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Panel discussion is on democracy

Oct 16, 2006 : 8:32 pm ET Herald Sun

DURHAM -- State Sen. Jeanne Lucas, D-Durham, will moderate a panel discussion on the topic "Claiming our Democracy" today at 7 p.m. at White Rock Baptist Church, 3400 Fayetteville St.*

The event is free and open to the public.

The forum is part of a series in which community leaders are invited to lead a discussion of "Covenant with Black America," a book written by public television talk show host Tavis Smiley.

Among the panelists will be Durham Police Chief Steve Chalmers, Judge Elaine Bushfan, John Burness of Duke University, Goldie Byrd of N.C. A&T, author Kevin Jenkins, businessman Ron Roots, businesswoman Sandra Braswell, attorney James "Butch" Williams and Elsie Leak of the state Department of Public Instruction.

http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-779215.html

* White Rock, where the Committee meets- special democratic completed sample ballots anyone?

So is this a self help book (good!) or, for want of a better word, a reparations book (bad). Given the cast of characters I guess I know which one.

How hard is this. Here's a receipe for success for white and black people (not original to me).

1. Stay away from drugs

2. Take advantage of all the education you can

3. Don't get knocked up or knock someone up

Do those three things and you'll turn out fine. I'll call these people and tell them they can cancel their meeting.

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Covenant with Black America

from Amazon

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This collection of essays is both a plea and a response to the self-assessed critical circumstances of black America today. Tavis Smiley provides the introduction, touching on the issues he explores as host and interviewer on public television and radio; Cornel West and Haki Madhubuti also provide commentary, tying together the common theme of planning how to address the circumstances faced by black Americans. Marian Wright Edelman offers the statement of purpose introducing the 10 covenants, pledging individual effort in the areas of health care, public education, criminal justice, community-centered policing, affordable neighborhoods, democracy, agriculture, economics, environmental justice, and technology. Among the contributors are Marc H. Morial, Angela Glover Blackwell, and Wade Henderson. Each section offers facts on racial disparities in the U.S.; practical suggestions on what individuals, communities, and the government can do to rectify problems; and other helpful resources. Although specifically aimed at problems and issues facing black America, this work has appeal for all readers interested in social issues that plague the nation as a whole.

Vernon Ford Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description

Six years' worth of symposiums come together in this rich collection of essays that plot a course for African Americans, explaining how individuals and households can make changes that will immediately improve their circumstances in areas ranging from health and education to crime reduction and financial well-being. Addressing these pressing concerns are contributors Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. surgeon general; Wade Henderson, executive director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights; Angela Glover Blackwell, founder of the research think tank PolicyLink; and Cornel West, professor of Religion at Princeton University. Each chapter outlines one key issue and provides a list of resources, suggestions for action, and a checklist for what concerned citizens can do to keep their communities progressing socially, politically, and economically. Though the African American community faces devastating social disparities—in which more than 8 million people live in poverty—this celebration of possibility, hope, and strength will help leaders and citizens keep Black America moving forward.