february 28, 2013

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source FEBRUARY 28, 2013 |FREE

Volume 82 | Number 18

BLACK HISTORY TEXAS TRAILBLAZERS CUNEY, HESTER & HOUSTON PAVED THE WAY P7

coaches team to

state

PAMELA CRAWFORD

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NATIONAL

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Louis Farrakhanspeaks his mindNation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan is always outspoken about issues facing Black America.Learn what topic is on his mind. Discover what he had to say at a recent event attended by his followers. Find out why he believes a few pennies and nickels can make

a big difference.

TRAYVON MARTIN remembered

on anniversary

HS ZONE

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OPINION

EVE

ENTERTAINMENT

makes top

rapper list

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Cynthia Cooperleads Lady TigersTexas Southern University women’s basketball coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke has taken charge of the Lady Tigers and is making a difference in her first season. See why she’s ahead of schedule. Hear her thoughts on expectations and success. Learn about her coaching style and why it’s not for everyone.

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Judge Zinetta Burney, Terrence Howard and Sharon Burney at HCC gala

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Civil RightsTHEN & NOW

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2 DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 28 | 2013 defendernetwork.com

newstalkHISD plans Sterling-Jones merger


By ASWAD WALKERDefender

SHAPE Communi-ty Center received some good news

when the prior consta-


HISD is proposing big changes for two of its high schools – Jones and Sterling. Meetings were recently held at both campuses to discuss HISD’s

plan to move students out of Sterling and into Jones at the end of this school year.

The district’s plan is to combine the current student bodies of both schools into a single campus, with students from Sterling leaving their present campus (11625 Martin-dale) for the Jones campus (7414 St. Lo).

Students will remain at the current Jones location while the new Sterling campus is under construction as part of the HISD bond program. The school would operate as a single campus, with all students joining together to compete on the same aca-demic and athletic teams under the name Sterling.

Once the new Sterling campus opens in late 2016 or early 2017, all students currently zoned to Jones would be rezoned to the new school. The new Sterling is reported to be a $72.3 million campus capable of supporting modern technology and accommodating the latest approaches to collaborative learning.

“When the new Sterling opens, the new campus will offer modern technology and other facility benefits that Jones students currently do not have,” said Orlando Riddick, HISD’s chief high schools officer.

“This combining of the Jones and Sterling student bodies brings many benefits to students from both schools. Because of

the increased number of students, the schools will receive added resources to pay for a wider variety of courses and extracurricular activities,” he said.

According to Riddick, the modern career and technical education program that HISD re-cently began at Sterling will be available to Jones students, as will Sterling’s aviation magnet school program, if the proposal is approved by HISD’s board during its upcom-ing vote.

The Jones campus has the capacity to hold 1,500 stu-dents, but enrollment has dropped below 500. Because HISD funds schools based on enrollment, schools with few students struggle to offer elective courses that are outside of the basic

core curriculum. Small schools also offer fewer extra-curricular activities.

By combining these student bodies, the larger school will have additional funding needed to offer a stronger variety of academic course offerings and other services to students.

One parent of a current Jones student, who requested not to be named, understood the move in part, but still had reservations.

“The programs Sterling has would be great for my child and his friends, but most of those programs are only offered to a select few of the students. So, in the end, this could be just a more crowded school with only a few students still get-ting into the good classes.”

Riddick, however, believes the move, if approved, will benefit all

involved.“HISD is committed to making this transi-

tion as smooth as possible, while raising the level of academic offerings for all students,” he said.

The HISD administration plans to ask the Board of Education to keep the Jones campus open after the neighborhood students have moved to their new schools. HISD is exploring options for keeping the Jones campus open as a district-wide Vanguard magnet school for gifted and talented students once the new Sterling High School is opened. Jones was the original home of the Carnegie Van-guard High School, which now has its own campus.

HISD considers consolidating Cullen, RyanBy ASWAD WALKER

Defender

HISD recently held community meetings at both Ryan and Cullen Middle School to discuss plans to permanently rezone students cur-rently zoned to Ryan to nearby Cullen Middle School beginning this sum-mer.

On March 7, HISD’s board will vote on the proposal that includes Ryan being repurposed as the Medical and Health Professions Academy at Ryan Middle School. This district-wide magnet middle school would seek to prepare more students to compete for admission into the highly

selective DeBakey High School for the Health Professions.

The HISD board recently voted to seek federal grant dollars to help start the new school.

“For the past five to six years, Ryan has experienced declining enrollment,” said Michael Cardona, HISD’s chief school officer for middle schools. “Cullen is bigger than Ryan, but has had declining en-rollment also.

“We look at this proposal as an opportunity to repurpose Ryan so that it is more like the Young Men and Young Women Academies. Those schools are geared towards engineer-ing. Here [at a repurposed Ryan] we

Sterling High School is being replaced with a new campus.

Ryan Middle School students will be rezoned under a HISD plan.Continued on Page 5

Orlando Riddick

3defendernetwork.com FEBRUARY 28 | 2013 | DEFENDER

Getting a fair share of city advertising dollars VOLUME 82 • NUMBER 18 - FEBRUARY 28, 2013

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2013 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

Print Editor Marilyn Marshall art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila People EditorYvette ChargoisSports EditorsMax EdisonDarrell K. ArdisonContributing WriterAswad Walker

PublisherSonceria Messiah-Jilesadvertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson TylerStrategic alliance ManagerClyde Jiles Multimedia ManagerTiffany Williams Online EditorReShonda Billingsley


nationalFarrakhan

speaks on economicsDefender News Services

During his annual Saviours’ Day address in Chicago, Nation of Islam Minister Louis outlined an economic blueprint to “end poverty and want” among Black people. He advocated pooling resources, investing in land and reducing excessive spending.

He said tough economic times demand that Black Americans take action.

“Today we find ourselves in dire straits and slipping deeper and deeper in the abyss of poverty and want,” he said. “In this so-called recession Blacks continue to suffer disproportionately more than any other people.”

The 2013 Saviours’ Day convention marked the 83rd year of the Nation of Islam’s existence in North America. The event is held each year to commemorate the birth of founder Master W. Fard Muhammad on Feb. 26, 1877.

Farrakhan cited numerous statistics about the eco-nomic crisis. He said Blacks make up 13 percent of the population but a “meager” 1 percent of America’s total wealth. He added that the Black foreclosure rate is 80 percent higher than that of whites.

He noted that Black America’s financial woes con-tinue despite the presence of a Black president.

“President Obama has not been able to repair the damage caused by racism and greed that has run this nation over a fiscal cliff,” he said. “Obama has done his best to plug the holes of this sinking ship but the fact is, when he was sworn in [during his first term] the Black unemployment rate was 12.7 percent. It now stands at 13.8 percent.”

Farrakhan said America needs a new

system for the distribution of wealth, and talked about the importance of becoming good stewards.

“If God gives us a kingdom and makes us stewards over the creation, what kind of stewards are we going to be?” he asked.

“We must get on with the serious business of how

to live and share the value of our life with each other and become human beings rather than beasts and serpents that are destroying human life from the womb to the tomb.”

Farrakhan said Black Americans should heed the advice of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, who led the Nation of Islam from 1934 until his death in 1975.

Muhammad proposed an economic savings plan 48 years ago to redirect wealth. Each Black American would save 5 cents a day, which would add up to $13 in a year. That $13 would be placed in a national savings bank.

“Today we can do better,” Farrakhan said. “There are a little over 16 million Blacks employed at some level. If we could raise the economic bar and contribute the same nickel seven days a week that would amount to $18.20 a year. If everybody gave $18.20 a year multiplied by 16 million in the workforce, we would have [more than $291 million dollars] in just one year.”

Farrakhan listed Muhammad’s five basic principles to help end poverty.1. Recognize the necessity for unity and group operation. 2. Pool your resources, physically as well as financially.3. Stop wanton criticisms of everything that is Black-owned and Black-operated.4. Keep in mind that jealousy destroys from within.5. Observe the operations of the white man. He is suc-

cessful. He makes no excuses for his failures. He works hard in a collective manner. You

do the same.

Trayvon Martin case: One year laterBy CYNTHIA E. GRIFFIN

Special to NNPA from Our Weekly

Feb. 26 marked one year since 17-year-old Trayvon Mar-tin was gunned down by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch coordinator in a gated community of Sanford, Fla.

Martin was visiting family in the area and was walking back from the store when, despite requests by local police not to do so, Zimmerman began following Martin because he appeared “suspi-cious.”

The two ended up in a physical confronta-tion, and the unarmed Martin was shot in the chest and killed.

Recently, Martin’s family, activists such as Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton, along with celebrities such as Cedric the Entertainer held a rally and remembrance dinner in Miami on what would have been the

teen’s 18th birthday.“We just want to let the community [and] the children

know that they have a right to walk in peace,” said Sybrina Fulton, Martin’s mother. “They have a right to walk without anybody following them. They have a right to walk without anybody causing any harm to them or killing them.”

Zimmerman says he shot Martin in self-defense. Initially, Sanford police refused to arrest Zimmerman,

but after nationwide protests, that changed, and now he is set for trial in June.

Martin’s family has set up the Trayvon Mar-tin Foundation, which seeks to address stand your ground laws.

“We want to make sure that we keep stand your ground revisions or repeals,” Fulton said.

“We want to keep that on the forefront so that they know that you can’t pursue anyone and then claim

you were standing your ground.”

Minister Louis Farrakhan delivers his Saviours’ Day speech.



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The month of February is a time to celebrate the visionariesand volunteers whose ties to the community remain strongyear-round. Much like the leaders before them, our honoreesstrive for success as they continue to set paths so others may join them. We are committed to shining light on those who never fail to give back. To learn more, visit 365Black.com.

From left: Tony Hansberry II, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Harold & Tina Lewis, Grant & Tamia Hill, Chaka Khan & Mary-Pat Hector.

©2013 McDonald’s

Celebrating those who celebrate our community.

have an opportunity to reach out to students so they are prepared to enter into DeBakey, and then college.”

Ryan is currently the smallest neighborhood middle school in HISD, with fewer than 300 stu-dents. HISD officials hope that by combining the student bodies, the school will have additional fund-ing needed to offer a stronger va-

riety of academic course offerings and other services to students.

Of the parents and community members who oppose HISD’s move, the most often communi-cated objections were concerns about classroom overcrowding, quality of instruction and the potential loss of an iconic Third Ward educational institution with the closing of Ryan.

HISD..Continued from page 2

Disney dream comes true for local student


Lamar High School junior Cody Neal has a story to tell – that persever-ance through tough times can help dreams come true.

Neal is one of just 100 students nationally chosen out of a pool of over 5,000 applicants to participate in the Disney Dreamers Academy.

Disney, in conjunction with comedian and author Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine, will host partici-pants at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. from March 7-10 for what is described as a “once-in-lifetime innovative outside-the-classroom educational and mentoring program.”

Academy students will participate in hands-on, full-immersion work-shops related to a bevy of career paths ranging from animation to zoology. Each participant learns important skills such as communication techniques and networking strategies relative to their prospective field.

“Over the past five years, we have helped 500 Dreamers unlock their po-tential and get started on their journeys in life,” said Disney Dreamers Academy Executive Champion Tracey D. Powell.

Part of that help has been motivation-al speakers and celebrities sharing their stories and providing insights on how to achieve success.

Neal, who is eager to share his tale of overcoming family tragedy, will get the opportunity thanks to the all-expenses paid trip made possible in large part by Harvey and Essence.

“This program transcends the normal classroom setting, taking learning to the next level,” said Essence Communications President Michelle Ebanks. “This year we plan to go above and beyond to encourage Dreamers. Our valued partnership with Disney Parks and Steve Harvey represents our commitment to the leaders of tomor-row.”

The Defender recently spoke with Neal, the only Academy participant from Houston, about his upcoming experience.

Defender: How did you hear about Disney Dreamers Academy?

Neal: Through my aunt, Damita Phil-lips; she directed me to the website, and I thought it would be something I would enjoy.

Defender: What was it about the academy that made you want to partici-pate?

Neal: It would give me a chance to put my story out there, that you might go through hard times, but you can press forward and still become something.

Defender: You’ve experienced hard times?

Neal: Yes; when I was 10 I lost my mom to breast cancer, and the next year my father died.

Defender: How have you pressed forward through such back-to-back tragedies?

Neal: I continue to work hard in school, I play football for my school, and

I’m looking forward to going to college. The main thing is, I’m still active in life. I just didn’t give up on myself.

Defender: What are your big educa-tional dreams and what is your favorite subject?

Neal: I want to attend Texas A&M and major in computer engineering. My favorite subject is English

Defender: What do you hope to gain from participation in the academy?

Neal: I’m looking forward to learn-ing more about engineering. I really want to get more knowledge about what I can

do now in my subjects to work toward becoming a computer engineer.

Defender: What do you think it was about you and your application that al-lowed you to be chosen as one of the 100 out of 5,000 applicants?

Neal: Honestly, I have no idea. When I found out I had been chosen, ini-tially I was shocked. I wrote a good story, and just told about my life and how I want to move forward.

(For more information about the program visit www.disneysdreamersacad-emy.com).

Cody Neal has been chose for the Disney Dreamers Academy. Cody Neal has been chose for the Disney Dreamers Academy.


what’sup


entertainment

Now that JANET JACKSON has opened up about her secret marriage to Middle Eastern billionaire Wissam Al Mana, she’s revealing their presents to each other. “Our wedding gifts to one another were contributions to our respective favorite children’s charities,” she said. Jackson said they tied the knot in a “quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony” held last year……..Janet’s brother JERMAINE JACKSON has been granted permission to officially change the spelling of his last name. He filed papers in Los Angeles Superior Court requesting to legally alter his surname to Jacksun for “artistic reasons.” Jermaine is currently on tour in Europe with his brothers…….. LOU MYERS, best known for his role as ornery restaurant owner Mr. Gaines on the television series “A Different World,” died Feb. 19 at the age of 76. His other TV

credits included “NYPD Blue,” “E.R.” and “The Cosby Show.” He appeared in such films as “Tin Cup” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.” Myers said he owed his introduction to Hollywood to Bill Cosby. “A Different World” ran from 1987-93…….. HILL HARPER of “CSI:NY” has signed on to star as a series regular in season four of USA’s drama series “Covert Affairs.” Harper will play an ambitious CIA station chief based in Latin America. Harper is an award-winning actor, bestselling author and philanthropist, and has earned seven NAACP Image Awards for his writing and acting. He is the founder of the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation, dedicated to empowering underserved youth through mentorship, scholarship and grant programs…….. Former Spice Girl MEL B, aka Melanie Brown, is joining NBC’s summer

series “America’s Got Talent” as a new judge. Brown, a native of England, was known as Scary Spice while with the group, which sold more than 75 million albums worldwide. NICK CANNON returns as the host of “America’s Got Talent,” which will award the winning act $1 million……..THE CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY at Houston Baptist University presents the exhibit “Bert L. Long Jr. – An Odyssey” through April 18. The majority of the works on display – which were selected by Long prior to his death on Feb. 1 – have never been exhibited in Houston. The collection of Long’s artwork includes mixed media assemblages and paintings, as well as photographs of his trip to Cuba and of his famous ice sculptures. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information visit hbu.edu.

The top 10 best female rappersBy KENNETH MILLERSpecial to NNPA from

the Los Angeles Sentinel

If you ask hip-hop fans who the greatest male emcee of all time is, you’re more than likely to get about 20 to 25 different responses. Now, switch the question to “Who’s the best female rapper of all time?” and you’re more than likely to end up with the same answer nine out of 10 times – MC Lyte.

While Lyte leads the list of female rappers, nine other women have made their mark as well. Here are the top 10.

1. MC Lyte. With gems like “I Cram to Understand U (Sam)” and “10% Dis” from her 1988 debut, “Lyte as a Rock,” MC Lyte changed hip-hop’s perception of “femcees.” She could run circles around many of her male counterparts with her wordplay. Lyte’s originality, smooth flow, substance-packed content, and impeccable delivery make her the unquestionable queen of rap music.

2. Lauryn Hill. Long before she nabbed five Gram-mys for her debut, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” she was already in contention for the throne. As one-third of the ‘90s super group, Fugees, she quickly established herself as the focal point of the crew, and seamlessly blended jaw-dropping lyricism with social commentary.

3. Queen Latifah. Thanks to a brilliant mesh of social commentary and political consciousness, this queen had no problem attracting a cult-like following from the jump off. Latifah was one of the first to demand self-respect and gender equality in hip-hop. 4. Missy Elliott. Not only is Missy one of the best, she’s

also one of the most versatile hip-hop artists, period. A multi-faceted entertainer, Missy writes, raps, sings, and produces all her songs. Her music videos are consistently innovative and intriguing.

5. Da Brat. Discovered by Jermaine Dupri in ’92, Da Brat exploded onto the hip-hop scene. Against all odds,

her debut, “Funkdafied,” be-came the first platinum-selling album by a female rapper.

6. Lil’ Kim. “The Naked Truth” was the first album by a female rapper to be awarded five mics in The Source magazine. Whether or not the accolades were well-deserved is another story. However, Kim’s impact on hip-hop is unquestionable.

7. Eve. Before she went all Hollywood on us, Eve was often heralded for her superb songwrit-ing. Hits like “Satisfaction” and “Gangsta Lovin’” (with Alicia Keys) showcased her unique ability to appeal to a broad audience without losing her edge.

8. Foxy Brown. Granted, Foxy gets plenty of backlash for her raunchy lyrics, but, let’s not forget that she contributed to some of hip-hop’s most notable hits, such as LL Cool J’s “I Shot Ya.” Brown has also managed to garner a measurable amount of success on her own three discs.

9. Rah Digga. She first showcased her lyrical tenac-ity by dropping verses here and there as a member of the Busta Rhymes-led Flipmode Squad. Rah’s ability to craft commercially viable tracks while still dropping hardcore gems makes her unique.

10. Jean Grae. With three solid releases under her belt, South African-born, New York-bred rapper Jean Grae has been spinning heads for the past 10 years or so. What makes Grae stand out from the pack is her combi-nation of humor and seriousness.

MC Lyte

Queen Latifah

Eve


BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Texas Trailblazers paved the wayPart 2

African-Americans have a rich history in the Lone Star State, and a number of pio-neers are included in the Texas Trailblazer Series sponsored by the Houston Place Preser-vation Association and edited by Patricia Smith Prather and Bob Lee.

Norris Wright Cuney (1846-1898). People mostly stare in disbelief when told that an African-American headed the Republican Party of Texas in 1884. But the GOP is the party of Abraham Lincoln who issued the Eman-cipation Proclamation.

Norris Wright Cuney was 20 years old when slavery end-ed and had been educated in Pittsburgh. His father, a plantation owner, and his mother, a slave, were no doubt proud of their mulatto children’s education. Cuney settled in Galveston and began studying law.

Cuney’s first political position was as president of the Galveston Loyal Union League in 1871. In 1873 Cuney was inspector of customs in Galveston. He ran for mayor in 1875 but was defeated.

He later became a Galveston alderman, chair-man of the Republican Party state convention, a delegate to the national convention and collector of customs.

Cuney operated a stevedore business and was the first to hire Blacks as dock workers in Galveston. He married Adelina Dowdie, a native of Mississippi.

The Cuney Homes Housing Project in Houston is named for him.

Julia C. Hester (1881-1940). Her legacy to young people still lives more than 70 years after her death and thousand have benefited from her vision.

Although she had no children of her own, Julia C. Hester was a teacher and when she was not at school she opened her beautiful Victorian home to neighbor-hood youth. There they were safe from the dangers of the street and under the able hands of one who helped encourage them in their education.

Julia and her husband, A. Z. Hester, moved to Houston as young adults. She taught school and he was a cotton classer. The Hesters lived in Fifth Ward and were pioneer members of Payne Chapel African

Methodist Church. She was active in numerous local and state

organizations and had a lot to share with her students and her community. She received

a higher education at Spelman Seminary in Atlanta and was born into a prominent family in Dublin, Ga.

The Julia C. Hester House in Fifth Ward is named for her.

Joshua Houston (1822-1902). He arrived in Texas about 1840 with the

state’s most influential citizen, General Sam Houston. Though he was born a slave

everyone knew that Joshua Houston was an extraordinary man. He became one

of the leading citizens of Huntsville after slavery ended.

Joshua was 17 years old and owned by the family of Margaret Lea when Sam Houston went to Alabama in 1839. After Sam and Margaret mar-ried, Joshua became part of the Houston household but was reportedly told that he would live as a free man in Texas.

It is doubtful that even Sam Houston could have predicted that after his death, Joshua Houston would become one of the state’s first Black county commissioners or offer major financial support to the general’s widow, Margaret.

Joshua was a blacksmith and wheelwright of note and beginning in the 1850s worked for the stagecoach line in Huntsville. He later became

one of the first African-Americans in Huntsville to purchase land for his family in an area known as Rog-ersville. He owned a blacksmith and wood shop. His children went to college and one followed in his foot-steps and became the owner of a blacksmith business.

He was active in state Republican Party politics and the Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization. He was also involved in the organization of several African-American churches in Huntsville.

African-Americans achieved political firstsDefender News Services

In the tradition of Texas Trailblazers Norris Wright Cuney and Joshua Houston, African-Americans have a long history of political involvement. Fol-lowing is a list of some of the men and women who achieved political firsts.

Alexander Twilight of Vermont became the first African-American elected to public office and to serve in a state legislature in 1836.

Hiram Rhodes Revels of Mississippi became the first African-American elected to the U.S. Senate in 1870.

P.B.S. Pinchback of Louisiana became the first African-American governor in 1872.

Frederick Douglass became the first African-American to receive a major government appointment when he was named U.S. marshal of the District of

Columbia in 1877.Oscar Stanton De Priest of Illinois became the

first post-Reconstruction African-American elected to the House of Representatives in 1928.

Adam Clayton Powell of New York became the first African-American congressman from the East in 1944.

Shirley Chisholm of New York became the first African-American woman elected to Congress in 1968 and the first nominated for U.S. president in 1972.

Barbara Jordan of Houston became the first Af-rican-American woman elected to Congress from the South in 1972 and the first to give the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in 1976.

Lee P. Brown became the first African-American mayor of Houston in 1997.

Barack Obama became the first African-American elected president of the United States in 2008.

Norris Wright Cuney

Joshua Houston

Julia C. Hester

Former Mayor Lee P. Brown The late Congresswoman Barbara Jordan


coverpage

Civil rights tHeN & NOW


This year marks two important milestones in Afri-can-American history – the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipa-tion Proclamation on January 1, 1863. It put the United States on the path to ending slavery, and declared “that all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious

Emancipation Proclamation

started legislative changes

The signing of the Emancipation Proclama-tion has come to symbolize the freeing of all Black slaves in the U.S.

Though President Abraham Lincoln’s famous executive order freed only the enslaved residing within the Confederate

States of America, the government-issued law emboldened Blacks across the country to further set their sights on freedom.

Though political scientists are hard-pressed to find looming legislation in 2013 able to equal the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation, some see today’s legisla-tive efforts for equality as radically different than those of 1863, while others see little change at all.

“Legislative strategies for gaining and retaining rights today are dramatically and radically different,” said Gerald Horne, a noted University of Houston professor of history, specializing in the Civil Rights Movement.

“In 1863, we were just emerging from slavery; we’re now many years beyond slavery,” he said.

Horne does not see anything on the political horizon capable of impacting society in the way the Emancipa-tion Proclamation did, not because of a lack of important issues, but rather a lack of political will.

“Congress and the state legislature are dominated by conservatives and reactionaries unwilling to act. It doesn’t mean there’s not big legislative actions needed; all sorts of things should be on horizon,” said Horne, who named protecting the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as one of many issues.Similarities exist

While Horne focuses on the dramatic differences be-tween 1863’s and 2013’s legislation, Dr. Marcia Johnson, law professor at TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, highlights similarities.

“Legislative strategies for and against gaining and retaining civil rights for Blacks have not significantly changed in the technical sense,” Johnson said. “Since emancipation, legislation has been instituted by a president [Lincoln] who acted in the best interests of the political agenda and often upon the rising tide of public sentiment.

“This is followed by controversial attempts at con-gressional action before legislation is ultimately passed. That has been the process we have used throughout Ameri-can history and which is still in place today.”

Johnson noted that between 1863 and 1875, various legislation sought to empower the formerly enslaved and incorporate them into America’s mainstream, including the enactment of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

The new amendments outlawed slavery for all Americans, recognized Blacks as U.S. citizens, provided for equal protection under the law, and protected the right to vote for Black men. Congress also passed the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1875, which were designed to ensure that Blacks enjoyed all the rights of citizens.

However, with past and present legislation, the real issue is enforcement.

“Had the Civil Rights Acts of the 1860s been en-forced, we would not have needed a Civil Rights Act in the 1960s,” said Norma Thomas, long-time educator and organizer of Emancipation 150, a local effort to challenge

Blacks to take better advantage of the freedoms we now enjoy.

“We have legislation on the books to ensure equal pay for women, to deter hate crimes, and to criminalize racial profiling; yet, still these issues exist. Enforcement must be higher on our agenda.”States react

Much like Civil Rights Movement-inspired initia-tives were deemed a threat, particularly to the country’s southern states, Johnson said the same backlash was experienced post-Emancipation Proclamation.

“The slave states reacted to the new legislation by employing states’ rights to empower the individual states to enact their own laws that ignored the federal legisla-tion…,” Johnson said.

“These laws effectively denied the rights that the con-gressional acts had granted. Until the 1940s, states were free to impose their anti-civil rights laws and Jim Crow laws without interference from the federal government,” said Johnson, who counts education, imprisonment and disenfranchisement as three major issues facing Blacks today.

Over the years, congressional acts and presidential executive orders brought an end to racial discrimination in various forms. The judiciary, as well, began protecting civil rights, most notably with the 1954 Brown v Board of Education of Supreme Court decision which purportedly ended racial segregation in public schools.

But rather than signal an end to the movement for equality, such acts seemed to issue the call even louder said Dr. Courtney Thompson, a visiting professor at UH.

“The Emancipation Proclamation illustrated the con-tinuous nature of struggle even after legislative gains were made; it did not mitigate the need for subsequent struggle, it seemingly foreshadowed it,” Thompson said.

Emancipation Proclamation started legislative changes

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his moving “I Have a Dream” speech before 200,000 people at the 1963 March on Washington.President Abraham Lincoln and Cabinet members are depicted reading over the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation in an 1864 painting.


DEFENDER | FEBRUARY 28 | 2013 defendernetwork.com 9

coverpage

Civil rights tHeN & NOW


This year marks two important milestones in Afri-can-American history – the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipa-tion Proclamation on January 1, 1863. It put the United States on the path to ending slavery, and declared “that all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious

states “are, and henceforward shall be free.” On August 28, 1963, more than 200,000 Americans gathered for the March on Washington. The march was a key moment in the Civil Rights Movement, and cul-minated in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech. The Defender looks at both events in comparison to the ongoing struggle for justice and equality today.

A lot has changed in this country since the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on Aug. 28, 1963. The past five decades have witnessed a massive transformation in the process and impact of Black mobilization.

The D.C. march called for civil and economic rights for Blacks. Highlighted by Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, it was organized by a coalition of civil rights, labor, and religious organizations. The march has been credited with influencing the passing of 1964’s Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

However, some social scientists believe we would be hard-pressed to see mobilizations today of equal numbers or equal impact to the 1963 march.

“The biggest thing is the change in the national situation; then there was enormous global pressure to do something about Jim Crow,” said UH history professor Dr. Gerald Horne. “In 2013, there is not the equivalent global pressure on those who are in power in the U.S.”

Horne believes the goals around which Blacks organize today are identical to those of the 1960s, from strengthening the right to vote to ending pov-erty. However, today’s environment is marked by a downplay of global connections.

“At one time Black organizations were glob-ally linked. Today, hardly any Black organizations talk about issues around the world. But that’s what brought us this far,” Horne said. “Those many Afri-can nations coming into independence then brought incredible pressure upon the U.S. to do right by Blacks in America.” a global movement

Dr. Marcia Johnson of TSU’s Thurgood

Marshall School of Law also spoke on the global nature of Black mobilization during the 1960s and its impact on Blacks throughout the Diaspora.

“The Civil Rights Movement, considered the largest mobilization of Blacks in America, reached Blacks in the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe,” said Johnson, adding that the movement brought together people from all over the country, regardless of race and gender, who believed in equality.

Johnson says these mobilization efforts came with some disappointments.

“Between 1954 and 1964 more Blacks were in segregated schools, unemployment and housing had become more segregated, and Blacks had experi-enced losses in wealth and property ownership. Simi-lar disparities exist today as recent studies show that Blacks lag far behind whites in wealth in America,” Johnson said.

UH visiting professor Dr. Courtney Thompson cites another of the march’s disappointments.

“Despite the march’s emphasis on access and inclusion, Black women were not equally represent-ed at the center alongside Black men,” Thompson said.

“The tendency of Black men, particularly those in positions of leadership, to dominate the agenda resulted in women assuming less visible, more sup-portive roles. Women were intricately involved in organizing behind the scenes and at the grassroots level.” Lessons learned

Thompson points out that in the memoir “Open Wide the Freedom Gates,” civil rights icon Dorothy Height describes the collective marginalization Black women experienced as a consequence of their exclu-sion from parts of the campaign.

“One of most salient lessons we learn from the March on Washington is the importance of leader-ship styles that are democratic in nature. Activists such as Septima Clark, Ella Baker, and Fannie Lou Hamer adopted egalitarian leadership styles and championed the belief that ordinary people could create social change,” Thompson said.

Johnson sees the younger generation taking dif-ferent paths to mobilize for empowerment.

“Younger Blacks are seldom engaged with the traditional Civil Rights Movement and have dis-tanced themselves from the old leadership,” Johnson said. “Today, mobilization efforts have expanded beyond the issue of race to include gender rights for women, immigration rights and sexual orientation rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual com-munities.

The vehicles for marshaling like-minded persons has expanded to the Internet with the use of sources such as the ColorofChange.org, theSumo-fUs.org, and numerous other dot com groups that serve as mobilizers for people across the country and the world,” Johnson said.

“The traditional organization will not be able to remain rooted in the past if it wants to survive.”

March on Washingtonhad different impact

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his moving “I Have a Dream” speech before 200,000 people at the 1963 March on Washington.President Abraham Lincoln and Cabinet members are depicted reading over the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation in an 1864 painting.


10 DEFENDER | WEEK OF FEBRUARY 28 | 2012 defendernetwork.com

health A Defender and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Alliance

High blood pressure is a ‘silent killer’

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic® has been recognized as the nation’s first accredited Accountable Care Organization (ACO) by the prestigious National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Our recognition as the nation’s

first accredited ACO is a great honor and confirms our commitment to a model of

care focused on coordination and quality outcomes. It’s a model of care that is setting the standard here in Houston

and across the nation. More at AccountableCareHouston.com

24-Hour Appointment Scheduling: 713-442-0000 kelsey-seybold.com

The Nation’s FIRST Accredited Accountable Care Organization

Is Right Here in Houston.

ACO_Defenfer-0213-v2.indd 1 2/15/13 11:43 AM

By ALFREDA BELL, M.D.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is among the deadliest conditions for African-Americans. An estimated 40 percent of African-Americans have

high blood pressure and are 30 percent more likely to die from its complications than white and La-tino Americans. What’s even scarier is that many of us don’t even know we’re going about our day with this ticking time bomb.

We call it a “silent killer” because many people aren’t aware they have high blood pressure until they have a stroke or heart failure. High blood pressure doesn’t produce obvious symp-toms, such as the intense pain caused by coronary heart disease, or the shortness of breath from asthma. This makes early detection and prevention all the more crucial to avoiding serious outcomes and premature death.are You at Risk?

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the

walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. If blood pressure rises and stays high, it is called high blood pressure, or hypertension. Since the blood doesn’t flow as well to your organs, untreated high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack, thickening of the heart, stroke, blindness, dementia or kidney failure.

Being an African-American is one risk fac-tor for developing high blood pressure. Others include:• Increased age, although African-Americans develop high blood pressure at an earlier age than other ethnic groups.• Excessive weight.• A family history of high blood pressure.• Having diabetes.• Inactivity.• A diet high in salt and fat. • Low intake of potassium. • Smoking

The more risk factors you have, the more likely it is that you have high blood pressure or will develop it in the future.

Prevention & TreatmentRather than trying to reduce your blood pressure on your

own, it’s important to work with your doctor who can prescribe medications and help you make lifestyle changes. Watching your salt intake, eating less saturated fat, committing to daily exercise, losing weight and taking all prescribed medications exactly as directed will help rein in the factors that lead to heart attack and heart disease.

The African-American community faces a serious threat from high blood pressure and related health problems. Too many African-Americans die each year from this disease. But with regular medical checkups, the good news is that high blood pres-sure – when detected early – can be controlled and managed.

Dr. Bell is a board-certified Family Medicine physician. She practices at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic’s Spring Medical and Diagnostic Center. Her clinical interests include minority healthcare. She has served as an American Heart Association-American Stroke Association “Power to End Stroke” Ambassa-dor and also has volunteered with the organization’s African-American Outreach Task Force. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bell, call the 24-Hour Kelsey-Seybold Contact Center, 713-442-0000.

Dr. Alfreda Bell is a board-certified Family Medicine physician at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic’s Spring Medical and Diagnostic Center. View her bio at kelsey-seybold.com/bios.


opinion

What killed President Kennedy and Trayvon Martin?

By MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMANNNPA Columnist

Tuesday, Feb. 26 marked one year since 17-year-old Tray-von Martin was killed by a gun wielded by self-appointed neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman after he saw Trayvon walking home

from a 7-Eleven with a bag of Skittles and bottle of Arizona iced tea.

Black children, youths, and families know first-hand that the killing of Black children by gun violence is not new but a relentlessly unre-ported and under-reported plague that has been disproportionately snuffing out Black child lives for a very long time.

Fifteen percent of children and teens are Black but 45 percent of all children and youths killed by guns in 2010 were Black. Black boys 15 to 19 years old were 28 times more likely than White boys the same age to be killed in a gun homicide.

Shortly after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote that it was time for our nation to do some soul-searching, and while the question “Who killed President Kennedy?” was important, answering the question “What killed President Kennedy?” was even more critical.

Dr. King believed the answer was that “our late President was assassinated by a morally inclement climate. It is a climate filled with heavy torrents of false accusation, jostling winds of hatred, and raging storms of violence. It is a climate where men cannot disagree with-out being disagreeable, and where they express dissent through violence and murder. It is the same climate that murdered Medgar Evers in Mississippi and six innocent Negro children in Birmingham, Alabama.”

Dr. King further noted that the undercur-rents of hatred and violence that made up this morally inclement climate were fueled by our cultural embrace of guns: “By our readiness to allow arms to be purchased at will and fired at whim, by allowing our movie and televi-sion screens to teach our children that the hero is one who masters the art of shooting and

the technique of killing, by allowing all these developments, we have created an atmosphere in which violence and hatred have become popular pastimes.”

The same winds of hatred, storms of vio-lence, and easy access to and glorification of guns that Dr. King believed killed President Kennedy would soon also kill Dr. King.

Fifty years after Dr. King described our morally inclement climate, the outward signs of racial intolerance and hatred have undoubt-edly diminished but there are still far too many reminders of the dangers lurking everywhere that devastate us all – like Trayvon’s senseless death for walking home while Black.

Between 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and 2010, nearly 60,000 Black children and teens were killed by guns, more than 1,200 every year for 48 years. This is 17 times the number of reported lynchings of Black Americans of all ages since 1882 but we have not had an equivalent Black community anti-lynching movement to save our children from gun violence.

While there are troubling undertones of racial suspicion and fear in Trayvon Martin’s killing which must be addressed as justice is sought, the fact is that most Black young people murdered by guns are killed by Black shooters – just as most white children and teens murdered by guns are killed by white shooters.

Sadly, the tragedies of Tucson, Aurora, Newtown and elsewhere made clear that none of us are safe anywhere or immune to the per-vasive threat of gun violence.

We are all in the same boat and must act together to stop the plague of violence. Gun safety laws that only apply in one city or state can’t fully stop our national epidemic of gun proliferation and violence any better than we can stop a flu epidemic by vaccinating one family.

We must struggle together to stop gun violence and to change the morally inclement climate that Dr. King warned about if we are going to protect all of our nation’s children everywhere.


Rand

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sportsCynthia Cooper-Dyke has TSU ahead of schedule


By MAX EDISONDefender

Sports legend “Bum” Phillips once said as he was preparing to face Miami Dolphin head coach Don Shula, “He can take his’n and beat your’n and take your’n and beat his’n.”

In her debut season, Texas Southern Lady Tiger basketball coach Cooper-Dyke has proven that she is worthy of a Shula-style comparison.

Cooper-Dyke was expected to eventually be successful. She transformed an abysmal Prairie View A&M University program from the ground up and made them a SWAC power and a NCAA tournament participant.

She won a school record 24 games in her first season as head coach at UNC- Wilmington (2010). In two seasons at UNC-Wilmington she coached the squad to post-season appearances twice. But honestly, who saw this coming at TSU so soon?

In her maiden voyage as head coach Cooper-Dyke has led the team to a school record 17 wins, including 14 consecutive conference wins and the conference regular season crown. The Lady Tigers have the opportunity to have more conference wins in one season than they had the previous three seasons combined (16).

All this success comes from a team that was predicted to finish next to last in the con-ference by the preseason pollsters.

The fact that the success has come so early has even left Cooper-Dyke pleas-antly surprised.

“No one had expectations for us except me,” she said. “I don’t know if our coaching staff nec-essarily believed; I’m certain my young ladies on the team didn’t believe and I know the rest of the conference didn’t believe. I believed if we put some things together and got bet-ter in some areas we could do something special.

“Special to me is winning

games, not necessarily championships. In order to win a championship you have to come togeth-er as a team. You have to play solid basketball on both sides of the ball. I think we are starting to mature into that type of team,” she said.

Cooper-Dyke is known as a taskmaster, and the Lady Tigers have accepted her tough, no-nonsense coaching approach and have flour-ished.

“You can accept aggressive coaching if you want to win,” she said. “When you want to win nothing stands in your way. I think these young ladies have demonstrated that. I don’t think anyone had ever expected anything from them, allowing them to underachieve.

“It took them a little while to adjust to my in-the-face type of coaching,” she said. “While I’m really hard on them I also love them. When they have problems, my door is always open. There’s one look when we’re on the court, but it’s different off the court. These kids know I’ve got their backs.”

Just how good are the Lady Tigers? They lead the SWAC in scoring offense (66 ppg), scoring defense (56.7 ppg), blocked shots (6.1 pg), assists (14 pg) and steals (11.5 pg).

Though known for her offensive prowess as a player, the coach knew that defense would have to be the foundation for the Lady Tigers’ success.

“Most people see me as an offensive coach be-cause I was an offensive player,” Cooper-Dyke said. “As a coach I understand the significance of playing defense, getting those critical stops in crucial moments of the game.

“Our goal is to play consistent, solid defense. On the flip side you have to be able to be able to execute in the half court offense to get actually create some distance between you and an opponent.”

As the Lady Tigers prepare for the conference post-season tournament and eye a potential post-season national bid, their coach gives an ominous warning.

“This is just the beginning of what we want to do, the mentality we want to have here at TSU,” she proclaimed.

“We want to continue to grow and never be satis-fied. We want to outwork our opponents, play smart basketball and execute in a half court set. We have a monster recruiting class coming in so we’re looking forward to success, not only this year, but many, many years to come.”

Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, coach of the TSU women’s basketball team, is an Olympic gold medalist and former star player with the WNBA’s Houston Comets.

TSU’s Brianna Sidney is a 5-foot-9 sophomore from Brooklyn, N.Y.

Cooper-Dyke describes her

coaching style as “aggressive”

and says, “When you want to win

nothing stands in your way.”

h.s.zone13defendernetwork.com FEBRUARY 28 | 2013 | DEFENDER

sportsbriefs

Clear Springs girls advance to state


Tomball seniors make markThe Tomball Lady Cougars refused to go down without a fight. Facing the state’s top-ranked Class 4A school (Georgetown) in the high school Re-gion III-4A finals, Tomball rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit before succumbing 41-30. Hannah Pluchek and Alayna Waters scored on consecutive possessions to bring Tomball within six points with three minutes left in regulation. Georgetown made 10 straight free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. Tomball was trying to earn its first state tournament berth since 1994. The Lady Cougars defeated Pflugerville Connally 45-40 in the regional semifinals to come within one win of advancing to the state tournament. Head coach Karen Lemker says the team’s balanced approach to scoring led to long-term success this season. “We’ve got a very dominant post and we have two really good guards,” she said. The 30-7 Cougars were led by Carissa Diaz, Lexe Marks, Brianna Pedersen and Allayna Waters.

Boys regionals on tapThe Aldine ISD Campbell Center will host the boys’ high school Region III-5A basketball tournament on Friday and Saturday. Fort Bend Bush, Fort Bend Tra-vis and Houston Westside are favorites to earn a trip to Austin for the March 8-9 state tournament. The Merrell Center in Katy will host the Region III-4A tournament on Friday and Saturday with Houston Wheatley, Dawson, Georgetown, Brazosport, Beau-mont Ozen and Terry in the hunt for a state tourna-ment berth. Class 3A powerhouse Yates will have to journey to Huntsville for the regional tournament.

TSU hoopsters recognizedTexas Southern University basketball standouts Te’era Williams and Fred Sturdivant were recently named SWAC conference Players of the Week. Williams, a native of Oklahoma City, helped lead the Lady Tigers to a pair of conference wins. She averaged 16 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists dur-ing the week. She also shot 40 percent (11-19) from the floor. This is Te’era’s second Player of the Week honor. Sturdivant, a Chattanooga native, averaged 18 points and 15.5 rebounds for the pair of games. He also had four steals and a league-high nine blocked shots.

Mayweather moves to ShowtimeProving once again that it’s “all about the Ben-jamins,” undefeated eight-time world champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather has moved his entou-rage to Showtime. Already the world’s highest paid athlete, Mayweather has entered into a groundbreak-ing pay-per-view deal with Showtime Networks Inc. and its parent company, CBS Corporation. Under the new deal, Showtime PPV will collaborate with CBS to comprehensively promote Mayweather’s events on the television network and via the corporation’s expansive media platforms. The deal will enable him to fight up to six times over a period of 30 months, with the first mega-event taking place on May 4, when Mayweather will fight Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero. Mayweather’s new deal is by far the biggest in the sport of boxing (specific financial details are contractually confidential). Mayweather is the PPV king and averages over 1 million PPV buys per event, which is the highest PPV buy average of any boxer in history.

By Darrell K. ArdisonDefender

The hex has been officially removed.

After three con-secutive trips to the Re-gion III-5A high school basketball tournament, the Clear Springs girls have broken through and advanced to the state tournament. The school’s first trip to Austin didn’t come without some anxious moments.

For the first three quarters of the regional final against upstart Seven Lakes at the Aldine ISD Campbell Center, Clear Springs didn’t resemble the region’s top seed and clear favorite as head coach Pamela Crawford searched for answers.

When point guard Brooke McCarty nailed an off-balance jumper just inside the three-point line at the third-quarter buzzer, the Lady Chargers trailed 35-33 with eight minutes left to prolong their season.

“We normally shoot the ball better than we did today,” Craw-ford said. “It seems like every time we play a second game in this gym, we have a bad shoot-ing night. So we had to change up our game plan and turn up our defense and that’s what we did.”

Senior Courtnie Latham drilled back-to-back three-pointers at the outset of the fourth quarter and went on to score 13 of her team-high 21 points in the final eight minutes to seal the 55-44 victory. “They put a bigger defender on Brooke and I knew that I had to step up

and take a leadership role,” said Latham, a Tulane University signee.

“Those first two shots in the fourth quarter got my confidence up and eventually they had to help off on me and that opened up other people,” Latham said.

The road doesn’t get any easier. Clear Springs, 38-2, draws unbeaten Duncanville (40-0), the state’s top-ranked team, in one 5A state semifinal Friday at the Erwin Center on the campus of the University of Texas. Tipoff is at 3 p.m. Pflugerville (38-0) takes on Cibolo Steele (32-5) in the other 5A semifinal matchup at 8:30 p.m.

“In my heart I believe we can win a state championship,” said McCarty, a junior who has already committed to Texas. “We have a tough road ahead of us but a team is going to have to work hard to beat us and we’re going to have to work hard to win these last two games.”

Clear Springs had to defeat

two Top 10 state-ranked teams just to earn a berth in the re-gional finals. The Lady Chargers defeated No. seven Manvel 62-60 in the regional quarterfinals on Kaylin Roher’s three-pointer at the buzzer.

Facing No. four Bellaire in the regional semifinals, Clear Springs withstood a 41-point explosion by A.J. Alix to win 80-65. McCarty was also sensa-tional with a 35-point effort.

Defensive specialist Ryshi-nique Ball said the team’s goal from the first day of practice has been to reach the state tourna-ment. “When things weren’t going well, we realized that we had to go hard or go home,” she said. “We worked too hard to let this thing slip away so we had to get it done.”

An ecstatic Crawford summed up the moment. “We’ve been working every day since this school opened to get to this point,” she said. “To finally accomplish it is a wonderful feeling.”

Clear Springs girls win 2013 5A regional basketball title.


Commentary: City ad dollars...Continued from page 6

classified

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

FOR

HIV Prevention Social Marketing, Media and Mobilization Initiative

The City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services is requesting proposals that may lead to a contract award for the delivery of comprehensive HIV/STD Prevention Services in Houston/Harris County, specifically related to HIV Social Marketing. The HDHHS will fund one (1) social marketing, media and mobilization project to support the delivery of prevention messages to high-risk HIV-negative and HIV-positive persons in designated areas of Houston/Harris Coun-ty.

The RFP will be released on Friday February 15, 2013.

The RFP package can be picked up at:

City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services 8000 N. Stadium Dr.

5th Floor Vanessa Braithwaite

Houston, Texas 77054 or it can be found online at:

http://www.houstontx.gov/health/rfp.html. The City of Houston, Texas will receive submissions at the City’s Secretary’s Office, City Hall Annex, Public Level, 900 Bagby, Houston, Texas 77002 until Friday, March 8, 2013 at 2:00 P.M.

Questions concerning the RFP will be responded to during the Pre-Bid Conference on Monday, February 25, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at 8000 N. Stadium Dr. 2nd Floor Classroom Houston, Texas 77054

All submissions will be required to comply with City Council Ordinance No. 78-1538, passed August 9, 1978, relating to Equal Employment Opportunity Contract Compliance. The City reserves the right to reject and/or accept all or any portion of a submission deemed to be in the City’s best interest.

MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY

will be accepting proposals for the following:

PERSONNEL BACKGROUND SERVICES Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchas-ing Department located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Suite 100 in Houston, Texas 77074, Telephone number, 713-970-7300, and/or via MHMRA website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, March 04, 2013. The Request for Proposal (RFP) must be submitted to Purchasing Department, Suite 100, 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77074 by, Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 10:00 am. All responses or questions pertaining to this RFP should be addressed in writing to Joycie Sheba, Buyer II, via fax (713) 970-7682 or email questions to [email protected]. MHMRA reserves the rights to reject any and/or all offers it deems to be in its best interests, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

TX6358_HNDF_EOG_AFAM_0228.indd2-21-2013 4:53 PM Eddie Jacobson / Tommy Salazar

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You can stay fit at any age

Family Features

Regular physical activity at any age can help you live longer, feel better and reduce health problems. But far too many people, including baby boom-ers, don’t get the exercise they need.

According to a re-port from the Physical Activity Council, 35 percent of Americans over the age of 55 are physically inactive. Since regular exercise helps control blood pressure, body weight, cholesterol and so much more, boomers need to find ways to get their bodies mov-ing so they can live longer, healthier lives.

“Though any amount of exercise is beneficial, ultimately adults should work up to getting at least 30 minutes most days of the week, as long as they feel comfort-able and pain-free,” said nutritionist Joy Bauer.

“From taking an [exercise] class to walking and stretch-ing, getting regular physical activity helps the joints stay loose, maintains mus-cle mass, and gets the blood flowing – all of which make everyday tasks easier.”

The American Council on Exercise recommends older Americans choose exercise programs that include cardio-vascular, muscle conditioning, and flexibility exercises. Low-impact, non-jarring exercises such as walking and

swimming are good options.

Whenever begin-ning a new fitness activity or program, make sure you do it safely. Tips include:

• Wear comfort-

able shoes that fit well.

• Stay hydrated with plenty of fluids.

• Listen to your body. If it hurts or it feels like too much, stop.

Thank YouSolomon Hagger

Postman ExtraordinaireThe Defender along with

numerous residents and business owners in the Third Ward area appreciate your postal service throughout the years. We applaud your outgoing personality and quick humor which always brought a smile to our faces.

Enjoy your retirement Sonny Messiah Jiles

& The Defender

Staff

chag’splaceFor Event Coverage...visit defendernetwork.com


Events of the Week More photos on defendernetwork.com

Join Yvette Chargois

See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroadswith Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m.


Panelists Joy Sewing, Ray Carrington and Rebecca Briscoe Filmmaker David Parks and Lloyd Gite Valerie Anderson and Nikki Washington

Honorary Gala Chair Bruce Austin, Beverly Harmon and Gala Chair Dr. William Harmon

Honoree Judge Zinetta Burney, actor Terrence Howard and Sharon Burney

Honorees Pastor Mia Wright, Judge Clarease Yates, Cary Yates, Dr. Reagan Flowers and Dr. Vernus Swisher

James Plummer and Letitia Plummer Joan Batson, John Guess Jr. and Melanie Lawson Floyd Newsum and Dr. Alvia Wardlaw

HONORING OUR HISTORY, LIVING OUR LEGACY…….This was the theme chosen for the 2013 Black History Scholarship gala hosted by Houston Community College. The color purple was also chosen to pay homage to our African-American heritage, which is rooted in our religious beliefs and is the DNA of our existence. The Joyce M. Reynolds Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Hayward Jones, Judge Zinetta Burney and Dr. Luzine B. Bickham Sr. The inaugural class of BHC Leadership Gallery “Unstoppable Leaders” included Dr. Vernus C. Swisher, Cary and Judge Clarease Yates, Dr. Reagan Flowers and Pastors Remus and Mia Wright. The multi-talented actor Terrence Howard was the keynote speaker. We salute honorary gala chair and chairman of HCC board of trustees Bruce Austin, and honorary chairs Christopher Oliver, Carroll Robinson, Dr. William Harmon, acting chancellor Renee Byas and the entire gala

committee for an elegant evening that was attended by over 1,000 guests. Continued success!...... COMMUNITY LOVE…..The Menil Collection, in partnership with the Houston Museum of African-American Culture and Houston

Cinema Arts Society presented a tribute to the late artist Bert L. Long Jr. The hour-long documentary titled “Bert” explores the life and art of the esteemed Rome Prize winner, as seen through the eyes of collectors, colleagues and friends. Written, produced and directed by Houston-based arts patron John Guess

Jr., the film eloquently reveals Bert’s practice, encompassing various media including painting, sculpture and performance art. The Menil foyer was packed with folks enjoying the film, including Bert’s wife, Joan Batson, Melanie Lawson, James Plummer, Letitia Plummer, Alvia Wardlaw, Floyd Newsum, Sarah Trotty, Elvira Clayton, Keith Anderson, Stephanie Richardson and George Smith. Great film!....CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY…..

Macy’s, in partnership with the Gordon Parks Foundation and the American Black Film Festival, honored the late Gordon Parks with a special event at Macy’s Galleria. The event was titled “In Conversation,” and after a brief film about Mr. Parks’ life’s works, a spirited discussion was held centering around his influence on film and the future of African-American cinema. The conversation was moderated by Lloyd Gite, former television reporter/journalist ,and panelists included filmmaker, photographer, publicist and author David Parks, son of Gordon Parks; Joy Sewing, fashion and beauty editor for the Houston Chronicle; Rebecca Briscoe, national features correspondent at Houston Style Magazine and Ray Carrington, director of Jack Yates High School photography program. Great conversation!......CONDOLENCES……Our prayers are with the family of Mildred Marie Dutton who recently celebrated her homegoing. Think of it this way, Mrs. Dutton has a new position, she’s now your guardian angel appointed by God to look after all of you. God bless!…..From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

february 28, 2013

Documents