In the op-ed article, ‘The Arrogance of being President While Being Black,’ the author notes that “racism coming from the Right is obviously clear and shameless…”

By Juanita Bratcher

There’s an intriguing article in Challenge News Magazine’s September-October Edition that is reportedly written by a “white man” (the author’s own description) who wants to remain anonymous. But he didn’t bite his words when he spoke of racism by the ‘Right’ to Obama’s presidency.

The op-ed article, entitled, “Arrogance of Being President While Being Black,” speaks to the issue of racism in America, with the author noting that he didn’t “think anyone was under some real illusion that the election of Barack Obama actually means the end of racism in America.”

The author goes on to say, “I’m pretty sure that the president-elect knew it better than anyone. After all, he saw it every day, from the moment he announced his candidacy.

“I’m quite old…I’ve seen so many presidents. Some were feared, some were hated, some were adored, some popular and some not. But all of them, without exception, were treated with the highest respect deserving the office of the President of the United States. That is, until a black man won the right to occupy this office.”

You can read the entire article on Challenge News Magazine’s website: www.probationchallenge.org.

The author also noted that: “For half of this country, he was ‘that one’. No matter how big and clear his victory was. No matter how smart he is. No matter how decent he is. No matter what a true patriot he is. No matter how optimistic and positive his vision for America was. All that didn’t matter; because at the end of the day, he was still Black.” 

He talked about the “ugliness” that took place after Obama was sworn-in to office.

“I expected that his winning the Presidency would bring out some ugliness, but it’s been far worse than I imagined. The racism coming from the Right is obviously clear and shameless…”

He ended his article with a profound declaration: “Sometimes, they make me feel ashamed to be a white man!!”

Challenge News Magazine is published by the Rev. Harold E.Bailey, President of Probation Challenge, Inc. & the PCC Internet Broadcast Network.

Alarming Unemployment Rates and Limited or No Access to Credit and Capital are Contributing to an Unsustainable Wealth Gap between Black and White Households

Bethesda, MD (BlackNews.com) — In an effort to engage the business community in addressing the inequitable unemployment rates for African Americans and to increase vendor/supplier opportunities for minority-owned businesses, Black Entertainment Television (BET) founder, Robert L. Johnson and founder of The RLJ Companies, is urging Fortune 1000 companies to “voluntarily” adopt a version of the National Football League’s (NFL) Rooney Rule. According to the NFL, the Rooney Rule requires NFL teams to give fair interviews to minority candidates whenever a head-coaching or general manager position becomes open, prior to making a final hiring decision. Since the inception of the Rooney Rule in 2003, the League currently has eight minority head coaches and five minority general managers.

Johnson urges a similar practice for all U.S. companies and firms called the RLJ Rule.

In making this statement, Johnson said, “The RLJ Rule is principally designed to encourage companies to voluntarily establish a “best practices” policy to identify and interview the tremendous talent pool of African American managers and African American companies that are often overlooked because of traditional hiring or procurement practices.”

The two-pronged RLJ Rule:

(a) encourages companies to voluntarily implement a plan to interview a minimum of two qualified African American candidates for every job opening at the vice president level and above; and

(b) encourages companies to interview at least two qualified African American firms for vendor supplier/services contracts before awarding a new company contract to a vendor.

Johnson makes clear the purpose of this voluntary rule is not to suggest quotas or that companies hire any individual or minority firm that is not qualified. Johnson notes that the RLJ Rule, if implemented properly, will further enhance a company’s already established commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Johnson further stated, “Just as America has embraced the notion of fairness in tax rates, i.e. the “Buffet Rule”, I am urging corporate America to embrace this idea of providing fairness and equity in employment opportunities at senior management levels and in growth opportunities for African American businesses. As the NFL’s Rooney Rule has demonstrated successfully in professional football, a similar commitment by corporate America will assure that the best and brightest African Americans have a chance to show that they can participate and contribute in the most competitive game of all – the U.S. economy,” he concluded.

Johnson also announced that he is sending a letter seeking support for voluntary implementation of the RLJ Rule to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, the Business Council, the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce, the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the President’s Jobs Council, Congressional leadership of both parties, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), National Urban League (NUL), the NAACP, National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA), as well as other civic, civil rights, and faith-based organizations.

About The RLJ Companies:

The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, is an innovative business network that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. Within The RLJ Companies portfolio, Johnson owns or holds interests in businesses operating in hotel real estate investment trust; private equity; financial services; asset management; insurance services; automobile dealerships; sports and entertainment; and video lottery terminal (VLT) gaming. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with affiliate operations in Charlotte, NC; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; San Juan, PR; and Monrovia, Liberia. Prior to founding The RLJ Companies, Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET). For additional information please visit: www.rljcompanies.com.

Notices sent out recently by text message promoting a downtown job fair hosted by 6th Ward Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer turned out to be a hoax.

The Alderman’s office just became aware of this fraudulent message advising constituents to stop by a job fair on October 3 at 50 W. Washington after receiving a barrage of calls at the downtown and ward offices.

“I find it sad that in these difficult economic times someone felt the need to toy with the emotions of the many people struggling to find a job and can get back on their feet,” Sawyer stated.

The Alderman is working to provide some opportunities for those who are underemployed and unemployed as well as ensure neighborhood representation of the projects that are occurring in the Ward.

“When our office hosts a job fair, the community will be notified well in advance and not the night before, the information will be disseminated to our local community groups and will be posted on our website, www.6thwardchicago.com,” Sawyer concluded.

Yesterday (Oct. 1) Troy Davis was laid to rest.

Thousands joined in to celebrate his life at the Jonesville Baptist Church, and tens of thousands more joined online through the webstream. The power of our global community—united to honor, to stand on convictions and to show respect–was palpable inside the church.

There was little talk of sadness, little mention of grief. The Davis family, compelled by their deep faith, chose to celebrate Troy’s spirit, to honor his life, and to continue to move his mission to abolish the death penalty.

Their strength mirrors Troy’s own. Half of his life was spent behind bars, a captive of a system designed to crush even the mightiest of spirits. But Troy never lost hope. He never lost his faith in God or in his higher purpose.

In the execution room, Troy used his last words to proclaim his innocence one final time. He then made a call for his movement—all of our movement—to bring about to end of the death penalty for good. And then, in his final breath, he asked God’s mercy upon those about to kill him.

Even in his darkest hour Troy Davis saw light. In the face of death he showed compassion, resolution and conviction—a bravery that will forever be remembered.

So together, we will honor Troy’s memory and work to end the terror of state sponsored execution. It was a goal of Fredrick Douglass, Ida B Wells, and Thurgood Marshall. And it is a goal that the NAACP will carry forward in the weeks and months ahead.

A punishment reserved almost exclusively for poor people of all colors, and especially for those like Troy who are of color, is not a punishment. It’s the most irreversible and violent act of discrimination, and the ultimate violation of human rights.

The way that each of us can ensure the end of capital punishment comes as soon as possible is to shift from rallies where we shout the slogan I am Troy Davis, to a sustained campaign where we practice the faith of Troy Davis. If our movement is going to be successful, then we must focus on three types of action:

First, we must target the death penalty for elimination in ten more states.

Second, we must approach every sitting District Attorney and candidate for District Attorney and let them know that they will no longer get our votes unless they stop sending people to death row.

Finally, we all must vote. We are more powerful than those who would do wrong in this world. But only through our collective voice will we achieve our goal.

The time has come for us all to come together and finish what our foremothers and forefathers started. We will end the death penalty, and we will do it in honor of Troy Davis.

Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO
NAACP

Editor’s Note: If you have not yet signed the petition to end the death penalty of the United States, please do so now, and ask your friends and colleagues to do the same. http://action.naacp.org/EndTheDP

Wałęsa will accept the award February 9 in Chicago

Chicago, IL – Former Polish President Lech Wałęsa, who helped lead his country to a new era of freedom and became the first democratically elected leader in Polish postwar history, will receive the Lincoln Leadership Prize from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation during a special ceremony February 9, 2012 in Chicago. 

“The Lincoln Leadership Prize was established to recognize outstanding individuals whose lives and actions exemplify Lincoln’s legacy of leadership,” said Foundation CEO Dr. Carla Knorowski.  “President Lech Wałęsa embodies these ideals with a lifetime of work devoted to individual equality, reform, and democracy.”

“I am honored to be awarded the Lincoln Leadership Prize,” said Walesa.  “This prize from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation also pays homage to the Polish nation which more than two decades ago peacefully and democratically conducted an economic and social revolution.  As a result of this transformation, Poland entered a period of prosperity and justice.”

Wałęsa’s journey from work in the massive Lenin shipyard at Gdansk, Poland to the first democratically elected President in Poland’s postwar history was an arduous one.  Working as an electrician in the shipyards in the early 1970s, he witnessed violent government crackdowns ordered by Poland’s Communist Party leadership against its own citizens.  Wałęsa decided to take action and became recognized as a labor leader and activist, but was dismissed from the shipyard in 1976 for his anti-communist rhetoric. 

Four years later, when rising food costs led to a general strike inside the Gdansk shipyard, Wałęsa scaled a fence and rejoined his fellow workers, and was quickly appointed their leader.  The strike, which was soon joined by thousands of workers from across the country, forced the Polish government to agree to significant labor reforms.  For his leadership, Wałęsa was elected the first Solidarity Chairman at the First National Solidarity Congress in Gdansk.

These victories, however, were short-lived as the Communist government quickly reasserted its authority across the nation and Wałęsa was imprisoned for 18 months for his activities.  After his release in the fall of 1983, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his struggle to win workers’ rights in Poland. 

Over the next seven years, a deteriorating economy and a reduced Soviet military presence forced the Polish Communist government to negotiate with Wałęsa and his Solidarity brethren.  In 1990 he became the first democratically elected President of postwar Poland and helped to usher the country into the modern era by laying the foundation for Poland’s eventual admission into NATO, and, as a free nation, into the United Nations.  He served as President through 1995. 

Past Lincoln Leadership Award honorees include Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Astronaut James A. Lovell Jr., and the late television journalist Tim Russert. 

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation supports the educational and cultural programming of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum; fosters Lincoln scholarship through the acquisition and publication of documentary materials relating to Lincoln and his era; and promotes a greater appreciation of history through exhibits, conferences, publications, online services, and other activities designed to promote historical literacy.

Springfield, IL —The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced the availability of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).  The CACFP is a federally funded program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that is administered by ISBE.

The program is designed to primarily assist child care centers, Head Start programs, before- and after-school programs, emergency shelters, and day care home providers with funding to provide nutritious meals to children in their care.  All participating child care centers and day care homes must provide meals to enrolled children at no additional charge and without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

Individuals in households that receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits.  Children enrolled in Head Start or Early Head Start programs, or foster care children that are legal responsibilities of the State or court, are also allowed to receive free meal benefits at approved Head Start facilities.  Parents or guardians should contact their child care center or day care home provider to find out if they participate in this program. 

A list of participating Illinois institutions is available on the ISBE Nutrition Programs Interactive Map at http://webprod1.isbe.net/NutSvc/. 

The USDA Household Income Eligibility Guidelines are listed below for families who do not receive TANF or SNAP benefits.  If a household’s income falls within or below the listed guidelines, they should contact their child care center or day care home provider for the benefits of the program. They may be required to complete an application and provide income, TANF, or SNAP information.

Verizon to donate up to $10,000 to prevention organizations

Springfield, IL – In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is teaming up with Verizon Wireless to collect old cell phones and raise money for domestic violence prevention organizations in Springfield and Chicago.

Simon is asking state workers and residents to bring their no-longer-used cell phones, batteries and accessories to the HopeLine phone drive today through Friday at the State Capitol and Stratton and Howlett buildings in Springfield and the James R. Thompson Center atrium in Chicago.

For every phone dropped into a HopeLine donation box in the statehouse rotunda or Stratton building this week, Verizon will donate $10 to Springfield’s Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence to help fund a new virtual legal clinic for survivors of domestic abuse.

Every phone dropped into a donation box at the ground floor of the Thompson Center will mean $10 for the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network, which is earmarking the funds for its Domestic Violence Court Watch Project.

“Domestic violence is a crime that affects families across our state. We must do everything we can to raise awareness and empower victims to protect themselves. Healthy relationships are the basis for healthy families and communities,” said Simon, a former Jackson County prosecutor and founder of a domestic violence legal clinic at Southern Illinois University School of Law.

Most of the donated phones will be refurbished or sold with the proceeds used to purchase newer wireless phones for domestic violence survivors. Phones that can’t be refurbished will be recycled in an environmentally sound way.

“These donated phones are a lifeline to victims of domestic violence with no other resources,” said Vickie Smith, executive director of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which represents domestic violence victims services agencies throughout the state.

Domestic violence occurs when one person causes physical or psychological harm to a current or former intimate partner. It includes all acts of violence within the context of family or intimate relationships, and is the leading cause of injury to women in the United States.

The Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 brought more government attention and services to victims and survivors. State law requires police officers to take steps to protect a victim of domestic abuse whenever a family or household member has committed any act of abuse.

“This initiative is a great example of how members of the community can work along with public and private entities to make a difference in the lives of those surviving domestic violence,” said Dawn Dalton, executive director of the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network.

Since 1980, The Network has served the needs of domestic violence survivors throughout the Chicagoland area. The Network’s chain of membership organizations has played a vital role in ending society’s tolerance of domestic violence through advocacy, education, and outreach.

Since 2001, HopeLine has collected more than 8 million wireless phones, awarded more than $10 million in cash grants to domestic violence organizations throughout the country and by the end of this year, will have donated more than 106,000 HopeLine phones with 319 million minutes of airtime to victims, survivors and domestic violence organizations.

Last year in Illinois alone, more than 36,000 phones were donated to the program, totaling more than 4.5 million minutes of service and more than $100,000 in cash grants to help survivors of domestic violence across the state.

Those unable to visit the Thompson Center, State Capitol, Stratton or Howlett buildings during the week of October 3 can still donate their no-longer-used phones at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store at any time. To find the store closest to you, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

The American Theatre Wing (ATW), founder of the Tony Awards, announced that TimeLine Theatre Company will be honored with a 2011 National Theatre Company Grant as one of the nation’s 10 most promising emerging professional theatres. The $10,000 award will be presented at an event in New York City on Monday, October 24, 2011, and TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers and Managing Director Elizabeth K. Auman will attend to accept the award in person.

ATW’s National Theatre Company Grants Program distributes grants for general operating support to recognize regional theatre companies for their achievements, which include articulating a distinctive mission, cultivating an audience, and nurturing a community of artists in ways that strengthen and demonstrate the quality, diversity, and dynamism of American theatre.

“TimeLine Theatre is the pre-eminent performance company of our community,” said State Representative Sara Feigenholtz of Illinois’ 12th District. “I take great pride that they are in my legislative district: Each and every one of their performances is spectacular. Receiving the American Theatre Wing’s prestigious 2011 National Theatre Company Grant is no surprise to me, but undoubtedly, deserved. Bravo!”

“TimeLine is exceedingly grateful for this national recognition just as we launch a milestone 15th Anniversary season during which we have significantly expanded our production schedule and increased subscriptions by 30 percent,” said Managing Director Elizabeth K. Auman. “TimeLine’s Board, Company, staff and extended family of artists will continue to work to live up to the American Theatre Wing’s expectations of excellence and achievement.”

“TimeLine has followed the path that so many great Chicago theatre companies have forged,” said Artistic Director PJ Powers. “We started small and dreamed big, staying true to our mission and to the Chicago aesthetic of provocative, intimate productions. To be recognized nationally is a great honor for all who have made TimeLine a special place to work and see theatre, and it’s yet another tribute to the great treasure that is the Chicago theatre community.”

Best known for creating The Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards®, the American Theatre Wing’s reach extends beyond Broadway and beyond New York, with educational and media work that offers the very best in theatre to people around the world. Dedicated to celebrating excellence and supporting education in the theatre, the American Theatre Wing has been an integral and influential part of the theatrical community for the better part of seven decades. Adapting its activities for each successive theatrical generation, ATW focuses today on programs and activities which help students, audiences and members of the theatrical community itself to learn more about what makes theatre tick from the people who make it so vital. For more about ATW and the other recipients of the 2011 National Theatre Company Grant, visit americantheatrewing.org/grants/recipients.php.

TimeLine Theatre Company, named Best Theatre by Chicago magazine (”Best of Chicago,” 2011) and the nation’s theater “Company of the Year” (The Wall Street Journal, 2010), was founded in April 1997 with a mission to present stories inspired by history that connect with today’s social and political issues. During its first 14 seasons, TimeLine presented 46 productions, including seven world premieres and 13 Chicago premieres; launched the Living History Education Program, bringing the company’s mission to life for students in Chicago Public Schools; and completed each season operating in the black. Recipient of the Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence and the Richard Goodman Strategic Planning Award from the Association for Strategic Planning, TimeLine has received 43 Jeff Awards, including an award for Outstanding Production eight times.

Now playing at TimeLine Theatre:

• A WALK IN THE WOODS by Lee Blessing, directed by Nick Bowling, now playing at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Avenue, through November 20
• Chicago premiere of THE PITMEN PAINTERS by Lee Hall, inspired by a book by William Feaver, directed by BJ Jones, now playing at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Avenue, through December 4

Still to come in TimeLine’s 15th Anniversary season:

• Chicago premiere of ENRON by Lucy Prebble, directed by Rachel Rockwell, January 17 – April 15, 2012
• World premiere of MY KIND OF TOWN by John Conroy, directed by Nick Bowling, May 1 – July 29, 2012

TimeLine is led by Artistic Director PJ Powers and Managing Director Elizabeth K. Auman. Company members are Nick Bowling, Janet Ulrich Brooks, Lara Goetsch, Juliet Hart, David Parkes, PJ Powers and Benjamin Thiem.

Board members are Cindy Giacchetti (President), Nadim A. Kazi (Vice President), Katherine Feucht (Treasurer), Debra Siegel (Secretary), Robert Alpaugh, Elizabeth K. Auman, John Bierbusse, Norman Cutler, Marti DeGraaf, Rick Gray, Paul Knapp, Michael B. Lowe, Jennifer Moeller, David Parkes, PJ Powers, Matthew R. Reilein, Elizabeth Richter, Bobbie Schultz and Nicole Thomas.

The American Theatre Wing joins other major supporters of TimeLine Theatre, including the MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince, Alphawood Foundation, The Crown Family, Forum Fund at The Chicago Community Trust, The Pauls Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Field Foundation of Illinois and the Illinois Arts Council, an agency of the State of Illinois.

TimeLine is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres, Theatre Communications Group and the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce. More information about the company is available at timelinetheatre.com.

By Lorraine Cortes-Vazque

(An AARP Op-Ed)

For many of us, part of the journey of living life to its fullest is the desire to leave a legacy, to make certain we have marked our passage through life by making the world a better place.  

AARP’s founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, began with this mission in mind. She summed it up as “To serve, not to be served” – words that guide our work more than 50 years later.  

Helping others, being of service, especially to those who have had fewer opportunities or whose circumstances place them in need, is something each of us can do. You don’t have to be rich, or be a celebrity, and you don’t need to be a hero.  

Each of us has something to contribute. Each of us can ease the way for someone else.  

AARP has been dedicated to serving others for more than 50 years. But times change. We knew that if AARP were to continue being a powerful force for social change, we needed to redefine volunteerism and to create new volunteer opportunities. Today, time-challenged individuals need volunteer opportunities that are flexible and adaptable to fit within their active lifestyle.  

Given our increasingly diverse nation, AARP also sought to expand our engagement with multicultural volunteers and communities. It is an important step, since Dr. Andrus also said, “What we do, we do for all.” She wanted to insure no one was left behind. Today, AARP continues to fulfill her mission.

According to an AARP survey of Americans ages 44 to 79, about four in 10 people expect to spend more time volunteering when they retire, and about four in 10 retirees actually volunteer more. Among the most likely to say they want to increase their volunteer service are African Americans and Hispanics.

Yet, many said they hadn’t volunteered, simply because no one had asked them to give of their time to help. If asked, they said, they would volunteer.  

AARP is asking!  Join us. We have flexible, adaptable opportunities to suit every schedule and capacity. And we are eagerly seeking volunteers to connect with diverse communities to reach individuals with needs we can help address. Join us.   

We need you, and your neighbors and communities need you, to volunteer for AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide Program, the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service available to low- and moderate-income taxpayers. Please visit www.aarp.org/tavolunteer8 for more information.  

We need you to help alleviate hunger among Americans age 50+, which has spiked nearly 80 percent since 2001, hitting the middle class, Hispanics, and African Americans hardest. Through Drive to End Hunger, AARP Foundation has donated more than three million meals through local hunger relief organizations. Please visit www.drivetoendhunger.org  to find out how you can help.  

We also invite you to visit www.createthegood.org (Compartir es Vivir), a destination to connect people to ways to make a difference in their communities. Among other tools, the site links to local volunteer opportunities to suit whatever time you have available – even if it’s only five minutes.  

Service to others is another step toward creating your legacy. Let’s give life to Dr. Andrus’s words, “What we do, we do for all.” She was a teacher who saw someone in need and helped. Each of us can do this. Join us!

Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez is the executive vice president for Multicultural Markets & Engagement at AARP.