Laney work-study disparities revealed

Asians four times more likely to receive jobs on campus than African-Americans


Most community college students work. They have to. Work-study provides an opportunity for students to work on campus while attending classes.

There are 300 jobs on campus annually, including about 100 Federal Work-Study positions. According to data from the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, there are disparities among who gets FWS positions at Laney.


Of the 95 students at Laney who received FWS positions on campus 2006-2007, 73 were Asian. While African-Americans represent almost an equal portion of Laney's population compared to Asians, African-Americans received only 16 FWS allotments. Latinos, whites, and Pacific Islanders faired no better.

Depending on who you ask, some blame the college, while others put the responsibility on the students themselves.

Getting work-study

"There are two ways students can work on campus. Through federal work-study," money provided by the federal government, or "through department funds. Overall, 250-300 students are employed throughout the year on campus." Robert Fleming Student Employment Specialist

"There are two ways students can work on campus," said Student Employment Specialist Robert Fleming. "Through federal work-study," money provided by the federal government, or "through department funds." There are allotments for students to work in the departments. "Overall, 250-300 students are employed throughout the year on campus."

"The FWS program provides funds that are earned through part-time employment to assist students in financing the costs of post-secondary education," according the U.S. Department of Education's website. Over 3,400 institutions participate.

In order to get a work-study position, a student must be 18 years of age. Students who cannot provide correct information cannot be hired, according to "How to Hire Hourly Student Workers: A Supervisor's Guide" for Laney College.

When school is in session, students may work a maximum of 20 hours per week. Hourly wages cannot be less than the federal minimum wage. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed in order for students to receive FWS.

The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, whose goal was "to mobilize the human and financial resources of the Nation to combat poverty in the United States" establish a new program for work-study. After the Higher Education Act of 1965 the program was transferred to the Department of Education.

The trend of Asian students getting a majority of FWS positions is not new at Laney. According to data from the state chancellor's office, the trend goes back as far as 1994. Allotments between 1992-1994 were evenly dispersed between Asian and African-American students, and other groups proportionately with the college's demographics.

"When students fill out the FAFSA, there is a question that asks if they are interested in working," explains Laney Financial Aid Coordinator Judith Cohen. "Students also have to meet a few criteria to be eligible. They have to meet the financial-need criteria, have their paperwork correctly completed and they must be enrolled."

"Financial need" is determined by congressional formula that evaluates the financial information reported on the FAFSA and determines the expected family contribution (EFC), according to the Department of Education.

Fleming said, "Students are given an amount they are expected to contribute, after their fee waiver is deducted and whatever other awards they receive. If they still have a remaining need, they are eligible for work study."

"We package them up on a first-come first-serve basis," said Cohen.

Winning the lottery

When Fleming started in 2000, work-study positions were distributed differently, and for his first two years, he "followed the old way," where students had one day in May in which they could pick up the applications.

"People would be waiting at 6 a.m. for an application," said Fleming. "It wasn't the best process. People who couldn't make it lost the opportunity."

Laney "used to have one day and they'd line up early in the morning," recalls Cohen. "It would be all Asian students. It wasn't fair.

Fleming now uses a lottery system to distribute work-study positions to students.

For most of the month of April, Fleming advertised the positions by putting up notices that students could get summer work-study applications, which had to be turned in by May 2. While he typically receives about 130 each year, this year he received 166 before the deadline.

"Sixty-six percent of the students who applied were Asian," said Fleming. "This is down in comparison to the past."

Fleming uses a random lottery to select 50 students from those who turned in the applications on time. He then checks to make sure those who have applied are enrolled for the fall semester. If not, they are bumped from the list and others are randomly chosen.

Fleming suggests this practice is fair.

"It's random selection," said Fleming. "But if you have a large population of one group of people over others, the odds are in their favor."

Occasionally students find work off campus or decide they have too many units to work, and the positions are filled randomly. This process of elimination is continued in this lottery format until all work-study slots are allotted.

Who gets work-study at Laney

"I don't know why they don't apply," said Fleming in response to why other ethnicities are not applying for work-study positions. He has made a few observations, however. When students are in the hallway waiting to get to the financial aid counter, "more Asians look at the information on the walls."

Getting financial aid is not an easy process said Laney President Dr. Frank Chong, who admits he had to "fill out FAFSA two or three times" in college.

"Obviously one can conclude that those students have figured out the system. They've learned to navigate the FAFSA and get through a myriad of requirements to get work-study." Frank Chong Laney College President

"Obviously one can conclude that those students have figured out the system," said Chong. "They've learned to navigate the FAFSA and get through a myriad of requirements to get work-study." Chong admits that it is not an easy process however.

"I would suspect that African-American students, particularly those who are first generation college students, are not aware and there is no one helping them figure out the system," added Chong.

"I would attribute internal and external variables that would contribute to that type of inequity," said Laney Researching and Planning Officer Dr. Connie Portero, who emphasizes the need for "communication." She sees disparity is due to a lack of communication to students, and a weak communication network among the underrepresented student populations, and the lack of a centralized manner of disseminating information to students as the cause.

"Internally, there is no system to monitor equity," said Portero. While the college publishes a Student Equity Report, Portero said "It is not internal," it's for the state. "We should develop it as apart of institutional effectiveness," or the monitoring of how well Laney is serving students.

Interim Vice-President of Student Services Jim Bracy agrees.

"This has not been monitored for some reason or another," said Bracy. "Now we have a situation where Asian students have substantially more work-study opportunities than other ethnic groups on Laney's campus."

Networking, not working

"It may be a situation where Asian students network more effectively," said Bracy, while other students do not."

"Asian students have a fantastic network," asserts Cohen.

"When you find this level of imbalance a college has to take immediate steps to rectify this concern," said Bracy. "It is a concerned when you see's those numbers," said Bracy, who accepts "ultimate responsibility" since he is over all student services programs.

"It's the student's responsibility," said Laney student Greg Wright, an African-American who has a work-study position in the athletics department. "But most of us don't have anyone to follow. There's no leader, no word of mouth."

Lamille Perry, a student ambassador and former ASLC Senator sees it as a lack of awareness. Perry, an African-American, thinks that most African-American students "don't know about it, or when they find out, it's too late," to sign-up he said. Perry found out about workstudy from a friend. He "filled out the paperwork and on parts I needed help with, Mr. Fleming helped me."

"Lamille told me about the student ambassador position," said Crystal Barnett, who thinks African American students don't apply for work study due to a lack of awareness. "I don't think they know about work study," said Barnett. "Sometimes they don't read the financial aid application."

But Portero doesn't think students are the ones to blame, but rather the perceptions and attitudes towards some groups of students.

"There is a negative perception towards African-American students that is not based on reality," said Portero. "We can't assume it is true until we create a different paradigm and test it. "It is often the same people creating injustice who are creating the myth to justify it," said Portero.

"It comes down to who is pursuing it and following instructions," said Cohen.

While there is a disparity, it may not be intentional. Chong doesn't think that financial aid is doing "anything wrong."

"You're doing a good job with Asian students," said Chong. "But what about the others?" he asked.

Fleming insists the system is fair, but encourages more students to apply earlier.

"My goal was to make it as fair and honest a way as possible," said Fleming. "And that's why I went with the lottery."

Why work-study?

"The purpose of work-study is to provide work learn opportunities to students as a way to supplement and meet" students financial needs, said Bracy.

Work-study helps students because it "works around students schedules," said Fleming. "For example, if they have classes in the morning, we can get them work in the afternoon."

According to Chong, work-study is an opportunity for students to learn while they earn money, while adding value to the campus through their service. While at UC Berkeley he had a work-study position and understands its' value, he said.

"Studies show that having students work on campus increases retention," said Chong. "Students learn about services they otherwise wouldn't have known about."

Portero said the disparity might also be contributing to the lack of retention amongst non-Asian students of color at Laney, particularly among African-American and Latino males.

"Work study is a financial tool here to assist our students in realizing their goals," said Portero. "Education is so expensive, even Community College is out of the reach of our students."

"For some students, by having work study on campus, it's their only way of saying to us, 'Look, we need financial assistance to make it through,'" said Portero. "If a student's on financial aid, we get first hand experience with getting to know them and their issues.

"If we can place them with their major, they get more experience within their educational goal," said Fleming.

Other employment opportunities for students

Besides work-study, there are other employment opportunities on campus. Students can get hired working for departments. Fleming wants to get departments to send him information about job opportunities within those departments. Each year, departments get an allotment of funds for assistants. These are not funded through FWS but by the college.

There are 384 students employed on campus. Forty-nine percent are non-Asian, according to Fleming.

"If you look overall, it levels out," suggests Cohen in regards to other employment opportunities on campus.

Students can also go to the Student Employment Center on the third floor of the Student Center for information about job opportunitites.

Fleming is considering new ways to get the word out to students.

"I put notices in the Welcome Center, EOPS, the Tower lobby," said Fleming. "I want to get more peole to apply." Although positions are "limited, we want to get the most people to apply as possible."

"I thought about advertising in the Tower," added Fleming.

Improving work-study

There is a plan in the works to revamp the Laney work-study program. The "notion of an Eagle Corps," according to Chong.

"We want to strengthen the work-study program," said Chong. "For work study may be students first opportunity to have a job, get training and opportunities."

"It's all about people power and taking 100 students and organizing them in a way that they will add value to the college and student success," added Chong.

Portero hopes that work-study opportunities will extend into the community, with the result being more training opportunities for students. "We should also have work-study opportunities in community based organizations," said Portero.

When Chong came to Laney in 2006, he commissioned an audit of the financial aid office that was conducted by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) in November 2006.

Among the strengths identified by the peer review team was Fleming.

"The FWS specialist should be commended for his organizational skills and coordination of the FWS Program. He effectively monitors each student's FWS wages and works well with students," according to the Standards of Excellence Report.

The NASFAA report also criticized the program for only allowing students who receive the Pell Grant to get FWS positions.

Achieving equity with diversity

"I want to consult with our African-American faculty, student, and classified leadership to get their input to make the situation better," said Chong. "I wouldn't want to assume I know the answers when I didn't even know the problem."

"Clearly Laney needs to do a better job in reaching out to African-American students," said Chong. "If it requires special workshops, targeted workshops to all students."

Due to Proposition 209 that was passed by voters in 1996 prohibiting public institutions from considering race, gender, or ethnicity, Laney is unable to save spots for specific groups of people; however, education is an option.

"Legally, you can't save spots for certain ethnic groups, you have to set criteria," said Chong. "You can't do quotas but you can do education.

"Maybe we can hire African American workstudy students to train them to help other students at least get started," suggests Chong.

Bracy suggests that the information can be shared during outreach to local high schools or during the new student orientation opposed to quotas.

"Bottom line is, it is not about quotas," said Bracy. "It has to do with how information is disseminated. It's about educating our student's about the opportunities."

"Laney should have a program based on African Americans, but for everyone. Like a Puente," said Wright."

"We used to call it affirmative action," said Bracy. "But there are affirmative 'steps' you can take to make sure more students are included."

Perry said "Everyone should get the opportunity."

For students interested in work-study positions, contact Robert Fleming at rfleming@peralta.edu or visit him on the second floor of the Tower Administration Building.
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'The Black Hour'

BSU members form radio show to air issues

The word ‘Black’ is often used figuratively to describe negative occurences–“Black Tuesday” or the “Black Plaque” but a few Laney students are redefining “Blackness.”

The Black Hour is an internet radio show, organized by members of the Laney Black Student Union (BSU), airing online at 9th Floor Radio through Peralta TV.

The Black Hour sheds light on the voices of Laney’s Black students, taking them from the abyss of silence to the glow of empowerment.



Weaving lively student-driven discussions with live music, The Black Hour airs students issues and topics relevant to the community in first person.

The show features discussions led by students on topics ranging from the Presidential Elections to Black male and female relationships. The Black Hour can be heard online at http://www.9thfloorradio.com/.

For more information about the Laney BSU or The Black Hour,
to submit show topics or to be a guest on the show, email laneybsu@gmail.com
visit www.myspace.com/laneybsu.
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Black Caucus Conference held at El Camino College

The Black Caucus of the California Student Association of Community Colleges (CalSACC) held its 10th Annual Black Caucus Leadership Conference (ABCLC), “Sankofa: Honoring our Past, Celebrating the Present, Building our Future,” February 15–16 at El Camino College.

Friday’s activities were kicked off with African drumming and dance, followed by the opening session “Hip Hop Comes to School” by Bryant K. Smith.

Black Caucus Secretary Reginald James deftly facilitated the “Harambee” workshop simultaneously in two separate rooms prior to the dinner speech by Assembly Member Mervyn Dymally at dinner. The night closed with the film ‘Sankofa.”

Saturday morning began with the Soulful breakfast with a keynote address by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors’ Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith. After two morning education sessions by Lasana Hotep and Alonzo Jones, students attended an inspiring keynote address by Congresswoman Maxine Waters during lunch.

Following three motivating afternoon education sessions, schools in attendance elected their representatives for the upcoming academic year.

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El Camino College Hosts Black Caucus Leadership Conference

Two hundred-fifty community college students of African descent from throughout California expected to attend

Hundreds of community college students of African Descent are expected to attend the 10th Annual Black Caucus Leadership Conference being held at El Camino College in Torrance Feb. 15-16, 2008.

This year's conference theme is "Sankofa: Honoring our past, celebrating the present, building our future," commemorating the organization's history and growing legacy. The first two conferences were held at El Camino College in 1999 and 2000 and over 1500 students have attended since.

"When you look at all of the past conferences and the development of our organization, the historical significance of this conference is amazing," said Black Caucus President Marlene C. Hurd, who was elected at last year's conference at Laney College in Oakland. "It is as if we are revisiting all our past struggles, accomplishments, and conference themes, and are in the future now, but we still have work to do."

The conference features a weekend filled with inspiring keynote speakers, enlightening entertainment and empowering presentations.

California Assembly Member Mervyn Dymally (D–Compton) will be the keynote speaker at dinner Friday evening. It is expected he will address the 2006 takeover of Compton College by El Camino College.

California Community Colleges Board of Governor’s Member Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith of Oakland will be the keynote speaker Saturday morning at the Soulful Breakfast. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D–Los Angeles) will be the keynote speaker during lunch on Saturday afternoon. She previously spoke at the 5th annual conference in Compton.

Workshops, or "Education sessions" empower student leaders of African ancestry; feature successful models and practices that build community on campus; foster community outreach and involvement; and address development issues of Afro-centric organizations at community colleges.

"The conference occurs each year during Black History Month and is scheduled during the Presidents Day weekend so students can have a substantive leadership and cultural experience without missing classes," said Black Caucus Advisor Don Dorsey, dean of students at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills.

"It is an amazing opportunity for our students to gain knowledge about their history and culture," said Hurd, "And it is so powerful that they will go back to their campuses to get involved."

For more information, contact Conference Chair Marlene C. Hurd at mchurd@sbcglobal.net.

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West African drum stolen from BSU room

A West African “djembe,” hand drum was reported stolen at 4:41 p.m. Wed. Jan. 23 from room 403 in the Laney Student Center.

The BSU member first noticed the drum was missing on the first day of the spring semester, but assumed that someone may have borrowed the drum. He late contacted Peralta Police Services to report the drum stolen.

The wooden drum is red with red/black symbols on the sides. The drum was valued at $140, but has cultural, sentimental value.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the drum are asked to contact the Laney BSU at laneybsu@gmail.com.
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BSU honors King

Every year, celebrations are held throughout the world to honor the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Unfortunately, no campus in the Peralta Community College District ever organizes any programs.

This year, the Laney Black Student Union (BSU) changed that.

BSU, in collaboration with Club Knowledge, hosted “The Real King: More than a Dreamer,” Jan. 22 at noon on the Laney Quad. The event featured readings of Dr. King’s speeches and quotes, as well as poetry inspired by Dr. King’s message, life and legacy. And his work.

“Most people see King’s birthday as a day off or even a day just to get holiday pay,” said Laney BSU President Reginald James. “But his work means so much more our people.”

The idea of doing an event about the “real” King was inspired by what the BSU sees as the corporate takeover of King’s message. Opposed to focusing on the so-called “I Have a Dream” speech, BSU wants to raise awareness of his other positions–after
August 1963–and how they relate to what’s going on in the world today.

“King would be organizing opposition to the War in Iraq, against police brutality,” said James, “and he would’ve been for our reparations.”

The BSU sees King’s legacy as an example of the need for Black people to be unified and organized.

“King would want the descendants of former slaves to organize themselves,” said BSU Vice-President Andrea Spearman. “Then he would want them to join with the descendants of slaveowners, and all people; so we unite as one people with one aim, guided by one God.”

The BSU expects King will be honored at Laney for years to come.
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BSU organizes HIV/AIDS rapid testing

Alameda County has been under a ‘state of emergency’ since 1998 due to the rapidly increasing number of people becoming infected with HIV/AIDS.

The purpose of the program is to increase awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the biological warfare being waged against our people.
Andrea Spearman

Part of the difficulty in preventing the spread of the disease is the ignorance surrounding testing opportunities and the negative stigma about being screened.

In the interest of the health and well being of students, the Laney Black Student Union (Laney BSU) organized free and confidential HIV/AIDS screening Nov. 14 on the fourth floor of the Student Center.

“The purpose of the program is to increase awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the biological warfare being waged against our people,” said BSU Vice-President Andrea Spearman.

According to statistics, Alameda County is one of the leading areas for HIV/AIDS, especially for women and we thought it would be good to have our men and women take control of their own futures.
Dr. Lawrence Vanhook

“According to statistics, Alameda County is one of the leading areas for HIV/AIDS, especially for women,” said Laney African American Studies Professor Dr. Lawrence Vanhook, “and we thought it would be good to have our men and women take control of their own futures.”

While the organizers originally planned to have 250 students screened, many who registered were unable to be tested as there were not enough supplies and time to test all of those present.

“Over 100 students actually took the test but over 200 registered to be screened,” said Vanhook. “There was an underestimation. Our volunteers from Highland had to go back to get more supplies and some students left without being tested.”

'It is important that students have access to health services at Laney. They didn’t have to travel and it was free.'
Marlene C. Hurd

Still, Student Trustee Marlene C. Hurd was pleased to see that students had an opportunity to be screened on the Peralta District’s flagship campus.

"It is important that students have access to health services at Laney,” said Hurd. “They didn’t have to travel and it was free.”

BSU Historian Lamar Caldwell said “We want to make community and sexual health popular here in Oakland.”

The HIV/AIDS testing was sponsored by Laney African American Studies, Alameda County Medical Services, Associated Students of Laney College, Laney Health Services and Peralta College’s Student Trustees.
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Black Studies professor collapses in class at Laney

Dr. Mary Lewis hospitalized but in stable condition

Laney African American Studies professor Dr. Mary Lewis collapsed during a class Oct. 23 in E-207. She was hospitalized, but is now in stable condition.

Details about what caused her collapse are still uncertain, but some have speculated it was due to her workload at Laney.

Lewis is one of two part-time professors who have had to work overtime this semester due to staff shortages in Laney’s Ethnic Studies Department.

More information in the next issue of the Laney Defender.

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BSU demands Ethnic Studies faculty

Patience Adagba plays djembe as President L. Davis speaks at Black Studies rally Oct. 23.

Rally stresses need for full-time Black Studies professors at Laney

By Ayaan Gates-Williams

The Laney BSU held a noontime rally Oct. 23 on the quad to protest the fact that Laney no longer has any full-time African American studies teachers and to demand that the administration prioritize this department for upcoming faculty allocations.

Under the warm sun, impassioned Laney students took to the microphone to share personal stories of what African-American Studies classes at Laney have meant to them and to stress the benefits of African-American Studies, not only to African-American students, but also to our national culture as a whole.

Punctuated by live drumming, world music and progressive hip hop, the rally harkened back to the era, more than 40 years ago, when college students first began to demand "Black Studies" and "Ethnic Studies" classes.

'Students rose up and said, we want courses that reflect our interests, that reflect our culture. It's incumbent upon all of us to struggle to have these classes continue.'
Nidamu Khuthaza, All-African People's Revolutionary Party

In the 1960's and 1970's, Bay Area colleges and universities were pivotal in the national movement to bring Ethnic Studies to Higher Education. Before that time, classes like those currently offered by Laney's Ethnic Studies Department, such as African-American, Asian and Asian American and Mexican and Latin American Studies classes, were rare or non-existent.

"Students rose up and said, we want courses that reflect our interests, that reflect our culture," said Nidamu Khuthaza of the All-African People's Revolutionary Party. "It's incumbent upon all of us to struggle to have these classes continue."

Paula Parker, a post-baccalaureate music major at Laney, recalls participating in the student movement of the early 1970's in her native New York. The role of students in "supporting the Black studies classes, supporting African American faculty and making their opinions known to everybody on up to our Laney College president," is critical, she says.

Black studies is important and it needs to be taken as seriously as science, English, and everything else.
Lamar Caldwell, Laney BSU Historian

Too many of the current generation of young students take ethnic studies course offerings for granted and don't realize that they could lose them, she warns.

Of Laney's more than 12,000 students, 27% are African American, the second most represented ethnic group on campus. African-American Studies at Laney has gone from an all-time high of eight full-time instructors to none. This is not acceptable, insists the BSU.

BSU Historian Lamar Caldwell speaks during Black Studies rally.

Laney BSU Historian Lamar Caldwell and speaker at the rally, says the lack of a full-time professor reflects the devaluation of African American studies within the college curriculum.

"Black studies is important and it needs to be taken as seriously as science, English, and everything else," says Caldwell, "because you won't have an English department without a full-time English instructor."

"We're taught to think of Black studies as something to take for fun," said Caldwell, addressing the perception that Ethnic Studies classes are "fluff" or vanity" courses.

Khuthaza argued against the idea that students who major in ethnic studies might not be able to get a good job upon graduation.

"History is very important," says Khuthaza. "It lets us know what we've done and what we're capable of doing. It has a lot of the answers that we need to resolve a lot of the contradictions that we face today."

Rashaunah Bashir and Natalie listen to speakers raising awareness of faculty crisis of Black Studies at Laney.

He blasted the current political climate for financing a war while many citizens suffer from a lack of employment, inadequate health care and the impact of education cuts. The crisis in the Laney College's African American Studies department reflects these warped priorities, he said.

The Laney BSU meets every Thursday at 3 P.M. on the 4th Floor of the Laney Student Center in room 403. Visit Myspace.com/LaneyBSU for more info.

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Free and confidential HIV/AIDS testing at Laney

Got AIDS? How do you know? One in four with HIV don’t know they have it.

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, free and confidential HIV/AIDS Testing will be held on the Fourth Floor of the Student Center from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

“The purpose of the program is to increase awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic,” says the Laney Black Student Union, “to provide prevention materials for at-risk populations, and refer those who are affected, and may not be aware to counseling and other medical services.”

Testing is being provided by Alameda County Medical Services-Highland Hospital and there a number of different speakers and a brief film shown from 10 a.m. -11 a.m. in D200 and 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. in the Forum.

Organized by the Laney Black Student Union (Laney BSU). Sponsored by African American Studies of Laney College, Alameda County Medical Services, Associated Students of Laney College (ASLC), Laney Health Services, Phi Theta Kappa, and Peralta Colleges’ Student Trustees.

For more information, contact Indra Thadani, Laney College Health Services Coordinator, 510-464-3513 or the Laney BSU at laneybsu@gmail.com or visit Myspace.com/LaneyBSU.

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African American Studies in Danger

Unless students organize and speak up and speak out, in a matter of time, there will be no more African-American Studies at Laney. We now have no full-time faculty in the classroom.

In less than four months, Laney lost two full-time instructors (Ray Richardson and Dr. Carole Ward-Allen) and the Ethnic Studies department chair Toni Cook.

On Tues. Oct. 23 at 12 PM (noon), the Black Student Union will be hosting a rally and speak out to keep ‘Black Studies” alive.

We need students to share their experiences in African-American Studies and why Laney needs to fund the program. On Tues. night at 5:45 PM, we need as many students as possible to come to the Peralta Colleges Board of Trustees meeting and have your presence felt.

In the meantime, email Laney President Dr. Frank Chong at fchong@peralta.edu and ask him to allocate funds for us.

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Farrakhan speaks 'live' at Laney

Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan leader gives lively speech during the ‘Holy Day of Atonement’

Nearly 350 people came to the Laney College Forum on Oct. 16 to hear the Nation of Islam's (NOI) leader, the Hon. Minister Louis Farrakhan, speak live via webcast.

The program, which was co-sponsored by the Oakland Muhammad Mosque and the Laney Black Student Union, commemorated the 12th anniversary of the historic Million Man March of 1995 when over one million African-American men descended upon Washington, D.C. for "atonement, reconciliation, and responsiblity."

Farrakhan touched on global warming, religion, HipHop, politics, and the need for African-Americans to create a new society that benefits the masses of people in the world.

"Pharoah has nothing else for us to do but to fight in his unjust wars and serve his prison industrial complex," said Farrakhan, alluding to the biblical parallel of Africans in Americans and the Israelites in Egypt.

The 74-year old Farrakhan, who was recently ill, spoke passionately for nearly two-and-a half hours, cautioned the nearly 15 million viewers not to believe the media "tomorrow."

"Don't let the media tell you about 'an ailing Farrakhan,' tell them you saw a strong Farrakhan, who spoke for two hours and could've spoken for two more."

Following the speech, Oakland Minister Keith Muhammad, reflected on Farrakhan's words.

"I hope all the students and the people heard the words the minister shared," said Muhammad. "And I hope that we can and will act upon what he said."

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Jena 6 gets Laney support

Students rally in quad, gather signatures

On Sept. 20, in solidary thousands of college students throught the country, the Laney Black Student Union held a rally in the quad to support the Jena Six. Over 20,000 people showed up in Jena for the National Day of Protest while a hundred students were in the Laney quad for the rally.

Students signed petitions and letters addressed to the Governor of Louisiana and the District Attorney in the Jena 6 Case.

The Laney BSU collected over a hundred signatures that were mailed out asking that all charges of attempted murder be dropped.

Last year, after three Black students sat under a ‘whites-only’ tree, a noose was hung from the tree. Nooses, for Black people, represent the nooses our ancestors were once hung from.

Soon after a number of white-on-black violence occured, including an incident in which a white man pulled a gun out on youth who liberated the gun, turned it in to police, and were charged with robbery.

The man who pulled out the weapon was not charged.

Finally, in retaliation for jumping a Black youth, a white young man was beat up in aschool yard fight. The six youth involved, called the Jena 6, were charged with attempted murder and conspiracy.

Following the Sept. 20 protests the youngest of the group was released; however, at press time, Mychal Bell is back in jail.

"We all live in Jena," according to Hip-Hop artist Mos Def who called for a walk-out on Oct. 1.

For more information on how to support the Jena 6 please visit Color of Change

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