Houston Defender: November 09, 2017

FEATURE

HOUSTON GOSPEL ANNOUNCERS BRING MUSIC VIDEO AND FILM FESTIVAL TO TOWN P8

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Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 87 | Number 2 NOVEMBER 9 , 2017 | FREE

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NEWSTALK BLACK VETERANS reflect on the state of the U.S.

P2 NATIONAL DONNA BRAZILE angers and shakes Democrats with new book

P3 H.S. ZONE DEMOND DEMAS leading at North Forest

P11 TOP EVENTS

‘Queen Sugar’ actor

KOFI SIRIBOE embracing success H

PAGE 4

Sylvester Turner

Deshaun Watson

The Houston Mayor joined Defender Publisher Sonny Messiah Jiles to discuss a number of issues, from the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey to his take on minority contracts to plans for the last two years of his four-year term. .

It’s news no Texans fan wanted to hear. The Texans quarterback is out for the season after a torn ACL. That means the starting quarterback will join two of its top three defensive players on the injury list.

Conversations & Coffee

Kim Davis, Margo Williams Hubbard and Sonny Messiah Jiles at Conversations & Coffee

P12

out for season

H PAGE 6

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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 9 | 2017

newstalk

Local election wrap-up Defender News Services

Houston-area voters handed a victory to Mayor Sylvester Turner as his $1 billion pension bond referendum passed, securing the mayor’s landmark reform package.

The propositions, which carried decades-long implications for the city’s financial health, will now infuse $750 million into the police Wanda Adams pension and $250 million into the municipal workers’ pension to improve their funding levels and lower Houston’s annual payment into its pension funds.

Voters headed to the polls to decide seven state propositions, city council races in Baytown, Bellaire and Missouri City, as well as billions in city and school bonds and trustee races for school districts and community colleges.

Six HISD Board of Trustee members were up for reelection as the district faces a possible state takeover, a years-long storm recovery process and a strained budget. All six board members, including chair Wanda Adams, held onto their seats.

Harris County, home to 2.2 million registered voters, recorded just shy of 59,000 early and absentee votes, and political scientists predicted a comparably anemic turnout on Election Day.

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Black veterans give take on U.S. today WILLIAM CHAMBERS

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

As we celebrate veterans on Nov. 11, the Defender asked Black vets what they thought of the state of the country in light of today’s hostile and divided political and racial realities.

LUTALO OLUTOSIN

Served as provost marshal (military police) on three combat tours (U.S. Army) in Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Horn of Africa, and five other Southwest Asia countries: “In my opinion, we find ourselves at a crossroads that I feel will determine whether the country ever becomes all it is capable of becoming or fading into the landscape of what could have been Lutalo Olutosin the greatest country in modern history. Politically, our system of democracy is being eroded (perhaps intentionally) from the very top in terms of due process, respect for governmental framework, and founding democratic principles.

“Race relations wise, the polarizations we see today in the U.S. are symptomatic of an interrupted healing process the country has yet to complete after slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction. We can never move past the racial divide because the injuries have not healed.

Injuries remain unhealed because they haven’t been properly addressed, and they haven’t been addressed because they are so terribly painful…”

Served active duty basic training/Germany; reserves, Florida/Atlanta; active duty, Ft. Carson, Colo./Iraq: “The U.S. Army in terms of cohesion and morale is under great threat especially from within. The inclusion based on merit that we took for granted is fading to orange. There was William Chambers a poll recently published in the Military Times that stated soldiers felt that white supremacy groups are the greatest threat. There was a Black soldier on leave who was lynched in Greece. Throw that in with constant deployments, suicides, sexual assaults and you have a rough mix. It’s going to take oversight, patriotism, participation from everyone. Black vets should be more vocal and not let the right dominate the conversation.

QUANTARIUS BRAWLEY

Served in the USMC, Army National Guard and U.S. Army; two deployments to Afghanistan (Khandhar and Bagram): “My thoughts on the U.S. today are that we have made no progress since the 1950s.

I feel as if racism is as strong as it’s ever been. The difference is that for the past 30 or so years the bigots have been hiding behind closed doors. Now they feel free to walk around and show their hatred. I would say there needs to be increased focused on education so that young Black males have the same opportunities as their white counterparts.”

localbriefs VETERANS DAY is Saturday, Nov. 11, and local activities are planned in honor of U.S. military veterans……..The HOUSTON SALUTES AMERICAN HEROES Veterans Day Celebration hosted by Mayor Sylvester Turner is Nov. 11 in Downtown Houston. The celebration begins at 8 a.m. with the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) 9/11 HEROES RUN. The Heroes Run 5K series is held annually in more than 50 domestic and international locations and attracts more than 50,000 participants. “We are grateful to the Houston community for hosting our largest 9/11 Heroes Run in the country the past several years,

and we are proud to give back to the city during its greatest time of need,” said Ryan Manion, TMF president. For information visit www.travismanion. org .The salute continues with an AARP VETERANS JOB & RESOURCE FAIR from 8 a.m. to noon in Hermann Square at City Hall. A commemorative ceremony will be held on the steps of City Hall at 10 a.m., followed by a moment of silence at 11 a.m……..The Levy Park Conservancy presents a VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION at Levy Park, located at 3801 Eastside St. in the Upper Kirby District. It will be held on Nov. 11 from noon to 8 p.m. and features music, food and

activities for all ages. Performers include James and the Classix at 12:30 p.m., the Keesha Pratt Band at 3:15 p.m. and the Bryan Shane Band at 6 p.m. For information visit levypark.org or call 281400-3631………The Houston Bar Association’s Veterans Legal Initiative will hold. ADVICE CLINICS FOR VETERANS on Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon. Clinics will be held at the Conroe VA Outpatient Clinic, 690 South Loop 336 West in Conroe, and at the Texas City VA Outpatient Clinic, 9300 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway in Texas City. No appointment is necessary. For information call 713-759-1133.

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NOVEMBER 9 | 2017 | DEFENDER

national

U.S.briefs SIX MIAMI FIREFIGHTERS who hung a noose over a Black lieutenant’s family photos inside a fire station want to sue the city for revealing their identities. An attorney for Miami’s International Association of Firefighters sent a letter to the city of Miami saying, “The release of these photographs, which now appear in several media reports including reports on the Internet, is inconsistent with the City’s legal obligation to consider the underlying purpose of the statute, and may subject the City to potential civil liability for the unwarranted disclosure of public records,” he wrote. “The Union requests that you cease and desist in this regard.” News outlets, including the Miami Herald, have decided to keep the photos published on its sites……..NEO-NAZIS HAVE DECLARED PAPA JOHN’S PIZZA as the “official pizza of the alt-right.” Papa John’s founder John Schnatter recently came under fire after telling investors that “the NFL has hurt Papa John’s shareholders,” and the NFL national anthem protests over racial injustice “is polarizing the customer, polarizing the country.” Schnatter also faulted NFL executives for showing a “lack of leadership” over the issue. Some neo-Nazis embraced Papa John’s for its anti-protest stance. The company was forced to release a statement disavowing its racist fans. “We condemn racism in all forms and any and all hate groups that support it. We do not want these individuals or groups to buy our pizza,” Papa John’s statement read…….GOOGLE HAS ANNOUNCED A $1 MILLION DOLLAR GRANT to the Hidden Genius Project, an organization working to increase the representation of young Black males in the tech industry. The Oakland-based group mentors Black boys and equips them with the skills they need to help shift perceptions of computer scientists and inspire future technologists. Google’s grant will go toward helping the Hidden Genius expand and impact more youth.

VOLUME 87 • NUMBER 2 NOVEMBER 9, 2017 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Ad/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Strategic Alliance Manager

Clyde Jiles Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Editors ReShonda Billingsley Marilyn Marshall Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Engagement Manager Margo Williams Hubbard

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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Democrats shaken and angered by Brazile book Associated Press

Democrats are struggling to put the bitter 2016 election behind them as the party’s current chairman and his predecessor bicker over Hillary Clinton’s failed campaign, further exposing deep divisions that could foretell Democratic prospects in 2018 and beyond.

The disarray was triggered by the disclosure that Donna Brazile, the interim Democratic leader during the final months of the campaign, considered an effort to replace Clinton as the presidential nominee because of health concerns.

“The charge that Hillary Clinton was somehow incapacitated is quite frankly ludicrous,” said Tom Perez, who took over as Democratic National Committee chairman after Donald Trump won the election.

Brazile, who claimed “tremendous pressure” to devise a backup ticket led by then-Vice President Joe Biden after Clinton fainted at an event, pushed back: “Go to hell. I’m going to tell my story.”

The dispute was spurred by revelations by Brazile in a memoir being released and reported on by the Washington Post. It reflected simmering tensions between establishment and insurgent wings that will set the party’s future course on issues from its platform to the primary schedule and use of super delegates – party leaders and elected officials who get a say in the nomination – in the 2020 presidential race.

“One of the things, as we go forward, is to give more power to the grass roots in all this,” said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California, urging Democrats not to “relitigate elections.”

Brazile writes that she considered initiating Clinton’s removal after the candidate collapsed while leaving a 9/11 memorial service in New York City, and Brazile contemplated a dozen combinations to replace Clinton and her running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine. Brazile wrote that she settled on Biden and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker as having the best chance of defeating Republican Trump.

Brazile says the larger issue was that the Clinton campaign was “anemic” and had taken on “the odor of failure.”

But, she says, “I thought of Hillary, and all the women in the country who were so proud of and excited about her. I could not do this to them.”

The revelations elicited a strong rebuttal from Clinton’s former campaign staffers. An open letter signed by more than 100 people said they “do not recognize the campaign” that Brazile “portrays in the book.”

The Clinton staffers responded they were “shocked to learn” that Brazile would consider overturning the will of Democratic voters. “It is particularly troubling and puzzling that she would seemingly buy into false Russian-fueled propaganda, spread by both the Russians and our opponent, about our candidate’s health.”

Perez echoed the complaints, saying Brazile never had authority under DNC rules to replace the ticket because Clinton was not incapacitated.

Under party rules, a DNC head can call a

special meeting to fill a “vacancy” on the national ticket in the event of disability in coordination with Democratic leaders of Congress and Democratic governors, but only the full DNC can fill the vacancy. At the time, Clinton had revealed she was suffering from pneumonia.

“I don’t know what Donna Brazile fell for,” Perez said.

“Hillary Clinton was anything but incapacitated. She was tireless.”

“I think people who read that charge, which is just without merit, are going to perhaps start wondering about other claims in the book,” he added.

Donna Brazile

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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 9 | 2017

entertainment

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Kofi Siriboe is having a good year

K

Defender News Services

ofi Siriboe is just 23, but he’s already had a life-defining year. The actor/filmmaker made his breakthrough in the OWN TV show “Queen Sugar” as Ralph Angel Bordelon, the youngest son of a Louisiana cane sugar farming family.

Since the show debuted last fall, Siriboe’s profile has become substantially higher. With the release of the hit summer movie “Girl’s Trip,” where Siriboe played Jada Pinkett Smith’s love interest, Siriboe is coming into his own.

In person, Siriboe shares Ralph Angel’s chocolate complexion, height and smile, although the L.A. native’s voice is noticeably higher. Ex-con Ralph Angel struggles through manhood but Siriboe seems to be managing well. Even his growing fame has been put in its proper perspective.

Q: You’re on hiatus from “Queen Sugar” right now, so what’s keeping you busy?

A: “Girls Trip” was a lot. I was filming [“Queen Sugar”] while it came out, so I did my best to be a part of the wave, but had to stay true to my work. We had some real serious things going on with my character.

I’ve been free for the last month and a half, kind of just processing everything that’s been going on this last year. I’m just now getting a second to get a breath of fresh air, to kind of look around and see what’s been going on. I can’t lie, it’s a pretty beautiful sight. I have now looked up and I love what I see.”

Q: To what do you attribute your success?

A: “I really just committed myself to the journey and the exploration. Prior to “Queen Sugar,” as a young Black man in America, a young human in America, we’re all trying to survive. No one lives in America for free. After you get to that place of financial freedom – to some extent, I mean, I’m not a billionaire, I’m not Oprah – but you realize ‘Oh there’s more’ and I’ve always felt that. But it’s the journey you must be married to, because once you get money, once you get fame, once you get success, and then what?

Q: Do you ever think ‘Why me?’ There are a lot of young actors looking for an opportunity A: “I never think about that. Because of the work that I’ve put in for so long. It’s literally just the result of that work.

There’s so much work that goes on in the dark that people don’t

Actor/filmmaker Kofi Siriboe is committed to his “journey.”

realize until the response is brought to light.

Sometimes it’s very, very scary because I don’t want to put myself on Front Street. I’m a very low-key person but I’ve adapted the mindset that it’s not about me. Everything I do isn’t for me. If I’m here, it’s for everybody who isn’t, it’s for everybody who’s going to be here and will be here at some point in the future.”

Q: What’s next for you?

A: I’m working on my first feature.

My short is in post-production, now we’re coloring it and getting sound and all the little technical things, but I feel like it’s the Issa [Rae] and the Ava [DuVernay].

They were great and “Selma” was great and “Awkward Black Girl” was great and then they followed up with great projects. I just want to follow that lead and start giving some men some inspiration. As a young Black man, I don’t see a lot of young male filmmakers or director or writers getting a spotlight. It’s been extremely female-heavy, which is great, but I just want to add some balance to that.”

what’sup OPRAH is at again! While visiting the Atlanta Ron Clark Academy in celebration of the middle school’s 10th anniversary she gave them a present like no other. Oprah reportedly surprised the school by blessing them with $5 million to show her support for the nonprofit academy. The money will be used to build the school’s performing arts program, which the school was raising money for. They managed to raise $7 million on their own…..Rapper and impresario SEAN “DIDDY” COMBS has announced that he’s changed his name ― again ― to “Love, aka

Brother Love.” In a Twitter video he posted on his 48th birthday, the mogul who seems to be formerly known as just about everything conceded that his new name “could come off as corny to some people,” he said. “I’m just not who I am before,” he explained. “I’m something different.” The Grammy winner warned, “I will not be answering to Puffy, Diddy, Puff Daddy or any of my other monikers but Love or Brother Love, OK?”…Actor/Singer TYRESE recently had a video go viral of him sobbing over the custody battle of his daughter and

his legal fees. He complained that his “millionaire” friends had not been there for him during his time of need. Well, WILL SMITH and his wife JADA PINKETT-SMITH have proved that they are not those friends he was speaking of. In a now deleted Instagram post, Ty let the world know that The Smiths’ called and offered him $5 million to pay his legal fees under one condition: he keeps his business off of the internet. Of course he accepted, even though he went straight to the internet to tell the world that they gave him the money.

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NOVEMBER 9 | 2017 | DEFENDER

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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 9 | 2017

A CONVERSATION

I

WITH MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER

rebuild the same way.

We know a storm came in 2015,’16,’17, there will be one in ‘18,’19 and ‘20. Marvin’s job is to marshal all the resources on the city, n recent months, Houston has been at the forefront of national state and federal level, then combine that with efforts in the business and news – from Hurricane Harvey’s devastation to Bob McNair’s non-profit community to rebuild a city that’s much more resilient. We’re controversial comments regarding the Texans to the Astros’ not changing the character of neighborhoods but making them much World Series win. more valuable.

Through good times and bad times, Mayor Sylvester We want to focus on some specific areas also, like the Greenspoint Turner has been at the center, holding everything together. area. There are a number of apartments in that area that are in the During the Defender’s Conversations & Coffee commufloodplain; they flooded in 2015,’16 and ‘17. It doesn’t make any sense nity event, Turner talked about a number of pressing issues, including to rebuild those same apartments, in the same spot. I call that funding his plans for the last two years of his four-year term. for failure. We can’t take advantage of people who need apartments.

More than 200 people attended the event, sponsored by KelseyWe can’t allow developers to build in the same spot because they know Seybold Clinic. Here, we recap some of the topics that the mayor they’ll get federal funding so they just keep doing it because they don’t addressed… lose anything. We’re at a point now where we have to say no.

There are also many homes HURRICANE along the bayou where we need to HARVEY expand the bayou. For example, Defender: What plans Project Brays. It costs $46 million do you have going forward to finish. If it had been finished, in rebuilding and recovering thousands of homes would not from Hurricane Harvey? have flooded. There is a number Sylvester Turner: “Quite of mitigation strategies that we frankly, the hardest work is have to put in place.” the recovery phase. The city Defender: Once Harvey business still has to go on. was over, you and the governI’m still managing that, but I ment bumped heads, but you wanted someone who would obtained the money. How are be singularly focused as my you going to orchestrate the red point person on the recovery. tape dynamics?

Marvin Odom was the former Turner: “The way the curhead of Shell and I asked him rent model works is the money to lead the recovery effort. I goes from federal government wanted us to take advantage to the state, then works its of the storm and do some imway down to the city. That is a pactful and transformational convoluted bureaucratic process. things for the city.

What we’re asking for is a direct Of the billions of appropriation from the feds directly READ MORE OF THE CONVERSATION dollars that will be flowto the city. In the end, we are the Find out what Mayor Turner says about: ing into the city, there’s an ones that will have to implement it, Reservoirs | Minority Contracts and Harvey opportunity to leverage those that will have to get the job done.

Recovery | Bob McNair comments dollars in terms of what What we are saying is the quicker and other issues at the city was going to do in we can get those monies the better. going into communities that Even though the water is gone, DefenderNetwork.com were already underserved the damage does exist in people’s and under-resourced to homes. And there are thousands of strengthen and make those areas even more resilient, especially in terms homes being affected. I’m especially sensitive to the elderly, people with of housing. Those houses were already on the margin and this storm just special needs, people in low-income communities. made it even worse. We also want to make sure our city was resilient, These groups are doing what they’ve always done. They are just much better prepared for the next storm because you can’t ask people to staying in because they don’t have the credit cards where they can go

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEY Defender

someplace else. I’m saying to our state leaders, ‘Do you really want the responsibility of getting the federal dollars and you can’t move the money fast enough?’ With HUD, I said they will be evaluated on how successful they are in getting things done.

If we are successful, the feds, the state will get the credit. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

MINORITY CONTRACTORS

Defender: Some people feel they’re being bamboozled by prime contractors. Do you have any idea on what can be done to address this growing process?

Turner: “We need better policies and criteria in place to deal with contractors. We’re working on that now. You almost have to get two unsatisfactory find you. We need to enhance our criteria. People come in with then when they get the contract, they switch and get other s specific policies in place so when we say no, we have a leg “And we shouldn’t give them two chances. You ough you violate the rules you’re out of the game. That’s critical good and we need to provide services. But at the same tim sure we have the diversity of business opportunities so that economic engine and be out there hiring people in the neig to be reflective of the workforce in this city.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Defender: You’re two years into your four-year term for the next two years?

Turner: “What’s at the front of the list is how we reco

defendernetwork.com • Serving t

dings before we can list h certain sub-contractors, sub-contractors. We need gal basis to say no. ht to know the rules and if lly important. Services are me, we also need to make t people can be a part of the ghborhoods and community

m. What are your priorities

over from Hurricane Har-

7

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Houstonians grade Mayor Turner

By ASWAD WALKER Defender

At almost the midway mark of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s four-year term, Houstonians gave his work the following grades: Nana Asare, adjunct professor, Thurgood Marshall School of Law: “I give him an ‘A’ because of his visibility, his accessibility and his sheer passion for the job. Also, it’s not easy being a public service person but he appeals to everyone, the diversity of Houston. And I think that’s very, very important. The other important thing, he’s also authentic. He’s a real person, you know. He keeps it real. So I give him an ‘A’ on that. He’s got another two years still left, so I think with the momentum that’s he’s built, I think he’ll be able to do some great things for the city of Houston before he leaves office.”

Pastor David Allen, Christ Temple Apostolic Church: “I’m going to say an ‘A’ and I’m saying it based on his performance, and also because of his sincerity. He is very empathetic and compassionate about what he is doing. This is not just a political effort for him. He’s very informed, very intelligent. He is able to stand his own ground, but he’s also making strides, making progress in this city. He’s doing a fantastic job, and I appreciate him.”

Dr. Abdul Muhammad, Muhammad Mosque No. 45: “I’d give Mayor Turner an ‘A-plus.’ He inherited a $160 million budget deficit, balanced the budget and got the [city] council to vote for it unanimously. We’re talking from conservative to liberal. Two, he put on a Super Bowl for the ages. Everybody that I’ve talked to that’s from out of town that came here gave us an ‘A-plus’ on our Super Bowl. He did a deal with the pension that had been kicked down the road for 15 years. He got it done, and he got it through a Republican legislature and signed by a Republican governor.”

HOUSTON MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER REPORT CARD vey and how we prepare for future storms. Do we put in place policies that will help to mitigate future risks?

How we rebuild our neighborhoods is important. There are a lot of people in our community who need to work, but we have to provide the skills. So, we’ve got to focus on workforce skills. Workforce development is critically important. For those who are going to college, great, we need to be supportive. But there are thousands of others who won’t be going on. It doesn’t mean they aren’t smart and capable and they should be put in a position that they can take care of their families. We need to put workforce development programs back into our schools. The worst thing we have done is take them out of our schools.”

SOCIAL INJUSTICE

Defender: With Black athletes across the country being forced to take a stand, and Houston being thrust into the race debate with the comments by Bob McNair, where do you weigh in?

Turner: “The reality is, I have to weigh in. Words matter and words count. And when you’re in positions of leadership, you have to think before you talk. In the age of social media, you have to assume that everything you say is gonna come back at you. It’s very unfortunate what Bob McNair said. It was a mistake. He apologized, we’re scheduled to sit down and talk. I look forward to having those conversations.

The players are not inmates. They are entrepreneurs. This is their business. When they go out on the field, they are part of a collective whole. You can put people in a position that they have to stand up for themselves. That’s what you saw them doing. They were saying, you’re not going to demean me. I respect them. I respect what they do.”

the Houston area for over 85 years

Rebuilding After Harvey

Overall Grade

64%

73% 32%

A

18% 4%

B

5% 5%

A

N/A

B C

N/A

Community Relations/ Communications:

City Finances

73%

73% 18%

A B

18% 5%

C

38%

4%

A B

N/A

Minority Contracts

27%

A B

23% 5%

C

D

7% N/A

5%

C

4% N/A

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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 9 | 2017 defendernetwork.com

Guild brings video/film fest to town

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Defender News Services

The Houston Gospel Announcers Guild (HGAG) will host its inaugural Music Video and Film Festival for two days on the campus of Texas Southern University. The event will take place at the Barbara Jordan- Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs Building on Friday, Nov. 17 and Saturday, Nov. 18.

The festival debuts as a celebration of the robust and emerging nexus of local and national faith-based, independent film and music video producers. It will offer a showcasing of Christcentered original Ricky Anderson works produced by independent movie, music producers and visual storytellers.

Scheduled to attend are Mathew Knowles, Preston Middleton, Ricky Anderson and more.

“Our goal for [the event] is to create the same opportunities of exposure, Mathew Knowles resources, development and advancement in film and video for Gospel, Christian and Inspirational filmmakers and video producers; and to also make this festival an annual event,” said Catherine Dorsey, president and festival director.

Day one will include an opening reception with a social hour, hors d’oeuvres, dignitaries, special guests and a feature film screening.

Day two kicks off with a continental breakfast and progresses to film industry forums and live screenings and concludes with an awards ceremony.

All-access festival passes are available for $30. They can be purchased online on Film Freeway and Eventbrite. Students (with a valid school I.D.) will only be able to pay on-site to receive a discount.

VETERANS DAY SALE

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Retraction The information contained in the Defender article, “Most Common Brain Disorders,” that was published on September 28, was incorrectly attributed to Desiree Thomas, M.D., neurologist at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. While Dr. Thomas participated in an interview for this article, much of the information shared was changed and supplemented with information from other sources.

We apologize for the incorrect attribution.

VETS DAY SALE PRICES IN EFFECT 11/8-11/12. MERCHANDISE WILL BE ON SALE AT THESE AND OTHER SALE PRICES NOW-1/2/18, UNLESS NOTED. HOW IT WORKS: We’ll give you $10 Macy’s Money for every $50 you spend, up to a $40 Macy’s Money Reward Card in a single transaction. EXCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PURCHASES: Apple Products, tech watches/jewelry/accessories, gift cards, furniture, mattresses, rugs, Macybed, services & fees, sales tax, phone & live chat orders, leased depts., restaurants, international orders, e-gifting, online backorders. USE YOUR MACY’S MONEY REWARD CARD in stores & online 11/16-11/21/2017. May not be redeemed for cash, used to purchase Macy’s Gift Cards or applied as payment or credit to your credit card account. If a purchase used to accumulate Macy’s Money is returned, your return may result in a reduction of the value of your Macy’s Money Reward Card and/or a reduction of your total refund amount. The remaining balance of your Macy’s Money Reward Card will reflect the Macy’s Money amount you qualify for after deducting the returned item(s) from your original purchase amount. N7100005

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NOVEMBER 9 | 2017 | DEFENDER

#HoustonStrong

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Houston Astro Carlos Correa, left, Mayor Sylvester Turner with World Series trophy, and World Series MVP George Springer (No. 4) ride on top of a fire truck during the championship parade.

World Series win celebrated Associated Press

World Series MVP George Springer is thanking Houston Astros fans for believing in the team as it rallied to win the franchise’s first championship.

Springer spoke during a rally outside Houston City Hall after a victory parade downtown that attracted hundreds of thousands of people.

Springer told the crowd he was twice told the Astros weren’t supposed to win. The first time was in New York, after the Yankees took a 3-2 lead in the

American League championship series.

The second time was in Los Angeles when the Dodgers forced a Game 7 in the World Series, which the Astros won 5-1.

He asked the cheering crowd: “How did that work out?” He also encouraged fans to celebrate and enjoy the win.

Astros Manager A.J. Hinch thanked his players during the rally, “for how much you love each other and...for making Houston a championship city.”

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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 9 | 2017

sports

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Bad luck befalls injured Texans team

W

By MAX EDISON Defender

ith an unusual rash of injuries to key players, the Houston Texans could almost adopt “Bad Luck” as their new team theme song.

The Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes hit from 1975 described a litany of occurrences that indicate the singer is at his wit’s end and his fortunes have hit the skids. It said in part, “You’re downhearted and confused, because baby, you’ve been startin’ to lose. Losin’ out on everything you might try to do. Bad luck, fella’s got a hold on you.”

Injuries are a fact of life in the NFL. You could say the 16-game pro season is a war of attrition. The teams that can avoid serious injury to key personnel are generally among the favorites to make the playoffs.

That’s what makes the Texans’ situation serious. The team has lost starting quarterback Deshaun Watson and two of its top three defensive players in defensive end J.J. Watt (tibia plateau fracture) and linebacker Whitney Mercilus (torn pectoral muscle) for the season.

Watt and Mercilus suffered their injuries in the same game (Kansas City).

Head coach Bill O’Brien summed up of the loss of his defensive stars. “[They are] two great players,” O’Brien said. “Obviously, we all feel terrible for them individually, personally. It’s tough to put in all Texans rookie the work that they put in, pour their quarterback Deshaun Watson is gone for hearts and souls into the thing and the season with a then to have their seasons cut short knee injury. because of an injury.

“It’s tough. But – and that’s a big but – this football team underO’Brien once again tried to explain the loss of stands that it is the ‘next man up’ a key player; not just any player, but a young quarphilosophy. It’s going to take an effort by a lot of terback who was performing at an MVP level. different people to fill those roles.” “[Watson’s] a very special player,” O’Brien The defensive losses were stout, but not insursaid.

“He’s a special kid. He’s got a great future. mountable. Young stars like Jadeveon Clowney, These things happen.

They’re tough when they Benardrick McKinney, Zach Cunningham and D.J. happen, but they happen…

I’ve been involved with Reader have helped take up the slack. a lot of them.”

Unfortunately for the offense, rookie Watson O’Brien recalled his days as an offensive coorwent down in practice with a season-ending knee dinator with the Patriots. injury.

“I was in New England in 2008 when we lost Tom Brady,” he said. “I think it was about the 12th play of the game of the first game of the season, coming off of an 18-1 season. Then I was there in 2009 when we lost Wes Welker going into the playoffs, the last regular season game.

“That’s football,” O’Brien said.

“Football is a contact sport, even though [Watson’s injury] was a non-contact injury, but it’s a sport that requires a lot of different movements and a lot of different angles and things like that.

“There’s nothing you can do about it. But in the short time that [Watson] played for us, it’s obvious the type of guy that he is, and that he will be one of the top quarterbacks in this league for a long time to come.”

Under Watson the Texan offense had been rolling at a record pace, recording a franchise record by scoring 30 or more points in five straight games.

To understand the significance of the Watson loss, understand this – in the last

Linebacker Whitney Mercilus suffered a torn pectoral muscle and is also out for the season.

game before his injury, against one of the NFL’s elite defenses (Seattle), Watson threw for 402 yards and four touchdowns.

Against Indy, one of the NFL’s worst defenses, Texan back-up QB Tom Savage threw for 219 yards and one TD. The Colts beat the Texans 20-14.

As the Blue Notes would say, “You got bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad luck…”

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h.s.zone Receiver Demas makes plays for North Forest

By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

North Forest High School head football coach Clifton Terrell simply describes standout wide receiver Demond Demas as the team’s playmaker.

“When we’re in a bind and need a big play, we turn to No. 1,” Terrell said following a 44-21 triumph over Wheatley High School at Barnett Stadium. “That’s our man right there.

“He’s leading the district in touchdowns because he can make big plays. He’s definitely our playmaker,” Terrell said.

Unbeaten North Forest found itself involved in an old-fashioned dogfight when Wheatley took a North Forest receiver Demond Demas and coach Clifton Terrell 21-14 advantage with just under two minutes remaining in the 13-yard TD pass from Cornett. second quarter.

The 7-0 Bulldogs outscored Demas opened the game’s Wheatley 23-0 in the second half scoring with a 10-yard TD to improve to 5-0 in District 11reception from quarterback Birth date – Nov. 19, 2000 4A Division I. Kevion Cornett at the 9:45 Birth sign – Scorpio “Our defense stepped up mark of the first quarter. Aleric Favorite subject – Math in the second half also,” Terrell Manuel hauled in a 29-yard said. “We made some adjustPossible career – Business or TD aerial from Cornett to give ments and got on them. They the Bulldogs a two-score lead forensic scientist shut them down after that.”

(14-0).

Favorite meal – Chicken spaghetti Demas finished with four Yet Wheatley rattled off Favorite NFL player – Julio Jones catches for 42 yards and two three unanswered touchdowns scores. He rushed for 93 yards to seize the game’s momentum on three carries, including the and the bad news didn’t stop 72-yard momentum changer there for North Forest. right before halftime.

Starting tailback Damond Wiggins was injured in the “When my teammate went down I had to step up and first half and didn’t play the remainder of the game.

With less than one minute to play in the first half North do my job in any way that I could,” Demas said. “My teamForest faced a fourth-and-13 at their 28 and lined up in punt mates and I were able to fight hard and come home with a ‘W.’ ” formation. Demas also serves as the team’s punter.

North Forest will conclude the regular season against Demas fielded a high snap from center and saw a Worthing.

Wheatley player within close proximity. The sophomore “They [Worthing)] will play us hard because a win eluded the defender and took off on a 72-yard foray downover us will give them a share of the district title,” Terrell field for a touchdown.

“It was not a called play. I just looked up and reacted,” said. “Worthing and Yates only have one loss in district so if they beat us, there will be a three-way tie.

Demas said. “Speed has always been a big part of my “We’ve tried to put this team together for success in game.” the postseason,” Terrell said.

The teams went in for “You have to be able to stop intermission forged in a 21the run in the playoffs and 21 tie.

See what District 24-5A school kept its we want to be playing after Demas started the scorplayoff hopes alive Thanksgiving.” ing in the second half with a

About Demond Demas

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NOVEMBER 9 | 2017 | DEFENDER

115

sportsbriefs Harden still dominates With all the attention surrounding the Astros’ historic World Series win and the Texans’ rash of injuries that has decimated their season, the Rockets want to direct your attention to the NBA. Even though it’s early in the season, the Rockets are currently sitting at the top of the NBA’s Southwest Division.

With Chris Paul on the sidelines nursing a sore knee, “old” reliable James Harden has been doing what he does – dominating! Consider that Harden recently rung up the Utah Jazz for 56 points and 13 assists, crushing the Jazz 137-110.

Harden is the first player to score at least 55 points on 25 or fewer field goals since Michael Jordan in 1987 (58 points on 25 shots). He is the second player to have at least 50 points and 10 assists, AND make at least 75 percent of his field goal attempts.

UH bowl eligible The University of Houston Cougars trounced East Carolina 52-27 for homecoming, pushing their record to 6-3, 4-2 in AAC play. As a result, the Cougars become bowl eligible for the fifth straight year. It’s the ninth five-year streak of 6-plus wins in UH history. Major Applewhite becomes only the third UH coach to win six of his first nine games in his first season. D’Eriq King made his first career start at quarterback for Houston and produced a career day. The sophomore from Manvel passed for a career-best 330 yards on a 15-for21 effort and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed for 14 yards on three carriers and one score.

Teams have ambitions

Going into the last week of the 2017 high school football regular season, many schools still harbor state championship aspirations. Yet it appears the Houston area schools with the best chances include Katy, Klein Collins, Spring Westfield and The Woodlands in Class 6A. Manvel, Angleton, Crosby and Marshall look to be the cream of the crop in Class 5A. Klein Collins improved to 8-0 with a 22-9 victory over rival Klein last week. The Tigers will begin the postseason in Region II-6A and match up with the best teams the DallasFort Worth Metroplex has to offer. Manvel defeated Santa Fe 48-17, marking the fifth time the Mavericks have scored at least 40 points in a contest this season. Manvel is ranked No. 2 in the state among Class 5A schools. Katy is No. 3 in the 6A state poll following a 49-7 win over Strake Jesuit.

Waltrip celebrates title The Waltrip Rams celebrated the school’s first outright football district championship in 27 years with a 44-13 victory over Wisdom High School. Waltrip improved to 8-0 on the season and 7-0 in District 24-5A where the Rams have supplanted Madison as the top dog. Jordan Washington, Samuel Lemond (twice), Caleb Lastrape, Coley Barnes and Devin Loper all scored touchdowns for Waltrip. The Rams held Wisdom to zero yards total offense. Jamare Hervey (95) and Shamar Dillon (90) accounted for the Wisdom touchdowns with long kickoff returns.

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DEFENDER | NOVEMBER 9 | 2017

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

CONVERSATIONS & COFFEE with MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER…….

The Defender Media Group in partnership with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic hosted a Conversations & Coffee event featuring Mayor Sylvester Turner. With the mayor fast approaching the midway point of his four-year term, the Defender wanted to have a public conversation with Mayor Turner about the challenges he and the city have faced, the triumphs and the direction going forward. Defender Publisher Sonceria “Sonny” Messiah-Jiles interviewed Turner in front of a packed house at the Kingdom Builder’s Center, posing tough questions about the Hurricane Harvey recovery process, future flood prevention efforts, the viability of additional area reservoirs, city finances, minority contracts, educational reform and more. Members of the audience were able to ask their questions of Turner, as well, who discussed his Complete Communities initiative, his philosophical approach to governance, the challenges and opportunities post-Harvey, his take on protesting professional athletes as well as the Houston Astros’ World Series victory.

HISD Board President Wanda Adams was in attendance as well as Houston Community College Board Member Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz. Others in attendance included Stephanie Paige, Darian Ward, Stafford Mayor Pro-Tem A.J. Honore, Dr. Abdul Muhammad, Deric Muhammad, Tiffany Williams, Carl Davis, Arthur Fuller, Dr. Zeb Poindexter, Anna Barba Poindexter, Kim Davis, Mary Benton, Bertha & Kenneth Hodges, Lorenzo Pace, an entire class from the University of Houston’s African American Studies Program and many more.

Special thanks to the Defender team members who attended: Margo Hubbard Williams, Jodie B. Jiles, Aswad Walker and event caterer Clyde Jiles.

Mayor Sylvester Turner, Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Ruby Samuel, Clementine Matthews

topevents

HISD Trustee Wanda Adams, Annette Hicks, Jacquelyn Jackson

Mayor Turner, University of Houston African American Studies Class

Jacquelyn Jackson, Dr. Zeb Poindexter, Anna Barba-Poindexter

Canyon Scott, Cana Scott, Angela Scott, Todd Scott

Kim Davis, Margo Williams, Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Brenda Marshall, Pastor Kimberly Orr

Deric Muhammad, Dr. Abdul (Robert) Muhammad, Eric Muhammad

Arthur Fuller, Debra Davis, Lorenzo Pace

Alex Lomax, Kenneth Goodman

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