Lighting The Road To Freedom Brass Bands & Data Zone Secondlines What’s it all about?
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“The People’s Paper” February 25, 2006 39th Year Volume 35 www.ladatanews.com The Soul of New Orleans Freedom Marches On Through Finding Our Folk Tour
Page Newsmaker Inside Data Mayor’s Race Heats Up! Shani Davis Skates Field of Contestants into History Grows Page 5 Page 4 Page February 25, 2006 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com COVER STORY
Members of the Finding Our Folk tour on their New Orleans stop. The March for Freedom Rides On By: Edwin Buggage
ecently we lost a luminary figure in Coretta Scott King, wife of young people, but in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina a group of Rslain leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King young people are setting out to change that perception. Jr. a man who articulated the struggle for equality giving it a voice Finding Our Folk is a group of young people traveling around the that’s been heard throughout the world and today is honored with a country by bus in the spirit of the freedom riders of the 1960’s creating holiday in his name. awareness about the plight of the survivors of the worst natural Since his death some say the level of activism has decreased since disaster in modern history. Albert Sykes is one of the chief organizers the famed days of the Civil Rights Movement. Some would go further of the Finding Our Folk tour. He may seem like an unlikely candidate and say there is a vacuum in the area of leadership, particularly among of what some would think an activist is supposed to look like. Sykes is
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DATA News Weekly Mailing Address: PO Box 5033, Atlanta, GA 30302 INSIDE DATA (404) 223-5958 Fax (404) 223-5491 [email protected] Editorial & Business Office: 170 Northside Drive, Suite 506, Atlanta, GA 30313 State & Local Trailblazer Cheryl Mainor News Managing Editor Art Direction Cover page 6 Terry B. Jones & Production CEO/Publisher Contributors Paul Mainor for page 4 Edwin Buggage MainorMedia Jawna Williams Cheryl Mainor Business Manager, Jesse Jackson Contributing Story Opinion Advertising Director Glenn Summers Photographers National News Sandra Isley Christopher Mercadel Renetta Perry Lloyd Dennis Glenn Summers page 10 & 13 Editor-in-Chief Eric Joseph Reginald Mitchell Jr. page 2 page 11 Zenitha Prince James Terry III NNPA Newswire Newsmaker Data Zone Special Report Please call (404) 223-5958 for subscription information. Dated material two weeks in advance. Not responsible for publishing page 5 page 8 page 14 or return of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly February 25, 2006 Page
Continued from previous page.
young, black, with a gold toothed we have Civil Rights elders who smile, and hip hop swagger, but he teach people how to organize in is also armed with determination, their communities, and onsite we intelligence and the charisma of have spiritual and mental health many of his predecessors in the professionals that help people march towards freedom, fairness who need that as well.” and equality. They feel this multifaceted As the tour stopped in New approach is necessary and in line Orleans and as the sounds of the with how the struggle for civil Hot 8 Brass band blared, and the rights needs to be addressed in Black Men of Labor and many this our digital age so they have others second lined down Oretha a website called findingourfolk. Castle Haley Boulevard he stood org. They believe many young people are using newer RU021906AA_6_37x10 2/14/06 3:07 PM Page 1 mediums to deal with and Veteran New Orleans activist Fred Johnson supports Finding Our Folk fight the age old problem of injustice; a fact sometimes overlooked by some says New Orleans resident and long time activist and Finding Our Folk supporter Fred Johnson. Who himself in the early 1970’s was as a member of the Afro- American Society took SAVE $300 part in a demonstration consisting of primarily students they marched on 99 the School Board to make 399 Martin Luther King Jr. After Mail-In Rebates HDTV Ready birthday a holiday. He feels that young Finding Our Folk Organizer Albert Sykes shows that people are doing things but young people have a major contribution to make to the 23" WXGA LCD TV community it’s generally overlooked widescreen flat panel by the media who often by on the median observing and portrays young people in a discussing the goals of the tour, negative light. “We have young and his road into activism. “I like people who are doing things, EXCLUSIVE many others sat and watched but this is a new struggle, the NEW! for several days as the city filled times are different and how we BUILT-IN TV TUNER with water and by looking at the deal with these problems are OLEVIA 23" Flat Panel LCD TV Monitor response I observed something different.” He continues, “But too Model LT23HVX 942-624 699.99 In Store Price - 200.00 OD wasn’t right. Then myself and often what happens is that there Mail-In Rebate - 100.00 Mfr Mail-In some others who I worked with is not enough emphasis on what’s Rebate = 399.99 After Mail-In Rebates Side View in the Young People’s Project got going on that’s positive in our together to see how we as young community instead so much of people could get involved and give what’s negative is highlighted.” % our perspective.” With that the But that has not stopped the Save Over 50 genesis of the Finding Our Folk Finding Our Folk tour bus from on Sandisk MP3 Players After Mail-In Rebates 512MB tour was set in motion. rolling through towns informing As the tour ensued their bus and enlightening people that SAVE $50 After Mail-In has made several stops in the young people are on the move 99 Rebates Southern Region, among them and on the rise and fighting for 29 Houston, Baton Rouge, New the people in the Gulf Region. SANDISK® Sansa™ 512MB MP3 Player Orleans, and his native state of That in fact there is an antidote to 918-120/544-514 Actual capacity may vary. While supplies last. Mississippi. Sykes says, “Initially the misconception that all young 79.99 In Store Price - 40.00 OD Mail-In Rebate we wanted to go throughout the people are apathetic and don’t - 10.00 Mfr Mail-In Rebate = 29.99 After Mail-In Rebates South and document and bring care about the community. Young $ attention to the stories of the organizers like Albert Sykes SAVE 40 survivors and what they went along with many others are a new through.” Their program is a breed of activists armed with the 99 FREE® After Mail-In Memorex 128MB USB Drive Rebate multifaceted one that uses both knowledge passed on by Fred With purchase of ANY media spindle (475-634, a $19.99 value) Available in store only. 19 traditional activism blended with Johnson and other veteran civil more technologically sophisticated rights activist. In addition they are 99 Panasonic® 5.8GHz Digital Cordless Phone with Call Waiting/Caller ID*† means of getting their message also armed with the technical savvy 19 Model KX-TG5428B 201-048 ® 59.99 - 40.00 Mail-In Rebate = 19.99 out via the internet. which is necessary for we are now MEMOREX CD-R After Mail-In Rebate Media 50-PK While supplies last. Sykes describes what their living in global village. They have 332-629 *†Call Waiting/Caller ID service required program consists of by saying “In the passion and fortitude of those Available in store only. from your local telephone company. our tour we start with breakfast, who came before them, recently 3 WAYS 1.800.GO DEPOT officedepot.com 1.800.GO DEPOT then we have story circle where the first part of their tour ended (1.800.463.3768) AOL keyword: (1.800.463.3768) to TO SHOP: CALL CLICK COME BY people share what their feeling and these young people with fax: 1.800.685.5010 officedepot locate a store near you and going through, plus we have Finding Our Folk have shown the NASCAR® is a registered trademark of The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. workshops.” Sykes continues, “We march towards freedom, justice Prices and offers expire 2/25/06 (unless otherwise noted). Some products and offers may be available in store only. Quantities limited to in-stock items only. have digital storytelling where and equality will continue in the The name Office Depot and the Office Depot logo are registered trademarks of The Office Club, Inc. survivors can record their stories, days to come. Page February 25, 2006 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com STATE & LOCAL News Mitch Landrieu to take on Return for New Orleans Nagin for N.O. Top Spot Poorest Not Clear Yet
by Cheryl Mainor
hasn’t been a factor In a firestorm of controversy During that same HANO in mayoral elections surrounding statements made committee meeting where the in the city since the by New Orleans City Council controversial statements were departure of Landrieu’s President and other members delivered, officials with HANO father Moon Landrieu of the Council, which were shared their plans. It is clear that in 1978. Landrieu’s interpreted by many as an some residents who lived in public place in this race will unwelcoming back to the city housing before the storm will be potentially define the by those in public housing on able to return. Future residents, radically reshaped city welfare, the status of plans to however, will have to comply that is now New Orleans reintegrate the poorest New with new restrictions, including LA Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu Rev. Tom Watson post-Katrina.Also in Orleans residents back into the a series of questions which will In a field of candidates which Mayoral news, Rev. Tom Watson, city remains uncertain. include verification of employment now numbers more than 12, announced on Friday, his In a follow up statement, history and or job prospects and candidacy for the coveted position Council President Oliver Thomas will require returning residents to Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu City Counicl President Oliver Thomas says announced on Wednesday, that as well. Watson’s announcement defended his earlier statements New Orelans will not pamper residents submit to a background check. It was the first by a major African which indicated that he favored who return says his remarks are meant to was not stated what the scope of the he is officially throwing his hat motivate people into already the crowded ring, American candidate to challenge welcoming back those public background investigation will be. New Orleans’ current mayor. housing residents who are willing Thomas stated “We don’t need Councilwoman Brechtel and poses a real threat to New soap opera watchers right now, Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin for re- Watson is pastor of Watson to work, and not “pampering” Clarkson , made it clear that Memorial Teaching Ministries others with government programs We’re going to target the people she and other elected officials election. who are going to work. It’s not Amidst the confusion and in New Orleans. He also serves which encourage unemployment. aren’t targeting the elderly or as President of the Greater New Thomas stated “You know what that I’m fed up, but that at some disabled who once lived in New peculiar circumstances of this point there has to be a whole new NEWORLEANS_rosaupcoming election, 1/23/06 the entry2:47 PMOrleans Page 1 Coalition of Ministers, time it is in New Orleans right Orleans public housing. “But a group of 180 plus ministers now? It’s time to change the level of motivation, and people it is an indictment of those who of Landrieu into the race adds have got to stop blaming the an element to the race which representing more than 40,000 culture,” as he stood by his can work, but don’t work,” she members original sentiments. Earlier, government for something they said. Clarkson also said that the ought to do.” city eventually wants to bring Thomas, who was commenting everyone back, but needs to start on the new requirements with workers first, to create a She took a stand suggested by HANO which tax base.” Then, eventually, she would require those returning to said, New Orleans will have the the city to submit to a background resources to support everyone, check, said “it was not a bad idea.” including the unemployable. Backlash from his statements and However, it remains to be those of N.O. Councilwoman seen whether or not full funding Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson who from the federal government will agrees with Thomas, was swift. assist with bringing back all of Among the critics, is civil rights the residents of public housing in attorney Tracie Washington, who New Orleans. said in an interview with WWLTV Across the country, programs that Thomas’ tough talk may such as this are being mandated by taking a seat have sent the wrong message. by the US Department of Housing And although Washington does and Urban Development and are not disagree with the council’s being rolled out in major urban message, she finds issue with how areas. The City of Atlanta for it was delivered, stating that former example, is the first to implement residents of public housing are the program, called the Catalyst entitled to public housing again. Program, and has already begun to Other backlash is coming from order those in public households other cities who immediately after where adults are not working Katrina opened their cities and all to move out of public housing. Rosa Louise Parks of their resources to provide for Adults must be able to prove (1913-2005) the evacuees. No criteria was that they are either working, in a On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks boarded a bus set for who would be welcomed, workforce development program, in Montgomery, Alabama near the intersection of or helped. This scenario, leaves in school, or are disabled in Commerce and Montgomery Streets after in question, the future of those order to remain eligible to live in working for eighteen hours. Her courageous act cities, and whether or not the City in refusing to give up her seat on a bus she had Atlanta Housing Authority units. paid to ride sparked the modern-day civil rights of New Orleans is trying to force The program will be expanding movement and led to the breakdown of cities like Houston, Baton Rouge, soon to include requiring all able segregation in the United States. Atlanta and others who took in bodied adults over the age of 18 BellSouth salutes Rosa Parks and thanks her for large numbers to absorb them within a household to meet the sitting even in the face of danger. into their population permanently. criteria. The program is causing And at issue, is the cost of that, an outcry among the public and where the funding will come housing population in Atlanta. bellsouth.com from to do so if New Orleans does ©2006 BellSouth Corporation. not allow its citizens back in. www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly February 25, 2006 Page NEWSMAKER Skater Triumphs over Icy Reception
W06-20_DNW_6.375x11.67 2/17/06 2:02 PM Page 1 By Rev. Jesse L. Jackson U.S. officialdom. He ended up having to train in Canada and gain On Saturday, Shani Davis, born European sponsors. He channeled on Chicago’s South side, became the slights, the rejections, the the first black athlete to win an aggravations to hone his own will. individual gold medal in Winter And he made himself the best in Olympic history, capturing the the world. men’s 1,000 meter speed skating Breaking down barriers is race, the sport’s premier event. Get backto never easy. For Shani Davis, Davis won with the mixture victory was the culmination of of strength, grace, discipline and years of struggle. He celebrated by donning his Chicago White the good life. Sox hat, picking up his lucky teddy bear and circling the ice. It is Repair,renovate and rebuild remarkable that he could perform so well under such pressure. with Smart Borrowing. Even before the race, Davis was getting blistered for declining to join the U.S. “Pursuit” team, in a race staged the day before the 1000, his signature event. But “pursuit” racing was only added to the Olympics this year. Speed skating is a taxing individual event, not a team event. Davis was focused on his race. New history maker Shani Davis of Chicago, Criticism of Davis is led by became the first African American to win an individual medal at the Winter Olympics in another member of the U.S. Turin, Italy. He won gold in the men’s 1000 team, bitter at losing the chance meter speed-skating and silver in the men’s 1,500 speed-skating event. to win five gold medals (although to do that he would have had to beat Davis in the 5000, 1000 grit that has earned him admirers and the 1,500). And instead of a across Europe. He won with tribute for his accomplishment, his hometown skating club in Davis is not getting jibes for not Evanston, Il, gathered to cheer acting right. 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He got little support from tions may apply. †Interest will continue to accrue from date of loan origination. Page 6 February 5, 006 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com
Wilbert ‘Chill’ Wilson “A Cut Above The Rest”
places, and the city became engulfed in water, In response to the tragedy he has extended widespread fl oods decimated much of the city and himself in a spirit of benevolence, “I understand Chill’s shop was among many of the casualties. “I people are going through things, so I have given fl oated down on a mattress to see what was going about one hundred free haircuts, I know it’s a small on with my shop and there was eight feet of water; thing but it’s my way of helping people feel good my shop was completely destroyed.” As the water about themselves.” No stranger to consoling those day Pre-Katrina Wilbert Wilson subsided weeks later the landlord removed all in their time of need his mother and stepfather are owned a barber shop and a beauty his equipment and personal keepsakes out of the the owners of Dennis Mortuary located in uptown Bysalon in the Broadmoor area of New building. This unfortunate occurrence left him New Orleans. Orleans called Chill’s First Class Cuts. And as we distressed, but he was determined to keep his During this time many stories are strange, all know our places of beauty are places where business going. unusual and unbelievable and Wilbert story is that informal forums are held about everything under This incident led him to place a tent and a then some. After the storm and the fl ooding of the the sun; from politics, sports, to relationships. generator at a local Shell gas station located on South city Wilbert came back to check on three deceased During his stint as owner Wilbert became a vital Claiborne and Napoleon Avenue and resumed with bodies left at his family’s mortuary that were part of this community, and prospered as a small business as usual. As people came back into the submerged underwater. He recovered the bodies businessman. city to inspect damage they noticed someone was and attempted to bring them to the New Orleans Unbeknownst to him and many others that outside cutting hair. Neighbors gathered as well Convention Center to a makeshift morgue where August 9, 005 would change his life forever. Prior as passers by, while some received haircuts many a company hired by FEMA told him they were to the storm Mayor Ray Nagin warned residents of were discussing the tragedy of the hurricane and not taking any more dead bodies. So he called the the potential wrath of Hurricane Katrina and Chill how it changed everyone’s lives. Wilbert recounts Coroner Dr. Frank Minyard to explain his dilemma, along with many other citizens of New Orleans took some of these moments and how varied these and Minyard told him to tell FEMA it’s his way not heed to his warning and attempted to leave the city. conversations were as complaints and concerns their way and eventually the accepted the body. He He traveled slowly along gridlocked highways in were widespread and varied. “People were talking then contacted the families and prepared burial search of a place of refuge. With his family in tow about all kinds of things like the government taking services for the deceased, giving them a sense of he was in route to Mississippi and stopped at a gas too long to provide fi nancial assistance, how they closure and comfort. station where he encountered a family in dire need need to provide more counseling for the survivors, Since coming back to New Orleans Chill has of assistance. “They told me their car was out of gas, and who will step up and lead and be our modern dedicated himself to the effort of getting people back they ran out of money, and normally I would have day savior like Martin Luther King Jr. or Malcolm to the city through his website CHILLSOS@Yahoo. thought they weren’t telling the truth, but I knew X.” As this became a local gathering place for some com Wilbert has persevered through the storm this time was different.” He continues, fortunately I Wilbert came to the attention of CNN and was and has helped those both alive and deceased. He had enough money, and a large enough vehicle and asked if they could profi le him for their Barbershop has provided aid for those in their desperate time I bought them some food and gave them a ride as Politics segment. In the segment he along with of need. He is a small business owner, a native New well, I realized during this time we were all in this several displaced residents voiced their views Orleanian, a barber who is a cut above the rest, thing together.” about the problems facing many New Orleanians and most of all a hero; Wilbert ‘Chill’ Wilson is this Like many residents of New Orleans he thought after the hurricane. “I’m glad I got the opportunity month’s Data News Weekly Trailblazer. he would return to the city after the fl ood and to say some things and especially as a person who continue doing business when tragedy struck. The owns small businesses because our voices are not levees that protect the city breeched in several being heard.” To Our Readers: It is extremely important during these unprecedented times for New Orleanians, for you to receive information that is pertinent to the growth and reconstruction of our city. The Data News Weekly has taken on the charge to reach out to our readership which is now dispersed throughout the country. It is the responsibility of the Black Press, as historically, it has been the Black Press which has been the trusted source of information for our people, dating back over 60 years. The Black Press was credited with being the number one source of information during The Great Migration, when thousands of Blacks were leaving the South for work opportunities in the North. The Black Press kept them connected, and in its own way, helped in changing the face of America.
Continuing in this great tradition, Data News Weekly in its 39th year of publishing, understands that another “great migration” has occurred, and though the circumstances for our moving are different, the result is the same. We still have a need to be connected, but the large majority of our readership is not currently connected to the internet, and so we have redistributed our newspaper throughout Baton Rouge, Houston, TX and Jackson, MS, in addition to New Orleans, to be a better communication source for our displaced readers.
Understanding our responsibility, we also realize that we could not undertake this tremendous effort without the support of the corporate community. Moët Hennesy USA has, prior to this disaster, been a major supporter of the Black Press of America and of the Data News Weekly, and now, as we go through these trying times, we sincerely appreciate their continuing support of our overall responsibility to the New Orleanian African American community.
Data News Weekly, will continue to bring you the news from home, keeping you informed, wherever you may be, and helping you to find your way home. Once again, The Data News Weekly wishes to express it’s gratitude to Moët Hennesy USA, for its ongoing support of our publication and our mission.
Thank You Moët Hennesy USA Page February 25, 2006 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com DATA ZONE Make A Soulful Sound Unto Thee
The Origins and Tradition of Brass Bands and Secondline Parades
Story and Photo’s by Glenn Summers
As the sacred ground of Jazz and American culture; New Orleans helped shape the sound of music both nationally and abroad. Jazz pioneers from New Orleans like King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, and Louis Armstrong received rave reviews all over the world with a sound that was heavily influenced by early Mardi Gras Indian chants and rhythms, second line music and jazz funerals hosted by early social aide and pleasure clubs. The music blaring from the brass bands of New Orleans is affectionately known by the natives as secondline music. The origin of racial customs of the times denied many African- have there share of crime and political corruption. the word Secondline derives from the jazz funeral American the privilege of gaining loans and life Also there may be so-called economic thriving, or neighborhood parade procession, the band or insurance. but they lack the culture, hospitality and je na sais the grand marshal is the first line or main line. With Second line jazz set the standard for quoi that makes the city unique. The people, the relatives and revelers in the back which is the central distinctive syncopated rhythms and drum beats that music, the food is the nucleus of this great city, and part of the secondline. are well preserved in the New Orleans community are key ingredients that governs it. These are key The organized procession or neighborhood to the present day. Many young musicians from the components and if they were non-existent the city of parade aka secondlines are not just frivolous crescent city draw inspiration from this wellspring New Orleans would have fallen into the cultural and entertainment. Its origin stem from early 19th of genius, incorporating old and new styles of music musical abyss becoming any city U.S.A. century social aide and pleasure clubs; whose soul creating unique melodious sounds. The Soul Rebels And despite all the negative press about crime purpose was to provide loans, counsel, and aiding Brass Band is one of the bands carrying on this and corruption which truthfully just happens on a in educating newly freed slaves. They also provided storied tradition, soulfully gracing the stage every minimal scale there is mostly a positive infrastructure funds for the burial of the dead, as the cultural and Thursday night at the Le Bon Temps night club. where people coexist in the districts and wards of Their sound is a projection of melodic conventions, New Orleans fostering a breeding ground essential fusing rap, r&b, poetic chants and traditional Jazz. to the evolution of the pleasingly pleasant dissonant In a recent outing to see them I watched as they sounds of the bands. Cultural diversity has been an Celebrate mesmerized and cultivated the crowd with their essential part of our history and is part and parcel remarkable performance. It was a great feeling of the feelings one is overcome with, both tourist seeing people of all hues dancing and congregating and locals alike. It is in this the anointing of kindred At the 2006 Unity Ball together in harmony. The Soul Rebel Brass Band spirits co-existing through music and song, and is Saturday, February 25, 9:00 pm possesses the energy and spirit of the old traditions a vital part of our history and survival as America’s of New Orleans Brass Bands of the past with a most interesting city. And preserving our spiritual modern spin. mode that lingers in its ever present omnipotence, The Precinct But New Orleans music has always had a New Orleans is like a shadowy apparition embodying 1377 Annunciation, New Orleans mystical way of intertwining people of all races. It is starving souls, New Orleans, this great city that gave $125 per person what holds the city together, in spite of its reputation Brass Bands and the Secondline to the world and Strictly Formal Attire of being a violent and corrupt city. And in defense of continues to mystify, entice and excite anyone who Hosted by Terrell P. Clayton & Dr. Maurice G. Sholas my city it can be easily said that in any metropolis all experiences it. For tickets call: (504) 329-0853 or (504) 566-9264
Advanced reservations are strongly suggested as space is limited www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly February 25, 2006 Page DATA ZONE What Will the Demise of UPN, WB Mean to TV
By. Andre Herndon and Marisela Santana Special to the NNPA from WAVE Newspapers
LOS ANGELES (NNPA) “Everybody loses,” Edwards – When the upstart UPN and WB continued. “The writers, producers, networks were launched, within the people behind the scenes, in front eight months of one another in of the camera — everybody. Because 1995, they quickly became go-to if they have a body of work, it only CL-06-N-2768 Secret Formula Coca-Cola Classic 1/4 Page Vertical 5.75”x10.5” avenues for African-Americans in takes only one executive to decide if The future of programs like Girlfriends is in question. the television industry long desirous the show is going to [stay on the air].” of a friendly outlet for prime-time He added that his organization has shows prominently featuring Black begun encouraging its members to talent on both sides of the camera. begin purchasing stock in media While critics both entertainment and companies, so that Blacks can Like the generations who came before them, social were divided over the quality have a greater voice in decisions and redeeming value of the broad like network consolidation. comedies — such as WB’s “The As far as Blacks in the television this family treasures good times together. Steve Harvey Show” and UPN’s “The industry, “we still don’t have Secret Life of Desmond Pfeiffer” — enough,” said Geraldine Washington, Discovering our past helps us understand who we are today. regularly broadcast on the networks, who heads the Los Angeles chapter The Coca-Cola Company celebrates the “Secret Formula” there was no questioning the speed of the NAACP, which has long with which the so-called “netlets” been involved in a movement to that makes up each of us. made names for themselves by convince Hollywood to embrace openly courting Black viewership in a greater degree of diversity. an era when predominantly White, “The thing that I would be concerned highly-rated shows like “Seinfeld” about is what we would lose to this and “Friends” ruled the airwaves. merger, and how many programs As the WB eased away from a reliance would be lost. For me, the question on Black-themed shows in the late would be, where do we go from here?” ‘90s, UPN continued appealing UPN now airs a number of shows to young Black audiences with a with majority Black casts, most slate of programming that included in a two-hour block broadcast departed favorites like “Moesha” regularly on Monday nights. That and “The Parkers,” and continues slate consists of the programs with long-running shows like the “One on One,” “All of Us,” popular “Girl friends” and, most “Girlfriends” and “Half and Half.” recently, “Everybody Hates Chris,” Each has been on the air at least one of the current season’s new three seasons, with “Girlfriends” favorites among both fans and critics. the longest-running of the four. Now, with the surprise announcement Now in its sixth year, that show this week that CBS and Warner and “Everybody Hates Chris” are Bros. will merge the competing expected to be on the CW’s fall networks in the fall under the banner schedule — but the fate of the “the CW,” concerns are being raised other African-American-based UPN that the end of competition between programs appears undetermined. the financially struggling networks UPN spokeswoman Joanna could mean fewer opportunities Massey refused to make any of for those in the Black creative the network’s African-American community still struggling to take talent available for comment, saying projects on the long, circuitous the merger “was not something journey from good idea on paper that they were involved in.” to network schedule time-slot. But Michael Ajakwe, a producer on “I think it’s unfortunate,” Willis the network’s sitcom “Eve,” said that Edwards, vice president of he and others on his set were “sort the Beverly Hills/Hollywood of stunned” by news of the merger. branch of the NAACP, said of the “Of course, we don’t know what’s merger. His organization closely going to happen. I mean, we all monitors the progress of African- just found out this morning,” Americans working in the often said Ajakwe, an industry veteran insular world of show business. who over the last 11 years has “We have to look at this merger worked on a number of sitcoms, with a cautious eye, and see where including Fox’s “Martin” and “Sister they go with this, because some of Sister,” a modestly successful WB the programming that they did have comedy that aired in the 1990s. and that we thought should have “But I’m optimistic … that even stayed, didn’t. I know that … African- though they’re going to close both Americans have been losing left and networks and make one, when you right in this industry. The question have shows that are working like is, how will the programming be ‘Eve,’ like ‘Girlfriends,’ I expect affected? Will the programming be they’re all going to stick around. The The Coca-Cola Company is a proud sponsor of African American Lives. saved that are quality programs on merger could very well be something Airing on PBS in February 2006. the WB and UPN? I think somebody positive. To me the glass is half full, © 2006 The Coca-Cola Company. “Coca-Cola classic” and the Dynamic Ribbon are trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company. is going to get lost in the process. not half empty.” Page 10 February 25, 2006 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com OPINION Rev. Joseph Lowery: Mardi Gras 2006 Speaking Truth to Power Medicine for Melancholy
There never has been a inasmuch as George Bush separation between politics showed up not only to represent and the Black church. Rev. the nation in laying to rest Lowery noted in a subsequent a national icon of American interview with Chris Wallace history, but he also did so, no on Fox News, the statement doubt, because it was a soft by George H. W. Bush who environment amenable for said he had ‘’never had such an him to attempt to salve his Ron Walters experience like this before’’ and relationship with the Black NNPA Columnist Bill Clinton called him one of the community – a political motive. ‘’frozen chosen’’ for that remark. On the other hand, the Black But the remark was also community had been most By: Eric Joseph As the funeral of Coretta Scott profound in defining the opposed to his policies of war, King wore on, there was a sense difference that existed for a long racism and dealing with poverty If ever there was a time when the city of New Orleans in which I thought that she time between the Black religious of any group in America. It was, needed Mardi Gras, it is now. Consider the following: We might rise up from the casket experience and White churches. therefore, logical that the values live in a city in limbo. Blocks of houses remain empty, and ask where was the legacy Black churches tended to enjoy of Bush and the values of the Black their occupants – those alive – are scattered across the to which she and her husband the Black experience because community - contained in the nation. Many businesses have yet to return, if they had devoted their lives being they were the major institution civil rights legacy - would clash. ever will. Almost six months after Katrina’s onslaught, memorialized, because it sure allowed by the slave institution Those who planned the piles of debris still litter the streets. The stress levels wasn’t being projected in that for so long. So, they ran social funeral, sought to prevent this of many of the citizenry have reached its peak requiring house. Then, as if to answer the services such as schools, health inevitability by scheduling antidepressant medication for some. Our suicide rate, in question, Rev. Joseph Lowery clinics and mutual aid societies, speakers closest to the civil rights less than five months, has exceeded the national average. stepped forth to do so. He but were also the base of the movement to speak at a memorial Greedy and disreputable contractors have bilked, lied, read a poem that was mostly civil rights movements and ceremony the night before. and scammed many returning evacuees who can ill afford celebratory of Coretta, but near represented the community to So, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse it. Numerous families were shattered in the hurricane the end he said: ‘’We know now the dominant political structure. Jackson, Rev. C. T. Vivian, (Harry evacuation, and there are still as many as 3,000 people there were no weapons of mass Whites having control of Belafonte was dis-invited) were missing. Though the city is slowly on the mend, there is destruction over there, but there political, economic and social all excluded from the funeral the anxiety of the storm season to come, which promises are weapons of misdirection institutions and their resources, itself and Rev. Lowery was the to be as active as last year if not worse. That could result right down here. Millions tended to relegate religious token representative of that in all the rebuilding being wiped away in the blink of an are without health insurance, services to theological matters tradition. It would not have been eye. In short, the city of New Orleans is wounded, like a poverty abounds, for war billions that touched on the spiritual inevitable that the values would loved one shivering under the covers ravaged from some more, but no more for the poor.’’ impact on individual or family clash if Rev. Lowery had, like strange ailment. The furor over the statement behavior. More recently, some so many others who spoke at For reasons of politics, capitalism, and fate, a good- reached heights resembling conservative White churches the funeral, been divorced from sized portion of the African – American population may what might occur if Bin Laden have come fully into politics, Coretta Scott King’s legacy, never return to the city of their birth. Sobbing black is captured. Both CNN and Fox giving their pulpit to candidates, previously hostile to it, or more parents across the country are having to tell children too news ran the Lowery statement, funding campaigns and serving concerned about putting on a young to fathom the impact that they may have to settle but edited out the 18 seconds of virtually as an arm of the local nice, non-controversial show. where they’ve landed. Given this scenario, many African standing applause that followed Republican Party. So, politics It took considerable integrity – American residents are opposed to Mardi Gras taking them. National newspaper is not divorced from either and courage on Rev. Lowery’s place in the Crescent City. They feel the event would be headlines all over the country the Black or White churches. part to look in the face of the a slap in the face of black evacuees living in exile; a party questioned whether Coretta’s The point seems to be over monstrous theft of King’s for the few while the masses suffer. funeral was the place for ‘’political whether a funeral was the place dream on the stage before But in truth the city desperately needs the revenue statements,’’ similar to Chicago to make political observations. him and challenge it frontally that Fat Tuesday can generate, and though the money Tribune’s header that read, First, I would observe that the before the American people. involved is of great importance, equally imperative is ‘’when a pulpit turns to politics.’’ entire context was political the need for the city’s residents to party, to shake off the burdens of life in this post Katrina reality. There’s been so much pain, so much loss, and uncertainty still rules the day. Without Shrovetide, a unique aspect of the city dies. It would be easier to separate yourself from your shadow, than to imagine New Orleans without the day of days. As the Chinese proverb says, May you live in interesting times, and that we are. New Orleans was reduced to chaos and ruin in a matter of days. What we took for granted the day before August 29, 2005, is like a blessing to us now, and that day in August haunts us still. For post Katrina New Orleans, Mardi Gras is a medicine for melancholy, a balm for the souls of the people; a pause in purgatory to laugh and enjoy life and revel in what in it means to both miss New Orleans and be a part of its fertile culture.
Chris Mercedel Eric Joseph is presently a Research Associate at Xavier University The Superdome is scheduled to re-open on September 24, 2006. Where our New Orleans Saints will play their arch rivals and was previously a Research Archivist at XU. He is also a musician the Atlanta Falcons. This is the first event that will be there since it housed evacuees during Hurricane Katrina. and poet. For Comments he can be contacted at [email protected] www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly February 25, 2006 Page 11 NATIONAL NEWS Suspicious Church Fires Started Beneath the Pulpit
EUTAW, ALA. (NNPA) – In the In Greene County, fire destroyed burn a church, despite the fact transportation van and is often out He said the fire was burning early morning hours of Tuesday, Morning Star Missionary Baptist that this same thing happened in on his route in the early morning on the floor beneath the pulpit February 7, 2006, four rural Church, a more than 60-year- 1996 when four Greene County hours. According to Greene - something all the fires had in churches were set afire. All were old structure that is listed on churches were torched. County Sheriff Johnny Isaac, common, including the five fires Baptist, all were off main the National Register of Historic Ironically, it was Rev. Arthur Coleman immediately reported in Bibb County weeks earlier. roads, and all were predominately Places. Coleman, whose church, Mt. Zoar, the fire to Posey some time Following the Bibb County African- American. Rev.James Posey, who pastors was burned in 1996, who first saw between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m. fires, Isaac had told his deputies The churches were in Greene, the church, finds it hard to believe the flames at Morning Star. Morning Star member Johnny to check churches off the main Sumter and Pickens counties. that anyone would deliberately Coleman drives a public Achibald was first on the scene. Continued on page 12 Moet Hennessy USA Donates $25,000 to Aid Katrina Students
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Dwayne Ashley, President of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund receiving $25,000 check from John Esposito, President of Moet Hennessy USA and Noel Hankin, Sr. Vice President of Moet Hennessy USA. Both Messrs. Esposito and Hankin serve as board members of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. strengthening their communities. WE ARE PROUD
Moet Hennessy USA presented a check for $25,000 to the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund to aid their efforts in helping students affected by hurricane Katrina. Thousands of displaced students from Southern University New Orleans and other colleges are scattered TO INVEST IN THE vision and dedication of these individuals throughout the region. Some have lost family members and many have lost homes. TMSF will use the money to help students get back on their feet by paying for clothes, housing, books, school supplies and transportation. Southern University New Orleans was particularly hard hit because striving to make a difference — FROM OUR COMMUNITY TO YOURS. the campus is adjacent to where the levy ruptured. SUNO is now open again for business and they are reaching out to all students who were enrolled there. John Esposito, President of Moet Hennessy USA and Noel Hankin, Sr. Vice President Moet Hennessy USA are both directors of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. Moet Hennessy USA has a long history of supporting educational causes. As far back as 1896, William Jay Schieffelin, President of the MH USA, served on the Board of Tuskegee Institute until his death in 1954. Moët Hennessy is the world’s leading wine and spirits company of French luxury group LVMH. Moët Hennessy USA is the only sales and marketing organization in the United States representing the group’s STRENGTH , SUPPORT, COMMITMENT internationally renowned portfolio of brands, including: Hennessy cognac, Moët & Chandon Champagnes, Dom Perignon, Krug, Veuve www.coors.com Clicquot and Ruinart champagnes; Belvedere and Chopin vodkas; Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch; Green Point, Terrazas de los Andes,
Cape Mentelle, Cloudy Bay and Newton Vineyard, Domaine Chandon © 2004 Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado 80401 • Brewer of Fine Quality Beers Since 1873 • BEER California, sparkling and still wines. Moët Hennessy USA also markets agency brands including Grand Marnier/Navan, and Casa Lapostolle. A8696_6a_F 300dpi Press PDF 08.17.04 15:15 100 Linescreen bh
DATE: 8/2/04 - 12:14 PM LIVE: 6.25” x 10.5” CREATIVE DIRECTOR: CLIENT: Coors TRIM: n/a ART DIRECTOR: FILE NAME: 530-122F BLEED: n/a COPYWRITER: MEDIA TYPE/UNIT: print ad DOC STATUS: 1 ACCOUNT: INSERTION DATE: PRINT IS OUTPUT AT: 100% PROD MGR: E. Kozacas BW OR 4-COLOR: BW TRAFFIC MGR: J. Tompetrini LINE SCREEN: EPRO: A. Chang DOCUMENT PATH: Studio Server/Current EPRO Jobs/530-122_Coors_newspapers/530-122F NOTES: for NY Amsterdam News, La Vida News, Data News, Miami Times, Precinct Reporter Page 12 February 25, 2006 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com NEWS Congressional Black Caucus Blasts Bush’s Budget
By. James Wright social programs and it gives too many secure and prosperous in a 21st century of the budget over 10 years), and continues benefits to the rich and wealthy. economy. After years of shelling out billions undermining programs which take care WASHINGTON (NNPA) – The Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) said: ‘’Never in taxpayer dollars to well-connected of ‘the least of these,’ like Medicare Congressional Black Caucus has come before have Americans paid so much for a and well-financed special interests, the and Medicaid,’’ he said. “The ‘No Child out against the 2007 Bush administration budget that does so little to keep them safe, President is facing a debt so large that he Left Behind’ president proposes cutting budget proposal, saying that it cuts needed cannot afford the promises he’s education funds 28 percent, from $88.6 made to the American people.’’ to $63.4 billion, including eliminating 42 Obama, the lone senator in the programs. Bush’s budget proposes to limit RECOVERY CBC, pointed out that the Bush food stamp eligibility by cutting funds by ALERT budget would: $706 billion over five years.” • Assess higher health and ‘’The President’s budget also proposes a medical fees for veterans reduction in payments to hospitals, skilled • Cut funding for police officers nursing facilities and other institutions of by 80 percent about $2.5 billion in 2007 and $35.9 billion • Eliminate funding to fight through 2011. On the energy front, the crimes caused by the use of budget would cut spending on energy methamphetamines efficiency, hazardous waste cleanup and • Cut funding for firefighters grants to subsidize heating costs for low- Displaced by Hurricane Katrina or Rita? and income households (LIHEAP funds) - even • Freeze need-based funding for as spending on nuclear weapons programs Housing Help is Available. college students. are increased by 2 percent.’’ Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D- “So we now know President Bush’s Ill.) mocked the Bush budget in moral values, budget priorities and political explicit detail. philosophy rely on the states, faith-based You may be eligible for temporary housing assistance from the Federal “This self-proclaimed institutions and voluntary efforts to meet Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to cover the cost of renting an ‘compassionate conservative’ the peoples’ needs, undercut federal apartment or home for your family. has proposed a record $2.77 programs for low-and-middle income trillion budget which increases families, cut taxes on the rich and increase money for war and defense, funds for the military-industrial-complex,’’ Call FEMA to register or go online makes tax cuts for the wealthy Jackson said. 1-800-621-FEMA (open 24 hours daily) permanent (takes $1.8 trillion out TTY: 1-800-462-7585 www.fema.gov Multilingual operators are available We as church members - we will be able to make it - we will be able to get An application for a U.S. Small Business Administration Loan our church back, but I am worried is not required to determine eligibility for FEMA’s Temporary Housing assistance. that people who do this sort of thing need help.” All four of these churches are along FEMA’s Housing Locator Service a stretch of state and county roads that 1-800-762-8740 (open daily from 8 am – 9 pm EST) extend for about 35 miles. TTY: 1-800-462-7585 Isaac said that a vehicle similar to www.dhronline.org the one described in Greene County is already being sought in connection with the five church fires in Bibb County. If you need help locating available apartments or homes, Jim Cavenaugh, special agent in Dancy Baptist Church was saved from total destruction FEMA’s Housing Locator Service can help. by a fire alarm, but was still damaged from arsonists who charge for the AFT (Alcohol, Tobacco have been burning churches in Alabama. and Firearms), said that it is likely HUD Disaster Housing Assistance roads each night. A deputy had the two suspects are familiar with reported in from Morning Star at 2:30 the back roads where the churches 1-866-373-9509 a.m. on Tuesday morning that all was are located. The agent says people TTY: 1-800-877-8339 calm there. should be vigilant and report anyone According to Isaac, a black and gray they might know who stays out all If you were displaced from a low-income or subsidized housing unit funded SUV containing two White men was night and drives a dark-colored SUV. by the government or homeless before the storm, U.S. Department of seen speeding away from Morning It is believed that the perpetrators Star Tuesday morning in the direction may have burns on their hands from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can help you find housing options. of Gainesville. Spring Valley Baptist setting the fires. Church in Gainesville was set afire, as In another touch of irony, Isaac had There are grants and resources available to eligible applicants to help with well as Dancy First Baptist Church on told reporters at a regular Monday long term housing needs. Join the hundreds of thousands who have already been the Sumter/Pickens County line and morning press conference that he assisted and have moved on to a better long term housing solution. Galilee Baptist Church in Panola. had a good lead on the 1996 fires in Spring Valley was lightly damaged Greene County and hoped to have a due to a concrete floor; Dancy was release for them soon. Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, saved by a fire alarm going off; Galilee He still hopes to have a release disability, or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, burned to the ground. soon, but is hoping it is on the current you should call FEMA at 800-621-3362 or contact your State Office of Equal Rights. Rev. Glenn Harris, pastor of Spring crimes as well as those that happened Valley, said, “My prayers go out to the almost 10 years ago. perpetrators. They need to seek help. www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly February 25, 2006 Page 13 PUBLISHER’S PAGE Time Is 6 ,9Ê 9 ,]Ê 1 , -Ê Running Out! "Ê/"1- -Ê"Ê -Ê Ê 1*Ê ",Ê ,- 9½-Ê /, Ê Ê Ê - and started a movement, Finding Our Folk. Leadership, remember? There is a Mayoral election coming /-Ê9 ,]Ê up this April, if it isn’t moved back. Ê Ê9"1Ê "7Ê This is going to be a difficult task, especially if we are still so displaced "1 Ê" Ê/ Terry B. Jones and scattered as we are now, but Publisher it’s not impossible. In Data News Weekly’s view, this could be our last hurrah. The last opportunity to take back control of our city government. The state of the nation’s people But it has to be evaluated differently over the last few years can only be ÕÃÌÊ>Ì than it ever has before in “The Big described as apathetic. We allowed "Þ«VÊ`Ê i`>ÃÌ Easy.” This isn’t a popularity contest. the government after 9/11 to not This isn’t the guy who can grease your EÊ7À`Ê >« go after the person who attacked pockets and tell you about the secret us but instead attacked Sadaam deals he will do for you when he gets Hussein, who actually did no harm in. Or how if nobody else is going iÀà iÞ½ÃÊ9ÕÌ Ê*À}À>ÊÃÊ«ÀÕ`ÊÌÊ>ÕViÊÌ iÊ to the American people. Then after to be okay when he gets in, you will. destroying their country looking for ÀÕ}ÊvÊÕÀÊÓÌ ÊÕ>Ê/À>VÊ>`Êi`Ê>iÃ°Ê You know the story. In fact this isn’t weapons of mass destruction which even about an individual. It should did not exist, we dropped billions of ÕÃÌÊ>ÌÊÜÃÊ ÜÊÀiÜ>À`}ÊÌ iÞÊV>ÊLi°Ê be about principles, leadership and dollars and manpower into the same direction. vÌiÀÊ>]Ê iÊV«iÌi`ÊÊÌ iÊL>VÊÊ£{°Ê country, with Haliburton controlling We should be clear about what the rebuilding of that nation. Taking ÊÊÊÌÊiÀà iÞ½ÃÊ/À>VÊ>`Êi`Ê>iÃ]Ê`ÃÊ>ÀiÊ we want the Mayor to do to rebuild available troops and resources out our city, and establishing good city of our country, which I feel is a iVÕÀ>}i`ÊÌÊ`ÊÌ iÀÊLiÃÌ]ÊÊ>ÌÌiÀÊÜ >ÌÊÌ iÀÊ government benefiting all New major contributor to why we were Orleanians. And most of all, the ÃÊiÛi°Ê `ÃÊ>}iÃÊq£{Ê«>ÀÌV«>ÌiÊÊiÛiÌÃÊ shorthanded when Katrina hit. government must compassionate We also allowed without the towards the entire diverse population ÃÕV Ê>ÃÊÀÕ}]ÊÕ«}Ê>`ÊÌ ÀÜ}°Ê/ iÊ>iÃÊ thought of impeachment, the which existed in the city prior to President to stay on vacation during >ÀiÊ i`ÊÊVÕÌiÃÊÌ ÀÕ} ÕÌÊÌ iÊ1Ìi`Ê Katrina. In the next issue of Data the most tragic disaster in the history News Weekly, as we try to reach -Ì>ÌiÃÊ>`Ê >>`>ÊÊ«>ÀÌiÀà «ÊÜÌ ÊÌ iÊ >Ì>Ê of America. And now, we are allowing out to as many New Orleanians the Vice President and Haliburton as we can, in New Orleans, Baton ,iVÀi>ÌÊ>`Ê*>ÀÊÃÃV>Ì]ÊÌ iÌVÃÊ >>`>]Ê to rebuild our city on their terms. Rouge, Jackson MS, and Atlanta, we Sometimes I wonder what the people >`Ê1-Ê/À>VÊEÊi`°Ê will provide a column called “Our of America are thinking! Mayor” asking for your input on what Regretfully, for New Orleanians ÊÊÊ/ÊiÌiÀÊ>Ê`ÊÞÕÊÜÊÀÊÌÊwÊ`ÊÕÌÊÀiÊ characteristics your mayor should prior to Katrina, apathy was a way have. We will publish your opinions >LÕÌÊiÀà iÞ½ÃÊ/À>VÊ>`Êi`Ê>iÃ]Ê}ÊÌ of life. Being known around the in each issue. We will also publish nation as “The Big Easy,” we allowed ÜÜÜ° iÀà iÞÃÌÀ>V>`wÊi`°VÊÀÊV>Ê your opinions on our website www. for crooked politicians, organized ladatanews.com. This is your chance crime affiliates, etc. to be the alluring ÞÕÀÊV>ÊÀiVÀi>ÌÊ>`Ê«>ÀÊ`i«>ÀÌiÌ°Ê to let your voice be heard. Closer to mystery of our town. We were the election, we will compile these known as the “decadent capitol” of ideas, publish it and send it out to the country. all of the candidates, including the So let’s evaluate this, the country is incumbent as a directive from the apathetic, New Orleans is known for citizens of New Orleans. Send your it’s apathy, and we wonder why there thoughts to: Data News Weekly, PO are rumors of “outsiders” taking Box 5033, Atlanta GA 30302. ^ÊÓääÈÊ/ iÊiÀà iÞÊ «>Þ control of our town. If you think I want to impress upon each and about it, seems like easy pickings. every one of our readers that We Doesn’t that make you angry? I the People of New Orleans have certainly hope so, because it wasn’t been apathetic too long. It is time always that way. not to be led any longer, but to lead! I know there has to be some of Understanding that we may not be the baby boomers left from the in New Orleans, but we Are New sixties. We used to stand up for our Orleans, and this is Our Town! rights, question the government, If not Us, Who, and if not Now, because it’s our country, not theirs. When? You have to still be out there. And if not, to refresh your memory, read our cover story this week. Young Terry B. Jones African Americans, came together Publisher Page 14 February 25, 2006 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com BLACK HISTORY Was there a Conspiracy in New Orleans? KATRINA SERIES - PART 2
This is the second of an 8-part series of stories about the Gulf Coast and the road to recovery after Hurricane Katrina. By. Zenitha Prince NNPA Special Correspondent
NEW ORLEANS (NNPA)— if relatively inexpensive details On Sept. 12, Nation of Islam had been added and/or altered leader Minister Louis Farrakhan during their original design and was in Charlotte, N.C., as part construction.’’ of a 23-city tour to promote the Still, locals hold on to the theory Millions More Movement march that the wall was deliberately in Washington, then mere weeks blown, goaded on by memories away, when he made an allegation of government complicity in the that has stirred ripples of reaction Tuskegee experiment and the in the public pool. Federal Bureau of Investigation’s ‘’I heard from a very reliable COINTELPRO program to source, who saw a 25-foot-deep undermine civil rights groups. crater under the levee breach,’’ The Tuskegee experiment Credit: Shon Sturdivant Credit: Farrakhan said. ‘’It may have New Orleans’ lower Ninth Ward suffered more destruction than other sections because of the closeness of the broken levee. was a government-sanctioned been blown up to destroy the program that began in 1932 and Black part of town and keep the levees to sluice water away from Mayor Ray Nagin in a Sept. 11 investigating whether malfeasance involved the use of 399 Black men White part dry.’’ majority White, rich areas like the ABC News report rejected the in design, construction or as guinea pigs to discover the Farrakhan is not alone in French Quarter has flooded the rumors as untrue. maintenance caused the flooding. effects of syphilis. Though told believing that the poor and Black blogosphere. ‘’That storm was so powerful ‘’It became obvious to us they would receive free ‘’special of New Orleans were somehow Andrea Garland, a former and it pushed so much water, pretty quickly that the flood walls treatment’’ for their ‘’bad blood,’’ targeted to sustain the worse of resident now living in Texas, there’s no way anyone could have along the 17th Street Canal had the men were left untreated and the Katrina. wrote in her blog at Getyouracton. calculated, would dynamite the not failed through overtopping, attempts to obtain treatment ‘’Mother Nature is one thing com: ‘’Also heard that part of the levee to have the kind of impact to they failed through some other elsewhere were stopped. The but this goes beyond Mother reason our house flooded is they save the French Quarter.’’ mechanism,’’ said G. Paul Kemp, story did not reach the public Nature,’’ said Raynold Fenelon, dynamited part of the levee after The current levee system, associate professor of Louisiana until 1972. Even then, neither the a New Orleans cabdriver. ‘’They the first section broke—they did a 16-foot high wall that covers State University’s School of the men nor their families received blew that levee. I believe the this to prevent Uptown (the rich about 350 miles, was built Coast and the Environment and an apology. President Bill Clinton Canal Street levee broke but they part of town) from being flooded. after Hurricane Betsy in 1965 a member of a state sponsored finally offered an apology in 1997 blew that one by the Ninth Ward. Apparently, they used too much to counter, maximally, a Category forensics team investigating the – 25 years later. Then they talking about a barge dynamite, thus flooding part 3 storm. Katrina, at 125 miles per flooding. ‘’The preliminary report COINTELPRO, an acronym for hit the levee…These people are of the Bywater. So now I know hour on landfall, was a Category does show some questionable Counterintelligence Program, was full of s--t.’’ who is responsible for flooding 4. decisions about the depth that a covert operation initiated by the There is no question that the my house—not Katrina, but our ‘’I don’t think anybody they drove the sheet pile that FBI in 1956 under the directorship 9th Ward was an unsightly scene. government.’’ anticipated the break of the support the wall.’’ of J. Edgar Hoover to ‘’neutralize’’ Black bodies floated in the And the rumors have spread levees,’’ President Bush said soon Another preliminary report domestic political groups like poisonous stew of gasoline and on a tide of discontent and anger after the storm. However, that’s by a team of engineers from the the Communist Party and the sewage; Black men, women to Capitol Hill. not true. University of California at Berkeley Socialist Workers’ Party but was and children were marooned In a Dec. 6 hearing conducted Scientists predicted in and the American Society of Civil almost immediately extended to on roofs and ignored by passing by the House Select Committee publications that the deterioration Engineers concluded: ‘’Several so-called dissident organizations helicopters, Black people were on Hurricane Katrina, New of natural barriers, a sinking major and costly breaches including, the Nation of Islam, crammed into a putrid Superdome Orleans resident Dyan French delta and rising sea levels would appear to have been the result of the Black Panthers and Dr. by the thousands going for days testified that she actually heard eventually prove too much for stability failures of the foundation Martin Luther King Jr’s Southern without food or water and Black the explosion. the levees. So did a 2002 Times- soils and/or the earthen levee Christian Leadership Conference homes sustained the worst of the “I was on my front porch. I have Picayune prophetic series that embankments themselves. In (SCLC). Through surveillance, damage. witnesses that they bombed the warned that major flooding was addition, it appears that many wiretaps, blackmail and other Many believe it was planned. walls of the levee, boom, boom!” ‘’just a matter of time’’. of the levees and floodwalls unsavory means, the FBI The rumor that officials Dyan said, gesticulating with her Engineers, scientists and that failed due to overtopping attempted to discredit and disrupt purposefully breached the hands. “I’ll never forget it.” state and city attorneys are now might have performed better Black civil rights organizations. www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly February 25, 2006 Page 15 SPECIAL SECTION
to possible reasons for ship in Hawaii. deliberately flooding St. Others see the flood and the Bernard and Plaquemines subsequent dispersal of poor parishes where poor Blacks to far-flung places across Whites and Blacks lived. the nation as an ethnic cleansing Back then, a club of rich of New Orleans. bankers ran the city and Naomi Klein, in article titled made the fatal decision to ‘’Purging the Poor,’’ published in blow the levees in order to the Oct. 10 issue of the Nation save their businesses. magazine said New Orleans is ‘’Daily, hundreds of already displaying a dramatic thousands of dollars demographic shift since most of were being withdrawn the people who can return are from banks. If the fear White. Additionally, she said, Kenneth Muhammad/Final Call grew great enough, if a given high vacancy rates in many Minister Louis Farrakhan run developed on the bank, parts of the city—French Quarter, In one scheme, the FBI sent it would hurt, and perhaps Garden District and Jefferson tape-recordings of Dr. King’s destroy, weaker banks. Short- Parish—many evacuees could be extramarital sexual activity to term credit was disappearing, housed in the city. King and urged him to commit period. Long term, if the nation’s ‘’Roughly 70,000 of New suicide or risk being publicly businessmen lost confidence in Orleans’ poorest homeless exposed as immoral. the safety of New Orleans serious evacuees could move back to the The covert program did not damage could result,’’ Barry wrote city alongside returning White end until the early ‘70s when its on page 231. ‘’…Pool’s bank was homeowners, without a single details were exposed during a the most vulnerable in the city; he structure being built,’’ she stated. Congressional investigation. had aggressively loaned money to Mayor Nagin and others Despite the backdrop of that sugar planters. A crevasse on the have said the flood presented history, Katrina theories have river’s west bank could destroy an opportunity to restructure been mocked by conservative them, and his bank. Dynamiting and rebuild smaller, better Credit: Reginald Mitchell Jr. Credit: media pundits such as Sean the levee on the east bank might neighborhoods for the city’s New Orleans cab driver Raynold Fenelon believes the levy in the lower Ninth Ward was blown up.
to not rebuilding low-income public 29 Houston Chronicle article, and housing,’’ said Robert Bullard, predicted that the city would lose a professor at Clark Atlanta a significant portion of its African- Mother Nature is University and an environmental American citizenry. African justice activist. And not rebuilding Americans previously comprised those houses is singularly unfair 67 percent of the city’s residents. one thing but this goes to Black people, whose lives are ‘’Whether we like it or not, often invested in their homes. New Orleans is not going to be ‘’Ninety percent of Black 500,000 people for a long time,’’ wealth is tied into their homes so he is quoted. ‘’New Orleans is not beyond Mother Nature you’re not only destroying Black going to be as black as it was for a neighborhoods, you’re destroying long time, if ever again.’’ —Raynold Fenelon, a New Orleans cabdriver. Black wealth.’’ Mayor Ray Nagin created a Fenelon, the New Orleans taxi controversy when he said in a driver, added, ‘’The mayor talking Martin Luther King Day speech: about building houses that are “It’s time for us to come together. Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and also relieve them. Pool argued, inhabitants. better than the ones people lived It’s time for us to rebuild New Larry Elder. Elder said in a Sept. ‘The people of New Orleans are in To many, that’s an indirect in but will they be able to afford Orleans – the one that should be 22 column published in the Jewish such a panic that all who can do way of saying it will be a whiter those houses? They don’t talk a chocolate New Orleans. This World Review online: ‘’For many so are leaving the city. Thousands New Orleans. In fact, the New about that.’’ city will be a majority African- people, past discrimination means are leaving daily. Only dynamite York Times published a story He continued, ‘’It won’t be the American city. It’s the way God present and future discrimination. will restore confidence.’’ recently under the headline, “In same…they’re trying to get rid wants it to be. You can’t have New End of discussion…’’ That flood was the final straw New Orleans, Smaller May Mean of us, you know,’’ he said. ‘’You Orleans no other way. It wouldn’t Though the conspiracy theories for thousands of Black laborers, Whiter.” got White folks that come all the be New Orleans.” may appear outlandish to some, who left the Delta in droves, It noted, “…Race has become way from Baton Rouge every day Under a barrage of criticism, there is proof that something like forever changing the economic a subtext for just about every to get to work. Think about how Nagin quickly retracted that this happened in the past. and social structure of the area. contentious decision the city much easier it’s going to be for statement. It happened when Hurricane Though for different reasons, faces: where to put FEMA trailers; them to have some property right Fenelon, the taxi driver, says Betsy deluged New Orleans some see the same forces at work which neighborhoods to rebuild; down here that will take them just he understands the tension over in 1965 and in the Mississippi now. how the troubled school system five minutes to get to work.’’ rebuilding New Orleans. Flood of 1927, as John M. Barry ‘’Same thing—politicians, should be reorganized; when In fact, Alphonso Jackson, ‘’I tell you boy, a lot of politics discusses in his book Rising corruption, greed…they wanted elections should be held…” secretary of the U.S. Department have everything to do with it. It’s Tide. this area to widen the canal Bringing back poor people is of Housing and Urban all politics,’’ he said and added, The book discussed the for cruise ships,’’ said Pamela rarely discussed. Development said he advised ‘’There ain’t no real love for us social and political forces that Everage, 39, a Ninth Ward ‘’All the talk about a smaller, Mayor Nagin to not rebuild the Black people, especially in the precipitated the flood and pointed resident who works on a cruise better New Orleans is tantamount Ninth Ward, according to a Sept. ghetto.’’ Words of Wisdom live in all of us. How will you share them with the world?
In support of Black History Month, Alltel Wireless is inviting HBCU students to enter our Words of Wisdom Essay Contest.
Write an essay with this question in mind... “What words of wisdom will you pass on to those who come after you?” Winners will receive a scholarship to the HBCU of their choice.
See www.alltel.com/wordsofwisdom or store for complete details.
Dr. Maya Angelou
come and get your loveSM
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