Professional Documents
Culture Documents
21
MINORITYREPORTER
from information to understanding
Beaten by Police
CALENDAR
MINORITYREPORTER
from information to understanding
may
14608 Fee: Free Event (Including Free Food-Barbecue) This event will consist of youth & adult speakers and panelists including City Council President Lovely Warren, and Moses Robinson, dynamic youth speakers, open discussion forum, educational music rapper-BREROC, singers and dancers and much more. Free Education, Free Fun, Free Food. *** Event location sponsored by the City of Rochester Recreation & Youth Services.For More Information and to Pre-Register Contact: 585- 6138167, www.karenwardwilder.com 28 The Circles God Draws: Memoirs of Ruth Holland Scott Time: 12:12pm Location: Kate Gleason Auditorium, Central Library, 115 South Ave. The Honorable Ruth Scott will share highlights from her recently published memoir, The Circles God Draws. Ms. Scott was the first woman and African American to head the 19th Ward Neighborhood Association and was the first African American woman elected to the Rochester City Council. ADMISSION: Free and open to the public, seating up to 120, wheelchair accessible
Minority Reporter
Office Address:
282 Hollenbeck Street, Rochester, NY 14621 P.O. Box 26352, Rochester, NY 14626
Events@MinorityReporter.net
Mailing Address:
Beaten by Police
24,27 Flower City Days at the Public Market Join us for Flower City Days at the Rochester Public Markets. Also 6/2 and 6/9 25 PlayDate Rochester Time: 9:00pm2:00am Location: Diplomat Party - House located at 1956 Lyell Ave PlayDate Rochester offers an environment where people whether single or married, in their 20s or in their 50s, can get a genuine interaction that breaks down the barriers typically found at a bar or nightclub. It offers nostalgic games at an affordable price.The cost to attend PlayDate Rochester is $10 before May 1st, $15 in advance, and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.playdaterochester.com. 25 The Effects Of Bullying In The 21st Century Time: 9:00 AM- 12 Noon (Middle High School Students & Guardians) Sunday, May 26, 2013- 3:00 PM6:00 PM (High School Students & Guardians) Location: Edgerton Stardust Ballroom41 Backus Street, Rochester, NY
Publisher
Dave McCleary davemc@minorityreporter.net Pauline McCleary pmccleary@minorityreporter.net Gary McLendon Editor@minorityreporter.net Catie Fiscus ArtDirector@minorityreporter.net Lisa Dumas Delani Weaver
{COVER
PG 8
art director
{LOCAL
PG 4,6
Jordan Health Center Staff Approve New Contract Local Restaurant Unkl Moes Wins Roc-Chop Challenge Food Truck Pilot Program Approved by City Council Monroe County Prepares for Click it or Ticket
Advertising
Dave McCleary Yahya Abdullah Lucy Smith-Fulmore advertising@minorityreporter.net Temple Boggs, Jr. Todd Elliott
{state
PG 10
photography Columnists
Buddy Nix Steps Down as Bills GM NY Man Finishes Writing Out Entire Bible by Hand Cuomo says $80M Will Help Local Governments Survice
{national
PG 12, 13
New FCC Chair Continues Prison Phone Battle Why the Obama Administration Must Do More to Help WorkingClass Families on Housing
Or Watch Online
www.MinorityReporter.net/broadcast
Gloria Winston Al-Sarag C. Michael Tillman Rev. Michael Vaughn Vincent Felder Diane Watkins Mike Dulaney Davy Vara Ayesha Kreutz
{COLUMNS:
PG 14-15
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.
Crack is Whack and Swan is Gone! By Gloria winston Al-sarag Foregiveness By Michael vaughn
SEND US YOUR
FEEDBACK
MinorityReporter.net
Editor@
HOME?
585.546.3700
*USE REFERENCE CODE: LH/COP
www.TheHousingCouncil.org
AvoidForeclosure@ThehousingCouncil.org
The focus of this annual event this year was Student Leadership and the School Connection. Youth and youth advocates presented a special video illustrating community youth leadership and the classroom. The theme of the evening was an exploration of the reasons why some youth who are excelling in leadership positions in the community are having a different experience at school and have difficulties in a classroom setting. The HEART Coalitions mission is to bring together a diverse group of community organizations, youth leaders, schools, parents, faith groups and business under the leadership of the City of Rochesters Department of Recreation and Youth Services. The coalition focuses on promoting a positive social norm among youth and developing youth and community assets.
Photography
BY TEMPLE BOGGS, JR
585.313.1725
When you text a driver, you take their eyes off the road for as long as it takes to drive the length of a football field at 55 mph; F.Y.I. thats
SECONDS*
Visit URthatDistracting.org
to see how you can help end distracted driving.
brandi remington
jamia mcculler
*SOURCE: DiStRaCtiON.gOV
LOCAL
covered by the union contract. They work as secretaries, receptionists, clerks, licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, medical technicians, and care managers. They are members of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
The Anthony L. Jordan Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center whose principal location is at 82 Holland Street, Rochester, NY. The Center provides primary care, dental, behavioral, WIC, and urgent care services.
Community Place is continually creating amazing events like this that enable kids and their families to play
and be healthy together, and thats what 5-2-1-0 is all about, said Urban.
888.792.9303
www.MINORITYREPORTER.net
LOCAL
Monroe County Prepares for Click It or Ticket
Monroe County will participate in a statewide Click It or Ticket enforcement effort to increase seat belt use by residents in the community May 20th through June 2nd. The County New York State Police, Monroe County Sheriffs, and municipal law enforcement agencies from across New York State will be cracking down in order to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities due to a lack of seat belt use among New Your State residents. Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks said, Wearing a seat belt has been proven to be the most effective way to reduce crash-related injuries and fatalities, Click It or Ticket is a statewide, zerotolerance law enforcement initiative designed to increase seat belt use among motorists and passengers. New York State enacted the first mandatory safety belt use law in the United States more than 25 years ago. State officials estimate that 91% of motorists consistently wear their seat belts. The Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign is projected to save nearly 150 lives and more than $400 million in taxpayer costs related to traffic crashes in New York State. Through aggressive targeting and strict enforcement, Monroe County will continue to increase the number of residents who use their seat belts, Brooks said. It is our hope that this statewide effort will decrease the rates of preventable death or injuries in motor vehicle accidents.
Take a picture.
Tyrone Muse and as Business Assurance Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. It is a privilege to lead an organization that has excelled in meeting members needs for more than 46 years, Muse said. We look forward to continuing to place our members first, being a premier employer, and a valued resource in our community.
ADOPT
Birth Date: April, 2007
is a loveable little boy who loves to prove his doctors wrong! With most of his life spent in an assisted living facility, his life expectancy was continually adjusted. Recently, Kmari moved into a home setting where he has thrived. He enjoys movies that are bright and have music, his favorite being The Lion King. Kmari is dependent on a g-tube. He is starting to try baby foods and prefers fruit. Kmari is in a special classroom with other children who have special needs. He has an IEP and receives various therapies. Kmaris caregivers cant help but fall in love with him. He knows when he feels love and needs a family who can commit to his care.
If youre interested in learning more about Kmari or other waiting children, visit: www.ChildrenAwaitingParents.org or call 585-232-5110.
Kmari
PUZZLES
If so, you may qualify for special group discounts on your insurance.
You could potentially save up to 10% on your auto and home insurance. Contact me today to see if you qualify!
Across 1. Positive point 5. Rainy 8. A la ___ (with ice cream) 12. Deli order 13. Rink surface 14. Egg cell 15. Sandwich shop 16. Aint ___ Sweet 17. Bags 18. Comeback 21. Harass 24. Actress Winona 28. Narrow way 29. Gray 32. Wish undone 33. Prior to, poetically 34. Island stringed instrument, for short 35. The whole enchilada 36. Wolfed down 37. Sponsorship 38. Fencing sword 39. Humming sound 41. Unmoving 42. Begnning to flower 46. Kind of chop 49. Broadside 50. ___ reflection 54. ____ Minor 55. Gothic time, for example 56. Shoestring 57. Broke down 58. Prize 59. Off-pitch
*Answers on page 13
Down 1. Doctors degree 2. Filmmaker Spike 3. Dot-coms address 4. Evening party 5. Smoke curl 6. Sound rebound 7. Golf pegs 8. Cash 9. Eggs 10. Nickname 11. Medical emergency team, abbr. 19. Player, in tag 20. Put to the test 21. Sheep sound 22. Third planet from the sun 23. Sarcasm 25. Cover, in a way 26. Swiss mathematician 27. Sublease 29. Summer month 30. Schuss, e.g. 31. The Pointer Sisters ___ So Shy 37. Ostrich walk-alike 38. Overwhelm 40. W.W. II ship (2 words) 41. Stylish 43. Liquid sediment 44. Be brave enough for 45. Mid-east priest 46. Chatter 47. Handling 48. Downturn 51. Sidekick 52. S.American tuber 53. Butterfly catcher
Rosa Edwards Property & Casualty Specialist MetLife Auto & Home 1350 Buffalo Road, Suite 14 Rochester, NY 14624 (585) 247-6393 redwards@metlife.com
Its so cool!
250+ undergraduate and graduate courses General Education courses Day and evening courses that fit your schedule Three convenient sessions with courses on campus and at the Rochester MetroCenter Over 60 online courses
To register, visit www.brockport.edu/ssp/summer Session I Session II Session III Special Sessions May 20 31 June 3 July 3 July 8 August 10 Dates vary
Contact the Office of Special Sessions and Programs, 240 Albert W. Brown Building at (585) 395-2900 or email summer@brockport.edu. Like us on Facebook.
Scan our code:
SummerSession 13
COVER STORY
Beaten by Police
Family and friends of local resident Benny Warr held a rally in support of him and to stand against police brutality on Saturday, May 18. * Having the district attorney drop all charges against Benny Warr; * that all officers involved in the arrest be fired from the police force; Warr, a 52-year-old African- * that the police department American man who is wheel- issue a public apology to Benny chair-bound, was beaten by Warr; Rochester police officers while * that the Rochester Police waiting for an RTS bus on May 1 Department clarify protocols for near the intersection of Jefferson arresting people with disabilities; Avenue and Bartlett Street. * that the RPD end racial profiling and the criminalization for The incident was caught on video neighborhoods of color. by a bystander and posted on Youtube.com. Warr, who pleaded not guilty to the charges in Rochester Warr was in his motorized City Court on May 14, is being wheelchair, when Rochester represented by Attorney Charles Police officers walked up to him, Burkwit. and asked him to move. After the incident, Warr was arrested Police officers arent supposed by the police officers and to be using excessive force against charged with disorderly conduct anyone, regardless of race and and resisting arrest. Warr was whether theyre disabled or not, released the next morning. Burkwit said. So what I think this case stands for is that police Rally attendees marched and officers cannot use excessive protested from the corner of force against its citizens. Jefferson Avenue and Bartlett Street to Columbia Avenue, Burkwit is currently waiting for Epworth Street and back. the blue light camera footage from the intersection where the There were several speakers incident took place. from the community as well as his family including: Dave Atias, Theres criminal charges against Felicia Abrams, Markel Miller and him for resisting arrest and Warrs wife Pastor Nina Warr, disorderly conduct and those are who was unable to comment still pending, over in Rochester under attorney advisement. City Court for Judge Steven Miller, Burkwit said. Supporters are making five demands in support of Warr and I believe its today (Monday) the fight against police brutality were serving a notice of claim which are: upon the City of Rochester
concerning Bennys civil claims that he will be making against the city of Rochester. We are scheduled to be back in court on May 30.
RPD has not made any formal comments in regards to the incident except that the incident is under internal investigation.
CALL US @ 585.301.4199
Lovely Warren the office. Warren says as Council President she enjoyed working with Richards but their roles are different. It is up to the Mayor to set the citys priorities, she said, adding, Tom Richards is a very good man, we simply see the city and its challenges through a different lens. I intend to remain in the race, and look forward to a positive and engaging campaign. Richards is quoted as saying he has a city agenda and not a political agenda and thus he does not plan to aggressively campaign.
minorityreporter.net/SUBSCRIBE
The Rochester Juneteenth Committee & Freedom Way Business Association invite you to join us and
CELEBRATE
If youre pregnant, dont drink. If you drink, dont get pregnant. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
is the leading known cause of mental retardation and is 100 percent preventable.
FREEDOM
Learn more about FASD.
Susan B. Anthony Pk
DEPAUL
state
Buddy Nix losing seasons, and havent made the playoffs in 13 seasons the NFLs longest active drought.
Governor Andrew Cuomo He said the panel is a last step before a financial control board, which under law has power to rewrite labor contracts. Local officials seek to avoid those powerful boards because the state-appointed board supersedes locally elected officials until finances are corrected. This is a viable alternative, said Jamestown Mayor Samuel Teresi. We may be one of the first municipalities in line.
The governor said local governments can choose to work with the panel or not. A local government would only have to accept the recommendations if it accepted state aid to consolidate, merge services, or take other action.
Assist in the execution of duties for the Office of the President; serve as lead staff person to all matters related to the organizational governance process. Provide assistance to the board chair. Provide counsel to the president. Requiremments: Bachelor Degree as well as 5 years of experience supporting at an executive level. Excellent oral and written communications; organizational skills; ability to work independently and exercise sound judgmnet; sensitivity to issues of confidence; comprehensive knowlwgede of Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and CRM products . EEO employer. Send resumes to: kevin.fery@uwrochester.org
Save Money on DIY Aboveground and Inground Pool Kits & Supplies Financing Available! A Great Way to Spend Time Together! Excellent Service. Fast Shipping! Family Owned & Operated Since 1990!
www.FamilyPoolFun.com
RCN Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP) field representative/Trainer:
Recruit providers, conduct in-home meal monitors monthly, process and enter data; and deliver presentations. An AAS degree in Early Childhood or a minimum of 18 credit hours. Ability to pay close attention to detail. Excellent Communication skills. Typing and Computer skills. At least six (6) months Early Child Hood Education and or Family Child Care experience. Must have own transportation. Be outgoing and sensitive to members of diverse backgrounds. Experienced in fieldwork. Previous training and or presentation experience is a plus. Bi- lingual Spanish speaking is a plus. Experience with the Refugee Population is a plus. Send All Resumes to Dorthea King-Simpson at dkingsimpson@rcn4kids.org or at Rochester Childfirst Network 941 South Ave. 14624.
Notice to Bidders: Economy Paving Co, Inc will be preparing quotations for the maintenance repairs to city bridges and various facilities in the City of Rochester to be bid on May 28, 2013. We encourage certified M/WBE firms to send Subcontract bids or material supply quotations. Please fax quotes to 607-756-4742. Plans are available at the office of the Purchasing Agent, City of Rochester, City Hall Room 105-A, 30 Church St, Rochester, NY. They can also be viewed at our office in Cortland, NY. Please call in advance for an appointment 607-756-2819.
MINORITY REPORTER (weekly - F Issue: 5/17 is next issue Size: 1 col. x 2.5 Cost: $58.83 Women in Technology - $199 plus
14623 is requesting bids for the BROOKS CROSSING STUDENT RESIDENCE Project, from subcontractors/suppliers. DiMarco Constructors LLC, an EOE, is requesting MBE/WBE participation. For information contact Estimating at 585-272-7760.
Notice of Formation of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) 1. Name of the Limited Liability Company is SHABELLE MARKETS, LLC. 2. Articles of Organization were filed with the Department of State of New York on 03/08/2013. 3. County of office: Monroe 4. The Company does not have a specific date of dissolution. 5. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent upon whom process against the Company may be served. The address to which process shall be mailed: 658 NORTH ST, Rochester, NY 14605-2233.
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
For the web portion of Rochester Technology, you may use the entire the Brockport jobsite.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Technology Support Technician
Provide computer, classroom and event technology assistance at the Metro Center. For more info and to apply, go to www.brockportrecruit.org EO/AA
Sealed bids will be received by the Rochester City School District, Department of Purchasing, First Floor, Central Administrative Offices, 131 West Broad Street, Rochester, New York 14614, at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2013, at which time and place said bids will be publicly opened and read for: WEB-BASED ONLINE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TOOLS AND RELATED MATERIALS Specifications and official bid forms may be secured from www.govbids.com. Click on the Empire State Purchasing Group link. The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any and all bids as may be in the best interests of education in the City of Rochester. Gary B. Smith, Director Procurement and Supply
ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT - estimated cost Issue: 5/12 Cost: $417.44 includes one Sunday print and 3 CareerBuilders
NATIONAL
New FCC Chair Continues Prison Phone Battle
By Stacy M. Brown (TriceEdneyWire.com) Mignon Clyburn, a veteran policymaker from the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, has been appointed acting chair of the Federal Communications Commission, the first woman to ever hold the post. Since joining the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2009, Clyburn remains a leader in the fight to reduce telephone rates for prison inmates throughout the country and, in her first interview since being appointed by President Barack Obama to her new post, she vows to continue that battle. Tens of thousands of consumers have written, emailed, and telephoned the Federal Communications Commission, pleading for relief on interstate long distance rates from correctional facilities and I intend to keep pushing this issue, said Clyburn, 51. Clyburn said that she could not discuss details regarding her recent appointment, which was announced on May 1. However, the second-term FCC commissioner is miffed that rates make it cheaper to place a cellular telephone call from as far away as Singapore than it is for an inmate to make an interstate collect call from prisons in the United States. According to data from various telephone companies, including Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint, the average cost of a call to Singapore is 12 cents per minute, while a call from prison includes a $3.95 connection fee regardless of the length of the conversation. One five-minute call from prison could be as high as $17 with the connection fee and the per minute rate can be as high as 89 cents, Clyburn said. That framework can be as high as your regular monthly phone bill. Were talking a significant amount of money for those who are least likely to be able to afford that type of engagement. All of this has motivated me to keep this fight going, she said. Clyburn, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Banking, Finance and Economics from the University of South Carolina, served as chair of South Carolinas Public Service Commission from 2002 to 2004. While Clyburn has made her mark in the public sector, she remains proud of her background in media thats where she learned to speak truth to power. It was on an African-American newspaper, the Coastal Times, in South Carolina, she said. Clyburn co-owned and operated the newspaper with her father, Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), the former House majority whip and the current Assistant Democratic Leader. Clyburn said she will continue to pressure regulators to find more affordable solutions and rates for inmates and their families. Two private companies own the service that operate all prison phone calls in the country, Global Tel*Link Corp. of Mobile, Ala., and Securus Technologies, Inc. of Dallas, Texas. A spokeswoman at Global Tel*Link and a secretary at Securus each declined comment. Officials from both companies have previously said during a conference in New York last year that the higher rates are due to the security features their technology provides, such as monitoring phone calls and blocking numbers. But, technology is readily available and not something that should translate to $15 for a 15-minute phone call, said Steven Renderos, national organizer for the Center for Media Justice in Oakland, Calif. Rates for the calls widely vary from state-to-state, but the commissions received by the phone companies and prisons are high, Renderos said. For example, in Alabama the commission rate is 61.5 percent, and this translates to families having to pay 89 cents a minute on top of the $3.95 connection fee every time a family member receives a call, said Renderos. Eight states, California, South Carolina, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Michigan, and Missouri, have banned these commissions and in those states, you see some of the lowest rates for phone calls, he said. The District of Columbia prohibits any surcharge, commission, or other financial imposition on prisoners phone calls beyond legally established phone rates, which are limited to the maximum rate determined by the Districts Public Service Commission, agency officials said. Clyburn, who in 2001 began work to reduce the rates and recruited Jesse Jacksons Operation Push to assist, said the telephone is a crucial instrument for the incarcerated, and those who care about them, because telephone usage is often the only communications option available. Maintaining contact with family and friends during incarceration not only helps the inmate, but it is beneficial to our society as a whole because there are well over two million children with at least one parent behind bars and regardless of their circumstances, both children and parents gain from regular contact with one another, said Clyburn. A major hurdle in the battle to reduce the call rates is the Almighty dollar, officials at the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) said. Last week, representatives from the CBC also signed on to help Clyburn fight the exorbitant costs of prison calls. The phone market in state prison systems is worth more than $362 million annually. Payments to governments in return for exclusive phone contracts account for an estimated 42 percent nationwide, or $152 million per year, according to a 2011 report published by Prison Legal News. Also, while telephone companies sometimes provide reduced rates for evening and nighttime calls, many prisoners dont have the luxury of scheduling phone calls during those time periods. When Louisiana issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for prison phone services in 2001, it specified that the maximum points should be awarded to the bidder who bids the highest percentage of compensation. It also stated a desire that the bidders compensation percentages be as high as possible, the study stated.
Mignon Clyburn Says Rates Are Unfair To Inmates and Families Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the Washington Informer
When the Alaska Department of Corrections issued an RFP in 2007, bidders were rated on a point system with 60 percent of the evaluation points assigned to cost. Some of Americas prisons are privately owned and publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), meaning that they are for-profit businesses and pay dividends to shareholders. Cornell Companies Inc. (whose NYSE symbol is CRN), Corrections Corp. of America (CXW) and Geo Group Inc. (GEO), are the three companies that own prisons in the U.S. Cornell, which operates in 15 states and the District of Columbia, is currently trading at $29.45 a share. Stock for Corrections Corp., the largest owner of partnership correction and detention facilities and one of the largest prison operators in the United States, is trading at $37.07. Located in Boca Raton, Fla., the Geo Group is trading at $37.92 a share and the company is expected to release its first quarter financials on May 9. Im optimistic on a number of fronts, Clyburn said. Our office has constantly ensured that this process of reducing the rates is one that is dynamic and moving forward, she said. The more people who are aware of whats going on, the better because there isnt anyone, myself included, who hasnt had this type of engagement. We all know or are related to someone who has been or is currently incarcerated and a lot of people still dont realize how significant of an economic impact this has on poor families.
NATIONAL
Why the Obama Administration Must Do More to Help Working-class Families on Housing
By Brent Wilkes WASHINGTON (TriceEdneyWire.com) - By many accounts, the economy is prospering again and the housing market is on the road to recovery. But, reality is nowhere near as comforting as fiction, and the facts point to a very different reality faced by working families and minority communities, especially in the barrios. The Great Recession pushed millions of willing workers off the labor force, put many others in lower paying or multiple jobs, and communities are still reeling from assets lost. At a time when we should be discussing how to stimulate our economy and job growth, many policymakers seem to only want to discuss how to mimic European austerity measures. The regressive nature of our economic recovery has not gone unnoticed in our communities. We hear it every day from friends and family members, and in Washington D.C. we see it in reports like the one issued by Joseph A. Smith, who heads the Office of Mortgage Settlement Oversight. Mr. Smith oversees the agreement between 49 state attorneys general and the nation's largest lenders to provide up to $25 billion in relief to borrowers who lost their homes to foreclosure. Yet, his report shows that many lenders are instead pushing homeowners to sell, resolving subordinated debt entanglements to drive owners toward short sales, and avoiding principal modifications at all costs. More recently, attorneys general detailed how lenders grossly underreported the extent of their fraud and misdealing. There is no shortage of scathing reviews that show lenders dragging their feet on modifying mortgages, and regulators fumbling their responsibilities while trusting those very same lenders to police themselves. The fact is that housing is hot again and investors want inventory. Which inventory exactly? Those would be the homes that were previously or are currently owned by modest wage families and across many communities of color. There is also a big investor driven effort to commercialize renting. If you think that's a good idea, ask working families in Providence, Rhode Island where it is all too common for families to spend, at a minimum, fifty percent of their take home pay on rent. There's no doubt that banks are working hard to settle liabilities to process more foreclosures, and many more homeowners that may yet lose their home as the allure of profits take hold. What is so frustrating is that there is so much the government could do to provide relief, like utilizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for principal reductions and modifications, but holdovers of the Bush Administration refuse to act. Indeed, regulators and agencies on the front lines of housing finance have so little diversity within their ranks that it is not even clear that they genuinely understand the plight of ordinary citizens, and especially minorities. That can be seen in proposed changes that would benefit Wall Street over Main Street, raise down payments and make it more difficult for anyone except the wealthiest to own a home. From policies that have already been approved like the Qualified Residential Mortgage rule to ideas like privatizing Fannie and Freddie, these all undermine the American Dream of homeownership that is so important to working wage families. We need positive solutions, and increasing the inventory of affordable rental housing is absolutely important, but it should complement the policies that allow families to own a home, build roots in their community and depend on those assets for their children's education, starting a business and retirement. There are too many private interests actively lobbying to privatize the GSEs and therefore carve out the most profitable pieces, like multifamily, for themselves. At the same time, they want to shift the government guarantee from GSEs to instead guaranteeing large too-big-to-fail financial institutions. We cannot allow the laws that helped build the post-WWII middle class, in part through homeownership, to disappear. Or worse, to turn the institutions and laws that help average and minority families own a home into yet another subsidy for Wall Street. It is too easy to forget that many of these laws and institutions that would be upended helped tear down redlining and the obstacles that prevented minorities from owning homes, and promoted community reinvestment and home mortgage disclosures that helped working families with little access to credit. Now, those that would undo a generation's worth of progress are cynically claiming that their efforts are meant to help minorities, but we know better. Latino families are deeply interested in this discussion. And, while Treasury may have few officials that understand the plight of our community, we will continue to demand more accountability. Because we will not
allow the aspirations of working wage and Latino families on credit access and homeownership to take a back seat to moneyed interests angling for a good return on investment. We simply cannot allow that to happen, again. Brent Wilkes is Executive Director of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation's largest and oldest civil rights volunteerbased organization that empowers
Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. America's Wire is an independent, nonprofit news service run by the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education. Our stories can be republished free of charge by newspapers, websites and other media sources. For more information, visit www.americaswire.org or contact Michael K. Frisby at mike@ frisbyassociates.com.
PLTI is now recruiting for the Fall 2013 class. The class runs for 20 weeks starting in September. No charge for selected parents. Dinner and child care provided each week; transportation provided if needed. APPLICATIONS BEING TAKEN UNTIL MAY 28, 2013. We are looking for parents of a mix of income levels, education levels, and race & ethnicities from the Rochester, Brighton, Irondequoit, Gates-Chili, and Greece school districts.
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.
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.
Forgiveness
This weeks article is a departure from what I have been sharing in the past. However, it indeed has a tie-in with what we face in this day and time. While considering what to write about, I decided that we as a society need to check ourselves and make sure that we walk in forgiveness. We have to be a people that are quick to forgive. There is a difference between forgiving and forgetting. Most times when people mention forgiving the idea that we should forget also comes up. That is just ludicrous. Who can forget Sandy-Hook, 9-11, Aurora, Colorado, or Columbine? These are events that are etched in our collective memory forever. Forgiveness does not necessarily cause you to forget, it takes away the pain of the situation and allows us to move on and lead the lives that God intended for us. Unforgiveness keeps us bound to the person(s) and the situation where the hurt was done. As such, it eats away at us and makes us less human in that we stop releasing compassion as we become bitter and revenge and hatred can enter in. Joyce Meyer has said that unforgiveness is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die. It hurts the one that harbors the unforgiveness, not the one that did the damage! It was concerning to me that people of Boston did not want the body of the bombing suspect buried in their area. What that man did was heinous and if he would have lived, he should have gotten the death penalty. However, what benefit is received for people to stand against having that body buried in their area? If they do not release that man in their hearts, he will have a continual impact on their lives many years beyond the grave that he is in; and many years beyond the horror that he inflicted. As a people we have to be strong and do the hard thing, follow the biblical example. When Jesus was falsely accused and was on the cross being crucified, He said to the father, relative to those that were killing him: Father forgive them for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34; KJV). He would not allow bitterness to well up in his heart, he released them! He is our example and we have to have the strength to forgive people, even those that have done us the most wrong. I am not saying that it is easy nor am I saying that we need to be lenient for anyone that perpetrates a crime against us. They need to be prosecuted to the fullest extend of the law! However, Im saying that we have to muster up the strength to forgive. By forgiving, we exercise a very unique quality that is only available to human beings. Do not harbor bitterness, anger, or hatred against those that have harmed you. You do not want to become like them, hard, hateful, frustrated, angry. Releasing them through forgiveness negates their power in your life and frees you to move forward to accomplish you God-given purpose in spite of what they did to you to try and stop you. Forgiveness is your key to moving forward!
C. MICHAEL VAUGHN
There is so much hurt that people do to one another and we can harbor very ill feelings towards people, and that makes us a hard society that can do anything to people, and have no compassion. No doubt the man that killed those innocent children and teachers in Connecticut as well as the man that ambushed the West Webster firemen had no compassion in their hearts. There is no way that someone can do what these individuals did and have compassion on people. Somewhere along the way they allowed bitterness and hatred to set up in their hearts and make them numb to life itself. This unfortunately is a trend that we see in our society. The Boston bombing; the New Orleans shooting; the Cleveland kidnapping situation; young people killing parents; parents killing infants; there is too much bitterness and hatred going around and it is dangerous to our society.
Austerity station
be heard
MINORITYREPORTER.NET
EDITOR@
2ND ANNUAL
EACH AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY IS A PAGE IN AMERICAN HISTORY - DR. DAVID SANKOFA ANDERSON AKWAABA-THE HERITAGE ASSOCIATES
PRESENTED BY THE MAAFA CELEBRATION COMMITTEE IN COLLABORATION WITH AKWAABA - THEHERITAGE ASSOCIATES , SOUTHWEST AREA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION [SWAN] AND THE ROCHESTER GENEOLOGY SOCIETY
GENEOLOGY CONFERENCE
SATURDAY JUNE 1, 2013 9AM - 5PM WILSON ACADEMY | 200 GENESEE STREET ROCHESTER, NEW YOrk
AFRICAN AMERICAN
MAAFA CELEBRATION COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT [THE MAAFA CELEBRATION COMMITTEE PROVIDES AN ANNUAL DAY OF REMEMBERANCE, AS WE LL AS EDUCATIONAL ACTIVIES AND PROGRAMS THAT FOSTER RESPECT FOR UNDERSTANDING THE HISTORY, CULTURE, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DECENT WORLDWIDE
tree?...
Please Contact Diane Sheffield @ 585.313.3685 // Djed Snead @ 585.748.7727 for further information