VOL. 62, No. 47
www.tsdmemphis.com
November 21 - 27, 2013
75 Cents
Yes or no, which way to go?
Sales tax/Pre-K debate goes down to the wire Judge Joe Brown to keynote 5th Annual Tri-State Defender Men of Excellence on November 23rd.
At a League of Women Voters forum, Dr. Barbara U. Prescott and Dr. Kenneth T. Whalum Jr. debate the merits of Ordinance No. 5495 Local Option Sales Tax. (Photo: Kelvin Cowans)
See Special Section Inside
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Kelvin Cowans
Voters packed a conference room at The Benjamin L. Hooks Library on Poplar Ave. on Monday evening to receive two sides to the story of this Thursday’s vote concerning the half-cent sales tax increase for PreK funding. By a show of hands, some voters – about a dozen – indicated they had already voted, which had me wondering if they really had
Black may not crack, but we’re aging faster inside
Today (Nov. 21) is Voting Day! understood the proposed Ordinance No. 5495 Local Option Sales Tax. The other 100 or so undecided voters focused in on the educational fruit provided by Barbara U. Prescott, Ph. D. and Dr. Kenneth T. Whalum Jr., both former Memphis School Board Commissioners and still champions for the Memphis community.
Dr. Prescott argued for the increase; Dr. Whalum was against it. Prescott’s “yes” position was anchored in her belief that the City of Memphis needs this money to make sure our precious babies don’t end up ignorant by the 3rd grade. Dr. Whalum came documentation-ready to show that this vote isn’t about whether we want our children to be educated or not, but more so about the city squeezing a poor SEE DEBATE ON PAGE 3
Taking the fight to blight
The Root
by Lottie L. Joiner
You’ve probably heard the expression “black don’t crack,” a reference to black women’s ageless beauty. But though their skin may be smooth and wrinkle-free on the outside, black women are aging faster than white women on the inside, health experts say. Dr. Michelle Gourdine, a former deputy secretary of health and chief public health physician for Maryland, explains that extreme stress African-Americauses wear can women beand tear on our internal organs, tween the ages contributing to of 49 and 55 heart disease, high blood are 7.5 years pressure and biologically stroke in black “older” than women – all diseases of white women. aging. “The cells that make up your heart, your blood vessels, whatever else, begin to age prematurely because of all the stress, and that predisposes you to disease,” says Gourdine, author of “Reclaiming Our Health: A Guide to African American Wellness.” She points to a 2010 National Institutes of Health study titled “Do US Black Women Experience Stress-Related Accelerated Biological Aging?” The study’s authors analyzed data SEE BLACK ON PAGE 5
MEMPHIS WEEKEND
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
H- 6 4o - L - 3 7o R ain /Th und er
H- 4 7o - L - 2 6o P a r tl y C l ou dy
H- 4 1o - L - 2 9o Mo stl y Sun ny
REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS
Friday H-62 L-38 H-62 L-36 H-75 L-49
Saturday H-48 L-30 H-48 L-24 H-53 L-32
Sunday H-43 L-33 H-40 L-25 H-48 L-30
President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the nationʼs highest civilian honor – to C.T. Vivian and 15 others on Wednesday (Nov. 20). (Photo: Pool)
7 things you didn’t know about two Medal of Freedom winners CNN
by C.K. Lett Cordy Tindell “C.T.” Vivian and Bayard Rustin were among 16 people honored with the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, on Wednesday. Household names former President Bill Clinton and media icon Oprah Winfrey received the honor, but odds are you probably aren’t as familiar with their fellow honorees. Vivian is a civil rights leader who participated in the freedom rides, and Rustin was considered to be one of the masterminds behind the March on Washington. Here are seven things you don’t know about these two unsung civil rights pioneers, but should.
Civil rights movement: No ammo necessary
When the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was just getting the Montgomery bus boycotts off the ground he “had not personally embraced nonviolence” according to the The Bayard Rustin Documentary Film Project. “In fact, there were guns inside King’s house and armed guards posted at his doors. Rustin persuaded boycott leaders to adopt complete nonviolence, teaching them Gandhian nonviolent direct protest.”
Violent encounters of the Southern kind
In 1965, when he was the national director of affiliates for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, or
SCLC, C.T. Vivian led a group of people to register to vote in Selma, Ala. As the county Sheriff Jim Clark blocked the group, Vivian said in his fiery tone, “We will register to vote because as citizens of the United States we have the right to do it.” This did not sit well with Clark, who instead of keeping the peace, disrupted it by beating Vivian until blood dripped off his chin in plain view of rolling cameras. Images such as these galvanized support for change.
With their sights set on blight, Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and other officials on Friday will announce plans to move on three troublesome properties. The three properties are Winchester Gardens, 1895 Winchester; Walter Simmons Estates, 3720 Knight Arnold; and Wooddale Condominiums, 4876 Winchester. Officials will detail plans to demolish or clean-up large commercial properties and share “the lengths to which the City has had to go to find owners and seek legal authority to mitigate them.” Joining Wharton at stops planned for 11:30 a.m. (Winchester Gardens), 12:15 a.m. (Walter Simmons Estates) and 12:30 p.m. (Wooddale Condominiums) will be City Council members; Dwan Gilliom, Public Works director; Onzie Horne, Neighborhood Improvement director; and Patrick Dandridge and Steve Barlow of the city attorney’s office.
- INSIDE -
• Holiday festival parade turning 16. See Community, page 11. • ‘Best Man Holiday’ overcomes the odds. See Entertainment, page 9. • JFK’s civil rights legacy myth and fact. See Opinion, page 4.
2 things Muhammad Ali, Rustin, share
Rustin and Muhuammad Ali both were conscientious objectors to war SEE WINNERS ON PAGE 5
JFK
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November 21 - 27, 2013
Tri-State Defender
NEWS
Tri-State Defender
This ordinance reads, “The proceeds of which levy shall be held in trust by the Pre-K Commission until appropriated.” Now who do you think appropriates funds in your city, which means to decide when and how much money is going where…politicians! They will be touching it.
Mondayʼs forum drew a crowd to the Benjamin L. Hooks Library. (Photo: Kelvin Cowans)
DEBATE
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
community for more dinero, skrilla, cheese, bucks aka money. Here are some snippets from the discussion:
Dr. Kenneth T. Whalum Jr.: “One thing my dad taught me was to never let anyone insult your intelligence. It upsets me that the powers that be assume that voters are stupid. I do not apologize for having passion for the poorest among the poor in America, which are right here in Memphis, Tennessee. Nobody is against Pre-K. You never heard me argue against Pre-K. That is not the issue, the issue is how are we going to pay for it.” Dr. Barbara U. Prescott: There are Pre-K classrooms all over our city. In years past like last year only half of our kindergartners scored well on their Kindergarten Readiness Test. These are children that are starting behind. If you look at last year’s 3rd Grade literacy proficiency equivalency test you will see that only a third of them scored well on those literacy tests. So what you see as
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November 21 - 27, 2013
Election Day notes
The Office of the Memphis Branch NAACP will be open Election Day (Nov. 21) to answer questions about polling locations, provide voter information and to resolve complaints and concerns about the election. Citizens may call: 901-521-1343, NAACP Election Monitoring Center.
*** Memphis City Atty. Herman Morris Jr. has appointed a team of lawyers from his staff to monitor tomorrow’s election (November 21) as a part of the City of Memphis Election Integrity Task Force he has formed. Members of the task force include but are not limited to Deputy City Atty. Regina Newman, Prince Chambliss, Carlos, Bibbs, and Rob Ratton. The task force will be accessible from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Any citizen who has a problem with a ballot, with voting-related challenges, or generally with exercising their right to vote at a polling place may call 901-636-6614.
you look at the data is what we’ve always intuitively known. That is that when students come to school not ready with those pre-literacy skills such as vocabulary words, basic numeracy skills and attention, these are things that they need.
Dr. Whalum: I received these three props in my mail last week. As you see they are very colorful, highly glossy and they have a lot of beautiful
children on the front. But these props are misleading. They read, “The Ballot language of Memphis Pre K initiative guarantees that every child will have access to high quality Pre-K, that they can fully fund high quality Pre-K for every child in the city of Memphis, so that no child is turned away.” It goes on to say that “the politicians can’t touch the money. (The crowd laughs)
Dr. Prescott: This has been done before and needs to happen again. We need to leverage funds so that we can do what is necessary for children. The state has been lobbied before by both mayors but I don’t know about the School Board most recently, but again when I was on the School board People First Partnership had sent in for money and what we had
been told is that it would not be forth coming.
Dr. Whalum: “I, like other citizens of Memphis, should direct our city officials to go to the state and get the funds for Pre-K. And if the mayor and city council refuse to do it, then we should vote them out of office. Don’t tell us that the state is going to say no to you. Who cares? We didn’t ask you that. We told you to go ask for the money.” Mike Williams, president of the Memphis Police Union, chimed in forcefully.
“We are against it. Memphis got out of the education business, so this is a Shelby County issue, so Shelby County is re-
sponsible for it. Number 2, it was to our understanding that when we did the lottery that Pre K would be funded out of that money and we’re talking billions of dollars,” said Williams. “Why can’t we ask the state for some of that for Pre-K. The City of Memphis is the majority contributor to the state sales tax as well as the lottery program. If raised, this increase translates into about 47 million dollars and they want us to give stewardship of this 47 million dollars to a board that was not elected by the people but appointed by Mayor A.C. Wharton. That’s not comfortable to me.”
(Kelvin Cowans can be reached at Kelvincowans@hotmail.com.)
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OPINION
Tri-State Defender
November 21 - 27, 2013
John H. Sengstacke Publisher (1951 - 1997)
The Mid-Southʼs Best Alternative Newspaper
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Fans complicit in injuries of Tony Dorsett and others
Fifty years after his assassination, many believe John F. Kennedyʼs civil rights legacy is an enduring and deserved fact, despite the many myths surrounding it. (Photo: Jon Levy/AFP/Getty Images)
Photo of Renisha McBrideʼs parents (Monica McBride and Walter Ray Simmons) along side the familyʼs attorney Gerald Thurswell on the left, and other family and the family spokesman Ron Scott on the right. (Photo: CNN/Chris Welch)
Renisha McBride, other black women need to be defended All Renisha McBride wanted to do was to go home. She had been in a car accident, her cell phone was dead, and she needed help. She knocked on a couple of doors in the suburban Detroit neighborhood where she was stranded, but it was well after midnight and people weren’t opening their doors. Finally, she found a homeowner in Dearborn Heights who opened his door, but instead of offering the help she so desperately needed, he shot her, saying he thought she was going to break into his home. He didn’t shoot her at close range; he shot her from a distance. He might have simply shut the door, or he might have shut the door and called 911. Instead he shot 19-yearold Renisha McBride in the face.
On Friday, Theodore P. Wafer, 54, was charged with second-degree murder. He also faces a manslaughter charge.
There are chilling parallels to the Trayvon MarJulianne tin case. The Malveaux character assassination of Renisha has begun. According to a toxicology report, her blood alcohol level was 0.22, more than twice the legal limit for driving. Her blood also tested positive for an active ingredient in marijuana. If Renisha were drunk as Cootie Brown and high as a kite, she did not deserve to be killed. Why didn’t Wafer call 911 and tell them (if he could tell) that there was a drunken woman on his porch? Why did he shoot?
Renisha McBride’s murder bears attention for several reasons. First of all, it reinforces the unfortunate reality that young black people are at high risk for violence, often because too many shoot first and ask questions later. Secondly, in the cases that are highly publicized, usually it is the massacre of a young man that is at the center of a case. It is important to note that young black women are too often at risk. And it is important to ask what we plan to do about it.
Marissa Alexander didn’t want to take another beating. Her husband Rico Gray is an admitted abuser whose brutal beatings of his wife were described as “lifethreatening.” She fired a warning shot into the ceiling to warn off her abuser husband. Yet, she was charged with felony use of a firearm and sentenced to 20 years in jail.
The prosecutor in this case, Angela Corey, is the same one who only reluctantly charged George Zimmerman in the massacre of Trayvon Martin, the same prosecutor who assembled a flawed legal team, the same prosecutor who believes in the Stand Your Ground laws. That is, except for Marissa Alexander, who stood her ground against an abusive husband and hurt no one.
Marissa Alexander, the 32-yearold mother of three, has no criminal record. Her conviction has been thrown out because a judge ruled that the prosecution, not the defense, has the burden of proof. (Alexander was
Renisha McBride, 19, a Detroit woman who was shot and killed on the front porch of a home. (Photo: Chris Welch/CNN)
asked to prove that she had been beaten). Friends and family have raised her bail, but the judged in her case says he won’t rule on her release until January 15. She languishes in jail, supposedly, because she remains a threat to her batterer, but even he supports her release. Her continued incarceration is not only mean-spirited, but also an illustration about the unevenness of law. George Zimmerman got away with murder for standing his ground. Marissa Alexander is incarcerated because she stood hers.
With domestic violence an epidemic in our country, it seems unfathomable that a woman who wanted to prevent it is charged with a crime. While the civil rights community has surrounded Marissa, I am not aware of women’s organizations or domestic violence organizations that have been similarly supportive. E. Faye Williams of the National Congress of Black Women says that her organization has been active in assisting Marissa, and that’s a good thing. Still, just as the hoodie came to represent Trayvon Martin, and people from around the world, including on the floor of Congress, donned the hoodie in solidarity with Trayvon, there has been no similar support for Marissa Alexander.
Marissa Alexander’s incarceration and the murder of Renisha McBride have something in common. They illustrate the vulnerability of black women, both in the legal system, and in the public perception of race and gender. Black women are not afforded the privilege of standing their ground against batterers. Black women can be shot at far range because a 54-year-old homeowner was so frightened that he had to shoot.
More than 20 years ago, when now Associate Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas attempted to character assassinate attorney Anita Hill with his wild accusations, a group of black women stood up in her defense.
Using the moniker of “African American Women in Defense of Ourselves,” the group took out ads both in the New York Times and in the Black press supporting Professor Hill. (Disclosure – my mom, my three sisters and I all signed the ad). We defended ourselves then, and we must defend ourselves now. The legal system seems unwilling and unable to do so.
JFK’s civil rights legacy New America Media
by Earl Ofari Hutchinson There’s been as much myth as fact regarding John F. Kennedy’s civil rights legacy in the more than fifty years before, during and especially after his assassination on November 22, 1963. In the days before he delivered his now famed presidential inaugural address on Friday, Jan. 20, 1961, two of his principal advisors, Louis Martin and Harris Wofford, battled hard to get Kennedy to add two words – “at home” – to a pivotal sentence in his speech that addressed human rights. Kennedy meant the human rights fight that the U.S. waged internationally against Communism. The “at home” referred to the battle for civil rights in America. Kennedy reluctantly added the words. That reluctance typified the wariness that Kennedy had in making civil rights a centerpiece of his presidency. The myth and fact about his civil rights legacy came jarringly together in the quip from his wife and widow Jackie Kennedy on his assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, “He didn’t even have the satisfaction of being killed for civil rights.” Jackie in the national trauma after his murder understood that Kennedy’s place in history would be even more firmly established if he were seen as the civil rights president, rather than a president who was forced under extreme duress to champion civil rights. In the decade before he won the White House, Kennedy said almost nothing about civil rights. As a senator he voted against the 1957 civil rights bill. His opposition has been spun two ways; one cynical, one charitable. The cynical spin is he opposed it to appease Southern Democrats because he had an eye on a presidential run in 1960. The charitable spin is that he thought the bill was too weak and ineffectual. Three years later though he ignored the angry shouts from Southern Democrats and lobbied for a forceful civil rights plank in the Democratic Party’s 1960 platform. During the presidential campaign he publicly pledged to end segregation in federally subsidized public housing “with the stroke of a pen.” Despite a mass campaign for him to keep his promise, he foot dragged for months in signing the order. This was not hypocrisy, or racial faint heartedness. There was a brutal political calculus at work. In 1961, Southern Democrats, all staunch segregationists, had an iron grip on the House. They held 11 of 19 committee chairmanships and in the Senate two-thirds of its standing committees. Kennedy did not have anything near a governing mandate to prod, cajole, and arm twist Southern racial obstructionists in Congress following his nail bite, squeaky 1960 presidential election win over Richard Nixon. But if he had, would he? The answer is probably a no. His expertise, passion, and focus then were on foreign policy, more particularly, trying to contain, if not best, the Soviet Union on everything from the nuclear arms race to influence in emerging Third World nations.
Tri-State Defender Platform
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
The bloody desegregation clashes at the University of Mississippi and the bloody assaults on freedom riders in Alabama, however, could not be ignored. But even here there was a Earl Ofari Hutchinson hard political calculus that struggled side by side with the moral 50 years calculus. African-Amerof myth ican voters made and fact a major difference in his narrow election win over Nixon, aided in large part by a massive black voter shift to him in direct response to his famed phone call to Dr. Martin Luther King’s family following King’s jailing in Georgia for contempt of court stemming from a civil rights protest. Kennedy had a keen eye on the black vote and its potential to be a crucial factor in future national elections. That included his almost certain reelection bid in 1964. The tipping point was the spectacle of women and children beaten, hosed, and gassed by brutal white cops in Birmingham in 1963. The barbarous scenes were beamed globally, that and the eloquent heart wrenching letter and appeal by Dr. King from his Birmingham jail cell propelled Kennedy to do what he had long been urged to do and deliver the definitive statement on civil rights. He did on June 11, 1963. He piggybacked on the words and sentiments King expressed in his letter about rights, justice, inequality, and the moral and political shame and disgrace to the nation of racial bigotry. King and civil rights leaders applauded Kennedy’s words. But King also saw more political pragmatism than moral outrage in it. He quipped that he was “battling for the minds and the hearts of men in Asia and Africa.” This was probably true. Yet the equal truth was that it didn’t much matter whether Kennedy was motivated by pragmatism or idealism, crisis or conscience, he had spoken, and this marked the major turning point for the nation on civil rights. If Kennedy had lived would he have fought hard for passage of the 1964 landmark civil rights bill, or been stonewalled by his party’s racists, and forced to accept a watered down bill? An assassin’s bullet insured that that question would remain forever unanswered. Fifty years after that horrific November day in Dallas, Kennedy’s civil rights legacy is an enduring and deserved fact, despite the many myths surrounding it. (Earl Ofari Hutchinson is a frequent MSNBC contributor, an associate editor of New America Media, a weekly co-host of the “Al Sharpton Show” on American Urban Radio Network, and host of the weekly “Hutchinson Report” radio program. Follow him on Twitter: http://twitter.com/earlhutchinson.)
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The recent news about NFL Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett was more than unsettling. Having been diagnosed with the early stages of chronic encephalopathy (CTE), an illness directly related to head traumas, he feels his life slipping away from him. At the age of 59 he faces an uncertain future, yet it is a future that has confronted many football players, past and present. Dorsett was part of the group of former football players who settled with the NFL recently for $765 million in connection with conditions such as CTE that have resulted from their football years. The settlement itself was highly controversial since it underestimates the extent of damage done to football players and, in effect, let’s the NFL off the hook. Nevertheless, many forBill mer players were Fletcher Jr. desperate for a settlement in order to address their on-going medical problems. Dorsett was a star among stars, someone who seemed nearly invincible in his greatness. Nevertheless, careers end and the physical damage inflicted on the players over the years takes its toll, resulting in conditions such as CTE and a shortened life-span for these modern-day gladiators. When we hear the news about former players, such as Dorsett, most of us shake our heads in both sadness and frustration…and then we turn on the next football game. We create a peculiar sort of disconnect between the reality of the injuries faced by these players, and the activity that so many of us watch on any given Sunday. We do not stop and think about the sorts of demands that we, the fans of professional football, need to place on the football industry in its entirety. The issue of safety is not one exclusive to the NFL. It really is a matter that must be addressed when high-schoolers start playing and then when they work their way to college. The injuries start early and there is no scientific certainty as to how many injuries ultimately result in conditions such as CTE, not to mention countless other challenges, such as injuries to bones and joints. There comes a time when shaking our heads, as those watching the gladiators competing on Sundays, makes us complicit in the misery that many of these players face upon the end of their careers. Perhaps it is time to join with the NFL Players Association in demanding greater steps to address safety, but also appropriate medical care and long-term assistance for the players when they have moved on. To do otherwise feels no different than the equivalent of watching the gladiators do battle in the ancient Roman coliseums. The only difference seems to be that death was quicker in the coliseum. Today, we allow our modern day gladiators to end their lives slowly in misery and absent dignity. (NNPA columnist and author Bill Fletcher Jr. is a Senior Scholar with the Institute for Policy Studies and the immediate past president of TransAfrica Forum. Follow him on Facebook and at www.billfletcherjr.com.)
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Tri-State Defender
BLACK
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation and found that black women between the ages of 49 and 55 are 7.5 years biologically “older” than white women. “US blacks are more likely to experience stressful situations, such as material hardship, interpersonal discrimination, structural discrimination in housing and employment, and multiple caregiving roles than whites,” the authors wrote. According to the study, this cumulative impact of overexposure to stress hormones takes a toll on the body and contributes to the development or progression of such ailments as “cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, susceptibility to infection, carcinogenesis,
WINNERS
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
who resisted the draft and were sentenced to federal prison as a result. Rustin ended up serving almost three years for refusing to fight in World War II because of his Quaker beliefs. Ali is also a recipient of the Presidential Medal Of Freedom.
C.T. Vivian got you into college
When Vivian created a college readiness program during the civil rights era, he said it was a way to “take care of the kids that were kicked out of school simply because they protested racism.” Years later the U.S. Department of Education used his Vision program as a guide to create Upward Bound, which was designed to improve high school and college graduation rates for students in under-served communities.
Throw Jim Crow from the train
During the Montgomery bus
NEWS
Page 5
November 21 - 27, 2013
and accelerated aging.” “What the article seems to imply is that we just have a heavier load to carry, bottom line,” says Gourdine, currently a clinical assistant professor in the departments of pediatrics and of epidemiology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and a senior associate at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “When you think about black women and how we’re all raised to be strong and that’s what we expect each other to be as African-American women, what comes with that is a set of added responsibilities.” Gourdine points to how black women are often the primary breadwinners in their families and have to juggle multiple roles – sometimes navigating a culturally insensitive workplace while also act-
ing as caregivers for children, grandchildren and ailing parents. And for black women in high-powered positions, there’s an even greater risk, she says. “In meetings where you’re the only woman or only African American, you feel like all eyes are on you,” Gourdine says. “You feel that pressure to perform, of proving that you’re good enough and that you do work hard. There is stress from always having to be ‘on.’” Those expectations are compounded by our cultural expectations of “strong black women,” she continues. “We are expected to be independent and not ask for help, keep our needs inside and not admit that we need help,” she says. Dr. Gayle Porter, a clinical psychologist and co-director of the Gaston & Porter Health
boycotts, Rustin was the logistical gasoline to King’s inspirational spark that helped bring national attention to the cause. However, what many don’t know is that Rustin had practice protesting segregated transit routes. In 1948, he filed a federal civil suit against the Southern Railway Company for violating his constitutional rights the year before when its employees refused him access to the dining car because of his race.
Vivian said they viewed the Center For Democratic Renewal as “the political side” of what they were doing with the SCLC, which was focused on the country’s morality struggles during the civil rights movement.
‘It was bigger than the Klan’
In the late 1970s Vivian founded the National AntiKlan Network, an anti-racism organization that focused on monitoring the Ku Klux Klan. Soon after it was founded, the name and direction changed because “it was bigger than the Klan,” said Vivian in a phone interview. “We called it the Center for Democratic Renewal because the whole culture had to be renewed if it truly was going to be a democratic one.”
A minority within a minority
Rustin faced oppression on two fronts: as a black man in the Jim Crow era and as an openly gay man during a time when being “out” was effectively illegal. He was even arrested on a public indecency charge. His early activism as a communist was enough to raise the ire of J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI, but it wasn’t just before the March on Washington that the intelligence chief attempted to slow the movement’s progress by attacking Rustin, the march’s deputy director. Hoover reportedly supplied Rustin’s arrest record to segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond, who used the information to publicly attack Rustin on the Senate floor.
Improvement Center, says she is amazed at how reluctant black women are to acknowledge that they’re stressed. “Strength means being able to acknowledge that you need help and support. That’s part of being strong,” she says. Instead, black women tend to deal with stress through destructive behaviors such as overspending, which can cause financial stress, or overeating, which can lead to obesity and diabetes. “These are some of our brightest, hardworking, most intelligent, most loving women,” notes Porter. “We are dying at rates that are greater than any other group of women from heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke, so whatever it is that we’re doing is not working.” Indeed. black women develop high blood pressure –
which could lead to strokes or heart attacks—at an earlier age than white women and have higher rates than their white counterparts. Although heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in general, black women are more likely to die from the disease than women of other races. Breast cancer and diabetes also affect black women at higher rates. Porter is a co-founder, along with Dr. Marilyn Gaston, of the Prime Time Sister Circles, a 12-week program that helps black women between the ages of 40 and 75 improve their health and deal with stress. The major stressors that women in the group have identified are health, financial stress and caregiving responsibilities, says Porter. “We give sisters a safe space where they can learn how to identify stress, how to appro-
priately cope with it, how to reduce it if they can’t eliminate it, and learn how to function in an assertive way that will teach them how to take care of themselves and take care of other people,” she says. The group teaches participants stress-management techniques such as deep breathing and encourages daily exercise. The women also have to keep a daily log of stressors. “As black women, we have to look at the relationships between how we are dealing with stress and the fact that we are dying,” says Porter. “Our folks don’t want to acknowledge how stressed they are, but it’s evident, and it impacts our entire community.” (Lottie L. Joiner is a Washington, D.C.-based freelance writer and senior editor of The Crisis magazine. Follow her on Twitter.)
BUSINESS
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Tri-State Defender
November 21 - 27, 2013
ON OUR WAY TO WEALTHY
One child at a time focus at Red Robin’s Academy
The daycare business can be rewarding in so many ways. By providing a much-needed service to the community, many entrepreneurs can also gain financially. But according to Robin Mayweather, owner of, financial gain should not be the motivating factor to enter the childcare business. You must be passionate about childcare and providing a quality environment for learning. Carlee McCullough: Tell me about yourself? Robin Mayweather: My name is Robin Mayweather. I am a native Memphian who graduated from Hamilton High School. After high school, I attended and graduated from Florida A&M University. I have one daughter. I am a member of Greater Middle Baptist Church, where I serve in several capacities. I am a member of the Memphis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. I am the owner/operator of Red Late in the night on Oct. 16, Congress ended a 16-day government shutdown and prevented a potential default of federal financial obligations by passing the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014. President Obama signed the bill just after midnight on October 17, and the federal government was back in business – for now. In fact, nothing fundamental was settled, and lawmakers must revisit complex and contentious issues in early 2014. Now that the government has reopened its doors, this may be a good time to consider the damage that was done and what the crisis might reveal about the economy and prospects for future negotiations.
Fiscal friction
The crisis was a combination of two fiscal deadlines that merged into a single impasse. It started with a conflict over funding the federal government for fiscal year 2014, which began on Oct. 1, 2013. Without funding, many government agencies were forced to close or cut back on services. About 800,000 federal employees were furloughed, and the public lost access to a wide variety of services. The situation escalated as the calendar approached October 17, which was the day the Treasury expected to reach the statutory limit on government borrowing (often called the debt ceiling) and would be un-
R o b i n ’s Academy.
C M : What inspired you to go into the childcare business? R M : W h i l e Carlee McCullough w o r k i n g on a minor in elementary education, I worked in a childcare center. I realized I had a natural gift working with young children. I valued the idea of laying a foundation for learning in a child’s life. Upon graduating from college, I moved back to Memphis and began working as an assistant director of my church center, Hooks Dimmick Childcare. After becoming the director of Hooks Dimmick ChildcareEuclid Site, I learned the center was scheduled to close. At that time, I started to plan for my
future, Red Robin’s Academy. I had several meetings with Rev. Benjamin L. Hooks to discuss the possible donation of the equipment and furniture to me. He agreed to donate all of the furniture to me and I found a location nestled in the heart of the Cooper Young District. At that very moment, the legacy of one location ended and a new legacy began with Red Robin’s Academy! CM: How long has the center been in business? RM: I have been in business for 10 years and looking forward to many more years of serving my community.
CM: What are your hours? RM: The hours of operation are: 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday thru Friday. Pre-K hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday thru Friday. CM: How flexible are you with pickup and drop-off times? RM: Children ages 6 weeks
to 3 years old have more flexible drop-off times than do Pre-K students. All children must be picked-up from the center no later than 6 p.m. CM: What makes your childcare center different or unique from other centers? RM: I am located in the heart of Cooper Young and our families represent many different cultures. We encourage learning through experiences and programs. We are an early childhood center with two Shelby County Schools Pre K programs.
CM: Do you encourage visits from parents? RM: Yes, before enrolling all parents must tour the center. Tours are offered anytime between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday thru Friday. CM: Are the kids grouped by age or are the ages mixed? RM: Each classroom has a mixed-age grouping.
CM: What are the staff’s
credentials and training? RM: All staff members are required to maintain professional development plan. The staff has a mixture of credentials; degrees, CDA and TECTA certificates.
CM: Do you provide breakfast, lunch, and/or snack? RM: Yes, we serve breakfast, lunch and snack.
CM: What is the most rewarding part of the business? RM: Being able to provide a safe and nurturing place for young children to come and learn is an awesome feeling. Helping families and giving back to my community. I love to see a smile on a child’s face and to receive a big hug from a child, when a school age student is eager to show his/her report card and in the same manner, when I am able to be a support system for the staff.
CM: What is the most challenging part of the business? RM: Financial challenges
(Contact Carlee McCullough, Esq., at 5308 Cottonwood Road, Suite 1A, Memphis, TN 38118, or email her at jstce4all@aol.com.)
CM: Does the staff have emergency training in first and/or CPR? RM: Yes, all staff members are CPR/First Aide certified.
CM: What advice can you offer those interested in entering into the childcare business? RM: Go into this business because you are sincere about providing quality care for young children, not for financial reasons.
MONEY MATTERS
What can we learn from the shutdown?
able to meet all federal financial obligations. The Act funds government operations at current spending Charles Sims Jr., CFP l e v e l s through January 15, 2014, and suspends the debt ceiling through February 7.
An economic setback
Financial ratings agency Standard & Poor’s estimates that the shutdown cost the U.S. economy $24 billion – enough to reduce projected fourth-quarter growth of gross domestic product from 3.0 percent to 2.4 percent. This figure includes about $3.1 billion in lost government services. Although federal employees will receive back pay, their missed workdays created backlogs in services ranging from processing small-business loans to analyzing and releasing economic data. The closing of National Parks cost some $76 million per day, including the impact on nearby communities.
Spending losses for the travel industry are estimated at $152 million per day, with Washington, D.C., hit especially hard. In the midst of the crisis, consumer confidence experienced its sharpest one-week drop since 2008.
Stock market shrugs
Despite the shutdown and uncertainty over the debt ceiling, the stock market remained surprisingly steady throughout the crisis. After the deal, the S&P 500 index closed at a historic high on October 17 and set another record the next day. This suggests that investors didn’t seriously believe the possibility of a default. It may also indicate that the market places more emphasis on business earnings than on political maneuvering and anticipates continued monetary support from the Federal Reserve.
The Treasury and the Fed
The Treasury had been using emergency measures since May to keep the debt from rising above $16.7 trillion. When the ceiling was increased, it quickly moved to rebalance its books and fund pensions and other programs that had gone unfunded, sending U.S. debt to a record $17.076 trillion.13 Despite this staggering load,
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the debt has become less expensive for the government to maintain over the last five years, due in part to low interest rates driven by the Federal Reserve’s stimulus efforts. While Congress remained at an impasse, the yield on short-term and longer-term Treasury bills rose, but quickly eased back after the crisis was averted. Because U.S. Treasury securities are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest, the prospect of default led investors to demand higher rates – a glimpse of the potential
and the rapid growth of big industries such as Head Start.
disruption if fundamental fiscal issues are not resolved. The principal value of Treasury securities fluctuates with market conditions. If not held to maturity, they could be worth more or less than the original amount paid. The economic jolt of the crisis and the uncertainty of future negotiations may lead the Fed to delay easing back on stimulus efforts until 2014. Even if the Fed does act sooner, it’s unlikely that rates would rise significantly, given continuing economic concerns and the increased costs of government
(For more information, visit R e d ro b i n s a c a d e m y. c o m ; email: Robinfm@msn.com; contact Robin Mayweather, 1000 S. Cooper St., Memphis, TN 38104, 901-272-2736; 901-272-2744 fax.)
borrowing at higher rates.
What’s next?
For investors, the relatively mild market reaction to the crisis may help boost confidence in maintaining an appropriate investment strategy without overreacting to politics. However, it might be wise to keep an eye on future negotiations and hope that lawmakers will find common ground in a more timely fashion. (Charles Sims Jr. is president/ CEO of The Sims Financial Group. Contact him at 901-682-2410 or visit www.SimsFinancialGroup. com.)
Tri-State Defender
BUSINESS
Month 00 - 00, 2012
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RELIGION
Tri-State Defender
RELIGION BRIEFS
LIVING THE LIFE I LOVE
Free yard sale set at St. Paul Church
St. Paul Church will host its first free annual yard sale where every item is “absolutely free” as long as supplies last. The event will be held Saturday (Nov. 23) in the parking lot of the church at 640 Vance Avenue. It is set for 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. (or as long as supplies last). The is to share muchneeded items such as clothing, food, household goods, beds, and more with families in the Memphis and Shelby County area.” According to the church’s yard sale organizers, “Together, we believe that we can end this downward spiral of poverty in this area. Help us by sharing from your abundance and your goodhearted spirit.” Items on the “greatly appreciated” list include donations of food, clothing, toys, tools, household and kitchen items, furniture, beds and mattresses, linens, towels, soap, shampoo, and baby supplies such as diapers and formula.” BRIEFLY: St. John Baptist Church, 640 Vance Avenue, will observe its 145th Church Anniversary on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 3 p.m. The keynote speaker is Dr. Fred C. Lofton, Pastor of New Shiloh Baptist Church. Call 901-525-1092 for transportation and more information. BRIEFLY: New Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church will serve a Thanksgiving Day meal to the homeless & needy on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 28) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the church at 1559 South Third St. The phone number is 901775-0925. The pastor is the Rev. Agnes Henderson. BRIEFLY: Grace United Methodist Church, 1619 E. Raines Road, will be the setting for “Magnify! A Soulful Celebration of the Season” on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 901-396-5123.
Jazz-A-F!RE moves to Memphis Sounds
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November 21 - 27, 2013
‘Power leaks’ are self-imposed Dear Lucy: There are some people who make me feel so small when I am around them. I don’t know why but I just want to disappear. I never feel like I could ever be as smart or successful as them and I just lose my power when I am around them. I really need to get over this because it makes me feel like I am weak! Any advice? – Power Leak
Dear Power Leak: I just love that description. If we all told the truth, we would admit that no matter how cool we think we are, there is some situation or person that causes us to leak our power. Some people actually live with people for whom they consistently leak away their power. It can be done with a certain look, a word or a gesture. When I was a child and would misbehave in church,
my mother could give me that special look and I would not only go weak in the knees but immediately sit up straight Lucy and beShaw have. That was an intentional and effective unplugging of my power. I knew what would happen if I didn’t straighten up! This was my mother’s use of legitimate power to keep me straight. As I grew older, she would use it and of course it no longer meant anything to me except a good laugh. Why? My power no longer came entirely from her approval. So, a first question to ask
yourself is why you want or need these people to approve of you? The second question is “why is it not enough to just honestly admire them for whatever reason and let it stop at that?” And thirdly, why don’t you just approve yourself? I think this is often all about self-esteem. Not the kind where we have to be as good as or better than someone else just to feel good about ourselves. I am speaking of the self-esteem that allows me to hold myself in high regard and with love and respect without comparing myself, talking down to myself or scolding myself for not measuring up to another person. This is the self-esteem that takes a lot of work and discipline. Why? Because criticism from ourselves is the first and most deadly. We will talk to ourselves about ourselves
worse than we will ever allow another person to do. Learn to honestly appraise yourself and own and value your gifts and talents. We all have some. Oh, and just in case you want to think you are innocent, please know that there is probably someone that you intentionally make feel less than good enough. It is human nature especially when we are in the habit of leaking away our own power to something or someone. Think about that. Here is the deal, no one can disempower you without your permission. I respect the Queen of England. I respect Beyonce’s talent and money. I truly respect and admire President Obama. Would I feel less than who I am or want to disappear in their presence? No! They work hard to do what they do and I know nothing of their internal or private struggles. But I
know that we all have them. I also know that success at anything requires work and discipline...”here a little, there a little.” Start today with that one little thing that you have been putting off doing that you know will make you proud to be you. Go on. Do it. Blessings, Lucy
(Check out Lucy Shaw’s website at http://www.heartworks4u. com. You may send your questions 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.)
Sharing what I know…
The Rev. Stephen Turner was the guest speaker during a 10th anniversary observation for Senior Pastor Derrick Davis and Tabernacle of Praise Missionary Baptist Church. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)
Worth singing about…
The Memphis Black Arts Alliance’s Jazz-A-FIRE is moving Downtown to Memphis Sounds, 22 North Second. Patrons and jazz lovers will now be able to enjoy the ambiance of music the second and last Sunday of each month, from 3 – 5 pm. The Jazz-A-F!RE features professional music faculty of the FireHouse Community Arts Academy, including vocalist Naomi Williams Moody, bass player Kent Suggs, keyboard Stephen Lee, drummer James “The Bishop” Sexton and guitarist, Lance Thompson, to name a few. For more information call 948-9522.
The Rev. Rodney C. Bachus Sr. serenades his father, The Rev. J.C. Bachus, and his mother, Tonya Bachus, during a recent service noting Pastor & Wifeʼs anniversary at St. Mark Baptist Church. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)
PRAISE CONNECT
Your service is a work of art…
As part of the recognition for his 57th anniversary, the Rev. Dr. James L. Netters, senior pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church – Westwood, was presented with this painting. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)
-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
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November 21 - 27, 2013
Tri-State Defender
ENTERTAINMENT Tri-State Defender, Thursday, November 21 - 27, 2013, Page 9
WHAT’S HAPPENING MYRON?
HANDY HERITAGE AWARDS
‘The Best Man Holiday’ delivers against the odds
It’s not very often that the sequel to a great film can be greater than the original. Especially when there are so many things that can be considered obstacles. A few being that it’s been Myron 15 years since Mays the original and sequels tend to only gross a fraction of the original film. However, ‘The Best Man Holiday’ has managed to overcome those two challenges, plus some. The film had some heavy competition on opening weekend as well. It was up against Marvel Comics’ “Thor,” which grossed about $38 million in its second week and also played on many more screens than “Holiday.” With a little less than $31 million over the three-day weekend, “Holiday” came in second place. And also of note, ‘Holiday’ played to an entirely different audience, which was mostly African-American females. Written and directed by Malcolm Lee, “Holiday” managed to not only exceed expectations of Hollywood but those of moviegoers as well. Few expected the sequel to be better than the original. I gotta admit myself, in all of my days of living I have never had a movie manage to stir up so many different emotions. I think I laughed, got angry, felt warm and fuzzy inside and “almost cried.” Yeah, almost. OK…I cried! You really don’t see a lot of characters such as the ones you see in this film. And what does that mean? These were almost “real” people you could actually relate with. There was also a set-up for a possible third installment. You just never know! Lee did his homework and delivered a great project. But of course, he is not new to the art of filmmaking. Lee, is also the director of such films as 2008’s “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” and “Soul Men,” 2002’s “Undercover Brother” as well as the original “Best Man.” He is also the cousin of legendary filmmaker Spike Lee. And dare I say, he’s a better filmmaker. Yes, I said it. Now next up is “Black Nativity,” which hits theatres on Nov. 27th and stars Jennifer Hudson, Tyrese Gibson, Angela Bassett and Forrest Whitaker. Then there’s “A Medea Christmas.” Yeah, I know! (lol) Judging by the trailers, they probably won’t be on the level of “Best Man Holiday,” however, we must still get out and support them so that we can continue to get our stories told. If you didn’t get to check out “Best Man Holiday” on opening weekend make plans to see it. We don’t get films with great stories that touch us like this one very often.
Here’s What’s Happening:
“The Man Store is back! No, don’t start making a shopping list. It’s a stage play that takes place this weekend at Theatre Works 2085 Monroe. This original stage play, written by Chandra Kamaria, is one part satire, one part comedy, and one part drama. It will explore black love from a unique perspective, challenging how black women relate to black men, while offering an enlightening approach to gaining the love that a woman desires. “The Man Store” runs Friday through Sunday (Nov. 22-24). Tickets are $15. For more information, look up “The Man Store” on eventbrite.com! Next week marks the official beginning of the holiday season! You know what that means, right? Yes, holiday music and lots of food! I’m actually looking forward to both…and the gifts too. Next week, we kick things off Holiday style.
A stage full of talented singers and musicians meshed into an impromptu jam session at the 17th Annual W.C. Handy Heritage Awards. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)
The Handy Heritage Awards show was dedicated to the late blues icon Bobby ʻBlue” Bland and his widow, Willie Mae Bland, was on hand (third from left.) Pictured (l-r): Front Row: Bill Easley, Elaine Turner, Willie Mae Bland, Ruby Wilson, Deborah Gleese Barnes; Back Row: Dr. O.T. Sykes, Bobby “Blue” Bland Band members: Charles Campbell, Rick Dolan, Rodd Bland, Sidney Ford and Charlton Johnson.
Ruby Wilson – the “Queen of Beale Street” – received the Lifetime Music Achievement Award.
Emcees Bev Johnson (l) and Leon Gray with Elaine Turner. Other honorees included gospel/jazz singer Deborah Gleese Barnes; R&B recording artist Dr. O.T. Sykes; Stax recording musician Bill Easley; veteran blues saxophonist Melvin Jackson and Blandʼs band.
An experience with roots ‘JT’ & Memphis
Justin Timberlake performing with his dancers. (Photos: Warren Roseborough)
J
Parting shot:
I wanna say Happy Birthday to my good friend “Sparkle Brown,” who turns 25 this weekend! Try to stay outta trouble now. Until then, that’s what’s happening!
(Got an event you’d like for me to cover or attend, email me at myron@whatshappeningmyron.com.)
Carla Thomas made a rare and crowdpleasing appearance.
Justin Timberlake performing his hit song “Donʼt Hold The Wall” at the FedExForum on Monday Night (Nov. 18).
ustin Timberlake returned home to Memphis with his “20/20 Experience” tour on Monday night and it truly was an awesome experience – for him. Here’s a snippet of proof: With a sold-out crowd at the FedExForum shouting his name, “JT” returned the sentiment. “I am home! I am home! Memphis is my home!
Monday was JT In Memphis Day outside and inside of the FedExForum.
ENTERTAINMENT
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November 21 - 27, 2013
OPENING THIS WEEK Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
Lenny Kravitz, left, stars in "The Hunger Games" as Cinna, with Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta.
Special to The New Tri-State Defener
For movies opening Nov. 22, 2013
BIG BUDGET FILMS
“Delivery Man” (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, drug use, mature themes and brief violence) Vince Vaughn plays the title character in this baby-daddy comedy as a slacker who finds himself the subject of a class-action paternity suit filed by dozens of the children he fathered anonymously years earlier through a sperm bank. With Chris Pratt, Bobby Moynihan and Cobie Smulders.
“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” (PG-13 for profanity, intense violence, frightening images, mature themes and a suggestive situation) Second installment in the series based on the Suzanne Collins trilogy finds triumphant survivors Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) enjoying a victory tour before being drafted to compete in another death match, this one comprised entirely of former Hunger Games winners. With Liam Hemsworth, Jack Quaid, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz and Donald Sutherland.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
“Bettie Page Reveals All” (R for pervasive graphic nudity and sexuality) Reverential
retrospective recounting the meteoric rise and fall of Bettie Page (1923-2008), the scandalous Fifties pinup credited with launching America’s sexual revolution in the face of a Puritanical government witch hunt out to destroy her. Featuring commentary by Hugh Hefner, Perez Hilton and Mamie Van Doren.
“Birth of the Living Dead” (Unrated) “The Making of” documentary revisits the ragtag team assembled by George A. Romero to shoot “Night of the Living Dead” in rural Pittsburgh, Penn.
“The Christmas Candle” (PG for mature themes) Faith-based parable based on Max Lucado’s novel set in 1890 about a fictional British village visited by an angel with plans to bestow a miracle. Co-starring Hans Matheson, Samantha Barks and Lesley Manville.
“Cold Turkey” (Unrated) Dysfunctional family dark comedy revolving around an eccentric clan’s Thanksgiving gathering hosted by the patriarch (Peter Bogdonavich) with the help of his second wife (Deborah Hines) and attended by his long-estranged (Alicia Witt) and inheritance-obsessed (Sonya Walger) daughters, and a gambling-addicted son (Ashton Holmes). Support cast includes Amy Ferguson, Victoria Tennant and Nicolas Coster. “Contracted” (Unrated) Overwhelming regret horror flick about a young woman (Najarra Townsend) who assumes she’s caught an
HOROSCOPES
Nov. 21–27, 2013
Kam’s Kapsules:
by Kam Williams
Tri-State Defender
STD from a one-night stand only to learn it’s something far worse. Cast includes Caroline Williams, Alice Macdonald and Matt Mercer. “Detroit Unleaded” (Unrated) Dreams deferred dramedy about a Lebanese-American youth (EJ Assi) forced to put his plans on hold in order to run the family gas station following his father’s death. With Steven Soro, Mary Assel and Nada Shouhayib. (In English and Arabic with subtitles) “Die Narbe” (Unrated) Post Cold War documentary taking the viewer on a dizzying helicopter along the entire length of the Berlin Wall. (In German with subtitles)
“Everyday” (Unrated) Romance drama about the pressures exerted on the relationship of a couple when the husband (Ian Simon) is given a stiff prison sentence for drug smuggling, leaving his wife (Shirley Henderson) to raise their four children alone. Featuring Shaun Kirk, Katrina Kirk, Stephanie Kirk and Robert Kirk. “Following the Ninth” (Unrated) Classical music documentary examining the universal impact of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
“Narco Cultura” (R for profanity, drug use, graphic violence and disturbing images) El Barrio documentary about the escalating number of young Latinos glorifying ruthless drug traffickers as outlaw heroes worth emulating.
ARIES Authority issues may arise early in the week. You can handle these thoughts by observing them and letting them go. Listen to some music that fills you with positive vibrations. TAURUS You have strong physical energy this week. Make the most of it and get a lot of the work done that you’ve been meaning to get around to. This week’s a great week to get around to it! You’ll be very pleased at the end of the week with what you have created. GEMINI Freedom needs may be high this week. Use your powerful imagination to discover a way to feel freer in your current situation. At least in your personal space, let yourself be free and surrounded by objects and vibes that set your spirit soaring. CANCER Passing on knowledge, or gaining some new knowledge, preoccupies your fine mind this week. You can teach as well as learn. Look for a way to combine these two activities. It will benefit the many that you attract. LEO Details, details, details. They are cluttering up your vision of the big picture. Be patient and deal with one detail at a time. You’ll soon see your big picture very clearly again. You are kind, and can be amazingly tolerant. VIRGO Lots of wild ideas may occur to you this week, and you may want to act the mental daredevil. Be patient with those who are just learning or who want to do things the way they’ve always done them. Lead by example. LIBRA A practical solution is at hand to one of your inventions. Give yourself some space to allow the answer to come to you. Any repetitive task, such as weeding the garden or washing the dishes or car, will be conducive to your receiving the solution. SCORPIO You may feel an internal pressure towards responsibility this week. Go with the flow on this and the week will be like a gift. Let your words assist others in becoming more self-responsible. You are a good teacher of right actions. SAGITTARIUS Money may come to you from an unlikely source this week. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunity. Let your words this week paint the images of better ways of being in the world for yourself and for those under your care. CAPRICORN You may decide to visit a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or you may hear from one while you are at work. How did they get your number? You’ll be pleased to connect again with this person. AQUARIUS You are full of ideas this week, and some of them have practical application. Pick and choose which ones to test as you move through your week. Keep a very positive outlook on all relationships. PISCES Too much information is as confining as too little information for you. Try to find a balance in your conversations with others. Listen and observe, and you’ll learn the thing that you are looking for this week. Source: NNPA News Service
COMMUNITY
Tri-State Defender
BRIEFS & THINGS
Annual Feed the Need Thanksgiving Nov. 28
If the outreach workers of Telisa Franklin Ministries have their way, every homeless person on the streets of Memphis and Shelby County will enjoy a nice, traditional meal this year on Thanksgiving Day. At the fifth annual Feed the Need last year, TFM fed 500 men, women, and children, nearly a third of the local homeless population. In addition to the Thanksgiving meal, participants were also given blankets, coats, toiletries, shoes, health screenings, haircuts, and other personal services offered by local business owners. This year’s event is slated for Thursday, Nov. 28 at the Hollywood Community Center, 1560 Hollywood Street. Volunteers and others who would like to donate any items of clothing or food, should contact Telisa Franklin at 901281-6337.
‘Movember’ – a time for action
Millions of men across the nation made November the “hairiest” month in 2013 when beards were allowed to grow in observance of National Prostate Cancer Month. Although local observances were not as dramatic, efforts have been made by the medical community to raise awareness among African-American men throughout the county and around the southeast region. It is “time to move,” say organizers, who have renamed the month of November, “Movember.” “Tremendous strides have been made in research and treatment of prostate cancer, but we still have such a long way to go,” said Dr. Walter Rayford, a local urologist. Statistics still show that African-American men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with the disease. The fatality rate in the African-American community is more than 25 percent higher than for whites. Health disparities and the absence of preventative measures continue to be significant factors.” Graphs of statistical data collected by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) show African-American men die at an average rate of 238 in a population of 100,000 as compared to 190 for white men. Because annual checkups and preventative measures, such as a healthy diet and exercise, are more likely to be neglected, prostate cancer in African Americans is more likely to be caught in the late stages, leading to the higher fatality rate. According to the American Cancer Society, one in six men in their lifetime could be diagnosed with prostate cancer. ACS also reported that there are nearly 260,000 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed each year in the United States. BRIEFLY: The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center will sponsor its annual meeting Saturday (Nov. 23) from noon to 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1000 S. Cooper. All current members are invited to attend and participate. Others interested in joining are welcome as well. RSVP on the MSJPC website.
Image matters…
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November 21 - 27, 2013
Local NCBW chapter chartered amid a call to use its power The installation ceremony for the members of the Memphis Chapter of the National Congress of Black Women was held Sunday, Nov. 17. (Photos: Wiley Henry)
Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Wiley Henry
It took about a year and a half to get the Memphis Chapter of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. up and running. On Sunday evening (Nov. 17), the organization received its charter and the 18 founding members were installed during a two-hour ceremony in the Little Theater of The LeMoyne Owen College’s Alma C. Hansen Student Center. “I challenge you to work together and walk together,” exhorted Dr. E. Faye Williams, the NCBW’s national chair and installation speaker. “We should be ready to make a difference in somebody’s life. We have a duty to help our young brothers and sisters who’re coming behind us.” Williams presented the charter to Dr. Brenda J. Taylor, chair of the Memphis chapter, as family and friends observed. “We’ve got to work together. I think we can do it. We will make a difference in the city of Memphis,” she said. “We talked about starting a local chapter more than a year ago,” said Alfunsia Marriwether, the organization’s parliamentarian. “One of the members said they were familiar with the national chapter’s initiatives and thought it would be vital here in Memphis.” The NCBW was founded in Washington D.C. in 1984. The late congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, who represented New York’s 12th Congressional District for seven terms, served as the national’s first founding chair. After Chisholm, the late founding chair Dr. C. DeLores Tucker, a civil rights activist and the nation’s first female African-American Secretary of State from Pennsylvania, took the helm in 1992. Williams succeeded Dr. Tucker in 2005. A non-profit, non-partisan organization that empowers African-American women, those who are 25 years old and older are encouraged to join the membership organization and support its mission. “There is a need to provide service in the areas of education and development, political issues, and provide history of the African-American culture – particularly the history of African-American women,” Taylor said. The organization also urges youth to register and vote, encourages African-American women to seek elective office on all levels of government, and calls on African-American women to participate in the formation and development of public policy that impacts families and communities. There are 125 chapters in the United States. Al-
though Memphis is the only chapter so far in Tennessee, NCBW will soon form two more chapters in the state – one in Nashville and the other in Knoxville. “This chapter (Memphis) is made up of grassroots people …ordinary people who can make a difference,” said Taylor, noting that the group holds its meetings at the Junior League of Memphis. Education is a key component of the organization’s mission, said Taylor, who has worked over 43 years in the field of education. “We’re working on a grant for Hoop House, which is similar to a green house. We’re going to grow fruits and vegetables and educate people about the importance of eating healthy.” The health initiative, she said, is akin to
Holiday Festival Parade turning 16
For the past 16 years, the Holiday Festival Parade has given area youth a positive outlet to express their creativity, and provides an opportunity to showcase their talents. Organized by Hazel Moore, founder of the Academy for Youth Empowerment, each year the annual event brings thousands of Mid-South students and parents to the Whitehaven community to fellowship and celebrate the upcoming holiday season. The 2013 Holiday Festival Parade will be held on Saturday (Nov. 23rd) and begins at 10 a.m. The parade is set to commence at Southland Mall, traveling North on Elvis Presley Blvd, and will conclude at Craft Street near Graceland. More than 30 Shelby County schools, bands, and step teams will be participating in the festivities, along with appearances from several noted guests and elected officials, including Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr., and Shelby
Shelby County General Sessions Court Judge Gwen Rooks charges Dr. Brenda J. Taylor to carry out her duties as chair of the Memphis chapter.
County Mayor Mark Luttrell. The parade will also include performances from local artists on the main stage. Parade sponsors include the City of Memphis; Memphis City Councilman Harold Collins, District 3; Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority; Methodist South Hospital; First Tennessee Bank; Walgreens; State Farm Insurance; and Elvis Presley Enterprises among others. “The Holiday Festival Parade is now the only Christmas parade that takes place in the city of Memphis, and each year we are thrilled to see how much the event has grown,” said Collins. Event organizer Hazel Moore is a recognized business leader and community activist who is affectionately known throughout the city as the “Mayor of Whitehaven.” (For more information, contact Tarrin McGhee at 901517-2870 or email tarrin@piquepr.com.)
The 19th Annual African American Male Image Awards honorees were saluted by the Hobson-Goodlow Education Foundation and the Memphis Alumni Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. at The Hotel Memphis last Saturday (Nov. 16). The honorees: standing (l-r) – David Porter, Hall of Fame songwriter, record producer; Shannon H. Brown, chief diversity officer, FedEx; TSD Publisher/President Bernal E. Smith II; Pastor Milton Hawkins, Temple of Deliverance COGIC; Bobby L. White, Frayser Community School founder; Edward Stanton III, U.S. Atty., Western District of Tennessee; attorney Van D. Turner; Austin Dixon, a junior at Rhodes College. Sitting (l-r) – Charles Sims of Sims Financial Group; Scholarship recipients (from left): Devin Westbrook, Southwind High School; Samuel I. Franklin, Whitehaven High School; Michael James Curtis Jr., Central High School; Gary Lee Wilson, Olive Branch High School; and Terran Daniels, Olive Branch High School. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)
Michelle Obama’s campaign to encourage the American people to eat healthy and exercise. The focus will be on education, leadership and health related issues. Taylor is spearheading another project as well: “Leadership Training for African-American Women and their Families.” During her short talk, Williams, who holds five degrees, began by hailing the courage and strength of abolitionists Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, also a women’s rights activist. Truth is the standard-bearer for the organization. “We always had strong black women. And we are never ashamed to be called strong black women,” said Williams. “However, we ain’t got enough of nothing to be halfway satisfied.” Williams also said laws such as “Stand Your Ground” should be changed, citing as proof the tragic shooting deaths of Trayvon Martin and Renisha McBride, a Detroit teenager who sought help after an accident and was gunned down by a white homeowner claiming self-defense. “We got to work on the laws of this country,” she said. “Sometimes I think we’re going backward when it comes to civil and human rights.” Whether it’s encouraging women to fight for justice, imploring them to get involved in the political system, or advocating and developing public policy that impacts all African-American women, Williams said, “Of all the power that black women have, we have to use it.”
SPORTS Tri-State Defender, Thursday, November 21 - 27, 2013, Page 12 Playing catchup… After back-toback losses, including a nationally televised Thursday Night Football (Nov. 14) setback against Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts, the Tennessee Titans (4-6) are behind schedule in their bid to make the playoffs. On Sunday (Nov. 24), the Titans take on the Raiders (4-6). (Christopher Hope)
Victory three in the bag, Tigers face Louisville test Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by J.R. Moorhead
Followers of University of Memphis football this season have become accustomed to close games. Unfortunately, most of those have been punctuated with a collapse by the Tigers and an eventual loss. This past weekend, Memphis (2-6) was poised to win its first conference game, traveling to Tampa to take on the University of South Florida Bulls. After beating UT-Martin the previous week, the Tigers were looking to string together wins for the first time this year. The storyline headed into the game was that both teams would be starting a freshman quarterback. So the question was not which QB would win the game for his team, but which one would make fewer mistakes.
Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch only completed 6 passes in the entire game. Out of context, that sounds terrible. However, Lynch only attempted 13 passes and was able to minimize his mistakes, throwing one interception. USF’s freshman quarterback, Mike White, didn’t fare so well against the Memphis defense. He completed 18 of 34 passes, but his downfall was 4 interceptions. The turnovers led to Memphis taking control and coming away with a dominating 23-10 victory. More importantly, the Tigers (3-6) recorded their first official American Athletic Conference win. Standouts for Memphis included defensive back Bobby McCain, defensive end Martin Ifedi and kicker Jake Elliot. Bobby McCain picked off three passes and returned one of those for a touchdown. Ifedi racked two quarterback
sacks moving him to 10.5 on the season and 19 in his career. Freshman kicker Elliot went 3 for 3 in field goals attempts, including a career long 56-yarder that set a new school record and also tied the longest made field goal in Division-1 football this year. Elliot improved to 14 of 15 on the season. The Tigers now face their toughest test of the season, a road game against Louisville. The Cardinals are 9-1 this year and could easily be competing for a BCS bowl game, if it wasn’t for a mid-season loss to UCF. Memphis hasn’t been blown out all year. In fact, they have played well against the better AAC teams. Will they continue to show progress this weekend against their old rival Louisville? Or maybe even shock the world and come away with a W?
Southwest takes two on the road
T h e Southwest men’s basketball team improved its record to 51 with conference wins on the road at Walters State Chris (99-89) on Hawkins Nov. 15 and Roane State (101-90) on Nov. 16. Chris Hawkins scored 29 points, including 23 in the second half in his Southwest debut, to lead the Saluqis past Walters State. He made 11 of 13 field goals, and also led the team with eight rebounds. Rasheed Brooks added 23 points and had an excellent all-around game with six rebounds, five assists and four
steals. As a team, Southwest shot 57.4 percent from the field and assisted on 21 of 31 field goals made. Perrin Buford scored 24 points on 9 of 11 shooting from the field to lead Southwest to the win over Roane State. The Saluqis’ bench scored a total of 47 points in the game, led by Jerron Washington’s 17 points. The Southwest men travel to Dyersburg on Saturday (Nov. 23) for a conference matchup with Dyersburg State. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Tough road trip for Lady Saluqis
The Southwest women’s basketball team lost conference games on the road to Walters State (92-60) on Nov. 15 and Roane State (75-54) on Nov. 16, dropping its record to 0-4 on the season. Ajee Smith scored 20 points against Walters State and was the only Lady Saluqi in dou-
ble-figures. Kemahri Howard was the second highest scorer with nine points. In the R o a n e S t a t e game, Tat i a n a Allen led the team with 12 points and was one of four Lady Ajee Saluqis Smith who had six rebounds. Kadajae Blayde added seven points and led the team with three assists. Although Southwest did outrebound Roane State 52-37, the Lady Saluqis shot only 30.2 percent from the field, and committed 29 turnovers. The Southwest women will travel to Dyersburg on Saturday for a conference matchup with Dyersburg State. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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NOTICE TO BIDDER(S)
Sealed bids will be received by the Shelby County Government in the Department of Housing, 1075 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38134 until 9:30 a.m. on December 2, 2013 as shown below: MULTIPLE AND ENTIRELY DIFFERENT REHABILITATION JOBS ARE CONTAINED IN THIS BID NOTICE. BIDDER(S) MAY ELECT TO BID ON ANY OR ALL OF THE JOBS IN THE NOTICE. SEALED BID SBI-000233 DUE: Monday December 2, 2013
1. Rehabilitation of Owner-Occupied Housing Units throughout Shelby County some of which may require the use of lead
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based paint safe work practices and techniques; and 2. Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction Jobs.
Detailed specifications for items above may be obtained in the Shelby County Department of Housing at the aforementioned address. All bids will be opened and publicly read by the Shelby County Government at the time mentioned above at the Department of Housing, 1075 Mullins Station Road Memphis, TN 38134, (901) 2227600. As a condition precedent to bidding, each bidder must apply and qualify for a Vendor Number and Equal Opportunity Compliance Eligibility Number prior to the submitting your response. Your EOC number must be displayed on the outside of your envelope for each bid submission.
As a condition precedent to being awarded jobs involving Lead Based Paint, contractors must be certified through EPA as an RRP contractor and/or show proof of application to EPA for said certification and be certified through the State of Tennessee as a Lead Based Paint Firm. Proof of licensing at time of bid submission is required by the Shelby County Department of Housing. The label, which is attached to the specifications shall be completely filled out and attached to the bid submission envelope. You must display your current E.O.C. Eligibility Number or your Locally Owned Small Business (LOSB) Number on the outside of your envelope and a copy of all licenses and insurance policies must be included in your submitted bid package. Unless the label is completely filled out and your current E.O.C. Eligibility Number is noted thereon your bid may be returned to you unopened. Should your label be lost or misplaced, please note the appropriate information in the lower left-hand corner of your envelope. The Department of Housing encourages participation from WBE, MBE, LOSB, and Section 3 Contractors under these rehabilitation programs. The Shelby County Government reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities therein. By order of MARK H. LUTTRELL, JR., MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Jim Vazquez, Administrator
NOTICE TO BIDDER(S)
Shelby County Government is soliciting written proposals for the provision of Construction Services to Furnish and Install an Emergency Generator at Shelby County Criminal Justice Complex, 201 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103. Information regarding this RFP is located on the Countyʼs website at www.shelbycountytn.gov. At the top of the home page, click on the links “Department,” “P” for the Purchasing Department and “Bids” to locate the name of
the above-described RFP. Copies of the project manual and drawing are posted at this location and can be downloaded at no cost to prospective bidders. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DUE DECEMBER 11, 2013 AT 4:00 PM
RFP #14-011-23 FURNISH AND INSTALL EMERGENCY GENERATOR
A VOLUNTARY pre-bid conference will be held at 9:00 A.M., Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at Shelby County Criminal Justice Center, 201 Poplar Avenue, Auditiorium, 1st Floor Lobby, Memphis, TN 38103.
Shelby County is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service. THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS IS RESERVED By order of MARK H. LUTTRELL, JR., SHELBY COUNTY MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT NOTICE TO BIDDER(S)
Shelby County Government is soliciting written proposals on a competitive basis for Construction Services for Roof Replacement, Peggy Edmiston Administration Building, 1075 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, TN 38134. Information regarding this RFP is located on the Countyʼs website at www.shelbycountytn.gov. At the top of the home page, click on the links “Department,” “P” for the Purchasing Department and “Bids” to locate the name of the abovedescribed RFP. Copies of the project manual and drawing are posted at this location and can be downloaded at no cost to prospective bidders. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DUE DECEMBER 11, 2013 AT 4:00 PM
RFP #14-011-24 ROOF REPLACE-
MENT, PEGGY EDMISTON ADMINISTRATION BUILDING – 1075 MULLINS STATION ROAD
A VOLUNTARY pre-bid conference will be held at 3:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at Peggy Edmiston Administration Building, Room W263, 1075 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, TN 38104.
Shelby County is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer, drug-free with policies of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service. THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY AND ALL BIDS IS RESERVED By order of MARK H. LUTTRELL, JR., SHELBY COUNTY MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT
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Tri-State Defender