Ardmore, PA (BlackNews.com) – A federal judge has scheduled a trial on August 3 to consider a request for a preliminary injunction in the case of nine African American students who are suing the Lower Merion School District over a controversial, racially charged, redistricting plan which was adopted on January 12, 2009.

The South Ardmore neighborhood remains the only neighborhood in all of Lower Merion Township with any significant ethnic diversity, and no other area of the Township can claim more than 10% minority families. South Ardmore comprises 40%. Historically the children of South Ardmore walked to their public schools. One by one, the School District has closed the neighborhood schools, busing these children living within a one-mile area to different elementary schools across the township. Now, only one neighborhood school remains, Lower Merion High. Under the District’s plan, however, the students of South Ardmore will no longer be permitted to walk to and attend their neighborhood high school.

Why target this particular neighborhood? The predominant reason: Racially balancing the two high schools. By busing these children, the district will increase Harrition High School’s African-American enrollment from 5% to 9%. Lower Merion High School’s ethnic enrollment is similarly decreased, so that both high schools will have nearly the same ethnic makeup. Lower Merion School District claims that this racial balancing happened just by coincidence — a coincidence that exactly half of the students are assigned at each high school? A coincidence that the only African-American neighborhood in the entire District is sliced in half along residential streets?

Consider that African Americans make up approximately 10% of all high school enrollments. Yet they make up 40% of the students whose high school changes under this plan, and are more than twice as likely as children of any other ethnicity to have their enrollment changed. This District is not nor has it ever been under any order to de-segregate; indeed, African American students are only 9% of the entire high school population. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission are already investigating allegations of racial discrimination in the redistricting plan.

The District, already represented by the law firm of Wisler Pearlstine, retained a second firm, Morgan Lewis, to defend the case. Six high powered lawyers have now registered to defend the District in this case in an effort to outspend the plaintiffs. In contrast, the plaintiffs are represented by one attorney, a local sole practitioner, with a second attorney, also a sole practitioner, assisting during hearings.

Lower Merion Voices United for Equity in Education (LMVUE), a recently formed local grass roots organization, is advocating for equal educational opportunities for all children in the District regardless of race, background, religion, or any other factor. Although LMVUE is not a party to the law suit, the group supports the plaintiffs who are courageously fighting for restoration of their civil rights. LMVUE is composed of concerned residents from across the township, and encourages residents and others interested in fighting discrimination to visit their web site at www.lmvue.org

By Juanita Bratcher

What’s all the hoopla about Sarah Palin leaving office? What’s all the hoopla about Sarah Palin, period? The media have made her bigger than thou with all her basic shortcomings; one, that she is not the brightest bulb in the room (so forget about 2012), and two, an evaluation of all the sub-standard, unknowledgeable interviews she had with the media during the Presidential campaign. It was obvious that Palin does not have the basic talents, skills or insight to become President of the United States.

Although Alaska is a small place, considering, I often wonder how she made a case to the voters there to become governor of Alaska. But being President of the United States is nationally with a much bigger stage presence than Alaska.

On Sunday, July 26, 2009, Palin stepped down as governor of Alaska, leaving the Governor’s Office with one-and-half year left in her term. Many in the media are speculating as to what she will do next. My prediction: She will be active on the speech circuit; will write her autobiography, will shore-up her popularity within her conservative base, and become a talk show host. I see nothing in the political sphere and certainly not a presidential run in 2012 as some speculate.

For a governor many of us hardly knew until Senator John McCain introduced her to America as his Vice Presidential running mate;  my observation is that in all my years of watching and observing American politics, specifically presidential campaigns (which has been many), Palin brought out more “hate-mongers” in the 2008 Presidential campaign than any candidate in recent memory.

The Pop-Culture Icon’s Music Will Never Fade Into Oblivion 

By Juanita Bratcher

Michael the singer.

Michael the dancer.

Michael the performer.

Michael the entertainer.

The showmanship Michael.

Michael the whole package deal…and more.

His career was like magic, magnificent, magnetic. He was electrifying, energetic, spectacular…courting a barrage of flashy outfits/costumes that made his performances complete. 

Michael Jackson, pop-culture icon, was a phenomena, a brilliant singer, dancer, performer.

From “Thriller” to “Beat It” to “Billie Jean”And “Man in the Mirror”, Michael Jackson’s music will always be an electrifying presence in our lives. Jackson’s music is classic.

He was global. He was a legend. His music transcended race. And although the pop-culture/music icon died June 25, it would be hard-pressed for those who attended his many concerts or purchased his albums and videos, to forget that awesome energy he exhibited onstage, his musical brilliance, his stage dominance, and the incredible showmanship he exhibited at concerts here and around the world.

The images are tantalizing. Fans couldn’t get enough of him, and at times cried out in awe and admiration. He sang the kind of music that made its marks in our minds, souls and spirit. It’s the kind of music that will always be around, and will never fade into oblivion. Many of the songs are classics already.

 Jackson was a music genius, super-talented, a kindred spirit, and in a musical class all by himself. During his career, more than 750 million albums were sold worldwide. Once the king of pop put his mark on a song and released it out into the domain, it had staying power and it would be there forever. No matter how old the song or the music, it kept that magic and emotional touch in your heart and mind. There was just something about Jackson’s music; it was soothing, electrifying and played on your emotions.

Michael Jackson, by far, was the greatest entertainer ever. Other songs that were sheer delight were: “I Want You Back”, “Never Can Say Goodbye”, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”, “I’ll Be There”, “Off The Wall”, “We Are The World”, which he co-wrote with Singer Lionel Ritchie; “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ “, and many many more.

The iconic star grew up right before our eyes.  He came onto the stage at the age of six, and remained there for more than four decades, until his death. We couldn’t get enough of the man and his music. And we always wanted more.

He was a born entertainer debonaire. He owned the stage. He made an indelible impact on the music industry. His famous “Moonwalk”, and his enduring music matched his enduring energy and spirit. He was driven. He was king.

Not only do we grieve the loss of Jackson, but one wonders what kind of music might have come from this talented music giant if he hadn’t left us so quickly. He had an incredible life and career.

Jackson was a legend, a musical genius. He made a profound impact musically in the lives of so many. He left a great legacy. And that legacy he left will always be a part of the music world culture. It will never fade into oblivion.

“Beyond The Boardroom”, the long awaited biography of former Cook County Board President John Herman Stroger, Jr., has been officially released.

Stroger, former Cook County Board President, and an icon in Illinois politics, served 38 years as a public elected official – 36 continuous years as a sitting Commissioner and 12 as Commissioner and President, at the Cook County Board.

Stroger retired from the Board after suffering a debilitating stroke a week before the Primary Election. Although he won in the 2006 election, he resigned from the post before the November 7th general election, and Democratic committeemen – 50 from Chicago and 30 from Downstate – slated his son, Todd, a Chicago alderman at the time to replace him on the ballot.

As President of the Cook County Board, Stroger was the overseer of a more than $3.4-billion budget, 27,000 county employees, and several County agencies and healthcare facilities. He also served as a spokesman, Vice President and President of NACo (National Association of Counties), an organization with a membership total of more than 2,000 counties from across the country. He was the first African-American elected president of NACo. He was appointed by President William “Bill” Clinton to serve on the President’s Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, and selected by Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean to serve as a member of a DNC Committee.

“Beyond The Boardroom” captures and capsules Stroger’s almost four decades in public office.

The book is written by author Juanita Bratcher, a former news reporter and journalist for 31 years. Bratcher is the published author of six books, including “Harold: The Making of a Big City Mayor”, a book that traces the grassroots’ efforts that successfully propelled Mayor Harold Washington into the 5th Floor of City Hall. He was the first African-American elected to the post.

Bratcher served as a “Personal Assistant” to Stroger in Cook County government, served as a Press Aide in his 1994 run for President of the Cook County Board, and Press Secretary to his 2006 re-election campaign.

For more information about “Beyond The Boardroom”, or to purchase a book, call (773) 375-8127. The cost of the book is $22.95.

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