University of South Florida Scholar Commons Newspaper collection The Weekly Challenger 2010-01-21 The Weekly Challenger : 2010 : 01 : 21 The Weekly Challenger, et al Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/challenger Recommended Citation The Weekly Challenger, et al, "The Weekly Challenger : 2010 : 01 : 21" (2010). Newspaper collection. 56. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/challenger/56 This is brought to you for free and open access by the The Weekly Challenger at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Newspaper collection by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Presort Std U.S. Postage PAID Permit #2271 St. Petersburg, FL OPINION LOCAL SPORTS LOCAL Rev. Murphy on Being a Drum Major for Justice 2 Elementary school students have a heart for Haiti 6 Jets look to continue unexpected run 8 More photographs from MLK Leadership Breakfast 12 50¢ We Value Diversity. We Value Education. We Value History. St. Petersburg • Clearwater • Tampa • Largo • Tarpon Springs • Safety Harbor • Bradenton • Sarasota VOLUME 42 NUMBER 21 JANUARY 21 - JANUARY 27, 2010 ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA Year One Of Obama Stellar Crowd Honors Administration Shows Progress Dr. King At Leadership Awards Breakfast President Barack Obama BY EVAN BARNES He also signed the “Cash for Clunkers” program last (NNPA) - It was exactly a summer that allowed year ago this week that Barack Americans to trade in their cars Obama was inaugurated as the and receive a rebate for a more country's 44th President — a fuel-efficient model. historic occasion that many It's still too early to tell never thought they would see how much it helped the Photographs courtesy of Kelley Collier in their lifetime. majority of the American The inauguration was the public — experts predict it Vincent Dolan, President and CEO, Progress Energy Florida Dr. Crystal Kuykendall, Keynote Speaker and President and fitting end to one of the most may take another year to start and Dianne Speights, Coordinator, 24th Annual Dr. Martin General Counsel, K.I.R.K., Inc. and Mayor Bill Foster significant moments in seeing its impact. But as the Luther King, Jr. Leadership Breakfast American history — the first unemployment rates rose 2 election of a Black man to the percent in 2009, efforts like BY JEANIE BLUE on Jan. 15, 1929. the sick and imprisoned and anywhere is a threat to justice nation's highest office. these will be judged closely as SPECIAL TO THE Kuykendall asked attendees most importantly, looking out everywhere. “Become a drum It was a moment that all failures or success of the CHALLENGER to respond to her remarks in the for the well being of children. major for justice and honor Dr. Americans will remember — administration. call and response fashion from “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King everyday by incorporating especially Black Americans. Obama also made health- ST. PETERSBURG - The which she received many took the time to visit the sick CPR in your life,” Kuykendall Looking back at the first year care reform a priority and 24th annual Leadership Awards “Amen,” “you go girl” and and the prisoners, he clothed the said. “C is for Compassion, of the Obama administration, encouraged Congress to pass a Breakfast, held to honor the plenty of nods and applauses naked, and did something with Caring and commitment; P is there were significant accom- bill before the year ended. legacy of Dr. Martin Luther throughout the speech. his life to change the life of for patience and persistence and plishments that were reached. They responded with both the King, Jr., drew a stellar crowd “What will you do another,” Kuykendall said. R is for resilience. You get a The main concern starting Senate and House of of 1,000 plus who shared tomorrow?” Kuykendall asked. “One who is serious about the chance everyday to serve.” off, was his response to the Representatives passing their breakfast and a motivational Drawing from a phrase coined role of a merchant of hope must The annual breakfast is co- economic recession plaguing versions of the healthcare bill. presentation from its speaker, to magnify power, she asked the advocate and give of their time sponsored by The National the country since December The bill falls short of the Dr. Crystal Kuykendall on audience will they be and talents.” Council of Negro Women, Inc. 2007. He responded by signing Monday, Jan. 18, at the “Merchants of Hope?” She Kuykendall reminded the into law the $787 billion OBAMA Coliseum. Dr. King, a civil and encouraged everyone to become audience that Dr. King stood for MLK stimulus package. continued on pg. 6 human rights advocate was born a merchant of hope by visiting justice and he said that injustice continued on pgs. 3 and 12 The Enormity Of What Has Happened In Haiti Cannot Be Fully Realized BY NICOLE C. LEE Haiti over 100 years to pay the Opinion ....................................2 NNPA COLUMNIST, French. This little known histori- FORMER HAITI RESIDENT cal fact set the stage for Haiti’s Community News.....3, 4, 5, 6 continued impoverishment and (NNPA) - I write this column victimization by internal and Black History...........................7 with a broken heart. The evening external elites. of January 12th, I received a I began my legal career in message from a friend that read, Haiti. Working at the Bureau des Entertainment.........................7 “Earthquake. Very bad. Many Avocats Internationaux, a human deaths.” That statement remains rights organization based in Port Sports........................................8 true and will remain true for au Prince, was one of the most weeks and months to come. rewarding experiences of my life. It didn’t have to be this way. Like so many familiar with Port State News ..............................9 Haiti has been the victim of bad au Prince, I have been shocked to Photograph courtesy of Evelyn Hockstein/CARE U.S. policies, indifference and see what has happened to this National News .......................9 outright hostility for centuries. blighted yet proud city. Strong Views of the destruction from the massive earthquake Purchasing Louisiana for 3 cents structures like the National Palace that hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti last week an acre following the Haitian rev- or the posh Hotel Montana have Church Directory..........10, 11 olution of 1804, the U.S. still been turned into rubble. edly increase exponentially. As I sometimes it is not. The enormity joined the Europeans in an Mourning structures is a neg- write this column, my husband of what has happened in Haiti economic blockade. This ligible concern given the loss of continues searching for missing cannot fully be realized. It didn’t Church News.......................11 embargo lasted until Haiti agreed life. Fatality estimates will waiver family members. I am checking have to be this way. to compensate France for its loss for a while. If much needed aid my email every five minutes for of land and slave labor. In essence does not reach the people who word on friends and colleagues. HAITI paying for their freedom, it took need it, the numbers will undoubt- Sometimes the news is good; continued on pg. 6 How To Reach Us: News: [email protected] • Advertising: [email protected] • Phone: (727) 896-2922 • Fax: (727) 823-2568 2 THE WEEKLY CHALLENGER, THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010 The Weekly Challenger Newspaper The Weekly Challenger Ethel L. Johnson . Publisher/CEO L. Dianne Speights . General/Advertising Manager We Value Diversity. We Value Education. We Value History. Lorrie Bellinger . Art Director • A knowledge of history brings a feeling of fellowship that runs through the ages — be it a territory, a village, a district, or a nation. • To live without history is likened to living without a form of memory. The Weekly Challenger Office: • To be without history is to live without roots or a past, with the present having no real foundation, and very little meaning for the future. • To know the events of our past (can help us) to know what future events can be. 2500 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street South St. Petersburg, FL 33705 • The Weekly Challenger is committed to featuring articles of all ethnic cultures for the reading enjoyment of both the young and old generations. (727) 896-2922 Fax (727) 823-2568 Email: [email protected] OPINION www.theweeklychallenger.com Readership: 100,000 monthly THE BLACK PRESS believes that America can best Being A Drum Major For Justice lead the world from racial antagonism when it accords to every man, regardless of race, creed or color, his human and legal rights. Hating no man, fearing no man... the EDITORIAL BY PASTOR Crystal Kuykendall, I had It was my intention to convey Black Press strives to help every man in the firm belief LOUIS M. MURPHY, SR. something more to say. to the elected officials, civic that all men are hurt as long as anyone is held back. To paraphrase, Dr. Kuykendall leaders, CEOs, and the nearly We celebrated this past was frank in saying that if we had 1,000 attendees that we should all Monday - at the NCNW 24th come just to have breakfast and to accept the challenge to do far more Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. give out awards, that we were than mark Dr. King’s birthday with Leadership Breakfast - the life of missing the boat, and missing the pomp, circumstance, and one of the most courageous chance to breathe new life into Dr. ceremony. But in the spirit of Dr. warriors in the history of America. King’s legacy. King, silence in a time of moral On that occasion, I exercised the And so in my remarks, I issued crisis is a betrayal.