FAILING STUDENTS
OVERBURDENED
TEACHERS As report cards are issued, COVID-19 and online learning are resulting in an unprecedented failure rate that may have short and long term impact on Black children.
SPOTLIGHT
DR. CEDRIC ALEXANDER Both Black and Blue, the former chair of a national law enforcement group talks about the redesign of public safety.
Volume 90, issue 6 December 3, 2020
SPORTS
DYLAN GOFFNEY
The wide receiver from Bridgeland H.S. is the standout playmaker casting his team as Cinderella after their upset victory. facebook.com/defendernetwork twitter.com/defendernetwork
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DN On the web
FIT & FINE Joseph Warren Age: 32 Occupation: Owner, Gain University Education: Texas Southern University Major: BA-General Studies Motto: Always Hustle.
Quote: “Learn to appreciate the small gainz.”
Message From the Associate Editor crew on their way out the door. Trump Republicans are running around, acting destroying spy plans U.S. allies relied on to like the child who was promised a whupkeep Russia in check. Steve Mnuchin movpin’ for acting a fool. But as it gets later and ing CARES Act (pandemic relief) money later, they hope and pray their parents won’t in a place that makes it a thousand times remember. If you’ve ever been in that posiharder for Biden and Harris to access and tion, you already know. Parents don’t forget. get to folk in need. Millionaire congressmen And neither should we forget all the GOP showing no sense of urgency with stimufolk who have for four years taken their lus checks, meaning more families evicted, racism, sexism, inhumanity, hypocrisy and more businesses closed, and more Amerigreed to new levels. cans pushed into poverty. But they’re in their rooms praying that we The Biden-Harris victory was not a punAswad Walker forget. U.S. Attorney General William Barr, ishment equal to GOP crimes. That’s why the top trick in Trump’s stable, for example, just came out the Georgia Senate runoffs on Jan. 5 are so critical. Demdeclaring there was no evidence of voter fraud during the ocratic victories in those two races punish GOPers in the 2020 presidential election. We see you, Barr. Trying to act most painful way — caring more for “We the People” than like you have a backbone now that it’s clear Trump is out. the 1%. For this reason, Georgia’s on my mind. And it should Some GOPers are now saying they never liked Trump, be on yours too! attempting to distance themselves from his sinking ship. We see you. Others are acting like they have moral standards IN THIS WEEK’S DEFENDER now, claiming the tweets of one of Biden’s administration • Teachers and parents grade area ISDs as students fail at nominees are just too mean. These are the same folk who epic rate. have been silent for the past 12 years as Trump tweet-at- • 2020’s not done yet. Beware holiday shopping scams. tacked and demeaned everyone under the sun. Especially • Big runoff elections in Houston (District B) and Mo. City powerful Black women. (mayor’s race). But like Simba in the Lion King, we remember. Like • TxDot’s new I-45 plans gets community input from Black Earth, Wind & Fire on the “21st night of September,” we Houstonians. remember. Like Michael Jackson, Eddie Murphy and Iman in Michael’s video, we remember. That whuppin’ is coming! ON THE WEB • TSU banking program is gifted a $100K deposit. GEORGIA ON MY MIND • Capital City Black Film Festival reaching global audience. And we’ll also remember all the pettiness from 45 and • COVID-19 is still running buck-wild. DO YOU REMEMBER THE TIME?
VOLUME 90 - NUMBER 6 - DECEMBER 3, 2020 @the.abs.specialist @Gain_Univ Website: www.gainuniv.com Read more on Friday about Joseph Warren at defendernetwork.com
The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. and audited by Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). Only digital subscriptions are available at: www.defendernetwork.com/subscribe No paper subscriptions available. All materials covered by 2020 copyright. No materials herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. 713-663-6996 | P.O. Box 8005, Houston, Tx 77288
Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles
Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler
Associate Editor Aswad Walker
Strategic Alliance Clyde Jiles
Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles
Creative Director Michael Grant
Photographers Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison
December 3, 2020 |
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN News Joy Hutton was named by Google as Houston digital coach for Black & Latinx business owners to reach new customers, thrive online and grow. Find out more: bit.ly/googledigitalcoach
Adewale “Wally” Adeyemo, president of the Obama Foundation, is President-Elect Joe Biden’s pick for deputy Treasury secretary. He would be the first African American in the role.
RUNOFF ELECTIONS Early Voting underway
Houston District B, Missouri City races Dec. 12 With early voting underway through Tuesday, Dec. 8 and the election date set for Saturday, Dec. 12, Houston residents of District B and Missouri City residents are headed to the polls. Defender News Service
In Houston, front-runner Tarsha Jackson and Cynthia Bailey, the second-place finisher, will find out who will represent District B after waiting over 390 days in limbo. For voting locations go to: www.harrisvotes.com Incumbent Missouri City Mayor Yolanda Ford, who received 49.92% of the vote, faces former Councilmember Robin
Cynthia Bailey
Tarsha Jackson
Elackatt, who garnered 29.8% of the vote. In the race for At-large Position
Yolanda Ford
Robin Elackatt
2, incumbent Councilmember Chris Preston and challenger Lynn Clouser will be in the runoff.
Chris Preston
Lynn Clouser
Clouser received 46.07% of the vote, while Preston, the mayor pro tempore, received 42.61%.
Early voting for the runoff election and election day voting will be held at the Missouri City Community Center, Quail Valley Fund Office and Stafford City Hall. Other election day voting centers are Hightower High School and the Fondren Park Community Center. However, Fondren Park will be limited to Missouri City residents living in Harris County Precinct 0506.
Biden names Black women to communications team Defender News Service
President-elect Joe Biden will have an all-female senior communications team at his White House, reflecting his stated desire to build a diverse team as well as what’s expected to be a return to a more traditional press operation. Black women will fill three of the seven top communications roles at the White House: Symone Sanders, Karine Jean-Pierre and Ashley Etienne. It’s the first time the entire senior White House communications team will be entirely female. In a statement announcing the team, Biden said, “Communicating directly and truthfully to the American people is one of the most important duties of a president, and this team will be entrusted with the tremendous responsibility of connecting the American people to the White House.” He added, “These qualified, experienced communicators bring diverse perspectives to their work and a shared commitment to building this country back better.” Sanders is a former CNN political commentator and senior advisor for Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign. In 2016, Sanders worked for Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT) in his bid for the Democratic nomination. Sanders will now serve as senior advisor and chief spokesperson for Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Jean-Pierre, former senior advisor to Biden and chief of staff for Harris, made a name for herself as the Southeast regional political director for President Barack
Ashley Etienne, Karine Jean-Pierre, and Symone Sanders
Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. She has been a regular guest on MSNBC’s “AM Joy.” Jean-Pierre’s new assignment: principal deputy press secretary for the Biden-Harris administration. Though Etienne has worked off-camera, she is no less known and respected by Washington power brokers than Sanders or Jean-Pierre. Etienne, who has been named communications director for the vice president, formerly served as a senior advisor on the Biden-Harris campaign. In August, Vanity Fair called Etienne “Biden’s deadliest weapon against Trump” and “the queen of the war rooms” for her involvement in Democrats’ impeachment messaging toward Trump.
Biden campaign communications director Kate Bedingfield will serve as White House communications director. Jen Psaki, a longtime Democratic spokeswoman, will be his press secretary. Pili Tobar, who was communications director for coalitions on Biden’s campaign, will be his deputy White House communications director. She most recently was deputy director for America’s Voice, an immigration reform advocacy group, and was a press staffer for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Elizabeth Alexander, who served as the former vice president’s press secretary and his communications director while he was a U.S. senator from Delaware, will serve as Jill
Biden’s communications director. Vice President-elect Harris expressed her excitement and confidence in the senior communications team and their “commitment to building a White House that reflects the very best of our nation.” “Our country is facing unprecedented challenges–from the coronavirus pandemic to the economic crisis, to the climate crisis, and a long-overdue reckoning over racial injustice,” Harris said. “To overcome these challenges, we need to communicate clearly, honestly, and transparently with the American people, and this experienced, talented and barrier-shattering team will help us do that.” Sources: The Associated Press and the Grio
4 | December 3, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
Connecting workers to new skills This health and humanitarian crisis has had a disproportionate impact on employment for people of color. Here in Houston, there is an urgent need for skill building — including re-skilling and up-skilling — to create a clear pathway to jobs that can deliver upward mobility and economic stability. To drive progress, Bank of America is investing $1 billion over four years to advance racial equality and economic opportunity, building on work we’ve had underway for many years. We’re helping to connect people to the skills, resources and experience needed to succeed by building partnerships with nonprofits and local government, and through our own recruiting and hiring. This includes partnerships with Community Colleges that serve predominately Black and Hispanic/Latino students, and public Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions. In Houston, we remain committed to supporting organizations that help people in our community get the skills they need.
Hong Ogle Houston Market President
Strengthening pathways Here in Houston, we’re partnering with local organizations to create pathways to better jobs, including: SERJobs EMERGE Fellowship
To learn more, please visit bankofamerica.com/community Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. © 2020 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Community
Interstate 45 traffic lanes go underground beneath green space and re-emerges.
New I-45 impacts Black Houstonians LEADERS SHARE THEIR STANCE
Eliza Paul
Raquelle Lewis
Belinda Everette
Minister Robert Muhammad
Tanya Debose
By Von Jiles
T
he Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is proposing to redesign 24 miles of Interstate 45 from the southern edge of Downtown Houston northward to Beltway 8, the largest transportation project in the city’s recent history. There are only a few days left to make public comments by Dec. 9 on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP). The proposed improvements are intended to address existing safety issues, projected increases in population and employment, outdated design elements, aging infrastructure and congestion. In fact, this portion of I-45 is the second most dangerous road in America. Despite the numerous benefits of the project, much of the controversy centers around five predominately minority and/or low-income areas being impacted. INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS – was incorporated in 1915 as the first African American municipality in the state of Texas and is located north of I-610 and east of I-45. NEAR NORTHSIDE – has a population that is predominantly Hispanic and African American and is located east of I-45 between Downtown Houston and I-610. GREATER THIRD WARD – includes Emancipation Park, located on land purchased by formerly enslaved individuals in 1872 to serve as a location for annual celebrations after the end of slavery in Texas. The area includes Texas Southern University and the University of Houston and is located south of I-45 and east of I-69/SH 288. FIFTH WARD – has several African American churches that are more than 100 years old and was settled by enslaved individuals freed after the Civil War. The area is located in and around the I-69/I-10 interchange. KELLY VILLAGE & CLAYTON HOMES - are housing communities managed by the Houston Housing Authority (HHA). At Clayton Homes, 100% of the units will be relocated including 112 units that have been uninhabitable since Hurricane Harvey flooded them. The complex’s location next to Buffalo Bayou makes flooding a constant threat. TxDOT and HHA
have entered into an agreement where HHA, funded by TxDOT, will construct replacement housing for displaced residents. Only a portion of Kelly Village residents will need to be relocated and they will also have similar options. Community concerns have been expressed about the displacement of current residents, a lack of affordable housing inventory available for relocation in the impacted areas and the need for people to remain in their neighborhoods. Additional concerns have been expressed about unintended consequences such as gentrification which can change both the appearance and social fabric of neighborhoods. TxDOT has been engaging the public for over a decade through more than 300 stakeholder and public meetings. In February 2020, TxDOT established the I-45 NHHIP Housing and Communities Focus Group (HCFG) with the goal of identifying and deploying strategies to achieve win/win solutions for communities directly impacted by the project. The group is composed of 24 members who are all community activists with experience in affordable housing and transportation projects. “This is not our grandfather’s TxDOT of 1956. They have engaged the community and we can create a 21st Century template in this area for every transportation department throughout America to emulate,” said Dr. Robert Muhammad of the Southeast District Transportation Committee, a member of the HCF group. TxDOT is providing a $27-million grant program established for construction of affordable housing in and around the five areas identified above. The goal is to keep residents close to their communities where possible, keeping the fabric of these communities intact. “The NAACP is thrilled to work with TxDOT on this project,” said Belinda Everette of the NAACP Houston Branch Housing Committee at a recent meeting of the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Transportation Policy Council. “It will not only improve the quality of life, provide sustainable housing and home ownership opportunities, but it helps populations who might not have ever realized that.” “TxDOT is going beyond our normal acquisition and relocation process to ensure that every resident and business affected receives personalized assistance
WHERE TO SEND COMMENTS The I-45 Final Environmental Impact Statement is available for review by visiting ih45northandmore.com, the project website. The document is also available for inspection at the TxDOT Houston District Office, 7600 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas 77007 by appointment. To make an appointment, visit https:// www.flexbooker.com/ reserve/NHHIP_FEIS_APPT or call (713) 8025207 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Wednesday, Dec. 9 is the deadline for comments. Send to: Texas Department of Transportation, Attention: Director of Project Development, P.O. Box 1386, Houston, Texas 77251, or by email to: HOU-piowebmail@txdot.gov
throughout this process,” said Eliza Paul, TxDOT Houston District engineer. “The relocation counselors will do everything possible to relocate individuals, families and businesses to their desired locations such as locations close to their churches and schools. Our goal is to help keep communities intact.” According to group member Tanya Debose, executive director of the Independence Heights Redevelopment Corporation, participation in the group affords the opportunity to “cultivate complete communities. While the NHHIP means several of our residents and businesses will be impacted, we have an opportunity to effect positive results by working together. Relocating the community is not our first option, but we have found a way together to get everything we need to preserve our heritage and create community cohesion. We can hold TxDOT accountable and leave the community better than ever before.” “Public engagement is an ongoing process that we are committed to,” said Raquelle Lewis, TxDOT Houston District public information officer. “It will go on long after the environmental process through final design and construction.”
19176 - E_PN_HP_HOU_TheDefender-4.812x13-F.pdf
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Events Cynthia Marshall
Karen Bass
Michel Martin
Rashad Robinson
Bakari Sellers
Tony West
UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS By ASWAD WALKER
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies 50th Anniversary, Dec 7-9
The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, America’s Black Think Tank, is hosting its 50th Anniversary celebration entitled The Eddie Williams Future of Black Communities Leadership Summit on December 7-9, 2020. The online event will convene Black thought leaders, academics, elected officials and other stakeholders to help frame the economic policy agenda for Black America for the next four years in the wake of COVID-19. This three-day virtual celebration will also serve as an opportunity to commemorate five decades of the Joint Center’s progress while gearing up for the work that is ahead. A partial list of participants includes House Majority Whip James Clyburn, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass, Color of Change President Rashad Robinson, Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynthia Marshall, Uber Chief Legal Officer Tony West, NPR’s Michel Martin, CNN Political Commentator Bakari Sellers and more. To register go to Eventbrite. com and search “The Eddie Williams Future of Black Communities Leadership Summit.” Houston Virtual Small Business Expo 2020, Dec. 8, 10am – 7:30pm
Touted as America’s biggest virtual business networking event, the Houston Virtual Small Business Expo 2020 is a business-to-business networking & educational event, trade show & conference for business owners, entrepreneurs or anyone who works for or wants to start a small business. The Expo is free and offers 40+ virtual business webinars, an exhibitor hall, networking meet-ups and more. To register, go to Eventbrite.com and search “Houston Virtual Small Business Expo 2020.” The African American Shakespeare Company’s Cinderella; Dec. 10 - 27
The Ensemble Theatre will host the view-
ing of the classic tale of Cinderella as it comes alive in this fresh interpretation filled with original, show-stopping, memorable music. This show was performed for three consecutive years at The Ensemble and it has proven to be a much loved and very merry story. Love it for the first time or enjoy it all over again! Tickets are $25. For more information, visit www.ensemblehouston.com or call 713-520-0055. C
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Houston Virtual Career Fair for the Military Community, Dec. 10, 11a – 3p
RecruitMilitary produces veteran job fairs all across the country. Just like their physical events, they state their virtual events are packed with employers who want to connect with members of the military community who are looking for employment. RecruitMilitary states, “Attend just one, and you’ll see that these events are the best way to get your foot in the door.” Every connection you make is an opportunity to meet your goals and complete your mission. To register, go to Eventbrite.com and search “Houston Virtual Career Fair for the Military Community.” 59th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes Virtual, Dec. 13, 1-4pm
The Blue Triangle Garden Club (BTGC) Texas’ Oldest African American Garden Club will host its first ever virtual Christmas Tour of Homes Sunday, Dec.13, 2020. The virtual tour will feature homes in the historic MacGregor area of Third Ward as is custom, along with homes from other Houston neighborhoods. A Victorian-era home in Galveston, as well, will be featured. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to the Blue Triangle Multicultural Association and Community Center, where a nearly $5 million renovation is slated for a summer 2021 completion.. To register, go to Eventrbite.com and search “Christmas Tour of Homes.”
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December 3, 2020 |
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Spotlight REDESIGN OF PUBLIC SAFETY SERIES
Dr. Cedric Alexander speaks on police reform Defender: We hear the term often, but what exactly is community policing? Alexander: The term community polic-
By Aswad Walker
Few people in the country know the issues of police reform from multiple aspects better than Dr. Cedric Alexander, who has been in law enforcement since 1977 and is former president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). Not only is he a law enforcement analyst for CNN, but Alexander served as deputy commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services; chief of police in the Rochester Police Department; chief of police for DeKalb County; federal security director for the Transportation Security Administration, a division of the United States Department of Homeland Security in Dallas, and more. Along with his years of experience in law enforcement and as a Black man in America, Alexander’s brutal honesty in assessing issues of policing have made his voice one of the most sought after on the subject. As part of the Defender’s “Redesigning Public Safety” series, here are excerpts from an exclusive interview with Alexander.
I’m a former chief of police twice, but I’m still a Black man getting pulled over.” Dr. Cedric Alexander
Defender: What has 2020 taught the policing community about the limitations of the current policing standards? Alexander: Well, I think George Floyd
taught us a lesson. But George Floyd is not the only lesson. George Floyd was a tipping point…Right before George Floyd, what did you have? You had Breonna Taylor. You had the incident in Central Park where the white woman called the police on the brother. She weaponized herself to say that he was attacking her before that. What did you have? You had all those coming in succession to each other. And it doesn’t include the microaggressions that we all experience every day just being Black in America… But what 2020 has taught us is that in this pandemic environment… it also tells me we have the wherewithal as a nation to come together and fix this. Even though we look very divided at this very moment because of the politics… we have the capacity to come together in all of this.
Defender: What is your vision of redesigning public safety? Dr. Cedric Alexander: I truly think
everything’s on the table…So, if I’m a police chief and I’m running a police department and the public is telling me that they’re not comfortable with police, they don’t feel safe. There are parts of our communities that feel marginalized or treated differently. And it doesn’t have to be the majority of our community, but there’s a part of our population where people don’t feel like, particularly people of color, where they don’t feel safe. They don’t feel as if they have a relationship with their police department. So, what has to happen in my opinion is that myself as a chief, my community, my elected officials, I think we all have an opportunity in this space we’re in right now to be able to sit down and start talking about how would we like to see policing in our community.
ing really means that me as a police officer, I’m in the community as a guardian and not as a warrior. I’m in the guardian mindset or I don’t come to work.
Defender: Do you know of any departments nationally that are implementing some of the discussed reforms? Alexander: No, because we’re still in the
embryo stages of all of this. Hell, you can’t even get Congress to pass a public safety bill that’s going to benefit us. Right after George Floyd, you had the Republicans and the Democrats working together trying to create some public safety protocols, but they can’t even find a center. But what it has to come back to is people in those local communities. This is right where real work gets done…But you also have to remember Houston, Texas isn’t Butte, Montana. So,
the needs in Butte may be very different than the needs in Fifth Ward, Houston. Defender: What changes can be made nationally, and what changes can only be made locally? Alexander: All of them can be done
locally… How we police, how we negotiate with our unions in terms of police officers doing their jobs, everything can be done locally and at a state level. It is great to have federal legislation that says no chokehold. But you can also have state and local legislation that says no chokeholds. Because really all the social ills in this country really are resolved at a local level.
Defender: What can community members do to assist? Alexander: Be involved in their city
government. It represents you and your community…You need to know who these people are. You need to write them. You need to go to city hall and meet with your county commissioners and mayors and city managers, however your government is set up. You need to make sure that your voice is heard collectively and individually. For more excerpts from Alexander, including his thoughts on HPD Chief Art Acevedo, George Floyd and more, visit Defendernetwork.com
8 | December 3, 2020 |
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DN InFocus SOCIAL
FAILING STUDENTS,
OVERBURDENED TEACHERS With report cards coming out for students in several area ISDs, many teachers, school administrators and parents are concerned about student failing rates and questioning how to move forward with instruction — in-class or virtual — with the coronavirus pandemic seemingly not going anywhere anytime soon. By Aswad Walker
-Getty Images
MIXED RESULTS Pamela Gray, mother of a high school senior and sixth grader, was initially disappointed in Ft. Bend ISD’s online approach in March, but says by fall the district had a good plan in place. Though Gray’s two sons are thriving academically, and returned to in-person
As coronavirus cases began to surge in early-to-mid November, school districts nationally, including those in Detroit, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Minneapolis, chose to “retire” in-person classes. The response in Texas was to stay the course with schools offering a choice between in-person and online learning, placing the Lone Star State in a position that ran counter to the growing wave. But as November’s initial surge worsens daily, with new infections, hospitalizations and deaths approaching and even surpassing, in some places, spring and summer numbers, Texas schools are holding pat on the position to remain open, to a mixed reception from teachers and K-12 parents.
PARENT & TEACHER RESPONSES
During the current school year’s first grading period, the percentage of students from the region’s largest school districts who failed at least one class were two, three or even four times higher than previous semesters. This unprecedented Houston-area failure rate, which includes almost 50% of middle and high school students earning at least two Fs, has districts expecting to see graduation rates plummet and summer school attendance skyrocket.
Expected also are more active calls for sup- 42% of students failed two or more classes during the port systems to accommodate students who have first report card period. fallen behind, whether from missed classes, That’s an 11% jump from previous years, accordunfinished assignments, issues with ing to Lathan, who is not alone in sounding the distance learning or a combinaalarm. Similar concerns can be heard coming tion thereof. out of Alief. “Kids know what they “Our internal failure rates — not (stanneed to do in order to be dardized) tests, just our teachers teaching, counted present and pass grading, assessing kids — are like nothing some of their courses, Dr. Grenita I’ve ever seen before,” Alief ISD Superintendent but lack of engagement HD Chambers told the Houston Chronicle. In Lathan is the major concern,” Alief ISD, almost 50% of students made at least said Grenita Lathan, HISD’s one F this year. interim superintendent Aldine, Cy-Fair and Spring ISDs are also singing of the state’s largest very similar blues, with administrators recognizing district where that the failure rates reflect the near impossible dance school districts, teachers, students and parents are involved in, trying to remain COVID-free while having successful educational outcomes. The challenges and frustrations are certainly not lost on parents. Rhonda Flakes-Preston feels caught in a catch22, nervous about multiple students and staff testing positive for COVID-19 at her child’s school, yet not enthused by the prospect her school district may eliminate virtual learning after December. “Teachers have seen a decline in grades for students who are learning virtually due to lack of engagement and teachers are spread thin trying to do both Zoom and daily check-in verifications by 7 a.m. for online students,” she said. Flakes-Preston asserts that some teachers have simply decided not to conduct online classes, leaving virtual students out of the learning loop.
TEXAS GOES AGAINST FULL ONLINE MOVE
“My son attends high school in CyFair ISD. In spite of all the intricate plans for a safe return to in-person learning, every single day I receive an email saying students have tested positive on campus. It’s pretty harrowing because I know that for every kid exposed, there are at least 20 acquaintances, including parents, grandparents and immuno-compromised others who are also exposed and in danger. It’s time to shut it down again and buckle down until we get a handle on this virus.” - Sharon Watkins Jones
Manvel High School 11th grade history teacher Jasmine Smith, working with son Lathan (kindergarten) and daughter Lynnden (5th grade). Photo by: Aswad Walker
learning in October, she still has concerns. “Communication is down and I never seem to know what is happening next. I hear from both kids about many changes being made with this teacher or that one being pulled to help out, and some doubling up to virtual classes as well. I even question why my youngest never has homework…,” she said. “The interaction and overall synergy at schools have been upset and everyone is stressed, parents included. I sense we will move back to a virtual-only platform soon.” Teachers like Denise Johnson and Kam Thomas are feeling the weight of the current educational and health challenges. “In my district, we have been using Zoom and faceto-face (F2F), since August,” said Johnson. “It’s a lot for a teacher to have to do both at the same time. Either the classroom students benefit and the Zoom students suffer, or vice-versa. It’s a no-win situation either way, for the students. Johnson said some online students do not log in, yet their absence is viewed by administrators as the teacher’s fault. She also views current attendance and social distancing policies as laughable.
“Even if students don’t attend class, as long as they complete their work before 11:59 p.m. that day, they are counted as being present for that day. Makes no sense, but okay. “As for COVID, I thought the students had to be 6 feet apart while in the classroom. That I found out today, isn’t true. As long as they have a divider between them [think plexiglass], they can sit next to each other, which in my opinion, doesn’t protect anyone from anything…We’re stretched thin, walking a thin line, without knowing exactly what to do. We need help, and lots of it.” Educator Kam Thomas was more to the point with her assessment, which focused on state lawmakers. “[The Texas Legislature] cares nothing about students and teachers, and they are still testing students.” State and federal lawmakers, led by President Donald Trump, threatened to hold federal education dollars hostage from states that did not offer in-person classes. These fall 2020 reflections have parents, teachers and administrators nervous about short- and longterm impacts on all students, but especially students classified as high-need.
“My daughter attends high school in Katy ISD and has the option of attending school virtually all-year or in person. She chose to attend virtually as a precaution to being exposed to COVID-19. We feel this was a wise choice as her school had to shut down temporarily due to massive outbreaks within the school. She is also a student athlete and her sports season was cut short due to rising cases on her team. I am quite pleased with her academic progress via virtual learning. She is in tune with her assignments and has seen an increase in her GPA since she started virtual learning back in March. It is my belief that virtual learning provides a focus-intensive environment on studies and reduces the fear of exposure and lack of concentration.” - Dionne Glover Smith
“Our district has offered the option of in-person or virtual learning since early October. The planning and roll-out were both poor and resulted in teachers across grade levels and subjects having to teach both in-person and virtually simultaneously. Kids in the classroom and on Zoom, during the same class periods, all day long. This is a wild disservice to students, and a true injustice for teachers, in my opinion. Importantly, it also displays a lack of creativity and adaptability in the face of both extreme adversity AND opportunity to drive long-overdue change. “ - PN Kells, teacher and parent
10 | December 3, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL
Student loan debt widens wealth gap NNPA Newswire
President-elect Joe Biden wants to immediately erase student loan debt, a move that could prove more meaningful for African American students who, on average, owe much more than anyone. With the freeze placed on student loan repayments set to end Dec. 31, Biden has gotten behind the Democrat-led House’s HEROES Act, which calls on the federal government to pay off up to $10,000 in private, nonfederal student loans for economically distressed borrowers. “People having to make choices between paying their student loan and paying the rent…debt relief should be done immediately,” Biden said. Senate Democrats also are pushing for more debt relief. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) co-authored a resolution in September with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) calling for the next president to cancel up to $50,000 of outstanding federal student loans per borrower. According to data from the U.S. College Board, that would mean erasing all debt for more than three-quarters of borrowers.
BY THE NUMBERS Receive federal loan to pay for college 9 in 10 Blacks 7 in 10 Whites Graduate in four years or less Blacks 28.8% Hispanics 29.7% Whites 46.7% Asians 48.5% Six years to graduate Blacks 40.7% Hispanics 35.2% Whites 25.3% Asians 19.7%
Andrew Pentis, the student loan debt policy expert at Student Loan Hero, pointed to an analysis published by his company, which shows student loan portfolios now total $1.67 trillion. The data shows that debt distribution is more massive among borrowers of color. African American students are far more likely to have larger student debt than their white, Hispanic or Asian classmates, with 59.5% of African American students
A male student, wearing a face mask, sits on a university campus studying for a class. He is a hard working college student trying to earn his degree in education to improve his situation during the coronavirus pandemic. -A.J. Rich
borrowing more than $29,500. Pentis noted that the Black borrowers are more than twice as likely as white borrowers to default on their student loans, which he said is a by-product of a U.S. median household income that’s about $25,000 less for Black families than whites. The end of the federal loan moratorium
would disproportionately impact Black and Brown borrowers, Pentis warned. “We are seeing that those loans are actually making the racial wealth gap worse because the loans become a burden on families that are already disadvantaged in terms of having a lower household income, having a lower net worth...”
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December 3, 2020 |
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature Beware holiday online shopping scams cards for either personal or business reasons. The gift cards are then used to facilitate the purchase of goods and services which may or may not be legitimate. Secure your banking and credit accounts with strong and different passwords, as well as all your other accounts that contain anything of value, such as: rewards accounts, online accounts that save your payment information, or accounts containing your private, personal information. Check your credit card and bank statements regularly to make sure no fraudulent charges have been made to your account.
Defender News Service
With the holiday shopping season underway, criminals are also gearing up to do a little “shopping” of their own. The FBI reminds you to look out for scams designed to steal your money and personal information, especially while shopping online. When shopping online, make sure a site is secure and reputable before providing your credit card number. Don’t trust a site just because it claims to be secure. Beware of purchases or services that require you to pay with a gift card. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often scheme to defraud consumers by offering deals via phishing emails or advertisements. Such schemes may offer brand name merchandise at extremely low discounts or promise gift cards as an incentive to purchase a product. Other sites may offer products at a great price, but the products being sold are not the same as the products advertised. Steer clear of suspicious sites, emails or ads offering items at unrealistic discounts. You may end up paying for an item, giving away personal information and credit card details, and receive nothing in return except
If you suspect you’ve been victimized:
a compromised identity. Bottom line, do not open any unsolicited emails and do not click on any links attached. Also beware of posts on social media sites that appear to offer vouchers or free gift cards. Some may pose as holiday promotions or contests. It may even appear one of your friends shared the link with you.
Often, these scams lead you to participate in an online survey that is actually designed to steal personal information. Be careful if someone asks you to purchase gift cards for them. In these scams, the victims received either a spoofed email, phone call or text from a person in authority requesting the victim purchase multiple gift
• Contact your financial institution immediately upon suspecting or discovering a fraudulent transfer. • Request that your bank reach out to the financial institution where the fraudulent transfer was sent. • Contact law enforcement. • File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.IC3.gov, regardless of dollar loss.
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12 | December 3, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Feature
DAVID DINKINS, New York’s first and only Black Mayor dead at 93. He served as the 106th mayor of the largest city in America.
Black leaders fight prescription drug costs TriceEdneyWire.com
Civil rights leaders and lawmakers across the nation are pressing increasingly hard to establish public policies to monitor and help make prescription drug prices affordable. Civil rights organizations are now escalating their focus on issues in the area of health care, particularly the high cost of prescription drugs. “While there has been much partisan back and forth on these issues in Washington, there has not been enough conversation about reining in the profits and excesses of health insurance companies, which refuse to cover critical procedures, medicines and services in order to preserve their billions of dollars in profits,” said Rev. Al Sharpton in a recent letter to Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass (D-Calif.) “Let us make 2021 the year of Black health equity.” Sharpton’s letter is part of a growing focus on racial disparities and inequities in health care, partially ignited by findings that people living in predominantly Black counties are nearly “three times more likely to die of the COVID-19 than predominately white counties,” Sharpton said. The letter culminates more than a year of efforts by his National Action Network (NAN) and other organizations to deal with the suffering of people who must sometimes risk their lives by choosing to take care of other crucial bills instead of paying for prescription drugs. Similarly focused, the NAACP national
In a country as wealthy as ours, it’s downright shameful that people have to choose between taking their medicine or paying for other basic necessities,” U.S. Sen. Cory Booker
Sen. Cory Booker
Rev. Al Sharpton
board of directors last year passed a resolution calling for Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDAB) in every state, which would act as a watchdog for the public, carefully review drug costs and establish fair and affordable costs for state and local government. Maryland last year became the first state in the nation to successfully create a PDAB with national and state NAACP chapters “playing a critical role,” as well as dozens of Black faith groups, labor, business and other non-profits, said Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Citizens’ Health
Initiative. “They are doing a very good job right now of examining what drugs are really high cost and what would make prescription drugs more affordable for people,” he said. “So, it’s really an exciting new way at the state level to address this problem.” The struggle to rein in high prescription drug prices has reached Congress, but to no avail. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) last year introduced the Prescription Drug Affordability and Access Act, which would have created an independent agency tasked with conducting reviews of drug prices and
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LEGAL NOTICE These Texas Lottery Commission scratch ticket games will be closing soon:
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / TIRZ No. 3 Southern Downtown Park The Downtown Redevelopment Authority (the “Authority”) / TIRZ No. 3 will receive sealed bids for the Southern Downtown Park project, located in Downtown Houston, 1515 Fannin Street bounded by Bell, Fannin, Leeland, and San Jacinto Streets. Hardcopy bids will be received until 11:00 AM, local time on Friday, January 15, 2021 by the Executive Director, Downtown Redevelopment Authority. Hardcopy bids received after this time will not be accepted. Hardcopy bids are to be delivered to 1313 Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77002. Beginning 11:00 AM, Monday, December 14, 2020, Bidding Documents will be available at www.civcastusa.com. Any Addenda will be distributed through www.civcastusa.com. Bidding Documents may also be viewed online at isqft.com.
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determining an appropriate list price. The bill, S.3166, was sent to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, but went no further during the 116th Congress. With only a few weeks before Congress goes to Christmas break, the bill will likely die in committee, but can be reintroduced in the 117th Congress when it reconvenes on Jan. 3. “In a country as wealthy as ours, it’s downright shameful that people have to choose between taking their medicine or paying for other basic necessities,” Booker said. “…We need systemic change that will meaningfully address the exorbitant, rising cost of prescription drugs and put the focus back on patients, not profits.”
Bidders shall comply with City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 15, Articles II, V, VI, and XI and the Mayor’s Executive Orders No.1‑7 Pay or Play (POP) Program for Houston Public Works for the public procurement procedures of the City of Houston Office for Business Opportunity (OBO) established in March 2008 and the entity responsible for the administration of the Small/ Minority/ Women-Owned (S/M/WBE), Persons with Disabilities Enterprises (PDBE), and Hire Houston First programs. The successful Bidder will be required to make good faith efforts to achieve an S/M/W/DBE participation goal of 20 percent. Beginning December 3, 2020, the Authority’s procurement for the general contract for this capital improvement project is advertised in the Houston Business Journal, the Houston Defender, the Southern Chinese Daily News, and the Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum.
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DN Feature
Mayor Turner focuses on resilience Restoring areas hit by flooding By Defender News Service
Mayor Sylvester Turner recently announced the Urban Prairie Resiliency Project, a collaborative undertaking that seeks to further the city’s resilience goals to be prepared for, to withstand and to bounce back from the various stresses and impacts caused by serious weather events like hurricanes and floods. The project will integrate green storm water infrastructure and restore the urban prairie ecosystem within New Hope Housing and Star of Hope’s Cornerstone Community Campus, an affordable supportive housing development. More specifically, the Mayor’s Office of Resilience is partnering with New Hope Housing and Star of Hope to restore up to eight acres of prairie of the Cornerstone Community Campus. According to a statement by the City of Houston, “By restoring the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, whose wetlands act as ‘nature’s kidneys’ for the Houston region, the Urban Prairie Resiliency Project will serve as an example of a neighborhood adaptation
The Urban Prairie Resiliency Project will serve as an example of a neighborhood adaptation project which will create wildlife habitat and outdoor educational and recreational space while improving stormwater retention, water filtration and groundwater replenishment.
project which will create wildlife habitat and outdoor educational and recreational space while improving storm water retention, water filtration and groundwater replenishment.” The partnership, according to the statement, is in accordance with the Resilient Houston Strategy and the Complete Communities Initiative. “Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent storms that have impacted our city serve as a continuous reminder that innovative adaptation solutions must be incorporated in order to build a more resilient Houston,” said Mayor
Turner. “In 2019, I released the Incentives for Green Development Report encouraging the private sector to take an active role in integration of green infrastructure within the built environment. The result will be a more resilient campus that provides health and financial services to a vulnerable population, affordable housing and integrates the value of natural habitat to the built environment to create a stronger, healthier and more resilient community.” Wells Fargo and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Resilient Communities
grant program will provide project funding. Additional funding will come from matching contributions from community partners including New Hope Housing. The Urban Prairie Resiliency Project goals include: • Reducing flooding and minimizing flooding impacts • Fulfilling one of the 100 green storm water infrastructure projects called for in the Strategy by 2025 • Contributing to the 4.8 million tree planting target called for in the strategy by 2030 • Enhancing carbon capture capacity and contributing to the city’s carbon neutrality goal by 2050 • Eliminating geographic health disparities through health benefits of ecosystem • Implementing a project that can utilize and pilot the Houston Incentives for Green Development The project will be located off Highway 288 and Reed Road within the Cornerstone Community Campus, which features Star of Hope’s Women & Family Development Center and the New Hope Housing Reed affordable housing complex. On any given day, the campus collectively serves 1,200-1,300 people.
14 | December 3, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports Will Fuller Texans receiver and cornerback Bradley Roby are lost for the remainder of the season after both received six-game suspensions.
Marcus Sasser, UH sophomore guard, overcame a 35% shooting night to score 17 points and lead Cougar men to 64-53 upset win over Texas Tech.
SportsBriefs WATSON HAVING STRONG RUN FOR TEXANS During the last six games, Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has thrown 15 touchdown passes and no interceptions Deshaun and was recogWatson nized as the most recent AFC Offensive Player of the Week. “Deshaun is a tremendous athlete, leader, has good weapons that he can use whenever he chooses to, and he spreads the ball around many times,” said Texans interim coach Romeo Crennel.
PORTER OFFERS WINTER SKILLS & DRILLS SESSIONS Philadelphia 76ers’ Al Horford, left , and Detroit Pistons’ Christian Wood get tangled up chasing a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Matt Slocum
WOOD’S JOURNEY NOW INCLUDES ROCKETS
By Terrance Harris
Life as a professional athlete hadn’t been anything like Christian Wood envisioned. The first hint of unpredictability came when the talented but still developing 6-foot-10 post player went undrafted out of UNLV in 2015. It would only get rougher as Wood bounced around from team to team in the NBA with G-League assignments in between. Wood was even cut from a league in China a few years ago. But all of the disappointment and frustration of the last five years became worth it recently when Wood was signed by the Rockets as a three-year, $41-million free agent. He is understandably conflicted by the journey that has finally put him in a stable place for the first time. The Rockets are his sixth team in his six-year professional career. “It’s a journey that I wouldn’t put anybody on,” said Wood, 25. “It’s a journey that I’ve learned a lot from to get to where I am now. I wouldn’t [want] it any other way. It made me who I am now, it made
But Wood, who was set me have this chip on my to become a free agent, had shoulder, it made me have ABOUT WOOD shown enough that he bethis determination to try and Position: Center came a coveted free agent be better than everybody else Height: 6-feet-10 this offseason. The Rockets I play against on the court.” Age: 25 were in need of a big man Wood has always played College: UNLV after their small ball experiwith confidence and the be- NBA Resume: Has played for 76ers, ment went all wrong. lief that he could be the best Hornets, Bucks, Wood gives them a versaplayer on the floor. Finally, Pelicans, Pistons tile big man who can score he was given that opportu- and now the inside and can also knock nity with the Detroit Pistons Rockets down the 3 when left open around the midway point of last season when the team traded star in the corner. Should the trade rumors center Andre Drummond and for the that have both James Harden and Russell first time in his career, Wood was a full- Westbrook leaving not come to fruition, Wood could be a great third scoring optime starter in the NBA. Wood didn’t disappoint. In fact, he tion in new coach Stephen Silas’ offense. “I’ve talked to Coach Silas already,” flourished, averaging 22.3 points and 9.5 rebounds in 34.1 minutes while shooting Wood said. “He and I have had a rela56% from the field and 41% from 3-point tionship before with me being with the range in 12 games. Hornets and he was an assistant coach. And his timing was everything. As He said he is keeping the same five out Wood was finally shining, the NBA sea- on offense, and with me and my ability son abruptly ended due to concerns over to be able to shoot the ball I think it’s COVID-19 and when it restarted in the perfect, it’s a great fit. With James opensummer, the Piston’s weren’t invited into ing the pick and roll we can do great things.” the Orlando bubble.
The Bo Porter Future All-Stars Baseball will hold two Winter Break Skills & Drills Camp sessions for youth ages 7-18. The Bo Porter first session will run from Dec. 2123 and the second session will be held 28-30. There are limited spots available and each session costs $250.For more information and to register go to, https://boporterfass. com/events/bo-porter-future-allstars-baseball-winter-break-skillsdrills-camp/.
TSU GREAT HEADED TO BLACK COLLEGE HALL OF FAME The late Winston Hill, one of the greatest offensive linemen to ever play for Texas Southern, is one of six players who will head into the Black College Winston Hill Football Hall of Fame as the 12th class this summer. Hill played for the Tigers from 1959-1962 before heading off to a stellar NFL career, primarily with the New York Jets, that included eight Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl appearance. Hill passed in April 2016 at the age of 74.
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DEFENDER NETWORK
DN Sports BRIDGELAND WR DYLAN GOFFNEY MAKES PLAYS By JODIE B. JILES
In 2017, Cy Fair High School shocked the Texas football world and unexpectedly won a state title. This year, with a 10-0 overall record, Bridgeland High School appears to be cast as Cinderella after upsetting undefeated Cy Fair by a score of 41-29 to end the regular season. Despite Cy Fair’s defense only giving up a touchdown a game on average, Bridgeland senior wide receiver Dylan Goffney, a Southern Methodist University commit, finished the game with nine receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns. The last TD was a game- clinching score that put Bridgeland up 34-29 with 4:34 left in a back-andforth second half. The Defender spoke with stand-out playmaker Goffney to discuss his style of play, keys to success against Cy Fair and his blueprint for success with the playoffs looming.
ABOUT GOFFNEY Height: 6-feet-1 Weight: 196 pounds Twitter: @GoffneyDylan
STYLE OF PLAY “I am a very physical receiver and good with yards after catch.”
Players he studies: DeAndre Hopkins, Michael Thomas, Julio Jones
DEFEATING CY FAIR “It really came down to overcoming the obstacles of the weather and rain. We started off a little slow, but the team came back and pulled together and won.”
Awards: 14-6A Newcomer of the Year, 14-6A First Team All-District WR, 2018 Academic AllDistrict
UPCOMING PLAYOFFS “We just have to stay focused, keep practicing hard and keep playing hard.” POTENTIAL MATCHUPS WITH FAVORITES NORTH SHORE/KATY TOMPKINS/KATY “I feel like we can keep up with them. We are one of the teams to watch now and we just proved that against Cy Fair. So, I feel like we can keep up with any team that we go against.”
For Bridgeland vs. Cy Fair Game & crowd photos Visit IG: @DefenderHighSchoolSports
16 | December 3, 2020 |
DEFENDER NETWORK
This Black Friday, Internet & Mobile meet awesome savings. During the Xfinity Black Friday Sales Event, you can save up to $500 when you get Xfinity Internet and Mobile together. That’s huge savings on fast, reliable Internet and Mobile with nationwide 5G included on the most reliable network. And that means more of the family-calling, video-gaming, binge-watching, viral-videoing awesome you love. Now that’s how you do Black Friday right. The Xfinity Black Friday Sales Event ends December 7. Go to xfinity.com, call 1-800-XFINITY, or visit an Xfinity Store today!
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Internet offer requires enrollment in both automatic payments and paperless billing. Must enroll within 30 days of placing order for advertised offer. Without enrollment, service charge automatically increases by $10/mo. 12-month automatic payment and paperless billing discount appears on bill within 30 days of enrolling. If either automatic payments or paperless billing are canceled during the 12-month period, or if services are added or Internet tier changes, the $10/mo. discount will be discontinued. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Limited to new residential Performance Starter Plus 25 Mbps Internet customers only. Early termination fee applies if all Xfinity services (other than Xfinity Mobile) are cancelled during the agreement term or promo. Equipment, installation, taxes and fees extra, and subject to change during and after agreement term or promo. After agreement term or promo, or if any service is canceled or downgraded, regular rates apply. Comcast’s service charge for Performance Starter Plus Internet is $50/mo. (subj. to change). Service limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. Internet: Actual speeds vary and are not guaranteed. For factors affecting speed, visit www. xfinity.com/networkmanagement. Mobile: Xfinity Mobile requires residential post-pay Xfinity Internet. Line limitations may vary. Equipment, intl. and roaming charges, taxes and fees, including regulatory recovery fees, and other charges extra, and subject to change. Pricing subject to change. Minimum $15.00 charge applies per month, per account regardless of data usage. Charges apply to each GB or partial GB of shared data. No rollover data. For Xfinity Mobile Broadband Disclosures, visit www.xfinity.com/mobile/policies/broadband-disclosures. Up to $500 savings offer ends 12/7/20. Requires (1) activation of new Xfinity Mobile line and porting of number within 90 days of Internet activation for $200 prepaid card and (2) up to $300 off device with the purchase of an eligible mobile phone. Xfinity Mobile utilizes the highest ranked network from RootMetrics® 1H 2020 US report. WiFi networks not tested. Results may vary. Award is not endorsement. The Xfinity Mobile logo and “o” marks are trademark of Comcast. Call for restrictions and complete details. © 2020 Comcast. All rights reserved. Individual programs and marks are property of their respective owners. NPA233814-0004
139045_NPA233814-0004 Black Friday WEST 9.75x13 Houston.indd 1
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