Houston Defender: September 10, 2020

ON THE FRONTLINE

Bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians and teacher representatives express their concerns about working on the frontline as school classes get underway.

NEWS

KAMALA HARRIS

The VP candidate met with Jacob Blake and his family about the police shooting that left the 29-year-old paralyzed.

Volume 89, issue 46 September 10, 2020

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SPORTS

DESHAUN WATSON The talented quarterback is ready to lead the Texans to redemption after signing a four-year, $160 million contract extension.

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DN On the web

FIT & FINE Ronnie Amadi Age: 38 Occupation: IT Project Manager Education: University of Kansas Major: Economics Motto: “Have faith in whatever you do. God has you.”

Election officials expect a deluge of mail-in ballots this November. Charlie Pearce for The Texas Tribune

Message from the Managing Editor All we need to do is vote. We already know We are just under two months until the Donald Trump will have to be dragged election. And if you think the GOP, parkicking and screaming from The White ticularly that dude in the White House, House, but if we turn out and produce a isn’t going to go all out to suppress our landslide of blue votes, there is no disvotes, I have a bridge in Third Ward I puting the results. Oh, he’ll still complain want to sell you. about fake cheating....but let him tweet Given what’s at stake next year, the from his bunker in Mara Lago. effort to prevent people from voting will Vote like your life depends on it. be fierce. We’ve been here before – and we Because it does. can stop it. The only way that Republicans can protect themselves and a rogue presi- ReShonda Tate Billingsley IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER dent is to suppress the votes of minorities, Once again, this week’s Defender is the young, and the poor (most of whom vote overwhelm- packed with news you can use. The Defender’s Associate ingly for Democrats). This year, we’re poised to see more Editor, Marilyn Marshall, talked with some school employvoter intimidation, criminalizing of voter registration ees about their fears, frustrations and thoughts about headdrives, disguised poll taxes, attempts to maintain extreme ing back to school. She also lays out the plan for several of partisan gerrymandered districts, draconian and flawed the districts. You’ll definitely want to check it out. voter roll purges, squashing access to voting on college camOf course, Terrance Harris is doing what he does best puses, widespread purchase of hackable voting machines, bringing you a fresh take on how the Texans are preparing and a slew of unqualified, rightwing “Law & Order” judges for their new season. appointed to the federal bench to provide legal sanction to the destruction of democracy. In Texas, the GOP-controlled ON THE WEB legislators are already pulling out all the stops.

• We’ve been celebrating Black businesses, so you’ll want We’ve been here before. After the civil war, the Supreme to check out some of those features, including how one Court gutted the constitutional amendments defining citizenchurch is using their platform to provide Food Trucks an ship, due process, and the right to vote. It took more than 100 ongoing stream of business. years, numerous legal battles, and an epic civil rights move- • Grab the Alize’, put on a pot of greens and get ready for the ment to recover from that debacle. And we’re still fighting.

VERZUZ battle of the century....Patti LaBelle and Gladys But like an aging boxer who has taken too many blows, Knight. I can tell you already, the winner is US! the United States doesn’t have another 100 years to waste • And how new Coronavirus vaccine ads are reaching out on destroying democracy. We can, however, save it in 2020. to African Americans.

THEY’RE TRYING IT

@IG: Bodybyamadi_ Read more on Friday about Ronnie at defendernetwork.com If you are Fit & Fine email: fitnfine@defendernetwork.com

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DN News Poll workers needed

Individuals interested in the paid positions can contact the Harris County Clerk’s Office at harrisvotes.com/PollWorkers/Application.

2 out of 3 American voters say they’re not going to get a coronavirus vaccine, according to a USA Today / Suffolk poll.

Third Ward, Fifth Ward named new cultural districts Defender News Service

The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) has approved the designation of Fifth Ward and Third Ward as two of five official new cultural districts around the state.

Also joining the list are the Deep Ellum Cultural District in Dallas, Near Southside Arts in Fort Worth, and Red River Cultural District in Austin. Texas now has 48 designated cultural districts.

“We are pleased to highlight the wonderful work these districts are already doing to attract visitors to their communities and to enhance the quality of life in our great state,” says Gary Gibbs, executive director of TCA, in a release.

Cultural districts are defined by TCA as special zones that “harness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic development and community revitalization,” the release says. They are focal points for generating business, attracting tourists, stimulating cultural development, and fostering civic pride.

Neighborhoods must go through a rigorous application and approval process to be deemed a cultural district.

TCA applauded Houston’s Third and Fifth Wards, saying: In the Fifth Ward, art is a way of life.

The Fifth Ward Cultural Arts District uses various strategies to preserve and build on the cultural legacies of the past, while also looking to art to navigate future challenges. By harnessing the power of a rich and amazing history

The Fruits of Fifth Ward mural created by Reginald Adams in 2006 with students from Wheatley High School.

in arts and culture, the district’s goal is to support economic and community growth. This means encouraging new businesses, growing existing businesses, creating jobs, preserving and celebrating all cultures within the Fifth Ward and showcasing amazing creative talent and opportunities.

Third Ward is the epicenter of Black art, culture and history in Houston. The

Third Ward Cultural District (The Tre) enhances and references quality of life through the activation and cultivation of artistic resources for all the district’s residents, entrepreneurs, culture bearers and visitors. The Tre holds a vision of preserving, protecting, inspiring and sharing the artistic and cultural legacy of the Historic Third Ward with current and future generations of artists and

creatives through innovative arts and cultural engagement.

Cultural districts are not only marketable tourism assets for cities, but they and their qualifying resident arts organizations may apply for significant Cultural District Project funding through TCA. Each new cultural district will host an event when in-person gatherings can happen safely again.

NEWSBRIEFS

CONGRESS LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO FORT HOOD

SCHOOL DISTRICTS CALLED TO REVISE DISCRIMINATORY DRESS CODES

CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE FIGHTS FOR EVICTION RELIEF

JUDGE DISMISSES LAWSUIT SEEKING IN-PERSON VOTING CHANGES

Congress will launch an investigation into sexual assault, disappearances, deaths and the leadership’s response at Fort Hood after 28 soldiers stationed at the U.S. Army base in Texas died this year. Congressional leaders will investigate if recent deaths “may be symptomatic of underlying leadership, discipline, and morale deficiencies throughout the chainof-command.” In a letter, the leaders said that according to Army data, there was an average of 129 felonies committed annually at Fort Hood between 2014 and 2019, including cases of homicide, sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery and aggravated assault.

The Texas arm of the American Civil Liberties Union has sent a letter to nearly 500 school districts across the state asking them to revise dress code policies that it says are “unconstitutional and discriminatory.”

The letter calls policies like requiring different hair lengths for male and female students “outdated” and “harmful” and claims such rules could leave districts open to lawsuits. The action from the civil rights organization comes two weeks after a federal judge blocked a Houston-area school from enforcing a dress code policy that states male students, but not female students, must keep their hair ear-length or shorter.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said rental relief will be a topic of discussion as Congress heads back into session. Last week, the CDC placed a ban on evictions for those impacted by the pandemic through the end of the year, but the order still requires tenants to pay rent and fees. Lee said she believes the Senate will pass a stimulus bill soon. Once approved, the House and Senate will negotiate a new bill, which they say will include money to help struggling tenants and said landlords who work with tenants would be doing a “preservice.”

The state of Texas has convinced a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit seeking sweeping changes to the state’s rules for in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam dismissed a legal challenge from Mi Familia Vota, the Texas NAACP and two Texas voters who claimed the state’s current polling place procedures — including rules for early voting, the likelihood of long lines and Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to not require voters to wear masks — would place an unconstitutional burden on voters while the coronavirus remains in circulation. The judge did not agree.

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DN News Civil rights icon Dr. Benjamin Chavis, former NAACP executive director and current CEO of NNPA, will become host of a weekly Black-oriented public affairs talk show on PBS.

The Texas Democratic Party has reached out to 1.3 mil unregistered voters during Texas Voter Registration Week.

Dallas’ 1st Black female police chief to step down Defender News Service

Dallas Police Chief U. Reneé Hall is stepping down. Hall was heavily criticized by six City Council members after antipolice brutality protests in Dallas in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. Hall’s resignation letter didn’t reference such criticisms.

Instead, her resignation says she has received “a number of inquiries about future career opportunities.” Hall said that, for now, she would keep her next step “confidential.”

“These past three years have been saturated with a series of unimaginable events that individually and collectively have never happened in the City of Dallas,” Hall wrote. “I am proud that this department has not only coped with an unthinkable series of events, but we also managed to implement critical reforms.”

The Dallas Police Department was criticized for its use of force during protests at the end of May and start of June. Police were accused of using pepperball launchers against peaceful protestors. A federal judge later temporarily banned the city of Dallas from using tear gas

U. Reneé Hall. WDIV

and other so-called less-lethal weapons against peaceful crowds.

“Whatever we do as a police department, we’ll acknowledge it, we’ll fix it, and move forward,” Hall said after issuing a report on the protests. “The fact we have changed some general orders in line with our less-than-lethal force acknowledges we could have done something differently.”

But in a special meeting of the

Dallas Public Safety Committee in August, six council members criticized the transparency of the report and Hall’s leadership.

Hall was appointed police chief three years ago, becoming the first woman to lead the Dallas Police Department. Before working in Dallas, she was the deputy chief of the Detroit Police Department. She is expected to stay in her position through the end of the year.

Group to spend $6.2 mil in effort to flip Texas House Texas Tribune

A national Democratic super PAC is pumping over $6 million into the fight for the Texas House majority.

The group, Forward Majority, plans to spend $6.2 million across 18 races that will likely determine who controls the lower chamber in January. The money will go toward TV ads, digital ads and mail in each district.

“We have a once in a generation opportunity to establish a Democratic majority ahead of

redistricting and cement Texas’ status as the biggest battleground state in the country,” Forward Majority spokesperson Ben Wexler-Waite said in a statement.

Democrats are currently nine seats away from the House majority — and growing confident in their chances of capturing the chamber. They have released a slew of internal polls in recent weeks showing close races in many of their targeted districts, with the Democratic nominees clearly ahead in some.

The 18 districts are a familiar battlefield to those following the majority battle. They are all open or GOP-held seats, largely in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas, where the incumbent won by less than 10 percentage points in 2018.

Forward Majority has already been a significant player in Texas House races. It made a late push in the 2018 election, injecting $2.2 million into 32 lower-tier contests as Democrats went on to flip 12 seats.

Kamala Harris speaks with Jacob Blake Defender News Service

immediate family, including Sen. Kamala Harris recently his parents and two sisters, met spoke privately with Jacob Blake with Harris. Blake joined by – the Black man shot in the back phone for about an hour. seven times by a police officer Blake’s attorney, Ben Crump, in Kenosha, Wisconsin said the discussion was – and his family, and “inspirational.” urge d t hem a l l to “In a moving stay strong in what is moment, Jacob Jr. told destined to be a long Sen. Harris that he was journey toward healing. proud of her, and the Sen. The Democratic vice Kamala Harris senator told Jacob that presidential nominee she was also proud of was in Wisconsin for her first him and how he is working campaign visit since joining through his pain. Jacob Jr. former Vice President Joe assured her that he would not Biden in his bid to unseat give up on life for the sake of Donald Trump this November. his children,” Crump said in Harris said she wanted to speak a statement. “She encouraged with Blake’s family “to express them to continue to use their concern for their well-being voices even through their pain and, of course, for their brother to help America make progress and their son’s well-being and to end systematic racism.” to let them know that they have Harris’ visit follows Biden’s support.” own trip to Wisconsin last week, “They’re an incredible family during which he also met with and what they’ve endured and Blake’s family and spoke with they just do it with such dignity Blake via phone. and grace,” Harris told reporters Trump went to Wisconsin last after the meeting. “And you week as well, but the president know they’re carrying the did not meet with or mention weight of a lot of voices on their Blake during the trip. Earlier he shoulders.” said that the parties could not Several members of Blake’s agree on a way to meet.

VOLUME 89 - NUMBER 46 - SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Creative Director Michael Grant

Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler

Associate Editor Marilyn Marshall

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

People Editor Aswad Walker

Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard

Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Photographers Ray Carrington III Jimmie Aggison

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

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DN InFocus FOCUS SOCIAL

SCHOOL DISTRICTS TACKLE COVID-19 Marilyn Marshall

Most area school districts reopened this fall with online learning only and are in varying stages of preparing for in-person instruction. The daunting task facing administrators was summed up by Dr. Grenita Lathan, interim superintendent of the state’s largest school district, HISD. “Despite the challenges we all face due to the COVID-19 pandemic, safety, flexibility and the academic success of all of our students remain at the forefront of our decision-making,” she said.

Here are six area districts’ in-person instruction plans, which are subject to change: ALDINE ISD

Schedule: Staggered in-person instruction begins Sept. 21.

Safety precautions: Face coverings required for students and staff unless medically exempt. Use of shared spaces will be limited. Daily health checks will be conducted.

Infection protocols: Students or staff who become sick at school will immediately be isolated until they can leave premises and must quarantine for number of days necessary.

Areas heavily used by individual with lab-confirmed case will be closed off until disinfection.

Info: aldineisd.org

ALIEF ISD Schedule: In-person instruction start

date to be determined.

Safety precautions: Staff, students and visitors must wear masks with accommodations for students with underlying conditions. More frequent cleaning practices by custodians and cleaning supplies for teachers will be provided. Desks will be 6 feet apart when possible. Frequent hand-washing or sanitizing when social distancing not possible. Parents responsible for students’ screening and temperature checks. Teachers and staff must selfscreen each day. Families encouraged to provide students’ transportation.

Infection protocols: Ill students will be referred to nurse’s office. Students who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms will be isolated until parent/guardian pick-up. Teachers and staff with symptoms or lab-confirmed must report to school system and remain off campus until they meet criteria for re-entry.

Info: aliefisd.net

ALVIN ISD Schedule: In-person instruction begins Sept. 14.

Safety precautions: Students and staff will maintain social distancing when feasible. Age-appropriate students and staff will wear face masks.

Water fountains not accessible;

students should bring water to school.

When permitted, student gatherings will be held outdoors. Deep cleaning will occur daily after school.

Infection protocols: Students displaying symptoms will be assessed by school nurse. Ill students will be separated and picked up by parent/ guardian. Staff displaying symptoms will follow district protocols, including isolation. Students and staff who test positive must submit letter of good health from physician’s office prior to returning to school. Communication will be provided to parents of students who came in close contact with a COVID-19-positive student or staff member.

Info: alvinisd.net

FORT BEND ISD

Schedule: In-person instruction begins as early as Sept. 28.

Safety precautions: Face coverings required of students, staff and visitors. Staff required to complete daily health assessment prior to work. Wellness monitors will confirm daily symptom check-ins, perform temperature checks and support contact tracing.

Routine handwashing expected, hand sanitizer provided. Social distancing protocols implemented. Each campus will have COVID crisis team.

Infection protocols: Students with symptoms will be isolated in nurse’s clinic, parent/guardian will be notified and student will be sent home.

Employees with symptoms must contact nurse and supervisor and return home. Students or employees may not return to campus unless cleared by a medical professional or compliant with other CDC/district requirements.

Thorough cleaning and disinfecting protocols will be initiated. Upon notice of a confirmed diagnosis facility will close and reopen upon completion of district/CDC requirements. Impacted parents and staff and county health authority will be notified.

Info: fortbendisd.com

A Texas student’s temperature is checked by a teacher as a COVID-19 safety precaution. Some area school districts plan to perform temperature checks when classrooms reopen while others will leave it up to parents. -AP Photo/LM Otero

HOUSTON ISD

Schedule: Face-to-face instruction begins Oct. 19.

Safety precautions: Students, employees, visitors and vendors required to wear masks and follow hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette as outlined by CDC. Students and employees prohibited from sharing supplies and equipment unless necessary. Facilities, Maintenance, and Operations employees will follow CDC guidelines regarding cleaning, sanitation and disinfection of facilities.

Infection protocols: Isolation areas established for students and adults who experience COVID-19 symptoms.

Administrators will follow protocols outlined in procedural guidelines.

School nurse (for students) will be notified and submit report to Health and Medical Services (HMS) nurse manager. Employee department supervisor will be notified and contact HMS director or school nurse manager and provide employee’s information.

Areas where the student or employee was present will be closed for cleaning and disinfection. Impacted staff, students, and parents will be notified of

closures and possible exposures.

Info: houstonisd.org

KIPP TEXAS-HOUSTON

Schedule: Limited in-person instruction begins Sept. 21, full phase-in begins Oct. 19.

Safety precautions: Parents/guardians must check students for symptoms prior to arrival at school. Face coverings required on campuses and buses. Students, staff and visitors will be temperature-checked before entering a building. Adults and students must sanitize hands when arriving on campus and entering new room or space. Students must bring own supplies that cannot be shared.

Infection protocols: Students with temperatures of 100.4 degrees or higher will have to be picked up immediately. Anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will be assumed to have it unless negative test or alternative diagnosis by medical professional deems otherwise. Students, teachers or staff testing positive for COVID-19 can return to campus only when meeting certain criteria.

Info: kipptexas.org

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DN InFocus SOCIAL SCHOOL EMPLOYEES SPEAK OUT ON REOPENING

Aprell Johnson, a school bus attendant and union rep. with Houston Educational Support Personnel, is concerned that schools are opening classrooms too soon.

Defender Photo/Jimmie Aggison

As school districts continue to plan for in-person instruction, employees ranging from teachers to custodians are wondering what the return to classrooms will look like amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, personnel speak out.

Marilyn Marshall

TEACHER UNION SHARES CONCERNS

T

he Houston Federation of Teachers has been vocal about the need to ensure the safety of students and personnel in area schools.

Zeph The HFT represents approxiCapo mately 13,000 non-administrative employees, including teachers, paraprofessionals, clerks, food service and custodial workers and bus drivers.

In a Q&A with the Defender, HTF President Zeph Capo discussed concerns about returning to classrooms.

DEFENDER: Are you confident that area school districts are doing everything they can to be prepared to resume in-person instruction?

CAPO: Some school districts are doing much better than others when it comes to putting the health and safety of students and staff as their priority. Others have chosen to ignore medical advice when it comes to the timing of re-opening campuses, particularly in areas like Houston where we have been experiencing high levels of community spread.

Houston ISD actually has done a much better job than most on developing and implementing its plan in comparison to other area districts.

DEFENDER: What do you find are teachers’ biggest concerns?

CAPO: Many teachers are very concerned about reopening prior to our local community being able to contain the virus. There is a general lack of trust that the state or perhaps even the districts will be able to deliver on such things as appropriate PPE, proper cleaning, effective implementation of safe strategies to control the spread. Many of our schools prior to closing had difficulty ensuring there was soap and paper towels in the bathrooms.

There is real concern from teachers with factors that put them into high-risk categories that districts will not honor their federally protected requests for accommodations to teach virtually. Further, we’ve seen in some schools that have opened for in-person activities that there hasn’t been a universal respect for safety protocols such as social distancing and wearing masks in all common areas. This correlates with area districts that have chosen to ignore health advice where larger numbers of staff members also seem to believe they can’t or won’t be impacted.

Certain communities that haven’t been hit as hard don’t seem to have the level of respect for the virus as those from communities who have been hit harder by the virus.

DEFENDER: What are your recommendations for reopening schools safely?

CAPO: Schools should not re-open until we’ve met the guidelines outlined by our

SUPPORT PERSONNEL STRESS SAFETY

COVID-19 transmission, and the system includes four levels of risk: 1, red; 2, orange; 3, yellow; and 4, green. Harris County remains at Level 1 –Severe Uncontrolled Community Transmission.

“Everyone needs to just stay at home and wait,” Johnson said. “I understand The men and women who clean and that we want to get children back to maintain buildings, prepare food in school as soon as possible but I just cafeterias and drive and monitor buses can’t see it. will be on the front lines when schools “I sit in the back of the bus with spereopen for face-to-face instruction. cial needs children. Sometimes we might Wretha Thomas, president of Houston sit next to each other. How is HISD Educational Support Personnel (HESP), going to keep me safe? There’s no way. I is concerned about the safety of the will have children sitting right in front union’s members. of me, behind me and beside me. It’s not “The schools aren’t ready to be 6 feet; it’s [barely] 6 inches. The buses opened up because they don’t have are small.” a plan designed to get COVIDThomas describes bus driv19 under control,” she said. ers and attendants as the HESP represents 1,300 “alpha and omega, because HISD food service, custhey’re the first ones the todial and transportakids see in the morning tion employees. Thomas, and last ones they see in a former school housethe afternoon.” keeper and bus driver, As a safety precaution, stresses “safety first” during the Thomas presented HISD with Wretha pandemic.

Thomas a proposal to allow bus drivers to “COVID-19 is a disease that take students’ temperatures before everyone is trying to deal with,” she said. they get on buses. She is awaiting the “Until we get a vaccine, we’re all living district’s response. outside the bubble.”

Thomas and Johnson feel the district Thomas’ fears are echoed by Aprell should stick with online learning as long Johnson, a bus attendant and HESP as possible. union representative. Johnson is con“My recommendation for going cerned because Harris County remains back into the classroom is to wait until in the “red zone.”

Houston is at least in the yellow or green The county has benchmarks to help zone,” Johnson said. “I don’t see what the determine the current level of risk of big rush is.”

NATIONAL EDUCATORS BLAST RUSH TO OPEN

county health officials. Our area medical professionals are the ones we would expect to best understand how to lower the spread and keep everyone safe. School districts, like all major institutions, should set the example for wearing masks, practicing reasonable social distancing, limiting in-person activities when alternative methods to continue the work are available.

This virus doesn’t care about our economy, jobs, politics or personal comfort levels. It is our job to care as much or more about our fellow humans than ourselves and take care of one another like we are each other’s family.

This is especially true when it comes to our children.

TEACHERS, STAFF VOICE OPINIONS “There is no way to keep children apart, rooms clean, check for sick kids and teach efficiently. Expecting kids to obey all the rules is dreaming – they don’t comprehend or care about the consequences. [As a retired teacher] I love the story of three kindergartners who came home with different masks than they left home with because they exchanged with each other because their friends’ masks were ‘cuter’ than the one they left home with.

Each teacher deserves 1) hazard pay, 2) higher salary and 3) an aide for each classroom – just for starters!”

– Alberta Rencher

“I work with special education students and my duties require that I be closer than 6 feet from them. Additionally, my duties require me to travel to several campuses and all grade levels so I’m concerned that while most campuses are vigilant with safety precautions a student/ teacher may slip through the cracks and I unwittingly bring it from one campus to another.”

– Michelle Goodman

“I work in PR for a school district and we started two weeks ago. All the fears we had dissipated when the kids were back in the classroom. There were fears of contracting COVID, kids not wearing masks even though it is mandated in my district, teachers calling out in number, not enough wifi for remote learners, not enough substitutes to fill in for teachers and para-pros, parents not complying with the no visitor mandate, not having enough sanitizer, gloves, spray bottles, cleaning equipment, etc. None of that has happened. It has been the easiest start to the year (per spot surveys of teachers and principals).”

– Ro King

she said.

Pringle said the NEA can no longer wait for real leadership to address the pandemic.

“We must be those leaders,” she said.

“We’re done waiting for Donald Trump to come to his senses and stop this reckDefender News Service less rush to reopen our school buildings.

The president-elect of the National We’re done waiting for Betsy DeVos to Education Association – the nation’s larg- have a clue, or care about our students… est professional employee orgawe’re done being forced to make nization – said school safety the false choice between living remains a major concern and learning; blamed for and criticized President the failure of this adminisDonald Trump for rushtration to bridge the gaps ing to reopen America’s in equity and fairness. classrooms.

We’re done.”

Becky Pringle, a PhilaPringle said she has delphia science teacher, will video-conferenced with lead an organization which repthousands of educators who are Becky resents nearly 3 million educators. Pringle “nervous” and “anxious” about She said the pandemic has tested school safety. the profound trust the nation places in “NEA will support your demands that educators. you get what you need to safely do the “And here we are, being bullied from jobs you love,” she said. “And we need the highest office in the land to reopen you to keep standing up for what’s right. school buildings and campuses when we And I commit to you the resources to use now have evidence that they’re unsafe…,” your teacher voice and fight.”

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DN Health

MIKE BLOOMBERG WANTS TO SOLVE AMERICA’S BLACK DOCTOR SHORTAGE College of Medicine in Washington.

Former New York Mayor Michael Students currently in years two, three and Bloomberg is giving about $100 million four of medical school will get retroactive to four historically Black medscholarships of up to $25,000 a year, ical schools over the next four the schools said. Morehouse, Drew years, with students getting up and the Howard medical schools to $100,000 apiece. said the amount is their largest-ever Bloomberg, a billionaire who gift. made his fortune with the news Meharry Medical College Presand financial media organization ident Dr. James E.K. Hildreth said that he owns, said he wants to the money will help students choose increase the number of African Michael to practice primary care medicine American doctors by reducing Bloomberg instead of higher-paying specialthe debt burden of students. ties, “allowing them to make decisions about “More Black doctors will mean more where and how they practice based on their Black lives saved, and fewer health prob- passion, not a paycheck.” lems that limit economic opportunity,” Bloomberg says it’s the first gift from his Bloomberg said in a statement. philanthropy arm’s Greenwood Initiative, Bloomberg is giving $34 million to Meharry named for the African American neighborMedical College in Nashville, Tennessee, hood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that was the site of $26.3 million to the Morehouse School of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The initiative Medicine in Atlanta, $7.7 million to Charles seeks to build generational wealth for Black R. Drew University of Medicine in Los Ange- families and increase investment in Black les and $32.8 million to Howard University communities and institutions.

Defender News Service

CLASSIFIED NOTICE OF ASSUMED NAME STATE OF TEXAS Notice is hereby given, pursuant to law, that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the assumed name of ANTHONY EUGENE WINGATE, holds both Equitable Title and Legal Title to the Assumed Name in a UBOT in a competent jurisdiction of exclusive equity. Details regarding this notice are as follows: ASSUMED NAME: ANTHONY EUGENE WINGATE; PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 1101 Elder Street, Houston, Texas [77007], the [u]nited [s]tates of America; NAMEHOLDER(S): Name: Wingate, Anthony Eugene; Address: c/o 2129 Farm to Market Road 2920, Suite 190-211, Spring [Non-Domestic], Texas [77388], The united States of America, Republic. All Rights Reserved. Signed by: Wingate, Anthony Eugene – a living man, dba ANTHONY EUGENE WINGATE – a registered business entity (July 24, 2020) as confirmed by Minnesota Secretary of State (SOS), Steve Simon, evidenced by filing number 1168940200029.

自動統計選票設備測試 公告 茲公告於2020年11月3日舉行的普選與特別選舉所使用的自動統計選票設備將於2020年9月16日上午9:00，在 NRG Arena, Hall D, 8600 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77054 進行測試，以確保此一設備的準確性。

Secretario del Condado Harris Giám Đốc Nha Hành Chánh Quận Hạt Harris Harris 縣行政書記官

17771-PIPC-EN-Houston-TheDefender-4.79x13-F.pdf

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DN Health

Dr. Janice Bacon, a primary care physician with Central Mississippi Health Services, gives Jeremiah Young, 11, a back-to-school physical. AP/Rogelio V. Solis

During pandemic, Black families place trust in Black doctors C

M

Y

CM

Associated Press

Dr. Janice Bacon was exactly the person Kay McField hoped to talk to when she found herself spending most of her days in bed, feeling too depressed to get up as the coronavirus pandemic threatened those around her.

As she watched those closest to her test positive for the virus — a goddaughter and her uncle, whom she cares for, among them — McField said she was terrified that she or her daughter, who both suffer from autoimmune diseases, would fall ill. When she wasn’t in bed, the 51-year-old single mother was cleaning her house compulsively.

“It was just this constant panic,” she said, her arms pressed to her chest. “I wanted to talk to someone I knew was going to listen, who I could trust.”

A Black primary care physician practicing in Mississippi for nearly four decades, Bacon works at an all-African American-run trio of community health centers in Hinds County, where the population is overwhelmingly Black — and where the most coronavirus cases have been reported in the state.

Most of the families that Bacon and the more than 50 other doctors, nurses and social workers serve are African American, low-income and living with health conditions like heart disease, diabetes and asthma that are more common among Black Americans. Even before the coronavirus, many were dealing with depression and anxiety, Bacon said.

During the pandemic, those problems have been exacerbated. Many clinic patients are essential workers expected to

work in-person even as coronavirus cases have skyrocketed in Mississippi. While testing is free for community health center patients, delays are a major issue, Bacon said, with some families waiting up to two weeks for results.

Bacon said she has seen people scrape together $187 to pay for a rapid test at other clinics that don’t accept Medicaid, in hopes of returning to work faster and not losing their jobs.

“There’s this feeling of, ’I just can’t handle it all,’” Bacon said. “We are seeing serious mental health consequences.”

Meanwhile, families are struggling to find child care and put food on the table. Two of the largest school districts in the area decided to start virtually, creating more barriers for families that don’t have internet access, or if they do, don’t know how to use devices for online learning or can’t afford them.

Research suggests Black patients have better outcomes when treated by Black doctors and nurses. Yet, only 5% of doctors nationwide are Black, and only 2% are Black women, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Over generations, Bacon has built trust in a community generally skeptical of the health care system and made her Black patients feel they have a safe place to go for medical care.

“It’s meaningful to be taken care of by someone who looks like you, who understands you,” McField said. “Other doctors go into the exam room, and they don’t ask your name. And me, when I go there and be treated that way, I’m not going back no more.”

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10 | September 10, 2020 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports NBA PLAYERS RETURN, REMAIN FOCUSED ON SOCIAL JUSTICE FIGHT Defender News Service

Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid.

NFL supports Colin Kaepernick’s fight, what’s next?

Associated Press

Four years later, the NFL admitted it was wrong and said it now supports Colin Kaepernick in his fight against racial injustice, encouraging players to take a stand - or a knee - for the cause. But Kaepernick remains without a job.

NFL end zones will be inscribed this season with two slogans: “It Takes All Of Us” on one side, “End Racism” on the other. As part of its social justice awareness initiatives, the NFL also will allow similar visuals on helmets and caps. Players will be permitted to wear decals on the back of helmets, or patches on team caps, displaying names or phrases to honor victims of racism and/or police brutality.

“The NFL stands with the Black community, the players, clubs and fans,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “Confronting recent systemic racism with tangible and productive steps is absolutely essential. We will not relent in our work.”

After George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer ignited nationwide protests over racial injustice and police brutality, Goodell apologized to players for not listening sooner and encouraged them to protest peacefully. His death in May awakened many people, including NFL owners, to the root of the issues that led Kaepernick to kneel during “The Star-Spangled Banner” in 2016.

Kaepernick’s demonstration was misinterpreted as an expression that demeaned the flag and country. Donald Trump and many of his supporters continue to criticize players across all sports leagues for keeling during the national anthem. It will likely be a focal point for Trump during his campaign for re-election. But many who opposed Kaepernick’s stance now say they understand and support the movement.

NFL executive Troy Vincent said he’s seen a shift among owners.

“I do believe that the club owners are at a place over the last few years, it’s taken some a little longer than others, but it becomes a heart issue,” Vincent said. “And they do have an appreciation for humanity and they understand that we have to do this together.”

Still, not one NFL owner has hired Kaepernick, a talented quarterback who led the San Francisco 49ers to within 7 yards of defeating Baltimore in Super Bowl 47. The 32-year-old Kaepernick hasn’t been offered a contract since he last played in 2016. While he is not in the NFL, EA Sports has given the free agent a spot in its “Madden 21” game.

“Colin was a visionary, a pioneer for our generation and we are truly grateful for him,” said NFL agent Andre Odom. “Making such a huge sacrifice for change isn’t easy for anyone. Now seeing the NFL acknowledge that they should’ve listened to him just shows that the time is now to really stand up, strategize, implement and execute initiatives for the African American community. ... It takes us all.”

everybody. There’s guys on their rookie The NBA games may have resumed, deal or still trying to get a deal. There’s but players are adamant that they see some free agents who still haven’t had a bona fide change after their three-day chance to make a stamp in this league, We know there’s boycott. so to make a decision for everybody Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said he doesn’t suit everybody’s situation.” things that are wasn’t sure the owners would live up It would be unfair for those players more important to their agreement with the players to with the most power and money to than winning a take more of a proactive role in social speak for those with considerably less championship, issues. The players decided to resume money and stature. the playoffs, but it’s inaccurate to believe There remains a level of uncertainty. because we’re all of them felt the same way.

The players are continuing to emphasize going to be Black All players were united on social the point that they’re in the bubble for men forever, and change. But many wanted to stay and more than one reason. Social justice is that’s not going play and were confused about the boycritical, and so are voting rights and cott and its purpose. Others, such as police reform. to ever change.”

Lakers star LeBron James, were pre“We all know that [leaving the bubDanny Green pared to leave if their brethren agreed. ble] would make a statement ... but we’re But one of the more difficult tasks for all here, we want to play,” Green said. the players was trying to agree on one “We know we have a chance at someaccord and getting all players to realize thing special, too, but we know there’s the importance of issues in the US when some of their things that are more important than winning a champihomes are abroad. onship, because we’re going to be Black men forever, and “That’s the hardest part because there’s no that’s not going to ever change. So, when it comes one solution that’s going to cater to everydown to winning a champione,” Lakers guard Danny Green said. onship or doing something “But you want to do the better for our people, we’re best thing and what’s going to pick that first, and right for the majorif we thought [walking away] ity. If we decided to was the best thing to do, leave, that decithen we would do that. sion would not have benefited Danny Green (14) says there were a lot of misconceptions about Lakers teammate LeBron James’s role in the decision by players to resume playing after a threeday boycott.

AP/ASHLEY LANDIS

September 10, 2020 |

| 11

DEFENDER NETWORK

DN Sports Former Texans pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans after being unable to secure a long-term contract.

Rockets guard Russell Westbrook struggled mightily during the Game 2 loss to the Lakers, scoring just 10 points on 4 of 15 shooting while also finishing with seven turnovers and just four assists.

Sports Briefs SWAC REALIGNMENT Texas Southern and Prairie View will have a new rival in the SWAC West Division.

The conference has announced that beginning with the 202122 sports season, Alcorn State will shift from the East to the West. The move was necessitated when the SWAC expanded from 10 to 12 teams by adding Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) laughs with running back Duke Johnson (25) on the sidelines during an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle via AP, Pool)

TEXANS READY TO REDEEM THEMSELVES Terrance Harris

BY THE NUMBERS

4

The number of AFC South titles the Texans have won in the last 5 seasons.

5

For the first time in the Watson era the Texans return all 5 O-line starters.

10

The number of wins the Texans had last season.

28

The rank of the Texans overall defense last season.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has made a career out of dusting himself off and quickly deleting the last play from memory.

But forgetting the Texans final game last season – a 51-31 defeat at the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC Divisional playoff game in which Watson & Co. led by as many as 24 points – hasn’t been as easy to forget as the 2020 campaign approaches.

“For sure, it’s always in the back of my mind, but it’s something that I didn’t dwell on,” said Watson, the fourth-year quarterback who recently agreed to a four-year $160 million contract extension. “I didn’t get upset about it or constantly think about it all the time.

“It’s definitely a motivational factor, but what I wanted to work on this offseason was to get my craft down and continue

to be ready for big-time moments like that and figure out what happened for that situation to change.”

As good or bad luck would have it, Watson won’t have long to find out. Watson and Texans return to the scene of their playoff meltdown this week to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium to kick off the 2020 NFL season in front of a Thursday Night national viewing audience.

Watson believes he knows what needs to be different this time.

“We have to play four quarters,” he said. “We’ve got to be able to switch and stop the momentum from a great team.”

In a season of substantial change, this opening game could define the Texans season.

Will it be the beginning of the breakthrough season or will it end with another 10-6, AFC

South title and quick playoff exit which have defined the Bill O’Brien era?

No matter what, this will go down as the most unique NFL season to date. None of the NFL teams have had the benefit of playing in preseason games because of concerns over COVID-19 that has rocked the world. In addition to the numerous new protocols put in place to keep players, coaches and staff safe from the virus, many games will be played with few to no fans in the stadiums.

“This has been an offseason and it will be a season like no other that we may not even be able to see again, at least in my lifetime. Hopefully not,” said safety Justin Reid. “It’s definitely the most unique experience and offseason I’ve ever had in any level of playing ball and I think it’s going to be remembered because of that.”

WATSON BROUGHT TO TEARS Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson became emotional over the weekend when discussing his fouryear, $160 million contract extension that makes him the second-highest paid NFL quarterback behind the Chiefs Patrick Mahomes.

Watson didn’t intend to share his emotions with reporters.

“I’ve been crying a little bit — a lot of bit, really,” he said.

VOTING INITIATIVES The Houston Rockets are opening up the Toyota Center as a centralized voting center for the upcoming presidential election.

And the Texans are partnering with NRG Park and the Harris County Clerk’s Office to kick off the “We Are Texans, We Are Voters” campaign, which encourages fans to vote.

12 | September 10, 2020 |

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