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VOLUME LXXIII NUMBER 31—SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2013
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Ernie and Oprah now Medal of Freedom recipients Two long-time Chicago luminaries, Ernie Banks and Oprah Winfrey joined 14 other exceptional Americans who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on No-
Ernie Banks
vember 20 in a ceremony at the White House. Since its inception 50 years ago, 500 individuals identified as having made “especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural, or other significant public or private endeavors.” The president expanded the list of recipients by 16. The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established by President John F. Kennedy, is our nation’s highest civilian honor. Recipients of the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom included sports champions, and scientists, musicians and civil rights leaders, activists and journalists, media moguls and public servants. “These are the men and women who in their extraordinary lives remind us all of the beauty of the human spirit, the values (Continued on page 5)
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA awards the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Oprah Winfrey during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Nov. 20. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Farrakhan promotes economic blueprint By Glenn Reedus The Nation of Islam has launched what potentially can be the largest pooling of Black financial resources in the nation’s history. Muhammad’s Economic Blueprint: “Ending Poverty & Want” is targeting every African American wage earner and is seeking a weekly 35 cents contribution from all 16 million. Full participation means more than $290 million would go into the fund its first year. The funds will be used initially to purchase land in several states across the country. The targeted land acquired will have specific purposes ranging from regions noted for timber production, as well as acreage for raising cattle for its leather, and sheep for its wool. Those products will be developed and sold by African Americans to African Americans, according to Richard Muhammad, editor in chief of the Final Call newspaper. Resurrecting the plan, which was originally offered in the 1960s by Elijah Muhammad, the second leader of the Nation of Islam came this past spring. Richard Muhammad detailed that Minister Louis Far-
MINISTER LOUIS FARRAKHAN resurrected a Black self-sufficiency campaign developed by the late Elijah Muhammad several decades ago. Money raised from the Muhammad Economic Blueprint drive will initially be used to purchase land in various states.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Slain South Side boxer remembered for his charisma (See story on page 5)
rakhan announced in mid-October during a gathering in Tuskegee Alabama that the plan was viable as it had been analyzed by economists, and the Nation of Islam had secured a place to send the money – Chicago’s Seaway National Bank – 645 E. 87th St. A Seaway executive said contributors have been coming into the bank to make their donations. Checks also can be made payable and mailed to: Muhammad’s Economic Blueprint c/o Seaway Bank & Trust, ATTN: Sherlyn Russell P.O. Box 19522 Chicago IL 60619-9522. Richard Muhammad said he has not heard anyone slam the plan, but there have been questions about whether the land has been identified. The answer to that question is no, he added. Since its inception in 1930, the Nation of Islam leaders and members have adhered to the principal of self-sufficiency. Richard Muhammad said the United States’ track record with African Americans is an undeni(Continued on page 6)
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EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL THE CLASH OF THANKSGIVING AND THE URGE TO SHOP Thanksgiving has been celebrated in America for hundreds of years, though there is controversy surrounding the actual original date due to whether we see its observance as a Thanksgiving holiday celebration or as a Thanksgiving religious service. The first documented Thanksgiving feast celebrated on United States territory, which was religious, was conducted by the Spanish in 1541. Later, it was celebrated in the Commonwealth of Virginia as early as 1607. It was celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621 at the Plymouth Plantation, which is the date usually cited for the beginning of Thanksgiving by most Americans. Today, the Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated on the last Thursday of November; this year it will be celebrated on November 28. Giving thanks, whether it be in a religious observance or a festive feast, is honorable and noble. There is something about gratitude that sets the world right; it puts things in perspective. Very often, people take for granted the good things in life – family, home, job, or whatever. It is important to take stock of what we have in order to really appreciate our blessings. Otherwise, we can lose our way and become overly pessimistic by emphasizing what we DON’T have as opposed to what we DO have. Gratitude keeps us grounded. Now, on another note, something creepy is happening to American holidays. They are becoming more and more commercialized. During the recent Halloween observance, people started talking about Halloween “Week.” And the day after Halloween, wreaths and other Christmas items went on display in homes, and Santa Claus hats were seen sported by various people! Thanksgiving has also been caught up in this holiday/commercial frenzy…several stores are proposing to open early on Thanksgiving Day, which will have the impact of cutting many family gatherings short as buyers rush out to catch early bargains, and store personnel rush to work in order to accommodate them. Black Friday, the day after the Thanksgiving Day holiday, has been a tradition for a while, but this latest push to start on Thanksgiving Day seems to take the meaning away from that holiday, unless people are giving thanks that they have the money to shop while they hop from store to store. But this still somehow takes the family out of the celebration, which has been traditionally a time to break bread with our loved ones and express gratitude for what we have. Money seems to be trumping the spiritual bonds that hold us together. Fortunately, there are those who are resisting this strange trend. They resent the notion of people having to cut their family time short in order to go to work, many of whom have little control over whether or not they can choose to stay at home with their families. The other side of Thanksgiving, which is arguably the beginning of a season of good will, will see people giving to others who are less fortunate. There are many ways of doing this; volunteering at food pantries and/or initiating food drives are just two avenues of spreading cheer as well as expressing gratitude for our good fortune. We can give thanks because we have the wherewithal to give to others! The bottom line is this: we should keep gratitude uppermost in our minds as we embark upon this Thanksgiving holiday. Whatever we choose to do during this time we should remain spiritually grounded. With this said the Crusader wishes for you and yours a very HAPPY AND SAFE THANKSGIVING DAY HOLIDAY! 4
Saturday, November 23, 2013
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Let’s squash this now Dear Editor: There is no question violence in Chicago is out-of-hand. We also know there is a need for new approaches to try to curb or eliminate the problem of violence. Even in looking for that solution we cannot go overboard. That is exactly what Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy is considering when he talks about using drones as a crime-fighting tool in the city. McCarthy said something along the lines that he is intrigued by the use of drones in the city. It doesn’t make any difference how interested, intrigued or anything else he is, drones are not for Chicago. If there is any good aspect to what he is talking about it is that he is said to be considering unarmed drones. In case anyone is not sure, a drone is a flying device equipped with high-powered cameras and recording equipment that allows governments and agencies to spy on folks without the individual or group’s knowledge. McCarthy seems to think that Chicago has a hidden supply of cash someplace, as these drones are not free, or even inexpensive. A drone used by the New York Air National Guard crashed last week in that state and was valued at more than $15 million. McCarthy has already busted the city budget by allowing tens of mil-
lions of dollars in unbudgeted overtime for police. Now he wants to pile on millions more by getting a drone or two. There is no doubt in mind that these high speed, unmanned aircraft, if purchased would be deployed willy-nilly in the city’s Black community as though no crime occurs where white folks live. Chicago needs first and foremost a new police superintendent who understands the basics of crime fighting. 911 occurred more than a decade ago and McCarthy is still touting his horn about being involved in the aftermath. That is not a function of any great police work. It is just a coincidence of time and place. McCarthy nearly every month has some new half-brained idea but never anything solid about reducing Chicago crime. He keeps throwing things against the wall to see what sticks – if anything. Chicago deserves better than a “crime guesser.”
prison time. Stroger was on WVON radio recently to talk about his campaign and attempt to get on the ballot. Even though he was in a relaxed environment he still did not come across as a statesman. I don’t know if voters will hold it against him, but Todd Stroger has never been much of an orator. While that could be a drawback, we have to keep in mind that he still has a wealth of knowledge about the county and its operations. Many, if not most will say he did (Continued on page 9)
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I don’t think anyone should be surprised that we are now hearing and seeing evidence that Todd Stroger is back in the political arena. This time he is saying he will run for Cook County Commissioner. That is the seat held by William Beavers, who recently was convicted on tax charges and has to serve
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NEWS
Slain South Side boxer remembered for his charisma By Wendell Hutson Friends and family of Michael Walker said all he wanted to do was raise his daughter and continue his boxing career. But that all changed November 14 when the 35-yearold single father and former Golden Gloves winner was shot to death. Walker, nicknamed the “Midnight Stalker,” was training for an upcoming boxing match in Mississippi was killed as he returned home after dropping his daughter to school. Police found Walker shot about 8:45 a.m. in the 8200 block of South Drexel Boulevard, just a block from his home. He was pronounced dead at 9:31 a.m. at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. Chicago police said they have no suspects in custody but were following up on leads. After he was shot, Walker was rushed almost 14 miles away to Northwestern. Two other trauma centers were slightly closer. Advocate Christ Medical Center in Southwest Oak Lawn is eight miles away from where Walker was shot, and Stroger Hospital is almost 13 miles away. No explanation was given for why he wasn’t transported to the closest trauma center. Chicago
area hospitals often establish a bypass list notifying ambulances the hospital is at capacity for treating trauma patients. The bypass can be ignored depending on the extent of the trauma, a fire department chief noted. Walker’s sister, Markina Brown, said the lack of trauma centers on the South Side is simply “not right “What are they trying to tell us?” she said. “That’s discrimination to me, discrimination going unrecognized.” “My brother could have been saved cause he’s a fighter. That’s what he does for a living,” Brown said. “He knows he had us to protect. He had kids to look after.” Yakira Grover, a longtime friend of Walker’s, echoed the sentiment. “Considering the crime rate in these neighborhoods and to not have a trauma center in these neighborhoods, it’s basically you’re asking for them to die,” she said. Sitting inside Walker’s home in the 8100 block of South Ingleside Avenue, Mary Walker said her son had an infectious personality and could strike up a conversation with almost anyone.“Not too many people didn’t know my son because he was well liked, well loved,” she said. “Everyone knew him.” The family moved to the Chatham community on the South
THE LATE MICHAEL WALKER was a fighter and the winner of the Chicago Golden Gloves tournament. His championship belt is among the items used to make a shrine in his memory at the corner of 81st Street and Ingleside Avenue. The South Side resident was shot dead Nov. 14. Side less than a year ago, but most neighbors knew Walker, who liked to teach the neighborhood kids how to box, his family said. Brown said the local kids looked up to the boxing pro. Walker, the oldest of four, had four children himself, two sons and two daughters. Walker did not begin boxing until he was a teenager, his mother said. He was always into contact sports though, playing foot-
ball and wrestling at Tilden Career Community Academy, and even practicing karate briefly as a kid. Brown said the daily violence in Chicago’s neighborhoods would “shake” her brother and spurred him to get involved in the community. But family said they do not want Walker to be remembered as another statistic, as “just numbers.” “It’s immoral to me,” Brown said. “This is somebody’s child. This is
somebody’s father. This is somebody’s brother. This is somebody’s cousin. ... It’s about dignity.” Brown and Mary Walker said they are waiting for answers from police about who killed their loved one and, more importantly, why. Brown said whoever did it stole the cornerstone of their family. “We lost our big brother,” she said. “He was our protector, our star, our champ, our motivation. That’s who inspired us.”
Daniel Inouye, Daniel Kahneman, Daniel Kahneman Richard Lugar, Loretta Lynn, Mario Molina, Sally Ride, Bayard Rustin, Ar-
turo Sandoval, Dean Smith, Gloria Steinem, Patricia Wald, were also among the 16 who received the Medal of Freedom
Ernie and Oprah now Medal of Freedom recipients (Continued from page 1) that define us as Americans, the potential that lives inside of all of us,” President Obama said. Banks, known to many as “Mr. Cub,” Ernie Banks is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. During his 19 seasons with the Chicago Cubs, he played in 11 All-Star Games, hit over 500 home runs, and became the first National League player to win Most Valuable Player honors in back-to-back years. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977, his first year of eligibility. Winfrey is one of the world’s most successful broadcast journalists. She is best known for creating The Oprah Winfrey Show, which became the highest rated talk show in America for 25 years. Ms. Winfrey has long been active in philanthropic causes and expanding opportunities for young women. She has received numerous awards throughout her career, including the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in 2002 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2010. C.T. Vivian, civil rights icon, also was among those honored. He was described as a distinguished minister, author, and organizer. A leader in the Civil Rights Movement and friend to the Reverend www.chicagocrusader.com
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he participated in Freedom Rides and sit-ins across our country. Dr. Vivian also helped found numerous civil rights organizations, including Vision, the National Anti-Klan Network, and the Center for Democratic Renewal. In 2012, he returned to serve as interim President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Other recipients included: Ben Bradlee Ben Bradlee is one of the most respected newsmen of his generation. During his tenure as executive editor of The Washington Post, Mr. Bradlee oversaw coverage of the Watergate scandal, successfully challenged the Federal Government over the right to publish the Pentagon Papers, and guided the newspaper through some of its most challenging moments. He also served in the Navy during World War II. Bill Clinton President Clinton was the 42nd President of the United States. Before taking office, he served as Governor and Attorney General of the State of Arkansas. Following his second term, President Clinton established the Clinton Foundation to improve global health, strengthen economies, promote health and
wellness, and protect the environment. He also formed the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund with President George W. Bush in 2010.
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NEWS
Farrakhan promotes economic blueprint (Continued from page 1) able indication Black people cannot rely on legislation to advance our economic well being or prosperity. He continued the wisdom of Elijah Muhammad’s teachings on self-determination is borne out over time. Farrakhan, in a recent speech, recounted Elijah Muhammad’s lecture when he said, “What I want us to see is that “the time is up” for us to be ignorant and divided. And the time is in for us to pool resources to buy as much land as we can get our hands on. Now I’m asking The Believers to help me … I see about 400, 500 acres in Michigan that I think we can own. There’s land in Georgia, in Alabama, in Louisiana. It will be easy to do if we follow Elijah Muhammad’s Economic Program. He said 40 years ago that: “If 5 million workers put up 5 cents a day, 25 cents a week, 1 dollar a month, ‘5 million times 52’ would give you $260 million in a National Treasure in one year.” So now, just look at what 16 million of us can do today with “5 cents a day, 35 cents a week, $1.40 a month, and $18.20 a year”! Do you know at the end of one year you would have multiple millions of dollars in our National Treasure? And it’s painless! And imagine if, on our land that we purchase, we grew cotton, and had some cattle, and produced leather; and had some sheep, and produced wool? My point is: America got out of the business. You buy suits now: They come in from Taiwan, from China, from India, from Brazil, right? Who makes the shoes? When you get a nice pair of shoes, they’re made from outside. Imagine if we had hundreds of thousands of acres where you’re raising your cattle, you take their hides, you design shoes and we buy from ourselves? We make the clothes, and we buy from ourselves! After a while, in all-Black towns you’ll find in your own clothing store that we have made the garment, and we have produced the shoes! Because the same animal that gave its hide to
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the white man will give it to us. That is how you produce jobs. If you are going to “beg the white man,” you are not going to have a job. But if we are going to go to work, then we will produce jobs. So in the famous words of our president who, when he spoke to the Congressional Black Caucus, said, “Get up! Take off your bedroom slippers! Put on your marching shoes…”—I say: “No! Put on your working boots! Get up! Stop whining! Stop complaining! Stop begging! And unite as never before, and let’s produce a future for ourselves and our people!” Donate as little as five cents a day (35¢ a week) along with others. We’ll securely process your donation and provide you a record of your transaction. Your donation, along with others, will be safeguarded in a national treasury. Collectively, our donations grow to purchase land and finance projects that benefit us all.” Richard Muhammad noted that Elijah Muhammad was forecasting today’s problems with Black economic and social gains. “He was saying that so many things we thought we had, we thought we had gained, we are seeing them taken away or they were dismantled. These (affirmative action, minority set-asides, voting rights and other initiatives) were all legislative solutions that were tied to the pressures and political realities of the times. We knew as early as 1977 affirmative action was on its way out. Today they have done all they can to totally kill it,” Muhammad said. That was when the United States Supreme Court considered the Allan Bakke case. Bakke, a 33-yearold white man, was denied admission to the University of California – Berkley Medical School despite having better grades and test scores than some African Americans who were admitted. Bakke filed a lawsuit alleging reverse discrimination. In several states, but primarily in the southern ones, legislators have taken steps to restrict who can vote despite federal regulations conferring that right to all citizens, with some exceptions The tone of the country toward African Americans over the last several decades prompted Farrakhan to move on the economic blueprint. “After land acquisition, the focus will be production and industry could be clothing and textile. Land is the basis,” Richard Muhammad said. “The other thing that people should really consider is if we are already behind (economically) how do we catch up. The adage
Saturday, November 23, 2013
MUHAMMAD’S ECONOMIC BLUEPRINT is a Nation of Islam initiative designed to allow all Black wage earners in the United States to participate in the largest economic collaborative in U.S. history. that a rising tide lifts all boats is Washington, D.C. and vowed to re- Muhammad predicted that faith not going to lift us because we turn their communities being more will translate into the Nation of Isdon’t have boats to begin with. active, more respectful of women lam reaching the economic blueThis is part of an effort we are doing and an example for men who did print goals. Farrakhan makes two major adnot attend the gathering. Whether for ourselves. dresses every year and Richard “The country cannot afford cer- 1 million men came to D.C. for the Muhammad said he believes that tain things. For us to continue to event was widely disputed but within a year the minister would ask for something that just is not Richard Muhammad said the fact give an update on the status of the there is childish. For 35 cents a that more than 1.6 million addifund-raising endeavor. He noted week, we can amass nearly $300 tional Black men voted in the 1996 that the timetable for raising the presidential election putting Bill million and not even feel it.” first $291 is open, adding the FiThe economic blueprint is void of Clinton in the White House is tesnal Call will continue to promote any religious preference, as Chris- tament to how impactful the march it. He called the Million Man tians and Muslims are encouraged was. The success of the Million Man March a 1995 Farrakhan-led inito participate. Richard Muhammad recalled that the most successful ac- March is the basis for an abiding tiative a success. He added he tivity focusing on Black people in trust much of the Black community hopes that two entities that made the march a success – the Black the last 20 years was the Million has for Farrakhan. “They trusted Minister Farrakhan Press and the everyday man – will Man March, led by Farrakhan. In 1995, approximately 1 million men and we made a wonderful state- embrace and promote the ecofrom across the U.S. descended on ment to the world. Richard nomic blueprint.
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COMMENTARY
So why is there still discrimination? By Harry C. Alford NNPA Columnist I was being interviewed by two French citizens whose mission is to end discrimination in France. Their mission is very difficult because it is illegal to denote one’s race on any form or application. Race does not appear in the French census and to actually keep a count by race is a felony. The Catch 22 is that you cannot justify or document a charge of discrimination. You may know it is there but how can you prove it? I started explaining to them how deeply demographics are followed in our society. We do racial counts on just about everything. We have offices per the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 11246 that count and analyze demographics and are able to detect disparate impact or discrimination. Those companies or organizations that discriminate should be sanctioned and forced to change their ways. But when she asked: “So why is there still discrimination?” I thought to myself there surely remains discrimination in our society even though we have all of these safeguards. My conclusion and response to her: “We really
Harry C. Alford don’t enforce it as we should.” That is the cold truth and the tragedy of our society today. Discrimination is, in fact, just about everywhere in America such as in our education, employment, promotion and hiring, housing, lending, healthcare, etc. Every rung on our economic ladder eludes Blacks except the bottom rung. As I admonish our South American countries for having their Blacks on the lowest rung of their economic
ladder, I better turn around and note our state of affairs. We have more money than their Blacks but it is all relative. Whether it is England or the United States where data is king or France where the Black demographic is invisible, it just doesn’t matter. We spend an exorbitant amount of time and money on the issue but still, there is no change. Every federal agency and state administration has an office of Civil Rights. Most have a minority business office to ensure against disparity in contracting. Yet, there isn’t a state agency or federal agency that can boast more than 4% consistent Black business participation anywhere in this nation. We have disparity studies performed every five years for our states and major cities. This is prescribed by U.S. Supreme Court decisions. From one disparity study to an update to another update the fact remains: the disparity or indication of discrimination still exists. We do nothing to address the problem – discrimination. We know how to “sniff” out the discrimination; how to point the finger and supposedly how to remedy it. But the remedy never comes. Wow, we are so patient. Let’s look at Executive Order
11246 (President Lyndon B. Johnson). The Department of Labor through its Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs monitors the hiring and promotion practices of all businesses that fall under the regulatory process or benefits from our federal government. That is just about everyone. As an example every construction project on public schools receives the payroll tabulations from each contractor on a weekly basis. On these payrolls is the zip code of each worker, also the race, social security number, gender, wage and whether he/she is management, or which craft/level. They tabulate this as the project proceeds and have up to the minute status of racial and gender demographics concerning salaries, hiring, promotion, firing, etc. They now also include the status of Americans with Disabilities and Disabled Veterans. The OFCCP knows it all! Ask them about the racial progress of any football stadium, court house, post office building, county office building, city hall, etc. they have it in real time. The OFCCP also assigns goals by race and gender for each select marketing area. You can call an OFCCP office and ask them what
the goal is for Black workers in York, Pennsylvania. They will tell you, over the phone that it is 12.9%. If there is a project in York using less than, let’s say, 5% with Black workers, you should scream outrage and stop the project until they can get it right. At least once every two years, every entity gets audited by the OFCCP. Every utility company, city office, fire department, police department, airport authority and every company working at the airport, bank, etc. gets an audit. The audit is considered a public record. You can get it under the Freedom of Information Act. Google is the only company in this nation that has successfully stopped OFCCP from releasing their audits. What are they hiding? There are other ways of getting the numbers also. We can get them but we don’t do anything about it. We don’t enforce the laws that are there only because we had leaders willing to die for freedom. Wake up America and enforce what we have fought for. Mr. Alford is the co-founder, President/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®.Website: www.nationalbcc.org. Email: halford@nationalbcc .org.
Republicans’ Crocodile Tears over Health Care By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist Republicans have no shame. After House Republicans voted more than 40 times to block implementation of what they derisively call Obamacare, they have the temerity to complain that the Obama administration flubbed the Oct. 1 rollout of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Fred Upton (R-Mich.), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee who voted against the Affordable Care Act, held a hearing on “the failures and issues surrounding the implementation of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s (PPACA) health insurance exchanges.” Do Republicans who were willing to shut down the federal government because they couldn’t repeal the ACA want us to believe they honestly care about why the health care program had problems during its initial rollout? Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) isn’t buying it. He said, “For the last few years my Republican friends have called the Affordable Care Act a ‘job killer,’ a ‘threat to liberty,’ and that it would ‘pull the plug on Grandma.’ They have said things like ‘We have to do everywww.chicagocrusader.com
thing in our power to prevent Obamacare,’ and ‘Obamacare. Get rid of it. Period.’ “All of the sudden, our friends on the other side of the aisle have forgotten this, and are now focused on the successful implementation of the law and the problems it faces. This is encouraging, and I hope this is a sign that we can work together on this critical issue.” Don’t hold your breath. While acknowledging that his administration “fumbled” the ball when it came to the Oct. 1 rollout, President Obama has become a serial apologist. He has personally accepted the blame when, in fact, few are asking where was Chief of Staff Denis McDonough during all of this. His primary job is to protect the president and he, along with Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, failed miserably. If the White House staff had studied the rollout of Romneycare in Massachusetts, they would have discovered that it, too, had a shaky start, getting only 123 signups in the first month; 2,289 after two months and 36,167 after 11 months. Yet, Mitt Romney, America’s Biggest Looser, has the gall to criticize the federal health law that was patterned after the one he proudly signed and later tried to disavow. Friendly fire has come from Bill
George E. Curry Clinton, the man who temporarily lost his Arkansas bar license for lying about having sex with a White House intern. He’s in no position to lecture President Obama and anyone else about keeping their word to Americans. Furthermore, Obama did what Clinton attempted and failed – he got health care reform legislation passed by Congress. It was certainly needed. According to a report by the Commonwealth Fund, “As previous studies have shown, health care spending in the U.S. dwarfs that found in any other industrialized country. In 2009, U.S. spending reached nearly $8,000 per capita.
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The other study countries spent between one-third (Japan and New Zealand) and two-thirds (Switzerland and Norway) as much.” A press release accompanying the study noted, “There were 2.4 physicians per 1,000 population in the U.S. in 2009, fewer than in all the countries in the study except Japan. The U.S. also had the fewest doctor consultations (3.9 per capita) of any country except Sweden. Relative to the other countries in the study, the U.S. also had few hospital beds, short lengths of stay for acute care, and few hospital discharges per 1,000 population. On the other hand, U.S. hospital stays were far more expensive than those in other countries – more than $18,000 per discharge. By comparison, the cost per discharge in Canada was about $13,000, while in Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Germany it was less than $10,000.” It added, “Prices for the 30 most commonly used prescription drugs were a third higher in the U.S. compared to Canada and Germany, and more than double the amount paid for the same drugs in Australia, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.” The new law will give Blacks more access to health care. A report by the Kaiser Family
Foundation, titled, “Health Coverage for the Black Population Today and Under the Affordable Care Act,” found: “Nationwide, just over one in five (21%) of Blacks do not have health insurance. However, the likelihood of being uninsured varies widely across states, ranging from 9 percent of Blacks in Delaware to 30 percent in Louisiana. Uninsured rates for nonelderly Blacks are particularly high in the South. The largest uninsured nonelderly Black populations reside in Florida (718,800), Texas (613,100), and Georgia (594,600). In addition, Blacks comprise a large share of the uninsured population in the District of Columbia (52%), Mississippi (48%), and Louisiana (42%).” As much as Obama, in his words, fumbled the ball, there is no reason to forfeit the game, especially in the first quarter. 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.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
7
COMMENTARY
REMEMBERING THE GREAT PAXTON LUMPKIN 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, Web site: www.ccicschicago.org, Twitter: @CCICS_ Chicago.
Dr. Conrad Worrill The basketball season has begun and the continued tradition of great African American athletes from Chicago continues. In the spirit of the tradition established by so many great African
American basketball players who have come from Chicago, I thought it timely to remember the great Paxton Lumpkin. Paxton was symbolic of so many great athletes who descended from this city. In 1954, the cease-fire between the United States and North Korea was agreed upon. Also, in 1954, the great basketball team from DuSable High School inspired the African American community throughout the state with their dazzling display and execution of the game of basketball. This team was led by one of the greatest basketball players that Chicago ever produced. His name was Paxton Lumpkin. On Thursday, January 19, 1991, I read in the papers that Paxton had died of cancer at the Lakeside V. A. Hospital at the age of 54. I was tremendously saddened by Paxton’s death and began to call other athletes who had been influenced by Paxton and the DuSable 1954 team. From all the athletes I was able to contact, I could feel the profound respect they all had for the contributions Paxton Lumpkin made to the game of basketball in this city. I was in the seventh grade in 1954 when DuSable played in what was called the Sweet Sixteen State Tournament, during that time, at the University of Illinois’ Huff Gymnasium in Cham-
paign. The entire Black community and particularly those participants and supporters of athletics, had their eyes, ears, and spirit fixed on the ‘54 DuSable team as they entered the state tournament. Like so many other African American youth during this era, basketball was a game I was just beginning to learn to play. Most of us admired the Harlem Globetrotters and their stars, Goose Tatum and Marqus Haynes. We all tried to emulate their styles of play in dribbling, shooting, passing and rebounding. Some of us had an opportunity to watch some of the DuSable players on the playground, so we were somewhat familiar with the talent they possessed. We especially had great admiration for the skills Paxton exhibited in dribbling and passing the basketball and his overall leadership ability on the basketball court. For those of us who were not able to go to the state tournament in 1954, we listened to the games on the radio. It appeared DuSable was on their way to winning the state championship with Paxton leading the way. They were literally “blowing out” their opponents in the preliminary, quarterfinal, and semi-final games. The championship game against Mt. Vernon was televised. Sitting in
the living room with my father, I can’t ever remember pulling for an athletic team to win a game as hard as I pulled for DuSable. That championship was one of the greatest basketball games I had ever seen. The DuSable players had so much impact on me that I can still remember the starting line-up of Shellie McMillan, Charlie Brown, McKinley Cowsen, Carl Dennis, and Paxton. DuSable lost to Mt. Vernon in a very close game— 76 to 70. Ironically, it was an African American player for Mt. Vernon, Al Avant, who scored 30 points and provided the leadership for their winning the title game. My heart, along with so many others, was broken as a result of DuSable’s loss to Mt. Vernon. Many of us felt the officials that called the game did it poorly and many of their calls were racially motivated. As I recall, Mt. Vernon had only one Black player and that was Avant. Nonetheless, the DuSable team became the sports heroes in the African American Community of Chicago. I can truthfully say that I idolized Paxton Lumpkin. Paxton and the DuSable team influenced a whole generation of aspiring basketball players like me. As a matter of fact, in the summer of 1954, it seemed most of the youth in the Black com-
munity of Chicago were trying to learn to play, or trying to improve their game, on the playgrounds throughout the neighborhoods. DuSable and Paxton were on the minds of all of us as we ran up and down the concrete playground basketball courts. There were many great basketball players before the ‘54 Paxton Lumpkin led DuSable team and obviously there have been many more great players and teams to emerge from Chicago since that time. But, I don't think there has been a player and team that so inspired a community like DuSable. Even though they lost, they were our heroes and champions in the fight against racism in sports. From that moment on, African American teams and players from Chicago began to dominate the annual state tournament exhibition of the best teams and players in Illinois. Finally, the great John Marshall High School team of 1958 won the state tournament— the first time a Chicago high school accomplished this feat. All of us who love athletics, and particularly basketball, should take a moment of silence and pay tribute to one of Chicago’s greatest basketball players— Paxton Lumpkin. We still miss you Paxton, but your spirit will live among us.
WHO WILL DEFEND BLACK WOMEN? By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist
All Renisha McBride wanted to do was to go home. She had been in a car accident, her cell phone was dead and she needed help. She knocked on a couple of doors in the suburban Detroit neighborhood where she was stranded, but it was well after midnight and people weren’t opening their doors. Finally, she found a homeowner who opened his door, but instead of offering the help she so desperately needed, he shot her, saying he thought she was going to break into his home. He didn’t shoot her at close range; he shot her from a distance. He might have simply shut the door, or he might have shut the door and called 911. Instead he shot 19-year-old Renisha McBride in the face. Law enforcement officials have said that McBride’s death is a homicide and her family is waiting to see if 8
the 54-year-old homeowner will be charged. News outlets have not named Renisha’s killer for his “protection.” Is there no protection for Renisha? There are chilling parallels to the Trayvon Martin case. All we know about the murderer is that he is a homeowner. But already the character assassination of Renisha has begun. Her blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit. She may have had marijuana in her system. She may have, but that’s not definitive. So why has that information been leaked when no one has leaked a murderer’s name. If Renisha were drunk as Cootie Brown and high as a kite, she did not deserve to be killed. Why didn’t the “54-yearold homeowner” call 911 and tell them (if he could tell) that there was a drunken woman on his porch? Why did he shoot? Renisha McBride’s murder bears attention for several reasons. First of all it reinforces the
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Dr. Julianne Malveaux unfortunate reality that young Black people are at high risk for violence, often because too many shoot first and ask questions later. Secondly, in the cases that are highly publicized, usually it is the massacre of a young man that is at the center of a case. It is im-
portant to note that young Black women are too often at risk. And it is important to ask what we plan to do about it. Marissa Alexander didn’t want to take another beating. Her husband Rico Gray is an admitted abuser whose brutal beatings of his wife were described as “life threatening.” She fired a warning shot into the ceiling to warn off her abuser husband. She was charged with felony use of a firearm and sentenced to 20 years in jail. The prosecutor in this case, Angela Corey, is the same one who only reluctantly charged George Zimmerman in the massacre of Trayvon Martin, the same prosecutor who assembled a flawed legal team, the same prosecutor who believes in the Stand Your Ground laws. That is, except for Marissa Alexander, who stood her ground against an abusive husband and hurt no one. Marissa Alexander, the 32-yearold mother of three has no crimi-
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
nal record. Her conviction has been thrown out because a judge ruled that the prosecution, not the defense, has the burden of proof. (Ms. Alexander was asked to PROVE that she had been beaten). Friends and family have raised her bail, but the judge in her case says he won’t rule on her release until January 15. She languishes in jail, supposedly, because she remains a threat to her batterer, but even he supports her release. Her continued incarceration is not only mean spirited, but also an illustration about the unevenness of law. George Zimmerman got away with murder for standing his ground. Marissa Alexander is incarcerated because she stood hers. With domestic violence an epidemic in our country, it seems unfathomable that a woman who wanted to prevent it, is charged with a crime. While the civil rights community has surround(Continued on page 14)
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GOSSIPTARY
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!
JIVE TURKEY Stay away from them ones that hang out with the Rat Pack. On this Thanksgiving and you and yours have a wonderful holiday. In the meantime, let’s sip a little tea: -ImaSHARPTON WATCH With Jesse JUNIOR incarcerated, Danny Davis compromised and Bobby Rush focused on his wife’s health—looks like the gate
Rev. Al Sharpton
is wide open for anyone and everyone to move in on Cook County’s fertile and powerful Black voting bloc - just like a skinny Black kid with a funny name did about 20 years ago. With that said, the Incredible Shrinking Man also remembered as Reverend Al Sharpton has got the usual disgruntled Negro leaders following him around town like biddies following the Mother Bird. He’s running from place to place on his public relations drive to establish himself as the only real, credible Negro leader in all of North America—despite his credentials that may suggest otherwise. We hear he’s trying his best to get some food into his newly created tiny stomach every time they bring him some from MacArthurs. Unfortunately, for him one of the people in his “posse” really dislikes him and feels it’s his Negro duty to “watch Reverend Al to make sure he don’t mess nuthin’ up.” No word yet on whether the I.R.S., which usually is very hard on Black Leaders, has forgiven his debt— which would be odd, and strange, and well, somewhat expected. -ImaWHO IS LeALAN JONES Whomever he is—folks are trying to talk him into running for mayor in 2015. One man said he’s a young Black Republican who turned Green Party when he realized how blind (N-words) are to the Democrats in this state. Another person said he was one of the children who witnessed the murder of a little boy in the projects and wrote a book about it and went on some kind of tour promoting anti-proverty programs. Whomever he is, his name keeps floating around, but no one is
term; or he would say stuff so crazy, Black Cook County would go off, get mad for five minutes around election time and vote him out. All the meanwhile Raoul would strengthen his “tough on crime” persona while appearing compassionate toward Negro youth. Now they gots a problem as Kirk hobbles up and down the Sears Tower and comes out for homosexual marriage before eventually adopting a Black, Asian or Mexican orphan—not that he said he would. LeAlan Jones
-Ima-
taking it seriously. -ImaHARDER THAN THEY THOUGHT Just when a group of Black elites thought now would be a good time to have their guy, state senator Kwame Raoul primed to replace U.S. Senator Mark Kirk, the disabled legislator up and updated his political persona to make himself appear more sane. Now considered a “progressive Republican,” Kirk’s people are working overtime to paint him as more center than right of his GOP nutcases, even going as far as to play off his disability status—earned as a result of a massive stroke. The Black elite were giggling big time when Kirk blindly read Emperor Emanuel’s talking points about getting gangbangers off the streets, even offering to lock up anyone and everyone even remotely familiar with the Gangster Disciples. That would be more than 90 percent of the South Side of Chicago. Af-
MAD FOR FIVE MINUTES & A HALF Looks like white folks gots us played and pegged. After pretending to be mad with the Bald Eagle for choosing the Grandfather of School Closings as his running mate, Negro elected officials and that big teachers union lady pretended they were going to organize and take on the establishment. We hear they been holding regular secret meetings in the bowels of Operation PUSH (first problem) with people like Mary Flowers as their leader (second problem). Well, 17 seconds after they got off their third secret phone call where they were hatching all sorts of insurrections against various plantation bosses, at least five participants ran out into the streets and began telling all the business. They claim “them Negroes ain’t gone do nothing. Jesse just posturing again.” Another person said, “how come all of a sudden that
Karen Lewis woman done went quiet. First she had the biggest mouth in the town and now she
Karen Lewis acting like a small mouth frog.” One other know it all said, “when is the last time Negroes in this town ever got together to do anything of any value? What makes you think this is gonna work?” -ImaHAPPY AS A FEE-LA We know at least one “bishop” is really happy the gay marriage thing went through even though he remains in the closet and part of a group of Negro preachers who are faking outrage at the homosexuals saying “I Do,” to each other. This is the same bishop who they say was stone-cold busted in the act with his minister of music. We hear he quickly began bad mouthing his woman, just in case she began telling everybody that when he told everyone to bow their heads and close their eyes that Jesus wasn’t really on his mind. He also put his male lover up in a very nice condo, though the choir director is telling everyone a rich uncle died and left him a little something, something.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (Continued from page 4) not do a stellar job as Cook County Board President. Now though, he is going for a completely different role as a legislator not an executive. It is in my opinion a job that suits Todd Stroger much better. Stroger to my knowledge was viewed as making a number of bad decisions, but not being incompetent. In part, that certainly could be because he was too trusting of old friends who didn’t necessarily have his best interests at heart. They probably realized that the first-time executive could not get his hands around the massive county government and some things would slip www.chicagocrusader.com
through the cracks. With Stroger serving as a commissioner those kinds of issues are not present. There are an enormous number of checks and balances the commissioners are subjected to that don’t apply to the board president. I believe if Stroger got the right kind of campaign manager and public relations help, he definitely will be the District Seven’s next commissioner. He needs someone who can help him understand talking about the past is not beneficial and he will help himself a lot by focusing on the future. Scott Theman
Kwame Raoul ter Bobby Rush played his part in taking Kirk to task—much to the applause of the Negrorati—Kirk did an immediate about face and softened his stance, without distancing himself from his wacky proposal. What do dat gots to do with Raoul? Well his folk were hoping that Kirk’s policy wacky behind would either find himself too “disabled” to continue out his
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Saturday, November 23, 2013
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EDUCATION
Spook-A-Thon in Bronzeville draws costumed crowd for music, food and scary special effects Rain and foggy weather did not dampen the spirits of the people who came to enjoy the second annual Spook-a-thon celebrations hosted by Prologue Schools Inc. on October 31. The darkened clouds only seemed to enhance the fear factor at the free Halloween party held at the makeshift cemetery at 3232 S. King Dr., Chicago. People of all ages came in costumes and were welcomed with live music, food and drinks. Spiderman, Dracula, pirates, witches and princesses were among the Spook-a-thon’s younger attendees, who were treated to bags of candy at the candy stand. Everyone was invited to the haunted house that featured Hallows’ Eve music, eerie sounds, tombstones, skulls, scary mannequins and skeletons. Shrieks
from children and adults alike arose from those who went inside the haunted house. “It is rainy, but we would not have missed it,” said Trinity, a mother of three who has attended both Spook-a-thon events hosted by Prologue. “The kids enjoyed every bit of it.” Families who missed the event last year were excited to have made it this year and said that they will be attending the next year’s event as well. Participants came from Bronzeville, Groveland Park, Wentworth and other areas of the Douglas community. Children from Pershing West Elementary School, across the street from the Prologue’s event site, were among the attendees. The local community was treated to a live concert by R&B
Rain or Shine attendees at the event
Dr. Jackson with children at event
Young child dressed as Swashbuckier 10
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Young children at the event
Event setting Graveyard singer Teresa Griffith and Feloney Davis, lead singer of the R&B group, Public Announcement. Nancy Jackson, CEO of Prologue Schools Inc., said she was pleased with the event. “We are happy to have provided a safe place for families and children to come dressed up and enjoy Halloween,” she said. “As a community-service organization, Prologue is excited to be able to engage our local communities and create memorable experiences for them. We hope to have this Halloween party every year and see the audience growing larger.” The location of the Spook-athon was formerly the iconic Griffin funeral home, nestled on a plot of land that once belonged to Camp Douglas, a Civil War internment camp known for its abominable conditions. Prologue Inc., which purchased this property in the summer of
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Recording artist Feloney Davis 2012, has repurposed the site with plans to create a three-inone community campus hosting an Alternative High School, a neighborhood community center and a Chicago Civil War Museum paying tribute to the Griffin Estate and the heritage of Bronzeville. Many of those who attended the Spook-a-thon said that they are supportive of Prologue programs for youth and young adults, between the ages of ages 17 to 21 in grades 9 through 12. Prologue has four schools – W.E.B. Dubois Prologue Early College Education High School at 1135 N. Cleaver; Charles H. Houston Alternative Charter High School at 7847 S. Jeffrey Blvd.; Joshua Johnston Fine Art and Design Charter School at 1551 W. 95th Street and Winnie Mandela Intergenerational Alternative High School at 7847 S. (Continued on page 17) www.chicagocrusader.com
COMMUNITY
Washington Legacy Committee plans wreath-laying ceremony Ward townhouse groundbreaking ceremony and within a half-hour fell ill at his City Hall desk. He was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead at the age of 65.
By Chinta Strausberg At 11:01 a.m., Monday, November 25, 2013, the Harold Washington Legacy Committee, is holding a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the late Mayor Harold Washington at the Oak Woods Cemetery, 1035 E. 67th St. where he was buried 26-years ago. The gravesite ceremony will include a gun salute, a color guard ceremony from several high schools, and a host of the late mayor’s friends and supporters. It has been 26-years since Mr. Washington, Chicago’s first African American mayor, left a Fourth
AT 11:01 A.M., Monday, November 25, 2013, the Harold Washington Legacy Committee, is holding a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the late Mayor Harold Washington at the Oak Woods Cemetery, 1035 E. 67th St., where he was buried 26years ago.
“It is good that the Chicago community has not forgotten the man, the moment and the movement though he passed away 26years ago. We still remember him and his legacy to the city of Chicago, and we’re hoping that people will come out to celebrate that legacy,” said Robert Starks, a board member of the Harold Washington Legacy Committee and professor emeritus of the Northeastern Illinois University.
A CLOSE FRIEND to Mayor Washington, Bennett Johnson is vice president of the Third World Press, publisher of the Evanston Sentinel, Honorary Consul General to the Republic of Uganda, vice president of the UCI Group, Inc, president of the Path Press, Inc., former assistant director of the Governor’s Office of Human Resources, State of Illinois and other positions. Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Roosevelt University, majoring in English and Science and has a master’s degree from the University of California at Los Angeles in English and education. He also has a degree in mortgage banking from the Real Estate Institute of Chicago. He is shown here with Mayor Washington at a political rally where the mayor had pushed for the election of the late Marion Stamps for alderman of the 42nd Ward. This was during the turbulent City Council Wars between the Vrdoloyak 29 vs. 21 factions.
CHINTA STRAUSBERG, Perry Small and other journalists interviewed Mayor Harold Washington at the DuSable Museum.
MAYOR HAROLD WASHINGTON surrounded by the City Hall press corp in 1986.
MAYOR HAROLD WASHINGTON presents Chicago Defender political reporter Chinta Strausberg with the “Dollars and Sense” award during a ceremony held at the Regal Theater.
THANKS TO FORMER Ald. Dorothy Tillman (3rd), a statue of Mayor Harold Washington stands outside of the Harold Wash-- ington Cultural Center, 4701 South Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. (Photo by Chinta Strausberg)
ON APRIL 12, 2013, the Harold Washington Legacy Committee held a press conference at the historic Ramada Lake Shore, back then called the “50th on the Lake” Hotel where on November 10, 1982 he declared his mayoral candidacy. (Photo by Chinta Strausberg) www.chicagocrusader.com
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
Saturday, November 23, 2013
11
ENTERTAINMENT
By Raymond Ward
CJO CHOSEN AS KENNEDY CENTER HONORS GALA HOUSE ORCHESTRA FOR 25th CONSECUTIVE YEAR The Chicago Jazz Orchestra (CJO) under the direction of Jeff Lindberg is excited and honored to have been chosen to perform at the 36th Annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala on December 8, 2013 in Washington, D.C. This performance marks the 25th consecutive year that the CJO has been chosen for this singular honor. This year’s five honorees include: • Martina Arroyo - As a Metropolitan Opera soprano she broke racial barriers and today shares her artistry with a new generation of opera singers, • Herbie Hancock - An innovative jazz pianist who broke musical barriers and still continues to redefine the art of jazz, • Billy Joel - One of popular music’s most prolific singer/songwriters whose music has defined several generations, • Shirley MacLaine - An actress whose versatile career encompasses stage and screen, • Carlos Santana - A musician remembered for his electrifying Woodstock performance, his high energy performances have thrilled millions. The President and Mrs. Obama will receive the honorees and members of the Artists Committee who nominate them, along with the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees at the White House prior to the Gala performance. The medallions will be presented to the honorees on SaturThe President and Mrs. Obama day, December 7th at a State Department dinner hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry. The ceremony concludes with the Gala dinner/dance in the Grand Foyer on December 8th. The CJO was founded in 1978 (Jazz Members Big Band) by Jeff Lindberg and the late Steve Jensen. Composed of Chicago’s top musicians, the CJO is Chicago’s oldest professional jazz orchestra in continuous operation and one of the oldest jazz repertory orchestras in the country. Conductor and Artistic Director Jeff Lindberg is one of the foremost transcribers in jazz. As a result, the Orchestra’s repertoire draws upon his vast library, which includes the works of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Benny Carter, Oliver Nelson, Ray Charles and many others. The CJO became the first professional jazz orchestra in Chicago to present a yearly subscription series (1998-99). The CJO’s 2005 compact disc Clark Terry and Jeff Lindberg’s Chicago Jazz Orchestra: George Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess (Americana Music) received widespread critical acclaim, including a rare “five star” rating in Downbeat Magazine. The CD has been voted among the top CD’s of the decade by Downbeat Magazine. The CJO’s new CD “Burstin Out” features vocalist Cyrille Aimee along with the orchestra in beautifully orchestrated arrangements of some of the most beloved jazz classics. The CJO receives support from The Stare Fund, The Illinois Arts Council, The Joseph B. Glossberg Foundation, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, and The Oppenheimer Family Foundation. The CJO’s media sponsors are WDCB 90.9FM, Chicago Jazz Magazine, and Downbeat Magazine. 12
Saturday, November 23, 2013
By Elaine Hegwood Bowen, MSJ
Black Nativity Black Nativity starts in theaters the day before Thanksgiving, November 27, and after your family eats itself into oblivion or sometime during the weekend, you should all gather in the family vehicle and go out to support this fine, faith-based film, produced by Bishop T. D. Jakes.
Black Nativity was written in the early 1960s and tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ with a Black theme, including foot-stomping Gospel songs. I really enjoyed this holiday movie, because it is a movie that the entire family will enjoy, without the parents having to be con-
Cobbs family. Look for Black Nativity at local theaters November 27. The Wayans and Wil Sylvince at Chicago Improv in Schaumburg Comedian and actor Wil Sylvince
JACOB LATIMORE, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson and Forest Whitaker gather in church on Christmas Eve in the movie Black Nativity. Photo courtesy: Fox Searchlight Pictures Black Nativity is a holiday movie cerned about foul language, sex will join The Wayans Brothers that is fantastic for all age groups. scenes or other situations that are (Shawn and Marlon) in the ChicaThe movie, based on poetry by not suitable for young children. go area at the Chicago Improv in Harlem Renaissance poet LangIf those in the audience hadn’t Schaumburg during the period ston Hughes, stars Chicago native been to church in months, seeing November 21 through Novemand Academy Award winner Jen- Black Nativity would make you ber 24. nifer Hudson as Naima, Academy want to visit a church—if only just The Wayans are known for Award winner Forest Whitaker as to hear the great Gospel music. their comedy and their family the Rev. Cornel Cobbs, Angela BasThe movie is chock full of big tradition of making folks laugh. sett as Aretha Cobbs and Jacob Lati- stars, and they all deliver a great The Wayans family is filled with more as Langston/Lunch Money. Tyrese Gibson, Vondie Curtis-Hall and Mary J. Blige round out the cast in a movie directed by Kasi Lemmons. Naima is losing her job and must send her son, streetwise and cocky Langston to stay with her estranged parents, the Rev. Cornel and Aretha Cobbs. Langston is reluctant at first, but after being ordered to get involved in the church, he finds a way to soften his attitude and temper his anger, while bringing his own parents together, which includes a father that he had never known. I was able to see the movie with an enthusiastic, “amen corner” crowd at AMC River East at a screening sponsored by the Mark IT IS MARLON and Shawn Wayans Hubbard Radio program, which message of the birth of baby Jesus, talented members, and the two airs on www.tcmradiostation.com but also one of alienation, forgive- youngest brothers have become (Continued on page 14) ness and new beginnings for the at noon on Saturdays. BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
GORILLA TANGO THEATRE: On Saturday, November 23, Chicago native and Second City and IO-Chicago-trained actor Dan Abbate opens his second venue under the same name (the first is in Albuquerque, NM), featuring theater, comedy and kids’ shows by both resident and visiting companies. It is located at 1919 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647 (Bucktown). Please note that the BYOB status has changed—the theater has acquired a beer, wine and malt beverage license, so you can no longer bring your own. For more information, call 773-598-4549.
tion is Duffy’s Tavern and Grille, 420 W. Diversey Parkway, Lake View. The meal package ($25) includes: Budweiser and Bud Light Pints; Pilgrim Punch food buffets at each bar; and non-stop trolley service between all four participating bars. Be one of more than 1,000 of Chicago’s finest getting BASTED Bar1 Style. Pre-sale: ($30) until noon, November 27. Use promo code: METROGOBBLE to take $5 off the pre-sale price until supplies last! There will be three drinks per person per hour. The cost: $25$30. For more information, call 773-868-8073.
SPOTHERO PARKING AND CHICAGO HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS: ‘Tis the season in Chicago when family and friends head to the city for holiday festivities. SpotHero is getting in the holiday spirit early this year by providing Chicagoans with a guide to the Top holiday events. This guide has everything you need to celebrate the season to its fullest. From festive fairs, to parties and concerts, the guide will have you brimming with holiday cheer the whole season long. Upcoming events: Magnificent Mile Lights Festival - On Saturday, November 23, Chicagoans will flock to the streets for the annual Mag Mile Lights Festival Parade. The city will light up the night and celebrate the start of the holiday season. More than one million spectators will line the parade route to see the twinkling lights, and while the crowds make for a magical experience on foot, they make finding parking near impossible. Don’t stress about finding a spot, reserve Magnificent Mile Lights Festival in advance. Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo - Beginning Friday, November 29, The Lincoln Park Zoo hosts the free annual Zoo lights holiday celebration, featuring luminous displays and seasonal activities. To avoid crowds, reserve Lincoln Park Zoo parking now so you don’t miss out on photos with Santa, holiday crafts or exciting animal encounters. The Art Institute of Chicago - The museum embraces the holiday season with new exhibit openings, artfilled events and mistletoe. Get your art on at the museum’s annual Wreathing of the Lion’s ceremony on November 29th. Reserve Art Institute of Chicago parking now. Call SpotHero at 312-566-SPOT (7768) for more information about guaranteed parking for these events.
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR AMERICAN MUSIC ABROAD PROMOTING CULTURAL DIPLOMACY THROUGH MUSIC: American Music Abroad (AMA), a cultural exchange program that uses music as a means to engage audiences worldwide, has opened the application round for the 2014-15 season. Bands and ensembles are encouraged to apply at americanvoices.org/ama/apply/application. AMA is a partnership between American Voices and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The deadline for applications is January 6, 2014. American Music Abroad is designed to communicate America’s rich musical contributions and diverse culture to the global music scene. Each year, approximately ten ensembles are selected to embark on month-long, multi-country tours, where they will engage with international audiences through public concerts, interactive performances with local musicians, lecture demonstrations, workshops, jam sessions and media interviews. Ensembles from any characteristically American musical genres are welcome to apply, including, but not limited to: Blues, Bluegrass, Cajun, Country, Folk, Latin, Native American, Gospel, Hip Hop/Urban, Indie Rock, Jazz, Punk, R&B and Zydeco. Ensembles will be selected for artistic quality, a strong education and interactive component, and a dedication to cultural engagement. Previous American Music Abroad ensembles have reached audiences in more than 50 countries who had little or no access to live American music. To learn more about AMA visit americanvoices.org/ama. For more information about the AMA audition process, contact American Voices at 314-732-1323; ama@americanvoices.org or the U.S. Department of State ECA at 202-632-6452; ecapress@state.gov.
TURKEY TROLLEY TROT PUB CRAWL-GET BASTED! On Wednesday, November 27, at 8 p.m., Bar1 Events presents a Black Wednesday Turkey Trolley Trot Thanksgiving Pub Crawl. The locawww.chicagocrusader.com
THE HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL SHEILA C. JOHNSON LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIP: The Harvard Kennedy
School (HKS) has just announced the launch of the Sheila C. Johnson Leadership Fellowship to bring to the Kennedy School each year ten emerging leaders dedicated to improving the lives of the underserved in the United States, including those in the African-American community. As they seek to recruit their inaugural cohort, they are encouraging bright young individuals who fit this description to apply to the Kennedy School by December 4, 2013! The Sheila C. Johnson Leadership Fellowship will provide a full tuition scholarship, a living stipend, and a comprehensive cocurricular program administered through the School’s Center for Public Leadership to ten promising, diverse leaders each year. It would be open to all admitted degree program students at the Harvard Kennedy School, with domestic students from underrepresented groups encouraged to apply, including students interested in areas such as business, medicine, law, education, and public health. Applicants will be considered based on demonstrated interest in developing leadership skills with a focus on reducing disparities in African American and other underserved communi-
TOPINKA ATTENDS CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE GALA— Comptroller joins sellout crowd for 52nd Annual Fellowship Dinner State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, Marshette Turner, Andrea Zopp President and CEO at the Chicago Urban League pose for a photo at the 52nd Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner on Saturday, November 9, 2013. CHICAGO – Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka joined Andrea Zopp, President and CEO of The Chicago Urban League and other guests for the 52nd Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner at the Hilton Chicago Saturday, November 9. A sellout crowd attended the gala themed, The Power of Opportunity: Moving Chicago Forward. ties, as well as academic credentials To learn more about how to apply and understanding of diverse envi- to the Harvard Kennedy School, go ronments. To apply for the 2014- to: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/de2015 academic year, prospective grees/admissions. To learn more about candidates will have to complete the Sheila C. Johnson Leadership Feltwo steps: First, apply to the Har- lowship, visit http://www.centervard Kennedy School by Decem- forpublicleadership.org/index.php? ber 4, 2013. Second, apply for the option=com_content&view=artifellowship by February 27, 2014. cle&id=558&Itemid=232.
Extended Coverage There’s a good reason why most auto rental companies won’t rent to young people under 25 and why insurers charge more to cover teen drivers. People in this age group have more accidents, and traffic crashes are their leading cause of death. *** More recent findings indicate that teens with their own cars are more likely to get into accidents than those who must share a car with a family member.
Milton E. Moses
*** When your teen starts driving, make sure your auto insurance is appropriate. See us at Community Insurance Center, Inc., 526 E. 87th Street, your insurance headquarters. We have been serving the community since 1962. For more information about the services we provide, call (773) 651-6200. You can also reach us via email at: sales@communityinsurance.com or visit the website at www.communityins. com.
*** Some states trim teen driving— and accidents—with graduated licensing, which limits when and with whom teens may drive. *** If your teen is about to start driving, consider raising the collision deductible to $1,000, which will lower your rate and prevent filing small claims. Earn discounts with students’ good grades, and when they go to college 100 miles or more away. *** Another help is a parent/teen “contract” which specifies the rules a youngster must follow to use the family car. BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
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ARTS AND CULTURE
Cellist Gabriel Cabezas to perform Shostakovich with the Chicago Symphony Twenty-one-year-old cellist Gabriel Cabezas will join the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as the featured soloist in Shostakovich’s First Cello Concerto conducted by Stéphane Denève Tuesday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. The program also features Weber’s “The Ruler of the Spirits” and Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique.” A native Chicagoan and recent graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music where he studied with Carter Brey, Gabriel Cabezas was the 2012 winner of the Senior Division of The Sphinx Competi- tion. The Sphinx Organization was established by violinist Aaron Dworkin in order to encourage, develop and recognize classical music talent in the Black and Latino communities. For more information on The Sphinx Organization, visit sphinxmusic.org. Cabezas recently completed a US tour as a member and soloist with the Sphinx Virtuosi. He has appeared as soloist with the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, the Na-
tional Symphony of Costa Rica, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the New World Symphony, and the Nashville Symphony, among others. He appeared as soloist with The Civic Orchestra of Chicago at the age of 15 in a special community concert at Chicago’s South Shore Cultural Center. A passion for chamber music and collaboration has taken him to Marlboro Music, Music@Menlo, Music from Angel Fire, the Seattle Chamber Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, Bargemusic, and Chicago’s Symphony Center Presents series. His television appearances include performances with Yo-Yo Ma at “The Tavis Smiley Show” and “Good Morning America,” and with Béla Fleck in “From The Top – Carnegie Hall.” 2013-14 season highlights include a subscription series debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as well as a return to Chicago’s International Beethoven Festival. Cabezas’ 2012-13 engagements included concerts with the Detroit Symphony, the Nashville Symphony
Morgan Park Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir will present the first “Messiah” of the Christmas holiday season Sunday, November 24, 2013 at 3:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Joining the choir for the performance are the Classic Act Choral Ensemble, Chatham Choral Ensemble, Chatham Fields Lutheran Church Chancel Choir and The Men of St. Edmonds Episcopal Church with soloists Rae-
Myra Hilliard, soprano; Gloria Spencer Brown, contralto; Jeffrey L. Burish, tenor; and James Murray, bass; Yvonne Lindsey pianist, Arthur D. Griffin, Jr., organist, and the Morgan Park Presbyterian Orchestra. Charles T. Hayes is guest conductor. Ticket donation is $20. Morgan Park Presbyterian Church is located at 110th Place and Longwood Drive. The Rev. Jane Tuma is Pastor.
WHO WILL DEFEND (Continued from page 8) ed Marissa, I am not aware of women’s organizations or domestic violence organizations that have been similarly supportive. E. Faye Williams of the National Congress of Black Women says that her organization has been active in assisting Marissa, and that’s a good thing. Still, just as the hoodie came to represent Trayvon Martin, and people from around the world, including on the floor of Congress, donned the hoodie in solidarity with Trayvon, there has been no similar support for Marissa Alexander. Marissa Alexander’s incarceration and the murder of Renisha McBride have something in common. They illustrate the vulnerability of Black women, both in the legal system, and in the public perception of race and gender. Black women are not afforded the privilege of standing their ground against batterers. Black women 14
can be shot at far range because a 54—year—old homeowner was so frightened that he had to shoot. More than twenty years ago, when now Associate Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas attempted to character assassinate attorney Anita Hill with his wild accusations, a group of Black women stood up in her defense. Using the moniker of “African American Women in Defense of Ourselves”, the group took out ads both in the New York Times and in the Black press supporting Professor Hill. (Disclosure – my mom, my three sisters and I all signed the ad). We defended ourselves then, and we must defend ourselves now. The legal system seems unwilling and unable to do so. Dr. Julianne Malveaux is a DC based economist and writer, and President Emerita of Bennett College for Women.
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Gabriel Cabezas and the National Symphony of Costa Rica, as well as appearances with Musicians from Marlboro at the International Beethoven Festival, and ChamberFest Cleveland. Formerly a recipient of an education grant by the Rachel Elizabeth Barton Foundation, Cabezas has supported music outreach and ed-
ucation programs including Midori’s Partners in Performance, the Sphinx Organization, Costa Rica’s national SINEM music education program, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Citizen Musician movement. As a writer, Cabezas has been featured in Teen Strings Magazine and has been a
contributing writer for Strings Magazine. For information or tickets, call the Symphony Center Box Office at 312-294-3000 or go to cso.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the Symphony Center Box Office, 220 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago.
Black Nativity (Continued from page 12 Hollywood icons. They have performed in “In Living Color” and “The Wayans Brothers” sitcom, as well as directed the films “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in The Hood,” among others. Sylvince is known for his comedic performances on BET’s Comic View, HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and Showtime at the Apollo. These performances have all garnered Sylvince standing ovations by the audiences, a feat rarely seen accomplished by many performers. He also founded the NBC Universal’s Short Cut Film Festival. This Brooklyn-born Haitian, a graduate of New York Technical College, displays a unique and electrifying brand of humor that keeps crowds laughing and on the edge of their seats – literally. Sylvince uses what he terms an “early childhood speech impediment” to his advantage as he dazzles audiences with his ability to play on words, as well as names. Visit Chicago Improv’s website for more information about tickets and performance times for this special event. Gene Siskel Film Center runs American Promise and Lenny Cooke American Promise is a bold, unflinching 12-year movie diary of
Wil Sylvince two African-American families seeking to give their kids their best shot at the American dream, and is an intimate look at growing up under unique pressure. Offering diverging takes on the multicultural experience, the film follows the families starting with the enrollment of their five-year-old sons in an elite Manhattan prep school and continuing through high school graduation. The enormous hopes of eager parents weigh on young Idris and Seun, complicating a childhood already impacted by racism,
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
classism, and the cultural disconnect of schooling in a largely white milieu. The movie screens for one week only, November 22 through November 27. Lenny Cooke: In 2001, Lenny Cooke was one young basketball prodigy seemed destined for NBA greatness, but his career crashed and burned before it even started, due to bad advice, bad timing and youthful arrogance. The star-crossed history of Cooke, who was ranked the number-one high school basketball player in the U.S. (ahead of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony), but who fumbled his shot at the 2002 draft, plays out as a gripping human-interest story that critics have likened to Hoop Dreams in its pathos. Fans will be delighted by on-court footage of Cooke, James, Anthony, and other up-and-coming hoopsters as teen novices. The movie screens one week only, November 29 through December 5. All screenings and associated events are at the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, located at 164 N. State St. Tickets to each screening—unless stated otherwise—are $11/general admission, $7/students, and $6/Film Center members. All tickets may be purchased at the Film Center Box Office. For more information, call 312-8462600 or visit www.siskelfilmcenter.org/content/membership. www.chicagocrusader.com
SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
A Moment to Super Size Your Thinking By Effie Rolfe So Much to be Grateful for is a song recorded by Chicago’s Grammy nominated and Stellar Award winner Calvin Bridges. This song came to mind as I watched a documentary, Half the Sky, on one of my favorite TV channels, WTTW. The program was based on the self titled book and turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide. Generally, I don’t like to watch shows displaying hunger, lack and poverty especially when kids are lying in dirt encircled by flies suffering from malnutrition and multiple illnesses. All this does is make my compassionate heart— tear up even more. Actually, what drew me to the picture was Gabrielle Union, Meg Ryan and a few other actresses participating in the documentary. The show fo-
Effie Rolfe cused on beautiful young girls throughout Africa and Asia being
raped as young as two and a half years old by relatives, with devastating consequences of permanent physical, emotional scars and soul ties. While watching, I discovered that education is still very difficult and distant for the girls, leaving a future filled with working in the fields to care for the family, married at a young age, being a victim of slave trafficking and prey to repeated rape. In Cambodia, a woman once sold to a brothel said by the time the girls are 12 to 14 years of age they are considered too old to work there. One girl about 10 years old rides her bike 17 miles each day, which is the equivalent of 2 hours through dangerous swamp, fields and rural areas to get to school. I thought about how as an adult in America, we sometimes scoff at walking from the parking lot to the
store. Yet, 200 million girls wake up each day with no opportunity to get an education. It reminded me of when I was working with Compassion International and discovered shockingly that 1.5 billion people live on less that $1.25 a day. This translates to about 1 in every 5 persons. As we approach the holiday season, preparing to spend 12 hours in line waiting to be among the first shoppers in the store, let’s also think about how we can share a fraction of our time and money with some little girl helping to educate her, get a decent meal or even a glass of clean water. My point of emphasis is that we have so much to be grateful for, yet we fail to pause and realize the many blessings staring us in the face. Those blessings are due in part to the fact that we are protected by human rights. It’s been said, teach a
man, you teach an individual— teach a woman, you teach the world. Little girls really want an opportunity to just grow up, go to school and do things that others take for granted. This holiday season, my hope is that God will give us hearts of love and a will to bless those less fortunate with a prayer, a letter, a greeting card, a phone call, good thoughts, long life and even a smile. God help us…to see what you have done as we shout, Thank You Lord! What things are you grateful for…? ©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 Congratulations to Eugene Bush of E-TRE Productions on the debut of his explosive 35-minute short film, Jaded, that promises to touch the hearts of anyone that has ever experienced betrayal. The filmmaker’s film had its first public screening on November 9 to a soldout audience of over 220 people, including the leading actor, Keno Greer, radio personality Demi Lobo and other local directors such as John Ruffin and Mark Harris, who is over the Englewood Film Festival. The screening was followed by a live concert featuring the powerhouse singer, Sandy Redd, where she performed the film’s theme song, Jaded from her debut album at the Ice Theater in Chicago. Jaded centers around the intelligent Mikayla (Maisha Carter), a married yet lonely entrepreneur that finds herself abiding with her two friends, Lisa (Lorrisa Julianus), and Kim (Sheree Bynum), who only add to her heartache with consistent lies and betrayal that leaves her wrapped in a whirlwind of pain. Lisa desperately tries to cover up her past, while Kim’s inability to find a good man leads her to settle for whatever feels like love. Will they become spent, worn-out, exhausted? Will they become Jaded? Bush is no novice to the industry, as the founder of E-TRE Productions he produced Soul Stories with Walt Whitman and The Soul Children as well as other videos featuring celebrities such as Kevin Hart, Halle Berry, Adam Sandler, Erykah Badu, T.I. and John Legend. The film promises to give hope to couples that have endured darkness within their relationship with one solid key that can create peace within their home. For more information, visit JadedTheMovie.com and check out the Jaded music video www.chicagocrusader.com
We are getting ready to build a community center and want to do everything debt free,” shared Grandberry. Other acts of kindness includes Easter, “we provide 100 children with brand new clothes for Easter—head to toe. Also, on Thanksgiving morning—we go under the viaduct and give the homeless a sit down dinner—we have vans that bring them to our banquet hall that seats 250 people. We encourage them to come by reEUGENE BUSH, SHEBETA CARTER, Maggie Bush, Maisha Carter (Maisha & Shebeta Carter are The Anointed Harvesters) (Photo by Karl Ray) featuring one of Chicago’s most vices climaxed on Sunday, Novemsought out performers, Sandy- ber 3rd with Apostle Sylvester BrinRedd. son of Hope Outreach Ministry InCongratulations to Rev. Mitty ternational and Dr. Gregory S. Collier, Pastor and Founder of Livingston of Mission of Faith BapMore Like Christ on its 10th year tist. anniversary earlier this month. The Kudos to Rev. Earl and Clarice celebration started with a youth Grandberry of True Rock Minnight featuring gifted from across istries for 30 years in the vineyard. Chicago, dancing, singing and People from across the city showed praising. A talent night was the fol- support to the couple of 46 years. lowing evening of talented individ- The south loop Pastors are no uals along with the former R&B strangers to sharing their blessings, legend, known for her hit classic—I “During the course of the year we Had a Talk w/ My Man Last Night. do random acts of kindness—4 In addition to Collier was Minister events a year. What we’re doing Victoria Brady. The celebratory ser- now is adopting 400 kids of all creeds and colors—preferably, we try to go after single moms who are suffering—who really need help. We provide book bags full of school supplies and we even break it down to elementary and high school,” said the Pastor. Crowds of 1,000 or more have witnessed the blessings first hand. “The full purpose is to bridge the community and we’ve been doing this for 15 years.” Recently, their ministry sponsored the ‘Save the Children Benefit concert’ to raise funds, “the proceeds Rev. Mitty Collier will go to the community center.
gardless of how they look and smell—we do what Jesus would do and we go do the work. Lastly, we feed 1,000 people a week before thanksgiving with 1,000 bags of grocery—we handpick the people or adopt them,” said Grandberry, whose founder’s day service was held earlier this month in conjunction with his birthday on November 10th. Also, this past Saturday True Rock Ministries fed over 1,000 families from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
South Shore United Methodist Church Communication Chair Retires Beverly Ross Normand, co-chair of Communications at South Shore United Methodist Church, has retired from her position effective November 1, 2013. Ross Normand has shared the position with Anita June Smith and Eugene Williams for several years and held the in-kind position alone for many years, too. Normand also served in the children’s ministry for several years and worked as head of Ecumenical and Religion and Race concerns for 20 years. She served as editor of Nimbus, the church newspaper, since
Beverly Ross Normand
BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN COMMUNITY
1983, and shared that responsibility with Darlene Avery, Edward Smith and others. Ross Normand also works with South Shore United Methodist Church’s Fine Arts Committee and is Founder and Director of Rald Institute, a 501 (c) (3) educational/arts charity that serves atrisk, special needs and gifted children and sponsors children’s art workshops. Normand retired as a Citywide Teacher Specialist for Chicago Public Schools and School Based Facilitator, Department of Psychology, CPS in 2005, and developed their Response to Intervention Program at Edward Bouchet International Academy where she still provides some in-kind services and supervises Work Study students, interns and volunteers. She directs the Rald Institute Art Gallery on Merrill Avenue in Chicago and is in charge of their on-line educational arts gallery and programming. “I will continue to provide press releases for some of the church committees and work on special projects. It has been a great experience working with so many gifted clergy and laity,”Ross Normand said.
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Fish Oil diet helps . . .
HOUSES FOR SALE
(Continued from page 19) and two with dinner, to leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and provide omega-3 fatty found that men with lower acids. Omega-3 fatty acids blood levels of LTB4 after have been found to reduce the diet also had lower inflammation, and may be CCP scores. protective for other malignanc- ies. Prostate cancer is a leadFor this study, Aronson ing cause of death among wanted to look at the poten- men in the United States. tial biological mechanisms at It’s estimated that more work in the low-fat fish oil than 230,000 American diet that may be providing men will be diagnosed with protection against cancer prostate cancer this year growth and spread. They alone, with more than measured levels of the pro- 29,000 dying from their inflammatory substances in disease. the blood and examined the prostate cancer tissue to deFor more than 50 years, termine the CCP score. the urology specialists at “This is of great interest, UCLA have continued to as the CCP score in break new ground and set prostate cancer is known to the standards of care for pabe associated with more ag- tients suffering from urogressive disease and can logical conditions. In colhelp predict which patients laboration with research will recur and potentially scientists, UCLA’s internadie from their cancer,” tionally renowned physiAronson said. cians are pioneering new, Further, Aronson and his less invasive methods of deteam analyzed one pro-in- livering care that are more flammatory substance called effective and less costly.
Spook-A-Thon (Continued from page 10) Jeffrey, and several socialservice programs scattered throughout the city. Prologue staff members were pleased to see the enthusiastic response from the community. “Prologue is a great place for students who are determined to succeed in life, in spite of challenges in traditional school environments,” Jackson said. “It will be a great privilege for us to serve the youth from the Bronzeville community. For me, it is especially heartening to get the support for Prologue from the families here, which brings us a step closer to open a high school at this location.” To learn more about Prologue, visit prologueschools.org. To secure an interview with Nancy Jackson, CEO or other Prologue staff, please contact Ivan Thomas at ivan@jerrythomaspr.com, 847-8631067 or Jerry Thomas, jerry@jerrythomaspr.com, 312-2855166.
graduation rate at Prologue’s high schools in Chicago is 75 percent.
LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: D13136136 on November 4, 2013. Under the Assumed Business Name of BJT & ASSOCIATES with the business located at 6339 S. Kimbark, Apt #3W, Chicago, IL 60637. The true name(s) and residence address of the owner(s) is: Barbara Johnson-Troutman, 6339 S. Kimbark Apt #3W, Chicago, IL 60637. 11/9, 11/16, 11/23
LEGAL NOTICE
About Prologue Schools Inc.: Founded in 1973, Prologue is a nonprofit organization serving Chicago communities for 40 years. Prologue provides community services and administers educational and jobtraining programs for young people, ages 17 to 24, who want to earn a diploma, but who find traditional learning environments challenging. Enrollment is voluntary, and the www.chicagocrusader.com
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HEALTH
Did You Know? Holiday Stress Can Make You Fat During the holidays, it can be all too easy to overeat. But there’s more at play when it comes to packing on pounds this time of year. Another holiday tradition that can affect your weight is stress. Here are some important things to know about your body’s response to stress: Stress Hormones We all have a built-in stress re-
You experience an acute stressor. Thousands of years ago, this could have been a tiger trying to eat you. Today, it could be the in-laws coming to stay with you over the holidays. In response, adrenal glands release the stress hormone cortisol into your bloodstream, initiating an increase in blood sugar used for immediate energy to fight, run or slam on your car brakes. Once the stressor is dealt with, the cortisol leaves your system and
Chronic Stress From when we wake up to when we go to bed, the average person deals with hundreds of low-grade stressful events, like rush hour traffic, projects with impossible deadlines, troubles with kids, spouses or pets. According to Michael A. Smith, M.D. host of “Healthy Talk” on RadioMD.com and senior health scientist with the Life Extension Foundation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this state of affairs is chronically elevating cortisol levels, which means blood sugar is constantly being mobilized for energy. “And when you don’t burn the sugar, it gets stored as body fat,” says Dr. Smith. “This is just one of the metabolic imbalances caused by too much cortisol. There are many other problems caused by chronic stress that can pack on the fat.” For example, too much cortisol, which results in a drop in serotonin, can drive sugar cravings and significantly increase appetite. Solutions
KIDNEY BEANS ARE much better for reducing stress than a favorite of many people – potato chips. sponse. It’s a complicated set of things return to their normal metaphysiological reactions that help bolic state. But unfortunately today, keep you alive during dangerous sit- many of us are constantly stressed, uations. Here’s how it’s supposed to causing significant metabolic imbalances. work:
New research shows that white kidney beans can suppress appetite. So if you’re craving a snack, have a serving of kidney beans instead of reaching for holiday leftovers or a bag of potato chips. Feeling tense? Try some stress reduction activities, like jogging, meditation or breath-
IN THE COURSE of a day, the average person deals with hundreds of low-grade stressful events, such as rush hour traffic, projects with impossible deadlines, troubles with kids, spouses or pets. A health scientist reveals that if we don’t burn the sugar (from meals and snacks) it gets stored as body fat. ing exercises. and suppressing appetite, visit Also, consider adaptogenic herbs, www.LEF.org/appetite or call the which have long been used for their toll-free number 1-855-840-4615. mood balancing and stress reducing effects. For example, a number of You may not be able to stop your clinical trials demonstrate that re- in-laws from visiting, but underpeated administration of rhodiola standing how stress affects your extract exerts energizing effects that body can help you prevent weight increase mental focus. For more in- gain this holiday season. (Stateformation about reducing stress Point)
Fish Oil diet helps prevent prostate cancer growth and recurrence Men with prostate cancer who ate a low-fat diet and took fish oil supplements had lower levels of pro-inflammatory substances in their blood and a lower cell cycle progression score, a measure used to predict cancer recurrence, than men who ate a typical Western diet, UCLA researchers found. Prostate cancer is the leading cause of death among Black males. The findings are important because lowering the cell cycle progression (CCP) score may help prevent prostate cancers from becoming more aggressive, said study lead author William Aronson, a clinical professor of urology at UCLA and chief of urologic oncology at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center. “We found that CCP scores were significantly lower in the prostate cancer in men who consumed the low-fat fish oil diet as compare to men who followed a higher fat Western diet,” Aronson said. “We also found that men on the low-fat fish oil diet had reduced blood levels of pro-inflammatory substances that have been associated with cancer.” This study appears in the early online edition of Cancer Prevention Research, a peer-reviewed www.chicagocrusader.com
That short-term study also found that the men on the low-fat fish oil diet were able to change the composition of their cell membranes in both the healthy cells and the cancer cells in the prostate. They had increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil and decreased levels of the
more pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids from corn oil in the cell membranes, which may directly affect the biology of the cells, Aronson said. “These studies are showing that, in men with prostate cancer, you really are what you eat,” Aronson said. “The studies suggest that by
altering the diet, we may favorably affect the biology of prostate cancer.” The low-fat diet consisted of 15 percent of calories from fat. Additionally, the men on this diet took five grams of fish oil per day in five capsules, three with breakfast (Continued on page 17)
Merck and The American College of Endocrinology Offer “Game Plan” To Help Patients “Tackle” Type 2 Diabetes
Dr. William Aronson journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. This study is a follow-up to a 2011 study by Aronson and his team that found a low-fat diet with fish oil supplements eaten for four to six weeks prior to prostate removal slowed the growth of cancer cells in human prostate cancer tissue compared to a traditional, high-fat Western diet.
Nearly 26 million Americans live with diabetes, and 90 – 95% have type 2 diabetes. For many of these people, managing blood sugar can feel overwhelming. Not only do they need to manage high blood sugar, but they should also be aware of ways to manage low blood sugar, which can make a person feel dizzy, shaky and sweaty. Certain diabetes medications, skipping meals, irregular meal times or excessive exercise may cause low blood sugar, and if it’s not treated quickly it can have serious consequences such as fainting and could require emergency medical care. Since a low blood sugar episode can happen at any time, including while driving, exercising, or while at work, it’s important to know the causes and symptoms, and have a diabetes management plan in place. With that in mind, the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) and Merck teamed up to create The Blood Sugar Basics Game Plan, a step-by-step educational program designed to help educate people with diabetes, their families and their loved ones about the importance of controlling high and low blood sugar as part of a successful diabetes management plan. “One of the toughest things about managing type 2 diabetes can be the feeling that you have to change everything about your lifestyle, all at once,” says Dr. Etie Moghissi, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. “That’s why we’ve developed The Game Plan, available on BloodSugarBasics.com, to offer easy-to-understand goals to help people with type 2 diabetes make important lifestyle changes and help manage both high and low blood sugar. BloodSugarBasics.com offers resources to help work with a health care provider to develop a “game plan,” including diet, exercise and if appropriate, medication.
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