Noose Found Inside Smithsonian's African-American Museum

Week of June 5 - June 11, 2017 Providing ‘News that matters’ for years VVOOLL. XCI NO. 38 Since 1925 9w1 ww.louisianaweekly.com 50 cents N(AP)o — oTousrisets f oufnod a unoonse Wded neisdnay sof iladst weee k Sthims act oift hhatresd aond inntoileraancne, e’spsec iaAlly refpurgniacnt ian a na-rdiAce anmd deperavrityi —c a synmb olm of exutremse evioulenmce for on the floor of the National Museum of African American museum that affirms and celebrates the American values of African Americans, ...” Bunch said. “This was a horrible act, History and Culture, the second left at a Smithsonian site in inclusion and diversity,” Smithsonian Secretary David but a stark reminder of why our work is so important.” less than a week, officials said. Skorton wrote in an Institution-wide email. Another noose had been found Friday on the grounds of the The gallery containing an exhibit on segregation was closed Museum founding Director Lonnie Bunch III said in a Hirshhorn Museum, which features contemporary art and cul - for about three hours while U.S. Park Police investigated the statement that the incident is a reminder of the challenges ture. Officials said it was unclear how long that noose, which incident in the nation’s capital, Smithsonian officials said. African Americans still face. was found by a Smithsonian police officer, had been there. “The Smithsonian family stands together in condemning “The noose has long represented a deplorable act of cow - State Senate CCOMMENCEMENT SSEASON kills two Confederate monument bills Efforts to block the removal of Confederate monuments across the state took a major hit Wednesday in Baton Rouge when a Louisiana Senate commit - tee killed two bills seeking to preserve the Photo courtesy of Dillard University monuments after a racially charged five- DR. SAMUEL DUBOIS COOK hour debate that was filled with impas - sioned pleas and arguments from those on both sides of the issue. In the end, monu - ment supporters were unable to persuade the majority-Democrat committee that Photos by Irving Johnson III\ courtesy of Xavier University of Louisiana Dr. Samuel Louisiana needs laws to protect symbols of white supremacy and racial oppression. Four Black Democrats on the six-mem - On May 13, the 2017 Class of Xavier Dubois Cook, ber committee — three from New Orleans University received their diplomas and one from Shreveport —carried the during that University’s 90th Annual decision in a 4-2 vote that killed both bills. Commencement. This year’s class was former Dillard The bills by State Rep. Thomas comprised of 527 graduates which Carmody, R-Shreveport, and State Sen. included 45 Summa Cum Laude University Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, were heard scholars. And of that number, eight had in a single hearing because Senate and earned a perfect GPA. Louisiana’s Governmental Affairs Committee Second Congressional District president, dies Chairwoman Karen Carter Peterson Congressman and Chairman of the By James Sebastien thought they were similar enough to be Congressional Black Caucus Cedric Contributing Writer lumped together. Richmond delivered the commencement Peterson, who also heads the Louisiana address. Dr. C. Reynold Verret serves as On the 29th of May, 2017, the world lost president of Xavier University. a titan in education, when Dr. Samuel Continued on Pg. 15 DuBois Cook died at the age of 88. Dr. Cook was a key figure in New Orleans; he guided Dillard University for 22 years as the school’s President from 1974 to 1997. In his time walking this earth, Samuel Cook was a man regarded for not only his work as an educator, but also as a writer, Trump budget would devastate Southern communities political scientist and civil rights activist. By Olivia Paschal Southern politicians in both parties, as well as profit. “The budget strikes particularly at tribal Cook was born in Griffin, Georgia on the Contributing Writer advocates for the poor, immigrants, and other and rural communities. Many of these commu - 21st of November in the year of 1928 to the vulnerable populations in the South. nities, in decline for decades, are now awash in Rev. Marcus Emanuel Cook and Mary Cook. (Special from Facing South) — Last month, “Vast proposed cuts to federal housing pro - a national opioid crisis and are far-removed Samuel’s father inculcated in him the impor - the Trump administration released its compre - grams couple with a wholesale ripping of the from Wall Street’s economic recovery.” tance of education, which set him on his path hensive budget proposal, optimistically titled social safety net for the most vulnerable,” Southern communities where poverty rates for greatness at the age of 15, when he was “A New Foundation for American Greatness.” wrote Moises Loza, executive director of the accepted into an early-admissions program at The budget was immediately condemned by Housing Assistance Council, a national non - Continued on Pg. 10 Continued on Pg. 15 P h o Louisiana’s dental servt ices falls short, lags most other states o c o By Susan Buchanan Lack of access to care, because of few mined by who does the work. If it’s by u r t e Contributing Writer dentists or a patient’s income, can have a student or resident, the fee may be s y o f serious, overall health consequences. only half of what a private dentist L S U Louisiana and much of the South “Untreated gum disease is a condition would charge. LSU’s dental school on S c h need more dentists, especially those associated with diabetes, cardiovascu - Florida Avenue in Gentilly last year o o l charging moderate fees. Fifty-four of lar disease and stroke,” Gremillion said saw 60,000 patients—many of them o f D e the state’s 64 parishes are classified as last week. Poor oral health is linked to repeat customers. n t i s t “health-professional shortage areas” premature births and low birth weights. r y for dental care, according to Dr. Henry Affordable dental clinics are desper - Continued on Pg. 15 Gremillion, Dean of LSU Health’s ately needed across the state, he said. In New Orleans School of Dentistry. New Orleans, low-cost, weekday clin - Grads with dental degrees gravitate to ics and occasional, free weekend clinics urban areas but parts of the Crescent are well-attended. LSU’s School of City are short of services. Dentistry sees patients at prices deter - THE LOUISIANA WEEKLY - Page 2 YOUR MULTICULTURAL MEDIUM June 5 - June 11, 2017 Charbonnet enters Mayor’s race : Money vs. Campaign Infrastructure By Christopher Tidmore Mortgages and her subsequent Democratic endorsements, as he from Charbonnet (released just contest, even despite the palat - Contributing Writer decade on the bench, Charbonnet did running citywide in 2013, so as the TV stations were setting able desire in the city’s African- still loses the title of the “experi - strong are his relationships with up at the former Municipal American community to elect a Municipal Court Chief Judge enced steady hand” in this year’s party leaders on both sides—grate - Judge’s announcement party at Black mayor. Contributors did Desiree Charbonnet resigned her race to former Civil District Court ful he took on Landrieu. the Sheraton), Cantrell pro - not wish to commit too soon. post on Friday, May 19, and Chief Judge Michael Bagneris. It was a point that Bagneris did claimed that New Orleans politi - The recent “fake subpoena” announced her candidacy for Her mayoral rival denies her the not hesitate to make on the cal “Godfather” Bob Tucker had scandal has lessened the likeli - Mayor of New Orleans the fol - unique distinction of being the author’s radio program just 34 joined the Councilwoman’s team hood of a Cannizzaro run, but his lowing Monday, May 22. She sole jurist seeking office, and stops hours before Charbonnet’s as Campaign Chairman; veteran flirtation with a bid has exhaust - jumped into the race to succeed Charbonnet from constructing a announcement. At 8 AM Sunday communications specialist and ed the very months which most Mitch Landrieu despite the fact broad bipartisan coalition in the on WRNO 99.5 FM, the day prior, political strategist Bill Rouselle candidates normally use to build that establishment backing and fight to be the “establishment” the Judge said of both of his oppo - had come on board with up campaign warchests for the outsider anger have already candidate. The former CDC Judge nents, “I believe the audience Cantrell’s bid as Chief fall. Not a lot of time remains to begun to coalesce behind her is both better known citywide and knows my experience has pre - Strategist; former Gambit politi - fundraiser. Qualifying comes two opponents—Michael enjoys stronger ties with the lead - pared me for this office more than cal reporter David Winkler- quickly on July 12-14, with the Bagneris and LaToya Cantrell. ership of both parties. anyone who has announced… or Schmit had taken the position of Mayoral primary October 14. Charbonnet, the scion of a storied Recent history proves that fact. plans to announce.” Communications Director, Candidates will have to start air - Creole political dynasty, can best Bagneris managed to construct a Charbonnet’s repeated citywide Loyola’s veteran guru Dr. Silas ing their TV ads by Labor Day at her two more prominent rivals in coalition four years ago ranging runs for Recorder and Judge Lee would serve as Cantrell’s the latest. For that, they need only one area. Nevertheless, it is a from white Republicans to Black failed to impress Bagneris, who CHARBONNET pollster; former “Hillary for hundreds of thousands of dol - category that most observers con - Democrats in his attempt to unseat faced the voters similarly, and America” staffer Jessica lars—which so far remain in the sider the most important: Money.

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