Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 August 2000 — Page 8

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4,

EDITORIAL A call to action! By Carotene Mays President, General Manager Vnpnia Caine, M.D., director of Marion County Health Department (MCHD) incredibly pulled together close to 100 Blade leaders this week, to discuss the growing epidemic of syphilis in Marion County. The influential list consisted of politicians from the Indiana Senate, Legislative Black Caucus, City-County Council and Center Township Trustee; representatives from Congresswoman Julia Carson ’ s office, Govonor Frank O’ Bannon ’ s office, and all the Black high level appointees from Mayor Bait Peterson’s office; Judges; representatives and officials from the health profession; business leaders; media executives; and neighborhood representatives. The list was extensive and impressive. This group is one of the first being called to action, to combat the increase of syphilis cases in Marion Co., especially in the Black community. The statistics are staggering. In 1997there were 70 primary and secondaiy cases of syphilis reported, placing Marion Co. 19th in the nation. In 1998 Marion Co. had the 7th highest number of cases reported, with 161.That year Baltimore, MD„ Chicago, EL. and Memphis, TN. topped the list. Case numbers soared in 1999to407, almost tri|4ing the previous yeans rate, taking us undesirously into the top three. With 20S cases already noted this year (as of July 24th), when the new numbers come out. Dr. Caine reports Marion Co. could very weO be number one. Sadly in the African American community the problem is magnified. African Americans make up only B percent of the Marion Co. population, but disproportionately make up 94 percent of the syphilis cases. According to Dr. Caine that is 44 times the rate of our white counterparts. Equally alarming is the trend with our youth. Reported cases of syphilis in our young people ages 14 to 19, has increased from lOpercent to 18 percent, in 1999. The MCHD speculates this increase is duetoolder males having sex with younger females, because they feel it reduces the chance of HIV infection. The trends are frightening. There seems to be a direct correlation between high numbers of illegal narcotics and prostitution arrests, in relation to increased syphilis rates. Illegal narcotics arrests took a dramatic rise in 1998 and continued rising in 1999, as did the syphilis cases. According to the Indianapolis Police Department there is a high concentration of drag arrest incidences in the 462QS, 46206,46218 and 46226 zip codes. These are the areas that constitute the majority of syphilis case counts. But this is not only an imer city or chug user problem. Cases are being reported all over the Indianapolis-Marion Co. area, by peof4einall walks of life and by people of varying ages. Recently there was a reported case of a 90 year-old. It is estimated that there are also still a large number of unreported cases. This sexually transmitted disease (STD) is a highly infectious bacteria, with a 30 percent transmission rate for one sexual act The fiist sign isalesion or chancre (open sore) which appears wherever the germ enters — genital area, mouth, or butt This primary stage occurs approximately 10 to 90 days after initial sexual contact with the infected person. It is uaially painless and will heal completely,but the syphilis infection is still active. The secondary stage includes the possibility of several symptoms includingarash on the hands orfeet; hair loss; swollen glands; or flat gray moist wartlike growths. These symptoms which can appear up to six mondi after initial infection also can disappear without treatment The last (latent)stage has no symptoms, which does not mean the infection is gone. Treatment is necessary to cure syphilis. Treatment—a penicillin injection or specific alternative antibiotics—is simple, but not always sought For some, symptoms are not recognizable. For others, they are ignored. Drug abusos are haid to reach and teadh. So what is being done to reduce the occurrence of this disease? Stele Senator Billie Breaux who also serves as the Stamp Out Syphilis (SOS) Coalition co-chair disclosed the "10 Point Plan for Syphilis Elimination": 1. Address links between syphilis transmission to HIV, substance abuse, crime and prostitution. Breaux noted that after a rise in syphilis cases, within two to three years there is normally a rise in HIV cases; 2. Partner with the Mayor to increase substance abuse prevention and treatment services; 3. Increase screening/diagnostic tests in the Marion County Jail;4. Support new STD services at specific locations and clinics; S. Maintain and expand public awareness efforts;6.Encourage community input andeflforts;7. Maintain and expand surveillance efforts; 8. Organize and deploy the Rapid Outbreak Response Team when an increase in syphilis is detected. The last two points—9 and 10—were left open for solutions and answers from the group on how to eliminate the epidemic. City-County Councilman Rozelle Boyd led the discussion by focusing on three key areas; Substance abuse and high risk sexual behavior, community involvement; and identifying community assets and partners to combat the outbreak. The feedback was enlightening and encouraging. There was a suggestion to focus on after-school programs, as teen sexual activity is highest between 4:00pm and 7:00pm. Several suggestions woe to increase awareness through youth forums, parental education, and making information available dirough churches, pula, and neighborhoods. A lot of the discussion focused on the criminal justice system. There seemed to be a consensus for testing of detainees, parolees and probationers. There was a request for the City-County Council to pass an ordinance for mandatory testing of arrestees. Adtfaessing poverty and creating economic opportunity were other key issues. Overwhelmingly the need for outreach and involvement was echoed. The group pledged support and involvement. The Indianapolis Recorder is addressing the syphilis epidemic aggressively, with articles almost onaweekly basis, to raise awareness and educate. We will list fonrms and testing locations. We are hosting monthly interviews on R.0 AR. regarding syphilis. This wedds show will feature Dr. Came and a member of the SOS Coalition. As Dr. Gone slated,’We must work together to work out a solution.” You can help too. Send your suggestion to The Recorder. We’ve all been called to action.

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Readers react to Black Expo column

My column on Indiana Black Expo (Recorder July 21) was the talk of our community, from barbershop, beauty salon to corporate boardroom. My newspaper and broadcasting co-workers thought community reaction to the column would be negative. But, they and my editors at The Recorder were surprised at the overwhelmingly positive reaction to my urging immediate reforms and changes at Indiana Black Expo, an institution our community wants to continue to support. To date, the Recorder has received only one negative letter on the column. My e-mails and calls are overwhelmingly positive. A sampling: A former Indy resident: “A friend forwarded me your commentary on this year’s Black Expo. I feared that IBE was slipping in the direction you ’ ve described and I hope they take your words to heart and stop the madness.” One reader must beg his family to attend: “I used to have family and friends visit here annually (for Expo), now I have to beg them to attend. Add some more meaningful events and look to your ‘mature’ crowd, we spend the money not our children.” Another echoes the views of many I’ve spoken to: “Well, someone finally wrote what we’ve all been thinking and privately saying for years: That there needs to be some changes made at Indiana Black Expo. So many of us have grown tired of Expo’s consistent mediocrity and unfulfilled promises. We want an Expo that earns our respect.”

From another reader: “It befuddles me how Expo can cry ‘racism’ when a company or an individual doesn’t agree to support them on their terms. People and businesses alike should support Expo because it’s an organization they believe in, not because they feel guilted into it.” An Indianapolis religious leader wrote: “You expressed for us what so many want to say and cannot, will not, or just refuse to be open and honest for fear that someone will retaliate after the truth is spoken. I pray Expo will restructure its entire board, office management and ‘dream team.’ Wouldn’t it be a disgrace to let Expo continue to lose ground and no longer exist? I can see it heading in that direction.” The only reader who disagreed said in part: “You know I think that it is a shame how you down talked to Indiana Black Expo. I am only 20 years of age and I think that they did a better job this year than ever. If you are so unsatisfied with how Expo went this year then you should get off of your hypocrite (expletive) and do something for the community yourself.” OK, I will! Indiana Black Expo can begin to restore credibility and trust with

our community by being honest about their attendance figures. Last week, Black Expo officials told The Recorder that “300,000people from across the nation attended Summer Celebration 2000.” Meanwhile, Expo’s VP/Corporate Affairs Marsha Bennett wrote corporate sponsors saying Expo’s attendance was “some 500,000 people from all over the world.” Neither figure, 300,000 nor 500,000 is accurate, credible or believable. Sources tell me Expo’s actual paid Convention Center attendance was down from 1999. That makes four straight years paid attendance at Indiana Black Expo’s main events was flat or down. Black Expo refuses to admit that people aren’t attending like they used to! So, they distribute inflated, wildly inaccurate attendance numbers. If Black Expo’s free concert attracted 100,000 (a figure far higher than police estimates); If Expo’s Conseco Fieldhouse concerts were sellouts (they weren’t) and including the sold out UniverSoul Circus performances. Black Expo’s attendance would be 200,000 to 215,000.1 say the real figures are closer to 150,000 to 155,000. Nowhere near300,000 or 500,000! Contrast Black Expo’s lack of candor with the honesty and forthrightness of the Indy Jazz Fest. After a successful first year, the Indy Jazz Fest had a major setback this year because heavy rains on the Jazz and Roots Fair’s first day reduced attendance 10 to 15 thousand. Though insurance covers some of the loss, the Jazz Fest took

a major financial bath. Instead of excuses, or covering up. Jazz Fest officials were opqp and honest with the community^ Less than a month after the event, they gave sponsors, volunteers and the media their actual attendance figures, outlined the financial shortfall and explained how they plan to assure the Jazz Fest’s future fiscal and artistic health. Indy Jazz Fest’s action increases their credibility with the corporate community and potential sponsors. While Black Expo’s haughty attitude and credibility gap decreases their trustworthiness with corporations and sponsors. To encourage credibility ,at Black Expo, I’m prepared to back up my opinions with cash! If Blaf k Expo can document that Summer Celebration 2000’s attendance jn Indianapolis was either 300,OQp or 500,000, I’ll donate $300 (p Expo’s scholarship fund. If I’m right and that wasn’t Expo’s attendance, they give $300to the United Negro College Fund. ,, The proof — notarized stater ments, box office receipts and ticket settlements from the Indiana State Police (free concert), Conseco Fieldhousei, Ticket Master, Kroger and the Coijr vention Center must be sent to t^e Recorder. It’s time Black Expo restores its credibility and honesty wi^ our community. Providing accuf rate attendance figures is a first step. jfl

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What I’m hearing w in the streets Our community lost two more lions of our African-American community. Bishop Morris Colder the “Preacher of Preachers” at Grace Apostolic Church and busL nessman Lannie H. Smith. Bishop Colder was eloquently remembered in last week’s Recorder, so let me remember Lannie Smith. During the 1970s and 1980s, Jus L.tLSoiith Oil Co. wa$ Indianapolis’ leading BlacV-dwmffc business. Hailed as a business visionary, Smith’s company was listed in the Black Enterprise 100. He served on the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce board and the boards of other civic organizations. v Lannie H. Smith made his mad( as one of our community’s busif* ness visionaries who paved the way for the many successful Black entrepreneurs in Indianapolis to? day. My deepest sympathies to hip family and friends. He shall bp missed. See‘ya next week!

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Amos Brown’s opinions are , - not necessarily those of The Indianapolis Recorder. You can'' contact him at (317) 293-9600 or e-mail him at [email protected].

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Curse of bad cops isn’t just racism

WASHINGTON—Just in time to add a special embarrassment to the Republican National Convention, which convened there July 31, Philadelphia’s police department staged an exasperating exercise in stupid brutality. A videotaped recording of several cops beating and kicking a helpless suspect, Thomas Jones, at the end of a chase in which Jones drove off in a police car, created fears that the City of Brotherly Love might turn out to be as bad as it used to be, and surely not as good as it has promised to be, and thus has failed to do justice to its great political audience. It seems that neither politicians nor city flacks know what to say or do when goonish cops. Black and white, are equally guilty of violating the fundamental rules of police conduct. This current Philadelphia case shows that police brutality knows no bounds of race. Faced . with a Black suspect who had embarrassed the > force. Black cops were as quick to resort to extracurricular and illegal punishment as were white cops. And in this kind of case. Black cops were as quick to lie to protect the “thin blue line” as were white cops. Sadly, most Black cops know better than white cops how hopelessly vulnerable to abuse Black citizens are, so in a case such as the one in Philadelphia, Black cops might have led internal cries to “Just ride out the storm.” A standard tactic is to get Blacks to lead a campaign to prove that the suspect was “a really bad guy,” as though his previous record or his offenses in this case at issue stripped him of all personal rights and constitutional protections.

The need is manifest in every American city for greater trust and cooperation between law-enforce-ment agencies and the people — especially minority communities. But such cooperation becomes impossible when the people see that even Black cops behave like monsters at the slightest provocation or excuse. We have had so many stories recently of horrible, racist cops that some people want to

think that the ultimate in a “bad cop” is a white officer who hates minorities. However, some of the worst cops are Black officers who are power-mad freaks who might even hate themn selves. They like to show that they can brutalizb helpless Black citizens just as imaginatively as any white cop can. !S Whatever the case, Philadelphia ought not> look for reasons to cover up or explain away the embarrassing videotape. It is pretty clear which cop struck Jones how many times, and who & most flagrantly guilty of awful police behavkwv The city ought to simply lower the boom on thd worst police offenders. Black or white. c-