Black Women and Breast Cancer

Ever since an independent National health advocacy group recently published a study that said most women would be fine to hold off until age 50 for their first mammograms, the response has been overwhelming. The American Cancer Society cited the steady decline in breast cancer mortality to early detection and suggested that women ignore the recommendation and continue to seek earlier treatment. Republican women in Congress seized the occasion to link the recommendation to the current Health care initiative as a clear example of the government interfering in our lives, and trying to save money at the expense of our well being. "This is how rationing begins. This is the little toe in the edge of the water. And this is where we start getting a bureaucrat between you and your physician." The Black Women's Health Imperative called the recommendations for delaying the start of mammograms a death sentence to women of color. Aggressive forms of breast cancer are often found in younger women, and that cancer is often less responsive to standard breast cancer treatment. Truth to be told, the health advocacy group made it clear that women should continue to seek the advice and counsel of their doctors. Further, the advocacy group suggested that women in high-risk categories should continue to have mammograms early than age 50. Certainly women of color and those women whose family has a history of breast cancer should definitely continue to have mammograms at an earlier age. Early detection of breast cancer increases the likelihood of successful treatment and long-term survival.

Parents File Suit Against State's Education System

Florida state educators are being sued by parents, and some students, who claim that the state is not properly educating children. Of course the state strongly disagrees. There is no question but that educational systems in many states throughout the country do a woeful job in educating our children. Too often children are taught to take standardized tests which, unfortunately, continue to be used as the bench mark for success. Children need to learn about history, English, math and the sciences instead. They need to be educated so they can compete in this challenging new world we face. They need to learn to love books and reading. They need to be curious about life and everything around them. But educating our children is not the sole responsibility of the school board and teacher's. Rather, it is the responsibility of parents as well. Mothers and fathers must spend time with their children early on when they are first born. They must encourage, stimulate, challenge and provide positive reinforcement. A child's formative years, from birth to three or four years old are critically important to their overall success in life. How often have you been on a subway only to see young mothers never engage their children, never even talk with them or acknowledge them during the entire ride. Conversation is stimulation and that's what's needed to help young children learn. Without that verbal and visual stimulation the brain will atrophy and it can never go back the other way, ever. So, whatever the role states and teachers play in educating our children, and it's an important role, education really begins and continues in the home, it complements and supports what goes on in school. Our children will be lost otherwise.

Desert Bayou

In the midst of the Katrina disaster in New Orleans in the summer of 2005 many hurricane victims were relocated to neighboring states, and still others to far off states that welcomed them and made provisions to house them at least temporarily. The 'Desert Bayou' is a story of 600 such victims airlifted to what they would later call 'the whitest state' (Utah) without their knowledge or for that matter, their consent. What began as a humanitarian effort on the part of so many well-intentioned people ended up raising deep questions and concerns as to 'whether or not such diverse cultures can coexist,' or whether the differences between those 600 Katrina victims and their new Utah neighbors were so extreme that the challenge was to great to overcome. This is a seldom told story of so many transplanted Katrina victims evacuated from their beloved but hurricane ravaged city and relocated wherever possible. It was one thing to be relocated from one southern state to another neighboring one, but this powerful documentary speaks to an extreme relocation from the Creole culture of New Orleans to a vastly different, very foreign and, sadly, an often hostile world in 'the whitest state in the union.'

Evolution of Ebony Magazine

Founded by John H. Johnson in 1945 with a $500 loan from his mother, Ebony Magazine became the preeminent print vehicle for African Americans during the Civil Rights struggles of the 50's, 60's and 70's. In the 80's & 90's the magazine drifted a bit and lost its way, especially after the death of legendary founder John Johnson. Interestingly enough, though, its subscription base held steady in what must be a true testament to the depth of the relationship between the magazine and the millions of African American readers that followed it. Remember, it was in the fact the black Life Magazine of its day and it provided national coverage of people and events in the African American market that were not otherwise covered by any national publications.
It was a voice when African Americans didn't otherwise have a voice.

Today, advertisers are spending less and media generated revenue has decreased significantly. And the world of traditional journalism and magazine publishing both continue to morph to and in the new media arena. It's well-known that Ebony has business issues and continues to look for a larger, general market partner for a potential buy-out as well. Amidst all that, Ebony announced last week that's its new December issue will feature a "Power 150" list celebrating black trailblazers in business, science, technology, education and other fields. Additionally, "Ebony Interview" will be a new features series which begins in December with an interview with 'eco-warrior Van Jones, former White House special advisor for green jobs and a "Legend" series that kicks off with an interview with poet Maya Angelou. The magazine said it will announce additional changes to print, digital, entertainment and consumers products in the coming months. Whether or not these changes will be sufficient for helping Ebony to keep existing subscriptions and find new ones remains to be seen. It may be too little, too late. But let's hope not. John Johnson had writer/editor Lerone Bennett, Jr. as a 'partner' to help him grow Ebony Magazine. It's imperative that Ebony find a future oriented writer/editor who can work closely with Linda Rice Johnson, the founder's daughter and now owner of Johnson Publication, and her staff. An excellent writer/editor is needed, someone who is a passionate story teller and a true visionary who can help reinvent this icon and take it into the future so it will be relevant for generations to come. Let us hope such a person is found.

Health Care Reform

Now that Congress has passed its version of a new Health plan the debate will get even hotter as the bill moves through the Senate for deliberation over the coming weeks. Different and alternative amendments will be shared and arguments about them will be had. Undoubtedly the debate between democrats and republicans, between liberals and conservatives will be contentious. But often lost in that debate is a failure to acknowledge that the present health care system is broken at best, exclusionary and cost prohibitive. Insurance premiums for small businesses increase at the rate of 10 to 15% annually. People with preexisting conditions are denied coverage or forced to pay excessive and unaffordable monthly premiums to maintain coverage. And over eight million children in America don't have any health insurance at all. What about those who are our future leaders? It's estimated that 45,000 people die every year because they have no health insurance. That make no sense. Insurance companies can't continue to make excessive profits at the expense of the American people. Those who argue for a public insurance option would say that we need choices. But what we really need right now is the support of the everyone for the best possible health care plan we can get through the Senate. We need to rally around those who are fighting for universal coverage and for some form of a public option that is strong enough to serve as a viable choice to an American public that otherwise doesn't have one. But a health plan won't be passed by the Senate without the support of all of us. So march in the streets, write and express yourself on the Internet and in newspapers and magazines and let your voice be heard. President Obama can't do it alone.

African Americans Slam Obama in White House Protest

Over the weekend several hundred more radical African Americans gathered outside the White House and protested against the Obama administration. They are upset with both Obama's International policies in Iraq and Afghanistan and his domestic agenda. "We were not looking for a change in the occupant of the White House from white to black, we were looking for change in foreign policies and domestic policies," said Charles Barron, a New York city councilman and former Black Panther who has accused President Obama of ignoring the plight of African Americans. After the first nine months of his Presidency Obama finds himself between a rock and a hard place as he so far has not been able to appease any of the constituents who helped elect him. Even the moderate and more mainstream African Americans are beginning to feel that Obama is less a visionary and change agency and more a politician, albeit an able and smart one. Some have suggested he is 'not black enough'. To white liberals he is too conservative in his overall approach and he embraces big government and socialism. To the independents he has failed to improve the economy as evident by the 10.2% unemployment figure, and he hasn't ended the war in Iraq as promised. Even worse, he's considering sending more troops to Afghanistan . The GLBT community feels Obama has outright abandoned them and their agendas. "If the election has shown us anything," said an Ope-ed in The Onion, "it's that a black man still can't catch a break."