Houston Defender: June 09, 2016

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Volume 85 | Number 32 JUNE 9, 2016 | FREE

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NEWSTALK REP. AL GREEN protects city against terrorist

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NATIONAL PRESIDENT OBAMA commutes prison sentences

P4 FEATURE DESHAUNA BARBER crowned Miss USA

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MUHAMMAD ALI

DEATH OF A CHAMPION H PAGE 8

TOP EVENTS

What dads want

Sanaa Lathan

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19, a time to celebrate the men who care for their families.

What do dads really want for Father’s Day? Find out what more than 500 fathers across the country have to say. Check out suggestions to fit any budget.

Actress Sanaa Lathan has found success in Hollywood, and her latest role is in the star-studded sequel “Now You See Me 2.” See what attracted her to the film.

Learn what role magic plays in the film, and her surprising thoughts on the subject.

for Father’s Day

Algenita Davis, State Sen. Rodney Ellis and Linda Brown at River Oaks Democratic Women's Brunch

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co-stars in sequel

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newstalk Local officials announce a program to guard against terrorist attacks.

New state veteran’s home set for MLK DEFENDER NEWS SERVICE

Houston gets grant to deter terrorist attacks DEFENDER NEWS SERVICE

The City of Houston, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, and regional law enforcement agencies, announced the launch of the Securing the Cities (STC) program.

Funded by a five-year $30 million grant, this initiative will provide the greater Houston area with equipment, training and support for detecting, deterring and defending against terror attacks that use radioactive material.

"Houston is among the highest threatened cities in the nation,” said Con. Al Green, whose amendment to a 2009 House bill, helped facilitate Houston’s inclusion in the STC. “Our region includes many critical infrastructure assets, including our world-class port and petro-

chemical sector.”

Initial funding has already been delivered to the City.

Additional funding and equipment will arrive shortly. Moreover, law enforcement officers in Houston and Pasadena as well as Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, and Galveston counties, and the Texas Department of Public Safety will begin receiving equipment and training designed to detect and prohibit unregulated radiological materials that could be used as weapons.

“Our nation has entered a new period where we have to think about threats that can have more catastrophic impacts than what we’ve seen before,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner.

“Working together as a region, we can use existing and new resources to help keep our communities safe from the threat of terrorism.”

Houston joins New York, Los Angeles/Long Beach, and the Washington D.C. area as the newest site for the STC.

A state-of-the-art Texas State Veterans Home will soon occupy 17.83 acres of land donated to the Texas Veterans Land Board by the City of Houston. The 136,000 squarefoot, single-story community living center will sit on MLK Blvd. between Beltway 8 and Schurmier Road and provide 120 skilled nursing beds, including a 30-bed memory support unit.

“The city is proud to help facilitate this project,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said.

“Houston and Harris County are home to the largest veteran population in Texas. These men and women and their families have sacrificed so much on our behalf. We owe it to them to do all that we can to make sure they have access to quality healthcare.”

Once completed, the home will employ between 140 and 160 permanent full-time nurses, administrative staff, food service help and maintenance personnel. The city will work with the state to construct the road and utilities needed for the project.

An estimated 180,000 veterans reside in Harris County. Approximately 67,800 of them are over the age of 65. There are currently not enough beds available in Harris County to meet that demand.

The $35 million project is funded by the State of Texas and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“We’ve taken steps at the Veterans Land Board (VLB) to do more for those who have done so much for us,” said George P. Bush, chairman of the VLB.

localbriefs THERE ARE NEW DETAILS in the case of a missing Houston couple. It has been two months since Krislyn Gibson and Sidney Taylor, both 35, vanished after traveling to Austin for a music festival. Austin police now say the last person seen with the couple was Harvey “Hootie” Cyphers, a 49-year-old acquaintance. A friend of Taylor’s said he received a call around 3 a.m. and Taylor mentioned that he was with Cyphers, who lives in Austin. No one has heard from the pair since.

Police are investigating Cypher’s connection to the disappearance……..AN ARREST HAS BEEN MADE in the brutal killing of 11-year-old Josue

Flores, who was stabbed to death last month while walking home from school in north Houston.

Andre Timothy Jackson Jr., 27, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who was living in a transitional housing center, was charged with murder in the May 17 attack. Officials said there appears to be no connection between Josue and Jackson. Police arrested a different man the day following the killing, but he was released two days later after providing a solid alibi……… TEXAS’ HIGH-SPEED TRAIN is gaining support. Five groups ranging from Northwest Harris County to the Houston bay area joined a dozen other organizations backing

high-speed rail. The groups says it is a catalyst for economic development and an innovative alternative for Texans’ growing transportation demands. The train is designed to join the two largest commercial centers in Texas, Houston and Dallas and create thousands of jobs……..MORE THAN 3,000 JANITORS who clean commercial office buildings in Houston voted to ratify a new union contract with national cleaning contractors, which will mean an infusion of $13 million into many local low-income communities.

The four-year agreement will protect union standards for 3,200 janitors and includes significant raises along with the addition of paid sick days.

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U.S.briefs

Obama commutes most sentences in recent history

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By ASWAD WALKER Defender

resident Barack Obama has commuted 348 prison sentences, more than the last seven presidents combined, spotlighting his call for criminal justice reform.

However, many are hoping Obama adds additional names to this historic list.

Fred Hampton Jr., son of Chicago Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton Sr., who was ambushed and killed by Chicago police in 1969, has led a national “Free’em All” campaign, calling on the U.S. to release all political prisoners, including 20 Black Panthers incarcerated since the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The name familiar to most on Hampton’s list is Mumia Abu Jamal, an activist and journalist convicted for the 1981 murder of a Philadelphia police officer. Supporters believe he is innocent.

Others contend that Kwame Kilpatrick, Detroit’s former mayor who is currently serving a 28-year sentence for corruption, was unjustly punished and deserves clemency. However,

when Obama visited Kilpatrick’s federal prison in El Reno, Okla. last July, he neither met with Kilpatrick nor granted him clemency.

Assata Shakur, who many in the Black community believe was convicted on trumped up charges due to her political activism, is another some wish pardoned. Shakur escaped prison in 1979, and fled to Cuba where she received political asylum in 1984. However, recent negotiations between the U.S. and Cuba to normalize relations revealed the State Department’s desire to extradite Shakur, dousing clemency hopes.

Regarding the 348 sentences that were commuted, a White House statement said harsh prison terms were doled out under “outdated and unduly harsh sentencing laws.” Most of those jailed were “small-time drug dealers who received long sentences under a code shaped by the government’s war on drugs,” with some serving life sentences for minor offenses.

“There remain thousands of men and women in federal prison serving sentences longer than necessary, often due to overly harsh mandatory minimum sentences,” the White House said.

Black women America’s most educated group

By ANGELA BRONNER HELM TheRoot.com

A new report says that Black women are now the most educated group in the United States but still have a long way to go for pay equity.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, between 2009 and 2010, Black women earned 68 percent of associate’s degrees, 66 percent of bachelor’s degrees, 71 percent of master’s degrees and 65 percent of all doctorate degrees awarded to Black students.

Black students attending college has increased from 10 to 15 percent from 1976 to 2012, while the percent-

age of white students fell from 84 to 60 percent.

Considering race and gender, a higher percentage of Black women (9.7 percent) are enrolled in college than any other group, topping Asian women (8.7 percent), white women (7.1 percent) and white men (6.1 percent).

While Black women may be the most highly educated, a recent study found Black women make up just eight percent of private sector jobs and less than two percent of leadership roles.

As of 2013, Black women earned just 64 cents to the white man’s dollar. White women earned 78 cents, Black men 75 cents, Hispanic men 67 cents and Hispanic women 54 cents.

DIVERSITY REMAINS ELUSIVE in U.S. churches. About eight in 10 American congregants still attend services at a place where a single racial or ethnic group comprises at least 80 percent of the congregation, according to findings from the most recent National Congregations Study. A study from Baylor University also found that churches that attempt to create more racially diverse congregations find themselves with scantier pews. Researchers concluded that churches that start off as multiracial are more likely to be successful at increasing diversity in a denomination……..THE MOTHER OF THE BOY who got into the gorilla exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo will not face any charges.

Prosecutors said the three-year-old “just scampered off” as children sometimes do.

The killing of the 400-pound gorilla that was dragging the child through a moat set off a torrent of criticism online, with some vilifying the zoo for shooting the animal and others blaming the mother for not watching her child more closely. Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said the case didn’t come close to warranting a charge of child endangerment, and he defended the mother as an attentive parent undeserving of the abuse and threats.

He said the mother had three other children with her, ages one to seven, and had turned away “for a few seconds” to attend to one when the boy took off…….. LEADERS OF LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS in Houston, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia are supporting the FDA for releasing sodium reduction targets for the food industry. More than 75 percent of sodium in the American diet comes from packaged and restaurant foods, which means that consumers have limited control in determining how much sodium they consume.

High sodium intake, a norm for most of the population, increases blood pressure and the risk of heart disease and stroke.

VOLUME 85 • NUMBER 32 JUNE 9, 2016 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Digital Editor LaGloria Wheatfall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila Proofer Maia Shelby

Editors Aswad Walker Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writers ReShonda Billingsley Jasemine Knowles Amber Vernon Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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JUNE 9 | 2016 | DEFENDER

Top 10:

Dads tell best gifts for Father’s Day

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

Shopping for dad can be a daunting task. After all, there are only so many neckties and pairs of socks you can buy. We wanted to know what it is that would really make dad’s day on Sunday, June 19, so we asked more than 500 dads, “What’s the best gift for Father’s Day?” Check out the Defender 10 and see if any of their suggestions help you out in the ideas department. Listed in order from the fathers polled, these suggestions are sure to help turn his Father’s Day into more than just another game night.

1. Sports tickets – Of the dads polled, tickets to their favorite sporting event topped the list. Everything from Super Bowl, to WrestleMania, to the Daytona 500. “If my family got me tickets to the Super Bowl, especially since it’s going to be right here in Houston next year, I would die a happy man,” said father of four, Jason Douglas. Of course, the Super Bowl may be out of many families league, but these dads say tickets to any professional game would make them happy as well.

2. Electronics – From surround sound speakers to a PlayStation to a pair of Beats, dads requesting electronics said there’s nothing like getting spoiled with that special piece of equipment they’ve been longing for. “Last year, my family bought me a record player to play vinyl records on. I love it! It’s something I would’ve never thought to buy for myself, but it’s become one of my favorite ‘toys,’ ” said father of two, Ellis Taylor.

3. Breakfast in bed – Like the mothers, these dads would love to just chill out in bed, remote in hand, with family members bringing breakfast, “…and maybe even lunch and dinner,” added Houston dad, Kerry Clopton.

4. Dinner at favorite restaurant – A popular request from many of the fathers polled was dinner at their favorite restaurant with the family. “Nothing beats family time, especially when you’re dining with your favorite crab legs,” added father Tony Alton.

5. Cigars – For the cigar smokers, nothing beats a great gift like a box of their favorite cigars or accessories. Confused on which cigars are best? You can’t go wrong with a gift card to the nearest cigar shop.

6. Gift cards – Speaking of gift cards, these dads say there’s no shame in giving them gift cards to their favorite store. That way, they can go buy what they really want without hurting anyone’s feelings.

7. Massage/pedicure – Let’s face it, dad works hard. And many don’t take the time to pamper themselves. That’s why a massage and/or pedicure was high on the list of things dads want. “I always say I’m going to treat myself to a full body massage, but I can never find time,” said father of three, Joseph Davis. “I would love to just go to a spa and let them pamper me for a change.”

8. Car detail – We know how dad loves his car. That’s why it was no surprise to see so many fathers requested a gift certificate to their favorite auto detailing place.

But they want the works, not that economy, basic wash service.

9. Free time – With much of their time being devoted to caring for their fami-

lies, many fathers said they just want a little time to do nothing. For some, it was coming home to see mom had left a six-pack of their favorite beer and taken the kids away for the evening. Others, just wanted to hang with the fellas. “Just one day of free time, with no pressing obligations. That would be ideal for me,” said Kevin Hall, who admits as the father of six, that’s something he seldom has.

10. Favorite cologne – While it tends to be a staple in terms of gifts, many fathers say they’d welcome that bottle of cologne they’d been eyeing but hadn’t gotten because it wasn’t a “smart” purchase.

“Sometimes, there are things we want that we stop ourselves from getting because we know as providers for our family, it’s probably not the best use of our money,” said David Young. “It would be wonderful to open up a gift bag and see one of those things.”

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DEFENDER | JUNE 9 | 2016

Defender Father’s Day Photo Contest begins Fathers are special. With that thought in mind, the Defender invites you to join us in celebrating Father’s Day on Sunday, June 19 by entering the Father’s Day Photo Contest.

Whether you are a son or daughter or grandchild of any age, don’t miss this opportunity to honor your father with a tribute that let’s you and family members comment on your father’s impact on your life and possibly win prize money at the same time.

“Our fathers are the first men we encounter in our lives and we learn from them,” said Defender CEO Sonceria “Sonny” Messiah Jiles. “These men show us that a man can be firm yet gentle, strong yet kind and the Defender just wants to give our readers a chance to pay tribute to all the great dads.

Considering the success of our Mother’s Day Contest, we just want to show that “Big Daddies” are appreciated just like “Mother Dears.”

It’s easy to enter the contest: • First, GO TO the Defender Facebook page for the contest.

• Second, REGISTER. • Next, POST your photo of your father and you.

• Then encourage your friends and family to VOTE for your photo.

The photo with the most votes wins. The prizes are three Visa gift cards: first place $300, second place $200 and third place $100. The contest is underway now. The photo submission and voting begins Thursday, June 9 and ends on Thursday, June 16 at midnight.

The three winners will be announced on Friday, June 17 at 6 p.m.

Make sure you insert the correct email address so we can let you know if you win.

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Photo Contest

A Great Gift for Dad Do you have a terrific photo with your Father?

We’re searching for the Best Photo of fathers and children (all ages)

It’s easy to enter!

• REGISTER TODAY

• POST your pic with your father or grandfather • VOTE and tell friends & family to vote for your pic The photo with the most votes WINS

1st place

$300

2nd place

$200

3rd place

$100

- VISA Gift Card -

Enter Now! facebook.com/DefenderNetwork

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entertainment

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Sanaa Lathan co-stars in sequel

By KAM WILLIAMS Special to the Defender

S

anaa Lathan is a Tony Award-nominated actress (for “A Raisin in the Sun”) who delivers a striking presence and undeniable energy to each project she takes on. She was last seen on the big screen in the thriller “The Perfect Guy,” which finished first at the box office during its opening weekend.

She is currently shooting the highly anticipated Fox series “Shots Fired,” which also stars Helen Hunt, Stephen Moyer and Richard Dreyfuss.

Here, she talks about her latest outing as Natalie Austin in “Now You See Me 2,” starring Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Daniel Radcliffe, Mark Sanaa Lathan and Mark Ruffalo are two stars of “Now You See Me 2.”

Ruffalo and Morgan Freeman.

She's a woman who really takes her job seriously, and KW: I never saw the original, wants to bring justice to anybody who's being wronged. but I really loved this film.

But even I can get confused about who's a bad guy and SL: I'm so glad. I think what makes this film so unique is that it's not the sort of big, blockbuster adventure who's a good guy. You know what I mean?

KW: How did your director, Jon Chu, and his castthat we're all used to, but it's really well done. A lot of ing crew pull together such an impressive cast? times there's more pomp and circumstances surrounding SL: I don't know, you'd have to talk to them. I wasn't the content. One of the things that attracted me to the film involved in the original, but I was very happy to be a part was not only the cast, but that it was really well-written. of this one.

KW: It's very sophisticated with a rather intricate KW: How do you feel about magic in real life? plotline.

SL: I love it. I was at the Magic Castle in L.A. not too SL: Yes, and the magic was so much fun. They actulong ago. Somebody had a birthday surprise there. I was ally had some of the world's top real magicians on the set. blown away by some of the magic I saw. You can't believe KW: How did you approach your character, Natalie some of the tricks. You can't wrap your mind around it. It's Austin? a true art, and I have so much respect for it.

SL: For me, Natalie really admires Mark Ruffalo's KW: Tell me a little about the new TV series you're character, Dylan Rhodes, looking at him as an example.

working on, "Shots Fired."

SL: It's a 10-hour special event that will air next spring. It was inspired by all the racial profiling, police brutality and loss of AfricanAmerican lives due to gun violence that's been occurring in the country.

It's a beautifully-written piece, and I'm so excited for the world to see it. It'll be powerful, moving and enlightening.

Background

• Born 1971 in New York City • First name is pronounced like “Sinatra” without the “tra” • Daughter of Stan Lathan, a producer/director and Eleanor McCoy, an actress and dancer • Earned English degree from University of California, Berkeley and drama degree from Yale University • Received NAACP Image Awards for roles in “Love & Basketball” (2001) and “The Perfect Guy” (2015) • Co-starred in “The Best Man,” one of the 10 highest-grossing African-American films in history • Other film credits include “Contagion,” “Something New,” “Brown Sugar” and "Out of Time” • Thoughts on being single: “There’s this whole idea that if you’re a single woman that somehow you cannot keep a man or something. The truth is, I’m really happy. It’s not like there are people who wouldn’t want to be with me.”

what’sup BOBBY BROWN gave his first tell-all interview since losing his daughter Bobbi Kristina, revealing what he went through taking her off life support. “My baby’s gone. I thank God I’m still here,” Brown told Robin Roberts, breaking down in tears. “The hardest thing I had to do in my life was tell my daughter to let go.” Bobbi Kristina died last year after being found unresponsive in a bathtub in her home. The “My Prerogative” singer also talked about his late ex-wife Whitney Houston, saying he had money when he came into the marriage and was broke by the time they ended it. The R&B singer

also addressed the first time he saw Houston do drugs in his sit-down with Roberts……..ALICIA KEYS has started a #NoMakeup Movement. After penning a powerful essay depicting the struggles and pressures women go through to look a certain way, Keys vowed to officially stop covering up. “Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing,” she said……..PHAEDRA PARKS’ lawsuit against a tell-all author has been thrown out. After four years, a Georgia court made a decision concerning the lawsuits between author,

Angela Stanton and Parks, a “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star. Parks filed a lawsuit against Stanton after she published her book called “Lies of a Real Housewife: Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil” in 2012. In the tell-all, the author claimed that Parks oversaw a “criminal enterprise” alongside husband Apollo Nida, using fake bank accounts, bad checks and stolen cars. As a rebuttal to Parks’ lawsuit, Stanton filed counterclaims. But after years of going back and forth, a judge dismissed both their lawsuits.

Nida is currently serving an eight-year sentence for bank fraud in a maximum security federal prison.

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DEFENDER | JUNE 9 | 2016

Ali and Mal colm X we re both m Islam. em

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DEATH OF A

ila, a former Ali’s daughter La r, followed in his xe bo al on professi footsteps.

Understanding the Ali influence

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By MAX EDISON Defender

he world lost one of its most endearing icons with the death of boxing legend Muhammad Ali on June 3 at age 74. Ali died of septic shock due to unspecified natural causes at a hospital in Scottsdale, Ariz.

He battled Parkinson’s disease for three decades.

Ali’s personality, fame and popularity transcended that of merely being a three-time world heavyweight champion.

He was an African-American man who was respected around the world. For Black boys growing up in the '60s, the image of Ali and his persona rivaled that of a living, breathing superhero.

To understand the Ali influence you have to understand the decade. To say that the '60s were a turbulent time period to grow up in is like saying the Mississippi River was a creek. We observed history in the making on a daily basis through the Civil

Rights Movement.

Seeing images of Black people being attacked for protesting for equality was a regular sight on the daily news. Police abuse with water hoses, dog attacks and church bombings were the landscape of the day. There were few positive images of Black men seen in the media.

This unrest spilled over into the world of sports as well.

Fresh off winning the gold medal in boxing at the Rome Olympics (1960), Cassius Clay was a smooth-boxing, fast-talking, good-looking young brother from Louisville, KY. Just the sight of him gliding and shuffling in the ring gave you a sense of pride.

Muhammad Ali, as he would be known after his Muslim conversion in 1964, was our hero, our knight in shining armor.

At a time when protesters wore signs proclaiming “I am a Man” and James Brown sang “Say it Loud,” Ali embodied it in living, breathing form. We adored him and couldn’t get enough of him.

COMMENTARY

He was unapolegetically Black. He gave us hope.

“Money means nothing to me, nor boxing when it comes to the freedom of your people,” Ali said. “Everything I’m doing, if it means hitch-hiking tomorrow, if it means being raggedy, if it means looking for a job I’ll be happy when I go to bed, my conscience is clear and I didn’t sell out or trade out on my people.”

If his skills in the ring mesmerized you, his oratory skills knocked you out.

His bravado resonated in our souls. It was time for us to stand up and tell the world that we were not accepting America’s “B.S.” any more. To many of us he was as much a civil rights icon as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X or

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In his own words: 10 Ali quotes

MMAD ALI

A CHAMPION

1. "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can't hit what the eyes can't see."

2. “I’m not conceited, I’m just convinced. I’m so modest, I can admit my own faults and my only fault is I don’t realize how great I really am.”

3. “I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.”

4. "Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion…”

5. “The man with no imagination has no wings.”

6. “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”

7. “It’s lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.”

8. “A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.”

9. “Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.”

10 "I'm a poet, I'm a prophet, I'm the resurrector, I'm the savior of the boxing world. If it wasn't for me, the game would be dead."

President George W. Bush honored Ali with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. He was accompanied by his wife Lonnie, his fourth wife. Other survivors include nine children.

anyone else of the era. His platform just happened to be in the ring.

In 1967 he refused induction into the United States military and a possible assignment to fight in the Vietnam War. He considered himself a conscientious objector, citing his Muslim religion. Ali declared, "War is against the teachings of the Qur'an. I'm not trying to dodge the draft. We are not supposed to take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or the Messenger.”

As a result of his stance, he was stripped of his title and for three years was unable to fight. Some sports experts believe the years between his 25th and 28th birthdays were Ali’s prime.

Finally on June 28, 1971, the Supreme Court in Clay v. United States overturned Ali's conviction by a unanimous 8-0 decision and he was allowed to resume his boxing career. The victory cemented the champ’s place in the hearts of African-Americans forever. He fought the United States government and beat them too.

Ali went on to become a global icon, one of the most recognizable faces on earth. His greatness transcended boxing and sports in general. His success inspired a generation of African- Americans, especially boys, to reach for the sky and believe there was no barrier they could not overcome.

He bragged and boasted. He was “pretty,” he shook up the world and he was the “greatest” of all time. Rest in peace champ.

he Houston area for over 85 years

defendernetwork.com Remembering Ali

by Ralph Cooper, Sports commentator

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DEFENDER | JUNE 9 | 2016

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Southlawn gang injunction thrown out for now

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By ASWAD WALKER Defender

ow that the civil lawsuit which sought to permanently ban 92 alleged gang members from a court-ordered "safety zone" in Sunnyside’s Southlawn neighborhood has been dropped by the Harris County Attorney’s and District Attorney's offices, vigilance and community investment are being called for as the next steps in dealing with what some are labeling a temporary victory.

“The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice, which means this same suit can be refiled at a later date,” said Deric Muhammad, a key activist in the fight to get the lawsuit dropped. “We see the dismissal of this lawsuit as a temporary visit in our pursuit of true justice.”

Muhammad said what should not be missed is that Southlawn is a neighborhood in crisis.

“We’re talking about a community that Deric Muhammad is still suffering from lack of resources and spiritual drought. So, just as activists came tomaximize their potential. gether to fight an unjust lawsuit, we must unite our "The lawsuit is being dismissed to allow time time and talents to help make Southlawn whole,” to develop and implement programs that create Muhammad added. job-training and educational opportunities," Harris The decision to drop the gang injunction came County Attorney Vince Ryan and District Attorney after settlement negotiations offered the commuDevon Anderson said in a joint statement. nity’s young people resources and opportunities to Last September, officials began civil court

Black woman wins Miss USA crown

Deshauna Barber, Miss District of Columbia, was recently crowned the new Miss USA in Las Vegas. The 26-year-old beat out 51 other contestants, including runner-up Miss Hawaii, Chelsea Hardin, and another Black woman, Miss Georgia, Emanii Davis.

Fate seemed to be smiling on Barber during the Q&A portion of the competition. The Columbus, Ga. native serves in the military as a logistics Deshauna Barber commander for the 988th Quartermaster Detachment ing job by our government to allow Unit at Fort Meade, Md. women to integrate into every She was asked about the branch of the military,” Barber Pentagon's decision to open up all said. “We are just as tough as combat jobs in the armed forces men." to women, and whether or not the But she didn’t stop there. move was made in the interest of "As a commander of my unit, I political correctness. am powerful, I am dedicated, and it "As a woman in the United is important that we recognize that States Army, I think it is an amazgender does not limit us...”

proceedings to ban 92 people accused of being associated with various gangs from a two-squaremile section of Southlawn.

According to Muhammad, a community coalition that included BlackLivesMatterHTX, the Southeast Ministers Alliance, Nation of Islam, NAACP, and individual activists, challenged “the DA’s ‘lock’em up’ mentality.”

“We admit there is crime in that area. But the blanket generalization of young Black men is not the answer,” he said.

After further investigation, the original list of 92 males to be banned from Southlawn was reduced to 46.

“These types of heavy-handed, stereotyping lawsuits are injurious to the process of cleaning up our communities,” Muhammad added.

Commissioner Gene Locke applauded Ryan’s and Anderson’s decision to drop the lawsuit, adding that using civil injunction to target minority youth can be an “unconstitutional means that restrict freedom of association and freedom of speech.”

Moving forward, Muhammad suggested concerned citizens stay aware and get active.

“This injunction was put together without the consent or input of the community, and would have gone into effect had it not come to our attention.

Moreover, we have so much proactive work to do in our community that if done will make such attacks by the DA’s and County Attorney’s offices less likely.”

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JUNE 9 | 2016 | DEFENDER

opinion

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Make presidential race about issues, not spitball fight

D

By REV. JESSE JACKSON SR.

onald Trump has now won the delegates needed to give him the Republican presidential nomination. The Bernie Sanders surge continues but Hillary Clinton apparently has the super delegate support needed to give her the nomination. We’re headed to a presidential race with two candidates burdened with record levels of disfavor.

This leads to the widespread expectation of a spitball brawl for a campaign.

Trump has already begun branding Clinton.

The Clinton campaign has begun attacking Trump as reckless and unqualified. A negative campaign of branded insults will drive down turnout. It would be a disservice to this country and its people.

The United States faces major challenges. We have an economy that does not work for working people, who struggle with stagnant or declining wages, increasing insecurity, and soaring costs of basic needs from health care to college education to retirement security.

Record numbers are in poverty. Shameless tax scams allow billionaires to pay lower tax rates than the police who protect their homes.

Global corporations stash trillions abroad and pay lower tax rates than mom-and-pop small businesses.

Climate change is a real and present danger that the Pentagon rightly says poses a rising national security threat. The president’s efforts to extract us from the endless wars in the Middle East have been frustrated. Tensions are rising with both Russia and China. We’re running trade deficits of $500 billion a year, undermin-

ing good jobs here.

In our cities, the impoverished are more concentrated, more isolated, with less hope and more dope and violence.

We need a real debate about the choices we face. Donald Trump has used insult more than policy to win his nomination. But he’s begun to make policy addresses.

Recently, he gave a speech on energy policy. He vowed to unravel the Paris climate

agreement, rescind the Obama climate change rules, revive the coal industry and redouble our efforts to achieve pure energy independence. He vowed to “deal with real environmental challenges, not the phony ones we’ve been hearing about,” presumably climate change.

Clinton has a detailed agenda on energy policy. She believes climate change is a real threat. She wants to build on the Paris agreements and capture the lead in the emerging clean energy economy. The differences between the two positions are stark and worthy of a great debate.

Similarly, Trump earlier gave a speech on

foreign policy in which he challenged many of the principles of our foreign policy. He wants a stronger military that is used less. He wants our allies to pay a greater share of the burden. He seems more willing to negotiate and more skeptical about intervention. Again, there are major substantive differences in direction and policy from Clinton.

The American people would benefit greatly if the election debate were focused on these and other fundamental policy choices. Both candidates should continue to detail their policies and debate their differences. The media should focus less on “gotcha” questions, stop recycling insults and feeding the spitball fight, and start probing about policy and direction.

The problem, of course, is that insult draws attention. Attention means viewers. Viewers mean advertisers. The media are constantly driven to highlight the latest insult, the outrage and the fake scandal rather than to focus on the needs of the people and how each candidate proposes to address them.

Similarly, as Trump showed in his primary, insults gain free media. Free media means attention from voters and saves money.

So the candidates are tempted to descend into a brawl of jabs and counterpunches. Instead of a debate about the direction of the country, we get a campaign based on branding the other. This is a recipe for dividing and misleading the country.

We’re going to be electing a president in a country that faces big challenges. It is time to take this out of the back alley. The only way that happens is if everyone is more responsible: the candidates in choosing issues over insults, the media in the questions they ask, and the voters in what kind of behavior they will reward.

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DEFENDER | JUNE 9 | 2016

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sports

Astro Springer lends support to stutterers

By MAX EDISON Defender

A

stros outfielder George Springer is a talented player, and at 6-feet-3, 215 pounds, he is the perfect blend of speed and power. There is one flaw, however, that Springer has worked relentlessly to control away from the ballpark. He has a speech impediment and stutters.

In an effort to help others with the same affliction, Springer serves as the national spokesperson for SAY, the Stuttering Association for the Young.

According to SAY, more than 70 million people stutter, including 5 percent of all children, and approximately one in every 100 adults. Springer has stuttered since childhood and wants kids who stutter to develop the confidence they need to pursue their dreams and ensure that children from underserved families have access to crucial programs.

Springer recently held his second annual All-Star Bowling Benefit at Lucky Strikes bowling lanes. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Camp SAY. On hand to support the former UConn All-American in his efforts were Astros owner Jim Crane and president Reid Ryan.

Also showing up to support the cause were teammates Tony Kemp, Scott Feldman, Mike Fiers, Lance McCullers, Jose George Springer works with Camp SAY to help kids Altuve and Jake Marisnick who stutter.

Camp SAY is a summer camp where everything seems possible for a young person who stutters, and where they develop the skills they need to communicate more effectively, build self-confidence and forge friendships to last a lifetime.

The sleep-away camp welcomes children and teens who stutter, ages 8-18, and their young family members and friends who want to share a camp experience together. “[SAY] first reached out to me in 2014 and I thought it would be a great idea to help anybody I can,” Springer said. “It’s obviously something I’ve dealt with my whole life.”

Springer hopes that his involvement as the national spokesperson for SAY will bring more attention to the plight of youngsters who stutter.

“I don’t think it’s a very talked about thing,” he said. “Not everybody knows about it, you only just hear them do it.

“It’s hard to understand for people who don’t do it. As a person who stutters I believe I can help others overcome some of the major obstacles that come with it.”

The role parents play in the life of a child who stutters is extremely important. Springer’s father George II shared the two-prong approach he and his wife used to help their son.

“We got help very early on,” Springer’s father said. “The first thing we did was invest in information that will enable you to help your child develop the physical tools to be able to manage stuttering, because it’s not going to go away.

“We used a speech therapist and this can be difficult because in a lot of cases insurance does not cover that type of therapy. We invested that money out of my pocket. We attended certain speech lessons so we could learn the skills necessary to help George manage the stutter.”

“The second part is the hard part and that’s dealing with all the issues with self-confidence and self-esteem, ensuring that at a very early age your child begins to recognize that they have value just like everybody else,” George II said.

“Yes, there are going to be difficult days.

There may be some ridicule, some embarrassment, but at the end of the day you have nothing to be embarrassed about. That’s the hard part, to get young people to understand, stuttering doesn’t define who you are, it’s simply a challenge you have to overcome, not unlike any other challenges in life.”

If there is one word young Springer stresses to parents it’s patience.

“You have to be patient,” he said.

“Patience and understanding are the keys because it’s extremely hard for the person that’s going through it and it’s hard for the person that’s not going through it because they don’t understand. For parents you just have to embrace it and be there to support your child.”

Springer’s effort raised more than $100,000 and will send children from families in need to Camp SAY. Visit www.campsay.org for more information.

Springer, an outfielder, was drafted by the Astros in 2011 in the first round.

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JUNE 9 | 2016 | DEFENDER

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sportsbriefs Hebert heads to Canada Former Prairie View A&M University running back Johnta' Hebert is heading north of the border after recently signing with the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders. An All-American and All-SWAC performer, Hebert led the Panthers in rushing, receiving and all-purpose yardage as the 2015 team finished 9-2 in their first season under head coach Willie Simmons. The Baton Rouge native was a sparkplug behind an offensive unit which ranked sixth nationally in total yardage.

Hebert finished second nationally in all-purpose yardage (201.2), 16th in kickoff return yardage (26.3), 18th in rushing yards per carry (6) and 27th in rushing yardage per game. He also caught a team-high 47 receptions and closed out his career with 3,133 rushing yards, 1,301 receiving yards, 3,093 kickoff return yards and 33 career touchdowns.

Cougars off to nationals The Pearland Lady Oilers are the Class 6A state runners-up.

Hopes of Pearland seniors dashed by Keller a Louisiana-Lafayette signee, threw a complete-game threehitter. Clark brought her ace back for the title game.

Keller (32-7-1) struck for three runs in the top of the first AUSTIN – Fourteen Pearland seniors were hoping to inning against Pearland to seize control of the game. It was a double their pleasure and double their fun at the University scenario that Clark had seen one day earlier.

Interscholastic League (UIL) girls’ state softball tournament at “That would stun anyone and I think it’s exactly what they McCombs Field. Keller senior pitcher Kaylee Rogers had other did yesterday against Atascocita in the semifinals,” she said. ideas.

“We warned the kids that they come out ready to go and Keller Following a special graduation ceremony held for the does a great job of firing themselves up from the start.”

Pearland seniors just hours before the start of the Class 6A state The big blow of the first inning was a two-run home run to championship game, the Lady Oilers harbored grand visions leftfield by Keller catcher Shelby Henderson. In Keller’s eightof securing the program’s third state title before venturing on inning 5-4 win over Atascocita in the state semifinals, Henderto college. All 14 Pearland son added two doubles and seniors have signed scholartwo RBIs. defendernetwork.com ships to play softball on the The Indians added insurLangham Creek baseball proves collegiate level. ance runs in the second and to be resilient Yet Rogers, a Sam Housfourth innings. ton State University commit, Pearland right fielder proved to be insurmountable as she tossed a four-hit shutout and Madison Clements was one of the few bright spots in the Lady Keller prevailed 5-0 to win the school’s third state crown and Oilers’ lineup with a pair of singles. Shortstop Ashlynn Walls first since 2005. and catcher Aileen Garcia had the other hits, but Pearland never “I have to give [Rogers] kudos because she did a great job advanced a runner beyond second base. of keeping us off balance,” said Pearland head coach Laneigh “It wasn’t our day. We couldn’t get on track offensively or Clark. “She took the bats out of our hands and kept us shut defensively,” said Pearland first baseman Sydney Gutierrez, who down. She was selected the Most Valuable Player of the tournaheads to the University of Georgia this fall. “I wish we could ment and I think she deserves it. have done better. We gave it our best but it wasn’t enough. Give “Rogers mixed up her pitches well and worked the outside them (Keller) all the credit.” corner with offerings low in the [strike] zone,” Clark said. “We The game was delayed 30 minutes for lightning right after probably swung at some pitches that we shouldn’t have but she Keller scored its three runs in the top of the first. did what great pitchers are supposed to do. Obviously, she’s a “If anything, the weather break should have helped us great pitcher.” because we’ve been going through stuff like that all season,” Pearland (32-7) advanced to the championship game with a Clark said. “I think the pressure of having to come back against 4-0 victory over Weslaco in the state semifinals. Alyssa Denham, a really good pitcher eventually got to us.”

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

The University of Houston Cougar track and field team qualified seven athletes for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The 4x100 team of LeShon Collins, Jacarias Martin, Mario Burke and Cameron Burrell finished No. 1 in the West region with a time of 39.14. They will head into nationals with the top time in the event. Collins also qualified in the 200 meters with a time of 20.56.

Issac Williams and Amere Lattin advanced in the 100 meter hurdles. Williams ran 13.58 while Lattin ran 13.88. Burrell also qualified in the 100 meters with a time of 10.21. In addition Brian Bell qualified in the 800 meters with a 1:48.73.

The national championship meet takes place in Eugene, Oregon June 8-11.

Atascocita comes close Atascocita High School had a banner year in nearly every sport, including the girls’ softball team and the boys’ baseball squad. The softball team realized a four-year dream of winning the regional title (Region II-6A) and qualifying for the state tournament in Austin. In the state semifinals No. 1 state-ranked Keller took a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth inning.

That’s when the 30-7 Lady Eagles began mounting a comeback. Two runs in the fourth and single markers in the fifth and sixth innings tied the score at 4-4. Tierrah Williams, Kandace Johnson, Megan Calfee and Alyssa Contreras contributed RBIs for Atascocita. Following a scoreless seventh frame the game went into extra innings and Keller squeezed out a 5-4 win in eight innings. Weather wreaked havoc on the Atascocita boys’ Region II6A best-of-three final series against Dallas Jesuit.

Inclement weather eventually reduced the series to a one-game playoff and Atascocita trailed 2-1 going to the seventh inning when Dallas Jesuit erupted for seven runs and won 9-1.

La Grange wins crown The La Grange Leopards have made five appearances in the girls’ state softball tournament since 2000 and come away with three championships.

The 2016 La Grange squad (40-2) was clearly the class of the 4A state tournament field with a 7-1 victory over Brownwood in the state semifinals followed by an 8-1 win against Paris North Lamar in the 4A final. Second baseman Briana Angel was named the title game MVP with two hits, two runs scored and four RBIs.

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Happening in Houston

For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

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Chen, Dee Coleman, Shadi Jam, Maria Rios, Lillie Schechter and Rebecca THE MUSICIANS’ WIVES LAUNCH PARTY……..The Musicians’ Wives Udden. The guest list included Diane Mosier, Denise Adjei, Gayle Fallon, Organization recently held their official TMW launch party at the Astorian.

Andie Gardner, Martha Huebel, Muffie Morony, Ashley Turner, Former Guests were able to watch the premier of The Musicians’ Wives Music Video, Mayor Annise Parker, Juliet Stipeche, State Sen. Rodney Ellis, Carolyn indulge in complimentary beverages, a full self-served buffet and sounds by Scantleberry, Gerald Womack, Algenita Davis, Judge Bill Littlejohn and DJ Supastar. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee presented a proclamation making May 28 the Musicians’ Wives Day. Those in attendance included Brandi Kathy Hubbard……..KTSU ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION……..KTSU 90.9FM kicked off its 45th Anniversary Celebration on the Jackson, Diana Tribitt, Greta Williams, Sheila Moorecampus of Texas Southern University in the Sterling Student Piper, Sonya Early, Kanita Turner, Barry Jackson, Defender TOP EVENTS Life Building. The event included live musical performances, Patrick Zuriel Tribitt, Patrick Williams, Zachery Piper, More photos on defendernetwork.com on-air battles by KTSU radio personalities, live on-air guest Kyle Turner, Parrish Early, Chauncy Glover, Jonathan appearances, Sunday brunch, vendors and family fun for the Martin, Mia Wright, Tony Hill, Carlos Wallace, Darian entire community. The anniversary event also featured the premiere of a new Ward and a host of others……..ROADWOMEN HEART OF THE CITY show featuring gospel legend Kim Burrell. Those in attendance included BRUNCH……..ROADwomen (River Oaks Democratic Women) hosted Ernest Walker, Eva Pickens, LaRence Snowden, Ashley Turner, Cheryl the third annual Heart of the City Brunch at the Junior League of Houston.

Turner, Rashad Cave, Charles Hudson, Terrance Bolten, Iamjustified, The brunch honored remarkable women who paved the way and continues Ricky Williams and a host of students and community supporters. to serve their communities. The honorees included Linda Brown, Debbie

Greta Jordan Williams, Brandi Jackson, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Diane Tribitt, Sonya Early, Sheila Moore Piper, Kanita Turner

Juliet Stipeche, former Mayor Annise Parker

LaRence Snowden, Eva Pickens, Ernest Walker

LaTorria Lemon, Darian Ward

Algenita Davis, State Sen. Rodney Ellis, Linda Brown, Carolyn Scantleberry

Charles Hudson, Terrance Bolten

Leela James, KG-Smooth

Dr. Denise Adjei, Judge Maria Jackson, Judge Bill Littlejohn, Dr. Dorothy Cook

Ashley Turner, Rashad Cave, Cheryl Turner

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