Charlotte.com: Fannie Flono

Courage, ‘silent gesture' at Olympics

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:32 EDT

Next Wednesday, 1968 Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos will receive the equivalent of the sports industry Oscars, an ESPY award from ESPN.

They'll be joined in the special awards category by injured Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett and Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton. Raleigh's Hamilton, a recovering drug addict and alcoholic, will get the Best Comeback Award. We editorialized about him earlier this week. Everett will get the Jimmy V Award (named for N.C. State Coach Jim Valvano, who died of cancer) for Perseverance.

But most eyes will be on Tommie Smith and John Carlos. (The ESPYs will be televised on ESPN July 20). They will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, which honors personal courage. They'll join such past recipients and trailblazers as Muhammad Ali and tennis great Billie Jean King.

Fist up for human rights

Smith and Carlos won gold and bronze medals for the United States in the 200-meter race at the Mexico City Olympics. They saw a chance to make a quiet statement about civil rights and human rights. So, during the medals ceremony they each raised one black-gloved fist in the air, stood shoeless wearing black socks and bowed their heads.

The next day they were expelled from the Olympic Village and sent home. Once they got home, they were vilified and derided, faced death threats and for several years had difficulty finding work. Smith said his mother died of a heart attack after receiving manure and dead rats in the mail. Carlos said his wife committed suicide because of the stress.

Their act of courage, even four decades later, still doesn't sit well with some Americans. They see a “black power salute” that was unpatriotic and designed to embarrass America.

The two saw things differently.

In a 1993 interview, Smith said he “never felt such a rush of pride” as he did at that moment. “Even hearing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner' was pride, even though it didn't totally represent me. But it was the anthem which represented the country I represented, can you see that? They say we demeaned the flag. … No way. That's my flag … that's the American flag and I'm an American.”

Carlos noted several years later: “It wasn't about black or white. It was just about humanity, faith in God and faith in making it a better world.”

Carlos and Smith weren't the only athletes protesting during the games, though few would know that from the press coverage. Gold-medal long jumper Bob Beamon wore symbolic black socks on his second jump. The gold-medal winning U.S. men's 4x100 meter relay team wore black berets and raised their fists during their medal ceremony. Even Peter Norman, the Australian runner who took the silver medal during the 200, stood with Carlos and Smith in protest by wearing – as they did – an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge.

Juxtaposed against the Beijing Olympics, which start August 8, the honor for Smith and Carlos has resonance. Protests of China's human rights record dogged the Olympic torch relay earlier this year. China is going to some lengths to avoid protests in Beijing – allowing no late night and outside entertainment areas. Beijing's 15 million residents are also being “urged” to stay home and watch it on television.

Beijing echoes 1968

Trying to shut down citizen protests also echoes Mexico City. Few Americans were aware of the student and worker demonstrations that were roiling Mexico at that time. Throngs took to the streets, and just 10 days before the games began more than 300 civilians were killed and thousands wounded when soldiers surrounded them and opened fire. Officials said the protesters fired first. It took more than 30 years for the truth to emerge, but declassified documents show that Mexico carried out a plan to end the demonstrations before the games. That plan resulted in the deaths.

The Olympic atmosphere in 1968 was so tinged with violence that Smith later said he believed if he won, “I wouldn't live to see my gold medal.”

Carlos and Smith had careers years later in coaching and education. Despite their woes, they've said they didn't regret their Olympics action.

Both said they felt obligated to raise awareness about injustice. Smith said theirs was the “silent gesture heard round the world.” The ESPY honor illustrates it's still being heard.

Role of newspapers must not change

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:01 EDT

Where I work we've been downsizing for years. We've cut positions, left job openings vacant, stretched supplies, put up with equipment that breaks down from longer than expected use, worked longer hours and, sigh, outsourced jobs to the Philippines.

But this week, we at the Observer felt the horrible pain that many other businesses in this community have felt. For the first time in my memory, we laid off people.

Cliché that it is, it's felt like a funeral around here. There have been tears and hugs and sadness. Family members have been suddenly ripped away, and it doesn't seem fair or right.

Still, this move wasn't unexpected. We saw it happening at the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal. So we knew what was headed our way.

Realities set in

On these pages Tuesday, Observer Publisher Ann Caulkins explained the realities that led the Observer and our parent company McClatchy to make staff cuts. A sluggish economy – it feels like a recession to me – coupled with an evolving and challenging newspaper industry has brought in less advertising revenue (a newspaper's main source of income) and less profit.

For publicly traded newspapers, that's not good news. The demons of Wall Street (I'm an opinion writer so I get to call them demons) have a narrowly focused view of what's viable and the profit margins of newspapers these days come up short. So our stock price is down, and some shareholders aren't happy.

I'm a shareholder too. So I can see both sides. Sort of.

I'm not a Luddite on this. Change is part of my profession, and a lot of it is for the good. As news consumption habits – and consumers' news needs – evolve, so must newspapers. Polls show news consumers under 30 have already staked out a preference for the Internet. For younger people, the Web is already their main source for political news.

Including Web sites, newspapers still get more “eyes” on the product than ever before. But in four years the top U.S. papers collectively lost about 1.4 million copies in daily circulation.

In that current atmosphere, we at newspapers are cost-cutting and down-sizing to help reposition ourselves for the future. But I fear that what we may lose, in addition to the first-rate colleagues who are casualties of the changes, will be an erosion of important information that helps all of us make informed decisions. That's a loss you may come to mourn too.

I've had a lot of time to think deeply about this issue over the last few months. I was Batten Professor of Public Policy at Davidson College the past semester. My course was called, “Ink, images and influence: The role of media in our democracy.”

Essential function

I believe the news media is an essential part of a functioning democracy. We prod and poke through data, interview sometimes reluctant subjects and stay late at meetings so you'll know that mortgage companies are ripping you off, or that toys from China could harm your children, or that military veterans are getting shoddy health care.

Last night, I attended a community meeting where the role of the media in race and ethnicity issues was discussed. I was intrigued in hearing some panelists note that they didn't feel their companies had any obligation or responsibility to the community. They said they personally might feel responsibilities but the obligations of their businesses were to the good of the business and their stockholders.

I understand the business imperative – even more so this week. Still, I was happy to hear Caulkins, the Observer's publisher, acknowledge an obligation of the Observer to provide news and other information in ways that help readers make informed choices about their lives. Audience members got a chance to hear that she continues to be passionate about that role too.

There are people who don't think newspapers – or the media generally – are that valuable. They think we're no more than biased, propaganda-mongers.

Still, just think of what would be lost without journalists who doggedly pursued the truth and presented it to you. Think of Watergate, the Pentagon Papers, the Civil Rights Movement.

Newspapers will change, but the vital role they play in seeking truth and providing information that helps us choose better and live better must not. All of us must vigorously fight that change.

Helping children succeed in school is a gift

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:58 EDT

It's been months since I sat down with Anthony Foxx, Ron Leeper, John Modest and Calvin Wallace to hear about the program they and others launched at West Charlotte High School this school year. But as Father's Day approaches, I have an opportunity to salute them and others for the gift they're giving to a lot of kids – the gift of themselves.

They, and several other African American business and civic leaders, started the Emerging Leaders Institute at West Charlotte last summer to mentor and support incoming 9th graders. The support is not just for this school year, but throughout their high school career. That's quite an investment.

Women are involved too, and they deserve praise as well. But this idea was the brainchild of a group of black men, who recognize the inestimable value of their involvement in our public schools.

Former city councilman Ron Leeper, head of his own construction firm, was at the core of the effort. “I was tired of hearing the rhetoric of how poorly (African American) children were doing. I said, ‘What are we going to do about it?'”

Leeper contacted several African American business people who committed time and money to start the venture. Current Charlotte City Council member Anthony Foxx became a mentor, as did council member James Mitchell, both West Charlotte grads. Retired, long-time educator Calvin Wallace, who was once acting superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, signed on to provide leadership for the program.

Strides at West Charlotte

The program was developed in consultation with West Charlotte principal John Modest, whose staff has already made strides in boosting student performance at a school once envied for its academic and athletic successes. Increasing numbers of students in CMS, and at West Charlotte in particular, now struggle academically. Many come from families facing significant financial and language difficulties that often impact learning.

“Far too many students are unprepared for the rigors of high school,” Modest says. Mentors and role models can support, prod and provide direction so these kids can be successful in school, and after school.

One of the main goals is to boost graduation rates, and to get kids to continue their education in college. They are committed to ensuring that all freshmen in the program this year graduate together.

That's about 75 students. Each has his own mentor. They meet with the students each week to help with homework and to keep them focused on getting good grades and accomplishing all their goals. The mentors are part of the students' lives outside of school, taking them to museums, basketball games and other events as rewards for their commitment.

School attendance, discipline and parent involvement are also part of the program. “We meet with parents and have parents understand what the expectations are,” said Wallace.

One of those expectations is that these students will become school leaders and mentors for other students. They are expected to help develop a culture at West Charlotte where achieving good grades and reaching their academic potential is something all students aspire to.

West Charlotte already has an impressive group of students who've worked hard and are successful. I read about one just this week

Top of her class

On this Father's Day Sunday, Maria Suarez will graduate with other West Charlotte seniors. She's earned an A in all of her classes, is ranked No. 1 in her class with a 5.32 GPA and received the Gates Millennium Scholarship, which provides full tuition to any school of her choice.

In 2011, this program's participants should graduate. The African Americans who started this project hope they will be just as successful as Maria, and will have inspired many of their peers too. Their gift of themselves should help achieve that goal.

The black-white feminist divide

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:03 EDT

As Hillary Clinton prepares to end her historic run for president this week, I'm reminded of Sojourner Truth.

In 1851, Truth – one the first feminists, if you will – gave a rousing speech about the rights of women that highlighted the dichotomy of being black and a woman. A free black woman during slavery times, she spoke at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention:

“Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the Negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

“That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man … and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?”

Sojourner Truth's plaintive plea asking “Ain't I a woman?” is the feminist fissure that separates many black women from white women on rights issues and the struggle to overcome long-standing barriers to achievement. The rancor and rhetoric of the race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination has put a spotlight on the division.

Truth's words are much more than the acknowledgment that women could do what men could do – and deserved the same rights. It was also an acknowledgment that for black women, there is no separating being black from being woman.

For black women, the fight has always been – had to be – tackling the injustices that came with both at the same time. Pitting race against gender was self-defeating. Unfortunately, the competition this year between the first African American and female candidates to seriously contend for the presidency had some people doing just that.

I read it first from Gloria Steinem, one of the most prominent feminists of the 20th century. Her New York Times op-ed column in January asserted that “gender is probably the most restricting force in American life,” implied that black men had an edge on white women because “they were given the vote a half-century before women of any race” (no matter that they were terrorized, beaten and lynched for trying to exercise it), and insinuated that a woman with Obama's biography could never be elected to Congress, let alone be a “viable candidate to head the most powerful nation on earth.”

Steinem should meet Sue Myrick, who had virtually no political experience when she defeated Harvey Gantt to become Charlotte's mayor, and then in short order went on to become Congresswoman Sue Myrick.

Steinem was trying to make some legitimate points about how sexism remains a pervasive part of our society, and how far too many people are dismissive of the notion and haven't worked hard enough to help break down sex barriers. She's right. Gender discrimination is alive and well, and still limits the opportunities of far too many talented women.

But in making her point, she engaged in the same pernicious and dismissive comments about blacks that others engage in about women. Former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro echoed them, and went her one further: “If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is.”

The feminist movement has never been the sisterhood for black women that it has been for white women. The problems black women confront dealing with race and gender never were central to the agenda. And too often, black women were summoned to the feminist cause only on an “as-needed” basis.

The acrimony of this Democratic race spotlighted a long-standing rift, and may have furthered deepened the divide. That's a shame. Women of all colors share many of the same goals. Race and gender are issues that should unite us.

`War on drugs' hasn't slowed drug offenses

Fri, 16 May 2008 02:06 EDT

Right now, people in this community might be in the mood to talk about alternatives to arresting and locking up some folks who break the law.

Understandable. Crime is a real problem here. And part of the problem is that too many criminals are getting off with a slap on the wrist because of an overwhelmed judicial system.

Those law-breakers become repeat, and repeat, and REPEAT!!! offenders before they get any time for their crimes. By then, far too many have gone on to more dastardly deeds.

But a new report underscores that simply locking up some criminals hasn't worked. The criminals I'm talking about are not the murderers, thieves and violent assaulters whose actions demand incarceration for public safety. I'm talking about drug offenders whose main crime is that they are hooked on drugs.

Tackle drug users differently

And here's the probable payoff for the rest of us. Tackling these drug users in a different way -- with prevention and treatment -- would free up law enforcers to deal with those other criminals more aggressively."The War on Drugs in America's Cities" report (www.sentencingproject.org) was researched and presented by the Sentencing Project. It's a national nonprofit that makes no bones about the fact that it advocates for reforms in sentencing law and practices, and for alternatives to incarceration. But that doesn't make the statistics the group offers any less compelling and noteworthy.

Consider:

• When the nation's "War on Drugs" got under way full tilt in 1980, the number of drug offenders in prison or jail was 41,100. By 2003, the number was 493,800 -- a 1,100 percent increase.

• Forty of the nation's 43 largest cities have seen growth in drug arrests over that 23-year period, including Charlotte, which saw a 124 percent jump. Other cities saw much higher increases. Tucson saw an 887 percent jump; Buffalo, N.Y., a 809 percent jump; Newark, a 663 percent boost.

• Drug arrests vary dramatically within states, suggesting arrests are tied to local decisions about who to charge and incarcerate rather than drug use. For instance, in Texas, Dallas and Fort Worth are just 30 miles apart but Fort Worth saw an 81 percent rise in drug arrests between 1980 and 2003 while Dallas saw a 42 percent decline.

• Drug arrests in the largest cities rose at three times the rate for blacks as for whites, 225 percent compared to 70 percent. But data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services show black drug use is proportional to their share of the population -- about 12 percent.

Big fish too often get away

Those and other statistics highlight problems with current drug laws and practices. Additionally, jailed and incarcerated drug offenders tend to be low-level users. High-level traffickers and those involved in major crimes often elude punishment.

The Sentencing Project offers these recommendations:

• Shift funding priorities to put more money toward prevention and treatment. Too many people have access to treatment only after an arrest.

• Change law enforcement practices that use vast police resources for low-level drug arrests. A better system might be police partnering with social service providers to place drug users in hospitals, shelters and treatment facilities.

• Have prosecutors use their authority to seek alternatives for drug offenders. Also, provide public defenders resources to assess clients and prepare a sentencing plan that can be presented as an alternative.

• Restore judicial discretion that mandatory minimum sentences have taken away. Such policies have been a major factor in racial disparities, and put countless people in jail for long sentences that are disproportionate to the crime committed.

You don't have to agree with their other suggestions to embrace this key one: "It is time," the report said, "for an honest evaluation of the last quarter-century of domestic drug enforcement with an eye toward learning lessons from past failures and crafting promising solutions for the future."

In Charlotte, such solutions could help the courts and police get more of the violent and repeat criminals off the streets. Such solutions could help all of us feel safer, and be safer.

Fannie

Flono

Commitment of young people is inspiring

Fri, 09 May 2008 05:11 EDT

As I sat reading the New York Times in the Nashville airport waiting for my flight back to Charlotte, the clapping started. It was faint and far off at first but got louder as the seconds ticked away. Then suddenly, folks began standing up all around me applauding. Lights flashed on cameras as some snapped pictures.

I turned to see what the commotion was about, and glimpsed the olive drab, camouflage uniforms of soldiers. About a dozen servicemen, mostly baby-faced youngsters with knapsacks thrown over their shoulders, walked past barely giving notice of all the attention they were getting. We felt good but I wondered about them. Most walked with their heads down; some looked a bit mystified.

Supporting the troops

Still, being treated like a rock star for five minutes in an airport is no doubt a kick for many. They deserve support and recognition for their work, particularly in Iraq, Afghanistan and other unwelcoming places. It's no small thing what they're doing.But sadly some us think applause is enough. We have been silent and lackadaisical about issues that really show support and recognition. Take veterans' health care, for example.

A bipartisan presidential commission has called for vast improvements to the federal system providing veterans' health services, exposed as inadequate and shameful in media reports. Yet there has been no mass public outcry to prod lawmakers to fix the problems. A year after the panel's recommendations, not much has changed.

Returning soldiers don't even get enough benefits from the GI Bill to further their education. Sgt. Todd Bowers is a case in point. When he was activated for his second deployment to Iraq, he had to withdraw from classes at George Washington University, racking up an extra semester's debt without receiving credit.

Wounded by sniper fire, he was awarded the Purple Heart. But when he got home, credit collectors deluged him. With insufficient GI benefits and unable to keep up his student loan payments, he had to leave school.

A new GI Bill that provides adequately for the education needs of vets and gives fair access to benefits to the thousands of National Guard and Reserve members being activated for duty is badly needed. Yet some lawmakers are balking. They say the costs are too high, and that the benefits could be a disincentive for service people to re-enlist.

The public should be outraged, and demand that lawmakers do what's necessary to fulfill our obligation to these vets. That's a real show of support.

Then there's this. A recent YouTube video spotlighted the squalor many soldiers are living in on military bases. The disgusted father of a soldier in the 82nd Airborne, who had been serving in Afghanistan, took the footage showing a soldier standing on a sink trying to unclog backed up water in a shower stall in barracks at Fort Bragg.

Lawmakers and politicians are calling conditions appalling. Yet such corrosive conditions at aging barracks have been known for a while with only molasses-like action to address them.

It's inspiring to see young people committing to do the daunting and life-threatening work necessary to protect and defend U.S. interests here and abroad. They deserve more than applause for doing so.

Law Day essay winners

Speaking of inspiration from young people, the Observer's annual Law Day Essay Contest concluded last week. The Observer co-sponsors the contest each year with the Mecklenburg County Bar Association.

We received more than 100 entries from N.C. and S.C. high school students -- private, public and home-schooled -- in our circulation area. The essays were a powerful display of the passion young people have for the United States and the democratic principles at its bedrock.

I salute all the participants on behalf of the Bar Association and the Observer. First-place winner was Rebecca Pham, 16, of East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte. She received $500. Second-place finisher Mason Jeffries, 15, of Myers Park High School in Charlotte, got $100. Third-place winner Zachary B. Erwin, 15, of A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis, received $50.

Find their essays at www.charlotte.com/opinion. Let their words inspire you to get passionate about your rights and responsibilities as citizens.

Fannie

Flono