Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 23 January 2004 — Page 6

PAGE A6

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2004

EDITORIAL

Events served as an inspiration By SHANNON WILLIAMS

Over the last week, I have had the distinct pleasure ofattending two very motivating and inspirational events, of which I left with a renewed sense

of fulfillment.

The first of the two events was the Legacy Theater’s program, “The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords.” This documentary provided an indepth look at how the Black press initially came into existence over 100 years ago as well as the struggles and triumphs various papers faced during those formative years. I’m not sure if many fully understand the tremendous amount of courage and dedication individuals had to have to even start a paper during a time when “Negros,” as we were called then, barely had the same rights as white people. It was a time of social injustice, racial prejudice and economic hardships, yet Blacks found a way to inform their people:

One of the phrases that were repeated throughout the documentary was “Too long have they spoken for us.” In my opinion, that one sentence sums up the attitude that courageous individuals had during those times. They were saying that whites had been the voice of Blacks for far too long and that no longer were they accepting it. At that time Blacks became empowered, they became educated ,and they became more determined

than ever before.

The documentary also illustrated how steadfast

W £ £

many*whites were in silencing the Black voice. J. Edgar Hoover was one such man. I watched in anger at how adamant Hoover was in trying to

eliminate Black newspapers across the country. To this day I find it incredibly interesting how someone can put so much effort into stopping something that uplifts others. Throughout the decades, the Black press has persevered. Unfortunately, there are fewer Black newspapers compared to years ago, but I think the attitude is the same. Black newspapers across the country sen e as a voice for their community. They are advocates for those who can’t fight for themselves. Black newspapers are also educators, teaching the pubic about

major issues of concern.

When I left the Legacy Theater, I felt proud to be a member of the Black press, proud of the contributions The Recorder makes to the community and proud of the history we document for future generations. The second event I went to was the .'34 lh Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner, hosted by the IUPUI Black Student Union. Dr. Benjamin Carson, the famed African American neurosurgeon, whose expertise is in separating conjoined twins, was the featured speaker for the event. Carson, who grew up in Detroit's inner city hits written three very popular books, and received a plethora of awards and

honors.

I really enjoyed Carson’s speech. It was very thought provoking, encouraging and oftentimes funny. This man truly knows how to make an impact. I remember the first time I read his book “Gifted Hands.” I was in high school and was immediately enthralled with what he had to say. I admire Carson’s determination to succeed despite the adversities he and his family faced while growing up 11 wou Id do many African Americans good to adopt his way of thinking and institute a positive change in their lives.

“Black

newspapers across the

country

serve

as a

voice

for their

community:

INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER DIREGORY

George P. Stewart Marcus C. Stewart Sr. Eunice Trotter William G. Mays Founder-Editor- Editor-Publisher Editor-In-Chief Publisher Publisher 1925-1983 Publisher 1990-present 1695-1924 1988-1990

Presldent/Ctntral Manjqtr Ct-olent Mays E«ec. Administrative Assnt, Linda Hobbs EDITORIAL ■ Editor Shannon Williams Staff Writer Joshua Cohen .......Brandon A. Perry Erlcka P. Thompson Erlcka C. Whe tier Copy Editor Jack Sales ART & PRODUCTION Production Manager Jeana Marie Lewis Advertising/Production Terran James Chris Castle Senior Designer John L. Hurst Jr.

ADVERTISING

Sales and Marketing Manager LeRoy Lewis Classified Advertising Sharon L. Massy Local Display Advertising Lisa Shoemaka Rita J. Wise C. Denise Petty

BUSINESS/CIRCULATION

Business Office Manager Angela Kuhn Intarim Controller Arthur Carter Business Office ....Crystal Dalton Kay Tollyer Shin Williams Circulation ...Brucell Mays Receptionist Tracey Millar

The Indltntpolls Recorder encourages short, concise letters to the editor and opinion articles from the public. Letters and opinion articles will be used at the editor's discretion and are sub|ect to editing. We will not guarantee publication of material received. We cannot guarantee dates of publication. Letters containing libelous or untrue statements will not be published. All letters and opinion articles mutt Include a verifiable full name, address and telephone number This Information will not be published at the reguast of the writer. Lattars and articles should be typed but will bo accepted If handwriting It legible. (317) 924-5143 P.0. Box 18499, Indianapolis, IN 46218-0499 newsroom»indyrecorder.com

JUST TULIN' IT Indy’s taxpayers shouldn’t pay for scandals; and Star prints “N” word twice! By AMOS BROWN III Marion County GOP lawmakers pulling the entire magazine.” fused, saying that “readers aren’t about this unfairness and they Ryerson didn’t share his rea- interested.” The sleeper agreed. (When conservative State soning with Star readers. But an Well, this column and its readissue of 2004 Senator Patricia Millerand I find editor ofanotherGannett-owned ers are interested that a poll by is the growing common ground on an issue, it’s Indiana newspaper did. Indiana’s two top media organiscandals in significant). Ted Haider, Lafayette Courier zations dramatically state govern- Several states, including New Journal Executive Editor, didn’t undersampled African-Ameri-ment. York, havea Public Integrity Unit, run the insulting illustration, cit- cans, Indiana’slargestracialmiThere’s under the State Attorney Gen- ing Gannett’s own Principles of nority. The poll’s extreme FSSA’s (Earn- eral, handling criminal and civic Ethical Conduct, which states, undersampling is an insult to ily Social Ser- prosecutions of state government “We will treat people with dig- Indiana’s African-American cornvices Agency) wrongdoing and misconduct, nity, respect and compassion.” munity! Channel 13 and the Star problems at state treatment That’s what Indiana needs to In a January 17th column, must understand that for their facilities and incompetent case- prosecute wrongdoing by state Haider told readers, “Our deci- Hoosier Poll to be respected and workers harming children, se- employees, from the lowliest clerk sion to not include USA Week- credible, it must accurately meaniors and the handicapped. to the Governor. end comes with the understand- sure and reflect Indiana’s growAt the Bureau of Motor Ve- Indianapolis taxpayers alone ing that dignity and compassion ing diversity and complexity! hides, non-citizens obtaining mustn’t pay to rid our Indiana doesn’t exist in the presence of Citywide, Martin Luther King drivers’ licenses with forged governmentofwrongdoers.Gov- the word that appeared in the Jr. events were well attended, and phony documents, has ernorKernan and House Speaker illustration. As for respect, this Martin University’s Annual MLK Hoosiers seeing red. Pat Bauer should introduce leg- decision was made on the week- celebration included Mayor Bart Don’t forget Walter Kevin islation to create a Public Integ- end of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Peterson, Secretary of State Todd Scott, the African-American rity Unit. And since Republicans birthday.” Rokita, former First Lady Judy who lied and got a high paying want to curb corruption, the bill Despite rappers and comedi- O’Bannon, and even Senator Evan job overseeing state pension should be approved in record ans wanting to make it benign, Bayh. A representative from Govfunds while stealing millions. time!* the “n-word” is horrendously of- ernorJoeKernan’sofficewasalso These scandals are a prob- < fensive to African-Americans, there while he attended events in lem for Governor Joe Kernan What I m Hearing Ryerson and the Star should have Gary. Kernan press chief Tina and the Democrats, but an even in the Streets followed Haider’s example and Noel took strong exception to my bigger problem for Indianapo- Many Sunday newspapers other Gannett newspapers, fol- comments in January 15th’s cpllis taxpayers. That’s because, banned January ISth’s USA lowed the corporation’s ethical umn criticizing Kernan’s crew for by law, state government Weekend Magazine which con- principles, and not run offensive not keeping Black media in the wrongdoing isn’t prosecuted by tained racial epithets embedded speech in the daily newspaper in loop. the State Attorney General but inanillustration, but The India- America’s 16th largest African- He said he was “having a little by the Marion County Pros- napolis Star wasn’t one of them. American community on Dr. fun,” but City-County Councilecutor. On Page 14 of the Gannett- King’s weekend! man James “Ban hip-hop and Currently, Prosecutor Carl owned magazine, was an illustra- Also, the Star and WTHR/Chan- Black music” Bradford insulted Brizzi’s special grand jury in- tion twice containing the “n- nel 13 unveiled The Hoosier Poll last the Council last week by nomivestigation into the drivers’ li- word.” In the trade magazine week, a poll that inaccurately sur- nating Democratic Councilman cense scandal and ongoing in- Editorand Publisher, USA Week- veyed African-Americans. Indiana’s Steve Talley for Council President, vestigations of FSSA will cost end President Marcia Bullard voting age population is 73 percent instead ofRepublican leader Phil Indianapolis taxpayers hun- apologized, “We are extremely African-American,87.3percentnon- Borst. dreds of thousands dollars. chagrined this found its way into Hispanicwhite,3.1percentHispania Though Rozelle Boyd was Republican legislators print." The Hoosier Poll’s sample was 88 elected Council President, the want an Office of Inspector Newspapers from the New York percent non-Hispanic white, 2 per- Neanderthal Bradford’s slam of General to handle state scan- Daily News, Chicago Sun-Times, cent Hispanic, but 4 percent Black, his own party’s leader and slapdais. But, under their plan, to papers in Lafayette, Gary and While the white sample was correct, in-the-face to the Council Indy’s taxpayers would still Marion, Ind. refused to publish the Hispanic and African American presages the infantile antics we pay the bills. the offensive illustration, but the samples were undercounted and can expect from Bradford who Sheriff Frank Anderson Star did, withjust a cursory expla- underrepresented. mistakes silly for statesmanship! can’t hire morejail guards and nation to readers. That extreme undercount is See‘ya next week! deputies, Brizzican’t hire more Star Editor Dennis Ryerson completely unacceptable for a Amos Brown’s opinions are prosecutors and our courts said the offending illustration ran major media poll. not necessarily those of The can’t get more resources, be- becauseThewordswereobscure, To their credit, Channel 13 Indianapolis Recorder. You cause money’s diverted to pros- far from the central point of the posted the poll’s demographic can contact him at (317)221-0915 ecute state scandals and cor- story or the graphic. In context breakdown on their website; but or e-mail him at ruption. I talked to some (we) felt the issue didn’t merit their newsgathering partner re- [email protected].

Dr. King’s Legacy of Action

By EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON The instant that two top officials of the Nation of the Islam were spotted at a closeddoor meeting of Michael Jackson’s advisors at a ritzy Beverly Hills hotel, Jackson’s legal woes quickly got lost. The buzz is that the Muslims are handling his security, running his business affairs, and even plotting his legal strategy. Jacko-some even put an X after his name— supposedly is their total captive. The Nation’s kind of, sort of denial, and theeven more vehement denial of Jackson attorney Mark Geragos are brushed off. Nation officials have been prominent at team Jackson’s press conferences, the advisor’s meeting, and Muslim bodyguards will probably surround the Pop King at his court appearances. But there’s no evidence that they are anything other than one more ornament in Jackson’s traveling menage. In the past decade, Jackson has had a penchant for drawing into his circle anyone that he takes a momentary liking too, and believes can be useful. Despite the cast of quirky characters that pop up from time to time in Jackson’s camp, the same handful of mostly white, wealthy, and connected music industry insiders remain team Jackson’s core players and call the big ticket legal and business shots. Whatever role the Nation may play on team Jackson, it’s on the team for a reason, and that reason has nothing to do with racial altruism. Though the Black Muslims have long drawn public fire for their past Black separatist, anti-white, antiSemitic rhetoric, the Nation is run as a top down, hard-nosed corporate structured, money making operation. It provided security for political, entertainment, and sports figures Jesse Jackson, P. Diddy Combs, and O.J. Simpson attorney Johnnie Cochran. It has brokered contracts with various municipal agencies to provide security, and run anti-drug, and anti-gang prevention programs. (These contracts have raised howls of protest from conservative groups and demands that they be rescinded). It has established numerous farms, stores, and restaurants. The Nation has waved its rugged, capitalist business prowi HV.iLs an emblem of Black pride that other Blacks should emulate. Jackson has a keen eye on the dollar, much evident when

he allegedly stuck up CBS for a fat payoff and the airing of a previously shelved special, in return for a 60 Minutes interview. He would find the Nation’s businesk acumen appealing. But this isn’t their only possible appeal to Jackson. There’s the issue of race. Jackson was arrested by a white sheriff, will be prosecuted by a white DA, tried by a white Judge, and if tried in Santa Maria, California will likely be judged by a mostly, if not all, white jury. Polls have shown the predictable racial divide on the case with more Blacks then whites saying that Jackson is innocent. Also, brother Jermaine angrily called the charges against Jackson a legal lynching, and there was Jackson’s racially-tinged outburst at a Harlem press conference with Al Sharpton a couple of years ago in which he charged that Sony records cheated him out of millions. If Jackson grabs at the race card, the Nation would give him a cover. But Jackson is in deep legal hock. He will need top legal experts, jury consultants, and public relations spin masters to get him out of it and salvage whatever he can of a badly tarnished reputation. Screaming racism would be tantamount to committing legal and public relations suicide. Jackson is also an international icon, with thousands of trance like fails, most of whom are white. He also has a staple of loyal celebrity pals such as Elizabeth Taylor, and

Liza Minnelli who have rallied behind him. Playing the “I’m persecuted because I’m Black” angle would hopelessly alienate them. For his part, Jackson has not made a single utterance that the charges against him are racially motivated. He’s certainly had ample opportunity to make the case for racial persecution jin his website, in his 60 Minutes interview, and when he claimed he was manhandled by Santa Barbara Sheriffs when he was booked. Police abuse is virtually code words for racial victimization. Many in the media that hang on his every word would giddily run with that line it wouldn’t work though. The Nation’s notorious race-baiting rep would back fire on him. And while many blacks claim race fuels the charges, they also slam Jackson for bragging about sleeping with children, and question his judgment if not his morals. Comedian and activist, Dick Gregory, who has known Jackson for a quarter century, and sees dark plots when prominent blacks are dumped on the legal hot seat, maintains he’s innocent but has publicly sidestepped race as the driving force in the case. When Jackson finally lands in the trial docket, the cast of characters that guided him to the pinnacle of success in the entertainment world will likely still be slogging along visibly and behind the scenes at his side. If the past is any indication, don’t bet that the Nation will be on team Jackson with them.

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