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BLACK SUPPORTERS JUSTIFY OCCUPY WALL STREET MOVEMENT P4

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Family Violence:

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P4 ENTERTAINMENT

TRACEE ROSS returns to TV

P8 SPORTS

AL DAVIS

How to stop it

An NFL titan

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Kappa Alpha Psi President William Bates Jr. and Glenda Bates at reception

P12

H PAGE 6

Anthony Childress

suing HPD

Alleged police brutality victim Anthony Childress is filing a $10 million lawsuit against the Houston Police Department for bodily injury. Childress, who says he had to have 56 stitches and lost six teeth, insists that four officers beat him for no reason and falsely arrested him for drug possession. It was not Childress’ first run-in with the law. H PAGE 3

Al Sharpton supports movement

Rev. Al Sharpton has joined other African Americans who support the Occupy Wall Street movement and its ongoing demonstrations. The controversial “organized resistance movement” began in New York and has branched out across the country. Sharpton said he agrees with organizers who believe that 1 percent should not be controlling the nation’s wealth. H

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Mind Right, Money Right: 10 Laws of Financial Freedom by Ash Cash

“If you are looking for a quick fix to your current financial issues, then this isn’t the right book for you… this book was written to dispel the myth that hard work alone can send you on a path to financial freedom. Money is a tool, but the only way to be financially free is to use that tool wisely.”

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The Cartoon of the week Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune

In The Book Corner

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News & Opinion Civil rights Warrior Fred Shuttlesworth Wasn’t Afraid of Death

George e. Curry

Question of the Week Should Blacks join the Occupy Wall Street Movement?

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Man suing HPD for $10 million By MArILYn MArShALL Defender

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nthony Childress, who claims he was severely beaten by four officers and falsely arrested on drug charges, is taking legal action against the Houston Police Department. “We’re filing a $10 million lawsuit and charging them with bodily injury,” said local activist Rev. Johnny Jeremiah, who was recruited to help Childress by the alleged victim’s mother. “He almost died. They tried to kill him.” Childress has already filed a complaint with the department’s Internal Affairs Division. HPD declined to comment on Childress’ charges because the investigation is ongoing. Childress said police pulled up behind him while he rode his bicycle in the 2900 block of Delano Street in southeast Houston. He didn’t get the officers’ names, but said two were Caucasian, one was African American and one was Hispanic.

Anthony Childress says he is a victim of police brutality.

“They started punching my face and elbowing me,” he said. “I passed out for a minute. I thought I was dead.” Childress was treated at Ben Taub Hospital, and said he received 56 stitches and six broken teeth. Jeremiah said several days later, “His mother took him back to the hospital because he was in pain. His nose is broken and his jaw and lip are injured. If you look at him

you’ll start crying.” Childress was also charged with drug possession, a charge that he denied. It wasn’t Childress’ first encounter with law enforcement. His background includes charges for assault and assault with a deadly weapon. Childress said the officers involved should be punished for police brutality. “What they did was wrong,” he said.

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Discounted homes to be auctioned Defender News Services The Houston Housing Authority is directing the sale of 171 discounted homes and three lots located throughout the city. The properties are in single residences in various neighborhoods and subdivisions, and were part of the HHA’s scattered site rental program. All of the properties are vacant and some have experienced various levels of physical deterioration and vandalism. They will be sold to the highest bidder at a one-day public auction on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Marriott Westchase, 2900 Briarpark. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The auction will be structured in three time frames. Forty-five properties will be sold at 10 a.m. After completion of the initial public sale, there will be a special auction for pre-approved non-profit organizations starting at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., the remaining properties will be sold at an auction open to all bidders. Interested bidders can attend a “How to Buy” seminar on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at the National Resource Center, 815 Crosby. The properties will be open for inspection on Oct. 29 and 30, and Nov. 5 and 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors are asked to bring flashlights since the properties do not have power. The sites are in neighborhoods that range in assessed values from $50,000 to $150,000. The average size of the homes is 1,500 square feet, with many containing three bedrooms and two baths. They are located in school districts that include Houston ISD, Cy-Fair, Katy, Aldine, Spring Branch, Spring, Humble, Clear Creek, Ft. Bend and Alief. “I am excited to put the scattered site properties into the hands of local families, non-profits and investors who have the time and resources to restore these homes and return them to the city’s housing stock,” said Tory Gunsolley, HHA president and CEO. For information call 877-895-7077 or visit natresauctions.com/HHA.

localbriefs Jackson Lee wants Perry to oppose Confederate plate

County jail to get 120 employees following inspection

Two students expelled after North Forest gun drama

Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee demanded that Gov. Rick Perry denounce the approval of a Texas Confederate license plate during a recent Republican presidential debate. Hilary Shelton of the NAACP’s Washington Bureau joined Lee at a press conference held before the debate. “The rebel flag epitomized slavery,” Jackson Lee said. “It epitomized oppression. It epitomized lynching and all of the things that we worked so hard for people to move beyond.” The nine-member Texas Department of Motor Vehicles board is reconsidering the issue of whether state drivers should be able to purchase the vanity license plate.

County commissioners authorized the Harris County Jail to hire 120 people after the Texas Commission on Jail Standards cited the facility for being understaffed and overcrowded. TCJS conducted a surprise inspection and found that there were only five o∞cers for 409 inmates, instead of the required one o∞cer for every 48 inmates. The inspection revealed that 19 holding cells were over capacity, and cells at 1301 Franklin and 1201 Franklin contained more than twice their capacity. Sheriff Adrian Garcia said the jail needed more than 120 hires. “My o∞cers are burning out which is likely to increase the attrition rate,” he said.

North Forest ISD Acting Superintendent Edna Forte said two students involved in gun incident at North Forest High would both be expelled to the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program. One student had the gun and the other hid it. The school was placed on lockdown when it was reported that a student had brought a gun to campus. A tip from another student revealed he had given the gun to a friend to hide. The gun was recovered and no injuries were reported. Parents gathered nearby during the incident and HPD SWAT teams and K-9 units also arrived on the scene.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF OCTOBER 13 | 2011

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national

U.S.briefs

Occupy Wall Street:

Black supporters justify movement W

Defender New Services

hen Rev. Al Sharpton took his nationally syndicated radio show to the hub of the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York, he explained his support for the ongoing demonstrations. “We are here today because we agree 1 percent should not be controlling the [nation’s] wealth,” Sharpton said. “These [demonstrators] are regular people trying to feed their families, trying to pay their rent and mortgages, trying to survive.” The Occupy Wall Street move-

ment began in New York in September with a few people, and expanded to protests across the country. From Houston to Seattle, from Norfolk to Nashville, protesters have rallied against corporate greed and economic inequality. Organizers describe it as a “horizontally organized resistance movement employing the revolutionary Arab Spring tactic to restore democracy in America. We use a tool known as a people’s assembly to facilitate open, participatory and horizontal organizing between members of the public.” Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia), a civil rights veteran, recently visited a protest in Atlanta but received a lukewarm welcome. When Lewis tried to speak to the assembly, protesters first denied him the opportunity, and then debated whether he could speak. Lewis said the group told him he could speak after they took care of business, but he had to leave. Neverthe-

Al Sharpton

less, Lewis said he showed up “to lend my support and to encourage the people because I support their efforts all across America.” Lewis added that, “People are hurting. They’re in pain and they’re looking for jobs. They want us to humanize the American government but also humanize corporate America.” Commentator and economist Boyce Watkins recently wrote about his support for the movement. “This week, I plan to head to New York City to join scores of American citizens who’ve decided that Wall Street should be confronted for the financial crimes that have been committed against the American people,” he said. Watkins said Black America has every reason to be on the front lines. “Black unemployment has skyrocketed to levels that haven’t been seen since Michael Jackson released ‘Thriller.’ Nearly half of all Blacks are living below the poverty line,” he said. “Black wealth has continued to shrink, as the burst of the real estate bubble left many African Americans either homeless or upside down in their mortgages. Black families have been destroyed by the prison industrial complex, where Wall Street firms earn billions each year from slave labor.”

Teachers in minority schools paid less By Kenneth J. Cooper Special to NNPA from thedefendersonline.com New federal research shows that African-American and Hispanic students are being shortchanged, literally, in many districts with diverse enrollments. A U.S. Education Department study found that teachers in schools with higher Latino and African-American enrollment get paid an average of $2,500 less than teachers in the entire district. The pay disparity reflects earlier research that found students in public schools with heavy minority enrollments receive instruction more often from inexperienced teachers, who earn less because of salary schedules based on seniority. In the 2009-2010 academic year, the

disparity existed in 59 percent of 2,217 diverse districts, those defined as having between 20 percent and 80 percent Black and Hispanic enrollment. “America has been battling inequity in education for decades but these data show that we cannot let up,” said Education Secretary Arne Duncan. “Children who need the most too often get the least. It’s a civil rights issue, an economic security issue and a moral issue.” In its proposal for changes in the No Child Left Behind Act, which has been struck in Congress, the Obama administration asks the legislation be revised to require that “comparable resources” be spent on low-income students at the school level, rather than district wide. “Currently, some schools with

mostly white, non-poor students, may get as much as $1 million more a year because of differentials in teacher salary schedules and how resources are allocated,” Russlynn Ali, assistant secretary for civil rights, said in an earlier interview. Examining the comparability of school resources has been part of the administration’s strategy for enforcing civil rights. As of June, the department’s Office for Civil Rights was investigating 11 cases having to do with comparable resources, including the experience and pay of teachers. Those cases involve districts in nine states: Texas, South Carolina, Maryland, New York, Colorado, Indiana, California, North Carolina and Virginia.

Joblessness impacting mental health of unemployed The U.S. is facing “a silent mental health epidemic” as joblessness lengthens for millions of Americans, a new study warns. The report, conducted by Rutgers University, is titled “Out of Work and Losing Hope: The Misery and Bleak Expectations of American Workers.” It found that 47 percent of those surveyed said they had experienced stress because of joblessness and 32 percent had undergone substantial emotional turmoil. At least 11 percent said they had sought professional help for depression within the last year. Significant numbers of respondents reported changes in sleeping patterns (76 percent) and strains in family relationships (61 percent).

Obama maintains confidence in Atty. Gen. Holder Despite Republican accusations about a botched federal gun sting, President Barack Obama is standing by Attorney General Eric Holder. “I have complete confidence in him, and I’ve got complete confidence in the process to figure out who, in fact, was responsible for that decision and how it got made,” Obama said. Operation Fast and Furious allowed Mexican drug cartels to get their hands on weapons and resulted in the death of an ATF agent. Holder told a congressional panel in May that he learned of the operation a few weeks earlier. Documents, however, showed Holder was briefed on it in July 2010.

Civil rights pioneer Fred Shuttlesworth dead at 89 Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, a co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, died Oct. 5 at the age of 89. In the 1950s, Shuttlesworth founded the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, which challenged segregated busing. The following year, Shuttlesworth established the SCLC with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders. He served as SCLC secretary from 1958-70. “Rev. Shuttlesworth will be remembered with the highest possible esteem for his work in the civil rights movement,” said NAACP Chairman Emeritus Myrlie Evers-Williams. “He was a dear friend of mine, and a crusader who mobilized thousands to get involved in the fight for equality.

VOLUME 80 • NUMBER • 49 WEEK OF OCTOBER 13, 2011

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Associate Editors Reshonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Columnist Yvette Chargois Sport Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writer Aswad Walker Webmaster Corneleon Block

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender audited By Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2011 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF OCTOBER 13 | 2011

coverpage

Family violence:

How to stop it By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

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behavior to our immediate family, friends and circles of influence,” she said. “We have the ability to confront this social issue. We also have the responsibility to help those impacted by violence in the home from experiencing greater harm.” Terry added that fortunately, Texas has been a national leader in creating safe havens, gaining greater legal protections for victims and investing in systems and infrastructure to keep families safe. “We must continue to forge forward building on these successes,” she said. “In addition, we have remarkable partnerships and collaborations across systems: health care, civil and criminal justice systems, social services.”

ctober is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Texas has a problem. A new report by the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) shows an increase in the number of women killed in domestic murders in the state. The report found that 142 women were killed by an intimate partner in 2010 – an increase of 31 deaths since 2009. Harris County had the state’s highest number of deaths with 35. Violence, however, does not have to take a toll on families. Gloria Terry, president of TCFV, said the issue represents a “serious, Reasons for increase preventable public health problem.” TCFV’s new report, “Honoring Texas VicSo what can be done to stop it? “Family violence affects people across so- tims: Family Violence Fatalities in 2010,” was compiled using data from the Texas Department ciety without regard to economic status, gender, and culture,” Terry said. “Certainly, prevention efforts are formed by understanding the root causes and conditions that allow violence to occur.” Terry said some risk factors and social determinants should be acknowledged, such The following statistics are found in the Texas as oppression, sexism and Council on Family Violence report, “Honorpoverty. ing Texas Victims: Family Violence Fatalities in “In yet other situations, 2010.” violence is a learned behavior and can be seen in a generational cycle in the home,” she • Victims’ ages ranged from 17 to 78 years. said. • Six women were murdered under “Looking at what images the age of 20. and messages in our society • Two 78-year-old women were murdered glorify violence is yet another by their husbands. factor. Reducing these risk • The age group most impacted ranged factors while simultaneously increasing protective factors from 30 to 39 years of age. serves to prevent violence.” • In 2010, 53 known cases of the homicides Terry said that individuals involved women who had children. have a tremendous amount of • Murder-suicide cases increased from power and influence to create 42 in 2009 to 56 in 2010. the change necessary to pre• Three 17-year-old high school students vent family violence. “We can model healthy were murdered in 2010.

Family violence fatalities

• Five pregnant women were murdered.

of Public Safety. TCFV has issued a statewide report for more than 20 years, and includes the names and ages of the victims, narratives summarizing the crime, and the perpetrator’s name and relationship to the victim. Terry said multiple factors contributed to the increase in deaths. “The raw data originates from Texas Department of Public Safety, who collects information from law enforcement reports,” she explained. “Local law enforcement collects more information and has gained ground in identifying the relationship between victim and offender. In short [there is] better collecting of data by state and local law enforcement.” Terry said secondly, TCFV exercised even greater diligence in scouring media and law enforcement reports for the data. “Sadly,” she said, “Texas in fact experienced a rise in domestic violence homicides.” Facilitating family violence prevention efforts is part of TCFV’s mission. Established in 1978, TCFV has been a leader in the efforts to end family violence through partnerships, advocacy and direct services for women, children and men. It is one of the largest domestic violence coalitions in the nation, and membership is comprised of family violence service providers, supportive organizations, survivors of domestic violence, businesses and professionals, communities of faith and other concerned citizens. TCFV’s three major focus areas are support to service providers, public policy development and prevention. Terry said the statewide increase in domestic murders shows how much work remains to be done. “Domestic violence tears at the very fabric of our society and the surviving families of these victims remain changed forever,” she said. “As a community committed to keeping women and children safe, we must learn from a review of these tragic deaths. “Professionals and individuals alike have the ability to create the social change necessary to make Texas safe for women and families.”

What c

• Expand education tive attitudes toward als to report family v • Form task forces to tion plan, and monit • Mandate training in vices and criminal ju • Advocate laws and cal levels that suppo • Establish centers w children may be sup • Fund shelters adeq

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What individuals can do

communities can do

and awareness efforts to increase posid nonviolence and encourage individuviolence. o assess the problem, develop an actor progress. n domestic violence for all social serustice professionals. d judicial procedures at the state and loort and protect battered women. where visits between batterers and their pervised, for the children’s safety. quately.

• Recruit and train volunteers to staff hotlines, accompany victims to court, and provide administrative support to shelters and victim services. • Improve collection of child support. • Establish medical protocols to help physicians and other health care personnel identify and help victims of domestic abuse. • Provide legal representation for victims of domestic violence. • Advocate for the accessibility of services for all population groups, especially underserved populations. Source: National Crime Prevention Council

he Houston area for over 80 years

• Call the police if you see or hear evidence of domestic violence. • Support a friend or family member who may be in an abusive relationship. • Volunteer at a local domestic violence shelter or other organization that helps survivors or works to prevent violence. • Raise children to respect others and treat others as they would like to be treated. • Lead by example. Work to create a culture that rejects violence as a way to deal with problems. Speak up against messages that say violence or mistreating women is okay. • Become an activist. Participate in an anti-violence event like a local Take Back the Night march. Tell your congressional representatives that you want them to support domestic violence services and violence prevention programs. • Volunteer in youth programs. Become a mentor. Get involved in programs that teach young people to solve problems without violence. Get involved with programs that teach teens about healthy relationships. • Ask about anti-violence policies and programs at work and school. At work, ask about policies that deal with sexual harassment, for example. On campus, ask about services to escort students to dorms safely at night and other safety measures. Source: U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF OCTOBER 13 | 2011

entertainment

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Tracee Ellis Ross returns to TV

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her own right, she has one of the most famous last names in the business. She is the daughter of legendary entertainer Diana Ross and her first husband, Robert Ellis Silberstein. In a recent interview with Jet Magazine, Ross talked about her latest TV role as a psychologist. “The world of self-help and self-awareness has always been of great interest to me,” she said. “I welcomed the opportunity to introduce, through comedy, this idea of therapy, which has been this ‘hush hush’ thing in our culture.” Though Ross has turned the page on “Girlfriends,” she is best known for her role on the show, which can still be seen in syndication. Ross’ portrayal earned her eight NAACP Image Award nominations, including one win in 2007 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She received one BET Comedy Award win and two nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. The cancellation of “Girlfriends” was the by-product of a Writer’s Guild

Defender News Services

or eight seasons Tracee Ellis Ross starred as Joan Clayton in the CW sitcom “Girlfriends,” which revolved around the friendship between four Black women. “Girlfriends” was cancelled in 2008, and Ross has returned to TV in the new BET original comedy series, “Reed Between the Lines.” Ross plays the part of Dr. Carla Reed, who manages multiple roles as a psychologist, wife, mother, and friend. Another familiar television face, MalcolmJamal Warner, portrays her husband, professor Dr. Alex Reed. Their three children in the show are Keenan (Nadji Anthony Jeter), Kaci (Zoe Soul) and Alexis (Zoe Hendrix). “Reed Between the Lines” also stars Anna Maria Horsford and Melissa DeSousa as Ross’ demanding co-workers. The series is produced by Ross and Warner, and executive produced by Arthur Harris, Jacque Edmonds Cofer and Warren Hutcherson. The next new episode airs Oct. 18 at 9 p.m. Though Ross is a star in

of America strike. At the time, it was the second-highest rated series with a predominantly Black cast. Network executives decided to pull it out abruptly, saying that they would no longer produce post-strike episodes because they wanted to focus on shows that were in consideration for renewal. Ross is a graduate of Brown University and the William Esper Acting Studio. She began her TV career as the host of her own show, Lifetime’s “The Dish.” She has also modeled, gracing the pages of top magazines and appearing in advertising campaigns for The Gap, Donna Karan Collection, DKNY and Paul Mitchell. Ross is also community-oriented. The Los Angeles Urban League named her “Volunteer of the Year” in 2004. She is concerned about young girls, and works closely with the Big Brother Big Sister program and the Aviva House Organizations in Los Angeles. She created and held a self-esteem workshop for young girls titled “The Me I Know.” Her new sitcom is already being compared to “The Cosby Show,” in which Warner played the role of only son Theo Huxtable. “We’re not in any way trying to be ‘The Cosby Show,’ but we are trying to make good television,” Ross told Essence Magazine. “It’s a natural comparison. It’s the same way they compared ‘Girlfriends’ to ‘Sex & the City.’ The comparison is so flattering and, at the same time, a great incentive to do good work. If we could hold a candle to what Cosby did, we’re on the right track.” Ross also discussed the portrayal of Black love on TV. “Whether I were on this show or not, I feel like I would want to see it on television,” she said. “I want to see a man like Malcolm-Jamal Warner on television. I want to see a couple that supports and respects each other and that finds joy in each other.”

what’sup SNOOP DOGG is coming to a TV screen near you. A family comedy project starring the rapper as a father received a script commitment from NBC, reports Deadline.com. Veteran comedy writer Don Reo is penning the project and will also executive produce. Snoop and Ted Chung are the producers. Snoop’s last TV project, the reality show “Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood,” chronicled his family life with his wife and three children……..DENZEL WASHINGTON took out Erykah Badu in Concert his checkbook and donated Arena Theater, May 21 $2.25 million to his alma mater, Fordham University. The Academy Award8 pm actor gave $2 million to endow the Denzel winning Washington Chair in Theatre, and another $250,000 Lavelle Crawford Comedy Show to establish a scholarship for minority theater students. The Houston May 12-15 Actress PhyliciaImprov, Rashad has joined the school’s faculty as the first Washington chair. Washington credited one www.improv.com of his Fordham theater professors, the late Bob Stone, with inspiring him……..ALICIA KEYS made her di-

rectorial debut for Lifetime. As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the network is releasing the film “Five,” comprised of five short films exploring the impact of breast cancer. Keys directs a short titled “Lili.” Rosario Dawson portrays a woman whose diagnosis affects her relationships with her sister, played by Tracee Ellis Ross, and their hard-nosed mother, played by Jenifer Lewis. They work through their past issues and Lili’s mother and sister become her strongest allies. “Friends” co-creator Marta Kauffman is an executive producer on the project along with Jennifer Aniston……..FANTASIA could lose her Mahalia Jackson movie role. Members of the legendary gospel singer’s estate are apparently appalled that Fantasia is pregnant and unmarried, says the New York Post. In addition, producers are reportedly upset that she didn’t reveal her pregnancy until she was four months along. “The family thinks

spotlight

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if Fantasia plays the role, it’s going to sully the name of Mahalia. They think she’s got the wrong image, having a child out of wedlock,” said producer Adrian Taylor……..NIA LONG, who is also expecting, bares all on the cover of Ebony Magazine. The 40-year-old actress posed nude for the November issue, and airs her views about having children past a certain age. “The medical profession tries to tell every woman, ‘Have your babies before 40…’ Society says, ‘Get married before 30…’ I think if we just take our time as women, and do what comes natural to us and for us, we would make fewer mistakes,” she said. Long also talks about her partner, pro basketball player Ime Udoka……..OPRAH WINFREY is the highest-earning woman in entertainment, according to Forbes magazine. She earned $290 million from May 2010 to May 2011. Second place went to Lady Gaga with $200 million.

“No Strings Attached”

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Film & music event:

‘Thunder Soul’ meets neo soul

By ASWAD WALKER Defender At a time when funding for arts education is getting cut across the country, uplifting images of African Americans in Hollywood are still few and far between, and the generational divide is at its widest, comes an event that addresses all three issues at once. “Beats, Soul & Thunder,” where live music collides with movies, merges the star performers of two recently released and highly successful documentaries into one event. During “Beats, Soul & Thunder” the Kashmere Reunion Stage Band featured in the critically-acclaimed “Thunder Soul” will team with Ali Shaheed Muhammad of “Beats, Rhymes and Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest,” one of the most successful documentaries with today’s hipster, neo-soul crowd. Together, on Oct. 22 at the House of Blues, they will perform at an event organizers classify as more educational and social empowerment happening than art-for-art’s sake gathering. The Our Image Film and Arts, the event sponsor, is a non-profit organization led by Marc Newsome and Monie Henderson.

“We really just wanted to combine the historic Kashmere Stage Band with something younger people could relate to,” said Newsome, a local filmmaker, photographer and graphic artist. “Young cats are still feeling the iconic group A Tribe Called Quest, and working with Ali Shaheed Muhammad just kind of fell into place.”

Ali Shaheed Muhammad will team with the Kashmere Reunion Stage Band.

“We really wanted to showcase something that came out of Houston that was very historic—the Kashmere Stage Band— and to highlight in general creative music coming out of the Black community,” added Newsome. “Ali fit that bill as DJ for two critically acclaimed and highly creative groups, A Tribe Called Quest and

later on Lucy Pearl. And that’s what the Our Image is all about,” The fact that Muhammad and the Kashmere Stage band were in recent documentaries that did so well will the public shows that there is a market for images of African Americans beyond the usual Hollywood fare. “For African Americans, goofy comedies and rap videos have become the norm in terms of projecting and presenting our people on screen,” said Newsome, who has written and directed award-winning short movies of his own. “So we [Our Image] show other creative products coming out of the Black community, from Black sci-fi movies to documentaries to artsy productions. Other cultures showcase themselves as the heroes in movies while we are constantly being portrayed as comic relief, sex objects, and criminals. “We want to show

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ourselves as the heroes, the problem solvers, the smart people.” Along with the live

performances at “Beats, Soul & Thunder,” Our Image will show a short film out of Ghana titled “Native Sun.” On Oct. 21, the day before “Beats, Soul & Thunder,” Our Image will screen two movies at Rice University—the documentary “Prep School Negro,” and “Test Group,” an urban drama that shows how a random youth can get seduced into gang culture. According to their mission statement, Our Image is a “film, music, and theatre curator of positive works of art about and by underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. We promote and support the creation of non-stereotypical, honest, cutting-edge, thought-provoking depictions of Black communities, as well as other ethnic

communities…” Newsome is a believer in positive images. “Black people are the biggest group of movie goers in the nation but also the biggest underrepresented demographic when it comes to seeing our images in movies and on TV,” Newsome said. “And it’s only once a year that we do this, so you’re only going to see this stuff here or wait ‘til next year. Only with the people’s support can we get bigger, have more movies to show, more stories to tell, and more events during the year in which to tell them.” For tickets ($22) or for more information visit www.ourimagefest.com, call 713-280-5225 or email info@ourimagefest.com.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF OCTOBER 13 | 2011

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sports

The late Al Davis: An NFL titan

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By MAX EDISON Defender

he NFL lost one of its truly iconic figures with the recent passing of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. A titan is described as a person or thing of enormous size, strength, power and influence. Truly Davis’ influence on the landscape of professional football fits that description. Davis had been the face of the Oakland franchise since he was hired as general manager and head coach after the 1962 season in the American Football League (AFL). In 1966 he was named Commissioner of the AFL. In 1972 became managing partner of the Raiders, essentially giving him full control of the franchise. He maintained the title of general manager until his death at age 82. Regarded as equal parts innovator and rebel, Davis molded the Raiders into one of the NFL’s most successful franchises. The Raiders have appeared in five Super Bowls, winning three. Their NFL apparel has consistently been among the league’s most popular. Davis was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1992. Texans owner Bob McNair expressed the sentiments of many throughout the NFL. “Al Davis was a pioneer in the American Football League and National Football League. He was a dynamic force in merging the [two leagues],” McNair said. “He built a great tradition with the Raiders. We are going to miss his innovative thinking. Our condolences go to his family and the Raiders organization.”

“He always took that into consideration ahead of time. He always made sure that we were protected as men and I will appreciate him for that.” Clem Daniels.

Throughout the history of the Oakland organization under Davis there has always been a major Houston-area pipeline. Many of the standout players in Raider history have H-town connections. They include legends such as Clem Daniels (PV, RB), Alphonse Dotson (Yates, DL), Eldridge Dickey (BTW, QB/ WR), Cliff Branch (Worthing, WR), Warren Wells (TSU, WR), Lester Hayes (Wheatley, CB) and current starter, Stanford Rout (UH, CB) to name a few. Ever a believer in diversity, Davis hired the NFL’s first Hispanic quarterback (1960-66) and head coach (1979-87), Tom Flores, as well as the first African-American head coach, Art Shell (1989-1994, 2006). Current head Hue Jackson is also African American. Amy Trask of the Raiders is the only female CEO in the NFL.

Provided Opportunity

John Wooten, chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, the advocacy group that assists the NFL committee on diversity, views Davis as a stalwart for the cause. “I think Al Davis will be remembered as not only a great football man, but a great person who gave people the opportunity to live their dreams, to do the things they’re capable of doing; that’s his legacy,” Wooten said.

“He was a great evaluator of human spirit. We’ve lost a great pioneer and a great person.” Former Prairie View All-American running back and AFL Player of the Year, Clem Daniels, a Raider running back from 1961-1967, spoke fondly of his former coach and business mentor. “Al Davis was a great innovator, a great coach, a great owner and a great person,” Daniels recalled. “He was a man’s man and a player’s coach and owner. He always understood the turmoil and triumphs that we went through as African-American ball players. “He always took that into consideration ahead of time. He always made sure that we were protected as men and I will appreciate him for that.” Daniels also recalled that Davis was a major fan of HBCU football, with a fond appreciation for legendary PV head coach Billy Nicks. “We go all the way back to 1963 with Al and his knowledge of Coach Nicks. He knew about Coach Nicks before I did,” Daniels said. “We were in training camp and a group of us were discussing Black college football players. Coach Davis was in the room and he hollered out ‘Brackens, Wright and Childress.’ “The guys didn’t know what he was talking about, but I knew. He was talking about three All-American football players from Prairie View in the early ‘50s. They were Charlie Brackens, Charlie Wright and Elijah Childress, who led the Panthers to two national championships and four consecutive SWAC championships. “He understood that history and was fond of Coach Nicks for those accomplishments.” Daniels has been a successful businessman in the Oakland Bay area, which he also attributes to Al Davis’ influence. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without his insight and support,” Daniels said. “There’s no question about it. We’ve had so many conversations through the years. Not just about athletics, but business and the steps you need to take to protect yourself and be successful.”

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h.s.zone Marquee matchups highlight week seven By Darrell K. Ardison Defender

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he Lamar Redskins begin a three-week stretch against Westbury at Delmar Stadium with their eyes fixed squarely on the prize. After preseason losses to state-ranked Brenham and Fort Bend Elkins, Lamar had slipped under the radar screen as the Redskins struggled with inexperienced players at key positions. Last week’s 61-0 demolition of Milby improved the Redskins to 4-2 overall, but more importantly 3-0 in District 20-5A. Lamar, the defending district champion, faces Westbury, Bellaire and Madison The Lamar Redskins begin a three-week stretch with their eyes on the prize – another district championship. over the next three weeks with a chance at matching last season’s 7-0 district slate. The 52 unanswered points, including 45 in the first half. John Jacob Redskins close out the 2011 regular season Nov. 3 against Sam rushed for 206 yards on 23 carries and had touchdown runs of Houston. four, eight and 45 yards. The signature Lamar victory came Oct. 1 when the Cypress Falls kept pace by holding off high-scoring Redskins manhandled district rival Westside 38-7 at Delmar. Langham Creek 27-22. Cy-Falls quarterback Troy Mitchell Led by defensive linemen Zelt Minor, Charles Onyekwelu and opened the game’s scoring with a 54-yard touchdown run. Chima Uzowihe the Redskins were able to bottle up Wolves Mitchell later tossed a 16-yard TD pass to Gratian Gladney. running back B.J. Catalon for all but one play when the game A capacity crowd is expected for the 7 p.m. kickoff. was decided. Other marquee matchups for week seven include Yates Westside had been riding Catalon to a big season coming versus Waltrip, Klein Oak taking on Spring Westfield and into the contest. The Lamar defense limited Catalon to 76 North Shore making the trek to Beaumont West Brook. yards on 21 carries until early in the fourth quarter when he After losing to Sharpstown two weeks ago, Yates found broke loose for an 81-yard touchdown to finish with 175 yards itself in a must-win game against District 21-4A rival Reagan. on 27 carries. Catalon also had two fumbles in the game. The Bulldogs led 7-0 going into the second quarter before Lamar sophomore quarterback Darrell Colbert has also Yates running back Arthur Lockett went to work. Lockett been instrumental in the Redskins’ resurgence. Colbert had rushed for 348 yards on 31 carries and added TD runs of 37, a hand in four of Lamar’s five touchdowns, passing for two 64 and 64 yards. scores and running for two others. Yates quarterback Maurice White chipped in with a 38“We were picked to finish third in our district. Everybody yard TD pass to Jordan Bailey as the Lions improved to 2-1 in had Westside ranked above us so we took that as more fuel to district play. the fire,” Colbert said. “That’s why we made more plays and Waltrip is 1-1 in district play and coming off a bye week. came out with the win.” Yates and Waltrip will square off Friday night at Barnett StaColbert spent much of the Milby game handing off to dium with a 7 p.m. kickoff. London Kirby and Steven Sannoh. Kirby rushed for 140 yards Klein Oak’s emphatic 38-6 victory over Dekaney on 14 carries and three touchdowns. Sannoh added 51 yards completed a three-week stretch of victories over unbeaten opon five carries and two scores. Colbert completed six-of-eight ponents (Klein Collins, Klein Forest, Dekaney). passes for 90 yards and an 18-yard TD pass to Carrington Quarterback Connor McQueen passed for one touchThompson. down and ran for another as Klein Oak rolled up over 400 Should Lamar get past Westbury, an Oct. 21 battle with yards of total offense. Bellaire would follow for sole possession of first place in DisWestfield will host Klein Oak Friday night at George trict 20-5A. Bellaire and Lamar are both unbeaten in district Stadium (7 p.m.). play going into this week’s games. North Shore will try to shake off the effects of a disapThe battle for supremacy atop the District 17-5A standpointing 14-7 loss to Port Arthur Memorial as they venture to ings is Oct. 14 at Pridgeon Stadium between Cy-Fair and Beaumont Friday for a District 21-5A battle with West Brook. Cypress Falls. Both schools improved to 5-0 in district play A loss to West Brook and North Shore falls two games with victories last week. off the pace. West Brook pummeled Baytown Sterling 49-21 to After spotting Cypress Springs a 7-0 lead, Cy-Fair scored open district play last week.

WEEK OF OCTOBER 13 | 2011 DEFENDER

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sportsbriefs Lufkin football coach Outlaw notches 300th victory Lufkin High School head football coach John Outlaw has a flair for the big stage. In last Thursday’s District 14-4A showdown with The Woodlands for sole possession of first place, Lufkin prevailed 30-10 as Panthers’ running back Voshon Richardson scored two third-quarter touchdowns to break open a close game and snap a two-game losing streak to the Highlanders. Richardson’s exploits enabled Outlaw to collect his 300th victory as a head coach. The Woodlands was ranked No. 4 and Lufkin was ranked No. 5 in the Houston area going into the contest. The game was broadcast on the Fox Sports Southwest channel.

Bellaire volleyball team reaching full strength Bellaire head volleyball coach Ap Clarke wasn’t content with her squad’s 10-0 start in district play. She feels the Lady Cardinals still lack the intensity to avenge last season’s secondround exit in the playoffs. Yet the District 20-5A contenders received a big boost recently when standout middle hitter Jenelle Jordon made her season debut after recovering from a right ankle injury suffered in August. The 6-foot-1 alldistrict selection in 2010 will reunite with 6-2 middle hitter Khourtni Fears to form one of the top defensive tandems in the area. “It gives our setter another option and it makes our offense quicker with the two of them playing together,” Clarke said.

This time La Porte’s latest Scott may be the best La Porte linebacker Hoza Scott always knew he had big shoes to fill, but it was a task that he welcomed with open arms. With two older brothers who had starred in football at La Porte High School, including one who played in the NFL, Scott willingly accepted reality. After recording two quarterback sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception in five games, the 6-foot-3 sophomore is ready to write his own chapter in the Scott legacy. Yusuf Scott played guard for the Arizona Cardinals and Gainus Scott was a running back at the University of Arizona. Although Hoza primarily plays linebacker, he has earned time at running back with seven carries for 38 yards and a touchdown so far this season.

Cougars ranked in polls, off to fastest start ever Don’t look now, but guess who just showed up in the national polls. If you said the Houston Cougars, then go to the head of the class. The Cougars are ranked No. 22 in the latest ESPN/USA Today Coaches Top 25 poll and No. 25 in the Associated Press rankings. Houston (6-0, 2-0 C-USA), one of just 13 unbeaten teams in America, is off to the fastest start in school history, equaling 6-0 starts by teams in 1973 (started 6-0), 1979 (started 8-0) and 1990 (started 8-0). The Cougars are also one of just seven teams to boast bowl eligibility by the middle of October. “For our players and our coaching staff the rankings won’t change our mindset, but for our university, our fans and our alumni, there’s no question it’s important,” head coach Kevin Sumlin said. “To me, being ranked means we have a lot of opportunity out there in front of us and that’s what you want for your program as a head coach.” The Cougars return to action Saturday, Oct. 22 against Marshall. Kickoff is at 3:30 pm at Robertson Stadium.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF OCTOBER 13 | 2011

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For Event Coverage...visit

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Veteran Democratic Political Strategist Donna Brazile

chag’splace

Honorees Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher, Linda Toyota, Yvette Goree-Harris and Dell Trahan

Honorees Jene’ Guess-Cash, Atty. Andrea Arceneaux, Dr. Monica Williams, Renee’ Logans, Katy Caldwell and Crystal Washington

Bo Alfred, Mario Watkins and Karl Holmes

32nd Grand Polemarch William Randy Bates, Jr. and Laolu Davies-Yemitan

Frances and Author P. Paul Provost

Rev. Trudy Huff and Helen George

William and Glenda Bates

Carrie Jackson and ConSandra Jones

FEMALE SUCCESS FACTOR......Comerica Bank Donna Brazile, delighted the gala attendees as the and The Steed Society, Inc. hosted their 6th Annual keynote speaker. Congratulations and continued success Female Success Factor and presented awards to the Top to all!.....NEW LEADERSHIP......As a result of the 25 Women of Houston. These amazing women have elections at its recent 80th Grand Chapter Meeting broken barriers in their respective (national convention) and Centennial fields and left an indelible mark on Celebration in Indianapolis, Ind., Join Yvette Chargois the face of Houston. This year’s Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Events of the Week honorees included A. Renee’ Logan, proudly announced its new president. More photos on defendernetwork.com Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher, Linda William Randy Bates Jr. was See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads Toyota, Yvette Goree-Harris, elected as its 32nd Grand Polemarch with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m. Dell Trahan, Jene’ Guess-Cash, (president and CEO) to lead the Attorney Andrea D. Arceneaux, fraternity into its second century . Katy Caldwell, Crystal Washington, Professionally, Randy is a law partner Mary Benton, Dr. Monica G. Williams and Nnete, with Bates & Coleman, PC, and is a member of the board to name a few. Veteran Democratic political strategist, of trustees of the Lone Star College System. A reception adjunct professor, author, syndicated columnist, television was held in his honor and attended by Laolu Daviespolitical commentator, vice chair of Voter Registration Yemitan, Bo Alfred, Mario Watkins, Karl Holmes, and former chair of the Democratic National Convention, Ron Julun, Willie High Coleman, Jr., Leonard

Coleman, Dr. Bobby Wilson, André Levy, Byron Neal, Dr. Regan Flowers and Mildred and Willie Bright. Good luck!.....CHAG’S BOOKSHELF......”The Vagabonds” is a book written by P. Paul Provost and tells the story of the travels and adventures of a couple who truly love to travel. It encompasses places in the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada, South America, New Zealand, Australia and many other places, including various islands and villages. His sister-in-law, Georgia Provost, hosted a reception in her home that was attended by Paul’s wife, Frances, Cynthia Lurkin, Rev. Trudy Huff, Helen George, Carrie Jackson, ConSandra Jones and Dorothy and Lewis Jackson, to name a few. A gentleman of great fortitude and insight, he’s written other books, “A Sailor’s Story, the Autobiography of Percy Paul Provost” and “Ebony Legends in Sports. “ Continued success to you also!.....From Chag’s Place to your place, have a blessed week!

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