VOL. 62, No. 31
August 1 - 7, 2013
www.tsdmemphis.com
75 Cents
LOIS M. DeBERRY 1945–2013
Friendship rules as ‘Lady D’ shares life with the ‘girls’ kajanaku@tri-statedefender.com
by Karanja A. Ajanaku
Being a ‘Natural’…
Laracheal Jones smiles with excitement during her big chop by A Natural Affair stylist, Olga Williams. Also known in the natural hair community as “BC,” removing chemical-treated hair is the beginning of the natural hair journey for many women. “I just wanted to start over,” says Jones. (Photo: Nicole R. Harris) See related story and photos in Lifestyle, page 8.
- INSIDE • Entrepreneurship: Stepping out on faith. See Business, page 6. • Miller time again as Grizz add familiar sharpshooter. See Sports, page 10.
Corey Maclin
• Crash claims Corey Maclin; former wrestling promoter. See Community, page 11.
MEMPHIS WEEKEND
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
CNN
by Kevin Bohn CHATTANOOGA – On the face of it, picking Tennessee as the next stop on President Obama’s job tour was an unusual choice. In the last week he spoke in two states that were clearly in his column last year: Illinois and Florida. He, however, lost Tennessee in 2012 by almost two to one in the popular vote. During his event at Amazon distribution center in Chattanooga, he even acknowledged it: “I know that the politics for Obama aren’t always great in Tennessee.” The state is represented by two conservative GOP senators – Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, and Chattanooga is part of the 3rd Congressional District, which has long
REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS
Friday H-93 L-75 H-91 L-69 H-95 L-73
Saturday H-93 L-74 H-90 L-71 H-94 L-73
Sunday H-94 L-74 H-86 L-69 H-93 L-73
Services Saturday for ‘Community Champion.’ See page 2.
Now, she said a mouthful and got nothing but, ‘Amens.’ “Lady DeBerry,” said Mitchell, was “a wife, mother of one son and Tish Towns, as her very own daughter. She was a friend to many, a champion for women in leadership, and a loyal and committed servant for this commuSEE DeBERRY ON PAGE 3
Special to the New Tri-State Defender
President Obama speaks in Chattanooga about the ʻGrand Bargain.ʼ The stop was an unlikely one seeing that the president lost Tennessee by a nearly 2-to-1 margin in the 2012 election. (Photo: Pool/CNN)
sent a Republican to the House of Representatives. Currently, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann represents the district. All three were invited to the president’s speech at an Amazon center
that processes and fulfills online customer orders, but they all declined citing other commitments. There were several elected DemocSEE OBAMA ON PAGE 5
Students pose questions, offer advice to new Supt. Hopson Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Deidra Shores
Recent changes to the Memphis and Shelby County school systems may only appear to be affecting students and parents, but Shelby County School District Supt. Dorsey Hopson clearly knows otherwise. Hopson came to the summer journalism camp at the University of Memphis on Monday (July 29) and had a chance to hear from some of the students who will be a part of
The second African-American woman elected to the Tennessee General Assembly, Rep. Lois M. DeBerry was first elected in 1972. (Courtesy photo)
Mayor Wharton: Unfiltered
‘Volunteer State’ an unlikely stop on Obama’s jobs tour
iTeen Report H- 9 3o - L - 7 4o H- 9 2o - L - 7 4o H- 9 0o - L - 7 3o Partl y Cl oud y Scat. T-Storms Scat. T-Sto rms
For State Rep. Lois M. DeBerry and two of her very best friends, time well-spent included moments when they were “just women having fun being ‘girls.’” Rep. DeBerry – the first female Speaker Pro-Tempore and the second African-American to hold that position – died Sunday afternoon at Methodist Hospital South after a bout with pancreatic cancer. She was 68. Known to many as “Lady D,” Rep. DeBerry’s waves of influence were felt near, far and often. And close to her within that sphere were Gales Jones Carson and TaJuan Scott Stout Mitchell. The three shared myriad interests. “Almost every night ‘The Good Wife’ was on we were glued to the television for one hour. Later, we added ‘Scandal’ to our list,” said Mitchell. “We would get on a three-way conference call to talk about the show and sometimes on text messages. We could be in three homes or three parts of the country, we met by phone or text to talk about our shows. Just women having fun being ‘girls.’” On one show, Mitchell said, “Alicia asks Peter to make a promise...one that we doubted he could keep. We wanted Alicia to dump Peter and go with Will. Gale said, ‘Well Wise One, how could she even think about trusting him or taking him back?’ “Lois laughed because we admired Alicia and couldn’t believe this move. Then, she replied, ‘Because tough times never outlast strong women.’
Deidra Shores
Dorsey Hopson
the upcoming unified school system. “Everyday there is something to
worry about… like 20 tests in one day,” said Hopson, in an attempt to convey to the students the difficulty he faces on the job. Hopson said he will be reaching out to the Memphis community and listening to what people want. Every student in the room understood that Hopson was genuinely concerned with each question and the advice given to him. After all, many of the students have been a part of the school system for 11 years and know the in’s and out’s. Roughly 70 journalism SEE HOPSON ON PAGE 12
The New Tri-State Defender periodically provides newsmakers with an unfiltered forum to address current affairs. Readers can then dissect the offered viewpoints, comparing and contrasting what they read to what they have heard and/or thought. This week, Mayor AC Wharton Jr. is at the plate. With the flak recently directed his way, the TSD was particularly interested in knowing what he thinks is up with that.
Q: You’ve taken a lot of criticism throughout the budget process from Council members, union leaders and city employees, and citizens slamming you for lack of leadership, not AC supporting emWharton Jr. ployees, pandering to big business and doing nothing for small businesses. How do you respond to the criticism? A: I don’t mind criticism. It motivates me to work harder to prove the critics wrong. I just wish the critics would tell the truth and make sure they have the facts before they criticize. Instead of responding to every negative comment, I remain focused on the strategic priorities of my administration: creating safe and vibrant neighborhoods; investing in our youth; providing opportunities for economic prosperity for all citizens; promoting SEE WHARTON ON PAGE 12
NEWS
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Tri-State Defender
August 1 - 7, 2013
Services Saturday for community champion; Rep. Lois DeBerry dies at 68 kajanaku@tri-statedefender.com
by Karanja A. Ajanaku
The family of Tennessee State Rep. Lois M. DeBerry and the public that she served will say goodbye to her during services set for Saturday, Aug. 3. Rep. DeBerry – the first female Speaker Pro-Tempore and the second African-American to hold that position – died Sunday afternoon at Methodist Hospital South after a bout with pancreatic cancer. She was 68. The family of Rep. Lois M. DeBerry, which includes her husband, Charles Traughber, and her son, Michael Boyer, has announced the following service arrangements: Family Graveside Service – Saturday, Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. at Elmwood Historic Cemetery; Phone: 901-7743212. Legacy Celebration – Saturday, Aug. 3 at noon at First Baptist Church-Broad, 2835 Broad Ave. In memoriam donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the following: • Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org • Lois M. DeBerry Memorial Fund, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, P.O. Box 179, Madison, AL 35758 • Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church in memory of Lois M. DeBerry, 1702 Silver Street, Memphis, TN 38106 V.H. Bins and Son Mid-South Funeral Home (901-946-2061) has charge.
REFLECTIONS
Accolades for Rep. DeBerry, who grew up in Memphis and graduated from Hamilton High School and LeMoyne-Owen College, continue to poor in from friends, colleagues, sometime-adversaries and more. The New York Times recognized her passing in a recent edition.
Mayor A C Wharton Jr.:
In October 2009, House Speaker Pro Tempore Lois DeBerry said she was shocked, surprised and honored to be among those chosen by AT&T for the Tennessee African American History Calendar. (Photo: Earl Stanback/TSD)
elected in 1972, she always served her community in a special manner and gave so much back. She will be sorely missed by all of those she helped. It was an honor to serve with Lois and see the difference she made each and every day. Hers was truly a life well lived.”
State Sen. Lowe Finney:
“Before I ever ran for office, I was motivated and inspired by the leadership of Lois DeBerry. She intentionally focused on tough issues, daring others to join her, and by her words could inspire people to take action and get involved. Tennessee has lost a great leader today.”
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Speaker Pro Tempore Lois DeBerry. “For those in political circles, she was Speaker DeBerry, a trusted partner and consummate advocate for the people of Memphis and our state. Many of her friends and people across the community, however, also knew her as Lady D – an intelligent, cosmopolitan, personality whose passion for the people she served knew no bounds. … “Despite the accolades she continually received throughout her career, Lois remained equally at home among the well-to-do and political powerful as well as the residents in the neighborhoods of her district. She was unquestionably a woman of the people who never lost the common touch. “And of all of the attributes that defined her, Lois’ faith and signature outspokenness earned her the respect of her colleagues and the adoration of the community she called home. In fact, her willingness to speak up and speak out for the voiceless was in her view a consequence of her discipleship and the Christian admonition to minister to ‘the least of’ our brothers and sisters. “Lois DeBerry represented the best of us, and I am proud to say that she was my friend. I know that this sentiment is shared by thousands of others who will miss both her leadership and friendship.”
“I’ve always admired the wisdom, strength and passion for service of Lois DeBerry. When I decided to run for office, she was one of few local women in politics that I admired and desired to emulate. I loved that she always had a nugget of guidance whenever I’d see her. She was a jewel, a servant leader – she will be sorely missed!”
Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell Jr.:
Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators
“Representative DeBerry served Tennessee’s General Assembly with honor and distinction. She was a true champion of civil rights and fought to ensure the needs of all citizens were represented during her decades of service in Nashville. “Representative DeBerry had a determined spirit that not only led to a more effective state government but inspired those of us at the local level as well. All of us at Shelby County Government share in the sorrow of her passing.”
Congressman Steve Cohen:
“Tennessee has lost a legend today,” said Cohen. “Speaker Pro Tempore Emeritus Lois DeBerry was an historic African American legislator and a go to person on everything from civil rights to children’s and women’s issues. … “As the longest serving member of the House, her fame was greatest in her hometown but the respect she earned extended nationally among members of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, and the Deltas. Since being
Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.):
“Lois DeBerry will be remembered as a tireless advocate for her community, and as one of the longest-serving women lawmakers in the nation and the first African-American female speaker pro tempore in the House. Lois’ legacy will be remembered in Memphis and across our state for generations to come,” said Corker. “I appreciate her many years of public service and her friendship and kindness. My heart goes out to her family during this difficult time.”
SCS Commissioner Tomeka Hart:
Rep. Larry Miller, Chairman of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators, said the group mourns and celebrates the legacy of “our friend, our mentor, our leader, and our treasured colleague.” Speaker Pro Tem DeBerry was a trailblazer in organizing black state legislators in Tennessee and the United States. In 1976, she joined with a handful of other black female legislators to push for the formation of an official group of Black State Legislators. NBCSL was born in Nashville in 1977. “Rep. DeBerry served as President of NBCSL from 1994 to 1999, where she helped to form and strengthen coalition partnerships in order to expand the reach and influence of the organization,” said Miller. “In addition, Rep. DeBerry pushed for a focus on international policy in Africa and elsewhere around the world.” In 2000, Rep. DeBerry seconded the nomination of Vice President Al Gore to be the Democratic Nominee for President,” he said, noting her national reach. As Chairman of the Tennessee Black Caucus, Rep. DeBerry pioneered the annual legislative retreat,
Ruth Davis, Gale Jones Carson and Rep. Lois M. DeBerry at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. (Photo courtesy of Gale Jones Carson)
Tempore Emeritus. In accepting the honor of the position, DeBerry told her colleagues that, “I’ve never done anything to get a return, every decision that I’ve tried to make came from my heart.”
State Sen. Jim Kyle:
“Lois DeBerry was a peerless leader for her community, her city and for all women....It’s a uniquely American story – a woman who became frustrated with the conditions in her community and dedicated her life to making it better, rising to heights that no African American woman had seen before in Tennessee. We are deeply saddened by her passing.” On Pancreatic Cancer Day in Nov. 2012, Rep. DeBerry, who died from the disease on Sunday, was honored. Those saluting her included (l-r) former House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, House Speaker Beth Harwell and Gov. Bill Haslam. (Photo courtesy of Gale Jones Carson)
which brought thousands of citizens and legislative officials from across the state together to improve the delivery of government services, said Miller. “This work had a dramatic impact on education, children’s services, elderly care, health care, economic development and many other facets of service for the people of Tennessee.” The members of the Tennessee Black Caucus are: Sen. Ophelia Ford, Sen. Thelma Harper, Sen. Reggie Tate, Rep. Joe Armstrong, Rep. Karen Camper, Rep. Barbara Cooper, Rep. John Deberry, Rep. JoAnne Favors, Rep. Brenda Gilmore, Rep. G.A. Hardaway, Rep. Harold M. Love Jr., Rep. Larry Miller, Rep. Antonio Parkinson, Rep. Johnny Shaw, Rep. Joe Towns Jr. and Rep. Johnnie
Turner
House Democrats
“Tennessee owes Lois DeBerry a debt of gratitude for her immeasurable contributions to improving the health, welfare, and well-being of the people of our state,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner. “Lois was an irreplaceable member of our caucus and she will always have a place in our hearts and memories.” In May of 2011, the legislature passed House Joint Resolution 516, sponsored by Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh, which honored Rep. DeBerry with the title of Speaker Pro
NOBEL-Women
The National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBELWomen) hailed Rep. DeBerry as one of its “most influential and inspirational leaders.” The non-profit, nonpartisan group was organized to increase and promote the presence of black women in government. It is composed primarily of current and former black women legislators, in addition to a number of appointed officials. “ Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Representative Lois DeBerry, said NOBEL National President, Senator Sharon Weston Broome of Louisiana. “Representative DeBerry was a friend, and mentor to many of the women of NOBEL and will be greatly missed. We would also like to offer our deepest condolences to her family and friends. Be comforted in knowing that her spirit and valor will live on in each of us as we continue to be a global voice for the voiceless.”
Tri-State Defender
NEWS
August 1 - 7, 2013
In July 2011, Rep. DeBerry spoke at Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.ʼs 43rd Southern Regional Conference in Memphis. (Courtesy photo/TSD archives)
DeBERRY
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
nity.” Carson, a member of the Democratic National Committee, finds it just as easy to talk about Rep. DeBerry – the human being she sums up this way: “Christian, trailblazer, role model, a strong advocate for children, education and promoting women, fighter, leader, mentor, and most importantly a friend who supported and helped many in so many ways. She was strong, stern and nononsense, but very kind, compassionate and big-hearted.” When they talked – and they did so often – the conversations were wide-ranging, spanning life, decisions and the political world. “Whenever I needed her advice, she would answer my phone calls and advise me. She always gave wise advice that I did not steer from. I respected and trusted her, I believed in her – she could get things done that many others could not.” Carson said one of her big political goals was to serve as a member of the Democratic National Committee and that Rep. DeBerry played a key role in making that happen. “After waiting for about 10years, I was faced with the opportunity to run for an open seat on the DNC representing the state of Tennessee. Others wanted Lois to run but she chose to help me achieve my dream. Thanks to Lois, I am a member
State Rep. Lois M. DeBerry (middle) with the ʻgirlsʼ: TaJuan Scott Stout Mitchell (left) and Gales Jones Carson. (Photo courtesy of TaJuan Scott Stout Mitchell) of the DNC – I will always be indebted to her for that.” In 1999, Carson lost her 17year-old son, Jason, and DeBerry’s support was immense, she said. “Just a few months ago – when she was ill – she supported my son, Bryan, when he ran for the Chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party. On March 16th, the first day of the Shelby County
Democratic Party’s Convention, she texted me at 4:23 a.m. She wrote, ‘Ok, I am just getting home because my potassium was so low that I had to get two liters of potassium but if you need me, I will be there.’ “That’s true friendship, that’s Lois DeBerry,” said Carson. “There for everyone she cared about no matter what – never putting her health or needs before the needs of others.”
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John H. Sengstacke Publisher (1951 - 1997)
The Mid-Southʼs Best Alternative Newspaper
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OPINION
Tri-State Defender
August 1 - 7, 2013
• Bernal E. Smith II President / Publisher • Dr. Karanja A. Ajanaku Executive Editor
Don Lemon and the complexity of race The Root
by Peniel E. Joseph Don Lemon, one of CNN’s highest-profile black anchors, triggered a recent firestorm of anger and recrimination when he suggested that African Americans should alter their personal behavior if they want to achieve racial equality. Lemon’s efforts at tough love admonished young black men for wearing baggy pants, castigated hip-hop for romanticizing prison culture, implored young people to study and, in a rhetorical flourish that some found especially painful, blamed unwed mothers for having too many babies. Lemon’s comments openly echo the vitriolic, race-baiting rant by Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly, whose solution to racial inequality in America is for black people to stop blaming whites for racism and magically lift themselves up by their bootstraps. Both Lemon and O’Reilly’s words evoke comedian Bill Cosby’s infamous “Pound Cake” speech at the NAACP in 2004. In that speech Cosby, a longtime civil rights supporter, redefined black poverty as a byproduct of individual behavior rather than institutions that have long marginalized and oppressed African Americans. While it’s easy to dismiss O’Reilly as a spokesman for the right wing, the words of Cosby and now Lemon are harder for many to ignore. Lemon’s analysis ignores the hard path toward racial equality in favor of easy targets of individual behavior. But his voice, which reflects the spoken and unspoken thoughts of many, is relevant to a probing national dialogue on race and democracy in America. The understandably critical response to the tenor of Lemon’s comments has ranged from thoughtfully insightful to inappropriate attacks on Lemon’s interracial relationship and questions about his racial authenticity. Predictably, Twitter criticism proved especially vitriolic, with some mentioning Lemon’s sexuality (he’s openly gay) in naming him the “black gay equivalent to the angry white male.” In other words, Brother Lemon just got his ghetto pass revoked, while some would claim he never even had one. Yet we can’t just dismiss Lemon as an “Uncle Tom” or race traitor because his words, while inaccurate, vocalize a myth about black pathology that many Americans share. A genuine dialogue about race in America needs to include such voices in order to move beyond the pathological description of black culture that dominates our national discourse. The silencing of voices such as Lemon makes them no less powerful in their impact on the perception of African Americans. Indeed, the tendency to substitute personal anecdote over historical context and to find magic solutions in changed personal behavior rather than promote policy that can transform material circumstances is as American as apple pie. But the black community possesses enough intellectual maturity and political integrity to welcome such voices into the debate. The only way to educate those such as Lemon, who express points of view based more on gut feelings than political reality, is through open and honest dialogue rather than anger or censorship. Although Lemon’s words are historically inaccurate and miss the fundamental connection between institutional racism and public policy, they are important precisely because they reflect the feelings of a large majority of whites and a growing number of the black upper-middle class. And what we must understand is that his words reflect something that we as a community can’t ignore: the increasing chasm within the black community marked by socioeconomic class status and access to educational opportunities. While many successful blacks from earlier generations remained aware of their unique status by virtue of the blatant nature of Jim Crow, contemporary African-American elites are increasingly far removed from visible signs of racial discrimination. On this score, rather than focusing on the “New Jim Crow” of mass incarceration, horrendous public schools, residential segregation and massive unemployment and gun violence that plague too many black communities, the focus becomes the easy target of individual behavior. We’ve been here before: Both Lemon and Cosby approach the growing crisis of racial injustice and
economic inequality in America from the view of “racial uplift.” In the 19th century, “racial uplift” meant that respectable black women and men projected an air of education and erudition that, in Peniel many instances, E. Joseph aped that of their white counterparts. The crucial difference was the way in which the “Talented Tenth” openly struggled against Jim Crow, racism and white supremacy. But even the most passionate black social reformers, Don including W.E.B. Lemon Du Bois, at times felt unease about the way in which poor blacks (and their behavior, penchant for crime, proliferating children) cast a long, negative shadow on the entire race. Some went even further. Unable or unwilling to confront racism’s brutal institutional, political and cultural manifestations, they settled on demonizing poor blacks. Arguing that pathological behavior resulted in social marginalization and economic misery, the most conservative “race” men and women of the era distanced themselves from the black poor even as they fought mightily to gain access to predominantly white institutions. By the 1960s, with the release of Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s report on the black family, myths of black pathology became enshrined in our national discourse. The erroneous idea that African Americans were stuck in a generational culture of poverty because of their own deviant behavior (reflected primarily although not exclusively in the high rates of out-of-wedlock births) informed debates over race and poverty in the post-civil rights era. What became known as America’s urban “underclass” was rooted in a longstanding racial, cultural and political stereotyping of the black poor. This stereotype is deceptively simple. If young black men could just pull their pants up, stop using the n-word and go to school and get a job, their lives would be transformed. Similarly, if young black women abandoned teen-age promiscuity and delved instead into academic studies, black poverty rates would be dramatically reduced. What this story ignores is the links between institutions and behavior, the binds that tie public policy to positive and negative outcomes large enough to affect whole neighborhoods, towns, cities, states and nations. Poverty and racial segregation remain at the core of the national crisis of race and democracy in the 21st century. Historically, this has always been the case. The civil rights movement’s heroic period focused on bread-and-butter legislation designed to produce good jobs, decent housing, effective public schools and thriving communities. Lyndon Johnson’s dream of America as a “Great Society” aided and abetted black strivers, as did the war on poverty and Medicare and Medicaid. These pieces of legislation were extensions of the New Deal, which passed the most important socioeconomic legislation (including Social Security) in American history. The upcoming 50th anniversary of the March on Washington should be a time for a research-driven conversation about racial inequality that asks tough questions not just about individual behavior but also about the collective stake we all have in transforming American social, political and economic institutions to include the poor blacks we dismiss as being personally unworthy of full citizenship and culpable in their own miserable fate. (Peniel E. Joseph is founding director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy and a professor of history at Tufts University. He is also the Caperton fellow for the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute at Harvard University. Joseph is the author of “Waiting ‘Til the Midnight Hour: A Narrative History of Black Power in America and Dark Days, Bright Nights: From Black Power to Barack Obama.” Follow him on Twitter.)
Focus on poverty, not the middle class
Several of us were sharing our views on radio Sunday night with Gary Byrd when my friend and colleague Cash Michaels urged us to remember that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated while organizing poor people. This is a good time to remember that as President Obama seeks ways to strengthen the middle class and civil rights leaders focus on celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Aug. 28, 1963 March on Washington. The idea of organizing a Poor People’s Campaign was discussed during a Nov. 27-31, 1967 Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) planning session in Frogmore, S.C. With the nation’s attention focused on the Vietnam War, Dr. King wanted to redirect the conversation to what the Bible calls the least among us by focusing on jobs and income. Dr. King’s idea was to bring poor people from all over the country to Washington, D.C. in order to put a face on the suffering of people. While still firmly committed to nonviolence, his plan was for a dramatic presence that would disrupt traffic and shut down the nation’s capital. “We ought to come in mule carts, in old trucks, any kind of transportation people can get their hands on. People ought to come to Washington, sit down if necessary in the middle of the streets and say, ‘We are here; we are poor; we don’t have any money; you have made us this way,’” King said. “And we’ve come to stay until you do something about it.” Just as his close advisers had urged him not to give his “I Have a Dream Speech” in 1963, variations of which they had heard earlier, most of Dr. King’s inner circle disagreed with his decision to embark on a Poor People’s Campaign. Children activists and former civil rights attorney Marian Wright Edelman recalled in her book, “Unfinished Business,” “William Rutherford, who had organized the
Cutting bus routes not the way to go
Johnnie Mosley is chairman of Citizens For Better Service. He forwarded these remarks, which were constructed for the Memphis Area Transit Authority’s public hearing held recently at Rice Community Center on July 23.
As Founder and Chairman of Citizens For Better Service, I have been a voice for accessible and affordable public transportation for 20 years. But I stand not as an expert in public transportation. I am the son of a garbage man. Forty-five years ago, my father was one of 1300 sanitation workers who marched for dignity. At that time, my father was not called the respectful title “Mister” but he still believed in a simple phrase: “We hold these truths to be self evident; all men are created
Friends of SCLC in Europe in 1966 and was appointed executive director of SCLC during the summer of 1967, declared that, ‘basically almost no one on the staff thought that the George next priority, the E. Curry next major movement, should be focused on poor people or the question of poverty in America.’ At the time James Bevel wanted to remain focused on combating slums in northern cities, Hosea Williams promoted voter registration campaigns in the South, Jesse Jackson wanted to continue to develop Operation Breadbasket, and Andrew Young worried that SCLC’s budget of under a million dollars necessitated smaller campaigns in the South.” But Dr. King forged ahead, calling for $30 billion to be spent on anti-poverty measures, employment and housing construction. King was helping organize garbage workers in Memphis when he was assassinated. Ralph D. Abernathy, his successor and close friend, continued with plans for the Poor People’s Campaign. Instead of the militant protest Dr. King had envisioned, however, the highlight of the Poor People’s March to Washington was not shutting down the capital, but the erection of Resurrection City, a collection of tents pitched in D.C. Various executive agencies were lobbied on behalf of the poor and leaders called for an Economic Bill of Rights. The shantytown was disbanded after six weeks. In the view of many observers, Dr. King posed a greater threat to the power structure when he began organizing poor Blacks and Whites. But there is an even better opportunity to unite poor people today be-
cause so many Whites have become impoverished as a result of a recession and high unemployment. Poverty is officially defined as a family of four living off of $23,021 or less a year. Today, a record 46.2 million people –15 percent of the U.S. population – are considered poor. The Associated Press reported: For the first time since 1975, the number of white single-mother households living in poverty with children has surpassed or equaled Black ones in the past decade. Since 2000, the poverty rate among working-class whites has grown faster than among workingclass non-whites, rising 3 percentage points to 11 percent. Still, poverty among workingclass non-whites remains about double that of whites. Mark Rank, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis, believes Dr. King was on to something when he sought to unite poor people across racial lines. “Poverty is no longer an issue of ‘them,’ it’s an issue of ‘us.’ he told the Associated Press. “Only when poverty is thought of as a mainstream event, rather than a fringe experience that just affects Blacks and Hispanics, can we really begin to build broader support for programs that lift people in need.” This is no time to keep Dr. King frozen in the memory of the 1963 March on Washington or his “I Have a Dream” speech while neglecting his true calling to eradicate poverty five years later. As he said, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
IN THE MAIL
public hearings are over, the MATA administration go back to the drawing board and conceive a better plan with no bus eliminations but deeper cuts in administrative expenses. If the experts at MATA can not conceive a better proposal, the PhD’s, the MD’s, and the no D’s may be singing “The Thrill Is Gone.” I encourage the MATA Board to listen to the cries of bus riders who are worrying about losing their lifeline to work, and taking caring of their families. I ask the board to understand that bus riders are not just numbers on a piece of paper but human beings who just want to be treated with dignity and respect. Do not mistreat bus riders like Mayor Loeb mistreated the 1968’s sanitation workers. Let them know that you care about them. Let them know that you understand that President Abraham Lincoln was right: “A house divided against itself can not stand.”
equals and endowed by our Creator with certain rights: Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.” To those at MATA who believe that I do not understand the position of MATA, my advice is for you to take the advice of Fantasia: “Sometimes, you got to lose to win.” I understand that MATA is stuck between a financial rock and a hard place. I hear the voices of bus riders whose buses are on the chopping block. I know that they are feeling the same pains my father felt in 1968. I agree with many of them that there is something morally wrong with the elimination of bus routes at a time when MATA is experiencing a 3.6 percent increase in ridership. I am convinced that if MATA eliminates any bus routes, MATA will compromise the right of Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness not just of a few bus riders but for many citizens in our city who depend on bus riders to do jobs they would not themselves. I propose when these
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(George E. Curry is editor-inchief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) He can be reached via www.georgecurry.com. Follow him at www.twitter .com/currygeorge and George E. Curry Fan Page on Facebook.)
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NATION
Tri-State Defender
OBAMA
CONTINUED FROM FRONT
rats, including Rep. Jim Cooper, on hand, and some locally elected Republicans did attend. “I hated for the president to come to my hometown and not accompany him, especially because it would have provided an opportunity for us to talk more about our country’s fiscal challenges,” Corker, a former mayor of Chattanooga, said in a statement, but he said he had work to do in Washington. During his speech the president proposed to Republicans a deal: he would accept a corporate tax decrease if they would pass some of his spending proposals, such as infrastructure improvements, with some of the accompanying savings from the tax cut. “If folks in Washington want a ‘grand bargain,’ how about a grand bargain for middle class jobs?” the president asked. He is using speeches, such as Tuesday’s, to try and show he is emphasizing the middle class and ways to strengthen it – and that the Republicans are standing in the way. Republican leaders immediately shot down the president’s proposals as just recycled ideas. “It is just a further left version of a widely panned plan he already proposed two years ago – this time with extra goodies for tax and spend liberals,” Sen. Mitch McConnell (RKy.) said. But the White House could tout one bit of good news – Amazon just one day ago announced it would add 5,000 full-time jobs, including dozens in Chattanooga, to its distribution centers around the country. “That’s the kind of investment that we’re starting to see more of,” Deputy White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Monday. “Other companies are making that kind of investment to modernize their infrastructure, and we should be
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August 1 - 7, 2013
“I hated for the president to come to my hometown and not accompany him, especially because it would have provided an opportunity for us to talk more about our country’s fiscal challenges.” Sen. Bob Corker
making that kind of investment here in this country as well.” The Amazon plant in Chattanooga employs 1,800 fulltime employees and 700 part-time ones. Currently it employs about 20,000 fulltime workers at its fulfillment centers. As the president used the event to tout ways to help the middle class, the White House was asked about whether Amazon’s jobs fit that category. Amazon says the jobs in its fulfillment centers pay 30 percent more than traditional retail ones and they carry bonuses and tuition programs. While salaries vary by location, a full-time worker starting out at a distribution center would start out making approximately $11-$17 an hour. Another irony for the president’s visit: while he touted in the speech manufacturing and how the number of jobs in manufacturing has gone up, Chattanooga has seen a revitalization as it is no longer emphasizing manufacturing. Much of the job growth in the city is now in the service sector thanks to hospitals, insurance and other businesses such as Amazon. “Diversity has really grown in the last 20-30 years,” Charles Wood, vice president of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, told CNN. While in the 1970’s and 80’s manufacturing dominated the city, the city eventually lost thousands of jobs because of economic shifts. City leaders decided to diversify and now see manufacturing and service both playing key roles. “They play well off of each other,” said Wood.
Voting Rights Act backers meet with President Obama NNPA News Service
by Freddie Allen WASHINGTON – The Voting Rights Act is down, but not out and civil rights leaders joined President Obama and Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. at the White House Monday to discuss renewed efforts in the fight against voter discrimination. In a statement released after the meeting, Al Sharpton, civil rights activist and president of the National Action Network said: “Today the United States President and Attorney General met with a broad coalition of civil rights and voting rights leaders to assure us that they will continue to work with us to protect every American’s right to vote.” Sharpton continued: “We had a great alarm when the Supreme Court ruled against Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act but after meeting with the President and the Attorney General we were assured that the Voting Rights Act may be wounded but it is not dead. It is not even critically wounded; it can and will be revived.” Last month, the Supreme Court, struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, effectively neutering what many called the crown jewel of the Civil Rights Movement. Section 4 required all or parts of 15 states with track records of voter discrimination to get “preclearance” from the Justice Department or a federal court for any changes they wanted to make to voting laws. Within hours after the Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, a number of state lawmakers from previously covered states announced plans to move forward with restrictive voting laws that disproportionately affect minorities, the elderly and young voters. Texas is one of those states. The Lone Star State has a history of voting discrimination, the latest entry due to redistricting plans that disproportionately affected minority
voters. During a speech at the National Urban League’s annual convention, Holder said that, “the State of Texas should be required to go through a preclearance process whenever it changes its voting laws and practices.” Holder plans to use remaining sections of the law to go after states that continue practices that intentionally discriminate against voters. Barbara Arnwine, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said that uncovering and fighting voter discrimination in the current landscape is a daunting task, but she was encouraged to see how much the Department of Justice is strategizing and positioning itself to be a real force in combating racial discrimination. Kasim Reed, mayor of At-
lanta, said that civil rights leaders and voting rights advocates will be doing more education than ever. “While there are a number of adverse tactics being used to undermine the right to vote, if we do our job we will make sure that people maintain access to the ballot,” said Reed, who plans to work with mayors across the nation to form partnerships with civil rights organizations to assist in voter engagement and education. Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, said that voters must “be particularly vigilant on proposals in state legislatures when they happen, not when they gain momentum, but when they happen.” Arnwine said her group will be looking at all the states and plans to conduct hearings nationwide to assist Congress in
obtaining the data that will be necessary to create a new voting map. “Ultimately, it’s about what the citizens will do” she said. Melanie L. Campbell, president and CEO of The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, said young voters have increased their civic engagement, rallying around recent Supreme Court decisions on affirmative action and the Voting Rights Act. “Our young people are connecting the dots,” said Campbell. “They connect the Stand Your Ground law to the voting rights law, so part of what’s going to happen during the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, you will see young people coming here for training and teach-ins, because they understand that the rights that need protecting all center around the Voting Rights Act.”
BUSINESS
Page 6
Tri-State Defender
August 1 - 7, 2013
ON OUR WAY TO WEALTHY
Entrepreneurship: Stepping out on faith Stepping out on true faith, Monique Clark voluntarily left Corporate America to start her own company. In partnership with her husband, Kenneth, Mrs. Clark created Infinite Clean, a full service maintenance company with a concentration on public and private sector. Having been moved by the wisdom of their 11-yearold son, The Clarks have not looked back. Join us for a two part article as Monique shares her journey with us.
Part 1
Carlee McCullough: Tell us about yourself. Monique Clark: I am originally from Sacramento, Calif. I have been married to Mr. Kenneth B. Clark for 23 years. We have six children and six grandchildren. I moved to Memphis fifteen years ago to assist my husband in caring for his grandmother who was 88 years old at the time. I am at my best when I collaborate with others who share the same mindset when it comes to brainstorming ideas and seeing them come to fruition. I rely on the strengths of my husband in seeing opportunities that I could possibly miss. He sees what is not there, and that helps to blend our talents and gifts. We share a common goal which is to always provide “stellar” customer service in every aspect of our business.
CM: Tell us about your Professional Background. MC: I worked in Corporate America for over 23 years while volunteering my time with non –profit organizations such as my church. I learned the value of integrity and hard work through the church’s teachings and while employed in Corporate America. I have administratively supported executives in varying businesses which allowed interaction with client development, recruiting, project management, human resources, and proficiency in all standard office software and a diversified knowledge to cover any shortages in areas of staffing. As the President and Owner of Infinite Clean, my responsibilities are to increase our clientele and build solid relationships among business leaders in Memphis and the surrounding areas. I am also
Google to make Starbucks Wi-Fi 10 times faster CNNMoney
by Katie Lobosco Google is teaming up with Starbucks to make Wi-Fi at its coffee shops 10 times faster. Over the next 18 months, Google will be upgrading all 7,000 company-operated Starbucks locations in the United States. Starbucks already offers free Wi-Fi at its coffee shops, but the company said faster Internet speeds will give it a competitive advantage. “Our goal is to continue to provide our customers with the best in-store experience possible, and we are excited to offer these kinds of unparalleled experiences at a broad scale,” said Adam Brotman, Starbucks’ chief digital officer. Since 2008, AT&T has provided in-store Wi-Fi for Starbucks, but when that contract expired, Google beat out the telecom. AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel noted that in AT&T’s proposal to Starbucks, the telecom giant also offered up to 10 times faster network and Wi-Fi speeds. “The decision must have been based on criteria other than speeds,” he said. Google has taken an interest in increasing speeds for Internet users across the country, as more robust connections translate into more searches and bigger advertising dollars. The search giant has offered free Wi-Fi for the city of Mountain View, Calif., for several years, and it has installed super-fast fiber networks in Kansas City. More than a dozen other cities, including Austin, Texas, are on tap to receive “Google Fiber” soon. For Starbucks located within Google Fiber cities, Internet speeds are expected to become 100 times faster than their current levels.
responsible for hiring and training our employees with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively address Carlee McCullough any issues that may arise while they are in the field. My husband, Kenneth, is our Vice President of Sales & Marketing. His main objective is Monique to build Clark and market Infinite Clean. He also assists with training and hiring our sales team. He is a person who thinks outside of the box and enjoys collaborating with like-minded individuals who take risks that others do not think is possible. He thrives on creativity and innovation. Once he engages a client, he seeks to understand their needs to determine how he can develop a plan to solve their problem. This type of aptitude allowed him to become the number one salesman in every position of sales. CM: What made you quit your job and pursue entrepreneurship? MC: We were contemplating purchasing a cleaning franchise until after speaking to a franchisor and looking at the money that they wanted you to invest. We thought about using those resources to develop our own “brand”. I have always wanted to become financially independent and wanted to have the authority to dictate what my worth is. When God gave me the name for Infinite Clean, I sat on it for awhile. I was still employed trying to figure out how all of this was going to come to pass. One day during spring break, I was in the kitchen washing dishes. As I entered the dining room, my then eleven year old son stopped me and he had a quar-
ter in his hand. He said “Mom heads or tails?” I said [that] I did not have time for that. He said, “Mom, heads or tails.” I said ‘heads’ to get him away from me. I had no idea what he was doing. It landed on heads and he stated “Mom, God wants you to start Infinite Clean,” and he just walked off. What you have to understand is five months after the name was given, he (my son) confirmed what I was pondering. I went the next day to obtain our business license.
CM: How did you prepare to go without your stable income and pursue your dream fulltime? MC: I always thought about what would happen if I left my job and after realizing that we did not have much debt, (mortgage, or car notes), it was an easy decision to leave. I used my salary and retirement money to start and grow Infinite Clean. While I concentrated on our business, my husband kept his job and maintained the household. CM: Who is your target market? MC: Currently our focus is to target commercial accounts — large and small — as well as property management facilities. Although we are qualified to service private residential properties, our primary focus is to develop lasting relationships within the public and private sectors. CM: How do you market to your target market? MC: We utilize the internet, cold calling and networking opportunities. We also collaborate with other entrepreneurs who we feel could contribute something of value to clients. This in turns aids them in the developing of their respective companies. Again our credibility increases when we concentrate on our specific area of service and that is providing stellar customer service in all aspects of our business. We want our clients to feel as if they are a part of our family and in essence they are. CM: Who or what inspired to start your own business? MC: We were under a Pastor in Sacramento who always taught us about being great
leaders. But it was when I attended a meeting at World Overcomer’s Outreach Ministry here in Memphis during a time when I did not know what I could do or should do as it related to the topic a speaker taught on. She mentioned a scripture in Deuteronomy 8:18 and it states “Remember the Lord thy God, for it is He that gives thee power to get wealth, so that He may establish His covenant as He promised to your fathers.” This scripture, she went on to explain, states that God gives us “power” to mean “gifts” that allows us to get wealth. She went on about how every experience we have on the job is an experience to gain wealth for ourselves and that we also have gifts that “make room for us”. Acknowledging my “gifts,” I began writing business plans for each idea that came to me. CM: Do you have any advice to those interested in leaving their jobs to pursue business opportunities fulltime?
MC: I would advise that you pray and really hear from God on what it is that you should do as it relates to what business to start. He most definitely will give you a confirmation even if it is through the mouth of a child. Secondly, while you are contemplating or waiting, make sure that you clear up any debt that may hinder your progress. We were fortunate enough to not have a mortgage or car payments when I quit my job. While others may feel that God is calling them to quit even with those items not checked off their list, it makes it easier to know that you owe no man anything except LOVE. “Write your vision down.” Use a poster board, write the year on it and put on that poster board exactly what you want to see happen in that year. If in that year you do not see it, write it down again. I had a loan that was $50,000.00 and due this September. I kept putting that loan on my poster boards every year until finally within this year that debt no longer exists! I thank God for
knowing that His favor can do what man cannot. Learning to pay off debts also teaches you to become fiscally responsible. Take no one for granted, but take advantage of every opportunity to listen and learn. Look at everything around you and start being a leader within even if you do not possess the “title” at work, train yourself to act as if you are where you want to be.
CM: Parting words of wisdom? MC: Deuteronomy 8:18 “But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as {it is} this day.”
(For more information, visit: www.infinitecleanmem .vpweb.com.) (Contact Carlee McCullough, Esq., at 5308 Cottonwood Road, Suite 1A, Memphis, TN 38118, or email her at jstce4all@aol.com.)
RELIGION
Tri-State Defender
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August 1 - 7, 2013
RELIGION BRIEFS
LIVING THE LIFE I LOVE
5 rules to follow to become a better ‘Me’
St. Peter MBC observes Women for Christ month
August is Women for Christ Month at St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church at 1410 Pillow Street. The focus will feature these events. Aug. 3 – Women’s Brunch at 10 a.m., with Minister Jervonne Newsome of Restoration Church of Northwest, Ark., as the speaker. Aug. 11 – Study of Ruth presented by the St. Peter Women’s Mission at 2 p.m. Aug. 18 – The St. Peter Women’s Choir will present Musical Extravaganza at 6 p.m. Aug. 25 – Minister Felecia Walker of Snipes Grove Baptist Church in Brownsville with be the guest speaker during the Women for Christ program at 3 p.m. The theme for the month is “Equipping the Whole Woman in Excellence Mentally, Physically and Spiritually.” Annette Moore and Effie Purdy are the chairpersons. The Rev. James Greene is the host pastor. All events are free. For more information, call the church at 9461010.
Dear Lucy: I enjoyed the article about being sixty years old and enjoying life. I have heard you talk about recreating yourself. How does that work? I feel like that’s what I need to do. – Looking for a new me
Dear Looking: Well, the first time I learned how to do a remake of Lucy was during a time in my life that I thought something must be wrong with everybody else. I was unhappy, bored and downright miserable. Then I read a self-help book that said something about changing myself if I wanted the world around me to change. It has taken me years to perfect my own formula for change but the first rule is still the same. Rule 1: It’s all about ME. Nothing is ever going on outside of ME. I get to decide how and who I want to be. For example, if I want to be Lucy, the writer, then I can become that Lucy. Rule 2: I then need to know what kind of writer; does she make money, is she good at it, what does she do with her time, her money? What kind
of people does she hang out with? I need to know everything that this Lucy would love and be passionate about. If she was my s-hero, what would she be like? Rule 3: I imagLucy ine myself being Shaw this Lucy and doing, being and feeling as I am certain she would. I imagine what it would feel like to hear people saying good things about her or to her. Rule 4: I go from imagining to actually being that Lucy. In other words, I don’t pretend, I become. No pretending. I take on the role of Lucy the writer with integrity, pride, loyalty and passion. What does that mean? Rule 5: I do, with confidence, everything that I learned in step 2 that successful writers do. I found out that successful writers write some-
thing every single day. They write with intentionality. Sometimes my intention is just to practice writing, or to inspire myself or someone else. Great writers tend to be great readers, so I read. They ravenously experience life, so I try not to miss having a life that I enjoy and cherish enough to make better. I especially spend time with like-minded people. I set boundaries that keep me on track as I focus on being this new creation of a bigger, better me. Most important, I bring with me into every re-creation all of the things that I learned from the last creation that made me a better Lucy. I do not throw away any parts of me that I value. I let go of the ways of being that don’t serve me well. I don’t discard them because I am ashamed of them. I discard them because I have some new parts of me that can bless me and those around me in bigger ways. Recreating oneself is all about changing the seat from which you view the world. Take a seat in a new chair, at a new desk and work only
from that vantage point. Step into the shoes you want to wear. Everyday that you wear them with confidence they will feel better and better. If after a while, they get too tight or start to hurt, go shopping for a bigger, better pair. And always buy UP...if you wear flip flops, buy the best ones you can find, never hesitating to discard them when they no longer help you to walk upright and feel proud to be who you truly are. 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.)
New Life MBC plans community carnival
New Life Missionary Baptist Church will host its annual South Memphis Community carnival at 1275 Latham Ave. on Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. “We are trying to do good in our neighborhood through Christ and outreach,” said Dr. Edith BurgessWren, the facilitator. The Carnival event will include free food, games, carnival rides, backpacks and school supplies. Children MUST be present to receive the school supplies and backpacks.
BRIEFLY: St. Paul Baptist Church, at 2124 E .Holmes Rd. will host its Back-To-School Health Fair from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday (Aug. 4). The event will feature entertainment, food and door prizes, along with free school supplies and health screenings. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Organizers say please bring each child’s shot record and insurance card. BRIEFLY: An Appreciation Service honoring Missionary Mary Edwards will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday (Aug. 4) at House of Prayer International COGIC at 1140 Mosby Rd. The special guest speaker will be Evangelist Maritha Wright, Jurisdictional First Lady of New York Western First Jurisdiction in Rochester, N.Y. Elder Walter B. Peterson Jr. is the host pastor. BRIEFLY: The Sam Hunt Family Day will be on Aug. 10th at 1 p.m. at Oakland Elementary School in Oakland, Tenn. Family members and friends of the late Mr. Sam Hunt will gather for devotion, family time and dinner. Hunt Family and Friends Day at Shiloh CME on Yum Yum Rd. in Somerville begins at 2 p.m. on Aug. 11. The guest speaker will be Sam Hunt’s nephew, the Rev. Lawrence A. Ragland of Jackson, Tenn.
Still on the case…
The Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles was on the receiving end Sunday (July 28) as members of Monumental Baptist Church and others took note of his 54th Pastorʼs Anniversary. Senior Pastor Bartholomew Orr of Brown Missionary Church in Southaven, Miss. spoke at the service. Pictured (l-r) behind Rev. Kyles are his wife, Aurelia Kyles, Valerie Orr and Rev. Orr. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)
‘Get to the other side’
Bishop Darrell L. Hines of Christian Faith Fellowship Church in Milwaukee “Preached the Word” Sunday (July 28), relaying the lessons associated with Jesusʼ walk on water during the Annual Menʼs Day service at Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, where Elder Charles H. Mason Patterson Sr. is senior pastor. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)
PRAISE CONNECT -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
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
— Proverbs 1:7
—Ecclesiastes 9:11
ST. ANDREW A.M.E. CHURCH 867 SOUTH PARKWAY EAST Memphis, TN 38106
(901) 948-3441
Early Morning..........7:45 AM Church School..........9:45 AM Morning Worship......11:00 AM Bible Study For Youth and Adults Tuesday - 7:00 PM “Spirit, Soul, and Body!” AM 1070 WDIA Sundays, 10:00-10:30 AM
TV Cable Access Broadcast Tuesdays, 7:30 PM, Channel 17 Website:www.saintandrewamec.org Child Care Center (901) 948-6441 Monday-Friday 6 AM- 5:30 PM Emergency Food Pantry & Clothes Closet Wednesday 6 PM-8 PM
Rev. Kenneth S. Robinson, Pastor Rev. Marilynn S. Robinson, Pastor
“Ministering to Memphis-Spirit, Soul and Body”
ENTERTAINMENT Tri-State Defender, Thursday, August 1 - 7, 2013, Page 8
WHAT’S HAPPENING MYRON?
Morris Day and The Time Myron Mays
If you’re willing to take a short road trip down Highway 61 this weekend, you might find it worth your while. Morris Day and The Time – one of the greatest party bands – will be in concert at the Isle of Capri Casino in Lula, Miss. on this Saturday night. If you haven’t gone to a party and danced off of either “The Bird” or “Jun-
gle Love” you have been attending the wrong functions. These guys have always been at the center of popular party music…and it never gets old. Also, aren’t these guys the reason why you can never watch “Purple Rain” too many times? Tickets are on sale now for $25. Get yours by calling 800-THE-ISLE (1-800-843-4753).
More happenings
Los Angeles and New York aren’t the only places you can experience
“Improv” comedy. You can get it right here in Memphis. Comedienne MzVivacious brings you the best sketch and improv comedy in the city on Friday Aug. 9th at the Zodiac Lounge, 6135 Mt. Moriah. Elliott Hardface Nelson is the guest cast member for this month. Doors open at 8. Show starts at 9. Admission is $7. For all of the latest event and concert information be sure to check out the website at www.whatshappening myron.com. You also can find out what’s happening on the go with the
What’s Happening Myron Mobile App! It’s available for both Android and I-Phone. Lastly, prayers go out to my colleague Michael “Boogaloo” Boyer and his family in the passing of his mother State Rep. Lois DeBerry. See ya next week! 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)
Naturals in the City expo attendees making purchases of natural-themed apparel. With items such as natural butters, clothing and accessories, men and women were able stock up on their favorite items during the two-day event. (Photos: Nicole R. Harris)
Morris Day
“I think in some respects, some women jump on this so called ʻbandwagonʼ because they see so many women doing it well; because weʼre highlighting the beauty of natural hair,” says Jenelle Stewart, Editor in Chief of Kinky Curly Coily Me.
Being a ‘Natural’: ‘It can be for everyone’
Expo pitches naturalhair life as a way of healthy living Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Nicole R. Harris
Big chop. Pre-poo. Protective styles. To the average person, these words may not mean much. But to a natural, these words are a way of life – the natural-hair life. Women, men and children from across the Mid-South came together on July 27th and 28th at the Memphis Cook Convention Center for the 2nd Annual Naturals in the City Hair and Wellness Expo, hosted by A Natural Affair Salon. A one-day hair show in its inaugural year, this year’s expo was a two-day event complete with seminars and workshops by industry professionals, including Jenelle Stewart, Editor in Chief of Kinky Curly Coily Me!, holistic health expert Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey and national makeup artist and Memphis native, Nikki Chanel of TeamFaceGyrl. In the African-American community, the term “natural” means to be free of chemicals that manipulate the natural state of the hair pattern. Chemicals in these straightening or relaxing agents can include alkaline or lye, which can be harmful if used improperly or too often. For A Natural Affair Salon owner Takeisha Brooks, that damage is what drove her to the lifestyle. “When I first started doing natural hair, I had a relaxer. My clients wanted to know, ‘when are you going to practice what you preach?’” Brooks, who opened A Natural Affair in 2009, said what made her go ahead and take the step to be natural was that the last relaxer she did herself burned her so bad. “I had pus and blood coming out of my skin. I went for it and never turned back.” Women who sport natural hair have a plethora of style options, including flattwists and coils and even locs. Because it is also somewhat of a holistic approach to hair care, many naturals limit the amount of heat and eliminate products containing ingredients such as mineral oil, petrolatum and isopropyl alcohol. Despite the potential benefits – various
Memphis native and Miss Jessieʼs representative, Calvin Wilson, prepares gift bags to give away to attendees. A widely recognized national brand, representatives from Miss Jessieʼs were on hand to distribute product samples and discuss natural hair care.
hairstyles, easier maintenance, reduced hair care costs – natural hair doesn’t come without criticism. Strange looks and phrases such as “Natural doesn’t mean nappy,” and “Natural isn’t for everyone,” have been seen and heard by many adopting the lifestyle. Thanks to social media, and events such as the expo, women have access to tutorials and guidance. More importantly, they have support from a community that has endured natural hair struggles of their own. With Youtube channels from self-made natural hair experts such as BlkIsBeautyful, GlamSwagger and BeautifulBrwnBabyDol, women are able to learn from and communicate with individuals who openly share their natural-hair journey. Twenty-three year-old Adrienna Brown, who traveled to the expo from Jonesboro, Ark., remembers being one of those women who frowned upon natural hair in
2006. Now having reached her first full year being natural, she is thankful for the community of online support. “When I decided to do it (go natural) I had Youtube, Twitter and Facebook to utilize,” said Brown. “Social media is definitely vital in the natural hair community.” Being natural is more than a phase or a fad. It’s a commitment to healthy living. As she wrapped up the 2013 Naturals in the City Expo, Brooks playfully rubbed her half-shaven/half-braided natural mane. “It can be for anyone. You can’t look at everybody’s hair and think that because your hair is not that way, that you shouldn’t be natural. You have to learn to embrace what you have, and do what you can with what you have.” (For more information on natural hair services, visit www.ANaturalAffair.com.” (Follow her on Twitter: @NicTheEditor.)
“Social media has been outstanding in spreading the word in the community,” says Natural Girls Rock founder, Kelly J. “I canʼt think of anything better...women are making this a lifestyle.”
ENTERTAINMENT
Tri-State Defender
Page 9
August 1 - 7, 2013
OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam’s Kapsules:
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg star in “2 Guns.” (Courtesy photo) Special to The New Tri-State Defender
by Kam Williams
For movies opening Aug. 2, 2013
BIG BUDGET FILMS
“2 Guns” (R for profanity, brief nudity and pervasive violence) Espionage thriller about a DEA Agent (Denzel Washington) and a Naval Intelligence Officer (Mark Wahlberg) tricked into mistrusting each other while infiltrating a drug cartel. With Paula Patton, James Marsden, Bill Paxton and Fred Ward.
“The Smurfs 2” (PG for rude humor and action sequences) Animated sequels finds Papa (Jonathan Winters), Clumsy (Anton Yelchin), Grouchy (George Lopez) and Vanity Smurf (John Oliver) teaming up with a couple of human pals (Jayma Mays and Neil Patrick Harris) to rescue Smurfette (Katy Perry) from the clutches of an evil wizard (Hank Azaria). Voice cast includes Jimmy Kimmel, Shaquille O’Neal, Jeff Foxworthy, Fred Armisen, Christina Ricci and J.B. Smoove.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
“The Artist and the Model” (Unrated) Romantic dramedy, set in Occupied France during the summer of 1943, about an elderly sculptor (Jean Rochefort) whose zest for life is
reignited by the attractive refugee (Aida Folch) who agrees to pose naked for him. With Claudia Cardinale, Chus Lampreave and Gotz Otto. (In French, Spanish and Catalan with subtitles) “The Canyons” (Unrated) Lindsay Lohan stars in this psychological thriller about a Hollywood actress whose jealous, film producer boyfriend (James Deen) gets bent out of shape after discovering that she’s been secretly cheating on him with a former co-star. With Nolan Funk, Gus Van Sant and Amanda Brooks.
“Cockneys vs. Zombies” (Unrated) Horror comedy, set in London, about a gang of bumbling bank robbers’ struggle to survive an invasion by a horde of man-eating ghouls. Starring Rasmus Hardiker, Harry Treadaway and Michelle Ryan.
“Drift” (R for profanities and drug use) Hang ten drama, set in the Seventies, chronicling the daring exploits of a couple of brothers (Myles Pollard and Xavier Samuel) who helped jumpstart the surfing craze in Australia. With Sam Worthington and Lesley-Ann Brandt.
“Europa Report” (PG-13 for action and scenes of peril) Sci-fi thriller about a halfdozen astronauts who find more than they bargained for when they embark on an expedition to Jupiter in search of signs of intelligent life. Ensemble includes Embeth Davidtz, Ana-
maria Marinca, Isiah Whitlock, Jr., Karolina Wydra, Daniel Wu, Christian Camargo, Sharlto Copley and Dan Fogler.
“The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear” (Unrated) Bait-and-switch documentary in which aspiring actors answering a casting call are instead merely interviewed about what life is like in the former Soviet bloc nation. (In Georgian with subtitles)
“Rising from Ashes” (Unrated) Cycling documentary, narrated by Forest Whitaker, about biking legend Jock Boyer’s venturing to Rwanda to help train the nation’s rag-team of genocide survivors for the 2012 Olympics. “The Spectacular Now” (R for profanity, sexuality and underage alcohol abuse) Screen adaptation of Tim Tharp’s novel of the same name about a just-dumped, party animal (Miles Teller) with no plans for college who turns over a new leaf after making the acquaintance of a straight-laced classmate (Shailene Woodley) with no social life. Support cast includes Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brie Larson, Kyle Chandler and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
“When Comedy Went to School” (Unrated) Borscht Belt documentary revisiting the rise of legendary, Jewish comedians whose careers began at resorts in the Catskill Mountains. Featuring Sid Caesar, Jerry Stiller, Robert Klein, Mort Sahl, Jerry Lewis and Jackie Mason.
HOROSCOPES
Aug. 1-7, 2013
ARIES Harmonious communications are part of your charm, and you’ll get far this week by speaking your word in an easy-going way. You’ll find that your domestic arrangements are very comfortable to you. TAURUS This week is a good week to get in touch with your emotional self. You will respond well to what people close to you will ask from you. Your loved ones will appreciate your kindness when they find out how highly sensitive you are to their needs. GEMINI You know what you want and you have the ability to make it happen. Step into action at work this week and you will get a lot done. You can get what you want without being too demanding. Enjoy the time you have with your family. CANCER Live this week with an adventurer’s spirit. Trade in the comfortable for the exciting; the reliable for intriguing; the familiar for the new. Perhaps a change of scenery will get you started. You will rediscover feelings that you have denied yourself for a while LEO If you’ve just made a power move in your work life or love life, you couldn’t have timed it any better. There will be a new level of appreciation and admiration for your leadership and forcefulness. VIRGO You’ve made your point. Now wait. Wait for the feedback about the impact it had on the people around you. Be careful of those who don’t celebrate with you. They feel the impact and are resisting the positive effects. LIBRA Be sharp! All of your needs will be met in indirect ways. Gifts will come from unexpected sources. They will be carefully packaged to go unnoticed. Unwrap everything and look inside. There will be empty boxes, but there will also be a prize in an unanticipated situation. SCORPIO Don’t respond to situations in a hasty manner this week. Play a game called self-control. Smile as you play at not being emotionally affected by an important matter, and eventually you’ll really won’t be emotionally affected. SAGITTARIUS Offer to help someone in your office who is struggling with a difficult project that you have mastered in the past. There will be several birthday celebrations that you are invited to. Attend them all! Celebrate! CAPRICORN Think of who you like to have fun with. Give them a call. Plan something that diverts you from your unexciting tasks. Spend some money. Find a place that jumps. Jump with it. Flirt. Even serious people flirt once in a while, especially if you’ve worked your buns off all week. AQUARIUS You’re likely to experience a blast from the past. An acquaintance will meet up with you again. Don’t be shy in establishing a more solid friendship this time. It could lead to something important professionally or personally. Love sometimes works better the second time around. PISCES Who are the people who are empowered to assist you? The material objective you are focused on right now is very do-able. All you need is some assistance. Ask for it. It’s coming soon. Source: NNPA News Service