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American News&Issues
Edit rial & Opini n
Before I lay it down: “Are All Married Couples Honest About Sex?” Before I Lay it Down... By “Coach” Mark Spivey
E
ver wonder how people stay married for a long time? Have you ever inquired on what it is that keeps them together? The majority of those married folk will tell you that it ain’t sex. Let me give you my version on it, therefore, you might want to put the little chillren to bed. This message will self-destruct in 24 hours. Let’s face it, sex at 22 years of age is not the same when you get 52 unless you’re an Alpha Man. Men tend to place a little more emphasis on it in their later years than most
people expect. Women, on the other hand, lose desire as they and the kids get older. I don’t know why that’s the case, but it is. I guess it’s because most women get tired of being mom AND a sex vixen after 20 or so years. They are wore out, literally. Oftentimes, these two polar opposites become lost in transition and the emphasis on the act of sexual intercourse seems to wane. It doesn’t mean that they don’t love each other anymore. Their relationship has just been “redefined.” More attention is placed on the quality of sex rather than the quantity. Making love like rabbits has been relegated to making love like turtles........ slow and easy with none of that flipping, flopping, twisting, and horse-riding ish going on. It could be quite boring if one or the other spouse is not
The Time for Voter Rights Is Now Rev. Al Sharpton President, National Action Network Read us online! w w w. a f r a m n e w s .c o m
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n Thursday, I sat with other civil rights and religious leaders from around the country as we met with President Obama and several Cabinet members. The President discussed his pending trip to Selma, Alabama where he will address the nation on the 50th anniversary of the march across Edmund Pettus Bridge where Hosea Williams, John Lewis (now Congressman Lewis) and many others were beaten as they peacefully attempted to walk across the bridge in their continued push for voting rights. Americans, both Black and White (like Goodman, Chaney, Schwerner and others) were killed in the fight for equality, but we eventually achieved the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Many gave their lives, and many sacrificed immensely so that you and I could vote and have a voice in how we are governed. As I met with the President and others last week however, I remembered
satisfied and if they’re not careful, sexual relations can find its way to another address. Not permanently, of course. Just until the other spouse gets ready to “fulfill” their duties. Yet, these couples still find a way to stay together. Do you think they know what’s actually going on? Hmmmmm, you tell me. I guess we’ll never find out since everybody minds their own business in instances like these. But, SOMEBODY knows. It could be a close associate, like a family member, girlfriend, homeboy, or best friend, but, SOMEBODY knows. Yet again, these couples always seem to make it back to each other and stay together. Could it be for security or financial purposes? What about religious or moral convictions? Is it because of the children or the risk of embarrassment if their secret was
exposed? “Your spouse KNOWS.” When it comes to “sneaktivity,” it is said that no one is better at infidelity than women. For many years, it was assumed that females were the queens of secrecy until it was recently discovered that their little sneaky-ass ways were exposed to men by (are you ready for this?) ... other women. That is why it’s terrible for you women to confide what you do in the dark to a few of your girlfriends who might be eyeballing YO man. Ummm huh, that’s right. Yo man might know more than what you want him to know. Still, he stays with you, because it’s all a part of “the game.” Let me explain: Your spouse probably knows that you’re tickling the fancy of other people and they really, truly
sitting in the Supreme Court in 2013 listening to oral arguments in Shelby County v. Holder. The decision in that case essentially gutted the Voting Rights Act by ruling Section 4 unconstitutional. In other words, areas with a history of discrimination no longer needed preclearance from the Justice Department before making changes to their election laws or district maps. Fifty years after that Bloody Sunday on Edmund Pettus, we cannot allow such a blatant assault on our progress to take place. Let this moment be a wake up call to everyone. I am honored to be chosen to lead the morning sermon next Sunday at the Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma which was the headquarters where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others operated from as they organized their voting campaign. After the service, thousands of us will march across Edmund Pettus to commemorate five decades since that pivotal moment in our history. I was only 10 years old
when that march happened in ‘65, but I have attended reenactments for many years. This year, in my sermon, I will challenge everyone to mobilize and galvanize a public campaign and call on Congress to deal with the Shelby decision. We cannot just memorialize and recall the past; we must ensure that the blood, sweat and tears of the past were not in vain. If we do not fight to restore Section 4 and protect our right to vote, then we make a mockery of what was done in ‘65. We cannot raise awareness about the heroines and heroes of history, and then turn around and be cowards 50 years later. This Congress must deal with overt moves among states to obstruct people’s right to vote, and they must restore federal protections of voting rights. Almost immediately after the Shelby ruling, jurisdictions in several states either passed or attempted to pass draconian new laws like voter ID requirements that make it harder for people of color and the poor to vote. That is no coincidence.
all original responses from Letter to the Editor Weourwelcome readers to content found in the
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Texas • March 9 - 15, 2015 don’t seem to mind, just as long as they’re able to do the same thing. It’s the “turn a blind eye” syndrome where what you don’t see won’t kill you. The signs are there. They’re EVERYWHERE! A sudden desire to work out like a body builder or try “new” things in the bedroom are sometimes tale-tale signs of someone who’s had their boots knocked by someone other than you. People are smarter now where they don’t have to stay out all night long, or go on “business trips” to get their groove on with another piece of meat. Nosiree-bob. Short/brief rendezvous that don’t take too much time will suffice that microwave passion of theirs to the point to where getting away from home and back in yo driveway in record time leaves the unsuspecting spouse unawares of what just happened an hour ago.
Continue Reading Online Source: Aframnews.com Poll taxes may be replaced by slicker new schemes, but the outcome is still the same. If we do not organize around this issue, we will do a disservice to all those who gave their lives and livelihoods before us. When John Legend accepted an Oscar for Best Original Song along with Common last week, he made the following statement: “We say that Selma is now because the struggle for justice is now.” I couldn’t agree more. Continue Reading Online 1 12/11/14 Business Card for Paper 14_Layout Source: Huffingtonpost.com
979-921-9908 28820 FM 1736 Road Hempstead, TX 77445 Waller County
Breeder of Trophy Whitetail Deer, High End Beef-Type Registered Brahmans and Herefords Cattle. Trophy Hunting Whitetails, Axis and Blackbuck Nature Tours and Photography
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African
Texas • March 9 - 15, 2015
Edit rial & Opini n A Neighborhood is Not a Community: Manhood, Race & Culture By Dr. James Thomas Jones III
The Primary Reason that the Black Community Continues to Fail at The Game of Life
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uring a recent presentation that I delivered at the 30th Anniversary of The Texas Association of Black School Educators (T.A.B.S.E.) regarding confronting the “Cool Pose,” a Richard Majors construct that charges that African-American males envelope themselves in a nearly impenetrable persona that protects them from the hurt, harm, and denigration that the outside world heaps upon them, the Q & A session turned toward a most peculiar question of “what is the difference between a neighborhood and a community?” On the surface, the two terms seem synonymous. However, a vibrant discussion that occurred among an audience of teachers, principals, and superintendents, those who are charged with either educating or structuring the climate for our children to become educated, challenged the notion that a neighborhood and community are the same. Quite possibly, the most pivotal point occurred when a young man related that he is ostracized by the parents of his students because he does not reside in the area. This revelation led me to ponder many things regarding African-Americans and the neighborhoods/communities where we resided. After a bit of pondering, I have decided that a neighborhood and community are most definitely not synonymous. A neighborhood is little more than a residential district where individuals live, nothing more and nothing less. There is little that causes individuals who live near one another to come together as often
as it takes every bit of strength for them to maintain in their daily battles against this thing called life. I have learned that those who choose to play the game of life as an individual will repeatedly lose to those who choose to view the game of life as a team sport. Too often African-American’s, particularly after examining the plight of their contemporaries, make the conscious decision to conquer the game of life on their own. Little do they know, they are merely continuing an unfortunate tradition of individualism that has, and never will, work for African-Americans. To validate this position, one only needs to look back at the African-American existence in any major city prior to the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision that brought about forced integration between the races. I have learned that one should not too harshly denounce African-Americans for their failure to understand that the African-American neighborhoods that we see today are in no way representative of the Black communities of yesteryear. Prior to this contemporary manifestation of social dysfunction in African-American neighborhoods, the Black community of yesteryear was administrated by a group of Black businessmen, professors, attorney, clergy, teachers, civic leaders, and elected politicians, the population that W.E.B. Du Bois calls the “Talented Tenth,” whose legitimacy and power rested upon the group that Marcus Garvey would most likely term “the untalented ninety”: laborers, restaurant workers, secretaries, and homemakers. Make no mistake about it, prior to integration, the African-American community thrived for several reasons. One of the most prominent was the unintended gift that racial segregation provided to the AfricanAmerican community, the reality that we all had to live inside the same residential boundaries.
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American News&Issues
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Nothing has changed when it comes to policing Blacks! What happened to us is still happening to us! ~ Know your history!
Don’t Take Your Right to Vote for Granted
I
have decided to address the issue of voting in this editorial, because it is an issue that gravely affects members of our communities. I strongly believe that the topic will never get old, and encouraging people to vote is a method that will never lose its power. Anyone that has ever heard me speak at any given place or time knows that I repetitiously emphasize that we Africans living in America have two very powerful tools and we sure be very careful of who we give them to. Those tools remain-- “our money” and “our vote.” Whoever we invest our monies and vote in, are those that we empower. However, I am placing extreme importance on “our vote,” because when we utilize our right to vote, we are placing faith in those that we vote for. Faith and hope that they will make the decisions that are most beneficial for our school systems, communities, children, judicial system and overall government of the way we eat, live and do business. Many people have a tendency to take for granted the privilege that we have of voting, but I urge anyone that sits in such a seat, not to do so. We MUST Understand that electing reputable politicians that will actually hold to the promises that they make during campaign elections does not consist of the color that a person is. A certain composer by the name of Charity Sunshine TillemannDick expressed a thought that I believe is very true. She said, “Perhaps we should worry less about judging people for being Mormon or Baptist or Muslim or gay or straight or Black or White or Latino or by their religious or political brands and worry more about electing thoughtful, serious and ethical
politicians on both sides of the political isle who are willing to work together for progress.” I agree, and that is the end of the story as far as I’m concerned. The person that is most adequate for the job does not always look like you. So you should examine a candidate’s record and check out what a person truly stands for before you cast in your vote to support a person. Because as it is, many people talk a good game, especially politicians, but when it is time to put all that talking into action and make decisions that are pertinent to our community, the question remains, “Where do they really stand?” I have seen it far too many times, where a politician charismatically soothes people’s egos to get elected into office, but then once chosen and elected to serve the people, they completely forget why they were elected as well as those who elected them. We MUST Understand that there was a time in the United States whereas citizens were proud of their right to vote and the opportunity to decide how the government would work. After the Civil War, the Constitution was changed to make sure that Black men had the right to vote. For twelve years after the Civil War, soldiers of the Union Army helped make sure that Blacks would get to vote in the South. However, when the soldiers left, Whites in the South invented many ways to hinder Blacks from voting. They were successful in this avenue for nearly a decade. There was a reason why hundreds of our ancestors lost their lives, were imprisoned, beaten and suffered various other humiliations on the road to freedom and civil liberty. They realized the power that was held by
- Roy Douglas Malonson
We MUST Understand By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman
simply one vote. I thought that this brief insight into what our forefathers went through in order to ensure that we had the right to vote was beneficial in helping members of our community understand the significance of the privilege that we now have. Therefore, I encourage our African-American News&Issues audience not to stay at home and think that one person and one vote cannot and will not change the world. Although I constantly talk and write about this, it still never ceases to amaze me how so many people sit and complain about the things that go on within the political world, but they never utilize the one resource that they can. The voice of voting! The irony about our nation is that we operate under a democracy. Of which Webster defines a democracy as “A government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.” There are countries where its’ residents and citizens would love to have the right to a voice in how their country is governed. This is why I constantly refer to the right to vote as a privilege. Concluding, I would just like to reference the words of the 32nd president of the United States of America in the person of Franklin D. Roosevelt. He stated, “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.” TX-3
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Cancer HOUSTON - It has been said that, “we are here today and gone tomorrow.” However, the reality is that, “we are here today and gone today.” James 4:14 yields a rhetorical question that asks, “...What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” As it is, African-Americans have a origin of history that dates back to centuries ago in the United States. The term “African-American” is a derivative of two countries’ inhabitants. Individuals labeled as African-Americans come from various places such as: Africa, Caribbean and West Indies. In addition to people from these different regions of the world, there is still a large number of unreported African-Americans. This assumption is based on the United States’ own definition of what establishes a person as Black. Accordingly, the United States has defined anyone having one single drop of Black blood in them as Black. Therefore, if the total calculations of these numbers were tallied the actual presence of African-Americans portrayed in the US Census would be exceptionally higher than that which is listed now. Currently, the United States Census has concluded that there are over 45 million African-Americans living in the country. This total makes up about 15 percent of the nation’s population. A projection by the US Census Bureau reveals that, “by the year 2060 there will be 74.5 million African-Americans including those of more than one race in the United States, making up 17.9% of the total U.S. population.” The bureau also TX- 4
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Heart Disease Abortion explains that, “the largest concentrations of African-Americans is found in the South totaling about 55% of the total group.” Considering that AfricanAmerican News&Issues is a publication that strives to address current and historical realities affecting our communities, in this edition we have decided to explore some of the leading causes of deaths in members of the Black community. Youth: Abortions & Black on Black Homicide
The future of Black America tomorrow is dependent upon the youth of the community today. Seldom seen are the days when children had the burdensome task of burying their parents. Instead, in recent generations it is becoming a more common thread that parents are burying their children. While this is not necessarily the intended, “order of life” it is seemingly transforming into, “a way of life” for members of the Black community. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the factors associated with fatality rates in the young members of the AfricanAmerican community. In researching this troubling thought, it was found that abortions and Black on Black homicide are amongst two leading causes of death that are hurting the growth and development of the Black community. Statistics reveal that AfricanAmerican babies are three times more likely to be aborted than that of their White counterparts. Regardless of the situation or circumstances surrounding the decision to abort unborn children, it is becoming a leading
cause of death amongst members of the Black community. As suggested earlier, this factor only assists with crippling the future of the Black population in America as a whole. Over the last four decades a striking alarm of one-fourth of the African-American population has been eliminated due to abortions. For every Black baby that is born there is almost an equivalence of one Black embryo that is aborted. It has been found that, “Twice as many AfricanAmericans have died from abortion than have died from AIDS, accidents, violent crimes, cancer and heart disease combined.” Another leading cause of death that is affecting the future of Black America is Black on Black homicide in young Black males. Although, homicide is ranked as number 8 as a leading cause of death for AfricanAmericans, it is at the top of the list as it relates to young Black males. Dr. Charles H. Hennekens, published a study which depicted the homicide rates found in the United States in comparison to other countries. In that study he said, “Compared to all other developed countries, the overall homicide rates in the United States are about seven times higher and homicide rates from firearms are about 20 times higher.” He continued by stating, “In 15 to 24-year-olds, firearm homicide rates in the U.S. are about 43 times higher than in other developed countries. Among young Black men, the devastation homicide inflicts is a potentially preventable epidemic.” This epidemic has not just now become a problem but it is one that
has invaded Black communities all over on an enormous scales. Hence, members should strive together to work on one common goal of alleviating homicide of any kind period. Of all of the causes that are being addressed in this article the two that gravely affect the future of the youth of the African-American community are perhaps the most avoidable of them all. Adults Heart Disease & Cancer Although various causes have been presented here as it relates to the leading causes of death of members in the Black community; the truth is that of all those referenced heart disease and cancer remain the verifiable top two killers of African-Americans. The Center for Disease Control has a listing according to all of the deaths recorded by the National Vital Statistics Records database that supports this fact. Amongst AfricanAmerican men 23.8 percent of the causes of death are caused by heart disease, with cancer following by a 23.1 percentage. In African-American women the numbers are virtually similar with heart disease contributing to 23.4 percent and cancer at 22.9 percent. Heart disease is collectively a term for any type of disease, defect or disorder that affects the heart. At least half of the United States total population has at least one of the three contributing factors to heart disease which include, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or smoking. Some different forms of heart disease are: angina, arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease,
dilated cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mitral regurgitation, mitral valve prolapse and pulmonary stenosis, just to list a few of them. Some tips to members of the Black community to keep the heart regulated to help protect it are: eating a healthy diet that does not contain an overage of salt, taking a 10-minute walk at least 3 times a day for 5 days a week and lastly no smoking. Cancer is the second leading cause of death for AfricanAmericans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer is, “the term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.” There are various types of cancer that a person may be diagnosed with amongst them are: breast, colon, gynecologic (cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, vulvar), hpv, lung, prostate and skin cancer. Medical professionals encourage both men and women to ensure that yearly screenings are performed. Early detection has proven to assist some individuals diagnosed with cancer as a greater success level in regards to treatment planning and options. Techniques to prevent the risk of certain cancers are receiving regular medical care, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol use, abstaining from excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds and practicing good eating and exercise habits. Story By: Rebecca S. Jones
C mmunity ACRES HOME
Texas • March 9 - 15, 2015
NeW meTro pILoT proGram raISeS QUeSTIoNS
HOUSTON - Some Acres Home residents are not happy with the new pilot program that the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County and Houston, Texas has put in place for their transportation system. Multiple Acres Home community members feel that the temporary system has affected how many people, especially senior citizens and youth, will get around the city. Community activist and longtime Acres Home resident Ruby Mosley stated that before this new program was put in place, she asked Metro officials, “Have you talked to the senior citizens that have to ride the buses that you’re planning on putting in, and why aren’t you expanding the already existing routes to better help seniors get home from dialysis that are sitting there two and three hours at the grocery store, at the laundry mat, at the hospital, or at the doctors office?” Mosley further stated that “They said no. Then I asked what happens if you put the route in and it does not work? The response was ‘we will stop the route.’ Now, once you stop the route, we’ve already helped you to vote to get the veteran money, to get the buses, to do the route, but you have our money in your pocket.” Mosley said she was disturbed, because“While all of that changing was going on, not at one time did they go to any of the multi-service centers that are in the city that have the senior citizen’s program to talk to the seniors, so I took it upon myself.” Mosley said she has been doing her own investigation in order to figure out what exactly is placing place as a result of the new pilot program. She has gone to a dialysis clinic within the Acres Home community and allegedly saw senior citizens sitting and waiting for transportation for an almost nearly two hours waiting to be transported to their destinations. She also feels that there was a “lack of consideration” for senior citizens when the program was planned and put into action. “They had gone up to the Boys & Girls Club on West
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STUDEWOOD aUNT Bea’S reSTaUraNT
Montgomery where they have plenty seniors, and never invited a single senior over to where they have the meetings. Once that was done, We really started looking at the fact that when they changed the routes the third time, only a third of Lincoln city would be covered. During this process we had met with them to select the color of the buses that were not even going to service us,” she said. Mosley stated that they have yet to receive the new official route. As a result the new routing and pilot program, the Acres Home veteran said that a gate and park and ride area was closed, and that has ultimately left citizens with alternatives that have left them and their families in jeopardy. Mosley said that schools such as Osborne and Wesley are also affected. “Many of those children and their parents use the bus,” she said. Mosley doesn’t feel the new pilot connector system works, because, “they changed the routes on us three times. They put that gate over there to interfere and stop from using the park and ride, and it will not benefit us at all.They only help the civic club. The rest of Acres Home is left out.We’re not new-comers to Acres Home. I came to Acres Home in 1949. I was 18 years old.” Mosley said that one of the best ways to currently describe her feelings toward Metro and their plans for the temporary program is “Never go and make a cake, and expect us to go and eat it when we don’t know all the ingredients you put in it.” Mosley stated that she does not know what all the services that the
new pilot program entails, however, she still feels that the program “does not service the community.” Mosley said she wants Metro to be “truthful and factual.” According to Ruby Bennett, another Acres Home veteran, Metro “Had us thinking that Acres Home was going to be the central part of it. They told us what the route was, but the route didn’t include much of Acres Home, so we asked ‘How can you call it the Acres Home connect when you don’t have much of Acres Home?’ They said they were glad they got that input, and they would go back and refigure the route. They came back and said that they did the route over... Next thing you know, when we thought everything was settled, they called us and let us know they had to change the route again. When they changed the route they had taken out most of Acres Home.” Bennett said that Metro told some of the citizens that they were glad to get the Acres Home community’s feedback and that “everything would be fine.” She also said that the senior citizen’s assistance part of the new program is what appealed to her the most, but she was startled when she discovered that Metro took out “most of Acres Home” from the route. Bennett stated that Metro also said the community accepted the changes that they were unaware of. “We told them we’re not accepting it, and they are still trying to insinuate that we are accepting it, but contInUe reaDInG oLIne @ WWW.aFraMneWS.coM Story By: erIca PonDer
HOUSTON - African-American News&Issues presents Aunt Bea’s Restaurant as our business highlight of the week. Jarvis Johnson, a native Houstonian by way of Fifth Ward, is the owner of the soul food that residents have come to love and adore for more than 70 years. He is a former Council Member of District B. He has always maintained strong ties to the Black community. As an adolescent, he and his sister Velika formed a very instrumental program for youth in the community. The Mickey Leland Youth Task Force was a group that promoted “developing character for inner-city youth, inspiring understanding, training the mind ‘how to think’ and offered guidance to teens of the community.” He earned a Bachelors degree from Texas Southern University. While there he became the Executive Director of the Phoenix Outreach Youth Center. This position enabled him the opportunity to continue being an inspiration in the lives of many youth, as he had since his teenage years. After being elected by the people, he served several terms, accomplished many tasks and contributed great improvements for Houston residents. Johnson may be seen any day of the week, still assuming the role of a servant at the cozy, little spot located on the northeast corner of Tidwell Rd and the North Freeway (I - 45). Aunt Bea’s is named after the wonderful cook who filled plates with hearty, delicious meals. Houstonians have embraced this delightful eatery and many compliment its “country cooking” which is served in a friendly, small town atmosphere. The Breakfast Menu at Aunt Bea’s Restaurant features has a wide variety of delectable choices
Jarvis Johnson,
Owner of Aunt Bea’s Restaurant
to chose from. It’s famous for its Homemade Hash Brown Potatoes, Pancakes, Waffles, Eggs and Three Egg Omeletes. Undoubtably, what customers love the most is, there’s no certain time when breakfast can be ordered. They especially enjoy the Lunch Specials from the steam table, which includes: Salisbury Steak, Chicken Fried Steak, Spaghetti and Fried Catfish, served daily. Patrons are allowed to order anytime from the regular menu that has entries, such as: Roast Beef and Gravy with Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad, or the Turkey and Dressing dinner with all of the trimmings. Portion sizes are large enough to satisfy even the biggest appetites. Aunt Bea’s also offers several other services that customers can patronage. They have a party room available equipped with karaoke, private dining room, and catering services that are able to accommodate events or large parties. To taste some of Aunt Bea’s “good ole fashioned cooking,” stop by 5422 North Freeway, 77076. Place an order at (713) 692 - 2432, fax (713) 692 - 2496, or visit their website at http://www.auntbeas.net/. By Rebecca S. Jones
TX- 5
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Shirley Ann’s Black Kollectibles & Flowers
Website: www.fwmbc.org
Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church members will endeavor to provide a strong foundation of love; we will stand 713-692-1195 on Biblical Truths; and we will equip one another to spread the Gospel of Je6130 Wheatley St. 713-697-1758 sus Christ in our community and in our back to 713-692-1183 Please sign for approval and fax Houston, TX 77091 world.6616 D.S. Bailey Lane
Galilee M.B. Church
community and report on it
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4925 Richfield Lane Houston, Tx 77048
Feature Business Here!!! THOSE WHOM by 12 NOON Wednesday the week before Monday publication or the ad will not run. Houston, TX 77091 HAY FOR SALE SHOE REPAIR SUPPORT YOU! CHURCH OF CHRIST
BEAUTY SHOP er school Signature enrichment programs are of-5:45 daily. Reese will be unaffected by
NATURAL KREATIONS
P.O.#
Melanie Malonson Photo: Aldine ISD 11718 South Wilcrest
Houston, TX 77099 elimination. Other schools would be Smith, Stovall, Harris and Hill, all based onBLACK the same CHAMBER criteria. Students of magnet programs that had Acres Homes Chamber been eliminated would return to Business Eco.first Dev. their homefor campus and& given priority for available slots in other 713-692-7161 magnet programs,6112 with the excepWheatley St tion of 4th grade students, Houston, TX 77091who will be given the option of continuing at Houston Academy. Staff will be placed intoHIS vacantSHOULD positions on other campuses. The order would have given the BE YOUR D magnet program a protected status HOU-6 and funds from the government would have been provided for their operation. Also, several events and
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Horse Quality Guiding Light Large Round Hay Bales Inspirational Call 979-921-9908 SundayBaptist Church (8am-4pm) Morning Bible Class
FIDELITY CHURCH OF Date CHRIST “The Church That Cares”
(713) 699-4448
9:30 a.m. Morning Worship Rev. Joseph 6719 Cohn St. 10:45 a.m. Baker, Pasor Evening Bible Class Houston, Tx 77091 5:00 p.m. Evening Worship 6:00 p.m. Chorus Group Rehearsal 7:30 p.m.
FLOWER SHOP
Shirley Ann’s MINISTER: Black Mid-Week BibleKollectibles Class Theaster Maloy, Sr. 7:00 p.m. & Flowers Wednesday
OFFICE: 713/674-5131
713-692-1100 140 Fidelity Rd. Houston Tx 77029 6130 Wheatley St.
Houston, TX 77091 FIFTH WARD CHURCH OF CHRIST
SUNDAY READ US ONLINE 8:00 a.m. Worship AFRAMNEWS.COM 10:00 a.m. Bible Class 11:15 a.m. Worship 6:00 p.m. Worship MONDAY
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STATEWIDE 110TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ON TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY KICKOFF
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5730 Calhoun Rd. Houston, TX 77021
Charles SAME DAY FREE DELIVERY Dawson US METRO Dawson Chemical Chemical & Janitorial Supply Company
Houston, Tx 77206• Texas • February -American News&Issues 10-16, 2010• 7 "Committed to the Future" 9402 Antioch (713) 692-5333
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TEXAS • MARCH 9 - 15, 2015
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KERRVILLE - On Texas Independence Day (March 2), H-E-B kicked off a 5-month long celebration across the Lone Star State in honor of the company’s 110th anniversary of serving Texans. The kickoff celebration was held from 12-7 p.m. at the H-E-B located at 300 Main St. in Kerrville, just blocks away from where Florence Butt opened the original C.C. Butt Grocery Store with just $60 in November of 1905. Kerrville Mayor Jack Pratt was on hand to present a proclamation recognizing H-E-B for 110 years of serving Texans. Celebrations will follow in 14 cities in the order in which H-E-B originally entered each market. Each celebration will feature a press conference and the presentation of a proclamation by an elected city official recognizing H-E-B for 110 years of service. The tour cities and dates are as follows: Del Rio (March 5), Brownsville (March 12), Laredo (March 19), McAllen (March 26), Corpus Christi (April 9), Victoria (April 13), Austin (April 23), San Antonio (May 13), Waco (May 28), Beaumont (June 4), College Station (June 11), Houston (June 25), Midland (July 9) and Dallas (July 16). “Since our humble beginnings, H-E-B has remained dedicated to making the lives of Texans better by providing an exceptional shopping experience and
quality products and services at affordable prices,” said Craig Boyan, President of H-E-B. “It is because of the longstanding relationships we share with our amazing Partners (employees) and our loyal customers that we are able to celebrate 110 years in business, and we hope to celebrate many more to come.” A select H-E-B location in each city along the tour will host an H-E-B Partner (employee) event and a Customer event that will feature complimentary food and refreshments, music, Primo Pick samples and the first-ever H-E-B Mobile Museum. The H-E-B Mobile Museum will showcase a digital archive of historical H-E-B mementos and a timeline of the company’s rich history. In addition, H-E-B is asking customers to contribute to that history by bringing any H-E-B mementos to the Customer Appreciation Day in their city for inclusion in the mobile museum. H-E-B representatives will take a photo of the item and include a brief description for archiving purposes. “From old name badges and newspaper clippings to photos and handwritten notes, we want the unique stories from our Customers and their families’ to be included as a piece of H-E-B history,” said Kate Rogers, H-E-B’s vice president for communication and engagement.
TEXAS • MARCH 9 - 15, 2015
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March
Tuesday HBU Band Concert Houston Baptist University 7502 Fondren Rd. Houston, TX 77074 Beginning at 7:30pm For more info contact HBU (281) 649 - 3000 Wednesday Black Community Allyship Forum University of Houston Downtown 1 Main St. Houston, TX 77002 Beginning at 7:30pm For more info contact (713) 221 - 8000 Friday The Forever Charlie Tour with Kem & Joe Verizon Theatre 1001 Performance Place Grand Prairie, TX 75050 Beginning at 7pm For more info visit:
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www.charliewilsonmusic.com
March 14 - 15 Saturday - Sunday
Visionary Noise and The Houston Free Thinkers Present: For The Community 9 1403 Nance St. Houston, TX 77002 From 2:30 pm For more info visit: www.facebook.com/thehoustonfreethinkers
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Sunday Yourh Day at Lily of The Valley Church of God In Christ 13800 Buffalo Speedway Houston, TX 77045 Beginning at 3:00pm For more info contact (713) 434-8440
Mar 19 - Apr 12 Thursday - Sunday Stageplay “What I Learned in Paris” The Ensemble Theatre Houston 3535 Main St. Houston, TX 77002 Various Showtimes
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Saturday Teaxas Women’s Society 2015 Pool Side Kick Off Event DoubleTree Suites - Galleria 5353 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77056 Beginning at 2:00pm For more info contact (713) 961 - 9000 or email housy_ds@hilton.com
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Sunday Houston Livestock and Rodeo Reliant Park 8400 Kirby Dr. . Houston, TX 77054 For more info visit www.rodeohouston.com
What’s Happenin’ Saturday 27 Friday 2015 NCAA Division 28 Mt. Arat Baptist
Men’s Basketball South Regional NRG Stadium 1 NRG Park Houston, TX 77054 Beginning at 12:00pm For more info contact: (832) 667 - 1400 www.ncaa.com/mbbtickets.
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Friday
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Sunday HOLI 2015 Festival of Colors Houston Holi 1 Abercrombie Street Houston, TX 77084 From 12:00pm to 5:00pm For more info contact (281) 277 - 6874 Sunday Lady Bea Ward & Angelic Voices Celebrates 33 Years in Ministry St. Matthews Church 7701 Jutland St. Houston, TX 77033 From 5:00pm to 9:00pm For more info contact Lady Bea (832) 283 - 2087
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Thursday Erykah Badu in Concert The Bomb Factory 2713 Canton St. Dallas, TX 75226 Beginning at 7:00pm For more info visitt: www.treesdallas.com
SUBSCRIBE
Church Communty Health Fair 5801 W. Montgomery Rd Houston, Tx 77088 From 9:30am - 1pm For more info contact (713)535-9901
28 Saturday EGGStravaganza Sugar Land Parks & Recreation 2742 Eldridge Rd. Sugar Land, TX 77478 From 12:00pm to 3:00pm For more info contact (281) 275 - 2885
28 Saturday The Women’s Home
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Sunday New Beginnings Church 1st Anniversary “We’ve Come This Far By Faith” Allen Parkway Comm Center 1600 Allen Parkway Houston, TX 77019 Beginning at 11:00am & 3:30pm
African
Guest Speaker Quanell X Community Activist
Acres Home Chamber for Business & Economic Development, Inc. 26th Annual Awards Banquet “Reclaiming, Reframing & Rebuilding Acres Homes” 6112 Wheatley St Houston, TX 77091 For more info contact: Anthony Stewart (713) 692-7161 info@acreshomecenter.org
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5th Annual Crawfish Boil West Alabama Ice House 1919 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098 From 1:00pm to 5:00pm For more info visit www.thewomenshome.org
American News&Issues
March 28 - 29
Saturday - Sunday McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival Tranquility Park 400 Rusk St. Houston, TX 77002 From 10:30am to 6:30pm For more info contact:
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Thursday
www.houstonchildrensfestival.com
March 28 - 29
Saturday - Sunday Men’s Conference 2015 Two Churches One Kingdom Faith Temple COGIC The Well New Life Fellowship Theme: Transformed for Purpose Bishop Thurman B. Graves Pastor Amel Qullin, Jr. 7426 Curry Rd. Houston, TX 77093 Sat., Beginning at 10:00am Sun., Beginning at 3:00pm For more info contact: (713) 692 -1092 or
Guest Speaker Devon Anderson Harris County District Attorney
Acres Home Chamber for Business & Economic Development, Inc. Monthly Networking Luncheon 6112 Wheatley St Houston, TX 77091 From 11:30am to 1:00pm For more info contact: Anthony Stewart (713) 692-7161 info@acreshomecenter.org
www.aframnews.com
Community Meeting
Strategic and Facility Master Plan
Friday The Wailers LIVE 2709 Elm St. Dallas, TX 75226 Beginning at 7:00 pm For more info visit: www.treesdallas.com
Help us plan for Aldine ISD’s future by attending a community dialog meeting.
Friday - Saturday 300 Men’s Conference 3700 Southwest Fwy. Houston, Texas 77027 Fri. @ 7:30pm, Sat. @2:00pm For more info visit:
Your input is greatly needed as we plan for our students’ future!
Mar 27 - 28
Thursday, March 19 6:30-8:30 p.m. M.O. Campbell Educational Center, Room 104
www.lakewoodchurch.com/men
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Saturday Church Fish Fry 7512 Lockwood Dr. Houston, TX 77026 From 9:00am to 5:00pm For more info contact: Nico Theman Matthews (832) 443 - 5979
For more information, contact Abel Garza at 281.985.6202.
Aldine ISD
14910 Aldine Westfield Road Houston, TX 77032 Phone 281.985.6202
AldineISD.org HOU-7
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African
American News&Issues
Mt. Ararat Baptist Church
HOUSTON - AfricanAmerican News&Issues presents Mt. Ararat Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Michael E. Rutledge as our community religion profile of the week. Mt. Ararat is located in the heart of the Acres Home community. Its existence dates back to May of 1972. It was established in the garage of one of the founding fathers. As the Lord blessed the saints that initiated Mt. Ararat, the church grew by leaps and bounds. Accordingly, other buildings served as the sanctuary, including: A.B. Anderson Elementary, Sheffield Funeral Home and a storefront located at 6035 W Montgomery Rd., just to list a few. By 1975, the land on which the present sanctuary is located was purchased and the present sanctuary was erected. It was dedicated to God on November 2, 1975. Since that time, Mt. Ararat has remained a productive cornerstone and soul-winning tabernacle for individuals in the community and Greater Houston area. The church subscribes to a mission of “evangelizing the lost and disciple the saved as commanded in Matthew 28:19-20.” Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com-
manded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Their motto is, “Where the Spirit of God is, we have Family!” It is the church’s desire to “Minister Compassionately To The Needs Of The Total Person” to everyone and help strengthen an individual’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Mt. Ararat is compiled with a variety of ministries such as the Angel Tree, Audio/ Tapes Bereavement, Boys to Men, Brotherhood, Calendar/ Program, Card and Care, Children’s, DayCare, Deacon, Deaconess, Extreme Club, Evangelism, Finance, Greeters, Girls, Library/Media, Marquee, Minister Wives, Music Ministry, Parking Lot, Praise Dance/ Mime, Scholarship, Senior Adults Dream Team, Singles, Young Adults, Technology/ Media-Audio, Trustee, Usher/ Nurses, W.I.N.G.S., Women’s, VBS – Sunday School and Youth Ministries. Dr. Michael E. Rutledge, D.M. Dr. Rutledge founded Mount Carmel Community Baptist Church in Steubenville, Ohio. He served as the Dean of the Congress of Christian Education of the Ohio Baptist State Convention, Inc.; President of the Congress of Christian Education of the Eastern Ohio Baptist District Association; Professor at New Vision University in Lincolnton, North Carolina; and
RELIGI N Professor at American Baptist College at the Youngstown Extension in Youngstown, Ohio. He has served as Third Vice President of the Ohio Baptist State Convention and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He received the Doctor of Ministry Degree from North Carolina College of Theology, Raleigh, North Carolina in May 2003. He earned his Master of Arts Degree in Theology and Ethics from Ashland Theological Seminary of Ashland, Ohio in May of 1993 and his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science with a minor in Mathematics and Chemistry from Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi in May of 1979. He has done additional postgraduate studies at Houston Graduate School of Theology and at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary of Ft. Worth, Texas. On March 26, 2006, Dr. Michael E. Rutledge was installed as Mt. Ararat Baptist Church’s third pastor. His vision is for an aggressive expansion of both campus and ministries to meet the needs of the surrounding community as well as the Greater Houston area. He is married to Alicia Rutledge and together they have a set of twin daughters, Michaela and Ayanna, and son Michael, II. Worship days and times are as follows: Sunday - 7:45
Texas • March 9 - 15, 2015
OBITUARY
Dr. Michael E. Rutledge, D.M. Pastor
a.m. & 10:45 a.m., Youth Church- 7:45 a.m. & 10:45 a.m., Children’s Church- 7:45 a.m., & 10:45 a.m., Church School9:45 a.m., Wednesday Morning Bible Study- 11:00 a.m., Night Bible Study- 7:00 p.m. To worship with the Mt. Ararat family, stop by 5801 W. Montgomery Road, 77091. For information about service times or upcoming events, contact the church at (713) 692-9954, Fax (713) 692-0012, or visit their website at: http:// www.mountararatbaptist.org/.
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Helped are those who create anything at all, for they shall relive the thrill of their own conception and realize a partnership in the creation of the Universe that keeps them responsible and cheerful. ~ Alice Walker, The Gospel According to Shug TX-8
Mr. Hubbie Elkins Kerl 1929-2014 Mr. Hubbie E. Kerl, passed away at the blessed age of 85. He was the beloved husband of Carrie Hart Kerl and loving father of Earl LaRoss Kerl and Elliott McWright Kerl.
Mr. Darrell Ervin Smith 1964-2015 Houston native Mr. Darrell E. Smith went home to be with the Lord at the age of 50. He was the first born to Carl E. and Gwendolyn E. Smith. Darrell attended Kashmere High School and upon his completion, he went on to be employed at ADT Security where he retired 24 years later. He was the loving husband of Mrs. Angela (Scrutchin) Smith and the father of Melissa, Samone and Victoria Smith. AfricanAmerican News&Issues sends our condolenses to your family and will continuously keep them in our prayers.
Texas HBCU Corner
Texas • March 9 - 15, 2015
Read us online! w w w. aframnew s. com
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Support OUR Texas HBCUs! If WE don’t, then who will?
Prairie View - MC Lyte
PRAIRIE VIEW - Prairie View A&M University showcased their first Black history program “Black Lives Matter” featuring New York’s legendary female rapper, MC Lyte. Unlike any other rapper, this jack-ofall-trades has swept the nation as the first female artist to receive a gold single, the first solo female rapper to be inducted on VH1’s Hip Hop Honors and the first female solo rap artist to be nominated for a Grammy. The legendary lyricist extended much encouragement and inspiration to the students of Prairie View as she spoke on the issues on concerning the importance of time, committing to hard work, substance in the Hip-Hop culture today, reshaping values and perception and spreading positivity. “When we make the move, let’s commit. Commit to the process, the power of intentions. The power of words are just as important. What is it that you’re saying? What is it that you’re saying about yourself? What is it that you’re saying about others? ‘Cause whatever isn’t positive that you’re saying about others, you may just feel about yourself,” she said.
She spoke on the importance of education and sharing knowledge with others even outside of the university. “It’s important that you share your joy. You may even share your confusion. But you’re still on the road to an outcome that will deliver you from what it is that the world has planned for you,” MC Lyte said. She empahsized that education is not only about academic excellence and attending class, but also committing to the process and the direction that one has chosen for their life. Education is the starting foundation to staying grounded, being active in the community and developing the perspective that changing the world is not impossible. In the process, she spoke on the issue of losing sight in her career path and the feeling of being disconnected. After much success and fame, “I wanted to be unrecognizable, and not too long after that I pretty much was... Unrecognizable.” She expressed that she began to lose sight of herself and her dreams that she once claimed to change the world with. Although she struggled at this particular time in her life, she stated that feeling discon-
MARSHALL - The Wiley College Professional Education Unit joined with Dr. Haywood L. Strickland, Wiley’s President and CEO, to host a reception recently that honored six East Texas School Districts that have partnered with the College to provide field/Clinical experiences for education majors, inclusive of structured observations and, ultimately, a 12-week student teaching internship
experience. Wiley education majors, faculty, and administrators filled the parlor of the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel just before the winter break to express gratitude to Marshall Independent School District (MISD), Longview ISD, Hallsville ISD, Jefferson ISD, Karnack ISD, and Elysian Fields ISD for forming these new school-college partnerships that are so critical to preparing
nected is natural and will happen at some point in one’s life. In order to continue to push forward, she reminded students that it is okay to change their direction, but committing to the process is the key to success and impacting lives. She connected back to Hip-Hop while sitting in the studio with a fellow engineer, as she began to criticize the substance and direction that the culture had taken. As the years continued, upcoming rappers started to lack substance in their music and it was then when she realize that she had to take a stand to refocus the direction. She further stated that “And in that moment, I had to make a decision. To either shut up and go on my way, or remain in Hip-Hop and do something about it. Be the change that I wanna see. Create the activism right there in the moment, in the genre, in the culture.” She began to target Hip-Hop artists today regarding their lack of advocacy in the community, self hate, derogatory statements against black women and how hip-hop is shaping the mindset of the new generation with the power of words and music. In order for Hip-Hop to remain as an act
of art such as poetry that was once the foundation, the upcoming generation must take responsibility and great concern to produce substance in music to empower not only the youth but also the nation as a whole. She created a new dream for herself by taking voice-over lessons and acting classes in order to be prepared for her future endeavors. “There will be opportunities that you will have, and guess what? You won’t be ready for them. It’s not the end of the world. Just be ready for the next time, don’t let it happen twice,” she said. She surrounded herself with likeminded individuals like herself that would uplift and encourage her, while preparing for her next moment. As the upcoming generation, she encouraged students to take the initiative to learn not only in their lectures, but also outside of their comfort zones as they prepare for their next step in their lives. With a new vision in mind, she created a non-profit organization “Hip-Hop Sisters Network” that promotes positive images of women of ethnic diversity representing leaders in the world of Hip-Hop, the corporate world and the entertainment industry.
future educators for their roles in the classroom. Mark Smith, SuperIntendent of Marshall ISD, thanked the College for the recognition and said it was an honor to partner with Wiley College.“We can never have enough quality teachers,” he said. “I am happy to be a part of this process to provide practicum experience to promising teachers.” Hozetta Robinson,
Superintendent of Elysian Fields ISD, and Paula Rogers, Deputy Superintendent of Instruction, Accountability and Personnel at Hallsville ISD, also attended the reception and echoed Mr. Smith’s comments by expressing that the end result of the partnership will be to increase the pool of qualified teachers coming into East Texas Schools and beyond. Dr. Strickland thanked the
MC Lyte
The organization focuses on the national and international support of youth and women relating to topics of health and wellness, mentorship, cultural issues, financial empowerment and educational opportunities. Some of the advisory board members include Jada Pinkett Smith, Cheryl “Salt” James, Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, Russell Simmons, Kelly Price, Faith Evans and Dr. Benjamin Chavis. “I am very serious about that title. I do not take it lightly. To be a legend, means I must be responsible for my people,” she said. By: Ke’Tara Wells
Area School Districts Honored for New School-College Partnerships
school district partners for the “mentoring and guidance” they will provide Wiley’s students.“We formed these partnerships to ensure that we, as a College, produce teachers who are ready to serve when they begin their careers,” he said. “Our partnership with these school districts will enhance our programs and help us give our students every chance to succeed.” TX-9
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Health
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AFRICAN-AMERICANS & ASTHMA
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sthma, also known as reactive airway disease or bronchial asthma, is a long-term lung disease that narrows and inflames a person’s airways. As a result, a person suffering with asthma has constricted breathing that can lead to attacks, or even death. Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pains and tightness. Although asthma affects many people, African-Americans are in the lead as the number one race currently affected. The causes of asthma are still unclear, however, statistics show that 23 million AfricanAmericans are reported to be living with asthma. AfricanAmericans were 20% more likely to have asthma than non-Hispanic Whites, and since 2011, approximately 9.8 percent Blacks were diagnosed with asthma compared to 1. 1 percent Whites, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Offices of Minority Health. Statistics also show that in 2001-2005, African-American children were dealing with higher rates of asthma than any other race. Black children are four times likely to die from an asthma-related cause as opposed to White children, and are also more likely to be hospitalized for asthma compared to other races. Although asthma is a disease often associated with children, people can develop asthma as an adult. Briana Catley, a 21 year-old woman from El Paso, said that she was diagnosed with asthma after initially thinking she had a cold due to weather changes. “At first I just thought I only had a cold, but then it got worse. It was to the point where I could barely swallow my food. I finally went to the health center, and they told me I had bronchitis,” she said. Catley said that her uncured bronchitis is what caused her asthma. Although she takes treatments from time to time, Catley still
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deals with common side effects. “Sometimes the weather makes my chest hurt. Excessive workouts make me have attacks,” she said. There are multiple explanations for the outcomes of African-Americans dealing with asthma. One explanation is that Blacks have less availability to healthcare care providers and clinics as a result of little to no healthcare. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Offices of Minority Health, 17.2 percent of African-Americans in comparison to 10.4 percent of nonHispanic whites were uninsured. Furthermore, in 2012, the U.S. Census bureau reported that 28.1 percent of African-Americans compared to 11.0 percent of non-Hispanic Whites were living at the poverty level. Many African-Americans can’t afford to go to their regular doctors visits, so when an incident dealing with asthma occurs, a visit may be rushed and less informative due to the lack of attention given to a patient. It is important that a patient receives the proper healthcare and medical attention they need in order to be proactive and well-prepared when dealing with this chronic disease. Although there is no absolute cure for asthma, there are preventative measures that can be taken in order to help control the disease. Certain steps that can be taken are: • Limiting exposure to smoke and nicotine • Cleaning up more to avoid dust from collecting in common areas • Check to see if mold is growing within areas of your home • Avoid having pets • Be aware of your allergies- they can be triggers for attacks • Try to avoid activities that are heavily surrounded by pollen • Make sure nothing attracts cockroaches
TEXAS • MARCH 9 - 15, 2015
Black Kollectibles & F lowers •
Avoid not being prepared in cold weather • Create an Asthma Action Plan According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, your action plan should include your daily treatment, how to control your asthma long-term, and what you should do if the attacks were to worsen. If a child has a plan, it is the parent’s responsibility to make sure teachers, caretakers, and providers understand the plan in case there are future issues. A person also needs to make sure they are using there asthma medications as instructed by their healthcare provider. As of 2008, only 20.2 percent of Blacks are taking preventative medicine daily for their asthma-related issues. When trying to treat asthma, a patient should consider certain things in order to manage their condition. They are: • Is my doctor a specialist for asthma? • What work has my doctor done for people in similar cases? • Does this doctor accept my type of insurance? • Should I check a second opinion? When asking these questions, you are allowing yourself to embark on a journey toward receiving the best care possible for your condition. For more information on how you can become more aware about affects of asthma on the Black community, or possible health care coverage options that will enable proper care and service, go to http://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/, or http://www. cdc.gov/asthma/. By: Erica Ponder
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TEXAS • MARCH 9 - 15, 2015
African
American News&Issues
11
GOVERNOR ABBOTT LIST EARLY EDUCATION AS HIS TOP PRIORITY DURING STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS Honorable Sefronia Thompson TX 141st Dist.
AUSTIN - The 84th Texas Legislature convened in Austin on January 13, 2015. For the first 60 days, the Texas Constitution prohibits bills from being considered by either the full House or Senate. During this time, members are busy setting up their offices,
hiring staff, filing legislation and getting to know one another. The Texas House of Representatives is made up of 150 members with each once representing different parts of Texas and each district having its own different needs. Recently, Governor Greg Abbott delivered his State of the State address to the Texas Legislature. As a part of his address, he listed five emergency items to be considered before the 60th day prohibition, listing early education as his first priority.
This year, the 60th day of the legislative session falls on Friday, March 13th. This is also the final day members can file bills and joint resolutions for either chamber. Governor Abbott pointed out that Texas needs better schools, more roads, better health care, less government and ethics reform. His top five priorities, in order, are 1. Early Education, 2. Higher Education Research Initiatives, 3.Transportation Funding, 4. Border Security Funding, 5. Ethics Reform. Currently, free prekin-
dergarten is provided if a school district can identify 15 or more children who are at least four years old and eligible. To be eligible, the child must be at least three years of age; unable to speak and comprehend English; educationally disadvantaged; homeless; is or has been under conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services; or has a parent that is a member or active duty member of the armed forces. Rep. Senfronia Thompson filed House Bill 186 which will provide
free prekindergarten to all children who are at least four years of age and removes the eligibility requirement. Governor Abbott would like schools districts to have more freedom on their policy and be able to opt out of parts of the Texas Education Code so they can design an education plan that best fits their community needs. Without providing a specific dollar figure on funding public education, Governor Abbott did mentioned he would like to set aside $4 billion of the proposed budget for trans-
portation funding but made no mention as far as details on what type of transportation policies he would like the Legislature to look at. Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht discusses his top issues; Truancy, CPS and Legal Aid were chief among them The Texas Legislature also heard from Chief Justice Nathan Hecht when he delivered the State of the Judiciary speech on February 18, 2015.
Ordinances; City of Prairie View scheduling more than one patrol officer at night; more and better street lighting; apartment owners using the power of their leases; keeping residents better informed when major crimes have occurred; and, the assessment of a “Safety and Security Fee” by landlords. The economic impact that the murders and rising drug activity is having on Waller County was exemplified by business man
Rodney Gray, part owner of Creekside Apartments in Prairie View, told of difficulty in obtaining financing to expand because two financial backers withdrawing because of crime in the city of Prairie View and the poor appearance of the city. Chief Johnson stated that he would continue to interview reserve officers but his focus is on hiring full-time officers. . Additionally, in an effort to stop the rising crime rate in Prairie View, District
Attorney Mathis, has added two investigators who will be patrolling the city of Prairie View; and suggested that Department Heads rid their departments of “dead weight”. The consensus of the forum participants was that resources need to be made available to law enforcement agencies and citizens need to remain vigil and inform law enforcement of any suspected illegal activities. In addition to what law enforcement will be doing,
the suggested solutions made by residents will be followed-up by David Allen and other concerned citizens to be updated via follow-up informational meetings, the media, and e-mail. All residents are urged “If you see something; say something” to your law enforcement agency or call the Sheriff’s Special Operations Hotline (Roger Garrett) @ 979-826-8282 X 4003.
Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com
PRODUCTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT
PRAIRIE VIEW - A moment in time that can be recorded as a success shall go down as a historical event that took place in Prairie View February of 2015. The law enforcement forum was planned and organized by David Allen and Prairie View City Council member, Marie Herndon because of safety concerns following the 4th murder in the past 10 months in the city of Prairie View. The Prairie View City Council Chamber was filled to capacity with residents representing various areas of Waller County, and Prairie View University students. The panel consisted of Waller County District Attorney, Elton Mathis, Sheriff Glenn Smith, Police Chiefs Hartley (Hempstead); Rehak (Waller); Stevens (Prairie View University); Johnson (City of Prairie View); and Pct. 3 Constable Smith; Pct. 3 Captain Caldwell. Following an opening prayer by Pastor Fred Thomas, Mr. Allen stated that the intent of the meeting was for everyone to commit to work together to solve the county’s crime issues and not just leave the forum with a “feel good moment” and
nothing further happens. District Attorney Mathis shared how Prairie View and Waller County, is transitioning from a rural, sleepy community to a community, as a whole being targeted in both positive and negative ways. The negative ways being the supply and demand focused on college students who have cash, t.v.’s, cars, etc.; and, are being preyed upon by metropolitan crime entities. A graduate student spoke from a student perspective and shared that what has been happening in our college community should not be happening and students feel trapped in an environment without safe housing choices and law enforcement could be improved. Citizens shared concerns that included being approached at a local service station by a stranger who offered to sell him a stereo sound system; carrying a concealed weapon, getting more patrol assistance to Prairie View from the sheriff, the recent murders, establishing an anonymous tip line, holding both apartment owners and Police Chief Johnson accountable; enforcing Prairie View City
Submitted By: Marie Herndon TX-11
African
12
American News&Issues
TEXAS • MARCH 9 - 15, 2015
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