January 24, 2013

Houston’s Leading Black Information Source JANUARY 24, 2013 |FREE

Volume 82 | Number 13

NEWSTALK PORT COMMISSION CHAIR JANIECE LONGORIA MAKES HISTORY P2

portrays undercover officer

MEAGAN GOOD

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Quanell Xseeks probeActivist Quanell X and other members of the Black community are once again demanding answers from the Houston Police Department. Find out about the latest call for an investigation into HPD. Hear what an alleged victim’s family has to say. Learn the police department’s thoughts.

OPINION

RAY LEWIS

SPORTS

returning to Super Bowl

RAY NAGIN indicted on federal charges

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Dick gregory blasts Spike Lee Activist, comedian and author Dick Gregory believes in speaking his mind, and he has some harsh words for filmmaker Spike Lee. Why does Gregory call Lee a “thug” and a “punk?” What does he have to say about two of Lee’s most acclaimed films? Why is he talking about cowboys, zoot suits and the “N word?”

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Joaquina Kalukango and Bowman Wright in Alley Theatre production

President Obama’s second term

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2 DEFENDER | JANUARY 24 | 2013 defendernetwork.com

newstalkCommunity wants HPD investigated

BENJAMIN L. HALL III is running for mayor of Houston. Hall recently filed a form designating his campaign treasurer and co-treasurer. “I am taking this necessary legal step to serve this great city as mayor,” he said. Hall was city attorney under former Mayor Bob Lanier. He released a letter by Lanier commending Hall for exemplary service as city attorney. Hall earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina, masters of divinity and Ph.D. from Duke University, and a law degree from Harvard.…….. HISD NEEDS VOLUNTEERS to serve on its newly reorganized Bond Oversight Committee as it embarks on its $1.89 billion bond program approved by voters

in November. Those with expertise in business, engineering, construction, and education are encouraged to apply, as are active HISD parents. The positions are unpaid, and committee members must not have an active contract or be seeking a contract with the district. To submit an application visit www.houstonisd.org/Page/73425.........TEXAS’ UNEMPLOYMENT RATE declined for the fourth consecutive month. It fell to 6.1 percent in December, down from 6.2 percent in November and from 7.4 percent a year ago. “In December, we saw annual growth in 10 major industries, for an overall annual growth of 2.5 percent in Texas,” said Texas Workforce

Commission Chairman Andres Alcantar.……..FORMER ATLANTA MAYOR Shirley Franklin has joined the LBJ School of Public Affairs in Austin as the Barbara Jordan Visiting Professor in Ethics and Political Values. Franklin will teach in such areas as ethics, city government, sustainable urban development and the role of women in politics. She will participate in lectures and dialogues and encourage students from under-represented communities to choose public service careers. Franklin served as mayor from 2002 to 2010. She was the first woman to hold the post and the first Black woman elected mayor of a major city in the South.

Port Commission chair makes history

By RESHONDA TATE BILLINGSLEYDefender

The Internal Affairs Department of the Houston Police Department is now investigating a recent beating of a local suspect, but some civil rights leaders want that investigation moved to the federal level.

“You can’t have the wolves investigating themselves,” said activist Quanell X.

The investigation stems from a Jan. 15 arrest, which was all caught on camera. It was just after midnight when 28-year-old Lucious Davis was arrested outside his southeast Houston home. Relatives say they were backing out of their driveway, unarmed, and no threat when police lights started flashing.

“We had kids in the car. We were on our way to Wal-Mart,” said Davis’ sister, Latosha Davis.

The family’s home surveillance cameras recorded Davis, Latosha and others being handcuffed. Then, an officer strikes Davis once in the face and perhaps a second time in the side.

On the tape, Davis appeared to be struggling with officers. Police did find a shotgun in the house. Turns out, Davis has

a criminal history dating back to 2005, including a drug felony. Authorities charged him with being a felon in possession of a weapon and criminal mischief.

Quanell X says his past has nothing to do with the way he was treated.

“Regardless, Lucious Davis did not deserve to be beaten by police,’ Quanell said.

Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland Jr. won’t go into details as to where they are in the investigation, but he did con-firm the matter has been referred to the DA’s office and the FBI.

“The officer has been relieved of duty pending the out-come of the investigation. In addition, I immediately gave a copy of the recording to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the FBI. An internal affairs investigation has been opened and I will refrain from making further comments on the case until the investigation is concluded,” said Chief McClel-land.

But Quanell says the chief’s efforts are not enough.“The chief wants to place the investigation in internal

affairs,” Quanell X said. “HPD should no longer be allowed to investigate themselves. The chief’s efforts would have stronger teeth if the chief would ask the FBI to take over the Internal Affairs division.”

Doing so, Quanell X maintains, would send a resounding message.

“That would send a message to the rank and file that the old way of doing things is no more.”

Quanell wants other elected officials to heed the call for a civilian review board.

“I want the chief and mayor to publicly endorse and sup-port a civilian review board.”

It’s something the Houston Police Department’s union is strongly against.

“It worked in places like Detroit and Los Angeles. When the FBI took over in those cities, it worked. You no longer had the wolves investigating themselves.”

Quanell also wants to see more involvement from the district attorney.

“The problem is there is a great reluctance by the district attorney to truly prosecute cops who are committing crimes against Blacks,” he said. “These police officers are breaking the law against the rights of citizens. Until we get a DA who is will-ing to say ‘you are not above the law,

Defender News Services

Janiece Longoria recently became the first woman and first Hispanic to serve as chair of the Port Commis-sion of the Port of Houston Authority.

Longoria was appointed to the post during a joint session of the Harris County Commissioners Court and

the Houston City Council. She has served on the com-mission since 2002.

Longoria is an honors graduate of the University of Texas and received her J.D. from the UT Law School in 1979. She is a partner with Ogden, Gibson, Broocks, Longoria & Hall LLP.

She serves on the boards of CenterPoint Energy,

MD Anderson Board of Visitors, Texas Medical Center and the UT Law School Foundation, among others. She is a former vice chair of the UT System Board of Regents.

Joining Longoria in new positions on the Port Commission are John D. Kennedy and Dean Corgey.

Quanell X calls for a civilian review board.

Janiece Longoria

Continued on Page 4

3defendernetwork.com JANUARY 24 | 2013 | DEFENDER

nationalU.S.briefs

VOLUME 82 • NUMBER 13JANUARY 24, 2013

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is 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 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila People EditorYvette ChargoisSports EditorsMax EdisonDarrell K. ArdisonContributing WriterAswad Walker

PublisherSonceria Messiah-Jilesadvertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Online EditorReShonda Billingsley


DR. CORNEL WEST, a vocal critic of President Obama, said the president did not deserve to be sworn in with his hand on the bible of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. West contends that Obama’s actions are in direct contradiction to the principles and beliefs of King. “All of the blood, sweat and tears that went into producing a Martin Luther King Jr. generated a brother of such high decency and dignity, that you don’t use his prophetic fire for a moment of presidential pageantry without understanding the challenge he represents to all of those in power regardless of what color they are,” West said……..CONDOLEEZZA RICE, who served as secretary of state during President George W. Bush’s second term, has joined CBS News as a contributor. She made her debut on “Face the Nation” and participated in inauguration coverage. The network said Rice “will use her insight and vast experience to explore issues facing America at home and abroad.” Rice was the first African-American woman to serve as secretary of state.…….. NOW THAT THE WILMINGTON TEN have been legally granted pardons of innocence from the state of North Carolina, their attorneys are now hard at work on the next phase – compensation. “We are in the process now of preparing an effort to seek compensation for the living members of the Wilmington Ten, and the decedents of the four deceased [members],” said their attorney, Irving Joyner. All of the Wilmington Ten served prison terms ranging from three to seven years. They were wrongly convicted of arson and conspiracy……..THE EMBATTLED Southern Christian Leadership Conference has changed leadership again. Charles Steele Jr., who served as the group’s leader from 2004 to 2009, will again assume the role of CEO in an effort to “restore the financial stability and credibility of the SCLC,” officials said.

gun control plan draws fire

By ZENITHA PRINCESpecial to NNPA from

Afro-American Newspaper

The White House’s proposal to curb violent gun-related crime has provoked conservatives into a state of near-apoplexy, with at least one Republican House member suggest-ing he would bring impeachment proceedings against the president.

On Jan. 16, President Obama announced several legislative proposals and 23 executive actions after a month-long review process led by Vice President Joe Biden.

He also announced several executive actions that will be taken immediately, including: strength-ening the background check system, helping schools to hire more resource officers and develop emergency preparedness plans and directing the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention to research the causes of gun violence and ways to prevent it.

“I intend to use whatever weight this office holds to make them a reality,” the president said. “If there is even one thing we can do to reduce this violence, if there is even one life that can be saved, then we’ve got an obligation to try.”

It seems some Republicans are equally devoted to defeating the president’s proposals, which they say encroaches on the constitutional

right to bear arms.“I will seek legislation over-

turning the Orders. I will seek legislation barring funds to enforce the Orders. I will seek legislation to cut White House funding should the President issue and enforce such Orders. I will support legal efforts to overturn the Orders in court,” vowed Rep. Steve Stock-man (R-Texas). And, he added, if those measures fail, “I will consider speaking with my colleagues and filing articles of impeachment.”

Obama’s proposal• Require universal background checks for all gun sales.• Restore a ban on military-style assault weapons.• Establish a 10-round limit for ammunition magazines.• Implement a federal gun trafficking statute.• Allocate funds to hire more police officers in schools.• Provide mental health services in schools and more.

Former New Orleans mayor indictedDefender News Services

Ray Nagin, the former New Orleans mayor who became a familiar face during Hurricane Katrina, was recently indicted on 21 federal corruption charges, in-

cluding bribery, money laundering, fraud and filing false tax returns.

The charges are the result of a corruption investigation that has already resulted in guilty pleas by two former city officials and two businessmen.

According to a 25-page federal indictment, Nagin de-frauded the city through a scheme in which he received checks, cash, wire transfers, personal services and free travel from businessmen seeking contracts and favorable

Mayor..Continued from page 3

DEFENDER | JANUARY 24 | 2013 | defendernetwork.com 4

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treatment from the city.In addition, Nagin’s family mem-

bers allegedly received free cell phone service, first-class airfare to Jamaica, a vacation in Hawaii and private jet travel to New York City.

Nagin could not be reached for com-ment.

Mitch Landrieu, who succeeded Na-gin as mayor in 2010, said the indictment represented a “sad day” for New Orleans.

“Today’s indictment of former Mayor Ray Nagin alleges serious viola-tions of the public’s trust,” Landrieu said. “Public corruption cannot and will not be tolerated.”

According to the indictment, the businessmen involved received city con-tracts of $1 million for consulting, more than $3 million to build a project at Louis Armstrong International Airport, and $1 million for another airport project. Other

contracts were for sidewalk repairs in the French Quarter and professional services.

Nagin allegedly received bribes from city contractors in the amounts of $2,250, $10,000, $50,000 and $60,000. His granite business, Stone Age, report-edly benefited as well; Nagin is accused of receiving a bribe in the form of granite inventory from a city contractor.

Additionally, Nagin is charged with filing false tax returns for 2005-2008.

A New Orleans native, Nagin said he grew up “of modest means” as the son of a City Hall janitor. He earned an account-ing degree from Tuskegee University and MBA from Tulane University. He was a cable TV executive prior to running for mayor as a political novice. He served two terms as mayor, from 2002 to 2010.

If convicted, he faces at least 15 years in prison.

Ray Nagin showed visitors the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.


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Meagan Good goes undercover in ‘Deception’

By KAM WILLIAMSSpecial to the Defender

Meagan Good stars in NBC’s midseason drama “Deception” as Joanna Padget Locasto, a San Fran-cisco narcotics detective with childhood ties to a notoriously secretive and powerful New York family, the Bowers.

When her childhood best friend, Vivian Bowers, is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Jo-anna is enlisted by the FBI to help to find the killer, agreeing to go undercover into the opulent lifestyle she thought she’d left behind.

Meagan has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young actresses, recently completing a season-long arc on Showtime’s acclaimed series “Californication” as well as a role in “Think Like a Man,” the feature film based on the best-selling book by Steve Harvey. In 2011 she starred on the big screen alongside Angela Bassett and Paula Patton in “Jumping the Broom.”

She rose to fame as a result of her box-office hit “Stomp the Yard,” but was recognized earlier for her acclaimed performance opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the eerie family drama “Eve’s Bayou,” for which she received an NAACP Image Award nomination.

Born in Panorama City, California, Megan be-gan appearing in commercials at the age of 4.

She recently married DeVon Franklin, an execu-tive for Columbia Pictures who is also a preacher and motivational speaker. Here, she talks about “Deception,” which airs Monday nights on NBC at 9 p.m.

Kam Williams: Congratulations on your mar-riage. How was the honeymoon?

Meagan Good: It was fantastic, especially con-sidering we were celibate until marriage.

KW: What interested you in “Deception?”

MG: The script was incredible and there were so many elements that ap-pealed to me creatively and physically, and the cast seemed like an amazing group of people.

KW: How would you describe your charac-ter, Joanna Locasto?

MG: Tough, ballsy, and vulnerable, with a strong moral compass. She has a moral heart and wants to pursue justice and see the right thing hap-pen.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

MG: I wish someone would ask if I was “saved” before I met my husband. A lot of people assume I had a spiritual awakening when I met him and it bothers me that people think that happened overnight.

KW: If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be?

MG: Rosa Parks or Jesus.KW: When do you feel the most content?MG: When I’m with my family.KW: What key quality do you believe all suc-

cessful people share? MG: They don’t believe in “no.”KW: What advice do you have for anyone who

wants to follow in your footsteps?MG: Keep God as your main focus. Make sure

your desire to do what you’re aspiring to do is deeper than just fame and being a celebrity. Be willing to work hard, and don’t believe that when a door closes it’s anything personal.

KW: How do you want to be remembered?MG: …As someone who helped others, loved oth-

ers deeply even if they tried to hurt her, was there for people when she could be, and ultimately made every-thing she did about God and not just about herself.

Meagan Good portrays an undercover detective in NBC’s “Deception.”

entertainment


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By GEORGE E. CURRYNNPA Editor-in-Chief

Rejecting calls for him to move closer toward his Republican critics, a confident President Barack H. Obama kicked off his second term by making an impassioned plea for a more inclu-sive America.

“It is not our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began,” Obama said in his inaugural speech. “For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.

“Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote. Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity – until bright young students and en-gineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country.

“Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia, to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for and cherished and always safe from harm.”

Obama’s speech represented a clear shift from four years ago when the newly-elected president optimistically thought that he could inject civility and common sense into Washington’s con-tentious politics. After being rebuffed by opponents who placed politics ahead of the interests of the country – includ-ing taking it to the brink of a self-in-flicted financial cliff – President Obama boldly shifted gears Monday, by sketch-ing a progressive vision and signaling a willingness to fight for it.

President returns to his base

“For now decisions are upon us and we cannot afford delay,” he stated. “We cannot mistake abso-lutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for poli-tics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate. We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect. We must act, knowing that today’s victories will be only partial and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years and 40 years and 400 years hence to advance the timeless spirit once conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall.”

President and Mrs. Obama attend an inaugural ball.

President Obama delivers his inaugural address.

The Obamas wave to the crowd at the inaugural parade.

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Excerpts from inaugural addressEconomic equality

“We, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. We believe that America’s prosper-ity must rest upon the broad shoul-ders of a rising middle class…We must harness new ideas and tech-nology to remake our government, revamp our tax code, reform our schools, and empower our citizens with the skills they need to work harder, learn more, reach higher…”

Reasons for optimism“This generation of Ameri-

cans has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience. A decade of war is now ending. An economic recovery has begun. America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands: youth and drive; diversity and openness; an

endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention. My fellow Ameri-cans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it – so long as we seize it together.”

Foreign policy“We, the people, still believe

that enduring security and last-ing peace do not require perpetual war…we are also heirs to those who won the peace and not just the war; who turned sworn enemies into the surest of friends – and we must carry those lessons into this time as well.”

Immigration

“Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to wel-come the striving, hopeful immi-grants who still see America as a land of opportunity – until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country.”



“For now decisions are upon us and we cannot afford delay,” he stated. “We cannot mistake abso-lutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for poli-tics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate. We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect. We must act, knowing that today’s victories will be only partial and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years and 40 years and 400 years hence to advance the timeless spirit once conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall.”

Obama, the nation’s first African-American president, was sworn in on the day the nation ob-served the annual federal holiday to honor the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was sworn in on a black leather Bible used by King that was topped by a smaller one owned by President Abraham Lincoln. And he referenced both men as he declared Americans “are made for this moment.”

The direct link between the nation’s first Black president and the observance of King’s birthday

Continued on Page 8

President Obama delivers his inaugural address.

President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden congratulate each other.

DEFENDER | JANUARY 24 | 2013 defendernetwork.com 8

E-mail your name and address to: [email protected]

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Now thru February 3 At the Alley Theatre

A riveting re-imagining of the events that took place on the night before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.

underscores how far this country has progressed since the assassination of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) president and Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1968.

Although King did not live to see the elec-tion of an African-American to the nation’s highest office, he predicted in 1964 that a Black would be elected president of the United States. In an interview with the BBC, King was asked to comment on a statement by then New York Senator-elect Robert F. Kennedy that it might be possible to elect a Black president in 40 years.

“I’ve seen levels of compliance with the civil rights bill and changes that have been most surprising,” King said. “So, on the basis of this, I think we may be able to get a Negro president in less than 40 years. I would think that this could come in 25 years or less.”

Obama’s election came 44 years after King’s statement and four years longer than what Robert Kennedy had envisioned. Standing in the shadows of a U.S. Capitol built by slave labor, Barack Obama expressed much more self-assur-ance Monday than he had four years ago.

“We do not believe that in this country free-dom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the few,” the president said.

“We recognize that no matter how responsi-bly we live our lives, any one of us at any time may face a job loss, or a sudden illness, or a home swept away in a terrible storm. The com-mitments we make to each other through Medi-care and Medicaid and Social Security, these things do not sap our initiative, they strengthen us. They do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great.”

The reference to a nation of takers was a direct rebuttal to Mitt Romney’s telling a group of donors that 47 percent of Americans are “depen-dent on government” and would “vote for the president no matter what.” Ironically, Romney received 47 percent of the popular vote in his los-ing effort against Obama.

The president indicated he plans to move the U.S. away from “perpetual war” and will take on tough issues such as immigration reform and cli-mate change. Obama became the first president to link the 1839 Seneca Falls Convention for wom-en’s rights, the Selma-Montgomery, Ala. voting rights march and the 1969 Stonewall movement that put gay rights center stage.

He said, “We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths –- that all of us are cre-ated equal – is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left foot-prints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a King pro-

claim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.”

President Obama used “we the people” — the opening words of the U.S. Constitution — five times during his 18 ½ -minute speech.

Later, the Obamas danced at two private balls in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, down from the 10 held in their honor four years ago. At each ball, they slow-danced as they were being serenaded by fellow Chicagoan Jennifer Hudson, who sang Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together,” a tune the president had belted last year at the Apollo Theater in Harlem to dis-play his vocal talent.

As usual, all eyes were on First Lady Mi-chele Obama as onlookers waited to see what fashion designer she would elevate to inter-national attention. She surprised everyone by selecting Jason Wu, the same designer she used for the first inauguration. The first lady came on stage at the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball in a dazzling ankle-length ruby-colored chiffon dress.

Alicia Keyes was no fashion slouch, wear-ing a red backless dress as she played the piano and sang, “Obama’s on firrrrrre!”

Earlier, Beyoncé Knowles stirred the in-auguration crown with her rendition of the National Anthem. However, the The Times of London reported — and other news outlets later confirmed — that she lip-synced the National Anthem.

Kelly Clarkson and all other program events were performed live.

Obama became the second and probably last president to be sworn in four times. In 2009, Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts flubbed his line at the official swearing in and do-over was completed the next day. This time, Roberts administered the oath of office in a flawless private ceremony Sunday because the Constitution requires the president to be sworn in on Jan. 20; he repeated it in the public cer-emony on Monday.

“… We, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it,” Obama said. “We believe that America’s prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. We know that America thrives when every person can find indepen-dence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship.

“We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an American; she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.”

As he prepared to leave the U.S. Capitol, President Obama stopped and turned around. “I want to take a look one more time,” he said. “I’ll never see this again.”

Obama..Continued from page 7

Beyoncé sings the National Anthem, which generated debate.


classified

Competitive Bid Notice for Renovations to Port Houston Elementary School

Project Number: Project 13-01-02CS

Houston Independent School District (HISD) The Houston Independent School District will receive Competitive Bids from contractors for renovations to Port Houston Elementary School. The work includes, but is not limited to, general renova-tions, including ADA and code upgrades. The work includes installation of a new elevator, security and safety improvements, and updates to existing lighting and HVAC system. Bids are due no later than Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services, Houston, Texas 77092. The price bids will be opened and the amounts read aloud. Port Houston Elementary School is located at 1800 MCCarty, Houston, TX 77029. The bid package, which includes plans and specifications, will be available beginning Monday, January 21, 2013, and may be obtained from Gurrola ReproGraphics Inc., 6161 Washington, Houston, TX 77007, (t) 713-861-4277, gurrolareprographics.com, upon refunda-ble deposit of $100.00 for each set of plans and specifications. Documents in portable document format (pdf) are also available from Gurrola ReproGraphics on disk for a deposit of $50.00. Deposit checks should be made payable to HISD. Any questions regarding bid documents are to be addressed STOA Architects, Ramon Patino, 6001 Savoy Drive, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77036, v. 713-995-8784 f. 713-995-8765. The Competitive Bid process will be utilized as authorized in H.B. No. 628, Legislative Session 82 (R)-2011. Bids will be opened and the amounts read aloud at 2:00 PM on the due date. M/WBE Forms, schedules and statements, as required by the project manual and in accordance with the Office of Business Assistance, will be received at 2:00 PM, on the due date, at the Board Services Office, 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services, Houston, Texas 77092. BIDS SUBMITTED WITHOUT M/WBE FORMS, PROPERLY COMPLETED, WILL BE CONSIDERED NOT RESPONSIVE. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held on 10:00 a.m., Wednes-day, January 30, 2013, at Port Houston Elementary School, 1800 McCarty, Houston, TX 77029. For additional information regarding this project, please contact Mr. Earl Finley at 713-556-9306, or [email protected]. Drawings and Specifications may be reviewed at the following Houston locations:

Associated General Contractors, 3825 Dacoma Street Houston, TX 77092, (713) 843-3700

HISD Construction Services Office (Bond), 3200 Center

Houston, TX 77007, (713) 556-9250

Virtual Builders Exchange, 3910 Kirby, #131 Houston, Texas 77098-4151, (832) 613-0201

McGraw Hill Construction/Dodge, www.construction.com

Competitive Sealed Proposal Notice for Renovation of Deady Middle School

Project Number: 13-01-03CS

Houston Independent School District The Houston Independent School District will receive Competitive Sealed Proposals from contractors for Renovation at Deady Middle School. The work includes, but is not limited to, renovation of school that include ADA code compliance, safety and security improvements, and electrical upgrades. Proposals are due no later than Wednesday, February 6, 2013, at 02:00 p.m. at 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services, Houston, Texas 77092. The price proposals will be opened and the amounts read aloud. Deady Middle School is located at 2500 Broadway, Houston, TX 77012 The Request for Competitive Sealed Proposal (RFCSP), which in-cludes plans and specifications, will be available beginning Monday, January 21, 2013, and may be obtained from Gurrola Repro-graphics, 6161 Washington Ave., Houston, TX 77007 upon refund-able deposit of $100.00 for each set of plans and specifications. Documents in portable document format (PDF) are also available from A&E on disk for a deposit of $50.00. Deposit checks should be made payable to HISD. Any questions regarding bid documents are to be addressed to Houston Independent School District, 4400 West 18th Street, Houston, TX 77092, 713-556-9306 or Collabo-rate Arch LLC, Martin Needle, 1943 Norfolk #A, Houston, TX 77096, v. 832-409-3050, f. 267-695-9035. The Competitive Sealed Proposal process will be utilized as authorized in H.B. No. 628, Legislative Session 82 (R)-2011. The Competitive Sealed Proposal process enables HISD to select contrac-tors on the basis of price and qualifications/methodology. M/WBE Forms, schedules and statements, as required by Section AB of the RFCSP and in accordance with the Office of Business Assistance, will be received at 2:00 p.m., February 6, 2013, at the Board Services Office, 4400 West 18th Street, Office of Board Services, Houston, Texas 77092. PROPOSALS SUBMITTED WITHOUT M/WBE FORMS PROPERLY COMPLETED WILL BE CONSIDERED NON RESPONSIVE. A pre-proposal conference will be held 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at Deady Middle School, 2500 Broadway, Houston, TX 77012. For additional information regarding this project, please contact Mr. Earl Fenley, at 713-556-9306, or [email protected]. Drawings and Specifications for the RFCSP may be reviewed at the following Houston locations:

Associated General Contractors, 3825 Dacoma Street Houston, TX 77092, (713) 843-3700

HISD Construction Services Office (Bond), 3200 Center Houston, TX 77007, (713) 556-9250

McGraw Hill Construction/Dodge, www.construction.com

Virtual Builders Exchange, 3910 Kirby, #131 Houston, TX 77098-4151, (832) 613-0201

HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

The Houston Independent School District located in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center at 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 will accept proposals, until the stated date and time deadlines, in the Board Services Office, Level C1.

Project 13-02-01 – RFP for Business Assistance 2012 Bond Pro-gram Staffing with a deadline of Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 2 P.M. The pre-proposal conference for this project will be Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 10 A.M. in Room 3C10 at the above stated address.

Proposals are available on the HISD web-site at www.houstonisd.org. The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, or, to accept the proposal that is most advantageous to the District. The District sells obsolete assets on-line at www.PublicSuprlus.com.

Invitation for Bids BALFOUR BEATTY INFRASTRUCTURE, INC.

Is soliciting bids for subcontractors and vendors for construc-tion of the following project no. C 500-3-577, ETC on IH 45 from N of West Rd to N of Shepherd Dr, bid date is February 6, 2013. Quotations may be mailed to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc., 1701 Directors Blvd, Suite 1010, Austin, Texas 78744 or faxed to (512) 707-0798 or emailed to [email protected]. DBE/HUB contractors are encouraged to submit bids. Plans and specifications are available to be reviewed at TxDOT Plans On-line: www.dot.state.tx.us/business/plansonline/plansonline.htm E.O.E. For information contact Brian Ficzeri at (512) 707-0797.

Dick Gregory calls Spike Lee ‘thug’Special to NNPA from the Tri-State Defender

Legendary social activist, comedian and author Dick Gregory, has weighed in on the controversial Quentin Tarantino film, “Django Unchained,” and he did so in explosive fash-ion.

In an interview posted to YouTube, Greg-ory says that the movie spoke to him in ways that no film had in all his years on earth. He then calls out director Spike Lee for criticiz-ing a film that he’s never seen, saying that if anyone has created movies that are disrespect-ful to our ancestors, it’s Lee himself.

“I’ve seen ‘Django Unchained’ 12 times. Never in the history of Hollywood, have they ever made anything that freed the inside of me,” Gregory said.

“I’m 80 years old. I saw cowboy mov-ies, wasn’t no Black folks in cowboy movies. I’m looking at a western, plus a love story. To those of you all that see it, you’ll never see a love story about a Black man and a Black woman where it wasn’t some foul sex and foul language.

“And Spike Lee can’t appreciate that. The little thug ain’t even seen the movie; he’s act-ing like he white.

“So it must be something personal. [Lee said the movie] offended his ancestors, but when you did ‘She’s Got To Have It’ and some of those other thug movies you did…you took Malcolm X and put a Zoot suit on him…did that offend your ancestors, punk?

“It’s a game, man. So whatever he’s mad about is something that happened way, way a long ago. Thank God it didn’t work (to stop the movie from being successful].”

When the interviewer asks Gregory if he has a problem with Tarantino’s excessive use of the word “n*gger,” he said that he absolute-ly did not and that no other culture insists on white-washing their painful past in this coun-try like Black people:

“We talking about history, man. It hap-pened. Nigger happened.”

Dick Gregory has harsh words for Spike Lee.

Spike Lee is critical of “Django Unchained.”


sports

Ravens, 49ers set for Super Bowl


By MAX EDISONDefender

In a scenario that has more subplots than a soap opera, the match-up for Super Bowl XLVII is set. The Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Feb. 3 at 5:30 pm at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

This Super Bowl marks the first time two brothers will face each other on opposite sides of the field as head coaches. Jim Harbaugh leads the 49ers and John commands the Ravens.

Hall-of-Famer-in-waiting, linebacker Ray Lewis, who announced his retirement prior to the beginning of the playoffs, will be playing in his final game.

Budding offensive superstar 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be throwing to another Hall of Fame candidate, receiver Randy Moss, who would likely retire with a 49er win.

Jim Harbaugh, the younger brother, played 15 years as a quarterback in the NFL. He spent the 1998 season as a member of the Ravens and was a team-mate of Ray Lewis. Jim played down the sibling match up.

“It’s a blessing and a curse,” the 49ers coach said. I’m happy for them and for us to get to this point. I have great respect for their organization.”

Raven head coach John Harbaugh also wanted to move the spotlight away from the coaching match-up.

“Let’s just cut that right out,” John said in jest. “Can we all agree? Just forget about that stuff. We did that last year, OK? It was fine. It got old last year.”

John said the opportunity to face his brother in the Super Bowl was something he never imag-ined.

“I don’t know if we ever had a dream this big,” he said. “We had a few dreams, a few fights. We had a few arguments. Just like all brothers.”

Completing his 17th year in the NFL, the iconic Lewis was overwhelmed with the thought of

concluding his career in the Super Bowl. “For me to come out and say this was my last ride

and for now to be headed back to the Super Bowl with the possibility of winning a second ring, how else do you cap off a career?” Lewis said. “The last ride … I can only tell you I’m along for the ride.”

Former Texan and Ravens Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leech says the team is motivated to send Lewis out on top.

“We want to send Ray out the way he deserves to go out, as a champion,” Leach said. “To a man every-body on the team wants this for Ray. He’s been that type of inspirational leader.”

For Kaepernick, a second-year player with a mere nine starts under his belt, it’s been a whirlwind ride that has led his team to the big game.

“It feels good...We’re one step closer to where we want to be,” Kaepernick said. “I feel like I had a lot to prove. A lot of people doubted my ability to lead this team.”

Colin continued. “I’m just enjoying this...I mean, I couldn’t ask to be anywhere else.”

Texans fans can lament about the ones who got away and are now playing in the Super Bowl. In ad-dition to Leach, safety Bernard Pollard and receiver

Jacoby Jones are playing prominent roles for the Ravens.

One final postscript – former Prairie View A&M University All-American defensive end Adrian Ham-ilton is now a rookie on the Raven practice squad and could be active for the Super Bowl.

This game has a little something for everyone and should be one fantastic match-up.

Randy Moss hopes to get a Super Bowl ring with the 49ers.

Brothers Jim and John Harbaugh will coach against each other.

Ray Lewis plans to retire after the Super Bowl on Feb. 3.

h.s.zone11defendernetwork.com JANUARY 24 | 2013 | DEFENDER

sportsbriefs

Bellaire’s Kramer always optimistic


Westside rises to the top The Westside and Bellaire boys came into their first-round District 20-5A showdown with unblemished league records. Defending district champion Westside utilized a key three-point shot by Sidney Pritchett at the outset of the fourth quarter and dunks by Brandon Woods and Rodrick Trimont down the stretch to pull out a 67-62 victory over Bellaire at Delmar Field House. Westside broke a halftime tie early in the third stanza and never looked back. Woods led Westside with 15 points and Robert Hatter added 14. Franklin Iheanacho finished with 12 points and eight rebounds. The Wolves improved to 23-5 on the season and 6-0 in district play. Bellaire’s Christian James scored seven straight points in the fourth quarter and recorded 16 points and six rebounds. Cruz Ginns had 15 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Jarren Greenwood scored 11 points.

Cy Ranch overcomes injurySyndey Coleman was leading the Cypress Ranch girls in scoring and rebounding before the 6-foot-1 junior forward suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate knee injury just prior to the Dis-trict 17-5A opener last month. Cy Ranch coach Tresa Hornsby said the injury forced her team to change its approach while still emphasizing the running game, defense and outside shooting. The Mustangs thrived in all three facets to defeat rival Cypress Creek 63-57 in overtime. Cy Creek led 35-26 at halftime after converting 11-of-14 field goals during the second quarter. After the game went into overtime, Cy Ranch made nine of 12 free throws to clinch the win.

House wins againFor the third time this season, University of Houston forward Danuel House has been honored as the Conference USA Freshman of the Week. The Hightower High product was the team’s leading scorer in road losses at C-USA rivals East Carolina and UCF. House averaged 18.5 points and 4.5 assists per game to lead the Cougars in both categories. He scored a team-high 22 points at East Carolina for his fifth 20-point game of the season and followed that with a 15-point, 11-rebound performance against UCF at Hofheinz Pavilion for the first double-double of his young career.

Daniels added to Pro Bowl Texans tight end Owen Daniels has been added to the 2013 AFC Pro Bowl roster. Daniels will be making his second appearance. The seventh-year veteran caught 62 passes for 716 yards and had a team-high and career-best six touchdown receptions this season. Daniels’ reception and yardage totals were the highest since his first Pro Bowl selection following the 2008 season, when he had career highs of 70 receptions and 862 yards. Owens brings the number of Texans in the Pro Bowl to nine. Houston’s nine Pro Bowlers are the most of any team in the AFC this season and are the most in team history. Daniels is joined on the AFC team by Texans teammates LT Duane Brown, RB Arian Foster, WR Andre Johnson, CB Johnathan Joseph, C Chris Myers, QB Matt Schaub, LG Wade Smith and DE J.J. Watt.

By DARRELL K. ARDISONDefender

There are similarities and then there’s this big coincidence. Bellaire High School girls’ varsity basketball head coach Michael Kramer has seen this script before and made the most of it.

Once again, the Cardinals are short on height and long on guts. They are a guard-oriented squad that utilizes quick-ness to force turnovers and three-point shooting to demoralize opponents. For the fourth consecutive season, Bellaire is led by senior guard A.J. Alix, one of the top prep talents in the Lone Star State.

Without a single six-footer on the squad, Bellaire has emerged as one of the favorites to claim the Region III-5A title next month along with Clear Springs, Manvel and sleepers Port Arthur Memo-rial and Cypress Ranch.

Bellaire improved to 24-3 on the season and 7-0 in District 20-5A with a 70-42 victory over Houston Madison. Junior guard Angel Williams led the way with 22 points, including 11 in the first quarter when the Cardinals seized control of the contest.

“We have no height again. We’re just a feisty, scrambling, pressing team that if we’re hitting our shots, we can create a long game for our opponent,” Kramer said. “We don’t dwell on things we may lack. We play with the hand that’s been dealt to us and go after it.”

Alix and Williams are normally joined by Lulu McKinney, Brianne Jolivet and Shandice Waugh in the start-ing five, with sophomore Mimi Jackson usually the first off the bench. McKinney is currently sidelined with a leg injury and Jackson has been inserted into the starting lineup.

“We’re going to need Mimi to step up in Lulu’s absence,” Kramer said. “Those are big shoes to fill and we’re hoping to get her back in two weeks.”

Kramer says his team ran up against a number of taller opponents in the sea-son’s early stages and over the holidays.

“Duncanville had two 6-foot-2 girls and two more that were 5-11,” Kramer

said. “The Woodlands had a legitimate 6-5 girl and Temple was bigger than us. I saw our girls grow up that weekend. We were doing it, and came away with victories over both Temple and The Woodlands.

“Before that, we played Clear Springs in the McDonald’s Invitational and nobody gave us a chance,” Kramer said. “We’re the same prototype, small and quick, but we were hitting our shots in that game, and when we’re doing that, we can be a problem.”

McKinney says there’s a very good reason why the Cardinals click on all cylinders more often than not.

“Our team chemistry is good and each person knows what they have to do,” McKinney said. “Jolivette and Shandice work hard for us under the

basket. They get rebounds and put-backs all the time. We feel like we can run with anybody in Texas.”

Then there’s the coincidence.Alix is wrapping up her stellar

high school career and heading to Texas Christian University next fall. Kramer is set to retire at the end of the 2012-2013 school year and hand the reins off to assistant coach Lamar Simons. Alix and Kramer will be leaving the Bellaire girls’ basketball program at the same time.

“This is the best team I’ve played on at Bellaire and we really don’t fear anyone,” Alix said. “It’s about who plays harder, who is more aggressive and who has the most heart.

Wouldn’t it be a bigger coincidence if Kramer and Alix left Bellaire with a state championship?

The 2013 Bellaire girls’ basketball team is feisty and gutsy.

A.J. AlixCoach Michael Kramer Lulu McKinney

12

chag’splaceFor Event Coverage...visit defendernetwork.com


Events of the Week More photos on defendernetwork.com

Join Yvette Chargois

See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s Crossroadswith Melanie Lawson Sunday Morning @ 11 a.m.

DEFENDER | JANUARY 24 | 2013 defendernetwork.com

Toni Burns, Danielle Burns and Stephanie Carroll Chelsa Wade and Arielle Montgomery Pat Jasper and Sabrina Motley

Actors Bowman Wright and Joaquina Kalukango Reginald and Sloane Young Nathaniel and Leticia Prevost

Bobby Jenkins, Bobby Glaze and Eugene WilkersonImpact Award Winner George Nelson and Houston Graduate Chapter President Bobby Glaze Scholarship Recipients Kamal McMillan and Samira Williams

THE MOUNTAINTOP…..Playwright Katori Hall is making her Alley Theatre debut along with actors Bowman Wright (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) and Joaquina Kahukango (Camae) in the gripping play “The Mountaintop.” Taking place on April 3, 1968, “The Mountaintop” is a re-imagining of events the night before the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. King. After delivering one of his most memorable speeches, an exhausted Dr. King retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel. A provocative maid arrives to seduce the 39-year-old leader. Their encounter depicts King, the man, as he confronts his fate. Spotted at the play were Patricia McGill, Robert Ross, Lillie Nobles, Debra Baker, Sloane and Reginald Young, Phyllis Bailey, Tiffany and Martin Espinoza, Leticia and Nathaniel Prevost, Donna Smith and Delores Smith, to name a few. The play runs on the Alley Theatre’s Hubbard Stage

until February 3, 2013. Fantastic play!.....GROOVE PHI GROOVE…..Over 250 folks attended the Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship’s third annual Black & White Scholarship Gala. The organization

was founded at Morgan State in 1962 by 14 young men (one now deceased), all of whom are as close today as they were almost 50 years ago. Their mission is to educate and empower the people in our communities, especially young Black men. This year

Kamal McMillan and Samira Williams received college scholarships and George Nelson was presented with the Impact Award for his many contributions to the organization and community. Some of the attendees included Minister Robert Muhammad and his family, Sue and Lionel Feazell, Shamarion and Bobby Jenkins, Dr. Phyllis Tyler, Theta Robinson, Sharon Cheflin, Cassandra Cheflin and Dennis Thomas, to name

a few. Kudos to chapter president Bobby Glaze, Eugene Wilkerson, James Carter and the entire membership for a great evening……Continued success!.....RICH ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS….. The Houston Arts Alliance Folklife and Traditional Arts Program focuses on promoting and presenting the lively cultural traditions of Houston’s rich and diverse landscape. The Asia Society Texas Center is an institution dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders and institution of Asia and the United States in a global context. They recently collaborated and presented a concert, “Voices of the Spirit III,” that explored the devotional music representing five of our city’s immigrant faith communities. This year’s program featured Sufi music, Sikh Kirtans, Vietnamese pentatonic choral music, Indian Carnatic music and highlife-inflected Nigerian praise songs. Great concert!.....From Chag’s Place to your place, have a great week!