Interdisciplinary Studies in African American Research

Submitted to

Dr. Mark E. Mack

For

Intro to Biological Anthropology

By

Nick Westbrooks

11/23/09

Often times, we notice that different academic disciplines are closely related to each other. In the concept of interdisciplinary studies, educators and students combine different disciplines. The results lead to new discoveries and answers to problems and questions. Anthropology professor Dr. Fatima Jackson, engages in interdisciplinary studies in African American and anthropological research. Last Thursday at the freshman seminar colloquia, Dr. Jackson explained what she does with interdisciplinary studies and why.

In her presentation, Dr. Jackson discussed several topics so I will highlight the key topics I found interest in. The professor started off the presentation by discussing why interdisciplinary studies are important. The main reason was that the human race is facing problems. Along with people suffering from sickness and other health conditions, our genetic variability doesn’t fit the 19^th century racial categories. Although humans may look quite different in relation to race, the biological differences are relatively small, and researchers have to look very carefully to find any differences. Dr. Jackson practices interdisciplinary studies to solve such problems as these.

The next topic of interest was the relationship between the human genotype and the normal filters humans deal with on the daily basis. In order for our genotype to be expressed, it has to pass through the three environmental filters: abiotic, biotic, and sociocultural. Abiotic and biotic environmental filters include diet, subsistence, occupation, body form, toxicants, humidity, altitude, radiation, precipitation, and pharmaceuticals. The sociocultural filters are language, religion, ethnic identity, socialization, and class structure. All of these environmental filters in turn influence the human phenotype.

After that, Dr. Jackson described the Ethnogenetic Layering approach. This approach addresses human variation and health disparity issues. Like Dr. Jackson stated at the beginning of the presentation, using race as the model alone is too general. It is inaccurate to generalize the entire human race from observing only one individual race. Furthermore, the Ethnogenetic Layering approach “helps to better understand the role of population sub structuring.” Identifying and assessing the biological, cultural, and bicultural risks, the origins of and the reasons for certain may expose health disparitie

Two of the specific health disparities that were addressed during the presentation were hypertension and stroke. The areas of West and West Central Africa were sodium deficient; so the inhabitants of that region were unaccustomed to having salt in their diets. Then, these same Africans were forcefully brought to the Carolinas where salt was plentiful. The elevated sodium intake in the black diet led to more cases of hypertension and strokes. The curse of high blood pressure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in the black population still exists presently. Through the use of the Ethnogenetic Layering approach, this discovery was made.

Other key topics Dr. Jackson discussed were Ethnogenteic Layering in relation to breast cancer in African American women, the major historical African cultural influences on African Americans, and converging lineages. Converging lineages was interesting that it identified the relationship between the cadence in blues music and Muslim prayer. This was my first time ever being exposed to this type of information, and it was enlightening. Speaking as a person who has not focused on interdisciplinary studies, I can see the importance of it. I feel that no matter what a person’s academic concentration is, he or she should practice some type of interdisciplinary study. It is practical because everyone should and should want to know where he or she came from and why humans have gone through certain biological and cultural variations. I have no interest in science, but learning about myself intrigues me. I can use what I have learned as a weapon against the dominant culture. Eurocentric “thinkers” have tried to give us false information about our past. They tried to tell us that blacks were not the first people. They tried to credit the Greeks for achievements the Egyptians made. Now they’re trying to make us question the relevance of HBCU’s. Unfortunately, many people who are ignorant to the truth accept false information. On another note, Dr. Jackson being both a Muslim and an anthropologist is fascinating. In her own unique way, she has broken the barrier between religion and science. Her explanation is that God is responsible for all of the evolutionary phenomena that have occurred. The bottom line is that interdisciplinary studies, especially in African American research, are absolutely necessary, relevant, and should be included more in academic curriculum.

Race, Racism, and Science

Submitted to

Dr. Mark E. Mack

For

Introduction to Biological Anthropology

By

Nick Westbrooks

12/2/09

Race has always been an issue that affects everyone in some form. Whether it is social, political, or economical race is something that is a concern to all. Throughout history up to the present day, race has also been an issue in relation to the field of science. Because race has some biological foundation, scientists have used it to explain certain phenomena and open up new doors for scientific research. In the articles “Bred in the Bone” by Alan H. Goodman and “The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment ‘A Moral Astigmatism”’ by James Jones, the close correlation between the topic of race and the field of science is discussed at length.

In “Bred in the Bone,” Goodman discusses the effectiveness and accuracy of physicians and forensic anthropologists using race to identify human remains. The article opens up with the story of rescue workers discovering a human left leg in the remains of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building after the Oklahoma City bombings. Clyde Snow was a forensic anthropologist whose job usually involved identifying victims in such crimes as this. After reviewing the individuals that survived the bombing, going through autopsy records, pathology reports, and photographs, Snow and the other forensic anthropologists couldn’t figure out who the leg belonged to. After measuring the leg and categorizing the leg bone through the use of technology, Snow eventually concluded that the leg belonged to “a darkly complected Caucasoid.”

The problem of using race to identify human remains came up after the discovery that the leg actually belonged to 21 year- old black female by the name of Lakesha R. Levy. Misidentifying people based on race has been a common mistake committed by forensic anthropologists. Without a skull to observe, identifying people accurately becomes even more difficult since the skulls provide more clues about a person’s race.

Over time, scientists have formulated different concepts of race. One concept that comes from the Greek idea of the great chain of being and the ideal types has been deemed anti- evolutionary, and it should not be used to explain race. In fact, anthropologists believe that race should have been eliminated several decades ago. After Darwin published Origin of Species, physical anthropologists used the theory of evolution to help explain human variation rather than the Greek scientific concept of race. Many believe that race itself is a myth, but the idea of race still exists.

Other scientists believe there are three main races: Mongoloid, Negroid, and Caucasoid. These races in turn are ranked according to intelligence and procreative ability. The Mongoloids were ranked the most intelligent, Negroids had the strongest sexual drive, and the Caucasoids were placed in the middle. For people who disagree with this idea and believe race is a myth defends that races do not exist, and sociopolitical policies should not be based on race. Others believe that social policy does not need a biological base, and racism does exist even though true races may not exist. The remainder of the people includes public health/medical professionals and anthropologists who are confused about the existence of race. They believe that racial biology is political, but at the same time they do not see race biology as bad.

Several anthropologists defend the argument that forensic anthropologists are good at identifying humans by race. They argue that racial variations correspond with regional differences. Along with the existence of race and using race to identify people, pre- World War Two physicians use to associate certain health disparities with specific races. All of these tactics have been proven to be inaccurate, and Goodman provides reasons why using race explain human variation is inaccurate.

First of all, race is skin deep. A person’s height, weight, eye and skin color cannot be accurately determined by using race as the identifier. Next, variations in genetic traits occur within the individual races rather than among different races. After that, Goodman states that racial analysis should not be based on the mix of genetics with culture and class with lived experiences. Lastly, race cannot be defined in a stable, repeatable way because race biology varies with time and place. In other words, the color line is always changing so there are a lot more than merely three main races in existence. Goodman also offers alternatives to classifying humans by race, and these include focusing on specific traits and describing human remains as well as possible. It may be true that race is a myth, but the issue of racism still exists.

Personally, I have been exposed to a concept of race that is similar to Philippe Rushton’s idea that there are three main races. Another source expresses that the races of the world originated with the Mongoloid, Negroid, and Caucasoid races. In Blacks In The Bible, James H. Warden Jr. explains that Noah’s sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth became the fathers of the Mongoloid, Negroid, and Caucasoid races after the Great Flood. All of the other races came about “from mixing and mingling of the progeny of Noah’s sons.” As a believer of the Bible, I generally agree with this story about the origin of races. In a way, this biblical explanation supports Alan Goodman’s argument that there are various races and the color line never stays the same. Anthropologists usually do not address religion, and religious believers usually do not address science, but a connection can be seen in this discussion.

As far as using race to identify remains, I agree that using race is inaccurate. For example, the leg that was found after the Oklahoma City bombing had to have belonged to woman but it could have belonged to anyone in regards to race. In examining race, the differences I notice are more visual than physical. Underneath the skin, humans are the same for the most part.

In the article “The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment,” James Jones discusses exactly what the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment was and the morality of the group that conducted the study. 399 men who had syphilis were denied treatment so doctors could observe the effects of untreated syphilis during the late stage of the disease on black men. An additional 201 men who were free of the disease were used as the controls. The Public Health Service conducted the study and the results were high rates of mortality and morbidity among the syphilis victims than the controls. No treatment was involved, and the study was done solely for data.

Next, Jones explained what syphilis is. It is a contagious disease that can be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy or sexual and other bodily contact. The three stages of syphilis are the primary, secondary, and tertiary stages. Syphilis at its worst results is death. With this in mind, the question of ethics arose.

The public could not understand why these men agreed to participate in this study assuming they knew the risks of leaving syphilis untreated. One explanation was that the subjects did not know they had syphilis nor did they know what syphilis was. Also, the men were offered incentives for participating in the study. They were given such benefits as free meals and physical examinations. These factors questioned the morality of the experiment.

After being questioned, Public Health Service officers denied that the experiment was unethical. PHS officials also defended themselves against not giving the subjects treatment by claiming that penicillin would affect them negatively. The subjects may suffer from allergic drug reactions. Others argued that the immorality of the study was evident well before the men were denied treatments with penicillin. The disease could have been controlled at an earlier stage rather than reaching the life- threatening stage. The Public Health Service did not appear to be remorseful about using human beings as laboratory animals.

In the eyes of the public, the value of human lives outweighed the scientific merits. Some even found the study severe enough to be labeled as genocide. Some classified the experiment as racism, but the PHS denied both claims. Others associated the subjects with their social class instead of their race. Americans felt that anyone who was poor and helpless could have been a victim. The claim was that the men were tricked into participating in the study, and they were incapable of giving an informed consent to be a part of the experiment. After seeing this horrible display, Americans came to the realization that they need to protect society against scientific pursuits that ignore human values.

I find it no coincidence that all of the subjects were black males. If the PHS wanted to do an honest study, they would have mixed different ethnicities into the study to use as a comparison. This experiment is obviously racism because the article fails to mention any record of the effects of syphilis amongst any other ethnic group. If any black person questions why it is important to be aware and educated about what is going on around them, the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment is the answer. This is a prime example of how the dominant culture takes advantage of the ignorant. People don’t need to be scientists but they need the knowledge of what’s going on.

The United States Colored Troops were regiments of the United States Army during the American Civil War that were comprised of African soldiers, many of whom were slaves. First recruited in 1863, the 175 regiments of USCT constituted approximately one-tenth of the Union Army. (Sons & Daughters of the U.S. Colored Troops)

@NickWestbrooks reports:

WASHINGTON- As a part of the Civil War’s 150^th anniversary, the African American Civil War Museum and Memorial honored the United States Colored Troops (USCT) with a candlelighting ceremony, making it the first national commemoration of its kind.

In addition to the candlelighting ceremony, the November 5^th event included Civil War-era performances, a presentation of charters to the Sons and Daughters of the USCT and a keynote speech by NY1 News TV anchor and author, Cheryl Wills. 

Although America’s domestic conflict, which pitted the North (Union) against the South (Confederacy) between the years 1861 and 1865, is a century and a half old, Wills explained that the national moment of recognition for the USCT has never happened before.

“There hasn’t been a national ceremony or a national recognition of them at all during this 150^th anniversary. This is the first one,” Wills said. “There have been national recognitions of the Confederate soldiers who fought to preserve slavery.”

Wills is also the great-great-great granddaughter of Sandy Wills, a Black Civil War soldier whom she wrote about in her book Die Free: A Heroic Family Tale. She said knowing this history of her family has been profoundly influential.

“It has changed my entire life,” Wills said. “It’s given me a new sense of pride, and it’s reenergized me to be the very best that I can be.”

Prior to the inaugural national dedication, the African American Civil War Museum and Memorial has been conducting monthly presentations in which it invites the descendants of the USCT to attend similar dedication programs on the first Saturday of each month. Frank Smith, the founding director of the museum and memorial got the idea from Wills to include the national ceremony as an addition to the monthly program.

Smith said the event was necessary to help combat the rising historical misconceptions concerning the involvement of the Black troops in the war.

“The Confederates and the neo-Confederates have succeeded in getting Americans to believe that there were only White people in the Civil War,” Smith said.

Among the other inconsistencies Smith hopes to dispel through the museum and its programs are the benevolence of the Confederacy, the lack of Black self-help and the slaves’ preference to remain in bondage.

Smith said of the misconceptions: “They [Confederates and neo-Confederates] got the world believing a story that’s really outrageous and ridiculous. What we had to do was build a monument or museum big enough where we could change that and get people now to look at this war more seriously as a war of liberation not only for Black people, but liberation for America.”

During the time of reflection, Wills emphasized the timeliness and importance of keeping the Black soldiers in mind.

“It’s the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War, and Americans are remembering that epic battle. Once again, they’re largely forgetting the United States Colored Troops, so this is relevant because we cannot allow them to be forgotten,” Wills said.

“It’s fitting that we lit a candle highlighting a national remembrance of them in the nation’s capital with the national museum that’s dedicated in their honor.”

Recently, I attended a panel discussion entitled “Black Electoral Politics in the Post Civil Rights Era.” On the panel were NAACP Policy Director Hilary Shelton and University of District of Columbia Professor Derek Musgrove. The discussion was facilitated by Ray Baker, the host of “Real Talk With Ray Baker,” a talk show on the Glasshouse Radio Network. The three men discussed several topics relating to black electoral politics linking the past to the present. One of the most important issues addressed was what black elected officials are getting us (black people) and what we have to do in order to get what we want.

The Congressional Black Caucus was founded in 1969 to help provide opportunities for blacks and other minority groups to achieve equality in the areas of economics, employment, health care, education, etc. Currently, the CBC has the same goals, but its means of achieving these goals are different from what they were during the Civil Rights Era. CBC pioneers like Shirley Chisholm, Louis Stokes, and William Clay were able to directly advocate for the black race and pass more legislation then than the CBC has passed presently.

According to Shelton and Musgrove, current black caucus members and other black elected officials aren’t able to directly advocate economic equality for blacks knowing that conservatives would consider them to be racists. This may also account for why constituency concerned with Black American problems has shrunken. The combination of conservative opposition and lack of constituency makes it difficult for the CBC to pass legislation in favor of African Americans.

Black elected officials can only do so much. Take note of the Tea Party Movement. This group has been holding demonstrations and rallies to voice its wants and needs. The Black race is able to advance if it does the same. Blacks supported and voted for black leaders like our current representatives, congressmen/women, mayors, governors, and U.S. president. Voting is the first step towards advancement, but unfortunately, Blacks demobilized after the their officials were elected.

Black Americans shouldn’t be complacent with merely voting Black officials into office. Regardless of income or social status, Blacks will suffer from systematic racism. Therefore, Black American problems can’t be totally left to the politicians to solve. People must put pressure on their representatives and demand them to take action. Don’t just sit there. The Tea Party and the Coffee Party are making their voices heard. This is a message for minority races to come together, and like Chuck D said “bring the noise!”

Firstly, the etymology of the product’s icon should be examined. The name of the character pictured on the box of Cream of Wheat is Rastus. According to urbandictionary.com, Rastus means “a stereotype of the jolly, former slave, and a character of the coon type often featured in minstrel shows.” An alternate meaning defines Rastus as “a pejorative name used by White folks for African American males in the 20^th century.” Clearly, these are racially degrading descriptions.

Additionally, the name is considered to be “highly offensive” and “derogatory for Black men since at least 1880.” The only other definition for Rastus is the abbreviation of the English boy name Erastus. This definition couldn’t be applied to the Cream of Wheat icon, because nothing about him articulates “English” or “boy” (unless he was being referred to as the racially degrading connotation of “boy”). Since the icon’s name is racially derived, the image should be changed.

Rastus’ depiction in early Cream of Wheat advertisements is another reason why the product’s image should be changed. Early Cream of Wheat advertisements portrayed Rastus as the advertising version of the Uncle Tom travesty. Uncle Toms were illustrated as docile, happy, and submissive servants to White folks. In the same manner, Rastus was exemplified as an Uncle Tom in Cream of Wheat advertisements. A 1921 advertisement depicts Rastus as barely literate. In the advertisement, Rastus holds a sign that reads:

Maybe Cream of Wheat

Ain’t got no vitamins.

I don’t know what them

Things is. If they’s bugs

They ain’t none in Cream

Of Wheat but she’s sho’ good

To eat and cheap. Costs ‘bout

1 cent fo a great big dish.

Another poster shows Rastus pulling a White boy in a wagon. Rastus stops pulling to take a smoke. The boy waves a whip and says, “Giddup Uncle.” The advertising icon should be pulled, because early Cream of Wheat advertisements showed racial stereotypes.

One could argue that these depictions and identities originated over a century ago and are no longer relevant to the current times. It must be noted that only “slight modifications” have been made to the Rastus icon. In essence, the same image from circa 1890 is still on display now.

Rastus’ inferior treatment further exhibits the racism of that era. The Chicago waiter, who posed for the picture that eventually became the face of Cream of Wheat, was paid only $5 for his service to the product, the company and the millions of consumers. Upon his death, Frank White was buried in an unmarked grave as if he wasn’t important to American society.

While some individuals may see the smiling chef as harmless, others still recognize the twisted origin of this advertising icon and call for its removal. In an online petition to the CEO/President of B&G Foods, a group known as The Undersigned is demanding that the icon be removed for its racial undertones. The petition says the members of the group “are outraged and offended that your company has insisted on keeping as its trademark a racist symbol that has been an insulting, degrading stereotype directed against Black American men for over 100 years.”

Cream of Wheat’s ethnic symbolic trademark remains to be relevant to Americans in the present day, and its history continues to enforce racial prejudice and hinder the advancement of race relations. For his identity and portrayal, Rastus has always been and possibly always will be a racially stereotypical image of the Cream of Wheat product and should be changed.

Sources

Urbandictionary.com

www.encyclo.co.uk

www.ferris.edu

www.petitiononline.com

@NickWestbrooks

At a time when one in three children is obese, parents and children will now have healthier choices when they visit restaurants, and parents will have access to the nutritional information of the foods their kids are eating.

The National Restaurant Association, in collaboration with Healthy Dining, introduced the “Kids Live Well” initiative at the National Press Club on Wednesday.

Dawn Sweeney, the President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, described “Kids Live Well” as “an initiative that will help identify restaurants that offer healthful kids’ choices on menus nationwide.”

She says the focus is to increase healthy food consumption while decreasing fats, sugars and sodium.

“These ‘Kids Live Well’ items emphasize healthful ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat and fat-free dairy products,” Sweeney said. “These choices also meet stringent nutritional criteria, and they are fully aligned with the 2010 USDA dietary guidelines.”

The National Restaurant Association said more than 15,000 restaurants are participating in the initial launch; 19 eateries participated in Wednesday’s inaugural introduction including Burger King, Denny’s, IHOP and Outback Steakhouse. 

The restaurants voluntarily joined the program by offering menu items that meet the “Kids Live Well” dietary criteria. Interested companies must offer a children’s meal with 600 calories or less and one other side item with 200 calories or less. Additionally, the nutrition information must be on display or available upon request.

Also during the presentation, Anita Jones-Mueller, President and Founder of Healthy Dining, introduced an online guide designed to help consumers locate restaurants that offer “Kids Live Well” items.  By using the guide on the revamped healthydiningfinder.com website, families can find participating restaurants in their area by typing in their zip code.

Consumers can also access each company’s “Kids Live Well” website as well as the nutritional information of the available items. Along with the nutritional information, users may view what food groups each item meets.

She added that Americans can soon expect to see the “Kids Live Well” logo on the menus of many popular restaurants and a phone app that would allow consumers to view nutrition information and to share this information via social networking sites like Facebook.

Jones-Mueller, who is also a mother of two daughters, said she recognizes the importance of finding “creative ways to entice kids to eat healthier while eating out. 

“I think this is the start of something really big,” she said. “It’s groundbreaking. It’s something that will make America a healthier place to raise kids.”

The National Restaurant Association and Healthy Dining expect many more restaurants to the join the “Kids Live Well” initiative to provide healthy and equally satisfying options for everyone.

“It’s exciting that restaurants are rising to the challenge of creating items for the whole family, items that not only please taste buds, but they also please our waistlines and help our bodies,” Jones-Mueller said.

I had no idea on what to expect, but after the reception kick-off and scavenger hunt, it instantly hit me that I was going to have an incredible time beyond anything I could’ve imagined. Josh Shipp gave an amazing speech, and I met some amazing people on the first night (kudos to group 22 *honk honk*).

The great speakers, the wonderful new friends and the beautiful island were only part of the challenge. I also had to factor in probably one of the most important aspects of the convention which were the professional seminars.

All of the seminars were beneficial, but I knew that I could only attend four. I solved that challenge by first choosing the most practical sessions. Learning how to manage stress and communicate with others effectively were lessons that I could use in my personal life as well as my professional life.

The next day I chose to attend sessions that would work on my weaknesses. I picked up a few valuable tips on how to have a successful interview, and I cleared all of my resume uncertainties in Resume Writing 2.0.

I decided on how to make the most out of the rest of the convention by simply being true to myself and keeping in mind my interests. I’m originally from the Jersey Shore, so I love the beach. I made it a priority to visit the beach during my stay. Additionally, I spent some time around the hotel pool just to enjoy the scenery and water.

As for making new friends, I wanted to meet as many people as I could, but I’m aware that I would rather bond with one or two close people. I made it into a two-for-one deal by hanging out with my new friends at the beach and pool. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to fully master that part of the challenge, because there were a few people that I wanted to meet, but didn’t have a chance to.

Most of the attendees can agree that “Your Passport to Possibilities” was entirely too short, but we each have our different and unique ways of dealing with it. The bottom line is a quote that I’ve heard at least five times during the convention. Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you “make the most out of the convention.”

“It’s like niggas is free but our minds still in the chains, brothers killing each other/ The blood spill it’s a shame/ Will it ever slow up?” – J. Cole “Enchanted”

Last week, I made this joint by J. Cole off his “Friday Night Lights” mixtape the theme song for the summer. It was Friday, May 27^th, three days before Memorial Day, the unofficial first day of the season. In broad daylight, 21- year-old Edric Gordon was shot in broad daylight and pronounced dead just a few hours later.

Just the next day, the retaliation came. I don’t know what the result was, but I already knew that this was the start of a long, crazy, hot and violent summer. I was pretty tight after I heard about what happened Friday, because it seems like it’s a never-ending cycle of young black men killing each other. I actually had to calm myself down after I heard that news.

But before I continue, let me give a disclaimer. Ed’s murder was the most recent (to my knowledge) of the string of homicides that have been happening in the past few years around the 732, so I‘m using Ed as my focus. This incident was the “last straw” that led me to write about the overall issue of “homey-cide.”

I’m not going to pretend I was really close to him. Anyway, some people already got in trouble for that, but I did play Biddy with him on team UNLV with the Bird brothers and team Nets with Joe Rios, and I remember him running the halls of Neptune Middle School when I was there.

But back to what I was saying: I’m ashamed to admit it, but during my moment of anger, I thought to myself how happy I was to be away from Neptune and Asbury, and that I didn’t want to come home anytime soon. I dwelled on that over the Memorial Day weekend in relation to the fact that it’s a continuous cycle. I thought about the book I was reading which was about challenging black inferiority, and I thought about the purpose of my alma mater Howard University: to serve my people and the global community. Lastly and probably most importantly, I’m a fellow brother.

After putting all of those factors together, I thought to myself, “Damn, how could I even think about turning my back on my people?” I have a moral obligation to be a part of the solution and not the problem. Y’all have to understand that not speaking up, doing anything or becoming desensitized will only cause “homey-cide” to prolong. It’s not enough to just have the victim’s “face on the front of our shirts saying we miss ya.”

Hear me, I don’t have the master plan to put an end to “homey-cide,” but I have a few suggestions for change based on the possible reasons for black on black murders. It’s not something brand new to black Americans, but it’s a chronic disease that’s been afflicting us ever since we first arrived to this country against our will. (Don’t worry, I won’t get too deep with the history. I know how y’all feel about it, and I’m already making y’all read.) Slaves were taught that black life was worthless. We were treated as property and not humans. We were robbed of our self-respect and value.

This attitude of self-hate was passed down from generation to generation and is presently manifested through gang violence, drug-selling, personal oppression and poverty. As Tom Burrell writes, “…self-hatred created a kill or be killed ‘code of respect’ among young people…we were left with shattered egos and pent-up rage.”

That brief history lesson goes to show you that us killing each other is a mind game, or from Burrell’s advertising perspective, it’s a “propaganda campaign.” We can start to cure this disease by changing how we think about and view ourselves. Probably one of the most effective means to reverse the negativity is using the media.

I know we can’t control what’s broadcasted on the mainstream, but we can control our response to what we see, hear or read. We can choose to support the glorification of violence or we can turn away from it. Peep this, we also have to hold each other to the same standard! From the studio (all y‘all rappers), to YouTube (all y’all rappers) to Facebook and Twitter (all y‘all rappers and everybody else), we need to hold better conversations and put out more positive images of ourselves.

To figure out if we’re doing the right thing, we should ask ourselves, “Does this move us forward, backwards or keep us in the same place?” Remember, keep on lifting up the victims of “homey-cide.” Emphasize how valuable their lives were and are, because everyone’s life is valuable no matter what. Emphasize that life is valuable, also because we all have the potential for greatness (believe it or not).

Like the people in Chicago chanted: “We want futures, not funerals!”

Continuing the disease of “homey-cide” will only result in the priceless cost of human lives, no benefits. Like J. Cole said, “the devil is out buying souls,” but we have to let him know that they’re not for sale.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nick Westbrooks doesn’t have Masters degree or a Ph.D. As a matter -of- fact, he’s still in undergrad at Howard University majoring in broadcast journalism. He’s never written a book, and he’s not an expert on the subject. He’s just a young, concerned black man who cares about his people.

Feb. 25 marked the second year anniversary of Anacostia River Realty, the real estate firm that has been working towards the goal of changing people’s negative perceptions of Anacostia and the other Ward 8 neighborhoods.

Like many people, Ray based his initial perceptions of southeast on what the news reported and the conversations he heard about the high crime rate in the area. For the past three years up to his move into Congress Heights, Ray had been commuting an hour and a half from his Fredericksburg, Va. home to his job at Orr Elementary School on Minnesota Avenue SE. Although he worked in southeast, he had never thought about what the area had to offer until he met Darrin Davis.

“Even though I was working in Ward 8 for the last few years, I had not considered residing here,” Ray said.

Before Davis became what Ray referred to as a “real estate mogul,” Davis was a substitute teacher at Orr where Ray is currently an administrator. After getting to know Davis and his expertise in real estate, he began showing Ray properties, and Ray started to search for real estate in the area.

“He [Davis] just gave me more insight of Anacostia and the area,” Ray said. “Darrin kind of convinced me that the neighborhood is changing.”

The changes occurring are the opening of new businesses like the Uniontown Bar and Grill which Ray visited three nights in a row. The new and renovated homes built and marketed through Anacostia River Realty is bringing publicity along with change to the area east of the Anacostia River.

On Jan. 9 an Anacostia home was featured in HDTV’s “My First Sale.” The reality show tells the story of a home’s first sale from the seller’s perspective. The Anacostia episode featured Davis as the seller’s realtor, and it was viewed during the real estate agency’s Feb. 25 anniversary party at the Big Chair Coffee and Grill.

“The whole world got to see the Anacostia community,” Davis said.

As a result of episode, Davis said people have been searching Anacostia and Davis’ name on Google as well as asking about events happening in the area.

ARR also uses online media to market Ward 8. With websites and social media outlets, Davis says, “We have a heavy internet presence.”

Anacostiariverrealty.com is the company’s main website. There is also an online store, a YouTube channel, homebuyer’s club and a Twitter account. Davis boasts his personal Facebook page of having 5,000 friends, his fan page with 600 “likes” and the company’s homebuyer’s page with 1,100 fans.

Through these marketing tactics, Davis teaches his employees to look beyond merely selling homes.

“As the owner, I tell my agents, my team that ‘we’re not just selling houses, we’re selling a lifestyle,”’ Davis says. “We’re showcasing the best things about this area. There are a lot of great things about this neighborhood.”

Davis, who is originally from Dallas, Texas moved to Washington 20 years ago and attended Howard University during the 1990s. In 2002, he moved to Anacostia while working at Prudential Realtors on Capitol Hill. After becoming familiar with the area and people, Davis started ARR in January 2009 with the purpose of changing “the perception of east of the river neighborhoods.”

So far Davis is satisfied with his company’s progress.

“Even though we’ve only been in business for two years, we’ve made a small dent in changing the perception,” Davis said.

The individuals who celebrated the second year anniversary with ARR attended to show their support and appreciation for the company’s work.

Anthony Anderson, an Anacostia native, grew up on Chicago Street, several blocks from where the viewing party was held. He spoke passionately about the negativity overtaking people’s perceptions.

“You find that in most urban areas that the news will generally report on the negative of that area instead of the very positive things people are doing with outreach and mentoring groups and after school programs,” Anderson said.

Anderson is a good friend of Davis and appreciates him marketing the positive aspects of the neighborhood and taking steps to help renovate east of the river.

“I just love what he’s [Davis] doing as far as bringing the awareness and positivity back to Anacostia and making the dream of home ownership real to people who are trying to buy their first home,” Anderson said.

Anderson is also displaying the positive attributes of the Anacostia people through his web soap opera “Anacostia: The Series,” which he says Davis supports.

For the future of Anacostia, Davis foresees some changes in the neighborhood. He predicts that the property value will increase in 2013. After the Department of Homeland Security relocates to Ward 8, he explained that the area will attract those employees. Specifically, the man who bought the house featured in “My First Sale” works for DHS.

“What he got now for $230,000, in 2-3 years, he would’ve been paying $330,000 or more,” Davis said.

Marlon Ray recognizes the potential of southeast D.C. as he calls it “up and coming.” Purchasing a house there is his way of helping to improve the area, and he’s looking forward to getting involved in his new community.

“It starts with one person. One person can make a difference,” Ray said. “I’m quite happy to be a part of Ward 8.”

What is described as one of the “foundation events” during the 30 days, the Citywide Reentry Assembly, which is held at the CSOSA headquarters in Saint Luke Catholic Church on East Capitol Street SE, recognizes the accomplishments of the mentorship program and encourages people to continue their work. The other goal is to provide the general public the opportunity to join the reentry effort.

Nathaniel Garvin is a Washington, D.C. native who returned home from prison 16 months ago. At this year’s assembly, he was named the mentee of the year for Cluster C, the faith-based mentorship program that operates in the northwest section of D.C.

Garvin described the reentry process as “tough.”

“I had a lot of people that wanted to see me do bad,” Garvin said. “I just put my foot forward and did what I had to do.”

With the help of the CSOSA/Faith Community Partnership, Garvin is currently working and taking classes online. He gives credit to the partnership for getting him an effective mentor.

Garvin’s mentor, Anthony Hawkins stood beside his mentee during the assembly as the Cluster C mentor of the year. He has been mentoring Garvin for a year and has been overall pleased with his mentee’s progress and effort.

“He’s [Garvin] willing to be a participant,” Hawkins said. “He will use what’s available to him to improve himself.”

Mr. Hawkins intends to work with Garvin until his objective of helping him reach independence has been achieved.

“My goal is to not keep him under my wing but to let him soar on his own,” said Hawkins.

As the reentry process was a difficult for Garvin, the mentorship process has been a challenge for Hawkins. Prior to the mentoring Garvin, Hawkins had worked with four to five other ex-offenders. Throughout his tenure, Hawkins said he has experienced different levels of success with the program. Nevertheless, he views the program as beneficial.

“It’s not always an easy task, but it’s a rewarding task,” said Hawkins about mentoring.

He also expressed the need for more mentors with the increasing number of “returning citizens,” but CSOSA’s mentor training program will help people become effective mentors.

Unlike Garvin, ex-offender Gene Nelson has repeatedly reentered society. He attributes his recidivism to not receiving the type of help offered by the CSOSA partnership. Since his most recent reentry in July, Nelson has had a difficult time getting his life back to normal.

Nelson took the initiative to attend the Feb. 10 reentry assembly to find out what CSOSA had to offer. He believes that the agency’s programs offer a “good opportunity” for ex-offenders, and that helping returning residents can solve the recidivism issue.

“We need to teach them [law enforcement] how to help us. Locking everybody up is not the solution to the problem, because the problem is still going to be there,” Nelson said.

Nelson also identifies the faith portion of the partnership as “the main thing.” He explained that in order to make it through the reentry process successfully, spiritual enlightenment and mentorship from spiritual individuals is necessary.

“You have to walk out in faith. You have to believe in something bigger than you. You have to have someone who will show you the way to do it and how to do it,” said Nelson.

Religious mentors like Hawkins use their faith as a means to lead by example.

“If people see how you walk, they will follow your footsteps,” said Hawkins. Through this method, Hawkins explained, the mentors can offer an alternative to federal aid and simultaneously “evangelize” to their mentees without “ramming religion down their throats.”

CSOSA provides several other services along with the faith-oriented programs. Yet, the overall goal of the organization remains the same. Associate director Hendricks said that the emergence of the partnership has allowed the expansion and development of CSOSA as well as raising public awareness of what the agency offers and needs to assist returning citizens.

“Through collaboration and partnership, we are able to inform the public about reentry, the needs men and women coming home have and hopefully recruit more soldiers and resources to help people come home and stay home,” Hendricks said.