Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 October 2004 — Page 12

PAGE A12

EDITORIAL

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2004

Solid VP debate, but no new info

By SHANNON WILLIAMS Recorder Editor

After watching the vice-presi-dential debate on Tuesday evening, I was pleased to see the vast issues brought up by moderator Gwen Ifill as well as how vice-president Dick Cheney and Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards addressed them. What set this week’s debate aside from the presidential debate that took place last week is that though the candidates did get really heated and personal, they were both able to at least provide some sensible responses to most of the issues addressed. From observing the debate I do feel that Edwards did a better job of the two. In addressing the issues he remained most focused throughout the debate. What was best about Edwards is that he effectively carried his own weight throughout the 98-minute discussion. In doing so, he proved the naysayers who questioned whether he was “tough enough” to be the second in command wrong. With the upsurge of physicians being sued for malpractice, moderator Ifill asked the candidates what they planned to do about the issue. Cheney’s response was somewhat vague while Edwards provided a much more detailed response that seems fairly simple to implement. Included in his response Edwards said that he and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry would place more responsibility on the lawyers for these frivolous lawsuits. A part of that responsibility would include a three-strikes approach, which after representing three malpractice suits, that particular lawyer would be restricted from working on another case of that caliber. Continuing with the subject of healthcare, the Kerry/ Edwards plan is to decrease the cost of healthcare, cover more Americans, and stand up to insurance companies by making them practice fair treatment of working families. By the year 2006 Bush and Cheney only plan to provide an additional $1300 per year for senior citizens. Reminiscent of Indiana’s Gubernatorial debate last week, both Cheney and Edwards disappointed me when the subject about the increasingly high numbers of AIDS cases among African Americans...particularly Black women arose. Ifill asked the gentlemen to discuss their plan of attack for Blacks infected with HIV/AIDS in the United States.

JUST TEUIIT IT Good week for Gov. Kernan as he woos Black voters at the Classic

By AMOS BROWN III Notre Dame fan to miss the Irish/ What I heard in the Bailey’s also a board member for Purdue game to be at the Classic streets/suites at the Classic Scottish Power, a British-Ameri- ■ Since Bill exemplified the Kernan/Davis Secretary of Education Rod can utility company. Maysendorsed campaign’s new aggressiveness in Paige wasn’t here for the Classic, ***** Mitch Daniels, our Black community. but was honored by the GEO WherewasSen.Evan(nocamGov. Joe Three hours before kickoff, Foundation. I caught up with him paign ads for Black newspapers) J* Kernan s cam- Congresswoman Julia Carson, and in an interview aired exclu- Bayh? Why does he ignore the paign has virtually every Black Indiana leg- sively on our WTLC-AM (1310) Classic? You’d think that in an buckled down islator and almost every India- program; Paige strongly defended election year, with the Senate not and gotten se- napolis Black elected official pub- the controversial No Child Left in session, Bayh would’ve found B rious about the licly declared their strong sup- Behind program. time to attend at least one Classic African- port for Gov. Kernan at a special Secretary Paige repeated his event. • American vote, reception and press conference - mantra that closing the achieve- ***** In recentweeks.Gov. Kernan an event Indianapolis white me- ment gap for African-American The refusal of national AARP visited Black churches in Gaiy, dia refused to cover. youth is the “greatest civil rights officials to work with our comport Wayne and Indianapolis. Several top Democratic Party issue of the day.” munity caused a disappointing Last week, at a meeting with insiders told me that the effort to In a surprise, Paige said that turnout for Saturday’s Voices of numerous Black ministers, mobilize and maximize the Black under No Child Left Behind, “In- Civil Rights Bus Tour. Scores of Kernan extolled his record for votefor JoeKemanison. And in diana has received $2.3 billion in Indy’s civil rights veterans the past year, including his ap- agovemor’s race that’s oh so close, federal funds.” When I questioned should’ve had their memories repointments of African-Ameri- that mobilization could make the that, Secretary Paige urged me corded for history. They didn’t cans to state positions. I hear difference. “to check with the state Depart- because AARP brass insisted on the governor got a very positive Sen. John Kerry also had a ment of Education.” coming to Indy on Classic game reception from the ministers good week as he smoked Presi- I mentioned Secretary Paige’s day. AARP’s arrogant refusal to which!! generate Black enthu- dentGeorgeW. Bush in their first words to Washington Township reschedule their Indy visit to a siasmforhim. debate last week. School Superintendent Dr. Eu- time other than Classic weekend, Keman’saggressiveness con- Since the Republican National gene White and IPS Superinten- led to the dismal turnout. And tinued during Classic weekend. Convention in August, Demo- dent Dr. Pat Pritchett who haven’t loss of recording our history. Back during Black Expo, crats, including many African seen any evidence of those funds. Shame AARP. Kernan,Daniels,Lt.Gov. Kathy Americans, were becoming 111 tell you what Indiana Su- ***** Davis and Republican lieuten- dispirited and disheartened about perintendent of Public Instruc- Thanks to the Classic Parade ant governor candidate state Kerry’s chances. The Bush tion Dr. Suellen Reed has to say for allowing me to commemorate Sen. Becky Skillman were all campaign’s ruthless attacks on next week. 30 years in Indianapolis broadover. Kenys positions on terrorism and ***** casting as a Classic Parade VIP; But at the Classic, Skillman Iraq caused Keny to lose support Ed Temple coached Tennessee in a white Corvette no less, was invisible, Daniels briefly and threatened to turn the race State University’s legendary Though warm and enthusiastic, attended the game, but Kernan into a Bush landslide. “Tigerbelles” women’s track team for the parade crowds seemed down, and Davis were everywhere: Then came the first debate 40 years. A team which included Was it the weather, or is WISHDavis at the Classic Coaches where before 65 million people, Olympic track champions Chandra TV/Channel 8’s live broadcast Luncheon, the governor at the the largest presidential debate Cheeseborough(nowtheTigerbelle’s hurting parade attendance? Classic Gala and both at the audience in some time, Sen. Keny coach), Wyomia Tyus and Wilma Hasn’tChannel 8’s quality parade game and parade. came across as one who could Rudolph. In town for the Classic, I coverage, hosted by Tina Cosby, At the parade Kernan and stand toe-to-toe with President interviewed this living sports legend Anthony Calhoun and Tony Davis, who both walked the Bush. exclusive on our radio show who im- Lament earned a prime time spot, route, slowed the parade down Kerry was strong, forceful. He pressed me with his-wisdom and HkeChannel8treatsthe500Fesbecause they were shaking so looked and sounded like apresident down home logic tival Parade? many hands and greeting so President Bush flatly blew it. Another TSU track standout, Classic officials need to reinmany spectators. He looked tired and exasperated; Ralph Boston, i960 Olympic gold vent the Battle ofthe Bands. While In an unprecedented move, irritated at Kerry’s temerity to medalist in the long jump, at- everyone watches the bands at surrounded by a phalanx of dare disagree with Bush’s poli- tended the Classic as well. halftime, virtually no one’s around Indiana’s top Black elected of- cies on terrorism, Iraq and ***** to watch them play after the game, ficials and volunteers wearing nuclear proliferation in North Caught up at the Classic with That must change. “Go with Joe” T-shirts, Gov. Korea and Iran. Several times, Indianapolis’ own Vicki Bailey. See ‘ya next week. Kernan visited nearly every Bush looked and sounded like he ThefirstAfrican American to head RCA Dome suite, shaking wanted to walk over and punch an Indiana utility company Amos Browns opinions are hands, greeting attendees and Keny out. (CINergy), Bailey’s a former not necessarily those of the visitors. In the Classic’s 21years, Instead it was Kerry who deputy secretary of energy. She’s Indianapolis Recorder. You can no Indiana governor ever punched Bush out in round one. now a Washington lobbjist work- contact him at (317) 221worked the Classic the way Joe Can’t wait for rounds two and ing for a firm headed by former 0915 or e-mail him at Kernan did. For this die-hard three in the coming days. LouisianaSen. Bennett Johnston. ACBROWN (5)A0L. COM.

Rather than provide a response, Cheney admitted that he was unaware ofthe severity of HIV/AIDS in regards to African American women. With his admission, I immediately asked out loud to no one in particular “How could he not be aware of the seriousness of AIDS in the Black community? Where has he been all these years?” While Edwards was very knowledgeable about the AIDS epidemic in Africa and even genocide, the question per-: tained to AIDS among Blacks in the United States. He failed to provide a solid answer to the question. Instead he sited a statistic on the number of Americans without healthcare coverage. Even more disappointing was that neither candidate attempted to rebut the other, nor did they use that time to provide a better response. From my observation, that appeared to be the only question that neither candidate rebutted. I do believe that the debate was fairy successful overall. However, I’m not sure the impact it had on America’s undecided voters. During the debate Cheney and Edwards’ stance was consistent with what they’ve been saying throughout this campaign. If those voters that are undecided have been following both candidates over the last several months, then this week’s vice-presidential debate didn’t supply them with any additional information...if nothing else, undecided voters may have gotten some clarification from the debate, but definitely nothing new.

INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER DIRECTORY

C«erq* P. SUwart Marcus C. Stawart Sr. Eunica Trottar William C. Mays Foundar-Edltor- EdHor-Publlshar Edltor-ln-Chlaf Publisher Publisher 1923-1983 Publisher 1990-present 1895-1924 1988-1990

President/Ganartl Manager Carotene Meyt Admlnlstretlve Aesnt...._ ...lure* Debney

EDITORIAL Editor - Shannon WIIMem t Stetl Writer Joshua Cohan Brandon A. Perry Erlcka P. Thompson Erlcka C. Wheeler Copy Editor Jack Solas

ART i PRODUCTION Production Maneger.... Jaano Marla Lewis Ouattera Senior Designer John L. Hurst Jr. Designer Jessica Holman

ADVERTISING Seles end Marketing Manager LeRoy Lewis Classified Advertising Sharon L. Mosey Local Display Advertising Lisa Shoamaka Rita J. Wise ....— ,.C. Danis* Patty BUSINESS/CIRCULATION Business Office Menagor -....Angola Kuhn Interim Controtlar Arthur Carter Business Office -.Crystal Dalton Key!Oliver - ShM Williams Circulation BrucotIMays

The Indlsnmpollt Recorder encourages short, concise letters to the editor end opinion articles from the public. Letters and opinion article* will be used ot the editor's discretion end ore eubfect to editing. We will net guarantee publication of materiel received. We cannot guarantee dotes of publication. Letters containing libelous or untru* stetements will not be published. All letters and opinion articles must Include a verifiable full name, eddrase and telephone number. This Information will not be published et the reguest of the wrHer. Letters end articles should be typed but wilt be accepted If handwriting Is legible. (317) 924-5143 P.O. Box 18499, Indianapolis, IN 46218-0499 nowsroom^indyrec order.com

Racial disparities in health

By GEORGE E. CURRY For NNPA Within the past two months, I have given the keym >te speech at a health MR ^|| disparities conference in ifh I Chattanooga, Tenn., jU sponsored bvtheTennes'rflSL-? sce Department of Health, moderated a ol panel in D.C. on the same subject for the National Medical Association and moderated a panel at yet another conference in Virginia organized by Hampton University’s Health Disparities Reduction Project. At each event, the same point was made: Of the 15 leading causes of death in the United States, Blacks had higher death rates than whites in 11 areas: heart disease, cancer, stroke, accidents, diabetes, flu and pneumonia, kidney diseases, septicemia, homicide, cirrhosis of the liver and hypertension. African Americans had lower death rates than whites as a result of respiratory diseases, Alzheimer’s, suicide and aortic aneurysm. Professor David R. Williams, a senior research scientist at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, has done significant research in this area. He presented many of his findings to the audience at Hampton and has written about them in the National Urban League’s “State of Black America 2004.” One of the most stunning points made

by Williams was that although overall health has improved in the U.S. over the past 50 years, racial differences in health are unchanged or widened. “The age-adjusted overall death rate for African Americans was 20 percent higher than that of whites in 1950 but 30 percent higher in 2000,” Williams says. “Similarly, a Black baby born in the U.S. was 1.6 times as likely to die before his/her birthday than a white infant in 1950, but is 2.5 times as likely in 2000.” To show the significance of the gap, in 1985 the Department of Health and Human Services began using the term “excess deaths,” defined as the number of African Americans who would not die each year if Blacks and whites had the same mortality rates. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, there were 66,900 excess Black deaths in 1940; 50,900 in I960; 80,600 in 1980 and 96,800 in 1998. From 1940 to 1998, according to the center, 4.27 million African Americans died prematurely. Whites in the U.S. are hardly a model. Williams says that when the infant mortality and life expectancy figures are calculated for whites alone, Caucasians fared poorly when measured against other industrialized nations. If whites made up their own country, they would rank 24th in infant mortality deaths. At 5.8 deaths per 1,000 births, whites would trail top-ranked Hong Kong (3.1), Japan (3.4), Sweden (3.4), Singapore (3.5), Finland (3.7) and seven other countries (Norway, Denmark, France, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand and Portugal).

When looking at international life expectancy rates, white women, averaging 80 years, would rank 19th and white men (74.5 years) would rank 20th. Men in Hong Kong live an average of 77.4 years, longer than males anywhere else. They are followed by Japan (77.2), Sweden (76) and Switzerland (76.3). Women live longest in Japan (84 years), followed by Hong Kong (83 years). As a country, Blacks would rank 36th in infant mortality deaths (14.6 per1,000births). In life expectancy, Black men would rank 34th if measured against other men in the world (67.6 years. Black women would rank 35th among females (74.8 years). “The subjective experience of discrimination is a neglected but important source of stress,” Williams points out. “Research indicates that acute and chronic experiences of discrimination are stressful incidents that are adversely related to physical and mental health.” He adds, “A small but growing body of research indicates the health of African Americans is adversely affected when they buy into the larger society’s negative characterization of Blacks.” Even with the clear health disparities, Williams argues that race is less of a health factor than education and economic status. “The differences in life expectancy by education, within each race and gender group (with the exception of white women) are larger than the racial differences,” he states. However, that does not mean race can be ignored. “The most disadvantaged white group (women who have not completed high school) has a lower infant mortality rate than the most advantaged Black group (college graduates),” he observes. Because income, education and even where one lives help determine a person’s life expectancy, Williams argues that in order to eliminate these disparities, efforts should be made to end housing discrimination, racism and unequal access to health care. He observes, “Investments to improve the social conditions and the health of African Americans can improve the health of the entire U.S. population and have long-term positive consequences for non-Blacks as well." George E. Curry is editor-in-chief of the NNPA News Service and BlackPressUSA.com. He can he reached through his Weh site, georgecurry.com.