Professional Documents
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september 9 - 15 2013
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MINORITYREPORTER
from information to understanding
september 9 - 15 2013
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Location: Carter St. Community Center, 500 Carter St. 19 13th Annual Diversity Conference Time: 8:00am-4:45pm Location: Seymour College Union For more information: (585) 395-5876 www.brockport.edu/diversity 27 Become A Rochester Police Officer APPLY NOW Exam date: November 16, 2013 Application deadline: September 27, 2013 Call: 585-428-6716 www.cityofrochester.gov/police October 5 DELTA 5K FOR EDUCATION AND HEALTH Time: 9:00am-3:00pm Location: Lake Riley Lodge, Cobbs Hill Park, Rochester, NY 14610 Description: A fun-filled day to raise funds for higher education scholarships and community service projects in Greater Rochester. Visit our website: http://racdeltasigmatheta.org for more information. Registration fee is $20.
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13 Hispanic Heritage Month 2013 Kickoff Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm Location: City Hall Atrium, 30 Church St Join Rochesters Hispanic Heritage Committee as we kickoff another great month of activities to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. 14 Family Health Forum Time: 8:30-2:00pm Location: 149 Brooks Avenue This Health Forum serves as a venue that allows the Health Ministry of Geneses Baptist Church to provide education on safety, health promotion and prevention, conduct health screenings as well as a means to inform the community on current trends in health care. Lunch will be provided. This event is free and open to the public on a space available basis! You will not want to miss this event. We encourage you to register today and mark your calendars now.For more information and to register to attend please contact Genesee Baptist Church at (585) 436-7250 or geneseebc@ geneseebaptistchurch.org 16 Voice of the Citizen Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
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Dave McCleary davemc@minorityreporter.net Pauline McCleary pmccleary@minorityreporter.net Lisa Dumas Editor@minorityreporter.net Catie Fiscus ArtDirector@minorityreporter.net Lisa Dumas Delani Weaver
{COVER
Ben Jealous Leaving NAACP
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{LOCAL
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Gel Salon Gets Wall Makeover with MLK Mural Rochester School Modernization Program Revamps Local Schools Strong Museum Holds Fair for Kid Entrepreneurs
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NY commission seeks lawmaker clients 3 teens charged with raping student at NY college
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Birth Date: June, 1998
Reid introduces Syria resolution in Senate George Zimmermans wife says he is selfish Patients bill soars as health law program falters
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is described as a determined, strongwilled young lady. She dreams of owning her own fashion empire someday, earning millions from her very own fashion line. When not daydreaming of her future, Tikeria enjoys watching the Jamie Foxx Photograph by Lori Griffith show, playing Mancala or drawing. Tikeria would thrive in a structured, loving home that will encourage and support her. She will do best with a forever family who will be patient and loving while she learns to love herself again.
If youre interested in learning more about Travino or other waiting children, visit: www.ChildrenAwaitingParents.org or call 585-232-5110.
Tikeria
Gloria Winston Al-Sarag C. Michael Tillman Rev. Michael Vaughn Vincent Felder Diane Watkins Mike Dulaney Davy Vara Ayesha Kreutz
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PG 13-15
Rochester, NY Police Chief James Sheppards Resignation Is Long Overdue! By davy vara
DONT LET THE INSURANCE COMPANY DICATATE WHERE TO HAVE YOUR VEHICLE REPAIRED ...
ron g from. I always wanted to give back to the kids of where I come from. Ron G said he would love to work with famed gospel artists Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Canton Jones, who is his favorite and of course other gospel rappers in the business, from whom all he derives his inspiration. Hes collaborated with local musician T-Keys, his girlfriend Kiniesha Randle and hopes to collaborate with local gospel singer, Nyerry Weaver on his next album. Most of the inspiration now comes from the bible. Im getting more into reading my bible and pulling my message from it. I like to use to use the stories of the bible and relate them to what goes on today. Ron G has been performing for over three years in Rochester at local churches, venues and concerts including the 2013 Kingdom Bound Festival and Clarissa Street Festival. He also performed in North and South Carolina. He has his own record label, Vision Productions, in which is the labels first artist. God has really blessed me to travel and have my own label. Of course it would be nice to have a record deal with a big label because theres a ready-made machine behind be. But Im working hard to get recognition. Ron G said he will keep making his music regardless of the pressure to conform and make sure that Rochester gets credit where credit is due. Rochester is home. Im gonna always be Rochester and Im gonna make a big mark here. For me, itll be easier to stay true to my music because I want to make music that I want to listen to. When you start to make music that everyone else wants to listen to then you lose your way. When you make music for yourself, it comes out better. Ron G just dropped his first album P.O.E meaning Power Over Everything. Hes working on a clothing line called HERO, meaning Humble, Exemplary, Righteous and Ordained that he hopes to get into stores in the near future. But, his focus is spreading the word of God through his music first. My favorite scripture is Luke 10:19, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. I want my music to let the world know that no matter what the situation or the trial, God still has power over everything.
WEC_ad1_5.167x6.75.indd 1
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LOCAL
Gel Salon Gets Wall Makeover with MLK Mural
By Delani Weaver Last week there were several businesses, organizations and residents around the city doing their part to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington and the legendary I Have a Dream speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. Local hair salon Gel Salon has decided to commemorate King and his speech by having a mural of King painted on the side of the salons building. Gel Salon, located on Park Ave., is coowned by James Carducci and his wife Missy, and they have been in business over ten years. The city required that the buildings wall be painted, and Carducci decided to take advantage of an opportunity presented to him from one of his stylists. Heather DeMars, the stylist, said, My brother-in-law, Joe Mora, is a huge part of Wall Therapy and asked if we would be interested in putting up a mural on our building. I was just the middle-man who asked James Carducci if he would like to participate in something like that, and he was all about it. As for the image of the mural, that was all the artists idea. Wall Therapy is a project sponsored by Dr. Ian J. Wilson, of the University of Rochester, in an effort to use mural art to drive artistic expression and inspiration. Case Maclaim, one of the Wall Therapy artists, was flown in from Germany to paint the mural, which will cover the wall of one side of the building and be repaired as needed for one year. Owner James Carducci said, This is a conservative area and I thought it would great to have such a great man on our building. In addition, DeMars said she thinks the mural will be a figure for peace and unity for the community. I would like to think that the mural would have a great effect on the Park Ave. community, DeMars said. There is nothing like this anywhere in the Park Ave. area and it is nice to see Park Ave. be a part of something like Wall Therapy. To me, its a sign of coexisting and peace, and just happiness and understanding. Its a positive thing, and I think people in the community will feel its positivity. Gel Salon is a great little salon that has so much positivity and love for the community, DeMars continued. Our doors are open to everyone, and all the stylists in Gel are amazing people and the owner is a great, giving man. And if this mural brings anything to Gel, then I hope its recognition for their support of the community. And I hope people feel comfortable walking through our doors even just to say hi
and get a haircut. Carducci said, Whos gonna talk smack about Martin Luther King and
all hes done? Im excited that were gonna have an icon on our building. Its gonna be cool.
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LOCAL
Strong Museum Holds Fair for Kid Entrepreneurs
By Delani Weaver Some people wait years into their adulthood to start their own businesses. Local kids are saying theres no need to wait, however, and Strongs National Museum of Play helped them promote their startups. Strong Museum held the first Kidpreneur Fair 2013 Thursday evening. Sixteen local children, ranging from ages six to 15, each set up a table around the main floor of the museum to showcase their businesses, sell some of their items and give out business cards. The event was sponsored by the city of Rochester, as well as several local businesses and organizations including Henderson Ford, WXXI Kids, radio station WDKX, Advantage Federal Credit Union, Mood Makers Books and more. Chocolate treats, bow ties, jewelry, accessories, books and other items were sold by the kids while they mingled and networked with each
PUZZLES
other and residents from all around the city. Raffle tickets were given out and attendees were given the chance to win a bike and gift certificates to Toys R Us and local bookstores. In addition, Bishop Gregory Parris of the Church of Love Faith Center sponsored a book bag giveaway for children attending the event. Each kidpreneur then lined up in the theater and introduced themselves and their businesses to the crowd. The highlight of the event was the reading of childrens book Champions of Change, by authors and kidpreneurs Jeremiah and Joshua West. Jeremiah, 8, and Joshua, 6, are the sons of Olivia and Norman West of West Advisory Group who were also the hosts and coordinators of the event. We are so excited that so many people came out tonight to support the kids, Norman West said. This is our first kidpreneur event. Hopefully, it will be something that we can do every year.
Across 1. Expert 5. Ciao 8. All __ Jazz 12. Blood-related 13. Blockhead 14. Uncivil 15. Office fill-in 16. Bobby of the Bruins 17. Eager 18. Oriental 21. Victory symbols in World War II 24. Hanging strand 28. Finale 29. Hithers partner 31. Florida city 32. Trot or canter 34. Spoil 36. Nip partner 37. Underway 39. Doctorate 41. Linda ___, Supergirls alias 42. Spice 44. Together 46. Postmans tote 48. Indian dress 51. By way of 52. Strip of wood 56. Ballyhoo 57. To __ is human 58. Mishmash 59. Skirt lines 60. Seize suddenly 61. Kind of column
Down 1. Hoods gun 2. Four stringed guitar (abbr.) 3. Lip 4. Pull out a dowel 5. Develop well 6. Turkic tent 7. Protected bird 8. Pass through 9. Expression of affection 10. Commotion 11. In___rity 19. Whatever 20. Butt 21. Vegetarian 22. In a state of chaos 23. Fool 25. ___ Ste. Marie 26. Master of ceremonies 27. Was sweet on 30. Shuteye 33. British troops, in slang 35. Pie content 38. Drink with jam and bread? 40. Code of life 43. Accepting that.. 45. Eskimo dwelling 47. Italian currency 48. Movie theatre talk 49. Yes, captain 50. Dashboard abbr. 53. Austrian peak 54. Knot 55. Construction site container
feature
Brandi Johnson, left, and her lawyer, Marjorie M. Sharpe, leave federal court in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, after a civil jury awarded $30,000 in punitive damages in addition to the $250,000 in compensatory damages that had been awarded last week.
[n-word], that is no different than calling a Hispanic by the worst possible word you can call a Hispanic, calling a homosexual male the worst possible word that you can call a homosexual male, Sharpe told jurors. But Carmonas lawyers said the 61-year-old black man of Puerto Rican descent had a much different experience with the word. Raised by a single mother in a New York City public housing project, he became addicted to heroin in his teens and broke it with the help of drug counselors who employed tough love and tough language. Carmona went on to earn a masters degree from Columbia University before co-founding STRIVE in the 1980s. Now, most of STRIVEs employees are black women, his attorney, Diane Krebs, told jurors in her opening statement. And Mr. Carmona is himself black, as you yourselves can see, Krebs said. In his testimony, Carmona defended his use of the word, saying he used it with Johnson to convey that she was too emotional, wrapped up in her, at least the negative aspects of human nature. Then he explained that the word has multiple contexts in the black and Latino communities, sometimes
indicating anger, sometimes love. Carmona said he might put his arm around a longtime friend in the company of another and say: This is my [n-word] for 30 years. That means my boy, I love him, or whatever, he said. He was asked if he meant to indicate love when he called Johnson the word. Yes, I did, he responded. The controversy is a blemish on STRIVE, which has been heralded for helping people with troubled backgrounds get into the workforce. Its employment model, which was described in a CBS 60 Minutes piece as part boot camp, part group therapy, claims to have helped nearly 50,000 people find work since 1984. Sharpe told jurors that STRIVEs toughlove program cannot excuse Carmonas behavior. Well, if calling a person a [n-word] and subjecting them to a hostile work environment is part of STRIVEs tough love, then STRIVE needs to be reminded that this type of behavior is illegal and cannot be tolerated, she said.
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STATE
NATIONAL
Reid introduces Syria resolution in Senate
WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has formally introduced the resolution giving President Barack Obama the authority to use military force against Syria. Reid filed the measure on Friday during a brief Senate session. Lawmakers return from their five-week recess on Monday and will begin to debate the resolution. A vote to move ahead on the resolution is expected on Wednesday. The Senate is deeply divided over whether to approve military strikes in response to chemical weapons attacks in Syria. Republicans and Democrats have expressed opposition to the measure, which the Senate Foreign Relations Committee narrowly approved on a 10-7 vote on Wednesday.
Jealous Leaving NAACP, Pondering GOP Growth in Black Community NAACP Ben Jealous recently praised Va. Gov. Bob McDonnell (in background) for his position on the restoration of voting rights to convicted felons. PHOTO: Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press (TriceEdneyWire.com) - Benjamin Todd Jealous, announcing his resignation after five years as president of the NAACP this week, said he is leaving Dec. 31 in order to spend more time with his wife and two young children. But, he is also contemplating the leadership of another movement to reconnect Blacks and the civil rights agenda with the Republican Party. The reality is that, youve seen it with my outreach to [Newt] Gingrinch and [Grover] Norquist and [Virginia] Governor Bob McDonnell on criminal justice reform issues. The reality is that as a people, we were most affective in pushing our agenda when we had one agenda that was shared between Black members of both parties, Jealous said in an exclusive interview with the Trice Edney News Wire this week. And so weve got to get back to civil rights having a beach head in both parties and there being a common civil rights agenda that is shared and is held in common by Black Democrats and Black Republicans. Listing a string of elected Republicans where he has found common ground, Jealous says he sees signs that this movement could be successful. It has been very hard sometimes in these partisan times, but we have found allies in unlikely places, he said. Governor Deal in Georgia is helping to downsize prisons. So is Rick Perry in Texas. Gov. Kasich in Ohio is a big proponent of affirmative action for the business sector. Gov. McDonald of Virginia has been proponent of second chances, both in employment and in voting. And the question is, if a Republican can stand for any of this anywhere, then why cant they stand for all of this everywhere? So, I think its important that we get back to doing what [Congresswoman] Shirley Chisholm admonished all of us and that
is, We have no permanent friends, we have no permanent enemies, we just have permanent interests. Jealous, a Rhodes Scholar who, in 2007, became the youngest person to ever lead the NAACP, pointed to this agenda as one of the possible goals of a political action committee, (PAC), that he started with two friends six years ago in 2007 in order to help fund then Sen. Barack Obama in his primary stages. In addition to a new teaching job at a university, he and those friends who he identified as Steven Phillips and Andrew Wong - will revisit that Vote Hope PAC with major questions in mind. Were going to figure out whether or not now is the time that we can succeed in building a super PAC that will accelerate the breaking of state level glass ceilings of candidates of color across the South and South West, he said. Now is the time that we can finally create the equivalence of Emilys List for People of Color candidates with a real eye toward transformations that we think are possible in the South and the South Westbreaking glass ceilings in those states in the former Confederacy and on out to California, and with progressives retaking the South perhaps permanently. Emilys list is a PAC founded in 1985 with a goal of electing pro-choice Democratic women to public office. Jealous says the PAC he envisions would include Republican and Democratic candidates. In recent history, the Democratic Party has been able to claim an overwhelming majority of the Black vote, consistently more than 90 percent in presidential elections. While Democrats are largely credited with civil rights gains, Jealous says many of the major gains of the 50s and 60s came about because of bi-partisan cooperation because of Blacks in both parties. He recently expounded on his vision during an Aug. 26 forum sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundations America Healing initiative, reflecting on the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington.
We have to, as a civil rights community, really think deeply - not just about how we build bonds amongst each other but how we, frankly, reintroduce civil rights to the Republican Party, which for a hundred years was the party of civil rights in many ways, he told teh audience at the Washington, D.C.based Newseum, where the forum was held. And I believe that if we, in the next fifty years, would get a little bit more sophisticated about how we work our politics, if we in the next fifty years could be a little bit more inspired, quite frankly by our grandparents and lessons that they understood very well. If we can get back to a place where civil rights is a little bit less partisan; then we can move forward even faster than we think is possible. Although he believes civil rights must be universal, he says Blacks will have to initiate the movement. I think, quite frankly, the first courageous step is going to have to be with us saying that were going to have the hope to even talk to the other side of the aisle, he told the forum audience. Because right now we reinforce the isolation of our own agenda in ways that may be expedited in the short term, but detrimental in the long term. His fellow civil rights leaders, still basking in the aftermath of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, expressed shock at the announcement of his resignation Sunday afternoon. Ben Jealous has operated with integrity and a real sense of handson activism. Not only was he able to revive the NAACP and raise its budget to higher heights, he joined us in the streets in real civil rights activity on the ground. From the suites to the streets he will be missed as head of the NAACP but I am sure he will not leave us in his contribution to the struggle, said the Rev. Al Sharpton in a statement. NAACP Chair Roslyn Brock praised Jealous for his successes in a telephone press conference on Monday. She also issued a statement saying, Under his leadership, the NAACP has built a highly competent staff that will carry
our mission forward and meet the civil rights challenges of the 21st century. Our board, staff and volunteer leaders throughout the country deeply appreciate his sacrifice, and will continue to implement our gamechanging goals for the next half century that include the restoration of Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, implementing Trayvons Law, bolstering civic engagement efforts and ensuring our community is enrolled in the Affordable Care Act exchanges. Jealous also said in the interview that he is pleased with his accomplishments. What Im most proud of is that I leave the organization bigger, stronger, more powerful and more financially sustainable and with a clear set of priorities for the next half century, he said. Yes, like every NAACP leader, I leave here passing a baton on to the next person to help finish a race that will go on for a very long time. But I leave here knowing that we are better prepared to finish that race than we have been in a very long time. He hints at his desire to exacerbate the finish of that race just from a new venue. Professionally, Im very clear Im going to go teach. Personally its very clear I need a lot more time at home to be Dad. Politically, Im walking in with a question, which is can this be done? Can we create a big, robust PAC that is ultimately funded from the grassroots to help accelerate the careers of transformative candidates of color?
Benjamin Jealous
NATIONAL
This photo taken Aug. 27, 2013 shows Bev Veals waiting for her chemotherapy treatment at Duke Cancer Center in Durham, N.C. Coping with advanced cancer, Veals was in the hospital for chemo this summer when she got a call that her health plan was shutting down. Then, the substitute coverage she was offered wanted $3,125, on top of premiums. It sounds like one of the insurance horror stories President Barack Obama used to sell his health overhaul to Congress, but Veals wasnt in the clutches of a profit-driven company. Instead, shes covered by Obamas law _ one of about 100,000 people with serious medical issues in a financially troubled government program. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) A few months later, federal officials gave states running their own PCIP plans an ultimatum: take on some financial risk or turn the programs back to Washington at midyear. In those 17 states, Washington put in new costsharing requirements to help keep the program financially viable through the end of the year. If the administration saw problems coming, Obamas budget did not reflect it. The president did not request any new funds for PCIP. The No. 2 House Republican did make an attempt to pump more money in, but it was fraught with politics. Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia proposed to divert funds from elsewhere in the health care law, unacceptable to Democrats. His idea also failed to get Republican support. Our elected officials, some of whom have been impacted by cancer, must come together to identify a bipartisan solution to fund this program for the remainder of 2013, said Emily Shetty, who handles federal policy and lobbying for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Veals and her husband say they are looking forward to full implementation of the health care law next year. But getting through the next few months will be a struggle. We both knew there would be bumps along the road but we never thought there would be this kind of bump, she said.
NATIONAL
George Zimmermans wife says he is selfish
SANFORD, Fla. (AP) - George Zimmermans wife, Shellie, said she stood by her man through everything but once he was acquitted of murder charges in the 2012 shooting of teenager Trayvon Martin, he left her with a bunch of pieces of broken glass. Zimmerman, who filed for divorce from George Zimmerman on Thursday, told ABCs Good Morning America in an interview aired Friday that her husband is selfish. In the interview, she said her husband only stayed in their house three or four nights since the trial ended in July and that they even tried counseling but she moved out Aug. 13. I have a selfish husband and I think George is all about George, she said. Last week, Shellie Zimmerman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor perjury charge for lying during a bail hearing following her husbands arrest after the fatal shooting of 17-yearold Martin. She was sentenced to a years probation and 100 hours of community service. Her husband did not attend the hearing in the Sanford, Fla., courtroom. I stood by my husband through everything, she told ABC, and I kind of feel like he left me with a bunch of pieces of broken glass that Im supposed to now assemble and make a life. ABC first reported the divorce filing Thursday. Email messages and phone calls to George Zimmermans attorney Mark OMara were not immediately returned. But Zimmermans brother, Robert Zimmerman, wrote on Twitter: Pray 4 them. Shellie Zimmermans felony perjury charge came after she lied about the couples assets when her husband was seeking release from jail on a lower bond. Court records show that in the days before the June 2012 bond hearing, Shellie Zimmerman transferred $74,000 - broken into eight smaller transfers ranging from $7,500 to $9,990 - from her husbands credit union account to hers. It also shows that $47,000 was transferred from George Zimmermans account to his sisters in the days before the hearing. Amounts of over $10,000 would have been reported to the Internal Revenue Service. Much of the money came from donations to a website that had been established to pay for George Zimmermans defense. During the bond hearing, Shellie Zimmerman testified that the couple had limited funds because she was a full-time student and her husband wasnt working. After she pleaded guilty, she told ABC that she lied. I can rationalize a lot of reasons for why I was misleading, but the truth is that I knew I was lying, she said. In the interview on Friday, Shellie Zimmerman said shell seek custody of the couples two dogs and a share of anything he might win in a defamation lawsuit hes filed against NBC. I have been married to a person for about seven years and I dont think I ever really knew him at all. She says her husband was verbally
Shellie Zimmerman
abusive toward her and that he has been making what she considers reckless decisions. She didnt specify what those decisions were. In my opinion, he feels more invincible since his acquittal, she added. Shellie Zimmerman said the timing seems right to begin a new life. I have supported him for so long and neglected myself for too long, Shellie Zimmerman said. And I feel like Im finally starting to feel empowered again.
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WORLD
OPINION/EDITORIAL
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
The views expressed on our opinion pages are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position or viewpoint of Minority Reporter.
The reason I want to bring it back up is in reference to what occurred in the city of Rochester about two weeks ago (as of this publishing). What occurred is that a video of an arrest was made showing an officer hit and wrestle to the ground someone that he was trying to arrest. By the admission of the person that was getting arrested, she was pregnant. This video-taped incident has gotten some black people in Rochester up in arms against the police. It has even gotten some members of the clergy to call for the resignation of Chief Sheppard! My synopsis of this is that it is absurd, and I am tired of having the same black people speak for me! Here is why. First of all, you have African-American clergy members calling for the resignation of an African-American
police chief. Why would AfricanAmericans call for the resignation of an African-American because of the actions of one of his officers? What we have got to stop doing is adhering to this crab-in-the-barrel mentality. If anyone on the police force can help understand the plight of our young African-Americans, who are overwhelmingly connected to police action, it is another African-American! Why does this case have relevance to the Trayvon Martin case? It is because the reason many people were upset at the verdict (including me) was because we realized that if George Zimmerman would have obeyed his superiors and stayed in the car, Trayvon may have been alive today. If the person in the video would have obeyed the police and not resisted arrest, the subsequent actions would not have happened. What some black people, and indeed those calling for the resignation of Chief Sheppard, overlook is that the person that was being arrested did not follow the instructions of a uniformed police officer. When one chooses to be disobedient, there are consequences that may arise. However, I contend that those consequences are a result
of previous actions; meaning that actions had to occur in order to make those consequences manifest. And what needs to occur now is for people to focus on the genesis of the event, not just the consequences. If the prosecutors would have focused on what George Zimmerman did in his disobedience, maybe the outcome of the case would have been different. Likewise, if the person that was getting arrested would have obeyed the officer, they most likely would not have been hit and wrestled to the ground. We cannot not dismiss the actions of those involved in cases like this and still be sure to ascribe the proper responsibility to those involved. It bothers me that the community would like to lump me into the crew of African-American clergy that would suggest something so absurd as calling for the resignation of the police chief, and not even look at the actions of the person getting arrested. I want it to be known that this AfricanAmerican clergy member does not support the position that they came up with. While I only have passing knowledge of Chief Sheppard, I believe he is a man of integrity and wants to do
the best for the people that he serves. He is not someone that we need to get rid of; he is someone that we want to be sure that we keep! I trust that if there was something that was done wrong by the officer in the video (as it appears there may have been); it will come out. We need to exercise patience and allow the process to work, keeping an eye on it, but letting it work its way out. If we can state that it was the start of disobedience by George Zimmerman that led to Trayvons death; we have to say that the disobedience of this woman in resisting arrest is what led to her getting hit and wrestled to the ground. Neither Trayvons death nor this woman getting hit was right, but we cannot say that George Zimmerman should be held accountable because he started it and give this woman a pass. After all, she started it! If you would like to contact me, please email me at mvaughn.seniorpastor@ newwineskin.org
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OPINION/EDITORIAL
The arrogance of some white folks calling for unwarranted apologies because we thankfully still have black men in our community unafraid to speak their minds seems to be something their ancestors no doubt did to an uppity negro once upon a time. Like a friend of mine just shared with me (and I paraphrase), If you dont like what I say, take a number, go sit down and act like I really give a damn. These requests for apology seem to be a trend. In May 2013, I wrote an open letter to Monroe County Legislator Willie Lightfoot when County Executive Maggie Brooks called for an apology from him because he referred to those in county government as crooks. What? Has it not been proven that some of them are? So, what is he supposed to be apologizing for, telling the truth? Just recently, some organization called Unite demonstrated their intent to divide by calling for an apology from Adam McFadden. Let me get this right. Now, they asked the community whether we thought Adam should
The views expressed on our opinion pages are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position or viewpoint of Minority Reporter.
Recent controversies have been whitewashed with statements like, It is not what they said, but their poor choice of words. What poor choice of words? Whether I agree or disagree with the content, I respect to the highest their right to say whatever they said. And what annoys me most is any pompous arse feeling they have the God-given right to chastise anyone in public like they are slaves on the whipping post,
OPINION/EDITORIAL
APOLOGIZING...from previous page
Lots of that going around, or havent you noticed? The word hypocrisy also comes to mind when I think of them. Please dont sit there in the comfort of your lounge chair reading my words and try to act like you dont understand what I am saying. Some of you, I know, love to live in denial and act like reality does not apply to you. I am not naive enough to believe that every person, white, black, green or yellow, who smiles in my face, means me or my community any good. When strong black men come under attack, I do pay close attention and am not afraid to speak on it. The fact that so many come under attack only solidifies for me that these are further attempts to participate in genocide directed at my community. The trend is not just local. The trend, as far as I am concerned, became even more prominent ever since President Obama was first elected. Historically, where would we be as a people if Frederick Douglass, Marcus Garvey, W.E.B. DuBois, Booker T. Washington, A. Phillip Randolph,
The views expressed on our opinion pages are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position or viewpoint of Minority Reporter.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Elijah Muhammad, Dr. Freddie Thomas, Jim McCuller, Jim Ellis, Willie Lightfoot, Sam White, Malcolm X, Dr. Huey P. Newton, Ron Brown, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Ken Gibson, Richard Hatcher, Carl Stokes, Ken Gibson, Harold Washington, John H. Johnson, Dr. Anthony Jordan, John Mitchell and others felt the need to apologize just because they were black? What if Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson Sr., Marion Barry, Cory Booker, Muhammad Ali and Minister Farrakhan were apologetic for their blackness? Where would we be in Rochester if
those still living, like Dr. Walter Cooper, Ron Good, Minister Franklin Florence Sr., Minister Raymond B.T. Scott, Bill Johnson, Assemblyman David Gantt, Charles Price, James Norman, William Clark, Van White, Calvin Lee, Dana Miller, and others were consistently asked to apologize for being black? Think about it. No other culture is required to apologize when they are speaking truth. Why us?
Dont ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Howard Thurman
Pastor, poet, educator & CRCDS graduate
The Thurman King School is a three-year continuing education program designed to give working ministers and clergy in the black church creative tools and strategies for enhancing their ministry. Classes are held the first Saturday of each month.
Dont delay! Classes begin September 7th! Register today: call (585) 340-9540 or visit www.crcds.edu
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13th Annual
Diversity Conference
Building Community through Diversity
CHAMPIONING ACCESS AND EQUITY
Thursday, September 19, 2013 8 am 4:45 pm Seymour College Union
Educational Sessions Film Discussions Multicultural Food Tastings Cultural Showcase
Pre-registration required. FREE to Brockport students, faculty and staff. $20 for non-Brockport students. $40 for Brockport alumni. $50 for general public. Pre-registration deadline is September 17, 2013. Late registration accepted based on available space.
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Your Neighborhood.
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Turning Ideas into Action with Direct Decision-making Power Join Mayor Thomas S. Richards to offer your ideas for projects to improve public safety in your neighborhood. Dates and Locations: 6 pm to 8 pm Mon., Aug. 26: Edgerton Community Center, Stardust Ballroom, 41 Backus St. Wed., Sept. 4: Thomas P . Ryan Community Center, 530 Webster Ave. Thurs., Sept. 5: Danforth Community Center, 200 West Ave. Mon., Sept. 16: Carter St. Community Center, 500 Carter St.
Outside the city call 428-5990
APPLY NOW Exam date: November 16, 2013 Application deadline: September 27, 2013
Call: 585-428-6716
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