v Personal and Business Income Tax Preparation vFees start at $ 55.00 vIRS & State Problem Resolution vIRS & State Audit Representation vLevy/Lien/Garnishment Release vOffers-In-Compromise And More The Wise Choice 2664 Tobacco Rd., Ste A, Hephzibah, GA 30815 www.taxwize.net NEWS • COMMENTARY ARTS ENTERTAINMENT U rban W Pro JANUARY 24 - 31, 2013 Building Community The CSRA’s FREE WEEKLY Newspaper VOL.2 NO.20 eekly Photo by Vincent Hobbs Youth, Growth & Movement at Tabernacle Baptist Church The Reverend Charles E. Goodman, Jr. aka ‘PG’ Photos by Vincent Hobbs
Transcript
vPersonal and Business Income Tax Preparation
vFees start at $55.00
vIRS & State Problem Resolution
vIRS & State Audit Representation
vLevy/Lien/Garnishment Release
vOffers-In-Compromise And More
The Wise Choice2664 Tobacco Rd., Ste A,Hephzibah, GA 30815www.taxwize.net
NEWS • COMMENTARY ARTS ENTERTAINMENT
Newspaper
The CSRA’s
FREEWEEKLYUrban WPro
JANUARY 24 - 31, 2013
VOL.2 NO.18
BuildingCommunity
The CSRA’s FREE WEEKLYNewspaperVOL.2 NO.20eekly
Photo by V
incent Hobbs
Youth, Growth& Movementat TabernacleBaptist Church
The Reverend Charles E. Goodman, Jr. aka ‘PG’
Photos by Vincent Hobbs
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AUGUSTA Students from Georgia Regents
University’s Colleges of Allied Health Sciences and Dental Medicine will provide free dental treatment to local elementary school students at 9 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 1 as part of the American Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile Day.
More than 100 students from Collins Elementary School in Richmond County will receive complimentary screenings, fill-ings and preventive treatments such as seal-ants from GRU dental and dental hygiene students, said Dr. Tara Schafer, director of the Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program.
The ADA began the program in 2003 as a way for members to join with others in the community to provide dental ser-vices to underserved children. It began as a one-day event, but it has since grown to local and national events that happen year round. Dentists and other team members volunteer their time and services to provide dental education and treatment to children throughout the United States. Each year, approximately 450,000 children benefit from more than 1,500 events, Schafer said.
“It’s a way for dentists to join with others in the community to provide dental ser-vices to children who may not otherwise have access to care,” Schafer said. “We really enjoy the chance to give back, and it’s a great day for all involved.”
In addition to being a chance to give back to the community, the day often creates learning opportunities for students, said Ana Thompson, Associate Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene.
“Give Kids a Smile Day is an opportunity for dental and dental hygiene students to work together providing basic care to a large group of children with diverse dental needs,” she said. “But the best part is that children also learn about oral hygiene and prevention of dental disease while having a good time.”
For more information, visit www.give-kidsasmile.ada.org.
Local children to receive free dental care Feb. 1
Give Kids a Smile Day Wheeler, oversight group at oddsAUGUSTAFormer members of the Citizens
Advisory Board for Augusta Housing and Economic Development called a news conference on Thursday, Jan 17, to dispute the city’s version of why the oversight panel was dissolved.
A core complaint of the group is that Chester Wheeler, director of the city’s housing and development divi-sion, never fully worked with the group and ignored his duties to that group. Eventually, there was no lon-ger a working relationship between Wheeler and the advisory group.
Advisory board member Barbara Gordon, publisher of The Metro Courier, hosted the meeting and read from prepared remarks before fielding questions.
“In recent months, we have watched and listened to HD Chester Wheeler
and City Admin. Fred Russell, work to totally control the operation of Housing & Economic Development without oversight and input from any-one, including the commissioners,” Gordon read.
“In their attempt to do so, they are trying to malign and discredit the 10 members of the CAC. We are here today to tell you that we are offended and insulted.”
Advisory Board members Irma Williams and Charles Rouse also par-ticipated in the news conference.
““We had to pay money back. We were set up under HUD guidelines. We did not want to be paying money back,” told reporters.
The group blasted the “agenda” of Wheeler and Russell which included, “a full-blown effort to change the dynam-ics and complexion of the inner city.”
The news conference was attended by commissioners Alvin Mason, Bill Lockett and Marion Williams. The three are in favor of a more intimate relationship between the housing department and the advisory com-mittee.
Last week, the city voted down a motion for the city attorney to revise the bylaws that govern how the com-mittee is to work with the director of the housing and development divi-sion.
According to the city’s legal spokes-man, the citizen’s advisory commit-tee still exists and commissioners can appoint members if they wish.
Statements by Wheeler and Russell suggesting that they have no prob-lem with a community panel, were aggressively denounced by the advi-sory board members.
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UrbanProWeekly: You’ve been at Tabernacle for six years now. In a 2008 interview, you expressed a feeling of humility and awe at being selected to lead a church with such a rich history. How do you feel today after being at the helm for a few years?
Pastor Goodman: I still feel the same way today as I did six years ago. I am so humbled that God would allow me to lead and shep-herd this great church. I know that there are so many other gifted men and women of God who could have been given this assignment, but God chose me.
UPW: You’ve praised past pas-tors at Tabernacle (C.T. Walker, C.S. Hamilton, Leon Lowery, Leander A. Pinckston, and Otis Moss III) as being great preachers as well as revolutionaries in their own time. Are you comfortable with that role?
Pastor Goodman: I’ve accepted the fact that it is what it is. Having such a prominent congregation as Tabernacle, I am aware that by default I am seen as a community leader as well as a spiritual leader. It can be unnerving, but I do it with the grace of God and the prayers and support of this wonderful congrega-tion.
UPW: Traditionally, the black church has always been in the forefront of the people’s struggle for a better life. Has that changed?
Pastor Goodman: No, it has not changed. The black church is still a beacon of light and an oasis of
opportunity for African Americans. Black churches do ministry in con-text while still remaining true to the Church’s mission which is grounded in the belief of Jesus Christ. Still today the black church encompasses our greatest hopes and dreams for a better life.
.UPW: The media is omnipres-
ent in current society. A few years ago the Rev. Jeremiah Wright was criticized in many quarters for some remarks made from the pul-pit. Do you have to rein in your oratory in fear of being misun-derstood by those who may read or see a video of a sermon in the years to come?
Pastor Goodman: I am aware of social outlets and the influence they have over society. I think there’s always the threat of being misunder-stood, because there is always the chance that people will hear some-thing different than what was said. I do not let that fear keep me from spreading the gospel. It has always been and will always be my responsi-bility as pastor to keep God’s people informed of societal issues and how they impact the kingdom.
UPW: How has technology influ-enced the way you approach your public?
Pastor Goodman: Through social media, we have unlimited access to more people and information than ever before. Technology has afforded us the capacity to go global from Augusta, Georgia. Through the church’s website, Streaming Faith, and social media outlets like You Tube, Facebook, Twitter, etc., we can
communicate, share and dispense church announcements, advertise events, and view services. By utiliz-ing technology and social media it creates a platform that enables God’s people to gain a Word directly from the pulpit and their pastor! I thor-oughly enjoy the fact that I can have meaningful dialogue with so many that perhaps do not have access, which expands the boundaries of pastoring and leading. I understand that I “pastor” more than those that attend our church.
UPW: Another Martin Luther King Jr. holiday is upon us. You didn’t grow up in the civil rights era and there are a host of new problems which constant-ly demand our attention. What are some of the issues that your generation is facing and how is Tabernacle addressing them?
Pastor Goodman: Although I didn’t grow up in the Civil Rights era, I was raised by my grandparents who kept me abreast of the struggles and sacrifices of those who came before me.
I believe that there are still many issues that we currently deal with such as racism, sexism, and classism. At Tabernacle, through our outreach initiatives and church programs, we work diligently to address these issues in innovative ways. For example, our women’s ministry raises funds for breast cancer awareness and do coat drives. During Thanksgiving we col-lect canned foods to give to local charities. When the church caters big events, we intentionally make sure the local soup kitchen gets food after
We’ll always be a church that speaks truth to power and takes a stand against injustices to anyone. — PG
Continued on next page
The Reverend Charles E. Goodman, Jr. a native of North Carolina, serves as the Senior Pastor/Teacher of The Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, GA.
Dr. Goodman commenced his preaching ministry at the age of 21 and Pastoral ministry at 23. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University where he graduated with honors.
He graduated from Candler School of Theology on the campus of Emory University in Atlanta in May 2005 with a Master of Divinity Degree and completed the Doctor of Ministry Program at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
Dr. Goodman was inducted into the prestigious Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College in April 2008. He was recog-nized by the African American Pulpit as one of the “20-to-Watch” Young Preachers under the age of 40 in the Summer 2008 issue at the age of 28, one of the youngest to ever achieve both of those distinctions.
Dr. Goodman became Pastor/Teacher of The Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church of Augusta, GA in December 2006 at the tender age of 27.
Due to the tremendous growth, additional staff has been hired to help meet the needs of his con-gregation which now exceeds 4,100 members. Dr. Goodman can be seen weekly on the “Kingdom Living” television broad-cast and heard daily on the Perry Broadcasting radio stations in the CSRA with his “Spiritual Vitamin from PG” series.
The Reverend Charles E. Goodman, Jr. • Pastor/Teacher, The Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church
BuildingCommunity
Photo by V
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PublisherBen Hasan
706-394-9411
Managing EditorFrederick Benjamin Sr.
706-836-2018
UrbanProWeekly LLC
Mailing Address:3529 Monte Carlo DriveAugusta, Georgia 30906
the event is over. During Christmas the church purchases clothes and toys for needy families. As a black church we celebrate our culture through Black History Month presentations and Kwanzaa. We are also an equal opportunity leadership church that ordains women as ministers and dea-cons. Through the life of the church we tackle these issues. We have the immutable belief that we have not only a responsibility to address the spiritual welfare of our neighbors, but also that of our people’s plight for equality overall. We’ll always be a church that speaks truth to power and takes a stand against injustices to anyone.
UPW: You’re a member of the hip-hop generation. How do you get the youth to take an interest in what you might have to say?
Pastor Goodman: I strive to be rel-evant and relatable while maintaining the integrity of the Gospel whenever I preach. I believe this is what attracts young people. My membership to the hip-hop generation allows me to have a more diverse vocabulary to preach and minister with. Yet, my life experi-ences and my own childhood make for great attention catchers for young people. So, infusing hip-hop culture with the Gospel through my narrative lens, I feel gets their interest.
UPW: Do you sense a difference in the way white churches and black churches approach Jesus?
Pastor Goodman: I think there’s so much diversity now in the way all Christians worship the Lord that it cannot be broken down by racial lines. Not all black churches wor-ship the same and not all white churches worship the same, and in some churches they worship together. What’s so beautiful about the Lord is that worship cannot be contained by race, genre, gender, or denom-ination. Jesus and his message of love and redemption transcend all, which should be the foundation of any Christian church.
UPW: America is a Christian nation, yet it does some very unchristian like things on the world stage. Does the black Church have a duty to instill Christian val-ues for the benefit of the world?
Pastor Goodman: That’s a lot of pressure to put on one entity. It is the responsibility for all believers to live out the ethics of the Living Word. All believers should strive to live lives of love and peace. I’ve always said ser-mons don’t change the world, changed people change the world. And through
our change, we will not just influence the world, but make an impact on it.
UPW: All families face challeng-es. As a counselor what are some of the more valuable lessons that you have to pass on to those in your congregation?
Pastor Goodman: In my role of a Pastor, I provide spiritual guidance for a myriad of issues. When it comes to a family, I always try to expound the love ethic while being aware that each family brings with it, its unique issues and concerns. I do believe that a lot of our family issues come from a tension between love and respect. The inability to love ourselves causes us to have a dysfunctional perspec-tive of others and our view of what love is. Because the family is simply a collection of relationships, if we don’t have a strong sense of who we are and whose we are, it can cause a breakdown of how we treat ourselves and others.
UPW: Some folk equate hav-ing material possessions as being favored by God. Where do you stand on that issue?
Pastor Goodman: I don’t believe that our quality of relationship with God or how God sees us is found in tangible items. I do not prescribe to the pros-perity or poverty gospel completely. I believe God calls for us to be content with the portion and allotment God
has given us. The Bible is clear in its stance when it states, it’s a shame to gain the whole world and lose one’s soul.
UPW: A recent survey indicates that Tabernacle has experienced significant growth. Is that why you have moved to include an addi-tional Sunday service?
Pastor Goodman: Yes. God has favored us in a major way, but we also desire to reach different demograph-ics. In the past, individuals made their schedules around the church. Presently, the Church strives to be more convenient and understanding to the demands (home, family, careers) of its members. People are more time conscience now than they once were. We offer a third service to accommo-date those individuals who wish to worship with us and expand our king-dom reach.
UPW: In 2008, you were just breaking ground for the Family Life Center which has now been completed. What are your plans for future capital improvements?
Pastor Goodman: It’s always been our vision to have a Tabernacle Baptist Church Campus. We desire to one day have a Christian Preparatory School, and multiple sites/campuses to do more kingdom focused minis-try and make a kingdom impact.
UPW: How do your specialized offerings such as the Children’s Church and Nursery services affect attendance?
Pastor Goodman: Our congrega-tion is made up of a lot of families, and to them the Children’s Church and Nursery is a draw. Parents want to come because their child will be min-istered to as well. In some cases the youth drag their parents to church. It allows us to do full family ministry. We take pride in the quality programs our Nursery, Children and Youth Ministry, as well as our Child Development Center produces. Our church is busy on Sundays and Wednesdays with stuff for the youth. We even have an annual Youth and Young Adult Conference that we have been hosting since I have been pastor. We make an effort to engage our youth and raise them in the Word of God.
UPW: What is your long-term goal for Tabernacle?
Pastor Goodman: The long-term goal for Tabernacle Baptist Church is to continue on the same trajectory of being a kingdom-minded, kingdom-focused church that impacts our com-munity. We just want to continue to be led by God, love people, advance the kingdom agenda, and be a para-digm of excellence in ministry. Even if we never build another building, our desire will always be to build other people and communities.
Even if we never build another building, our desire will always be to build other people and communities. – PG
The Rev. Charles E. Goodman, Jr. has completed six years as pastor of Tabernacle. Photo by Vincent Hobbs
5UrbanProW
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Paine College player Jerel Stephenson (Guard/Forward, #22) goes for a layup as Fort Valley State University players watch in dismay. The game took place at the HEAL Complex on Saturday, (Jan. 19) with the Lions winning with a final score of 89-70 over the Wildcats. Photo by LeRoy Mundy/RebelShots/Special to UPW
Paine College center Kiara Johnson (#42) attempts to score during a game against the Fort Valley State University Lady Wildcats at Paine’s HEAL complex on Saturday (Jan. 19). The Lady Lions crushed the Wildcats with a final score of 95-86.Photo by Vincent Hobbs
Paine College cheerleaders rally the crowd during a game against the Ft. Valley State University Lady Wildcats.
Photo by Vincent Hobbs
Picture perfect Paine pounds Fort Valley
Paine College women’s basketball coach Willie Adams diagrams a play during a time-out in a game against the Ft. Valley State University Lady Wildcats at Paine’s HEAL complex. The Lady Lions crushed the Wildcats with a final score of 95-86.Photo by Vincent Hobbs
Paine College vs Fort Valley StateJanuary 19, 2013
Women’s Game 95-86Men’s Game 89 -70
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AUGUSTACher’s Sisters Only Club (SOC)
hosts their 7th Annual Shero Awards on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at the Kroc Center.
The purpose of the Shero is to honor outstanding women in the Central Savannah River Area mak-ing a difference in the lives of oth-ers and doing extraordinary things. The awards ceremony will recog-nize seven women in the categories of Health and Social Services, Arts, Law and Government/Armed Forces, Community Service, Business, Faith and Spirituality, and
Education. Two nominees will be selected for the special categories of 96.3 Kiss FM Vision Award and Woman of the Year.
The SOC is currently taking nomi-nations for the Shero Awards until 6:00 p.m. on February 16, 2013. Nomination forms can be download-ed at www.sistersonlyclub.com.
Honor A female hero by nominating her as a SHERO
AUGUSTAThe Paine College Honda Team
will be hosting its first annual Paine College Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Team High School Invitational to area high schools on Monday, January 21, 2013. The event will take place at 11:00 am in the Candler Memorial Library building on the campus of Paine College. The
academic competition will feature Richmond County high school stu-dents, competing in the game play format used by the Honda Campus All Star Challenge.
The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is the first-ever academ-ic competition between students at America’s Historically Black Colleges & Universities. Now in its 24th sea-
son, nearly 100,000 HCASC players have demonstrated their incredible intellects and fast recall, and for their efforts, have earned over $7 million in grants from Honda for their insti-tutions.
Paine College has competed in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge for 23 years and would like to expose local area high schools to exciting
experience that is the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge. This year’s inaugu-ral high school competition will coin-cide with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday to celebrate the intellec-tual excellence that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. exemplified in his own life.
For more information please con-tact Uzetta Gresham at (706) 821-8387 or [email protected].
Paine College Honda Team will host academic competition for area high schools
THE COUNSELING GROUPOutpatient Therapy Program
Caffee Wright is the owner of The Counseling Group. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified School Counselor in the state of Georgia, a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and a Master Addiction Counselor.
The 2nd Annual Lillie J Tanksley Foundation 4 Ovarian Cancer Fundraiser Ball will be held on Friday, Feb 8 at The Boathouse Community Center.
The Lillie J Tanksley Foundation 4 cancer 5k run/walk will be on Saturday, February 9 at Lake Olmsted Park.
Tickets for both events can be pur-chased online at www.lilliejtanksley-foundation.com.
It’s here again!
Paine added to National Registry of Historic Places
Paine College has been designat-ed as an historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In order achieve this distinction, the College had to demonstrate that many of its facilities met and exceed-ed the National Registry’s require-ments and guidelines. Paine College has many historical landmarks which include Candler Memorial Library, Mary Helm Hall, Epworth Residential Hall, the original bell that was installed in the Haygood Holsey Hall tower, Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel and many other buildings located on the campus.
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Urban WeeklyPro OPINION
Today we celebrate the birthday and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as well as the 2nd inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama II.
Even at this hour thousands of people are braving the extreme cold to person-ally take part in one of the most historic moments in our country’s history on the birthday of one of our most celebrated civil rights leaders. There is no doubt that most of the participants will leave Washington with a sense of purpose, hope, and some may even have a new determination to actually continue the work of Dr. King.
Sadly, however, this warm fuzzy feel-ing that most will have will only last as long as it takes to re-enter the chaos of everyday life. Most will quickly forget about the resolution they made when standing in the jubilant crowd, sharing that sense of oneness with their fellow Americans and international neighbors. That resolution to go back home and commit to change the oppressive poli-cies and conditions that still exist to this day for the poor and, far more dispro-portionately, for people of color.
Recently I spoke with an attorney here in Augusta in regards to the issues sur-rounding the disproportionate use of the local private probation company, Sentinel Offender Services, among the poor and minority citizens of our county. At the time of the conversation a local non-minority attorney had taken on the cause of challenging the use of such services in the county. While some in the black community have questioned this attorney’s motives, there still stands the fact that he is attempting to do something
that is extremely important to the black community. The attorney to whom I was speaking stated that, there was simply no money in going after such an issue. At the time he made the statement I was completely shocked by his candor and, what I perceived at the time, his acqui-escence to the oppressed conditions that exist in certain parts of Augusta.
However, after I had time to reflect on his statement, I realized that what he said was in its self a reality of one of the conditions that has led to the systemic loss of many of the gains achieved by the civil rights movement. Because of the everyday grind just to make ends meet in most minority communities, one bare-ly has time to give much thought to their condition and even less thought to how to change those conditions. The task seems just too overwhelming.
History has shown us, time and time again, when we work together as one, we are able to overcome the obsta-cles that are meant to keep us divided and oppressed. We cannot leave it to President Obama and some of the few champions of our day to fight every bat-tle while we sit within our comfort zones and then complain when change seems to have passed us by. We must now com-mit ourselves to a lifelong resolve that we will not allow Dr. King, and so many others before and after him, to have died in vain.
How can this be done? While the answer to this would require
significantly more insight than just my own, I can offer that a good start would be to look to resurrecting the NAACP in every city that has a need. Needless
to say, for many years the NAACP has become extremely marginalized and many question whether or not the orga-nization is even relevant anymore. I have had to struggle with this question myself over the last few years -- especially since I have been here in Augusta. One only has to look at the true record of our local branch to see why one would question its relevance.
I have pored over numerous his-torical branch documents, including president’s reports, executive commit-tee meeting minutes and general mem-bership minutes and have yet to find one authentic civil rights action taken on by the branch under its current leader-ship. Regardless of the numerous awards that have been bestowed on the current president, by the National & State NAACP for his leadership and civil rights endeav-ors, there are no actual facts to support these so-called accomplishments, other than the self reporting of the current president.
Recently when I visited his office I was astonished to see the amount of awards that covered the walls. One would quickly reason that this man has truly been an advocate on every battlefield of injustice in Augusta. Sadly, though, this has not been the case and because the Augusta branch pays its dues to the National NAACP, it seems that they have turned a deaf ear to the complaints that have been made about his dicta-tor type leadership over the years. So much so that it will certainly do nothing when it learns that as recent as its last executive meeting the president called the police on an 80 year old, lifelong
member of the NAACP, when she would not turn off a tape recorder she had at the meeting so she could take accurate notes. He actually wanted the officers that responded to arrest her for her dis-obedience. Let’s reflect a moment...civil disobedience...police...NAACP. Does any-one see the hypocrisy in this?
I encourage everyone to take a new look at how we can save the NAACP from its current stigma of a social organization and bring its focus back to social justice.
We have to look at the internal prob-lems of the minority community and how to resolve these problems before we can tackle the external systemic influenc-es of oppression. Saving our local branch would allow for numerous participants to take on the issues without overbur-dening any one person. The attorney I mentioned earlier would be able to bring his expertise to the branch without being overwhelmed by the challenges that arise in running a successful law practice.
Working together in unity to create bet-ter conditions for all oppressed people is not just a vision of those who have gone before us. In fact it was the reality of Dr. King, Medgar Evers, Dr. Du Bois, Carter G. Woodson and countless others. After this day has passed and tomorrow has come with a new work day, I pray that all of you will join me in keeping the legacy of Dr. King alive through the resurrec-tion of our local branch of the NAACP to authentically continue the commitment for which many before us sacrificed their lives.
Jesse Willard Jr.Augusta
How to truly celebrate Dr. King’s legacyLETTERS
by Bill Quigley
“We as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values…when machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism and militarism are incapable of being conquered.”– Martin Luther King, Jr., April 4, 1967
While the US celebrates the re-election of its first African American President and the successes of numerous African Americans in all walks of life, there remain troubling challenges.
While remembering how far this nation has come since Dr. King was alive, we cannot forget how far we have still to go to combat the oppressions of racism, materialism and militarism.
RacismWhites have 22 times more wealth than
blacks and 15 times more wealth than Latinos. Median household net worth for whites was $110,000 versus $4,900 for blacks versus $7,424 for Latinos, according to CNN Money and the Census Bureau.
African American students face harsher discipline, have less access to rigorous high school classes and
are more likely to be taught by less experienced and lower paid teachers according to a government sponsored national survey of 72,000 schools.
13% of whites, 21% of blacks and 32% of Hispanics lack health insurance, according to a Kaiser Foundation study.
The latest Census analysis shows 9% of white families below the US poverty level and 23% of Black and Hispanic families below the same levels.
MaterialismThe chairman of Goldman Sachs
was awarded $21 million in total pay for 2012, according to the Wall Street Journal.6
From 1978 to 2011, compensa-tion for workers grew by 5.7 percent. During the same time, CEO compen-sation grew by 725 percent. In 1965 CEO earned about 20 times the typi-cal worker. In 2011, the typical CEO “earned” over 200 times the typical worker.
The top 1% of earners took home 93% of the growth in incomes in 2010, while middle income household have lower incomes than they did in 1996, according to Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz.
Student loan debt is now higher than total credit card debt and total
auto loan debt.Over 2.8 million children in the US
live in homes of extreme poverty, less than $2 per person per day before government benefits. This is double what it was 15 years ago.
Nearly one in six people in the US live in poverty according to the Census. One in five children live in poverty. Latest information shows 17% of white children in poverty, 32% of Hispanic children and 35% of black children.
MilitarismThe US spends more on its military
than any country in the world. The US spends more on its military than the next 10 countries combined! More than China, Russia, UK, France, Japan, Indian, Saudi Arabia, German and Brazil together.
The 2013 military budget authorizes spending $633 billion on our military defense, not including money for the Veterans Administration. The VA bud-get submission for 2013 is $140 bil-lion. To compare, total federal spend-ing on Social Security for 2012 was about $773 billion.
The US has 737 military bases out-side the US around the world and over 2 million military personnel, includ-ing Defense Department and local
hires.The US leads the world in the sale
of weapons in the global arms market. In 2011 the US tripled sales to $66 bil-lion making up three-quarters of the global market. Russia was second with less than $5 billion in sales.
45% of the 1.6 million veterans from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are seek-ing disability benefits from physical and mental injuries suffered while in the service.
Suicides in active US military, 349 in 2012, exceeded the 295 total combat deaths in Afghanistan in 2012, accord-ing to the Associated Press.
ConclusionThese are challenges we should face
with the hope and courage Dr. King and so many others have taught us as we celebrate his accomplishment and his inspiration.
Bill Quigley is Associate Director
of the Center for Constitutional Rights and a law professor at Loyola University New Orleans. He has been active in human rights in Haiti for years. He volunteers with the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH). Contact Bill at [email protected]
MLK Injustice Index: racism, materialism and militarism
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AT LEFT: Carl Long, a former baseball player with the Birmingham Black Barons, shares a laugh while signing autographs for Lillian Wan (L). Photo by Vincent Hobbs
ABOVE: Clifford Layton (R), a baseball player with the Indianapolis Clowns and the NY Black Yankees, talks to a fan during the unveiling of the exhibition “Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience” at GRU’s Reese Library. Photo by Vincent Hobbs
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF RICHMOND COUNTY
The Richmond County School System will accept bids and request for proposals until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2013, for the following:
1. Student Information System RFP #13-625
Bid specifications may be obtained by contacting Amy Bauman in the Business Office at 706-826-1298, on our web site at www.rcboe.org. or at the Richmond County School System, Central Office, 864 Broad Street, 4th Floor, Augusta, Georgia 30901.
The Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF RICHMOND COUNTY
By: Dr. Frank G. Roberson, Secretary
CSRA EOA
RICHMOND, EMANUEL, SYLVANIA AND HARLEM HEAD START
TEACHER ASSISTANTGENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:
Plans daily activities with the teacher. Responsible for the physical arrangement of the classroom and mealtime preparations. Works with the teacher to implement daily activities and supervises outdoor activities. Supervises loading and unloading of the buses, makes the required home visits, conducts the individual child assessment, and performs other duties as assigned.
Must have a high school diploma with vocational training in Early Childhood Education plus three years experience working with pre-school children. CDA Certificates will be required within first year.
RICHMOND AND SYLVANIA COUNTY HEAD START
TEACHERGENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:
Works directly with the children using various techniques and experiences to help each child develop socially, intellectually, physically and emotionally. Develops and implements group and individual lesson plans which will meet the individual needs of the children weekly. Post lesson plans daily. Makes required home visits. Makes a complete assessment of each Child’s individual needs. Must have AA degree in Early Childhood Education and three years experience. QUALIFIED persons interested in applying for these positions must send a written notice to the Personnel Office no later than February 4, 2013. Please include an outline of your qualifications for this position, which meet the requirements above. Detailed job descriptions are available in the Personnel Office, 1261 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30901. Fax 706 722-8565
“AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER”
Exhibit highlights Negro Baseball Leagues“Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience”
For the first time, Augustans got the rare opportunity to view memorabilia and para-phernalia from the Golden Age of the Negro Baseball Leagues.
The exhibit “Pride and Passion: ‘The African-American Baseball Experience” debuted in Augusta at Georgia Regents University’s Reese Library on Friday, January 18. Negro Leaguers Carl Long and Clifford Layton were on hand to sign autographs and chat with visitors.
The exhibit, organized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and museum and the American Library Association Public Programs Office, will be on display until Feb. 21, 2013.
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ABOVE: Clifford Layton (R), a baseball player with the Indianapolis Clowns and the NY Black Yankees, talks to a fan during the unveiling of the exhibition “Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience” at GRU’s Reese Library. Photo by Vincent Hobbs
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