May 24, 2012
BH 420
I have been troubled by the recent debate because President Obama made his public announcement of his approval for same-sex marriage. Should it have created feelings of alienation or social isolation? Even though Obama's endorsement of gay marriage has placed some black pastors in an awkward position perhaps they should adopt a policy of “don’t ask-don’t tell” in the black church and end the argument.
Some Black voters and many black churches have long opposed gay marriage but they must realize that same sex marriage is not the issue, but marriage rights are the issue. As I discussed with Bob Law recently, African Americans must understand that it is alright to disagree with the president on certain issues, and yet support him.
A disturbing matter for me is some African Americans will say ‘the president is taking us for granted’. Don’t you understand we must be taken for granted? Romney takes white people and the Tea Party for granted.
It is distressing that president Obama will be criticized if he supports Black people and black agendas other than speaking at the NAACP and Urban League dinners and conventions. If he created a program designed specifically for the African American community, he will be accused of ‘playing the race card’, although Mitt Romney, Herman Cain and others opposing Mr. Obama inject some form of racism in their every word and action. It is a race thing and we should be truthful and honest. Why handicap the president?
‘Racial and Ethnic Identity and Development’ by Alicia Fedelina Chávez, Florence Guido-DiBrito state: Individuals often must filter ethnic identity through negative treatment and media messages received from others because of their race and ethnicity. These messages make it clear that people with minority status have a different ethnic make-up and one that is less than desirable within mainstream society.
Ebonya Washington noted white Republicans and Democrats are less likely to vote for their parties' candidate when she or he is Black, so who is really playing the race card?
Do you recall the president’s speech about race on March 18, 2008? He said “unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction – towards a better future for our children and our grandchildren.
This belief comes from my unyielding faith in the decency and generosity of the American people. But it also comes from my own American story.
I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. I was raised with the help of a white grandfather who survived a Depression to serve in Patton’s Army during World War II and a white grandmother who worked on a bomber assembly line at Fort Leavenworth while he was overseas. I’ve gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world’s poorest nations. I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slave-owners – an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters. I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins, of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.”
It's time for black Americans to set aside our differences and prioritize our goals and agendas, and support the president. Mr. Obama will understand. Do you think Romney cares about you?
Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www.wgnu920am.com.
And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
Be Ever Wonderful!
Hotep!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Silent Tom-Justice Clarence Thomas!
April 19, 2012
BH 419
Critics of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas fault the court's most conservative member for not asking a single question of lawyers over the last few years. Timothy R. Johnson, a professor of political science at the University of Minnesota noted that in the past 40 years, no other justice has gone an entire term, much less six, without speaking at least once during oral arguments before the Supreme Court. What does this say about the only Negro member of this esteemed body? Do we expect too much of Mr. Thomas because his skin is dark?
The question has been asked if Clarence Thomas should disqualify himself from any ruling on the Affordable Care Act because of his wife’s work as a conservative activist and lobbyist, where she explicitly fought for the repeal of “Obamacare.”
In my opinion, he has forgotten his roots and wavered in his belief that government governs best when closest to the people. Has not been at the forefront of civil rights issues, and he is not known for his colorful floor speeches and legal expertise. He is not recognized for his effectiveness, his knowledge or his hard work.
Because he has consistently voted against human rights and civil rights, a New York Times editorial called him the “cruelest” justice on the court. In five major cases involving civil rights and liberties, he voted against minorities every time, including rulings against job discrimination and voting rights. He’s only 63 years old and could conceivably spend another many more years on the Supreme Court.
Only time will tell how he will vote on the health care issue, although everyone is sure, but his silence before his peers on the High Court reminds me of Ralph Ellison’s book, ‘Invisible Man’.
A synopsis of Ralph Ellison’s book ‘Invisible Man’ state: In the beginning of the novel, the Invisible Man reflects back to his roots and what has come to define him over the years. This is the first mention of him as a traitor in society and he takes it in with many questions. As the book begins, the Invisible Man does not understand what is so 'wrong' about being the white man's favorite until he realizes at the end, that he has given up things in himself to just attempt to get to that point. At the close of the novel, the Invisible Man recognizes that by not being true to his heritage, race, and himself he is being a traitor and appeasing to the white men who had appeared to want something from him, when in reality they were only looking for their own personal gain.
"What is a traitor, Brother?" I asked, feeling an angry amusement as I counted on my fingers. "He was a man and a Negro; a man and a brother; a man and a traitor, as you say; then he was a dead man, and alive or dead he was a jam-full of contradictions. So full that he attracted half of Harlem to come out and stand in the sun in answer to our call. So what is a traitor?"
In the July 13, 2000 issue of the American, I wrote: I have not written much about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas because he is berated and scolded quite sufficiently in the African-American press and the community at large. I haven’t thought it necessary until now. I actually was silent because I remember in 1979-81, when he was a Legislative assistant to Missouri Senator John Danforth, Justice Thomas was a regular guest on my radio talk show on KATZ-AM.
I was proud to know the man who went on to become the Chairman of the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission. He used to call me regularly to give the community reports on the good things that he was doing in Washington for the citizens of Missouri and the nation. During his controversial Senate hearing for his Supreme Court nomination I became a little suspicious during the Anita Hill fiasco, but still sympathetic at what he described as a public lynching.
Since those times I have been repeatedly disappointed with his actions and decisions. His stand on affirmative action was what I thought was the last straw. I was wrong. Justice Clarence Thomas had the opportunity to stay the execution of Texas inmate Gary Graham, also known as Shaka Sankofa. His one vote could have saved the life of Graham for a few days, perhaps months or who knows. With another trial or hearing, maybe Graham would have been exonerated. It’s too late now. The vote was 5 to 4 against and Justice Thomas was one of the dissenters. I think I have said enough. What do you think?
And what about the Troy Anthony Davis case when the attorneys for Troy Davis filed an emergency appeal for a stay of execution at the Supreme Court at the 11th hour the entire world watched with baited breath for hours until we learned the fate of Mr. Davis in a case that has dominated the headlines.
Just after 10:20pm, the announcement came. The Supreme Court had denied a stay which could have saved Mr. Davis' life and the official Court order was just one sentence "The application for stay of execution of sentence of death presented to Justice Thomas and by him referred to the Court is denied."
On June 22, 2009 in an 8-1 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Justice Clarence Thomas cast the lone vote against a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. In his dissent, Thomas seemed to argue that the Voting Rights Act is no longer necessary because the explicit racial segregation of the Jim Crow era is gone. Thomas wrote. ''The violence, intimidation and subterfuge that led Congress to pass Section 5 and this court to uphold it no longer remain.''
I wonder if Justice Thomas has an opinion on the Voter ID controversy. I am certain that he has, and I know what it is. I think I have said enough about the silent and invisible Clarence Thomas.
Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www.wgnu920am.com.
And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
Be Ever Wonderful!
Hotep!
BH 419
Critics of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas fault the court's most conservative member for not asking a single question of lawyers over the last few years. Timothy R. Johnson, a professor of political science at the University of Minnesota noted that in the past 40 years, no other justice has gone an entire term, much less six, without speaking at least once during oral arguments before the Supreme Court. What does this say about the only Negro member of this esteemed body? Do we expect too much of Mr. Thomas because his skin is dark?
The question has been asked if Clarence Thomas should disqualify himself from any ruling on the Affordable Care Act because of his wife’s work as a conservative activist and lobbyist, where she explicitly fought for the repeal of “Obamacare.”
In my opinion, he has forgotten his roots and wavered in his belief that government governs best when closest to the people. Has not been at the forefront of civil rights issues, and he is not known for his colorful floor speeches and legal expertise. He is not recognized for his effectiveness, his knowledge or his hard work.
Because he has consistently voted against human rights and civil rights, a New York Times editorial called him the “cruelest” justice on the court. In five major cases involving civil rights and liberties, he voted against minorities every time, including rulings against job discrimination and voting rights. He’s only 63 years old and could conceivably spend another many more years on the Supreme Court.
Only time will tell how he will vote on the health care issue, although everyone is sure, but his silence before his peers on the High Court reminds me of Ralph Ellison’s book, ‘Invisible Man’.
A synopsis of Ralph Ellison’s book ‘Invisible Man’ state: In the beginning of the novel, the Invisible Man reflects back to his roots and what has come to define him over the years. This is the first mention of him as a traitor in society and he takes it in with many questions. As the book begins, the Invisible Man does not understand what is so 'wrong' about being the white man's favorite until he realizes at the end, that he has given up things in himself to just attempt to get to that point. At the close of the novel, the Invisible Man recognizes that by not being true to his heritage, race, and himself he is being a traitor and appeasing to the white men who had appeared to want something from him, when in reality they were only looking for their own personal gain.
"What is a traitor, Brother?" I asked, feeling an angry amusement as I counted on my fingers. "He was a man and a Negro; a man and a brother; a man and a traitor, as you say; then he was a dead man, and alive or dead he was a jam-full of contradictions. So full that he attracted half of Harlem to come out and stand in the sun in answer to our call. So what is a traitor?"
In the July 13, 2000 issue of the American, I wrote: I have not written much about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas because he is berated and scolded quite sufficiently in the African-American press and the community at large. I haven’t thought it necessary until now. I actually was silent because I remember in 1979-81, when he was a Legislative assistant to Missouri Senator John Danforth, Justice Thomas was a regular guest on my radio talk show on KATZ-AM.
I was proud to know the man who went on to become the Chairman of the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission. He used to call me regularly to give the community reports on the good things that he was doing in Washington for the citizens of Missouri and the nation. During his controversial Senate hearing for his Supreme Court nomination I became a little suspicious during the Anita Hill fiasco, but still sympathetic at what he described as a public lynching.
Since those times I have been repeatedly disappointed with his actions and decisions. His stand on affirmative action was what I thought was the last straw. I was wrong. Justice Clarence Thomas had the opportunity to stay the execution of Texas inmate Gary Graham, also known as Shaka Sankofa. His one vote could have saved the life of Graham for a few days, perhaps months or who knows. With another trial or hearing, maybe Graham would have been exonerated. It’s too late now. The vote was 5 to 4 against and Justice Thomas was one of the dissenters. I think I have said enough. What do you think?
And what about the Troy Anthony Davis case when the attorneys for Troy Davis filed an emergency appeal for a stay of execution at the Supreme Court at the 11th hour the entire world watched with baited breath for hours until we learned the fate of Mr. Davis in a case that has dominated the headlines.
Just after 10:20pm, the announcement came. The Supreme Court had denied a stay which could have saved Mr. Davis' life and the official Court order was just one sentence "The application for stay of execution of sentence of death presented to Justice Thomas and by him referred to the Court is denied."
On June 22, 2009 in an 8-1 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Justice Clarence Thomas cast the lone vote against a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. In his dissent, Thomas seemed to argue that the Voting Rights Act is no longer necessary because the explicit racial segregation of the Jim Crow era is gone. Thomas wrote. ''The violence, intimidation and subterfuge that led Congress to pass Section 5 and this court to uphold it no longer remain.''
I wonder if Justice Thomas has an opinion on the Voter ID controversy. I am certain that he has, and I know what it is. I think I have said enough about the silent and invisible Clarence Thomas.
Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www.wgnu920am.com.
And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
Be Ever Wonderful!
Hotep!
Have Black Conservatives infiltrated progressive Black liberal Organizations?
March 22, 2012
BH 418
With the general elections approaching in November, the race for the presidency will be most volatile, in part because of the number of so called Black Conservatives in the mix in an attempt to defeat President Obama. The infiltration has already begun with right wing voices coming from some of the most unforeseen and unanticipated places, including some traditional and long established black organizations, unions and societies.
The reason some of the most vocal African American Republicans give is “we are the party of Lincoln”. But they make me wonder if they mean Abraham Lincoln or George Lincoln Rockwell, the founder of the American Nazi party. George Lincoln Rockwell was one of the most significant extremist strategists and ideologists of the postwar period and his strategy is unmistakable a guidebook for some members of the Tea Party, The Republican party, a number of black newspaper columnists and some Black radio talk show hosts.
Black Republicans lately have reminded us that Frederick Douglas and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were Republicans, as well as Booker T. Washington, and Zora Neale Hurston, but they fail to mention that Dr. King campaigned and demonstrated with others to get the 1964 and 1965 Civil Rights legislation signed by a Democratic administration.
I realize and understand everyone has a right to belong to and support any political party they choose, but I was astonished at the almost hate dialogue and in some occasions downright blatant deceptions, falsehoods and dishonesty they publish on the National Black Republican Association website. And let us not overlook the explosive and fiery rhetoric espoused by Lloyd Marcus of the Tea Party, and elected officials like Florida Rep. Allen West, former Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts, Herman Cain and Florida's Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll.
A few of the stories from the National Black Republican Association home page are: “The True Unemployment Rate:36 %” by John Hayward; “$5 Trillion and Change-Obama’s four years have seen the highest deficits since 1946”; ‘The Fairness Fraud’ by Thomas Sowell, and “Obama’s Racial Politics” by Walter E. Williams. There are really too many to print here, but please check them out yourself. Some you will find disgusting.
Also on the site you will find: ‘The GOP-The Key to American Prosperity’ and an article by Chidike Okeem titled “Barack Obama and the Betrayal of Black America.’ The website stress “To defeat Barack Obama and the Democrat Party, we Republicans must accomplish this one very important goal – win just 25% of the black vote. That's it. Win 25% of the black vote and we'll beat the Democrats and put an end to Obama's job killing agenda FOREVER.”
Deborah Toler in 1993 wrote in The Public Eye: “the majority of African Americans, Black conservatives generally oppose affirmative action and government minority business set-aside programs, oppose minimum wage laws and rent control laws, oppose any increase in social welfare spending, and oppose vigorous enforcement of voting rights and desegregation regulations. Black conservatives favor the death penalty, privatization of government services, deregulation of business, and voucher systems for public housing and for education.”
Little has changed in eighteen years, and it is important that you keep your eyes on the prize. Don’t let your enemies infiltrate The A. Phillip Randolph Institute, National Black United Front, Blacks In Government, National alliance of Postal and Federal Employees, The Black Women’s Forum, The Black Women’s Network, Africare, Inc., National Black United Fund, One Hundred Black Men, Associated Black Charities, Association of Black Psychologists, Association of Black Sociologists and others who are working for our survival.
We must support organizations like The Organization for Black Struggle, United African People’s Organization, Better Family Life, Inc., PATOY (Paying Attention To Our Youth) , Nation of Islam, Congressional Black Caucus, !00 Black Men, 100 Black Women, Ladies of Distinction, the Urban League, the NAACP, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, African American Historical and Genealogical Society and others that have shown their love and concern for our community. It is not a joke anymore. The suppression of voting rights is already on the battlefield. It is later than you think.
Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www.wgnu920am.com.
And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
Be Ever Wonderful!
Hotep!
BH 418
With the general elections approaching in November, the race for the presidency will be most volatile, in part because of the number of so called Black Conservatives in the mix in an attempt to defeat President Obama. The infiltration has already begun with right wing voices coming from some of the most unforeseen and unanticipated places, including some traditional and long established black organizations, unions and societies.
The reason some of the most vocal African American Republicans give is “we are the party of Lincoln”. But they make me wonder if they mean Abraham Lincoln or George Lincoln Rockwell, the founder of the American Nazi party. George Lincoln Rockwell was one of the most significant extremist strategists and ideologists of the postwar period and his strategy is unmistakable a guidebook for some members of the Tea Party, The Republican party, a number of black newspaper columnists and some Black radio talk show hosts.
Black Republicans lately have reminded us that Frederick Douglas and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were Republicans, as well as Booker T. Washington, and Zora Neale Hurston, but they fail to mention that Dr. King campaigned and demonstrated with others to get the 1964 and 1965 Civil Rights legislation signed by a Democratic administration.
I realize and understand everyone has a right to belong to and support any political party they choose, but I was astonished at the almost hate dialogue and in some occasions downright blatant deceptions, falsehoods and dishonesty they publish on the National Black Republican Association website. And let us not overlook the explosive and fiery rhetoric espoused by Lloyd Marcus of the Tea Party, and elected officials like Florida Rep. Allen West, former Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts, Herman Cain and Florida's Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll.
A few of the stories from the National Black Republican Association home page are: “The True Unemployment Rate:36 %” by John Hayward; “$5 Trillion and Change-Obama’s four years have seen the highest deficits since 1946”; ‘The Fairness Fraud’ by Thomas Sowell, and “Obama’s Racial Politics” by Walter E. Williams. There are really too many to print here, but please check them out yourself. Some you will find disgusting.
Also on the site you will find: ‘The GOP-The Key to American Prosperity’ and an article by Chidike Okeem titled “Barack Obama and the Betrayal of Black America.’ The website stress “To defeat Barack Obama and the Democrat Party, we Republicans must accomplish this one very important goal – win just 25% of the black vote. That's it. Win 25% of the black vote and we'll beat the Democrats and put an end to Obama's job killing agenda FOREVER.”
Deborah Toler in 1993 wrote in The Public Eye: “the majority of African Americans, Black conservatives generally oppose affirmative action and government minority business set-aside programs, oppose minimum wage laws and rent control laws, oppose any increase in social welfare spending, and oppose vigorous enforcement of voting rights and desegregation regulations. Black conservatives favor the death penalty, privatization of government services, deregulation of business, and voucher systems for public housing and for education.”
Little has changed in eighteen years, and it is important that you keep your eyes on the prize. Don’t let your enemies infiltrate The A. Phillip Randolph Institute, National Black United Front, Blacks In Government, National alliance of Postal and Federal Employees, The Black Women’s Forum, The Black Women’s Network, Africare, Inc., National Black United Fund, One Hundred Black Men, Associated Black Charities, Association of Black Psychologists, Association of Black Sociologists and others who are working for our survival.
We must support organizations like The Organization for Black Struggle, United African People’s Organization, Better Family Life, Inc., PATOY (Paying Attention To Our Youth) , Nation of Islam, Congressional Black Caucus, !00 Black Men, 100 Black Women, Ladies of Distinction, the Urban League, the NAACP, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, African American Historical and Genealogical Society and others that have shown their love and concern for our community. It is not a joke anymore. The suppression of voting rights is already on the battlefield. It is later than you think.
Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www.wgnu920am.com.
And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
Be Ever Wonderful!
Hotep!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The Third American Revolution
February 23, 2012
BH 417
In my column of July 2010 I asked “are the black radio and television stations today forward-thinking and positive? Black media outlets can provide valuable input and should be realistic, operational, inspirational, motivational, informative, and even emotional, and should be reassessed on a regular basis by the public that it serves.”
After an assessment I am regretful to say that nothing has changed. And the emergence and resurgence of hate radio and right-wing show hosts such as Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity, who has tirelessly worked to undermine the accomplishments of the Obama administrations, will continue to play a crucial role in the way white Americans perceive African-Americans.
As a result of the overwhelming media focus on crime, drug use, gang violence, and other forms of anti-social behavior among African-Americans, right wing and mass media have fostered a distorted and malicious public perception of African-Americans and Black radio is doing nothing to correct these images.
The Bush administration plunged us into the worst economic crisis in the history of the United States yet the right wing’s flawed understandings of the Constitution and how its foundational values should be applied is relentless in their attacks on President Obama and the Black radio stations are sitting idly by and continue to amuse.
In 1963 Martin Luther King Jr wrote from the Birmingham Jail: I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” so how can Black radio stations continue to entertain and not be a voice for transformation?
The Right has perfected the habit of giving unto themselves the title of being the “only true patriots”. And having done so they embark on carrying out attacks on Black People and the president with an air of impunity from law and accepted norms of human rights, while we boogie and tell jokes.
Black people must agree to increase the pressure on hate radio mongers as well as our leaders, elected representatives, government officials and broadcasters to take clear stands on the issue of fairness and truth. Black radio station owners and personalities too needs to be told in no uncertain terms that it has to give up its growing weakness for good times and become a vehicle for positive change.
We need independent, full-service radio outlets, offering news and formats that incorporate thought-provoking talk and music programming, and recognize and address the needs of the communities and families they serve.
We need a nationwide outreach campaign, with leaders who are concerned about the truths that still influence life in Black America and understand that race has become an institutional part of American society.
We need announcers and talk show hosts that understand that we must find opportunities and provide for African-Americans in the areas of education, science, engineering, and the arts. The accomplishments of African-Americans should be at the forefront of popular culture in America’s battle for racial equality and our media outlets should reflect the history of African-Americans struggle against oppression and discrimination. The media have played a key role in perpetuating the effects of this historical oppression and in contributing to our continuing status as second-class citizens, and it is time for a change.
We must make our media outlets accountable. We must strengthen diversity among the leadership of our community with meaningful programming, digital formats, news and information services, to reach millions of listeners around the country. It is not about having fun anymore. It is a matter of survival.
Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www.wgnu920am.com.
And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
Be Ever Wonderful!
Hotep!
BH 417
In my column of July 2010 I asked “are the black radio and television stations today forward-thinking and positive? Black media outlets can provide valuable input and should be realistic, operational, inspirational, motivational, informative, and even emotional, and should be reassessed on a regular basis by the public that it serves.”
After an assessment I am regretful to say that nothing has changed. And the emergence and resurgence of hate radio and right-wing show hosts such as Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity, who has tirelessly worked to undermine the accomplishments of the Obama administrations, will continue to play a crucial role in the way white Americans perceive African-Americans.
As a result of the overwhelming media focus on crime, drug use, gang violence, and other forms of anti-social behavior among African-Americans, right wing and mass media have fostered a distorted and malicious public perception of African-Americans and Black radio is doing nothing to correct these images.
The Bush administration plunged us into the worst economic crisis in the history of the United States yet the right wing’s flawed understandings of the Constitution and how its foundational values should be applied is relentless in their attacks on President Obama and the Black radio stations are sitting idly by and continue to amuse.
In 1963 Martin Luther King Jr wrote from the Birmingham Jail: I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” so how can Black radio stations continue to entertain and not be a voice for transformation?
The Right has perfected the habit of giving unto themselves the title of being the “only true patriots”. And having done so they embark on carrying out attacks on Black People and the president with an air of impunity from law and accepted norms of human rights, while we boogie and tell jokes.
Black people must agree to increase the pressure on hate radio mongers as well as our leaders, elected representatives, government officials and broadcasters to take clear stands on the issue of fairness and truth. Black radio station owners and personalities too needs to be told in no uncertain terms that it has to give up its growing weakness for good times and become a vehicle for positive change.
We need independent, full-service radio outlets, offering news and formats that incorporate thought-provoking talk and music programming, and recognize and address the needs of the communities and families they serve.
We need a nationwide outreach campaign, with leaders who are concerned about the truths that still influence life in Black America and understand that race has become an institutional part of American society.
We need announcers and talk show hosts that understand that we must find opportunities and provide for African-Americans in the areas of education, science, engineering, and the arts. The accomplishments of African-Americans should be at the forefront of popular culture in America’s battle for racial equality and our media outlets should reflect the history of African-Americans struggle against oppression and discrimination. The media have played a key role in perpetuating the effects of this historical oppression and in contributing to our continuing status as second-class citizens, and it is time for a change.
We must make our media outlets accountable. We must strengthen diversity among the leadership of our community with meaningful programming, digital formats, news and information services, to reach millions of listeners around the country. It is not about having fun anymore. It is a matter of survival.
Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www.wgnu920am.com.
And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
Be Ever Wonderful!
Hotep!
Monday, January 16, 2012
My People, My People!
BH 416
January 19, 2012
How do you define African American culture? According to Wikipedia, African-American culture, also known as black culture, in the United States refers to the cultural contributions of African Americans to culture of the United States, either as part of or distinct from American culture. The distinct identity of African-American culture is rooted in the historical experience of the African-American people, including the Middle Passage. The culture is both distinct and enormously influential to American culture as a whole.
Are you proud of your culture? Many sociologists allege humans are born without culture. For virtually anyone, culture begins with the family and continues through other social agents such as school, peer groups and mass media. This lesson follows the general process by which people develop their personalities and learn about the world around them, a process referred to as "socialization."
Socialization is the lifelong process by which people develop their personalities and learn about their culture. For virtually everyone, that process begins within the family, during the earliest days of life.
In my previous column I investigated the idea of Buying Black. Am I foolish, silly, and idiotic? The wealth gap between white and African-American families more than quadrupled from 1984 to 2007. Financial assets, excluding home equity, among white families grew from a median value of $22,000 to $100,000, while African-Americans had a median wealth of $5,000. The data indicate black consumers pay more than whites for accessing credit. My question is why are some of our African American youth spending $180 on gym shoes?
Most of us have long recognized the importance of peer relations in the lives of young people and Dr. Carter G. Woodson wrote in his book The Mis-education of the Negro, ‘when you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions’.
I am sure you are aware that not too many days ago, across the country, the release of the Nike Retro Air Jordan basketball shoes resulted in fights, arrests, and the use of pepper spray No one anticipated the hysteria around the original Air Jordan, which spawned a subculture of collectors willing to wait hours to buy the latest pair. But the shopping frenzy over the shoe had died down in recent years.
In Seattle, Tukwila police officer Mike Murphy said more than 1,000 people lined up to buy shoes at 4 a.m. at four stores in the Westfield South center mall.
He said police used pepper spray on about 20 people who were fighting, while one man was arrested for assault after police say he pushed an officer.
These latest incidents instead seem to be part of trend of increasing acts of violence at retailers this past holiday shopping season, as police tried to calm frenzied shoppers all wanting and willing to pay more than one hundred dollars for a pair of shoes.
And don’t forget the controversy surrounding one of the most profitable and wealthiest companies on the planet. Nike was investigated for how it has exploited workers in Asia for financial gain after moving the majority of its production so far away from its headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
We live in the world's wealthiest nation. Yet 13 percent of people living in the United States live in poverty. Nearly one in four children lives in households that struggle to put food on the table. That's 16.7 million children. I wonder how many are wearing Nike.
Cornell and Washington University researchers report the great majority of African Americans experience poverty during adulthood. Their findings show that nine out of every 10 black Americans, or 91 percent, who reach the age of 75 spend at least one of their adult years in poverty.
Of the several thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, of the Black people who bought the Air Jordon shoes or were involved in the incidents, I wonder how much did they donate to the homeless or to hungry people, or to charitable organizations such as The New Life Evangelistic Center, The Salvation Army, or The United Way, and how many are receiving benefits from the government or state, or local charitable organizations and agencies? How many is suffering from a debilitating illness?
Dr. Carter G. Woodson said, “If the Negro in the ghetto must eternally be fed by the hand that pushes him into the ghetto, he will never become strong enough to get out of the ghetto”. He wrote “it may be well to repeat here the saying that old men talk of what they have done, young men of what they are doing, and fools of what they expect to do. The Negro race has a rather large share of the last mentioned class.” I bet most of them are wearing Nike Retro’s. Is it cultural?
Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www.wgnu920am.com.
And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
Be Ever Wonderful!
Hotep!
January 19, 2012
How do you define African American culture? According to Wikipedia, African-American culture, also known as black culture, in the United States refers to the cultural contributions of African Americans to culture of the United States, either as part of or distinct from American culture. The distinct identity of African-American culture is rooted in the historical experience of the African-American people, including the Middle Passage. The culture is both distinct and enormously influential to American culture as a whole.
Are you proud of your culture? Many sociologists allege humans are born without culture. For virtually anyone, culture begins with the family and continues through other social agents such as school, peer groups and mass media. This lesson follows the general process by which people develop their personalities and learn about the world around them, a process referred to as "socialization."
Socialization is the lifelong process by which people develop their personalities and learn about their culture. For virtually everyone, that process begins within the family, during the earliest days of life.
In my previous column I investigated the idea of Buying Black. Am I foolish, silly, and idiotic? The wealth gap between white and African-American families more than quadrupled from 1984 to 2007. Financial assets, excluding home equity, among white families grew from a median value of $22,000 to $100,000, while African-Americans had a median wealth of $5,000. The data indicate black consumers pay more than whites for accessing credit. My question is why are some of our African American youth spending $180 on gym shoes?
Most of us have long recognized the importance of peer relations in the lives of young people and Dr. Carter G. Woodson wrote in his book The Mis-education of the Negro, ‘when you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions’.
I am sure you are aware that not too many days ago, across the country, the release of the Nike Retro Air Jordan basketball shoes resulted in fights, arrests, and the use of pepper spray No one anticipated the hysteria around the original Air Jordan, which spawned a subculture of collectors willing to wait hours to buy the latest pair. But the shopping frenzy over the shoe had died down in recent years.
In Seattle, Tukwila police officer Mike Murphy said more than 1,000 people lined up to buy shoes at 4 a.m. at four stores in the Westfield South center mall.
He said police used pepper spray on about 20 people who were fighting, while one man was arrested for assault after police say he pushed an officer.
These latest incidents instead seem to be part of trend of increasing acts of violence at retailers this past holiday shopping season, as police tried to calm frenzied shoppers all wanting and willing to pay more than one hundred dollars for a pair of shoes.
And don’t forget the controversy surrounding one of the most profitable and wealthiest companies on the planet. Nike was investigated for how it has exploited workers in Asia for financial gain after moving the majority of its production so far away from its headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.
We live in the world's wealthiest nation. Yet 13 percent of people living in the United States live in poverty. Nearly one in four children lives in households that struggle to put food on the table. That's 16.7 million children. I wonder how many are wearing Nike.
Cornell and Washington University researchers report the great majority of African Americans experience poverty during adulthood. Their findings show that nine out of every 10 black Americans, or 91 percent, who reach the age of 75 spend at least one of their adult years in poverty.
Of the several thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, of the Black people who bought the Air Jordon shoes or were involved in the incidents, I wonder how much did they donate to the homeless or to hungry people, or to charitable organizations such as The New Life Evangelistic Center, The Salvation Army, or The United Way, and how many are receiving benefits from the government or state, or local charitable organizations and agencies? How many is suffering from a debilitating illness?
Dr. Carter G. Woodson said, “If the Negro in the ghetto must eternally be fed by the hand that pushes him into the ghetto, he will never become strong enough to get out of the ghetto”. He wrote “it may be well to repeat here the saying that old men talk of what they have done, young men of what they are doing, and fools of what they expect to do. The Negro race has a rather large share of the last mentioned class.” I bet most of them are wearing Nike Retro’s. Is it cultural?
Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www.wgnu920am.com.
And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
Be Ever Wonderful!
Hotep!
Every Friday Should Be Black Friday in the African American Community!
BH 415
In recent weeks on my radio program several guests have recommend that people of African Ancestry buy from businesses owned by people who look like them, or should I say look like us?
Bob Law proposes people of color should not but from companies or stores that do not employ Black people. He said if radio stations, TV stations and social media targeting the Black community supported this idea it would help not only Black businesses but the Black consumer as well.
Total spending over the four-day weekend following Thanksgiving 2011 reached a record $52.4 billion, up 16% from $45 billion last year, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. It is a busy shopping day and is a holiday in some states. How many of those dollars were yours?
The State of the African-American Consumer Report found that black buying power is projected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2015. The study, which focuses on black spending, media habits and consumer trends, reported an increase in the amount of blacks attending college or earning a degree to 44 percent for men and 53 percent for women. It also found an increase in the number of African American households earning $75,000 or higher by almost 64 percent. My question is who benefits?
According to Target Market, a company that tracks Black consumer spending, African Americans spend a significant amount of their income on depreciable products, and among the favorite purchases are cars and liquor.
We must realize also that there are many different communities of Black folks in America. We have separate and distinct religions and dissimilar ways of life. While many are Christians, numerous are practicing Muslims, Bahia and other organized beliefs and worships.
We are also separated by social customs and health practices. There is a great number of Blacks from African countries, the West Indies, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica. However the largest parts are the descendants of slaves. Should we expect them to feel the same about buying Black? Should they celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa? Will you?
According to a Chicago Book Essay report, “Too often, companies don’t realize the inherent differences of our community, are not aware of the market size impact and have not optimized efforts to develop messages beyond those that coincide with Black History Month,” said Cloves Campbell.
Dr. Maulana Karenga, the creator of Kwanzaa was also a guest recently on my radio program. He reminds us that Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration held in the United States honoring universal African American Heritage and culture, observed from December 26 to January 1 each year. It was first celebrated in 1966–1967.
Karenga said his goal was to "give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society.
Well, you now have an alternative, either to buy Christmas gifts, Kwanzaa gifts or both. But where will those profits be in January? Whose businesses will prosper and whose neighborhoods will benefit from your dollars? Will your children have a meaningful celebration? It is just a question.
Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www.wgnu920am.com.
And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
Be Ever Wonderful!
Hotep!
In recent weeks on my radio program several guests have recommend that people of African Ancestry buy from businesses owned by people who look like them, or should I say look like us?
Bob Law proposes people of color should not but from companies or stores that do not employ Black people. He said if radio stations, TV stations and social media targeting the Black community supported this idea it would help not only Black businesses but the Black consumer as well.
Total spending over the four-day weekend following Thanksgiving 2011 reached a record $52.4 billion, up 16% from $45 billion last year, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. It is a busy shopping day and is a holiday in some states. How many of those dollars were yours?
The State of the African-American Consumer Report found that black buying power is projected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2015. The study, which focuses on black spending, media habits and consumer trends, reported an increase in the amount of blacks attending college or earning a degree to 44 percent for men and 53 percent for women. It also found an increase in the number of African American households earning $75,000 or higher by almost 64 percent. My question is who benefits?
According to Target Market, a company that tracks Black consumer spending, African Americans spend a significant amount of their income on depreciable products, and among the favorite purchases are cars and liquor.
We must realize also that there are many different communities of Black folks in America. We have separate and distinct religions and dissimilar ways of life. While many are Christians, numerous are practicing Muslims, Bahia and other organized beliefs and worships.
We are also separated by social customs and health practices. There is a great number of Blacks from African countries, the West Indies, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica. However the largest parts are the descendants of slaves. Should we expect them to feel the same about buying Black? Should they celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa? Will you?
According to a Chicago Book Essay report, “Too often, companies don’t realize the inherent differences of our community, are not aware of the market size impact and have not optimized efforts to develop messages beyond those that coincide with Black History Month,” said Cloves Campbell.
Dr. Maulana Karenga, the creator of Kwanzaa was also a guest recently on my radio program. He reminds us that Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration held in the United States honoring universal African American Heritage and culture, observed from December 26 to January 1 each year. It was first celebrated in 1966–1967.
Karenga said his goal was to "give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society.
Well, you now have an alternative, either to buy Christmas gifts, Kwanzaa gifts or both. But where will those profits be in January? Whose businesses will prosper and whose neighborhoods will benefit from your dollars? Will your children have a meaningful celebration? It is just a question.
Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www.wgnu920am.com.
And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
Be Ever Wonderful!
Hotep!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Prostate and Colon Cancer are killing African American Men
BH 413
October 27, 2011
The deadliest killer in the black community is not gangs, or drugs, or black on black crime, as deadly as they are. It’s the “self on self” crime of ignoring our health. The biggest killers of black males are now colon and prostate cancer. While health organizations have spent the last two decades convincing black men it is okay to get their prostates checked, most have still never had a colon exam.
Are these the results of the closing of the city hospitals, Homer G. Phillips Hospital, St. Louis County Hospital, Central Medical Center and the relocation of DePaul and privatizing health care?
Because African American men are over-affected by prostate and colon cancer, this call for action is first and foremost addressed to them. African-American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world and the lowest rate of survival and the least access to health facilities. The head of the American Cancer Society (ACS), Charles J. McDonald, MD, says: "Black men in America are 1.5 times more likely to develop prostate cancer and are 2 to 3 times more likely to die of the disease than white men."
Ironically, colon cancer, along with prostate cancer, is two of the most curable of the cancer contractions when detected early. Prostate cancer deaths have been on the decline over the past years, however, colon cancer deaths are still on the incline as the message still hasn’t made it to black men in the same way. Black men are 10% more likely than white men to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently reported that though fewer African Americans are dying from colon cancer than in previous years, our death rates rank higher than any other racial or ethnic group. Prostate cancer, particularly among African Americans, is "a disgraceful tragedy that needs immediate and drastic action," says John R. Kelly, a board director of the American Cancer Society.
If this important, potentially lifesaving information is so readily available, why are African American males so reluctant to see a doctor or a clinician who has the possibility to save our lives?
In an article in “The Black Commentator’’, it criticized the reasons Black men do not get proper prostate and colon cancer examinations. It alleged manhood, in the black community, is defined in many ways. The more mature appropriate definitions are fatherhood, bread winner, protector and role model. The more immature definitions are “Gangsta,” “Playa,” “Pimp,” “Dog”, anything but a “Man”.
One of the rarest definitions of black manhood is “healthy.” Black men often confuse physique with health. They tend to work on their physiques, thinking they’re working on their health. How wrong many of them are? As society hypes outer beauty and forsakes inner beauty, black men are so busy trying to get attention in the presentation of their outer body, they forsake their inner bodies.
In his article ‘Colon Cancer: A Killer of Black Men’, author: Matthew Lynch wrote: It is through food that we as African Americans have been able to retain our sense of culture. Nonetheless, African-American cuisine, though diverse and flavorful, is often high in fat, carbohydrates, sodium and cholesterol. Even our dishes commonly referred to as soul food, includes vegetable fixings such as greens, black eye peas and sweet potatoes, are prepared with high quantities of salt and sugars.
Aside from health issues, the percentage of black men attending and graduating colleges and universities is extremely low, and decreasing. Because of this, African American males continue to remain prime candidates for poor health and victims of poverty-stricken lifestyles, prison and murder.
Diet and nutrition, the lack of proper health insurance, and stressful lifestyles also remain large contributing factors in why African Americans are at greater risk of acquiring cancer and dying from it. Black men often do not identify trouble urinating, pain urinating, or blood in the urine as possible signs of prostate cancer.
There are still major barriers and challenges to cancer prevention among African Americans, including continued mistrust of the medical community and negative attitudes toward specific screening tests.
In addition, the numbers of minorities residing in urban communities where high levels of pollution and cancer causing agents are prevalent, such as areas located near expressways and industrial districts, often referred to as ‘the inner city’ or ‘urban areas’ also weigh heavily in the reasons why blacks are more susceptible to getting cancer than whites.
But there is hope through such support organizations as he Empowerment Network and The American Cancer Society. Also the importance of the black family, the positive influence of spouses and partners on promoting cancer screening and healthy behaviors, the roles of faith and church leadership.
All agree detection is the first step. All men aged 40 and up need their physicians to check for prostate cancer with a digital rectal examination (DRE) every year, and African American men as young as 35 should have a colonoscopy. African American men and all men with a family history of prostate cancer should also get an annual PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test. Other men can wait till age 50 for the annual PSA test.
Matthew Lynch understood it best; ‘whether or not African Americans can ever combat a system that challenges our ability to decrease the number of cancer related deaths is a question that remains unanswered. Basically, until we educate ourselves, until we obtain employment in medical agencies, public health care centers and even in senate, we will continue to hinder the health of our Black men. We must fight hard in raising and educating our boys to men so that they can become doctors and administrators in the field of medicine.
We must encourage our influential black men who are not incarcerated, dead or infected with AIDS or HIV, to get regular checkups, to eat a proper diet and more importantly, work hard at getting their families out of toxic neighborhoods crippled by social and economic factors. We must lead them to be examples, to pass on the knowledge imparted in articles such as this, so that our young ones grow up to be strong and effective’.
So Black men, the choices are yours. What would you prefer, a biopsy or an autopsy?
Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www.wgnu920am.com.
And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
Be Ever Wonderful!
Hotep!
October 27, 2011
The deadliest killer in the black community is not gangs, or drugs, or black on black crime, as deadly as they are. It’s the “self on self” crime of ignoring our health. The biggest killers of black males are now colon and prostate cancer. While health organizations have spent the last two decades convincing black men it is okay to get their prostates checked, most have still never had a colon exam.
Are these the results of the closing of the city hospitals, Homer G. Phillips Hospital, St. Louis County Hospital, Central Medical Center and the relocation of DePaul and privatizing health care?
Because African American men are over-affected by prostate and colon cancer, this call for action is first and foremost addressed to them. African-American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world and the lowest rate of survival and the least access to health facilities. The head of the American Cancer Society (ACS), Charles J. McDonald, MD, says: "Black men in America are 1.5 times more likely to develop prostate cancer and are 2 to 3 times more likely to die of the disease than white men."
Ironically, colon cancer, along with prostate cancer, is two of the most curable of the cancer contractions when detected early. Prostate cancer deaths have been on the decline over the past years, however, colon cancer deaths are still on the incline as the message still hasn’t made it to black men in the same way. Black men are 10% more likely than white men to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently reported that though fewer African Americans are dying from colon cancer than in previous years, our death rates rank higher than any other racial or ethnic group. Prostate cancer, particularly among African Americans, is "a disgraceful tragedy that needs immediate and drastic action," says John R. Kelly, a board director of the American Cancer Society.
If this important, potentially lifesaving information is so readily available, why are African American males so reluctant to see a doctor or a clinician who has the possibility to save our lives?
In an article in “The Black Commentator’’, it criticized the reasons Black men do not get proper prostate and colon cancer examinations. It alleged manhood, in the black community, is defined in many ways. The more mature appropriate definitions are fatherhood, bread winner, protector and role model. The more immature definitions are “Gangsta,” “Playa,” “Pimp,” “Dog”, anything but a “Man”.
One of the rarest definitions of black manhood is “healthy.” Black men often confuse physique with health. They tend to work on their physiques, thinking they’re working on their health. How wrong many of them are? As society hypes outer beauty and forsakes inner beauty, black men are so busy trying to get attention in the presentation of their outer body, they forsake their inner bodies.
In his article ‘Colon Cancer: A Killer of Black Men’, author: Matthew Lynch wrote: It is through food that we as African Americans have been able to retain our sense of culture. Nonetheless, African-American cuisine, though diverse and flavorful, is often high in fat, carbohydrates, sodium and cholesterol. Even our dishes commonly referred to as soul food, includes vegetable fixings such as greens, black eye peas and sweet potatoes, are prepared with high quantities of salt and sugars.
Aside from health issues, the percentage of black men attending and graduating colleges and universities is extremely low, and decreasing. Because of this, African American males continue to remain prime candidates for poor health and victims of poverty-stricken lifestyles, prison and murder.
Diet and nutrition, the lack of proper health insurance, and stressful lifestyles also remain large contributing factors in why African Americans are at greater risk of acquiring cancer and dying from it. Black men often do not identify trouble urinating, pain urinating, or blood in the urine as possible signs of prostate cancer.
There are still major barriers and challenges to cancer prevention among African Americans, including continued mistrust of the medical community and negative attitudes toward specific screening tests.
In addition, the numbers of minorities residing in urban communities where high levels of pollution and cancer causing agents are prevalent, such as areas located near expressways and industrial districts, often referred to as ‘the inner city’ or ‘urban areas’ also weigh heavily in the reasons why blacks are more susceptible to getting cancer than whites.
But there is hope through such support organizations as he Empowerment Network and The American Cancer Society. Also the importance of the black family, the positive influence of spouses and partners on promoting cancer screening and healthy behaviors, the roles of faith and church leadership.
All agree detection is the first step. All men aged 40 and up need their physicians to check for prostate cancer with a digital rectal examination (DRE) every year, and African American men as young as 35 should have a colonoscopy. African American men and all men with a family history of prostate cancer should also get an annual PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test. Other men can wait till age 50 for the annual PSA test.
Matthew Lynch understood it best; ‘whether or not African Americans can ever combat a system that challenges our ability to decrease the number of cancer related deaths is a question that remains unanswered. Basically, until we educate ourselves, until we obtain employment in medical agencies, public health care centers and even in senate, we will continue to hinder the health of our Black men. We must fight hard in raising and educating our boys to men so that they can become doctors and administrators in the field of medicine.
We must encourage our influential black men who are not incarcerated, dead or infected with AIDS or HIV, to get regular checkups, to eat a proper diet and more importantly, work hard at getting their families out of toxic neighborhoods crippled by social and economic factors. We must lead them to be examples, to pass on the knowledge imparted in articles such as this, so that our young ones grow up to be strong and effective’.
So Black men, the choices are yours. What would you prefer, a biopsy or an autopsy?
Please listen the Bernie Hayes radio program Monday through Friday at 7am and 4 pm on WGNU-920 AM, or live on the Web @ www.wgnu920am.com.
And please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday Night at 10pm and Friday Morning at 9 am and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 pm on KNLC-TV Ch. 24.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
Be Ever Wonderful!
Hotep!
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