Young, Black, and Male in Seattle
De Andre Anderson is tired of being stereotyped as a thug or a drug user. “It seems like no matter where I go, people put me into those categories,” says the 15-year-old Federal Way student.
Which is why the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas is sponsoring “The State of Young Black Men,” a panel discussion on media portrayals of black male youths and hip hop culture, access to educational and economic opportunities, and the issue of incarceration.
Washington state has the highest rate of African-American incarceration in the nation.
“We are trying to look at national issues through a Seattle lens,” says Denee McCloud, the program director at Central District Forum. “We want to analyze what’s going on and how the community can help.”
Young Black men often “don’t feel that their experiences are validated,” said panelist Jeanette Davis-Loeb, CEO of the Rising Oak Foundation. “They don’t participate in certain conversations because they feel perceived as negative.”
Anderson is glad to have a chance to be heard. “I thought it would be a good idea to voice my opinions so that people get to know that African-American youth are not stupid, illiterate people, that we have brains and a lot of talent.”
“The State of Young Black Men” is a part of the “Which Way Seattle? Series,” an ongoing dialogue about African-American affairs in Seattle. It is also the culminating event of “Outside the Hype: Exploring the Representation of Black Males in Society,” a series of films, performances, and discussions about Black men which has been running since January.
—Laura Peach
[Info]
Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas Which Way Seattle? Series: The State of Young Black Men. Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 7 p.m. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S, Seattle, WA. Tickets $5 for Adults. Free for Central District Forum members, students, and seniors. Order tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/9713 or 1-800-838-3006.
A Good Week for Kids
Washington State stood up for kids this week by passing Senate Bill 5093, which provides health coverage to all children in the state, and by refusing to implement federal rules that could delay health coverage for up to 8,000 Washington state newborns with immigrant parents.
Gov. Gregoire announced on March 5 that Washington will not act on rules contained within the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act that require proof of citizenship before extending Medicaid benefits to newborn infants.
While the lengthy citizenship application and approval process would certainly delay medical care for newborns, it is very likely that many immigrant parents would avoid the application process altogether.
The State will file for a declaratory judgment and an injunction in U.S. District Court in Tacoma next week.
“This is not about immigration,” said Gov. Gregoire. “We are talking about babies, babies born in Washington who are U.S. citizens. Delay in healthcare coverage —or no coverage at all—will ultimately cost more.”
Children’s Alliance Deputy Director Jon Gould said his organization has been following the issue this year and talking with the Governor’s office. “We were delighted when the Governor not only said no to implementing the rule, but also filed a lawsuit.”
According to Gould, other states, including California, are expected to follow a similar course as well.
Congressman José Serrano (D-NY) has sponsored legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would waive proof of citizenship to qualify for Medicaid for a mother of a newborn for one year. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has filed legislation in the Senate that would deny Medicaid benefits to the mother, but would directly provide assistance to the newborn without requiring proof of citizenship.
While the federal government balances its budget on the backs of babies, Washington state has passed a comprehensive bill that extends health coverage to all children in our state. The bill ensures that children will be able to see a doctor, encourages high quality care, invests in outreach to find and enroll eligible families, and declares goals for nutrition and exercise in schools.
Group Health CEO Scott Armstrong praised the legislation as “historic,” and said it will “free parents to assume greater responsibility for their children’s health, because opportunity replaces hopelessness and despair.”
—Timothy Harris
For copy of actual issue, go to https://www.realchangenews.org/2007/03/07/mar-7-2007-entire-issue