“A fight between
grasshoppers is a
joy to the crow.”
- Lesotho Proverb
“Blacks killing Blacks gives
our enemies a reason to be
happy.” - James Tucker
May 2017
DID YOU KNOW?
Proverbs are an integral part of African culture. Proverbs are passed on from
generation to generation for centuries and are still in wide use today and
are very much part of everyday speech. Proverbs are used to illustrate ideas,
reinforce arguments and deliver messages of inspiration, consolation and
celebration. (See odd numbered pages for proverbs)
KEEPING THE COMMUNITY INFORMED SINCE 1991
Free
Push For More Black Homeownership Focus of Realtist Week
National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) promotes homeownership as best way to
increase Black wealth during multi-city Realtist Week observance
WASHINGTON, (PRNewswire) - Black
real estate professionals are geared up to
focus the nation’s attention on building
Black wealth through homeownership.
Realtist Week, April 23-29, 2017,
established by the National Association
of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB)
in the early 1970s spotlights the
important role Black homeownership
plays in strengthening and stabilizing
communities with a particular focus on
the revitalization and desirability of the
nation’s urban neighborhoods.
Throughout the country, NAREB’s
local chapters are scheduling community
events and activities that engage social,
civic and business organizations, as well
as the Black church community as part
of NAREB’s focused effort to Build
Black Wealth through Homeownership.
“NAREB has taken on the charge to
encourage Black Americans to purchase
homes as the first step toward building
wealth. We have always aspired to be
homeowners and live the American
Dream. Now is the time for us to turn that
aspiration into reality; for ourselves, our
Photo, PRNewswire
Continued on page 11
Five Points Jazz Festival Returns, Celebrates 15th Anniversary
DENVER – Denver Arts & Venues’
15th annual Five Points Jazz Festival
returns 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday,
May 20, celebrating the music, culture
and roots of Denver’s historic Five
Points neighborhood.
The free, family-friendly festival
takes place on Welton Street between
26th and 29th streets, and features more
than 40 bands playing live music on
nine stages throughout the day.
Welton Street will be closed from
25th to 30th streets starting 6 p.m. May
19, reopening 11:59 p.m. May 20. Five
Points Jazz Festival will kick off with
a parade down Welton Street featuring
grand marshals, Terry Nelson and
Norman Harris Sr.
New to the festival this year is a bike
Photographer, Trevor Davis
valet and special youth programming
including instrument making, yoga,
drumming and dance.
Five Points Jazz Festival offers a
culturally diverse lineup providing
Denver with an afternoon filled with
several types of jazz to experience -Latin, blues, funk, trios, youth-focused
Continued on page 11
Inside this Issue:
Zulu Ali Named Top 10 Best Lawyers – 3 | Betsy DeVos Just Made Life Harder for Student Borrowers – 5
African American Women Pilots Making History – 9 | Happy Birthday Malcolm X! – 12
May 2017
www.africanamericanvoice.net
NATIONAL
Movement Power Wins Access to Political Prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal
Photo, Workers World
Mumia Abu-Jamal and his brother Keith Cook, April 13, 2017.
By Suzanne Ross
(WW) - Frackville, PA. - Ona Move!
We did it again! The movement’s
swift and forceful response got what
we wanted and what we were entitled
to: information about where political
2
prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal is being
held in the “correctional system” and
the opportunity to see him.
During the night of April 26, the
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
suddenly removed Mumia from his
cell at SCI Mahanoy. The move was
so sudden that Mumia only had time
to call out to another prisoner to let his
supporters know before he was gone.
The immediacy of movement pressure
on the prison and the DOC regarding
Mumia’s disappearance from our radar,
and the volume of that response, forced
the prison to meet our demand: tell
us where Mumia is and allow Keith
Cook, Mumia’s brother, and myself to
see Mumia.
Within minutes of Mumia’s return
from Geisinger Hospital, where he had
tests done April 28, he was brought to
the visiting room and waited for us.
Mumia had an endoscopy to assess
whether his esophagus had deteriorated
in any way. The DOC’s punitive
hepatitis C protocol required “careful”
monitoring but — no treatment! The
latest test was to assess whether Mumia
had esophageal varices — bleeding of
the esophagus tantamount to death. The
possibility of this warrants, according to
the DOC, careful “assessment.”
In Kafkaesque logic, the DOC had
first refused Mumia treatment, was
finally forced to provide it by a judge’s
ruling, but now is still following its
previous “protocol” declared by the
same judge as “unconstitutional.” This
pattern is in keeping with the deliberate
irrationality of how the DOC tries to
maintain its control.
Then, too, the DOC may be trying to
show that they are monitoring Mumia
to try to lighten their defeat in the face
our lawyers’ pursuit of compensation
for Mumia for their incompetence,
inhumanity and near killing of Mumia.
Fortunately, Mumia’s esophagus shows
no sign of deterioration, and he has
no varices.
I had called the Mahanoy earlier in the
day to try to locate Mumia. Dr. Steinhart,
the infirmary director, would not give
me any information, saying he could
only give that to family members. I told
him that I and Mumia’s brother, Keith
Cook, would be at Mahanoy shortly, and
that we would expect officials to give
the information we wanted to Keith,
clearly a family member.
Our reception at Mahanoy could only
have been generated by movement
pressure. Given the usual prison milieu,
our treatment felt positively regal. Within
minutes of my arrival, Jane Hinman, the
assistant to the superintendent, came
out, greeted me graciously, and said
the superintendent had asked her to let
us know that we would be able to visit
with Mumia.
Soon after Keith arrived, the desk
correctional officers, two of whom I’ve
seen many times before, told us we
would be processed within 20 minutes.
They did not look at our IDs, and they
literally rushed us in, assuring us that
we would be the last to leave and that
we would have at least a 2 1/2 hour visit.
Mumia was in great spirits, relieved
that he did not have the varices and
that his esophagus had remained stable
despite the cirrhosis he has contracted
from the lack of hep C treatment under
prison punishment.
Again and again he waxed poetic
about the strength and power of our
movement. We were all convinced that
www.africanamericanvoice.net
the “graciousness” of the prison staff,
on all levels, came from a decision
not to provoke the movement any
further. The state of Pennsylvania and
its prison officials did not want trouble
and knew they would have it if they did
not accommodate.
The three of us celebrated over a
lunch of organic spinach salad and tried
to assess the recent court hearing on a
petition to overturn Mumia’s conviction.
We ended with part of Assata’s famous
quote, the mantra of young fighters
today: “It is our duty to fight for our
freedom. It is our duty to win.”
We have sure had some significant
victories in the struggle for justice for
freedom fighter Mumia Abu-Jamal. On
to more victories!
Suzanne Ross is a former co-chair of the
Free Mumia Coalition in NYC and works
with International Concerned Family and
Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Suzanne Ross
Workers World
www.workers.org
Keeping the Community
Informed Since 1991!
James Tucker
Publisher
Phone: 719.528.1954
[email protected]
Undray Tucker
Associate Publisher
Howard Smith (Independent Contractor)
H-zero Designs
Layout and Graphic Design
Reginald Watson
Webmaster
Columnists:
Charlene Crowell
Kim Farmer
James Clingman
Harry C. Alford
The African American Voice is published
monthly by The African American
Voice Newspaper, Inc. The contents of
this publication are copyrighted by The
African American Voice Newspaper, Inc.
Reproductions or use of content in any manner
is prohibited without prior written consent.
Contact us at 719.528.1954 or
[email protected]
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The Black Press Creed
The Black Press believes that America
can best lead the world away from racial
and national antagonism when it affords
to all people – regardless of race, color
or creed – their human and legal rights.
Hating no person and fearing no person,
the Black Press strives to help every
person in the firm belief that all are hurt
as long as anyone is held back.
May 2017
COMMUNITY
Attorney Zulu Ali Named Top 10 Best Lawyers in Criminal Law,
Immigration Law, and Personal Injury by the AIOLC
RIVERSIDE, CA., (PRNewswire) Attorney Zulu Ali of the Law Offices of
Zulu Ali in Riverside, California has been
named Top 10 Best Lawyers in Criminal
Law, Personal Injury, and Immigration
Law by the American Institute of Legal
Counsel. The American Institute of
Legal Counsel is an invitation only legal
organization recognizing excellence
of practitioners in their respective
areas. Each lawyer must be formally
nominated, have attained the highest
degree of professional achievement in
his or her field, and have an impeccable
client satisfaction rating.
Attorney Zulu Ali, a native of
Shelbyville, Tennessee, is a U.S.
Marine Corps veteran who served
with the Marine Security Forces.
After graduating from the Tennessee
Law Enforcement Training Academy,
Attorney Ali served as a sworn police
officer with the City of Shelbyville, City
of Lewisburg, and Vanderbilt Police
Departments, respectively.
Attorney Ali earned a Juris Doctorate
(law degree) from Trinity International
University Law School and a liberal
arts degree with an emphasis in
African Studies from Regents College
through a consortium with Tennessee
State University.
Attorney Ali has been admitted to
the California State Bar; United States
District Courts for the districts of
Central California, Southern California,
Northern California, and Colorado;
United States Court of Appeals for
the Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh
Circuits; and the United States
Supreme Court.
In 2007, inspired by civil rights
attorneys Charles Hamilton Houston,
Thurgood Marshall, and Avon Williams,
Jr., who used the law and courts as a
vehicle to make change and protect
all people against injustice, Attorney
Zulu Ali opened the Law Offices of
Zulu Ali with a focus on representing
persons accused of crimes and seeking
criminal justice, immigrants, victims
of discrimination, and persons seeking
civil justice. Attorney Ali and his law
firm take on extremely difficult cases
and matters that provide an opportunity
to make changes in the law, through the
courts, when the law is unjust.
Attorney Ali serves as Director of the
American Committee for United Nations
Oversight, an advocacy group lobbying
the United Nations for police reform;
Director of the Stop and Frisk Academy,
which trains at risk youth and others to
deal with police encounters; Director of
the Southern California Veterans Legal
Clinic, a legal clinic offering no cost
Photo, www.zulualilaw.com
and low cost legal services to military
veterans; and a member of the National
Conference of Black Lawyers.
Attorney Ali has been Honored Top
100 Lawyers by the National Black
Lawyers-Top 100; Top 100 Lawyers
by the National Trial Lawyers-Top
100; Premier 100 Trial Lawyers by the
American Academy of Trial Attorney;
and Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys
by the American Jurist Institute.
Attorney Ali had been named Top
10 Best Lawyers in Criminal Law
and Personal Injury by the American
Institute of Legal Counsel in 2016,
making 2017 the second consecutive
year to be honored in these categories.
Zulu Ali
[email protected]
www.zulualilaw.com
PRNewswire
www.prnewswire.com
Sam Cary Bar Association
The Sam Cary Bar Association (SCBA) was formed in September of 1971, in order
to create a self-help group to instill professionalism and serve as a vehicle for the
exchange of ideas among African-American lawyers. The original seven members
were: Norman Early, Dan Muse, Raymond Jones, Gary Jackson, Phillip Jones,
King Trimble and Billy Lewis. Probably the first controversial task undertaken by
the new group was choosing “Sam Cary” as the name. It was deemed by several
African-American attorneys to be inappropriate to have a bar association named
after an attorney disbarred from practice. However, an examination conducted by
the organization into the life and law practice of Sam Cary (including an address
to the organization by the Honorable O. Otto Moore, former Chief Justice of the
Colorado Supreme Court), revealed that Sam Cary was indeed an appropriate
person after whom to name the organization.
The National Bar Association was founded in 1925 and is the nation’s oldest and
largest national network of predominantly African American attorneys and judges.
It represents the interests of approximately 65,000 lawyers, judges, law professors
and law students. The NBA is organized around 23 substantive law sections, 9
divisions, 12 regions and 80 affiliate chapters throughout the United States and
around the world.
www.samcarybar.net
www.nationalbar.org
National Bar Association
Law Day 2017
Law Day is held on May 1st every year to celebrate the role of law in our society and to
cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession.
President Dwight Eisenhower established the first Law Day in 1958 to mark the nation’s
commitment to the rule of law. In 1961, Congress issued a joint resolution designating
May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day, which is subsequently codified (U.S.
Code, Title 36, Section 113). Every president since then has issued a Law Day proclamation
on May 1 to celebrate the nation’s commitment to the rule of law.
“One must row in whichever boat one finds oneself.” - Nigerian Proverb
May 2017
www.africanamericanvoice.net
3
HEALTH
Staying Active as You Age
Kim Farmer
President of Mile High Fitness
There is no longer any question that
exercise is good for both mental and
physical health. For some unknown
reason, the numerous benefits of
exercise are often neglected in older
adults. Exercise is important for people
of all ages and more so for older adultsits benefits are far more durable than
any prescription medication or diet.
There is ample evidence indicating
that any type of exercise that older
adults do is better for preventive health
than pharmaceuticals.
However, it is important to be
thoughtful when recommending
exercises for older adults. Some are frail,
some have balance problems and many
others have some type of co-morbidity
like high blood pressure, arthritis,
diabetes, stroke or heart disease. Hence
recommending intense physical activity
is not realistic or practical. However,
without a doubt, for the majority of older
adults, almost any exercise is better than
no exercise.
What type of exercise?
To gain the benefits from exercise, you
do not have to join an expensive gym
or run a marathon each weekend. Since
many older adults have lower exercise
endurance and decreased strength, the
best exercise to start with is walking.
Walking when done on a regular basis
has many benefits, including weight
loss, lowering of blood sugars and
blood pressure and improved mental
status. Plus, walking is free, allows you
to enjoy nature and is safe. However, to
gain benefits from walking, you need to
do the exercise regularly or at least 4-5
times a week for 30-45 minutes every
day. You should take advantage and
exercise outdoors as it will give you the
much needed sunshine that is necessary
for bone growth.
Stretching
Stretching is a very important benefit
to everyone but especially older adults.
Stretching can be done prior to any
formal exercise or it can be done as
an exercise itself. Stretching increases
flexibility of the joints, reduces muscle
tightness and lessens the risk of injury.
There are many types of stretching
activities that one can perform either
indoors or outdoors. Two great ways
to incorporate regular stretch activities
are to take yoga or tai chi classes. Both
these exercise can stretch groups of
muscles and also have mental benefits.
Movement Everyday
When it comes to exercise for older
adults, it does not have to be a formal
regimental program. It can be anything
that involves some physical activity.
This may include gardening, swimming,
riding a stationary bicycle, walking the
dog, spending time at the mall, or taking
the stairs instead of the elevators. Do not
use your car just to buy groceries from
the corner store, but walk instead. To
enjoy exercise even more, ask a friend
to come with you so that both of you
stay motivated.
Once you have developed adequate
stamina and endurance you can then
perform any type of aerobic exercise that
you want. This can include cycling or
swimming. Strength exercises that older
Mile High Fitness & Wellness was founded by Kim Farmer
whose primary mission is to bring fitness and nutrition to anyone,
anywhere, anytime. Mile High Fitness & Wellness is the proud
provider of many municipalities, private companies, school
districts, non-profits and other groups located in and outside of
Colorado. She has partnered with many practitioners to travel to
various locations to provide high quality, professional personal
training and nutrition programs, corporate wellness initiatives,
assessments, workshops, speeches and more.
adults can do include use of exercise
machines or callisthenic exercises like
sit ups (using the floor or a chair), leg
raises, squats and more. For older
adults the goal is not to get you ready
for the next Olympics but to derive the
health benefits. So if you feel tired, take
a break.
When should you start to exercise?
It is never too late to start exercise and
any exercise is better than no exercise.
If you have never exercised, start slowly
with walking. It is not necessary to join
a gym since most gyms charge high fees
and/or contracts. There are plenty of
exercises that an older adult can do at
home for free. If you do not know where
to start, there are many local community
programs for older adults like the
YMCA where exercise programs are
held regularly.
The Benefits
In order to derive the benefits of
exercise, older adults should exercise
regularly. The benefits of exercise are
sustained and can significantly improve
your health. Overall, older adults who
exercise tend to have fewer health
problems and doctor visits or hospital
visits. More importantly, older adults
who exercise also tend to have a marked
reduction in dementia.
One of the biggest benefit of exercise
in older adults is the improvement in
mood. Countless studies show that
older adults who exercise regularly have
better concentration and long lasting
memory. More important, exercise has
been associated with marked reduction
in stress and anxiety in addition to
lower cholesterol levels and decreased
risk for hypertension.
It is best if you see your healthcare
provider before you start exercise.
In some cases, you may have to use
an ambulatory device like a cane or a
walker to maintain stability. Finally
remember, even though exercise does
have many health benefits, you also
need to eat a healthy diet, discontinue
smoking and limit the intake of alcohol.
Staying active will help you remain
independent, mobile, and have a much
better quality of life. So do not wait start
walking today!
Contributor: Kim Farmer of Mile
High Fitness & Wellness. Mile
High Fitness & Wellness offers
in-home personal training and
corporate wellness solutions. Visit
www.milehighfitness.com or email
[email protected]
www.milehighfitness.com
Stay in the KNOW!
Join our Facebook Page at
www.facebook.com/milehighfitness for special
offers and timely fitness and nutrition tips!
Sign up at www.milehighfitness.com to schedule a
consultation for in home/at work fitness and nutrition support.
4
www.africanamericanvoice.net
May 2017
FINANCIAL
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Just Made Life Harder
for Student Borrowers
are handled,” states CFPB’s report.
“Borrowers complained of misapplied
payments and inaccurate accounting of
payments. Some borrowers complained
of misapplication of payments and
reported that payments were not applied
to specific accounts, but rather applied
to all accounts managed by the servicer.”
Ironically, servicer complaints made
many mortgage borrowers frustrated
too, especially during the housing crisis.
Whatever the loan financed, borrowers
Charlene Crowell
This year’s swearing-in of a new
Congress and President signaled a
surge of new ideas and approaches to
government. However, no elected or
appointed official should ever depart
from or diminish the primary role of
government: service to the American
people. Ours was, is and must remain a
democracy that affords every citizen the
opportunity to become a productive and
contributing member of society.
Yet in recent weeks, the Department of
Education has taken a series of specific
actions that depart from our creed
and duty. By disregarding the needs
of 40 million debt-laden student loan
borrowers who collectively owe more
than $1.2 trillion, it seems one of the
Education Department’s top priorities
is to respond to concerns of student
loan servicers hired and paid with
taxpayer dollars.
Where is a DeVos plan to address
these still-growing concerns? With
more philanthropic than administrative
expertise, hearing from student borrowers,
higher education officials and consumer
advocates would provide insightful
benefits to the new Education Secretary.
In 2016, the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau (CFPB) received
12,300 student loan complaints. Of
these, the vast majority—67 percent—
concerned either their lender or their
servicer. Another 30 percent of student
loan complaints focused on fees, billing,
credit reporting, defaults and fraud.
“More frequently than other issues,
non-federal and federal student loan
borrowers expressed their concerns
relating to trouble with how payments
Betsy DeVos wrote James W. Runcie,
the Chief Operating Officer for Federal
Student Aid, rolling back important
guidance on student loan servicing.
The now retracted guidance protected
borrowers in three key ways:
1. Providing borrowers access to
accurate information and consistent
service;
2. Regular audits of both records and
complaints to be used in compliance
reviews; and
“Borrowers complained of misapplied payments and
inaccurate accounting of payments. Some borrowers
complained of misapplication of payments and reported that
payments were not applied to specific accounts, but rather
applied to all accounts managed by the servicer.”
Ironically, servicer complaints made many mortgage
borrowers frustrated too, especially during the housing crisis.
were pleading with servicers to act
responsively and fairly.
Despite minimal standards of
accountability, on April 4, the National
Council of Higher Education Resources
(NCHER), the organization that
represents student loan servicers, wrote
the Chairs and Ranking Members of the
House Appropriations Committee and
its Education subcommittee. In part, the
letter said that, “the amount that is paid
to servicers is not sufficient to cover
the currently requested services or the
expected services that borrowers need
to begin paying their student loans.”
In everyday language, that sounds a
lot like, ‘you don’t pay me enough to do
this job.’
Add to that interpretation the Trump
Administration’s proposed $6 billion
budget cut to the Department of
Education, more money for servicers
doesn’t seem likely anytime soon.
Further, negotiations for new servicing
contracts are expected to start this
year. The NCHER letter could be
interpreted as an unofficial start to
those negotiations.
Just one week after NCHER wrote
federal lawmakers, Education Secretary
3. Connecting servicer compensation
to measurable actions such as payment
processing time, length of response time
to inquiries, and errors.
By reversing steps designed to assist
student loan borrowers and safeguard
taxpayer investment, servicers will
also have less accountability. Before
the Education Department turns away
from fair treatment of enforcement and
loan regulation, officials should know
that research and data have consistently
illustrated broad borrower mistreatment
at the hands of servicers. Should the
Department fail to monitor itself,
borrowers can still seek enforcement
and protection from state officials
and the CFPB. Both entities have
demonstrated an interest and willingness
to act on behalf of consumers, even if
the Department of Education will not.
CFPB is the consumer’s federal copon-the-beat and that agency is also
facing challenges as President Trump
has publicly vowed a regulatory rollback
in general and a haircut specifically for
the CFPB. As some have maintained in
public policy debates, regulation has
gotten in the way of private enterprise.
No one should dismiss or forget that
the private sector has always been
guided and motivated by profitability.
In state capitols across the country
and on Capitol Hill, private interests
bank roll lobbyists to cut their taxes,
reduce regulation, and appoint officials
who will support policies that increase
their respective bottom lines. For
example, Robert Eitel, senior counselor
to Secretary DeVos, previously
served as an attorney for Bridgepoint
Education, Inc., that operates multiple
for-profit colleges.
By contrast, the public sector, i.e.
government, should be guided by the
duties and obligations of public service.
School children have been taught for
decades that government is ‘for, by,
and of the people.’ That pledge should
include consumer protection and fiscal
accountability. The American people
should never be denied or shortchanged
for the sake of private entities looking
for more lucrative contracts.
It’s a lesson that the Education
Secretary needs to learn.
Charlene Crowell
Communications Deputy Director
Center for Responsible Lending
www.responsiblelending.org
SIP N SMILE PHOTOGRAPHY
Selena C. Amerson - Owner
Freelance Photographer
314.600.8209
Email: [email protected]
Sip N Smile
sippnsmile
“Do not beat a drum with an ax.” - Ghana Proverb
May 2017
www.africanamericanvoice.net
5
CALENDAR
We strongly encourage your family and
friends to read the African American
Voice online and to spread widely!
Call 719.528.1954 for more information.
Visit www.africanamericanvoice.net
6
www.africanamericanvoice.net
May 2017
Heart Health
May 2017
Special Supplement
National Stroke Awareness Month and National High Blood Pressure Education Month 2017
This Year’s Focus
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a major cause of adult disability. Many factors may affect a person’s risk for stroke, including high blood
pressure, age, family health history, and more. The good news? Many strokes are preventable and treatable.
Throughout May, Million Hearts® and the CDC Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention will share tips and resources to empower Americans to manage risk
factors—like high blood pressure—that contribute to stroke and encourage people to learn the signs and symptoms of stroke. We invite you to join our efforts.
Key Messages
Use these key messages in original social media posts and other communication materials to help spread the word about National Stroke Awareness Month and National
High Blood Pressure Education Month:
Learn the risks. There are many risk factors that can contribute to stroke. High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for stroke. The good news? There are ways
to manage high blood pressure to lower your stroke risk. Start by talking with your health care professional about ways to make control your goal [PDF-140K].
Know the signs. Stroke can look different for everyone. Numbness, confusion, trouble seeing, and trouble walking are just a few indicators that you or someone you know
may be having a stroke. Knowing the common stroke warning signs and symptoms can help save someone’s life—maybe even your own.
Act F.A.S.T. Every minute counts when you or someone you know is having a stroke; that’s why it’s important to act F.A.S.T. And call 9-1-1 right away if you think
someone might be having a stroke. Call an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room.
Know your role. There are many different health care professionals and facilities that can help treat a stroke, such as EMS, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities.
Understand the unique roles throughout the care process and why they matter.
Connect your care. CDC’s Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program connects health care professionals—across the system of care—to improve stroke care and save
lives. Connecting the different health care team members throughout the stroke continuum of care can lead to faster treatment and better outcomes.
Million Hearts
https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/news-media/events/stroke-bp-month.html
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a common and dangerous
condition. Having high blood pressure means the
pressure of the blood in your blood vessels is higher
than it should be. But you can take steps to control
your blood pressure and lower your risk of heart
disease and stroke.
About 1 of 3 U.S. adults—or about 67 million
people—have high blood pressure.1 Only about half
(54%) of these people have their high blood pressure
under control. This common condition increases the
risk for heart disease and stroke, 2 of the leading
causes of death for Americans.2 Get more quick
facts about high blood pressure, or learn more about
high blood pressure in the United States.
High blood pressure is called the “silent killer”
because it often has no warning signs or symptoms,
and many people do not know they have it. That’s
why it is important to check your blood pressure
regularly.
The good news is that you can take steps to prevent
high blood pressure or to control it if your blood
pressure is already high.
“Don’t be in a hurry to swallow when chewing is pleasant.” - Malawi Proverb
May 2017
www.africanamericanvoice.net
S1
HEART HEALTH
Managing
Your
Heart Health
High Blood Pressure
(NIH) - High blood pressure is a
common disease in which blood flows
through blood vessels (arteries) at
higher than normal pressures.
Measuring Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of
blood pushing against the walls of
the arteries as the heart pumps blood.
High blood pressure, sometimes called
hypertension, happens when this force
is too high. Health care workers check
blood pressure readings the same way
for children, teens, and adults. They
use a gauge, stethoscope or electronic
sensor, and a blood pressure cuff. With
this equipment, they measure:
• Systolic Pressure: blood pressure
when the heart beats while pumping
blood
• Diastolic Pressure: blood pressure
when the heart is at rest between beats
Health care workers write blood
pressure numbers with the systolic
number above the diastolic number. For
example:
118/76 mmHg. People read “118 over
76” millimeters of mercury.
Normal Blood Pressure
Normal blood pressure for adults is
defined as a systolic pressure below 120
mmHg and a diastolic pressure below 80
mmHg. It is normal for blood pressures
to change when you sleep, wake up,
or are excited or nervous. When you
are active, it is normal for your blood
pressure to increase. However, once
the activity stops, your blood pressure
returns to your normal baseline range.
Blood pressure normally rises with
age and body size. Newborn babies
often have very low blood pressure
numbers that are considered normal for
babies, while older teens have numbers
similar to adults.
Abnormal Blood Pressure
Abnormal increases in blood pressure
are defined as having blood pressures
higher than 120/80 mmHg. The table
below outlines and defines high blood
pressure severity levels.
The ranges in the table are blood
pressure guides for adults who do not
have any short-term serious illnesses.
People with diabetes or chronic kidney
disease should keep their blood pressure
below 130/80 mmHg.
Although blood pressure increases
seen in prehypertension are less than
those used to diagnose high blood
pressure, prehypertension can progress
to high blood pressure and should be
taken seriously. Over time, consistently
high blood pressure weakens and
damages your blood vessels, which can
lead to complications.
Types of High Blood Pressure
There are two main types of high
blood pressure: primary and secondary
high blood pressure.
Primary High Blood Pressure
Primary, or essential, high blood
pressure is the most common type of
high blood pressure. This type of high
blood pressure tends to develop over
years as a person ages.
Secondary High Blood Pressure
Secondary high blood pressure is
caused by another medical condition
or use of certain medicines. This type
usually resolves after the cause is treated
or removed.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Stages of High Blood Pressure in Adults
Stages
Systolic
Diastolic
(top number)
(bottom number)
Prehypertension
120–139
or
80–89
High blood pressure
140–159
or
90–99
Stage 1
High blood pressure 160 or higher or
100 or higher
Stage 2
“Abnormal increases in blood pressure
are defined as having blood pressures
higher than 120/80 mmHg. The table
below outlines and defines high blood
pressure severity levels.
The ranges in the table are blood
pressure guides for adults who do not
have any short-term serious illnesses.
People with diabetes or chronic kidney
disease should keep their blood pressure
below 130/80 mmHg.”
S2
www.africanamericanvoice.net
May 2017
HEART HEALTH
Controlling Blood Pressure
(CDC) - You can make changes to your lifestyle that will help you
control your blood pressure. Your doctor might prescribe medications
that can help you. By controlling your blood pressure, you will lower
your risk for the harmful effects of high blood pressure.
Work with Your Health Care Team
Team-based care that includes you, your doctor, and other health care
providers can help reduce and control blood pressure.
If you already have high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe
medications and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes are just as
important as medications. Follow your doctor’s instructions and stay
on your medications. Do not stop taking your medications before
talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All drugs may have side effects, so talk to your doctor regularly. As
your blood pressure improves, your doctor will check it often.
Make Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can help you control your blood pressure.
Photo, CDC
 Diet. Eat a healthy diet that is:
o
Low in salt (sodium), total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
o
High in fresh fruits and vegetables.
 Be active. Try taking a brisk 10-minute walk 3 times a day 5 days a week.
 Do not smoke. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible. Visit Smokefree.gov for tips on quitting.
These lifestyle changes for blood pressure control are similar to those for preventing high blood pressure.
Reference
1. Guide to Community Preventive Services. Cardiovascular disease prevention and control: team-based care to
improve blood pressure control Web site. Accessed June 24, 2014.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
www.cdc.gov
High Blood Pressure
How to Make Control Your Goal
It’s up to you to successfully manage and control your blood
pressure. But it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. You can take
small, manageable steps to make blood pressure control your goal.
Here are some tips to show you how.
Engage your health care team
Blood pressure control is a team effort. Engage all of your health care professionals—
not just your primary care physician or cardiologist. Your pharmacist, nurses, and
other health care specialists can help you control your high blood pressure.
Next time you go in for a visit, make a list of questions you want to ask your health
care professional. For example:
What is my blood pressure goal?
What are the best ways to reach my goal?
Did you know?
Of the 75 million American
adults who have high blood
pressure, only about half
(54%) of these people
have their blood pressure
under control.
Mention what you’re already doing to work toward control, including exercising,
changing your diet, or taking medications as prescribed.
Be honest and realistic with yourself and your health care team about what
lifestyle changes you’re ready to make and the ones you’re not quite ready for.
Pick one goal to start working toward. As you achieve success and build
confidence, choose another goal to tackle.
Take your medications faithfully
Your health care team has put together a specific medication schedule to help
control your blood pressure. You might forget to take your medicine every day, or
maybe you’re having trouble dealing with the side effects. Remember that your
medication is important to control and maintain your blood pressure.
Here are some tips to help you stick with your medication plan:
Talk to your doctor about any side effects you experience with your medications.
If necessary, discuss other treatment options. Never stop treatment on your own.
Make a schedule and set up a system to remind you to take your
medications regularly—use a pillbox for every pill, every day, or use
smartphone “app” reminders.
If your insurance provides mail order delivery, set it up and request a 90-day
supply of medications.
If this service is not available, schedule all your refills at the same pharmacy
at the same time each month so you can pick them up all at once.
Make control your goal.
millionhearts.hhs.gov
“Advice and counsel him; if he does not listen, let adversity teach him.”
- Ethiopia Proverb
May 2017
www.africanamericanvoice.net
S3
HEART HEALTH
Learn & Prevent
Explore heart disease and stroke risks,
consequences, and tips for prevention.
https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/learn-prevent/index.html
Monitor your blood pressure
What’s your blood pressure goal? Develop a plan to regularly check your
blood pressure, not just at the doctor’s office but at home or at a pharmacy.
Track your results in a log or diary to monitor your progress.
Make healthy choices
Exercise can be a great way to help control your blood pressure. Find a
safe place to walk or be more active. Increase the time and intensity of
your physical activity as you progress.
Don’s Story
As an avid runner, Don thought he was
in great shape. When he was diagnosed
with high blood pressure during a routine
physical exam more than 30 years ago,
Don was frustrated. High blood pressure
is a common condition among men in
his family. Don’s grandfather, father, and
two younger brothers all had high blood
pressure. Because he knew he couldn’t
control his family history, Don focused on
what he could control.
Don committed to understanding his
condition and working with his health
care team to improve diet, exercise
Shop for more fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains and fewer prepared
foods with high sodium, cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat.
Learn to read labels and choose foods lower in sodium. Lowering your
sodium intake can help lower your blood pressure.
Quit smoking. There are many tools available to help you. Call 1-800-QUITNOW or visit Smokefree.gov for help.
Tools and resources
Million Hearts®, in partnership with the American Heart Association/American
Stroke Association, has developed online tools to help you track and manage
your heart health, including your blood pressure, and provide helpful advice
and information. Check out:
Heart360®
more, and manage stress. Because of
his busy work schedule as a veterinarian
My Life Check®
and his limited cooking skills, Don’s wife
supports his efforts by preparing healthy,
low sodium meals. No longer able to run
marathons, Don walks several times a
day with his 15-year-old dog, Sophie. To
help relax, Don meditates every day. He
also volunteers at a local hospice and
Find and download additional materials to help control
your high blood pressure at the Million Hearts® website:
Heart Age Calculator
Blood Pressure Wallet Card
shares his love for animals by instructing
and evaluating animal-assisted therapy
volunteers and working with two animal
outreach groups.
Don knows that he plays the most
important role in controlling his high
blood pressure; that’s why he’s made
control his goal. He works closely
with his health care team and has a
Million Hearts® is a national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. It is led
by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, two agencies
of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Million Hearts® word and logo marks and associated trade dress are owned by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS). Use of these marks does not imply endorsement by HHS.
strong support system in his family
and colleagues.
millionhearts.hhs.gov
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm
S4
www.africanamericanvoice.net
May 2016
May 2017
BEYOND THE RHETORIC
Cuba is making Big Progress
Harry C. Alford
We just completed our fifth trip to
Havana, Cuba. Each time we go we
learn increasingly about this unique
culture. The best thing I see in Cuba
is the void of race consciousness. We,
America, are obsessed with it. Cubans
come in all shades – just like the United
States but it is clear one’s race means
nothing. They value the content of one’s
character. Yes, just like Dr. Martin
Luther King’s speech.
This time we stayed at the Ambos
Mundos Hotel in the Old Havana
district. It sits right in the center of
the tourism hub. Very clean and good
cuisine (free breakfast daily). We just
may stay there again. Their employees
are always smiling and they respond
quickly to requests.
Our part time Tour Guide was
“Junior”. He did an excellent job as we
rode around in our classic cars. Many of
us stayed in the venue of our choosing
(some in hotels and others in Airbnb).
We would schedule visits and meet up
at a cab stand. Junior would assemble 4
or 5 cabs (depending on the number of
participants) and on we go. The weather
NBCC
was perfect! The sun was blazing every
day and we looked so cool riding in our
classic convertibles.
One of our first official visit was with
the honorable U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey
De Laurentis and his wife who hosted
an informational reception for us at
his lovely residence (built by Franklin
Delano Roosevelt during his tenure).
The next day we met with a group of
young entrepreneurs. It was refreshing
to see that this communist island was
beginning to warm to free enterprise.
These millennials were excited to meet
us. They are all interested in collaborating
couple started the restaurant 22 years
ago. They are open between noon –
midnight offering entertainment by
a live band at night. Their staff was
professional, the food was delicious and
the price was quite affordable. Again,
capitalism is showing its lovely face
in Cuba.
During free time on our visit many
of us would sit in the lobby of the hotel
where there was a great bar (24 hours).
While sitting there one morning a Black
American approached us and took a
seat. He was quite personable and we
asked him where he was from. He
“The best thing I see in Cuba is the void
of race consciousness. We, America, are
obsessed with it. Cubans come in all shades –
just like the United States but it is clear one’s
race means nothing.”
with American business owners. Cuba
is at the point of allowing small business
ownership. To grow and quickly
become a big corporation is not going
to happen now. The group consisted of
fashion designers, magazine publishers,
musicians (one was scheduled to play
with Herbie Hancock during a jazz
festival), architects, bakers, and various
consultants. The door to capitalism
is cracking open. We all exchanged
business cards and made new friends.
I gave our new fellow entrepreneurs
honorary membership to the National
Black Chamber of Commerce.
We had a fabulous lunch at the “El
Portal de Calzada”. This is a Black
owned restaurant. It is a beautiful
converted mansion. The Black married
said Oakland, California. I tested him
in asking which high school did he go
to. He replied quickly “Castle Mount”.
Good I said to myself. Then it occurred
to me he was dressed too casually to be
a tourist. “Do you live here?” I queried.
Then something quickly came to my
mind. “Are you on the run?” I asked.
He casually replied, “I have lived here
for 47 years under official asylum from
the Cuban government.” “What put you
on the run?” He slowly explained his
plight: “They have falsely accused me
of killing a policeman and hijacking
a commercial plane to this country.
The Cuban government has given
me asylum.” I then asked, “Where is
Joanne Chesimard and the others.” He
calmly said, “Most of us stay in touch
but it is rare when we see Joanne. You
know they (US Government) have a $2
million reward – Dead or Alive – on
her.” We were stunned, “Dead or Alive
sounds like the wild, wild west. Is that
constitutional? I asked. “That is the way
it goes” he retorted. Ms. Chesimard is
also known as Assata Shakur.
Here we were sitting with a coldblooded US terrorist. As soon as we
got home I looked up Charles Hill on
Google. There are plenty of articles
about him. This is going to be a very
big issue to settle. During the 1970’s
Cuba became a “get away” for some of
the biggest US terrorists in the United
States. Congress is demanding that
Cuba return these criminals back to us
for prosecution. That will probably
happen sooner than later. For more
on Charles Hill paste this link in your
browser: goo.gl/3x5FO4
Cuba is a piece of work in progress.
It is going to be a flourishing nation one
day as it corrects a few “kinks” along
the way. The potential is promising.
Harry C. Alford
Co-founder, President / CEO
National Black Chamber of
Commerce
www.nationalbcc.org
National
Black
Chamber of Commerce®
National Black Chamber of Commerce®
The National Black Chamber of Commerce® is dedicated to
economically empowering and sustaining African American
communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within
the United States and via interaction with the Black Diaspora.
www.nationalbcc.org
4400 Jenifer St. NW Suite 331, Washington, DC 20015
phone: 202-466-6888 | fax: 202-466-4918
[email protected]
“If you are filled with pride, then you will have no room for
wisdom.” - South Sudan Proverb
May 2017
www.africanamericanvoice.net
7
BLACKONOMICS
Radioactivity
“Well done beats well said every time.”
“When it’s all said and done, much is said and little is done.”
“Radioactivity,” and I would add “TV
Activity,” while they may inform us, if
not acted upon is just more information.
And just like knowledge, information is
not power unless you use it—use it to
your own advantage.
So all the pontificators, prognosticators,
pundits, and philosophizers who simply
offer their assessments of our problems
by describing their symptoms, should
do a little introspection to see if they are
really interested in contributing what
James Clingman
There are many Black folks who
can tell us what “we need to do” in the
context of economic empowerment and
other issues that matter. They have all
the answers, but too often deal with
them from a symptomatic perspective
rather than a problematic perspective.
Some of us believe that simply talking
about a problem, mainly by delineating
its symptoms, is actually doing the work
necessary for a solution. Think about it.
We cite criminal justice symptoms and
educational symptoms, we talk about
the wealth gap and the health gap and
the income gap, and we regurgitate
statistics that justify our symptomatic
approach to the dire situations we face
every day. But merely talking and
writing about the symptoms have never
solved our problems. Someone has
to execute.
I hear and read a great deal of
information as I look for the solution
to our problems. It’s almost to the point
of information overload. You would
think that with all of the activists we
have within our ranks that some actual
activity, beyond mere exercising our
powers of speech and penmanship,
would take place. That is especially true
on radio talk shows. Those I call “RadioActivists” are adept at identifying the
symptoms and saying what “we need
to do” while seldom, if ever, laying out
the problem and offering a solution—a
solution on which they are willing
to work and help implement. Mere
they can to solve our problems. Instead
of, or at least in addition to sounding
the alarm, they should also offer real
solutions and then prepare to contribute
some time, talent, and treasure toward
solving those problems.
Radio activists are usually busy
telling others what must be done, as
they continue to sit on the sidelines
and critique problems. They seldom are
willing to get into the game by initiating
the solutions they espouse; instead,
they tell others what to do and how it
should be done. Radioactivity, when it
comes to economic and political action,
is dangerous and seldom results in any
real progress, that is, unless someone
other than the Radio-Activist picks up
the gauntlet and executes a strategy that
evolves into a movement to empower
our people.
Don’t be a Radio-Activist. The next
time you have the opportunity to speak
on the air—or via any medium—don’t
just say what “we need” to do; follow
it up by saying what you either are
doing about the issue or what you are
willing to do about it. Besides, after
making your transition, wouldn’t you
rather have folks speak of you in terms
of what you did in addition to what you
said? Don’t you want to leave a legacy
of putting your words into action? Don’t
you want your children to know you for
your work on their behalf rather than
what you said we “needed”?
We can see what our ancestors did,
many of who never gave a speech or
wrote a book; they simply worked
to leave something better for those
who came after them. It’s more about
the actions than it is about the words
anyway. Frederick Douglass told Harriet
Tubman, “I have had the applause of the
crowd and the satisfaction that comes
of being approved by the multitude,
while the most that you have done has
been witnessed by the few trembling,
scarred, foot-sore bondmen and women,
whom you have led out of the house
of bondage… The midnight sky and
silent stars have been the witness of
your devotion to freedom and of your
heroism… ‘God bless you,’ has been
your only reward.”
Everyone can do something. You
don’t have to be rich; you don’t need to
be an intellectual; and you don’t have to
be a leader. You have something more
than words to give to our people. Love,
trust, respect, encouragement, a smile,
a hug, a couple of dollars to a person
in need, the willingness start a project,
a movement, or an organization, are
all things we can do as individuals. As
a collective we can unify, organize,
and work on building something for
ourselves, because just talking about it
will not get the job done.
People don’t care how much you
know until they know how much
you care.
James Clingman
Writer on Economic Empowerment
www.blackonomics.com
8
www.africanamericanvoice.net
May 2017
NATIONAL
African American Women Pilots Making History
a flight instructor for Kent State’s
aviation program.
Johnson and Dawn Cook, an AfricanAmerican First Officer pilot for Delta
Airlines, made history on Feb. 26 after
organizing a historic flight together.
The two women piloted a Delta Airlines
flight from Detroit to Las Vegas. Delta
celebrated Johnson during Black History
Month and honored both women during
Women’s History Month.
Johnson encourages young children
to consider a career in aviation and
has worked with the Detroit Aviation
Career Education Academy. She also
served as director of the academy.
She states, “I feel I have a great sense
of responsibility to be a positive role
model; that there were so few women
in this profession, and too many women
who still don’t think of it as a career
option.” (Huffington Post, March 2)
Johnson adds, “When I was hired
by Northwest Airlines, there were 12
African-American women airline pilots
in the country at the major airlines, and
I knew all of their names. … One of the
most rewarding parts of my career has
been sharing my passion for aviation
and exposing young people to the
opportunities in the field.”
By Dolores Cox
In the field of aviation, Bessie Coleman
was a pioneer. In 1921, she was the first
African-American woman to obtain a
pilot’s license — an international one
— and fly a plane.
Coleman was born in 1892 in Atlanta,
Texas, to sharecroppers whose parents
had been enslaved. She was one of 13
children. The family lived in a one-room
cabin. When Coleman was two years
old, they moved to Waxahachie, Texas.
Several years later, the father, who was
also of Native ancestry, left and moved
to an Oklahoma reservation to obtain the
civil rights that were denied to Blacks
and Native peoples in Texas.
In 1915, at age 23, Coleman moved
to Chicago, where she began listening
to and reading stories of World War
I pilots. This sparked her interest in
aviation. But because of racial and
gender discrimination, no flight school
in the U.S. would accept her.
Coleman moved to France where she
completed her flight training and earned
her pilot’s license. She also gained
further flying experience in Holland and
Germany. She specialized in stunt flying
and parachute jumps and performed
aerial tricks.
Coleman bought an old plane, and
while on a trial flight with the mechanic
pilot, the plane dived and Coleman fell
out of the cockpit before it crashed.
She died April 30, 1926, at age 34, and
received recognition as a hero after
her death.
In 1997, Stephanie Johnson made history
by becoming the first Black woman pilot
for Northwest Airlines. Twenty years later,
in 2016, she became the first Black woman
captain for Delta Airlines.
Photo, Workers World
Dolores Cox
Workers World
www.workers.org
Bessie Coleman
Johnson says she was encouraged by a
high school teacher to follow her dream
of flying. There were no pilots in her life
growing up, she says, but for as long as
she can remember she’s been fascinated
by airplanes. She studied flying while
attending Kent State University in Kent,
Ohio. Upon graduating, she became
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- Sierra Leone Proverb
May 2017
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9
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May 2017
NATIONAL
Push For More Black Homeownership Focus
of Realtist Week
Continued from page 1
families and for our future generations,”
said Ron Cooper, NAREB president.
Black homeownership has been on
a steady decline since 2004 when it
reached its peak of nearly 50%. Today,
the Black homeownership rate hovers
nationally, just below 42% compared to
the non-Hispanic white homeownership
rate of just above 72%.
“Our Realtist Week events in over
30 cities and more than 21 states
demonstrates NAREB is at the forefront
of Building Black Wealth Through
Homeownership in the country,”
stated Antoine M. Thompson, national
executive director for NAREB. Realtist
Week also serves as a showcase for
NAREB’s new 2 Million New Black
Homeowners in 5 Years program
initiated to reverse the wealth drain
among Black Americans.
Realtist Week activities heighten
the community’s and policymakers’
awareness about the importance of
affordable homeownership. Events
started on Sunday April 23 with special
church worship services and continue
events at local schools, meetings with
local officials, community service
projects, and concluded on Saturday,
April 29 with a Community Wealth
Building Day where consumers
can talked with financial education
specialists; mortgage lenders; housing
counselors; insurance experts, and
representatives from local government
and learned about first-time homebuyer
and available down payment assistance
programs.
For more detailed information about
Realtist Week activities, participating
cities, and NAREB visit:
www.nareb.com/realtist-week-2017
NAREB
www.nareb.com
PRNewswire
www.prnewswire.com
National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc.
The National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc. (NAREB) was founded in Tampa, Florida, in 1947 as
an equal opportunity and civil rights advocacy organization for African American real estate professionals,
consumers, and communities in an overtly racist America. Our purpose remains the same today in a covertly
racially and economically discriminatory America, but we are more focused on economic opportunity than
civil rights. Although composed principally of African Americans, the REALTIST© organization embraces all
qualified real estate practitioners who are committed to achieving our vision, which is “Democracy in Housing”.
Five Points Jazz Festival Returns, Celebrates
15th Anniversary
Continued from page 1
programming and more. Other activities
include an art and food marketplace,
and a youth area featuring face painting,
a giant slide, jump castle, and more.
The festival takes place the third
Saturday of May and celebrates
the history of Denver’s Five Points
neighborhood. Once known as the
Harlem of the West, Five Points was
home to several jazz clubs which played
host to many of jazz music’s legends
such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk
and many more.
Since its inception in 2004, Five Points
Jazz Festival has grown each year in size
and popularity. In 2016, attendance was
approximately 50,000 and more than 30
bands performed throughout the course
of the day.
For a full band lineup and schedule of
events, please visit ArtsandVenues.com.
About Denver Arts & Venues
Denver Arts & Venues’ mission is
to amplify Denver’s quality of life
and economic vitality through premier
public venues, arts and entertainment
opportunities. Arts & Venues is the
Photographer, Trevor Davis
City and County of Denver agency
responsible for operating some of the
region’s most renowned facilities,
including Red Rocks Park and
Amphitheatre, the Denver Performing
Arts Complex, Colorado Convention
Center, Denver Coliseum and McNichols
Civic Center Building. Arts & Venues
also oversees the Denver Public Art
Program, Create Denver, SCFD Tier III
granting process, Arts Education Fund
and other entertainment and cultural
events such as Five Points Jazz Festival,
Urban Arts Fund, P.S. You Are Here and
implementation of IMAGINE 2020:
Denver’s Cultural Plan. Denver Arts
& Venues is committed to diversity,
inclusiveness and equity in all our
programs, initiatives and decision
making processes.
www.ArtsandVenues.com
Roots to Glory Tours:
Dedicated to facilitating the return of all
Africans in the Diaspora back to Africa.
Photographer, Trevor Davis
Ada Anagho Brown, President
Roots to Glory Tours
Dr. Gina Paige, President (left) and Dr. Rick Kittles, Scientific Director (right) the African Ancestry Management Team and Co-founders.
African Ancestry
5614 ConnecƟcut Avenue NW
#297, Washington, DC 20015
www.africanancestry.com
[email protected]
Phone: (202) 723-0900, ext. 4010
(Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00
pm EST)
Fax: (202) 318-0742
Customer Care: (202) 723-0900,
ext. 4014 (Monday – Friday, 9:00
am to 6:00 pm EST)
www.facebook.com/rootstoglorytours
Phone: (410) 429-0804 Mobile: (410) 428-6402
email: [email protected]
P.O. Box 92, Stevenson, Maryland 21153
www.rootstoglory.com
”A fowl does not forget where it lays its eggs.” - Ghana Proverb
May 2017
www.africanamericanvoice.net
11
MALCOLM X
Happy Birthday Malcolm X!
Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little
on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska.
His mother, Louise Norton Little, was a
homemaker occupied with the family’s
eight children. His father, Earl Little,
was an outspoken Baptist minister and
avid supporter of Black Nationalist
leader Marcus Garvey. Earl’s civil
rights activism prompted death threats
from the white supremacist organization
Black Legion, forcing the family
to relocate twice before Malcolm’s
fourth birthday.
Regardless of the Little’s efforts
to elude the Legion, in 1929, their
Lansing, Michigan home was burned to
the ground. Two years later, Earl’s body
was found lying across the town’s trolley
tracks. Police ruled both incidents as
accidents, but the Littles were certain
that members of the Black Legion were
responsible. Louise suffered emotional
breakdown several years after the death
of her husband and was committed to
a mental institution, while her children
were split up among various foster
homes and orphanages.
Eventually, Malcolm and his longtime friend, Malcolm “Shorty” Jarvis,
moved back to Boston. In 1946, they
were arrested and convicted on burglary
charges, and Malcolm was sentenced
to 10 years in prison, although he was
granted parole after serving seven years.
Recalling his days in school, he used
the time to further his education. It was
during this period of self-enlightenment
that Malcolm’s brother Reginald would
visit and discuss his recent conversion to
the Muslim religion. Reginald belonged
to the religious organization the Nation
of Islam (NOI).
Intrigued, Malcolm began to study
the teachings of NOI leader Elijah
Muhammad. Muhammad taught that
white society actively worked to keep
12
African-Americans from empowering
themselves and achieving political,
economic, and social success. Among
other goals, the NOI fought for a state of
their own, separate from one inhabited
by white people. By the time he was
paroled in 1952, Malcolm was a devoted
follower with the new surname “X”
(He considered “Little” a slave name
and chose the “X” to signify his lost
tribal name.).
Intelligent and articulate, Malcolm
was appointed as a minister and national
spokesman for the Nation of Islam.
Elijah Muhammad also charged him
with establishing new mosques in cities
such as Detroit, Michigan, and Harlem.
Malcolm utilized newspaper columns,
as well as radio and television, to
communicate the NOI’s message across
the United States. His charisma, drive,
and conviction attracted an astounding
number of new members. Malcolm
was largely credited with increasing
membership in the NOI from 500 in
1952 to 30,000 in 1963.
The crowds and controversy surrounding
Malcolm made him a media magnet. He
was featured in a weeklong television
special with Mike Wallace in 1959,
called The Hate That Hate Produced.
The program explored the fundamentals
of the NOI, and tracked Malcolm’s
emergence as one of its most important
leaders. After the special, Malcolm was
faced with the uncomfortable reality that
his fame had eclipsed that of his mentor
Elijah Muhammad. In addition to the
media, Malcolm’s vivid personality had
captured the government’s attention.
As membership in the NOI continued
to grow, FBI agents infiltrated the
organization (one even acted as
Malcolm’s bodyguard) and secretly
placed bugs, wiretaps, cameras, and
other surveillance equipment to monitor
"You can't separate peace from freedom because no
one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."
- Malcolm X
(May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965)
the group’s activities.
Malcolm’s faith was dealt a crushing
blow at the height of the civil rights
movement in 1963. He learned that his
mentor and leader, Elijah Muhammad,
was secretly having relations with as
many as six women within the Nation
of Islam organization. As if that were
not enough, Malcolm found out that
some of these relationships had resulted
in children.
Since joining the NOI, Malcolm had
strictly adhered to the teachings of
Muhammad, which included remaining
celibate until his marriage to Betty
Shabazz in 1958. Malcolm refused
Muhammad’s request to help cover up
the affairs and subsequent children. He
was deeply hurt by Muhammad’s actions,
because he had previously considered
him a living prophet. Malcolm also
felt guilty about the masses he had led
to join the NOI, which he now felt was
a fraudulent organization built on too
many lies to ignore.
Shortly after his shocking discovery,
Malcolm received criticism for a
comment he made regarding the
assassination of President John F.
Kennedy. “[Kennedy] never foresaw
that the chickens would come home to
roost so soon,” said Malcolm. After the
statement, Elijah Muhammad “silenced”
Malcolm for 90 days. Malcolm,
however, suspected he was silenced for
another reason. In March 1964, Malcolm
terminated his relationship with the
NOI. Unable to look past Muhammad’s
deception, Malcolm decided to found
his own religious organization, the
Muslim Mosque, Inc.
That same year, Malcolm went on a
pilgrimage to Mecca, which proved to
be life altering for him. For the first
time, Malcolm shared his thoughts and
beliefs with different cultures and found
the response to be overwhelmingly
positive. When he returned, Malcolm
said he had met “blonde-haired, bluedeyed men I could call my brothers.” He
returned to the United States with a new
outlook on integration and a new hope
for the future. This time when Malcolm
spoke, instead of just preaching to
African-Americans, he had a message
for all races.
After Malcolm resigned his position
www.africanamericanvoice.net
in the Nation of Islam and renounced
Elijah Muhammad, relations between
the two had become increasingly
volatile. FBI informants working
undercover in the NOI warned officials
that Malcolm had been marked for
assassination–one undercover officer
had even been ordered to help plant a
bomb in Malcolm’s car.
After repeated attempts on his life,
Malcolm rarely traveled anywhere
without bodyguards. On February
14, 1965 the home where Malcolm,
Betty, and their four daughters lived
in East Elmhurst, New York was
firebombed. Luckily, the family escaped
physical injury.
One week later, however, Malcolm’s
enemies were successful in their ruthless
attempt. At a speaking engagement in
the Manhattan’s Audubon Ballroom
on February 21, 1965, three gunmen
rushed Malcolm onstage. They shot him
15 times at close range. The 39-year-old
was pronounced dead on arrival at New
York’s Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.
Fifteen hundred people attended
Malcolm’s funeral in Harlem on
February 27, 1965 at the Faith Temple
Church of God in Christ (now Child’s
Memorial Temple Church of God in
Christ). After the ceremony, friends
took the shovels away from the waiting
gravediggers and buried Malcolm
themselves.
Later that year, Betty gave birth to
their twin daughters.
Malcolm’s
assassins,
Talmadge
Hayer, Norman 3X Butler, and Thomas
15X Johnson, were convicted of firstdegree murder in March 1966. The three
men were all members of the Nation of
Islam. Malcolm X’s legacy has moved
through generations as the subject of
numerous documentaries, books, and
movies. A tremendous resurgence of
interest occurred in 1992 when director
Spike Lee released the acclaimed movie,
Malcolm X. The film received Oscar
nominations for Best Actor (Denzel
Washington) and Best Costume Design.
Malcolm X is buried at the Ferncliff
Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.
The Estate of Malcolm X
www.malcolmx.com
May 2017