Page 6 - Florida Sentinel 1-13-17 Edition

Editorials/Column
FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN
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Opinions expressed on editorial pages of this newspaper by Columnists or Guest Writers, do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of The Florida Sentinel Bulletin or the Publisher.
Foot Shuffling At Talladega
ight now I'm going to
give Talladega College President, Dr. Billy C. Hawkins, the benefit of the doubt that he simply didn't re- ceive the memo. The one stat- ing that 98% of Blacks in the United States want absolutely nothing at all to do with Presi- dent-Elect Donald J. Trump.
I want to believe that his ig- norance to that fact is why he decided to allow his school's marching band to participate in the upcoming presidential inauguration parade because, otherwise, his controversial decision makes him come off as one of the biggest self-serv- ing, sell-outs in HBCU (Histor- ically Black Colleges and Universities) history. And I'm sure that's a label he doesn't want etched into his tomb- stone.
I mean there's a reason why Trump's transition team is having a hard time lining up performers for the event.... No one wants to ruin their reputa- tion by associating their brand with the incoming dirt-bag-in- chief.
Even the rock group KISS, who violated every code of de- cency imaginable back in the
1970s, turned down an invita- tion. And that's truly saying something.
I understand that it's Dr. Hawkins' job to garner as much visibility as possible for his institution. But is this re- ally the best platform to use in an attempt to accomplish that mission? The irony of the mo- ment being that, regardless of how well the band performs, he'll never be able to regain the level of respect the school would lose in the process.
I read in the paper last week that an alum of Talladega did- n't like the possibility of his former school's band missing out on the opportunity because of the controversy. To him, if Dr. Hawkins would have de- clined the invitation, the stu- dents would have lost the chance to brag about their alma mater performing at a presidential inauguration.
But, my question to him is, what kind of pride could they possibly have in being gradu- ates of the lone Black college that participated in the coro- nation of a bigoted, foul- mouth president and his racist cronies?
Seriously, I'm curious to know how that conversation
would play out? "You know the band from my alma mater, Talladega, threw down at Trump's inauguration." "Oh yeah? Did they use red or white lipstick with their black- face?"
Lost within the ordeal are the feelings of the kids who'll actually have to make the trip. I can't help but have sympathy for them knowing that they'll be forced to contend with a hostile environment, sur- rounded by hordes of white nationalists who will, un- doubtedly, descend on the spectacle in droves.
I wonder if that part of the equation even crossed Dr. Hawkins' mind when he committed his students to playing the role of "token ne- groes" in Trump's plantation circus?
Hopefully some influential members of Talladega's alumni will be able to talk Dr. Hawkins into reconsidering his position well before Janu- ary 20th. If not, then I suppose we'll find out how everything turned out on January 21st be- cause watching a once proud Black institution embarrass it- self before the world, at least for me, definitely won't be an option.
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Warning Signs Of Violence In Your Child
Many of us are left wondering what happens to some of our children who end up committing violent acts against others. News accounts abound with children who torture and kill other children, who torture and mutilate an- imals, or who kill their teachers, parents and siblings.
We also wonder if these children have common person- ality traits and behaviors. Are there warning signs that par- ents, caregivers, teachers, and relatives can detect early enough to get mental health care for the children before they harm themselves or others?
We know parents find it difficult to admit that their chil- dren may commit violent acts. However, there is no guaran- tee that a child raised in a “good home” -- two parents, successful parents, stable relationships, religious upbring- ing – will not turn out to become violent at an early age.
Some of the warning signs to look for in children include their aggression or response to (shoving, picking or hitting others) aggression in others, breaking of parental rules re- peatedly, use of profanity, loud outbursts, screaming at other children or adults, decline in grades, changes in sleep routines, trouble controlling their feelings, are victims of bullying, history of discipline problems or conflict with teachers, law enforcement or other authority.
If you recognize any of these behaviors in your children, pay close attention to them and get mental health counseling for them as soon as possible. The life you save may be your child’s, your family’s, and your own.
Assessing President Obama's Impact And Legacy
BY MARC H. MORIAL President and CEO National Urban League
“That faith that I placed all those years ago, not far from here, in the power of ordinary Americans to bring about change, that faith has been re- warded in ways I could not have possibly imagined.” – President Barack Obama, Farewell Address, January 10, 2017
hroughout our history,
the National Urban League has taken seriously our responsibility to hold the Pres- ident of the United States ac- countable to the needs of urban America and communi- ties of color. During the Great Depression, Executive Secre- tary Eugene Kinkle Jones served on President Franklin Delano Roo- sevelt’s “Black Cabinet.”
Lester Granger, who
headed the League during World War II, is among those credited with persuading President Harry Truman to desegregate the Armed Forces.
Whitney M. Young ad- vised Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson and was instrumen- tal in the passage of the land- mark Civil Rights Act.
Urban League Presidents
Vernon Jordan, John Jacob and Hugh Price con- tinued our engagement with the Presidents with whom they served to further the work of civil rights and secure support for Urban League programs.
Any evaluation of the Obama administration must first recognize that he inher- ited the worst economy since the Great Depression, and was faced with Congressional op- position unprecedented in its intensity and sinister nature. Both his accomplishments and
his failures must be evaluated against those conditions.
President Obama is leaving office with an approval rating even higher than Rea- gan’s, exceeded only by Pres- idents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight Eisen- hower and Bill Clinton.
During Pres. Obama’s presidency, the economy has added 15 million new jobs, and the jobless rate has dropped. More than 16 million Ameri- cans who were uninsured now have health care coverage, with the uninsured rate for African Americans cut by more than half.
Barack Obama’s passion and steady hand made a huge difference in charting a pro- gressive course and positively impacted the lives of ordinary Americans. Black Americans felt both the pride of his ac- complishments and the pain when it was clear his oppo- nents sought to diminish a great American.
Our evaluation springs from a consideration of his ac- complishments balanced against the conditions under which he served. The National Urban League has given the Obama Administration an overall rating of “Excellent,” our second-highest rating.
Should The Marching Tornadoes Succumb To A Political Storm?
o doubt, it would be beyond debate as to whether or
not an historical Black college marching band should honor its invitation to appear in an upcoming Presidential Inauguration Parade. How far back does the tradition go? Did it begin with FDR, JFK? And who can forget that first time on black and white TV when the world beheld an utterly captivating Florida A&M University “Marching One Hun- dred” strutting as if it literally owned Pennsylvania Avenue, or years later on color-wide-screen television when the world held its breath as countless Black collegiate and uni- versity marching bands let the universe know that the Oba- mas had come to tea?
But things have changed.
After this past presidential election, Americans are not so sure that their new choice embraces the ideas of diversity, sensitivity, and equality. Consequently, certain graduates from some Black colleges see their alma maters’ involve- ment in the upcoming Presidential Inauguration Parade as an insult. One group which seems to be against involvement is certain members of the Talladega College’s Tornado Marching Band.
Indeed, Talladega’s president has received death threats. Is it unthinkable that such would happen? If it were FAMU, B-CU, Delaware State, or Howard, and either was asked by Trump to participate, could there ever be a doubt what these
organizations would say, given the honor it bestows or the subsidies it would generate? But, now, Talladega administrators must worry about sit-ins, teach-outs, alumni-boycotts, or other more strenuous opposition including threats of physical violence. Is it worth it?
Less than two weeks away from America’s 45th Presidential Inauguration, will we be made to see that not even our magnificent marching bands are immune from the poison of politics and racism? As we listen for the drums, all eyes are on Talladega.
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