BILL FLETCHER JR.

(NNPA)—It will strike many of you as counter-intuitive, but there has been a rising phenomenon of unemployed workers suffering discrimination when they have sought work because…they have been unemployed. This is not an exaggeration. In fact, the situation is so serious that the City Council of New York passed an order prohibiting discrimination against the unemployed, an order that was vetoed by the mayor, but was then overridden by the Council.

LOUIS 'HOP' KENDRICK

Over the years I have often written that passing conversations and incidents result in columns. Last week a neighbor of mine, Janet Lemore Thompson, PhD died, and the home going ceremony was at her church, Grace Presbyterian. The message was delivered by the pastor emeritus, Rev. Johnnie Monroe. The message was brief and right on target, “She made a difference”. As we listened to those who were a part of her life reflect on the accomplishments of Janet, if it had not been for time constraints we could possibly still be there.

Tuesday was election day and for several years, in some instances, and months in others, there have been a number of Blacks who have titles, positions, jobs who have worked tirelessly on the behalf of a political candidate, particularly for mayor of Pittsburgh. I question how many of them, if any at all, understand or can possibly relate to the message “making a difference”. At this time I will not name who these people are, but I will in the near future, because the time is long overdue for these people to be exposed for what they are.

I have disagreed for many years that Pittsburgh Blacks are the most indifferent Blacks in America. However, in recent months I have come almost full circle--that may be right. Let’s analyze why certain Blacks were so diligent in their support for a certain candidate. Was it because it would benefit the Black communities? I doubt that, because in some campaigns these same people have supported candidates who had dismal track records when it came to resolving problems of Black people.

RAYNARD JACKSON

(NNPA)—I was flipping through the TV channels last week and came across one of Spike Lee’s best movies, “School Daze.” This was a 1988 film written and directed by Lee. The movie took an inside look at some of the internal issues that go on within the Black community—issues like dark skinned Blacks versus light skinned Blacks; Blacks that have “good” hair versus Blacks with “nappy” hair; Blacks from wealthy families versus Blacks from poor families. The movie was funny and serious at the same time. I always say that comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.

The victims and their families received justice May 13 when Dr. Kermit Gosnell was found guilty of first degree murder in the deaths of three babies born alive, then stabbed with scissors. He was sentenced last Wednesday to a third life term for killing an aborted baby that he described as so big it could “walk to the bus.”

The sentences offer no chance at parole, meaning Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison.