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Blacks Must Control Their Own Community
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 38—SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2014
PUBLISHED SINCE 1940
25 Cents and worth more
New Metra station planned for Auburn Gresham By Wendell Hutson The first new rail facility in the Auburn Gresham community in three years could give the South Side neighborhood a much needed economic boost, according to Governor Pat Quinn, who visited the site of the proposed new $20 million planned Metra station. Quinn recently visited the 79th and Wallace streets site of the new facility that will be called Auburn Park. “More access for residents means more dollars for local businesses,” Quinn said. “People without cars cannot spend money on goods and services if they cannot get to businesses or jobs. This new station would undoubtedly provide a way for them to do both while also creating an interest in the South Side for future business.” The new facility will be built on the Rock Island Line, which hasn’t had an operative station since 1978. The Auburn Park station would be the only one on the Rock Island Line between Gresham (87th Street) and the two-yearold facility at 35th Street, which Metra named after the late state legislator Lovana “Lou” Jones. Don Orseno, Metra’s interim executive director, said the station was an important project for the community, which in past years had “vibrant” train service. The 79th
Street corridor, particularly at Halsted Street, was historically a bustling commercial center, he said. However, not everyone at Metra is on board with the planned station. Metra
board member Jack Schaffer questioned why it was needed. “I’m sure it’s a wonderful place, but where did this (proposal for a new station) come from?” said Schaffer, a former state legislator. “Or, as we used to
A NEW METRA station planned for the Auburn-Gresham community at 78th and Wallace according to Metra officials, will resemble the standard existing stations, rather than facilities such as the Lou Jones station at 35th Street.
say in the Senate, who wants this bill?” Metra officials explained that the project has been planned for years and defended its necessity. They also acknowledged that funding for the station came about with some political dealing between Quinn and South Side legislators, such as state Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-16th Dist), whose district includes Auburn Gresham. “We’re very pleased with the support that we’re getting to move this project forward, including a strong commitment from Metra and Governor Quinn,” Collins said. “This project will not only bring economic development and much needed jobs to the area but also provide residents with another opportunity to join the daily commute to jobs downtown and in the suburbs.” Collins added that she fought to get $11.5 million from Metra for the construction and engineering costs for the Auburn Gresham train station. Metra’s 2014 capital budget includes about half the money for the new station, along with another $43 million for improvements to several other stations. Sam Smith, Metra’s director of government relations, said the project also showed Metra’s commitment to the South Side, which critics say has been under(Continued on page 2)
City loses another challenge to Gun Laws By J. Coyden Palmer The Chicago woman, who is suing the city because of its refusal to allow gun ranges within city limits, is rejoicing after a ruling earlier this week that declared the practice banning gun sales by retailers and private entities unconstitutional. Rhonda Ezell is currently recuperating after undergoing successful kidney transplant surgery. Her attorney David Sigale said the ruling by U. S. District Judge Edmund Chang was “appropriate” and bodes well for Ezell’s suit, which a ruling could come as early as this spring. On January 6, Chang ruled the city’s ordinance, not allowing gun stores or private sales of guns between two legal parties within city limit, was unconstitutional. The ruling also makes it legal for individuals to transfer ownership of a firearm as a gift or through a private sale. The recipient must be at least 18 and have a valid firearm owner's identification card. Mayor Emanuel was disappointed with the ruling and has instructed the city’s Law Depart-
ment to look into available options to appeal the ruling. But for Sigale the victory shows a continued change in the gun culture not just in Chicago but the entire state. “The city’s unconstitutional ban was a backdoor way to deprive law-abiding people of exercising their right of gun ownership and we’re happy the court recognized that,” Sigale said. “In addition to Ezell’s case, I have other litigation going that could be greatly impacted by this ruling. One of the things we are fighting against in Ezell’s case is the zoning laws, which the city plays with when they want to restrict something.” His client, Ezell did not want to do an interview when reached by phone. She said she is awaiting the outcome of her case before speaking to the media again. However, she did indicate she was happy with the ruling and thanks everyone who has supported her case and her recovery from
health problems. The case decided by Chang was brought forth by the Illinois Firearms Retailers Association. Their members include Larry Pelcher, who owns Pelcher’s Gun Shop in suburban Lansing. He just opened a new gun range in the past few months and said he is not considering expanding into Chicago, but believes the court made the correct decision. “The political leaders in Chicago need to understand that the gun culture has changed in this city and they cannot continue to deny people a legal gun that many want,” Pelcher said. In his ruling, Judge Chang said the city must get in step with other municipalities. “If all cities and municipalities can prohibit gun sales and transfers within their own borders, then all gun sales and transfers may be banned across a wide swath of Rhonda Ezell
(Continued on page 2)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Winter Vehicle and Driving Tips (See story on page 3)
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NEWS
Former principal accuses alderman of sexual harassment By Wendell Hutson An attorney, representing Alderman Anthony Beale (9th), said at no time did Beale have any sexual relations with a former high school principal of one of the city’s top public high schools whose student population is predominantly Black. “The alderman has denied her allegations and has no intention of giving in to demands for a $1 million settlement, which is nothing more than an extortion attempt,” Attorney Victor Henderson told the Crusader. “The lawsuit I filed on Alderman Beale’s behalf is for her attempts to extort him. But this is not a countersuit because no lawsuit has been filed against him.” Henderson also questioned why Dushon Brown, former principal of Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep High School, took so long to take action on her allegations. “Dr. Brown alleges that this conduct occurred almost five years ago in 2008. Yet, for reasons still unknown, she failed to take action against the alderman until after unrelated CPS dismissal charges were filed against her in 2012,” he added. “She is using illegal intimidation tactics including threatening litigation in an attempt to extort $1 million from the alderman.” Brown was removed in 2012 as principal of Brooks, 250 E. 111th St., for reasons unrelated to her sexual allegations and is currently on an unpaid administrative leave,
DUSHON BROWN has accused Alderman Anthony Beale (9th) of allegedly forcing her to perform oral sex on him in 2008 in order to keep her job at Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep High School. according to Joel Hood, a spokesman for Chicago Public Schools. As a result of being replaced as principal by a man 25 years her junior, Brown filed a discrimination complaint last December with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against CPS. She maintained D’andre Weaver had less experience than she did and she should not have been removed from the post. Hood would not elaborate on
Brown’s discrimination compliant. “CPS doesn’t comment on legal matters, which includes complaints filed to the EEOC,” added Hood. Beale, whose far South Side ward includes Brooks and the Roseland community, filed a suit against Brown in Cook County Circuit Court on Dec. 26, for extortion. And as a Brooks parent, Beale, who is married, also works as a volunteer baseball coach for Brooks. By phone, Brown told the Crusader that she is eager to talk about what she described as a “life changing ordeal” to ensure all facts are reported accurately. “I need to speak with my attorney first before I can talk to anyone,” she said. “I have not yet spoken about this situation but I plan to do so soon.” Her attorney, Peter Katsaros, did not return calls seeking comment. In a Feb. 22, 2013 letter filed as Exhibit A in Beale’s suit, Katsaros
said the alderman had repeatedly threatened Brown with termination and was “actively working with Chicago Public Schools managers and lawyers to terminate her from Gwendolyn Brooks High School following her repeated rejection of many unwanted sexual advances.” In a Dec. 5, 2013 letter to Victor Henderson, Beale’s attorney, and marked as Exhibit D in the suit, Katsaros said Brown’s annual salary was $130,000 and her estimated salary over the next seven years would have exceeded $750,000. He also projected a jury would award her $250,000 in punitive damages should the case go to trial. ALDERMAN ANTHONY BEALE (9th) has denied sexually harassing a former high school principal in a lawsuit he filed in Cook County Circuit Court on Dec. 26, 2013.
Crusader Exclusive:
Ousted Board President of District 205 tells his side of story By J. Coyden Palmer
(Continued from page 1) Metra provided $4.8 million to served by the transit agency. Gresham serves about 550 customers pay for construction, with nearly a day, and the Auburn Park sta- $7 million coming from the viltion could potentially serve 400 a lage and the rest from federal grants. Smith said Metra gets week, Smith estimated. By contrast, a new Rock Island “constant comparisons” between station at 80th Avenue in Tinley stations on the South Side and Park has about 2,500 daily cus- those in the outlying suburbs, tomers. Opened in 2012 and particularly Tinley Park— which costing $11.7 million, it includes also has a clock tower, at Oak a restaurant and was dubbed the Park Avenue. Unlike Tinley Park “Taj Mahal” of the Metra system and some other suburbs, Chicago by former Metra Chairman Brad provides “little or no funding” for stations in the city, Smith said. O’Halloran.
After being ousted from his position as District 205 board president by a Cook County judge back in October, Kenneth Williams said he is committed to fighting to keep his position and believes he was targeted by people who may have ulterior motives. Williams spoke to Crusader exclusively last month because he said in part the mainstream media was printing erroneous information about him. Williams said there was a lot he wanted to get off of his chest and he wanted to speak specifically to the Black community and to the parents and students of District 205. During a 20-minute phone interview from his Silk & Classy Barber College in suburban Dolton, Williams said he looks forward to winning his case on appeal and getting back to serving the students of the district. Judge Rita Novak ruled Williams should be ousted due to a 1985 conviction of aiding and abetting forgery in Indiana when he was only 20 years old. Williams admits he was convicted nearly 30 years ago, but said that conviction does not constitutionally mean he cannot serve as board president. He said the position is a volunteer one with no pay, something he wanted to be clear about during the course of the interview. Williams was elected twice to his position with over 8,000 votes. “I was sitting in the seat because of what the students were being deprived of for the last 15 years plus,” Williams said. “When you look at the history of Thornton High School the children have been missing certain things and have not been
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BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
City Loses another . . . (Continued from page 1) the country if this principle is carried forward to its natural conclusion,” Judge Chang wrote in his ruling. The city issued a statement after the ruling. It has spent millions in taxpayer dollars on gun lawsuits in an attempt to keep the city a gunfree zone. It has lost many of those suits. However Mayor Emanuel is looking into acquiring outside funding to pay for the legal costs. “The Mayor strongly disagrees
with the Court’s decision and has instructed the City’s Corporation Counsel to consider all options to better regulate the sale of firearms within the city’s borders,” said Law Department Spokesperson Roderick Drew. “Every year Chicago Police recover more illegal guns than officers in any city in the country, a factor of lax federal laws as well as lax laws in Illinois and surrounding states related to straw purchasing and the transfer of guns. We need stronger gun safety laws, not increased access to firearms within the city.”
New Metra station . . .
Saturday, January 11, 2014
“Hence, on behalf of my client (Dushon Brown), we demand that Alderman Beale pay $1 million in damages,” Katsaros wrote in the letter. “And immediately stop his interference with Dr. Brown’s CPS career.”
Kenneth Williams exposed to many things. Our children excel in a lot of areas that are not just athletics. I want to thank the parents who voted, reelected and still support me. We made a lot of changes in the district in the last three to four years. One of those was installing lights at the football stadium. This allows working parents to come see their child who is in the band, cheerleading, on the dance team or playing football. It allows entire families to come together for a positive event and during those night games we know where our children are so we don’t have to worry about their safety. It also gives the district a chance to make money by renting out the field or hosting community events. But we also built and installed new science labs at the school as well.” Williams’ accusers say he was hiring family members to positions in the district, something which he denied. He in turn believes he was targeted by other board members who had business ties to the school dis-
trict. He said the state’s attorney Anita Alvarez should be launching an investigation of other board members. He said a financial probe could be revealing, without going into details. “We don’t make money and we don’t control jobs,” Williams explained. “It takes four board members to vote on someone being hired. So I cannot come in and put people in place on my own.” He also said the Black community has to start taking more responsibility for the institutions in the community. He is disappointed that mainstream media painted him as a villain, which he said helped to create the climate to have him removed. “If we don’t start taking control of our communities and stop letting people from the outside who have no vested interest in the community come in and make up their own rules, then our schools are going to continue to be the way they are. How does the state’s attorney come in and start targeting and messing with an African American board member who has a past, but there is no law that states I can’t run for the seat? I would have never run for election if there was a law saying that. The law says you cannot be a child sex offender, of which I am not. My rights were violated and I’m looking for justice to be served sometime soon.” Williams vigorously defended his character and credibility. He said he has worked with young men and women for over 20 years at his barber college and helped them build honest careers for themselves. He said you will not hear from one per(Continued on page 17) www.chicagocrusader.com
NEWS
Winter Vehicle and Driving Tips By J. Coyden Palmer With the Chicago winter off to a furious start, the state’s top law enforcement agency, along with the Illinois Department of Transportation and AAA are giving safe driving tips for winter drivers. Over the weekend during a brutal snowstorm followed by arctic temperatures, drivers were involved in major accidents and hundreds had dead car batteries and other mechanical related issues. Having your car winterized can cut down on many potential problems, according to experts. Adapting your driving behavior to the conditions during inclement weather can help you avoid being one of the nearly 700 people who needed rescue on Illinois roadways, according to Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau. “Illinois motorists face a variety of weather conditions that can have a devastating impact on driving conditions and passenger safety this time of year,” Grau began. “Reducing your speed, allowing for extra travel time, increasing distances between vehicles, and avoiding unnecessary lane changes are just a few simple precautions drivers can take to make commutes safer.” Secretary of Transportation Ann Schneider said avoiding driving all together during inclement weather is an option for some, but she understands people will be on the roads even when advised not to. She said if you must drive, pay attention to media traffic reports and understand that snow plows and salt trucks can only go as fast as the traffic allows. She also said every year there are dozens of accidents between snow plows and vehicles. “Our plows do everything they can to avoid accidents but reckless
drivers cause injures and even deaths every year,” Schneider. “We want the public to understand that trucks are there to make the roads safer, but they can’t do their job if people are constantly cutting them off in traffic or tailgating them. When you see those yellow lights in front of or behind you, please yield to them if possible. Grau said if you do become stranded the most important thing is to stay with your vehicle until help arrives. Grau said leaving your vehicle in search of help could have life or death consequences. Only in the most desperate of circumstances should passengers leave the car. “There are too many bad things that can happen outside the vehicle. You can get hit by another car or truck, lose your footing on slick roads and injure yourself or suffer frostbite or hypothermia if you are trying to walk a long distance in search of help,” Grau said. “Keep your cellphone charged. Dial *999 and give the operator your location as best you can. Give them the number of the interstate you are on, at which mile marker and which direction you are traveling. If you don’t know those things, try to give them landmarks or remember the last exit you passed. In an extreme emergency we can also triangulate the signal from the cellphone.” Of course the best option is to not have car problems to begin with. That is where AAA says preventive maintenance is the key. Beth Mosher, public affairs director for the non-profit federation of 50 motor clubs, said there is a checklist of items drivers should do before even getting into their vehicles during the winter. “Many mechanical issues can be avoided during routine checks,” Mosher said. “It’s like going to
A CITY SNOW plow removes snow from a Chicago street during a recent snow storm. Transportation officials are urging drivers to yield to the vehicles during storms. your medical doctor for a checkup. The main things you want to look for are having the correct pressure and good treads on all four tires; full antifreeze, clean oil, lubrication on working parts along with checking the spark plugs and wires. You also want to make sure that all belts are in good condition.” However Mosher said the problem they see the most during especially cold weather are car battery related issues. She said many people do not keep the battery posts free from corrosion. During cold weather, this has an effect on the connection why some cars will not start. She recommends having the battery serviced by a licensed auto mechanic to ensure it is working appropriately.
“Your battery is one of the most important parts of your vehicle,” Mosher said. “But one of the other things we see is people who are too lazy to clean all the snow off their car. All of that extra snow and ice create drag so your car is burning more gas and is working unnecessarily harder. It also is a safety hazard as blowing snow or snow not cleaned from all windows can cut down on visibility and cause an accident.” Grau added that police can pull a vehicle over and issue a citation if there is too much snow on it and the officer judges it to be a safety hazard. Mosher said before starting your vehicle, turn off all accessories (radio, fan, interior lights etc…). She also said do a visual check of the vehicle to ensure headlights are
working and making sure the tailpipe/s are clear of any obstructions. You should try to warm your vehicle for a good 10 to 15 minutes before pulling off. “This is a good time to invest in a remote start on your car,” said Mosher with a laugh. But not so fast, veterinarian Dr. Paula Bratich said before you start your vehicle, set off the alarm, honk the horn or tap on the hood to be sure no stray cats, squirrels or other wildlife have gotten into your engine block seeking shelter from the cold. “The animals are looking for relief too. If you start the engine and they are in there, you are going to have a bigger mess and mechanical issue than you could ever imagine,” she said.
17-year-old voter registration begins Jan. 1 Countywide “Democracy Week” set for Feb. 3-7 to register 17-year-olds Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, most Illinois 17-year-olds were eligible to register and vote in a primary election – a first in our state’s history, Cook County Clerk David Orr said recently. The new “suffrage at 17” law will let voters choose in the primary election which candidates will be nominated to represent political parties in the general election. “This expansion of voter registration will allow more young people to participate than ever before,” Orr said. “Suffrage at 17 will also get teenagers registered to vote before they leave high school, www.chicagocrusader.com
and studies show that establishing voting habits early boosts the likelihood of participation for years to come.” U.S. citizens who were born on or before Nov. 4, 1996 can register and vote in the March 18, 2014 Primary Election because they will turn 18 by the Nov. 4, 2014 General Election. A countywide “Democracy Week” to register 17-year-olds is scheduled for Feb. 3-7. Clerk Orr’s office is coordinating with more than 80 suburban Cook County high schools to set up voter registration drives. The Chicago Board of Elections is working with the Chicago Public Schools to do the same. Both election offices are partnering with deputy registrar organi-
zations including (but not limited to): the League of Women Voters, Mikva, ICIRR, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, NAACP, National Action Network and the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago. “It will take a mighty effort to register students at every high school in suburban Cook County, so we are looking for deputy registrars to join the effort,” Orr said. To participate, please contact Mark Mesle at mark.mesle@ cookcountyil.gov or 312-6030988. Clerk Orr invited 17-year-olds to submit a video explaining why they will register and vote. The winning video and other submissions will be released in January.
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
SEVENTEEN YEAR OLDS for the first time in state history will be able to vote in the primary election. The change in the law went into effect on January 1. Saturday, January 11, 2014
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EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL NEUTRALIZING THE CULT OF DEATH IN AMERICA When you think about it, society is basically our individual relationship with everyone around us. On a broader note, however, everyone around us is influenced by the images that are extant in the environment. We generally retrieve information from this environment through our five senses: seeing, tasting, touching, smelling and hearing. All types of inputs audition to become players on the stages of our lives, but most of them impact us on a subconscious level. Take for example sight: at any given moment we are aware of what we are focused on, but at that same moment, there are literally thousands of other images in the background that we ignore consciously, but not subconsciously. These subconscious inputs actually influence us on levels that we don’t always appreciate. And to a great extent, society is impacted by these same images. One important case in point is the ubiquity of death heads i.e., skulls. They are EVERYWHERE. You can see them on children’s backpacks, on lunch boxes, on jackets, tattoos, on jewelry, glasses, mugs, posters, and just about everywhere that people assemble. Moreover, in addition to this, movies and television programs about the dead, or the “living dead”(zombies), are very popular. World War Z, is a popular zombie film; the “Z” stands for zombie. Zombies are entities who have lost their humanity and are now no longer human. They prey on humans. When we look at this in light of the fascination with war and violence, it becomes apparent that we are a culture that seems to be in love with death, suffering and violence. Many violent video games, alleged to be innocuous, are very, very popular among our youth. And even though the violence offered is said to be just “entertainment,” it is interesting to note that violence among youth is on the rise. In some Black communities, they are killing each other at alarming rates. Teachers and others who work with them will tell you that many young African American males don’t expect to live beyond the age of 25! These youth, as is the general population, are subjected to the background noise of the cult of death. Who is to say that this is not influencing us, that it is not becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy? And more importantly, WHO IS BEHIND THE MOVE TO PUT DEATH IMAGES ON SO MUCH OF THE MERCHANDISE THAT IS SOLD TO MILLIONS ON A DAILY BASIS, AND WHY? (An ironic side note: a lot of people consider the so-called “illuminati” behind a lot of what’s happening in America, and one of the alleged groups associated with them is the “Skull and Bones” society at Yale University! But this is a digression...) Whatever the case, we don’t have to buy images circulated by merchants pushing the death’s head on us. In order to do this, we must first notice that we are surrounded by unsavory images and seek to counteract them. We must not become comfortable with the silent denizens of evil that are poised to threaten us, our communities and especially our children. In order to do this we can start by purchasing (and creating) items that have positive messages and images. We can also choose to listen to music or watch television programs that are not slanted toward the negative band of our psychological wavelengths. This may be easier said than done, but it CAN be done. Often, when the ills of society are pointed out to us, we tend to think that we are helpless in bringing about change because we think in terms of being just one individual. But, as said earlier, society is our relationship one-on-one with everyone in the environment, and when you consider this, just remember that society can be changed one individual at a time! A luta continua. 4
Saturday, January 11, 2014
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A new year with old problems Dear Editor: Unfortunately turning the page on the calendar doesn’t erase the city’s old problems. We start 2014 facing many of the same problems we ended 2013 with. In fact, we may have a new set of problems piling on to the existing ones. The legislature hurried and reluctantly passed a concealed carry law allowing every day citizens who meet certain criteria to carry handguns. This has state residents divided, but more importantly the legislation is loaded with problems and we may wind up in court several times getting the matter corrected. My concern though is what happens before the matter gets straightened out. If folks are wrongfully arrested, will those arrest records be tossed? Those who back conceal carry say that when thugs don’t know who is carrying besides them, they will be less inclined to stick-up or shoot someone. What happens if there is no drop in crime, does the law get rescinded? It would seem if crime spikes or remains at current levels we have been sold a bill of goods. Too much time was spent last year debating littering in the city. The mayor and council came up with some fines for littering and the state jumped in with its firstever littering law and fines. Look,
I am as much for clean streets and sidewalks as anybody, but are we really supposed to believe cops are going to start ticketing folks for flicking a cigarette butt on the sidewalk, or that the ticketed offender is going to take time off work to fight a $50 ticket? We also head into this new year with one glaring “carryover” problem – our schools. They have been closed, downsized, re-sized and shaken just about every way imaginable. But the mayor and CPS officials are still trying to put more charter schools in the pipeline. I am not sure if it is an all-out assault on teachers’ unions or a push to eliminate traditional public education. But we need this administration to give us some honest answers about the plans for education in Chicago. I don’t know how to get those honest answers considering the mayor has lied about everything associated with CPS. Talmadge Bradshaw
Young voters can make a difference Dear Editor: The upcoming March primary elections should be extra interesting this year because it will be the first time 17-year-olds can vote. Personally it is a good move, but I have my doubts if the youngsters will appreciate this opportunity to make a difference. The state legislature decided that anyone who turns 18 by the
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
November general election should be able to vote in this spring’s primary. Part of the rationale is to get more young people involved in the political process. Well that is all well and good, but how effective will it be if there is no education campaign helping them understand how to vote, read a ballot, research candidates et al.? It is almost like handing over a car with no driving lessons or drivers ed course. Hopefully no one is relying on (Continued on page 17)
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COMMENTARY
Charter Schools in Wisconsin – A Great Alternative By Harry C. Alford NNPA Columnist Across the nation our public schools are not performing as they should or as they used to. There is so much attention given to improving our public schools, but the successes are far and too few. According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, American literacy rates have not changed in over ten years. With all the attention we are giving to public education there is just no improvement by using the traditional methods. Just reading alone is a factor in national security, economic attainment, access to health care and the chance of full participation as a 1st class citizen. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, “The link between academic failure and delinquency, violence, and crime is welded to reading failure.” Yes, 85 percent of all juveniles in our juvenile court system are functionally illiterate. Over 70 percent of inmates in our prisons cannot read above a fourth grade level. As the great Booker T. Washington stated, “We cannot be truly free without an education.” We as a nation must come up with new direction as the same old methods are failing us while education levels and
Harry C. Alford literacy in many rival nations are improving and pulling away from the achievement of U.S. schools. Alas, the state of Wisconsin has stepped up and created an alternative. The state legislature of this progressive state has authorized a comprehensive Charter School Program. The state has three types of charter schools. The first is a basic Charter School. Here is the definition: “Charter schools are public, nonsectarian schools created through a businesslike contract or “charter” be-
tween the charter governance board and the sponsoring school board or other chartering authority. The Wisconsin charter school law gives charter schools freedom from most state rules and regulations in exchange for greater accountability for results. The charter defines the missions and methods of the charter school. The chartering authority holds the school accountable to its charter. The charter school motto is Autonomy for Accountability.” The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction justifies the above via this explanation: “Wisconsin established charter schools to foster an environment for innovation and parental choice. They can exist as living laboratories that influence the larger public school system and introduce an element of competition within that system. Charter schools are created with the best elements of regular public schools in mind. Their leaders may experiment with different instructional theories, site-based management techniques, and other innovations. They learn, sometimes by trial and error, what works best for their student population. Regular schools can observe and learn from what happens in the charter school and make similar improvements. Through this process, the entire
public school system is continually challenged to improve itself.” They also demand parental involvement. Parents can participate in choosing upcoming curriculum changes, technology methods and encouraging the entire community to stay involved with all school programs and give input for new direction. It must be working! The greater Milwaukee area has 37 charter schools running with many more on the “books.” As typical public schools are closing and/or consolidating, charter school expansion is there to fill the void. Now the state has come up with another version of a charter school. That is a 2R Charter School. They are identical to a regular charter school except their authorizers can be the city of Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin – Parkside or the Milwaukee area technical college district board. Wait, they also have one more version of a charter school.There is the Virtual Charter School. “Virtual charter schools are publicly funded, nonsectarian schools that are exempt from many regulations that apply to traditional public schools and that offer some of their classes online. They began operating in Wisconsin
‘Race War’ at Fox News By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist In 2013, race still mattered – especially at Fox News. According to MediaMatters, the watchdog group, last year was a banner period for race-baiting at Fox. “Viewers who spent 2013 absorbed in Fox News might be under the impression that an all-out race war has erupted across the nation this year, thanks to the network’s coverage of everything from voter fraud to Santa Claus echoing one common theme: white folks are being victimized in Obama’s America,” an analysis of coverage on the network concluded. The review showed that Fox, the nation’s top-rated cable network with 1.76 million daily viewers, routinely exploited racial fears to boost its ratings. “Fox became obsessed with black crime rates in the summer of 2013, when Floridian George Zimmerman went on trial for the 2012 murder of African-American teenager Trayvon Martin, whom Zimmerman shot and killed while he was walking home from a convenience store. Zimmerman, identified as white Hispanic, alleged that he shot Martin in self-defense, and was not subsequently arrested or charged with any crime until a significant public outcry made www.chicagocrusader.com
the story national news,” MediaMatters noted. “Fox immediately began running defense for Zimmerman in what became a red meat story for the network – an opportunity to justify right-wing gun culture and stand your ground laws, stoke fears about the dangers of Black youth, and paint white-on-black crime as exceedingly rare and usually justified while black crime is exploding.” When Fox wasn’t fear mongering about black crime, the report stated, it was supporting voter ID laws that suppress the African-American vote. “2013 marked a unique year with regard to free and fair elections in the United States. In June, the conservative bloc of the U.S. Supreme Court disregarded history, legal precedent, and congressional intent in a 5-4 Shelby County decision that gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA). Weeks later, thousands of Americans gathered with civil rights leaders in the nation’s capital to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington – a 1963 march that featured Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I have a dream” speech and helped lead to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and aforementioned VRA,” the analysis recounted. “The summer’s Shelby County decision paved the way for Republican-controlled state legislatures to
George E. Curry continue pushing through voter ID laws, a movement purporting to fight voter fraud that in fact disenfranchises Democratic voting blocs, particularly minorities, by imposing stringent prerequisites to vote that many older and minority voters cannot easily meet. Previously, such measures – in states with a history of disenfranchising minorities – required approval from the Justice Department before being implemented.” The report noted that the Voting Rights Act’s preclearance provision had been invoked more than 700 times between 1982 and 2006 to prevent racially discriminatory voting proposals to go into effect. “Perhaps the one story that best encapsulates the way Fox News
goes out of its way to paint a distorted image of the crossroads of race and crime in America, it’s the network’s coverage of the so-called ‘knockout game,’” the report explained. “Fox described the knockout game as a violent and spreading trend primarily involving Black youths assaulting unsuspecting and primarily white victims on the street for recreation. The network has run numerous segments on the alleged craze, and Fox’s Greta Van Susteren has dedicated a recurring segment to the phenomenon. “The primary take-away for viewers: Be afraid of young, Black men and women, and don’t let yourself be an unsuspecting victim – Black people could assault you at any time for no reason other than the fact that you’re white.” In fact, as the report states, “A New York Times piece on the knockout game cited police officials in several cities where attacks have been reported who concluded that the game ‘amounted to little more than an urban myth, and that the attacks in question might be nothing more than the sort of random assaults that have always occurred.’” Fox even played the race card with Santa Claus. “Fox capped a year decorated with race-baiting overtones and racial dog whistles with a comparably absurd ornament for the top of their tree: New Fox megastar Meg-
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
during the 2002-3 school year. Pupils typically attend from their homes and communicate with teachers using e-mail, by telephone, or in online discussions. During the 2010-11 school year, 17 virtual charter schools enrolled 4,110 pupils. Most were high schools. Currently there are 25 virtual charter schools.” It is very apparent that the state of Wisconsin has developed a model program for many other states that have urban centers that could use improvement and innovation towards the better product it is putting out through their school system. One thing is clear – there is no room for street gangs, drugs and general violence in a charter school system. It makes a school a place for learning and achievement plus preparation for the future. Oh, if Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago and many other cities with challenging school systems would try to emulate this successful program. It could make a wonderful change. What are we waiting for? We are talking about our children’s future. Mr. Alford is the co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®.Website: www.nationalbcc.org. Email: halford@nationalbcc.org.
yn Kelly’s unabashed declaration (“for the kids at home”) that Santa Claus is white,” MediaMatters recounted. “‘Santa just is white’,” Kelly told viewers in response to a Slate column by Aisha Harris, an AfricanAmerican who noted that depictions of a Caucasian Santa Claus can have an alienating effect on minority children. Conservative media rushed to agree with Kelly’s assertion, most notably Fox racebaiter-in-chief Bill O’Reilly, who concurred that ‘Miss Kelly is correct. Santa was a white person.’” The report stated, “Sadly, the Santa story illustrated how harmful race-baiting media coverage can be. Amidst the back and forth over the race of Old St. Nick, a teacher at Cleveland High School in New Mexico reportedly told a Black student that he should not be dressed up as Santa because he was the wrong skin color…” 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 and George E. Curry Fan Page on Facebook.
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COMMENTARY
(Continued from page 1)
IDEAS AND BLACK NATIONALISM Dr. Conrad Worrill, Director/Professor, Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS) located at 700 East Oakwood Blvd, Chicago, Illinois, 60653, 773-268-7500, Fax: 773-268-3835 E-mail: c-worrill@neiu.edu, Website: www.ccicschicago.org, Twitter: @CCICS_ Chicago.
best collective interests. One of the missing historical links to the impact of the southern based Black Freedom Movement of the 1950s and 60s is the role of Black Nationalists. One aspect of this role is depicted in a new book by Dr. Akinyele O. Umoja, Chair of the African American Studies Department at Georgia State University, entitled, We Will Shoot Back: Armed Resistance in the Mississippi Freedom Movement. Dr. Umoja will discuss this work on Friday, January 24, 2014 at the Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, 700 E. Oakwood Blvd. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the program will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. There are far too many African people in this country who think what is good for other people should be good for us. Nothing could be further from the truth. We can only determine what is good for us by reestablishing Black Nationalist thinking and developing a Black Nationalist program of action. This is the missing link to the liberation of African people in America. Let us briefly review the development and impact of Black Nationalism in America. Black Nationalism is a tradition that emerged in the early nineteenth-century among those Black leaders who understood the need for African people in America to de-
Dr. Conrad Worrill
One of the biggest challenges African people face in America is to rejuvenate Black Nationalist thinking as we struggle to determine for ourselves as a people what is in our
velop a national entity as the only solution for Black people in North America, Latin America, or the Caribbean. These nineteenth-century Black Nationalist leaders such as Denmark Vessey, Nat Turner, David Walker, Henry Highland Garnet, James T. Holly, Martin R. Delany, Pap Singleton, Edwin McCabe, and Henry McNeal Turner understood that African people in America were a “nation within a nation” and should organize to collectively struggle for the liberation of Black people in this country and throughout the world. During this era there were some Black Nationalist leaders before, and after the Civil War, who led movements for people of African ancestry to leave this country and establish a homeland somewhere else. These proposals included Africa, Canada, and the Caribbean. Other Black Nationalist leaders led movements for Black people to control the towns where they lived and others who led movements to the western region of this country to establish all Black towns in Kansas and Oklahoma. The core of this Black Nationalist tradition has been to defeat and overthrow the system of white supremacy, seize control of land (somewhere) and to achieve self de-
States. Perhaps Garvey’s greatest contribution to the upliftment of our people, through Black Nationalism, was his ability to find a formula for organizing African people around the African principle: the greatest good for the greatest number. This was reflected in the First International Convention of the Negro Peoples of the World, in Madison Square Garden, in 1920. Over twenty thousand Black people from all over the world witnessed the choosing of Red, Black, and Green as the colors of the Provisional Government. In this context, Garvey and the UNIA/ACL had established an economic arm, the Negro Factories Corporation, with cooperative stores, restaurants, steam laundry ships, tailor shops, dressmaking shops, millinery stores, a doll factory to manufacture Black dolls and a publishing house. Also, Garvey formed a Steamship Corporation. The Black Nationalist tradition was continued in the twentiethcentury through the Nation of Islam and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad who utilized many of the Garvey and UNIA/ACL organizing tactics and strategies. It was during the 1960s Black Power explosion that the Black Nationalist tradition reemerged thro(Continued from page 17)
termination for the oppressed Black masses. The Black Nationalist tradition has always been opposed to integrations, assimilation, and accommodation as a solution to the problems of people of African ancestry in America. In this regard, Black Nationalist tradition has rejected the strategy and tactics of appealing to the morality of white people and their white supremacy system. Black Nationalists have been historically clear that people in power don’t teach powerless people how to get power. And they certainly don’t give power away, even though, when challenged, they may give up some concessions. As Black Nationalism emerged in the twentieth-century, the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey and the establishment of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and the African Communicates League (ACL) became the leading spokesman for Black Nationalist ideas and organizing. Garvey used his varied skills to become one of our true twentiethcentury freedom fighters. Garvey arrived in Harlem, New York on March 16, 1916. By 1919, Garvey was well established as the President General of the UNIA/ACL that had membership of over three million people with more than three hundred branches in the United
WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist Happy New Year! January first and second are the days when most think of the “new” year, yet with the first Monday in January falling on January 6, that’s probably when most people will return to their desks with focused energy and ready to go. Post-its and scrawled notebook paper will trumpet “new” resolutions. Eat less, relax more, volunteer, tithe, save, all that good stuff. Some will even compose a bucket list of things they’d like to do before the end of their lives. Others will have a list of wants and wishes, both realistic and unrealistic. My wish list focuses on public policy, since better public policy means a better 2014. I WANT JOBS, JOBS, JOBS FOR BLACK PEOPLE. With the last reported official unemployment rate for African Americans at 12.5 percent, and the unofficial rate exceeding 25 percent, I’d really like to see some more jobs in the African American community. Joblessness leads to poverty which leads to all 6
Saturday, January 11, 2014
kinds of maladies. While the stock market is soaring, is it too much to ask for a little job creation? Don’t Republicans, also, represent the unemployed? Help me, somebody! By the way, I’d like more jobs for everyone, but first things first! And while we’re at it, why not fairer (and more equal) wages. There is talk of raising the minimum wage to $10 or more by 2015, and some states are already moving to wage levels even higher than that. More than half of those now earning the minimum wage are raising children. If their employers don’t pay enough for them to live on, the government will end up subsidizing their employers (and them) with programs like SNAP food stamps) and Section 8. Ooops! Those programs are being cut as well. What is a poor person to do in a nation that is both hostile to poor people and also absolutely needs them? I want President Obama to say “Black” or “African American” sometime other than Black History month, and I’d like him to say it enthusiastically, not reluctantly. His
Dr. Julianne Malveaux December 4, 2013 speech on poverty issues in Washington DC went a long way toward addressing the concerns (education, housing, poverty) of the least and the left out, but his lips won’t be permanently puckered in a putrid position if he managed to give his most loyal constituency a shout out! I guess I’ve been wishing for this for the past five years; I guess I’ll be wishing for
the next few. (And don’t tell me that President Obama is president of everyone. He doesn’t cringe when saying Latino, women, or GBLT). I want our Congress to think long run and provide more dollars for education, and for HBCUs especially need more resources, and most colleges that enroll fewer than 1,500 students with small endowments can use help. Many of these institutions are tuition-driven which means that cuts in financial aid, in Pell grants or Parent-Plus loans cut these colleges hard. Cutting education while suggesting the labor force should be more skills based is like eating your seed corn while hearing that food must be saved for less plentiful times. I WANT CONGRESS TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. As soon as another program is mentioned, recalcitrant Republicans and blue dog Democrats start worrying about cost. Here’s a thought – cut everything about military spending except pensions. Or, how about getting rid of some of the
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
hundreds of millions of dollars spent on pork. What would happen if colleges like Harvard and Yale (really, I’m not hating) got smaller grants or were required to partner with smaller schools when they get research grants, channeling a few dollars to those schools who really need them, and to the students who need more research opportunities. I want Obamacare to work well. If affordable health care is part of the Obama legacy, then I want it to work, really work. It will take time for the President to live down the computer debacle, and heads should have rolled in response to the extremely faulty rollout of the program. By the end of the first quarter of 2014, Obamacare should be working seamlessly, and people should really be able to see a difference because Obamacare exists. Bottom line — I’d like joy, peace, and economic justice by whatever means necessary. Happy New Year! Julianne Malveaux is a DC based economist and writer, and President Emerita of Bennett College for Women. www.chicagocrusader.com
GOSSIPTARY
code word for “Negro you best leave me lone right now. Get on back to work. I’ll be round directly.” Well at any rate, we wish her a Happy 50th.
By Ima Gontellit 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!
DEEP FREEZE Five people in the Good Bye-and Goodbye Convalescent Home heard the news say the city was going into a “deep freeze,” and immediately they thought they was fixin’ to get invited to some sort of community BBQ. After all, that is where dey keep the good meat. Unfortunately, the chill that came over de town had nothing to do with the two rabbits, deer meat and other game you keep frozen in yo’ basement. It had to do with the polar weather that hit de town as the Emperor was frolicking in the sunshine while on vacation. If there was any doubt as to whether or not Mr. Emanuel was a micro-manger, there can’t be none now. The city seemed a little “off” as the emergency leaders stumbled and bumped into each other this week in order to deal with the snow and wind chill. What was most evident is the people who run the schools got left out of the staff meeting, because they swore befo’ GOD dat all dey skimpy schools was gone be open, despite the fact that everything else in the town was gonna shut down. Never one to let those teachers and lunchroom ladies have a day off, CPS vowed to open de door Richard’ and force the city’s little children to trudge through neck deep cold stuff and face bone chilling winds, in order to not be marked absent which leads to automatic failure due to new state standards. After all the kindergarten teachers got mad and got on the internet, it appears De Emperor stopped sipping on his Mint Julep long enough to make a call to Chicago to ask his school officials if they were all working against him and if dey had lost their silly minds. So after three days of vowing the schools would be open, while everything else (including street drug markets) were shutting down, CPS threw egg on its own face and reluctantly said the children could stay www.chicagocrusader.com
-ImaOVERHEARD THRU DE DOOR
Rahm Emanuel home. This gave 15 more people yet another reason to “not vote for that man” when “his time comes up,” according to a man at Aldi’s who was listening to 15 people standing in a long line at the cash register. -ImaWHAT’S UP? Something is kinda off about de First Lady deciding to kick her family back to Washington to enjoy some time to herself, in honor of her birthday. After De President ar-
A church worker walkin’ by de office door of de ministerial staff over on 45th and Princeton heard one man say: “Our finances are mighty low. Maybe we should ask for a tenth of every member’s income. To which a deacon was said to have replied: “With all de business schemes you got, a tenth ain’t hardly enough. We best ask for a twentieth.” -ImaHE DID WHAT? Somebody emailed us a news account of a former gangbanger going after the 9th Ward Alderman, accusing him of attacking a school principal and a whole bunch of oth-
It’s very nasty and ugly too.
-Ima-
-ImaL.C.’s Wife PLOT THICKENS People are asking other people what does one of the U.S. Government’s Alphabet agencies want with the 7th Congressional District? They want to know who the white man is dat’s running against Danny “DON’T LISTEN TO THE TRIBUNE” Davis is and where he done come from? They wants to know why is a man whose linked to the 5th Floor openly working on behalf of this white man—when Davis is said to have “cut a deal” with the Emperor. Maybe its just a case of the Emperor being the Emperor—meaning a handshake, his word, and his signature signed in blood don’t mean doo doo if he said it don’t mean doo doo. These people linked to a Greater Chicago (or whatever it is) would explain how all of a sudden targeted Negro politicians are a concern of the white media. While few people worry that Davis will beat his strange Obama For America-connected opponent, people are worried that this ain’t the real play anyway. “They want downtown,” said one fellow, who claims he’s moving permanently to Washington, D.C. in a few months. “The West Side ain’t got nobody and its losin’ more and more Blacks every day. Danny’s district is gonna have to come further South—which will make it a South Side district. Then he’s gonna have to face Kwame Raoul if the deal don’t come through for him to get the U.S. Senate seat—which it won’t.”
Dis’ report just in: L.C. from over in Austin hovered over his wife’s sick bed the other day while the doctor felt her waning pulse. “Ain’t there no hope for her at all,” L.C. asked his good friend, who he didn’t know got his medical degree from Everett College. “That depends,” the doctor said, “What are you hoping for?” -ImaTIRED OF THE 8th WARD? Who is this running around saying Michelle Harris didn’t get into politics to be somebody’s mammy? I don’t know who’s saying it, but they show sayin’ it out loud. De other thang they saying is some folk is so fed up with her they are trying to talk Todd “I Didn’t Realize This Was Real” Stroger into getting his old councilman seat back. Some guys claiming they are “Soldiers for Stroger,” are pushing this mess big time. They claim if the white folks (Irish, Polish, Jews and Italians) get ahold of the 8th and 6th wards— we (meaning Negro Chicago) is finished. That’s why over the Christmas break there were three secret meetings on what shall become of Chicago’s Black political base. This was not the meeting Sharpton called, where 150 self-important “HNICs” showed up where we heard some Alphabet people took their pictures, got their cell numbers, and know who to bribe or “round up” when the time comes.
Anthony Beale Michelle Obama rived in D.C. with his beautiful daughters and without his wife, people were wondering aloud where Michelle was. After all, de Caucasian House had to play off gossip dat the tone and fit First Woman had to break her foot off in someone’s behind while at Mandela’s funeral, given he was caught frolicking with a blond when he should have been wiping tears from his eyes. Most people give Michelle an A+ in keeping her man in check—given he is one good looking sucker, and got all that power and stuff. We sure women from Antarctica to Ecuador be throwin’ at him on a regular. People were speculating if they got into it while on holiday and she told him to “gone ‘now …gone now’..” which is
er stuff. Mr. “Noonie” says it’s time for pretty boy and divorced councilman Anthony Beale to return to private life, since he done allegedly went off on a pretty woman who spends her day chasing wayward teachers and little kids up and down the hallways. This ain’t the first time Mr. Beale’s name has been linked to something seedy involving a woman. We don’t know nothing about no letter the alderman heard about that was circulating the 7th ward some years ago. And, we don’t know nothing about some man who is a karate buff threatening to do bodily harm to somebody because of dat letter. And, we don’t know nothing about all this stuff Mr. Noonie is going on record all up and down Altgeld Gardens saying about Mr. Beale and dis woman.
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Saturday, January 11, 2014
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
CHICAGO INVENTORS CONFERENCE 2014: The Chicago Inventors Organization presents the Chicago Inventors Conference 2014 on Saturday, January 11, at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Hermann Hall, 3241 S. Federal, Chicago. Legal experts will discuss How to Protect your Invention, Money-Tizing Your Invention and more. Learn about 3D printing, the new innovation in bringing your idea to life. Also, enter the “Win $1,000 to Pitch Your Invention Contest.” RSVP now at info@chicago-inventors.org or call 312-8504710. You can also visit www.chicago-inventors.org for more details. GET ADVICE ON BUILDING A BETTER FINANCIAL FUTURE AT THE JANUARY MONEY SMART PROGRAM AT CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY: The Chicago Public Library continues its free series of financial literacy programs designed to help people become more “money smart.” Presented in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and its partners, Money Smart programs help participants understand the business of money, gain control of their finances and learn practical money skills for life. Money Smart programs are held year round at library locations throughout the city. In addition, all Chicago Public Library locations offer books and online resources which allow participants to learn more about organizing their personal finances and financial planning. January Money Smart Program - How Money Works- Building Your Financial House - Monday, January 13 at 12 pm at the Harold Washington Library Center, Video Theater, Lower Level, 400 S. State Street, 312-747-4300. How do you build a secure and effective financial house? Come learn the concepts and strategies you may not have learned in school or at the bank that you can use to become debt free and financially independent. Learn basic concepts concerning insurance, debt elimination, credit, investing and savings. These concepts will be taught in an illustrative, interactive format so bring your notebooks! All Money Smart programs are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. The Chicago Public Library does not endorse, promote or guarantee the products and/or services of the presenters. Products and/or services are not sold at these presentations. For more information about Money Smart programs, please call 312-747-8184. For a complete listing of Money Smart programs, please visit chicagopubliclibrary.org. INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE ON THE AFFORD8
Saturday, January 11, 2014
ABLE CARE ACT AVAILABLE AT CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BRANCH LOCATIONS: Starting in 2014, most Americans will be required to have health insurance as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In response to the upcoming changes in health care, the Chicago Public Library and community partners present a monthly series of programs to help people learn more about the Affordable Care Act. Participants can get information and answers to their questions about the ACA. In addition, assistance in registering for health care coverage is offered at several branch locations. No reservations required. For more information, please visit chicagopubliclibrary. org, or call your neighborhood branch library. January Affordable Care Act Programs: Affordable Care Act-Get Covered Illinois - January 14 at 1 pm and January 16 at 1 pm at the Manning Branch, 6 S. Hoyne Avenue, 312-746-6800. Certified application counselors from Sinai Community Institute answer questions and assist the public in registering for health care coverage. Affordable Care Act: What Are My Options? January 15 at 12 pm at the Logan Square Branch, 3030 W. Fullerton Avenue, 312- 744-5295. The Puerto Rican Cultural Center offers an information table for the public to learn more about the Affordable Care Act. CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY: The Chicago Public Library enters the New Year with a variety of programs showcasing music & art, and spotlighting human rights. All of the programs take place at the Harold Washington Library Auditorium, 400 S. State Street. The Music Information Center: Celebrating 100 Years of Music for the City (1914 – 2014) kicks off Friday, January 17 at 12:15 pm in the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, Lower Level. Chicago Public Library’s Music Information Center was formed as a separate department in 1914, making it one of this country’s earliest music collections available to the public. 100 Years of Music for the City (1914 – 2014) kicks off a 10-month-long observance of this centennial milestone and features former and current CPL Music Information Center librarians, Richard Schwegel, Jeanette Casey and Alan Wolfe, presenting a lively and fun discussion of the Library’s Music Department back to its inception. THE UNIVERSE: A Walk through Space and Time: This is an ONGOING exhibit presented in the Pritzker Hall of Cosmology. How large is the Universe? Where did it come from? Are we alone?
Explore the answers to these big questions in The Universe: A Walk through Space and Time, a new, interactive exhibition. In The Universe, visitors will experience how the Universe evolved over 13.7 billion years – from the Big Bang to modern day. As they travel through time, immersive media shows visitors how galaxies, stars, planets – and even the very atoms in their bodies – were created as the Universe grew. A spectacular projection showcases the vast enormity of the Universe itself, traveling through regions farther than our Solar System–transporting visitors billions of light years from Earth to the edge of the cosmos, while touch screen technology allows them to investigate the diverse and beautiful objects of deep space. Using interactive stations in the exhibition, visitors can send e-postcards to themselves from the Orion Nebula, Neptune, the Andromeda galaxy, and the Coma Cluster of galaxies. The e-postcards will travel at the speed of light, so visitors will have to wait approximately 2.5 million years for their postcard to arrive from the Andromeda galaxy but, only four hours for a postcard from Neptune. To learn more and plan your next space adventure, call 312-922-7827 or visit www.adlerplanetarium.org.
AIR FORCE RESERVE Airman Meshach H. Barker graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Barker is the son of Monique Barker of Park Forest and grandson of Sofronia Barker of Chicago. He is a 2006 graduate of Thornton Township High School, Harvey. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 2010 from Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, Miss.
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NEWS
CTA selects artists for new artwork at Red Line South Stations Following last fall’s completion of the Red Line South Reconstruction Project, the Chicago Transit Board awarded contracts to local artists and an artist team to create new, original artwork that will be installed at eight train stations rehabilitated under the historic project. The new art will complement existing artwork at the Sox-35th, 47th, Garfield, 63rd, 69th, 79th and 87th stations. The art that is commissioned for Cermak-Chinatown will be that station’s first artwork. These stations, along with the 95th Street Terminal, were temporarily closed for five months last year, to allow crews to completely rebuild the 10.2-mile stretch from just north of Cermak-Chinatown to 95th Street. All stations along the branch were upgraded with new lighting, painting, electrical substation work and other improvements.
“Last year, we completely rebuilt the Red Line South—a historic investment in the South Side that improved the speed and reliability of train service,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool. “Now, we will add the finishing touches to this project by working closely with these remarkable artists to commission new original works of art that will capture the spirit of each of the unique and diverse communities surrounding each station.” The CTA issued a Call for Artists in June 2013, which was re-advertised in November, to solicit qualifications from artists and received more than 300 submissions. An evaluation committee reviewed all submissions and based on artistic merit, qualifications and professional recognition of the artists, the following contracts will be awarded:
THE SHORE is one of the original pieces of art commissioned by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and currently at the 87th Street CTA Red Line stop. Floating amongst the fish, the man and woman reach out to each other, as if bridging the gap between strangers in their daily journey. The transit officials recently commissioned eight new pieces of artwork to complement existing work at stations from 35th Street to 87th Street. The Cermak-Chinatown art is the station’s first. • Cermak-Chinatown: Indira F. tingency fund. Installation of the artwork is scheduled to begin in late Johnson (Evanston) • Sox-35th: Paula Henderson 2014 and will require a separate contract. (Chicago) • 47th: Andrew Hall (Chicago) Currently, the CTA already has • Garfield: Cecil McDonald, Jr. more than 50 works of art at 41 sta(Chicago) tions along the Pink, Red and • 63rd: Emmanuel Pratt (ChicaBrown Lines. This collection of go) and Olalekan Jeyifous (Brookpublic artwork will continue to exlyn, NY) pand to include 21 new, original • 69th: Douglas Fogelson (Chicaworks of art in the coming years as go) part of the recently completed Red • 79th: McArthur Binion (ChicaNorth 7 and Red Line South Rego) construction projects and also as • 87th: Thomas Lucas (Chicago) part of the upcoming Wilson StaThe artwork for the eight South tion Reconstruction, 95th Street Red Line stations is paid for with Terminal Improvements and the Transit Enhancement Funds from Your New Blue projects. The CTA SABINA OTT’S ARTWORK at the 63rd Street RED LINE STATION seems to float above the the Federal Transit Administration has hired internationally renowned expressway, as well as interacting with the landscape of Chicago, momentarily suspending the (FTA). The total project budget is artist Theater Gates to develop an viewer in the painted clouds. A Red Line and a Cloud is based on maps that turn and swirl, $590,400 and includes artist fees, artwork program for 95th Street, mimicking the view north from the stationhouse. The path of the CTA Red Line route anchors fabrication, shipping/delivery, ad- which will be rebuilt and expanded ministrative fees and a project con- in the next couple of years. the center of this landscape of floating clouds and color.
AT&T Offers T-Mobile customers up to $450 per line to switch Customers Ring in New Year with a Superior Network Experience and a Brand New Smartphone Starting today, AT&T* is offering T-Mobile customers the opportunity to upgrade their mobile lifestyle with value of up to $450 per line when they switch to AT&T and trade in an eligible smartphone. In addition to a larger and more reliable 4G LTE network, T-Mobile customers who switch to AT&T will benefit from a superior smartphone line-up and award-winning customer service. With AT&T, customers can take advantage of AT&T’s new Mobile Share Value plans, which offer data and unlimited talk and text starting as low as $45 per month with no annual contract.** AT&T NextSM offers customers the chance to upgrade to a new smartphone every year for $0 down. www.chicagocrusader.com
Beginning Jan. 3, under the limited-time offer, T-Mobile customers who switch to AT&T can trade-in their current smartphone for a promotion card of up to $250, which can be used toward AT&T products and services. Trade-in values will vary based on make, model and age of the smartphone, but many of the latest and most popular smartphones will qualify for a value of $250. T-Mobile customers can receive an additional $200 credit per line when they transfer their wireless service to AT&T and choose an AT&T NextSM plan, buy a device at full retail price or activate a device they currently own. Only AT&T offers the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network, covering more than 270 million Americans.2 J.D. Power awarded AT&T the “Highest Ranked Customer Service Performance Among Full-Service Wireless Providers”
and “Highest Satisfaction with the Purchase Experience among Full Service Wireless Providers” in their 2013, Volume 2 studies. T-Mobile customers can learn more by visiting www.att.com/switchfromtmo or an AT&T retail store. About AT&T AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, WiFi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also of-
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
fers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse® brand. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/aboutus or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/att.
The Crusader Newspaper Group is interested in our readers’ ideas, thoughts and opinions, whether you’re in Chicago, Northwest Indiana or any part of the U.S. we encourage you to send a letter to the editor at crusaderil@aol.com. Please limit your letters to 200 words. Saturday, January 11, 2014
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EDUCATION
Concordia opens first New Center for Literacy Concordia University Chicago’s new Center for Literacy hosted a community night and ribbon cutting on Friday, January 10, at 6 p.m. The free event began in the West Annex, Room WA 123 and then moved to the Christopher Center, Room CC200 on the University’s River Forest campus. The event was designed to celebrate the accomplishments of the first group of children to take
part in the Center’s Jumping into Multiliteracies (JiM) program, partially funded by Youth Services of the Oak Park and River Forest Townships. Current students of the program presented what they learned in person and via student-produced video segments. University faculty and administrators were on hand to provide an overview of the Center’s resources and answer questions from community members.
Leo High School looking for 8th graders to take entrance exam The entrance exam for eighth grade students will be held on Saturday, January 11 at 8 a.m. Students are encouraged to arrive at 7:30 a.m. for registration. For more information, call Leo High School at 773-224-9600 ext. 212 and ask for Mr. Holmes, admission director.
Describing the Center’s goals, Dr. Dara Soljaga, Center Director and Associate Professor of Curriculum, Language and Literacy, explained, “The Center is positioning itself as a regional hub for the research and practice of literacy. The University is proud to offer these opportunities as a focal point of its growing community outreach programs.” Thanks to generous donations,
the Center will serve the community by providing innovative and meaningful teaching and learning methods focused on critical reading, writing, speaking, presenting, and thinking processes. The Center for Literacy also enables CUC faculty and students to reach out to schools, districts and teachers with language and literacy support frameworks. The youth portion of the facility provides rich, authentic literary experiences for
students in grades PK-12. Currently, the University is seeking area schools to participate in the Center for Literacy’s programs and to collaborate in new programs. For more information on this event or the Center for Literacy visit gradschool.CUChicago.edu or contact Dara Soljaga, Ph.D., at dara.soljaga@CUChicago.edu or 708-209-3508.
Roosevelt welcomes prospective students during visit day For students in their junior or senior year of high school, college is right around the corner. To help those students and their parents get a start on college planning Roosevelt University is holding a visit day on Saturday, Feb. 15. “Our visit day is a great opportunity to meet with faculty, staff and current students to learn about Roosevelt’s academic majors and extracurricular programs,” said Eric Weems, associate vice provost for enrollment. “We’ll also have experts on hand who can answer everyone’s questions regarding the admission application process, applying for financial aid and scholarship opportunities and campus life.” The Roosevelt visit day will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the University’s dramatic 32-story Wabash Building located at 425 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago. A continental breakfast will be available beginning at 9 a.m. The Wabash Building is the sec-
Roosevelt University ond tallest university structure in the country and has housing on the top 17 floors for more than 600 students, most of whom are freshmen. All of the rooms have breathtaking views of Chicago. People attending the visit day will be able to tour Roosevelt’s academic buildings and residence halls, attend admission and financial aid presentations in Spanish and talk with current students. In addition, there will be opportunities to learn about
Roosevelt’s intercollegiate athletics program, career development activities, honors program and study abroad program. “For students wanting to know what college life in downtown Chicago is all about and how Roosevelt can be the right school for them, the Feb. 15 visit day is the ideal time to find out,” Weems said. Guests are invited to RSVP at www.roosevelt.edu/visitday. .
Walther’s Class of 2014 produces 11 Illinois State Scholars Walther Christian Academy is proud to congratulate the 11 Walther students recognized as Illinois State Scholars from the class of 2014. The State Scholar Program recognizes students attending approved high schools for outstanding academic achievement. To be an eligible State Scholar students must finish in the top one-half of high school classes at the end of the third semester prior to graduation, and/or score in the 95th percentile on the ACT, SAT or Prairie State Achievement Exam. The students recognized are: Julia Abbe (Maywood), Rohan Dammala (LaGrange Park), Kurtis Duff (Itasca), Amanda Hermansen (Melrose Park), Vance Nagel (Berwyn), Ryan O’Neil (Melrose Park), Megan Simzyk (Franklin Park), Matthew Steinhardt (Oak Park), Michael Walz (Forest Park), Collin Wassilak (Forest Park), and Peter Wykert (Lyons). Head of Schools, James Craven stated, “This group is nearly 15 percent of our senior class. Be10
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sides their accomplishments as students they are musicians, actors, athletes, and leaders in various clubs and organizations. They continuously excel and represent God, their families, and Walther Christian Academy by using their God-given talents to the fullest. Congratulations to all of them.” About Walther Christian Academy Walther Christian Academy in Melrose Park is a Christian college preparatory high school offering excellent academics and a wide variety of opportunities for students to develop their Godgiven talents in music, athletics, drama, academic competitions and creative outlets. Learn more at www.walther.com. ISAC For more information on the ISAC: Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and their Illinois State Scholar Program visit their website: www.isac.org.
ELEVEN SENIORS FROM Walther Christian Academy in Melrose Park were recognized for being Illinois State Scholars. BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
www.chicagocrusader.com
COMMUNITY
Last of the good deeds for the Holiday Season
PASTOR OLIVIA JOHNSON, far right, of Generational Blessings Family Worship Center, poses with Patrice Capuzzi, second from right, and volunteers during recent food and toy giveaway sponsored by Cook County Commissioner Joan Patricia Murphy. Murphy reached out to Pastor Johnson to find recipients for the Christmas baskets, which included South Holland, Hazel Crest, Harvey, Markham, Calumet City, Dolton and Riverdale residents.
Leo track team works in the community
TYLER GOODWIN, a Leo freshman (left) is joined by senior Alfred Townsend, with a delivery of canned goods to the Matthew House.
TOYS ARE ALL prepared for Christmas toy and food giveaway at Generational Blessings Family Worship Center.
THE GROUP OF good Samaritans representing Leo High School who volunteered recently for the Matthew House project included Tyler Goodwin, Coach Peter Doyle, Alfred Townsend, Sirlaurence King, Damone Seals-Templeton, Matthew House Director of Development Dorris Green, Coach Edward Adams. Coach Marcus Pass also was present. www.chicagocrusader.com
COMMISSIONER JOAN PATRICIA Murphy (6th District Cook County), Patrice Capuzzi, Community Outreach Coordinator and Pastor Olivia Johnson (center), Generational Blessings Family Worship Center, pose for photo during recent food and toy giveaway.
COACH PETER DOYLE of the Leo track team pitched in with team members to brighten the holidays for the men and women who rely on the Matthew House for warm meals.
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Saturday, January 11, 2014
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ENTERTAINMENT
By Raymond Ward
Lou Conte Dance Studio welcomes popular Dance Chance program January 31
By Elaine Hegwood Bowen, MSJ
Joffrey fetes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Beginning Friday, January 31, DanceWorks Chicago’s monthly program Dance Chance has a new home at the Lou Conte Dance Studio in the Hubbard Street Dance Center, 1147 West Jackson Boulevard in Chicago’s West Loop. Launched in March 2008 with prior venue the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Dance Chance has encouraged dialogue between artists and audiences, and prompted the creation of more than 100 original works in diverse forms and techniques. Repeating the last Friday of each month from 7–8 p.m, each onehour Dance Chance showcases three 15-minute pieces by local choreo-
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, hosts an African Dance Master Class with Andrea Vinson. Well-suited for families, this class is an introduction to African dance and is appropriate for all levels of dance experience. Students learn a variety of tradi-
DANCEWORKS PROVIDES a creative environment for artist to perform such as Chicago native Beynji UnDios Marsh, left, and Bella Diaz performing during one of the 2013 once-amonth Dance Chance program installments. (Photo by Vin) graphers, followed by discussion and audience response, led by a guest moderator. At the conclusion of each event, the next month’s three choreographers are chosen randomly from names submitted by choreographers in attendance. There are no fees or prerequisites to enter the drawings. “The Hubbard Street Dance Center is a place where new choreography is constantly being made, by dancers from so many different disciplines,” says Lou Conte Dance Studio director Claire Bataille, also a founding member of the Center’s world-renowned resident company. “It makes perfect sense for Dance Chance to move into our facility. I look forward to watching this program continue to build community and creative exchange among the talented and unique artists we have here in Chicago.” Says DanceWorks Chicago Artistic Director Julie Nakagawa, “DanceWorks Chicago started Dance Chance to encourage creativity and a sense of adventure in artists and audiences, and bring communities together to learn more about one another. DanceWorks is grateful for the program’s five-year run at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts and we’re honored to be invited to continue at the Lou Conte Dance Studio, a successful example of homegrown talent and, as such, a fitting partner for Dance Chance. DanceWorks is excited about this new partnership and we look forward to continuing to support local artists and audiences.” Guest moderator and Hubbard Street Dancer Jacqueline Burnett will host the January 31 event featuring J. Lindsay Brown, Katie Graves and Patrick Ingram, chosen from a “virtual Dance Chance” held online December 30 at facebook.com/choreographers. A raffle kicking off this new, six-month trial partnership will be held at the Center, for prizes including a T-shirt and a ten-class card for the Lou Conte Dance Studio’s Winter Session. Admission to Dance Chance is $3 cash, to which attendees are welcome to add a donation.
JOFFREY MLK MASTER Class led by Andrea Vinson. (Photo by Herbert Migdoll) tional African dance steps accompa- tions. ity, discipline and confidence, nied by live drummers. The master The African Dance Master Class among others. The Joffrey Acadeclass takes place on the fourth floor is $15 per person. Space is limited, my’s high-quality, educational proof Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph so interested participants are en- gramming forms future audiences St., on the official MLK holiday, couraged to reserve their spot by and support for the Joffrey and Monday, January 20, noon-1 p.m. Friday, January 17, by emailing re- builds the organization’s reputation Andrea Vinson, lovingly known ception@joffrey.org or by phone at worldwide. to her students as “Mama Andrea,” 312.784.4600. For more informaLocated in the heart of Chicago’s has been in the dance profession for tion, visit JOFFREY.ORG/MLK. theater district, the 20,000-squaremore than 25 years. She has perThe Joffrey Academy of Dance, foot Exelon Education Center, formed for numerous venues, in- Official School of The Joffrey Bal- which is home to the Academy, cluding theater, television and film. let, is committed to providing stu- boasts four state-of-the-art studios in Presently she is the Associate Artistic dents of all ages, levels and back- the new Joffrey Tower. The Joffrey Director of Najwa Dance Corps, a grounds who have a desire to dance Academy recently received the disteaching artist with the Joffrey’s with a world-class education built tinguished honor of being named 2010 Outstanding School by the Youth America Grand Prix, the world’s largest international student ballet competition. The Joffrey Academy also received the Boeing Game Changer Award in recognition of its efforts to make dance accessible to all.
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Middle School Dance Club, the lead artist with After School Matters, and a master teacher with Chicago Public School’s All City Dance Ensemble. Her teaching credits include colleges, elementary and high school, park districts, arts organizations, dance studios, professional dance companies and theatrical produc-
ANDREA VINSON LEADS a previous African Master Class in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo by Herbert Migdoll) BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
on a foundation of classical ballet. With the talents cultivated at the Joffrey Academy, students can pursue careers as professional dancers at companies throughout the world, higher-education opportunities in dance, or success in other fields. Through the Joffrey Academy’s programs, students develop a diverse set of skills including artistry, creativ-
Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet is the only training program owned, operated or endorsed by The Joffrey Ballet. The Joffrey Ballet is not affiliated with any other Joffrey dance training or school program. For more information on The Joffrey Ballet and the Academy of Dance, please visit joffrey.org/academy. www.chicagocrusader.com
ENTERTAINMENT
After the Factory sheds light on Detroit’s renewal plan By Elaine Hegwood Bowen “After the Factory” is an eye-opening documentary that examines the diametrically different cultures of Detroit, Michigan, and Lodz, Poland, two former industrial towns suffering from the same fate of unemployment and population decline. Interviewing citizens, policy-makers and entrepreneurs, “After the Factory” reveals how these fallen giants might be the innovators writing the new rulebook for cities of the future. This documentary is written by Philip Lauri and provides a juxtaposition of two cities that have long ago seen prosperity, life and movement. Detroit and the Polish city of Lodz have much in common, but one policy-maker noted that musically speaking, syncopation is much of what is needed to help the weak and the strong aspects merge to create a new Detroit. Both cities seem to have non-caring citizens, blight, poverty and drugs. However, this was not the
case years ago when Detroit was a thriving boom town of automobile industries. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, the exNBA player, noted that about 50 businesses grew at one time in Detroit. The Big GM automakers had cottage businesses, i.e., cupholders and ashtrays, etc., were made in their own distinct factories—not in the same factory where the cars were eventually assembled. This provided jobs for grandfathers, sons and grandsons, alike. On the other hand, Lodz had smoke stacks from industries that no longer were operating, but the town seems to have a stronger artist community support system than Detroit. In Lodz, according to the expert, there are 118,000 students studying art in institutions of higher education. The Se-ma-for Studios is the home of two Academy Awards for foreign animation films. Bing noted that Detroit “wasn’t trying to be a New York or Chicago,” and noted author and social ac-
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing tivist Grace Lee Boggs said that, “Progress lies in not trying to reproduce what happened but to make a new path.” However, both towns had started to recover and to re-establish quirky businesses, cafes,
community gardens and other resources that are vital for growth and development. In the end, “After the Factory” is a short documentary, only 44 minutes in length. But it serves as a
eta presents the Chicago Premier of “OUT LOUD” By Olivia Dawson and Ray Proctor Opening January 17 - Previews January 16, 2014 eta opens the New Year with the Chicago premiere of a thought-provoking, humorous and moving piece about the relationship between two friends, a straight female and a gay male, both working artists who pose the question, “Can We Really Say That OUT LOUD?” Written by Olivia Dawson and Ray Proctor and directed by Olivia Dawson, “OUT LOUD” opens January 17 and runs through March 9, 2014 with a preview on January 16,
2014. Show times are 8 p.m. Fri & Sat; 3 & 7 p.m. Sundays at eta Square, 7558 S. South Chicago Ave. General admission is $30, with student, senior and group discounts. For tickets and information, call 773-752-3955 or visit www.etacreativearts.org. Think of all the politically incorrect conversations people have with their friends when no one is around to hear them. What would it be like to be a fly on the wall during one or many of those conversations? It’s 2008, and through vignettes of conversation, over the course of a year, Benny and Eva discuss race, sex, hair, gender identity, relationships
“OUT LOUD” FEATURES Melanie Loren, who plays Eva, trying to comfort Bennie, played by Watson Swift. www.chicagocrusader.com
and using the N-word. But can two people of opposing viewpoints truly voice their opinions and still remain friends? Featuring Melanie Loren as Eva and Watson Swift as Benny, cast also features Nakia Allen (Female Ensemble) and David Guiden (Male Ensemble). Set Design is by Moon Kim Jung, Costume Design by Abeo Brown, and Sound Design by Darryl Goodman and Olivia Dawson. “OUT LOUD” grew out of a desire to explore what it means to be Black and gay in a world that insists on portraying both as caricatures or stereotypes on the stage and in the world. “OUT LOUD” is mostly about two people who learn to love one another,” says co-author and director Dawson. “eta is excited to present this new and very entertaining work,” said Phillip Thomas, eta president. “We are looking forward to the postshow conversations that we hope will provide an opportunity for audiences to delve deeper into topics that are often taboo in the African American community, as well as increase understanding.” Olivia D. Dawson (co-playwright & director) received her MFA in Performance from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and her BA in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Illinois - Champaign. Olivia has been an actor for over 15 years and has begun to segue into writing and directing. She is a member of the Black Playwrights Initiative at Black Ensemble Theater (BET). Her short play Miss Lorraine was featured in the 2013 8th Annual Black Playwrights Festival at (Continued on page 17)
good history lesson, as well as a great primer for what’s to come for both cities—in this age after the Industrial Revolution. Look for “After the Factory” on www.filmbuff.com.
The Bookworm Sez “Nothing to Lose”
By Angela Winters c.2013, Kensington $15.00 / $16.95 Canada 320 pages “No” is definitely not your favorite word. You can’t stand to hear it in any form. You can’t stand to read it and you very rarely say it. You hate the word because it only means you can’t have something you want. That’s a word you’ve removed from your vocabulary. So how far would you go to get your heart’s greatest desire? In the new book “Nothing to Lose” by Angela Winter, three friends want what they want – and they’ll destroy lives to get it. Sherise Robinson was “demanding and spoiled, and that was the way she liked it.” She’d grown up in Southeast D.C. and had clawed her way to where she was, working with the man who would surely be the next President of the United States. Yes, she was at the top of her game, but it hadn’t been easy. Sherise had slept with a lot of men, both for revenge and for social position. It had almost cost
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
her marriage but she and Justin had been in therapy and were now more in love than ever before. Sherise only hoped that would be enough if, for some reason, the lid was ever blown off the biggest potential scandal of all-time. It had been a long year for Billie Carter, but things were finally looking up. She’d made a career-altering mistake at her D.C. law firm, and while the partners were reluctant to fire her, she knew they were relieved when she resigned. After six months of joblessness, though, her old law school chum offered her a plum job – with strings attached. Billie had to win over a headhunter and, once she did that, she would have to work with her ex-husband on a big case. The first part would be a piece of cake. The second part would almost ruin everything. Erica Kent had discovered the (Continued on page 17)
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ARTS AND CULTURE
Jeremy Jordan to perform concert for the NY/NJ Chapter of The American Liszt Society The New York/New Jersey (NY/NJ) Chapter of the American Liszt Society (ALS) presents Jeremy Jordan, pianist, in an evening of classical and jazz transcriptions at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 16, 2014 at Yamaha Piano Salon. Jeremy Jordan is a native Chicagoan and the son of Chicago educators Mark and Verna Jordan. A graduate of Chicago’s Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, Jordan completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance on full schol-
arships at The Juilliard School in New York City. The recipient of the 2010 National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. (NANM) scholarship in piano, Jeremy Jordan now makes his home in New York City where he is actively engaged in many musical activities. The American Liszt Society was established 1964 and the NY/NJ Chapter was founded in 1992 by pianist Gila Goldstein who since has been the chapter’s president. The chapter began its activities at the Barnard College’s Salzberger Parlor.
Between 1996-2005 the NY/NJ Chapter was hosted by the General Consulate of Hungary located in the Upper East Side. Since 2005 the chapter has been presenting bi-annual concerts at the Yamaha Piano Salon in New York City and one concert at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University (MSU) in New Jersey. The vice-president of the chapter is the keyboard studies coordinator at MSU, Prof. David Witten. New York residents please note: The Yamaha Piano Salon is locat-
Jeremy Jordan ed at Yamaha Artist Services, 689 Fifth Avenue (NE corner of 54th street), 3rd floor. Enter the Salon from 54th street between Fifth Ave. and Madison Ave. General admission is $15, Students and Se-
niors: $10. RSVP at gilagoldstein@aol.com For more information about the NY/NJ Chapter of the Liszt Society, call Gila Goldstein at 212339-9995, ext. 0.
Lyric Opera of Chicago announces chorus auditions for the 2014-15 season MAESTRA RENÉE BAKER conducts the choir, soloists and the Chicago Modern Orchestra Project during Chicago Music Association’s first annual South Side Do-It-Yourself Messiah presented Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Drive. Pictured behind Conductor Baker are the alto and bass sections of the more than 250 volunteer choristers who came to participate in the historic occasion.
The Chicago Ensemble’s 2013-14 season continues The Chicago Ensemble presents the third program in the group’s series of chamber music concerts Sunday January 26 at 3:00 p.m. at the International House on the University of Chicago campus, 1414 E. 59th St., and Tuesday January 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Michigan Avenue and Chestnut. A complimentary reception precedes each program. The Chicago Ensemble, now in its 37th season, performs a variety of combinations of instruments and voice. The two January programs feature mezzo-soprano Stacy Eckert, with a string quartet of outstanding Chicago-area musicians and the Ensemble’s artistic director and pianist Gerald Rizzer. The program is composed of music of the intriguing variety characteristic of The Chicago Ensemble. Ms. Eckert appears in a Bach aria from Cantata No. 97; Chausson’s Chanson Perpetuelle; and the Seven Popular Songs by DeFalla. Two lessoften performed quintets for strings and piano by the British composer Frank Bridge and the American composer Walter Piston will also be performed. Bridge’s intensely passionate work composed in the late Romantic style dates from 1912. Piston’s masterfully crafted 1949 14
Lyric Opera of Chicago will hold auditions in March 2014 for experienced, classically trained singers who are prepared for a professional career seeking positions in the company’s choral ensemble for the 2014/2015 season. Auditions will be held at the Civic Opera House (20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. All applicants must sing a preliminary audition to be considered for a callback audition. Preliminary Auditions will be held: Tuesday, March 4 4:30-6:30 pm Wednesday, March 5 4:30-6:30 pm Friday, March 7 2:00-5:00 pm Saturday, March 8 2:00-5:00 pm Friday, March 14 2:00-5:00 pm Saturday, March 15 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Stacy Eckert and Gerald Rizzer composition brings to mind another great American composer Aaron Copland. Ms. Eckert has performed operatic roles in concert performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Violinists Mathias Tacke and Stephen Boe, violist Paul Vanderwerf and cellist Andrew Snow also appear with many of Chicago’s leading music organizations. The Chicago Ensemble 2014 season concerts April 27 and 29 will present works for flute, clarinet, vio-
Saturday, January 11, 2014
lin, viola, cello and piano by Reger, Beethoven, Yedidia and Walton. The final concerts of the 2013-14 season on June 8 and 10 include works for soprano, oboe, violin and piano by Bach, Telemann, Mozart, Poulenc, Vaughan Williams and Brahms. Tickets are $25 single admission, $60 for three programs. Contact The Chicago Ensemble at 773558-3448 or at thechicagoensemble.org.
Callback Auditions (if necessary) will be held on Saturday, March 15 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. All auditions are by invitations only. Applicants must submit a cover letter stating your first, second, and third (if applicable) choices for audition dates, along with a current résumé, headshot, and contact information for two references of recognized musical authority with whom you have worked. Please ensure your references are notified that Lyric may contact them. Singers should submit materials online to choraud@lyricopera.org or by mail to:
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Chorus Auditions Coordinator, Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 860, Chicago, IL 60606. All materials must be received by 5:00pm CST on Monday, February 24, 2014. Applicants are expected to prepare two operatic arias that best demonstrate their vocal ability. These arias are to be sung in two contrasting languages and must be memorized. Also be prepared to sight read. The ability to read and memorize music quickly and accurately is a must. Lyric Opera of Chicago will furnish an accompanist. Auditionees must provide a legible copy of each aria, in the correct key, for the accompanist. Applicants must present proof of United States citizenship, permanent residency, or possess, at the time of the audition, legal permission to work in the United States of America during the rehearsal and performance period. Please note that guests will not be permitted into the audition sites. For more information please call the audition hotline: 312-8273548; email choraud@lyricopera.org, or check Lyric’s website at lyricopera.org/about/auditions.- aspx Musical rehearsals will begin in August 2014 with staging rehearsals beginning in September. A full (tentative) schedule of rehearsals and performances will be provided prior to the commencement of rehearsals. The 2014/2015 performance season runs from September 27, 2014 through March 15, 2015. www.chicagocrusader.com
SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
A Moment to Super Size Your Thinking By Effie Rolfe Done is better than perfection. We continue our conversation from last week on taking a different approach this New Year. One of the things we must immediately begin to do differently is to stop waiting for the ‘ideal time.’ It does not exist! So often, waiting for the perfect situation only prolongs one from making the necessary steps to accomplish goals and desires. I believe the underlying reason that people wait before initiating a task is the fear of the unknown. Most people would rather live in a known hell than take on an unknown fear. Not only is it common to have fear, but also, it’s good to have fear in that it causes an adrenalin rush to get the job done. So feel the fear and experience it, more importantly, you
Effie Rolfe
just can’t allow that fear to hold you hostage of what needs to be accomplished. The worse thing that could happen is you fail to succeed. C.S. Lewis said, “Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement.” No one is or ever will be exempt from messups—it’s an integral part of life. This is a year of greatness, favor and blessings, but the only way to get what is rightfully yours is to get up and get out. I remember several fond memories of growing up in Arkansas, one in particular was when I failed to do a chore in a timely manner, I would tell my mother—I’m gonna’ do it and my mom would immediately reply, ‘oh ‘Gonna’ is a good dog— but Do is the best!’ It was her way of reminding us not to simply talk about it, but “to be” about it—Do it. Since life is so short, why continue to wait unnecessar-
ily—weight broke the bridge down. Often our talk is backed by little action, as if the words alone will take wings and self manifest. This only happens when your talk equals faith “….according to your faith let it be done to you (Matthew 9:29).” Anyone who has ever done anything probably didn’t accomplish perfection during the first trial run. In most cases, you have to fail your way to success. Winston Churchhill said, “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” Yes, timing is everything, but you can’t keep waiting and waiting until the so-called perfect time when EVERYTHING will be just right. Maya Angelou said, “Nothing changes unless you do…” The way to change your life and impact the lives of others is to
stop hiding behind fear. One word of encouragement could catapult someone into destiny. You don’t have to be perfect to live in an imperfect world. Not only are you imperfect, so is the world and everyone around you. God doesn’t require perfection— He only wants availability for you to be about kingdom work and begin to walk into a spirit of excellence. So step into your greatness and out of fear—just get it done. What do you need to get things done…? ©Effie Rolfe is the author of “Supersize Your Thinking,” a Media Personality and Motivational Speaker. You can visit my website: effierolfe.com or follow me at twitter.com/effiedrolfe.
The Crusader Gospel Corner From the pulpit to the pew, 2014 was received with high hopes and promises of increased blessings and favor over God’s people. In churches across the city and beyond, spiritual leaders and pastors decreed and declared God’s blessed assurance to those who have remained faithful. Dr. Ray Berryhill, Senior Pastor of Evangel World Outreach Center encouraged members that “Your Destiny is Greater than Your Difficulty! You may be in the midst of the greatest battle of your Christian life. Hell may have launched an allout attack against you. Maybe you’re in the middle of a trial or illness, and you can’t see your way out of it. But I want you to know that despite the difficulties - that good work which God began in you— He will bring it to a flourishing completion (Philippians 1:6).” This may be a year of jubilee for most, but the blessings will only flow in abundance when you get in position according to Rev. Anthony Spencer of Christ Centered Ministries in Chicago, “Our focus is— the year we max out based on Ephesians 3:20. When we quote the
Rev. Anthony Spencer www.chicagocrusader.com
scripture, we give emphasis to the first part (a)—but the power is in the part (b), “according to the power in you. We really try to encourage people to tap into that power because we expect him—when God is really expecting from us,” said Spencer. “My philosophy is whatever God will do, He has already done and its up to us to step into what he has finished,” shared the pastor and lead singer of the Windy City Spirituals. Pastor DeAndre Patterson of Miracle Revival Temple said, “I believe the seed and the time that you sowed in 2013 is gonna’ be doubled—your blessing will be doubled in 2014. When you look at 2014—20 is a derivative of 10 and two tens equal the number twenty (20)—two sevens equal fourteen (14). So this year, God is going to double everything we sowed in 2013 and He’s going to pay you double for everything you loss. Isaiah 40:1, the New English translation says “…tell the people that the warfare is over, the punishment is completed and you will receive from the Lord’s hand double.” For many, last year had its challenges including government shut downs, sequesters and catastrophic events causing people to welcome a fresh start. Rev. Gregory Livingston, Senior Pastor of Mission of Faith Baptist Church in Roseland said his message was, “We have to move from history to mystery—from what we know to the unknown. In other words, we have to think the unthinkable and do the impossible…because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. In these times of uncertainty, trials and tribulations—God is bigger than any mistakes or messes that we have made.” The South Suburbs
Rev. Gregory Livingston were also on one accord, Apostle Carl said he shared with members of Victory Christian International Ministries, “Behold all things are become new…2 Corinthians 5:17. Those things that you did in your past are gone—the things that stopped you or caused you not to try—things that held you back is over. The way I change my life is not by talking—I must get in Christ. Therefore, if any man be in Christ and all the things that I am reaching for are available and become new.” The youthful Rev. Dwight Gunn, Senior Pastor of Heritage International Christian Church had to communicate tough love and encouraged self-examination. “We proclaim the year of successful ministry and that offensive characteristics will diminish. We don’t like to admit that we have characteristics that others might find offensive. Sometimes the gifts that would make room for us can be obstructed because of our character, which has hindered our ability to work with people. They have drawn away
from us—they don’t know your heart, God will cause those characteristics to diminish and allow them to draw closer to us as we serve God in ministry and give Him our all.” The former pastor of Christ Tabernacle continued, “Some people won’t deal with us because of what they feel or perceive—it may be someone higher up that has never given you an opportunity or a chance because they felt you were too rash. God is going to release us from those types of judgment and create a level of attraction where that barrier is broken down to build new opportunities and open new doors. According to 2 Corinthians 6:3, God is going to cause changes to provide greater levels of ministry.” Greater St. John Bible Church is where Pastor Ira Acree shared, “To leave the weights, worries and weariness of 2013 behind, and to simply turn the page, because their story is not over. I also told them it’s a matter of faith—if you keep the faith, the faith will keep you!” Also, this past Sunday members that
pressed through the snow to church on 1256 N. Waller received back to back sermons to Restart Your Life in 2014—The Benefits of Putting God First in Faith, Finance, Family and Fitness. Speaking of Pastors—Rev. Roosevelt Watkins, President of Pastors United for Change will be meeting this Thursday, January 9th at 10 AM. The organization is inter-denomination with over 50 active pastors with a mission to deal with the social ills of the community including education and stopping the violence. Guest speakers slated for the monthly meeting will be Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka and Secretary of State Jesse White at Bethlehem Star Church, 9231 S. Cottage Grove in Chicago. “We want to hear a report on the fiscal condition of the state,” said Rev. Watkins. “There are lots of not-for-profit organizations with contracts that haven’t gotten paid because the state is broke—we want to hear the status of the state’s condition,” he said. For more information call 773487-8441.
Dr. Blackwell made healthcare contributions around the world Dr. Mable Louise Blackwell was born on February 15, 1947 in Decatur, Alabama. Mable departed this life on December 22, 2013 at her home in Chicago, at the age of 66. She was a member of St. Luke Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, Champaign prior to joining Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. She was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Continued on page 17)
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Dr. Mable Louise Blackwell
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HEALTH
Medical innovations could make Diabetes management easier Most people don’t think about their sugar intake, insulin and blood glucose levels, but for those with diabetes, these are aspects of everyday life. There are more than 24 million people in the United States living with the disease, according to the American Diabetes Association, and this number is on the rise. For these individuals, managing the disease can be a stressful, time-consuming and even painful process. As diabetes can result in serious health complications including eye, kidney and nerve disease, and can lead to premature death, optimal treatment is crucial. But for this to take place, frequent measuring of blood glucose levels is required. While conventional blood glucose monitoring involves drawing a blood sample from one’s finger, hand, thigh or forearm with a needle, medical innovations on the horizon are promising to make diabetes management easier on patients. “Blood glucose monitoring, the crucial tool for controlling diabetes, is soon going to be more cost-effective and less painful,” says Avner Gal, CEO of Integrity
Applications, a medical device company working on solutions for diabetes patients. While at this time there are virtually no viable devices for the non-invasive measurement of glucose levels on the market, this soon will change. For example, GlucoTrack, by Integrity Applications, is a patented product in development that uses ultrasonic, electromagnetic and thermal technologies to non-invasively measure glucose levels in the blood. The device is batteryoperated and includes a main unit, which contains display and control features, as well as transmitter, receiver and processor, and a personal ear clip, which contains sensors and calibration electronics, and is clipped to the earlobe. If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, here are some things to consider about the new technology that soon may help to make life less painful and more cost efficient: • Convenience: About the size and weight of a smartphone, these new monitoring devices are small, light and easy to carry. Results are given both visually and verbally. • Cost: Compared to a finger prick device, over the long-term,
MEDICAL INNOVATIONS ON the horizon for diabetes management could soon mean the end of invasive steps to measure blood glucose levels. GlucoTrack will have a reduced life cycle cost, saving patients money. • Data: Blood glucose readings over time give healthcare providers useful data that helps deter-
mine proper treatment for patients. The new devices store up to 1,000 past readings, and have a USB port for downloading data for off-line analysis, simplifying the logging process for patients.
More information can be found at www.Integrity-App.com. Take steps to make your diabetes more manageable. Talk to your doctor about innovations in blood glucose monitoring.
New Healthcare programs offered at Malcolm X College! Officials at Malcolm X College recently announced the addition of several new healthcare offerings as part of its degree and certification programs. The offerings at the West Side college include: Medical Billing Basic Certificate Program The medical billing basic certificate program is designed to prepare individuals for careers as entry-level medical billers and also give an introduction to the Health Information Management Career Pathway. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for a national medical billing certification exam. Health Information Management (HIM) Associate of Applied Science Degree Program The Health Information Management Associate of Applied Science Degree program is designed to prepare individuals for entry level careers in Health Information Management. This program introduces students to the Health Information Management Career Pathway and provides opportunities for in-depth skills training in the area of medical billing and coding. Individuals who complete this program will be eligible to complete national certification exams in medical billing, medical coding and to attain the Registered 16
Health Information Technician (RHIT) Certification. The program is designed to give a thorough introduction to Health Information Management with an emphasis on preparing student for advanced coursework beyond the Associate’s Degree.
Illinois Department of Public Health 2. National Patient Care Technician Certification Exam offered by the National Health career Association 3. National Phlebotomy Technician Certification Exam offered by the National Health Career Association. Eligibility for this exam requires the completion of the 60 optional clinical hours identified in the course syllabus. Students who complete the core and pass their licensure/certification exam will be able to seek employment at any licensed healthcare facility as a Certified Nurse Assistant, a Certified Patient Care Technician and/or a Certified Phlebotomy Technician.
Medical Coding Advanced Certificate Program The Medical Coding Advanced Certificate Program is designed to prepare individuals for a career as an entry-level medical coder. This program also introduces students to the Health Information Management Career Pathway. Individuals who complete this program will be eligible to complete national certification exams for both medical billing and coding. Dental Assisting Advanced Certificate Program The Dental Assisting program is designed to train individuals to work as members of the oral health team, who provide both office and clinical services in the dental field. The majority of dental assistants are employed in clinical practice settings. Other career options include office management, extended care facilities, dental product sales, and public health clinics. Candidates upon completion of the program may be eligible to obtain a national certification.
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NEW HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS at Malcolm X College include a Health Professions Basic Certification. Completion of this program will allow students to take several licensure and certification exams including for phlebotomy technician certification. Massage Therapy Advanced Certificate Program The Massage Therapy Advanced Certificate Program at Malcolm X College is designed to provide individuals with the foundational knowledge and skills required to become a Licensed Massage Therapist. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to complete a National Certification Exam in Massage Therapy.
Health Professions Basic Certificate Program The Health Professions Basic Certificate (BC) will provide students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to form the foundation of their career as a healthcare provider. Upon completion of the core, students will be eligible to take any of the following licensure and certification exams: 1. Illinois Certified Nursing Assistant Licensure Exam offered by the
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Personal Trainer Basic Certificate Program The Personal Trainer Certificate course will provide students with the skills and knowledge to sit for the Certified Personal Trainer Exam by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and pursue a career as a personal trainer. Course completers will be employable as a personal trainer, group exercise instructor, recreational- counselors or self-employed. Program completers will have an opportunity to gain personal trainer certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine upon completion of a certification exam. Malcolm X is one of the seven City Colleges of Chicago campuses. www.chicagocrusader.com
Eta Presents the Chicago Premier of “OUT LOUD” (Continued from page 13) BET and her short play 7 was featured in the 2013 Sex in the Summer Series, also at BET. Her acting credits include May N’Kame in Going to St. Ives with Forward Theater in Madison, WI; Mrs. Dickson in Intimate Apparel with Milwaukee Repertory Theater in Milwaukee, WI; Woman One in Home with Madison
Repertory Theater in Madison, WI; Lady in Purple in For Colored Girls... with Portland Center Stage in Portland, OR and Georgia/- Female Ensemble in The Exonerated at Next Act Theater in Milwaukee, WI. Olivia has also done numerous commercial and industrial films. Check out her website at: www.theac-
The Bookworm Sez (Continued from page 13) truth about her paternity by mistake. It was a bigger mistake to confront powerful Jonah Nolan about it because now he wanted to control her life, for her own good, he claimed. But Erica was fully capable of making decisions and finding her own love. Wasn’t she? Oh, my. Where do I begin? Let’s start with this: I fully believe there are way too many characters in this book; eight of them before you’re even at the end of page three. Add in an extremely convoluted tangle of infidelity that ultimately matters little to the storyline and you’re off to a notso-good start.
If it got better, I would tell you. But I can’t. From this weak opening, more characters are added: manipulators, alcoholics, liars, sniping “girls,” not much to like. The scandals are ho-hum, toss in a silly faux-intrigue story-with-astory, and it’s all quite hard to follow. No matter: I pretty much stopped caring long before the contrived ending is revealed. There are better books out there – some, by author Angela Winters! – but I just can’t recommend this one. You may want to try “Nothing to Lose” but I don’t see anything to gain by it.
toro1.wix.com/olivia-dawson. John Ray Proctor (co-playwright) holds a PhD in Theatre Research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His areas of interest are Shakespeare Studies and African American Theatre History. Proctor was the founder and the artistic director of the performance company PEOPLE to PEOPLE. He is also an actor. His acting credits include the National Tours of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” and
“Big River”. Regionally Mr. Proctor has performed in “Ain’t Mis’ Behavin’”, “The Merchant of Venice”, “Zoo Story”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, and “Les Blancs.” He has also won the Loretta Hilton Playwriting Festival for a comedy entitled, “Black Coffee”. about eta Creative Arts Foundation eta Creative Arts Foundation, Inc. was incorporated in April, 1971 as a non-profit tax exempt organization to pro-
IDEAS AND BLACK NATIONALISM ugh the influence of Malcolm X who adopted Black Nationalism as the political philosophy, economic and social philosophy of the organization of Afro American Unity in 1964
(Contimued from page 6) after he left the Nation of Islam. Finally, the Black Nationalist tradition, today, is spearheaded through the African Centered Education Movement. The
Ousted Board President . . . (Continued from page 2) son who said he stole from them or lied to them about what he had. He believes because of his strong character and watchfulness over the district’s financial affairs, he was targeted for ouster. “I’m not allowing the people who were taking advantage of the district to do that anymore that’s why this is a
big deal. We won’t allow anyone to just use our district as a base to do what they want to do. So yes I’m honest. Anything that was written about me in other newspapers about me trying to write checks is false. I can’t sign checks. The superintendent signs checks. All I can do is vote to approve the check.”
will be held from 10:00–11:00 a.m. immediately preceding the funeral services at Trinity United Church of Christ located at 400 W. 95th Street, Chicago, IL on Monday, December 30th. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 31st, at 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at St. Luke C.M.E. Church located at 809 N. 5th Street, Champaign, IL prior to the Inter-
ment at Mt. Hope Cemetery, 611 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Champaign. The family requests that donations, in lieu of flowers, be sent to the Herman T. and Ruth K. Blackwell Endowed Scholarship Fund, Morehouse College, Office of Institutional Advancement, 830 Westview Drive, S.W., Gloster Hall, Suite 305, Atlanta, GA 30314.
Dr. Blackwell made healthcare contributions around . . . (Cont’d from page 15) Mable held positions at Mercy Hospital and at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL and served as the Regional Medical Director for the Chicago Department of Health, the Medical Director for the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Chief Medical Officer/Medical Director for the Health Department of Will County in Illinois. She was a Visiting Professor at Chicago State University; Clinical Associate Professor in the College of Medicine and as the Director of the Office of Public Health Practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She served as a consultant to the Illinois Office of Inspector General (OIG), Division of Medical Integrity and as a Professional Peer Reviewer for the National Institute of Health (NIH) and for the U.S. Department of Education. She was a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. Her research included the study of health delivery practices in countries, such as Japan, China, Thailand, Mexico, South Africa, and several countries thro-
ughout West Africa. Mable founded and served as Chairperson of the Herman T. and Ruth K. Blackwell Foundation, a non-profit public charity established to support and encourage communities in improving the quality of life for themselves and future generations–now an endowed scholarship by the same name at Morehouse College. She was preceded in death by her parents Herman T. and Ruth K. Blackwell, her brothers Duane W. Blackwell and William N. Blackwell, and her sister Diana D. Polk. She leaves to mourn her daughter Samantha S. Fields and son Ryan E. Fields, Chicago, IL, her sisters Dorothy R. Coleman (Dejustice), Milwaukee, WI; Doris K. Butts (Stanley), Urbana, IL; Wilma J. Conwell, Cleveland, OH; Clara Johnson (Samuel), Decatur, AL; Ave M. Blackwell Alvarado, Champaign, IL; her brothers Robert T. Blackwell (Carolyn), Springfield, IL; Victor E. Blackwell (Kimberly), Olympia Fields, IL; adopted brother Patrick M. Sterling (Glenda), Denver, CO; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. A Pre-past and visitation
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vide professional training and work in the performing and technical arts for youth and adults. eta has become widely recognized as Chicago’s leading performing and cultural arts complex in the African American community and one of only a few African American owned and managed facilities of its kind in the city. eta has a commitment to the production of new works and the development of the individual artist.
HOUSES FOR SALE
mass acceptance of Kwanzaa, African Liberation Day, Buy Black Campaigns, the Reparations Movement, and Controlling Our Own Communities Campaigns are all part of the ongoing Black Nationalist tradition. Without vigorous Black Nationalist thinking and an aggressive Black Nationalist program of action, we will continue to chase false dreams created by our oppressors. We must put an end to this! Once Black Nationalism is understood by all Black people, it will be the foundation upon which the true liberation of people of African ancestry in America will take place. Come out and participate in the discussion of Dr. Umoja’s ground breaking book on Friday, January 24th at CCICS in our newly renovated Donn Bailey Legacy Hall.
HOUSES FOR SALE
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (Continued from page 4) the parents of these teens to time adult voter has some educate their offspring life experiences; the stuabout voting nuances. dents can’t claim the same. When was the last time we With this opportunity or had better than a 60 per privilege, however it is cent turnout at the polls, seen, the city and county especially in our communi- election officials have an ty? Will teens unwittingly obligation to educate these cast their votes for a partic- young prospective voters. ular party because that has These election boards have been their parents’ choice? the money, information I wonder too if candi- and backgrounds to give dates will tweak their cam- meaningful help to these paigns to attract the vote of teens. There needs to be an young people with no sense honest effort to ensure that of serving them. How will they are informed and a newly minted voter know comfortable with the idea what is fluff and what is of deciding the fate of their substance? It will be differ- respective community on ent for these teens com- so many fronts pared to an adult first time Theodore Smith voter. In most cases the first BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
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SPORTS
Whitney Young and St. Rita dominate All American picks More than half of the boys nominated for the McDonald’s ALL American Games come from two Chicago high schools – Whitney Young Magnet School and St. Rita of Cascia Catholic High School. On the boys’ side, three Young starters and two St. Rita players were among a list of the nine Illi-
who will play at Northwestern University, and Dominique Matthews, a 6’2” guard. Matthews is undecided on which college he will attend.
Miles Reynolds, a 6’2” guard, who is committed to playing college ball at St. Louis University, along with Jahlil Okafor, a 6’10” center headed to Duke University, along with Paul White, a 6’9” forward who has yet to sign a letter of intent impressed high school coaches, athletic directors, principals and McDonald’s All Ameri-
Miles Reynolds The St. Rita players nominated are the 6’6” Victor Law, a forward
Tyler Vlis
Jahlil Okafor
nal team. The 6’5” forward is committed to Texas A&M University. Nearly 1,000 players from 44 states and the District of Columbia were nominated for this year’s All American Games. Ohio had 121 nominees. Texas was next with 97 and Iowa had 72. New York, with 63 players nominated, edged out New Jersey which had 56 players. The final team will be announced January 29 at 5 p.m. on ESPNU television.
Paul White
Victor Law nois prep starts who are now eligible to make the final team comprised of 24 boys.
Domnique Matthews can Games selection committee to be nominated.
Other Chicago area boys nominated include Tyler Ulis of Marian Catholic and Cliff Alexander of Currie High School. Khaalia Hillsman, also of Young, was one of four Chicago area girls who has a chance of making the fi-
Hundreds participate in free Nike basketball clinic Hundreds of students from the Chicago area participated in the free Nike basketball clinic held at the Quest Athletics Center. Nike teamed up with former Chicago Bulls “ball boy” and friend of many basketball greats, Darren Hammond, President and CEO of The Darren Group in an effort to empower the youth by inspiring them to realize their potential through free Nike Basketball Clinics. “The event was a success, anytime I can help get kids active, teach them the fundamental skills of basketball, including good sportsmanship and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle while also keeping kids off the streets and saving a life, my job was not in vain,” says Darren Hammond. The clinics, taught by Nike’s “basketball experts,” offered age-appropriate skills training. Chicago’s very own, former Farragut Academy All American Ronnie Fields shared basketball tips and the importance of displaying good sportsmanship and staying out of trouble. Participants received lunch, a Nike t-shirt, hat, basketball and other gifts. 28th Ward Alderman, Jason Ervin, Commissioner of Water Reclamation District of Chicago, Patricia Horton, National Action Network President, Chicago Chapter, Maureen Forte, Blackstar Project founder Phillip Jackson, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Pastor Rev. Johnnie Miller and Greater St. John Bible Church Pastor Rev. Ira Acree are among the many that came out to support the Darren Group and the basketball clinic in the community. This was one of the many clinics that are part of the Chi League Parks, www.chicagocrusader.com
THE DARREN GROUP President and CEO, Darren Hammond opens the clinic as (front left to right) Andre Jones, Pastor Miller, and Pastor Ira Acree.
KIDS running drills a program that demonstrates Nike’s commitment to inspire and enable Chicago’s young athletes to maximize their potential on and off the basket-
ball court. The Darren Group is a not-forprofit, community organization focused on engaging our youth and
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
(l-r) Phillip Jackson, Founder of the Blackstar Project, Patricia Horton Former Commissioner of Water Reclamation District of Chicago and Darren Hammond, President and CEO of The Darren Group.
RONNIE FIELDS SHARED basketball tips and the importance of displaying good sportsmanship and staying out of trouble with youth. young adults in sustainable empower- cess and opportunities from educaing programs. The mission is to en- tion, health, jobs, and civic engagehance the overall quality of life for ment to better human life in underyouth and young adults through ac- privileged urban cities. Saturday, January 11, 2014
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