Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 December 2002 — Page 6

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27,2002

EDITORIAL

Parents need to toughen up and regain control This week I’d like to talk about children. Not just any type of child, but the ones that are so ungrateful, disrespectful and just plain bad. Not having any children of my own, I used to not pay very much attention to kids (other than my family members’ and close friends’ children) if I saw them in the store or at a restaurant But now I tend to pay a little more attention. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older or can’t block them out like I used to. But I’ve been really paying close attention to children these days. Oftentimes I see these kids out in public acting like such fools. These kids are talking back to their parents, falling out on the floor throwing fits and screaming and crying... all because they usually want something that their parent said they couldn’t have. The perception used to be that this sort of thing happened mostly to white people and their children, but now times have truly changed because it most certainly happens to Blacks, Mexicans, Hispanics and so many more. So what’s the problem? Well, I have a few suggestions as to what could have led to this. First, I beleive parents don’t whoop their kids enough. Notice I said whoop and not spank. There is a difference. I think that children need a little bit more then “time out.” I’m sony, but prohibiting them to play on their Nintendo 64, X-Box or whatever is popular these days, is not going to do anything for a child who can go into their room and play on the computer. They need to know that if they do something wrong, they will get their butt whooped, which doesn’t feel good. Eventually, they’ll get tired of it and straighten up really quick. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about beating your child, because that's definitely not going to do anything but put fear into a child’s life and possibly land that parent in jail. I’m saying just be firm and consistent in what you do. Another reason I think that children are so bad these days is because they are too spoiled. Even if you’re in the position to give your child everything they want, I still think parents should not make it so easy. By always giving children exactly what they want, the kids will never appreciate things. Can you imagine how kids who act like they own the world at age 3 will be when they turn 13. It’s going *1. ,n to be crazy. I’ve seen it too. I’ve seen teen-agers who . talk to their parents in such an aggravated tone, as if the parents are getting on their nerves. What’s that Another factor that contributes to these children and their behavior is that parents are scared that Child Protective Services will get them. I can understand that, but what type of society do we live in where children can divorce themselves from their parents and can also even land their parents in jail for correcting them on something that they did wrong. In my opinion we definitely need prayer back in schools because things are really getting out of hand. But the sad thing is that this is just the beginning. I remember there was a time when parents told their children “no” and there was no more discussion about it. You didn’t have any “but ma’s” or rolling of the eyes. There was none of that. The kids accepted decisions and they didn’t hate their parents as a result of it either. Parents need to go back to the ways of before and differentiate between the role of the parent and the role of the child.

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2002 — that was the year that was

How to summarize 2002 in the space of a single column? The Indianapolis AfricanAmerican community generated a firestorm of anger, revulsion, and distress over police actions during Indiana Black Expo when police gave out tickets and towing orders like candy at Halloween. Black fury and outrage resulted in an unprecedented meeting where Mayor electorate. The race was one where Bart Peterson, Public Safety early on Carson seemed oblivious Director RobertTumerand the to the strength of Republican entire top brass of the police challenger Brose McVey. But in department sat and took a three the end, McVey’s campaign hour verbal whipping. soured with a majority of voters If a Republican had been upset over negative campaigning, mayor, Indianapolis could have issues that weren’t relevant and a experienced its Cincinnati. In- racist strategy by Republican stead, Mayor Peterson’s public sheriff candidate Tom Schneider apologyand forceful preventive designed to motivate white bigmeasures in how IPD handles oted voters which instead angered all major downtown events de- and energized Black voters, fused the biggest dustup in race This was the year that Pike relations in a decade. Township came into its own. AfOur city and community was rican Americans in Pike helped diminished with the passing of alter the political landscape of Dr. Frank Lloyd, the physician, Indianapolis as Democrats swept businessman, civic leader and all four Pike Township offices, community giant who was including the critical office of unarguably the most influen- trustee, for the first time since the tial African American in India- township was created as part of napolis in the final third of the the Northwest Territory in the 20th century. late 18th century. Lula Patton African Americans Came became the first Democrat elected Alive November Five and made a township trustee outside Cenhistory in helping elect Frank ter Township in the county’s hisAnderson Marion County sher- tory. iff, in an unprecedented land- Black voters swept Democrats slide. into three of the four township Anderson become the sec- officesWashingtonTownship.the ond African-American county former bedrock of the famed sheriff in Indiana history and Marion County Republican mabreaking the 32-year-old myth chine; gave Democratic judges that Blacks could never be their best showing ever and made elected to a'major countywide Democrats the majority of the office after UniGov’s creation, county’s state House seats. Anderson’s election demon- Before Sen. Trent Lott exhibstrated that an African Ameri- ited political foot-in-mouth discan could be elected county wide ease, two Republican City-County ifthat candidate appeals to both councilors angered Blacks (and Black and white voters with a manywhites) with racially insencampaign of competence and sitivecomments during the Expo/ professionalism. police controversy. But, to his Julia Carson returned to credit, Councilman . Robert Congress on the strength of a Massie showed more guts and strong turnout by an angry and class than Lott by quickly and energized African-American effectively apologizingfqr his in-

sensitive remarks. ofthegrowingcrisisfacinglndiaIndianapolis made national napolis’Black cultural organizaheadlines for breaking the racial tions. glass ceiling for African-Ameri- Despite a major arts and oilcan coaches as Tony Dungy be- tural awareness campaign came Indianapolis Colts head launched by Mayor Bart Peterson, coach, joining the city’s other the city’s Black arts groups in Black coaches, Isiah Thomas 2002experiencedacrisisoffund(Pacers) and Ron Hunter ing, of leadership, of program(IUPUI). ming. Coach Mike Davis made every In media: Hoosier, regardless of race, proud The Indianapolis Star named as he led our state’s basketball two white Hispanics, Managing team within a couple of hoops of Editor Richard Luna and Assisthe NCAA Championship. tant Managing Editor Maria And we were all proud when Garcia to top posts, making the Notre Dame, the school epitomiz- newspaper’s top newsroom execuing major college sports, smashed tive positions lily-white. Some the racial glass ceiling naming Black editors were hired, former Tyrone Willingham as head Recorder Editor/Publisher coach; who promptly set an Irish Eunice Trotter returned to Indy record for most wins in an inau- asenterpriseeditor,ShelbyTerrygural season. Roby became assistant arts ediThe release this year of the de- tor and Michael Dabney assistant tailed economic data from the cit}'editor. 2000 Census documented the WTHR/Channel 13 broke the economic diversity and complex- racial barrier on the 11 p.m. news ity within our African-American in February when Andrea community. A $3 billion-plus Morehead became co-anchor of economy, our African-American that critically important newscast community, in numerous eco- The newscast was in first place nomic indices, is among the tops when she joined it. It remained in in the Midwest and the nation for first all year. African Americans. Two popular African-Ameri-Our community got angry can media personalities assumed when some police acted up dur- new roles this year. Tina Cosby ing Black Expo, but wasn’t as out- returned home to WISH/Chanraged over the questionable death nel 8 as community affairs direcof Calvin Cole, the 27-year-old tor and Angela Cain returned to Black man who died after a police town as WTHR’s community affoot chase. Cole’s family ques- fairs director, tioned his death. Public Safety Clarence Reynolds left WXIN/ Director Robert Turner called on Fox 59’s Morning Show. When the FBI and federal authorities to WXIN owner Tribune bought investigate. Earlier in the year WTTV/Channel 4, its Africanthere were public protests and American general sales manager rallies. But in recent months - was ousted, leaving both stations silence. And no conclusive result without any African American in from either IPD’s or a federal in- any senior management posivestigation. tions. A dubious distinction There was the disrespect shown shared with WRTV/Channel 6. by the new Indiana State Mu- Then there were the tragic, seum towards Freetown Village, unexpected deaths of beloved Afthe 18-year-old African-American rican-American journalists Lynn living histoiy organization was Ford, the former Recorder reuncalled for. The museum’s evic- porter and Star columnist, and tion of Freetown from the formeranchorandWTHR’sCommuseum’s $105 million new munityAffairs Director Lis Daily, downtown edifice was indicative Ford’s loss was an irreplaceable one for the Star, whose editors and reporters continue to fail to reach out and interact with our growing and complex AfricanAmerican community. Channel 13, which leads the city’s TV stations in their outreach to African Americans, continues to miss Daily daily. And what of the New Year 2003? I’ll address the critical issues facing our African-American community next week! Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year!

Amos Brown’s opinions are not necessarily those of The Indianapolis Recorder. You can contact him at (317) 221-0915 or email him at [email protected].

Universal health care? Seriously?

By RON WALTERS

Forthe last two months, I have gone through the painful but enlightening experience of visiting perhaps 25 nursing homes in two states. And in that process I have gained an even more acute appreciation of the need for adequate health care for the elderly and for all Americans. This is particularly urgent in that the rules which govern Medicare are shaped to assist those who have a chance for recovery in 20 days to sometimes as much as three months. After that, if they are indigent and have Medicaid, it will cover the cost. If they are not indigent, nursing home care for elderly sick persons must be borne by the family and can cost as much as $3,000 per month or whatever they can afford. Medicaid now covers 40 percent of all medical costs for the poor. The Black elderly, disproportionately poor, are also disproportionately warehoused in some of the worst facilities, with some of the worst medical care. A study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that because of racial bias and cultural differences. Blacks face a poorer quality of care under Medicare managed plans. Walking through these nursing homes and askinghundreds of questions, I found that in most cases these facilities are

the last homes for the dying or otherwise infirm. While some of them are excellent in maintaining the health and dignity of the elderly, others stink of urine and exhibit neglect in the cleanliness of the facility and the residents. More urgent is the fact that in the current economic climate, state financial contributions to nursing homes is being cut. Given this environment, something is happening to cause insurance executives to suddenly begin to call for universal health care. For decades now, those who have promoted universal health care have been regarded as “pinko lefties,” socialists and down right silly for recommending something that was not about to be taken seriously. Now we find Blue Cross of Montana, Blue Cross of California and the head of United Health Group, the largest private insurer in the country, urging Congress to re-examine the issue. One fear is that the magnitude of the uninsured, which stands currently at 41 million and growing since the dive in the economy two years ago, will drag down the entire health care system. Unemployment drives down the system because employers are the main source of insurance premiums and when firms cut workers, insurance premiums go. The number of uninsured in 2000 amounted to 14 percent of

Blacks in this recession) and 24 percent of all poor Blacks. Hispanics in particular face a heath crisis, as nearly 40 percent had no health insurance, while only 13 percent of whites were uninsured. The problem seems to be growing by the minute. The U.S. Department of Labor says that in November 2002, unemployment grew from 5.7 percent to 6 percent, adding 40,000 to the job-

less rolls.

Nevertheless, the pool of those currently insured is costly to insurers, as many HMOs around the country are throwing out the elderly, and the working poor and young cannot afford to pay high premiums for insurance. Essentially the problem is that insurance companies want more young people in their pool of the insured; they are less ill and, therefore, subsidize those with more serious ailments. Among the employed, about 90 percent of non-Hispanic whites have insurance, while 81 percent ofBlacks and only 66 percent of Hispanics are covered. At the same time, insurance companies are adjusting to the loss of customers by raising premiums. However, there is a limit to how far this can go. In any case, since one-quarter of Blacks and one-third of Hispanics are affected by the lack of health insurance, their political representatives may now be free

health insurance, given that some of the big insurance companies have opened the door. But few of either Black or Hispanic politicians have picked up on this opportunity, waiting instead for the right climate and not wanting to appear to be far left on this issue. They have backing on this from Black and Hispanic physicians who in the past have wanted no part of socialized medicine, fearing that it would lower — and thereby control — the prices they could charge clients. To put it bluntly, this issue has not been high on the priority list of the National Medical Association or Hispanic-serving health organizations. Already, there has been an HMO revolt by many doctors and Medicaid/Medicare services have also experienced the same. So, advocates in associated health fields must step up to the plate. Allied health professionals, social workers, and others are much freer to begin to advocate strongly for the kind of health care system that will provide a basic level of services to all, regardless of income. Ron Walters is Distinguished Leadership Scholar and director of the African American Leadership Institute in the Academy of Leadership and professor of government and politics at the University of Maryland. His latest book is African American Leadership, with Robert Smith.

all Americans, 21 percent of

Blacks (probably 24 percent of to strongly advocate for universal