Wednesday, February 5, 2014
No African Americans were hired
I was glad to hear Rep. Phil Roe’s comments after the president’s speech to the nation. Rep. Roe stated that 35 percent of young African Americans are without work.
Recently, the city of Kingsport was praising how well the aquatic center is doing, which is great. But of the 100 or so people hired, not one of them is an African American.
I know there were some young African Americans that applied for jobs at the aquatic center.
You would think that with Eastman Chemical Co. building its world headquarters here that Kingsport would do a better job of diversity in its hiring practices.
Douglas Releford Kingsport
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Disparities still loom large 50 years after iconic march
This guest editorial came from the Kingsport Times-News. Editor’s note: Letters published as guest editorials may not necessarily reflect the opinion of the newspaper. The following is from Linda Kincaid of Kingsport.
Today is the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, one of the signature movements of American history.
African Americans were instrumental in making mass marches on Washington a potent and lasting tradition in 20th century American political culture. Black Americans legitimized the Washington Mall as the people’s property, as well as underscored the importance of economic justice to the freedom struggle.
The organizers were unified in their demands for a passage of meaningful civil rights laws. They rallied the crowd of over 250,000 with speeches. There was no evidence of civil disorder despite the fact President Kennedy sent in 4,000 troops and paratroopers.
There were two noticeable speeches that day. One was given by John Lewis, now representing Georgia in the U.S. House and formerly the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee leader. His speech called for a revolution.
The second was delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The speech was initially restrained. Dr. King, sensing the crowd’s restlessness, introduced the dream motif, intermingling lines from earlier speeches: “I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.”
He finished on a note of optimism and hope, for the which the speech is known: “When we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village, from every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last.”
Despite the passing of civil rights legislation in l964 and l965, economic and social conditions remained unchanged for most African Americans. Assimilation into mainstream society has been costly. African Americans have suffered through indignities and atrocities from the 19th century through nearly three generations of the 20th century.
On the positive, for 50 years African Americans have enjoyed some freedoms due to laws being passed that have unlocked the doors of segregation. However, on the negative, the social and economic fabric hasn’t changed much in 50 years for the average African American.
The disparities loom large: for some, secondary and higher education needs remain unattainable; for some, unemployment remains high; for some, homeownership is a mirage; for some, voter rights are being denied; for some, there are high rates of incarceration and unlawful arrest; and for some, entrepreneurship is elusive.
Disparities remain but I believe there are initiatives that need to be addressed at the national and local levels.
Here are some possibilities to consider for implementation to ensure economic justice and freedom: offer study groups-tutoring to improve ACT scores; identify-notify potential participants of the pending changes to GED requirements before Dec 2013; encourage-identify individuals eligible for manufacturing-technology classes; teach sensitivity classes to local law enforcement officers; encourage judges to offer sentences of mandatory treatment-counseling for first time-low crime alcohol and drug offenders; and encourage-solicit fair-minded individuals to run for public offices.
Today is the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, one of the signature movements of American history.
African Americans were instrumental in making mass marches on Washington a potent and lasting tradition in 20th century American political culture. Black Americans legitimized the Washington Mall as the people’s property, as well as underscored the importance of economic justice to the freedom struggle.
The organizers were unified in their demands for a passage of meaningful civil rights laws. They rallied the crowd of over 250,000 with speeches. There was no evidence of civil disorder despite the fact President Kennedy sent in 4,000 troops and paratroopers.
There were two noticeable speeches that day. One was given by John Lewis, now representing Georgia in the U.S. House and formerly the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee leader. His speech called for a revolution.
The second was delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The speech was initially restrained. Dr. King, sensing the crowd’s restlessness, introduced the dream motif, intermingling lines from earlier speeches: “I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.”
He finished on a note of optimism and hope, for the which the speech is known: “When we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village, from every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last.”
Despite the passing of civil rights legislation in l964 and l965, economic and social conditions remained unchanged for most African Americans. Assimilation into mainstream society has been costly. African Americans have suffered through indignities and atrocities from the 19th century through nearly three generations of the 20th century.
On the positive, for 50 years African Americans have enjoyed some freedoms due to laws being passed that have unlocked the doors of segregation. However, on the negative, the social and economic fabric hasn’t changed much in 50 years for the average African American.
The disparities loom large: for some, secondary and higher education needs remain unattainable; for some, unemployment remains high; for some, homeownership is a mirage; for some, voter rights are being denied; for some, there are high rates of incarceration and unlawful arrest; and for some, entrepreneurship is elusive.
Disparities remain but I believe there are initiatives that need to be addressed at the national and local levels.
Here are some possibilities to consider for implementation to ensure economic justice and freedom: offer study groups-tutoring to improve ACT scores; identify-notify potential participants of the pending changes to GED requirements before Dec 2013; encourage-identify individuals eligible for manufacturing-technology classes; teach sensitivity classes to local law enforcement officers; encourage judges to offer sentences of mandatory treatment-counseling for first time-low crime alcohol and drug offenders; and encourage-solicit fair-minded individuals to run for public offices.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Cowardly racism needs to be defeated
Re. Mr. Releford’s letter, fortunately the KKK has always been a minority and may they become more so.
I’m concerned about the less extreme and unorganized old Southern racism that hides under tea party and mainline Republican ideology to condemn President Obama just because he’s half African black.
In the ’60s, these people would have voted Democratic. Such cowardly racism like that of the KKK needs to be defeated in every public forum, Nov. 6 especially.
America deserves better than bigoted intolerance and coldhearted indifference to the poor and true middle class.
C.P. Kestner
Kingsport
Writing about diversity sparks anonymous letters
Just like Barbara Brown, I too received some anonymous letters filled with hate after I wrote a letter to the editor about diversity in Kingsport. None of the letters were signed, and all the postmarks were not from this area. They were telling me that the KKK was still around, and if I knew what was good for me, to keep quiet.
And on Bill Bovender’s column, I could not believe he was telling the miners that the fault of the coal shutdown was the president’s, when in the next few days the Times-News reported that the owners of the coal mines were telling their own people that they had a stockpile, and needed to work it down.
Most Americans should have studied their local history and government lessons and know that the president cannot pass laws. It’s up to Congress.
So if you want something done, get Mr. Roe to do something instead of faulting our president.
Douglas S. Releford
Kingsport
Monday, August 20, 2012
Election Changes
ATTENTION! TO EVERYONE THAT'S VOTING IN THE NOVEMBER 2012 ELECTION!!
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN VERIFIED AS BEING "TRUE" THROUGH SNOPES.COM!
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO VOTE A "STRAIGHT DEMOCRATIC TICKET" THIS NOVEMBER, BE SURE TO "PUNCH PRESIDENT OBAMA's NAME "FIRST" ON THE CARD, THEN PROCEED TO PUNCH "STRAIGHT DEMOCRATIC TICKET"!
IF YOU DON'T PUNCH PRESIDENT OBAMA NAME FIRST ON THE TICKET, YOUR VOTE WILL BE VOIDED!!!!
PLEASE PASS THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON TO ALL ON YOUR E-MAIL LIST!
From Douglass Releford
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN VERIFIED AS BEING "TRUE" THROUGH SNOPES.COM!
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO VOTE A "STRAIGHT DEMOCRATIC TICKET" THIS NOVEMBER, BE SURE TO "PUNCH PRESIDENT OBAMA's NAME "FIRST" ON THE CARD, THEN PROCEED TO PUNCH "STRAIGHT DEMOCRATIC TICKET"!
IF YOU DON'T PUNCH PRESIDENT OBAMA NAME FIRST ON THE TICKET, YOUR VOTE WILL BE VOIDED!!!!
PLEASE PASS THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON TO ALL ON YOUR E-MAIL LIST!
From Douglass Releford
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Haven't we seen this before?
This "Letter to the Editor" was published on Sunday, August 4, 2012 by the Kingsport Times-News:
Minority using threats to bully majority
Aside from the question of same-sex marriage, it seems to me that a minority group of people are saying "You shall agree with us, or we will take away your livelihood." Isn't that how Adolf Hitler got started?
(Name withheld by Editor
Kingsport
Read this very closely.
Weren't the majority of white Americans, saying the same thing during the 1950's and 60's about the struggle of African-Americans boycotting white businesses in the South, while struggling for equality?
Just sayin'
Editor
Minority using threats to bully majority
Aside from the question of same-sex marriage, it seems to me that a minority group of people are saying "You shall agree with us, or we will take away your livelihood." Isn't that how Adolf Hitler got started?
(Name withheld by Editor
Kingsport
Read this very closely.
Weren't the majority of white Americans, saying the same thing during the 1950's and 60's about the struggle of African-Americans boycotting white businesses in the South, while struggling for equality?
Just sayin'
Editor
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
ABC’s “THE BACHELOR” FRANCHISE SUED FOR RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Nashville All-American and aspiring NFL player bring class action suit against popular TV series for intentional exclusion of persons of color
Nashville, TN — Today, Nashville residents Nathaniel Claybrooks and Christopher Johnson, an All-American football player and an aspiring National Football League player, respectively, filed a lawsuit against the popular ABC reality television programs “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” for intentional exclusion of persons of color over the course of 23 seasons. The men, both of whom are African-American, are requesting class action status for the case.
“I only wanted a fair shot at the part. Looking back at how I was treated at the casting call last year, it was clear that that wasn’t possible—I never even had a chance,” Mr. Claybrooks told reporters at a press conference held just one block from Hotel Indigo, where aspiring Bachelors had gathered for a Nashville casting call last year.
“I knew at the time that there had never been a non-white Bachelor before, but I thought that a minority candidate with my qualifications would at least be considered,” added Mr. Johnson. “In reality, it seems they never seriously looked at non-white candidates.”
Never, over 10 years and a combined total of 23 seasons of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” has either show featured a single person of color—whether African American, Latino, Asian, or any other minority race or ethnicity—in the central role of the “Bachelor” or “Bachelorette.” In 16 seasons of “The Bachelor” and seven seasons of “The Bachelorette,” every person featured in the lead role on either show has been white.
The plaintiffs are suing American Broadcast Companies, Inc., Warner Horizon Television, Inc., Next Entertainment, Inc., NZK Productions, Inc., and Michael Fleiss, the executive producer of the franchise, on behalf of all other persons of color who have applied for the role of the Bachelor or Bachelorette but been denied equal opportunity for selection on the basis of race. The case alleges that the Defendants violated both federal and California laws intended to guarantee equal opportunity in business, commerce, and media regardless of one’s skin color.
“With this case we expect to bring about change in one of America’s leading reality TV shows by achieving fair competition and inclusion going forward,“ said co-counsel Cyrus Mehri of the DC-based firm Mehri & Skalet, PLLC. “The Bachelor series is an example of purposeful segregation in the media that perpetuates stereotypes, and robs persons of color of opportunities in the entertainment industry.”
Other lawyers representing the plaintiffs are Nashville-based George Barrett of Barrett Johnston, LLC, and Byron Perkins of Perkins-Law, LLC, based in Birmingham, Alabama.
The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction requiring the Defendants to adopt appropriate policies with regard to choosing a Bachelor or Bachelorette, and requiring Defendants to consider at least one person of color as a finalist for the role each season, in addition to nominal and punitive damages.
In recent years, the absence of Bachelors and Bachelorettes of color on the two shows has been well-documented in the media and is the subject of frequent commentary—including in the Los Angeles Times, the Daily Beast, the Huffington Post and The Grio. Yet, creator Michael Fleiss (one of the named Defendants) has responded to the outcry with callous disregard, telling Entertainment Weekly, “We always want to cast for ethnic diversity. It's just that for whatever reason, they don't come forward. I wish they would.”
Industry insiders further contradict Fleiss’s statements, telling the Los Angeles Times, “producers had little interest in pursuing a more diverse cast, and were unwilling to vary the chemistry of a hugely popular series and wary of a potential controversy stemming from an interracial romance.”
The next season of “The Bachelorette” is scheduled to start on May 14, 2012. Emily Maynard, the Bachelorette selected for the show’s upcoming eighth season, is white.
Nashville, TN — Today, Nashville residents Nathaniel Claybrooks and Christopher Johnson, an All-American football player and an aspiring National Football League player, respectively, filed a lawsuit against the popular ABC reality television programs “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” for intentional exclusion of persons of color over the course of 23 seasons. The men, both of whom are African-American, are requesting class action status for the case.
“I only wanted a fair shot at the part. Looking back at how I was treated at the casting call last year, it was clear that that wasn’t possible—I never even had a chance,” Mr. Claybrooks told reporters at a press conference held just one block from Hotel Indigo, where aspiring Bachelors had gathered for a Nashville casting call last year.
“I knew at the time that there had never been a non-white Bachelor before, but I thought that a minority candidate with my qualifications would at least be considered,” added Mr. Johnson. “In reality, it seems they never seriously looked at non-white candidates.”
Never, over 10 years and a combined total of 23 seasons of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” has either show featured a single person of color—whether African American, Latino, Asian, or any other minority race or ethnicity—in the central role of the “Bachelor” or “Bachelorette.” In 16 seasons of “The Bachelor” and seven seasons of “The Bachelorette,” every person featured in the lead role on either show has been white.
The plaintiffs are suing American Broadcast Companies, Inc., Warner Horizon Television, Inc., Next Entertainment, Inc., NZK Productions, Inc., and Michael Fleiss, the executive producer of the franchise, on behalf of all other persons of color who have applied for the role of the Bachelor or Bachelorette but been denied equal opportunity for selection on the basis of race. The case alleges that the Defendants violated both federal and California laws intended to guarantee equal opportunity in business, commerce, and media regardless of one’s skin color.
“With this case we expect to bring about change in one of America’s leading reality TV shows by achieving fair competition and inclusion going forward,“ said co-counsel Cyrus Mehri of the DC-based firm Mehri & Skalet, PLLC. “The Bachelor series is an example of purposeful segregation in the media that perpetuates stereotypes, and robs persons of color of opportunities in the entertainment industry.”
Other lawyers representing the plaintiffs are Nashville-based George Barrett of Barrett Johnston, LLC, and Byron Perkins of Perkins-Law, LLC, based in Birmingham, Alabama.
The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction requiring the Defendants to adopt appropriate policies with regard to choosing a Bachelor or Bachelorette, and requiring Defendants to consider at least one person of color as a finalist for the role each season, in addition to nominal and punitive damages.
In recent years, the absence of Bachelors and Bachelorettes of color on the two shows has been well-documented in the media and is the subject of frequent commentary—including in the Los Angeles Times, the Daily Beast, the Huffington Post and The Grio. Yet, creator Michael Fleiss (one of the named Defendants) has responded to the outcry with callous disregard, telling Entertainment Weekly, “We always want to cast for ethnic diversity. It's just that for whatever reason, they don't come forward. I wish they would.”
Industry insiders further contradict Fleiss’s statements, telling the Los Angeles Times, “producers had little interest in pursuing a more diverse cast, and were unwilling to vary the chemistry of a hugely popular series and wary of a potential controversy stemming from an interracial romance.”
The next season of “The Bachelorette” is scheduled to start on May 14, 2012. Emily Maynard, the Bachelorette selected for the show’s upcoming eighth season, is white.
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