Washington Informer

Council Takes Favorable Position on Living Wage for Maryland and Prince George's County Residents

The Prince George's County Council has unanimously during voted to support a proposal by state lawmakers that would raise the minimum wage to $10 per hour by 2015.

"The County Council supports the opportunity for residents of Maryland and Prince George's County to earn a living wage to better make ends meet, as they work to support themselves and their families," said Council Chair Andrea C. Harrison. "We appreciate the opportunity to work together with our state delegation to address issues important to our citizens and the operation of Prince George's County."

In addition to an increase in the state minimum wage, House Bill 1204/Senate Bill 683, seeks to amend several sections of the Labor and Employment Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland related to the Maryland Wage and House Law, including overtime and tip credit provisions.

According to the Department of Legislative Services' Fiscal and Policy Note on the bills, more than 65,000 workers in Maryland earn wages equal or less than the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour – about $15,000 a year.

Tipped workers in Maryland are paid only half that amount, earn the rest with tips. In Maryland, the last increase in the State minimum wage occurred in 2006 with an increase to the current level of $6.15 per hour.

Lillie G. Jessie, a longtime educator and member of the Prince William School Board, will be honored at the National Congress of Black Women's 17th annual Women's History Month Scholarship and Luncheon on Saturday, March 23.

Themed, "Women Taking the Lead In...," the event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Waterford at Springfield, 6715 Commerce St. in Springfield, Va.

Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer, will be the guest speaker.

Jessie, who represents the Occoquan District on the school board, is a nationally recognized author, mentor, master teacher, and innovative administrator in the educational field. During her tenure with Prince William County Public Schools, she served as supervisor of the Title 1 reading program, a diagnostician, a reading teacher, assistant principal, and principal.

Tickets are $50 per person. For more information, please contact Deilia Butler at 571-882-3715.

The NAACP, Taken to Task

I read the article in your February 14-20 edition about the NAACP joining the fight against the soda ban with disbelief. The NAACP seems to be without any principles when it comes to issues that hurt the black community. I recall that the NAACP stood with C. Delores Tucker in her fight against gangster rap and lewd lyrics in songs that denigrated black women. Then several years later they awarded Tupac Shakur, who attacked Ms. Tucker for her strong stand, their 1990 Black Image Award.

As our black community struggles with an inordinate [number] of health issues, many of which are caused by obesity, the NAACP rationalizes their opposition to the banning of soda in New York City as an attack against small businesses in the black community; the same economic rationale used to defend gangster rap. [Based on] New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's quote, it would appear that Bloomberg cares more about the health of black citizens of his city than does the NAACP.

The founding members of the NAACP whose principles and integrity fought diligently against violence directed at African Americans are probably turning over in their graves to see that the organization they founded has gone from irrelevancy to uselessness.

Laura Gardner

Washington, D.C.

Finally, Affordable Housing for Senior Citizens!

When I read your article by staff writer D.R. Barnes, "Southeast Church Builds High Quality, Affordable Housing for Seniors" in the March 14, 2013 edition, the first thing that came to my mind was "Amen." The black church over the past few years has taken a beating from the news media and some in the black community for its lack of commitment to the needs of those it's suppose to serve.

I praise God for Allen Chapel AME Church; it must have been, at times, an unbelievable mountain to climb. But then, to complete such a task I'm sure was a great achievement, and all who worked so hard to get it done should celebrate it. God is good, and we should always praise Him, but He will praise us when we do the work for those who are in need. To God be the Glory!

Dwayne J. Harris

Washington, D.C.

American rock icon, known as the Queen of Rock & Roll, has become the oldest ever cover star for the international fashion magazine Vogue in a new shoot by Swiss photographers Claudia Knoepfel and Stefan Indlekofer for their German edition. At 73, Turner makes a stylish "cover girl" in a blue gown by Armani, and styling by Nicola Knels.

Until now, Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep held the record as the oldest ever Vogue magazine cover star, at 62, when she graced the cover of the US Vogue's January 2012 issue.

Born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tenn., Turner began a successful musical career with her guitarist ex-husband Ike Turner. As a solo artist she went on to win eight Grammy awards and has sold over 200 million albums and singles worldwide.

An NAACP delegation led by Roslyn M. Brock, chairperson of the organization's national Board of Directors, recently met with Haitian President Michel Martelly to discuss key civil rights issues, including education, health care, and economic sustainability.

The NAACP's delegation which included Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley, chair NAACP International Affairs Committee, Kamilia Landrum, NAACP youth representative, and leaders from partner organization the Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti, were also joined in the meeting by Haitian cabinet members, including Paul Altidor, Haitian Ambassador to the United States and Bernice Fidélia, Minister of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE). Sophia Martelly, Haiti's first lady also participated in the meeting.

"This visit is an important step toward enhancing and expanding the long-standing relationship between the NAACP and our brothers and sisters in Haiti," said Brock. "The NAACP has a rich history and association with Haiti. W.E.B. Du Bois, one of the Association's founders was Haitian American. In 1920, the NAACP sent James Weldon Johnson on a fact finding trip to Haiti in response to reports of the mistreatment of Haitians and suppression of self rule during the war years," she said, adding that following his 1920 visit to Haiti, Johnson published a series of articles recounting the adverse impact of US occupation of Haiti. "The NAACP's efforts contributed to the evacuation of troops from Haiti," Brock said.

Dr. Goatley assured the NAACP's commitment to advocate for the people of Haiti.

"The work of the NAACP has a beacon of hope for many people in many countries around the world. Haiti is no exception," he said. "During our visit, we heard frequently how the NAACP has offered inspiration and instruction globally for those who are committed to human rights and social justice. By deploying this delegation, the NAACP continues a journey for partnership with our Haitian siblings as they seek a safe, strong, and secure future."

During their visit, delegation members traveled through Port-au Prince to view the progress of NAACP-funded humanitarian efforts after the 2010 Earthquake that killed an estimated 220,000 people and displaced millions.

The group visited the Santo community – a Habitat for Humanity project that received a $50,000 grant from the NAACP. The NAACP funded three additional civil society projects, including an orphanage. A criterion for the project grantees was Haitian leadership. Overall, the NAACP donated $200K to Haitian civil society projects.

Landrum said her Youth Work Committee acknowledges the importance of educational empowerment for Haitian students.

"Advancing quality public education is a top priority for the NAACP," she said. "It is important that we look into how we can advocate for the Haitian students to get the best education possible."

The NAACP will use the information gleaned from government officials, civil society leaders and partners.

(Source: NAACP.org)

Details about rapper Lil Wayne's illness remain vague after he was removed this week from the intensive care unit of a Los Angeles hospital.

Lil Wayne, 30, whose real name is Wayne Michael Carter, was reported to be in a stabilized condition at Cedar- Sinai Hospital , eating and walking on own, with the expectation of being released soon.

Lil Wayne, also known as "Weezy," thanked fans for their concern after reports that he'd suffered multiple seizures in recent weeks. An entertainment website had also reported that he had been near death and in a medically-induced coma.

Speculation had surfaced that the rapper's latest round of seizures were the result of a "sizzurp" binge and subsequent codeine overdose.

(Source: The Hollywood Reporter)

The nation's oldest civil rights organization is celebrating the recent repeal of the state of Maryland's death penalty.

In a statement released late last week, Ben Jealous, NAACP president and CEO, said a major milestone for which the Maryland NAACP had worked toward for more than a century, had been accomplished.

"Thank you Gov. [Martin] O'Malley, Lt. Governor [Anthony] Brown, and the bill sponsors and supporters in the House and Senate that showed the backbone and moral clarity to end this injustice,' Jealous said of the March 15 bill passage. "Tomorrow we will wake up in a state where we will never again have to worry if someone is put to death because of their color, class or in spite of their innocence."

Gerald Stansbury, president of the Maryland State Conference NAACP, added that the state had joined 17 other states and most of the Western world in banning the death penalty.

"Thanks to the hard work of the Maryland CASE, Family Victims, and all the other organizations that joined the NAACP in making this historic day possible," Stansbury said. "This decision will make our justice system fairer and more effective. I hope it will inspire leaders in other states to follow suit."

The repeal bill passed by a vote of 82 to 56. The Maryland Senate has already passed the bill. With Maryland, six states have repealed the death penalty in the last six years and Maryland becomes the first state under the Mason-Dixon line to repeal the death penalty.

The NAACP is also working in Colorado and Delaware where legislation to repeal the death penalty was introduced a week ago.

(Source: NAACP.org)