July 14, 2014

Increasing Outrage Over Beating of Woman on LA Freeway
Group Asking for Justice Department Investigation
By Hazel Trice Edney

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – Outrage continues to grow over the beating of a Black woman by an officer of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). A group of protestors met for a rally July 12 to demand that the officer be fired.

“The point of the rally is we want to put pressure on CHP to do the right thing and fire the officer," said Rev. K. W. Tulloss, western regional director of the National Action Network, and nationally led by the Rev. Al Sharpton.  “We also want to continue to let the family of the victim know that we’re here and we’re supporting and we’re here to give her voice because she’s voiceless.”

The beating of the woman, identified as Marlene Pinnock, has spotlighted a historic distrust between police and African-Americans. Some view the Pinnock case as the worse videotaped beating since the Rodney King beating by Los Angeles police in 1991.

“The reality is this is probably one of the worst beatings seen throughout this nation and it happened to a lady,” Tulloss said.

CHP Commissioner Joseph A. Farrow has said he is “deeply concerned” and promised a fair and thorough investigation. But circulation of the video of the July 1 incident has continued to fuel ire across the nation. It shows the woman pinned down by the officer at the side of the Los Angeles freeway as he repeatedly punches her about the head and face as she attempts to defend herself.

Tulloss said NAN is also pressing for the U. S. Department of Justice to investigate to give additional oversight to the CHP.

“We look at it as a vicious crime,” Tulloss said. “We’ve been through this before and we just don’t have confidence in police conduct. They’re protected by their Police Bill of Rights and we don’t have confidence in them policing themselves and doing their own investigation.”

Pinnock, 51, had apparently been walking on Interstate 10 west of downtown Los Angeles. At a news conference CHP Assistant Chief Chris O'Quinn said the officer was trying to restrain the woman after seeing her veering into the highway when an altercation occurred.

A passing motorist, David Diaz, recorded the incident and sent it to media outlets. The video went viral on the Internet, social media and TV.

Diaz told the Associated Press that the officer "agitated the situation more than helped it.” He said the woman was actually walking off of the freeway when the officer said something to her that started the incident.

Reports say that Pinnock, a great grandmother, is now hospitalized while undergoing psychiatric evaluation. The officer, placed on administrative duty, has also not been identified.

Pinnock’s lawyer, Caree Harper, told CNN that her physical injuries are severe. "Her family went to visit her," Harper told CNN. "She has multiple lumps in her head, lumps on her shoulder like the size of a plum, bruises and lumps all over her upper body."

Tulloss has had several conversations with the lawyer, who also participated in the rally. He said NAN is also pushing for the CHP to so right by Pinnock in civil court. Pinnock’s family has reportedly said they will file a lawsuit.

“We see that CHP has an officer who is not fit for the job. He should not wear the CHP uniform ever, ever again,” said Tulloss. “That’s what we’re pressing for and we’re pressing for the Department of Justice do an independent review of this case.”

Election-year Battle: NAACP Promises to ‘Educate, Mobilize and Agitate’ for Voter Participation
By Hazel Trice Edney

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – With a “pivotal election” coming up Nov. 4, the NAACP will kick off its 105^th Annual Convention this week focusing primarily on maximum Black voter turnout for the mid-term elections.

“All In for Justice & Equality” is the theme of the convention – to be held in Las Vegas. Voter suppression, criminal justice reform, voting rights, economic opportunity and educational equality are among the topics on the agenda from Saturday, July 19 to Wednesday, July 23.

Chairman Roslyn M. Brock says that the 105-year-old organization will escalate its traditional strategies with determination to turn out the largest voting force possible.

"In this pivotal election year, it is especially important for us to address voter suppression and the challenges facing communities of color and the nation as a whole. As we tackle important issues like health care, economic opportunity, education and civic engagement, we know that we cannot fully recover as a nation unless we are courageous, stand in solidarity and get out the vote,” says Brock. “The NAACP will continue to educate, mobilize and agitate to create an informed and engaged populace and continue the work in ensuring every American has unfettered access to the ballot box."

NAACP is a non-partisan organization, but has always fought for Black voter participation given the social, civil rights, and economic justice issues at stake. The Republicans Party, which gets only a hand full of Black votes, are determined to win back the majority in the Senate that they lost in 2006 elections. Currently Senate Democrats have a 55-45 majority (including two independents who usually vote with Democrats). Republicans will likely maintain control of the House unless Democrats can pick up at least 17 seats. Democrats have not had a House majority since 2010.

The convention comes amidst major civil rights milestones including the 60th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education desegregation ruling March 17, the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, signed into law on July 2; and the 50th Anniversary of the Mississippi Freedom Summer. Also, next year is the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (Aug. 6, 1965).

A statement from the NAACP stressed that the convention also occurs on the heels of the “devastating decision” in Shelby v. Holder, June 25, 2013, which gutted Section IV of the Voting Rights Act.

"The civil rights anniversaries this past year remind us how far we have come, and how far we still have to go,” said NAACP former Interim President & CEO, Lorraine C. Miller.  “As we honor the contributions of heroes like Thurgood Marshall, Dorothy Height and Maya Angelou, we also continue to address the new Jim Crow of mass incarceration and the old Jim Crow of voter suppression. NAACP members and partners have never been content to simply memorialize historic icons; in fact, we are inspired and energized by their example for the work that lies ahead.”

The convention will also feature the first speech from NAACP Cornell William Brooks, a civil rights lawyer and AME preacher, is scheduled to speak at the first plenary session Monday morning July 21. Brooks is slated to speak on Brock is schedule to speak at the first public mass meeting on Sunday evening, July 20.

According to a release, the convention speakers include “well-known as well as the next generation of civil rights leaders, elected officials, faith leaders, actors and community activists.”

“The NAACP is still the most influential and relevant voice in the fight for social justice,” stated NAACP Vice Chairman Leon Russell. “We still face several challenges and we must continue to set the tone for those who believe that the struggle for a greater nation must continue. Our Convention must also re-emphasize the importance of civic engagement as we move into off year elections. The ability to cast an unfettered ballot that is actually counted is perhaps our greatest challenge.”

July 20, 2014

Guns and Violence: The Sad Beat Continues 
Week of Non-Violence August 16-23

By Dr. Barbara Reynolds

News Analysis

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - At the recent "On the Run" tour concert in Philadelphia with half a million people attending,  Beyonce’ and Jay- Z portrayed the pistol packing Bonnie and Clyde outlaw couple with lot of fake guns and fireworks.

Meanwhile across the nation this July 4^th weekend there were real drama, real tears, real guns, injuries and death.  A small snapshot:  Eighty-five people were shot in Chicago, fourteen killed which included a 14 and 15-year-old boy shot by police. In Rocky Mountain, N.C. grandmothers dived for cover, shielding young ones under their bodies as shots rang out at a picnic. And on Monday, Wanda Ross, a minister at DC’s Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church learned her nephew Joshua Johnson, 26, had been robbed, shot in the head and was on life support, and now he has died.

Nearly all of shootings were Black on Black crime and data show Blacks are more likely to be killed by gunfire than White people. The Department of Justice reported that in 2010, the rate of firearm homicides for Black people was 14.6 per 100,000 people. By comparison, the rate for White people was 1.9 per 100,000.

So what does the platinum pair Beyonce’ and Jay-Z so honored by the Obama White House have to do with the homicide epidemic sweeping across Black communities? Some would argue a lot.

Keith Magee, a Distinguished Senior Fellow, of the University of Birmingham in England attended the concert.  He says, “I was astonished by their masterful artistry and capable performances, but was equally astounded by the thematic thread of Bonnie and Clyde.  To think that they would utilize outlaws and robbers noted for gang violence and murders in the midst of our current crisis of violence was disappointing.

“Though they were careful to reiterate throughout the concert “this isn’t real”, the reality of what is happening in cities and town across American is. Jay-Z, a product of the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn, first hand knows the impact of gangs, gun violence and bloodshed. Beyonce’ was Time Magazine’s Person of The Year and therefore has global impact on young girls. The two of them should perpetuate positive, life affirming messages to the audience they serve.”

To raise these issues is not to blame the current murderous cycle on Beyonce’, Jay-Z and their filthy rich hip hop cohorts.  Certainly, parents, professors, preachers and others have a role. But those performers who have struck gold promoting drugs, guns and violence should take some ownership of the problems that lethal combination has created. They must be challenged to write and perform lyrics that inspire the young to value life, education and peace.

Can’t be done?  James Brown “Black and I am Proud" inspired a generation as did Aretha Franklin’s "Respect" anthem.  Whether multi-millionaire idols like Beyoncé and J-Z own up to it or not they are role models. Their most popular lyrics have become part of the reality narrative mixed with guns and bravado that are raising the death tolls across America.

Badly needed are alternatives, which groups such as the Black Women for Positive Change are working to provide.  They are sponsoring a Harmony-jam for young poets, musicians and singers at Metropolitan AME church in Washington DC on August 23.  The Harmony-jam will highlight young people who provide positive, inspirational messages as part of their National Summit on Non-violence.

“We believe in the transformative power of music, art, poetry and rap. When culture leaders, such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg follow the lead of the top selling composer like Pharrell Williams they can greatly reduce the violence in the world”, says Dr. Stephanie Myers, national co-chair of the Black Women for Positive Change. She has also announced a National Week of Non-Violence focused on anti-violence activities August 16-23. An increasing number of mayors and activists have joined in.  

The song, “Happy” has proven there is an international appetite for optimism and positive messages.  We are calling on our musical geniuses to get busy and demonstrate their power in positive non-violent ways,” Myers added.

Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Beyonce’s and Jay- Z's gyrating Bonnie and Clyde tribute has long since been overshadowed by police sirens and yellow tape. This is not the first time Joshua has been shot, according to his aunt, Wanda Ross.  He was in a wheelchair in his home as a result of injuries received from a shooting in 2005. Robbery is the suspected motive for the shooting.

Ross says, “Our whole family is in pain. If we lose Joshua, that will be two of my nephews gone. His brother was recently killed in Iraq. Sadly enough her own son, Stephen Anthony Ross, Jr. 20, was shot and killed in May, 1990.

So the sad beat goes on-- guns and violence—and we all wonder if it will ever end?

July 14, 2014

President Obama Happy with Last Month's Jobs Report
Blacks benefitting from improved economy, report says

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from TheNorthStarNews.com

By Frederick H. Lowe

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - An ebullient President Barack Obama said on Thursday that that day's jobs report showed the fastest growth since the first half of 1999.

"This is also the first time we've seen five consecutive months of job growth over 200,000 since 1999. And we've seen the quickest drop in unemployment in 30 years," President Obama said.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Thursday that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 288,000 in June and the unemployment rate declined to 6.1 percent, led by growth in professional and business services, retail trade, food services and drinking places and health care.

The Economic Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan think tank, reported that African-Americans benefited from the improved economy.

"The share of working age African Americans with a job increased1.3 percentage points since January 2014," Valerie Wilson, director of EPI's Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy, wrote in a blog.

The overall black unemployment rate was in June was 10.7 percent compared to 11.5 percent in May. The African-American unemployment rate, however, is still much higher than the 8.3 percent unemployment rate recorded in 2007, according to Heidi Shierholz,  labor-market economist for EPI.

The jobless rate for black men 20 years old and older was 10.9 percent compared to 11.5 percent in May. For black women 20 years old and older, the jobless rate in June was 9.0 percent compared to 10.0 percent in May. The labor-participation rate for black men and black women also improved, according to BLS.

It wasn't all good news. The Economic Policy Institute reported that a large pool of workers are missing because of still weak job opportunities.

"They are neither employed nor actively seeking a job," EPI reported. "In other words, these are people who would be either working or looking for work if job opportunities were significantly stronger." If the missing workers were looking for work, the unemployment would be 9.6 percent, EPI reported.

President Obama admits there is more work to do. "Now, what we also know is, as much progress as has been made, there are still folks out there who are struggling," the president said. "We still have not seen  as much increase in income and wages as we'd like to see. A lot of folks are still digging themselves out of challenges that arose out of the Great Depression."