emPower Magazine Blog

Cap and Gown Blues

By Crecilla Scott

A few days ago, I read an article that detailed the financial difficulty that an increasing number of students faced while trying to pay for graduation expenses such as a cap and gown. I can understand the financial hardships of families who have lost their income, but the skeptic in me wonders if many of the students would be better served by more creative or fiscally prudent adults in their lives. Don’t get me wrong, the class ring, senior trip, senior pictures, graduation announcements, and prom can add up to hundreds of dollars that many parents can’t afford. My mother was unable to purchase a class ring for me, we couldn’t afford the senior trip, and I printed my own graduation announcements—so I understand the meaning of “low funds.” But the amount of money that the article referred to as a “luxury” was a bit shocking—$38.

I admit, maybe I am simply an out-of-touch Washingtonian…but $38?  I hate to sound insensitive, but, didn’t they know that graduation costs some amount of money?  You don’t need the class ring and you don’t need the senior trip; and although the ceremony is optional, if you want to walk across the stage, you need to purchase or rent a cap and gown. This is not a secret.  I wonder, among the students whose parents couldn’t afford the regalia, how many have cable TV? How many of the students have a cell phone? How many students and parents decided to tap into their creative side and fundraise (i.e., car wash, bake and sell desserts, etc.)? 

Perhaps this goes without saying, but if they are having difficulty with producing $38 for graduation, how are they going to make it in college?  But I digress. My alarm stems from a belief that their difficulties are not simply rooted in the current economic climate.While this may hold true for a few of the students, the larger issue is planning for our children’s future. Let’s be clear, I know a few things about “making a way out of no way.” Even if students must work part-time, even if parents must borrow money from relatives (which is not uncommon), even if families must be challenged and stretched beyond their comfort zone…they should find a way for their children to participate in one of the most important events in their lives--graduation.  This should be one of their priorities. Before purchasing the latest tennis shoes. Before paying the cable bill. Before a lot of the foolishness that shall go unnamed in this commentary. Of course, I don’t know if the parents in this particular article participated in financial foolishness or not. But it does not matter. I know that $38 should not be a financial hindrance to graduation, and making education a priority—including the symbolic importance of the graduation ceremony—is priceless.

Additional Resources
http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/05/21/2851097-caps-and-gown-costs-too-steep-for-some-seniors#comments
http://thecollegesolutionblog.com/2008/11/13/paying-for-college-in-hard-times/

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, "Conversations with Crecilla." She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com.  

Can't Swim? You're Not Alone

By DeShuna Spencer

Fifty-seven percent of African American and Latino children are unable to swim. In addition, African American children drown at a rate almost three times higher than White children. To encourage more minorities to learn how to swim, Olympic Gold medalist Cullen Jones will travel to various U.S. cities promoting the availability of low- to no-cost swimming lessons to give all kids access to life-saving swimming skills, regardless of their ethnic or economic background through the Make a Splash program.

Cullen, the first African American male to hold a world record in swimming, will also focus on increasing funding for learn-to-swim initiatives across the country.

A study revealed that 58 percent of black adults admitted that they could not swim. In households where parents can't swim, 91 percent of African American children and 70 percent of Hispanic children will not learn to swim.

I am an African American adult unable to swim. I have had a fear of water ever since I had a bad experience when I was 9-years-old. I remember it has if it were yesterday. Another little girl and I were on a circular flotation tube in a wave pool. We had managed to drift to the "deep end." Although I could not swim (it was probably my second time in a large body of water), I was not afraid since I was floating. Then, another slightly larger girl recognized us and rested her body on the tube making it flip over. I quickly sank. My head slightly hit the bottom making my glasses break and fall off of my face. I struggled to push myself up, but I didn't know how. I started screaming under water and taking in water, but no one was as far down as I was. After about two or three minutes, I began to "accept my fate" and I stopped trying to move in the water. I just relaxed my body and I just floated up to the top. A lifeguard finally saw me struggling at the top of the water face down. She grabbed my hand and pulled me out. Once of the pool, I began to throw up water and my chest began to hurt. The water park had to drain the pool to find my badly wounded glasses. After that experience, I did not get in a pool again until two years ago, when I tried to conquer my fear of water and learn how to swim. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful. By the end of my six-week class, I still couldn't float. I simply could not put my face in a large body of water. I tried ducking my head in a bowl of water to get used to the idea, but that was as far as I got. How embarrassing.

When I confess that I am unable to swim, especially to those from a different race, many people are baffled. I tell them that even among my circle of black friends, only a handful of them can swim well. To me, it makes sense. Many blacks live in a neighborhood without community centers or local pools. In my old South Memphis neighborhood, we didn't have one. Pools are expensive to have and to upkeep. For some black families--with homes--having a pool is considered a luxury. The first time I got into a pool (as far as I can remember) was on the day I fell to the bottom.

Cullen had a near death experience as a child, which prompted his parents to give him lessons.

“I didn’t learn how to swim to become an Olympic champion,” said Cullen in a statement. “I learned how to swim, because when I was five years old, I almost drowned. Every summer these tragedies happen and we talk about how they could have been prevented; yet every year the statistics remain the same."

Because I can't swim, I am unable to participate in some recreational activities during vacations. I can't attend aerobic water classes. I am quite limited.

Even though I failed at my first attempt to learn how to swim, I have not given up. I plan to take private lessons in the near future. Will you learn with me? The editors of emPower are looking to chronicle a few readers who are planning to learn how to swim in the next few months. If you are an adult who is unable to swim and interested in learning and possibly sharing your experience in emPower, send an email to editorial@emPowernewsmag.com and put "Let's Learn Together" in the subject line.  

If your child is unable to swim, visit makeasplash.org to find out about swimming class opportunities in your area.

DeShuna Spencer is owner of emPower magazine, published by Liu Karama Productions LLC.

Take A Vacation From Television

By Vernelle Nelson

Although the summer solstice isn’t until June 21, vacation season has already begun. Memorial Day signaled the opening of swimming pools and theme parks. Schools are closing. Young people are heading out to proms; and the refrains of Pomp and Circumstance echo as graduates don caps and gowns to accept certificates, diplomas and degrees from day care to doctorate programs.

As we revel in the traditional signs of the summer season, our thoughts turn to taking a vacation. Why not take a vacation from the things that weaken our spirits? Why not back away from the movies, television programs and music that instill feelings of fear and anxiety? 

How many times have children imitated death scenes, either as victim or perpetrator to the applause and approval of family and friends? Is there any wonder that violence prevails in almost every aspect of our lives? One sure way to bring peace into our lives is to very carefully monitor what we and especially our children are exposed to on television. Programs that offer a steady diet of violence or destruction should be blocked as well as movies and television programs that denigrate women or any other segment of society. These shows anesthetize us and subliminally condition us to accept negative stereotypes and attitudes as normal and acceptable. An added side effect of repeated exposure to simulated acts of violence is a constant feeling of fear and insecurity. 

If you want peace in your life, stop watching movies about war. If it’s in your consciousness, it will be in your life. Is it necessary to start every day with the news? Are the latest celebrity gossip, political scandal, the declining economy and war the way to start a happy, peaceful day? The Earth won’t leave its axis if you miss the bombardment of death, destruction, murder and mayhem one day a week. Pay special attention to how you feel when you go to bed at the end of your news boycott day. Chances are you will rest better and feel invigorated in the morning. Not only is it impossible to go through life without being aware of current events, it’s irresponsible, but it’s not necessary to eat, drink, sleep, live and breathe the day’s news. One local newspaper and one hour of television and/or radio news per day should be sufficient.  

Next, check the television shows and movies you watch. Do they reflect the world you want to live in? Are your music choices uplifting or depressing? 

The very last of Wayne Dyer’s, Ten Secrets for Success and Inner Peace, teaches us “Wisdom is avoiding all thoughts that weaken you.” Constant exposure to destructive thoughts and messages only serve to weaken our spirits, our minds and our bodies. With hundreds of channels to choose from, there’s no reason to subject ourselves to violence, hatred and fear. This summer, make it a priority to find them.   

Portions of this article are excerpts from the book, Favorable Conditions, by Vernelle Nelson and released by Publish America in 2008.

Where Are The Real Protesters When You Need Them?

By Crecilla Scott

On Sunday, May 17, 2009, President Obama’s commencement address to Notre Dame was interrupted by anti-abortion protesters.  After shouting things like, “Stop killing our children!” and parading around with pictures of blood-laden fetuses, the protesters were arrested for trespassing. Although I admire their passion for the unborn, I wonder about their level of concern for those who are already here. It’s not that I disagree with them completely--as President Obama mentioned, I can certainly find common ground with anti-abortion protesters.  But I simply cannot understand people who move heaven and earth for unborn children, yet when these babies are born, these same people generally do not support policies that would make the babies’ lives easier. In fact, the people who cry the loudest about abortion tend to be hostile toward policies that help poor- and working-class people meet the needs of their families.

I do not understand how someone can be so passionate about unborn children, but have no compassion for all of the children who have been unnecessarily murdered by violence. Chicago has experienced the murder of 36 students this year alone.  Where were these same protesters when parents had to bury their children? Where is their disgust and outrage at a society that does not possess the political will to effectively address the extreme level of violence in their community?  Where are their efforts to challenge and engage men to step up to the plate and raise their offspring?  Simply put, where is their indignation over the plight of the children who have already been born, yet die needlessly? 

As awful as abortion is, in many cases, it is the end-product of a confluence of negative circumstances.  Circumstances, that in many instances, can be avoided with the proper tools--appropriate education, hands on parenting, availability of living-wage employment, increased spiritual connection, etc. 

These protesters seem to be obsessed with unborn children, but babies and children outside the womb can go to hell in a hand basket. The point that I am trying to make is this: there are other problems and circumstances that must be addressed in order to substantially reduce the number of abortions in this country – spiritual, economic, and educational.  Their approach (protesting President Obama’s speech), while noble in cause, is like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. If they want to make a positive contribution to society, why not mentor some of the kids who have not been aborted, but need additional assistance and guidance from caring men, nonetheless.

Additional Resources
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/05/pastor-hangs-upside-down-us-flag-as-protest.html
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/05/alan-keyes-among-21-arrested-at-notre-dame-in-obama-protest.html?obref=obnetwork
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-obama-notre-dame-18-may18,0,614207.sto

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, "Conversations with Crecilla." She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com.  

Are We There Yet?

By Quincy Lewis

I was walking toward the library on Wayne State’s campus when the doors swung open toward me and dozens of upset students filled the mall. I kept stride when someone from the crowd got my attention and said that there was no reason to go inside because the power had went out.  Now I too was upset, because I needed to print out my school schedule and my printer at home was out of ink.  Down, but not out, I headed to the journalism department where I knew I could jump on one of the computers in the lab and I was met with darkness as I tried to enter.

Figuring that the campus was probably experiencing some power issues, I decided to give it a rest and head home.  As I was walking to the car, I called my mom to tell her how I was all set to print my schedule and how all this power outage stuff had ruined my day.  That’s when she said the power was out at home too. Now, that was weird. No storm or anything had come through and I lived about 10 miles from the campus anyway.

Just as I was leaving, a friend of mine had chirped me—yes I had a Nextel—and asked me had I heard what was going on. He told me how the power had gone out from New York all the way to Michigan and some parts of Ohio. Suddenly, I was nervous. No longer was I worried about printing out a schedule. With the information I had received I had quite honestly believed that we had been struck by another act of terrorism. With the towers being fresh on my mind, it was hard to believe that it wasn’t some sort of attack that left us in the dark for two days. I took all residential streets home for the most part, because no street lights were working and the freeway looked like a parking lot.

On the ride home I saw people outside trying to cool off and barbecuing everything they had in order to salvage food. It was amazing. I don’t think I have ever seen so many people outside at one time.  Finally, I pulled into the driveway at my mother’s house to see them doing the same thing I’d seen others doing on the way home--standing around and barbecuing.

That night, we stayed outside until after 3am, still amazed, still confused, and still afraid of what was going on.  Almost six years have passed since then, are we any better prepared now?

Catch ya’ on the FLIPSIDE.

Should Fathers Be Required to Attend their Child’s Dedication?

By Crecilla Scott

“I've called on pastors nationwide to stop the stream of momma, grandmother, aunts and female cousins coming to the altar for baby dedications with no man in sight. That pastor should say, ‘Until I personally meet with the father, I will not dedicate this child.’ Somebody has to hold that man accountable for his actions.” -- Roland S. Martin, Nationally syndicated columnist

Roland Martin recently wrote an article in which he declared that pastors should not dedicate children unless they personally meet the fathers. Of course, his statement was met with angry letters of outrage, particularly from black females. I can only imagine the accusations leveled against him. (Two days later, he modified his statement by asserting, “If the church makes a good faith effort to reach the father and meet with him, and nothing happens, fine, dedicate the child.”) I must admit that, initially, I thought that his statement was ridiculous. However, after dismissing his position on this issue, I’ve had a slight change of heart.

Regular readers of my commentary already know where I stand with regard to the devastating effects of single parenthood on our community. I’ve written about it again and again, so I’ll spare you the usual statistics. But we must understand that Roland Martin is tapping into something deeper than the ceremonial act of christening. He is addressing the predominant matriarchal (and imbalanced) structure of the black community. Many black churches are overflowing with women, but black men are woefully underrepresented. Too often, black women are the sole economic support system for their children. Too often, black women are the only familiar role models for black boys, who need to see “men handling their business.”

What does this have to do with baby christenings? Because of the high level of dysfunction in relationships that often result in single parenthood, many women probably make the baby christening plans without consulting the father.  Remember, although a baby christening is special, it still falls in line with all the other responsibilities women are accustomed to: scheduling doctor’s appointments, making child care arrangements, planning the child’s birthday party, etc.  So, for many single women, the father’s absence from the baby dedication is no more jarring than the father’s (relative) absence from the child’s life. I am not suggesting that most absentee fathers would attend the christening if they knew the date, time, and location – but I am suggesting that the absence of fathers at the baby dedication is obviously a reflection and extension of the larger problem in our community. 

That said, I agree with Roland Martin in this sense: it is not a bad idea to have the pastor reach out to fathers and invite them to actively participate in their children’s lives. Should their presence be required for their child’s dedication? Absolutely not. Should it be standard practice for the pastor to make an effort to speak with the father and extend an invitation to the ceremony? Absolutely. We must make it clear that children need their fathers. We cannot criticize absentee fathers, but make no effort to encourage them to be involved in their children’s’ lives. By asking, not requiring, that fathers participate, the church is making a statement that fathers are important. Sometimes, men don’t need another lecture; they need an invitation to step up to the plate.

Additional Resources
http://essence.typepad.com/news/2009/05/pastors-should-meet-with-baby-daddies-before-dedicating-a-child.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/06/martin.fathers/index.html
http://liukarama.typepad.com/empowermagazine/2008/06/obamas-speech-on-fatherhood.html


Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, "Conversations with Crecilla." She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com. 

Economic Downturn Forces Young Adults to Forgo Healthcare

By Fadesola Adetosoye

There’s a recession outside. Times are rough and people everywhere are looking to make sacrifices to make ends meet. Worst off, these sacrifices take place in one of the most significant aspect of our lives: health care.

Due to economic hardship, approximately 47 percent of Americans report cutting back on healthcare spending to loosen up on budget restrictions. This number demonstrates an increase from the 42 percent originally reported in an April 2009 Kaiser Family Foundation Consumer Poll. Young adults of college age are the largest and fastest growing population of uninsured in the U.S. residents, despite their generally good health and relatively inexpensive premiums. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the young adult population is approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population and of that number, 29 million (23.9 percent) young adults, between the ages of 18 to 24, are uninsured. This percentage is significantly higher than the national average of less than 20 percent for uninsured adults. Without health insurance, a disproportionate number of young adults lose access to health services, forcing them to rely on community health centers, abandoning preventive treatment and services, or paying high out-of-pocket expenses in the event of an emergent or unexpected injury or illness. In a failing economy young adults tend to forgo health care and use their meager resources for food. 

The increase of the uninsured among the young adult population raises concerns regarding the long-term impact of no coverage on the overall population and the potential rise of chronic disease of insolvency continues. Furthermore, the impact of embarrassment and stigma placed on young people seeking subsidies for access to health care serves as another barrier for young adults to facilitate ongoing utilization and participation in managing their health care. As Americans continue to experience tougher economic times, the health care system must come up with effective strategies that provide affordability and accessibility to medical services among the young adult population.

Effective strategies to address the difficulties of health care access will require the health care system to adopt a social perspective on health which includes providing a variety of interventions that are more youth and economically friendly, in addition to flexible. Partnerships with community health centers and young adult advocacy groups may prove valuable in outreach efforts to highlight the importance of having health care services. Advocating to state human services departments to provide subsidized funding, on a sliding scale, to those young adults who are unable to afford the entire cost of a premium may also assist in providing greater affordability amongst members of this promotion.

Additionally, there is a dire need to dispel the stigmas associated with attending health services or seeking federal/state subsidization to gain access to such services. Balanced health education and promotion programs are necessary to address the young adult population. Posters and other resources which promote relevant health services and programs can be instrumental in conveying to the young adult population that health care needs are a normal good and deemed significant among health care providers and health services.

Seeking to increase access and utilization of the health care system by young people requires an in-depth look at the poverty issues challenging a rising number of young people and their families. As the number of safety-net providers and clinic services continue to decline, disadvantaged young people will continue to forgo access to health care.

It is important that programs such as Medicaid and Medicare expand their eligibility criteria to meet the financial constraints confronting the young adult population. Also, state human services departments and various advocacy groups should develop policy recommendations that would alleviate some of the antiquated eligibility requirements that are necessary to participate in federal or state benefit programs.

Health care is not a privilege, it is a right. If the number of uninsured young adults continues to rise, long term cost on our health care system could be beyond devastating.

Fadesola Adetosoye is a Master of Science, Health Policy Candidate (May 2010) at The George Washington University.

Who Knew What, When?

By Timothy Nevels

Intelligence officials have released documents showing Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) knew more about the interrogation techniques that were used after September 11. In a 10-page memo outlining an almost seven-year history of classified briefings, the Democrats who are being led by the far Left are leading themselves into a showdown with the CIA and other intelligence agencies. With this thought in mind, the CIA protected itself with the thought that Congress would have a case of short-term memory with mid-term elections just around the corner. No one was complaining when terrorist plots were foiled because of techniques used. It seems that many officials are only looking to keep themselves in office rather than stand up and say: Yes, we knew what was going on and it was in the best interest of our country. To deny that any knowledge of what was going on is a gem that the GOP should be jumping all over. If it is hearings and truth commissions that the Left seeks. It will only backfire. Showing that there is a huge split between moderate Democrats and those who are more MoveOn.org type of officials. War is dirty business. We often just want to hear about the results than how we got there. There are some serious individuals and organizations that have no problem killing Americans, even on American soil.

If Ms. Pelosi and the other Democrats thought the government had decided torture was legal (i.e., torture in their eyes), why did she assume they were being briefed on the legality of torture? Was it just a seminar in law, perhaps for the continuing legal education most states require of lawyers? Get real, Ms. Pelosi: If you were briefed on torture techniques, then there was a clear intent to use them. If you really thought the techniques were illegal torture, you would have spoken up. This is the classic case of approval and consent by silence. Now she’s making up a story to justify her previous silence.

If this is how the Democratic leadership is going to lead America in the area of keeping America safe, I have to say I am not feeling very safe. When any party allows one group to determine its vision, then we as Americans need to look at our political system. Whether it's Far Left or Far Right, we cannot allow those with extreme views to rule our Congress or White House. There has to be a balance. It is only in the middle can we make sure those who we send to serve our country do just that. This is the very reason why some many in the country worry when Democrats get in control. There seems to be a disconnect in how best to keep our country safe. It certainly is not helping to play armchair general. It seems to be a basic need of the Left to try and punish Bush officials for a war the Liberals did not believe in. You will see a whole lot of back peddling on this issue in the next few months. This issue is going to divide Americans even more and will reflect in how Americans vote during the mid-term elections coming in 2010. It is a sure bet those who wavered on their beliefs in keeping our country safe will be voted out of office.

Is Rap Music The Scapegoat To Problems In the Inner City?

By Quincy Lewis

Some rap lyrics are offensive; some may even make you cringe if your grandmother is in the room, but when do they become a scapegoat for bad parenting or poor schools? I hear a lot of people carrying on about how rap music is having a negative affect on its young listeners. Last time I checked, parents and family members raised kids, not 50 Cent. Let’s be serious about it. I grew up with NWA, Eazy E, Ice-T, Tupac—hell, even the Bloods and Crips had a compilation album! My parents and family taught me the difference between right and wrong and somehow I turned out fine. That is because parenting was taken seriously in my day. Lyrics of a song on the radio would never be a good enough excuse for a mother to say her son or daughter has taken the wrong path in life. Or, for a father to say he has done all he can, but that damn Ice Cube has his son doing what he wants to. Let’s be real.

I grew up in an era where gang violence was at an all time high. Crack had just become popular and profitable. Society had gone crazy. Neighborhoods were falling apart, but we made it through. Some of us fell victim to the life, but nobody blamed a brand of music for our failures. How can you be mad at the music now when all they’re doing in songs is dancing and throwing money around like it’s nothing? And before someone gets upset about women being degraded, trust me there were strippers, prostitutes, and “gold diggers,” before these rappers started “making it rain,” so take it easy. The real root of the issue is education. Some of us never receive the proper education that would allow us to leave the block and the whole ghetto mentality behind. For some of us, rap music is our only way out. Finally, if we escape by using music, then the content is filled with ideas of where we come from.

Everybody has a family member—at least in the black community—who has had or has a drug problem. Everybody has a family member who has or still is selling drugs.  Everybody has a family member who has had trouble or is having trouble with a baby mama. Everybody has a family member who has been killed in relation to what is going on in our environment. And everybody has a mother in their family that at one time told you to stop telling on each other (STOP SNITCHING). All these things just keep showing up in the music because that’s where we come from.  Hip-hop is us.  Hip-hop is me… find another scapegoat.  Catch ya’ on the FLIPSIDE.

Q. Lewis is the owner of FLIPSIDE INK, a publishing company that publishes books, press kits, and promotional material for aspiring authors, models and entertainers.

The GOP Needs More than a Makeover, They Need a Do Over

By Crecilla Scott

On Saturday, May 2, 2009, prominent leaders of the Republican Party held a town hall meeting at a pizzeria in Arlington, VA to discuss issues of importance to their constituents. Their meeting, called “National Council for a New America,” was the first of several meetings designed to reach out to voters and revamp their public image. The three leaders--former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney--spent an hour discussing education, health care, and small business. They also fielded questions from the audience. 

While the things that the GOP have done wrong are too numerous to count, there is one thing that they have decided to do right--listen to everyday people. This is the first in a long list of actions that Republicans need to take if they want to regain their credibility. 

Since the obvious is apparently not-so-obvious for Republicans, they should also open their eyes to the changing demographics of the country and drop the superiority complex. While they are at it, they can drop the angry white male mouthpieces--Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and Pat Buchanan. They can stop organizing tea parties that look like the mobs from the civil rights era. They can stop
making outrageous statements about Obama, such as Limbaugh’s claim that Obama would not have given orders to shoot Somali pirates had he known they were young, black community organizers. If they want to do a sweep of ignorant spokespersons, they can add Sarah Palin, Joe the Plumber, Tammy Bruce, and Michelle Malkin to the list. They can also refrain from grabbing any brown face to plop in front of a TV camera to show their supposed “diversity” (RNC Chair Michael Steele and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal).  Of course, none of these actions guarantee success. They are still a message- and melanin-challenged party. They cannot simply ask for more support from new voters when many of their ideas are antiquated, offensive, and hostile to poor and working Americans. To turn their sinking ship around, the GOP needs more than a makeover, they need a do over.

Additional Resources
http://www.rollcall.com/news/34539-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
http://news.aol.com/main/politics/article/gop-launches-plan-to-overhaul-image/459955
http://field-negro.blogspot.com/2009/05/field-offers-his-services-to-repubs.html
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_041409/content/01125110.guest.html

Crecilla Scott is the founder of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company in the Washington DC area. She is the host of a local TV show, "Conversations with Crecilla." She is also a passionate speaker, who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She can be reached at Crecilla@liukarama.com.