Page 5 - Florida Sentinel 9-24-21

Editorial/Column
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State
No Love For The ZOEs
hen I watched the
United States mili- tary evacuate thousands of people from Afghanistan a few weeks ago, as the Taliban re- took the country, I thought the U. S. government made the right decision. It was the type of humanitarian effort that was expected considering the alternative would have re- sulted in the torture and po- tential death of every individual left behind who as- sisted the U. S. in its two- decades long war campaign in
the region.
In helping the Afghans, the
U. S. showed the world that it was willing to expend enor- mous amounts of resources and open its doors to those trapped in a dire situation. Un- fortunately, though, it seems as if the generosity on display was extremely selective.
Right now in Del Rio, Texas there exists another large group of immigrants (12,000 to be exact) who are also in need of a safe haven
after making the perilous jour- ney from their ravaged Haitian homeland. But, in this in- stance, the U. S. is being far less accommodating.
Instead of being allowed entry, these refugees are being processed and prepared for a flight back to Hispaniola. Even though life on their island home has been just as destabi- lized as their Afghan counter- parts, when it comes to the Haitians, the U. S. has elected to remove its welcome mat.
Why are these two groups being treated so differently? Aside from an understood ob- ligation that exists for the Afghans, there also exists an- other, not so subtle, difference that can't be discounted... The color of their skin.
The U. S. has always showed favoritism towards refugees with fairer skin com- plexions. Armenians, Ger- mans, Bosnians and Iraqis have all been privy to fast- tracked U. S. asylum. But, for those who hail from war-torn
places like Uganda, Liberia or the Republic of the Congo find- ing refuge in the States has been a lot more arduous.
This isn't the first time the U. S. has discriminated against Haitians. The dry foot policy that once allowed Cubans, flee- ing Fidel Castro's dictator- ship, permanent residence if they could make it to U. S. soil was never applied to Haitians, who also risked their lives on makeshift rafts headed to American shores.
Of course, Haitians could always come for a temporary reprieve from their troubles. But, just as it's playing out now, being sent back is how their story typically ends.
Could it be that the Haitians, being descendants of the rebellious Africans who dared to free themselves from bondage while embarrassing a European super power in the process, are still paying the price for the courage and dis- obedience of their ancestors?
There is no way to know the answer to that question for sure. But there's also no deny- ing that, when it comes to these proud Caribbean people, the U. S. is incapable of show- ing them any love.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin Publishing Company. You can email Mr. Barr at: cbscribe2@-gmail.com.
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What If?
e thought of some “What If” questions in view of new anti-abortion legislation sweeping across America. What if the anti-abortion laws bring about sweeping
legislation that provides free “morning after pills” and early detection pregnancy tests? What if every 18-year or older fe- male registers to vote and votes in the 2022 election? Then, what if a qualified woman runs for every elected office in America and wins? Remember, there are 3.43 million or more women than there are males in America. Consequently, there are more women (167.23 million) than men (162.26 million), and more women (63% voted in the 2016 election than men (59%).
What if the state governments are required to recruit, screen, and pay people who will agree to adopt and raise all of the unwanted children women are forced to give birth to? Currently, it takes $12,980 annually to raise a child in Amer- ica. The irony of the anti-abortion legislation is that the same government officials do not want to take care of children after they are born, because funds to take care of children, single mothers and low-income families are the first to expe- rience budget cuts. If you are going to force women to have children, you should at least take care of them.
What if female dominated legislatures enact the following laws? Women who find out they are pregnant after six weeks of pregnancy will be able to receive fully paid prenatal care, labor and delivery costs and three months of postpartum care, which can cost $21,000 or more if epidurals are used.
Expectant mothers will receive payments for free rent, food and car payments if she can’t work during the preg- nancy. The mother will be able to leave her newly born child (with parental release) at the hospital or birthing center where the child is born to be picked up by the adoptive par- ents.
We are concerned about what happens to the children AFTER they are born. Forcing women to have unwanted chil- dren will only compound the child abuse, child homicide and child neglect problem in America. Currently, 7 million chil- dren are reported abused and neglected annually in America. Moreover, child and adolescent homicide rates in America are the highest of all countries for infant children to school age children. Mothers disproportionately account for the majority of child homicides.
Therefore, if a state government is going to force a woman to have a child, then the government should be responsible for guaranteeing that the child will grow up in a safe, loving, nurturing and accepting environment. That is the least anti- abortionists can do for children forced to be born to an unlov- ing and unwanting mother.
Georgia Voting Dynamo Stacey Abrams Coming To Florida On November 9
STACEY ABRAMS
Tobin Entertainment presents political leader, voting rights activist, entrepreneur, and NYTimes bestselling author, Stacey Abrams in a national speaking tour, A Conversation with Stacey Abrams. The tour launched this week in San Antonio.
Abrams’ only Florida stop will be in Jacksonville at the Florida Theatre on November 9th. Stacey Abrams will present an evening of candid conversation and insights on politics, leader-
ship, entrepreneurship, social justice, and being a true voice for change.
Designed around worldwide and national events, as well as questions from the audience and
community, this conversation with Stacey Abrams aims to inform and empower. Tickets are now on sale.
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 5-A