Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 August 2002 — Page 11

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2002

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

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Slaves helped build DC

By WILLIAM REED

A 1790s U.S. Treasury Department note read: “Please pay to John Hurie the balance due for the hire of Negro Emanuel for the year 1794.” Few entries in America’s history ledger note the uncompensated economic contributions of enslaved Africans in the U.S. as John Hurie’s request for payment for his hired slave. The government paid Hurie, but now some of today’s Blacks want Emanuel’s descendents to be compensated for their ongoing plight on these shores. Government’s debt to Blacks

has been pending a long time. On Dec. 2,1863, when the “Freedom” statue was hoisted atop the dome of the U.S. Capitol, it was due to the workmanship of a slave at the Bladensburg (Maryland) Foundry, Philip Reid. He was responsible for the bronze casting that is a symbol of freedom around the

world.

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workforce that built the White House and the Capitol. America’s capital city was built on the backs of slaves: Those who worked Virginia’s quarries, digging and transporting the stones to Washington; performing work required to place the cut stones on the walls; digging the trenches and ditches; and hauling lumber and other materials. Over a 70-year period, slaves toiled from dawn to dusk building the temples to represent a country were “all men are created equal.” Slaves cleared the trees and brush for the Mall and Washington boulevards that lead to the seat of a gbvemment “with liberty and justice for all.” Reid and company never received a fair day’s pay, but the Irish and German immigrant workers who labored beside them were paid from $4.65 to $10.50 a week. Enslavers like Hurie and Reid’s owner Clark Mills received $5 a week for each of their slave’s labors. On Aug. 17, 2002, a million African Americans are scheduled to convene at the U.S. Capitol to demand compensation for the works of Reid, and other ancestors who built the Capitol, and the country’s capitalistic system. Even though Colin Powell and Condelezza Rice won’t be among them, people who feel America still owes them a debt will press their case for Black reparations at the Capitol on Aug. 17. Bryant Gumbel may be missing, but those attending will be standing up for contemporary victims of “America’s holocaust.” Before Philip Reid’s ancestors reached America, 15 to 25 million other Africans were killed in the Middle Passage. Subsequently, enslavement of Blacks in America lasted 246 years; followed by a century of legal racial segregation and discrimination. Though America refuses to apologize to African Americans for slavery and its vestiges, the periods constitute the world’s longest running crime against humanity. Though the Blacks in corporate America won’t be totally represented, those that do come will speak for millions of Blacks who remain economically and socially disabled by American slavery.

Readers Respond

Paying for pvblic safety Mayor Peterson’s proposal to more equitably assess the cost of public safety is consistent with the changes that have occurred in our country. With the growth of the center city, all Marion County residents share a stake in a safe downtown. But with 47 percent of Center Township property tax exempt, the old city can no longer carry the cost of public safety for the rest of us while we visit and enjoy the wonderful improvements we have made there. Mayor Peterson’s plan also offers Marion County a means of financial survival at a time when the county budget is facing nearly insurmountable challenges. It offers a way to forestall bankruptcy for Marion County, which has no action on its increasing debt and declining balances for several years while establishing the means to honor the commitments that we have made for public safety pensions. It is also the only plan on the table. If councilors from suburban districts are opposed to it, they need to craft something that can address the county’s projected $ 14(or$ 18) million shortfall and $28 million outstanding in DOC bills-without a tax increase or a default-something that appears difficult to do. This plan can be in place in 2003 which is in itself one of the best things it has going for it. Other solutions are structural and will require changes at the Legislature and the cooperation of numerous units of government. Once our current financial condition is stabilized, we can direct all of our attention to a careful review or our taxing structure, a process that takes time. The mayor initiated such an effort the last two years with an exploratory committee of comrnunty leaders.The Chamber of Commerce has dedicated itself to this cause as well, suggesting that there is a shared desire in the governmental and private sectors to address needed

changes. We can make those changes in time, but we have to be stable to do so. If we cannot support this initial change, the chances of us funding consensus on the bigger picture do not look good. Jacqueline Nytes City-County Council member Achamod of IPD behavior Open letter to Mayor Bart Peterson and Robert Turner, Indianapolis Public Safety Director I read with interest an article concerning the questionable behavior of members of the Indianapolis Police Department as well as the excellent editorial by Heather Bolejack of the McFadden Solutions Group. I work in the field of community development and I have been at the table as community leaders work on strategies to attract a wide variety of people to our city. We tout our “amateur sports capital” title, downtown malls, great convention facilities and welcoming hotels. The NCAA wanted to be a part of our city and our museums have grown and matured to the point that they have become a destination point for many Midwesterners. As I have watched our city’s growth with the pride of a native, I have also seen the consistent mistreatment of participants of what has to be one of, if not the largest, event that we host in downtown Indianapolis annually — the Indiana Black Expo. Over the years I have watched restaurants close that are usually open, bars that welcome Indy 500 revelers with signs and promotions suddenly forget how to market their wares, and sadly, our police department treat participants to this wonderful cultural event not as guests of our city but as unwanted potential criminals. I have watched the Black community spend weeks after Black Expo trying to digest the double standakft being applied and vowing that gomehow “next year” things are going to be different. This year, as my husband and young son drove through down-

town Indianapolis, I knew that 2002 was not only “not different,” it was worse. I was dumbfounded as I drove down Meridian Street and saw IPD officers walking down the middle of traffic with citation booklets in hand looking for seat belt offenders or anyone else they could ticket. They were openly hostile and extraordinarily intimidating. I was, for one of the first times in my life, ashamed to claim this city as my own. I felt as if I had been transferred back into time when civil rights protesters were intimidated by the police to force them to conform and disperse. Was this 1960’s Birmingham, Ala., or my hometown in 2002. When friends began to talk of being unable to get back to their hotels because of roadblocks or taking quite literally hours to pull out of a parking spot due to police street control, my blood began to boil. Others spoke of not being able to attend scheduled events at local hotels because they couldn’t show hotel door key s or some other direct connection that proved they were guests. It is bad enough to be snubbed by the many retailers who feel the Black dollar isn’t green enough to count. It is appalling to receive this same treatment from the very citizens I gladly give my tax dollars to protect and serve my family. I am glad to see Mayor Peterson and your office responding to the complaints lodged concerning this distasteful matter. I hope this situation is resolved and that year 33 of Indiana Black Expo will differ from the first 32 in the attitudes of Indianapolis retailers, citizens, and most of all, our public safety officers. It is obvious to me that we have lost several thousand folks this year who were so turned off by their treatment that they will never return. I am confident that your administration will do everything that it can to make sure that this never happens again. IPD has an opportunity to redeem some of ks lost reputation as the Circle City Classic approaches. Let us hope you set an example that the rest of the city can follow. The message should be loud and clear—“All are welcome here!” Cheryl HaU-RusseU

What's up with thuse pulled down pants?

By JIM BUNTIN I can’t tell you how much I hate seeing young men and women with their pants pulled down around their ankles. Besides the fact that it looks silly and idiotic, it really shows how ignorant these young people are that do it. They seem to do it only because their friends do it and that seems to be all that is necessary to get these weak, sheep minded folks to follow suit. Many pf the young men that follow this silly fashion trend call themselves hard and tough, gangsters even. I wonder if A1 Capone ever wore his pants hanging half off his butt?

If they only knew where the origin of this style came from maybe they would refrain from wearing their pants way down, hanging off their rear ends and maybe start a new fashion trend and wear them someplace else like on their heads. Then they could unzip their flys so they can see where they are going! Hey it would be an improvement! Makes about as much sense as trying to run from the police with their pants around their ankles. Tell the K9 unit that dinner is served. Everyone knows that a man can’t run very fast with their ankles shackled by a pair of jeans. The origin of the saggy pants look is purported to be originated from an old prison custom where young men whowanted other prison

Your Voice

inmates to know they were available for sexual favors would wear their pants pulled down and sagging below their butts. This was a signal to other homy inmates that you were on the menu. Hell, half the work was already done. Whatever the reason, I wonder how many of those tough guys out there would be proud to be wearing their pants down around their butts if they knew they were imitating gay prison inmates doing the chicken dance and trying to get lucky. Next I guess that they will be putting red kool-aid on their lips and cheeks so they can look like they have on blush and lipstick.

Question: Would you support Indiana Black Expo if it decided to pursuo a lawsuit against tbo city of Indianapolis?

“Yes, I would support IBE because the behavior of the police was unwarranted. People dropping off their teenage kids at IBE events had a very difficult time getting back into the area to pick them up because of the heavy police presence. As an employee with the Marion County Sheriffs Department, I must say that their behavior was appalling.” - Cory Jefferson “As Black consumers, we were largely ignored by white merchants downtown during the Expo. I think what happened was wrong and was intentionally done. But, I believe Rev. Charles Williams, President of Indiana Black Expo, is for us. I would support whatever he decides to do.”

“No, I don’t think IBE should pursue a lawsuit against the city or IPD. With the type of records many of our young people have, there’s no doubt we should be watched. It’s (the police presence at Expo) a normal law enforcement procedure. People have a tendency to forget all of the shootings that took place at the Soul Picnic.” - Jesse Merriweather “I personally wasn’t downtown during the Expo, but 1 must say that many visitors will be discouraged from coming to our city if this treatment of Black patrons, motorists and visitors continues. I know it’s too many people down there, but all they (police) have to do is IxTnore fair. Otherwise, Expo might end up closing just like the other popular Black event in Atlanta(Freaknick).” • Melissa DigMe “It would be a good idea. Visitors who came to Expo this year might not come back because of the flurry of citations given out to Black folks. At the Brickyard 400, police was directing traffic but they weren’t pulling a parade of people over like they did at Expo.”

ON THE OTHER SIDE

If I hear about one more boycott... Hmm, Hmm, Hmm... Boycotts and Black folks. Don’t get me wrong, boycotts can be extremely effective if done with clear intention and a strong commitment on the part of those organizing them to ensure the benefits of such action move beyond their individual gain or agenda, but reach those most in need of change. The Montgomery bus' boycott is an example of a strategic effort that collectively served the African-American condition during America's horrific Jim Crow era, in fact its legacy has created a series of boycotts that have been effective and not so effective. One of the least effective boycotts I can recall was one that involved Black Entertainment Television’s use of comedians for its highly rated “Comic View” series and the cable network’s overall programming decisions. BET, to this day, still makes use of the comedians who appear on “Comic View” in the same way it always has — only opting to move the Aiming of the series from its original location in California to New Orleans. It even continues to run its programming the way it sees At regardless of the efforts on the part of many “African-American leaders” demanding a change to their system. Locally, there is talk about boycotting Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration because of alleged Indianapolis Police Department maltreatment of its guests and visitors. Elder Lionel Rush of Greater Harvest Baptist Church has launched a boycott of the upscale retailer Nordstrom for what he says is the company's “refusal to appropriately address workplace discrimination issues.” I ask two things that maybe one of you Recorder. readers can answer, what is the point of il aUiaildiis xl , there a better way? N ninfmi'r/n n* " hif.n ‘'f The blade of a boycott cuts both ways. Sometimes it means the loss of jobs that are held by the very people who are supposed to be helped through the action. When overdone, boycotts — led by many AfricanAmerican leaders — at times leave the perception from corporate America that our leadership is for sale. This thought pattern gives birth to terms like Rev. A1 “Pimp” Sharpton and “whoremonger" Jesse Jackson, labels attached to two African-American leaders who have at times been criticized for their motives behind a number of highly nationally publicized boycotts. Certain proposed boycotts even lead me to question our priorities as African Americans. Chew on this piece of food for thought. When Calvin Cole died in cold blood while in IPD custody in early spring, there was not nearly the amount of citizen outrage that ran through the AfricanAmerican community as it was behind this year’s IBE Summer Celebration. To add insult to injury. You could count on your hands and toes just how many Blacks attended a rally on the young man’s behalf last month. There was no town hall meeting on the issue, just a few stories in our local media. Now I’m not justifying any alleged wrongdoing IPD may have committed, I’m merely pointing out what African-American leadership deems important and worth boycotting or even publicly discussing on a major level. As for this beef with Nordstrom that Elder Rush and many of his followers have (See The Recorder’s front page story), I believe there is a better way to resolve the situation. It appears to me that more energy should be spent on the local Equal Employment Opportunity Commission who seemed to be of no help to several former Nordstrom employees who sought the agency’s assistance. This ofAce is not only understated, but underfunded, two characteristics people can attempt to change if they dare. Boycotting is only one tool in the Aght for social change, and it should be used with discretion. Boycotting Indiana Black Expo or Nordstrom is simply not appropriate.

The affirmation I want to Be mm4ful of how you spend your Huso, energy end resources, squandering any of time preeiosu gifts could lead you on a one-way trip to

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