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Panel addresses domestic violence among blacks BY LAYLA GARMS THE CHRONICLE A panel discussion - sponsored by Family Services and Winston Salem State University - tackled domestic violence in the black community on Oct. 30 on the WSSU cam pus. During the discussion, District Court Judge Denise Hartsfield. Legal Aid of North Carolina's Hazel Mack, Emmanuel Baptist Church Pastor Dr. John Mendez, WSSU Professor Shawn Ricks and Bernetta Thigpen, Northern Piedmont Region director for the NC Council for Women, debat ed the causes and aggravat ing factors of domestic violence in the black com munity, and offered sug gestions on how communi ty members could tackle the issue more effectively going forward. "The nature of women's oppression is global and historical," observed Mendez, who is currently studying at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis in Washington, D.C. "It did not just start today but what is, I think, novel is that there's a greater move ment to address the issue." While the issue is as old as time, the United States government only began to take a stand on it in the mid '90's, when the Violence Against Women Act was passed, noted Thigpen, whose agency provides services for vic tims of domestic violence and sexual assault and pro vides guidance for law makers with regard to the issues. In the black com munity, outsiders are often reluctant to get involved in a domestic dispute, and victims often wait until the situation is "near lethal" before reaching out for help, she said. Photos by Layta Garms Judge Denise Harts field (far right) speaks as fellow panelists (from left): Bernetta Thigpen, Dr. Shawn Ricks, Rev. Dr. John Mendez and Hazel Mack look on. DeWanna Hamlin (left) with Patricia Eaddy. Authoring Action's Nicole Little (left) and Skylar Mosley perform. "For years and years and years, we have said that this was a family issue, this was an issue that should not be talked about," she stated. "It's a secret fn the African American community." Mack, whose organiza tion operates a Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative and provides emergency-only services, such as obtaining and enforcing protection orders for low income clients, said American society as a whole is complied in the horrendous acts that are perpetrated against men and women across the nation in their own homes. "Violence is an accept able behavior in America; it is okay to hurt other peo pie - we see it everyday in so many ways," said Mack, a veteran litigator and well known civil rights advo cate. "There are people who have come to accept violence because they think that that actually is an expression of love." In order to truly address the issue, society must first change the con versation surrounding domestic violence. While victims of color could ben efit from greater cultural sensitivity and African American representation within the agencies that serve them, panelists con tended that the larger bur den falls on the community as a whole. By exposing young people to positive black role models, educat ing them about healthy relationships, and taking a stand against violence wherever it occurs, the community have the power to fight back against domestic violence and ensure a safer future for everyone concerned, they said. "We are trying to empower people," com mented Ricks, who also serves as a motivational speaker. "If you think about it, if you empower one person, that person really has such a powerful trickle down effect." Mendez said caring for those who suffer in silence is paramount, but personal responsibility on the part of the victims is also an important component in changing their outcomes. Patricia E?ddy, who has directed WSSU's Office of Interpersonal Violence Prevention since its inception more than a year ago, said there is a need for such conversa tions at the school. "Domestic violence and dating violence seems to be a really big issue on campus," said Eaddy, who has worked in the field for o years, "...pot uus cam pus, within the last year, we've seen an increase in domestic violence issues." DeWanna Hamlin, coordinator of Family Services Prevention and Education for the Safe Relationships Division, said she was hopeful that the panel discussion, which included a broad cross-section of experts, would shed some light on the nature of healthy rela tionships and educate the audience about what mem bers of the community can do to help build a safer and healthier society. "I want us to have an honest conversation about where we are in our com munity," said Hamlin, adding that she and her colleagues strive to educate people about healthy rela tionships at as early an age as possible. "I think in terms of prevention and helping our youth in the community to understand what a healthy relationship is. We want to educate them about relationships, about habits, about what's healthy and what's unhealthy - a lot of people don't get that information." Hamlin thanked the panelists for offering "authentic, transparent and real" perspectives on such an important issue. The discussion was followed by a spoken word perform ance on domestic violence by Authoring Action. Help for domestic vio lence victims is available seven days a week through Family Services' 24 hour crisis line, 336-723-8125. The Chronicle (USPS 067-910) was established by Ernest H. Pitt and Ndubisi Egemonye in 1974 and is published every Thursday by Winston-Salem Chronicle Publishing Co. Inc., 617 N. Liberty Street, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101. Periodicals postage paid at Winston-Salem, N.C. Annual subscription price is $30.72. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Chronicle, P.O. Box 1636 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-1636 Right choice, ^ \ f right price. Sg\ A Medicare Advantage plans are only available to Medicare beneficiaries Get trusted coverage at the right price from BCBSNC. ? Quality health care coverage for more than 80 years. ? SilverSneakers*', a fitness membership at no additional cost.2 ? Strong network of contracted doctors and hospitals. Including Forsyth Medical Center, Lexington Memorial Hospital, Inc., High Point Regional Health System, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Other providers are also available in our network. Annual Election Period ends December 7,2013. Wed., Nov. 20 Wed., Nov. 20 10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Kernersville YMCA Hampton Inn 1113 W. Mountain St. 1990 Hampton Inn Ct. 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