This Month’s Edition of ‘The Bridge’
I N S I D E
Congresswoman Stands for Missing Girls, Pg. 10
VOL. 1, NO. 6
JULY 2015
A DREAM UNFULFILLED
Web : http://washingtoninformer.com/news/wi-bridge/
Facebook : www.facebook.com/wibridgecommunity
Email : wibridge@washingtoninformer.com
Twitter : @InformerBridge www.twitter.com/informerbridge Instagram : WashInformerBridge www.instagram.com/washinformerbridge
Business-minded PGC Officials to Visit China, Pg. 15
I N S I D E
Vol. 50, No. 41 July 23 - July 29, 2015
Film Festival Focuses on Civil Rights History, Pg. 29
Newseum Features Nationals Exhibit, Pg. 31
New Chapter in Cosby Dilemma ‘Pound Cake’ Speech Remains Powerful By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer Bill Cosby did not admit to rape. In fact, in the hotly discussed release of a sealed 2005 civil deposition in which the comedian agreed to pay an undisclosed settlement to a former Temple University employee, Cosby adamantly denied that a rape occurred in that case. The “I Spy” legend went as far as to speak – eerily so – to the accused mother and urge the woman to explain to her mom that their sex was consensual. But some said CNN has led coverage that has been more like “gotcha” than any legitimate coverage of the released deposition. In his first public statements
since the transcript’s release, Cosby lawyer, Patrick O’Connor, told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the documents represent only one side of the story. A confidentiality clause in the case’s 2006 settlement agreement bars Cosby from responding, and the two-day deposition of his accuser, Andrea Constand, remains under seal. O’Connor said that he believed the release of Cosby’s deposition transcript violated the terms of the settlement. “How that deposition became public without being court-sanctioned is something we are going to pursue and deal with very vigorously,” O’Connor, vice chairman of the Cozen O’Connor law firm, said. “It’s an outrage that the court
COSBY Page 8
CBC Backs Free Tuition Measure By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have led House Democrats in introducing a bill that would make community college free for two years for everyone. The measure would also help cover the costs of a four-year degree at institutions that serve minorities. “We must fight to support historically black college and universities before the rugs are pulled from under them,” said CBC Chair G.K. Butterfield
(D-North Carolina), who noted how the measure would also help those aspiring to attend schools like Howard University, Morgan State and other black institutions. “The legislation would give students the opportunity to access quality and affordable higher education that gives them the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the 21st century economy,” Butterfield said. Rep. Robert C. Scott, the top Democrat on the House’s Education Committee, agreed. “We know that education is
COLLEGE Page 8
U.S. President Barack Obama with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at an historic meeting between the two leaders in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday, July 20. The U.S. has pledged to assist and support the African nation. /Photo courtesy of The White House (Go to page 10 for more on issues facing Nigeria.)
Cuban Embassy Opens in Washington By Barrington M. Salmon WI Staff Writer@bsalmondc The culmination of secret negotiations brokered by Pope Francis and Canada, a realization by a U.S. president that the status quo was unsustainable and the willingness of two mortal enemies to work through distrust led to change between Cuba and the United States. In the months since President Barack Obama’s surprise December announcement that the U.S. and Cuba would end the Cold War and restore diplomatic relations after more than 50 years, both countries have edged towards greater cooperation. Obama said he expected the agreement to allow more
contact between Americans with rank-and-file Cubans, to enhance bilateral trade and grant Cubans increased freedom of movement. Graciela Cuervo – born in Cuba to Cuban parents but who’s lived in the U.S. since she was two – said normalization is long overdue. “It’s about time. Though I believe the Cuban Revolution achieved important goals in terms of education and public health, it has failed miserably in many other aspects like basic, general freedoms and quality of life,” said Cuervo, owner of a business that offers translation services. “Housing is disastrous and the times I have gone back, I can’t but help thinking: ‘56 years
of revolution for this?’ Educational and health reforms did not require such brutal repression to come about. In any case, Cuba has blamed the U.S.’ blockade for all its evils for the past 56 years.” “Not to belittle the importance of it, but frankly most of Cuba’s demise has been more to do with its poor economic planning than the blockade. I think Cuba has been able to maintain its revolution essentially because its people have been indoctrinated into the ‘us vs. them’ mentality. That mentality leads to polarization and linear thinking. It prevents people from analyzing situations in all their depth and
Celebrating 50 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area
FOLLOW US ON
CUBA Page 9