Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 October 2003 — Page 3

. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2003

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A3

First Black women's PAC aims to increase presence in elections

WASHINGTON (AP) - So far, they are dealing in thousands of dollars, not the millions that characterize the operations of political action committees in Washington. But the first PAC devoted to getting Black women elected says it’s a start toward correcting one of the great imbalances in American politics. The group, known as The Future PAC, has begun raising campaign contributions for Black women candidates running for state and national offices. Fifteen Black women hold seats in the 435-member House; the Senate has none. Of the 7,382 state legislators, only 189 are Black women, according to the PAC. “They have all this wonderful talent but they are afraid they can’t raise money and get elected,” Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said at a fund-raising event trumpeting The Future PAC. “African-American women I have the desire to run, they

have the vision to run, they have the dream to run, but they don’t have the money,” said Cummings. “Money makes a big difference. Money says a lot and does a lot.” Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Democratic presidential candidate Carol Moseley Braun and actress Cicely Tyson were among the approximately 300 people at the fund-raiser. Clinton said there are not enough Black women serving in Congress and the PAC was long overdue. “I can’t emphasize how important this is,” she said. “You just have to persuade women there’s enough critical mass to support them.” The Future PAC has raised about $200,000 through memberships and fund-rais-ers in the past year. Last week’s reception was its third fundraising event. It has 25 board members and over 125 charter members - those who’ve paid at least $500. It has only endorsed one candidate so far, giving

$10,000 to the campaign of Barbara Blackmon, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in Mississippi. The group will help raise money for Braun's campaign, but cannot endorse candidates at the national level until 2004. Braun said that the group will be a good resource. Issues of particular interest to The Future PAC include education, women and children’s issues, health care and affirmative action. Cora Masters Barry, organizer of the fund raiser and wife of former Washington Mayor Marion Barry, said the group’s formation marks the first time Black women can feel comfortable giving their money to a PAC and know their interests are being represented. “We have been so diffused into other organizations, we hadn't thought to do it alone before,” Barry said. “We decided to focus just on what we need: At the end of the day, it’s money that helps get people elected.”

Ben Davis radio prograpi looks at issues of concern to sfudenfs

By ANNETTE L. ANDERSON Recorder Correspondent I PI) Chief Barker will be next guest uf host F.inerson Allen Hosted by Emerson Allen every Monday morning, “School Talk" has become a giant on WBDC- F.M. radio station at Ben Davis High School. Although the show is only 30 minutes long, it has positively impacted the school’s students, according to Allen. “So far, we have three shows, and have received several positive comments from students referencing the topics," Allen noted. “The topics were ‘sagging pants,’ ‘wanna-be-dads,’and smoking.’" Allen, the faith-based coordinator for the city of Indianapolis, is also the concerned parent of a Ben Davis student. “I felt that there were issues affecting the youth, their parents, and their teachers that were not being discussed," he offered. “So after speaking with Principal David Marcott, and discussing the talk show possibility, he agreed it was a good idea. I then went to Jon Easter, station manager, and the show was launched.” According to Easter, “Emerson is a great asset to our station. We have had some re-

Emerson Allen spouse to his first two shows (the third show had not aired), and I think that he is building a great audience." WBDC-FM is set to welcome a true giant in the community at 7 a.m. Monday. Indianapolis Po1 ice Chief Jerry Barker, a member of the BDHS alumni Wall of Fame, will make a guest appearance on “School Talk.” “I have the honor of being on the radio show Monday morning, and I'm looking forward to it," said Barker. "Never in my wildest imagination while attending Ben Davis, would I have thought I

would have been police chief, nor being recognized by my alma mater as being a success. It is indeed ;i rare privilege to be recognized in that fashion. 1 was a MarehingGiantat Ben Davis,anil all my ehildren attended school there.” Easter said: “We are so happy to welcomeadistinguished graduate like Chief Barker to the airwaves at WBDC. I le is a true role model for Ben I )avis students and the community at large." Allen said students will participate by asking Barker questions concerning law enforcement careers and other issues. “The toughest questions will target crime prevention and the training of I PI) officers," Allen explained. “There will also be questions about what specific training these officers undergo to correctly identify criminals. “Many times the dress of an individual may affect an officer’s decision, because a person wearing a nice suit may still be a drug dealer. And a person wearing not-so-nice clothing may be a lawbiding citizen.” The show can also be heard at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Allen is a volunteer talk show host, and is not compensated for his time and efforts. “This is my Way of giving back to my community,” he pointed out."

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MAJORETTES ► Continued from Page 1 ence,” said Nechelle Robinson, 26, a former majorette who attended Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss. “I enjoyed performing in front of the crowds.” Robinson, a 1999 graduate of JSU, was a member of the popular majorette team known as ‘The Dazzlers.”JSU will be competing against Florida A&M State University during this year’s Circle-City Claaei» flume Saturday. "I +iad enjoyed dancing since the age of 3. It was something I did in high school,” she added, “and I decided to carry it on into my college years.” On the other hand, Ralph Pippey, who maintains a Web site dedicated to majorettes, said he admires theyoungladies simply because they work so hard to put on a quality show for their viewers. “They lead bands in parades in all sorts of weather, and they do it because they want to do it and love every minute of it,” he said. "They might have a broken hand or nose during practice. They might finish with sore feet and muscles ... but they would be only too happy to be back again and again in more parades - with a sweet, friendly smile." “You just can’t help but love and admire them," he said. Indeed, Robinson said the only thing she did not enjoy about being a majorette was the huge amount of practice time and the “open" tryout process under stern judges. But she said the activity’s positive attributes outweighed any shortcomings. “Like any extracurricular activity on campus," she stated, “you are actually forced to stay in good academic standingbccausc you have to keep your grades up in order to participate." Robinson mentioned that the main requirements she had to meet, in addition to the acceptable grade point average, was that she had to be able to dance well and her weight had to be in proportion to her height. “1 never hail a problem with this rule, and 1 wouldn't sav it’s weight discrimination." Robinson stated. “It's actually a good thing, because those girls have to be able to do eompli eateil steps and the hoys must be able to catch them." If young ladies are interested in becoming majorettes, then they must be prepared for plenty of practice and should start as early as their freshman year in high school. "1 would also advise them to have some kind ofdancingback ground. When you get into eol lege they are looking for quote on ipiote "professional" diUieers Being a majorette is really for young ladies who are goal ori ented, head strong and able to prioritize their lifesty le."