Xerox CEO Ursula Burns Is 'Panic Stricken' About U.S. Students' Ability to Compete | TheLoop21.com

Xerox CEO Ursula Burns Is 'Panic Stricken' About U.S. Students' Ability to Compete | TheLoop21.com

RALLY TO GET THE LEAD OUT!
JC Parents tell Epps: No more procrastination,
Fix high level of lead in our schools’ drinking water sources

Thursday, Jan 20, 6pm- 8:00pm
At the Board of Education Meeting
886 Bergen Ave (On the corner of Academy Street)
at Martin Luther King School#11

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. deserves a holiday. His influence and leadership were key ingredients to the success of the Civil Rights Movement. It was his insight on the powers of unity that made segregation a national embarrassment before the world, and drove America to treat Jim Crow as a blight of America, rather than a regional dilemma. No less impactful were his divine communication skills. He delivered the rightfully lauded “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. More than a simple address to a frustrated crowd, it was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement. The March on Washington in general and the “I Have a Dream” speech in particular, put much more pressure on the Kennedy administration to advance civil rights legislation in Congress.

There is a power in righteousness that is God-entrusted and Dr. King recognized and praised this in his address. Its effects are historic. Delivered on August 28, 1963 from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, to over 200,000 civil rights supporters, the full 17 minutes examine issues from poverty to American imperialism. Supported by the activism thrust upon him, Dr. King was named Man of the Year by TIME magazine for 1963, and in 1964, he became the youngest person ever awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. His prophetic "Dream" still impacts us despite his passing, something recognized by a 1999 poll of public speaking scholars who ranked the soliloquy as the top American speech of the 20th century.

In 2003, the National Park Service dedicated an inscribed marble pedestal to commemorate the location of King's speech at the Lincoln Memorial. In 2004, the Library of Congress honored the speech by adding it to the United States National Recording Registry.

The Ultimate Merger on TV 1

Looks like former 'America's Next Top Model' contestant and on-air personality Toccara is finding her perfect mate with Donald Trump.

The Donald Trump produced ‘The Ultimate Merger,' on the TV One network featured the former 'Apprentice' headache Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth. After all was said and done she refused to choose a winner. Some viewers grumbled that stars like finalist Al. B. Sure couldn't be in love with the troublesome flash celebrity, so the 'Merger' was not authentic. While Michael Clarke Duncan makes plans with the 'Apprentice' cast-off, the Donald has found someone more than fit for the job. Celebrity Fit Club competitor, entertainment correspondent and model Toccara Jones will be the object of a new season's affections. We are certain brothers will be lined up vying to be cast as the perfect match for the scrumptious bachelorette model and BET correspondent, rather than just get their own 15 minutes.

Happy Birthday Delta Sigma Theta

Black America is in consistent need of organizations designed to pursue our collective purposes. Our community lacks the economic and political infrastructure necessary to lift us from the bottom of America's racial caste system. Delta Sigma Theta is part of that tradition, as are other African American sororities and fraternities.

One thing that many sororities do quite well is pull together money. According to the most recent financial reports I could find online, the Grand Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta saw over $11 million in income during 2008, and carries over $38 million in assets on its books. Roughly half the sorority's revenue comes from membership dues, and much of the remainder comes from "government fees and contracts" (I'm not quite sure what those contracts entail).

Delta Sigma Theta's Group return actually states that the organization received over $25 million in income in 2008, which compares quite favorably with the $31 million hauled in by the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority during the same year. The media hasn't reported on any serious financial problems for the Deltas similar to those experienced by the AKAs, but almost no organizational house is going to be perfect.

Black Greek organizations, with their significance and power, may be well-advised to continue pursuing avenues to best utilize that power. As it pertains to problems such as mass incarceration and educational inequality, black Greek organizations can become meaningful political players in a country that oppresses the citizens whom these organizations profess to represent. Although a great deal of work has already been done, it's never too late to discuss new paradigms of engagement and activism. The late, great Dorothy Height is a perfect case-in-point. She fought for justice until she died at 98.

Happy Founders Day to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. This is a day worth celebrating.
(reprint ~ Dr. Boyce Watkins)

Violent Rhetoric and Arizona Politics

Violent Rhetoric and Arizona Politics

For those of us who pretend it is alright to call people out of their name, use racial and cultural baiting and associate political thought with violent insurrection should take heed as to their results.

Ordos, China: A Modern Ghost Town

Ordos, China: A Modern Ghost Town

American ingenuity and perseverance are more than enough to overcome the propaganda of prosperity purported by China and its enthusiasts. If their housing boom is really a false depiction of China's economic dominance, then it is time for America to re-double its efforts. We can surpass their fake efforts with real gains. The time to get educated and prepared for our new economy is now.

Sincerity of Sarah Palin Site

While the illogical debate over whether the vitriolic pronouncements of political radicalism had any impact on the tragedies in Arizona, the actions of political instigator Sarah Palin bear witness to the truth. Their hypocrisy was caught in action by the writers of ObamaLondon.

FOX Protecting Its Investment By Cutting From Giffords Vigil

Jets Train Newark Students how to Eat Healthy

Healthy Food and Fun

E-cigarettes

Bombarded by health concerns and the related skullduggery of the tobacco industry, smokers have been forced to either drown out the continuous warnings and admonishments, or give up smoking all together.  To ease the transition to a non-nicotine habit, the free marketplace has filled the void with cigarette substitutes. From cloves to lettuce leaves, each tobacco alternative has created its own niche while never gaining the momentum for general market acceptance.  Such seemed to be the case until now. 

E-cigarettes have emerged as the latest and greatest among the smoking alternatives currently wafting through the marketplace.  Invented by  Hon Lik in 2003, the Beijing visionary says he was inspired by a dream.  Then a three-pack a day smoker, the 52-year old pharmacist imagined himself coughing and drowning, when the water lifted up in a fog.  His inspiration resulted in a device that simulates the physical properties of smoking, but includes none of the carcinogens risking user health.

The e-cigarette itself looks very similar to a regular cigarette, though current versions are also available in the shape of a pen. It doesn't really burn, but uses a small lithium battery that atomizes a liquid solution of nicotine, imitating the sensations of burning. What you inhale looks like smoke, but it's a vapor similar to the "stage fog" used in theatrical productions. It even has a teeny red (LED) light at the tip that lights up with each drag, just like the ember of a real cigarette.

Unlike nicotine patches, or prescription drugs, e-cigarettes make no claims to help benefits. Nor do they make any assertions in helping you to stop smoking.  The e-cigarette was actually invented as a safe alternative to smoking, not quitting.  At a price point of about $45 for the accompanying devices and a month supply of refills (with better deals for trials or disposables), the e-cigarette may be the financial answer for a nicotine-fiend feeling the pinch on a $7 pack of smokes.

Found in a Parking Lot

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When a father is found dead and without shoes in a parking lot, times have gotten out of hand.

Baby Boomer: Police Investigate Blast in Nutley

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The Story of Rosewood

The affluent Black town of Rosewood, FL, was destroyed when Blacks were attacked by mobs of whites beginning on this date in 1923. A nearly three-year build up of violence led to the massacre in which at least eight (some witnesses estimated 40 to 80) persons were killed.

Rosewood was a quiet, primarily black, self-sufficient town. Spurred by unsupported accusations that a white woman had been beaten and raped by a black drifter, white men from nearby towns lynched a Rosewood resident. When black citizens defended themselves against further attack, several hundred whites combed the countryside hunting for black people, and burned almost every structure in Rosewood. Survivors hid for several days in nearby swamps and were evacuated by train and car to larger towns. Although state and local authorities were aware of the violence, they made no arrests for the activities in Rosewood. The town was abandoned by residents during the attacks and none returned.

Sixty years after the rioting, the story of Rosewood was revived in major media when several journalists covered it in the early 1980s. Survivors and their descendants organized to sue the state for having failed to protect them. In 1993, the state legislature commissioned a report on the events. As a result of the findings, Florida became the first state to compensate survivors and their descendants for damages incurred because of racial violence.

Negro Baseball League

On January 4th 1920 Rube Foster is credited with starting the Negro National League, the first professional baseball league, however that is not the whole story.  While his was the most successful, in fact the first league to feature African American players was the Lone Star Colored Baseball League Of Texas founded in Gavelston in 1897. At the time, no black player in the country enjoyed a better reputation for his managerial and business skills than the legendary Bud Fowler. He had played on integrated teams in organized baseball prior to the imposition of the color barrier, and he had successfully operated independent clubs throughout the country throughout the early 1890s.

May 2nd Trial Date Set For Accused Newark Slayer of Five Teens in 1978

When the heinous slaying of five teens haunting families and authorities for more than 30 yrs seems solved, there is obvious cause for celebration. However, when politicians and police alike vie for credit in solving a case, it is cause for an uneasy feeling.  Either this is an example of exemplary police work or an under-investigated accusation providing convenient photo opportunities for all.  The latter consideration gains strength when we hear the State has threatened a possible gag order on the accused. If their case is strong enough to warrant group accolades, what harm could the rantings of the accused pose? Would he not be more likely to trip himself up with public statements? For the sake of the families we hope these are the men.