FREE
.
November 05, 2015
Mayor Running thru the ‘Hood
Vol XXIV, No. 44 VISIT US ON-LINE WWW.WINDYCITYWORD.COM
Mayor Emanuel Joins Englewood Marathon To Stride for Peace Page 3
Free , After 25 Years
Page 4
Photo By Marcus Robinson
• Ms. Jackson is Unbreakable
• Black Media Drought
Page 8
Page 2 Find Us On Social Media:
Windy CIty Word Newspaper
• Adults Are the Problem
@windycitywordnews
@windycitywordnews
Page 15 @windycitywordnews
COMMENTARY
Black Media Ownership is in a Drought Publisher Mary G. Denson Co-Publisher Christopher Denson Editor-In-Chief Jocelyn Denson Art Director Brad Samuels
I
n war, one of the first things the enemy does is destroy his adversary’s ability to communicate within its ranks. Chaos likely ensues if a fighting force cannot communicate internally. Individual soldiers end up doing their own thing, left to their own devices; they make decisions based on their individual situations and in their individual interests. This allows the enemy to come in and pick them off one by one, using false information and propaganda (Tokyo Rose) instilling fear of being captured or killed, or by making the individual feel abandoned and left with no hope of victory. If the ability to communicate is maintained within a fighting force, it strengthens the group and provides confidence, assurance, and cohesion. Considering our penchant for soundbites, 140-character chirps, and listening to great speeches, but not analyzing them and taking appropriate action, communication among Black folks has largely been reduced to little more than noise. And it’s getting worse. Black newspapers used to be our main communication organ, but as the demand for electronic access to news has increased, newspapers have nearly become obsolete in some circles. Books were also a great source of communication because they contain so much knowledge written by scholars, historians, educators, and activists; but now we are so intellectually lazy that books have become passé and just something to brag about
2 The Windy City Word NOVEMBEr 5, 2015
having on our bookshelves. Now commercial TV stations in 2013, we rely on Twitter and Face Book up 14% from the 935 they owned in 2011 for our news. The FCC report also found that Newspapers, radio, Internet, and television are the four dominant “Asians owned 19 full-power TV means of communication today. stations in 2013, up 73% from the Black people still own a few 11 they owned in 2011. Hispanics hundred newspapers, many of or Latinos owned forty-two full which are struggling from week to power TV stations in 2013, up 8% from the thirtyweek because Black folks nine they owned in do not subscribe nor do 2011.” Black businesses buy ads I guess I could to any large degree. end this article Black ownership right here, but of radio stations has without application, drastically decreased in knowledge and the past twenty years. information are Aside from a couple without effect. of great Black owned The obvious Internet wire services, BY Jim clingman point here is the “Black oriented” sites are COLUMNIST necessity for Black not Black owned; and two people to own more of the three longstanding Black magazines, Essence and communications outlets in order Ebony, have been reduced to to control and disseminate fashion and entertainment, leaving pertinent information to Black Black Enterprise to carry the people. How? Establish syndicates load of informing Black folks on that could purchase more outlets; economic issues. (I don’t mean to form an alliance of affluent and overlook other Black periodicals; I conscious Blacks to purchase outlets and know they are out there getting the communications produce programs to empower word out as best they can.) Now let’s look at television. rather than dumb-down Black According to an article on people. Increase support of BlackTVNewsCheck.com, written by owned media and their advertisers Doug Halonen, “Racial minorities by Black consumers; leverage the owned 41 of the U.S.’s 1,386 full- support of Black readers, listeners, power commercial TV stations in and viewers of Black media by 2013, up 32% from the thirty-one insisting on more than just mindthey owned in 2011— but only numbing idiotic portrayals of nine of those stations were owned Black folks. These simple tactics by African Americans during could strengthen our lines of 2013, down 18% from the 11 communications. Accessibility, accountability, they owned two years previously,” according to a study of station and acceptability are essential ownership released by the FCC. elements to a strong and relevant Whites owned 1,070 full-power media presence within Black
society. Our current position in that game is untenable and tenuous at best. In light of the fact that we have the financial wherewithal, collectively and individually, to purchase and support media outlets, it is intriguing how we seem to have settled for much less than we need. Most of us understand and even admit we are in a war, behind enemy lines, and fighting for respect and empowerment. That being the case, why are we content with having our lines of communication controlled by others? If we are reluctant to acquire more conscious media outlets, the least we can do is hold those who purport to be “Black media” accountable by refusing to accept the trashy caricatures of Black people and the negative portrayals of Black life that bombard us every day. Without control of communications an army is severely handicapped. We had better get rid of our negative channels of communications, shore up the positive ones, and create more of our own. James Clingman, founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce, is the nation’s most prolific writer on economic empowerment for Black people. He can be reached through his website, blackonomics.com. He is the author of Black Dollars Matter: Teach Your Dollars How to Make More Sense, which is available through his website; professionalpublishinghouse.com and Amazon Kindle eBooks.
Contributing Writers Alma Gill Freddie Lee Allen Julianne Malveaux James Clingman Jazelle Hunt George Curry Raynard Jackson Priscilla Powell Naimah Latif Kam Williams Jocelyn Morris Antoinette Logan
Deadlines Stories: Friday Advertising: Friday Contact Information: 5090 W. Harrison Street Chicago, IL 60644 Phone: 773-378-0261 Fax: 773-378-2408 Email: info@windycityword.com Visit us at www.windycityword.com PHILOSOPHY
The Windy City Word Projects a positive image of the community. Views expressed by the columnists are their own and not necessarily those of this publication.
National Newspaper Publishers Association MEMBER
LOCAL NEWS
Mayor Emanuel Joins Englewood Marathon To Stride For Peace
M
Research shows a direct correlation ayor Rahm Emanuel joined nearly 1,000 people between obesity and poverty, and poverty participating in the second and crime, therefore the slogan “Ditch the Annual Englewood 5K Weight & Guns” Englewood 5K Walk & Walk & Run held Sunday, Run addressed the issues of poor health November 1, 2015, organized due to poor diet and lack of exercise, as well by Forever Fitness Chicago, LLC, under the as poverty and lack of access to nutritious food, and the violence resulting from the theme “Ditch the Weight & Guns.” Starting at Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine, frustration of poverty. Proceeds from the race will be donated runners ran a square route through the Englewood community, starting on 66th to William R. Harper High School, which is located in the heart and May, running East By Naimah Latif of Greater Englewood. to Morgan Street, North Staff Writer Proceeds from last year’s to 64th Street, West to Loomis Street, South to 71st Street, Englewood marathon helped purchase much West back to Morgan Street, North to 66 needed equipment and uniforms for the Street, and West to the finish line back on Athletic Department. This year’s goal is to May. Mayor Emanuel showed himself to purchase a juicer, blender, and a six (6) month be a fit athlete, keeping up with the pack supply of fresh fruits and vegetables for the throughout the race all the way to the school cafeteria. This event was also an opportunity finish line. First place winner of the race for every day mothers and fathers to was Chicago resident Marcus Thomas. Participants in the marathon ranged from view this three square mile area of the elders to youth as men and women joined in neighborhood as they ran and walked this effort to raise awareness and promote the streets. Their participation in the fitness, nutrition, and violence prevention marathon made a statement of personal commitment to end gun violence in the in the Greater Englewood community.
This year’s theme was“Ditch The Weight and The Guns.”(Right) Marcus Thomas, First Place Winner of the marathon (Bottom Left) Sixteenth Ward Alderman Ms. Toni Foulkes (hat, glasses) introduces Mayor Rahm Emanuel (right, number 775) before the start of the 5K Englewood marathon An Englewood resident reminds runners of the reason for the 2nd annual marathon Photos by Marcus Robinson
Englewood community. The marathon’s sponsors included Teamwork Englewood, Metropolitan Family Services, The Chicago Urban League, Dream Cafe Grille, Black Doctor.Org, Epiphany Child And Family Community Resource
Center N.F.P., Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.), Precision Cuts Hair Studio, Newman’s Tax Service, Washburn Culinary Institute, Whole Foods, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and a number of others.
MWRD Vice President McGowan brings rain barrel program to West Side
In the photo (left to right): Bettye Gilliam, Rose Williams, Mattie Holmes, LaVonne Carr, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Vice President Barbara McGowan, Annie Robertson, 29rd Ward Ald. Chris Taliaferro and Mattie Peoples were included among a crowd gathering at the South Austin Coalition Community Council Senior Forum last month to learn about rain barrels. (Right) Alderman Emma Mitts with MWRD Vice President Barbara McGowan.
M
etropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Vice President Barbara McGowan has helped distribute approx 1,500 rain barrels throughout Chicago’s West Side in 2015 through a partnership with local leaders from the 20th, 24th, 29th and 37th wards. “The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is proud to provide these valuable rain barrels at no cost to residents,” said Commissioner McGowan. “The investment we make here will pay instant dividends the next time it rains and we have the opportunity to alleviate flooding and conserve water. Now it’s time to put these barrels to work.” The newly formed partnerships are a result of a new rain barrel distribution program the MWRD established to coordinate with different city wards and suburbs. City ward offices can work with non-governmental organizations
(NGO) and community groups to enroll in the program. The MWRD also works with campustype facilities, such as churches, schools and commu nity centers. Aldermen Michael Scott, Jr., Chris Taliaferro and Emma Mitts have all worked with local organizations to bring barrels to their residents. “These partnerships have been vital in helping to reach residents who need the barrels most,” said Vice Pres. McGowan. “Water that goes in the rain barrels does not go down the sewers.” Rain barrels are a valuable form of green infrastructure because the 55-gallon barrels are designed to capture and reuse rain water that is bound for the sewer system. By disconnecting the downspouts that normally transfer roof runoff to the sewer system, the rain barrels can now reduce basement backups and reduce the combined sewer overflow volume, overland flooding and infiltration and inflow. For more information about the rain barrel program or to see a video on how to install a barrel, visit www.mwrd.org.
Now Hiring Mechanics! november 5, 2015 The Windy City Word 3
NEWS
Farrakhan Outlines Next Steps After Million Man March Anniversary
M
inister Louis Farrakhan told a crowd of 200 people that the Nation of Islam will team up with 100 Black Men, an influential national Black male organization, and reinvigorate local organizing committees (LOC) nationwide to move their agenda forward. The minister revealed his detailed plans on Oct. 11 at the Marriott Marquis in Northwest D.C., one day after the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March on Oct. 10. “I didn’t create the march that happened yesterday, it was God,” Farrakhan said. “It was a peaceful event and there was no drinking, no smoking. It was a glimpse of heaven.”
Another ministry will focus on the spiritual Farrakhan brushed aside comments that the success of the 1995 Million Man March and the development of people of color that will be led by Oct. 10 march designates him as the No. 1 Black ministers called by their deities. Farrakhan talked specifics in his plan, such as the need for Blacks leader in America. “I am not the great leader,” he said, referring to to buy more real estate and take control of the education system in their communities. God. “I am the servant of the great leader.” “You cannot have economic Farrakhan said that his By JAMES WRIGHT organization, along with 100 Black Special to the NNPA from the AFRO development without ownership of land,” he said. “We should develop Men and the other committees will work to develop nine ministries in the Black a curriculum that we control. Black people are the community to help improve people’s lives. Those only race on the face of the earth that is educated major ministries are in the fields of education, by others.” Regarding politics, Farrakhan said that Blacks justice, health and human services, agriculture, science and technology, trade and commerce, and should be very selective whom they vote for in next year’s presidential election. “If they aren’t arts and culture.
talking about justice, you should hold your vote,” he said. “You should not register as a Democrat. You should not register as a Republican, but as an independent.” Farrakhan said that Blacks should leverage their votes for concrete resources and policies that will benefit the race. “As we get stronger, we should form our own political party,” he said. Farrakhan said that in the past, membership in local organizing committees were mainly members of the Nation of Islam but that won’t be the case going forward. “We need to grow beyond our group,” he said. “The LOCs should be strengthened with people who have skills in
continued on page14
First Police Torture Victim To Win A New Trial, Shawn Whirl Freed After 25 Years
T
wenty five years ago, 20 year old computer operator Shawn Whirl was on his way home from work when would be muggers accosted him. He managed to escape by hopping into a nearby cab that showed up just in the nick of time. Days later, he found himself being taken into custody by police, who accused him of murdering the cab driver. The driver had been found dead and based on Shawn’s fingerprints on the trunk of the car, police decided he was a suspect. No matter how many times Shawn explained in detail how he jumped into the cab to escape robbers, police chose to ignore his explanation. According to court records, while Shawn was still handcuffed to a wall, Chicago Detective James Pineta entered the room. He stepped on Shawn’s foot and said, “Wake up, nigger.” He then slapped Shawn in the face and said his previous statement of innocence “won’t do.” The police had decided he killed the driver. They tortured him mercilessly until he confessed. And there began the nightmare that lasted 25 years, as Shawn Whirl attempted to clear his name and win his freedom. He finally walked out of an Illinois prison Wednesday, October 14, 2015, a free man. “You just have to believe,” said Shawn, now 45. He was the first person granted a new trial from the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission. The Commission was formed in 2009 to address the wrongful convictions of people tortured into confessions under the watch of disgraced police Commander Jon Burge. Burge and his so-called “midnight crew” of detectives tortured an estimated 192 people, mostly black men, during 1970s, 1980s and early
4 The Windy City Word november 5, 2015
1990s. Attorney Flint Taylor of The People’s Law Office, stated “Shawn’s been fighting this case a long time.We got involved about two and a half years ago. “ He was one of a team of lawyers which included Tara Thompson of the University of Chicago Law School’s Exoneration Project. They presented Shawn’s case before the Appellate Court to petition for a new trial, based on the fact that his confession was obtained through torture. “The Appellate court made a very strong opinion that he should have
a new trial, but they also made a strong statement that they didn’t see how, without that confession, they could even have a trial, because they really had no evidence against him.” The special prosecutor representing the State looked at the facts and decided to dismiss the case, making Shawn
Whirl, after 25 years, finally a free man. Attorney Taylor noted that the original judge in Shawn’s case, Judge Gorge Alonzo, failed to take into account fact that the police officers pleaded the Fifth and didn’t even testify, and the fact that
continued on page14
COMMENTARY
We Need to Stop Calling the Cops on our Students
R
ichland County Senior Deputy Sheriff Ben Fields seemed to think the only way he could get a young black girl out of her seat was to fling her across the room. His brutal attack on her was filmed by one of her classmates, and it’s a good thing he documented the incident. It was said that the young lady punched the officer before Eddie Robinson, Jr. started taping, but he indicates that she was quiet and simply refused to get out of her seat. He said she had only taken her phone out for a minute and “she didn’t do anything wrong”. On Wednesday, October 28, Sheriff Leon Lott announced that Fields had been fired because his behavior was inconsistent with the training he had. But in response to a question at the press conference he held, he reported that Fields did not feel remorseful, that he was sorry the incident happened, but he was “just trying to do his job.” Not only did he brutalize a young girl, but he also arrested another young woman who simply asserted that the officer was wrong to treat her classmate so roughly. No other student said a word, and they were perhaps frightened to speak up. Where are our women’s organizations? Where are our African American and civil rights organizations? Or our African American
educators? Granted, this is just a few days after “unacceptable” but also criminal. Why did the school call the police anyway? the fact and perhaps some of these folks will speak up eventually. Perhaps they are waiting From what I understand, the young lady was to hear “the facts”, but as Sheriff Lott said there not making noise or disrupting class. She was no excuse for a young lady to be dragged in failed to comply with a request regarding her cell phone (some say she was asked the way that she was. Sheriff Lott said his community, a suburb of to put it away, others said she was asked state capital Columbia, South Carolina, was for the phone). Either way, the penalty for an “orderly” community. He said there were noncompliance should not have been arrest. Last year, the Department no marches, no confrontation, of Education released a report because “that is not how we do that showed that African things here.” While the Sheriff American and Latino students did the right thing by firing Ben were suspended or expelled Fields, his own attitude could far more frequently than their stand some adjusting, and perhaps white counterparts, often getting a march might be a way to express a different level of punishment dissatisfaction at his approach for the same offense. Some of (and that of the school system). In the suspensions and expulsions his press conference, he said that even happen at the preschool Fields’ behavior was inappropriate, By Julianne malveaux level – meaning that three and but he basically blamed the young COLUMNIST four year old children are being lady for her plight. While civil rights leaders routinely turn it kicked out of school simply because they are out when black men are beaten or killed, far little children (who frequently misbehave). According to the National Center for fewer seem to care about what happens to black women. From the time that video hit Educational Statistics, around 43 percent of the airwaves there ought to have been cries of our nation’s public schools had police officers outrage (and perhaps they are coming). Ben on their grounds during the 2013-2014 school Fields’ actions should not simply be called year, including 63 percent of middle schools and
64 percent of high schools. Why are officers of the law on school grounds? How often is their behavior inappropriate? It is unlikely that is the first time former officer Ben Fields behaved so badly toward a student. Indeed, the student who was arrested for speaking up (he said she was disruptive) indicated that Fields had a bad reputation. He was the subject of at least two complaints for excessive force. While Fields has been fired, he needs to be held accountable, sued. But the bigger picture is the criminalization of our young people by arresting them (leaving them with a criminal record) for minor offenses. Where are the voices lifted to protect a young woman whose simply “no” earns her a brutal beating? Where are the women, the civil rights leaders, the others who often have something to say? Are they silent because this is a girl? The two young women who were arrested need to be lifted up and affirmed by the African American community and that sheriff’s office needs to be confronted by the community. Sheriff Lott was gratified because there was no marching. There needs to be. Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist based in Washington, D.C. Her latest book “Are We Better off? Race, Obama and Public Policy” will be released in November 2015 and is available for preorder at www.juliannemalveaux.com.
FIFTH CITY Join Us for a FREE
THANKSGIVING COMMUNITY DINNER & GOSPEL CONCERT
GOSPEL CRUSADERS
“Come Share a good meal, good entertainment and the spirit of giving…”
M.C. Ramonski Luv
Garry Sam Harris/Sam Cook Review The Stars of Heaven God’s Posse Gospel Crusaders Sensational Harmoneers Sensational Gospel Travelers
GOD’S POSSE
The Hoskins Family The Brown Sisters Jackie (Jimmie G’s) Geraldine Smith, Motivational Speaker Alderman Jason C. Ervin Pastor Larry Gaston
Turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth!
Thursday, November 26th, 2015
You can help prevent sewer backups by using as little
3350 W. Jackson Blvd. 2:00 pm -- 7:00 pm
SENSATIONAL HARMONEERS
water as possible in your home before and during heavy rainfall. Too much water in the sewers can cause basement backups and overflows to waterways.
Sponsors
Seaway Bank, 7UP, Jimmie G’s, Big City Game Truck, CSWEN (Chicago & Suburban Westland Empowerment Network), DW Food & Paper
THE STARS OF HEAVEN
Hosted and catered by Fifth City’s Board of Directors Member and Restaurateur Jimmie Gaston (Jimmie G’s) - (P) 773.265.1900, (C) 773.447.8178, jggaston@mail.com
www.mwrd.org
Find the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago on Facebook and Twitter.
november 5, 2015 The Windy City Word 5
Whoa Nellie!
LIFESTYLE
Dear Alma,, I’m divorcing my husband of 24 years . (The ink is just about dr y) We have been apart for the last 3 years . I’m new to dating again. I’ve been with my new guy for 2 years . We met on eHarmony. He’s amazing inside & out and I love him. I’m 47. My guy is 46. He is divorced. He has been divorced for 2.5 years . He was apart from his ex for 3 years before the divorce was final. So he’s been single for 5.5 years . I believe in marriage and I do want to get married again. How long should I date him? What’s enough time to give a man to pop the question? - Elizabeth
6 The Windy City Word november 5, 2015
? Ask Alma
Hi Elizabeth – You’re not quite free! Until the ink dries you’re still legally married, pretty woman. TBT you have yet to join the squad of single sisterhood and trust me when I say, there are huge differences between each stage of marriage, separation and divorce. All three phases has its own umbrella of uncertainties. Like me, you married young. You’ve spent a large part of your life with one fella, exercising the commonality of compromise. This explains your comfort in cohabitation, longing for togetherness, and an extended view for two. Ain’t nothing wrong with that but wait, for goodness sake and let’s pull up for a minute to reevaluate. What if you take more time to center and focus on you? Figure out your likes
and dislikes independently, without the consideration of another. Have you taken a vacation alone? Sign up for a class you’ve always wanted to try or learn a new language. Use this time to be good to yourself. Your first marriage ended in divorce, that doesn’t mean you’re lacking, unlovable or incomplete. Okay, you’ve met a new guy, that’s cool. Allow him to come to the conclusion of marriage on his own, not meet a demand or ultimatum. I understand it’s been two years, but there’s no set limit to how long a great relationship should last before marriage, that’s a personal choice. You and I both know that marriage doesn’t make a relationship better nor does it complete who you are as a woman. You’ve had 25 years of practicing to be a good wife, live and love yourself
unmarried for a few more years to come. You said dating’s still new to you, and if that’s the case, this isn’t the time to remarry. If and or when that time rolls around, you won’t need to Ask Alma, you and he will know, that you know that you know. And oh what a joy it will be!
By Alma Gill Columnist
Alma
Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington Post. Email questions to: alwaysaskalma@ gmail.com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and Twitter @almaaskalma.
COMMUNITY
Stop Justifying Child Abuse!
I
MA
LE SO
LU
TION
THE FE
t never ceases to amaze me how adults today to learn. They are sponges, soaking up will bemoan the violence among today’s everything in their environment. In order to youth in one breath and in the next survive, children must learn the rules of their society quickly, therefore children are breath will declare that we need born programmed to imitate the to bring back spanking in behavior of those around them schools. in order adapt to where Our children are they live. If we, the adults, violent because we have created a violent, beat them. How come hostile society, what do we don’t get that? you think our children Venting your anger have learned to do in and frustration at order to survive and adapt? someone who is younger, As painful as it is, we smaller and weaker than have to take a look at our you is not discipline. It is children and admit that they abuse. Discipline is defined as naimah latiff are reflections of us. I’m not “training to act in accordance columnist picking on single mothers, with rules.” Exactly where does the training part come in during a beating? absent fathers, or any of the usual targets for Parents who sit around in a messy house blame. I mean all of us who are adults are at and holler at their children to “clean up this fault, because we collectively set an example mess” then beat the children if the house of selfishness, meanness, rudeness, and isn’t cleaned will declare, “These children are bullying those weaker than us to get our way. Now, look at these police officers who just lazy!” They don’t realize that the process of creating order from disorder is a mental attack and kill unarmed people. Just hollering exercise that requires skill and must be taught “racism” doesn’t help us fix the problem, by demonstration. Telling someone to do because the excessively violent officer isn’t something isn’t the same as teaching them always white and the victim isn’t always black. how to do it. If you have not taken the time to Police officers are human beings raised teach it, don’t punish your child for not knowing with the same twisted beliefs about beating how to do it. So, now, are you saying, “Oh, they children into submission as are non police know how to clean, they just don’t want to do officers. So, quite naturally, they believe that it!” Well, perhaps you’re being too lazy to take anyone who doesn’t “obey” an order must the time to show them, step by step. Doing be forced into compliance through violence. The nation has been in uproar over the something one time isn’t teaching. Teaching is demonstration, supervision, correction and Spring Valley High School girl in South demonstration again. And again. And again. Carolina who police officer Ben Fields choked Another thing that kills me are rude, and dragged across the classroom floor disrespectful foul mouthed parents who because she wouldn’t hand the teacher her cell want to slap their children for being rude, phone. The amazing thing about this incident disrespectful or foul mouthed. How can you is that there are people who keep trying to punish your children for cursing when you blame the girl for this officer’s outrageous taught them those words? I’m not bragging, behavior. I’ve heard comments like, “Well, (well, yes, I guess I am) but my daughter speaks maybe if her parents had taught her to obey...” Why are we trying to justify child abuse? three languages besides English. Profane What was life threatening about a cell language isn’t one of them. I never cursed at her or in our home or in her presence, so phone that this child needed to be beaten profanity isn’t a language she learned from into submission? This quiet student, we have me. Mothers, fathers, the language you speak learned, was recently orphaned by the death in your house is what becomes etched into of her mother and grandmother and had your child’s subconscious mind, because it’s become a ward of the State. If her behavior coming from you. So stop blaming rappers was in any way disruptive or out of the ordinary, and entertainers when your child slips and a thinking adult would have called the school says the “F” word. Clean up your own mouth. counselor, not a police officer ready for combat. We keep showing ourselves to be insensitive Children are born with an amazing capacity
to the point of cruelty to our children. And we wonder why they are arming themselves and shooting each other to death rather than settle their differences peacefully? There are societies on this earth where people don’t beat their children and the children are polite, well mannered and compliant with rules. There are societies on this earth where those who are in charge of public safety don’t carry firearms and yet the citizens are honest, law abiding, respectful and hard working. What’s the secret? It’s very simple. We’ve been reading this instruction for the past 2000 years. “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” But, as I said, telling someone to do something isn’t the same as teaching them
how to do it. I know of a society of Aborigines in Australia, a peaceful, loving society where there is no violence among the people, no theft, no dishonesty, and no fear. The children are never beaten. There are no murders, rapes or assaults of any kind. There is no need for armed police enforcement because the people choose of their own free will to act in accordance with the rules of their society. What we need to do is pay for the elders in that society to come to America and teach classes for parents, teachers, communityleaders, elected officials, and police officers, to learn how to treat others as you wish to be treated.
continued on page14
november 5, 2015 The Windy City Word 7
A
udience members raved about Janet Jackson’s Chicago Theater performance downtown Tuesday evening November 3, 2015, continually summing it up in one word: “Awesome!” Billed as the “Unbreakable World Tour,” the action packed, high energy choreography proved that Ms. Jackson is indeed unbreakable, as she slid effortlessly into each song and accompanying dance routines with her band, and back up dancers. At 49 years of age, she remains rhythmically agile, never missing a beat and barely pausing to catch her breath. “Very impressive,” was how one onlooker described the show, which included old favorites such as Rhythm Nation, Nasty, and Control, in addition to some of Ms. Jackson’s latest popular tunes, keeping fans on their feet, singing and dancing throughout the evening. Impressive indeed was the wide age range of the audience, which included a multiracial array of people under 30 well as many over 50. “I am such a huge Janet Jackson fan,” exclaimed one woman, admittedly in the over-fifty group, “But the funny thing is, so is my daughter!”
8 The Windy City Word november 5, 2015
Entertainment
The Unbreakable Janet Jackson’s Chicago Performance“Awesome”
By Naimah Latif Staff Writer
Ensemble Espanol Brings Dance Community Together
T
CULTURE
he Ensemble Español Spanish together to challenge them as well as enable Dance Theater is the premier them to interact with other kids while Spanish dance center in the learning at a safe and steady pace moderated United States in residency at by the kids. The festival allows the young Northeastern Illinois University, dancers to gain a broader perspective on under the auspices of the other dance companies in Chicago. Participating Dance companies included: Department of Music and the Dance program. Last week, Ensemble Espanol Red Clay Dance, Natya Dance Theater hosted youth dance companies from all Youth Ensemble, Joel Hall Dancers Youth around the city in their first Chicago Dance Company, Ensemble Espanol Spanish Youth Festival. The youth festival took place Dance Youth Company, and Ballet The Ensemble Español is a on October 23 at Northeastern Illinois Chicago. world-class professional University. The energetic By Charles Roughy dance company under event showcased, some of STAFF WRITER the dynamic leadership the very best of Chicago Dance Youth Companies such as Red Clay of Founder and Artistic Director, Dame Libby Komaiko and Associate Artistic Dance Company and Joel Hall. The showcase included genres such as Director Irma Suarez Ruiz. The EE is jazz, hip-hop, ballet, ethnic dance and last critically acclaimed for its exuberant, breathtaking performances, but not least, Spanish dance. Youth from ravishing, entertaining, engaging all over the city of Chicago got a chance inspiring, to participate in the week long event and educating audiences worldwide. The mission of the Ensemble Español hosted at Northeastern Illinois University’s auditorium. During the week long event, Spanish Dance Theater and Center dancers had the opportunity to take classes is the preservation, presentation and from each other and learn each others craft promotion of the classical, folkloric, as well as perform together in a culminating flamenco and contemporary traditions of Spain. for or information visit www. event at the University. The youth festival brings young dancers EnsembleEspanol.Org
Get a $50 Mammogram Loretto Hospital proudly supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month of October, qualified individuals can receive a mammogram for only $50* *Certain restriction apply. Call for details.
Each year nearly 300,000 women are diagnosed with the disease. And, each year close to 40,000 of them die from it. Don’t take any chances. Get tested because early detection can save your life.
Live Life. Beat Breast Cancer. Schedule your mammogram today.
Call (773) 854-5233
Extended hours of operation and same day service are available
Loretto Hospital 645 South Central Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60644 (773) 626-4300
november 5, 2015 The Windy City Word 9
About That Car
TRANSPORTATION
2015 GMC Sierra 1500 2WD Double Cab
DETROIT
T
However, we did have OnStar and it did he 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 was feature turn-by-turn navigation as well as a no nonsense truck. It was black, on black with crash alert. Core services of the feature gray patterned seats. What’s included automatic crash response, more, it had black 20-inch stolen vehicle assistance and monthly aluminum wheels and deep vehicle diagnostics. And this Sierra 1500 had an in vehicle tinted glass. Our Sierra 1500 was an intimidating looking piece of equipment. Wi-Fi hot spot that covered 50-feet It was a rear-wheel-drive truck. Its around the truck. The audio system would also play standard 4.3-liter V6 By Frank S. Washington Pandora off our had been swapped Columnist smartphone once it out for a 5.3-liter V8 that made 355 horsepower and 483 was paired with the Sierra. There were some under the skin pound-feet of torque. Mated to a sixspeed automatic, this truck could tote features that made the Sierra a better 2,180 lbs. and tow 11,000 lbs. Well, not truck. High strength steel made the our test truck since it did not have a frame and the cab stronger, it reduced noise, harshness and vibrations and that tow package. This engine way quiet, responsive to made the truck quieter. What’s more, accelerator input and its electric power GMC said the stronger steel helped the steering system provided a little bit of Sierra attain a five-star crash rating. Our test vehicle had a base price of feel for the road. As trucks go, this one $30,695 but it was an Elevation Edition. was pretty easy to drive. Our test vehicle was a double cab. It Included were an automatic locking had a second row fold down bench seat differential, fog lamps, power heated that was truncated. It could carry three outside mirrors, body colored bumpers, people but it wasn’t very comfortable door handles, side moldings and recovery because it was not a full seat. The cushion hooks, LED lighted cargo box, 110 volt was a little shorter than a normal seat power outlet and remote keyless entry. That $3,855 package was included and the back was a little thinner. There in the $5,425 worth of options. Add a was some legroom but not much. There was no back seat entertainment freight charge of $1,195 minus a $750 system. And there wasn’t much in the discount on the Elevation Edition and way of entertainment in the front seat the total came to $36,565. That was not bad for a V8-powered, noeither. Our test vehicle didn’t have satellite radio. Its interesting how we’ve nonsense good-looking truck. Frank S. Washington is editor grown accustom to that feature. Nor was of AboutThatCar.com. there a navigation system.
10 The Windy City Word november 5, 2015
HEALTH
Stereotypes in healthcare make patients feel worse, study finds
T
he USC-led study shows that and memory issues in older adults. Such messages can reinforce and magnify healthcare professionals and hospitals should be sensitive to the negative lens through which these groups of stereotypes that could otherwise people are commonly viewed in society, she said. “It’s not that there aren’t real health concerns lead some patients to avoid care. A national study led by a USC in specific communities that we need to do researcher found people who encountered the more—much more—to address, but how we threat of being judged by negative stereotypes communicate about these concerns is key,” related to weight, age, race, gender, or social class Abdou said. This study builds upon one released last in healthcare settings reported experiencing year in which Abdou and collaborator Adam adverse health effects. The researchers found those people were Fingerhut of Loyola Marymount University more likely to have hypertension, to be depressed, in Los Angeles found that African American and to rate their own health more poorly. They women experienced more anxiety than all other women when they were also more distrustful of encountered negative their doctors, felt dissatisfied By Charles Roughy stereotypes of Africanwith their care, and were less STAFF WRITER American women’s likely to use highly accessible reproductive health in virtual waiting and exam preventive care, such as the flu vaccine. “Healthcare stereotype threat” stems rooms. Study details from common stereotypes about unhealthy Abdou and her team surveyed an estimated lifestyle choices or inferior intelligence that may be perpetuated, often unintentionally, by 1,500 people, ages 50 and older, as part of the health care professionals or even by public U.S. Health and Retirement Study. More than 17 percent of the respondents health campaigns. said they felt vulnerable to prejudice with Mixed messages Although health messages are intended regard to racial or ethnic identity, gender, socioto raise awareness of health issues or trends economic status, weight or age in healthcare that may affect specific communities, one settings. People who felt threatened based on implication of this study is that these messages several identities were worse off, health-wise, can backfire, said lead author Cleopatra than people who felt threatened based on just Abdou, an assistant professor at the USC one identity. Abdou said the challenge now is to find ways to Davis School of Gerontology and Department of Psychology at the USC Dornsife College of inform all people, including people at heightened risk, about how to live healthier, happier, and Letters, Arts and Sciences. “An unintended byproduct of public health longer lives while also minimizing the experience campaigns is that they often communicate and and effects of healthcare stereotype threat. “It’s time for us to implement policies that reinforce negative stereotypes about certain groups of people,” Abdou said. “As a result, they enhance medical school training in cultural may inadvertently increase experiences of what competency and increase the diversity of our we call ‘healthcare stereotype threat,’ which can physicians and broader healthcare workforce,” affect healthcare efficacy and even prompt some Abdou said. “Hospitals and other healthcare institutions with inclusive policies which patients to avoid care altogether.” Citing examples of healthcare stereotype welcome diversity and celebrate tolerance, both threat, Abdou pointed to campaigns about symbolically and explicitly, hold great promise reproductive health in African American women for reducing healthcare stereotype threat and the and other women of color; sexual health in the short-and long-term health disparities that we LGBTQ community; depression among women; are now learning result from it.”
Attention VeterAns
Join American Legion Milton Olive Post 1932
Meetings Every 4th Thursday 6:30p.m. -8:00p.m. Murdock Building 5090 W. Harrison Parking In Rear
november 5, 2015 The Windy City Word 11
RELIGION
Church Directory
New Galilee M.B.Church Reverend Michael J. Ross
431 North Laramie Avenue • Chicago, Illinois 60644 (773) 287-0422 – Church • (773) 287-0879 - Pastor Sunday School 9:00 A.M. • New Members Class 10:30 A.M. • Service 11:00 A.M. “Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whosoever lives and believes in me will never die” John 11:25-26
New Greater True Light M.B.C. Reverend Robert Lockett, Pastor
The Brittany Foote Story:
Domestic Violence Ends in Murder
S
ixteen-year-old Brittany, full of life Duval County, Florida wrote that the boyfriend with a beautiful smile, was a friend of a Jacksonville, Fla. woman missing for over a of Tyisha Waters. Brittany was month had been charged in her death. Authorities say Courtney Davis, 29, was murdered this year, her body never charged Tuesday with murdering his 22-yearfound. Early on, Brittany found herself old girlfriend, Brittany Foote, who was last seen in a violent relationship, one she would come to March 18. Courtney Davis reported that Davis’ father talk about with her friend Tyisha. After months of fighting, Tyisha invited Brittany to come to live reportedly told police his son confessed to him that he killed Foote and the father with her and her twin sister Lamisha. told authorities he feared his son Not clear about how she would be was suicidal. able to financially support Brittany, The station reports Davis later Tyisha and her sister took Brittany in confessed to the killing in an anyway. They knew that life could not interview with police. go on in the manner in which it had At the time the murder charge was been, with constant fighting. filed, Davis was already behind bars Though the home was actually on a charge of possession of a firearm the property of Tyisha’s twin sister by a convicted felon. Lamisha, she was allowed to take BY Lyndia Grant Authorities say Brittany in. Tyisha was very young, only 21 years Special to the NNPA from The Washington Informer investigators determined of age, with one young child and another one on the way; yet she was determined to help Brittany by letting her know someone cared for her. A loyal friend, Brittany loved Tyisha and her children; they became her family for three years. Then she began dating a new boyfriend, a known criminal; not someone Tyisha wanted to see with her friend. After all, she had already been involved with one violent relationship, why would she consider another. Within six months, control became a major factor followed by physical abuse. As abusers often do, he came between them, wanting to control her every move. Brittany always allowed these abusers to believe she was happy to be with them. Finally, she became so involved with her friend that she moved in with him, and eventually, he convinced her to move to Florida with him. Then on March 19, 2015, Tyisha received the worst phone call of her life. Brittany had been killed by her boyfriend and no sign of her body could be found. The authorities still have not found her remains. The story was a leading news story in Duval County, Florida. A CBS affiliate, WJAX, in
12 The Windy City Word november 5, 2015
Davis bought items to get rid of Foote’s body. Officials say the 22-yearold’s body was put in a dumpster in Jacksonville. Detectives searched a landfill for her remains for about 7 days, but the search turned up nothing. Police say they are unsure of where Foote was murdered, but say they believe the motive in the killing was jealousy. According to a PBS report, “Women may be afraid of strangers, but it’s a husband, a lover, a boyfriend, or someone they know who is most likely to hurt them.” And based on a U.S. Justice Department study, two-thirds of violent attacks against women are committed by someone the woman knows. In the U.S., one of the most dangerous places for a woman is in her own home. Approximately 1,500 women are killed each year by husbands or boyfriends. About 2 million men per year beat their partners, according to the F.B.I. Lyndia Grant is an author, inspirational and motivational speaker, radio talk show host and columnist; if you would like Lyndia to serve as facilitator for your retreat or special event, call 202-518-3192. Tune in Fridays at 6 p.m. to the radio talk show, 1340 AM, WYCB, a Radio One Station.
5401 West Chicago Avenue • Chicago, Illinois 60651 • (773) 287-6485 Friday February 13, 2015 – The Deaconess will present a Friday night service @ 7:30PM; Wednesday, February 18, 2015– Thursday, February 19, 2015 and Friday February 20, 2015 – Annual Revival @ 7:30pm; Sunday February 22, 2015 – Winter Harvest Tea – Immediately following morning worship “We Walk In The Light As He Is The Light; We Have Fellowship One With Another And The Blood Of Jesis Christ, His Son Cleanseth Us From All Sins”
First New Life Baptist Church Reverend Kirk L. Gayton, Pastor
900-908 N. Waller • Chicago, IL 60651 • (773) 921-8170 Sunday School: 9:25 A.M. • Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 A.M. Wednesday Bible Class: 7:00-8:00 p.m. Friday Food Pantry:10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. (for zip codes 60644, 60651)
Greater Open Door Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Richard Nelson
1301 S. Sawyer Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60623 • (773) 762-8753 Early Worship: 8:00 A.M. • Sunday School: 9:15 A.M. Worship Service: 10:50 A.M. Website: www.greateropendoor.com
New Home Baptist Church
Reverend Mack McCollum, Pastor 4804 W. Polk St. Chicago, IL 60644 • (773) 378-2235 Fax 773-261-2340 Sunday School: 9:00 aam • Morning Worship: 11:00 am Live Radio Broadcast WCEV-1450am: Sunday evenings at 9:00 P.M. Live webcast @ www.wcev1450.com
Friendship Baptist Church
Reverend Reginald E. Bachus, Pastor 5200 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, Illinois 60644 • (773) 227-8478 www.friendshipbaptistchurch-chgo.org Early Morning Service: 8:30 A.M. • Sunday School: 9:00 A.M. Worship Service: 11:00 A.M. Wednesday: Mid-day Bible Study 12 noon
New Deliverance Church of God in Christ Reverend Dr. Larry Gaston Sr., Pastor
5801 W. Augusta Blvd., Chicago, IL 60651 • 773-783-7196 Sunday School: 9:45 A.M. • Midday Worship: 11:30 A.M. Email: newdeliverance@hotmail.com Come join us anytime and bring A friend
Greater St. John Bible Church Reverend Ira Acree, Pastor
1256 N. Waller Avenue, Chicago, IL 60651 (773)378-3300 • Fax:(773)378-3376/1100 Email: info@gsjbchurch.org www.greaterstjohnbiblechurch.org Sunday Contemporary Service: 10:00 A.M.
SAINT STEPHEN A.M.E. CHURCH Rev. James C. Bailey, Sr. Pastor
3042 W. Washington Blvd. Chicago, IL 60612 • (773) 826-7009 Sunday February 22, 2015 – Taste of St. Stephen – after 10:45 service Every Sunday in February – Black History Presentation @ 7:45AM “Serving an Excellent God in an Excellent Way” Web: www.ststephenchicago.org
St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church Reverend Dwight Eason Sr., Pastor 4201 W. Lake St. • Chicago, IL 60624
Sunday School 9:30 A.M. Worship 11:00 am • Tuesday Prayer Meeting/ Bible 7:30 PM Friday Youth Bible Class 7:30 PM Church Motto: “Eye Hath Not Seen, Nor Ear Heard” 1COR 2:9
MONEY
EXCLUSIVE:
Russell Simmons Speaks Out on RushCard Glitch
REAL ESTATE • REAL ESTATE • REAL
APARTMENTS FOR RENT Austin – $1000 mo., 2 bdrm, Utilities, appliances, laundry, security systems and wifi included, no smoking, no pets near transportation Call 773-220-5043
R
ussell Simmons hasn’t slept much since news broke in mid-October that users of his RushCard couldn’t access their own money and were locked out of their accounts, due to a computer glitch, leaving some unable to make rent payments, pay utility bills or buy groceries for their families. “Technology glitches happen, but this was a tsunami,” said Simmons in an From NNPA NEWS WIRE EXCLUSIVE exclusive, hour-long interview with the NNPA News Wire. Users began experiencing problems when Simmons’ company switched to a new transaction-processing provider, something that he said they’ve done successfully at least four times. “We made the transfer of processes four separate times in the past and the next thing you know, I get a text message that we sent to our customers that we were down for two hours,” said Simmons, the iconic business magnate who founded Def Jam Records and the Phat Farm clothing line. “Our call center usually gets about 600 calls and now it’s [getting] 600,000 calls.” Simmons said that three multi-billion dollar corporations were involved in the process and each has been helpful in resolving the technical issues related to the latest transition. Simmons credited MasterCard CEO Ajaypal Singh Banga with immediately responding to the problem and helping to fix it. “He’s the CEO of a $120 billion company and he picked the telephone up on the first ring,” Simmons said, adding that Banga has talked a lot about finding ways to reach underserved communities and others who don’t use traditional banks. In the aftermath of the outage that wreaked havoc on the lives of thousands of cardholders, RushCard created a multi-million dollar fund to compensate customers who were affected. Simmons also said that he has heard the criticism about the outage loud and clear and he’s accepted it and now he’s doing everything in his power to make his cardholders whole, even going beyond that. “The way I view it, I will take every complaint and claim and pay it, if it has any legitimacy,” said Simmons. “I’ve heard people being put out of their apartments or in the hospital needing medicine and what
LEGAL NOTICES
institutions,” Simmons said. Simmons also said that fees for his card aren’t as high as other prepaid cards and RushCard members have access to 25,000 free ATMs. According to Bankrate.com, the Prepaid Visa RushCard “Pay As You Go Plan” is among a handful of cards that have no monthly maintenance fees. The card does carry an activation fee that ranges between $3.95 and $9.95 and users are also charged 50 cents for every out-of-network ATM balance inquiry. In comparison, Walmart’s MoneyCard Plus has a $3 monthly maintenance fee, an activation fee that can be as high as $4 and charges $1 for every ATM balance inquiry, except for inquiries made at MoneyPass ATMs. Simmons said his company has hired additional employees to help answer and resolve customer complaints and that cardholders should continue to report problems and any financial hardships caused by the two-week outage to the RushCard call center. “I want my customers to know that we will restore RushCard as the gold standard of [prepaid debit card] services in our community,” said Simmons. Simmons continued: “I want to assure those who rely on the RushCard that I will not rest until we have regained your trust.”
I have done, what I do, is if they say they [lost] $400, I’ve given them back that exact amount and I’ve also adjusted their fees.” In addition to restoring customer accounts in full, Simmons said that from Nov. 1, 2015 through February 29, 2016, RushCard customers will enjoy a no-fee holiday, which will exempt card users from paying monthly, transaction and ATM fees during that period. People who open new accounts will also be eligible for the no-fee holiday benefits, but all cardholders will still be responsible for paying third-party fees. While it will cost him money, he said it’s just one way of regaining the trust of his loyal base. “I like when this company is really profitable, then we can go out and help the community in a way that no bank, no nonBlack institution ever will,” he said. UniRush, LLC, the company that owns RushCard, was co-founded by Simmons 12 years ago to help low-to-moderate income individuals and families have an easier time paying bills and managing their money. “The RushCard is the embodiment of my message of empowerment, because it is a better and more transparent option for millions of ‘underbanked’ and ‘unbanked’ Americans, who often suffer at the hands of large financial
°
LEGAL NOTICES
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Chancery Division.Bank of America, N.A.P l a i n t i f f , v s . Britney O. Jackson ; Unknown Owners and Non-Record ClaimantsD e f e n d a n t s , 12 CH 44347Sheriff’s # 150442F12120069 BOAPursuant to a Judgment made and entered by said Court in the above entitled cause, Thomas J. Dart, Sheriff of Cook County, Illinois, will on December 8, 2015, at 1pm in room LL06 of the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction the following described premises and real estate mentioned in said Judgment:Common Address: 4048 West Lexington Street, Chicago, Illinois 6 0 6 2 4 P.I.N: 16-15-412-050-0000Improvements: This property consists of a Multi Family Two to Six Apts.Sale shall be under the following terms: payment of not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount of the successful and highest bid to be paid to the Sheriff by cashier’s check or certified funds at the sale; and the full remaining balance to be paid to the Sheriff by cashier’s check or certified funds within twenty-four (24) hours after the sale.Sale shall be subject to general taxes, special assessments.Premise will NOT be open for i n s p e c t i o n . Firm Information: Plaintiff’s A t t o r n e y ANSELMO, LINDBERG OLIVER L L C 1771 W. DIEHL., Ste 120Naperville, IL 60566-7228foreclosurenotice@ fal-illinois.com866-402-8661 fax 630-428-4620For bidding instructions, visit w w w . f a l - i l l i n o i s . c o m This is an attempt to collect a debt pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. I674286
Pick up YOUR copy of the
at your local
Walgreens • Dollar Tree • Jewel FREE Vol XXIV, No. 36
VISIT US
FREE
FREE
September 10, 2015
ON-LINE WWW.WINDYCITYWORD.COM
Vol XXIV, No. 30
VISIT US
Vol XXIV, No. 35
Vol XXIV, No. 28
July 30, 2015
ON-LINE WWW.WINDYCITYWORD.COM
VISIT US
Vol XXIV, No. 37 VISIT US
Vol XXIV, No. 33
VISIT US
Vol XXIV, No. 27
ON-LINE WWW.WINDYCITYWORD.COM
July 16, 2015
ON-LINE WWW.WINDYCITYWORD.COM
The Not-So
Funny Business
July 9, 2015
March In Response to 7 Year Old’s Shooting Death
The Black Code Words: Same Old Meaning
VISIT US
September 17, 2015
ON-LINE WWW.WINDYCITYWORD.COM
August 20, 2015
ON-LINE WWW.WINDYCITYWORD.COM
Page 2
Deafening Silence at the Destruction of an African American Icon
Abortion Rights Regain Momentum Page 3
Page 2
Page 2
Page 2
Pfleger, Coalition Sue Gun Shops To Stem Crime in Black Community Page 8 Photo by John Alexander
Page 3
• Urban Farm in Austin
• The Minaj Statue Incident Page 15 8 Page
Page 5
• Obama On the Move In Africa
Page 3
• 10 Rules to Help Black Boys Survive
Page 8
• Sandra Bland’s Mom Vows to Seek Truth
@windycitywordnews
@windycitywordnews
Find Us On Social Media:
@windycitywordnews
Windy CIty Word Newspaper
@windycitywordnews
@windycitywordnews
Find Us On Social Media:
Windy CIty Word Newspaper
@windycitywordnews
@windycitywordnews
Find Us On Social Media:
Page 3 •2016 Nissan Maxima
• First Principle Black Ballerina
...Too Loud ...Too Loose ...Too Masculine ...To Be Ladies? • Toyota , Jesse Jackson Sr. Scholarships
@windycitywordnews
Windy CIty Word Newspaper
Page 5
Find Us On Social Media:
@windycitywordnews
@windycitywordnews
Windy CIty Word Newspaper
@windycitywordnews
@windycitywordnews
Windy CIty Word Newspaper
Page 7
Photo by John Alexander
• Urban Farm in Austin
• The Minaj Statue Incident Page 15 8 Page
@windycitywordnews
Find Us On Social Media:
Find Us On Social Media:
Page 5
• It’s All Good, Meagan Good Page 15 8 Page
Page 15
Page 9
Page 4
@windycitywordnews
• Black Votes Matter
• Blacks Not Likely to Support Black GOP
Page Page15 15
Page 9
•Job Prospects Improve For Black Women Windy CIty Word Newspaper
•Union Workers Protest State Budget Cuts Page Page415
Page 3
Page 3
• Last Word: Julian Bond
• Photographer Air Born
• Prince to New Artists: Don’t Sign Page 8
Find Us On Social Media:
• Kenyan Lawmakers Warn Obama
•Million Man March 20th Anniversary Page 2
Page 15 9
Page 4
September 3, 2015
ON-LINE WWW.WINDYCITYWORD.COM
of William H. Cosby
Page 4
Page 2
Page 7
• Toyota , Jesse Jackson Sr. Scholarships
VISIT US
Are African American Women...
@windycitywordnews
@windycitywordnews
Windy CIty Word Newspaper
@windycitywordnews
@windycitywordnews
@windycitywordnews
@windycitywordnews
@windycitywordnews
november 5, 2015 The Windy City Word 13
Freed continued from page 4 Shawn’s confession was obtained by way of torture. Judge Alonzo is now a Federal Judge, Shawn’s pleasant smile and sense of humor belies the ordeal which took him away from his family and put his personal life on hold for 25 years. “When I left home, my little sister was just a small child,” he recalled, observing his little sister who is now all grown up with little children of her own. “I saw her for the first time in twenty five years just a week ago.” Shawn’s mother Erma Whirl said her faith in God kept her going for all those years, even when
Abuse
continued from page 7 They have obviously mastered it, as evidenced by their society. We obviously have not, as evidenced by ours. Let’s swallow our pride, arrogance, and ignorance and seek help from those who are doing what we should be doing, but obviously never learned how. I’m serious. There’s something wrong with when a grown man calls another grown man to come into a classroom and beat up an
lack of transportation made prison visits difficult. “I have 5 sons,” she said. “Shawn is the youngest son. When you carry the Man Upstairs with you, you’ll be alright, that’s what I instilled in him. You have to have patience, but you have to have faith in the Lord.” Shawn’s father James Whirl observed that his son always had a cheerful nature. “I guess that always stayed with him. He kept working while he was in prison, I guess that’s what kept him going.” Being incarcerated 250 miles away from his family made frequent visits difficult, James Whirl noted, however they stayed in touch by letters and phone calls, keeping his son abreast of what was happening in the family.
Shawn’s sister in law Marabel Alayon-Howard, married to his oldest brother, recalled how when Shawn heard about her battle with breast cancer, he sent her a beautiful card he made while in prison, even though they had never met. He decorated it with a pink ribbon, the symbol for breast cancer. She said the gesture really touched her heart. “It was such a difficult time in my life, that someone who didn’t even know me would take the time to send me a card, that spoke volumes about who Shawn really is,” she said. “He’s an amazing man, he said ‘This is not going to break me. It didn’t then and it won’t now. I’ve forgiven everybody and I’m moving forward.’” Rainbow PUSH staff member Johnnie Savory,
himself falsely accused of murder at age 14 and forced to endure 30 years of prison, said he felt compelled to step forward and arrange the homecoming celebration for Shawn. “People don’t realize all the things you have to go through,” he asserted. Starting over with nothing is an ordeal, he explained, and a person coming out of prison requires some support. Shawn said he plans to continue his education. “I took classes all the time I was in prison,” he said. His interest is to pursue a career in Marketing. “I just finished a class in Psychology before I was released. I was a productive citizen before I went in, I’ll continue to be a productive citizen now that I’m out.”
orphaned girl for holding a cell phone. What’s even scarier is that parents and teachers are debating about how the girl is somehow responsible. And we know officer Fields was only fired because a cell phone video exposed what really happened. Otherwise, the story would have been that the student attacked him and he was only defending himself. In fact, I’m surprised he didn’t come in with his gun drawn and shoot her, claiming he thought her cell phone was a gun and he felt “threatened.”
You judge a nation by the way it treats its children. When I hear the vicious comments by adults who think children need to be beaten into submission - children they taught by their own example to be disrespectful, defiant, rude, uncooperative, vulgar, and violent - well, it’s no wonder our children have become armed and dangerous. If you sow hate you reap hate. Anybody want to try correcting a child with love? Ask the peaceful Aboriginal community in Australia. It
actually works. Join our discussions on The Female Solution radio show Monday through Friday 7am-9am at www.blogtalkradio.com/thefemale-solution. Call in and comment 347539-5639. Listen on Wednesdays for a special three hour session on relationships starting from 6am-9am at www.blogtalkradio.com/ americanmuslim360. Call in and comment, 646-716-4478. Or hear each archived show on my website at www.naimahlatif.com/ radioshows.
Steps continued from page 4 organizing. Those of you skilled in organizing need to teach it and show us how to do it.” Thomas Dortch, chairman emeritus of 100 Black Men, said the organization is happy to work with the Nation of Islam and the committees. “Name me one other person who can send out a call and have 100,000 or one million respond,” Dortch said. Dortch said his organization will recruit 10,000 men and 10,000 women to work on improving the Black community, just what Farrakhan called for in his speech on Oct. 10. One of the criticisms leveled by some Black leaders against the 1995 Million Man March was that there
was no legislative program to present to the federal government or the individual states. Both Farrakhan and Dortch said that the 1995 march was about Black men atoning for their sins and talking responsibility for their families and communities. Following the 1995 march, Farrakhan called for an independent black political movement and a separate, self-sustaining black economy as well as demanded the U.S. government pay reparations to descendants of slaves. In moving forward with action this go around, Farrakhan gave a free copy of “The National Agenda: Public Policy Issues, Analyses, and Programming Plan of Action for 2000- 2008” to attendees at the post-March meeting at the Marriott Marquis in Northwest D.C. on Oct. 11. “You have the power to bring about the change you desire,” he told the audience members.
Attention 2014 CPR/AED & First Aid
AFFORDABLE COST!
Training Class Prevention Force Family Center 4728 W. Madison Street Chicago IL 60644 Learning CPR & First Aid is worth three to four hours of your valuable time. Protect children by making a commitment to be an educated first responder. It may mean the difference between life and death! Affordable for individuals, youth workers, child care providers, family members, organization staffs, church members, and business employees.
14 The Windy City Word november 5, 2015
Call 773-287-5543 for Upcoming CPR/AED & First Aid Training Class Schedule The CPR classes are: CPR/Adult/Child/infant/AED & Basic first aid Family & Friends CPR / CPR Refresher Youth & Students CPR Hands Only Lifesaving Skills For more information, please call 773 287-5543.
LAST WORD
Adults Are the Problem...
I
t is time for adults of every race and income group to break our silence about the pervasive breakdown of moral, family, and community values, to place our children first in our lives, and to struggle to model the behavior we want our children to learn. School children don’t need one more “Officer Slam” as some students referred to the White South Carolina school resource officer who this week shamed the nation with his violent ejection of a 16-year-old Black female student from her classroom for a nonviolent offense. A very welcome counter narrative took place when a White female police officer in Washington, D.C. after diffusing a potentially volatile conflict between two groups of Black teens, then charmed with a “dance off” a defiant teen-age girl who had refused to leave. Any parent who has gone through the challenges of adolescence could only admire the quick thinking and agile footwork of the D.C. police officer. The last thing children need is violent assaults in schools which ought to be safe havens, and a suspension, expulsion and arrest to blot their school records and push them closer to the prison pipeline. And the very last thing children need is out-of-control adults using violence as a way of resolving differences. I am often asked what’s wrong with our children and I almost always answer, adults are what’s wrong. We tell our children to control themselves while slapping and spanking and ejecting them violently in our homes, child care centers, schools, detention facilities and prisons. Adults tell children to be honest while lying and cheating and not to be violent while marketing and glorifying violence. I urge every parent, adult, educator, faith and public leader to conduct a personal audit to determine whether we are contributing to the crisis our children face or to the solutions they
urgently need. And if we are not a part of children the solution, we are a part of the problem against and need to do better. a d u l t s Our children don’t need or expect us to and adults be perfect. They do need and expect us to be honest, to admit and correct our mistakes, against children that is tearing us apart. If we profess to be people of faith and send and to share our struggles about the meanings and responsibilities of faith, parenthood, rather than take our children to worship citizenship, and life. Before we can pull up and religious education services, and the moral weeds of violence, materialism, believe that the Sermon on the Mount, Ten and greed in our society that are strangling Commandments, the Koran, or whatever religious beliefs we hold, pertain so many of our young, we must only to one-day worship but not to pull up the moral weeds in our Monday through Sunday home, own backyards and educational professional, and political life, then institutions. So many children are we are a part of the problem rather confused about what is right and than the solution to the spiritual wrong because so many adults famine and hypocrisy plaguing talk right and do wrong in our America today. personal, professional, and public If we tell, snicker, or wink at lives. racial, gender, religious, or ethnic If we are not supporting a child Marian Wright Edelman jokes or engage in or acquiesce we brought into the world as a NNPA Columnist in any practices intended to father or mother with attention, diminish rather than enhance time, love, discipline, and the teaching of values, then we are a part of the other human beings, then we are contributing problem rather than the solution to the family to the proliferating voices of racial and ethnic breakdown today that is leaving so many division and intolerance staining our land again. Let’s not fight the civil war or repeat the children at risk. If we are abusing tobacco, alcohol or other worst lessons of our past. Let’s prepare for the drugs while telling our children not to, then future in an irreversibly interconnected world we are a part of the problem rather than the that is majority non-White and poor. If we think being American is about how solution in our overly addicted society. If we have unlocked and loaded guns in our much we can get rather than about how much home and cars, and rely on them to feel safe we can give and share to help all our children and powerful, and don’t stand up to those who get a healthy, fair, and safe start in life, and market guns to our children and to those who kill successful transition to college and productive our children with guns, or glamorize violence as work in our boastfully wealthy nation and are fun, entertaining, and normal, then we are part unable and unwilling to support a concept of of the problem rather than the solution to the enough for the poor among us then we are a escalating war of American against American, part of the problem rather than the solution. If we, or our organizations, are spending more family member against family member, and
money on alcohol and entertainment than on scholarships, books, tutoring, rites of passage, and mentoring programs for youths, then we are a part of the problem rather than the solution to ensuring positive alternatives to the streets and drug dealers for children. If we’d rather talk the talk than walk the walk to the voting booths, school board meetings, political forums, PTA, congregation and community meetings to organize community and political support on all sides of the aisle for our children, then we are a part of the problem rather than the solution. If we are not voting and holding political leaders at every level and in every party accountable for investing relative pennies in quality early childhood opportunities, education, housing for homeless children and jobs – jobs with dignity and decent wages – and billions in the military budget, and for cutting investments for poor mothers and children while protecting massive government welfare for rich farmers and over-paid corporate executives, then we are a part of the problem rather than the solution to the undemocratic unjust and growing gap between rich and poor. And if we think we have ours and don’t owe any time or money or effort to lend a hand to voteless, voiceless, hungry, homeless, miseducated, neglected and abused children, then we are a part of the problem rather than the solution to the fraying social fabric and violence and uncertainty that threatens all Americans. Marian Wright Edelman is President of the Children’s Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. For more information go to www.childrensdefense.org.
november 5, 2015 The Windy City Word 15