Houston Defender: May 10, 2012

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HASTING HIGH SCHOOL’S ALI AHMED HOPES TO BEAT RIVAL P11

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Volume 81 | Number 28 WEEK OF MAY 10, 2012 | FREE

LOCAL BRIEFS

HPD CHIEF McCLELLAND testifies at officer’s trial

P3 U.S. BRIEFS OPINION

ERIC HOLDER says violence unacceptable

P4

A new dynamic in

School Violence H Page 6

SPORTS

JOE ANDERSON of TSU signs with Bears

P10 CHAGS PLACE

Lloyd Gite, Tom Logans, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Renee Logans at booksigning

P12

If Obama loses, what’s Plan B?

The November election is less than six months away and President Barack Obama is not running against a failed Bush administration.

Commentary He’s running on his own record. What will the AfricanAmerican community do if Obama loses and they have to deal with Mitt Romney?

H Page 4

Christina Milian relishes role

Versatile entertainer Christina Milian has a resume that includes film, television, theater and music.

Most recently, she gained a wider audience by serving as the social media correspondent on “The Voice” on NBC. “I’ve always been heavily engaged with my fans on the Internet from day one,” Milian says.

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WEEK OF MAY 10 | 2012 | DEFENDER

newstalk

Ovide Duncantell, Metro agree on MLK tree in 1959.

At issue for Duncantell was a previous agreement the BHS had with Metro to move vide Duncantell, director of the the tree only after supplying him with an Black Heritage Society (BHS), MOU. For Metro, moving the tree out of the recently ended his protest in which path of its Southeast rail expansion meant he chained himself to a tree named saving potentially millions in costs. in honor of Dr. Martin Luther “We okayed Metro’s King Jr. dates to move the tree with the The tree was being understanding that we would moved a short distance away have an MOU signed before to MacGregor Park to make the tree was moved,” Duncway for the Metro rail project antell explained. “But Metro under construction between started back-pedaling on us.”

Palm Center and downtown.

Duncantell then took Duncantell wanted to secure for matters into his own hands by his organization the final word chaining himself to the tree on where exactly the tree would he planted 29 years ago in be placed. commemoration of Dr. King, He received an agreement to make sure Metro kept its between the City of Houston, word.

Metro and the BHS that met the Ovide Duncantell “Back in 1980 the City organization’s demands. approved a $100,000 project “We will be the custodian of the tree and to build an MLK statue, with the city paying MLK plaza which will contain the tree and an $90,000 and the BHS raising $10,000,” he MLK statue,” Duncantell said. said. “The City donated land at MLK and “I have the Memorandum of Understand- OST to house the statue. But because we ing (MOU) in my hand right now signed could not come to certain agreements, we by [George] Greanias and Mayor [Annise] broke company.

Parker,” said Duncantell, a mainstay in Hous“It was Dr. King’s father who served ton political affairs since arriving in the city as our first grand marshal of the first MLK

O

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

parade in America who suggested planting a tree on the land, saying years from now they may try to take this land from you and you won’t be able to identify it,” said Duncantell.

That tree, until recently, blocked Metro’s expansion plans. However, an addendum to the original agreement, according to Metro spokesperson Jerome Gray, allowed the tree to be moved on May 3, and the BHS to guide the development of the MLK plaza.

According to Duncantell and Gray, the agreement is a win also for Houston taxpayers.

“Resolving the tree issue cost $750,000 ($100,000 for relocation of the tree and up to $650,000 for a memorial for Dr. King) and now allows us to continue construction of the rail line through that intersection. Going around the tree would have cost Metro $3 million. From that standpoint this agreement amounts to a $2.25 million savings,” Gray said.

“Now that we’ve moved the tree, the City and taxpayers have been saved $2.25 million. Our agreement helped Metro and the City tremendously,” said Duncantell, who was equally excited about the MLK Plaza.

“We’ve done something that’s never happened before – having a park within a park – a plaza which will improve the aesthetics of the community immensely.”

HISD withdraws plan to close Ryan Defender News Services

The Houston Independent School District board withdrew a plan to close Ryan Middle School in Third Ward.

Under the proposal, students from Ryan would have been sent to Attucks, Cullen, Dowling, Lanier and Pershing middle schools next year.

Board Trustee Paula Harris, whose district includes the school, asked Superintendent Terry Grier to return with a proposal to keep Ryan open while providing funds to adequately educate students.

Enrollment at Ryan had dropped to 265 students, and the school struggled to afford certain personnel and elective courses.

localbriefs POLICE CHIEF CHARLES MCCLELLAND JR. testified in the trial of Andrew Blomberg, the first of four HPD officers tried in the videotaped beating of teen robbery suspect Chad Holley. McClelland said the actions of Blomberg were “contrary to department policy, training and state law.” He also said the officers charged should have been indicted for felonies instead of misdemeanors……...HARRY E. JOHNSON SR., president and CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be the keynote speaker for the May 12 commencement at Texas Southern University. Johnson received his J.D.

from TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law……..

RESIDENTS IN THE YELLOWSTONE PARK area of Southeast Houston are concerned about two recent murders. On May 1, Brandon Bryant, 28, was shot by an unknown male suspect while sitting in his car with the door open in the 3700 block of Alice. He was taken to Ben Taub Hospital, where he died. On May 4, about 300 family member and friends gathered at the park for a candlelight vigil for Bryant. Dexter Gerald August, 35, got into an argument with another person at the vigil and was shot several times. He was pronounced dead at Ben Taub. Police are still looking

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for the killers……..THE NEXT PUBLIC HEARING on proposed international service to Hobby Airport is Tuesday, May 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Marriott Houston South, 9100 Gulf Freeway. There will be a question-and-answer session with Houston Airport System Director Mario Diaz and time allotted for public comments……. THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT recently dedicated the Lois J. Moore Eligibility Center, which is named in honor of the former hospital district president and CEO. The center, located at 8901 Boone Road, is adjacent to the El Franco Lee Health Center.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF MAY 10 | 2012

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U.S.briefs

Commentary:

If Obama loses, what’s Plan B?

By Wilmer J. Leon III NNPA Columnist

A

s the country moves into the full scale presidential election process, a troubling pattern is developing within certain segments of the AfricanAmerican community.

There’s a concerted effort by some to silence those who are offering honest, valid, and well thought out analysis and criticism of the Obama administration.

I’ve written about individuals such as Tom Joyner, Steve Harvey, Al Sharpton and others who have attempted to label honest policy debate as betrayal.

Former Princeton Professor Melissa Harris-Perry referred to Professor Cornell West’s critique of the Obama administration as, “a self-aggrandizing, victimology sermon deceptively wrapped in the discourse of prophetic witness…”

The 2012 election will be much different than the 2008

“What will happen if African Americans have to get away from the politics of personality and actually decide to deal with the politics of policy?” election. President Obama is not running against a failed Bush administration; he’s running on his own record. He’s running against subtle and sometimes obvious bigoted rhetoric as well as the usual voter suppression tactics.

As Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman recently stated, the same thieves who backed Bush

are backing Romney. President Obama is running against 8.3 percent unemployment and a shaky economy. Hope and change will not carry him to victory in 2012.

Senator Obama received 96 percent of the African-American vote in 2008. It is expected that President Obama will receive close to the same percentage this time around, although the turnout may be lower.

The issue for the AfricanAmerican community is what’s the “B-Plan?”

What will the AfricanAmerican community do in the event that President Obama loses and they have to deal with a President Romney? What will happen if African Americans have to get away from the politics of personality and actually decide to deal with the politics of policy?

Mitt Romney has endorsed House Republican Budget Chairman Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) budget plan. Various analyses show that budget plan cuts food stamps by $134 billion over 10 years and would remove 280,000 Continued on Page 8

ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER said the homicide rate among young Black men is “unacceptable,” and the Justice Department is committing “unprecedented” resources to address violence to which young people are exposed. Holder made the comments during the Detroit Branch of the NAACP’s Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner. He said an average of two young Black men are killed each week in Detroit. “This is an issue that has garnered significant national attention in recent months, as our nation has struggled to make sense of the tragic shooting death of a Florida teenager named Trayvon Martin,” Holder said…….. THE LAST OF 11 PEOPLE facing felony hazing charges in the death of Florida A&M University band member Robert Champion recently turned herself in. Lasherry Codner, 20, was released on a $15,000 bail shortly after she was booked into the Orange County jail. Two others are charged with misdemeanor hazing in the case. The victim’s mother, Pam Champion, said her family is disappointed the suspects didn’t face more serious charges. She also thinks the FAMU program should be disbanded. “You’ve got to clean house,” she said……..BARRING AN UNEXPECTED EXTENSION from a federal judge, May 11 will be the last day for Black farmers to file claims under the class-action suit known as Pigford II. More than 60 groups supporting Black farmers sent a letter to U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman in Washington, D.C., requesting a 90-day extension. Pigford v. Glickman (1999) was a class action lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture alleging racial discrimination in its allocation of farm loans and assistance. Almost $1 billion has been paid or credited to more than 13,000 farmers under the settlement. In 2010, Congress appropriated $1.2 billion for Pigford II. Interested farmers can contact the lawsuit administrator at 877-810-8110, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund at 404/765-0991, or visit their website at www.federation.coop.

VOLUME 81 • NUMBER • 28 WEEK OF MAY 10, 2012

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley

Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila People Editor Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender 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 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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WEEK OF May 10 | 2012 | DEFENDER

entertainment

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Christina Milian

relishes different role

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By KAM WILLIAMS Defender

orn in New Jersey in 1981, but raised in Waldorf, Md., Christina Milian is a versatile talent whose resume includes film, television, theater and music. She recently appeared in the television movie “The Christmas Cupid” and on “CSI,” and enjoyed a recurring role as the voice of Esther on “Family Guy.” She also starred in the last installment of the popular “Bring It On” franchise titled “Bring It On: Fight to the Finish.” Prior to that, Milian’s feature-film credits include “Pulse,” “Be Cool,” “Man of the House,” “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “Torque.”

Christina began her showbiz career at a young age, when she became a junior journalist on the Disney Channel’s “Movie Surfers.”

Christina’s “It’s About Time,” released on Island/Def Jam Recordings, featured the mega-hit “Dip It Low,” which combined a unique blend of urban, Latin and pop sounds. Her self-titled debut, “Christina Milian,” produced the hit “AM to PM.” She moved to California at the age of 13 and was selected to sing the hook on Ja Rule’s No. 1 hit single, “Between Me and You.” The enormous success of the song introduced her to the mainstream music world and gave her commercial success.

Christina subsequently co-wrote the Jennifer Lopez hit “Play” and she was one of the co-writers of Justin Bieber’s smash “Baby.”

Here, she talks about serving as the social media correspondent on NBC’s “The Voice, where she has brought viewers closer to the com-

petition as a bridge between the on-air and online experiences.

Kam Williams: What interested you in being the social media correspondent on “The Voice?”

Christina Milian: Well, I thought it was an interesting concept when they approached me with the idea, because I’ve always been heavily engaged with my fans on the Internet from day one. That connection’s one of the reasons why I’ve been able to enjoy such longevity in my career. I guess NBC must have noticed that one of my main staples is social media. So, when they approached me for “The Voice,” I thought “Why not be the first one to do it?”

KW: When do you work in that capacity? During the hours the show is on the air?

Christina: No, all the time. I tweet day and night about the show, and the entire time while it’s airing. So, the fans are completely engaged while it’s on. But I constantly get messages asking questions about the stars of “The Voice.” I also posted a ton of interviews I’ve done with all the artists, the coaches and the advisers on the show. So, I do my job 24/7.

KW: What do you think of the show’s blind audition format?

Christina: I love it! That’s what make our show unique and gives it so much more integrity. It’s about vocals, and you have to stand out to get the attention of these four, Grammy-winning superstars who have an amazing ear and know what they’re talking about. They rely on their ear as well as the reacContinued on Page 9

What’sup OPRAH WINFREY received some good news and some bad news. The good news is that ratings for OWN network have risen recently.

The increase is due in part to her show, “Oprah’s Next Chapter,” which has scored interviews such as the one with Whitney Houston’s family. The bad news is that her network is still struggling financially. Bloomberg Businessweek reported that the network might have lost $330 million since it began in 2008…….. Outkast rapper ANDRE 3000 is playing JIMI HENDRIX in a biopic titled “All Is By My Side.” Andre

previously appeared in such movies as “SemiPro,” “Idlewild” and “Four Brothers.” Filming is scheduled to begin later this month in Ireland.

Hendrix (1942-1970) is considered the greatest electric guitarist in music history and one of the most influential musicians of his era. He was ranked No. 3 on VH1’s list of the 100 Greatest Artists of Rock N’ Roll, behind the Rolling Stones and the Beatles……..CHAKA KHAN wants to be an “X Factor” judge. According to TMZ, she is “dying to be considered for the lucrative gig and instructed her people to reach

out to producers of the show.” Khan, who has 40 years of entertainment experience, has won 10 Grammy Awards. The show, created by Simon Cowell, recently finished auditions for its upcoming season……..TUPAC SHAKUR’S album sales have skyrocketed nearly 600 percent since his hologram at the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, Calif. The life-like image of a shirtless Shakur was joined onstage by Snoop Dogg for their duet, “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted.” The rapper was murdered in Las Vegas in 1996. His killer was never caught.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF MAY 10 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

A new dynamic in

cover

School Violence T

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention stated: “In recent years, schools and communities have experienced a rise in aggression, delinquency, and bullying among girls and young women.”

In 2009, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that “one in four adolescent girls has been the perpetrator of or has participated in a violent act in the past year.”

This rise in female violence is not merely a U.S. issue, as countries such as Spain and Australia are reporting similar findings of increased aggression among teenage girls.

Statistics show that violence by girls in schools soared by 70 percent in New South Wales, Australia, from 2005-2010.

Closer to home, Texas Southern University professor Dr. Sharlette A. Kellum, who specializes in school violence prevention, is certain the rise is no mirage, and believes she has identified some of the potential causes.

While some argue that the perceived increase in girl

ment in their environments.”

Kellum believes today’s violence is different than school fights from past decades.

“I go back to the parents, and a growing lack of supervision and training. Many times with a parent their job becomes the priority; bills become the priority; a significant other becomes the priority. But when will the child become the priority?”

The unwillingness of teachers to get involved has added to the opportunity for increased violence.

“Wherever the children are; wherever they believe they can get away with it, be it at lunch, recess or in a classroom with poor management, youth will fight, and sometimes fight teachers who dare to get involved,” added Kellum, who stressed that schoolgirl violence transcends race and income.

“This issue is all over. Like domestic violence, it knows no color. And it’s starting younger. I have reports of elementary students fighting, bullying, harassing, and carrying weapons,” said Kellum.

he recent videotaped fight between two Thurgood Marshall High School female students has shed light on school violence in general and violence perpetrated by girls in particular.

Prosecutors have since filed charges against both students, and the disturbing cell phone video shot inside the Fort Bend County school is cause for concern in the Black community.

“Sadly this is not an isolated incident,” said State Rep. Sylvester Turner. “We are losing control of our schools.”

This new dynamic in school violence is troubling for two reasons. First, the phone video of the incident has made the rounds on social media sites and local newscasts.

Second, the increased aggression in teenage girls points to a bigger problem.

Tamela Flowers, the mother of one of the girls involved in the fight, said she warned Marshall’s principal that her daughter had been targeted by another girl. Flowers, howWhat can be done ever, claims that the school staff did nothing Besides making the child a priority to stop it.

In a letter to parents and guardians of with any kind of problem. TalkLine received and being more involved in that child’s “From what I observed on the cell Thurgood Marshall High School students, over 4,400 calls during the first 12 months life, Kellum believes adults have to help phone video, no one intervened – not a the school’s principal, Trevor Lemon, said of operation. The number is 281-240-TALK. youth become more comfortable speakteacher, not an administrator and not one of that the Fort Bend ISD Police was actively • Call an anonymous Student Crime ing out. the many students who showed up for this investigating the videotaped altercation Stoppers Hotline which students can use “If something is not right – if entertainment,” said Turner, who recently between the two female sophomores. to report concerns about their safety or you’re not being taught well in called a news conference about the school “As an added safety measure, we have concerns about the safety of others. The school, if you’re bullied or malviolence issue. additional police assistance at our campus number is 281.491.TIPS (281-491-8477). nourished – talk to mom, a close “And while this horrific video has during arrival and dismissal times. We also • If there is an emergency, call 911 or the relative, church member, school captured the community’s and the media’s have extra teachers and administrators police department. administrator, or a friend’s parent. attention, it is just the latest in a series of closely monitoring our hallways and stair“We ask our students to talk with a trustWe have to get kids comfortable tellviolence, bullying and intimidation affecting wells between classes and during arrival ed adult – a teacher, counselor, administraing us what’s going on,” said Kellum. our children at their schools,” he said. and dismissal times,” Lemon wrote. tor or police officer – if anyone or anything Turner reiterated “Our children need to know that we Lemon’s communication provided makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable,” Kellum’s suggestions, love them, we support them, we will be there the following tips for parents to help their Lemon said. stating that parents for them, we will work to make our schools children stay safe: “We are currently reviewing these and students need to and neighborhoods better for them,” Turner • Talk to campus counselors when at reporting procedures and using information report potential acts of added. “But they also need to know that bad school. They are available to talk to stuobtained in this investigation to immediviolence to teachers, behaviors are not the new norm and will not dents about any concerns. ately make whatever changes are necessary counselors or adminisbe tolerated.

• Use TalkLine, a 24/7 crisis hotline for at our campus to ensure the safety of our trators and they should “Bullying has gone to a higher level and students to call to get immediate assistance students.” have confidence that children are losing their lives,” said Congresstheir concerns will be woman Sheila Jackson Lee, who recently taken seriously. filed a national anti-bullying bill seeking to Turner convinced Speaker Joe Straus address the issue on a national scale. delinquency could be due, in part, to more stringent zeroof the Texas House of Representatives tolerance policies leading to more arrests, Kellum sees the Girl violence on the rise to take a serious look at school violence rise in violence as real, and a product of absent adults.

Not everyone is in agreement that female violence is both during the interim and during the next “With single parents out working, or away from home, legislative session. In addition, Turner asked any different today than in years past. young girls are more likely to get into situations they were A 2010 New York Times op-ed argued that the notion the commissioner of the Texas Education Agency to not privy to in the past,” said Kellum, who added that a lack investigate the latest violent incident at Marshall to of rising female student violence is a myth. Pointing to of role models and mentors also plays a role. statistics from multiple agencies including the FBI, the Dedetermine what happened and how the community “Some even suggest that the movement to women partment of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control, the can be assured that schools will be violence-free the being the bosses and main breadwinners, and the sense of authors claim no evidence of increased incidents of female remainder of the year. empowerment associated with those roles, has impacted violence exists.

Congressman Al Green, whose district inyoung girls to express that same sense of power and entitleYet, a 2011 report by the National Center for Mental cludes Marshall, challenged students to, “Stop the

A message to parents

defendernetwork.com • Serving th

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rpage

10 tips for preventing school violence

silence and end the violence.” Green provided two phone numbers students can call to report problems anonymously (281-240-8255 and 281-4918477).

Green and Turner urged extra caution for the final day of classes, while Jackson Lee called on Houston-area schools to be the prototype for best practices to stop bullying and violence.

Along with urging zero tolerance for violence, Rep. Senfronia Thompson, representing the Texas Legislative Black Caucus (TLBC), suggested schools provide mediation for students when they are in conflict with each other so that they don’t resort to violence.

“Society and parents expect more and should demand more of their schools,” Thompson said. “But we can’t expect more when we don’t give our schools the resources they need to do the job.”

According to Rep. Alma Allen, the TLBC will hold community meetings on school violence. She urged parents, students, and education professionals to attend.

“The simple reality is our schools are failing our kids,” said Rep. Harold Dutton, the longest-serving member of the House Public Education Committee.

“The problem we saw on that video doesn’t begin or end with those two students,” he said. “It is indicative of problems in our schools.”

“The issue of school violence and bullying affects us all,” Turner concluded. “In that spirit, I look forward to partnering and working with other community leaders, elected officials, religious and business leaders. Let’s create an environment that is safe for all our children.”

e Houston area for over 80 years

State Rep. Sylvester Turner is joined by other Black elected officials, ministers, law enforcement representatives and community members at a news conference condemning school violence.

The National PTA has compiled a list of steps that can be taken to help curb school violence among children and teens.

1. Talk to your children. Keeping the lines of communication open with your children is an important step to keeping involved in their schoolwork, friends and activities.

2. Set clear rules and limits. Children need clearly defined rules and limits set for them so that they know what is expected of them and the consequences for not complying.

3. Know the warning signs. Knowing what is normal behavior for your son or daughter can help you recognize even small changes and give you an early warning that something is troubling your child.

4. Don’t be afraid to parent; know when to intervene. Parents need to step in and intervene when children exhibit behavior or attitudes that could potentially harm them or others.

5. Stay involved in your child’s school. Be involved in their education.

Get to know your child’s teachers and help them get to know you and your child. Communicate with teachers throughout the school year, not just when problems arise.

6. Join your PTA or a violence prevention coalition. Statistics show the crime rate can decrease by as much as 30 percent when a violence prevention initiative is a community-wide effort. Parents, students, school staff and community members need to be a part of creating safe environments.

7. Help organize a violence prevention forum. Working together can be the most effective way to prevent violence in our schools.

8. Help develop a prevention and response plan. School and communities that have violence prevention plans and crisis management teams in place are more prepared to identify and avert potential problems and know what to do when a crisis happens.

9. Know how to deal with the media in a crisis. Good public relations and media relations start with understanding how the media works and what they expect from organizations that issue press releases, hold press conferences and distribute media kits.

10. Work to influence lawmakers. Writing an editorial for the local newspaper, holding a petition drive, speaking before a school board meeting, or sending a letter to your legislator can be effective ways to voice your opinion and gain support from decision-makers.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF MAY 10 | 2012 | defendernetwork.com

UH announces partnership with MD Anderson white women to die from breast cancer.

The MD Anderson Center for Research on Minority Health will be relocated to the The University of Houston will soon UH campus as part of CHEER to merge the open its doors to the Center for Health resources of a large academic university with Equity & Evaluation Research (CHEER), a a top-ranked cancer center. new joint venture between the UH Graduate It will also house the Intercultural Cancer College of Social Work and the University Council, the largest multicultural health poliof Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Divicy group in the United States, and the Health sion of Cancer Prevention and Population Disparities Education, Awareness, Research & Sciences.

Training consortium.

CHEER will expand to conduct re“Dr. Lovell Jones is the ideal person to search at both MD Anderson and the newly establish and direct CHEER. He is widely opened center at the College of Social Work. known nationally for his leadership in health A comprehensive health disparities research, disparities research,” said Kathryn Peek, aseducation and training center, CHEER’s sociate vice president for health initiatives at researchers and staff conduct interdisciplinUH. ary research and collaborate with diverse “As research professor in the Graduate communities and other institutions.

Dr. Lovell Jones is director of the Center for Health Equity & Evaluation Research.

College of Social Work and at MD Anderson, Research focuses on disparities across Dr. Jones will establish UH among the national the disease spectrum and how factors such as Jones, there has been extensive research on health leaders in health equity research.” culture, behavior, access to health care and genetics disparities, but not enough progress. For example Jones received his doctorate in zoology with an may contribute to an increased risk of cancer and African-American babies are more than twice as emphasis in endocrinology and tumor biology from other diseases among certain groups. likely as white babies to die in the first year of life, the University of California, Berkeley.

According to CHEER director Dr. Lovell A. and African-American women are more likely than Defender News Services

Obama... Continued from page 4 children from a free school lunch and breakfast program.

The Ryan budget and a President Romney would have a disproportionately devastating impact on the AfricanAmerican community.

According to Bread for the World, AfricanAmericans are 22.5 percent of the participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program.

One in four African Americans lives below the federal poverty line, compared to about one in eight Americans overall. More than a third (35.7 percent) of all African-American children lives in poverty, compared to one in five children living in poverty in the country as a whole.

If a “President Romney” tried to implement the Ryan budget in its current form, the African-American community would be outraged. Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and other leaders would be calling for marches. Talk show

hosts Joyner, Harvey, and others would be begging their audiences to write, call, and petition their elected representatives to restore funding to social programs.

Under the Obama administration, African Americans are worse off economically, but where’s the outrage?

Too many in the community are silent or being attacked and summarily dismissed as traitors, haters, crazy, and misinformed for calling

It must be clearly understood that having an African American in the Oval Office is not in and of itself a victory.

While I, too, celebrated the election of this country’s first AfricanAmerican president, without substantive and measurable policy outputs that benefit the AfricanAmerican community, the ethnic makeup of the president is irrelevant.

The community could take a page

for targeted solutions and policy initiatives to address the suffering in the African-American community.

To paraphrase a popular quote attributed to everyone from English Statesman Lord Palmerston to former Congressman Bill Clay, the African-American community should not have “permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent interests.”

We should be focused on policy, not personality.

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from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Their sole mission is to ensure that the foreign policy outputs of the US have a positive impact on the state of Israel. It matters not to AIPAC who is in the White House. Democrat or Republican, friend or foe, AIPAC is going to ensure that its message

classified MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting Requests for Qualification for the following service: CIVIL ENGINEER/SURVEYOR SERVICES FOR 7011 SITE WORK DESIGN Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Services, 1st floor, located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074; telephone (713) 970-7300 and/or via MHMRA website http://www.mhmraharris.org beginning Monday, May 14, 2012. A Mandatory Conference and Site Visit is scheduled for

10:00 a.m., Monday, May 21, 2012 at 7011 Southwest Freeway , Houston, TX. Qualification documentation must be submitted to the Purchasing Department by 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 in a sealed envelope marked "REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL - TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012” “CIVIL ENGINEER/SURVEYOR SERVICES”. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Sharon Brauner, C.P.M., Buyer III, Senior Purchasing Coordinator via fax at (713) 970-7682 or E-mail questions to sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org cc: nina.cook@mhmraharris.org.

MHMRA reserves the rights to reject any and/or all proposals 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.

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is heard and interests are protected.

In 1857 Fredrick Douglass said, “Power concedes nothing without a demand.” President Obama is the one in power and the AfricanAmerican community has failed to demand from him the policy outputs it needs. If Romney wins, what’s Plan B?

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Milian... Continued from page 5

9

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10

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MAY 10 | 2012

sports Hamilton, Anderson sign with NFL teams

T

By MAX EDISON Defender

he NFL draft has come and gone and even though they didn’t hear their name called

by Commissioner Roger Goodell, two local gridiron stars were hot properties in the moments after the draft concluded.

Prairie View’s All-American defensive end Adrian Hamilton was signed by the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Southern’s All-SWAC wideout Joe Anderson signed with the Chicago Bears.

For Adrian Hamilton (6-feet-3, 255 pounds), the 2011 season was one of tremendous personal success. Hamilton led the nation (any division) with 20.5 sacks and achieved All-American status. After the draft the Dallas native wasted little time signing with his hometown team.

“It was a little disappointing not getting drafted, but getting a chance to play NFL football is satisfying, no matter if it’s being drafted or as a free agent,” Hamilton said.

“The decision to sign with Dallas was based on the relationship I struck up with Coach Rob Ryan [defensive coordinator] during my visit. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a kid, to play in the NFL and now it’s come true.”

A defensive end at Prairie View, Hamilton will play outside linebacker in Cowboy Ryan’s 3-4 system. After spending time with Ryan before the draft, Hamilton said there is no doubt what the Cowboys want him to do.

“They expect me to do what I do best, pass rush,” he said. “I’m excited that I will also get to play and learn from one of the best pass rushers in the game DeMarcus Ware, but there’s no question they brought me in to go after the quarterback.”

Having recently completed organized rookie workouts at Valley Ranch, Hamilton knows his success will mean a lot for other small school players.

“Year after year guys come out of

small schools and folks question if they have what it takes to be successful in the NFL. I want to be an example of what guys from my school and my conference can do and that’s play in the NFL,” he said.

“I have a chip on my shoulder that motivates me. Having just completed rookie camp, I’m not intimidated by bigschool competition.”

For TSU wide receiver Joe Anderson, the call to join the Chicago Bears as a free agent was nothing less than divine intervention.

“It was a blessing from God,” Anderson proclaimed. “I’ve been working my butt off and dreaming about this my whole life. It doesn’t even seem real yet.

I can’t wait to get to Chicago, go to the stadium and put on something that says Bears. I’m ready to go to work.”

At 6-feet-1, 195 pounds, the Texarkana native, had all the physical skills to be a dominant wideout in the college game. There was just one problem.

The Tigers, without a marquee passing quarterback, became a run-oriented team.

Nevertheless Anderson found a way to be a contributor without the

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Adrian Hamilton

ball.

“We all have goals, individual goals and team goals. I’m not going to be selfish about not getting the ball the way I would have liked to,” Anderson said.

“I have to work on other things that made me more of a complete player. I have to work on blocking and helping out down field in the run game. The main thing was helping the team win and we won a championship in 2010.”

Anderson believes his hard work in preparation for the TSU Pro Day helped put him on the radar with NFL scouts.

“Day in and day out, from the moment that I graduated [in December] I’ve been working out, getting prepared. From 8 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon everyday, all the way up to March 19th.

“I was prepared, just focusing on football. I didn’t have to worry about school just football. As a result I think I had a very good Pro Day and I caught the eye of a lot of people.”

As Anderson prepares for rookie camp with the Bears, he has found memories of what was accomplished during his time at TSU. “The fact that we were able to win

Joe Anderson

a championship during my time there is the defining moment for me,” Anderson said. “The first football championship in 50 years is something special that I will always be proud of.”

Heading to Chicago, Anderson realizes that he is not only competing to make the team for himself, but for his Tiger teammates that are some day hoping to get the same opportunity.

“Having this opportunity is not only big for me, but for my teammates still at TSU,” Anderson said. “A lot of my teammates look up to me and I’m trying to set a positive example. I know the hard work is actually just getting started with this rookie camp coming up, but I will be ready.”

TSU wide receiver Joe Anderson (No. 1) is now a Chicago Bear.

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PV All-American Adrian Hamilton (No. 45) is now a Dallas Cowboy.

WEEK OF MAY 10 | 2012 DEFENDER

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sportsbriefs

Hastings’ Ahmed hopes to beat rival

I

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

t’s a rivalry that extends back longer than each can remember.

Jermaine Authorlee of North Shore High School is the defending Class 5A 200-meter dash champion. Ali Ahmed of Alief Hastings High School is the 2012 Region III-5A 200-meter dash champion (20.79 seconds) as he held off Authorlee (20.87) by an eyelash under windy conditions at Humble’s Turner Stadium.

“My goal going into the race was to run a 20.3 seconds,” Ahmed said. “Coming down the stretch, I felt like I had it. Then I felt Authorlee on my side. All I was looking for was the finish line and I was able to pick it up.

“I really didn’t feel the wind,” Ahmed said. “I wasn’t worried about who was beside me. All I was thinking about was focusing on my race and getting to the finish line. I knew the wind was blowing but I just pushed my way through it.”

Ahmed ran out of lane five at the regional meet with Authorlee behind him and Deante Gray of Westside High School in front of him in lane six.

“I wanted to keep up with Deante because I knew he usually gets off to a good start,” Ahmed said. “Then I wanted to get my feet to that finish line.”

Gray finished fourth in a time of 21.49 seconds.

Kyle Fulks of Katy High School won the bronze medal in a time of 20.98 seconds.

Authorlee and Ahmed have had three head-to-head meetings during the 2012 track and field season with Ahmed

owning three victories.

Yet none of that will make any difference if Ahmed doesn’t win the next meeting which is scheduled for May 12 at the University Interscholastic League state high school track and field meet at Mike Myers Stadium in Austin.

The pair will be the top two qualifiers from Region III in the Class 5A 200-meter state championship final. Although six other participants will be in the race, Ahmed and Authorlee will be the favorites.

“This is going to be a big deal,” Ahmed said. “To be No. 1 after being ranked in the top five for the past few years, that has been my goal and something I’ve focused on all season and during the summer.”

Authorlee will try to help North Shore secure a third consecutive Class 5A state boys’ team title.

In addition to the 200-meter dash, Authorlee is a key member of the Mustangs’ 4X100- and 4X200-

11

meter relays that are defending state championships.

North Shore claimed gold medals in each event at the regional meet to qualify for state. The Mustangs’ 4X100-meter relay won in a time of 41.22 seconds. North Shore came back to win the 4X200-meter relay in a time of one minute, 25.02 seconds. Authorlee ran a leg on each relay.

Hastings was runner-up to North Shore both times, running 41.56 seconds in the 4X100-meter relay and 1:25.88 in the 4X200-meter relay. Ahmed ran a leg on each of the Bears’ relays.

So both Authorlee and Ahmed will have nearly identical schedules at the state meet on the campus of the University of Texas in Austin.

“Although I’m satisfied right now, I’ve got one more race to go,” Ahmed said.

Along with winning a state title in the 200-meter dash, 4X100-meter relay and 4X200-meter relay, Ahmed wants to qualify for the junior Olympics.

“I’ve already decided on attending the University of Houston next fall because I can stay at home and continue all the ties with my track club,” he said. “There’s a certain comfort level that comes with staying at home.”

There’s also a comfort level that comes with knowing your rival as well as Ahmed and Authorlee know each other. In the two weeks since they last met in Humble, both have no doubt spent countless hours contemplating strategy to win at the state meet. “[Authorlee] has been No. 1 and now I want to know what it feels like,” Ahmed said. “I know that I’ve put all the hard work and preparation into making this happen. It’s been a long road and I just have to hope that it’s my time.”

Ali Ahmed of Alief Hastings High School looks forward to state meet.

Teams fall in baseball playoffs Five Class 5A high school baseball teams from the greater Houston area were ranked in the latest state poll. Seven Lakes, The Woodlands, Deer Park, Bellaire and Klein had combined for an overall record of 123-19-1 on the season. However, The Woodlands and Bellaire were first-round playoff casualties. Bellaire met Memorial for the fourth consecutive year in the playoffs. Bellaire took the first meeting in the 2009 regional quarterfinals.

Memorial has won the last three meetings, including a 2-0 series sweep this year. Memorial took game one 4-0 in eight innings. The Mustangs won game two 5-1 as Drew Tolson pitched a complete game and supplied a key two-run double. Kacy Clemens provided some insurance with a solo home run in the sixth inning. Klein Oak eliminated The Woodlands 4-0 in a one-game bi-district playoff.

Dulles senior claims tennis title Following two first-round exits, Dulles senior Mariam Zein defeated Erin Walker of Abilene 6-4, 6-3 to win the Class 5A girls singles championship.

Zein was one of seven Houston area participants playing for 4A and 5A state titles, but the only one to win. “It’s awesome to be a part of something so big,” she said. “It’s bigger than myself. It’s my coach, my team and the whole entire district. It’s a win for all of us.”

District 24-5A big in softball Pearland, Alvin and Brazoswood advanced into the third round of the Region III-5A playoffs with Pearland ousting La Porte two games to one while both Alvin and Brazoswood swept their best-ofthree area-round playoff series.

Refer to him as Dr. Shaq Shaquille O’Neal has always viewed himself as a cut above the average, the mundane and the norm.

Certainly with his mammoth size, 7-feet-1 and upward of 325 pounds, O’Neal at times looked like a man playing among boys.Now the “Big Aristotle” has distinguished himself yet again. At an age when many of today’s NBA stars are one and done in college and often view that process as a nuisance, O’Neal has captured his third sheepskin.

He was recently awarded a doctorate degree in education from Barry University. O’Neal also has an undergrad degree from LSU and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. “Everyone thinks this is honorary. But this is not honorary. I put in four and a half hard years staying up late at night, studying, reading, rewriting papers,” O’Neal said.

Jamaicans are coming…again As the Olympics are approaching later this summer in London and the trials are being organized around the world, be warned. The Jamaicans are coming, again!The world first witnessed their dominance in the sprints four years ago in Beijing. They could be even more dominating in London. Usain Bolt won the 100 meters in 9.82 seconds in the recent Jamaica Invitational. His training partner Rohan Blake had previously run the fastest time this year, 9.90, and is the reigning world champion in the 100. Blake has also run a 19.2- second 200 meters, the second fastest in history.

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12

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MAY 10 | 2012

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For Event Coverage...visit

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chag’splace

Michael Alverez, Mayor Annise Parker, Donovan Casaneve and Dr. Frazier Wilson

Honorees Attorney Harry Johnson, Jason Few, Winell Herron, Willie Iles and Dr. Glover Johnson

Simba Bouligny and Tempestt Green

Damali Hill and Shannon Buggs

The Anderson Family: Tiffany, Jim, Sandy, Jamie and James

Dr. Margaret Fisher, John Guess, III and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

Brandon Alston, mentee, for their outstanding leadership MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION…..The mentoring our young men. Congratulations!.....CHAG’S 100 Black Men/Metropolitan Houston Chapter, Inc. hosted BOOKSHELF.......With continued success on stage, screen, their 5th Annual Gala at the Hilton Hotel-Post Oak. The television and music along with her philanthropic endeavors, organization is committed to the intellectual development Sheryl Lee Ralph has never been one to rest on her laurels. of youth and the economic empowerment of the AfricanThe author of her latest book, “Redefining American community based on the DIVA,” was in town recently for a book precepts of respect for family, spirituality, Join Yvette Chargois signing event hosted by Renee’ Logans, justice and integrity. The 2012 gala Events of the Week Tom Logans, Lloyd Gite and Paulhonorees included Attorney Harry More photos on defendernetwork.com David Van Atta at The Gite Gallery. You E. Johnson Sr./Education, William See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads may remember her in the role of Deena Iles, Jr./Mentoring, Jason Few/ with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m.

Economic Development, Dr. Glover Jones in the legendary Broadway musical, “Dreamgirls,” and television shows that Johnson/Health and Wellness and included “It’s a Living,” “Designing Winell Herron/Phenomenal Woman.

Women, “ “The District, “ and most notably, “Moesha.”

The scholarship recipients were Jacobie Banks, Juston She was nominated as Best Actress for both the Tony and Daniels, Nkosi James, Germond Turner and Joseph Drama Desk Awards and her extensive film credits include Vallair. Michael Alverez and Donovan Casanave were costarring with Robert De Niro and Denzel Washington. In among several new members inducted into the organization. line to have their books signed were Damali Hill, Shannon We salute Dr. Frazier Wilson, president; Mark Williams, Buggs, Gwen Simms, Sondera Malry, Simba Bouligny chairman; Felix Robinson, membership chair, and

Chairman Mark Williams and Tatia Landry

Lloyd Gite, Tom Logans, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Renee’ Logans and Paul-David Van Atta

Dr. James Anderson and Dr. Renu Khator

and Tempestt Green, to name a few. Good luck!.....A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS……Dr. James E. Anderson, executive associate to the chancellor of the University of Houston System and president of the University of Houston, recently retired. He served in many capacities such as liaison to communities, businesses, civic and governmental agencies and developing university partnerships and academic activities. Many friends and family attended his retirement celebration that was held at the Hilton University of Houston and included his wife, Sandy Anderson, children James E. Anderson, III, Jamie Anderson and Tiffany Anderson. Also attending were Helen Burdette, Wilbert Taylor, Renae Milton, Charlie Wilson, John Guess III, Dr. Margaret Fisher, Lisa Holdman, Rev. Leslie Smith, Rebecca and Julius Mayborn, Dr. Grace Butler, Rev. William Lawson, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Dr. Elwyn Lee, Dr. Laura Murillo, Brenda and Ira Scott and of course, Dr. Renu Khator, president of UH. Welcome to the retirement club, Jim!........From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

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