JAMES DIXON BISHOP
Houston’s New NAACP President shares his vision
NEWS
SPORTS
KAMALA HARRIS
JIM CALDWELL
The Vice President has room to be Black, and she won’t have to tone it down. Volume 90, issue 13 January 28, 2021
Six of the seven NFL head coaching vacancies have already been filled by non-African Americans.
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DN On Point
FIT & FINE Giorgio Green Age: 33 Occupation: Emergency Dispatcher & Personal Trainer Education: Grambling State University Major: Social Work Motto: Be yourself because everyone else is already taken.
“Decide today to commit and make a change”.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin elbow bumps with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris during his ceremonial swearing-in ceremony in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on January 25, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Message from the Managing Editor “Lift” has long been the song that is sung in As we continue to grapple with the fallout Black churches, schools and other predomiof 2020 (and the subsequent residue that nantly Black spaces as a way to recognize our crept into 2021), it’s time to shift our focus struggle and perseverance through the hell that on the Black joy that has taken place so far America has put us through. The lyrics tell of this year. From Kamala Harris to Reverend Black people’s struggle from slavery to emanciRaphael Warnock to all the barrier-breakpation and of hope with a steady march toward ing Black leaders on the local, state and the future. But more than a century after it was federal levels across the nation, Black folks first composed, Clyburn sees it as something have made some major strides. that can help unify a nation sharply divided By no means should we ignore the peralong political, social and cultural lines. sistent hate and racism that runs rampant “We should have one national anthem ReShonda Tate Billingsley in our country. But it’s also essential that irrespective of whether you’re Black or we recognize and celebrate the historic victories we’ve accom- white,” said Clyburn. “So to give due honor and respect to the plished this month alone. song, we ought to name it the national hymn.” As evidenced by the Jan. 6th insurrection on the Capitol, the With all due respect and with much love to James Clyburn, white supremacists are more energized than ever, but we have one, I don’t see these closet-racists giving up their beloved to stay just as vigilant. Building Black political power isn’t just anthem. And two, while it’s great in theory, how is making about electing more Black leaders, it’s also about supporting America sing a Black song going to stop police from killing candidates who will create policies that will move our commu- us or judges, district attorneys and juries from letting them nities forward and give us more access to the ballot box where get away with it. I get that politicians are supposed to focus on we can make change that impacts us most. “healing.” But at some point, we’ve got to stop acting like it’s possible to reason with unreasonable people. Let’s cross this HARRIET TUBMAN IS BACK IN THE RUNNING proposal off the To Do list and focus on something that has a The Biden administration says it is “exploring ways to snowball’s chance in hell of actually passing. speed up” release of $20 bills featuring Harriet Tubman after the Trump administration delayed the move first initiated by IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER President Barack Obama. • Make sure you check out our In Focus feature on new It’s important that our money reflect the history and diversity NAACP president Rev. Dr. James Dixon. of our country, and Harriet Tubman’s image gracing the new • How Kamala Harris’s approach to race will differ from $20 note would certainly reflect that, so we’re all here for that! former President Barack Obama’s. Here’s to hoping it actually happens. • Sports reporters Terrance Harris and Jodie Jiles share the latest in the world of high school, college and pro sports. BLACK POWER
@beyoutifulifit Read more on Friday about Giorgio Green at defendernetwork.com If you are Fit & Fine email: fitnfine@defendernetwork.com
LIFT EVERY VOICE?
What we’re not quite sure we’re here for is Rep. James Clyburn’s (D-S.C.) proposal to make the Black National Anthem a national hymn. In the wake of the Jan. 6th attack on the Capitol, Clyburn has introduced a bill that will make “Lift Every Voice and Sing” aka “The Black National Anthem” the national hymn that will be recognized alongside “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
ON THE WEB
• Report: Nearly 1 in 5 charged in Capitol riot are current or former military members. • The 11 most anticipated films of 2021. • Nia Dennis claims victory for the culture with 2nd viral gymnastics routine.
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DN News Dr. Loren J. Blanchard confirmed as next President of the University of HoustonDowntown. The veteran Higher Education Leader will become the school’s seventh president.
Ed Ryland, founder of Arvo Reality Advisors, assumes the position as chair of the board of the Houston West Chamber of Commerce.
Lina Hildago
Harris County launches coronavirus vaccine waitlist
Houston’s Police Oversight Board was named one of the least effective in the city. Credit Houston Public Media
Police oversight board scrutinized Defender News Service
Mayor Sylvester Turner said that work is underway to restructure a civilian police misconduct review board, which was under scrutiny for not being effective at holding officers accountable. An overhaul of the Independent Police Oversight Board, or IPOB, was one of the main recommendations addressed in a Turner-commissioned policing reform task force, which published findings of its review in September. Since then, community activists have called on Turner to begin implementing many of the policy recommendations. But many allege Turner isn’t moving quickly enough and hasn’t kept the public in the know about what’s underway. Turner said that was not the case. “We are working internally to restructure that. It will be restructured,” Turner said, referring to the embattled IPOB, which was long referred to as a ‘toothless tiger’ which activists say is far too aligned with the interests of the Houston Police Department. “There will be more people added to IPOB/Civilian Review Board. In addition, we’re putting in place something like an Office of Inspector General, along with a staffing person.” Turner continued, adding complaints reviewed, “Won’t just come internally, they can come from the public and the
Office of Inspector General will have and cited other reform measures the responsibility of investigating and already implemented that have made working in conjunction with the civil- a difference. ian review board.” “As you know, I signed the Executive It has been over 120 days since Order and made it an obligation for, say, Turner’s task force unveiled its policy police officers who see other police offirecommendations – 104 total – which cers doing something wrong, they are include increased training for officers to required to intervene,” he said. respond to mental health crises, changes Turner said the city also provided to the disciplinary process for officers additional funding to the Crisis Interaccused of wrongdoing, increased focus vention Response Teams (CIRT), speon community policing, among other cifically for domestic violence. suggestions. Turner added the city’s IT Turner said he expected department is also working changes to IPOB to be on developing a dashboard introduced in the coming for reporting cases of months, but said a solid police brutality. Moreover, date has not been set. That’s Cite and Release and Safe drawn criticism from comHarbor Court have been munity activists who accuse implemented. the mayor of dragging his “We’re approaching Mayor Sylvester Turner feet. things from multiple lev“My thought process is els,” Turner said. that we’re stagnated,” said Ashton P. Houston’s IPOB is ‘one of the least Woods of Black Lives Matter Houston. effective in the state,’ according to a Woods, along with other community recent report. activists, have said they’ve worked for The report, released last November years to see some of the reform policies by Rice University’s Kinder Institute, come into fruition and argues change concluded Houston’s police oversight can begin now. board was among the least effective “Many of the recommendations in Texas. It reported the panel suffers from this advisory council, much like “from a lack of data access, a lack of others, looks like it’s collecting dust on independence, uncertain legal status the shelf,” Woods said. and a complete lack of transparency Mayor Turner denied that allegation and public reporting.”
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced a new, simplified system for county residents to sign up to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Immediately afterward in his own event, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner explained how things are going with the Houston Health Department’s vaccination efforts and discussed second vaccine doses, citing worries the city has heard from local residents concerned that vaccine supply issues might keep them from getting the required follow-up shot in a timely manner. Hidalgo said that Harris County residents will be able to add their names to a new coronavirus vaccine waiting list. Any Harris County resident can now add their name to the county’s vaccine waiting list, but only residents who sign up that are in either state priority group 1A or 1B will have their names selected to get a vaccine. Group 1A includes frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents, while group 1B includes Texans 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions. SIGN UP BY CALLING
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VOLUME 90 - NUMBER 13 - JANUARY 28, 2021 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles
Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles
Creative Director Michael Grant
Photographers Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288
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DN News Kamala Harris, Barack Obama may treat racial issues very differently Defender News Service
President Joe Biden signs executive orders in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, in Washington. Vice President Kamala Harris listens at left. AP Photo/Evan Vucci
President Biden outlines plans to combat racial injustice in America Associated Press
President Joe Biden has ordered the Department of Justice to end its reliance on private prisons and acknowledge the central role government has played in implementing discriminatory housing policies. In remarks before signing the order, Biden said the U.S. government needs to change “its whole approach” on the issue of racial equity. He added that the nation is less prosperous and secure because of the scourge of systemic racism. “We must change now,” the president said. “I know it’s going to take time, but I know we can do it. And I firmly believe the nation is ready to change. But government has to change as well.” Biden rose to the presidency during a year of intense reckoning on institutional racism in the U.S. The moves reflect his efforts to follow through with campaign pledges to combat racial injustice.
Beyond calling on the Justice Department to curb the use of private prisons and address housing discrimination, the new orders will recommit the federal government to respect tribal sovereignty and disavow discrimination against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community over the coronavirus pandemic. Biden directed the Department of Housing and Urban Development in a memorandum to take steps to promote equitable housing policy. The memorandum calls for HUD to examine the effects of Trump regulatory actions that may have undermined fair housing policies and laws. Months before the November election, the Trump administration rolled back an Obama-era rule that required communities that wanted to receive HUD funding to document and report patterns of racial bias. The order to end the reliance on privately-run prisons directs the attorney general not to renew Justice
Department contracts with privately operated criminal detention facilities. The move will effectively revert the Justice Department to the same posture it held at the end of the Obama administration. “This is a first step to stop corporations from profiting off of incarceration,” Biden said. The more than 14,000 federal inmates housed at privately-managed facilities represent a fraction of the nearly 152,000 federal inmates currently incarcerated. Biden’s victory over Trump in several battleground states, including Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, was fueled by strong Black voter turnout. Throughout his campaign and transition, Biden promised that his administration would keep issues of equity — as well as climate change, another issue he views as an existential crisis — in the shaping of all policy considerations.
When Barack Obama campaigned for president in 2008, he was cautioned by his inner circle to downplay “any topic that might be labeled racial grievance” and not to “do anything that would box me in as ‘the Black candidate,’” he wrote in his recent memoir. Vice President Kamala Harris is not being advised to tone down her Blackness or to try and make it more palatable. As she made her way into the White House as the second in command, being the proud alumni of historically Black Howard University is an integral part of her identity and part of her appeal to American voters. There aren’t many differences in Obama’s and Harris’ tone. Obama referred to personal experiences when he spoke about the nation’s troubled racial history and Harris similarly has been able to interpret her personal encounters with the country’s racial divide for non-Black audiences. Perhaps the Donald Trump presidency that placed white racial grievance at its center, a summer of nationwide protests over the abuse of Black people in the criminal justice system have all given Harris permission to lean harder into her public identity as a Black woman and to place societal racial gaps higher on her agenda, according to the LATimes. While Obama did not shy from addressing the country’s history of racism, he presented himself as a bridge-builder and emphasized that he was raised by white grandparents in an America that had begun the process of overcoming its racist past.
Petition from Breonna Taylor grand jurors call for Daniel Cameron’s impeachment Defender News Service
Three grand jurors from the Breonna Taylor case have filed an impeachment petition against Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. In the petition, filed with the state House of Representatives, the petitioners note that at Cameron’s Sept. 23 press conference announcing the grand jury decision, he “said his office presented ‘all of the information’
and walked the Grand Jury through ‘every homicide offense’ before the Grand Jury came to its conclusion.” But according to those grand jurors, per the Courier Journal, “neither Cameron nor anyone from his office mentioned any homicide offense to the grand jury. Not only were no homicide offenses presented as alleged, no charges of any kind were presented to the Grand Jury other than the three wanton endangerment
charges against Detective Hankinson.” The petition goes on to allege that the Black Republican “deceived the American people and the citizens of this Commonwealth with regard to his office’s handling and involvement in the Breonna Taylor investigation and the resulting legal actions. Attorney General Cameron misled the public during his hour long national press conference in stating that his office’s investigation found … and the
grand jury agreed that [police] were justified in the return of deadly fire after having been fired upon…” The petition calls for Cameron’s removal from office and disqualify him “from holding any office of honor, trust or profit” within the state because he “lied to the Grand Jury by excluding information and charges available to them, then lied to the public about what he had told the Grand Jury.”
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This shouldn’t be how we say hello...or goodbye.
It’s our reality right now. But it won’t be if we do what it takes to beat COVID-19. Vaccines are coming, but until enough of us are vaccinated, we all still need to wear our masks, stay at least six feet from others, and avoid indoor social gatherings. The more we slow the spread, the faster we’ll return to normal hellos … and fewer goodbyes. Learn more about vaccines and slowing the spread at cdc.gov/coronavirus
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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT DIXON Philosophy of Life: The difference you make for others is the only difference that matters. Life Lessons You have Learned: Humility, Faithfulness, Empathy, Dependability Favorite Color: Blue Favorite Food: Medium rare steak Things the Black Community Can Do: • Unite behind causes that matter. • Learn to love each other and love ourselves. • Work on our education and economic elevation and prosperity because if we’re not educated, we cannot participate economically and without that, we can’t save ourselves. • Become a member of the NAACP Houston Branch.
HOUSTON BRANCH PRESIDENT-ELECT
NAACP Vision of James Dixon By Von Jiles
As we prepare to enter Black History month 2021, the Defender sat down with the president-elect of the NAACP Houston to find out what direction he wants to take the 100 plus-year-old organization. Bishop James Dixon, the pastor of Community of Faith, is no stranger to social activism in Houston, but this position would give him a broader, more traditional platform to work from. The leadership gavel will be passed from Dr. James Douglas to Dixon on Saturday, Feb. 13th at 1pm. Dixon, 58, admits that he is “standing on the shoulders of giants” and “clergy has been at the forefront serving as a catalyst for the movement,” acknowledging the trailblazers’ Wheeler Ave Baptist Church Emeritus pastor William A. Lawson and Antioch Baptist Church Emeritus Pastor F.N. Williams Sr. To capture Dixon in his own words, the Defender focused on key topics. VISION
My vision is to create generational connectivity. We’ve got to connect our destiny and history. There has to be a recruitment of younger African Americans into the NAACP. We’ve got to build an army of NAACP members who are young, excited, energetic, innovative and courageous. We’ve got to recruit them deliberately. We’ve got to develop and empower them…It can’t be the old folk over here and the young people over here. We need all of us working together in the branch… Our future depends on it. In fact, our right now depends on it. ECONOMIC JUSTICE
I have a vision to really elevate the cause of economic justice. Recent disparity studies in our area have proven that for decades and decades, there have been disparities in terms of contractual procurement at Harris County and at the Port. We have got to do better with economic justice not just in the social sector, but also in the corporate sector. When we look at the participation of Blacks and minorities on corporate boards, we’ve got to change those numbers because until there’s economic parity, that will be social disparity. A community cannot heal
itself when it’s not financially viable and strong. So we’ve got to deal with that. African-Americans spend far too much money in our local economy to be ignored. So that’s the fight that we’re going to take on, and we’re going to educate people to understand it. But we’ve also have to motivate those entities, public agencies and corporations to understand the need for it because it empowers all.
treat your illness, right? It’s the same hospital, but there’s new medication, there’s a new doctor, there’s a new prescription, there’s new science. We’re going to bring that same kind of philosophy to the NAACP Dixon comments on where people understand, yes, the organization is NAACP Accomplishments, old, but the treatments are not old. The methodology Insurrection, COVID-19 is not old. There are new ways and new approaches Health Disparities, Voter to dealing with this. The fact is, racism is old. Institutional white supremacy is old - 400-plus years Suppression, and more. SOCIAL JUSTICE | CRIMINAL JUSTICE old, and the knee on our neck for 400 years, it’s not a We’re going to stay in the battle, on the front lines, new knee. We have to understand that we’ve got new as it relates to social justice and criminal justice reform ways of getting things done. If we can solve problems that which is still a big issue. We’ll continue the fight against people care about today, then I think they’ll forget about things that contribute to over-incarceration. We’ve got a sohow old we are and then begin to think about how relevant cial injustice system that is plaguing our community right we are, how soulful we are, how relatable. now in a tremendous way. And we’ve got to do police re- We’ve got to form. I was fortunate to be on the Mayor’s police reform OPPORTUNITIES take advantask force, and now it’s about implementation and execuWe got a sea of potential out there that’s been untion - making sure that we don’t just have a document that tage of this tapped. And so every time we talk about who’s going to looks good on the shelf, but that it actually gets carried out window of op- run for office, we name the same few people. I’m sayinto practice. In policy, we’ve got to change some things. In well, what about those millions of people out there portunity and ing, order for this change to happen, though, we’ve got to be vigthat nobody knows? I think that’s where our opportunity ilant and the NAACP is going to be vigilant as it relates to make sure we for growth and our success really lies. We’ve got to tap police reform, to make sure those reforms get implemented get systemic into that. I think it’s also an opportunity for us now, ecowith great execution. nomically. We got to have more corporate board leaders changes in in the corporations in Houston, the Fortune 500 compolicy, chang- panies. All these boards have a deficit, as it relates to NAACP GOALS We’ve got to increase membership. We need an army. I es that will African-American presence and participation on those plan to lead a very robust membership recruitment camboards. I’m talking about the paid boards, the boards outlast our paign to the point that we need thousands of members. It’s that make economic decisions in our community every amazing how many Blacks are in our city, in our region who positions.” day, where billions of dollars swirl around downtown have never interacted with the NAACP or never been memHouston. bers of the NAACP. We’ve got to recruit those people agSo I think that’s a huge opportunity, especially in this cligressively. We got to tell people who we are, what we do and mate where people now are saying, “We now understand why it’s important. And in a climate like this, that should as a result of George Floyd, that these disparities do exist.” not be hard to sell, right? The racial divide in America and We’ve got to take advantage of this window of opportunity in Houston and in Texas right now, makes it very clear that and make sure we get systemic changes in policy, changes we’ve got our stalwart social justice activism. I think that that will outlast our positions. And that’s the key for me. I think the challenge is, however, we’ve got to be sure that the NAACP has to do a better job with communicating that we collaborate more and not do things in isolation. I have our advocacy is on behalf of the common, everyday citizen. a vision for a collaborative coalition of justice. So whether We’re going to take the NAACP to the streets, to the neighit’s the Innocence Project and Black Lives Matter and the borhoods, knocking on doors on street corners. People are Urban League and LULAC --all of us, the soldier justice going to know who we are, what we’re about, and that we’re organizations have to work together. here for them. People who are poor do not have choices. And that’s OLD SCHOOL NAACP the real issue for us. We have to give them an apparatus I get excited when people say (NAACP) it’s old school and to pull themselves up. We’re going to rally. But beyond outdated. You know everything gets old, if it stays around. that, we’re going to be at the board table. We’re going to The key is to continue to reinvent yourself and represent be talking to corporate America, to the board chairman, yourself in a way that we remain relevant, resourceful and to the CEOs of these corporations, saying, “What are you relatable. And that’s going to be what I’m going to push as a doing to reinvest?” To live in the shadows of skyscrapers, resourceful NAACP. That means changing methodologies, in the billions of dollars in downtown Houston and there changing the language and representation and identifying is abject poverty next door to it, is an oxymoron that rewith the needs people have. Now, I think that is the key. veals that we don’t have a lack of cash. We have a lack of If you get sick and go to the hospital, you won’t be bothcommitment and compassion. We want to be that voice ered that the hospital is 200-years-old, as long as it could for those who need it. WATCH VIDEO ON DEFENDERNETWORK.COM
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DN Events
UPCOMING VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON EVENTS
filled with African Americans. These two and all other HMH Black History Month events are free and available virtually on Zoom. For complete information and to RSVP, visit hmh.org/events.
The Houston Museum of African American Culture presents a free virtual screening of the Emmy Award-winning documentary “The Apollo” as part of the HMAAC’s virtual screening series, “The Power of Arts and Culture.” To register, go to https://watch.eventive.org/theapollo/ play/5fa102e88d8b630045177c39.
Police Misconduct & Qualified Immunity: Reimagining ‘We the People,’ Feb. 4, 9am – 5pm
The Apollo Documentary Virtual Screening Series, Jan. 30, 6pm
Holocaust Museum Houston Celebrates Black History Month, Feb. 4 & 11, 6pm
Holocaust Museum Houston (HMH) will kick off its multi-event celebration of Black History Month by hosting Kam Franklin, local activist and lead singer of The Suffers, for a lecture and performance piece on the interconnections healing and unity have with the acceptance of trauma, radical healing, empathy, education, and inclusivity. On February 11, HMH will screen the documentary film from Ava DuVernay, “13th,” exploring the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation’s prisons are disproportionately
In observance of Black History Month, Thurgood Marshall School of Law (TMSL) will host a virtual national conference, sponsored by the American Association for Justice Robert L. Habush Endowment, entitled “Police Misconduct & Qualified Immunity: Reimagining ‘We the People’” on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 from 9am – 5pm at TSU’s TMSL. This conference, organized in partnership with the Earl Carl Institute for Legal & Social Policy, the Thurgood Marshall Law Review and the TSU Center for Justice Research co-present a virtual national conference, will examine the long-lasting effect of police violence on families, remedies for people injured by police violence and how protestors should be treated given First Amendment Protections, including a review of the inequitable treatment of Black protestors throughout U.S. history. Register here: https://host.regform.com/police-misconduct-qualified.../.
The first look at the Holocaust Museum Houston Lester and Sue Smith Campus.
R YAN WHITE P LANNING C OUNCIL M EETINGS FOR 2021 February 11 May 13 August 12 November 11 March 11 June 10 September 9 December 9 April 8 July 8 October 14 Council meetings are open to the public and although only Council members can vote, Public Comment is welcome at the beginning of every meeting. The Council currently meets virtually via Zoom Teleconference on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 12noon. Call the office for info about meetings or check our online calendar. Meeting materials and the Zoom link (or physical location if applicable) are posted on the calendar about one week prior to each meeting. Attend a Meeting Apply for Membership Be a Participant
The calendar of all Council and Committee meetings and a wealth of other information is available on our website. Check the calendar regularly for topics of specific interest to you. Join our E-List to receive info about Council and community events. We hope to see you soon! HOUSTON RYAN WHITE PLANNING COUNCIL
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DN Education Texas lawmakers address public education challenges By Tiana Woodard
This early into the 87th legislative session, many uncertainties remain as local Black lawmakers try to address public education demands underscored by COVID-19 and ongoing fights against racial injustice. The Defender spoke with Rep. Alma Allen and Rep. Harold Dutton during the session’s quiet times about what the two Black legislative incumbents are doing this session to tackle challenges in local public education. Rep. Alma Allen
Left behind Report reveals Black, Hispanic, poor students suffered most from COVID school closures By ReShonda Tate Billingsley
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of most U.S. schools in the spring, students were thrown into new and unfamiliar ways of learning. The true toll these disruptions have taken on student learning won’t be known for years, but a recent report offers a glimpse into how the coronavirus pandemic has affected students’ academic performance – and it’s no surprise that minority students were hit hardest. The report comes from NWEA, a nonprofit organization that measures the growth and performance of students from grades pre-K to 12. Researchers examined how students this year performed relative to their peers last year, whether they saw academic growth since the pandemic began and how their test scores compared to earlier projections. The study’s authors looked at test scores from this fall for about 4.4 million public school students in grades 3-8. The data was collected from about 8,000 schools across 46 states. While a majority of students did better than expected in reading — scoring at levels similar to typical non-pandemic years — this wasn’t true for Black and Hispanic students and those who attend high-poverty schools. Those groups of students saw slight declines, suggesting the
pandemic has exacerbated long-standing educational disparities, possibly setting children who were already behind their white and more affluent peers even further behind. While there is no exact data as of yet, Fort Bend Independent School District is among those schools trying to combat that problem head on. “The data in Fort Bend ISD indicates that many of our students are struggling with the impact of COVID-19, and we are concerned about the same national trends impacting our Black, Hispanic and low-income students,” said Fort Bend ISD President Addie Heyliger. “We are analyzing our data and drilling down to the individual student-level to identify their needs so we can provide interventions both inside and outside of the classroom, including wraparound supports for the families.” “We do want to caution that the fact that we’re not seeing very big differences right now could underestimate the gaps that may be forming for the students who are fully disengaged from school and missing from our data,” said Megan Kuhfeld, the lead author of the study. Students of all racial groups performed worse in math compared to their peers last year, with scores about 5 to 10 percentage points lower, according to the report. And though students in almost all grades 3-8 are showing growth in reading and math from the time the pandemic began, they improved in math at a lower rate on average than their peers in previous years. Still, the findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic and the learning disruptions it caused have been less detrimental than researchers had expected. Students performed better in both reading and math than NWEA projected in an April report.
Texas lawmakers made history during the 86th legislative session with House Bill 3, which boosted public education funding and dropped property taxes statewide. The House’s base budget this session released Thursday [RTB1] made funding HB 3 a priority, but Allen said she wants to ensure the money remains. She said she plans on filing a bill that would raise HB 3’s funding to cover early childhood education for parents that don’t qualify. “I know there’s going to be a lot of pressure for parents to look out for the technology that’s going to be coming down (because of COVID-19),” Allen said. “We’re really trying to hold the line with HB 3.” Because of COVID-19, Allen said she also plans on introducing legislation to raise teacher pay and widen technology access for underserved students. Other legislation in the works from Allen’s office includes requiring the teaching of Black and Hispanic history in schools statewide. Rep. Harold Dutton
While pushing to maintain HB 3’s historic gains, Dutton said he wants to use this session to finally address educational disparities that existed well before the pandemic. “One of the things we’ve done to improve public education has always been to raise the ceiling,” Dutton said. “We’ve never really tried to raise the floor.” “Raising the ceiling” has only kept equitable education further from underserved children’s reach, he said. Despite the extra demands brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dutton — like many lawmakers — anticipates fewer bills being filed and making their way to the governor’s desk this year. Typically, between 6,000 and 7,000 bills are filed during each legislative session. Dutton said he expects a fraction of that in 2021. “Anything that involves a group of people coming together simply acts as a super spreader for this pandemic we’re in,” Dutton said. “We’re going to be looking at having a lot less achievement in terms of the kind of effect we generally have on the state of Texas.” Visit DefenderNetwork.com for a list of public education legislation already filed by Black Houston lawmakers this session.
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DN Sports Texas Southern forward Alexander Galen led four Tigers players in double figures with 14 points in the 66-57 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
The Rockets acquired Kevin Porter Jr. in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers that will send a protected second round pick to Cleveland for the troubled young player.
NFL Blackout African American coaches passed over By Terrance Harris
When the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers meet for Super Bowl LV in a week it will be historic for a reason that won’t grab headlines. Three African American coordinators will have played a major role in each of these teams reaching the pinnacle game. But don’t be surprised when Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Bucs coordinators Todd Bowles (defense) and Byron Leftwich (offense) are all left out in the cold for NFL head coaching opportunities. White men with far lesser resumes have already leapfrogged them this offseason. Six of the seven NFL head coaching vacancies have already been filled by non-African Americans, and depending on what the Texans do this week, it could be a total blackout when it comes to NFL head coaching hires this go-round. The continued disrespect the NFL has shown for African American head coaches has drawn great criticism across the country. People seem to be forgetting just how much of a sham the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which mandates that teams must interview at least one minority for each head coaching opening, really is. Owners meet with Black coaches and then hire white coaches they are more comfortable with. As of Monday, five of the six head coaching hires were white men. Robert Saleh, who is of Arab decent, is the lone minority hire so far. “I am going to be really honest with you, it’s just racism, straight up racism,” said Dr. Kevin Simms, CEO and Founder of the Houston-based African American Coaches Association. The numbers seem to support Simms’ belief. Of the 32 NFL teams, only two are headed African American coaches. Black players make up 69% of the NFL and 35% of the assistant coaches. The NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell seemed to say all of the right things at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement following the killing of Houston-native George Floyd. But when it came time to show proof of the league’s growth
Super Bowl bound coaches Todd Bowles
and willingness to give more than lip service to hiring of African American coaches, the NFL has shown it’s business as usual. At the start of this week, the Texans were left as the NFL’s last chance to hire an African American coach this go-around. The Texans were believed to be vetting coaching veterans Jim Caldwell and Leslie Frazier, along with Bieniemy. But that seems to be more of a knee-jerk reaction to disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Watson who is likely seeking a trade because owner Cal McNair didn’t initially consider a minority for either the head coach or general manager opening, and did not consult Watson as he said he would. Simms said he had a meeting set up to talk with Houston Texans president Jamey Rootes in recent weeks but it didn’t happen. Rootes canceled the meeting, informing Simms that McNair had already put together a committee that included Rod Graves of the Fritz Pollard Alliance. “I asked Jamey Rootes to be on that committee for hiring the coach and general manager, just as Deshaun did,” Simms said. “I was supposed to have a Zoom meeting with them at 4 o’clock on a Saturday but he canceled the meeting. “I was pissed because the bottom line is it isn’t important to them.”
Eric Bieniemy
Byron Leftwich
Leslie Frazier Jim Caldwell
Houston Texans head coach candidates
Eric Bieniemy
Sports Briefs Pistons coach warned about Wood It seems that Rockets breakout star Christian Wood wasn’t highly thought of in some NBA circles prior to signing with Detroit last year. According to Pistons coach Christian Dwane Casey, he Wood received several calls warning him not to sign the journeyman center. Casey didn’t listen, Wood finished strong with the Pistons last season and earned a $41 million contract with the Rockets in the offseason. Ex-Panther to play in Super Bowl Former Prairie View standout defensive lineman Quinton Bell has earned a trip to the Super Bowl Quinton Bell as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He wreaked havoc in the SWAC in his only season at defensive end for the Panthers, accumulating 45 tackles, 10 for loss and 7.5 sacks. Bell was drafted in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Raiders before joining the Buccaneers. TSU volleyball player on All-SWAC team Texas Southern sophomore outside hitter Danielle Lilley has been named to the 2021 Spring Danielle SWAC Preseason Lilley Volleyball Team. The Lady Tigers volleyball team was picked third in the preseason poll which was voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors. Lilley earned 2019 All-SWAC Tournament honors and finished her freshman year ranked second on the team in kills (254) and second on the team in points scored (273). She was also the SWAC’s Player of the Week on Oct. 23.
January 28, 2021 |
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports SHARPSTOWN FORWARD
Josh Farmer can do it all By Jodie B. Jiles
School, who had beat Sharpstown Before the arrival of 4-year letterearlier in an up-and-down 7-11 men, senior Josh Farmer, Sharpstown ABOUT JOSH FARMER overall record (5-3 in district) year. High School’s basketball program was Height: 6’8” When Sharpstown head basin turmoil. During Farmer’s junior year, Weight: 195 lbs. ketball coach Benjamin Garrett he played a leading role in the Apollos Twitter/ Instagram: was asked what makes Farmer securing a playoff spot, yet scouts doubted so special, Garrett shared, “Josh him as a strong enough recruit to take @joshiowrld is a phenomenal athlete and has his game to the next level. So, Farmer not Current Offers: a 3.7 GPA.” only added an inch in to his 6-foot-7-inch Florida State, Texas A&M, “He has changed SharpLSU, Univ. of Houston, frame, he also put on 15-to-20 pounds of TCU, TSU… stown basketball by being lean muscle. able to just go hard all the Farmer is currently uncommitted Players He Studies: time. A lot of people doubt Kevin Durant, Lebron James to any schools, but has 11 offers and and Anthony Davis him and say he was soft as is ranked as the 10th best prospect in a kid, but he continued to Favorite Artist: the state’s 2021 class according to 247 Lil Baby, Ralo, NoCap get better in just doing Sports. the little things. He was Farmer’s game is pretty all-around. He Hobbies: Gaming and in the gym first and making money can do it all on the basketball court, using the last one out of the his height, length, speed and agility. With Shoutouts: Everybody at gym, and he helped Sharpstown at the time. the right strength and conditioning prohis brothers that he gram on the next level, Farmer could defi- We all family. had been with for four nitely be a slasher in the paint on offense, years.” Garrett concludes. and a shot blocker on defense. Not to mention, he can The Defender spoke with Farmer after the rebound too. recent Madison game to discuss his style of play, Farmer currently has his team back in the hunt for the offensive and defensive presence, major influences final playoff spot after the Apollos defeated Madison High and more. STYLE OF PLAY “Usually, I start inside and come outside. If I am killing it on the inside, I stay inside. And if I feel I am killing on the outside, I come outside and kill it.” SCORING / PASSING OPTION “If they are doubling me and I see anybody open I just get them the ball. If I feel like I got the mismatch, I just take them because if I feel I can take over the game, I take over the game.” DEFENSIVE RIM PRESENCE “I am not going to lie; no one is dunking on me. That’s just facts. My arms are too long and no one is going to just dunk on me.” MADISON VICTORY “Energy and discipline. In the first match we didn’t have any energy or discipline in a morning game. We weren’t mentally prepared. But today we came prepared when we put up shots before the game and just came in ready.”
Farmer sends a shot back into the stands with a block.
MOVING FORWARD “We just want to let the district know we are not losing anymore. We are 5-3 now. In the last three games we lost we were on some bull, playing around. Now we are letting the district know we are here.”
12 | January 28, 2021 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Obits Well-known volunteer Drucie Chase dies By Marilyn Marshall
The Atlanta Braves Pay Tribute to Hank Aaron at Truist Park on January 24, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. Credit: mpi34/MediaPunch /IPX
Loss of a Legend
Hank Aaron’s death prompts call to change name: Braves to Hammers Associated Press
As his adopted hometown mourned Hank Aaron’s death, some fans called on the Atlanta Braves to change their name to the Hammers in his honor. “Hammerin’ Hank” died Friday at age 86, drawing praise from all segments of society — including the current and former presidents — for his Hall of Fame career and providing inspiration to Black Americans by overcoming intense racism in his pursuit of baseball’s home run record. The governors of both Georgia and Alabama ordered flags to be flown at halfstaff in honor of Aaron — the Hammer was born in the port city of Mobile and called Atlanta home for much of his life. The NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United and Georgia Tech’s football team all announced they would retire Aaron’s trademark No. 44 for their 2021 seasons. The number was long ago retired by the Braves. “May generations of Georgians continue to be inspired by his groundbreaking career and tremendous impact on our state and nation.” - Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said. “He inspired many young boys and
girls to pursue their dreams and pursue excellence in whatever they do.” - Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey The Braves opened up Truist Park to fans for the first time since the 2019 season, allowing them to pay socially distanced tribute to Aaron at his statue located in a monument garden on the main stadium concourse. Other fans paid tribute at a display honoring his 715th homer, which is in a parking lot for the stadium formerly known as Turner Field. The site was the home of Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium, where the Braves played for 31 seasons after moving from Milwaukee in 1966. The Hammer spent nearly all of his 23year career with the Braves, whose nickname has drawn some criticism as being offensive to Native Americans. Social media buzzed with calls to change the moniker to match Aaron’s nickname. There was even a fledgling online petition backing the idea. “The renaming serves two important purposes: 1) It honors an icon who represented our city with grace and dignity for more than half a century, and 2) It removes the stain on the city of having a
Baseball Hall Of Famer, Hank Aaron, passed away at 86. Hank Aaron attends the premiere of “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” at The Ziegfeld in New York City on August 5, 2013. Photo Credit: Henry McGee/MediaPunch /IPX
team name that dishonors Native and Indigenous people, especially given one of the greatest tragedies in American History, the Trail of Tears, began in the region the team calls home,” the petition said. The Braves have steadfastly resisted calls to change their name, saying they view it as a tribute to Native Americans rather than a slur.
Services were recently held for Drucie Rucker Chase, a well-known community volunteer and the wife of the late architectural pioneer John S. Chase. She died Jan. 19 at age 89. Mrs. Chase served on the boards of the Municipal Arts Commission, Institute for International Education, Houston Botanic Garden, Emancipation Park Drucie Chase Conservancy and Houston Museum of African American Culture. She was a former president of the Houston Chapter of the Links and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Jack & Jill and The Moles. She was a devoted member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for almost 70 years. She often hosted fundraisers, political receptions and social events at her Third Ward home, which was designed by her husband of 62 years. John S. Chase was the first African American licensed to practice architecture in the state of Texas, as well as the first African American admitted to the Texas Society of Architects and Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. His firm designed such structures as the George R. Brown Convention Center, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, national headquarters of both The Links and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia. Drucie Chase was born in Austin and graduated from what is now Huston-Tillotson University with a B.A. in English at age 19. She taught elementary school in Austin and at Grimes and Dodson elementary schools in Houston. After retiring from teaching she was dedicated to rearing her three children and assisting her husband in growing his architectural firm. Survivors include her son Tony Chase and his wife Dina al Sowayel, daughter Saundria Chase Gray and her husband Jerome Gray, daughter-in-law Brenda Peters Chase, a sister and five grandchildren. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be made to the UNCF John and Drucie Chase Young Builders Award at www.uncf.org/donatehouston or mailed to UNCF, 945 McKinney St., Suite 581, Houston, Texas, 77002.