Water! Water! Water!
Written by:
Kathy Curry)
How about this: what if you had to go outside to get water and weren’t able to walk to your indoor sink and shower or outdoor water hose, etc. and just turn a knob? Sounds like the stone ages huh? Well that is exactly the case for 67 residents in a small town near Zanesville, OH. Yes, I said Ohio. I didn’t say the back woods in a third world country, I said Zanesville, OH! What a shame! This is 2008 and supposedly the land of the free and the brave! Well, 67 people weren’t free to have the luxury of running water in their homes, and it appears, somebody/ies weren’t brave enough, until now, to make it happen!
Here is what a story recently published about the situation in the small town near Zanesville, OH says:
Black Ohio residents denied water get millions
A federal grand jury awarded residents of a Black neighborhood in Ohio almost $11 million last week because, for nearly five decades, they were forced to dig wells, haul water or collect rain so they could drink, cook and bathe, while Whites enjoyed the benefits of the public water system. The jury found that the 67 residents of the Coal Run community in Muskingum County in east-central Ohio were victims of longstanding discrimination and awarded them between $15,000 and $300,000, depending on how long they had lived there. The award is for “monetary losses and the residents’ pain and suffering between 1956, when water lines were first laid in the area, and 2003, when Coal Run got public water,” The Associated Press reports. The Ohio Civil Rights Commission found in 2003 that the residents had been discriminated against, which prompted the lawsuit. “As a child, I thought it was normal because everyone done it in my neighborhood,” said one of the plaintiffs, Cynthia Hale Hairston, 47. “But I realized as an adult it was wrong.” The city, county and water company, however, deny that any discrimination has occurred. Attorney Mark Landes, who represented the county and water district, described the suit as “a case that was started and filed by out-of-town lawyers who saw an opportunity for a cash settlement.”
http://blogs.bet.com/news/newsyoushouldknow/national-news-black-ohio-residents-denied-water-get-millions-jury-selection-resumes-in-nichols-trial-naacp-convention-to-host-both-presidential-candidatates/
Can you believe this? I can’t either! Do you believe it was race discrimination? Funny thing, the lawyers that they claim “saw an opportunity” should be given a gold medal for having their eyes open and making this happen! Unreal!
Holla back and tell me what you think!
| 3.7 (1 person) |
Tags: award, blacks, discrimination, lawyers, millions, Ohio, water
It may be quiet in here because this has the capability to leave someone speechless. Why is it that we are such a great country, but we have so much to be ashamed of?
How can this go on for so long without anyone noticing - the right people at least. Within these United States, we had some people being treated like they were in a third-world country. Unbelievable.
Tom, you may be on to something. How many things are going on in our country that shouldn’t and we don’t say anything. Us common folk would probably have more influence if we would bond together and make some noise. Forget groups based on color, how about bonding together for a cause…like making sure we all have running water.
Wow!
Johnthebaptist,
What is wrong? Cat got your tongue? You pop off at the mouth and turn every subject into some nonsense, but when there is a real discussion to take part in you are quiet. Says something about you as a man if you ask me. You did ask didn’t you?
Just imagine how many more smaller cities this type of stuff occurs in! It only takes 1 person to speak up to help make a difference! This should not surprise anyone. Racial discrimination is very much alive in the U S of A. Remember, Jena 6 just happened last year. Ugh, this type of stuff makes me sick.
Kim Sawyers last blog post..Are You In Control Of Your Computer?
This is for SubPrime and Tom.
As hard as it is for you imagine the reason it’s so quiet in here has to do with the subjext matter. BORINGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What you consider important others see as mundane.
People need to be FREE to express themself. Why should we have to wait at the back door for a peice of whatever you want to toss out, when we can feast on the neighbor’s garden for free?
I’m not trying to be rude and I know how sometimes the truth can be hard to digest, but as well written as some of this stuff is, it is not stuff that too many people care about guys, otherwise they’d respond.
I think what we have here a family operated blog which is your right to do so. It’s not working for me. I’m way to expressive and intelligent to be confined to such constraints.
I’m kind of sick of hearing you constantly talk about what is boring and what isn’t. Email me something and let’s see what you got.
Would you rather me talk about ways people can earn money on the Internet? There are plenty of those sites out there already. How about we become a (soft) porn site and listen to you talk about your temptations all the time? I don’t think so. We could become a site that only covers black, white or other racial issues, but since that isn’t who I am that is not what we will do.
You have one shot. Let’s see what you got and I will not edit/fix your grammar errors. The clock starts now - we will see how long it takes you to come up with one of these subjects that you feel will bring in conversation.
Tom Sawyers last blog post..Are You In Control Of Your Computer?
Ok Tom You’re on…Later today….
At least you are finally opening up some…We’re making progress…
Oh and how’s my god child situation coming?
Hey John,
Surely this topic isn’t boring to you. Can you believe it! Know anybody in OH?
Anybody ever tell you you’re cute?
yes, my husband!
Actually I do….
Let’s see what i can since your Brother done throwed down the gauntlet
Translate that sentence for me please??? Ouch! That grammar hurts me!
I want to say with the utmost sincerity that I apologize for my conduct on this board. It’s not who I am in life at all. My lame excuses for my behaviour hardly can be justified.
Specifically to Kathy and Tom I extend my personal and individual apologies.
I’d like to add if I may that someone told me something today that has me in tears. It made me realize a few things….
I’m not going to make any excuses, as I said. I just wanted to add some clairity as to why I posted the apology. I pray God forgiveness and all I’ve effected as well.
Sincerely,
Me.
John, you are all over the place and, call me skeptical, I wonder about your sincerity after so much that has come out of your mouth/fingertips. And not just to me and Tom, but all of our bloggers. I told someone just yesterday, it is hard to fake at anything for too long. Who we are and how we are eventually seeps out. How many times have you heard an interviewer ask an actor if the character they play reflected their own personalities and characteristics in some ways? Invariably they say yes. That is why not all actors can play certain parts. My point. I believe you are exactly who we see on the board and that’s ok for the most part! I have had some deep, hearty laughs from some of your comments. And I have been challenged to think in another manner from some of your comments. I always welcome new insights. I just wish you had a little more regard for others when it comes to demolishing their character because they don’t agree with you or they think differently than you. All in all, I think people put more emphasis on your entertainment value than anything else.
I accept your apology.
I accept your apology too. Like Kathy said, you are all over the place which indicates the ability to add something instead of simply entertain. I would ask you add to this blog from here on out with well thought out comments and input.
Tom Sawyers last blog post..God Will Make Your Kids Smarter
I never intended to be taken seriously Kathy. It was all for entertainment. and I wished it had been taken as such and then we wouldn’t have had the anger flowing…..
I worked hard at being “in character” If you noticed I’ve switched characters. People are still shooting at the old one but he’s long gone. Still they are flaying me…..
I’m not type cast in one role Kathy, but you are correct in that some actors are. I’m in a new role now and I’d like your continuing comments as to how you feel about this new one.
I hope you find it more to your liking. I’m sure you and everyone here are wonderful fine people. It’s my honor to be able to express myself and and grow here. I’m glad you’ve accepted my apology and I intend to make sure you’re not disappointed in me again.
Please convey this to Tom as well…..
oooooooooo weeeeee. I know this “new role” hurts. I must ask though, are you loosing your mind in this “new role”? I don’t have to convey anything to Tom that is posted here, he will read it.
John, there is not anger flowing, my point has ALWAYS been, why be blatantly mean to others just because they do the same thing you do, speak their mind? Because they don’t agree with you or aren’t giving you the kudos that you need? You have been a blogging bully. But I will admit, besides your mean-spirited tactics, I don’t mind your input. I look at it as your way of getting attention that you lack in other areas. Check this out, you can talk until you are blue in the face, but we all know anonymity enables and encourages us to speak truth. Don’t make me go back to one of your comments about just that. Later for that “in character” stuff. Ain’t buying it!
I’m beginning to believe that you are the kind of woman who could make a man loose his mind…..
I crave attention Kathy. Promise you won’t stop giving it to me….
I value your imput and consider you to be extremely intelligent and insightful. Everything you say is correct and if i wasn’t so ignorant you could probably teach me how to interact with people better. I hope you don’t get discouraged or frustrated during this incubation period.
Character isn’t inherited. One builds it daily by the way one thinks and acts, thought by thought, action by action.’ Helen G. Douglas