Volume 117 No.

36

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75 CENTS

APRIL 18, 2009 - APRIL 24, 2009

Williams Takes Out Winky Wright B5

D.C. Families Celebrate at National Zoo B1

Obamas Host First White House Easter Egg Roll Obama: Economy Improving but Still A Long Way to Go
By Dorothy Rowley AFRO Staff Writer In a major speech on the economy Tuesday at Georgetown University, President Obama said that while his $787 billion recovery package has begin to show signs of progress, it will be a while before Americans can comfortably feel theyre on the path to growth and prosperity. In the sobering presentation that lasted about 45 minutes, Obama -- now in his 12th week as commander-in-chief - said that in his administrations attempt to fix the economy by strategically attacking it on all fronts, it has had to respond to an extraordinary set of economic challenges with extraordinary actions which have been unprecedented both in terms of scale and speed. Among them: gross disparities in healthcare which have strangled the economy, increased unemployment, lack of educational programs and resources -- and getting a grip on the credit crisis that began on Wall Street and stretched to Washington before making its way to Main Street. In the process and, according to Obama, because of a fundamental weakness in the political system, home foreclosures ran rampant after banks and mortgage lenders threw caution to the wind, making loans to people who couldnt afford them. Recessions are not uncommon markets in the economy naturally ebb and flow, said Obama, but this recession is Continued on A7

AP Photo

this recession [was not] caused by a normal downturn in the business cycle; it was caused by a perfect storm of irresponsibility and poor decision-making.

President Barack Obama leans over to talk to his daughters Malia, center, and Sasha at the start of the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on April 13. (For story visit www.afro.com)

Best Buy Home Depot

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Developing Nations in Africa, Americas Bear Brunt of Crisis

By Zenitha Prince Washington Bureau Chief People of color in developing nations in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America will be severely impacted by the global financial crisis though they had nothing to do with its origination, experts, advocates and officials say. This crisis was caused by the irrational behavior of White people with blue eyes, who before the crisis appeared to know everything and now demonstrate that they know nothing, said Brazils President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva in a joint press conference with Britains Prime Minister Gordon Brown late last month. He added: I do not know any Black or indigenous bankers so I can only say [it is wrong] that this part of mankind which is victimized more hosted by Trinidad and Tobago from April 17-19. The enclave of the regions 34 democraticallyelected leaders will focus on a number of concerns, including environmental degradation, alternative energy, security and the wealth gap but undoubtedly,

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This crisis was caused by the irrational behavior of White people with blue eyes
than any other should pay for the crisis. The Latin American leader made the statements as a lead-up to the G-20 Summit in London earlier this month. And, those sentiments will likely define the fifth Summit of the Americas, which will be economic recovery and growth will take center stage. Over the past five years, Latin America has seen the fastest economic growth rates in the world, Continued on A6

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Its Business as Usual in Black Businesses Face Tough One Pr. Georges Mall Choices in Faltering Economy
By Candice Hardy Howard University News Service Retail sales have plummeted nationwide as Americans continue to lose jobs due to the stumbling economy. Nationally, unemployment has hit 8.5 percent, while the number of jobless in Maryland rose from 6.2 percent in January to 6.7 percent in February, according to Bureau of Labor statistics. People with less money are less likely to shop. Consequently, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that retail and food services

Think out of the box, say experts

By James Wright AFRO Staff Writer While many local Black businesses are downsizing or going out of business, many also are working through the recession with a combination of grit and street smarts, and focusing on customer service in order to survive in the challenging economic environment. The Washington, D.C. region has long been considered one of the strongest areas in the country for Black businesses due to the large number of Blacks in the area and their affluence from well-paid government and private sector jobs. Continued on A8

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Photo by J.Wright

INSIDE

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Continued on A4

President Obamas visit to Bens Chili Bowl in January sparked a rush in customers. The family-owned business has also opened a new chic restaurant and bar spinoff called Next Door.

Its a Bo!

A2

OPINION
Taking On Fenty

A10

Marian Anderson, Frederick Douglass, MLK Remembered

A12

Copyright 2009 by the Afro-American Company

A6

Proposed Parks and Recreation Center Closings Criticized

Programs provide daycare for disadvantaged
By Dorothy Rowley AFRO Staff Writer The District of Columbias plans to close several Department of Parks and Recreation programs that provide daycare for underprivileged children has been met with criticism from parents and employees who stand to lose their jobs. We just got a letter telling us that they are going to close the center the end of June, said Darlene Williams, one of four certified daycare teachers at the Malcolm X facility located in southeast Washington, D.C. What confuses us is that the mayor said he was presenting [the closings] as a proposal, but now all of a sudden were done. Parks and Recreation spokesman John Stokes said he was unaware of the proposed closings. He requested that the AFRO forward him a list of questions it had surrounding any departmental job reductions. However, Stokes had not responded to the questions by press time. In his recent State of the City address, Mayor Adrian Fenty said his Fiscal Year 2010 budget plan calls for the elimination of more than 1,600 jobs and that 800 of them would be attributed to layoffs. He said that the 250 jobs reductions slated for DPR will help offset an $800 million Continued on A7

The Washington Afro-American, April 18, 2009 - April 24, 2009

Developing Nations in Africa, Americas Bear Brunt of Crisis

Continued from A1 lifting millions out of poverty. Theres been similar growth in parts of Africa, and both regions stand to see those gains threatened by the ongoing economic downturn. We were on track to see Africa bounce back from slower economic growth from decades ago but that has since changed, said Michael Stulman, assistant director of policy and communications at Africa Action, a WashingtonD.C. based advocacy group. This crisis is threatening to push millions of Africans below the poverty line and in Africa thats having a huge impact on peoples wellbeing. The International Monetary Fund expects growth in sub-Saharan Africa to slow from about 5 percent in 2008 to about 3 percent in 2009, about 3 percentage points less than projected a few months ago. Its a very bleak forecast, Stulman said. Sub-Saharan Africa is on the brink of economic collapse. The Caribbean, like Africa, is very vulnerable given its integration into the global economy through trade and direct foreign investment and its dependence on exports like tourism, which has suffered from decreased consumer spending. The Caribbean itself is a relatively poor region, said Johanna MendelsonForman, a senior associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The global economic crisis has added an additional layer Mendelson-Forman said. According to the World Bank, GDP (gross domestic product) growth in developing countriesonly recently expected to increase by 6.4 percent in 2009is now likely to be only 4.5 percent. investment. The G-20 resolution demonstrates reluctance to making actual systemic change in the way we provide aid on the planet, Williams said. Were going to throw money at the problem but the

Sub-Saharan Africa is on the brink of economic collapse.

onto the problems they were already experiencing. That impact was epitomized last year in the food riots that swept through Haiti and nine other countries last year as food prices affected by food speculation on the erratic financial markets and drought skyrocketed. Most experts and TransAfrica are concerned about an even worse food crisis, said Nicole Williams, executive director of TransAfrica Forum. The problem may be exacerbated by the decrease in monies sent from expatriates working abroad -- funds that form a pillar of many domestic economies in the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa. Haitis economy, for example, comprises 60 percent foreign aid and 40 percent remittances from Haitians living abroad. The reduction of remittances is devastating, And account deficits for many of these debt-ridden countries will likely expand, IMG and World Bank economists predict. Clearly as creditors (international corporations) are scrambling around for cash, theyre looking to debtors on the continent of Africa and other developing nations, Williams said. Which is why the TransAfrica executive and others are concerned about the G-20s decision to allocate $750 billion to the IMF to provide loansnot grantsto developing countries to weather this economic storm. You dont want to encourage this borrowing, said Mendelson-Forman about countries in the Caribbean, because the biggest need is to ensure that you dont destabilize countries that are already teetering on the edge. For years, many activists have decried the conditions attached to IMF and World Bank loans given to developing nations, conditions that usually promoted deregulation and the removal of barriers to trade and forced countries to divert money away from domestic institutional changes just have not come. She added, What youre going to see is countries are still going to be prodded and coerced to privatization of their utilitieswater, health care, school systemswhile were saying in the developed world, maybe we need to slow down on privatization; maybe government can play a role. Stulman added, debtor nations should be thinking about cancelling the debt of these still-growing nations instead of increasing the toll. Africa is now servicing $300 billion of illegitimate debt to international financial institutions. If those (loans) were cancelled youd see a huge amount of spending freed up to focus on health, education and infrastructure building, he said. With such uncertainty in the global markets and the possible addition of these loans onto already-high debts in developing nations, the long-term impact of this crisis on such nations could be worse, Williams predicted. The real effects of the financial crisis are, frankly, yet to be seen.

IF YOU ARE AFRICAN AMERICAN AND YOU ARE THE PURCHASER, OWNER, INSURED, OR BENEFICIARY OF A JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INSURANCE POLICY THAT WAS ISSUED BEFORE 1959 (OR IF YOU ARE THE LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE OF SUCH AN INDIVIDUAL), YOU COULD RECEIVE A PAYMENT FROM A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.
LEGAL NOTICE United States District Court for the District of Connecticut Noret v. John Hancock Life Insurance Company Civil No. 3:04cv1099 (JBA) This is just a summary of the terms of the settlement. For more information, including a full notice, call 1-800-232-3154 or go to johnhancocksettlement.com. WHAT IS THE SETTLEMENT ABOUT? The lawsuit alleges that, prior to 1959, John Hancock discriminated in the sale of certain life insurance policies to African Americans. John Hancock denies the claims. The Court has authorized the case to proceed as a class action. No determination of liability has been made. Both sides have agreed to a settlement. The settlement will be reviewed by the Court to make sure it is fair, reasonable, and adequate at a hearing on August 21, 2009. WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS? 1. Make a claim. If approved, the settlement would provide up to $1,200 in monetary relief for valid claims relating to each covered policy. Each policy can only be paid once, but you may make a claim for payment on more than one class policy. If you wish to submit a claim, you do not need to take any action at this time but must complete and submit a claim form and other supporting documentation by November 19, 2009. 2. Stay in the settlement but le an objection. If you want to stay in the settlement but want to object to the terms of the settlement, you must submit an objection to the settlement by May 11, 2009. 3. Opt-out of the settlement and give up any benets the settlement might provide to you. If you do not want to participate in this settlement or be bound by this lawsuit, you must request exclusion from the settlement (or opt-out) by May 11, 2009. 4. Do nothing. If you are covered by the description above, you can also do nothing. In that case, you will not get paid anything if the settlement is approved and you will also release your rights to any claim you may have had. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE LAWSUIT, CLAIM FORMS, HOW MEMBERSHIP IN THE CLASS CAN BE ESTABLISHED, AND HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR OPTIONS, GO TO JOHNHANCOCKSETTLEMENT.COM OR CALL 1-800-232-3154 (IF YOU USE A TDD/TTY, CALL 1-866905-8129). The Class is represented by the law rms of Mehri & Skalet, PLLC and Klafter Olsen & Lesser LLP. Go to ndjustice.com and klafterolsen.com for more information.
During the month of your birthday, your admission is FREE with three full paying admissions. Proof of birthday is required. Must mention code BAB09 at time of purchase to receive birthday discount. Not valid for gift certificates or when combined with any other discount offer or group rate. Additional restrictions may apply. Valid at Maryland castle only. Expires 5/30/09.
Call today to reserve your Royally Fun Birthday Party!

VALID AT ALL SHOWS. Kids/Teens (18 and under) are FREE when accompanied by a full paying adult. Limit 1 free child/teen perfull-paid adult. Must mention code KTFA09 at time of purchase to receive discount AND must present coupon upon entrance. Not valid for prior purchases. Valid at Maryland castle only. Expire 4/19/09.

Happy Mothers Day!

Honor the Women in Your Life with a Special Keepsake Message on the Pages of the AFRO
Issue date: May 9, 2009 Deadline: April 24, 2009

We Love You, Mom!

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