Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 26 March 2004 — Page 4

PAGE A4

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, MARCH 26. 2004

EDITORIAL

JUST MIN'IT

Celebrate the Black press of today and yesterday By SHANNON WILLIAMS Recorder Editor

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The year 182? marked a significant time for people of color, or Negroes as we were called then. It was during that year that the first Black-owned newspaper was founded. Freedom’s Journal, based in New York City was a trendsetter, which eventually led others to follow suit across the country, including Recorder founder George P. Stewart. So now 177 years later, we salute the Black press of yesterday and today. The thing that was so significant about John B. Russwurm and Samuel E. Cornish, both founders of Freedom’s Journal,

is that they sacrificed so much to disseminate news to the Black community. Now, it seems only natural to walk into a local drug store, gas station, or even your mailbox and see a copy of The Recorder, but it hasn’t always been such an easy task. In the 1800s people of color were considered less than equal to whites, therefore anything anyone did to try to uplift or inform the

Black community w’asatremendous risk. Russwurm and Cornish, as did Stewart and countless other Black newspaper publishers endured threats from the Ku Klux Klan, were ostracized from the community and even jeopardized the safety of their families ... all to inform Blacks of the happenings of other Blacks throughout the country. Historians note how so many people of color would go to great lengths to get their hands on a Black newspaper, so they could be enlightened and educated, so they could be aware of new struggles, or new opportunities,

so they could learn.

It amazes me how I think of these people, who risked their lives to read a Negro newspaper, yet today there are people you couldn’t pay to subscribe to any Black publication unless it has half-naked women or ghetto-fabulous celebrities on the cover. As I ponder on this thought, I often wonder where the road shifted, why so many people opt to not support our own kind, but instead makes other races immensely rich. It seems like there is less of an appreciation for the struggles that our people have made in the past. It seems as if we have

knocked down the very individuals who allowed us to stand on their backs... such a disrespectful act. It seems that now people are more concerned with “me me me,” rather than “we we we.”

So what do we do?

My suggestion is to take a stroll back in time. By doing so, one will be educated or re-educated on the struggles others have endured. Things have not always been as they are. African Americans can sometimes get so complacent with the way that things are that they tend to think, things could never go back to the way they used to be. But they can. That’s why it’s so important to listen to political debates, read and watch the news, and maintain a productive role in uplifting and educating our community. As a member of the Black press, I am so pleased with the strides that have been made over the years. I respect those initial founders who had enough courage to institute change amongst Blacks and I admire the publishers of today who opt to continue the legacy of informing the community. Everyday and this week in particular, I salute the history of the Black newspapers. I hope others will join me in realizing the tremendous significance of African-American newspapers throughout the country.

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In other news, there is still much work to be done with our children. Earlier this week, a local 4-year-old boy took crack cocaine to school. The amount was equivalent to 370 doses, and worth $7,o00. I’m not sure ifyo’u all knowit.butby merely touchingcocaine it seeps into your system. Imagine what type of effect this could have had on any child that actually touched it. This goes back to what I often say... parents need to assume proper roles in the lives of their children. There is no way a child should be exposed to such things ... it totally strips them of their innocence when they witness drug activity, sexual acts, or abuse in the household. These parents need to be held accountable and treated accord-

ingly.

INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER DIREGORY

“Black

newspaper

publishers endured

threats from the Ku Klux Klan, were

ostracized from the

community

and even

jeopardized

the safety

of their

families...”

Georqc P. Stewart Marcus C. Stewart Sr. Founder-Editor- Editor-Publisher Publisher 1925-1983

1895-1924

Preildent/General Manager CeroleneMays

EDITORIAL

Editor..... Shannon Williams Stall Writer Joshua Cohen Brandon A. Perry „...trlcha P. Thompson Erlcka C. Wheeler Copy Editor ...Jack Salas ART t PRODUCTION Production Manager Jeana Marla Lewis Advertising/Production Terren James Chris Castle Senior Designer .........John L. Hurst Jr.

Eunice Trotter William G. Mays Editor-In-Chief Publisher Publisher 1990-present

1988-1990 ADVERTISING

Seles end Marketing Manager LeRoy Lewis Classified Advertising Sheren L. Messy Local Display Advertising Lisa Shoemake - Rita J. Wise - C. Denise Petty BUSINESS/CIRCULATION Business Office Manager Angela Kuhn Interim Controller Arthur Carter Buelnest Office Crystal Dalton ..... Koy Toliver Shin Williams Circulation Brucell Mays Receptionist Trscoy Miller

rn# Indltnipollt Recorder encourogee short, conclso lettors to the editor ond opinion ortlcles from the public. Lettprs and opinion articles will Ps used at the editor s discretion ond ars subject to editing. We will not guarantee publication of materiel received We cannot guarantee dotes of puMketlon. Letters containing libelous or untrue statements will not bo published All left erf and optnlon article* must Include * verifiable full name, address end telephone number This Information will not bo published at the request of the writer Letters ond ortlclei should bo typed Out will be accepted If handwriting It legible. (317) 924-5143 P.O. Box 18499, IntoMfolis, IN 46218-0499 MWsroomQlitfyrocofdor.coffl

2 political questions: IPS election over? Could Bush lose Indiana?

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By AMOS BROWN II Two examples why 2004 could be an election year to remember. For decades, Indianapolis School Board elections have been exciting, engaging, exasperating and elevating; featuring grass roots politics at its best and worst. But not this year, as for the first time in decades, (perhaps in history) virtually all the IPS board candidates are unopposed. As predicted here three weeks ago, the two main challengers running for the IPS School Board were thrown qfT the ballot two weeks ago by the Marion County Election Board. Stephen Nicewanger, who was running against incumbent board President Marianna Zaphiriou, was disqualified because his nominating petition didn’t have the required number of registered voters’ signatures. At-large candidate Tyrone Chandler was disqualified because of the law which says no two IPS board members can reside in the same board member district. So, incumbent IPS board members Dr. Mary Busch, Clarke Campbell and Zaphirou are running unopposed; they will be re-elected May 4th. Donald Payton, who suddenly resigned from the IPS board last month, remains on the ballot in District 4. However, Payton is now opposed by Wanda Diane Arnold who filed her write-in candidacy last week. Though a write-in, Arnold will have incumbency as the IPS board chose her Tuesday to serve the remaining three months of Payton’s term. Meanwhile, it’s an accepted fact that Indiana is a rock-ribbed Republican state in presidential politics. Or is it?

Famed political columnist Robert Novak is raising the possibility of a Hoosier presidential upset. In his March 17th, Chicago Sun-Times syndicated column, CNN star Novak discussed President Bush’s dismal election prospects in neighboring Illinois: “As of now, Bush will concentrate on other Great Lakes states where the outcome figures to be much closer: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and even once solidly Republican Indiana.” In recent weeks, Novak has bitterly criticized the Bush campaign’s political tactics, sensitivities, sensibility and common sense. In Novak’s view, the president is in deep political trouble. Economic issues and the aggressive Kerry campaign, according to Novak, could spell trouble for Bush in November; even in rockribbed Indiana. Terry Burns, the Indiana Democratic Party’s spokesman was ecstatic about Novak’s conclusions. “Bush’s support is eroding in Indiana,” said Burns. “Hoosiers are questioning administration policies.” Burns believes that Indiana “will be in play” this presidential year. Bums’ Republican counterpart Marc Lotter downplayed Novak’s pessimism, telling me the Bush campaign could be “focusing on I ndiana because of the governor’s race.” A race “the president’s interested in,” Lotter said. Indiana’s presidential voting history has caused national Afri-can-American and progressive organizations’ efforts to motivate and energize African-American voters to bypass Indiana and Indianapolis. That has caused the Black vote here to be depressed, especially among younger Black voters. But, if Democrats believe that Indiana will be competitive in the presidential campaign, then perhaps those groups and the national Democratic Party will invest money, time and manpower in exciting and energizing Indiana’s African-Americans in 2004. That energy and effort could provide the victory margin for Gov. Joe Kernan’s campaign and

help Democrats in the attorney general’s race; which top Democrats seem to have already conceded to the Republicans. What I’m hearing in the streets Two years after the Indiana State Museum cruelly severed its relationship with the AfricanAmerican cultural organization Freetown Village, the museum’s about to insult African Americans again. Numerous sources say white museum officials are planning to “redirect” the museum’s Legacy Theater’s offerings; presumably to make them “less Black." These incompetent museum mavens are refusing to renew Legacy Theater director Shari Lynn Himes’ contract, even though she’s created quality, innovative programming for the theater. Seems a dogged clique of white museum officials are determined to control all “Black-oriented” programming in the museum; while not hiring qualified African Americans to manage it. This covert and overt racism at the Indiana State Museum must be eradicated. Will Gov. Kernan intervene and end the klanish behavior at the state’s showcase museum? ***** IndyGo riders and I are bitterly disappointed that the task force appointed to examine IndyGo is heavily dominated by non-bus riders. Of the committee’s 39 members, just three are IndyGo riders. Though 64 percent of IndyGo users are African American, the task force is disproportionately white. None of the grassroots leaders who helped mobilize and harness rider anger over IndyGo cuts, bringing this issue into our community’s consciousness, are on the committee. The lack of grassroots rider involvement and the potential bias of the committee against the needs of IndyGo’s poor and working poor ridership could doom the committee’s efforts. ***** The League of Conservation Voters is the latest example of Washington-based liberal politi-

cal groups that practice racially exclusionary' advertising practices. The league’s running ads asking Hoosiers to encourage Sen. Evan Bayh’s continued support against the Bush energy bill. But, even though African Americans are part of Bayh’s base, the league’s advertising strategy deliberately excluded Black oriented radio and TV programs and Black-owned media. Shame.

*****

Indiana Department ofTransportation (INDOT) officials insist that African Americans and other minorities are involved in the reconstruction of the Borman Expressway in Lake County. Last Tuesday, on our WTLC-AM1310 daytime program, state Rep. Vernon Smith charged that “there were no Blacks working on the Borman in Gary, a Black city.” Last Friday, INDOT Commissioner J. Brian Nichol refuted Smith’s charges, saying, “14 percent of the (man) hours worked ‘ on the project will be minorities.” Nichol said that federal regulations determine the level of minority participation on the Borman reconstruction and that INDOT is responsible for adhering to them. “I wish Rep. Smith had called mewith his concerns,"Nichol told listeners. ***** Congresswoman Julia Carson, Mayor Bart Feterson, Sheriff Frank Anderson, Indiana UAW head Terry Thurman, several City-County Council members and hundreds more gathered last Saturday to salute longtime labor leader and former Councilman Elwood Black. The longtime fighter for human and ciyil rights was honored for decades of service to his people and community. It was an hqnor for me to be a small part of the celebration honoring living African-American and Hoosier history. See ‘ya next week. Amos Brown 'sopinionsarenot necessarily those of the Indianapolis Recorder. You can contact him at (317) 221-0915 or email him at [email protected].

Is Obama on his way to the Senate?

By RON WALTERS For NNPA Although John Kerry’s victory in Illinois on March 16 was important in allowing him to finally wrap up the Democratic nomination for president, I think that potentially as important to Blacks is the fact that Barack Obama won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate from that state. Ironically, the last Black U.S. Senator, Carol Moseley Braun, was also from Illinois, and benefited from the fact that the white candidates fielded by both the Democratic and Republican parties were flawed. This time Obama, an experienced Illinois state senator, came from behind when the Democratic front-mnner, Blair Hull’s bid collapsed from revelations of spousal abuse charges in a nasty divorce. As Obama surged to the front, voters had a good look at a Harvard-educated lawyer whose father had been a government official in Kenya and whose white mother is from Kansas. Obama grew up in Indonesia and Hawaii and lives in the fashionable Hyde Park area of Chicago. H is crossover appeal to whites, his associates and his residence prompted some Blacks to charge that he was ’’not Black enough.” However, when one surveyed his endorsements on the list, there was Conrad Worrill of the Black United Front, a long time advocate of Black nationalism, and others who understood that a Black radical was unlikely to come out of a Senate election any time soon. On issues, however, Obama made a good showing in the debates, following the line of successful candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination in supporting the elimination of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and opposition to the war in Iraq, although he would provide some financial resources to help re-build a country that the U.S. destroyed. In other words, he championed positions that Blacks could strongly support. It was also reported by the Web site

BlackCommentator.com that Obama was, or is a member of the Democratic Leadership Council, the organization that represents the right wing of the Democratic Party. I can understand how a young up-and-coming Black politician these days would join such an organization, perhaps not understanding that it stood in opposition many issues that Blacks cared about. But I also believe that now that he has a mandate, he has a responsibility to clearly separate himself from that politics. Nevertheless, it was important that despite the charges that his Blackness was suspect, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. made a billboard advertisement supporting Obama’s candidacy and that Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. gave him a strong endorsement at his weekly Saturday morning Rainbow/PUSH service. If this clan, the vaunted Cook County Board President John Stroger, and the Conrad Worrills of Chicago can throw their arms around Obama, how far away from the Black community can he go? It is important that the Black community stood together in supporting Obama to a strong showing, winning 52 percent of the vote, more than double the 24 percent for his nearest challenger, Dan Hynes. Hynes suffered from charges that he had violated campaign finance laws by funneling money from his legislative campaign funds through to his Senate campaign. This helped Obama win even Hynes’ district, a predominantly white ward, and scored 40 percent of the vote in Hynes’ father’s district, where he is a committeeman. Moreover, Obama did not do badly down state, splitting the vote with Hynes, a fact which gives resonance to the prospect that

we may be looking at the next senator from the state of Illinois. Barack Obama still has a long way to go. The first problem will be money. His Republican opponent, Jack Ryan, is a millionaire investment banker. And since he is the best hope of the Republican Party, the national and local parties will provide the resources to allow him to run a vigorous statewide race. And the race could get nasty. The race has already featured the face of Barack Obama super-imposed over a picture of Osama bin Ladin and it is likely to get worse. Ryan has also has had his own problems with a well-publicized divorce to actress Jeri Ryan. And although the media have asked that records of th is divorce be unsealed, Ryan has refused to make them public, arguing that they were sealed for the sake of their child. The last problem to look for is that whites could switch horses even in a state that features a Democratic governor, a Democraticcontrolled state Legislature, and a sitting Democratic senator. We have been through this scenario before where whites have said in public opinion polls they would support a Black candidate for governor or mayor, only to have the candidate squeak by, such as Doug Wilder in Virginia and David Dinkins in New York City. But despite these problems, I am going to hold my breath and hope for a win. Ron Walters is the Distinguished Leadership Scholar, director of the African American Leadership Institute in the Academy of Leadership and professor of government and politics at the University of Maryland-Col-Icgc Park.

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