Topic: Civil Rights

Teacher reprimanded for racial remarks and racially-based discipline

By Terry McMoore | September 29, 2007 |

Reed Bergen, a teacher at Montgomery Central High School in Clarksville, has received a letter of reprimand from Principal Christy Houston for using the word “Nigger” while speaking to a group of Black students in his class. The reprimand also covers Bergen’s admission that he has written up some students for discipline issues based on their race.

The parents of the Black students have joined with civil rights activist Terry McMoore, Director of the Urban Resource Center in calling for the immediate firing of Bergen from the Clarksville Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) and are recommending that his teaching license be revoked by the State of Tennessee and United States Department of Education.

The parents of the students involved will join McMoore for a press conference on this issue on Tuesday, October 2, at 3 p.m. outside the Public Library at 350 Pageant Lane. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | 3 Comments

Tennessee NAACP picks Jimmie Garland as its Second Vice-President

By Terry McMoore | September 23, 2007 |

Jimmie Garland Sr., of Clarksville, TN, was recently elected Second Vice President of the State of Tennessee National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) during its 61st Annual State Convention.

“Having worked side by side with Mr. Garland during past civil right campaigns I can not stress enough how important it is to have him as the NAACP State Vice President given the current racial history and race relations Clarksville has had to struggle with on a daily basis”.

“With an NAACP state official at “ground zero” so to speak, it should go a long way in helping to right social injustice and to ensure the political, educational, social and economical equality of minority citizens in Clarksville-Montgomery County”.

–Terry McMoore, Director
Urban Resource Center

Sections: Politics | No Comments

Happy 43rd Anniversary, 1964 Civil Rights Act! Title VI Compliance Still MIA In Clarksville

By Turner McCullough Jr. | July 4, 2007 |

We are now in the 43rd anniversary year of the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. That’s quite a milestone for the nation. Sadly, it’s a dark anniversary for Clarksville and the state of Tennessee. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law on July 2nd of that year. (Pictured left.)

Tennessee State Archives records show our own state legislature didn’t adopt it into the state’s law code until 1993. That’s twenty-nine years after it had became the law of the land! The law of the land, that is, except for the State of Tennessee.

That lag in time may help explain why our own city council has refused, even now, to adopt Title VI of that law, as the city’s official non-discrimination policy. There is a policy statement on display in city offices and the city’s website, to be sure. However, since it is required that the legislative controlling body of local government formally adopt Title VI mandates as official policy to receive federal financial assistance, these displays are meaningless without the council’s follow-thru. A mayoral proclamation is inapplicable. As TDOT’s Commissioner Nicely noted in August 2005, the city is not in compliance with the federal law. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | No Comments

Title VI Compliance- After 43 Years Where Does Clarksville Stand?

By Turner McCullough Jr. | June 12, 2007 |

July will mark the 43rd anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. One of the most powerful planks of that law is Title VI. “Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.” In a nutshell, Title VI stipulates that no state, nor any agency of a state, no municipal or city government; no postsecondary or local educational agency or any private entity contracting or partnering with any of the aforementioned governmental entities, shall discriminate in programs and activities which receive federal financial assistance, based on race, ethnicity, color, or national origin.

In calling for its enactment, President John F. Kennedy identified “simple justice” as the justification for Title VI:

“Simple justice requires that public funds, to which all taxpayers of all races contribute, not be spent in any fashion which encourages, entrenches, subsidizes, or results in racial discrimination. Direct discrimination by Federal, State or local governments is prohibited by the Constitution. But indirect discrimination, through the use of Federal funds, is just as invidious; and it should not be necessary to resort to the courts to prevent each individual violation.” See H. R. Misc. Doc. No. 124, 88th Cong., 1st Sess., 3, 12 (1963).

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | No Comments

ACLU-TN Applauds Legislature’s Rejection of REAL ID

By Terry McMoore | June 12, 2007 |

Last night Tennessee became the 16th state to pass a resolution opposing implementation of the REAL ID act. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee played a major role in making this happen. We had strong bi-partisan support which helped to ensure a unanimous vote in both the Senate and House.

If implemented, this federal legislation would have violated the rights and liberties of Tennesseans as guaranteed under the state and federal constitutions.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, Politics | 2 Comments

Caging: Did It, Could It Happen In Tennessee?

By Turner McCullough Jr. | June 11, 2007 |

Republican election trickery exposed as Rove Protege Resigns

Arkansas US Attorney Tim Griffin, the controversial US Attorney in Arkansas, has resigned his position. Griffin is a protege of Karl Rove and former research director of the Republic National Committee.

The BBC reported in 2004 that Griffin led a “caging” scheme to suppress the votes of African American servicemembers in Florida. As a result, 1,886 U. S. servicemembers were denied their right to vote because they lived in predominantly black and traditionally Democratic  areas of Jacksonville, FL. These servicemembers were stationed overseas at the time. This tactic was a deliberate assault upon our military forces engaged in defending our freedom and liberties.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | No Comments

Civil Rights Group to Investigate Deaths at Montgomery County Youth Center

By Terry McMoore | June 7, 2007 |

Civil Rights Activist and Director of the Urban Resource Center Mr. Terry McMoore has assembled an investigation team to look into the recent death of a 17 year old boy who allegedly, died this weekend of cardiac arrest after being restrained for unruly behavior. This marks the second time in little less than two years that a youth housed at the Chad Enhancement Youth Center has died under the same described circumstances.

“I find it very strange that two healthy teen’s suddenly drop dead upon being restrained for unruliness by staff members at this facility. Something does not sound right about these deaths and we intend to do a full investigation to not only get to the bottom of the truth but to make sure that the current youths housed at this facility are not being subjected to physical or life threatening abuse at the hands of staff members.” -  Terry McMoore.

The Chad Youth Enhancement Center is located at 1751 Oak Plains Road in Clarksville-Montgomery County TN. The Chad Youth Enhancement Center is a non-custodial placement, 50-bed residential treatment center for youth who have a significant history of emotional and behavioral problems.

Contact person for this press release is Mr. Terry McMoore (931) 552-9076 or (931) 378-1999 Email: terrymcmoore@hotmail.com

Sections: News | 1 Comment »

The First Family of Civil Rights Loses Another Family Member & Icon

By Terry McMoore | June 3, 2007 |

The African American community mourns the recent death of Yolanda King.

With great sadness we mourn the lost of Yolanda King. Civil Rights Activist, Producer, Actress, and Lecturer. As we reflect on her achievements while on this earth let’s not forget that this Homegoing will unite her with God, Mother and Father.

She will be missed by many but her advocacy for the poor will be remembered forever as will her spirit for life and equity for all.  As an avid supporter of Gay rights, Yolanda King was not always placed in the forefront of the media like other King family members for their stance on this issue. 

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments