News & Views

News & Views is the bimonthly newsletter of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change. To subscribe to the print edition, click here to become a New Coalition member. To contribute to this newsletter, contact Lee H. Walker, president of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, and lwalker@newcoalition.org October-November 2007 Fox News Interviews President Bush by Juan Williams On September 24, 2007, Juan Williams of Fox News interviewed President George W. Bush in the Old Family Dining Room at the White House. The two discussed Jena, Hurricane Katrina, and Donovan McNabb, among ... (read more) Blacks and Anemia Medications by Lee H. Walker Have you heard that Medicare is thinking about cutting back on the amount it is willing to pay for certain drugs used by cancer patients and people on dialysis? It should be a big concern in the black ... (read more) The Opportunity to Own by Wendell Cox The Urban League concluded one of its most successful national conferences in late July. Reflections on an Anniversary by Lee H. Walker This issue of our newsletter heralds the 15th anniversary of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change as a nonprofit organization [think tank] whose home base is downtown Chicago. We believe the ... (read more) The Power of Diversity by Lee Walker This essay is derived from remarks he delivered on August 24 to a gathering of Wal-Mart sales associates and managers. Schools Can't Use Race to Assign Students by Jillian Melchior In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 28 that states cannot use racial quotas to assign students to schools in an effort to achieve diverse student bodies--the first time the Court has ... (read more) Solving Illinois' Dropout Crisis with Choice by Collin Hitt As I write this, it's summer. Across Chicago, tens of thousands of students have left high school for good. About half of them have graduated with a degree, on to a career in college or the workforce. ... (read more) New Coalition Update by News & Views Staff Lee Walker, president of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, was invited to participate as a community leader in the City of Chicago's "One Book, One Chicago" program. Booker T. Washington Outreach Continues by News & Views Staff In the months since June 2006, when the Booker T. Washington Symposium was cohosted by The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change and The Heartland Institute, we have produced a professionally edited ... (read more) October - November News & Views by Lee Walker The October-November 2007 issue of News & Views leads with an article by Wendell Cox, a senior fellow of The Heartland Institute and national expert on housing policy, revealing on how minority home ownership ... (read more) August-September 2007 An Incoherent Journey by Jay Lehr American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century. Never read this book. I implore you, however, to read this review in order to better understand ... (read more) A Welcome Change of Heart by Lee Walker In March, I wrote an editorial stating that Illinois Rep. Monique Davis, vice-chairperson of the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, had erred badly in sponsoring House Bill 466, a measure opposing ... (read more) The Immigration Divide by Lee Walker Why has the current debate on immigration reform incited so much passion and become the new “third rail” of politics? Self-Determination and the Black Leadership Tradition by Juan Williams The most prominent voice for black liberation before the Civil War belonged to Frederick Douglass, a former slave who secretly taught himself how to read, then became a skilled worker in Baltimore’s shipyards, ... (read more) A Recovering Liberal by Mike Griffin I received my undergraduate degree from Roosevelt University in political science in 2006 after serving honorably for three years in the United States Navy. While stationed abroad in Yokosuka, Japan, ... (read more) Africa Needs Public Works, Economic Development, and DDT by Ralph Conner Health Minister Sam Zaramba of Uganda made a compelling case for former colonial (G-8) countries to allow the use of DDT to fight malaria in sub-Saharan Africa in a June 12 Wall Street Journal editorial ... (read more) Economic Sanity about Oil Prices by Thomas Sowell With gasoline prices rising, political rhetoric is rising even faster. Liberals in Congress and in the media have launched a war of words, whose net result may well be a demand for some form of price ... (read more) Religion Benefits Black Urban Families by Robert Dunn The Center for Marriage and Families at the Institute for American Values released in May a research brief demonstrating the powerful link between regular church attendance and marriage patterns in urban ... (read more) New Coalition Update by Robert Dunn On May 16, the Chicago Defender (circ. 51,703) published an article by Lee Walker, president of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, titled “Queen’s Visit Misses Historic Opportunity.” Walker ... (read more) Welfare Reform 10 Years Later by Dane Wendell Welfare programs have been a substantial part of our nation’s poverty reduction efforts since the mid 1960s. But has welfare been an effective means of lifting people out of poverty? An Assessment of Booker T. Washington’s Role in Africa by Tyrene Wright Although the two never met, much was passed on from Booker T. Washington to Marcus Garvey. In fact, Washington’s philosophy and ideology influenced Garvey more than anyone else’s. Of all the African nationalists ... (read more) August-September 2007 by Lee Walker News & Views is the bi-monthly publication of the New Coalition for Economic and Social Change. June-July 2007 Invisible Hand at Work for Chicago’s Black Parents by Lee Walker One of the tragedies of black political leadership is that too often our leaders say they are working for the community when they are in fact voting for someone else’s agenda. Closing the Racial Achievement Gap by Aricka T. Flowers Low socioeconomic status, failing schools, cultural gaps, crime and drug abuse, a lack of African-American teachers, low expectations, and self-sabotage are some of the factors Lynch cites as major contributors ... (read more) Justice Clarence Thomas Is a True Role Model by Lee Walker Although many blacks still refuse to see Thomas as a role model because of his stance on affirmative action, I believe he has rendered a great service to the black community in upholding constitutionalism ... (read more) Charter Schools Work by Michael Van Winkle Things are looking good for the charter school movement. In March, the Knowledge is Power Program (KiPP) announced it had secured $65 million from private donors, including the Bill and Melinda Gates ... (read more) Georgia Passes Special-Needs Voucher Bill by Karla Dial Georgia became the first Southern state to pass a voucher bill of any kind, late on the last day of its legislative session April 20. Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) signed the measure into law on DATE. Up from Dependency by Nick Johnson For too long, the black community has been enslaved by the destructive dependency mind set. There exists an absurd belief, held almost dogmatically, that if we are to empower individuals we must first ... (read more) A Gutless Lynch Mob by Thomas Sowell Just before the attorney general of North Carolina appeared on television to announce his decision on the Duke University “rape” case, one of the many expert TV legal commentators said that Attorney General ... (read more) How Well Do Our Laws Protect Religious Freedom? by Robert Dunn Religious freedom is one of our most cherished inheritances. It is known as the 'First Freedom' because our Founders saw fit to place it first in the Bill of Rights. But it is not merely first in order; ... (read more) Insightful, Well-Researched, and Dismaying by Robert Dunn In early May, the Queen of England visited President George W. Bush to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the white settlement of America. Adams and Sanders’ book documents the nearly 400-year history ... (read more) New Coalition Update by Robert Dunn On March 23-25, Walker participated in several straight days of editorial board meetings to evaluate candidates in the April run-off elections for the Chicago City Council. He also interviewed Chicago ... (read more) Black Buying Power Surges by Robert Dunn Black consumers spent 17 percent more on cable television, 24 percent more on long distance phone service, and 6 percent more on cell phone service than did white consumers. June-July News & Views by Lee Walker In this issue of News & Views we focus on issues in education, especially the progress made by Charter Schools. Additionally, Lee Walker upholds Clarence Thomas as a role model, Thomas Sowell analyzes ... (read more) April-May 2007 Fake School Reform an Insult to Black Families by Lee Walker Yes, here I go again, arguing it is racist to keep fooling Chicago’s black parents about their children’s lack of academic progress. Black youths have become the farm team for the prison system. Does ... (read more) Farewell, Minister Louis Farrakhan by Lee Walker I have always been impressed by the way younger members of the Nation of Islam have served and protected their communities, taking special care of their women. They have, in large part, avoided the drug ... (read more) NAACP CEO Bruce Gordon’s Surprise Resignation by Roland Martin Dissident NAACP board members are so upset with the resignation of CEO Bruce Gordon that more than two dozen are caucusing in an effort to oust longtime board chairman Julian Bond, several sources have ... (read more) Remarks on the Celebration of African American History Month by President George W. Bush The theme of this year’s African American History Month is, “From Slavery to Freedom: Africans in the Americas.” For hundreds of years, the people of Africa were bought and sold by colonial merchants ... (read more) Mother to Son by Langston Hughes Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor— Bare. But all the time I’se ... (read more) White Guilt and Black Power by Robert Dunn Shelby Steele’s new book, White Guilt, unmasks liberal social policies and reveals them as little more than white America’s attempt to reclaim lost moral authority. Chicago Urban League Shifts Focus by Cheryl Jackson The Chicago Urban League is getting out of the social services business and will focus exclusively on economic development. Moving forward, we will lead with an economic agenda to drive social change Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire by John McWhorter John McWhorter: The secret to teaching poor children—often from book-shy, single-parent homes—how to read has been out for over 40 years. In the 1960s, the federally funded education program, Project ... (read more) Utah’s Universal Voucher Gives Hope to Minority Students by Robert Dunn Black and Latino parents should be encouraged by the ground-breaking school choice legislation Utah’s governor signed into law on February 12. New Coalition Update by Robert Dunn On March 16, Walker attended a follow-up meeting with the Illinois Transatlantic Slave Trade Commission (ITSTC) at Northeastern Illinois University. The ITSTC will prepare a study addressing the impact ... (read more) April-May 2007 News & Views by edited by Lee Walker News & Views is the bimonthly newsletter of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change. The April-May publication highlights the dramatic move made by the Chicago Urban League to focus on economic ... (read more) February-March 2007 A Black History Month Tribute to Booker T. Washington by Lee Walker Historians have generally recognized Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) as the outstanding American black leader of his day. Booker's reputation among his contemporaries was nothing short of enormous. William ... (read more) Excerpt from Booker T. Washington's Speech at the Atlanta Cotton States and International Exposition by Booker T. Washington "The wisest among my race understand that the agitation of questions of social equality is the extremist folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all the privileges that will come to us must be the ... (read more) The Battle for Booker's True Legacy by Lee Walker By 1903, DuBois had completely parted ways with Booker and in his own book, Souls of Black Folks, he asserted that Washington's program "practically accepts the alleged inferiority of the Negro races." ... (read more) A Challenge to Minority Business Owners: Expect More by Richard D. Parsons Economic empowerment means that along with the right to vote and equality in education, it is essential that we have an equal opportunity to create, earn, and acquire wealth in the world's most successful ... (read more) Urban Trust Bank Seeks to Empower Diverse Communities by Robert Dunn BET founder Robert Johnson recently announced that his Urban Trust Bank (UTB) will begin leasing space inside Wal-Mart stores. UTB plans to offer a wide range of banking products to customers and Wal-Mart ... (read more) Freedom Man: Tributes and Remembrances by Thomas Sowell Milton Friedman may well have been the most important economist of the twentieth century, even if John Maynard Keynes was the most famous. No small part of Milton's achievement was rescuing economics ... (read more) National African American History Month, 2007 by President George W. Bush The theme of this year's National African American History Month, "From Slavery to Freedom: Africans in the Americas," recalls African Americans' long journey to justice and commemorates the courage and ... (read more) New Coalition Update by Diane Carol Bast On February 8, Walker addressed students at Kent State University on the topic, "What Is Conservative Multiculturalism?" He highlighted the important contributions of Booker T. Washington and outlined ... (read more) Most States Are Not Helping Their Minority Students Achieve, Fordham Report Finds by Krista Kafer A report released in November by the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation found most states have made minimal or no progress in boosting the proficiency levels of low-income and minority students in reading, ... (read more) Equipment by Edgar A. Guest The following poem by Edgar A. Guest was Dr. George Washington Carver's favorite poem. Educating Character by Haven Bradford Gow Vernie Schoor, president of Character Choice in Colorado, says American schools also must stress character as well as intellectual development. The purpose of education should be helping young people ... (read more) February-March 2007 News & Views (PDF) by Lee Walker The February-March issue of News & Views leads with a tribute to Booker T. Washington as part of the issue's celebration of Black History Month. Mr. Walker, president of the New Coalition for Economic ... (read more) December-January 2007 Immigration and its Social and Economic Impact with Respect to Class and Poverty by Lee H. Walker It appears immigration has become the new "third rail" of politics. It has become even hotter than the traditional hot-button topics of abortion and affirmative action. In fact, the Wall Street Journal, ... (read more) What the November Election Means for Black Americans by Lee H. Walker Republicans and President George W. Bush took a licking in the November 7 midterm election. The Democrats are now in charge of both houses--for the first time in 12 years. Beyond Affirmative Action by By Joseph Mathewson The angry affirmative-action dispute between the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and its official advisory committees in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan ... should not obscure the underlying truth: Affirmative ... (read more) Abysmal Leadership Leads to Abysmal Schools by Lee H. Walker Most parents who have children in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) believe that if their children are in school every day, and bringing home school books and assignments, and not being held back, then ... (read more) Thank You for Your Guidance, Dr. Friedman by Lee H. Walker Economist Milton Friedman passed away on November 16, 2006. He was 94 years old. Walker Helps Make History by Staff of The New Coalition At its October 13 meeting, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights named Lee Walker chairman of the Illinois Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission. New Coalition Update by Staff of The New Coalition On October 31, Lee Walker, president of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, was among the featured panelists at a workshop on Immigration and its Social-Economic Impact, part of the 60th ... (read more) Martin Luther King, Jr. to Be Memorialized on National Mall by Staff of The New Coalition Honoring Dr. King's legacy requires more than building a monument; it requires the ongoing commitment of every American. So we will continue to work for the day when the dignity and humanity of every ... (read more) Planning for Economic Development by Staff of The New Coalition Tennessee state Rep. Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) and Lee Walker, president of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, met in Nashville in July 2006 and since then have had several telephone ... (read more) Educating Black Youth is Not Simply a Black Problem, It's an American Problem by Glenn Loury, Ph.D. The observation that African-Americans must take responsibility for our condition is an existential claim: You can't be a people if you can't educate your children. It's not a claim about political ideology, ... (read more) December 2006 - January 2007 News & Views (PDF) by edited by Lee H. Walker The December 2006 - January 2007 issue of News & Views leads with an article by Lee Walker, president of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, addressing immigration and its social and economic ... (read more) October-November 2006 ‘Wal-Mart Laws’ Harm Black Communities by Lee Walker The “big-box ordinance” passed in July by the Chicago City Council and vetoed by Mayor Richard M. Daley in September would have required national retail chains such as Wal-Mart and Target to pay their ... (read more) Bill Cosby: The Debate Continues by Lee Walker A year and a half ago, actor Bill Cosby was supposed to walk onto a stage at the annual NAACP black-tie dinner at the Kennedy Center, receive an award for his efforts on behalf of the black community, ... (read more) Blacks Must Keep Their Eyes on the Truth by Stanley Crouch We live in a peculiarly twisting and turning time in which the responsibility of defining our troubles becomes ever more befuddling. Now Juan Williams, because of his new book, Enough, is getting ... (read more) ‘Wal-Mart Law’ Overturned in Maryland by Charlotte LoBuono On July 19, a federal district court ruled Maryland’s “Fair Share Health Care Fund Act”--more popularly known as the “Wal-Mart law”--cannot be implemented because it violates a 32-year-old federal law. Liberia’s Ricks Institute Stays True to Booker T. Washington Ideals by Leon Jackson The following address was delivered by Leon Jackson, president of BS&B Inc. in Chicago, to the Ricks Institute Alumni Association meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on September 1, 2006. Ricks Institute is a ... (read more) New Coalition Update by compiled by New Coalition staff In August, New Coalition President Lee Walker was interviewed by and met with Delroy Alexander, a business reporter at the Chicago Tribune, to discuss leadership in black Chicago. Alexander has ... (read more) Walker in Seoul, South Korea for Peace Conference by New Coalition staff On September 10-14, New Coalition President Lee Walker attended a first-of-its-kind conference in Seoul, South Korea. The conference was sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF). More Black Families Choosing Homeschooling by Daschell M. Phillips The number of African-American parents choosing to homeschool their children is increasing, according to industry researchers and advocates. Black Americans and the Left-Right Divide by Frank Wilson Black Americans in terms of political party affiliation have been characterized by two dominant patterns from Reconstruction to the present. Chicago Public Schools Cuts Special Education Teachers and Aides by staff of Cross City Campaign for Urban School Reform Chicago Public Schools (CPS) claims to have cut 200 special education teachers and 750 special education aides, although you will not find these numbers in the budget. In fact, the budget contains no ... (read more) Don’t Blame Grocers by Lee Walker A recent article, “Early Deaths Tied to Lack of Grocery Stores,” [Chicago Sun-Times, July 18] left the impression that poor health in the black community was somehow a simple matter of “access” ... (read more) Little Minds Don’t Grasp Big-Box Appeal by George Will Liberals think their campaign against Wal-Mart is a way of introducing the subject of class into America’s political argument, and they are more correct than they understand. Their campaign is liberalism ... (read more) Chronology of a Silent Holocaust by Ralph Conner On September 19, it was reported that the World Health Organization (WHO) will begin promoting the use of DDT to eradicate malaria-carrying mosquitos in Africa. This change of course represents a monumental ... (read more) October-November 2006 News & Views (pdf) by edited by Lee Walker The October-November 2006 issue of News & Views features several articles addressing the affect of Wal-Mart, and so-called “anti Wal-Mart laws,” on black communities. Writing about the Chicago ... (read more) August-September 2006 Bring Back Booker T. by Mark Bauerlein At the height of his career, moving through a vigilant Jim Crow world, Booker T. Washington was an icon, his fame eclipsed only by that of Teddy Roosevelt. Wherever Washington went, reporters crowded ... (read more) Race and Accountability by Lee H. Walker In his 1967 book, The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual, Harold Cruse contends the American left of the 1950s did more harm than good to the politics and the culture of black America. Unfortunately, ... (read more) Omission Speaks Volumes on Malaria Relief by Ralph Conner DDT cannot be ignored in discussions about reforming anti-malaria efforts. We must allow Africans to use this vital tool, which helped eradicate malaria in the U.S. and in Europe. Washington Scholars Gather in Chicago by Michael Van Winkle On June 4-6, The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change and The Heartland Institute co-hosted a symposium to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Booker T. Washington. The event brought ... (read more) New Coalition Update by compiled by Diane Carol Bast New Coalition President Lee Walker attended the biennial Booker T. Washington Family Reunion and White House celebration of Black Music Month, among other meetings. Lee Walker Appointed to State Commission by New Coalition Staff Illinois Senate Republican Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville) has appointed New Coalition President Lee Walker to the state’s Commission to Study the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Walker’s appointment was ... (read more) Race and Responsibility by Rhett S. Jones Neither Booker T. Washington, black conservatives, nor black liberals seem to be able to imagine an America in which race did not matter. Yet one did. As the works of Ira Berlin, T.H. Breen and Stephen ... (read more) A Covenant Event by Rev. Dr. Hycel B. Taylor The Covenant, edited by Tavis Smiley, is brilliant and comprehensive in terms of its practical and pragmatic content. What is omitted is at least a cursory definition of the concept of Covenant, ... (read more) Propaganda from the Surgeon General by Ralph Conner The Surgeon General’s statement and his office’s new report seem designed to whip up more support for smoking bans and higher taxes on cigarettes, rather than to truly inform the public about the small ... (read more) Boys, Minorities Behind in Graduation by Kate McGreevy A wide gender gap in high school graduation rates is most pronounced among minorities in large urban school districts, according to a report from the Manhattan Institute. August-September 2006 News & Views (pdf) by edited by Lee Walker The August-September 2006 issue of News & Views, the bimonthly newsletter of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, reports on the success of the June 4-6 Booker T. Washington Symposium. Twenty ... (read more) June-July 2006 June-July 2006 News & Views (pdf) by edited by Lee Walker The June-July 2006 issues of News & Views is the special Booker T. Washington Symposium edition, featuring the program for the event, letters from President George W. Bush and Mayor Richard M. Daley, ... (read more) April-May 2006 Booker T. Washington: Ambassador and Spokesman by Prof. Kelly Miller (1907) The following excerpts from Roosevelt and the Negro concern the role that Booker T. Washington played as a prominent black leader and how his informal, yet powerful, position was viewed. Parents’ Anger Misplaced by Lee H. Walker Parents and community leaders shouldn’t complain about school reform, they should demand more of it! They should worry less about the closing of buildings, and more about the shamefully poor education ... (read more) Besieged with P.C. from the Left and Right by Elizabeth Wright Is it possible that the struggles experienced by conservative students, as they have fought restrictions on their speech by heavy-handed P.C. leftists, will be countered with more censorship? Honoring Washington’s Legacy by New Coalition staff The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change and The Heartland Institute are planning two-and-a-half days of panels and special events in Chicago on June 4-6, preceded and followed by extensive outreach ... (read more) New Coalition Update by New Coalition staff The New Coalition cosponsored two events marking Black History Month, one with Malcolm X College in Chicago and the other with Washington Elementary School in Maywood, a Chicago suburb. Let the Community Decide Hampton Controversy by Lee Walker I am very surprised that one little street on the west side of Chicago has become such a big controversy. It’s too bad we can’t get communities this upset about how poorly schools are educating our kids. Addressing the Image Issue by Anthony Rhodes African-Americans, for many generations, have placed a high premium on appearances. In this essay, I’d like to offer an alternative to this financially ruinous mindset. Cooperative Economics by Ron Watkins No group can truly prosper without a strong economic base that creates jobs for its members. Some black churches still maintain some of the principles of the early self-help societies, but the emphasis ... (read more) April-May 2006 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by edited by Lee Walker The April-May 2006 issue of News & Views, the bimonthly newsletter of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, honors the legacy of Booker T. Washington with several articles about character, ... (read more) February-March 2006 The Ruin of the 'Breadbasket' by Elizabeth Wright Every time you think that President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has made as much of a mess of his country as possible, he does himself one better. When a tyrant brings destruction to the world around him, ... (read more) New Coalition Will Mark Booker T. Washington Anniversary by New Coalition staff The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change and The Heartland Institute are planning a two-and-a-half-day program of panels and special events in Chicago on June 4-6, 2006, preceded and followed ... (read more) Are We Winning the War on Poverty? by Samuel Chambers The recent two hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, have sparked many heated debates. Contenders quibble amongst each other and cast blame, underscoring the presence of poverty as a problem that (suddenly) must ... (read more) New Web Site Offers Clarence Thomas Decisions for U.S. Supreme Court by Latonya Harris The new Web site of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, at http://www.newcoalition.org, offers single-click access to the full text of all U.S. Supreme Court decisions for which Justice ... (read more) Walker Appointed to Amistad Commission by New Coalition staff Lee Walker, president of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change and a senior fellow of The Heartland Institute, was appointed by Illinois Senator Frank Watson (R-Decatur) to the Amistad Commission. ... (read more) New Coalition Update by New Coalition staff On December 1, New Coalition President Lee Walker attended a reception hosted by the Board of Trustees of National-Louis University to welcome the university’s ninth president, Dr. Richard J. Pappas. The Slow March of the PC Plodders by Anthony Browne Political correctness started as a counter-culture attack on the dominant conservative ideology in the 1960s but has now risen to become the dominant establishment ideology, and in doing so it has become ... (read more) February-March 2006 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by edited by Lee Walker The February-March 2006 issue of New Coalition News & Views--the bimonthly newsletter of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change--features an article addressing how Robert Mugabe, president of ... (read more) December 2005-January 2006 Busting Busing Myths by Stephan Thernstrom and Abigail Thernstrom Is the ghost of George Wallace running New York City’s public schools? Jonathan Kozol’s new book, The Shame of the Nation, makes it seem so. Visiting New York schools, Mr. Kozol “cannot discern ... (read more) On Hurricane Katrina, Farrakhan Is Right by Lee H. Walker The leader of the Nation of Islam, Minister Louis Farrakhan, is not usually viewed as having mainstream views within the black community. But his opinion on the meaning of Hurricane Katrina to the black ... (read more) The Difference Between Blacks and Asians by Lee Walker A recent article by Sara Kugler for the Associated Press described how New York’s Democrat and Republican candidates for mayor are wooing the Asian vote. I was struck most by how Asians account for only ... (read more) New Coalition Update by Diane Carol Bast On September 21, New Coalition President Lee H. Walker was interviewed by the Dallas, Texas-based Black Economic Times, a biweekly newspaper that advocates capitalism and free enterprise. The newspaper ... (read more) Web Site Re-Launched by Diane Carol Bast The New Coalition Web site, http://www.newcoalition.org, was relaunched in November. The new site features improved graphics and dramatically more content Desperate Black Colleges by Lee Walker Three historically black colleges in New Orleans--Southern, Dillard University, and Xavier University--apparently faced desperate times in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. An American Idol Who Can’t Read by Lee Walker “American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino has revealed that she cannot read. The 21-year-old star dropped out of high school and became an unwed mother at the age of 17. Immediate Reality versus Political Immediacy by Bobbie Johnson The Michigan Boulevard Garden Apartments, listed on the National Registry for Historic Places, is part of the 47th Street strip scheduled for re-development by the Chicago Housing Authority and city of ... (read more) Armstrong Williams by Lee Walker So federal investigators have determined that black conservative commentator Armstrong Williams should have told his audiences that he was being paid by the Department of Education to promote No Child ... (read more) Still No Justification for Affirmative Action by Lee Walker On September 30, the Chicago Sun-Times ran an insightful letter by James Thindwa on how the Bush administration opposes affirmative action for blacks but uses cronyism and discrimination to elevate ... (read more) The Rap Contagion by Elizabeth Wright What’s to be done after a poison has been released into the bloodstream? When, back in 1996, Delores Tucker began her campaign to raise public awareness to the socially and spiritually destructive nature ... (read more) Bill Bennett Isn’t Alone by Lee Walker As a black conservative, I was appalled by William Bennett’s comments on the radio program “Morning in America,” on September 28. Public figures may think whatever, but what they say should not be racially ... (read more) December 2005-January 2006 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by Lee H. Walker The December 2005-January 2006 issue of New Coalition News & Views--the bimonthly newsletter of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change--features an article by Stephan Thernstrom and Abigail ... (read more) October-November 2005 Is the Voting Rights Act a Smokescreen? by Ralph Conner In 2007, several provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 will expire. Already, a movement is afoot to use the coming debate as a way to deny progress in race relations and ignore the real problem: ... (read more) Hurricane Katrina: Poverty and Race by Lee H. Walker On September 19--roughly two weeks after Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast--the front cover of Newsweek magazine showed a crying black baby, along with a headline that read, “Why ... (read more) Creating Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship Centers by Patricia H. Lee I founded the National Institute for Urban Entrepreneurship and officially incorporated it in August 2003 as a nonprofit Washington, DC corporation. NIUE received its 501(c)3 status in January 2004. Its ... (read more) Two Reasons for Black Anger by Ralph Conner Columnist Mary Mitchell is right to be outraged by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals equating the mistreatment of animals to slavery, and African Americans to elephants [“Unable to learn its ... (read more) New Coalition Update by compiled by Diane Carol Bast In addition to his work as a member of the editorial board of the Chicago Defender, Lee Walker, president of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change and a Heartland senior fellow, maintains ... (read more) October-November 2005 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by Lee H. Walker The October-November 2005 issue of New Coalition News & Views, the bimonthly newsletter of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, features an essay by Heartland Public Affairs Director Ralph ... (read more) August-September 2005 School Choice Knows No Color Lines by Shaka L.A. Mitchell, J.D. In the shadow of an old, prestigious, white-columned building, filled mostly with old, prestigious, white-collar politicians, stand thousands of black and Hispanic children who can only dream about growing ... (read more) Supreme Court's Kelo Decision Not Good for Blacks by Lee H. Walker Kelo v. City of New London, the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on a case involving the economically deprived city of New London, Connecticut, should be a wake-up call to all politicians representing ... (read more) Anti-Tobacco Zealots by Walter E. Williams Scientists have been analyzing the addictive qualities of nicotine since the late 1800s. Hundreds of medical studies have shown nicotine to be addictive. For a congressman to ask a tobacco company executive ... (read more) New Coalition Update by compiled by Zwahy'yah McElrath Lee Walker, president of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change and a Heartland senior fellow, sits on the editorial board of and is a columnist for the Chicago Defender, the only black ... (read more) Changing Lives through Entrepreneurship by Patricia H. Lee What we know about Black entrepreneurship is that our economic history is one of struggle, many accomplishments, and yes, many economic detours. But the future will depend on our stand and our demands ... (read more) Book Review: Black Rednecks and White Liberals by Lee H. Walker As some Blacks take part in the current “authentically Black” discussions, have you heard the words “ax” for “ask” or “acrost” for “across”? I remember being told that an “ax” will cut you and “ask” will ... (read more) August-September 2005 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by Lee H. Walker The August-September 2005 issue of News & Views features an essay on school choice by Shaka L.A. Mitchell of the Center for Education Reform and Part 1 of a two-part series on entrepreneurship ... (read more) June-July 2005 Candy Shopping--Rap’s Dehumanizing Message by Anthony B. Bradley The good thing about the market is that it efficiently provides the goods that people want. The bad thing about the market is that it does the same thing. A Conflict of Vision? by Lee H. Walker For many years, I’ve been writing columns and giving speeches about public policy from a black perspective. I pay close attention to what other black commentators say about the issues I address. Black Female Scholar Describes Minorities’ Battle for Clean Communities by Lexington Books staff A new work examining resistance to environmental degradation by white ethnic groups in Chicago’s industrial Back of the Yards community and African Americans in the Bronzeville community is a first in ... (read more) Chicago Defender Marks 100th Anniversary by Lee H. Walker On May 5, 2005, the Chicago Defender--the only black daily newspaper in the country--celebrated its 100th anniversary. New Coalition Update by compiled by Diane Carol Bast Lee Walker, president of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change and a Heartland senior fellow, sits on the newspaper’s editorial board and attended events celebrating the centennial. Apology: Is This the Next Step? by Carol M. Swain What I envision is a governmental act of apology for slavery, acknowledged in a ceremony that includes black spokespersons offering acceptance and forgiveness. June-July 2005 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by Lee H. Walker The June-July 2005 issue of News & Views, the newsletter of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, includes Part 2 of a two-part series, “Apologizing for Slavery” by Carol M. Swain, a professor ... (read more) April-May 2005 Social Security Reform and Blacks--An Idea Whose Time Has Come by Lee H. Walker Last month on National Public Radio, I debated David Certner, director of federal affairs for AARP, the seniors advocacy group. The topic was Social Security reform. I spoke in favor of individual private ... (read more) Bill Cosby: A Conservative Black? by Lee H. Walker Bill Cosby has never publicly described himself as a conservative. But the conservative black movement could not have had a more influential and powerful spokesperson for the past 11 months. New Coalition Introduces Students to Black Conservatism by Erica Lieberman On March 3, New Coalition President Lee Walker hosted Professor Salim Muwakkil and 11 college students for a two-hour seminar as part of their Urban Studies course. The students attend various universities ... (read more) Illinois Is Taxing Tobacco Too Much by Latonya Harris Some people don’t like smoking. I know it’s a bad habit--but I do it. And as an American, I know I should have the right to smoke so long as it doesn’t interfere with the freedoms enjoyed by other individuals. Blacks May Be The Biggest Winner in the President’s Social Security Reform by Latreece Vankinscott There is no more divisive an issue in American politics right now than privatization of Social Security. While even most Democrats acknowledge something must be done to save the system, debate rages over ... (read more) The Seven Principles of Social Security Reform by David C. John 1. The benefits of current retirees and those close to retirement must not be reduced. Social Security Plan to Benefit Young Workers, President Says by Kerra L. Bolton RALEIGH--Social Security is an empty government promise on paper for Troy Tolle. Tolle, 29, of Asheville said he doesn’t believe that there will be enough money in Social Security when he retires. That’s ... (read more) New Coalition Update by compiled by Diane Carol Bast In January, The New Coalition and The Heartland Institute co-published The Conscience of Conservative Blacks, which contains presentations made last year at The Heritage Foundation’s Annual Resource ... (read more) Land Use Policy: Pulling Up the Ladder of Opportunity by Wendell Cox African-American home ownership in the United States has reached record levels. The Census Bureau reports that in 2004, the African-American home ownership rate reached 49.1 percent, up strongly from ... (read more) Apologizing for Slavery: Part 1 by Carol M. Swain In a few years, the Smithsonian Institution will include a National Museum of African American History and Culture devoted exclusively to documenting the “life, art, history, and culture” of black people ... (read more) A Final Thought On Black History Month by Latreece Vankinscott So much of what gets said during Black History Month implies February is an obligatory observance to which blacks are entitled because of their difficult past. That’s not what was originally intended. April-May 2005 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by edited by Lee H. Walker News & Views, the newsletter of the New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, has been expanded and will be released bimonthly rather than quarterly. The 12-page April-May 2005 issue was mailed ... (read more) Winter 2005 Pseudo Leadership by Armstrong Williams Black groupthink and the pseudo leaders that tout it are destroying the black community. The black pseudo leader is the community activist who is dedicated solely to getting us to pay attention. Nattily ... (read more) Thoughts on Black History and Conservative Principles by Lee H. Walker Black conservatism has been an overlooked aspect of American history since the collapse of Reconstruction. Any comprehensive history of black American thought that ignores or isolates the conservative ... (read more) Loury: America Can’t Escape 'Unfinished Business' of Race by James G. Muhammad America’s unfinished business on the racial front is the stifled development of hundreds of thousands of Black youth, and avoiding a discussion about race shirks the responsibility of Americans to correct ... (read more) Texas Governor Names State Supreme Court’s First Black Chief Justice by T.A. Badger Wallace B. Jefferson, a descendent of slaves and the first Black member of the Texas Supreme Court, became the court’s first Black chief justice Tuesday. New Coalition Update by compiled by Diane Carol Bast Lee Walker, president of The New Coalition for Economic & Social Change, has been named a contributing editor of the Chicago Defender, the country’s only black daily newspaper. Top 10 Myths about No Child Left Behind ... and Why You Shouldn’t Believe Them by Lori Drummer If you listen to media reports on the implementation and costs associated with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), you’ve been bombarded by a slew of misinformation. Winter 2005 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by edited by Lee H. Walker The Winter 2005 issue of News & Views, the quarterly newsletter of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, was released in December. It includes remarks delivered by Lee Walker at The ... (read more) Fall 2004 Children Trapped in Poor Schools Need Choice Now by George A. Clowes School choice is urgently needed to fulfill the promise of equal opportunity in education established by the Brown v. Board of Education decision and is “the civil rights issue of our generation,” ... (read more) An Idea Has Consequences by excerpted from Wall Street Journal, May 17, 2004 “Next to prevailing in the war on terror, it’s hard to think of an issue of more fundamental importance to our nation than a public education system that gives all children a real crack at the American ... (read more) With or Without His Millions, Bill Cosby Is Truly Free by Lee H. Walker On July 12, Henry Cosby Jr.--better known as Bill Cosby--celebrated his 67th birthday. Among other achievements, he created one of the most popular TV sitcoms of all times, “The Cosby Show.” And in just ... (read more) Statement on the 40th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act by Lee H. Walker July 2 marked the 40th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the country’s most comprehensive civil rights legislation, which ended segregation of public facilities and outlawed discrimination in ... (read more) Dr. Joan Davis Ratteray: 1948-2004 by New Coalition staff Dr. Joan Davis Ratteray, president of the Institute for Independent Education in Washington, DC and a strong advocate for parental choice and black independent schools, died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ... (read more) New Coalition Update by New Coalition staff Upcoming events and more. Acorns to Oaks by Arthur Herstein Condoleezza Rice has experienced a wide range of life in America. In her formative years she experienced life under the Jim Crow system in the South. She excelled in school, established herself in the ... (read more) Fall 2004 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by edited by Lee H. Walker The Fall 2004 issue of News & Views, the quarterly newsletter of The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, was released in August. It includes a profile of National Security Advisor Condoleezza ... (read more) Summer 2004 Booker T. Washington: Understanding the Wizard of Tuskegee by Robert J. Norrell From his day to ours, Booker T. Washington has been viewed as a symbol of the age in which he lived, but he has proved to be an elastic emblem, one pulled and stretched to mean different things to different ... (read more) Brown after 50 Years: Looking for Equality and Raising Expectations by Lee H. Walker Fifty years ago, in May 1954, the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education got the law right but fell short of the mark. New Coalition Panel Offers Perspectives on Black Conservatism by Diane Carol Bast On Friday, April 30, more than 150 people attended a New Coalition-sponsored panel on black conservatism at The Heritage Foundation’s 27th Annual Resource Bank Meeting in Chicago. New Coalition Update by New Coalition staff A brochure touting New Coalition Director Lee Walker’s skill and availability as a speaker was developed and printed in April. Among the topics Walker addresses: lawsuit abuse; race and environmentalism; ... (read more) Closing the Earnings Gap by Rochelle Johnson According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2000 median income for black households was $30,439--66 percent of the median income for white households, which was $45,856. Summer 2004 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by edited by Lee H. Walker The Summer 2004 issue of News & Views, the quarterly newsletter of the New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, was released in mid May. Spring 2004 Economics Holds the Key to Black America’s Success by Lee Walker For the past 10 years you have seen the image of, or the words of, Dr. Booker T. Washington on these pages. That is because he promoted values I believe to be of great importance--values that do not seem ... (read more) A 100-Year-Old-Misunderstanding by Lee H. Walker For a century now, many historians discussing Dr. Booker T. Washington have concluded by dismissing or vilifying him and his views. Yet scholars and historians will agree that it is impossible to discuss ... (read more) Does Race Matter? by Jo Kwong The phrase “race matters” has received much attention since 1993, when Cornel West’s 105-page book with the same title was published. Various gaps between blacks and whites continue to widen and much ... (read more) Equipment by Edgar A. Guest Figure it out for yourself, my lad, You’ve all that the greatest of men have had, Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes, And a brain to use if you would be wise. With this equipment they all began So ... (read more) New Coalition Update by New Coalition staff On January 26, Founder/Director Lee Walker hosted the first 2004 meeting of the New Coalition’s Advisory Board. The lunch meeting was held at The Metropolitan Club at the Sears Tower in Chicago and focused ... (read more) Citizenship and Character by George A. Clowes The Founding Fathers don’t get much respect these days. In school, children are more likely to be taught that George Washington owned slaves than that he played an indispensable role in the creation of ... (read more) The Six Pillars of Character by Josephson Institute of Ethics For character education, many schools have adopted the Character Counts! program from the Josephson Institute of Ethics, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization based in Marina del Rey, California. Spring 2004 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by edited by Lee H. Walker A publication of The New Coalition for Economic & Social Change, offering multicultural perspectives on economic and social policy. Winter 2004 Opening Minds to Black Conservatism by Lee H. Walker For more than 50 years, black Americans have been viewed as being liberals. Politicians who espouse liberal ideas have generally captured both the imagination and the votes of blacks. The belief that ... (read more) African-American Self-Reliance: A Practical Solution by Earl Smith A few years ago, I was discussing the plight of African Americans with a Jewish friend when she blurted out: “Why don’t black people do what immigrant Jews did when they first settled in America?” Evanston-Skokie Superintendent Confronts ‘the Race Issue’ by Lee H. Walker The 1960s’ issue of school busing and integration has resurfaced in 2003, becoming a major topic of concern with many parents of the Evanston-Skokie (suburban Illinois) District 65 school system. New Coalition Update by Cherry Watkins Since September 1, The New Coalition has received more than $30,000 in memberships and donations, including a generous gift from the Stuart Family Foundation. Our sincere thanks to the following donors ... (read more) Heroes in Common Life: Great Minds Think Alike by compiled by Lee Walker We are so anxious to solve the race problem that we do not take time to study it. -- Kelly Miller Winter 2004 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by edited by Lee H. Walker A publication of The New Coalition at The Heartland Institute, offering multicultural perspectives on economic and social policy. Fall 2003 Let the Silent Now Speak! by Toria R. Jones Mary Mitchell interviewed John McWhorter in February 2003. They discussed the "New Double Consciousness" with regard to race, a phrase McWhorter uses to describe black people feeling compelled to play ... (read more) The Great White Hope by Jane Scherr George W. Bush’s administration may offer African Americans their best hope in 35 years for achieving true equality, writes John H. McWhorter in an essay in the spring edition of City Journal, ... (read more) From Affirmative Action to ‘Equal Opportunity’ by Lee H. Walker The present discussion of affirmative action is not talking about the same thing we discussed in the 1960s. Forty years ago, affirmative action was a remedy meant to ensure individual equal opportunity ... (read more) Scholars Need Love, Too by Earl Smith Imagine the impact on inner-city youths witnessing the annual draft of the nation’s top NBA (National Business Association) scholars, such as medical students, engineers, inventors, linguists, teachers, ... (read more) Raise Standards by Lee H. Walker The idea of lowering standards is offensive in its implication. Martin Luther King Jr. did not walk into Boston University on a crutch when he received his doctorate in 1955, nor did W.E.B. Dubois when ... (read more) Coalition Update by Toria R. Jones The U.S. Supreme Court’s split decision on June 23 in the University of Michigan affirmative action suit produced a flurry of requests for New Coalition Director Lee H. Walker to comment on the decision. Booker T. Washington: Great Minds Think Alike by New Coalition staff Every race and every nation should be judged by the best it has been able to produce, not by the worst. -- James Weldon Johnson Fall 2003 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by Lee H. Walker, founder and director A publication of The New Coalition at The Heartland Institute, offering multicultural perspectives on economic and social policy. Summer 2003 Miracle Worker by Lee H. Walker I first met Mrs. Marva Collins in 1984. As a corporate executive and community activist, I was cosponsor of a conference on educational choice aimed at black parents. Collins was my keynote luncheon speaker. ... (read more) Numbers Are In: Hispanics, Blacks Are Gaining Strength by Lee H. Walker Government officials and politicians have known for a decade that the population trend line of Hispanics was pointing only one way--up. "True to Our God; True to Our Native Land" by Sheila Appling What does the term “black conservatism” mean? To me it means holding on and believing in the values instilled by our ancestors (grandparents and so forth)--e.g., faith and family. To have sound judgement ... (read more) Conservative Black Pride by Earl Smith As an African-American male, I find it so refreshing to see the quiet dignity of a Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell, and Condoleezza Rice speaking softly and rationally above the rants and raves of civil ... (read more) Coalition Update by Toria R. Jones Lee H. Walker, founder and director of The New Coalition at The Heartland Institute, has been on the move and in high demand since the beginning of the year. Below is a summary of Walker’s activities ... (read more) Booker T. Washington: Black-Belt Diamonds by New Coalition staff As a race, we should devote ourselves largely to the sciences, because of the practical use we can get out of them, because of the connection we can make with our knowledge of science and our ability ... (read more) Summer 2003 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by Lee H. Walker, founder and director A publication of The New Coalition at The Heartland Institute, offering multicultural perspectives on economic and social policy. Spring 2003 The Long History of Black Conservatism by Lee H. Walker I grew up in the deep South (Alabama) where life was fundamentally viewed from a conservative mindset, although the agreed-upon ultimate goal of all leadership was to abolish legal segregation and second-class ... (read more) Whatever Happened to Black Conservatism? by Emanuel McLittle Dr. Walter Williams is working on a legacy that seems destined to last, as he and his colleague Dr. Thomas Sowell have virtually single-handedly revived black America’s original path. On The Shoulders of Giants by Ayesha K Mustafaa CHICAGO--At The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change, a young 8th grader at Whitney Young Magnet High School--Ayinde Jean-Baptiste--presented in great oratory style the address given by the African ... (read more) A New Coalition by Emanuel McLittle Visionary Lee Walker isn’t waiting for a consensus from the black leadership to recognize a change in thinking for many black Americans. As early as December 1980, he knew that economic and social change ... (read more) Quest for Freedom Must Be Constantly Renewed by Stan Faryna Booker T. Washington--who was born a slave and became a hero, a leader, and a scholar--said over a hundred years ago: “Following in the tracks of the lowly Nazarene, we shall continue to work and wait, ... (read more) Coalition Update by New Coalition staff From March 15 to March 18, Walker was part of a national team working through the College of DuPage on issues surrounding the much talked about “educational gap” between white and minority students. Calendar of Events by New Coalition staff Speaking engagements, New Coalition meetings, and other events coming up. Booker T. Washington: Did You Know? by New Coalition staff A United States Merchant Marine Liberty Ship was named “S.S. Booker T. Washington.” The ship was launched in 1942 and christened by famous soprano singer Marian Anderson. Spring 2003 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by Lee H. Walker, president A publication of The New Coalition at The Heartland Institute, offering multicultural perspectives on economic and social policy. Winter 2003 Playing Great Golf--Not Social Reform--Is Tiger’s Game by Lee H. Walker What matters most: Tiger Woods’ race, or his ability to be the greatest golfer in the history of the sport? Just the Facts: Test Scores by Gender and Other Characteristics by George A. Clowes There are at least three things parents can do to improve their child’s academic achievement. The New Coalition Enters New Partnership by Toria R. Jones In October 2002, The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change joined forces with The Heartland Institute, a nonprofit public policy organization founded in 1984 and headquartered in Chicago. The new ... (read more) Coalition Update by New Coalition staff In March, The New Coalition will launch a new series of monthly meetings aimed at addressing public policy issues of most importance to conservative blacks and other minorities. Among the topics we expect ... (read more) Calendar of Events by New Coalition staff Speaking engagements, New Coalition meetings, and other events coming up. Booker T. Washington: Thoughts for the New Year by compiled by New Coalition staff Motivational messages from the man whose life inspired The New Coalition and its founder, Lee H. Walker. Growing Up in Montgomery by Lee H. Walker “I grew up living between Troy and Montgomery; a distance of 38 miles. Troy was a small city and Montgomery was much larger. ... It is the city where Jefferson Davis took his oath of office as President ... (read more) Winter 2003 New Coalition News & Views (pdf) by Lee H. Walker, president A publication of The New Coalition at The Heartland Institute, offering multicultural perspectives on economic and social policy.