April 23 2015

April 23 - 29, 2015

VOL. 64, No. 15

COMMENTARY

www.tsdmemphis.com

75 Cents

Memphis’ problem: ‘miseducation of poverty’

by Kirstin L. Cheers

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

I graduated from Central High School in 2009, so I do not consider myself far removed from today’s students and culture. The 2014-15 school year is almost over, students and teachers are winding down and it’s warming up, which, regrettably, brings school fights into the picture.

Back in my day it was almost tradition. There were either a set of fights or a major scandal like the burn book, which circulated around senior homerooms during the final weeks of class (ask your nearest millennial what that is). Principals and administrators – determined to discourage fights and altercations – would warn students with

‘There must be an examination of the structural and systemic complications that prevent forward strides from taking place.’ suspensions. Metal detectors were more frequent towards the end of the year as well, and school administrators spent much of the final days issuing inschool suspensions or detentions for the presence of cell phones.

So when a video of a group of girls fighting at White Station High School surfaced on social media this past Tuesday (April 21), my first thought was simply, “It’s that time of year again.”

My second thought was, “Clearly, cell phone policies are not being enforced.”

My final thought, “Schools are still struggling with reducing and preventing school fights at the end of the year.”

Violence should never be condoned regardless of its normalcy, especially among our children. At 24, I realize some decisions I made at 16 and 17, though common among my peers, were not smart choices. Just because it’s popular doesn’t make it right. Issues can escalate.

Yet, these issues are not new.

Several years ago, and before the tenure of the current mayor and police director, on January 6, 2006, Mark Collins, 16, and Cedric Stanley, 17, were fatally shot on Mendenhall by 17-yearold Caesar Johnson III. He who would be convicted on two counts of volun-

Kirstin L. Cheers tary manslaughter in 2009.

In the summer of 2008, 18-year-old Otisa McGaha was fatally stabbed at the Latham Apartments complex in South Memphis for, reportedly, trying

OPINION

AfricanAmerican women & the pay gap

When good cops don’t speak up they betray the public trust

“The United States needs to address both the structural drivers behind the pay gap and the persistent cultural biases against women and people of color if it wants to truly affect change for these populations.”

by Charles F. Coleman Jr. The Root

SEE COPS ON PAGE 5

SEE PROBLEM ON PAGE 5

SPECIAL REPORT

Blue wall of silence must come down

At the center of the discussion of the #blacklivesmatter movement is the issue of law enforcement’s relationship with communities of color.

While there are myriad issues related to improving conditions for blacks in America, the most prevalent theme of late is how to bridge the gap between police and community in a way that begins to restore trust and remove harmful perceptions.

Oftentimes, such perceptions suggest to both sides that each is a threat to the other’s safety and serve as a barrier to any real understanding. Citizens want safe neighborhoods without crime, but shouldn’t have to fear police. Police have a job to do but are fundamentally charged with public service and protection.

This is a complex discussion because it involves much more than legislating body cameras or requiring special prosecutors, but requires a cultural paradigm shift that often goes unmentioned as part of the conversation. That paradigm shift is the need for the famed blue wall of silence to come down once and for all.

Beyond Walter Scott and Michael Slager, Eric Garner and Daniel Pantaleo, Michael Brown and Darren Wilson and countless others, the blue wall of silence has for decades served as not only a protector but also an incubator for a toxic culture among police. This culture has bred a mindset among many officers that has resulted in not only law enforcement’s continued violations of civilians – black civilians in particular – but, worse, an unspoken code that officers do not tell on other officers even when those violations are egregious and illegal.

We’ve heard a lot from police advocates and unions about how much #bluelivesmatter and that #itsnotallcops. For those sentiments to mean anything to us, John Q. Public, the officers who consider themselves not to be part of the problem need to play a more active and visible role in being part of the solution.

In many respects, the officers who perform their jobs daily with aplomb and professionalism represent a critical piece of this puzzle because they are the ones who truly know which of the officers in their precincts are the bad actors. They hear the comments at target practice, in the locker room and other places to which we do not have access. They often witness attitudes from some of their fellow officers that reflect racially biased and discriminatory mindsets. These “good” officers are the ones who are seldom surprised when those same bad actors find themselves in controversial situations after a shooting or an act of brutality because they knew something wasn’t right all along.

Yet, these same officers also seldom speak up. The integrity that these officers exercise in the daily

to stop a fight. Her killer, Terrica Yarber, 13, was convicted of second-degree-murder shortly after.

On July 5, 2010, Randy Demario Farmer, 21, was gunned down in a restaurant parking lot after an altercation with Terry Johnson, a 23-year-old man who would be convicted of second-degree murder in 2012.

Social media now makes youth violence more visible. More people are worried, scared and showing evidence of prejudice. I have even seen Facebook statuses of people promising to use deadly force if approached by unruly teens.

So, how do we keep from seeing a teen shot in cold blood?

First, chill out! One out of every 100 kids between the ages of 15-24

– Milia Fisher

by Freddie Allen NNPA News Service

Protest? No! Demonstration? Yes!...

Some considered it a protest – Hamilton High School students walking out of class on Tuesday protesting the fact that current principal Curtis Weathers would not be allowed to return to the school next year. It was, however, more of a demonstration that students could organize their thoughts, their movements and their language to speak the “truth” about the positive changes they say they witnessed during the year. County Commission Chairman Justin Ford, who was called to hear their concerns, urged them to stay the course. (Courtesy photo)

Boe (Sterling) knows Bass Pro Eye for design leads to Memphis and around the globe

by DeAara Lewis

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Boe Sterling was a carpenter apprentice. After the steel company where he worked for over a decade closed for a yearlong renovation, he decided to seize the opportunity and expand his skills. Those decisions altered the course of his life and eventually lead to him becoming a project supervisor for Bass Pro Shops’ imagery team.

“I was a carpenter apprentice when Bass Pro came to Indiana to do a store. The contractor I worked for loaned me out to (Bass Pro Shops’) imagery team,” Sterling recalled in an interview with The New Tri-State Defender.

“The imagery team liked my work and asked me if I liked to travel and I’d lost my Mom about six months prior, so I was ready to travel to get away. It was perfect. I was an imagery specialist for about eight years and now I’m a project supervisor.”

Bass Pro Shops, which will open its doors at the Pyramid April 29, is known just as much for its themedstyled stores as it is for the items it carries. Walking through the store is like walking into an amusement park disguised as a retail shop. It is not a place one just goes to pick up fish bait or camouflage gear; it is a place one experiences. When their doors open at new locations, it is done with such a Hollywood flare that its customers are more often considered fans, many coming from hundreds of miles away.

Before those doors open to the enthusiastic “fans,” Sterling and his team spend many weeks developing the conception, the compositions, the color scheme and the props that will SEE BASS PRO ON PAGE 2

WASHINGTON – African-American women working full time earned just 64 cents for every dollar white men made in 2013, according to a new report by the Center for American Progress (CAP).

Researchers with CAP, a nonpartisan education and policy group, released the issue brief that reported that even though the types of jobs and the number of hours that women worked can affect the wage gap, “structural and economic realities that limit women’s abilities to compete with men in the labor force” also contribute to the pay disparities. It noted that African-American women working several part-time jobs to make ends meet may be falling further behind.

Although white women working full time also earned less than white men (78 cents for every dollar), women of color often earned even less because they were stuck in low-paying jobs, worked fewer hours and had greater responsibilities as the primary caregiver in their households.

More than half of all African-American children grow up in single-parent homes with their mothers. African-American men raise children alone in nine percent of single-parent households.

African-American women are also less likely to graduate from high school or attend college than white women.

“This places African-American and Hispanic women at a disadvanSEE PAY GAP ON PAGE 2

The journey from carpenter apprentice to project supervisor for Bass Pro Shops’ imagery team came after Boe Sterling decided to seize an opportunity and expand his skills. (Courtesy photo)

MEMPHIS WEEKEND

FRIDAY

H-75o - L-62o Showers

SATURDAY

REGIONAL TEMPS LITTLE ROCK NASHVILLE JACKSON, MS

Bass Pro Shops will open its doors at the Pyramid April 29.

(Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

H-76o - L-54o

Thunderstorms

SUNDAY

H-72o - L-53o

Partly Cloudy

Friday Saturday Sunday H-76 L-62 H-82 L-55 H-75 L-55 H-70 L-54 H-65 L-48 H-69 L-47 H-81 L-68 H-87 L-63 H-81 L-61

April 23 - 29, 2015

Page 2

PAY GAP

CONTINUED FROM FRONT tage from the moment they enter the workforce, creating major structural barriers to entering top-earning professional fields,” stated the report.

Nearly 60 percent of African-American women worked in either the service industry, sales or office jobs.

“Jobs in industries such as food service – where women of color are concentrated – are often hourly jobs in which many workers are part time and schedules are subject to cancellation or alteration on short notice,” stated the CAP report.

A recent report on the effects of irregular work schedules by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), a Washington, D.C.based think tank focused on low- and middle-income workers, noted that employers in

NEWS

the retail and wholesale trade and services industries, such as hospitality and leisure, professional and business services are more likely to hire part-time workers and adjust their schedules without warning to meet immediate customer demands.

“Moreover, because precarious employment is concentrated among relatively lower-income earners, it not only exacerbates growing income inequality stifling potential economic expansion and underutilizing potential available labor input, but takes a toll on the wellbeing of working families,” the report explained.

Workers who made less than $22,500 annually were more likely to work irregular schedules than workers who earned more.

The EPI report said that, “For workers with significant caregiving or financial com-

Nearly 60 percent of African-American women worked in either the service industry, sales or office jobs.

(Stock photo) mitments, having weeks with as few as zero hours and days when there may be either no work or short notice to arrive at work, may make balancing

work with life stressful, intolerable, or even impossible, forcing them to choose between participating in the paid labor force, unemployment, or with-

The New Tri-State Defender

drawal from the labor force.”

Just 35 percent of African-American women were employed in higher-paying management, professional and related jobs compared to 48 percent of Asian women and 43 percent of white women, according to the CAP report.

EPI researchers also reported that 43 percent of workers may have less than a week’s advanced notice of their hours.

Another 8 percent indicated that they knew their work schedules one to two weeks in advance and 6 percent had two to four weeks.

“Employees who work irregular shift times, in contrast with those with more standard, regular shift times, experience greater work-family conflict, and sometimes experience greater work stress, stated the report and that work-family conflict is in turn associated

with lower job and life satisfaction,” the EPI study said.

The CAP report on the race and gender wage gap said that expanding policies like paid family, medical leave and paid sick days, and strengthening equal pay laws would help women of color remain in the labor market and protect them from racial and gender discrimination.

Milia Fisher, a research associate with the Women’s Initiative at CAP and the author of the report, wrote that public policy alone will not close the gender wage gap for women of color.

Fisher concluded: “The United States needs to address both the structural drivers behind the pay gap and the persistent cultural biases against women and people of color if it wants to truly affect change for these populations.”

Michelle Obama to speak at Tuskegee commencement WASHINGTON (AP) – Michelle Obama will deliver the commencement address at Tuskegee University, a historically black university in Alabama.

The May 9 event is one of three graduation ceremonies the first lady will speak at this year. Mrs. Obama will also deliver remarks at Oberlin College and King College Prep, a high school in her hometown

of Chicago.

The White House says Oberlin and King were chosen because of their video submissions to two “commencement challenges” issued by Mrs. Obama last fall. Schools had to show their commitment to college mentoring and helping students get financial aid.

Mrs. Obama will speak at Oberlin May 25 and at King College Prep June 9.

Before the doors open at a Bass Pro, Boe Sterling and his team spend weeks developing the conception, the compositions, the color scheme and the props. (Photos: Tyrone P. Easley)

BASS PRO

CONTINUED FROM FRONT First lady Michelle Obama attends a poetry reading at the State Dining Room at the White House April 17, 2015 in Washington, DC. The first lady hosted the event in celebration of National Poetry Month. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Racial Profiling Prevention Act headed to the governor House votes approval NASHVILLE – Legislation requiring Tennessee law enforcement agencies to implement policies against racial profiling is on its way to Governor Bill Haslam after approval by the House of Representatives on Monday by a vote of 93-0.

The “Racial Profiling Prevention Act,” sponsored

by Sen. Judiciary Committee Chairman Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown) and Rep. John DeBerry (D-Memphis), defines the discriminatory practice and calls for all law enforcement agencies in the state to adopt a written policy on the subject by January 1, 2016.

“I am very pleased that this legislation has passed,” said Kelsey. “Racial profiling has no place in law enforcement in our state.

This bill will also protect officers by providing them clear guidelines for appropriate action. That will make us all safer.”

DeBerry added, “The State of Tennessee must take lead in insuring that every citizen is treated fair, and that personal bias will have no place in successful policing.”

Senate Bill 6 defines racial profiling as the detention or interdiction of an individual in traffic contacts, field contacts, or asset seizure and forfeiture efforts solely on the basis of the individual’s actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, or national origin. The bill would apply to all police departments and sheriff’s departments in Tennessee.

The bill becomes effective upon the governor’s signature.

become Bass Pro. Each store is designed with themes native to that specific area “We do a lot of research and it has to look like nature, it has to look real,” said Sterling.

“Say you go to a place where there aren’t a lot of wild game animals, so you’ll go back in time to where they did have game animals.”

The extensive research and distinct attention to detail is evident in the 100-foot-tall cypress trees that bulge from the swamp of Tennessee’s Reel foot Lake, the ocean reef floating in the Mississippi River and the crocodile bowling hood engulfed by the hand-crafted sea murals to create a three-dimensional experience.

“So you have your tuna, you have your Mahi-mahi, you have your lemon sharks,” Sterling illustrates, “and it just gives you the experience that you are actually under water.”

Although not a visual artist, Sterling has an eye for design that stood out to the director of imagery at Bass Pro during Sterling’s carpenter apprenticeship. Sterling believes many summers spent with his grandparents in the country exploring wildlife, as well as owning his salon for eight years (which he designed), prepared him for the opportunity to lead the project design at more than 20 Bass Pro Shop stores.

Bass Pro Shops is a privately owned company with big ambitions. Founder John Morris has been expanding his small-town family shops into an international empire, with over 70 existing and proposed stores in the United States and Canada.

Sterling’s eye for design has taken him around the globe

with the company. The next stop after Memphis is Nova Scotia. From his viewpoint, beyond that are endless opportunities with a company he

now considers family.

“I love what I do. I love coming to work everyday.

Bass Pro is just one big family and it feels good,” said Ster-

ling.

“And we want to give you the realest experience possible. You won’t find this at any other retail store.”

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April 23 - 29, 2015

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April 23 - 29, 2015

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OPINION

John H. Sengstacke Publisher (1951-1997)

IN THE MAIL

Bernal E. Smith II President / Publisher

SCS decision on Woodstock stirs disappointment

Dr. Karanja A. Ajanaku Executive Editor

Dyson’s Cornel West essay – a hit piece

by Kirsten West Savali

The Root

I began reading Michael Eric Dyson’s lengthy essay for The New Republic, “The Ghost of Dr. Cornel West,” with some trepidation. By the time I finished it, I was sickened. Framed as an impartial assessment of West’s socalled steep decline as a scholar, public intellectual, thought leader and writer, Dyson backdoors into a scathing critique of his former friend that felt as bruising as a series of sucker punches delivered with increasingly gleeful frequency and viciousness.

The timing of the essay is jarring, particularly since it appears in The New Republic, which, until very recently, has been written primarily from a white, so-called liberal point of view. African Americans are being gunned down in record numbers by police officers and vigilantes and we are living in a cultural, political and revolutionary moment of intensified black rage. It hardly seems the time nor place for rehashed Ivy League drama between two well-respected and accomplished African-American professors.

The river of bad blood between the two men has ebbed and flowed along the banks of President Barack Obama’s two terms in the White House, occasionally crashing ashore on cable networks for the world to witness. Through it all, I’ve still closely followed both of their careers with admiration and respect. The staccato boom bap of Dyson’s words, at times punctuated with a controlled gush of alliteration as if he’s masterfully riding a beat; and the powerful Baptist preacher thunder of West’s voice, eyes ablaze with righteous fury, his Afro a subversion of the Ivy Leagues he favored throughout most of his career.

Meeting West remains unchecked on my bucket list, but I had the honor of meeting Dyson when we both participated in a diversity and inclusion event at Alcorn State University a couple of years ago. He is as brilliant and fearless in person as one would expect, laying waste to the deep Southern fried religiosity preferred by “sexual rednecks” – those black people whose contemptuous intolerance for gender queerness mirrors the bigotry of racist, Southern whites – with a signature fluidity that seems to come as naturally to him as breathing.

Though Dyson’s work has always impressed me and continues to do so, it is West, with his unwavering stances against poverty, police brutality, political tokenism, imperialism and global terrorism perpetuated by the United States, who represents the beating heart of global black liberation. As a rarely seen video of West being schooled by Sista Souljah will attest, he has not always been this way, but since his consciousness was awakened, he’s remained consistent.

I’m not a scholar, I’m just a writer for myself and others, but I know this to be true: While Dyson was probably working on the second or third draft of his West essay last week, the man himself was marching and speaking against police brutality in New York’s Union Square.

West told the excited crowd, “Don’t be confused by some black faces in high places. For seven years there’s been our black and brown brothers and sisters shot down by the police. Black president, black attorney general, black cabinet secretary of Homeland (Security) and not one policeman sent to jail ... something just ain’t right.”

As the old folks used to say, “Stop him when he’s lying.”

I won’t delve too deeply into Dyson’s essay here because it’s really something to be read and digested on one’s own. However, several things stood out to me as hypocritical within a piece that felt intensely personal and vindictive.

Writing that West should accept his role as a “public intellectual, social gadfly or merely a paid pest,” Dyson also calls him a vain, unimaginative, bitter, self-anointed prophet. Interestingly enough, Dyson said that he would never call himself a prophet, but the lie-detector test determined that was a lie.

In 2010, sitting across from West, he used the term prophet to encompass the thinkers gathered at the table discussing what President Obama owed to black America: “Black agendas are about America. When America is made best, black people stand up and articulate our visions, our dreams, our aspirations, our sentiments. We love Mr. Obama; we recognize him as president. We must have prophets who tell the truth and that’s what we’re doing here today.”

Interesting.

It becomes clear that his change of heart happened around the same time that West expanded his anger at Obama

to include those he felt sold out for a seat at the political table.

“In his anger toward me,” Dyson writes, “I was forced, for the first time, to entertain seriously the wild accusations levied Kirsten West against him.”

Dyson also Savali mentions his razor-sharp takedown on Obama’s tepid racial politics and lack of loyalty at the 2010 “We Count! The Black Agenda Is the American Agenda” conference in Chicago as if that proves his willingness to critique the president for his lack of loyalty and commitment to black America. But in the New Republic piece, he criticizes West for becoming angry that Obama made promises to him that he didn’t keep: Long before their ideological schism, however, West believed himself personally betrayed by Obama because of his (supposed) disinterest after the election. It is a sad truth that most politicians are serial rhetorical lovers and promiscuous ideological mates, leaving behind scores of briefly valued surrogates and supporters. West should have understood that Obama had had similar trysts with many others. But West felt spurned and was embittered.

This condescending reading of West’s issues with Obama is reductive and disingenuous. West is angry because Obama did backbends for the GOP, folded on authentic universal health care, specifically the public option, bailed out Wall Street and is complicit in the droning of children. His critique of Obama’s evocation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is valid when his global policy runs counter to what King fought for—in action, if not always in rhetoric.

Dyson accuses West of being in the throes of “emotional catharsis” after beginning his piece slyly framing his former mentor as “a woman scorned.”

This is typically an old misogynist hat trick to discredit the legitimacy of female viewpoints and I was surprised to see Dyson pull it out in his essay – particularly because West is clearly not the one in his feelings here.

What Dyson did in the New Republic was not scholarship, it was a hit piece wrapped in scholarly words. He sliced West up, took out his insides and returned them in such a haphazard way that those familiar with West’s quest for justice, peace and love by fire would no longer recognize the man he presented to us. It took close to 10,000 words for Dyson to call West a delusional, self-aggrandizing, washed-up, hasbeen who has overstayed his welcome in academia. Well, if academia doesn’t want him, the people living, working and dying outside of it sure do. I’d much rather West put aside his “esoteric” erudition and “make it plain.”

I’d rather he make it plain about President Obama being a “Rockefeller Republican” in blackface. I’d rather he make it plain about the United States being complicit in the droning and murder of innocent people in Palestine and Yemen. I’d rather he make it plain about the issues facing our “dear brothers and sisters,” instead of propping up a gender-exclusive initiative like My Brother’s Keeper to prove that President Obama cares about black people. There is more than one way to be a “public intellectual” that does not revolve around the academy and it is elitist to suggest otherwise. In doing so, Dyson displays the very same arrogance he attributes to West by exhibiting a “callous disregard for plural visions of truth.”

There is no doubt that West has left himself open for retaliation from his former friends. Dyson has been publicly derided by West as being easily seduced by access to power and he has every right to defend himself. Still, he shouldn’t disguise a festering vendetta as an above-board scholarly pursuit.

There will be a moment of reckoning when President Obama leaves office (and) … will no longer be the site of exploration where many black people grapple with what real black political power looks like situated within a white supremacist structure. During that moment, identity politics and neo-liberal agendas won’t be able to masquerade as collective advancement, and we will climb out of this rabbit hole where progressive blackness seems to be defined by proximity to the African-American man in the White House.

And when that day comes, I’d be willing to place a bet that Cornel West will still be standing in his truth: scholar, activist and lover of black people even when too many of us didn’t love him back.

‘Don’t blame people for disappointing you, blame yourself for expecting too much from them.’ – Hussein NishahSCS School Board Members:

Activist and scholar Cornel West (center) joins protesters against police violence in New York City, April 14, 2015. A coalition of anti-police violence and anti-racist organizations gathered in Manhattan’s Union Square to listen to speakers before setting off on a march down lower Broadway to bring attention to police brutality.

(Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A young sister ‘hashtagged’ me out of my silo When a colleague dropped the line, “You can’t hashtag your way to freedom,” I loved it! I laughed out loud, and promised that I’d not borrow the line, but steal it because I was so enamored of it. I’ve used it quite a few times since then, and gotten my share of grins and guffaws. So I used it again and again, always getting the same reaction.

Imagine my surprise, then, when Frenchie Davis, 35, the Howard University alumna who burst onto the music scene with her 2003 turn on “American Idol,” took me to school by telling me she thought my remark was “condescending.” I didn’t mean to be condescending, just to make the point that there is a difference between tweeting and fighting for change. Hashtags are not votes.

Even if a million people hashtagged #bringbackourgirls, the hundreds of Nigerian young women abducted by Boko Haram are still missing.

Frenchie Davis thought my glib remark dismissed a form of communication that young people find effective, a form of communication that raises their awareness. She is right to point out that electronic and social media is far more consequential today than it was just a decade ago, and that her generation relies on social media more heavily than it does traditional media. While many people of my Baby Boomer generation use electronic media, we are not as immersed in it as younger folks are.

Reality check. The median age of the African American recorded in the 2000 Census was 30.4, compared to the national mean of 34.4.

As of 2013, the mean age of U.S. born Blacks was 29, compared to a national mean of 37. That means the average African American is closer in age to Frenchie Davis than to to me.

Members of that generation – too often disdained by their elders for their work ethic, commitment to civil rights, or style of dress – are the ones who will propel the Civil Rights Movement into the future. So Sister Frenchie was right to call me on my snarly/funny remark about hashtagging to freedom. If the hashtag takes you to a conversation, and that takes you to action, then the hashtag may be a step in the right direction.

My conversation with Frenchie Davis took place when I moderated a panel on “Race, Justice, and Change,” as part of the Washington, D.C. Emancipation Day commemoration. By way of background, the Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862 paid the owners of 3,100 slaves $300 each to emancipate them; for the past decade D.C. commemorates this day with an official holiday.

The other panelists, Malik Yoba, Doug E. Fresh, and Mali Music, are, like Davis, socially and politically active artists, who are also concerned with ways to increase involvement in

civil rights matters. Mali Music, 27, was the youngest member of the panel. His comments about young Black male alienation offered an important perspective in a conversation structured to address Julianne voting, policing, Malveaux and organizing.

I’d not heard of the Grammy Award nominee before, which perhaps reveals the generational silo I occupy.

I’m uncomfortable in my silo.

Uncomfortable with how easy it is to join a conversation about generational differences without embracing generational similarities. “Back in the day,” a phrase I probably should use much less, many of our radio shows or stations were called “The Drum,” after the drumbeat form of communication. Hashtag can rightly be seen as another word for drum. And getting out of my silo, it’s important that drummers (or hashtaggers) both teach and learn.

How do we get young people involved in the Civil Rights Movement? Many already are involved – check them out at #Blacklivesmatter. More than conversation, this communication has galvanized tens of thousands to stay focused on continued police violence and the attacks on Black life. The hashtag has connected people planning marches and protests. That’s involvement.

Are we insisting that young people be involved in the movement as we know it? New organizations and movements are emerging, and some younger folks won’t embrace or engage in organizations they consider irrelevant. Has anyone marketed the contemporary Civil Rights Movement to younger African Americans? Do we feel that we need to? Do we expect people to show up (where?) and roll their sleeves up, task undefined?

How do we get young people involved? Ask them. Sit back and listen, really listen, to their reply. And understand that there are some, not so young, who may also need a nudge to get involved.

I am energized, enlightened, and privileged when I am pushed out of my silo. I am grateful to Frenchie Davis, Malik Yoba, Mali Music and Doug E. Fresh for helping me connect the drums with the hashtags. The generational conversation is engaging, frustrating, and effervescent. It is an essential part of our movement for social and economic justices, and its many definitions and experiences.

(NNPA columnist Julianne Malveaux is a Washington-based writer and economist. She can be reached at www.juliannemalveaux.com.)

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I am writing to express my disappointment and concern with the SCS Board’s decision to return Woodstock Middle/High to a middle school in 2015-2016. Apparently, holding two public meetings at Woodstock School was a total waste of stakeholders time.

I listened to the board meeting on March 31st, and had to applaud the comments made by Board Member (Williams “Billy” Orgel. He was the only board member to question the distances between Northaven, Woodstock, Bolton, and Trezevant schools. District Three’s representative, Stephanie Love, did not speak up in support of his suggestion that a high school is needed for the northwest area. Does anyone agree that students traveling between twenty to twenty-five miles to a seven o’clock school is a problem, or is there no one that disagrees that sending students to a failing school is academically sound and in the students best behalf?

The catch phrase for the SCS Board seems to be “At the end of the day, we will do what is best for the students.” I strongly disagree. They will do what is best for SCS economically, which is at the expense of the students. Why should our northwest students be victims of poorly thought out and researched logistics?

Referring to my quote (above), I do blame myself for expecting the SCS Board to do the right thing for ALL students. My last question to the SCS Board: Is it indeed all about the students?

– Charlotte T. Smith

QUOTING

Loretta Lynch The U.S. Senate is expected to vote Thursday (April 23) on whether to confirm Loretta E. Lynch as the U.S. Attorney General to succeed Eric H. Holder Jr. Entangled in political wrangling that had nothing to do with her qualifications, Lynch has been waiting more than five months for an up-ordown vote on her nomination

by President Barack Obama.

Her own words “A license to practice law is not a license to violate it.”

“The power to arrest – to deprive a citizen of liberty – must be used fairly, responsibly, and without bias.”

“Criminal conduct by police officers, federal agents, and their confederates cannot be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law.”

Source: www.brainyquote.com

The New Tri-State Defender

COPS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT execution of their duty to protect and serve means little if they are not willing to do what is right and stop saying silent when they observe behaviors that are unethical and/or illegal by others on the force. It may be something as seemingly benign as noticing that their partner has a tendency to stop black drivers more often than whites, even if all he does ultimately is write a ticket. Still, it only takes seconds on the wrong day for the attitudes that fuel these sorts of microaggressions to spark an incident that might have been prevented.

Much has been made of Clarence Habersham, the black officer pictured on the scene after Walter Scott was shot by Officer Michael Slager, with many calling for his arrest and prosecution. Although Habersham’s ultimate fate as a cop re-

PROBLEM

CONTINUED FROM FRONT is arrested each year in Memphis. Thus, 99 percent of Memphis youth are not running the streets, breaking car windows and throwing jabs at adults.

Second, find different strategies to discipline students.

These kids should be held accountable for their actions.

However, kicking them out of school or sending them to juvenile detention without counseling is not a smart resolution. The Southern Poverty Law Center reports that minority students are disproportionately targeted for minor offenses with harsher punishments, including suspensions, expulsions and even arrests. Kids can stay in detention facilities for weeks and months at a time without seeing a judge.

These reactive “solutions” do not solve the behavioral issues that led to the minor or criminal offenses; they’re simply a bandaid on a large wound.

That wound could be the environment in which those children reside. In Memphis, poverty directly affects almost 30 percent of the population and 50 percent of children. Memphis has to realize poverty is not just economic, but rather social,

April 23 - 29, 2015

Page 5

NEWS

mains to be seen, it is worth noting that it is officers like him who are often best positioned to help “police the police” because they are the ones with access when there is no camera, and who are on the scene when no one is looking. When “good” officers do not stand up for what is right but instead choose to cover for “bad” cops, they not only betray the public trust but also should face staunch disciplinary and legal action because they are also part of the problem and an impediment to progress.

Make no mistake – there are reasons that police officers close ranks. Very few of us leave our homes each day with the real concern that we may not return to be with our families at the end of our shift. That shared understanding, combined with the fact that police are often targets, would naturally engender a sense of high camaraderie among the ranks. Not only does that make sense, but it

should be expected.

However, that’s hardly a viable excuse for abandoning ethics. The police officers who have contempt for the communities they serve are like can-

cers that threaten to spread to every rookie officer who joins the force. The folks best positioned to address that cancer are the ones on the inside. It is for that reason that their help

is needed and the blue wall of silence must finally come down.

(Charles F. Coleman Jr. is a civil rights attorney and

former Brooklyn, N.Y., prosecutor.

He is also an adjunct criminal-justice professor at Berkeley College in New York. Follow him on Twitter.)

emotional and psychological. It is counterproductive to return a child to the origin of their behavioral issues and deny the structural problems that continue to disadvantage the child.

The city of Memphis does not have a youth crime problem; it has a “miseducation of poverty” problem. (100 emoji) In elementary school, I witnessed a girl smash another girl’s head on the cafeteria table similar to the girls in the White Station-incident video. A coincidence? No. A cycle? Yes. What strategy/tactics could have been shared from that situation in my optional school 15-plus years ago to prevent the same exact violence among students today?

What is not being blown into proportion is the dire need for community engagement/mental health, counseling and conflict resolution intervention in schools or as part of a program offered by the nearest community centers or churches where students should be required to attend.

Leaders and community members must not be afraid of the black and poor demographic. Preventing crime begins with understanding these communities and schools and the people within them.

In our efforts to decrease

“youth crime” what we cannot afford to do is reduce and devalue the benefits of a quality education promoting equity, limit attractive employment for college-educated natives who return home after graduation, and continue gentrifying low-income communities with a disregard for the factors that keep one impoverished. Our focus must become breaking the crippling cycle of poverty versus the sporadic, independent occurrences of youth violence.

A quality education includes not just a curriculum of basic reading, writing and arithmetic, but frequent exposure to STEM and the arts (STEAM). My first introduction to music came from singing in the youth choir at the family church. What prompted my continued study of music and the arts was attending Rozelle Elementary, a creative and performing arts school (CAPA).

Studies show that children who are more exposed to the arts perform better in school and develop critical thinking skills that will transition to college and benefit their careers.

With a booming medical district and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, incorporating STEM into our schools’ curriculum should be A TOP priority

AND A NO-BRAINER. Kimberly Bryant, a native Memphian, is the founder of Black Girls Code, a non-profit that introduces computer coding to girls from underrepresented communities. Founded in 2011, the organization seeks to encourage and empower girls of color in the areas of engineering, technology and robotics.

Teaching our children engineering and science will broaden their interests beyond working three to four hours in FedEx’s hub, or throwing around asphalt in a warehouse.

Stripping schools of viable programs such as band, music and art and limiting opportunities for engagement in STEM subjects only blocks our children from expanding their horizons beyond their current living conditions. Education has been and can continue to be a source of escape for children in poverty, counteracting the stereotypes and statistics they see and hear in their home environments.

However, teachers and administrators and community partners must be willing to provide a community-based pipeline that keeps the child on track with accountability and resources connected within their home surroundings.

Young, black Memphians

who have used education as escape routes are vastly leaving the city either after high school graduation or staying away after undergrad. Some may return for family obligations or to build financial stability, but most of their peers are seeking employment outside of the city. As a graduate from the University of Memphis with a degree in journalism, I don’t think degree holders are necessarily looking for construction or wholesale jobs. It may sound pompous or arrogant, but consider: degree holders taking jobs that do not require a degree will knock out those jobs for people who did not earn a degree. Therefore, it is deepening the trap of poverty.

Poor people are not to blame for the city’s woes (no Drake), and full blame cannot be put on parents or teachers or school administrators. There must be an examination of the structural and systemic complications that prevent forward strides from taking place.

There has been an influx of recent initiatives and programs in the city to attract new talent, which is ideal. New faces and new minds can contribute to progressively improving this “big, little town on the river.” As the city moves to become more progressive and attractive, the

increase in young, white faces in a city with a black population over 60 percent calls for a revitalization and revamping of urban neighborhoods. While areas such as Cooper Young and Overton Square are overflowing with hipster coffee shops, breweries, bike lanes and a new Fresh Market, low-income areas such as Foote Homes, New Chicago and much of Frayser are often forgotten or overlooked.

A lesson to be learned from the recent bad light shown on White Station and the spotlight put on Central High School, which had a string of fights highlighted this month, is that the top-performing public high schools don’t have immunity.

Whether a school is at the top or bottom of the state list, it is not exempt from the effects of poverty.

Memphis needs to avoid becoming the school-to-prison – “we’ll catch them when they get out” – pipeline. It’s quite evident that opportunities for rehabilitation, such as Juvenile Intervention & Faith Based Follow-up, are present in the city. The intervention, however, must begin inside the low-income neighborhoods and inner city schools that house so many children suffering from poverty.

Police in riot gear hold a line as they watch demonstrators Oct. 12, 2014, in St. Louis protest the shooting deaths of Michael Brown and Vonderrit Myers Jr. (Photo: Joshua LOTT/AFP/Getty Images)

April 23 - 29, 2015

Page 6

NATION

The New Tri-State Defender

Nigerian girls forgive but can’t forget Organization helps those who escaped from Boko Haram NNPA News Service

With a slow but steady gait, a petite young woman approached a microphone with her audience expecting to hear her share a frightening tale of being kidnapped by terrorists — and how she escaped.

But instead, Patience, 19, a former schoolgirl in Chibok, Nigeria, who managed to get away from the terrorist group Boko Haram after they took over her school on April 14, 2014, broke out in song.

“Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see,” she sang.

And with that, Patience, one of 10 girls who have been attending school in the U.S., returned to her seat. All 10 continue to look for ways to heal wounds, emotional and physical, that still plague them after their harrowing experience.

The program, held at Howard University’s Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel in Northwest on Tuesday, April 14, focused on the one-year anniversary of the abducted Nigerian schoolgirls by Boko Haram. But its organizers said they also wanted to bring more attention to the plethora of challenges that continue to trouble those girls who escaped. In order to tell the story of what happened to the girls, the audience, which totaled over 50 in number, watched an animated cartoon told from the perspective of the girls who escaped.

“Many of the girls have since lost their homes (in Nigeria) and family members at the hands of terrorists,” said Emmanuel Ogebe, a human rights attorney who has helped

Roberta McLeod, the director of the Blackburn Center and Intramurals, Recreation and Club Sports, listens to Patience, describe her escape from Boko Haram, after she was kidnapped from her school in Chibok, Nigeria. Patience was shared her story at Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel at Howard University in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer) place several of the girls back in U.S.-based schools.

“Patience was the first of several girls with whom I met after their escape,” he said.

“For her, it was a long crawl to freedom. But somehow she had the courage to take the

first step. She recently lost her father who was being held in a refugee camp.”

“In the last eight months, we’ve been able to place 10 girls in schools in America.

But they need so many things — and no donations from lead-

Nineteen-year-old Patience (left), who was fortunate enough to escape her Boko Haram kidnappers, stands beside her mentor and guide, Emmanuel Ogebe, during a program held on April 14 on the campus of Howard University. (Photo: Roy Lewis/ Washington Informer) ing organizations have come in so far to help us. We’re a grassroots organization and we remain committed to our goal,” Ogebe said.

Ogebe added that while funds are needed in order to provide food, lodging, clothes and school supplies for the girls, one of the most difficult challenges has been securing visas.

“We have had great diffi-

culty obtaining visas from the U.S. Embassy — sometimes we’ve had to pay several times. One girl had hoped to attend school here in the U.S. but couldn’t because we were unable to get a visa for her.”

One of the organizers of the program said she, along with a small delegation, planned to meet on Wednesday, April 15 with members of the Congres-

sional Black Caucus in order to secure their support in getting visas for the girls.

“These girls were targeted because of the narrow belief that girls should not be educated in certain countries,” said Marcia L. Dyson, Ph.D., founder of the Women’s Global Initiative.

(Special to the NNPA from The Washington Informer.)

“In the last eight months, we’ve been able to place 10 girls in schools in America. But they need so many things — and no donations from leading organizations have come in so far to help us. We’re a grassroots organization and we remain committed to our goal,” Ogebe said.

April 23 - 29, 2015

The New Tri-State Defender

BUSINESS

ON OUR WAY TO WEALTHY

Entrepreneur refuses to box himself in because of his disability

F o r years, the focus of underwear has always been on women. From Victoria’s Secret to La Perla, underwear Carlee for wom- McCullough, en is big Esq. business .

Fruit of the Loom and Calvin Klein have been the go to names for years in the men’s underwear market.

But EuClay gene’s Campbell Products hopes to change the game in a big way by offering his line of men’s underwear to the marketplace.

At the age of seven, doctors realized Clay Campbell’s foot wasn’t growing and ultimately decided they would have to remove it and give him a prosthetic leg. He embraced it so much that he served as the kicker on his high school football team, the Vigor Wolves, for four seasons.

Clay’s disability did not hold him back or dampen his enthusiasm for life; it served as an inspiration. So much so that Mr. Campbell wanted to go into the confidence business.

According to his bio, Eugene’s was launched in 2009 and created to magnify Clay’s inner confidence in spite of him wearing a prosthetic leg most of his life. His goal is to create a “Confident Man” in every man.

Following graduation, Clay attended the University of Alabama-Birmingham where he majored in psychology. He later received his MBA from Troy University.

Join us as Clay shares his journey with us.

C.M.: How did you start Eugene’s Underwear?

C.C.: I used my 401k.

C.M.: Where did you get the concept?

C.C.: I got the concept through market research. I saw a niche. Therefore, I wanted to build the Eugene’s brand around those particular demographics.

C.M.: What does your line include?

C.C.: Eugene’s Products consist of boxers, boxer briefs, briefs, and t-shirts.

C.M.: How do you select the fabrics and designs?

C.C.: Every quarter, my designer and I discuss how and what we would like to bring to the market.

C.M.: What does it take to maintain a business in men’s underwear?

C.C.: It takes truly knowing your customer base and of course knowing your competition.

C.M.: What inspired you to get into the men’s underwear business?

C.C.: My disability. This disability is the foundation of the brand, which is confidence.

C.M.: How do you promote

Determined local contractor tells of investing in her people Marcel Hill, president and CEO of Charles H. Hill Contractors, Inc. and a third-generation minority contractor, has a straight-forward message when she gets the opportunity to share her story with others.

“I don’t give up,” said Hill, who spoke at the Jobs Hatchery March Meetup at CoWork Memphis. “I exhaust everything I possibly can. And, by the grace of God, I’m still here.”

Hill’s grandfather, Chalmer Hill, founded the company in 1956, offering landscaping, excavating, seeding and sodding services. Her father, Charles Hill, took over following his father’s death in 1963. He expanded into concrete installation and demolition, site development and demolition, hauling and installation of erosion-control devices.

At $6 an hour, Marcel Hill began working in the family business in 1994 as an administrative assistant. The Memphis State University (now University of Memphis) graduate often would accompany her father to customers’ offices, which helped teach her the importance of building long-term business relationships.

In 2008 after her father died, Hill assumed control of the company, assisted by her sister, Melody, who serves “all-in-one” as office manager, HR manager and payroll clerk. The small-business challenges included cash flow. Although it sometimes takes 45 days or longer to get paid by large customers, Hill still needed to pay employees and vendors for time and materials in a timely manner.

In common with most area contractors, that lesson hit hard when a months-long rainy season began in December 2013 and continued for several more months.

“I had to get creative,” she said. “I pulled equity out of my equipment and borrowed against it to keep us going.”

Working with several general contractors, Hill said, “I had to be bold enough to lay out my cards.” Building those long-term relationships with her father years ago have paid off. Now, weather permitting, contracts in the pipeline will help the company exceed its mid-seven figure revenue goal for this year.

Hill’s advice for entrepre-

Clay Campbell launches his line of men’s underwear

Carlee McCullough: How and when did you get into the underwear business?

Clay Campbell: The purpose of Eugene’s, LLC was not about being in the underwear business, I wanted to be in the confidence business.

Overall, I wanted to create a confidence brand. Underwear is just a small piece of what my vision is for the Eugene’s brand. I began writing a business plan in April of 2009. Eugene’s, LLC was incorporated in June of 2009.

and market the business?

C.C.: Thus far, I have promoted the Eugene’s brand of men’s underwear through social media and tradeshows.

C.M.: Is this a full time job for you? If so, how did you transition into the business full time?

C.C.: Yes, this is my full time job. Before making this my full time job, I made sure the foundation of Eugene’s, LLC was there. I also made sure I had enough savings for a year.

C.M.: What are the necessary elements that go into a successful business?

C.C.: When starting a business you have to learn to be patient.

C.M.: How would you describe your overall vision?

C.C.: As a businessman, my vision is for everyone to have a pair of Eugene’s.

C.M.: What is next for Eugene’s Underwear?

C.C.: We hope to expand into pajamas and socks for men.

C.M.: As a business owner, what is the greatest reward?

C.C.: My greatest reward has been repeat customers. I love seeing the comments of customers expressing how

Page 7

they love our products.

C.M.: What’s your overall goal in this industry?

C.C.: My overall goal in the industry is to be recognized domestically and internationally.

C.M.: Do you have any advice for others interested in the underwear business?

C.C.: If you are interested in any business, you must learn to be patient and stay focused on developing the brand.

C.M.: How do you balance your business and family?

C.C.: Currently, I’m not married and I don’t have any kids. So balancing is easy for me right now. However, I’m sure once that time comes I will be able to balance the two.

C.M.: Any closing remarks?

C.C.: I just want to say thank you for letting me tell everyone how I turned my disability into a confidence brand.

(Clay Campbell can be contacted at (404) 579-0238, by email at claycampbell@eugenesonline.com, or you can go to his website at www.eugenesonline.com) (Contact Carlee M. McCullough, Esq. at 901-7950050; email – jstce4all@aol. com.)

Marcel Hill neurs?

She recommended that they build negotiating skills and hold down vendor costs, while being creative to “do what you have to do” to get the job done and hold on to your people.

Small business ownership in a tough industry is for survivors only…no guts, no

glory.

Jobs Hatchery, Inc. is a non-profit corporation with the mission to turnaround lives by connecting people with jobs and creating jobs.

It offers monthly Meetups, weekly e-blasts to inspire solo and small business owners to keep their heads up, and access to a small loan fund.

April 23 - 29, 2015

Page 8

RELIGION

The New Tri-State Defender

Casey J releases debut album, ‘The Truth’

Young gospel artist is making a name for herself in the world of Christian music

by Bill Carpenter

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Casey J. Hobbs, a 28-yearold elementary school teacher, just happens to have the No. 1 gospel Casey J. song in Hobbs America.

“Fill Me Up” has spent eight weeks in the No. 1 spot on billboard Magazine’s Gospel Airplay chart and three weeks atop its Hot Gospel Songs hybrid (streaming, sales and airplay) chart.

The digital download sales of the single have been neck-in-neck with Tamela Mann’s gold-selling hit “Take Me to the King.”

However, because of rising demand, Tyscot Records released “The Truth” (Marquis Boone Enterprises/ Tyscot Records) this week.

The 12-song set of songs was recorded live during a standing room only concert in January at the Fresh Start Church in Duluth, Ga., where Hobbs serves as the Sunday morning worship leader.

The self-professed “Flower Child’s” soul-stirring album is like an earthy, organic worship service led by neo-soul icon India Arie and Israel Houghton, who

fuses pop and soul into his own recordings.

“When I grow up, I want to be like Chrisette Michelle or India Arie,” said Hobbs.

“Although they are not gospel artists, they have a similar style as me.

Hobbs said people and worship are dear to her.

“I want the environment of my performances to be about the worship and not so much about me personally or my artistic persona.”

She said she admires Houghton because “his music is for everybody.”

Christ Carter and Korey Bowie, along with Rick Watford, produced the album. Watson played guitar on sessions for artists as diverse as Dorothy Norwood and R&B crooner Will Downing.

Jason Nelson, known for his No. 1 hit “I Am,” appears on the summer grove “Have Your Way.” Hobbs’ 84-year-old grandmother, Dorothy Mae Choates, joins her for the hymn “No, Not One.” The songs range from festive, upbeat mantras – such as “Let it be Known” and “I’m Yours” – to deeply personal ballads, such as “Journal.”

On the title cut, the singer calls God the “Truth and the Light,” but her fresh sound is bringing Truth and Light to a new generation of gospel listeners.

Visit www.marquisboone. com or www.caseyjmusic. com for more news about Casey J.

Community awareness...

Pillar of Faith Missionary Baptist Church, 14 Walker Ave., celebrated its 1st Annual Prayer Breakfast Saturday, April 18. The theme: “A Greater Need for Community Awareness: Black Lives Matter.” Shelby County Commissioner Eddie Jones (center), representing District 11, introduced the speakers: Commissioner Reginald Milton, District 10; City Councilman Edmund Ford Jr. (left), District 6; and Clay Perry, the Commission’s assistant director. (Photo: M.J. Branch)

Financial empowerment...

April is “Financial Empowerment Month” at New Macedonia Baptist Church, where Bishop K.D. Johnson is senior pastor. Johnson (right) introduced Charles Sims Jr., CEO of Sims Financial Group, as guest speaker Sunday, April 19, while the church celebrated 69 years in ministry. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Legacy honoree...

Dr. James L. Netters Sr., senior pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church – Westwood, presented Johnnie B. Watson, president of The LeMoyne Owen College, with the 2015 Legacy Award on April 19 during the church’s 2nd Annual Legacy Sunday Celebration. (Photo: Tyrone P. Easley)

Although Casey J. Hobbs is a chart-topping gospel artist, she says, “When I grow up, I want to be like Chrisette Michelle or India Arie.” Her album, “Casey J: The Truth,” is now on sale.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

ENTERTAINMENT The New Tri-State Defender, April 23 - 29, 2015, Page 9

Katori Hall is a talent on the rise!

Memphian’s playwright skills in demand

by Ronda Racha Penrice The Root

From the moment Samuel L. Jackson made his Broadway debut as Dr. King in her play “The Mountaintop,” also starring Angela Bassett, back in 2011, Katori Hall, just 30 at the time, became a recognized player in contemporary American theatre. In London, where the play was produced in 2009, the 33-year old Columbia grad was already a big deal and even became the first black woman to win England’s coveted Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2010.

Since then, several of Hall’s plays have been produced. One, “Hurt Village,” set in her native Memphis, will serve as her feature film debut later this year. But Hall isn’t leaving the American stage. This season alone, she has three world premieres. First up is “The Blood Quilt” at D.C.’s Arena Stage, where Hall is an inaugural resident playwright in their American Voices New Play Institute.

Running from April 24 to June 7 (plus a spectacular May 7 opening night with honorary chair Phylicia Rashad), “The Blood Quilt” centers around the four disconnected Jernigan sisters Amber, Casan, Gio and Clementine (Meeya Davis, Nikiya Mathis, Caroline Clay and Tonye Patano, best known as Heylia James on Showtime’s “Weeds”) who share the same mother. After their mother’s passing, the sisters, along with daughter/niece Zambia (Afi Bijou), gather at their childhood coastal Georgia home to create a family quilt honoring her, but a reading of the mother’s will only heightens tensions.

The Root caught up with Hall to discuss the genesis of this play, why she writes and more.

TR: How did this play come about?

KH: From a research trip I took in 2009. Basically I was doing a project with the Royal Court Theatre in Lon-

Afi Bijou, Meeya Davis, Nikiya Mathis, Caroline Clay and Tonye Patano in Katori Hall’s The Blood Quilt at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater April 24-June 7, 2015. (Photo: Tony Powell) don and they hired like five or seven writers all around the world to look at how Yoruba culture had sustained itself or had been able to be retained all around the world. And I was like “oh I heard of the Gullah/Geechee people” but I hadn’t done any research so maybe they come from that part of the world but I wasn’t entirely sure. So I ended up getting on a plane and going down and visiting this island called Sapelo Island and they had a cultural weekend and I just fell in love; it was so similar to what I had known as a young girl growing up in Memphis.

To me it’s kind of like reflective of how we as a people have been able to survive in this culture that tried to erase us, erase our language, erase our foodways, erase our names but yet we’ve been able to hold on to it. But, as I did the research, I found out that the linkage or the bridge to Africa wasn’t necessarily through Nigeria but it was through Angola.

I did the genealogy on my family of my matrilineal line and I found out that my great, great, great, great grandmother was born in South Car-

BOOK REVIEW

olina. For some reason it just felt so familiar to me. I always say you don’t have to write what you know, you can write what you want to know and I just wanted to know everything about these people because I felt so close to them on a lot of different levels. So that was my entry point in regards to the play.

TR: This play has five black actresses which is unheard of. How did that come about?

KH: I come from a family of four sisters and it’s a very interesting dynamic when you have four women who are the family make-up but then all my aunts just got into quilting very recently which is something that my grandmother, Big Mama, has been teaching me so I kind of just use all this stuff that had kind of been floating in my life and my own experience and kind of like made this gumbo and created this new play.

TR: What inspired you to write plays?

KH: I ended up catching the acting bug . . . (I took) this acting class and (there was a) homework assign-

ment and our teacher (sent us) to the library (to find a scene to perform.) . . . me and my scene partner, we’re like two young African American women, . . . we get to the library and we’re pulling out all kinds of plays and couldn’t find nothing, like nothing . . . had any scenes with young black women in it . . . . so I went to the teacher and was like ‘do you have any suggestions because we’re having a hard time’ and 10 seconds went by, 20 seconds went by, 40 seconds went by and our professor could not think of an answer and so, in that moment I said to myself, ‘I’m going to write those plays then’.

TR: Where did you get the courage to write The Mountaintop?

KH: To me it wasn’t courage, maybe it was naivete (laughs) because I was like “aw ain’t nobody gone produce this play so I’m just going to write the play that I wanna write.” I never thought that this was going to go on Broadway with Angela Bassett and Sam Jackson. Just was not thinking that way at all. So I think because I kind of wrote it from that space with naivete comes fearlessness. And I wanted to once again not write what I knew but I wanted to write what I wanted to know and I wanted to know more about King.

Because I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee I had always heard the rumors “oh he’s flirtatious,” all that kind of gossip, street gossip, that the folks knew about it but had not necessarily been put on a stage or necessarily put in a film and, for me, I was always intrigued by that.

TR: You actually tackled humanizing King before “Selma.” That was pretty bold.

KH: Well I know he’s a man. I know he’s a human being. Well I know he’s complicated. People are people so that kind of allowed me an entry point. And, also, I came from the post-civil rights movement generation, even though I can’t even say

Katori Hall (Photo: katoriskitchen.com) post-civil rights because I think the civil rights movement is still happening, I guess I should say post-60s and, for me, King wasn’t necessarily as saintly as my grandmother saw him; his picture is right next to Jesus in her house.

Growing up in Memphis, which I often refer to as Calgary, because there was a kind of crucifixion that happened, that, unfortunately, placed King in a (position) where the movement happened because of him and just him. Unfortunately I think it’s just really easy to pitch it that way in the history books when, in all actuality, we know that movements are made of many and that has, over the course of time, been manipulated and mishandled and I think things like “Mountaintop” and things like “Selma” kind of articulate the fact that King was just a man and that women had as much to do with moving us forward in terms of civil rights issues as men and I think it’s very interesting that both of those perspectives came from young, black women.

(Ronda Racha Penrice is a freelance writer living in Atlanta. She is the author of “African American History for Dummies.”)

LENS & LINES

‘More Than a Score’

‘The New Uprising against High-Stakes Testing’

by Kam Williams

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The size of America’s Prison-Industrial Complex increased exponentially towards the end of the 20th Century, when big business successfully lobbied politicians to privatize correcJesse tional facilities Hagopian all across the country. Unfortunately, while Wall St. benefited immeasurably from the conversions, minority youth were the primary victims of the subsequent rush to fill all the new jails via the kindergarten to prison pipeline.

More recently, investors started setting their sights on the nation’s public schools, again with the idea of profiting at the expense of the poor. President George W. Bush’s much-ballyhooed “No Child Left Behind” policy was ostensibly little more than a thinly-veiled attempt by entrepreneurs to wrest control of public education from the federal government.

The capitalist reformers’ basic argument was that failing schools could be turned around if they were run more like streamlined businesses than academic institutions, and that the best way to gauge how well one was doing was by looking at students’ scores on standardized tests.

To the extent that bureaucrats swallowed that sales pitch, teachers and principals found their jobs in jeopardy as they attempted to adjust to the altered curricula.

The fallout has already been shocking in cities such as Atlanta, where numerous staff members are headed to prison for falsifying grades to protect their salaries as well as bonuses tied to test results. Elsewhere, we find faculty and pupils pushing back against the pressure to focus so SEE SCORE ON PAGE 10

Comedians George Lopez, Eddie Griffin and Charlie Murphy pose backstage with fan during the “Black & Brown Comedy Get Down” show at the FedExForum last Friday (April 17). (Photos: Warren Roseborough)

Black & Brown & Funny!

‘Comedy Get Down’ show wows Memphis crowd

by Warren Roseborough

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

George Lopez performing at the “Black & Brown Comedy Get Down” held at the FedExForum.

A measure of how good the “Black & Brown Comedy Get Down” show was could be heard over and over again on the way out of the FedExForum last Friday (Feb. 17). I overheard numerous satisfied show-goers declaring that they could hardly wait to see “Black & Brown Comedy II.” Ditto on the show, although the rules of engagement for working photojournalists limited shots to the first two acts – George Lopes and Charlie Murphy.

Lopez was the host, so he came out first and the funny was on. Next came Murphy who had everyone in an uproar.

Just when you thought you had laughed yourself out, the very funny Eddie Griffin came out talking about

everything from politics to everyday life. Griffin is an extremely funny man.

D.L. Hugely is one of the Original Kings of Comedy and he put on a performance that proved the crown fits as he wove humor into, throughout and around stories of people and life itself.

Cedric the Entertainer – another of the Original Kings of Comedy – came out with the music playing and dancing, which is his style. And as is the norm when he takes the stage, people were doubling over with laughter.

Mike Epps, who has been tapped the legendarily funny Richard Pryor in the upcoming bio, was the night’s anchor performer, taking the funny baton and sprinting to the finish line.

At the end of the evening Lopez brought everyone out for a final bow and the audience signaled it’s A-plus approval.

Charlie Murphy had the FedExForum crowd in an uproar throughout his performance.

Page 10

April 23 - 29, 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

SCORE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

narrowly on standardized tests and against the suggestion that scores are the most reliable way of assessing the quality of an education.

All of the above is the subject of “More Than a Score,” a collection of thought-provoking essays edited by high school history teacher Jesse Hagopian. The book includes articles not only by Jesse and fellow educators, but also by students, parents and administrators invariably questioning the wisdom of widespread standardized testing.

A clarion call by an army of passionate child advocates coming to the defense of kids caught in the crosshairs of the corporate-promoted practice of teaching to the test.

Excerpt

Keke Palmer and Quincy Brown star in Philly-based Queen Latifah produced project called “Brotherly Love.” (Courtesy photo)

by Kam Williams

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

For movies opening April 24, 2015 BIG BUDGET FILMS “The Age of Adaline” (PG-13 for a suggestive comment) Romantic fantasy about a well-preserved, reclusive spinster (Blake Lively), born at the dawn of the 20th Century, who starts dating a charismatic philanthropist (Michael Huisman) without letting him know she hasn’t aged a day in 80 years. Plot thickens during a weekend with his parents (Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker) when her big secret is suddenly put in jeopardy. With Ellen Burstyn, Amanda Crew and Anjali Jay. “The Water Diviner” (R for violence and disturbing images) Russell Crowe directed and stars in this historical drama about an Australian farmer searching in Turkey for his three sons who went missing in the Battle of Gallipoli. Cast includes Isabel Lucas, Olga Kurylenko and Megan Gale. (In English, Turkish, Greek and Russian with subtitles) INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS “Adult Beginners” (R for profanity and drug use) Diminished dreams dramedy about a narcissistic entrepreneur (Nick Kroll) who moves from Manhattan to the suburbs to take a job as a nanny for his sister’s (Rose Byrne) children after his latest start-up crashes and burns. With Bobby Cannavale, Bobby Moynihan and Joel McHale.

The New Tri-State Defender

“Blackbird” (R for teen sexuality, profanity and drug use) Coming-of-age drama about a 17 year-old, high school student (Julian Walker) struggling with his sexuality in a sleepy Southern town marked by intolerance. Cast includes Mo’Nique, Isaiah Washington, Kevin Allesee and Terrell Tilford.

“Brotherly Love” (R for violence, profanity and ethnic slurs) Gangsta’ saga, set in West Philly, revolving around a couple of star-crossed teens (Keke Palmer and Quincy Brown) who fall in love despite hailing from opposite sides of the proverbial tracks. With Cory Hardrict, Romeo Miller, Macy Gray, Eric D. Hill, Jr. and Faizon Love.

“Emptying the Skies” (Unrated) Endangered species expose’ chronicling the decimation of the migratory songbird population now facing extinction due to flagrant poaching of the rapidly-disappearing species. (In English, Italian, French and German with subtitles) “The Forger” (R for violence and profanity) John Travolta stars as the title character in this crime thriller as a recently-paroled thief who conspires with his father (Christopher Plummer) to steal a Monet from a museum and replace it with a fake. With Abigail Spencer, Anson Mount, Tye Sheridan and Jennifer Ehle.

“Helicopter Mom” (Unrated) Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) handles the title role in this dysfunctional family comedy about a meddling mom who becomes obsessed with her possibly-gay, college-bound son’s (Jason Dolley) sexual orientation. Supporting cast

includes Skyler Samuels, Kate Flannery and Kurt Collins.

“Just before I Go” (R for sexuality, profanity and drug use) Courteney Cox directs this dark comedy starring Seann William Scott as a suicidal soul who returns to his hometown to make amends with folks he’s offended before taking his life. With Olivia Thirlby, Evan Ross and Elisha Cuthbert.

“Laugh Killer Laugh” (Unrated) Crime drama about an antisocial jewel thief (William Forsythe) who finally turns a new leaf the day he emerges from a coma with a new personality. Featuring Tom Sizemore, Bianca Hunter and Larry Romano.

“Little Boy” (PG-13 for violence and mature themes) Faith-based fable about a desperate 7 year-old (Jakob Salvati) willing to do whatever it takes to end World War II so he can be reunited with his father (Michael Rapaport).

Co-starring Kevin James, Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson and Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa.

“Misery Loves Comedy” (Unrated) Anecdotal documentary featuring five dozen showbiz icons speculating about whether one must have experienced misfortune to be able to make other people laugh. Ensemble includes Tom Hanks, Larry David, Jimmy Fallon, Whoopi Goldberg, Lewis Black, Janeane Garofalo and Matthew Perry.

“Planetary” (Unrated) Eco-documentary endeavoring to remind us, in the face of the impending global crisis, of the undeniable truth that we are all connected.

“As the essays in this book make clear, public education is under attack. So is the teaching profession… Those who are leading the charge are very wealthy individuals, hedge fund managers, corporate executives, and venture philanthropists.

The attack on public schools and the teaching profession is fueled by a zealous belief in test scores… Reformers treat standardized tests as both a measure of quality and the goal of schooling. They don’t care that their fetishizing of tests has perverse consequences, that it leads to narrowing of the curriculum, cheating, teaching to the test, and gaming the system.

Reformers don’t care that their focus on scores as the be-all and end-all of schooling has warped education, particularly in districts where children have the highest needs and the lowest scores. Test-prep is all-important; it leaves no time for projects, activities, and deep learning.”

– From the Foreword (pages xi-xii)

“More Than a Score” “The New Uprising against High-Stakes Testing” Foreword by Diane Ravitch Edited by Jesse Hagopian Introduction by Alfie Kohn Afterword by Wayne Au Haymarket Books Paperback, $16.00 336 pages, Illustrated ISBN: 978-1-60846-392-3

(To order a copy of “More Than a Score,” visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ ASIN/1608463923/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20.)

April 23 - 29, 2015

The New Tri-State Defender

Legal Notices

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 April 29, 2015 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-000324 DUE: APRIL 29, 2015 1. Rehabilitation of Owner-Occupied Housing Units throughout Shelby County some of which may require the use of lead 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; TTY Number (901) 222-2301; or for information in Spanish 901-222-4289.

CLASSIFIEDS

THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER CLASSIFIEDS

BEER PERMITS Flat Rate: $30 GENERAL INFORMATION: Some categories require prepayment.

All ads subject to credit approval. The New Tri-State Defender reserves the right to correctly classify and edit all copy or to reject or cancel any ad at any time. Only standard abbreviations accepted. Copy change during ordered schedule constitutes new ad & new changes. Deadlines for cancellation are identical to placement deadlines. Rates subject to change.

203 Beale Street, Suite 200 Memphis, TN 38103 PH (901) 523-1818 FAX (901) 578-5037 HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

DEADLINES: Display ads Monday 5 p.m.

Classifieds ads Monday 5 p.m.

RATES: Standard rates: $9.50 per line for 1 column ad.

Rates are non-commissionable and are quoted at the net rate. No refund for early cancellation.

For additional information contact Sales Dept. at (901) 746-5201 or email: advertising@tsdmemphis.com

ADJUSTMENTS: PLEASE check your ad the first day it appears. Call (901) 523-1818 if an error occurs. We can only offer in-house credit and NO REFUNDS are issued.

THE NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER assumes no financial responsibility for errors nor for copy omission. Direct any classified billing inquires to (901) 523-1818.

A voluntary prebid conference will be held at 9:00 am, Friday, May 1, 2015 at the following location: Shelby

RE-

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)

Page 11

QUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS DUE: FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015 AT 4:00 PM Shelby County Government, Tennessee, an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer, seeks to retain the services of an engineering consulting firm to provide professional services related to the following: “Engineering Design & Environmental Clearance for a Cotton Creek Area Gravity Sewer System” (RFQ# 15-004-43)

County Roads Bridges and Engineering, 6449 Haley Road, Memphis, TN 38134.

By order of MARK H. LUTTRELL, JR, MAYOR SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT ALL INTERESTED BIDDERS The Shelby County Board of Education will accept written Qualification’s for Professional Architecture and Engineering Services.

Visit our website for additional information: www.scsk12.org-Departments, Procurement Services link, click on Bids & RFPs. Questions concerning proposals should be addressed to Procurement Services at (901) 416-5376.

Thank you for your interest and responses.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: 1. Purchaser: Pete & Company, LLC Tax Parcel # 05206800000030 Tax Sale #1002 Exhibit #1155 Price Offered: $6,300.00

Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) days of the initial publication of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:30 a.m. on May 12, 2015, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

SHELBY COUNTY LAND BANK 584 ADAMS AVENUE, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 MIKE BLACKWELL (901) 222-2581 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: 1. Purchaser: Jennifer Cothern Tax Parcel # 04302900000490 Tax Sale #1003 Exhibit #8745 Price Offered: $4,000.00

Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) days of the initial publication of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:00 p.m. on May 13, 2015, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

SHELBY COUNTY LAND BANK 584 ADAMS AVENUE, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 MIKE BLACKWELL (901) 222-2581 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: 1. Purchaser: Allan Anthony Barrow, II Tax Parcel # 08205000000100 Tax Sale #1002 Exhibit #2090 Price Offered: $5,625.00

Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) days of the initial publication of this notice. If additional of-

fers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 10:00 a.m. on May 14, 2015, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

SHELBY COUNTY LAND BANK 584 ADAMS AVENUE, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 MIKE BLACKWELL (901) 222-2581

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: 1. Purchaser: Jessie Hurd Tax Parcel # 08400400000280 Tax Sale #0703 Exhibit #14628 Price Offered: $1,400.00

Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) days of the initial publication of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 2:00 p.m. on May 14, 2015, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

SHELBY COUNTY LAND BANK 584 ADAMS AVENUE, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 MIKE BLACKWELL (901) 222-2581

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

BY SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Notice is hereby given, pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-5-2507, that Shelby County Government has received an Offer to Purchase for the following property: 1. Purchaser: Edith S. Doshier Tax Parcel # 03103500000020 Tax Sale #1002 Exhibit #556 Price Offered: $4,500.00

Terms: Cash Additional Offers to Purchase, of at least ten percent (10%) higher, may be submitted within Ten (10) days of the initial publication of this notice. If additional offers are received during this ten (10) day period, all prospective Purchasers must attend a Public “Bid Off” at 8:00 a.m. on May 13, 2015, to be held in the Shelby County Land Bank Office, to determine the highest and best offer. The property shall thereafter be sold to the prospective Purchaser making the highest and best offer without warranties of any sort.

SHELBY COUNTY LAND BANK 584 ADAMS AVENUE, MEMPHIS, TN 38103 MIKE BLACKWELL (901) 222-2581

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Black Panther Party’ film seeks wider audience

by Jazelle Hunt NNPA News Service

WASHINGTON – “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution,” the first feature-length film to focus on the origin and downfall of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense is making waves in the film community.

It’s been a breakout entry at the Sundance Film Festival, and has already won an award at the Pan African Film & Arts Festival in Los Angeles.

But for acclaimed director Stanley Nelson, the real triumph will be in getting the film to the masses.

“We’re going to film festivals…and getting great, great, great responses.

But one of the things that we feel is that film festivals reach a certain segment of the population,” says Nelson, the filmmaker behind “Freedom Riders,” “The Murder of Emmett Till,” and other notable documentaries on the African American experience.

“Another segment of the population doesn’t go to film festivals, and those people are the people we want to reach in the theatrical release.”

Thanks to financial backing from PBS, the film will have a theatrical release in more than a dozen cities across the country this September.

Still, the documentary team hopes to raise additional funds through donations website, Kickstarter (kck. st/1IjSI1V). These funds will support the film’s expansion via broad advertising, and public appearances and events with the filmmakers and Black Panther Party leaders.

“Our hope is that if we raise a bit more money…as we go through these [13] cities, if we’re successful and recoup our investment, then we’ll just put that money into going to more cities,” Nelson explains. “Our goal is not to make a profit, our goal is to get people out and have as many people see it as we possibly can.”

Other documentaries and movies have either focused on Black Panther figures such as Kwame Toure and Assata Shakur, or have explored the Panthers as one part of a larger picture. “The Black Panther Party” focuses solely on the organization in its

entirety and weaves together a variety of voices, from Party martyrs to those tasked with their destruction. The film also boasts original content from notables such as Kathleen Cleaver, Elaine Brown, Henry Douglas, Elbert “Big Man” Howard, and more.

“One of the things we tried to do in this film is make sure it’s exciting and we tell a new story to everybody,” both the well-informed and the newcomers, Nelson says. “Some of the great things that have happened in the screenings is, people who were Panthers themselves come up to us and say, ‘You know, I was in the middle of it. I didn’t know half the stuff that was in the film.’

There’s a lot of new information.”

Donations through the Kickstarter come with interesting perks, ranging from social media shout-outs for donations as small as $5, to T-shirts, tickets to screenings, autographed photos, and more. For those who cannot donate, Nelson recommends sharing the Kickstarter link with others (kickstarter.com/projects/blackpanthers/the-black-panthers-theatrical-release).

New York, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley, Chicago, Boston, Portland, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta, Seattle and Washington, D.C. are the 13 initial cities slated for wide release this fall. The film will also be screened at several film festivals around the country throughout the summer. More information on these screenings can be found on www.TheBlackPanthers.com.

Most schools teach little to nothing about the political and social movement launched by the Black Panthers.

And in the midst of today’s movements against injustice and discrimination – from police violence to reproductive rights – the film is well timed.

“We want a lot of people to see the film, especially young people. It’s not only a film about the Black Panthers, but the Black Panthers represent young people who really became involved in changing the world,” Nelson says. “Right or wrong, they did feel like they were changing the world. And we want young people to get that message.”

“The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” will have a theatrical release in more than a dozen cities across the country this September.

April 23 - 29, 2015

Page 12

BRIEFS & THINGS $5.6 million for HIV and AIDS treatment in Shelby County

Congressman Steve Cohen announced Wednesday that Shelby County has been awarded $5,653,472 in federal funding to help address the HIV/AIDS epidemic and provide care for those living with HIV. The funding comes through the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which helps local governments provide HIV-related services to more than half a million people each year who do not have sufficient health care coverage or financial resources for coping with the disease.

“While there have been major breakthroughs in treatment in recent years, HIV continues to plague the Ninth District,” said Cohen.

“This Ryan White Program funding will help thousands of Memphians living with this terrible disease access the high-quality, comprehensive care they need and deserve.”

Ahsaki Baptist to lead TBA’s Young Lawyers Ahsaki Baptist, a partner with Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs LLP, has been chosen to lead the Tennessee Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division from 2017-18.

Baptist will become the first African-American woman to lead the state’s Young Lawyers following a year as the Ahsaki division’s vice president Baptist beginning this June. In June of 2016, she will serve as president-elect of the Young Lawyers Division for a year before becoming president in June of 2017.

“Everyone at Wyatt is pleased and proud that Ahsaki has been selected by her peers to lead them,’’ said Bob Craddock, partnerin-charge of the Memphis office of Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs. “The Young Lawyers Division represents the future of our state’s legal profession and I can’t think of a more capable young attorney to hold the position.”

Baptist has been active in the TBA’s Young Lawyers Division since 2008, serving as the liaison from the Lawyers Association for Women, and chairman of the TBA’s Diversity Committee. Under her leadership, the Young Lawyers Division developed its award-winning Diversity Leadership Institute.

Baptist concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial litigation and commercial real estate and represents national and international clients in general corporate and commercial matters, including drafting and negotiating commercial agreements and litigation.

She received her law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Spelman College.

COMMUNITY

Universal Parenting Places South Memphis home to one of nation’s first

by Aisling Cordon Maki

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

South Memphis now is home to one of the nation’s first Universal Parenting Places (UPPs) – judgment-free zones where parents can receive professional counseling, information and emotional support for family related issues.

Knowledge Quest, a South Memphis nonprofit, is one of only two UPPs. The second site is located inside Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women In East Memphis.

Dedication ceremonies (April 16) held at both sites featured opening remarks by Mayor A C Wharton Jr. and Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell Jr., site tours and performances from Memphis’ creative community, including African drummer and “edu-tainer” Ekpe.

Universal Parenting Places officially opened to the public on Monday, April 20. The centers welcome all families at no cost, and help parents, grandparents and other caregivers address issues in children before those issues become larger problems in adulthood.

Issues such as divorce, death of a parent, domestic violence or addiction in the family, depression and a host of other adverse childhood experiences negatively impact families.

Knowledge Quest is considered an ideal location for a UPP because of the services it already provides to the 38126 and 38106 ZIP codes, which have some of

African drummer and “edu-tainer” Ekpe performs at the dedication ceremony. (Courtesy photo) Memphis’ highest rates of poverty, school drop-out, substance abuse and teenage pregnancy, coupled with the gang activity and youth violence.

Marlon Foster, Knowledge Quest’s executive director, founded the organization in 1995, right after graduating from college.

The nonprofit officially opened in

1998.

“I think the UPPs have the potential to be very effective on the preventative side and at the point of early onset challenges with families,” said Foster.

“The center is a value-added opportunity for Knowledge Quests’ families and the South Memphis community to continuously improve and take advantage of resources that will make them stronger.”

Knowledge Quest is dedicated to cultivating a community of healthy young people, healthy families and healthy neighborhoods, which aligns well with the UPP mission.

As an agency, Knowledge Quest was the product of a grassroots effort formed to meet community needs, particularly those of children. Aided by the trust and support of the surrounding community, Foster said he’s excited about the additional tools the UPP can provide for local parents, grandparents and other caregivers of children.

The opening of Shelby County’s first two UPP locations was made possible through the founding partnership of Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women, Knowledge Quest and administrative agent Porter-Leath.

The UPP vision is based on the writings and speeches of Robin Karr-Morse, whose Oregon-based “Parenting Institute” provides the founding vision and staff training components.

(For more information, visit www.shelbycountyupp.com.)

Women’s Foundation to honor founding visionaries

by Tarrin McGhee

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) will host its 2015 Legends Award Reception on Thursday, April 23.

The annual event pays tribute to women whose work embodies the mission of WFGM, and highlights their significant contributions to the Greater Memphis community with unique and original works of art and prose.

The 2015 Legends Award will honor and recognize the committed group of women who founded the Women’s Foundation for a

Southwest taps NBA-vet Perry for commencement NBA Veteran Elliot Perry is the speaker for Southwest’s 2015 Commencement Ceremony to be held on May 2 at the Landers Center in Southaven, Miss., at 10:30 a.m.

Perry, a Treadwell High School graduate (1987), starred at Memphis State UniverElliot sity (now University Perry of Memphis), leading Memphis to four-postseason tournaments and two NCAA Tournament appearances. Drafted in the second round of the 1991 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, Perry – nicknamed “Socks” after his trademark knee-highs – played 10 years in the NBA. After retirement, Elliot served as a player representative with the NBA Players Association in 2004. On Oct. 8, 2005, he began a new chapter in his life when he joined the Memphis Grizzlies ownership team. Perry became part of the Grizzlies radio broadcasting team in the 2006-07 season. He lives in Germantown with his wife, Kimberly, and their daughter Morgan.

Heavily involved in charity work in Memphis and many philanthropic endeavors, Perry is also an avid collector of contemporary African-American artwork.

He desires to provide a visible platform through the eyes of some of today’s young artists and challenges himself and others on how they think about history, culture and art.

BRIEFLY: The Urban Fatherhood Initiative – a collaboration between stakeholders in the community who believe that children deserve a life and future that is safe, nurturing and positive – will host a Community REACH (Restoring Every Adult & Child to Health)-Out event on Saturday, April 25, at 11 a.m. at The Word Church at 3852 Park Avenue. Attendees can take advantage of a health fair hosted by students from the University of Tennessee Medical School, free clothes donated in partnership with African-American fraternities and sororities at the University of Memphis, and sign up for the Summer Mentoring institute that will connect inner city youth with professionals from diverse backgrounds to be exposed to a variety of career opportunities.

BRIEFLY: The W.E.B. Du Bois Consortium of Schools presents a Community Informational Expo on May 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Du Bois School of Arts & Technology at 817 Brownlee Rd. For more information, call 901-505-6833 or 901-830-7942.

The New Tri-State Defender

Greater Memphis in 1995. Honorees include founding matriarch, the late Mertie W. Buckman, and founding members of the WFGM board of directors.

This year marks the WFGM’s 20th. The organization will celebrate the milestone by honoring the collective work of its diverse founders, and sharing the story of how they came together with a vision for changing the conditions of women and children to create a Greater Memphis. The founding members will be recognized together through a commemorative work of art that will be installed in the Hall of Legends at Baptist Memorial Hospi-

tal for Women.

“Because of our founders foresight and selfless commitment, 20 years later, the Women’s Foundation continues to serve as an agent for change in creating a community of well-being and prosperity,” said Andrea Beinstock, board chairwoman. “We intend to ensure their legacy continues.”

During the Legends Award Reception, WFGM will also salute the recipients of the first leadership award given in 1997, the Mertie Buckman Mentor Award. It will also pay tribute to Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women and its mission to meet the needs of women at every stage of their lives.

The 2015 Legends Award Reception will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Columns located at One Commerce Square in Downtown Memphis.

On Friday, May 1, WFGM will hold its annual Tribute Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. 1:15 p.m. at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. During the event, WFGM will also recognize the 2015 Legends Award honorees; celebrate the organization’s 20-year legacy; and announce plans to expand community impact.

(For more information, or to purchase tickets go to www.wfgm. org.)

Volunteers needed for Juneteenth Urban Music June 19-21

The 2014 DREAM Summit and Student Business Plan Competition was held at the University of Memphis’ FedEx Institute of Technology. (Courtesy photo)

Drumma Boy ready to roll out DREAM Summit and Student Business Plan Competition Memphis-based nonprofit Drum Squad Foundation, Inc. (the Foundation) – in cooperation with Shelby County Schools and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis – will host its 4th Annual (second in Memphis) Drumma’s Education, Arts and Music (DREAM) Summit and Student Business Plan Competition on Saturday (April 25).

The Foundation is an outreach vehicle for Christopher “Drumma Boy,” a three-time Grammy-nominated producer, composer and artist.

The event, which is part of a twoday focus, targets Memphis youth ages 12 to 18 and is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the University of Memphis’ FedEx Institute of Technology.

The schedule: • Art for Change II – Silent Art Auction, Moreno BHLV Sparkling Wine and Cheese. Set for Friday (April 24) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Drum Squad Foundation, Inc., 484 S Front St. • DREAM Summit & Student Business Plan Competition. Set for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.,

FedEx Institute of Technology, 365 Innovation Dr. “I am truly inspired by the collective community support for this event and excited about this wonderful opportunity to teach and expose Memphis youth to the myriad career opportunities available in the global entertainment industry,” said Drumma Boy. “As a fellow alumnus and product of Shelby County Schools, I feel a sense of responsibility to give back and to motivate other alumnus to give.”

The DREAM Summit will engage Memphis youth with the community and some of the nation’s well-respected industry executives. The program will include a 3-hour summit with presentations by academic, music, and sports & entertainment business executives, a question-and-answer period, a youth business plan presentation, and an award presentation to the winning business plan contestants.

Participation in the DREAM Summit and Student Business Plan

Competition was open to all Shelby County Schools (and surrounding counties), with a focus on the Career and Technical Education (CT&E) Program.

Music, sports business and academic executive panelists include: Drumma Boy; Nick Cannon’s father, James Cannon Jr., president/ CEO, Nick Cannon Foundation; Anthony Macri, senior director of corporate partnerships, Memphis Grizzlies; Johnnie Walker, executive director, Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission, and Karen Simmons, curriculum advisor, Shelby County Schools.

In addition to Drumma Boy, the DREAM Summit and Student Business Plan Competition is sponsored and supported by the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation, Memphis Redbirds, NIKE, the Sheraton and the Peabody Hotel.

To register or learn more about the DREAM Summit, visit www. drumsquadfoundation.org, or call Ron Highsmith at 202-297-2379.

Festival

The Juneteenth Urban Music Festival is set for June 19-21 at historic Robert R. Church Park on Beale Street in Downtown Memphis and the festival’s executive producer said more volunteers than ever are needed this year.

“We are expanding and growing exponentially – so we need more volunteers to help us in a number of areas to make the Juneteenth festival a wonderful and entertaining experience for our devoted and enthusiastic supporters,” said Telisa Franklin.

The long-running festival has been a mainstay in Memphis and a cultural enlightenment for festivalgoers and dedicated Juneteenth supporters for 22 years.

On tap for 2015 are three days of food, fun and music.

Commemorating the emancipation of African Americans from enslavement, Franklin said Juneteenth is now being celebrated and enjoyed by other ethnic groups looking to support a unique experience.

“More people are beginning to understand the importance of celebrating Juneteenth and wanting to take part in the festival regardless of their ethnic persuasion,” said Franklin.

“That’s one of the reasons why more volunteers are needed.

We’re growing.”

The Juneteenth Urban Music Awards will precede the festival on June 18 at Hilton Memphis, 939 Ridge Lake Blvd. The music awards will begin at 7 p.m.

Some of the Mid-South’s most talented individuals and groups, reputed for their special genre, will be honored.

“We have so much going on this year,” said Franklin. “If anyone wants to get involved, our doors are open.”

(For volunteer opportunities, call Telisa Franklin at 901-2816337.)

The New Tri-State Defender

April 23 - 29, 2015

Page 13

COMMUNITY

Africa In April

Honoring the Republic of Gabon in West Africa April 15 - 19, 2015 Here are images to reflect this year’s event

Dr. Edythe M. Abdullah

Dr. Tracy D. Hall

Dr. Anthony G. Kinkel

Dr. Kenyatta K. Lovett

The search for next Southwest president is down to final four Interviews next week The search for the next president at Southwest Tennessee Community College has been narrowed to four finalists.

Each will participate in meetings, campus forums and community receptions next week.

The finalists are: • Dr. Edythe M. Abdullah, special advisor to the president at the University of North Florida; • Dr. Tracy D. Hall, vice president of Academic Affairs at St. Louis (Missouri) Community College – Forest Park; • Dr. Anthony G. Kinkel, president of Wichita (Kansas) Area Technical College; and • Dr. Kenyatta K. Lovett, assistant vice chancellor for Community College Initiatives at the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Southwest President Nate Essex announced last August his plans to retire effective June 30 this year after serving as president of Southwest since 2001. The new president is expected to be selected by July.

During their campus visits, the finalists participate in meet-

ings and open forums for a variety of constituent groups, including faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community.

The campus forums will be streamed live online via links available on the presidential search website. Receptions for alumni and community members will also be scheduled.

The finalists’ application materials are available to view on the Presidential/Executive Searches website at TBR. edu/Southwest2015. Detailed campus visit schedules will be posted on the website as soon as they are finalized.

The search committee’s charge is to identify and interview three to five finalists for the position of president.

After the campus visits, Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan will gather feedback from committee members and make the final selection for recommendation to the Board for approval. The committee worked with executive search firm Greenwood/Asher & Associates to help identify a broad range of highly qualified candidates from around the country.

Ayondele Hall

Teacher of the Week “Celebration of Teachers” Sunday is approaching and the countdown spotlight is on Ayondele Hall.

Shepherding the Next Generation Memphis is partnering with churches around the city to honor teachers during worship services on May 3, which Mayor A C Wharton Jr. has proclaimed Celebration of Teachers Sunday. In conjunction with the effort, The New Tri-State Defender will spotlight a teacher each week “who goes above and beyond to make sure his or her students achieve.”

Teacher: Ayondele Hall School: Belle Forest Community School Grade: 3rd Subject Taught: Reading, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies Church: St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Pastor: The Rev. Eric Lee What makes this teacher stand out?

Ayondele Hall did not know which path she would take upon entering college. Although she came from a line of educators and was surrounded by teachers all of her life, she had no plans to become one. She thought she only chose the profession because her twin sister, Ayanna, had already made the same choice. What she did not know is that her steps were already ordered.

Hall is an outstanding teacher because she requires excellence from her students by showing them exactly what it looks like. She models it and monitors their paths, rewarding them along the way for making good choices.

Her expectations are high, and she encourages her students to be the best. Each day, her students recite a quote from NBA basketball player Tim Duncan: “Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best!” By instilling this quote into her students’ thought processes, Hall says they can become successful.

She builds rapport with challenging students. Many times she finds that students who are labeled as difficult are the same students who have never been told and shown that they are capable and are good enough. Hall provides her students with what they need to achieve, then only expects positive results from them.

Photos: Tyrone P. Easley

Congratulations Ayondele Hall. The TSD celebrates you and all teachers.

Join in the celebration. Visit www.shepherdingmemphis. org for more information.

SPORTS The New Tri-State Defender, April 23 - 29, 2015, Page 14

‘A LITTLE R&R ON SPORTS’

GRIZZ TRACK

Grizzlies win Game 2, 97-82; Take 2-0 series lead

by Lee Eric Smith

Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Floyd Mayweather

Respect your elders Floyd!

by Howard Robertson and Larry Robinson First, in the interest of full disclosure (in keeping with journalistic protocol), we acknowledge that we are lifelong fans and unabashed admirers of the man globally recognized as the Greatest of all Time…Muhammed Ali. For one of us, he’s a lifelong hero of a generation and for the other, he’s a fellow native son of Louisville and lifelong icon.

So when Floyd Mayweather has the gall to compare himself and disrespect the legacy of The Greatest, we have a problem and there’s (as Bernie Mac would say) a big damn discrepancy.

In what can best be described as a show-off or show-out interview with Stephen A. Smith, Mayweather gets real full of himself real fast. A swing through his custom built, estimated 20,000-squarefoot home that took a year to build and his “million dollar garage,” where he points out cars worth $1.6 million all the way up to $3 million, set the stage for the foolishness about to come out of his mouth.

But why would anyone spend $3 million on a car? Bill Gates whose net worth last year was estimated at $78.6 billion making him 280 times richer than Floyd ($280 million) probably doesn’t own a $3 million ride. Not because he can’t afford it but because it’s stupid to put that kind of money into something that becomes devalued as soon as the tires hit the street. It’s similar to the ghetto mentality of having rims on a car that are literally worth more than the vehicle.

So we begin with the understanding that Floyd is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. That’s not taking anything whatsoever away from the fact that he fought his way out of some mean Michigan streets, has amassed a fortune, primarily handles his own business and is undefeated. But that makes you rich and successful in the fight game, not smart.

“I’m better than Ali. No one can ever brainwash me to believe that Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammed Ali was better than me. How is Ali better than me? He only fought in one weight class.”

If you’re smart, you don’t ever allow your name to be mentioned in any kind of comparative context to giants on whose shoulders you still stand. Have you ever heard LeBron say anything like that about Jordan or Tiger wax on about being better than Nicholas?

It was a disrespectful as well as a punk move too, given that Ali can’t verbally defend his legacy. Although Foolish Floyd may think and believe that, at least be smart enough not to verbalize it. But while we’re in comparison mode, how would Floyd fare against some greats a little lighter in legend and weight class than Ali? If Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and Thomas “Hitman” Hearns were in their prime today, who could Floyd beat? Now that’s a topic for some extended discussion.

But undoubtedly the most ridiculously retarded thing Foolish Floyd said is that he has to deal with as much racism today as Ali did in the ’60s and ’70s. Really Floyd? Do you even know what Cassius Clay went through simply as a result of changing his religion and his name? We suppose you know what it’s like to have the government of the United States of America use all their resources to take away your livelihood, wreck your life and throw you in jail. Of course we know you know what it’s like to be locked up.

But Ali was incarcerated unjustly for standing for principles he believed not justly jailed for beating up a woman.

Look Floyd, we understand this may all be pre-fight hype you need to get up for Manny Pacquiao (on May 2). Good luck with that. But you cannot do that at the expense of our hero.

Ali is a legend in his own time. Floyd Mayweather is a legend in his own mind. (“A Little R&R on Sports” (randronsports.com) is a nationally syndicated radio show available on hundreds of radio stations and digital platforms. In Memphis, tune to AM 990 KWAM, 10 a.m. on Saturdays or online at kwam990. com or stream R&R live Saturdays at 11 a.m. EDT/10 a.m. CDT on sportsbyline. com.)

For the Grizzlies, it’s generally not a good night when Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph combine to shoot 9-31 from the field. On Wednesday night, the duo scored 25 points and pulled in 17 rebounds.

However, Memphis was cooking in so many other aspects of the game that their post play almost didn’t matter. In fact, in this game, it was the perimeter play – specifically, the 3-point shooting – that helped the Grizzlies score a fairly comfortable (97-82) Game 2 victory over the Portland Trailblazers at the FedExForum.

The Grizzlies take a 2-0 series lead to Portland. Game 3 at The Moda Center tips off Saturday at 9:30 p.m. CT. “This (Grizzlies) team is so unselfish to begin with,” said point guard Mike Conley, who scored 18 points to go with six assists. “Marc and Zach sacrificed for themselves tonight. They weren’t making a lot of shots so they were setting hard screens, running the floor, creating lanes for all the guards to make plays. The next night, it might be the opposite. That’s just the way this team is built – guys sacrificing for each other.”

What worked in Game 1 for Memphis pretty much worked again – stifling, physical defense.

Contain Blazer All-Stars LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard. Don’t turn the ball over.

Make shots.

Rinse. Repeat.

“I didn’t really shoot as well as I would have liked in either of the first two games,” said Lillard, who went 5-16 from the field and scored 18 points. “They are doing a great job defensively.

I’m trying to figure out what the coverage is and listening to the way they communicate to figure out what they are trying to do. They are doing a great job of trying to take away my options.

It’s one of those situations where you just have to keep playing. I’’ve just got to stick with it.”

On the defensive end, nine of Portland’s 14 turnovers were simply the Grizzlies stealing the ball. Tony Allen was in full Grindfather mode – although he scored only four points, he was all over the court on defense, causing deflections, blocking shots (3), snagging rebounds (9) and whipping a sellout crowd into a frenzy. During one sequence late in the fourth quarter, Allen dove into the Grizzlies bench to save a ball back inbounds. The crowd goes wild.

“It was a multiple effort to run in there and get the rebound,” Allen said of the play. “I didn’t want LaMarcus to get it. I was fortunate to get grabbed by some great teammates. It felt like they wanted me to sit on the bench but I had to hustle back down on the offensive end and we were able to score. Good sequence.”

Memphis took care of the basketball, only giving up five points on six turnovers. And they got great production from virtually every perimeter player who checked in. Courtney Lee also scored 18 points. Jeff Green chipped in 9 points and 5 rebounds. And although Game 1 star Beno Udrih only shot 4-9 from the field, he still scored 10 points, most of it during a 2nd quarter run when the Grizzlies seized control of the game.

But perhaps most impressively, Memphis shot 8-16 from beyond the arc. Conley and Lee made two each and even Vince Carter knocked down three 3-pointers. It was a remarkable feat for a team that’s not known for taking a lot of threes, let alone actually making them.

“Yeah, tell me about it,” quipped Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts. “They have shot the

Jeff Green of the Grizzlies scores over Jeff Blake of Portland. The Grizzlies took a 2-0 lead in their first-round matchup in the NBA Western Conference Playoffs, beating the Trail Blazers 97-82 on Wednesday night at the FedExForum.

Courtney Lee, who tied Mike Conley with a team high 18 points for the Grizzlies in Game 2 of the Memphis-Portland first-round series, comes up with the loose ball. (Photos: Warren Roseborough)

three well against us. The thing for us is, if they make some tough ones, they make some tough ones. But we can’t just dare them to shoot threes.

They’re good shooters. They don’t look for them a lot, but we can’t leave them open either.”

Conley credits the ball movement for the hot shooting.

“We play well when we move the ball and when we play Portland, we tend to move the ball because they show so much attention to our big guys,” Conley said. “It allows our guards to have some space and as long as we make the extra pass and the extra play, we get our feet set and we can knock down some shots. When we do, we are pretty good.”

Now that the series shifts to the West Coast, neither team is relaxing.

The Grizzlies’ tough defense forced Damian Lillard to pass the ball “I never want to pat our backs too early,” Allen said. “We just have to stay focused and understand the things we did to get up 2-0. That’s playing hard and playing together, and understanding that we are in this together. That team isn’t going to quit. We have to value each possession for 48 minutes.”

Aldridge predicts a different Blazers team will take the floor Saturday night.

“It is going to be night and day,” Aldridge said. “They have had their crowd behind them for two games and now we are going home and our city is next-level fans. They were at home and the home team is supposed to win. So we have got to go home and do the same thing. I think everybody will play better at the house.”

(Lee Eric Smith is founder of GritGrindGrizz. com and co-host of SportsTwist (M-F, 10 a.m. on 730 AM Yahoo Sports) You can follow him on Twitter: @GrindOnGrizz.)

Grizzlies surge to Game 1 win over Blazers

kind of timid. The adrenaline rush, the crowd and just trying to make something happen . . . it Special to The New Tri-State Defender all came together in the second half.”

Gasol posted a double double, with 15 points, As the 2015 NBA Playoffs kicked off in 11 rebounds to go along with seven assists. On the Memphis Sunday Night, Grizzlies fans had no other hand, Randolph shook off a four-point first shortage of questions. half to rumble for 10 points in the third quarter.

Would Grizz guards Mike Conley and Tony He finished with a double double of his Allen play? And if so, would they be own, 16 points, 11 boards. effective? Which Marc Gasol would “They let us play,” Randolph said show up – the November MVP candiabout the physical nature of the game. date or the March jersey-ripper? Would “That’s what we wanted to do. Just the team make shots for a change? And let us play physical and always clean. most importantly, which Grizzlies team That’s what they did.” would come to play: the playoff preMaking shots? Heading into the tender or the title contender? fourth quarter, Memphis was shooting After a dominant 100-86 win against 50 percent from the field, including 3-6 an injury-riddled Portland team, the from downtown. Much of that damage answer to that last question seems to was done in the paint, where the Grizbe “title contender.” zlies outscored Portland 52-38.

Riding the hot shooting of backup “The Grizzlies have different guys PG Beno Udrih, Memphis ran out to a who can make shots,” said Portland 21-point lead in the first half and never Head Coach Terry Stotts. “Obviously, looked back. Udrih hung 13 points on Gasol and Z-Bo are very effective playPortland in the first half on 6-7 shooters in the post. Tonight, Udrih got going, and led all Memphis scorers with ing. I though Conley did a nice job with 20 points while dishing seven assists. his penetration. You can’t take away By halftime, the Grizzlies had built a everything, but ideally we take away 21-point lead. the paint and force midrange shots. As “I was just trying to be aggressive,” long as they’re contested, we’ve got to Udrih said. “I was getting to my sweet live with them sometimes.” spots and knocking those shots down.

And yet, despite leading by as many It felt great but I didn’t really think Tough defense by Mike Conley and Tony Allen (right) of the as 29 points, and sending fans to the about it. I was just trying to play my Grizzlies causes Damian Lillard of the Blazers to miss his exits victoriously waving growl towels, game and help my team win.” shot. (Photo: Warren Roseborough) this playoff fact remains: at the end of Meanwhile, the Grizz defense was the night, it’s only one game in a best locked in as well, holding Portland to “When Beno’s playing like that, I’m sitting of seven series.

25 percent shooting in the first quarter and only down,” Conley chuckled after the game. “I “It was nice to play from the lead,” said Griz34 percent for the game. Perhaps no other Blaz- don’t wanna go back in the game. He’s worked zlies Head Coach Dave Joerger. “However, we ers player felt that impact more than All Star PG hard all season and I’m happy for him.” all know that whatever we won by today, if they Damian Lillard, who finished with 14 points on Allen, who had missed the final nine games of win by one on Wednesday, they go home with 5 for 21 shooting. the regular season nursing a hamstring, entered the split and that’s all they are looking for. So “I thought we did a good job of coming out the game in the first quarter to raucous cheers. our focus is immediately on Wednesday.” strong and coming out swinging, especially on While he only scored four points, he might have the defensive end,” Gasol said. “I’m happy with answered any questions about that hammy with (Lee Eric Smith is founder of GritGrindGrizz. how we played. We were communicating and a crowd-pleasing fourth-quarter dunk. com and co-host of SportsTwist (M-F, 10 a.m. on helping each other. They got some offensive re“Starting out, I was a little skeptical,” Allen 730 AM Yahoo Sports). Follow him on Twitter: bounds but for the most part, I thought we did said. “I didn’t want to reinjure myself. I was @GrindOnGrizz.) a pretty good job of also finishing possessions

by Lee Eric Smith

with rebounds and getting into the break.”

As for those other questions: Conley, who has been recovering from a foot sprain, scored 16 points in 24 minutes on 6-11 for 16 points. He also didn’t shy away from contact and went 4-5 from the free throw line, but was glad that Udrih’s play afforded him the extra rest.

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April 23 - 29, 2015

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April 23 - 29, 2015

The New Tri-State Defender