Cervical Cancer and HPV: What Black Women Need to Know

A big Thank You! goes out to Black Women's Health for helping bring this topic to the forefront.

Good Morning!

As you may or may not know January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. This is a important health topic for all women especially African-American Women. I am taking part in the pledge and today I want to encourage you to do the same.

I do know someone, a close personal friend that has been affected by cervical cancer and also like Tamika ( feat. guest on show) had a hysterectomy after undergoing a partial hysterectomy a year earlier. In my girlfriend's case her cervical cancer had returned even after treatment and therapy so a full hysterectomy had to be performed around the age of 27. It was a very scary time for her.

I was so uninformed until she started to share her story for which I am grateful for because it made me take a second look at my own health. Today on BlogTalk you will also get to hear another woman share her experience with cervical cancer. I do know that because of my Girlfriend I wanted to know more I wanted to understand why?

If you know someone but haven't been able to ask or know what to do as a caregiver in that situation tune in, read and learn the facts. This is a great time to start a sharper focus on your health and that of your partner, friend or loved ones so please pass this along.

If you are unable to tune in on BlogTalk Radio today you can still do your part links provided below by taking the Promise to Me pledge, reading up on cervical cancer and simply taking a moment to participate in the Cervical Cancer poll from Black Women's Health Imperative.


Join in Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 3 p.m. EST on BlogTalkRadio for the "The Black Women's Health Report with Eleanor Hinton Hoytt.

Listen online at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blackwomenshealthreport
as Eleanor Hinton Hoytt discusses cervical cancer and why Black women should be concerned about it.

Cervical Cancer is preventable!

Get the facts from our special guest, Deborah Arrindell, vice president of Health Policy of the American Social Health Association, and listen to Tamika Felder's, a cervical cancer survivor, inspiring story.

You can ask Deborah and Tamika your questions by calling 646-381-4662 when the phone lines open at 3:15 p.m. EST or submitting your questions to asktheexpert@blackwomenshealth.org

Before you tune-in, take a few moments to do the following:

1. Take the poll on cervical cancer.

2. Read Black Women's Health fact sheet on cervical cancer, share it with family members and friends and visit Promise to Me to get more facts

3. Make the commitment. Black Women's Health is a partner of the Pearl of Wisdom Campaign, they along with I would like to encourage you to take the “ Pearl Pledge” to schedule your Pap test today, request a HPV test and ask your family members and friends to do the same.


To see the pledge and other related links :

Black Women's Health-Cervical Cancer Fact Sheet:
http://www.blackwomenshealth.org/atf/cf/%7B0476F7B2-7EA9-4F30-8C97-DFF275C0CE5B%7D/CC_Factsheet_2008.pdf

Pearl of Wisdom Pledge
http://www.pearlofwisdom.us/pledge

Black Aids Institute takes on ACOG-American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist guidelines for Pap Smear,asking the ?-is it right for "Us"
http://www.blackaids.org/ShowArticle.aspx?pagename=ShowArticle&articletype=SITEFEATURE&articleid=750&pagenumber=1

Center for Disease Control:Facts on Cervical Cancer
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/

Poll on Cervical Cancer
http://www.kintera.org/AutoGen/Poll/Default.asp?ievent=258430&en=9hILLUMwF7KHIWNGLdIHKUNFKqITJZMJLjIOIVMGKrJ5H
Tamika's Story
http://www.tamikafelder.com

Promise to Me
http://www.promisetome.com

Alarming Report on Sexual Abuse in Juvenile Correction Facilities

No matter what crime a person may have committed, rape should never be part of the punishment."-Lovisa Stannow

A long-awaited report from the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics(BJS)finds that youth in juvenile corrections facilities are sexually abused at alarming rates and are victimized significantly more often than adult inmates.

The Commission's report emphasized that sexual abuse is an especially complex problem for younger inmates, explaining that "juveniles are not yet fully developed physically,cognitively, socially, and emotionally and are ill-equipped to respond to sexual advances and protect themselves." The Commission also found that many corrections facilities do a poor job preventing, identifying, and responding to the sexual abuse of those in their custody.

• Mandated by Congress, the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission(Bipartisan) led by U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton in June 2009 issued a comprehensive report on sexual violence in U.S. detention facilities.


• Approx. 93,000 youth are confined to juvenile facilities,more then half 16 or younger
  The detained youth who participated in survey reported sexual abuse at a rate of 12% or almost 1 to 8 at their current facility.


• survey did not include the youth who are locked up in adult facilities,of who according to Lovisa Stannow, Executive Director of Just Detention International are at a greater risk for abuse.
• 9,198 youth detainees participated in survey given in 195 facilities from all fifty states and the District of Columbia.


• 80 percent of the reported abuse was perpetrated by a member of the facility's staff.


• 95 percent of youth who alleged abuse by staff reported at least one female perpetrator.


• Victimized youth usually endured repeated sexual abuse,often more than ten times,
  and frequently by multiple perpetrators.


• 65 percent of youth who had previously been sexually assaulted at another facility also reported having been sexually abused in their
  current facility.


• Youth with sexual orientation other than heterosexual reported being sexually abused by another inmate at a rate more than ten times higher than that of youth who identified as heterosexual.


• By law, The Department of Justice has until June 2010 to codify final standards based on those recommendations.

Additional Links to this report and stories like it :

http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=2113
(Sexual Victimization in Juvenile Facilities Reported by Youth 2008-2009)

http://toysoldier.wordpress.com/2007/03/07/sexual-abuse-scandal-rocks-texas-juvenile-prison-system/
(blog on Sex scandal in Texas over 700 allegations)

http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/about/PubLNo108-79.txt
(Prison Rape Elimination Act)

http://www.buildingblocksforyouth.org/colorofjustice/coj.html
(trend: youth to adult facilities)

Plea Agreement Reached in Hibbing Gang Rape

Andrew Jonathan Williams








A former Hibbing Community College Football Player pictured above reaches an agreement within the court pleading guilty to a lesser charge stemming from a Gang Rape in 2006.



Mr. Williams made a plea agreement to second degree criminal sexual conduct on Monday. Under these terms he will serve 45 days in jail and have two years of probation, in addition he will not have to register as a sex offender as long as he complies w/ sanctions the judge ordered



At a previous hearing in December of 2008, a public defender argued that Williams couldn't get a fair trial in Hibbing because the community lacked racial diversity. Starr( Judge) denied the motion. This case is considered racially charged as reported in the local newspapers because the victim is a White female and the four accused are African-American Males.



The other three gentleman are: Talon Deante Jackson, Daily Whitten and Terrance Dominque Laverity. All have been charged for being involved, each have pleaded not guilty to first degree criminal sexual conduct as of today the court date has yet to be determined


Interesting Tidbits:


*Hibbing Community College Football disbanded after charges were made school cite poor academic performance from several players as reason for the school no longer having a team

*The area has had other incidents of Tension, regarding requiting of out-of-state-players and the fact that most are Minorities.

*This is not the first incident of Rape or misconduct at this college or the other community colleges in the area.

* Local residents angry enough to interfere and take matters in their own hands. one incident involved the beating of another gentleman based on the fact he was the first African-American he and friends seen after his daughter reported being raped by a "Black Man"

*Talon D. Jackson was arrested in 2008 on possession of firearm and aggravated assault at a community college in Orlando, Florida


For more on this story check here:

http://www.hibbingmn.com/articles/2010/01/06/news/doc4b42ac2f0875c390325157.txt
http://www.twincities.com/life/ci_14130572
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/156518/


For background on this and related stories follow the links below:

http://moderntribalist.blogspot.com/2006/10/three-college-football-players-and.html
http://www.startribune.com/local/11555836.html
http://www.wesh.com/news/15344662/detail.html

Prevention and Awareness of Sexual Violence: VICTORY TIME

Prevention and Awareness of Sexual Violence: VICTORY TIME

VICTORY TIME

October 18, 2009
　

Victory-noun,
a success or triumph over an enemy in battle or war.
the ultimate and decisive superiority in any battle or contest
a success or superior position achieved against any opponent, opposition, difficulty, etc.


Morning!

At some point you have to claim “IT” for yourself - I know you may be tired, preoccupied with life, don’t have time and the list may go on but repeat after me:

I know what I want,
I'll rewrite the rules
I know my value,
I’m(Insert:______________)’s precious Jewel”
(name of Renewal Source/Higher Power)

When I heard this song playing today, I was tempted to do the same thing I did two years ago which was to shout and say Yes, Thank You Karina, beautiful song indeed. You are more then welcome to say those words above every morning or just when necessary, I don’t mind.

Music can be a gateway to healing, I would leave this alone because that in itself is a statement but I want to explore with you further, so for Today only when you read this, at whatever time it comes across your eyes do me a favor, yes YOU take a moment by yourself, in your car, with friends then, PAUSE.

Okay, find that one song , you know the one, when you hear it compels you to move from the inside, the one that makes you want to rock, nod your head, fist pump, jump, the one thing that will make you scrunch up your face because it starts to feel good umph, it is about to catch you, permission granted..get ugly with it !

Are you ready ? Would you like to suggest or exchange ideas ? You can tell me, well while I’m waiting for you to share and get comfortable. I must admit this to you, I have several songs that fit this category, I will share my Victory Song first because we are in this together.

Are you with me ladies? Do I have your attention men?

Let’s practice with your choice… say it, hum, write it down or sing it . I love it! If you are like me you just may be belting it out WORK IT!

My song today is: “CAN’T BRING ME DOWN” by Karina P.(young lady is a powerhouse) feel free to utilize. Here are some words from the song:

“Trust me, I know they will try
But they won’t bring me down
I know what I’m made of inside
They can’t bring me down
It ain’t over until the last round
Will they bring me down? No!
If I stumble I won’t hit the ground
They can’t bring me down” - Lyrics from Can’t Bring Me Down by Karina

　

The song you pick for your moment will start to move you in the smallest of ways, feel the momentum, maybe even a slight smile on your face, ladies and gentleman at that point it should feel organic, familiar. What is that? Your core, a feeling, your inner-self ,that connection, that says YES…I am ready today.

Go ahead! You have my permission to Enjoy, Tap into it and ROCK OUT.

Remember, When you are unafraid and unashamed to LOVE yourself , you HELP to create a small opening where ___________(fill in the blank) can meet you right there as if to say Jamila,(put your name silly)

I recognize your power, I acknowledge you strength, your potential, your gifts...
I want in
I want a piece
I want you”

**Believe me, they “whoever” or “whatever” it will be, rightfully should want that newness.

Success is only truly measured from the inside, congratulations, the road to healing has never felt so good.

I appreciate, celebrate, applaud YOU because you, yes YOU all by yourself picked a great day to enrich yourself and start again.


Jamila

Justice Denied Revisited

This was originally reported on in May 2009 but I thought it was worth revisiting in case you missed it. Not only in New York but around the country shadows of the same issues continue to go on across the U.S.

I want to thank the Voices of Women project for be willing to not only take a vested interest but willing to broadcast it,so we all may benefit from it and hopefully in return, act accordingly.

Jamila

The Voices of Women Organizing Project has released a report titled "Justice Denied: How Family Courts in NYC Endanger Battered Women and Children." The report found that women who have been abused by the father of their children lose custody thirty-seven percent of the time.

It also found that battered women are retraumatized when forced to confront their abusers in court, and that custody is often given to the abuser even when the woman is the primary caregiver. The organization made four recommendations to address these problems: create and fund a court watch project; make sure court decisions are made in the best interest of the children; consider seriously any abuse allegations; and be sure that court proceedings are just.


Research for the report was conducted over two years and consists of approximately 75 interviews with domestic violence survivors, focus groups of battered women and foster care teens, and meetings with court personnel.

The women interviewed for the report had all experienced abuse and had family court cases in 2005 or 2006. Eighty percent said their abusers used the courts to carry out a threat to gain custody of the children and keep them from having contact with their mothers.

Approximately thirty percent of the women said they did not feel safe in the courtroom, and forty percent said they did not feel safe in the waiting areas. In twenty-five percent of the cases women were told, sometimes by lawyers, not to bring up domestic abuse or to challenge custody because it might make the situation worse.

The report concluded that when the mothers appear in court a combination of factors, such as fear of the abuser, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder create a negative image of the mother's capability.