ARCHIVES
OF EDITORIALS
October 2, 2003
For
whose benefit?
A common malady of Boston’s
Black and Latino communities is for radical groups to step forward
and purport to represent ethnic minority interests. Now comes
Alternatives for Community and Environment (ACE) in opposition
to the construction of a National Bio-containment Laboratory in
the BioSquare Medical Research Center in the South End.
ACE has decided that everyone needs to be protected from a potential
health hazard that the laboratory will allegedly impose on the
community. The only problem is that they offer no evidence to
support their claim. In fact, the evidence is contrary to their
assertion.
Similar facilities have been sited in cities in the United States
and Canada without incident for a combined 73 years of operation.
The National Institutes of Health plans to finance the construction
of several more secure so-called level 4 facilities to enable
scientists to conduct needed research on organisms that impose
a health hazard to humans.
Boston is competing with other cities for the NIH grant to construct
the laboratory. There are numerous financial advantages to blacks
and Latinos if Boston wins the grant. The project would lead to
1,300 construction jobs and 660 permanent jobs. More than 500
of the jobs are for support staff positions for which many Roxbury
residents would be qualified. Also, the laboratory would generate
considerable business activity for the minority-owned Crosstown
Hotel development presently under construction.
ACE is a small group that does not represent the best interests
of Boston’s African-Americans and Latinos. The unwise opposition
by ACE actually places in jeopardy a project that would benefit
the community. ACE is no friend of African-Americans and Latinos.
A stand up company
By definition, the objective
of the National Guard has been for citizen soldiers to be prepared
to defend the home front in the event of an emergency. The objective
of military reserve troops is similar, although there is a tradition
that reservists might be mobilized to fight foreign wars. In the
past two years an estimated 212,000 National Guard and reserve
forces have been sent to fight overseas.
Now President Bush’s war in Iraq has required the largest
mobilization of National Guard and reserve troops since World
War II. More than 50,000 reservists and 30,000 National Guard
forces are on duty there. Since it seems unlikely that other nations
will commit substantial military forces to Iraq, America’s
citizen soldiers will remain in Iraq for an extended period of
time.
Too little attention is given to the financial hardship inflicted
upon the families of those who are activated. When they leave
civilian employment, their incomes drop to military compensation
levels. For many there is inadequate income for families to support
their customary lifestyle. The only obligation of civilian employers
is to rehire the returning veterans at the same position they
left when they were mobilized.
Sears is once again proving to be an extraordinary corporate citizen.
Sears voluntarily pays the difference in salary to their employees
who have been called to military service. The company also maintains
medical insurance and the bonus program for up to two years of
military service.
Also, for some time Sears has recognized the importance of black
media and has advertised in African-American newspapers on a regular
basis. Black consumers should keep Sears in mind when they shop.
It is time for blacks to be mindful of spending with those who
show their respect for them.
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