Houston Defender: November 18, 2010

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Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 80 Number 4

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Number 47

NOVEMBER 18 - 24, 2010

September 16 – 22, 2010 | FREE

Understanding the 2010 Mid-Year Elections

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Cornel West says

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President C tackles Obama mployment has failed the poor By Odochi Ibe

By George E. Curry

NNPA SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Of the tsunami of misChris Levister ON (NNPA) -ByThe Congressional Black Caucus is takes made by the media in Special to the NNPAinfrom ent debilitating joblessness the Black community interpreting the mid-term the on Blackvoicenews.com veral sessions the connection between education election results, the one that at its 40th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). rises to the top is the asserPraised for his “ferowill be September 15-18 at the Walter E. Washington tion that Democrats lost more cious moral vision” Corer. than 60 House seats in part nel Ill) West wastedhosted little atime W. Burris (Drecently panel on “Exploring because the African-American living up to his ss Opportunities with the reputation Federal Government.” Sen. portion of the electorate of America’s most advocate as of one looking toward the future when it comes declined from 13 percent in provocativeshould publicdevote intel- time into learning believes Americans 2008 to 10 percent on Nolectuals.aware Speaking to ajobs in the emerging s and becoming of new vember 2. crowd of more than 1,000 The problem isn’t that people at Riverside City ★CBC Page 3 those reports are not techniCollege (RCC) recently, cally correct – they are – but By ReShonda Tate Billingsley the fiery orator took direct journalists and commentaDEFENDER aim at President Barack tors were using the wrong Obama’s policies toward www.tsu.edu/giving Mid-term election exas Southern University’s presidentyardstick. has come up the poor and working or contact Wendy Adair turnout is always lighter than with a plan he hopes will put an end to a controclass calling them ‘elitist University Advancement voting in presidential years, versy surrounding the painting over of some hisand disappointing’. Adair@tsu.edu especially presidential electoric murals on the campus of the historically Blackauni“There’s a Black man tion of historic versity. But some students and community membersproportion. By Aswad Walker EWS SERVICE against on top and tions millions of his relative, who’s For example, the 63 Defender wonder if his contribution of $50,000 for a Preservation Black folksolder in the than base- the age of 65. percent turnout of eligible plan is enough to undo the damage. University officials of financial ment,” saidHarrison West. faces charges of False voters at Suicide was once considered an issue outside the say they know it’s not enough, but it’s a first step. the polls in 2008 rris County has Statement to Obtain Credit, “I ap Crisis Intervention of Houston, 713-HOTLINE (468was theproject. highest percentage “We know $50,000 isn’t enough for the whole experience. However, over the past withAfrican-American a for theft and Tampering plaud his 5463); 713-526-8088in Spanish; and 713-526-TEEN (8336). for a presidential It’s just enough to bring in a conservator to analyze the contest twoTheft, decades there has been a dramatic rise in Africantments recently Governmental brilliance Record, since 1960. African AmeriCIH provides TeenLine, 713-529-TEEN, a 24-hour, anonymous, American against Edwin and andMisapplication of suicides, particularly with male teens. Yet, cha★MURALS, Page cans voted at an7even higher confidential, and free crisis hotline for teens to talk about their awareness from allega- Fiduciary Three of of this new reality has been slow to set in. risma,Property. he rate than Whites – 68 perproblems with other teens who are trained to help. No matter Other communities have taken measures to conle from an eld- the charges changed are first degree cent. Therefore, comparing the issue of suicide. Recently, for example, two ecile Harrison felonies that expose front Harrison what the problem may be---big or small---we are here to help. the imdefendernetwork.com the 2010 off-year election to a separate sponsible for a up to age 99 years or life in prison.studies have been commissioned to look at CIH also offers Teen Text, (text to 78247). In addition, CIH of presidential election in which elated issues in The fourth is a state jail felonysuicides in hopes of preventing more. The military provides a self-help/support groupwhat called you “Survivors Suicide” America, Let us know thinkofadout the Mural Preservation the fi rst African American Cornel West his indictments studies, totaling $67 million in funding, are in part, but where for family memberson andFriday friends@of defendernetwork.com. persons who have completedWe want to hear from you! won the right to occupy the om the isallegaresponses to 1,100 U.S. servicemen and women who the discourse on jobs suicide. ★INDICTED, Page 3 White House is even more committed suicide between 2005 and 2009. for the working class and  Houston-Area Suicide Prevention Coalition preposterous. Dr. Pauline Clansy, Clinical Director of Charis poor. He’s giving speechc/o Harris County Department of Public Health and A more apt compariPsychological Associates, one of the few Christianes in Detroit but I won’t Environmental Services; 713-439-6137 son would be 2006, the last based, family-owned clinics in Houston, hopes a hear him talking about  Texas Suicide Prevention, 512-454-3706 off-year election. Using that similar response will take root in the African-Amerithat city’s 25 percent un measurement, there was no The National Hopeline Network, 1-800-SUICIDE can community. Clansy, who runs the clinic with two employment among Black drop-off in Black people of her daughters, Dr. Cheryl D. Clansy, a licensed men. Job creation has going to the polls. The 10 professional counselor, and Dr. Carolyn Clansy Miller, been pushed to the marican males ages 15-24 increased 83 percent during that percent share for African a clinical psychologist, says statistics point to young gins.” he said. period. Suicide is the third leading cause The of death for community Houston is remembering Americans this year is the African-American The culprit? Greed,dation by city Imani Evans staff to extend males as most susceptible to suiincludedAmerican significant capital Africanmales 15 to 24. a longtime political same proportion as 2006, the cide. of Star says West, L TO THE NNPA FROM manifest in the the contracts investments, a periSuicide is during the tenth leading cause of deathwho for died Sept. last activist 11, mid-term election. “Suicide is more of a male issue nationwide, afaction of players on Wall DALLAS EXAMINER Concessions and Hudson od Texans, of uncertainty all and the following second leading cause of death for Shepard, Even the Black share 2010. Beulah fecting nine out of every 100,000 Black males comStreet, “our televisual Retail Sales - two firms with the 9/11 terror attacks ulticollege age students. Regardless of age89, or race, males made her mark both of the vote was frequently 1.7 per 100,000 Black females, and 15 per culture that’s obsessed NPA) - The arcane world of ties topared to prominent mately carry the of suicide are morefailed likely to to die because than and females. locally nationally as a misrepresented. For example, white males,” said Dr. Clansy, the retired ons contracts has been spectacle” laid Democrats,100,000 including State argument. African-American males are with superficial Nationally, seven times tireless fighter for civil CBCNews.com reported, Director of theand Psychological Services Department for Rep. Helen Giddings In likely the three years suicide since than African me, what and theythe seeeducation isn’t pretty. system more to commit rightsAmerican and political jus“Black voter turnout also HISD and first African American to serve as chair of the council first embarked sometimes heated discussion, “where the model be- U.S. Congresswoman Eddie tice. women. appears to be lower during the Texas State Board of Helen Examiners of Psychologists. ed city comes council voted 8-7 Bernice Johnson - without a Love Thomas, Field modernEddie Bernice on its central.” Funeral services willthe be mid-term election. An Michael a local Christian Psychotherawas being done to l that would He have given ization plan,a lack the of concesGiddings Johnson said the more ‘persis-competitive bid.Until the mid 80s, research at 10am at Galilee pist, believes support systemsheld is a major Beaulah estimated 10 percent of determine the city reason for the striking difference in the oncession space a renovatof the sions why contracts have suicide rates tence ofin poverty producesThe essence MBC, reason African American are6616 now D.S. Bailey Shepard Blacks are voting, compared suicide ratesthat of the whites and contracts African Americans. rminal tolevels the airport’s current no-bid emergedYet, as by fareven the most contentious issue, of despair that staff recommendation Lane. Pastor Edwin with those of whites. to 13 percent in 2008.” Both between 1980 and 1995, the suicide rateand of Africanut a competitive bid -conflict; for a would be appropriate given the incumbents’ have led to accusations of political deepen social Davis, officiating. Interment: Houston “Back in the day we didn’t move far from home fi gures represent the Black males doubled to eightdisdeathsfavoritism per 100,000 years. the escalation of paranoia experience,American the desirability of minimizing on both sides. so we had support systems in place—family, church, share of the overall people. to and the American e of some long-time council ruptions during theAccording renovation the busi- Association of ★SHEPARD, Pageelectorate, 4 pro-African American institutions,” said Thomas. “As not the percentage of African theincumbents, rate of suicide among African-★AIRPORT Ameruncil overruled a recommen- ness risks Suicidology, taken by the which CONTRACTS, Page 4 ★ WEST, Page 8 ★ ELECTIONS, Page 9 ★ SUICIDE, Page 4

Blacks & Suicide T

nty financial ctor indicted

Save the TSU Murals

Suicide Prevention Resources

@ ★

rport contracts divide Dallas City Council in Race debate

REMEMBERING

Beulah Shepard

INTERVIEW

Thandie Newton: BodyK’Naan in Motion Kickin’ back A with

butions likes Washington, of Damian Marley, Mos Def, Chali Janet Jackson, Kimberly winning Best Picture of 2006. by Shethe most By Kam Williams By Kam Williams 2na, Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Adam Levine of Elise, Loretta Devine and Phylicia recently appeared in 2012, a sci-fi flick Born in London on November 6, CONTRIBUTING WRITER00 Maroon 5. milRashad. of $750 1972, Thandie Newton is a consummate which grossed in excess During his early childhood, theThandie, Western music, which KW: Hi, thanks for lion at the of box office worldwide. actressSomalia. associated riveting Thewith name alone perforconjures up images reached K’naan’s ears was pretty much limited to “Bob the time. The last time we spoke Newton impersonated Secretary of mances in everything from Beloved to unbridled destruction, merciless warlords and ruthless Marley and Tracy Chapman,” until 10, hedoing became was when youatwere Run Statethe Condoleezza Besieged She will soon be terror.toACrash. place where nobody is safe from atrocities Rice in W. which fascinated by the hip-hop being emitting from a tiny car Fatboy Run. was directed by Oliver Stone. Other seenofinwar, the independent film Vanishing and where eight year olds handle AK-47s like speaker. had heard a rap but I had Well, no idea TN:verse, [Sarcastically] Forwhat Colon her impressive resume’“Iinclude on 7th Street where she magazine stars opposite toys. When Forbes recently films unveiled their it was back then,” he recalls. ored Girls is exactly like that one, isn’t The Pursuit of Happyness, Run Fat Boy Hayden Christensen John Leguiza“Most Dangerousand Destinations,” Somalia, above Iraq At 14, K’naan and his three best friends were attacked it Kam? Run, The“The Truth about Charlie and Mismo,and andAfghanistan, she is currently shooting the But it’s topped the list. also by warlords, just one of countless indelible images for KW: [Playing along] Sure, the sioninspire Impossible 2. psychological thriller The Retreat with Nation of Poets,” where a poem can both peace the impressionable teenager. Having chased them same storyline, and you’re even Here, she talks about playing TanCillian and Jamie Bell. and Murphy end wars. through the streets of Mogadishu, eventually cornering Growing up, it was both ofand these Somalias that Perry’s screen adaptation of playing the same character. I gie in Tyler Thandie won both a BAFTA the boys in an alley, the men began shooting. K’naan informed Warsame, who is want to get right to questions Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls, Screen Actorsmusician/emcee Guild Awards forK’naan her avoided injury, but his three friends were brutally forging his the ownAcademy musical Awardpath via a unique blend ofdrama reg- co-starring Kerry submitted by fans of yours. What an ensemble work in Crash, gunned down. gae, funk, pop, soul and, above all, hip-hop. Recorded Certain that it was only a matter of time★NEWTON, before her Page 2 primarily in Kingston, Jamaica at Bob Marley’s home studio, his second album, “Troubadour,” includes contri★K’NAAN, Page 2

Thandie Newton

Click on Defendernetwork.com Click on Defendernetwork.com Weekend Marc Morial

Weekend Weekend

Monday Monday

Is America Marching in President Obama What Two Different Directions? Should Do Next

Family Food:

Raising Eager Readers Healthy Holiday

Julianne Malveaux Al Sharpton:

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George Curry:

Cooking

Ron Walters A Notice to the GOP - A Scholar and a Gentleman


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