Houston Defender: September 16, 2010

September 16 – 22, 2010 | FREE

Volume 79 Number 47

www.defendernetwork.com

CBC tackles unemployment

By Odochi Ibe NNPA SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - The Congressional Black Caucus is tackling the current debilitating joblessness in the Black community head-on with several sessions on the connection between education and employment at its 40th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC).

The conference will be September 15-18 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Sen. Ronald W. Burris (D- Ill) recently hosted a panel on “Exploring Minority Business Opportunities with the Federal Government.” Sen. Burris, a strong advocate of looking toward the future when it comes to employment, believes Americans should devote time into learning new technologies and becoming aware of new jobs in the emerging ★CBC Page 3

County financial director indicted DEFENDER NEWS SERVICE

The director of financial services for Harris County has been indicted for theft and fraud. The indictments recently handed down against Edwin Harrison come from allegations that he stole from an elderly relative, Cecile Harrison Harrison is responsible for a lot of money-related issues in the county, but his indictments stem solely from the allega-

By ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Save the TSU Murals www.tsu.edu/giving or contact Wendy Adair University Advancement Adair@tsu.edu

DEFENDER

T

exas Southern University’s president has come up with a plan he hopes will put an end to a controversy surrounding the painting over of some historic murals on the campus of the historically Black university. But some students and community members wonder if his contribution of $50,000 for a Preservation plan 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

tions against his relative, who’s older than the age of 65.

Harrison faces charges of False Statement to Obtain Credit, Tampering with a Governmental Record, Theft, and Misapplication of Fiduciary Property. Three of the charges are first degree felonies that expose Harrison up to 99 years or life in prison.

The fourth is a state jail felony

@ ★

★MURALS, Page 7

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Let us know what you think adout the Mural Preservation on Friday @ defendernetwork.com. We want to hear from you!

★INDICTED, Page 3

Airport contracts divide Dallas City Council in Race debate

By Imani Evans SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE DALLAS EXAMINER

DALLAS (NNPA) - The arcane world of airport concessions contracts has been laid bare, and for some, what they see isn’t pretty.

After hours of sometimes heated discussion, a racially divided city council voted 8-7 against a proposal that would have given more than half of the concession space in a renovated Love Field terminal to the airport’s current vendors - without a competitive bid - for a term of up to 18 years.

To the surprise of some long-time council observers, the council overruled a recommen-

dation by city staff to extend the contracts of Star Concessions and Hudson Retail Sales - two firms with ties to prominent Democrats, including State Rep. Helen Giddings and U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson - without a Helen competitive bid.

Giddings The essence of the city staff recommendation that the no-bid contracts would be appropriate given the incumbents’ experience, the desirability of minimizing disruptions during the renovation and the business risks taken by the incumbents, which

REMEMBERING

Beulah Shepard

included significant capital investments, during a period of uncertainty following the 9/11 terror attacks ultimately failed to carry the argument.

In the three years since the council first embarked Eddie Bernice on its Love Field modernJohnson ization plan, the concessions contracts have emerged as by far the most contentious issue, and have led to accusations of political favoritism on both sides. ★AIRPORT CONTRACTS, Page 4

The Houston community is remembering a longtime political activist who died Sept. 11, 2010. Beulah Shepard, 89, made her mark both locally and nationally as a tireless fighter for civil rights and political justice.

Funeral services will be held at 10am at Galilee Beaulah MBC, 6616 D.S. Bailey Shepard Lane. Pastor Edwin Davis, officiating. Interment: Houston ★SHEPARD, Page 4

INTERVIEW

Kickin’ back with K’Naan

By Kam Williams CONTRIBUTING WRITER00

Somalia. The name alone conjures up images of unbridled destruction, merciless warlords and ruthless terror. A place where nobody is safe from the atrocities of war, and where eight year olds handle AK-47s like toys. When Forbes magazine recently unveiled their “Most Dangerous Destinations,” Somalia, above Iraq and Afghanistan, topped the list. But it’s also “The Nation of Poets,” where a poem can both inspire peace and end wars.

Growing up, it was both of these Somalias that informed musician/emcee K’naan Warsame, who is forging his own musical path via a unique blend of reggae, funk, pop, soul and, above all, hip-hop. Recorded primarily in Kingston, Jamaica at Bob Marley’s home studio, his second album, “Troubadour,” includes contri-

butions by the likes of Damian Marley, Mos Def, Chali 2na, Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Adam Levine of Maroon 5.

During his early childhood, the Western music, which reached K’naan’s ears was pretty much limited to “Bob Marley and Tracy Chapman,” until at 10, he became fascinated by the hip-hop being emitting from a tiny car speaker. “I had heard a rap verse, but I had no idea what it was back then,” he recalls.

At 14, K’naan and his three best friends were attacked by warlords, just one of countless indelible images for the impressionable teenager. Having chased them through the streets of Mogadishu, eventually cornering the boys in an alley, the men began shooting. K’naan avoided injury, but his three friends were brutally gunned down.

Certain that it was only a matter of time before her

Click on Defendernetwork.com Weekend

Weekend

Monday

Marc Morial

Family

Julianne Malveaux

Is America Marching in Two Different Directions?

Raising Eager Readers

Ron Walters - A Scholar and a Gentleman

★K’NAAN, Page 2

2

SEPTEMBER 16 – 22, 2010 | DEFENDER

K’Naan

continued from page 1 family met the same fate, K’naan’s mother would travel daily through the firefight to the U.S. embassy in the hopes of securing visas for her and her loved ones. Despite daily denials, she persisted, and on the last day the U.S. embassy was in Somalia, received visas to leave for America.

“You can’t even describe it,” says K’naan. “It is the most sensational, liberating feeling. There was the weight of a world of hope on your shoulder that has suddenly landed. It was only then that I started to get this certain value of life that I never had before.” With little possessions and no knowledge of English, K’naan and his family boarded the last commercial flight out of Mogadishu for New York before settling in Toronto.

The tunes on Troubadour reflect the sum of K’Nasan’s life experiences. Having spent the better part of the last two years on the road, visiting over 50 countries from Slovenia to Peru to Vietnam to Uganda, the album is the sonic document of an artist with much to share, and disproves rap music’s detractors who say that hip-hop has nothing new left to say.

The CD’s first single, “Wavin’ Flag,” has become an international sensation, and was the official anthem of the World Cup Championship hosted this summer by South Africa. Reaching over 150 countries, the signature song was featured on K’Naan’s FIFA-sponsored Trophy Tour, which saw the emerging rap star spreading his message to soccer fans in concerts staged all around the world.

K’naan has also re-recorded new versions of the track with Will.i.Am and French dance producer David Guetta and a bilingual versions with Spanish pop singer David Bisbal, French MC Fefe, AI Otsuka from Japan, Jackie Cheung and Jane Zhang from China, Tattoo Colour from Thailand, Nancy Arjam from Egypt, HHP from South Africa, and other artists in Greece, Turkey and elsewhere.

Kam Williams: Hi K’naan, thanks so much for the time.

K: My pleasure.

KW: What was the inspiration for Wavin’ Flag?

Musician/emcee K’Naan Warsame is forging his own musical path via a unique blend of reggae, funk, pop, soul and, above all, hip-hop.

K: I can’t remember specifically, it was just one of those moments when I had a melody in my head and a discontented, melancholy feeling. I just wrote that.

KW: Did it emanate at all from your childhood?

K: I think everything kinda’ does.

Everything is kind of shaped by life in general, so I guess it does feel like my childhood might have been an influence. But those things are pretty subconscious.

KW: Do you still feel a strong connection to Somalia?

K: Yes, I have many, many memories, which have impacted my life.

KW: Were you listening to a lot of American music while growing up?

K: You could live in Somalia forever and never need music from outside Somalia.

There are a lot of different styles and a variety of musical ideas developing right there.

KW: What did it mean for you to have Wavin’ Flag become the anthem of the World Cup? K: I used to get very excited watching the World Cup on TV as a child. So, to have any kind of involvement with the World Cup is a big, big honor.

KW: Are you a soccer fan and did you play

soccer in your youth?

K: Yes I am, and I did play, like most other children.

KW: How have you been received by the American hip-hop community?

K: Great! You can tell from what’s been happening for me. They’ve all been very supportive and showing love for what I do.

KW: Where do you think hip-hop is headed?

K: I think it will always go through phases, like how philosophy in ancient times would celebrate the body and the physical for a while, then focus on the mind and the spiritual. I think that those phases happen to us as well, and hip-hop is one of the best barometers of what is happening, because it reflects the feeling of young people. I see my music as following the feeling.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

K: [Chuckles] Interesting… I often try to find the face of my teenage years. I don’t know whether it’s like this for everybody, but I can’t find it.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

K: It probably would be good if I cooked more, but I just don’t do it very often. When I do, I find it very enjoyable. I made a dish

about a year ago. It was stir-fried vegetables with Szechuan sauce. I made it a little too spicy, I admit, but I think everybody enjoyed it, aside from all the sweating.

KW: How do you think African music will influence the rest of the world in the coming years?

K: I think it’s actually already affecting the world in a big way now. People just aren’t aware of it. For instance, there’s a great tune by Coldplay called “Strawberry Swing.” It’s essentially Afro-Pop music.

And most of Vampire Weekend’s music is Afro-Pop. Africa has influenced many of the biggest bands. So, I believe Africa has already crept in and changed music in the West. People just don’t know to call it African.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be?

K: Wow! That would be for a sudden shift in my country from war, distrust and death to peace, love and harmony.

KW: Are you ever afraid?

K: Yes I am, but not of what people ordinarily fear, fortunately. My fears are all internal. I’m afraid of my own self more than of anything external.

KW: Are you happy?

K: Happiness, I think, is one of the most elusive things on the planet. I believe that happiness is only appreciated in retrospect.

So, I’m always happy, given that I later find out that I was.

KW: How can your fans help you?

K: By being understanding of the fact that I don’t make music for them, but that I make music that’s about my past and about my most honest internal instincts. They need to understand that more than anything else. Wherever I go, it’s not about them, but where the music takes me.

KW: What has been the happiest moment of your life?

K: The birth of my first son.

KW: Do you have any regrets?

K: I guess I do have some regrets, but none big enough to obsess about.

KW: How do you want to be remembered?

K: As someone who was always interested in walking through life in a positive way and in affecting people in a positive way.

KW: Thanks again for the interview, K’Naan, and best of luck on your world tour.

K: Thank you so much, Kam.

3

SEPTEMBER 16 – 22, 2010 | DEFENDER

CBC

continued from page 1 green industry.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, which funds the legislative conference, wants to ensure that the Black community is aware of the changing job market, new jobs and how to prepare for them.

“So many people will never return to the jobs they lost,” said Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), honorary co-chair of this year’s events. “It’s our responsibility to increase their ability to do the jobs that are available to them.”

They will be holding several town hall meetings throughout the week to discuss jobs and education, said Cummings.

Elsie Scott, president of the CBC Foundation, said that people need to know that federal jobs are available, but it’s no longer a matter of taking a civic exam and having an application read by a supervisor.

“There’re technological advances in the hiring process” Scott said. “A computer now scans each application looking for key words and phrases and we want the community to be cognizant of these changes to increase their chances.”

This year’s conference will also attempt to break down the complex new healthcare law through a Cliff-notes-type guidebook. Free healthcare screenings, panel discussions, and forums on serious medical issues in the Black community will be featured. But there will be particular focus on HIV/AIDS and bone mar-

Indicted

continued from page 1 that carries a punishment of up to two years in state prison.

Harrison, 54, has not been charged in his official capacity, and the allegations do not involve any loss to Harris County.

Still, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said he wants Harrison removed from the job.

“Looking at the importance of that position for this county, at this time, bond ratings and all those things, I think it’s very important that he either be suspended or step down in some form or fashion,” Emmett said.

Harrison denies the charges, saying he is confident his innocence will be proven.

Emmett said if Harrison won’t step down willingly, he says he plans to make sure Harrison is suspended until the charges work their way through the court system.

Harrison wife has also been charged.

VOLUME 79 • NUMBER 47 SEPTEMBER 16 – 22, 2010 Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Editor Von Jiles Associate Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Cale Carter Columnist Yvette Chargois Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Webmaster Corneleon Block The Houston Defender Newspaper published

by The Houston Defender Inc. Company (713) 663-6996. The Defender audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscriptions, send $60.00 — 1 year, to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston, TX 77288.

Payment must accompany subscription request. All materials covered by 2009 copyright... (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

The CBC wants to ensure that the Black community is aware of the changing job market, new jobs and how to prepare for them.

Gaddafi Remarks on ‘Blackening’ Europe stirs concerns, anger

By Shantella Y. Sherman

row donation.

The sessions will include “Beyond a National AIDS Strategy: Next Steps in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS in Black America” and “Sister Speak: Reducing HIV/AIDS in the Black Community” and “Beyond Blood: Bone Marrow Donation Among African Americans - A Health and Wellness Luncheon.”

“CBC Foundation has an ongoing project to increase AIDs awareness with fulltime research on how to prevent the spread of this disease,” Scott said. “We have a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and are participating with other Black organizations to get out more attention to the public.”

This year the conference will have at least one workshop focusing on Black women.

“But we want all aspects of the community especially those at a higher risk to be

informed,” Scott added.

Also, for the first time in its history, the conference is partnering with the National Black Justice Coalition to hold an LGBT leadership summit. The coalition is the only nation-wide Black gay civil rights organization.

The goal of this summit is to bring attention to issues pertaining to gays and lesbians; including their fight for equality. The ultimate goal is for people to be able to come together and have open and honest discussions.

Said Sharon Lettman-Hicks, executive director of the coalition, “Black communities are in crisis. It’s critical that we support the empowerment of anyone who desires to contribute something positive to rebuilding our families, including LGBT people.”

SPECIAL TO THE NNPA FROM THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

(NNPA) - In what appears to be a racially incendiary move, Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, recently offered to stem the steady influx of Africans into various European nations in an effort to keep Europe white and civilized. Gaddafi told Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on a recent trip to Rome that the European Union (EU) should pay him at least 5bn euros ($6.3 billion) a year to stop illegal African immigration and avoid a “Black Europe.”

Massaging old racial wounds and growing concerns, Gaddafi hoped to capitalize on fears that millions of Africans, who once lived under the subjugation of European colonial rule and who were made citizens of those nations, would continue to migrate to their “Mother Country” impoverished, and without clear means of employment. ★GADDAFI, Page 6

4

SEPTEMBER 16 – 22, 2010 | DEFENDER

Moseley Braun considering run for Chicago mayor

By Kathy Chaney Special to the NNPA from the Chicago Defender

CHICAGO (NNPA) - Carol Moseley Braun may put her hat in the ring to succeed outgoing Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, sources said.

The former U.S. Senator was flooded with calls on the day Daley made the surprise announcement that he would not seek a seventh term in office –– encouraging her to mull a run for the mayoral post.

Braun, who made history in 1993 as the first African-American female U.S. Senator said that she is “seriously considering it.”

Braun’s political career spans more than two decades.

After leaving the U.S. Attorney’s office as a

Carol Moseley Braun

Airport contracts continued from page 1

“I think what happened is, we’ve been working on this for three years, even before I came on the council,” said Councilwoman Carolyn Davis, who voted in favor of the no-bid contracts. “And so I went with staff recommendation. I’ve always supported staff recommendation, but we didn’t win. It takes eight votes to win here at the Horseshoe, and the eighth vote won.”

Hudson is part-owned by Giddings and by a trust that manages the assets of Johnson. Star is owned by prominent Democratic donor Gilbert Aranza.

To some, it was the direct - some say heavy-handed - involvement of Mayor Tom Leppert that turned the tide. In April, Leppert began his campaign to stop the deals from being approved, calling them too sweet for the incumbents and bad for Dallas’ image as a fair place to do business.

“These contracts, lasting 19 years, would award major portions of our new terminal to the two incumbent concessionaires without having been vetted through the competitive process. This has short-circuited new ideas and concepts and discouraged competitors, including firms owned by minorities, women and emerging entrepreneurs,” Leppert said in an opinion letter.

“I’m hoping that it [politics] did not play a role,” Davis said of Leppert’s involvement. “I want to be able to say that he did it for the city of Dallas.”

Davis, along with six of her council colleagues, was impressed by the incumbents’ track record as tenants, their post-9/11 hardships and the unanimous recommendation of the transportation committee that the deal go forward.

“They’ve been through thick and thin out there,” said former Councilman Ed Oakley in support of the incumbents. “They’ve been through the building of

“I’m hoping that it (politics) did not play a role... I want to be able to say that he did it for the city of Dallas.”

– Dallas Councilwoman Carolyn Davis the parking garage, they’ve been through 9/11, they’ve been through the remodeling of the terminal, [and] they’re now going through another remodeling.”

Davis expresses similar feelings.

“We also felt that they had never missed a payment, they had paid on-time, and I asked the question, ‘How much money had these concessionaires given the city of Dallas?’” she said.

The answer to her question soon became evident.

“They have given the city a lot of money. Lots of money. If you own a building and you’ve got good tenants, you just don’t say, ‘Well, I’m going to kick them out because I think I want someone else who is going to give me more or pay me more,’ you tend to keep the good paying tenant,” Davis said.

“What they were trying to accomplish is encouraging the incumbents to stay through the renovation, and then having space in the new terminal at a rate that was more than what the consultants even recommended,” said Oakley. “The remaining space would be bid out, and if [the new tenants’] rates were higher than what [the incumbents] were paying, the incumbents’ rent would automatically escalate to match. How is that not fair?”

In another victory for the mayor, three council members on the losing end of the vote eventually crossed over to side with the majority on an 11-4 vote

federal prosecutor in Chicago in 1977, she was elected state representative the next year. In 1987 she was elected Cook County Recorder of Deed.

Five years later, history was made in the U.S. Senate. Braun held the post for one six-year term.

She served a U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa from 1999 to 2001 under the Clinton administration.

During the 2004 U.S. presidential election, Braun was a candidate for the Democratic nomination.

Braun currently runs her Chicago-based company, Good Food Organics, the parent company of Ambassador Organics, which manufactures several products including coffee, food spices, olive oil and tea. She founded the company five years ago.

to put all of the concession space up for bid once the airport renovation is completed in 2014. This made the final outcome appear less racially polarized.

Both Hudson and Star have been tight-lipped about how they will respond. Through its public relations firm, Hudson would only disclose, “At this point, the Dallas City Council has approved a plan for the allocation and process for awarding concessions at Love Field. Hudson will continue to work with the city staff based on the plans approved by the city council.”

Aranza of Star Concessions could not be reached for comment.

For Davis and others, what stands out about the council’s decision is the second-guessing of city staff, which Davis says is unprecedented during her three years on the council.

“This has been the only time since I’ve been on the council, that my colleagues have gone against city staff,” said Davis. “Remember, coming out of the transportation committee we voted 10 to 0. Being a newbie on the council, I looked to [the committee chair’s] leadership on what we should do, because I just hadn’t been briefed on the Love Field situation.”

Davis’ recollections also suggest that the council’s deliberations weren’t always as contentious as they eventually became. Indeed, before the August meeting there was literally no argument since the option to grant the no-bid contracts was the only one then on the table. It was at the urging of the mayor during the June council meeting that voting on the proposal be postponed so that other options could be added.

“There was never an argument. Most of the contracts were going out for bid anyway,” Davis said.

“We just wanted the incumbents who [had] been there through 9/11 to stay there and recoup their investment, with the amount of money they put into that airport.

Shepard

continued from page 1 National Cemetery.

Shepard was an outspoken Democrat who moved to Houston from Louisiana nearly 60 years ago and lived for decades in Acres Home, where she unofficially known as the “Mayor of Acres Homes.”

“Beulah was a woman of guts, purpose and presence,” said state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston. “If she thought it, she said it. She was direct. That was Beulah Shepard. You didn’t have to guess what she was thinking.

She loved politics, she loved the process and she loved participating in the process. If you sought political office, you sought her out. She had the power.”

Shepard enjoyed rare 24hour access to Texas governors and other state and local politicians, and was invited to the White House a few times, meeting at least a handful of presidents, including John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Shepard, who worked as a constituent liaison for former Harris County Commissioner Squatty Lyons for some 20 years and then Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston for about 10, was gifted at reading people and politics at play. In fact, it was Shepard who convinced Turner to run for political office in the late 80s.

“I told her, ‘Ms. Shepard, I have no interest in running. To which she replied, ‘You have no idea what you’re interested in.’ She was literally the one who put the idea in my head,’?” he said.

Shepard’s love of politics was evident in her constant efforts to get people out to vote.

“She knew the value of the vote because she had been denied the right to vote,” Turner said.

Shepard's survivors include seven children, 30 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great children.

By Darrell K. Ardison

AUTO NEWS

2010 Dodge Caliber This is the uptown version.

The 2010 Dodge Caliber Uptown small wagon is the answer for buyers seeking fuel economy, safety and versatility.

I remember two years ago when we were heading for Niagara Falls, Canada and Buffalo, New York, the Dodge Caliber was the vehicle of choice when it came to rent cars.

We test droved the Dodge Caliber for a week prior to going on vacation.

Then when we arrived in Buffalo, the Caliber was our first option as a rental car. It seemed like the Caliber was the vehicle of choice.

With a 2.o-liter, four-cylinder engine matched with a continuously-variable transmission, the Dodge Caliber had more enough power to transport us everywhere we wanted to go.

The cargo space was more than adequate, and we travel large.

Between my wife and daughter, we travel with everything except the kitchen sink.

Standard equipment includes air conditioning with automatic temperature control, power windows with driver’s one-touch feature and SIRIUS satellite radio.

Other standard equipment includes heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and tilt steering column.

We drove the 2010 Dodge Caliber Uptown from Houston to Austin for the annual high school baseball state tournament without incident. In fact, we enjoyed our drive, with smooth riding on I-10 leading up to Highway 71 into the state capital.

My partner, Big John, mentioned that there was no road noise and the car handled like a mid-sized sedan. This is a vehicle that lists for less than $20,000.

There is an information display that tells you what direction you’re heading, the temperature outside and how fast you’re traveling. You can also see what you’re fuel economy is and what your tire inflation-level is.

The 2010 Dodge Caliber Uptown is a crossover vehicle waiting to happen.

Exterior features include 17-inch aluminum wheels, power-heated exterior mirrors, fog lamps and a bright front grille.

Optional equipment includes a power express moonroof, media center and 6.5-inch touch screen navigation win-

dow.

The 2010 Dodge Caliber Uptown gets five-star government safety ratings in the frontal driver, crash passenger, side front seat and crash rear seat categories. It also rates four stars in the rollover division.

Warranty coverage includes a fiveyear or 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and 24-hour towing assistance.

Big John told me this is a vehicle for college students starting out or newlyweds getting out of the starting gate.

I tend to agree

CALIBER: HIGHLIGHTS MSRP base price $19,995 (as tested- $22,965) Engine 2.0-liter four-cylinder Safety equipment Speed sensitive power locks

Fuel economy

23 miles per gallon (city), 27 mpg (highway) Estimated annual fuel cost $1,560

SPORTS

SEPTEMBER 16 – 22, 2010 | DEFENDER

Max Edison

on Sports

Beall is the Man What happens when you blister an opponent for a career high 195 yards rushing on just 19 carries. You’re named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week and that honor was bestowed on talented Cougar Jr. running back Bryce Beall.

Beall scored three touchdowns tying a career best and rattled off runs of 43, 35 and 31 yards in helping Houston to a 54-24 win over UTEP in the conference opener.

Texas Bowl Announces Class The Texas Bowl Committee recently announced the 2010 class of Texas Bowl Gridiron Legends presented by Wrangler and Cavender’s Boot City, which includes Pro Football Hall of Famers Raymond Berry and Joe Greene, former University of Texas defensive stars Bill Bradley and Bob Moses, and Aldine native, Texas A&M star and former Houston Texan Aaron Glenn.

Texas Bowl Gridiron Legends presented by Wrangler and Cavender’s Boot City are all individuals who made a significant contribution to the game of football in the state of Texas, either at the high school, collegiate or professional level.

“This is arguably the deepest and most star-studded class of Gridiron Legends,” said Texas Bowl executive director Heather Houston.

“Each of these five men left an indelible mark on the game in Texas and we are extremely proud to be associated with each of them. I want to thank the Gridiron Legends selection committee for the wonderful job they’ve

New Attitude Texans Offense Yields Results

By Max Edison DEFENDER

W

Photos courtesy of the Texans

#1 Right guard Antoine Caldwell, above, (college photo) and left tackle #76 Duane Brown, below are key components of the Texan new rushing attack.

★EDISON, Page 6

Darrell Ardison

on H.S. Sports Houston’s top high school volleyball teams continued their winning ways recently.

In the Class 5A division, top-ranked Cypress Woods swept District 17-5A foes Cy-Fair and Cypress Falls to improve to 26-1 on the season.

No. two Klein Oak, 22-2, defeated Cy-Fair to win the Kingwood Tournament championship.

Cy Woods is currently ranked No. three in the coaches’ state 5A poll while Klein Oak jumped to No. five. Other Houston-area ranked schools include Katy at No. 11 and No. 15 The Woodlands.

Magnolia is the top area school in the Class 4A state poll at No. three with Friendswood, Brenham and Barbers Hill falling in line at four through six. Stratford is ranked No. nine and upstart Pearland Dawson is No. 11.

Dawson is 21-6 after registering a dramatic comeback win over Deer Park last week. The Eagles prevailed 19-25, 27-25, 20-25, 25-10, 15-12 as outside hitter Yewande Akanbi led the way in the match with 22 kills.

After finishing in the top 10 at the prestigious Pearland Tournament last month, Dawson is serving notice that accomplishment was no fluke.

Magnolia earned its 20th win of the season with a 2125, 25-10, 25-16, 25-15 vic★ARDISON, Page 6

5

ell, it’s only the first game of the season, but you have to be excited about the way the fightin’ Texans dismissed their old nemesis, the Indy Colts, last weekend at Reliant. Of course, there was a sellout crowd that was more than amped up for the kick-off of the NFL regular season, which longsuffering Texan fans hope will be their first visit to the playoffs.

You also have to be enthused at the intensity level the team displayed, which quite frankly has been somewhat underwhelming on far too many occasions when the team takes the field. Normally, the outcome is very predictable, a big fat loss.

No, this was a different group of fightin’ Texans. On defense, they came out with a surly attitude, led by his “royal highness of surliness,” safety Bernard Pollard.

Even potential All-World defensive end Mario Williams came ready to dominate, and did just that.

The real key for the squad, that made yours truly simply giddy with joy, was the way the vaunted Texan offense performed. Now we all know that Andre Johnson is one of the world’s truly dominant receivers and Matt Schaub is a Pro-Bowl QB, who can pass with the best of them. What we were unsure of was if the revamped offensive line could move folks around in the trenches and provide Schaub with enough time to pass and create running lanes for running back Arian Foster. Well, I’m pleased to report the O-line passed the test with flying colors, for at least week one.

Now we know the Texans can score points in bunches, but it traditionally has been an air based attack. Against the Colts, they introduced the balanced offense, which featured the running of Arian Foster and the outcome was a record-setting afternoon.

Consider this: RB Arian Foster’s 231 rushing yards on 33 carries (three TD’s) were the second-most on Kickoff Weekend in NFL history. He recorded the first 200-yard rushing performance in franchise history. Foster rushed for 191 yards in the second half and 125 yards in the fourth quarter. Houston’s 257 rushing yards represented just the second 200-yard rushing performance in team history.

It’s been said over and over again that in order for the Texans to achieve their goals this season, they must feature a more balanced offensive attack. In other words, improve a rushing game that was simply abysmal in 2009.

Big back Arian Foster says the team heard the comments, especially his offensive line.

“We’ve heard this whole offseason about how our run game wasn’t as efficient last year and how if we had a run game, we could have done this and could have done that,” ★TEXANS, Page 6

H.S. Football Games of the Week

By Darrell K. Ardison DEFENDER

Several Houston area high schools projected to earn a spot in the playoffs went into their third game of the season still seeking that first victory.

After advancing to the Class 4A state semifinals last year, Pearland Dawson was one of those schools after losing to Class 5A stalwarts Clear Springs and Conroe Oak Ridge.

DAWSON (1-2) vs. NIMITZ (1-2) Dawson broke into the winning column with a 28-0 victory on the road at perennial 4A powerhouse Dayton. The Eagles led 21-0 at halftime behind Steve Orisakwe’s three-yard TD run, Tre Oliver’s 11-yard scoring run and an eight-yard TD run by Payton Jones. A 40-yard TD pass from Garry Kimble to Randall Weeks in the third quarter was the only scoring in the second half.

DAWSON VS. NIMITZ The Eagles look to continue their winning ways this week when they take on Aldine Nimitz. The Cougars notched their first win last week by rallying from behind on the road to defeat Conroe 13-9. Nimitz trailed 9-6 with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when Torian Amos hauled in a 65-yard touchdown pass from Flavies Heffner at the 1:58 mark to provide the gamewinner.

Dawson coach Eric Wells said

Austin (dark uniforms) hopes to improve to 3-0 this week against rival Milby. Here they faced Scarborough last week in a 50-0 victory. he purposefully set up a tough non-district schedule to help prepare for district games down the line. “You have to get through some tough games to get better,” Wells said. “There isn’t an easy week for us.”

AUSTIN (2-0) vs MILBY (0-2) This is an old-fashioned rivalry game so you can throw the records out the window.

SFA has a chance to improve to 3-0 after demolishing Scarborough 50-0 at Barnett Stadium. Mustangs’ quarterback Casey Davis tossed three touchdown passes and ran for two more while running back Tavares

Garner rushed for 164 yards and added two additional scores to give SFA an advantage they would never relinguish.

Milby will be trying to get into the win column at the expense of their long-time rivals. Buffs’ quarterback Lawrence Putman and dimunitive wide receiver Sergio Bautista will have their team primed for confrontation.

ANGLETON (2-1) vs. ALIEF ELSIK (2-1) The Wildcats played possum in the first quarter against Dayton.

In the opening 12 minutes, the Broncos dictated the game’s tempo and jumped out to an early 10-0 advantage. After a tough 8-

3 loss to Elkins in the 2010 season opener, Dayton couldn’t overcome four first-half turnovers despite rushing for 178 yards in the game’s first 24 minutes.

Angleton turned the tables in the second half. Senior quarterback Quandre Diggs (91 yards on 30 carries) scored on a one-yard sneak to cap a 53-yard, 15-play drive in the third quarter to give his team a 17-10 edge.

The Wildcats were at it again in the fourth quarter.

Ryan Jackson, who rushed for ★H.S. FOOTBALL, Page 6

SPORTS

6

SEPTEMBER 16 – 22, 2010 | DEFENDER

Edison

continued from page 5

Photos courtesy of the Texans

Arian Foster has been the major benefactor of the Texans new offensive scheme.

Texans

continued from page 5 Foster said. “We heard those whispers all offseason and you try to shake them, but that wears you down after awhile. You can do one of two things. You can either let it get to you or let it get in you and I feel like it got in us.

We are going to try to continue that moving forward.”

Foster also loves the old-school flavor that a power running game gives you.

“It’s a different feel. You wear the defense down and like I said, it’s a test of wills,” #23 opined. “Running the football is old fashioned. It’s just you against them and they know you are going to run. We know we’re going to run. It’s just whoever is going to step up and make a play.”

Drafted in 2009 as a center in the third round, Antoine Caldwell has settled in as the team’s starting right guard. He explains the prevailing attitude within the offensive line and how it leads to success running the football.

“We’re trying to change the mentality. We want to be a physical group,” Caldwell explains. “We want to be a group you can count on with 4th and 1, 3rd and inches, that’s going to get

that first down. When times get tough, we want to be a unit you can count on, whatever running play it is, inside or outside.”

Fellow line mate left tackle Duane Brown echoes the sentiments. “We’re a young group in the offensive line and we wanted to make a statement with our play,” Brown shared. “We want to dictate the outcome of the game with our play. We’re a young unit overall, but we’re coming together at the right time. We know if we put a body on someone, #23 will find a seam and get something positive.”

In addition to aggressive play by the O-line and powerful running by Foster, the third member of the rushing trinity is fullback Vonta Leach.

Leach was the lead blocker, blowing up linebackers at the point of attack on most of the key gains by Foster. Make no mistake about it, Leach loves the physical style of offense.

“It’s a beautiful feeling to be able to pound the ball, even when the opposition knows we intend to run the football,” Leach beamed. “It wears a defense down when you keep coming at them like that. I think it also sends a message to other teams on our schedule. They’ll see this performance on tape and figure out that we’re for real this year. Now of course we’ve just

Ardison

won one game, but it’s important to start the season off on a positive note.”

Against the Colts, the Texans had a 15-play scoring drive in the third quarter that consumed 7:57 minutes.

Drives like that bring smiles to the faces of the defensive players, especially linebacker DeMeco Ryans.

“It fires us (defense) up to see the offensive line push people off the ball,” Ryans said. “That’s what I like to see, our offense just dominate and run the ball down their throat. That means when we go back on the field we’re fresh. It gives us extra juice to go out there and do what we have to do.”

With the Washington Redskins next up on the schedule, Leach cautions that the team will not be over confident.

“We know we’re a good football team, so we don’t want to get too high after one big win,” #44 cautioned.

“We’ll keep working hard because the Redskins are next on the schedule and they will be tough at home. We know our goal for this season. We think we are a playoff team. We just need to go out there and prove it every week, one game at a time. The Redskins are next and we know what we need to do!”

H.S. Football

continued from page 5

continued from page 5

tory over Kingwood Park.

Magnolia was led by Courtney Felinski’s 18 kills while Paige Holland had 56 assists and two aces. Katzy Randall added 16 kills and an ace.

The Bulldogs are 20-6 on the season.

Dulles Comes Up Short In Comeback Bid Despite trailing by three touchdowns in each of their first two games against Alief Hastings and Seven Lakes, Dulles defied the odds and came back to win both games.

This comes on the heels of losing four games in the final 61 seconds last season. Three times their opponent scored the game-winning score in the final 13 seconds.

So far in 2010, Dulles trailed Hastings 23-0 before rebounding for a 24-23 victory. The Vikings faced a 28-6 deficit to Seven Lakes and then roared back with 15 fourthquarter points to secure a 36-35 win.

Apparently a 35-20 deficit to Alief Taylor in the Vikings’ third game of the season wasn’t enough to get their attention as Dulles suffered its first loss of the season (35-27).

ETC. In a battle of the top two-ranked Class 4A football teams in the state, No. 2 Aledo knocked off No. 1 Lake Travis 1410 to snap a 48-game winning streak. The three-time defending 4A Division I champs were beaten by the defending 4A Division II champions. Travis was one win shy of tying Southlake Carroll’s state record for consecutive victories.

149 yards on 17 carries, broke off a 47yard run. Rodney Hall followed up with a 25-yard run that set up a two-yard TD run by Diggs that increased the Wildcats lead to 24-10.

The Broncos responded with a 99yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Xavier Baldwin that sliced the deficit in half. However, that was the only time the Broncos touched the ball in the fourth quarter.

Following a disappointing home loss to Friendswood to open the season and rebounding with a 27-24 win over Brazoswood, Angleton head coach Finis Vanover said his team may have found itself.

“It was a bunch of young men deciding what happened at the end of last year and in the opener against Friendswood wasn’t going to happen again,” Vanover said. “I think you saw that new team come out in the second half and we got after some folks.”

Elsik jumped out to a 21-0 advantage over Fort Bend Marshall and held on to win 21-14. Jerry Bynum rushed for 316

Gaddafi

continued from page 3 “Tomorrow Europe might no longer be European, and even Black, as there are millions who want to come in,” Gaddafi reportedly told a European news agency. “We don’t know what will happen, what will be the reaction of the white and Christian Europeans faced with this influx of starving and ignorant Africans.

We don’t know if Europe will remain an advanced and united continent or if it will be destroyed, as happened with the barbarian invasions,” Gaddafi said.

Historian Abdulmolsen Ali said that the precarious nature of relations between Gaddafi and leaders of African countries, particularly those with large Muslim populations, remains influx. In fact, Ali suggests that while Gaddafi may speak to racial fears in order to press these nations for funds, the monies would largely benefit the Africans themselves.

“Col. Gaddafi has repeatedly said he wants to use the monies supplied by countries within the European Union to strengthen the infrastructure and economies of the African countries where the illegal immigrants are coming from. Is it that Gaddafi is racist against Africans? Maybe. No one knows what

Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. is in another man’s heart, but if the billions he is seeking annually from each of these countries is provided, the entire African continent may be able to support itself without European influence,” Ali said.

Italy has already provided Gaddafi with funds to have Libyans intercept Africans at sea and either hold them in Libya or return them to their respective countries. Italy has received sharp criticism for allowing Libyans to detain or deport without proper screening.

“In many instances these Africans have no permission to be in the country; however, in just as many

done.”

Born in Corpus Christi, Berry earned a spot on the UIL AllTime Texas High School Football Team after a stellar career at Paris High in East Texas. He went on to star at Southern Methodist, where he was an All-Southwest Conference pick in 1954 and was named to SMU’s Hall of Fame earlier this year. Berry caught 631 passes for 9,275 yards and 68 touchdowns from 1955-97 for the Baltimore Colts. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973.

Bradley, nicknamed “Super Bill” for his ability to play seemingly every position well, quarterbacked Palestine High to the 1964 3A state championship. He played collegiately at the University of Texas, where he was a three-time letterman, moving from quarterback to defensive back, and was a team captain in 1968.

Bradley was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969 and was a three-time All-Pro selection before retiring in 1977.

Bradley is a member of the Texas High School Football, University of Texas, Philadelphia Eagles and Texas Sports Halls of Fame.

Glenn starred in the Lone Star State for nearly his entire playing career. He was a fouryear letterman at Aldine Nimitz before moving on to Navarro College, where he earned AllConference and All-American honors as a sophomore. Glenn played his junior and senior seasons at Texas A&M, where he was a two-time AllSouthwest Conference pick and a 1993 All-American. Glenn was drafted by the New York Jets with the 12th overall pick in 1994 and played there for

yards on 33 carries, including TD runs of seven and 65 yards in the first 12 minutes to set the tone for the victory.

Caleb Bedford threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Smith to finish off the scoring for the Rams.

KATY (2-0) vs. BEAUMONT WEST BROOK (3-0) This shapes up as one of the top early-season matchups in the Lone Star State.

Eisenhower was one of those highlytouted schools that went into its third game of the season seeking that initial victory. The problem was it had to come against West Brook.

The Bruins featured a plethora of weapons against IKE, including quarterback Bruce Reyes (209 passing yards, two TDs) receivers Jalen Malone (four receptions, one TD) and Jacolby Cunigan (three receptions, two TDs) along with running back Dylan Harvey (32 rushing yards, two TDs).

West Brook led by 27 points at intermission en route to a 42-21 victory over the Eagles.

Katy is coming off a bye week after opening the season with convincing wins over North Shore and Alief Taylor.

eight seasons before joining the Houston Texans in the 2002 expansion draft. He was the first Pro Bowler in Texans history, and officially retired as a Texan on July 29, 2010. Glenn also played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2005.

A native of Temple, “Mean” Joe Greene led North Texas State to a 23-5-1 record from 1966-68 and was a consensus All-America pick in 1968. He was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

Greene was selected by the Steelers with the fourth overall pick in the 1969 NFL Draft and played 13 seasons as the most feared member of the famed “Steel Curtain,” winning four Super Bowls and playing in 10 Pro Bowls. He was named to the All-Pro team eight times, including five first-team nods, and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1972 and 1974. Greene was named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary AllTime Team in 1994 and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1987.

Moses, a Houston native, lettered for the University of Texas in 1960 and 1961.

Playing both ways at the offensive and defensive end positions, Moses led the Longhorns in receptions during the 1961 season and was a consensus All-Southwest Conference pick.

At the end of that year, he was selected as the Outstanding Defensive Player in the 1962 Cotton Bowl when he led a defensive effort that shut down a vaunted Ole Miss passing attack in a 12-7 victory, giving head coach Darrell Royal his first bowl win. Moses was named to the 1960’s All-Decade Team and was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 2001. Moses was a founding member of the Texas Bowl Board of Directors.

The Tigers tend to give opponents a false sense of security as in both games the opponent scored first to take an early lead only to fall prey to an avalanche of Katy points.

Donovonn Young is the featured back in a bruising Katy rushing attack that is complemented by a punishing defense.

YATES (1-2) vs. WHEATLEY (0-3) Texas Football Magazine picked these two schools to win the district titles in their respective districts.

Yates opened the season with a win over Booker T. Washington. Then blew a 21-10 halftime advantage over Bay City and settled for a 31-28 setback.

The Lions never led in a rivalry game against Madison as the Marlins received rushing touchdowns from Demarcus Willis and Victor Gibson to secure a 17-7 victory.

Yates first-year starting quarterback Rashad Jackson threw for 121 yards and a touchdown against Madison.

Wheatley was limited to 144 total yards against Westbury as the Rebels prevailed 28-6. The Wildcats’ lone score came on a 63-yard pass from Xavier Howard to William Jackson.

instances, these are Africans who were made Italian, British and French citizens under colonization,” Ali, 58, said.

“These men and women or their parents have fought in European wars on the side of England, France, Germany and Italy, and now that their own lands have been stripped of natural and material wealth – often by these Europeans – they have no place to go. It seems ironic that the same paternalistic governments who subjugated them because they were ‘child-like’ now wish to disown their child-citizens.”

Slowing the migration of Africans to Italy to a trickle seems vital to the Italian economy of late. The European Commission figures estimate that the number of illegals being denied entry at Libyan hands fell in 2009 to 7,300 from 32,052 in 2008. Col. Gaddafi has forged close ties with Italy since a friendship treaty was signed two years ago. It sought to draw a line under historic bitterness between Libya and Italy, its former colonial master.

A confidential internal security report from EU police and border agencies, reportedly leaked to the Statewatch whistleblower, said that 900,000 illegal immigrants were entering the EU every year.

CLASSIFIED NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Sealed bids, in duplicate, addressed to Greater Southeast Management District will be received at 5445 Almeda, #503, Houston, TX 77004, until 3:00 PM, Friday, October 1, 2010. Bids will be publicly opened and read at 3:30 PM on Friday, October 1, 2010 for furnishing all labor, materials, equipment, and incidentals, as required, for the construction of Riverside Hospital Area Streetscape Improvements project (sidewalk reconstruction and landscaping) in Houston, Texas. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS may be examined at the following locations: (1) Dodge Reports, 10606 Hempstead Road, Suite 110, Houston, TX 77092;(2) AGC,3825 Dacoma,Houston,TX 77092; and (3) Houston Minority Business Development Ctr, 2900 Woodridge, Suite 310,Houston,TX 77087. The right is reserved, as the interest of the Owner may require, to reject any and all bids,and to waive any informality in bids received. Plans, specifications and bidding documents may be obtained at the office of the Engineer, ESPA CORP, Inc., 7120 Grand Blvd., Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77054 for a non-refundable fee of $40.00 per set. Make checks payable to Greater Southeast Management District. A pre-bid conference will be held at Greater Southeast Management District, 5445 Almeda, #502, Houston, TX on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 2:00 PM. It is requested, but not mandatory, that each bidder be represented at the pre-bid conference.

7

SEPTEMBER 16 – 22, 2010 | DEFENDER

Murals

continued from page 1 murals. Then we’ll be able to determine what needs to be done, what’s the priority and how much it will cost. It’s only to get it started but it’s a critical piece to get it started,” said Wendy Adair, Vice President of Institutional Advancement.

Rudley is underwriting $50,000 through his office to hire a conservator who will review the murals and develop a plan for restoration, preservation and conservation for all of the murals.

“I am committed to preserving the great history of Texas Southern University and its mural and art program, as well as its African Art Collection, significant letters and papers and major archives, including the papers of Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland,” Rudley said. “I am looking forward to receiving the conservator’s plan that will include an assessment to determine the murals that should be restored, the priority for restoration and a budget to determine the full cost of the program so that we can develop a systematic plan to fund the preservation of TSU’s artistic treasures.”

The College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences Dean Danille Taylor is creating a Mural Preservation task force of faculty, alumni and students to lead the efforts and the funding campaign once the assessment is completed. The dean and the task force will work with the Office of Development to develop funding requests to private foundations and corporations and the Office of Research to assist with grant proposals to state and federal agencies.

History whitewashed?

It was early September when Rudley ordered the two murals be painted over. Both murals were done 40 years ago by then-TSU student Harvey Johnson, who retired from TSU in 2007 after 34 years as a professor.

“There are a lot of things that we feel should always remain at the university because it’s part of the culture, it’s part of the experience, it’s a part of Texas Southern,” said Student Government President Kedarious Colbert. “It’s what makes TSU, TSU. Those murals are awesome works of arts. For someone to paint over them, it was culturally insensitive and the students were angered by that fact.”

Rudley reportedly disagreed with the university museum director’s opinion that the art-

It could be three to four weeks before a conservator is brought on board to determine how much it will cost to preserve TSU's murals. works’ historical significance made them worth saving and called the murals eyesores.

The paintings, Mothers of “the Father and the Son” and Dere’s a “Han’ Writin on de Wall,” were finished in the 1970-71 school year to satisfy Harvey Johnson’s senior graduation requirement.

Johnson described the Mothers of “the Father and the Son” mural as four women which symbolized earth, wind, water and fire, the nourishing elements of life.

“When you are destroying those murals, you are destroying historical documents and a record of those times that was created by those students,” Johnson said, adding that he was devastated when he heard the news.

“TSU’s mural program, which was created by John Biggers, is one of the most unique programs in the country. Or was. Once you have destroyed a part of that, it’s gone. It can’t be replaced. When you do that, you are destroying the meaning of a very distinguished professor who has been honored nationally and internationally for his art as well as his fine teaching. When you destroy that you are saying that he doesn’t mean anything to your institution.”

“This situation was a disrespect on a subtle level,” added former student Nathaniel Donnett. “Appreciating your culture, art, history, education, etc., all of those issues are wrapped around this issue. There’s also an issue of the responsibility of the leaders and the educators at TSU. What type of example

has this set for the president to do this?”

Students, vocal in their displeasure, had planned a protest, which ultimately fizzled.

“Initially there wereas a lot of people who were angry about the situation,” Colbert said.

“However, there’s not too much that you can do after something has been done. A protest in my mind, is a preventative measure for something, or to stop something from occurring. However, it had happened, the paint was on the walls and there was no reason to protest. I believe the students realized that and once the commitment had been made for the money and the dialogue, with all of these people were coming to the table to come up with more solutions to ensure that this does not happen again -. Tthe things that they were going to demand at the protest were already acknowledged and responded to.”

Donnet is happy to hear about the $50,000, and says he will use his recently created Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/ Protest-Against-Whitewashing-of-Murals-atTSU-University – to make sure the plan is carried through.

“I thought starting the page would create awareness and discussion. I thought that using technology along with understanding how the word of mouth works would move things quicker. And I believe I was correct.

Facebook is a community type thing. This issue is also a community issue, although it

wasn’t treated as such. I’m hoping discussions continue, more questions and more solutions. (side note) you may give that page information out if you’d wish,” he said.

News of the whitewashed murals has also spread quickly through the collegiate art community, revealing similar feelings of frustration with university administration across the country.

“The destruction of TSU’s historical murals ‘Makes Me Wanna Holler’ ([to borrow a] phrase from Nathan McCall). It has been a long struggle for many art professors at historical black institutions. We have watched our departments demeaned in the academy. Art works produced by faculty labeled as insignificant, terminal degrees in visual arts categorized with master degrees, and administrators taking the role of art critics and experts as they purchase commercial art for campus displays while destroying or ignoring historical works of art on campus.”

Peggy Blood, PhD President NAAHBCU Distinguished Professor of Art, Savannah State University From blackartinamerica.com.

A community effort University officials are focused on moving forward and say it will take a collective community effort to make that happen.

“It’s time now for people to step up to the plate,” Adair said. “If it’s going to take millions, the university doesn’t have that kind of money, so the community will have to help.”

In addition to the Mural Preservation task force, Colbert has been working with student leaders and students in the art program to identify projects that the students can undertake to assist with the funding and preservation efforts. One possible project would be an “Adopt-a-Mural” program where donors can identify with a specific mural and assist with funding its restoration.

The University Museum recently received a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services for $80,000 to catalog and photograph the full Texas Southern art collection, which will allow the University to develop a web-based tour of all the art on campus.

The mural project has been added to the online donor opportunities for alumni and individual donors on the TSU website, www.tsu.edu/giving.