mV HATS IDE? Serving Eastern North Carolina Since 1981 June 1, -June 7, 1999 "Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.’ ewwoirdolildad | Aavaain saNAor weinne Barry LePatner aa.) wet 3 bf oll = Cd % °) 2 fi Bi or Are 4 ~mZ Qy MD au TS 8g ‘Laz fT = r< rh Zz Oi Trouble in Detroi The M' Voice Salutes Rocky Mt the city on the rise raises tension between B Beating death of 34-year- old man by Arab immigrants Political Perspectives Keith Cooper discusses racial profiling and the U.S. Customs. Around the world news A letter to Louis Farrakhan by Simeon Muhammad Detroit-Racial tensions remain Black and Arab communities here after the beating death of 34 year-old electrician Kalvin Porter by two Arab immigrants from Yemen. Generations Pregnant Valedictorian Loses title Town sues Gang for Damages Student- Built Satellite in trouble Faith & Inspirations From the Desk of Mrs. Beatrice Maye: Small minds | | | and the big picture | Spiritual Thoughts: The. Laying on of hands Sports in the fall Holyfied, Lewis meet again | F iliar Faces Who's in front of the MVoice camera this week? Take a look and see! Celebrating Family Reuions Local Attractions Margarette Perkins: How she made it to the top Culinary Delights: Marie Andrews explores the food of Perkin's Restraunt ~The Jim Ecuse (cimmmunicaticns Grcup President/CEO: Jim Rouse Accounts Receivable: M'Bulu Rouse THE MINORITY VOICE Editors: Trey Bankhead (In absentia) Stephen Johnson Grpahic Designer: Chris White Marketing: William Clark Brenda Rouse 405 South Evans Street Greenville, NC 27834 (252) 757-0365 (252) 757-0425 Fax: (252) 757-1793 the Jim Ecuse C crnnuumicaticns (Cup Adel Altam and Fadhel Mazeb used a stick and tire iron to allegedly beat Mr. Porter to death in front of his five children at the Sunoco gas station where the two men worked. Both men admit to the attack and are being held without bond on second-degree murder charges according to police. They will return to court May 28 for preliminary hearings police confirm that one defendant made lewd remarks to Mr. Porter's 12- Daughter, leading to an argument and a fight"My children were there and watched their father beaten and choked to death by these men", said Barbara Ann Wrght the victim's fiancee. She joined protesters at the gas station on the evening of May 18 where she expressed her outrage at the killing Ms. Wright expressed some satisfaction that that suspects Altam and Mazab were held without bond but, she is demand- ing .along with community activists, that the gas station be shut completely. Some area activists want the gas station and store turned over to area residents as compensation for Mr. Porter's wrongful death According to WHPR-FM moring talk show host Joann Watson, Sunoco world headquar- ters was contacted about the killing and issued formal apology to Ms. Wrightand the Porter family. The gas station's owner who is also an Arab and was not present during the ’ incident, also offered to to pay for Mr. Porter's funneral. Ms. Wright declined the offer Black community and political leaders have joined protests at the East Side gas station, which has not reopened since the May 14 killing. The Detroit African American Police Association, among others, have come out publicly charging Mr. Porter's death was racially motivated. When questioned by police, Mr. Mazeb admitted fighting with Mr. Porter, hitting him with the tire iron and throwing more punches as the man lay on the ground. But according to police, Mr. Altam said Mr.Porter provoked the incident "for no reason," using the stick. Then, Mr. Mazeb wrestled Mr. Porter to the ground and held him, according to Mr. Altam's statements, reported by police. The suspects’ attorney, himself a witness, said the killing was self defense. State Rep. Ed Vaughn called the death"tragic" and the result of racist attitudes in the lavks and local Arab merchants Chaldean/Arab community. "The vast majority of food and beverage stores in the city are owned by Chaldeans and in recent years other Arabs. Most of them have never attempted to make inroads into the Black community. They don't care about Black folks and don't want anything to do with us except to take our money" said Rep. Vaughn."I believe the killing was racially motivated and needs to be investigated by the Justice Department as a hate crime. The disrespect of African Americans by Chaldeans and the Arab community has been an ongoing problem; it's not new,” commented activist Joe Madison, former execu- tive director of the Detroit NAACP.Detroit has one of the largestArab populations outside of the Middle East with more than 200,000 people. After the 1967 riots,Arab Americans gained a foot- hold in ownership of inner-city stores, replacing fleeing white and Jewish store owners. Most of the Arab store owners are Chaldeans from Iraq. Arab American business leader Ed Deeb called the killing a tragedy, but not a racial incident. "There are cultural differences and the men involved were from Yemen, so there was a problem with language” he said. Mr.Deeb helped organize a community meeting along with the Michigan Food and Bev erage Association and the Detroit police department in an effort to calm an angryBlack com- munity. According to Mr. Deeb, 70 percent of stores in Detroit proper are Arab-owned,with 52 percent Arab ownership in the sur- rounding areas. Many Detroit Blacks accuse Arab business Min Farrakhan addressed the problem of disrespect of Blacks and the need for properbehavior last November, during an address to a predominantly Arab audi- ence at the Islamic Center in Dearborn, Mich. -Mm. Dawud Muhammad of poor treatment, high prices, out dated food and few or no Black employees. Some activists report serious incidents of beatings of Black customers suspected of stealing by store employees, sales of cigarettes to children and sexual harassment of Black women. "We need to stop spending money with people and companies who are not serving us and who undervalue our lives. "We need an organized effort to send a message to merchants;’ said Rev. Wendell Anthony, Detroit NAACP executive director. Rev. Anthony felt it was premature to call the killing racially motivated. The NAACP has joined a coalition of — Arab/Chaldean American and Black groups formed as a response to the death. The coa lition includes the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Urban League, New Detroit, Inc., the Muslim Center, the Arab- American Chamber of Commerce and several others. The group plans to promote a code of conduct for merchants, training for store em- ployees, and greater access to capital and more business opportu- nities for Blacks. “It is obvious that the relationship between Blacks and Arab people is not an ideal one; noted Mm. Dawud Muhammad, of the Nation of Islam. He felt it was too early to label the death as racially moti- vated. But, Mm. Dawud added, the Hon. Louis Farrakhan ad- dressed the problem of disrespect of Blacks and the need for proper be ‘havior jast November, during an address to a predominantly Arab audience at the Is lamic Center in Dearborn, Mich. Mm. Farrakhan warned business lead-ers that their religious principles should be evident in the way they treat communities that they service, said Mm. Dawud, who oversees Detroit's Muhammad Mosque No. 1. Mm. Dawud also said he has spoken with Ms. Wright, offering condolences and what ever assistance that she might need. Rep. Vaughn predicts the Porter deathwill result in more activism and exacerbate racial tensions in the city. "The activist community is very upset;’ he said. Kalvin Porter had just proposed to his girlfriend of 10 years, Ms. Wright, the day he died. A fund has been established for his children. Contributions can be made to: The Porter Children's Fund, do First Independence Bank, 44 Michigan Ave., Detroit, *¢ Black Legislator leverages support for Black Newspapers Raleigh--Black newspapers are part of the print media's main event, not a side show", — said (D-Cumb) Rep. Mary B. McAllister, "It is sad that African Clty Council members Ruffus Huggins and Mildred Council (vennod Fescenls request Sneed Bun Greenville, NC --City Council Members Mildred council and Rufus Huggins held a_ press conference Friday June 4, 1999 in the Moyewood Development. It appears the residents are upset with the city's efforts to slow motorist by constructing road blocks and center lane dividers ‘cars still speed through now they simply drive around the dividers causing even more of a yroblem' states one resident. 30th Mildred Council and Rufus Huggins assured residents they would do everything possible to rectify the problem several months ago as a attempt to slow down speeding motorist as well as tiring to prevent them from Fane hee as a short cut to the hospital or highway 43 the city constructed several road blocks deterring traffic as well as Center _ dents including one directly into lane dividers. One parent states ‘I'm afraid to let my children outside to play cars drive through here so fast and there have already been several acci- the center lane divider’ she added "a lot of kids play on that divider as if it's a toy I'm afraid someone is going to get killed Other controversy surrounding the dividers as one residents states "All we needed was simple speed bumps, but instead they installed bars | have to wonder if places like Brook Valley have these type of things it's ridiculous and truly haven't solved the problem. Several months ago the M' Voice spoke to county and city officials to see if the barriers were to be perma- nent fixture, at that time the .. matter was still under advise- ment Americans in the newspaper business still have to make a case for the legitimacy of their market and have to assert their right to be in this game." Rep. McAllister is part of a growing number of Black elected leaders nationwide encouraging the use of public policy as a tool to break down economic injustice and stimulate community development - this is key to the growth of black owned businesses. It is vital that all businesses be responsive to the minority market. "It's past time businesses black and white show appreciation and awareness of black publishers by purchasing advertising in their newspapers. Print media is an awesome weapon at our disposal!" McAllister continued. America has an emerging middle class and doing business with black news- papers makes sound business sense. Black capitalism is clearly the next logical move for the black minority in America. Black publishers have played a crucial role in the emergence of African American — businesses and leadership) = and_—_ will continue to do so in the future Black leaders cannot continue to ignore the clear message that in order for black businesses to survive they must be able to withstand a thorough public audit that will occur in the printed news. Black newspapers can. verify that African American businesses and advertisers in black newspapers are getting tangible, quantifiable results. "The black press has functioned as the crusading press for too long without being suffi- ciently compensated" McAllister concluded. Black publications have been operating since 1927. Since the beginning of the civil rights era it has had to face opposition from white competitors, although they traditionally continue to ignore and misrepresent dark- hued Americans Soul 92 Shown above at the studios of Eastern NC number one soul& Black own radio sta- tion Chuck Johnson owner & G.M. who is the son of the late whois the son of the late Charles Johnson who was a good friend of Publisher Jim Rouse Hats off to Soul 92 photo by JimRouse » mms A Letter to the ' ; scape nnn Brit ds of Farrakhan The Nation of Islam Dear Friend & Supporters As-Salaam Alaikum: (Peace be unto you) On behalf of Minister Louis Farrakhan and the National Board of Laborers, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your prayers and the many well wishes recéived3__to know that today he is more from around the world during the time of the Minister's recovery. As you may know, the media has engaged in a campaign to misinform the public aboutMinister Farrakhan's health. We can't let them be successful. The Nation of Is lam wants you to know that Minister Farrakhan is recovering and in good spirits The Minister wants you than ever committed to you and our people. For forty-four years, Minister Farrakhan has served us. He is an excellent representative of truth and uncompromising leadership in defense of Black people in America, and op- pressed people around the world.We are proud to an- nounce that we have launched a National Drive - "Friends of Farrakahan and the Nation of Islam." With your help, the support received through the Drive will assist Minister Farrakhan in continuing his efforts to strengthen our com- munities spiritually, morally and economically. Minister Farrakhan is planning an am- bitious agenda for us, as we approach the year 2000. He intends to launch a 40 city tour to promote family and to WTOW iis ANY ‘99 MAK OICE a Y BOY Bey — soho Family Sedans 1998 Chevy Malibu - V-6, All Power. . 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Tax taqs & fees extra MRA FR i ‘SSS cE SS Rg EE cr House lawmakers want more money for poor schools RALEIGH—Ninety-four of the state House's: 120 members -have gotten behind a move to put more money for the state's poorer school districts in the budget. Lawmakers say there is a’growing’ disparity between rich and poor counties that they'd like 'to"clése. Money is tight this year, however, and the state Senate may not agree. Cosby raises $150,000 for adult literacy program GREENSBORO—Comic superstar Bill Cosby gave a benefit performance in Greensboro's War Memorial Auditorium over the weekend to benefit Reading Connections, a local Guilford, County adult literacy program which’has helped 2,060 people learn how to read and write. Cosby raised $150,000 for the cause. Officer accused of punching three- year old ROLSESVILLE—A 30 year- old Rolesville police officer has been arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly punching a three- year old child in the face, blooding his nose. Officer Gordon Jenkins has been in the Rolesville Police Department for over four years. He has been suspended pending an internal investigation More N.C. students charged with bomb threats WINSTON-SALEM—The maddening bomb threat craze in our schools since the April 20 Columbine High massacre in Colorado continues. Two Winston-Salem high school students, ages 15, were charged with leaving two notes threatening to blow up the school in the girl's bathroom at Parkland High School Monday. The school was evacuated. Those two are in juvenile detention now. Bill would give more property tax relief to elderly’ RALEIGH—With property taxes in Wake County a certainty to go up in order to pay for new schools, many of the elderly are afraid they'll lose their homes because they can't afford the hike. But a state House committee yesterday approved a measure that would give seniors relief. If passed, those 65 and older with incomes $20,000 or less, would not pay property tax on the first $25,000 evaluation of their home. That bill now goes to the full House. New mom charges with cocaine possession CLINTON—A: mother in Clinton, North Carolina has been charged with felony possession of cocaine after officials tested her newborn baby for the drug, and the test was positive. Shirley Lee Williams was charges, authorities say, because in order for the cocaine to show 4 Shae Ne ee A Me ay ~~? by Keith Cooper Very often around this country, the term racial profiling" surfaces to remind people that many law enforcement agencies scrutinize people who fit a certain arbitrary pre ile of someone perceived to € a danger or threat to society. However, racial profiling has raised many constitutional issues, such as privacy and equal pro- tection concerns. The US. Customs Service is one of many agencies criticized for targetin racial minorities in ille F searches, a violation of ihe Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Janneral Denson recently gave congressional rep- resentatives a chillin account of how Cistoms her assed her in Florida. The hearing was about the inspection of pas sengers by the U.S. Customs Service. On February 14, 1997, Janneral, Denson (Jamaican American) tried to get a passport for her husband to come to the U.S. About 6 1/2 months pregnant, she’ encountered a horrendous climate of racial hostility after she got off a plane at the Fort Lauderdale Airport in Florida. The firs Customs agent stamped her passport and let her pass. he second agent asked her if she could search her useage Denson was then asked a barrage of intimidating ques tions. Mrs. Denson specified the details of her visit with her husband, showed her marriage certificate, her husband's birth certificate,photos of the chil- dren, irnmigra tion documents, and other papers. Later, the agent tore a paper from Denson's notepad and asked her to describe her husband, write his lull name, address and phone number. Hungry, Denson was escorted to a restroom and ordered to leanagainst the wall and spread her legs. According to Denson, she was asked to show her panty liner and the tissue she wiped herself with after she urinated. Wisely, Denson wrote down the badge number of the agents after she was denied the opportututy to contact her lawyer Mrs, Denson was then taken to Miami where she was humiliated. and dehumanized flirther. vaginal exam recorumended that- she be taken to the labor and delivery ward. Denson was hand-cuffed to a bed rail after a urine sample was _ taken. Janneral had a problem preg- nancy. The victim was taken to Ward 6 where she was given a cold sandwich and orange juice. Handcuffed to a bed, she was ordered to drink a clear laxative. She wasn't even allowed to call mom. Denson alleged that she was forced to use a bedpan and dump it after no incriminatin evidence was found. Additionally Denson overheard an agent call her that thing". she Hey drank the laxative mixed with orange juice and ice. Denson, who vomited after the cocktail, passed two clear stools. She was returned to Fort Lauderdale. For the next two days, Mrs. Denson had severe di- arrhea and excruciating pain. Hence, a doctor was forced to perform — an emergency Cesarean, Ed Cox, a powerfiil Chicago at torney, is representing Denson and numerous other complain- ants. Many of his clients were abused and harassed at O'Hare Nonetheless, International Airport. According: to Cox, over 100 women, mostly: black, from a multitude of states: have complained about unlawtut searches, All of the women have similar stories about having been handcuffed, x-rayed, and held communicado, We must do more to address perpetuating racial stereotypes, which encour- age deep rooted bias against people of color, The U grigad Voice: June 1- - June 7, 1999 ‘— Fe er-