Urban News Features

I'm Dreaming of a Halloween Christmas By Julianne Malveaux

Oct. 19, 2014

I'm Dreaming of a Halloween Christmas
By Julianne Malveaux

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Did you notice that some stores are already touting Christmas sales? They are encouraging people to start buying for Christmas now. We’ve been experiencing this “Christmas creep” for years, although we might want to call it “Xmas creep” because there is no Christ or Christianity in the profligate spending that accompanies a season that should be defined by gratitude and reflection. The birth of Christ the Child should symbolize rebirth, the symbolism of the seven principles of Kwanzaa a signal to African-American community building and spirituality.

Part of the reason for the Christmas creep is the fact that fourth quarter spending can make or break annual sales for retailers. Lots of consumer electronics, jewelry, and even automobiles are disproportionately purchased during these fourth quarter months, although in the past this heavy spending was reserved for December. Not only will fourth quarter spending influence annual profits, but they will also signal the strength of the economic recovery that only a few are experiencing. If high-end retailers (Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman) see their sales boost while lower end retailers see their sales grow only modestly, that might be an indication that recovery is not trickling down. And for all the talk of the end of the Great Recession, the fact that incomes have remained flat means that recovery will remain slow.

During the third quarter of this year, spending was more sluggish than expected, so much so that some retailers are adjusting their spending forecasts downward. Some may even have less inventory on hard so that prices might rise a bit from demand. When toy retailers, for example, have shortages in this year’s popular toy, parents are likely to make return trips to a store both to check on the coveted toy and to buy “just one more thing” for children. And despite sluggish spending the post-Thanksgiving Day stampedes are not a thing of the past when they are properly marketed,

This heavy Christmas marketing has a special impact on African-American consumers, those who how have less income, more debt, and a likelihood of overspending during holidays because “stuff” means “love” for some. The Christmas creep gives youngsters more time to whine and cajole for “stuff” and places parents under more pressure to spend. While the spending may help stimulate the economy, it will depress the financial standing of those who participate in the spending game.

We live in a nation of consumers, but African-Americans are the ones who can least afford to play this game. One in eight has nothing - no savings, no investments; no tangible belongs (automobiles, for example). Fewer than half (compared to 70 percent of Whites) own their homes – the primary path to wealth accumulation for the middle class. About half have “bad” debt, or credit card debt. Few have saved for future tuition payments or retirement. Yet some of these folks will queue up to spend money, all in the name of an Xmas shopping season that starts in October.

The holiday season is a good time to convey a series of economic and community building messages to African-Americans. First, can you afford the holiday spending? Second, if you must shop, do some of your spending with Black-owned businesses. African-Americans spend less than a tenth of their income with Black-owned businesses. Doubling the level of spending would increase the number of jobs that can be generated within the African-American community. Third, it ought to go without saying, but don’t pay full price for ANYTHING, especially at the end of the year. There are sales galore. And when you have the money, you ought to take advantage of them. Fourth, you can build community and affinity by giving someone the gift of a contribution to their favorite charity, a church building fund, sorority or fraternity capital campaign, or a scholarship fund. Fifth, use your 2014 holiday spending as a way to develop a budget for holiday 2015.

Christmas at Halloween? Only if you buy into the spending game, you will get tricked and predatory retailers treated by your behavior.

Julianne Malveaux is an economist and author based in Washington, DC.

End America’s Perverse Embargo Against Cuba By Jesse Jackson

Oct. 19, 2014

End America’s Perverse Embargo Against Cuba
By Jesse Jackson

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - When President Barack Obama called on the world to contribute to fighting Ebola in West Africa, the response was, as the Wall Street Journal reported, “underwhelming.” One nation stood up immediately: Cuba dispatched 165 medical personnel to Sierra Leone, the largest single contribution to that country. “Against Ebola, we can work with anyone,” said Jorge Delgado Bustillo, head of the Cuban Sierra Leone Medical Brigade “The United States? Yes, we can.”

Cuba has sent tens of thousands of health workers to aid foreign nations in distress, including 1,500 to Haiti after its 2010 earthquake. The Cubans cooperate with the U.S. on migration issues and in patrolling the seas. The Cubans also aid the U.S. in the wars on drugs and terror, now hosting peace talks between the Colombian government and guerrilla leaders there that even American officials acknowledge are helpful.

Cubans are freer to travel to the U.S. than Americans are to travel to Cuba. The Cubans are expanding private ownership and encouraging foreign investment, with the Brazilians, Europeans, Chinese and Russians all grabbing opportunities. While the Cubans are far from a democracy and continue to curb dissent and limit freedom of assembly, their leaders are slowly opening the country up, while playing a responsible role across the developing world.

And yet America continues to enforce an embargo that began in 1961. The State Department still includes Cuba on its list of terrorist nations.

This perverse policy has helped to isolate the U.S. in its own hemisphere. The U.S. government’s unrelenting opposition to Cuba’s presence at hemispheric meetings has offended virtually all of our neighbors, while isolating the U.S. Now the U.S. has been put on notice: When Latin American governments open the seventh Summit of the Americas in Panama City next spring, Cuba will be in attendance whether Obama comes or not.

The failed embargo against Cuba should have been lifted decades ago. The embargo has been sustained largely for two reasons. First, Castro embarrassed the CIA and the cold warriors, frustrating their attempts to invade the island, destabilize the regime and assassinate him. Second, domestic politics, particularly the passion of Cuban American voters in the swing state Florida, sustained the policy long past its expiration date. But the Cold War is long over, and the new generation of Cuban Americans wants relations opened up.

The New York Times recently called on President Obama to normalize relations with Cuba. Only Congress can fully end the embargo, but the president can expand the right to travel to and invest in the island, and can restore normal diplomatic ties. He might sensibly commute the sentences of the three of the five Cuban men who remain in jail after 16 years, and exchange them for Alan Gross, now imprisoned in Cuba for five years as an American spy.

This could help launch a new era of engagement with our own hemisphere. The U.S. has been so busy across the world that it has neglected — and often scorned — our neighbors. Yet from immigration to terrorism to climate change and economic vitality, good relations with our neighbors are critical.

Ending the outmoded cold war against an island 90 miles off our shore is long overdue. By taking this step, President Obama can revive U.S. leadership in the region and bring to an end an historic embarrassment.

Death of Thomas Eric Duncan Gives Rise to Question: Where is the Surgeon General?

Oct. 13, 2014

Death of Thomas Eric Duncan Gives Rise to Question: Where is the Surgeon General?

Dr. Vivek Murthy, President Obama's nominee for U. S. surgeon general.

Thomas Eric Duncan has now died of Ebola.

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from Global Information Network

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – Almost forgotten in the panic sparked by a new Ebola infection – this time of the Dallas nurse apparently suited up properly to care for the Liberian patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, in isolation - some media houses are asking the question: “Where is the nation’s Surgeon General?”

Although primarily a ceremonial post, the Surgeon General has the power of a bully pulpit and could provide much needed reassurance that plans are coming together to stop the further spread of the virus and counteract rumor.

“Americans need to know that someone with authority is drawing information from disparate agencies tracking and countering Ebola within our borders,” wrote Jerry Lanson, professor of journalism at Emerson College.

But a candidate proposed by President Obama has been sidelined by the Republican Congress because the nominee, Dr. Vivek Murthy, apparently offended the powerful gun lobby by supporting an assault weapons ban and writing that “Guns are a health care issue.”

Kentucky Sen. Ran Paul retorted: “As a physician, I am deeply concerned that Murthy has advocated that doctors ask patients, including minors, details about gun ownership in the home… Dr. Murthy has disqualified himself from being Surgeon General because of his intent to launch an attack on Americans’ right to own a firearm under the guise of a public health and safety campaign.”

But an op-ed by News One Now host Roland Martin countered: “Murthy has no business sitting around waiting to be confirmed. The Obama administration should be raising holy hell, demanding that a pre-eminent doctor get his vote on the Senate floor.”

Two MSNBC producers weighed in with a joint editorial: “Thanks to NRA power and Senate cowardice, we are left with no surgeon general during a time when we not only have Ebola arriving on our shores but are also dealing with the mysterious Enterovirus, which is contributing to the deaths of children in the U.S.”

Meanwhile, a top U.S. health official has riled some health care experts and nurses by blaming a “protocol breach” for the new virus infection on a Dallas nurse. Hospital staff, said the experts, need better coaching on treating an Ebola patient, making sure they have the right safety equipment and know how to use it properly to prevent infection.”

"You don't scapegoat and blame when you have a disease outbreak," said Bonnie Castillo, a disaster relief expert at National Nurses United. "We have a system failure. That is what we have to correct."

More than 4,000 people have died in the worst Ebola outbreak on record that began in West Africa in March.

Va. State University Facing $19.6 Shortfall

Oct. 19, 2014

Va. State University Facing $19.6 Shortfall
By Joey Matthews

Va. State University President Keith T. Miller

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the Richmond Free Press

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Keith T. Miller, the beleaguered president of Virginia State University, stood face to face with concerned faculty members, staff and students. He assured them his administration is doing all it can to plug a $19.6 million shortfall in revenue without sharper cuts to staff and student services.

“All the universities that are having challenging times address the budget in a number of ways. We’ve prioritized people and academics,” he said Oct. 9. “We will work through this challenge together.”

The leader of the 132-year-old, historically black institution is facing perhaps his toughest challenge since taking the helm of the university four years ago.

The circle of concern is growing. In the coming days, Dr. Miller may be answering more questions as thousands of alumni flock to the campus for homecoming and as the board of visitors gathers for a special session.

Since the start of the school year in August, VSU has closed four dormitories, cut cafeteria services at its sparkling Gateway Hall, eliminated classes and curbed evening programs.

The administration’s moves were designed to close a roughly $19.6 million budget gap for the 2014-15 year. The shortfall comprises $12.1 million in auxiliary services such as dormitories and food services, $5.8 million in tuitions and fees and a $1.56 million reduction in state support, according to an internal VSU budget document.

The losses in revenue are largely due to the Miller administration overestimating the number of student who would attend the university this year and live in its dorms and apartments. Only 4,995 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled, or 752 fewer than in 2013 and 505 less than the budget’s projected 5,500 students.

The university also overestimated the number of students who would live in its residential units by more than 900 students.

Students have been stunned by the cuts in services. They mounted a protest rally three weeks ago calling for Dr. Miller’s resignation and that of members of his leadership team. They questioned why VSU’s administration had not foreseen the shortfall and were critical of what they said was a lack of communication about the financial problems and the impact on them.

Ferguson October In Full Swing as Thousands March for Justice by Kenya Vaughn

Oct. 12, 2014

Ferguson October In Full Swing as Thousands March for Justice
By Kenya Vaughn

Thousands marched in Saturday's "Justice for all March" down Market Street to Kiener Plaza. The event was part of the #FergusonOctober event. The march started at 15th and Market and ended with a rally at Kiener PHOTO: Wiley Price/St. Louis American

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from The St. Louis American

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - “People have been saying that this generation is dead and useless – and that they weren’t about anything. But I never gave up on them,” said legendary St. Louis activist Percy Green. “Certain things come along and the trigger one’s consciousness – and this is what we get.”

Even though he was far from in the forefront as more than 3,000 marched down Market Saturday morning as part of what is now known as Ferguson October, Green was hard to miss.

As the sea of people marched down towards Kiener Plaza, he gleamed like a proud father on more than one occasion – nodding with approval as they chanted and showcasing a permanent grin.

“I knew that it was just a matter of time before something like this would occur, because history has dictated that for us,” Green said. “It’s just like we know rain comes from a cloud – it doesn’t come from a clear blue sky – but every cloud doesn’t bring rain. Sooner or later the clouds will bring rain…and this is the rain.”

The seeds he planted a generation before as an activist sprout through the young people that continue to take to the streets in the wake of the death of Michael Brown’s death on August 9.

On this day all walks of life – including the AFL-CIO, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), affiliate unions and constituency groups – joined them for the "Justice For All" march.

“We think that it’s a beautiful thing for all of us to come together to fight for justice for Michael Brown – but also for economic justice,” said Lew Moye, president of CBTU’s St. Louis chapter. “One of the main problems that we have in Ferguson and in other parts of North County is the lack of jobs. And this incident has shined a light on that. And the other thing that we have out there is the lack of blacks in government and that shined a light on that as well.”

Like Green, Moye was in the shadows watching as a proud elder who laid the foundation for what he saw the young people leading a movement for justice in the name of those who had become casualties of what many referred to as “police terror.”

“The more we get out here in the streets and demonstrate and put a focus on it, the more we will be able to do to turn this situation around,” Moye said.
They were two of dozens of civic leaders and activists who respectfully let the young people have their moment in the forefront of a movement started as a small relentless few in the streets of Canfield Green Apartments.

Many were out the night before both in Ferguson and in South City. They relied on the familiar chants as they made their way down the march route.

“Hands Up, Don’t Shoot,” and “This is what democracy looks like,” “Hey hey, ho ho these killer cops have got to go” were among the most popular, as was the call and response“What do we want…Justice,” When do we want it…Now.”

Their voices were strained and hoarse by the time they approached the podium for the rally that followed the march. But the energy and fervency were unscathed.

“We know that police brutality is a generational problem,” Tef Poe said. “My father combatted it, I’m combatting it and I’m here today to make sure that my kids don’t have to go through the same thing. Today officially marks 64 days since we lost our brother Michael Brown Jr. Every day we have been in the streets fighting for Mike Brown and all of the countless victims in our community.

He and the others promised not to be moved.

“This is not a fly by night moment. This is not a made for TV revolution,” Poe said. “This is real people standing up to a real problem saying ‘we ain’t taking it no more.’ We’re fighting for our lives.”
A movement ordained by blood.

“It’s essential for us that you recognize that this moment cannot end here,” said Montague Simmons, president of the Organization for Black Struggle. “Your participation was consecrated by blood sacrifice that goes back generations. The building behind you… nearly 200 years ago, Dred Scott’s life was ruled worth three-fifths of a human being. Police terror began before slavery ended. They didn’t value black lives then and they don’t value black lives now.”

After a musical interlude featuring protest music that ranged from Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues” to Fela Kuti’s “Zombie,” Simmons was one of the group of individuals who reinforced that what they had done for the sake of Michael Brown – including the march they just completed- was the beginning of the movement and not the culminating activity.

Guests came from around the nation – and the world – to speak in solidarity with those who were still relentlessly pursing justice for Michael Brown and shedding light on the tragically dysfunctional relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Chicago, New York, Ohio, Miami and even Palestine were represented in the list of speakers designated to give the briefest of remarks.

“Palestinians and Palestinian allies have traveled from all over the country to be here with you today in solidarity, because we realize that none of us is free until all of us are free,” said Suhad Hatib on behalf of the country. “And because we know that black liberation in this country will lead to liberation for us all.”

Also among the panel of young speakers was Marshawn McCarrell of the Ohio Student Association. They have been protesting in the name of John Crawford, the young man who was killed by police in a Beaver Creek, Ohio Wal-Mart while holding a toy gun four days before Michael Brown was shot down in Canfield.

“We’re happy to report that we recently shut down the Beaver Creek police station,” McCarrell said. “We won’t find justice until we can fundamentally shift the relationship between law enforcement and our communities.”
Green was probably somewhere smiling, knowing that Ferguson and the St. Louis area – where he had been on the frontline decades before – had a hand in demonstrations around the nation and the world.
“This is fantastic – this is the way it ought to be,” Green said. “I’m just so glad that I lived to see this happen.”

As people stood talking about lives lost at the hands of law enforcement (which has grown to include Vonderrit Myers in South City just a few days ago) and the action they were committed to taking to making these tragedies the exception to the rule, attention was drawn to the Kiener Plaza fountains that ran red to celebrate the St. Louis Cardinals’ reaching the playoff season.

“Those red fountains are freaking me out because I’m thinking specifically of the blood that was shed by those who were auctioned on those steps,” Simmons said. “I’m thinking about the blood that soaked into the ground in Canfield. I’m thinking about the blood that was soaked into the ground in north city. I’m thinking about the blood that was soaked into the ground in South city this past week.”

He urged them to let the blood – both symbolic and actual – be a catalyst for their action.

“This moment only becomes a movement with you,” Simmons said. “It takes you organized, it takes you activated – it takes every one of you in the streets. If this moment is to be the transformative movement that it can be, we’ve got to make the cost of black life too high for them to take it.”