september 2 - 8 2013

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MINORITYREPORTER
from information to understanding

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In This Issue:
september 2 - 8 2013
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CALENDAR

MINORITYREPORTER
from information to understanding

september
for AIDS/HIV, osteoporosis, breast health, heart disease, stroke risk, dental problems, diabetes, glaucoma, kidney disease, lead poisoning, mental health issues and skin and colon cancer.Physicians and mid-level care providers will be on site throughout the event for screenings and to answer questions. ASL interpreters will be available. 7 Clothesline Arts Festival Time: 9:00am-5:00pm Location: Memorial Art Gallery Grounds Rochesters largest and longestrunning fine art and crafts festival! Its now the place to experience all-day live entertainment, sample food from some of Rochesters favorite vendors, enjoy free family art activities, visit the museum, and of course, browse and buy original artwork throughout the grounds. 13 Hispanic Heritage Month 2013 Kickoff Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm Location: City Hall Atrium, 30 Church St Join Rochesters Hispanic Heritage Committee as we kickoff another great month of activities to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

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{COVER
Pianos for Peace

PG 7

4 Voice of the Citizen - Budgeting for Public Safety Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm Location: 530 Webster Avenue The Voice of the Citizen (VOC) series is a tool used by the City to reach out to residents for their input when it comes to issues that matter to them, like the budget and public safety. In 2013, Mayor Richards held two VOC series that generated ideas on filling the budget gap and on reducing violence. 5 Voice of the Citizen - Budgeting for Public Safety Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm Location: Danforth Community Center The Voice of the Citizen (VOC) series is a tool used by the City to reach out to residents for their input when it comes to issues that matter to them, like the budget and public safety. In 2013, Mayor Richards held two VOC series that generated ideas on filling the budget gap and on reducing violence. 7 Womens Health Screening Fair at the Public Market Time: 9:00am-1:00pm Location: Rochester Public Market The fifth-annual fair will offer a variety of free health screenings to adult women from ages 18 to 80, including tests

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{LOCAL

PG 3 - 5

art director

Wade Norwood Leads Healthy by Choice to Promote Healthy Living Bermann Associates Offers Opportunity for Stem Career Seekers East Aurora Christian Church Welcomes New Pastor Mayor Richards on Possible Seneca Nation Casino Rochester Receives Grant to Fight Childhood Hunger Mayor Richards to Rename Manhattan Square Park

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{state

PG 6

Disabled NY Man Dragged off Bus Cleared of Charges NY Offering $500,000 Community Grants to Schools NY Pension Contribution Costs Lowered

Gloria Winston Al-Sarag C. Michael Tillman Rev. Michael Vaughn Vincent Felder Diane Watkins Mike Dulaney Davy Vara Ayesha Kreutz

{national

PG 10 - 12

Reflections on 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington Some School Districts Quit Healthier Lunch Program

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.

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LOCAL
Rochester is focusing on healthy living with Healthy by Choice, a series of health-oriented programs that will be led by Wade Norwood, a recently appointed key city advisor on healthrelated matters. All of the citys core functions, from public safety to economic development, to recreation and zoning enforcement, share the common goal of giving our citizens an opportunity to live safe, healthy and productive lives, said Mayor Richards. Healthy by Choice recognizes that city services play an important role in keeping our citizens healthy and that we can multiply the value of those services if we work in concert with our incredible partners in the health community. Norwood will be working with community health organizations and services to provide city residents, especially children, with better access to health services and programs. There are many great programs and services in our community that benefit children and families, but the need is to work to break down the silos and tie these efforts together, said Norwood. I will be tying my efforts to education so you will see an emphasis on lead poisoning prevention, nutrition, the built environment and physical and mental activity, including career and technical education. The first phase of the initiative will be a review and categorization of current city policies and practices that contribute to or improve community health. Norwood will be working to increase the rates of city children ages one and two being tested for lead poisoning, organizing increased participation of summer meals and working with the city and FLSHA to review and recommend changes to city policy that could improve public health. This

3 www.minorityreporter.net | september 2 - 8 | 2013

Wade Norwood Leads Healthy by Choice to Promote Healthier Living

Test again at
Wade Norwood Photo Credit: City of Rochester may include changes to city codes regulating neighborhood grocery stores, residential speed limits and littering. The Greater Rochester Health Foundation, which supports the Rec on the Move mobile recreation centers, is one program that has already begun. As part of the initiative, the city will review and inventory its practices that currently impact public health and identify them as Healthy by Choice programs to increase community involvement in healthy lifestyles. These will range from the citys lead inspections to its complete streets policies and recreation programs. Another example of potential city partnerships under Healthy by Choice is Rochester Has HEART (Health Engagement and Action for Rochesters Transformation), which includes the city, county, University of Rochester, FLSHA, FoodLink and the YMCA.

Lead paint poisons more than 300 kids in Monroe County every year. The damage to their brains and bones is permanent. Make sure your children are tested at one and again at two years old. Have your home tested today. You can get the information you need to protect your children. Call 585-224-3125. Or visit www.letsmakeleadhistory.org.

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ADOPT
Birth Date: February, 2000

is athletic and always game to play any sport. Indoor hobbies include playing video games, reading Diary of A Wimpy Kid, watching Spongebob on television and watching movies like The Smurfs. Favorite board games include Sorry, Mancala and Monopoly. Travino is sometimes quiet, somewhat serious and often silly. He can be very helpful, respectful and fun to be around. Travino has an abundance of energy! With his Photograph by Lori Griffith commitment and dedication to his schoolwork, and the support of a tutor, Travino has raised his scores by two whole grades! He hopes to find a forever family who will be proud of his accomplishments, no matter how big or small. He hopes they will support him and make him feel confident in achieving his goals. Travino also longs for a family who will compliment him and make him feel special, even though he feels shy and a bit embarrassed when they do. Travino enjoys Christian rap and hopes to join a family of the same faith and values. He loves dogs and would love a family with pets. If youre interested in learning more about Travino or other waiting children, visit: www.ChildrenAwaitingParents.org or call 585-232-5110.

Travino

4 www.minorityreporter.net | september 2 - 8 | 2013

LOCAL
Bergmann Associates Offers Opportunity for STEM Career Seekers
With the conditions of the economy and the rate of unemployment, its just as hard for people who have a college degree to find a job as it is for those who do not. As a result, New York State is trying to promote careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as STEM careers. Local architectural design firm Bergmann Associates is helping with the push by offering minority females an opportunity for employment. Young, minority females are being sought after for an 18-month paid internship with Bergmann Associates where they will be paired with a mentor. Each intern will be responsible for assisting in the preparation, changes and corrections of red-lined drawings, learning complete basic math function, and using sketches and layouts to generate figures, graphs, charts, overlays and drawings using computer aided drafting (CAD). This position is offering $16 to $18 per hour. A high school diploma is required, while an associates degree in engineering technology and basic knowledge of CAD software is preferred but not required.

East Aurora Christian Church Welcomes New Pastor

Descending from a long line of ministers and preachers, Rev. Julius D. Jackson, will carry on that legacy as the new pastor at East Aurora Christian Church. Jackson was inaugurated during worship service Sunday, followed by a reception afterward. It was beautiful, Jackson said. The church was filled with about 300 people. People from East Aurora, Rochester, Buffalo. It was just beautiful. Jackson will be taking over for longtime Pastor Amos Acree, who retired two years ago. In the interim until Jacksons official beginning, Pastor Ken Neal has lead the church. With the church quickly approaching its 170th anniversary in October, Jackson hopes to incorporate new and trending ideas of society into the church, such as spreading news about the church through social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, while maintaining the traditions of music, prayer and preaching. With this new regime, Jackson hopes that the church will continue to attract new members while keeping their current members current. We all tend to ask for change, we tend to cling to things and patterns that were used to, even when were crying out for change, he said. Im always expecting some brand or form of resistance. That goes with the territory to bring change. The people here, with the changes Ive brought so far, have been very accepting. Rochester native, Jackson never intended to be a pastor, let alone the leader of a church. He was a player in the corporate world in Florida after graduating from college with a degree in business administration. After returning to Rochester to care his ailing father who was also a preacher, Jackson dedicated himself to Christian ministry, entered and then graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School May 18 of this year. Entering the world of ministry so late in life, this will be Jacksons first time leading. He said he brings the experience of real world situations and lessons learned from his corporate life that he can apply to his ministry and make more relatable to the average person. Being able to live outside the ivory tower, I think that the real world is a great training ground to be able to relate to people, Jackson said. So often, our preachers cant relate to everyday life for everyday people such as temptations and the challenges of life, unemployment, the economy. Traditionally, pastors have a chain of command a member must go through well before they come in contact with pastor. Jacksons vision is to make the church more people friendly and welcoming as well as himself. The sign in front of the building now announces East Aurora Christian Church as a Center for Christian Living. He wants to open up the church to the community for concerts, dinners, community outreach programs, classes and a youth caf providing Wi-Fi, music and fellowship amongst teens. He also will installing equipment in the church to record worship services on video, making it more convenient for members who cannot attend due to work or other circumstances. We need to have more youth input for the ministry, to make it more an inviting place for our youth, Jackson said. This probably the more unchurched generation that Ive ever seen. I grew up in church every day and we were expected to be there. There are so many other things going on and church takes a back seat. Something happens and people say, Ill just not go this Sunday. Jackson is well known in the Rochester community. He founded the Rev. J.D. Jackson, Sr. Memorial Foundation, Inc. to honor his late father in 1999. The foundation has awarded five scholarships and initiated a website and newsletter entitled, Marching On. The Rochester Urban League and True Networking Thursdays (TNT) have awarded him for his community service and networking efforts and he has written articles for Rochesters newspaper, the Democrat and Chronicle, Minority Reporter and About Time Magazine. Jackson graduated from the United Way-sponsored African American Leadership Development Program and participated in the March of Dimes Walk America and the Muscular Dystrophy Associations Annual Lock-up. He has served as a judge for the New Bethel C.M.E. Church and Friends of Frederick Douglass oratorical contests.

Rev. Julius D. Jackson East Aurora is not a town that is known for its diversified community. Its safe to say that Rev. Jackson is the first ever full time clergyman in East Aurora who is black. Aurora isnt known for diversity, he said. Ive dealth with it in the corporate world, minorities were the minority. I think that were realizing that we need to mirror the real world and our outreach and be diverse. Its groundbreaking on both ends, and its a step out on faith for them as much as it is for me. Having been here since may 10th, its been a beautiful experience. When asked what he wants his congregation and community to know, Jackson had this it say: I am hoping that were a catalyst for the lord and the blueprint for what he plans to do in the future. I hope the church can be the beacon of justice for our community and for the world. What were doing here in the micro level, we hope will grow in the macro level, multigenerational, multicultural and we hope the world will mirror that. All white institutions are not all racist and vice versa. Im a firm believer that serotypes contribute to a lot of the foolishness that goes on in the world. That when we go to the grocery store with our hoodies and our skittles, that we dont be seen as a threat. I believe that if Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin had known each other, then that would have never happened.

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LOCAL
Mayor Richards on Possible Seneca Nation Casino
Development plans for an offreservation casino to be built in Henrietta have begun with a partnership between the Seneca Nation of Indians and Flaum Rochester, LLC. Mayor Thomas Richards issued a statement expressing his opinion of the proposed casino. I believe there will ultimately be a casino in our community, Richards said. While the Senecas do have exclusive rights to put a casino in our area, they do not have the authority to do so without further State Legislature action. Currently there are two casinos, one in Buffalo and one in Niagara Falls. Richards said he understands that a

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PUZZLES

casino would change the community and it is a decision where the advantages and disadvantages need to be thoroughly discussed. I have said in the past that I do not favor a casino, Indian or otherwise, in our Central Business District, Richards said. I have said I am open to discussing locating a casino in the city of Rochester following a rigorous vetting that includes community discussion and input. I am mindful that a casino in any part of our city would change the nature and character of that area. Furthermore, whether located in the city or elsewhere in the county, any casino would place new demands on infrastructure and public safety that would need to be accounted for. I have not had any recent discussions with the Seneca Nation about a city casino. Across 1. Moose 4. Meat on a stick 9. Wrong __ of the stick 12. Barbies beau 13. Make amends (for) 14. Paltry amount 15. Adams partner 16. Roman shields 17. Low card 18. Right on! 20. Puppy-love 22. Say cheese! 24. Drivers location 26. Online sales channel 29. Statistic 31. Affairs 32. Caricature 33. Biblical mountain 34. Pigeon coop 35. Youre it game 36. Woman who tells fortunes 37. Bird homes 39. Wildcat 42. Show ___ 44. Nigerian 46. Vein contents 48. Victorian ___ 49. State in India 50. Musical aptitude 51. Roadside sign 52. Young seal 53. Caustic substanc Down 1. Barely manage, with out 2. Impose 3. Leg joint 4. Native a of a region on the IndiaPakistan border 5. Plus the others 6. Fabric of uneven yarn 7. Cavern, in poetry 8. Merci ___coup 9. Attractive 10. This instant 11. Twosome 19. Allay 21. Majestic 23. ___ in his kiss 25. Madrid and Paris cash 26. Occupied a certain position 27. Give out 28. Windfalls 29. Miners light (2 words) 30. NY baseballer 32. Show grief 34. Neglect 36. Secret supply 38. Irish playwright 40. Yuletide 41. Bone picture 42. Plead for 43. Portfolio part, in brief 45. Baseballs Maglie 47. It comes before long

Rochester Receives Grant to Fight Childhood Hunger

Rochester has been awarded a $44,000 grant to support the fight against childhood hunger in the Rochester community. Funding came from the Wal-Mart Foundation and a partnership between the National League of Cities (NLC), and the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). Ending childhood hunger is important to the city of Rochester and I would like to thank those funding the CHAMPS Initiative as well as those who chose Rochester as one of the cities to receive a grant, said Mayor Richards. This grant will help to support the children in our community by giving more of them access to the summer and afterschool programs providing healthy meals. The CHAMPS initiative will also provide us with one-on-one technical assistance, customized to our community needs. Increasing participation in summer meals by 20 percent in 2014 over 2013; increasing the number of summer meal sites in underserved neighborhoods and increasing Foodlinks provision of afterschool meals by approximately 3,000 meals and snacks per day in school year 2013-14 is the goal behind the grant. The grant will run from September 2013 to July 2014, and will cover costs of equipment to supply more meals, nutrition education materials, and outreach to increase awareness, including a 2014 community kick-off event. Rep. Louise Slaughter said, We know that childrens education doesnt stop at the school house door and neither does their appetite. With the unfortunate reality of a sluggish economy and a high unemployment rate, thousands of children rely on school meals as their only food of the day. Thanks to the federal government, the city, and the nonprofit sector working together, our kids wont lose this lifeline during the summer months.

Mayor Richards to Rename Manhattan Square Park

Mayor Richards announced that he will begin the process of renaming Manhattan Square Park in Downtown as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Square Park. Manhattan Square Park is in the heart of our Downtown. It is a place where families come and enjoy the shade trees and green space, the fountain and spray park on a hot day or gather for concerts and festivals. In winter people love to use the ice rink. In short, it is a gathering place for all of our diverse residents - just as Dr. King envisioned 50 years ago. I can think of no better place in Rochester to bear his name and to honor his memory. Rochester is known for being home to such freedom fighters as Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass and it is fitting that we honor Dr. King in this way, Richards said.

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STATE

Disabled NY man dragged off bus cleared of charges

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - Prosecutors have dropped charges against a disabled central New York man who was shocked with a stun gun by police and dragged off a public bus after he refused to sit down. Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick told local media outlets Thursday hes troubled by a video of the May 3 encounter between 35-year-old Brad Hulett and Syracuse police. He also decided there wasnt enough evidence to support the charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Huletts lawyer has filed notice hell sue the city, county and the transit system over the episode, which left Hulett with a broken hip. Hulett has said he was standing because previous injuries made sitting difficult. Police and other officials have declined to comment because of the pending lawsuit.

NY offering $500,000 community grants to schools

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York officials say they are making grants available to schools in distressed areas so they can provide support services for children and their families including health care, counseling, nutrition and employment help. Administration officials say that in the first round, about 30 schools will be selected to get grants up to $500,000 each over three years. They say its part of the program Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in January meant to provide critical academic, health, social services and extracurricular activities mainly in school buildings. The State Education Department plans to accept applications until Sept. 18 with selections in the early in the 201314 school year and services expected to start during that year.

NY pension contribution costs lowered

MICHAEL GORMLEY ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has unexpectedly lowered the employer contributions to the pension system made by governments, school districts and their taxpayers, which have all been slammed by years of pension cost increases. The surprise move for the 201415 fiscal year will be a welcome break for governments and schools that have been bracing for another increase. Those pension costs, along with dwindling populations and tax revenues, are driving some local governments toward insolvency, although none has declared bankruptcy as have some municipalities in other states. The business group Unshackle Upstate immediately tweeted that the move is not enough. We need reform measures. The group has sought much deeper cuts in the pension contributions of governments and school districts to relieve pressure on taxpayers paying some of the nations highest property taxes and to help spur the economy. Acting on a recommendation in the latest five-year analysis by Buck Consultants of New York City and on his actuaries advice, DiNapoli lowered the employee contributions by about 1 percentage point, when governments feared they would have increased by that much or more. The government and school cost of the pension is about 20 percent of payroll. The state pension covers workers in state government and most local governments and schools outside New York City. The reduction will be about eighttenths of 1 percentage point for those workers, and 1.3 percent for the states Police and Fire Retirement System, a separate pension system. The data from the latest five-year review as well as recent gains in Wall Street investments that recovered losses from the recession make the reduction possible, DiNapoli told The Associated Press. Strong gains over the last four years have mitigated some of the impact of the financial market collapse of 20082009, he said. Strong investment performance, along with a revision in actuarial smoothing, has lowered the contribution rate. The New York State Association of Counties warned as recently as Sunday of another expected pension contribution increase. Its a cost that has been vexing local governments and school districts since the recession and forced increases in what were already some of the nations highest property taxes. We are still paying for when the bottom fell out of the stock market in 2008, said Orange County Executive Ed Diana, the associations president. We cant overstate the impact that these increases have had on every single municipality in New York. In 2011, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature created a new, less expensive tier of pensions for new hires to reduce the future cost to governments and schools. The state constitution prohibits lowering the pension benefits of workers and retirees already in the $158 billion pension system. This year, Cuomo also proposed, and

the Legislature approved, a plan to lower current costs even more than DiNapolis plan by offsetting them against anticipated lower costs when the economy rebounds. DiNapoli had questioned that approach, and some local leaders, led by Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, called it risky borrowing against a rosier future that may not materialize. DiNapolis current proposal is more conservative and based on gains in Wall Street investments already received and on an analysis by the independent consultant. The change combines equity assets and non-equity assets, rather than separating them as has been done in the past. That serves to smooth out gains and losses and provides a dependable, and in this case, less expensive bottom line cost, DiNapoli said.

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cover story

By Delani Weaver Do you love music? Have you ever wanted to play the piano? If so, then hopefully youve have the chance to debut your musical talent all around the city throughout the month of

August with Pianos for Peace, thanks to a student from both the University of Rochester and the Eastman School of music who believes that music can unite a community and promote peace.

The student, Marissa Balonon-Rosen who created and organized the project, wanted to fill the streets of Rochester with music from 10 donated pianos that are currently placed on sidewalks around the city for the month of August. A year ago, my junior year of college, I was studying abroad in Paris and saw a painted piano on the sidewalk, Rosen said. Being a musician, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. I did research and I found that all over the world people do this. As a musician that grew up in Rochester, I thought this was great thing to do. To spread peace through music. These upright and baby grand pianos were placed in several different neighborhoods such as the Danforth Community Center and were free to be played by anyone. Neighborhoods that dont have access to pianos and the arts were the focus location of the painos installation, so members of that neighborhood can express themselves creatively or just place their hands on a piano for the first time. They were also placed in heavy traffic locations such as Frontier Field and the Public Market. Employees from Sheridan Brothers Moving, a local moving company, volunteered to move the pianos from a warehouse to the sidewalks and installed them in the designated locations.

We got the piano from different families and organizations that were looking to get rid of their pianos. I said why not donate them to the project, Rosen said. Local artists, students, community members, and youth of the city displayed what peace meant to them by painting the pianos. A jar was place on each piano so residents could suggest ways to make Rochester a more peaceful place. Ideas that are sorely needed with the amount of violent crimes that have taken place this summer. Following a theme of peace, Rosen said the idea is to bring music and see peoples interpretations of peace. At the end of the month, all the pianos were collected and moved to the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence in Rochester to create an outdoor Piano Park exhibition on South Plymouth Avenue with lectures on peace and free piano lessons. Other events centered on community peace and unity including free piano lessons, community concerts, yoga and lectures about non-violence will be coming to the Rochester area through the project.

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feature

63 March on Washington
By Gregory Dale (TriceEdneyWire.com) Tens of thousands of demonstrators convened in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial Aug. 24 to demand justice and jobs in an emotional and peaceful commemoration of the historic 1963 March on Washington. Themed aNational Action to Realize the Dream, the March on Washington 2013, and a rally before the march, paid homage to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who delivered his famous I Have a Dream speech on the very spot 50 years ago. Many in the crowd carried signs extolling the wrong done to Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, who was first killed by George Zimmerman, then became the victim of character assassination by some who believed that his killer was right to shoot the unarmed Black teenager. Among the hottest selling souvenirs were T-shirts emblazoned with Trayvons image. His mother, Sybrina Fulton, spoke during the program; she was accompanied by his father, Tracy Martin, and several loved ones. Many of the nations best known and most-loved and respected Black leaders took the stage, including U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder; Martin Luther King, III; Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of martyred civil rights activist Medgar Evers; the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, who drew thunderous applause and cheers when he was recognized for his service to African Americans struggle for freedom by the Rev. Al Sharpton, one of the events organizers; and Dr. Joseph Lowery, the SCLC co-founder who urged the crowd to agitate, using the same action word Frederick Douglass used to urge Blacks to action more than 120 years ago. Everything has changed and nothing has changed, Lowery said, as the dignitaries on the dais prepared to take to the street in a march to the Washington Monument. We came to Washington to commemorate, but we are going home to agitate. on talking and keep on educating, he said in a tone that eerily mirrored his fathers a half-century ago. King III called for a new plan to provide jobs in the wake of a struggling economy as he urged an end of senseless violence around the country. No more Newtowns, no more Columbines and no more violence in Chicago, he told the crowd, drawing applause. Sharpton, leader of the National Action Network, took the stage with a call to action of his own. We believe in a new America! he said. Its time to march for a new America! Sharpton harkened back to the original march. Fifty years ago, some came to Washington and rode on the back of busses. Some couldnt stay in hotel rooms and had to sleep in cars, he said. Today, Blacks have access to hotels and public transportation, but so much more still eludes them, leaders said. Sharpton later urged generations young and old to come together to fight against the injustices and social ills that plague Black progress. Sharpton and King were the key organizers of the event, pulling more than 40 groups together under the umbrella of a commemoration of the 1963 march. Included in this event were Sharptons National Action Network, the Service Employees International Union, the NAACP and the American Federation of Teachers. While the often thunderous oratory centered on overcoming racism and injustice, speaker after speaker fired out at unemployment, the erosion of voting rights, gun violence, the lack of womens rights and the need for immigration reform. D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray, one of the speakers at the pre-march rally, also spoke earlier in the day at a rally for D.C. statehood

City of Rochester

Budgeting for Public Safety

of the citizen

Your Neighborhood.

Your Projects.

Turning Ideas into Action with Direct Decision-making Power Join Mayor Thomas S. Richards to offer your ideas for projects to improve public safety in your neighborhood. Dates and Locations: 6 pm to 8 pm Mon., Aug. 26: Edgerton Community Center, Stardust Ballroom, 41 Backus St. Wed., Sept. 4: Thomas P . Ryan Community Center, 530 Webster Ave. Thurs., Sept. 5: Danforth Community Center, 200 West Ave. Mon., Sept. 16: Carter St. Community Center, 500 Carter St.
Outside the city call 428-5990

Organizers estimated the crowd at 100,000men, women, children, Black, White, Latino, Asian, straight, gay and bi-sexual, Protestant, Catholic and agnostic. The common denominator among participants was a desire to see all citizens in this nation treated equally. King III, who was a small child when his father was assassinated just five years after the 1963 March on Washington, urged the crowd, with the sun shining on a picture-perfect day, to continue the quest for his fathers dream of justice and jobs. We need to keep on walking, keep

Questions? Call 311

www.cityofrochester.gov/youdecide

9 www.minorityreporter.net | september 2 - 8 | 2013

feature

held at the National War Memorial, also on the National Mall. For those returning to the scene of the historic gathering 50 years, the talk was of unfinished business. We have more poverty in D.C. than we had 50 years ago, said D.C. Council member and former mayor Marion Barry, whose political career was forged by his role as a leader of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in the 1960s and

1970s. He added that today there is more unemployment, more homeless and more poor people. Weve got a long way to go. The youth contingent was typified by Kayla Williams, 22, of Buffalo, N.Y. Its about re-walking the steps and taking the steps to not only remember the fight for justice and equality 50 years ago, but continue it as well, she told the AFRO. It goes to show that there are still things that we need to

fight for. And taking the steps that my forebearers took is very important to me. Among those in the crowd were new citizens., including Eva Ablorh, 63, who currently lives in Northern Virginia, but is originally from Ghana. Im not originally from this country, but when I immigrated here, I realized that people have gone through a whole lot to be able to fit into this society, she said. Their work is still

not done. The march is very important because it is a reminder to the younger generation that there is something to be serious about. They need to stand up and [carry] the mantle forward. People have suffered and died to get to where we are right now.
Pictures courtesy of Geena Cruz and Ove Overmyer

10 www.minorityreporter.net | september 2 - 8 | 2013

NATIONAL

Reflections on 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

By Delani Weaver August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. stood before hundreds of thousands of people and delivered his historic I Have a Dream speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington. This speech touched on jobs, freedom, civil rights, education and equal opportunity; and is considered the pinnacle of the event. It has been 50 years since the historic event took place, and Americans from all over the nation will be observing the anniversary and reflecting on the changes that have been made in American society since the march. Ayesha Kreutz, president of the Frederick Douglas Foundation of New York, said she believes that Dr. King would have a different message for the nation today. I think we have a different message for the 21st century, Kreutz said. I dont think that the same issues that they faced then are the same issues that we face today. Not saying that theres no racism. Racism will be there until the end of time until Jesus comes home. Were never going to get rid of evil or the way people think. But I do think that too often in the black community, or in the minority community in general, I think that we hold ourselves back more so than anyone else. I know growing up I was always told that we have to work twice as hard as anyone else to get half as much. I think that that may still be true today to an extent. But, in America today, you have the opportunity to be anything that you want to be. I mean look we have a black president. Members of Project 21, also known as the National Leadership Network of Black Conservatives, each had their opinions to share. Member Joe Hicks said, If Dr. King and other larger than life civil rights leaders from that era were alive today, they would be stunned and amazed by the progress the nation has made since Dr. King made his dramatic I Have a Dream speech. However, according to Hicks, with the progress there has also been a drawback. Unfortunately, these great Americans would also be disappointed by the actions of those who inherited their legacy, he said. Dr. King, Ella Baker or Thurgood Marshall would not have endorsed race-hustling. On this 50th anniversary of a great American event, we will witness the tattered, shrill remnants of the once-proud civil rights forces protesting racial oppression that is largely pathology and myth. Their actions now are to further a shamelessly outdated and polarizing agenda. Project 21s Stacy Swimp, the president of the Frederick Douglas Society in Michigan, said this is a time of celebration and a time of opportunity. I am happy to stand with freedomloving Americans of every race and creed in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Swimp said. The contributions of A. Philip Randolph, James Farmer, John Lewis, Dr. Martin. L. King, Jr., Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young and so many others in organizing and executing this march paved a way for every American child to have a fair opportunity to experience American exceptionalism and economic independence. This is not only a time of celebration. It is also an opportunity for us, as a nation, to reflect and determine who we have been, what we have done and where we have gone; as well as who we still need to become, [what we] need to do, and [where we] need to go in order to ensure job opportunities and economic freedom are guaranteed for all who are willing to compete and take individual responsibility. Pass on freedom to the next generation, as it was fought for and passed on to us. Freedom is not free. That is why our predecessors marched in 1963. That is why we must continue their work today. Kreutz also had this to say: I think that our community needs to start buying into the freedoms that we have and stop making excuses. Martin Luther King Jr. would be giving a very different message. I think today his dream is being killed as much by us as anything. Weve had one party rule in the inner

11 www.minorityreporter.net | september 2 - 8 | 2013

NATIONAL

Reflections on 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington...from previous page

city for 50 years and weve only seen a steady decline in our education system. And, even in the city, there have been a lot of changes. Most are for the worst, and yet we continue to vote for the same people that say they want to help us but deliver the exact opposite. When it comes to education, our education system, I think, is criminal. Its not even a failure. It should be completely dismantled and we should start all over again. But, again, I think its something we do to ourselves. Weve allowed the unions to control everything when it comes to education; theyve pushed parents out telling us that our input hasnt been needed. If you look at some of the things that have happened over the years, we have an education system that has said, Parents dont worry about it, we dont need your help, we got this, were the professionals; we know whats best. But then we have children, even the ones that arent graduating, who cant even read. We should be asking ourselves, how did we get to this point? This education system we have is only setting our children up to be criminals. Its very difficult for people to feel

empowered to do something when they came through the same broken system, Kreutz added. Its my hope that maybe people will just stop for a

moment, and we can all get together and say, We are going to march and we are going to say, no more, not on my watch. My child is not going to get

left behind and die in this system that weve allowed to continue.

Some school districts quit healthier lunch program

CAROLYN THOMPSON After just one year, some schools around the country are dropping out of the healthier new federal lunch program, complaining that so many students turned up their noses at meals packed with whole grains, fruits and vegetables that the cafeterias were losing money. Federal officials say they dont have exact numbers but have seen isolated reports of schools cutting ties with the $11 billion National School Lunch Program, which reimburses schools for meals served and gives them access to lower-priced food. Districts that rejected the program say the reimbursement was not enough to offset losses from students who began avoiding the lunch line and bringing food from home or, in some cases, going hungry. Some of the stuff we had to offer, they wouldnt eat, said Catlin, Ill., Superintendent Gary Lewis, whose district saw a 10 to 12 percent drop in lunch sales, translating to $30,000 lost under the program last year. So you sit there and watch the kids, and you know theyre hungry at the end of the day, and that led to some behavior and some lack of attentiveness. In upstate New York, a few districts have quit the program, including the Schenectady-area Burnt Hills Ballston Lake system, whose five lunchrooms ended the year $100,000 in the red. Near Albany, Voorheesville Superintendent Teresa Thayer Snyder said her district lost $30,000 in the first three months. The program didnt even make it through the school year after students repeatedly complained about the small portions and apples and pears went from the tray to the trash untouched. Districts that leave the program are free to develop their own guidelines. Voorheesvilles chef began serving such dishes as salad topped with flank steak and crumbled cheese, pasta with chicken and mushrooms, and a panini with chicken, red peppers and cheese. In Catlin, soups and fish sticks will return to the menu this year, and the hamburger lunch will come with yogurt and a banana - not one or the other, like last year. Nationally, about 31 million students participated in the guidelines that took effect last fall under the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Dr. Janey Thornton, deputy undersecretary for USDAs Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, which oversees the program, said she is aware of reports of districts quitting but is still optimistic about the programs long-term prospects. Many of these children have never seen or tasted some of the fruits and vegetables that are being served before, and it takes a while to adapt and learn, she said. The agency had not determined how many districts have dropped out, Thornton said, cautioning that the numbers that have threatened to drop and the ones that actually have dropped are quite different. The School Nutrition Association found that 1 percent of 521 district nutrition directors surveyed over the summer planned to drop out of the program in the 2013-14 school year and about 3 percent were considering the move. Not every district can afford to quit. The National School Lunch Program provides cash reimbursements for each meal served: about $2.50 to $3 for free and reduced-priced meals and about 30 cents for full-price meals. That takes the option of quitting off the table for schools with large numbers of poor youngsters. The new guidelines set limits on calories and salt, phase in more whole grains and require that fruit and vegetables be served daily. A typical elementary school meal under the program consisted of whole-wheat cheese pizza, baked sweet potato fries, grape tomatoes with low-fat ranch dip, applesauce and 1 percent milk. In December, the Agriculture Department, responding to complaints that kids werent getting enough to eat, relaxed the 2-ounce-per-day limit on grains and meats while keeping the calorie limits. At Wallace County High in Sharon Springs, Kan., football player Callahan Grund said the revision helped, but he and his friends still werent thrilled by the calorie limits (750-850 for high school) when they had hours of calorie-burning practice after school. The idea of dropping the program has come up at board meetings, but the district is sticking with it for now. A lot of kids were resorting to going over to the convenience store across the block from school and kids were buying junk food, the 17-year-old said. It was kind of ironic that were downsizing the amount of food to cut down on obesity but kids are going and getting junk food to fill that hunger. To make the point, Grund and his schoolmates starred last year in a music video parody of the pop hit We Are Young. Instead, they sang, We Are Hungry. It was funny, but Grunds mother, Chrysanne Grund, said her anxiety was not. I was quite literally panicked about how we would get enough food in these kids during the day, she said, so we resorted to packing lunches most days.

12 www.minorityreporter.net | september 2 - 8 | 2013

NATIONAL
US: Iran cant access much oil income
WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. has concluded that nearly half of Irans monthly earnings from crude oil exports are accumulating in accounts overseas because of sanctions that restrict Tehrans access to the money. The estimates, provided to The Associated Press by a senior U.S. official and never released before, are the latest indication that new sanctions imposed in February are deepening Irans economic distress and making it increasingly difficult to access billions of dollars in vital oil revenues. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of sanctions policy. The U.S. hopes the pressure will force Iran to compromise on its nuclear program, which the West suspects is aimed at making a weapon. Iran insists it is for peaceful purposes only and has not budged on demands to halt uranium enrichment, a process that can be used to make fuel for energy production or for a nuclear weapon. The U.S. estimates that about $1.5 billion in crude oil revenues is piling up in restricted foreign accounts every month. Crude revenues overall averaged about $3.4 billion monthly in the first half of year, according to the assessment. That means Iran is not able to either spend or repatriate about 44 percent of its crude oil income. The February sanctions, which dealt one of the harshest blows to the Iranian economy in recent times, aimed at cutting off access to oil revenues. The sanctions require an already reduced pool of oil importers to pay into locked bank accounts that Iran may access only to purchase nonsanctioned goods in that country or humanitarian supplies. If importers do not comply, they face the threat of being shut out of the U.S. financial system. The U.S. has granted sanctions exemptions to China, India and seven other countries to import Iranian oil. Only six are currently importing oil, according to the government. The U.S. reached the estimates by looking at Irans trade imbalances with oil importers based on customs data from each of the relevant countries. The figures show Iran cannot spend the full amount it earns because it is limited to buying only non-sanctioned

This Aug. 28, 2013, photo, shows a general view of Irans parliament in Tehran.(AP Photo/ Ebrahim Noroozi)

goods for imports from the small pool of trading partners. And it is not able to repatriate the money to fill its foreign reserve coffers or cover any budget shortfalls. Garbis Iradian of the Institute of International Finance, an economic think tank, noted that despite wave after wave of sanctions, Iran continues to run a trade surplus. But that surplus has been shrinking steadily since 2011. The assets piling up abroad could render most of that remaining surplus essentially unusable. This is a major development, Iradian said. If they dont have access to this, it is an additional burden, and if that continues on they will feel the pain, he added. It seems the sanctions intensified with this accessibility issue. Iradian, the deputy director of the IIFs Africa and Middle East Department, said Irans total trade surplus has fallen from about $70 billion in 2011 to about $44 billion in 2012. The IIF estimates it will reach about $38 billion by the end of this year. And with $1.5 billion a month accumulating in restricted accounts, some $15 billion of the $38 billion surplus may be out of reach. This brings down their trade surplus to almost zero, said Iradian. That is quite severe. ... They are entering a dangerous zone. The senior U.S. official also disclosed a previously unreleased government estimate that crude oil revenues have fallen 58 percent since late 2011 because of sanctions. The revenues averaged an estimated $8 billion a month in the first half of 2011, then fell to $6.3 billion in the first half of 2012 and an estimated $3.4 billion monthly in the first half of 2013, according to the assessment. Iran was exporting about 2.5 million

barrels a day at the end of 2011 and is now believed to be exporting about 1 million. Iradian said the price of oil averaged about $107 a barrel for the first half of the year but spiked in recent days over growing tensions in Syria, Irans closest ally in the Arab world. The steep drop in oil exports is not the only indication of the heavy toll sanctions have taken on Irans economy over the past two years. The local rial currency lost two-thirds of its value since late 2011, and inflation has surged. Since the election of new president Hasan Rouhani in June, there have been a number of indications the distress is deepening. Local news reports say Tehran may come up short of money to cover this years budget. And an Iranian official said recently that more than $60 billion of the countrys oil revenue is frozen in foreign banks and out of reach. Still, analysts say Irans economy has proved resilient and flexible enough to offset some sanctions damage. The country has diversified its exports and become less reliant on sanctioned oil. Mark Dubowitz, director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an advocate of tougher sanctions, said at the current trajectory Iran can continue to muddle through economically for a few more years. And some experts have concluded Iran could produce enough material to build a nuclear weapon by mid-2014. Without massively intensified economic pressure and a real threat of military force ... Iranian nuclear physics will continue to outpace Western economic pressure and diplomacy, Dubowitz said.

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14 www.minorityreporter.net | september 2 - 8 | 2013

OPINION/EDITORIAL
Drafted out of the then-national champion Florida Gators team by New England, and playing double-tight end on some plays along with Buffalos own Rob Gronkowski, he was just signed to a contract extension paying him a $12.5 million bonus a year or two ago. He could have gone higher in the draft, but he tested positive for marijuana. This is part of the problem of a young man with amazing talent, and bad decision-making that would cost him millions over the years. They say the turning point for Aaron was losing his dad when he was 16. After that he was said to lash out at authority while concurrently setting records as a high school player out of Bristol, Conn. As bad as this sounds, allowing him or others who know him to use this behavior as an excuse takes credit and hard work away from other boys who lost their parents and kept

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

For Some Athletes, Its Ok to Forget Where You Came From

In view of recent events involving NFL tight end Aaron Hernandez of the New England Patriots, I feel that some black and Hispanic pro-athletes not only need to stay away chris stevenson from people places and things, but make an honest effort to act like you are too good to associate with your old homies from the block, or old street gang you used to run with. I mean to purposely steer clear of this type of element and the behaviors associated with such people. Hernandez is only 23, and just like that he threw his life away, doing a very dumb thing; pretending to be a gangster. their heads on straight. The children and teens who stayed out of trouble after losing an immediate family member are the ones who really kept it real. Aaron is the one thing that todays youth culture refuses to admit; stupid. We are supposed to say hes baaaad. No, Hernandez is soft. Heres a record of his soft behavior: In 2007, he punched a bartender over a bill after two drinks. In 2012, he became suspected of the double murder of Daniel Jorge Correia de Abreu and Sanfiro Teixeira Furtado of Dorchester. In 2013, he shot friend Alexander Bradley while the two were riding in a car on June 13. Then, on June 18 of 2013, there was of course, the case that finally busted him, the murder of Odin Lloyd a minor league pro-football player. These charges are nothing to play with, nothing to brag about or take pride in. Hernandez is essentially a boy assuming the role of single-mamas boy even though he had a dad until he was 16. With apologies to the mentally ill, thats retarded. Hernandez joins the tragically growing legion of stupid athletes. In his case, the highly unnecessary tragedy is compounded by his loss of $19 million over the next three years. He was said to be a member of the Latin Kings and then Bristol Bloods. What street gang could pay Aaron that much? Im waiting for answers. Hernandez is part Hispanic and part Irish. If he was trying to prove he had a dark mysterious side, then it wasnt worth it. Im not impressed. Minority

STRAIGHTno chaser

RPD: Our Eyes Were Lying To Us

The Rochester P o l i c e Department has always had their share of detractors; more lately than in past years. There are a number of incidents that have occurred GLORIA WINSTON AL-SARAG over time that have triggered the call for civilian review boards, conflict resolution and more. Personally, I have not always supported the criticism heaped upon our boys in blue because I recognize the job they do is sometimes more than thankless, and dangerous. The fact that my mother served within their ranks at one time also sensitized me to their plight. My respect for the RPD has been well documented. However, all it takes is one insensitive police officer to leave a bad taste in the mouth and remind us of how some police officers abuse their power. All it takes is one chief of police who is obviously afraid of losing his job to get in front of a microphone and attempt to tell us that our eyes were lying to us. Im speaking in reference to those of us who saw video footage showing a police officer taking a pregnant woman down. After listening to the chief trying to excuse what I saw on video, I have to admit, I was insulted when he attempted to justify what I and others had concluded was no more than police brutality. What my lying eyes saw was a woman who happened to be black being handcuffed, obviously attempting to resist and being uncooperative, but at no time did I see that she was a threat to the officer. As a matter of fact, what can be clearly heard on the video is her shouting loud enough for all to hear, that she was five months pregnant. This plea and reminder to the officer appeared to have fallen on deaf ears. In the course of struggling, my lying eyes saw the officer in question literally punch this woman in her head. And, as if that was not good enough, he then threw her to the ground, stomach first, and proceeded to put his foot in her back. That is what my lying eyes saw. Then here comes the RPD chief of police, shuffling and dancing at a microphone; parting his lips to suggest the office acted appropriately. What video did he watch? He went on to suggest that the blow to this pregnant womans head by the officers fist was justifiable because this is how the officers are trained to defend themselves. Huh? Granted, something triggered the situation that was not videotaped and I do not have the whole story. However, like many others, my reaction and disgust stems from what our lying eyes did see. And none of that is justifiable to them. The woman I saw had no gun, no knife and was not threatening but clearly concerned about the safety of her unborn child. I just hope she finds the best lawyer available and sues the RPD for all they are worth. The evidence has been documented. And I guess what really floored me was the fact that the officer knew he was being videotaped, but that did not deter from what I again perceive to be police brutality at its finest. Are you serious, chief? If you are that blind, then it is clearly time for a change in leadership at the RPD. This community needs to take a good look at the kind of leadership, or the lack of leadership, within the ranks of the RPD that would publicly attempt to justify this unfortunate madness. Politically, I recognize the need for you to try to make your boss look good, because the timing for him could not have been worse. But even though you and your boss were walking arm and arm down Chili Ave. the day before with Aunt Jane, neither of you are following this community. Not only is the violence in the street out of control, the mindset has obviously found its way to one of your finest boys in blue. Chief, I dont know what you are going to do about this latest mess, but I know what the community needs to do come Sept. 10, primary day. They need to go vote for Lovely Warren, recognizing that the chief of police serves at the pleasure of the mayor. Many things need to change in this community, and after hearing your explanation of the incident in question, I have concluded that you being at the helm of the RPD needs to change as well. It all rolls downhill, and I am not just talking about water. Whatever happened to the cops on the beat, the ones who knew families by name and reputation? What happened to police officers developing relationships and familiarizing themselves with residents? Whatever happened to Officer Friendly? Is what our lying eyes saw on video not one of the reasons there is so much mistrust between citizens and the police? In summary, I dont have 100 percent of the details regarding what led to the unfortunate video that has recently surfaced regarding the arrest of a pregnant woman. I am embarrassed the incident has found its way to the national arena, but if this is what it takes for us to get it right, so be it. Its an arrest that appears to have been totally mishandled by an overly aggressive police officer. This community has endured the Rufus Fairwell incident, the killing of Alicia McCuller, the abuse of a man in a wheelchair, the racial profiling of young black men on bicycles, and so much more. Yet, this community does recognize that all RPD officers are not bad. Some are sensitive and have been trained effectively, but those bad apples and RPDs leadership trying to justify their actions stinks. When exactly is enough, enough? Please dont continue to insult my intelligence by stepping to another microphone and suggesting our eyes were lying and we witnessed no abuse of a woman who is five months pregnant. From where I sit, chief, the fact that you and the mayor owe the family and this community an apology is all my lying eyes can see.

15 www.minorityreporter.net | september 2 - 8 | 2013

OPINION/EDITORIAL
For Some Athletes...from previous page
ballers seem to be more susceptible to foolish behavior just due to the regular pressure of their peers. Due to their instant celebrity status granted to them since Pop Warner and/or high school, if they go wrong they benefit from pretty much the same immunity as most bad cops in a big city police union. I bet much of his behavior is due to the false consciousness instilled in him by pop-culture. Todays entertainment industry has African American and Hispanic males from 14 to 34 behind schedule in maturity and has been since around 1990. A false consciousness can cost a real life; and black and Hispanic boys have been trained by another faction of false gangsters - hard-core rappers - into underachieving behavior even if they posses vast potential. In the immediate term, Hernandez will be a jail celebrity; this influence unjustifiably has vast powers of suggestion. But in time it will wear off, and hell be forced to both defend his life and reflect on the life he could have had if only hed kept his mouth shut and his ears open. There are too many jealous weight-lifting and scheming prisoners for that not to happen. Thats when the question will really hit him, while licking his wounds in a 910 cell. Was his playing pretend gangster really worth it? How can his answer be anything other than no? Most single-mamas boys that are locked up or dead; they never really understood what it means to be a gangster. If they understood how much

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

work it takes, they would stop using the word. Gangsters built communities, and large and small businesses, from out of the street corners of the worlds earliest ghettos. Most of these were inhabited by Jews and Italians. The killing that was publicized, and today glorified, was just a byproduct of being a gangster, not the primary activity. On the other hand, street gangs like the ones Hernandez associated with and continues to try and prove he comes from are just that, a gang, a group of niggahs, and nothing more. After 30 or so years of selling crack, heroin, marijuana, etc.; their gangs are still on the street corner boasting territory still owned by whites, and attitudes inherited from their single mothers. Not sure if Hernandez fell victim to the wrong influence, or if he

was the wrong influence. Hes done. Chris Stevenson is a regular columnist for blackcommentator, Political Affairs Magazine, and a syndicated columnist. Follow him on Twitter, and Facebook, you dont have to join any of them. Watch his video commentary Policy & Prejudice and The Network for clbTV & Follow his Blogtalkradio interviews on 36OOseconds.

The Thurman King School of Black Church Leadership

a continuation of the Alternate Education Program and the Pearl Program

Dont ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Howard Thurman
Pastor, poet, educator & CRCDS graduate
The Thurman King School is a three-year continuing education program designed to give working ministers and clergy in the black church creative tools and strategies for enhancing their ministry. Classes are held the first Saturday of each month.

Dont delay! Classes begin September 7th! Register today: call (585) 340-9540 or visit www.crcds.edu
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16 www.minorityreporter.net | september 2 - 8 | 2013

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Every minute your child spends learning is an important one. In the City School Districts Universal Pre-K program, kids have fun. They also become ready for school, develop creativity, build confidence, and gain skills for lifelong learning. With more than 50 programs at schools and community centers citywide, UPK provides the choice of a convenient location for you and your child.

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