WWW.TRIANGLE TRIBUNE.COM 1998 15 YEARS Black and Latino The Triangle 2013 wealth plummets as homeownershipSTAFF REPORTS how rateAfrican-Americans drops and Latinos WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the United have become more cut off from the States continues its recovery from the housing market and home finance RIBUNE system while also losing significant Great Recession, a new report finds TTHE TRIANGLE’S CHOICE FOR THE BLACK VOICE employment ground. that millions of African-American and Latino families are facing increased “This study highlights that the eco- financial instability due to the mas- nomic losses experienced by African- VOLUME 15 NO. 31 WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2013 $1.00 sive loss of wealth and assets within Americans as a result of the foreclo- the housing market. sure crisis and downturn in the econ- The report, “The State of Housing omy were substantial, and that nei- in Black America,” was published last ther the current economic rebound week by the National Association of nor housing recovery are benefiting Real Estate Brokers and was featured substantially the black community,” Southern JV on a panel at the Congressional Black co-author Jim Carr said. Congress Foundation Conference in The authors outline how African- rallies for win Washington, D.C. (More information Americans and Latinos, who were tar- over Northern below) gets for unregulated, high cost and “The State of Housing in Black unsustainable subprime loans dur- America” examines the worsening ing the bubble, face significant chal- racial economic disparity gap since lenges today as they try to obtain the financial crisis and onset of the home financing. The report also un- Great Recession in 2007, describing See BLACK/2A N.C. Sen. to Justice: Challenge voterGraham urges ID a federal investigation of new law By Herbert L. White [email protected] N.C. Sen. Malcolm Graham is calling on the U.S. Justice Department to inves- tigate the state’s voter ID law. In a letter sent Monday to Attorney General Eric Holder, Graham, a Charlotte Democrat, called the bill passed by the Republican-dominated General Assembly and signed into law by Graham Republican Gov. Pat McCrory “an assault on vot- Vietnam veteran Ted Stephens says ‘little Teddy’ is long gone. ing rights.” Graham urged a federal probe in the “interest of protecting the funda- mental right of every American to par- ticipate in the Democratic process.” The Voter Information Verification Act help end up having to go from office to of- a picture of history.” requires the presentation of a valid gov- BullBy Latisha City Catchatoorian Stand Down honors veterans fice, and they don’t always have the means. Hicklen said there is a lot of misinformation ernment-issued identification such as a [email protected] Sept. 20 was a day to provide transportation out there regarding veterans, and what the driver’s license or passport in order to DURHAM – Approximately 2,000 people at- and host an event with as many helpful ven- Bull City Stand Down does is bring providers cast a ballot starting in 2016. Individuals tended the 2013 Bull City Stand Down in hon- dors as possible in one place to serve the vet- together who can give accurate information who don’t have such ID can acquire one or of veterans in the Triangle. eran community in any way possible. to veterans who may need help. It starts with for free at any Department of Motor Food, clothing, medical and legal assistance, The day started out with an opening cere- important dialogue. Vehicles office. haircuts, a free dental clinic and job counsel- mony led by the drum line of the Hillside High “If there were no lights, no cameras, we are The law also cuts the early voting pe- ing were just a few of the vendors that leant School marching band. Tribute was then paid doing it anyway,” Hicklen said. “We just want riod from 17 days to 10, ends straight their services for the day at Durham County to the veterans, honoring a selected 15, in- to be able to give back to the veteran commu- ticket voting and advanced registration Stadium and the National Armory. cluding a 100-year-old, a former prisoner of nity in the right way.” for 16- and 17-year-olds. “All of us are volunteers,” said Shawn Ross, war and a Tuskegee Airman. Hicklen’s passion for supporting veterans “It’s a clear attempt at voter suppres- co-chair of the Stand Down event. “What brings “We had people here that maybe people started in his own household growing up with sion, and it will disproportionately im- us together is our passion and our vision to heard about but didn’t know existed right in his grandfather. pact students, minorities, the poor and be able to help our veterans – whether they our living region,” said Darryl Hicklen, chair- “His pattern was, he drank every Friday and senior citizens,” Graham wrote. “I urge are homeless or not, male or female. It does- man of the event. Saturday, but that’s how he coped with things you to come to North Carolina now and n’t matter what military service they did, we Specialist Jamal Wilson, a combat medic and he had seen in the military. I say, well, there stop this law from taking our state back- just want as many of them to come to one supply technician for the U.S. Army, got to es- has to be a better way,” he said. ward. We should be approving laws that place.” cort the Tuskegee Airman around all day. “It See BULL/3A See GRAHAM/2A Ross said many times veterans who need was the highlight of my day,” he said. “I got Frequently more than anyone else,” Houston askedThe Centers for Medicarequestions & Medicaid pro- Affordable Care Act is hereState Rep. Garnet Coleman said. vide the following questions and answers “We have a high rate of being unin- about the marketplace. sured, and also have a high rate of Q. Where can someone go for coverage illnesses such as diabetes, heart and enrollment help? disease, hypertension and stroke. A.You can get help online (healthcare.gov), If people enroll through the ex- by phone (1-800-318-2596) or in person. changes, they will get a health in- There will be people trained and certified to surance policy that fits their in- help you understand your health coverage come. Before, people who had pre- options. The website and toll-free call cen- existing conditions would have a ter can direct you to the benefit counselors hard time getting insurance.” in your area. Insurance agents and brokers Coleman said the biggest mis- can also help you with your application and conception about the ACA is that health plan. individuals cannot afford the in- Q.How does someone shop for insurance? surance. “The premiums are actu- A. You will fill out an application and find ally less for the exchange,” he said. out how much you can save on monthly pre- Exchanges are another word for miums and out-of-pocket costs. Most peo- state, federal or jointly run online ple who apply will qualify for lower costs of marketplaces for health insurance. some kind. Specific information about the Navigators, who act as customer health plans available in your area will be service representatives, will assist posted at healthcare.gov by Oct. 1. with finding the appropriate insur- Q. Who does the marketplace help? ance based on need and income. A. The uninsured. If you have health in- The exchanges will offer plans surance through either your employer or a FILE PHOTO that fall into one of four categories: government program like Medicare or bronze, silver, gold or platinum. Medicaid, you needn’t concern yourself. The The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, takes effect on Bronze plans have the lowest pre- marketplace is meant mainly for individu- Oct. 1. Health insurance market exchanges will open across the U.S. and more than 40 million miums available, and the insurer als who want to buy health care coverage Americans, including 7 million uninsured African-Americans, will get access to the health care they will pay for 60 percent of health on their own for themselves or their fami- need. care costs. Under silver plans, in- lies. surance companies will cover 70 The marketplace simplifies your shopping By Cierra Duncan President Barack Obama signed Some provisions of the ACA – percent of medical costs. Gold for coverage by letting you make side-by- THE HOUSTON DEFENDER the Patient Protection and dubbed “Obamacare” – have al- plans will cover 80 percent of med- side comparisons of health plans. You’ll get ical costs. Platinum plans will have HOUSTON – The Affordable Care Affordable Care Act into law in ready taken effect, while others are a clear picture of what benefits you’d get the highest premiums and cover Act enrollment goes into effect Oct. March 2010. It makes preventive still in the works, as federal, state and what premiums and deductibles you’d 90 percent of costs. 1, and many uninsured Americans care and other types of medical and local agencies continue to fine- pay. Then you can enroll in the plan that Those with limited incomes and will begin comparing new health care more accessible and afford- tune the process. best fits your needs and budget. It all can able to a larger portion of “The Affordable Care Act prob- those under 30 can purchase a insurance rates. Please seeFREQUENTLY/2A Americans. ably benefits African-Americans See AFFORDABLE/2A Rally for Index Jesus’ name Index To subscribe: 919-688-9408 or Follow The online http://tcppc.com/Subscribe Tribune on Editorial 4A Sports 1B Email: [email protected] Please Focus 6A Classifieds 4B © 2013 The Triangle Tribune Arts & Life 5B Religion 6B recycle 2A NEWS/The Triangle Tribune Sunday, September 29, 2013 the foreclosure crisis and eco- Continued from 1A net worth, respectively, while requirements have risen sub- 13 percent, is more than twice nance system in a manner that makes providing affordable nomic downturn to rebuild Blackderscores the severe deficien- andnon-Hispanic white householdsLatinostantially.