The Perspective II Online

Genetics and Racial Health Disparities

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:02:56 PST

Pros

Theoretically Genetic Engineering in the form of ‘gene therapy' could be used to repair damaged or replace missing genes in people who have genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis.

Ifgene-David Heaf

Cons

Genetic disorders represent a tiny fraction of the total burden of ill health and are being funded disproportionally when correlated with chronic disease ailments. This research is vulnerable to abuse because it is backed mostly by venture capital.

Ifgene-David Heaf

Walking at God’s Pace

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:57:38 PST

As a beautiful and outstanding individual in this community, Charisse is more than what you can expect from just any remarkable citizen in Albuquerque. Throughout the years, she has shown continuous commitment to all of her family, friends, and to the rest of the community. Whether at work or at play, Charisse is the prime example of someone who cares for all people.

Greg Brown Inducted

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:48:02 PST

Greg Brown is an excellent example of how courage, determination and an overcoming spirit can inspire achievements of greatness. ‘Too small' are the words that preceded each level of competition in the progression of Brown's basketball career, but Brown refused to allow his dreams to be contained in the limited visions of so called experts of the game.

Recognizing a Great Artist

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:40:22 PST

Seated at his work station in the Muddy Wheel art studio is a face of genius covered with the remnants of molded clay. His hands serve as his machines of orchestration; his mind serves as his pool of information that organizes his source of creativity. His eyes open the world to the ecstasy of art while the heart overflows with a desire to amaze. On the wheels in the Muddy Wheel art studio sits a lump of clay waiting to be immortalized by the hands of the great artist, Fred Wilson.

SOME THINGS JUST DON’T CHANGE

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:29:53 PST

The recent news report of the kidnapping and racially motivated sexual assault on a young, Black woman in West Virginia is a starkly jolting reminder that racial hatred still is a cancer upon our nation that must be excised, swiftly and completely, in order for this growth of human hatred to be stopped.

Bridging Gaps As a New Mexico CASA

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:54:33 PST

National CASA Association (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is one of many child advocacy organizations that are committed to the representation of children, advocating in the best interest of the child, as these children are involved in adjudicated abuse and/or neglect cases. National and local CASA continues its efforts of focusing on diversity and inclusion by increasing and broadening its partnerships with significant national and local organizations.

Meeting Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:33:42 PST

At a time when the road to progress in the black community is anchored in its youth, it's refreshing to know that future leaders will be accomplish minded young men and women who are accustomed to challenging standards of excellence.

Tomorrow's leaders represent the new breed of African Americans who are looking to carry the torch as today's leaders continue to gray. They will build from a foundation of events and activities processed by decades of resourceful, courageous, talented and resilient African American families.

The young people being presented in this issue of The Perspective II are represented of but a few of the young stars who will be gatekeepers of the future for the African American culture.

Treasurer Lewis Unanimously Elected President of NAST Regional Association

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:24:34 PST

Western State Treasurers Association by state treasurers of that region on September 18, 2007. The election took place during the annual meeting of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) in Sunriver, Oregon.

Just Thoughts: Each One, Teach One!

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:07:02 PST

"Dad, thank you for raising me right!" Those were the words my son surprised me with recently. Living in Georgia, he was staying with his grandmother while she recovered from back surgery. One day, several doors down, two carloads of young Black females were jumping on another female. Apparently, the fight was over the affections of a boy. Wow, even today, young girls are still fighting over boys. Who would have thought? But those seven words said and meant a lot to me. My soon-to-be 21-year-old son and I haven't always agreed, but it does my heart good to know he gets it. As parents, I think that's all we ask for is for our kids to get it.

From The Heart

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:59:47 PST

As I write this article, I'm thinking about the person that has just spent the last thirty minutes or so in a heated conversation with their spouse, trying everything possible to communicate those deep intimate feelings. I mean you've dug down into the depths of your innermost being or the wells and recesses of your heart to explain what is going on in your mind, and even as you speak, you feel vulnerable because you know that the information you're giving can easily be used to destroy you. As you complete your last few words, you're looking into your spouse's eyes and it becomes very obvious that he/she doesn't have a clue. As you walk away, your mind screams inside of your head, "Does anyone out there speak my language? Is there anyone out there who understands?"

Beginning a Healthy Lifestyle Program

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:51:14 PST

Lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for obesity. A healthy lifestyle program that includes both physical activity and dietary modifications are key elements in the struggle against obesity. A healthy lifestyle program goes beyond the goal of losing a specified number of pounds; it is a lifestyle that supports health and wellness in addition to preventing and treating obesity.

The Forest For The Trees

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:27:03 PST

As African Americans we are faced with a dilemma. This dilemma is not unique to African Americans in New Mexico; it is all-pervasive; it affects us all. In our quest for equality our successes can actually push us further away from our goals. We see this frequently as we question our right to complain about perceived inequities simply because we have made progress.

Delta Sigma Theta 2008

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:06:53 PST

Ken Carson Sr. honored for work in Child Advocacy

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:14:03 PST

ALBUQUERQUE—Kenneth Carson Sr., was honored at New Mexico Voices for Children's 20th Anniversary Gala

Pastor’s Corner

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:45:16 PST

I had to smile as I thought about what John Maxwell wrote in his book, "Today Matters", and I quote: "2004 ended on December 31, 2004…last year and yesterday ended that night." Well guess what my beloved? You can say the same thing about the year 2007…it ended on December 31, 2007, which means last year and yesterday ended that night. Which also means that 2007 or the past is over. It's gone! You've walked out of last year and yesterday and what was the future is now today.

The H.I.P. Chics™ are ready to help you get your H.I.P. FIX

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:13:13 PST

The Ladies who make it all happen, from left to right, Phyllis Hubbard, Dr. Stephanie McIver and Karimah Stewart.
Phyllis Hubbard specializes in guiding clients to achieve optimal health by designing person-specific programs that integrate an array of holistic healing modalities and their biophysiological applications. Dr. Stephanie McIver, a clinical psychologist, has been in practice for 15 years. Her specialties include depression, grief and loss, anxiety disorders, women's issues, and multi-cultural/identity issues. Karimah Stewart is a financial coach and advisor who supports individuals in reigning over their thoughts and their money.

MENTAL HEALTH and MEDICATION

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:47:45 PST

In my last article I talked about making a resolution for good mental health in 2008 and I listed what good mental health is. To summarize, good mental health is comfort and well-being in one's thoughts or emotions and the absence of a mental disorder. But in the case when there is the absence of comfort and a mental disorder is likely, medication may be your first and best approach to treatment. Now mind you, I am a clinical psychologist. I am not a psychiatrist, a physician who specializes in mental illnesses and neurological disorders and who prescribes medication (though New Mexico is one of the few states that permit psychologists to be credentialed to prescribe medication).

Putting the Outpost Performance Space in Perspective

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:34:40 PST

I'm happy to be back in The Perspective to talk about another Outpost Performance Space season. We started off with a bang in February at the Kiva Auditorium with the 15-piece Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis. The JLCO featured the music of the great Duke Ellington—a terrific concert at which I was so happy to see so many Perspective readers. Let me recount one wonderful experience about that night. The band arrived on the bus at 3pm that afternoon, checked into the hotel, and were at the venue at 5pm for sound check, followed by dinner, and a two and a half hour concert. For all of us in the audience, that was the end of a terrific night of music.

Struggle for the Right to Vote

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:25:02 PST

Not to long ago, I was watching a segment on Public broadcasting on Slavery in America. The topic under discussion was Blacks in political office.

In 1789, African-Americans were defined in the Constitution as 3/5s of a person for counting representation, and could not vote at all. In 1865, following the Civil War, African –Americans were given the right to vote and the "3/5s clause" was rescinded. This was the 14^th and 15^th Amendment which stated: "the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Which meant, that states couldn't deny the right to vote to those who had been slaves?

Stepping Back Into Time...

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:19:45 PST

There is a special air of pride and excitement surrounding the movie ‘The Great Debaters' a movie inspired by a true story. "The Great Debaters" chronicles the journey of Professor Melvin Tolson, a brilliant but volatile debate team coach who uses the power of words to shape a group of underdog students from Wiley College, a small black college in Marshall, Texas, in the deep south, into a historically elite debate team.

In 1935, Wiley's debate team defeated schools from elite black schools like Fisk and Howard, and then moved on to the unthinkable: debating and defeating students from white schools and eventually dethroning the reigning national debate champions, the University of Southern California, (not Harvard as depicted in the movie).

It's a highly inspirational movie that will hold a special place in the hearts of many movie goers for years to come. But for one special individual living in New Mexico the movie is a reminder of personal experiences with Wiley College and Mr. Melvin Tolson, the individual who is the movie's focus, and was her teacher, mentor and close friend.