"Clean Up Abandoned Uranium Mines – Urgent Message From First Nations"

The poisoning of America: "Throughout the West, particularly on tribal land, abandoned open pit uranium mines continue to emit radiation and toxic heavy metal dust into the air, land and water. These pit mines were created during the cold war frenzy when the Atomic Energy Commission stated that it would buy all of the uranium that could be mined. Corporations such as Kerr-McGee and Atlantic Richfield as well as local ranchers jumped on the chance to make money. When they were done, the pits were left behind with no remediation. The radiation and toxic heavy metals from the mine contaminate the food supply as livestock drink polluted water and plants grown in contaminated soil. People who live near the mines experience many health effects including high rates of cancer deaths and birth defects. You can read more about this in our article, “America’s Secret Fukushima Poisoning the Breadbasket of the World.”. – Margaret Flowers"

American Indian Heritage Month - November 2013

Veterans History Project: http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/ex-war-nativeamericans.html

What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose. http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about/

Full Image of Alabama Indian Land Cessions

 

Indian Land Cessions in the United States, 1784-1894: There are sixty-seven maps
referenced in this volume.

 

Library of Congress, National Archives and other exhibit references. http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/collections/index.html

"Scottsboro Boys" Pardon Date Set for November 21, 2013 in Montgomery

Three of the Scottsboro Defendants are scheduled to be pardoned on November the 21st in Montgomery, Alabama. Scottsboro's Daily Sentinel ( http://thedailysentinel.com/ )  reports in todays paper that three of the defendants are eligible for the parole; those named are "Haywood Patterson, Charley Weems and Andy Wright are to be pardoned in accordance with the Scottsboro Boys Act. " Clarence Norris was pardoned by Gov. George Wallace in 1976. Four of the defendants were exonerated in 1937. (pictured below)

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Jul 26, 1937- Titled "Enjoying Their Freedom." Byline on reverse of photo reads: Samuel Liebowitz and the 4 youths he defended in the famed Scottsboro case wave farewell as they leave for New York after viewing a movie at Cincinnati. Those freed are Eugene Williams, Roy Wright, Willie Roberson and Olen Montgomery. (original press photo owned  by G. Morgan purchased from Historical Images-Memphis, Tn. May 9, 2012)

"The Scottsboro Boys Petition": http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/assets/pdf/DS213028107.pdf

Clarion's coverage: http://www.theclarion.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7210:pardons-granted-to-three-scottsboro-boys&catid=42:clarion-rotation-stories&Itemid=142

"The Scottsboro Boys all eventually left prison, but only one — Clarence Norris — received a pardon in his lifetime...Dan Carter, a professor emeritus at the University of South Carolina who wrote a history of the case in 1970 [titled "Scottsboro, an American Tradgedy"had this to say]...Carter said he had "ambivalent feelings" about the posthumous pardon process. On the one hand, the historian said racial reconciliation was impossible "without facing up to the past." But Carter said unduly focusing on the past can distract from problems of the present." http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/16/scottsboro-boys-pardon/2820449/

NOT ENOUGH! I agree with Mr. Carter, this is not enough! Race Relations Education must be taught in our schools if we are to make definitive strides in ending racism. There is no effort to facilitate a race relations education program. There is no effort to correct the disparity of African Americans in our prisons. It is my opinion that this action was a glory grab by politicians and individuals who were out for self promotion.

Racism is a personal and institutional sickness which many are in denial. White folks and political leaders today cannot wash their hands of the racial injustice that occurred in Jim Crow America. Racism is still alive and well today in Alabama and across our nation. This is why it is vitally important that a comprehensive program of race relations education be implemented within Alabama.

WHITE GUILT? In the eyes of white politicians this is their answer-a PARDON for the deceased defendants, victims of racism and Jim Crow injustice.. I wonder if this pardon is subconsciously an effort to pardon themselves. This pardon process is woefully short of the answer to a growing problem of  racial and sexual discrimination practiced today in our nation, including current Alabama politicians.

"NEVER TO LATE FOR JUSTICE: Bro. Clarence Norris Jr., son of Scottsboro Boy Clarence Norris Sr., Speaks Out on The Scottsboro Boys' Pardon and Exoneration..."
4/19/2013




A comprehensive report on The Scottsboro Boys Trials 1931-1937 by Professor Douglas Linder  http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scottsboro/scottsb.htm

National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sep 15 - Oct 15, 2013

Department of Defense Hispanic American Heritage Month Poster for 2013

Who are Hispanic Americans?


Reconnecting with ones heritage.

About National Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

PBS Latino Americans
http://www.pbs.org/latino-americans/en/about/

Mi Historia- http://www.pbs.org/latino-americans/en/mi-historia/

Timeline of Important Dates- http://www.pbs.org/latino-americans/en/timeline/