Jesse Jackson Leads Historic March Through Ninth Ward

Lighting The Road To Freedom Data Zone Page 8

Faces of Jazz Fest

“The People’s Paper” May 12, 2007 40th Year Volume 36 www.ladatanews.com

Jesse Jackson Leads Historic It was Marcha great Year! Through Ninth Ward

Newsmaker DATA NEWS WEEKLY Keeping Culture 41st Anniversary Issue in the Schools Coming June 9 Page 6 Don’t’ miss it Photos by Victor Holt

Page May 12, 2007 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com COVER STORY Jesse Jackson Leads Historic March Through Ninth Ward

By Edwin Buggage Photos by Glenn Summers

As the Crescent City filled with tourists during Jazzfest, and as festival goers enjoyed this spectacular spectacle, people from around the globe flooded the streets of the Crescent City creating the illusion that New Orleans is once again a vibrant and thriving place; but the sad reality is this is a far cry from the true picture of New Orleans which is much bleaker. In its entirety it is one where many New Orleanians are still suffering; nearly two years after the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina and the levee breach that washed away the lives they previously knew; citizens are still displaced and feeling the after effects of the devastation and are trying to put the pieces of their fragmented lives back together. It is a place where some the antiquated fa√ßade of splendor still exists, conversely much of it lies in ruins, where the cement blocks that were the foundation where houses once stood now resemble headstones as communities that were once filled with life are the graveyards of a city and neighborhoods with futures that are uncertain.

Continued page 4.

DATA News Weekly INSIDE DATA Mailing Address: PO Box 5033, Atlanta, GA 30302 | Phone: (504) 284-3840 | Fax: (504) 284-3758 editorial: [email protected] | advertising: [email protected] Editorial & Business Office: 170 Northside Drive, Suite 506, Atlanta, GA 30313 Cover Story ...... 2 Data Zone ...... 8 Terry B. Jones Contributors Contributing CEO/Publisher Avery Brewton Photographers Glenn Jones Edwin Buggage Rieco Robichaux Newsmaker ...... 6 Opinions ...... 10 VP Advertising Lloyd Dennis Glenn Summers & Marketing Jordan Flaherty DJ Slab1 Edwin Buggage Pastor Fred Luter , Jr. Editorial Submissions Editor-in-Chief State & Local News . 7 Commentary . . . . . 11 Willie Muhammad datanewseditor@ Cheryl Mainor bellsouth.net Joe M. Ricks, Jr. PhD Managing Editor Advertising Inquiries Art Direction Distribution datanewsad@ Trailblazer ...... 6 Glenn Jones & Production bellsouth.net MainorMedia Please call (504) 284-3840 for subscription information. Dated material two weeks in advance. Not responsible for publishing or return of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. “We have a better school and we have better things going on,

Schools are getting better in New Orleans. Just

ask Doris Hicks, the principal and CEO of Martin

Luther King Charter School.

“We don’t have discipline problems that we used

to have…We have teachers that are excited about

teaching and learning. We have students that are

very serious about their education.”

Th e autonomy that public charter schools provide

has changed her role as a principal for the better.

“I’m able now to sit with teachers and parents and

talk about our school and talk about strategically

where we want to be in the next ﬁ ve years.”

and I need to tell you, we are loving it.”

Public charter schools are just one way that

schools are getting better in New Orleans. Doris Hicks, Public Charter School Principal.

“Th rough my entire career, I’ve never had the opportunity that I’m having now.” Did You Know?

• Charter schools are public schools. Th ey are publicly funded, cannot charge tuition, and participate in Leap testing and the Louisiana’s School Accountability system.

This message is supported by New Schools for New Orleans. • 26 out of 31 charter schools in New Orleans have open admissions. If more students wish to attend than space allows, these schools must hold a lottery where any student has an equal chance of attending.

• In a charter school, decisions are made by people at the school who understand our children’s needs best.

NSNO07-02_DN_10.5x14_d.indd 1 5/4/07 9:58:32 AM Page May 12, 2007 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com COVER STORY

Cover Story, Continued from page 2.

The March resonated with the audience as questions how it can come back Rouge, but the main chunk of according to Jefferson the lowest The Rev. Jesse Jackson along if they were sermons. As the into commerce but not much is the money was spent right after part of the city is in the middle to with local and national leaders crowd echoed amen to many of being done about bringing people Katrina when no bid contracts upper middle class and heavily staged a march across the Judge the words spoken as they became home to the Lower Ninth Ward, were given to four contractors white populated Lakeview area William Seeber Bridge (Claiborne excited and galvanized by the “The Industrial Canal has been to the tune of 400 million dollars where questions about to build Avenue Bridge) on April 28th words of many of the speakers. important in assisting economic that came in and moved debris.” or not to rebuild are moot. “The 2007 to call attention the plight of Speaking to the question of the Lower Ninth Ward is a foot and the citizens of New Orleans most red tape and bureaucracy at a half below sea level, the lowest devastated area; the Lower Ninth the state level he says chiming part of town is Lakeview which is Ward where nearly two years in on the lack of success of four and one-half feet below sea have past since the levee washed the road home program and a level.” He says the technology is away their homes and it looks as lucrative contract awarded to there but does not know if at the it did days after the flood waters ICF International, “The state set federal level the will is there to receded. Jackson who vowed to up another bureaucracy where make an investment in the city continue the fight for displaced another contract was awarded to of New Orleans referencing the residents saying, “The people issue out checks to homeowners, sophisticated levee system in the of the lower nine must return, through a company with a contract Netherlands as a model of levee we will continue the fight and for 750 million dollars and so far protection for the Crescent City, we won’t surrender as long as only seven thousand people have “I went to the Netherlands, and 250,000 people are in exile across gotten checks out of one-hundred they are 15 feet below sea level this nation.” twenty thousand people that need sometimes 20 feet, the technology As several hundred protesters the money.” exists, but the will does not, took part in this historic march, While the Lower Ninth Ward there’s no reason why we should walking past houses that are still has become the symbol of the not rebuild this part of town or in a state of disrepair; today these devastation that took place in any neighborhood in the city.” neighborhoods resemble the New Orleans and questions skeletal remains of what was once about rebuilding in this area has a burgeoning bustling community, been the subject of many debates Lives Lost; To Rebuild Or marchers echoed the chants of Present National Urban Not To Rebuild? protest which were reminiscent League President and former Robert Green has been a of the days of the Civil Rights New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial tax accountant for 35 years Movement of the 1960’s chanting Spoke about the Louisiana Road and is a resident of the Lower in unison, “The people united Home debacle, “The Road Home Ninth Ward he has appeared will never be defeated.” As the Program has not worked; I on The Oprah Winfrey Show, procession stopped after crossing propose that the monies go from CNN, he has also told his the bridge the marchers gathered the federal government, not to story to the Washington Post around the monument dedicated the state or city, but directly to and USA Today and other to those who lost their lives during the people.” Continuing he spoke media outlets across the Hurricane Katrina pausing in a to the centuries old question of country. He has persevered moment of silence as trumpeter patronage and corruption that has through the trauma of Katrina Marlon Jordan played a song that been and eyesore to the city and and its aftermath, as he stands was a somber tribute to the lives state but not barring the federal outside one of his two trailers lost. Tears rolled down the faces of government out of his equation that stand on a lot where their many who were present including he said. “Instead of a government family home once stood. He is Charmaine Marchand who is the that works for the people we’ve one of few residents who have Louisiana State Representative of got a winding road, more winding returned to this devastated District 99 which includes both than the road to Damascus.” unpopulated area. He says he the Upper and Lower Ninth Ward. “We’ve got a winding road more has returned and is back to As her eyes welled with tears she crooked than the Mississippi, so stay, “I feel I wanted to come encouraged those who have the crooked that maybe the Good back, this is home, and I am means to rebuild to do so and Samaritan couldn’t help us along.” doing everything I can to help vowing that the Ninth Ward will “We have a winding road with too powers in this nation to enhance at the local, state, and national some of my neighbors come back.” be back, “We have a long struggle many ‘bureaucrats’, ‘sophisticrats,’ their revenues, and profits.” levels Louisiana Congressman He paints a very different picture to get back home, but it’s time ‘powercrats’ and ‘politcrats.” “Almost two years after Katrina Bill Jefferson feels every part of the Lower Ninth Ward which in to start rebuilding, and for those the Industrial Canal is back, but of the city should be rebuilt and his view was not as a place where who have the wherewithal please the people are not and there is fighting in the U.S. Congress poverty and social ills ran amuck, start the process.” Continuing The Economics Of Race, is a question of fairness, equal to get the monies the city needs but it was a community where she dispelled the misconceptions Class, And Cash treatment, and parity.” to rebuild and feels the money people were productive and the about lack of services in the area, As race and class has become The question of contracts and should come from the federal majority owned their homes. “We “It’s time to come back, we have intertwined with the slow pace the lack of minority participation government because he feels didn’t have the crime and drugs running water, electricity and of the recovery in some of the have been at the center of many they are responsible for the like other parts of the city, we had cable television we are ready for affected areas some speculate discussions about the recovery levee breach and should be held hard working people who got up you so don’t believe the hype.” that it is a power play by the effort, and secondarily have accountable. “I feel the federal and went to work everyday, we had As the march continued to its business elite of the city take over race, class and patronage or a government needs to fix what it some problems, but everybody final destination where a rally land in the Lower Ninth Ward combination of the three played a broke, we’re not asking please took care of themselves and would be staged and as many of and other parts of the city and part in why so much monies are help us we’re victims, what we’re looked out for each other in this the leaders spoke on a number use it for purposes where they being held up at the state level? saying you drowned our city, you neighborhood.” of issues that are slowing up the can benefit from an economic New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin drowned the Lower Ninth Ward Prior to the storm Green’s recovery process they did so with windfall that may be forthcoming. said in his speech when asked you fix it.” He questions why the family sought refuge at the much fervor and compassion Former New Orleans Mayor about where much of the money Lower Ninth Ward should not Superdome but were turned in their voices, the atmosphere Marc Morial in his speech spoke that has been allocated to the city be rebuilt when it actually is not away and told to come back later became almost church like about the importance of the since the storm he said, “Much of the in the lowest part of the city; in the evening an area that was as their pleas and demands Industrial Canal to industry and the money is still tied up in Baton contrary to what some believe dedicated to people with special Continued on page14. ” “I can start to live again.

“I never left the city before Katrina but they kept saying, ‘It’s the big one, it’s the big one!’ As it turned out, my house was underwater for about three weeks. I had to throw away just about

everything. I’m glad that Frankie from New Orleans now I can start to live again.”

What The Road Home’s Advisory For details on The Road Home program Services Can Do For You and to sign up for updates:

The Road Home is now offering Advisory Services to Contact us by phone: assist homeowners who are rebuilding, relocating or 1.888.ROAD.2.LA (1.888.762.3252) still trying to decide. Homeowners may now call to TTY: use 711 relay schedule an appointment with a member of The Road or 1.800.846.5277 Home Advisory Services Team to receive information on a number of topics, including: Visit: • Road Home Application Assistance www.road2LA.org • Beneﬁ ts Information Write: • Homeowner Application Status Updates The Road Home Program • Rebuilding Assistance PO Box 4549 • Access to the Professional Rebuilding Registry Baton Rouge, LA 70821 • Assistance for Individuals with Special Needs • Information on Louisiana Recovery Process

Program Sponsored by:

Program Funded by: U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development

ICFE07-04MM LaWkl 8.278x15.indd 1 4/17/07 1:41:02 PM Page May 12, 2007 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com NEWSMAKER Keeping Culture in the Schools

Story and Photo by: Avery Community organizations such Brewton as Kids with Culture are vital to NEW ORLEANS, LA--Arijanae the recovery efforts throughout Lewis, Leslie Willis, Ronell the city because they challenge Cummings, Alleah Estrada young adults to be creative in and Jade Randall have not yet integrating their talents, education matriculated through high school, and dreams in a practical way. yet they have already defined their April Brooks and Leslie Smith life goals and have a clear vision of did it. April has become a sought their dreams. They aspire to join after songwriter for local artists New Orleans’ rich legacy of music and Leslie is in her third year in as a successful rhythm and blues college on a vocal scholarship. singing powerhouse. After representing New Orleans These future leaders attend O. at the 38th Annual NAACP Image Perry Walker High School, and are Awards in Los Angeles in March being nurtured through Kids with 2007, Black Entertainment Culture, a nonprofit organization Television has invited Kids with created by their drama and arts Culture to attend the 2007 BET teacher, Ateja Lewis. Since its AWARDS on June 26, 2007. “Our inception in 2003, Kids with representation at the NAACP Culture has been dedicated to Awards enabled us to network “encouraging youth to explore with other youth from various their true potential through parts of the country. Our main training in the field of fine arts.” focus for this trip is to take care Under Lewis’s tutelage, students of the kids, and make sure they emerge from the program Kids With Culture and Grey’s Anatomy Star Isaiah Washington at NAACP Image Awards. have a good time. The trip will be equipped with the necessary skills video resume, professional demo New Orleans and conducted 27, 2007. The show was sold out. a perfect opportunity to meet with and tools to succeed in the arts. CD’s, and their original material interviews with major artists Tamika Veal, who played Tammy, people who could be influential “Most alumnae of the program (music, songs, plays) copyrighted like Anthony Hamilton and teen one of the brides, remembers in jump starting their careers.” go forward in the arts, and they and secure.” says Lewis, “They sensation, Pretty Ricky.” The rehearsing for the play and According to Lewis, “The impact graduate from the program with have published articles discussing students also have experience opening night. “At first we had a of mingling with accomplished a polished portfolio that includes the issues pertinent to teens in in developing major community lot of trouble. Everyone wanted actors and actresses would do highly marketable tools such as a events that unite students from to be the lead. Then Brandon told wonders for the girls. Seeing such schools citywide. “We work hard us we had to be a theater family, positive role models who’ve ‘made to engage the students by utilizing and everyone came together.” it’ gives the girls something to their natural talents and providing In contrast to the usual image of work toward.” Lewis estimates a Plaza Medical them with exposure to things urban high school students always $5000 dollar price-tag for the trip, based on their interests.” Lewis fighting with each other, the and is rallying the community Center, Ltd works tirelessly in conjunction students were able to recruit on to put their money where their with many community leaders and offstage talent to support the mouth is and invest in the good and businesses to provide unique production through partnering works of these young women. and beneficial opportunities to with students from Karr and To raise the funds and Don’t Let your her students. Rabouin high schools to help awareness, Kids with Culture will For example, Brandon Woodrin Brandon achieve his goal. Woodin be hosting a major benefit show Health Get Worse a 19 year old playwright is a 2006 has produced The Wedding three on June 2, 2007 at Ray’s Room, O. Perry Walker High School times throughout New Orleans, 508 Frenchman Street, to offset the increase in airfare and lodging Danger Signals graduate and KC stalwart, has and he says his goals are set on the drive that we seldom see taking The Wedding national costs for four students and two Headaches Work Injuries and should rightly champion, with its first stop being Atlanta, chaperones traveling with them. Neck Pain Chiropractic Care Local A-list artists are scheduled Pinched-Nerves Nutritional has produced a written, directed Georgia. and produced a full-length play, Through events, awareness to perform in the name of Back Pain Counseling collective work and responsibility. Numbness\ The Wedding. It’s about young campaigns, and fundraisers the Artists include Kermit Ruffins, Whiplash Fell Better- love. The play tells the stories students have consistently raised Low Back Pain Get Relief of two young couples facing the over $10,000 annually to fund r&b group-Legit, and Cupid, the FREE challenges of some very adult their ideas and projects. Kids with voice behind the shuffle craze Family Practice Consultation problems in their relationships Culture’s accomplishments over that’s sweeping the nation. Automobile before going to the altar. By the the last four years are a testament Our children are going places Accidents and it’s our job to ensure a Dr.Fritz G. Fidele, DC end the four young lovers have to what children are able to reconcile and have their double accomplish with the support and meaningful journey. Support the wedding. The Wedding casts encouragement of parents, and a movement to keep culture in the 504-324-6416 some of the best New Orleans supportive school administration. schools. Bring ‘The Wedding’ Free Consultation Public School theatrical talent. Guest speakers, workshops, and to your schools and community Kids With Culture partnered citywide talent shows, all have the establishments. Invest in Kids with Ashe Cultural Arts Center power to foster a rich imagination, with Culture. To learn more about Plaza Medical Center, Ltd in the central city district to creativity, and resourcefulness Kids with Culture, the students, 4301 Elyslan Fields Ave., Suite 103, New Orleans, LA 70122 produce the play. “They really that helps children to preserve and upcoming events please www.plazamc.com • [email protected] believed in the project and came their much needed childhood contact atejadionnelewis@yahoo. on as co-producers,” Mrs. Lewis while being able to process deep com. Se Habla Español • Most Insurance Accepted including Medicare says. Opening night was January emotional and life issues. www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly May 12, 2007 Page STATE & LOCAL NEWS Justice in Jena

By Jordan Flaherty a Black student was assaulted by rights struggles. The Deacons well as allies from other northern he was not shot, nothing was Speaking to a crowd of a group of white students, and went on to form 21 chapters in and central Louisiana towns, and broken. There is no evidence of demonstrators in front of a rural a white graduate of Jena High rural Louisiana, Mississippi, and representatives from the ACLU, conspiracy to commit attempted Louisiana courthouse last week, School threatened several Black Alabama. NAACP, and National Action murder. You talk about conspiracy Alan Bean, a Baptist minister from students with a shotgun. The Outrageous violations still occur Network. to attempt second-degree murder, the Texas panhandle, inveighed following Monday, white students in many of these towns. A few Many parents questioned why you think about the mafia, you against injustice. “The highest taunted the Black student who months ago, Gerald Washington the noose and other threatening think somebody paid a sniper or crime in the Old Testament,” was assaulted over the weekend, of Westlake, Louisiana was shot actions were not taken seriously something. We’re talking about a he declared, “is to withhold due and one of the white students was three days before he was to by the school administration. high school fistfight. The DA is process from poor people, to beaten up. Within hours, six Black become the town’s first Black “What’s the difference,” asks showing his racist upbringing, his manipulate the criminal justice students were arrested. “I think mayor. Less than two weeks after Marcus Jones, the father of racist acts and his racist nature, system to the advantage of the the district attorney is pinning it that, shots were fired into the Mychal Bell, one of the students, and bringing it into the law.” powerful, against the poor and on us to make an example of us,” house of another Black mayor, in about the disparity in the charges. For three of the youth, Robert the powerless.” said Purvis. “In Jena, people get Greenwood Louisiana. Jena itself “There’s a color difference. There Bailey, Theo Shaw and Mychal Bean was speaking at a rally accused of things they didn’t do is a mostly segregated community was white kids that hung up a Bell, their trial starts May 21. I organized by residents of Jena, a lot.” Soon after, their parents that was also the site of the Jena noose, but it was black kids in the asked Bryant Purvis how this has Louisiana. In the space of a few discovered that these students Juvenile Correctional Center for fight.” Sentencing disparity is a affected him. “One of my goals in weeks, more than 150 of this were facing attempted murder Youth, a legendarily brutal prison big issue in many of these small life is to go to college, and not to small town’s residents have charges. “The courtroom, the that was shut down in 2000. towns, where many see it as the go to jail, and that changed me organized an inspiring grassroots whole back side, was filled with Jena residents formed their own modern continuation of the ugly right there,” he tells me. “That struggle against injustice. The police officers,” Tina Jones, defense committee, without the southern heritage of lynching. crushed me, to be in a jail cell.” demonstrations began when Bryant’s mother, recalls. “I guess support of national organizations. Jones explains a litany of When asked how her life six Black students at Jena High they thought maybe when they They have been holding weekly reasons why the children should has changed, Purvis’ mother School were arrested after a announced what the charges protests and organizing meetings not be charged with attempted described the sadness of having fight at school and charged with were, we were gonna go berserk that have attracted allies from murder. “The kid did not have her son taken away from her conspiracy to attempt second- or something.” near and far. A gathering last life threatening injuries, he was without warning. “You wake up degree murder. The students At last week’s demonstration, week was attended by Bean, as not cut, he was not stabbed, in the morning and your son is now face up to 100 years in prison family members and allies spoke without parole; in a case that King about the issues at the center of Downing, National Coordinator the case. “I don’t know how the DA of the ACLU’s Campaign Against or the court system gets involved Racial Profiling, has said “carries in a school fight,” said Jones. “But the scent of injustice.” Local I’m not surprised ? there’s a lot of activists say that this wave of racism in Jena. A white person will problems started last September get probation, and a black person when Black high school students is liable to get 15 to 20 years for asked for permission to sit under the same crime.” a tree at an area of the high school Alan Bean, director of an that had, traditionally, been used organization called Friends of Summer Session only by white students. The next Justice, began his activism in day, three nooses were hanging response to a string of false from the tree. arrests in 1999 in Tulia, Texas, 2007 The following week, Black where he lives. Since then, he has students staged a protest under dedicated himself to supporting the tree. At a school assembly community organizing around soon after, Jena district attorney cases of criminal justice abuse in Reed Walters, appearing with rural Texas and Louisiana. Small local police officers, warned Black towns like Jena ? which has a Register May 29th - 30th students against further unrest. population of 2,500, and is 85 “I can make your lives disappear percent white - are often left out of Classes begin May 31st with a stroke of my pen,” he the organizing support, attention, threatened. According to many and funding that struggles in in Jena, tensions simmered in the metropolitan areas receive. town over the fall, occasionally This disparity was not always the Apply for financial assistance and admission to the exploding into fights and other case. Rural southern towns were incidents. No white students the frontlines of the 60s civil rights college in person at any of Delgado’s many locations, were charged or punished for movement. Groups like CORE any of these incidents, including (Congress of Racial Equality) or online at www.dcc.edu the students found to have been and SNCC (Student Nonviolent responsible for hanging the Coordinating Committee) were nooses. Bryant Purvis, one of active throughout the rural south. All locations are open the Black students now facing And these rural towns have been charges, explained to me that, important sites of homegrown City Park West Bank Charity School of Nursing after the incident, “there were a resistance. In 1964, in Jonesboro 504-483-4410 504-361-6444 504-568-6484 lot of people aggravated about it, Louisiana, just north of Jena, a a lot of fights at the school after group of Black veterans of the US Northshore-Covington Northshore-Slidell that, a lot of arguments, a lot of military formed the Deacons for 985-893-6286 or 985-646-6420 or people getting treated differently.” Defense, an armed self-defense In the first weekend of December, organization, in support of civil 504-568-2167 504-568-4711 Page May 12, 2007 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com DATA ZONE Faces of New Orleans: Jazzfest 2007 A Celebration of Family, Friends, and Fun

Words by Edwin Buggage | Photos by Edwin Buggage and Kichea Burt

Allen Toussaint Joss Stone

John Legend People from all over globe came to experience the extravaganza that is the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, as the sun beamed brightly, sunglasses, and umbrellas were everywhere as crowds gathered to hear the music, experience the food, art and culture in America’s most interesting city. This year’s fest for some was very special and significant as it served as a homecoming and meeting place for many New Orleanians who trekked back to the Big Easy from cities across the country to be re-united with friends, family and loved ones in a show of love and an undying spirit of unity; these are the faces of New Orleans.

Stephen Marley

Myles Colly and brothers Dwaynes LaGrange and Ray Cooper having fun in the sun.

New Orleans artist Lionel Milton and his works of art influenced by the Crescent City. www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly March 10, 2007 Page DATA ZONE

Houston’s Anissa Jones with New Orleans native Eric Peters traveled from Houston Texas experiencing a day at the fest. Girlfriends 504 Style: Tija Denson, Keva Dejean, Danielle Keith Morris and a man whose plate is always full, businessman Burtrain, Candi Nash, and the Queen of New Orleans Bounce and former New Orleans City Councilman Troy Carter. Music Ms. Tee Enjoy a Little ‘Primpin’ and Pamperin’ at “The Salon”

It’s a Hairraiser! Calhoun (The Best Man, Players’ Club), and veteran funnyman and New Orleans native by Malika Saoud comedienne Kym Whitley (Next Friday). Garrett Morris(Percy) who is best known “The Salon”, following the footsteps of a The film is chock-full of humorous, poignant, for his work on Saturday Night Live and The trichotillomania (hair crazy) genre such as and touching moments is a classic underdog Jamie Foxx Show, Shampoo, Hair, Barber Shop 1 and 2, Beauty tale set in an urban Baltimore (pronounced and newcomer Shop etc. stars an ever youthful-looking and Bal’more by natives) community.It consists of De’Angelo Wilson toned Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day, Kill Bill a true ensemble cast in that each character (D.D.) who provide Vol. 1 and 2), latest Hollywood fave Terrence equally and elegantly shares screen time. side-splitting and Vivica Fox stars as entrepreneurial Jenny, a wickedly humorous witty, endearing, quick tongued single mother comic relief! who single handedly and relentlessly battles “The Salon, albeit the ruthless real-estate establishment when its familiar theme, she is forcedto sell her salon to the Department does deliver! (Also of Water and Power, despite the legal advice Note: a plot twist she receives from (Henson), who is “tapped” and a love tryst) to play attorney. Steadfast in her struggle and So let your hair conviction, she carries her case to court. down, Sweat your Shedding light on positive images in the weaves out with African-American community and milieu, “The laughter and make Salon” illuminates common thread themes an “appointment” and seamlessly inter”weaves” elements of to see “The Salon”. comradery, humor, race relations, gentrification, It’s a “top pick” that Howard (Crash, Hustle and Flow), famed deceit, materialism and motherhood along with won’t disappoint. hip-hop choreographer turned actor Darrin the expected barbershop banter. Henson (Soulfood the TV series), Monica Look for breakout performances from

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#1 – Data News Weekly – 5/19 Page 10 May 12, 2007 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com OPINION IN THE SPIRIT

The Silverback A Discussion About Life new ones that we could open up! In like Gaspard raised eight children and that all manner if God told some of us we would the children, grandchildren, great grands live until we were 75 years old, many of and great great grandchildren were on the would live any kind of worldly, sinful life path that he taught us all simply because until we were 74 years and six months... he so loved my grandmother and his and then we would humbly ask Jesus to children and did whatever it took to make come into our life! Therefore this is sure they were all right and had the things question about life that God will not give us the answer to. However as children they needed. of God, He expects His children to take They learned how as PaPa sat in that life one day at a time! chair, all the men who came by made sure The Love Dr. to shake his hand, all the women came by Pastor Fred Luter, Jr. The Reality About Life Data Columnist and kissed him or brought him his dinner, Data Columnist In verse five David really answers and one of us went got his soda or beer. It his own question from verse four by was like everyone knew how much they realizing that life on earth is so brief. got from him, how their lives were all right David compares life to vapor, which because he had worked so hard and took Psalm 39:4-7(NKJV) you see but for a moment and then it This morning I spoke to the young such good care of them and their mother. Have you ever had one of those weeks goes away. In other words life on earth men at McDonough 35 High School. I am I watched as even my father, who was not when you thought, “What is this world is temporary; we are not here to stay. coming to?” “What is going on in this always grateful to have an opportunity to his child gave him the same respect and Our eyes get dim, our hair falls out, we society”? “What is wrong with mankind?” talk to young men and this was a special loved him just as much, I guess because need a cane to help us walk and some of “Is there anyplace that is safe?” treat because, as I told the few hundred PaPa had raised his wife, my mother. us need pacemakers to help our heart I am sure that thought and those beat. It doesn’t matter if a person dies young men who were assembled in the They learned how, when Eugene died questions cross the mind of many of us as gymnasium, McDonough 35 is sacred the church couldn’t fit all the people, and in their teens or in their eighties, to the we witnessed some sad and tragic events family left behind it is always too soon. ground to me because my father was a how folk I never knew about and had last week, particularly in places that you graduate of that institution which prepared never met came by to tell me all that my would consider safe. The Risks Of Life so many outstanding and influential citizens PaPa had been in their lives. It seem that • You would think that your home is In verse six David points out the for this city. Eugene was a “silverback” for nieces, safe, but in Illinois a cousin sets fire to fact that life is like a shadow that I brought them a message about who and nephews, and neighbors and anyone his relatives’ home and five people are can disappear at any moment if they were to be, for I have long concluded who needed him, but PaPa was always killed. certain circumstance change. And that when you see a person who’s life is doing stuff for people. We grand children • You would think that your workplace is those circumstances are the risks of not making sense, it is usually because learned early that if you couldn’t get your safe, but in Houston a disgruntled NASA life. We take risks everyday in life. they have no sense of purpose. If you parents to take you somewhere, you could employee shoots and kills his supervisor Driving on the I-10, driving in certain don’t know where you are going, any path call PaPa and it was on. because of a bad evaluation. neighborhoods in our city at night, will do‚Ä¶ for the moment. So I told these They learned that he didn’t need a • You think that your school is safe, but flying on an airplane, and hanging with young men that for most of them one of funeral t-shirt because there were sixty a fellow student kills 33 students, with the wrong crowd are things that cause their main purposes should be to become eight of us and we all had something in us over 30 others wounded at Virginia Tech risk in life. David even suggests in the respected leader of their own clan, as that looked like him. University. this verse that all we accomplish in life was my grandfather, Eugene Gaspard. And that brings me back to that male • You would think that you are safe with is vain. In other words because life is They were to become men that all the ego thing. PaPa’s ego was filled with us all, your family, but in St. Tammany parish so brief, we may make money but not younger men, women and children in their he was interested in everything we did, and a husband shoots his estranged wife and guaranteed to spend it. We may buy families would respect, depend on, cherish while he never bragged about us around then shoots two of his three children, a house but not guaranteed to enjoy killing the wife and his son. and honor. They were to see themselves as us, every time we did anything worthwhile it. We may start a business but not Have you ever look at life and said, future “silverbacks”, wizened alpha males you could just see how good he felt about guaranteed to see it grow. And it’s all “How much longer”? “How much more”? because life is a risk. who protect, provide for and preserve all himself and his life and his family. Who “When will it all stop”? “Is there any hope I know this discussion about life who come from them. he was and how he felt about himself was for mankind in this life”? seems dim, dismal, and discouraging, That must be why God gave men such obvious that day when, as a teenager and Well that is the same questions that however we can’t stop reading at verse huge egos, for our egos can be used to the first born in my generation I saw the David is having in this text. David is in a six we must go to verse seven. drive us to do whatever it takes to earn the “silverback”, the only white haired man in discussion with God about life! David is Before you throw in the towel, give respect of those who depend on us to make the house, being loved and respected by obviously looking at the times around him up on life, think that all is lost, you must their lives safe, peaceful and prosperous. everyone who came. and in essence is saying, “Lord I need some read verse seven! Another way I like to put if for young people Is it any wonder that my developing answers”. “I’m confused, I’m troubled, I’m is, “Every man wants to be a big dog.” male ego demanded no less for me? That disturbed, I don’t understand life.” The Reason For Life Every man wants to be respected, and its the image of a silverback getting his If we are honest with ourselves many of In verse seven David is saying Lord I those huge egos, we carry that can drive us “props” drives me. To be the same for us could identify with David. Because there know how frail I am. I know my days are to do the things that earn that respect. my seed, and their seed is God’s rightful are times in your life when you experience numbered. I know my life is life a vapor. What’s funny is that I doubt that many purpose for my huge male ego. So this things where nobody can help you but I know that someone else may live in of the young men will remember my name, morning I was a “silverback” teaching God! Not your horoscope, not the physic my house, drive my car, and continue but they will remember Eugene Gaspard about the silverback that inspired me, line, not Dear Abby, not Dr. Phil, and not my business, HOWEVER Lord life is because he was the “silverback” that simply because he decided to be a better even your prayer partner. You need to talk worth living because MY HOPE IS IN made me possible, and I spoke his name man than his father. directly to God. So David in our text has a YOU! six times, and the young men respected it And then I looked over my audience of discussion with God about life. Not in the mayor but in the Messiah! Not in the governor but in God! every time, because I praised him for being powerful young spirits whose eyes I could The Request About Life Not in congress but in Christ! the extraordinary man who set his entire feel examining every inch of who I was , In verse four David in essence asks, Not is the senate but in an all clan on the path where all the little boys but looking at an elder, like an elder and I “Lord how long do I have to live”? With sufficient Savior! and all the little girls had two parents and felt the honor and it felt good (thank You all that is going on in this world, it would I know there is anxiety about what’s knew how to be good for their families. Lord), and I asked, “Are You The One?” help me to know when my time is up. Now happening in this world but we have a They learned that Eugene, this man who They nodded and I left. as much as all of us would like the answer reason for living because our faith, our was so loved and respected by their speaker Thanks Wizzer!, You and the entire to that question, the Bible says it is not for trust, our confidence, and our HOPE IS had been a little boy who didn’t know his staff of McDonough 35 deserve “props” us to know. Only God knows that. And the IN GOD! father, and that even his mother didn’t for the job I witnessed you doing for the reasons are obvious. If God told some of Pastor Fred Luter, Jr. is Pastor of treat him right. They learned that Eugene jewels of this nation. us we only had six months to live we would Franklin Avenue Baptist Church max out EVERY credit we have and any www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly May 12, 2007 Page 11 COMMENTARY A Question About Violence?

this idea is that it shows how violence. Scholarship, without little we understand the issue political agendas, can go a long for it is complex and solutions way in helping us understand are not simple. Violence acceptable and unacceptable has been a part of human violent behavior. It can behavior since its beginning, help us understand in what and the belief that all violence contexts violent behavior is Joe M. Ricks Jr. Ph.D. is unacceptable goes against likely to reduce or increase Data Columnist human history and is simply violence overall. It could also wrong. For example, violence provide a great deal of help to in self-defense is almost always policy makers and parents by As the recent tragedy at acceptable. Over the centuries, providing a comprehensive Virginia Tech holds the nations many forms of entertainment vocabulary for discussions attention, it brings to mind (plays, books, movies, and regarding violence. how African-Americans must sports) contain violence. We must demand serious do a better job of focusing the Religious leaders, Christians attention to violence by policy attention of the nation and particularly, suggesting of makers, and be ready to do more importantly, on our own the elimination of violence our part in reducing violence, to the epidemic of violence is somewhat baffling. All particularly criminal violence. plaguing our communities. Christian doctrine teaches Our part may consist of The Virginia Tech story humans were created in God’s participation in a criminal will continue to attract and image or likeness. Just a activity reduction program maintain attention because cursory reading of scripture like neighborhood watch, or it of its historical significance; or paying attention in church could mean supporting tough for this type of event is rare shows clearly that prophets of anti-violent crime initiatives. therefore shocking to the the Old Testament saw God’s We can no longer make public at large. Conversely, the glory in violence, especially poverty an excuse for violent violence in our communities war. Also, God himself acted and criminal behavior. The has become so commonplace violently on multiple occasions fact is that the vast majority that it is perceived as the norm, (Sodom & Gomorrah; the of poor people are non-violent and normal does not attract flood; war). Although these law abiding citizens. Brothers and maintain the mainstream actions were never against a and sisters on the left have to media’s attention. But it is human, scripture records show realize that social programs painfully obvious that the level two occasions where Jesus alone are not going to stem the of violence in our communities acted out violently. The first violence in our communities is unacceptable. This leads was when he cursed a fig tree and all punishment is not bad to the question, what is an and it died. The second was at and unnecessary, and those on acceptable level of violence? the Temple when he went on the right are going to have to This key question seems to a rampage because priest and realize that punishment alone be missing from any discussion traders were using the Temple is not sufficient. regarding violence, and if we’re as a center for economic gain. To significantly reduce ever going to understand Seeing the focus on and the unacceptable violence in violence this question must be displays of material wealth in the our community it is going addressed. The notion that all Black Church today, it is ironic to require a cultural change violence is unacceptable seems that this type of activity caused that must be reinforced in our to have two sources. First it Jesus’ most violent behavior, but homes. Do you know the level appears to be consequence that’s another topic for another of violent content in the games of the Civil Rights Movement day. The bottom line is that if your children play, the music with Dr. King’s call for non- we are created in the image of they listen to, or the television violent civil disobedience, and God, and God exhibits violent they watch? More importantly, the second source is the black behavior, how is it possible that have you had a conversation church. violent behavior is not a part of with your child to see how Dr. King and Gandhi showed human nature? well he or she understands the effectiveness of non-violent The problem with ignoring the violent images they see civil disobedience to facilitate the concept of acceptable and hear? These questions political change; however violence is that it prevents us are vital, because when it neither of these movements from understanding violent comes to violence, scholars eliminated violence from behavior enough to identify can understand it, government their respective societies. In realistic strategies to reduce can reduce it, but only we as fact, there is no evidence that the levels of unacceptable individuals, can control it. violence was even reduced violence. I’m suggesting that Dr. Ricks is an Associate Professor at Xavier University and Associate in the United States or India there needs to be a serious Chair in the Department of Business during these times. I feel it is a conversation regarding violence for comments he can be reached at [email protected] mistake to interpret the call for on three levels, scholarly to non-violent civil disobedience understand violence, in public as a call for the elimination of policy to reduce violence, violence. The problem with and in households to control Page 12 May 12, 2007 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com STATE & LOCAL NEWS New Orleans morns “Day of Accountability” to Bring Thousands to Louisiana Capital the loss of veteran Renters Rights, Voter Rights to Head Agenda as Advocacy clarinetist Alvin Batiste Group Pushes to Remove Government Obstacles to Louisiana’s Recovery

NEW ORLEANS -- New friend of Ed Blackwell and he Calling on Louisiana citizens victims just as much as property absentee voter involvement in Orleans morns the loss of spent time in Los Angeles in 1956 near and far to make their voices owners, but many are struggling the upcoming October election. veteran clarinetist Alvin Batiste playing with Ornette Coleman. heard, the Louisiana Diaspora just as much as property owners Her House Bill No. 619 has been who passed away in his sleep However, Batiste chose the life of Advocacy Project (LA DAP) is if not more because they have approved by a House Committee early Sunday morning, May 6, an educator in Louisiana where staging a “Day of Accountability” nothing to rebuild with. And, and could be voted on the floor 2007. Batiste was scheduled to he taught music at Southern at the state capital on May 15, those few who have been able to soon. LA DAP Organizer, Bill perform at the New Orleans Jazz University in Baton Rouge where 2007. In addition to Katrina and return to their parishes have been Rouselle, urges citizens to begin & Heritage Festival later that day. her created the Batiste Jazz Rita evacuees who have already confronted with inflated rents and writing and calling legislators to His most current CD; Marsalis Institute and currently at the returned to their south Louisiana flat wages.” support passage of the bill. “We Music Honors Alvin Batiste is New Orleans Center for Creative homes, displaced citizens from as LA DAP is pushing the state must have a voice in the future of with Bradford Marsilas and other Arts (NOCCA) where served as near as Baton Rouge trailer parks of Louisiana for a Renters’ our communities. Securing voting notable Jazz musicians. It also lead teacher in jazz instrumental and as far as Dallas and Atlanta Resettlement Package for victims rights for evacuated Louisiana includes a reading by wife, Mrs. music. will be on hand to speak to their of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. citizens is critical.” Edith Chatters Batiste. Batiste recorded with the state legislators about bills that The package would include a Citizens interested in Several well known musicians AFO (“all for one”) quintet in will make it easier for people to number of options depending participating in the May 15th Day studied under Alvin Batiste while New Orleans, performed with come home. on the circumstances of each of Accountability can call (504) at Southern University. They Cannonball Adderley, and toured While LA DAP has identified individual or family. Among the 592-1800 for more information. include Randy Jackson (American with Ray Charles in 1958, but numerous issues that remain items in the proposed package: Travel to the state capital is Idol), his brother Herman, was an obscure legend until he obstacles to returning • Financial assistance available from a variety of Brandford Marsalis, Donald made three albums with Clarinet home, including education, for moving expenses back to locations. In addition, individuals Harrison, Henry Butler, Kent Summit in the 1980s (a quartet transportation, economic Louisiana who cannot participate but wish Jordan, Micheal Ward, Herlin also including John Carter, David opportunities, and health care, • Compensation for real to register their support can do so Riley, Charlie Singleton (Cameo), Murray, and Jimmy Hamilton). three priority issues will head the property losses on-line at www.nola.tv. Woodie Douglas (Spirit) and Batiste recorded an album, Day of Accountability agenda: • Various forms of rental The Louisiana May 15th Day others. Bayou Magic, in 1988 as a leader renters’ rights, voters’ rights, and assistance until rental rates in the of Accountability is supported by His Columbia album billed for India Navigation and made early childhood education. region return to pre-storm levels a wide variety of organizations, him as a “Legendary Pioneer of the 1993 Columbia album Late. “Whether they plan to return • Homeowner assistance churches and businesses, Jazz.” Alvin Batiste is an avant- Songs, Words and Messages, to south Louisiana or to make a for previous renters who wish to including The People’s Institute garde player who does not fit Connections appeared in 1999, new life somewhere else, renters become first-time buyers for Survival and Beyond (New easily into any classification. followed by Marsalis Music remain largely uncompensated Equally important according Orleans and Atlanta), Children’s Under-recorded throughout his Honors Alvin Batiste in 2007. for their hurricane losses,” to Lloyd Dennis, another LA DAP Defense Fund (Houston and New career, Batiste was a childhood commented Barbara Major, a organizer, is voters’ rights. “The Orleans), St. Luke’s Home Coming LA DAP organizer. “They are people of Louisiana must have Center, PolicyLink, Orleans a voice in the recovery of their Disabled Citizens, Jefferson home, even if they have not yet Disabled Citizens, New Orleans been able to return. The only Council on Aging, CBNO/MAC, way to ensure this is to guarantee Louisiana NAACP, Metro Source, their right to vote from outside Project Exodus (Dallas, TX), their home parishes for the next Social Engagement Motivating Auto Accident Injury? five years. A Louisiana resident Empowerment and Justice who signs up for a five-year (SEMEAJ), Louisiana Community n accident can destroy your life and your family’s life, but it military tour of duty has the right Reinvestment Coalition, The A to vote in local and state elections Praxis Project, Moving Forward doesn’t have to. I have helped hundreds of people get the no matter where he or she is Gulf Coast, Inc., Environmentally compensation they deserve. With my help, you can get on with stationed. Displaced citizens One (1), One Torch, NOLA.TV, who left involuntarily because of Katrina Information Network your life and protect your family. the hurricanes could easily be (KIN), Louisiana Advocacy extended this right.” Center, Dennis Enterprises and Don’t be concerned with the cost. I will discuss your case with Representative Jalilah Jefferson Bright Moments, Inc. you for FREE. You won’t owe me anything until I get a has proposed legislation to extend the outreach effort to ensure settlement YOU approve. If you’ve been in an accident, call me immediately – it could be the most important call you’ll ever make. 1-800-858-4549 George W. Healy, IV (Toll Free) Attorney at Law Free background information available on request. Shaquanda Cotton, Continued from page 7.

www.ladatanews.com New Orleans Data News Weekly May 12, 2007 Page 13 STATE & LOCAL NEWS

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W06-251A_DNW_6.375X11.67 1 4/11/07 11:21:52 AM Page 14 May 12, 2007 New Orleans Data News Weekly www.ladatanews.com COVER STORY

Cover Story, Continued from page 4.

needs because his ailing mother Green also lost his mother become as some proposed green march could have done more it ever be a place again where Joyce Hilda Green who served Joyce Hilda Green, recounting space, or will it become a vibrant than just provide lip service and the sacred marries the secular 25 years in the military and put the tragedy he says, “As we were community once again? Stephen promises. “I thought the Rainbow in this strange historical dance five children through college trying to help my mother off the Bradberry, who is the Head Coalition instead of collecting that is life in New Orleans? New suffered from Parkinson’s crumbling roof, she began to Organizer for ACORN’s New money today could have made a Orleans City Councilperson Disease and a heart condition. shake because of her Parkinson’s Orleans Branch says he is glad huger impact if they could help Cynthia Willard-Lewis who So they went back to their family and fell into the water, we pulled Rev. Jackson called the march build one house or several for that spoke at the march thinks the house to weather the storm. As her up the first time she was still and people came out to support matter; if they did something like city will come back and that the the rain came and the water rose alive, and the second time she it, but feels that the solution does that more families would be back Lower Ninth Ward is a sacred Green and his brother kicked was still blowing bubbles, but by not lie within Rev. Jackson or today.” He feels that by moving place worth preserving for through the roof of their home, the third time she had stopped any of the Civil Rights or elected back into his community and future generations. “The Lower while doing so he fell through the breathing, but we resuscitated leaders who were present, but rebuilding his home that he can Ninth Ward is sacred because sheetrock pricking his hand on a her and she was alive during the that it’s up to the people and their be a symbol of hope for residents of the lives lost, because of the rusted nail where upon arrival to hurricane, but after it was over will, which will determine their of the Lower Ninth Ward. “I will families broke.” “We stand today Tennessee doctors considered she died. I told the Red Cross, return. “I’m glad they came out not wait for the government I am to say a new dream is rising up amputation. During the storm FEMA, and the New Orleans for this march, but whether they going to build my house with to resurrection glory, and it will Green and his family braved Police where her body was come out or not is not the main my own money and with the move this neighborhood from these grave circumstances on located, and we came back on issue, the issue is how closer are help of my friends in Northfield the tomb, to the mountaintop.” top of their roof, but suddenly it Dec. 29th 2006 and her body was people to getting the things they Minnesota where I went college began to collapse. As the house still there.” need to get back to the city.” “And who are both black and white.” roof crumbled beneath them the if and when they get those things The Lower Ninth Ward and family held on for dear life one the question becomes will they its residents as is many New of his granddaughters who was The Future have the desire after all they’ve Orleanians are at a crossroads four and had never swam went While the march placed the been through to return.” in a city where people are trying into the water to save her three spotlight on the plight of the Robert Green thought the to make sense of what the future year old sister, but it was too late people of the Ninth Ward, what march was a good idea, but felt will bring; will it be a place where little Shanai Green was washed will become of their community the Rainbow Coalition and the prosperity will be abundant, or away. in the days to come? Will it leaders who were part of the will it sank into the abyss, or will Celebrate with Data 41st Annual Anniversary Issue June 9, 2007 Reserve your advertising space today

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