VOL. 62, No. 41
www.tsdmemphis.com
October 10 - 16, 2013
Mississippi Blvd.Walker St. intersection to get one-day festival ‘makover’ Special to the Tri-State Defender
by Tim Sampson
Memphis Urban League looks within for new president, CEO
SOUTH MEMFix!
Tonja Sesley-Baymon now on the job
Have you ever walked past a building or a street or a neighborhood that has seen better days and imagined what it could be like if someone were to infuse it with some new life? That is exactly what is going to happen at the iconic intersection of Mississippi Boulevard and Walker Street, home to the famous Fourway Restaurant, on Saturday (Oct. 12th) when SOUTH MEMFix puts a new face on it from noon until 6 p.m. A project of the Bloomberg Foundation-funded Mayor’s Innovation Delivery Team, SOUTH MEMFix is a short-term, community driven effort that will allow residents and visitors to experience how small, well-coordinated investments in the area can lead to big changes for the community. Developed by local businesses, residents, and community stakeholders, the free event will temporarily activate a one-block area around the intersection and showcase opportunities for the historic neighborhood. With pop-up shops and neigh- The intersection of Mississippi Blvd. and Walker Street is a gateway to Soulsville, a neighborhood businesses, local food borhood with a rich history that has worldwide influence. A one-day festival is just one eletrucks and a food court, live music ment of a strategy to better leverage the areaʼs potential. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku) on an outdoor stage, physical im“The music that was born in come this spotlight on all the good provements, and “living” charac- rant and other businesses carry ters from one of the most famous forward the spirit of the people, Soulsville at Stax Records and Hi things here, and look forward to musical neighborhoods in the the spirit of the People’s Grocery Records is still heard and enjoyed more good things in the future.” While SOUTH MEMFix is a world, the festival is designed to of the past, a spirit of service and all over the world and the names be fun, informative, innovative entrepreneurship in the commu- of those that lived and recorded one-day event, the goal is much and will transform the corner to nity. A walk through Elmwood here, including Aretha Franklin, farther reaching: to see businesses demonstrate the “art of the possi- Cemetery is also a walk through David Porter, Al Green, Rufus move to the area permanently. history. LeMoyne-Owen College Thomas, Memphis Slim, Isaac “The MEMFix model demonble.” “This intersection is a gateway has been and continues to be a Hayes and so many others, are strates how a great street is a key to Soulsville, a neighborhood with force in the education of individu- names known the world over and driver of economic vitality,” said a rich history that has worldwide als who have grown to have a pos- their work still lifts our souls and Mayor A C Wharton Jr. “The influence,” said Henry Ford, pres- itive influence on the life of our inspire young artists and musi- SOUTH MEMFix event is a first cians today,” Ford said. step of a longer-term strategy to ident of the Soulsville, USA city and beyond.” Ford also pointed out the neigh“The past decade has seen a reNeighborhood Association. birth in Soulsville and we wel- SEE MAKEOVER ON PAGE 2 “The famous Four Way Restau- borhood’s rich musical legacy.
The Board of Directors of the Memphis Urban League has appointed Tonja Sesley-Baymon president and chief executive officer of the 70year-old Memphis Urban League. Sesley-Baymon, who has worked with MUL for 8 years, took the helm Oct. 2, succeeding Tomeka Hart. She previously served as the Urban League’s Tonja Sesleyprogram director, Baymon “Her proven dedication, leadership and expertise are what’s needed to build upon the Memphis Urban League’s ultimate mission of assisting African Americans, the underserved and economically disadvantaged to expand economic opportunities, and secure parity, power and civil rights,” said Marsh R. Campbell, chair of the Memphis Urban League Board of Directors. The Board, said Campbell, anticipates “great leadership during her tenure.” As the programs director for the Memphis Urban League’s departments of Workforce & Economic Development and Education and Youth Development, Sesley-Baymon managed programs designed to empower adults with the skills needed to secure employment. Her empowerment focus included working with youth to help them prepare academically and socially for college, career and life. “I am humbled and honored to be chosen as the new president and CEO of the Memphis Urban League,” said Sesley-Baymon. “I am extremely grateful to the Board of Directors for giving me this opportunity, and I look forward to working diligently to continue the 70-year history of the Memphis Urban League as a force in giving those a voice and path to success who might otherwise go unheard or be overlooked.” Entertainer Chris Brown, recently revealed that he lost his virginity when he was 8 years old to a local girl who was 14 or 15. (Photo: CNN)
Against his will: Female-on-male rape CNN
by Sarah LeTrent “Go back to sleep.” Groggy from a night of drinking, that’s precisely what James Landrith did. The next morning, Landrith – who
was 19 at the time – woke up in a bed that he quickly realized was not his own. As his haze lifted, he recognized the woman who ordered him to sleep the night before as a friend of a friend. He remembered she asked for a ride home after their mutual friend left the nightclub where they’d been partying. He remembered the woman was preg-
nant and bought him drinks as a thank you. He remembered feeling disoriented, and her suggesting a motel room to sleep it off. He even remembered lying down with his pants on, uncomfortable taking them off in front of a stranger, only to awaken later and find the woman straddling him. What he
- INSIDE -
didn’t remember was saying “yes.” The morning after, that familiar voice told him that he could hurt the baby if he put up a fight. Then, he says, she forced herself on him again. A few minutes later it was over. One night in a motel twin bed turned into SEE RAPE ON PAGE 2
Obama is right about ‘Redskins’ Special to CNN
by Roxanne Jones
• TSD’s Best in Black II shines in special-section tribute.
MEMPHIS WEEKEND
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
H- 8 3o - L - 6 1o P a r tl y C l oud y
H- 8 7o - L - 6 3o P a r tl y C l ou dy
H- 8 1o - L - 6 4o Partl y Cl o udy
REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS
Friday H-84 L-62 H-79 L-52 H-86 L-62
75 Cents
Saturday H-85 L-65 H-85 L-54 H-88 L-63
Sunday H-81 L-66 H-81 L-56 H-85 L-61
The order of things…
Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD, who oversees the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, leads the processional during the Jubilee Celebration Mass held at Holy Names Catholic Church on last Saturday (Oct. 5). The mass noted the visit 25 years ago of Mother Teresa to North Memphis. See story and additional photos on Religion, page 7. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)
The audience was tense. Tempers were heated. Tears were seen and blows were nearly thrown. We needed a referee. This was not the pre-fight press conference weigh-in for a Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao boxing match. It was a panel discussion between African-American and Native American journalists from across the country to consider whether the Washington Redskins name was racist. But the conversation at the Unity Journalists of Color convention, which included more than 6,000 media professionals, got nowhere. Black journalists accused their Native American counterparts of showing racist videos during the panel of ranting black fans cheering for their beloved football team, including extensive video of the team’s then-beloved, now maligned Chief Zee, the African-American man (Zema Williams) who’s been the team’s unofficial mascot for 35 years. “Black people are not the only Washington fans in the stadium,” I argued then. “Where are the other fan faces? And why is this a racial issue?” Our Native American peers
yelled back, a few of them in tears, that we were being insensitive and ignorant for not understanding that the Redskin name was hurtful and damaging to their community. Nothing changed. Everyone left the workshop insulted and insistent they were on the right side of the debate, including myself. And we never found common ground. That was nearly 20 years ago. So it was refreshing earlier this week to hear President Obama, the nation’s commander in chief and a sports fan, weigh in saying he’d think about changing the name if he were the owner of the team. “I don’t know whether our attachment to a particular name should override the real legitimate concerns that people have about these things. ... I don’t want to detract from the wonderful Redskins fans that are here. They love their team and rightly so,” the president said to The Associated Press. I thought back to that Unity meeting and knew his words rang true. And I remembered several of my colleagues who, over the years, have tried to get me or others in the newsroom to feel their pain. And honestly, I just never gave it enough thought. But no longer can I justify my SEE REDSKINS ON PAGE 2
NEWS
Page 2
Tri-State Defender
October 10 - 16, 2013
SOUTH MEMFix live!
One very special guest on the SOUTH MEMFix! live music stage will be Kris Thomas in a homecoming performance of sorts. Thomas, a graduate of the Stax Music Academy, recently made it to the top 10 on the popular television show “The Voice.” He will be performing with the academy during its 4 p.m.-5 p.m. set. This will be one of Thomas’ first Memphis performances since gaining international notoriety on the show. During the one-day event, there will be free bike valet parking on Walker west of the stage. Car parking will be available at a lot at Mississippi and Stephens, Mississippi and Jennette Pl., and the surrounding neighborhood. Here is the performance line-up (subject to change): • 1 p.m. - South Memphis Shalom Zone • 2 p.m. – Jazz-A-F!RE • 3 p.m. – Black Rock Revival • 4 p.m. – Stax Music Academy • 5:15 p.m. – Tonya Dyson Hear oral histories from a selection of historic South Memphians between each performance
RAPE
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
years of self-examination. It took some time, and the help of a therapist, to get there: “I was finally able to call it what it was,” he says. Landrith had been raped.
It’s not about strength
That was 1990. Since then, Landrith – a former Marine based at Camp Lejeune – has spoken out on behalf of sexual assault victims, in particular men who were victimized by women. He didn’t seek prosecution of his alleged rapist, but he wants other victims to feel free to talk about sexual assault and pursue justice without shame. “I want people to understand that it’s not about how physically strong you are,” he says. “We (men) are conditioned to believe that we cannot be victimized in such a way.” According to a 2010 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the United States have been raped. The actual number is likely higher, experts say, as incidents of sexual violence are severely underreported in the United States – particularly among male victims. Experts say any sexual assault victim requires extensive emotional and psychological healing after the incident, but male survivors have a harder time putting words to what happened. In 2012, the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report made a significant stride by redefining rape as: “The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.” The prior definition – “the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will” – hadn’t been changed since 1927, and sexual assault awareness groups say it alienated victims that didn’t fit the mold. “Often, male survivors may be less likely to identify what happened to them as abuse or assault because of the general notion that men always want sex,” says Jennifer Marsh, the vice president for Victim Services at RAINN, an anti-sexual violence organization. “Males have the added burden of facing a society that doesn’t believe rape can happen to them ... at all,” says psychotherapist Elizabeth Donovan. She says gender roles dictate that males are expected to be strong and self-reliant – men are viewed as those who seek sexual conquests instead of those who “fend them off.”
The Chris Brown factor
The concept of female-onmale sexual assault has recently gained traction on the Web via the ever-provocative entertainer Chris Brown. Brown recently revealed shocking details to Decca Aitkenhead in the Guardian about his first sexual encounter. “He lost his virginity when he was 8 years old, to a local girl who was 14 or 15. Seriously? ‘Yeah, really. Uh-huh.’ He grins and chuckles. ‘It’s different in the country.’” Tom Hawking of FlavorWire is one of many writers who took umbrage with this particular anecdote, asking in an article, “Why Is No One Talking About the Fact That Chris Brown Was Raped?” Trauma recovery counselor Stephanie Baird says men who experience sexual attention as
children, as Brown did, often explain it to themselves as “I’m a stud, I got laid by ...” “They do this in order to feel as if they had some power and say,” she says. In addition to this macho posturing, there’s also the hotfor-teacher or -babysitter complex that is a popular motif in modern American culture. “Because of the culture of ‘Mrs. Robinson’ it can be much more difficult for a male to even recognize that the action is abusive or without consent,” Baird says. Consent, she says, means “being of age, mind, sound body to make an informed decision about whether one would like to become sexually intimate with the other person.” Children cannot consent. The chatter over Brown comes in tandem with recent research published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics that says nearly 1 in 10 youths between 14 and 21 years old have reported perpetrating some type of sexual violence in their lifetime. The study also found that males and females carried out sexual violence at strikingly similar rates after the age of 18 – 52 percent of males and 48 percent of females. The study classified sexual violence into a few categories: foresexual or presexual contact (kissing, touching, etc. against their will), coercive sex, attempted rape, and completed rape. Women were more likely to instigate unwanted foresexual contact.
The spirit of the Peopleʼs Grocery is reflected by this marker at the intersection of Mississippi Blvd. and Walker Street. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)
MAKEOVER
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
better leverage the great potential of this neighborhood by building alliances between existing and new businesses, residents, and area institu-
tions. “Encouraging growth of new retail options in South Memphis will keep millions of dollars in the community, which will ultimately lead to job growth and a better quality of life for residents of the neighborhood.”
Planning Partners include: Mayor’s Innovation Delivery Team, the City of Memphis, the Soulsville, USA Neighborhood Association, Knowledge Quest and the Green Leaf Learning Farm, South Memphis Alliance, LeMoyneOwen College CDC,
LeMoyne-Owen College, the Soulsville Foundation, Livable Memphis, Community LIFT, Clear Channel Memphis, The Four Way Restaurant, Looney Ricks Kiss Architects, Black Memphis Arts Alliance, Elmwood Cemetery, MATA and MLGW.
‘It’s a tough call’
For male sexual assault victims of any age, convincing others that they’ve been preyed upon is difficult as well. Experts say the general disparity in physical strength comes into play – can’t a man fight off a woman? “It’s a tough call; people think men can’t be raped and they don’t understand that in the confusion no still means no,” says Curtis St. John, president of MaleSurvivor, a national support group for male sexual victimization. Further muddying the water is the fact that some men can perform sexually, even including orgasm, and still be raped. In an article in the Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine, Roy J. Levin and Willy Van Berlo found that even in men who have not consented to sex, slight stimulation of the genitals or an increase in stress can create erections “even though no specific sexual stimulation is present.” “‘Were you aroused?’” is a question posed to male victims, St. John says. “You don’t hear it with female rape victims. It’s an interesting question that men get asked.” Long-term effects of being sexually assaulted can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, avoidance of intimacy or the stark opposite – hyper-sexuality, says St. John. “Some men feel a need to prove their masculinity by becoming hyper-masculine,” Donovan says. As for coping, Marsh at RAINN says it’s never too late to reach out for help. But with the stigma attached, survivors may not feel comfortable talking to their friends and family because the victims themselves haven’t defined their experience as assault. For Landrith, it starts with confronting rape for what it is and sharing experiences. “Whenever you talk about male survivors, women have it statistically worse, but it’s not a competition – and we each need our time to talk about it,” he says.
President Barack Obama, who has been known to pull out a football at the White House, says he would think about changing the name of the Washington Redskins if he owned the team. (Photo: courtesy)
REDSKINS
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
years of indifference to the sports moniker. The name must change. Let’s toss it in the trash heap along with other now offensive – but once widely used – monikers such as Sambo, darky, dago and kike. And if you or team owner Daniel Snyder, who insists he’ll never change the team name, are a bit insulted, that’s the whole point. It is exactly what my Native American colleagues struggled to tell us for as long as I can remember. Predictably, many Redskins fans are livid that the president would jump into this fight.
They are hypocrites. They’re not the only people who can have an opinion about this matter. U.S. politicians are sports fans, too. Some of them have been quite engaged with popular sports conversations. President Ronald Reagan brought “The Gipper” to the White House. Obama participates in the annual March Madness bracket frenzy. For any fan, sports are among the most uplifting things about life. It’s the one place we can escape the worries in the grownup world and enjoy our childlike enthusiasm for the games. None of that feeling goes away with a name change in Washington. Supporters of keeping the team name can see only tradi-
tion and honor of the franchise. Some are defensive – rightfully, I believe – about anyone saying they are somehow intentionally being malicious. Lanny J. Davis, an attorney for the Redskins and an Obama supporter, said in an email to the media that fans don’t intend to “disparage or disrespect” anyone. “The name ‘Washington Redskins’ is 80 years old. It’s our history and legacy and tradition.” What else could he say? He is paid by the team. But he must know that his argument just makes no sense. The football team’s glorious history may indeed stretch back 80 wonderful years, but what intelligent person, or even a diehard football fan like me,
could seriously argue that 80 years of entertaining football history could ever compare to the thousands of years that the original Americans have inhabited this land? It’s time to get on the right side of American history.
(Roxanne Jones is a founding editor of ESPN The Magazine and a former vice president at ESPN. She is a national lecturer on sports, entertainment and women’’s topics and a recipient of the 2010 Woman of the Year award from Women in Sports and Events. She is the co-author of “Say It Loud: An Illustrated History of the Black Athlete,” (Random House) and CEO of Push Media Strategies.)
Tri-State Defender
NEWS
October 10 - 16, 2013
Senate Chaplain Barry Black is mad as hell about the shutdown – and heʼs letting the Senate, and the Lord, know about it. “Lord, when the federal shutdown delays payments of death benefits to the families of (soldiers) dying on far-away battlefields, itʼs time for our lawmakers to say enough is enough,” Black said in his prayer opening the Senate on Wednesday (Oct. 9). (Photo: Senate TV)
Senate chaplain: ‘Cover our shame’ CNN
By Daniel Burke
The federal shutdown has found its angry prophet. Senate Chaplain Barry Black is usually a calm, pastoral presence on Capitol Hill, doling out spiritual wisdom and moral counsel to his high-powered flock. But the Seventh-Day Adventist and former Navy rear admiral is mad as hell about the shutdown – and he’s letting the Senate, and the Lord, know about it. “Lord, when the federal shutdown delays payments of death benefits to the families of (soldiers) dying on far-away battlefields, it’s time for our lawmakers to say enough is enough,” Black said in his prayer opening the Senate on Wednesday. “Cover our shame with the robe of your righteousness,” Black continued, citing the Hebrew prophet Isaiah, who was no mean critic of government incompetence himself. “Forgive us. Reform us. And make us whole.” Black was referring to the withholding of death benefits for the families of U.S. soldiers because of the partial federal shutdown. The House Wednes-
day unanimously voted to fund the benefits, with the timing of the Senate vote uncertain. Meanwhile a private foundation had stepped up to fund the death-benefits lapse until the shutdown is over. Black’s opening prayers have grown increasingly harsh towards Congress. “Save us from the madness,” the chaplain said last week. “Deliver us from the hypocrisy of attempting to sound reasonable while being unreasonable.” Last Friday, he addressed the heavens on behalf of the Senate, asking God to “remove from them that stubborn pride which imagines itself to be above and beyond criticism. Forgive them the blunders they have committed.” Washington’s inability to keep the government open affects not only Black’s Bible but also his paycheck. He’s not being paid during the shutdown. The Senate elected its first chaplain in 1789, and a minister has opened the chamber with a prayer for the last 207 years, according to the chaplain’s office. Most enter the annals of history unnoticed. The chaplain is supposed to be nonpartisan, nonsectarian and nonpolitical.
But as the shutdown enters its second week political reporters have begun to tune in to Black’s opening prayers. The New York Times put the 65year-old on the its front page on Monday under the headline “Give Us This Day, Our Daily Senate Scolding.” Black, who was raised in a rough section of Baltimore, served in the Navy for 27 years and was appointed the Senate chaplain in 2003 by former Sen. Bill Frist of Tennessee. For the most part, he has avoided political debates, but he spoke out during the George Zimmerman trial, telling CNN in 2012 that Trayvon Martin, the teenager Zimmerman killed “could have been me.” Even when he doesn’t take a public stand, Black said his private meetings with the 7,000 people who work in the Senate gives him an opportunity to discuss the moral implications of lawmaking. “I don’t think there is ever a major vote where I don’t talk to a number of senators regarding the ethical dimensions of the issues they are debating,” Black told CNN in 2010. (Daniel Burke is CNN’s Belief Blog co-editor.)
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OPINION
Tri-State Defender
October 10 - 16, 2013
John H. Sengstacke Publisher (1951 - 1997)
The Mid-Southʼs Best Alternative Newspaper
A Real Times Newspaper
• Bernal E. Smith II President / Publisher • Dr. Karanja A. Ajanaku Executive Editor
SPECIAL REPORT
Gun violence’s No. 1 target: African-American children The Root
by Janell Ross In the weeks since the Washington Navy Yard shooting, the city of New Orleans reached a tragic milestone. All told, 108 people have been murdered in the Crescent City so far this year. In September, two black girls, one 11 years old and the other age 2, were shot and killed. And earlier this year a national organization advocating for stricter gun control told the story of a black 10-year-old New Orleans boy who has been shot and seriously injured twice in his short life. Although the national spotlight has remained fixed on mass shootings in Washington, D.C.; Newtown, Conn.; and Aurora, Colo., as well as the gun violence coming out of Chicago, street crime and “ordinary” shootings that take one or two lives at a time are still disfiguring communities and putting black children and teens in particular peril. For black America the national gun debate is not about the shocking, but still relatively rare, mass shootings or the political gamesmanship that draws attention to the violence consuming President Barack Obama’s adopted hometown. Cities riddled with gun violence, such as New Orleans, are also located in states with some of the nation’s weakest gun laws. Those laws are costing children, particularly black children, their lives, gun control advocates say. Across the country in 2012, gun violence was the second-leading cause of death for American children ages 7 to 19, according to a July report released by the Children’s Defense Fund. But it constituted the No. 1 cause of death for black children and teens. Between 1963 and 2010, nearly 60,000 black children and teenagers have been killed by guns. That means more than 17 times the number of black children have been killed by guns than the total number of black Americans lynched between 1862 and 1968, according to Caroline Fichtenberg, director of research at the CDF. “Gun violence really has a staggering impact on black children and black families,” says Fichtenberg. “People think guns and gun control are rural issues, just the stuff of political debates, but this is an American issue that certainly involves black families.” A growing group of gun control advocates say that in cities and states where gun laws make guns easier to buy, legal to carry and easy to sell without a background check are places where gun violence and homicides happen more frequently. In fact, the 10 states with the weakest gun laws collectively suffer gun violence at a rate twice as high as that of the 10 states with the nation’s strongest gun laws, according to an April analysis by the left-leaning Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C. Right now federal law requires anyone purchasing a gun from a federally licensed gun dealer, such as a gun store, to clear a background screening. Meanwhile, private sales – everything from large-volume sales at gun shows and private meet-ups to the exchange of weapons in parking lots and living rooms one at a time – don’t face any sort of backgroundcheck requirement at all. “Politicians will point to Chicago,” says Arkadi Gerney, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. “They like to say, ‘See, it has tough gun laws, and look at the gun violence there; that just proves gun control doesn’t work.’ But when you really look at the data, the numbers, and leave the politics out, you see that Chicago is an outlier. More typically you find that cities that have the highest rates of gun violence are in redder states with lots of guns and less-stringent gun laws. Those are the facts.”
In 2012, Chicago’s gun violence helped produce a murder rate of 18.7 deaths per 100,000 Windy City residents, according to federal data. But other communities grew far more violent. In New Orleans, for example, the murder rate reached 53.5 per 100,000. The share of the population killed in New Orleans and other cities in states with limited gun restrictions actually comes stunningly close to the portion of people killed in recently war-torn, developing countries. And that brand of American violence most often claims children and teens of color as its victims. In 2009, 43 percent of people who died from a gun injury of any kind were black, according to a CDF report. The following year, that figure dropped to 36 percent. Still, the death rate for black children because of guns remains nearly five times higher than that of white children killed by guns each year. Studies have repeatedly shown that children exposed to violence can have a harder time learning, eating, sleeping, concentrating and controlling their own anger, anxiety and mood. So gun violence not only can take lives but can also beget other social problems. Despite that evidence, the kind of gun violence killing children, particularly black children, remains poorly understood. Since the 1990s, a lobbying effort led by the National Rifle Association prompted Congress to effectively cut off funding for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research on the causes of gun violence, gun-buying and sales patterns and the safety of people living in households with guns. The Obama administration took steps earlier this year to restart this research. Perhaps even worse, the shooting deaths in cities like New Orleans are often dismissed by Americans who blame the victims for “living in that neighborhood,” “hanging out in that spot” or “being involved with crime,” says John Richie, one of the producers of “Shellshocked,” a documentary about the impact of gun violence in New Orleans. Some have even convinced themselves that the shooting deaths in some communities don’t cause real pain, he says. The film, released this year, dedicates significant time to highlighting the myriad effects of growing up in a violence-drenched space. The film is creating quite a stir. Shellshocked’s producers have been invited to screen the film at the National League of Cities Conference, a gathering of the nation’s mayors and thousands of municipal officials, in November. But groups, such as the NRA, that are pushing to relax the nation’s gun laws or are actively lobbying against new restrictions have repeatedly insisted that it is essential that firearms remain within ready reach of ordinary citizens. Weapons in the hands of lawabiding Americans make communities and families safer, they argue. The groups have used campaign donations and other legal forms of political influence to prevent gun control measures from facing a congressional vote, says the CDF’s Fichtenberg. But a dedicated and vocal group of gun control advocates could force every state in the country to implement significant change, she adds. “If we could create an army,” says Fichtenberg, “of people who care about the safety of black children (and are) willing to be as vocal at the state level as the small group of extremists preventing these kinds of measures at the federal level, we could create the policy we need in all 50 states.”
(Janell Ross is a reporter in New York who covers political and economic issues. She is working on a book about race, economic inequality and the recession, due to be published by Beacon Press next year. Follow her on Twitter.)
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Positive parenting protects and pays
“I grew up poor, but I didn’t know it.” Many of us have heard and been inspired by rags to riches stories told by adults who overcame risk factors in their childhood, and avoided becoming products of their environment. Poor upbringing, single-parent family homes, resource-deprived neighborhoods and communities are all conditions that many young children confront, but still manage to excel and beat the odds stacked against them. So what is it that separates the stories of triumph from those of defeat? More often than not, the common denominator is the presence of a loving and supportive parent who offered positive reinforcement and understood the importance of making the most of a bad situation in order to protect their child’s future. Research shows that positive parenting provides a protective buffer that shields children from harsh realities. When a baby is born, her brain is akin to a clean slate. Every single person, place or thing that she encounters during the first three years of life will shape her mental foundation for learning about and understanding of the world around her. It is critically important for all parents to focus on filling a baby’s brain with positive experiences, and to maintain a nurturing home environment in order to encourage optimal development. Unfortunately, for some parents the task is easier said than done. Unique family circumstances such as low income, low parental education levels, and/or maternal depression can greatly hinder a parents’ ability to give their children the affection, time, and attention that all babies need to feel protected and loved. According to The Urban Child Institute, children born into middle and/or high-income families with both parents present have access to
more resources to support healthy early childhood development and to promote kindergarten readiness. But for young children who are subjected to lesser living Tarrin conditions, the McGhee transition into childhood and even adulthood may prove to be more challenging. The high stress and anxiety levels that each of these unique circumstances creates can cause parents to unknowingly put their child at risk for slower developmental progress. How is this possible? Newborn and infant children thrive in positive environments. Positive experiences, positive interactions with adults, and positive surroundings all offer a security blanket that babies ages zero to three need to develop self-control, selfconfidence, and the ability to think independently. These are skills that are needed to excel inside and outside of the classroom. The same positivity pays philosophy is applicable during any stage of life. Even as we mature into adulthood and later begin our careers, we are still driven by positive people, positive feedback, and positive reinforcement of our talents and abilities offered by teachers, parents, colleagues, and peers. And even when adults experience setbacks, harsh treatment or any sort of negativity, we have the troubleshooting skills needed to bounce back and keep pressing forward. But when a young child endures hardship, the clean mental slate that she is born with can quickly become soiled by negative emotions and feelings that may be detrimental to her overall social, and emotional stability. Because baby brains aren’t yet
equipped to process and overcome adversity, parents who find themselves raising children under less than ideal circumstances must commit to bear the brunt of the misfortune and do what they can to ensure the stress and anxiety that they feel is not transferred to the child. This may mean finding ways to maximize limited resources by taking advantage of free services, seeking support from other family members, and essentially devoting one’s self to the task of ensuring that your child is positioned to enjoy a better life. The Urban Child Institute has found that the environment in which a child is raised from birth to age three can often predict future life outcomes, but it is also evident that demographics do not always determine destiny. Currently more than half of the children who live in Memphis are considered poor or low-income with 39 percent living below the federal poverty level. However, through positive parenting and more community resources like quality pre-K to support early childhood development, it is possible to ensure that those children do not grow up and perpetuate cycles of poverty and despair. No matter the circumstances surrounding a child’s birth and introduction to the world, all parents typically share a common desire to see their children succeed in school and in life. Maintaining a positive attitude and responsive living environment are essential to the parenting process, and will encourage continued progress throughout a child’s early developmental stages and beyond.
(The New Tri-State Defender has partnered with The Urban Child Institute to make sure every child has the best chance for optimal brain development during the critical first three years of each child’s life. This is one in a series of stories and columns in our campaign.)
‘Head start’ for children merits pre-K sales tax
If every child in Shelby County is given a head start in life, there is a preponderance of evidence that that child would go on to become a productive member of society – which means skilled workers would be added to the workforce, crime and poverty would decrease, and the need for public assistance would be reduced. We’re at a crossroad where a decision has to be made to bring the aforementioned scenario into reality. But that decision would have to be made by the voters of Memphis via a referendum that will be on the ballot this fall to increase the sales tax by a half-cent. If approved, $47 million could be generated, with about $30 million earmarked for pre-K and $17 million to reduce property tax rates. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is not alone in its support of a halfcent sales tax increase for early childhood education. It is a civil rights issue and one of the NAACP’s “5 Game Changers for the 21st Century.” There are others in support of this initiative as well,
Tri-State Defender Platform
including city officials and a number of education advocates who see the significance and critical need of supporting the education of children at the pre-K level. While some Rev. Keith people may conNorman sider a sales tax increase to be egregious and regressive, impacting those who can least afford it, it is justified in this case to prevent our children from failing in life before they’re given an opportunity to succeed. As adults and concerned citizens of Memphis and Shelby County, it is our responsibility to provide our children with the essential tools that are needed to increase their cognitive skills and ensure their academic success from pre-K to graduation and beyond. The suburban voters in Lakeland, Germantown, Collierville, Arlington and Bartlett have already passed
1. Racial prejudice worldwide must be destroyed. 2. Racially unrestricted membership in all jobs,public and private. 3. Equal employment opportunities on all jobs, public and private. 4. True representation in all U.S. police forces. 5. Complete cessation of all school segregation. 6. Federal intervention to protect civil rights in all instances where civil rights compliance at the state level breaks down
a sales tax referendum to fund, in part, their own respective municipal school districts. The voters in Memphis need a revenue stream to fund the early education of our own children, particularly since the merger of Memphis and Shelby County schools on July 1. Thousands of children are left out of pre-K each year because of federal and local budget cuts, and it is imperative that we, as a community, find a way to make sure those most vulnerable have a starting chance to become productive members of society. Our children need a firm, educational foundation to advance in life and to prevent them from languishing in poverty and turning to crime. Since nearly 30 percent of our children are reportedly povertystricken, we have a chance to do something about it. We must vote this fall to increase the sales tax by a half-cent.
(The Rev. Keith Norman is president of the Memphis Branch NAACP and pastor of First Baptist Church – Broad.)
DISTRIBUTION: Tri-State Defender is available at newsstands, street sales, store vendors, mail subscription and honor boxes throughout the Greater Memphis area. No person may, without prior written permission of the Tri-State Defender, reprint any part of or duplicate by electronic device any portion without written permission. Copyright 2013 by TriState Defender Publishing, Inc. Permission to Publisher, Tri-State Defender, 203 Beale Street, Suite 200, Memphis, TN. 38103. Back copies can be obtained by calling the Tri-State Defender at (901) 523-1818, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
OPINION
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October 10 - 16, 2013
Yes, mental illness affects ‘us’ NNPA
by George E. Curry On Monday, Sept. 16, the news was shocking: A contract employee who worked at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., later identified as Aaron Alexis, killed 12 innocent people in the facility before he was killed by police. For many African Americans, our first thought was: “I hope it wasn’t one of us.” On Oct. 3, there was another disturbing incident in the nation’s capital: An unarmed woman with her 1-year-old child in the car, drove her vehicle into barriers outside the White House and on Capitol Hill before being shot to death by police. Again, we thought: “I hope it wasn’t one of us.” And the next day brought additional bad news from Washington: A man poured gasoline over his body and set himself on fire on the National Mall. He died the next day. Once again: “I hope it wasn’t one of us.” In each case, it was one of us. Aaron Alexis, the Navy Yard gunman, was black. Miriam Carey, the 34-year old dental hygienist from Stamford, Conn. was an African American. And the unidentified man who burned himself to death on the Mall was also black. More important than their race, Aaron Alexis, Miriam Carey and possibly the man who set himself on fire suffered from a mental disorder. And that’s something we have been reluctant to discuss. But it’s time for that to change. In an interview last year on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation,” Dr. William Lawson, profes-
sor of psychiatry and chairman of psychiatry at Howard University College of Medicine, discussed some of the factors Aaron in our reAlexis fusal to seek help for mental problems. “Many African Americans have a lot of negative feelings about or not even aware of Miriam mental Carey health services,” he said. “They are not aware of the symptoms of many mental disorders, or they may believe that to be mentally ill is a sign of weakness or a sign of character fault.” That attitude permeates Black America, regardless of income level. “In places like Los Angeles and New York, everyone and their pet has a therapist, yet even among the wealthy and elite, many African Americans continue to hold stigmatizing beliefs about mental illness.” Monnica Williams wrote in Psychology Today. “For example, a qualitative study by Alvidrez et al., (2008) found that among blacks who were already mental health consumers, over a third felt that mild depression or anxiety would be considered ‘crazy’ in
their social circles. Talking about problems with an outsider (i.e., therapist) may be viewed as airing one’s ‘dirty laundry,’ and even more telling is the fact that over a quarter of those consumers felt that discussions about mental illness would not be appropriate even among family.” Williams observed, “African Americans share the same mental health issues as the rest of the population, with arguably even greater stressors due to racism, prejudice, and economic disparities. Meanwhile, many wonder why African Americans shy away from psychotherapy as a potential solution to challenges such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, marriage problems, and parenting issues. As a black psychologist, it is troublesome that so many African Americans are reluctant to make use of psychology’s solutions to emotional hurdles.” And when blacks do seek help to get over those emotional hurdles, they tend to do so later, when treatment might not be as effective as it may have been if they had sought help earlier. In addition to our antiquated attitude toward mental health, medical professionals also share part of the blame. A fact sheet by the National Alliance on Mental Health notes: • African Americans in the United States are less likely to receive accurate diagnoses than their Caucasian counterparts. Schizophrenia, for instance has been shown to be over diagnosed in the African American population; • Culture biases against mental health professionals
Affordable Health Care here to stay We won a battle three years ago to improve access to affordable health care for every American and finally it’s here. The Health Insurance Marketplace – a key component of the Affordable Care Act – is open for business. Here is how it works. First, if you are among the vast majority of Americans who already have health insurance that you like, you can keep it and you don’t have to change a thing. The only changes you will see are new benefits, better protections from insurance company abuses and more value for every dollar you spend on health care. For example, you can no longer be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition and you can’t be canceled because you get sick. Young people can be covered by their parents up to age 26. Most people will now be eligible for free preventive screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol tests, mammograms, and colonoscopies. Insurance companies will no longer be able to set a lifetime dollar limit on what they spend for your essential health services. In addition,
47 million women will gain access to preventive health services. The law makes it illegal to charge women d i ff e r e n t Marc rates than H. Morial men. And seniors on Medicare will have access to cheaper drugs, and free preventive care. For the millions of Americans who currently have no health insurance, the new law offers a long-awaited lifeline of protection. As of Oct. 1, with a visit to the Health Insurance Marketplace at www.HealthCare .gov, you can learn if you can get lower costs based on your income, compare your coverage options side-byside, and enroll. When you use the Marketplace, or “health insurance exchange,” as it is also called, you’ll fill out an application and see all the health plans available in your area. You’ll provide some information
about your household size and income to find out if you can get lower costs on your monthly premiums for private insurance plans. You’ll learn if you qualify for lower out-ofpocket costs. The Marketplace can also tell you if you qualify for free or low-cost coverage available through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The open enrollment period runs from now to March 31. Coverage begins on January 1, 2014. You can also get help by phone, 24/7, by calling 1-800318-2596. And local help can be found by visiting LocalHelp.HealthCare.Gov. … While there will inevitably be some start-up wrinkles, this law is good for the health of the American people and good for the nation. Congressional extremists bent on stopping its implementation are fighting a losing battle and only putting their own political futures at risk. (NNPA Columnist Marc H. Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.)
and health care professionals in general prevent many African Americans from accessing care due to prior experiences with historical misdiagnoses, inadequate treatment and a lack of cultural understanding; only 2 percent of psychiatrists, 2 percent of psychologists and 4 percent of social workers in the United States are African Americans; • Overall sensitivity to African-American cultural differences, such as differences in medication metabolization rates, unique views of mental illness and propensity towards experiencing certain mental illnesses, can improve African-Americans’ treatment experiences and increase utilization of mental health care services. Dr. Sarah Vinson, who created the website BlackMentalHealthNet.com, said mental
A man poured gasoline over his body and set himself on fire on the National Mall last Friday (Oct. 4). He died the next day.
illness takes a high toll on African Americans. In an Emory University posting, she said: “Untreated, mental illness can cause strained relationships, social dysfunction, and numerous other problems that can end up in divorce, unemployment, and suicide.” (In addition to Dr. Vinson’s website, further information on mental illness can be obtained from the U.S. Depart-
ment of Health & Human Services’ Office of Minority Health and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.)
(George E. Curry is editorin-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He can be reached via www.george curry.com. Follow him at www.twitter.com/currygeorge and George E. Curry Fan Page on Facebook.)
BUSINESS
Page 6
ON OUR WAY TO WEALTHY
Living legends have a wealth of knowledge I recently had an opportunity to see “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” and it was moving. One of the things that impacted me was observing how various moments in history could be seen and experienced from so many different perspectives. I also realized that I did not have to go see Daniel’s fine work to hear actual stories about the civil rights experience. Influencers of the civil rights movement abound in Memphis. Among them is TriState Bank President Jesse H. Turner Jr., whose experience frequently gets overlooked by documenters of Memphis history. He was the first to integrate a high school in the city of Memphis, breaking the barrier at Christian Brothers High School (CBHS) in 1963. At the time, CBHS was off of the radar screen. Not only was it not public, it was Catholic and all boys at the time. Set on the campus of Christian Brothers College, CBHS was governed by the Catholic Diocese and not subject to the intense scrutiny of public schools. There were other Catholic schools, such as Father Bertrand, that were reserved for African Americans, but
Tri-State Defender
October 10 - 16, 2013
T u r n e r ’s parents decided to apply for admission to CBHS after his late father – Jesse H. Turner Sr., the longtime treaCarlee McCullough surer of t h e NAACP and former president of TriState Bank – had seen a flyer for the school. Active in her own r i g h t , T u r n e r ’s Jesse H. mother, Turner Jr. Allegra Turner, was a prominent civic, civil rights and social activist as well as an author. Brother Terence McLaughlin, then-president of Christian Brothers University, made the executive decision to admit young Turner. McLaughlin, a rather progressive transplant to the Memphis area, transferred to the Bluff City
from Chicago. His ideas and perspective on what was right and wrong differed greatly from much of the local leadership. McLaughlin’s decision to go against Bishop William Adrian took wisdom and guts. The Diocese had made the decision in the fall of 1963 to admit African-American children to Catholic schools in grades first through fourth, but McLaughlin was addressing high school. The backdrop was a truly segregated Memphis. “Unless you lived through some of this, it is kind of hard to imagine it today,” Turner said in a recent interview with The New Tri-State Defender. “African Americans could only go to the zoo or fair grounds one day a week. Blacks had to sit in the balcony at movie theaters. Medgar Evans was assassinated in June of 1963. The four little girls had been bombed in Birmingham. But due to the “sit inners” and the NAACP, wherever you looked there were cracks in the wall.” As Turner recalled, the integration of Christian Brothers was “very peaceful” compared to all that was going on in the city and nationally. “A good bit of that had to do
with the school’s willingness to accept me,” said Turner. “After the authorities asked Brother Terrance to reverse the decision, my father threatened to sue since we had a contract that indicated they accepted us willingly. So the diocese reversed itself and decided to let me in. I was going to a school where the top person, Brother Terrance, accepted my coming, which was far different than other institutions that did not accept the integration. So other people fell in line.” Most students left Turner alone, however, a few chose to throw punches. Instructed by his father to defend himself, he punched back and the incoming punches soon stopped. For Turner and others who traveled the rough road of integration, it took determination, will power, nerves of steel and fortitude. I was honored to have the conversation with Turner, gaining a heightened respect for those that personally lived through the events detailed in “Lee Daniels’ The Butler.” I also came away with a fresh appreciation for the entrepreneurial foundation that is rooted in living legends with a wealth of knowledge.
MONEY MATTERS
Me, my church and a wealth replacement trust Charitable giving can be a rewarding experience by allowing you to both give and receive. To enjoy the benefits of charitable giving, you can use a variety of strategies.
Charitable remainder trusts – the basics
To establish a charitable remainder trust, you transfer appreciated property to an irrevocable trust and designate the charity of your choice as the beneficiary of the trust. The property within the trust is then sold and reinvested to provide income. You retain a lifetime interest in the income generated by the trust, and when the trust expires at your death, the property within the trust is transferred to the charitable organization. You are entitled to a current income tax deduction for the charitable gift, subject to certain limits. And because the property was sold within the charitable trust, you will not have to pay tax on any capital gains. This enables the full value of your property to be reinvested, which will increase the income generated by the trust. It also enables the charity to receive a larger gift. If you have heirs, charitable remainder trusts have one major drawback: When the charitable trust terminates, the property within the trust is transferred to the charitable organization – rather than to family heirs. So while the charitable remainder trust offers many benefits, this strategy can effectively disinherit your heirs.
Replacing gifted assets
Going paper bookless…
BiblioTech, which opened in San Antonio last month, is the first library to offer only e-books and audiobooks. It provides a “digital lifeline” to a mostly Hispanic neighborhood, where 40 percent of households donʼt have a computer and half lack broadband Internet service. (Photo: BiblioTech)
One effective solution to this situation could be a wealth replacement trust. To create a wealth replacement trust, you use a portion of the income from a charitable remainder trust to buy a life insurance policy. You decide how much of the charitable gift to replace. You can buy enough insurance to replace only a portion of the property that will eventually pass to charity, or you may prefer to replace all of the property within the
charitable remainder trust. T h e wealth replacem e n t trust is often designed so that Charles Sims Jr., CFP upon the death of the second spouse, the death benefit of the life insurance policy goes to your heirs. These funds replace the property that passes to the charity from the charitable remainder trust. And because the life insurance policy is owned by the trust, the proceeds of the policy will generally not be subject to estate taxes at either death.
An appropriate strategy?
If this strategy sounds interesting to you, there are a variety of considerations. The cost and availability of life insurance depend on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance. As with most financial decisions, there are expenses associated with the purchase of life insurance. Policies commonly have mortality and expense charges. In addition, if a policy is surrendered prematurely there may be surrender charges and income tax implications. Before implementing this strategy, it would be prudent to make sure you are insurable. In many cases, the wealth replacement trust could be an appropriate way to preserve family wealth. While trusts offer numerous advantages, they involve up-front costs and ongoing administrative fees. The use of trusts involves a complex web of tax rules and regulations. You might consider enlisting the counsel of an experienced estate planning professional and your legal and tax advisors before implementing such strategies (Charles Sims Jr. is president/ CEO of The Sims Financial Group. Contact him at 901-682-2410 or visit w w w. S i m s F i n a n c i a l Group.com.)
National online furniture retailer ushers in flagship showroom Decadent Avenue, an ecommerce retailer of fine furniture, will open its first North American retail showroom in East Memphis on Nov 1, with the Greater Memphis Chamber holding a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. “We are excited to make Memphis the home base for what will be many more showrooms throughout North
America,” said Neil Phillips, co-founder of Decadent Avenue. To celebrate the move into the Memphis area (888 South White Station Rd.), a portion of the opening-weekend proceeds will be donated to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital to assist the hospital in its mission to provide Memphis-area children with a healthier, safer
childhood. “Partnering with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital aligns with our mission to give back to the community while making a positive impact within the Mid-South area,” said co-founder, Robert Ajam. “The 25,000 square foot facility has been meticulously planned and designed to cre-
ate the perfect shopping environment for home furnishing shoppers in Memphis,” added Simon Eid, co-founder of Decadent Avenue. Decadent Avenue opens with rich ties to destination furniture shopping locations in both Alabama and Louisiana. Decadent Avenue’s sister stores, Birmingham Wholesale Furniture and
Louisiana Furniture Gallery, have been in business for over 65 years combined. In Memphis, Decadent Avenue is envisioned as “an allinclusive furniture shopping experience that is truly like no other.” Every customer will be paired with a complimentary personal designer qualified to help with every aspect of the home-furnishing experience,
including furniture customization, accessory selection and space planning. Plans call for the Memphis operation to carry rugs, fabrics and draperies by early next year or sooner. Decadent Avenue will also cater to independent interior designers by providing a furniture hub with styles ranging from traditional, transitional, urban-loft, to glamorous.
RELIGION
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October 10 - 16, 2013
LIVING THE LIFE I LOVE
What to do when the question feels nosey
Dear Lucy: I was at a professional party recently and met up with an acquaintance who has just gotten a man in her life and told me all about him and how happy she was. She quizzed me about my love life and my guy wanting and expecting me to tell her as much as she told me. She was downright insisting that I give her details about who he is, how we met, what kind of work he does. I never asked her these questions. I don’t get it. She caught me off guard and I tried to answer her only to be mad at myself later. How do you handle that? – Ticked Off Dear Ticked Off: That is routine middle class drama. Some people have homegrown manners and ask how you are doing. Others ask what, when, why, how, where you are doing. Some ask out of profound and heartfelt interest in your welfare and happiness. Others ask because they are nosey and want to be sure you have not gotten ahead of them. That brings me to point number one. No matter what we are talking to people about, motivation is every-
thing. It is really useful sometimes to sweetly and gently ask people “why?” when they begin to ask questions that don’t feel right to you. Some people don’t know any better. Some Lucy people do know Shaw better and just want to see what they can get away with. People rarely expect you to answer a question with a question. Nosey people really do depend upon your having enough manners and good will to just answer whatever they ask. We are justified in our motives. When our motives are pure, so are the vibrations of our questions. This lady made you uncomfortable. The vibe wasn’t working for you and that was a warning to gently ask her why or to get away from her. Some folk have no sense of boundaries. Boundaries are the hedge or fence that we construct
around ourselves. I believe that the Lord certainly puts a fence around us, but we are called to learn how to make some fences of our own and be firm about them. There are some things that simply are not the business of others; and some things that you are not obligated to discuss with others. My mother used to say that wisdom is knowing what you need to simply take to the grave with you because sharing it with others will serve no worthwhile purpose. It also sounds like a lot of personal uncertainty on the part of your acquaintance. Sometimes people tell something just to grease the tracks so that you will tell something too. And then there is the one who just wants to be sure that he/she is doing better than you. Other than being in a state of shock, I imagine that you didn’t ask all about her man because a) it was not polite; b) you didn’t have to because she volunteered and c) you didn’t care. I would choose “c,”, not caring. Not because I am not happy for her or wish her well. It is because whomever any of us choose to be
with is our business and if you like it, then I love it! She did not need your approval to continue with her man and you were not seeking hers. Sometimes we go around telling our business because we are not secure or comfortable with that business. We keep telling it in the hopes that some wise person will confirm what we already know and don’t want to face. You asked. I answered. Better luck next time! Blessings, Lucy
(Check out Lucy Shaw’s website at http://www.heartworks4u.com. You may send your questions to her by U.S. mail to: Heartworks4U, LLC; 4646 Poplar Ave. Ste 201, Memphis, TN 38117 or by e-mail to lucy@heartworks4u.com.) (For help with the feelings that get in the way of prayer and peace of mind, get Lucy’s new book, “BE NOT ANXIOUS.” Order it directly from her at 901-907-0260 or go to her web site www.heartworks4u.com.)
RELIGION BRIEFS Women’s Month at Middle Baptist
The theme for Women’s Month at Middle Baptist Church, 801 Whitehaven Lane, is “Women Passing on Wisdom” (Proverbs). The officers for the month’s focus are Darcus Payne, chairperson, Carlean Ruffin, president, and Alene Greenlee, vice president. Here is the schedule: Women’s Conference – Saturday (Oct. 12), DeWana Edwards and Danielle Olison, co-chairpersons. So You Think You Have Talent Show & Fish Fry – Oct. 25 at 7 p.m., chairpersons: Kristen Hurd, Martha Edwards and Marla Cooper. Dr. Tonea Stewart will be the guest speaker at 11 a.m. on Oct. 27. Middle Baptist For more information, visit www.middlebaptistchurch.com.
Greater Middle Baptist focuses on women
Stella Payton will be the guest speaker when the young adults at Greater Middle Baptist Church at 4982 Knight Arnold Rd. focus on Women’s Day 2013 on Sunday (Oct. 13). The service begins at 10:45 a.m., with Tamara Jones as chairperson. Also on Women’s Day 2013, the theme of which is “Portrait of a Godly Woman” (Proverbs 31:10), the Rev. Norma J. Cole Meadows of New Sardis Baptist Church will be a guest speaker.
Twenty-fiveyears ago, Mother Teresa visited North Memphis establishing the Missionaries of Charity, which includes a shelter maintained by these sisters. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)
Mass honors Mother Teresa and her Memphis followers Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Kelly Martin
Humble spirits and serving hearts were celebrated at the Jubilee Celebration Mass at Holy Names Catholic Church on Saturday (Oct. 5). Many gathered to honor the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity for the selfless service they extend to homeless women and children. Bishop J. Terry Steib, SVD, who oversees the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, was the celebrant. Twenty-five-years ago, Mother Teresa made her monumental trek to North Memphis establishing the Missionaries of Charity during the visit. Since then, the shelter – operating in love – has provided shelter, clothing, food and medical assistance. Steib spoke about the goodness of
God, exuding passion as he talked of instilling dignity back into the lives of homeless people. With the utmost respect, he honored and thanked the sisters for their tireless work and ministry. Students from Holy Names Catholic School sang hymns and the “Lord’s Supper” was prepared. An exhibition of Mother Teresa’s life was displayed in the Holy Names gymnasium. It noted her background and highlighted her work. She died in 1997. Steib’s message underscored the basic fact that there is much work yet to be done in Memphis, with scores of less fortunate individuals in need of services, care and hope. He left no doubt that the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity have upheld their end of the bargain in exemplifying the work of Mother Teresa.
Ron Redwing was the director of Communication/Public Relations for the Catholic Diocese of Memphis when Mother Teresa visited in 1988. Now the president/CEO of The Redwing Group, LLC, he was on hand Saturday (Oct. 5) for the Jubilee Celebration Mass noting the historic visit. (Photo: courtesy)
PRAISE CONNECT
Scalia says Satan is ‘a real person’ CNN
by Daniel Burke
As the Supreme Court begins its new term Monday, the devil is not on the docket – but the Evil One apparently is on the mind of Justice Antonin Scalia. New York magazine has published a fascinating new interview with Scalia in which the outspoken jurist tackled a number of topics. But none seemed to surprise Scalia’s interviewer, Jennifer Senior, more than his views on Satan. The interview was conducted on September 26, the 27th anniversary of Scalia’s swearing-in as a justice on the high court. He is one of a record six Catholic justices on the Antonin Supreme Court. G. Scalia After Scalia and Senior discussed heaven and hell (he believes in them; she doesn’t), the justice said in a stage whisper, “I even believe in the devil.” “You do?” Senior replied. “Of course! Yeah, he’s a real person. Hey, come on, that’s standard Catholic doctrine! Every Catholic believes that,” Scalia said. Senior asked Scalia if he’s seen evidence of Satan’s work recently. “You know, it is curious,” Scalia answered. “In the Gospels, the devil is doing all sorts of things. He’s making pigs run off cliffs, he’s possessing people and whatnot. And that doesn’t happen very much anymore. ... It’s because he’s smart.” Scalia said the Devil has gotten “wilier” and convinced people that he and God don’t exist. The justice added that he doesn’t think that atheists are Satan’s minions, but that disbelief in God “certainly favors the devil’s desires.” Senior asked if it’s “frightening” to believe in the devil, which seemed to annoy Scalia. “You’re looking at me as though I’m weird,” he answered. “My God! Are you so out of touch with most of America, most of which believes in the devil? I mean, Jesus Christ believed in the devil! It’s in the Gospels! You travel in circles that are so, so removed from mainstream America that you are appalled that anybody would believe in the devil! Most of mankind has believed in the devil, for all of history. Many more intelligent people than you or me have believed in the devil.” Scalia, whose son, Paul, is a Catholic priest in Arlington, Va., also said Pope Francis is “absolutely” right about the church needing to concentrate more on mercy and outreach than on fighting the culture wars. “But he hasn’t backed off the view of the church on those issues,” Scalia said. “He’s just saying, ‘Don’t spend all our time talking about that stuff. Talk about Jesus Christ and evangelize.’ I think there’s no indication whatever that he’s changing doctrinally.”
-A WEEKLY DIRECTORY OF MINISTERS & CHURCHES-
METROPOLITAN BAPTIST CHURCH Dr. Reginald L. Porter Sr., Pastor
767 Walker Avenue Memphis, TN 38126
ASSOCIATE MINISTERS
901-946-4095 fax 948-8311
Rev. Davena Young Porter Rev. Linda A Paige Rev. Luecretia Matthews SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
SUNDAY Sunday School .....................8:30 am Morning Worship Service ....10:00am
WEDNESDAY Bible Study .........................10:30 am Mid-Day Prayer Meeting .....12 noon Evening Prayer Meeting........7:00pm FRIDAY Cable Channel 17 ............... 8:00pm
Dr. & Rev. Mrs. Reginald Porter
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. —Matthew 7: 1-2
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. —Phillipians 4:13
ENTERTAINMENT Tri-State Defender, Thursday, October 10 - 16, 2013, Page 8
You have my attention…
Three-time Grammy Award nominee Boney James was a crowd pleaser during a soulful show last Saturday (Oct. 5) at the Cannon Center that also featured crooner Raheem DeVaughn and Memphis artist Karen Brown. (Photo: Christopher Hope).
Michael B. Jordan in “Fruitvale Station.” (Photo: Weinstein Company)
A black film renaissance? Or, a step backward? The Grio
by Ronda Racha Penrice
Halle Berry
New mom Halle Berry lands CBS show CNN
by Breeanna Hare Halle Berry is the latest film star to make a move for the small screen. The 47-year-old Oscar winner will lead a new CBS serialized drama called “Extant” from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television. “There’s only one Halle Berry and we are incredibly honored that she has chosen ‘Extant’ to expand her illustrious career,” Spielberg said in a statement. “As she does with everything she touches, she will bring a deep authenticity to her role and I very much look forward to working with her.” Berry will portray an astronaut who returns home after a year-long solo space mission and tries to reconnect with her son and husband. The official synopsis hints that her “experiences in space and (at) home lead to events that ultimately will change the course of human history.” Spielberg is going to executive produce “Extant” along with Greg Walker, Brooklyn Weaver, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank and Mickey Fisher, who penned the script. Berry will also serve as co-executive producer on the project, which is slated to bow on CBS in summer 2014. “I’m always on the lookout for amazing roles and when you see material that contains ... nuance and complexity, it compels me to run toward it no matter the medium,” Berry explained of her decision to become a TV regular once again. (Nope, we haven’t forgotten about “Living Dolls.’) “For five months a year, I’ll get to live with and play this incredibly intelligent and vulnerable woman, and for the remainder of the year I’ll continue to look for other roles that move me as deeply as this one,” she added. In that case, perhaps the latest addition to her family helped her decide to seal the deal. Berry and her new husband, Olivier Martinez, welcomed their first son together on Oct. 5, making the actress a mom of two. She also has a daughter, fiveyear-old Nahla, with ex Gabriel Aubry.
Huffington Post Entertainment Editor Kia Makarechi is absolutely right to title his well-intentioned piece “Hollywood’s ‘Race Problem’ Is Worse Than You Think.” In it, Makarechi discusses the stark reality behind the possibility that Chiwetal Ejiofor (“12 Years a Slave”), Idris Elba (“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”), Michael B. Jordan (“Fruitvale Station”) and Forest Whitaker (“Lee Daniel’s ‘The Butler’”) could all be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. While it is certainly good news that Ejiofor, Elba, Jordan and Whitaker are indeed on the tongues of Hollywood’s top critics for nominations, it is, according to Makarechi, bittersweet. For Makarechi, the roles for which these men are garnering praise are ones that “have to be played by black actors” and that, for Makarechi, indicates no true progression in Hollywood. Makarechi argues that “the fact that (black actors are) generally only rewarded for roles that literally could not be given to white actors is cause for concern.” Breaking it down further, he writes, “A study of the roles that have earned black men Best Actor nominations reveals that this is a historical problem.” Sidney Poitier’s character in the novel behind the movie “Lilies of the Field,” for example, had to be black, he notes. So did Ray Charles, for which Jamie Foxx won his Oscar, and Idi Amin, Uganda’s third president, for which Forest Whitaker won his Oscar. Of course, the notable exception is Denzel Washington for “Training Day.” But while Makarechi sees the fact that black actors are only generally recognized for playing real-life roles or roles in which no white actor could realistically be cast (although Hollywood has found ways to work around even that) as a problem, it isn’t necessarily. Yes black actors should be cast in more mainstream, read “white,” films but, the main problem with Hollywood is that they generally only make films with white people. This year’s crop of films may be bountiful in its showcase of black male actors but that’s far from the norm. Reality, however, is that lots and lots of films get made without black actors of any gender getting cast at all. Sadly it’s only at awards time that most mainstream critics even notice the slight at all. After all, we’ve been so conditioned that films are the province of white men. Truth be told, Hollywood has had no change of heart with the films for which Ejiofor, Elba, Jordan and Whitaker are receiving Oscar buzz, either. All four of these films, as Makarechi notes, were all done independently and never even originated from the Hollywood pipeline. Hollywood would much rather greenlight films like “Dumb and Dumber,” whose sequel, “Dumb and Dumber To” (yes that is the title), is now being filmed, than race a long overdue all-out biopic on Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest figures of the 20th century, to the big screen. Makarechi asserts that most of the films in which black actors have starred are true stories, as if that’s some egregious assault, when the reality is that a lot of films, especially those recognized by the Academy Awards, are based on true stories. Colin Firth won his Best Actor Oscar for playing the real-life King George VI in “The King’s Speech,” about him overcoming his speech impediment. Daniel Day-Lewis won earlier this year for playing Abraham Lincoln. Many films generally take their cues from history: “Titanic,” “Schindler’s List,” “Walk the Line,” “Argo,” the list is endless. So, if Hollywood is mining the history books anyway, why not tap more stories
Idris Elba and Riaad Moosa in “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.” (Photo: Keith Bernstein/Weinstein Company)
Oprah Winfrey and Forest Whitaker in “Lee Danielsʼ the Butler.” (Photo: Anne Marie Fox/The Weinstein Company)
from African-American history and make even more films of the caliber of this year’s offerings? After all, is having one black actor in a cast that is at least 90 percent white really progress? Even sadder though, as Makarechi also observes, is the plight of black actresses. They have fared even worse at the Oscars because you simply can’t be nominated for roles in which you are rarely ever cast. Because when black women are cast, as evidenced by breakout star Lupita Nyong’o in “12 Years a Slave” and Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious,” or the pint-sized Quvenzhané Wallis, whose breakout role in “Beasts of the Southern Wild” resulted in her Oscar nomination earlier this year, great things do happen. With this piece, Makarechi focuses on the black male actor and his plight and, in that regard, argues that true equality in film will come “when Hollywood casting directors and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences view people of color as deserving of equal opportunities to shine when a black man in the role of a fictional caring father,
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup in “Twelve Years a Slave.” (Photo: Fox Searchlight)
son, teacher, student, doctor, author or otherwise non-racially coded character is nominated for and wins Best Actor.” Makarechi indeed has good intentions here but they reveal that he is guilty of the same racial myopia that continues to cripple the Hollywood system that he rightly blasts. Hollywood’s main problem is not its failure to cast black men in roles where they are fathers, teachers, students, doctors or what Makarechi calls “otherwise non-racially coded characters.” Instead, its failure is not being able to look at a story like “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” for example, and see that, in addition to being an extraordinary human rights activist, he too is a father, son, teacher, student and more. Until Hollywood can look at a story and see it as a good story, even when it has no central roles for white male actors especially, it will never progress. There’s nothing wrong with making films with “roles white men could never play”; the foul is that the unstated criteria for “legitimate” films, certainly those that receive virtually all the Oscar nominations, is that white men have to play critical roles. Until we all recognize this, Hollywood’s race problem will continue to be worse than even well-intentioned entertainment insiders like Makarechi think.
ENTERTAINMENT
Tri-State Defender
Page 9
October 10 - 16, 2013
Oct. 10-16, 2013
OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam’s Kapsules:
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Kam Williams
For movies opening Oct. 11, 2013
BIG BUDGET FILMS
“Captain Phillips” (PG-13 for intense violence, sustained terror, bloody images and substance abuse) Tom Hanks stars in this action thriller, directed by Paul Greengrass, reenacting the 2009 rescue by Navy SEALs of an American container ship hijacked by Somali pirates. With Catherine Keener, Barkhad Abdi and Faysal Ahmed.
“Machete Kills” (R for profanity, sexuality and pervasive graphic violence) Danny Trejo reprises the title role in this high body-count sequel which finds the intrepid detectiveturned-spy recruited by the U.S. President (Charlie Sheen) to foil a terrorist plot being hatched by a Mexican madman (Demian Bichir) and an eccentric billionaire (Mel Gibson). Ensembler includes Lady Gaga, Sofia Vergara, Jessica Alba, Cuba Gooding Jr., Antonio Banderas and Amber Heard.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
“All the Boys Love Mandy Lane” (R for sexuality, nudity, profanity, violence and pervasive drug and alcohol use, all involving teens) High attrition-rate horror flick about a 16 year-old blossoming beauty (Amber Heard) invited by classmates intent on taking her virginity to a wild weekend party at a remote ranch in Texas where kids start disappearing one-by-one. With Anson Mount, Edwin Hodge and Michael Welch.
“Broadway Idiot” (Unrated) Punk rockumentary highlighting the effort to turn Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong’s hit album “American Idiot” into a Broadway musical. With Michael Mayer, John Gallagher Jr. and Michael Esper.
“CBGB” (R for sexuality, drug use, violence and pervasive profanity) Rock & Roll retrospective revolving around Hilly Cristal (Alan Rickman), the founder of CBGB, the legendary, Greenwich Village nightclub which launched the careers of such New Wave groups as Blondie, the B-52s, the Ramones and the Talking Heads. Cast includes Malin Akerman as Debbie Harry, Joel David Moore as Joey Ramone, Mickey Sumner as Patti Smith and Taylor Hawkins as Iggy Pop.
“Design Is One: The Vignellis” (Unrated) Fashion documentary revisiting the career of the husband and wife team of Massimo and Lella Vignellis, influential Italian designers of futuristic modern furniture, packaging, housewares and signage.
HOROSCOPES
Faysal Ahmed, Mahat Ali and Barkhad Abdirahman in “Captain Phillips,” starring Tom Hanks. (Photo: Jasin Boland/ Columbia Pictures)
“God Loves Uganda” (Unrated) Born Again documentary chronicling the campaign by Evangelical Christian missionaries to encourage the citizens of Uganda to abandon their cultural traditions in favor of Biblical law.
“The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete” (R for profanity, drug use and sexuality) Coming-of-age saga about a 9 (Ethan Dizon) and 13 year-old’s (Skylan Brooks) attempt to survive the summer on the sweltering streets of New York City after their substance-abusing mother (Jennifer Hudson) is arrested by the police. Cast includes Anthony Mackie, Jordin Sparks and Jeffrey Wright.
“Romeo and Juliet” (PG-13 for violence and mature themes) A tale of forbidden love, set in Renaissance Verona, loosely based on the Shakespeare classic about a star-crossed couple (Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth) hailing from feuding clans. With Paul Giamatti, Stellan Skarsgard, Damian Lewis and Ed Westwick.
ARIES Hardly anyone alive learns new skills in an instant so cut yourself some slack if you feel you’ve made a beginner’s mistake somewhere. Mistakes are part of the learning process that is called Life so self-correct and proceed with happiness. TAURUS A happy week is in store for sociable souls. Lots of friends and a party or two or three will keep your energy bright. Use caution while driving and watch for a pleasant surprise or two this week. GEMINI Your sense of self is feeling unusually welldefined. And it is causing you to look as confident as the lion that you are. People will notice your regal bearing and noble outlook. CANCER Busy week as the energy around you seems super-charged. With everyone rushing about you will wonder how you’ll get anything done. Not to worry. Stay calm and flexible and a way will be found. LEO You may feel a bit crabby about your health. If you feel you need a physical checkup make the appointment this week, if you want to feel and look better this week skip some lunches and take walks instead. VIRGO A new version of an old project lands on your desk this week. Recognize it as an opportunity to find the good in all situations. Think of ways to enjoy this task and you’ll feel happier at the end of the week. LIBRA Pleasure is on your agenda and you’ll find many ways to indulge your craving for quality leisure time. It’s a good idea to keep a cautious eye on your budget; don’t scrimp, just don’t overspend. Get-togethers with friends and family will add to your happiness. SCORPIO Communications flow smoothly this week and your intuition is high. A wild idea for money making could come to you, but you should let it walk on by. Stick to your current plan and use your imagination for ways to streamline your work. SAGITTARIUS The companionship of a dear friend is special this week. You’ll be deeply grateful that you have this person in your life. Friendship like this is a blessing, and you are truly blessed with many people who love and care for you. Letting them know how much you care will warm and charm the hearts near to you. CAPRICORN Communications between partners are tender and cooperative. You who are single are attracting new admirers. The feeling that you share the thoughts of another will be very strong this week. Call this person and validate your intuition. A new invitation arrives in the mail this week. AQUARIUS What’s this – a fly in your personal soup? Fish it out, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep your optimism revved up by remembering how unstoppably brilliant and wonderful you are. Practice your grace under a little pressure. You’ll be amazed and proud of yourself by how well you manage! PISCES You continue to feel very close to a partner, and romantic chat touches on deep subjects this week. Continue to explore your levels of intimacy. “How deep is your love?” and “Ain’t no mountain high enough”! Source: NNPA News Service
Page 10
NEWS
Health fair a matter of ‘principle’ for Memphis Kwanzaa International Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Brittney Gathen
Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia, (Self Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith) - Seven principles of Kwanzaa (African American holiday, Dec. 26-Jan 1. )
For 34 years, Memphis Kwanzaa International has been dedicated to providing health, culture and education to the community using the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The organization, which was founded by the late Adjua Naantaanbuu, is run by her daughter, Dr. Kaia Naantaanbuu, and now is in full-speed execution mode for its Annual Fall Health Fair. Held in connection with the University of Tennessee, the health fair event will be held Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Memphis Kwanzaa International center located at 1549 Elvis Presley Blvd. In addition to basic health care assessments and health education, the event’s offerings will include blood
pressure, diabetes and dental screenings, HIV Information and bone density tests. The providers will be the University of Tennessee, Southeast Mental Health Center, TENNderCare and Memphis Shelby County Health Center. Regina M. Hughes, who serves as the coordinator of the health fair and on the board of directors for Memphis Kwanzaa International, said the health fair is designed to promote change. “Nutritionally, we need to change our eating habits, exercise, and get educated about our conditions and help ourselves,” said Hughes “(You) need to get educated about your ailment and be well informed about your condition and how to manage (it) through education.” Memphis’ high rates of infant mortality and HIV cases are among many needs that African Americans must address, she said. “Our African American people need a lot. We need to enlighten our community, claim who we really are. We need to be united as a people. We’re some beautiful people. We need help. We need to be who we are, and know that we can make a change. We know what we need. We need to go back to the basics.”
Memphis Kwanzaa International is in need of certain things itself. “We need volunteers – people with gifts and talents. We need mentors, we need money,” said Hughes. The upcoming health fair is one of three held annually in the spring, summer and fall. Hughes notes that Memphis Kwanzaa International is devoted to the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of health. That implies ongoing outreach, with the group’s efforts including a prison outreach program. In the mix of future plans is partnering with area middle schools to help students with such things as learning different dialects. “I love my people. I see a change needs to be made socially, economically, spiritually,” said Hughes. “I want to make a different cultural, economical, nutritional, spiritual and educational reality. I want to be a catalyst for that change.” NOTE: Upcoming Memphis Kwanzaa International events: a November blood drive with the Red Cross, and a series of events in conjunction with the celebration of Kwanzaa, including the Dec. 28 Founder’s Night banquet. Tickets are $40 for the black tie affair in which people are encouraged to wear traditional African attire.
Dental crisis could create ‘State of Decay’ CNN
by Jen Christensen Obamacare expands access to health insurance for tens of millions of people come January 1. Dental care for adults, however, is not included, and experts say we’ve got a potential oral health care crisis coming. Studies show that people who have insurance are more likely to get regular dental care. But only about 2 percent of older Americans have dental insurance of any kind, according to a new report. “Until we have an expansion of this kind of coverage, and until we have people really recognizing what this means for their overall health, I do believe we have an unimaginable tragedy on our hands,” said Beth Truett, president and CEO of Oral Health America. Truett’s organization published the report “State of Decay: Are older Americans coming of age without oral health care?” which shows that baby boomers – who have, for the most part, kept their natural teeth – could be facing some serious oral health problems over the next decade. People with low income and racial and ethnic minorities are particularly vulnerable, according to the report. “It’s an issue that is particularly important that is not always talked about,” said Ira Lamster, dean of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. “People in the United States are retaining their teeth, and as a result, teeth that have been in use for 50 or 60 or 70 years will have problems.” Neither Medicare nor the Affordable Care Act includes adult dental coverage, although some pediatric dental care is covered. Even the Medigap insurance that adults buy to expand their plans’ benefits still won’t cover dental procedures. Less than 1 percent of dental services are covered by Medicare. And neglected dental health can turn into even bigger medical issues. “For instance, if you have diabetes
CLASSIFIEDS
Tri-State Defender
October 10 - 16, 2013
and you have gum disease, your metabolic control will be worse,” Lamster said. “There is a lot of data showing that periodontal disease can increase your risk for heart attacks and strokes. There are so many ways this can impact your overall health. That is why regular access to care is so important.” The study put together by Oral Health America ranked states in terms
“There is a lot of data showing that periodontal disease can increase your risk for heart attacks and strokes. There are so many ways this can impact your overall health. That is why regular access to care is so important.” Ira Lamster of the oral care their populations receive. Seventeen states received a “poor” grade. The states were evaluated on edentulism, which is the fancy word for total loss of teeth. Other factors included community water fluoridation, adult Medicaid coverage, access to dentists and a state oral health plan that addresses older adults. Some states’ Medicaid programs cover adult dental care. However, of the 17 states that received a “poor’ grade for dental care, the majority are led by Republican governors who have refused or are leaning against expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Mississippi is ranked the worst. Tennessee and Alabama tied for second to last. The other states rated as “poor” are Florida, Arizona, Louisiana, Delaware, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Montana, Kentucky, Maine, Virginia and California.
“Some of this ‘poor’ care is in direct relation to the economic changes our country has experienced,” Truett said. “A lot of it, though, stems from the fact that some people see this as a tangential kind of medical care.” Emergency room visits for dental health have doubled from about a decade ago. In 1999-2000, there were a reported 1 million cases of adults over 65 who went to the ER for dental problems; in 2009-10, there were 2.3 million cases. “Dental care is extremely expensive, and the older adult will require the more extensive care,” Lamster said. “The frustrating part is that we have some great technology now: Dental implants, for instance, work remarkably well, but they are beyond the means of much of the population.” Not all states fared as badly in the report. Minnesota ranked at the top of the list, with Maryland a close second. “We wanted to show that there are states that are getting close to having a model kind of care that others could replicate,” Truett said. According to the report, Minnesota ranks high in terms of communities with fluoridated water, a Medicaid program that covers dental care for adults, a state oral health plan that addresses this population and, perhaps consequently, a low rate of edentulism. The report suggests that Minnesota still needs more dentists to serve its population. There is some good news: The number of federally qualified health centers that provide dental care have increased, and 41 of 50 states have state oral health plans. There is also a bill in Congress that would widen the ACA, Medicare, Medicaid and veterans benefits to include dental health. That legislation, though, is in its very early stages.
Flu shot time is now!
Influenza vaccine is now available at all of the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) clinics. It is not too early to receive the vaccination. Annual vaccination against influenza is recommended for everyone six months and older, including school-aged children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill or transmitting it to others. The vaccine is especially recommended for the following persons who are at increased risk for severe complications associated with influenza: • Pregnant women • People 50 years of age and older • People of any age with chronic medical conditions, including asthma and other lung diseases, heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes • People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. • People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from influenza, including: Health care workers, household contact of persons at high risk for complications from influenza and household contacts and caregivers of children less than six months of age. Some tips to help protect against the spread of influenza include: • Clean: Properly wash hands frequently with warm, soapy water; disinfect surfaces. • Cover: Cover cough and sneeze into a disposable tissue or arm. • Contain: Stay home from school/work when sick to keep germs from spreading. If an individual experiences flu-like symptoms, they should contact their health care provider. Symptoms include: fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater; headache, fatigue, cough, muscle aches, and sore throat. Cost for influenza vaccine, now available in all public health clinics, is: • Free for Tenncare clients (bring your Tenncare card). • $20 for uninsured or underinsured children. • $20 for totally uninsured adults. • $30 for children with insurance that pays for vaccine. • $30 for adults with any medical insurance at all. • $45 for hi-dose – for seniors over the age of 65, billed to Medicare. No appointment is necessary. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday unless otherwise specified.
The clinics:
• Galloway Clinic, 757 Galloway, 901-222-9750 • Hickory Hill Clinic, 6590 Kirby Center Cove, 901-2229910 • Millington Clinic, 8225 Highway 51 N., 901-222-9940 • Immunization Clinic, 814 Jefferson Ave, Room 216, 901222-9331 • Shelby Crossing Clinic, 6170 Macon Rd., 901-2229800 • Southland Mall Clinic, 1215 Southland Mall-Inside Mall, 901-222-9828 (M-F, 9-5) • Cawthon Clinic, 1000 Haynes, 901-222-9866 • Collierville Clinic, 167 Washington, 901-222-9900, Tue. Th., 8- 4:30 p.m.
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Tri-State Defender
October 10 - 16, 2013
Page 11
Frontier Airlines returns to Memphis Non-stops to Denver begin March 2014
The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority and Frontier Airlines on Wednesday announced that the Denver-based airlines will once again provide air service to the Memphis International Airport beginning March 2014. “Today’s exciting announcement from Frontier Airlines is the beginning of a new era of affordable airfare choices for our passengers,” said Jack Sammons, chairman of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority Board of Commissioners. “I am confident Frontier’s direct service to Denver will be warmly embraced by passengers in our region.” Frontier’s service in Memphis will feature four weekly nonstop flights to Denver, and opens up connections to 12 different western cities, including San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma, Phoenix, San Diego, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Portland. “We are excited to offer nonstop service to the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” said
Greg Aretakis, Frontier’s vice president, network and revenue management. “We’re confident that travelers will love our friendly, low-fare service to Memphis, and we look forward to welcoming Memphis-area travelers as they fly to our home state of Colorado, or connect onward to popular destinations in the west.” Congressman Steve Cohen vowed to “continue doing everything I can” to bring more flights, routes, and airlines to Memphis International Airport. “This reasonably-priced Frontier Airlines service – as well as the recently announced new Southwest Airlines routes and UPS expansion – will help our city and our economy grow.” To celebrate the return of Frontier service to Memphis, the airline is promoting fares as low as $69 each for travel booked on www.flyfrontier.com through Saturday (Oct. 12). Memphis International has grown into the busiest cargo airport in the country, and is the second-busiest in the world behind only Hong Kong.
It’s Akbari for the Democrats in race to succeed DeBerry Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Frederick Tappan
The number one choice of almost 28 percent of those who voted, attorney Raumesh A. Akbari emerged the winner Tuesday night of the Democratic Primary for the District 91 House of Representatives seat long synonymous with the late Lois DeBerry. DeBerry’s death from pancreatic cancer earlier this year prompted the special election, which stimulated 1,812 voters to weigh in at the polls to see what Democrat would get the go-ahead to face Independent candidate James L. Tomasik when the general election rolls around on Nov. 21. No Republicans sought the position. Akbari tallied 502 votes, outpacing runner-up Terrica Lamb (399) and Kemba Ford (355). Others in the race were Doris DeBerry-Bradshaw, Joshua R. Forbes, Clifford Lewis and Kermit Moore. The Akbari-Tomasik winner will serve until the November elections in 2014. Akbari graduated from St. Louis University Law School in 2009. She journeyed through the district telling potential voters that she would be “a fighter for the people of District 91 and will be an amplifier for the needs and concerns of the constituents.”
The three most pressing issues of the district, said Akbari, are education, where she contends there needs to be a balance in disRaumesh persal of A. Akbari public and charter school resources; economic development to increase median income; and unencumbered access to healthcare. James Some in L. Tomasik the district know her in conjunction with the clean up she initiated at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, an effort that included the support of members of the Memphis Police Department’s C.O.P. program. Tomasik, a Libertarian, has served as chairman of the Tennessee Libertarian Party and is an industrial projects manager.
(For more information, visit these sites: akbari91.com; votetomasik.com.)
Memphis NAACP awards scholarships
Memphis Branch NAACP ACT-SO contestants have been awarded the Maxine A. Smith Scholarship. The scholarship program is administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis to honor the late Maxine A. Smith, former executive director of the Memphis Branch NAACP and member of the Memphis Board of Education. It is open to high school students who participated in the ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) competition sponsored by the Memphis Branch of the NAACP. Recipients were selected on the basis of their academic achievements and a personal essay about their participation
in ACT-SO. Winners of the 2013 awards are: Sydne’ Autry, Mississippi School of Arts; University of Southern Mississippi Stephani Brownlee, Soulsville Charter School, Brown University Andrea Hardaway, Millington Central High School, Union University Chelsea Newble, Overton High School, Texas Southern University Shaterra Pryor, Overton High School, Austin Peay State University Anderson Spearman, Millington Central High School, Ohio State University Applications for the 2014 competition are available at www.NAACPMemphis.com and are due April 1.
We’re so glad you’re here…
The Tennessee School of Religion hosted “An Evening of Elegance, Food and Fashion” last Saturday (Oct. 5) at the Dr. Roosevelt T. Joyner Family Life Center at 4283 Millbranch Rd. The eveningʼs models included Pamela Townsend, wife of the Rev. Sampson Townsend, and the Rev. Ydell Ishmon Sr. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)
For the record…
Muhammad Ziyad, CEO of HOT Buttered Soul Awards, recently purchased and unveiled a historical marker in tribute to Robert Karriem, who gained notoriety as Boss Ugly Bob. Karriem, who changed his name from Robert Catron, was a WLOK DJ that many came to know in association with Boss Ugly Bob Records. In attendance were Ziyad (left) and members of Karriemʼs family: Tracy Matthews, Shari Catron-Cooper, Brenda Catron-Matthews, Deidra Catron, Brinda Catron-Newborn, Kofi Adrey, Randle Catron, Juanita Catron Savage, Irma Catron, Candyce Washington and Cohen Cooper. (Photo: George Tillman Jr.)
SPORTS Tri-State Defender, Thursday, October 10 - 16, 2013, Page 12
Tigers regroup, prepare for Houston
Quarterback Paxton Lynch and running back Brandon Hayes celebrate a first quarter touchdown for the University of Memphis Tigers who made a run at an upset of UCF at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium last Saturday (Oct. 5). (Photos: Christopher Hope)
“It was a hard-fought battle.” “It didn’t turn out the way we wanted to.” “That was a tough football game against a really good program.” “We came up a little bit short but I was awfully proud of the way our kids continued to fight and battle and play for each other.” For University of Memphis Tigers head football coach Justin Fuente, that string of thoughts was all part of the emptying up that must be done when your youngbut-improving team loses a dogfight (2417) at home in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium against a tough group of Knights from the University of Central. An interception in the end zone with less than 30 seconds left snuffed the Tigers’ chance to tie the game. “We have regrouped and we’re ready to go begin our preparations for an undefeated Houston team this Saturday,” said Fuente on Monday at his weekly press conference. “They have skill kids all across the board and a defense that is much improved from a year ago. We’ll have to do a great job on both sides of the ball and on special teams in order to give ourselves a chance.” The Tigers (1-3, 0-1) have a serious challenge ahead in trying to stop Houston wide receiver Deontay Greenberry and the Cougars’ passing game “It’s a group effort. We’ll have to do a good job of getting pressure on the quarterback either through bringing people from the secondary or from the line-
backer core or just our front three,” said Fuente. Houston’s quarterback is freshman John O’Korn and Fuente said the Houston coaching staff has excelled bringing him along in a short amount of time. “He’s probably more athletic than other people give him credit for. They’ve got a good scheme and players around him. I think his development’s accelerated. It’s pretty impressive to watch.” O’Korn will face a U of M defense that has stood out so far this season. “The kids (on Defense) have confidence in the scheme, they have confidence in what they’re doing and where they’re supposed to be. I think the coaches have done a great job of instilling that in them. I think they feel like they should play well,” said Fuente. “They’ve done a great job when bad things happen of just playing the next play, and not pointing fingers. We’ve got some guys that have played really well – the linebacker core, the defensive front. We have some guys in the secondary that didn’t play as much last year that have really stepped up and developed.”
NOTE: Memphis’ Oct. 19th game against SMU will kickoff at 11 a.m. at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The game is the ESPN Regional American Game of the Week. Most households who have Comcast Cable in the Memphis area will be able to see the game on Comcast channel 30. The game will also be available online at WatchESPN.com.
U of Mʼs Reggis Ball, a redshirt sophomore defensive back from Stone Mountain, Ga., puts the clamps on UCF wide receiver J. J. Worton.
GRIZZ TRACK
Thanks Ed…
Mike Conley drives, taking advantage a pick set by teammate Ed Davis.
Make way... The Grizzliesʼ ED Davis comes up with a rebound over Samuel Dalembert (left) and Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavericks.
Hold up…
Mike Miller of the Grizzlies gets tagged with a blocking foul while guarding Shawn Marion of the Dallas Mavericks. The second team for the Grizzlies rallied to bring Memphis back after trailing by 20 points most of the game. The Grizz took a brief lead late in the game but fell short, losing 95-90. (Photos: Warren Roseborough)
PREP FOOTBALL
Central wastes no time in win over Hamilton Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Christopher Hope
The October night registered warm and humid last Friday as the Central Warriors rolled out their hurry-up offense and rolled over Hamilton’s Wildcats (35-14) at E. H. Crump Stadium. Sure, it was a team effort but it was basically the Deddrick Thomas show. Thomas, Central’s quarterback, pretty much had his way against Hamilton’s defense. He passed and ran the ball
with ease scoring on multiple touchdown plays. The Warrior’s no-huddle, hurry-up offense took a toll on Hamilton as well as the referees. Game play was stopped multiple times so the refs could squeeze in water breaks. “As soon as we spot the ball they’re lined up and ready to go,” said one of the referees, referring to Central’s offense. Yes, conditioning goes beyond the players. It goes to show that there’s more to being a ref than blowing a whistle and throwing a flag.
Central QB Deddrick Thomas was the driving force in an offense that was too much for Hamilton to handle. (Photo: Christopher Hope)