Greene County Democrat

Category: World News

  • Newswire : Alabama Republicans pass controversial anti-diversity legislation

    By Stacy M. Brown
    NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
    Alabama Republicans have stirred controversy with the passage of a divisive bill targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) efforts in public colleges. The legislation slashes funding for diversity programs and imposes restrictions on discussing “divisive concepts” related to race and gender within educational settings. Alabama’s Republican Governor, Kay Ivey, signed the legislation as soon as it reached her desk.

    Met with widespread support in the State Legislature, the bill faced vehement opposition from various quarters. Democrats, student groups, and civil rights advocates condemned it as an assault on free speech and diversity initiatives, particularly poignant given Alabama’s history of segregation and racism.
    “The advancements that we have made… in this country, they’re slowly rolling it back,” remarked State Representative Juandalynn Givan, a Democrat, expressing concerns over the bill’s implications.

    Furthermore, the legislation prohibits transgender individuals from using bathrooms aligned with their gender identity on public university campuses, aligning Alabama with a broader right-wing campaign targeting D.E.I. programs nationwide.

    With the bill’s passage, dissent persists. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin urged student-athletes to consider institutions prioritizing diversity and inclusion, suggesting potential repercussions for Alabama’s educational institutions.

    “Would you be cool with your child playing at schools where diversity among staff is actively being discouraged?” Mayor Randall Woodfin asked, emphasizing the importance of diversity in educational settings.

    Meanwhile, students rallied against similar anti-D.E.I. measures at the University of Louisville, fearing academic restrictions and scholarship implications.
    “Unfortunately, I’m not surprised by the empty words we’ve been given,” remarked protester Elizabeth Hinsdale. “If I am not able to study what I want to at this university or any in Kentucky, I’m left with no choice but to transfer out of state,” added Savannah Dowell, expressing concerns about potential academic limitations.

    Several states across the country have passed or proposed anti-DE&I bills that target diversity training, curriculum content, and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity in various sectors. States such as Texas, Florida, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Tennessee have advanced or enacted legislation restricting discussions on topics related to race and gender in educational institutions, public workplaces, and government-funded programs.

  • Newswire : Biden and Harris fight back against House Republicans’ budget threatening health care

    Patient being counseled at medical facility

    By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    Resolute in their stand against the recent budget proposal by House Republicans, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are intensifying their efforts to lower healthcare costs and safeguard crucial provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid, and Medicare.

    In a Fact Sheet, the White House noted that Biden and Harris underscored the administration’s commitment during a visit to North Carolina, where they outlined a comprehensive strategy to make health care more affordable for all Americans.

    “The draconian measures in the Republican budget, which the Republican Study Committee created and which the House Republican leadership supported, have alarmed people because they could destroy crucial health care programs,” administration officials said. Among its provisions, the budget seeks to slash a staggering $4.5 trillion from the ACA, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, potentially leaving millions of Americans without access to essential health coverage.
    Key aspects of the Republican budget include eliminating funding for the ACA’s Marketplace and Medicaid expansion, jeopardizing coverage for over 45 million individuals. Furthermore, the proposed transformation of Medicaid into block grants “could imperil the health care of an additional 60 million Americans, leading to increased difficulty in qualifying for coverage and potential cuts to critical benefits,” officials argued.
    The budget threatens the well-being of seniors and individuals with disabilities by proposing cuts to Medicaid home care services and nursing home payments, which could result in diminished care quality and longer waitlists for essential services.
    In addition to dismantling crucial consumer protections established by the ACA, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions and prohibitions against insurance company abuses, officials said the Republican budget would also convert Medicare into a “premium support” program, potentially raising premiums for millions of seniors and exacerbating prescription drug costs.
    “Contrary to this regressive agenda, President Biden and Vice President Harris are staunch advocates for expanding access to affordable health care,” officials asserted. “Under their leadership, a record-breaking 21 million Americans have enrolled in ACA coverage this year, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to extend health care to more citizens.”
    The White House argued that the administration’s initiatives have yielded tangible benefits, including average annual savings of $800 per individual on health insurance premiums. They claimed that the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which Biden championed, has given Medicare the authority to negotiate lower prescription drug costs, ensuring that seniors and people with disabilities can access affordable medications.
    Biden and Harris insisted they are committed to further lowering healthcare costs and enhancing coverage for all Americans. Their proposed measures include:
    Making premium tax credits permanent.
    Expanding Medicaid coverage in states that have not adopted expansion.
    Investing in home care services to address wait lists for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

    White House officials said the president and vice president’s agenda prioritizes mental health care access, consumer protection against surprise medical bills, and crackdowns on unwarranted fees in health care services. By advocating for Medicare to negotiate drug prices for at least 50 drugs annually and capping out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, the administration aims to alleviate financial burdens on individuals while safeguarding the integrity of health care programs.
    In contrast to the Republican budget’s assault on health care, officials asserted that Biden and Harris remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting and strengthening vital health care programs for generations to come. “By ensuring that the wealthy contribute their fair share and dedicating savings from Medicare reforms to the program’s sustainability, they seek to uphold the fundamental right to accessible and affordable health care for all Americans,” officials said.

     

     

  • Newswire : Black pastors preaching the Message of the Resurrection and the Legacy of Dr. King

     Dr. King at 1963 March on Washington

    by Hamil R. Harris

    (TriceEdneyWire.com) – It’s the Easter season, and while many pastors are focused on crafting sermons and hosting events, others are equally concerned about King’s legacy on the anniversary of his death April 4, 1968.

    “This election is one of the most critical elections in history,” said Rev. Gerald Durley, the retired pastor of the Provident Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. “This is an election to preserve Democracy in America.”Durley, 82, is preaching and speaking more than ever because, he said, if former President Donald Trump is elected, it will set Civil Rights back 60 years.

    “All of the marching that we did was to ensure equality and equity was in place,” Durley said. “Dr. King lived and died so that the check of Democracy would not be marked as insufficient funds.
    “
    Durley said while the Black church has a great history, the battle for Civil Rights is far from over. “We have had a lot of Moses, but we need more Joshuas,” he said, referring to the younger leader he brought the children of Israel closer to the promised land.

    From Atlanta to San Francisco to Washington, DC, many pastors are preaching the gospel as well, challenging their congregations to not only hear the Word but to be doers.

    “It’s sad and very troublesome,” said Amos Brown, pastor of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco. “The crucifixion wasn’t about self-serving personal salvation. It was about good being delivered for all human creatures. That’s why the Roman government put him on that cross…He was a social justice Christ. He cared about the marginalization of women. There were chauvinists back then as there are today,” Brown said. “Democracy should be for everybody.”

    Rev. Barbara Skinner, who works with the organization, Faiths United to Save Democracy, has been  busy educating potential voters. 
    “While faith leaders cannot tell people who to vote for they can educate them about voting” said Skinner. She stressed the importance of “Preparing church members to vote having reviewed with them weeks prior what’s at stake and what’s in the ballot.”“There are  19 steps to take before voting so people are ready to vote,” said Skinner. She referred to the website, http://www.turnoutsunday.com/ for a  toolkit.

    Rev. Dr. Ben Chavis, a veteran Civil Rights activist, said while Easter is about the Resurrection of Jesus, there needs to be an “Economic Resurrection” in Black America, and that starts by going to the polls in November. 

    As Civil Rights veterans yield to a new generation of pastors, they also employ new strategies and techniques.

    Rev. Tony Lee, pastor of the Community of Hope African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Temple Hills, Md., said, the greatest importance of the church during this season is not just political power but moral authority. “We need a moral authority, a voice that stands for humanity, a voice that says that we are all God’s children,” he said, comparing those that Jesus called “the least of these” to “the left out” of today.

    On March 26, 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and activist Malcolm X met for the first time. Rev. Grainger Browning, pastor of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, reflected on that date to say that today, “We need to come together.”

    “The ongoing Civil Rights organizations are not as visible as they used to be, but it is important that some way during this Easter season, we have a coordinated effort to begin some strategy as to where we go from here,” Browning said. “I have faith in the resiliency of the African American population.
    ”
    Rev. Jamal Bryant, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta said, “I hope that Resurrection will look different in America in terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Bryant said. Referring to the COVID pandemic that killed and sickened millions around the world, Bryant said, “The second pandemic is hopelessness.”

  • Funeral Arrangement of Dr. Sandral Hullett, M.D.

  • April 7th program to honor the legacy and work of Dr. King, includes a play about King’s work with garbage collectors in Memphis, which led to his assassination

    The Alabama Civil Rights Freedom Movement hosts a commemoration program honoring the memory and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Theatre Multiplex Center in Eutaw, AL   

    Spiver W. Gordon, President of the local civil rights organization, arranged with George Stewart of Birmingham, the play’s author and one of its actors, to bring the play to Greene County to commemorate the 56th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968.

    The play entitled, “King and the 13 Hundred” will have an admission fee of $10.00 payable in advance or at the door of the theater in downtown Eutaw. This will be a chance to see a dramatic play about the events at the end of Dr. King’s life, when he was working for economic justice with sanitation workers in Memphis.

    George Stewart , the playwright, can remember the exact moment he learned Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr had been killed. Stewart, who grew up in Tuscaloosa, was 13 years old at that time in 1968 and still can recall the pain, the heartache, the shock, and the anger. “I was young. Very young. But I felt like I was part of the movement,” he said. “And our leader of course had been assassinated.”
    
”I just asked God what you want me to do,” he recalled reflecting in his quiet time on what the day meant to him. “What part do you want me to play?” He ended up writing a play called “Trashing King.” It took him about a year to write it. “It’s a tribute to Dr. King as well as the 1,300 sanitation workers who were responsible for getting Dr. King to Memphis in 1968,” he said.
    
The name of the play, not lost on Stewart. He titled it that way on purpose. Because it tells the story that he believes some don’t know or truly understand. It was a sanitation worker’s strike that pulled Dr. King there. He had been invited.
    
Two Memphis garbage collectors, Echol Cole, and Robert Walker, were crushed to death by a malfunctioning truck in February of 1968, according to the King Legacy website. Twelve days later, frustrated by the city’s response in a long pattern of neglect and abuse of its Black employees, 1,300 Black men from the Memphis Department of Public Works went on strike, the website reports.
    
Stewart’s play focuses on the days leading up to Dr. King’s death. It only has four characters, but its message is about what Dr. King epitomized, he said. “I believe everybody’s gift should be used for the betterment of everyone,” Stewart said.
    
Cassandra “Dedee” Frazier plays a sanitation worker’s wife in the play. For her, the play was personal, because it helps tell Dr. King’s story. “To actually have children come up and say I had never heard that,” she said, recalling civil rights organization feedback. The play has been performed several times all over the southeast in the past six months.

    “I encourage them, why don’t you go back and read-up on it.”
”It’s a true testament of what Dr. King really means to people and what he wanted to see in people,” Stewart said. The lesson that he got from the play is one he hopes everyone gets.
    
”Let’s look into the heart of the matter of what he was about,” Stewart said. “It wasn’t just civil rights, but it was human rights.” Dr. King’s legacy, 56 years later, still guiding a light. Stewart felt he needed to commemorate it in a way that would honor Dr. King’s legacy.
    
George Stewart also hosts Alabama Gospel Roots, a one-hour television show that spotlight great gospel singing airs each Saturday at 8 p.m. CDT APT TV 

    For more information and tickets ($10.00) to the April 7, 2024, viewing of the play, at the Renaissance Theater in Eutaw, Alabama, please contact Spiver W. Gordon at  205-372-3446.


  • Newswire : African women spur fight for gender equality, seeking economic and legal rights

    African women from Sierra Leone celebrating

    Mar. 15, 2024 (GIN) – At the recent “Africa Disrupt“, conference of pan-African feminists, economic justice activists and community leaders, among others, one thing was certain: the time for gender equality for African working women had arrived.
     
    Halfway around the world, a new report by the World Bank gave fuel to the fire. Currently, women enjoy only two-thirds of the legal rights as men and the gender gap is wider than laws on the books might suggest due to insufficient legal implementation.
     
    “Women have the power to turbocharge the sputtering global economy,” said Indermit Gill, the Bank’s chief economist. “Yet, all over the world, discriminatory laws and practices prevent women from working or starting businesses on an equal footing with men.” 
     
    Globally, women’s legal rights have improved since 1970, but progress in many critical areas appears to have been over-estimated.
     
    Gill, an Indian economist who has worked on economic growth, poverty, institutions, conflict, and climate change, and Tea Trumbic, the World Bank’s senior advisor for gender equality, released their report, Women, Business and the Law, 10th edition, this month.
     
    For the first time, the bank investigated the impact of childcare and safety policies on women’s participation in the labor market. When these two factors were taken into account, women on average receive just 64% of the legal protections that men do, down from the previous estimate of 77%.
     
    Among the success stories was Togo with one of the lowest rates of maternal mortality and less tolerance of violence against women between 15 and 49 than in peer countries. On the down side, Togolese women participate in the labor market to a much lower extent than men, and most female employment is informal and vulnerable.
     
    Togolese women also appear to be disadvantaged in terms of access to and ownership of land, productive assets, and finance. Although girls outnumber boys in primary school, the gender gap in enrollment favors boys in each subsequent educational level, and the chances of girls to complete secondary school are much lower than those of boys.
     
    Moreover, the rates of child marriage and teenage pregnancy, though lower than in most neighboring countries, continue to be very high. 
     
    South Africa, by comparison, has the highest income inequality in the world, with large numbers unemployed or with very low incomes. Gender-based violence is a profound and widespread problem, impacting almost every aspect of life. It is systemic and deeply entrenched in institutions, cultures, and traditions in South Africa.
     
    Meanwhile, the U.S., despite being the wealthiest country in the world by GDP according to the International Monetary Fund, still has a sizable gender pay and equity gap, and is one of just a few wealthy countries, including Japan and China, that does not mandate pay equality.
     
    The world loses US$160 trillion in human capital wealth due to gender wage inequality every year. Inequality is not just an issue of fairness. It is also undesirable because it hampers poverty reduction strategies and leads to suboptimal allocation of resources.
     
    A copy of the World Bankreport can be obtained by downloading it from wbl.worldbank.org   
     

  • Newswire: Descendants of 1811 revolt heroes acquire Woodland Plantation in Louisiana to preserve Black history

    The Banner sisters

    By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

    Jo Banner and Joy Banner, founders of The Descendants Project, have taken a significant step towards preserving the historical legacy of Black Americans by acquiring the Woodland Plantation in LaPlace, Louisiana. According to The Grio, their unwavering commitment stems from a deep-rooted understanding of the plantation’s pivotal role in history and a determination to authenticate its story.

    Raised on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, Jo Banner and her sister Joy Banner were steeped in the tales of their grandmother, who recounted the harrowing events of the 1811 revolt by enslaved people. The uprising, often overshadowed in historical narratives, saw the brave resistance of individuals like Charles Deslondes and approximately 25 others who sought freedom amidst the brutal oppression of slavery. 

    The Banners’ acquisition of the plantation marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle to preserve Black history. After years of discussions with the previous owner, Timothy Sheehan, about safeguarding this heritage, the sisters finalized the purchase in January for $750,000. With the transaction completed, they now hold stewardship over a property that witnessed one of America’s largest uprisings of enslaved people.

    Their nonprofit organization, The Descendants Project, focuses on preserving and protecting the Black descendant community in Louisiana’s River Parishes. The Woodland Plantation, nestled in St. John the Baptist Parish, holds immense historical significance, encompassing 4,000 square feet of space on four acres of land.

    According to Sharlene Sinegal-DeCuir, an associate professor of history at Xavier University, the Banners’ initiative is profoundly impactful. It provides an opportunity for descendants of the enslaved to reclaim their narrative, offering a counterbalance to historical accounts that often marginalize their contributions.

    In addition to preserving the plantation’s history, the Banners said they intend to use the space as a hub for community engagement. By offering genealogy resources and facilitating discussions on environmental justice, they aim to create a welcoming environment where Black voices are heard and honored.

    The fight against environmental degradation in the region, epitomized by Greenfield Louisiana LLC’s proposed construction of a grain elevator export plant, underscores the ongoing struggle for justice. For Jo Banner, the significance of their ownership extends beyond mere property rights. It represents a reclaiming of space and identity, ensuring that future generations connect meaningfully with their heritage. As they embark on this journey, the Banners said they are determined to ensure that the Woodland Plantation remains a beacon of hope and empowerment for all who visit.

    “Knowing that home’s history and everything that happened, that our names are going to be put in the paperwork of this home, that you’re going to see it going all the way from the 1700s and white ownership and all of a sudden that they got more melanin on that title history, we’re already seeing how impactful that is for us to be in this space just as Black women,” Jo Banner told The Grio. “We’re going to provide access to the history in a way that Black people can feel welcome in the space.”
     

  • Newswire : Schumer calls for new elections in Israel, criticizing Netanyahu’s leadership

    Demonstrators call for Ceasefire in Gaza

    NNPA Newswire

    Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S., has delivered a scathing critique of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for new elections in Israel amidst ongoing conflict with Hamas.

    Speaking from the Senate floor, Schumer emphasized that Netanyahu’s leadership no longer serves Israel’s best interests. “The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after Oct. 7,” Schumer proclaimed in a scathing takedown of Israel’s leader.

    Schumer’s declaration marks a significant departure from traditional U.S. support for Israel’s government and highlights a pivotal moment in American Israeli relations.

    As the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in U.S. history, Schumer’s call for Netanyahu’s ouster carries substantial weight, signaling a notable shift in the Democratic Party’s stance toward Israeli politics.

    “The world has changed — radically — since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past,” Schumer declared as he noted the urgency for change in Israel’s leadership.

    Accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival over Israel’s best interests, Schumer condemned the Prime Minister’s alignment with “far-right extremists” within his government, warning that such alliances risk isolating Israel on the global stage.

    “Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah,” Schumer demanded, stressing the need for Israel to recalibrate its approach to the conflict with Hamas and prioritize the protection of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

    Highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Schumer voiced support for a temporary cease-fire, echoing President Joe Biden’s efforts to alleviate suffering in the region. However, he cautioned against a permanent cease-fire, citing concerns that it could encourage Hamas to launch further attacks on Israeli civilians.
    “There can never be a two-state solution if Hamas has any significant power,” Schumer emphasized while reiterating the importance of safeguarding Israel’s security.

    Political watchers noted that Schumer’s bold stance underscores the complex dynamics at play in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and marks a pivotal moment in U.S. foreign policy as American lawmakers grapple with how best to support Israel while advocating for the rights of Palestinians.

  • Newswire : U.S. citizens flee Haiti amidst escalating chaos: global concerns mount

     Protestors burn tires in street to barricade areas in Haiti


    By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent


    Amidst escalating turmoil in Haiti, a recent exodus of U.S. citizens fleeing the violence underscores broader concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Caribbean nation. As conflict rages on in regions like the Middle East and Eastern Europe, voices like Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, emphasize the need for global attention to the suffering of people worldwide, including those in Haiti.

    “A lot of people are concerned about the suffering that’s going on in the Middle East, and they should be concerned,” noted Dr. Chavis Jr. in his State of the Black Press Address at the National Press Club. “But I’m also concerned. I don’t hear a word about the suffering in Africa, where millions of people are being killed in the Congo. I don’t hear a word about… what’s going on in Haiti.”

    Against this backdrop, a charter flight carrying more than 30 U.S. citizens seeking refuge from the spiraling gang violence in Haiti touched down in Miami on March 17, according to U.S. State Department officials. The evacuation came amid escalating chaos in Haiti, where gang attacks, looting of aid supplies, and widespread violence reportedly have pushed the nation to the brink of famine.

    The situation in Haiti has been deteriorating for over a year, with the recent chaos culminating in a pivotal moment on Monday night. Haiti’s embattled Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, agreed to step down once a transitional government is established through negotiations involving regional powers and stakeholders, including the United States.

    However, concerns persist over the legitimacy and effectiveness of such interventions, as many argue that Haitians themselves must drive actual solutions. A Haitian-led interim government with oversight committees tasked with restoring order, battling corruption, and facilitating fair elections is what the proposed “Montana Accord,” which has the support of various Haitian stakeholders, seeks to establish.

    Meanwhile, armed groups, including paramilitary factions and former police officers, have seized control of large swathes of the capital, Port-au-Prince, perpetuating a cycle of violence and instability. The United Nations estimates that at least 80% of the capital is now under the control of these armed groups, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and displacing thousands of residents.

    As Haiti grapples with the convergence of manufactured and natural disasters, including the lingering effects of the 2010 earthquake, hurricanes, and floods, the plight of its people demands urgent attention and concerted action from the international community.

    “It’s the Haitian people who know what they’re going through. It’s the Haitian people who are going to take destiny into their own hands,” Jimmy Chérizier — also known as “Barbecue,” and the ranking gang leader in Haiti told the Associated Press. “Haitian people will choose who will govern them.”  

     

  • Celebrating Our Own, Dr. Dionne Edison, Author and Craftsperson

    Dr. Dionne Edison is an educator, author, crafter and artist. These activities are opportunities to learn by doing, telling stories through crafting/art and facilitating financial stability.

    As an author, she has published two books. The MARCH OF THE C.O.W.S: Creatures of Wonderful Simplicity, is a whimsical book featuring cows. The pictures are scenes she photographed around Greene County, Alabama. THIS IS MY FATHERS’ WORD is a compilation of Rev. Milton Hurst’s sermon notes. She collaborated with daughter, Asenath Edison, to publish SUCCESS BEYOND ACADEMICS: How to Set Expectations for Life. Initially for high school students, this book is ideal for guidance in developing other transitioning plans in life.

    She has also contributed to three anthologies. Pam Ryans was the lead on the collaborative effort for PEN IT! vol. 1, and PEN IT! vol. 2: The People’s Accounts, Emotions, and Thoughts of 2020 by Pam Ryan. They dealt with observations of life and COVID-19. Voices of Valor by Dr. Mary Gaskins gives voice to stories of African Americans that would otherwise be lost in time.

    Arts and craft skills serve as therapy, opportunities for self-expression and financial resources. She is passionate about crochet, drawing and painting. These activities provide visual perspectives when words fail. She enjoys working with youth using arts and crafts to develop transferable skills in science, technology, engineering, math, marketing, business, and self-care. Dr. Edison says, Share your story. Each one, reach one, touch one, teach one. Everyone has a story to tell. Take time to share and listen. The message may not be for you but for someone you meet.”