Christmas Shopping For The Fitness Buff

It's the holiday gift that keeps on giving: fitness equipment. 

As consumers make New Year's resolutions to lose weight and get in shape, they will need a few items to reach those goals. 

One popular item is a set of resistance bands. Touted by many fitness experts as a convenient, travel-friendly tool for a workout, resistance bands are reasonably priced gifts for family members and friends.

For those who want more difficulty, a pair of shake weights may do the trick. While some critics have doubted the effectiveness of the product, one report shows otherwise. 

Yet, many gift-givers may choose the traditional dumbbell for their recipients who want big arms.  

According to Fitness magazine, beginners should use two different dumbbells: one weighing between 3 to 5 lbs; the other, 8 to 12 lbs.  

With all of the options available, "gifters" should be able to find the right fitness equipment that will make a "strong" impression.

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Growing Pains: Financial Executives, Experts Preview 2013 Economy

"Compromise" is the magic word for Northern Trust Chairman and CEO Frederick H. Waddell when asked about the "fiscal cliff" and its global implications.

This week, he was interviewed by Business Standard reporter Puneet Wadhwa and provided some key insight about where the U.S. economy is headed in 2013 .

"I think the global economy is going to perform less than its long-term potential capability in 2013," said Waddell. "Therefore, what we have been advising our clients to do is allocate their assets in areas where we do see growth." 

According to Mr. Waddell, those areas include India and China. He told Wadhwa that Northern Trust's clients have "exposure to more than $3 billion in Indian equities," while the Chinese economy is projected to grow 7 to 8 percent--as opposed to the U.S. and India which are expected to grow at a smaller rate. 

As 2012 comes to a close, the latest Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) showed signs of promise for the global economy as a whole. While the manufacturing industry is becoming more stable, IB Times reporter Bhaskar Prasad found that employers are remaining "cost-cautious" and cutting back on hiring due to concerns about the "fiscal cliff."

But that doesn't mean hiring will not increase in the future.

A recent CNN Money article features a hopeful jobs forecast for the final quarter of 2013. As President Obama begins his second term, he is expected to work diligently to restore confidence with employers about fair tax rates. Yet, some analysts believe that his promises to cut payroll taxes for small business owners is deceptive in theory. 

As the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2013, investors will be cautious to see just how "happy" the New Year will be.

 

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Should The News Be So Sensational? (Editorial)

The New York Post has done it again.

The tabloid publication--known for its hyper-sensational approach to "news"-- has drawn ire from readers and critics alike for the cover you see above.

The man hanging on the subway platform is Ki Suk Han--a father from Queens who got into an altercation with a panhandler before he was pushed on the tracks. (Moments later, he was fatally struck by the train.)

What is most troubling about this photo is the egregious disrespect shown to Mr. Han's family. The world will see his last moments sold to readers for a profit by the newspaper and the "photographer." It makes one wonder if autopsy and crime scene photos will soon be published on front pages to help "save" the fledgling newspaper business.  

The same New York Post looking to boost readership has been losing it to competitors like The New York Times and The New York Daily News. 

It appears as if their efforts have resulted in a counterproductive outcome. 

In the news business, there is the mantra: "If it bleeds, it leads." In that case, The New York Post must believe that instead of reporting about a photographer saving a man from his impending fate --it would be better to post a picture showing just how insensitive we have become.

For many publishers of media, the temptation of using "sensation" is always present--even for yours truly. Yet, the payoff for using shock value should never be traded for basic ethics and moral. Simply put: there are some things that money can't buy. 

You can't buy the respect of your readers--you must earn it. 

 

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Political Analyst Lenny McAllister Moves Forward, Maintains Chicago Connections

After a two-year stay in Chicago, media personality Lenny McAllister has found a new home in Washington, D.C.--but he hasn't entirely cut ties with "The Windy City."

The 40-year-old GOP enthusiast still submits editorials for The Chicago Defender and checks on old friends from time to time. 

But the nation's capital appears to better place for McAllister to build his brand. 

Last October, Media Alliance--a Fort Myers, Florida-based talent agency-- began representing McAllister. It was a full circle moment for the same man who found himself at a career crossroads just one year ago. In July 2011, he "parted ways" with Chicago radio station, WVON, after making controversial statements about a sponsor. 

Fortunately, McAllister found freelance opportunities in media and community affairs to support himself and his family. As the son of working class parents, he relies on the values they instilled him during his upbringing in Pittsburgh. 

In his new book, "Spoken Thoughts From An Amalgamated Advocate in Today's America," McAllister expresses a fear about "the lack of political knowledge and preparation" contributing to the violence occurring in urban areas across the nation. [The book is in limited availability, but you can download a free excerpt here.]

"We are losing our loved ones and our future to the horrific tensions and terrors and burdens of war that we see in our streets," he writes. " Our 'Baghdad' is often Baltimore; our combat zone is too often Chicago."

Last night, the violence in Chicago continued with six people dead after a wave of shootings.  

Despite the presence of tragedies, McAllister stays vigilant in using his platform to make Americans aware that one community's problem should be a concern for all.
  

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35 Years Later, A Christmas Carol Remains A Goodman Theatre Classic

For current (and former) young people, the Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol, is a holiday story that never gets old. 

At Goodman Theatre in Chicago, rehearsals have begun for Tom Creamer's theatrical adaptation of the timeless tale will run for the 35th consecutive season this fall. 

Rob Rains holds Matthew Abraham

Directed by Steve Scott, the production brings back some familiar faces--including Larry Yando as "Scrooge," Nora Fiffer as "Belle," Ted Hoerl as "The Undertaker," and Ron Rains as "Bob Cratchit."

But there are quite a few newcomers.  

One is 7-year-old Matthew George Abraham as the lovable "Tiny Tim." 

Others include  13-year-old Ariana D. Burks ("Belinda Cratchit"); 14-year-old Michael Saguto ("Boy Scrooge/Peter Cratchit"); 7-year-old Francesca Mereu ("Emily Cratchit") and 10-year-old Oscar Vasquez ("Turkey Boy.") 

Notable adult performers will include Melanie Brezill--who made her debut at Goodman in July in the hit musical Crowns-- as Martha Cratchit, as well as Jordan Brown ("Young Scrooge") and Joe Foust ("Jacob Marley.") 

Over the 35-year span of the show, there have been nine directors, eight Scrooges, 31 Tiny Tims and enough "Bah, Humbug!"'s to fill each seat of the United Center.

To preserve the legacy of A Christmas Carol, Goodman has set up an Endowment. Since the fundraising kickoff in July, over $100,000 dollars has been donated. Donors, in turn, will receive special opportunities including a sneak peek at rehearsal and an invitation to a tea party. 

The folks at Goodman want to make sure that "The Ghost of Christmas Past" refers to a character in the play--not the play itself. 

[A Christmas Carol runs from November 17 to December 29 in Goodman's Albert Theatre at 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago, IL. Tickets run from $25 to $82 and are subject to change.
For ticket information visit http://www.GoodmanTheatre.org/Scrooge or call 1-312-443-3800 or stop by the box office.]

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Chicago Activist Rejects Negative Media Coverage

Ay-Sha Butler knows that Englewood is not the most popular neighborhood in Chicago. Crime is high, property values are low, and hope has been fading for years.

Yet, Mrs. Butler and her husband, Antoine, have been working hard to change that. 

Courtesy of Ay-Sha Butler

She was featured in a Zack's TV article last May for her work in the Englewood. 

Now, the youthful activist has written her own account of what's really happening in the embattled neighborhood. On her blog, "A New Voice From Englewood," she laments the recent coverage from local newspapers which focuses on the crime rate.  

In the post titled, "A Good Day In Englewood," Butler talks about the "tons" of good days which have gone unnoticed. 

Even with the challenges we face here, there are still many great examples of Good Days in Englewood and it does not depend on if someone was shot or killed in the neighborhood.

Responding to rumors that Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel might move to the neighborhood, Butler says this: 

I wish Rahm would move to Englewood, so he could get a reality check and see firsthand how the city's resources are truly allocated to the point that they become scarce on the South Side once you travel past 35th Street.......We are definitely in the "colored" folks zone being in Englewood and I dare the mayor to live here for a day.

No word yet from "the media" or "the mayor" about Mrs. Butler's views. 

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Hinglish: Bridging Cultural and Language Barriers

In the 2011 Bollywood film, Force, actor John Abraham executes a different kind of stunt: a verbal one. 

One moment, he is speaking Hindi; the next, he uses English phrases such as "I'm sorry," or "I love you."

While many world languages have been blended with English, the way Hindi speakers mix this particular language with their own is becoming more prevalent than ever before. 

Hindi is the official language of India--one of the world's most populated countries with over 1 billion residents.
A hub for outsourcing, the country has attracted corporations from all over the world who want skilled labor for a fraction of the cost--including the United States. Based on U.S. State Department data, service and software exports represent top sources of trade revenue. On the import side, Indian companies are also "outsourcing" workers from the United States.  In turn, the country has found ways to make the transition easier for those either relocating to India or working for India from here in the States.

Take the Hinglish Project, for example.

It is a "unique font" design which superimposes English characters onto the Devanagari script that the Hindi language is written in.  

Critics say that it only provides limited help to those unfamiliar with Hindi.  However, some native Hindi speakers say that it was never the project's intention. 

Manish Bhardwaj, a 29-year-old attorney from Gurgaon, Haryana,  feels that the hybrid language was born out of necessity.

"We use both languages and some words are easier to speak in English than others are in Hindi," he explained. 

According to Bhardwaj, Hindi originates from a language known as Sanskrit. During his brief time as a graduate student in the United States, he used his dexterity with both languages to learn business communications skills. 

After receiving his MBA in one year, Bhardwaj moved back to India to start a law firm. 

As the CEO of Janak Raj and Associates, he uses his bilingual status to his advantage. He networks with potential American clients on LinkedIn who may be looking for someone to negotiate a contract. Being aware of the many barriers to entry in business, Bhardwaj wants to eliminate resistance from potential clients by knowing more than one way to say "hello."

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A Tragic Full Circle: From Volunteer To Victim

When Pamela and Tom Bosley lost their son, Terrell, to gun violence in 2006--his friend, Robert Munn stepped up to the plate and stood by the couple and their children while they grieved. 

He would help Mrs. Bosley pass out flyers and provide dee-jay services for special events.

Now, Robert is gone.

Last Monday, the 29-year-old Munn was shot to death behind his grandmother's house near 89th and Cottage Grove. 

Just moments before, he stopped to get something to eat in a neighborhood that was dear to his heart. 

Right across the street, his family is well known at New Bethlehem #4 M.B. Church where Mrs. Bosley's father, Rev. Louis Montgomery, is pastor.  In fact, some of the church members say they heard the shots which ended Munn's life.

Yet, no one saw anything. 

It is a common scenario for many families and friends seeking justice for their loved ones: many eyes but no one sees anything. Sometimes, they are being honest; other times they are fearful to come forward with information leading to the arrest of a suspect.

Mrs. Bosley (left) organizes volunteers.

Now, Mrs. Bosley has another unsolved death to grieve. 

The day after Munn's death, she and her husband organized people to pass out flyers in the surrounding neighborhood to make residents aware of what happened.

"It's horrible. Not just for me but for my children, for the youth at this church, for the adults," she told Zack's TV. 

"That's how much he had an impact on everybody." 

(There is a $5,000 award for information leading to an arrest of a suspect by contacting Chicago Police at 312-747-8271 or St. Sabina Church at 773-483-4300.)

~ Zack The Producer

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Celebrities Step Up To Stop Chicago Violence

It was a scene reminiscent of the 2006 film, Gridiron Gang.

LaChelle Sanders (left) speaks with Fr. Pfleger

Last Saturday, rival gang members in Chicago's violent Auburn-Gresham neighborhood put down their guns and picked up basketballs for "The Peace Tournament" held at St. Sabina Church's gymnasium.

For a change, the only hand signals on the court were given by referees.

And there were some very notable faces in the crowd.  

Actress/singer Drew Sidora, activist Ameena Forte-Matthews and several  current and former NBA players came out to show their support--including Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose.

Rose spoke to the gang members about finding more peaceful alternatives--such as basketball--instead of making violent (and sometimes irreversible) decisions. He was joined by another Chicago native, Orlando Magic small forward Quentin Richardson. 

The same Rose who had been seen flashing gang signs years back, built a rapport with the young men--according to a Zack's TV source. 

In addition to Rose and Richardson, other current and former stars including Isiah Thomas made a pledge to continue to work with young people in the neighborhood.  

Olatunji Oboi Reed in Brazil (courtesy of Facebook)

Olatunji Reed, a research assistant in social affairs, supports what the athletes are doing. 

"We need more athletes and entertainers taking an active role in improving the conditions of our community," the 38-year-old Roosevelt University student said.  "They have incredible resources that can be put to use in our communities."

During the summer, Reed studied social affairs in Brazil--where he observed racism, health care disparities and poverty. For him, human suffering is not limited to the urban ghettos of America. But he clarified that elite American entertainers should still do their part. 

"They have an important voice that we need to hear in our communities," he said. 

"I would love to see them do more." 

~ Zack The Producer

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Veteran TV News Editor Stays A 'Cut' Above The Rest

"News editing is a lot like a factory."

Teresa Simmonds, a video news editor for WXYZ-TV in Detroit for the past 9 years, has developed a knack for assembling clips of footage into a finished product. 

In an exclusive interview with Twain Richardson, the 36-year-old media expert shares how she got into the industry and what she loves about it. 

"I am interpreting words into pictures. It's like a puzzle I am putting together for you--the viewer--to watch and understand," Simmonds explained.

As a child, the Michigan native decided that she wanted to go into film editing because of her love for science-fiction movies. "Editing incorporated all of my nerdiness--computers, graphic design, storytelling, and my need to organize chaos," she said. 

For those who want to follow in her footsteps, Simmonds offers a special warning. 

"Sometimes the fast pace of TV news gets to some people and they freak out," she revealed.

"For that, I just put on my noise canceling headphones."

~ 2CN Staff Report

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URBAN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA (PART 1): Beyond The Windy City

FORT WORTH- As the national media spotlights inner-city violence in Chicago, other U.S. cities--like Fort Worth, Texas-- are working to maintain a low crime rate.

Last month, the Fort-Worth Star Telegram reported that the city's crime rate had dropped 7.2 % from January to July 2012--compared to the same period in 2011. However, homicides increased over 50% from 19 to 29.

Yet, the city's police chief Jeff Halstead told the local media that the crime rate remains relatively low even with a continuous growth in population. [The most recent figures show that over 750,000 people live there.]

Regina Seaman, a 45-year-old consultant, moved to Texas from Rochester, New York in 2008. Until last year, she lived in nearby Arlington before settling in Fort Worth. The tech-savvy grandmother says that the city is "not the most violent," but she acknowledges that cities such as Chicago and Detroit are in far worse shape. 

Seaman writes about social issues on her blog, Regina's Family Seasons--which was born out of her passion for writing. In fact, she used her love for writing to keep a group of teens occupied when she worked as a youth services manager for a small nonprofit agency in Rochester. They started a newsletter to bring awareness to issues in the community.

"The program was awesome and we started distributing the newsletters to community organizations and got other young people involved," Seaman recalls. 

The youthful grandmother believes that urban violence should be addressed by first looking at how to keep the youth busy doing positive things. In her opinion, the community must allow their actions to speak louder than words. 

"[The community] needs to be genuinely concerned and prepared to help if necessary," she explains. "If 'Johnny' says he is having a hard time with math--offer to assist if you are good in math."

Seaman added that the "code of silence," in which community residents fail to report crimes due to fear of retaliation, creates a counter-productive effect in the war on drugs and violence.

"Communities cannot fight crime with one hand and beckon it with the other." 

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Wing Chun (Part 2): 'It's About The Journey'

"Everyday of your life, you're faced with situations that may cause you to lose your patience or may cause you to fight and argue," says "Sifu" Matthew Johnson. 

Johnson, founder of the Ving Tsun ("Wing Chun") Self Defense Academy in Chicago, where he teaches group classes and private lessons to people interested in this special style of kung fu. 

He spoke with Zack's TV reporter Mary Hobbs about what a student must master inside and outside the classroom.       


~ Zack's TV Staff
 

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Ian Camilotes Joins Zack's TV

Ian Noel Camilotes is "The Movie Professor."

This week, he expands his role as a cinema aficionado after becoming the new film critic for Zack's TV.

Camilotes is a 2008 graduate of The University of Illinois at Chicago with Bachelors' degrees in Business and Music.  

As film critic for Zack's TV, the 28-year-old YouTube sensation will provide engaging and exciting film reviews in article and video form. 

In addition to his role as film critic, Camilotes will also provide occasional entertainment and education news reports. 

For more examples of his work, check out his Movie Professor page.

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Wing Chun (Part 1): 'A Self Defense Art'

As the old saying goes: "Crime happens in seconds and police come in minutes."

In Chicago, residents  have been targeted in a series of strong arm robberies. With an understaffed police force, some victims have been left with no choice but to chase down their attackers. In most cases, they have been successful. However, a very dangerous situation can arise if one approaches a criminal without proper training. 

For those seeking a safer alternative, a self-defense art known as Ving Tsun (pronounced "wing chun") has become a viable way to protect themselves. 

At Ving Tsun Self Defense Academy in the city's Pilsen neighborhood, Matt Johnson (pictured right) teaches the art to students from all walks of life. He says that the system only contains 3 empty-hand forms as compared to other styles of kung fu which may have 20 forms and take longer to master.  

"The fighting style in [Wing Chun] is very close quarters combat. We don't have a lot of high kicking; we don't have a lot of fancy movement," Johnson says. "It's a system that's based on theory rather than an accumulation of hundreds and hundreds of techniques."

With over 25 years of experience, the man known as "Sifu" to his class goes to great lengths to make sure that he trains people who will not use their skills for wrongdoing. Prospective students must interview with him before being chosen for lessons so that he can gauge their level of sincerity. 

"You don't want to give [Wing Chun] to people who are going to use it in the wrong way. Some people have ideas of martial arts; they like to bully other people... use it for sport fighting and stuff like that," Johnson explains. 

"Wing Chun in its purest form is a self defense art."

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Algebra Is Still Necessary, Says Podiatrist

After the school books close, American students find it to keep an open mind about one particular subject: Algebra.

In last Sunday's New York Times, Andrew Hacker--a professor emeritus of political science-- challenged the need for Algebra in a special editorial. It set off many online debates about whether students need to study the dreaded mathematical subject. 

Dr. Nicklya Harris-Ray, a podiatrist and health professor who practices throughout the Gulf Coast, uses algebra regularly in her practice. 

She told Zack's TV that "there is always going to be a missing variable in medicine and education." 

The 35-year-old medical professional also shared a real-life example of how she uses algebra to solve problems:

For example, in a situation, when you have to make payroll, you must establish how many patients you need to see to keep the lights on. Hypothetical number. If you charge an average of 100 dollar per patient, and in order to pay my staff and the bills, I need 7000, how many patients do I need to see in August. Patients being X, my equation is 100x=7000 x=70. I need to see 70 patients in August. BUT, I want to take a vacation to Tahiti, and its running my family 4000 dollars. How many additional patients must I see to cover my trip in full?

7000 + 4000 = 11,000. 11000=100x x =110

~ Zack The Producer

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Obama & Chicago's Inner-City Violence (Part 2): FINDING SOLUTIONS

March 2012 vigil for Greg Robinson

President Obama will return to Chicago on August 12 for a birthday party at his home in the city's posh Kenwood neighborhood. It will be the third time he has come back to the South Side this summer. But  he is not expected to visit areas in the city regularly affected by violence. Instead, the backyard gathering will serve as a fund raising event for his 2012 re-election campaign.

Yet, the President has begun to address inner-city violence across America more often.

At a National Urban League event in New Orleans this week, he made a pledge to make the issue of gun violence a priority. According to Reuters, President Obama mentioned that he would use as many avenues possible. "I'm going to continue to work with members of both parties and with religious groups and with civic organizations to arrive at a consensus around violence reduction," the President said. 

This Saturday, Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow Push Coalition will hold a press conference at an AMC Movie Theater in downtown Chicago. The group is expected to call for a renewal of the assault weapons ban.  To push the measure forward, there is a petition on the Rainbow Push website.

Cyber columnist Monroe Anderson has a suggestion for the public: hold a news conference and make a special request. "Chicago residents should request that the President send in the U.S. Army to patrol the streets," the veteran journalist advises. For Anderson, it is a step up from asking The National Guard to assist with violence--a solution proposed by Illinois politicians last year.  

From a legal perspective, both alternatives would have to comply with the Posse Comitatus Act of 1787. It requires that an Act of Congress or a waiver signed by the President must be in place for military patrols to assist with calming public unrest. 

Anderson confesses that asking for military help would be used more for publicity than politics. If the national media pushes the story, it would likely gain the President's attention. "President Obama is not going to send in the Marines, but he may give Mayor Emanuel some federal money for more police," he says. 

La Chelle Sanders, a community activist, is an "advocate for unity in the community." As founder of the I-Matter II foundation, Sanders coordinates events to keep young people involved in positive activities. This weekend, the foundation will host a "Shoot For Peace" charity basketball game at the UIC Athletic Building. 

"People talk a good talk but now it's time to work," she says. 

Ms. Sanders admits that working together will not be easy but it is necessary to keep the streets safe.  

"It's up to us to take back our streets, community, and take back our kids."

~ Zack A. Isaacs

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Obama & Chicago's Inner-City Violence (Part 1) : THE BLAME GAME

"We have to...change our politics so that we care just as much about those 30-something children in Chicago who have been shot as we do the children at Virginia Tech."

Five years ago, then-Senator Barack Obama spoke those words in response to a question about gun violence posed at NAACP Democratic Candidates Forum in Detroit. It was just three months after the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history occurred on the campus of Virginia Tech where 32 people lost their lives. In his adopted hometown of Chicago, the same number of public school students were killed in separate incidents. As the 2008 election approached, gun violence had become a major issue in Obama's presidential campaign. 

After his 2009 inauguration, other issues (to the chagrin of anti-violence activists) came to the forefront including health care reform and the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." As President Obama runs for re-election, those same activists are demanding that he makes their cause a priority this time.   

Father Michael Pfleger, a Chicago activist and pastor of St. Sabina Church, made demands that the President address the issue of violence there and not just Colorado. 

According to journalist Chinta Strausberg, the 63-year-old priest delivered a fiery sermon last Sunday saying to Obama: "You will not ignore violence in Chicago!" 

He continued with his concerns about why the July 20 massacre in Aurora, Colorado, has received more presidential attention than the constant shootings in Chicago. 

"What happened in Colorado was tragic and horrific...but I'm trying to figure out twelve people got killed in Colorado and the nation stood still and everybody's speaking about. [Attorney General] Eric Holder comes in, but there are more than 12 killed every weekend in Chicago."

According to various news reports, the number of weekend killings is lower than Pfleger claims. While dozens of residents have been shot multiple weekends in a row, the fatality rate is typically less than half of that amount. However, the city of Chicago is still on track to see its highest homicide rate since 2003. 

Bill Watts, an insurance claims adjuster, feels that the problem of gun violence is too big for the President to solve. He says that it will take a combination of stronger communities and lawful gun ownership to help make things better. "It is up to the community to step up and show love to those who are in need of it," Watts says. "The President can't change what's in a person's heart." 

As Chicago prepares for the President's special birthday visit in two weeks, it is expected that he will be pressed to address gun violence in his own city. Yet, the question remains about whether he will. 

**UPDATE (11:26 PM): President Obama spoke about urban violence at  a National Urban League event in New Orleans this evening, according to the Chicago Tribune.

~ Zack The Producer 

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Lamont Muhammad Is 'The Original Man'

"My students sometimes call me 'Dad' by mistake."

Lamont Muhammad is a third-grade teacher in Waterloo, Iowa, who knows the impact that a male role model can play in childrens' lives. 

When he was their age, he was looking for the same thing. 

Born Lamont Jenkins in 1980, he grew up in the Bay Area of California. His mother was addicted to drugs and his father was doing a life sentence in prison. It appeared as if no one would take the young man and his siblings in until their grandfather's girlfriend--whom they now call their grandmother--was granted custody. 

"I definitely had to adapt to a family that wasn't mine but they came to love me as their family," he recalls. 

Sometimes, that love was not enough. As a young teen, Lamont did things to fit in with his peers-- which landed him in juvenile detention centers for a few brief stints. However, his turning point came when he was introduced to the teachings of the Elijah Muhammad from The Nation of Islam. In time, men in the organization began to take the youth under their wings and kept him out of trouble.

"[The Nation of Islam] helped me to get some knowledge in my head so that when I came across different situations, I could think," he remembers.

One concept taught by The Nation of Islam is that black men are the "original men"--which inspired Lamont's rap name, Original Man. 

On July 16, he released a music project called P.O.E.M.S. (Pieces Of Every Man's Soul) Book One. 

As an artist, "Brother Lamont" wants people to look past his religious affiliation and judge him for his music. 

"My big push is that when I rhyme, I don't want you to know what I am, I don't want you to know that I'm Muslim," he explains. 

"Music is a language that transcends color, creed, and class."

[To download Lamont's project, click this link]

~ Zack A. Isaacs

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Crowns Unites Old & New School Audiences (Review)

For inner-city youth across America, the presence of urban violence is an inescapable reality. Some parents choose to embrace that reality and adapt; others find safer places to send their children to expose them to a better way of life. 

As Crowns opened for its tenth anniversary production at Goodman Theatre on Monday night, Yolanda (played by newcomer Marketta P. Wilder) introduces herself in a spoken word piece in which she expresses pride growing up in Chicago's Englewood community. Yet, the soulful soliloquy comes to a shocking halt when the teenage character gives news that her brother was shot and killed. After the tragedy occurs, Yolanda's mother sends her to Darlington, South Carolina to be with the family matriarch and other women in the church for a creative style of therapy.

When Yolanda arrives in the South, she is met by her grandmother: Mother Shaw (played masterfully by veteran Felicia P. Fields). The two represent different schools of thought: Yolanda, a new school, hip hop dancing, tomboyish rapper; Mother Shaw, a traditional church mother with an affinity for hats--known as "crowns" and for which the musical is named. 

But Grandma knows that she can't reach the troubled youth alone. She enlists the help of some very interesting church ladies to help bridge the generational gap. One of the ladies, Wanda (a role cleverly executed by Pauletta Washington) gives Yolanda pointers about how to wear her "crown" while the pastor's wife, Mabel (characterized by the talented E. Faye Butler) gives a historical lesson about how women in the church have changed over time. Yet, one of the most poignant performances comes from Velma (newcomer Jasondra Johnson) who finds a connection with Yolanda about dealing with death of someone close.

Alexis J. Rogers, who plays the petite powerhouse "Jeanette",  gives a show-stopping performance of a classic hymn which ends with such strong and joyous emotion that it is hard to figure out if it is scripted or a natural expression of "The Holy Ghost."

As the only man with a speaking part, David Jennings plays multiple male characters including the pastor, Yolanda's grandfather, and the fathers of other female characters mentioned earlier. While Jennings gives a strong effort in each role, it becomes confusing after a while and more suitable for an actor in a one-man show than an ensemble production. Nonetheless, he represents well for men on a female-dominated stage. 

The nearly 2 hour play was written and directed by Regina Taylor and adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry and inspired by some of Taylor's life experiences. Given Taylor's southern roots in Texas, it is evident that there is a dichotomy between values on certain sides of the Mason-Dixon line. As a writer, she creates memorable characters who are brought to life by her strong directing skills. In Crowns, Taylor finds a way to make every one seen on stage feel like a star--and even those without speaking parts give superlative performances.

Music director Fred Carl crafts a delightful blend of traditional gospel tunes with the contemporary stylings of hip-hop music to keep the elders and young people clapping in agreement. Meanwhile, the impressive ensemble featuring the local talent of Shari Addison (a runner-up from Season 1 of BET's Sunday Best), Melanie Brezill, Kelvin Roston, Jr.,  and Laura Walls sings heavenly notes while the agile and graceful Yusha-Marie Sorzano turns the stage into her "easel" of interpretative dance.  In fact, the whole cast moves with precision under the tutelage of choreographer Dianne McIntyre.  

Overall, Crowns is a celebration of life--in the midst of death and despair. It helps both the young and "young at heart" agree that pain is the same whether one expresses it through gospel hymns or spoken word but the healing power of music is sometimes the only thing that gives relief. 

Zack's TV Rating: Excellent

Crowns runs until August 12 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago, IL. For tickets, visit the website or call 1-312-443-3800.

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Mother of Slain Man Continues Fight For Justice

courtesy of Tommy Lee's family

Marsha Lee wants answers.

On August 13, 2008, she lost her son Thomas "Tommy" Lee after he was shot to death in Harvey, Illinois. The 20-year-old man had just left a store when the tragic incident occurred. While Lee says there were witnesses, the Harvey Police Department still has no one in custody.

At the time of his death, Tommy was a student at McCoy Barber College in Chicago with dreams of owning a shop.  As a final tribute, the young man's family buried him in his barber cape.  

Four years later, Mrs. Lee and her ex-husband, Thomas, still feel the pain of losing their son. Despite their divorce, she makes it clear that Tommy had a strong relationship with both of his parents. "I was not a single mom--only divorced," says the Blue Island, Illinois resident. 

Lee, employed by the Chicago Transit Authority for over 30 years, works hard to challenge stereotypes about her son and crime victims in general. "People always blame the victim," says the grieving mother. "They are not understanding the impact that violence is having on society--whether directly or indirectly."

She says that her son was "a great person," who was "compassionate and giving" and a member of Mt. Zion Church on Chicago's South Side--where he played drums, worked as a sound technician and a summer camp counselor. 

Now, Ms. Lee bangs her own drum to bring Tommy's killer to justice. 

"Harvey [police] need to actively investigate and stop covering for the accomplice.  Witnesses say they identified the shooter, but the police say they did not," she recounts.

Watch April 21, 2011 - Harvey Murders on PBS. See more from Chicago Tonight.

In April 2011, former WTTW-TV reporter Nick Shields reported about the Harvey Police Department being scrutinized by residents and Cook County officials for how it had been handling homicide investigations. 

At the time, Shields could not get Harvey's police chief to speak on camera but a spokeswoman from the city affirmed that they "don't rest" until justice is served. 

Yet in 2010, the department asked for help in solving its numerous homicide cases. It requested to join the South Suburban Major Crime Task Force (SSMCTF)--which has additional resources to solve crimes. According to the WTTW report,  the Harvey Police Department still had major obstacles in their pursuit of membership including the number of homicides and some communication mishaps.

Last week, the task force assisted  police in Dolton, Illinois with investigating the beating death of a 16-year-old girl at a motel. A few weeks earlier, the group supported another investigation involving a man shot to death in South Holland, Illinois. Given its recent successes, Lee and other surviving relatives of victims continue to wonder why Harvey can't find a way to compromise with SSMCTF. 

As they await information leading to an arrest, Tommy's family continues to find ways to preserve his memory.

On Saturday, July 7,  at 1 p.m., there will be a city-wide memorial hosted by Logos Baptist Assembly at 10833 South Halsted in Chicago. Other families affected by  gun violence will gather to remember their loved ones at the event organized by Pastor Donald Parsons and WVON-AM radio host Mark J. Wallace. Many of them share Ms. Lee's pain because the killers of their family members have not been brought to justice either. 

Lee gives a troubling prediction about what will happen if things don't change soon. 

"Until those not affected by violence stand up, it will continue." 

~ Zack The Producer

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