From Marcie Hill: This story is being re-published with a few revisions because it is a topic that is really on my heart right now.

I am going to go on a limb here to discuss something that we will probably NEVER see on TV – the cost of educating a child versus the cost to incarcerate one in Chicago and Illinois. All of the research I conducted for this story was done in 2008, so some of the information may be a little outdated. The information was obtained from the Chicago Public Schools and Illinois Department of Corrections.

Chicago High School Students

During the FY 2007-2008, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) spent $10,555 operating expenditure per pupil and $9,488 per capital tuition. While I don’t fully understand the per capita tuition (although I could ask), this $10,000 pales in comparison to the money Illinois state spends on juvenile detention.

Things to keep in mind as you read:
1. The average age of detained youth in Illinois is between 16 and 17 years of age.
2. Some of the facilities are overcrowded.
3. With all of the money that is being spent, is correction really going on?

Illinois Youth Center Chicago
Opened: July 1999
Capacity: 130
Level 3: Minimum-Security Juvenile Male
Average Daily Population: 104
Total Average Daily Population: 104
Average Age: 17
Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $76,095.00

IYC-Chicago is located on the west side of the city and is a leased property that occupies the third floor of a rehabbed warehouse building. The facility houses approximately 100 male youth per day. There are approximately 97 employees at the center. The institution also serves as a drop-off center for all juvenile parole violators in District 1. Transitional programming has been supplemented by federal grants that will allow the facility to contract for re-entry services. These services assist youth in their return and progress back into the community. Violence intervention programs have included Schwab “In My Shoes” presentations that discuss the impact of gang activity. Former gang members confined to wheelchairs as a result of gang-related gunfire talk to youth about their lives before and after tragic life-altering incidents in an effort to warn youth about their high-risk lifestyles.

Illinois Youth Center Harrisburg
Opened: July 1983
Capacity: 276
Level 4: Multiple-Security Juvenile Male
Average Daily Population: 316
Total Average Daily Population: 316
Average Age: 17
Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $52,545.00
Overcrowded

Illinois Youth Center-Harrisburg serves as one of the secure medium-security Level 2 institutions for the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice currently housing an average daily population of 326 male offenders. IYC-Harrisburg provides a broad range of services to youth incarcerated at the facility. These services include remedial, secondary and college level education courses, a GED program, library services, vocational training, guidance and work training programs. Diagnostic and evaluative services and special education programs are also provided.

Illinois Youth Center Joliet
Opened: April 1959
Capacity: 344
Level 1: Maximum-Security Juvenile Male
Average Daily Population: 230
Total Average Daily Population: 230
Average Age: 17
Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $56,351.00

The Illinois Youth Center-Joliet remains focused on providing a safe and secure working and living environment for all staff and youth. As today’s society experiences increases in violent behavior, chemical dependency and a failure of our traditional institution to adequately guide young people, youths come to the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice with a greater history of violence and an increased need for intervention. Youth who obtain their GED are given specific job assignments. Youth are enrolled in school immediately upon arrival to the facility.

Illinois Youth Center Kewanee
Opened: November 2001
Capacity: 180
Level 2: Medium-Security Juvenile Male
Average Daily Population: 260
Total Average Daily Population: 260
Average Age: 17
Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $96,087.00
Overcrowded

Opened in November 2001, Illinois Youth Center-Kewanee is a secure medium-security facility that houses youthful male offenders. IYC-Kewanee has five 60-cell housing units. The facility includes a Medical Unit with six infirmary beds, eight crisis cells. The Education Department has 18 general education classrooms and three vocational classrooms. IYC-Kewanee is designated as a special treatment facility, focusing on treatment for youth with severe mental health issues, substance abuse problems and sex offenders. A wide range of intensive treatment programs are in place to address these issues, including psychiatric, medical care and counseling services provided 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Academic, vocational, recreational, religious and volunteer programs support these services.

Illinois Youth Center Murphysboro
Opened: April 1997
Capacity: 156
Level 2: Medium-Security Juvenile Male
Average Daily Population: 75
Total Average Daily Population: 75
Average Age: 17
Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $84,403.00

As IYC-Murphysboro is the state’s only juvenile boot camp, its mission remains clear: to prepare youth for positive, successful lives by developing self-discipline, teamwork, self-esteem and self-worth as individuals. To accomplish this, staff consistently strives to provide a military-style environment that encourages cadets to reach a higher point in their lives. Cadets begin the eye-opening experience of participating in the boot camp program at 5:30 a.m. each morning and continue the fully programmed day until 9 p.m., seven days a week. It takes many staff, volunteers and mentors to fill those 16-hour days. Education continues to be central to all programming at IYC-Murphysboro.

Illinois Youth Center Pere Marquette
Opened: March 1963
Level 3: Minimum-Security Juvenile Female

IYC- Pere Marquette is a level three, medium security female facility with an open campus. IYC-Pere Marquette is the first juvenile facility totally dedicated to a modified therapeutic community treatment model, with a focus on regionalizing admissions based on commitment county. IYC-Pere Marquette does not house any special offender population. Youth benefit from more intense intervention and treatment-oriented programming that will ensure them an opportunity for a structured and disciplined setting to educate them in positive life building skills.

Illinois Youth Center St. Charles
Opened: December 1904
Capacity: 318
Level 2: Medium-Security Juvenile Male
Average Daily Population: 328
Total Average Daily Population: 328
Average Age: 16
Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $56,163.00
Overcrowded

The Illinois Youth Center-St. Charles is a Level 2 medium-security facility. It is unique as an institution because in addition to the general population program, the facility processes the majority of all male offenders committed to IDOC. The type of offender assigned to this facility may have an overall designation of high, medium or low escape risk. He will be classified as either high or medium security risk based on his committing offense and criminal history, size, age, level of aggressiveness and security threat group (STG) orientation. Offenders with all classes of crimes are assigned here.

Illinois Youth Center Warrenville
Opened: January 1973
Capacity: 86
Level 4: Multiple-Security Juvenile Female
Average Daily Population: 78
Total Average Daily Population: 78
Average Age: 16
Average Annual Cost Per Inmate: $80,365.00

IYC-Warrenville serves a juvenile female population with multi-service needs. The center provides GED and high school diploma academic services, an in-patient substance abuse treatment program, vocational programs, mental health services, medical services, clinical services, leisure time activities, parenting education, assessments and family reunification programming. The average age of the juvenile females at the center is 16.3 years.

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As you can see, millions of dollars are spent on incarcerating instead of educating children in Chicago and Illinois.  If a fraction of the money that was spent on locking up a child was used to effectively educate, this article would not had been written.  But, since the education system is set up to fail our children, the incarceration rate will continue to grow along with profits of the prison system.  This is a topic that would probably never be seen on TV.

I did a Google search for sex to find images for a story for another blog. Why were there no black people??  WTF??

I was not looking for sexual intercourse, I was looking for images similar to the ones below.

What?  Black people are not capable of real intimacy? Or, is it assumed that we are hyper-sexual individuals?  Or, do they not look at us as human beings when it comes to sex?

Whatever.  Let me go to my story about 30-Something Married 10 Years or More to find real couples’ stories about partnerships and real intimacy.

Credits: The following images were obtained from a Google image search

At the Tracing the Civil Right Movement 1848 – 1968 exhibit at The DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago, there is a photo of a black male slave performing for white soldiers.  Essentially, he was their entertainment; probably not by choice.

As I saw this exhibit, I had to wonder: is this how media conglomerates and white audiences view black people today? Not as real people with real problems and feelings; but as entertainment and amusement?

I ask this because when I do watch television, there are very few black people on my screen. (I feel that all minorities are under-represented by the media, but I’m not of those races and ethnicities, and therefore cannot speak for them).  However, when African Americans are shown, they are in the most stereotypical and horrible roles.

Contrary to what is seen on TV, we are real people with real problems and feelings.  Almost all shows starring African Americans are comedies, even when story lines contain serious issues.  WTF?  Do they not think we are capable of good dramas that do not include stereotypical messages and portrayals?  Can black people live “normal” (whatever that means) lives on TV and in movies?  Can there not be hip hop music and booty shaking in the background to make people think that we are all musically inclined?  And, we are all not “ghetto”;  we are all not poor; and we do have morals and values.

Another interesting observation about media practices is that when they attempts to show African Americans in a positive light, underlying messages are almost always negative or stereotypical.  I don’t have any examples right now, but I’ll be sure to share when I see them.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my wonderment on how media conglomerates and white audiences view black people today.  Do they see us as real people with real problems and feelings or as entertainment and amusement?

I have to bite my tongue….a little.  In my post, Radio Disney needs more diversity, I shared that more soul is needed in their musical selections.  I still feel the same.

However, I received word that GenTech Digital Media Education & Training Center was invited to discuss video game creation, 2-D and 3-D animation, web design and film production with Disney’s audience on Sunday, February 7^th.  Just by looking at the photo below, clearly they are open to diversity when it comes to guests on the show.

They just need to be more open with their musical selections.

In January, I wrote a story African American Women with HIV/AIDS Are Not Seen on TV because I felt that Black women are virtually ignored by mainstream media in general.  Just look at TV shows on ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox; blockbuster films; and TV commercials. They are NOT there.

Anyway, I received a press release from Carol Ash, 5 a.m. Producer on NBC 5 – Chicago, about the “Color of AIDS” Campaign that is taking place between February 7 – February 12, 2010.  Two of the journalists quoted confirmed what I shared in my story:

According to Chris Pena, Assistant News Director:
“We are excited about this opportunity to shed light on an issue that is often overlooked, but affects such a large number of people in our community.”

Zoraida Sambolin, NBC-5 news anchor observed:
“This is something many people don’t talk about.  HIV/AIDS does not get the attention it used to and it certainly isn’t covered in communities of color….”

Even though the two news people were referring to people of color in general, the fact that African American women account for over 50% of the newly reported HIV/AIDS cases needs to be publicized more.  Their health should be as important as the next person’s.

Maybe this is an assignment: to make sure African Americans with HIV/AIDS are seen on TV.

I am blessed to have an 11-year-old little sister who listens to Radio Disney.  The music on the station is pretty safe for young people,  and is not really bad on the ears.

While I’ve been hesitant to say anything before now, I must say that Radio Disney needs more diversity.  You can only listen to Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, and The Jonas Brothers for so long.  And, even though KeKe Palmer is part of their musical line-up, a little more soul is needed.

Who am I kidding?  They need more diversity in programming, too. I watch their Saturday morning shows sometimes, and Raven and Corey are the only Black  people on the station.  London is the Asian character on the Suite Life of Zack and Cody (a little more color.  Cool!). I  don’t know about the other characters because I don’t watch them.  But, I do know more diversity is needed.

One last observation: if it took over 80 years for Disney to get its first Black princess for movies that can be seen, I won’t hold my breath for a more diverse music, which cannot be seen.

Credits: images retrieved from Google search

Let me begin by saying that I think that almost everything that happens in America is based on black and white.  I’m not a rebel; I am a realist.  And most of my opinions are based on my reality.

The American media has very interesting ways of creating bonds and divisions based on these two colors.  For the most part, divisions are caused by certain imagery; words used to describe the actions of a group; and other not-so-obvious words and actions by people who control the cameras and thought processes of their audience.

Why am I sharing this? Mostly because I need to kick off topics for As NOT Seen on TV.  Secondly, many people do not realize the power the media has over them until they turn the TV off for an extended period of time and discover that they can actually think on their own.

On a different note…I am so glad President Barack Obama is in office.  Not because he’s black; but because his mere position as a black leader is revealing huge levels of racism that was once kept hidden.  I love it!

While it is disappointing to know how much racism still exists in the 21st century, it is good to know these negative feelings are out in the open.  True feelings are surfacing and cannot be taken back.  And, if race relations do not improve, at least everything is out in the open.

Another great thing about racism being revealed is that a lot of it is being recorded.   So, no, it cannot be taken back.

I said all of that to say that many of my topics about mainstream media will be spurred by my reality of black and white.  Oh, it is coming from a female perspective, too.  Please don’t get offended; let’s engage in mature adult conversation.

If you dislike mainstream media practices as much as I do, feel free to comment.  If you love what they are doing, you are equally welcome.

Let the discussions begin!

Former Illinois Governor Rodney Blagojevich is in the news AGAIN! Apparently, Blago feels he’s was “blacker than Obama,” because “I shined shoes. I grew up in a five-room apartment.”  Yeah, I really feel his “blackness” with one.

I’m not mad about what Blago said about President Obama because his history shows that he basks in media attention. Even he thinks his statement was stupid.  I am mad, though (figuratively speaking), that the media fed into his madness, and are still reporting it.

Here are my thoughts on Blago.

Why is the media giving this guy so much attention?  While I understand he was a recently terminated long-time elected official who did a pretty decent job (well, I think he did, anyway).  Right now, he ain’t got no job, and has nothing but time to sit up and think of ways to get the media circus going.  Since his attempt as a reality TV star did not work out, he had to come up with a Plan B.  Or, is this Plan E?  Either way, he watched the news and other shows to figure out how to get the attention he wanted.  This was relatively easy since the media circus is always looking for tricks, no matter how ridiculous.

I personally think the primary ways he could get attention these days are:

1. Kill somebody.  Everyone knows “if it bleeds, it leads.”
2. Have an affair.  Patti would kill him, so he would actually be the lead story.
3. Crash the White House for any reason.  Definitely not original.
4. Or, talk about President Obama in some fashion, particularly race. Bingo!

Since the first two options would remove him from the spotlight for good, and the third may land him in a jail cell with Drew Peterson since it was not an original act of stupidity, that only left option number four.  Why not join the ranks of Senator Harry Reid and all the other politicians who feel that it’s ok to talk about the color and race our Commander in Chief?  At least he didn’t use “Negro” in reference to President Obama.

Anyway, since I am not traditional media, I have given Blago enough of my time and attention. Therefore, I am done.

Hi there!

I just wanted to let you know that As NOT Seen on TV is currently in transition. We will return by mid-December with a new look, feel, and concept.

Like Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of Cash In A Flash, told me, “Expect great things!”

Stay tuned. We’ll be back. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Peace and blessings,

Marcie Hill, Editor
As NOT Seen on TV

 Last week I introduced Robert Holmes, an African American airline captain. Now, I am going to introduce Stacey Marcus, one of seven African American female captains in an industry of over 175 airline pilots. As you can see by these figures, Black pilots are virtually invisible in the aviation industry. Outside of the two captains that made history as members of an all Black female flight crew in February, African American female pilots have not been seen on TV. Thus, it is an honor to share Stacey Marcus’ story on As Not Seen on TV.

Some people fall in love at first flight; others fall in love at first bite. Stacey Marcus fell in love with airplanes on her very first airplane ride from New York to Washington, DC at age 6. Thus, it was love at first flight.

The courtship began when she enrolled as a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. She received all of her pilot licenses at the same time she earned her Bachelor’s degree. Like Robert, she was qualified to fly, but did not have the required flying time for commercial planes. To gain the experience she needed to apply for commuter and major airlines, she obtained worked as flight instructor which she did for four years. And she has been flying ever since. She flew for American Eagle for two and a half years, and has been with working for United Parcel Service (UPS) for over 13 years.

As with any relationship, there are good times and there are challenges. Generally speaking, Stacey has had quite a successful in her career. Not only did she have lots of family support; she was blessed to have landed a job in the industry she loved even as layoffs were occurring.
“Traveling around the world at someone else’s expenses” is an additional blessing. Her travels have taken her to Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia.

She could not recall any obvious challenges. However, being one of seven Black female captains in the airline industry is hardly unnoticeable. Stacey is hopeful that “sometime within the next 10 years there will be significantly more than seven [captains].” On a more positive note, there seems to be a larger pool of black female pilots that are just getting on with major commuter airlines, but it is taking them longer to obtain the “left seat” due to the economy and shrinking pilot forces.

To young people that want to be airline pilots, Stacey shares the following wisdom:
• Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything for whatever reason regardless of finances, race, or sex.
• If you want to do something, do it.
• If someone is offering to help you obtain your goals, accept it. In the future, look to offer that same amount of help to someone else.

This concludes Stacey Marcus’ tale of love at first flight. Her love of flying is as strong today as it was when she first fell in love at first flight over 35 years ago.

Editor’s Note: I would like to thank Stacey for taking the time to share her story with As NOT Seen on TV. I would also like to thank the leaders of the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) for assisting with this story.