NAACP completes protest of racial achievement gap
Written by Rebecca Nuttall - Courier Staff Writer
The Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP has completed the final phase of a series of demonstrations at the Pittsburgh School District administration building in protest of the district’s racial achievement gap. Their seven-week effort, which ended Dec. 28 was to increase awareness of the gap and inspire district administrators to take action.
“The emphasis on resolving disparities has to be a top agenda item of the school board, administration and teachers,” said NAACP member and Black Political Empowerment Project leader Tim Stevens. “If we don’t collectively address that ongoing disparity, people in this region, particularly African-Americans, will have a difficult future.”
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| BRAVING THE COLD—NAACP President Gail Moss, Richard A. Stewart Jr. and Curtis Page finish their final lap around the administration building.
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Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:20
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Poet, anti-apartheid activist Dennis Brutus dead at 85
Written by Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP)—South African poet and former political prisoner Dennis Brutus, who fought apartheid in words and deeds and remained an activist well after the fall of his country’s racist system, has died. He was 85.
Brutus’ publisher, Chicago-based Haymarket Books, said the writer died in his sleep at his home in Cape Town Dec. 26. He had been battling prostate cancer, according to Patrick Bond, who directs the Center for Civil Society at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, where Brutus was an honorary professor.
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DENNIS BRUTUS
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Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:20
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Prevailing wage bill passed by council
Written by Rebecca Nuttall - Courier Staff Writer
The city is waiting to hear whether or not Mayor Luke Ravenstahl will sign a piece of legislation, which calls for a prevailing wage to be paid to service industry workers in developments that have received $100,000 or more of city aid.
City council unanimously passed the legislation on Dec. 21 by a vote of 9-0. For this reason, the mayor will be unable to veto the legislation, but his support or lack of support could have an impact on future relations with the council.
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DOUG SHIELDS
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Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:20
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CEA holds 15th annual Kwanzaa celebration
Written by Rebecca Nuttall - Courier Staff Writer
On Dec. 28, the Community Empowerment Association held its 15th annual Kwanzaa celebration, complete with live entertainment and traditional gift- giving.
Kwanzaa is a weeklong holiday following the seven principles of African culture. CEA’s celebration followed the theme for the first day, Umoja, which means unity.
“The goal is for the mind-set to spread into the community,” said CEA founder Rashad Byrdsong. “Building self-determination and self-consciousness is the purpose of Kwanzaa and a philosophy in which we live. It’s our way of keeping the rich tradition community-based and community driven.”
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| KWANZAA—The New World drummers perform traditional African drumming.
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Last Updated on Monday, 03 December 2012 19:20
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