in legalizing marijuana outright.

According to James Bell, Director of the Georgia C.A.R.E. Project, the passage of this bill would signal the beginning of meaningful cannabis reform in Georgia. “Senate Bill 254 is the starting point on marijuana law reform in Georgia” Bell said. “Lawmakers understand that the public attitude toward marijuana has changed and a majority of voters support some type of reform. This bill does not legalize cannabis but it will go a long way in reducing the harm Georgia’s draconian marijuana laws have on its citizens.”

FOX DEN or FOX DIE

Community wants something done about unliveable conditions at apartment complex

By Ken Makin Special to UrbanProWeekly AUGUSTA Near the corner of Wrightsboro Road and North Leg Road rests an apartment complex by the name of Fox Den Apartment Homes.

According to community activists and residents, the roach and mold-infested complex could easily go by another name: “Fox Die.” “Fox Den left me with 18 months of pure hell,” said Ray Montana, a community activist and former tenant at Fox Den. “My family and I had to endure the side effects of being bitten multiple times by bed bugs. …Because of mold, everyone in our home suffered from respiratory infections.”

Montana has since filed suit against Stansberry Management, the enti-

ty that owns Fox Den. He is also part of a growing number of protesters demanding immediate change regarding the controversial complex.

City officials are also joining the fight, including District 2 Commissioner Dennis Williams, who saw the conditions at the complex for himself.

“My first reaction was that management didn’t care about the people living in their apartments by not addressing the problems that were easy to see and could be corrected,” Williams said. “The whole complex needs cleaning, and I would not live here.”

He also confirmed that city officials will take a closer look. “(City) code enforcement has already inspected several of the apartments and I am working on the health department to do some inspections of the living conditions,” Williams said.

In 2013, Stansberry and Fox Den paid $37,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit brought forth by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The federal agency charged that Stansberry subjected the property manager of the complex to disability discrimination when they advertised to find a replacement for her position the same day she suffered a heart attack on the job. The EEOC alleged that when the employee attempted to return to work, she learned that she had been terminated.

Meanwhile, Montana is challenging everyone in the Augusta community to research and protest the conditions at Fox Den. “There are elders who died in unexplained fashion (in this complex),” Montana said. “I am committed to stand and fight for my community.”

“The whole place needs cleaning. I wouldn’t live there.” — Commissioner Dennis Williams Photo by Ken Makin

NEW YEAR, NEW HIGH: High water levels from the Savannah River flood the Jessye Norman Ampitheater on 9th Street at the Augusta Riverwalk. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Javen MCCaster of Soul Note entertainment group will perform a benefit for Paine College

Gospel promoter heads fundraising pitch for Paine’s “Build It Back” campaign AUGUSTA A soulful outburst usually contains three elements – passion, power and a sense of urgency or desperation.

This gesture captures the genesis of Soul Note Entertainment perfectly.

Javen McCaster, one of the founders and lead promoters of Soul Note, recently described the formation of the entertainment group in advance of a fundraising concert at Paine College slated to feature Deitrick Haddon.

“Honestly, I lost my job, and I was in a real dark place,” McCaster said. “Outside of my family, the one thing that made me happy was putting on gospel shows and working with artists. …God blessed me to step out on faith and start Soul Note.”

The group’s first show, which

featured Jessica Reedy, was at Beulah Grove Baptist Church, an event that McCaster said gave him “the spark that I needed.”

It’s a similar ideology that McCaster hopes will give Paine a fundraising spark.

The “Build It Back: Save Paine College” concert will be held Friday, January 15, 2016 at 7 p.m. at the HEAL Complex on the campus of Paine. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for advance tickets and $15 for Paine students.

“As a former Paineite and member of the Augusta community, it was important for me to use my platform to give back to the institution that serves as a cornerstone in the CSR A,” he said.

Soul Note is the brainchild of four people: Javen, his wife, Joyce, a gospel singer in charge

of the group’s logistics; assistant manager Que Butler and hospitality manager Emmanuel Butler. The group has booked shows for David Mann, Akintunde, J Moss and Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child.

Joyce is the lead singer of her group, Victorious Soul. Javen has managed his wife’s career for eight years, and explained how her influence helped to inspire Soul Note.

“It really helped me understand the business side of entertainment and the artist side,” Javen said. “I was blessed to meet and form a relationship with different managers, label owners and promoters. I noticed things that artists need that weren’t being provided and I wanted to fill that void.”

For more information on Soul Note, call (706) 993-6265 or email soulnoteent@gmail.com.

Children watch water spill from the floodgates at the Thurmond Dam on Sunday. The US Army Corps of Engineers opened the floodgates to ease high water levels at the lake. The floodgates have been opened only six times since the dam was built and the event attracted hundreds of spectators to the lake to see the sight. Also known as Clarks Hill Dam, the structure rises 204 feet above the riverbed of the Savannah River. A recent environmental report by the US-EPA (Toxic Release Inventory) lists the Savannah River as the fourth most-polluted waterway in the nation.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Nelson announces for Dist.125 House seat On Wednesday, Sheila Clark Nelson announced her candidacy for Georgia House District 125.

Nelson is a graduate of Lucy Laney High School and is a retired from the U.S. Postal Service. She is married to Marvin Nelson and is a member of Good HOpe Missionary Baptist Church. Rosa J. Clemons is her campaign chairperson.

5 UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 7 - 13, 2016

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

UrbanProWeekly - JANUARY 7 - 13, 2016

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Augusta suffers first conference loss vs. Francis Marion 86-69 Senior Kariel Hutt leads Jags with 19 points in the loss AUGUSTA The Augusta Jaguars fell to the Francis Marion Patriots 86-69 on Monday night, snapping Augusta’s seven-game winning streak. The Jags were handed their first PBC loss of the season as Francis Marion held the lead the entire game after the initial basket.

Augusta (10-3, 3-1 PBC) started Kayla Lovett, Breonna O’Conner, Kariel Hutt, Lonna Turner, and Camille Gee in their fourth PBC contest of the season.

Senior Kariel Hutt led the way for the Jags with 19 points and Camille Gee followed her with 10. FMU (11-2, 2-2 PBC) proved too strong, however, with five players in double-digits.

FMU managed to hold the Jags to 40 percent shooting from the floor and 30.8 percent from outside the arc.

Hutt opened up the scoring for the game, but the Patriots would answer quickly, jumping out to an 8-2 lead with the help of two three-pointers. Displaying strong defense in the opening half, FMU managed to hold the lead for the remainder of the first period, jumping out to as large as a 12-point lead and draining a three-pointer at the buzzer.

SPORTS

FMU scored the first two baskets of the quarter. The Patriots’ perimeter shooting went cold to begin the second period, not hitting a three until late, forcing their game inside. The Jags would struggle to capitalize, however, shooting just 33.3 percent and turning the ball over 10 times in the first half.

FMU was able to get their offense rolling again late in the second period, leading 44-30 at the half.

The Jaguars came out strong, cutting the lead to 10 before an FMU three-pointer and a layup off of a Jaguar turnover stopped the Jags’ momentum and gave the Patriots a 15-point lead. A three-pointer by Camille Gee midway through the third period cut the lead to nine and got the Jags back in the game.

FMU flexed their offensive strength once more, but a long jumper by Joshlyn Belcher at the buzzer cut the lead to 64-54 heading into the final period. FMU pulled away in the final period, however, with the final score 86-69 in favor of the Patriots.

The Jaguars host the Lander Bearcats on Saturday, Jan. 9 for a 1:30 p.m. tipoff. The Augusta men are scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. start with Lander.

The Jan. 9 contest is the Day of Service game where Augusta Athletics will recognize the Augusta University Day of Service participants from across the Augusta University senior Kariel Hutt (L) goes for the rebound against community.

Francis Marion’s Shaunice Fulmore. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Augusta University’s Cynara Pitt prepares for a free throw during a game against Francis Marion University held at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

The Lady Jags fell to the Lady Patriots, 86-69, in their first Peach Belt Conference (PBC) loss of the season. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Augusta University head women’s basketball coach Nate Teymer (center) instructs the team during a game against Francis Marion University at Christenberry Fieldhouse. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

AIKEN Judge Glenda Hatchett will be the keynote speaker for the 2016 Aiken Community Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration presented by Aiken Technical College and University of South Carolina Aiken.

The celebration will be held Sunday, Jan. 24 at the USC Aiken Convocation Center, 375 Robert M. Bell Parkway in Aiken. A service fair featuring area nonprofits will kick-off the event at 2:30 p.m. followed by the program at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Judge Glenda Hatchett will be the Judge Hatchett is nationally known keynote speaker for the 2016 Aiken for her two-time Emmy nominated Community Martin Luther King, Jr. syndicated show, Judge Hatchett, Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 24. which is in its 12th season. She is also The event is presented by Aiken the founder and CEO of a production Technical College and University company, Great Day Productions, of South Carolina Aiken. which specializes in television programming. She currently sits on the Atlanta Falcon’s board of advisors and is a consultant for the National

MLK celebration to feature civil rights legend Joan Trumpauer Mulholland AUGUSTA Civil rights activist Joan Trumpauer Mulholland will be the keynote speaker for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration being held at noon on Jan. 15 in Augusta University’s Maxwell Theatre. This annual event is hosted by Augusta University, Paine College and Augusta Technical College.

Mulholland’s unwavering fight for civil rights as a Freedom Rider brought her face-to-face with the Ku Klux Klan as well as time on death row in Mississippi’s State Penitentiary. She also participated in pivotal events in the civil rights movement including the March on Washington, which she helped organize, and the Woolworth’s lunch counter sit-in in Mississippi in 1963.

As an activist, Mulholland had the opportunity to work closely with many civil rights leaders such as Dr. King. Additionally, her contribution to the civil rights movement was recognized by President

Barack Obama and garnered her numerous awards including Delta Sigma Thetas, Inc.’s Annual Award of Honor.

Mulholland’s experiences were highlighted in the documentary An Ordinary Hero, and Augusta University will host a free screening of the award-winning film at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, in the university’s Jaguar Student Activities Center Ballroom. As part of the program, Mulholland will share remarks and greet the audience.

For more information on these events, contact Augusta University’s Office of Student Life and Engagement at 706-737-1610.

Joan Trumpauer Mulholland served time in prison in Mississippi for her civil rights activism.

Basketball Association and National Football League.

Dr. Sandra J. Jordan, Chancellor of the University of South Carolina Aiken, states: “The Aiken community is fortunate to have someone of Judge Hatchett’s caliber be our keynote speaker for the 2016 MLK event. This event will be a highlight for the new year, and it is an appropriate way to start the spring semester for our students and the Aiken community.”

Judge Hatchett is also very involved with community development and has served on numerous nonprofit boards including the national board of governors of the Boys and Girls Club of America; the board of advisors for Play Pumps International; the Leadership Circle for the After School Alliance; and the advisory board for the Women’s Resource Center at Spelman College. She is also the national spokesperson for Court Appointed Special Advocates,

known as CASA, a nonprofit organization that trains volunteers to represent abused and neglected children.

Each year, the theme of the event is selected based upon a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. The 2016 theme is: “If you can’t fly, then run.

If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”

There are also opportunities for members of the community to get involved with the event.

Nonprofit organizations interested in participating in the service fair should contact Sharon Rodgers at (803) 648-8331 or sharon@uwaiken. org.

Those interested in singing with the Aiken Community Voices choir during the event are asked to contact Joel Scraper by Jan. 13 at (803) 6413306 or joels@usca.edu. Practices will be held in advance of the event.

7 UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 7 - 13, 2016

Judge Glenda Hatchett to speak during Annual Dr. Martin Luther King celebration

UrbanProWeekly - JANUARY 7 - 13, 2016

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MAKIN’ A DIFFERENCE COMMENTARY by Ken Makin WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT DOUBLE STANDARDS?

Oregon militia: latest case of “white privilege”?

Happy New Year, Urban Pro Weekly readers!

Now close your eyes and imagine this – an armed group of Black Lives Matter protesters seize a government building in the name of Tamir Rice and Sandra Bland. What would happen to that group of protesters?

Are you thinking that the situation would end violently? Very possible.

Are you thinking that it would be breaking news on every major news station? You’re absolutely right.

So here’s the plot twist – we don’t have to imagine that happening when it comes to white folks.

Because it’s happening right now.

An anti-government protest escalated into an ARMED takeover of a federal building – a wildlife refuge in Oregon. The group is being led by brothers Ammon and Ryan Bundy, the sons of Nevada rancher Cliven

Bundy, who was also involved in an ARMED standoff with the government back in 2014.

Mass media wants to call the Bundys “patriots” or a “militia.” I’m going to call them who and what they are – a bunch of entitled thugs.

The Bundy brothers are holding a federal building hostage because two men went to jail. Imagine if Pookie and Ray Ray held up a Hardees because Quan went to jail. Y’all wouldn’t know how to act!

And Poppa Bundy owes the government $1 million in grazing fees, and refuses to pay up! Good luck trying that with Georgia Power.

It’s ironic to juxtapose these rancher rednecks with Black Lives Matter – after all, the Bundy standoff in 2014 was waged against a different BLM – the Bureau of Land Management.

It’s crazy, really. While the Bundys

have engaged in two armed standoffs, Black Lives Matter held peaceful protests and were treated like animals.

Here’s my question for you all, though – does it honestly surprise you?

Of course it doesn’t. So, since that double standard doesn’t surprise you, and since that double standard oppresses you, at what point will we be honest about it, and say BUCK THE SYSTEM?!?!

At what point do we challenge ourselves, and in some cases, deny ourselves? I’ll give you a modest example. I read a story about Papa John’s Pizza regarding incidents of wage theft. I already wasn’t a fan of Papa John’s because of alleged comments the founder made about our President. So guess what? I don’t purchase Papa John’s anymore. And I

LOVE pizza, lol!

Eventually, we have to do more than post about double standards on social media or become apathetic. We have to punish the system that openly and deliberately disrespects us.

We must being more mindful of how we spend our money and the networks we watch. CNN is supposed to be the “liberal media,” but welcome more guests/”analysts” that say disparaging comments against people of color. We must be more mindful about the people we elect to public office – locally, statewide and nationally.

The community’s anger and frustration are justified. But we can’t sit on that anger. We have to do more to use those emotions as fuel to change the future.

Ken J. Makin is the host of “Makin’ A Difference,” an online radio program

Hip-Hop stars support Mississippi rapper in First Amendment case

By Adam Liptak WASHINGTON In a brief supporting a Mississippi high school student who was disciplined for posting a rap song online, artists including T. I., Big Boi and Killer Mike will explain to the justices that rap music is a political and artistic juggernaut that deserves attention and First Amendment protection.

“The government punished a young man for his art — and, more disturbing, for the musical genre by which he chose to express himself,” their brief says.

The rappers urged the justices to hear an appeal from Taylor Bell, who was a high school senior when he was suspended and sent to a different school for posting a song on Facebook and YouTube that drew attention to complaints of sexual misconduct by two coaches.

T. I.’s hits include collaborations with Justin Timberlake and Rihanna.

Big Boi is a member of the hip-hop duo Outkast. Killer Mike is a performer and political activist whose collaboration with the rapper El-P, “Run the

Jewels 2,” was on many 10-best lists last year.

Despite their prominence, their brief seemed to assume that the justices know little about hip-hop. Of Killer Mike it said, “It probably is worth noting that he has never actually killed anyone.”

The case started in 2011, when Mr. Bell was a senior at Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Miss. (The school has been in the news before. In 2010, it canceled a prom rather than let a lesbian student attend with her girlfriend.)

After several female students said they had been subjected to sexually charged comments and unwanted touching from two male coaches, Mr. Bell recorded a song to address the complaints.

He did so away from school, at a professional studio, over the school’s winter vacation. The song is angry, catchy and full of profanity and violent images.

“Looking down girls’ shirts, drool running down your mouth,” Mr. Bell sings of the coaches. “Going to get a pistol down your mouth.”

Taylor Bell, who raps as T-Bizzle, flanked by his attorneys, Wilbur Colom, left, and Scott Colom, right, in May after the oral argument in his case before federal appeals judges in New Orleans. Photo by Frank LoMonte/ Student Press Law Center School officials disciplined Mr. Bell, saying he was guilty of harassment, intimidation and, as they put it in an appellate brief, “threatening two named educators with gun-related violence.”

Mr. Bell said the officials had badly misunderstood his point.

“The song does carry a lot of strong, vulgar language,” Mr. Bell said. “If you don’t really listen to hip-hop music, sometimes that language can kind of blur the message of what you’re trying

to get across.”

What was the message?

“These coaches are basically assaulting the children, even if it’s verbally,” Mr. Bell said.

Mr. Bell and his mother sued, seeking to have his school record expunged.

“It’s not about the money,” Mr. Bell said. “We just sued for one dollar.”

A divided 16-member panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in New Orleans, rejected Mr. Bell’s First Amendment challenge.

By Janell Ross The Washington Post As of Sunday afternoon, The Washington Post called them “occupiers.” The New York Times opted for “armed activists” and “militia men.”

And the Associated Press put the situation this way: «A family previously involved in a showdown with the federal government has occupied a building at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon and is asking militia members to join them.»

Not one seemed to lean toward terms such as “insurrection,” “revolt,” anti-government “insurgents” or, as some on social media were calling them, “terrorists.” When a group of unknown size and unknown firepower has taken over any federal building with plans and possibly some equipment to aid a years-long occupation — and when its representative tells reporters that they would prefer to avoid violence but are prepared to die — the kind of almost-uniform delicacy and the limits on the language used to describe the people involved becomes noteworthy itself.

It is hard to imagine that none of the words mentioned above — particularly “insurrection” or “revolt” — would be avoided if, for instance, a group of armed black Americans took possession of a federal or state courthouse to protest the police. Black Americans outraged about the death of a 12-year-old boy at the hands of police or concerned about the absence of a conviction in the George Zimmerman case have been frequently and inaccurately lumped in with criminals and looters, described as “thugs,” or marauding wolf packs where drugs are, according to CNN’s Don Lemon, “obviously” in use.

If a group of armed Muslims took possession of a federal building or even its lobby to protest calls to surveil the entire group, it’s even more doubtful they could avoid harsher, more-alarming labels.

In fairness to those assembled in Oregon, it is true that there have been no reports of actual violence, injury or anyone being held inside the Oregon building against their will.

And in the interim, some may feel particularly inclined to take real care with the language used to describe the situation so as not to inflame it or offend people who, in some cases, have already been troubled by the decision to charge a father and son

Ammon Bundy. Bundy is the son of Cliven Bundy, a Nevada rancher who engaged in a standoff in 2014 with the government over grazing rights. pair of ranchers with arson under rancher who engaged in a standoff in You will note that while the group the Antiterrorism and Effective Death 2014 with the government over graz- gathered in Oregon is almost assuredly Penalty Act of 1996. The charge not ing rights. And the younger Bundy all or nearly all white, that has scarcely only carries what many of the ranch- has, again, described the occupiers as been mentioned in any story. You will er’s supporters believe to be an unjust “armed” and prepared to die. note that nothing even close to similar five-year jail term but; it brings the The armed occupation of a federal can be said about coverage of events very same t-word into the mix. building might be what Bundy con- in Missouri, Maryland, Illinois or any For those who know the father and siders an assertion of rights and a other place where questions about son — Dwight Hammond Jr. and his mere gathering in a taxpayer-financed policing have given way to protests or son, Steven Hammond — personally, space. But it would seem to contain actual riots. it is understandable that they would the real risk of violence, serious injury You will note the extended debate disagree vehemently with any govern- or even death. about whether admitted Charleston ment action that implies that the men Deliberate language choices are shooter Dylann Roof’s apparently racialthey know as engaged members of always a wise and reasonable move. ly motivated shooting spree was an act the community are terrorists. But one That is especially true when telling of terrorism or even violent racism and really cannot help but wonder where stories of conflict with government the comparatively rapid way that more similar outrage lives when, in the and political protests. But the incredi- than one news organization began face of clear data indicating that black bly limited and relatively soft range of hinting at and then using terms such as Americans are far more likely than words in wide use Sunday seems to Islamic extremism to describe the mass white ones to face serious charges and extend beyond all of that. The descrip- shooting in San Bernardino, Calif. jail time rather than misdemeanor tions of events in Oregon appear to The sometimes-coded but increaspenalties for resisting arrest. Where reflect the usual shape of our collec- ingly overt ways that some Americans has the lock-step adherence to careful tive assumptions about the relation- are presumed guilty and vioand delicate language been in all of ship between race and guilt — or lence-prone while others are assumed 2015 when unarmed black Americans religion and violent extremism — in to be principled and peaceable unless were disproportionately more likely to the United States. and until provoked — even when be killed by police than others?

White Americans, their activities and actually armed — is remarkable.

Beyond that seeming incongruity, ideas seem always to stem from a font © 2016 The Washington Post the Hammonds are not among the of principled and committed individoccupiers. The man who has helped uals. As such, group suspicion and Janell Ross is a reporter for the to organize the building occupation presumed guilt are readily perceived Washington Post’s The Fix who writes in Oregon is Ammon Bundy. Bundy and described as unjust, unreasonable about race, gender, immigration and is the son of Cliven Bundy, a Nevada and unethical. inequality.

UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 7 - 13, 2016

Why aren’t we calling the Oregon occupiers ‘terrorists?

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Students of the Augusta Kappa League at the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Kappa Leaguers visit iconic Black History sites Recently, the group of students from Augusta visited Tuskegee University in Montgomery, Alabama and the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. On the Tuskegee campus, they toured the George Washington Carver museum and visited “The Oaks,” the home of Tuskegee’s first president, Booker T. Washington. At the Legacy Museum, they learned about the infamous syphilis experiments and Henrietta Lacks, the African-American woman who’s cer-

vix cells were removed without her permission.

In Montgomery, the group toured the Tuskegee Airmen Airfield where African-American pilots trained to be combat pilots and attended a church service at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. The group also attended the Alabama State - Prairie View football game. In Selma, the group retraced the steps taken by the civil rights marchers over the Edmund Pettus bridge on “Bloody Sunday” in 1965.

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