May 17, 2020
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol. 25, Issue 17
ASTROS LEGEND BOB ‘THE BULL’ WATSON DIES AT 74
ACRES HOME FUNERAL DIRECTOR ON COVID-19 DEATHS:
HOUSTON — Bob “The Bull” Watson, the first African American GM to win a World Series, died Thursday due to kidney disease. He was 74. His legacy was honored in
March with the dedication of the Bob Watson Education Center at the Astros Youth Academy in Acres Home. “He was an All-Star on
Watson on page 2
MUSIC INDUSTRY LOSES 3 LEGENDS IN ONE WEEKEND By: N.L. Preston
HOUSTON -- In 1953, Ebony magazine reported there were 3,000 black-owned funeral parlors across the country, and last year, that number had decreased to about 1,200, with nearly a dozen remaining across the Houston area. Many African Americans continue to rely on the comfort and security from familiar faces when it comes to burying their loved ones, especially during the COVID-19/ coronavirus global pandemic.
“This time is truly serious.”
In an effort to keep everyone safe, funeral directors have had to implement strict new procedures for services and burials. “This thing is truly serious,” said Houston funeral director Otis Wiley, of O.W. Wiley Mortuary in Acreage Home. And he knows firsthand what it is like being in the trenches. He’s been the person who’s had to collect the
bodies of those who died due to the virus. “When we walked into a hospital to collect our first body and saw so many patients on the ventilators, when we got back to the funeral home, it was an emotional time,” he said. “That’s when things were just getting big in the news and everyone was so confused about what to do, it could blow your mind.” Wiley and his team would not allow fear to hinder them from giving the high quality his mortuary, which has been a staple in the community for more than 20 years, has provided to clients. African-American News&Issues asked Wiley to share more about how the crisis has affected business practices. Q: Do you handle bodies differently now than before the pandemic? A: No. We use the same precautions we’ve always used. We do this every day anyway. I came through the era when we had AIDS, when no one knew what it was, Funeral on page 3
The 2020 Mother’s Day weekend is one music lovers would possibly never forget after three historic entertainment trailblazers died. Andre Harrell On Friday, hip hop lovers were shocked by the announcement of Uptown Records mogul, Andre Harrell, who died at 59 years of age. Harrell has famously been credited as the man who made Sean “P Diddy/ Puffy” Combs the entertainLegends on page 2
WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY • AVOID PUBLIC SPACES OR EVENTS WITH MORE THAN 10 PATRONS • SANITIZE AND STOCK UP • AVOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES, NOSE AND MOUTH • PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE
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May 17, 2020 We MUST Understand
President/Chief Editor
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Griselda Ramirez: Production
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Know your place???
He woke up that morning with a bounty on his head. Sadly, he did not know it as he laced up his shoes and set out for a standard jog. He never stood a chance. Because two white men were seemingly looking for a kill and another innocent black man was, unfortunately, going to unknowingly cross their paths at “their” right time for murder. It’s the storyline that happens all the time for those shades “darker than acceptable” in a world full of jealousy - and hate. Now, yet another “trial of a century” is gearing up for centerstage as a white father and son, Gregory and Travis McMichael, were arrested May 7 in the death of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery, who was jogging through a Georgia neighborhood on February 23 when he was racially profiled and murdered -- just for being black. The McMichaels claimed Arbery fit the description of a person suspected in a “rash of break-ins” in the neighborhood at that time. The problem is, police records do not show there was any series of crimes, as the men claimed. And Arbery, who was wearing a white T-shirt, khaki shorts, Nike sneakers and a bandanna was clearly wearing exercising gear. The McMichaels chased down the unsuspecting “suspect,” cut him off and confronted him. Travis McMichael, 34, was armed with a shotgun and shot Arbery multiple times as they struggled over it. Gregory McMichael, 64, a recently retired Glynn County police officer, was also armed so, again, Arbery never stood a chance. Arbery died in the middle of the street and the McMi-
chaels went back home to live out their peaceful white lives until a 36-second video of the deadly altercation surfaced and public outcry began. Celebrities, elected officials and the public at large flooded social media demanding justice. The authorities were “forced” to take action and arrested the father-son duo, charging them with murder and aggravated assault. Georgia prosecutor, George E. Barnhill noted that the McMichaels were carrying their weapons legally under Georgia law. He also cited the state’s citizen’s arrest statute, and the statute on self-defense. Barnhill also argued that Arbery, who was unarmed, had initiated the fight and Travis McMichael was thus “allowed to use deadly force to protect himself.” S. Lee Merritt, a lawyer representing Arbery’s family, said that the victim’s mother, Wander Cooper, was grateful the police had made the arrests. “She was very relieved,” Merritt said. “She remained very stoic as she has during this entire process. I believe that she is holding out for a conviction for these men.” So, will there be JUSTICE? Not likely, there rarely ever is. Why did it take so long for charges to be filed? Were local Georgia officials on the cusp of a cover-up before the video came out and FORCED federal officials to take action? Remember a young man with a name we will never forget -- Trayvon Martin who was tracked down by another blood-thirsty racist who made almost the same claim of protecting his neighborhood? Arbery would have turned 26 years old on May 8. In honor of his short life, supporters were encouraged to run 2.23 miles, marking the day Arbery was gunned down, using the hashtag #IRunWithMaud. Black men, be on the lookout, be on the alert. Even during a global pandemic, when it comes to racism and a bullseye on the backs of blacks, the hunt is still on.
Legends, cont’d ment titan that he is today. Harrell is also the man who singed our original queen of hip/ hop soul, Mary J. Blige. The Bronx, New York native Harrell also served as CEO of Motown Records, in addition to later becoming Vice Chairman of Revolt, Diddy’s multi-platform music network. Harrell died at his home in West Hollywood, California. News of his shocking death was first announced on Instagram by legendary DJ “D-Nice.” Little Richard The following day, black history legend and music icon “Little Richard” died after a battle with bone cancer. He was 87. Richard Wayne Penniman was born on December 5, 1932. He was an influential figure in popular music and his most celebrated work dates back to the mid1950s, when his dynamic music and charismatic showmanship laid the foundation for rock and roll, leading him to be given the nickname “The Innovator, The Originator, and The Architect
Watson, cont’d
the field and a true pioneer off of it, admired and respected by everyone he played with or worked alongside,” the Astros released in a statement. “Bob will be missed, but not forgotten.” After being signed by Houston as a 19-yearold free agent in 1965, Watson made his Major League debut with the Astros in 1966, and would go on to become one of the finest players in franchise history. During his long career in Houston, which would span parts of 14
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION of Rock and Roll.” Characterized by his frenetic piano playing and raspy singing voice, Richard’s music also played a key role in the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and funk. He influenced numerous singers and musicians across musical genres from rock to hip hop, and his music helped shape rhythm and blues for generations to come. Some of his best-known hits were “Tutti Frutti” (1955), “Long Tall Sally” (1956) and “Good Golly, Miss Molly” (1958). Richard was honored by many institutions. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of its first group of inductees in 1986. He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. Betty Wright On Sunday, Mother’s Day, the woman known for her high pitch and soulful “relationship on
the mends or ends” ballads, Betty Wright, died. She was 66 years old. Wright rose to fame in the 1970s with hits such as “Clean Up Woman” and “Tonight is the Night,” and later on telling women “Don’t blame Mr. Charlie, Mr. Charlie is just a man doing the best he can…..” in her hit “After the Pain.” In 1988, Wright made history as the first black female artist to score a gold album on her own label, when her 1987 album, Mother Wit, achieved that certification. Several of Wright’s works have been sampled over
seasons (1966-79), Watson, nicknamed The Bull, was a two-time All-Star (1973, ‘75), hitting over .300 four times and reaching 100 RBI in a season twice while hitting in the middle of the Astros lineup in the pitcher-friendly Astrodome. Later in his career, Watson would make history again, becoming the first player in Major League history to hit for the cycle in both leagues, turning the trick for Boston on Sept. 15, 1979 at Baltimore. After retiring in 1984 after 19 seasons in the Majors, Watson would
become a hitting coach, most notably for the 1988 AL Champion Oakland A’s. Following the 1988 season, he was hired by the Astros as assistant general manager and later took over as the club’s general manager following the 1993 season, becoming just the second African American to hold this position in MLB history. Watson would later become the first African American GM to win a World Series after helping to guide the New York Yankees to the title in 1996.
the years by hip hop, rock and R&B musicians. The riff from “Clean Up Woman” has been sampled constantly by acts such as Afrika Bambaattaa, SWV, Mary J. Blige, Sublime, Willie D, and Chance the Rapper. Wright’s first hit, “Girls Can’t Do What Guys Do,” was sampled for Beyoncé’s “Upgrade U.” Three legends who made legendary leaps during different times. They will all be missed. Full bios can be found on AframNews.com. - AANI
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I was a young embalmer then. When handling bodies, we wear our gowns, aprons, masks, gloves and face shields. You must realize, the doctors can tell you only so much when you receive those first calls to pick up a body and take them to your prep room, so we prepare for things that the person may have had that may not be on the death certificate. Q: What changes have been made for the way you hold your funeral services? A: Now, less is best. We make sure everyone we deal with keeps the 6 feet distancing rule, even when making the arrangements. We used to have three or four different families in our business at the same time, but now we
only have one family in Q: Has there been an Public Notic the business at one time. increase in cremations? That means longer hours Do people think that is Contact Information: of work for us, but it is safer? Name: Sharon something we must do. A: No. You don’t haveK. Ognows Q: Has there been a sig- to cremateCompany: a person who Lone Star College nificant increase in busi- died from COVID. What System ness? you have toPhone: realize(832)813-6211 is after Email: Sharon.K.Ognowski@l A: For me, yes. I really you embalm a body, 99 Tearsheets: think we were one of the percent of Address the time,forwhat first African American fu- they had is --gone. Yourforfirst needed tearsheet mai neral homes to deal with priority in embalming is the COVID virus because disinfecting the body. Wiley says COVID-19AD COST out of the first three cases that came from Houston, has been a serious attack, the fears, one of those cases came and despite allTotal Cost to run Ad to give to us. A lot of funeral he will continueweek: $118.13 per homes would not touch the people what they need. “When God tells you to them. And later on, some of the other funeral homes serve something, it does would call us to ask us not matter if it is good or if it’s bad. No matter how what we did. Q: Where do you con- a person died, we deal Please sign with it,” Wiley said. “Wefor appr duct the funerals? A: We actually just had are in the death business. email to our first funeral at a church There’s a lot of pride in the prod@aframnews.c because, over the last sev- word ‘undertaker.’ We are en weeks, most were not the last responders.” NOON Thursday fully open to the public. - AANI public Monday’s Before that, they had to be held at our funeral home and it was very difficult. We’d gather the family and would Signature let them know we could only give them a onehour service because we had to disinfect the chapel and get ready Date for the next round of funerals. We would hold several in a day. But you know what we found out? Families still had fantastic services and they couldn’t believe it was accomplished within an hour. Q: On average, how many funerals are you now conducting? A: We are getting one to three calls a day right now, but it’s a whole lot that goes into that. We’ve been here in the community for 20 years, the good services we provide, the great embalming that we do; all of that goes into it. Last year we did over 300, which is a lot of cases, and this year, we might hit 375 to 400 cases because that is the rate we are going at.
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May 17, 2020
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
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