THE VILLAGER Page 2 ~ February 17, 2012 www.theaustinvillager.com EDITORIALS/COMMENTARY Africa: A Tale of Two Presidents tremendous challenges that face its emphasis on abstinence based poor countries. According to the Department of Defense and base that bears as much recog- this continent. Here is a review prevention, but on the whole this African Development Bank, as PEPFAR, supporting training nition as the Clinton of President Bush’s involvement initiative was an unprecedented of 2009 the MDRI relieved debt and testing throughout Africa. administration’s African Growth in Africa by the Africa Growth attack against the AIDS pan- for 21 African countries. In 2004, Following the format of and Opportunities Act and Glo- Initiative: demic. Bush also successfully passed Presidents Carter and Clinton, bal Health Initiative. “ “Bush’s most important Bush then targeted another reforms that converted poor Bush continues to focus on glo- On the other hand, Presi- initiatives focused on alleviating deadly disease with the launch country debt into grants. Addi- bal health beyond his two presi- dent Obama has ignored Africa. major heath challenges facing the of the President’s Malaria Initia- tionally, Bush tackled security is- dential terms. His global health He went to Ghana in 2009 and Harry C. Alford African people. In 2003, Presi- tive (PMI) in 2005. The PMI had sues. The president was one of cause célèbre is the Pink Ribbon gave a condescending speech to NNPA Columnist dent Bush launched the the initial goal of reducing ma- the first world leaders to label the Initiative, an organization formed elected African leaders talking Health and economic is- President’s Emergency Plan for laria-related deaths by 50 percent conflict in South Sudan genocide. by the George Bush Presidential about corruption. Other than that sues have never been more im- AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which in 15 focus countries. Malaria Although, Bush received criticism Center Institute in partnership he has done very little. Many Af- portant to Sub-Saharan Africa was then the largest single effort places a huge burden on Afri- for not recognizing the indictment with the U.N. and the Susan J. rican presidents voice their dis- than the last fifteen years. There by any nation targeting a specific cans—causing millions of adult of Omar al-Bashir by the Inter- Komen Foundation, to expand appointment with President has been one president who disease. The program sought to deaths every year and significant national Criminal Court, he did put access to cervical and breast Obama. According to Patrick stepped forward and made a establish and scale up HIV/ reductions in productivity. Results in place sanctions on oil coming cancer screening in Africa and Muboko, a Congolese American positive difference. There is an- AIDS prevention, care and treat- on the PMI website show that from the Republic of Sudan in Asia. Testing for cervical can- who recently protested in front other president, in contrast, that ment programs. According to the the program has major effect in order to pressure a peace deal. cer can be done easily with a of the White House,” We want has done virtually little nor shows PEPFAR program website, “dur- reducing prevalence of malaria, These sanctions currently remain drop of vinegar quickly highlight- to tell him it is over if he does not any concern for this land of over ing its first phase, PEPFAR sup- child mortality and related deaths. in place. Bush was also deter- ing cancerous tissue; however, do the right thing for Congo, for one billion human beings. Ironi- ported the provision of treatment The Bush administration’s mined to create an Africa-based screening remains unavailable in children who are crying and dy- cally, the president with purely to more than two million people, African foreign policy did not central command for U.S. many parts of Asia and Africa. ing if he does not do the right thing European bloodlines and an up- care to more than 10 million stop with health initiatives. Bush forces. However, he did not win Both Laura and George Bush for democracy, he can count that bringing from the southern part people, including more than four led the push for the G-8 nations the support of African leaders to will try to build awareness of this he has not only lost my vote, but of the United States has poured million orphans and vulnerable to demand the multi-lateral debt base the command, now called issue during their trip this week. he has lost a lot of votes,” as told his heart into Africa. The presi- children, and prevention of relief initiative (MDRI), which Africom, on the continent, with Despite the perception that Bush to VOA News.com. Thanks dent who has direct bloodlines to mother-to-child treatment ser- encouraged the IMF, World the base now resting in Germany. was only involved in President Bush for all you have Africa (Kenya) has displayed a vices.” Under President Bush, Bank and the U.S. to reduce the Africom, however, is now an counterterrorism, he built an ex- done. President Obama, it is not very laissez faire attitude to the this program was criticized for debt burden of highly indebted implementing partner for the pansive African foreign policy too late. Whitney – Gone, Too Soon foul play and unofficial reports winning soul and gospel singer sparked a flood of tributes from as the “Nothing but Love Whitney Houston was a indicated the songstress may Cissy Houston, the cousin of around the world from friends, Tour” was fraught with late singular and extraordinary tal- have accidentally drowned in R & B legend Dionne entertainers, industry execs, performances, disappointed ent who impacted the styles of the tub. The Coroner’s Office Warwick and the goddaughter celebrities and fans on main- fans and cancelled concerts, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé and has completed an autopsy, but of the “Queen of Soul” Aretha stream media and social me- Whitney continued to put her- Christine Aguilera to name a will not release its findings un- Franklin. During her spectacu- dia including blogs, Twitter, self out there. Her recent few. Her legacy lives on in the til the toxicology reports are in, lar career, Houston won 6 Facebook and other digital plat- project was as executive pro- mentoring of the young talent By Linda Tarrant-Reid which could take four to six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard forms. Her death came at a ducer and co-star of the re- that she took under her wings; Special to the NNPA from The weeks. Music Awards, 22 American time when she was trying to make of the 1976 film Sparkle, it lives on in the memories of Westchester County Press Houston, a mega-star of Music Awards and sold over turn her life around after years inspired by the Supremes, star- the students who attend the R & B legend Whitney the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, 170 million albums worldwide. of struggle. Whitney had re- ring American Idol season six Whitney E. Houston Academy Houston was found dead in whose first two albums Whitney Houston was leased her new album, I Look winner Jordin Sparks due out for Creative and Performing her bathroom at the Beverly Whitney Houston (1985) and also an actress who starred in to You in 2009 which landed at in August. Arts, an elementary school Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on Whitney (1987) delivered hit movies including: “The No. 1 on the Billboard 200, her Whitney Houston’s un- Whitney attended in East Or- Saturday, February 11. Hous- seven consecutive No. 1 chart Bodyguard” (1992) co-starring first No. 1 album since The timely death comes at a time ange, New Jersey and named ton was scheduled to attend topping hits on BillBoards Hot with Kevin Costner; “Waiting Bodyguard. Houston was when we have experienced so for her in 1997; and will live on her mentor and music producer 100 including: “Saving All My to Exhale” (1995) based on awarded a Gold Certificate by many losses of our African amongst the congregation at Clive Davis’s annual pre- Love For You,” “How Will I Terry McMillan’s bestselling the Italian Music Industry for American legends in the mu- New Hope Baptist Church in Grammys party that evening at Know,” “Greatest Love of novel about four strong Afri- selling over 50,000 CDs of the sic business in the last couple Newark, New Jersey where the very same hotel where she All,” “I Wanna Dance With can American women; and I Look to You album, it went of years. Etta James, Don as a 12-year old she held the was found unconscious in the Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “The Preacher’s Wife” (1996) Platinum in the U.S. after gar- Cornelius, Heavy D, Nick audience spellbound by her bathtub in her suite. She was “Didn’t We Almost Have It with Denzel Washington, a re- nering sales of over one mil- Ashford, Michael Jackson, Gil powerful voice. And her legacy pronounced dead at 3:55 pm by All,” “So Emotional,” and make of “The Bishop’s Wife” lion records and in 2010, she Scott-Heron, Abbey Lincoln, lives on in her daughter Bobbi paramedics. A spokesperson “Where Do Broken Hearts (1947) with Loretta Young, won an NAACP Image Award and Frank Foster are just some Kristina and the Houston Fam- from the L.A. Coroner’s Of- Go.” Whitney, who comes David Niven and Cary Grant. for the “Best Music Video for of the huge talent that has gone ily. fice stated that there was no from music industry royalty, Reaction to Whitney a Single” for “I Look to You.” onto glory and will leave a tre- Rest in Peace, Whitney, indication of physical trauma or was the daughter of award- Houston’s premature death Although, her world tour billed mendous void in our universe. we will always love you. Don Cornelius – Love, Peace, Soul! crossing today. Soul Train was crossroads. Anti-war protests Aretha Franklin. to emerge from the Civil Rights announcer and soon-after cre- the show and Don Cornelius were raging. Blacks and Eventually white artists era post-‘68.” Quincy Jones ated Soul Train as a syndicated was the man. In recent years, Whites were marching to- graced the Soul Train stage, described him as “a visionary show on Chicago’s WCIU he had been struggling with gether. And more and more including Elton John and David pioneer.” And Aretha Franklin TV. Soul Train went on to be- both personal and health prob- young people were crossing Bowie. The show also featured said, “God bless him for…the come one of the longest-run- lems, and last week America racial and cultural boundaries some of the “hippest” dancers unity and brotherhood he ning syndicated shows in tele- was stunned to learn that the to share the best of both and dance moves ever seen on singlehandedly brought about vision history. By. Marc H. Morial 75-year old Cornelius had ap- worlds. Don Cornelius and national TV. Cornelius over- with his most memorable cre- Earvin “Magic” Johnson, NNPA Columnist parently taken his own life. Soul Train epitomized that con- saw every aspect of the pro- ation of Soul Train.” who bought Soul Train TV last “I had a burning desire We remember Don sciousness. gram, serving as host, writer, Don Cornelius was born year said Cornelius, “was the to see black people depicted Cornelius as a man brimming At a time when black and producer. He even sold on September 27, 1936 and first African American to cre- on television in a positive with creative genius who, artists were just beginning to advertising. grew up on the South Side of ate, produce, host and more light.” Don Cornelius through the power of music gain a measure of mainstream He may not have seen Chicago. His deep baritone importantly, OWN his own In 1970, a and dance, beckoned all Ameri- exposure through occasional himself as a civil rights leader, voice and smooth manner television show.” groundbreaking TV show, cre- cans to get on board and cel- appearances on shows like but many did. In reaction to his made him a natural salesman. We join all Americans in ated and hosted by a suave, ebrate the gift of life. Soul Train Dick Clark’s American Band- death, Roots drummer Ahmir In his early professional life he thanking Don Cornelius for in- impeccably-dressed black man, burst on the scene in 1970. stand, Cornelius put a weekly “Questlove” Thompson wrote, sold cars and insurance. But in viting us to his Saturday morn- literally danced its way into the After the many triumphs and spotlight on such performers as “Next to Berry Gordy, Don 1968 he decided to pursue his ing dance party for so many soul of America and built a tragedies of the 1960’s, the civil the Jackson Five, Marvin Cornelius was hands down the passion for broadcasting. He years. His legacy will live for- cultural bridge that we are still rights movement was at a Gaye, James Brown, and most crucial nonpolitical figure landed a job as a local radio ever. Black Women and Organizations ciation for the Study of Afri- in 2010) and the National As- tion was dedicated to profes- 1913, despite discouragement good things on. Black history can American Life and History sociation of Negro Business sionalize domestic work, pro- from white women who did not month is often the story of ac- (ASALH) has declared that and Professional Women’s viding training and advocating want to mix race matters with complished individuals but the women will anchor the month. Clubs were founded. Even for fair working conditions. This suffrage issues. (Full disclosure story of organizations is equally It is great to lift up the many earlier, in 1896, the National was yet another example of – I’m a Delta). Two other compelling. black women luminaries, in- Association of Colored African American women black women’s sororities, Zeta As a nation and a world, cluding Dr. Dorothy Irene Women’s Clubs was estab- coming together to improve Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma we are better off for the ef- Height, Elizabeth Keckley, lished. Mary Church Terrell their lives and those of their Rho, are organizations that also forts of the National Council of Cathy Hughes, and so many was the organization’s first families. focus on service. All of the negro Women, now led by Dr. By. Julianne Malveaux others. president and this group, still There is a rich history of black women’s sororities are Avis Jones DeWeever, for NNPA Columnist Yet the real untold story operating, is the oldest organi- African American sororities committed to uplifting the com- Delta Sigma Theta, led by During Black History of Black History Month is the zation that works for the ben- and fraternities. Among the munity and to providing schol- Cynthia M. A. Butler- Month, the focus is often on story of the organizations that efit of black women and fami- sororities, Alpha Kappa Alpha arship assistance to students. McIntyre, by the Children’s individuals. The founder of the have made a real difference in lies. was founded at Howard Uni- In so many ways, the his- Defense Fund, led by Marian month (once Negro History the advancement of African Until 1960, most African versity in 1908. Delta Sigma tory of organization is a tribute Wright Edelman, and by the Week) was Dr. Carter G. American people. The American women worked as Theta Sorority Incorporated to the human spirit that tran- National Mentoring Cares Woodson, and he chose the NAACP, founded in 1909, and maids, domestics, or private was also founded at Howard scends stories of individual ac- Movement, led by former Es- week that encompassed both the National Urban League, household workers. The Na- in 1913 by women who broke complishment. Organizational sence editor Susan Taylor. As the birthdays of Abraham Lin- founded in xxx are the most tional Domestic Workers Union off from AKA to emphasize development reminds of the we cheer on individuals, we coln and Frederick Douglas. visible organizations, but in was founded in 1968 by Dor- their commitment to scholar- ways and the reasons that must also cheer on the endur- When other luminaries are 1935 both the National Coun- othy Lee Bolden, who started ship, service, and sisterhood. people come together for up- ing legacy of organization mentioned, they are mostly cil of Negro Women (led by Dr. working at age 12 for about Delta women marched in the lift and for good, to improve founded and led by African men, but this year, the Asso- Height from 1957 to her death $1.50 a week. The organiza- Women’s Suffrage March in lives, to pay it forward, to pass American women.