October 25, 2020
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol. 25, Issue 39
PLAN YOUR VOTE
THE GLOVES ARE OFF By: Roy Douglas Malonson
WHERE’S OUR 40 ACRES AND A MULE?
By: N.L. Preston
Have you ever heard the phrase, “40 acres and a mule?” If you have, depending on your age and wisdom, you may or may not know what that means. The saying is tied to “reparations,” which is what many African Americans feel is owed to them by the government for being kidnapped and forced into slavery, and rightfully so. REPARATIONS is defined as “the making of amends for a wrong one has done, by paying money to or otherwise helping those who have
been wronged.” If you think of that term in modern day, you could compare it to a city or state paying an innocent person for a wrongful imprisonment. But how do you pay someone back for the greatest atrocity known to mankind -- slavery -- which had generations of our people suffering back breaking servitude, beatings, rapings, and separations of families who still have never found each other? Some say it is simple -- PAY -- especially with the wide economic gap
between Blacks and Whites in this country, with Blacks still doing twice the work for half the pay, in addition to other disadvantages in education, purchasing homes, starting businesses and the inability of passing down generational wealth. THE FIRST SLAP IN THE FACE As the Civil War was winding down, Union leaders gathered a group of black ministers in Savannah, Ga. with the intention of helping the newly-freed slaves in the area.
It was announced that Gen. William T. Sherman’s Special Field Order 15 set aside land along the Southeast coast so that “each family shall have a plot of not more than forty acres of tillable ground.” That plan later became known as “40 acres and a mule.” All was settled and it appeared the freed slaves would get a fresh start, but after President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, President
Reparations cont’d page 6
The strength of a candidate, sometimes, depends on the strength behind their endorsements, and one of America’s, arguably, most beloved presidents - Barack Obama - has decided to step out from the sidelines to make the most powerful endorsement in this election. President Obama this week began to stomp the trail on behalf of his former vice president, Joe Biden, in an effort to get Donald Trump out of office. Obama is visiting key battleground states to rally support for Biden, particularly trying to boost enthusiasm among Black men, Latinos and younger voters. Former first lady Michelle Obama is a powerful speaker, and has already been campaigning for Biden with her “it is
what it is” messaging, but the country has been waiting for her husband to take his place center stage. Many have wondered why it has taken so long for Obama to come out from behind the scene and endorse the many Democratic candidates who need him, but David Axelrod, a longtime adviser to Obama, explains it is a good plan. “In terms of his value, it’s been smart not to overuse him,” Axelrod said. “They’ve been using him in targeted digital appeals to constituencies that Democrats need to arouse in this election: young people and people of color, who did not come out in the numbers that Hillary Clinton had hoped four
Biden cont’d page 6
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October 25, 2020
EDITORIAL
A Revival of God
Consciousness Bobby E. Mills, PhD
Office: (713) 692-1892 Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Democracy: Moral Order Democracy is for all citizens, but democracy can only survive/ thrive when citizens are spiritually enlightened. The Founders created a mass universal educational system primarily so citizens could learn to read, and spiritually understand the Bible as the basis for societalcommunal living (moral order). The ungodly leadership mentality of Donald Trump in conjunction with Christian Right Evangelicals has empowered a virus of hatred rather than love, peace and good will, because: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” President Trump has absolutely transformed the GOP into the Southern Dixiecrat Party with Trump as its Russian-style-dictator. Question: how low can the GOP go? Godfearing Americans are praying that their days are numbered. Time-honored democratically established
traditions, procedures and institutions are not the problem. The problem is the self-centered mentality of some individuals elected to public service offices, the erosion of moral orderstructure in our families, churches, schools and civic organizations. Politics should advance the universal good of the nation; not what’s good for politicians and political parties. Tit for tat politics is a losing governing proposition, because it does not resolve the long-term issues of immorality, dark money, corporate greed, and political party corruption. Therefore, changing the number of individuals on the Supreme Court may be a short-term political fix for some understandably disgruntled individuals, but it is not the long-term moral answer for nation-state civility and human decency. America does not need a short-term political fix, but a long-term moral Constitutional solution. Long-term legal solutions must be enacted into law by the Senate on when procedural timeframes for Supreme Court Justice Confirmation hearings are inappropriate. This will eliminate political party confusion over process. God-fearing individuals know that anything Trump touches invariably will be corrupted, because corrup-
tion is all he knows. Former Vice President Joe Biden must rise above the vulgar ungodly political partisanship running rampart in America, and forth rightly address the underlying political governance issues that are ripping the moral fabric of American society apart. Judge Barrett’s qualifications are not the moral leadership issues. GOP-Senators and their corporate allies are the problem. The godly answer lies in mounting political efforts to vote the bums out of office. Statesman like character is needed, not bitterer partisanship. Biden must give the kind of statesmanlike address to the nation that Obama gave in 2008 when confronted with the issue of institutional-racism. The opportunity has come. Opportunity is the present moment. The question is: what shall voters do with it? Do we do like Pilate? Wash our hands, and say let the record stand? Or do we rise up and run like hell to the polls, and vote the ungodly rascals out of office, because nothing can separate us from the love of God. Therefore: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 12: 31). Selah. - AANI
Partin’ the Waters By Omowale Luthuli-Allen
A Republic Madame, if you can keep it WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED........... As Benjamin Franklin was leaving Independence Hall in 1776, he was stopped by a woman who asked, “What have
you created?” Franklin replied, “A republic if you can keep it.” It appears that tens of millions have caught the wave and are early voting in unprecedented numbers despite the efforts of our noble governor in Texas to suppress the vote. Voting is a piece of the puzzle to protect a fragile democracy that is filled with deficiencies, but still the world’s greatest democracy at work.
Now we must shoulder some additional responsibilities. As Ndugu Mtangulizi says, “we have to challenge the forces that want to dismantle this democracy. But we must act strategically and intelligently.” Let me posit a looming scenario of November 3. Challenger Joe Biden puts his hands together and knocks the reigning champion out of the ring. If Biden-Harris wins North Carolina and Florida, we have the makings of an electoral bloodbath. The popular vote totals will exceed the Hilary Clinton 2016
totals by four to five million. We must focus on electoral totals, and not just popular vote totals. The lesson of 2004 and 2016 is that you have to win in the combination of the right places- Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Another scenario is that we are weeks out and some may claim that the election cannot be cer-
Republic cont’d page 7
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
October 25, 2020
EDUCATION
DR. ARCHIE BLANSON NEW PRESIDENT AT LONE STAR COLLEGE NORTH HARRIS By: AANI Staff
HOUSTON - Dr. Archie Blanson has been chosen as the next President of Lone Star College-North Harris. He was the overwhelming choice of the Search Advisory Committee and was rated the highest in the forums by employees. The process started in January and involved over 100 employees.
Dr. Blanson’s experience, knowledge of the community, understanding of the challenges facing North Harris and other amazing accomplishments made him the top choice among candidates. “I have valued the opportunity to work with him over an extended period and have seen his
commitment to student success, his positive approach to a culture that values our employees and his advocacy on behalf of North Harris. He is always professional and will be a positive addition to our leadership team in this new role,” said Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., LSC chancellor. - AANI
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October 25, 2020
POLITICS
POLL SAFETY! By: AANI Staff
Mrs. Jearline Sams, 93, casts her ballot at Fallbrok Church Drive-thru voting poll. By: AANI Staff
We know it is scary out there with a deadly airborne virus lurking around - and many people want to stay safely inside their homes. But with the current climate of America, every vote counts and we want to help people safely make their way to the polls. Early voting has begun in many states across America, and to date, nearly 35 million people have cast their votes, breaking records from state-to-
state. And Texas was no exception, flooding the polls on the first day of early voting - Oct. 13 and have not taken the foot off the gas pedal since. There is an option for mail-in and absentee ballots -- both with voter suppression tactics on the red alert meter, many feel that in-person voting is the best option. But still, there are many safety concerns. Here are some safety
tips and resources you should take advantage of: Before heading to the polls, check your voting station in advance to make sure you are (1) at the right place (2) their safety guidelines. There are even some places with DRIVE-THRU voting locations. • What have been the anticipated wait times? • Are masks required for both voters and poll workers? • Are markers in place to maintain 6-feet social distancing? • What are the entry and exit points? Are they separate? • Are there Plexiglas barriers between the voter and the poll worker? • Is there adequate space between voting privacy booths? • Will poll workers sanitize frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles, voting booths and bathrooms regularly?
FIERCE ADVOCATE. TRUSTED PARTNER. PROUD HOUSTONIAN.
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According to the Brennan Center and the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines, the safest locations will be school gymnasiums, community recreation centers, convention centers and large parking lots. Tip: Do not vote in person if your polling station is located at a high-risk facility, such as a senior care facility. Some districts plan to offer curbside voting, especially for those who are not feeling well or who are at extremely high risk, according to Hannah Klain, an Equal Justice Works fellow in the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice in New York City. “If election workers are doing curbside voting, we would want them to have additional PPE like gloves, a face shield and a face mask,” Klain said. More tips: Vote at less busy times of the day. If you can aim for mid-morning or early to mid-afternoon, you may encounter fewer lines. Check social media. People will often post updates about crowds at different times of the day, which can be used to plan your trip. Carefully choose
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
your mask and cover your nose! Studies have shown that cotton masks with two or three layers of fabric are more protective than singleply masks or bandanas, and it’s not safe to stand in line with your snout exposed even if your mouth is covered, experts say. Vote alone! Unless you have a disability that requires assistance, vote alone, experts say. This is not the year to bring your children or other non-voting family members to the voting location. Bring your own sanitizing material! Along with that highly protective mask, you should definitely bring tissues and hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol or disinfecting wipes, the
CDC says. Bring your own PEN! Sometimes you have to sign the voter card or mark a paper ballot. If your voting station has touch-screen voting, you should bring along a cotton swab, finger cover or glove to cast your vote instead of using your finger. Be sure to immediately discard those aids (peel the glove off from your wrist inside out to avoid cross-contamination). PLAN AHEAD! Whether you plan on mail-in, absentee or inperson voting, ALWAYS plan ahead. Use this guide and make a checklist before you leave the home. - AANI
EARLY
VOTING
- AANI
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
October 25, 2020
AFRAMNEWS.COM 5
The all-new Hyundai ELANTRA. Tech-savvy, sleek and seriously dripping.
Designed for the young at heart, this sleek compact sedan offers a fully integrated tech experience with flavor you can savor right at your fingertips. Imagine a Digital Key that locks, unlocks, and starts your ride along with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. Mix in Dynamic Voice Recognition that allows you to roll down your windows, pop your trunk, and control the temperature with your voice. Suddenly you have an intuitive, tech-savvy car designed for better living without breaking the bank. Now that’s dripping.
Preproduction model shown with optional features. Near Field Communication (NFC) digital smartphone key requires a compatible Android smartphone and an appropriately equipped 2021 Elantra. Not all Android devices are compatible. The Elantra must be equipped with smart key with push button start, wireless device charging, and Audio Video Navigation System 5.0 (or newer) or Display Audio 2.0. Lock/unlock functionality works on driver’s door only. See your Owner’s Manual for details and limitations. Dynamic Voice Recognition varies by unit. Speak in a normal voice and minimize background noise for best results. See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations. Hyundai is a registered trademark of Hyundai Motor Company. All rights reserved. ©2020 Hyundai Motor America.
6 AFRAMNEWS.COM
Biden cont’d
Reparations cont’d Andrew Johnson reversed Sherman’s order, giving the land back to its former Confederate owners. AND TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY – the SLAVE OWNERS RECEIVED REPARATIONS for having to give up their slaves. Fast-forward to today…. HOW MUCH IS OWED? One calculation by Thomas Craemer, a professor of public policy at the University of Connecticut, multiplied the “prevailing market wage” by the number of hours enslaved people worked (assuming a 24hour work day) between the years 1776 and 1865. That model, calculated for 2019 at 4%, 5% and
October 25, 2020 years ago.” Obama stayed almost entirely out of the Democratic primary battle, and even after Biden
6% interest rates, works out to $16.4 trillion, $17 trillion and $17.7 trillion, respectively. HAS IT BEEN DONE BEFORE? YES! Did you know? Through the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, the government admitted to a litany of wrongdoings in its internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. As part of a reparations package, the government paid $20,000 to every living survivor of the internment camps and issued an apology that acknowledged a “grave injustice” that was “motivated largely by racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.” In total, $1.6 billion was paid out to more than 82,250 eligible claimants. Adjusted for inflation, that
won the nomination, he remained careful in the way he went after Trump, respecting a long-standing practice
figure would top $3.5 billion in 2020. So will they do this for Blacks? Many politicians agree it is time to do the right thing, in some form or fashion. Vice presidential hopeful Kamala Harris declared in April 2019 she supports reparations and Andrew Yang said in an interview that he supports HR40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for AfricanAmericans Act, sponsored by our own Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. So should we still want the “40 Acres and a Mule” promised to us? Yes. Will we ever see it? We will let YOU answer that. - AANI
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
of former presidents being overly critical of their successors. Trump, however, shows Obama no respect. At his rallies, Trump continues to vilify Obama and his administration, repeating unfounded accusations about spying on his campaign four years ago, repeatedly calling for Obama to be indicted, and no one can ever forget Trump’s “birther conspiracy” against Obama. Well now, with just two short weeks to go, the gloves are off ! Obama has been steadily making it known exactly how he feels about the current president. At the funeral of civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, he delivered a powerful speech that was, directly comparing
Trump to racist leaders from the past. “George Wallace may be gone, but we can witness our federal government sending agents to use tear gas and batons against peaceful demonstrators,” he said. And in his Democratic National Convention address, Obama remarked on Trump’s inability to lead and take his role seriously. “Donald Trump hasn’t grown into the job because he can’t,” Obama said. “And the consequences of that failure are severe.” He stresses that Biden is the person who can bring this country together. “I trust him to be a great president,” Obama said in a video released Tuesday on Twitter. “He’s dif-
ferent. He’s on the right side of the issues. He’ll get the job done.” Obama is appearing in four separate television ads for candidates in Maine and Michigan, South Carolina and Georgia, with other contests likely to be added. The hope is that Democrats can win control of the Senate. “Make sure if Joe Biden wins, he’ll have a Senate ready to work with them to move our country forward,” Obama said. As the younger generation says -- “it’s on.” Obama is speaking out, Biden is on the move and the November 3 election is right around the corner. - AANI
PAID FOR BY MJ FOR TEXAS
Black and Brown communities have been hit hardest during this pandemic.
I’ll fight to make sure no Texas family is left behind. I’M MJ HEGAR. During my third tour in Afghanistan, I was shot, and we went down. After being rescued, I returned fire as we flew to safety. We fought like hell to get everyone home safe that day. My mission isn’t over. Texas families are still in danger. Texas is facing a public health crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic — and it’s hitting Black and Brown communities the hardest. In the Senate, I will: Fight for solutions to help Black communities facing a public health crisis that’s been made even worse by the coronavirus Make sure no one has to wait until payday to see a doctor or get their medicine Protect Medicare and Social Security for Texas seniors
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
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Republic cont’d
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