November 22, 2020
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol. 25, Issue 43
“Our vote and our money are the two most powerful things we have. Be careful who you give them to.” - Roy Douglas Malonson
“Addressing Current & Historical Realties Affecting Our Community”
JOE BIDEN’S CABINET AND SENIOR STAFF By: AANI Staff
BLACK PASTORS VS COVID-19 By: Roy Douglas Malonson
HOUSTON - For decades, the Black Baptist church has been leading the Black communities when it came to matters of race, community issues and - yes - politics. But this time around, there was more silence than support for candidates in the 2020 elec-
tion season. What made Black Baptist preachers ease their endorsements, lowering the boom of voices they began establishing in America more than 200 years ago? The revolution came from evolution. In the 1780s, a slave named Andrew Bryan was arrested and
whipped after preaching to a small group of slaves in Savannah, Ga. Despite persecution and harassment, his church grew, and by 1790, it became the First African Baptist Church of Savannah. In time, a second and a third African Church were formed, all led by black pastors. It’s some-
thing slave owners started, and something they’d eventually regret. During the days of slavery, white Methodists and Baptists made active efforts to convert enslaved Africans to Christianity. While reli-
Pastors cont’d page 4
President-elect Joe Biden ran a campaign saying he wanted to reclaim “the soul of the nation,” and promised that, if elected, he would bring diversity to the White House. Biden and Vice president-elect Kamala Harris have developed a transition team that consists of 46% people of color and 52% women, according to data. And on his senior staff, people of color make up 41% and women make up 53%. Biden’s transition team said in a released statement, “These diverse, experienced, and talented individuals dem-
onstrate President-elect Biden’s commitment to building an administration that looks like America.” So who will help Biden lead the country? First, we need to list what positions make up the Cabinet. In addition to the vice president, there are 15 executive departments: Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice, Labor, State, Transportation,
Cabinet cont’d page 3
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November 22, 2020
EDITORIAL
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Griselda Ramirez: Production
Partin’ the Waters By Omowale Luthuli-Allen
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Making Georgia and Texas Howl! You didn’t believe us when we told you that we were coming to get you. We are going to take control of our destinies without firing a single shot. “While you were try-
ing to float a fake Hunter Biden-Putin narrative, we were engaged in voter education, registration and mobilization.” These might have been the words of Stacey Abrams of the Fair
Fight project. The State of Georgia drove a stake into the heart of the GOP and broke the red vise grip on the state by winning the state for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. On Nov. 3, the showdown became real. Biden flying on the sails of Black voters would win the popular vote and electoral count. The victory was a non-violent way of winning the state and the presidency. General William T. Sherman in 1864, announcing his violent campaign to the sea said, “I intend to make Georgia howl.” Well on Nov. 3, Stacey Abrams, the Black community
and college-educated progressives helped to take down a president by making Atlanta and
Howl cont’d page 7
A Revival of God
Consciousness Bobby E. Mills, PhD
The True Patriots: Black Women Beyond a shadow of doubt, Black women hold high the blood stained banner of social democracy, and equal justice for all Americans. Moreover, when Lady Liberty’s Light fades, Black women rekindle the light through their hard work, and Godly votes for a more just society for all regardless of race, color or creed. Hip, hip Hooray! And, Glory to God on high, and peace on Earth, and good will toward all, because Black women continue to march onward and upward. Thus, it must be said that Faith without works is dead; therefore, their hard work and self-sacrifice helped perpetuate voting efforts designed to create a more just democratic society. This writer is persuaded that Black women understand that no power on Earth
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
can separate them from the love of God’s blood stained banner, because they are willing to go through a dysfunctional male dominated ungodly society/world. Believe me; no one has to tell me about the sacrificiallove-power of a Black woman. Shame, shame, shame on the Black males who dishonored the tireless selfless sacrifices of their mothers by voting for an ungodly male to remain as President of America. Hallelujah and thank God for godly mothers! The 2020 Presidential election was not an individual group victory. It was God’s victory over lies, lies, damn lies, and ungodly confusion. Hence, if it should come to fruition that the two Democratic Senatorial candidates in Georgia should win, it will be God’s victory as well, and God should receive the honor, and the glory through all the Saints of the church of Jesus Christ. Thus, Black women know and spiritually understand that: “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 14: 33). On any given Sunday morning in attendance at any Christian church, one will mostly find worshipping women, children and the elderly. WHY? Because women understand the power of love and spirituality, and therefore, they
teach their children the power of love and selfsacrifice. America, we have a spiritual-moral conscience problem, because both the 2016 and 2020 Presidential elections were not about Donald Trump, but the SOUL of the nation. In fact, from a societal vantage point, both elections revealed that social democracy is for spiritually enlightened educated individuals. Because both Christian churches and public schools have failed miserably in providing enlightened educational human development. For four years America has been playing with internal self-destruction by electing a male to the highest democratic office in the world. Republics do not last because of insecure males like Hitler and Trump! Such males are incapable of engaging in serious spiritual-self-introspection. Trump is fearful of failure, mistakes and humiliation. Lying is an attempt to cover up failure. Becoming President is transitional, not a lifetime dictatorial job. Trump received over 75 million votes, and 55% of White women voters, voted for him. Question: after four years of Trump-style-confusion, what were these individuals voting for? Selah.
- AANI
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Cabinet cont’d Treasury and Veterans Affairs. There are other several key high-ranking positions, including White House chief of staff, Environmental Protection Agency administrator, Office of Management & Budget director, United States Trade Representative ambassador, Council of Economic Advisers chairman and Small Business Administration administrator. Here is a list of who is in, and who is still in the running. SELECTED: Ron Klain, one of Biden’s most trusted campaign advisers, will serve as his incoming chief of staff. Jen O’Malley Dillon, will serve as Biden’s deputy chief of staff. Cedric Richmond will serve as senior adviser to the president and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. Richmond has represented Louisiana’s 2nd congressional district in the US House of Representatives since 2011. He previously served as the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. The Biden campaign also released the names of several White House senior staff members on November 17, including: Mike Donilon, chief strategist for the Biden campaign; Steve Ricchetti, chairman of the Biden campaign; Dana Remus, general counsel to the Biden campaign; Julie Chavez Rodriguez (the granddaughter of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez)
November 22, 2020
AFRAMNEWS.COM 3
deputy campaign manager on the Biden campaign; and Annie Tomasini, Biden’s traveling chief of staff. Julissa Reynoso Pantaleon has been appointed chief of staff to incoming first lady Jill Biden. A graduate of Harvard University, the University of Cambridge and Columbia Law School, Reynoso Pantaleon, who was born in the Dominican Republic, currently serves as a trustee for New York-Presbyterian
enced diplomat and an expert on foreign policy. Karen Bass, Secretary of Health and Human Services Before serving as a California congresswoman, Bass worked for almost a decade as a physician assistant. She now leads the Congressional Black Caucus. Keisha Lance Bottoms, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development This Atlanta mayor made headlines for being outspoken on ra-
first woman to serve as secretary of defense. Michèle A. Flournoy, Secretary of Defense Flournoy previously served as deputy assistant secretary of defense under President Bill Clinton and as undersecretary of defense for policy under President Obama. If nominated, the Harvard alumna would be the first woman to serve as secretary of defense. Lily Eskelsen García, Secretary of Education For two decades, Gar-
CIA director. After completing law school at Georgetown University, she clerked in the U.S. Court of Appeals. Heidi Heitkamp, Secretary of Agriculture Before serving North Dakota in Congress, the one-term senator worked for the Environmental Protection Agency and served as North Dakota’s attorney general. Elizabeth Warren, Secretary of the Treasury Sen. Warren is a pro-
Hospital and for Columbia University, and is on the Board of Directors of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law and the Truman National Security Project. Anthony Bernal will serve as senior adviser to Jill Biden. He worked with Jill Biden for all eight years of the Obama administration, including as the second lady’s director of scheduling, trip director and deputy chief of staff. WHO COULD ALSO MAKE THE CUT? Susan Rice, Secretary of State Rice was a national security adviser for President Obama, and is considered an experi-
cial justice issues. Since winning the mayoral election in 2017, Lance Bottoms has prioritized affordable housing. Before becoming mayor, she served as a judge and an Atlanta city councilwoman. Val Demings, Secretary of Homeland Security Before serving as a Florida congresswoman, the former Orlando police chief had a 27year career in law enforcement. Tammy Duckworth, Secretary of Defense Sen. Duckworth is an Army veteran who served in the Iraq War. If nominated, she’d be the first Thai American in the Cabinet and the
cía worked as an elementary school teacher in Utah, having entered schools originally as a lunch lady. After an unsuccessful congressional run in 1998, she cemented her career in education advocacy and reform, ultimately serving as the president of the National Education Association. Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Interior When she was elected to the House in 2018, the Arizona representative became one of the first Native American women elected to Congress. Avril Haines, CIA Director Haines, the first woman to serve as deputy
gressive favorite who ran against Biden for the Democratic nomination. She is a staunch advocate for economic equality and reform. Elizabeth SherwoodRandall, Secretary of Energy During the Obama administration, Sherwood-Randall served as deputy secretary of energy and was Biden’s chief adviser on foreign and defense policy right out of grad school at Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar. Sally Yates, Attorney General When President Trump took office, Yates was the acting attorney general but lasted just 10
days. In January 2017, she was fired for refusing to defend Trump’s “Muslim ban.” Andrew Yang, Secretary of Commerce Yang is an entrepreneur and former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, centering his campaign around the idea of universal basic income. Yang joined CNN as a political commentator in February, after dropping out of the presidential race. Pete Buttigieg, UN ambassador Buttigieg is the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, eventually breaking barriers by becoming the first gay candidate to earn primary delegates for a major party’s presidential nomination. Kate Bedingfield, White House Press Secretary Bedingfield was the deputy campaign manager and communications director for Biden’s presidential campaign. She worked at the White House under the Obama administration as Biden’s communications director. Symone Sanders, White House Press Secretary Sanders was a senior adviser to the Biden 2020 campaign. Sanders worked as national press secretary for Sen. Bernie Sanders during his 2016 presidential campaign and later joined CNN as a political commentator. She is also under consideration for principal deputy press secretary.
- AANI
4 AFRAMNEWS.COM Pastors cont’d gion can be seen as a salvation, whites used it as a way to keep slaves under control, brainwashing them to believe that their backbreaking work and allegiance to their masters were all part of God’s plan. Blacks began to get licensed to preach, and to White’s dissatisfaction, Black ministers began to preach powerful sermons like the story of Exodus, speaking of bondage and liberation, and the ideal that one day God would set them free. Whites, fearful of losing control, tried to stop it, but the divine could not be slowed. The Black church became an unstoppable force, and the Black preacher became the most powerful figure in the community. W.E.B. Du Bois immortalized these men in his famous essay, “Of the Faith of the Fathers,” that appeared in his seminal work, “The Souls of Black Folk.” Du Bois described the preacher as “the most unique personality developed by the Negro on American soil.” Fast forwarding to the days of the manipulative Lyndon B. Johnson some politicians got the memo: a Black pastor’s words can help win elections. Ever since then, politics and the Black church became intertwined, like it or not. Black churches became more than just spiritual gathering places, they became power centers for social justice and education. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X used churches as
November 22, 2020 mobilization centers in their attempts to equip African Americans with political information and to launch voting initiatives. The “separation of church and state” rules still apply, but of course there’s always a way to get your intended message across. From the pulpit, the preacher or pastor has the power of persuasion, and anyone he invites as a “friend” has a captive, trusting audience because they will follow their leader. That influence resides in the white church as well, just under a quieter presentation. The “power of the preacher” was also evident when, in 2008, Barack Obama was seemingly pressured to sever ties with his spiritual mentor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, after Wright’s fiery “God damn America!” speech threatened to harm Obama’s presidential run. It was a tough decision for the future president, because Wright’s Trinity Church was where Obama found religion, was married, and where his daughters were baptized. Obama, forever the prolific speaker, seized the moment and delivered one of his most memorable speeches, “A More Perfect Union,” in which he provided context to the deep historical roots of racial inequality and injustice. When Obama is on stages across America, his delivery is more like a pastor than a politician, and Blacks, in a way, looked to him as a shepherd, more than the commander-in-chief. But why didn’t we see more shepherds lead-
ing their flocks during this 2020 election? What shifted? Some say it’s about money while others say, it is simply about a change of the times. To be clear, there are plenty of different denominations of Black churches (African Methodist Episcopal [AME], the African Methodist Episcopal Zion [AMEZ], Church of God in Christ [COGIC], etc.) and all have different polities and doctrinal tenets when it comes to political affiliations. While some stay away altogether, others have supported candidates in various ways, while still adhering to guidelines. A church or pastor can belong to an association, for instance the Baptist Ministers Alliance or the Houston Area COGIC PAC, which can have a Political Action Committee (PAC) listed under it. As long as the association is not tax exempt, they can endorse political candidates. But since most churches hold a tax-exempt status, they are not legally allowed to participate, hence the separation of church and state. And when it comes to persuading congregations politically, it wasn’t about getting the vote out for all, it was about swaying votes to one side, and in the process, palms would be greased. Certain members of the Democratic party would “support” certain pastors, and some of those pastors would in turn allow candidates to spread their messages. It was a win-win for all. But there have been rumblings of complaints
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
that many Baptist pastors felt they did not get a piece of the pie from the 2020 election, specifically the Biden-Harris campaign. Why did the campaign go against what was traditionally done in the Black community, or could it simply be, that campaigning has changed with the times? Was there a need to spend money where people weren’t going? Parishioners were not allowed to congregate at Sunday worship services. The Biden campaign was cognizant of the pandemic and took advantage of the virtual landscape, mobilizing the people through their digital and social media platforms. People noted there were less signs visible in
neighborhoods. Churches usually facilitated this, having an abundance of signs on hand that could be proudly displayed in front yards and businesses. But the tradition has been overtaken by the technical. Campaign advertisements have replaced yard signs with social media photo frames, banners and emojis. The reach is more outstanding. Just as administrations pass the political torches of leadership, campaigns are passing the political torches of execution. Things, are simply, done a different way today. During this global pandemic, the Black pastors have seen empty seats in the churches and have been relying on viewers to watch them on the Internet. They have adjust-
REGISTRATION 12.05.20
•
12.12.20
ed to virtual Bible studies and online collection plates. Here’s a question for you? Is it fair for presidential and other political campaign dollars to come into the Black community primarily through the Black pastors, who served as a vehicle to facilitate those dollars? With the change in transition, are there more avenues to spread the money around? This world is evolving daily, keep up. Do not lose yourself or your faith; and hold ALL leaders (pastors and politicians) accountable. Understanding your history will help you today, and prepare you for tomorrow. - AANI
Rallies •
12.19.20
9 A.M. – 2 P.M.
ED. WE LISTENED. WE’RE STILL LISTENING YOU ASK .
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November 22, 2020
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November 22, 2020
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
HEALTH
‘CORONA’ IS NOT THE HOLIDAY GIFT YOU WANT!
By: AANI Staff
HOUSTON - If there was ever more of a need to stress the importance of hunkering down this winter, it is now, because Texas has become the first state to surpass a million Coronavirus cases in the United States last week, as the country battled a third wave of new infections and recorded over 100,000 infections three times in less than a week. About one tenth of the country’s more than 10 million positive tests were reported in the Lone Star State, which is home to about 29 million people. Think of it this way -- if Texas was its own country, it would be ranked among the world’s Top 10 countries in terms of total cases, according to Johns Hopkins data. India, Brazil, France, Russia, Spain, Argentina, the United Kingdom and Colombia have also all reported more than one million infections. So how does this all translate for us here in the Houston area? The number of active COVID-19 cases has been on the rise in Harris County, up by 7,000 since mid-October, according to data from the Harris County Public Health Department. Harris County’s cases
hit 29,148 on Nov. 9, a sharp reversal of its low point in early September, when numbers were in the 13,000s. Reports indicate that testing in Texas Medical Center hospitals positivity rate was at 4.5% as of Nov. 8 and has remained below 5% for 59 consecutive days. The effective reproduction rate— which measures how fast the virus is spreading in the Greater Houston area—was at 1.03 as of Nov. 8. Any number above 1 indicates the virus spread is increasing. The surge in new cases came mainly from Harris, Dallas and El Paso counties, based on a Reuters tally, and areas across Texas are re-shifting operations. The border city of El Paso canceled sporting events and added mobile morgues in anticipation of virus deaths overwhelming hospitals. The top county official in Fort Worth is pushing to halt youth and school sports, and medical tents were set up outside hospitals for the first time in the rural Panhandle. And here’s another alarming fact. A report from the University of Texas at Austin shows that more people in Texas prisons have contracted the virus than in any other prison system
in the country. “COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on prisons and jails across the country, and especially in Texas,” Michele Deitch, author and criminal justice policy expert at the university’s Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs said in a statement. There has been at least 231 reported deaths of both staff and inmates. Gov. Greg Abbott has not held a press briefing about the virus since September, when he announced that he was lifting more restrictions on restaurants and gyms. A spokesperson for Abbott said he was relying on “data-driven hospitalization metrics” and that the state was working to help areas with rising caseloads. “The reality is, COVID-19 still exists in Texas and across the globe, and Texans should continue to take this virus seriously and do their part by social distancing, washing their hands, and wearing a mask,” Renae Eze said. As the holidays get closer, people are anxious to come out of quarantine and celebrate with fam-
ily and friends reminiscent of pre-pandemic days, but it’s not time to let your guard down! The holidays will look and feel different this year, and health officials are advising people to make smart choices that could save lives of those you love. The Houston Health Department is encouraging everyone to limit in-person holiday gatherings to household members to slow the spread of the virus and prevent another surge. Coronavirus thrives on gatherings, so we caution you to follow these safety tips. People who are planning to attend a holiday gathering should consider avoiding nonhousehold members for 14-days before and after the event. Conduct video calls, which offer friends and
families the opportunity to interact with each other without the risk associated with in-person gatherings. While participating in outdoor gatherings is safer than indoor events, attendees still need to practice social distancing and wear masks. “While there isn’t a way to completely eliminate the risk of COVID-19, we can significantly reduce it,” said Dr. David Persse, chief medical officer for the City of Houston. “If you must gather, you and your group must plan ahead and commit to restricting contact with anyone outside your household for 14 days before and after the gathering.” For those still insisting on that Black Friday holiday shopping, it is advised to avoid crowded stores. Instead, consider online shop-
ping, curbside pick-up, and home delivery. People can also shop during less crowded times of the day, and should wear a mask, social distance and bring hand sanitizer. And remember, people who may have COVID-19, and/or are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, new loss of taste or smell and diarrhea or were exposed to someone who tested positive must not spend any time with other people or leave their homes unless they need medical care. Visit houstonhealth. org or call 832-393-4220 to find a nearby free testing site. - AANI
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Georgia Howl. During Ms. Abrams’ run for governor of Georgia in 2014, 1.4 million voters were purged from the rolls. Could this have happened if the 1965 Voting Rights Act was in force? Despite Sherman’s 60,000 Union troops scorching the Earth from Atlanta to Savannah in 1865, many rebel sympathizers didn’t get the message. Grant disregarded a piece of African wisdom “Never take a handshake above the elbow.” Grant checked his resentment and gave the murderous Lee his sword back. According to Wilkipedia, “After the war, there was considerable violence against freedmen in the county. During the post-Reconstruction period, violence and the number of lynchings of blacks increased in the late 19th century, as whites exercised terrorism to re-establish and maintain white supremacy. Whites lynched 35 African Americans here from 1877 to 1950. With a total of 589, Georgia was second to Mississippi in its total number of lynching’s in this period. POTUS loudly shouted, “I am the least racist person, I have done more for AfricanAmericans than any other person, I have created more jobs.” This assertion did not find a home with Black people. Now the GOP must come face to face with the truth. The country is changing for the better. No yelping and one-
liners about stealing the vote could stop the progressive tide According to the African proverb, “ears that do not listen to advice, accompany the head when it is chopped off.” In 1864, Sherman barreled through Savannah as the Confederates fled. He telegraphed President Abraham Lincoln that the Confederacy had been broken and have a Merry Christmas. Black Atlanta and the suburbs gave PresidentElect Jpe Biden and a chocolate caramel Madame VP-elect Kamala an early Christmas present. The question is will they strengthen black futures and bring greater well-being for all the American people? In spite of General Sherman and General Stacy Adams opening a can of whip behind, the Confederacy lives with the termite infested red Southern electoral wall. To our chagrin, this includes the fair states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, S Carolina, N. Carolina, Tennesse, W. Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri. The remaining challenge is to begin voter education, registration, and mobilization tomorrow in Texas and ready ourselves to protect the democracy.In 2022, there will be new obstructions to counting every vote. Let’s get ready to shoulder our responsibilities, support the blue senators in the January runoff in Georgia and let’s make TEXAS HOWL. - AANI
8 AFRAMNEWS.COM
November 22, 2020
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Connecting workers to new skills This health and humanitarian crisis has had a disproportionate impact on employment for people of color. Here in Houston, there is an urgent need for skill building — including re-skilling and up-skilling — to create a clear pathway to jobs that can deliver upward mobility and economic stability. To drive progress, Bank of America is investing $1 billion over four years to advance racial equality and economic opportunity, building on work we’ve had underway for many years. We’re helping to connect people to the skills, resources and experience needed to succeed by building partnerships with nonprofits and local government, and through our own recruiting and hiring. This includes partnerships with Community Colleges that serve predominately Black and Hispanic/Latino students, and public Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions. In Houston, we remain committed to supporting organizations that help people in our community get the skills they need.
Hong Ogle Houston Market President
Strengthening pathways Here in Houston, we’re partnering with local organizations to create pathways to better jobs, including: SERJobs EMERGE Fellowship
To learn more, please visit bankofamerica.com/community Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. © 2020 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.