A Missisippi Mess

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour pardoned four convicted murderers before leaving office

Good Ole boy Haley Barbour really stepped in it during his last days in office as governor. Barbour issued 215 pardons and the uproar was deafening. Barbour, a former RNC Chair and lobbyist, long popular with right-wing Republicans came under immediate attack for releasing murderers and other violent criminals. The state attorney general filed a complaint alleging that 156 of the pardons were unconstitutional because state law requires a 30 day public notice in the communities where the crimes occurred. A judge refused to send those pardoned back to prison, but ordered those convicted of murder to check in with parole officers. A hearing has been scheduled for February 3. More about the legal challenges here.
 

The uproar got so bad, Barbour wrote a commentary in the elitist liberal Washington Post, pointing out that the Parole Board had recommended 90 % of those pardoned receive some sort of clemency and that previous governors had a long history of pardoning trustees who work in the governor’s mansion. Here’s Barbour’s attempt to set the record straight.

 

Missing from most of the heated verbal and online confrontations—is that just like most things in Mississippi, the pardons have an ugly racial tinge. Fully two out of three prisoners pardoned by Barbour were white--- even though the state’s prison population is two-thirds African-American. Barbour’s staff insist that race played no role in the decisions, as did the Parole Board. Statisticians who have looked at Mississippi’s pardon process overall say white prisoners are four times likelier to be paroled than African-Americans. Reuters initially broke the story about the racial discrepancy and it was picked up by the Huffington Post.

 

The fallout continues as Barbour’s successor, Republican Phil Bryant, has not only vowed to refrain from pardoning convicted prisoners—he has vowed to bar them from working in the governor’s mansion or grounds. While the rhetorical fallout continues—one place Barbour won’t be hurting is his wallet. He’s already given the first speech in a lucrative speaking contract with Leading Authorities in the $30,000-$50,000 range. This is only one of the former governor’s new jobs. Barbour has also rejoined his old law firm Butler Snow and the lobbying powerhouse BRG according to today's New York Times.

 

In case you’re wondering about the two  Scott sisters who Barbour granted an early release after a decade of appeals from state human rights groups—they’re still under court supervision. Jamie and Gladys Scott were paroled after serving 16 years of a life sentence, on the condition that Gladys donate a kidney to Jamie. The two African-American sisters still have to report to a parole officer and with a felony conviction have found it impossible to find work. Maybe Barbour can turn some of his speaking gigs over to them.

By: Llenda Jackson-Leslie

Human Rights: We Have A Right To Work Without Sexual Harassment

We Have A Right To Work Without Sexual Harassment

By: Joyce Taylor
Swath Leadership, LLCProviders of Cutting Edge Management Consulting & Training Services
(703) 590-7003

Since the inception of the regulations on the prevention and elimination of sexual harassment (29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1614.11), I’ve trained thousands of managers and employees on the prevention and elimination of this behavior. During this time, I’ve also heard numerous jokes, rebuttals, and justifications for this inexcusable and unlawful behavior. Those who have not been impacted – women as well as men – make comments of unbelief, denial, and even jealously that such incidents would even occur. Many of us, me included, would like to believe that with the education and awareness that has occurred since the early 80’s there would be greater sensitivity and intolerance to sexual harassment occurring in the workplace and our society.

Enter the allegations against Herman Cain and here we go again. In recent weeks I have heard such unenlighten comments as, the Europeans are laughing at our prudish attitudes; who cares; you know there were out to get him! Conversations on Facebook have confirmed that there are still people who believe, “If you compliment a woman on her dress, you will get hauled into the HR or EEO office”. So lest we forget here is a brief primer on the regulations that were added to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which states that sexual harassment is:

• Unwelcome sexual advances,
• Requests for sexual favors
• Other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when,
• Submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment,
• Unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.

Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to the following:

·     The victim as well as the harasser may be a woman or a man. The victim does not have to be of the opposite sex.

·     The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, an agent of the employer, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker or a non-employee.

·     The victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.

·     Unlawful sexual harassment may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim.

·     The harasser's conduct must be unwelcome.

And for the record, sexual harassment can impact employees and applicants.

So, is Herman Cain guilty of sexual harassment? Without review of the facts, which remain under legal confidentiality agreements, it is impossible to tell. For many of us in this field, the reactions and payoffs by the National Restaurant Association, his employer at this time, is the most disturbing part of this story. Did they cover for a senior executive in violation of their legal responsibility to maintain a harassment free environment? Did they intend to send the message they are open to unsubstantiated payoffs, which amount to character assignation and blackmail? Either way, the decision of the employer to provide such payoffs opens another entirely different and compelling debate on organizational responsibly under Title VII, which is a debate that will continue with the legal scholars.

What is important is to remember that although this regulation has been in place almost 30 years, the behavior still continues. We are not talking about people who willfully enter into relationships, but research shows them as being disenfranchised, who are in nontraditional career fields or environments that are insensitive to their category, who tend not to be in positions of “value,” are financially dependent on their jobs for survival and who lack the necessary support or networks to be heard. It is important, even critical, we understand the nature of this illegal and inappropriate behavior and that we each do more to educate ourselves on this matter.

Whether it is an employee, friend or a family member reciting what they experience or observe at work, we should be open to these stories, listen without judgment and help people who feel they are victims understand their rights and options. The history of these complaints shows the alleged victim does not want a payoff, they just want the behavior they are experiencing to stop and go away. Given the number of complaints still filed yearly with the EEOC, maybe reviewing the issue is not a bad thing. Maybe, hopefully, we can shed more light on behavior that should not be a part of the workplace or our lives.

To learn more about International Human Rights Day visit http://www.celebratehumanrights.org/

From 1917 to 2011... Look How Far We've Come

From 1917 to 2011... Look How Far We've Come

By Shannon Mouton

Suffragists being arrested (c) 1917

Greenboro Sit-in 1963

Civil Rights marchers hosed 1963 (video)

Kent State student protesters 1970

UC, Davis protesters 2011 (video)

When will it end?

Video: Spying on Americans - Where Do We Draw The Line?

Spying on Americans - Where Do We Draw The Line?

By: Ryan Duncan

In New York, the Handschu rules place limits on surveillance. In the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, a judge loosened the law, technically allowing police to infiltrate any group. The namesake of the Handschu rules says it shouldn't be that way and wants her name removed from the law. A judge denied her request. She's concerned the rules are being used to justify the widespread surveillance of Muslim Americans. They also don't approve of the use of surveillance on protesters, as has been occuring during the Occupy Wallstreet movement. The theory is, when people think they're being watched, they'll be scared to dissent.

Where do we draw the line between protecting our safety, and protecting our rights to free speech and assembly?

How Did This Happen?

Social Justice: How Did This Happen?

By Shannon Mouton

Last month, the DNC announced the hiring of "Greg Hinton as its first-ever Chief Diversity Officer."

Really? The Democratic Party needs a Chief Diversity Officer? Really? Does anyone else see the irony in this?

I don't get it. The Democratic Party is the party of the people...Black, brown, white, Jew, Protestant, GLBT, women, etc. Almost any and every marginalized group has been able to find some political refuge under the Democratic umbrella. This is why I'm disheartened to learn the party has hired a CDO; it shouldn't need to hire one.

I was there, 20 years ago, and it was great. Ron Brown was the first Black chairman of a major political party. Alexis Herman was there, along with a slew of men and women representing every facet, shade and angle of America. The consultants and contractors also represented different slices of the American pie. The DCCC and the Convention Committee were equally diverse.

There wasn't a need for a CDO, people understood the headquarters for a political party had to look like the people in the party. How did Democratic leaders forget that most basic principle?

I'm sad, oh so sad.

Video: 'Occupy Wallstreet Protesters' WON'T Go Away!

Video: 'Occupy Wallstreet Protesters' WON'T Go Away!

By: Ryan Duncan

If you've been following all the OccupyWallStreet news from around the country, you probably heard about NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's failed attempts to "temporarily" move all the protesters in order for the park they've been occupying to be cleaned.

However, the Mayor backed down and protesters were allowed to stay, indefinitly. It seems as though political pressure forced the postponement of the cleanup.

When news broke that the protesters could stay, the crowds cheered for their victory:

Later, the growing crowds took their message to the streets, marching in victory down the streets of NYC...

 ...However, NYC police soon came under attack for instigating violent arrests and crackdowns...

...Even running over protesters with their motorcycles!

It's clear that the protests are going to continue, whether Mayor Bloomberg, or the Police like it or not. The protesters, who have been nicknamed "We are the 99%" refuse to back down and we wish them the best of luck in their fight for economic justice and political equality. 

What’s In A Name...A Heck Of A Lot

What’s In A Name...A Heck Of A Lot

By: Shannon Mouton

Whether Governor Rick Perry saw the stone, whether he or his father had it painted over or whether or not it was done before or after he got the lease is really inconsequential to me. What does matter is the heart and mind of those who live in that community and across this country who believe, “It’s just a name....”

For anyone to say it is “just a name,” as Haskell County Judge Davis asserts, ignores my history, condescends to my intelligence and dismisses my feelings. It is easy to be dismissive and say, “he doesn’t get it and he’s not trying to get it;” however, as a person of authority in his community, he has to “get it.”

He, and so many white men in positions of authority, with the literal lives of people of color in the balance have to “get it” if no one else does. Judge Davis, are these acceptable names as well?

Camel Jockey Junction
Chink Channel
Cracker Crossing
Dago Desert
Dyke Depot
Dink Hill
Faggot Forge
Guido Gulf
Half-breed Highway
Honky Outlook
Hymie Crossing
Mick Mountain
Polack Passing
Raghead Road
Spic Pass
Wetback Waterway

If not, then why is Niggerhead?

If so, then we clearly understand who and what you are your honor.

A Letter to Steve Barrett, Editor of PR Week

August 18, 2011

Steve Barrett, Editor 
PRWeek

steve.barrett@prweek.com 

Dear Mr. Barrett: 

We were surprised and disappointed to see so little diversity reflected in PRWeek’s 2011 Power List of 50 “elite” public relations pros. Apparently PRWeek still defines power rather narrowly. In a profession where women predominate, PRWeek found only 11 powerful women, and in a field increasingly driven by multicultural markets, PRWeek couldn’t find any powerful African American or Latino PR corporate executives. It appears that public relations executives who are running their own shops also were not worthy of the power list. 

Your publication’s vision of power and elite PR professionals closely resembles that of Mad Men, the fictionalized television show reflecting the status quo of an earlier era. In our 21^st century global media landscape fueled as much by independent social media as the corporate behemoths, does PRWeek really believe that power and influence are the exclusive province of white males in corporate settings? 

If the parameters for inclusion were simply corporate size or billings, how were so many worthy picks overlooked? Consider African American corporate executives like Don Coleman, GlobalHue CEO; Y. Mark Belton, General Mills Executive Vice President for Global Strategy; Olivia Smashum, HBO Executive Vice President for Affiliate Marketing & Business Development; or Gwen Fortune-Blakely, Marriott Sr. Director of Marketing Integration & Brand Marketing.

Where are Latino senior executives like Univision Vice President for Corporate Communications Monica Talan or Javier Farfan, Director of Cultural Branding at PepsiCo? Why not include Jorge Moya, Chief Creative Officer at Latino agency powerhouse MGSCOMM?

Astonishingly, America’s changing face with its multi-hues and backgrounds was not reflected in your tribute. Nor did you consider the rapidly evolving field of public relations that includes myriad entities and organizations ranging from boutique firms to shops within public interest organizations that are reframing public policy and our communications landscape. Does PRWeek honestly believe that the executives shaping the messages and communications strategies for the nation’s non-profits and advocacy groups don’t exercise power within our profession and the larger public square? Perhaps the core question is how do you define power?

 

Today, a number of women, African American and Latino PR professionals broker power in ways that lift the industry to new heights. PRWeek owes it to those leaders and the profession to support a vision for the future that incorporates diversity in leadership as a best practice. Women constitute a majority of the population in a world that is increasingly black and brown. Our teams and our strategies must reflect the people we aim to reach and influence.  

Sincerely, 
Donna Lewis Johnson and Llenda Jackson Leslie

McKinney & Associates

Moving Beyond The Hype & Taking A Closer Look at DC Public School Reform

DC Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, right, smiles during an announcement that she is resigning, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010, during a news conference in Washington. (AP)

Moving Beyond The Hype & Taking A Closer Look at DC Public School Reform

For a sycophantic examination on Rhee-style school reform, read The Bee Eater by Richard Whitmire.  In his homage to Michelle Rhee, the former controversial chancellor of D.C.’s public schools, Whitmire makes no bones about his appreciation for Rhee’s single-minded focus on teacher quality and arrogant carriage of authority. For Whitmire, the end justifies the means.  But exactly what improvements did the Rhee years produce? Questions have surfaced about the integrity of so-called gains in standardized test scores – the very data Rhee hung her hat on.

Whitmire’s glowing analysis of Rhee’s accomplishments falls short of ironclad.

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, March 30, 2011:

"D.C. School Reform Under Suspicion After Allegations of Inflated Test Scores"

Washington, D.C.'s school district, which has garnered national attention in recent years for its education reform efforts, is under fire after two schools were accused of tampering with tests to give its students better grades.

Wal-mart: The People’s Self-Inflicted Weapon

Wal-mart: The People’s Self-Inflicted Weapon

Today the Supreme Court justices heard arguments in the largest gender discrimination lawsuit in our nation’s history against the big-box retailer, Wal-Mart. The Wal-Mart Stores vs. Betty Dukes class action suit involves more than 1.5 million women throughout the retailer’s 3,400 stores seeking back pay for practices of sex discrimination and unequal pay.  While Supreme Court justices will deliberate if such discrimination is valid and how to award billions of dollars to the women if vindicated, Wal-Mart continues to push its presence into urban markets like Washington, D.C.  With plans to open a store in each of the city’s four quadrants, DC residents hope to end what seems a common flawed practice with Wal-Mart: paying poverty-level wages, poor benefits and forcing closure of competing small businesses.  Respect DC, also known as “Living Wages, Healthy Communities” is a grassroots coalition telling Wal-Mart, to “Respect DC” by paying potential employees living wages (more than $11.75/hour which is below the Federal Poverty Level of $22,500 for a family of four) and good benefits.  Unfortunately, the very people who shop at Wal-Mart to save money, are contributing to a devastating event beyond the cash register. Wal-Mart has used their mass patronage as a weapon to crush those who can least afford injury. But for those familiar with the story of David and Goliath, we know giants can fall. Here's hoping!

Highlighted Clip for Tuesday, March 29, 2011:

"Justices question next step for massive Wal-Mart discrimination suit"

By Robert Barnes

Even Supreme Court justices who sharply questioned Wal-Mart’s pay and promotion policies regarding female employees expressed concern at Tuesday’s oral argument about how the largest gender discrimination class-action suit in history might proceed.

Also visit Respect DC to learn how DC is responding to Wal-Mart and learn how you can get involved!

Metro Celebrates Birthday With Needed Repairs & Respect For Those Who Make System Work

Metro Celebrates Birthday With Needed Repairs & Respect For Those Who Make System Work

Metro turns 35 tomorrow. Sadly, the system has not aged gracefully because operations funding has not kept pace with steady growth in ridership. In recent times, the region’s public rail system has experienced horrific safety lapses, most notably the fatal Red Line crash on June 22, 2009. Most recently, frozen escalators at Metrorail stations are status quo. These troubling issues rivet public attention – as they should.  But despite the system’s infrastructure woes, Metrorail operators, station managers and maintenance crews go to work each day to keep the aging system moving. They – the workers – deserve our thank-you and best birthday wishes.

Highlighted Clip for Monday, March 28, 2011:

"Metrorail turns 35 on Tuesday"

Birthday celebrated with repairs, not cake. Thirty-five years ago Tuesday, the Metrorail system opened its train doors to its first fare-paying customers.

Two Young Super Stars Driving Social Change

Two Young Super Stars Driving Social Change

Happy Birthday to the White House kitchen garden and Twitter!  The two March prodigies turned two and five, respectively, this week with lots to show for their young years. The garden has influenced the nation’s eating habits. Twitter has transformed the way the world communicates.

First Lady Michelle Obama planted the White House vegetable garden in the spring of 2009 with the help of local elementary school children.  Yielding a constant supply of fresh produce, the garden is a centerpiece of the First Lady’s campaign to end childhood obesity. Obama’s message, one supposes, is that gardening is good for the heart, soul and mind. There’s nothing quite more rewarding than planting a seed, nurturing its growth, and harvesting the fruits of your labor.

Launched on March 21, 2006, Twitter has revolutionized the way people around the world communicate. Creator Jack Dorsey equipped everyday people with a powerful tool to make the globe a better place. 

Highlighted Clips for Tuesday, March 22, 2011:

"The White House Kitchen Garden turns two"

By: Nikki Schwab and Katy Adams

While the first family has been traveling abroad, the little veggie garden in their backyard turned two years old over the weekend.

 

"Twitter turns five: Celebrating the service that changed the way we communicate"

By: Melissa Bell

Five years ago, a message was sent out across the Internet: Sent by Twitter co-creator Jack Dorsey, it ushered in a program that has revolutionized the way news is delivered and credited for spurring on social unrest in the world. Will that tweet go down in history along with Alexander Graham Bell’s “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you”?

House Cuts Funds for NPR—Again!

House Cuts Funds for NPR—Again!

For the second time the House has moved to defund NPR; a rider was attached to a short-term spending bill passed last month by the House but rejected by the Senate. This time around, the House Republicans rushed the measure to the floor before its upcoming one-week recess; it passed 228 to 192.  Even if the bill makes it to the Senate floor, it is almost certain to fail there.  Democrats control the Senate, where members of both parties have expressed skepticism about cutting off NPR because it remains popular among many of their constituents.   Is this cost savings or simply politically driven?

Highlighted Clip for Friday, March 18, 2011:

"House Votes to End Money for NPR, and Senate Passes Spending Bill"

By JENNIFER STEINHAUER

The House voted Thursday to cut off financing for National Public Radio, with Democrats and Republican fiercely divided over both the content of the bill and how it was brought to the floor.

Are Americans Prepared for Disasters?

Are Americans Prepared for Disasters?



Not only are there serious gaps  in the nation’s readiness to protect Americans from public health disasters, experts  are saying that most “Americans themselves are not prepared to handle emergencies.”  In fact, family emergency preparedness, the first line of defense against threats to public health are woefully lacking according to a recent survey from the American Medical Association.  The startling finding—only 10 percent of households are prepared for emergencies.  And it’s not just a matter of having the physical items in place, most Americans are not mentally tuned into emergency preparedness. 

Highlighted Clip for Thursday, March 17, 2011:

"Disaster Preparedness: Could the U.S. Hold Water?"

Unlike desperate countries like Haiti, many experts agree that so far Japan, a developed country, has fared well overall in disaster preparedness, which is measured by the country's immediate response following an earthquake and tsunami.