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

Read More

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

Read More

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 

Read More

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

Read More

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.

Read More

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

Read More

Goodman Theatre's Record-Breaking Season

 Brian Dennehy and Nathan Lane - The Iceman Cometh

This could be the year for Goodman Theatre in Chicago.

A few days ago, it announced that The Iceman Cometh--which played there during the spring-- was its most successful production to date. 

With a 100% turnout for over 50 performances, Goodman Theatre artistic director Bob Falls' revival of the epic Eugene O'Neill stage play  attracted patrons from 46 states and 8 countries. In all, 42,000 subscribers and individual ticket buyers attended during the show's run. 

But Falls doesn't take sole credit for the success of the play. "None of it would have been possible without an extraordinary team of people--from our creative team, stage managers, crew and staff, to our generous sponsors, incredible audiences and the local and national media," he says. "We share and celebrate this success." 

The cast of Crowns

With just one more production left in the 2011/2012 season, Goodman Theatre hopes to keep the momentum going. Rounding out the five plays on its main stage, The Albert Theatre, is the revival of a popular musical--Regina Taylor's Crowns. It opens next Monday, July 9, at 7:00 p.m.  and runs until August 5.

The cast has theater veterans such as Felicia P. Fields (The Color Purple) and E. Faye Butler (Ain't Misbehavin') and newcomers such as Marketta P. Wilder and Jasondra Johnson. 

One notable cast member is Pauletta Washington--wife of Academy-Award winner Denzel. But there's no word yet about whether Mr. Washington will be in attendance. However, Regina Taylor--writer and director of Crowns--makes it clear that the message is the most important thing. "I'm interested in the ways in which stories and storytelling connects us to our community," she says. 

Based on Goodman Theatre's recent successes, that connection appears to be what keeps patrons coming back for more. 

~ Zack A. Isaacs

Read More

Proud Veteran Shares 4th of July Memories

On Independence Day, Americans celebrate the freedom they enjoy but also stop remember the men and women in the armed forces who fight to protect their liberty.

One of those people is Michael Pagliaro.  

The 47-year-old New York native shared with Zack's TV some of his Independence Day memories and gave insight about how we can thank veterans.  

Describe your childhood memories of July 4.

I really enjoyed the 4th of July long before I knew the meaning! We always had some kind of cook out with the family and extended family. My father was a policeman here so we had a large family! I grew up in a medium town of 50,000 people in upstate NY. A far cry from the "City" but we love them too!

What made you join the U.S. Military? Which particular branch did you join?

I joined the US Army in 1983, less than 30 days out of  High School. I knew my dad could not afford to put my twin brother and myself through college.

I was a Military Policeman. I was stationed in Germany twice, the latter being the time when the wall came down.

Shortly thereafter, I was redeployed to Operation Desert Shield/Storm.  I was personally responsible for 11 peoples' health and welfare.  I made them a promise :"We are all going home." We made it. My prayers to those still fighting. Sometimes after the uniform goes off, the battle still rages.Its some ugly thing called PTSD [post traumatic stress disorder]. 

I hate that acronym!

 
What will you be doing for this Independence Day?

I have no plans. I hope to get invited to a cookout--just like a kid again!

How should we honor veterans on Independence Day?

If you want to honor a veteran,  just shake their hand and say 'thanks.' We just did what we signed up for. We are humble and yet proud too! Someone had to do it!!

HOOAH!!!

 ~ Zack The Producer 

Read More