At last a comment that goes to the core: “I believe his heart was in the right place”. This from juror number B37 one of those sitting in judgment of George Zimmerman and finding him innocent. I believe most white people, certainly in New York, know that Zimmerman’s heart was in a racist space when he spoke to the police dispatcher and got out of his car and followed Trayvon, a young black male, against the dispatcher’s spoken wishes, because “They’re always getting away..” But African-Americans recognize something that is more than racist: this was a white man on the hunt and he was going to get him a black man.
Zimmerman’s actions and the juror understanding where his heart was, is only one end of the spectrum of a primitive pathology on which you find slavery, lynching parties, police shootings of unarmed young black men, Jim Crow and the New Jim Crow, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s remarks that minorities should be stopped and frisked more often, and general racial discrimination in its various forms.
Post Traumatic Slavery Syndrome, where the emotional effects of centuries of slavery are transferred through generations, doesn’t just affect African-Americans, white Americans must be affected as well. I believe it is the centuries of rationalizations justifying the everyday torturing and lashings, watching people being driven and sold like cattle that have gone deep in the American psyche and eventually led juror B37 To believe in her heart, that Zimmerman’s heart was in a place she knew and she finds it sad that Trayvon got caught up in that, but she understands Zimmerman’s feelings. And she would not have to have lived here long or be of stateside heritage to arrive at that point. This pathology is embedded in the culture and is continuously reinforced, and is only most obviously expressed in the criminal justice system.
Many white folks have been consciously and successfully working this poison out of their system, are rightfully appalled at the outcome of the trial and the kind of justice it harkens back to and want desperately to remove this ugly thread from the American tapestry. The problem is, Americans have been poorly-educated and do not realize the extent of the barbarity that was accepted and even cheered for not too long ago and that is a part of their American heritage, although perhaps one not covered in the Common-Core education standards.
But until America comes to grips with the lasting psychological damage that slavery caused, that “right place” the juror spoke of, will continue to absorb our national energy and erode the financial and intellectual strength of the country. And as it does so, black people must beware of national scapegoating. In a 1996 interview with Historian John Henrik Clarke, we asked Dr. Clarke “What about black folks” going into the Millennium? He responded “I say if black people don’t unite and begin to support themselves, their communities and their families, they might as well begin to go out of business as a people. Nobody’s going to have any mercy. And nobody’s going to have any compunction about making slaves out of them”.
There’s nothing “post-racial” about this country, and if you look at the hunger-strikers at Guantanamo, the civilian deaths from drone attacks, and life in some prisons here in the states, then even saying “post-barbaric” is a stretch. There’s still a lot of organizing and hard work left to do as we cut the road around the mountain to the Promised Land.
Four Medgar Evers College Students Awarded Scholarships to Study
Medgar Evers College announced that four students were recently awarded scholarships to study and conduct research overseas this summer and in the upcoming fall semester. Sophomore Fabienne Mondelus; seniors Chad Hannibal and Rhode- Elise Jacques, and freshman Kevon
Martin were selected from among a group of 10 students who applied for scholarships. The summer program in Paris, sponsored by the College, will run from July 28 to August 24; participating students will take 6 credits of French language at the language school L’Etoile, and will live with French host families. The four students are among 29 from
edgar Evers who are studying abroad in 2013.
“Travel is a great way for our students to learn, to experience the world, and to develop an appreciation for other cultures,” said President William L. Pollard. “It expands borders of learning, giving
access to new insights and a greater understanding of how the world works from academic and cultural standpoints, as well as providing a solid foundation for growth. As our global society evolves, our students continue to embrace these opportunities that allow them to contribute and compete in worldwide markets.”
Biology major and sophomore Fabienne Mondelus, who has a 3.5 GPA, received a full scholarship from the Office of Special Programs at the City University of New York (CUNY) and will spend a month in Paris studying language and culture. She is a program participant
with New York Needs You, which helps and supports first-generation college students in achieving and securing their career goals. “Being well-educated and professional is something that I envision for myself,” said Fabienne. “And there is no barrier for me in accomplishing anything that I would like to.”
“Being able to travel and study abroad opens up the world to students,” said Senior Vice President & Interim Provost Karrin E. Wilks. “Understanding different world cultures is a critical element in education for effective citizenry and for leadership roles in our diverse communities.”
“Studying in Japan gave me the chance to see the culture first-hand and to appreciate its traditions,” said education major
Rhode-Elise Jacques who visited Japan in May. “It was wonderful to be in a place that has given so much to the world through technology and innovation, and to have visited Doshisha University in Kyoto and Chuo University in Tokyo.” Rhode-Elise, who has a 3.8 GPA, has also studied in France and plans to return to Japan to learn how young, special-needs children are educated.
“Studying abroad offers students the opportunity to grow both personally and academically,” said Study Abroad Program Director Deborah Stengle. “Studying abroad in the context of a different academic environment and student body, expands and strengthens
students’ academic experience and their ability to work with people different from themselves. The experience also helps broaden awareness of global issues, expands understanding of international interdependence, and develops proficiency in a new language. All of these skills are critical to success in today’s global job market.”
Freshman Kevon Martin, the first Medgar Evers College student to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for Study Abroad, was selected to from a pool of 850 students who applied from 324 different universities and colleges nationwide. He will travel to Japan in the fall to attend the KCP International Language Institute. “I have already started studying the Japanese language on my own,” said Kevon. “And I look forward to arriving in Japan where I will be able to study more formally in the classroom.” KCP is a program sponsored by Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.
Environmental Science major and senior Chad Hannibal is currently in Cali, Colombia on a fully-funded, 8-week summer program as part of the International Research Experience for NYC Louis Stokes Alliance Scholars. He is part of an integrated project working alongside researchers from universities and non-governmental organizations that allows students to see the impact of their research on communities. His project focuses on the five-stage pre-treatment filtration system measuring and observing the behavior of algae on the surface of an upflow gravel filter. He is one of four students on this project.
Literary icon, Bed-Stuy resident
Poet and playwright Ntozake Shange has read from her prolific body of work in venues around the world.
This Friday, July 12, the literary lion will recite a selection of her writings in – and for – her Bedford-Stuyvesant community during “An Intimate Evening with Ntozake Shange”, a fundraiser at the Sugar Hill Restaurant & Supper Club, 609 DeKalb Ave.
Shange, a resident of Bed-Stuy for six years, is lending her tremendous talents and boldface name to a fundraiser for the Monroe Street Block Association 400. Proceeds will support the association’s efforts to make the area an even better place to live and visit.
“It’s my neighborhood,” Shange said of why she’s supporting the fundraiser. “It’s truly a neighborhood: we talk to each other, we do things with each other and for each other and we watch out for our children. We wanted to do this so that we can do more things for the neighborhood.
“The neighborhood is already rich,” she continued as she sat in her home, whose walls are adorned with photographs of her taken over the years. “We have producers, musicians, newspaper people. We’re celebrating the plenty that we have.”
Actress, community activist and comedienne Phyllis Yvonne Stickney will host the program, which, in addition to Shange, also will include musical performances and provocative conversation.
Among some readers and theatergoers, Shange is perhaps best known for “for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf,” her groundbreaking Tony Award-nominated choreopoem that was performed on Broadway and off-Broadway and won an Obie Award in 1977.
In 2010, a theatrical film adaptation, For Colored Girls, was released.
Shange’s oeuvre, which also includes dozens of other poetic plays, novels, essays, and children’s books, influenced a generation of spoken-word poets, playwrights and performance artists. Brooklyn son Biggie Smalls was turned on to Shange’s work by his writer-friend dream hampton.
Shange, who was born in Trenton, N.J., and raised there and in St. Louis, Mo., earned a Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College and a Master of Arts from the University of Southern California, both degrees in American Studies. In addition to the Obie, she’s received numerous honors and fellowships and has lectured on the humanities, women’s studies and writing at many colleges and universities. Shange also has danced professionally, directed and acted.
“We feel very fortunate to have Ntozake Shange living in the Bed-Stuy community,” said Monroe Street Block Association 400 President Eugene Jensen. “And to have her support for this fundraiser – we are grateful beyond words.”
“An Intimate Evening with Ntozake Shange” will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 12 at Sugar Hill Restaurant & Supper Club, 609 DeKalb Ave. Seating is limited. Tickets are $25 each. Call Eugene Jensen at 347-526-9831 or Evette Lewis at 917-200-4487.
Blackout At Brevoort Houses
Day after day of unrelenting heat last week strained parts of the city’s electrical grid. By Friday night, lights were flickering in Brevoort Houses. About 10am Saturday they went out completely in seven of Breevoort’s 26 buildings, including ironically the community center which was designated as the local cooling center.
According to Chris Olert, Con Edison spokesman, 210 residents were affected on the north side of the Brevoort Houses. “We had cables that failed — both high voltage and lower voltage cables,” said Olert. “We had to replace those on Fulton between Buffalo and Ralph.”
Con Ed provided regular updates throughout the day to Captain Perez from the 81st Precinct. “We have EMS on standby. We have coverage to touch base with the community and keep them informed,” said Captain Perez. “The situation is ongoing.” At one point, EMS was called to assist a 94-year-old woman in distress.
“We have no lights. The refrigerators are not working. The stoves are out. Microwaves are not working. The elevators are out in the area where the blackout occurred,” said Pansy Nettles, Resident Association President.
Across the street, 1896 Fulton Street and BNB Tax Preparer had power but right next door the pharmacy and Associated Supermarket did not.
“We have no lights since 12 noon. We got everybody out and closed all the refrigerators. It was impossible to serve customers for safety reasons,” said Danny, an employee at Associated Supermarket. “This is going to cost a whole lot of money. We have to wait until the insurance claims.”
Con Edison workers spent the day replacing conduits and putting new cables underground. By night fall, power was restored to all affected buildings. Con Edison continues to work on Fulton Street to replace underground conduits and cables.
Olert suggested that during extreme heat residents should use electricity wisely. “Every degree that you drop your air conditioner below 78 degrees, your electric bill goes up 6% which corresponds to increased demands on cables,” he said. “Fans use as little as 10% of the electricity of an air conditioner.”