From the founding of the first HBCU to the slow integration of black students into predominantly white institutions, students of color have contemplated what the best place is for them to develop their academic and professional potential. Feelings of pride and respect are felt by students that attend either institution, with many being satisfied with the decision that was made.
As someone who was raised in a predominantly black neighborhood, who attended school with both latinos and blacks, attending an HBCU was never at the forefront of my mind. After all, I was constantly surrounded by folks who were smart, motivated, strong, independent, as well as those who weren't...and they were all people of color. In a way, attending a Non-HBCU allowed me to get out of my "comfort zone".
So what were the factors in your decision?
How have you benefited professionally, culturally, and/or socially from your institution?
Check out the Root's "Why I Went Black" article.
~Camille
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
YP in DC at the Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference
Camille here, blogging from DC. The politics, the parties, and the people. Lots to do and lots to see!
The 39th annual Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference is under way in Washington, DC for the next 3 days, and yours truly will be blogging about all the interesting topics of benefit to young professionals in Sacramento and around the country.
This is my 3rd annual trip to DC for this event and it has been much anticipated!
Here's a quick list of all the discussion sessions that I'll be stopping in on:
* Diane Watson : Entertainment Entrepreneurs - Images of African Dispora created by the media and entertainment industry and how that influences the greater community.
* Jesse Jackson Jr : Reclaiming our Families - Fatherhood in the African American Community
* Bobby Rush : Rescuing our Youth
* Eleanor Holmes Norton: Single Women, Unmarried Men: What has happened to Black Marriage
* Kendrick Meek: Education on the Frontline
* Maxine Waters: The End of Maximum Minimum Sentences
* A Dream Deferred? - The Future of Housing Opportunities for African Americans
* Donna Edwards: Water - The Next Big Environmental Fight for Communities of Color.
**********************************************************************************************************
If there are any of interest to you, let me know and I'll grab so info and some notes for you!
For those not familiar with this Conference, here's a little more information for you:
"The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation each year produces the Annual Legislative Conference, a four-day event held in September at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
Thousands of elected officials, business and industry leaders, celebrities, media, emerging leaders and everyday Americans descended upon the Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) and its dozens of policy forums, general sessions, massive exhibit showcase, job fair, book signings and vast networking opportunities."
Visit www.cbcfinc.org/alc-09.html for more info
Camille
The 39th annual Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference is under way in Washington, DC for the next 3 days, and yours truly will be blogging about all the interesting topics of benefit to young professionals in Sacramento and around the country.
This is my 3rd annual trip to DC for this event and it has been much anticipated!
Here's a quick list of all the discussion sessions that I'll be stopping in on:
* Diane Watson : Entertainment Entrepreneurs - Images of African Dispora created by the media and entertainment industry and how that influences the greater community.
* Jesse Jackson Jr : Reclaiming our Families - Fatherhood in the African American Community
* Bobby Rush : Rescuing our Youth
* Eleanor Holmes Norton: Single Women, Unmarried Men: What has happened to Black Marriage
* Kendrick Meek: Education on the Frontline
* Maxine Waters: The End of Maximum Minimum Sentences
* A Dream Deferred? - The Future of Housing Opportunities for African Americans
* Donna Edwards: Water - The Next Big Environmental Fight for Communities of Color.
**********************************************************************************************************
If there are any of interest to you, let me know and I'll grab so info and some notes for you!
For those not familiar with this Conference, here's a little more information for you:
"The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation each year produces the Annual Legislative Conference, a four-day event held in September at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
Thousands of elected officials, business and industry leaders, celebrities, media, emerging leaders and everyday Americans descended upon the Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) and its dozens of policy forums, general sessions, massive exhibit showcase, job fair, book signings and vast networking opportunities."
Visit www.cbcfinc.org/alc-09.html for more info
Camille
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
May 19th Ballot Propositions
On May 19th voters will decide the fate of 6 ballot measures set to bring in an estimated $6 billion in revenues to the state of California, to offset the estimated $21 billion deficit.
To make up the funds, the State must consider cutting state jobs, reducing health care programs, eliminating certain social services, laying off teachers and increasing class sizes. Similarly, vital investments like building roads and bridges, investments in public health, crime prevention, and education, may be ignored.
In other words, the decisions that will be made in the coming months will affect residents of this state for years to come.
Take a moment to share what services/programs/expenditures you think the State should retain when trying to balance the budget.
To make up the funds, the State must consider cutting state jobs, reducing health care programs, eliminating certain social services, laying off teachers and increasing class sizes. Similarly, vital investments like building roads and bridges, investments in public health, crime prevention, and education, may be ignored.
In other words, the decisions that will be made in the coming months will affect residents of this state for years to come.
Take a moment to share what services/programs/expenditures you think the State should retain when trying to balance the budget.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Violence: The Community and The Police
Given the two highly publicized events that have taken place in Oakland - the murder of Oscar Grant by the an Oakland police officer and the recent deaths of four Oakland police officers by an African American suspect - how do we feel about the relationship between law enforcement and people of color in our communities?
Consider the following:
*What is our collective responsibility to prevent violence as a whole when a majority of violent crimes committed in our neighborhoods are committed by members of our own communities?
*How do we get people to prioritize the accountability we have to one another?
*As we start to assess the role that our culture plays in violence and begin to discuss how to turn it around, does that dialogue hamper our ability to continue pressing law enforcement for better treatment of people of color?
Consider the following:
*What is our collective responsibility to prevent violence as a whole when a majority of violent crimes committed in our neighborhoods are committed by members of our own communities?
*How do we get people to prioritize the accountability we have to one another?
*As we start to assess the role that our culture plays in violence and begin to discuss how to turn it around, does that dialogue hamper our ability to continue pressing law enforcement for better treatment of people of color?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Republican Party & Voters of Color
The Republican Party recently selected Michael Steele to serve as the Chairman of the National Party, who becomes the first African American to hold that post.
But in terms of their overall policies, what does the Republican Party need to do to pick up more votes from people of color? How can the GOP increase their appeal while upholding the party's platform of small government, low taxes, social conservatism, and big business in today's economic and social landscape? Can the Republican Party regain relevance in national politics without increasing voters of color in their base?
But in terms of their overall policies, what does the Republican Party need to do to pick up more votes from people of color? How can the GOP increase their appeal while upholding the party's platform of small government, low taxes, social conservatism, and big business in today's economic and social landscape? Can the Republican Party regain relevance in national politics without increasing voters of color in their base?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
A Post Racial America
I came across an interesting article in "the Atlantic" by Hua Hsu called "The End of White America?" It analyzes the cultural shift that has taken place in the US over the last 50 years or so and asks what these changes mean for our concepts of white identity. But after reading it, I found myself asking the opposite question which I would like to pose to each of you: What does post-racial America mean for Black Identity?
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200901/end-of-whiteness
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200901/end-of-whiteness
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
A Sacramento First
For those that don't know, last week the Sacramento Bee published a story about a report that stated, "Black motorists are twice as likely to be pulled over by Sacramento police as nonblack drivers..." This of course is a prolific finding because the Police Department has for years denied these claims. In light of the report the City Council had a town hall to address the report and to get feedback from residents. Yesterday our YP President and Sacramento resident LaMark Barclay (Sport) attended and wrote an email to us about the meeting, the report and our responsibility to our city. I have posted it below for your reading pleasure.
For the complete article: http://www.sacbee.com/crime/story/1141651.html
Ashe' Young Professionals,
I was able to attend the town hall discussion yesterday (re: Racial Profiling), to my pleasant surprise. Citizens expressed their disappointment, passion, and concern over the lack of progress to curbe this troubling epedimic -- I understood the session was televised. Mayor Heather Fargo began the session with an apology to all communitites of color, specifically the black citizens of sacramento, for the findings and (argued) conclusion that black drivers have been target unfairly.
A few major concerns expressed included:
- Lack of Police Department acknowledgement that this progrem exists
- Lack of community representation within the Police Department (17.9% minorites)
- Lack of officers residing within the city limits they patrol
- Fear of police presence instead of welcome within specific neighborhoods
Laruen Hammond (District 5) dated this agendized issue beginning November '97 -- 11 years later we haven't made many strides. It was reported black drivers were two times as likely to be stopped within the city limits in comparison to the normal standard benchmark for stops. Far more than any other group identified. (I do not have all the report's specifics, just what was generally referenced).
Robert Fong (District 4) called the report's finding "unacceptable".
Ray Treathway (District 1) called this a "Civil Rights" issue. Steve Cohn (District 3) and Robbie Watters (District 7) expressed disappointment that the stopping officer's race was not reported or even considered.
The consultants hired stated the officer's race - even if captured - was not a significant factor in basing any conclusions from the findings of this report. Their professonal experience is that "officers of all races conform to the values, beliefs, and culture of the organization they serve in"; meaning a officer of color is as likely to pull over a citizen of color if that is the practiced, whether taught or observed, habits of the department.
The police chief expressed his intent to move forward to correct this issue, address the major concerns and seek community involvement for resolutions. I offered my 2 cents worth as a citizen, a young adult, and a representative of the Greater Sacramento Young Professionals organization to be a community outreach starting point. As an emerging generation, we should be inclusive of any discussion to fix the social issues affecting the neighborhoods we live and work in. We represent the poeple beign stopped all too often. (I Had my own personal expereience some month and a half ago). Mr. Shelby provided a few words also - the Urban League was in the building - holla!!
The committee, comprised of elected officials (Districts 1 - 8), the city clerk, city manager, and the mayor, adopted the report, its recommendedations, and commissioned the police chief to provide progress reports in October and January regarding the department's efforts to restore the public's confidence on this issue. The committee recomended developing performance measure to institutionalize the philosophy that racial profiling will not be tolerated within the Sacramento Police Deparment (SPD).
I left encouraged that progress was made, but that much more work was to be done. Three addtional town hall meetings are scheduled this week:
Today (8.13), 6:00 pm at the Natomas Community Center
Tomorrow (8.14), 6:00 pm at the Oak Park Community Center
Friday (8.15), 6:00 pm at the Meadowview Community Center
I'm planning on attending Friday's town hall.
I (selfishy of course) feel odd encouraging you attend tonight's town hall meeting when we have a general body meeting, but our community is imporant. Our represenation at these types of forums is important. So if you don't make the General Body meeting, I'll understand, otherwise we'd love to see you tonight at 6:00pm.
In the Movement,
Sport Barclay
President
GSUL Young Professionals
For the complete article: http://www.sacbee.com/crime/story/1141651.html
Ashe' Young Professionals,
I was able to attend the town hall discussion yesterday (re: Racial Profiling), to my pleasant surprise. Citizens expressed their disappointment, passion, and concern over the lack of progress to curbe this troubling epedimic -- I understood the session was televised. Mayor Heather Fargo began the session with an apology to all communitites of color, specifically the black citizens of sacramento, for the findings and (argued) conclusion that black drivers have been target unfairly.
A few major concerns expressed included:
- Lack of Police Department acknowledgement that this progrem exists
- Lack of community representation within the Police Department (17.9% minorites)
- Lack of officers residing within the city limits they patrol
- Fear of police presence instead of welcome within specific neighborhoods
Laruen Hammond (District 5) dated this agendized issue beginning November '97 -- 11 years later we haven't made many strides. It was reported black drivers were two times as likely to be stopped within the city limits in comparison to the normal standard benchmark for stops. Far more than any other group identified. (I do not have all the report's specifics, just what was generally referenced).
Robert Fong (District 4) called the report's finding "unacceptable".
Ray Treathway (District 1) called this a "Civil Rights" issue. Steve Cohn (District 3) and Robbie Watters (District 7) expressed disappointment that the stopping officer's race was not reported or even considered.
The consultants hired stated the officer's race - even if captured - was not a significant factor in basing any conclusions from the findings of this report. Their professonal experience is that "officers of all races conform to the values, beliefs, and culture of the organization they serve in"; meaning a officer of color is as likely to pull over a citizen of color if that is the practiced, whether taught or observed, habits of the department.
The police chief expressed his intent to move forward to correct this issue, address the major concerns and seek community involvement for resolutions. I offered my 2 cents worth as a citizen, a young adult, and a representative of the Greater Sacramento Young Professionals organization to be a community outreach starting point. As an emerging generation, we should be inclusive of any discussion to fix the social issues affecting the neighborhoods we live and work in. We represent the poeple beign stopped all too often. (I Had my own personal expereience some month and a half ago). Mr. Shelby provided a few words also - the Urban League was in the building - holla!!
The committee, comprised of elected officials (Districts 1 - 8), the city clerk, city manager, and the mayor, adopted the report, its recommendedations, and commissioned the police chief to provide progress reports in October and January regarding the department's efforts to restore the public's confidence on this issue. The committee recomended developing performance measure to institutionalize the philosophy that racial profiling will not be tolerated within the Sacramento Police Deparment (SPD).
I left encouraged that progress was made, but that much more work was to be done. Three addtional town hall meetings are scheduled this week:
Today (8.13), 6:00 pm at the Natomas Community Center
Tomorrow (8.14), 6:00 pm at the Oak Park Community Center
Friday (8.15), 6:00 pm at the Meadowview Community Center
I'm planning on attending Friday's town hall.
I (selfishy of course) feel odd encouraging you attend tonight's town hall meeting when we have a general body meeting, but our community is imporant. Our represenation at these types of forums is important. So if you don't make the General Body meeting, I'll understand, otherwise we'd love to see you tonight at 6:00pm.
In the Movement,
Sport Barclay
President
GSUL Young Professionals
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