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African American news for the week of August 21, 2014.

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crack cocaine (88615)
crack cocaine

California

Last week the state assembly passed SB 1010, a bill that has been touted as having the power to eliminate what many call “California’s racist drug laws.” The bill eliminates disparities in punishment for possession of cocaine—both in crack and powder form for sale. Differences in sentencing have resulted in racial discrimination. SB 1010 makes the sentences for possession of crack cocaine for sale the same as sentencing for sale of powder cocaine. In the past, the sentencing structure for crack cocaine has been more severe than powder. According to studies, police have targeted their “war on drugs” on low-income neighborhoods and minority communities, despite widespread use in other urban areas. However, people of color—African Americans and Hispanics—account for 98 percent of those sent to prison for possession of crack cocaine for sale. From 2005 to 2010, Whites made up less than 2 percent of all people sent to California prisons for possession of crack cocaine for sale, despite the fact that Whites make up almost 40 percent of California’s population. African Americans only make up 6.6 percent of the state’s population; however, they account for 77.4 percent of the state prison population imprisoned for the same offense. The next stop for SB 1010 is the governor’s desk.

Florida

A mother of four in Winter Haven was arrested last week for leaving her kids in a park while she went to a food bank. Ashley Richardson, 28, was taken into custody after a police officer noticed four kids, ages 6 to 8, playing in the park without adult supervision. The officer watched the children from her patrol unit and waited for the mother to return. Before Richardson returned, one of the kids got his leg caught in a swing and the fire department was called to get him out. After two more hours, the mom was still nowhere in sight, according to police. When she finally returned, police arrested her. Her case is pending.

Louisiana

The search for a new president for Grambling University has been extended from October 2014 to spring 2015. “During the May committee meeting, we indicated that the search timeline would likely be delayed if we chose to go through the state’s rigorous Request for Proposals (RFP) process to secure a search firm with HBCU experience,” said Sandra K. Woodley, president of the University of Louisiana System. Grambling’s current president, Frank G. Pogue, announced his resignation in June. Veteran educator Cynthia Warrick will serve as interim president of the prestigious Historically Black College (HBCU) until a president is selected by the search committee next year.

Missouri

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The scene in Ferguson, where a young and unarmed Black man was shot and killed by police on Aug. 9, continues to unfold. Civil unrest, reported arrests of legitimate journalists and intervention from the state and federal authorities have added to the rapidly changing scene. On Aug. 14, the governor of Missouri, Jay Nixon, ordered Ferguson police to withdraw from handling the scene and asked the Missouri State Patrol to step in instead. Also last week, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder made it clear that federal authorities were launching their own investigations into the incident. The FBI, the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s office are all involved in investigating the situation. The community continues to protest and violence has erupted at some points during the time since 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot multiple times by officer Darren Wilson. Several witnesses have come forward and said that Brown tried to surrender after being fired upon initially, but the officer continued firing, killing the teen. Earlier this week, an autopsy conducted at the family’s request, revealed that Brown was shot six times, including twice in the head. On Aug. 12, President Barack Obama issued a statement from the White House, encouraging people to remain calm while federal, state and local agencies conduct their investigations.

In related news, the Washington Post reporter that was arrested by Ferguson Police during his coverage of the demonstrations spoke to the “Tom Joyner Morning Show” after his release on Aug. 14. Wesley Lowery spoke of how he went to a McDonald’s restaurant

Wesley Lowery (88617)

two blocks from the area where people were demonstrating to write a report to turn in, when several policemen came in and ordered him and another reporter to leave. He was readying to leave when an officer allegedly threw him against a soda machine and arrested him. Lowery said he did not resist, but the officer yelled at him to “stop resisting.” He said he was horrified and afraid of what could happen next. Lowery was led to a police car and taken to the city jail. Despite repeated requests for information from the arresting officers and officials at the jail center, he was not given any information. Within a short period of time, Lowery and the Huffington Post reporter that was also detained—Ryan Reilly—were released, unharmed.

Oregon

Portland State University is set to host the first annual Jazz Forward Competition Feb. 20-21, 2015, during the 12th Annual Portland Jazz Festival. Jazz students will compete in five categories, including vocal soloist, vocal ensemble, Jazz combo, instrumental soloist and big band. The program was created by educator and recording artist Jeff Baker as an outgrowth of the university’s music programs, such as Student Stage and President’s Day Student Celebration, both of which have taken place at previous festivals. The Jazz Forward Competition is designed after similar programs in other states, such as the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho, and the Seattle Jazz Experience at Cornish College of the Arts in Washington. “It will certainly resonate with the students as they will be exposed to world class performers.,” Baker said. “By conceiving Jazz Forward during the annual Portland Jazz Festival, the competition will hopefully raise the awareness of PSU’s Jazz Studies program and inspire these outstanding young jazz musicians to achieve new artistic heights.” More info on entry requirements and prizes can be found at www.pdxjazzforward.com

Pennsylvania

A young lady has fast become the hero (heroine) of the Little League World Series, as she has pitched two shut outs to help bring her team closer to the championship. Mo’ne Davis of Philadelphia’s team is one of two girls in the popular kids’ tournament. The other is Emma March of a Canadian team that has been eliminated from the tournament. Davis’ biggest challenge comes this week when her team faces the Las Vegas team, which has been on a roll throughout the tournament. Davis became the first girl to pitch a shutout in the league’s World Series history.

Virginia

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The International Black Women’s Congress (IBWC) will hold its 30th annual conference Sept. 19-21 at the Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel. IBWC is a non-profit, community-based organization headquartered in Norfolk and founded by Dr. La Francis Rodgers-Rose. The theme for this year’s conference is “Black Women and Economic Empowerment: Rooted in Justice and Equality.” The goal of the three-day conference is to discuss ways in which to create economic development through the spending power that exists in the African American community. The conference will also address the issue of reparations and the fair distribution of goods and services. The conference will include panels, an awards luncheon, a fashion show and morning exercises and meditation. The annual event is expected to be attended by leading economists, lawyers, financial consultants, investment managers, entrepreneurs, sociologists, psychologists, ministers and community organizers. IBWC, founded in 1983, is a global community of women of African descent, which seeks to bring forth exemplary models of African womanhood by defining themselves, embracing themselves and improving themselves through social, political and economic empowerment. Additional information and registration can be found online at www.ibwc.us.

Washington, D.C.

The nation’s capitol will host the Second National Summit on Non-Violence this Saturday, Aug. 23, sponsored by Black Women for Positive Change (BW4PC) and the Summit Council on Non-Violence. National experts on violence prevention will make presentations on topics such as: pathways that lead to violence; retraining individuals and communities traumatized by violence; how to change the culture of violence; unleashing the genius in youth; and building peaceful communities among youth. The summit is free. It will be held at the Metropolitan AME Church in 1518 M Street in northwest Washington, D.C. Register at www.blackwomenforpositvechange.org

National

The U.S. Postal Service has issued a collectible stamp that honors the 150th anniversary of Civil War battles from 1864 that involved African Americans. The stamp displays the 22nd U.S. “colored” troops during the Petersburg, Va. campaign that ran from June 15, 1864 through April 3, 1865. The so-called “forever” stamp has the value of a First Class Mail stamp. It is available at postal locations or online at www.usps.com/stamps.

Compiled by Carol Ozemhoya

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