Urban News Features

It Shouldn't Feel This Way By Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

Feb. 12, 2017

It Shouldn't Feel This Way
By Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Without creating too much knowledge of how chronologically advanced I am, I can honestly say I've seen my share of presidential campaigns and have been on both the winning and losing sides personally and in support of other candidates. I know the glow of excitement that lingers long after Election Day for a successful campaign. I also know the deep and burning frustration and disappointment of having to make a concession speech or having to see your chosen candidate make a concession speech after decisive returns are revealed. One thing is certain. Each election will yield a winner and loser. I accept that. It doesn’t mean we have to like the results, and it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t protest and resist the actions of the winner when we don’t agree with them.

While we accept the 2016 presidential election, this time feels different, and the feeling is not good! Every day there is something new that gives cause for great concern.

Maybe I'm naïve or my expectations are too high! Maybe I just give my fellow citizens too much credit! Whatever the circumstance, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of other Americans have the same dim view I have of the outcome of the presidential election and the new president, Donald Trump. I am fearful for the future of our country. I see the subtle autocratic manipulations that suggest movement to less individual freedom and to more dictatorial rule.

These feelings aren’t a recent phenomenon. They were not manufactured from a sense of anger or loss. They are the result of the dissonance between Trump's campaign and post-election behaviors and the behaviors we have come to expect from candidates and eventual presidents. I have seen these same sentiments expressed by television pundits and citizens alike. Even some Trump supporters I know have begun to express a sense of "buyer's remorse" because of voting for him.

One of the primary reasons for these feelings can be summed up in a simple statement, "Trump is a con man and a pathological liar!" We must remember that fact-checks of Trump's campaign rhetoric found him to misrepresent facts at nearly a 7-in-10 rate. He has shown himself to possess an above average mastery of the most sophisticated techniques of propaganda.

We must remember that the "con" in "con man" refers to confidence. Just as in advertising or propagandizing, confidence is built by appealing to the image of an individual's self-interest or desire. This is accomplished with:

Use of sensational generalities (Make America great again.)
Name-calling and labeling (appealing to negative imagery)
Biased testimonials
Appeals to "common folk" and their values (Drain the swamp.)
Group identification (creating a sense of US versus THEM, i.e. promoting attacks at rallies)
Information manipulation (endless flow of lies and misrepresentations coming from the Trump camp)
Image manipulation (demonizing the opposition while creating the impression that "I" am the only solution to your problems.)

Few will deny that Trump has used these methods to obtain power. Most will agree those are tools of psychological manipulation that are used by many politicians. Some will try to convince you that Trump used them with overwhelming efficiency (The popular vote disputes that.). What is unsettling is that he continues to use them to sustain a combative nationalist sense of fear and paranoia. While continuing to feed us the pabulum of his "I am one of you" messaging, Trump has embraced an inner-circle of racists, white-nationalists, oligarchs, sexists and elitists who threaten any philosophy beyond their own self-interests.

Persons familiar with history understand that Trump's ascendance mirrors those of other authoritarian dictators. The constant name-calling and demonization of opponents support the siege mentality. We must persist in our opposition because it should not feel this way.

(Dr. E. Faye Williams, President of the National Congress of Black Women. 202/678-6788. www.nationalcongressbw.org)

Black Caucus Chairman, Other Racial Caucuses, Demand Justice from Trump Administration By Jane Kennedy

Feb. 8, 2016

Black Caucus Chairman, Other Racial Caucuses, Demand Justice from Trump Administration
Despite pending confirmations, CBC, others vow to continue protests
By Jane Kennedy

New Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond (D-La.) joins with members of the
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to
demand justice for all Americans from the Trump Administration. Courtesy Photo

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - The Congressional Tri-Caucus this week held a press conference to highlight red line issues they’re demanding the administration of President Donald J. Trump not cross.

Led by Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond(D-La.), Monday's conference was initially called to express the lawmakers’ objections to the pending confirmation of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump’s controversial pick to head the U.S. Department of Justice. Sessions has been under fire for his previous stances on civil rights and racial issues. The Tri-Caucus is comprised of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).

However, moments before the afternoon press conference began, Vice President Mike Pence cast a history making, tie-breaker vote to confirm another one of President Trump’s most contentious nominees - incoming Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

DeVos, a Michigan billionaire, faced fire from teachers unions and public education advocates and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle primarily because of what many considered to be a shocking lack of qualifications to serve at the helm of the Education Department and her advocacy of anti-public school policies. Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) voted against her nomination, forcing the vice president to break a tie for a cabinet confirmation for the first time ever.

“It's unprecedented that a vice president has had to help confirm a nominee for secretary of Education. I expect that Mrs. DeVos will have an incredibly harmful impact on public education and on Black communities nationwide,” Richmond said. “The Congressional Black Caucus will be watching her actions very closely and if she proves to be as extreme as advertised, we will fight her every step of the way.”

The Louisiana lawmaker had equally harsh words for Sessions, whose confirmation unlike DeVos’, is expected to win unanimous Republican support. Echoing sentiments expressed when he testified at one of Sessions’ confirmation hearings, Richmond declared that the Alabama senator is not a friend of Lady Justice or of communities of color.

Sessions was famously denied a federal judgeship in 1986 when the very chamber he now serves failed to clear him through committee because of accusations of racism. According to the CBC’s Richmond and the chairs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, little if anything has changed about Sessions’ views on race and he cannot be counted on to provide equal justice for all.

In his remarks Richmond noted the Alabama lawmaker’s disdain for the Black Lives Matter movement and his publically stated belief that consent decrees, such as the one received by the Ferguson, Missouri, police department to provide citizens relief from civil rights violations, are a ‘dangerous exercise of raw power.’ Richmond also questioned whether he can be relied upon to enforce and protect voting rights for all Americans.

“Those are just some of the issues that we have with Sen. Sessions and his record and no matter how much time has passed, history has not changed and his actions have not changed,” Richmond said.

Democrats are both flummoxed and frustrated by many of Trump’s cabinet picks, some of whom, like Sessions, have records that are seemingly contrary to the mission of the agencies they’ve been chosen to lead, or who like DeVos, are also woefully unfamiliar with their agency’s key issues, policies and laws. The latter, said California Rep. Barbara Lee, “is just another example of the Trump administration not understanding that we’re a country of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

So, they also are preparing themselves to go to battle against any attempts to go backward and to forcefully challenge controversial and discriminatory proposals in committee rooms.

Confirmation, Richmond warned, does not end the fight.

“We’ve been through fights our entire career and we will use our positions on our various committees, our role as oversight, our role as appropriators and everything else to make sure that we hold this administration accountable. And one thing we will do is make sure that there’s daylight and transparency and that we call out the things that are done in the dark and done with discriminatory purpose,” he said. “And, we’re going to make sure that we hold this administration to the standard of the presidency and make sure that they understand that the role of president is that you’re president for all of America.”

Immigration Ban: Trump Shows He Revels in Dangerous Chaos By Jesse Jackson

Jan. 31, 2017

News Analysis

Immigration Ban: Trump Shows He Revels in Dangerous Chaos
By Jesse Jackson

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - President Donald Trump’s most recent provocation — suddenly issuing an order banning the admission into the United States of refugees and immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries — created chaos and fury that had to be expected.

Airports across the world were engulfed with demonstrators. Judges issued emergency orders staying enforcement of parts of the order. Families found their children studying abroad unable to return home, or their loved ones attending a funeral stranded in an airport. Translators who had risked their lives for American soldiers in Iraq suddenly found their green cards useless and their lives at great risk. Both intelligence professionals and State Department diplomats have protested the order.

Trump clearly revels in this chaos. He proves to his voters that he’ll fulfill his campaign promises, despite opposition. He shows them that he’s getting things done. He postures strong on securing Americans against foreign terrorists. He defines his opponents as bleeding heart liberals, more concerned about rights than security, more internationalist than nationalist. He views this all as a win.

Trump’s act is based on a lie: that America is not careful in vetting those refugees from battle zones that seek refuge in our country from violence or persecution. In fact, our vetting is already among the most stringent in the world. Trump told the Christian Broadcasting Network that Christians would be given preference over other religious groups, asserting falsely that under Obama, “If you were a Muslim you could come in, but if you were a Christian, it was almost impossible.” In fact, last year we admitted virtually as many Christian refugees as Muslims, despite the fact that far more Muslims are at risk and seeking refuge. But this president has shown that he’s prepared to act on the basis of “alternative facts” when he so chooses.

The real problem is that the unintended consequences are likely to be far more dangerous than doing nothing. For ISIS and al-Qaida, the order is gift. It feeds their argument that the Muslim world is facing a war on Islam led by the Great Satan (the U.S.) intent on persecuting Muslims.

The anger and hatred generated will make it more difficult for moderate Muslim leaders to cooperate with the U.S. At home, a Muslim community under siege — and faced with rising hate crimes — is likely to become more closed, not less, and less cooperative, not more. If we will not respect their rights and security, they will be less likely to be concerned for ours.

Across the world, the order reveals an America that is frightened, not strong, and insular, not expansive. Trump has just mocked his own argument that our allies should bear a fair share of the defense burden, for he’s made it clear the U.S. will not do its part in offering refuge to the displaced — many of them driven from their homes by wars that we started or continue. And America’s claim to be a champion of human rights has just been weakened by our own actions once more.

The irony here is that Trump gets the threat wrong. Seven countries were singled out for special prohibition — a ban on all travelers, not just refugees for 90 days, visa or no visa. Not one person from those countries has killed any Americans in a terrorist attack inside the U.S. The perpetrators of American terrorist attacks in Boston, San Bernardino, Calif., Fort Hood in Texas, and Orlando, Fla. — did not come from the countries banned, and all were radicalized homegrown individuals.

Similarly, the hijackers of 9/11 did not come from the countries that are banned. They came from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Lebanon, none of which are on the list.

There must be some other reason than terrorist threat for the selection. It may not simply be coincidental that the countries listed for bans are those where Trump’s company does no business, while the nations from which the 9/11 attackers came — and yet are exempted — are places where Trump has done or tried to do business.

Democrats have said they would try to get the order rescinded for its trampling of human rights, its lack of preparation and confused definitions. The real question is whether Republicans embrace this action or make their opposition known. Trump is happy to mock Democrats. His aides know that he has to learn to work with Republicans who control majorities in both houses of Congress.

Thus far, Republicans such as Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Jeff Flake have risked Trump’s wrath by objecting to the order. It is revealing that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell chose to duck — saying the courts would decide whether the order is constitutional — while House Speaker Paul Ryan chose to embrace the order rather than criticize it. These are not profiles in courage.

Black Pastor Delivers 'Fake News' at Trump White House Black History Month Meeting

Feb. 5, 2017

Black Pastor Delivers 'Fake News' at Trump White House Black History Month Meeting

President Trump's Controversial White House Black History Month Meeting

The Reverend Darrell Scott, pastor of the New Spirit Revival Center in the Cleveland (Courtesy Photo)

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the Afro American Newspaper

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - The Reverend Darrell Scott, pastor of the New Spirit Revival Center in the Cleveland area, a speaker at the Republican National Convention and a member of the Trump Transition Team Executive Committee - by his own admission - falsely stated certain facts that curiously suggested that some of the top gang leaders he had a relationship with in Chicago were Trump supporters.

Scott made his statements apparently in an attempt to impress President Trump and others at a Feb. 1 White House Black History Month meeting of Black Trump supporters convened by President Trump.

During the course of the meeting Scott told Trump:

“I was recently contacted by some of the top gang thugs in Chicago for a sit down. They reached out to me because they associated me with you. They respect you (Trump), they believe in what you’re doing and they want to have a sit down about lowering that body count.”

Scott went on to say:

“These are guys straight from the streets, no politicians. Straight street guys and they’re going to commit that if they lower that body count we’ll come in and we’re going to do some social programs.”

The president, who has already threatened on Twitter to “send in the feds” to Chicago, responded, “If they’re not going to solve the problem—and what you’re doing is the right thing—then, we’re going to solve the problem for them because we’re going to have to do something about Chicago.” In the end, the president seemed to show his approval of the meeting.

Shortly after the meeting, however, Scott began to retreat from his statements which apparently caught the attention of numerous news outlets and people both in Chicago and elsewhere. Scott told WGN News (while laughing) “I misspoke...I only had three hours sleep at the time. I meant to say former street thugs...Former.”

But it doesn’t appear that any of Scott’s White House statements were true!

Interestingly enough, those who have worked for years to reduce violence and crime in Chicago said they have never heard of or seen Scott. Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church, a well-known and respected combatant of the city’s crime problems, was one of the first to blast Scott for his statements.

“I guess the first thing is, where’s he been and who is he? Where’s he been while we’ve been fighting this thing for years? Where has this pastor been and why hasn’t anybody heard about him?” Pfleger told WGN News. “It’s very surprising to me, as somebody who works with brothers in the street all the time, that they reached out to Akron, Ohio … If you care about this, how come you haven’t done anything about this until now and you’re sitting at breakfast with Donald Trump? How much money is involved?”

In January there were 51 murders in Chicago, one more than during the same month a year earlier. The city saw 299 shooting victims last month, eight more than in January 2016.

At a different point in the Feb. 1 Black History Month White House meeting, Trump noted that “Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is getting recognized more and more, I noticed.” The remark caused many on Twitter to ask if Donald Trump even knew who the famed abolitionist and orator was.

HBCU Band Defies Critics, Reaps Reward Through Inauguration By Brookie Madison

Jan. 29, 2017

HBCU Band Defies Critics, Reaps Reward Through Inauguration
Talladega College Raises $670,000 to Perform in Parade

By Brookie Madison

Talladega College President Billy Hawkins is surrounded by the media and students during a send off to march in the inaurugal parade in Washington. Hawkins was criticized harshly for the band's participation, but the program is $650,000 richer for doing so. PHOTO: Courtesy/Anniston Star

band story photo 2

One third of all Talledega students are members of the marching bandthat performed during the inauguration. The money from the trip will go to scholarships,new equipment, equipment and facilities, administration officials said. Courtesy Photo

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the Howard University News Service

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – At Talladega College, a tiny historically Black institution 55 miles east of Birmingham, Ala., the president, the administration, the band director and the school’s 230-member marching band are as giddy in anticipation as a 9-year-old a week before Christmas.

In this case, however, Santa Claus, in the names of Donald Trump and his supporters and Fox-TV’s Bill O’Reilly and his millions of viewers have already come to town and left the cash-strapped school $670,000 to march in Trump’s inauguration. And now it’s time to go shopping. Visions of new trumpets, clarinets, Sousaphones, drums and trombones are dancing in their heads. There’s talk of a new band room big enough for all the members of the Great Tornado Marching Band to get in without stepping over each other. The college is even considering its own buses to get the band to performances at NFL games, the New Orleans Mardi Gras and the numerous other venues the band plays annually.

“This has been an absolutely amazing ride,” said Greg Wilson, a spokesman for the college rode back to Talladega on the buses with the band. “What started out as a GoFundMe account just to get to D.C. to participate in the inauguration has morphed into something far greater.

“In terms of the financials, it’s a blessing. We’re thankful for it. The band has an immense amount of needs.”

Probably no one is happier than Talladega President Billy Hawkins. “This is also a demonstration that we made the right decision to allow our students the opportunity to participate in a civic ceremony,” Hawkins said. “It provided our students this opportunity to be a part of history and something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

A little over a month ago, the college was the target of scorn nationally from activists and alumni for having agreeing to participate in the inauguration of a president-elect largely loathed by African-Americans. The band had applied to march in the parade long before the election, but when Trump won on Nov. 9 instead of Hillary Clinton and invited the band to participate, an avalanche of criticism engulfed the school. Shirley Ferrill of Fairfield, Ala., a member of the graduating class of 1974, told the Associated Press that she and other alumni were horrified to hear news of the school’s participation. She said didn’t want her alma mater to seem as if it was supporting Trump in any way.

She created a petition asking for the withdrawal of the band from the inaugural festivities that gathered over 2,000 signatures. Poet Nikky Finney, a Talladega graduate and professor at the University of South Carolina, said she felt the band should not celebrate Trump. “The college had sold out the history of Talladega College for chicken change [and] maybe a tin star on a hatemonger’s parade route,” Finney told the New York Times. Much of that criticism was directed at Hawkins.

“They’ve said that I have shamed the college by making this decision and have had folks to say I am a disgrace to my African-American race,” he said during a television interview before the inauguration. With such a furor, Hawkins considered pulling out, but decided to go after all. “This was never about politics and those who were critical of this didn’t think about the students,” he said. “They deserve the same right to participate in this parade just like all the other parade participants.” The band set up a Go Fund Me account with the goal of $75,000. In the beginning, there was a slight trickle, but after the college president appeared on the Bill O’Reilly show on Fox TV, the money flooded in. The college received $670,000 in the Go Fund Me account in a mere 15 days. The contributions were led by large donors. O’Reilly chipped in $25,000. Ophelia and Juan Roca, two Miami-based philanthropists, gave $6,000. That was followed by two anonymous donors of $5,000 each, then scores of four figure donations. More than 50 people gave at least $1,000. The donations were often accompanied by comments reflecting the donor’s support of Trump and O’Reilly. “Congratulations to the band, to O'Reilly and O'Reilly Factor, to the college,” the Rocas wrote. "I'm very proud of your students.”

Howard Anderson gave $2,500. “I wish you the best as we make America great Again,” Anderson wrote. “We are with you Our FUTURE Thank You. I love you GOD BLESS.”

Edward Kinsey gave $500. “Your courage is an example of doing the right thing to support the United States of America,” Kinsey said. Ferrill said she wished her petition had moved the school not to participate and she still feels the school made a mistake. “For me, it transcends the money,” she said Tuesday as she quoted a passage from the Bible, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?’”

For the band and the school, the influx of cash has been a godsend. One third of the school’s 800 students participates in the band, officials said, and most of those students as well as at least half of the students on are some form of federal loans. “Financial aid is a challenge to pay for, especially for students at historically black colleges,” Hawkins said. “Now we will be able to provide additional scholarships.” He said he hopes to build on the school’s success, with alumni and others. “I would to see a new established donor base and I would hope that those that gave would continue to support the band and Talladega College,” he said. “It was so, so positive.”