The Black Issue 2009

... is Barbie.

For some time now, there has been a “black out” of models of color on the runways. First Lady Michelle Obama has shined new light on the black out by not wearing the names of the designers who do not show diversity in their shows. I am not sure if it is deliberate on her behalf, but that is the way it is playing out. The First Lady had particular taste before going to the White House and she is staying true to that. Cool with me.

Dressing the First Lady is the dream of any fashion designer. However, Mrs. Obama’s use of Chicago designers and American retailers such as J. Crew, and Black House White Market, have left many in the high fashion industry on the side lines, wanting to be in (hey Calvin and Prada). To date, every J. Crew item that Mrs. Obama, Sasha and Malia has worn – sold out instantly.

For years now, top designers have staged hundreds of shows in New York and Milan, which were/are totally without models of color. Black models have been constantly left out of lucrative advertisements, makeup contracts (unless you are Beyonce, Rihanna or Queen Latifah, all of whom are NOT models) and overlooked for editorials and runways.

In an effort to send a message about the beauty of diversity in fashion, in July of 2008, Vogue Italia conceived the first Black Issue with top black models in starring roles, including Iman, Naomi Campbell and the new It Girl, 19 year old Jourdan Dunn. I ran right out and put my twenty on this once in a life time “Black Edition”.

This year, it is “Black Barbie” that has landed a starring role in Vogue Italia. We will be picking up the "Black Barbie" issue as soon as it drops.

Maybe now Little One can get her "B" to give me mine back...




A little history: The first black doll from Barbie was introduced in 1967, as a friend of Barbie called Francie, followed by the first "Black Barbie" doll, introduced in 1980.


This autumn will bring the launch of a collection of black Barbie dolls, called the So In Style dolls; which have been designed with more authentic-looking black features, including a new facial sculpt that has fuller lips, a wider nose, more distinctive cheek bones and curlier hair.



Little One and her "B" are uber excited to see the new So In Style Barbie dolls. The So In Style dolls will be available early next year. Little One can look, but unless somebody gets her one for a gift - she won't be getting one. Besides, we have already made a neat little investment in this and all it's trappings...

... she is gonna to need to play with this until she is at least sixteen and then pack it away and save it for my grandchild.

District 150 and WCIC-FM recruiting registrars

I have no idea how many parents actually check the District 150 web site, but if I didn't stop by there from time to time I would have no idea what is going on. The District really needs to work on getting the word out on their initiatives and the changes that are taking place, otherwise ALL of the parents who don't have internet (and some who do) will be totally clueless. A little PR could go a long way toward getting what is sure to be a tough year off to a good start.

This initiative is more than likely being advertised on WCIC-FM, as they have a web page dedicated to it, but are the people who listen to WCIC-FM the only volunteers the District want?

An opportunity to help District 150:

Peoria Public Schools has teamed up with 91.5 FM, WCIC to recruit volunteers that will help register students for the upcoming school year. This is the first year PPS is requiring all families to register children at their school rather than receiving packets in the mail. We want to build stronger partnerships with families. The plan is to begin the school year sharing key information with families and gathering the information we need to effectively serve all children. Volunteers are needed to help families fill out information sheets, hand out forms and keep the registration process moving and efficient. The volunteer drive aims to find a minimum of 150 volunteers to serve one shift at one of the following registration events:

Primary Schools
August 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4:30pm and 4:30-7pm.

Middle Schools
August 18 & 19 . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30-10:30am, 10:30am-1:30pm, and 1:30-3:30pm
August 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3:30pm and 3:30-7pm.

To sign up, prospective volunteers are encouraged to visit www.wcicfm.org.

If families are unable to attend the registration dates above, they are required to schedule an appointment by calling their child's school. CityLink will be providing free transportation to and from registration for family members of District 150 students. Check www.psd150.org for more updates!

Source

Old school snake oil salesman dies

My Great-Auntie used to love listening to the radio (as did most folks back in the day). Two of her favorite things to listen to - the Cardinals and Rev. Ike. She rooted for the Cardinals as religiously as she sent Rev. Ike cash. In return for the cash she sent The Righteous Rev. Ike - she got a prayer cloth. Part of Rev. Ike's shtick was don't tell nobody you are sending him cash, she tried to hide it and got away with it for a while. We found out about it and tried to stop her, but couldn't.

The Cardinals broke a long standing losing streak the year after she died. Rev. Ike faded from my view. I never again thought of how much money she sent him until now. I know you shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but good riddance Rev. Ike...

The Rev. Frederick Eikerenkoetter, known as Rev. Ike to a legion of followers here and across the nation to whom he preached the blessings of prosperity while making millions from their donations, has died. He was 74.

A family spokesman said he died Tuesday in a Los Angeles hospital, two years after he suffered a stroke from which he never recovered.

Rev. Ike's ministry reached its peak in the mid-1970s, when his sermons were carried on 1,770 radio stations to an audience estimated at 2.5 million.

He also preached his philosophy of self-empowerment on television and the Internet, in books and magazines, and on audiotapes and videotapes.

From the stage of the former Loews movie theater on 175th St. in Washington Heights, which he restored and transformed into his United Church Science of Living Institute, Rev. Ike would tell thousands of parishioners "this is the do-it-yourself church. The only savior in this philosophy is God in you."

He then would exhort the believers to "close your eyes and see green ... money up to your armpits, a roomful of money, and there you are, just tossing around in it like a swimming pool."

As payback for spiritual inspiration, Rev. Ike asked for cash donations from the faithful - preferably in bills not coins. "Change makes your minister nervous in the service," he would say.

Critics called Rev. Ike a con man, saying the only point of his ministry was getting rich from the donations.

They noted that he made a show of sumptuous clothes, jewelry, posh residences and exotic cars. "My garages runneth over," he would boast.

But his supporters said Rev. Ike's love of luxury had roots both in the traditions of African-American evangelism and the philosophies of mind over matter.

Rev. Ike was born in Ridgeland, S.C., to a father who was a Baptist minister and a mother who taught elementary school. They divorced when he was 5.

At 14, he became an assistant pastor for his father's congregation. He briefly preached in Boston before coming to New York.

He leaves his wife, Eula, and son, Xavier Frederick.

Source

10 things you must know when stopped by police

"It’s called Black Man - 101.
This gets to right to the heart of my point. As an African-American male, I have always been taught to show respect to the police, even when or if I feel that the officer is wrong. As a survival technique, I am teaching this to my son and I convey this to my students and all of the other young people that I engage in my lectures. My parents and other elders have always taught me “an argument with a cop is an argument you will always lose … if you don’t get along with the police, you will probably go along with the police and that’s a trip you do not want to take. Even when you’re right, if you fail to comply, you’re wrong. You’re objective during an encounter with the police is to leave that encounter in the same manner in which you entered it, in one piece. You can challenge the officer later in court. That’s ‘Black Man - 101.’”

By Dr. Jeff Gardere
The uncomfortable or inconvenient truth is that race and prejudice are still major problems in our society that we must all address. As a psychologist in New York City, I work with many police brutality cases. Though some of the victims have been non-black, most are black, ranging from teenagers to adults, from all socio-economic classes. The police have been representative of different races and genders.

In almost all cases, the victims have been stopped by officers who may be investigating a crime and believe there may be some illegal behavior on their part. Invariably, something has gone wrong during the detainment or questioning, resulting in the suspect being beaten and arrested. In the majority of the cases, disorderly or any criminal charges are dropped and civil lawsuits commence. So what is the common thread that results in the victims being wrongly beaten and arrested? Sometimes the arresting officers have a rage or fear that is inappropriately exercised on the victim/suspect. But more often than not, it has been a misinterpretation by the police that their authority has been challenged or questioned.

There are times that the misinterpretation is fueled by conscious or unconscious fear or prejudice because of the race of the victim. That is why it is important that all people, but especially black men (who are often perceived as being threatening) understand how to react, conduct and protect themselves when approached or stopped by a police officer. Thus, I often counsel young black males about common sense and appropriate behaviors that will keep them out of harm's way if they are dealing with an officer, with or without emotional issues.
Before I lay out the strategies I give them, let me be very clear here; I absolutely believe the majority of police officers are honest and professional. They protect and serve and therefore we must respect their authority. They put their lives on the job every day, and any traffic stop or detainment of a person could cost them their lives. Thus, they are emotionally aroused and in hyper mode.(emphasis added is mine)

That's why the advice I have and will provide here should be heeded by all, regardless of race, but especially by black males who again, are more at risk for being perceived as a threat, even if they are not. Of course, the assumption here is that you are not guilty of any crime. In that spirit, here is my guide to dealing with the police if you are stopped or detained:

1. Address the officer as "sir," "officer" or "officer (last name)." This technique will engage him quicker and add a human element where you become less of a stranger or perp. It automatically sets a more professional tone and relationship.

2. Never raise your voice or challenge the officer even if she is confrontational and raises hers. By keeping your voice to a normal tone, you will not feed into the escalation of the situation. You may even end up bringing the officer's tone or aggression down a few notches.

3. Never walk or run away from a police officer. That will automatically imply some sort of guilt, putting you on the wrong side of the law.

4. Know your rights beforehand, and within those rights, follow the instructions of the officers. Cooperation within your rights will enable a smoother situation and bring down the chances for any violent action or reaction on the part of the officer.

5. You do not want to come across as being belligerent or confrontational, even if you are not. It will only work against you. So do not ask the officer for his badge number; instead memorize it. Do not tell him you will report him. When you are out of the detainment or arrest, consult an attorney.

6. Police officers are trained to read body language and to react immediately. Therefore, your physical behavior is very important in keeping a detainment or stop from going awry. Always keep your hands in full view, on the steering wheel or in front of you. Never make any sudden moves. In fact, explain your physical actions; "Officer, I am reaching into my pocket, or the glove compartment, for my license."
7. Never resist arrest. If you exert even the tiniest, most minuscule verbal or physical resistance, the officer will respond in force to quickly contain the situation. This, in fact, may have the potential of turning into a grievous or deadly altercation.

8. If you are a minor, kindly ask the officer to contact your parent, or take you to your home as soon as possible. You can give your name, birth date, social security number, address, and where you attend school. But do not say anything else until your parent or guardian arrives. Because you may not have the maturity and wisdom, your words can easily be misinterpreted or used against you.

9. As soon as you get out of the situation, begin recording your thoughts on paper as time does begin to erase memory. The document will assist you if you file charges to pursue litigation against the officer.

10. Finally, always carry a form of legal identification wherever you go. This will immediately establish legitimacy and reduce suspicion on the part of the officer.

Olé!

The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to approve Sonia Sotomayor as Supreme Court justice. This clears the path for Sotomayor's historic confirmation as the Court's first Hispanic justice.

Sotomayor (known around the GOP as "the wise Latina") was told early on that “You'll have lots of 'splainin' to do". For days on end she fielded a series of ludicrous questions. However, she managed to keep it classy and withstood a line of questioning in which she was asked everything short of reciting the lyrics to "America" from West Side Story.

Skip's arrest improper under Massachusetts law

On July 24, Cambridge police unions called on President Obama to apologize to "all law enforcement personnel," saying they "deeply resent the implication" of his comments about the arrest of Henry Louis "Skip" Gates. The Cambridge police were quick to continue along the racial profiling line of thinking. However, in my opinion, this was an effort to change the subject and detract from the simple fact that under Massachusetts law, Sargent Crowley did not have the legal footing to arrest Skip Gates. Hence, the charges against Gates being immediately dropped .

Sargent Crowley had the power, the training and the authority to pull back and diffuse the situation, he chose not to. Even a Fox News contributor, Judge Andrew Napolitano, believes that the arrest of Henry Louis Gates was improper...

"Judge Napolitano believes that if officer Crowley's police report is to be believed and that he arrested Gates on his own property that the arrest was improper. Under Massachusetts law Sgt. Crowley had no legal right to arrest Gates. Mr. Gates was on his own property which means he was not causing a public disturbance.

Also under federal law Crowley had no right to enter Gates house without his permission. That stands even if Crowley believed something was wrong. According to Judge Napolitano the police officer has to actually see a crime being committed or have a search warrant to enter the house.

If the police report is correct Crowley violated Mr. Gates Fourth Amendment Rights Whether or not you believe race played a part in this situation it is obvious that the officer did not react properly."

Source

It is the Cambridge Police who pushed the racial profiling issue while standing on the Blue Line. It is the Cambridge Police who owes President Obama and the rest of this country an apology for not standing down and backing away from the volatile issue of race baiting. All of a sudden the highly trained and diplomatic Sargent Crowley no longer has a comment.

Cooler heads prevail

Hoping to quell the racial tide in the Cambridge Police vs Henry Gates mess, President Obama made an appearance at Friday's White House Press briefing. The President admitted that he felt he was responsible for aggravating the situation by weighing in and should have "calibrated those words differently." In an effort to make this a "teachable moment" the President reached out to both Sargent Crowley and Professor Gates. Professor Gates responds:

Statement from Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

"It was very kind of the President to phone me today. Vernon Jordan is absolutely correct: my unfortunate experience will only have a larger meaning if we can all use this to diminish racial profiling and to enhance fairness and equity in the criminal justice system for poor people and for people of color.

And to that end, I look forward to studying the history of racial profiling in a new documentary for PBS. I told the President that my principal regret was that all of the attention paid to his deeply supportive remarks during his press conference had distracted attention from his health care initiative. I am pleased that he, too, is eager to use my experience as a teaching moment, and if meeting Sgt. [James] Crowley for a beer with the President will further that end, then I would be happy to oblige.

After all, I first proposed that Sgt. Crowley and I meet as early as last Monday. If my experience leads to the lessening of the occurrence of racial profiling, then I would find that enormously gratifying. Because, in the end, this is not about me at all; it is about the creation of a society in which 'equal justice before law' is a lived reality."

Henry Louis Gates Jr. is editor in chief of The Root.

Stupidly is as stupidly does

Enough already of Dr. Henry Louis “Skip” Gates and Cambridge Police Sargent James Crowley!

Gates and Crowley both handled this situation “stupidly” (as President Obama so succinctly put it) and owe it to us all to end it ASAP. They both "took it there". The argument is superficial, nobody can win, but we all stand to lose.

I must admit, I was disappointed when the learned Professor did not manage to avoid being arrested; then I was disappointed when the learned Professor did not just end the story; now I am convinced the learned Professor is so highly pissed because he was treated like so many other black men (i.e., those he refers to in the "prison system"). Professor Gates was reminded Race Trumps Class even if you are the pre-eminent Harvard Scholar Henry Louis "Skip" Gates.

AND, lest we let Sargent Crowley off the hook for being as learned as he is. After all, he is a Sargent with the Cambridge, Massachusetts Police Department. As a police sergeant he is trained to be the bigger person, take the higher road, be more professional. The learned Sargent has spent the past five years teaching a class at the Lowell Police Academy to Cambridge and Lowell police cadets about how to avoid racial profiling. He knows just as well as Professor Gates, that this situation didn't need to escalate.

It's an unfortunate fact, that most, if not all black men expect to be hassled by the police at some point in their lives. Why would Henry Gates expect the “sky to fall from the heavens” before it ever happened to him? Does graduating from Harvard somehow put him above it all (this is sarcasm)? If only an advanced degree from an Ivy League school was all it took for black folks to escape racial profiling.

I don’t like the fact that Professor Gates is letting the issue of black folks dealing with racial profiling take the heat. Should he be mad as hell about what happened to him on Thursday? That's his prerogative. However, there are many, much more effective ways for a learned Professor, who produces documentaries for PBS, to speak out about racial profiling and the plight of black men in the prison system.

Unfortunately, even President Obama was pulled into the frey by a reporter, while taking questions at a press conference on health care. Seeing how the President knows Skip Gates and he knows a little bit about being black at Harvard, he dared to answer the question. Regardless of what the President’s answer was regarding Gates-Gate, somebody was bound to be offended.

Here we are, days later and the MSM continues to focus on Gates-Gate. It's time for the MSM to let Gates-Gate go. The plight of Skip Gates, pre-eminent black Harvard Professor, is more of a Cambridge story than a human interest story. Enough already.

Article of interest: Skip Gates Speaks, Please, Professor Gates!, Officer Says He Won't Apologize

Race trumps Class...

The way out of poverty is education. The Key to overcoming racism is education. The better the learning institution, the better the education, the better The Key. Therefore, a Harvard education would be Thee Key.

Education=Class.

All across America parents preach education as The Key. It is the first lesson; it is the main lesson; it is the most important lesson. What shall be our next lesson?

Coming to a community

college near you…

Race Trumps Class.

A retrospective, taught by preeminent black scholar,

Harvard University Professor Henry Louis “Skip” Gates.

Four Myths of Parent Involvement in Schools

There are many ways for parents to be “involved” in their child’s education. Some parents join the PTO; other parents bake cookies for classroom parties. Some parents volunteer to read to children in the classroom; other parents read to their child at home. If a child is showing up for school each day ready to learn, more than likely, you have a parent (or guardian) “involved” in that child’s education. Finding ways to be "involved" become even more abstract when the child is in high school.

The National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools at the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) has combed through research to learn how parents can help improve their children’s achievement. The Center, which focuses on finding and sharing research-based information people need to design initiatives and take action to make connections among schools, families, and communities, responds to four misconceptions of parent involvement in schools.

Myth #1: As a parent, the best way to get involved in my child’s education is by joining the local parents’ organization.

Parents who are dues-paying members of their children’s school PTA are supporting the oldest and largest child advocacy organization in the United States. But being a member alone doesn’t ensure effective involvement in a child’s learning. To support achievement, research suggests the most effective parental involvement focuses on learning activities—reading to children, letting them figure prices at the grocery store or setting aside time and space to do homework and projects. There are benefits in joining an organization like the PTA or PTO, such as the opportunity to share experiences and information with other parents and access to PTA resources. Just the same, parents can provide the support needed at home for their children to be successful in school without joining a local parent organization.

Myth #2: The teacher is the sole expert in educating a child, so a parent should never question a teacher or staff on school-related issues.

Teachers and parents or family caregivers play different roles in a child’s education. And a good relationship between a teacher and a parent, based on mutual respect and trust, benefits students. At times, parents may need to ask a teacher or school staff member for clarification about a specific issue or information. Parents should contact their children’s teachers or other school staff when they have questions about their children’s education. Most school staff members begin to see parents as partners when they know they will ask questions when information is unclear.

Myth #3: The influence of parent involvement on school achievement depends on the parents’ income, level of education, and employment status.

A large body of research confirms that family involvement in children’s school experiences has a positive effect on children’s attitudes toward achievement in school, regardless of how much money parents have or how many years of school they completed. More important is the parents’ attitude toward learning. Working parents may not have much time to be involveed at their children’s schools, but they can show how much they value education and take an active interest in what their children are learning.

Myth #4: The key actors in parent involvement are the teacher, parents or family, and the student.

Meaningful and successful parent involvement is not limited to partnerships between parents and teachers. Parents and family caregivers should think of the following educators and decision makers as participants in their children’s educations—teachers, the principal, the school board, the superintendent, and public officials. Parents can influence school board members and public officials by participating in meetings, voting, and engaging in discussions of education matters and child advocacy issues.

Source: SEDL is an Austin-based nonprofit corporation that operates research, development, and dissemination programs focused on improving school performance; strengthening reading, language, mathematics, and science education; integrating technology into teaching and learning; involving family and community in student learning; connecting disability research to practice; and informing policy development through research.

School volunteers help make a difference

Many in Peoria are concerned about what will happen with gang violence once schools are combined. This concern is valid, as some turf wars are bound to happen. The mean girls and thug boys will be working overtime to establish “who run this”.

In Detroit, a group of 100 citizens have volunteered to go into the schools and help patrol the student population. I know for a fact that when somebody’s mom and/or dad is at school, kids straighten up (teachers too).

Carl Cannon’s Elite Team has already shown how successful a grassroots patrol unit can be. Why not expand the Elite Team and take it into the schools?

100 men sign up to patrol Detroit schools
The Detroit News

Detroit -- About 100 men who live in the city have signed up to patrol Detroit Public Schools starting this fall, as part of an effort to cut violence following a recent bus stop shooting in which seven teenagers were injured, Bishop Edgar L. Vann II announced Wednesday.

Vann, pastor of Second Ebenezer Church, said he is looking for more volunteers to keep an eye out for trouble at every school in the Detroit Public Schools district.

"It is time that we made a difference in teen violence in our city," said Vann, who was flanked by 50 pastors from area churches, as well as local and federal law enforcement officials. "We are standing here to let them know that we are outraged."

Vann said an alliance of pastors, Detroit Public Schools officials, Mayor Dave Bing's office and law enforcement agencies will allow for a more coordinated effort to head off violence.

Attendees at the press conference received a surprise boost when Barbara Byrd-Bennett, DPS chief academic officer and accountability auditor, promised the district would implement conflict resolution courses throughout its schools in the fall.

Vann said Second Ebenezer would train the volunteer patrollers to follow strict guidelines determined by DPS police. The volunteers will be expected to report incidents or information that students might be unwilling to divulge.

Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans said the efforts offer "the best possibility to decrease violence in the City of Detroit. That is all a police chief can ask for," Evans said. "I want all the help that we can get."

Fighting school privatization in Detroit

The largest public school district overhaul of its kind in the nation is happening in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit Public Schools have been taken over by the State. Governor Jennifer Granholm has appointed an Emergency Financial Manager to oversee turning around the schools. The manager's relationship with the Detroit Board of Education is highly contentious (you know there had to be drama)...

Just days after Detroit Public Schools leader Robert Bobb announced his plan to bring in EdisonLearning, EdWorks, the Institute for Student Achievement and the Model Secondary Schools Project to run 17 high schools, the Detroit school board voted to sue Bobb, saying he has overstepped his authority as the emergency financial manager and is trying to create a charter district. At the same time, many in Detroit are calling for the removal of the School Board, as they feel the Board concept is responsible for the failure of the schools and is blocking progress by suing Bobb.

The president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers has also raised concerns about the companies being hired, EdisonLearning in particular, which they say has not improved education in places like Philadelphia.

Bobb and Governor Granholm say he is operating within his authority and should not be micromanaged by the board:

"The board's attempt to distract and confuse the public by claiming that we are privatizing schools is disingenuous. We are not privatizing these schools. We are not creating a charter district. The district has partners working with DPS principals, teachers and parents to bring the best national models of school improvement to Detroit families."

Bobb is charged with overhauling 40 schools in all and is still considering management companies for six alternative schools and 10 elementary schools.

Bobb: Detroit board can't block academic reform

President Obama meets Black media before NAACP speech

From Essence.com

Several hours before President Obama gave his much-anticipated speech at the NAACP centennial convention in New York City, he spoke before another probing audience of African-Americans aboard Air Force One. Accompanying the President on the quick flight over from Washington, seven reporters representing various Black media outlets questioned the President about his plans for improving conditions for African-Americans, and what he says is the single most important issue they face today.

Read the entire article @ Essence.com

President Obama addresses the NAACP

"It is a simple dream, and yet one that has been denied – one still being denied – to so many Americans. It’s a painful thing, seeing that dream denied. I remember visiting a Chicago school in a rough neighborhood as a community organizer, and thinking how remarkable it was that all of these children seemed so full of hope, despite being born into poverty, despite being delivered into addiction, despite all the obstacles they were already facing.

And I remember the principal of the school telling me that soon all of that would begin to change; that soon, the laughter in their eyes would begin to fade; that soon, something would shut off inside, as it sunk in that their hopes would not come to pass – not because they weren’t smart enough, not because they weren’t talented enough, but because, by accident of birth, they didn’t have a fair chance in life."

President Barack Obama

Don't let the MSM tell you what this speech means in crude little snippits - I would encourage one to view it for yourself. Here is the flip side of Obama's speech; just one illustration of why the NAACP remains relevant in this "post-racial America" - I give you Pat Buchanan:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Twittering for a job

Wasting time twittering can help you get a management level position. Really. I wonder if it matters what you Twitter about? Actually, for certain professions, I think you should certainly be up on all media - Twitter included (ughhh). Just can't help to wonder what's next... your followers being used for personal reference?

Looking for an edge in the job market - get to Twittering:

A recent job posting on Best Buy Co Inc.’s Web site for a Senior Manager – Emerging Media Marketing position based out of the company’s corporate headquarters in Richfield, Minn. listed two preferred job qualifications: a graduate degree and 250+ followers on Twitter.

Basic qualifications for the position include a Bachelor’s degree, “two plus years of mobile or social media marketing experience” at the director or strategist level, “four plus years people or resource leadership experience” and “one plus years of active blogging experience."


Source

School registration for the 2009-10 school year

Hopefully local families know that they should check their school's websites for information on registering their students. We just happened to stop by our school's website and found out that families will be required to visit the schools to register their student. The info below is from the District 150 website:

School Registration for the Upcoming 2009-10 School Year
District 150 is moving to Student Registration at each school. Family members must complete necessary forms at the school building to enroll for the coming school year. Following are the dates for registration and enrollment. There will be extra staff at each location to aid in this process. Interpreters will also be provided as needed.

There are two reasons for this change. First, schools need to gather essential information to better serve each students. Second, it will provide an opportunity to share important information with families about the schools, events, and programs.

All Primary Schools will hold registration on August 20, 2009 from 2:00pm - 7:00pm in each building

All Middle Schools will hold registration on August 18 and 19 from 7:30am - 3:30pm AND August 20 from noon to 7:00pm in each building

HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ACCOMPANY THEIR STUDENT(S) TO REGISTRATION/FEE DAYS

Manual High School
Grades 10 - 12 register August 18 5:00pm - 8:00pm AND August 19 from 9:00 - 1:00pm
9th grade egister August 19 5:30 - 8:00pm
7th and 8th grades register August 19 from 1:00 - 3:00 and from 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Richwoods High School
Fresh Start (ONLY for Freshmen and NEW students) August 20 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Freshmen Fee Day August 20 8:00am - 12:00pm and 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Sophomore Fee Day August 21 8:00am - 12:00pm and 1:00pm and 3:00pm
Senior Fee Day August 24 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Juniors and Remaining Students who did not register during other times August 25 8:00am - 11:00am

Peoria Central High School
Freshmen Orientation August 20 from 8:45am to 1:30pm (lunch will be included)
Registration/Fee Day August 25 from 8:00 - 11:15am

Woodruff High School
Students new to the district August 17 - 21 7:30am - 2:30pm
Freshmen Registration and Orientation August 20 from 10:00am - 1:00 and 4:00 - 7:00
Grades 10 - 12 Fee Day August 25 from 8:00am - 10:00

Peoria Alternative High School
Student Orientation on August 26, 27, and 28 at First United Methodist Church

BTW, I hope that the District 150 will consider year around schools, it could make a dramatic change in the community - for the better.

Join the GOP - get a fried chicken coupon

The Young Republican Convention was held in Indianapolis last weekend. On top of the hoopla surrounding the racist ignoramus the Young Republicans elected as President, RNC Chairman, Mr. Michael (black guy) Steele attempted to answer a question about diversity in the GOP...

I happen to love my chicken (baked, fried and otherwise) with potato salad. For some reason, it just doesn't sound as appealing being offered by Micheal Steele. PASS

This Uber Miss America has legs

She was second runner-up in the Miss Alaska pageant (a precursor to the Miss America pageant) in 1984. She competed again in 1985, but she didn’t place. Fast forward to 2009 and Sarah Palin is now Miss America on steroids . She is Uber Miss America, without the baggage of the Miss America Pageant and Donald Trump (or John McCain and the Mcain Campaign). Her platform: affordable energy found here in the United States (i.e., Alaska) a/k/a the “drill baby drill" rally call.

In an article in today’s Washington Post, allegedly written by Sarah Palin, she comes off very clear about what she feels it will take to make America energy independent (I bet Todd is her Czar). I can feel the enthusiasm she has for the subject matter. When she speaks on this, she is very comfortable, even (dare I say)...(big gulp) knowledgeable.

Americans continue to struggle with ever increasing electricity bills and unfortunately we don’t see a lot of effort on behalf of the government to stop the rising costs. With this platform and at this time in our history, this Uber Miss America just might have legs. Below are excerpts from her Washington Post article (of course she has to start with the snark, because otherwise it just wouldn’t be Sarah)...

"Unfortunately, many in the national media would rather focus on the personality-driven political gossip of the day than on the gravity of these challenges. So, at risk of disappointing the chattering class, let me make clear what is foremost on my mind and where my focus will be:
[…]
We must move in a new direction. We are ripe for economic growth and energy independence if we responsibly tap the resources that God created right underfoot on American soil. Just as important, we have more desire and ability to protect the
environment than any foreign nation from which we purchase energy today.

In Alaska, we are progressing on the largest private-sector energy project in history. Our 3,000-mile natural gas pipeline will transport hundreds of trillions of cubic feet of our clean natural gas to hungry markets across America. We can safely drill for U.S. oil offshore and in a tiny, 2,000-acre corner of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge if ever given the go-ahead by Washington bureaucrats.

Of course, Alaska is not the sole source of American energy. Many states have abundant coal, whose technology is continuously making it into a cleaner energy source. Westerners literally sit on mountains of oil and gas, and every state can consider the possibility of nuclear energy.

We have an important choice to make. Do we want to control our energy supply and its environmental impact? Or, do we want to outsource it to China, Russia and Saudi Arabia? …

For so many reasons, we can't afford to kill responsible domestic energy production or clobber every American consumer with higher prices.

Can America produce more of its own energy through strategic investments that protect the environment, revive our economy and secure our nation?
Yes, we can…"

I can just see her now, sitting down with Oprah (after receiving thounderous applause from the audience, of course)... “It’s been a wonderful whirlwind affair for me, and I owe this to my preparation by the Miss America organization”.

Could this be a BET pilot?

This video is somewhat embarrassing to me, but I'm going to post it anyway. I don't watch football, so I have no idea who these two clowns are (they say something about the Seattle Seahawks).

These wealthy, young men (and I use that term lightly considering how juvenile their behavior is) have made it. They have money, live in the suburbs and have the ability to make a positive video and put it on YouTube. Instead they make a video entitled "Black Olympics".

Just in case there is any question - Yes - this is a racist video.

It is very disconcerting to hear children on the other side of the camera watching and applauding this idiocy. Everything they are teaching them is just wrong. (By the way, the stereotype is that most black people drink grape Kool-aide anyway.)

You often hear folks say that these athletes forget where they come from - this video proves it. I know of a couple of stereotypes about black athletes, maybe me and my girls should get together and do a video about that and post it on YouTube.

I hope Debra Lee over at BET don't see this mess, chances are she will try and make it a series...

_____________________________________________

Again, I don't follow the NFL, but even I know the drama queen that is Dallas Cowboy's Terrell Owens. I remember last year he was supposed to be in a sitcom with Flav a Flav. Anyhow, we all know VHI (owned by Viacom who also owns BET) will give damn near anybody a show. The more tacky and promiscuous you are the better. Having said all that, they gave TO a show...

Really? It appears that TO will be playing the stereotype of the black athlete for the viewers of VHI (I guess me and my girls can hold off on our YouTube video). Enjoy.

Who you calling black?

In an editorial in today's pjstar Mayor Ardis asked that citizens "remember this outrageous decision" (referring to a decision made by Appellate Court Judges Mary McDade and Mary O'Brien) when they come up for election and retention. Really?

If only it had been implored upon citizens by some high level official to apply the same practice to Mayor Ardis when he was up for re-election.

We bloggers complain about how deals are made and how the City is run and there is a great deal of validity in those complaints (see today's Peoria AntiPundit post entitled "Where's our head.." for a fairly thorough list). However...

Unfortunately the Mayor was under no pressure to do better when he was up for re-election. Therefore, the Mayor didn't promise Peorians a city free of crime, or any of the other things that we expect (i.e., a Mayor and Council that care about all of Peoria), he didn't have to.

Pondering Palin passing the ball for victory...

I remember during the campaign suffering through another dry, frustrating Chuck Todd interview, when Wall Street Journal columnist and former Reagan speechwriter, Peggy Noonan was caught on tape talking sideways about John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential running mate. How did she put it? Ahh yes, I believe she said - "It's over" . Peggy has even more to say now...

"In television interviews she was out of her depth in a shallow pool. She was limited in her ability to explain and defend her positions, and sometimes in knowing them. She couldn't say what she read because she didn't read anything. She was utterly unconcerned by all this and seemed in fact rather proud of it: It was evidence of her authenticity. She experienced criticism as both partisan and cruel because she could see no truth in any of it. She wasn't thoughtful enough to know she wasn't thoughtful enough. Her presentation up to the end has been scattered, illogical, manipulative and self-referential to the point of self-reverence. "I'm not wired that way," "I'm not a quitter," "I'm standing up for our values." I'm, I'm, I'm.

In another age it might not have been terrible, but here and now it was actually rather horrifying."

Source

How much is a bus ticket to Elgin, Illinois?

I find the article on homelessness in today's pjstar disturbing for many reasons. The main reason I find it so unnerving, is the information on a person called Spike:

"He was kicked out of his house and kicked out of the Marine Corps.

Now Nick, an 18-year-old man from Elgin, is homeless and jobless in Peoria.

[...]

Nick, who called himself "Spike" because of his many ear piercings, said he had even resorted to street fighting to survive.

"What I'd do is go to the gangs in my area and say, 'Hey, you give me $100 and I'll take out just about anybody,'" ... "

I am left wondering the following: What exactly does Spike mean by "take out"? Did any gang ever hire Spike for "take out"? Did Spike ever "take out" "anybody"? Could this admission alone land Spike a bed and three squares out at the County?

Hopefully, Spike will find a job and a home before he gets so hungry he decides to "take out" somebody for profit. Better yet, maybe Spike will find his way back to Elgin.

Fear of complexion in "post racial" America

Okay, I'm am going to say this again: This is the 21st Century, Barack Hussein Obama is the President of the United States, we are supposed to be "post-racial". However, proof continues to mount that we are anything but.

ColorOfChange.org thinks the Department of Justice needs to take a closer look and they are asking for our help...

Here’s the message ColorOfChange.org is sending to members right now:

Two weeks ago outside Philadelphia, sixty-five children from a summer camp tried to go swimming at a club their camp had a contract to use. Evidently, the club didn’t know the kids were largely Black.

When the campers entered the pool, White parents took their kids out of the water, and the swimming club’s staff asked the campers to leave. The next day, the club told the summer camp that their membership would be canceled and that they would refund their money. When asked why, the club’s leader said the kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club.”

A “Whites only” pool in 2009 should not be tolerated. The club’s actions appear to be a violation of section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act. Whether or not any laws were violated, a “Whites only” pool should be something every American condemns.

Please join us in doing exactly that, and please email your friends and family and invite them to do the same. Your signature will also be used to call on the Department of Justice to evaluate suing the facility under federal law. It takes just a moment to do both, here:

http://colorofchange.org/swim/

Obama is President but that doesn’t mean that suddenly all is fine when it comes to race in America. This is a vivid reminder of what we know still lies beneath the surface.

We all know stories like this one — similar incidents play out quietly every day in different communities across the country. The difference in this case is that folks got caught and there was a contract in place that makes for a potentially illegal act.

Standing up now isn’t just about making things right for these kids in Philadelphia or bringing consequences to this swim club (called the Valley Swim Club). It’s about creating a climate of accountability everywhere. If we can publicly shame the Valley Swim Club and hold them accountable for this incident, it will make others think twice before engaging in this kind of discrimination.

Please join us in condemning the Valley Swim Club’s blatant discrimination and calling on the Justice Department to investigate whether they violated civil rights laws. And please ask your friends and family to do the same.

http://www.colorofchange.org/swim/

Thanks and Peace,

– James, Gabriel, William, Dani and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
July 9th, 2009

Real men getting it done

Citizens whip some punks behind after they get disruptive in a convenience store.

Speaking of punks being disruptive: Congratulations to Carl Cannon and his Elite Team for keeping Peoria area events safe. Mr. Cannon and his team are volunteering to do work that City employees are paid handsomely for.

Mr. Cannon's efforts are proof that grassroots efforts work when people genuinely care.

Was the Man in the Mirror blond?

Yesterday a Pew study showed that African-Americans are far more interested in coverage of Michael Jackson's death than white Americans. From what I have observed, people of all races are interested in Michael Jackson for one reason or another. Rest assured, if nobody was watching it, the networks would not run it.

We can leave it to Faux News and the likes of Bill O’Reilly to try and sum up the findings of the Pew study:

Why should Americans (black or otherwise) disengage from Michael Jackson just because his children appear to be white? Even more troubling is O’Reilly’s reference to the color of Michael Jackson’s skin.

Here is the thing – I believed Michael Jackson when he said he had a skin condition called Vitiligo. I have an in-law who has it, she is almost completely white. My mother has small patches of it on her legs and I have little white dots myself. It attracts a lot of attention from people who just don’t get it that your skin is changing and you can’t control it.

Michael Jackson was known to have a long standing relationship with a dermatologist (that is where he met Debbie Rowe). This dermatologist was more than likely treating Michael for vitiligo. Did Michael bleach his skin? He probably did bleach his skin to even out the tone. Some people with vitilago wear heavy makeup for years to try to even out the skin tone or they try to cover up the areas that are changing.

I wish Michael Jackson had talked about his skin condition more, as he may well be the most famous case of vitiligo in history. By the way, vitiligo also affects the hair. Consider this - it is possible that Michael Jackson died with natural blond hair.

_____________________________________

What is Vitilago?
"Vitiligo (vit-ill-EYE-go) is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin, the mucous membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose and genital and rectal areas), and the retina (inner layer of the eyeball) are destroyed. As a result, white patches of skin appear on different parts of the body. The hair that grows in areas affected by vitiligo usually turns white.

About 1 to 2 percent of the world's population, or 40 to 50 million people, have vitiligo. In the United States, 2 to 5 million people have the disorder. Ninety-five percent of people who have vitiligo develop it before their 40th birthday. The disorder affects all races and both sexes equally." National Institutes of Health

The cause of vitiligo is not known, but doctors and researchers have several different theories. One theory is that people develop antibodies that destroy the melanocytes in their own bodies. Another theory is that melanocytes destroy themselves. Finally, some people have reported that a single event such as sunburn or emotional distress triggered vitiligo; however, these events have not been scientifically proven to cause vitiligo.

UPDATE - July 10, 2009

Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson's dermatalogist, says Jackson relied on him to help in treating the skin condition vitiligo, which destroys pigment-producing cells and can cause patches of uneven tone. "His was bad because he began to get a totally speckled look over his body," said Klein. "[It was] all over his body, but on his face significantly [and] on his hands, which were very difficult to treat."

"You have one choice where you can use certain drugs and ultraviolet light treatments to try to make the white spots turn dark," Klein explained. However, Jackson’s vitiligo "became so severe, that the easier way is to use certain creams" – very likely hydroquinone derivatives, say other industry experts – "that will make the dark spots turn light so you can even out the pigments totally."

The treatment resulted in a uniform – albeit pale – skin tone. "That's ultimately what the decision had to be. He would have to wear heavy, heavy makeup on stage, which would be ridiculous. And he couldn't really go out in public without looking terribly peculiar."

President Obama's 4th of July Message

______________________________________________________

The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro

A speech by Frederick Douglas (pre-Civil War).

Fellow Citizens, I am not wanting in respect for the fathers of this republic. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men. They were great men, too Ñ great enough to give frame to a great age. It does not often happen to a nation to raise, at one time, such a number of truly great men. The point from which I am compelled to view them is not, certainly, the most favorable; and yet I cannot contemplate their great deeds with less than admiration. They were statesmen, patriots and heroes, and for the good they did, and the principles they contended for, I will unite with you to honor their memory....

...Fellow-citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here to-day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? and am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national altar, and to confess the benefits and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us?

Would to God, both for your sakes and ours, that an affirmative answer could be truthfully returned to these questions! Then would my task be light, and my burden easy and delightful. For who is there so cold, that a nation's sympathy could not warm him? Who so obdurate and dead to the claims of gratitude, that would not thankfully acknowledge such priceless benefits? Who so stolid and selfish, that would not give his voice to swell the hallelujahs of a nation's jubilee, when the chains of servitude had been torn from his limbs? I am not that man. In a case like that, the dumb might eloquently speak, and the "lame man leap as an hart."

More @ pbs.org

Man shoots at sons for not doing chores

Sounds like the Dad's paperwork for owning the gun was in order. However, he was still charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon...

A 71-year-old Albuquerque, New Mexico man says he fired a gun on his two adult sons after they refused to clean the stove.

On Monday evening, police say the father, Sammy Shannon, pulled a .38 revolver and fired at his sons after an argument about chores.

Shannon doesn't dispute that he fired the gun--he says it's his form of discipline.

The father says all he asked of his 22 and 29-year-old sons, who still live with their parents, was to do their chores.

"They didn't want to, so they got smart," Shannon said.

That's when things got physical.

"Both of them jumped on me, they knocked me down, got my arm all swolled up," he said.

A police report says the sons jumped Shannon after he hit one of them. Then the men pinned their father down until their mother ordered them to let him up.

Shannon says he then decided to use his own brand of discipline.
"I'll even it up--I went and got my gun," he said.

Shannon admits he fired his .38, but says he didn't aim it at his sons and would never actually shoot them.

Shannon's sons told police they didn't see where their father was shooting--they just started running when he started pointing the gun their way.

Shannon says his kids can still live with him, but they have to follow his rules.

"I can't feed you every day, every night, take you where you want to go, send you to college and just come here, lay up and play video games all day," he said.

Shannon is out on bond for now. He's being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Source

Black Americans and the job market

You often see readers in the PJStar complaining about driving by certain neighborhoods during the day and people are out and about when they should be working. I too have seen people who look to be employable just hanging out in certain neighborhoods. However, I try not to be judgemental about it, because I tend to think that if these people could find a job opportunity, they would be employed.

I am fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home Mom by choice. However, given the right opportunity - I would most certainly be working. So you see, I understand that there are many reasons why black men (and women) are not employed...

As the entire country struggles with the highest unemployment rate in a generation, black Americans are especially hard pressed to find jobs. Overall unemployment in May reached 9.4%, but within that number there were some stark differences by race. White unemployment in May stood at 8.6%, while the black unemployment rate was a staggering 14.9%.

And it is not only during a recession that blacks struggle to find work. During a June 19 panel hosted by the Center for American Progress to discuss this persistent problem, Algernon Austin — EPI’s director of Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy — noted that black male unemployment was at “recessionary” levels even back when the overall economy had been strong. In 2006, for example, unemployment was 3.9% among white men and 9.7% among black men. Even the historically deep recession the country now faces has not produced overall unemployment levels equal to what black men have faced for years.

In his presentation, Discrimination and Black Male Unemployment, Austin explained why many of the oft-cited reasons for this disparity are not accurate. His research shows that there was a large gap in employment levels even when blacks and whites had the same levels of education. Among men who did not have a high school diploma, unemployment levels in 2006 were 8.5% for whites but 18.8% for blacks. That same year, unemployment was 2.5% for white men with college degrees yet 5.1% for black men with college degrees.

Even having a criminal past does not appear to level the playing field. Austin cited research showing that employers were far more forgiving of white men with criminal records and called them back at a much higher rate than black men with similar records. One study conducted in New York City found that white felons received call backs or job offers more often than blacks with no criminal records.

A body of research on the topic of race and employment has reached similar conclusions, suggesting that, although few employers today would admit to hiring on the basis of race, a subtler sort of racism persists.

“The nation has clearly made significant progress on the path toward racial equality. But it is very important to realize that we still have a long way to go,” said Austin. He noted that employment disparities between blacks and whites have changed little since they were first outlined in the 1968 Kerner Commission report on civil disorders.

“We won’t be able to solve these problems until we collectively admit that we have a problem,” said Austin who called for more aggressive enforcement of anti-discrimination laws as well as the use of stimulus funds to create jobs specifically targeted to reach communities that have had consistently high rates of unemployment.

“Unfortunately, there are many black communities across the nation that would qualify,” said Austin.

Source: Economic Policy Institute

Related Article: Not "unemployed", but not working

Sommer Place Neighborhood on high alert

I sympathize with the Sommer Place residents. Unfortunately, the only difference between their neighborhood association meetings and the neighborhood association meetings on the South Side, East Bluff, Near Northside or West Bluff is complaining about drug houses and hearing gun shots...

You'd normally see Sandy Gallant behind a news desk, but Tuesday night she discussed her bout with burglary. "The garage door was open, it's not normally open and as soon as I walked up to my car, I realized that my car had been trashed inside and there were numerous items missing", said Gallant.

And she wasn't the only one. Residents say there were several cases of burglary in a 48-hour period last month.

The Sommer Place residents are on HIGH ALERT after a string of unusual burglaries in their North Peoria subdivision. Residents say there were several cases of burglary in a 48-hour period last month.

"We've had break-ins to people's homes and people's cars and property", said Lucy Desrosiers, and Gallant said "large items taken in the middle of the day when people were out and about".

So Tuesday night, residents gathered with Peoria police and city officials to discuss how to stay safe in a neighborhood where safety was never an issue. Sommer Place residents have already started a neighborhood watch.

"We've talked about several different ideas, from stickers to go in the resident's cars so people are aware of who's who and who belongs", said Desrosiers.

Mike Scally, the Peoria police Department Captain of Investigations, said, "it's different for every neighborhood, sometimes things that may seem peculiar in my neighborhood may be perfectly normal in yours".

And for these Sommer Place residents, they say after an unsettling couple of days, they're making an effort to get to know their community.

Desrosiers said, "now when we walk after dinner at night, we make a point to try and introduce ourselves to people".

And Gallants said "it's about being a good neighbor, it's about being a good community member, and it's also about making sure crime doesn't happen in your back yard".

Source