| October 2007 |
Vol 2, Issue 19
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In the Black
Newsletter
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)08/13/07
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| Greetings! |
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Enough is Enough: No more
nooses, blackfaces, or 'nanny-headed hos'
All
across the nation, civil-minded citizens have been appalled by the numerous
racially-charged stories th at have hit national and regional headlines where
racially slurs, prejudice, and allegations of racial discrimination have spewed
throughout our media. In the most recent and on-going protests surrounding the Jena 6, communities around the
country have rekindled their fire for civil rights and social justice. The
scenario surrounding the circumstances leading up the Jena 6 trials (see Youtube video by Collateral News-07/10/07) is nothing
new-small town America where the practices of yesteryears still persist,
accounting for numerous occasions of discrimination that result in
community-wide racial disharmony. Doesn't this sound familiar? Oh yes, it was the
same nonchalant views that allowed staff in rural Riverdale to depict run-away
slaves at a high school graduation celebration. Just as in Jena and with Don
Imus, these are never isolated situations but the result of numerous tolerated acts
or words of racism that provides the violator a comfort level to perform the
acts exposed because of global communication and technology.
Last week, during one of my regular barber shop conversations, I jokingly expressed to one barber that I was surprised they weren't in Jena participating in the protest. Straight faced they replied, "Why go to Jena, when we have unresolved issues in Fresno?"
It raises a good question that I have posed to myself and now to you: do we only get excited about those stories that make head line news?
Given the Valley's history of racial and social inequity, I'm sure there are many cases like Jena that receives to no press or protest but merit our attention. From to the Paul Perry lawsuit to everyday black men and women entangled in the systen, our community cries out for individuals to plead their case.
Enough is enough.
Tate Hill II
Editor
Agree or disagree? Share your comments or stories of local criminal injustice by posting a message on the Urban Knowledge Blog |
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Are we to blame?
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I'm
sure in your professional and social networks, you've had friends and
associates that cross the line. In an effort to be 'down', funny, or establish
a 'us versus them' collaborative, we hear racial slurs and off-color remarks
about our or other ethnic/racial groups. And though internally we are
disgusted, we often cast an indirect vote affirming their message with our
silence.
I challenge you to call colleagues, families, and friends on the
carpet for next time you to hear hateful or inappropriate words no matter the 'I
didn't mean anything' intentions because such conditions are like fungi- they
only grows worse and nastier unless they are cleaned up. But before we go telling everyone off, make sure
you to get the 'beam out your eye'.
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Fresno AIDS Walk: Why black Fresnans need to participate in HIV/AID
awareness and prevention in our community
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According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2002,
AIDS was the leading cause of death among African-American women ages 25-34 and
the second leading cause of death for African American men ages 35-44
Though African Americans make up
only 12 percent of the of the United States population, in 2004 they accounted
for 50 percent of all diagnosed AIDS cases.
In California, as of December
31, 2006,
there were 143,946 cumulative reported AIDS cases; 25,590 of these cases
were African Americans. This represents over 18 percent of all AIDS cases, yet
African Americans constitute less than 7 percent of California's population.
In the July 2007 monthly report by
the CA Department of Public Health- Office of AIDS, black children represent 21%
of all cumulative pediatric HIV cases in California.
Fresno AIDS Walk
October 6, 2007
9 AM
Roeding Park
890 W. Belmont Ave @ Fwy 99
www.aidswalkfresno.org
The 2006
Fresno AIDS Walk raised $5,000 with hundreds of walkers. The proceeds benefited
several local programs including Community Center Hospital's C.A.R.E. and
Cornerstone Foundation's (operated by Cornerstone Church) Red Ribbon AIDS Project. For more information call (559) 445-WALK (9255) or info@aidswalkfresno.org Statewide HIV/AIDS Church Outreach Advisory Board
A great resource
for black pastors and churches
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"This
country will only flourish once we consistently learn to applaud and encourage
the young people who have to work harder just to achieve balance on the unequal
playing field"
Gwen
Ifill
Managing Editor, Washington Weekly
April 2007 New York Times op-editorial in response to Don Imus
comments about her and the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team
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Black Women Organized ofr Political Action - 2007 Biennial Leadership Conference
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For more information about this Leadership Empowerment Conference taking palce in Fresno October 26-27, visit their website, www.bwopa.org
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Looking for In the Black Writers
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 Do you have something to say? Are you passionate about a particular subject? Have you said, "they need to write to
about ..."? Well, here's your chance!
In the Black is looking for other Issue writers, opinion editorals, and reviews of local restaurants, shops and entertainment venues from a black prospective.
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Food for Thought:
We have no one to waste
- Dr. Ned Doffoney
President of Fresno City College
Speaking to the importance of education at a SJV Black Chamber of Commerce Luncheon September 13, 2007
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| In the Black, a publication of the Urban Knowledge Blog
Disclaimer: This is an editorial publication. The comments above are solely of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views or ideologies of any organization or person outside of Urban Knowledge. If there is a numerical or factual error, please inform us and we will publicly rectify it via email. Comments received may be republished, unless you indicate otherwise, for the betterment of other readers. Thank You. |
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