Hazing Draws Focus on Initiation Process: On HOT1077 Radio

When most people hear the term “hazing” it conjures up images of fraternities. In reality, hazing occurs in many arenas including fraternities and sororities, the military, athletic teams and student organizations (like marching bands) at both the high school and collegiate levels. Many believe that hazing in fraternities and in general is nothing more than silly antics and harmless pranks like those remembered from the 1980s hit comedy Animal House. The realities of hazing are dramatically different than the humorous images many people associate with the term. Hazing is an abuse of power that can have debilitating and life-threatening consequences.

One of the most commonly asked questions about hazing in fraternities is why do young men and women participate in such horrific and life-threatening activities just to belong to a group? This seems like a reasonable question–but it reveals the lack of understanding about the dynamics of the hazing process. For example, many states that have passed legislation to prohibit hazing have recognized that the intensity of the peer pressure prevents hazing victims from providing true consent to participate in the activities in question. Additionally, many prospective members don’t realize and are not informed of what the pledging process and hazing will entail because this information is shrouded in secrecy by the brotherhood. This, combined with the increasing severity of the hazing over the weeks and months of the pledging process places the pledge in a very vulnerable position and hence, more susceptible to victimization. Compounding these dynamics in fraternities and other male groups is the desire for the pledge or prospective member to “be tough,” “stick it out” etc. and prove his masculinity rather than risk being identified as a wimp or sissy.

In one of the boldest moves by any greek letter organization to date, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporate has announced that it is putting a halt to new membership nation-wide. Herman “Skip” Mason Jr., the president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., has suspended all new membership intake until further notice.
Mason said the decision was made in response to several hazing incidents on college campuses throughout the country including at Fort Valley State University in Georgia where an Alpha brother is charged with felony aggravated battery for allegedly injuring a pledgee to the point of hospitalization.

Sororities are not immune to hazing. At Rutgers University, a young pledge said she was told by the women of Sigma Gamma Rho, that beatings would “humble” her, that each flesh-rending strike with a wooden paddle would build love and trust between sorority sisters.

For seven nights the beatings went on, she said. In all, she was struck 201 times. On the eighth day — unable to sit, her buttocks covered with blood clots and welts — she went to the hospital. Then she reported it to the university.
Let’s be honest: most of you who went to college saw friends who were hazed and might have even been hazed yourself, and while, Greek life presents many advantages, including some commitment to community service, as well as professional networking opportunities…the big question is, have the disadvantages and risks, become too much of a price to pay?

That is one of the many questions we will tackle Sunday at noon on HOT 1077’s New Talk Show, “In Focus.” Tune in, Sunday at noon, on Hot1077 or log on line to listen www.hot1077radio.com

New Lifestyle Family Magazine Comes To Birmingham, AL (Spotlight Magazine), Launches In May

Birmingham Spotlight Magazine, Birmingham’s Newest Lifestyle Magazine will spotlight The Ultimate 50 Award at its Ultimate 50 Black and White Affair May 29 Saturday night at 7:00 pm. The event will kick off with a Black Carpet at 6:00 pm. The Ultimate 50 Black and White Affair is the only event of such caliber where prestigious individuals can mix and mingle, and celebrate achievements that have contributed to the growth and progression of Birmingham.

Birmingham Spotlight Magazine will honor the LIVING LEGENDS throughout Birmingham; these are 15 people who have gone above the call of duty to make Birmingham a wonderful place to live. This event will also Spotlight several other awards such as: College Coach of the Year, Dentist of the Year, Businessman and Woman of the Year and so much more.

The first issue of the magazine, utilizing a double cover format, will spotlight Birmingham’s Mayor William Bell and Reuben Studdard.

Nicole Means, Executive Publisher of the magazine, “I really want this event to be a night to remember it is so many people that work hard to make Birmingham a great city to live in and they never get acknowledged but Birmingham Spotlight Magazine is here to put a stop to this” Nicole (Nikki) Means has worked for Gospel Today Magazine, Hope Today Magazine, Rolling Out Newspaper, Heart and Soul Magazine and Image Magazine.

Birmingham Spotlight Magazine is a free bi-monthly full color family publication that strives to empower the community in the Birmingham Area. The magazine will discuss a variety of subjects such as parenting, entertainment, relationships, finances and fashion.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an interview, please contact Brittny Sturgeon at bsturgeon@montgomeryspotlight.com.

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A Tribute - Piece by Piece: The Paul R. Jones Collection

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) will host an exhibition of work from the Paul R. Jones Collection April 27-June 27. The legendary art collector was nationally renowned for accumulating one of the largest and most comprehensive private holdings of works by African American artists.

The exhibition, titled A Tribute—Piece by Piece: The Paul R. Jones Collection, will feature more than two dozen works from Jones’ collection. As part of the opening of the exhibition, BCRI will host an invitation-only opening night reception to pay tribute to Jones’ legacy.

Jones, who died earlier this year at the age of 81, amassed more than 1700 works of art—many of which he donated to institutions of higher education. In August 2008 he donated 40 works of art to BCRI.
Jones was a Bessemer native who became involved in the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement when he was active in the Birmingham Interracial Committee. He began collaborating with BCRI in 2004 through annual exhibitions from his collection.

“Paul Jones always spoke of the importance of preserving the artwork of African American artists and educating others about them,” said Birmingham Civil Rights Institute President and CEO Dr. Lawrence J. Pijeaux, Jr. “We are proud to continue honoring his legacy by fulfilling his desire to use these treasures for educational purposes.”

This will be the sixth year BCRI has exhibited works from the collection of Paul R. Jones.

Remembering Dr. King

The Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles, Memphis minister and an eyewitness to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will offer his personal account of King’s last days and hours as we remember Dr. King.  Kyles will also speak about the impact of King’s activism on his own ministry and work worldwide on behalf of social justice and religious freedom.
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Rev. Kyles is the subject of the 2009 Academy-Award nominated Documentary Short film, “The Witness: From the Balcony of Room 306,” presented by the National Civil Rights Museum and produced by Rock Paper Scissors.  www.witnessroom306.com.
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The event will be held Thursday, April 8 at 6pm in the Rev. Abraham L. Woods, Jr. Community Meeting Room.

Boy left at own birthday party for two days

Police in Warren, Michigan are investigating after a 3-year-old boy was left alone after his own birthday party.

Police said the boy was having a birthday party at Little Caesars Caesarland.

The manager of the store called police at 9 p.m. that night when they noticed the boy was there with no adults.

Officers were unable to find the boy’s parents.

The child was taken into protective custody, and he was placed into foster care.

On Monday around 1 p.m., corporate security from Caesarland contacted Warren police and said a male had been asking about his missing 3-year-old son.

“This is a disturbing and outrageous situation that the person responsible for the care of this 3-year-old child would take over 36 hours before inquiring as to the whereabouts of their child,“ said Warren Police Chief William Dwyer. “Our detectives will conduct a thorough investigation and then report their findings to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office for criminal prosecution if deemed necessary.“

Both parents live in Warren but are not married.

Warren police are questioning both parents, and said they may be charged with child abandonment and child abuse.

Click here to view video

Police Looking For Louisiana Man Who Has Been Knowingly Spreading HIV To Women For Almost FIFTEEN YEARS!!!

Shreveport Police are looking for a man they say may have knowingly spread the HIV virus to an unknown number of people.

Detectives have an arrest warrant out for 36-year-old Quacy L. Francis for knowingly exposing people to the HIV virus. Police say his potential victims could date back as far as 1996.

Shreveport Detectives want anyone who may have been exposed or knows someone who may have been exposed to Francis to contact the detectives office at 673-6955.

Quacy Francis has gone by several alias throughout the years including: Quacy Frances, Lekelvin Francis, Quacie Francis, Terry Johnson, Dion Scott, and Eric Scott.

Anyone who contacts the police regarding their possible exposure, should rest assured that the police department will protect their confidentially and are only seeking information to aid in the prosecution of Francis.

 

-They should add “BURN ALIVE” to the dealth penalty options……All in favor say I !!!!!!!

CDC Analysis Provides New Look at Disproportionate Impact of HIV and Syphilis Among U.S. Gay and Bisexual Men

CDC Analysis Provides New Look at Disproportionate Impact of HIV and Syphilis Among U.S. Gay and Bisexual Men

A data analysis released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscores the disproportionate impact of HIV and syphilis among gay and bisexual men in the United States.

The data, presented at CDC’s 2010 National STD Prevention Conference, finds that the rate of new HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men (MSM) is more than 44 times that of other men and more than 40 times that of women.

The range was 522-989 cases of new HIV diagnoses per 100,000 MSM vs. 12 per 100,000 other men and 13 per 100,000 women.

The rate of primary and secondary syphilis among MSM is more than 46 times that of other men and more than 71 times that of women, the analysis says. The range was 91-173 cases per 100,000 MSM vs. 2 per 100,000 other men and 1 per 100,000 women.

While CDC data have shown for several years that gay and bisexual men make up the majority of new HIV and new syphilis infections, CDC has estimated the rates of these diseases for the first time based on new estimates of the size of the U.S. population of MSM. Because disease rates account for differences in the size of populations being compared, rates provide a reliable method for assessing health disparities between populations.

“While the heavy toll of HIV and syphilis among gay and bisexual men has been long recognized, this analysis shows just how stark the health disparities are between this and other populations,” said Kevin Fenton, M.D., director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. “It is clear that we will not be able to stop the U.S. HIV epidemic until every affected community, along with health officials nationwide, prioritize the needs of gay and bisexual men with HIV prevention efforts.”

For the purposes of determining rates of disease for MSM, CDC researchers first estimated the size of the gay and bisexual male population in the United States – defined as the proportion of men who reported engaging in same-sex behavior within the past five years. Based on an analysis of nationally representative surveys, CDC estimated that MSM comprise 2.0 percent (range: 1.4-2.7 percent) of the overall U.S. population aged 13 and older, or 4 percent of the U.S. male population (range: 2.8-5.3 percent). Disease rates per 100,000 population were then calculated using 2007 surveillance data on HIV and primary/secondary syphilis diagnoses and U.S. Census data for the total U.S. population.

The new analysis is the first step in more fully assessing the impact of HIV among MSM and other populations significantly affected by the disease. CDC is developing more detailed estimates of infection rates among MSM by race and age, as well as among injection drug users. CDC is also in the early stages of planning for estimates among heterosexuals. Ultimately, these data can be used to better inform national and local approaches to HIV and STD prevention to ensure that efforts are reaching the populations in greatest need.

Research shows that a range of complex factors contribute to the high rates of HIV and syphilis among gay and bisexual men. These factors include high prevalence of HIV and other STDs among MSM, which increases the risk of disease exposure, and limited access to prevention services. Other factors are complacency about HIV risk, particularly among young gay and bisexual men; difficulty of consistently maintaining safe behaviors with every sexual encounter over the course of a lifetime; and lack of awareness of syphilis symptoms and how it can be transmitted (e.g., oral sex). Additionally, factors such as homophobia and stigma can prevent MSM from seeking prevention, testing, and treatment services.

Also, the risk of HIV transmission through receptive anal sex is much greater than the risk of transmission via other sexual activities, and some gay and bisexual men are relying on prevention strategies that may be less effective than consistent condom use.

“There is no single or simple solution for reducing HIV and syphilis rates among gay and bisexual men,” said Fenton. “We need intensified prevention efforts that are as diverse as the gay community itself. Solutions for young gay and bisexual men are especially critical, so that HIV does not inadvertently become a rite of passage for each new generation of gay men.”

Preventing HIV and STDs among gay and bisexual men is a top CDC priority. CDC provides funding to health departments and community-based organizations throughout the nation to implement proven behavior-change programs for MSM and will soon expand a successful HIV testing initiative to reach more gay and bisexual men. Additionally, CDC is implementing an updated National Syphilis Elimination Plan in cities where MSM have been hardest hit by the disease, and will release an updated HIV prevention strategic plan within the next year to support the President’s upcoming National HIV/AIDS Strategy. CDC officials note that the new analysis released today underscores the importance of the HIV and STD prevention efforts targeting gay and bisexual men recently announced as part of the President’s fiscal year 2011 budget proposal.

For more information on HIV or syphilis, please visit www.cdc.gov/hiv or www.cdc.gov/std.

Contact: NCHHSTPMediaTeam@cdc.gov
(404) 639-8895

United Way’s Free Tax Preparation On-Line!!!

United Way of Central Alabama presents free ON-LINE tax prep for individuals with adjusted gross income up to $58,000.
Taxes returns can also be done “by appointment” for those with adjusted gross income up to $49,000. Click here for locations and more information.

History of Watch Night….

As we prepare for the holiday season and a new year, many African American churches will kick off their campaigns promoting Watch Night Service.  This celebration that takes many of us into a new year with praise and worship is nothing new.   While I am sure that many of you have heard the history of Watch Night I believe it is always good to share this type of information with our readers.

Many of you who live or grew up in Black communities in the United States have probably heard of “Watch Night Services,” the gathering of the faithful in church on New Year’s Eve.

The service usually begins anywhere from 7 p.m. To 10 p.m. And ends at midnight with the entrance of the New Year. Some folks come to church first, before going out to celebrate.
For others, church is the only New Year’s Eve event. Like many others, I always assumed that Watch Night was a fairly standard Christian religious service — made a bit more Afro centric because that’s what happens when elements of Christianity become linked with the Black Church.

Still, it seemed that predominately White Christian churches did not include Watch Night services on their calendars, but focused instead on Christmas Eve programs. In fact, there were instances where clergy in mainline denominations wondered aloud about the propriety of linking religious services with a secular holiday like New Year’s Eve.

However, there is a reason for the importance of New Year’s Eve services in African American congregations.
The Watch Night Services in Black communities that we celebrate today can be traced back to gatherings on December 31, 1862, also known as “Freedom’s Eve.”

On that night, Blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation actually had become law. Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863, and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free ..

When  the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God. Black folks have gathered in churches annually on New Year’s Eve ever since, praising God for bringing us safely through another year.

It’s been 145 years since that first Freedom’s Eve and many of us were never taught the African American history of Watch Night, but tradition still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate “how we got over.”

Find more information here: http://www.snopes.com/holidays/newyears/watchnight.asp

Saggin Pants: Letter from a college student

The other day, a friend of mine visited me in the lobby of my dorm just to chat while her laundry was drying.  As we were chatting, two young freshmen came by. One of the 2 boys wanted to ‘talk’ to my friend (as in date).  She asked him how old they were, and both of the boys replied 18.  My friend and I both laughed hysterically because we are both 22 years old.   After my friend left, the young men were still hanging around and one wanted to know how he could gain her interest.

The first thing I told him to do was to pull up his pants!  He asked why, and then said he liked  saggin ‘ his pants.  I told him to come over to my computer and spell the word  saggin’.   Then I told him to write the word  saggin ‘ backwards.

S-A-G-G-I-N

N-I-G- G-A-S

I told him the origin of that look was from centuries ago.  It was the intent of slave owners to demoralize the field workers by forbidding them to wear a belt as they worked in the fields or at any other rigorous job.  In addition, men in prison wore their pants low when they were ’spoken for’.  The other reason their pants looked like that was they were not allowed to have belts because prisoners were likely to try to commit suicide.  And, saggin’ pants prevents you from running.

We as young Black people have to be the ones to effect change.  We are dying.  The media has made a mockery of the Black American.  Even our brothers and sisters from Africa don’t take us seriously.  Something as simple as pulling up your pants and standing with your head held high could make the biggest difference in the world’s perception of us.  It is time to do right by ourselves.  We need to love and embrace each other. No one is going to do that for us.

It all comes down to perception.  What people perceive is what reality to them is.  We have to change not only the media ’s perception of us, but we need to change our perception of ourselves.

Remember all eyes are on you Black Man. All eyes are on you Black Woman.  All eyes are on your Black Child.  People point the finger at us and expect us to engage in negative and illegal activities, to manifest loud, boisterous behavior, to spend our hard earned money in their stores, buying goods we don’t need, or really want.  We have allowed not only the media, but the government and the world to portray us as a ’sub-culture. ‘ They have stripped our culture down to the point where the image of Black people is perpetuated as rappers, athletes, drug users, and consumers of junk food, expensive tennis shoes, expensive cars, expensive TVs, cell phones and not investing in homes for our families.

We are so much more !!!!!!!

To all our Black Men: It’s time to stand up.  There are billions of Black Women who want to do nothing more than worship the ground that you walk on.  We are so in love with your potential.  We want to have your back, we want to love, support and cherish every ounce of your being. But with that you have to show that you are willing to be the head of our households.  You have to prove yourselves worthy of our submission.  We need you to be hard working…Not a hustler.  We need you to seek higher education, to seek spirituality.  We need you to stand!  And trust us; we will have your back.  We know that it gets hard.  We know you get weary.  Trust and believe that

there is nothing that a Black Man and a Black Woman can’t handle with GOD on their side.

To all our Black Women: It is also time for you to stand up.  It is time for you to stop using our bodies as our primary form of communication.  It is time to be that virtuous woman that Proverbs spoke of.  You cannot sit by the wayside while our men are dying by the masses.  You are the epitome of Black Love.  It starts within you.  You need to speak with conviction to let not only our Black Men know, but the world, that you are the Mothers of this world.  You are so powerful.  You are so beautiful.  You need to love and embrace every blessing God has given us physically, emotionally and spiritually.

For all our Black Children: We need to love them.  We need to teach them.  We need to stand up for them.  We need to protect them.  We need to show them that there are no ‘get rich quick’ schemes.  We need to tell them that they WILL die trying if they submit to a life of crime and deceit.  We need to teach our children that no one will love them the way we can.  And be ing a basketball player, a rapper, or a drug dealer is not reality.  It’s not realistic and only a small percentage of people ever make it as a rapper or professional athlete.  We need to teach our children that we can be more than rappers and athletes.  We can be the owners of these sports teams.  We can be the CEO’s of OUR fortune 500 companies.  We need to believe in literacy.  I am almost certain if we were to look back to the 1930’s and 40’s, the literacy rates for Black American Children are probably still the same.

Please Keep This Going & Have a wonderful day

This is the year of empowerment. ‘

God will empower us to accomplish things this year that will be mind blowing’.

GOD BLESS,

Ellis Henderson

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