Split Decision

In most U.S. states, counties differ in terms of economical, geographical, and racial demographics. These differences often preserve the local economy and keep it afloat. However, in one of the largest and most prosperous counties in Georgia—Fulton County—the fate of the local economy as well as that of the lower income people of color are in jeopardy. Although politicians and other county officials claim the move is not racially motivated, recent legislation has been proposed to split Fulton County into two separate, more racially and economically homogenous, counties. The newly created Milton County would consist of the White, affluent residents from the suburbs of Fulton, leaving the metropolitan areas of predominantly poor, Black neighborhoods to comprise Fulton County.

The proposed division seems to be clearly aligned along lines of race, class, and political affiliation. According to MSNBC, the new Milton County would be mostly White, affluent, and Republican; Fulton County after the split, on the other hand, would be mostly Black and Democratic, and would include some of the most poverty-stricken areas in the country. The split would also result in a large deficit in revenue for Fulton County, since currently Milton County’s future residents now make up only 29 percent of Fulton County’s population but pay 42 percent of the property taxes. And, since those taxes often pay for government services for the poor, it would likely result in a deduction of critical assistance given to Fulton County families in need.

Further, in what is a telling twist of fate, history reveals that Milton County existed until 1932, when it was folded into Fulton County because Milton County was suffering financially as a result of the Depression. So, Fulton County took on the financial burdens of a floundering Milton County when it needed help to regain its footing. And now that Milton County is revived and flourishing economically, its residents are ready to pull the rug out from under the county that saved them, and secede to re-form into a more “perfect union.”

An amendment to the Georgia Constitution is being sought to re-establish Milton County as its own entity within the state. The rationale for the split is that Fulton County is now too large to operate on the scale of local, county government. Yet, it appears the move would actually worsen problems areas—such as public transit and correctional facilities in need of repair and reform—because a lion’s share of the funding would be diverted into another jurisdiction.

Ultimately, a decision that benefits only one segment of the population, to the detriment of another, is not in the best interests of all.

Pesos for Pizza

Cheers to a pizza chain headquartered in Dallas, Texas, for reaching out to its diverse customer base in a different way. The store is, for a limited time, accepting pesos as a form of payment. The story should end there but sadly, this move has sparked controversy, as some people are voicing concerns about the practice, even going so far as to accuse the restaurant chain of supporting illegal immigration!!

Pizza Patron, a Dallas-based chain, received hate mail and death threats for posting signs that said, “Aceptamos Pesos” [We Accept Pesos] at 59 stores in across Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, and California, according to an Associated Press report. Hopefully, the backlash they are experiencing will not deter the chain from offering its customers, 60 percent of whom are Latino, the option of using pesos to pay for their food. Not only is it potentially a wise business move for the chain, it shows that all customers are welcome and acknowledges the reality that immigration is real.

In no way does this gesture indicate that Pizza Patron supports illegal immigration. To the contrary, it signifies their recognition and acceptance of the diversity that characterizes their customer base. Further, the illegal immigration accusation is absurd, considering that showing a green card is not a prerequisite to purchasing a Large Pepperoni Deluxe. But, what the creative advertising does say speaks volumes. Although Pizza Patron maintains that their advertising campaign was not intended “to inject itself into a larger political debate,” what is happening at this local business begs the question, why isn’t this type of practice being replicated on a larger, national scale?

Is the nation is so focused on illegal immigration that we have lost sight of the fact that we are a country where people of all races and nationalities should be welcomed and accommodated? We hope not.

No Substitute for the Real Thing

With courts striking down affirmative action in some states, race is no longer an option for determining school placements for students. As an alternative, a number of school districts are using socioeconomic status to assign kids to schools, according to a Gannett news article published in the Detroit Free Press . Is this growing trend a preview of the ramifications of affirmative action’s untimely demise?

Such disturbing reports only serve as confirmation of what we’ve known all along: affirmative action is being cancelled before its time and when, now more than ever, we have a need for it.
“Some Black leaders say a wealth-based system does not take into account the history of racial discrimination and inequality remaining from decades of segregation,” the article goes on to say. These leaders are right on in their analysis. It is as if everyone wants to pretend that slavery didn’t happen, or that its vestiges do not have an affect upon policies and decisions pertaining to children of color.

Like the No Child Left Behind law, the idea of assigning students to schools based on wealth to increase achievement and achieve diversity is a good one—in theory. In a perfect world, lower, middle, and upper-income students would be evenly distributed among the school district. No single school would have a disproportionate share of students in a particular socioeconomic bracket, and perhaps school funding would be allocated more evenly.

Yet, No Child Left Behind has been unable to accomplish its admirable goals and live up to the good intentions of the legislation. Instead, it has made matters worse. The key to its failure is poor implementation and lack of a sound, racial analysis. This circumstance is no different. A system of education centered on wealth will eventually cater to those that have the most financial resources—and leave the have-nots behind. And once again they’ll wonder why the poor kids aren’t performing at the same level as the rich ones. Imagine an era where sanctioned separate but equal is the norm.

Theodore Shaw, president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said it best: “Class and race overlap but they are not the same.” In other words, there’s nothing like the real thing, baby.

Score One for the History Books

Amid cheers from supporters (and jeers from opponents), the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts emerged victorious yesterday, earning themselves a spot in Super Bowl XLI. While die-hard Bears and Colts fans are celebrating the victory of advancing to the NFL’s highest level of play, a larger, historically and racially significant victory was won yesterday.

Two head coaches, Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy, respectively, have the distinction of being the
first Black head coaches in the NFL to lead teams into Super Bowl competition. This accomplishment is a major milestone for Blacks in the NFL, which has been 41 years in the making and is long overdue. An Associated Press article featured on ESPN.com acknowledges the racist history of hiring practices for qualified Black coaches in the NFL. Being a Black head coach was an achievement that was, until a short time ago, virtually off limits to Blacks.

Although three quarters of the NFL’s roster consists of Black athletes, Blacks were routinely excluded from top coaching spots. According to the news report, “When the time came to hire a new coach, [Black coaches] were passed over, time and time again. Meanwhile, White coaches who had done little to distinguish themselves in their previous jobs got additional chances. It was the old boys’ network at its worst.”

Last year, former NFL veteran Anthony Prior put his allegations of racism in the NFL in print in a controversial book titled, Slave Side of Sunday. In this work, Prior asserts that racism is an integral part of NFL culture and condemns “its dismal and pathetic record of hiring black coaches” as well as the dearth of Black ownership. Prior’s book offers a scathing indictment of the NFL and paints a vivid picture of a league that is not welcoming to coaches like Smith and Dungy, who have both had their fair share of being overlooked and undervalued during their long careers.

But, Smith and Dungy’s presence in the Super Bowl is a win for all minorities who aspire to be where they are, and the significance of this historic breakthrough is difficult to articulate in words. The doors of opportunity have finally opened for Blacks, breaking barriers within an institution that resembled a Whites-only country club and continued its practices of racial segregation long past the end of the Civil Rights Era and Jim Crow laws.

And if being in the big game isn’t enough, the country won’t have to bite their nails during the Super Bowl game in hopes that a Black coach triumphs as the Super Bowl champion—having not one, but two Black coaches in the Super Bowl guarantees it will happen. We celebrate this giant leap forward in progress toward racial equality, but also look toward the day when all races enjoy equal opportunity, and the doors open not just in the NFL arena, but on all the playing fields of life.

The Significance of the Symbol

The White managers at 180 Connect in Nassau County, N.Y., a cable, telephone, and Internet installation company did not call James Jackson or any of its other Black employees the “N” word, but hanging a noose in an equipment area that is visible to the predominantly Black cadre of installers conveys the same racist message.

It is difficult to imagine the horror James Jackson, a Black employee of 180 Connect, felt when he arrived to work on Dec. 7 and found the racist symbol hanging in public view. And, when Jackson confronted Equipment Manager Dave Willie, one of only two employees—both White—who have access to the area where the noose was hung, Willie reacted with indifference. Even more appalling is the response of the Gary Murdock, the other person who had access to the equipment area, who allegedly told a Black installer who questioned why the noose was there that it was “to hang two Black employees,” according to a CNN report.

Perhaps the ongoing debate over the use of the “N” word needs to be expanded to include any and all racist language and symbolism. A message needs to be conveyed that racist language and/or symbolism of any kind that is offensive to a particular racial/ethnic group is unacceptable. During and since this serious incident, the reactions of 180 Connect—who claim that they have “zero tolerance for racism—fail to convey this message clearly:

• It took a week of complaints for the hanging noose to be removed.
• 180 Connect suspended Equipment Manager Dave Willie with pay.
• Despite alleged racist and violent comments, Gary Murdock, the White warehouse manager who said the noose was meant to hang Black employees, is still managing the warehouse for 180 Connect.

The noose is symbolic of lynching, a racist form of social control that has been used throughout history to terrorize and subjugate persons of color. From the 1800s to 1955, nearly 5,000 Blacks were lynched nationwide, according to a PBS special report. During slavery, African Americans were subject to this very public form of punishment because of the color of their skin. A noose is not only a haunting reminder of the thousands of Black people who lost their lives in this brutal way, but it is a symbol of the constant threat of death that slaves lived under.

Recently, comedian Michael Richards, of “Seinfeld” fame, shouted racist comments at a comedy show in Los Angeles. Richards said, “Fifty years ago we’d have you upside down with a [expletive] fork up your [expletive].” What Richards comment and the noose at 180 Connect have in common is that both actions are not only offensive, but an implicit, racial threat to the safety of others. This fact simply cannot be ignored.

Many of us reflected yesterday on the life and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream for people of all races, creeds, and colors, to live in peace with one another and to respect one another for the content of our character rather than the color of our skin. Though we have made great strides in realizing Dr. King’s dream, the incident described above demonstrates why we still have to remain vigilant in identifying and discussing racial issues, working toward solutions so that we can one day fully achieve true racial justice and equality for all.

Wal-Mart Strikes Again

Well, it looks like the corporate giant has not learned its lesson. Despite public criticism and widespread backlash, Wal-Mart is once again in the hot seat for failing to adequately provide affordable, accessible health care options for its largely uninsured workforce, many of whom earn wages at or below the poverty level.

According to articles in both The Washington Post and The New York Times, on Wednesday Wal-Mart released the results of a health care survey, in which the company surveyed 200,000 workers to gather data on how many employees have health coverage and how many are enrolled in the company’s plan. Although Wal-Mart is touting the survey results—90 percent of Wal-Mart employees surveyed have health care coverage, but 43 percent are covered under non-employer sponsored plans—as a step in a positive direction, groups that are against Wal-Mart’s unsavory practices view the fact that Wal-Mart employees have to look elsewhere for health coverage as a failure.

Why isn’t Wal-Mart inquiring about the reason a considerable percentage of its employees choose not to take advantage of the company-sponsored plan? Wal-Mart seems content with the fact that its currently offered health care plan—with an astronomical $1,000 individual deductible or $3,000 family deductible that kicks in after only three doctor visits—is offered at all, ignoring the fact that perhaps the plan does not meet the needs (or the budgets) of its workforce as a whole.

Wal-Mart, who in recent years has been accused of discrimination against women in pay and promotion practices, racial discrimination against black truck drivers, and racial profiling its customers, is being closely scrutinized by the watchdog groups and the general public—and with good reason. The company has more than enough black marks to mar its record. And now, they are attempting to lure workers into taking health care under a plan that appears to be a bait and switch: enticing, low monthly premiums that disguise expensive deductibles and hidden costs.

The retailer’s executives would be wise to view this as an opportunity to demonstrate that they understand the needs of those they employ by directing the company’s ample resources into adopting health care provisions that truly meet the needs of low-wage workers, instead of looking for a pat on the back for missing the mark yet again.

Two Steps Forward, Ten Steps Backward

Just as the celebration over Deval Patrick’s inauguration to the governor position in Massachusetts starts to subside and the buzz about Obama’s potential presidential run grows to a dull roar, news of the death of a newly-elected Black mayor in Louisiana raises questions about the possibility of foul play, evoking fear that people of color who ascend to leadership positions are walking targets for racially motivated hate crimes, even in 2007.

It seems convenient that the local authorities in Louisiana deemed Gerald Washington’s death a suicide so quickly, even though there was a dearth of evidence pointing to suicide as the cause of death, i.e., suicide note, closing out of personal affairs. According to news reports, Washington eagerly anticipated his new role and his family is adamant that he was not “depressed,” as the coroner and other officials allege. In fact, overwhelming the facts reported make a strong case for Washington being the victim of a racial attack.

Is it true that the further people of color gain ground toward a just democracy, the more incidents like this take away from the long-fought progress that has been won?

Unfortunately, at this stage however, much of the theories surrounding Washington’s death are only speculative. Thankfully, after impassioned protests from Washington’s family, the state authorities have agreed to conduct a thorough investigation to verify or refute the initial ruling of suicide as cause of death.

**Blog Update: An afternoon news report from CNN confirmed yesterday that shots were fired into the home of Ernest Lampkins, the first Black mayor of Greenwood, La., a town 150 miles away from Westlake, the Louisiana city where Washington died. With this second violent attack on a Black mayor in the same region within a few days time, the NAACP is calling for an FBI investigation of these incidents, which may both be related and racially motivated.

The Right to a Fair Trial: DENIED

Yesterday, The Washington Post ran an article about deportation that illuminated the struggles and inequities that immigrants deal with when faced with expulsion from the country. The article gives chilling details of the injustices endured by immigrants who are forced to leave the country unfairly because they are unable to produce evidence that will warrant a favorable court decision.

Consider this for a moment: We live in a place where serial killers, rapists, and pedophiles are given the benefit of pro bono legal representation during trials, but men and women whose only alleged “crime” is being a foreigner in a foreign land, are left to navigate the judicial system on their own and serve as their own defense counsel? In criminal trials, the defendants face the possibility of life in prison or death; in deportation trials, the consequences can be lifelong separation from family or persecution in their homeland, which to some are fates worse than death. What happened to being guilty until proven innocent?

In a legal system that stands upon the principle of justice and fairness, how can we justify denying immigrants (legal or otherwise) the benefit of what is considered to be due process for others who face legal proceedings? It is a sad commentary on what it deemed fair and just in America. If the government is truly committed to the ideals upon which this country was founded, it would not endorse measures or practices that discriminate against immigrants, regardless of their citizenship status.

Sometimes When Art Imitates Life, It's a Good Thing

Will Smith’s big screen role in The Pursuit of Happyness, which also features his adorable son, Jaden, is much more than just another box office hit. While its central theme is a complex tale (based on a true story) about the ability of the human spirit to overcome poverty and homelessness and achieve success, it is equally a positive film about a Black man who is a devoted father, which may serve to combat the negative, stereotypical depictions of Black men found in the media and on television daily.

For those that are unfamiliar with the movie’s plot, Will Smith portrays Christopher Gardner, a young, African-American father who ends up homeless, along with his 5-year-old son, after his wife leaves home due to the strain of financial burdens. In a series of unfortunate events to follow, Smith’s character loses his home, but not his will to survive. And, most importantly, he is a constant, positive force in his son’s life, despite their troubled circumstances.

The Washington Post reported on the movie recently, noting that “Smith … isn’t a superhero saving the world but a man totally devoted to his son.” The article also quotes entertainer and businessman Fatin Dantzler as saying, “Art often depicts reality, and the reality Hollywood directors see is what most people see in the media, Black men in negative roles.”

For instance, statistics published December 31 in The Washington Post painted a picture of Black males as criminals, the majority of whom are destined to spend their lives incarcerated. The “By the Numbers” brief stated that “in 2005, black males ages 18 to 24 were the most common homicide victims and offenders in the District. At the end of 2001, 1,936,000 black men had been to prison, representing 16.6 percent of the national adult black male population. In comparison, 7.7 percent of adult Hispanic males and 2.6 percent of adult white males had been to prison.”

Some may argue that numbers don’t lie, which is false. Quantitative data alone, when not supported by explanatory, qualitative information, can be misleading. The Post article does not mention that the disproportionate arrest rate of Black males vs. White males and the racial profiling that takes place in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods is largely to blame for these statistics. Many Black males don’t get the chance to be good fathers because they are unjustly targeted, accused, arrested, and convicted of crimes.

Pursuit of Happyness is a ray of sunshine, the rays of which will hopefully overshadow such statistics and characterizations of Black males that are prone to misinterpretation. What is most remarkable about the movie is that the good, Black father that Smith portrays is not relegated to a subplot, but rather is the focal point of the movie. The movie also does not shy away from scenes showing the racism that Mr. Gardner endured while he was homeless, including one scene in particular that takes place after he is accepted to an internship for aspiring stockbrokers. Of the several dozen young hopefuls in the program, we see that Gardner is the only Black candidate. He is treated harshly and unfairly by the course instructor, even asked to perform unnecessary personal tasks such as moving his car or fetching coffee. And let’s bear in mind that this did not take place in 1965, but 1983.

So, while some movie critics praise what they the movie because they say it is a “color-blind” of success based on merit, as a Black man, Smith works hard to excel in the internship and has to jump through hoops that his White counterparts do not, in order to compete for the same spot.
Director Gabriele Muccino tackled sensitive issues of race bravely in this movie. It’s the type of movie that may leave audience members thinking, ‘There are good Black men out there who care for their children, don’t take drugs or engage in criminal activities, and aren’t in jail.’ It just might help to deconstruct some of the myths people believe about men of color. And, if that’s the case, then we’re thankful that this work of art does, indeed, imitate real life.

A Child Shall Lead Us

In December, the Southern Human Rights Organizing Network (SHROC), as part of its 10-year anniversary conference activities, held a student and youth summit in Houston, Texas. The founder of SHROC, Jaribu Hill, in a recent Chicago Defender article, described youth as “an integral part of the movement for human rights, worker and racial justice in the South.” We agree. Ms. Hill’s apropos comments should be extended to the nationwide racial justice movement. The time is now to recognize the necessary contributions of young people to the struggles for equality and justice in America.

But, this will not happen unless we impress upon our young people the importance of political action and participation. The Urban Institute held a workshop recently called “Generation Next,” with participants falling in the age range of 16–26 years old. The workshop addressed matters of civic and political engagement in this age group. An Advancement Project staffer who attended the workshop reported that in a word-association survey of Generation Next-ers on the word “politics,” the majority associated politics with “power,” “lying,” “corrupt,” “boring,” and “confusing;” “Ensures opportunity” got a sad seven percent of votes.

What are we teaching the next generation of freedom fighters? What values are we instilling in them about the role of political power in effecting change?

The workshop panel also concluded that Generation Next-ers believe being a “good person” is enough when it comes to citizenship, whereas Baby Boomers believe citizenship comes with special obligations—such as voting, paying attention to government & politics, and contacting legislators. Overall, Generation Next-ers volunteer—in soup kitchens and to help the homeless—but lack an understanding of how these social concerns connect with politics; They either don’t understand (or believe) politics or political engagement can help address the country’s crisis of homeless individuals, families, and children.

If these observations are true indicators of what the up-and-coming generation of Americans believes and feels toward democracy and action, we are in trouble. If our youth don’t have a sense of what they’re fighting for and why, how can they be expected to embrace the struggle for racial justice? If we don’t expose them to the work that’s being done to achieve racial justice goals, we can’t look to them to be the torch-bearers of tomorrow.

Lest we forget, youth have been responsible for some of the most pivotal social change actions in our nation’s history:

• College students initiated and staged the sit-in at the Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C.
• Nine brave high school students—Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls Lanier, Minnijean Brown Trickey, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed-Wair, and Melba Pattillo-Beals—integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., amid hostility and violence
• In the Children’s Crusade in Birmingham, Ala., hundreds of children—some as young as six years old—emerged from 16th St. Baptist Church carrying signs and singing freedom songs. Twelve-year-old Anita Woods, who was arrested for demonstrating against racial segregation in Birmingham, was quoted as saying, “I’ll keep marching until I get freedom.”
• Many young people led rebellions and entire Indian armies, such as Teedyuscung of the Lenape, Oceola of the Seminole, and Blue Jacket and Tecumseh of the Shawnee.

Today’s youth must understand that how and why their freedoms and basic rights are still under attack. They will be our leaders of tomorrow. As we take the racial justice movement to the next level, we cannot afford to leave them behind.

Assimilation by Force: Dismantling Our Cultural Identity

USA Today recently interviewed members of the Arab Muslim community in America and found that while this group has felt threatened since the tragedy of 9-11, they don’t feel safer today than they did the day after the towers fell. As a result of this pervasive fear, many Arab Muslims feel compelled to “Americanize” themselves—not wear head scarves, change their names, and not speak Arabic in public. It seems this Americanization is fueled by the racially-motivated violence that makes them walking targets; reports of anti-Muslim incidents jumped 30 percent last year, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

In history class, many of us learned about the Ford English School, one of the most famous instances of forced assimilation. The school was established by Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company, to teach his immigrant employees about American culture. At the school’s graduation, students entered into and then emerged from a “melting pot” meant to symbolize their leaving behind of their culture and their embracing of “American” culture.

Even language is being stripped away from marginalized groups, such as Latinos, who instruct their children not to speak Spanish in public. Legislators are lobbying for laws that would prevent immigrants from communicating and conducting business in any language other than English. Such efforts only serve to further alienate people from their culture and history. Those with the desire to preserve ties to ancestral lineage ultimately lose their indigenous languages altogether, and struggle to identify with their native culture.

This forced assimilation begs the question, what is “American” culture? True, the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in 1492, but they were by no means the first people to arrive on American soil. If we truly want to embrace our “American” roots, shouldn’t we adopt the culture of Native Americans, who were the first to populate this country?

We reject the notion that America is a melting pot; a more accurate description is a “cultural symphony.” We live in a country made up of immigrants from myriad countries, and it our multiculturalism that makes this country unique. What would this country be like without ethnic enclaves like New York’s Chinatown or Little Italy that manage to survive despite enormous pressure to conform and assimilate. When groups are forced to reject their heritage and culture, through fear and other tactics, we all lose.