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Serving Eastern North Carolina Since 1981

March 5 - March 19, 1999

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"Deal with yourself as an individual worthy of respect and make everyone else deal with you the same way."---Nikki Giovanni, educator and poet

IN

CHICAGO (AP) -- Four Black men
wrongfully convicted of murdering
a couple nearly two decades ago
have won $36 million from the
county in what their lawyers say 1S
the biggest settlement ever reached
in a civil rights lawsuit over police
misconduct. ,

The four had sued Cook County,
claiming the sheriff's officers who
investigated the 1978 case were
racists who hid evidence that would
have helped the defense while
ignoring leads pointing to the real
killers.

"No amount of money can be
satisfactory for what has been done
to us," said one of the men wrongly
sent to death row, Dennis Williams.

"If someone asked me 18 years
ago, Can I buy your life for $100
million or can | borrow your life for
$100 million for 18 years? T I would
have said hell, no."

The four were freed from prison
in 1996 and pardoned after a group
of student journalists at
Northwestern University proved a
state witness had lied. Three other

men were later convicted of killing
the couple.

Attorney Mark Ter Molen, who
represents one of the group now
known as the Ford Heights Four,
said March 5 he would petition the
county's chief criminal courts judge
for a special prosecutor to investi-
gate the case.

"The amount of the settlement
reflects the gravity of the miscon-
duct that occurred in this case," Ter
Molen said. "We believe the evi-
dence we found warrants review by
a special prosecutor."

The settlement was approved
March 5 during a meeting with
Circuit Court Judge William
Maddux.

Williams, Kenny Adams,
Verneal Jimerson and Willie Raines
were in their 20s when they were
convicted of the 1978 gang rape
and double murder of a south
suburban couple, Carol Schmal and
Lawrence Lionberg. The two were
abducted from a gas station. Their
bodies were found in the Chicago
suburb of Ford Heights.

Williams and Jimerson went to

death row; Raines and Adams were
sentenced to life in prison.

"It's something that never leaves
you," said Adams, referring to his
time in the penitentiary. "You think
about it every day. You can never
feel comfortable again. ?

After months of discussions
about how to wrap-up the embar-
rassing case, the Cook County
Board decided to authorize the
settlement.

"While the plaintiffs cannot
recover the years they spent incar-
cerated, this settlement compen-
sates them fairly." said Cook
County State's Attorney Richard
Devine. He said the settlement
represents less than half of the $77
million the four had requested.

In all, 11 men have been
released from death row in Illinois
since capital punishment was re-
stored, including one man who was
freed last month after Northwestern
professor David Protess and some
of his students found evidence of
his innocence.

Williams now works with
Protess investigating cases. He said

(Pictured left to right) Verneal Jimerson, Dennis Williams,
attend a press conference in whgich they announce the court
settlement after being imprisoned 18 years for murders they
journalism class uncovered evidence contradictory to what was presents

Wrongly convicted men awarded milli

en

TIT 7

Kenny Adams, and Willie Rains (not pictured)
's decision. The four men received a $36 million
did not commit. They were freed after a college
at their original trials.

apres

the group expected to donate some
of the settlement to efforts to help
free other inmates who have been
wrongly convicted.

Adams is employed at United

Parcel Service and Jimerson does
detail work on cars. Raines, who
lives in Wisconsin, did not attend a
news conference with the three
others. As of a year ago, he was a

maintenance man at a nursing
home.

The settlement will be paid out
in three installments over two
years, officials said.

ome dies

The late Gratz P Norcott, Jr., shown with his wife, the late Mattie |
Macklin Norcott.......Services for Mr. Norcott were conducted Friday. |
March 12, at the Zion Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in Ayden

|
J

Owner of Norcott Funeral H

Mr. Gratz P. Norcott. Jr., of 706
South Lee Street in Ayden died
Sunday, March 7. at Pitt County
Memorial Hospital in Greenville.
Memorial Services were conducted
Friday, March 12, at the Zion
Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in
Ayden. Entombment followed the
ceremony

Mr. Norcott attended Fleming
Street and C.M. Eppes High
Schools, and graduated from South
Ayden High School. He served in
ihe United States Navy during
World War If. In 1948, he gradu-
ated from the American Academy
School of Embalming and
Mortuary Science in New York
City. He served his apprenticeship
with the Baker Funeral Home in
Tarboro, N.C.

Mr. Norcott was the owner of
Norcott and Company Funeral

Home. He was a member of Zion
Chapel Free Will Baptist Church,
former chairman of its trustee
board. He had served as First
Vice-President of the Funeral
Directors T and Morticians
Association of North Carolina, and
held memberships in the Queen of
the South Masonic Lodge No. 77,
the Knights of Pythians Clearfield
Lodge No. 32, the Wisdom Chapter
No. 37 O.E.S., and the Bachelors
Benedict Club.

He was married to the late
Mattie Macklin Norcott.

Survivors include: his brother,
Boston Norcott of Ayden, NC; his
foster parents, Charlie and Marina
Darden of Ayden, NC; his foster
son, Daniel Worthington of
Greenville, NC; as well as several
nieces, nephews, other relatives and
friends

s diversity

SAN DIEGO -- In Washington,
N.C., Ernest and Janice Stevenson
have every reason to be proud.
Their daughter, Kimberly " Y.
Stevenson contributes to the Navy's
diversity, an important characteris-
tic for any organization.

Stevenson, who holds the rank
of Petty Officer 3rd Class, is a
one-year Navy veteran.

"My heritage is important to me
because I can go anywhere I want
to go and belong to almost any
organization without worrying
about the color of my skin," she
says. "I can go to school and work
for the same opportunities as
anyone else. I'm glad my ancestors
fought for us so I wouldn't have
anything to worry about."

The nineteen-year-old is sta-
tioned aboard the USS Bonhomme

Richard, an 880-foot and 40,500-

ton Wasp-class amphibious assault
ship. Manned with a crew of 1100
officers and sailors, the Bonhomme
Richard is capable of transporting
landing craft, air-cushioned vehi-
cles, helicopters, and 1800 Marines
to any beachhead in the world.
Stevenson, a communications spe-
cialist, transmits and receives
radio messages linking her ship
with other naval activities.

As with most sailors, Stevenson
wanted to join a diverse organiza-
tion that afforded her the ability to
advance.

"I joined the Navy to see the
world and go to college," she said.

A 1997 graduate of Washington
High School, Stevenson believes
there is a reason for her success in
the Navy. Like many other African-
Americans, Stevenson believes in

certain tenets to carry her through

Washington sailor contributes to Navy T

Ses

Petty Officer 3rd-Class Kimberly Y. Stevenson is proud of her heritage.

life.
"The secrets to success are to

talk to your parents, take their
advice, and pray to the Lord in
times when nothing seems to go

right," advises Stevenson.

Whites-only government plot revealed

The United States Navy cele-
brates an aspect of ethnic diversity
every month, which each month
being devoted to a different ethnic

group.

Youth leader earns rank of Eagle Sn

Walter B. Council II recently reached the rank of Eagle Scout, an honor
only one percent of all Boy Scouts ever achieve.

Walter Baker Council II recently
received his Eagle Scout rank in
two ceremonies: one at his church,
Holly Hill Free Will Baptist Church
on December 18, 1998; and at
Cornerstone Missionary Baptist
Church on February 14, 1999.
About one percent of all Boy Scouts
reach this highest rank. As his
Eagle project, he decided to per-
form an extensive landscape project
for the West Greenville Community
Development Corporation head-
quarters. This included clearing the
area and planting several types of
shrubbery.

The son of Walter and Mildred
Council, he is a member of Troop
832, which is chartered by
Cornerstone Missionary Baptist
Church. He has been the Senior
Troop Leader, Junior Assistant
Scoutmaster, and served as Scribe
for Troop 1512 at the Boy Scout
National Jamboree at Fort AP.
Hill, Virginia, in 1997. The Eagle
Courts of Honor were on each
occasion conducted by Bill
Sanders, the Troop's Scout Master.
Other participants were Assistant

Scout Masters Rodney Kelly and
Michael Gorham, as well as Laura
Dupree and Sharon Little, who
presented the qualifications of the
candidate.

Council is a senior at J.H. Rose .
High School. He is Vice-President
of the senior class, and was
previously President of the sopho-
more class. He has also been a
member of the National Honor
Society, the Science Journal Club,
the Chess Club, the Minority
Affairs Club, the Interschool
Scholastic Advisory Council, the
Environmental Science Club, and
the NAACP. He has played the
violin in the orchestra, and partici-
pated in football, basketball,and
track. He was recently named to
the "Who's Who Among High
School Students ? list, volunteered
as a sickle-cell camp counselor at
Campe HOPE, and has been recog-
nized as an Outstanding Teeenager
by the Greenville Jaycees.

Council has earned 27 merit
badges in the last five years.

ee = "]

New York sued over alleged racist policied

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- Two
men accused in a murderous cam-
paign to overthrow the U.S. gov-
ernment and set up a Whites-only
nation drowned an Arkansas family
and then joked that the victims
were on a "liquid diet," a federal
prosecutor said March 8.

Chevie Kehoe, 26, of Colville,
Wash., and Danny Lee, 26, of
Yukon, Okla., are charged with
murder, racketeering and conspir-
acy. They could get the death
penalty if convicted.

Kehoe and Lee are accused of
using a campaign of violence to set
up a Whites-only nation in the

Pacific Northwest.

The crimes associated with their
alleged plot include a 1996 bomb-
ing at City Hall in Spokane, Wash. ;
shootouts with Ohio police; the
slayings of two people in Idaho,
and the drownings of a white
Arkansas family of three.

U.S. Attorney Dan Stripling told
the mostly Black jury during
opening statements March & that
Kehoe's beliefs were based on those
of Robert Mathews, the founder of
the Aryan Nations White suprema-
cist group. Mathews was killed in
1984 when his hideout caught fire
during a shootout with federal

agents in Washington state.
The prosecutor said Kehoe and

Lee robbed the Arkansas family in
1996 and killed them by taping
plastic bags over their heads,
weighing them down with rocks

and throwing them into a bayou.
Later, the defendants told

Kehoe's parents that the family was

on "'a liquid diet," Stripling said.

The judge has issued a gag order
in the case, but Lee's mother, Lea
Graham, said her son is innocent

and no racist.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A group of
Puerto Ricans and Blacks sued New
York City's police department
March 8, alleging that a special
street crimes unit was carrying out
a racially motivated stop-and-
search policy.

The department's Street Crimes
Unit has been engulfed in contro-
versy since four of its officers, all of
whom are white, fatally shot an
unarmed African immigrant,
Amadou Diallo, last month. A
grand jury in the Bronx is investi-
gating the shooting.

The lawsuit, which was filed in

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Tyson King-Meadows ex-
plores cultural exploitation

FCC challenges prejudiced
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Like It Is

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Inspirations

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federal court in Manhattan, was
brought by the National Congress
for Puerto Rican Rights and two
African-American men who were
searched by police. Defendants in
the lawsuit included the city and
the police department.

The suit alleged the unit violated
the U.S. Constitution by carrying
out unreasonable searches and sei-
zures, It also charged that police
Officers were wrongfully stopping
people based on race and national
origin.

The targets of these stops and
frisks and searches and seizures are

IS ISSU

Stephen Johnson salutes a
hero to the Black community

Sarcastic letter of apology to
Black Americans circulating
the Internet

Mrs. Beatrice Maye salutes
Women's History Month

Pastor George Hawkins
gives spiritual guidance.

AIDS Update
Women's heath issues

Health update about cancer

Looking for great food?
Want a relaxed place to eat
and network? Monte's Diner
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predominantly males of color," the
suit alleged.

The lawsuit described the unit as
"an elite, commando-like, squad,"
and alleged that that the police
department actively encouraged of-
ficers with the unit to be ooverly
aggressive." The suit said an
example of this policy can be found
on official bulletin boards that carry
the slogan "We own the night," and
on T-shirts the unit members wear
carrying this quote from Ernest
Hemingway, "Certainly there is no
hunting like the hunting of a man,
and those who have hunted armed

4. *P
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Youth
Ensemble shares its gift

Charity's Temple

Celebrity

Grammy- Lauryn Hill

AAVAATIT AYSNAOL a

long :
stood firmly behind New Jersey's
top cop when a Black ministers T
group demanded his resignation,
citing a racial profiling controversy.
But after State Police Super-
intendent Colonel Carl A.
Williams, Jr., was quoted in The
Star-Ledger of Newark on February
28 as saying that minorities were
more likely to be involved in drug
crimes, Whitman swiftly fired him.
"The comments were insensitive
and absolutely counter to bolstering
confidence in law enforcement,"

- probably believe.

McDonough. "There are vast seg-
ments of the New Jersey public
whose confidence in the system is
shaken."

The state Council of Black
Ministers and the state chapter of
the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People
had been calling for Williams T
ouster for weeks, saying he wasn't
acknowledging a history of racist
practices on the part of the state
police.

Minority groups say Williams
stated what a lot of his colleagues

"If these feelings are of the state
superintendent, one can only imag-
ine how deep they may be among
the rank and file," said the Rev.
Reginald Jackson, executive direc-
tor of the Black Ministers Council
of New Jersey.

~ Williams and the State Police
have come under fire over allega-
tions that the agency practices
racial profiling, targeting minori-
ties for traffic stops. The issue was
inflamed by the April 1998 shoot-
ing of three minority men during a
stop on the New Jersey Turnpike.

unarmed men in a van because the
vehicle was backing up at them.

In The Star- interview,
Williams said he did not condone
racial profiling, but said it is naive
to think race is not an issue in drug
crimes.

"Two weeks ago, the president of
the United States went to Mexico to
talk to the president of Mexico
about drugs. He didn't go to
Ireland. He didn't go to England,"
Williams said.

"Today with this drug problem,
the drug problem is cocaine or

minority that's involved with
that," said Williams. oThey aren't
going to ask some Irishman to be a

part of their (gang) because they
don't trust them."

But he said some generalizations
can be made. oIf you're looking at
the methamphetamine market, that
seems or be gone by ae
motorcycle gangs, which are basi-
cally predominantly white," he
said. "If you're looking at heroin
and stuff like that, your involve-
ment there is more or less
Jamaicans."

marijuana. It is most likely a

Whitman said the state's law
enforcement m must be carried
out free of bias. She said Williams T
comments oare inconsistent with
our efforts to enhance public confi-
dence in the state police."

Last week, The Associated Press

reported that the Justice Depart-

ment's Civil Rights Division has
been investigating New Jersey's
state police for two years.

Earlier this year, State Attorney
General Peter Verniero ordered his
office to review State Police policies
to determine if troopers engage in
racial profiling.

Mayor accused of racism resigns

New guidelines a

m to

Ip teen substance abusers

TRENTON, N.C. (AP) -- The
mayor of a small North Carolina
town who said Blacks had no ca-
pacity for leadership and preferred
to work for Whites has quit fol-
lowing calls for his removal.

Joffree Leggett, 81, resigned
March 2 as mayor of Trenton,
about 90 miles southeast of
Raleigh, a week after a newspaper
quoted him as saying he and the
Town Council did not want Blacks
to take over town government.

"This is just the beginning,"
said Daniel Johnson Willis, whose
lawsuit challenging Trenton's an-
nexation policy prompted Leggett's
comments. "The mayor has helped
us trigger what will be a major,
major change in Trenton."

Willis, 64, claims the City
Council has refused to annex three

predominantly Black areas in or-
der to maintain a White majority
in its elections. Trenton's voter
rolls include 131 Whites and 49
Blacks.

Leggett, who served as mayor
for 16 years, told The Free Press
of Kinston last week that Blacks
were not "leaders," and that a
"Black man would rather work for
a White person."

The state National Association
for the Advancement of Colored
People called for Leggett's resigna-
tion. On February 26, the town
council did the same, adopting a
resolution saying Leggett made
"reprehensible and derogatory

comments."

Leggett said he doesn't under-
stand the attention his comments
have drawn. He said he's had
enough after getting two death
threats and dozens of angry calls.

"I didn't do anything wrong,"
he said. But I think it's best if I
get out of here and let somebody
else deal with what's coming."

Leggett had said that if three
Blacks worked in a store together,
"within a few years they'd be steal-
ing from each other, and they'd be
out of business. They're not lead-
ers."

He later said he was referring
to three Blacks like one of the six
plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit ac-
cusing the town of racist annexa-
tion policies, but stood by the rest
of the statement.

Black residents responded with
political and economic pressures.
The NAACP took an interest,and
local residents organized a boycott
of all downtown Trenton stores.

On March 8, the NAACP with-
drew the boycott of the town after
the city council agreed to look into
annexing the surrounding Black
communities. On March 10, the
city council agreed to annex the
Black communities, stating that it
might take as long as a year to get
the whole annexation process or-
ganized.

Trenton, a community of 200
people, currently has only 23
Black residents.

Courts deemed unfair to minorities}

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Too many
Americans believe the nation's
courts do not provide equal justice
for racial minorities, the American
Bar Association's president said, as
the group released a poll showing
nearly half of Americans feel that
way.

"This is a very serious problem
.. we cannot afford to ignore,"
Little Rock, Ark., lawyer Philip
Anderson said Fen 23. "We
are concerned that the current
perception of bias will eventually
erode confidence in our system of
justice."

Of 1,000 people surveyed by
telephone in August, 47 percent
said they strongly disagreed with a
statement that "the courts treat all
ethnic and racial groups the same."
Only 39 percent agreed with the
statement, and 14 percent voiced no
view.

Asked whether courts treat men
and women alike, 55 percent said
yes, 30 percent said no, and 15
percent expressed no view.

Anderson noted that another
recent ABA poll indicated great
disagreement between white and
black lawyers over the justice
system's racial fairness.

"This raises the obvious question
that if people believe the justice
system 1s tainted with bias, how
long can they expect the courts to
remedy bias elsewhere in our
society? ? Anderson said. oRight
now, the high degree of confidence
in the courts exists side by side with
the perception of bias in the courts.
As the minority populations in-
crease in America, will the percep-
tion of bias increase?"

He said the 350,000-member
ABA "will intensify our efforts to

eradicate gender and racial bias in
our courts."

The poll released February 23
contains some seemingly inconsis-
tent findings. For example, most
people -- 51 percent -- believe the
justice system "needs a complete
overhaul," but 80 percent also
believe America's system is the
world's best.

A large majority of Americans,
78 percent, also voiced confidence
in the jury system.

"Those numbers are high, and
we can feel good about them,"
Anderson said.

Among the poll's other findings
were that 90 percent believe
wealthy people and companies
often wear down their opponents by
dragging out legal proceedings;
that 77 percent say it costs too
much to go to court; and that 27
percent believe the best lawyers are
selected to serve as judges.

Anderson said the poll indicates
most Americans need and want to
know more about the justice sys-
tem. One tool, he said, could be
increasing public access to the
nation's courtrooms by televising
more proceedings.

"I cannot think of a better civics

lesson than ... to be able to see and
hear every argument before the
Supreme Court of the United
States," Anderson said. "One tele-
vision camera in the Supreme
Court will educate more people
more effectively in one morning
than the traditional methods can
reach in one year."

All federal court proceedings
currently are cl to radio and
television coverage.

The poll's margin of error is pl
or minus 3 percentage points.

Powell would consider cabinet post

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) --
Retired Gen. Colin Powell says he
would consider a cabinet post in
the next presidential administra-

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sayin;
teen-agers are not just "little adults"
and should not be treated that way,
U.S. government experts released
Wednesday new guidelines for
identifying and helping adolescent
substance abusers.

The guidelines, drawn together
by experts from all over the
country, offer 'red flags' for parents,
teachers, doctors and other social
workers to look for, and provide
detailed treatment guidelines.

"These new publications give us
the warning signs of a potential
problem -- such as_ significant
changes in grade point average,
increased school absences and be-
havior problems," Nelba Chavez,
administrator of the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration, told a news confer-
ence.

"Some other red flags can be
frequent accidents, injuries and
illness. While a number of these
warning signs describe the typical
adolescent, they also provide an
opportunity to open a conversation
and listen to children about what is
going on in their lives."

She said common wisdom often
conflicts with science in dealing
with teens. "We know that treat-
ment efforts to address adolescents
as little adults' are bound to fail.
And the treatment of a 13-year-old
should not be identical to that of an
18-year-old," she said.

Ken Winters, an expert in
adolescent substance abuse at the
University of Minnesota, said old-

fashioned approaches to discipline
often fail.

"There has been a tradition that
you have to get confrontational
with teenagers to get them to
change," he said.

Appealing to logic does not
always work, either. Instead of
debating the oeverybody does it"
argument on drinking, for instance,
Winters suggested pointing out that
not everybody then gets behind the
wheel of a car and has an accident.

And more modern "12-step"
systems may not work on people
who are, after all, children.

Winters said younger teens may
not have the attention span or
self-awareness to go through a
standard adult treatment program.
And while adults have control over

their lives and can change things,
teens often do not.

"They probably have to go back
to the same school, the same
neighborhood," he said.

Chavez said while inroads are
being made against teen-age drink-
ing and drug use, there are still
many who are abusing substances.

"The fact is that the number of
adolescents under 18 receiving
substance abuse treatment on any
given day in the U.S. almost
doubled between 1991 and 1996,
from 44,000 to 77,000."

SAMHSA warns that their fig-
ures, while alarming, only repre-
sent an estimated 10 percent of
teens who abuse substances.

Baptist

leader Lyons convicted

LARGO, Fla. (AP) -- The head of
one of the nation's most influential
Black denominations was convicted
Saturday of swindling millions of
dollars from companies seeking to
do business with his followers. The
case stemmed from a suspicious fire
and a supposed mistress.

The Rev. Henry Lyons, president
of the National Baptist Convention
USA, also was found guilty of
grand theft in the disappearance of
almost $250,000 from the Anti-
Defamation League of B'nai B'rith,
money intended to rebuild burned
Black churches in the South.

"Somewhere along the line, he
traded the Good Book for the bank
book. That's what this case is all
about," Assistant State Attorney
Bill Loughery told the jury in
closing arguments February 25.

Lyons remains free on bail
pending his sentencing hearing,
which was not scheduled. He faces
three to seven years in prison.

A member of the convention's
executive board of directors said
the board would likely meet next
week to discuss Lyons T conviction. |

before," said Stuart Cureton.
Convention bylaws say that if a

president is incapacitated he can be

replaced by the vice president at

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large -- which is Cureton. The
bylaws do not explain what inca-
pacitated means, he said.

A candidate for convention
president said Lyons should resign.

"We have no tolerance for a
convicted felon to continue as a
spiritual leader of the churches, ?
said the Rev. W. Franklyn
Richardson, of Mount Vernon, N.Y.

While keeping Lyons as its
leader, the convention had said he
stole no funds from them and
committed no wrongdoing, attorney
Grady Irvin said. _

Lyons, 57, did not react when
the verdict was read and would not
comment to reporters as he left the
courtroom holding hands with his
wife, Deborah. They were sur-
rounded by supporters and lawyers.

Defense lawyer Grady Irvin said
Lyons later went to Bethel
Metropolitan Baptist Church in St.
Petersburg, where he remains pas-
tor. They have not yet decided
whether to appeal, he said.

The six-member jury acquitted
Lyons' co-defendant and alleged
mistress, Bernice Edwards, the
convention's public relations direc-
tor, on the racketeering charge, the
only count she faced.

Ms. Edwards, 42, sobbed after
the verdict.

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"I just want to go home to m
children," she said, biting her lip.
"I thank God and I thank my
la ian ... It's been very hard, very

bs t "

Jurors deliberated more than 12
hours after a five-week trial.

Prosecutors began investigating
Lyons T finances in July 1997 after
his wife set fire to a $700,000
waterfront house bought by her
husband and Ms. Edwards. Mrs.
Lyons told deputies she found the
deed in her husband's briefcase and
believed he and Ms. Edwards were
having an affair.

Mrs. Lyons, later convicted of
arson and sentenced to probation,
since has said she supports her
husband and does not believe Ms.
Edwards was his mistress.

Ms. Edwards, a convicted em-
bezzler from Milwaukee, denied
having a sexual affair with the
minister. Convention aide Bonita
Henderson, however, told jurors
Ms. Edwards bragged of having a
sexual relationship with him.

Lyons still faces a federal trial in
April on 54 counts which include
tax evasion, money laundering and
extortion. Ms. Edwards faces simi-
lar charges.

Prosecutors accused Lyons and
Ms. Edwards of stealing more than

$4 million from corporations want-
ing to sell cemetery products, life
insurance policies and credit cards
to the convention's touted 8.5
million, Black members.

Prosecutors called the member-
ship figure a hoax and said the
convention had closer to 1 million
members.

They said the defendants duped
the companies by promising a
membership mailing list that never
existed -- at one point, according to
testimony, even making up lists
from $90 computerized telephone
directories that led one company to
send letters to such non-Baptists as
a grand dragon of the Ku Klux
Klan and a Catholic priest.

The pair then went on lavish
spending sprees, buying a diamond
ring othe size of a dime," the
waterfront house, a timeshare con-
dominium in Nevada, several lux-
ury cars and expensive clothing,
according to testimony.

Defense lawyers attacked prose-
cutors as acting as "the moral

lice," saying the minister's failed

usiness deals were not criminal
matters and maintaining that the
case actually was about religious
freedom.

WD YOU KNOW

} | |} | j

(

MINORITY

Home Health Care

CORPORATION |

104-A East Victoria Ct.
Greenville, NC 27834

? (252) 931-0486
Fax (252) 931-0422

ee eee

The Minority Voice: March 5 - March 19, 1999

Money Troubles and Mental Heal
An ae ia. look | |

As you Tve probably heard, Pitt
County Mental Health is in trouble.
You know when you write out a
bunch of checks for cks for things that you
need, but, because you haven Tt
balanced the checkbook lately, you
forget that there Ts not enough
money in the account to cover them
all? Yeah.... THAT kind of trouble.

For several years now, the
Mental Health agency has been the
victim of financial mismanage-
ment, poor leadership, and repeated

of the people who were
responsible for maintaining the

, the agency found
itself with a new director and a new
finance staff.....all of whom desper-
ately tried to make sense of the
financial mess their predecessors
had left them. Every time they
solved one problem, a new one
popped up...all related to the years
of mismanagement.

Finally, the new agency head
went to the people the people in
charge of providing the money to
mental health.-- the Pitt County
Board of Commissioners -- to
for more money to help dig the

agency out of its hole. Upset and
disgusted over the number of times
ihe revious director had done

the same thing, the request

, was denied. After all, why give
- More money to an agency that has

managed to omis-spend ? 2.8
million dollars, thus proving its
ineptitude at funds management?
Desperate to find a way to keep
the agency afloat until problems
could be ironed out, the director
appointed a commission to look for
alternatives. The bottom line was
that they had to cut back on

since
" of the open pening come were in
salaries, that meant some people
had to go. 38 positions were cut in
order to recoup some of the monies
needed. Several programs were
reduced in power by the lay-offs a
few being gutted completely. Still,
it might not have been enough. It is
possible that the satellite agencies
-- those mental health offices that
are actually a part of the communi-
ties they serve-- may be affected, if
not cut all together.

Vhat all is involved?

Perhaps one of the biggest
problems people have when think-
ing about Pitt County Mental
Health is that the name is mislead-
ing. oMental health ? isn Tt a place
where all the crazy people are sent.

In fact, chances are that the
person who sits next to you at work

gone there at some point, in
order to get some help....ma
because she Ts had trouble sleeping,
or he Ts worried about his sexual
performance. Maybe their son
needs some help to control his
_impulses.. either through teaching

him the proper ways to behave, or
perhaps by administering a medica-
tion. Maybe their daughter needs
help dealing with the fact that she
was raped.

The point is, it Ts ordinary people
like you and me that go in for
services. But, people don Tt just go
in. Many times, the counselors,
psychologists, therapists, and psy-
chiatrists might go to their patients.
Pitt County Mental Health interacts
with Pitt County Memorial
Hospital, East Carolina University,
the Pitt County Sheriff Ts

Department, the Department of
Social Services, Pitt County
Schools, Pitt Community College,
United Way, New Directions,
DARE, ARC....just to name a few.
Still, not everyone can make it to
the main center. Maybe they work
during the regular week. Maybe
they don Tt have a car, or money for
the bus or a taxi. Maybe they live
in an area where the busses don Tt
run (like Bethel, Ayden, or
Farmville, just to name a few). Or,
maybe they just suspect that othose
people working in that big, cushy

main center don Tt understand noth-
ing about how I live, ? so they Tre
scared to go in. In any event, they
need help, but can Tt get it. §
Ordinarily, it Td be oSo sorry, you Tre
out of luck. ?

Fortunately, Pitt County Mental
Health had the foresight to realize
that this would become a problem.
So, in an innovative move, they
created four smaller offices where
clients could get help....right in
their own communities!

These smaller centers are called -
satellites.

" " "

How does that affect me?

Perhaps a better question might
be, owhat don Tt the satellite offices
handle? ? The list would be much
shorter. There Ts so many functions
that the satellites handle, it would
take this entire newspaper just to
list the events and issues they deal
with in a six month period. Perhaps
the easiest way to remember what
they do, however, is to simply say
that they Tre there to help.

oThe satellites have a tradition
of being collaborative in their
communities, especially in the
schools, ? says Nash Love, the
Coordinator of the Bethel
Counseling Center, one of Pitt
County Mental Health Ts satellite
offices. oWe form a partnership
with the family, showing them what
resources are available to them to
help them overcome their difficul-
ties. ? Love noted that the satellites
try to create, or strengthen, the
lines of communication between
families, schools, and whatever
other agencies might be involved,
such as a hospital, the police, or
social services. When dealing with
children, Love stated that they try
to get the ofamily and school to
work toge ether for the betterment of
the child. ? Forming partnerships
between the family and the in-
volved agencies allows them to

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owork all together to get the family
back on track. ?
A dangerous illusion is common,
however...that of ohe has a prob-
lem...it has nothing to do with me. ?

In truth, anyone in a family that is -

having a difficulty affects everyone
else in that family, or anyone that
interacts with that person. Referred
to as systems theory, the concept is
simplified when compared to a
machine. Any relationship is like a
machine with many parts. The
more people involved, the more
parts there are to the machine. If
one part begins having difficulties,
it will affect the rest of the
machine. If the problem opart ? is
ignored, it will continue to affect
the overall machine, until it be-
comes damaged or is destroyed
completely.

oEveryone has rough spots, ?
says Love. oWe may not have all
the answers, but we help people
find the resources so they can get
the right answers...or the solutions
to their problems. ?

Harry Cain, who helps super-
vises the clinical functions of the
satellite offices, agrees. oWe believe
in people's strength. Their compe-
tence, their faith, their fellowship at
church....all of these are resources
that can be used to overcome

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problems. ? Cain notes that most
people, when dealing with a crisis,
may forget what strengths they
have. oWe try to build on their
values, their beliefs, their tradi-
tions. When problems come up,
they may forget those strengths. ?

The list of issues that the
satellites deal with is endless.
They Tve been known to deal with
everything from simple sleepless-
ness to domestic violence, shyness
to sexual abuse. Because they Tre
located in the communities, notes
Love, the therapists might be more
aware of what issues are affecting
the clients that are native to that
area.....something those at the main
center may not see.

oWe treat them as experts on
their own problems, ? says Cain, ?
because they Tre more familiar with
their own problems than we are.
We don Tt think of therapy as a way
of life, but as a way to help get
them back on their feet. We Tre
trying to make people not be afraid
to come in for help that they
need......because everyone has
rough spots. ?

This isn Tt the first time the
satellites have been threatened. In
1993, an effort to close the satellites
was halted when the communities
that the satellites serviced pro-
tested. A similar attempt in 1997
met with similar results......the
communities protesting the poten-
tial loss of services they needed.

oPeople often don Tt realize that a
satellite in Bethel doesn Tt just
service the town of Bethel, ? warns
Love. oThe Bethel satellite services
the entire area surrounding Bethel,
including the smaller, more remote
areas. ? Together with the main
center, the satellites service the
entirety of Pitt County. oPeople
don Tt really understand just how
big Pitt County is, or how omany
people want our help every day. ?

oThere are between 600 and 700

events each month that the satel-
lites deal with, ? Cain provided. oI
see 35_to 40 people a week. by
myself. ? He added that the Ayden,
Bethel, Farmville, and Gteenville
offices oreally represent a network-
ing of services across the county. ?
Love warned that the people

have no idea what type of repercus-
sions would occur if the satellites
Close...or even if their hours are
reduced. oThere would be a lot
more le institutionalized that
could have received outpatient care
instead. There Td also be far more

incarcerations, drug abuse, teen |
pregnancies, crimes, and students
suspensions an expulsions. ?

He added that the results would |
be catastrophic. oThe results would
further tie up the already overbur-
dened police and sheriff's depart- |
ments, the hospitals, and the school 7 ?
system. ? In addition, he noted that
the closings or cutbacks would fF
affect East Carolina University and
Pitt Community College, as well.
oMost don Tt realize that the satel-
lites also act as training sites for
psychology, marriage and family
therapy, and social work students.

When asked about the apparent
lack of empathy from the. Pitt
County Board of Commissioners,
Cain stated oWe're catching the
sins of our forefathers. ?

He elaborated, saying that the
true size of the financial difficulties
are hard to grasp. oIt Ts hard to
imagine the depth and scope of this
mess. The Commissioners have the
responsibility of providing funds,
but they also know that there have
been some problems, which they
want fixed. ? He shakes his head. oI
don Tt blame them......They have a
concern that the money be used
wisely, and they we fulfill needed
services to the community. ?

Rhonda Jordan, the administra-
tive supervisor of the satellites
added, oThe sad thing is that the
County Commissioners don Tt real-
ize that the people there now aren Tt
the same people that got us into this
financial situation. ?

Cain agrees: oThere are knowl-
edgeable people there who came in
to do a job, but ran into problems.
It wasn Tt until they started looking
at the problems that they realized
just how bad the problems are. ?

Cain, Jordan, and Love are
unanimous in their support of Lynn
Stelle, the new director of Pitt
County Mental Health, noting that
she Ts doing a good job under very

Do you believe the family can become stronger? Are
you searching for more effective coping strategies? Can you
count on community institutions to help?
We are here. As a second-year sponsor of the National Black
Family Summit, we're helping provide a forum for interested
and involved people to address these and other issues and take
new answers hack to their communities. Under the leadership
of the University of South Carolina College of Social Work and

the Columbia Urban League, the 1999 Summit theme is,

difficult circumstances. oShe Ts reor-
ganizing the financial management
system, and requesting as many
independent audits as possible, T
Love said.

The three therapists, however,
are concerned that the efforts to
save the satellites won Tt be enough.

oIf the satellites didn Tt exist, a
lot of people would not get the
services they need, ? says Jordan.
oThe community needs to know
that to lose the satellites is to lose a
resource that is necessary to the
well-being of Pitt County. ?

oCountering the Impediments Against Family Integrity and
Stability. The Family Fights Back. ? For registration information,
Augustus Rodgers at 803-777-4309 or visit

contact D1

www.se.edu/cosw/nbt{s99_ html

_\WACHOVIA
oSeirted.

oliti

Po ; Dal Z
by Tyson
King-Meadows
Capitalizing on
Exploitation:
Monica,
Clinton, and the
"Greaseman"

cenieeiet

The American economic and political system thrives off exploitation,
whether by class, Bender. ethnicity, or social status. Without a doubt, the
last eighteen months have proven just that. American have been inundated
with President Clinton's sexual and obstruction of justice scandals, the
1998 congressional elections, the House impeachment and failed Senate
conviction saga, and the recent two-hour interview of Monica Lewinsky
by Barbara Walters on ABC. Never before in the history of out polity has
such a presidential scandal elevated our discussion of morality, leadership,
the rule of law, partisanship, and constitutionalism. At the same time,
however, those very elements have been exploited for political and
monetary gain.

It seems that everyone has benefited. For example, bookstores across
America now have more information on Clinton, this time from political
commentator George Stephanopoulos, the former senior policy advisor and |
communication director for the Clinton Administration. We also can not |
forget ABC, who asked for and received an average of $800,000.00 per
30-second commercial aired during the interview of Monica Lewinsky.

On the other hand, during this whole time, Black America has
continued to suffer from racist attacks, political and cultural exploitation,
and America's failure to respond to rumblings of class frustration, the
pender-race-age-poverty connection, and those recently exposed alliances
between congressional decision makers and avowed White supremacists.
Where were the mainstream political commentaries or the morally

outraged citizens during the trial of John William King, charged with the
dragging death of James Byrd, Jr. T After two days of testimony, an East
Texas jury sentenced King to death. The media did not take this
opportunity to place a full assault on how King wanted to used Byrd's
death and the resulting notoricty to recruit members for a Texas chapter
of the Confederate Knights of America. It failed to acknowledge that,
while America waited for more "Monica," Black Americans in Texas and
then in New York City were again forced to relive those pre- and
post-antebellum days of fear: days where Whites casually lynched,
castrated, sexually assaulted, and menaced Blacks with impunity.

To add insult to injury, after the verdict was announced, the media
pounced on the fact that jury foreman Joe Collins was the sole Black juror.
Journalist after journalist asked Collins if the verdict and his selection as
foreman was a message to America, sometimes explicitly connecting the
actions of the Texas jury to either the jury that acquitted O.J. Simpson or
the jury that found O.J. liable in the civil suits against him. Each time it
was called othe Byrd trial" and the "O.J. Simpson trial, ? missing the
obvious fact that while Simpson was the person charged (thereby making
it "his" trial), Byrd was the murdered victim! Nevertheless, race matters!

While ABC showcased Lewinsky's telling her story of sex and various
invasions of privacy by Linda Trip. Kenneth Starr and others, fired radio
personality Doug "The Greaseman" Tracht -- whose on-air comment
sympathized with King's method of killing was spoken immediately after
playing a sample of Grammy Award nominee (and later winner) Lauryn
Hill's music -- told his story on Tavis Smiley's show on BET. His story was
one of redemption, failed judgment, and hope of racial reconciliation.
Unlike Lewinsky, Tracht wanted to "face the music" and "suffer the
consequences" for his comment, and be judged by his willingness to open
a frank dialogue about racism. For all the apologies that Tracht offered,
callers expressed obvious outrage about his words and doubted his
sincer Tracht, however, continued in a Clinton-esque fashion and told
BET viewers of his desire to address the issue through spiritual and
intellectual introspection. And, like President Clinton, Doug Tracht
honestly suggested that his actions did not warrant removal from his
position of prestige, influence, and discursive might. Black Americans
political and auditory consumers) were again being asked for forgiveness.
Where Clinton failed in exercising proper moral, political, and sexual
judgment, Tracht failed to exercise moral, cultural, and political
judgment, Given Clinton's success in making the 1998 elections a litmus
test of Rlack political sophistication, Black America must be ever vigilant
in Tracht's endeavors to make the next few months a test of Black
sensitivity to human frailty and redemption. More importantly, since both
have testified to the depth of their sorrow for inflicting such pain, Black
America must continue to watch and see if this sorrow correlates with
progressive political activity. This should be done irrespective of Tracht's
recent appearance on Jesse Jackson's CNN show or Jackson's post-1992
relationship with Clinton.

If Lewinsky is truly a hot topic, then a majority of Americans are
missing the next cleavage in race relations since the infamous O.J. trial.
Estimates suggest that forty-eight percent of American households were
watching Lewinsky provide details of her emotional relationship with
Clinton. Other televisions were on BET, witnessing Black America again

trying to elevate political discourse on racism, cultural exploitation, and
the powerful impact messages have on actions. In addition, while ABC
strategically placed commercials for Cleopatra (who "seduced the most
powerful politician in the world") and Maytag ("to remove those really
tough stains"), Black media personnel again exposed personalities who
misused and abused their offices. I doubt ABC executives will contemplate
directing some of those revenues generated by Lewinsky to poverty or
substance abuse. Nor do I believe ABC will honestly direct some of those |
revenues to strengthening leadership development institutes, cross-cultural
communication workshops, or self-improvement seminars for women.

In the overall scheme of things, the effect Monica Lewinsky has had o
American political culture is enormous. The Presidency has been
weakened, and the stench of partisanship has intensified. The
inconsistency of public pinion toward leadership has again been proven to
misguide, conceal, confuse, and impede the true discovery of citizen
preference. Our taste for sex, scandal, and tidbits of information may in
the end prove detrimental to citizen confidence in participatory democracy.
Our insatiable appetite for controversy, as opposed to governance, may in
the end vindicate the founders T mistrust of democracy. After all, they did
structure a government where there would be direct popular election of the
House, indirect election of the Senate and the President, life appointments
for federal judges, and the necessity of supramajorities to remove sitting
presidents or amend the Constitution.

Yet, if the events surrounding the Presidential scandal eventually
the strength of American democracy, the price of strength comes at a high!
cost for Black America, The preoccupation with Lewinsky has essential]
muted widespread discussions on poverty, the growing political strength of
White supremacists, the inequities in the justice system, the continued

disenfranchisement of Black males through felony conviction, and the use J
ery by both Republicans and Democrats. Both jf
or Rosa Parks during the 1999 State of the Union j
red |

by Rep. Julia Carson (D-IN), seeking a ional gold medal honori
Parks T contributions to America? of Lewiadiy Gnserves cultural icon satus

of race for political

parties will stand up

Address, but how voy, ath signed onto House Resolution 573,
m

and the coveted ABC airtime, then surely Americans deserve an analysis
of the politics behind HR 573, which concerns a humanitarian and civil
oon icon, Or, are HR 573 and Rosa Parks not capable of being exploited
lor

the rule of ethics.

, economic, or social profit? If they are not, thank true morality

|

The Minority Voice: March 5 - March 19, 1999

FCC Chairman Kennard issues challenge to mainstream advertisers to
halt racist practices

tomorrow, Madison Avenue must
the reality of minority consumers and the

New York (FCC)-- On February 22, William
FE. Kennard, the Chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission, gave a
speech addressing the unofficial preatices of
commercial advertisers to avoid dealing
with minority-owned companies before the
American Advertising Fed-eration in New
York City. The following is a copy of his
speech from that event.

Thank you, Wally Snyder, for that kind
introduction. For a moment there I thought
that Donnie Simpson was going to introduce
me. And knowing the limits of my musical
ability, I wouldn't do much for his ratings -
and forget about his advertisers.

I also want to thank Wally Snyder and the
American Advertising Federation for hosting
this meeting. The initiative that AAF has
shown on this issue gives me hope that
business, government, and indeed the entire
nation can work together to make our
country stronger and greater.

To do that, of course, takes leaders -
leaders like Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks
Kilpatrick, Congressman Bob Menendez,
and Commissioner Mozelle Thompson -
public servants who work tirelessly in
Washington on behalf of their constituents
and consumers. They are good friends of
mine and allies to all friends of opportunity.

There is a leader here today who has left
Washington, but - luckily for me - has
entered the communications industry so |
can continue to work with him. Henry
Cisneros has been a public servant of the
highest order and now he is making his
mark in the broadcasting industry. I am
happy to welcome him here today.

And, of course, it takes a national leader,
too. A leader with vision and with
determination. We are all lucky that we have
that in Vice President Al Gore.

Last year, he raised the issue of advertis-
ing practices and minority broadcasting and
focused our attention on it. For his
leadership, for his friendship, | thank him.

In the course of my tenure as chairman of
the FCC, I have come across many issues
and problems that are important. Many

ple have studied them, and many are
interested in them.

But is rare that you come across an issue
- one that affects us all -- and you can't
believe that no one has done anything about
it. The advertising practices towards minor-
ity radio stations is such an issue.

The American way has always been that
if you work hard, if you are the best, you will
be fairly rewarded. In radio, this means that
if you have more listeners, you will have
more advertising dollars. Sadly, the FCC
found that this is not the case for minority
broadcasters.

The use of minority discounts and "no

urban/Spanish dictates" has had a signifi-
cant effect on minority broadcasters T bottom
lines. In fact, the minority broadcasters
interviewed in our study estimate that these
practices reduce their revenues by as much
as two-thirds.
For broadcasters, advertising is their life-
blood. It is what enables them to develop
programming, invest in new equipment, and
serve the public.

But these practices do not hurt only
broadcasters. They hurt advertisers, consum-
ers, and indeed, us all.

For advertisers too, these practices hurt
their bottom line. Their failure to realize that
there are untapped markets right here at
home in the neighborhoods of our long-
neglected minority communities, deprives
them of a whole range of customers.

And as our country becomes more
diverse, this myopia - this failure to
understand that there is not only a diversity
of peoples in America, but a diversity of
types of people within each group - will

power of minority-formatted stations in
reaching them.

By staunching the free-market flow of

dollars to these stations, consumers in these
communities suffer as well. As companies
decide not to advertise on minority radio
stations, African-American and Hispanic
families-find themselves bypassed by some of
our biggest companies -- on the outside
looking in to our national marketplace.
If radio stations can't tell their listeners
about new products or great sales, how can
they serve their listeners? How can these
listeners be full equals in the most equitable
arena there is - the marketplace?

And if these stations can't provide the
news, community information, and public
affairs programming that their listeners
count on, who will?

In the end, these advertising practices
don't just hurt these stations, they hurt us as
a nation. Economically, we can not prosper
if the purchasing power of all Americans is
not respected and unleashed. Politically, our
democracy is weaker if our airwaves and our
national debate lack strong voices from all
comers of our country.

Looking out and seeing all of you -
advertisers, broadcasters, and community
leaders - gives me hope that we can solve
this problem.

I have always believed that the best
solution to.a business problem is a business
solution. Where the government can, it
should let industry find answers on its own.
Where it can not, it should help them. That
is what we are doing today.

Where it can not, it should help them. That
is what we are doing today.

In its role as the expert agency on
communications, the FCC can help in our
search for a solution.

First, | am happy to announce that the
FCC's State of the Radio Industry report will
now include a section on small and
minority-owned stations.

In addition, we have amended our
broadcast licensee reporting forms to begin
collecting information that will help us
identify minority and female-owned licen-
sees. By gathering this information we hope
to help provide what you need to identify
problems and work on solutions.

Also, I am proposing to you today a set of
principles of fairness in communications. A
foundation for a voluntary code of conduct
which I hope all companies and organiza-
tions who use our broadcast media will
adopt.

These principles are few in number but
draw on the many values which we cherish
as a nation. They call on companies to:

Use accurate information about consumer
purchasing practices to ensure fair access to
information.

Promote fair competition.

And expand opportunity for all
Americans.

By dedicating themselves to these princi-
ples, I hope that companies will be able to
create an open and fair broadcasting
marketplace - one where stations at the top
of the ratings won't find themselves at the
bottom when it comes to revenues.

For with a good faith effort and coopera-
tion, all of us will win.

Minority broadcasters will get the atten-
tion and revenue that they deserve.

Companies will be steered to untapped
markets.

Those that listen to these stations will be
respected and better served by the market-
place.

And we, as a nation, will have a radio
system open to a wide range of views and
fair to all.

Thank you.

federal and state housing laws.

status. Compliance with 504
Program is observed. TDD
service is available for the deaf.

| (252) 329 - 4009

NOTICE OF
NONDISCRIMINATION
The Greenville Housing pe eg ne with all

not knowingly discriminate with regard to race, color,
creed, religion, national origin, handicap or familial

BET urges support for Vice President's
plan to combat racist advertising practices

NEW YORK (BET) -- BET announced February 22
that it strongly supports the principles and goals set
forth by Vice President Al Gore and FCC Chairman
Bill Kennard at the CEO Summit and _ Issues
Roundtable on Diversity and Multicultural Advertising
as a first good step in an ongoing process: The CEO
Summit met February 22 in New York City.

"The announcement by Vice President Gore at the
CEO Summit of a five-step action plan to combat
advertising practices that limit minority consumer
choices is a good first step toward the elimination of
certain practices in the commercial advertising
industry. We believe these practices unfairly impact
commercial broadcast stations or program networks
that serve minority audiences," said Debra L. Lee,
president and COO of BET Holdings, Inc.

On January 12, the FCC issued a study documenting
the existence of discriminatory advertising practices.
The study concluded that minority- owned radio
stations and stations that target minority listeners draw
significantly less advertising revenue per listener than
other stations. 7

"We particularly commend FCC Chairman Kennard
for this important study and providing the guiding
principles which helped to formulate today's five step
proposal for consideration by the government and the
advertising industry," said Debra Lee. "We look
forward to the creation of a federal interagency
working group to further examine the impact of
industry and government commercial advertising
practices, particularly in broadcast and cable televi-
sion."

BET Holdings, Inc., is a media entertainment
company which owns and operates Black Enter-
tainment Television (BET), the first national cable
network targeted toward African American consumers.
BET is currently available in 56 million cable
households nationwide.

Law for rape victims struck down

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- An appeals court struck
down a federal law allowing rape victims to sue their
attackers for civil rights violations, ruling the law was
a osweeping intrusion" into matters traditionally
handled by states.

Women's groups hoped the March 5 decision by the
4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals would be reviewed
and overturned by the Supreme Court.

"It would be a tragedy if this became the law of the
land," said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist
Majority Foundation.

Smeal called the 1994 Violence Against Women Act
the first major advance for women since Congress
banned sex discrimination in federally funded schools
in 1975.

_ The 4th Circuit held that Congress stretched too far
its interpretation of its right to regulate interstate
commerce when it passed the law.

"Such a statute, we are constrained to conclude,
simply cannot be reconciled with the principles of
limited federal government upon which this nation is
founded," Judge J. Michael Luttig wrote.

The ruling is binding in Virginia, West Virginia,
Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Eileen Wagner, lawyer for plaintiff Christy
Brzonkala, said she expected the case would be
appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"They can either give it a thumbs-up -- in which
case people will use this law, which they are reluctant
to do now -- or a thumbs-down, which would
encourage Congress to go back to the drawing board
and rewrite the thing," she said.

In her suit, Ms. Brzonkala, a Virginia Tech student
who has allowed her name to be disclosed, sought
unspecified damages against two football players
whom she said had raped her in dormitory.

She did not report the alleged incident for several
months and aap ers were filed against the players.
Their lawyers did not return calls for comment.

Ms. Brzonkala's lawyers defended the Violence
Against Women Act by arguing that gender-motivated
violence affects commerce by imposing medical and
legal costs on victims, inhibiting travel by those who
fear violence and lessening productivity.

e Authority does

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The Minority Voice: March 5 ~ March 19, 1999

Dear Black Americans:

After all of these years and all we have been through together, we think it's app riate for us to show our gratitude for all you have done for
us. We have chastised you, criticized punished you, and in some cases even Loh sir to you, but we have never formally nor publicly
thanked you for your never ending allegiance and support to our cause.

This is our open letter of thanks to a unique people, a forgiving people, a steadfast people, and a brave people: Black Americans.

labor. You built this country and were responsible for the great wealth we still enjoy today. Upon

We will always be in debt to you for your
had to apply for disciplinary reasons, you carried our nation. We thank you for that.

your backs, laden with the stripes we sometimes

We thank you for your diligence and tenacity. Even when we refused to allow you to even walk in our shadows, you followed close behind, be-
lieving that someday we would come to accept you and treat you like men and women. Your strength in the face of adversity cannot be under-
stated. You are truly a great people, and we thank you so much. .

We publicly acknowledge Black people for raising our children, attending to our sick, and preparing our meals while we were occupied with
the trappings of the good life. Even during the times when we found pleasure in your women and enjoyment in seeing one of your men lynched,
maimed and burned, some of you continued to watch over us and our belongings. We simply cannot you enough.

Your bravery on the battlefield, despite being classified as three-fifths of a man, was and still is outstanding and beyond the call of duty.

We often watched in awe as you went about your prescribed chores and assignments, sometimes laboring in the hot sun for 12 hours, to assist
us in realizing our dreams of wealth and good fortune. You were always there, and we thank you.

of all of the resources and wealth of this nation, we have Black people to thank the most. You were
there when it all began, and you are still with us today, protecting us from those Black people who have the temerity to speak out against our past
transgressions. How can we thank you for your dedication? You warned us about Denmark Vessey. You let us know about Gabriel Prosser's plans;
you called our attention to Nat Turner. And you even sounded the alarm when old John Brown came calling on Harper's Ferry. Some of you still
warn us today. Thank you, thank you, thank you! . ;

Now that we control at least 90 percent

and as we assess our tremendous control of the resources of this country, we can only think of
possible. You are indeed fantastic, and we will forever be in your debt. To think of
still doing the same thing today, is simply amazing. Thank you for continu-
gracious of you. Thanks for buying our Hilfigers, Karans, Nikes, and all of
the other brands you so adore. Your purchase of these products really makes us feel that we are at least giving something back to you for your
patronage. After all, in the past, the brands we put on you were quite painful, but those of today can be proudly worn because they give you as
sense of self-esteem, right? But it's the least we can do for a people who have treated us so well.

Your super-rich athletes, entertainers, intellectuals, and businesspersons (both legal and illegal) exchange most of their money for our cars, jew-
elry, homes, and clothing. What a windfall they have provided for us! The less fortunate among you spend all they have at our neighborhood
stores, enabling us to open even more stores. Sure, they complain about us, but they never do anything to hurt us economically. You are a very

special people. Thank you.
Oh yes, allow us to thank you for not bogging yourselves down with the business of doing business with your own people. We can take care of

Now, as we look out upon our enormous wealth,
the sacrifices you and your families made to make all of this
how you have looked out for us for hundreds of years and to see you
ing to bring 95 percent of what you earn to our businesses. That is SO

that for you. Please don't even trouble yourselves with it. Yes, you were very successful at it after slavery ended and even as recently as 1960, but
you know what happened when you began to build your own communities and do business with one another. Remember Rosewood? Some of the
olower ones" of our kind burned you out time and time again. So, why bother? In today's business environment, your own people will not sup-
port you anyway. You just keep doing business with us. It's safer that way. Besides, everything you need, we make anyway, even Kente cloth.
You just continue to dance, sing, fight, get high, go to prison, back-bite, envy and distrust and hate one another. Have yourselves a good

time, and this time we'll take care of you. It's the least we can do, considering all you've done for us. Heck, you deserve it, Black people.

Your dependence upon us to do the right thing is beyond our imagination, irrespective of what we do to you and the many promises we have
made and broken. But, this time we will make it right, we promise. Trust us.

went beyond the pale and turned your children over to us for their education. With what we have taught them, it's
similar to the one you have followed for the past 45 years. When Mr. Lynch walked the banks of the James

a slave for 300 years, little did we realize-the truth in his prediction. Just 13 more years and his
can look forward to at least an-

Finally, the best part. You
likely they will continue in a mode
River in 1712 and said he would make you
promise will come to fruition. But with two generations of your children gone through or education systems, we
other 50 years of prosperity. Wow! Things could not be better.......and it's all because of you.

For all you have done, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Black Americans. You're the best friends any group of people could ever

I would like to personally thank
Joffre Leggett, ex-mayor of
Trenton, North Carolina, for your
racist comments. Your saying that
Blacks had no capacity for leader-
ship and would rather work for a
white man, and that you dont want
Blacks in the government has
pulled the Black community to-
gether like never before, boycotting
Trenton businesses and even call-
ing for your removal Not only have
you shown us that we do have
leadership abilities, as evidenced by
your resignation, you have led the
way for much needed changes in
the town of Trenton.

A lot of people, however, are
outraged by your comments. Not
me. I believe we need more
outspoken political leaders like
yourself so we can remove them

from office as well.

Now, I realize that you are 81
years old, and are probably set in
your views regardless of how
outdated they may seem to everyone
else, but I would hope you would
realize that in a small town like
Trenton, with a population of only
200, you could have only have been
exposed to a handful of Blacks --
not nearly enough to represent
Black America as a whole. But
still, I thank you: Because of you,
Blacks in the town of Trenton and
the surrounding areas have shown
North Carolina and the rest of the

nation what type of changes can

"This is only
said Daniel Johnson Willis,
lawsuit challenging Trenton's an-
nexation policy prompted

the beginning."

s
us trigger what will be maj
changes in the town of Trenton.

The National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People
called for Leggett's resignation on
Friday, March 5. The town council
did the same, adopting a resolution
saying that Leggett had made
reprehensible and derogatory com-
ments.

It's rather ironic when you think
about lapse in the town of
renton Spent years trying 10
annex the outlying Black areas. It
is only after it was made clear by

ex- t Leggett that Blacks
shoul be involved in either
government or business that we
actually have a chance!

So, again, I thank you, Jofree
Leggett, for your , and I
thank you for resigning. I
are happy in California, where its
been rumored you'll be moving. I
shall always remember you as a
acl equality for yo have sed
vow ty, for you
inspired Black America to take
action, and put the town of Trenton
back on the right track for racial
equality. =~

have!

Sincerely,
All other Americans

hould Black America support the deat

(Source unknown)

by Keith Cooper

Since systemic racism is an
infectious component of court sys-
tems and capital punishment na-
tionally, the death penalty should
be abolished. There are countless
horror stories indicating that a
person's race all too often deter-
mines who lives and dies in capital
murder cases. Moreover, McClesky
v. Kemp, where the U.S. Supreme

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SINCE 1946 lenging a death sentence must
606 ALBEMARLE AVE. prove that he was personally dis-

GREENVILLE, NC_27834 criminated against through the
prosecution, creates a doomed fate
for Black defendants.

In Florida, a White judge who
was preparing for the penalty phase
of a Black defendant's trial said,
"Since the nigger's mom and dad
are here anyway, why don't we go
ahead and do the penalty phase

today." Despite such overt racism,
the defendant, Anthony Peek, was
sentenced to death. The Florida
Supreme Court upheld the sen-
tence.

Missouri's Judge Blackwell,
while presiding over a death pen-
alty case against an unemployed
Black defendant, said that "the
Democratic Party places far too
much emphasis on representing
minorities.....people who don't want
to work." Despite this, the defen-
dant, Brian Kinder, was sentenced
ito death.

In the late 1980's, the General

Accounting Office reviewed 28
empirical studies on race and the
death penalty up to that time. In

He Wehave oth synthetic and [0075 human htt) pk

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Greenville Blvd

Kinston }

S. Memorial Dr. (Rt. 903, Rt. 11)

1990, the GAO concluded that in
82% of the studies, the race of the
victim was found to have influ-
enced the likelihood of being
charged with capital murder or
receiving a death sentence. A
relevant case study is the state of
Kentucky in 1996. There, 100% of
the inmates on death row were
there for killing a White victim,
none of them were there for
murdering someone Black.
Incidentally, over 1000 Blacks have
been murdered since the reinstate-
ment of the death penalty.

One explanation for the discrep-
ancies is that almost all of the
district attorneys in states that
possess the death penalty are White
(98%) and nearly all male. Those
seeking re-election are more likely
to seek the death penalty in cases
involving Black perpetrators and
White victims. Such prosecutors

cater especially to prominent White
families who demand the head of
the Black perpetrator in a basket.
Moreover, since 1976, only 11
Whites have been executed for
killing Blacks, while 124 Blacks
have been executed for killing
Whites.

Sister Helen Prejean was on to
something when she said: "When
people of color are killed in the
inner city, when homeless people
are killed, when the nobodies' are
killed, district attorneys do not seek
to avenge their deaths. Black,
Hispanic, or poor families who
have a loved one murdered not only
don't expect the district attorney's
office to pursue the death penalty --

which, of course, Sea,
nsuming -- but are surprised
when the case is prosecuted at all. ?

Many Blacks have become con-

moratorium on the death penalty
until the issues surrounding its
discriminatory use are resolved.

Justice Thurgood Marshall was
correct when he matic the following
: "When it} Gregg v.

its seal of

ty ishneat thie onda was
premised on the ise that
capital punishment would be ad-
ministered with fairness and j
tice. Instead, the promise has
become a cruel and empty mockery.
If not remedied, the scandalous

8

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MONDAY - FRIDAY

aith and Ins

March is National Women's
History Month. The theme is
"Women Putting Our Stamp on
America."
_ Women have always made an
impact on America, directing and
leading their children miore or less
by example. Parents, especially
mothers, are their children's first
teachers, counselors, nurturers, dis-
ciplinarians, and role models.
Today, women who exemplify
the characteristics of caring, hon-
esty, respect, responsibility and
right leadership, will not
contribute to the erosion of the
A few women whose lives are
exemplary are Mary McLeod

Bethune, one of the most visible |

and influential African-Americans
and an extraordinary woman who
founded a college and fought for
civil rights, Barbara Jordan, a
woman of power, strength, charac-

The Minority Voice: March 5 - March 19, 1999

piration

Oprah Winfrey,

in television; Eva Clayton, the only
Black woman to ever represent
North Carolina in Congress; and
our own Mayor Nancy Jenkins,
who combines a brilliant intellect
with panache.

These are a few of the many
women who have put their stamp
on America, ing significant
contributions to society.

Before you beat a child, be sure

Precious Thoughts

that you are not the cause of the
offense.

He who prays as he ought to will
endeavor to live as he prays.

Children have more need of role
models than of critics.

Going to church doesn't make
you a Christian any more than
going to a garage makes you an
automobile.

We must interpret a bad temper
as the sign of an_ inferiority
complex.

e future destiny of a child is
always the work of the mother.

None preaches better than the
ant, and she says nothing.

The tongue is but three inches
long, yet it can kill a man six feet
tall

He is a Christian who is
manfully struggling to live a
Christian life

He who would govern others
should first be master of himself.

Profiles of inspirational, coura-
geous, focused and contemporary

Profiles

African-American women achiev-
ers portrayed in The Daily
Reflector for the month of February
were sO appropriate, and served as
a prelude to the month of March,
where we celebrate National
Women's History Month with the
theme, "Women Putting Their

Stamp on America."

The following women were pro-
filed: Annie Brown,
Congresswoman Eva Clayton, Ruth
Glover, Virginia Jones, Beatrice
Maye, and Carolyn Smith, the
daughter of Bishop James Smith.

Read and explore the history of
women this month, of their shatter-
ing records and smashing barriers
in a variety of arenas. Their
strength and dignity, their dedica-
tion to goals, their perseverance in.
overcoming obstacles has resulted
in extraordinary women who have
shaped world history. Yes, women
have made a difference by putting
their stamp on America.

Anyone who has ever had a child,
has small children, has even ever
known a small child can relate to
the following:

One Sunday in a Midwest city, a
young child was "acting up" during
the morning worship hour. The
parents did their best to maintain
some sense of order in the pew but
were losing the battle. Finally the
father picked the little fellow up
and walked sternly up the aisle on
his way out. Just before reaching
the safety of the foyer the little one
called loudly to the congregation,
"Pray for me! Pray for me!" .

RRERRERERAERRERERRERESERERES

A daddy was listening to his
child say his prayer: "Dear Harold.

At this, dad interrupted and said,
"Wait a minute...how come you
called God,'Harold'?"

The little boy looked a and
said, oThat's what they call Him in
church. You know the prayer we
say, Our Father, who art in Heaven,
Harold be Thy name."

RARER RARARARARERERE REE ERE

One night Mike's parents over-
heard this prayer.

"Now I lay me down to rest, and
hope to pass tomorrow's test. If I
should die before I wake, that's one

less test I have to take."
EEEKKREKEAREKKKAEKEKAKEEKKEEE

A little boy's prayer: "Dear God,
please take care of my daddy and

by Dr. George A. Hawkins

One would think that the people
who were "called" to God were
great men, wise, or learned men.
One might think that the "call"
would be restricted to the finest, the
most noble, the most virtuous, or
the most talented.

The Apostle Paul contradicts
this erroneous thinking by saying:
Ye see your calling, brethren; how
that not many wise man after the
flesh, not many mighty, not many
noble are called: but God hath
éhésen® the ofoolish things: oof-the

world to confound the wise; and
God hath chosen the weak things of
the world to confound the things
which are mighty; and base things
of the world, and things which are
despised, hath God chosen, yea
and things which are not, to bring
to naught things that are: that no
flesh should glory in His presence.

(I Corinthians 1:26-29)

The simple explanation of this is
that God had no intention that
anyone should be able to boast that
he had in any way or in any sense
"earned" the great blessings be-
stowed upon him. The intention of

this matter is to illustrate the power
of God to transform the base and
despised one to noble and pure; not
by force, but by the transforming
power of the truth--- working in the
called ones, through the promises
and hopes set before them, both to
will and to do his great pleasure.
This arrangement will result not
only in the Father's glory, but also
in the humility and everlasting
good of those whom He will bless.

Dr. George A. Hawkins is the
pastor of the Tabernacle Church of
Deliverance in Greenville.

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Read the Word of God and know the truth

WOOW [Racliol

CHARLOTTE HORNETS Network

March Schedule
DATE TEAM GAME
3/15 Toronto 7:25p
3/7 Phoenix 7:25p
3/19 Utah 7:25p
3/21 at Milwaukee = 7:55p
3/23 at Orlando 7:25p
3/24 Chica 7:25p
Orlan 7:25p
Cleveland 6:55p

LG) $0,

Sigma Gamma Rho is back!

Branch (not shown).

ee ee ee RE LTT TRAST

Introducing the six re-activating Charter Members of the
Zeta Pi Sigma Alumni Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho

Sorority, Inc.

The re-activating charter members are (L to R) Nicole Melvin, Tanya |
White, Jessica Mabry, Stacey Hargrove, Toya Sanders and Samantha |

my and my sister and my
brother and my doggy and me. Oh,
please take care of yourself, God. If
anything happens to you,
gonna be in a med

HERERKELSERELESEESRESERERET

A five-year-old said grace at
family dinner one night. "Dear
ued, thank you for these pan-

es Li)

When he concluded, his parents
asked him why he thanked God for
pancakes when they were having
chicken. He smiled and said, "I
thought I'd see if He was paying
attention tonight."
ERERERRREKERESARAKEKESERERE SE

A Rabbi said to a precocious
six-year-old boy: "So your mother
says your prayers for you each
night? Very commendable. What
does she say?"

The little boy replied, "Thank God
he's in bed!"

ERERERAEREKEEREREREEREER EKER

A woman invited some people to
dinner. At the table, she turned to
her six- year-old daughter and said,
"Would you like to say the bless-
ing?"

"I wouldn't know what to say,"
the little girl replied.

"Just say what you hear Mommy
say," the mother said.

The little girl bowed her head
and said, "Dear Lord, why on earth
did I invite all these people to

Johnny had been misbehaving and
was sent to his room. After a while
he emerged and informed his
mother that he had thought it over
and then said a prayer.

"Fine," said Pleased mother.
"If you ask God to help you not
misbehave, He will help you."

"Oh, I didn't ask Him to help me
not misbehave," said Johnny. oI
asked Him to help you put up with
me o

errrrrititt ttt Titi titi

And this particular four-year-old
prayed: "And forgive us our trash
baskets as we forgive those who put

trash in our baskets."
RHKKRAEKRKKAAAKAKERAEKKKRERESKE

A little boy was overheard praying:
"Lord, if You can't make me a
better boy, don't worry about it. I'm
having a real good time like I am!"

RERKARERERREA EERE RRAREEEERS

During the minister's prayer one
Sunday, there was a loud whistle
from one of the back pews.

Gary's mother was horrified. She
pinched him into silence, and after
church, asked: "Gary, whatever
made you do such a thing? ?

Gary answered soberly: "I asked
God to teach me to whistle...And
He just then did!"

(Source: Unknown)

dinner?"

DID YOU KNOW...

that New York Undercover Was

uate if 2 SHOW Walt hed L\ Blac i
America during its runé

Es

Human Resource Development (HRD)

Program Instructor (Orientation & Motivation)
Part-time position available in March. BS in Social
Sciences required and one or more year's experience as
instructor, tutor, or pre-employment training skills.
Position teaches self-esteem, job seeking skills, job readi-
ness, academic skills upgrade, and GED preparation
courses. Manages and coordinates guest speakers, field
trips, job search days, etc. PCC application required.
Open until filled. Salary $12-15/hr based on experi-
ence. Qualified minorities are encouraged to apply.
Contact:

Human Resources Department
Pitt Community College
P.O. Drawer 7007
Greenville, NC 27835-7007
Call (252) 321-4289 or fax (252) 321-4392
http://www.pitt.cc.nc.us

42)

Connmmunity

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,
Incorporated
Founded: November 12, 1922

| at Butler University

|

"

Colors: Royal Blue and Gold
Mascot: Poodle

Motto: "Greater Service,
Greater Progress T.

Meetings are held the first Sunday of f
every month.

For more information, please contact |
] Stacey Hargrove at (252) 321-4764,
] or Toya Sanders at (252) 355-8804.

The Minority Voice: March 5 - March 19, 1999

{Black Ame

¥

DS at recor

WASHINGTON - (AP) - Black
Americans are becoming infected
with AIDS at record rates, receiv-
ing poorer care than Whites and
dying faster. -

Now, almost two decades into
the AIDS epidemic, about 1,000
health care providers and activists
gathered for the first medical
conference on AIDS among Black
Americans -- a frantic hunt for
ways to fight the exploding racial
divide.

AIDS in the United States is
evolving from a disease that once
mostly affected White homosexuals
into one largely of poor Blacks,
often infected from dirty drug
needles or heterosexual encounters.

Blacks make yp 12 percent of
the U.S. population but a devastat-
ing 45 percent of new AIDS cases.
AIDS has been the leading killer of
Blacks between 25 to 44 for most of
the decade. One in 50 Black men
and one in 160 Black women are
estimated to be infected.

"This is an historic event," Phill
Wilson of the National Black
Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum
told the conference February 25.
"What we do ... will determine
whether or not we make a differ-
ence."

"This is no less a daunting
challenge than we faced in the civil
rights movement," added Dr.
Stephen Thomas of Emory
University.

The doctors, social workers and
activists sought pital day-to-
day advice on fighting HIV, the
AIDS virus, in communities often
wracked by poverty and drugs,
where a le of racism has left
distrust of the medical system.

oHow do you get a drug user or
a homeless person tested for HIV?
How do you treat the hotel maid
who can't afford the time off to go
to a clinic only open weekdays?
You're surprised that the bus driver
quit taking the AIDS medicine you
prescribed -- even though the main
side effect was diarrhea?

"We're talking about reaching ...
people who might not have had a
meal since noon yesterday, and
they're still sitting in the clinic" for
four hours because the doctor
overbooked, complained Debra
Hickman of Baltimore's Sisters
Together and Reaching.

Then came the thorny issue of
preventing and treating HIV in
prisons. "Our men are in the jails.
They do come home to their wives
and girlfriends," warned a

_ California AIDS worker, describing

one reason HIV infection is grow-
ing fast among Black women.

Nor do many Black doctors
aecalize in AIDS, complained a

lorado nurse who described her-
self as the only Black AIDS health
worker in her town. White doctors
"do care, but they don't understand
when I say, Patients don't trust
you." a
President Clinton has declared ?
AIDS among minorities a crisis.
The administration is spending
$156 million this year and secking
$171 million next year to fight
back.

But Clinton last year refused to
use federal money to buy clean
needles for drug addicts, one way to
prevent HIV's spread. Frustrated at
the ban, administration doctors
urged local communities Thursday "
to raise the money themselves for
needle exchanges.

And critics questioned if the
government's work is fair: One new
program calls for 35 percent of
AIDS research sites to be in
minority communities. but two-
thirds of new infections now occur
in those communities.

The conference's main goal was
to empower workers on the front

lines of AIDS, roviding informa-
tion and reouren 10 help. the

le said, "We need to make care
more culturally i
clinics need S$

the latest data, questioning: experts
on which drugs to use.

"We can be flexible," said Dr.
Joel Gallant of Johns Hopkins
U niversity pial everyone needs that
much-publici expensive
oprotease inhibitor" cocktail right
away, he said. Newly infected
patients with low HIV levels might
be all right not starting drugs for a
while. Got a aa who won't
swallow 15 pills a day? Some new
drugs require far fewer.

But there were no easy solutions.

Take Gallant's = for doctors
to test even newly diagnosed
patients' blood to see if their HIV
will resist certain drugs. The
immediate response: Medicaid and

other programs don't pay for those

tests, so how can we use them?

Black Americans hit hardest by cancer, report says

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Black
Americans are being especially
hard-hit by cancer, even though the
projected 1.2 million new cases in
1999 represents a downward trend,
the American Cancer Society said
on March 3.

More than 563,000 Americans
will die of cancer in 1999, the ACS
added in its annual report on cancer
rates.

Dr. Charles McDonald of Brown
University, who is president of the
American Cancer Society, said this
is a downward trend in general.

"This incidence rates of breast
cancer in young women and lung
cancer in men are down, as are
those of colon and rectal cancer in
both men and women," he wrote.

But while the rates look comfort-
ing, the good news really only
applies to majority whites,
McDonald said.

"Among major ethnic groups,
African-Americans continue to
have higher incidence rates of
cancer." McDonald wrote in the

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"They are also at greater risk of
dying of cancer than is any other
racial or ethnic group."

For example, although Black
women are less likely to develop
breast cancer than White women,
when they do get it they are more
likely to die.

"Also, African-American men
are 1.5 times more likely to develop
prostate cancer than are White men
and twice as likely to die of the
disease," McDonald wrote.

"Rather than being encouraging,
these new figures .. are quite
disconcerting, ? he concluded.

For the report, Scott Landis and
colleagues at the American Cancer
Society in Atlanta estimated cancer
rates using US Census data and
cancer rates collected by the
National Cancer Institute. Unlike
some other countries, the United
States does not have a nationwide
cancer registry.

They estimated there will be
1,221,800 new cases of invasive

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cancer in 1999. Most common will
be prostate cancer with 179,300
cases, lung cancer, with 171,600
cases, breast cancer with 175,000
new cases, and cancer of the colon
and rectum with 129,400 cases.
An estimated 37,000 men will
die from prostate cancer, 158,900
people will die from !ung cancer,
43,700 people will dic from breast
cancer and 56,600 will die from
colorectal cancer.
Other cancer incidences include:
*Stomach cancer, alfucting
21,900 poople and killing
13,500
*Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, af
fecting 56,800 people and
killing 25,700
*Melanoma (skin cuncer), af
fecting 44,200 people and
killing 7,300
*Pancreatic cancer, affecting
28,600 and killing an
equal number
*Brain and nervous system can
cef, affecting 16.800 and
killing 13.100

Solver

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Pang. Fey We erg, Mera wera Mette, eae, Mora, ice, FeSO, eae,

*Leukaemia, affecting 30,200 _

topic of racial and gender disparity for
Presently one in wo adalt women wil die of cardiovascular disease

ic testing, ? said
Davidson, MD, AMWA on coronary heart disease in
minorities. "AMWA urges all care practitioners. to become

spare worl bed ta IC presentations unique to women,
inc minority women, and to more gender-based research."
Found in 1915, the American Medical Women's Association -- a

national medical ization of 10,000 women physicians -- is dedicated
women's health and furthering the professional develop-

S

j

and killing 22,1C0

The figures do not include the
estimated 1 million basal and

promoting
ment and well-being of women in medicine.

Squamous cell cancers of the skin --
the most common cancers - or
carcinoma in situ of the bladder
and other organs. Such cancers
usually do not spread or kill.

Cancer is the second leading
cause of death in the United States,
after heart disease.

Globally, the American Cancer
Society estimates there will be 8.1
million new cases of cancer, with
5.2 million deaths.

Worldwide, lung cancer is the
biggest killer, with 1,037,000 cases
projected and 921,000 deaths.
Stomach cancer follows, with
798,000 cases and 628,000 deaths.
Breast cancer is projected to affect
796,000 women worldwide and kill
314,000.

This survey will be used to assist

Any input or suggestions will be

yes no

Wednesday morning at 7:10 a.m

yes no

yes no

yes no

5.) Whether or not you listen to

listened? _

ECU School of Medicine in determining the awareness and usefulness of the radio show, oYour
Life In Diabetes ?, broadcast on WOOW 1340AM on Wednesday mornings at 7:10 a.m.

1) Do you or any of your family/friends have diabetes?
If so, who?

2.) Are you aware of the radio program, oYour Life In Diabetes ?, that is broadcast every
_on WOOW 1340AM?

\
3.) Have you ever listened to oYour Life In Diabetes ?? If so, how often do you listen?

every week

4.) If you have listened to the show, do you find it helpful?

If you want to eat in a more
healthy manner this year, then cut
back on hamburgers and fries,
suggests Bonnie Liebman,
Director of Nutrition at the Center

for Science in Public Interests T 227
obit Action Health Letter in |

ae half-day T
U ++ s
oof fat ? Leoman tare. "and

says,
that is without the fries, which have
about as much fat and calories --
450 " as the main dish. That's what a
they really are."

THE MINCDITY VOICE,
N.
WOOW & WIOW

SURVEY
oYour Life In Diabetes ?

the ECU School of Nursing Community Health students and the

greatly appreciated!

\)

once a month " once every two months

the program, what topics would you want to hear if you

Oey We wee, ees

Thank you for your time and input!

Could we please contact you in a couple of weeks to ask you if you or your family listened to the

radio shows? = yes | «= n0-s§-§: Name Phone / _
Please mail to: Nancy Leggett-Frazier ;
1204 East Fire Tower Road
Greenville, NC 27858
{or you may drop it off at WOOW Radio at BAS T
310 S. Evans St.} fameutNa OLINA
osceeeemmnmnneel

a La ERY vn We yh ee F 5
a ae ee Pee : Eh
"_ . ' ye sarees.

ne

=

Who is Lauryn Hill?
~The 26-year-old singing sensa-

tiga is well known for her associa-

* ion with the hit group, "The
Fugees." She's also known for
sold 3.5-million copies of
"The Miseducation
which won the
-Afoum of the Year trophy at last

er be album,

Hill,"

oof Lauryn

2*qnonth's Grammy Awar
It is not, however, her award-

inning songs that make her such
-i@ Success....it is her committment to

_* fhaking a positive impact on this
. oworld

In 1996, Hill founded a non-

. pee eoorporan The Refugee

- Project, Incorporated.

* oThis organization was founded
-. with the express intent of encourag-
_. ag positive social action from
* youth described as odisadvan

4 » taped ?.

. The organization's main goal is
_ fo remedy the problems of social
" ,imteraction and to provide positive
* getivities and educational expceri-
- ences for youth that are oficn
overlooked. The aim is to gencrate
results with consistent.
' insightful and transformative social

Do Mat 7 he organization is aptly named
- pecause most of the participants
have few if any outlets to escape the
_ social ills which pervade our
? ggciety. In this context, they are
and the organization
oprovides safe and transformative
ih for them through social!

__. long-term

The objective of the Refugee

_ Project "is to transform the lives o!
o people for the better." ac
- cording to Hill. "We will chany.
the conversation, agenda and soci:!
fads of youth from negative |

M4

Hl

watery eyes and dark!

Multiple winner Lauryn Hill is more than your "average"
inging sensation. She is devoted to serving her community, and making
@ positive impact on the world.

Learn to recognize early sits thc
and seek medical ddvie fr
include frequent resprctor

night, wheezing, tightr SS ERE

with proper management, {he

Project ois to transform the lives of
young people for the better, ? ac-
cording to Hill. "We will change
the conversation, agenda and social
fads of youth from negative to
positive. We seek to change the
attitudes and social agenda of youth
from violence to non-violence,
from drugs to sobriety, from mis-
education to education, from lack
of values and respect to under-
standing of and appreciation for
cultural aesthetics."

The project's objectives are
achieved by implementing recrea-
tional and cultural programs that
consistently affect and positively
transform "disadvantaged" youth.

One such program, Camp Hill, |

Roscoe, NY. Campers enjoy social
and recreational activities where
the kids build teamwork skills and
self-esteem, Camp activities in-
chide. but are not limited to.
physical and mental olympics,
camp pageant for Mr. Camp Hill
and Ms. Camp Hill, the annual
Camp Hill talent show (produced
and directed by the campers),
attendance at workshops and lec-
tures by guest speakers. arts and
crafts, chorus, dance, athletics and
daily evening activity arranged by
the counselors. Camp Hill hosts
Family Das on the second Saturday
that camp is in session. Family Day
for tamily members to
visit, the facilities and see the
children put on a performance.
Fanuly involvement and attendance
ov Family Day is required 1 order
for compers to participate.

nother such program is the

role Mentormg Program. Hill so
because the circle 1s
history's most ancient metaphor for
COnHOIMty, Support and protection

eer eT

named i

aye |

! Ty po ne cnewtilla
VC hol Prict\ MEN ASG

ith SVE plans

teliv, sore throat
hod Tb ON The eood News Is,

he controlled.

VIN promis can

a positive picture."

0 x on oo ome

visit the facilities and see the
children put on a_ performance.
Family involvement and attendance
on Family Day is required in order
for campers to participate.

Another such program is the
Circle Mentoring Program. Hill so
named it because the circle is
history's most ancient metaphor for
community, support and protection.
Today, in this age of breaking
circles, new ones are needed to
replace the old. The Refugee
Project created the Circle
Mentoring Program to provide a
crucial sense of community, sup-
port and protection for the most
vulnerable group susceptible to
breaking circles - our children. The

sional work. The undergraduate
students and the professionals rep-
resent fields ranging from the arts
to technology to finance. Through
this program children flourish
while cultivating an appreciation
for the unsung heroes - the men
and women who. through their
various daily tasks. keep the world
functioning. The men and women
who love their families and work to
enrich their communities. Each

mentee in the Circle Mentoring
program is required to perform
community service in his or her
respective COMMUNITICS.

The Annual Halloween Scare

a oe

CHILDREN TS HosPitTaL
rsity Health Systems of Eastern Carolina

nescence

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Equal Housing Lender. (a

"Now hear this mixture, where hip-hop
meets scripture, develop a negative into

Lauryn Hill

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program is required to perform
community service in his or her
respective communities.

The Annual Halloween Scare
Affair is run in conjunction with
100 Black Men of New Jersey to
entertain the young people of Essex
County in New Jersey. The event is
held annually on the 31st of
October in East Orange, New
Jersey. The Annual Scare Affair is
a fun and safe way for young people
to enjoy Halloween. Young people
come dressed in their finest cos-
tumes and delight in the "haunted"
mansion.

The Book Worms Reading Club
is a fantastic way to get young
people to turn on to books. Created

novice reading. Reading sparks the
imagination. adventure and discov-
ery. Through reading. Book Worms
promotes a positive response to
reading. improves reading skills
and enhances vocabulary. There are
currently 14 members, ages 2 - 13.
To meet the needs of each age
group. age appropriate reading is
used. Field trips are also scheduled
to libraries and book stores.

The Refugee Project is also
currently working on other activity
groups. which hopefully will be
running by the end of the vear. "

Farsi CITIZENS BANK

www.firstcitizens.com

The Minority Voice: March 5 - March 19, 1999

Arts & Entertainment

Li

Charity's Temple Junior Choir
was ofiginally organi and
founded in the Charity Temple
Holiness Church Ministry. The
group is composed of four lead
vocalists and nine background
vocalists, accompanied by one pi-
anist, one drum percussionist, and
two members of the horn line. The
group members are youths between
the ages of 11 and 18 years old.

the group began juggling with a
variety of words and tunes which
fascinated them. They experienced
an encounter with the Spirit, which
left the entire group flabbergasted.
As the Spirit moved among the
group, they discovered that the
more they sung, the more the words
and the rhythm began to flow.

The choir knew that something
miraculous was happening to them.
They continued to harmonize
words and melodies for several
hours. The choir president,
Chiquita Clark, brought it to the
attention of the Church Overseer,
Bishop James E. Clark, Sr., what
God had done in their practice.

The choir came before the
church on a fourth Sunday and
began ministering music in the new
tunes and lyrics that God had
bestowed upon them. As time
progressed, the choir continued to

One day, during choir rehearsal,

practice and allow the Spirit of God

to come upon them and enhance

their musical talents. The Church
Overseer immediately recognized
that God had given the church
talented and gifted young adults to
minister music with their very own
unique style and identity.

After several months of strenu-
ous and dedicated practices, the
Junior Choir was now ready to
perform before the community and
let everyone see with what gift God
had endowed them. The Junior
Choir held their first concert at the
Gallery Theater in Ahoskie, N.C.,
on March 21, 1998, where the
recorded their first release entitled
God is Good, The Junior Choir's
name was then changed to the
Charity's Temple Junior Ensemble.

Because of the musical ministry
of Charity's Temple Junior
Ensemble, man souls have been
saved and added to the church
congregation. The Ensemble's mu-
sic has impacted the lives of many
young people. It has also become
an inspiration and example for
many young adult choirs and ,
groups to pattern themselves. The
Ensemble praises God for the gift
He bestowed upon them, allowing
them to choreograph and write
their own lyrics and music.

Cavity T Temple Junior Enon

as a dream .

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The Minority Voice: March 5 - March 19, 1999

rede AMWMOOW
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wrap around the airways leading to the lungs ,
tighten. At the same time, the linings of these
airways become swollen and congested,
blocking them even more. Breathing becomes
very difficult, Asthma is the number one chronic
childhood disease and there is no cure.

[he symptoms leading to an asthma
attack, however, can be controlled. And the
Pediatric Asthma Program at University Health
Systems of Eastern Carolina in Greenville helps
doctors develop action plans for asthmatic
children, so that those kids can grow up as
healthy and happy as their friends

The results, so far, have been nothing
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To get your M-Voice by Mail write:
: The M-Voice Newspaper
405 Evans Street Mall
Greemille, NC 27834
SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENT. MUST BE INCLUDED WITH YOUR ORDER:
C YES, | would like a 6 month subscription by mail for $20.00
0 YES, | would like a 12 month subscription by mail for $40.00
Name:

Address:
City:

State:

Sealed proposals will be received until 3:00 p.m. on
Thursday, March 18,1989, in the office of the Owner,
Mr. Viren Tailor, North Carolina, @ (919) 716-3443, for
the construction of the Greene County Correctional
Center Vocational Building, at which time and place bids
will be opened and read.

Complete plans and specifications for this project can
be obtained From EDA: Greenville, 201 Wee ta Street,

758-3138 @, 758-0553 Fax, during normal office hours
after after February 22, 1999, or are available for
examination at Construction Market Data Plan Room,
2300 Rexwood Drive, Suite 130, Raleigh, North Carolina
27607, Associated General Contractors Plan Room,
satellite Office, c/o McGee Reprographics, 801 Dickinson
Avenue, Greenville, North Carolina 27834, Dodge Plan
Room, 1110 Navaho Drive, Suite 402, Raleigh, North
Carolina 27609, or Eastern Carolina Contractors Plan
Room, 415 N. Queen Street, Kinston, North Carolina
28501.

Plan Deposit: One-hundred dollars ($100.00).

The state reserves the unqualified right to reject any
and all proposals.

Signed: Viren Tailor, Project Mana:
NC peel Corrections

Suite 202, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, (252).

ms P Shem VO SOS

in the area is important to us, University
Health Systems T Children Ts Hospital offers
many other services and outreach programs
as well. From Education Nurse Specialists
who visit schools, emergency rooms and
daycare centers, to the only Level III neonatal
intensive care unit in the region.

It Ts all part of a dedication to excellence
and a commitment to providing the right
care at the right place through a network of
outstanding hospitals. For more information
on the University Health Systems hospital
nearest you, Pitt County Memorial in Green-
ville, Roanoke-Chowan in Ahoskie, Heritage
in Tarboro, Bertie Memorial in Windsor or

Chowan in Edenton, call 252-816-4526. Or,
if you prefer, visit us at www.uhseast.com.

Oh, almost forgot, you can breathe out now,

Get Your MVoice by Maill ©

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The Minority Voice: March 5 " March 19, 1999

Monte's Dining......Open for Business

Page 10

rte

"

Monte Williams has successfully combined the fine dining experience with a comfortable atmosphere and great taste of home cooked food. Like the famed Georgia's restaurant in
Los Angeles, California, Monte's Dining is definitely going to be the place where the who's who of Greenvilles most elite come to network during lunch, while family and friends
enjoy a delicious dinner.

If his grand opening on March 11 is any example of what is to come, the restaurant is already a hit. Montes Dining hosts a buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner
and is open Monday through Friday from 11 to 3 and from 5 to 8:30, Saturdays from 7 to 8:30, and Sunday from 11 to 4. Selections is sure to vary, but at the grand opening included
fried chicken, spaghetti, macaroni & cheese, collard greens, corn on the cob, rice and gravy, a salad bar, and many other items....much too many to name..

Good food coupled with a great atmosphere and excellent service. Monte has definitely created a winning combination that is sure to enjoy continued success for years to come

and for all to enjoy.

JEFF COX
=: : = = Assistant Vice-Presi
Providing Quality Financial ASS Tani ce tesicent
eq Piero owe ? a OP A et beet bo os enn aay mai " Phone: (252) 946-4700
and Services to'Individuals and Business 1-800-338-2972 139 West Third St
3 PF . Fax (252) 946-4206 Washington, NC 27889

Proverbs 29:18 tolls us, "Without vision, the people perish"

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