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VOL. 22 ISSUE 38
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Did You Know? 60 Years Ago:
Greater Houston Area
America Is Bleeding
September 25, 1957, became a historic day in the Nation when nine courageous children risked their lives to attend Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Background
In the heart of the American Civil Rights Movement, nine Black students enrolled at formerly all-White Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in September 1957, testing a landmark 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The court had mandated that all public schools in the country be integrated “with all deliberate speed” in its decision related to the groundbreaking case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.
47,236- Incidents and 11,810- Deaths as a Result of Guns SEE PG 4
Confederate School Name Changed for Dallas ISD
History of School Integration
In its landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, issued May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregation of America’s public schools was unconstitutional. Until the court’s decision, many states across the nation had mandatory segregation laws, requiring African-American and Caucasian children to attend separate schools. Resistance to the ruling was so widespread that the court issued a second decision in 1955, known as Brown II, ordering school districts to integrate “with all deliberate speed.” speed It signaled the end of “separate but equal”. “
Action
Steve Francis SEE PG 5
SEE PG 9
Michelle Bonton SEE PG 8
In response to the Brown decisions and pressure from the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Little Rock, Arkansas, school board adopted a plan for gradual integration of its schools. TO CONT. READING VISIT US @ WWW.AFRAMNEWS.COM
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Editorial & Opinion
Aww Shoot!!! Guns Not The Problem-It’s People his hotel room at the Mandalay Bay The Black Whisperer Darwin Campbell, Senior Journalist
It’s an ages old argument, “Guns don’t kill people; people kill people.” Looking at the tragedy of a mad man mass killer last week in Las Vegas, it has become even more apparent that guns only do what we tell them or instruct them to do. According to police reports, the gunman, Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old man from Mesquite, Nevada opened fire on a crowd from
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Darwin Campbell
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Journalist
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killing 59 and injuring 500 at the Route 91 Harvest country music concert and festival.
The latest tragedies is bracketed by the anniversaries of two horrific massacres motivated by hate; the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, and the nine victims killed in their church in Charleston. Gun violence is one of the leading causes of death in America today, according to a January 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. So far this year alone, there have been 46,759 gun related incidents, according to the Gun Violence 2017 Archives. Of those, 11,703 resulted in death and 23,747 have suffered injuries as a result of the gun violence, according to Gun Violence Archive (GVA) Simply put, a gun is an inanimate object with no brain, no senses, no ability to think or reason. It sits in a gun cabinet or locked in a dresser or in a glove compartment and says and does nothing until it is touched and instructed by human hands and a human mind. You can’t blame the gun for killing no more than you can blame the car for killing someone in an accident. Think about what this sounds like. We will outlaw, regulate and put stern controls on all cars with strict ownership requirements and rules in this democracy because after all “Cars kill people”. The real truth of the matter is this: "Cars don't kill people; people kill people." I shouldn't be allowed to go onto the highway in a car with no brakes. But all of that has to do what cars are for (they are not made for killing people), What would life be like without knives. Knives kill people too. Maybe we need stricter laws and tighter controls and registration and waiting periods on knife use. After all, “Knives do kill people”. If only that knife would have
chosen not to be available or at the scene, the crime would never have happened. Again, “Knives don’t kill people; people kill people.” I can’t think of anytime in all my journalism career in markets across this country as a crime or court reporter when I interviewed, covered a trial where a gun, a car or a knife was on trial or convicted for killing a human being. It was always a person on trial in every case who had killed another person for whatever reason. Blaming the instruments of death does not solve the problem. Man’s problem is a dark hearted one. Man loves darkness and sin more than the light of God. - That’s why America is confused, divided and in trouble. The moral compass is broken. Before you jump the gun and get emotional about gun control, think about what you are saying and ponder seriously what you are asking for. There is no evidence that proves that more gun control will stop the sin problem of Man killing Man. It has been going on since a jealous and covetous Cain struck Abel and murdered him by beating him with a rock. God did not call for “Rock” control or legislate rock use. He issued justice and that is our role as citizens in this democracy. Perhaps when it come to guns, cars and knives we should adopt the three laws, know as Issac Assimov’s 3 laws that came from the 2004 science fiction action movie, I, Robot. 1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law. Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com
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TEXAS • OCTOBER 9 - 15, 2017
History or Mystery?
once read an old African adage that said
“Until the wild animals in the jungle get their own media or storytellers, tells of the hunt will always glorify the hunters.”
Well the same thing happens to every group or race of people who don’t have their own media. When writers and media don’t tell the truth about the accomplishments, endeavors and hardships of certain groups or races of Americans; especially those people who have been historically abused and still succeed. In my mind this is a huge problem, because this is where the mystery part of history transcends real and factual history. As our current president Donald Trump often describes parts of our modern day media as “Fake News”. This narrative of “Fake News” is made true when biased or even racially prejudiced writers and media people present their version of facts as true history. These people do a disservice to the people they are reporting about and they do a severe disservice to America and its place in world history. Ask yourself, is it “History or Mystery” that Black people were brought to America as slaves? According to a recent presidential candidate for America, who boldly told the news media, Black people came to America as immigrants. Everybody with knowledge of American history knows that is a complete lie. However, some incompetent reporters, writers and media people, reported it and put their tainted version of facts as true history. At a recent speaking engagement I told an audience of people about the importance of honoring and recognizing positive people. I went on to tell them that people and institutions which have advanced the progress
Publisher of Groves Standard Billy “Hollywood” Groves
of their lives and their community deserve to be recognized. That news must be told to people, not only will it inspire them—it’s true history not mystery. The late great journalist Bud “The Old African Warrior” Johnson of Houston, one of my mentors and source of inspiration once said,
“You can’t depend on the oppressor’s lines of communication to uplift your people”. Bud understood that we have to have our own lines of communication to get our message out to the public in a true way. He also knew history and mystery as well as mass confusion were being entangled by certain media people for nefarious reasons. The Groves Standard Newspaper started in 2010 also continues to serve the purpose of separating Mystery from History. We and many more outstanding news publications--Black, White and Brown have the same agenda. Although we can’t change all of the “Fake News” and mystery contents from the past, along with the current incorrect news outlets, we can do the right thing and that is “tell, show and report the news correctly”, which will eventually get the truth and right information to the history books not the mystery books.
God Bless America!
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TEXAS • OCTOBER 9 - 15, 2017
Editorial & Opinion
The Power in Early Detection The Overflow
D
By Chelsea Davis-Bibb, M.Ed
id you know that according to the America Cancer Society, “Blacks have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial/ethnic group in the US for most cancers?” Why is this? After reading more information about this subject, I found that some of the reasons include lack of resources, wealth and income, access to early detection, treatment, and services. In addition, there is a lack of information in the Black community which doesn’t help as well. With this in mind, it is imperative that we keep track of our health and go to the doctor consistently. We never think that certain things can happen to us, but they can. Anything can happen to us at any given time, especially when we least expect it. October is the designated month for Breast Cancer Awareness even though it doesn’t hurt to be informed as much as you can throughout the year. I can’t stress enough the importance of getting tested each and every year. There is so much power in early detection, but in order for that power to work, you must consistently get checked. Also, if breast cancer is present in your bloodline, it is even more crucial that you get checked each and every year. Did you know that men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer? This is not only a women’s thing; men are just as capable of having this diagnosis just like women are. I’ll never forget the day my mom told me that she was diagnosed with Carcinoma in Situ. She explained that Carcinoma is cancer, and in Situ meant that the cancer was contained and had not invaded the breast. It was detected very early. It felt as if my whole world had just stopped, and nothing else mattered. I just stood there and looked at her speechless. To my surprise, she
didn’t cry, and she wasn’t sad. In fact, she was upbeat and smiling. I didn’t understand it at first, but now I know that it was truly her faith and trust in God that allowed her to stay strong in spite of her situation. That night, I went back home and cried like a baby. I was scared, for I didn’t want her to go through what she was going to have to face. If anything, I wanted the burden for her, but God is a God of no mistakes. He knew my mom was strong enough to fight it. In order to help her through it, I had to rely on my own faith and to trust that God had a plan, and that everything was going to be okay. Faith is believing in the things unseen, and at times our faith is tested. How strong is your faith? To make a long story short, my mom is free of cancer. They were able to detect it early because she routinely goes to get a mammogram, which allowed them to compare several years of scans. They noticed a difference between her last couple of scans. Now, imagine if she hadn’t gone for a test that year. Who knows what the outcome would have been. There is a lot of research on when women should start getting mammograms. If women are at risk for breast cancer, it is recommended that they start at the age of 40-45. If not, then the normal time frame is at the age of 50. In spite of what research says, women should constantly self-check themselves regularly by feeling around their breast area for any lumps. My mother is literally my best friend. I look up to her, and I tell her everything. Without her, I don’t know what I’d do, or where I would be right now. I thank God that He has protected her and has kept her safe in His divine care. The more we know, the better we can protect ourselves and detect if anything is wrong. We only get one body, and one life, so we have to take care of ourselves and each other. "You can be a victim of cancer, or a survivor of cancer. It's a mindset." -DAVE PELZER - END
African
American News&Issues
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The White House’ Finest: Dumb, Dumber and Dumbest
According to an interview outlining President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, with Washington Examiner’s, Sarah Westwood; he described efforts that he and his team have put into action. In it he said,
“I would say communication would be a little bit less than an A because I don’t think we’ve gotten the word out what we’ve done because I think we’re so busy getting it done that we’re not talking about it.” While Trump seemingly grades the skills that he and his team possess on an over-extended curve, it appears that his team has no problem with communication at all. In fact, it may just be the communicative actions demonstrated by his people that once again have him looking even dumber than the job he does in doing that, for himself. Furthermore, it could be concluded that Trump is right to some degree; seeing as how he does a far better job communicating criticism in regards to the legacy of former President Obama. In which case, he spends so much time belittling the first “acknowledged” Black POTUS; that it is nearly impossible to share what HE has actually done for the American people. Nevertheless, Kenneth P. Vogel of the New York Times documented his findings of an overheard conversation with two members of Donald Trump’s legal team. He notated while gathering for lunch with a colleague, he found himself in the middle of what he titled an “accidental scoop” amongst the pair. Ty Cobb, a member of Trump’s legal team was involved in a “heated discussion” with John M. Dowd. Dowd was secured as a lead attorney in assisting with handling the Russia investigations that the POTUS has been under scrutiny for some
time now. The two were having brunch at BLT Steak, a local eatery in the Washington area. These high-profile lawyers were in a public place having lunch, discussing what should have been “classified” details and business on the president’s behalf. But here they are conversing out in the open as if they were at a high school football game, of some sort. How clever?!?!
These two personalities give an all new meaning to the famed line,
“Dumb and Dumber”
But I am one to believe that nothing happens by accident and there is a reason and a purpose for everything that takes place; no matter how senseless it may appear or be. Therefore, it has caused me to take this line to another level. It is no secret that the legal cabinet that Trump has composed is obviously ignorant in the area of good ole’ fashion, “common sense” as some would suggest. But then again, as my wife always says,
“Common sense ain’t all that common, if everybody ain’t got it!”
Well it is apparent in this current presidential administration, that the President’s legal team appears to be about as dumb as he is. In my opinion, it’s not much that can really be said about the actions displayed by Donald Trump’s lawyers, because their personality and ways of handling business definitely runs parallel with his. Just as in the editorial regarding Trump’s father that I presented a couple weeks ago, once again the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. It is expected that people that associate with the president and some of those that he employs, will act in a way that is similar to his. Thus making this title,
“Dumb, Dumber and Dumbest”,
extremely relatable for these three Wise Clowns. For nearly an hour, Vogel listens to the comprised White
We MUST Understand By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman
House strategy for the President’s Russian investigation. Through this carelessly open dialogue, the reporter was able to confirm the division that lies amongst the President’s legal team. He noted that, “they discussed presidential privilege and its effect on document production, tensions on the legal team and their colleagues.” Vogel continued on to share, “Mr. Cobb suggested one colleague was not on the president’s good side, but added, ‘I’m trying to get the president not to pick a fight with her’”. All I can think is you have to be mighty dumb to have a conversation of this sort, in such an open place. Concluding, I would like to echo the words of the man himself, Donald Trump. In praise and adoration for the teams that he has working under his umbrella, he once told the Associated Press the following. He said,
“I have different teams. I think my military team has been treated with great respect. As they should be. I think my other team hasn’t been treated with the respect that they should get. We have some very talented people.”
As talented as Mr. Trump thinks that the teams that he has gathered are; they certainly make a slew of dumb decisions in regards to handling “official” and “classified” business; including affairs of his. My only question is that if Trump thinks that the job and leaders he has put in place to help him run this nation are talented; what in the world is this country in for over the course of the next few years? That’s if, we even make it that far under his guidance and administration. - END TX-3
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African
American News&Issues
Bleeding from pg. 1
As NFL players kneel to protest the American National Anthem, gun violence is also entered the spotlight as America the Beautiful is fast becoming “America the Bloody”. From the issues arising from police killing unarmed Black men to Americans outright shooting one another for various reasons, the jump in deaths by gun violence across the United States is alarming and continues to rise at an astounding rate. More than 90 individuals die from gun violence in the United States every single day.
massacres motivated by hate; the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, and the nine victims killed in their church in Charleston. Adding to the turmoil are the statements by the President Trump disrespecting the mothers of NFL football players his comments calling Black players, “Sons of b!$ches”. As tempers flare and friction and frustration increases in streets, homes and workplaces across America, gun violence is becoming
Cover Story Also, based on that that study Business Insider, Oct 3, 2017, reported that assaults by firearm kill about 11,000 people in the US each year, which translates to a roughly 1-in-370 lifetime chance of death from gun violence. That’s almost 50% more likely than the lifetime odds of dying while riding inside a car, truck, or van. These measures also suggest Americans are more likely to die from gun violence than the combined risks of drowning, fire and smoke, stabbing, choking on food, airplane
awash in gun violence stating, “Days like today are always devastating for our organization...Days like today are also deeply frustrating. We are outraged that in just over a year, the deadliest mass shooting in American history has been eclipsed by another, then another. These tragedies continue to escalate because dangerous people have easy access to a limitless supply of high-powered weaponry.” His coalition believes that all Americans have a right to live in communities free from gun violence
The Great Divide
Much of the attention has been on the notion of how President Donald Trump has been a major factor in dividing the country. That has been further fanned by the flames of racism and hate group marches and the friction between races over the issue of the removal of historic Confederate statues and monuments in major cities.
It Happens Too Often
Just this past week, 58 people were killed in a mass shooting in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement that as many as 500 people were transported to area hospitals. According to police reports, the gunman, Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old man from Mesquite, Nevada opened fire on a crowd at the Route 91 Harvest festival, a country music concert, from his hotel room at the Mandalay Bay. The latest tragedies is bracketed by the anniversaries of two horrific TX- 4
six adults, and himself. Since then, there have been at least 1,518 mass shootings, with at least 1,715 people killed and 6,089 wounded. “The United States of America is the only industrialized country where these massacres continue to happen,” he said. “Gun deaths have become a part of our national identity — they are a daily occurrence. When gun violence happens in neighborhoods across the country, we mourn and move on. When a gunman ambushes legislators at a Congressional baseball practice, we mourn and move on. When hundreds are shot at an outdoor concert, we are angry and outraged and call for change. We mourn. But this time, we cannot move on. We must take action.” For African Americans one of the most bloody and notorious mass shootings in recent memory occurred in South Carolina at a Black Church. It was a mass shooting, that took place at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, on the evening of June 17, 2015.
The country also continues to be in turmoil protesting the continuing rash of police shootings of Black males where the police shooters appear to dodge indictments and trials in the deaths of those Black men. It did not take long for another mass shooting to send shock waves across America and provide a chilling reminder of the dangers of guns in the hands of individuals mad at the world and determined to make a statement or stake their mark in the history books.
TEXAS •• August OCTOBER 12-18, 9 - 15, 2013 2017 Texas
more prevalent as people want to make statements or just don’t know how to properly resolve problems and conflicts.
Facts on Gun Violence
Gun violence is one of the leading causes of death in America today, according to a January 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. So far this year alone, there have been 46,759 gun related incidents, according to the Gun Violence 2017 Archives. Of those, 11,703 resulted in death and 23,747 have suffered injuries as a result of the gun violence. Gun Violence Archive (GVA) is a not for profit corporation formed in 2013 to provide online public access to accurate information about gun-related violence in the United States.
crashes, animal attacks, and forces of nature, the report said.
The Controversy of Guns
Some Hard Truths about Guns in America
However, the main issue and new/old argument centers around what to do about assault weapons. Assault weapons are designed to maximize lethality; they are intended to kill as many humans as possible as quickly as possible. It should come as no surprise that perpetrators of mass shootings often use these types of weapons. Assault weapons and the high-capacity magazines that accompany them should not be readily available to those who intend to do harm.
America has 4.4 percent of the world’s population, but almost half of the civilian-owned guns around the world.
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence Executive Director Josh Horwitz responded to Las Vegas tragedy and the increase in a violent America
In December 2012, a gunman walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, and killed 20 children,
America has six times as many firearm homicides as Canada, and nearly 16 times as many as Germany. On average, there is more than one mass shooting for each day in America There have been more than 1,500 mass shootings since Sandy Hook, Connecticut.
During a prayer service, nine people (including the senior pastor, State Senator Clementa C. Pinckney) were killed by domestic terrorist Dylan Roof , a 21-yearold white supremacist. Three other victims survived. The morning after the attack, police arrested Roof in Shelby, North Carolina. Roof confessed to committing the shooting in hopes of igniting a race war. The shooting targeted one of the United States’ oldest black churches, which has long been a site for community organization around civil rights.
Gun Violence and Mass Shootings Still Rocking the Black Community
Houston is not immune from gun violence. According to police records, Houston averages 550 gunrelated incidents per year since 2015. To continue reading visit us online @ www.aframnews.com By: Darwin Campbell
TEXAS • OCTOBER 9 - 15, 2017
Community
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Steve Francis & Community Partners Give Back
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(Lt-Rt.) UPS Employee, Rodrick Brown, Steve Francis, Wesley Fluellen, Steve Francis (son), Sheila Jackson- Lee, Pastor Cynthia Skelton Photo Credit: Meeko TV.
FROM ATLANTA WITH LOVE
Black Female Entrepreneur Shares Timely Support & Kindness to Harvey Stricken Black Communities that she had to do something. Kennedy swung into action and started with $700 and collected as much basic living needs as possible from people and business in her community with the goal of filling a U-Haul truck and coming to Houston to make a difference in a stricken community.
KANIA KENNEDY
HOUSTON - When Kania Kennedy watched from Atlanta, Ga. And saw the flooding and devastation Hurricane Harvey inflicted on neighborhoods in Houston, she told herself
“I saw it and immediately wanted to make a difference in the lives of our people and our community,” she said. “It is important to me to help empower our communities and neighborhoods whenever I can and where ever I go.” Action Not Just Words In particular, Kennedy was concerned that often times, lowincome communities of color can
be overlooked during governmental and NGO relief efforts and/or funds collected often do not get to those most in need.
“African-American News&Issues,” and requested to be connected with a local organization that would make good use of all contributions.
awarded a full academic scholarship to University of Liggett School (ULS), where she received her high school education.
After seeing several social media videos and posts about African American communities who had yet be visited by well-known relief agencies, and social media debates about who should be responsible, she decided to get into action and be part of the solution.
After collecting hundreds of shoes, clothes, diapers, baby wipes, body washes, sanitary items, clothes and other items, she came to Houston pulling a U-Haul and distributed clothing, toiletries, shoes, and cleaning supplies to residents in Houston’s 5th Ward.
After graduating Magna Cum Laude from ULS, Kania went on to attend Duke University and earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering.
She started a local grass-roots collection effort titled SMART Sista 4 Harvey Relief, and reached out to friends, family, and associates via social media, texts, emails, calls, and a fundraising campaign. Kennedy contacted an African American community focused Houston Newspaper,
Background Kennedy is a native of Detroit, MI from a working class family focused on higher education. She received her elementary and middle school education from the Detroit Public Schools, including Alonzo W Bates Academy, and was
After completing her education at Duke University, Kania began her career in Beauty, Health, & Fitness; she later worked in the non-profit sector where she discovered her desire to make a difference in the quality of people’s lives. To continue reading visit us online @ www.aframnews.com By: Darwin Campbell TX- 5
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November Business Networking Luncheon Guest Speaker children 5 years of age and under. A native Texan, Judge Marshall is a product in part Judge Marshall was appointed of the San Antonio public by Mayor Kathy Whitmire in 1987 school system, in part because to become a full time Municipal she is daughter of military Court Judge, and she has held this parent. She graduated from position through 5 Mayors. Judge Sam Houston High School Marshall was appointed in serving as both Junior and December of 2016 by Mayor Senior Class President was one Sylvester Turner as the Director of the top ranking students. and Presiding Judge of the Houston Judge Marshall attended the Hon. J Elaine Marshall Municipal Courts, becoming the University of Notre Dame and first African American to ever hold the posiwas in the first elite class of women admitted to tion. She is responsible for operating the largest attend the full four years. She graduated from Municipal Court in the State of Texas. She is Notre Dame with a Degree in Psychology and most proud of developing a fantastic Teen Court Minors in Black Studies and Languages. Judge Program that has grown to over 100 volunteer Marshall speaks, Spanish, French, German and student participation. Judge Marshall is married Swahili. to Senior Houston Police Officer Stephen Judge Marshall continued her education, Augustine, .and she is the proud mother of one after Notre Dame by attending the University of daughter Janikka Bratton whom she had the Texas, School of Law, and earned her Doctor of pleasure of swearing in as an Attorney and giving Jurisprudence in 1980. After being admitted to her State Bar oath to practice law in 2014. the State Bar, Judge Marshall began her career as Judge Marshall is proud to call Houston an Assistant District Attorney for Harris County, home, after living in Houston for over 35 years. where she served for 8 ½ years. While there, she was instrumental for forming the child abuse For more info contact 713-692-7161 division that handled the prosecution of cases of
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TEXAS • OCTOBER 9 - 15, 2017
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Rhodes School from pg. 1
HOUSTON – This thought parallels with the vision and implementation of an innovative learning system, engineered by Superintendent Michelle Bonton. Created to provide increased opportunities for students from, different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds; Rhodes School for Performing Arts has become a beacon of light within African-American community. With its uniquely-designed magnet school structure and fine arts curriculum; students receive exposure to, “multiple intelligences, which are integrated into core academic subjects.” Recently, I was privileged to dialogue with the Founder of the FourStar School of Distinction, recognized by the Texas Education Agency. In our interview, she shared a few of the details that have assisted with creating the, “free-for-all”, Fine Arts and Magnet Program; which has emerged into a wondrous success for the minority community of Houston and onward.
School Founder and Superintendent, Mrs. Michelle Bonton
Michelle Bonton is a collective product of Houston’s, Fifth and Third Wards, known as the “Nickel” and “Tre”, respectively. At an early age, she developed a passion for “The
TX - 8
Youth/Education
TEXAS • OCTOBER 9 - 15, 2017
The Rhodes School for the Performing Arts
Arts”, Arts and a desire to become an educator. While in middle school, she became even more enthralled in the field of academia. It was during this time that she perceived, she would one day create a school of her own, by watching an NBC special on Marva Collins. Throughout her fundamental years of education, she attended the Houston Independent School District; District concluding her last stint at Jack Yates High School.
Although life’s circumstance did not yield Bonton the opportunity to complete high school; she always maintained her admiration for education. As such, not only was she able to fulfill her high school requirement, but she has since accomplished nearly two Master’s degrees. Accordingly, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing from the University of HoustonDowntown, with postgraduate work leading to teacher certification. She later matriculated at Prairie View A&M University, where she attained a Master’s degree in Counseling. Her additional post-graduate work leading to a 2nd Master’s degree in Educational Leadership was done at Stephen F. Austin University. In addition to finalizing her educational aspirations, she worked in nearly every capacity offered within a learning facility. Her experience includes servitude of working as a: school secretary and administrator, teacher and counselor. After dedicating over two decades of being a public servant in the field of education, she established Rhodes School for the Performing Arts. Rhodes opened its
doors to a sum of 97 children in the fall of 2007. Through Bonton’s vision and her staff’s continuous commitment to excellence, they now service over 1,200 students across four campuses.
Rhodes School for the Performing Arts
The Rhodes School is an exemplary Fine Arts Magnet School, establishing it as the only charter facility to have that designation from, the United States Department of Education. Apart from that distinction, Rhodes boasts of his increasingly predominately African-American and minority populous. In a society where students are vaguely taught, “The Arts”, Rhodes students are being exposed to an
impressive array of the “Fine Arts”. To that regard, Visual Arts, Dance (Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz), Piano, Percussion, Strings, Theatre Arts and Audio Production, are included in the Fine Arts program. Majority of the instructors in the Fine Arts department either, were or are professional performers themselves. During my interview with Supt. Bonton, she acknowledged a few teachers such as: Rita Hughes, of the Ensemble Theater’s hit play, Simply Simone; a contestant from American Idol and one of the Science teachers’ who performs in a band, weekly; whom are actively performing while preparing the next generation of tomorrow. Furthermore, the Rhodes School does not operate in the sense of a tra-
ditional school in regards to field trips. Students take part in field experiences which are planned to accommodate the curriculum; learning activities are initiated prior to, during and after the experience. Every student that is a part of the program attends at least seven of these learning opportunities, within the school term. Field experiences such as: the Congressional Black Caucus and President Barack Obama’s inauguration are amongst the type of memorial events, of which past students have experienced. To date, students from the Rhodes School had the honor of performing at: the Houston Rockets Basketball game (Toyota Center), Hobby Center for Performing Arts, Theatre Under the Stars, The Breakfast Klub, Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade, Texas Southern University Homecoming parade, FOX 26 News and Prairie View A&M University, just to list a few of the venues. Since the inception of Rhodes, Bonton has proven to be an exceptional and visionary leader. Under her guidance, the school has incorporated its concept of “CREW”. “CREW”, stems from the ideology that the leaders of the institution are, “Crew members and not passengers”. This translates into instructors that are “teaching their students to take part in their own success.” Bonton shared that meetings are held daily to prepare students how to become people of integrity. She said, “We challenge our kids to take personal responsibility for their success… We tell them, ‘If you are not successful, let us begin with you.’” She continued, “We teach them that, you can’t control who your parents are, or whether there are circumstances within your environment. But, you can control how you let that affect you and what you do when you come to school.” “So, those are
the kinds of conversations that we are having with the kids and building into them; in terms of empowering them to have some real control or take control of their lives,” she added. Supt. Bonton is a firm believer in the power of exposing Black and Brown students to the excellence of Fine Arts. However, she teaches her staff that if students are not properly prepared with the basics of academics, then the effects are greatly diminished.
Supt. Bonton’s, Advice to the Black Community:
When asked of advice to members of the African-American community, Bonton revealed the following, “I think the biggest thing that we have got to do is, quit coddling our kids. We have got to teach our kids to take ownership and take responsibility for their own success.” She stressed, “We have raised a generation of kids that feel entitled; and we are destroying ourselves through our own inactivity. So if nothing else, teach them they are responsible for their own success – no one else is just them.” “As parents we’ve got to be responsible for our kid’s success,” she added. Bonton is a proudly professed child of the kingdom of God and lives her life to reflect the same. For 32-years, she has maintained a blessed union with Mr. Ellis Bonton. Together To continue reading visit us online @ www.aframnews.com By: Rebecca Jones
Dallas School from pg. 1
Dallas Independent School District voted unanimously, last Thursday, September 28, 2017, for the renaming of four schools. The schools are Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, William L. Cabell and Albert Sidney Johnston. This decision comes on the heels of the recent removal of a Robert E. Lee Statue from Dallas’ Robert E. Lee Arlington Park. Both actions were sparked by the shocking Charlottesville melee which polarized the nation and left one woman dead. It is estimated that the renaming of these four schools will cost the city close to $150,000, which takes into consideration replacing signs with the proper school name, changing school logos and other miscellaneous items. Out of the four schools, Robert E. Lee is the only one whereby a decision has already been made about its new name. By July 18, 2018, all four schools will be renamed. Robert E. Lee will become Geneva Heights. Parents at Stonewall Jackson were barred from shaving off the last name of the school and keeping Stonewall as its name.
Youth/Education
Dallas Independent School District’s Unanimous Vote
Ed Turner, who is an education organizer for the Texas Organizing Project in Dallas said, “The safest way to not get into a back and forth argument about the renaming of the schools, is to get the new names from the community. Maybe it would be a
Teens and Domestic Violence
HOUSTON -October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness month, and although domestic violence is mostly associated with adults, an expert at Baylor College of Medicine says teens too often experience this type of abuse. “In general when we think about domestic violence among teens we really think more about intimate partner violence,” said Ruth Buzi, associate professor and director of social services at the Baylor Teen Health Clinic. Intimate partner violence can be subdivided into four different categories: • • • •
Physical violence Sexual violence Threat of physical or sexual violence Psychological and emotional abuse
Physical and sexual violence are normally identified as the
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worst forms of intimate partner violence; however, psychological and emotional abuse are very significant among teens, Buzi said. “All forms of intimate partner violence are damaging to teens. If you think about where they are developmentally, it is important to support them because those forms of relationships can be so discouraging and effect teens in many negative, long-lasting ways,” she said. According to Buzi, one in 10 teens experience rape through intimate partner violence, one in six experience sexual abuse other than rape, one in four experience severe physical violence and one in two experience psychological aggression. Among teens, domestic violence that affects reproductive health is common and is done to maintain control and power over the relationship, she said. “What we see is coercion around
good idea to name the schools after the neighborhoods, so they can be identified with the neighborhoods they serve.” Billy Allen, a community activist and Director of the Black Cowboys Rodeo stated, “The renaming of our reproductive healthcare,” Buzi said. “Partners are more likely to jeopardize use of contraceptives because if a girl becomes pregnant, she is likely to stay in the relationship. This jealousy and need to control the partner can affect the choices of the girls, especially girls who are engaged in a relationship where violence is present and are afraid to insist on condom use.” Domestic violence among teens is more likely to occur when drugs and alcohol are present, and it is commonly associated with family and community violence. Teens who observe family violence, either male or female, may assume it is okay to act that way. They learn to accept that this is what it takes to be in a relationship, and intimate partner violence becomes normal. Buzi says signs of intimate partner violence as either a perpetrator or victim can result in these types of behavioral and physical changes: •
Pattern changes
schools gives people a sense of hope. It allows us to hope for greater things on the part of the government for tomorrow, but the real building has to begin with the intellectuals of our society.”
9
Since the renaming of the four Dallas schools, at least two more are being considered for possible name changes - Robert L. Thornton Elementary and William Hawley Atwell. All of these name changes leave Dallas residents wondering what other items besides schools, will be brought to the table for possible name changes. Presently, there is talk among the Mayor’s Task Force on Removal of Confederate Statues about the renaming of streets and highways. Residents in the areas that would be affected by these changes are paying close attention to the decisions being made by this team, so they can spring into action when the time is right. Their primary concern is the inconvenience such a change would cost, since legal documentation, which often involves a fee, would have to be replaced with the new address information. As of yet, no words have been spoken about possibly reimbursing these neighborhood residents, for the costs they would incur to update their documents. BY: ARIELLE JOHNSON
• • • • •
Less interest in school Losing friends due to partner control Depression Anxiety Bruises
Any type of behavior change that occurs when a teen is in a relationship may suggest that there is some type of abuse occurring. Parents who begin to notice these changes are advised to check in with their teen, acknowledge the behavioral changes and seek additional help. “It is important to educate teens that they do not deserve to be treated in an abusive way. They should know that they deserve to be respected, treated with fairness and allowed to be happy and pursue life goals. Abusive relationships are unhealthy, and anyone has the right to live their life free of abuse,” Buzi said. Support services available to victims of intimate partner violence: Houston Area Women’s Center, 1010 Waugh Dr.,
Houston, TX 77019, (713) 528-2121 The National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline: 1-866-331-9474 Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 Teen Runaway Hotline: 1-800-621-4000
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Texas • October 9 - 15, 2017
3rd Annual Black Heritage Festival
Richard Andrews Founder of The Black Hertiage Festival; Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
HOUSTON – Over eight thousand people attended the 3rd annual Houston Black Heritage Festival presented by Ebony Magazine. Grammy award winning artist Tamia set the stage on fire alongside Elle Varner, and every girls dream performer the ever so “smooth” Eric Benet. This year’s festival served as an uplifting evening for the city of Houston after the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Eric Benet gracefully gave words of encouragement as he embraced the crowd with resilience and compassion. This years host and emcee was non other than The Session Talk Show Host, Kia Renee! Founder Richard Andrews commended, “I would like to thank some very influential people who stepped in to partner with us. First, Willard Jackson, and Linda Rice of Ebony are two amazing people who saw a need to help heal the community in the wake of Harvey. I am really grateful and honored for the partnership. Also, Thanks to Mr. Darryl King for stepping in and mentoring me and single handedly helping getting this event off the ground. Compassion TX - 10
International played a huge role as one of our major sponsors and presented our Gospel Celebration. I wanted to utilize our platform this year to celebrate the remarkable spirit of our strong and resilient African American community.” The night enriched as State Representative Shawn Thierry presented Willard Jackson-Vice Chairman of Ebony Magazine, Darryl King-Principle Partnering Group, Eric Benet Elle Varner and Tamia with honors from the State of Texas. Mayor Sylvester Turner was also a 2017 honoree, alongside NAACP Image Award nominee and Larry Green –City of Houston District K- Larry Green, marketing guru- Velma Trayham and Fox 26 News Reporter, Isiah Carey who both addressed the crowd to encourage Houstonians to remain strong, and to embrace their “Go moment”. Other honorees included, Darian WardCity of Houston Press Secretary, Larry Johnson- Development Director KTSU, Owner- Mr. Percy Creuzot Ill. Also Mr. Boris Miles stopped by to show support.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee commended Houston Black Heritage Festival founder Richard Andrews while addressing the crowd stating, “Many believed the festival should have been canceled due to Hurricane Harvey, but Richard thank you for giving back, and providing Houston with such an uplifting event!” Congresswoman Lee added “I love the vision Richard (Founder of the Houston Black Heritage Festival) has, this festival will soon be the largest jazz and cultural family event birth from Houston that will capture the nation. The Houston Black Heritage Festival growth and impact on the Houston Community is simply outstanding.” Before leaving the stage, Congresswoman Lee took a knee inciting the crowd of thousands as she expressed her solidarity to the many African American NFL supporters and the spirit of Black culture.
tendees with a day of shopping, eating and performances in the free youth zone. Harris county also provided free health screenings along with free games and activities from the youth. The Houston Black Heritage Festival has become one of the most sought after annual events in the state of Texas for music lovers, business owners, entertainment stars, community leaders, members of media and for children of all ages. Over the past three years, the event has garnered
millions of social media impressions. This year was no different, as the event trended across all social media platforms. It was a stellar show and next year will be even bigger and better. Ebony Magazine, had the honor of being this year’s presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include African American News&Issues, City Of Houston, Houston Arts Alliance, Harris County, Compassion International, Bud Light- Silver Eagle, Houston Style Magazine, Frenchy’s, Council Member Green, The Principle Partnering Group L.L.C, KTSU 90.9FM, KYND, Houston Forward Times, Buffalo Soldiers Museum, CBA Media Group, Yelp, VIP Media, Four Seasons Hotel, Harris County Precinct 1 and the Day Edwards Agency.
For more information, including red carpet photos, video clips, a complete list of vendors and honorees and 2018 sponsorship Grammy Award Winning artist Eric Benet along with Tamia opportunities, visit www. Hill, Elle Varner, Lisa Dinero, Ty Morris, City of Houston HoustonBlackHeritageFest. Congresswoman- Sheila Jackson Lee Amongst other city com
The ambiance of the evening was set in prelude to the youth zone and vendors market. Hundreds of vendor and officials gathered at the Discovery Green Park for the Black food trucks provided atHeritage Festival presented by Ebony Magazine.
Texas • October 9 - 15, 2017
Politics
African
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White House Down: Should The People Demand President Donald Trump Be Fired? a Trump is trying to do is to divide us up. A few months ago, we were supposed to hate Mexicans and he thinks they’re all criminals or rapists. Now we’re supposed to hate Muslims. That kind of crap isn’t going to work in the United States of America.”
That kind of raw truth, frustration and distaste is growing and many Americans are bursting forth - including those who represent and protect the principles of Democracy. Houston Congressman Al Green (D-TX) is one who has risen to defend and denounce the rude, childish and off color comments made by Trump about Black mothers and Black men. Given the current state of affairs and the dumpster fire going on at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the best descriptions of government in Washington DC and the Donald Trump administration is that Olympus Has Fallen and the White House is Down. History will reflect that his administration ruined both the offices and the image of the United States and this nation will emerge with a lot smaller influence in the world and with a tarnished image that will never rise to the heights of the days of great men like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama. America needs a real leader and not a “Crazy Joe” or a Sheriff Buford Pusser walking tall around the streets and halls across America with a baseball bat bullying citizens who just want to live out their lives in the “Matrix” without Tweets and daily doses of unappetizing idiotic stupidity. It is making Americans sicker and the United States look as silly and irrelevant as the country was in the age old movie classic, “Idiocracy”. Trump recently referred to some NFL players who peacefully protest the national Anthem as “Sons of B$*tch!s”, which also infers their Black mothers are B*t$cheS.
Some In Congress have had enough
“I don’t see this President-elect as a legitimate president,” John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and historic civil rights figure and advocate, said months ago to NBC News’ Chuck Todd on Meet the Press, Jan 13, 2017. The latest negative statements from Trump bashing Americans has created objections and a rash of comments over the past 6 months continues to back build and grow quickly. As early as the campaign trail in 2015 and 2016 – Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders warned people about Trump. “I think Donald Trump is a pathological liar…” he said them. “...And what somebody like
“...My heart tells me I must and from my heart I rise as a proud American who believes in this country and speak, (not as a Democrat, Liberal or Conservative, but as one who says the Pledge of Allegiance, salutes the flag and sings the national anthem,” he said on the floor of the House of Representatives. “I rise to defend mothers who were called “dogs” because their sons participated in a peaceful protest. I defend the sons who engaged in peaceful protest and I denounce the level of indecency (based on the inappropriate statements of President Trump). This is not what America is all about!” According to Green, the issue is the president’s attempt to stifle free speech of those who do not follow in step with his way. Green is calling for the impeachment of President Trump in part for his continued attacks on freedom of free speech and expression in a democratic society. “This is about free speech and will everyone get to enjoy speech freely,” he said. Over the course of Trump’s short term thus far, the incidents continue to make a case for his ineptness and shows stark evidence that he is not only divisive, but also unfit to hold the office and has damaged the image and reputation of this great Republic abroad.
A Leadership Crisis in A Matter of National Security
Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02), released the following statement on Sept 25 harshly criticizing Trump for his unwillingness to be a president for all people. “This country is having a crisis of leadership” said the caucus’ chair, Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), during a CBC leadership press call with reporters on Monday. “This president has proven time and time again that he doesn’t have the maturity or the temperament to
govern in a common-sense manner.”
It is an issue larger than a few NFL players in peaceful protest and has little to do with the military, the flag or the nation anthem of the United States. “I call again on President Trump to start acting like a president and to stop acting like a child. It is no surprise that athletes and others do not want to come to the White House when President Trump calls Black athletes who exercise their First Amendment right to free speech ‘a son of bitch’ and calls White men who yell racial epithets ‘very fine people.’ Richmond further elaborates that while a few of these statements mentioned ‘social injustice,’ ‘racial divides,’ and ‘societal issues,’ none of them explicitly mentioned the reason why Mr. Kaepernick and many others (professional athletes, celebrities, elected officials, and citizens) are taking a knee during the National Anthem. “They are taking a knee to protest police officers who kill unarmed African Americans – men and women, adults and children, parents and grandparents – with impunity,” he added. “They are taking a knee to protest a justice system that says that being Black is enough reason for a police officer to fear for his or her life.”
Those words were missing from the statements I read despite the fact that he said.
According to the CBC, the larger issue here – racial profiling by police that disproportionately affects Americans who are the same race as an overwhelming majority of NFL players.
Sheila Jackson Lee
“Trump’s comments set off a national controversy with team owners expressing support for players and players expressing support for their protesting teammates. The ensuing drama proves again that the President is not up to the job he has been elected to do”. “The President’s job is to solve problems, not create them; to unite the country, not divide it; to uphold and protect the Constitution of America, not to rewrite it for personal or political gain. The job and office of President is not an apprenticeship”. Congresswoman Jackson Lee took a knee on the floor of the House to show support for the NFL players demonstrating their first amendment rights. To Continue Reading Visit www.AframNews.com By: Darwin Campbell
MAIL-IN BALLOT FRAUD & REDISTRICTING Recently, Representative Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) sent a letter to Texas House Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) calling for him to set an interim charge for the House Committee on Elections to examine the mail-in ballot voting process and recommend ways to overhaul the system to make it less susceptible to fraud in a way that does not disenfranchise voters. “Mail-in ballot voter fraud is a real and deplorable practice that must be stopped. The eleventh hour ‘fix’ by Republicans during the special session did nothing to fix the problem. We need to study this issue over the interim and pass a comprehensive, bipartisan reform during the 86th Texas Legislature,” Johnson stated. Representative Johnson also called on Speaker Straus to set an interim charge for the House Committee on Redistricting to explore alternatives to legislative redistricting. “The House Redistricting Committee has yet to meet once since being impaneled, despite receiving a full committee budget at the taxpayers’ expense. Speaker Straus should call on the House Redistricting Committee to meet during the interim and finally have an intelligent, bipartisan discussion on redistricting, especially considering the current case before the United States Supreme Court,” Johnson stated.
Hon. Eric Johnson TX- Dist. 100
Representative Johnson additionally requested interim charges relating to improving early childhood education, increasing the state’s investment in historically underutilized businesses, examining ways the state can better plan for climate change, exploring ways to combat predatory lending, increasing transparency in policing, and removing barriers to employment for ex-offenders TX -11
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