Houston Defender: July 25, 2010

July 25 – 31, 2010 | FREE

Volume 79 Number 31

www.defendernetwork.com

NAACP ON THE MOVE “One Nation” Sherrod may not NAACP vs.

March set Oct. 2 want job back the Tea Party

By Hazel Trice Edney NNPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – On the heels of a major win after the NAACP’s call for an end to the racist wing of the political Tea Party movement, the organization pushed forward this week with plans for a national march and rally in D.C. on October 2.

“We have to celebrate this victory,” NAACP President Ben Jealous said in a brief telephone interview with the NNPA News Service. “People are now depressed and they need signs of light and signs of strength. And the fact that we just got the Tea Party to push out an entire faction of the Tea Party because of racism is something that needs to be noted.”

WASHINGTON (AP) – The woman at the center of a racially tinged firestorm involving the Obama administration and the NAACP is now saying that she doesn’t know if she’d return to her job at the Agriculture Department, even if asked.

“I am just not sure how I would be treated there,” Shirley Sherrod said in a Shirley nationally broadcast interSherrod view.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has said he would reconsider the department’s decision to oust Sherrod over her comments that she didn’t give a white

★ONE NATION, Page 8

DEFENDER WINS!

By ReShonda Tate Billingsley DEFENDER

The local chapter of the NAACP is joining the call to condemn extremist elements within the Tea Party, calling on Tea Party leaders to repudiate those in their ranks who use racist language in their signs and speeches. But some Tea Party members say the NAACP is going too far.

The NAACP’s resolu★NAACP, Page 7

Ben Jealous ★SHERROD, Page 7

NAACP President

Receives National Journalism acclaim with Messenger Award. See page 3 CDC REPORT

National Black Chamber Confab AIDS is a Black serves as opportunity for business and poor disease

By Christina Calloway DEFENDER

Businesses all over the country were hit hard by the economic downturn, and Black businesses were no exception.

What is the key to turning things around? According to some experts, it’s as simple as networking.

Networking will be the key focus of an upcoming convention sponsored by the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC). The organization is holding its 18th annual convention at the Four Seasons Hotel with the theme, “Energy and Technology driving America’s Economy,” providing Houston with a chance to network with the nation’s top business leaders.

The census bureau recently released a report that showed minority business

ownership increased at more than twice the national rate between 2002-2007 prior to the nation’s recession.

When Harry C. Alford, president and CEO of the NBCC, started the NBCC in 1993, there were 300,000 Black- owned businesses doing about $30 billion a year, according to the census.

Today the census bureau says there are 1.9 million Black-owned businesses doing $138 billion a year.

“That’s a big improvement but there are obstacles along the way like this recession, like the oil in the Gulf,” said Alford. “Thirty percent of businesses in that Gulf are Black-owned, so they’re going to be hurt. We need to overcome that with organization, with courage, and with vision.” ★NBCC, Page 6

CONVENTION INFO

By George E. Curry

WHO:

NNPA SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

National Black Chamber of Commerce WHAT:

18th Annual Convention: Energy and Technology driving America’s Economy WHEN:

July 22nd-24th WHERE:

Four Seasons Hotel Downtown Houston

VIENNA, Austria (NNPA) – Phill Wilson, president and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, has good reasons for describing AIDS as a Black disease. Although Blacks are 12.8 percent of the U.S. population, they represent 45 percent of all people infected each year with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Black women represent 66 percent of all new HIV cases each year among women, a study conducted in five major cities found that 46 percent of gay and bisexual Black men have contracted HIV, compared to 21 percent of similar White men, and although Black teenagers are only 15 percent of U.S. teen population, they account for 68 percent of all new AIDS cases among teens.

In what it calls the first federal study of its kind, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now added ★AIDS, Page 6

INTERVIEW

Stedman’s steps to success

By Kam Williams CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Stedman Graham was born on March 6, 1951 in Whitesboro, NJ, a community founded in 1901 by a group of prominent African-Americans, which included Booker T. Washington and Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Stedman attended Middle Township High School, where the 6’6” phenom starred on the varsity basketball team. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Hardin-Simmons University, he played professionally in Europe for a few years before returning to the U.S. to work on his Master’s in Education from Ball State.

An enduring, high-profile relationship with Oprah Winfrey has perhaps overshadowed the long list of business and charitable accomplishments accumulated over the course of Mr. Graham’s impressive career as Chairman and CEO of S. Graham & Associates, a man-

agement and marketing consulting firm specializing in the corporate and educational fields. A prolific writer, he is also the author of ten books, two of which became New York Times bestsellers. And he has taught at several colleges, including a course on leadership at the University of Illinois and one on strategic management at Northwestern.

Most importantly, Mr. Graham has exhibited a lifelong commitment to community via Athletes Against Drugs (AAD), a non-profit organization he founded in 1985, which remains dedicated to developing leadership in underserved youth through scholarships and education. Recently, Stedman talked to me about his work with AAD and other projects.

Kam Williams: Hi Stedman, thanks so much for the time.

Stedman Graham: It’s my pleasure.

Click on Defendernetwork.com Weekend

Weekend

Monday

George E. Curry

Family

Nicole C. Lee

LeBron's Decision to be LeGone

Summer Fun with Science

Wall Street Reform Bill & Africa

★STEDMAN, Page 2

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JULY 25 – 31, 2010 | DEFENDER

Stedman

continued from page 1 KW: I have a friend, Franklin Moore, who claims he’s a cousin of yours. Is that true or has the brother been making it up all these years?

SG: It’s true. he’s my closest cousin, my favorite cousin. Where do you know him from?

KW: His younger son, Joseph, and my son have been friends since they were in pre-school together.

SG: That’s great, Joseph’s my godson.

KW: Small world. Tell me what’s going on with Athletes Against Drugs?

SG: The focus of the organization, which is really known now as AAD Education, Health and Sports is the positive, not the negative. Being in this business for 25 years has taught us that it’s not about the drugs but about providing positive choices, keeping yourself active and keeping yourself busy with activities, the proper curriculum, and special events like taking kids to games. That’s how you keep our youth off drugs.

KW: Where is the organization located?

SG: We’re operating out of Chicago. That’s our home base.

But we do programs all around the country in coordination with various teams and various athletes. We provide programming in the schools, class curriculum, tutoring, and sports field trips. And we have athletes come speak in the schools.

We’ve done all that for years. So, we’re really strong in terms of programming.

KW: Didn’t you have a big event recently?

SG: Well, we had our annual golf tournament where we bring in a lot of athletes. It’s one of our fundraisers. This year was our 25th anniversary celebration.

Photo: MJ Schear, AP

Oprah Winfrey and her long-time partner Stedman Graham listen to a speaker in Whitesboro, N.J. KW: I understand that you teach at Full Sail University, an amazing arts college. What attracted you to this school, and what are you teaching there?

SG: I teach identity education and development. I teach people how to find their passion. I do it using a nine step plan. I also teach them how to develop a bigger vision once they have that passion.

The thing that attracted me to Full Sail is that they have their passion already. So, what they needed was the other eight steps.

The curriculum that I teach encompasses all that. It’s especially pertinent to folks who already have an identity in terms of their job, their future employment or career path. [For more info, see Stedman’s book, You Can Make It Happen: A Nine Step Plan for Success.

KW: I know you have a background in education. Do you support early childhood educational programs, which help young

African-American males bridge the achievement gap, even before the first grade?

SG: Totally! I have a ten-week program in the high schools, which we’d like to push down to the middle and elementary schools. And we also have a program for parents and teachers. So, we’re very much proponents of helping kids develop an identity as early as possible in their lives.

KW: What is the lifestyle you see for yourself in ten years?

SG: I’d like to be able to travel around the world working with organizations and institutions to help educate as many people as possible about how to develop an identity for themselves, about how to find out who they are. And I’d like to teach them information making it relevant to their own development.

KW: What is your PR firm’s specialty?

SG: We have a marketing and management consulting business.

What we do is focus on the books

that I’ve written and the content that I have, and other projects and ventures, including seminars, speaking engagements, online training and development, and on serving our strong existing client base to set up win-win situations.

KW: What’s your goal for the future?

SG: My big goal is to develop a strong operational structure and alliances with our partners to build a better distribution network to deliver our content.

KW: What advice do you have for those who’d like to start their own business in this challenging economic environment?

SG: I would say, make sure you focus on what you love and what you’re passionate about, so that when times get tough, you can overcome that obstacle.

KW: Are you still associated with Armstrong Williams and do you share his political perspective?

SG: I’ve known him for a number of years. He’s been a friend of

mine. I try to not allow my personal relationship with him as a friend get mixed up with his political aspirations. Also, I don’t make judgments about people just because they may have a different point-of-view from mine.

KW: What is your most powerful, spiritual source of strength?

KW: My most powerful, spiritual source of strength is knowing that God is love. So, when I focus on love, and put that in my heart, then I have the power of a strong, spiritual base and foundation.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

SG: No, but that’s the toughest question I’ve been asked.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

SG: Spaghetti!

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

SG: I see hope!

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

SG: For all the people who have dropped out of school and who don’t think they’re good enough to understand who they really are and that the process for success is the same for everybody, if you understand it.

KW: What do you want your legacy to be?

SG: That I succeeded in teaching people how to maximize their potential as human beings.

KW: Well, thanks again for the interview, Stedman.

SG: Thank you. This was fun.

Man, you’re good!

KW: I get a lot of help. If you notice, most of my questions come from my readers and from celebrities.

SG: Well, you’re the conduit, so you gotta be good to organize it all. Take care.

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JULY 25 – 31, 2010 | DEFENDER

New Orleans police indicted in Post-Katrina shootings

By Dorothy Rowley

claim that the victims were shot without cause.

According to the department, a gun was planted at the scene as part of a cover (NNPA) - The Justice up and fictional witnesses Department has announced were created. indictments for six New “We’re pleased to see that Orleans police officers in conKenneth Robert Arthur the investigations have pronection with a fatal shooting Bowen Faulcon Kaufman gressed to the point that they and subsequent cover-up in have,” Danatus King, presithe aftermath of Hurricane dent of the New Orleans Katrina in 2005.

Chapter of the NAACP, told As the result of an investithe AFRO. gation launched in May by the “Attorney General Eric U. S. Department of Justice, Holder and the Obama six officers with the New administration deserve a lot Orleans Police Department of credit,” said Marc Morial, face charges of federal civil president and CEO of the Robert Anthony Gerard rights law violations in the National Urban League and Gisevius Villavaso Dugue shooting deaths of two former New Orleans mayor. unarmed civilians during the “That investigation had chaotic aftermath of Hurricane ings were justified. Charges against been stalled and many of us worried Katrina. them include obstruction of justice. that it would be swept under the rug.

The 27-count indictment handed Kaufman faces up to 120 years in These are a very important set of up by a federal grand jury in prison and Dugue faces a maximum charges that demonstrates that this Louisiana alleges how 17 year old sentence of 70 years in prison. administration cares about the issue James Brisette was killed and four The officers had responded to the of police brutality.” members of his family wounded and Danziger Bridge just a few days after U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder how 40-year-old Ronald Madison the hurricane hit following reports of said in a statement issued July 13 was killed along the Danziger looting and someone shooting at that his department is working with Bridge in eastern New Orleans. other officers. According to the officials in New Orleans to restore Four officers, Robert Faulcon, Justice Department, Brisette and five residents’ trust in the police departKenneth Bowen, Robert Gisevius members of the Bartholomew family ment. and Anthony Villavaso, are in jail on were walking across the bridge to “Put simply, we will not tolerate homicide and obstruction of justice get food and other supplies from a wrongdoing by those who are sworn charges in the shootings that grocery store when the officers to protect the public,” Holder said in occurred minutes apart during the began shooting. Brisette was killed the statement. chaotic aftermath of the hurricane. and four other people were woundKing said that the New Orleans Faulcon and Villavaso are Black. If ed. community has known for a while convicted, they could face the death Minutes later, the officers then about credibility problems surroundpenalty. allegedly shot at two brothers, ing the police department.

Two police department supervi- including Madison, who was menHe said, “We’ve called for an sors Arthur Kaufman and the now- tally disabled, and Bowen allegedly investigation concerning allegations retired Gerard Dugue who helped kicked the man repeatedly. Madison of police conduct before Katrina and investigate the shootings at the time, was pronounced dead at the scene. it’s good now that we’ve gotten to were charged with participating in a The officers contended they fired the point of getting outside help cover-up to make it appear the shoot- in self-defense. But Justice officials [from the Justice Department.”

SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER

The Defender has won three coveted national awards which are equivalent to the Pulitzer Prize of the Black Press of America.

Defender takes home coveted award The Defender Media Group is proud to once again bring home the coveted A. Philip Randolph Messenger Award. But what makes this year’s win even more spectacular is the winning story was the result of the Defenders commitment to nurture the next generation of journalists.

Victoria Lewis, a student-intern from Texas Southern University took home the coveted prize for a story she wrote entitled “Green Jobs.”

“As a publisher, I have always been committed to making sure that the torch is passed to future journalists,” said Defender Publisher and CEO, Sonceria Messiah-Jiles.

“The Defender prides itself in giving students, particularly African-American students the training, background and

journalistic tools to compete on a national level. This award is validation that our work is paying off. “ This year makes the 20th year of the MillerCoors and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) A. Philip Randolph Messenger Awards presentation. The awards, named in recognition of late civil rights leader and labor organizer A. Philip Randolph and his pioneering Black publication, The Messenger, honors writers, reporters and publishers from the nation’s Black press for journalistic excellence focusing on the Black condition. Victoria Lewis was among the 2010 award winners, who took home trophies and monetary awards totaling $30,000.

TIME OFF! H.S. Sports editor Darrell Ardison and our People editor Ms. Chag are on Vacation.

4

JULY 25 – 31, 2010 | DEFENDER

CME Church elects first female Bishop (NNPA) — The Rev. Dr. Teresa Snorton has been elected the first female bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church. Snorton was one among elected bishop during the congregation’s thirtysixth quadrennial session and thirty-seventh General Conference, which convened in Mobile, Ala. Teresa early this Snorton month, it has b e e n announced. The conference theme was, “An Essential Church”: Poised for 21st Century Ministry.”

A fourth generation, life-long CME member, Bishop Snorton has long prepared for this moment. She is executive director of the national Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE); the former executive director of the Emory Center for Pastoral Services in Atlanta, Ga.; and former director of Pastoral Services at Crawford Long Hospital. She has been adjunct instructor in Pastoral Care at Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

According to a release announcing her election, she is descendant of a great-grandfather, a father and an uncle who were all CME pastors. Her grandmother was an active missionary. Her two sisters are also CME ministers. As an ordained minister in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, she has served as a pastor in Kentucky. Before moving to Atlanta, she was also a psychiatric staff chaplain in Louisville, on the adjunct faculty of the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Kentucky. She was also on the faculties of the Patient Counseling Program at the Medical College of Virginia and the School of Theology of Virginia Union University, both in Richmond.

Bishop Snorton has a B.A. degree from Vanderbilt University, a Master of Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology in Pastoral Care from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a post-graduate certificate in Patient Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University, and the Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Amidst a plethora of activities and memberships, she is a member of the International Congress of Pastoral Care and Counseling, the Society for Pastoral Theology, and

VOLUME 79 • NUMBER 39 JULY 25 – 31, 2010 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Editor Von Jiles Associate Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Cale Carter Columnist Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Webmaster Corneleon Block The Houston Defender Newspaper published by The Houston Defender Inc. Company (713) 663-6996. The Defender audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC).

For subscriptions, send $60.00 — 1 year, to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston, TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All materials covered by 2010 copyright... (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

Business Manager of the Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling.

Also an author, Bishop Snorton is co-editor of a book, “Women Out of Order: Risking

Change and Creating Care in a Multi-Cultural World, co-edited with Dr. Jeanne StevensonMoessner and published by Fortress Press last year.

Bishop Snorton is married to

Charles Short. They have three sons and three grandchildren.

The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, under the leadership of Senior Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. and its

College of Bishops, is a 139year old historically AfricanAmerican Christian denomination with more than 1.2 million members across the United States. It has missions and sister

churches in Haiti, Jamaica, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan/Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda Rwanda and Burundi.

SPORTS

JULY 25 – 31, 2010 | DEFENDER

5

Bobby Lashley Moving from Pro Wrestling to Mixed Martial Arts

By Max Edison DEFENDER

T

he Strikeforce brand of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) invades the Toyota Center on August 21st in a World Championship doubleheader. Light Heavyweight Champion (205 lbs.) “King Mo” Lawal (7-0) makes his first title defense against challenger Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (9-2). In addition, in a co-main event, Tim Kennedy (12-2) takes on Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (12-2-1) in a battle for the vacant Strikeforce Middleweight (185 lbs.) crown.

Appearing on the action-filled card will be former WWE heavyweight champion Bobby Lashley (6’3” 250 lbs.). The former pro wrestling star sports a record of 5-0, winning four of his last five outings in the first round in a combined 4:22 minutes, since making the transition into MMA. He explains his reason for making the change.

“You only live once,” Lashley reasoned. “Back in 2003, I was in a bank that got robbed and I got shot at. I injured my knee and was unable to compete in the Bobby Lashley Olympics (2004). As I was lying on the floor I told myself, whatever I want to do, I’m going to do and I now I have chosen to try my hand at MMA.” He explains his rational for joining the Strikeforce brand.

“I wanted to sign with an organization I knew had quality opponents so that as I improved, I’d be able to fight better and better competition,” Lashley said. “Strikeforce has that.

That was definitely the reason for signing with them. I wanted to get challenged and see where I’m at.”

Needless to say, many in the MMA criticized Lashley’s decision to join their sport that is growing immensely in popularity.

“There’s a lot of critics out there in MMA, especially with me transferring over from WWE,” Lashley explained. “I knew when I was in WWE, there would be a time when I’d want to step away from there and go and fight. I had a pretty impressive amateur background. I wanted to put my ‘black belt’ in wrestling against some of these heavyweights and make a name for myself.”

He further rejects that coming from professional wrestling he hasn’t paid any dues in the MMA game.

“I have 20 years of wrestling experience. I was a threetime college national champion, a four-time All-American and I took second in the world championships. I took a job (pro wrestling) for a few years to support my family and make a better life for myself, don’t look at that as a guy who didn’t pay any dues.”

He is also encouraged by the success that other professional wrestlers have had in the world of MMA. “I look at some of the guys that have excelled because of their wrestling background and say I have that opportunity, too,” Lashley said.

Lashley also points out there is another key element that he brings to MMA after a successful run as a pro wrestler.

Large crowds and stage fright don’t faze him.

“The pro wrestling background allows me to be comfortable when I go out there and that’s a big deal,” the Junction City, Kansas native shared. “Some guys go out there and their heart is racing and they’re breathing hard and they’re not able to perform. Some guys in practice are the greatest,

Photo: Rosemary Acosta Clark/STRIKEFORCE

Bobby figths in the Strikeforce cage during his fight with Wes Sims at Bank Atlantic Center in Florida. but when they go out in the cage they fall off. They don’t have that experience in front of a crowd. In pro wrestling, we perform in front of very large crowds all the time and I’m used to it. I can’t wait to get in front of the crowd and display my skills.”

Bobby also thinks that many fans have a big misconception that prowess in the martial arts automatically provides an automatic key to success in MMA. “A lot of MMA fans look at different parts of the sport, whether it’s jui jitsu or something like that and say oh, this is great because he has a black belt and he’s really dangerous. Well guess what, there’s another black belt that’s really dangerous and that’s the wrestling black belt and I’ll put that up against any other black belt!”

Lashley feels another major key to MMA success is having a strength and working behind it.

If you’re good at something, you really have to press that in the fight. When I first got started my boxing was still coming around, I wasn’t feeling too comfortable with it so I went straight for the take down (wrestling maneuver) because that’s what I felt comfortable with. Over the last year I’ve been training really hard. I went down and trained with Eddie Mustafa, a boxing trainer, who has trained some really good boxers. I’m going up to New York to train with a moi tai instructor and some more boxing trainers. I try to be descent at everything and build up each one (skill set) as you can.”

For those who grew fond of watching Bobby Lashley perform as a pro wrestler in both the WWE and TNA organizations, he’s quick to point out, he hasn’t abandoned thoughts of returning.

“I really didn’t give up pro wrestling, I kind of took a step back. I still love pro wrestling. Will I go back to it?

Absolutely at some point in time. I love it and I’ve got a lot of fans that hate the fact that I just kind of disappeared. I plan to win the title (MMA), hold it for a little while, then I might go back to pro wrestling.”

He also is a proponent of the concept “the more the merrier”. Let anyone that’s wants to try the MMA game have a shot.

“I welcome everybody into it, it’s a great sport,” Bobby proclaimed. “I heard Shaq wants to come in. I’d love for everybody to come in here. Anybody that wants to fight MMA should have the opportunity to do it. It’s like the modern day fight club. A lot of hard core MMA guys get upset when they see guys like Batista (WWE), or Brock (Lesner, WWE) or Herschel Walker come over into the sport, but I welcome them. Whoever is hot, even if it’s Miley Cyrus. If she decides to come and fight, I want to be on that card. The reason in my mind is simple; if she’s fighting that means there will be millions of people watching her and before she comes out they will see me fight and I might catch a couple of new fans!”

At age 34, Bobby Lashley knows he is on the fast track for MMA success and wants to make the most of every opportunity with only one thing on his mind, a shot at the championship.

“I’m a little older now so I’ll be pressing for a title shot around the first of the year,” he acknowledged. “I’ve got this fight here in Houston and I’ll hopefully I can get another one this fall. By then I should be 7-0 and I’ll be begging for a title shot. Every fight is important. This is an opportunity to challenge and push myself to be the best. I’ve been training hard, my striking has improved and I think I’m doing well.

I’m patient, but I will fight anybody.”

Max Edison

on Sports Preseason Honors for Keenum With the kickoff to the college football season about a month away, it’s time for the preseason accolades and predictions to start rolling in.

Based on his prolific performance in 2009, Cougar quarterback Case Keenum is a very popular guy this time of the year.

The senior quarterback Case Keenum from Abilene received another preseason honor last week when he was named to the 2010 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List.

The O’Brien Award is presented annually to the best college quarterback of the year and is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious quarterback award. The O’Brien honors candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character, while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics.

The watch list was compiled by a subset of The O’Brien National Selection Committee, which based its criteria on player performances from the previous year and expectations for the 2010 college football season.

This was only the most recent preseason honor for Keenum. Earlier this month, he was honored as one of only 22 players to be named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List.

He was honored as a “Favorite” for both the College Football Performance Awards National Performer of the Year and the College Football Performance Awards Quarterback Trophy. In addition, Case has been named to several Preseason All-America Teams.

Keenum and other Cougar student-athletes are expected to earn additional preseason honors and be named to other national award watch lists during the next few weeks.

A year ago, Keenum led the nation in total offense for the second straight season, averaging more than 400 yards per game. He posted a school-record 5,671 passing yards with 44 touchdowns and helped lead the Cougars to a 10-4 overall record and fifth consecutive bowl appearance.

With his passing yardage, he became only the second player in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision history with multiple 5,000yard passing seasons during his career. He enters the 2010 season on the cusp of setting many NCAA Division I-FBS passing and total offense career records.

Ditto for PV’s Black Not to be outdone, Panther QB K.J. Black was honored to an exclusive watch list as well.

K.J. one of 20 players named to the initial Walter Payton Award Watch List earlier this week. The award, sponsored by Fathead.com, is presented to the top offensive player on the Football Championship Subdivision level.

Black’s efficiency as a junior in 2009 helped pave the way for the Panthers to win their first Southwestern Athletic Conference title since 1964. He led the FCS in completion percentage (70.4) while connecting on 162-of-230 passes, and he threw for 22 touchdowns against only four interceptions. His pin-point passing per-

formances included 12-of-14 versus New Mexico State, 16-of-18 versus Grambling State, 24-of-30 versus Alcorn State and 23-of-27 versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Black, the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, also rushed for 170 yards and four touchdowns. He wasn’t the season-opening starter, but behind the Western Kentucky transfer, Prairie View finished 9-1 and lost by only three points to FBS New Mexico State. In their 30-24 win over Alabama A&M in the SWAC Championship Game, Black threw two of his three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. The title completed a remarkable season for a Prairie View program that had lost 80 straight games during the 1990s As a result of his accomplishments on the field, Black was selected as the Offensive MVP by the Southwestern Athletic Conference, Sheridan Broadcasting, Heritage Sports Radio Network and Black College Sports Page. He also earned the Paul Duffy Award by The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. Updates to the Payton Award Watch List will be announced on Oct. 4 and 25. Ballots will be sent to a panel of approximately 200 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries after the regular season on Nov. 22. Three finalists will be announced on Dec. 1 and invited to Frisco, Texas for the annual The Sports Network/Fathead FCS Awards Presentation.

Davis and Ching All-Stars Congratulations go out to Houston Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis and forward Brian Ching; both were selected to the 23 man A T & T 2010 MLS All-Star team that will take on Manchester United in the 2010 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 28, 2010 at Reliant Stadium.

Possessing a cultured left foot, Brad Davis is one of the best dead ball strikers in MLS and has three goals, six assists in 15 games this season.

In 2009, Davis tied for best in MLS with 12 assists and was named Dynamo team MVP. The third overall pick out of Saint Louis University in the 2003 SuperDraft, he began his career with the MetroStars before going to Dallas for two seasons. Davis then went to San Jose in 2005, moving with the club when they transferred to Houston for the 2006 season. This is Davis ‘ third MLS All-Star appearance.

Brian Ching, the Dynamo’s exemplary talisman has three goals and an assist in nine games this season. A three-time MLS Cup winner and MVP of MLS Cup 2006, Ching was a part of the U.S. national team pre-World Cup camp, and is the first Hawaiian to play for the U.S. team. The “Big Kahuna” led MLS with 12 goals in 2004 and was named to the MLS Best XI. In each of the past four seasons, Ching has led, or tied for the lead, in goals for his club. After making his debut in 2001 with Los Angeles, he spent a year in the USL before signing with San Jose in 2003.

This is Ching’s fourth MLS All-Star appearance.

6

AIDS

In an interview Sunday with a group of AfricanAmerican reporters assembled by the Black AIDS continued from page 1 Institute, Dr. Jonathan Merimin, director of the CDC’s poverty as another factor – at least for heterosexuals Division on HIV/AIDS Prevention, stated, “There is living in poor, urban communities in the United States nothing biological that has caused African-Americans – likely to increase the risk of becoming infected with to have such a disproportionate rate of HIV infection.

HIV. It’s the social, it’s the economic, it’s the epidemilogical “The study reveals a powerful link between poverty environment in which people live.” and HIV risk, and a widespread HIV epiHe added, “There are multiple factors demic in America’s inner cities,” Dr. Kevin associated with HIV infection in the United Fenton, director of CDC’s National Center States. for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and One of the main factors is race. In addiTB Prevention, said in a statement. “In this tion, even among African-Americans, country, HIV clearly strikes at the econompoverty is also a risk factor, as it is with othically disadvantaged in a devastating way.” ers.”

The CDC findings were released here at According to the National Poverty Center the biennial international AIDS Conference. at the University of Michigan, 24.7 percent Phill Wilson The study, conducted in 2006 and 2007, of Blacks lived below the poverty line in included more than 9,000 heterosexual 2008, compared to 23.2 percent of adults aged 18 to 58, about 77 percent of Hispanics, 8.6 percent of non-Hispanic whom were Black. Specific census tracts in Whites and 11.8 percent of Asians. Poverty 25 communities with a poverty rate of at was defined in 2007 as an individual with least 20 percent were selected to be studied. an annual income of approximately $10,000 The CDC report combined data from cenor less. sus tracts in 23 of the 25 cities, including “What’s surprising about these results is Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Newark, St. that if you are living in these areas and your Jonathan Louis, New Orleans, Dallas, Detroit, household income is less than $10,000 a Mermin Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Seattle. It did year, your’re seven times more likely to not provide data on the individual cities. have HIV than if you’re in these areas and Although the CDC has conducted major studies on your household income is greater than $50,000 a year,” HIV prevalence rates among gay and bisexual men as said Mermin, whose department supervised the study. well as drug users, this is the first time it has conductPhill Wilson of the Black AIDS Institute looked at ed a separate study on heterosexuals living in poor the numbers from another perspective. urban communities.

He said, “The study tells us that when other racial Researchers were surprised to discover that although and ethnic groups face the same social determinants of African-Americans overall have disproportionately health as Blacks – the social and econiomic conditions high HIV- infection rates, there was no significant within which they live and that impact their well-being racial or ethnic gap among heterosexuals living in poor – their HIV rates rise to similar levels as those of urban neighborhoods.

Blacks, even for Whites whose rate of infection is nor“Within the low income urban areas included in the mally substantially lower than rates for both Blacks and study, individuals living below the poverty line were at Latinos.” greater risk for HIV than those living above it (2.4 perThe link between poverty and HIV is an intriguing cent prevalences vs. 1.2 percent), though prevalence one that raises critical questions about access to health for both groups was far higher than the national aver- care, the socio-economic standing of sexual partners age (0.45 percent),” the CDC said in a statement. and the impact one’s environment has on contracting “There were no significant differences in HIV preva- the virus. lence by race or ethnicity in these low income urban CDC officials acknowledge that additional research areas: prevalence was 2.1 percent among blacks, 2.1 needs to be conducted now that a direct link has been percent among Hispanics, and 1.7 percent among clearly established between poverty and HIV. whites.

“Why poverty is associated with HIV infection “By contrast, the U.S. epidemic overall is character- among African-Americans and even more so, perhaps, ized by severe racial/ethnic disparities: the HIV preva- among White Americans and Latino Americans?” lence rates for blacks is almost 8 times that of whites, Mermin asked, rhetorically. “That’s something we need and the HIV prevalence rate among Hispanics is near- to look at.” ly 3 times that of whites.”

JULY 25 – 31, 2010 | DEFENDER

NBCC

continued from page 1 John Scroggins, president and CEO of Unity National Bank, has a growing institution, despite the economic times. And with the main branch being in the greater Third Ward community for almost five decades, Scroggins has seen the best and worst to hit Houston’s economy and his bank.

“The state of Black business nationally is poor and the state of Black businesses in Houston is moderate to low,” said Scroggins. “That’s not good. Hopefully we continue to emerge from this recession, which according to economists started back in December of 2007. Now some folks think we’re out of it but most people don’t really believe that so I would say that we’ll continue to see the minority businesses continue to be slow.”

One thing that both Alford and Scroggins agree on as one of the major challenges of Black-owned businesses is that they don’t have the right amount of capital.

“We need to be more flexible, especially with capital access,” said Alford. “Right now, you can’t go to a bank and get a loan; you just can’t get a good loan at a bank. So you got to find people with money who are willing to invest or other businesses who are willing to partner and buy shares in your company.”

“There’s a statistic that’s been around for a long time that says that in the first five years of the start of a business, normally four out of five businesses will fail,” said Scroggins.

“That’s bad, that’s eighty percent but its true and the reason is because there is a direct correlation between failure and two things: not having the right amount of experience and not having the proper amount of capital to sustain them.”

In 2009, the U.S economy shrank two-point-four percent and during this time, many of the nation’s top African-American CEOs found themselves in the middle of a bloodbath, according to Black Enterprise maga-

zine.

Business owners must look past the dim lighting, and look at the opportunities offered to them, including doing business internationally.

“We need to think smarter, we need to network better with the private sector, and we need to expose opportunities in the public sector and shame the mayors and the governors who don’t do right in terms of opening the doors of opportunities,” said Alford.

“We need to also try to be involved in more work that’s being sanctioned by the government whether it is federal government, state government, city government, or local government try to get some of those government contracts,” added Scroggins.

Supporting Scroggins’ point, CEOs who finessed pre-existing relationships with federal and state governments to garner lucrative contracts were notable winners in 2009, realizing revenue gains according to Black Enterprise.

Most importantly, it is vital that the Black community support Black businesses and in turn, Black businesses will be able to provide employment opportunities.

The biggest opportunity is right here in our backyard, the NBCC’s annual convention. “I think it showcases Houston, so we’re bringing entrepreneurs and chamber executives from all over the world that have come to Houston for the first time. They get the flavor of Houston and I’m sure they are going to enjoy it and come back,” said Alford.

“They can hear for themselves the status of the economy, what is going on on a national basis and relate that to what’s going on on a local basis here in Houston. Also network with some of those folks that’s attending to see if they may be able to get together and do some contracts or some work together. I think that’s the main thing they should get out of it; to find out and be aware of what’s going on,” said Scroggins on the importance of attending the convention.

7

JULY 25 – 31, 2010 | DEFENDER

Sherrod

continued from page 1 farmer as much help as she could have 24 years ago.

Sherrod said later in a broadcast interview that she might consider returning if she had the chance, saying she’s received encouraging calls, including one from the NAACP. The White House called the Agriculture Department recently more information about Sherrod’s remarks emerged, a White House official said. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the call, said the White House and the department agreed that the case should be reviewed based on the new evidence.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson called on the administration to apologize for Sherrod’s treatment, saying he had talked to Vilsack before the secretary said he’d take another look at her ouster.

He said the case is even “more egregious” than last year’s controversy over the arrest of a Black Harvard scholar outside his home. In that case, President Barack Obama brokered a discussion during a White House “beer summit” with Henry Louis Gates Jr., who said he was racially profiled, and white officer Sgt. James Crowley, who arrested him.

“With each passing hour, this case becomes more intense, and just as the president moved quickly on the Gates-Crowley case he should move quickly on this case,” Jackson said.

“The politics of fear cannot overwhelm the politics of truth, and she has truth on her side.”

The incident is the latest in a series of race-related brouhahas that have garnered national attention since

Obama took office as the nation’s first Black president.

A conservative website posted video of Sherrod’s remarks, causing a furor, which led to her condemnation by the NAACP and her ouster by Vilsack. Until recently, she was the Agriculture Department’s director of rural development in Georgia. Then, she said, she was pressured by superiors to resign.

Sherrod said her remarks, delivered in March at a local NAACP banquet in Georgia, were part of a larger story about learning from her mistakes and racial reconciliation, not racism, and said they were taken out of context by bloggers who posted only part of her speech.

Vilsack’s statement came after the NAACP posted the full video of Sherrod’s comments.

“I am of course willing and will conduct a thorough review and consider additional facts to ensure to the American people we are providing services in a fair and equitable manner,” Vilsack said.

The administration’s move to reconsider her employment was an absolute reversal from hours earlier, when the White House official said that Obama had been briefed on Sherrod’s resignation after the fact and stood by the Agriculture Department’s handling of it.

But growing calls for the administration to reconsider the decision put pressure on Vilsack, who stressed that the decision to ask for her resignation was his alone. The NAACP, which initially condemned Sherrod’s remarks and supported her ouster, later said she should keep her job. The civil rights group said it and millions of others were duped by the conservative website that posted partial video

NAACP

continued from page 1 tion came after a year of high-profile media coverage of attendees of Tea Party marches using vile, antagonistic racial slurs & images. In March, respected members of the Congressional Black Caucus reported that racial epithets were hurled at them as they passed by a Washington, DC health care protest. Civil rights legend John Lewis was called the “n-word” in the incident while others in the crowd used ugly anti-gay slurs to describe Congressman Barney Frank, a long-time NAACP supporter and the nation’s first openly gay member of Congress. Missouri Representative Emmanuel Cleaver was spat on during the incident, and so it was particularly appropriate that the resolution was passed as NAACP delegates gathered in Kansas City for our 101st Annual Convention. “”We take no issue with the Tea Party. We believe in freedom of assembly and people raising their voices in a democracy. We take issue with the Tea Party’s continued tolerance for bigotry and bigoted statements. The time has come for them to accept the responsibility that comes with influence and make clear there is no space for racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in their movement,” said Ben Jealous, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

“We want this to be a national outcry from everyone and Houston is very involved,” added Houston NAACP branch president, Carolyn Scantlebury. “People are saying thank you for stepping up. No one has had the fortitude to step up and say what Ben Jealous and the whole NAACP organization has said. Stop it. Stop the racism.”

But Tea Party members say their organization is being unfairly painted with a broad stroke.

“I do not know why anyone would associate the Tea Party with racism except for the fact that they are not discerning enough to see past the party politics that are at play here or perhaps they are part of the politics of race baiting,” said Tracy Miller, a local Tea Party activist who often speaks at rallies. “Perhaps the Tea Party is seen as racist because that is what some people of different politics choose to believe rather than get to know the core of the movement. There are unsubstantiated claims of racial slurs and bigoted remarks by Tea Party members, yet with all the cell phone cameras and media no evidence was produced to support the claims of liberal politicians in DC on the day of the last Tea Party rally there.”

But the NAACP says one need look no further than the racist signs, many of which they are displaying on their website www.naacp.org, to see that racism is alive and rampant at Tea Party rallies.

“There are fragmented groups all over the country and we can see just like anyone else the racism and bigoted signs that are posted,” Scantlebury said.

But Miller argues the signs are not reflective of the organization as a whole and adds that many were taken the wrong way.

“Maybe we disagree on what racism actually

Photo: Screen capture of Youtube video.

After further investigation, the NAACP agreed with Shirley Sherrod that her quotes had been taken out of context. The civil rights organization has since issued an apology to Sherrod. of her speech.

Sherrod said the tone of her comments posted on the website were misleading because they lacked context. “That’s not me. If you look at my life’s work, you would know that’s not me.”

The white farming family that was the subject of the story stood by Sherrod and said she should stay.

“We probably wouldn’t have (our farm) today if it hadn’t been for her leading us in the right direction,” said Eloise Spooner, the wife of farmer Roger Spooner of Iron City, Ga. “I wish she could get her job back because she was good to us, I tell you.”

As Sherrod reached out to media to plead her case and more people came to her defense, the administration faced criticism that officials nervous about racial perceptions overreacted to her comments and made her a political sacrifice amid dueling allegations

is and whether or not a few people merit coloring a whole movement with a broad brush. I saw a picture of Obama dressed in medicine man clothing on a poster that was apparently at a Tea Party somewhere in America. Well, that is political satire, not racism. It’s clearly a stab at his policy for government run health care.”

In a letter distributed nationwide, Jealous said, “We call on the major leaders of the Tea Party such as Sarah Palin and Dick Armey who have not spoken out to do so. It is encouraging to know that the Tea Party can act in unison through the Tea Party Federation and take decisive action. We call on the Tea Party to police its events and make it clear that there is no space for racist signs and hate speech. We look forward to being able to have a civil political discourse with the Tea Party on the serious issues facing all Americans.”

That, in and of itself, Miller says is a problem.

She argues that the Tea Party has gotten a bad rap because people zero in on the few bad apples.

“One specific example is Dale Robertson of Houston, TX,” Miller said. “This self-proclaimed ‘Tea Party founder’ was condemned by the local Tea Party groups as well as other liberty-minded groups in the area. It was obvious that this man was an agitator and a con- artist from the get go. I believe the media purposely promoted this guy as a Tea Party founder simply to bring scrutiny on the Tea Party and to discredit it. I don’t think a few fringe elements that show up at a Tea Party merit putting the Tea Party on the defensive and risking discrediting the Tea Party, which is what the NAACP wants. The real Tea Party activists do not tolerate racism.

NAACP is looking for an icon to be on the defensive, which would ultimately play right into their race baiting hands. You might be surprised that the entire Tea Party movement is not necessarily in love with the self-appointed Tea Party stars that the media tends to focus on. By asking the most notable spokespeople (unofficial or official as they may be) of Tea Parties to repudiate racism among Tea Party members, the NAACP is essentially trying to extract an admission from Tea Party that racism exists among Tea Parties. I think the NAACP is mischaracterizing Tea Party members. Having spoken at Tea Parties in Texas and in Ohio, I did not find the events to have a racially motivated tone or element.”

Miller says she has problems with the NAACP request for the organization to repudiate racism.

“First and foremost, the people that are being asked to repudiate the alleged racist elements are not tea party leaders or organizers, but paid speakers or politicians like Sarah Palin,” Miller said. “While she may be a favorite among Republicans, she cannot speak for the entire Tea Party, which is made up of Independents, Libertarians, Republicans and even some Democrats. There is no national Tea Party leadership. It’s not a tightly run organization like moveon.org or OFA.org. The Tea Party is more accurately referred to as ‘Tea parties.’ There is no national leader or leadership that tells ‘members’ what to say or do. Each Tea Party does its own thing as far as promoting candidates, invit-

of racism between the NAACP and the tea party movement.

In the clip posted on BigGovernment.com, Sherrod described the first time a white farmer came to her for help. It was 1986, and she worked for a nonprofit rural farm aid group. She said the farmer came in acting “superior” to her and she debated how much help to give him.

“I was struggling with the fact that so many Black people had lost their farmland, and here I was faced with helping a white person save their land,” Sherrod said.

Initially, she said, “I didn’t give him the full force of what I could do” and only gave him enough help to keep his case progressing. Eventually, she said, his situation “opened my eyes” that whites were struggling just like Blacks, and helping farmers wasn’t so much about race but was “about the poor versus those who have.”

The two-minute, 38-second clip

ing speakers and candidates and so on. No one person can repudiate every Tea Party or speak for the entire movement.”

Ultimately, Miller says the NAACP claims will lower the bar when it comes to dealing with race in America.

posted by BigGovernment.com was presented as evidence that the NAACP was hypocritical in its recent resolution condemning what it calls racist elements of the tea party movement. The website’s owner, Andrew Breitbart, said the video shows the civil rights group condoning the same kind of racism it says it wants to erase.

Biggovernment.com is the same outfit that gained fame last year after airing video of workers at the community group ACORN counseling actors posing as a prostitute and her boyfriend.

In his original statement on the matter, Vilsack said he had accepted Sherrod’s resignation and stressed that the department had “zero tolerance for discrimination.” Later in the day, after Sherrod spoke to the media about the intention of her comments, Vilsack sent out a second statement that said the controversy surrounding Sherrod’s comments could, rightly or wrongly, cause people to question her decisions as a federal employee and lead to lingering doubts about civil rights at the agency, which has a troubled history of discrimination.

Sherrod said officials showed no interest in listening to her explanation when she was asked to resign. She said she was on the road when USDA deputy undersecretary Cheryl Cook called her and told her to pull over and submit her resignation on her Blackberry because the White House wanted her out.

“It hurts me that they didn’t even try to attempt to see what is happening here, they didn’t care,” Sherrod said.

“I’m not a racist . . . Anyone who knows me knows that I’m for fairness.”

“I am not a racist, am a well-known activist in the Tea Party movement, and have family and friends of color. Therefore, I take exception to the claims that Tea Party is racist. The claims of ★NAACP, Page 8

8

JULY 25 – 31, 2010 | DEFENDER

One Nation

continued from page 1 Jealous was referring to the fact that the controversial National Tea Party Federation announced that it has expelled Mark Williams, the former chairman and spokesman of Tea Party Express, for his satirical letter from a “colored” person to President Abraham Lincoln in which slavery was called a “great gig.”

The expulsion – in response to Jealous denouncing the racism within the Tea Party during his NAACP Convention speech recently - was announced by David Webb, a representative of the National Tea Party Federation, as he debated with Jealous on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

Aside from announcing the expulsion on the program, Webb tried to fire back, accusing Jealous of having “selective condemnation” of racism while not condemning the New Black Panther Party for statements against whites.

Jealous was quick to say that the NAACP unequivocally condemned racist or hateful statements by the Panther group. But he also pointed out that the NBPP is not a part of the NAACP like the “Tea Party Express” known for extreme racial overtones, graphics and epithets expressed by its members – especially against the Obama Administration.

The spill-over from the NAACP Convention held recently in Kansas City, Mo., which continued to smolder this week, will no doubt continue. But, Jealous has already shifted directions as he prepares to lead a massive “One Nation” march Oct. 2.

“We had a big planning meeting recently with several organizations. People are very excited. The march is part of the broader civic engagement strategy to make sure we hold the people that they’ve elected accountable and making sure we get all the change that we voted for, including job creation,” Jealous said.

He described how after the Obama inauguration on Jan. 20, 2009, “all the major groupings of human and civil rights organizations moved off into different directions.”

There were a series of victories like the

“The NAACP, along with allies and partners, will show America that the solid majority of this nation is ready and willing to fight back and ensure that all of the change we voted for is reality for all of our children.”

— Ben Jealous stimulus package and the Ledbetter Act for fair pay for women. But, a year later with the health care bill, civil and human rights groups were forced to fight together again. And as the months wore on, it became increasingly clear that racism in America had intensified since the warm and fuzzy inaugural day.

“If any of us are going to get our agendas through, if we’re going to get the right for workers down South to organize by passing the employee free choice act, if we’re going to get jobs created, if we’re going to get real resources for schools and teachers’ jobs around the country, if we’re going to get comprehensive immigration form through, then we’ve got to all work together, all for one and

one for all,” he said in the interview.

The banner for the march is “One Nation”.

The tag line is “Working Together” he said. It will be a mass gathering of civil and human rights organizations, but also grassroots citizens from every walk of life, religion and race, he said.

That message was lost after his convention speech due to media frenzy over his Tea Party comments that came in the same speech. But, during the address, the largely youth audience applauded the message and has now dispersed to organize the nation for Oct. 2.

“The NAACP is ready to lead this country in a revival of its soul, and we are ready to breathe the fighting spirit of the NAACP into the ‘dry bones’ all around us,” Jealous said in the speech.

Describing a string of recent racial injustices across the nation; including the pains of economic depression and joblessness, Jealous was clear in his call to action.

“This is why we are calling for a great march on Washington on 10-2-10. The NAACP, along with allies and partners, will show America that the solid majority of this nation is ready and willing to fight back and ensure that all of the change we voted for is reality for all of our children,” he told the cheering crowd. “That ‘America the Beautiful’ belongs to us. And that justice and freedom keeps moving forward.”

He was also clear that the march will not be a simple exercise in emotion, but aimed to rally voters to the polls in November and reviving the NAACP. “We will be in Washington on 10-2-10 and we will be at the Ballot Box on 11-2-10,” he said. “Breathing new life in to our communities - reviving America again…and truly realizing the promise of one nation, one dream…will require that we continue doing the hard work of breathing new life into the NAACP. Watchmen – What time is it? It’s time to wake up the troops, to warn the people that racism and hate is still alive in America.”

He continued, “I ask all to join the NAACP in helping revive America … And to say to all those who proclaim to want to take back America that, yes, these Bones can live.”

NAACP

continued from page 7 racism by prominent members of the left, racebaiting activists and the NAACP has served to make the word ‘racist’ a joke. I don’t think real hate, when it is exercised against people of color, gets the proper repudiation it deserves because of the way this label has been thrown around for political gain. Instead, there is more media attention and hype given to the race-baiting that goes on for political gain. I think the NAACP is simply playing politics in a time when it sees the Democratic Party struggling.

The NAACP would like to have the Tea Party icons on the defensive. To do so would be a political feather in their cap and would further the goals of their political allies on the left to malign the Tea Party, which has been an intimidating groundswell of grassroots support for conservatism.

“It could be that the dialogue on race that President Barack Obama promised during his campaign still needs to transpire because the race baiting for political gain continues to exist,” Miller said. “There still seems to be many myths about race and racism in this country today, especially when a political movement is cast in a negative light simply because it is primarily white people. Most people truly want to transcend race but race baiting politics and political rhetoric serves only to divide people who ordinarily get along at work and in the community. It is politically that we are divided and not racially.”

NAACP offices across the country have received hate mail and death threats in the wake of the resolution passed at the 101st annual convention. The Houston office is no exception.

“We’re receiving a lot of calls and messages,” Scantlebury said. “We received a call from one lady who was accosted at the post office by Tea Party members. Her question was, as a taxpayer, how can they say racist and ugly things on taxpayer property? The Houston chapter is listening, strategizing our next step.

We will take part in the Oct. 2 march in DC. We’re going to Washington to make our voices heard.”

By Darrell K. Ardison

AUTO NEWS

2010 Buick Lacrosse Let’s begin with style points.

The 2010 Buick Lacrosse CXL front-wheel-drive mid-size sedan has ambience blue interior lighting, chrome exterior highlights on the hood and wood interior accents on the front dashboard and front doors.

General Motors made a statement at the 2009 national auto show in Detroit when they introduced the all-new Lacrosse. This vehicle was designed to attract attention from all age levels.

One of my former students, who is now in his early 20s, told me this was going to be his next vehicle. He already drives a Buick, and can’t wait for his next one. An elderly lady touched me on the shoulder as I exited a local convenience store and asked me what kind of car was that?

I simply said, “a Buick,” and then I added, “a 2010 Lacrosse.”

A lot of people asked me about this car.

GM is on the comeback and the 2010 Buick Lacrosse is at the forefront of trying to persuade consumers to buy American.

What I noticed immediately was a shortened front end that gives the appearance of a European road car. Onlookers spoke of what appeared from the outside to be plenty of interior room.

They were right!

With enormous legroom for both driver and front passenger, the rear seats have deep back-

rests that yield a vast foot area and give considerable room to make yourself comfortable.

Interior highlights include leather-appointed seats, heated front seats, power adjustable seating, power lumbar adjuster for the driver’s seat and dualzone automatic climate control.

There’s more!

How about power heated outside rearview mirrors with additional turn signals. Front halogen fog lamps are in place and complemented by 18-inch machine-faced alloy wheels.

The 2010 Buick Lacrosse is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine and matched with a sixspeed automatic transmission.

An ultra-smooth ride is reinforced with a four-wheel independent suspension, anti-lock brake system and front MacPherson shock absorbers.

Safety features include air bags for both driver and front passenger, head side curtain bags for all passengers and

MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY will be accepting proposals for the following:

INSURANCE AGENT OF RECORDS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Specifications may be secured from MHMRA, Harris County, Purchasing Department located at 7011 Southwest Freeway, Suite 100 in Houston, Texas 77074, telephone (713) 970-7300 and/or via MHMRA website www.mhmraharris.org beginning Tuesday, August 3, 2010. A Pre-Proposal Conference is scheduled for, Monday, August 9, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.., 7011 S.W. Freeway. Deadline for prospective vendors to submit questions to this RFP is Tuesday, August 17, 2010. Proposals must be submitted to Purchasing Services, 7011 SW Freeway, Houston,Texas 77074 by 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 8, 2010 in a sealed enveloped marked "PROPOSAL - DO NOT OPEN UNTIL – WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2010, INSURANCE AGENT OF RECORDS”. Any questions pertaining to this solicitation should be addressed in writing to Marguarette C.Washington, Senior Buyer, via fax at (713) 970-7682 or E-mail questions to Marguarette.washington@mhmraharris.org cc: Sharon.brauner@mhmraharris.org. MHMRA reserves all rights to reject any and/or all proposals, to waive formalities and reasonable irregularities in submitted documents as it deems to be in its best interests, and is not obligated to accept the lowest proposal.

theft deterrent system.

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The short turning radius enabled the driver to get into tight places.

A deluxe AM/FM/XM satellite stereo accompanied by

LACROSSE: HIGHLIGHTS seven speakers allows passengers to bask in the glow of their favorite recording artists.

Optional comfort and convenience equipment includes ultrasonic rear parking assist, memory seats and mirrors and a Harman/Kardon 384-watt stereo with 11 speakers.

Buick has made a bold and brash statement with the all-new Lacrosse.

MSRP base price $29,645 (as tested$32,245)

Fuel economy 17 miles per gallon (city), 26 mpg (highway)

Engine 3.0-liter V6

Estimated annual fuel cost $1,950 (basedd on $2.60 per gallon)

Transmission Six-speed automatic

CLASSIFIED

Invitation for Bids Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc. is soliciting bids for subcontractors and vendors for construction of TxDOT project no. STP 2011(025)MM. The project is on IH 10 at White Oak Bayou. Bid date for this project is August 11, 2010. Quotations may be mailed to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc., 1701 Directors Blvd, Suite 1010, Austin, Texas 78744 or faxed to (512) 707-0798 or emailed to bbiisw@bbiius.com. DBE/HUB contractors are encouraged to submit bids.

Plans and specificatioins are available to be reviewed at TxDOT Plans Online: www.dot.state.tx.us/business/plansonline/plansonline.htm. E.O.E. For information contact Brian Ficzeri at (512) 707-0797.

Advertise in the Defender

LEGAL NOTICE Neighborhood Centers Inc. (AGENCY), a nonprofit human services organization, announces a Request for Proposal (RFP) #1009 for Educational Supplies. The deadline for submitting a proposal is Thursday, August 26, 2010 by 2:00 p.m. (CST). To receive RFP #10-09, e-mail Solomon Surles III, Contracts and Supply Management Coordinator, at ssurles@neighborhood-centers.org.

Open-House Style Public Meeting Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan 2035 The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, will host the second series of open-house style public meetings for the development of the Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan 2035. This plan will establish a framework for addressing the challenges of our aging infrastructure, urban densification, and a growing population through 2035. The plan will also address the need for improvements to all modes of transportation including roadways, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, transit, freight rail, passenger rail, airports, water ports, pipelines, and Intelligent Transportation Systems.

NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS INC. ENCOURAGES SMALL AND HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES TO APPLY.

The purpose of this second series of meetings is to present project updates and to solicit comments and input to aid in the development of the plan. Information will be available for viewing at the meetings, including exhibits and videos about the status and results of the study to-date.

Representatives from TxDOT will be in attendance to discuss the development of the plan and answer questions. Forms will be provided for submitting written comments.

LEGAL NOTICE

The open house-style public meeting in this area will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm at:

Neighborhood Centers Inc. (NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS INC.), a non-profit human services organization, announces a Request for Proposal (RFP) #10-11 for Medical Screening Services. The “highly recommended” Vendors Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, August 10, 2010 @ 2:00 p.m.

(CST). The deadline for submitting a proposal is Tuesday, September 14, 2010 by 4:00 p.m. (CST). To receive RFP #10-11 e-mail Kaamilya McCullough, Supply Management Coordinator, at kmccullough@neighborhood-centers.org.

NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS INC. ENCOURAGES SMALL, HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES TO APPLY.

TxDOT Houston District Headquarters 7600 Washington Ave Houston, TX 77007 Information regarding additional meeting locations throughout the state can be found at www.txdot.gov, key word: transportation plan 2035 or by calling the project’s toll-free information line at 1-888-5-TX-PLAN (1-888-589-7526).

For those unable to attend the open-house style public meeting, written comments can be submitted on the project website at: www.txdot.gov, key word: transportation plan 2035; by email at: TPP_txtranplan@dot.state.tx.us; or by mail to: Peggy Thurin, P.E., Project Manager, Statewide Transportation Plan 2035, 4544 Post Oak Place, Suite 224, Houston, Texas, 77027.

Persons with special communication or accommodation needs may call 713-802-5072 for assistance. Requests should be made no later than three days prior to the meeting. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate needs.

JULY 25 – 31, 2010 | DEFENDER

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JULY 25 – 31, 2010 | DEFENDER