Disparities In Health Care and Health Outcomes...

...along racial lines. LaQuandra Nesbitt, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Resident in Family Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Systems was my guest this week. No doubt there are major disparities in health care and health outcomes. At the expense of of being non-repetitive to much data that exist on the web, and in resources like, the Covenant with Black America, I'll forgo establishing this problem exist. Causes for the problem ---- there is much ---- for e.g. quality of care, environmental factors life styles, access to health care, racism. Addressing this problem must include affecting public policies, personal life styles changes, professionals who will sacrifice money for moving into our communities and provide the needed care. Dr. Nesbitt may be contacted at 410-706-1040. Thanks Dr. Nesbitt for accepting the Called2Action challenge.

To Name A Building

Dr. H. DeWayne Whittington, first Af-Am Board of Education Superintendent in Somerset County, Maryland, (inset on right) did not have his contract renewed by the Somerset County Board of Education, his bosses. He took them to court on a racial discrimination charge and won. The judge ruled that a school in Somerset County should be named after him. A school was named after him and a few years later the school was closed down. The notion of having another school named after him was re-discussed by the board of education one evening. One of the organization that spoke that night, and may have influenced the Board in not having a school renamed after him was the local branch of the NAACP, (President Kenneth Ballard left inset).

I invited both men into the studio to discuss this issue. Happy to add, our discussion has lead to the realization of the importance of communicating with each other and gather as much of the facts as you can before rendering a point of view is paramount. Won't get into details here, but you may listen to the program by clicking on the appropriate link off to the left of this page.

I have posted some historical background information on this issue; just click on this link.

Black Enough? What Do You Mean?

Lots of conversation in and around our ears about being Black enough. We've heard it most about Senator Barack Omaba. What does it mean. Well, Warren White joined me to discuss this notion. What does it mean? Having the interest of African Americans at heart by talking and living it. Lively discussion, much covered; too much to cover in this article. If you're interested in what was said, send me a comment, (see below), and I will send you a copy of the program. Oh, by the way, I asked the thought provoking question, is Former President Bill Clinton (touted by some as the first Black President), black enough? The response was amazing.

Not Black Enough. What In the World Does That Mean?

This week on Called2Action (8/19/07) will be an open mic night. The primary topic will be the subject line cited above. We've been hearing comments on whether Barack Obama is black enough to represent all Americans. On the other end of the spectrum we've felt, (I think) that Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton is too black. In either cases because of these attitudes (judgements), in either case none will assume their political aspiration of becoming President of the United States.

The Ghetto Is Not My Final Destination

My discussion with Dr. Angelia Nelson left us all on a motivational high. Dr. Nelson's motivational interactions with young African American girls 11 - 17 years of age in the inner city of Philadelphia has aided many young ladies to realize their current state of affairs does not have to be their final. Using her own upbringing and the accompanying circumstances as a catalyst for inspiration to others has been her spiritual life's calling. This was very evident. I've associated her website to her highlighted name above. By double clicking on her name above you will be taken to her website and learn more about her.

Here Doesn't Have To Be Your Final Stop

Another author joins us this evening, a motivational speaker and educator, Dr. Angelia Nelson joins me tonight. Her book, "The Ghetto Is Not My Final Destination". She motivates young ladies 11 - 17 years of age, in the inner city of Philadelphia. Join us.

A Called2Action Evening with Arnold Patent

The motivating goal of the Called2Action radio program is to take those of us who experience a preponderance of social maladies to a higher level of universal consciousness. This past week the ball was placed into the hands of Arnold Patent, my guest, and his book, You Can Have It All, was the play book. After reading this book over 20 years ago it was a delight to talk directly with the man behind the book --- a highlight of the Called2Action program. I highly recommend this book. It’s one of my all time favorites, as it has aided me in moving into a higher level of consciousness. Thanks Arnold.

Author Arnold Patent --- Tonight

Author of the Book "YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL"' Arnold Patent... TONIGHT!!!

Closing the Racial Digital Divide

Dr. Robert Johnson, shared with us a few of the statistics that supports the fact that there is a racial digital divide, and cited what must be done to narrow the divide. This must be a threefold action plan. We must out selves have access to a computer, learn to use it for efficient production. Computer knowledge is required in all professions. We must lobby our political figures to have them realize that there is a racial divide and get them to fund programs that will address this phenomena, and thirdly, partitioning our social institutions to include steps to address this, i.e. schools, computer training must be required in schools, churches, social organizations.

The longer we delay to take action, the greater the divide will become.

Reducing the Digital Divide ---- Is it Possible?

This week (7/30/07), Reducing the Digital Divide ---- Dr. Robert Johnson, Instructor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, stops by the newsroom --- locale of the Called2Action radio program. Is it possible to reduce the great digital divide? If so, how?

Next Week, author of the book, You Can Have It All, Arnold Patent.

You can listen to Called2Action via the internet each week. See the link on the left.

Does The Christian Religion Empower or Imprison African Americans?

Guns loaded and ready to fire, my guests came out shooting right from the hips tonight. Some disagreement among them on the subject matter. One viewpoint was that the religion has always been a tool to imprison us. Another viewpoint Churches have accomplished much. Though we are not where we can be, "the glass is half filled from a spiritual point of view. My guests, the loquacious and colorful Adhim Deveaux, (bottom left) Julius Thompson, (bottom right) and soon to be best selling author Jimmy Dumas, author of the book 24 Reasons Why African Americans Suffer, were dynamic and knowledgeable in their presentation.

A Taste of Good Etiquette

Good Etiquette is the acceptable practices within a culture/group etc. ---- my own definition. Betty Collins, retired Home Extension public servant share with us a few examples of good etiquette. Here are a few examples, you always introduce the person of a lower "rank" to a person of a higher rank, i.e. Mr. President, I'd like to introduce you to Ms. Sallie Mae. When having a mulitple course dinner, always start with the folks on the outside and work your way in towards the plate. Do not begin to eat until everyone at the table is ready to eat, and eat at the same pace as everyone else. Be on time. Though my guest says this changes in different cultures, I say be on time all the time.

The Coming Haitian Revolution

Mr. Habacuc Pepion, of our Haitian Community, talked about the many complications Haitian immigrants face in coming to this county. Haitians come to America for a financially better way of life. Challenges with communications and interacting with the larger African American community is a major problem. Unlike the Hispanic community, who have been rallying together under the guidance of Salisbury University, the Haitian community remains unsupported by any primary group. A plea was made to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, (an HBCU), to provide similar support to the Haitian community. I have offered my assistance to Mr. Pepion. We briefly layed out several strategies to help them to get going. Mr Pepion and other members of the community will join me the first weekend in October 2007, to discuss their progress. We're going to make this thing happen ---- Are you on-board?

Coming Called2Action

Tonight 7/8/07 The Coming Haitian Revolution
Week of 7/15/07 The Power of Knowing Good Etiquette.
Week of 7/22/07 Religion Does It Empower or Imprison? (Business Unfinished)

A Look At Unequal Justice

Is it still just-us? Well.....well.....well. Former 25 year State Police Officer ---- former because of his retirement status ---- Bill Harden stopped by to discuss the facts, visions for addressing, and a few thoughts we should be aware of. Bill shared with us the statistic of disparities in sentencing along racial lines for drug usage. In particular, cocaine and the derivatives thereof. The statistics are indicting of our whole society, in particular African Americans. A number of factors, poor legal representation, non-familiarity with the working of our judicial system. We talked about the numbers in prison, for eg. in a prison site in Delaware, census about 3,000, 90% of the confined inhabitants are Black men.

There's been information circulating that says the CIA was instrumental in having cocaine traverse our communities --- reason not discussed ---- don't know if that's important. Regardless, we do not have to give our minds to anything that will control it, whether it be drugs or diabolical ideas clothed in nuances of sophistication. Thanks Bill.

Editorial Update

Our July 1, 2007 discussion with Arnold Patent has been postponed. No fault of Mr. Patent or myself. I was informed late last night (6/30) that some of the equipment in the Clear Channel's holdings were hit by lightning, resulting in our phone lines being scrambled. Mr Patent was joining us via telephone. Though the lines may be unscrambled by air time, I could not take a chance that it would be and had to move to an alternate plan. A rescheduling date of the interview has not been set, ----- as of yet. Stay tuned. ----- I'll get it in within a few weeks.

You Can Have It All... Says Who? Says Arnold Patent

Arnold Patent, author of the book “You Can Have It All”, will be my guest this week (7/1/07) on the Called2Action radio program. We will be discussing the basic laws (principles) of the universe. These principles have been recognized for many years, but relatively few people know them and even fewer use them in their daily lives, per Mr. Patent. He has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey TV program, and several of the major morning TV programs. He’s conducted these type trainings for 18 years throughout the US and the world.

He will be joining me my telephone. This gentleman is dynamic in his thought process, and will have much to share that can be applied to everyone’s life.

A Bird's Eye View On Maryland's New Laws

The Honorable Delegate Rudy Cane, Maryland's 37A district discussed several major new laws that will be going into effect October 1, 2007. Upon briefly discussing the structure of our government the following new laws were discussed: 1) Expungements - Someone that is arrested but not charged, record will be automatically expunged. 2) Maryland has passed an expression of regrets for Maryland's role in Slavery, 3) Living Wage law is being considered, 4) others new law areas discussed were identity theft, Smoking Ban - Clean Indoor Air Act, Higher Education Tuition Freeze, Health Care Access, Electricity - Solar Energy. To read each of these laws and many others passed this year visit this link to the Maryland Legislature.

Fathering or the Lack Thereof In the African American Community

Soon to be best selling author, Jimmy Dumas, author of the book 24 Reasons Why African Americans Suffer, joined me from Alabama this past week, (Fathers Day) to discuss this important topic. We both congratulated the men in our communities who have regarded their children more important than themselves. They have supported them emotionally and financially, and they have likewise supported the mother of their children. These fathers have been pillars in the African American community. Their influence on their children have been long benefiting of our community.

On the other swing of the pendulum are those fathers who do just the opposite. They are absent in the lives of their children. Brother Dumas shared the following bits of information from the book "America Has Lost A Generation of Black Boys" by Phillip Jackson. Black men in Jail have become as common place as Apple pie. Other countries are looking at America and adopting America's social policies that encourage the incarceration and destruction of young men. More worst is the passivity that exist in the African American Community. On the program we discussed the Black Star Project, and how they are addressing the problem. We also discussed the church's role in this "mess". The statistics (see link) of our failures are astonishing. I should take time and cite the statistic here, but use the link above for more details. Great job Brother Dumas.

Does Religion Empower or Imprison?

Isaac White, (in studio) and Adhim Deveaux (in Mt. Vernon, N.Y.) discussed this interesting topic this past week. The subject matter remains unfinished, but was definitely headed in the direction that religion as is practice has done more to hurt us than it has to help us. Churches are the wealthiest institution in the black community, but we must still go across town to borrow money at high interest rates; Most women in the church are obese. Obesity leads to many illnesses. The church does not address these things. Who do Christians follow in the Bible? Can you look at them and tell? An interesting discussion that will continue during the third week of July 2007. Stay tuned, if you haven't been tuned then get tuned.