Houston Defender: January 06, 2011

Page 1

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 80 Number 10

www.defendernetwork.com

Number 47

JANUARY 6-12, 2011

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September 16 – 22, 2010 | FREE

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Q&A with the new NAACP Houston Leader: C tackles mployment

D.Z.Cofield

By Odochi Ibe

NNPA SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

ON (NNPA) - The Congressional BlackWalker Caucus is By Aswad ent debilitating joblessness in the Black community Defender veral sessions on the connection between education s the nation and state braces themselves for at its 40th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). the more conservative policies that will likewill be September 15-18 at the Walter E. Washington ly accompany the many Tea Party/Republier. can lawmakers who enjoyed overwhelming W. Burris (D- Ill) recently hosted a panel on “Exploring victories during the 2010 mid-term elections, ss Opportunities with the Federal Government.” Sen. one organization with a history of progressive action in the advocate of looking toward the future when it comes face of conservative opposition is preparing for a change of believes Americans should devote time into learning its own. s and becoming aware of new jobs in the emerging The NAACP Houston has a new president as D.Z. Cofield, pastor of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church ★CBC Page 3 (3015 MacGregor Way, 77004), takes over the helm. Reverend Cofield, a native of New York, graduated from Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania before earning his Masters Degree in Theology at the Dallas Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Faith Evangelical Seminary in Tacoma, Washington. An adjunct professor at the College of Biblical StudiesHouston, Cofield also teaches nationally and internationally ofagainst Christianhis Education, Expository EWS SERVICE in the areas tions relative, who’s Preaching,

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nty financial ctor indicted

Pastoral Ministries, and Worship and Educational Leadership. Cofield has received numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Scholarship Award (Dallas Theological Seminary) and the H. A. Ironside Award for excellence in expository preaching. Additionally, Cofield, who has been pastor at Good Hope since 1994, has written for several Christian publications, including Preaching Today, Leadership Journal and the African-American Pastors’ Journal on Great Eulogies. With his election in November, Cofield is now positioned to assume the presidency of NAACP Houston during a time when many are questioning the current and future relevancy of the 101-year-old organization. Recently, the Defender discussed with Cofield his vision for the NAACP By ReShonda Tate Billingsley Houston in 2011. DEFENDER Defender: What will be the NAACP Houston’s focus (main www.tsu.edu/giving areas of interest & action) during your time in office as presiexas Southern University’s president has come up or Wendy Adair dent? How contact will your leadership of the NAACP Houston differ with a plan he hopes will put an end to a controUniversity Advancement from your predecessors? versy surrounding the painting over of some hisAdair@tsu.edu D.Z. Cofield: I seek to build upon the history and work toric murals on the campus of the historically Black unithat’s already been done. So my commitment is to look at versity. But some students and community members wonder if his contribution of $50,000 for a Preservation H COFIELD, Page 2plan is enough to undo the damage. University officials say they know it’s not enough, but it’s a first step. “We know $50,000 isn’t enough for the whole project. It’s just enough to bring in a conservator to analyze the

Save the TSU Murals

older than the age of 65. of financial Harrison faces charges of False rris County has Statement to Obtain Credit, for theft and Tampering with a tments recently Governmental Record, Theft, against Edwin and Misapplication of from allega- Fiduciary Property. Three of le from an eld- the charges are first degree ecile Harrison felonies that expose Harrison sponsible for a up to 99 years or life in prison. elated issues in ByThe fourth felony violations. Gregory Daleis a state jailmisdemeanor his indictments Prosecutors argued that Snipes had reSpecial to the NNPA from the om the allegaceived $40 AFRO-American Newspapers ★INDICTED, Page 3 million since 1999, but had not completed tax returns and was involved in Following the federal imprisonment a tax resisters group. The actor denied his of actor Wesley Snipes on a three-year sen- involvement and said his failure to file was tence for failure to file income tax returns, a due to a mistake by his financial advisor. collection of celebrities, politicians, friends, The Friends of Snipes contend on and supporters are demanding the actor their website that, in addition to Snipes receive a fair trial. unfairly receiving the maximum sentence A group calling itself The Friends of of three years in prison on misdemeanor Wesley Snipes is pushing a petition for the charges, he was denied an appeal. Adfamous actor in order to bring awareness ditionally, the group claims that two jurors Imani Evans staff to extend to perceived misconduct duringdation his trial.by city from the Snipes trial sent out e-mails L TO THE NNPA FROM the contracts of Star Spearheading the movement is Snipes’ explaining that three other jurors presumed DALLAS EXAMINER Concessions and Hudson wife, Nicky and a laundry list of celebrithat Snipes was guilty before the trial Retail Sales - two firms with ties and supporters, including the Rev. Al began. In their e-mails, the two jurors NPA) - The arcane world of Judge ties Joe to prominent Sharpton, Denzel Washington, claimed the remaining jurors, in rendering ons contracts hasthousands been laid including Statebelieved that Snipes Brown, and of other Democrats, supporters. their verdict, never Helen would Giddings me, what theyAccording see isn’ttopretty. CNN, SnipesRep. reported be sent toand jail, and felt they needed sometimes discussion, Eddie to a heated Pennsylvania federal prisonU.S. campCongresswoman to come forward to show misconduct. ed city oncouncil voted Bernice - without a who Helen Dec. 9, 2010 for not8-7 filing tax returns JohnsonBut Judge Hodges, issued l that would have more competitive bid. sentence, declined toGiddings in 1999, 2000given and 2001. Though Snipes Snipes’ interview the oncession space in a renovatthe city initially faced felony charges of taxThe fraudessence jurorsof to confirm any misconduct and issue rminal toand theconspiracy, airport’sthose current staff recommendation that the no-bid contracts charges were later the actor a new trial. ut a competitive bid for a would be appropriate given the incumbents’ dropped and Snipes was charged with Snipes’ lawyer, attorney Daniel Meayears. experience, the desirability of minimizing dise of some long-time council ruptions during the renovation and the busiuncil overruled a recommen- ness risks taken by the incumbents, which

T

Wesley Snipes supporters demanding retrial

Texas NAACP, LULAC seek federal intervention @ defendernetwork.com ★MURALS, Page 7

★ Textbook, curriculum changes under review

Let us know what you think adout the Mural Preservation on Friday @ defendernetwork.com. We want to hear from NAACP, you! The Texas Texas By Aswad Walker LULAC and Texas Association of Defender Black Personnel in Higher EducaThe NAACP, LULAC, Contion (TABPHE) recently held a press gressional Black Caucus and others conference, with partnering groups have not given up in their attempts to to announce the filing of a request halt curriculum changes, including for a proactive review of the Board’s Wesley Snipes erasing nearly the entire Civil Rights ratified curriculum changes by the chum, said a brief for Snipes’ appeal will Movement from classroom conversa- U.S. Department of Education and be submitted this month and the petition tions, that could do an incredible disits Civil Rights division. The request is slated to be submitted to the Supreme service to generations The of Texas public addresses many aspects of discrimiHouston community is remembering Court in February. included significant capital school students. a nation against minority public school longtime political “It’s not so much a case about Wesley investments, during a periIn May 2010, activist the State who Boarddied of Sept. students in Texas, including recent 11, Snipes, but it’s a case about the judicial od of uncertainty following Education ratified changes in the Texchanges to history and educational 2010. Beulah Shepard, process right now,” Meachum told the the 9/11 terror attacksas ultisocial studies curriculum radically standards 89, made her mark both in social studies. AFRO during a recent interview. “This mately failed to carry the public school altering textbooks with “Education remains the most locally and nationally as a case is about the everyday man. Wesley argument. a decidedly conservative spin. Many critical element in the long-term tireless fighter for civil Snipes is actually just a vessel because In the three years charged since that the ratified changes economic and social interests of rights and political justhere’s a bunch of people—Black and the council first embarked result in a whitewashing of Texas and all American citizens,” said Gary tice. white—who have been incarcerated when Eddie Bernice on its Love Field modernAmerican history by downplaying Bledsoe, Texas State NAACP PresiFuneral services will be they don’t necessarily need to be there, ization plan, the concesJohnson some and outright ignoring other hisdent and National Board Member. held at 10am at Galilee because the prosecution has not turned over Beaulah sionsthat they’re contracts torical havecontributionsMBC, made by African people of good will 6616 D.S. “Reasonable Bailey all the discoveries [evidence] Shepard emerged as by far the most contentious issue, Americans, Latinos and women. must guarantee that all students, Lane. Pastor Edwin required to do. Wesley’s just one of many and have led to accusations of political Davis, officiating. Interment: Houston victims in this system.” H LAWSUIT, Page7 favoritism on both sides. ★SHEPARD, Page 4 ★AIRPORT CONTRACTS, Page 4

rport contracts divide Dallas City Council in Race debate

REMEMBERING

Beulah Shepard

Tavis talks about his special report INTERVIEW

Kickin’ back with K’Naan

music education in our schools. Every children? Here, Tavis talks about his study ever done underscores the value inspirational, primetime special, which of music education to young children, premiered December 29. butions by the likes of Damian Marley, Mos Def, Chali ue to nationwide budget cuts, Kam Williams: Hey, Tavis? First, let and the benefits that come from being By Kam Williams 2na, Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Adam Levine of music education programs are exposed to music early on. And yet, CONTRIBUTING WRITER00me congratulate you on your upcoming Maroon 5. being eliminated from school 20th anniversary in broadcasting. one of the first things on the chopping During his early childhood, the Western music, which curricula nationwide a rapid pace. up images Tavis of Smiley: Thanks. block, when we talk about public eduSomalia. The nameatalone conjures reached K’naan’s ears was pretty much limited to “Bob However, destruction, many concerned individu K W: I really enjoyed watching this cation, are the music programs. I just unbridled merciless warlords and ruthless Marley and Tracy Chapman,” until at 10, he became als, including Angeles Philharterror. A placeLos where nobody is safe from the atrocities primetime special. What inspired you think that, long term, there’s a heavy fascinated by the hip-hop being emitting from a tiny car monic Dudamel, of war,conductor and whereGustavo eight year olds handletoAK-47s like devote the show to Dudamel and his price we’re going to pay for abandonspeaker. “I had heard a rap verse, but I had no idea what are adamant about ensuring that kids unveiled toys. When Forbes magazine recently their mission to preserve music programs in ing music education. Dudamel is also it was back then,” he recalls. continue to be exposed to the enriching “Most Dangerous Destinations,” Somalia, above Iraq passionate about this, because as a schools? At 14, K’naan and his three best friends were attacked world of music. topped the list. But it’s also and Afghanistan, child, he benefitted from a publiclyTS:“The Dudamel is obviously a rock by warlords, just one of countless indelible images for Theof fourth installment TAVIS Nation Poets,” where aofpoem can both inspire program his native star in the peace world of classical music. the impressionable financed teenager.music Having chasedinthem SMILEY REPORTS, “Gustavo Duand end wars. Venezuela called El Sistema, which But for me, he’s also through a way ofthe openstreets of Mogadishu, eventually cornering damel: Conducting a Life,” theSomalias Growing up, it was bothprofiles of these is precisely the type of program we ing upthat a broader conversation about the boys in an alley, the men began shooting. K’naan young conductor and asks the question: informed musician/emcee K’naan Warsame, whowe is are ultimately going to need in this country. So, there’s no the price avoided injury, but his three friends were brutally What price countrypath pay via for a unique forging his will ownthe musical of reg- for abandoning downside to doing a piece about pay,blend as a country, gunned down. abandoning music education for our gae, funk, pop, soul and, above all, hip-hop. Recorded Certain that it was only a matter of time H before TAVIS,her Page 7 primarily in Kingston, Jamaica at Bob Marley’s home studio, his second album, “Troubadour,” includes contri★K’NAAN, Page 2

D

By Kam Williams Contributing Writer

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Raising Eagerfor Readers Exercise the

Whole Family

Ron Happy Walters New Year - A Scholar and a Gentleman


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