Houston Defender: March 12, 2015

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Volume 84 | Number 15

MARCH 12, 2015 |FREE

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NEWSTALK DR. JAMES WARD named TSU provost

COMMON

P2 BUSINESS SANDRA PHILLIPS heads Toyota legal

balances acting, music

P12 SPORTS JAWALYN BROOKS sets new SWAC record

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P14 TOP EVENTS

Regina Lowery and actress Lisa Raye at Life Rocks workshop

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Selma: A Texas perspective

African-Americans inspired by the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Ala. are determined to continue the fight for civil rights. See a Texas perspective on Selma from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Al Green. Read about State Sen. Rodney Ellis’ reflections and his effort to strengthen voting rights in Texas. President Obama also speaks out on Selma and today’s struggle for equality.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 12 | 2015

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Coalition wants ship channel safety The Healthy Port Communities Coalition is calling on local petrochemical giants to protect their neighbors after a collision in the Houston Ship Channel led to a shelter-in-place order for several area communities.

The ship channel was closed following a collision between a chemical tanker and a bulk freighter. Coalition members said area residents need better protection from such accidents.

“Houston’s petrochemical industry is often called the ‘economic engine’ in the region,” said Adrian Shelley, director of Air Alliance Houston.

“For many residents of ship channel communities, though, the industry is an engine of uncertainty and fear. It is disproportionately low-income and minority communities that suffer these negative impacts.”

The coalition said community members are unaware of and unprepared for the catastrophic risks that chemicals present.

Ward named TSU provost Dr. James Ward has been officially named provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Texas Southern University. He has served in the role on an interim basis. He previously served as dean of the School of Communication.

Ward, a native of Homer, La., began his TSU career as a student in 1970.

He plans to blend TSU’s rich history with its present, ensuring a vibrant future.

“I will be working toward that end to position TSU in a global and far-reaching arena where people will know TSU by its expert faculty, and the quality of our programs and our products, the students,” he said.

Anthony Graves, center, meets with criminal justice students at the University of Houston-Downtown.

Death row exoneree promotes justice reform Anthony Graves, who was exonerated in 2010 after 12 years on death row, is on a mission to help reform the criminal justice system.

Graves recently delivered an address to a crowded lecture hall on the University of Houston-Downtown campus. Audience members included criminal justice students and peace officer training cadets.

“I want to make something clear,” Graves said. “I’m not here to beat the criminal justice system. I’m on a mission to encourage reform for a fair system, and you are the young people with the power to make that happen.”

He challenged the students to ask intelligent questions about the criminal justice system and to fight for reform.

“My message today is to get involved,” he said. “We can no longer sit on the sidelines and hope our system works.

We have to actually get involved and make our system work.”

Graves’ story began in 1992 when six people – four of them children – were violently murdered near his hometown of Brenham, Texas. The prime

suspect in the crime, Robert Carter – a man who knew Graves only in passing – named Graves as his accomplice.

Despite a lack of physical evidence tying him to the crime scene, law enforcement charged Graves with capital murder and brought him in for questioning.

“I was living a nightmare,” Graves said. “I thought there was some little mistake, that they had called me in for a forgotten ticket.”

In 1994, a jury convicted Graves and sentenced him to death. He spent 12 years in solitary confinement on Texas’ death row. In 2006, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Graves’ conviction, citing a prosecutor’s suppression of a statement made by Carter, confessing he had acted alone in the crime.

Graves remained in solitary confinement for four years before finally being released. He said he wants to change the culture in America’s criminal justice system – one he feels places too much pressure on law enforcement to secure convictions.

localbriefs A THIRD SUSPECT HAS BEEN ARRESTED in the murder of Baytown teens Jarvis Morgan Jr., 17, and Alejandro Chavez, 18. Their bodies were recently discovered near Anahuac after they had been missing for two weeks. Investigators have not commented on a motive in the case.

Jose Juan Chavez, 17, a person of interest in the case, was arrested after police received a tip that he was hiding in an apartment just a few blocks away from the police station. Richard Gonzales, 21, and Valentin Lazo, 27, have been arrested and charged with capital murder. A fourth suspect, Brandon Flores, is still on the run……..

MORE THAN 1.2 MILLION TEXANS

enrolled in or renewed their coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace as of Feb. 22.

“Knowing that more than 1.2 million Texans now have a quality and affordable health care plan is truly gratifying,” said Mimi Garcia, Texas state director of Get Covered America.

With 86 percent of them receiving financial help to pay for their coverage, this shows that Texans want and need health coverage,” she said…….. THE STATE’S seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent in January, down from 4.6 percent in December 2014. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, employers added 20,100

jobs, including growth in nine of 11 major industries in January. The trade, transportation and utilities industry showed the greatest gains in January with 10,900 jobs added…….. MAYOR ANNISE PARKER and the Houston Firefighters Relief and Retirement Fund finalized a threeyear agreement that will cap escalating taxpayer contributions to the pension system. Under the terms of the arrangement, which still needs legislative approval, firefighters will contribute 3 percent more to the pension system for the next three years. The city’s payroll contribution to the fund will be locked in at 25.8 percent for fiscal year 2016.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 12 | 2015

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national

U.S.briefs

Blacks finish high school at record levels NNPA News Service

Black students are completing high school at the highest rates in history according a report published by the Center for Economic Policy Research, a Washington-based think-tank.

The report, “Young Black America Part One: High School Completion Rates are at their Highest Ever,” examines Census Bureau data for 20 to 24-yearolds, and compares high school completion rates around the country over the past 30 to 40 years.

“All in all, young Blacks have experienced significant gains in high school completion rates during the past 13 years,” the report said. “Given the importance of educational attainment in determining future wages, higher completion rates should, in theory, translate to higher wages.”

In 1975, Black Americans finished high school at a 75 percent rate, compared to 88 percent for whites and the overall 86 percent rate. In 2000, Blacks completed high school at a 14 percent lower rate than their white counterparts.

By 2013, the Black completion rate rose to 86

percent, its highestever level, shrinking the Black-white gap to less than 7 percent.

“I’m a young Black woman and I wanted to answer the question of what’s going on with young Blacks in America,” said Cherrie Bucknor author of the paper.

“Sometimes there are too many negative portrayals and negative stereotypes on young Blacks, and I like the fact this was something positive to focus on.”

In addition to slightly outpacing the rate for Black boys (a trend that holds for all girls, across race), the completion rate for Black girls is 89 percent, only five points lower than the rate for white girls.

The completion rate for Black males followed the same trajectory, but 3 to 8 percentage points lower, the report stated.

Although Black males experienced noticeable gains in completion rates during this century (an increase of 18.1 percent since 2000), their gains were not enough to offset the gains of other groups, leaving noticeable gaps in completion rates between Black males and other groups.

Fraternity’s racist video rocks OU campus A University of Oklahoma white fraternity has been shut down following the release of cell phone video that shows members chanting racist lyrics.

In the video, members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon are shown on a bus singing a song that includes the line, “There will never be a n***** in SAE. You can hang him from a tree, but he can never sign with me.”

The video outraged students and officials at the Norman, Okla. campus. University President David Boren joined hundreds of students at a protest. He ordered the fraternity’s house closed, called the students participating in the video “dis-

graceful” and promised a thorough investigation.

“To those who have misused their free speech in such a reprehensible way, I have a message for you. You are disgraceful,” Boren tweeted after the protest. “You have violated all that we stand for.

You should not have the privilege of calling yourselves Sooners.”

The short video was sent to the school newspaper and a campus organization, and both promptly publicized it.

Student leaders of the university’s National Pan-Hellenic Council expressed frustration and anger over the incident and declared their intentions to address racial intolerance on the campus.

MORE PROTESTS ARE PLANNED in Madison, Wis. following the fatal shooting of an unarmed Black teenager by a white policeman on March 6. Tony Robinson Jr., 19, was shot after Officer Matt Kenny responded to calls reporting a man was dodging cars in traffic and had battered another person. Kenny, 45, followed the suspect into an apartment, where he was struck in the head. Kenny then shot Robinson, who died later in a hospital. Demonstrators marched from Madison’s capitol building to the neighborhood where Robinson was shot, carrying a banner reading “Black Lives Matter.” Kenny is on paid administrative leave while the Wisconsin Department of Justice conducts an investigation into the shooting……..PROTESTERS IN LOS ANGELES marched from police department headquarters to skid row to protest the fatal police shooting of an unarmed homeless man during a struggle with officers on March 1.

The shooting of Charly “Africa” Leundeu Keunang was caught on video and shows an officer on top of Keunang punching him. Keunang appeared to reach toward the officer’s waistband in the area of his holster.

Police said Keunang robbed and assaulted another skid row man, began fighting officers when they arrived and grabbed an officer’s holstered pistol, prompting three others to fire. Keunang was convicted of armed bank robbery in 2000. He was committed to a psychiatric prison hospital three years into his 15-year federal prison term……..A STUDENT AID BILL OF RIGHTS has been instituted by President Obama, and will underscore his vision for an affordable, quality education for all Americans. Obama will sign a Presidential Memorandum directing the Department of Education and other federal agencies to work across the federal government to do more to help borrowers afford their monthly loan payments including. Steps include analyzing student debt trends and recommending legislative and regulatory changes.

VOLUME 84 • NUMBER 15 MARCH 12, 2015

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Print Editor Marilyn Marshall

Multimedia Coordinator LaGloria Wheatfall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison

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

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MARCH 12 | 2015 | DEFENDER

TSU women banned from tournament Texas Southern University announced that its women’s basketball team would not participate in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) tournament which runs through March 14 at the Toyota Center.

TSU Athletic Director Dr. Charles McClelland said the university “would not be able to successfully field a competitive team” due to suspensions handed down by SWAC. Eight TSU players and seven Southern University players were suspended from the tournament quarterfinal game because of an altercation at a game in Houston on March 7.

The TSU-Southern game was ended with 12:37 remaining in the second half.

The SWAC office determined that both teams’ records would reflect a loss. As a result, TSU, with a conference record of 16-2, took sole possession of the SWAC regular season title. Southern moved to second place at 15-3 in the league.

McClelland said that in addition to the multi-game suspensions handed down by SWAC, “We will also be imposing some additional measures to ensure that our student-athletes fully understand the severity of what took place on Saturday. With that being said, we’re not going to throw in the towel or give up on these young ladies.

“As an athletic program and more importantly as an institution of higher learning, it is our task to work with the student-athletes involved in the altercation by helping them learn and grow from this incident as individuals,” McClelland said.

“We will mandate that they attend conflict resolution counseling, while also requiring them to perform community service hours. After speaking with the team they’ve all expressed a deep remorse for the actions that took place on March 7.

“They’ve sought to apologize to Texas Southern University President Dr. John Rudley, myself, their coaching staff and the entire Texas Southern community as a whole for the various roles they played in the incident. At that time, I also shared with them that we will have a zero tolerance policy moving forward for such actions,” McClelland said.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 12 | 2015

entertainment

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Common balances acting, music

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fter winning an Oscar for Best Original Song and co-starring in “Selma,” Common is back in the spotlight with a role in the new film “Run All Night.”

The film stars Liam Neeson as a mobster and hit man who has one night to decide where his loyalties lie – with his estranged son (Joel Kinnaman) whose life is in danger or his mob boss friend (Ed Harris), who wants him dead.

Common portrays Andrew Price, an assassin out to kill Neeson’s character. He is cool and calculated and lets nothing stand in his way.

“The story is about fathers and sons, and when I read the script I thought that was a wonderful topic to deal with especially in a film that has action,” Common said.

“I think it’s clever when you can tell a great story and surround it with action and have strong characters. I think that’s what we have with ‘Run All Night.’ ” Common said the film’s director, Jaume Collet-Serra, is a true artist.

“He enjoys the creativity,” Common said. “He wants to tell a story and

he wants it to look incredible and fresh and do something new to it.”

Common, who first gained fame as a rapper, has found success in music and acting. He is known for such songs as “I Used to Love H.E.R.,” “The Light,” “The Corner” and “They Say.” He won Grammy Awards for “Love of My Life” and “Southside,” and won four BET Hip-Hop Awards.

After being nominated for five NAACP Image Awards for music, he won a 2015 Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for “Selma.”

Common’s musical talent earned him and John Legend the Oscar for “Glory,” from the “Selma” soundtrack. Both artists used their acceptance speeches to show their concern for injustice and inequality.

Common was born Lonnie Lynn Jr. in Chicago. His mother was an educator and his father was a basketball player. The young Lynn adopted the stage name Common Sense and became an underground rapper.

He released his first album, “Can I Borrow a Dollar,” in 1992, followed by “Resurrection in 1994. He later shortened his name to Common.

He eventually turned to acting and made his TV debut with a role on the sitcom “Girlfriends.” He landed major parts in such films as “American Gangster,” “Terminator Salvation,” “Just Wright” and “Now You See Me.” Common is the founder of the Common Ground Foundation, a non-profit that seeks to empower underprivileged youth.

what’sup A Los Angeles jury ordered “Blurred Lines” songwriters ROBIN THICKE and PHARRELL WILLIAMS to pay $7.3 million to the family of MARVIN GAYE for copyright infringement. Gaye’s family argued that the 2013 hit copied the 1977 song “Got to Give it Up.” “Blurred Lines” was No. 1 on the Billboard single charts for 10 consecutive weeks and made nearly $16.5 million……..MARLON WAYANS will serve as host of a new variety series titled “I Can Do That.” NBC has ordered six hour-long episodes of the series, where six celebrities will be asked to put on an entertainment

show with skills they didn’t know they had.

Participants include recording artists CIARA and JOE JONAS. It is scheduled to air this summer. Wayans said he is excited about the show. “It’s going to be a lot of fun to work with people whose work I admire and to see them in a different light. And my daughter said if I don’t do a show with a Jonas brother, don’t come home,” Wayans said……..

DAMON WAYANS JR. is in talks to join the cast “How to Be Single,” an ensemble romantic comedy that will be released in time for Valentine’s Day next year. It starts shooting in April, and will have intersecting

storylines……..ERYKAH BADU will have a recurring role on “Hand of God.” The series is currently shooting in Los Angeles and will premiere on Amazon’s Prime Instant Video this fall. The show centers on a judge who goes on a vigilante quest to find the rapist who tore his family apart. Badu portrays April, a bohemian weed dealer……..IDRIS ELBA has begun filming BBC’s two-part “Luther” special. Elba plays a London detective in the British psychological drama, and won a Golden Globe Award and NAACP Image Award for the role. The series debuted in 2010.

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MARCH 12 | 2015 | DEFENDER

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Recording Houston’s History...

Capturing the Power & Glory of

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ynamic, Dedicated and Determined are all words that describe the Defender

LaGloria Wheatfall MultiMedia Editor

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TEAM. Everyday these individuals make it their mission to provide this great city

with news & information about African-Americans in the newspaper, website and now social media. Our words & pictures reflect the community’s courage to face insurmountable odds, the tenacity to fight against injustice and the positive stories of our achievements. Advocating, Educating, Informing,

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DEFENDER | MARCH 12 | 2015

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Brad Sherman paused on the Edmund Pettis Bridge.

Jackson Lee, Green observe ‘Bloody Sunday’

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ouston Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee traveled to Selma, Ala. to join other Americans in commemorating the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday.”

Jackson Lee said Selma’s original “foot soldiers” showed the world that there is no force on earth as powerful as an idea whose time has come.

“What was and is so moving, heroic, and awe-inspiring is that the foot soldiers of Selma faced their heavily-armed adversaries fortified only by their love for their country and for each other and their audacious faith in a righteous cause,” Jackson Lee said.

Green said it was inspiring to hear America’s first Black president speak on the legacy of “Bloody Sunday.”

“Fifty years ago on that same bridge, under the color of law, peace officers and civilians beat back and menaced peaceful protesters as they marched for voting rights,” Green said.

“The individuals who chose to participate in that march were of great courage. They were doing it at a time when they did not always benefit from constitutional rights and protections,” he said. “In those days, African-Americans suffered abuses that many times went unpunished.”

Both lawmakers said the country must preserve voting rights.

“Before the end of this year, this Congress must act to enact H.R. 885, a revised, renewed and strengthened Voting Rights Act,” Jackson Lee said.

“The need for action is critical because the full and free exercise of one’s voting rights is essential to who we are as Americans and to the strength of our democracy,” she said.

“We must strengthen the Voting Rights Act, the legacy of ‘Bloody Sunday,’ so that we can preserve and expand on the progress we have made as a nation,” Green said.

SEL

A Texas pe

Thousands of Americans recently converged on Selma, Ala., to commemorate the 50th anniversary of an event that changed U.S. history.

On March 7, 1965, activists John Lewis (now a U.S. congressman) and Hosea Williams led about 600 people from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. to protest voter registration discrimination. As

Ellis files voting rights le

Congressman Al Green joined other marchers in Selma, Ala. to mark the anniversary of “Bloody Sunday.”

Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” Houston State Sen. Rodney Ellis said the struggle for voting rights continues, and recently filed legislation to eliminate voting barriers.

“Hundreds of heroes stood together 50 years ago, willing to sacrifice to make our democracy stronger and truly representative,” Ellis said.

“This anniversary continues to stand as a lasting reminder that when we the people lock arms, stand up for what is right, and make our voices heard, we can move our nation and the quality of our democracy forward.

“Unfortunately, that struggle is by no means over,” he said. “We still have many challenges to face, both nationally and here in Texas, before we can reach our common goal.”

Ellis said the advances secured by sacrifices in the past are still under attack today, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965. His bill, Senate Bill 990, calls for: • Criminalizing deceptive election practices • Same-day voter registration • Youth pre-registration for voting on or after a person’s 16th birthday • “No excuse” absentee voting by mail

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Obama calls for voting rights, equality

By AFRO Staff

LMA

erspective

marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge they were brutally attacked by officers.

The incident became known as “Bloody Sunday” and made headlines across the country. Five months later, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 became law. Here, local lawmakers reflect on the anniversary and the struggle that remains.

egislation

• Election interpreters • Statewide volunteer deputy registrars • Election day as state holiday • Election day law enforcement • Voter registration receipts “I know that it will be an uphill battle to pass these policies, but I it owe to those who sacrificed so much in previous generations to fight for these common-sense election reforms,” Ellis said.

“Our state, nation, and democracy are stronger when all of our voices – regardless of race, gender, or economic status – are included in the political dialogue.”

State Sen. Rodney Ellis

he Houston area for over 80 years

Walking arm-in-arm across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., President Obama, his family, former President George W. Bush, Congressman John Lewis and a group of notables marked the 50th anniversary of the “Bloody Sunday” march.

At the event, which drew thousands from around the country, Obama expressed hope for the country’s continued progress toward racial equality, and called upon lawmakers to reinvigorate the Voting Rights Act. The act was a key piece of civil rights legislation that emerged after 600 marchers were attacked by state police on the bridge in 1965.

“The Voting Rights Act was one of the crowning achievements of our democracy, the result of Republican and Democratic efforts,” Obama said.

“President Reagan signed its renewal when he was in office. President George W. Bush signed its renewal when he was in office.

“One hundred members of Congress have come here today to honor people who were willing to die for the right to protect it. If we want to honor this day, let that hundred go back to Washington and gather four hundred more, and together, pledge to make it their mission to restore that law this year. That’s how we honor those on this bridge.”

Obama and his wife and daughters were among President Barack Obama makes remarks at the foot a group of approximately of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

50 people who retraced the walk across the bridge. Among them was Lewis, a leading civil rights figure who was present on March 7, 1965 and suffered a fractured skull that day.

Also present for the anniversary were a handful of other original 1965 marchers, including 103-year-old Amelia Boynton Robinson, one of the march organizers who was beaten unconscious by police that day. She was greeted by Obama and his family in Selma.

Obama also recognized America’s young people. “[Americas is] boisterous and diverse and full of energy, perpetually young in spirit. That’s why someone like John Lewis at the ripe old age of 25 could lead a mighty march,” he said.

“And that’s what the young people here today and listening all across the country must take away from this day. You are America. Unconstrained by habit and convention. Unencumbered by what is, because you’re ready to seize what ought to be.

“For everywhere in this country, there are first steps to be taken, there’s new ground to cover, there are more bridges to be crossed. And it is you, the young and fearless at heart, the most diverse and educated generation in our history, who the nation is waiting to follow.”

Obama added that America is getting closer to full equality.

“Fifty years from Bloody Sunday, our march is not yet finished, but we’re getting closer,” he said. “Two hundred and thirty-nine years after this nation’s founding our union is not yet perfect, but we are getting closer.

“Our job’s easier because somebody already got us through that first mile.

Somebody already got us over that bridge,” he said.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 12 | 2015

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opinion

Ferguson report exposes America’s racism

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By BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS JR. NNPA Columnist

he U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) report on the Ferguson, Mo. Police Department sheds a brighter light on a serious racial injustice malignancy that is not isolated or unique to that besieged city.

What the Justice Department concluded in Ferguson, after months of intense investigation, exposes a systematic pattern of injustice and inequality that can actually be found in many cities across the nation.

This federal report presented facts with years of supporting data that revealed how racism was the decisive phenomenon in how the police and courts dealt disparagingly with Black Americans.

Racial disparities in police departments and in judicial systems are not just local problems in a few municipalities that have been exposed as a result of a pattern of racial discrimination. This is a national problem that has persisted for decades in the United States.

The absence of a cumulative national database on racially motivated police brutality and on judicial racial inequity is a contributing factor to this disgusting yet persistent societal contradiction.

The DOJ report concluded, “These disparities occur, at least in part, because Ferguson law enforcement practices are directly shaped and perpetuated by racial bias.”

The good news is the details made public by the DOJ provide a second opportunity for a more thorough national investigation.

Racial justice activists and organizations should demand that the federal government perform a national investigation and audit of all major police departments and judicial systems concerning racial profiling, discrimination, abuse, police violence, prosecutorial misconduct and other forms of injustice based on race.

Of course, most of us already know what the outcome of such a new national study would surely reveal. Black Americans and other people of color in the United States continued to endure long-term patterns of racial injustice not just in the so-called “criminal justice system,” but also in systems of health care, employment, housing, education, finance, and in exposures to multiple environmental hazards and toxicities.

Systematic racism in America does not occur by

osmosis. It is intentional and deliberate. It is the result of the “power” of imposed and unabridged institutionalized racial bias, discrimination, bigotry, hatred, stereotyping and ignorance.

Another important and remarkable “revelation” of the DOJ report on Ferguson was the economic greed of that form of systematic racism.

The report stated: “Ferguson’s law enforcement practices are shaped by the City’s focus on revenue rather than by public safety needs.

This emphasis on revenue has compromised the institutional character of Ferguson’s police department, contributing to a pattern of unconstitutional policing, and has also shaped its municipal court…”

The family of young unarmed Michael Brown who was unjustly killed by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson is going forward with a massive civil suit against Wilson, the police and the court system in Ferguson. The DOJ report should be used as conclusive evidence of the pattern and system of racial wrong doing in Ferguson.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder did the right thing by ordering the DOJ investigation. In fact, to the credit of his outstanding leadership at the DOJ, there have been more than 20 civil rights investigations into various other police departments in the U.S. during his tenure as attorney general.

The struggle for racial justice continues in Ferguson and across the nation. The antidote to systematic racism in America is to support and empower Black Americans and other people of color in the transformation of the system of injustice in the U.S. into a fair and unbiased system of justice and equality for all people.

An open letter to young African-Americans Dear young African-Americans: During his recent speech in Selma, Ala. commemorating “Bloody Sunday,” President Obama talked about young men and women picking up the torch and crossing the bridge.

He said our nation is waiting to follow YOU, the fearless at heart and the most diverse and educated generation in our history.

We couldn’t agree more. As the fight for equal rights continues, we realize that the struggle is a journey, not a destination. We’re asking you to step up and lead us on the journey.

We know you can do it because it has been done before. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was only 26

when he became the voice of the Montgomery bus boycott. Congressman John Lewis was a 25-year-old organizer with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee when he was beaten on the Edmund Pettis Bridge.

King, Lewis, Rev. Jesse Jackson, former Ambassador Andrew Young – all began the fight for equality as young men. We are asking you to follow in their footsteps as we struggle with socioeconomic problems that have plagued us for years – unequal education, inadequate healthcare, unemployment, poverty and police brutality.

Some of you have already entered the battlefields. You have demanded justice in Ferguson, New

York City, Houston, Selma and dozens of other cities.

The weapons of this non-violent warfare demand that YOU must vote, encourage others to vote and run for office with the goal of making a difference.

Older adults must do their part by also voting, not to mention giving you “a place at the table.”

We must listen to your ideas and opinions. We must share our knowledge, experience and resources with you. We must let you take the lead.

Our future is in your hands, and we encourage you to take up the mantle of leadership with the same vigor as the young people who crossed the bridge in Selma 50 years ago.

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MARCH 12 | 2015 | DEFENDER

health

A Defender and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Alliance

Colorectal cancer screenings help save lives Early stages of colorectal cancer usually present no symptoms – a key reason for regular screening. Symptoms tend to appear as the ccording to the U.S. Centers for cancer progresses.

Disease Control and PrevenIf there are symptoms, they may include: tion (CDC), some 51,000 men • Blood in your stool. and women die each year from • Stomach aches, pains or cramps that colorectal cancer. If you’re 50 or older, don’t go away. chances are good that you might become • Unexplained weight loss. one of them.

• Change in bowel habits.

There are two reasons for this: AfriIf you have any of these symptoms, talk can-Americans have the highest colorectal to your doctor immediately. They may be cancer incidence and mortality rates among Dr. Stephen Thomas, M.D. caused by something other than cancer, but all racial groups in the United States; and the only way to know is to see your doctor. only about half of people eligible for colorectal cancer screening get the tests that they should.

Common risk factors

By STEPHEN THOMAS, M.D.

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Early detection is key

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among both men and women in the United States, and it occurs most often in people over the age of 50. But if everyone 50 years or older had regular screening tests, at least 60 percent of deaths could be avoided, the CDC says.

Screening can find precancerous polyps – abnormal growths in the colon or rectum – so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening is crucial because when found early, colorectal cancer is highly treatable.

Both men and women should have a colonoscopy starting at age 50 and continuing until 75. Those at increased risk of colorectal cancer may begin screening earlier or continue past 75, depending on their doctor’s recommendation.

Besides age and race, risk factors that could elevate your chances of colorectal cancer include: • Personal and family history (you or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer, or you have a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer).

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

• An inactive lifestyle or a diet high in red meat and processed meat. Smoking and heavy alcohol use also can increase your risk of colorectal cancer.

The ‘gold standard’ for prevention

A colonoscopy is considered the “gold standard” of preventive screenings. It’s a safe, effective procedure that can help detect cancerous and precancerous growths in the early stages. Other commonly recommended methods are an annual fecal occult blood test (FOBT), a flexible sigmoidoscopy, the combination of annual FOBT and flexible sigmoidoscopy or a barium enema.

Kelsey-Seybold has endoscopy suites – specially designed medical facilities dedicated to the screening, detection and removal of precancerous and cancerous abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract – at our Spring Medical and Diagnostic Center and Main Campus clinic locations.

With regular screenings, colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable. Talk to your doctor and get checked.

Dr. Thomas is a Family Medicine physician at KelseySeybold Clinic’s Spring Medical and Diagnostic Center. To schedule an appointment, call 713-442-0000.

Get KelseyConnected

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Healthcare that Revolves Around You. KelseyConnected is a smarter approach to your healthcare – because it revolves around you.

As a Kelsey-Seybold patient, your entire healthcare team can share your medical history through one Electronic Medical Record and collaborate on medical care that’s right for you.

Being KelseyConnected makes your experience with us easy and convenient with: n

Locations close to home and work. Choose the location most convenient for you at kelsey-seybold.com/locations.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 12 | 2015

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business

Toyota promotes former Houston attorney Sandra Phillips, a former Houston attorney, will become the first African-American woman to head Toyota’s North American Legal Operations effective April 1. In addition, Chris Reynolds will become the first African-American promoted to Toyota’s global leadership team.

Phillips and Reynolds are among executives recently promoted by the automaker. The appointments reflect Toyota’s ongoing efforts to diversify its global leadership team and leverage talent from its biggest, most experienced market.

“Bringing together an experienced and diverse team of executives with fresh perspectives, unique Sandra Phillips Chris Reynolds regional insights and a global deputy general counsel of Toyota Motor mindset will help us better serve customers around the world,” said Akio Toyoda, presi- Sales, will become general counsel and chief legal officer of Toyota Motor North dent of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC).

America. She joined the company in 2012.

Phillips, currently vice president and

She previously served as a partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in Houston. She was also a senior vice president and associate general counsel at Pfizer Inc., and managing partner of the Houston office of Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP. Phillips is a founding member of the University of Texas Center for Women in Law. She earned a bachelor ’s degree in journalism and a law degree from UT-Austin.

Reynolds, currently general counsel and chief legal officer, has been named managing officer and appointed to the newly created position of general counsel and chief legal officer, TMC. He will eventually maintain offices in Plano, Texas once Toyota’s new headquarters there is completed.

Reynolds earned a bachelor ’s degree in political science from Kalamazoo College and law degree from Harvard.

Make a big impact with small business Family Features

When it comes to offering specialized, one-on-one support and niche product offerings, nothing beats locally-owned small business.

A recent survey by the UPS Store found that 94 percent of consumers believe supporting small companies within their community is important.

The survey also found that consumers are increasingly willing to spend more money and travel further out of their way to shop with a small business.

Here are ways to make a big impact: 1. Go above and beyond for customers.

Small companies that excel at enticing and serving customers set themselves apart from

the competition.

2. Get involved in your community. If your field is architecture, get your company involved in organizations that build homes for families in need.

3. Make products and services stand out. Offer customers a service that can’t be found elsewhere. Give them quality, both in

the product and customer support.

4. Share your knowledge. Give back by educating and mentoring eager minds interested in your field.

5. Expand your reach through technology. Social media allows small businesses to reach a global population like never before.

classifieds HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1 

Project 14-12-09 – RFP/ Classroom Supplies and Equipment for Special Education, Pre K-Furniture, Art Supplies, Books and Periodical with a deadline of 3:00 PM, April 1, 2015. A pre-proposal conference will be held on March 25, 2015 at 10:00 AM in room 2NE32 at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center.

Proposals are available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org.

The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District.

The good health address: CHIPmedicaid.org If you want good health care for your kids, turn to CHIP/Children’s Medicaid. Your children will be covered for dental, glasses, prescriptions, and doctor visits. $50 or less covers all of your children for one year.

To see if you qualify, visit CHIPmedicaid.org.

It’s the good health address for your family.

Apply online or call anytime.

CHIPmedicaid.org 2-1-1

The District sells obsolete assets on-line at www.PublicSurplus.com.

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MARCH 12 | 2015 | DEFENDER

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T:13”

Exhale! This is the redesigned 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Unexpectedly beautiful and …Inhale! …technologically “green.”

The Toyota hybrids are only a part of our commitment to better living. Working with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, The Toyota Green Initiative finds and shares ideas to help us all breathe a little easier.

#toyotagreen Options shown. ©2014 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 12 | 2015

sports

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Coach Clyde Duncan

TSU men’s track back in stride again

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By MAX EDISON Defender

f you see Texas Southern University track coach Clyde Duncan with an extra bit of pep in his step there’s a reason for it.

The TSU men’s track and field team recently won the SWAC Indoor Track Championship.

The title marks the Flying Tigers’ first championship since 1994 under then head coach Dave Bethany. With the outdoor season about to begin one can excuse Duncan for walking with an extra bit of confidence at his team’s prospects for continued success.

“We had an excellent conference meet. The guys were as one,” Duncan said. “We had some very positive leaders on a young team, with only two seniors. This gives us reason for optimism in the years to come.

“In my 20 years here this is the first team I’ve had where everyone thinks as one,” Duncan continued.

“They all shake hands, they all dap each other every day out on the track and there’s been no nonsense.

Brooks set a new SWAC record for the men’s pole vault.

“Their motto is, ‘Not quantity, to wins in both of his events.” but quality.’ Some of the teams have TSU’s Jawalyn Brooks set a new SWAC massive numbers. Our roster is only 22 guys. Going into record for men’s pole vault, jumping a height of the indoor championships I only took 20 guys and 15 4.65m (15-03.00). guys scored.”

“I’m very proud of Jawalyn [sophomore, Atlanta] Duncan is optimistic that the team’s cohesiveness because not only did he set a conference indoor record, will continue during the outdoor season. he’s also a dean’s list performer in the classroom.”

“In the minds of many of our guys who have had D’Andre Lewis of Houston claimed the 1600m a taste of what first place feels like, it is my wish that SWAC title with a new record time of 4:18.71. this will have a positive carryover to the outdoor season.

“D’Andre is a transfer student from TCU. I don’t Hopefully everyone will keep a level head and realize know why they let that it will take everything we did him go, but I’m for indoor and more if we’re going thankful to have him,” to be successful outdoors.”

Read about free agency and Duncan said.

The key to the Tigers success the Texans With the outdoor indoors was their strong perforseason at hand, Dunmance in the field events. TSU’s can feels his sprinters could very well be the difference Demetrious Williams was awarded the 2015 Men’s Most makers.

Outstanding Field Performer. He claimed two victories “Our sprinters are more geared toward the outdoor in long jump with a leap of 7.20m and in triple jump with season,” he explained. “A lot of them are freshman who a length of 15.21m have never ran the boards [indoors] which is a banked “I’m extremely proud of Demetrious [senior, Bostrack.

My top guys in the short sprints are Clyde Lee, a ton],” Duncan said. “He was actually a walk-on to our transfer student and Curtis Woodard [Sweeny, Texas], program. He’s a team captain and a real leader on the who didn’t compete last year because of an injury. team. He walked up to me before his last event and said, “In the quarter mile, I have a freshman, Darius Bird‘Coach, I thank you so much because you gave me a en [New Orleans], who finished fourth in the indoors. He chance.’ That chance went from ‘Yes, you can walk on’ has a chance to be world-class special. Within the next

Jawalyn Brooks

D’Andre Lewis

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Demetrious Williams

four years expect him to go 45 [seconds] in the open and 20-something in the 200.”

The Flying Tigers host the 64th annual TSU Relays which will be held March 20-21 on the TSU campus.

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h.s.zone Cy-Woods girls capture school’s first state title

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

SAN ANTONIO – Then there was one. The girls’ varsity basketball squad at Cypress Woods High School was ranked No. 1 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) Class 6A state poll virtually the entire 2014-15 high school basketball season.

“It was tough at times.

We knew we had that bull’seye on our backs and it was something as a group that we wanted,” said junior guard Jasmine Williams. “We’re a competitive and dangerous The Cypress Woods High School girls’ basketball team defeated Dallas Skyline to win the 6A state team when you put us all title. together.”

Over the course of seven me and we put Erica down playoff victories the closest low to box out,” said Perez, margin of victory was nine who finished with seven Find out what other area schools points. Cy-Woods defeated points and five rebounds. qualified for state North Shore 71-62 in the ReKayla Alker came off the Cygion III-6A semifinals. North Woods bench to play eight Shore dealt Cy-Woods its only loss of the season (57-54) meaningful minutes. during the finals of a preseason tournament.

“We’ve been a team all season with Nancy on the “We came into that game thinking we had it won,” bench or Nancy in the game,” said Williams, who scored said senior point guard Tatyana Perez, who has commitfour of her 10 points in the fourth quarter. “We had to ted to the University of Tulsa. “In the last minutes of the stick together as a team and we got the job done.” fourth quarter we let the game slip away.”

Mulkey, who has committed to Oklahoma, finished Two weeks later, Cy-Woods defeated North Shore with four points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes.

(61-52) in the finals of another preseason tournament.

Despite missing a key cog in the middle, Cy-Woods The Lady Wildcats advanced to the school’s first berth in head coach Virginia Flores was more concerned with a state basketball tournament on the wings of a 24-game what her team wasn’t doing offensively. winning streak.

“We weren’t going inside and then working insideThe final coronation came on the floor of the out,” Flores said. “We were just coming down and taking Alamodome with a 79-60 win over San Antonio Wagone shot, it wasn’t falling and we had a tough time ner in the state semifinals. The following night before a getting back on defense. So we had to correct that at crowd of 4,813 fans and a state-wide television audience halftime.”

Cy-Woods was the last team standing following a 57-49 Skyline senior forward Dai’Ja Thomas proved to victory over upset-minded Dallas Skyline. be a load and finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds.

It was anything but easy. The Lady Wildcats were Thomas converted 10-of-11 free-throw attempts. No forced to play long stretches of the game (18 minutes) other Skyline player scored in double figures. Jordan without 6-foot-9 rim protector Nancy Mulkey, who Alexander finished with nine points on three three-point picked up her second personal foul less than two minutes field goals in the first half, but fouled out with 44 seconds into the contest. remaining in the contest.

A resourceful Cy-Woods contingent led by chamDallas Skyline finished the season at 31-7. pionship game Most Valuable Player Erica Ogwumike Cypress Woods (35-1) got 26 points, eight rebounds survived a 12-0 Skyline run in the second quarter when and five steals from Ogwumike, who like older sisters Mulkey saddled to the bench and the final three minutes, Nneka and Chiney at Cy-Fair High School, has a state 10 seconds of the game when the junior center fouled championship to cherish. out.

Ogwumike, Perez, Williams and freshman post Cate “It was okay because our sixth man Shelby Stephen- Reese (10 points, nine rebounds) played all 32 minutes in son came in and she played at the top of our defense with the state title game.

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MARCH 15 | 2015 DEFENDER

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sportsbriefs Howard resumes action Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard has resumed mild on-court activities, coach Kevin McHale recently revealed. Howard hasn’t played since Jan. 30 because of edema in his right knee. He underwent a bone marrow aspirate injection on Feb. 4 and began rehab immediately. The team said Howard would be out four to six weeks and that Howard’s status would be evaluated after four weeks. “He is starting to do a combination of treadmill and floor stuff, which is a good sign,” McHale said. “They’re going slow. They want to make sure that they have a handle on it.” If there are no setbacks, Howard is expected back before the playoffs begin. He is averaging 16.3 points and 11 rebounds in 32 games this season.

Winston is No. 1 early With approximately a month and a half before the NFL draft on April 30, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston appears to be the prohibitive favorite as the No. 1 overall pick by Tampa Bay. Winston recently spent multiple days in Tampa visiting with the Bucs owners group. Winston is a major talent who would be the consensus choice were it not for a series of off-the-field incidents. Experts believe he is the most NFL-ready QB in the draft. He’s big, durable, strong-armed and has both a high football IQ and an ability to read, anticipate and process at a very high level what defenses are trying to do.

Young Athlete of the Week Houston Sterling senior wing Joshua Young was recently selected the KHOU-TV Houston Area High School Athlete of the Week. Young is the second-leading scorer for the 30-5 Raiders with 14 points per contest. He had a regular-season high 28-point effort against Wheatley and followed that with a 39-point explosion in the playoffs against HardinJefferson. The Raiders recently knocked off Silsbee 57-43 to qualify for the school’s first berth in the boys’ state basketball tournament. Sterling head coach Andrea Young said what sets Joshua Young apart is his versatility. “I can play him at either guard position or he can post-up down low,” he said. “On top of that he’s a good defender.” Young would like to attend Texas Southern University next fall but hasn’t decided on a college major. Right now, he’s just trying to make his relatives, coach and teammates proud of him.

Atascocita falls short Atascocita entered the Region II-6A title game against Irving MacArthur as the No. 2 state-ranked school in Class 6A. However, a disastrous second quarter, where the Eagles had more turnovers (five) than field goals (four), led to their doom. Despite a furious second-half rally Atascocita fell short 70-74 and saw their season come to an end for the second year in a row in the regional final. “I feel bad for our kids,” said Atascocita head coach David Martinez. “We dug too big of a hole.” Don’t dig too big of a grave for Martinez and his Eagles though. Atascocita returns four starters next season.

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DEFENDER | MARCH 12 | 2015

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Happening in Houston For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

topevents

KASINO ROYALE BLACK TIE AFFAIR……..The Achievement Through the rich culture of the African-American family. Kandi Eastman officiated the Leadership Foundation, in partnership with the Missouri City-Sugarland Alumni rodeo. The Rolling Thunda Riding Club, Sterling Walton, Ouncie Mitchel, Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. held a casino black-tie charitable event Justin Glover, Casey Foster, Shane Semien, Deborah Williams, Cheryl in order to raise funds for college scholarships for youth throughout Houston. The Williams, Marion Perkins, Shemicka Simpson, Terri Arceneaux and a host evening included a night of live music, dancing, prizes and Vegas-style casino of community members were in attendance. Musical entertainment was provided tables. Those in attendance included Christopher Brown, Sherard Hooper,

by Brian Jack and the Zydeco Gamblers and Lil’ Nate and the Zydeco Big Jasmine D. Belton, Richard Spencer, Fredric A. Navarre, Timers……..LISA RAYE PRESENTS LIFE ROCKS……..

Kenneth Glover, Jona Sargent, Annette Moore, Kimberly Actress and entrepreneur Lisa Raye McCoy made a stop in Defender TOP EVENTS Shoaf-Joseph, Annetra Piper, Haroon Taylor, Willard Houston from her multi-city tour, Life Rocks Vision Board More photos on defendernetwork.com Taylor, Jarvis Thomas, Joseph Elliott, Fabian Broaden, Workshops. The event included a seminar with Raye, a Q&A See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s ‘Crossroads’ Jermayn Mack, Delton Arnic, Otis Harris and Brian session, creation of vision boards, lunch and an opportunity with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 5:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Wright........BPCCA HERITAGE DAY……..The Black to network with guests and other participants. Raye believes Professional Cowboys and Cowgirls Association (BPCCA) that, “A vision board will be a visual representation of the goals and dreams you have for the future, and putting it somewhere you will see it hosted their annual Black Heritage Day at the Humble Civic Arena. The all-day event consisted of a rodeo that showcased bull and bronco riding, calf roping, often that will enable your subconscious mind to start bringing those dreams into steer wrestling and a women’s barrel race. Participants had the opportunity to reality.” Regina Lowery, Karen Hodges, Keith Davis and a host of others were enjoy zydeco concerts, games and eat various Cajun cuisines, all while celebrating in attendance. Congrats on a successful event!

Kenneth Glover, Richard Spencer and Jona Sargent

Deborah Williams, Cheryl Williams and Marion Perkins

Regina Lowery and Lisa Raye

Gregg Jones and Annetra Piper

Ouncie Mitchel, Justin Glover, Casey Foster and Shane Semien

Karen Hodges and Lisa Raye

Kenneth Glover, Jarvis Thomas, Thomas Cotter, Fredric Navarre and Sherard Hooper

Steer wrestling champ Sterling Walton

A participant designs a vision board

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