Mo’nique’s Oscar

The comedienne, talk show host and actress Mo’nique has become just the fifth African- American woman to win an Oscar. Her portrayal of Mary Jones, the revolting and depraved mother of Precious, was arguably masterful, and she now joins Hattie McDaniel (who played a maid), Halle Berry (who played a sex-starved fool), Whoppi Goldberg (who played a medium in Ghost), and Jennifer Hudson (who played a singer). I mention the roles that African-American women played to win their Oscars because the roles African- American women get in Hollywood are too frequently stereotypical, and it is these stereotypical performances that are ...

Obama’s Health Plan Bites

New Hisd Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier

With the reputation as a reformer and innovator preceding him, new HISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier, comes to Houston with a litany of awards and accolades for the job he did improving school districts in North Carolina and most recently, San Diego. Yet, the changes Grier has proposed to business-as-usual at HISD have come under fire from some teachers. Still, as was evidenced by his recent State of the Schools Address, Grier is intent on instituting whatever changes he believes will guarantee that all students HISD are equipped with a great teacher in their classroom, a student-focused principal, and the ...