Fresno 6?

Last week, during one of my regular barber shop conversations, I jokingly expressed to one barber that I was surprised they weren't in Jena participating in the protest. Straight faced they replied,

"Why go to Jena, when we have unresolved issues in Fresno?"

It raises a good question that I have posed to myself and now to you-- do we only get excited about those stories that make headline news?

Given the Valley's history of racial and social inequity, I'm sure there are many cases like Jena that receives to no press or protest but merit our attention. From to the Paul Perry lawsuit to everyday black men and women entangled in the system, our community cries out for individuals to plead their case.

Have you or someone you know experienced criminal injustice in our Valley? Feel free to share your story

Why black Fresnans need to participate in the awareness and prevention education of HIV/AIDS in our community

• According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2002, AIDS was the leading cause of death among African-American women ages 25-34 and the second leading cause of death for African American men ages 35-44
• African Americans accounted for 50 percent of all AIDS cases diagnosed in 2004 in the United States, yet African Americans make up only 12 percent of the population
• In California, as of December 31, 2006, there were 143,946 cumulative reported AIDS cases; 25,590 of these cases were African Americans. This represents over18 percent of all AIDS cases, yet African Americans constitute less than 7 percent of California’s population

Fresno AIDS Walk
October 6, 2007, 9 AM
Roeding Park

The 2006 Fresno AIDS Walk raised $5,000 with hundreds of walkers. The proceeds benefited several local programs including Community Center Hospital’s C.A.R.E. and Cornerstone Foundation’s (operated by Cornerstone Church) Red Ribbon AIDS Project.

A great resource for black pastors and churches: http://healingbeginshere.org/index.htm