No diversity at the Oscars?

By Lisa Respers France

(CNN) -- After the Academy Awards ceremony in 2010, there was a great deal of hope that the glass ceiling had finally been shattered in Hollywood.

"The Kathryn Bigelow" effect was coined by some industry observers who believed that her win for "The Hurt Locker," the first Oscar for a woman director, would open doors of opportunity for females behind the camera. The riveting film "Precious" yielded a best supporting actress win for African-American performer Mo'Nique, and the first ever statuette for an African-American screenwriter in the best adapted screenplay category went to Geoffrey Fletcher. But that was last year.

This year there was a decided dearth of diversity in the Oscar nominations. There are no women or people of color among the director nominees, and the acting nominees are all white. Javier Bardem, who is up for best actor for his role in "Biutiful,' is a Spaniard and therefore European.

Which begs the question: Why in an era of ever increasing diversity among movie audiences is that not being reflected among the nominees for Hollywood's most prestigious award? Where are the diverse faces both in front of and behind the cameras?

It's a complex issue that involves both supply and demand.

More focus has been put on actors of color and women this year because of their stellar performances last year. African-Americans snagged nine nominations last year and, in addition to Mo'Nique and Fletcher, Roger Ross Williams won the award for best documentary (short subject) for "Music by Prudence."

But historically far fewer meaty dramatic roles, which are beloved by the academy, have been written for or awarded to actors of color, and women behind the camera are greatly outnumbered by men.

"The stories that we would really like to tell usually don't get greenlit," said Rocky Seker, a former creative developer for a director with Sony Pictures and now a film curator who runs Invisible Woman ... Black Cinema at Large. "We're just not taken seriously. It's all a moneymaking issue."

Both groups also find it difficult to break into the big-budget Hollywood films that garner the attention to carry the momentum needed for nominations. Seker said she often comes across wonderfully made black independent films that just aren't able to get big-studio backing or distribution deals.

While Debra Granik and Lisa Cholodenko have both received critical acclaim for their turns as directors of "Winter's Bone" and "The Kids Are All Right," respectively, their films did not enjoy the same media attention as "Black Swan" or "The Social Network," whose male directors were nominated. (Granik and Cholodenko both were nominated for their screenwriting efforts.)

Cathy Schulman is a producer of the Oscar-winning film "Crash" and president of Women In Film, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing sexual equality in filmmaking. She said that when there are 10 nominations for best film, but only five director nominees, invariably it means someone will be slighted.

"On the one hand, I am very encouraged to see that there are women sprinkled throughout most of the categories, with the continued strength as we've seen before in art direction, in music and in other areas that we have consistently seen a strength in," Schulman said. "What does disappoint is the lack of women in the writer, director, producer roles and some of the other key departments like cinematography and editorial, though there is one woman, Pamela Martin, who has been nominated for editorial (for "The Fighter") and that is certainly well-deserved."

Martha Lauzen, executive director of the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University, said, "There are lots of reasons at both the individual level as well as the industry level that converge to suppress diversity both on the screen and behind the scenes."

Lauzen added, "The film industry does not exist in a vacuum; it is part of a larger culture, and our attitudes about gender and race are extremely deeply held. Those attitudes don't change overnight or with an Oscar win."

Lauzen is set to release a study next week that will show the numbers on women have not changed significantly from her most recent survey, "The Celluloid Ceiling: Behind-the-Scenes Employment of Women in the Top 250 Films of 2009."

In 2010, woman accounted for 16% of all directors, producers, writers, cinematographers and editors, Lauzen said. Women accounted for 7% of directors, she said.

Schulman, the Women In Film president, said Tuesday's nominations -- or lack there of -- merely strengthened her resolve that there is much work to be done.

"Where I see this lack, it really solidifies my belief that we need to focus on getting women in at the ground level in these disciplines and getting them embraced and trained so that they can hone their skills to be included in this grouping and to stop this unfortunate lack in these top jobs on movies," she said.

For African-Americans, it's a matter of timing and a more systemic issue, said Gregg Kilday, film editor for The Hollywood Reporter.

"As we look at the movies this year, there really weren't movies in contention from African-American filmmakers," said Kilday, whose publication wrote a piece in September called "Whitest Oscars in 10 Years?" "It's not the academy's fault. It speaks to a larger issue in the industry in that it is still difficult for black filmmakers to do movies about black film matter."

Kilday said that while Tyler Perry's film "For Colored Girls" boasted an all-female, African-American cast, it opened to mixed reviews and never gained much traction as an Oscar contender. Likewise, while actress Halle Berry has been critically acclaimed for her portrayal as a stripper with multiple personality disorder in "Frankie & Alice," Kilday said that movie enjoyed a one-week limited release just to make it eligible for this year's awards season and there was little promotion behind it.

Kilday said the movies favored by the academy also factor in the lack of diversity.

"When you talk about academy movies, they have to be a specific type," he said. "A kind of mainstream commercial movie like a commercial comedy is never going to show up on the academy list. While I think the industry is pretty open on casting, it's not that open on making serious movies in general, and serious African-American movies are probably even harder to get financed."

Phil Yu, who runs the blog "Angry Asian Man," said he "follows the Oscars like sports fans follow the Super Bowl."

Yu said that because there are really no proven, bankable Asian actors he has little expectation of roles that might attract the academy going to Asian actors. He said this year he was also not surprised by the decided overall lack of diversity because there was no early buzz about any actors of color as potential nominees.

"Movies are a business," Yu said. "Consequently studios are as risk-adverse as it gets, and they want to go with something tried and true."

Ava DuVernay is founder of the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement -- a collective of black film festivals -- and the writer-director of the independent film "I Will Follow." DuVernay said the nominations ironically come at a time when she has jokingly been calling the Sundance Film Festival "Blackdance" because of its abundance of minority films this year.

"The Academy Awards represents what is being distributed and exhibited year-round," she said. "It's challenging when people expect to have this onslaught of diverse nominations when it hasn't been a diverse year."

DuVernay said films such as "Precious" and directors such as Bigelow are anomalies and that the nominations over the past few years have not been incredibly diverse. The atmosphere in the industry has not changed just because there are a few breakthroughs here and there, she said.

"Ultimately, if we have people that are serious about diversifying films, whether it be black films, women's films, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) films or Latino films, they have to be building those structures year-round," DuVernay said. "Then that becomes a conversation where there were these amazing black films, Latino films, LGBT films and films made and directed by women that were ignored."

Jeff Friday agrees.

He is the chief executive officer of Film Life and founder of theAmerican Black Film Festival, which celebrates its 15 anniversary this year as a showcase for black film. While not an academy member, Friday said that if he were picking nominees his list would be similar to those announced Tuesday because there were so few films with people of color in principal roles or behind the scenes of movies that would be considered.

"We have to challenge the studio system," Friday said. "Why are studios not making films that represent the people of this country?"

First Lady Visits Howard University

By Michael Tomlin-Crutchfield--Black College Wire

"America has no better ambassadors to offer than our young people." President Barack Obama said these words two years ago to address a group of people at a town hall meeting in Shanghai, China.

The first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, took that message home to the hearts of young people from around the world at Howard University on Jan. 19, 2011. 

"Its not just about the relationships we form with our fellow leaders," said the first lady. " Its about the relationships we form with people, specifically our young people."  The first lady addressed a packed Cramton auditorium to announce President Obama' s 100,000 Strong Initiative to increase the number and diversity of American students studying abroad, specifically in China. This announcement comes a day after the arrival of President Hu Jintao of China in Washington, D.C. for his nation' s state visit.

Anne Stock, the assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs, spoke on the importance of the message and the event. "An arrival ceremony had just been held] for the China state visit in the White House and then Michelle Obama wanted to send that message to a wider audience," said Stock. " We are a very interconnected society and wewant to stress the importance of being global to our young people."

Stock said there are all kinds of resources and scholarships that can be found through The Department of State, colleges and the private sector that may be used to pursue these opportunities. "And we do not want our young people to be afraid to apply," she said.

The event featured a panel of college and high school students from around the country, including Howard University senior communications major Nicole Baden. Baden has had experiences studying in China and said it was life changing.

"You learn how challenging and interesting the Chinese language can be to learn, but you also gain a sense of the similarities that you have with people abroad," Baden said.  She spoke on how even though the Chinese government was strict, youth in the country enjoyed various freedoms we do in America. "They are students and young people just like we are," Baden said. "After school we went to the movies and experienced nightlife just like anywhere else."

Other students including Lyric Carter of Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School, Valery Lavigne of The College of New Jersey and David Marzban of Pepperdine University, spoke about their experiences as well.

"After graduation - in the short term - I would like to return to China to teach English, but I do plan on attending law school and I believe that my experiences will lead to great opportunities in the future," said Marzban.  

Each of the panelists spoke of the importance of being immersed in the culture and that their experiences made them want to go back to China in the future to teach and even live.  Various members of the audience also took advantage of the opportunities to study in China. Two Fulbright Scholars, Yilin Zhang from Michigan and Willa Dong of Gaithersburg, MD, both spent 10 months in China studying in Shanghai and Beijing.

Sarah Davis, a 7th grade student at Tyee Middle School in Bellevue, WA, was the only student selected from her school to come to the event and was accompanied by her teacher, Rongfen Sun Burford.  "Out of all the languages Chinese is the most difficult and interesting," Davis said.

John Flower, director of the Chinese studies program and global initiatives for Sidwell Friends School, brought a group of students to the event as well.  "I hope to learn about the program and how it can help students, as well as the future of the partnership between the two countries," Flower said. " We' re honored to be here."

Howard University also cited some of its plans to send students abroad going forward. "We are working to expand our University and expose our students to more opportunities," said President Sidney A. Ribeau. "Last year, we had 17 MBA students spend two months studying in China."  Dean of the School of Communications Dr. Jannette L. Dates, also spoke on how the Annenberg Honors Program plans to develop an international study component. 

"After speaking to President Ribeau backstage on how Howard plans to send more students abroad, it's really a win-win situation for everyone that gets involved with the initiative," Stock said. 

Michael Tomlin-Crutchfield writes for The Hilltop, the Howard University student newspaper, which originally published this article.

Tuskegee University Welcomes New President

BY MATT OKARMUS


Among a crowd of students, faculty and alumni of Tuskegee University, Gilbert L. Rochon became the school's newest president Saturday. He is only the sixth president in the 130-year history of the university.


Members of the community and various well-wishers also filled the Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James Center for more than three hours to witness the inauguration of the new president. More than 25 speakers took the stage to offer their praise and congratulations to Rochon, including Gov. Robert Bentley, who is still fresh off his own inauguration.


"It is indeed an honor for one of my first appearances as your newly inaugurated governor to come to Tuskegee University," Bentley said. "This is such a prestigious university. As the governor of the state of Alabama, I want to support all institutions of higher learning and there is no greater institution than Tuskegee University."The university's history was a focal point of the afternoon as founder and first president Booker T. Washington was mentioned by nearly every speaker. John Wilson, executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, mentioned Washington's ambition of starting an entire university out of nothing and wished for Rochon to have the same productivity, ambition and discovery as Washington.


Before taking Tuskegee University into the future, Rochon himself also acknowledged the past. "It is with great respect for this historic institution, founded by Booker T. Washington on July 4, 1881, and for my illustrious predecessors that I stand before you today," Rochon said.


Rochon said he "stood upon the shoulders" of past presidents, including Washington, Robert Moton, Frederick Douglas, Luther Foster and Benjamin Payton. He went on to praise the university's student body, faculty and programs while talking of specific goals for the future.


Enhancing the undergraduate program, building on their strengths in veterinary medicine and dedicating themselves to the social and economic development of the surrounding regional communities were just some of the tasks Rochon laid out. He also spoke of upgrading the buildings and improving the athletic facilities, both drawing huge cheers from the crowd. "George Washington Carver once said 'Where there is no vision, there is no hope,'" Rochon said. "We have hope in abundance and we have great expectations."


Payton, the university's previous president, said the board of trustees has chosen well before placing the medal of presidency around Rochon's neck. Letters read from former U.S. President Bill Clinton and current President Barack Obama also praised the appointment of Rochon and the prestige of one of the oldest historically black colleges and universities.


The ceremony had a few light moments throughout the afternoon, including Auburn University President Jay Gogue, that school's 18th president, asking for "some good advice" from Rochon on longevity in office.


Rochon's brother Stephen, a retired Coast Guard rear admiral who is now chief usher in the White House, joked about not using that much time for his remarks because he didn't want to do what a preacher did a few years back and put the crowd to sleep.


Stephen Rochon said that actually happened and he remembers a little boy going up to the preacher with his hands on his hips and asking him to "please shut up." The crowd erupted in laughter when he said the boy in the story was the university's new president.


Rochon's immediate family was also in attendance and joined him on stage. They included his wife, Patricia, son Hildred, daughter Emile and mother, Ursula Carrere Rochon Jupiter.


Rochon previously served as director of the Purdue Terrestrial Observatory, senior research scientist for the Rosen Center for Advanced Computing and associate vice president for collaborative research and engagement at Purdue University. He holds a doctorate in urban and regional planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master's degree in public health from Yale University and a bachelor's degree from Xavier University of Louisiana.

PiNK BRASS KNUCKLES has allowed me to pass on this message...

What is Sexy?

What is sexy? Sexiness is often confused with beauty or sex appeal. Sexy has absolutely nothing to do with either. Sexy does not mean dressing in clothes that barely cover nipples, butt cheeks and camel toes. Being sexy is a lifestyle. On a female, there are 5 components that make a woman sexy.

Class - Being classy is the first step to sexiness. Classy means that you are grown and mature enough to leave the bullshit immaturity behind. Wretchedness is not a becoming feature. Despite where you grew up, class is something you can accumulate and perfect. (For example, Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman").

Personality - Though classy, you still must have something unique about you, which is your personality. You must be able to hold a conversation or debate. Your personality equates your likability.

Style - You don't have to be drop dead gorgeous, but you can look the part. Clothes play a big part of this because they are a reflection of you. Rather than wearing less clothes to draw attention to your appealing body parts, wear more clothing to add mystery, but also look classy. Your clothes don't have to be expensive or name-brand. However, if you can take clothes that aren't flashy and pair them nicely with some stilettos, you're set. Being able to look beautiful in jeans, a nice blouse and nice shoes adds class, mystery and allure.

Intelligence - Like I stated in a previous post, intelligence is sexy. You don't have to be Gretchen from "Recess," but you have to have some type of knowledge about the world around you. Even if academics is not your forte, you can be knowledgeable about other topics such as sports, cooking, insects, history...etc. Whatever that may be, it adds to your allure and mystery. Intelligence--no matter the subject--is sexy.

Confidence - Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can possess. Confidence does not mean walking around acting stuck-up or bourgeois. Confidence is walking into a room full of beautiful women and knowing that, no matter how beautiful they were, you still stand out. Confidence doesn't mean being conceited or catty. It means being able to compliment another female on how pretty her shoes, nails, jeans, hair, skin are and not feeling competitive.

Sexiness is a healthy combination of classiness, personality, style, intelligence, and confidence. Ladies, you don't have to let your body parts ooze out of your clothes to be sexy. If you possess these qualities, you are already sexy.

♥P.

Health Tips From Tisch...

Eat fewer packaged foods. I see so many young women who are all about the grab-and-go.  I get the appeal -- we're all busy! You don't want to go home every night to a frozen dinner.  Many processed foods are loaded with salt, preservatives, sugars, and unhealthy fat. It doesn't take much longer to make a healthier, do-it-yourself version.  Find recipes online or take a cooking class.  Buy and eat the fresh stuff: fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, lean protein.  After that, if half a bag of M&M's falls into the mix, so what? Enjoy food; don't revile it!

E-Mail TischFitness@live.com for personal training rates!

“A Couple of Silent Killers”

If all the new HIV cases and senseless shootings were to cease, Black people would still be doomed.  As long as diabetes, often called “sugar,” and high-blood pressure, also known as Hypertension, are still prevalent in the Black community, we will continue to meet our maker faster than any other ethnic group.


       Blacks make up only 15% of the American population and it seems as though when it comes to health, we might have the most to worry about.  Blacks are facing the most chronic illnesses and it’s at an all time high.  I contribute many of the health issues in the Black community to obesity, predisposed conditions, a lack of awareness and also a lack of healthcare. 

It is believed that one out of every two Black babies born in America will develop type 2 diabetes. Blacks are twice as likely as Whites to have a run-in with diabetes.  In the United States today, 1 in 7 Blacks are actually are aware that they have the disease.  Who knows how many people are unknowingly living with the ailment. Many people are unaware that diabetes places them on Death Avenue even when treated.   

“We're seeing shortening of life spans, people are dying earlier from heart disease, strokes," says Dr. Duane Smoot, chair of the medical department at the Howard University Hospital.  Diabetes affects the blood vessels and cause hardening of the arteries more frequently which makes it difficult to age.  Dr. Smoot says, “We have very firm data that tells us that diabetes itself had reached epidemic proportions in this nation as a whole, but more specifically in the African-American community."

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, four out of five Black women are overweight or obese. Black women have the highest rates of being overweight in America. Dr. Joyce Richey, diabetes researcher and assistant professor at the Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California says, "Obesity and diabetes go hand in hand. The obesity issue is the trigger and we have a genetic background that sets off that trigger.  The result is a diabetes epidemic.  When you become obese, you become less responsive to the insulin that your body is putting out."  A study done by the department of Health and Human Services proves from 2003-2006, Black women were 70% more likely to be obese than White women.  With these numbers, like HIV, diabetes will too become a Black woman’s disease.

There is another “silent killer” on the loose in the Black community and it is high blood pressure.  It is known to affect many organs without a mere sign or symptom.  Just like diabetes, high blood pressure causes heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and vision problems.  It will have you knocking on heaven’s door if gone untreated.  Blacks with high blood pressure have an 80% higher chance of dying from a stroke than in the general population.

According to the American Heart Association in order to reduce your risk for heart attacks you must not use tobacco, be physically active, eat healthy foods, watch your weight and avoid excessive alcohol, have regular checkups, control your cholesterol, and keep your diabetes in check.  Those rules don’t sound too bad until you realize most Blacks in America are living in poverty and many consume tobacco products and eat off the dollar menu at their local fast food restaurant.  Blacks are three times as likely to live below poverty.  If one can barely eat, I doubt if they will be paying a visit to a doctor.  The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation says uninsured African Americans are much less likely to have seen a physician over the course of a year compared to those with private or Medicaid coverage.

The stress that comes along with worrying how you’re going to eat dinner might contribute to the fact hypertension developing earlier and blood pressures being higher in Blacks.  Hypertension is accredited for 20% of African American deaths in the US which is twice as high the percentage among Whites.

35% of African Americans have hypertension. According to the American Heart Association, within the African-American community, the majority of the people with the highest rates of hypertension are middle aged or older, less educated, overweight or obese, physically inactive, and have diabetes.  The AHA also says Non-Hispanic blacks are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure than whites.

“People die of heart attacks and strokes because diabetes. It is one of the more under listed causes of death of all causes... With the trend line that we're on, it's a terrible epidemic," says Dr. Wayman Wendell Cheatam medical director at the Medstar Research Institute in Washington, D.C.

Blacks in America might stand a chance if they only they had access to a little healthcare. Thanks to Obama and Nancy Pelosi fighting for healthcare, some Blacks will live longer.  With the opportunity for health services, many misfortunes and disparities can be avoided. The Kaiser Foundation also found 20% of school-age Black children and 10% of younger children have not seen a physician even once in the past year. 

Standard check-ups are needed to evaluate a child’s social and physical development.  There’s no telling how many minor issues have become major issues because something has gone untreated.  The poor babies are already headed down a terrible path.  If a child grows up never visiting a doctor, he or she will think nothing of healthcare.  As an adult the child will think nothing of an insurance policy.  

As long as Blacks continue to live in poverty with incomes below 200% of poverty, there’s no telling what’s going to happen if Obamacare is repealed. Diabetes and high blood pressure are chronic diseases that require daily medication. Nothing more than the worst will occur if it goes untreated.

Detroit Serial Rapist Attacks Again, Group Patrols Streets « CBS Detroit Reports

After another attack by a repeat rapist, a community activist group in Detroit says it’s ready to hit the streets.

The latest attack took place Monday night. And while police are not releasing details, they do say this suspect is targeting women who are alone. Detroit Police are advising people to carry a cell phone and let others know where they will be.

The head of the community activist group Detroit 300 says they will hit the streets again, Thursday, and will patrol the northeast side of town – the same area where police say a man attacked a number of women this month.

The same group patrolled the streets last summer after a 90-year-old woman was raped. Police credited that group’s efforts in the arrests of three men from that attack.

Detroit Police say the man suspected in the string of rapes has attacked women walking alone, at bus stops and getting out of their cars. According to police, the man takes the women at gunpoint to a secluded location, then robs and sexually assaults them.

The suspect is described as a black male in his 30s, 5’9″, with a thin build, mustache and goatee.

Anyone with information is asked to call 313-596-1950.

CNN reports: Major earthquake strikes southwestern Pakistan

[Updated at 4 p.m. ET] An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 struck Wednesday morning in southwestern Pakistan, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The earthquake occurred at 1:23 a.m. (3:23 p.m. Tuesday ET) at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). It was centered 55 kilometers (34 miles) west of Dalbandin; 263 kilometers (164 miles) west of Kalat; 301 kilometers (187 miles) east southeast of Zahedan, Iran; and 793 kilometers (492 miles) northeast of Muscat, Oman, the USGS said on its website.

Quakes of 7.0 to 7.9 are classified as major; anything over 8.0 is classified as great.

Texting While Walking

Oldest African-American dies at 113

By Phil Gast, CNN

Mississippi Winn didn't get caught up in the amazing statistics that accompanied someone her age. Only 1 in 5 million people in the industrialized world live to be 110. About 60 people that age live in the United States, with another 300 or so scattered around the globe. Nine of 10 are women. Winn was believed to be the oldest living African-American when she died Friday afternoon in Shreveport, Louisiana, at 113.

Investigator Milton Carroll of the Caddo Parish Coroner's Office said he was not permitted to disclose a cause of death, but a relative said Winn -- who was nicknamed "Sweetie" -- had been in declining health since last autumn.  Robert Young, a senior claims researcher with the Gerontology Research Group and a senior consultant for Guinness World Records, visited Winn at Magnolia Manor Nursing Home in July 2010. "She looked to be in very good shape," he said Saturday. "It was a surprise she went downhill so fast." 
Young believes Winn's parents were born into slavery. Her father was born in 1844 and her mother in 1860.  But Winn "never discussed it," said her great-niece Mary C. Hollins of Shreveport. "She would say, 'I don't know about that.'" Winn, who did not marry and lived independently until 103, appears to have lived a life that made her especially well-qualified for the elite club of supercentenarians -- those who live to be 110 or older.

"She had always been kind to others," Hollins said on Saturday. "She was always respectful." Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover said the city has honored several centenarians. "We have declared March 31 as Ms. Mississippi Winn Day since her 110th birthday," he wrote in an e-mail. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Miss Winn's family, relatives, her beloved Pastor Clarence Hicks and her church family and friends who all loved and cherished her," he said. The secret to living to and past 110, besides not having an unhealthy weight, said Young, is a positive attitude and emotional and physical stability. Most supercentenarians take little medication during their lives, he said. "They do things in moderation," he said. "They don't get upset." Most were still walking at age 105, he added.

Born in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, on March 31, 1897, Winn moved with her family to Shreveport after her father died in 1908. One of 15 children, eight of whom lived to adulthood, Winn had a sister who lived to be 100 and a brother who lived to 95. She worked as a domestic, cooking and helping families raise children. She worked in Kansas City for a time and lived in Seattle, Washington, from 1957 to 1975, helping to raise three boys, before returning to Louisiana. Winn had a child who died at age 2, Hollins said.

Before she moved to the nursing home, Winn lived on her own, doing her own laundry and walking around a track for exercise. She never learned to drive. Instead, she got rides or took a bus to the grocery store. She liked bingo and sewing and loved to cook vegetables and stewed chicken. Said Hollins: "She didn't make much over modern things." Winn was clear about what she liked. "She was a disciplinarian," said Hollins. Right or wrong, it was her way."

A member of Avenue Baptist Church, Winn received visits from church members and was able to attend a service on August 29. The chuch will hold her funeral next Saturday. She outlived many of her church friends.  "When each one passed I could see part of her leaving with them," said Hollins, whose grandmother was Winn's sister. 

In time, Winn came to enjoy the attention paid to her age. But she remained even-keeled, said Hollins, recalling what her great-aunt would say. "I'm just going to stay here until he's ready for me." The oldest known African-American is now Mamie Rearden of Edgefield, South Carolina, who is 112. 

The world's oldest known living person is Eunice Sanborn, 114, of Jacksonville, Texas, according to Young.

Students object Lee as MLK Day speaker

By: Mick Swasko
The A&T Register

North Carolia A&T

CHICAGO — Despite criticism from the leader of an Italian cultural group, officials at North Central College in Naperville, Ill., remain excited about the planned speech by filmmaker Spike Lee during a week of celebrations of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.

"Spike Lee's rubbed black folk, brown folk, Italians, Jews the wrong way," said Renard Jackson, a professor and the event's organizer. "He's like Archie Bunker, he's an equal-opportunity portrayer of people sometimes inadequately or improperly."

Bill Dal Cerro, president of the Italic Institute of America, said the filmmaker's portrayal of Italian-Americans is distorted and conflicts with the civil rights leader's message of unity.

"He wants to be provocative, and there's nothing wrong with that," said Dal Cerro. "Where we take issue is that he is provocative at our expense, to the point where he distorts our culture and goes out of his way almost to make us the bad guys."

Dal Cerro, a Chicago resident, assailed movies such as "Do the Right Thing," "Jungle Fever," "Summer of Sam," and "Miracle at St. Anna" as unfairly stereotyping Italians.

"Having Lee speak at an event honoring Dr. King is akin to having Maury Povich as the guest speaker at a Happy Marriage Convention," he stated in a news release.

Ted Slowik, director of public relations and communications at the campus, said the public will have the opportunity to ask tough questions of Lee at the Jan. 18 event, which takes place the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The college, he said, doesn't necessarily endorse the views and opinions of the speakers it brings to campus.

Lee was not available for comment Monday.

How I lost 90 pounds and kept it off

The Censorship Of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn! What!?

Uncanny Coincidence?

How far have we come as Americans?  The most powerful man and woman in America are both Black -  President Obama and Oprah.  Both of their names begin with the letter O and their names both have five letters... What are the odds?   I'd love to be just as successful as these icons. Should I change my name to a five letter word beginning with the letter O?

Troops Are Seeking Support

By Kyra O. Davenport

            Former Marine Christopher Wells, 25, now a D.C. National Guardsmen, did not expect to serve in  Fallujah, Iraq and return home with nightmares, sleep apnea, and alienated from his family. “I had a hard time sleeping; other soldiers were on medication” Wells said.  According to the examiner.com,( a website devoted to local news)  1 in 5 soldiers are returning home suffering from symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress disorder.   

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD is defined as an anxiety disorder that develops after exposure to a violent or life-threatening ordeal, such as violent personal assaults, natural disasters, accidents, or military combat. Health practitioners say African-American veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are not getting enough support. Assistant Primary Military Instructor SFC Charles Atkins Jr., 42, says, “African Americans are suffering more because we tend to underestimate the disorder and ignore the warning signs.

 On the bright morning of Veterans Day, Howard University Army R.O.T.C. cadets visited the Soldiers Home in Northeast D.C. When the cadets arrived they were asked to read heartfelt letters to our veterans, followed by a moment of silence for our troops who made the ultimate sacrifice. Following the ceremony cadets were instructed to disperse among the group and talk to various veterans. The veterans were eager to interact with the young cadets. Interaction is imperative for veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as it is a coping mechanism. Atkins says “ I (was not) scheduled to come in to work today, but the least we can do as troops is pay our respects to those who have paved the way for today’s troops, and they appreciate our efforts to visit and spend time with them.”

Not only must soldiers endure psychological warfare during combat, but also homesickness, depression, anxiety, and racism. The Journal of Depression and Anxiety says African Americans suffering from PTSD may experience higher rates of depression, or anxiety than whites. Older troops understand the experiences the younger troops are having. Soldiers’ home resident and Veteran George Smith, 88, who fought in the Vietnam War, says, "I had a lot of dreams that would scare me to death.” He said most soldiers that go to combat will experience PTSD but they can overcome it with the proper treatment “Soldiers need an outlet,” Smith said, “if the community could provide PTSD meetings, soldiers could talk about the challenges they have faced.”

The Department of Defense has released a “Mental Health App”, for android phones, which allows soldiers to enter information about their feelings of possible depression, anxiety or symptoms of PTSD, and have it assessed by medical personnel, to get a possible diagnosis. The African-American Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Association, an organization devoted to public education and lending support to veterans, is available for veterans and their families. Community support for veterans could have profound effects on a soldier’s ability to cope with PTSD. For example within local neighborhoods there could be a “support our troops” meeting once a week. It is simple steps like this that can help troops cope with PTSD.  “Along with medical services, soldiers also have to find the strength to find peace of mind within themselves.” says Wells. 

"Slave" will replace the "N Word" in "Huck Fin'' AND "Tom Sawyer." -__-

HIV/AIDS STIGMA: Howard University challenges the community to remove the stigma

By Kyra O. Davenport

“People look at me like I am garbage, a piece of trash when I tell them that I am HIV positive says Maryland Resident Sandy Blackwell, 55 Member of National Association of People with AIDS. The stigma of HIV/AIDS can prove to be detrimental to society. The stigmatizing nature of the disease can cause people to fall in to depression and it can also lead to suicide. There are many complexities involving stigmatization caused by being diagnosed with HIV. Howard University and the local community came together to bring awareness to this issue at the HIV/AIDS Stigma conference on World AIDS Day.

Upon arrival at the conference, I was confronted with compelling academic posters such the stigma of HIV positive pregnant women and “How the media affects the self-esteem of HIV positive black men”, these bright and eager students were ready to engage onlookers and educate participants on the damage stigma is causing and how we can slowly but surely eradicate it. As I continued to browse I ran into a poster by displaying HIV positive men with a voice, telling a story of how they are living with HIV today. Rodney McCoy Jr, 49 says, “This program was created for community mobilization, a concerted effort, we have a coalition NAPA. He also says it’s time to confront the Stigma, and I happen to be living with HIV myself, and a lot still needs to be done as far as community outreach, furthermore, there needs to be representation for both genders ling with HIV.” Another participant expressed feelings of underrepresentation, “A lot of the times people focus on men living with HIV/AIDS and let them go on in society, but women get treated as if we are nasty and we deserved what we have. The community needs to focus on women more because we are the population bearing the brunt, and we are not getting proper representation, there is a prejudice still out there.”  D.C Resident Yvette Lindsey55.

“The conference was very informative, they even covered stigma issues on an international level, stigma is not only about the gay population it’s about all of us” says N.W. D.C resident Linda Murph, 49.The conference was not only about stigmatization, while some participants were in workshops others were getting Free HIV testing Freshman Courtland Lacky, 18 says, “I was so nervous, definitely get tested it’s like a weight has been lifted! As the conference charged the community with supporting those who are infected, it also focused on HIV prevention.” “ Let’s get involved Go Get Tested!,” says Lacky.

The conference also held  a series of workshops such as “Understanding Impact of Stigma on families and Us, The Layering of HIV Related Stigma within a community, and Faith, Spirtituality and HIV: Barriers and Facilitators to HIV prevention. In one particular workshop labeled “How Stigma and lack of Disclosure a young African American woman felt so liberated that she approached the microphone passionately and stated that  her family treats her as if they do not care for her and went on to say that she feels that believe if she use their toilets they may fear being infected, she continues by saying that a lot of people do not want to disclose their HIV status, but the brave individuals on the panel at this particular workshop help her to get the courage to come before all these strangers. This is just one of many inspiring workshops that participants were encouraged to attend.

More community involvement and public education on HIV/AIDS will make for a better community, society, and world at large. Ignorance as to how the disease is spread causes many to ostracize people living with the virus. The main message that the professors, media scholars educators, activists, patients, and community members wanted to articulate was that people living with HIV are human they have feelings, they are leaders, and they are capable of making a positive  difference in society. There is the inclination that people fail to realize the impact stigmatization is causing, I am living HIV and stigma says Blackwell.  

  

Live News Bloopers and Accidents: Do I Really Want to Be a Reporter?

The Youth, BKA the No Shows

By: Phylicia 

We learn from statistics that the 2010 midterm election was no different from any other midterm election.  There was a low turnout as usual and most people between the ages of 18-24 stayed at home.  This year only 41.5% of eligible voters actually voted.  That number isn’t too much different than any other past primary election.  Research shows that the youth vote is the most difficult vote to get.  President Obama’s campaign thrived on young voters.  Before the Obama movement, 18-24 year-olds were basically ignored by politicians.  Barack Obama unquestionably made sure he motivated college students to go out and hit the polls during the 2008 Presidential Election. 

The Obama movement was unlike any campaign ever run in history and it made his run for President a success.  Why weren’t some of Obama’s tactics used to motivate youngsters for the 2010 midterm elections?   In Obama’s home state of Illinois, where the Democrats suffered a mighty blow, the significance of motivating youngsters should have been clearly conveyed to Alexi Gianoullious.  After all, Obama did endorse Gianoullious.  Were the lines of communication slashed?  Shouldn’t Gianoullious have known that getting the vote of the young people in down state Illinois was detrimental?

The younger generation showed up and showed out at the polls in 2008.  2010, the majority of them were no-shows.  As President Obama might say, they were “Sha-lack-ing.”  Was the low voter turnout rate due to a lack of motivation?  Multiple individuals under the age of 24 have mentioned how many attack ads they’d seen on TV.  These ads weren’t geared toward what the candidates could do for the individual.  From many discussions with young people, these ads did nothing more than discourage the them from going to the polls.

Of course, if you’re not interested in the elections and finding facts about these candidates, you’re not going to branch off on your own and do research.  Unfortunately, people are lazy and have their own lives and agendas.  If you want youngsters to consider voting for you, you have to mention issues that affect them.   Candidates must reach out to them – especially to youngsters who could care less to begin with.  You have to make it clear as to what you’re going to do for them or like Obama’s campaign, just guarantee them change.

Students are concerned about their future. They’re worried and thinking at this rate how will I ever make it out my parent’s house.  Many are frantic, impatient and upset.  Economic recovery seems to be one of their main focuses.  Like most young people who think they’re invincible, the youth don’t seemed to be concerned with healthcare.  They’re young; the last thing they’re worried about is seeing a doctor at a low rate or for free.  These kids want to know what’s going to happen when they graduate college and haven’t found a job.  

Most students have loans and for many, six months after graduation, loan companies will be expecting their first payment.  These students and recent graduates are looking for a reassurance.   Many have lost hope.  Some graduates say they never thought they would have graduated with a Bachelors degree only to work at the local grocery store.  Many say those who didn’t go to college are better off at the moment.  At least the non-college students have worked their way up to managerial positions in the four years the college students have spent in college. 

At this point, a lot of young people are still new at this voting thing. They have not become committed voters yet.  In ‘08, many were influenced by their parents and the enthusiasm of the Obama campaign.  Two years later, many youngsters still haven’t discovered the power of exercising their right to vote and the power of voting consistently. 

Maybe some youngsters voted in opposition of the Democrats because they were expecting the Obama administration to act a more expeditiously with the notion of change.  After two years, maybe the impatient students thought change would have already trickled down to a city near them.  Unfortunately, the majority of people haven’t seen too much change for the better.  Things are more stable now but many haven’t given it enough time just yet.

Another factor that deterred young voters for hitting the poles is that many of them say they just don’t understand how politics work and they admit they’re uninformed.  They don’t understand by not voting they make it harder for the President they voted in favor for two years ago.  When he loses the majority in the House of Representatives it only makes it harder for his party to pass laws and he’ll have to deal with more Republicans challenging him taking focus off other issues. The 18-24 age group hasn’t been told that not voting is a setback more than anything.

History tells when the country is in crisis the youth always votes.  This was seen during Vietnam and during the recession in ’08.  It seems as though they voted because their age group was directly affected.  During Vietnam, they didn’t want to go to war and in ’08, they needed jobs – two great reasons to make it to the poles.

There’s also a difference between youth voters who are college educated and youth who didn’t attend college.  A study shows that 85% of the youth who attend college believe voting is important whereas 73% of non-college student believe it’s important to vote.  It doesn’t seem like too big a difference until you realize the majority of young people haven’t been to college.

18-24 year-olds in Maine, Minnesota and Wisconsin participate the most when it comes to elections.  Many people attribute the high turnout rate to the convenience of voting in these states.  In these three states, if need be, voters can register and vote all on Election Day.  This sounds perfect for a person who’s undecided or blowing in the wind.

According to youngsters, the main reason they do not vote is because “it’s just one vote.”  Numerous people under the age of 24 have been interviewed and they honestly believe that their one vote does not matter.  They fail to realize there are millions of people in their age group who have this same mentality.  If the youth consistently vote like they did in the 2008 Presidential campaign, they’d be dangerous.  If the youth changes their mentality, they could change America.

Tuskegee University Students Have Something to Tell You - Yes, YOU!

Like the honorable Booker T. Washington and myself, a group of students from my alma mater, Tuskegee University, choose to assist with the removing of the veil of ignorance that has cast a shadow among the Black community for years. These students have set out to inform their readers of the most popular killers of Blacks. The following is an article written by the group which was published in The Tuskegee News, Tuskegee's city newspaper. 

Removing the Veil: Health Report - You are Dying
A critical analysis into the morbid state of black American health
By Royal Banks, Jessica Leonard, Lindsey Lunsford and Barry Seawright

Editor's note: Health care is a concern for all Americans. However, for the black American community it is an issue of extreme importance. Many black Americans are threatened by a multitude of healthcare concerns and challenges such as obesity, STDs and violence. Under the auspices of Dr. Clyde C. Robertson, associate professor of History at Tuskegee University, Tuskegee students probe the precarious state of black American health care in this week’s Removing the Veil:

President Barack Obama made history on March 21, 2010 when the U.S. House of Representatives passed a historic health care bill. Suddenly, every man and woman was entitled to a better means of health care. But does a government-issued bill really guarantee a safe passage towards a better tomorrow?

Overwhelming instances of black obesity, rampant STD infections and violence are the three major causes of death in the black American community. Does this mean black Americans are slothful violent sexual beings? Or, are they being bred by unnatural conditions to do unnatural things?

The black community is saturated with obesity-related diseases from high blood pressure to type-2 diabetes. In Macon County, there are disproportionately high percentages of obesity. In 2008 the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a study that listed Alabama as having the highest rate of obesity in the nation. Macon County has one of the highest obesity levels in the state, with a 40.2 percent rate.

Yet, this is not the way it always was.

“In 1965, there were large differences among groups in dietary quality, with whites of high socioeconomic status eating the least healthful diet, as measured by the index, and blacks of low socioeconomic status the most healthful,” as stated by the New England Journal of Medicine in 1996.
So what’s changed? The article states possible factors such as, “the greater market availability of packaged and processed foods; the high cost of fresh fruit, vegetables, and lean cuts of meat.” It is no mystery that in today’s society organic foods are more expensive and less accessible. Blacks of low socioeconomic status cannot afford to pay more for organic foods, leaving them to overindulge in cheaply packaged commercial foods.

Makeishea Lee, a nationally-recognized author, columnist and black health consultant, chronicles the causes of black obesity in her article, “Obesity, Lifestyles and Black Americans — What are the Correlations?”

Lee states, “In [black] neighborhoods, we have these fast food carry-outs on nearly every corner and mini markets that only offer us fried fatty foods laden with sodium.”

 The issue of STDs also disproportionately affects the black American community. Joyce Vaughan states in the Louisville HIV and AIDS Examiner, “The main reason to call the statistics disproportional for black Americans is because they account for 12 percent of the U.S. population, but they account for 51 percent of all HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed in 2007.”

These numbers lead only to self destruction. Such a small population can not possibly sustain such large numbers of contraction and illness. The ability to procreate and produce becomes limited as STDs and HIV ravages a race.

Vaughan continues in her article to state, “Fifteen percent of all the teenagers (ages 13-19) in the U.S. are black American, but in 2007 they accounted for 68 percent of new AIDS cases reported.”

The children are the future, but with these numbers, one wonders if there will be a future for African-Americans? Promiscuity, homosexuality, and intravenous drug use are some of the acknowledged culprits for HIV/AIDS. However, rarely do people charge one true perpetrator — poverty. At www.CDC.gov, the organization reports it observes a relationship between higher AIDS rates and lower incomes. Socioeconomic issues influence the rates of HIV among black Americans.

Based upon the previously mentioned statistics, some may reason that for a number of impoverished black children, it is more likely that they will contract HIV/AIDS than go to college. Due to the large infection rates among young black American adults and children, poverty is essentially hindering future generations and in some cases destroying all hopes for tomorrow.

Some children are also being raised in homes that resemble war zones. Domestic violence is also prominent in black America. In 2000 the U.S. Department of Justice stated, “Approximately one in three black American women are abused by a husband or partner in the course of a lifetime.”

This means more and more children are watching their mothers being brutalized. Where the aforementioned is applicable, violence sometimes becomes the norm. Some black American children are being woven into a fabric of co-victimization, which is the process of witnessing crimes of violence towards another individual.

Bambade Shakoor and Deborah Chambers chronicle the adverse effects of co-victimization on black youth in the1991 Journal of the National Medical Association. “They are struggling to cope in a hostile environment over which they have very little control, and the options available lead to drug abuse, violence and poverty.”

In the year 2004, 6,632 black Americans were murdered, according to the Department of Justice FBI Crime Statistics. Putting this in perspective, the year 2004 alone overcompensates for the 3,446 black lynchings that occurred at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan between 1882 and 1965, as archived by Tuskegee University.

For many years, scholars have produced theories explaining black-on-black crime. One scholar, Na’im Akbar, developed the black self destruction theory. In the text Handbook of black American Psychology Akbar states that self-destructive disorders are only a manifestation of the limits society puts on an individual. He continues to say that, “Individuals engage in behaviors that are not only self-destructive but also destructive to the black American community.”

Obesity, STDs and violence are all preventable, yet they still wreak havoc in some black American communities. Which leaves us to ask if the black American race is on the brink of suicide, or genocide?

All three travesties have been directly related to the low socioeconomic status and oppression of a large number of black people. Does extreme poverty create conditions unsuitable for human life? Americans would expect such dastardly conditions to exist only in far off third-world countries. Instead, if they were to look deep, they would find islands of illness, like Tuskegee, right in their own backyards.

If black American adults, especially in Tuskegee, took a moment to gage their surroundings, they might realize that if they escape the bullet, the obesity, and/or the HIV, their children might not be so lucky.

Look forward to more articles by these students at www.thetuskegeenews.com 
This selected group of students produce a page worth of articles each month for The Tuskegee News.