nem,’ DEDICATED To THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF | AFRICAN 1 AMERICANS SERVING PRINCEVILLE TARBORO ROCKY MOUNT WILLIAMSTO ON PITT & — cme SINCE 1980 $02 SSWTD-198 vs! a ee 4 ii 1 Amt ie | | | Kao ) me , SANS “AES = (Retail Value: 50 Cents) fg ee. CT Vol: XCM May 2008 oc, Hao aed "MODS “Seo sen | THE QUEEN OF LATE pee ) cress) Florida offers formal s avery apol ogy | WOOW JOY 1340 AM En ! WEEKNIGHTS 7P-10P| BY MARC CAPUTO down in 1868 — three years Crist, who attended the floor a** er a after the Civil War ended. vote, said, “Florida is sorry 4 a : The Legislature issued an ee : _ for the past transgressions and : c apology Wednesday forthe .‘’I knew the facts, but to hear _unfair treatment and in some state's ‘’shameful” history in _ it put in those terms, I just fell cases just gross inequity as it enslaving black people and —_—_apart,” Joyner said. Said exists toward members of the passing laws that called for Bullard: *“I felt a pain that African-American . savage lashings and even the — wouldn’t go away.” community.” nailing of their ears to posts for crimes like burglary. After the measure passed ona Are there still inequities voice vote without opposition today, considering that about The Legislature expresses _in the Senate, where President _ half the state’s prison 4 AI its profound regret for Ken Pruitt wanted no population of 96,000 is black, ~ Florida’s role in sanctioning discussion or recorded vote, while only about 16 percent and perpetuating involuntary the House did the same. of the state’s total population | servitude upon generations of House Speaker Marco Rubio is black? # African slaves,” said the thanked both Pruitt and the resolution, sponsored by black lawmakers. Democratic Sens. Larcenia Bullard of Miami and Arthenia Joyner of Tampa sobbed during the reading of the resolution and the recounting of the slave codes passed by the Territorial Council in 1822 and struck black caucus for bringing uP the resolution. The measure stops short of calling for reparations for descendants of slaves, though Republican Gov. Charlie Crist said after the vote that he was open to the idea “if we can determine descendancy, certainly.” *That’s hard to determine. ~ You have to analyze these on a case-by-case basis,” Crist said. ‘Whether or not there have been injustices in a case based upon race must be determined by the facts of that case.” Rep. Joseph Gibbons, a Florida cont. pg5...... Ken Pruitt embrace We Inesday Sen. Tony Hill of Jacksonville, ear, and Senate te President | ne 1 | HE WILMINGTON The trial of JOURNAL Superstar | page 7 are over, but that doesn’t mean that the voter empowerment work of the NC NAACPis finished. If anything, itis just really just The state’s oldest and most respect-ed civil rights organization is inthe midst of its nonpartisan Voter Registration, Voter Education, and “ Voter Participation Plan Initiative (VEPREP). The goal, to NC NAACP President Rev. ~ William Barber, is not only. to - Tegister at least 25,000 North Carolinians to. vote by October, but also educate all North Carolina voters about the important issues facing. the state and nation, motivate ex-felons to reclaim their By Cash Michaels Contributing Writer DURHAM - She was the first African American induct- . ‘ed into the N.C. Journalism THE MINORITY VOICE | Hall of Fame alongside such *journalistic. greats. like David NEWSPAPER PICK UP YOUR COPY TODAY Brinkley, and Thomas. C. ; | Jervay Sr., founder/publisher of The Wilmington Journal. This pioneering Black woman held literally every position at The Carolina Times, the Durham Black newspaper her father, Louis Austin, founded in 1922, ultimately becoming its publisher in “1971, And when she finally turned the state’s oldest Black newspaper officially over to her son, Kenneth, in’ 2002, ~ The historic May 6 primaries. Vivian Edmonds voting rights, and bolster Get Out To Vote (GOTV) efforts across the state -especially in communities with tradi-tion low voter participation. : The NC NAACP’s VEPREP Initiative effort is spearheaded by NC NAACP Political Action Committee Chairman Dr. Jarvis Hall of North Carolina Central University “The NAACP has worked or almost 100 years to encourage and support the right to vote and fought against those who try to stifle this right,” Rev. Barber said in a - Statement, “In this critical election year, we must ensure that people who are - vot-ing for the first time ever know their rights, and are educated about the process.” —_- “We are not assuming that North Carolinais immune [to the ] Florida- type shenanigans that we saw fin 2000],” Barber continued. “The grass-roots Community must be Vivian Austin Edmonds blazed a historic trail for other African American journalists to follow, Six. years after her retire-ment, Edmonds died Sunday at N.C. Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill. She .was..80.-years. old..“‘My mother was. dedicated service ‘that this newspaper to the Black Press, and the provided for our community,” Kenneth Edmonds, Vivian Edmond’s son and successor, told The Carolinian Tuesday, A Durham native, Edmonds was revered in the Bull City community for always reflecting the pulse of the in both The Carolina Times’ coverage of major events like the 60s civil rights movement, LN C NAACP mounts massive voter regist organized, coordinated and assertive.” Other goals of the NC NAACP’s VEPREP Initiative include distribu-tionof the NAACP National Voter Guides/ Candidates Questionnaires for the November General Election; distribution of the NC NAACP’s HK on J Legislative Report Cards and promotion of the HK on J 14- poinit People’s Agenda; developing public service‘announcements for televi-sion, radio and print publications to reach the community’ about the importance of voter registration, education and- participation; engag-ing local communities and college campuses statewide in VEPREP Initiative effors. There is no doubt that the NC NAACP’s election year voter focusis riding a wave in the state. New voter registration has exploded beyond 100,000 in and its piercing editorials in the battle for equal rights for African Americans. A graduate of Hillside High School in 1944, and North Carolina Central University four years later, young Vivian Austin: worked: exhaustively with her father to publish the Times for several years before finally returning to NCCU to earn her masters degree in guidance and counseling. Continuing to work at the Times part-time, Vivian Austin Edmonds devoted 12 years to serving as a. guidance coun-selor for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City school system. . In 1971, after the death of her father, publisher Louis Austin, iar cd Rey William ] oe North Carolina since J anuary In last week’s primary which featured perhaps the hottest A aperenL aa aa to North Carolina in 20 years helm as publisher full-time. ‘Beyond being inducted into the N.C. Journalism Hall of Fame in 1988 (her father was inducted posthumously in 2006) and having a scholarship fund in her name at the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication,Mrs. Edmonds has also been hon-ored with the Living Legacy Award from Shaw University, and the Durham YWCA’s Women of Achievement — pro-gram’s Outstanding Woman Award. Edmonds has also been recognized for her work and community service by the Boy Scouts of America, the Durham ~~" Chapter of Squaws, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Vivian Edmonds took over the Inc with senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, of the 5,811,778 registered voters in the pe eg ai Carolina Times publisher dead at 80 Edmonds was also a mem-ber of the N.C. Black Publishers Association. A memorial _ service/ visita-tion in honor of Vivian Austin Edmonds is scheduled for Friday, May 16, at 6:30p.m., at St, Joseph's AME Church on Fayetteville Street. Graveside rites will be Saturday at 12 noon at Beechwood Cemetery in Durham. The family. asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made, to the St. Joseph's AME Cater iclership Fund. "T think the debt issue is off the delegates that Barack Obama. a7 fact, in this context where ~ table, She does not need to cannot win white working working class votefs are the * negotiate for Obama to pay her class votes. — most devastated segment of } campaign debt, since Bill has ee ee the electorate, they are. -. _ Way more than enough money ‘Ia recent interview with = unlikely to go as a group to do that. But, Democratic USA Today Clinton said that John McCain, but are instead party leaders are hoping that she had ot broader base likely to split. Some will 2 will get out of the race and that, “Senator Obama’s indeed go to McCain, some oon under conditions that Support among working, hard yi) hold their nose and . favor the party winning in the Working Americans, white support Obama and others — fall-campaign, which means gee will stay home. Those who 9 - that she does not beat up the don’t support Obama, he Dos Won “presumptive nominee so badly (North Carolina pam however, should be made up Columnist = vo that he limps into the election, 1 supporting me.” This, by the huge numbers of new i reference to “hard-working voters that his campaign is . I remember that question. Yet, many people think thatthe whit People,” was created by attracting. They cite voter “What does Jesse want?” “damaged goods” scenario, conservatives in the 1980s as registration results of: asked of Rev, Jesse which causes Obama to loose a euphemism for whites, a 200,000 new Democrats in Jackson, Sr. by the media. the fall, is what she wants term which conveyed that Pennsylvania, 165,000 in when he had been defeated Decause it would allow Hillary they were not lazy, welfare North Carolina, and 150 ,000 ‘badly in the New York ~ © campaign again for cheating Blacks: This was in Indiana, ; Primary in his 1984 president in 2012. another rare a er by the oe Fae ee 1,,... candidate, which rai ‘ — Barae 2's dazzling ‘6 St hoatiatt for” Sica ie Pert vate in eyebrows because of the performance shows that in’ y this strategy. That is, if she attempt to further blacken order to win you have to ene Qoiese ae Paty candidat in Cpa g, know something about the clare an election that by every we Sei Gist the aornination WWas Out "measure is poised to take the Frustrated at losing, all the ie rl fos : Gi nand, but it wasn't about Write House and expand its Clinioa campaign has left is straction to the electorate ee nattgel meaning of oud in te Hoan ated Senste, he biglynoat dhe and ha mi viechene' rice da winning, we had an it will not endear the new party surrogates are making that the working class anxiety Opportunity to further: = snaders to her 2012 candidacy. Democratic party needs blue- empower our community, fh | calles whites, the ab-called as I have previously Also, it will most certainly not “Reagan Democrats,” : suggested here, nae ycdgrelaa arte Furthermore they are touting Bh gid } su er then and he will be hi ba ) vom il a a aie party leader as a result pega rasa she Dr Ron Mortal ale ‘cuentsitistics, wich Soyer may rae cpealy Wie ees will Schae Bwee othe have igi og far SUbport her if she causes their Gallup pol er > salem - votes, ae 160 pledged ‘ roa leg ihe an reg ie cates ve lage sd Pls a he ay gd ‘Super delegates, which srsiner dren defered within 3 of gives him the overall ey percentage point + Iead. She is I think her sights are still tied. Winning the 2004 election, Ftime to get the to winning in 2008, A hint of The study goes on to say that ; mpunder which this may be the tht she is Obamawwillwinthe same === | et, i8, Under de Rett sence wi appeal to Red state voters a i “ 2 i i aura in. will she °° yam na may be t “ | Minority Voce May 9- May 16, 2008 pg2 Marin Woh in, homes on the banks of the: ' Potomac. ~ But many long-time local - tesidents use Washington’s other name-the District of _ Columbia. While the District's __ streets course through middle- _ Tow houses fronting well-kept. _ lawns, its overall | poverty rate has reached. its highest level i in | neatly ten years, Sadly, the et Washington and the District of _ over the past two decades. ~ Acc cord g to the D.C. Fiscal: athde. Policy Institute’s October 2007 Teport,“D.C.’sTwo Economies: Many Residents’ Are Falling Behind Despite the City’ S$ Revitalization,” the __ wagé gap between D.C.’s _ pe highest earners (the top 20 percent) and the lowest (the - bottom 20 percent) is ie , widest it has been since 1979, And the number of © = inerentct District resident ~ has grown, According to the "income communities with neat socioeconomic divide between : _ Columbia has been widening Shared by a considerable ONS - ston’ Two Eeonomies-A Growing ” segment of the District's $. _ Institute report, nearly 20°. Black population and the least ae: percent, or one in five District educated residents who have residents, have incomes remained sunken at the _ below the poverty level. Since: bottom. - the late 1990s, about 27,000. : D.C. residents have fallen According tothe Institute into poverty. _. Teport, the median income for me White households in Despite the recent economic Washington grew from _ downturn, Washington’s. .. . $55,000 in 1980 to $92,000 in strong economy has been ©-—-—-2006 (in 2006 dollars). The anchored by large employers. incomes of the least paid such as the federal” . _ workers (when adjusted for 2 government, the District inflation) have stayed " government, universities, _ practically unchanged over hospitals and corporate . __. the last three decades, The offices. The city also has "incomes of Black households - experienced’a boom in ~ from 1980 to 2006 have. ~ commercial and residential _ Temained essentially flat at construction. Long seen as $34,500. In addition, | “recession proof,” the: employment for Black adults Washington economy is _has declined steadily since the strong. The economy has _ ate 1980s, from 62 percent in _ produced jobs for skilled and _ 1988 to 51 percent in 2006. well-educated workers who Only two other U.S. cities, have seen their incomes soar, _ Tampa and Atlanta, have While a large segment of the worse income disparities. _ Washington population is -One’s level of education can economically successful, that be critical for economic __ prosperity has not been Success, Just 51 percent of D.C. residents with only a | What Does Hillary Want? ‘volunteer. Jealous comes to the ae ‘NAACP as a scholar, having P. - degree from Oxford _ University, in Oxford, Income Gap high school diploma had jobs; site ais 0, The this is the lowest level in first thing that must be done nearly 30 years. _. is to improve the quality of education at all levels- One-third of the District’s . preschool, elementary, — children are poor, compared secondary and | with 16 percent of adults ages postsecondary-as well as 18 t0.64, In 2004, provide job training | approximately 22,000 District - programs that will « equip - families with children had District residents with the incomes below 200 percent of skills that will enable them _ the federal poverty line, or less to participate and succeed in than about $31 000 fora the city’s economy. _ family of three. Seventy-four Residents who are stuck in percent of these were working low-wage jobs and striving | families with one or more to stay off public assistance parents who. worked at least _rolls need’ ‘support. We must — part of the year. About 12 000 provide that support by of these low-income District establishing decent Tine families with children-more wages, child care than half-included adults who assistance, health care worked miore than half of the coverage and affordable year. In many cases, the housing. eS parents worked full-time and year-round, Overall, some ; Meta iin 47,000 District residents, . roshive! vba peed ie including 27,000 children, Council whose 0 lived in families that were Behind} wision, ee poor or near-poor despite Head Start, a Pair Start, a Safe working most of the year. Start and a Moral Start in life | . and successful passage to This problem must be | pry ta ab help of e communities. mung brother by Wilbert A. Tatum Publisher Emeritus and Chairman of the Board . . A young Black man waa te name of Benjamin Todd | _ Jealous has been ‘selected by the board of the National Association for the — J ; _ Advancement of Colored mere Tine venga People to be its president and — the 200 Black newspapers chief executive officer. Jealous in America. was sclocted recently after ‘ In each of Ben’s positions— long search. As peculiar as it, all at the level of executive may seem, they could have — «ditector or piesident—he found Ben in their own — ‘has brou a8 ght to the es backyard, for he has been _ organizations his formidable active with the NAACP since i childhood. He is now 35 > ear Journalistic skills, ~ of age mae . Community organizing background and familiarity Inhis teenage years ses was a With all of the civil rights community organizer—among organizations i in the Unite other things—with the .. _, Stal ng NAACP, and he very often found himself returning to the organization as a consultant, speaker, member and - earned a master of science England, and a bachelor of arts degree from Columbia University in New York City, He, incidentally, is a Rhodes scholar. | He comes directly to the NAACP following his position _°O™™™Nity educator of the wing his position NAACP legal defense fund as president of the Rosenberg : Foundation, a Private, sky ‘nor ens ben Abolish the Death Penalty, managing editor of the Jackson Advocate, and institution that anppons one a Bh exheenty rights a Prior to that, “te NAACP ad N ane ‘io a COMMUNITY NEWS _ Minority Voice May 9 - May 16, 2008 pg3 here no rreiake | in tommorow, * fovitis yet unborn : “We should be concerned ‘about the only day left - ales of} just one day. Iti is aly when you and I add the burdens of those awful eternities — - yesterday and tomorrow that we break down. It is not the experi- _ i ae ence of today that drives man Mrs Beatrice Maye _ mad - - it is remorse or POINTS TO PONDER: . © bitterness for something - +" which happened yesterday | There are two days j in and the dread of what tomor- every week about which . Tow may bring. Let us, we should not worry - - therefore live but one day at a two days kept free from __ time. fear and apprehension. — ~ Reprinted from ADRDA. Les One of these daysis + Vegas Chapter yesterday with its mis- ot takes and cares, its faults BITS AND PIECES and blunders, its aches How To Find Happiness and pains. Yesterday has . | passed forever beyond — To find happiness you must our control. All the — stop complaining and start money in the world __ Praising. Stop looking for cannot bring back yester- __friendship and start being day. We cannot undo a friendly. Stop pining for single act we performed; things you have not and be we cannot erase a single content with what you have. word we said. Yesterday Stop looking for someone to is gone. help you and devote'yourself The other day we should to helping others, Stop con- not worry about is centrating on what you've tommorrow with its accomplished-and nek on possible adversities, its what others have doste for . burdens, its large promise You. " and poor performance. Wisdom Tommorrow is beyond We must be silent, before we our immediate control. can listen. We must listen before we can learn, We must learn before we can serve. We Tammmarow s sun will . ets gining A World Without Newspapers For the news iPvpiiness, the news “stinks”, said one reporter for an outstanding newspaper. A new report 7 “the Pew Foundation’s Projec for Excellence i Jourralign has ~ found that the 1 newspaper industry’s decline accelerated - Jast year, with circulation i ing 2.5 percent and. Suejette A. Jem. - advertising revenue falling mh With revenues sinking, _ Newspapers are cutting thei ' Reporting staff's and curtailing - coverage. But, the Pew report found, there is a glimmer of hope. Newspa- oes oe thought of as websites and connecting with ~ teaders in new ways, In fact; many of the top website destinations are traditional _ hews brands such as The New York Times, proving citizens still want what these compa- nies produce — original reporting. There’s a problem,. though: on the Web, readers get it all for free. “The audience still sees alot of value i in "must serve before we can. lead, Friendliness Sometimes the Christian life boils down to the uncommon expression of common vir- tues. For example, you would expect that people indwelt by the Spirit of love would be friendly. What a difference practicing that virtue would make in society! Tim Sanders, in his book: Likeability Factor, says that a person who provides others with "a sense of joy, happi- ness, relaxation, or rejuvena- tion" is more likely to be hired or promoted, He main- tains that some companies have actually abolished unfriendliness. They call their system I.0.N.U.: "I observe no unfriendliness." That principle should be ‘practiced by the citizens of Christ's kingdom. When — people are asked what they look for in a church, their number-one f friendliness. Unfortunately, the reality is that many churchgoers are as distant asa star and as cold as space. The Lord told ancient Israel that He "loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing" (Deuteronomy 10:18). He commanded them to emulate His behavior (v.19). Friendliness is not just a wise business practice, it should be a characteristic of all who follow Christ. When you attend your church today, act in such a way that a new- - comer could say, “I observe no unfriendliness." “Haddon Robinson THINKING IT OVER What .are the key elements that‘help a church to be meaningful? - "In a world wheremany people couldn't care less, Christians should be people who couldn't care more." _ news found: in traditional media, while bloggers spin and analyze it. Finding out what politicians don’t want us to know — whether in our -hometowns or in Washington or Iraq — is hard work, and it’s expensive. When newspa- pers that now do that work shed most of their reporting staffs, or go out of business entirely, what will everyone else write about? That’s a truly scary thought. Opinion-oriented websites have contributed greatly to the. national disclosure, but such sites have small staffs and virtually no reporters. Con- _ trast that to The New york Times, which has about 1,200 newsroom employees, or the _ Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times with 800 or 900 each. Yes, some may be lazy or biased or sloppy. But most are committed to ferret- ing out information form the dark places in which govern- ments hide the truth. Out political system relies on the informed consent of its citizens, and that means we, need the information that Newspapers are in the busi- ness of digging up, Without it, itis impossible not to wonder what will become of not just news but democracy itself. Source: Teaching Points Vacations: ‘An Saiangned’e Tradition “iad cites oi aid ably kick back fora week ona ~ —happ sundrenched beach, But the. : e” the en aM just doesn’t take vacations anymore. “And when I do,” she complains, I have my computer, my email, and my - phone with me at all times.” Jane might have qualified as a workaholic a few years ago, but now her obsessive behav- ior has become the norm. _ American workers, who already take fewer vacations than their counterparts in other industrialized nations, “have pruned back their leisure days.even more.” A stunning 60% of Americans don’t currently plan to take a vacation during the future — ) the lowest rate since 1978. “The idea of somebody going away for two weeks,” said AAA spokesman “is really becoming a thing of the past.” There are several reasons why: With a full tank of gas Costing a lot, and air travel ‘Now So stressful and time- consuming, many people have soured on taking long trips. And Americans have always worked harder than everyone . else, believing that “their identity and self-worth” depend on it. But the main culprit is fear of job less in an age of globalization and outsourcing, One recent poll found that only 35% of = people now feel secure in their positions.’ Employers exploit this anxiety to keep workers from taking time off, which is why it is time Con- . THE EDITOR - Are you one of the millions of individuals who never have time for self? You find your- self tending to so many other people that you never have time to tend to yourself. Leading a hectic life is a’ juggling act. Forget those deadlines, those meetings, those conferences. Are you at peace with yourself? Do you = feel energetic and full of life? Are you in touch with your inner spirit? Are you in good health? The truth is too many of you never take stock of your lives, never stop long enough to truly reflect on your own wellbeing. Too many of us never give our physical or spiritual well- being the attention each deserves. What you may not realize is that one nourishes the other. When your spiritual - self is cared for and nurtured, - Capitalist society is just too deeply ingrained. So is our thirst for material goods. Given the options of toiling for a big-screen plasma TV or going fishing, who wouldn’t choose thé former? Still, "there must be a happy me- dium. It is estimated that Americans save their employ- _érs-more $ 21 billion annually in unused vacation time. But these savings are illusory, considering the cost of stress, therapy, accidents, lost pro- y, and other problems flicting overworked, ex- hausted employees. overtime, | and sweat make for a healthy . “But so does well- ony leisure.” Resbecchiaty submitted..... Suejette A. Jones Words of Wisdom “Expect nothing, Live fru- gally on surprise.” Alice Walker “Excess on occasion in exhilarating. It prevents Moderation from acquiring the deade | ning effects of a habit.” _ 'W. Somerset Maugham “Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” : John F.Kennedy — Pies «inna by is uestion ater than by is answer” eo Voltaine it helps to replenish, rejuve- nate and safeguard your physical self. And when it Comes to our health we can use all the help we can get. Some may scoff at the con- ~ Rection between spirituality and physical well-being. According to the researchers, churchgoers have a healthier immune system than those who don't attend services regularly, and women appear to benefit even more than men. Spirituality not only improves your immune _ system, enabling your body to better fight disease, but it also “act as a buffer against the ill effects of stress, Material goods may be lost, people may come in and out of your life, but your body and soul will fortify the other. Be concerned about your health. Achieve total health - a healthy mind, body and spirit. Beatrice Maye “Better to do something imperfectly than to do noth- ing flawlessly.” Robert Schuller “Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn’t block traffic.” ~ Dan Rather “No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one.” ‘Elbert Hubbard a: Minority Voice May 9 - May 16, 2008 ped Sow A Seed Joy R. Brown To My Mother With Love The month of May has been exclusively designed to celebrate and’ honor mothers. As I embarked upon that special day, I carefully captured the fond memories of my mother. | do not choose to, only celebrate my mother once a year, but every day that God allows me to rise up early in the morning, I thank Him for the many blessings, and of course, my mother is named among them. I honor my mother for being a true woman of God and for loving me past my many flaws. | appreciate her for the many sacrifices she ‘made for me to have what I } Teed, " T appreciate ‘her for giving. of her: time. A appreciate the many seeds she sowed into my life, My mother has always been my greatest supporter in all that I endeavor to do. She always encouraged me to never give up but to continue on until I ee ee ae ee Se hl ee reach my goals. Over twenty years gave me a card that I’ve treasured to this very day. On the front of the card, the famous poem was written, “Don’t Quit.” Whenever I want to hit the pause button on life, J remember. the poem, and continue tO move on. special, but mine is especially dear to me. She holds a special place where no one can ever touch. Even though every day has not been the easiest for my .. mother, she has remained faithful to the call-of duty as the chosen mother for me. Through every trial and test, she’s endured and for never giving upon me...I salute my mother on today. I appreciate the love and the: many prayers you’ve sent to God on my behalf. I know they were answered in more ways than one, Each day I choose to celebrate you and who you are in God. I'll always respect and honor you for being the woman you are. Dedicated to the world’s greatest mother. ..Ms. Virginia L: Brown of’ Washington, NC From the daughter who has “elevated your prayer life to another level... Ms. Joy R. Brown Mon-Wed 8:30am: 6:00pm | Thurs - Sat 8:00am - 7:30pm ago, my mother — _ All mothers are_ Newly Appointed Pastor... of Christ Disciples Of Christ in Roper, NC. The Minister of Music is Michael “ Early In The Morning” Early of Elder Russell Early(far right) has been elected Pastor of the Union Chapel Church WOOW 1340 AM, who is also his brother. Standing with her husband is First Lady Carmalinda Early. mm CFNC org/NC529 Take the first step ard college Pili * Open an NC 529 savings plan today The path to college is shorter than you think. The sooner you start a college savings program, the easier it will be. All the advantages of North Carolina's 529 college savings plan can help, including: * No enrollment fees or sales charges _ * Astate income tax deduction on contributions for NC taxpayers * Earnings that are free from federal and state income taxes when used for qualified higher education expenses * Awide variety of investment choices from multiple managers And your savings can be used at t virtually any college, anywhere in the country. . 800.600.3453 Flora cone. Pembroke Park Democrat, said the incarceration rate “is a vestige of slavery... When you don’t have opportunities, you turn to other things. . . you get frustrated and don’t want to participate in the system.” - | He said fellow black lawmakers “*aren’t going to fall into that trap” about reparations because the resolution wasn’t “about people wanting to get paid.” Legislators in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia have recently issued formal apologies for slavery, and New Jersey became the first northern state to apologize in January, according to The Associated” Press. The curator of Florida’s historic Capitol, former state house clerk John Phelps, read legislators a history of the slave codes in Florida and listed statistics showing the importance and brutality of the slavery in the state, Phelps said that, according to an 1855 Senate journal, the state had nearly 111,000 residents, 44 percent black. And of Florida’s $49 million in property value at the time, 55 percent was in slaves. Phelps singled out a letter written by Gov. Richard Keith Call to.a Northerner in the hopes of explaining the Southern mindset over ‘slavery to avert the Civil War. Of blacks, Call wrote: “Here was an animal, in the form of a man, possessing the greatest physical power and the _ greatest capacity for labor and endurance. . . . A wild barbarian, to be tamed and civilized by the discipline of slavery.” Call was a personal aide to “future President Andrew Jackson when the general launched the Seminole Wars and made Florida a territory, in part to ensure that slaves ~_ escaping from Georgia had no safe haven to the south. Phelps ticked off the various lashings — 39 in some cases and a lethal 100 in others — that slaves would suffer for _ being accused of robbery, burglary or for simply walking around with a pass from his or her white master. Those convicted of rebellion were executed. Seven slaves together without a white person couldn’t travel public roads. Slaves who gave false testimony could have their ears nailed to posts and were whipped publicly. "Jacksonville Sen. Jim King, a Republican and past Senate president, said he didn’t know about the specific horrorsand supported the resolution. But he acknowledged that some lawmakers might be uncomfortable with the -Tesolution because it could lead other groups to push for _ reparations. Indians? They were killed _and shoved into a comer of ‘Places like Oklahoma,” King _Said.““What about the treatment of Japanese. Americans in internment — camps during World War If?” ‘For many, the resolution is. "too little, too late, But it’s better than not recognizing at all that black slaves built. Florida,” said Marvin Dunn, retired psychology professor -and researcher of black history in Florida. ae Duin said the state “*wouldn’t dare” approve | reparations that would put dollars into black residents’ bank accounts. Such a move | would be unwieldy and unrealistic, he said. Adora Obi Nweze, president of the Florida NAACP, said she embraced the resolution as a step that needed to be ’’Those who suffered are not here to hear the words,” she said. But “the descendants of those who were enslaved deserve to hear the words uttered that it did exist.”’ Miami Herald staff writer Andrea Robinson contributed to this report. _ [God, he will forgive. It is written, produced ~~ 4 eects graye ; David Payton Started his writing career at GR. Whitfield Elementary School. His love for BETTA PUT THAT WOMAN FIRST HITS DIRECTOR, WRITER & PRODUCER DAVID PAYTON uu Thousands of people ‘have seen, laughed, inspired by“AGood = . Man Is Hard to Find.” This gospel play, which is now a movie shows, no matter what you do gi in life, if you.are sorry and want tocometo and ditected by Rev. David Payton. David Payton is a talented writer, producer, and director. A native of Pitt County, David learned his work ethics on.a 250 acre farm owned by {his parents, J.D. “Buster” and Hattie Mae Payton, in farming and logging in Simpson, NC. ff music and entertainmer ‘he embraced when he was one of the very first band members in 1974 at D.H. Conley High School. After graduating from D.H. Conley High School; David attended St. Augustine's College in Raleigh NC on a music scholarship. In Raleigh, he worked With the LaVerne Players Theatre group and starred in the play “Slow Dance on the Killing Ground”. He received his start from his first investor Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell from the Boston Celtics for the play “A Struggle To Be Free”. Since then David has wrote, produced, and director several electrifying spiritual musical stage plays, such as “The Real Meaning of Christmas”, “Child Support”, “Ain’t No Woman Like The OneIGot”, “When A Woman’s Fed Up”, “Tired of Being Alone”, _- “Train Up A Child, “Let’s Straighten It Out”, “Betta Put That Woman First, and “A Good Man Is Hard To Find”, All of his plays have toured the country. a Get a copy of David Payton’s movie “A Good Man Is Hard To Find: produced by 20" Century Fox and - “iE Codeblack Entertainment starring Golden Brooks, Hill =f Harper, Darrin Henson, Mel Jackson, Mary Mary, tq Deborah Cox, Darius McCray, and a host of other cast members at your local Blockbuster and Hollywood Videos. 2, flexible and rea The have all three. From, flexible credit guidelines to reasonable down payment requirements, we're here to make buying a ‘home affordable for everyone. To learn more about our Community Mortgage Lending program or to find out how: bie a to qualify — just ask, Minority Voice May 9 - May 16, 2008 pg 6 ae The best subs are from Marathon! 752-0326 wom ot He trial of R & B superstar R. Kelly . The trial of R & B superstar R, Kelly continued through the ~ methodical jury selection process Wednesday - the fourth day of 9 the long-waited court drama that drew supporters and opponents to the courthouse grounds for Day One last week. | Attomeys in Kelly’s child pornography case had chosen eight of the 12 jurors needed to decide the singer’s fate by the end of the day Tuesday and still were at work at ‘press time . Wednesday, , Kelly, 41, is charged with 14 counts of child pom for allegedly videotaping himself having sex with a teen. He has pleaded not “ie guilty and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. . On Friday, the trial’s first day, Kelly supporters arrived about 8 a.m. ready to let the world know how they felt, but the opposition outnumbered them. Only a few fans showed up on day 2 Armed with poster board signs stating that the Chicago-bom music superstar is the “World’s Greatest Pedophile” and “Danger R. Kelly pe-dophile alert!”, Najee Ali repeatedl¥ shouted in front of the Cook County Criminal Court building that Kelly was guilty and going to jail. Another protester shouted the same through a megaphone. ae A swarm of about 15 Kelly fan matched All’s shouts with their own, The vocal onslaught con-tinued until after Kelly arrived for court about 9:45 am, 3 Jerhonda Johnson, an 18-year-old, told‘Ali and about five other protestors that Kelly was innocent and prosecutors “don't have a case.” | | -Ali said he was compelled to protest became he is a father of two, in¢luding a 19-year-old daughter, who was 13 when the infamous videotape that is the hub of the prosecutions case was i . Kelly is charged with allegedly videotaping himself about eight to under aged girl. The aged victim, who would now be 23, has said it is not she in the videotape. As a Father, if it happened to my daughter, I would not blame her; she’s a child, He [Kelly] knows right from wrong. He is a grown man and should not have done it.” Ali, 45, said in an exchange with another fan of the Superstar. The celebrity’s admirer said she saw the video, does not believe that it is Kelly is in the video and is confident that he will be found not guilty. She also said that the alleged victim was fully aware of what she was doing. She consented and wanted it, She was doing adult stuff in the video.” said Betty Harris, a 24- year Old West Side resident, Ali countered. “Young people may not have the conviction or Courage to come forward if they've been $6) ual said. Another fan weighed in, a bit quieter, and said he also saw the vi but it was too whether Kel y ‘eatured, Instead of speculating about | n ™ STATION tere Will Your Paycheck Sick or injured? Savings - Your 401K - Family or Friends? most Vv 1 uable asset, "Your Paycheck" sei 252-531-034 Ask for Roosevelt = FS Ipod Insurance Securities Greenville, NC 27834 Gx “Certified Carpente IS reason to Ape? terane ee W¥a “WU SITHIG 3 jal happy mother’s day. AFRICAN AMERICAN CutturaL Complex 17TH ANNUAL Women OF Nore INpUCTION Celebrating Contemporary Trailblazers Beatrice C. Maye Educator, Author and Community Activist Greenville, NC Beatrice integrated the teaching staff in Pitt County, where she taught for 37 years. Retired, she now instructs Senior Citizens in retirement living at Pitt Community College. For 25 years, Beatrice wrote “Letters to the Editor” for the Daily Reflector and other area newspapers, She published her writings “Wit and Wisdom of Beatrice Maye” in 2006. Was recognized for her “50+ Years of Outstanding Service” by Delta ' Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, A radio talk show host and a columnist for the “M” Voice in Greenville. The “Beatrice Maye . Garden Park” was dedicated in her behalf in 2003. Widow of J. W. Maye, ~ St., she is the mother of 2 children Qohn and Mamie) and grandmother of 6 grandchildren: Lilian Thompson Community Planner, Entrepreneur, Architect _ and Interior Designer Arlington, VA ta A native of Arlington, VA, Lillian’s travels and work experiences have taken her across America and internationally to pkces including Europe, Africa, West Indies and Bermuda. Mrs. Thompson is a graduate of Howard University’s Fine Arts Advertising Design program and earned the MS Degree in Architecture from Columbia University, She is the founder and CEO - of Trends Management Consulting, Inc. After successfully providing 25 years of dedicated service to Corporate America, non-profits, government, business a and manufacturing in New York, 2008 Inductees Ms Beatrice C, Maye and Ms Lillian Thompson Baltimore, MD, California, Indiana . and Rocky Mount; NC. She developed handbooks for several organizations, including Toyota and Baltimore. Lillian now serves as Southeast Raleigh . 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Interested candidates should f resume no later than June 6, 200: address listed below or apply a Employment Security Commission. cal 252-752-3378 (Ms Gwe duer) Dir ctw Offering child care from 6; 00a.m.-12mid night Drop-In Service Safer eliable t anspart ation (pickup and drop off Special Rates $100wkper child 1st 90 dayswith this A a * Emplay ment opportunities availa ble Washington Housing Authority PO Box 474 Washington, NC 27889 Attn: Job Vacancy Our Banquet Facts are ideal for Business ‘Meetings, Wedding Receptions, Famdly Reunions - tany Festivie Occasions, .. 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