Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 September 2004 — Page 1

Preparing a conscious community today and beyond Play links down low’ brothers with God, Page C4

INDIANA’S GREATEST WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Volume 109 ■ Number 39 ■ Since 1895 ■ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2004 ■ www.indianapollsrecorder.com ■ Four Sections ■ 75C

U.S. Senate race in Indiana heat's up

BY BRANDON A. PERRY Staff Writer It’s a typical, busy day at the Washington, D.C., office ofU.S. Sen. Evan Bayh. The senator has been working closely with his staff to prepare for a major announcement he would make soon about the need for Congress to pass a strong national security bill before the end of the session. Bayh, a Democrat, takes a brief moment to relax and talk about how much he loves his work. “You know, the thing I enjoy most is helping people,” the senator says in his calm, consoling tone. “It’s what gets me up in the morning and energizes me throughout the day. And it really is the only reason to go into public life. So ifthere’s anything that I can do to help people find jobs, get a better education and find good, affordable health care... that is what makes my job worthwhile. In the meantime Marvin Scott, the Republican who would like to have Bayh’s beloved job, is

Marvin Scott Sen. Evan Bayh

back in Indiana driving through I’m more in touch with their valthe streets of Evansville on his ues.” way to a fund raiser. Although the campaigns for “Every place I’ve been people president and Indiana governor have received me very' well,” he have arguably received much says, with one hand holding the more coverage, the race for U.S. phone and the other on the steer- Senate is also in full swing as ing wheel of a 2003 Buiek that voters and political “talkheads” has already racked over 115,000 begin to pay closer attention, miles after coasting through all Bayh, a former two-term govof Indiana's 92 counties. “I think ernor who was first elected to repvoters are beginning to see that resent Indiana in the U.S. Senate

in 1998, is running for re-election against Scott, a sociology professor at Butler University. Both have been visiting various areas of the state in an effort to connect with voters before the Nov. 2 election. Earlier in the year Bayh announced his intention to run for another Senate term at Allison Transmission plantin Indianapolis. During that same event he proudly proclaimed a production agreement between Allison and the U.S. Army which would ensure that 200 more jobs would stay in the city instead of going overseas. Bayh, however reminded The Recorder that enforcing trade laws to protect domestic jobs is only one of the many issues he hopes to tackle in a second term. “I think there are many things we can do to strengthen our manufacturingbase, especially by providing additional funding for the industries and jobs of the future like those at major science centers in Indianapolis and at

► See SENATE, Page A4

Times running out on voter registration by Brandon A. PERfnT loyalists don’t see eye to eye on

STAFF WRITER

Nearly everyone realizes that a procrastinator must always pay a price everytime he or she waits until the last minute to take care of a task. But if citizens continue to procrastinate into next week they might lose out on something very important: The opportunity to have a voice in deciding who becomes our president, governor, member of Congress or state legislator. Oct. 4 is the last day a person can register to vote in this year’s election, which will take place on Nov. 2. Democratic and Republican

many issues, but party leaders on both sides of the aisle are in firm agreement that it’s extraordinarily critical for citizens to register to vote, particularly this year. “It’s my belief that this is the most important election in the last 50 years,” Indiana Democratic chairman Kip Tew stated in an earlier interview. “During the 2000 presidential election in Florida minority voters were disenfranchised at a level not seen since the 1960s. There could be no more important reason to get out and register to vote than what happened as a result of the 2000 ► St* VOTER, Pag* A2

Community Resources Fair Community members, businesses, elected officials and more will participate in the inaugural 2004 Community Resources Fair hosted by State Reps. Carotene Mays and Jeb Bardon on Sept. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lafayette Square Mall, 3919 Lafayette Rd. The Community Resources Fair is a forum and expo created by Mays to provide information and resources to residents for their enrichment. Businesses will distribute information and products that will be beneficial to the community including free car seat inspections. The 2004 Community Resources Fair is sponsored by the Indianapolis Recorder. NAACP nominations The Greater Indianapolis Branch NAACP would like to inform all members that the Nominating Committee will be interviewing members that wish to be considered for slating by the committee for positions of officers and executive committee. Interviews will be conducted Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Julia Carson Government Center, 300 E. Fall Creek Parkway. For a member to be considered for office they must have been a member of the branch for at least 180 days prior to August 2004. For more information contact William Oliver at (317) 201-6770. Volunteers needed Children’s Bureau of Indianapolis needs 50 volunteers to help with site checks on Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Project Safe Place, a crisis intervention program for youth. After an orientation, volunteers will travel to from seven to 10 sites within Marion County and check to be sure outdoor sign materials and information are at each site. For more information call Kathy Merrell at (317) 6345050 ext. 212. Got a hot news tip? Want to be heard? If you would liko to roport any ntws or short your commonts, call tho Recorder News Hotline at (317) 924-5143 ext 300

Bureau of Motor Vehicles lo provide one-day registration for HoosierRx

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writtr The staterecently enlistee! the assistance of the 163 full service license branches to help inform more seniors about the drug discount program called HoosierRx. More than 22,000 seniors have already signed up for HoosierRx but the state’s goal is to enroll 30,000 by June 2005. “Sometimes working smarter means working together,” said Mary DePrez, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) commissioner ofthe partnership with the Family and Social Sendees Administration (FSSA). “Partnerships can help public agencies combine their strengths to better serve the customer, which is why when secretary (of FSSA) Cheryl Sullivan shared with me that 8,000 more Hoosiers can benefit from signing up for HossierRx we looked for ways to help.” By partnering together, the

BMV and FSSA will provide free application assistance and information about the drug discount program during a one-day registration on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. HoosierRx saves seniors 75 percent on medications, up to a maximum of $1,000 in pro-rated discounts from now until December 2005. Sullivan says the goal of the partnership is to enroll more seniors in tlie program by reaching HoosierRx Eligibility • 65 years and older. •Permanent Indiana resident • No prescription drug coverage through an insurance plan, Medicaid, or Medicaid with a spend-down provision. You may have a Medicareapproved Drug Discount Card. • Your monthly income must not exceed $1,068 if single, l|1,426 if married.

Grace Chandler, director of HoosierRx, speaks with The Recorder about the need for African American seniors to enroll in the program. (Photo/E. Wheeler)

out to them individually and through their families. “On Oct. 16 we know that it may not be just seniors coming into the license branches. We want to have applications available for sons and daughters that can pick up an application and take to their aging parent and talk it over with them,” said Sullivan. Grace Chandler, director of HoosierRx, says she hopes the partnership will help reach the African-American community because of the low percentage of African Americans currently enrolled. “We’ve been very surprised at the low number of African Americans enrolled in HoosierRx,” she said. “The enrollees have predominantly been (white), 78-year-old widowed females.” Chandler says although FSSA has tried to reach African Americans primarily through pharmacists she hopes this program will help increase the percentage.

Native Americans: The RedBlack Connection is a photo exhibition at the Eiteljorg Museum going on now through Oct. 24. The exhibit features pictures of African Americans with Native American ancestry.

Red-Black Connechon celebrates mulH-culteral heritage

By JOSHUA COHEN Staff Writer The Eiteljorg Museum is currently working on an exhibition on the inter-relationships between African and Native Americans. To begin that project, the museum has brought in Valena Broussard Dismuke’s Native Americans: The Red-Black Connection photograph exhibit. “This is a part of a larger initiative,” said James Nottage, vice president and chief curator at the Eiteljorg. “We’re developing a large exhibit dealing with the interaction (between African and Native Americans) and we brought in these photos to get a response.” So far the response has been positive and it has encouraged the museum that their future plans will result in a popular exhibit. The Red-Black Connection consists of 60 Black and white photographs of people who claim both Native American and African-American ancestry. Dismukes documented their stories through photography and narrative. The Red-Black Connection focuses on the history, folklore, culture and heritage of these people. “We get insight into the lives of people who know they have a mixed heritage,” said Nottage. “Discovering their roots has allowed them to find their family heritage.” Dismukes asked herself the question, “Who are these people?” after seeing Black Native Americans dancing in a powwow arena. She wondered what issues surrounded their claiming of Indian ancestry and began attending more powwows.

She took pictures and asked questions, finding out more about the people who inspired this exhibit. “I identify as an African-Native American, and am extremely proud of my roots,” said James Howard Scott, a descendent of the Kiowa, Seminole and CheyenneArapaho tribes. “My teen-age son and I honor our African and Indian ancestors and their rich traditions, through powwows, visiting the elders, constructing lodges, and participating in tribal ceremonies and the Native American church.” The Eiteljorg wants to put out information on this subject and feels this exhibit is a great start. “There’s not a lot of awareness about the subject,” said Nottage. “This exhibit encourages people to learn more about themselves." Those who already know have mostly embraced both of their cultures. “My Choctaw grandmother raised me in a household that honored both my African and my Choctaw lineages,” said Boe Glasschild, a descendent of the Choctaw and Cherokee tribes. “As several of my relatives were medicine people, I would sit for hours as a child listening to stories of spirit encounters and unusual events the family members had experienced. “1 hope to impart to my children the honor of being a medicine person of Black and red heritages. I hope that we will continue to rediscover our tribal connections and bring back the sacred ways of our ancestors.” The Red- Black Connection will run through Oct. 24 at the museum. For more information call the Eiteljorg at (317) 636-9378or visit the Web site at www.eiteljorg.org.

Subscribe to The Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper Call (317) 924-5143