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Volume 80 | Number 21

WEEK OF MARCH 24, 2011 | FREE

Black leaders rate Obama H Page 8

Entertainment

Thandie Newton: A body in motion

P10 health

HEALTHY NEW YEARS’S Resolution for kids

NATIONAL

BUSTED! 100+ Suspected Mobsters Arrested

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Vince Young

82nd Legislative Session Big Issues

There’s an old football cliché that states: offense sells tickets and defense wins championships. If there is any truth to that proverb then go ahead and clear out some space in the Texas Southern trophy case. The Texas Southern defense has been #1 in total defense in the SWAC for the second consecutive year. In addition, this season the Tiger defense is currently rated #2 in the nation among Division IAA schools.

In an attempt to reduce the national deficit and improve his political standing, President Barack Obama is making bipartisan moves, which so far has been met with mixed reviews by congressional Democrats. The president opened last week with a directive for a two-year salary freeze for federal employees, which is expected to save $2 billion for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, $28 billion.

What’s next...

H Page 12

H PAGE 3

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Stay Connected! Experience the Defender on the world wide web.

Editorial cartoons

In the Book Corner “Writing my first book was an adventure [which] comes from my heart with love… This is not an autobiography. It’s a journey that I am still taking to love and accept myself just as I am.

CMY

Question of the Week

Auto highlight

What grade would you give President Obama?

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newstalk

localbriefs News & Opinion Should We Bank on Recovery? Julianne Malveaux

See more on: defendernetwork.com

n 170 HISD educators’ More than 170 educators in the Houston school district received notice on Thursday that their jobs may disappear in June with the end of federal stimulus funding. Hundreds of public school employees across Texas also face the prospect of layoffs as the two-year-old economic stimulus package runs dry. The 2011 expiration date is no surprise, but it comes as the state faces a multibilliondollar funding shortfall that officials warn could cost even more jobs — up to 100,000, according to one estimate.

82nd Legislative Session

n Senator evacuates

office after delivery

A suspicious package delivered to Sen. John Cornyn’s suburban Dallas office Wednesday triggered an evacuation of the top two floors of the sprawling building where the office is located, police said. It was later deemed not to be a threat. The package was delivered about 10:30 a.m. to Cornyn’s 11th floor office in Farmers Branch, Deputy Police Chief Mark Young said. Police were called and officers evacuated the building’s 10th and 11th floors as Texas Department of Public Safety bomb experts examined the contents of the 14-inch-long tan box.

recordings for case

The Houston Police Department is asking the Texas Attorney General’s office to keep recordings of 911 calls in the Jonathan Foster case, secret. According to Jeff Monk of HPD’s Open Records division, the department is exercising its right to have the recordings kept from the public because they are a part of a pending criminal investigation. “We do that on any case that is active,” Monk said. The burned remains of 12-year-old Jonathan Foster were found on Dec. 28, four days after the boy disappeared from his Garden Oaks home. A 44-year-old maintenance worker, Mona Nelson, has been charged with murder in Jonathan’s death. She is a friend of Jonathan’s mother’s roommate.

TO YOUR TASTE

Big issues Continued from Page 1

By Aswad Walker Defender Garnet Coleman (District Many wonder what af147). fect the arrival of freshmen State Senator Rodney legislators riding the wave Ellis (District 13) concurred of a resounding Republican/ n Budget n Redistricting n Education n Health Services with Coleman. Tea Party victory in the 2010 “One of the biggest ismid-term elections will have sues that the 82nd legislature on politics at the state and will be dealing with is how federal levels. Moreover, with the State of Texas can balTexas facing a massive budget ance and write a budget that, shortfall of as much as $25 according to major reports billion, several individuals and organizations are showing has a shortfall of upwards of $25 billion, without slashing an increased interest in the isSenator Rodney Ellis Rep. Harold Dutton Rep. Garnet Coleman services for those Texans sues legislators deem as most who need them the most,” pressing. With the economy promises to be one that will dramatically said Ellis. still in flux, increased investimpact the quality of our lives. According to Ellis, restructuring the ment in education by the United States’ “The number one issue facing us is state budget will have short and long term global competitors, and educational dolthe budget because of the impact it has effects for his constituents. Agencies like lars in Texas threatened to be cut drastithe Texas Health and Human Services, cally, the coming Texas legislative session on everybody’s life,” said Representative

TOP LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

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Visit bmoachicagoland.org to find out where our Caramel Mocha teams will be giving out McCafe coupons in your area.

jobs on the line

n HPD quiets 911

SWEET

BUDS

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Twenty-three years after being snatched as an infant, the victim of a hospital kidnapping cracked the cold case herself when doubts about her bogus “mom” led her home. Carlina White – just 19 days old when her late-night abduction by a phony nurse stunned the city – was reunited last weekend with her overjoyed biological mother, father and other relatives.

What is the mayor trying to do?

“I’m overwhelmed. I’m just happy. It’s like a movie; it’s all brand new to me,” White told the Daily News Wednesday night as she arrived at LaGuardia Airport for the second reunion with her birth mom. “Is it really happening?” her incredulous mom, Joy White, wondered after decades of prayers were answered. “I always dreamed this. It was a stunning and unexpected resolu-

tion to one of the NYPD’s most frustrating cases: a kidnapper casually carrying an infant out of Harlem Hospital and into the wind. The last time Joy White and her father, Carl Tyson, laid eyes on their chubbycheeked child, Carlina was just 21 inches long, weighed 8 pounds and had a fever of 104. It was Aug. 4, 1987 – and it wasn’t until Jan. 4, 2011, that their now 23-year-old baby girl was able to let them know she was safe.

Missing girl, Carl Tyson

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 24 | 2011

national

U.S.briefs

Busted:

n LDF successfully defends

More than 100 Suspected Mobsters Arrested NEW YORK -- More than 120 organized crime associates face charges including murder, extortion and narcotics trafficking in one of the largest Mafia crackdowns in FBI history, prosecutors announced Thursday. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said at a news conference to eliminate perceived rivals,” a killThursday in New ing during a botched robbery and a York City that the 127 defendants include high-ranking members of the double shooting in a barroom dispute over a spilled drink. Gambino and Colombo crime famiMore than 100 of the defendants lies and the reputed former boss of organized crime in New England. All were arrested Thursday as some 800 federal agents and police officers five of New York’s five major crime made busts in several states. One families were targeted. The charges cover decades worth of offenses, See More On defendernetwork.com he said, including “classic mob hits

person was arrested in Italy. Other charges include alleged corruption among dockworkers who were forced to kick back a portion of their holiday bonuses to the crime families. Holder called the arrests “an important step forward in our nation’s fight against organized crime.” The crimes include two murders dating back 30 years, and another as recently as 2002. One of the defendants, among the scores arrested, is a former New York City police officer. Authorities say the investigation was aided by informants who recorded thousands of conversations by suspected mobsters. Luigi Manocchio, the reputed former head of New England’s Patriarca crime family, was arrested Wednesday.

Alabama Gov. Apologizes for ‘Brothers and Sisters’ Comments (NewsCore) - New Alabama Republican Gov. Robert Bentley apologized Wednesday for remarks he made after his inauguration on Martin Luther King Day, when he said non-Christians were not his “brothers and sisters.” “What I would like to do is apologize. Should anyone who heard those words and felt disenfranchised, I want to say, ‘I’m sorry,’” Bentley, a Baptist, said after a meeting with members of Alabama’s Jewish community Wednesday.

“If you’re not a person who can say you are sorry, you’re not a very good leader,” he added, according to The Birmingham News. Bentley caused controversy Monday, when -- following his inauguration -- he told members of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala., that only fellow Christians could be his “brothers and sisters.”

“If you’re not a person who can say you are sorry, you’re not a very good leader”

“If you have been adopted in God’s family like I have, and ... if you’re a Christian and if you’re saved, and the Holy Spirit lives within you just like the Holy Spirit lives within me, then you know what that makes?” Bentley asked. “It makes you and me brothers. And it makes you and me brother and sister. “If we don’t have the same daddy, we’re not brothers and sisters. So anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I’m telling you, you’re not my brother and you’re not my sister, and I want to be your brother.”

race-conscious admissions in higher education

(New York, NY) – This week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld the constitutionality of the admissions program utilized by the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) to assemble a diverse student body. Fisher v. Texas is the first federal appellate challenge to the use of race in university admissions since the Supreme Court’s landmark 2003 decision in Grutter v. Bollinger. The Fifth Circuit’s unanimous decision affirms that UT Austin’s admissions plan is entirely consistent with Grutter.

n Steele Comments on

Future Plans Following RNC Ouster

While politicos continue to debate whether the circumstances surrounding Michael Steele’s withdrawal from the race for Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman were fair, he said he is still looking to make a nice living in politics. “He’ll be fine,” said conservative political analyst Raynard Jackson. “He’ll do some TV and probably some book tours.” Reports say Steele is mulling over offers from CNN and Fox News to become a political analyst. Fox News would make the most sense, as Steele served in that capacity with the conservative news network before becoming RNC chairman.

WEEK OF MARCH 24 | 2011 D EFENDER

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Shawn Corey Carter:

“I’m Not a Businessman... I’m a Business, Man” Born: December 4th, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York Interesting Facts About Jay-Z: Jay-Z is the fourth child in his family. He has two sisters: Michelle (a.k.a. Mickey), an employee at Rocawear and Andrea (or Annie), a corrections officer at Riker’s Island Prison. He also has a brother, Eric, who resides in upstate New York. Jay-Z In His Own Words: “Be fluid. Treat each project differently. Be water, man. The best style is no style. Be-

n Philly doctor accused of

killing newborns

Allegedly running what the prosecutor calls “a house of horrors,” a Philadelphia physician, Kermit Barron Gosnell, was charged Wednesday with murder and other offenses related to illegal, late-term abortions. The doctor is accused of causing the death of one of his female patients and killing seven viable babies in illegal abortions, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said. The babies were born alive in the sixth, seventh and eighth months of pregnancy, but their spinal cords were allegedly severed with scissors, Williams said in a statement. Nine other people who worked in the west Philadelphia medical office, including Gosnell’s wife and sister-in-law, also were charged, Williams said.

bottomline VOLUME 80 • NUMBER • 21 MARCH 12-19, 2011

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Editor Von Jiles Associate Editor Reshonda Billingsley Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Columnist Yvette Chargois Sport Editors Max Edison Darrel K. Ardison Contributing Writers Aswad Walker Webmaster Corneleon Block

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender audited By Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2011 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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business

cause styles can be figured out. And when you have no style they can’t figure you out.” (Rolling Stone interview) The Life & Times of S. Carter: Jay-Z was raised by his single-parent mom Gloria. His father Adnes Reeves, who is now deceased, walked away when Jay was only 12. Left with no father figure to model after, young Shawn turned to the streets of Marcy for in-

Gloria Carter reveals that her son’s interest in rap peaked after she bought him a boom-box for his birthday. Jay later joined a rap group known as Original Flavor alongside his friend Bitrthday: July 9, 1972; and mentor Jaz-O, and their hit “Hawaiian Sophie” would later Education: Ross S. jump-start a long and lucrative music career. Unable to secure a Sterling High School, B.A. label deal, he decided to launch University of Pennsylvania; his own. Producer Clark Kent introduced Jigga to Dame Dash. Experience: Def Jam Jay, Dame, and Kareem “Biggs” Burke, formed Roca-A-Fella in Records, JayZ Enterprise; 1996. Reasonable Doubt: Revenues: $125 million - 09 With a home on which to build his rap staple, Jay-Z quickly scored with the classic debut Reasonable Doubt. The spiration. He delved album only reached #23 on the Billboard charts, but into drug-peddling and it’s widely recognized as an indisputable hip-hop became involved in masterwork. Led by singles like “Ain’t No N****a” various clandestine (featuring another budding rapper known as Foxy street activities. He Brown) and the Mary J Blige-assisted “Can’t Knock soon capitalized on The Hustle,” the album embodied details of Jay’s his hustle and bestreet dealings and difficult childhood. But, his witty came a street rapper wordplay coupled with an exceptional flow was the known as Jazzy in highlight of the show. his neighborhood. “I’m Not a Businessman...I’m a Business, Man”: He later modified Jay veered into a more mainstream sound with the name to Jay-Z. his sophomore album, In My Lifetime Vol 1. On The The Blueprint: Black Album’s “Moment of Clarity,” he hinted that On the the move was a financial plot (“I dumbed down my biographical song audience and doubled my dollars”). Despite In My “December 4th,” Lifetime’s pop-leaning sound, there were still brash.

profile

by Laolu Davies-Yemitan

Get your fair share of the private sector dollars Twenty-three years after being snatched as an infant, the victim of a hospital kidnapping cracked the cold case herself when doubts about her bogus “mom” led her home. Carlina White – just 19 days old when her latenight abduction by a phony nurse stunned the city – was reunited last weekend with her overjoyed biological mother, father and other relatives. “I’m overwhelmed. I’m just happy. It’s like a movie; it’s all brand new to me,” White told the Daily News Wednesday night as she arrived at LaGuardia Airport for

the second reunion with her birth mom. “Is it really happening?” her incredulous mom, Joy White, wondered after decades of prayers were answered. “I always dreamed this. It was a stunning and unexpected resolution to one of the NYPD’s most frustrating cases: a kidnapper casually carrying an infant out of Harlem Hospital and into the wind. The last time Joy White and her father, Carl Tyson, laid eyes on their chubby-cheeked child, Carlina was just 21 inches long, weighed 8 pounds and had a fever of

104. It was Aug. 4, 1987 – and it wasn’t until Jan. 4, 2011, that their now 23-year-old baby girl was able to let them know she was safe. Twenty-three years after being snatched as an infant, the victim of a hospital kidnapping cracked the cold case herself when doubts about her bogus “mom” led her home.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 24 | 2011

health

FLU SHO $2 T 4

A Defender & Texas Children’s Hospital Alliance

Healthy New Year’s resolutions for kids

he mark of a new year opens a great opportunity for parents to evaluate their child’s current responsibilities and help them set new goals for the upcoming year. Adults are not the only ones who can make resolutions, and in fact parents should encourage children to come up with some of their own resolutions. It is very important for children to lead the effort in setting their resolutions and goals and not for parents to force them. Parents can help get children involved in goal-setting and sitting down together and mentioning some ideas but allowing the child to make their own decision. Children will be more Encourage children to eat more vegetables in fun and fresh excited to execute the ways by making new year’s resolutions together. goals in the later weeks your way up over a few weeks or and months when they months so that your kids will not had a say in what they wanted to become overwhelmed or give up n accomplish. Write the resolutions too soon. down and post them in a common Since New Year’s resolutions n place in the home to remind the n child of the goals you came up with can be just as hard for kids to keep as they are for adults, parents can together. Remember to start small help kids plan and stick to their with your resolutions and work

resolutions by helping them come up with a plan or schedule to meet each resolution, encouraging them during any setbacks and helping them get back on track, and keeping them motivated by providing positive reinforcement. Experts with Texas Children’s Hospital and the American Academy of Pediatrics provide tips and ideas of age-appropriate goals and resolution for children. Parents are encouraged to utilize this new year to put new responsibilities and goals in place to better strengthen their child’s development.

Preschool age

Yes, even preschoolers can have a few resolutions_keep them simple though. Good resolutions for preschoolers might include: n Put away toys when finished playing. n Put away clothes after wearing or at the end of the day. Help in picking out clothes to wear. Brush teeth twice a day. Wash hands regularly, especially after going to the bathroom and before.

healthnotes How to Cope with Sibling Rivalry n When your children are fighting: Unless absolutely necessary, try not to involve yourself. It’s important for your kids to learn to work out disagreements between themselves. Too often, parents intervene and children can begin to depend on your intervention as a means to end every conflict. If you must get involved, work through the conflict with your children. Let each of your children express their feelings about the conflict and try not to take sides. Teach them the importance of expressing their feelings without name calling or hitting and the benefits of sharing and compromise. • In everyday life: Reward or positively call attention to good behavior. Many times, bad behavior is paid attention to while good behavior is ignored. Take notice when your children share or play together nicely. Praise and encourage this behavior or reward a day with no arguments with a special treat or trip to the movies. • Make time for each of your children individually. Each of your children is vying for your time and attention. Carve out special time for each of them to feel loved and appreciated as an individual. Hang out and do things that are interesting to each of them. Doing so can help meet their needs and alleviate tension between siblings. • Set ground rules. Let your children know from the start which kinds of behaviors are acceptable and unacceptable. Reveal consequences up front so that your children know what will happen if they break the rules and be consistent about enforcing them. • Practice good conflict resolution in your own life. Children watch how you respond to conflict in your own life and relationships and will likely follow your lead. Avoid yelling and lecturing. Instead, talk things out calmly and rationally and your children.

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Recognizing attention problems in children Although most children’s attention levels fluctuate throughout their daily activities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/ HD) is a persistent problem that interferes with a child’s performance in multiple settings beginning in early childhood. “This disorder can have a significant impact on both the individual child and the entire family,” said Dr. Liza Bonin, psychologist with Texas Children’s Psychology Service. “School performance is often affected

and a child with attention problems may also have difficulties forming and maintaining friendships.” Children with AD/HD typically display significant problems with poor attention and/or impulsivity and hyperactivity before age 7. These symptoms often cluster into major subtypes of AD/HD which include children who are primarily impulsive and hyperactive; or, children who primarily display poor attention (formerly referred to as ADD).

Children with impulsivity/hyperactivity problems are often more easily identified since they display observable problems in regulating their behavior. Although hyperactivity is common in early childhood, activity levels decline by adolescence, while impulsivity continues to cause problems well into adulthood. These children may also engage in frequent conflict with adults or aggressive behavior with siblings/peers and tend to have a high rate of learning problems.

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Flu vaccinations available while supplies last. Age restrictions vary—ask us for additional details. Target Pharmacies and Target Clinics are not located in all Target stores, and hours and services vary by location. Services may not be available at all times when Target stores are open. Free translation services available. ©2010 Target Stores. Target and the Bullseye Design are registered trademarks of Target Brands, Inc. All rights reserved. 100128

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 24 | 2011

coverpage

Overview n Innovate: New investments

Black leaders rate Obama By Hazel Trice Edney Editor-in-Chief, Trice Edney News Wire

WASHINGTON (TEWire) – It was an evening marked by thunderous applause, Republicans and Democrats symbolically sitting together instead of across the aisles, and a message from the President of the United States that soared with hope for economic recovery, health care, education and jobs. Still, President Obama fell Marc Morial Jesse Jackson slightly short of 10 points in the view of most Congressional tion programs” or CAPs, as Black Caucus members and Black they are formally known in leaders when they were asked to cities across the nation, appears to grade the “State of the Union” be the wrench that caused conspeech on a scale of 1-10. cern among CBC members, “I give it a nine-and-aincluding Cleaver. half,” says Congressional Black “The Congressional Caucus Chairman Emanuel Black Caucus is going to Cleaver (D-Mo.). He says the look very seriously at any of President gets an A for giving the inspiration that was needed as the economy appears to be generally turning around. But, Cleaver expressed concern about a void in specificity on what programs might be cut in order to make up for a $400 billion freeze on annual domestic spending that the President proposed to start this year and extend for the next five years. “This freeze will require painful cuts,” President Obama said. “Already, we’ve frozen the salaries of hardworking federal employees for the next two years. I’ve proposed cuts to things I care deeply about, like community action the proposed cuts on programs that we programs. The Secretary of Defense has think are critical to the survival of the also agreed to cut tens of billions of dol- least of these,” he said. lars in spending that he and his generals Community Action Programs, believe our military can do without.” founded in the mid 70s, help thousand That one phrase, “community acof elderly and low income with basic

“We applaud the President for his foresight in recognizing that we need to prepare our workforce for the jobs of the future and to be able to compete with the rest of the world,”

in American innovation: increase the nation’s R&D investments. n Educate: Replace No Child Left Behind with a new law that raises expectations, challenges failure, and rewards success, so schools can innovate and improve. n Build: Ensure U.S. has the fastest, most reliable ways to move people, goods, and information – from roads and airports to high-speed rail and high-speed Internet. I need to know what he’s talking n Reform: Reform about. He mentions specifically progovernment--leaner and smarter grams like community action programs for have the 21st century, might to take someremoving cuts. Those are barriers and creating lifeline programs. Those new are not luxury incentives for are growth. programs. These programs that keep n Responsibility: people subsisting. So whatBoth is he talking about?” parties and both houses of The President’s speech, at the to Congress must come together mid-term of his first four-year term, reduce our deficits. was also watched closely by Black civil rights leaders. Source: The White “We applaud theHouse President for Office of in therecognizing Press Secretary his –foresight that we

Emanuel Cleaver

needs, such as food, financial literacy, and job search assistance. Across the crowded Statuary Hall, where members go to meet the press after the annual State of the Union, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) echoed the chairman’s sentiments. “It’s a nine point five,” she said. She cited his “energy, his sense of hope and can do spirit” as Obama’s strong points. But, “The President knows that he’s got a $400 million freeze on domestic spending. We’re all going to ask where and how? Americans are diverse, they are high income, middle income, low income; then there are those who are so vulnerable that their very existence depends upon a helping hand. We’ve got to be concerned on those issues.” Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn) gave the speech a six-and-a-half. Ellison gave high marks for the President’s talk about increasing jobs by rebuilding America’s infrastructure. But, Ellison said, “The stuff that he said about cuts kind of worries me. ©2008 Home Box Office, Inc. All rights reserved. HBO® is a service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

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WEEK OF MARCH 24 | 2011 DEFENDER | 11 DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 24 | 2011

entertainment

Thandie Newton: A Body in Motion

By Kam Williams orn in London on November 6, 1972, Thandie Newton is a consummate actress associated with riveting performances in everything from Beloved to Besieged to Crash. She will soon be seen in the independent film Vanishing on 7th Street where she stars opposite Hayden Christensen and John Leguizamo, and she is currently shooting the psychological thriller The Retreat with Cillian Murphy and Jamie Bell. Thandie won both a BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Awards for her work in Crash, the Academy Award-winning Best Picture of 2006. She most recently appeared in 2012, a sci-fi flick which grossed in excess of $750 million at the box office worldwide. Newton impersonated Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in W. which was directed by Oliver Stone. Other films on her impressive resume’ include The Pursuit of Happyness, Run Fat Boy Run, The Truth about Charlie and Mission Impossible 2. Here, she talks about playing Tangie in Tyler Perry’s screen adaptation of Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls, an ensemble drama co-starring Kerry Washington, Janet Jackson, Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine and Phylicia Rashad. KW: Hi, Thandie, thanks for the time. The last time we spoke was when you were doing Run Fatboy Run. TN: [Sarcastically] Well, For Colored Girls is exactly like that one, isn’t it Kam? KW: [Playing along] Sure, the same storyline, and you’re even playing the same character. I want to get right to questions submitted by fans of yours. What were your initial feelings about taking the role of Tangie? TN: Terror. I was really terrified, because

spotlight

HHH

the film was so unlike anything I’d ever done before, because Tangie’s so unlike me, and because of the quiet, sensitive and grateful place I was in my life on a personal level. I knew I’d now have to go out and be this audacious, promiscuous character. KW: But you killed in the role! You did it! TN: You know what, my darling? I got into it. I pulled myself away from my place of peace and compassion. [LOL] KW: Which character in For Colored Girls do you most identify with? TN: Oh, goodness! Gilda, possibly. But, honestly, I identify with a bit of everybody. KW: Is Tangie one of the more complex and challenging characters you’ve played? TN: Absolutely! And I am so grateful for the opportunity to play her, because there are times when a character is uncomplicated and just about moving the story from A to B which makes me want to quit. As opposed to pieces like this where I get to play a real character. For Colored Girls has recharged my batteries for the next decade. It reminded me of what acting can be, how powerful a tool it can be, and how entertaining and provocative it can be for an audience. These types of roles don’t come along often, but I seem to get them at the right time, and then I decide not to throw in the towel.

“No Strings Attached” Can sex friends stay best friends? That’s the time-honored conundrum Paramount is diving knee-deep into this weekend, as it releases its Ivan Reitman-directed relationship comedy No Strings Attached into 3,018 theaters across the U.S. and Canada this weekend. As moderately priced R-rated romantic comedies go, this one should do quite well, with box-office pundits predicting the film to do around $20 million worth of domestic business this weekend. That’ll be good coin for the film, which costs about $25 million to make and stars Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman as yuppies who test the boundaries of the ol’ friends-with-benefits plan.

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ACTION. PACKED.

H Snooki: Sorry, I’m Not Dead

The landscape of Region III-4A boys’ basketball has been ruled for the past two years by the crimson and gold of Jack Yates High School. Yates accumulated a 66-game winning streak over three seasons before suffering a humbling loss to Findlay Prep of Nevada (95-69) at Texas Southern University on national television.

H Bullock: I’m NOT Dating Ryan Reynolds

H Selena Gomez: Death Threats Over Bieber Kissy Pics

H Coming up: April 25: Usher in Concert @ Toyota Center March 11: Usher in Concert @ Toyota Center June 14: Usher in Concert @ Toyota Center July 4: Usher in Concert @ Toyota Center October 10: Usher in

Action is inspiration in motion. Introducing the all-new Buick Regal. Packed with a responsive 2.4-liter direct -injected ECOTEC engine, Regal is ready when you are. StabiliTrak and traction control: check. Twelve - way power - adjustable driver seat: check. An available nine-speaker Harman Kardon® sound system: check. Because sitting idle is never an option. The all-new sport-injected 2011 Buick Regal. The New Class of World Class.

DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 24 | 2011

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sports

Vince Young What’s Next for the Talented Quarterback? By Max Edison Defender Vincent Young, former Madison All-State quarterback, that led the Texas to a national championship in 2006, was recently told his services were no longer needed as quarterback of the Tennessee Titans. After five years, a record of 30-17 as a starter, two Pro Bowls, and a playoff appearance, he is now the former Titans QB. In a

football soap opera that played out before our very eyes and culminated in the soap finale against the Washington Redskins, the relationship between the Titans, represented by head coach Jeff Fisher and Young, endDespite a winning record as a starter, Vince Young has lost a power struggle to ing in divorce due to irreconcilable differTitan head coach Jeff Fisher. ences. Fisher would have trusted me a little bit more. That was We all know the scenario, after injurthe only issue there.” ing his thumb, VY worked with trainers feverously to Obviously, the tempestuous relationship between find a way to play with the injury and get back in the coach and QB was an issue that could not be resolved game. Fisher ignored Young’s efforts, electing to go and Young acknowledged as much. with third string QB Rusty Smith. Of course, the “I like Jeff Fisher as a person, as a coach and evTitans lose the game and Young goes off, tossing erything. I just didn’t feel like he trusted me. In the five his shoulder pads to a fan in the stand and later years I was there … I feel like he cursing Fisher in was continuing to treat me like I the dressing room, was a young man when I’d really before leaving grown up a whole lot. I just didn’t the locker room feel like I had the trust and the prematurely. love that any other quarterback After a series around the league had. I was of recent meetings always looking over my shoulder. here in Houston, I didn’t feel like I was his guy the Titan’s Sr. Executive whole way.’’ VP Steve Underwood One thing for certain, the and General Manager decision to draft Vince Young was Mike Reinfelt convinced never a popular one with Fisher. team owner K.S. “Bud” The choice to select VY came Adams, the team would directly from the top dog, Bud be better off keeping the Adams, a choice that despite the coach of 16 years, Jeff success Young and the Titans had, Fisher. Thus, allowing never satisfied Fisher. his franchise quarterCBS college studio host and back to seek employfootball analyst, Spencer Tillman, ment elsewhere. who started and ended his career Adams original with the Oilers as Fisher began his edict was to let head-coaching career, offers some Fisher and Young insight. work out their “We all know Bud Adams’ differences and keep the pair together. Fisher affinity for players with Texas ties and the decision to draft had other plans. The city and team was not big Vince was Bud’s call,” Tillman explained. “Jeff always enough for the two to coexist! For the record, had problems with this. Jeff’s philosophy of ‘small ball’ the party line from the Titan organization was offense was never really best suited to Vince’s ability. This the team simply lost patience with Young. Young, to his credit, appears to be tak- created a natural friction and issues of control ensued.” Despite the success, Young achieved on the field, it ing the decision in stride. was always the off the field incidents, albeit minor, that “Things happen for a reason. I tried always seem to define him. The perception of a spoiled, my best to win a Super Bowl for them. egotistical diva was one that Tillman ultimately believed I tried my hardest, I really did,’’ gave Fisher the ammunition to make a case against Young. Young said. “I just wish Coach

“We all know Bud Adams’ affinity for players with Texas ties and the decision to draft Vince was Bud’s call”

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h.s.zone 25 years of football dominance

Yates celebrates Excellence By DARRELL ARDISON Defender Twenty-five years ago, the Jack Yates High School varsity football team was ready to embark on a historical voyage After completing a 10-0 regular season, Yates became the first school in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) to complete a 16-0 season. Head coach Luther Booker’s name had already became synonymous with Yates’ winning ways. In 18 years as the head football coach at Yates, Booker compiled a 168-37-6 record and guided the Lions to 13 Photo by: Ray Carrington district titles, three state Team members watch as fellow team member, Quenton Smith raises the 1985 game ball. semifinal appearances 5A state championship game, and one memorable state Yates recorded the largest margin championship in 1985. of victory (37-0) in a UIL 5A or 4A He retired followstate title game since 1958. ing the 1988 season and Booker knew he had some good passed away in 1994 at the players returning for the 1985 season age of 65. after a state championship appearance The 1985 Lions are in 1981 and a state semifinal appearconsidered by many to be ance in 1983, but he was far more one of the greatest teams than a football coach. in Texas high school “Playing under Luther Booker, I football history. Their learned how to be a man,” said Kevin accomplishments included Phillips, who played quarterback in being the first UIL state 1986 and was the backup in 1985. “I champion from the Houscame up without a father, so he was Photo by: Ray Carrington ton Independent School like that in a sense for me. First he Coach Ronald Miller (L) accepts the district ChampionDistrict (HISD) since ship trophy as Jack Yates defeated Kashmere Gardens taught you how to be a student, then Lamar defeated Odessa HS. how to be a man, then how to be a (33-7) in 1953. player – in that order. He was like a Yates became the first game and only allowing 4.8 ppg father figure to all of us.” historically black school to win a with eight shutouts. Charles Price was the starting UIL Class 5A state championship Facing perennial state powerquarterback of the 1985 Yates High while averaging 41.2 points per house Odessa Permian in the class School football team.

WEEK OF MARCH 24 | 2011 DEFENDER

lineup n Vick’s First Endorsement

Deal

It’s been a pretty good year for Michael Vick professionally. He was able to get the starting spot for the Philadelphia Eagles, lead the team to the NFC East title and have some amazing comebacks throughout the season. And despite pushback from animal rights activists, Vick’s play on the field and his off-field contributions in speaking at schools about his mistakes have earned him an endorsement deal with Unequal Technologies. Vick signed a two-year endorsement deal with Unequal Technologies, a provider of football pads that Vick wears.

n UT Sells NCAA Athletes

for $300M

The University of Texas just inked a $300 million television rights deal for a 24-hour network that will broadcast Longhorn athletes and games. ESPN is the partner in the deal and will distribute the network via satellite in Texas and other states around the country. The network is expected to launch in September. Given that college athletes are serving as the foundation for massive wealth being generated by schools like the University of Texas, it is time that we consider allowing these athletes to have the same labor rights as other workers who generate wealth around the nation. The United Steel Workers Union has actually spoken out on behalf of NCAA athletes, stating that they should have the right to unionize to ensure that their families can benefit from the wealth being created in these massive financial deals. Find out why African Americans should be concerned about these deals …visit www. defendernetwork.com.

n HISD hires Dambrino as

Athlete Director

For more than 20 years, Marmion Dambrino has spent countless hours impacting students and student-athletes in Houston ISD. On Friday, she reached the district’s top position in athletics. Houston ISD named Dambrino its newest athletic director , making her the first female athletic director in the history of the district. She has worked in the district’s athletic department since 2005 and has been its Senior Athletic Program Administrator since 2007 under former athletic director Daryl Wade. Wade left on July 9 to become the director of the Astros’ Urban Youth Academy. “It’s a dream come true,” Dambrino said. “It’s a true honor for me.”

Join Darrell Ardison and Max Edison for the “Daily Word” in high school, college and pro sports.

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DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 24 | 2011

fashion

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WEEK OF MARCH 24 | 2011 DEFENDER

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Spring 2011

chag’splace

Dr. Linda Brown Coleman and Gloria Mallett

Joi Beasley and Kenneth Reed

Gary Landry and Len Golf

When it comes to spring fashion, the biggest fashion luxury is choice. Shoppers will find a range of colors, styles and key pieces to suit a range of tastes. COLOR This spring think bold and bright. Summery greens andaquatic blues are a fresh color story. Turquoise is a go-anywhere color that looks especially new this season. Easy-to-wear coral is this year’s answer to pink. And brights like yellows and oranges are enjoying time in the sun. White takes on a neutral role this season as an alternative to always-classic basics like khaki, denimand navy. The crisp, clean look of white jeans, jackets, skirts or suitsis the perfect match for spring’s bold color palette. KEYPIECES This season’s musthave is a classic camisole. Embellishments like lacy details and beading up the ante on thiscloset staple. Plus, this piece is the perfect pairing for spring’sother key pieces. Pair a cami with one of spring’s feminine knee-grazing skirts or wear one under a shrunken jacket. Acamisole isalso the perfect first-layer when worn under a shrunken cardigan or shrug. Shoe-wise, the ever-popular flip flop makes its way back into the spring/summer fashion scene. Whether it’s a traditional casual

flop or an embellished heeled thong, this classic always looks on-trend. Flats are the perfect companion for spring’s cropped pants. Round-toe slippers are feminine and fun - especiallywhen punched up with beading and embroidery. Other popular choices are wedges and strappy sandals — go for colorand embellishment for a fresh spin.Jewelry takes a worldly spin. Exotic and earthypieces in coral and turquoise are the perfect pairing for spring’s bright color story. Colorful beaded necklaces and bangle bracelets add a pop of color to any look. BIG TRENDS The sweet feminine look continues with flirty, A-line, knee grazing skirts. Top this look off with ashrunken cardigan. For an earthy flair, Bohemian-inspired looks are the next big thing. Opt for full broomstick skirts or embellished tunics. This trendis all about the details — embroidery, beading,crochet trends lend a worldly feel tothis fun look. And fresh and preppy looks pre-vail.

Tariq Gladney and Robert Williams

Tammie Lang Campbell and Rep. Ronald Reynolds

Lou Johnson, Sandra Short and Donella Thorpe

Lydwina Anderson, Roger Henderson and Angela Harris

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See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroads

Sandra Short, Deborah Anderson and Morgan Loomis

MLK JAZZ BRUNCH……..In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s holiday, the Houston Fisk University Alumni Association, Inc. (HFUAA) hosted a MLK Jazz Brunch featuring Joe Carmouche at Café 4212. HFUAA was established to support Fisk University through local fundraising efforts and friends came out on a rainy Sunday afternoon to do their part for the struggling university. Spotted enjoying the jazz music and delicious food were Fisk Alumni and owner of Café 4212, Walter Strickland, Linda Dunbar, Marida Curry, Shekethe Robertson, Dr. Alj Sparrow, Atty. Teana Watson, Sherryll Howe, Joi Beasley, Kenneth Reed, Dr. Linda Brown Coleman and Gloria Mallett, to name a few. OConference March 11-13 at the Sheraton Suites Houston Hotel and the fabulous Fisk Jubilee Singers in

Concert on Saturday, March 12th at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. For more information and to reserve your tickets contact Sharmagne Taylor at Sharmagne@sbcglobal.net. Wishing you the best!.... INSTALLATION CEREMONY……..The Missouri City Branch of the NAACP hosted its 2011 Installation Ceremony at the office of Glen Land Realtors. The Honorable Clarease Rankin Yates administered the Oath of Office to the new President, Attorney Loveless Mitchell, Edwina Clark, Cathy Lang, Dr. Jonita Reynolds, Edith Palmer, Clarence Holiday and Linda Colman. Some of the attendees included Len Golf, Tariq Gladney, Robert Williams, Gary Landry, Tangela Wilson, Radhiya Wiley, Meledy Price, Cynthia Buggage and Tammie Lang Campbell. Congratulations!..........

with Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m.

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T:9.5”

16 | DEFENDER | WEEK OF MARCH 24 | 2011

T:11”

TOUCH ME ALL OVER. Introducing the all-new, totally redesigned 2011 LINCOLN MKX with exclusive MyLincoln Touch™ that responds to 10,000 voice-activated commands. Touchsensitive controls and an 8-inch multifunctional touch screen that powers your phone, climate, navigation and entertainment system. Now that’s luxury you can feel.

Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle control. Only use mobile phones, MyLincoln Touch™ and other devices, even with voice commands, when it is safe to do so. Some features may be locked out while the vehicle is in gear.