VOL 6. NO.

December 3 - 9

1 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

Rochester, NY

Obama vs bOehner

Fiscal cliFF:
From Information to Understanding

MinorityReporter

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2 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

In this Issue:
VOL 6. NO. 4 December 3 - 9
1 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

Rochester, NY

Obama vs bOehner

Fiscal cliFF:
From Information to Understanding

MinorityReporter

www.MinorityReporter.net

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cOvEr

Pg 8

busInEss MAnAgEr cOPy EdItOr

- Fiscal Cliff: Obama Vs. Boehner LOcAL Pgs 4 - 5

-Kodak Accepts Improved Financing - City of Rochester Public Market to Begin Holiday Schedule - New Appointments at Hope Hall - UofR and Service Workers Reach Agreement, Approve Contract - New Bus Pass System in Effect for RCSD Students -RCSD Names New Communications Chief - City Breaks Ground on New Transit Center - Mayor Richards Announces Appointment of Ann McCormick to Joint Schools Construction Board stAtE Pg 6

Art dIrEctOr

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PHOtOgrAPHy cOLuMnIsts

- Federal Prisons Urged to Grant More Money Early Releases for Ailing Inmates Hcr Health - Caring For Your Loved One nAtIOnAL Pgs 7, 12 Pg 10

Gloria winston Al-Sarag c. michael tillman rev. michael Vaughn Vincent felder diane watkins mike dulaney davy Vara Ayesha kreutz

- New Face of America: Democratic Shifting Changing Electorate - Blacks Must Become Number One Employer of Blacks cOLuMns: Pgs 13-15

minority reporter, Inc. is a family of publications and other media formats committed to fostering self awareness, building community and empowering people of color to reach their greatest potential. further, minority reporter, Inc. seeks to present a balanced view of relevant issues, utilizing its resources to build bridges among diverse populations; taking them from information to understanding. minority reporter reserves the right to edit or reject content submitted. the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. minority reporter does not assume responsibility concerning advertisers, their positions, practices, services or products; nor does the publication of advertisements constitute or imply endorsement. minority reporter invites news and story suggestions from readers. deadline for all copy is tuesday at noon. call 585-301-4199 or email info@minorityreporter.net.

- Another Rising Star Crashes and Burns! By Gloria Winston Al-Sarag - Al Sharpton, Ben Jealous, Should no Longer be Invited to the White House By Boyce Watkins - Its Really Slavery! By E. Faye Williams - The Flawed New York State Court System and How Women are Permitted to Abuse it By Davy Vara

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3 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

Kodak Accepts Improved Financing

ROCHESTER, N.Y., - Eastman Kodak Company announced today that it has received and accepted an offer from the Steering Committee of the Second Lien Noteholders Committee for interim and exit financing totaling $830 million in loans. The commitment is superior to and therefore replaces the $793 million commitment announced by the company on November 12. Company representatives say this financing strengthens Kodaks position to successfully execute its remaining reorganization objectives and emerge from Chapter 11 in the first half of 2013. Each of the ten institutional investors that comprise the Steering Committee holds senior secured notes of the company. The improved financing will be open to participation by all other holders of the notes, including the investors that extended the November 12 commitment. As we continue to progress toward successful emergence, we remain focused on doing what is best for the companys creditors and other stakeholders, including our customers, suppliers, and employees. We are pleased that these existing creditors have come forward with a new proposal that offers better terms and enables Kodak to further accelerate its momentum to emergence in the first half of 2013, said Antonio M. Perez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The improved financing commitment provides a longer maturity, lower fees and pricing, and greater liquidity than our previously announced commitment. This is a vote of confidence in the future of our company. We are particularly pleased that the financing allows for participation by all of our pre-petition second lien noteholders in a manner that is cost-effective for the company. The financing includes new money term loans of $455 million, as well as term loans of up to $375 million issued to holders of senior secured notes participating in the new money loans in a dollar-for-dollar exchange for amounts outstanding under the companys pre-petition second lien notes. The financing is predicated on certain conditions, including the successful completion of the sale of Kodaks digital imaging patent portfolio for no less than $500 million. The commitment letter also contains provisions allowing for a conversion of up to $630 million of the loans upon emergence into permanent exit financing due five years after emergence, provided Kodak meets certain conditions, including the consummation of a Plan of Reorganization by September 30, 2013, the resolution of the companys U.K. pension obligations, and the completion of all or a portion of the sales of Kodaks Document Imaging and Personalized Imaging businesses. The financing is subject to completion of definitive financing documentation and Bankruptcy Court approval at a hearing that will be scheduled in the near future.

City of Rochester Public Market to Begin Holiday Schedule

LOCAL

The Rochester Public Market, 280, N. Union St., will begin its annual holiday shopping schedule next week. In addition to its normal schedule, the Market will be open for pre-Thanksgiving Day shopping on Wednesday, Nov. 21 and the annual Holidays at the Market event spanning the first three Sundays in December (Dec. 2, 9 and 16). The Market will be closed for the Thanksgiving (Nov. 22) and Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and New Years Day (Jan. 1) holidays. The Markets regular hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Markets holiday schedule from Nov. 21 through Jan. 1 is as follows: Open Wednesday, Nov. 21; 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Pre-holiday special hours); Closed Thursday, Nov. 22 (Thanksgiving Day); Open Sunday, Dec. 2; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Holidays at the Market); Open Sunday, Dec. 9; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Holidays at the Market); Open Sunday, Dec. 16; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Holidays at the Market); Closed Tuesday, Dec. 25, (Christmas Day); Closed Tuesday, Jan. 1 (New Years Day). For more information, please contact the Market office at (585) 428-6907 or visit www.cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket.

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4 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

New Appointments at Hope Hall

Hope Hall is pleased to announce the appointment of Shaunta CollierSantos of Rochester as its Director of Development. Ms. Collier-Santos is charged with leading all development and marketing efforts for the school. She oversees daily development activities is responsible for creating a cohesive team. Shaunta has extensive experience at major non-profits and for-profits in the area including Seneca Park Zoo Society, Genesee Country Village & Museum, Sojourner House and Logical Operations/Ziff-Davis. Michele Kaider-Korol of Rochester has been hired as a part- time Development Associate and will coordinate events and handle media relations. Michele comes to Hope Hall most recently from Seniorsfirst and has a remarkable background in marketing strategy and communications. Debbie Diederich of Henrietta now serves as the Development Assistant. Mrs. Diederich has been with Hope Hall for the past four years and is accountable for database management and gift acknowledgement. Diane Ellis of Irondequoit is the parttime grant writer and has been with Hope Hall for the last two years. Diana Dolce, SSJ, Executive Director and Principal of Hope Hall, says, A focus on school awareness and scholarship fundraising will be pivotal in 2012-13 as will attracting new corporate supporters, individual and grant funders to Hope Hall. It is important that the good work we have begun continues so that children have access to education that works. Our development team plays a key role in that process. Hope Hall has been Rochesters best kept secret for more than 18 years. Sister Dianas philosophy is that every student gets what he or she needs and that when given enough time and the right environment, every child CAN learn well. Our team believes in that mission and is working diligently to attract new supporters while cultivating long-term donors. Hope Halls students deserve the absolute best education. Our educators are trained to teach differently BECAUSE our students learn differently. We realize that our donors also wish to give differently, so one of our primary areas of focus is to increase giving options beginning with online and electronic giving options, commented Shaunta Collier-Santos, Director of Development.

LOCAL

Shaunta Collier-Santos

Diana Dolce

Michele Kaider-Korol

Debbie Diederich

U of R and Service Workers Reach Agreement, Approve Contract

(Rochester) - Service workers in two bargaining units at the University of Rochester (UR) voted Friday to approve new two year contracts covering approximately 1700 employees. The new contracts, one for Strong Hospital and the other for nonmedical staff on UR campuses, are retroactive to September 23, 2012. According to Union Reps, terms of the new contracts include: * Continuation of the unions health benefits plan, 100% paid for by the employer, with minor changes in charges for specialists and x-rays in 2013. Plan benefits are guaranteed for the next two years. * A 1.5% wage increase for all employees effective September 23, 2012. Union and management officials will reopen negotiations in 2013 to determine the amount of wage increase for the contracts second year. * A 50% increase in the employers contribution into the unions child care program. * A 50% increase in the employers contribution into the unions training and educational program. * Shortened probationary periods and more stringent limits on the use of temporary employees. Contract negotiations began in midAugust and were soon joined by a Federal Mediator. The old agreements expired on September 22. As the talks progressed, UR management proposed an end to the unions health benefits plan and the start of premium payments on the part of employees. Union members picketed in October and engaged in protest activities during URs Meliora Weekend. The workers gained support from some students, faculty, and community leaders as they brought their case to the public. With the assistance of the Federal Mediator, employee and management representatives reached a tentative agreement in the late evening of November 19. Approximately 1700 UR staff are covered by two SEIU union contracts. Employees involved in the talks include patient care technicians, nursing unit secretaries, environmental service and facilities employees, food service, transportation, and materials processing staff. Service workers on UR campuses are members of SEIU Local 200United, and those working at the UR Medical Center and its Strong Memorial Hospital division belong to 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Both union groups negotiated together with UR officials.

City Breaks Ground on New Transit Center

A groundbreaking ceremony commenced for a new $50 million bus station in downtown Rochester. Mayor Tom Richards was joined by Sen. Charles Schumer and other local officials last Tuesday for a groundbreaking ceremony for the onestory Rochester Transit Service facility that will have bays for 30 buses. Officials say when complete in mid-2015, the facility will provide convenience, comfort, and safety for customers who ride the bus to and from downtown Rochester. The $50 million cost is being funded by Federal Transit Administration funds (80%), New York State Department of Transportation funds (10%), and RGRTA (10%). Transit agency officials expect the project will create more than 400 construction jobs and nearly 50 new jobs, when it opens in 2015. RTS currently averages nearly 55,000 daily boardings, many of which transfer downtown.

5 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

LOCAL
RCSD Names New Communications Chief
Rochester City School District Superintendent Bolgen Vargas, today announced that Bruce Chip Partner, the director of public relations at Roberts Communications, will serve as the City School Districts Chief Communications Officer beginning Dec. 10. In his new role, Partner will report to the Superintendent and lead the team that supports communications to district families and employees, along with community partners and the news media. Linda Dunsmoor, the current director of communications, is moving to a new District position to lead the implementation of a major, grant-funded initiative to enhance the recruitment and development of District teachers and other staff. Partner brings more than 25 years of professional communications experience to his new post. For eight years he has served as PR director at Roberts, one of Rochesters leading advertising and marketing communications agencies. Before that he was president of Saphar & Associates Inc., a PR and advertising agency that Roberts acquired in 2004. In his agency roles, Partner and his team have served a wide range of businesses, non-profit organizations and government clients. Major privatesector clients have included Eastman Kodak Company, ITT Goulds Pumps, M&T Bank, Second Wind Inc. and the law firms Boylan Brown, Faraci Lange and Nixon Peabody. Non-profit clients include Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency, the Rochester Business Alliance, Rochester Regional Health Information Organization, Unity Health System and the University of Rochester. While at Saphar, Partner led the agencys political consulting practice and served as media adviser to Mayor Bill Johnson, Assemblymember Susan John, Family Court Judge Marilyn Hoffman OConnor, and numerous other candidates. He has done project work for the City of Rochester under two mayors and for the Rochester City School District under three superintendentsDr. Clifford Janey, Dr. Manuel Rivera and Dr. Bolgen Vargas. Partner has been a Rochester resident since moving to the area in 1989 from Washington, D.C., where he spent six years on Capitol Hill as press secretary to Rep. Sam Gejdenson and Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, both of Connecticut. A native of Indiana, Partner is a 1983 graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and political science.

New Bus Pass System in Effect for RCSD Students

Students who ride the transit system have been faced with changes in the bus pas system. Under the previous system, students with express bus passes had the option of taking the regular bus lines downtown in the morning. With the new policy students are now only able to take the Express Lines straight to school. The new system was put in place in response to increase violence downtown; and is aimed at increasing the safety of both students and the community. Students may still take the other bus routes but will be required to pay the $1 RTS fare.

6 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

LOCAL
Mayor Richards Announces Appointment of Ann McCormick to Joint Schools Construction Board
(Monday, Nov. 26, 2012) Rochester Mayor Thomas Richards announce the appointment of Ann McCormick to the Rochester Joint Schools Construction Board, effective this week. The sevenmember board oversees the Rochester Schools Modernization Program - a joint initiative of the Rochester City School District and the City of Rochester. I believe that Ann McCormick will be a valuable addition to the Board as it works to provide state-of-the-art facilities for our children. said Mayor Thomas S. Richards. Ms. McCormick is a long-time city resident with considerable construction contracting and related legal experience. Ms. McCormick has had the opportunity to discuss the responsibilities of the board with Lois Giess, the current Chair of the Board, prior to accepting this appointment. Ms. McCormicks appointment will fill the vacancy which was created following the resignation of Ken Bell. Ann McCormick is currently the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Home Properties, Inc.,-- a multifamily real estate investment trust which owns, operates, develops, acquires and rehabilitates apartment communities. Ms. McCormick, a graduate of Colgate University, also serves as Board Chair of the Greater Rochester Housing Partnership. (Ms. McCormicks resume is attached). The Rochester Schools Modernization Program is a $1.2 billion program which will update and improve school facilities, over a three-phase, 15-year span. The program, which began in 2007, is expected to infuse $325 million into the local economy during Phase 1, making it the largest public project in Rochesters history. State legislation provides the City and the District with increased flexibility to meet the needs of its school children by providing alternative financing mechanisms for up to thirteen projects. Mayor Richards

STATE
Federal prisons urged to grant more early releases for ailing inmates
NEW YORK (AP) For humanitarian and economic reasons, the federal Bureau of Prisons should grant more early releases to incapacitated and terminally ill prisoners, two advocacy groups say in a report depicting current policies as sometimes cruel as well as senseless. The report, issued Friday by Human Rights Watch and Families Against Mandatory Minimums, says the Bureau of Prisons oversees more than 218,000 inmates, yet has recommended an average of only two dozen compassionate releases a year since 1992. Human Rights Watch senior adviser Jamie Fellner, a co-author of the report, said Congress in 1984 granted federal courts the authority to reduce sentences under extraordinary and compelling circumstances. However, the report says federal prisoners cant seek such a sentence reduction from the courts on their own; only the BOP has the authority to file a motion requesting judicial consideration of early release. Justice sometimes requires compassion, even for people who have broken the law, Fellner said. But prison officials prevent judges from deciding when compassion requires a sentence reduction. This is unfair to the prisoners and costly to the country. Responding by email, the BOP said it reviews each early-release request on a case-by-case basis and also takes into consideration information provided by the U.S. Attorneys Office. It is the bureaus responsibility to consider public safety when determining whether to pursue these motions, the BOP statement said. Though the new report is generally critical of BOP policies, it cites some promising signs including formation of a BOP working group to look at the compassionate release program. It said the BOPs new director, Charles Samuels, has expressed interest in reforming the program and noted that the number of release cases forwarded to the courts had risen slightly under his leadership, to 37 between Jan. 1 and Nov. 15 of this year. The report urges Congress to change the existing law, which gives prisoners no right to challenge BOP decisions in court. It also says the BOP should bring compassionate release motions to court whenever a prisoner presents compelling arguments, regardless of whether prison officials believe early release is warranted. The BOPs budget is more than $6 billion, and care of ailing and aging prisoners is a major factor in rising expenses. The report says one way to curb these costs would be increased use of compassionate release for prisoners posing minimal risk to public safety. The report says the BOP does not keep an overall count of prisoners who seek compassionate release, but provided a breakdown for the Federal Medical Center in Butner, N.C., which houses nearly 1,000 inmates with medical problems. During 2011, the report says, the warden made decisions on 147 requests for compassionate release and approved 12 of them. Based in 2010 figures, the per capita cost of caring for a prisoner in a medical center such as Butner was $40,760, compared to the BOPs overall per capita cost of $25,627, the report said. The BOP requires prisoners to be within 12 months of death or profoundly and irrevocably incapacitated to be eligible for compassionate release consideration. It generally does not make motions to the courts on nonmedical grounds, though the report says this could be done for example, for prisoners seeking early release to care for dying family members. The report acknowledges that many Americans oppose early release, especially for offenders who inflicted serious harm on victims. But it argues that a prison sentence that initially seemed justified may become disproportionately severe due to changed circumstances, such as grave illness. Keeping a prisoner behind bars when it no longer meaningfully serves any legitimate purpose cannot be squared with human dignity and may be cruel as well as senseless, the report says. Mai Fernandez, executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime, offered this advice to the BOP: We hope that, in fairness to victims, any compassionate release process provides notice to victims and the opportunity for them to be heard. Many states have laws permitting early release for medical or other reasons, but Fellner said these provisions were greatly underutilized in most states. The report cites several examples of inmates who unsuccessfully sought to have early-release requests considered by the courts. Among them is a 73-year-old inmate at the Butner medical center who has served half of a 20-year federal sentence for sexually touching a child, taking lewd pictures and possessing child pornography. Because of a spinal condition, the inmate is now permanently paralyzed below his upper chest and will require skilled nursing care until he dies, according to the report. The report says Butners warden rejected his bid to be considered for early release, contending that he was still deemed a threat to society who deserved to stay imprisoned out of deference to his victim.

7 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

New Face of America: Democratic Shift Changing Electorate

By Hazel Trice Edney Its not just the economy, stupid. Its the demographics the changing face of America. The 2012 elections drove home trends that have been embedded in the fine print of birth and death rates, immigrationstatistics and census charts for years. America is rapidly getting more diverse, and, more gradually, so is its electorate. People of color made up 28 percent of the electorate this year, compared with 20 percent in 2000. The trend has worked to the advantage of President Obama for two elections in a row now, and is not lost on Republicans poring over the details of the Nov. 6 results. Virginia is a prime example of the impact of diversity and demographics on the election outcome. President Obama once again won Virginia based on strong support from communities of color. In majority-black cities like Richmond and Petersburg, the president racked up huge margins. In Richmond, the president won by a nearly 4-1 margin and in Petersburg by an 8-1 margin over Republican Mitt Romney. But President Obama also won in Virginias suburban counties like Henrico and Fairfax, where the populations of people of color have surged in the past two decades. The vote results strongly suggest that the president would have had no shot in Virginia without strong backing from populations of nonwhite voters. According to exit polls in Virginia, where the population is still 70 percent White, only 37 percent of White voters supported President Obama. He overcame that disadvantage by capturing 94 percent of the Black vote, 64 percent of the Latino vote and 66 percent of the Asian-American vote, the polls indicate. Black voters were definitely a key to the Obama victory in Virginia. The exit polls indicate that this group of Virginia voters came out in even larger numbers than in 2008 when the President became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state in 44 years. Nationally, President Obama captured a commanding 80 percent of the growing ranks of nonwhite voters in 2012, just as he did in 2008. Mr. Romney couldnt win even though he dominated among White men and outperformed 2008 nominee John McCain with that group. Its an ever-shrinking slice of the electorate and of America writ large. White men made up 34 percent of the electorate this year, down from 46 percent in 1972. The new electorate is a lagging indicator of the next America, says Paul Taylor of the Pew Research Center. We are midpassage in a century-long journey from the middle of the last century, when we were nearly a 90 percent white nation, to the middle of this coming century, when we will be a majority minority nation. Another trend that will be shaping the future electorate is the stronger influence of single women. They vote differently from men and from women who are married. Fifty-four percent of single women call themselves Democrats; 36 percent of married women do. With women marrying later and divorcing more, single women made up 23 percent of voters in the 2012 election, compared with 19 percent in 2000. The changing electorate has huge implications for public policy and politics. Howard University sociologist Roderick Harrison, former chief of racial statistics at the Census Bureau, said Obamas campaign strategists proved themselves to be excellent demographers. They have put together a coalition of populations that will eventually become the majority or are marching toward majority status in the population, and populations without whom it will be very difficult to win national elections and some statewide elections, particularly in states with large Black and Hispanic populations, Harrison said. In the past year, minority babies outnumbered White newborns for the first time in U.S. history. By midcentury, Hispanics, AfricanAmericans, Asians and multiracial people combined will become the majority of the U.S. Since 2000, the Hispanic and Asian populations have grown by more than 40 percent, fueled by the increased immigration of younger people as well as more births. Currently, Hispanics are the largest minority group and make up 17 percent of the U.S. population, compared with 12 percent for Black people and 5 percent for Asians. Together minorities now make up more than 36 percent of the population. Hispanics will make up roughly 30 percent of the U.S. by mid-century, while the African-American share is expected to remain unchanged at 12 percent. AsianAmericans will grow to roughly 8 percent of the U.S. The minorities will vote, said demographer Frey. The question is will their vote be split more across the two parties than it was this time? For both Republicans and Democrats, he said, the 2012 election is a wake-up call that will echo through the decades.

NATIONAL

8 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

Obama vs bOehner
HATFIELD, Pa. (AP) President Barack Obama argued Friday that allowing taxes to rise for the middle class would amount to a lump of coal for Christmas, while Republican House Speaker John Boehner declared that negotiations to surmount a looming fiscal cliff are going almost nowhere. Obama took his case to an audience in a Philadelphia suburb, saying that this move would present a Scrooge Christmas for millions of wageearners. Speaking at a toy factory, the president said Republicans should extend existing Bush-era tax rates for households earning $250,000 or less, while allowing increases to kick in for the wealthy. On Capitol Hill, Boehner argued that Obamas latest offer to raise revenue by $1.6 trillion over the next decade would be a crippling blow to an economy that is still struggling to find its footing. The Ohio Republican told reporters he would continue working with Obama to avoid hundreds of billions in tax increases and spending cuts that will take effect beginning in January if Washington doesnt act to stop it, but gave a gloomy assessment of the talks so far. Theres a stalemate. Lets not kid ourselves, Boehner said. Right now, were almost nowhere. Obamas speech came a day after his administration proposed $1.6 trillion in new taxes over 10 years, new spending for the unemployed and struggling homeowners and savings of about $400 billion in entitlement programs like Medicare. The proposal amounts to requests that were already d in Obamas Fiscal 2013 budget plan. Republicans rejected the offer as unreasonable. Obama said he believed both parties can and will work together to reach an agreement to get its long-term deficit under control in a way thats balanced and is fair. In Washington, nothings easy so there is going to be some prolonged negotiations and all of us are going to have to get out of our comfort zones to make that happen, he said. Im willing to do that. I hopeful that enough members of Congress in both parties are willing to do that as well. White House officials hoped Fridays trip would build momentum for the presidents case, even as Republicans describe the outing as an irritant and an obstacle to fruitful talks. The road trip was part of a dual White House strategy of having the presidents team meet with members of Congress while Obama travels the country to pressure Congress to act. Republicans have said they are open to new tax revenue but not higher rates. Obama spoke at the Rodon Group manufacturing facility, showcasing the company as an example of a business that depends on middleclass consumers during the holiday season. The company manufactures parts for KNEX Brands, a construction toy company whose products include Tinkertoy, KNEX Building Sets and Angry Birds Building Sets. The president joked that hes keeping his own naughty and nice list for members of Congress and only some would get a KNEX set for Christmas. Administration officials said the offer, presented to Hill Republicans by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, constituted much of what Obama has previously suggested in budget proposals. One new feature in the Geithner plan is a call for increasing the nations debt limit without the need for congressional approval. Under last years debt ceiling deal, Obama simply had to notify Congress that he was raising the debt ceiling, a move that could be blocked only if both houses of Congress approved resolutions of disapproval that Obama could veto. The administration wants a permanent extension of the debt ceiling with a similar legislative arrangement and with no offsetting spending cuts, as demanded by Republicans. Unfortunately, many Democrats continue to rule out sensible spending cuts that must be part of any significant agreement that will reduce our deficit, Boehner said after meeting with Geithner Thursday. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Friday that the proposal for $1.6 trillion in tax revenue was presented in context of a balanced approach to deficit reduction throughout the campaign. This is the way that we can ask the wealthiest Americans to pay a little bit more to deal with our deficit challenges, Earnest said aboard Air Force One as Obama flew to Pennsylvania. This was what the president has campaigned on for a long time and that was what president pushed for in context of the discussions with House Republicans, Earnest said. Earnest said the proposal laid out by Geithner should not come as a surprise to anyone. Referring to comments by House Republican staffers who expressed surprise at Geithners proposal, Earnest said, This morning I was surprised they were surprised.

Fiscal cliFF:

COVER STORY

9 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

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10 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

Caring for Your Loved One

By: Mary Pat Adams, RN, BSN, Director of Nursing at HCR Home Care Providing care to another person seems a natural act for many of us. There are millions of people who provide constant, daily care to loved ones, family members, and even neighbors. Approximately 44 million Americans provide billions of hours of unpaid care every year to loved ones with chronic illnesses or other chronic conditions. Caregivers ensure their loved ones have the proper medical, physical, and emotional support they need taking care of medical appointments, cleaning, grocery shopping, food preparation, assistance with personal care and more. Caregivers are wives, husbands, parents, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors. At any point in our lives we may become a caregiver. A caregivers responsibilities are often manageable. Over time, these tasks can seem overwhelming. This is why it is important as a caregiver to take care of yourself too! As our senior population grows the need for more caregivers in America will continue to grow with it. Disparities in Caregiving Not surprisingly, there are ethnic and racial disparities among caregivers. In many cases, cultural concepts vary across ethnic and racial groups which play a role in the caregivers experience. Such concepts can affect caregiving in different ways, including: the role of the caregiver, use of support services (like community organizations), and interactions with health care providers. Other studies have shown different kinds of disparities. For example, when compared to their white counterparts,

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HEALTH

ethnic minority caregivers have a lower socioeconomic status and are more likely to receive support from family members and friends; Asian American caregivers tend to use less professional support; African American caregivers tend to have lower levels of caregiver depression as do Hispanic and Asian American caregivers. In one study, all ethnic minorities reported worse physical health than that of their white counterparts. Help for the Caregiver Open and consistent communication is one of the best ways to help a caregiver. Discuss care options, treatment plans, finances, and health care wishes with

everyone involved in the care Be sure to include the person in need of care in these conversations. These may not always be easy topics to discuss, but they are important. Ensuring everyone involved is agreeable and on the same page will help create a positive care environment. Be sure to take advantage of community resources and find support. Agencies such as Meals on Wheels or any adult day programs can help alleviate some of the burden caregivers face. Become active in caregiver support groups so you can express your concerns and questions with others who can appreciate how you feel.

No matter what your ethnic background is, at some point in your life you may become a caregiver to a family member or friend. Remember you are not alone in providing care. Reach out to other family members or friends. Use the community resources available to you. Most of all, remember to take care of yourself. Taking a few minutes to care for yourself will give you the energy and strength to care for those around you. Resources: Family Caregiver Alliance 800-4458106 or www.caregiver.org (click on Family Care Navigator) References: Cultural Diversity and Caregiving, American Psychological Association, www.apa.org Ethnic Minority Caregivers, Empowering Caregivers, www.caregivers.com Caregiving, Family Caregiver Alliance, www.caregiver.org Mary Pat Adams is a Director of Nursing at HCR Home Care. HCR Home Cares purpose is to reduce disparities in health outcomes of African Americans, Latinos, and other minority groups. HCR provides nursing, therapy, home health aide service, and companion care to older adults in the comfort of their homes. It is the only home care agency in our region to be designated a five-time winner of the national Top 100 Home Care Elite Award, and is a valued partner of Minority Reporter and the Perspectives TV show. To learn more call us at 585-295-6590, or visit www.hcrhealth.com.

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11 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

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1,2,8,9 Holiday Pictures with Santaand Your Pets! Time: 10:00 AM Whether the household includes cats, dogs, guinea pigs, turtles (or all of the above!), Lollypop Farm can help create a unique holiday portrait of the whole family! Celebrate the season with a one-of-a-kind keepsake at Holiday Pet Photos presented by Boom Towne Canine Campus. Each sitting costs just $25, and clients will leave with four 4 x 6 prints and a CD of the portrait. Plus, there will be holiday activities, a bake sale and hot cider, holiday shopping, and more! Portrait sittings may be reserved at www.lollypop.org/petphotos and walk-ins are also welcome. Proceeds benefit the animals and programs at Lollypop Farm. For more information, please contact Karen Stolt at (585) 223-1330 x241 or kstolt@lollypop. org. 1 Have Breakfast with Santa and Support Military Personnel! Time: 9 am and 10 am Location: Stokoe Farms - 656 South Road Scottsville, NY, 14546 Price: $10 for all you can eat pancakes, as well as sausage, juice, coffee and hot chocolate oin Stokoe Farms on December 1, 2012 at 9 am or 10 am for Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus! All you can eat pancake breakfast, along with sausage, juice, coffee and hot chocolate. Have your good little girls and boys bring their Christmas wish list and sit on Santas lap. Dont forget your camera!$10 for breakfast, with a potion of proceeds going to support our military! The Trees for Troops program sends Christmas trees to military personel and their families at home and abroad. This year Stokoe Farms will send over 100 trees to our troops at Fort Drum, and 50 trees to those serving abroad, including Afghanistan, Korea, Gitmo, Germany and an Air Craft Carrier. Helping make Christmas a little brighter for those serving our country.Call 889-0770 for reservations. 1 Liberty Pole Lighting Time: 4:30 to 5:10 p.m. Location: Liberty Pole Join the Flower City School No. 54 Chorus and Prime Time Brass for a time-tested tradition unique to Rochester as Mayor Richards switches on the lights of the Liberty Pole outside the Sibley Building. Holiday costumed characters and Santa will be available to take photos with families. Parking is available at the

Washington Square Parking Garage, 111 Woodbury Blvd. and the East End Garage, 475 E. Main St., for $2. More information can be found at: http://www.cityofrochester.gov/ libertypolelighting/ 1,2 Holiday Open House Time: 9am-5pm Location: Corning Museum of Glass One Museum Way Corning, NY, 14830 All Ages: Free admission, craft activities, live music, and special glassmaking experiences kick off the holiday season. Have Breakfast or Lunch with Santa, make an ornament at The Studio,and get your picture taken with Santa in front of a giant ornament tree! 2, 9, 16 Holidays at the Market and Cookie Contest Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location: Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union Street Holidays at the Market features numerous vendors with art, crafts, decorations, holiday food delicacies, gifts, stocking stuffers, and much much more. Take advantage of the largest selection of holiday trees, wreaths and fresh garlands found in Western New York. Bring the children to Holidays at the Market for a visit with Santa and free horse-drawn sleigh rides! 4 Harvesting Justice Dinner Time: 5:30 pm Location: Temple Brith Kodesh at 2131 Elmwood Avenue Rural & Migrant Ministry will be hosting the Harvesting Justice Dinner to benefit the Justice for Farmworkers Campaign. The event will feature a keynote address by The Reverend Dr. Marvin A. McMickle, President of the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and an integral figure in struggles for social, racial, and economic justice. The Dinner will also honor Ms. Librada Paz, the 2012 Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Laureate and will feature music by the Justice for Farmworkers Musicians. Tickets are $50.00 For further information and other sponsorship opportunities, please contact Laura Lecour at (845)-485-8627 or at rmmllecour@optimum.net or visit our website www.ruralmigrantministry. org

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12 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

Blacks Must Become Number One Employer of Blacks

By Hazel Trice Edney (TriceEdneyWire.com) There are more than 9,000 Black public officials in America, yet African-Americans remain at the rock bottom of every negative statistic in crime, health, economics and education. This is the reason that one lecturer and award-winning author says the Black community must pay equal attention to business ownership, economic development and wealth as it does to political empowerment. Your wealth will determine where you live, where you live will determine where your children go to school, where your children go to school will determine the quality of your childrens higher education; and the quality of your childrens higher education will determine your childrens lifelong earnings, George Fraser told a group at last weeks State of the Black World Conference at Howard University. And your childrens lifelong earnings will determine where your grandchildren live and where your grandchildren live will determine where your grandchildren will go to school and where your grandchildren go to school will determine the quality of their higher education and their lifelong earnings. Do you understand the cycle of poverty here? Fraser, president/CEO of FraserNet, Inc. a 20-year-old firm that specializes in Black economic growth, has written multiple books on economic wealth and unity; including, Success Runs in Our Race; The Complete Guide to Effective Networking in the African American Community; Race for Success; The Ten Best Business Opportunities for Blacks in America, and Click: Ten Truths to Building Extraordinary Relationships. The spellbound activists, professionals and students in the audience were attending the third day of the conference, sponsored by the New York-based Institute of the Black World 21st Century. IBW President Ron Daniels described the conference as the first great gathering of African-Americans post-election. The theme was State of Emergency in Black America Time to Heal Black Families and Communities. The third conference of its kind held after the last three presidential elections, the goals was to establish a Black agenda regardless of who was elected. In the Saturday session on economics, Fraser pinpointed what he says is the number one issue that Blacks should be dealing with Black wealth. We are not poor. Were just broke, he told the audience, some of whom shouted Speak! Tell the Truth! and other words of agreement. Some even moaned, rocked and shook their heads as he spoke. We have a $900 billion annual economy. If we were a nation, wed be the fourteenth richest nation in the world. Fraser said with the intellectual capital in the Black community, there is no reason that African-Americans should be as economically destitute as they are. According to the U. S. Census Bureau, 25 percent of AfricanAmericans live below the poverty level and fewer than 5 percent of small businesses are owned by Black people. Yet, Fraser estimated that Blacks have multiplied W.E.B DuBois dream of the talented tenth more than 70 times when counting the number of AfricanAmericans with college degrees. Fraser was one of dozens of speakers during the conference that drew more than 300 people. Other high profiled names included Susan Taylor, Julianne Malveaux, Elsie Scott, Melanie Campbell, George Curry, Hilary Shelton, and Jeff Johnson. Frasers econonics message comes as African-Americans are hoping that President Barack Obama will do something special to deal with the Black jobless rate, which remains in double digits even as the national average has dipped below 8 percent. Fraser says it is unfair to put pressure sole on politicians and challenged the audience to take a lesson from communities of Jews, Asians, East Indians, and Arabs. Every immigrant group that has ever come to this country is now the number one employers of their own people, he stressed. We too must become the number one employers of our own people. Why? Because the only way to raise up the poor is to create work and jobs for your own people. Announcing an entrepreneurship conference he is holding this summer, Fraser said he believes it will take a full century for African-Americans to gain the strength that they could have by establishing their own businesses, employing each other and supporting each other economically. But the key is unity, he says. The idea that the Black community can exercise affective power political or otherwise without simultaneously exercising economic power is fantasy So, we have to make sure we fix this, he said. When we were unified around slavery, we freed ourselves We were unified around civil rights, voting rights and public access in mediaWe have to be unified now around building wealthWe have everything we need to succeed except each other.

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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 Flawed New York State Family Court System and how Women are Permitted to Abuse It
For the second time since my daughter Isabella was born, I find myself a defendant in New York States flawed Family Court legal system. illegally gain entry into my home, without a warrant. Ill never forget what my lawyer said to me a few years ago: The courts hand out orders of protection to women like they are handing out candy. You know a legal system is flawed when a person can repeatedly use it as a way of vindictively retaliating against another person -which is exactly what my daughters mother has done - and continues to do. Combine that with the fact that for the past 17-plus years I have been an activist against police misconduct and corruption, and you not only have a woman abusing a flawed legal system, you also have law enforcement officers who obviously have their own agendas, taking advantage of the situation and crossing the line, like Sgt. Carroll did. But perhaps what is most disturbing here - aside from someone being able to abuse the legal system - is I am the one who called 911 in the first place. Yes, before my daughters mother made good on her threat to set me up, I called 911 asking that officers check on my daughters welfare. And, in a telephone conversation I had with Monroe County Sheriffs Sgt. Steve Michaels, I advised him of my daughters mothers threats to retaliate against me, for my concerns about my daughter. Despite the fact that I contacted police for assistance, and despite my alerting Sgt. Michaels of my daughters mothers threats Sheriffs Deputy Steven Stepnick took a false report from my daughters mother and actually encouraged her to get an order of protection. Of course, all this is no surprise, given my very public denouncement of the Monroe County Sheriffs Department this past summer, after deputies executed a family dog in Penfield. I not only wrote about the incident extensively, I also held two protest rallies, one in front the Sheriffs headquarters downtown, the other in front of their Zone A substation, in Penfield. And if theres any doubt that this is personal as a result of my work as an activist against police misconduct and corruption, then think about this. What changed?

OPINION/EDITORIAL

13 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

After my daughters mother filed false allegations against me in Family Court, she returned just a couple of days later to have her original petition amended.

Recently, after expressing concerns to my daughters mother of how her poor judgment and decision making is endangering my daughters well-being, she responded as she has in the past: She threatened to set me up. And, exactly as she did last time, she made good on her promise. And like last time, some underpaid, overworked clerk at Monroe County Family Court, named Aisha was more than eager to whisk my daughters mother into an office, and let her tell her lies as Aisha typed away. Less than 48 hours later, Monroe County Sheriffs department Sgt. James Carroll banged on my door, terrifying my children. He then turned my door handle several times, attempting to

dAvy vArA

My daughters mother printed an article I wrote on Copblock.org headlined Monroe County Sheriffs Department Intimidation Tactics Exposed! where I wrote about Sgt. Carroll attempting to illegally enter my home without a warrant. Before the amended order, I could still talk to and see my daughter. After the amended order, I cant talk to or see my daughter at all. The fact that Monroe County Family Court would allow my daughters mother to include my work as a writer, which is protected freedom of speech under the First Amendment, in an attempt to somehow influence the Court, is very disturbing. Even more disturbing is how Monroe County Family Court would punish a father for exercising his First Amendment rights, and not allow him to see or talk to his daughter.

FROM THE bOycE BLOG

Al Sharpton, Ben Jealous Should No Longer Be Invited to the White House

Since President Obama was elected with 93% of the black vote, there is now a conversation regarding how to leverage unprecedented political support in order to receive the attention from the Obama Administration that such support deserves. The Associated Press wrote about the matter this week, quoting Rev. Al Sharpton, NAACP President Ben Jealous and National Urban League President Marc Morial along the way. been hardest hit by the recession as part of the path to a full economic recovery. While banks, corporations and white Americans have seen their economic condition improve a great deal over the last four years, due to direct capital injections from Washington, black Americans are facing unemployment rates that would be entirely unacceptable for any other group.

dr. bOycE WAtkIns

In the context of his request for a jobs program, Morial specifically stated that the programs should be implemented with a special focus on those communities where unemployment is and remains stubbornly and persistently high. We who represent the nations urban communities will demand a seat at the table in these discussions, he also wrote in his letter. Do you notice the difference in leadership here? The first two men, Al Sharpton and Ben Jealous, sound like defacto employees of the Obama Administration, as if they are punching a time clock and picking up a check at the end of the day. The easiest way to manipulate someone with a feeble mind is to give them your idea and make them think that its their own. While Sharpton and Jealous are certainly intelligent men, their special gifts and validation from the White House have led them to dumb themselves down to the administrations wishes, like an abused wife standing behind her man under any circumstances. This is, quite honestly, just shameful and depletes both men of the credibility necessary to engage in legitimate leadership. Morial, on the other hand, has served as nothing less than a textbook example of how to play the political game at the top. Morial has preserved his access

to the White House by not presenting himself as an adversary to a popular president. At the same time, hes never said anything to indicate that he is a water boy for the administration. Morial has kept his agenda clear and non-partisan, reaching out to leaders from both major parties and all branches of government, with the expectation that the focus is going to remain on urban communities. Morial doesnt even force Barack to say the word black and has given him enough evasive language to allow him to help his most loyal constituents without worrying about what some bigot is going to think about it. It saddens me to see our most powerful civil rights leaders bowing to a racist American power structure by giving Democratic leaders carte blanche to leave the black community in ruins. Its oddly ironic that nearly every word that comes out of the mouths of Sharpton and Jealous is in complete lockstep with whatever talking points theyve received from Valerie Jarrett and the White House. This is not leadership this is followership, and Jealous has unfortunately tarnished the already fragile reputation of the NAACP by allowing his work for the president to override his interest in protecting African American people. I am not one to say that Sharpton and Jealous dont deserve a seat at the table, but I can certainly say that they should not possess most of those seats. These White House meetings with President Obama have as much credibility as a group of white, Republican managers gathering to plan Black History Month. Their incentives are as polluted as the Hudson River, and the greatest victim of this high-level civil rights corruption is the African American community itself. This is merely a replication of the kind of corruption that often occurs in some African countries, where well-paid dictators live a life of luxury by allowing Al Sharpton, Ben Jealous...contd on next page

I think the president heard us loud and clear. The collective message was, Lets build on where we already are, said Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton then continued to speak to the need to help the black community by fighting to support President Obama by averting the pending crisis on the fiscal cliff. Ben Jealous was also quoted, saying the following: We need Republicans to think hard and to pull back from the cliff 98 percent of our families, who make up the bulk of this nation, from seeing our taxes being raised, Jealous said. Marc Morial took the conversation in a different direction. Rather than simply repeating the agenda of the Obama Administration and pretending that it is the same as the black agenda, Morial actually spoke to the issues that affect the black community directly. He spoke about a jobs plan for urban areas that have

14 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

Al Sharpton, Ben Jealous...from previous page large European corporations to extract resources from the people nearly free Dr. Julianne Malveaux, as an MIT of charge. educated economist, has the expertise necessary to engage in When these meetings at the White serious conversations about black House occur, they should include at unemployment. At least I speculate least some of the following people: that she knows more about the Marc Morial, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. topic than a preacher with no formal Julianne Malveaux, Dr. Wilmer Leon training in basic economics. Dr. Wilmer and perhaps even Father Michael Leon has taught classes on how the Pfleger. Rev. Jacksons 40 years of presidency works, and would therefore service cannot be erased by any be able to make recommendations that president (black, white or bi-racial) and are reasonable and fair to President the White House decision to freeze Obama. Father Michael Pfleger is a out one of our most storied civil rights long-time friend of the Obama family, leaders is nothing short of the most as well as Valerie Jarrett, and has blatant and disrespectful display of shown a consistent commitment to counter-productive cronyism. The solving problems that were previously Obama Administration refuses to deal deemed to be unsolvable (note that he with Jesse Jackson because they dont single-handedly produced a significant want to have to answer hard questions reduction in gang violence by bringing from a leader that wouldnt so easily fit the gangs together for a Peace into their pockets. Basketball Tournament in Chicago).

OPINION/EDITORIAL

The views expressed on our opinion pages are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position or viewpoint of Minority Reporter.

If the White House is going to gain any credibility in their alleged commitment to African American people, they have to take these cupcake meetings off the agenda and start doing things of real substantive value. We tried the Sharpton-Jealous-Morial-Obama meetings over the last four years and black unemployment continued to grow to the crisis levels that theyve reached today. Weve also seen no significant advances in the epidemics of mass incarceration or urban violence, proving beyond any reasonable doubt, that these meetings have been highly ineffective. When one coaching staff cant win games, you replace it with another. We cant afford to drag our feet while millions of families are suffering and children are dying in the streets. Its time for a civil rights mutiny.

The Obama Administration spent millions of dollars begging black people to stand in line and vote. They asked us to have their backs and we put it on the line unlike any other demographic in America. Now that weve shown the courage necessary to endure the political backlash of standing up for the White House to get another four years, its time for Obama and his team to return the favor. The days of this onesided relationship must come to an end and its time for this relationship to be one of mutual respect. President Obama knows this himself, and I encourage him to do the right thing. --------------------------------Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of the book, Black American Money.

Its Really Slavery!

POSITIVE! POWERFUL! CONVINCING!

(TriceEdneyWire.com) Despite the economic and social trials and tribulations that many of us face, most of us will join in the common expression of thanks for the blessings of family, friends and life during this season. Whatever our faith, well join the celebration of the winter holiday season. In truth and in our festivity, most of us are far removed from a travesty dr. E. FAyE WILLIAMs, Esq. that has plagued humankind since time immemorial. We have, unfortunately or unwittingly, turned a blind eye to the circumstance of Human Trafficking. I say unwittingly because the phrase human trafficking usually does not elicit an immediate and objectionable response. Most will question the term and ask for clarification, Trafficking of humans, what does it mean? To understand the scourge of human trafficking on an emotional level, we must reframe the term and the image that the words really reflect. We must call human trafficking what it is SLAVERY! While forced labor remains an element of human trafficking, sex slavery is the primary result of this modern slavery. Young women are bought or kidnapped and shipped to areas where networks of prostitution have been established. The victims usually live in fear with no support systemno one to whom they can turn for help. As a descendant of slaves, the condition of slavery is completely objectionable to me. On a brutally personal level, I consider the perpetrators of this offense among the lowest forms of life existing on Earth. I find it impossible to fathom how one human being can rationalize the total exploitation of the physical and emotional essence of another merely for profit. Unfortunately, like most who are familiar with this problem, Ive been at a loss to conceive of how I can make a difference as just one person. The answer to that is more obvious than would be expected. It begins with interest, concern and information. It ends with commitment, involvement and action. As early as 2004, (http://www.humantrafficking. org/events/51) Congressional Hearings were held in response to an investigative report aired in 2002 (Cleveland, Ohios Fox Affiliate WJW-TV). This report indicated that U.S. troops in South Korea were patronizing bars and other establishments where women from the Philippines and former Soviet states were trafficked and forced to prostitute themselves. The DoD IG conducted investigations in South Korea,

Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo and issued two reports assessing the U.S. militarys policies and practices with respect to activity that might fuel sex trafficking and prostitution. The reports contain numerous recommendations for action by DoD, including recommending a new department policy on trafficking. In January 2004, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz issued a policy directive on human trafficking. Wolfowitzs policy directive outlined four specific objectives, including anti-trafficking education requirements for all service members and DoD civilians serving overseas and the incorporation of language into DoD contracts for services overseas reflecting such trafficking-related prohibitions. Our national interest in human trafficking is not exclusive to the involvement of our servicemembers abroad. The U.S. State Department estimates that at least 14,500 people are trafficked to the U.S. annually. The city of Houston and the state of Texas

are considered the epicenter of human trafficking in the US. The I-10 corridor is the most heavily traveled thoroughfare for traffickers and victims of international human trafficking. A quarter of victims who are rescued in the US are rescued in Texas. President Barack Obama highlighted human trafficking at the United Nations recently. As individuals, we cannot combat a problem as wide-spread as human trafficking. However, we can become as familiar with this problem as possible and make our voices the voice of popular indignation. We can join with others to whom this problem is objectionable, and together direct the efforts of local and Federal officials to remedy this situation. -----------------------------------Dr. E. Faye Williams is Chair of the National Congress of Black Women. www.nationalcongressbw.org.

regulatory half-Life

15 :: www.Minorityreporter.net - week of december 3 - 9, 2012

OPINION/EDITORIAL
strAIgHtNO CHASER

The views expressed on our opinion pages are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the position or viewpoint of Minority Reporter.

Another Rising Star Crashes and Burns

Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is a symbol of hope. Sometimes the light at the end of a tunnel is a train headed in your direction. earned and the accomplishments not only of Jesse Jr., but of their son Jonathan, who is an international banker; his younger brother Yusef, an attorney; and sister Santita who sidestepped a singing career to become an air personality in Chicago. Jesse Jr.s upbringing and exposure to civil rights issues made him a natural to articulate the needs of our community. Whether conducting a workshop at the Congressional Black Caucus weekend, or giving a fiery speech, his approach to the many issues affecting our community has always been fact based. He is a natural eloquent speaker which made him as much of a household name as his father. His natural ability and intellect have helped to launch him and shine brightly in an arena laden with others who too have star quality. By all estimations Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. appeared to be on his way somewhere. I could even envision him of completing the job his dad began by occupying that coveted seat in the White House one day. But that dream has been obviously deferred. The knowledge, the wisdom, the grooming, the time spent appear to have been for naught. Even though some have, I know of few politicians who survive scandals and jail time and make comebacks. Hopefully, passing time will prove me wrong. God knows we cant afford to keep losing the brightest in our community. So, what happened? My guess is Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. fell into the I have arrived trap - assuming he was so entrenched that he could do anything and get away with it. Surely he has seen others do more than buy a Rolex or remodel their home with campaign funds. Something sparked the idea or gave him the confidence that he would get a way with doing something so stupid. Surely, whoever he may have seen do inappropriate things with their campaign funds, did not share his pigmentation. This is where some of my brothers get it twisted. You just cant do what the white boys do and get away with it. You have just learned to play a game that you did not make the rules to. You are a participant, not master or the creator of the game. We have seen this before with former Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, former Mayor of Detroit Kwame Kilpatrick, and former Mayor of Birmingham, Ala., Larry Langford. All were rising stars with bright futures and the kind of success and connections that guaranteed them a future in politics for a long time. Larry Langford, for instance, was on track, politically to become the first black governor of Alabama in my opinion. But something happened and he now sits in a federal prison contemplating how he got there. My guess is that Jesse Jackson, Jr., will soon reside in a federal prison for a minimum five years. Of course, I hope I am wrong but what has become clear to me is the whole bi-polar, emotional breakdown event was engineered to give his attorneys more time to address the charges about to be lodged against him. It appears the plea will not help him escape prison time. If any of the allegations that led up to the congressmans resignation are true the explanation is simply he forgot. He forgot he is a black man in America; one that may have been mentored by the best for years, one that may have responded to grooming and training effectively; but he forgot he is a black man. Possibly, he is a black man who was exposed to the game that white boys play with their campaign funds and get away with it. But he forgot Rule 1 in that arena: You cant do what they do and get away with it! It defies logic that someone who possesses his intelligence could begin to believe that misusing campaign funds would not be treated as a
---------------------------------Gloria Winston Al-Sarag is a Community Activist, Writer, Communicator, Political Activist. She is a native Rochesterian and has been involved with numerous community orgainzations in Rochester. Contact Gloria at: JazzyG4202@aol.com

serious, example setting offense. He surely forgot that his connection and support to the Obama administration irritated some folks badly. So what will happen next? Will the former congressman be able to rebound politically? My guess is yes, depending on how well he looked out for his constituents. When one can get re-elected as he just did recently; to a congressional seat that he never campaigned for, chances are his constituents love him are loyal to him and will remain so. My guess is, much like much like Marion Barry being re-elected mayor after stepping out of prison, the young disgraced congressman will be reelected because his people love him. There will no doubt be a family member taking control of the congressional seat until all is said and done. It would not surprise me if his current wife and Chicago Alderman Sandy Jackson becomes the likely candidate when a special election is held. If not her, then it is possible we will see either Yusef, or Jonathan; one of his two brothers, toss in their hat. The family is political and they have way too much clout in the Chicago area to let that seat fall into the hands of strangers. They also have far too many potential rising stars within the family to consider the congressmans resignation to mean anything other than a temporary setback because the Jackson legacy and the familys commitment to their community are not over.

gLOrIA WInstOn AL-sArAg

When I heard that Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. recently resigned from office, I heard the brakes on the train that ran him over squeal. I felt a sense of personal loss. My first thought was: Oh, no, not another one. Our communities cant afford to keep losing its rising stars to stupidity or ego driven events. I felt the same emotions I normally experience when a family member is in trouble and when I know there is nothing I can do about it; even though I would like to help them. Its no secret that I was a member of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.s national staff when he first ran for president. You dont get to be on his staff and survive the experience without being considered family. It is no secret that ever since then I have been a casual observer, constant supporter and monitor of the careers of his talented children. Just recently we brought Congressman Jackson to Rochester to keynote a recognition dinner honoring community icon and a personal friend of his family, Minister Franklin Florence. The congressman did not disappoint. And the visit to our fair city may have been one of the last public events he participated in before his health issues took precedent, and the unraveling of his career began to pick up pace. All of the children born and raised by Rev. Jesse Jackson and his wife Jackie have done well with their lives. I attribute their successes to the strong parenting skills of the Rev. Jackson, and his extraordinary wife. I have over the years watched with pride, the degrees

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