Blacks Must Control Their Own Community
www.chicagocrusader.com To The Unconquerable Host of Africans Who Are Laying Their Sacrifices Upon The Editorial Altar For Their Race AUDITED BY
•C•P•V•S•
VOLUME LXXIII NUMBER 4—SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2013
PUBLISHED SINCE 1940
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Parents file suit against CPS closings The education of students with disabilities and race discrimination are the subjects of two class action lawsuits filed recently in federal court against the Chicago Board of Education by parents of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students. The suit also has the support of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). The parents seek an injunction against all proposed school closings by the City and CPS for violations of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Illinois Civil Rights Act (ICRA). The litigation is being handled by Despres, Schwartz and Geoghegan, Ltd., Robin Potter & Associates, P.C., and the Edwin F. Mandel Legal Aid Clinic of the University of Chicago. The respective plaintiffs include Mandi Swan, Denise Burns, Felicia Bradley, Sherise McDaniel, Marshetta Ross, Frances Newman and Alphonso Newman, on behalf of their children and all the other children impacted by the closings. The first suit charges the board, CPS Chief Executive Officer Barbara Byrd-Bennett and the City of Chicago with violating Title II of the ADA in their proposal to close 53 elementary schools. It reads: (Continued on page 3)
LAWSUITS BY THE Chicago Teachers Union and other interested parties filed recently show a dramatic shift from where the protests with the Chicago Public Schools started – in the streets.
Sawyer wants real transparency on privatizing By Glenn Reedus Sixth Ward Alderman Roderick Sawyer chuckles while saying “I do not believe every privatization deal is bad. I just can’t think of any that are good for the city.” With the possibility of at least three City of Chicago departments – water management, sanitation and Midway Airport- facing privatization; Sawyer is pushing for his proposed privatization transparency ordinance to move from the recesses of the council’s rules committee. Thousands of Black city workers’ jobs are at stake, and Sawyer sees looming privatization pushes as having a detrimental impact on Black middle class neighborhoods, many of whom are anchored by city workers. Sawyer’s objectives by introducing what he has labeled the “Privatization Transparency Ordinance” were multi-pronged aiming to ensure private contracts like the parking meter and Skyway deals are not replicated. He also wants to ensure the stability of middle class communities by keeping city workers in their
ALDERMAN RODERICK SAWYER hopes his proposed legislation will ensure that the Emanuel Administration discloses all of the details before any privatization deal is struck, such as one rumored for Midway Airport.
jobs and not have them contracted to private employers. He added it is well documented that city employees experience substantial pay cuts when their work shifts from a governmental organization to a private company. “I just think we should be clear about which deals are in the best interest of the city and which are not. I have a concern about touting a monetary savings if we haven’t thought about the people that will lose a job, the families that could lose a home and the local businesses that could lose a loyal customer.” The second-generation councilman referenced a situation in the 2011-12 city budget when privatization took away scores of jobs in the city’s waste water management accounts receivable division. He said initially the administration’s position was “these folks are fired. But enough aldermen (between 20 and 30) raised a stink and the administration found jobs for the workers in other city departments. But had the aldermen not raised a stink those people would have been unemployed,” he noted.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Red Line riders use variety of plans for massive construction (See story on page 3)
The proposed ordinance that would create the kind of transparency Sawyer wants has been stuck in committee since last November. He explained, “the reason why it is stuck there is because there was conflict between two committees, and when there is a conflict between two committees, it (potential legislation) goes to the rules committee.” He added the council’s own rule – Rule 42 details “the committee shall report it out.” The conflict arose when Sawyer proposed the matter be handled by the budget committee and someone else proposed that the workforce development deal with privatization. Sawyer said he doesn’t know who made the counter proposal. According to Sawyer, even though Rule 42 specifies the proposed legislation should be moved to a committee in 30 days after going to rules; there are no sanctions if the rules committee chair, in this case Alderman Dick Mell, doesn’t send it to the appropriate committee. “There is no rationale why it hasn’t (Continued on page 3)
NEWS
Bill would change how police collect racial data By Wendell Hutson State Sen. Mattie Hunter (DChicago) said she is sponsoring Senate Bill 1598 because she is not satisfied with how law enforcement currently collects racial data on people. “As it stands now, when a person is arrested police identify the person as either Black or white, that’s it,” explained Hunter, whose district includes the South Shore community. “What about Hispanics, Asians and other ethnic groups? “That’s why with this measure, we will achieve greater documentation and understanding of the individuals being arrested in Illinois, for what particular crimes and be able to identify specific trends in arrests and incarceration.” What SB 1598 would do is allow anyone arrested to be given a standardized questionnaire form to self-identify their race. And if self-identification were refused, the arresting officer would fill it out. The bill would further require that it be noted if the officer filled out the form or the person arrested. The acquired information would be maintained by the state prison system and reported annually to both the state legislature and the
governor. And once collected the information would be submitted daily to the Illinois State Police. It would not apply to those given traffic citations unless they were placed under arrest. “I am aware some people think this bill would encourage police officers to racial profile motorists but that’s why the bill stipulates that a person must be in police custody and not simply questioned by police,” she added. Once gathered the data could be used to also break down racial barriers that Hunter said exist in minority communities. “There is an agreed perception throughout Illinois that the operations of our state’s criminal justice system, especially our courts and prisons, are negatively affecting certain ethnic populations,” added Hunter. “However, we have yet to acquire the necessary data to define these trends so corrective action can be taken.” Michael Shields, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, which represents Chicago police officers, said he has not yet decided whether to support the bill. “Let’s just see what the final product looks like first. Then I would have more to say,” Shields
UNDER LEGISLATION SPONSORED by state Sen. Mattie Hunter is expected to end confusion and allow law enforcement officials to better categorize the racial identify of individuals in the corrections system. said. race, which is not always easy to about the proposed bill, which However, Hunter said she met identify, so we are making some was unanimously passed by the with representatives from the modifications to address their Senate on April 24. FOP and Illinois State Police, concern,” Hunter said. “Frankly, “I don’t like it. I think it would who told her they support the bill I think these guys (police officers) encourage police to profile Black but with one concern. are lazy and don’t want to do the drivers,” said Melinda Powell, 43. “Law enforcement agencies are paperwork.” “We (Blacks) don’t need to be concerned that if a person refuses A spokesman for the Illinois giving the police another reason to fill out the (voluntary) form at State Police did not return calls to stop us.” the time of arrest it means the of- seeking comment. And Erik Muller, 51, likes the ficer must determine the person’s But residents had plenty to say idea of self-identification.
African American businessmen launch first of five stores ‘We want to control our own money’
bend Nathanyahu, who is the lead vocalist for the Black Elegance vocal group he began in 1976 and the African Connection Discussion Club. Dry goods, milk and cereal are being ordered, according to Davis. “We are giving people an alternative. Our prices are lower than Walgreens and most dollar stores. We’re giving Black people an opportunity to have an option to shop with African Americans and to be respected. “And while the kids can come in
Following his dream, Harold Davis, president of the “79th Street Indoor Mall, 1706-08 East 79th Street, has opened one of several one-stop-shop stores located in the Black community and said he will give an economic boost, pride and jobs to African American neighborhoods and where you can also pay your bills and buy your Mother’s Day and gifts right in the ‘hood. When you walk in the store, you’ll see a table of brand new shoes, that cost $60, and boots for $40, both made in Ethiopia. There is another table full of exotic female underwear, shelving full of household goods, clothing for men and women, an array of cell phones, cleaning items, Pampers, car products, body oil, drugstore items with more products on the way including a coffee shop complete with Wi-Fi service. “We are a Wi-Fi hot spot on 79th Street which means anybody can come here with their computer and hook up and work from the building” just like other popular coffee places, said Davis. “We want to be like the dollar store, but we have many more items.”
Of the cell phones, Davis said he carries brands from 15 different carriers. “You can pay your light bill, your phone bill and your cable bill and 500 other bills at this store. “We have computers coming in for kids to do their homework, but adults will have to pay for working on the computers,” said Davis. Included under this one-stopshop business concept are incubator spaces for people who want to start a business but can’t afford a store. “You can come in for $175.00 and share space with somebody, but if you want your own corner, that will cost $300 a month,” said Davis. “That gives you up to ten copies on the copy machine, access to a fax machine and free Wi-Fi. You don’t
have to go out and pay $1300 a month to get visibility. It will be your office.” Davis is in partnership with several African American entrepreneurs including Al Perkins, the vice president, Herbert Hedgeman, Kublai Toure, and Mark Hines. Al Perkins, who is one of several investors, said, “We intend to expand this one store into one of five or six stores in the Black community. We are working on that now. It’s going to be a neighborhood store,” he said explaining that more products are on the way including the popular beauty products, stockings and other items. When asked why is he one of the investors, Perkins said, “We need to control our economy. We bring millions of dollars into the community every week but it is taken out the same day,” he said referring to other ethnic businessmen and women who operate stores in the African American community and take with them the proceeds to areas where they live. “We don’t control any of that money,” Perkins said. Some of the vendors are Rev. Willie McGee, who has a Wednesday 8 p.m. gospel show on WBGX and on Tuesdays through Friday’s 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Lonnie Lewis, an author and entrepreneur and Sem-
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Saturday, May 18, 2013
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
By Chinta Strausberg
Al Perkins
and do their homework on our computers, adults can take courses in literacy at 10 a.m. on Saturdays,” said Davis. He urged parents who cannot read to come in and sign up for this free course. Praising the businessmen for their venture, former Water Reclamation District Commission Patricia Horton said, “This is a product of what we’d like to see in our communities and in our neighborhoods—Black businesses. I’d like to think of this as being a launching board of many more businesses to come.”
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS ARE being offered at the 79th Street Indoor Mall, 1706-08 East 79th Street, and are cheaper than Walgreens and most dollar stores, according to the owners. The Chicago Crusader
NEWS
Red Line riders use variety of plans for massive construction By J. Coyden Palmer With the impending closure of all South Red Line train service from Cermak to 95th /Dan Ryan in the next few days, many regular riders still have not finalized their game plan for getting around during the five-month reconstruction process. Many people the Crusader spoke with are skeptical of the CTA’s alternative routes and reduced fare plans. Those who have their own vehicles say they will drive, while others say they will pay the higher fares to ride Metra. Many however say there is no good option, while others are seeking answers from a higher power. “I’m just going to pray because I have no clue how I’m going to do this,” said a laughing Gwen Thompson from Auburn Gresham. Thompson might not be in such a good mood next week, when her usual 30 minute commute to downtown, where she works in a retail store, could turn into 90 minutes. That is because the shuttle buses are expected to be crowded along with an expected increase in vehicular traffic on the roadways. “I think no matter what route you choose to go, you’re still going to be stuck in congestion,” Thompson said. “I’m just praying they can finish as quickly and safely as possible.” Beverly resident Angela Anderle she is going to opt for different bus routes to get to her job near North Avenue and Halsted Street Anderle said for her the decision comes down to choosing the safest route, not necessarily the fastest one. With several bus lines near her
home, she is choosing the one that will go through the least amount of high crime neighborhoods. “I’m going to bypass 95th and take the Western bus straight down and cut over east once I get to North Ave.,” Anderle explained. “The Western route is safer than riding the Ashland or Halsted buses.” Darrin Oliver, a student at Columbia College said he is going to use trial and error to figure out his best move. He said he will start taking Metra from his Avalon Park neighborhood, but he said he can only do that for so long because of the price. He will then try a variety of bus routes, car pooling with fellow students and if need be, ride his bike. “Well I think the good part is that the construction will be taking place during the warm months so I will have no problem biking the few miles downtown,” Oliver said. “But on days of bad weather, when I’m pressed for time, or I need to be dressed up, I’m not going to be able to bike so I will have to try and find the best bus route. I’m thinking of taking either the Cottage Grove Express or the Jeffrey Express.” Officials at Metra announced they will be offering some reduced fares on trains where they expect an increase in passengers. Metra is also hoping to attract new riders from those who usually only take the CTA. Metra has also posted a guide for new riders on their website www.metrarail.com. To assist Red Line riders and encourage them to use a combination of CTA, Metra and/or Pace, the three agencies are offering a joint fare product that will be sold
THERE WILL BE more riders on the #29 State Street bus next week, when the CTA South Red Line is closed for five months during a major reconstruction project. The CTA will also have shuttle buses that run along the route. The Red Line station at 87th Street was quiet this week as people have already started trying out their alternative transportation plans in anticipation of next week's shutdown. (Photos by J. Coyden Palmer) “There will definitely be a hit to through the existing CTA retail net- to Willis Tower where they work in work (Jewel, Walgreens, etc.) in the a law office. Jergens said two of his the wallet we all are taking but it colleagues live within a convenient will only be for five months, so we vicinity of the Red Line. Herb Jergens from Jackson Park driving distance to his home so they can survive that,” he said. “We will said he and some of his co-workers will alternate every few days and jump on Lake Shore Drive and take that into downtown.” will carpool as they make their way pitch in on parking and gas.
Sawyer wants real transparency (Continued from page 1) been done (moved); it just hasn’t happened. Sawyer added “I want the public to have the opportunity to really view these privatization initiatives before they become law.” He said in the city’s history these deals have been struck and the public learned about them after the fact. “The way it has been done allows the administration to do things without shed-
ding light on them until they are put in place.” The first-term alderman’s ordinance has floundered in committee since last November thanks to a peculiar procedure for city ordinances. He also said he feels one reason the legislation is being neglected is “I am making the assumption that the administration is not in favor of this as it stands. I would like to think though that this is something
the administration would get behind given the (mayor’s) campaign promises of openness and transparency – this is just that.” If Sawyer’s ordinance is successful, the city will not be able to strike any privatizing deals worth more than $25,000 unless there has been at least one public hearing and the administration details the actual costsavings and the impact on the effected employees.
Parents file suit against CPS closings (Continued from page 1) “There is no way that in a few short months the Board can responsibly do the counseling and provide the support services these children with disabilities need,” said CTU Financial Secretary Kristine Mayle, a former special education teacher. “These proposed closings will inevitably put our students at greater risk for academic failure.” Parents fear that by holding off the closing decisions to the eleventh hour and rushing children into new and unfamiliar schools without adequate counseling and support services, the Board will inflict harm and present severe obstacles to growth for the in excess of 5,000 children in CPS special education programs in the affected schools. They are asking the federal court for an injunction to delay school closings for a period of one year. “This is a tragedy in the making,” said plaintiff Denise Burns,
the mother of a child living with a disability. “Let’s slow down and do this sensibly.” The second suit charges the Board, Byrd-Bennett and the City with violations of Title II of the ADA for their proposal to close “so-called ‘under-utilized’ schools and needlessly uproot, transfer, and destabilize plaintiffs and thousands of other children in special education who will suffer academic and emotional setbacks as a result,” and adds a claim of racial discrimination in violation of Section 5 of the ICRA as parents seek to block the Board from continuing to select African-American children in school closings. It reads: The impact on African American children is in stark contrast to the impact on white children – who have been almost universally insulated from the negative educational consequences of school closings. The 54 schools selected by the CEO for closing have a
The Chicago Crusader
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
combined enrollment of 125 white students out of a total enrollment of 16,059 students – less than one percent. Since the Board began closing schools in 2001, it has been in violation of the Illinois Civil Rights Act, according to the parents. Of the 72 schools the Board has closed to date, more than 90 percent of the displaced children are Black. In the latest closing proposal, 88 percent of the children in the closing schools are AfricanAmerican, yet Black children make up only 42 percent of the students in the Chicago public schools. “The Board says they use neutral criteria, but somehow they keep finding criteria that will single out only African-American children,” said plaintiff and parent, Frances Newman. Her husband Alphonso added, “When these schools close, these children know they are being stigmatized because of their race.”
The CTU has led the vigorous charge against the experimental school reform policies that have harmed CPS students since the city’s public schools were turned over to mayoral control in 1995. Rather than close existing schools, CPS should provide schools supports that have a track record of success; a broad deep curriculum based on inquiry rather than mindless testing; trauma counseling and healthcare; opportunities for professional collaboration and growth; respect for professional judgment; and real opportunities for parental decision-making and involvement. “School closings as policy is unsound,” said CTU President Karen Lewis, a nationally board certified teacher. “This city has worked systematically to undermine our public education system and destabilize certain communities. There is no magic bullet, but we do know that research-based policies, targeted resource investSaturday, May 18, 2013
ments and reforms that are geared towards nurturing environments put our schools on track for steady improvement. “We hope the courts listen to these parents and act swiftly to stop this assault on our schools, our students and our communities,” she said. CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett issued a statement following the CTU news conference on the lawsuit. She said, “We have a shared responsibility to do everything we can to ensure a bright future for every child. And, yet these lawsuits demonstrate that union leadership is committed to a status quo that is failing too many of our kids. Thousands of children in underutilized schools are being cheated out of the resources they need to succeed. It’s time to give these children the opportunity to attend higher-performing welcoming schools and put them on a path to thrive.” 3
OPINION
EDITORIAL BLACK VICTIMOLOGY Raise your hand if you think that Black people are at a disadvantage on this planet? If your hand is raised, ask yourself why? No doubt it is because everyone seems to think so, especially if you look at the condition of Black people around the world. We need to look at the concept of victimology, i.e., the study of victimhood, if we are to see things differently. Very often, we tend to blame our problems on white people and their control of the world's resources. We complain loudly, and the more we do the worse things seem to get. There is one truth that we can bet on in life, however, and that is that we take ourselves with us wherever we go! So, if everywhere we look in the world we are at the bottom, that means there is something that WE are not doing right. One of the things that we are doing wrong is buying into the concept of victimhood. There is a sense of powerlessness in many segments of the Black community, and the assertion that white people are always going to dominate everything. If we think that is really the case, we might as well roll over and play dead. But there are some major clues that should get us thinking in a different direction, and to debunk the notion that we are impotent beings. New discoveries in science, in particular, in quantum physics, point to the fact that our observation of the world influences the way that it manifests to us. In other words, what we see is often what we get. When it comes to Black people, many see white people as all powerful, mainly because of the technical prowess that they exhibit. But we ignore the fact that Black people have excelled in just about every area that is dominated by whites. And why is that? It's because some of us don't believe the hype. We recognize that the world conforms to our thinking, our desires, our attitudes, strengths and weaknesses. It matters not what corporate America does; it matters not what institutions are in place; we have the power to develop our relationships with them and with each other; the operative word is choice. For example, we can decide, by our actions, whether or not we want to play into the prison-industrial-complex game. But there is a catch 22: Black people who overcome great odds to succeed are looked upon with suspicion. They are not trusted. One of the reasons for this is that their success takes away the excuse for failure. It is thought that they have been compromised in some manner. Though it is true in certain cases, it is also true that when preparation meets opportunity success can result. We often act like crabs in a barrel, however, thwarting each other at every turn, because we don't want to take responsibility for our own shortcomings. Yes, indeed, you CAN sometimes blame the victim because victims often put themselves in a position to be victimized! One final piece of evidence to show that we play a mighty part in our circumstances can be seen in the state of the Black community. It is in shambles in many parts of the country, and the perpetrators are usually Black. Of course, there is often a hidden hand behind the scene, but we have a choice as to whether or not we want to play into that hand, or to deal ourselves another set of circumstances from the deck of selfdetermination. We can choose to achieve and to embrace each other in order to serve the common good. If blades of grass can break through concrete sidewalks to look toward the sun, which they do, we can certainly change our communities for the better! A luta continua. 4
Saturday, May 18, 2013
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Rahm ain’t so popular huh?? Dear Editor: The white newspapers were reporting last week that Rahm Emanuel is losing some of his popularity, and that might make it rough to be elected. I don’t think anyone should even start to believe that. One reason is the political polls change with the wind. Secondly, Rahm has enough campaign money to buy two elections. We know he bought the last one by bribing aldermen. Finally, we can count on Black people to mess up any chance of beating Rahm. It probably won’t be as bad as last time but count on too many Black people jumping in the race and diluting the Black vote. In my opinion the only practical way to un-elect Rahm in 2015 is through a coalition of Black and Hispanic voters. But the big question is whether a sizeable number of Hispanic voters would cast their ballots for a Black candidate and vice versa. The polls that show Rahm is less popular show he has dropped the most among Black voters. But every pollster should understand Black voters will complain about something but that doesn’t mean they will vote against-the same with most voters. Can anyone point to anything Rahm has done for the West Side or the South Side? I can’t. Sure he has a pocketful of Black aldermen
but are any of them brave enough to vote against Rahm? I think not. All of the people who ran against Rahm last time and were serious contenders landed in cushy jobs and probably aren’t interested in a re-match. The mayor is a smart guy and I believe he will find a way to drag himself up. But Black people need to be steadfast and not fall for Rahm’s smooth talk. We need to thoroughly examine every thing he proposes, talks about, and implements. He certainly doesn’t have our best interests at heart.
the barbershops (and I guess beauty salons) folks are having a broader discussion about what is going on in the city. The better part of the morning drive time for two days has been about Rose coming back. The sad part about this is the discussions are all based on conjecture for two days. Of course, Chicagoans love our sports and countless Black Chicagoans love WVON as well. But Black Chicago has far more pressing matters that need some discussion and attention. By using (Continued on page 16)
CHICAGO CRUSADER (U.S.P.S. 596080)
Al Hart
What a waste of time! Dear Editor: It is really hard for me to believe that with all that is going on in Chicago – violence; murders; a full blown public school crisis; chronic unemployment; police department corruption – WVON can waste hours “debating” whether Bulls star Derrick Rose should or should not return. Personally, it is a supreme waste of time because the host who keeps pushing this has never said he has seen Rose’s medical reports, or his contract, or even talked one-on-one with the former MVP. Of course Rose’s return is a hot topic in some circles, but even in
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
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The Chicago Crusader
BEYOND THE RHETORIC
Benghazi – Another Clinton Mess By Harry C. Alford NNPA Columnist The congressional hearings on May 8 may become the beginning of the end for Hillary Rodham Clinton. Three credible eye witnesses of our Benghazi consulate assault last September 11, 2012, finally got to give their accounting of it. They had been kept from the FBI, all committees of congress – Senate and House, media and anyone else in the world. It was through the Whistleblower Program that they came to tell the real story. As expected when the assault began one of them called Secretary of State Clinton and alerted her to the “attack.” She promised to get back to him. Then one of them called the White House asking for immediate help. The whistleblowers organized a small group of marines and security personnel at the Tripoli Embassy to fly to Benghazi and fight the identified terrorists and rescue our people at the consulate. As they approached the waiting C130 airplane they were told to “stand down” (you can’t go). One thing is clear: Secretary Clinton and all at the White House immediately knew that terrorists had
Harry C. Alford struck our Benghazi consulate. The president of Libya soon announced to the Tripoli Embassy that Ambassador Stevens was dead. That, too, was immediately reported to the State Department. American personnel were under attack and they, White House and State Department, were giving them up for slaughter. To begin their cover up they began to blame the action on a protest about some You Tube Video. The protest was in Cairo, Egypt but nev-
er came to Libya. Our White House including President Obama and the State Department including Hillary Clinton knowingly lied to America. As a result of betraying our personnel at the consulate, four State Department officials including Ambassador Stevens were murdered. An untold number of personnel were wounded. We still don’t know the names of all the wounded as they are keeping us from that portion of the truth. At the ceremony to receive the dead bodies at Andrews Air Force Base both President Obama and Secretary Clinton were still telling the Big Lie. Secretary Clinton even looked one of the grieving parents in the eye and said “We are going to prosecute the producer of the film.” Did she think the truth would never be told? They didn’t send the FBI to investigate for 18 days causing much disturbance of the crime scene. They didn’t want to know any more about this attack. The wounded were put into hiding. They even misnamed them as they entered into hospitals for treatment. This reminds us of the past Clinton years in the White House. The White Water Scandal lingered on as Hillary became a master of stalling and giving out disinformation. The
Travel Gate Scandal which happened as they were entering the White House shocked us all. They just arrived and they started rigging procurement opportunities. As she was leaving the White House Hillary stole the official china - so tacky. This is Hillary alone. Her teacher, President Bill Clinton, taught her well. He was the master of disinformation. Remember the Paula Jones Scandal? How about the affair with Jennifer Flowers which caused Hillary to claim it was a “Bimbo Eruption”? There were other claims of President Clinton’s adulterous past which he denied each and every one of them. Soon he would meet his demise. 19 year old Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern, would start doing freaky things with Bill during the day inside the Oval Office. When it was exposed he pointed fingers at the press and denied everything. He still would be denying it if the investigators had not found his DNA (semen) on one of her dresses. He would even ejaculate on the Oval Office carpet during their trysts. For the above, President Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives (later pardoned by the Senate) and his law license was
suspended. President Clinton became only the second president to be impeached (Andrew Johnson was first). In a fashion similar to Hillary’s denial of terrorist activity, President Clinton made a terrible decision. The rogue nation of Sudan alerted the White House that they had Osama bin Laden under surveillance and could turn him over to them. They refused to accept him. Later, bin Laden would bomb our two embassies in Kenya and Tanzania – hundreds were murdered. It could have been prevented. So this Benghazi Scandal has evolved from the partnership of the Clintons and President Obama. It brings a better understanding of the trickery within the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare. Each week we find another hidden tax in it. There is $50 billion here; then a $100 billion there and it starts adding up to a big financial “Train Wreck.” We should have never passed a bill that no one actually read. The sponsors should not have been trusted. Mr. Alford is the co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®. Website: www.nationalbcc.org. Email: halford@nationalbcc.org
Cleveland’s Charles Ramsey: Hood or Hero? By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist When some of us saw the first video of Charles Ramsey, the colorful Black dishwasher in Cleveland who is being celebrated as a hero for rescuing three white women captives from horrid conditions in a Cleveland house, we had a flashback to Antoine Dodson, who became a flamboyant Internet sensation after saving his sister from a would-be rapist in their Huntsville, Ala. housing apartment, and Sweet Brown, who barely escaped a fire in her Oklahoma City complex. But more than any other famous “hilarious Black neighbor” Internet sensation, the coverage of Ramsey – and his criminal past – raises serious questions about how we treat a hero with a troubled past and, yes, how Blacks and whites look at the same event through different prisms of race. First, as they say in TV news, let’s go to the videotape. “I’ve been here a year,” Ramsey said in an interview with WEWS, a local television station. Referring to Ariel Castro, the suspect arrested for holding the women against their will, Ramsey said, “You see where I’m coming from? I barbeque with this dude. We eat ribs and whatnot and listen to salsa The Chicago Crusader
music… “He just comes out in his backyard, plays with the dogs, tinkers with his cars and motorcycles, goes back in the house. So he’s somebody you look, then look away. He’s not doing anything but the average stuff. You see what I’m saying? There’s nothing exciting about him. Well, until today.” Ramsey explained that Castro “got some big testicles to pull this off, bro.” He added, “I knew something was wrong when a little, pretty white girl ran into a Black man’s arms. Something wrong here. Dead giveaway.” There was plenty wrong, as Ramsey learned when he put down his McDonald’s Big Mac and answered a call for help from Amanda Berry, who had been last seen in 2002 on the eve of her 17th birthday. The two other women were Georgina “Gina” DeJesus, who had been missing since 2004 at the age of 14, and Michelle Knight, who disappeared in 2002 at the age of 21. While being hailed as a hero, Ramsey was the object of both racism and ridicule. Though we’re reluctant to publicly admit it, some African-Americans cringed at the sight of Ramsey. His hair, curled in the back like Al Sharpton’s do and as slick as Chuck Berry’s, is interspersed with what we
George E. Curry once called post office hair – each nap has its own route. This is one of the few cases where a person’s mug shot looks better than his real life photo. To put this in context, think back to when Black civil rights protesters dressed up in their Sunday’s best, knowing they were going to get physically assaulted by police and white supremacists. Then, as now, image matters. Especially when one of us appears on TV. Still, there are plenty of people in our community who look like Ramsey and their speech and appearance make them no less valuable than the best dressed and most articulate among
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
us. Some have suggested than many whites take delight in seeing Blacks caricatured in the image of Charles Ramsey and Antoine Dodson. “Perhaps it’s time for the world’s meme artists to stop assuming that any Black dude getting interviewed on local news about a crime he helped to foil can be reduced to some catch-phrase or in-joke,” Miles Klee wrote on Blackbookmag.com. “It’s just baffling that we’re trying to find a way to laugh about what is, in itself, a harrowing turn of events.” Most of us knew, or at least suspected deep down, that something about Ramsey’s past would surface, causing further embarrassment. The Smoking Gun website disclosed on May 8 that Ramsey “is a convicted felon whose rap sheet includes three separate domestic violence convictions that resulted in prison terms.” Blacks instantly asked: Why is something that happened a decade ago – and had nothing to do with Ramsey’s heroism – relevant today? Cleveland’s WEWS-TV, facing a backlash from viewers, apologized for reporting on Ramsey’s criminal past. “While the story was factually sound, the timing of it and publication of such information was not in good taste, and we regret it,” the staSaturday, May 18, 2013
tion said on its Facebook page. Normally, I would agree that Ramsey’s criminal past, certainly in this situation, should be irrelevant. But there’s nothing normal about this case. Unfortunately, Ramsey invited the scrutiny when he said he suspected domestic violence because he “was raised to help women in distress.” In view of that assertion, Ramsey’s domestic violence convictions – hardly a record of helping women in distress – became fair game and should have been reported by the news media. But the reporting should not end there. Ramsey’s ex-wife, since remarried, said Ramsey eventually apologized for battering her and they now interact on “an okay basis.” In addition, she posted two earlier photos of Ramsey on her Facebook page. She told the Smoking Gun, “For my daughter’s sake I show he didn’t always look hood.” George E. Curry, former editorin-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at www.twitter. com/currygeorge. 5
COMMENTARY
Worrill’s World By Dr. Conrad W. Worrill
AFRICAN LIBERATION DAY 2013: PART II (Dr. Conrad Worrill, National Chairman Emeritus of the National Black United Front (NBUF), located at 1809 East 71st Street, Suite 211, Chicago, Illinois, 60649, 773-493-0900, Fax# 773-493-9819, E-mail: nbufchic@sbcglobal.net, Web site: nbufront.org)
Dr. Conrad Worrill This is the second of a two part series discussing the origin and development of African Liberation Day. The month of May is very important in the worldwide African Liberation Movement. During this
month, throughout the African world Community, African Liberation Day (ALD) is celebrated. It is important that African Liberation Day be a vehicle to continue to highlight the problems, challenges and the future of African people everywhere. The challenges facing Africa and African people worldwide require that we remain dedicated to the cause of Africa’s redemption and liberation. One way we can continue to showcase that dedication is to actively participate in all of the African Liberation Day activities throughout the world. The colonial period in Africa, as well as the enslavement of African people who were captured and brought to North America, had a devastating impact on Africa and African people. African people did not sit idly by. Just as we resisted our slave circumstances in America, African people resisted their colonial condition. Pan African meetings were called to plot strategy to end colonial rule. The Garvey Movement and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) galvanized African people worldwide to embrace the idea of
African independence under “One God, One Aim, and One Destiny.” The Garvey period in our history, more than any other era, laid the foundation for what we now call African Liberation Day. African people began waging a battle to reclaim their lands. This has been a long and bitter struggle. Resistance to white supremacy and colonial domination took many shapes and forms. The Pan African meetings (19001945) provided a mechanism for a small group of African leaders to plan and plot strategy for African freedom. The Garvey Movement of the 1920s brought the idea of African freedom and independence to the masses of our people around the world. “Africa for the Africans – At Home and Abroad,” was a slogan that captured the spirit of African people. This slogan gave a clear understanding of who we are as a people and what we should be struggling for. It was not until the early 1950s that the first African country gained political independence in the movement to reclaim Africa. That country was Ghana, under the leadership of
Kwame Nkrumah, who led the Ghanaian people to their fight against British colonialism. Shortly after this successful defeat of the British, Sekou Toure led the people of Guinea towards their independence from French colonialism. Right on the heels of this victory was the victory of Patrice Lumumba and the people of the Congo, who won the battle, for a brief moment, against Belgium. This independence movement sparked an onslaught of African people reclaiming their territories and led to the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in May 1963. (This is why we celebrate ALD in May.) It was during this period that Malcolm X linked the struggle of African people in this country with the struggle of African people worldwide. It is interesting to note that the Civil Rights Movement in this country was sparked in Montgomery (1955) at approximately the same time the independence movement in Africa began (1956-57). The call for Black Power (1966) sparked a discussion in the Black Liberation Movement in America that placed
the re-identification with Africa and African people on the Movement’s agenda, once again. This renewed a new phase of the Pan African Movement. The call for support of our brothers and sisters fighting against the Portuguese in Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea Bissau led to the formation of the African Liberation Day held in this country on May 27, 1972 that attracted over 60,000 African people. African Liberation Day has become an institution in America since that time. African Liberation Day is a day when all Black people should come together. As I have emphasized many times before, whether you were born in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Belize, Bahia, Germany, England, France, Alabama, Georgia, or on 47th Street in Chicago, as long as you are Black, you are an African with a common heritage and a common set of conditions. We must continue to fight against racism and white supremacy as we demand reparations for African people in America and worldwide.
AT LAST When Beyonce Knowles sang the Etta James song “At Last” at President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, the song could have had several meanings. At last we have an African American President? At last, the muscle of the Black vote has been flexed? At last, there is some hope for our country to come together with the mantra “Yes We Can.” Watching the President and First Lady Michelle Obama slow dance to the romantic standard reminded us that African American families have not often been positively depicted. This attractive image of an intact Black family had come “At Last.” Thus, the song was symbolic of what many folks, and especially African Americans, believed about the Obama Presidency. Some of us blindly believed that with an African American president opportunity had come “At Last.” Some believed it so fervently that the least criticism of President Obama, no matter how mild and how lovingly conveyed, could cause you to be run out of the race. An alumnus of Morehouse College, Rev. Kevin Johnson, the selected baccalaureate speaker at his alma mater,
wrote an opinion piece that was mildly critical of President Obama. As a result, former White House Initiative Executive director, and new Morehouse President John S. Wilson, Jr. changed the format of baccalaureate to a panel, not one speaker, as is customary. The purpose of baccalaureate is to have one speaker to focus on the spiritual dimensions of graduation. There is no way that Rev. Johnson would deliver a political speech. Still, he was essentially disinvited from the baccalaureate because of his views. President Obama is the President of the United States of America, not
the President of Black America. Yet, it seems that African Americans have been kicked to the curb in terms of focus and attention. Other groups – the LGBT community, the Latino community – have been mentioned explicitly. However, on African American issues, our President has been silent. Now, some African American people are crooning “At Last.” Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx has been nominated to serve as Secretary of Transportation. If confirmed, Mayor Foxx, an outstanding and eminently qualified candidate would join Attorney General Eric Holder as the second African American to serve in the cabinet. Similarly, the nomination of Congressman Mel Watt to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency is a step forward. FHFA regulates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and allows Congressman Watt the opportunity to implement some of the Obama initiatives about homeowner recovery from the Great Recession. The raging right has already come after Congressman Watt. The Daily Caller (a political blog) has reported an unsubstantiated claim by former Presidential candidate Ralph Nader that the Congressman disrespected him in a letter. Nader has never produced the letter. Thus, the
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Saturday, May 18, 2013
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist
Julianne Malveaux
purpose of the claim is to besmirch FHFA nominee Congressman Mel Watt. If Watt is confirmed, this represents a step forward for both President Obama and for African American people, and for the entire nation. The issue is, of course, confirmation. Will the White House Congressman, be able to garner the votes Watt needs to be confirmed? What does the White House gain or lose if Watt is not confirmed. The “At Last” segment of the African American community will credit the President for making the nomination, even if not confirmed. The more critical segment of the African American community will view the ways the White House embraces this nominee, and question commitment. Ask UN Ambassador Susan Rice what it feels like to be dropped, when Senate confirmation seemed unlikely. During President Obama’s first term, his inattention to the African American community was understandable, though not acceptable. He was busy straddling lines, generating compromise, and leaving a legacy of health care reform. African Americans were patient in the hope that “as last” African Americans would get recognition in his second term. After all, as a lame duck Presi-
dent, he has much to gain, and little to lose in rewarding his most loyal constituency. At last some of us have our disappointment confirmed. Our President’s inaugural speech mentioned every community except the African American community. President Obama and his supporters should not be thin-skinned. Philadelphia’s Rev. Kevin Johnson should not be “disinvited” from the Morehouse baccalaureate. Nor should a panel dilute his message, when the tradition is to have a sole speaker. Johnson is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College, who deserves to be treated with respect. His column pointed out realities – President Clinton appointed seven African Americans to his cabinet, President Bush, four, and President Obama, just one. Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, who leads the Congressional Black Caucus, in a letter to President Obama, wrote, “The people you have chosen to appoint in this new term have hardly been reflective of this country’s diversity. Are the Foxx and Watt appointments a response to criticism? Based on their appointments, should Black folks sing “at last” or “not yet”? Julianne Malveaux is an economist and writer. The Chicago Crusader
THE CHATTERBOX By Ima Gontellit
for this. Thank ya for nothing Rahm.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This column is published as political satire, street gossip and humor, and therefore should not be considered as fact but rather as matter of opinion. None of the items therein are collected by the news gathering staff of the Crusader Newspaper Group. Items forwarded to The Chatterbox are kept confidential unless otherwise requested by the author in writing. For submissions please forward to: AChicagoCrusader@aol.com. Original photography and artwork are permitted. Thank you for reading!
-ImaMAYBE SOME 5 HOUR ENERGY WILL HELP?
Jerry Reinsdorf
Maybe CPS head honcho can run over to the gas station and get one of those of dat 5-Hour Energy shot they have on the counter. She sho need some kinda boost cause the teachers union and some parents is kicking Barbara Byrd-Bennett and the rest of her team’s down the street like a empty can. CPS just don’t seem to have ‘nuf energy to fight back. Dey is done gone through all that trouble of community meetings, pulling Frank Clark out of retirement, paying for studies and the teachers union is still making more sense, especially after some folks filed a lawsuit against CPS a few days ago. Yall heard it here first, shouldn’t nobody be surprised if these schools don’t get closed.
Now ever since Ima can member one of the thangs that made her feel warm and cuddly inside was a good fight. Believe when I go home to my grade school reunion some folk are still talking about some of those fights. But Ima can’t wait till de next reunion to tell em about da best fight Ima seen in many, many years. We got some rich white folks getting dey panties in a knot and pretending like dey still like one another, but Ima
done got da whisper in her ear dat yall’s mayor, the nine-fingered ballerina is done pissed off high deep pockets sportsmen, namely Jerry Reinsdorf and Rocky Wirtz. Jerry be owning da Bulls and White Sox and Rocky is bringing up the rear owning da Black Hawks. Well dey been licking their lips for months and counting how much money dey gonna make off of DePaul’s basketball team when da team start playing in the United Center. Rocky and Jerry just had to co-own the place. Now Mayor Rahm, who is kinda twisted anyway, up and decide he gonna build DePaul an arena over by McCormick Place. Dat’s right…miles and miles from the school. Ima been told not to worry cause ‘ventually Chicago taxpayers is gonna have to foot the bill
The Chicago Crusader
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
PASS THE POPCORN PLEASE
Dear Ima:
-ImaOJ IS JUST ONE BIG SURPRISE Ima and Killer is done made up after Killer said some pretty nasty things to Ima. And maybe jes’ maybe part of the argument was Ima’s fault. All I did was ask that sloth-toe Negro
OJ to buy me a new TV. Ima just knew she needed a new TV after watching the news and seeing OJ Simpson. I don’t think nobody was looking to see dat it ‘really is the Black” running back on TV. But dere he was shuffling and grinning and axing da judge for a new trial. But da real surprise was to see prison food agree with OJ. Sted a lookin’ like the man jumpin’ chairs in car commercials he bearin’ a real ‘semblance to Reggie McKenzie and dem other linemen who blocked for him in Buffalo. Maybe dey ain’t letting him in the prison exercise yard? -ImaIMA’S MAILBAG
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Girl, how you been doin? I heard that Hattie Lou been ovah dere givin you all kinds of hard luck storys. But girl the devil is a lye! Weren’t no two women’s trying to split no box full of money wid Hattie Lou in no parkin lot. Hell, she aint got no car so why was she inna parkin lot? That heffer went to the boat and lost all her money gamblin, and den she gonna come to you talkin bout she done got bamboozeled. She was just hoping you was gunna feel sorry for her triflin ass and give her some money so she could pay her rent. I told her, Mamie told her and Pastor Jackson told her to stay way from that boat. But a hard head make a sore ass and her ass is real sore. Lawd Jesus forgive me for cussin, but she done worked my pressure up when I found out she was trying to get some money outta my friend Ima. Girl she be at that boat 24 and 7 and when she cant git to the boat she buying up scratch off tickets. If she add up all the change she done lost at the boat and buying lotto tickets she done paid her rent, my rent and your rent. So the next time she come ovah dere wid a bald face lye, tell that triflin heffer.....no lawd dont say that, just smile at her an say sorry heffer I can’t help you today. Your friend, Lurlene
7
COMMUNITY CALENDAR PINKIES UP FOR TEA WITH THE TURTLES: On Saturday, May 18 from 11 am to 1 pm, mark World Turtle Day with the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum at the annual family-favorite Tea with the Turtles! The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is located at 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago. Guests will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with turtles and other special species from the museum’s living collections, discover fun facts about these wonderful animals, and learn about the threats that many of the species face each day. Nature Museum biologists will be on hand to talk about conservation initiatives and answer any turtle-related questions. Tea with the Turtles will feature several native turtles from the museum’s collection and five species of tortoises from around the world. A light lunch and refreshments will be served. Other activities include a slide show about the endangered turtle species at the museum, games with a turtle twist, games to test turtle knowledge and turtle-themed arts and crafts. The cost: $15/member, $20/non-member, and $10/child ages 3 and up. 13TH BALLAD-AN INSTALLATION BY THEASTER GATES AT MCA: 13 Ballads, an installation by Chicago-based artist Theaster Gates, is on view from May 18 to October 6, 2013. It is an extension of the artist’s 12 Ballads for Huguenot House, which was co-produced by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago for DOCUMENTA (13), the international art exhibition in Kassel, Germany. For 13th Ballad, Gates creates a new large-scale installation in the MCA’s Kovler Atrium that comprises objects and materials from the Huguenot House, along with a monumental double cross sculpture and carved wooden pews which create an ecclesiastical ambience to suggest that art museums, like churches, are sites of pilgrimage and thoughtful contemplation. 13th Ballad is accompanied at the MCA by a series of collaborative performances. The exhibition is co-organized by Michael Darling, MCA James W. Alsdorf Chief Curator, and Kristin Korolowicz, Marjorie Susman Curatorial Fellow. Theaster Gates’ practice includes performance, sculpture, installation, and large-scale urban interventions. He created 12 Ballads for Huguenot House as part of his ongoing efforts toward architectural and social rejuvenation in his South Chicago neighborhood, such as his refurbishment of an abandoned store into a studio and house for himself on Dorchester Avenue. This effort was expanded to an abandoned house nearby, which the artist and a team of laborers from the neighborhood prepared for renovation and rebirth as a cultural center, and used the re8
purposed materials to make both functional objects and purely aesthetic creations. For more information, visit mcachicago.org or by phone at 312-280-2660. LINCOLN PARK ZOO’S ZOO-OLOGIE 2013-SUMUS ANIMALIA: On Saturday, May 18, from 8 pm to midnight (VIP access begins at 7 pm), Chicago’s most exotic locale, Lincoln Park Zoo, will be transformed into ancient Rome for Zoo-ologie 2013: Sumus Animalia. The fallen empireinspired event will feature dining experiences from some of Chicago’s hottest restaurants and libations from the Windy City’s most creative mixologists. Guests can take a turn on the carousel before hitting the dance floor at this upscale, upbeat, and unforgettable evening. Proceeds help keep Lincoln Park Zoo free 365 days a year. The event is Adults only (21 years and up) at the Lincoln Park Zoo, Cannon Drive at Fullerton. The cost is $115; $125 at the door, $150 for VIP tickets including early admission and access to lounge. Donations benefit Lincoln Park Zoo. For reservations or more information, visit http://www.zoo-ologie.- org/ MARQUETTE BANK EVENTS: Free Good Start Finance Class – On Saturday, May 18, Marquette Bank will host a free personal finance class at the Marquette Bank, located at 5700 W. 159th Street in Oak Forest. The class will cover topics, including: understanding and using your checking account, paying monthly bills, online banking and more. The class will be held from 10 am to 11:30 am on Saturday, May 18. The event is open to the public and seating is limited. To register, call 773-918-4624. Free Kid’s Party – On Saturday, May 18, Marquette Bank will host a free kid’s party at the Marquette Bank located at 6155 S. Pulaski Road in Chicago. Enjoy family fun, games, prizes and refreshments between 1 pm and 3 pm. The event is open to the public. For more information, call 773-476-5110 ext. 1220. Switch to Neighborhood Banking Day – Also on Saturday, May 18, Marquette Bank will host a Switch to Neighborhood Banking Day at all 23 bank locations. Neighbors are encouraged to join the movement and help strengthen the local economy by switching to a local bank. Stop by any Marquette Bank location for new customer specials and free credit history reports. For more information, visit www.emarquettebank.com or call 1-888-254-9500. AMALIA PICA AT MCA: Amalia Pica is the first major solo museum exhibition of the artist’s work in the US, providing an in-depth look at nearly a decade of her artistic practice. Born in Argentina and Saturday, May 18, 2013
based in London, Amalia Pica explores metaphor, communication, and civic participation through films, drawings, sculptures, installations, and live performances. This exhibition is co-organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago and MIT List Visual Art Center and is on view at the MCA ONGOING through Au-
gust 11, 2013. It is co-curated by Julie Rodrigues Widholm, Pamela Alper Associate Curator at MCA Chicago, and João Ribas, Curator at MIT List Visual Art Center. Using simple materials such as photocopies, light bulbs, drinking glasses, and cardboard, Amalia Pica confronts the failures, gaps, and slippages of communication.
The act of delivering and receiving a verbal or nonverbal message, and the various forms that communicative exchange may take, are central to her work. Born during the period of Argentina’s dictatorship, Pica has long been interested in the relationship between form and politics, and between history and representation. (Continued on page 16)
CALUMET TOWNSHIP RECENTLY swore in its newly elected officers. Those officers sworn in are (L-R): Louis Peyton, Clerk; Martin Sosnowski, Trustee; Fred Bilotto, Assessor; Rosalind Priest, Trustee; Judge Jesse G. Reyes; Robert Rita, Supervisor; Claudia Tripoli, Trustee; and Angel Infante, Trustee.
Extended Coverage creases coverage.
If you have a car, and you drive safely, you still need to have auto insurance—just in case. Likewise, if you have a boat, you need insurance to protect you, your passengers, your gear and your boat from the unpredictable. *** Smart move is to start small and work your way up. Liability for a 19-foot sailboat may be covered on your homeowner’s insurance. It’s when boats get bigger and have inboard engines that they get more expensive to buy—and insure.
***
Milton E. Moses
More good news: we can help you get just the boat coverage you need at Community Insurance Center, Inc., 526 E. 87th Street, your insurance headquarters. We have been serving the community since 1962. For more information about the services we provide, call (773) 651-6200. You can also reach us via email at: sales@communityinsurance.com or visit the website at www.communityins.com.
*** Another smart move: invest some time in a Coast Guard or sailing school course. It may earn a discount on insurance premiums. *** Basic insurance covers theft and physical damage to the boat, your Jet Ski, transport trailer or other marine equipment, plus liability protection if you are liable for a boating accident. *** The good news is that your boat insurance can fit under your “umbrella” liability policy that inBLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
The Chicago Crusader
BUSINESS NC’s Rep. Mel Watt receives early and bipartisan support to head FHFA Agency oversees financial enterprises with $6.7 trillion in assets By Charlene Crowell NNPA Columnist President Obama recently nominated Melvin (Mel) Watt, a long-time North Carolina Congressman, to direct the operations of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). While major news media reported on the development, few mentioned exactly what the new job would entail or the significance of an AfricanAmerican potentially leading a key financial office. At a news conference announcing the nomination, President Obama said, “Mel understands as well as anybody what caused the housing crisis. He knows what it’s going to take to help responsible homeowners fully recover. And he’s committed to helping folks just like his mom – Americans who work really hard, play by the rules day in and day out to provide for their families.” When our nation faced the worst financial crisis since that of the Great Depression, the House Financial Services Committee faced dealing with the nation’s financial solvency on one hand and
millions of homeowners who were in or approaching foreclosure on the other. Through a lengthy series of discussions and hearings, Rep. Watt emerged as a voice of reason, consistently fair and balanced in crafting solutions to complex problems. Following the Watt nomination, the Center for Responsible Lending said of the nominee, “He was one of the first elected officials to recognize and warn about the dangers of subprime lending, offering legislation to nip predatory lending in the bud and tirelessly advocating for ways to prevent needless home foreclosures…The Senate should move quickly to confirm him.” Created by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, the FHFA oversees the nation’s secondary mortgage markets: 12 Federal Home Loan Banks, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. FHFA is also empowered to make policy, implement rules, and regularly report to Congress. In 2010, the combined debt and obligations of these 14 governmentsponsored enterprises totaled $6.7 trillion.
Charlene Crowell Watt’s nomination is reminiscent of an earlier one in 1966. The late Andrew Brimmer, nominated by President Lyndon Johnson became the first AfricanAmerican member of the Federal Reserve Board. A Louisiana native, Brimmer attended segregated elementary and high schools but went on to earn in 1957 a Ph.D. in economics from Har-
vard. Watt, another son of the South raised from modest beginnings, became a 1967 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a result of having the highest academic average in its business school, he also became president of the business honors fraternity. Three years later he earned a JD degree from Yale University Law School and was a published member of the Yale Law Journal. Both men’s lives are proof that difficulty need not defeat a person’s dreams or goals. And further, what may appear improbable is not the same thing as being impossible. On learning of Rep. Watt’s nomination, North Carolina U.S. Senator Richard Burr reached across the chamber’s partisan divide to offer his hopes for confirmation saying, “Having served with Mel, I know of his commitment to sustainable federal housing programs and am confident he will work hard to protect taxpayers from future exposure to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. I look forward to work-
ing with Rep. Watt in his new role to find new ways to facilitate more private sector involvement in the housing and mortgage markets.” Another U.S. Senator and chair of the chamber’s banking committee, South Dakota’s Sen. Tim Johnson, said, “Mel possesses the intelligence, temperament and depth of knowledge on housing finance policy necessary to succeed as Director.” For communities of color that lost a trillion dollars in wealth during the housing crisis, we share an important stake in Rep. Watt’s nomination. It is an opportunity for an accomplished African-American to develop consumer-focused policy and implement rules to better serve all of America’s people. Here’s hoping that as a people we will raise our collective voices to support this key nomination. Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at: Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.
Izola’s replaced with new soul-food restaurant By Wendell Hutson After more than 70 years the sign that hangs outside 522 E. 79th St. no longer says Izola’s but Luversia’s. That’s the name of a new soulfood eatery that opened May 11, which is owned by Anthony and Michael Cherry, two brothers who said Izola’s spirit could still be felt inside. “She was a good person who taught us a lot about life,” recalled Anthony, a resident of the South Shore community. “Five years from now I want to expand the restaurant to have a location on the West Side, North Side and downtown. I know those are ambitious goals, but I am an ambitious person.”
There’s even a menu item, “Izola’s Ole-Skool Burger,” for $6.99 named after Izola White, 89. White said she had to close her legendary soul-food restaurant in 2011, after it was mismanaged by others while she was in the hospital. Izola’s opened in 1940 and was the fourth Black-owned business to do so along 79th Street, according to White. The new restaurant is named after the Cherrys’ late mother Luversia Faye-Cherry, who died in 2008. Prices for other items at the nonalcoholic eatery range from $5.99 to $12.99, and the menu includes catfish, fried chicken, burgers, pork chops, turkey, smothered fried steak, greens, mashed potatoes, peach cobbler and more. Having previously owned three
A NEW SOUL-FOOD restaurant opened last week at 522 E. 79th St. named Luversia’s and it replaces the former Izola’s eatery, which occupied the space for more than 70 years. The Chicago Crusader
restaurants, Anthony said cooking is what he loves. “I had owned The People’s Choice at 80th and Ashland (Avenue) in 1996; Pisces Sea Food also at 80th and Ashland (Avenue) from 1999-2004; and the New Dating Game Café (inside the New Dating Game Lounge) at 89th and Stony (Island Avenue),” he said. Luversia’s, which accepts credit cards and has carry out available, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and until 11 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Twenty employees have been hired so far, mostly residents of Chatham and Grand Crossing, Anthony Cherry said. His son, Tyree Cherry, 21, also works at the restaurant as a bus boy. “And we are looking to hire a few more people as we speak,” Anthony said. First-time customers gave the service and food two thumbs up. “A friend of mine told me about this place and said the food was good, so I decided to try it out,” McAllister said. “And she was right. The food is really good. I would definitely recommend it to my friends.” Crystal Darnell attended last week’s grand opening. “The food was good then and it’s good now,” said Darnell as she
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
CATFISH AND CABBAGE are just some of the menu items available at Luversia’s, a new soul-food restaurant at 522 E. 79th St. chowed down on a burger and everybody’s cabbage, but I’ll eat fries. “Man, I can hardly finish my this cabbage.” food. That’s how you know it is McDonald, who is single, adgood. When you are stuffed and mits to eating out every week and can’t eat anymore, you know it’s was a regular customer at Izola’s. good.” “She had some good food. From Longtime Chatham resident what I can tell the atmosphere Yvette McDonald stopped by Lu- here seems good and the food is versia’s early in the week. worth coming back for,” she said. “The catfish was moist, not “There are not many [sit-down] greasy and the cabbage was fabu- restaurants in Chatham left. Hopelous,” said McDonald, who has fully, this place will stick around lived in Chatham since 1976 and because I like supporting local is now a retired information tech- businesses, especially Black-owned nology specialist. “And I don’t eat businesses.” Saturday, May 18, 2013
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EDUCATION
Recent grad extends family’s Roosevelt U. tradition It’s fair to say that 22-year-old Chicago native Ashley Reed has Roosevelt University in her blood. Both of her grandmothers, Marva Reed (BA, ’65) and Elvira Alexander (BA, ’92) received degrees there. Her parents, Audrey Reed (BA, ’88; MA, ’92) and Malcolm Reed (BA, ’91) went there. Her grandfather, Christopher R. Reed (BA, ’63; MA, ‘68) even was a full-time history professor at Roosevelt for two decades from 1987 through 2006. And his two other sons, (besides Malcolm), William Reed (BA, ’95) and Robert Reed (BA, ’89), who are Ashley’s uncles, graduated from Roosevelt as well. “You could say I heard about it in the womb,” the youngest of the bunch joked after walking across the stage at the Auditorium Theatre this month, receiving her diploma from her grandfather, Professor Emeritus of History Christopher Reed. As a Lindblom Math and Science Academy student, Ashley Reed applied to 30 colleges, then chose Roosevelt because she felt “there was something special
about it.” “The biggest thing I found out as a student is that the institution hasn’t lost its social justice aspect and I really admire that. It’s something special,” said the integrated marketing communications major who started at the University in 2009. The latest member of a growing list of Reeds who are Roosevelt alumni, Ashley Reed remembers conversations about Roosevelt at the dinner table. She confirmed that the institution was chatted up a lot at family gatherings. And all of those graduations – well, Ashley wasn’t old enough to have been there but she’s finally gotten a taste of what the experience is all about. And it definitely was a once-ina-lifetime event for the resident of East Garfield Park who recently learned from her grandfather that she is fourth generation of the Reed family to have a connection to the institution. “It’s a natural progression,” said Christopher Reed, whose late mother, Josephine Rhodes, once a vice president for the Village Maids Service in Chicago’s Sand-
RECENT ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY graduate Ashley Reed (holding flowers) is surrounded by three other generations of Roosevelt grads – all of whom are family members. burg Village, attended a management seminar for executives of small firms at Roosevelt. “My mother was proud when I graduated,” said Reed, a wellknown historian of African American history in Chicago who recently showed his granddaughter the keepsake diploma
that his mother had received from Roosevelt for attending the management seminar. “The university is held in highesteem in the African-American community and I’m proud to see my granddaughter graduate,” said Reed. As professor emeritus, Reed was
on stage on Friday, May 3 to hand his granddaughter her diploma. His granddaughter, who heard a lot of cheers in the audience from family members, is elated to be moving on to the next phase of her life. Her plan is to one day open a public relations and special events business.
Cheryl Watkins honored at Dare to be Great conference Jenny Tripses, at jtripses@fsmail.bradley.edu with your nominee’s name, contact information, and a brief explanation of why you feel she should be honored at
On April 27, 2013, Cheryl Watkins, principal of Pershing West Middle School in Chicago, IL was honored by Illinois Women in Educational Leadership (IWEL) at the 25th Annual Dare to be Great Conference. The theme of the conference was Achieving Work-Life Balance. After telling her personal and professional story, Ms. Watkins was presented with a hand blown glass apple to commemorate the event. Dare to be Great, held annually at the beautiful Ewing Cultural Center in Bloomington, Illinois, is IWEL’s annual membership conference. Watkins is the principal of Pershing West Middle School, a school she founded and opened in 2005 under Renaissance 2010. Her tenure with the Chicago Public Schools includes being an assistant principal at Pershing Magnet School, an administrator and teacher facilitator at Central Office, and a special education teacher at Agassiz and Ashe Elementary Schools. She has been an adjunct professor at several universities around the city, including National Louis University and Chicago State University. Watkins is a member of the Educator Advisory Council and secretary of the Board of Directors for Advance Illinois, an organization seeking to bring core issues about teaching and learning to the masses. She also serves as the
2nd Vice Chair of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators. Additionally, Ms. Watkins is a member of the advisory board for Catalyst Magazine. She is the recipient of numerous awards for excellence in teaching, including the Milken Award (national recognition), the Golden Apple Award (for excellence in teaching), the Kathy Osterman Award for Superior Public Service, the Michael Jordan Education Club Teacher Achiever Award and the Kizzy Award. Her educational interests include teacher and paraeducator preparation, cultural language and its effect on literacy, supporting the teaching and learning of individuals with disabilities, and advancing the teaching profession. Ms. Watkins is currently completing her doc-
torate at the University of Illinois at Chicago. First held in 1988, the Dare to be Great Conference became a statewide event in 1989. The initial conference grew out of a concern that women don’t very often get the chance to recognize or even know about the achievements of other women. In that tradition, the conference honors women leaders whose work and accomplishments promote and align with the goals of Illinois Women in Educational Leadership. The women honored at Dare to be Great each year are women in the field of education and beyond who exhibit the following qualities: Women who have dared through their voices to positively influence Illinois schools. Women who have led Illinois schools to become inclusive learning communities that value, respect, and promote diversity. Women who have mentored, promoted, supported, and nurtured other women leaders in all stages of their careers. Women who have conducted and/or disseminated research about women in the contexts of schools, teaching, learning, and leadership. If you know someone who exhibits one or more of the above qualities, we encourage you to nominate her to be a 2014 Dare to be Great Honoree. E-mail IWEL’s Executive Director, Dr.
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Saturday, May 18, 2013
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Cheryl Watkins
Dare to be Great. Nominations will be accepted through January 15, 2014. In late January, the IWEL Executive Board will meet to make final selections.
ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS of warm weather is the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. These youngsters parlayed the pleasant temps with the fun of having their faces painted while visiting a local garden. The Chicago Crusader
COMMUNITY
Holiday “Clickit or Ticket” starts now Police step up enforcement 24/7 as IDOT data show unbuckled fatalities increase in late-afternoon hours The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) recently announced the kickoff of the 2013 Click It or Ticket mobilization, running now through Memorial Day. Young males, 18-34, represented a third of the 955 people who died on Illinois roadways last year, accounting for 317 deaths. Bringing this message home was seat belt advocate, Melissa Ledezma, who discussed her family’s crusade to save lives by wearing seat belts after losing their teenage son in a crash while not buckled up. The Illinois State Police and more than 500 local law enforcement agencies will be cracking down on seat belt law violators from now through Memorial Day weekend. During the two-week mobilization, police will be directing extra enforcement of seat belt, impaired driving and other traffic laws during all hours of the day and night, with a large number of patrols occurring during late-night hours. In addition, special emphasis will be placed on late-afternoon hours when data
shows unbuckled motor vehicle fatalities begin to rise. Data shows that seat belt use begins to decline drastically in the nighttime hours (9 p.m. - 6 a.m.), but a significant decline in seat belt use begins in the 4 p.m. hour on Illinois roadways. For the five years of 2008 through 2012, during the hours of 7 a.m.-3 p.m., 36 percent of those who died in crashes were not belted. That rises significantly beginning at 4 p.m. when 43 percent of individuals suffering fatal injuries were not properly belted. Belt use continues to decline well into the night. For this reason, IDOT, the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies statewide are reminding motorists that seat belt enforcement will be stepped up in the coming weeks. That means, during rush hour, motorists choosing to not buckle up are more likely to receive a ticket. Since the Click It or Ticket campaign began in July 2003, seat belt usage has jumped to 93.6 percent in Illinois, one of the nation’s highest seat belt usage rates. The increase in seat belt use has resulted in thousands of lives saved in that time, and is responsible for a direct decline in
CLICKIT OR TICKET will be ramped up between now and Memorial Day. The chart on page 16 shows the number and times of fatalities when drivers are not wearing their seat belts properly. Illinois motor vehicle fatalities. needs to change.” you’ll be given a ticket or arrested. It “Even with 9 out of 10 motorists “IDOT is utilizing federal safety is not about money; it’s not about buckling up in Illinois, far too many dollars to assist Illinois law enforce- tickets. It’s about saving lives,” people are still dying unbuckled, es- ment to provide more seat belt en- Schneider added. pecially during certain times of the forcement. They’ll be out there dur“The Illinois State Police will be day,” said Illinois Transportation Sec- ing rush hour, during the morning joined by all ranks of law enforceretary Ann L. Schneider. “IDOT, the commute and during those late ment across Illinois to deploy roadIllinois State Police and hundreds of night hours when the most un- side safety checks, seat belt missions great local police and sheriff’s de- buckled fatalities occur. If you’re and DUI enforcement,” said ISP partments are saying today that this caught unbuckled or driving drunk, (Continued on page 16)
Craig Robinson: A True Leading Man An Interview and Review by Bonnie DeShong Part I of a two-part series
pio so I understand there is going to be some jealousy, but I don’t let it get to me. I’m more secure than what I was when I was much younger. How would Craig have handled the situation that the woman he loved didn’t want him to meet her family? Craig would be fine with it as long as we got, what we got. I’m Cool “whatever makes you comfortable, baby.” That’s Craig In the movie did everyone sing their own songs? S. Epatha Merkerson sang, Tyler James Williams sang, I sang my songs, and David Alan Grier sang at the end. Wait till you hear, I mean you probably couldn’t tell in the theater, but he can sing, it’s amazing. Watching Kerry and the other ladies doing their thing at the end
was fun. That grew into that, like, first it was only supposed to be me and the kids, then David’s part happened then Kerry said, “Well we can do a little dance,” and then it all just grew into that little number. As people leave the theater what do you want them to take with them? I want them to feel refreshed and I like the fact that people are saying they didn’t know what to expect. They knew it was a comedy but they were pleasantly surprised. Pleasantly surprised is a good thing. The underlying message is, “be your own truth.” See the April 25 edition of the Chicago Crusader for part two of Bonnie’s interview with Craig Robinson.
The film PEEPLES is a cute, funny, a tad over the top, “I don’t have to think hard movie.” That isn’t a negative statement. Sometimes you just have to go to the movies to have a good time, not be preached to, or where every scene is a car chase, alien invasion, or a cartoon. The film is produced by Tyler Perry, and as much as I respect him for all he has done and become, some of his films are very preachy and predictable. Director/Screenwriter Tina Gordon Chism gives this film a freshness that was pleasing. Leading man Craig Robinson was in Chicago recently and I sat down with him to talk about the film. I didn’t realize we had so much in common. He is from North Beverly in Chicago, I’m from the North End in Champaign. He graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Music, I graduated from ISU with a degree in Theater. He starred in the film, I liked the film. Great start! Craig, how did you become involved in the film? Lionsgate told Tina Gordon Chism that she should meet with Craig Robinson. She has this idea that I fell asleep in the meeting. I don’t remember it like that. The sec-
VIRGIL PEEPLES PLAYED by DAVID ALAN GRIER (left) is confronted by his family about his judgmental ways, including his elder daughter Grace (Kerry Washington) and her brother Simon (Tyler James Williams), while Virgil’s younger daughter Gloria (Kali Hawk) withholds her secret while family friend Meg (Kimrie Lewis Davis) watches. ond meeting she pushed the movie banging songs with all these differand how she saw it happening. We ent genres, from Rap to “Don’t just hit it off and I’m blessed to be a Leak It” to R&B. And to bring Diapart of it. So, they came after me, to hann Carroll and Kerry Washington together, the last time we saw be completely honest. And when you heard that Kerry them together was on stage at the Washington was going to be your NAACP Image Awards, these two giants on stage together, first Black love interest? I said where do I sign this paper? women to lead in a TV series and How do we confirm this right now? it’s a plethora of goodness. Is Wade anything like you? How do you feel the movie Yes! I’m a musician and I love chilmakes its mark? We felt like we were doing some- dren and when I am in a relationthing special. It’s more of a class ship I am the best boyfriend ever. How do you figure? thing instead of a race issue in this Because I make her number one. movie, that’s one thing. Musically Are you jealous? Stephen Bray (Executive Music I control my jealousy. I’m a ScorProducer) came with some fun
A DINNER SCENE from the new movie “Peeples” features a stellar cast of large and small screen performers Kerry Washington, Craig Robinson (center) and David Alan Grier (right).
The Chicago Crusader
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Saturday, May 18, 2013
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ENTERTAINMENT
The NEW Four-One-One By Raymond Ward Entertainment Editor SHOWTIME! Multi-Grammy award-winning artists Kelly Rowland and The-Dream have teamed up to co-headline The Lights Out Tour. Stopping in major cities across the United States and Canada, which includes New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Toronto and more, the two will be performing various fan favorites as well as new music off their highly anticipated albums. This tour will mark the first time that both artists have been on the road together performing for adoring fans Republic Records’ Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum R&B icons Kelly Rowland remains one of the 21st century’s foremost female superstars. Her fourth full-length solo album “Talk A Good Game” hits stores on June 18, and it’s propelled by the steaming, sexy smash “Kisses Down Low.” The highly anticipated album also features Wiz Khalifa, Pusha T, Destiny’s Child sisters Beyonce and Michelle Williams, as well as production by The-Dream, Mike Will, Pharrell, Harmony, The Runners and more.
ENTERTAINMENT: CHICAGO STYLE By Elaine Hegwood Bowen, MSJ
In The Hive Robert Townsend’s In The Hive, starring an all-star cast, including Loretta Devine (Jumping The Broom, Dreamgirls), Michael Clarke Duncan (The Green Mile, Redemption Road), Vivica A. Fox (The Marriage Chronicles, Kill Bill Vol. 1), Roger Guenveur Smith (American Gangster) and introducing Jonathan McDaniel is a movie about the power of love and a gripping reminder that we can all make a difference in a child’s life, even the ones who’ve been relegated to the discarded heap for far too long. In the Hive (Enertainment One), which did quite well in its theatrical run, tells the story of a young man pulled from his fa-
Xtra hopes to raise his infant son better than his boozy, razor-edged mother raised him and his younger siblings, and he just might get his wish when he’s thrust into the world of the HIVE, an unorthodox alternative school full of other discarded boys. McDaniel’s ‘Xtra’ is the only student the tough-love principal, Mr. Hollis (the late Michael Clarke Duncan), regards as having college potential. Director Robert Townsend (The Five Heartbeats, The Meteor Man) effectively shows how pressure not just from gang leaders but from family and friends weighs on his protagonist; in moments, Xtra feels as though learn-
another. This group home is meant to make young men out of them, if only they can leave their cockiness and anger at the door. Devine is the mother to them all, cooking meals for them and trying to instill some motherly wit and guidance. But she can be assertive and domineering, as well —not taking much from the young men. Duncan is the tough male role model that they all needed. Fox delivers a memorable role as a sex-crazed, booze-drinking mother who plays any game necessary to keep high and to bring a little money into the home. Reportedly, In The Hive is the real-life story of educator Vi-
Kelly Rowland Radio Killa/Def Jam recording artist and four-time Grammy award winning scribe THE-DREAM is set to arouse music enthusiasts with his fifth album “IV PLAY” scheduled to be released on May 28 and will feature Jay-Z, Beyonce, Big Sean, Fabolous, 2 Chainz, Gary Clark Jr. and Kelly Rowland. His current single “IV Play” has taken the internet by storm and has been referred to by Spin.com as “the dreamiest The-Dream song we’ve yet to hear.” While putting the finishing touches on his new album, The-Dream is also in the studio working with Jay-Z, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Timbaland, Kelly Rowland and more. “This tour is going to be so exciting. I can’t wait for my fans to hear my new music plus we will be rocking my classic songs,” states The-Dream. “Kelly and myself on tour together will be amazing.” “I’m very excited to be going on tour with The-Dream! He’s The Dream an amazing talent,” states Kelly Rowland. “So to be able to work with him in this capacity and have the opportunity to showcase our new music to our fans live and in person is going to be extremely rewarding! I can’t wait!” The tour will kick-off May 23rd at the Myth Theater in Minneapolis and comes to Chicago’s The House of Blues on June 23rd.
THE LATE Michael Clark Duncan (above) portrays a tough love principal in In The Hive. The role is believed to be the Green Mile actor’s last movie performance. ther’s gang and forced into a re- ing is akin to betrayal. It is a testi- vian Saunders, who founded a form school. mony to Townsend’s superb di- school for troubled youth in Based on an actual school in rection that Hive is a movie that North Carolina, which was called North Carolina’s Bertie County, leaves the viewer with a gripping the Hive. Devine plays a woman In The Hive centers on 16-year- reminder of the power of love much like Saunders. The Hive old ‘Xtra Keys’ (played by rapper and that sometimes it does take a has been screened at film festivals ‘Lil J’ McDaniel of the Disney village to raise a child. and also played briefly on Black Channel show That’s So Raven) a I believe that this may have cable stations, and Townsend is gang member whose father is in been Duncan’s last professional to be commended for adding this prison and whose overwhelmed acting appearance, and he and to his body of uplifting urban mother trades sex for grocery Devine were just great in this films. money and who lives by a few movie. It’s the typical story of The DVD is out now; look for simple rules, all rooted in a world young Black boys who have lost it at your local DVD rental locaof brazen, retaliatory violence. their way due to one situation or tion.
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BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The Chicago Crusader
The Chicago Crusader
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Saturday, May 18, 2013
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WORLD OF MUSIC By Barbara Wright-Pryor Metropolitan Opera music director James Levine returns to conducting The MET Orchestra concludes its 2012–2013 season at Carnegie Hall with the much anticipated return of Music Director James Levine leading the orchestra on Sunday, May 19 at 3:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. Maestro Levine is set to conduct the prelude to Act I of Wagner’s “Lohengrin;” Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, “Great;” and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58, with pianist Evgeny Kissin. Maestro Levine last performed at Carnegie Hall with the MET Orchestra on Sunday, April 10, 2011 with Mr. Kissin, and has been on indefinite leave of absence from his duties as Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera. Since his June 5, 1971, debut at The Metropolitan Opera with “Tosca,” Music Director James
James Levine Levine has led nearly 2,500 performances of 85 different operas at the Met. Levine inaugurated the “Metropolitan Opera Presents” television series for PBS in 1977, founded The Met’s Lindemann Young Artist
Development Program in 1980, and returned Wagner’s complete “Der Ring des Nibelungen” to the repertoire in 1989 (in the first integral cycles in over 35 years there). Expanding on that tradition, he and the MET Orchestra began touring in concert in 1991, and since then have performed around the world as well as in its own subscription series at Carnegie Hall. In the 2013–2014 Metropolitan Opera season, Maestro Levine, who has conducted more performances at the Met than any conductor in the company’s 129-year history, is scheduled to lead three operas at the Met, including a new production of Verdi’s “Falstaff” and revivals of Mozart’s “Così fan tutte” and Berg’s “Wozzeck.” He will also conduct all three Carnegie Hall concerts by the MET Orchestra beginning on Oc-
tober 13 with the overture from Verdi’s “I Vespri Siciliani,” Elliott Carter’s “Variations for Orchestra,” Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, and selections from Rossini’s “Giovanna d’Arco” and Mozart’s “La Clemenza di Tito” featuring mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato. On December 22, Maestro Levine will conduct an all-Mahler program with the composer’s first song cycle, “Songs of a Wayfarer,” featuring baritone Peter Mattei and Symphony No. 7. The final concert of the orchestra’s season on May 11 is an all-Dvorák program including the “Carnival Overture,” Symphony No. 7 in D minor; and Cello Concerto in B minor featuring soloist Lynn Harrell. The MET Orchestra is regarded as one of the world’s finest orchestras. From the time of the compa-
ny’s inception in 1883, the ensemble has worked with leading conductors in both opera and concert performances and has developed into an orchestra of enormous technical polish and style. Seven new productions—two of them Met premieres—and 21 revivals, including three complete “Ring” cycles, featuring many of the world’s greatest singers and conductors, highlight The Metropolitan Opera’s 2012–2013 season.
Janelle Monáe to replace ailing Aretha Franklin on CSO Corporate Night concert Due to her doctor’s recommendation for treatment during the time frame of May 20 and 26, Aretha Franklin has withdrawn from her scheduled performance with Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) on Monday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. celebrating the 24th annual Corporate Night. Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Janelle Monáe has graciously agreed to perform for this special performance. Monáe’s popularity has skyrocketed since her 2010 album debut with The “ArchAndroid.” Her success has garnered her several global appearances and collaborations, including the recent hit “We Are Young” with the
Grammy Award-winning band Fun. Monáe will release a new album this fall entitled “The Electric Lady.” She was also recently signed as the newest CoverGirl spokesmodel. For this performance Monáe will showcase her talent for fusing R&B with pop and soul while embracing expansive and vibrant orchestrations through some of her most popular songs. This program was debuted with the San Francisco Symphony on this past Thursday, May 16, 2013. The League of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association will celebrate its 24th annual Corporate Night, which pays special tribute to Chicago’s business community each
Aretha Franklin
year with a one-night-only performance pairing musicians from the CSO with some of today’s most popular artists. Proceeds from this fundraising event benefit the CSO’s general operations, as well as the nationally recognized music education and community engagement programs and “Citizen Musician” initiative of the Institute for Learning, Access and Training at the CSO. Concert-only tickets are available to the public ($75 to $175); concertgoers can also purchase tickets for an exclusive post-concert party with food, drinks and live music for $100. Tickets previously purchased will be honored for this performance. Call the
Janelle Monáe CSO Box Office at 312-294-3000 or at cso.org.
The Lyric Opera 2012/13 broadcasts to be rebroadcast internationally over 98.7WFMT Beginning Saturday, May 18, and continuing every Saturday through July 13, The Lyric Opera Broadcasts of the 2012/13 Lyric Opera of Chicago season will be rebroadcast internationally by The WFMT Radio Network and heard locally on 98.7WFMT. Lyric’s 2012-13 season comprises nine operas plus the musical “Oklahoma!” Two of
The Saturday broadcasts begin at 12 noon CDT (except for the first, which starts at 1:30 p.m. CDT): Simon Boccanegra/Verdi (in Italian) - 1:30 p.m. – May 18 – 3 hrs.; Werther/Massenet (in French) –noon – May 25 – 3 hrs.; Don Pasquale/Donizetti (in Italian) – noon – June 1 – 2 hrs. 40 min.; Double Bill: Elektra/R. Strauss (in
German) – noon – June 8 – 4 hrs.; + Hänsel und Gretel/Humperdinck (in German); La bohème/Puccini (in Italian) – noon – June 15 – 2 hrs. 30 min.; Die Meistersinger/- Wagner (in German) – noon – June 22 – 5 hrs.; Rigoletto/Verdi (in Italian) – noon – June 29 – 2 hrs. 30 min.; A Streetcar Named Desire/Previn (in English) –
noon – July 6 – 3 hrs.; Oklahoma!/Rodgers & Hammerstein (in English) – noon – July 13 – 3 hrs. Chicago-area broadcasts on 98.7WFMT begin at 12:00 p.m./ noon CDT. Check local listings for exact times and dates outside the Chicago area. The broadcasts can also be heard anywhere in the world on wfmt.com.
CURTIS HOLBROOK (WILL PARKER) is surrounded by cast members in Act I of OKLAHOMA! now appearing at Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Dr., through Sunday, May 19. The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical masterpiece, directed by Gary Griffin with original Agnes de Mille choreography by 91-year old Gemze de Lappe, opened May 4 for 19 performances only and proved to be the hottest ticket in town, playing before sell-out audiences. For information, call 312-332-2244.
The Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras perform in concert Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Allen Tinkham, Conductor and Terrance Malone Gray, Associate Conductor will lead the orchestras in music by Tchaikovsky, Khachaturian, Ligeti and R. Strauss that was featured in the Academy Award-winning Stanley Kubrick film “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Immediately following intermission CYSO will present scholarship awards to two Symphony
Orchestra students and the “Note of Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement by a CYSO Alumnus.” Past recipients for this “Note of Excellence” award have included Seattle Symphony principal flutist Demarre McGill and his brother Anthony McGill, Principal Clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera; and premiere performance artist Laurie Anderson. Tickets are $20-$40, Box seats: $50 each. Children 7 & under free. For more information or tickets, call 312-294-3000 or visit cyso.org.
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the shorter operas, “Hansel and Gretel” and “Elektra,” will be broadcast on a single date as a double bill. George Preston, afternoon drivetime host on 98.7WFMT, Chicago’s classical radio station (through early June), and Roger Pines, dramaturg of Lyric Opera of Chicago, are host and commentator respectively.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
The Chicago Crusader
SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
A Moment To Super Size Your Thinking By Effie Rolfe Look Within…because you really are amazing dot com. Actually, until you look within for your gifts, talents and strengths…your life will forever be without real purpose. You must realize that you have everything necessary to live an exciting and fulfilled life right now—point blank—period! Why, because you are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image and likeness of God—the Creator of the Universe. So, stop searching for temporary external happiness and begin to look within your heart to see the God given masterpiece staring back in the mirror. Ok, you might be saying, ‘… but Effie, I need this and I need that…’ That might be
Effie Rolfe
true, you might have to tweak a few things and hone your craft, but the real essence of your ability is as close as your next breath. Think about it, how many times have you tried to find something and minutes, hours or days later discovered that you already had it? Chances are we’ve all done it several times over. Ok, what about the last time you looked for your keys only to find that they were already in your pocket, purse or hand? How many times have you torn the house up searching for your eyeglasses that were already on your face? Lastly, how many times have you accused someone of moving that important paper only to find that it was still on top of the pile where you left it? My point is—
The Crusader Gospel Corner The premier of Soul Stories presented by Grammy Award winner Walt Whitman inspired by the Soul Children of Chicago’s recent appearance at Muvico Theaters, 9701 Bryn Mawr Ave in Rosemont. “These stories are about how the kids have gone through conflicts and struggles and how they live through it and overcome,” said Whitman. One of the stories pro-
years Whitman has provided a safe haven for children and believes Soul Stories can revolutionize Chicago, “We will be addressing youth violence and what’s going on. This is a possible way to stir up something in kids—they’re not going to stop violence until something is stirred up in their hearts. The subject matter is not Black subject matter and it transcends to the masses of any cul-
the Chicago Chapter Liaison as well as creator of the awards program. “BRL—an acronym for Bold Right Life was started when Sheard called about a youth movement she wanted to be comparable to the Mega Fest that T.D Jakes does annually in Dallas and wanted to have something that youth could call their own,” said Rideout. Thursday will be a night to remember, “The pro-
The Soul Children of Chicago gram was created to give young people a chance to see and be apart of something comparable to the Stellar Awards. This was BRL Chicago’s way of giving the local youth an opportunity to have a night to celebrate the artists and role models that inspire them in their everyday lives and faith,” he said.
files a young girl who was on her way to commit suicide before her friend invited her to a Soul Children performance. It was there that she encountered hope and decided that her life was worth living. The founder has high hopes for the project, “I pray that it becomes a TV series—the power of what we do has the power to transform—it takes you beyond the church. How do you reach the young people, through a movie and incorporate the story? It touches the heart because you see yourself—the spiritual pieces and it grabs you.” For 30
ture. It will allow you to confront what you haven’t been able to talk about,” he shared. For details visit soulchildrenchicago.org. Cece Winans, Mary Mary, Eric Dawkins, Apostle H. Daniel Wilson, DaTruth, Effie Rolfe and Calvin Rogers will be honored this Thursday during Touching the Generations Awards program. Kierra Sheard and BRL Chicago is presenting the program at New Faith Church in Matteson. The first daughter of the new hit reality television show, The Sheards, on BET is also founder and Eric Rideout is
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Television host and Pastor Dan Willis of Lighthouse Church of All Nations in Alsip CD release “A Man, His Piano and His Worship” will be May 18 and 19 during regular services.
we spend so much time looking for things we already have. Until we come to the realization that before you were born, God had already gifted you with amazing talents and uniqueness to enable you to excel to any level possible, you will continue to look for things. My prayer is that you take a long look into the mirror of your inner self until you see what God has already given you. Then and only then, will you discover that what you already have
is more than enough for what you already need. Now that you’ve looked within to see your amazing abilities, use your gifting to be a blessing to yourself and to the world. What do you see when you look in the mirror? Effie Rolfe is an Author, Media Personality and Motivational Speaker. You can contact her www.effierolfe.com or on www.twitter.com/effiedrolfe.
New Joy City C.O.G.I.C. Celebrating 39 Years of Ministry! New Joy City Church of God in Christ will celebrate its 39th Anniversary on Saturday, May 18, at the church, 267 West 147th Street in Harvey. The celebration started Thursday, May 16 with guest speaker Pastor Carl Harris, True Holiness, C.O.G.I.C. On Friday, May 17, 2013 at 7 p.m. the guest speaker will be Superintendent Michael Thurston. A luncheon and a presentation titled, “You are Watching a Miracle in Progress,” which honors the growth of New Joy City after 39 years, will take place on Saturday, May 18 at noon. Pastor Jeffrey L. Ball will make the presentation, at which he will give thanks to his congregation for their dedication and loyalty and discuss plans for the future. The celebration will culminate with two services on Sunday, May 19 beginning with a morning worship at 11:30 a.m. featuring New Joy City Praise Team and the Jeff C. Ball Sanctuary Choir, along with the New Joy City Praise Dancers. The Afternoon Service will have a special speaker, Bishop William Haven Bonner of Greater Mount Olive Church of God in Christ, Prelate, Sixth JurisdictionIllinois. The founder and original pastor, Jeff C. Ball was called into ministry in 1974 where the church, originally named “Full Gospel Outreach Mission,” began at 4625 South Laramie. The outstanding growth of the congregaUpright MBC Church, 1155 E. 93rd in Chicago invites you to Mother Clara Trask Jubilee building fund this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Special guests include the Trask Brothers, Ebony Archer, Willing Four and more. Happy Birthday to Dexter Walker of Zion Movement—winner of “Best Choir in America” presented by Verizon’s How Sweet The Sound Gospel competition. The birthday Saturday, May 18, 2013
Pastor Jeff L. Ball, Jr. tion caused the pastor to relocate to 452 N. Harding and after a fire in 1990, the church then moved to 4100 W. Madison, and ultimately settled at its present location in Harvey, Illinois. In August 2000, Pastor Jeff C. Ball passed the torch to his son, Pastor Jeff L. Ball, Jr., and was honored to witness his son’s installation to Pastor of New Joy City, C.O.G.I.C. The New Joy City Church of God in Christ is lovingly called the “Big Church Inside of a Little Church.” Congregation members say once you have experienced the joy in our church, you’ll know why we gave it that name. For more information, contact New Joy City, Renee’ Black, Public Relations Ministry at 708-3336549. musical is May 18 at Greater Harvest Church, 5141 S. State in Chicago. Pastor Mitty Collier invites you to Men and Women’s Day at More Like Christ Ministries, 8620 S. Dobson in Chicago this Sunday, May 19. Evangelist Shirley Green, former wife of Al Green, will speak at 11 a.m. Minister Louis Farrakhan will be the speaker for the 3 p.m. service. 15
ACCESS Hawthorne Pediatricians Impacting our community Pediatricians at Access Community Health Network’s ACCESS Hawthorne Family Health Center see hundreds of young patients annually, and they strive to address common chronic illnesses that are affecting patients at even younger ages. “The overwhelming problems that I see in my patients aged birth to 18 years is childhood obesity, dental cavities, metabolic syndrome and asthma,” said Niru Mahidhara, M.D., one of ACCESS Hawthorne’s pediatricians. Dr. Mahidhara has worked at ACCESS for nearly three years, and she said it is rewarding to work in the community. “I enjoy working with children, because pediatrics is a field that stands in the crossroads of public health and infectious disease. Health behav-
iors are often formed during childhood, and I am able to positively impact children, families and communities.” Preventive care and regular appointments are crucial in helping children live healthier lives and achieve optimal health outcomes. “We all know that childhood obesity is a growing and rampant problem in America,” said Hazel Galicia, M.D., another ACCESS Hawthorne pediatrician. “At ACCESS Hawthorne, childhood obesity is a major concern, and there are an alarmingly high percentage of our pediatric patients who are obese. Several of these patients are already starting to develop chronic medical problems associated with obesity such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.”
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (Cont’d from page 4) valuable airtime on such a narrow topic, the station is ignoring a sizeable portion of the listenership or potential listeners. There is nothing about the Derrick Rose situation that no matter how it is resolved, no matter when he returns will benefit Chicago as a whole. I think we all know that discussion can bring about new ideas and sometimes fill in the missing pieces when we are looking for a solution.
If the station were allowing people to discuss and contribute their thoughts to our more pressing problems, we might find solutions for getting more jobs in our community; or resolving the schools closing issue, or anything that impacts most of the city – the Derrick Rose saga doesn’t fit that bill. It is a shame that a media outlet with such potential is squandering for whatever reason. Bradley Christopher
As some local school children prepare for a summer off, and others prepare for returning to school, the required annual school physicals are very important, particularly in an environment of fast food and low levels of exercise. These school physicals allow ACCESS Hawthorne pediatricians to give school children a comprehensive check-up that can be an indicator of major problems. “Annual and school physicals are very important. We review the child’s growth, including BMI (obesity risk), immunizations, nutrition and developmental progress,” Dr. Mahidhara said. “Much of pediatrics is preventive, and annual physicals are a wonderful opportunity to discuss healthy behaviors and anticipated developmental changes in the growing child.” Dr. Galicia added. “It allows us the opportunity to go over
the child’s medical history, make sure they are healthy, address any concerns and check that all immunizations are up to date. More importantly though, it is also a time to provide counseling and anticipatory guidance to ensure continued health. In pediatrics, prevention and counseling are the keys to overall health.” These routine physicals are truly critical to ensure that children stay healthy, stay in school, and avoid unnecessary sick days to get the education they deserve. ACCESS accepts most insurance plans, including AllKids, which covers the cost of health care for uninsured children in Illinois. “The public assistance that patients receive is crucial to their children’s well-being,” Dr. Mahidhara added. “It allows children to get high quality care, despite their parents’ ability to pay.”
COMMUNITY CALENDAR (Cont’d from page 8) In Venn Diagrams (Under the Spotlight), for example, the artist addresses the political history of 1970s Argentina when modern mathematics was banned from school programs. Pica also looks to civic participation and social forms that allow people to speak. Her concern with what it means to have a platform to speak out ranges from the time of Argentina’s
Dirty War to present-day Afghanistan and demonstrates how open communication is a right in some regions of the world and a privilege in others. The MCA is located at 220 E. Chicago Avenue, one block east of Michigan Avenue. For more information, visit the MCA website at mcachicago.org or by phone at 312280-2660.
Dr. Galicia said that the fact that a family doesn’t have insurance shouldn’t be a factor in whether they receive services for the children. “It is great that all my patients have access to health care under federally funded programs. “It is the people who live in underserved or low-income areas that need the most medical attention; therefore, they benefit significantly from these programs.” Both doctors have a knack for assuring their young patients that the exam process is something about which they should not be afraid. Dr. Mahidhara added: “Children are very bright, and it is important to engage them in their health care.”
To help meet the needs of the community, ACCESS Hawthorne is hosting a Spring Family Health Fair this Saturday, May 18, at ACCESS Hawthorne Family Health Center, 2307 S. Cicero Ave., from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. We will offer backto-school physicals, free school supplies, including backpacks, dental health education, free blood pressure screenings and complimentary healthy refreshments. There will also be benefits specialists on hand to enroll new patients into CountyCare and AllKids. Parents are advised to bring immunization records and medical cards. For more information, call 773.523.1000.
LEGAL NOTICE TO: DEMARCUS PLEDGE AND/OR UNKNOWN FATHER OF A FEMALE CHILD BORN ON THE 26TH DAY OF MARCH, 2012; IN THE STATE OF IOWA. THE MOTHER OF THIS CHILD IS MCKANZIE BREWER. You are notified that there is now on file in the office of the Clerk of Court for Muscatine County, a petition to terminate parental rights in case number JV005647 which asks that your parental rights be terminated as it relates to your child born on the 26th day of March, 2012, in the State of Iowa. For further details contact the clerk’s office. The petitioner’s attorney is Oubonh White, Assistant Muscatine County Attorney, Muscatine County Attorney’s Office, 420 East Third Street, Muscatine, IA 52761, 563-263-0382. You are notified that there will be a hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights before the Iowa Juvenile Court for Muscatine County, at the Courthouse in Muscatine, IA on the 9th day of May, 2013, at 9:00 o’clock a.m. You are further notified that unless on or before this time and date of hearing, you appear, or, you serve, and within a reasonable time thereafter file, a written special appearance, motion or answer, in the above-named Court at the Courthouse in Muscatine, IA, judgment by default will be rendered finding your parental rights to be terminated as demanded in the Petition. You are further notified that you are entitled to be represented by an attorney. If you are unable to employ counsel, you may apply to have counsel appointed by filling out an affidavit of your financial situation. You should do this immediately. Dates of Publication: 5/4,5/11,5/17
Jeff Tollenaer Clerk of the Juvenile Court Muscatine County Courthouse Muscatine, Iowa 52761
Holiday “Clickit or Ticket” starts now (Continued from page 6) Director Hiram Grau. “Law enforcement’s collective message is clear, one fatality is one too many, so don’t drink and drive and buckle up.” More than 1.2 million in federal safety dollars has been made available to the Illinois State Police and more than 540 local law enforcement agencies to provide additional safety belt and drunk driving patrols during the two-week Click It or Ticket mobilization period. These grants fund thousands of seat belt enforcement zones and seat belt saturation patrols. Fifty percent or more of these patrols will occur during nighttime hours (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.). The mobilization also includes drunk driving enforcement with over 50 roadside safety checks. For more information about the Click It or Ticket campaign in Illinois, go to www.buckleupillinois.org. 16
Illinois Motor Vehicle Fatalities by Time of Day and Safety Belt Use 2008-2012 Hour Total Fatalities Percent of of Day Fatalities Not Hourly Fatals /Night Number Belted Not Belted Midnight-12:59am 1:00am-1:59am 2:00am-2:59am 3:00am-3:59am 4:00am-4:59am 5:00am-5:59am 6:00am-6:59am 7:00am-7:59am 8:00am-8:59am 9:00am-9:59am 10:00am-10:59am 11:00am-11:59am Noon-12:59pm 1:00pm-1:59pm 2:00pm-2:59pm 3:00pm-3:59pm 4:00pm-4:59pm 5:00pm-5:59pm 6:00pm-6:59pm 7:00pm-7:59pm 8:00pm-8:59pm 9:00pm-9:59pm 10:00pm-10:59pm 11:00pm-11:59pm Totals
110 126 139 107 80 81 101 91 75 79 90 91 102 94 130 120 112 93 107 100 94 105 82 134 2,443
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76 88 83 87 49 40 52 32 42 34 31 31 42 32 38 41 49 51 52 50 54 49 53 84 1,233
69.3% 70.0% 59.9% 81.5% 61.4% 49.5% 51.6% 35.2% 56.2% 30.5% 34.5% 34.1% 41.3% 34.1% 29.3% 34.2% 43.9% 55.0% 48.7% 50.1% 57.6% 46.8% 64.8% 62.8% 50.5%
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HOUSES FOR SALE
CLASSIFIED ADS ADVERTISE IN THE CHICAGO CRUSADER YOUR AD COULD BE HERE CONTACT THE CLASSIFIED AD DEPARTMENT TODAY 773-752-2500
HELP WANTED Telemarketer, Exp. Req. Also, Office Worker. Both positions Part-Time M-F. Near 79th & Western. Call Toni 773-737-9900
LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was filed by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. File No. D13134295 on the 29th day of April 2013 Under the Assumed Name of D.D.C. Distributors, with the business located at 16462 S. Kimbark Ave., South Holland, IL 60473. The true name(s) and residence address of the owner(s) is Dana Hatcher, 16462 S. Kimbark Ave., South Holland, IL 60473. 5/4, 5/11, 5/18
HOUSES FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION ONEWEST BANK, FSB (D/B/A FINANCIAL FREEDOM, A DIVISION OF ONEWEST BANK, FSB) Plaintiff, -v.COUNTISS PERKINS A/K/A COUNTISS D. WHEELER-PERKINS, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF EDDIE LOU WHEELER A/K/A EDDIE L. WHEELER, YOLANDA MCCLINTON, MICHA WHEELER, LUCRETIA WILDER, JOEY MCCLINTON, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, WILLIAM P. BUTCHER, AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE, LINDA M. NEWSOME, NATISHA WALKER, ARSHA MCCLINTON, DONTEʼ MCCLINTON, DANCE MCCLINTON, DASSUN MCCLINTON Defendants 12 CH 001376 8931 S. CRANDON AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60617 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 25, 2013, an agent of The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 4, 2013, at the The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive 24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 8931 S. CRANDON AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60617 Property Index No. 25-01-222011. The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS
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IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgageeʼs attorney. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information, examine the court file or contact Plaintiffʼs attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 7949876. Please refer to file number 14-1126729. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE, IL 60527 (630) 794-5300 Attorney File No. 14-11-26729 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 12 CH 001376 TJSC#: 33-2469 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiffʼs attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. I530912
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HOUSES FOR SALE
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BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
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SPORTS
Tamika Catchings’ Catch the Stars Scholar Athlete Dinner Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist & WNBA Legend Lisa Leslie will be the keynote speaker Tamika Catchings, WNBA Championship MVP will host her 8th annual Catch the Stars Scholar Athlete Dinner on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. This program recognizes and honors Indianapolis area high school seniors for excelling in academics, making a difference in the community and participating in athletics. WTHR sports anchor Rich Nye, “The Sports Guy,” will emcee the evening, joined by Four-
time Olympic Gold Medalist & WNBA Legend Lisa Leslie as the keynote speaker. Two $2,500 four-year renewable scholarships will be awarded. The Catch the Stars Foundation has granted over $40,000 in scholarships over the years. The Hyatt Regency Indianapolis located at 1 South Capitol Ave. in Indianapolis, Indiana will host the event that evening which includes a 6:15-7:00 p.m. VIP reception and 7:00-8:30 p.m. dinner. Dinner only tickets are $75 per person while VIP reception and dinner tickets will be $150. Tickets must be purchased in advance. A raffle and silent auction will precede the dinner and awards program for items such as: autographed Houston Rockets Jeremy Lin jersey, Tamika Catchings autographed Olympic memorabilia, Colts autographed items and Gift Certificates and overnight hotel stays at several local restaurants & hotels. All proceeds will benefit the Catch the Stars Foundation. About Catch the Stars Foundation
Lisa Leslie
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Tamika Catchings founded the
REPRESENTATIVE FROM PNC BANK (one of the presenting sponsors) along with Tamika and our 2012 Male Scholarship Recipient, Joshua Piercey. Catch the Stars Foundation with the mission of motivating at-risk youth to achieve their dreams and goals through positive academic and sports-related programs. In just eight years the Foundation collected over $500,000 for literacy, fitness and mentoring pro-
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grams and has positively impacted over 3,500 young lives and even more families. Catch The Stars programs include: Catch on to Fitness Clinics, Holiday Basketball Camps, Back to School Celebration, characterbuilding mentorships for both
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young men and women, and scholarship programs to assist with higher education. Presenting sponsors are St. Vincent Health, Indy Star & PNC Bank. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: www.catchthestars.org or call (317) 329-8424.
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