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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE


July 28-Aug. 3, 2010


Page A-3


Second Front First Lady Obama tells NAACP not to rest


By Hazel Trice Edney Those who struggled and many who died in


battles for freedom, justice and racial equal- ity during the Civil Rights Movement left a legacy that must yet be fulfilled, (including) caring for the health of Black children, First Lady Michelle Obama reminded thousands at the NAACP Annual Convention in Kansas City, Mo.


“I know that I stand here today, and I know


that my husband stands where he is today, be- cause of this organization, and because of the struggles and the sacrifices of all those who came before us,” Obama said in a passionate speech punctuated with applause. “But I also know that their legacy isn’t an entitlement to be taken for granted. And I know it is not simply a gift to be enjoyed. Instead, it is an obligation to be fulfilled.”


Remarkably, her speech nearly echoed ear-


lier sentiments expressed by NAACP Chairman Roslyn Brock on Sunday evening, who also listed the sins of inequality that still plague African Americans. This commonality of vision from the grassroots to the White House indi- cates both the distance that African Americans have come and the distance that must still be endured.


“When so many of our children still attend


crumbling schools, and a Black child is still far more likely to go to prison than a White child, I think the founders of this organization would agree that our work is not yet done,” Obama said.


She continued, “When African-American


communities are still hit harder than just about anywhere by this economic downturn, and so many families are just barely scraping by, I think the founders would tell us that now is not the time to rest on our laurels.


“When stubborn inequalities still persist, in


education and health, in income and wealth, I think those founders would urge us to increase our intensity, and to increase our discipline and our focus and keep fighting for a better future for our children and our grandchildren.”


Obama, who grew up humbly on the South


Side of Chicago, is especially sensitized to eco- nomic inequities and overcoming them. Among her foremost issues as First Lady has been childhood obesity which often results from economic inequities.


“And that’s why I really wanted to come here


today, because I wanted to talk with you about an issue that I believe cries out for our atten- tion, one that is of particular concern to me, not just as First Lady, but as a mother who be- lieves that we owe it to our kids to prepare them for the challenges that we know lie ahead. And that issue is the epidemic of childhood obesity in America today,” she said.


Michelle Obama Citing that one in three children is over-


weight or obese, Obama said the stats are even worse for Black children.


“Just like with so many other challenges


that we face as a nation, the African-American community is being hit even harder by this issue,” she said. “African-American children are significantly more likely to be obese than are White children. Nearly half of African-Amer- ican children will develop diabetes at some point in their lives. People, that’s half of our children.”


Even as illnesses that derive from obesity


such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, mental and emotional health and low self-esteem issues can result in economic crisis for many families, that crisis also costs the nation, Obama pointed out.


“And we’re already spending billions of dol-


lars in this country a year to treat these con- ditions. And that number is only going to go up when these unhealthy children reach adult- hood.”


Pleading for those in the audience to help


reverse the trend, Obama framed childhood obesity as if it is another civil or human rights


issue. “So we need to take this issue seriously,


as seriously as improving under-achieving schools, as seriously as eliminating youth vio- lence or stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS or any of the other issues that we know are devastat- ing our communities,” she said.


She illustrated the problem with statistics


that the audience easily recognized. “Studies have found that African-American


children spend an average of nearly six hours a day watching TV - and that every extra hour of TV they watch is associated with the consump- tion of an additional 167 calories,” she said.


Referring to what is now known as food des-


erts — neighborhoods where nutritional foods cannot be found to purchase because of the ab- sence of grocery stories — Obama pushed for parental action.


She appealed for parents to put vegetables


on every plate, limit treats like sodas and cut back on sweets.


“Surely the men and women of the NAACP


haven’t spent a century organizing and advo- cating and working day and night only to raise the first generation in history that might be on track to live shorter lives than their parents.”


Obama has planted a garden on the South


Lawn of the White House and launched a “Let’s Move” campaign to promote exercise. She rec- ommended that parents and children visit the new website, Letsmove.gov.


The movement must start with self-example,


she said. “Believe it or not, if you’re obese, there’s a 40


percent chance that your kids will be obese as well. And if you and the child’s other parent are obese, that number jumps to 80 percent,” she said. “And this is more than just genetics at work. The fact is, we all know we are our children’s first and best teachers and role models. We teach them healthy habits not just by what we say but by how we live.”


Finally, Obama told the audience to look to


others for encouragement, the same way that they did and still do.


“See, because back in 1958, folks right here


in Kansas City saw what folks down in Mont- gomery had achieved with their bus boycott. So they were inspired by all those men and women who walked miles — walked miles home each day on aching feet because they knew there was a principle at stake.”


Whether it was fighting for a better economic


lifestyle or better health, it was all about want- ing “something better for their children and for their grandchildren. That’s why they did it,” she concluded. “And in the end, that’s what has driven this organization since its found- ing.”


Shanelle Jackson says she will stay focused on the job As we edge closer to the


Aug. 3 primary, and eventually the General Election, a lot is being said about political can- didates across our city.


With so much promise of


better days filling our airwaves and newspapers, it’s impor- tant to remember those who produce change and follow through on those promises – like Detroit’s own Shanelle Jackson.


For the 30-year-old Jack-


son, her second term in the Michigan House of Represen- tatives has been an eventful one.


She has brought her own


brand of social justice to the Capitol and it is paying off for the residents of Detroit.


“I’ve just always dreamed


of making a difference in my hometown,” Jackson said. “No matter how I did it or on what level, I just wanted to do what I could to improve the lives of our neighbors.”


The Detroit native began


serving Detroit at a young age when she delivered meals to poor families as a Girl Scout and was active in the Word of Faith International Christian Center.


That’s where she learned


the value of serving others. After becoming active in stu- dent government in high school, she realized she could achieve her goal of helping her community as an elected offi-


cial. “At that point, it was like


a light bulb went on that this was going to be my calling,” she said.


That calling has served our


city well, as she has made many impressive strides in the Legislature this year.


Last year, Jackson was at


the center of the fight to keep ownership of Cobo Hall in De- troit and to protect the jobs it provides to our working fami- lies.


The North American Inter-


national Auto Show is one of Detroit’s signature events. According to Jackson, it pro- vides $600 million in revenue to Michigan and is responsible for more than 16,000 direct jobs.


“Those figures tell the


story,” Jackson said. “Detroit and Michigan as a whole could not afford to lose the auto show. I was just proud to have played a part in protecting the livelihoods of so many of our families.”


In addition Jackson has


shined in her role on the House Appropriations Com- mittee. During budget negotia- tions in 2009, Jackson helped restore funding to the Depart- ment of Community Health budget after the Senate pro- posed drastic cuts to Wayne County mental health servic- es.


“I really take pride in making


sure we can build strong com- munities and healthy fami- lies,” Jackson said. “Clearly we have to reduce our budget deficit, but it’s irresponsible to make cuts and not consider how they will affect our fami- lies now and in the future. We can’t leave Detroiters behind while we work to rebuild Mich- igan’s economy.”


It’s that sense of community


– the drive to advocate for her city while working across the aisle to turn the state around – that has Jackson being lauded for her leadership and praised by her colleagues.


Shanelle has a great work


ethic, and she brings the com- mitment and sprit that are needed in the legislature if we’re going to truly turn Mich- igan around, said Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith (D), of Ypsilan- ti.


While she has certainly


taken some major strides in her political career, Jackson knows her work is far from over. For one, she is continu- ing her fight to get Detroit res- idents back on the job.


She recently sponsored a


plan that will make sure De- troit residents and businesses are given preference for jobs that are created when school construction and renovation projects are funded by school bonds.


The plan comes after Jack-


son became concerned with the absence of such a require-


ment in the Detroit Public Schools Project Labor Agree- ment, specifically when voters supported the proposal in part because of the promise of 11,000 new jobs.


“Detroit taxpayers are foot-


ing the bill for these projects, so they should get the first chance to bid on them and get these jobs,” Jackson said. “We have skilled people who are looking for work in Detroit. These projects will give us the chance to boost our economy and help our workers provide for their families.”


Jackson also serves as


Chair of a special House sub- committee to make sure that Michigan workers and dis- advantaged businesses ben- efit from jobs created by tax- payer-funded projects to fix our roads and highways. She is also fighting to protect the pensions of city workers under local control and out of the hands of state officials.


“To me, social justice is all


about protecting our workers, strengthening our community and making sure our families are safe and healthy – and that’s what Detroiters need right now,” Jackson said. “Some say our city is down, but we are far from out. I will always be there for our neigh- bors to make sure their best interests are protected and make sure they have a strong voice fighting for them.


My job isn’t finished and Elected officials and political


candidates can send information regarding issues to


bthompson@michronicle.com I won’t rest until my phone stops ringing.”


That's My Dad WINNING his 3rd time for Mayor in 1981. That’s Monsignor James Robinson, behind him to the left and my Dad’s Cousin, Dr. Claude Young, celebrating the Victory. Msgr. Jim knew my Dad from Alabama and baptized me Coleman Alexander Young when I was two months old. He’s at the Cathedral now. My Aunt Bernice is right below my Dad’s right hand. Charlie Primus is behind his left thumb.


I’ve Passed 7 Laws for YOU Because YOU are My First Priority


 8,000 Movie Jobs & $225,000,000 State Revenues from My Movie Industry Tax Credits


 Landmark Civil Rights Law Gives Paid Maternity Leave for Our Women of Valor; Police, Fire Fighters &


Michigan’s Single Moms & Working Women


Endorsed By 13th & 14th Districts, AFSCME, AFT, Baptist Pastors, COGIC Bishops, Detroit Metro-AFL-CIO, Detroit Reg. Chamber, DPOA, DTE-PAC, SEIU Local 1-DETROIT, MEA, MI Reg. Carpenters & Millwrights,MI Teamsters & 50+ More….


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