News

NAACP NATIONAL LITERACY PROGRAM

Sat, 11 Mar 2006 06:46:05 +0000

DR. AND MRS. BENJAMIN HOOKS DONATE $56,000 TO CREATE NAACP NATIONAL LITERACY PROGRAM

Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks, Executive Director emeritus, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), announced during the NAACP 2006 Annual Meeting that he and his wife, Frances, will donate $56,000 to create a NAACP National Literacy Program to encourage young children to read.

View the complete press release:

HooksReadingProgram.pdf

Summer Opportunity for Black Male College Sophomore

Mon, 25 Aug 6008 11:38:58 +0000

The Institute for Responsible Citizenship is currently accepting applications for its summer program at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Each summer, twelve of the most promising young black male sophomores in the country are given the chance to travel to the nation's capital and engage in prestigious internships while taking rigorous classes at Georgetown. The courses in government and economics are designed to provide these young men with the skills necessary to critically analyze the world's problems while adhering to a deep respect for civil liberties.

Each scholar in our program has an internship arranged for him according to his skills and interests. When the students are not in class or at work, they are often called upon to attend social functions designed to help them network in their field. Personal meetings with such leaders as Barack Obama, John Lewis, and Clarence Thomas are made possible by the intimate nature of the program.

The eight week program runs from June 4 - July 29 and is a two-summer commitment. Tuition and housing are paid for by the Institute, while students are expected to pay for their transportation and food. In addition, those not placed in paid internships will receive a stipend in the amount of $2500. While there are no major requirements, the program focuses on attracting young men interested in the fields of law, politics, business, academics, and the ministry.

Requirements: You should be a sophomore to apply, however, juniors are considered if they are committed to attending graduate or professional school directly following their senior year.

More information, along with the application, can be found on the web at http://www.i4rc.org/ Application http://www.i4rc.org/apply.html

Contact Adam Barr at (202) 659-2831 with questions.

NAACP targets education and politics

Fri, 25 Aug 4524 11:38:58 +0000

State NAACP leaders called for the end of discrimination in the state's educational and political systems at the association's first quarterly meeting this year.

The Carlisle NAACP branch hosted the meeting in Hampden Township, where training for branch presidents across the state took place. Leaders outlined a laundry list of initiatives and concerns they'll tackle this year.

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2006/01/22/news/news06.txt

Following King's lead

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 05:47:48 +0000

NAACP's Jordan calls for more volunteer effort

"The path of service is the way that we can become whole," David F. Gould III told the crowd at the January 15 celebration of Martin Luther King Day at Bucks County Community College.

Gould noted one of Dr. King's quotes, "Know that the greatest of things is to be a servant," and talked about our influence and fame-obsessed society. "We are obsessed with recognition, for, really, very little," Gould said. Gould is president of the Bucks County Committee for Interracial Harmony, which organized the 21st annual celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. at the College. The event honored a host of organizations and people that do not strive for recognition and influence, but-like Dr. King-work to better their communities and the world.

"We really wanted to broaden the knowledge of Dr. King's goals," Gould said. The theme for the celebration was Dr. King's "Drum Major" speech, where Dr. King said, "I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things in life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. And that's all I want to say."

President of the Bucks County NAACP, John Jordan, provided the keynote speech for the evening, and he began his speech in an unusual way. "I'm not going to talk about a few things today," Jordan began. He said that he would not talk about the war, or inadequate healthcare and education, or racial profiling.

"I'm going to talk about overt versus covert," Jordan said. According to Jordan, many of the goals of Dr. King and the NAACP have been accomplished. "We won those battles," Jordan said. But for Jordan, the battle is now a covert one. "It's no longer in our faces," Jordan said. "The lynching is still being done, it's just being done covertly." Television, news media and unfunded education systems are the new tools of oppression. In the climax of his speech, Jordan exclaimed, "When did it become cool to go to jail instead of going to college?"

"We must be the conscience of our nation," Jordan said. He called for voluntarism and the effort to help others. He advised that citizens should hold their elected officials accountable for their actions, and make an effort to aid the community. "We've got to help somebody. That's what Dr. King would want us to do."

"Leave here today and serve your community," Jordan said.

After Mr. Jordan's call for involvement and service, the program recognized the organizations in the community that have worked long and hard to achieve the tenets that Dr. King set out in his drum major speech, from feeding the hungry to clothing the naked, to living a committed life.

The Red Cross Homeless Shelter, Bucks County Housing Group and VITA Education services were honored for their work in "serving others."

Network of Victim Assistance, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bucks County, No Longer Bound, Family Services Association, Libertae, A Woman's Place and the Livengrin Foundation were recognized for their efforts in "loving somebody."

The Reverend Lois Wheeler was honored for her annual Thanksgiving dinner and her work in "feeding the hungry."

The YWCA of Bucks County and the Salvation Army were honored as well, for their work in "clothing the naked."

The "drum majors for peace," the Peace Center in Langhorne and the Coalition for Peace, also were recognized, along with the groups that were "righting wrongs," the Bucks County Chapter NAACP and the Human Relations Council.

Reverend Jones presented two special awards to individuals who demonstrated "living a committed life." Jesse Michner humbly accepted the Young People's Award, thanking the many organizations at the event that inspired him to get involved. Reverend Jones noted that Jesse was "a model of what young people can do in the world."

Ethel Gibson presented the Ernestine Satterfield Johnson Service Award to Nancy Tickel, a retired Pennsbury school teacher and past president of the Bucks County Committee for Interracial Harmony. "Her level of commitment inspired others," Gibson said. "I love my community and I love promoting diversity," said Tickel after the ceremony.

Throughout the evening, the program was punctuated by musical performances by the Common Ground Community Choir, and special appearances by Kathy Sledge Lightfoot and Kim Sledge Allen of Sister Sledge.

Reverend Jones concluded the evening by reminding all that "Injustice to anyone is injustice to everyone." The Sledge sisters led the entire crowd in singing "We Shall Overcome," as everyone joined hands and embraced their true togetherness.

The Bucks County Committee for Interracial Harmony meets on the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at Pennswood Village. "We want to have people come out to the meetings to see what we do and what we're trying to accomplish," said Reverend Jones.

� Newtown Advance 2006

By: RYAN TEITMAN
Newtown Advance
01/18/2006

Oprah's National High School Essay Contest

Wed, 25 Aug 207 11:37:46 +0000

DEAR SUPERINTENDENTS, TEACHERS AND FRIENDS OF EDUCATION:

I am thrilled to write you with exciting news for your high school students.

On January 16, 2006, The Oprah Winfrey Show is doing something we've never done before. In addition to announcing my new book club selection, which I promise is mandatory reading for every human being on the planet, I will also announce Oprah's National High School Essay Contest to accompany it.

The essay contest will be based on the book I reveal and will be open to high school students across America. Then, based on their essays, a panel of learned judges will select 50 high school students. Each finalist, along with one designated parent or guardian, will receive a trip to a special Oprah Show taping in late February.

To support this nationwide initiative, my website,
http://www.oprah.com/obc_classic/obc_essay_contest.jhtml
will offer comprehensive study materials for students, teachers and parents. This is an important book that I hope will be discussed in homes and schools across the country.

To make this happen, I'll need your help. Please get the word out to your students, their parents and teachers.

Remember, I will announce the title of the book that I've chosen on the air, Monday, January 16, 2006. So check your local listings for times. Immediately after that announcement, the essay contest will begin.

The deadline for entries is Monday, February 6, 2006, so time is of the essence.

For the latest details on Oprah's National High School Essay Contest, stay tuned to Oprah.com. We're hoping to get as many students and educators involved as possible. Thank you for working with us.

Finally, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for all you do to make education a priority in your circle of influence. I applaud you for this important work.

Here's to Books! Happy Holidays!

Oprah

Important Pell Grant Information

Sun, 01 Jan 2006 12:00:19 +0000

I write to share good news with you about a new student aid initiative that represents a dramatic step toward promoting math and science education and ensuring America's economic competitiveness in the future.

We know that China and India are generating scientists and engineers at a furious pace while America lags dangerously behind. Study after study calls for the government to act to address this problem. Passage of this program represents real action.

The new student aid program I created is called a SMART Grant. SMART Grants will provide $4000 per year to Pell Grant-eligible students who maintain a 3.0 GPA and major in math, science, engineering, technology, or foreign languages critical to national security during their third and fourth years of college. That means a Pell Grant-eligible student will obtain up to $8000 in additional assistance toward the cost of college if he or she chooses to major in those fields. These funds will incentivize more students to major in these time-intensive studies and help America produce the workforce it needs to compete in today%u2019s global economy.

The bill also provides Academic Competitiveness Grants to first and second year students. $750 will go to first year students who complete a rigorous high school curriculum, and $1300 will go to second year students who complete a rigorous high school curriculum and maintain a 3.0 GPA in college. President Bush and Chairman Boehner (R-OH) deserve praise and credit for their leadership on these grants.

I have attached a chart that summarizes the tremendous college savings students can achieve through the SMART and Academic Competitiveness programs. SMART Grant recipients will save up to 75% on their college education!

The SMART and Academic Competitiveness Grants are authorized at $3.75 billion over five years and are paid for with program savings included in the budget deficit reduction bill approved by the Senate this morning.

These grants will help sustain America%u2019s global legacy as a land of innovation, imagination, and initiative. I invite you to spread the word %u2013 please tell students, teachers, parents, and community leaders about SMART and the difference these grants will make to America%u2019s students and the country as a whole.

Bill Frist

P.S. Viewing the attached chart requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which may be downloaded at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html free of charge.

(See attached file: FINAL SMART Chart.pdf)

FINAL SMART Chart.pdf

Tom Joyner wants this information to reach his listeners...

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 05:40:41 +0000

You have probably heard of "NUD" as a result of the Tom Joyner morning show related to CompUSA. NUD is the acronym for a very subtle and little-known marketing term specifically directed toward people of color.

NUD stands for Non Urban Dictate. These three words essentially mean that a company is not interested in the Black consumer. A NUD label means that a company does not want their marketing and advertising materials placed in media that claim an urban audience (black folks) as their main target.

There are legitimate reasons for companies not using urban radio. It may be that Blacks don't index high in certain categories or that a company's strategy is to market to the Black consumer down the road after they have established a strong position in their primary target.

But NUD usually means that a company is not interested in the Black consumer. Companies evade discrimination liability by embracing it as theory rather than policy. As a service to Black consumers, the Urban Institute will list all companies that have a NUD policy. Armed with this information, we feel that Black consumers will be able to make informed buying decisions.

Companies with NUD policies:
a. Starbucks
b. Jos. A Bank
c. CompUSA
d. Weight Watchers
e. Keebler
f. Life Savers
g. Continental Airlines
h. Northwest Airlines
i. America West Airlines
j. HBO - Apollo Series
k. Paternal Importers
l. Calico Corners
m. OMScott
n. Pepperidge Farms
o. Ethan Allen
p. Busy Body Fitness
q. Mondavi Wines
r. Builders Square
s. Don Pablo
t. Lexus
u. ArubaTourism
v. Ciba Vision
w. Kindercare
x. Grady Restaurant
y. Eddie Bauer

Please forward this information on to any other consumer that you consider a friend and advise them to do likewise. Remember, you can't act wisely unless you are informed wisely.

The Urban Institute
2100 M Street, NW.
Washington, DC20037
(202) 833-7200

Letter to the President

Fri, 16 Sep 2005 08:19:20 +0000

Mr. President, this job can't be fun for you any more. There's no more money to spend--you used up all of that. You can't start another war because you used up the army. And now, darn the luck, the rest of your term has become the Bush family nightmare: helping poor people. Listen to your Mom. The cupboard's bare, the credit cards maxed out. No one's speaking to you. Mission accomplished.

Now it's time to do what you've always done best: lose interest and walk away.. Like you did with your military service and the oil company and the baseball team. It's time. Time to move on and try the next fantasy job. How about cowboy or space man? Now I know what you're saying: there's so many other things that you as President could involve yourself in. Please don't. I know, I know. There's a lot left to do. There's a war with Venezuela. Eliminating the sales tax on yachts. Turning the space program over to the church. And Social Security to Fannie Mae. Giving embryos the vote.

But, Sir, none of that is going to happen now. Why? Because you govern like Billy Joel drives. You've performed so poorly I'm surprised that you haven't given yourself a medal. You're a catastrophe that walks like a man. Herbert Hoover was a shitty president, but even he never conceded an entire city to rising water and snakes.

On your watch, we've lost almost all of our allies, the surplus, four airliners, two trade centers, a piece of the Pentagon and the City of New Orleans. Maybe you're just not lucky. I'm not saying you don't love this country. I'm just wondering how much worse it could be if you were on the other side.

So, yes, God does speak to you. What he is saying is: 'Take a hint.'

Best regards,

Bill Maher

Keep Hope Alive

Mon, 25 Aug 3079 11:25:45 +0000

VIEWS FROM A YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN MOTHER IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Have you ever realized the time we entered this world we were all delivered unclothed and without an identity? Shortly after birth we were named and placed into a racial category. Depending upon how you are racially labeled means an easy life for some, or a long hard life for others.

Studies show that approximately 2.3 million Americans are incarcerated with a large percentage being African Americans. Why are the numbers increasing after the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965? Disturbingly after the decision from Brown vs. Board of Education of 1954, forms of segregation still exists and incarceration numbers are at an all time high. I have self identified that we are still in bondage, just in a new era. Many prisoners have become disenfranchised and lost their voting rights. Once released back into society, many can not find decent employment creating a need to obtain money illegally. The end result is that a small cold cell with steel bars awaits them. Let�s stop mentally placing �welcome home� signs on prison cells instead of a house.

Minorities are targeted to receive lower paying salaries, economic stagnation, and face more social ills. Our incarcerated brothers and sisters are treated like slaves, because they are given hard labor and receive little to no pay for their efforts. Why is funding being awarded for the construction of more prisons instead of schools for higher learning?

We can clearly see the voice of the people are being taken away. However, I wonder why so many minorities with professional careers and leadership roles forget about the masses that are still in bondage. Do they feel as if they have made it? Many may not want to face the truth but the struggle still exists. When was the last time you patronized a business in a low income neighborhood? How many can truly say that they go back to empower the people that have been left behind? Within the masses and behind prison bars are many undiscovered leaders crying out for someone to give them a chance. Instead of judging them, take time to listen and empower. If you have identified yourself as being a leader, just realize that you can not do it alone. It takes many leaders too make change. It�s time to stop living like we are in fantasy land, before we end back up in shackles.

"At No time does the NAACP Prisoner Rights Committee Condone wrongness on either side of the wall"

God Bless,

Richard P. Burton, Sr., Chairman
NAACP Prisoner Rights Sub-Committee
P.O. Box 440248
Jacksonville, FL 32244
904-786-7883

Jackson Invites Cosby

Sat, 25 Aug 6345 11:25:44 +0000

I had never seen the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson cry in public. And he's seldom upstaged. Until, Bill Cosby came to town.

Last week Jackson invited Cosby to the annual Rainbow/PUSH conference for a conversation about controversial remarks the entertainer offered May 17 at an NAACP dinner in Washington,D.C.That's when America's Jell-O Man shook things up by arguing that African Americans were betraying the legacy of civil rights victories.

"The lower economic people," he said, "are not holding up their end in this deal. These people are not parenting. They are buying things for their kids -- $500 sneakers for what? And won't spend $200 for "Hooked on Phonics!"

Thursday morning, Cosby showed no signs of repenting as he strode across the stage at the Sheraton Hotel ballroom before a standing-room-only crowd. Sporting a natty gold sports coat and dark glasses, he proceeded to unload a laundry list of blackAmerica's self-imposed ills. The iconic actor and comedian kidded that he couldn't compete with the oratory of the Reverend but he preached circles around Jackson in their nearly hour-long conversation, delivering brutally frank one-liners and the toughest of love. The enemy, he argues, is us:

"There is a time, ladies and gentlemen, when we have to turn the mirror around." Cosby acknowledged he wasn't critiquing all blacks-just "the 50 percent of African Americans in the lower economic neighborhood who drop out of school," and the alarming proportions of black men in prison and black teenage mothers. The mostly black crowd seconded him with choruses of "Amens."

To critics who pose, it's unproductive to air our dirty laundry in public, he responds, "Your dirty laundry gets out of school at 2:30 every day. It's cursing on the way home, on the bus, train, i! n the candy store.

They are cursing and grabbing each other and going nowhere. And, the book bag is very, very thin because there's nothing in it."

"Don't worry about the white man," he adds. "I could care less about what white people think about me . . . let 'em talk. What are they saying that is different from what their grandfathers said and did to us? What is different is what we are doing to ourselves."

For those who say Cosby is just an elitist who's "got his" but doesn't understand the plight of the black poor, he reminds us that, "We're going to turn that mirror around. It's not just the poor-everybody's guilty."

Cosby and Jackson lamented that in the 50th year of Brown vs. Board of Education, our failings betray our legacy. Jackson dabbed away tears as he recalled the financial struggles at Fisk University, a historically black college and Jackson's Alma mater.

When Cosby was done, the 1,000 people in the room all jumped to their feet in ovation. Long after Cosby had departed, I could not find a dissenter in the crowd. But in the hotel corridor I encountered a vintage poster for sale that said volumes. The poster, which advertised the Million Man March, was "discounted" to $5 Remember the Million Man March?

In 1995 Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan exhorted "a million sober, disciplined, committed, dedicated, inspired black men to meet in Washington on a day of atonement." In 2004, perhaps all that' s left of that call is a $5 poster. We have shed tears too many times, at too manywatershed moments before. While the hopes they inspired have fallen by the wayside. Not this time. Cosby's plea to parents: "Before you get to the point where you say 'I can't do nothing with them'-do something with them."

Like:

Teach our children to speak English..

When the teacher calls, show up at the school.

When the idiot box ! starts spewing profane rap videos, turn it off.

Refrain from cursing around the kids.

Teach our boys that women should be cherished, not raped and demeaned.

Tell them that education is a prize we won with blood and tears, not a dishonor.

Stop making excuses for the agents and abettors of black-on-black crime.

It costs us nothing to do these things. But if we don't, it will cost us infinitely more tears.

We all send thousands of jokes through e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages regarding life choices, people think twice about sharing. The crude, vulgar, and sometimes the obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of decency is too often suppressed in school and the workplace.