Plan to Eliminate The Racial Academic Achievement Gap

The Black Star Project <info@blackstarproject.org> wrote:

Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2007 10:08:11 -0500 (EST)
From: The Black Star Project <info@blackstarproject.org>
To: frednance@clickservices.org
Subject: Plan to Eliminate The Racial Academic Achievement Gap

Phillip Jackson and Black Parents Deliver Workable Plan to Eliminate the Racial Achievement Gap Parents and Community Must Be Involved to Successfully Educate Black Students in Chicago Public Schools     (Chicago) -   Phillip Jackson, executive director of The Black Star Project, and one hundred Black parents presented a plan to the Chicago Board of Education on Wednesday, November 14, 2007.  They asked Rufus Williams, board president, to join them in an effort to successfully educate Black children, as well as all children.  Williams agreed to work with Black parents to fix this problem.  In 2003, less than 30% of Black 11th-grade students passed the Prairie State Achievement Exam in reading.  Five years later in 2007, that number dropped to 27%.  That means one out of four Black Chicago public school students cannot read at grade level as they prepare to graduate from high school. The racial academic achievement gap between White and Black students in Chicago widened in reading from 32.2 points in 2003 to 36.7 points in 2007.  According to the Schott Foundation for Public Education, only 35 percent of the Black boys who should have graduated from Chicago public high schools did so at the close of the 2003-2004 school year.  In 2007, the ACT scores of every other ethnic group in the nation rose while Black students' scores decreased by 1 point to an abysmal 17.  The score for Chicago students is 16.6.  The average 17-year-old Black student has the reading and math scores of the average 14-year-old White student, according to the Nation's Report Card: National Assessment for Educational Progress, produced by the National Center for Educational Statistics. Jackson says, "If Black students cannot read well, they cannot work, live or play in Chicago.  They cannot survive in Chicago, in America or in many parts of the world."  Because there is a racial academic gap in school, there is a racial academic gap in life.  Because Black children fail in school, they succeed in the streets, in unemployment, in being homeless, in government dependency, in incarceration and in early death. Jackson and community members presented devastating facts about the educational deficiencies of Black students in Chicago and across the country.  Then they presented a comprehensive eight-point plan to eliminate the Racial Academic Achievement Gap and to successfully educate all children. Jackson says, "Schools cannot properly and substantially educate Black children without the help and support of parents, families and communities.  Jackson's  plan will help Black students become educated and prepared for the new global, social, educational and economic world."  The plan was also delivered to Mayor Richard Daley.  (Please see attached Facts and The Plan.) Educate or Die! -  The Facts and The Plan Fact - In Chicago in 2003, only 29.9% of Black 11th-graders passed the state reading test.  Five years later in 2007, an even smaller percentage, 27% of these students, read at grade level, according to the Illinois' Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE) data. Fact - In Chicago in 2003, only 17.4% of Black 11th-graders passed the state math test.  Five years later in 2007, that figure dropped to 16.7%, according to the PSAE. Fact - The Chicago racial academic achievement gap between White and Black students in reading was 32.2 points in 2003.  In 2007 the gap has grown to 36.7 points. Fact - The Chicago racial academic achievement gap between White and Black students in math was 37.2 points in 2003.  In 2007 the gap has grown to 45.5 points or by 12.8%. Fact - In the 2006 school year, the average freshman attending Chicago's public schools missed 19 days of school and failed two or more classes. Fact -According to the Schott Foundation for Public Education, only 35% of the Black boys attending public high schools in Chicago, who should have graduated with the class of 2004, did so. Fact - In 2007 ACT scores for every other ethnic group in the nation rose.  Asians up .3 points to 22.6, Whites up .1 point to 22.1, Native Americans up .1 point to 18.9, Latinos up .1 point to 18.7 while Black Students' average score went down by .1 point to 17.  In Chicago, the average score for Black students on the ACT was 16.6. Fact - According to SAT test data published in 2007 by The College Board: Whites from families with incomes of less than $10,000 had a mean SAT score of 980. This is 118 points higher than the national mean for all blacks.  Additionally, Whites from families with incomes below $10,000 had a mean SAT test score that was 32 points higher than SAT scores of blacks whose families had incomes of more than $100,000. Fact - The average 17-year-old Black student has the reading and math scores of the average 14-year-old White student, according to the Nation's Report Card: National Assessment for Educational Progress, produced by the National Center for Educational Statistics. Fact - The Percent of Illinois Students Not Ready to Succeed as Freshmen in College, according to the 2007 ACT results: Asian American - 65%; White - 72%; all students - 79%; Hispanic - 93%; Native American - 94%; and African American - 97% Fact - One out of three Black boys, born after 2001, will spend time in a jail or prison according to the U.S. Justice Department.   The Black Star plan to eliminate the racial academic achievement gap in Chicago schools: 1)  Create a system of parental support and community involvement in the education of Black students, which includes a "home education system" to augment what is happening in school. 2)  Provide mentoring (especially for Black boys) and motivational services to re-inspire Black students to want to learn. 3)  Engage in a community-wide literacy/tutoring initiative that will ensure that all 1st- through 3rd- grade Black boys read at grade level.  This program should be housed in Freedom Schools - located in such places as schools, churches, community centers and park district facilities. 4)  Ensure that all teachers exhibit cultural competency with Black students, especially Black boys, and ensure that they are of high-quality with with top-notch teaching skills. 5)  Moderate and reduce the over-use of special education designations for Black boys. 6)  Empower students to start clubs at high schools that allow them to be part of the solution to eliminate the racial academic achievement gap.  These clubs should promote academic excellence, community service, entrepreneurship, college preparation and other important life-building activities. 7)  Achieve educational alignment among schools, parents, community leaders, government officials, business leaders, faith-based leaders, students and other institutions to solve the racial academic achievement gap.  Establish a special council to monitor progress on this issue.  Work with parents, students and teachers to change the culture and environment of the schools. 8)  Re-direct the necessary funding to administer an independent community structure to manage this plan that connects to resources and supports educational improvement in schools. (This plan was created by Phillip Jackson in 2007.)

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The Black Star Project - Will Globalization Destroy Black America?

The Black Star Project - Will Globalization Destroy Black America?

With No More Cotton to Pick, What will America do with 36 million black people

The Black Star Project - Editorial - No More Cotton to Pick

The Internet Black Pages | Editorial - Keeping it Real: America has lost a generation of black boys

The Internet Black Pages Editorial - Keeping it Real

The Black Star Project - Phillip Jackson

The Black Star Project - Home

U. S. House Passes Davis's Second Chance Act

"Fred Nance Jr." <frednance@clickservices.org> wrote:

Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2007 10:54:51 -0800 (PST)
From: "Fred Nance Jr." <frednance@clickservices.org>
Subject: U. S. House Passes Davis's Second Chance Act;

Tumia Romero <tumia.romero@mail.house.gov> wrote:

Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:14:05 -0500 (EST)
From: Tumia Romero <tumia.romero@mail.house.gov>
To: frednance@clickservices.org
Subject: U. S. House Passes Davis's Second Chance Act

Congressman Danny K. Davis announces that the U. S. House of Representatives Passed the Landmark Second Chance Act of 2007 Once U. S. Senate Votes and President Signs off, Legislation will prvovide needed resources for Ex-offenders Chicago - Congressman Danny K. Davis, chief sponsor of the historic Second Chance Act of 2007 applauded his colleagues in both the House of Representatives and the U. S. Senate, members from both sides of the aisle, for moving the Second Chance Act of 2007 to the point where a vote was held in the U. S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 13, 2007, and the measure passed 347-62. Press Conferences are planned in Washington D. C. and Chicago. Today, on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. in Washington D.C. On Monday, November 19, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., a press conference is planned in Chicago, IL, at the office of Congressman Danny K. Davis, 3333 W. Arthington. We are currently working with legislators to hold press conferences in several key states. "The Second Chance Act is a good first step that will provide much needed resources and an approach to better understanding what works to increase public safety, reduce crime, and lower the recidivism rate. "In addition, we must seriously review the link between drug use and incarceration. The number of people going to jail for drug related offenses continues to rise. Resources that will help people get off drugs and reduce crime are not keeping pace with the number of people going to prisons and jails for drug related offenses" said Rep. Davis. The U. S. Senate is poised to vote on the measure. In a recent letter U. S. Senators Biden and Spector, former chairmen of the Senate Judiciary Committee wrote, "Study after study confirms that offenders are most likely to commit additional crimes after their release. In fact, two-thirds of the 650,000 ex-offenders who are released from state prison or jail each year will be rearrested within three years of their release. With a growing prison population that reached 2 million in 2006 - at an average cost of more than $20,000 per prisoner per year and a total of $60 billion per year - recidivism is a problem that we cannot afford to ignore. Unless we take action to resolve these problems now, our communities and neighborhoods will be the victims of this never-ending cycle. " In a recent editorial the New York Times said, "Congress can give these efforts a boost by passing the Second Chance Act, which would provide crucial help to people who have paid their debts to society. . .The programs necessary to help former prisoners find a place in society do not exist in most communities. The Second Chance Act of 2007 would help to create those programs by providing money, training, technical assistance -- and a Congressional stamp of approval." ### For additional information, please contact Tumia Romero, Director of Public Policy and Programs, at 773-533-7520 or mailto:tumia.romero@mail.house.gov # # #

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Fred L. Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
Social Policy Analyst
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Fred L. Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
Social Policy Analyst
www.clickservices.org
708-921-1395

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Schedule and Second Chance Act of 2007

"Romero, Tumia" <Tumia.Romero@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV> wrote:

Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:12:09 -0500
From: "Romero, Tumia" <Tumia.Romero@MAIL.HOUSE.GOV>
Subject: Schedule and Second Chance Act of 2007
To: STATEOFDISTRICT-IL07@LS1.HOUSE.GOV

Hello Everyone,

Please note the following schedule.

On Tuesday, November 13, 2007, The Second Chance Act Passed the U. S. House of Representatives by a vote of 347 to 62.  The Second Chance Act will provide necessary resources to people with criminal backgrounds.

Ex-offender Advisory Committee Meeting

Monday, November 19, 2007 at 8:00 a.m.

Office of Congressman Danny K. Davis

3333 W. Arthington

Chicago, IL 60624

Press Conference Regarding the Second Chance Act

Monday, November 19, 2007 at 10:00 a.m

Office of Congressman Danny K. Davis

3333 W. Arthington

Chicago, IL 60624

Press Conference with Faith Based Community Regarding Foreclosure

Monday, November 26, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.

Office of Congressman Danny K. Davis

3333 W. Arthington

Chicago, IL 60624

Congressman Danny K. Davis End of Year Public Policy Meeting

Monday, December 10, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.

Office of Congressman Danny K. Davis

3333 W. Arthington

Chicago, IL 60624

Please RSVP for these activities at 773-533-7520 or tumia.romero@mail.house.gov.

Tumia Romero

Director of Public Policy and Programs

Office of Congressman Danny K. Davis

3333 W. Arthington, Suite 130

Chicago, IL 60624

773-533-7520

773-533-0883 (fax)

Tumia.romero@mail.house.gov

Fred L. Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
Social Policy Analyst
www.clickservices.org
708-921-1395

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by HIPAA legislation (45 CFR, Parts 160 & 164) or by 42 CFR Part 2. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Illinois' Thornton Fractional North, Calumet City Basketball Tournament: What are the policies and procedures?

Update: November 7, 2007

No one has contacted me. Be careful where you send your children to school. Do you know where your child is going to school?

Update: October 30, 2007

No one has responded from Thornton Fractional North High School about this story. Apparently, there is no integrity, honor or safety at this school for its students or visitors. Do you want your child attending this school? How many athletic colleges recruit from this school? Do they want their names known?

October 20, 2007

Thornton Fractional North High School
Mr. Dwayne Evans, Principal
755 Pulaski Road
Calumet City, Illinois 60409

Re: Girl’s Junior High School Basketball Tournament on 10.20.07

Mr. Evans:

On October 20, 2007 Thornton Fractional North High School (TFN) held a basketball tournament for Junior High School students in the area. Reportedly, TFN gives plagues for good sportsmanship and skills. Reportedly, if a player receives a plaque or recommendations from the coaches participating, they are given the right to play in the all-star game. Also, Mr. Fred Schuldes reports if a player receives a technical foul they are exempt from participating in the all-star game.

My daughter was in the tournament. My daughter plays for McKinley Junior High. The other player mentioned in this writing plays for Schrum Junior High and wears #40. I am not mentioning the names of the players here because they are minors.

McKinley Junior High’s Coach Ms. Walker-Harris informed my daughter she was voted to receive a plaque and play in the all-star game but was rejected from play because she received a technical foul. I asked my daughter how she got the technical foul. My daughter informed me she got a rebound, had control of the rebound in her hands, swung her arms around to clear herself out, and verbally told the opposing team player to get off of her.

My daughter told me she asked the referee who was close to her why she received a technical foul. My daughter reports the referee stated “I don’t know. The other referee called it.” My daughter states the other referee who called the technical foul was not close to her.

Ms. Walker-Harris informed Kristina and some of her teammates that #40 for Schrum Junior High committed a technical foul, and that, if they know that she was able to be on the all-star team to let her know. After hearing this, I requested to speak to the person in charge of the tournament. I was referred to Mr. Fred Schuldes, who is a Driver’s Education teacher with TFN.

Mr. Schuldes and a TFN female associate explained that my daughter received her technical foul because the referee said she cursed at the opposing player when she retrieved the rebound, and that for receiving the technical foul my daughter could not play in the all-star game. I informed Mr. Schuldes that I had information reporting #40 of Schrum Junior High School received a technical foul, and therefore should not be honored with a plaque and admission to be on the all-star team, as my daughter is exempt because she received a technical foul. Mr. Schuldes informed me #40 of Schrum Junior High School did receive a technical foul but she apologized to the referee. I informed Mr. Schuldes that #40 threw the basketball at the referee, hitting him in the stomach, and the referee gave her a technical foul. I also informed Mr. Schuldes a technical foul is a technical foul.

Mr. Schuldes informed me #40 apologized to the referee and the referee accepted her apology, and in addition to this Mr. Schuldes stated he knew #40’s parents and the child, and therefore, #40’s infraction is different than my daughter’s because my daughter did not apologize. I told Mr. Schuldes this was absurd.

I informed Mr. Schuldes I would write this letter to the principal of the school and put this letter on my website for public viewing because of his rudeness, biases and unprofessional behavior toward me. Mr. Schuldes’ body language told me he did not care about me putting this letter on the Internet.

As I discussed Mr. Schuldes’ biases in this matter, Mr. Schuldes became more irate and unprofessional to me. I asked for the principal’s name and the address of the school. Mr. Schuldes and his female associate refused to give me the principal’s name and address to the school. I informed them both I would get it off the Internet. I offered my business card to Mr. Schuldes attempting to inform him of who I was and requesting we talk later. Mr. Schuldes stated he did not need to know who I was, and walked away from me.

Before Mr. Schuldes walked away, and while Mr. Schuldes, his female associate, my wife and another adult parent of McKinley Junior High School were talking about this disparity, a few of the students or young black guys stood around listening to our conversation. I asked the young people to move away from us. I received resistance from the young people, who Mr. Schuldes reported worked for him. Mr. Schuldes and his female associate told me that if my wife and another parent of McKinley could stand and listen to our conversation, then the young people/adults or students who worked for them had the right to stand and listen too. I told Mr. Schuldes and his adult female associate that this is crazy.

When I said this is crazy, the TFN adult female associate of Mr. Schuldes took me aside stating if she and I moved away and talked alone we would not have the interference of my wife, the other parent and students/young adults who worked for them. My wife became upset with this statement. My wife asked the TFN female associate why she was comparing an adult parent’s conversation with the TFN children that worked for her.

While the female TFN associate, my wife and I talked further about the issue, Mr. Mychael Webb, Assistant Athletic Director and Math teacher at TFN, joined us. As we were making our final remarks to each other, my daughter approached us stating one of the black guys told her he was going to have my daughter beat up by his female cousin.

I asked my daughter to show me the guy who threatened her. My daughter pointed him out. Mr. Webb, the adult female associate of Mr. Schuldes and I saw who my daughter pointed too. I asked the guy if he wanted to go to jail. I told Mr. Webb and his female associate I would call the police if they are threatening my daughter. The TFN female associate of Mr. Schuldes informed me that she would take care of her own. Mr. Webb also told me he would handle his students about making threats to my daughter. Mr. Webb suggested I remove myself from the area to de-escalate the issue. I agreed. I left the area.

Finally, it is my belief Mr. Schuldes acted maliciously, indifferently and callously as he represented TFN and their basketball tournament regarding the issue of technical fouls and how he determines who plays in all-star games obtaining technical fouls. Mr. Schuldes demonstrated his indifferent treatment because he is allowing the child who received a technical foul to receive a plaque and play in the all-star game on Monday, October 22, 2007. Significantly, because Mr. Schuldes knows the parents of Schrum Junior High School’s basketball player #40, suggesting she is exempt from the normal practices and policies of TFN, to which my daughter finds herself guilty of and exempt from participating in the all-star game where she also received a technical foul. If technical fouls determine whether a person can participate in the all-star game, then I support the policy, but the policy must apply to all participants.

It did not matter to Mr. Schuldes that Schrum’s #40 purposely and maliciously threw a basketball at a referee. Also, with this new information I have from my daughter that the referee who supposedly told Mr. Schuldes that my daughter cursed an opposing team member was not even near my daughter when he called the technical foul. How could this referee hear my daughter curse if he was not near her. Mr. Schuldes did not investigate the issue. In fact, Mr. Schuldes told me that since the referee told him it happened, that was enough for him.

It is my contention that Mr. Schuldes and his female associate based their biased decision on the fact they have a personal relationship with the parents and player of Schrum Junior High School, which is player #40. I am wondering if others suffer the same fate as we do under the direction and operation of an event by Mr. Schuldes. Also, I need to know what the consequences were for those young individuals who threatened my daughter with bodily harm and invaded the privacy of adults talking.

Respectfully submitted,

Fred Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
Social Policy Analyst

cc: Ms. Therese McLaughlin, Thornton Fractional North Athletic Director
Ms. Coleman, Principal McKinley Junior High School
Ms. Walker-Harris, McKinley Junior High School
Dr. Creg Williams, District 215 Superintendent of Schools
http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/

On The Way To Jena..

2007 and it sounds like 1957.

Subject: On The Way To Jena: (Not Sender But Please Read On...)

This is unbelievable but not really that this is still happening everyday. Our youth and younger generation need to take heed and care when traveling in the south. Understand keeping calm and not speaking disrespectfully will keep you out of arms way. Pass this on to everyone you know.

Subject: What Happened to Some on the Way to Jena 6 Rally

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963.

On a personal note. Would your son or daughter be able to handle this situation?

Subject: What Happened to Some on the Way to Jena 6 Rally
--PLEASE READ

This is why we should always be on the road to solve the " Jena & gt; Six's"
in America . This was forwarded to me. Hope you forwarded to your friends.
Something similar to this has happened to me.

I had the pleasure and duty to attend this rally. I hope that we all
understand the importance of our attention to the injustices that are at work
in our criminal justice system and the nation at large. Some may view the
disparate treatment of African-American males as an African-American problem.

From unequal treatment in restaurants, to questionable negotiation
processes in the financial realm, inappropriate lunch and cocktail hour
conversations, to my most recent encounter with our ugly American past this Wednesday night on the way to the rally in Jena , Louisiana ... There are many places in America
where justice, fairness and equality are not blind. I've been profiled many times
before, but this one is worth telling. To the two men that were there with me
that night, we became more than friends that night. I'm proud to have been
there with them.

TYLERTOWN , MISSISSIPPI WELCOMES JENA 6 SUPPORTERS BACK TO 1957

At approximately 11:30 PM, September 19, 2007, my friends (Charles Reeves
and Anthony Payne) and I found ourselves on the side of the road outside the
town of Tylertown , Mississippi . After riding for a short while behind the squad
car that emerged from the wooded roadside, he pulled behind us and promptly
turned on his lights and siren. There was no question that we were driving
lawfully, as we were driving on cruise control, five miles under the speed
limit. Ironically, we had chosen to do this to avoid being pulled over on the
notorious stretch of Mississippi road known as "Bloody 98".

His first question as he approached the car: Do you all have licenses?
His second question: So... Where are ya'll headed? After I responded that we
were headed to Vidalia (a town thirty miles from Jena , Louisiana where
we had hotel reservations), he continued to ask several questions regarding Vidalia.
Not one related to my registration, driving or a potential traffic violation.

But instead:

Officer 1: "So, what are you going to do in Vidalia?"
MTF: "I'm going to Comfort Suites in Vidalia."
Officer 1: "Is that it, just going to a hotel?", "There's nothing to
do in Vidalia, is that all you're going there for?", "You have any
friends or family there?"
MTF: (cutting him off) "I'm going to a hotel in Vidalia."
Officer 1: "So, really, Vidalia, you going anywhere else?" ,
"Can you step outside to the back of the car please"

The conversation continued at the back of the car. Fog lights blared
in my face as I became increasingly angry and antagonistic. My friends are
still in the car with fog lights beaming into the back of the car.
After several refused attempts to get me to answer something
other than "I'm going to a hotel in Vidalia", he moved to my vehicle.

Officer 1: "So, are you aware that my computer shows that your tag is expired?"
MTF: "No it is not. I have the registration, decals and
you're welcome to run it. Do you mind telling me what the problem is?"
Officer 1: "Well, maybe my computer's wrong. But you were
swerving back there did you know that?"
MTF: "I don't believe that I was, but I can't say anything
about that. Do you want to tell me what the problem is?"
Officer 1: "Ok. Give me a minute. I'm just conducting my investigation."

He returned to his car and came back.

Officer 1: "Do you have any drugs or illegal items in the car?"
MTF: "No, I don't. I don't keep illegal items in my car.
I'm an attorney. I don't keep any illegal items on my person or in my car.
I have a bar card if you would like to see that as well"
Officer 1: "Really? What law school did you go to?
MTF: " Howard University School of Law"
Officer 1: "Do you mind if I search your car?"
MTF: "As a matter of fact I do. No you cannot."

At this time another squad car pulls up. Another two officers and a
young African-American male in street clothes hops out. He greets me:
"What's up"
My response: SILENCE (In my mind, I'm saying F$%^ you and what's up!)".
; The irony of that... The unknown "brother", forever known as Travares,
smooths me over with "What's up." as his "friends" proceed to launch a full scale
"investigation". There are now three officers, and two people in plain clothes
outside of two police cars. Apparently, all here only to investigate the reason
we were traveling to Vidalia. Not a traffic violation, but why we were going to Vidalia.

I turn to the new officer...

MTF: "Look, your officer says my tag showed as expired (although it
was pitch black and my year decal is covered with an Omega Psi Phi frame plate)
and I was swerving. I have shown him my license, registration, tag registration
and insurance card. I am ready to take any test that you have to give.
But first, will you all please tell me what the problem is, because I do not
understand."
Officer 2: "Well, where are you guys headed?"
MTF: "Vidalia. Do you have a problem with me going to Vidalia?"
Officer 2: "Hold on. I'm just asking you some questions. Let me talk to
your friend. Could you please step to the back of the squad car please?"

He approaches my friend in the front passenger seat and asks him out of
the car. He takes him to the other side of the second squad car and
performs a search of his person. This officer went as far as to dig into his
pockets and around the inside of his waistband. He questions him:

Officer 2: "So you guys are going to Jena huh?"
AP: "I'm going to Vidalia."
Officer 2: "So, you're just going to Vidalia, when are you leaving?"
AP: "Tomorrow."
Officer 2: "So you're just going to stay there one night and then what?"
AP: "Go home."
Officer 2: "You do know what's going on in Jena right?"
AP: "Yes. I do."
Officer 2: "So you're going to Vidalia, huh"

He then left to go and question the second passenger in the back seat.

Officer 2: "Put your hands on the headrest and don't move them!
Where are you headed?"
CR: "Vidalia."
Officer 2: "Where are you coming from?"
CR: " Mobile , Alabama "
Officer 2: "How old are you?"
CR: "32"

Officer two leaves the car.
Officer one returns to me as I'm standing at the back of the squad car.

MTF: "Do you want to tell me what the problem is now?"
Officer 1: "I'm going to ask you again, so you don't want me to
search your car."
MTF: "No."
Officer 1: "I'm just curious to know why you won't let me search
your car."
MTF: "Because you have neither reasonable suspicion nor
probable cause to conduct a search on my car. No, you cannot."
Officer 1: "You have a nice day."

Anthony returned to the car shortly after. We left, and were officially
welcomed to the year 1957... For thirty minutes on the side of that
road, we were part of something bigger than a random stop. We were
part of the reason that buildings burned in this country. We were a part of a bigger
struggle.

We arrived in Jena the next day, as planned. No thanks to the law officers
of Tylertown , Mississippi .

Imagine how many others faced similar circumstances while traveling on
the 20th of September. Then consider how many go through similar
experiences daily.

An attorney, a finance collections manager and a TV productions manager
were on the side of a dark Mississippi road in the dead of night surrounded by
five suspicious Mississippi law enforcement officers and the "brother" who will
forever be known as "Travares the Traitor". There were weapons shown, shaky
hands, and the ominous smell of chewing tobacco. There were fog lights glaring.

Our only crime: Being suspected of driving to participate in a demonstration
that has become one of the purest forms of American "free speech".
Apparently, it's not free for all. We had nearly a hundred years of experience and
life experience to guide them through what could have been another tragic news
story.

If one of our youth was in that same predicament, would the outcome have
been the same? You be the judge? Is there still work to be done? Maybe it
was all just a coincidence.

Take note. Take heed. When appropriate... Take action. It is real.
God bless everyone who is reading this. This letter was not written in
hate or anger, but in concern. I can protect myself, what about those who
can't?

Peace. Cause we really need it

DO NOT SHOP

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2007, please mark your calendar!!!!!

Please spread to at least five other people and make sure you inform them to send the info to five other people, to spread the word.

National Black Out Day on November 2….Do not make any purchases on this day but please do not make any major $ amount purchases, the day before or the day after because then the Black Out will be of no effect. This is from 102.5 radio station ( Atlanta ); they are asking their listeners to spread the word for those who may not listen to the station. This is the second phase from the Jena 6 and many other cities and people of color are facing similar situation like the Jena 6.

Fred L. Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
Social Policy Analyst

Drug Recall- Very Serious!!!--Please check out the list of drugs

 
  All drugs containing  PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE  are being recalled.
  STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient. It has been
  linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in  brain)
  among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting use
  of medication. Problems were not found in men, but the FDA
  recommended that everyone (even children) seek alternative
  medicine.
  
  The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine :

  Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant
  Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements
  Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control
  Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine Effervescent
  Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine (Cherry or Orange)
  Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
  Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent
  Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine
  Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent
  Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine
  BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
  BC Sinus Cold Powder
  Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief
  Day & Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules
  Contac 12 Hour Caplets
  Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus
  Dexatrim Caffeine Free
  Dexatrim Extended Duration
  Dexatrim Gelcaps
  Dexatrim Vitamin C - Caffeine Free
  Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets
  Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels
  Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir
  Dimetapp Elixir
  Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels
  Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
  Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets
  Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
  Permathene Mega-16
  Robitussin CF
   Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion
  Triaminic DM Cough Relief
  Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head
  Triaminic Syrup Cold & amp; Allergy
  Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough

  I just found out and called the 800 # on the container for Triaminic  and they informed me that they are voluntarily recalling the following medicines because
  of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and seizures in children:

  Orange 3D Cold & Allergy Cherry (Pink)
  3D Cold  & Cough Berry
  3D Cough Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant

  They are asking you to call them at 800-548-3708 with the lot number on the box
  so they can send you postage for you to send it back to them, and they will also issue you a refund.  If you know of anyone else with small children, 
  PLEASE PASS THIS ON. THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF!

  DO PASS ALONG TO ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are informed. 
  They can then pass it along to their families.

  To confirm these findings please take time to check the following:   
  http://www.. fda.gov/cder/ drug/infopage/ ppa/

  PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR CHILDREN IN CASE THEY GIVE
  IT TO THEIR CHILDREN OR TO FRIENDS WHO HAVE CHILDREN 
  AND GRANDCHILDREN. 

Fred L. Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
Social Policy Analyst