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NBC Nightly News Spotlights ASU's COMPUGIRLS Program, Professor Kimberly A. Scott

Congratulations to the COMPUGIRLS program and Dr. Kimberly A. Scott, Associate Professor at Arizona State University, for being featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams on May 9.

Scott is the Executive Director of COMPUGIRLS.

Scott founded COMPUGIRLS at ASU after launching a similar program at Hofstra University. The program gives 13- to 18-year-old girls from under-resourced districts in the Phoenix area the training to apply technology tools to community or social issues. Funded with grants from NSF and the Arizona Community Foundation, the program has served 200 girls since 2007.

It was also great to see my girl Eshe Pickett featured in the video too!

And don't PhxSoul.com didn't tell you about COMPUGIRLS! We've had the program listed on our "Mentoring, Leadership Programs and Activities for Black Youth in the Phoenix Area" article for three years!

SB 1070 Protests Further Demonstrate the Fact that Arizona Is In a State of Chaos

Photo by Puente Arizona

Submitted by DaVaun Sanders

Citizen protests against Senate Bill 1070 continued to escalate this week, as the law was set to go into effect on July 29th. Demonstrators took to the streets all across Arizona and the country on Thursday. In downtown Phoenix, organizers engaged in several acts of civil disobedience in addition to rallies, vigils and prayer gatherings.

Protesters marched on downtown after an early morning prayer service at Trinity Cathedral. Their numbers grew gradually into the thousands throughout the day in the face of triple-digit temperatures and humid weather.

The actions continued despite U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton's order on the day prior, which essentially deprived the bill of its race-profiling teeth. Governor Jan Brewer filed for an appeal of the federal injunction on Thursday, but must wait until November for a ruling, as her request for an expedited hearing was denied.

"We need to explore any and all options, including the possibility of tweaks to SB 1070, to get the legislation implemented as soon as possible," Brewer stated in comments reported by the Arizona Republic.

This admission by the Governor may serve to fuel demonstrators from the Puente Movement, the National Day Laborer's Organizing Network and the Unitarian Universalist Association. Puente demonstrators, including civil rights leader Salvador Reza, have already been arrested going into the weekend.

The events in downtown Phoenix represent a paradigm shift in America, as generations, social media and political awareness conjoin to shape an uncertain future. Immigrant rights are often portrayed as a solely Hispanic cause in Arizona, but the Thursday rally did not reflect that preconception.

Predominantly white baby boomers and elders were also on hand, wearing bright orange t-shirts, several with white clerical collars visible beneath. Upon arrival from the morning march, they sang “This Land is Your Land” in Cesar Chavez Plaza. Hispanics made up the larger contingent of rallying youth, some wearing teal Puente Arizona t-shirts, leading chants and pounding away on drums. The merging of these distinctly different groups, peppered with more ethnicities in between, proved to be striking.

Chants resounded through downtown as the rally gathered momentum, echoing through the adjacent Wells Fargo plaza, where curious employees looked on from their cigarette breaks. Plainclothes officers and  Puente organizers meandered through the crowd like rival generals, observing and reporting with walkie talkies or cell phone Twitter updates.

“Stop the injustice, stop the hate—we don't want your police state!” Youth shouted through megaphones. Inevitably the crowd spilled into the streets. “Arrest Arpaio, not the people!”

Acts of civil disobedience ensued as dozens of intimidating Phoenix SWAT filed into the street in riot gear. Officers warned the crowd to remain on the sidewalk, or face arrest. Reporters and cameramen swarmed everywhere for any signs of escalation, lending a frantic air to the scene as arrested demonstrators were pulled into awaiting vans. The overpowering media presence played an indelible role here, creating a feedback loop of hype.

There were moments of potential ugliness that nearly bubbled into the more carefully orchestrated aspects of the day. Several frazzled officers and rifle wielding deputies at the downtown jail dragged away protesters who chained themselves to the building, and attempted to disperse the crowd several times before finally gaining control of the street. Officers arrested some of the people with visible relish, however restrained.

“Cops and the Klan go hand in hand!” Crowd members chanted defiantly. “This is what a police state looks like!”

Back near the Wells Fargo Plaza, a pair of incredibly brave (or incredibly foolish) minutemen attempted a feeble counter-protest. The two were quickly enveloped in argument by the anti-SB 1070 crowd, and eventually escorted away by police for their own safety.

Many Americans will conclude that Arizona remains trapped in some peculiar time warp, where Sheriff Joe Arpaio is this generation's Bull Connor. Yet away from sensation hungry cameras, moments of levity occurred among the people who fell on different sides of the law's enactment.

“I have no opinion on that, sir,” said one SWAT officer when asked about the law, immediately pointing out the public information officer for media queries. “He's the only guy out here wearing a tie.”

As the SWAT officer monitored the sidewalk from behind reflective black sunglasses and bulletproof vest, he added thoughtfully, “People should be allowed to say what they think, though.”

Some zealous, high school-aged protesters were quick to hurl 'Nazi' and raise middle fingers to police, in addition to the Klan epithets. Several of these instances were redirected by stern-faced elders, or equally zealous—but somewhat more conscious—college age members of the protest.

Elsewhere, a group of police gave each other wry grins after accepting water from a passing protester. Their 'thank-you's' were sincere. A Hispanic onlooker and White SWAT officer both held sweat drenched and angry expressions, but also shared a laugh when an enterprising cameraman scrambled atop a van to record the arrests on Washington Street. Puente volunteers picked up empty water bottles throughout the demonstration, even as their movement leaders were arrested.

These sorts of moments will likely go unnoticed in the drama surrounding SB 1070 until the appeal process is complete. The potential for Arizona to move forward is ultimately reflected in the individuals on either side of this legislation, who chose to remain quietly, beautifully human during the protest of an inhuman law.

Follow DaVaun Sanders on Twitter @davaunwrites

 

Video of the SB 1070 Protests by DaVaun Sanders

Photos of the SB 1070 Protests by DaVaun Sanders

PhxSoul.com's Tremaine Jasper Recognized by BlazinAZTV.com as a Trailblazer - See the Video! @BlazInAZtv

Wow! BlazinAZTV.com recently interviewed me for a segment on Local Trailblazers!

I almost shed a tear after watching this video - Courtney Crosslin of BlazinAZTV.com did an outstanding job!

I was truly humbled by this opportunity to discuss the following topics:

• My accomplishments
• My definition of success – helping others
• My long-term goals
• PhxSoul.com's importance to the community
• My recent challenges
• My greatest strength
• The importance of teaching, mentoring and being a role-model

I hope all of you take the time to view this video:

http://www.blazinaztv.com/2010/05/phoenix-soul-creator-tremaine-jasper/

Please feel free to share your feedback either on PhxSoul.com or BlazinAZTV.com!

Obama Inauguration on Jan. 20! What a Historic Day!

As I watched Barack Obama's inauguration (while I was at work) on Jan. 20, 2009, I gave a special thanks to our ancestors and people of all races who fought to abolish slavery and risked their lives to end slavery, racism, voting disenfranchisement and so many other injustices.

There is no way that a President Barack Obama could ever be possible without the strength, courage and vision displayed by our forefathers and predecessors. For that, I will be eternally grateful!

People have asked me if I've always believed that a black man would be elected as President of the United States! My answer is, "Yes!" I didn't exactly know when it would happen, but I knew the dream would come to fruition "someday."

I never doubted it because I was fortunate enough to be raised by a "village" of caring, intelligent, encouraging and successful role models who made me feel that ALL things were possible! When I was a young boy in the 1980s, my family and friends used to frequently repeat a statement that really seemed empower us - "I AM SOMEBODY!"

The "I AM SOMEBODY" mantra was born from a poem that was written by Jesse Jackson in the early 1970s. When Jesse Jackson used to shout that phrase among large crowds, I used to get chills even back then because it filled me with so much pride and hope!

Every time Barack Obama speaks, he fills me with the same pride and hope that I felt during those days when Jackson used to lead us in the "I AM SOMEBODY" chants! However, Obama takes my pride and hope to another level because he makes Americans of ALL races feel like "WE ARE SOMEBODY!"

His dedication to our nation should never be questioned and I believe that he and his cabinet will get our country back on track! It's OFFICIAL! Obama is here!!!

PhxSoul.com wants to know your thoughts on Barack Obama's inauguration! What were your feelings as you watched the ceremony?

ABC 15 Jumps on the Black Community Bandwagon

Boy oh boy! We negroes are in vogue now!

Channel 15 recently came up with a TV report about the Black Community's feelings about Obama and his run for the presidential office!

I'm a journalist by trade and I have to say that it makes me laugh that we're getting all of this coverage.

It's a double-edged sword because on one hand, it's great that we're finally receiving some primetime attention. However, it bothers me because many media members want you to believe that RACE is NOT an issue in this election!

If race is NOT an issue, then why are WE in the spotlight all of a sudden?

Makes you wanna say hmmmmm ...

Well, I am hoping that we'll continue to receive increased, positive coverage from the Valley media that seek our opinions on local and national issues after the election.

TV Show about African American Life in Arizona? Would You Tune In?

As the creator of PhxSoul.com, I've been privileged to learn about NUMEROUS African American organizations and individuals who are really trying to make a difference here in Arizona!

I always wonder about the black people who say that there's nothing goin' on in Phoenix! I want to ask them, "Are you living in a cave?!!"

Many of the forums that have been held over the years have highlighted a number of issues that are affecting our community and showed me that that there are hundreds, if not thousands of black people here who want to make Arizona a better place to live!

With the momentum that I'm seeing for black people in Arizona, I think it's time for us to develop and host a television show on African American culture and progress in Phoenix!

For reasons unknown to me, a large portion of African Americans aren't interested in reading Black newspapers and Websites to find out what's going on in our community!

Why?

Maybe it takes too much time to read them? Maybe people don't know how to access these publications and Websites? Maybe people don't even know they exist? Maybe we're intimidated by the Internet and technology? Who knows ...

But there is ONE medium that can reach everyone!

TELEVISION!! Everybody watches TV!

I'd love to see a weekly 30-minute program that informs people about what's goin' on from an African American perspective in the Phoenix metro area! We've had these shows in the past (in fact I was a guest on one of these shows when I was a kid), but of course the TV programs fizzled out due to lack of support.

If we had an ENTERTAINING, INFORMATIVE local television show that made black people aware of our efforts, success stories, businesses, entertainment venues, community events and organizations, celebrities, pioneers, nightlife and planned projects, I think African Americans would tune in! I think black people are craving a convenient place to SEE information about our community and television is it!

Maybe I'm being foolish for not keeping this idea to myself - I could do the research, then I could be the host and make some serious change! I've been on television numerous times and really enjoy being in front of the camera.

However, I'm not really connected to local TV network industry anymore so I don't know how to put the wheels in motion for this idea. I don't mind proposing this idea to the public because I'm sure that we have somebody who works in the local media industry who can make this happen quickly!

We'd have to find a local channel and staff willing to support this effort, VIBRANT, ATTRACTIVE and INTERESTING hosts (male and female) and local corporations who would be excited about advertising on the show! The local channel would probably need to air each television show several times per week (repeats) to make sure that it gets exposed to a wider audience.

I'm curious peoples, what do you think about this idea? Is it something that could work here? Do we already have a similar television or radio program that I haven't heard about?

Please submit your Comments today!!!