by Kathy Barks HoffmanAssociated Press Writer LANSING, Mich. (AP)—The debate over how best to help Detroit avoid going broke escalated into a war of words March 14 as Gov. Rick Snyder urged the city to get over a “cultural challenge” by accepting his plan for reviving its finances, and local officials snapped back that they’re up to the job. TOUGH QUESTIONS—Mayor Dave Bing answers questions posed to him by Bankole Thompson, the senior editor of the Michigan Chronicle, during the Global Conversations Speakers Series at the downtown campus of Wayne County Community College District, March 14, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Eric Seals)
by Larry Miller For New Pittsburgh Courier (NNPA)—A preliminary hearing scheduled for Padge Victoria Winslowe, also known as the “Black Madam,” was continued to a later date on March 15. Winslowe, who is accused of performing illegal buttocks enhancement procedures, was also scheduled for a bail hearing. ARRESTED—Padge Victoria Windslowe, also known as the Black Madam, was arrested and charged for performing illegal silicon enhancement injections. Windslowe is also a person of interest in the death of Claudia Aderotimi, who died in February 2011 following illegal silicon injections. (PHOTO FROM PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT)
Week of March 21-27 March 21 1955—Walter White dies. As head of the NAACP, White was perhaps the most prominent and powerful civil rights leader of the first half of the 20th century. The light complexioned, blue eyed White became somewhat of a legend in 1919 when he “passed for White” in order to investigate the notorious Elaine, Ark., race riot when marauding bands of Whites killed over 200 Blacks. He barely escaped with his life when news of his true identity leaked out. WALTER WHITE
by David Porter NEWARK, N.J. (AP)—Rep. Donald Payne was a modest man who favored quiet persuasion over bombast, qualities that didn’t detract from his effectiveness as an advocate for the most vulnerable in the U.S. and abroad, former friends and colleagues recalled at his funeral March 14. U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (AP Photo/Mike Derer, File) Former President Bill Clinton called Payne, who died last week of colon cancer at age 77, “a dear friend” who “made me a better president” for his humanitarian efforts in Africa and elsewhere.
(NNPA)—The Mormon Church condemned racism in the church after a Brigham Young University professor said Blacks aren’t ready for priesthood. Church officials issued a statement Feb. 29 repudiating comments published in the Washington Post from BYU religion professor Randy Bott saying Bott’s comments “do not represent the teachings and doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU faculty members do not speak for the Church. It is unfortunate that the Church was not given a chance to respond to what others said.”
by Curt Anderson and Mike Schneider Associated Press Writerc SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — After declaring victories in getting federal and state officials to investigate the case of an unarmed Black teenager shot to death by a neighborhood watch captain, civil rights leaders continued to pressure authorities to make an arrest. Trayvon Martin (AP Photo/Martin Family Photos, File)
(NNPA)—Critics are taking aim at the Walt Disney Company for its “Dig ‘n Dips” candy, which features its only Black princess on the package of the treat’s watermelon flavor. According to BET News, the Fun Dip-style candy was released for Valentine’s Day and also features other Disney heroines such as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. The latter is used on the package for the vanilla flavor. PRINCESS TIANA (Courtesy Photo) But critics argue that linking Tiana from the movie “Princess and the Frog” to the watermelon flavor is racially insensitive. In American history, it has been a common stereotype to tie Blacks to eating watermelons. “As usual, it’s hard to believe that anyone would intentionally make this kind of insensitive mistake, but pairing the White girl with vanilla and the Black girl with watermelon should have set off an alarm in someone’s mind,” writer Thembi Ford wrote on ClutchMagazine.com.
CRANSTON, R.I. (AP)—An 81-year-old woman from Newport won last month's $336.4 million Powerball jackpot, sleeping with the winning ticket in her Bible until coming forward to claim the sixth-largest U.S. prize on March 6, a family representative said.At a news conference at state lottery headquarters in Cranston, Louise White said little, calling herself “very happy” and “very proud.” Louise White (AP Photo)
by Nekesa Mumbi MoodyAP Music Writer NEW YORK (AP)—In her first interview since Whitney Houston’s death, daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown said she’s “doing as good as I possibly can” and recalled the tender last moments she shared with her superstar mother before her sudden death last month. WHITNEY HOUSTON WITH DAUGHTER BOBBI KRISTINA BROWN
(NNPA)—Whitney Houston’s last will and testament was validated in a Fulton County, Ga., courthouse the week of March 5, and left her entire estate to her only child, daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, in the form of a trust.
