Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

Michigan
Several of Detroit’s public high schools are projected to close due to an initiative ordered by state education officials aimed at eliminating the district’s $327 million deficit. Detroit’s public school system was taken over by the State of Michigan last year, following allegations of corruption, the hole in its budget and tumbling enrollment. As a result, classroom sizes could potentially swell to 60 students per instructor. According to reports, Robert Bobb, emergency financial manager for Detroit Public Schools, recently enacted a financial restructuring plan to cut the district’s number of schools (147) in half, despite an estimated 58,570 students. “We are moving forward with the plan,” Bobb told reporters. “Right now my focus is on my transition plan and the [Deficit Elimination Plan].”

Ohio
Ohio-based creative writer Tanisha Herrin is releasing a powerful new book, “Fighting the Blues as a Black Woman: How I Survived Suicidal Depression.” The book, which is her 10th work to be self published, will help raise awareness about depression and benefit an Ohio mental health cause. The book is Herrin’s personal perspective on how depression and several suicide attempts almost destroyed her life. It is also a book of inspiration and triumph. Herrin says: “Even though I have been through a lot over several years—being robbed at gun point, three suicide attempts and losing my mother to name a few—I found a way to view my life in a new light. Others who have been through similar downfalls can bounce back to fulfill their life’s purpose.” Fighting the Blues as a Black Woman is not for sale. Instead, people can request a free copy of the book in paperback, ebook or digital format. For each copy of the book that is requested, $1 will be donated by the Nancy A. Herrin Foundation to an Ohio mental health cause. The non-profit foundation—started in memory of Herrin’s late mother—will donate up to $2,000. “I hope to help raise awareness of how depression can have serious effects on your life, if the proper steps aren’t taken to improve your well-being,” Herrin says. “So many people are affected by depression daily that they think it’s normal or okay to be miserable and live an unfulfilling life.”

Texas
A new nonprofit group in Texas, the Former Majority Association for Equality (FMAE) is offering college scholarships to a demographic it says has fewer scholarship options than other groups: White men. The group was started by Colby Bohannon, a student at Texas State University. He’s an Iraq War veteran who decided to return to school and said he had trouble finding college scholarships for which he qualified. He found many programs willing to grant money to female or minority students, but not White males like himself. So Bohannon and some friends founded the FMAE group, which plans to begin handing out $500 scholarships this summer. Only White men with at least a 3.0 grade point average can qualify. “We know that we’re going to be receiving some vicious attacks from people claiming that we are racists or promoting some bigotry-filled agenda,” said Bohannon who claims he is just trying to help students who may have been a majority in the past, but are no longer, as America’s demographics change. “If you’re not a male, and if you’re not White, you’re called a minority,” Bohannon said, “I’m not sure White males are the majority anymore.” In Texas non-Hispanic Whites are now a minority according to U.S. Census figures released earlier this month that show they make up about 42 percent of the state’s population, down from more than half 10 years ago.

Wisconsin
Hundreds of parents, educators, students, administrators and city activists gathered in the parking lot outside Madison East High School to hear prominent civil rights activist Jesse Jackson speak. Wearing a heavy coat and hat, Jackson made it a point to touch upon Madison’s recent worker rights and collective bargaining debacles, but he also specifically addressed the youngsters in the audience, urging them stay in school, to stay positive, to vote, and to support their teachers. “When students come alive you have the awesome power to make America better,” Jackson said. “When you go to school today, study hard; be all that you can be.” Prior to his speech, Jackson led more than 300 students in a march around the city. “Fight for the right to be a better nation,” he told the crowd. “Keep fighting one day longer. At the end of the day your brains will outlast your knees.”

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

Arkansas
Former president Bill Clinton recently returned to Little Rock, Ark. to honor the Little Rock Nine—nine African American students who were prevented from attending Little Rock Central High School in 1957 because of rioters and racists. Clinton celebrated the anniversary of the historic event with the unveiling of a new permanent exhibit at his presidential library, which features the Little Rock Nine Congressional Gold Medal. He bestowed the Congressional Gold Medal, the country’s highest civilian honor, on the Little Rock Nine at a White House ceremony in 1999.

Puerto Rico
Two student protesters were recently detained by police at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR); the university’s president resigned; more than 200 people have been arrested; and scores of students injured, prompting professors and university workers to walk out for two days last week in sympathy with the students. On Monday, conservative Gov. Luis Fortuño pulled back the hundreds of riot police who had been occupying university’s 11 campuses for weeks. It was reportedly the first police occupation of the university in more than 30 years. Students began boycotting classes in early December to protest a special $800 annual fee Fortuño imposed this semester to reduce a huge government deficit. That fee is equal to more than 50 percent of annual tuition and stunned the university community. More than 60 percent of UPR students have family incomes of less than $20,000 a year. The striking students at UPR know this is not simply a conflict with their trustees. They are up against the forces of the entire Fortuño administration, and they see the issue as the future of a great public university, one that has educated generations of low-income citizens in Puerto Rico, is at stake.

Texas
Michael Baisden, best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio and television personality, recently filed a lawsuit against Je’Caryous Johnson and Gary Guidry—founders of “I’m Ready Productions” and “Image Entertainment”—for allegedly selling DVD’s based on his best-selling novels, “The Maintenance Man” and “Men Cry in the Dark.” Baisden also claims the two have used his name and likeness to sell their merchandise, resulting in millions of dollars in profit. “This is my day in court in my fight to recover my intellectual property rights and prevent these defendants from continuing to infringe upon my copyrighted novels,” said Baisden to the media. “These novels are like my children. They reflect years of hard work in writing them and promoting them to the level where they became best sellers. In the end, I hope I can also send a message to other copyright holders that they have a right to take a stand and fight those who are trying to steal their copyrighted works.”

Washington, D.C.
The President and First Lady Michelle and Barack Obama recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (our nation’s highest civilian honor), to Georgia Congressman John Lewis; celebrated author and poet Maya Angelou; and former basketball great Bill Russell, among others. The prominent civil rights activists were honored during a White House ceremony. The president also reserved a moment to share his thoughts about Angelou. “Out of a youth marked by pain and injustice, [Angelou] rose to fight for civil rights. Through soaring poetry and prose, she has spoken to the conscience of our nation.”

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

NATIONAL
The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund has joined Mumia Abu-Jamal’s defense team, as he continues to appeal a capital murder conviction. “Mumia Abu-Jamal’s conviction and death sentence are relics of a time and place that was notorious for police abuse and racial discrimination,” said John Payton, director-counsel of the fund in a statement. “Unless and until courts acknowledge and correct these historic injustices, death sentences like Mr. Abu-Jamal’s will invite continued skepticism of the criminal justice system by the African American community.”

Actress Tisha Campbell-Martin, best known for her role as “Gina” on the comedy sitcom “Martin” is battling Stage 2 sarcoidosis (a disease in which swelling or inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, or other tissues). She was diagnosed earlier this year. In a recent interview with Essence.com, Campbell-Martin discussed her illness, the effect it’s had on her family, and her dedication to healthy living. “I’ve only got one body, and I really want to take care of it by working out and eating right,” she said earnestly. Campbell-Martin’s other notable accomplishments include the role of Janet Kyle on the sitcom “My Wife and Kids,” Peaches on the sitcom “Everybody Hates Chris” and “House Party.”