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AframNews
VOL. 22 ISSUE 33
AframNews
African-American News and Issues Newspaper
Did You Know? Benjamin Banneker
Dallas/ Ft. Worth Metroplex Area - Labor Day Special Edition
OPERATION RECOVERY
“As the clouds pass and the sun shines, all of us needed to see it. Regardless of clouds or rain, the sun will shine in this city.” -Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner
Benjamin Banneker was born on in 1731. He was a self-taught, Black astronomer and mathematician. Banneker and his sisters were born free and grew up on a self-sufficient, 100-acre tobacco farm in Ellicott, MD. Growing up, he spent much of his free time devising and solving mathematical puzzles. It was not until after his retirement from farming at the age of 59 that Banneker began to study astronomy through borrowed books, becoming a man of science and mathematics through unassisted experimentation and close observation of natural phenomena.
SEE PAGE 4 Storm photo by: Randy Bresnik/NASA Center Picture: Volunteers and first responders work together to rescue residents from rising flood waters from Hurricane Harvey in Houston, August 29, 2017 AP
Houston United, Strong & Poised To Bounce Back From Harvey
RETIRING
NFL STAR ENTERS A NEW GAME SEE PAGE 8
At the age of 22, Benjamin Banneker created a working clock from wood after studying the watch of a friend. It took him two years to finish the clock, which kept accurate time in hours, minutes, and seconds until his death. Banneker became interested in astronomy through a local surveyor named George Ellicott, who loaned him astronomy books. In 1791, George Washington commissioned George Ellicott and French engineer Pierre L’Enfant to help plan the construction of the nation’s capital on a ten-square-mile area of land. Ellicott asked Banneker to be his assistant. A dispute between some Americans and Frenchmen led L’Enfant to abandon it and take the drafted plans with him. Over the course of two days, Banneker reproduced the intricate plans from memory, preventing a major delay. Shortly after returning to his farm in April 1791, Banneker issued his first of some ten annual almanacs, which were published by several printers and sold widely in both England and the United States. Banneker charted the movement of heavenly bodies and successfully predicted several solar eclipses. TO CONT. READING VISIT US ONLINE @ WWW.AFRAMNEWS.COM
African
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American News&Issues
Editorial & Opinion
Working Hard to Help Residents, Restore Facilities
H
arris County Precinct One crews have been crisscrossing the Precinct assisting in evacuations, delivering supplies to shelters and working on other efforts as part of the long recovery from the historic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. Staff members are working hard to restore Precinct One facilities – including parks as well as service and community centers – back to usable conditions.
who has visited flooded areas and shelters throughout the Precinct. “People depend on us to provide them with real help as well as inspiration, and we are working hard to put the community back together.”
“We are working to help people return to some semblance of normalcy during these extremely challenging times,” said Precinct One Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis,
Chambers Washington, the Precinct’s Parks Superintendent, said crews on Thursday will start removing storm debris from neighborhood parks so residents can use them again for recreation. Most of the larger parks, including Deussen, Tom Bass, Adair and El Franco Lee – are inaccessible because of high water.
Roy Douglas Malonson Chairman Shirley Ann Malonson President/C.E.O. Chandra Jarmon
Production/Editor
Kimberly Taylor
Production Asst.
Darwin Campbell
Senior Journalist
Chelsea Davis-Bibb
Journalist
Rebecca S. Jones
Contributing Writer
Mark Spivey
Contributing Writer
Lorenzo Tolbert
Contributing Writer
Jadarrius West
Distribution
General: news@aframnews.com Ads: sales@aframnews.com Website: www.aframnews.com African-American News&Issues is published by African-American News & Issues, Inc., 6130 Wheatley Street, Houston, Texas 77091, (713) 692-1892. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm. The entire contents of the paper are copyrighted by African-American News & Issues, Inc. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. African-American News&Issues is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the publisher. African-American News&Issues assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other material, unless accompanied by a self-address stamped envelope.
Letter to the Editor
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e welcome all original responses from our readers to content found in the African-American News&Issues. Letters to the Publisher may be sent via e-mail to news@aframnews.com. Please keep all letters under 300 words. Be sure to include the author’s name, area of residence. All letters and articles may be verified before they are published. All letters are subjected to editing or being cut for spacing purposes. Thank you in advance for your submission.
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All Precinct One offices, facilities and parks are officially closed for the remainder of the week and are scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 5. In the meantime, Precinct One employees will continue to work on recovery and relief efforts for area residents.
Tom Bass Community Center and the Learning Center at Challenger Seven Memorial Park flooded, and Precinct One staff are assessing the damage to those facilities. They will be repaired. On Wednesday, Precinct One workers continued to use dump trucks to ferry residents in and out of neighborhoods that remain flooded, including Brunswick Lakes and Morningside Place subdivisions. Deotis Gay, the Precinct’s Road and Bridge Department Superintendent, said the Precinct is in the storm recovery phase, which involves precinct-wide damage assessments of subdivisions, roads, bridges and other infrastructure in unincorporated areas. During the unprecedented storm, Gay said, crews used dump and rollback trucks to assist the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and constables with evacuations along Clear Creek, Greens and Halls bayous. “We evacuated people from Friendswood and the South Belt area in the south, Northline Terrace subdivision in the north and along Greens Bayou in the east,” Gay said. Continue reading Pct. 1 on Pg. 3
TEXAS • SEPTEMBER 4 - 10, 2017
Houston & Harvey- Part of God’s Plan The Black Whisperer Darwin Campbell, Senior Journalist
Not often in life can one share experiences involving a hurricane or tropical storm. It is truly and humbling experience to see the results of more that three to four feet of water dropped right into your lap on short notice – It can solicit a number of responses including feelings of hopelessness, uncertainty or fight or flight. Or, it can cause you to have the resolve to not allow it to sweep you away or cause you to drown in depression and sorrows over the woes and losses it brings. In any crisis, survival is the ultimate goal, but ultimately saving and helping others do the same is paramount. Houstonians demonstrated that in facing adversity, pain, flooding, losses and even staring death in the face in the bad weather event called Hurricane/T.S. Harvey. Not only did Houstonians endure, but the good that I know and believe is in all of us has and is prevailing and teaching valuable lessons considered priceless. “Stinking Thinking” Destructive In America, hate groups and the news media have sought daily to report, promote and bring out the worst in humanity. Hate is widely promoted. Arguments over police brutality and the national anthem plus Congressional division and bickering are equally reported. The media reports constantly do more to create color and class hostility than our unity as a people. The goals of these media moguls and hate mongers is to play you and treat you like a puppet on a string having us live our lives like the Dr. Seuss’s Grinch – constantly hating, complaining, fussing, conniving and deviously planning ways to get back
at our neighbor or enemy just because he makes more money, lives in a better neighborhood, comes from another country or does not share the same religion or gender values. Some of us even allows this influence to bug is to the point that we go out and act like CAIN and kill our brother ABEL. The motives of these haters and “news-fakers” is to create lying messages and stories that gives them another day of relevance and another panel of critics to run their mouths – talking loud and speaking absolute nonsense.
He stirred up the Gulf with his own finger and brought us a storm of Biblical proportions to get our attention back to the center and on his important message – HOW WE SHOULD LOVE ONE ANOTHER… The reality of death, destruction and loss and sensing the human and family connection we all have one to another to survive, Houstonians are showing and teaching the world how we should love one another in real time and how to take the time to do that.
Lessons From Houston & Harvey
It is more than talking about what needs to be done and arguing about who will do it.
Welcome to Houston!! Harvey has given the media, hate-mongers and all of America a refreshing look at how Blacks, Whites, Hispanics and others here can come together in crisis to appeal to the God-given humanity in all of us.
It is more than pointing fingers and yelling hateful words at people because they think or act differently or hold a different political view.
It has been reported by the Weather Channel that Hurricane/T.S. Harvey has been the worst storm ever in the recorded history of the United States. It is a storm on proportions that is considered a 1,000 year-storm or as measured about a .1-percent chance of occurring anywhere during that time period. What has happened in Houston is unique, but what has happened behind the storm is even more ironic. A week ago, the news media was obsessed with hate demonstrations in Charlottsville, Virginia, hate groups and further propagating that hate with demonstrations nationwide and calls for confederate statues to be removed. The focus and the talk was how one group was right and the other was wrong and how history should be wiped clean and removed because one group disagreed with it or did not like it, while the other group just wanted to preserve their heritage. God in This Plan With the friction building and the media fanning the flames of hate, God has shaken the very earth with Hurricane Harvey and is sending a strong message that enough is enough.
It is more that saying somebody outta do something and then doing absolutely nothing.
As the rains fell and flood waters took over, we witnessed over and again how Republicans, Democrats, Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, police, activist, elected officials, fishermen, butcher, baker and candlestick makers all swinging into action grabbing trucks, boats and even two-to-four-person carry teams to rescue those in distress from the storms and flooding. The world is accustomed to seeing tragedy and having it shoved down its throats on an hourly basis, but,
HOUSTON demonstrates a new way that we need to see, help and love one another.
Houstonians did not sit idly by and wait for government to act, save or rescue them from a calamity, The people reached down deep in themselves and made contact with our souls -that part of humanity that connects us all together. Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com
TEXAS • SEPTEMBER 4 - 10, 2017
Editorial & Opinion
God Is Trying To Tell US
Harvey was catastrophic but there is still hope at the end of the storm. It was devastating watching families lose everything that they have. Tears were brought to my eyes as people were trying to find safety.
Despite everything that has occurred, there is a message in all of this. Agree with me or disagree with me, I think God is trying to tell us something. Are you listening? He’s speaking to us. God has a way of bringing us down in order to bring us up higher than we could ever imagine. He’s not just speaking to Houston either, he’s speaking to our entire nation. I think he used Houston as an example because he knew we could handle it. Houston is a great city and even though we have our issues, there are a lot of great people in our city. The world is a mess but what I saw on TV was the opposite of what is going on in the world. I saw compassion and love as people were helping others regardless of their color, sex, religion, political affiliation, rich, poor and etc. None of that mattered. None of it should matter. At times like these, everyone put everything aside and helped each other. So my question is-Why can’t
The Overflow By Chelsea Davis-Bibb, M.Ed
we do this everyday? Why wait until a tragedy? We should show this love and compassion daily. Life is about helping each other and being there for one another, and Houston, you did just that. Even people from other states pitched in to help, and my heart was overwhelmed with so much joy. Imagine what we could do if we stay untied from this day forward. We have to keep the love going. We have to keep the kindness going. We have to see people and not color, religion, sex, and etc. The Bible tells us to love thy neighbor, so let’s do that. Let’s lift each other up and be there for one another. So I challenge everyone to keep the unity going. I challenge everyone to let go of hatred and racism and whatever else is causing them to see everything else but someone who is just as human as they are. Will you join me? #unitychallenge
Pct. 1 from Pg. 2
Rankin Road.
On Monday, crews delivered supplies from the Red Cross to shelters. Tuesday night, workers also assisted the Army Reserve in transporting refrigerated food for evacuees to a Reserve’s facility at Interstate 45 and
Precinct One residents in unincorporated areas can call the Precinct at 713-991-6881 for help evacuating, removing flood debris or to report road problems.
Harris County Precinct One workers Adrian Infante, left foreground, and Reynaldo Vega, assist Morningside Place residents who were transported out of the flooded subdivision in a dump truck on Wednesday.
African
American News&Issues
Is the KKK in Control of the White House?
On: President Donald Trump & Father Fred Trump Does the Apple Fall Far From the Tree?”
I often say that there is just something
about this Blackness that is seriously misunderstood. I conveyed to our readers a couple editorials ago that some of our counterparts never really wanted a Black man to be in the most powerful seat in the nation. Hell, as far as that’s concerned, I’m sure there are a lot of people that look just like us that really didn’t want him occupying that seat either. Nonetheless prior to, during and even after his administration effectively ran the nation at a very dark and grim place in American history; it appears that this point has proven itself, time and time again. The continual disrespect and blatant disregard that was imposed on the former President (Barack Obama) and his family have continued to prong him even after the conclusion of his administration. Moving forward, I stated all of that to state that; when the time came for the White House to put the White back in it, it may very well be that they went to the extreme doing so. But, I will just present it as it is, and let our readers be the judge… Is it possible that the, “KKK is in Control of the White House”? For many of our mis-educated African-Americans who refuse to believe that the vices that so strongly took hold to the nation centuries ago have somehow disappeared. I will give a brief overview of what the KKK was and is, and provide a supporting piece which ties the current President to its reign. According to www.history.com the acronym, “KKK” stands for “Ku Klux Klan”. It was founded in 1866. History informs that the KKK “extended into almost every southern state by 1870 and became a vehicle for White southern resistance to the Republican Party’s Reconstruction-era policies aimed at establishing political and economic equality for Blacks.” Continuing, it reveals that, “Its members waged an underground campaign of intimidation and violence directed at White and Black Republican leaders….” “After a period of decline, White Protestant nativist groups
revived the Klan in the early 20th century, burning crosses and staging rallies, parades and marches denouncing immigrants, Catholics, Jews, Blacks and organized labor. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s also saw a surge of Ku Klux Klan activity, including bombings, of Black schools and churches and violence against Black and White activists in the South.” Now, here we are in the year 2017. As it is, for nearly a decade all types of rallies and protests have been held by current members of the Klan and/ or groups like it; screaming that they want to take their government back. So after considering all of the facts and the evidence that has publicly been shown before us, I just wonder, is it possible that the, “KKK is in Control of the White House”? Have they finally succeeded at their goal in taking control of, or taking their White House back? Officially, the first term of presidency of the United States of America was established in the year, 1788 under the administration of President George Washington. To that regard, history records that the Emancipation Proclamation (abolishment of slavery), was not instituted until January 1, 1863. Therefore, it is no secret that slave owners once ran the country, because that is a part of the history of these United States. But have things materialized even more so now? I have to stick a pen in the subject right here and refer to an old saying that suggests that, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” With that being stated, I’m sure that by now, you are wondering where I am going with this subject. So I would like to reference the uncovered article that was presented on the Rachel Maddow show, recently. Maddow referenced an article published on June 1, 1927 by the New York Times. Titles read on the 90-year-old article as follows: Warren Criticizes ‘Class’ Parades – Police Head Declares Neither Fascisti Nor Klan Had Any Place in Memorial
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We MUST Understand By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman
March – Klan Assails Policemen – No Progress Made in Tracing the Slayers of Two Italians-Seven Arraigned in Queens Battle. The article is an exquisite must-read for all United States citizens, whether you are a Donald Trump supporter or not! Space will not allow me to divulge all of the evidence and facts presented in the article. But there is one paragraph in particular that has a direct impact on the “apple” (President Donald Trump); that fell from the “tree” (Father, Fred Trump). The article lists several Klansmen who were either: imprisoned, detained, charged, fined or discharged as a result of evil and disorderly conduct at a Memorial march, honoring fallen US soldiers. The demonstration by the Klan appears to be a racist and inhumane battle, with local authorities in New York. The article is a very extensive one and prior to the subtitle listed as, Calls Crime One of City’s Worst; one paragraph is directly linked to Donald Trump. It reads, “Fred Trump of 175-24 Devonshire Road, Jamaica was discharged.” Though discharged, this statement alone in nearly a century old archived article is direct proof that the President’s father and the address occupied by his family, was once a Klan member and at some point charged in Klan-related offenses. So if we were to associate that old saying here, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”? Would that conclude that the, “KKK is in control of the White House”? It is not just by genetic makeup that has prompted me to pose this question. But, We MUST Understand that a person’s character, decisions and opinions have the tendency to reflect the true value of a person. Before Donald Trump ever threw his hat in the ring for the seat of presidency, he was on an all-out warpath in regards to attacking former President Barack Obama. Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com
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African
American News&Issues
HURRICANE from pg. 1
HOUSTON - Hurricane Harvey caused devastating winds, rains and flooding, but one thing it did not do… It did not diminish or destroy the will and desire of Houstonians to overcome the daunting challenges of the worst storm ever to hit Texas or the United States. As the storm moved northeast, seeing the sun for the first time since last week was a sign of hope for the rebuilding and recovery process for over 32,000 people displaced, rescued and 230+ shelters as a result of one-trillion gallons of water and over 50+ inches of rain dumped on Houston by Harvey. UNSUNG HEROES & UNDAUNTED LEADERSHIP Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has been at the forefront of the crisis and at every interval offered information and stable, key leadership at a time when anxieties of residents was high, hopes were dimmed and fears were stirring. Turner’s words were indeed a comfort and motivating causing people from the city and around Texas to rally and rise to the occasion to volunteer to help rescue their neighbors using any means necessary. “There is hope and we will rise from this crisis,” Turner said. “We are a strong, spirited and tough bunch and we will fight because we are family.” During the storm, Turner’s number one concern was the safety and security of residents and faced the challenge head on ensuring that help was on the way for any and all facing thousands of emergencies. However, the Houston spirit burst forward like a beautiful flower in Spring and the character of the city shone brightly as to the entire world that every man and woman and child is a neighbor, regardless of race, creed, color or religion or gender. “We have demonstrated that we can work together to keep our people safe,” he said. “This was a major disaster event and we are thankful people responded to check on and help rescue neighbors, the disabled, the elderly and the homeless.” First responders, emergency personnel, the National Guard, and the Coast Guard are also continue to work around the clock to help ensure the safety and security of the city and county. TX- 4
Cover Story
TexasTexas • September - 10, 2017 • August412-18, 2013
HOUSTON VOICES HEARD IN WASHINGTON Congressman Al Green also recognized the unity of the community making the following statement on Houston’s response to Hurricane Harvey. “I am inspired by the people in our communities who have put themselves at risk to meet the needs of their neighbors,” Green said. “I would like to personally thank all the public servants and medical professionals in advance who will be helping those in need in the days, weeks, and months to come. We are in this together. I ask that everyone please be safe.” He also urges all residents of Harris County and Fort Bend County to continue to heed the warnings of local officials and emergency personnel. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is leading efforts to seek massive aid package to help Houston and Texas post Hurricane Harvey. “Right now, millions of people are reeling from the effects of one of the most catastrophic storms ever to strike the Texas Gulf Coast. Hurricane Harvey toppled buildings and leveled homes in Houston, and continues to dump huge amounts of water that have inundated large portions of our nation’s fourth largest city,” Jackson Lee said. “The catastrophic destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey demands massive amounts of aid to address the overwhelming needs of the countless victims who face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.” According to Jackson Lee, making the Texas Gulf Coast whole again will require a massive and coordinated effort spanning the course of many years and after meeting with state, local and federal officials, the amount of aid needed for this effort will be north of $150 billion. “As we did following Hurricanes Katrina
Evacuees wade down a flooded section of Interstate 610 as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017. The remnants of Hurricane Harvey sent devestating floods pouring into Houston. ~ DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP
and Sandy, Americans must once again come together with compassion and care,” she said. “The President has said that Texas will have everything it needs. Moving forward, I remain hopeful that Trump will deliver on his words.” COMING BACK Coming back from the brink of ruin and crisis together starts with the spirit of volunteerism and getting involved. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES As Houston responds to the catastrophic flooding occurring in our area, we know that many people want to volunteer their time to help our community recover. The Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross is asking for volunteers to assist in their sheltering operations in Houston. If you want to volunteer, visit: redcross.org/ volunteer. Volunteer Houston has been identified as one of the ways you can help. If you’d like to pre-register to help when the time comes, visit: volunteerhouston.org. SHELTER INFORMATION Red Cross and city officials are calling on more volunteers to step up and find a place to
serve as the city preps for extended shelter stays and a long recovery. The City of Houston, Harris County and the Red Cross have partnered to provide shelter to those displaced by flooding. Below is an updated list of available shelters: • •
Toyota Center (1510 Polk Street) George R. Brown Convention Center (1001 Avenida de las Americas) • MO Campbell Center (1865 Aldine Bender Road) • Golden Acres Baptist Church (2813 Pansy Street) • Forge for Families (3435 Dixie) • Frank Dobie High School (10220 Blackhawk Boulevard) • Pasadena High School (206 South Shaver, Pasadena) • Lakewood Church - Houston • NRG Center The Red Cross is greatly in need of volunteers to help with warehousing, shelter management, supply distribution and administrative support. REGARDING DISPLACED FAMILIES AND PETS Cont. HURRICANE on pg. 5
Community
TEXAS • SEPTEMBER 4 - 10, 2017 HURRICANE from pg. 4
BARC has been receiving inquiries about where to take pets if their owners are displaced. BARC stresses if you are forced to leave your home, please ensure you take your pets with you. There are a couple of locations that are providing shelter for residents and pets. M.O. Campbell Center located at 1865 Aldine Bender Rd, Houston, TX 77032. A BARC employee is there helping to check in pets as they arrive to the location with their families. Additionally, we are working to send BARC employees to the George R. Brown Convention Center (1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, TX 77002) where the City recently opened a shelter. We will check animals in as they arrive with their families. Officials urge that owners be sure to bring a crate, leash, pet food and any other items that will ensure your pet’s safety during your stay at the shelter. City and County Officials Urge People to Donate to Hurricane Relief Fund In the wake of the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, individuals may want to donate to help affected residents. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett are urging people who wish to help affected residents to donate money to recognized charities that are currently engaged in the response and recovery. After receiving an overwhelming number
of inquiries from citizens and companies who want to help, Mayor Sylvester Turner and County Judge Ed Emmett have established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund that will accept tax deductible flood relief donations for victims that have been affected by the recent floods. “We are getting calls from across the country and right here in our hometown, and the generosity of people who understand this disaster is truly amazing,” Mayor Turner said. “Together we can make a difference to those who will need extensive help to get back on their feet once this storm is over.” To donate, visit: ghcf.org/hurricane-relief. The fund will be housed at the Greater Houston Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity. While some may feel compelled to donate specific household items to disaster survivors, please remember that this may create a burden on responding agencies, as they must collect, sort, clean, and distribute items. The City and County have activated a joint donations management program with various non-profit agencies to manage requests. A phone line has been established by the Houston Food Bank to handle questions about donations. Residents, organizations, companies and groups may call: (800) 924-5985 between the hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday to ask questions about making donations. METHODS TO DONATE: •
Online Credit Card Donations: Visit
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Read us online! www. aframnews. com
www.ghcf.org. Online credit card donations will be assessed a small fee, typically 3%, by the credit card companies. Donors have the option of increasing their credit card donations to cover this fee. Checks/Money Orders: Mail to Greater Houston Community Foundation, 5120 Woodway Drive, Suite 6000, Houston, TX 77056. Transfer Cash by Wire: Wire To: JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. Houston, TX; ABA # 021000021 For credit to: Greater Houston Community Foundation; A/C#: 849170287 For further credit to: Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund For stocks, corporate bonds and other marketable securities, please contact: donorservices@ghcf.org Precinct Once Constable’s office needs non perishable items, diapers, wipes, and new ( please ) clothing. This distribution site is for people in the community whose cars have flooded, have no power, and have eaten 3 days of their food already. Pct. 1 Constable’s Office Temporary Distribution site is at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 6616 D.S. Bailey Lane Houston, Tx 77091(open from 10-6); Pct. 1 Constable’s Office Temporary Distribution site is at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 9013 McGallion St - Contact now: Erica Davis (Pct.1) 832.286.3876
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PORT ARTHUR, BEAUMONT FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL IN JEFFERSON COUNTY PORT ARTHUR - Harvey weaved webs of havoc and chaos throughout Port Arthur, Beaumont and Jefferson County, according to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reports. Emergency management officials ran up red flags about the dangers, but also issued a giant call for neighbors to help neighbors and also called out the cavalry for assistance. Harvey did not take long to dump 24-to-30-inches of rain swamping JCEM agency with rescue calls. Quick Report • Record river flooding was forecast and reported at Pine Island Bayou near Sour Lake and Bevil Oaks, Village Creek near Kountze, and the Neches River near Beaumont. Major flooding is forecast for the Sabine River near Bon Wier, Deweyville, and Orange, Bayou Anacoco near Rosepine, Bundick Creek near Bundick Lake, Calcasieu River near Old Town Bay, Salt Water Barrier, and Sam Houston Jones State Park. • I-10 was closed from Beaumont to Winnie Texas. • Entergy reported a total of more than 20,248 outages in Jefferson County, 13,339 in Hardin County and almost 30,000 in Orange County. • Over 20,000 Port Arthur homes have water inside them and the city is underwater. • A large number of rescues are underway in Jefferson, Orange, Hardin, Liberty and Chambers County. There are people trapped TO CONTINUE READING VISIT US ONLINE @ WWW.AFRAMNEWS.OCM BY: DARWIN CAMPBELL
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African
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Texas Round-Up
American News&Issues
TEXAS • SEPTEMBER 4 - 10, 2017
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On January 6, 1978 two souls destined for success was birthed by Edna Griggs, a local well-known community leader throughout the Acres Homes’ community and Greater Houston area. Amidst sharing the same delightful smile, DNA, birthdays and upbringing in Acres Home; the humble, career-oriented duo has always shared another tie that has bound them together. Over the years, they have been yoked with a common aspiration of excellence. Recently, African-American News&Issues privileged me with the honor of conversing with two of the best kept secrets of the notorious “44”. While Shauna Jones (Houston) and Shaunte Walton (Los Angeles, CA), took varying paths in their youth, life had a way of grooming the pair into beautiful, accomplished working professionals. Read on to preview an overview of their stories’.
During her teenage years, Jones experienced a spell of, “acting out”. She stated, “In my eyes, I felt like I wasn’t the smartest; because I had some outside sources telling me that I wasn’t going to amount to anything.” She continued, “I wasn’t as smart as my twin sister and it was challenging.” “So after a while, I started to believe that.” This notion led to a brief period in her life where she resorted to “troubled-teen behavior”: skipping school, fellow-
Upon reaching high school, Jones demonstrated the same pattern up until a certain point. She recalled an incident that helped snap her back to reality. While in high school, her life was threatened by some of her peers and this incident in part, served to change her life. Though she was not afraid, it made her realize that her current lifestyle was not one she wanted to dwell in. Meanwhile, in the background, she was encompassed with concerned teachers that encouraged her and the overshadowing of her mother’s unwavering motivation urging her on. Immediately, she started to take inventory of the things that mattered most to her and allowed them to manifest. As such, she began heeding to her mentors and her mother and engulfed herself in academic studies. She soon found that she was making scholarly achievements and making it look easy. After graduating high school, she matriculated at Sam Houston State University. Initially, she partied her first semester away, which resulted in the loss of financial aid. However, determined to succeed, she requested an appeal and it was granted through a probationary period. Jones learned a valuable lesson and remained on the Dean’s List every year, thereafter. Consequently, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Health Education and Promotions from Sam Houston State University. She later studied Health Education at Texas Southern University, where she obtained a Master’s degree. Once Jones completed her studies, she secured employment as a Health Educator for the City of Houston’s Health Department working in the Vaccines for Children Program. In her role there, she was responsible for: educating the community and recruiting health care professionals to enroll into the vaccines for children program and provide vaccines for children whose parents did not have adequate resources to purchase immunizations. Additionally, she taught physicians, nurses, parents and the general community about the importance of childhood immunizations, as well as the schedule for immunizations. She worked at the City of Houston for several years and enjoyed the service that she was able to contribute. Afterwards, she began working at Texas Children Hospital, as a Health Educator as well. She served on the immunization project. The goal of that project was to educate the community about the necessity of childhood immunizations. In doing so, she created innovative initiatives for the hospital and the community. She also implemented a teen pregnancy program for schools. While serving in this capacity, she discovered a true passion for educating in the Continue reading on page 7
Health
TEXAS • SEPTEMBER 4 - 10, 2017
Success From page 6
public sector, which eventually paved the way for her to transition into the field of academia. Hence she began teaching at her alma mater, MacArthur Senior High School. She taught Health Science and had a Clinical Rotation Program and Pharmacy Technician Program. In this program students that successfully completed their studies received certification as pharmacy technicians and were equipped to work at local pharmacies, upon graduating high school. After instructing for nearly a decade, she decided to go into administration. Today, Jones is the Assistant Principal at MacArthur Senior High School. She is elated to serve in such an area, because she enjoys the experience of working with teenagers from the same community she was reared in. She believes that understanding her students provides her with the ability to relate to them in several aspects. Jones admonishes those within her reach to, “Never give up on your dreams and hopes.” She says, “Even though we go through certain things in our lives; we have certain challenges and obstacles that might seem hard to get over, but just know, that it is just temporary.” “If you continue to push through, you will reach your goals… It’s just all about perseverance, determination, believing in yourself and knowing that God has
Read us online! www. aframnews. com desired a career with more of a work-life balance atmosphere. In one of her Microbiology classes, she noted that she had a knack for studying and defining various molecules and pathogens. Therefore, she switched her major from Pre-Med to Microbiology.
a plan for you and you just have to follow that,” she added. SHAUNTE WALTON Growing up, Shaunte was focused on improvement and desiring to acquire all that life could afford her. She was aware of the struggles associated with being raised by a single-parent, but she never thought on it much; because she regards her mother as a, “protector”. Echoing the sentiments uttered by her twin she stated, “My mother did a really good job at protecting us from all of that; she really kind of told us that the sky is the limit.” She said, “She’d tell us whatever you want to do, you can do it, if you put your mind to it and go after it.”
Ultimately, Shaunte attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Xavier – University of Louisiana. Afterwards, she sought to work in molecular diagnostics. With her love for Epidemiology coupled with the lab as experience; she cultivated a professional role, performing clinical testing and research and development for pharmaceutical companies. She vigorously researched avenues to identify drugs that would either: prevent people from contracting infectious diseases or, creating drugs that would assist with minimizing the effect of a disease on a person.
Early on, Shaunte envisioned herself as a physician and made plans accordingly. After graduating from MacArthur Senior High School, she researched dozens of medical schools. Finally, she decided to enroll at Xavier University of Louisiana. She was persuaded by Xavier’s reputation as the number one institution for placing African-Americans into medical school. Once she began her coursework, she studied an array of sciences and spent over 14 hours in class daily. She later decided instead of dedicating countless hours to studying, that she
After operating in that field for a number of years, she transitioned into Epidemiology which enabled her to gain more clinical knowledge. Working in this field allowed her to have more experience with patients and she was able to see how they interact with others, as far as transmitting diseases to others. She determined that she had a natural gift in this particular area and set out to go as far as she could in the industry.
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She honed her Epidemiology skills at Memorial Herman Hospital for a year. She then began to work at Methodist Hospital and Texas Children Hospital (for the Women’s Hospital). At this point, her studying and researching reputation had begun to precede her. Thus, she was presented with an opportunity to move into leadership at Memorial Herman Hospital. Her career had swiftly taken an upturn and she became the Regional Manager specializing in infectious diseases, for four hospitals in the system, simultaneously. Not long afterwards, two additional hospitals were added to her portfolio. During her tenure as Regional Manager, she was able to acquire a great deal of experience with different service lines and executive leaders that she was able to partner with. Three years later, she received an offer from University of California, Los Angeles as a System Wide Director. Today, she is operating in what she describes as her, “dream job”. Currently, Shaunte resides in Los Angeles, with her husband, Dobbie and their son, Miles. She also possesses a Master of Science degree in Health Systems, from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. To continue reading visit www.aframnews.com By: Rebecca S. Jones
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African
American News&Issues
Sports
Texas • September 4 - 10, 2017
Anquan Boldin On His Fight Against Racism and For Social Justice
the only way that this America changes is that we as a people stand up and change it.”
Boldin, a longtime humanitarian, is not stranger to the pains and losses relating to the conflicts between the Black community, the political climate and the police.
HOUSTON - Months before his retirement announcement, Anquan Boldin was very troubled and concerned about the state of social affairs in America sees his children to live in a divided country tattered by racism, social injustices and hatred. The thought of that has stimulated his activism and he hopes to be a positive force for changing the current conditions in America he considers dangerous for his children and the next generation. TURNING POINT “There has been a great awakening on the issues affecting the community,” Boldin said then in an exclusive interview with African-American News&Issues. “We have come a long way, but we have a long way to go and I hope things can improve and that I can be a part of it.” Now after the incident in Charlottesville, Virginia where clashes caused the death of one woman at the hands to an avowed racist, the former star wide receiver has had enough and decided to hang up his football cleats for a greater calling - To impact the world in ways that are much bigger than football. His overall concerns about the American race psyche came to a head recently in Houston in February at Texas TX - 8
Southern University during the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality Forum (RISE) forum. Boldin made it clear he was concerned then about the direction of the country relating to race relations and relations with police and also wants to be active in changing the current social and political climate in America. “I don’t like the world we are in right now and I only want to improve on it so my kids can live a lot better,” he said. “Martin Luther King Jr and civil rights pioneers had a vision. That was their vision for their kids to live in a better world and under better conditions than they had to deal with. We are not at that point yet.” The recent racial conflict that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, served as the catalyst for his decision to retire now after being in the spotlight as a player with the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals. “I think anybody with any sense can see how divided we are as a country, and Charlottesville only magnified what we were already seeing,” Boldin told the Associated Press in an interview. “That’s not the America that I want to live in,” he said. “And I think
He also has not been immune to the effects of a caustic racial climate and conflicts. His cousin was shot to death by a police officer and died at the hands of that officer while he was sitting in his car calling for emergency assistance. “His death made no sense whatsoever. No family should have to go through what this family has gone through,” Boldin said. “These are the things that should not happen in this country. Police are here to protect and serve. Breaking down on side the road should not be a death sentence.” Boldin says he is motivated by his family, his kids and the community. Since that incident, Boldin has been focused on raising and teaching his children to be aware of the world they live in and training them to be examples and difference makers. ALL-STAR CALIBER LEADER Boldin’s resume and reputation gives him a lot of political capital to spend in Black communities and political circles.
His stellar career includes two Super Bowl appearances and winning one with the Baltimore Ravens. He made three Pro-Bowl appearance and ranks 4th for active receiving yard and 5th in active receiving touchdowns. He also is the fastest player to record 600 career receptions and the third fastest to 700 receptions.
The 2015 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, who also has a foundation that provides educational support for underprivileged children, served on the NFL and addressed how the issues going on in America are affecting football, the NFL and its African-American players. Currently, the NFL is made up of 70-percent African-American players and
a number of Black executives working with the NFL Players Association. The RISE forum discussed the historical precedents happening in sports and among professional athletes as it relates to protest and progress. Much of the forum surveyed viewpoints from Black and White current and former players giving perspectives on the power of sports to improve overall race relations and the controversy surrounding former NFL quarterback Colin Kapernick and his refusal to
support the playing of the national anthem before football games.
RISE is a collaboration of every sports league and major sports networks in the country dedicated to promoting understanding, respect and equality and harness and use that to inspire, improve and unite in an effort to improve race relations and drive social change. EXTENDING MLK FIGHT AND DREAM According to Boldin, there is still a lot of issues to deal with. “We are chipping away at it and I hope he proud of us.” he said. “I hope Dr. King would be proud of what he sees and that what is happening is part of his dream.” Boldin believes that professional athletes have a responsibility to be involved and care about what is happening in the Black community and disadvantaged neighborhoods in major cities and communities around the country. “There’s not enough money in this world for me to continue to allow the things that are going on to continue to spread,” he said. Boldin said one of the greatest assets to activism and education about the issues has come at the hands of social media. “It has been the most powerful tool that has helped spread the message,” he said. “The issue is in our face and
we can’t ignore it any longer.” He said he and other professional involved are motivated by a desire to want the same thing that civil rights activists and community wanted in days gone by – that is social justice and to see your kids grow up in a better world than you did. He said the issues on the table in America are serious and solving them is possible if the community unites and takes a serious approach to fighting for justice to be served in every situation. Boldin said he don’t see this issue of being competitive and influential in the fight for justice going away in two, three or five years. FIGHT TILL VICTORY IS WON He added that MLK and others fought hard for a long time and endured and it is up to the community to continue the fight and engage it the same until the job is done. “It is not going to happen overnight but we are moving in the right direction as Black folk in America,” he said. “I will not feel safe leaving this earth and having my kids have to live in the America that we have today. We are in the same fight and I am not going away until we have equality.” Despite all his successes and accomplishments, he vows not to lay down the torch in the fight for social justice and civil rights. “We are not living the totality of the dream but I hope we are moving in the right direction by standing up and speaking out,” he said. “I hope we keep chipping away at it. It is not going away just yet, but I am here and I am going to work until I am dead and gone…” BY: DARWIN CAMPBELL
TEXAS • SEPTEMBER 4 - 10, 2017
Business
Go Cajun Subs
There have been many challenges with bringing his dreams to reality. They range from employees to marketing and even capital. He noted that it is hard to find not only good employees, but people who are willing to take a risk and invest in what he believes in. It’s hard to fight for a dream when you’re the only one fighting. Narcisse made it known that people don’t look at the dream, they just look at the numbers. It is a challenge for him to find people who will not only support what he is trying to do, but more so, will appreciate the dream. Despite the challenges, he is still fighting for his dream and for what he has worked so hard for. Many people have a dream, but not many people are willing to take a risk to achieve their dream. For Narcisse, its death. “I’m going to die and not do it. So that woke me up. When you get to the point to where you have more memories of what’s behind you than days you have in front of you, then you get to moving.” Narcisse never wants to be
9
Crisis Continues in Sudan
If you’re looking for a little taste of Louisiana, then Go Cajun Subs is for you. Originally from Louisiana, Bobby Narcisse, owner of Go Cajun Subs, moved to Houston for his job in the oil and gas field. His passion for cooking began at a young age as his family has always been involved in cooking. “We always cooked, always knew how to cook, and all we do is eat…it’s a Louisiana thing…it’s just like second nature. No formal training.” For a long time, Narcisse would look at all the old recipes that he had heard of from the elders. He spoke of how when the elders would die off, the kids wouldn’t keep the recipes going. He also said that the kids would just reminisce and speak about them, but they wouldn’t keep or follow them. They just let them go. Narcisse thought differently as he wanted his family’s recipes to stay alive, and opening his restaurant has allowed him to do that.
Read us online! www. aframnews. com
By: William Reed is publisher of “Who’s Who in Black Corporate America” and available for projects via Busxchng@his.com
able to look back and wish he could have done things differently. He knows that life really is short and he wants to be able to look back one day and say, “I did it.” His biggest goal in life is to do what he wants to do and how he wants to do it. “This came out exactly how I wanted it to come out…the food, the recipes, and the vision.” His advice for other people is “Don’t wait…all you have is today so get it done...tomorrow is not promised.” He also spoke on not listening to negative people who don’t mean you well, and get closer to those who are out to help and support you. For long term goals, he would like to maybe do a cook book, have a brand of frozen foods, or even a meat market. So why should you go to Go Cajun Subs? The food is fresh and unique. Everything they make is made from scratch. The atmosphere is relaxing, but still gives you that Louisiana feel, and the customer service is superb! So, if you’re looking for something new to try, Go Cajun Subs is waiting to serve you! Location Info: 1027 Sawdust Rd. Ste#375 Spring, TX 77380 281-771-3942 By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, M.Ed.
Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
We are interested in obtaining contact information for minority businesses across this area. We would like to gain the information to ensure these individuals will receive information for what’s to come in the upcoming days related to the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Please email your information to crystal.webster@mail.house.gov
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
AUSTIN –The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) in 11 additional counties as a result of severe weather due to Hurricane Harvey. Individuals whose employment or self-employment was impacted by Hurricane Harvey may now apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) as a result of an amendment to the Presidential Disaster Declaration (FEMA 4332-DR). Individuals who live in, work in, or travel through the following counties may also apply for DUA: Colorado, Fayette, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, Sabine, San Jacinto and Waller Counties. Applications for these eleven counties must be submitted by September 29, 2017. TWC’s website contains more information about Disaster Unemployment Assistance. The following counties are also included in the disaster declaration: Aransas, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Harris, Jackson, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, and Wharton Counties. Individuals who live in, work in, or travel through these 18 counties affected must apply for benefits by September 27, 2017. Applications can be taken online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling a TWC Tele-
American evangelicals and anti-Islamic activist helped birth South Sudan. The U.S. played a key role in helping negotiate the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Republic of the Sudan and Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) that laid groundwork for South Sudan's 2011 independence referendum and secession. The world has abandoned South Sudan refugees now that the country is in the grip of a massive humanitarian crisis as its war and displacements there continue. America has wrought the world’s newest country and its woes. Due to political conflicts compounded by economic woes has caused massive displacement, raging violence and dire food shortages there. Over 5.1 million people are in need of aid facing hunger due to economic collapse and agricultural conditions in the South and Sudan. The US has been intervening in Sudan affairs for decades. Over the years, American politicians and Christian evangelicals have perpetrated hoaxes and fraud on Sudan. In signature foreign-policy, President Barack Obama signed orders to ease sanctions against Sudan.
Because of America’s foreign policy interference South Sudan is a country in chaos. While the US undermined the North, American policymakers sought to separate Sudan. Since the conflict began 1 in 3 people have been displaced. Millions are forced to flee their homes escaping to neighboring countries in search of safety; South Sudan is now the third-most fled country in the world. The country has little formal infrastructure — roads, buses, buildings — which make transport of food and supplies difficult. Many towns and villages become inaccessible during the annual rainy season due to closed washed out roads or lack of roads altogether. Now, the region is a disaster and needs America’s positive help and intervention. A landlocked country of 12 million, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but the SPLM, the ruling political party that originally led the way for the
South’s independence, is divided and fighting for power. In December 2013, after South Sudan’s president accused his vice president of an attempted coup fighting erupted in the streets of Juba the capital, The fighting has affected displaced millions of civilians in Africa’s largest refugee crisis. More than 1.5 million people have crossed into neighboring countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. 5 A handful of peace agreements have been signed over the course of the war, but they’ve been repeatedly violated. The country's economy is in crisis — the South Sudanese pound has declined in value, and cost of goods and services has skyrocketed. The inflation rate is the world’s highest. Violence includes targeted attacks, gender-based violence, kidnappings and murders. Burning and pillaging of homes and livestock is rampant. According to UNICEF, over half the country’s children are out of school. The country’s, children can't learn, its people can’t work, and farmers can’t plant. After America’s ploys to divide the Sudanese, Sudan’s northern power wants Trump to uphold President Obama’s lifting of odious sanctions. Sudan’s President Omar Al-Bashir wants this policy to continue as the US lifts to sanctions and recently praised President Trump as “straightforward”. Trump needs to do more business with Sudan. Minister of investment Osama Faisal says, “Sudan still needs U.S. investors to come.” The Trump administration should lift sanctions against Sudan and fill African posts at Sate and the Security Council. Over the years, white mainstream media has demonized Sudan through various campaigns. Many of which were discovered as partially or completely fake. Do you remember Dan Rather’s 60 minutes show revealing American donors providing monies to free black slaves? In the edition “Mass 'Redemptions' May Create More Slavery” the newscast ripped off the creditability of “Slavery” campaigns. Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com
TX - 9
10
Education/Youth
Read us online! w w w.a f r a m n e w s .c om
Making Education a Family Affair Keys to Successful School Year Involves Parents, Teachers and Children Building Strong Relationship and Partnerships
HOUSTON - A successful school year starts with parents and children being on the same page and committed to strategies of cooperation and communication with teachers and administration. Career educator and school expert Dr. Shanessa Fenner believes that starting on the right foot begins when clear goals and objectives are established with parents and children and each understands their roles in making that school experience the best it can be. “The success and education of our children is a priority,” Fenner said. “I want all children to have the best opportunity at achieving success at every level of their education experiences. We are partners in
preparing them for life.”
school year.
Fenner, is an Elementary Principal at William T. Brown Elementary School in Spring Lake, N.C. for over a decade. She also is also a print model, actress, songwriter and has her own local TV show, “Let’s Talk with Dr. Shanessa Fenner.” and has been featured in Ebony Magazine as one of the nation’s most eligible bachelorettes, received numerous awards, and has been voted one of the most influential women.
One of the most important elements of educational success is to become actively involved in your child’s education.
Fenner offers guidelines for success for both to start the year off and set the course that results in building stronger relationships, good behaviors and ultimately good grades. For parents, she offers the following tips and advice for parents to have a positive
“The child needs to see that you and the teacher are on the same team from the beginning,” Fenner said. “We wants parents to form and have positive relationships with the school.” She said one of the problems with developing these relationship occurs when teachers and principals only visit the school when your child is in trouble. “Remember that the school is on your side,” she said. “Do not let your child see you argue with the teacher.” She said that one of the
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best ways to keep communication lines open is to visit the school and have lunch with your child, become a volunteer or join the PTA/PTO. Reestablish school routines. Fenner said about two weeks before school starts have your child wake up at the time he/she gets up when school is in session. This will prepare them so they won’t be so sleepy and tired when school begins. “Begin talking with your child about the school routine and what is expected,” she said. “Your child should report to school daily and on time because instructional time is precious and every minute counts.” Go to the school and register your child for the upcoming school year. The first day of school can be hectic so plan to register your child ahead of time. She said to make sure your child has the required vaccinations before school starts. Also, the school should have all of the correct phone numbers to get in touch with you and in case of an emergency. “It is a leader’s fear to not be able to contact a parent in a serious situation,” she said. Attend open house to meet your child’s teacher. Fenner said it is important to schedule a conference with the teacher as soon as possible if you have things you want to discuss about your child. Also constant communications daily and weekly are very important and ensures the goals and objectives remain at the forefront and child does not get lost in busy schedules and life priorities. “Keep in touch with the teacher via email, phone, or student agenda,” she said. “These are key things to use as a communication tools from the school to the home.” Fenner added to make sure that if the child has any medical
TEXAS • SEPTEMBER 4 - 10, 2017
conditions, please let the teacher and school nurse know immediately. Limit TV time and video games. “It is very important to read nightly with your child for at least 30 minutes,” she said. “This help prepare the child for learning and improves his reading skills and comprehension abilities.” According to Fenner, it is important to also have your child read to you and you read to your child and ask questions for comprehension in the process. “Get them into the routine of reading and never use reading as a punishment,” she said. “Reading opens the mind up for learning and that helps the teacher as she teaches the children.”
Dr. Shanessa Fenner
know the signs and communicate information to school principal as soon as possible.” Fenner said opening lines of communication can effectively prevent and underlying problems or concerns over bullying, peer pressure or other problems. Discuss the importance of education with your child and how efforts lead to rewards. She said parents need to know and understand that learning begins at home.
Other ways to promote education during off school hours it to have a designated quiet area where your child can read and do their homework. Also, set up regular times to schedule taking children to the library and let children choose books that they want to read and on the correct level.
“We want parents to instill in your child that it is imperative to become a lifelong learner,” she said. “Please discuss with them your expectations about academics.”
If your child has a problem or is being bullied make an appointment with the Principal immediately.
According to Fenner, helping youth understand that their education is a lifelong undertaking, is powerful and that should not be taken for granted.
Do not ignore issues with children. Bullying is a serious matter that can have devastating effects. “Have conversations with your child about what is happening in their lives,” she said. “If they are being bullied,
It is also valuable to educators if parents celebrate the academic successes and achievements of their children.
“Education is the one thing that cannot be taken away from you,” she said. “A quality education should be valued.” TO CONTINUE READING ONLINE @ WWW.AFRAMNEWS.COM BY: DARWIN CAMPBELL
TEXAS • SEPTEMBER 4 - 10, 2017
Community
Freedom Fighters to Minority Voters: Don’t Take Voting Rights For Granted
Federal Court Ruling Voter ID Law Discriminatory Applauded as Victory for the People “Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting.” Franklin D. Roosevelt HOUSTON- Those fighting to protecting the right to vote in Texas by fighting voter ID laws want Black and Hispanic voters to take their rights seriously… use it and VOTE!!! Since a federal judge ruled that the Texas’ new voter ID law (SB 5) is discriminatory and does not sufficiently cure the discriminatory effects of the 2011 voter ID law (SB 14), which the court previously ruled was passed with an intent to discriminate against Black and Latino voters, these freedom fighters exposed the state’s motives in the case and their message to voting minorities across the state is not to take these rights for granted. “I applaud the judge for following the Voting Rights Act and once more ruling that it protects the rights of minorities like it does for others,” said Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas NAACP and an attorney with the Bledsoe Law Firm. “The judge’s opinion just goes to show that you can’t put a dress on a pig, take it to the ball, and claim that your date is Cinderella.” The order permanently enjoins Texas from enforcing both the old and new laws. According to Bledsoe, the ruling is a major victory for civil rights groups and voting advocates who have been fighting the strict bill for a year. “We must remember that voting is a right under our Constitution, not a privilege,” said 18th District Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. “We must resist any effort to turn back the hands of time in order to prevent eligible voters from exercising their Constitutional rights.” Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos affirmed that the old bill violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the 14th and 15th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. She permanently blocked enforcement of SB 14’s voter ID provisions, and said language in SB 5, passed this summer, “perpetuates” the “discriminatory features” of the old law and is “tainted” by the same discriminatory purpose. Judge Ramos noted many problems with SB 5, including that it intimidated voters who lacked the IDs by subjecting them to the possible penalty of perjury if they signed a Declaration of Reasonable Impediment, stating that they were unable to get the ID. And, she found that the new law does not fund education and training needed to make people aware of how they are able to vote if they do not have the IDs.
Judge Ramos also ruled that the Court would address at a later date whether Texas will be subject to relief under Section 3 of the Voting Rights Act, which, if granted, would require the state to get approval from the Department of Justice for laws relating to voting. “As we warned, the new bill pushed by the Texas Legislature completely failed to address findings of intentional discrimination,” said Rep. Ana Hernandez, Legal Counsel of MALC. “It’s yet another example of a misguided and democracy-damaging effort that’s end result is voter suppression.” Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the latest ruling “outrageous” and said an appeals court should void the decision. “The U.S. Department of Justice is satisfied that the amended voter ID law has no discriminatory purpose or effect. Safeguarding the integrity of elections in Texas is essential to preserving our democracy,” Paxton said in a statement. Despite the Paxton’s objections to the ruling, the fact remains that 14 judges in five opinions over four years have ruled that the original law, as written, violates the Voting Rights Act because it makes it harder for African Americans and Latinos to vote. In 2014, Ramos found that 608,000 registered voters did not have the required photo ID, including a disproportionate number of minorities. She ruled again in April 2017 that the state intended to discriminate when it passed its original law. “The right to vote is a critical and sacred constitutionally protected civil right,” Jackson Lee said. “To challenge this is to erode our democracy, challenge justice, and mock our moral standing. For these reasons, I applaud the decision by U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos, who ruled that the Texas Voter ID requirements amounted to a “poll tax” on minorities and placed undue burdens on low-income citizens, seniors and students.” The Texas State Conference of the NAACP and the Mexican American Legislative Caucus of the Texas House of Representatives, or MALC, challenged the Texas law in September 2013. That case was consolidated with other similar cases and is now known as Veasey v. Abbott. The attorneys representing the various plaintiff groups include the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the national office of the NAACP, Dechert LLP, The Bledsoe Law Firm, the Law Offices of Jose Garza, the Law Office
African
American News&Issues
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The NAACP’s Silent Protest Parade By: Darwin Campbell
“You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.” Michelle Obama The centennial of the NAACP’s Silent Protest Parade was held on July 28, 1917. At the break of summer 1917, racial tension simmered across the nation. In East St. Louis, white residents launched a bloody attack on the rapidly expanding black community. Dozens of black residents were killed and thousands more were left homeless after their neighborhood was burned to ashes. The NAACP wasted no time in composing a retort and soon issued a call for a Silent Protest Parade. “You must be in line,” the Association commanded. On July 28, nearly 10,000 black men, women, and children wordlessly paraded down New York’s Fifth Avenue. Silently marching to the beat of a drum, the throngs of protesters clutched picket signs declaring their purpose and demanding justice. “Make America safe for democracy.” “We march because we deem it a crime to be silent in the face of such barbaric acts.” “We march because we want our children to live in a better land.” Their tactic was silence, but their message resounded: anti-black violence is unjust and un-American.
It was the first protest of its kind in New York, and the second instance of African Americans publically demonstrating for civil rights. The NAACP has issued marching orders many times in the years since: in 1965, we marched in Selma in pursuit of our right to vote; in 2012, the NAACP held a second Silent March in New York to denounce stop-and-frisk policing; in 2015, the group again marched 1,002 miles from Selma to Washington, D.C. on the Journey for Justice. At the 108th Annual Convention in Baltimore this week, it marked the Silent Parade’s centennial with an interactive art installation. Art Force 5 invited convention attendees to collaborate on a mosaic memorial that will debut today in New York City. Activists created the NAACP in 1909 to fight racialized violence. Then, we called it “lynching.” Today, we call it “police brutality.” But the effect is the same, and so is the ferocity of our retort. For more than a century, the NAACP has protested, litigated, and legislated to defend our dignity and our lives. Today, the NAACP keeps marching. At school board meetings, county courthouses, and in the halls of government fighting for our rights, the NAACP still cannot afford to stand idle in the face of an administration that is so keen on rolling back our rights. Keep marching and it the hope of the NAACP that many will stand beside them.
of Robert S. Notzon, and the Covich Law Firm, P.C.
Greg Abbott announced the state would implement the voter ID law.
“This is a significant victory for Texas voters were deprived of a fair opportunity to vote by a discriminatory photo ID law that Texas has spent millions of taxpayer dollars defending,” said Myrna Pérez, deputy director of the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program. “This new bill does not undo that damage.”
In July 2016, the full Fifth Circuit court of Appeals issued a decision finding the bill has a racially discriminatory effect in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, because it disproportionately diminishes African Americans’ and Latinos’ ability to participate in the political process. The appellate court also reversed and remanded the district court’s discriminatory intent finding for further review.
BACKGROUND Plaintiffs have been fighting Texas’ voter ID law in court for years, arguing that it creates unnecessary obstacles for eligible voters. A federal court in Washington, D.C. first blocked the law in 2012 under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, finding that it would have a disproportionate negative impact on minority citizens in Texas. In June 2013, however, the U.S. Supreme Court (in a separate case) gutted core provisions of the Voting Rights Act. Just hours after the Supreme Court’s decision, then-Texas Attorney General
In February 2017, the U.S. District Court heard arguments to determine whether the state intentionally discriminated against minority voters when it passed the original law in 2011. The hearing had previously been scheduled for late-January, but was postponed on Inauguration Day at the request of the Trump administration. The DOJ formally filed to withdraw its intent
Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com By: Darwin Campbell TX - 11
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African
Entertainment
American News&Issues
TEXAS • SEPTEMBER 4 - 10, 2017
Dick Gregory
His Lasting Legacy Through the Eyes of Civil Rights Activist & Leaders.
Dick Gregory became the first Black stand up comedian to break color barriers in the 1960s during a time when making light of segregation and race relations in stand up comedy was new to American stages.
Texas 18th District Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee expressed deep respect for Gregory and recognized his contributions an influential and monumental for a man who did not serve in elective offices.
However, it was his multitude of contributions to not so funny issues like racism, social justice and equality that will make Dick Gregory’s legacy last forever.
“It is with deep sadness that I recognize the passing of Dick Gregory, who brought laughter to millions during the darkest days in the struggle for civil rights,” said Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. “Mr. Gregory was a pioneering African American comedian who opened doors of opportunity to comics who had previously been shut out due to the color of their skin.”
At 84, Gregory took his eternal seat with ancestral greats of African-American history last week, but already many who knew him are reflecting on his impact now and as the Black community faces a challenging future ahead.
Gregory spent his life as a living symbol and voice of Black people and the poor and took advantage of his God-given skills and opportunities to do real talk about Black life and living and shared the experiences of others on being Black and living Black in America.
“He was very important to Black History and the fight for equality and justice in America,” said African-American News&Issues Chariman Roy Douglas Malonson. “He paid the price for the stands he took to advance the cause of social justice and civil rights...He jeopardized his whole career for the struggle of his people and this is to be commended and must always be remembered.” Gregory had a unique and eccentric way of talking social justice and civil rights and it was that approach that helped change the dialog, course and thinking of many in America. GROWING UP Gregory was raised in a single parent home by a mother who clean houses for wealthy Whites, but despite that, he said his mother was very influential in his life and encouraged them to go through life with a positive spirit focused on laughing and not crying. From an early age, Gregory demonstrated a strong sense of social justice. While a student at Sumner High School in St. Louis he led a March protesting Segregated schools. Later, inspired by the work of leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Drafted in 1954 while attending Southern Illinois University at Carbondale on a track scholarship, Gregory briefly returned to the university after his discharge in 1956, but left without a degree because he felt that the university “didn’t want me to study, they wanted me to run.” In the hopes of performing comedy professionally, he moved to Chicago, where he became part of a new generation of Black comedians that included Nipsey Russell, Bill Cosby, and Godfrey Cambridge. REMEMBERED AND RESPECTED BY GREAT LEADERS & MINDS The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, called Dick Gregory, a brilliant social critic, satirist and soldier in the Cause of Freedom, Justice and Equality. DFW - 12
It was that boldness and candid words and actions that opened the gate to more constructive dialog on civil rights and other social justice issues.
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In America with all of its evils and faults, you can still reach through the forest and see the sun. But we
don’t know yet whether that sun is rising or setting for our country.”
“He was a great, great soul. Any of you who know anything about Dick Gregory, you know that we lost a great one,” Farrakhan said. “He’s gone, but he’s still here in all of us that he taught and shared his wisdom with. He’s here with us. We must honor him by continuing the work he sacrificed for and devoted his life to.” In one instance Farrakhan remembered how Gregory supported the organizing of the Million Man March. “Brother Gregory was right there,” he said. “He stood strong on behalf of an effort aimed at saving and serving our people. He was a fighter and a Servant of Our People...his work on behalf of those deprived of the essentials of life will never be forgotten and his contribution to our struggle will live long amongst us.” According to Farrakhan, Gregory was not only a man of great humor, but also a man of great intellect and great wisdom. “While he often made us laugh, he was making us to think and learn at the same time,” he said.
“Dick Gregory was always a purveyor of truth as he saw it,” said Texas State NAACP President Gary Bledsoe. “He was an important part of the Civil Rights Movement and racial advancement in this country in and out of comedy.” Bledsoe said he had the opportunity to actually spend time with Gregory on several occasions and listened to him often on Joe Madison’s Black Eagle Radio Show. Bledsoe remembers fondly several of of Gregory’s many talks about his experiences and one specifically recalled reading one of his books when he was a young student. According to Bledsoe, in one instance, Gregory talked about how he was integrating this restaurant and ordered chicken. “He said a couple of racists came up and told him that whatever he did to that chicken they would do to him. Gregory said he proceeded to look at them directly, pick the chicken up and move it towards his mouth and then kissed it.” He also told a story of how he recalled how Gregory subtly tried to reach out to middle and lower class Whites by telling them they weren’t the real “White folks” because they had modest lives and no real power and he hung out with the real ones. “Though many may not have understood this, he was trying to fuse an understanding that might lead to political alliances that he knew would be beneficial to all,” Bledsoe said. “Like with James Baldwin, I think it can be said Dick Gregory was not your Negro.” He praised him for being a resilient trailblazer during a time when the word was associated with being a troublemaker. “Gregory clearly had courage and vision and probably paid a financial price for his activism,” he said. To Continue reading Contibutions to Dick Gregory, visit us online @ www.aframnews.com By: Darwin Campbell