18-year-old Kymberly Wimberly did everything right. She challenged herself with honors and Advanced Placement courses, leading the pack as the highest achieving student in this year’s graduating class at McGehee High School.

But when her principal agreed with other school staff that Kymberly’s status as valedictorian would cause a “big mess,” he demanded that a White student with a lower GPA be appointed co-valedictorian.1

Please join us in telling the McGehee district’s superintendent and school board to acknowledge Kymberly as her class’s sole valedictorian and explain what they intend to do to ensure all students have equal opportunities at McGehee High School. When you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/valedictorian

What’s unfolding in McGehee is an outrage, and it sends the wrong message to Black students everywhere. The implication is clear: “No matter how hard you work, we won’t give you full credit for your achievements.” School leaders in this small Arkansas town have denied a student an honor she deserves because of their own racial prejudice and narrow-minded ideas about who is worthy of success and praise.

Arkansas is ground zero in the history of efforts to desegregate our nation’s schools. It’s where nine Black students faced down state troopers, angry mobs, and a governor intent on keeping them from integrating Little Rock Central High School more than 50 years ago.

Today, in nearby McGehee, Kymberly’s situation has exposed another brand of racial segregation. Principal Darrell Thompson’s decision to appoint a co-valedictorian this year is just the latest example of an ongoing pattern to undermine and derail the academic efforts of Black students. According to the equal protection lawsuit Kymberly’s family has filed, administrators and teachers routinely discouraged Black students — who made up nearly half of the high school’s enrollment this year — from taking honors and AP classes.2 They would use school-wide assemblies to make the course work sound daunting, then pull individual White students aside to encourage them to sign up for the more rigorous classes. As a result, Kymberly was the only Black student in her AP literature class and one of two in her calculus class.3

A problem nationwide

McGehee and other school districts around the country should be encouraging all prepared students to challenge themselves academically. Unfortunately, that’s often not the case. Last year, Black students made up 15% of graduating seniors, but accounted for just 9% of students taking AP exams.4 Black students trail far behind White, Asian and Latino students in terms of participation in AP classes, and educators have a responsibility to provide equal access to and preparation for college-level coursework.

Kymberly is the rare example of the student whose family believed she could excel in high-level classes, despite what some adults at school told her and students who look like her. Her case reveals why the school establishment consistently counsels half the student body into a lower academic track. It appears that they fear the eventual success of Black students and choose to limit Black students’ ability to compete in the classroom and, by extension, in life.

Hiding the truth

The district should be celebrating Kymberly’s story, and holding her up as an example of what’s possible. She is a young mother whose report cards throughout high school were filled with straight As until her junior year, when she had her baby and received a B in a class. Determined to hold onto her position at the top of the class, Kymberly took as many honors and AP classes as she could her senior year. Her plan worked, and in early May the high school counselor approached Kymberly’s mother, who worked at the high school, with news that Kymberly had the top GPA. But district officials soon started backtracking. The school’s principal told Kymberly’s mother that he had decided to appoint a co-valedictorian. The district sent out a press release amending a public announcement the counselor had already released. The superintendent even kept Kymberly’s mother from appealing the decision to the school board by claiming she had filled out the wrong participation form.5 District officials don’t deny Kymberly had the highest GPA but have explained their actions by saying that the co-valedictorian had half a credit more6,7— a balancing act Kymberly and her family say would never have been considered necessary had the top student been White.

Please join us in demanding that Kymberly’s superintendent and school board publicly acknowledge that she is her class’s sole valedictorian and explain how they plan to make sure that students have equal opportunities at McGehee High School. When you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/valedictorian

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
July 28th, 2011

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU–your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

http://www.colorofchange.org/donate

1. “Valedictorian sues school: Was she snubbed because of race?” CNN, 7-26-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/916?akid=2085.1174326.0e4et4&t=7

2. “Kymberly L. Wimberly v. McGehee School District,” Complaint, 7-21-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/917?akid=2085.1174326.0e4et4&t=9

3. See reference 1

4. “Seventh Annual AP Report to the Nation,” College Board, 2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/918?akid=2085.1174326.0e4et4&t=11

5. See reference 2

6. See reference 1

7. “High school student alleges racial bias in valedictorian choice,” Reuters, 7-27-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/919?akid=2085.1174326.0e4et4&t=13

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Breaking news: Major step forward for cleaner cars

07/29/2011 Nativegrl77

July 29, 2011

UCS Applauds Obama Administration Agreement on Fuel Efficiency & Auto Pollution Standards

Statement by Michelle Robinson, Director, Union of Concerned Scientists’ Clean Vehicles Program

WASHINGTON (July 29, 2011) –The Obama administration today unveiled an agreement with major automakers and the state of California on a framework to strengthen the nation’s fuel efficiency and auto pollution standards for new cars and light trucks. This proposal, which will apply to vehicles sold in model years 2017 to 2025, will set a global warming pollution standard of 163 grams per mile by 2025, the equivalent of 54.5 miles per gallon (mpg) if met exclusively with fuel efficiency improvements, or a Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard of 48-49 mpg assuming full use of air conditioning improvements. That would translate to a 2030 window sticker of about 36 mpg, up from 21 mpg today.

These standards build on the successful National Program for model years 2012 to 2016, which allows automakers to build a single national fleet to comply with Clean Air Act standards from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), as well as Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards administered by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The following is a statement from Michelle Robinson, director of the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Clean Vehicles program:

“These standards will give our cars and trucks a technology makeover. We will still see the same types of vehicles on the road, but they will be dramatically more fuel efficient, cost less to operate, and produce less pollution. For the second time, President Obama has brought together the auto industry, the states, and other stakeholders to support strong standards that will protect consumers from high gas prices, curb global warming pollution, cut our oil dependence, and create innovative jobs in the American auto industry. We applaud the Obama administration and California for moving forward with these important standards.

“The technology exists to make any car, truck or SUV cleaner and more fuel efficient, and these standards will unleash innovation in the auto industry.

“This agreement is an important step forward, but there are still parts of the plan that need to be resolved. If they aren’t implemented correctly, they could turn into loopholes. If automakers can meet the standards with accounting tricks instead of using better technology, the program’s overall benefits would be eroded. We look forward to working with the administration and different stakeholders to evaluate and revise these standards so they produce the best vehicles possible for consumers, the auto industry, the country and the planet.”

Based on UCS’s current understanding of the proposal and assuming no loopholes, UCS experts anticipate that the standards for model years 2017 to 2025 will deliver the following benefits in 2030 in addition to the benefits from the first round of standards:

Cut oil consumption by as much as 1.5 million barrels per day — 23 billion gallons of gasoline annually — by 2030. That is equivalent to U.S. imports from Saudi Arabia and Iraq in 2010.
Cut carbon pollution by as much as 280 million metric tons (MMT) in 2030, which is equivalent to shutting down 72 coal-fired power plants.
Lower fuel expenditures at the pump by over $80 billion in 2030 — even after paying for the cost of the necessary technology, consumers will still clear $50 billion in savings that year alone.

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

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Congress: debates & votes on the Debt Ceiling

07/29/2011 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convened at 9:30amET July 29, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will recess until 11:00am.
At 11:00am, the Senate will be in morning business until 12:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
At 12:00pm, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
Democratic Senators are reminded there is a caucus at 10:00am on Friday.

Morning business has been extended until 6:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 29, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

6:52 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

6:47 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 789:: to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 20 Main Street in Little Ferry, New Jersey, as the “Sergeant Matthew J. Fenton Post Office”

6:39 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 2213:: to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 801 West Eastport Street in Iuka, Mississippi, as the “Sergeant Jason W. Vaughn Post Office”

6:38 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 420 – 0(Roll no. 678).

6:25 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

S. 627:: to establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays

6:24 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On passage Passed by recorded vote: 218 – 210(Roll no. 677).

6:08 P.M. – On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 183 – 244(Roll no. 676).

5:52 P.M. – The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

5:44 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hochul motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to require the joint committee on deficit reduction to consider the elimination of oil and gas subsidies for the major integrated oil companies and the elimination of subsidies for corporate jets before cutting essential education programs. Subsequently, the point of order was withdrawn.Ms. Hochul moved to recommit with instructions to Rules.

5:43 P.M. – The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

5:35 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule 19, further proceedings resumed onS. 627.Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 383:: providing for further consideration of the bill (S. 627) to establish the Commission on Freedom of Information Act Processing Delays

5:34 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 239 – 187(Roll no. 675).

5:11 P.M. – The previous question was ordered without objection.

4:00 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate onH. Res. 383.Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 2244:: to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 67 Castle Street in Geneva, New York, as the “Corporal Steven Blaine Riccione Post Office”

3:52 P.M. – On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 418 – 1, 1 Present(Roll no. 674).Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

3:46 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 440:: to provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

3:45 P.M. – On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 – 20(Roll no. 673).

3:40 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 382:: waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules

3:39 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 236 – 186(Roll no. 672).

3:32 P.M. – On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 237 – 185(Roll no. 671).

2:02 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate onH. Res. 382.Considered as privileged matter.

2:01 P.M. – Mr. Sessions filed a report from the Committee on Rules onH. Res. 383.

2:00 P.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 29.

9:15 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

9:03 A.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to five per side of the aisle.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cicilline to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

9:01 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Neugebauer to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

9:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

BREAKING: Tiger killed on APP land …Rolf Skar, Greenpeace

07/28/2011 Nativegrl77

I just wanted to make sure you saw the heart-breaking news. A young Sumatran tiger was found caught in a wild animal snare on Asia Pulp & Paper concession land in Indonesia. Nearly starved to death and clinging to life, the young tiger didn’t make it. That means we have one less left in the wild. That’s why I’m asking for your help. We can stop APP in their tracks, but to do so takes resources.

For just 33 cents a day you can save the remaining tigers, the forests and our planet.
-Rolf

We’ve lost one more. Tigers are getting closer to extinction every day. trapped tiger.JPG

www.greenpeaceusa.org

Warning, the image below is disturbing.

One more, gone. I just found out that a Sumatran tiger was found on Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) land, clinging to life with its paw caught in a wild animal snare. By the time staff and volunteers on the ground reached the young male, his front leg was mangled from his struggle to free himself from the trap. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he was severely dehydrated and all but starved to death.

I wish we could say we were able to save him, but the tiger died despite rescue efforts. This is heart-breaking news I’d hoped I wouldn’t have to deliver to you.

Making matters worse, while this poor animal struggled and starved in his trap, deforestation was going on nearby. That’s right, while volunteers watched the last life drain from the tiger during rescue efforts, bulldozers were mowing down the forest for APP next door to the tragic scene.

We are losing these tigers. APP isn’t showing any signs of stopping their destruction of forests, the forests the last 400 tigers depend on to survive.

Thanks to your incredible support, we’ve made huge strides toward protecting their forest homes these last few weeks! But this recent death is a sobering reminder of the daily threats to tigers. We need to redouble our efforts to save the lives of Sumatran tiger parents and cubs and make every day count in the difficult fight ahead.

With your help, we’ll fight to protect these last tigers by saving their forest homes, keeping them far from poachers, traps and other human hazards.

How bad is it? Every day, an area of Indonesian rainforest half the size of Manhattan is destroyed.

Paper companies like APP will keep destroying tiger forests every day until they learn that huge companies around the world – like Nestle, Kraft and Staples – will avoid business with them unless they clean up their act. We’re working hard to make sure companies around the world understand that rain forest destruction is bad for business. After releasing a “Barbie Breakup” video viewed well over a million times, unfurling giant banners at Mattel’s headquarters, earning world-wide media attention and sending them more than 60,000 letters – Mattel has said they will take steps towards cleaning up their supply chain. But Indonesia’s rainforests- and the last tigers that call them home- need them to follow up those words with action.

Protecting Sumatran tigers requires reliable resources, and we can’t afford to lose one more now that momentum is on our side. Thanks to support from people like you, we have made great progress. But with just approximately 400 left, survival of every tiger and every tiger cub matters. The Bali tigers went extinct in the 1950s. The Java tigers went extinct in the 1980s. We can and must put an end to devastating extinction crisis.

When we kicked off this campaign, we spoofed the Barbie brand, using humor to expose a very serious problem. This footage brings that seriousness into sharp focus. We need a base of sustained support only you can provide to keep up the pressure up and safeguard tigers in Indonesia.

Thank you for your support. Together, we’ll win this fight.

– Rolf

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Who’s America’s biggest funder of dirty coal?

07/28/2011 Nativegrl77

Over the last few weeks, I’ve told you about toxic aging coal plants in Chicago, mountaintop removal mining threatening Kentucky’s highest peak, and coal export terminals proposed in the Pacific Northwest.

What do you think all these destructive coal projects have in common?

Follow the money—deep into Appalachia’s majestic mountains, through neighborhoods crowned with filthy smokestacks, and into homes of people affected by skyrocketing asthma rates—and you’ll land at the doorstep of America’s largest financier of coal: Bank of America.

No more dollars for dirty energy

Bank of America provided over $3.9 billion in financing to the coal industry in 2010, despite the fact that coal is responsible for polluting our air, damaging our climate, and seriously threatening our health.

Bank of America has a responsibility to end its support for the ultimate subprime investment: coal. BofA wreaked havoc on America’s housing market, and its prolific financing of carbon-heavy coal is a continuation of this reckless, shortsighted behavior.

No more dollars for dirty energy

We cannot grow the clean energy economy essential to healthy communities and climate if the country’s leading financial institutions continue to bankroll the coal sector.

We are going to need your outrage, your voice and your passion. No more dollars for dirty energy

It will take all of us, but this is a fight we can and must win.