Dunbar Village

Congressman Tim Mahoney to Host Roundtable at Dunbar Village on Rangel-Mahoney Bill to Give Interest-Free Loans to First-Time Homebuyers

2008-04-19T11:57:00.000-07:00

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Congressman Tim Mahoney, co-sponsor of the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008, introduced by House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel, will host a roundtable on Monday, April 21, from 10-11.30 a.m. at Dunbar Village on legislation to give interest free loans to first time home buyers.

The Roundtable will be held in the boardroom of the West Palm Beach Housing Authority (1715 Division Ave, West Palm Beach).

"We welcome this opportunity to provide a platform for Congressman Mahoney to share his views on the proposed legislation to help stabilize the housing market, improve access to affordable housing and assist families in the purchase of their first home," Laurel Robinson, Executive Director of the West Palm Beach Housing Authority said.

The legislation which goes before the House of Representatives for consideration, provides tax credits to first-time homebuyers, improves access to low-income housing and allows families to deduct property taxes. The first-time homebuyer tax credit would provide individuals and families with a refundable credit (equivalent to an interest-free loan) of ten percent of the purchase price of their home (up to $7,500). Taxpayers would be required to repay any amount received under this provision to the government over 15 years in equal installments. The credit will be phased out for taxpayers with adjusted gross income in excess of $70,000 ($110,000 in the case of a joint return).

With a mission to provide those with limited financial resources access to safe, decent and affordable public housing and programs to assist in transition to greater financial security, the West Palm Beach Housing Authority owns and operates 712 units in five housing developments: Dunbar Village, Southridge, Pleasant City, Twin Lakes and Robinson Village. More information about WPBHA and its programs is available at http://www.wpbha.org/

Media Contact: Mark Hopkinson NewsMark Public Relations mhopkinson@newsmarkpr.com 561-852-5767
West Palm Beach Housing Authority

Media shines light on the heat

2008-03-31T03:28:00.000-07:00

Bloggers have not done this alone. Mainstream media, in the form of Tonyaa Weathersbee, Howard Witt, and Frank Cerabino have helped to sound the alarm against the disrespectful and sad stance of the West Palm Beach NAACP and National Action Network.

To them, thank you for seeing the error of these organizations' ways and having the character to write about it.

Now, if only other Black journalists besides Weathersbee had the conviction to call out these old school organizations.

Dunbar Village Propaganda: Alleged Rapists are Tender and Precious

2008-03-28T11:24:00.001-07:00

This flier was passed out during the joint press conference held by the National Action Network and the West Palm Beach NAACP outside the State Attorney's Office on March 11, 2008. Click on the pictures to read the absolute foolishness!

Added to the fact that they were standing with the family members, it seems pretty clear what they were standing out there advocating for, doesn't it?

This is why people believe complaints about racism and inequality in the justice system are unfounded! How many movements will they set back with this case?

Don't believe the lies: Al Sharpton's backpedal

2008-03-28T00:30:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, March 27, 2008 columnist Tonyaa Weathersbee and blogger SheCodes appeared on Al Sharpton's radio show to discuss the intense pressure Al Sharpton and the NAACP received from bloggers and their readers regarding their support of the four males who are accused of raping a mother and her child.

We must refute some statements and accusations Mr. Sharpton made regarding the blogger campaign to denounce his unfortunate and disrespectful position in the Dunbar Village (DV) gang rape.

CAMPAIGNING FOR EQUAL MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE

Contrary to what Mr. Sharpton attempted to imply on his radio show, he did not stand before the courthouse to demand the Boca Raton rapists are denied bail. He was not complaining about preferential treatment on their behalf. If that were the case, he would have been flanked by the family members of the two girls who were raped in Boca Raton. Instead, he stood before the cameras flanked by the family members of the DV rapists and described the treatment the DV rapists have received as "unfair". He stood with them because he was advocating for them. What sense does it make to stand with the DV rapists families if he felt they should be denied bail? This backpedaling footwork would make an NFL Pro Bowl cornerback proud.

According to Nancy Othon of the Sun-Sentinel: He [Sharpton] repeatedly expressed his concern about the lack of bail for the Dunbar defendants.

According to Michael Bender of the Palm Beach Post the day before the press conference: Sharpton also will condemn the "unfair" treatment of the suspects in the Dunbar Village assaults, said the Rev. William Richardson, the Florida director of the National Action Network.

According to WPBF-TV, the local ABC affiliate: The Reverend Al Sharpton Tuesday said four black teens charged in the gang rape and beating of a West Palm Beach woman and her son were treated unfairly. Sharpton said the teens charged in the June 2007 attack in the Dunbar Village housing project should have been treated the same as five white teens recently accused of raping two young girls in Boca Raton after a party.

And far as making the rape cases equal, therefore demanding equal treatment under the law I'll start with the words of Frank Cerabino, Palm Beach Post: To call these cases identical, as Sharpton did, is to ignore far too much. And to make martyrs of the Dunbar teenagers only trivializes real cases of racial injustice and further denigrates two black victims of unspeakable crimes.

The crimes in Dunbar Village were horrific, and its not that the boys in Boca Raton deserve less than the standard punishment, the boys in Dunbar Village deserve more. Their crime was heinous and they will continue to be described by me as a roving pack of armed animals seeking to inflict unimaginable pain and damage.

BLAME THE MESSENGER

I resent the idea that people would blame the messenger for the message, rather than looking at the content of the message itself. -Anita Hill

They would love for you to fall in line with their "blame the messenger" defense strategy. Blame the messenger because they don't know what they are talking about. Blame the messenger because they got it all wrong. Mr Sharpton you can continue to ignore the benefits that technology and blogging bring to activism, thats your prerogative. You can dismiss bloggers as inaccurate and unreliable, that, sir, will be to your detriment. But bloggers specifically and grassroots activists in general are the coattails you ride into town on.

Bloggers made Jena possible, not Al Sharpton. Dunbar Village will be remembered for the work of bloggers, not Al Sharpton. To characterize us as a mere group of bloggers who get it wrong will not work with this case. If indeed we did get it wrong, we were not alone. We are joined by The Palm Beach Post, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Associated Press, and Black America Web, to name a few. You saw some of the excerpts above. There is no grand conspiracy to manipulate Al Sharpton's words. We didn't get it wrong. If anyone got anything wrong it was Sharpton for failing to deliver an unambiguous delivery of his position.

The bloggers who have contacted reporters who were on the scene, local politicians and spoke with Dunbar Village residents do not provide false information to our readers. Everything we post on our blogs can be verified. We don't post hearsay.

PROBLEM OPERATION

If there is any group of people who can't seem to get their facts straight its Sharpton and his National Action Network employees. From contradictory statements between the NAACP and NAN on who held the press conference to lies about not receiving blogger requests for clarification, the NAN has mishandled this from the beginning.

Numerous emails, letters and phone calls were made to the National Action Network. Our need for clarification was ignored. No matter what they tell you, we reached out to them. We did it as a perfunctory but sincere move because we knew they thought very little of us, but we hoped to learn their stance. They decided we were nothing more than a minor annoyance that would go away. We won't go away.

Truly, in his rush to simply play a role, any role, in Dunbar Village, I don't believe Mr. Sharpton actually thought out what position he was willing to stand for.

Let this be the alarm for any man, woman or organization that decides to align itself with those who harm Black women and children - today is a new day. Today is the day you realize we are an omnipresent force to be reckoned with and respected.

I leave you with a few words from Bella Abzug:

...whatever I am —and this ought to be made very clear—I am a very serious woman.

Open Letter 3/28/2008 Update: A New Underground Railroad is Born

2008-03-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Subject: The Dunbar Village Atrocity

Synopsis:

In the past week, a rapidly-moving viral email campaign was launched, and thousands of concerned black citizens spread the word about a shocking crime against a Black woman and her 12 year old son, in which crimes against nature were committed. (read more details of the crime here)

This email, entitled “Stop Al Sharpton and the NAACP from endangering Black Women,” described a stunning betrayal in which the NAACP and Al Sharpton held a press conference and demanded bail consideration for three suspects in custody for the crime. (source1) (source2)

Concerned Black citizens all around the country were outraged by the actions of the NAACP and Al Sharpton, and many vowed to withdraw volunteering and financial support from these agencies “until they make the safety of Black women and children a priority.”

On March 24, 2008 an NAACP memo that attempted to defend this betrayal was sent to Beverly Neal, who is the Director of the NAACP’s Florida State Conference. The memo claims that the NAACP was brought into this fray by Rev. Al Sharpton. Moreover, the memo was written by Maude Ford Lee, who is President of the West Palm Beach Branch of the NAACP. (read the memo here)

On March 27,2008, activist Al Sharpton went on the air to clarify his position on the treatment of the Dunbar Village Suspects. He invited writer Tonyaa Weathersbee and blogger Arlene Fenton to his show, to discuss the matter. Rev. Sharpton claimed that he never said that the Dunbar Village suspects were being treated unfairly, and that he did not want bail for the suspects in question.

Ms Weathersbee and Ms Fenton said that their research indicated otherwise, as indicated by video footage, eyewitness accounts, and the reporting from the Florida Sun Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post.

At the end of the radio show, Al Sharpton strongly condemned any activity that would promote bail consideration for the suspects in question. Rev. Sharpton admitted that “if the suspects were white, he would have been there sooner.” He stated that this is a problem with many black civil rights organizations. He apologized and vowed to uphold his prior promise to advocate for the residents of Dunbar Village. He also challenged all activists, bloggers, and writers to be accountable to each other.

To date, the NAACP has not made an official statement denouncing the Dunbar Village Atrocity, nor have they officially expressed regret to the victim. The NAACP also has not officially retracted their statement requesting bail consideration for the alleged rapists/torturers. To our understanding, neither agency has contributed to the Victim’s Assistance Fund or created a reward program geared toward the apprehension of the remaining rapists/torturers.

Conclusion

WE ARE SATISFIED with Al Sharpton’s qualifying statements that he made on his radio show on 3/27/2008. We will watch to see if he fulfills his promise to advocate for the residents of Dunbar Village, and we are willing to assist any effort that promotes safer black neighborhoods in West Palm Beach, FL.

WE ARE NOT CONTENT with the reckless, irresponsible actions of the NAACP (West Palm Beach chapter). We continue to urge all black people, women especially, to refrain from volunteering or giving financially to this organization until they take our safety seriously.

WHAT WE WANT

We want law enforcement to make a concerted, sustained effort to apprehend the remaining suspects. We want to see a genuine reward system in place to encourage members of the community to come forward with the knowledge of the whereabouts of the remaining suspects.

We want the NAACP (West Palm Beach chapter) to reverse their position that the alleged rapists/torturers of this case should be considered for bail.

We want both the NAACP and the National Action Network to cease downgrading the gang rape/torture/atrocity of the Dunbar Village by comparing it to an unrelated gang rape, in which guns, maiming, and forced incest were not involved.

We want to see genuine victim advocacy in the form of financial support for the relocation, medical expenses, and mental therapy for the true victims in this case.

The Dunbar Village Victim Assistance Fund

Individuals who would like to donate money to the victims can go to any Wachovia Bank and donate to the St. Ann’s Victim’s Assistance Fund. Donations will go directly to the mother and her son.

St. Ann’s Catholic Church will also accept donations. Checks can be made payable to the "Dunbar Village Victim Assistance Fund - St. Ann’s".

Donations can be mailed to: St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 310 N. Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

For more information about this Dunbar Village Campaign, you can visit any of the following blogs:

http://www.dunbarvillage.blogspot.com/
http://adifferentstory.wordpress.com/
http://anonymissblog.blogspot.com/
http://auntjemimasrevenge.blogspot.com/
http://blackfirewhitefire.blogspot.com/
http://blackwomenvote.blogspot.com/
http://charactercorner.blogspot.com/
http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com/
http://episcopalienne.blogspot.com/
http://essentialpresence.blogspot.com/
http://focusedpurpose.blogspot.com/
http://h-essays.blogspot.com/
http://lareinacobre.blogspot.com/
http://mynewblog-ravenelvenlady.blogspot.com/
http://politicalseason.blogspot.com/
http://privyconcepts.blogspot.com/
http://thesowingcircle.blogspot.com/
http://tributetoblackwomen.com/news
http://web.mac.com/roslynholcomb/iWeb/Site/Blog/Blog.html
http://whataboutourdaughters.com/
http://whattamisaid.blogspot.com/
http://www.blacksapience.blogspot.com/
http://yanmommasaid.blogspot.com/
http://www.somethingwithin.com/blog

NAN says we got it wrong

2008-03-26T04:06:00.000-07:00

If Al Sharpton doesn't support the Dunbar Village rapists then why did he stand there with their families?

Bumbling tap dances won't get you out of this one Al. You never should have said a word.

In West Palm Beach, Sharpton also will condemn the "unfair" treatment of the suspects in the Dunbar Village assaults, said the Rev. William Richardson, the Florida director of the National Action Network. (Palm Beach Post)

Rape is rape but your new friends are more than rapists. They were an armed roving pack of animals who decided to victimize a mother and child--it could have been anyone, they were simply looking to degrade, defile, and harm. They can't be trusted. They weren't treated unfairly. To be treated unfairly means something is wrong with the treatment you've received. Thus far, their treatment has been JUST.

Now, if you want to go to Boca and say those boys are receiving preferential treatment (and I have issues with that, but thats not my fight) then go ahead.

I believe in the need to battle unequal justice, you simply chose the wrong criminals to frame as victims of 'THE MAN'. Step away from this one.

Note to Al: You might want to look at how the NAACP is throwing you under the bus. But I guess there is no love between you already (remembers you stomping off like a child when they wanted to speak).

Al Sharpton where are you?

2008-03-25T14:47:00.000-07:00

You went back to West Palm Beach but only to speak on behalf of the rapists. When are you going to fulfill your PROMISE to listen to the concerns of the Dunbar Village residents? When is the date for the new town hall meeting?

I would love to know so I can make plans to be there like I was in February. I kept my promise to Citoya. When are you going to do the same?

Sharpton cancels again

2008-03-24T00:34:00.000-07:00

Due to complications with airflight, Rev. Al Sharpton could not appear Sunday at the New Greater First Baptist Church in Thomasville. No matter, Mayor Sheldon Day still proclaimed it Al Sharpton Day in the city.

NY Governor David Paterson received a warm welcome at a Saturday meeting at the Reverend Al Sharpton's National Action Network House of Justice in Harlem.

Yes, the rally was in New York but it is a coincidence he has yet another airflight complication. Bet there won't be any complications when he heads to Memphis for his MLK event next month!

Stop Al Sharpton and the NAACP from endangering Black Women!

2008-03-21T05:34:00.000-07:00

Right-thinking black people everywhere are stunned by the recent betrayal of Al Sharpton and the NAACP in a situation that is just too outrageous to ignore.

This is a painful story to tell, but it’s important for the moral, law-abiding majority of black Americans to understand exactly why Al Sharpton and the NAACP must be immediately stopped.

On June 18, 2007, a black woman was gang raped by 10 youths and forced at gunpoint to have sex with her own 12 year old son in a housing complex called Dunbar Village in West Palm Beach, Florida.The young men not only viciously punched, kicked and sliced this sister and her son with glass objects, but they also blinded her boy by pouring nail polish remover into his eyes.The young men forced this sister and son to lay naked in a bathtub together, and attempted to set them on fire (they could not find matches).

The youths boldly took cell phone pictures so that they could enjoy their violent, immoral and sadistic acts at a later time. The violence continued for more than three hours, and although this sister’s neighbors heard her screams, no one called the police or came to her aid.

This sister and her son had to walk a mile to the hospital, because the assailants stole her car, and threatened to kill her and her family if she told the authorities.

Only four of the young men have been apprehended, while the remaining six are on the loose, doing Lord knows what in our communities. There is no manhunt for the remaining suspects.

As devastating as this story is, what the NAACP and Al Sharpton have done about it will simply take your breath away: Not only did the NAACP ignore hundreds of requests to assist this woman because it was 'outside the scope of their mission', but they joined forces with Al Sharpton, and sent their lawyers to speak out IN SUPPORT OF THE RAPISTS.

You heard me right.

Even though there is conclusive DNA evidence and signed confessions, the NAACP and Al Sharpton are saying that it is 'unfair' to not offer bail to these four alleged rapists. They even had a press release about it.

IT IS TIME FOR SENSIBLE BLACK PEOPLE TO STOP THIS KIND OF NONSENSE ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Al Sharpton and the NAACP are banking on the belief that you and I will be just like this black woman’s neighbors. Join me by saying NOT THIS TIME. We will not turn a deaf ear to when we hear calls for help from one of our sisters and brothers who are being victimized.

Stop the NAACP and Al Sharpton’s National Action Network from committing this disgrace in our community. Just this once, let’s stand up and be counted by saying that we demand safe neighborhoods for our women and children.

Here is what you can do:

1. Spread the word. Forward this email if your conscience and concern have been raised. Send it to every concerned black citizen that you know.

2. Demand an explanation from your local NAACP chapter about this case. Cancel your membership to these organizations, and write a letter explaining that you will return when they prioritize the public safety needs of black women and children.

3. If you do not belong to these organizations, call and write them to tell them of your outrage and displeasure:

NAACP National Headquarters
4805 Mt. Hope Drive
Baltimore MD 21215
Toll Free: (877) NAACP-98
Local: (410) 580-5777

National Action Network
Rev. Al Sharpton
106 W. 145th Street
Harlem, New York 10039
212-690-3070
877-NAN-HOJ1

4. If you know an African American reporter or a black radio talk show host, forward this story them and ask them to follow up on it.Each Friday at 9:00am, visit any of the websites below, which will give you an update on the status of this situation. DO NOT LET THIS GO. Let us start working for safer neighborhoods in black communities.

ON FRIDAYS, CHECK THE NETWORK OF A NEW GENERATION OF BLACK ACTIVISTS:

http://adifferentstory.wordpress.com/
http://anonymissblog.blogspot.com/
http://auntjemimasrevenge.blogspot.com/
http://blackfirewhitefire.blogspot.com/
http://blackwomenvote.blogspot.com/
http://charactercorner.blogspot.com/
http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com/
http://episcopalienne.blogspot.com/
http://essentialpresence.blogspot.com/
http://focusedpurpose.blogspot.com/
http://h-essays.blogspot.com/
http://lareinacobre.blogspot.com/
http://mynewblog-ravenelvenlady.blogspot.com/
http://politicalseason.blogspot.com/
http://privyconcepts.blogspot.com/
http://thesowingcircle.blogspot.com/
http://web.mac.com/roslynholcomb/iWeb/Site/Blog/Blog.html
http://whataboutourdaughters.com/
http://whattamisaid.blogspot.com/
http://www.blacksapience.blogspot.com/
http://yanmommasaid.blogspot.com/
http://www.somethingwithin.com/blog

BlackAmerica Web columnist Weathersbee has a problem with Al Sharpton

2008-03-19T03:37:00.000-07:00

There’s no doubt in my mind that the four teenagers who are accused of gang-raping and sodomizing a Haitian immigrant in West Palm Beach, Florida for three hours straight last June and forcing her to perform oral sex with her 12-year-old son at gunpoint need help of the psychological kind.

What they don’t need, however, is help in being sprung from the Palm Beach County Jail. Yet that’s exactly what the Rev. Al Sharpton is demanding for those defendants, who range in age from 14 to 18.

Last week, the good reverend showed up in West Palm Beach to denounce the denial of bail to the defendants, saying that they are being treated differently from five white teenage defendants from Boca Raton, Florida who are accused of raping two middle school girls after a night of hard drinking on New Year's Eve, but who were granted bail.

Sharpton needs to choose his battles more wisely.

Read the entire column at Black America Web

Remember who Sharpton and NAACP are speaking for

2008-03-14T05:51:00.000-07:00

Al Sharpton, of the National Action Network, and the West Palm Beach NAACP have decided to provide their services to four rapists of a Haitian mother and her 12 year old son.

"I have never seen anything that would resemble this crime, with the brutality and the manner they did it," said West Palm Beach Police Lt. Chuck Reed, a 29 year police veteran.

Lets remind ourselves of the heinous crimes that occurred June 18, 2007. Yes, I know it is hard to read but READ IT, ALL OF IT:

A group of armed young men forced their way into their home, after telling her the tires on her car were flat.
The rapists repeatedly gang raped her and beat them both for approximately three hours.
They forced her to perform oral sex on her son.
They smashed a plate over his head and repeatedly beat the victims with fists and glass objects.
The rapists poured ammonia on her in attempt to destroy DNA evidence and chemicals into the boy's eyes.
They forced them to lie naked together in the bathtub, hit them with a broom and a gun and threatened to set them on fire.
About 48 hours after the attack, the boy was immobile in a hospital bed, a 1 1/2 -inch scar stitched across the top left of his skull and bandages covering both eyes.
They boldly took cell phone pictures to record their violent, immoral and sadistic acts.
They stole her purse, phones and jewelry; then stole someone else's car from the complex in order to escape.
The victims walked a mile to Good Samaritan Medical Center.

Now exactly why do they deserve to be anywhere other than in jail?

Read more articles here and at the Palm Beach Post comprehensive Dunbar Village Assaults archive.

Sharpton thinks Dunbar Village rapists should be free to roam the streets

2008-03-11T13:31:00.000-07:00

Cross-posted at Essential Presence

Today, Al Sharpton's outrage is over the state of Florida's decision to essentially not grant bail to four monsters who violated, degraded, raped, assaulted, abused, and demoralized a young woman and her teenage son. In addition, they struck fear in the hearts of Dunbar Village-area residents.

Sharpton said the black teens remain jailed and the white teens are free on bond, despite them committing the "same act."

"To have different reactions to the same set of circumstances is a crime in itself," Sharpton said.

Rape is a horrible attack on someone's body, mind and soul. No rapists should be allowed to roam the streets in search for their next victims. I don't care that other teens who had sex with their drunken friends are allowed out on bond.

What kind of ignorant, morally bankrupt, heartless, fool would suggest the Dunbar Village rapists should be anywhere other than where they are? Nathan Walker, Jakaris Taylor, Avion Lawson, and Tommy Lee Poindexter are exactly where they should be--rotting in a jail cell.

RAISE YOUR SONS AND LET THEM GO

Is there ever a time when you can stop supporting your son's stupidity? Just once! I mean, the kid wasn't expelled for talking in class. He raped someone mom. Avion's mama thinks her son should be treated fairly.

Cathy Lawson said her 14-year-old son Avion should not be charged as an adult because he doesn't have the mind of an adult. He is confined to a cell and she wants him to be able to get a bond and be treated fairly, she said.

He brutally kidnapped, raped and beat a woman and a child at gunpoint. He poured chemicals in a child's eyes and in this woman because he thought he was CSI, but I bet he can't tell you the sum of 12x12. The police arrested him and now he's in jail. Seems fair to me, whats the problem? In fact, what would be more fair is if someone did to him exactly what he did to a mother and her child.

Palm Beach Post has some interesting video of dissension in the ranks at THE PRESS CONFERENCE! Check out the video of Al storming off like a petulant child when someone tries to take his microphone and camera!!

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/mplayer/m/74046

Al Sharpton heads back to West Palm Beach- its not what you think!

2008-03-11T05:52:00.000-07:00

Was he my first choice in aiding the residents of Dunbar Village? No, but it wasn't my meeting to plan so I was okay with helping. Remember, just because I'm advocating for people doesn't mean they become my little subservients where I get to dictate to them how things should go.

Al Sharpton is on his way back to West Palm Beach today. Not to do as he promised for the Dunbar Village residents but on a tour to round up lazy ass people with no sense of civic responsibility who decided they weren't going to vote because the Florida primaries, at the time of voting, would not count. The presidential nomination wasn't the only issue on the ballot by the way.

He did have something to say about the Dunbar Village incidents. But he didn't advocate for the residents or the victims, he's whining for the little animals who violated a mother, her child and assisted in terrorizing weak, defenseless residents.

In West Palm Beach, Sharpton will also condemn the "unfair" treatment of the suspects involved in the Dunbar Village assaults, said Rev. William Richardson, the Florida director of the National Action Network.

Richardson said Sharpton would compare the treatment between the Dunbar Village suspects, who are black, and the teenage suspects in the Boca Raton gang rape.

Now, I've never been okay with double standards involving criminals. If Chipper and DeQuan commit similar acts they should get similar punishment. Most people know that doesn't happen on a daily basis. (Reading recommendation: Arbitrary Justice: The Power of the American Prosecutor by Angela Davis)

But lets be clear. I'm almost certain the suspects in the Dunbar Village rape did not receive "unfair" treatment. The suspects in the Boca Raton gang rape received preferential treatment and thats how he needs to frame it. (And thats provided they have received preferential treatment.)

Sharpton needs to show the inconsistency in who is trotted out for the public. But really, I'm not all that concerned about them. Because in the end, there was no unfairness to the perpetrators of the Dunbar Village rape. And putting their faces on blast is fine with me.

I don't feel the need to go into the forget the victims, protect the criminals mindset because thats done all the time and by more passionate bloggers, and I wholeheartedly agree with them. This is more personal to me. I'm still pissed at the way he treated Citoyia Greenwood. She deserved more respect than he and his minions gave her.

Sharpton is scheduled to hold an 11 a.m. press conference on Tuesday in front of the state attorney building on North Dixie Highway. He will also broadcast his three-hour daily radio program, "Keepin It Real with Al Sharpton" from the headquarters of 104.7 The Flame in Port St. Lucie.

Somewhere in a post last year and on the field negro's blog I talked about ending the support of national organizations and get back to supporting local advocates, volunteers and organization who do all their work within their own communities. No more supporting these organizations until they care about Black women and children.

I don't give my money to national groups like the Urban League, NAACP or the like. I refuse. There is too much sexism, bureaucratic crap, inefficiency, fraud, waste and abuse.

Put your money where your mouth is and your vote while you're at it.
******************************************************************

Stay tuned for some great news about Citoyia Greenwood and the power of people working together!

THE MEETING IS SET AND ITS DAYS AWAY

2008-02-13T18:55:00.000-08:00

The Dunbar Village Townhall Meeting has been officially and firmly set

DUNBAR VILLAGE TOWNHALL MEETING
ROOSEVELT FULL SERVICE
1601 N TAMARIND AVENUE
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33407
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2008; 7:00 PM.

Ms. Citoya Greenwood, with the assistance of Rev. Al Sharpton and his National Action Network, has organized the Town Hall meeting that will include Dunbar Village residents, community leaders, law enforcement, HUD, city, county, state and federal officials.

If you have any questions regarding the meeting, contact Ms. Greenwood at citoya.greenwood@gmail.com

Dunbar Village Residents Board

2008-02-07T23:02:00.000-08:00

A residents' council was created. It is a body of nine that represent the residents. Citoya Greenwood IS NOT part of this council. She had concerns about the make up of the council, which in her opinion included a couple of questionable people. Residents who are involved in altercations sit on the board?

Character should be paramount when asked to take a leadership role. However, it seems it was nothing more than a popularity contest for a few people. Ms. Greenwood was actually REMOVED from the board after she was asked to give it a chance.

The one person who has brought more attention to the problems of Dunbar Village. Any Dunbar Village residents' council in which Citoya Greenwood does not sit is incomplete.

How can we call this council, in which names for the council was solicited by the West Palm Beach Housing Authority, be anything but a sabotage meant to fail?

Alcee Hastings has heard of Dunbar Village. Who knew?

2008-01-22T17:39:00.000-08:00

From an article in the Sun-Sentinel:

At the Westside Park Community Center in Deerfield Beach, U.S. Rep. Alcee L. Hastings, D-Miramar, reminded a crowd of the problems that still plague South Florida, including a brutal gang rape last June at Dunbar Village in West Palm Beach."The challenges of today are reminiscent of past struggles," he said. "Many still don't have access to affordable housing, quality education or affordable health care and these struggles are especially exemplified by local tragedies, right up the street. The story of Dunbar Village is not unique. It's obvious that more action must be taken." (Read more here)

Will he attend the town hall meeting? We'd love to see you there representative. I bet Shane is STILL waiting on return phone calls from all THREE of his offices. All that staff and can't even deal with your own constituents?

What to do when the loudest complaints are by the most silent participants

2008-01-22T17:30:00.000-08:00

As everyone should know Citoya Greenwood is working hard to improve Dunbar Village for not only her daughter but the other residents as well. Unfortunately, her fellow residents aren't as vigorous in the fight.

How do you motivate the non-believers that they have the strength, the voice and the fortitude to do whatever they want?

Ms. Greenwood is working hard to establish a resident council. She has a few members but I'm sure she would love more. We must all take that giant, scary leap of faith. It is better to do it with help than alone. The residents need to take advantage of the spotlight and help that is being offered in order to improve conditions.

Check out the latest article by Emily Minor in the Palm Beach Post. Thank you Ms. Minor for continuing to bring attention to the tragic circumstances in Dunbar Village.

Private Security to End at Dunbar Village

2008-01-20T11:58:00.000-08:00

According to the Channel 12 news in West Palm Beach, the private security detail for Dunbar Village will run out at the end of the month.

The head of the housing authority says she wants to use some of the money that police receive in forfeitures from drug cases or other crimes to use to pay for security guards at Dunbar. She says in the past few months, since security guards have been on the grounds at Dunbar, the place is much quieter and safer. She also hopes to get enough funds to post security guards at the other housing projects in the city.

Okay Rev. Al: Date Changes and Gov. Crist

2008-01-18T09:56:00.000-08:00

The date has changed from Feb 1o. So many dates are flying in my head I'm not sure if the new date is the 18th or I just made that up. So, stay tuned.

Meanwhile, check out what happened in Boca Raton, FL.
An 18-year-old being held on $100,000 bail this morning is the sixth West Boca Raton teenager charged with raping two girls, ages 13 and 14, then leaving them partially undressed, bloody and unconscious on a canal bank after drinking on New Year's Day. (Read the story here)

As a woman who lives in Florida I would really like to know that Gov. Crist has as much contempt for savage rapists as he does for All State .

In fact, why don't you call and ask him. (850) 488-4441

I've contacted Gov. Crist as have other bloggers about Dunbar Village, public housing and violence against women in his state. We've heard nothing.

Gov. Crist has been known to meet with family and advocates of victims. (Think Mark Lunsford, father of murdered 9-year old Jessica Lunsford and Kay Shukwit, the mother of a murder victim in the 2004 Deltona massacre.) Is there a reason he can't take a few minutes to acknowledge the pain and suffering in Dunbar Village public housing complex?

DUNBAR VILLAGE TOWNHALL MEETING-FEBRUARY 10, 2008

2008-01-11T15:51:00.000-08:00

Thankfully, after further consideration the Dunbar Village Townhall Meeting has been changed to February 10, 2008, 4:00 pm. Now, politicians can't use possible prior Super Tuesday engagements as an excuse.

Stay tuned, this are changing constantly.

TOWNHALL MEETING POSTPONED

2008-01-09T14:22:00.001-08:00

The townhall meeting has been postponed until February 5. This will give them more time to get in contact with elected officials like Gov. Crist and Rep. Alcee Hastings who have danced away from or outright ignored Dunbar Village.

How can you help? You don't have to attend the meeting. Feel free to contact the following elected officials who are supposed to represent the residents of Dunbar Village. Let them know you are aware of the apathy, neglience and cold hearts.

Rep. Alcee Hastings
Washington Office
2353 Rayburn Office Building
Washington D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 225-1313
Fax: (202) 225-1171

West Palm Beach Office
5725 Corporate Way
Suite 208
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Tel: (561) 684-0565
Fax: (561) 684-3613

Mayor Lois Frankel
200 2nd Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 822-1400
lfrankel@wpb.org

City Commissioner Molly Douglas
200 2nd Street
WPB, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 822-1390
Fax: (561) 822-1399

Gov. Charlie Crist
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
(850) 488-4441

Al Sharpton Tours Dunbar Village With Resident Activist

2008-01-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

Dunbar Village activist Citoya Greenwood snagged a meeting with Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton toured the public housing residence, promising to send a representative to the January 16 townhall meeting and also return within 30 days to not only spend the night in Dunbar Village but host another townhall meeting.

Read more from Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post.

What Are We Missing?

2008-01-03T19:06:00.001-08:00

First, we know this is a long process. This townhall meeting is about rallying the residents, empowerment, and taking the first step on the road to community change. It is time for the residents to become neighbors.

We have the location, its large enough to hold all who may come. And its across the street from Dunbar Village so transportation is not an issue
The flyers are to be distributed this weekend. Media has been contacted and prepared to do stories.
We have the sound system and microphone.
We have set up daycare for mothers need it.
Food and beverages will be provided.
Index cards and pens so residents can write down whatever questions or thoughts they have.
There will be a recorder to take minutes and possibly a videographer.
We have politicians, a HUD representative and law enforcement to sit on the panel.
There will be a question and answer period afterwards.
We will submit questions to HUD, the West Palm Beach Housing Authority and law enforcement beforehand. Answers will be expected at the meetings not "we'll see" and "we'll research that".
Local community organizations and churches in the city and surrounding areas are implementing programs to work directly with the adults and children of Dunbar Village.
We are still attempting to find a lawyer to answer housing questions.

So what are we missing? Maybe I simply forgot to mention it? Maybe we never thought of it.

WHY we're doing this?

2007-12-14T13:32:00.000-08:00

From June 18, 2006 to June 18, 2007 717 calls to law enforcement were made regarding Dunbar Village public housing complex.
HUD send out a survey to Dunbar Village residents asking about safety. Of those who responded, the consensus was that there were safety issues and they didn't feel safe.
June 18, 2007 a Haitian single mother was gang raped, her 12-year-old son was beaten. Mother and son were forced to perform sex acts with each other. Chemicals were poured in his eyes, in the mother (to gt rid of possible DNA evidence) and the rapists searched for a lighter (presumably to light mom and son on fire).
Only four of the rapists have been caught. Anywhere from two to four are still on the loose.
State Representative Priscilla Taylor requested HUD get rid of West Palm Beach Housing Authority Commissioner Laurel Robinson and the board. They replied that WPBHA has been and continues to be a top performer.
In November 2007, a male attacked his pregnant ex-girlfriend with a metal crowbar. Days later he was apprehended by police in Dunbar Village. It leads one to believe he felt relatively safe from getting caught when he returns to the scene of his crime.
At least one child ate paint chips off the wall. WPBHA's fix was to simply paint over it with the same chipping, cheap paint.
Residents have called the property manager and received no response. They resorted to calling the mayor's office in hopes City Hall could get the property manager to acknowledge the concerns of the residents. Even then, it still took over two weeks for a response.
The residents, led by a strong and resourceful Ms. Grenwood, have decided they are done with this commissioner and her board. The townhall meeting will consist of talking directly to a HUD representative to speak of their concerns and complaints. And also, demand their elected officials represent them.
The residents want Laurel Robinson and the entire board removed from their positions.

Still Plugging Along

2007-12-13T06:52:00.000-08:00

As you can see from the sidebar some local and state politicians have let it be known they will attend the meeting.

CG, the Dunbar Village (DV) resident who is planning the Townhall Meeting is going to City Hall to try and get this meeting put on the mayor's calendar.

I spoke with the Director of HUD's Miami Office, Armando Fana, a couple of weeks back. He agreed to have a HUD representative come to the meeting in order to hear the complaints of the residents. Because a HUD representative is slated to be there, Laurel Robinson was contacted.

This morning I contacted a managing editor of one of the stations down in West Palm to start greasing the wheels on getting the media attention ready.

CG will also speak with a principal of one of the local schools.

Monday I have a few more phone calls to make. Shane and Shecodes are on the ball as always. They will draft a letter that will be out of this world.

Fal will be working on flyers that will be passed out to the residents and posted online.

I love ACTION. Don't you?

Two-Prong Approach to Activism

2007-11-20T06:12:00.000-08:00

The best example I can give is public education. Many people don't like the standardized testing and the "No Child Left Behind" program but you dont stop teaching the kids while you fight the policy.

So while many believe West Palm Beach needs leadership in the form of a new mayor, the West Palm Beach Housing Authority needs a new board and Laurel Robinson needs to be replaced is there any question that the residents of Dunbar Village need something too? Its a two-prong approach.

If there is a new mayor, board and executive will everything magically be okay? No, it won't. Lets at least be honest about that. Many of the residents of Dunbar Village want improvement but don't know how. And we have to acknowledge that some aren't going to change and don't care to change.

So this townhall meeting, if you will, is about helping the residents to empower themselves to demand and more importantly create the change they want.

There is the need to bring attention to the problem and heat on the public officials. That can be done from my home. But the world also needs hands-on people who are actively involved with individuals. Thats where going to West Palm Beach and working with the people come into play.

Calling attention to problems is necessary and fabulous. Many times its what allows the hands-on folks to become aware of issues. But people calling attention to an issue will only work if it motivates people to get involved. If you don't get involved people are talking and alerting for no reason.

What Are We Doing?

2007-11-18T14:33:00.000-08:00

This is a blog that focuses on the need for change. Our objective is to improve the lives of the residents of Dunbar Village. We may have differences of opinions but one thing is painfully clear: They need our support. This is not a forum to discuss whether or not there is a problem in the community, whether or not we need to take care of them, whether or not established civil rights groups are actively advocating for our issues. If you want to debate those issues this is the wrong place.

In January 2008 those who care and want to actively make a difference will come together in West Palm Beach to give the Dunbar Village residents our support as they demand and create change in their community.

We are not stepping into Dunbar Village to tell people what to do. This is something where we follow THEIR lead. We will provide support in terms of knowledge, ideas and resources but we won't be there to tell anyone what to do.

If you are interested in helping the residents to empower themselves through your physical presence, knowledge, ideas, resources or contacts THANK YOU. If not, please move along.

Please stay tuned for information about the date and agenda.