Chicago Defender back issues from June 2008:
Elementary school teacher shot and killed
Jun 04, 2008; ... The murder of Dixon Elementary School teacher Erika Prince may have been a case of mistaken identity, Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond said. Prince was sitting in her cranberry Dodge Charger in the 8700 block of South Euclid when she was shot in the head. She had double ...
Africans seek to be recognized as an immigrant group
Jun 04, 2008; ... From the outside, parking garage attendant Kobina Azhir looks like an American-born Black man. But Azhir, a Ghanaian seaman who came to the city 22 years ago, is one of 23,000 African immigrants living in metropolitan Chicago. On May 31, the United African Organization, a partnership of ...
Chatham grocery store no longer Black-owned
Jun 04, 2008; ... For 25 years, the Chatham Food Center has been a rarity in Chicago-the only Black-owned supermarket, serving grocery shoppers on the South Side. But that era has ended now that the store, at 327 E. 79th St., has been sold to a Lebanese investor. "Let me say right off the bat that ...
Cal City to curb proliferation of Black barbershops, salons
Jun 04, 2008; ... How many barber shops and salons are too many? For south suburban Calumet City, 57-in immediate proximity-is too many and city leaders are looking at ways to keep barbershops and hair salons from piling up on each other. But some business owners think the problem is not the number of ...
Robbins police officer sued for wrongful death
Jun 04, 2008; ... A widow is suing her ex-husband after he shot and killed her husband right before her eyes. "It defies the notion of commonsense and equal justice where a family man can get shot 24 times in front of his own home, in front of his wife and child, and no determination of excessive force or ...
Ethiopian court orders death for former Marxist leader
Jun 04, 2008; ... Ethiopia's former Marxist leader, Mengistu Haile Mariam, has been sentenced to die by the country's Supreme Court which heard his petition for leniency and rejected it. The court acted on a request by the prosecution to toughen the sentence of life imprisonment imposed in January 2007 on ...
Witness details sexual encounters with R. Kelly, alleged victim
Jun 04, 2008; ... The prosecution's main attraction-the last of 14 witnesses- at the R. Kelly trial took the witness stand Monday and spewed details as if she were reading from a tell-all book about her love affair with the R&B singer, including multiple sexual tryst with him and the alleged victim, and his ...
African novelists take major literary
Jun 04, 2008; ... The Hangman's Game, a densely layered, challengingly ambitious work of fiction by Guyanese-born author Karen King-Aribisala, has won the Commonwealth's Best Book prize for the African region. The novel weaves together two distinct historical moments: the slave revolt of 1823 in ...
Now is not the time for a pay raise
Jun 04, 2008; ... The national economy is in the tank. Local taxes are outrageous and threatening to go even higher. The national average for a gallon of gas is $3.98, and Chicago is way above average. Our state budget provides no relief for taxpayers. So what does our state legislature have on its mind? ...
An open letter to our Sen. Barack Obama
Jun 04, 2008; ... I write this "open letter" to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., because I am concerned about one recently written by Harold Ford Jr. That letter urged Obama to try harder to connect with white blue-collar voters by engaging them in states like Kentucky and Indiana in the fall elections. And while I ...
Union standout
Jun 04, 2008; ... Mamie Pratt is a representative for the racially diverse 1,500-member Local 881 union. Her quick ascent won her the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists' Addie Wyatt Award which honors those who carry on the legacy of its namesake. "When ...
We all must deal with, take bullying seriously
Jun 04, 2008; ... A youthful tough who got his growth spurt early gets cruel gratification from intimidating weaker peers. The popular jock cruises the locker room looking for "nerdy" kids to torment. The clique of "cool girls'" ridicules female classmates that "look different" and excludes them from their ...
Proposed health care legislation could likely benefit poor families
Jun 04, 2008; ... If a proposed health care bill becomes law, it would reduce some of the bloated hospital costs uninsured patients face. A bill requiring hospitals to reduce their charges just as they already do for those with health insurance is awaiting Gov. Rod Blagojevich's signature. The ...
BMW X6: A luxury sports car that works!
Jun 04, 2008; ... GREENVILLE, S.C.-The 2008 BMW X6 reminds me of that old groaner about a charming fellow who upon awakening, takes a look at his sleeping new bride, a jazz chanteuse, and, apparently startled by her less-than-comely appearance, rouses her with, "Wake up and sing, baby. Sing!" Okay, so ...
It's an undeniable fact: U.S. can't handle truth
Jun 04, 2008; ... Ransom Notes "The truth? You can't handle the truth." It is a memorable line from an otherwise forgettable movie. A Few Good Men. I'm reminded of the line when I listen to all of the anguish surrounding what has been said recently in certain Black pulpits, particularly here in ...
Chicago's Black power is not an accident at all
Jun 04, 2008; ... Two years after losing an election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000 to Cong. Bobby Rush, Barack Obama, an Illinois state senator at the time, invited a group of influential Black business leaders to brunch at his Hyde Park home. There, he announced his intent to run for the U.S ....
African leaders dismayed by anti-immigrant violence
Jun 04, 2008; ... The African continent is "shocked" by the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, declared African Union President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, after a meeting of African heads of state examining the project for a Pan-African government. Images of looting, burnings, destruction of shacks and ...
South Side credit union offers unique services
Jun 04, 2008; ... A South Side financial gem is polishing itself up to help lend more money to Black residents with a South Side presence of some kind. Unlike most credit unions that require its members to be a part of a specific industry, such as law enforcement or education, or employed with a specific ...
Al Raby students don't need expensive gas, they're making their own
Jun 04, 2008; ... If the future goes as 17-year-old Lomar James plans, he won't need to buy expensive gas-he'll just make his own. James is one of several Al Raby School for Community and Environment students who, for the past semester, have harvested oil from algae to make their own eco-^ friendly ...
Jill Scott launches the new Butterfly bra at Ashley Stewart
Jun 04, 2008; ... Voluptuous women, fret no more. Alas, neo-soul recording artist Jill Scott feels your pain - and discomfort. The Grammy Award winning diva has come out with a new line of bras designed to address many of the comfort, style and support issues that top-heavy women often ...
Twista, West Side rap duo to bolster Chicago music scene
Jun 04, 2008; ... Multi-platinum rapper Twista is putting his proteges and fellow West Siders, The Speedknot Mobstaz, back on the scene. Last month, The Speedknot Mobstaz released their sophomore album, Mobstability II: Nation Business, under Twista's brand new Get Money Gang Records, in collaboration ...
Master saxophonist Wayne Shorter celebrates his 75th birthday in jazz series finale at Symphony Center
Jun 04, 2008; ... The final event in the Jazz At Symphony Center Series is saxophone virtuoso Wayne Snorter's celebration of his 75th birthday. Wayne Shorter and Quartet will offer a fantastic retrospective of Shorter's tenor saxophone virtuosity and the celebrated compositions he has written. The program ...
Pastor brings to an end 48 years in the pulpit
Jun 04, 2008; ... There were tears in the huge sanctuary at Apostolic Church of God. They were sparked by the occasion of the final sermon to be preached by the pastor, Bishop Arthur M. Brazier, who had announced his retirement a month earlier. The church, at 6320 S. Dorchester, was packed, standing room ...
Summer Ravinia highlights
Jun 04, 2008; ... Get ready to enjoy the summer sun along with some sensational music. This Summer Ravinia Festival's guest artists include: Baritones James Johnson (July 26), Michael Lowe (Aug. 3); Basses James Creswell, (Aug. 15,17); Tom Knific (June 8); Samuel Ramey (Aug 15, 17); John Relyea (July 26); ...
Collins' return as Bulls coach put on hold
Jun 04, 2008; ... Defender Staff Report Doug Collins' second tenure as Bulls head coach may be coming, but there was no announcement as of Defender press time Tuesday. The Bulls and Collins, who coached a young Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen before the 1990s dynasty took off, acknowledged ...
Ravinia offers a grand summer of elegant music
Jun 04, 2008; ... Although the climate is still rather cool, Ravinia Summer Festival has kicked off its music and cultural activities for a pleasant season of musical delight. Ravinia Festival Music Director James Colon has announced the landmark series featuring an array of spectacular artists, including ...
MLB to draft Negro Leaguers
Jun 04, 2008; ... When Major League Baseball conducts its annual amateur draft Friday, it will be preparing for the future. At the same time, each team will also be honoring the past. In addition to selecting the top amateur players from across the nation, each team will also be ceremoniously drafting a ...
Whitney Young repeats as Public League champs
Jun 04, 2008; ... Back in March, several members of the Whitney Young baseball team were in downstate Normal cheering on the school's girl's basketball team to a state championship. The team didn't hang around long to celebrate with their fellow classmates. They quickly headed to Florida to prepare for their own ...
Lake Meadows' annual Art Fair is set
Jun 04, 2008; ... Helen Y. West and Neleh Galleries, Ltd. stage the fourth annual Lake Meadows Art Fair, June 21-22, from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., with artists and craftsmen showcasing/selling fineart, jewelry, clothing, accessories, handbags and other collectibles. The special 2008 honoree is Felicia Grant Preston, an ...
Maywood officer betrayed by his department
Jun 11, 2008; ... Former police officer Arian Wade thinks it's no coincidence that he was allegedly framed on federal drug conspiracy charges while suing the Maywood Police Department. As Wade, 36, brought a lawsuit against the department for passing him over for a sergeant's promotion, police lieutenants ...
Local family bucks foster care's grim statistics
Jun 11, 2008; ... When 5-year-old Darrien and 7-year-old Ryzelle Barrone showed up at Gladys Gray's doorstep last August, they had already been through seven foster homes. For four years the boys had bounced around the system while their mother, Lakisha Barrone -who gave them up when she could no longer ...
St. Sabina's Rev. Pfleger returns to pulpit Sunday
Jun 11, 2008; ... The congregation at St. Sabina Catholic Church rose to its feet and erupted with cheer last Sunday when they learned they would have only one more Sunday without their longtime pastor in the pulpit. Parishioners with raised, waved hands shouted, "He is my pastor," after a church official ...
Rev. Wright's retirement is firm, Rev. Moss says
Jun 11, 2008; ... The retirement of Rev. Jeremiah Wright still stands, leaving Trinity United Church of Christ under the pastorate of Rev. Otis Moss III, contrary to a published report last week, Moss told parishioners Sunday. "Don't believe everything you hear, everything you read," Moss said before the ...
South Side riders support Red Line extension
Jun 11, 2008; ... Commuters on the South Side support a current proposal by the Chicago Transit Authority to extend the Red Ljne train stop at 95th Street further south, in part because it would enable them easier access to the Red Line and a faster commute to work. "It takes too long to get to the train ...
New $4.8M free clinic to be built in Austin community
Jun 11, 2008; ... After buying land on the West Side for $1 from the City of Chicago, a non-profit organization is set to expand its free health clinics and build a $4.8 million facility in the Austin community. A groundbreaking ceremony took place June 9 for the future Parent Child Connection Austin ...
R. Kelly won't take the stand at his trial
Jun 11, 2008; ... R&B singer R. Kelly asserted his constitutional right Tuesday to not take the witness stand in his child pornography trial. Cook County Circuit Court Judge Vincent Gaughan asked Kelly if his attorneys advised him that it is his sole decision to testify in the case against ...
Correction Notice
Jun 11, 2008; ... On page 3 of the 6/8 Best Buy® ad insert, we mistakenly stated "Geek Squad® setup is included when you buy any HDTV, plus get free delivery and recycling." The ad should have read "Geek Squad setup is ...
Kenya's 999-year leases are declared invalid
Jun 11, 2008; ... Former Kenyan land leases of 999 years have been downgraded to 99 years, under the draft National Land Policy now undergoing a final review. The 999-year leases were mainly given to white landowners during the early days of Kenya's colonization. Under the new land policy, ...
West Africa leaders fear widespread unrest, deadly fighting in Guinea
Jun 11, 2008; ... Riots triggered by military officers over unpaid salaries have created an unstable situation in Conakry, coastal capital of Guinea. A strike planned by the main teachers union may complicate efforts at restoring calm. Several people, mostly civilians, were killed and dozens ...
Yes, in our lifetime!
Jun 11, 2008; ... Last week Barack Hussein Obama, the son of a Kenyan father and a white mother, product of a broken home, college over-achiever and politician reared in Chicago's tough streets, became the presumptive Democratic nominee for President of the United States. For those who have weathered the ...
What Obama's historic victory means to Blacks
Jun 11, 2008; ... Somebody pinch me. Did I hear correctly? Sen. Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee to run for president of the United States? Yes, even a week later, some of us-myself included-are still in somewhat of a state of disbelief about the historic milestone this great country of ours ...
I do solemnly swear!
Jun 11, 2008; ... Ransom Notes "I do solemnly swear to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States. And will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend, the Constitution of the United States." As a very young man growing up in Pittsburgh, I memorized those words, ...
The college graduation gap
Jun 11, 2008; ... Do the names Alexander Lucius Twilight and Mary Jane Patterson mean anything to you? Well, they should. As tens of thousands of young men and women obtain their bachelors and masters degrees this commencement season, we are reminded that Alexander Twilight was the first Black to earn a college ...
The costs of health care are burying American families
Jun 11, 2008; ... Unpaid medical bills are piling up on kitchen tables all over America. In addition to the rising costs of food, gas and housing, more and more working families are becoming overwhelmed by skyrocketing health care costs. Since 2001, average premiums for family health insurance coverage ...
Can you smell what the Real Men are cooking?
Jun 11, 2008; ... Chef D's Kitchen Yes the media is guilty of portraying African American men in a very negative light. You see it in music videos and you hear it on the radio. But don't buy into the negative hype. Real men are still thriving in our African American communities. This Father's Day ...
Cancer, burn patients to benefit from pilot program
Jun 11, 2008; ... A new pilot program at John H. Stroger hospital is allowing cancer and burn patients to receive free consultation from a hair stylist about how to cope with their hair loss. Lillian Howard, 30, not only consulted one burn victim on her options but also designed a hairpiece for ...
Gas For Less stirs Goodman's audience with humor
Jun 11, 2008; ... Gas For Less is a dynamic theatrical production playing now at the Goodman Theatre, directed by Dexter Bullard. Actor Ernest Perry Jr. is one of the principal stars, appearing in the world premiere of the play written by Brett Neveu. The timely production was originally ...
Teens question the meaning of prom rituals
Jun 11, 2008; ... For generations, it was unthinkable that high school seniors would not be fervently looking forward to their senior prom. The prom was the quintessential rite of passage denoting a high school student's transition into the world. However, more teenagers are declining this historic ritual by ...
Founding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities celebrated
Jun 11, 2008; ... The first digital collection of documents and materials chronicling the founding of America's historically Black colleges and universities is now available online at contentdm.auctr.edu. A Digital Collection Celebrating the Founding of the Historically Black College and University ...
CPS grads get free summer college course
Jun 11, 2008; ... It was a choice between paying about $1,000 or $5,000 each semester for college. The choice was a no-brainer for Brandon Keith, he opted to save the $4,000 and to get a jumpstart on his college career-for free. The 18-year-old Morgan Park graduate applied and received one of 700 ...
Lynn Whitfield, Avery Brooks, Keith David at 2nd Bronzeville Fest
Jun 11, 2008; ... The second annual Bronzeville Cultural Festival, June 19-22, will be highlighted by a Gala Dinner on June 21, 7 p.m., at King College Preparatory High School, 4445 S. Drexel, featuring a reading from The People of Clarendon County, a play written by the late actor Ossie Davis as part of a ...
Sex ed on the silver screen
Jun 11, 2008; ... A group of Maywood teenagers are promoting abstinence and safe sex, Hollywood style. The teens wrote, filmed and starred in Burning Truth, a movie shot in and around Proviso East High School, located in the western suburb, where they all go to school. The film tells the story of ...
CPS student athletes honored
Jun 11, 2008; ... It was a year filled with championship after championship for the 2007-2008 Chicago Public Schools sports programs. After hoisting trophies and being recognized as the best in their sport earlier this school year, hundreds of CPS student athletes were feted by the school system in a special ...
Gospel stageplay Sistas set for an encore presentation
Jun 11, 2008; ... It's been nearly three weeks ... but folks are still talking about the stellar performances of the 24th Annual Gospel Fest. There were up and coming talents presented by producer/songwriter, Percy Bady such as Aaron Sledge, Neicy and Sunday Best runner up, Sharri Addison, that made our hearts ...
White, Florence head all-city baseball team
Jun 11, 2008; ... It was about a decade ago when the late Jackie Robinson West Little League Founder and President, Joseph H. Haley, looked at one of his first-year players and gave a big smile. "This kid is going to be a special player," Haley said at that time. Haley's words have indeed proved ...
First game of Circle City Classic canceled
Jun 11, 2008; ... The Circle City Classic was scheduled to be a unique Black college football experience this year. A doubleheader was to be played at new Lucas oil Stadium in Indianapolis. However, it was announced last week that the planned first game of the twin bill which was to feature Kentucky State ...
Del Negro set to take over as Bulls coach
Jun 11, 2008; ... The Bulls appear to have finally landed a head coach. After getting rejected by Mike D'Antoni and Doug. Collins, the team will name Vinny Del Negro as its new head coach at a press conference today at the United Center. Del Negro, who has served as the assistant general manager ...
Anderson takes over as Crane hoop coach
Jun 11, 2008; ... Tim Anderson is coming home. A former standout basketball player at Crane high school, Anderson is returning to the West Side school as the new head boys' basketball coach. Anderson replaces Anthony Longstreet, who was relieved of his coaching duties following last season. "This ...
Michael Reese closing leaves its employees scrambling for jobs
Jun 18, 2008; ... The announcement of Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center's closing was no surprise to many of its employees, including the hundreds of Blacks employed there. But finding a new job at the same pay has come as quite a shock. "I had no idea it was this tough finding a descent ...
Obama: Lessons for fatherhood
Jun 18, 2008; ... His father deserted him when he was a toddler. His mother was left to act as both parents to him and his sister, and she largely depended on his grandparents to help raise him. That was not an episode he wanted to see re-run. He was determined to "break the cycle," Sen. Barack Obama ...
Obamas' comfortable at Apostolic
Jun 18, 2008; ... The family tradition of attending church on Father's Day kept going for the Obama family, but this time it wasn't at their usual place of worship, Trinity United Church of Christ. Instead, they went where they still felt "at home"- Apostolic Church of God on South Dorchester ...
Fair Housing Act overshadowed by discrimination
Jun 18, 2008; ... A comprehensive housing report by the Chicago Area Housing Alliance, a non-profit organization, concluded that 40 years after the Fair Housing Act was first enacted, Blacks still face racial discrimination when renting or buying property. "Racial and ethnic segregation still dominates ...
Austin community leaders continue debates over the Brach's building
Jun 18, 2008; ... From the outside, 501 N. Cicero Ave., it looks like another set of abandoned, graffitied buildings on the West Side. But the former site of Brach's Candy factory is prime real estate at the center of a heated debate. ML Realty Partners, a northwest suburban-based development company, ...
Jurors: Lack of evidence led to R. Kelly acquittal
Jun 18, 2008; ... Grammy Award-winning R&B star R. Kelly was acquitted on all 14 counts of child pornography June 13. As the verdict was read, Robert S. Kelly held his head low, cried and said "Thank you Jesus" each time he heard "We the jury find Robert Kelly, not guilty of ..." Kelly's ...
Officials tight-lipped on rash of police shootings
Jun 18, 2008; ... Two people have been killed and three injured by police gunfire over the past eight days. According to Chicago Police Department Spokeswoman Monique Bond, loaded weapons were recovered at each scene. A victim was shot to death on the 300 block of West 109th Place, and a 9 mm Ruger ...