Remembering Coretta Scott King 1927-2006

Lighting The Road To Freedom Data Zone Theatre Returns to New Orleans

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“The People’s Paper” February 11, 2006 39th Year Volume 35 www.ladatanews.com

The Soul of New Orleans

Remembering Coretta Scott King 1927-2006

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Newsmaker Inside Data

One on One with Death of a Oliver Thomas Neighborhood Page 4 Page 15 Page 2 January 28, 2006 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com COVER STORY Remembering Coretta Scott King

By. Marian Wright Edelman

ignifi ed, elegant, refi ned, thick and thin and fought tirelessly to keep his piano and voice and graduated valedictorian courageous, strong. For more legacy alive. of her class. She got a chance to leave the than 0 years these words were Coretta King said that even as a child, she segregated South when she won a scholarship used to describe Coretta Scott felt she was going to lead an extraordinary to join her older sister as one of the few Black King—human rights and peace activist, the wife D life. Many people might not have expected that students at Antioch College in Ohio. and partner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and from a little Black girl who grew up in very rural Coretta King was already politically active. the “First Lady of the Civil Rights Movement.” Alabama during the Depression, picking cotton She joined the college’s NAACP chapter and We are hearing them one more time as people and walking several miles each way every day to Race Relations and Civil Liberties committees, around the world mourn her passing. Coretta attend a segregated one-room school. But from and was a delegate to the founding convention of Scott King was a good, strong woman and the start, she was exceptional. She attended a the Young Progressives organization. She fi rst keeper of the dream that was Dr. King’s and semi-private high school in Marion, Ala., where majored in early education but was inspired to America’s dream. She stood by his side through she, a gifted young musician, was able to study change her plans after she sang on a program Continued next page. DATA NEWS WEEKLY Mailing Address: PO Box 5033, Atlanta, GA 30302 INSIDE DATA (404) 223-5958 Fax (404) 223-5491 [email protected] Editorial & Business Ofﬁ ce: 170 Northside Drive, Suite 506, Atlanta, GA 30313 State & Local Health

News Cheryl Mainor Art Direction Cover Terry B. Jones Managing Editor page 11 & Production CEO/Publisher Paul Mainor for page Contributors MainorMedia Jawna Williams Edwin Buggage Business Manager, Marian Wright Edelman Contributing Story Opinion Advertising Director Zenitha Price Photographers National News Sheryl P. Simons Edwin Buggage Renetta Perry Allison Stevens Bud Dorsey page 12 Editor-in-Chief Phil Wilson Zenitha Price page 2 page 6 NNPA Newswire Newsmaker Data Zone Special Report Please call (404) 223-5958 for subscription information. Dated material two weeks in advance. Not responsible for publishing page page 8 page 1 or return of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly February 11, 2006 Page

Continued from previous page. with Paul Robeson at an NAACP event. He encouraged her to study voice full-time I am convinced that if I had not had a wife with the fortitude, strength and calmness and she dreamed of having a career like his that combined music performance of Coretta, I could not have stood up amid the ordeals and tensions surrounding the with social activism. After college she pursued that dream with a scholarship to Montgomery movement. I came to see the real meaning of that rather trite statement: the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where a friend set her up on a “A wife can either make or break a husband.” Coretta proved to be that type of wife date with a theology doctoral student at Boston University named Martin Luther with qualities to make a husband when he could have been so easily broken. In the King, Jr. Coretta King wrote that at first she darkest moments she always brought the light of hope. was reluctant to get married because she – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. knew it would change her career dreams. As it turned out, of course, becoming that young minister’s wife gave her the opportunity to serve on an entirely different national and world stage. Less than three years into their marriage, Dr. King was thrust into the national spotlight with the Montgomery bus boycott. Her own activism and deep commitment to civil rights made her an ideal partner as he became the international symbol for the Civil Rights Movement. She often took on a behind-the-scenes role, staying at home with their four children while Dr. King traveled as a public leader. But in the most important battles of the Civil Rights Movement, she was always right by her husband’s side. After Dr. King’s death, instead of retreating with her young children or into her grief, Coretta Scott King stepped out into the forefront to continue her husband’s legacy. She began this the day before his funeral, leading the sanitation workers’ march he had gone to Memphis to support. She continued standing up for social justice all the rest of her life. She was devoted to preserving Dr. King’s legacy and fought successfully to establish the King Center and the national holiday recognizing his birthday and became an internationally recognized human rights leader in her own right. A strong antiwar and anti-apartheid activist, she spoke to audiences around the world, calling for racial equality and economic and social justice and received many honors and awards for her tireless work. Mrs. King was especially passionate about women’s rights, and urged women to take their rightful place at the table to create a better nation and world. She once said, “If American women would increase their voting turnout by 10 percent, I think we would see an end to all of the budget cuts in programs benefiting women and children.” How true this remains in this era where a Congress of the United States, aided and abetted by a callous administration, has just cut $39 billion from the budget from programs low-income children and families need in order to give tens of billions of new tax cuts to powerful special interests that don’t need it. Throughout her life, Mrs. King was a lantern for freedom and justice. We will all miss Coretta Scott King’s presence but carry her and Dr. King’s spirits as we continue the struggle. May she rest in peace and may we work for peace with justice with renewed vigor.

Marian Wright Edelman is President and Founder of the Children’s Defense Fund and its Action Council. Page January 28, 2006 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com NEWSMAKER Data News Weekly Exclusive Interview with Councilman Oliver Thomas

By: Edwin Buggage our creativity goes. It’s important country one thing, what would that theater is back, artistry is it be? He is more than New Orleans back because it is the soul and the OT: If someone said can I take City Council President; he is the pulse of our community. your soul would you let them? If true definition of a renaissance they said can I cut out you heart, man. In addition to being a EB: What is the city doing would you let them? If they said if politician he is a poet, stage actor, to bring back its residents and I could take every good memory, and an avid advocate of bringing more specifically members of would you let them? I would back New Orleans to its previous the artistic community? say stay connected because if state pre-Katrina and making it OT: I don’t know how much we lose the city, if we don’t stay even better. Data News Weekly the city is doing, but I do know connected, that’s what it would had a unique opportunity to that people like Anthony Bean be like taking our soul, our heart, catch up with him after he gave are doing things and you all at and our memories. a magnificent performance Data News are doing things. in Anthony Bean’s Theater But I believe you cannot have a EB: There are rumors Company production of August city without its artistry. It is the buzzing you may be seeking Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and soul of the city. Think about how higher office is there any truth Gone where he talked about art, powerful our culture is despite all to that? life, politics and his love affair our problems we produce some OT: It’s something to consider, with New Orleans. of the best talent in the world. right now I’m City Council We produce people who never President, and I can run for re- EB: How did you get went to music school, but who are election. I can run for mayor, involved in theater? some of the best Jazz Musicians congress, or governor. (Laughing) OT: Well Anthony Bean called in the world. We produce actors I love this community so much NEWORLEANS_rosame one day because 1/23/06 he knew 2:47 I did PM and Page help 1 develop talent in New not an actor. (Laughter) Then he spoken word poetry and said he Orleans and asked if I could help said you’re a politician it’s just a wanted to start a theater company him. In seeing how committed he question of whether you wind up that would work with young people was I agreed, but told him I was being a good actor. It’s been a wonderful experience, it’s been therapeutic. I think more people need a She took a stand something like this it’s a great cultural outlet.

EB: How and what were you feeling when you saw the devastation that occurred in the city after Hurricane Katrina? OT: Personally, I had eight feet of water in my house, I had holes in my roof, and lost most of my stuff, it was devastating. by taking a seat But I thought what about those who weren’t as fortunate as me, what about the people who were struggling everyday just trying to get by. I felt bad for them, and I think everything we do about this disaster should be in remembrance and actresses far away from I might run for President of the of people who lost their lives, Hollywood who tear it up. But United States. Right now though and all their possessions. Also I that’s what’s in us, a knack for I am considering all my options, felt abandoned, and thought we Rosa Louise Parks excellence, and that is something that’s how much I love this town. were not given the respect as (1913-2005) that we all who are from New Americans we were due. Orleans are connected with. And EB: Do you any final On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks boarded a bus it’s something special and unique thoughts? in Montgomery, Alabama near the intersection of EB: How do you see the that you can’t explain to someone OT: Yes I would like to thank Commerce and Montgomery Streets after future of New Orleans and working for eighteen hours. Her courageous act who is not from here they don’t Data News because it’s given our in refusing to give up her seat on a bus she had how important is maintaining understand it. Its funny people community a voice. Like its name paid to ride sparked the modern-day civil rights the culture that makes the city from a lot of other cities can live in Data that’s just what it is, it’s movement and led to the breakdown of unique? segregation in the United States. other places but people from New information, it’s our fact finder, OT: It’s going to be a struggle, Orleans have to stay connected it’s our beat to the street. So I BellSouth salutes Rosa Parks and thanks her for it’s going to be a battle, and that’s sitting even in the face of danger. because there’s no other place want to thank the Data Family for why tonight was so important. like it in the world. always giving us real news, and The soul of a community is its for everybody else stay true and artistry, its creativity. We’ve bellsouth.com EB: If you could tell the stay New Orleans. ©2006 BellSouth Corporation. performed from the slave ships people from New Orleans to Congo Square that’s how far who are scattered all over the www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly February 11, 2006 Page STATE & LOCAL NEWS Rev. Jessie Jackson initiative Louisiana Seeks High Quality Providers for housing and jobs To Run Orleans Schools

BATON ROUGE, LA –The Louisiana Department of Education is NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The said he hoped all displaced seeking high quality, non-profit providers with a proven track record Rev. Jesse Jackson stepped in a residents would join the cause. of improving educational achievement to run schools in Orleans Parish patch of mud and squatted to view “Displaced citizens - white, black which have been placed in the Recovery School District. crushed debris beneath a hulking or brown - should have the right Legislation passed in the November 2005 Special Session of the rusty barge that had smashed to return and the right to protect Legislature expanded the definition of a “failed school” in Louisiana through a levee breech and into their vote,” Jackson said. to include schools scoring below the state average in school systems the lower Ninth Ward during The group with Jackson declared to be in Academic Crisis with at least one school labeled as Hurricane Katrina. included two black state failing for four or more years. Currently, only Orleans Parish falls into “We fear people are under this lawmakers who have virtually no that category. A total of 107 schools have been placed in the Recovery barge, dead,” Jackson said Monday. constituents left in the districts RU020506AA_6_37x10 1/26/06 3:07School PM DistrictPage 1 in Orleans Parish; however, only 8 schools are The now-landlocked barge, they represent. They have continued on Page 14. along with the still inaccessible blasted recommendations by the Cecil Picard wreckage beneath it, is a symbol internationally renowned Urban of the government’s neglect of Land Institute to study whether many of the storm’s hardest-hit the worst damaged and flood- victims, Jackson prone parts of said. Now he the city should and several state be rebuilt or l a w m a k e r s , turned into parks along with civil that could act as rights activists, drainage basins are trying to during future organize a storms. BUY IT IN STORE massive march State Rep. 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Some products and offers may be available in store only. Quantities limited to in-stock items only. city were the worst hit, Jackson had no more room for evacuees Page January 28, 2006 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com National News Critics Say Budget Cuts National Park Service Attains Hurt Women, Children Carter G. Woodson’s Home PHILADELPHIA - A former Morial criticized the response mayor of New Orleans said of the Federal Emergency Thursday he hopes government Management Agency and called By. Allison Stevens Democratic opposition, and now prosperity for the richest, the officials put the same effort into for government officials to be goes to the president to be signed wealthiest in our society.’’ rebuilding the hurricane-ravaged more unified in Katrina recovery Special to the NNPA from into law. Wednesday’s narrow legislative Gulf Coast as has been put into efforts. The effort will be judged a Womens-enews Republican leaders brushed off victory, Republicans hope, will helping New York rebound from decade from now and beyond, he the Sept. 11 attacks. said, by whether the region has WASHINGTON, D.C. criticism and said the bill will help help the GOP reclaim the mantle Marc Morial, now president of rebounded like other disaster- (WOMENSE-NEWS)-As GOP move more people off the welfare of fiscal conservatism as they enter the National Urban League, told stricken cities have. lawmakers argued last week for rolls and into work. The law will the 2006 mid-term election year. a symposium at the University of “FEMA needs to be completely budget legislation that cuts $39 accomplish this even as it trims Under President Bush, spending Pennsylvania that the rebuilding rebuilt so that it is in keeping with billion in spending for federal $99 billion during the next 10 has soared due to the war in Iraq, programs during the next five years from the ballooning federal a new prescription drug benefit years, Democratic leaders and budget--a savings they said will and emergency disaster relief. other critics said the legislation rein in federal spending and help Republicans also hope to pass belied the president’s avowals of reduce the deficit. a proposed $70 billion package compassion during his State of The bill’s backers also praised to extend current tax cuts that the Union address. the new welfare rules, which critics said primarily benefits the ‘’Last night in the State of the would require states to increase wealthy. Union we heard a great deal of work participation rates among If that happens, not only will rhetoric about investments the welfare recipients and would single-parent families suffer from president was going to make,’’ channel $1.5 billion to marriage stiffer welfare rules and scaled- House Democratic Leader Nancy promotion programs. The budget back government services under Pelosi of California said on the bill also gives states the option to the budget changes, but they House floor during the budget eliminate family planning services would reap little from a tax relief debate. ‘’But this budget today for beneficiaries of Medicaid. package skewed toward wealthy tells a different story… The truth The $39 billion in cuts are individuals and corporations, is that this budget is an exact ‘’a very modest savings’’ that is critics of the bill argued. contradiction of the rhetoric the ‘’a step toward smarter, more ‘’What this bill does is ask the president presented last night.’’ competent government,’’ said most vulnerable people in the would also be much like challenges the needs of 21st century disaster Pelosi said the policies in the Rep. Adam Putnam, a Republican society to tighten their belts so posed by Chicago’s Great Fire response,” Morial said. He also budget would widen the U.S. from Florida. that the most affluent can have of 1871 and the devastating San said the military should have a deficit by $300 billion and heap However, Rep. Hilda Solis, a tax cut,’’ said Paula Roberts, a Francisco earthquakes in 1905 more established “standby” role ‘’mountains of debt’’ on the a California Democrat who co- senior staff attorney at the Center and 1906. when helping out in disaster country’s children. chairs the Congressional Caucus for Law and Social Policy, an “In the case of New York City, responses. The legislation squeaked on Women’s Issues, argued on the advocacy group for the poor in no one spared a resource. ... Will Earlier this month, Morial through the House of floor: ‘’Just last night President Washington, D.C. ‘’That’s morally we reach to the standard of New expressed concerns about Representatives by a two- Bush spoke about working wrong.’’ York City?” said Morial, who suggestions that officials focus vote margin, with a number of together’’ to help Americans. served two terms as mayor of New on rebuilding New Orleans’ least moderate Republicans supporting ‘’But this legislation pays for the Orleans from 1994 to 2002. “No damaged neighborhoods and that one said, ‘This is too expensive.’” some devastated areas could be The two-day symposium, turned into marshland or open “Rebuilding Urban Places space. He also has vowed to Mourners Remember After Disaster: Lessons from fight a proposal for a four-month Hurricane Katrina,” is focusing moratorium on new building on ways to help cities recover permits in heavily flooded areas Soul Singer Wilson Pickett from natural disasters and events until those neighborhoods prove such as terrorist attacks. The their viability. LOUISVILLE and members of the Falcons, Pickett’s first R&B forum includes discussions about In the fall, Morial called for the (NNPA) – More than Group. Aretha Franklin and King Solomon Burke helping economies recover, creation of a compensation fund 800 mourners attended were listed on the program, but did not attend. accommodating people forced out for Katrina victims similar to the the funeral of Soul Falcon member Willie Scofield said he had read of their homes and making cities fund created for victims of the Singer Wilson Pickett, on the internet that Pickett said he had knocked less vulnerable. Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Jr. at the Canaan on many doors. “Well, he knocked on my door that Christian Church day and that was the last one he had to knock on. here. Doors opened, I mean really opened for Wilson.” As the church was The Falcons had a hit with “I Found a Love” in 1962 filling up, Pickett’s hit with Pickett as lead singer. He went on to record hit songs including “In records, such as “Mustang Sally,” “634-5789” and the Midnight Hour,” “Funky Broadway.” and “Don’t Let the Wearing a black suit with a jeweled collar and Caption: Singer Wilson Pickett famous for such songs as Mustang Green Grass Fool sunglasses, Little Richard spoke at the funeral. He Sally and Wait til the Midnight Hour, You,” played through said he had recently attended funerals for comedian passed at the age of 64. the church’s public Richard Pryor and singer Lou Rawls. address system. Born Talking about death, he said, “We all gotta do in Alabama, Pickett, who moved to Detroit as a teen, this.” “Ain’t nobody immune. You don’t get too rich. died after suffering a heat attack in a Reston, VA. You don’t get too famous. You don’t get too pretty. hospital on January 19. He was 64. And anybody that thinks they are, just tell ‘em to Caption: Singer Little Richard (center) gave a tribute to Pickett Credit: Bud Celebrities in attendance included Little Richard shut up.” Dorsey/Louisville Defender

Page January 28, 2006 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com DATA ZONE Entertainment A Post Katrina Theatrical Affair Joe Turner Come and Gone

By Glenn Summers

A man of dramatic proportions, Holly) his wife, Harold X. Evans as that plagued his soul with self- August Wilson was a poetic (Bynum Walker) the Rootworker, doubt and inner rage. Finally, illustrator of the African American Charles Bosworth (Rutherford his frivolous journey leads to a experience. A chronicler of the Solig) A peddler, Donald Lewis, triumphal closure freeing himself human experience and a genius Jr. (Jeremy Furlow) a resident from his inner demons. in his own right he brought to Oliver Thomas (Herald Loomis), The play projected the early the spotlight rural and inner city Chloe A. Tillis (Zovia Loomis) essence and spirituality of African experiences plaguing black souls his daughter, Brittney M. James Americans at the turn of the 20th throughout America. His literary (Mattie Campbell) a resident, century. It also captured a sense illustration of the inner city Tony Felix (Reuben Scott) the boy of the genuineness and innocence blues and hardships is not only who lived next door, Karen Kaia that Americans once possessed. about the affects on the African- Livers (Molly Cunningham) a One of the unexpected highlights American soul but are reflections resident and Valencia D. Williams of the play was the stellar of American souls as a whole. ( Martha Loomis) as Herald performances of the child actors. His plays have been powerful Loomis’ wife. Chloe A. Tillis and Tony Felix testaments conveying how we The premise of the play both captivated the audience view ourselves as human beings. revolved around Oliver Thomas’ with their performances that was The Anthony Bean Community character, Herald Loomis who truly heart warming. They are Theater paid homage to this was obsessed with the search for naturally gifted and profoundly great playwright of our times talented kids who are destined for by showcasing August Wilson’s future success in life. classic Play, Joe Turner’s Come And as we have lived and Gone. The opening night, Joe Turner Come and Gone, he brought you back through the real life Drama of January 27, 2006 was symbolic has the uncanny ability to bring into an era of Katrina, the theater continues of a new beginning for ABCT the best out of his students along hard times and to be a great institution for and New Orleans considering with the seasoned actors who misfortune. shaping and building personal hurricane Katrina’s wrath on the round out his cast constantly The setting of character for both actors and the city. Opening night proved that proving he is a cunning, shrewd the play took place viewing audience. The theater the artistic culture is very much director who knows how to get August 1911 in a lays the foundation for life and alive and thriving in New Orleans. the most out of his cast. boarding house enlightenment of our souls. Anthony Bean says, “The I observed as the audience in Pittsburgh, PA. Furthermore, it influences the importance of the theater is to anxiously anticipated the start of The characters way we think, feel, and interact as enrich, enlighten and evoke self- the play. When the house lights were played by human beings; and as we march awareness; inducing theatrical went down they became silent Wilbert Williams into the future of New Orleans and attentive. The set design Jr. as Seth Holly, communication between his wife. His obsession drives Anthony Bean’s Community was superbly crafted. Bringing owner of the boarding house, performer and audience.” Bean him to near insanity; summoning Theater is a vital asset to our city nostalgia and authenticity that Gwendolyn Foxworth (Berth did an outstanding job directing, the inner demons of his past; and our culture. James Rivers Jazz Brunch Returns to New Orleans Hilton

In another sign of New his ability to draw an audience A high note in Mr. Rivers composition, led to a highlight of Orleans resurgence, James through good times and bad. This career was his collaboration his career when he was invited Rivers will return to his will mark James’s 12th year at the with actor Clint Eastwood in the by Clint Eastwood to perform at jazz brunch performances Hilton which well may be a New production of the sound track Carnegie Hall in the Eastwood at the New Orleans Orleans record for longevity at a for the motion picture Tightrope After Hours midnight concert. Hilton beginning Sunday, hotel venue. in 1984 and, subsequently, the The band, appropriately called February 12, 2006. In his formative years, Mr. soundtrack for the motion picture The James Rivers Movement, In a profession notorious Rivers performed with such Bird, Eastwood’s telling cinematic appears at the New Orleans for its instability, JAMES musical legends as Gladys Knight tribute to Charlie Parker. Hilton’s Jazz Brunch each Sunday RIVERS wears very well, and the Pips, Sam Cooke, Jackie His cameo appearance in the from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM at indeed. Six years at Sylvia’s Wilson, Huey Smith and the movie “The Bridges of Madison Kabby’s at the River. and eleven at Tyler’s Beer Clowns, Brook Benton and Jimmy County”, where he wrote and Garden are a testimony to Reed. performed his own original www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly February 11, 2006 Page DATA ZONE New Orleans Out & About

Well wishers Rod Burke, Clarence Williams and Raynard Sanders and friend join Julius in Rev Watson,CL-06-N-2768 Councilwoman Cynthis Secret Willard Louis, Formula and Blue Line Coca-Cola Karate LRA Classic Board Member 1/4 Donna Page Brazile Vertical comments during5.75”x10.5” the recent session his celebration Academy owner Eric O’Neal take time out during the Town Hall meeting of the Louisiana Recovery Authority board meeting held in Baton Rouge. during last month’s King Holiday weekend.

Like the generations who came before them, this family treasures good times together.

Discovering our past helps us understand who we are today. The Coca-Cola Company celebrates the “Secret Formula” that makes up each of us.

Musician Phillip Manuel and Julius Kimbrough celebrate Julius’ 65th Birthday

Data News Weekly columnist “The Love Doctor” Lloyd and Ann Dennis enjoy the festivities

www.ladatanews.com The Coca-Cola Company is a proud sponsor of African American Lives. Airing on PBS in February 2006.

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A6676SRAA.10.5x11.1C.LANO1.indd 1 1/23/06 1:59:04 PM www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly February 11, 2006 Page 11 DATA ZONE Health Health Resolutions

By Larry Lucas higher rates of being overweight than Making a commitment to better health 80 to 90 percent of mental conditions are white children in the same age groups. in 2006 isn’t just about taking care of your treatable using medication and other It’s that time of the year again: the time There are easy ways to help incorporate body – you have got to take care of your therapies, according to CDC. we make promises to ourselves that 2006 healthy eating and exercise into your mind too. In 2006 resolve to take your medicines will be the year we eat better, exercise family’s daily routine. Walk with your kids According to the CDC, African as prescribed, visit your doctor regularly, more, spend more time with our families to school, limit the time your kids spend Americans are more likely to experience exercise and eat right 365 days of the year and maybe even volunteer with our church in front of the TV or video games, take the mental conditions than others and less – not just on January 1. Your body and your or community group while we’re at it! stairs whenever possible, plan your meals likely to seek treatment. Mental conditions mind will thank you. A survey by Kaiser Permanente found in advance and keep healthy snacks in can be as disabling as cancer or heart that nearly 60 percent of Americans make Larry Lucas is the deputy vice president for reach so you’re less likely to indulge when disease in terms LIVE:of premature 8" death and health-related New Year’s resolutions. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of you’re tired or stressed. lost productivity. But there is help available: America (PhRMA). But just 10 percent of us reported keeping resolutions faithfully. And the largest group – 24 percent said they make and keep health resolutions only “occasionally.” Many people take their health for granted. We are fortunate to live in an age ® when prescription medicines are readily ® available to cure or treat everything from hypertension and ulcers to cancer and Alzheimer’s. Every day, millions of Americans rely on these medicines to live longer, healthier, more productive lives. But we can’t be complacent. To fight diseases like diabetes and many forms of cancer, you have to get your health checked regularly. Importantly, if your doctor starts you on a course of medicine take it regularly and do not skip a dose. Studies show that up to 0 percent of prescriptions are not taken properly, which means many people aren’t getting Dream. Wish. Hope. Soar. the full therapeutic benefits. In the amazing world of a child, inspiration Be sure to ask questions so that you understand how to take your medicine is all around her. "Inspiration Makes Me...", before leaving the doctor’s office or an Educational Activity from 365Black, pharmacy. Ask your doctor if your is designed to help children discover the prescription needs to be refilled. If you source of their inspiration. Encourage your are taking medicine for your high blood pressure or to lower your cholesterol, you child to participate by writing about who may need to take your medicine for a long or what inspires her. She could be rewarded time. The number one thing you can do with prizes for her school, teacher or even LIVE: 10" to keep healthy is take steps to prevent a $1,000 gift certificate for herself. needing medicines in the first place. First, you have to eat right and exercise. It’s a great way to teach your child We’ve all heard it before a holiday season the value of self-expression full of calorie-laden sweets and treats and open her eyes to endless can mean an extra (or two!) around the possibilities for her future. waistline come January. A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) confirms that people at a healthy weight Please visit WWW.365black.com for more information. put on about a pound during the holidays. But overweight participants – and that’s an estimated 65 percent of U.S. adults – gain an average of five pounds during the holidays and keep it on well past the snowy season. This is a dangerous trend. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, respiratory problems and some cancers. Obesity isn’t limited to adults. In the last No of win. AN EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY FROM... 20 years, the percentage of children who with are overweight has more than doubled, your but to be the ficial a s or your and African American girls and boys have of winning, how enter without something at ’s all Void where

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Fonts: Helvetica (A) Typesmiths Pi Font Page 12 January 28, 2006 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com OPINION New Orleans Coretta Scott King was (A Chocolate City with Vanilla on Top and A Few Nuts) Sensitive to Gays and Lesbians

By: Edwin Buggage educational opportunities, nuclear disarmament and ecological sanity. She was never afraid to address topics others Mayor Ray Nagin verbal snafu during his affected whites from coming and enjoy the tip-toed around, such as homophobia and Martin Luther King Day speech invoking city? AIDS. God and making reference to New Orleans The truth is that many of the tourist or I had the pleasure of sharing the dais with being a Chocolate City made great fodder conventioneers who come into the city could her a few times. At the 20th anniversary for talk shows, and news organizations care less about the local politics as long as of the Southern Christian Leadership hungry for ratings as they jumped on this they are able to eat, drink, and be merry Conference, founded by her late husband, story. It in fact gave our city another black in a town where they believe that anything she said: “I have a special responsibility as a human rights activist to speak out eye, and made it seem more of a banana goes. So the fact that many in the media Phill Wilson republic than before. Some would blame have given this story legs, in turn giving it against homophobia, which I am convinced the mayor for making his off the cuff some sort of validity is a sad commentary NNPA Columnist contributes mightily to the spread of AIDS. statements as unbecoming of an elected on the state of our mainstream media, but Homophobia encourages discrimination, official, and that is true, but to think that the sad truth is that it has no bearing in which undermines the effort to improve his statements would have any long term reality. If the past is any indicator of what research, prevention, and treatment. It The traditional civil rights era of the affect on the city is naïve. And also those will happen in the future the city most likely prevents people from getting properly 50s and 60s officially ended on January who deem his statements to be patently will not suffer any economic backlash, informed and treated. Homophobia also 30 with the passing of Coretta Scott King, racist are also shortsighted into what because of Ray Nagin’s comments. contributes to the failure of elected officials the mother of the modern Civil Rights racism is, and particularly how it will affect Yes his ‘Chocolate City’ metaphor was to adequately fund needed AIDS programs.” Movement. Some might argue that the future economy of New Orleans. novel and made a great sound bite, but She helped us understand that AIDS was title belongs to Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou This city as well as the state of Louisiana unfortunately Nagin is the latest victim of all of our problem by publicly disclosing Hammer or even Dorothy Height. But if has been a hot bed for racial animosity and a news media’s that’s fascinated with the that even a member of her family was living Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the father of controversy for many years now, and the odd, unusual, and sensational that passes with HIV. the civil rights movement, then Mrs. King question is how it has affected the economy as important news. But really these words Martin and Coretta are both gone was clearly the mother. of New Orleans if at all. The answer to that were simply taken out of context, and this now. It’s been nearly 8 years since Dr. After her husband’s assassination, Mrs. is an unequivocal no as proven by several situation became front page news when King spoke of that Promised Land he saw King picked up the pieces, gathered her incidents occurring during the past several in fact it shouldn’t have been. Secondly, from the mountain top on the eve of his children to her bosom and assured us that years. For example when former Ku Klux he made statements about black on black assassination. This year marks the 25th we would get by. And like a good mother, Klan Leader David Duke was embraced violence, but did that appear in most anniversary of the first diagnosed cases of she never played favorites. She was by local whites in neighboring Jefferson newspapers or television shows? Absolutley what we have come to know as AIDS. committed to including all of us—the civil Parish he ascended to the level of state not, as we all know this story will soon Black people still face a world in need rights one, the peace one, the labor one, representative then later received the fade from the headlines, and the question of change. We have always born the brunt the gay and lesbian one, and eventually the majority of the white vote in the primaries will still remain what will become of New of the AIDS epidemic in America. Of the HIV/AIDS one. While there were some in his bid to become the governor of the Orleans? estimated 1.3 million Americans living with old guard civil rights leaders who thought state of Louisiana. When all the hoopla is over we will still AIDS today, nearly half are Black. Fifty-six “justice” meant “just us,” Mrs. King never Another example is when our former be faced with a city with much of its African- of the new HIV infections among young wavered. When the traditional “civil rights” Governor Mike Foster surreptitiously American population displaced and trying people in the U.S. are Black, and among house defined by the narrow paradigm of purchased Duke’s mailing list for 150,000 to figure out how and if they will be able to women with AIDS, Black women represent racial discrimination became too small, she thousand dollars and became a two term come back to the city. We will still be faced nearly 70 percent of the new cases. moved us to a new “human rights” house winner. His ties with a noted former leader with the question will the city ever have a February 7th was National Black HIV/ big enough for all of us. of an infamous hate group did not affect black majority similar to pre-Katrina. And AIDS awareness day. AIDS is not just a In 1990, when her son, Martin Luther our local economy one bit, so why would the answer if it were today would be no. As health issue. It is a human rights issue. It King III, made disparaging remarks about we think now the words of Ray Nagin who you look around the city the mayor wasn’t is an urban renewal issue. It is an economic gay and lesbian people, Mrs. King hosted a has never been part of any hate group, and completely of his rocker, maybe he wasn’t justice issue. As we grieve the loss of a Black gay and lesbian summit at the King quite honestly has been nothing but a friend very tactful, but the sad reality of present great hero in the struggle, we must commit center. She was also one of the first Black to the white community would damage our day New Orleans and this is something to not just “keeping the dream alive,” but leaders to speak out about HIV/AIDS and city’s image and economy in any way. that even Stevie Wonder could see is that to fulfill the vision by continuing to push the need for Black people to pay attention. While many in the mainstream media there aren’t many black people back in the toward the mountain top while always “AIDS is a human crisis, no matter both local and national attacked Mayor crescent city. reaching back to anyone who might be left where you live,” she said while addressing Nagin, I feel it’s hypocritical because when The city for better or worse seems behind regardless of race, gender, sexual a gathering of the Southern Christian the shoe is on the other foot and white destined to become, a whiter city and orientation or HIV status. Leadership Conference. “Anyone who racism both institutional and individual are with this demographic shift will probably sincerely cares about the future of Black many times overlooked, or ignored. For change the make up of our city’s America had better be speaking out about example New Orleans police mistreatment government, schools, and neighborhoods. Phill Wilson is CEO and founder of the AIDS, calling for preventive measures of blacks is rampant, in the French Quarter But I believe there is one thing for certain, Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles. He and increased funding for research and bars it was proven that they discriminate that regardless of the composition of the has participated in numerous international treatment.” against blacks, and at any given time in city some things won’t change and to be conferences on AIDS and was selected Speaking out is something Mrs. King the CBD from nine to five you would think honest, I can’t determine whether that’s by the Ford Foundation in 2001 as one of did often. She traveled throughout the New Orleans is majority white. So when good or bad. But looking around at the city “Twenty Leaders for a Changing World.” United States and world as an advocate of people talk about black racism and how I love, I know in my heart the future will Wilson has been living with HIV for more racial and economic justice, women’s and it would affect the city bottom line, I ask again be chocolate, vanilla and everything than 25years and with AIDS for 15 years. children’s rights, gay and lesbian dignity, with all things white that are perpetrated in between, and of course as always in He can be reached at Phillw@BlackAIDS. religious freedom, the needs of the poor against blacks why the outrage in the white everything associated with New Orleans org. and homeless, full-employment, healthcare, community isn’t the same and why hasn’t it and Louisiana a few nuts.

Page 14 January 28, 2006 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com NEWS

State & Local News cont’d. Schools, continued from Page 5. available to be run by providers for the 2006-07 school year. The other schools have substantial damage and will not be ready in time. Governor’s 2nd Special Session Opens with “We are looking for the best of the best,” said State Superintendent of Education Cecil J. Picard. “We are Speech in New Orleans looking for providers that can show results, a commitment to high standards and a dedication to the children attending New Orleans (AP) - Gov rather than the traditional House bus tour of hurricane devastated Recovery School District schools. This will be a very Kathleen Blanco opened a special chamber in Baton Rouge. areas. rigorous process,” Picard emphasized. legislative session with a warning The governor outlined how The speech and bus tour “We only get one chance to run these schools,” said State to lawmakers that Washington and she wants to use the $6.2 billion in received harsh criticism from Board of Elementary and Secondary Education President the nation consider the hurricane- federal hurricane recovery block some lawmakers, who said the Linda Johnson. “It is imperative that we set the bar high ravaged region “yesterday’s grants and $1.5 billion in federal governor was wasting time in for these providers because they will have a tremendous problem.” aid to minimize future damage a short session and was using job ahead of them and we will not settle for anything but In a departure from tradition, from flooding. Most of the aid, sites of devastation and suffering improved results.” Blanco delivered her speech about $5.6 billion would go to as a publicity stunt to repair her Prospective providers are encouraged, but not required, Monday at the New Orleans housing assistance. image. to submit an Intent to Apply form no later than 4:30 p.m. on convention center – the same The special which must end by While fewer than half of the 144 Friday, March 3, 2006. The Intent to Apply form will allow place where many of Hurricane Feb. 17, was the second Blanco member Legislature took the tour, staff to keep prospective providers informed about Recovery Katrina’s victims waited so long has called to cope with the damage most lawmakers showed up for th School District activities. Technical assistance will be for help to arrive. of Katrina and Rita, which struck speech. Only 20 House members offered to potential providers the week of February 6, 2006 Blanco said she would press Louisiana. and 12 senators skipped the in New Orleans. Confirmed dates, times and locations will Congress for further help, but Republican Rep. Jim Tucker, speech, according to legislative be posted on the department’s website as soon as possible. was worried by President Bush’s chairman of the House GOP estimates. One House seat is The deadline for submitting an application is Monday, scant reference to Katrina in caucus, said he was relieved to currently vacant. March 20, 2006. Approval of providers is tentatively his State of the Union Speech, hear Blanco spell out her plan The governor touted her Applications, forms and general information concerning and said public opinion polls are for spending the federal money. legislative proposals as long the Recovery School District can be found on the showing the nation has largely “At least she gave us a basic plan overdue reforms: to consolidate department’s website, www.louisianaschools.net, by forgotten the storms. for how the money is going to be levee boards to strengthen clicking on the Recovery School District logo located on “The harsh reality is that for spent,” Tucker said. hurricane protection and to merge the left- hand side of the homepage. Providers interested many people in Washington, Despite a push for unity, the New Orleans’ city government. in submitting an application should periodically check the Katrina is yesterday’s problem session started with discord over “Over the next 11 days, I am website for updated information and timelines. and Rita never happened,” the location of the governor’s asking you to overhaul problems Louisiana law prohibits the Recovery School District Blanco told a joint session of speech – the first time in 125 years that have begged for reform for from contracting with for-profit private providers, but it does the Legislature held at the New that the Legislature has convened generations,” she said. actively seek participation from colleges or universities. Orleans convention center, outside of Baton Rouge – and a Department officials stress that enrollment will determine exactly how many schools are opened by the Natl’News cont’d. Recovery School District for the 2006-07 school year. A comprehensive plan for the Recovery School District will be presented to the Board of Elementary and Secondary National Park Service Attains Carter G. Woodson’s Home Education in June of 2006. This plan will detail the short- and long-term plans for schools that fall into the Recovery The creator of Black History As the years School District in Orleans Parish. Month made history himself this passed, the brick “We will be talking to the people of New Orleans year - albeit posthumously. In house, built in the concerning what they want their school system to look like,” ceremonies held at Washington, 1890s, fell into Picard said. “These are ultimately their schools, but I do D.C.’s Shiloh Baptist Church, disrepair. So did think this is a great opportunity to rebuild schools in New on January 28, Woodson’s home the surrounding Orleans as the centerpieces of neighborhoods---near parks, became a part of the National Park neighborhood; near libraries, near universities and near health clinics. Services’ treasury of registered they began calling We’re not constrained to only looking at a series of charter historic sites. No small feat and, the local middle schools for this city,” Picard stressed. “We are committed to indeed, as it took some heavy school “Shameful looking for multiple ways to run schools so that academics financial and political lifting for this Shaw.” In a June 25, and performance are the mission and the focus, but finding great day to occur. 2001 article in the were moved to safe quarters. Once quality providers is the first step we’re taking.” The Shaw neighborhood where Washington Post, it was reported the premises were protectively For more information, visit the Louisiana Department of Dr. Woodson lived and worked for 35 that Edward Smith, history sealed and the deed firmly in the Education’s website, www.louisianaschools.net or call the years had faced decades of neglect professor at American University, hands of its owners, the Association department’s toll-free help line at 1-877-453- 2721. and decline after a heyday where made sure that the decrepit for the Study of African American notables such as Duke Ellington premises remained on his Black Life and History (ASALH), efforts and Chita Rivera once called home. History tours in the city. He was turned to securing a future of which Offices for the Association for the quoted as saying, “They’ve seen Dr. Woodson would be proud. By Study of African American Life the Frederick Douglass house and 2001, the home would enter into and History, founded by Woodson, the Bethune House, and then I say the National Trust for Historic Subscribe to the were located at 1538 - 9th Street, the next destination is the Woodson Preservation as endangered NW, Washington, D.C. on the house, and they expect Woodson to historic properties. first two floors while Dr. Woodson be in the same excellent condition. the work of Dr. Woodson. It maintained living quarters on the They are always shocked.” publishes the Journal of African Data News Weekly. third floor. The historic significance of American History, the Black Dr. Woodson, the son of slaves, the site was not lost on a group of History Bulletin, the Black History Have it mailed directly to you worked in the coal mines of West present and former Shaw residents. Month Learning Package as Virginia before being allowed Coalescing under the name well as seminars and its annual to attend high school, which he “Friends of Carter G. Woodson,” conferences. www.ladatanews.com/subscribe/ finished in two years. He obtained the group began to hold numerous Donations can be made to the Carter G. a Ph.D. from Harvard in 1912, fundraisers in 1987 to keep the Woodson Housing Fund, 535 Bryant Street, N.W. Suite C 142, Washington, DC, 20059, the second Black to do so; W.E.B. financial wolves at bay. Squatters, telephone 202-863-0053. The Web site is: DuBois was the first in 1895. who lit matches for indoor grilling, www.asalh.org. www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly February 11, 2006 Page 15 SPECIAL SECTION Death of a Neighborhood KATRINA SERIES - PART 1

This is the first of an 8-part series of stories about the Gulf Coast and the road to recovery after Hurricane Katrina. By. Zenitha Prince NNPA Special Correspondent NEW ORLEANS (NNPA) — The air was thick with abandoned car mired in the bog of the front yard, while in recent times, quaint early 20th Century homes an oppressive silence and the smell of rot. The streets then hesitantly raised her eyes to the markings on the were mingled with shrines of modern life such as that once teemed with the play and laughter of children, wall. The ‘’6’’ confirmed what she already knew in her barber and beauty shops, small businesses, gasoline the industry of mothers and fathers were empty now, heart. stations, eateries, ‘washetarias,’ a surfeit of churches reduced to mere dirt tracks. On the sidewalks, a lone ‘’They didn’t make it,’’ she whispered with a shake of and the ubiquitous corner store, more than 36 percent boot, a mud-encrusted car, an overturned basketball ring, her head. ‘’I taught her son how to ride his bike.’’ of its residents live under the poverty line. a red tricycle lay like ominous and mocking reminders Everage also worried about her relatives and friends, Many attribute the ward’s slow economic growth to of a life now lost. Battered, sometimes mangled houses who lived on the other side of North Claiborne Avenue the flood that ran longtime commercial and industrial stood abandoned, forlorn in the gathering gloom like between Florida and Caffin Avenues, a place where, at businesses and residents out of the neighborhood looming sentinels of a ghost town. the time, soldiers were barring people from entering when Hurricane Betsy devastated the city in 1965. 1229 Deslonde St. was Pamela Everage’s home, yet and where, it was rumored, bodies were still being Now, again, many wonder about the future of the on first sight, she could barely recognize it. found. neighborhood that bore the worst of Hurricanes ‘’This is my first Hurricane and Rita with time back. It’s just most of its 5,601 housing awful,’’ she said. ‘’Just units destroyed and its driving through the nearly 14,000 residents city, it looks like a scattered, homeless or Third World country.’’ dead. With a hand on her Everage felt relief hip, Everage surveyed that at least her children her neighborhood were not counted among from the remains of her the latter. front lawn. Dressed in ‘’I spoke to my son two white T-shirt, blue days before the storm jeans, a white bandana and I told him, I got a and a pair of sneakers feeling this storm will encrusted in black, really hit so go ahead pungent mud, Everage and take a backpack, Credit: Zenitha Prince Credit: Zenitha Prince Credit: was the lone smidgen Caption 1: Pamela Everage begins the process of recovering valuable Caption 2 : Pamela Everage is dismayed, but hopeful as she returns to her go ahead and get out,’’ of life on an otherwisebelongings inside her home which soaked under water for weeks. Katrina-battered home in New Orleans. Everage recalled. dead street. For days, her son Then we began to walk. ‘’I know people on the other side and they are people traveled from town to town trying to evade the reach of A slightly rusted sign proclaimed ‘’Beautiful Blocks,’’ I grew up with and they’re not letting you over there,’’ the storm until he was finally able to board a Greyhound an especially unseemly sentiment against the backdrop Everage said. ‘’I know a lot of the old people didn’t leave. bus to Virginia, where his sister attended college. As of decay. A nearby ‘’Dead End’’ sign seemed much And I’m afraid that a lot of people — my relatives and she took in the utter ruin of the neighborhood, Everage more appropriate. other people - didn’t make it.’’ was glad she had decided not to bring him back. Everage’s face was a study of defeat and worry, Everage, 39, was working on a cruise ship in Hawaii In her home the situation was equally grim. Foot- wreathed in frowns and dominated by a pair of tired- when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit New Orleans and high black sludge; waterlogged, capsized furniture looking eyes. She had not gotten much news about her like many others she observed the devastation of her and the putrid scent of mould hampered her efforts to extended family. She had seen one neighbor and her home on television. salvage mementos of her family’s life. And in the end, son at a shelter, who told her that the morning after the ‘’Everything was crushed and saturated weeks there was not a lot to save. hurricane, people had already begun to walk their dogs ago and then the second storm hit and I’m watching ‘’I had a lot of nice paintings on the wall, all my and clean their yards before the floodwaters began to [television] and saying, ‘That’s my neighborhood,’’’ she paintings are gone,’’ as well as a computer and other rise. She wondered if she would ever see them again. said. And then they said the lower Ninth Ward got hit hard-earned items, she said. ‘’That family down there, all three of them were in the worst. And I’m thinking, ‘The levee that broke is Her children’s diplomas, some of their trophies, her wheelchairs. I think they got out when my sons left,’’ right where I live.’’’ grandfather’s gramophone and her daughter’s rusted said Everage, pointing out the houses as she spoke. Everage lived in a largely African-American trumpet were all that was left of years of living. ‘’That guy over there, he works off shore. He was community best known for producing cultural icons ‘’I don’t think I know what to feel,’’ Everage said. ‘’I gone, too. Those two people in that house over there, like Antonine “Fats” Domino Jr., the legendary rock- haven’t processed yet.’’ they’re middle and high school teachers. and-roll star and Kalamu ya Salaam, a dramatist, fiction But as Everage continued to think about her loss and “The lady here, an administrator at Charity writer and prolific poet. the loss of her neighbors, many of whom did not have Hospital—everybody knew each other. People went to Like a small city within a city, the Lower Ninth renters’ insurance, she knew she could not come back high school together, they knew your family.’’ Ward is bounded by the Southern Railway railroad and she became angry. Having no other idea of her neighbors’ fates, Everage and Florida Avenue Canal to the north, the St. Bernard ‘’We can’t come back. The problem’s been the read the hieroglyphic markings on the houses, left there Parish line to the east, St. Claude Avenue to the south levee for 25 years since 1964. Same stuff happened: a by rescue workers to document the dates of their visits and the Industrial Canal to the west, which effectively lot of people lost their houses and their lives. It’s like and the fates of the inhabitants. A ‘’0’’ meant no bodies isolates the enclave from the rest of New Orleans. déjà vu,’’ Everage said, then added, ‘’There’s got to were found, and as Everage surveyed the houses, she Wrested from the wilds of a cypress swamp by be charges against somebody—federal government, breathed a sigh of relief at all the zeros she saw. poor African-Americans and immigrant laborers from state—somebody has got to be held accountable.’’ Then she came to a house where a single woman Ireland, Italy and Germany, the Ward was among the lived with her five small children. She looked at the last of the city’s neighborhoods to be developed. And “ ”

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