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Editorials/Column
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Never Fear Saying Something
reedom of speech. It is
an ideal so important that the founding fathers of the United States made it the first amendment to the constitu- tion. But, for many people, it's a precious right that they're afraid to exercise.
For the average person this fear is rooted in the idea of being ostracized from his or her own community after pub- licly making a statement that's not well received. That is mainly because, while it may be legal to voice one's opinion aloud, there's nothing in the law that safeguards us socially or financially if our words of- fend the wrong ears in the process.
So the question becomes: is the freedom of speech really as free as advertised? And the an- swer, I hate to admit, is a somber no.
There is a definite cost to speaking your mind if what you say isn't a popular senti- ment or doesn't fall in line with the "group think." This is a world (or at least a country) where political correctness has taken the station away from pure honesty. It is a place
where unwritten and unspo- ken rules clearly state: "Believe what you want in your heart. Just don't let it come through your lips unfiltered."
For African Americans, speaking out against the status quo is an even more daunting task. Since our presence in this country has been a subject of contention from the time slav- ery was abolished, any vocal- ization of discontent from a Black face is often viewed as an affront on a society that, in its eyes, has displayed an elevated level of unwarranted tolerance towards us.
Individuals like Grey's Anatomy star Jesse Williams discovered this first hand when he had the nerve to speak out against police bru- tality at the B.E.T. Awards show recently. Following his speech, a white woman, who claimed to be deeply appalled by what she described as "anti- white rhetoric," began a peti- tion to have ABC television remove him from the show.
Unfortunately, this is an example of what typically hap- pens to Black people when they decide to speak their
truth. Either their livelihood is threatened or, in the case of or- ganizations like Black Lives Matter (a group that simply demands justice for the inno- cent who were unjustifiably killed at the hands of law en- forcement) they're labeled as terrorists and have their very freedom placed into jeopardy.
This is why I have so much respect and admiration for those who choose to yell loudly what others are scared to whis- per. What they potentially sac- rifice in taking a stance is immeasurable.
I mean it's easy to go along to get along by walking the middle of an issue (we see you Michael Jordan). But to take an unpopular side in a conflict that exists within an environment that publicly cru- cifies dissenters? That is what you call real bravery.
In a perfect world there would be no consequences for standing firmly for what you believe. But, of course, this world is far from perfect.
And, because we're living in a day and age when being silent isn't an option, I'm glad there are still those around us who have enough courage to say something when just speaking up could make all the difference.
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How Should Miss Teen USA Be Judged?
he used the “N” word. But she wasn’t the only one.
Many young women her age have used the “N” word and other words on Tweet, Twitter, and Facebook no less. But they didn’t turn out to be Miss Teen USA 2016. So, how should Karlie Hay, a Texan teenager and recipi- ent of one of America’s most coveted “fab” awards be re- ceived by a society already racked by a civil war of profanity and twisted terms?
Listen to Karlie’s side. Get out your hanky. “Due to a number of personal struggles, I was in a place that is not representative of who I am now.” And where might that place be? We don’t know. But what we do know is she said the “N” word . . . not once, but often, according to the news.
But so what? Say political correctness opponents, count the legions of rappers who use the word “N—ga” the way some people drink water, if not more often. Should those men and women not also be judged severely because of their political correctness indiscretions? Per- haps, because the majority of our editorialists are “Baby Boomers” (which puts us slightly “over the hill”), the “N” word is still repugnant. Furthermore, the Miss Universe USA organization agrees with us. Regarding Karlie’s comments, it stated, “The language Karlie Hay used is unacceptable at any age and in no way reflects the values of the Miss Universe Organization.” But it refused to take back her crown.
Save Our Cities: Education, Jobs And Justice
BY MARC H. MORIAL President and CEO National Urban League
recognize we are in polit- ical season. But the Urban League understands that your mission transcends politics. Good jobs, quality schools, affordable health care, affordable housing -- these are all the pillars upon which com- munities are built. And yet, we've been reminded recently that all this matters little if these young people can't walk the streets of their neighbor- hood safely; if we can't send our kids to school without wor- rying they might get shot; if they can't go to the movies without fear of violence lurk- ing in the shadows." -- Presi- dent Barack Obama, National Urban League Confer-
ence, July 25, 2012
As demonstrated by the re- cent acquittals of the Baltimore police officers accused in the death of Freddie Gray, and the wave of violence that has taken so many lives in recent weeks, the country continues to
grapple with issues of racial hostility and violence.
The lack of social and eco- nomic opportunity is at the root of the unrest.
The troubling divisive rhet- oric that has characterized the 2016 Presidential race has fed the unrest.
Only a historic, targeted mobilization of public-private partnerships can address the unrest.
“Save Our Cities: Educa- tion, Jobs & Justice,” the theme of the 2016 National Urban League Conference campaign represented an unprecedented mobilization to influence public policy through grassroots polit- ical action.
Taking place August 3 through 6 at the Baltimore Convention Center, the nation’s largest civil rights and social justice conference attracts thousands of the nation’s most influential community leaders, together with top policy-mak- ers, academicians, business leaders and artists for three days of dynamic dialogue, intel- lectual exchange and commu- nity service.
Hillary Clinton and Don- ald Trump were invited to ad- dress the Conference at the Presidential Plenary -- a long-standing tradition of the Conference, acknowledging the indispensable relationship be- tween the nation’s highest of- fice and its leading civil rights and social justice community.
The Conference workshops, forums and panel discussions represent a “deeper dive” into the National Urban League’s mission areas of jobs, educa- tion, health, housing and civic engagement. For example:
• The Link between African American Cooperative Business and Economic Freedom: Can communities like Baltimore re- turn to their former glory as thriving American Cities?
• State of Health and Well- ness in Black America: The Na- tional Urban League’s Equality Index identifies a widening gap in health equity – how can communities address individ- ual and institutional health fac- tors to produce better outcomes?
• #Baltimore Rising: Mak- ing Change in the Aftermath: the death of Freddie Gray in police custody last year thrust Baltimore onto the national stage, making it a symbol of what happens when communi- ties feel left out of the American Dream. How can millennial and young professionals create positive change and progress?
Trump And Mean Spirited Americans
Will someone please tell the Republican National Committee to put a muzzle on Donald Trump? Just when you think he can’t make any more verbal sui-
cide comments, the man manages to put another foot in an already foot-long mouth. His latest gaffe was an attack on “Gold Star” Muslim parents Khirzr and Ghazala Khan, whose son Captain Humayun Khan was killed in Iraq in 2004 by a suicide bomber.
The alarming fact about Trump and his campaign is that he has attracted millions of mean-spirited dema- gogues, sexists, and weekend racists who rationalize, de- fend, and excuse Trump’s every insult regardless of how offensive or utterly ridiculous.
Consequently, this PolitiFact 60 percent lying-rate bil- lionaire bully who reminds many of Benito Mussolini in his diaper years has condoned violent attacks on protest- ers attending Trump’s rallies, has denigrated practically every ethnic group in America has made derogatory re- marks about his opponents.
However, we would love very much to know how Re- publican spin-doctors explain and defend Trump’s com- parison of his “sacrifice” of building buildings and developing thousands of jobs to the sacrifice of Cpt. Kahn’s life to protect Americans and its allies.
We were saddened and shocked to see hundreds of Trump supporters” attending a campaign rally for Gov. Mike Pence boo the mother of an active duty soldier when she asked Pence to talk to Trump about his treat-
ment of the Khans and his lack of respect for military veterans in general. Consequently, the manifestation of America’s mean-spirited citizens in their attacks, disrespect, obstruction, and name calling of President and Mrs. Obama for the past 8 years is just the tip of America’s racist and incendiary iceberg. We are convinced, there- fore, that old bullies don’t die. They raise young bullies and just dream about becoming
a dictator. Ashe!
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