MARCH 13 - 19, 2017 | FREE
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VOL. 22 ISSUE 8
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Alton Smith was elected to district 3 of The Lone Star College System Board of Trustees on November 4, 2014. He currently serves at board chair. Alton and his wife, Marjorie (46 years) have two children, Tisha and Todd. After completing his undergraduate degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Alton spent more than 30 years in the private sector in human resources with Shell Oil Company. During his tenure with Shell Oil, he completed his MBA degree and a certification to teach Special Education (K-12). Becoming a certified teacher has been Alton’s lifelong dream. Following a successful career with Shell Oil Company, Alton became an educator in 1997. He spent 14 years with Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District and Klein Independent School District as a teacher, department chair, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Director Human Resources. During this same 14 year period, he completed his certifications in school counseling and principalship and his Ed.D degree. In October, 2005, Alton became a member of the Aldine Independent School District Board of Trustees. He has held all of the officer positions on the Aldine Board along with chairing several key committees. Alton Smith will be the guest speaker at the Acres Home for Business and Economic Development, Inc. April 6, 2017. For event information see pag. 7 Read more online @ www.aframnews.com
African
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American News&Issues
Editorial & Opinion
Dr. Ben Carson – Poster Child for the Mis-Educated Negro The Black Whisperer Darwin Campbell, Senior Journalist
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“
arter G. Woodson said in his book, “The Mis-Education of the Negro” that
No people can go forward when the majority of those who should know better have chosen to go backward, but this is exactly what most of our misleaders do.”
Roy Douglas Malonson Chairman Shirley Ann Malonson President/C.E.O. Chandra Jarmon
Production/Editor
Rebecca S. Jones
Contributing Writer
Mark Spivey
Contributing Writer
Chelsea Davis-Bibb
Contributing Writer
Darwin Campbell
Contributing Writer
Lorenzo Tolbert
Contributing Writer
General: news@aframnews.com Ads: sales@aframnews.com Website: www.aframnews.com African-American News&Issues is published by African-American News & Issues, Inc., 6130 Wheatley Street, Houston, Texas 77091, (713) 692-1892. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm. The entire contents of the paper are copyrighted by African-American News & Issues, Inc. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. African-American News&Issues is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the publisher. African-American News&Issues assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other material, unless accompanied by a self-address stamped envelope.
Letter to the Editor
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e welcome all original responses from our readers to content found in the African-American News&Issues. Letters to the Publisher may be sent via e-mail to news@aframnews.com. Please keep all letters under 300 words. Be sure to include the author’s name, area of residence. All letters and articles may be verified before they are published. All letters are subjected to editing or being cut for spacing purposes. Thank you in advance for your submission.
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Dr. Ben Carson – is a classic example of the Mis-Educated Negro and a misleader.
In his first speech to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Secretary Carson erred terribly when he said. “That’s what America is about, a land of dreams and opportunity,’’ he said. “There were other immigrants who came here in the bottom of slave ships, worked even longer, even harder for less. But they too had a dream that one day their sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, great-grandsons, great-granddaughters, might pursue prosperity and happiness in this land.” What planet does Dr. Carson live on? He either is not Black or never ever studied African-American History. The Man Benjamin Solomon “Ben” Carson Sr. is a highly lauded and respected American neurosurgeon, author, and politician, who currently serves as the 17th and current United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, under the Trump Administration. Allegedly an intelligent and bright man, but despite his great accolades and accomplishments and being selected HUD Secretary, the lone African-American in President Donald Trump’s cabinet has proven how uninformed and ignorant he really is when it comes to Black people, AfricanAmerican history and struggles. I have written numerous stories from the oral histories of Blacks who lived 100-years plus years for two decades, including the oral history of my own great-grandfather and greatgrandmother who shared their experiences with me about the challenges they faced in America back in the day. Many described what their parents had to do to make a living and protect them living in the racist South. Immigrants they were most certainly not!!! Carson’s account of Black life in America is a gross mishandling of
African-American history and truly disrespectful to every Black person who lineage is linked back to the plantations in the South and slave ships that crossed the Atlantic. There is a great deal Ben doesn’t know. He Doesn’t Know Definitions By definition an Immigrant – is a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence. people who come to one country from another country, in hopes of having a better life A Slave- is one in bondage and servitude. It is associated with and emphasizes the idea of complete ownership and control by a master. Bondage indicates a state of subjugation or captivity, often involving burdensome and degrading labor or being in bondage to a cruel master. If Carson or others don’t understand those basics or fail to acknowledge slavery. Let’s go deeper. He Doesn’t Understand Times & Conditions From the writings, American Abolitionist has recorded a host of information on the typical day in the life of a slave – YOU BE THE JUDGE. Ballin’ on the Luxurious S. S. Willie Lynch Tran-Atlantic Cruise Line According to the International Slavery Museum, Liverpool England, slaves were captured in Africa, traded, stolen and ripped from their families and put on slave ships - far far from Carson’s description of immigrants making the choice to come to America and see America as a great land of opportunity. Slaves were not so lucky. Conditions on board ship during the Middle Passage were terrible and appalling. The men were confused, gripped with fear and packed together below deck and were secured by leg irons. The space was so cramped they were forced to crouch or lie down. Continue reading “Thoughts From the Black Whisperer” online @ www.aframnews.com
TEXAS • MARCH 13 - 19, 2017
Stop Buying Their Shit…! Before I Lay it Down... By “Coach” Mark Spivey, M.Ed
“Jim Crow” was a bad mother “shutcho mouth” back in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. That whole institution of racism, intimidation, and often death held AfricanAmericans hostage for an additional 100 years after Reconstruction, the period following the advent of the Civil War. Historians would have millions of primary and secondary students believe that the “War Between the States” ended on the morning of April 9, 1865 on the steps of Appomattox Court House in Virginia when in fact it ended on November 4th 2008. Google that date. It’s all a matter of perspective… With a corrupt legal system in the South and de facto segregation in the North, Black people had little recourse in trying to overcome these obstacles through conventional means. Consequently, UN-conventional means would be the standard that would shake up the good ole white folk’s grip on African-American society where it hurts them most, that is, in their wallets. The Women’s Political Council was a group of professionals who were tired of how Black locals were being treated by the Montgomery (Alabama) transit system. This was in 1946, nine years prior to Rosa Parks’ subsequent arrest for refusing to surrender her seat to a w\White passenger thus “officially” birthing the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the modern Civil Rights Movement. Up to 50,000 African-American residents took part in this segregation-ending event. It crippled the city costing the bus company millions of dollars in revenue by today’s standards. It also sent shockwaves throughout the South as major cities witnessed
how effective it was in “changing the minds” of business owners who relied on that “mean green” the Mighty Ojays would later sing about. By comparison, imagine 40,000 to 50,000 customers deciding to stop shopping at Walmart for 381 days in a row. What type of economic impact would it have on that mega franchise as a whole? Over the years we have watched brave people march across bridges and on the White House lawn. We’ve witnessed the “Million Man March”, “Million Woman March”, and “A Day without an Immigrant March”. Conscientious people have been “pick’n them up and put’n them down” for years. But, if you really think about it, how much change has really occurred in race relations because of it? Think about it for a minute… The only real way to change a population built on division and segregation is to stop buying their shit. Amazon, Walmart, Sears, Uber, Hobby Lobby and other companies support Donald Trump through sales and other commodities. This is according to the online magazine U.S. Uncut. In doing so they finance his impartial rhetoric, stoke his fiery temperament, bankroll his plans to build a wall, and paves the way for white supremacy to continue its “Manifest Destiny” that started way back in the 18th century. Nothing changes a man more than money or the absence of it. If we want to change the climate and culture of what’s going on in the United States, marching ain’t gonna do it alone. You gotta hit them where it hurts and that’s in their pocketbooks. 1946 should have taught us that, but it’s obvious that we weren’t/aren’t paying attention… God bless, good night, and keep yo families together. Read more “Before I Lay it Down” online @ www.aframnews.com
TEXAS • MARCH 13 - 19, 2017
Editorial & Opinion
“GET OUT”
Has it always been about White v. Black? The Overflow Chelsea Davis-Bibb, M.Ed
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hen I first saw the trailer for the movie “Get Out”, I thought it was going to be another movie about racism. I had no interest in going to see it. However, after learning more about the film and hearing feedback from others, I had no choice but to go see what the hype was about. After viewing the film, I was shocked at how much was uncovered within the film when it comes to Whites and Blacks. Since slavery days, there has been so much tension between Whites and Blacks, and to be honest, I never could really full understand it. I always ask myself, “Why is there so much hate between these two races?” I never hear of Asians and Hispanics hating one another. I never hear about Chinese people hating White people, and etc.… It has always been Black and White. As I watched this film, I took a few notes on what really stood out to me. It seems that when White people (some not all) are around Black people, they try so hard to relate to Black people to the point that some comments they make can be looked at as unnecessary or even offensive. In some cases, Blacks (some not all) can be uncomfortable when placed in a room where there is a majority of White people. In the movie, Chris even made the comment that, “If it’s too many White people, I get nervous.” When the actor Chris went to his girlfriend’s (Rose) parent’s house, there were many different comments that were made to Chris by her parents (who were White). For example, the father stated, “I would have voted for Obama for a third term.” Another comment was made to Chris that “Black is in Fashion.” In addition, Chris was also asked, “How is the African American experience?” This particular comment was made in front of all the White people that attended
the gathering, which made him feel slightly uncomfortable. I myself have been put in these situations especially when I was growing up as a minority attending a predominately White high school.
Furthermore, in the movie, there were some things that just stuck out to me that reminded me so much of what I have studied about slavery. For example, the mom in the movie was able to control minds through hypnosis. Even though hypnosis wasn’t used in slavery, the slave owners still had mental control over their slaves. The slaves were broken down mentally, and were told what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. The slaves were molded into what their slave owners wanted them to be. For example, in the movie, Andrew Logan King was a guy from Brooklyn that went missing, but Chris recognized him even though he was now noticeably different. Andrew was dressed much different than in the past, and even talked different. It was like he was transformed and polished into what they wanted him to be. I myself have experienced cases such as this where I was told that I should look a certain way in order to be accepted by Whites, because they are the ones who are in control of a lot of things that take place in our world. In addition, in some cases it seem as if the movie exposed the conversation about how Whites (some not all) want to be just like Blacks. This is in regards to culture appropriation, which can be defined as one culture “borrowing” or “stealing” (depending on who is looking at it) elements from another culture. These elements can range from dress, music, art, and hairstyles just to name a few. The music industry is filled with what some may called culture appropriation as there are now many White people who rap, when the rap music was derived from the Black culture. According to The Encyclopedia Britannica, “Hip-hop originated in the predominantly African American economically depressed South Bronx section of New York City in the late 1970s.” Continue Reading more of the “The Overflow” online @ www.aframnews.com
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African
American News&Issues
WE NEED TO STOP DIVIDING!
here has been a system set in place since our African ancestors first came to these United States. From the very beginning, the system was one that created a great divide amongst our culture. The seed that was planted grew and materialized and has been enough to leave an entire race completely divided, until this very day. Many people do not believe the term, “divide and conquer”, but it is a fact that this method works. Anytime you create division within unity, it is easier to destroy the united. For an example, it is harder for one person to attack and wipe out a big group of people when they are all gathered together. On the other hand, if you get a few people from within the group scattered or alone, you stand a better chance at gradually clearing the group out a few at a time. My point is, it is harder to penetrate unity. However, this is an idea that does not seem to resonate clearly amongst members from our communities. The system that I am referring to is the one that was designed to keep our people set at odds with each other; causing everybody to struggle and do their own thing versus working together and getting the thing done right! It is because African-American News & Issues is a publication that thrives off of addressing both current and historical realities affecting our communities; that I believe that it is essential to bring attention to this subject. But, I must start with our religious institutions, first. I often refer to our preachers and churches because before the Black community ever had schools, community centers or social outlets all we had was the church. That was the only place outside of home that there used to be some type of unity for our people. We MUST Understand that our Black folks need to quit dividing and splitting churches.
See what we do when we run into a problem with something we just walk away and start something else. But honestly, that’s the easy way out. It is more powerful to work with your own to accomplish a greater purpose, than to work alone and barely get anything accomplished at all. It’s time for us to quit dividing and start holding the people that cause the strife and animosity accountable. One wayward person should not account for the mass failing. Just hold that one person accountable and keep working towards the goal. This type of stuff is what is really wrong with our communities. It was bad enough that we went through integration and that helped further killed our communities. But what about what we are doing to ourselves? I often think about the power that we gave to the Willie Lynch letter. To those who are not aware there was a speech, said to have been delivered by Willie Lynch on the bank of the James River in the colony of Virginia in 1712. At the time, he was a British slave owner in West Indies. His methods of containing slaves spiked the interest of others and he was invited to the colony of Virginia in 1712 to teach his methods. An excerpt from that speech revealed the following. I have a full proof method for controlling your Black slaves. I guarantee every one of you that, if installed correctly, it will control the slaves for at least 300-hundred-years.My method is simple. Any member of your family or your overseer can use it. I have outlined a number of differences among the slaves; and I take these differences and make them bigger. I use fear, distrust and envy for control purposes. These methods have worked on my modest plantation in the West Indies and it will work throughout the South. Take this simple little list of differences and think about them. On top of
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We MUST Understand By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman
my list is age but it’s there only because it starts with an “a”. The second is color or shade. There is intelligence, size, sex, sizes of plantations, status on plantations, attitude of owners, whether the slaves live in the valley, on a hill, East, West, North, South, have fine hair, course hair, or is tall or short. Now that you have a list of differences, I shall give you an outline of action, but before that, I shall assure you that distrust is stronger than trust and envy stronger than adulation, respect or admiration. The Black slaves after receiving this indoctrination shall carry on and will become self-refueling and self-generating for HUNDREDS of years, maybe THOUSANDS. Don’t forget, you must pitch the OLD BLACK MALE vs. the YOUNG BLACK MALE, and the YOUNG BLACK MALE against the OLD BLACK MALE. You must use the DARK SKIN SLAVES vs. the LIGHT SKIN SLAVES, and the LIGHT SKIN SLAVES vs. the DARK SKIN SLAVES. You must use the FEMALE vs. the MALE, and the MALE vs. the FEMALE. You must also have White servants and overseers who distrust all Blacks. But it is necessary that your slaves trust and depend on us. They must love, respect and trust only us. Concluding, I believe that this excerpt proves my point and I will leave it at that. Others have divided us as a race people enough already. We need to wake up and stop further dividing ourselves. Because, by staying alienated from each other we are only furthering our counterparts’ mission. Anybody can work alone, but it takes patience and virtue to work together towards one common goal! Read More columns online @ AframNews.com! TX-3
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African
American News&Issues
RATLIFF FROM PAGE 1
Cover Story
Doris Ernestine Ratliff , Mayor Sylvester Turner & Dr. Rev. Joe Samuel Ratliff
HOUSTON - “It’s been in my heart and spirit to love people. A lot of people love preaching and pastoring, but they don’t like people and that has been one of my main focuses. You got to love the folk even though it ain’t always lovable.” These words were rendered by the electrifying, powerpreaching, scholar-pastor, Dr. Rev. Joe Samuel Ratliff during an exclusive interview. In the Beginning: Joe Samuel Ratliff hails from the County seat of Roberson County, in the rural town of Lumberton, North Carolina. His birthright identifies him as the eldest of nine children. His mother, Mary Armwood, was a teenager when she gave birth. Her parents, (the late Ellie and Rosabell Ratliff) sent her to a boarding school and she later went to college and married. Accordingly, they took young Joe and raised him as their own,
in a religious home. At any early age, he began playing the piano. As he grew in age, he grew in grace. Throughout his youth, he remained active and engaged working in the house of the Lord. He would play the piano for various churches throughout his town and at his home church, Mt. Sinai United Holy Church. In addition to being active in the religious community, he excelled in academics and was very involved in student government and the Civil Rights Movement. He graduated high school in 1968, the same year of the assassination of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. By that time, he had already TX- 4
become a leader in his own right as he was involved with many marches and protests. In this dispensation, he was charged with inciting a riot and had to go to court. Not long afterwards, it was decision time in reference to his higher learning. Though he was accepted into Duke University, his Grandfather Ellie favoured Morehouse in Atlanta for two reasons. For one, it was the alumni of Dr. King. Secondly, he had no intent of sending his grandson to Duke, which had the premier hospital; yet, they denied him treatment when he had tuberculosis simply because he was a Negro. So Morehouse is where it was decided that he would go. Ratliff made his arrival to Morehouse during the era of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. He picked up where he left off in Lumberton and joined in on the protest movements in Atlanta. It was while attending Morehouse in his senior year, that he received an undeniable call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He made haste and hearkened to that call and began in Ministry. It just so happened that he was playing for Cobb Memorial United Holy Church and the Pastor passed away. The members immediately called him to serve as their next leader. He would go on to shepherd there for eight years. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in History from Morehouse College, he continued his studies at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned both his Master’s and Doctor of Divinity degrees there. Afterwards, he went back to Morehouse College and taught Religion and Philosophy. In the first year of teaching there he married his first wife. He remembers his experience as a professor as a good one. He shared that he taught the likes of: Spike Lee, John Wilson (Present-day President of Morehouse) Edwin Moses (renowned track star), Martin Luther King, III, and a host of others who went on to excel in typical Morehouse
fashion. He was still pastoring at Cobb Memorial and teaching at Morehouse when he was faced with the burdensome task of having to burying his wife. She passed away from lung cancer. During this phase, he remembers dealing with a load of resentment and anguish due to the grief of losing her. It was a dark period in his journey that resulted in him leaving the church and his role as professor. After recovering from some serious bouts with depression and anger with God, Dr. Ratliff set his sights on Texas. He’d made a decision to enroll into Texas Southern University - Thurgood Marshall School of Law. His plan was to get his degree and travel the globe working for the World Council of Churches. However, he would soon learn the true meaning of Isaiah 55:8, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” Prior to coming to Houston, he already had an ally in Pastor Emeritus William A. Lawson of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Pastor Lawson is: an affluent Pastor from the Third Ward area, a giant in the struggle for civil rights and a leader in community action initiatives for over 50 years. Hence, Pastor Lawson insisted that Dr. Ratliff get involved. Consequently, Dr. Ratliff joined the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. In doing so, he promptly began working in the church. He started a Singles Bible Class and many of the leadership of the church today, were students in his class. As time went on, Pastor Lawson influenced him to become a candidate for Brentwood Baptist Church, as the church had become vacant. Although initially reluctant due to plans that he’d previously laid out for himself, he eventually went to Brentwood to fill in for someone who didn’t show. Dr. Ratliff had already discovered some things about himself in regards to his former role as Pastor and he didn’t think that he would embark upon that journey again. He knew that he didn’t handle pain or losses well, from his encounter of losing his first wife. But, unbeknownst to him, he had a phenomenal experience. Apparently the sentiments were the same for the church, because he was called following that love at first sight moment! The year was 1980 when Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff married the love of his life, the former Doris Ernestine Gardner. In that same year, he was elected as the Pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church. This feat established him as the second African-American shepherd of the church. Formerly, the church had been a predominately White Southern Baptist Church. In fact, Dr. Ratliff shared that there still remains about 50 African-Americans, who were members under the leadership of the last Caucasian Pastor. Life at “The Wood”: When Dr. Ratliff first assumed his role as Pastor there were about 500 members on the roll,
Texas • M• arch 1312-18, - 19, 2017 Texas August 2013 300 in regular attendance and the church owned six acres of land. Through his stewardship, the church has multiplied exponentially in several capacities. Today, Brentwood is categorized as a mega church with several thousand members, its campus houses 12 buildings and the church owns over 100 acres of land. Through the leadership of Dr. Ratliff, Brentwood, also referred to as, “The Wood” is literally one of Houston’s best kept secrets. The church has implemented a great number of community outreach programs that serves to benefit residents from the Greater Houston and surrounding areas. Long before the awakening of awareness in regards to the AIDS epidemic began, Brentwood was involved in the fight early on. The church received a grant from the City of Houston to erect a housing facility for men living with the virus. However, the community warred with the notion and influenced the city to kill it, as there was not much known about the disease at that time. From this experience, the church sued the city and won. Thereby, Brentwood was able carry their mission out and constructed a housing campus for men. Although the units are full to capacity, the project has been an impressive one. Dr. Ratliff shared that once it was completed, some of the opponents that originally fought against it, admitted that it was not what they feared. Furthermore in regards to domicile measures, the church has recently completed its fifth Habitat for Humanity home. This is a distinction that acknowledges the church as being the only one to have completed that amount. Another facet of the church is its full pantry that supports residents from nearly twenty zip codes throughout the city, weekly. Brentwood has partnered with the Houston Food Bank in this effort. In addition to providing a full pantry, the church also donates clothing to Houstonians. Every month, the church has members from different groups that go to the Pierce elevated and feed the homeless. In 1993 the church established Brentwood Federal Credit Unit. It was designed to teach members how to save and invest, as there is no checking component associated with it. Throughout the years, the credit union has been very successful. They have recently partnered with a local bank. Members of the credit union have the opportunity to receive car, student and housing loans. It is a project that Dr. Ratliff declares that he is proud of. In the same year, the Brentwood Community Foundation and the Brentwood Economic Community Development Corporation was founded. For 35 years, the church through the Brentwood Community Foundation Scholarship Committee has put on a Fashion Show and Luncheon. The event is designed to
CONT. “RATLIFF” ON PAGE 5
TEXAS • MARCH 13 - 19, 2017 RATLIFF FROM PAGE 4
raise money for scholarships for students. It is the largest fashion show in the Black community in Houston. Esteemed personalities and affluent guests from all over come to witness and patronage this effort. Through this endeavor, the church has contributed over $1.3 million in scholarships. The Fashion Show and Luncheon is co-produced by Macy’s. In its inception it was created to give scholarships to students who attended the church. Over the years, the model has changed and the scholarships are open to general students. The Fashion Show and Luncheon further highlights Dr. Ratliff’s commitment to education. For the last 30 years, Brentwood has given $25,000 to the United Negro College Fund. Dr. Ratliff and his wife, Doris also donates a $50,000 matching grant that goes to the scholarship fund in their names. On many occasions, Dr. Ratliff has been approached by graduates from HBCU’s that tell him they are Ratliff scholars. He expressed that he believes education is a critical part of life. He said,
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In Lumberton where I grew up at, there is a population of about 30,000 people and so I know what you can do if you prepare yourself.”
Bitter-Sweet Memories: It has been said that those who proclaim the message of Jesus Christ have been, “picked out to be picked on.” However, it is a burden that comes with the task. Dr. Ratliff is no exception to the rule as he was confronted with a public scandal in 2003. This unfortunate experience affected the church to a certain extent. Although the church lost some of its members, this aspersion against Dr. Ratliff did not shake his faith nor did the word of God return unto him void. Dr. Ratliff declares that, “In spite of, we just believe what we preach. It’s not easy, but you stand and tell people that God can see you through and you have to stand on what you teach.” He continued, “Believing what I preached is what got me through and we have been standing 15 years since that. We lost, but God allowed us to do more with less. That’s been our journey. My wife of 37 years in August, stayed right there with me and we fought a good fight.” “We always sing the song, ‘We are Soldiers in the Army, we have to fight although we have to cry….’ But, the issue becomes how much of your blood is on the battle,” he added. Despite all that Dr. Ratliff has been through he remains confident and hopeful. He summed up his story by stating that, “It has been an exciting journey and I wouldn’t take a day for it.” The Influencer, Influences: While Dr. Ratliff has tirelessly devoted several decades worth of service encouraging, men-
Cover Story toring and inspiring others, even an influencer needs an influence. Thus, I was compelled to inquire about those who have been instrumental in molding him into becoming the dynamic force amongst us today. Throughout, our interview it quickly became clear that he was a strong admirer of the works of the late great, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Additionally, he shared that there were three other strong men that made a positive impact on his life. He said, “My grandfather (Ellie Ratliff) was a heavy influence in my life. He was a strong Black man with a third-grade education, but he had money. He was what we call, ‘n@*$a rich’! He sent my two uncles, my mother and me to college. He taught me how to save and invest money. To this day, I still wrap a rubber band around my currency, just the way he used to.” Dr. Ratliff also revealed that his high school teacher, the late Howard Davis was a motivational character in his life. It was Davis who carried him on his first road trip outside of Lumberton. He was the advisor of the Student Government Association, where Dr. Ratliff served as President, during his high school days. Another effective mentor in Dr. Ratliff’s life was the Chairman of Religion at Morehouse College, Melvin Watson. Dr. Ratliff said, “Melvin Watson taught Dr. King and he was brilliant. He gave me my first job teaching at Morehouse. He influenced me greatly in terms of modeling what a true minister should be. He was the one that influenced me to argue about women’s rights in the church. My Doctorate was on the role of women in the Black Church. Brentwood was the first Black Baptist church to license women pastors. Today, we have female ministers and deacons at Brentwood, and that goes out of my early influence with Dr. Watson.” Advice to the Black Community: Upon concluding our interview, I asked Dr. Ratliff if he would like to render any advice to members of our community. He fervently stated, “It is critical that somehow or another, we remember where we come from. In this turbulent time with the Trump era, we must renew our commitment to voter education and registration and get involved in the process. I can’t imagine us not understanding how significant our voting rights are.” He continued to say, “We didn’t transfer the knowledge and experience that many of us and our forefathers went through to get us to where we are. So that’s my advice - for our people to remember and renew our commitment to help ourselves.” Finally he exclaimed, “Black Lives Matter!” Accomplishments, Awards and Honors: To date, Dr. Ratliff has been the recipient of scores of awards, acknowledgments, accomplishments and honors. A snippet of these accolades
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include: being the First African-American pastor to lead the Union Baptist Association, the largest urban Southern Baptist organization in the United States representing more than 500 churches and missions; he was named “Minister of the Year” by the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1985; the founding president of the National African-American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention; inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia in 1997; his portrait was hung in the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Hall of Fame at Morehouse, Atlanta, Georgia in 1998; served as the keynote speaker for the 2002 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.; he was presented with the Spiritual Enlightenment Award in 2003, during the Turner Broadcasting System’s 11th Annual Trumpet Award ceremonies, Atlanta; preacher for the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, Howard University, Washington D.C. for over 15 years; he has preached and lectured extensively in the United States and abroad and has led mission trips and tours to Africa and other foreign countries and a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. His selected board affiliations include being: Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Morehouse School of Religion, Atlanta, Georgia since 1996; former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), Atlanta; trustee on the Executive Board for the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc., Chicago; member, of the Board of Directors for The Houston Graduate School of Theology, Houston; Board of Directors for the Washington D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Project Foundation, Inc. since 2006; Founding Board Member, Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, in Waco and appointed to the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) by Texas Governor William P. Clements and served for 6 years. In past, he was one of the Vice Chairs for the Martin Luther King, Jr. monument in Washington, D.C. He led the national campaign where he raised $10-12 million of the $100 million required to complete the memorial. He still remains on the battlefield for national movements around the nation that support social justice issues. Last month, Dr. and Mrs. Ratliff were honored with their 37th Pastoral Appreciation Service. Pastor Ralph West of Brookhollow Baptist Church was the guest speaker, a capacity that he has served in for 35 of the Ratliff’s 37 years at Brentwood. African-American News & Issues salutes Dr. Ratliff for his commitment, loyalty and dedication to our communities. Story By: Rebecca S. Jones
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In Loving Memory of Howard Eugene Smith Sr. April 21, 1941 - February 27, 2017
Howard Eugene Smith, Sr. was born on April 21, 1941 in Littig, Texas, to Raymond Sr. and Frankie Smith. He was the third of five children. To many of his close friends and family he was affectionately known as “Barney Fife” or “Sheriff”. Howard was very proud of his job as a reserved deputy sheriff for the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Howard was a very hard worker and while working as a deputy he also worked at Ladish Oil Company as a supervisor for several years. Howard's passion to protect and serve was so strong that after fulfilling his time as a sheriff he retired as a security officer. Howard was a very friendly and sociable person that loved to joke around. He enjoyed bringing his family together through fun barbecues and gatherings. In his spare time Howard loved to be involved in activities and be around his friends at the Senior's Center. Howard was an excellent dominoes player and loved schooling anyone in an entertaining game of dominoes. If ever there was a time where Howard had a choice in dinner chicken was always on the menu. Howard was a physically active person until he became ill. Whether it be jogging or keeping active on his bike he made great efforts to keep up his health. Howard spent abundant amounts of time in his garden planting beautiful trees and creating a peaceful environment for him to relax and spend time with family. He also enjoyed volunteering in his community and was a Boy Scout troop leader. Howard was very active in his church, New Faith, in Hiram Clarke and used his talent to sing in the church's choir. Howard was an amazing grandfather to his many beautiful and lively grandchildren. He will truly be missed and the memories of fun times with him will remain. Howard was preceded in death by his father Raymond Smith Sr., Brother Raymond Smith Jr., Sister Dorothy Raglin-Polk and wives: Lovie Murray and Carol Smith. He is survived by his children: Howard Smith Jr., Andrea Smith, Ronald Smith, Felton Smith, Robert Ester, Frederick Ester, Arlecia Thomas, Trevin Smith and Terrance Smith; grandchildren; a great grandchild; mother Frankie Smith, Sister Everlyn Green, Brother James Authur Smith; Uncle James Allen. He also leaves behind nieces, nephews, and a host of other family and relatives. TX- 5
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HOUSTON - It isn’t easy to be a man in today’ society; it really isn’t easy to be a Black man in today’s society. For Jerrell Blackshire, he knows this struggle all too well.
“
Being a Black man in this world is hard… people always see you as a threat and it’s terrible.”
As a big Black guy standing over six feet tall, people always judge him first before they get to know him, and “it sucks,” expressed Blackshire. Born and raised in Lufkin, Texas and raised as a country boy, Blackshire has had his share of life experiences. Through it all, he has made the best out of every situation, and from these experiences, he would like to help others. His life is what inspired him to write the book A Glimpse in the Mind of a Good Guy. He expressed, “Everything that I have been through has made me a better man.” He wrote the book to motivate, help, and inspire others. In the book he talks about a variety of topics, and refers to his book as “a real good pot of gumbo…because with gumbo you get so many different things, and when you put them all together in the gumbo, it’s real good to your soul, and that’s how my book is.” He speaks on relationships, God, love, overcoming adversity, and a lot of other things that he has been through. When writing the book, he said the hardest part was creating a title, but many people had always told him that he was a good
guy so he felt the title would be fitting for him. In 2013, Blackshire faced hard times as things had gotten really tough for him and he was left with one coat, one blanket, and his car. He hit a downfall and was left living in his car for a month. It was very hard for him, and many times he wanted to give up, but he didn’t. He held on to his faith, and did what he had to do in order to survive. In addition, the death of his mother wasn’t easy for him as well. Because of his close relationship with his mother, he dedicated this book to her. He also has a chapter titled Dear Mama in the book where he shares some of his greatest memories with her. So what makes a good man? For Blackshire, it’s integrity, having a high character, being able to provide for the ones you love, and being charitable, just to name a few. In his opinion, being charitable is one thing he feels the world needs more of. A lot of people in our society are self-centered and will only help others if they are benefiting from it as well. However, Blackshire has a huge heart, and is willing to help anyone if it is in his power to. Jerrell wants people to take from his book that anything can happen with a little work. He also wants people to never give up on love. If people can hold on to love, then anything is possible. Last but not least, he wants people to also know that no matter what storm they may be going through, there is a light at the end
Jerrell Blackshire of the tunnel. “I’ve been through it all…I’ve been through a lot of terrible stuff, but at the end of all of my challenges, I came out better than I went in…you have to learn how to dance in the rain.” Blackshire is currently preparing to release his next book really soon. The title of his new book is Letters to my Future Wife. “I’ve been writing letters to my future wife for a long time now,” expressed Blackshire. It is his hope that when women read this book, it restores their faith “in the wait.” Many women tend to rush into a relationship because they are trying to rush love, but Blackshire wants women to know that it’s okay to wait for love. If you’re in need of encouragement, advice, or just looking for something new to read, then you should read this book. Blackshire is sure that readers will take something from this book that can help them in their everyday life.
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Texas Southern University hosts Drug Prevention Event for Youth
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(l-r) Agent Sherod Jones, LaKathryn J., Juvenile Justice Attorney Stephanie Smith Ledesma, Emmanuel G., Renald “Ren” Moore, Dr. Sharlette A. Kellum-Gilbert, David P. and Michelle Carey-Redic
any Texas Southern Tigers and Houston-area teens filled the auditorium of the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs for a -more than touching- presentation focusing on youth drug prevention. Between the passionate speakers and the heart-rending film, there is no doubt that the audience received more than any fair expectations.
Dr. Sharlette A . Kellum- Gilbert of the Administration of Justice Department at TSU was inspired to host this event for the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. Dr. Kellum-Gilbert believes that “youth in 2017 are in need of guidance.” Before introducing the speakers of the evening, she exclaimed that a major component that inspired the event was to “help save lives.” She believes, “if youth had guidance, supervision, love, and care, many problems would be dismissed.” Her stern welcome and introduction largely set the tone for the evening.
DEA Special Agent Sherod Jones began his speech following Dr. Kellum- Gilbert by detailing some of his thirty-two years of experience in law enforcement, with 17 being in Houston. Jones offered the audience great insight on how drugs have affected our communities over time. Specifically, while speaking about heroin, Jones claimed “that wasn’t a drug people bragged about, that was a drug people were ashamed of.” Since the earlier days in his career he says, heroin is “popular now.” He continued sadly “ I have been around long enough for the drug to become popular.” Jones also discussed some statistics to add perspective to his discourse. He stated, “Since 2008 drug overdoses have been the increasing cause of accidental deaths TX-8
in the United States annually, eclipsing vehicle fatalities” In other words, more people are dying from drug overdoses than car accidents. The portrait of the increase in drug abuse was clearly illustrated by this seasoned law enforcer. Such an illustration lead to the featured film Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an opiate addict. The screening portrayed the disturbing reality of those who have had the unfortunate experience of being addicted to opiates. Opiates/Opioids – drugs (such as heroin) derived from compounds found in the opium poppy plant, or synthetic drugs (such as prescription painkillers) that contain substances that mimic these compounds. These terms are often used interchangeably. The central theme of the film were illustrations of how all the previous drug addicts were once addicted to a “gateway” drug. That is, the once opiate addicts were also addicted to a different substance before they became addicted to opiates. For example, two of the previous addicts began smoking marijuana at the age of eleven, eventually became addicted to opiates. The film precisely served its purpose of putting a face on “why drugs are not a wise choice.” Following the film were three panelists whom experienced “hard” times as a juvenile. Two of the panelist, David P (18) and Emmanuel G (23), had experiences with drugs- one as primarily a seller and the latter as an abuser. The third panelist, LaKathryn J (26), had issues more related to anger and violence, which landed her in many troubled situations-like fighting. All three panelists shared heart-wrenching stories that surely will remain in the minds and hearts of the audience. David’s story appeared to be the one of most
life changing. While smoking, drinking, doing drugs, and playing with a gun in his living room- he accidently sent a bullet flying into his neighbor’s apartment and killed their six year old son. Unfortunately, the bullet went through the wall after the accidental gun shot and pierced the child in the neck, which lead to the young boy bleeding to death. David was destined to spend five years in prison; however, the young child’s family came to court and forgave himleading the judge to reduce the sentence to one year in jail. While in jail, David has claimed to have developed a relationship with Jesus Christ. Essentially, David, Emmanuel, and LaKathryn testimonies were nothing short of touching. Ensuing the panel of three was Juvenile Justice Attorney Stephanie Smith Ledesma who moved the room with her stark words. She shared that an area that she focuses on in her field is the disproportionality of systems. “African American children represent 17% of the population in the U.S; however, they represent 31% of all juvenile arrests,” she boldly exclaimed to the audience. The statistics presented by Attorney Ledesma strongly suggests that African- American youth are much more likely: to be accused of juvenile delinquent behavior; much more likely to be determined to have committed that juvenile delinquent behavior or to be in need of supervision (CHINS); much harsher punished for this alleged juvenile delinquent behavior; and much more likely to be confined for longer periods of time than their white counterparts. Attorney Ledesma also stated that “more than 130,000 children, ages 10-17, will touch the juvenile justice system in the state of Texas alone this year.” If these prediction are accurate, the African American community must be alerted to and vigilant against a system that
“has a seat available” for their young ones if they choose to make unwise decisions. Attorney Ledesma’s sound advice to our youth is “knowledge is power and it’s as simple as that.” She believes that African American youth have the ability, have the duty and have the opportunity to choose education and positive engagement in their communities over the negative lure of “fast money”, which can often lead to soul-sacrificing activities. “If our children are looking for a role model, let it be someone who brings positivity; if our children are looking for safe haven, let them choose family members, neighbors, community leaders, agencies and organizations that will lift them up, and show them their worth, not tear them down; if our children are looking for a future, she challenges them to find a college, and then a medical school, a law school, a business school, that has a ‘seat with their names on it”. “Be the future and the leaders, that heal our communities and that restore the culture and the respect of our African American people. Attorney Ledesma’s discourse is backed with twenty; many years as a faculty member of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, where she travels the nations educating and training attorneys on best practices when litigating cases; years of service as a Board Member of the National Association of Counsel for Children; years as a member of the Texas Supreme Court Collaborative Counsel on Youth, Children and Families; years of service as a member of the State Bar of Texas Committee on Child Abuse and Child Neglect; and years of services as a Law School Professor and Director of Experiential Learning at Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law. To continue reading visit aframnews.com Story & Photo Credit: Lorenzo Tolbert
TEXAS • MARCH 13 - 19, 2017
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The Eagle’s Nest Newspaper
MISSION STATEMENT
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“The faculty and students of Booker T. Washington High School for the Engineering Profession are striving for the successful outcome of its students through learning, companionship, research,
and diligence.”
A Life Worth Knowing Series: An Interview with Mrs. Maloney Johnson
T
he Washington Eagles celebrate our roots and accomplishments by cherishing those who have helped to line our paths with privilege and dignity. We take a moment to peer into the memories of Mrs. Maloney Johnson. Raven: When and where were you born?
Mrs. Johnson: I was born November 10, 1920 in Bellville, Texas. I am ninety six years old. I grew up during a time of absolutes and inequality. I remember from my early years playing with white kids although there were some lines that were not meant to be crossed. It didn’t seems so bad back then because it (segregation and discrimination) was all we knew. We didn’t feel isolated because everyone lived within the same neighborhood. I remember those times but it was not until I got
What if…
by Tania Linscomb, BTW Student
R
ealizing that Black History Month never ends, I think about 2 of the most prominent figures in the Civil Rights Movement: Martin Luther King (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) and Malcom X, born Malcom Little and also known as el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz (May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965.) While the history and contributions of both Civil Rights leaders are well known, their rise to political power took very different paths. King grew up in a middle class family where education was stressed. Their family name was well established in Atlanta in spite of being in a time where segregation was prominent. Malcolm X came from a home where he got little schooling and rose to greatness due to his own determination and intelligence. Despite their varying backgrounds, they had the best intentions at heart for their people. How have we fared? Have we fulfilled the dream by any means necessary? If they had lived, we wonder how the plight of the African American community would
older that I realized what was really going on then. Raven: What was life like growing up in Bellville, Texas?
Mrs. Johnson: There were not many opportunities for Blacks in Bellville. I really did not become aware of how crippling the discrimination there was until I left and moved to Houston when I was a young teen. I noticed that life was much better, although still it was limited, for Black people here. They had a wider variety of jobs available to them. Raven: What were the qualities that were most important to your parents to instill into you? Mrs. Johnson: They wanted to make sure that we understood the importance of education. They were not able to get one but they wanted to be certain that we received one. They always wanted us to get our education. After high school, I earned my master’s degree from Prairie View A & M University. I spent more than 50 years as an educator in Bellville and in Houston. Raven: What qualities do you think today’s generation could benefit most from? Mrs. Johnson: Be a better listener. It seems today that
be different. Let’s ponder, if they were with us, would we still… • Experience 31% of Black students do not finish high school within four years as opposed to only 14% of white students • Have more than twice the incidence of school suspensions as whites • Have our twelfth grade students reading at the same level of white eight grade students • Have six times the incarceration rate as whites • Have 1 in 100 African American women in prison • Have Black unemployment at 8.8% while the national average is 4.9% • Have 12% of African Americans using illegal drugs compared to a 10.2% national average • Have less than 60% of African Americans exercise their right to vote on a regular basis Both Malcolm and Martin fought that we may experience the freedoms we lacked during the time of their fight; however, how many of the ills that cripple our community are self-inflicted? It is without a doubt that we as African Americans benefit from the blood, sweat, tears, and death of many before us who fought for freedom and equal rights. I’m sure the thought of having an African American President of the United States was a distant dream for those who endured the plights of segregation in the 60’s or previous decades. However, although we have come a long way as a race, we still fail to take full advantage of the opportunities available to us today. It is difficult for my friends to imagine that back in history it was illegal for someone to teach Blacks how to read. Surprisingly, they don’t seem to care. Today’s youth will never know nor understand the intimidation and brutality that African Americans had to endure for us to have voting rights, free public education, and liberties that are of utmost importance in order for us to be productive in society. It is disap-
young people think they have the answers to everything and they are not interested in hearing sound advice that could help them along the way. It is frustrating to see even my young relatives make decisions without listening to someone who can guide them in order to make their lives more pleasant and less stressful. Listening to someone other than yourself can be a valuable skill that can take you a long way in life. The benefit of listening is that you can start right so you can end right. Listening is a little thing that can take you a long way in life. Raven: Has the importance of education changed over the years? Mrs. Johnson: No, it just seems like today’s children do not take educations seriously. Many parents don’t make it important enough in the home. Raven: What message would you give the younger generation about life or success? Mrs. Johnson: They should know that life is not always easy, but you have the power to make it better. Do things in life that make sense and never be too smart to shut up and listen.
To continue reading visit www.aframnews.com by Raven Jones, BTW Student
pointing, to say the least, that the same liberties and freedoms we fought so much for in the past, are often taken advantage of today. I often ask myself as I walk the hallways of my school …What if… What if either, or both, of them lived just a little longer? Would the values, morals, and overall behavior of African Americans be
different? Did their assassinations stop a movement that could have still been going on today? And also I ask myself…Would they be pleased? Pleased with all of the facts listed above that no one wants to acknowledge? There are countless of African Americans who gave their lives for the some of the equalities that we have today. It may be true that we may not have all of the equalities that we are entitled to as United States citizens, but isn’t it true that the ones we do have, we do not utilize to their fullest potential. Have Martin and Malcolm laid their life down for African Americans in vain? I would like to think not, but I would also love to see the facts mentioned come to a dramatic change.
To continue reading visit www.aframnews.com TX-9
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Read us online! w w w.a f r a m n e w s .c om Protesting from page 1
Politics
Stiff Persistence and Keen Strategy Keys to Successful Protesting National Activist Praises Black Out Fort Worth Movement
Rev. Kyev Tatum, Fort Worth SCLC, Attorney Leon Jr Reed, Chair #BlackOutFortWorth, Journalist Shaun King and Pastor Ken Jones, Jr.
FORT WORTH - In the game of chess, the objective is to checkmate the king, where the king is in check by a piece and it cannot block the check, move to another square, or capture the piece checking that king. The Black Out Fort Worth Campaign is a match involving church and community organizers determined to fight for the future economic and justice fates of real lives and real people. MOVEMENT GAINS SUPPORT/MOMENTUM Civil Rights Activist Shaun King says the success of moving any movement forward depends on the resiliency of its protesters. King is an American writer known for his use of social media to promote religious, charitable, and social causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement. In Fort Worth, the mold is already set and people are united and ready to enter a protracted boycott against the city. King shared his insights and thoughts before 400 people attending an impromptu power rally in Como community at Como Missionary Baptist Church and said that winning any battle requires patience and a willingness to sacrifice and do what it takes to see the process through. “The powers that be are counting on you not caring,” TX - 10
King said. “Change happens when people have had enough and takes people from all walks of life.” King made an appearance at Texas Christian University, but also called a meeting at the church to speak to the principles of peaceful protest and address the best way to make noise, get the attention of the community, business leaders and demand justice for Jacqueline Craig, her family and others wrongfully mistreated or who suffered injustice at the hands of Fort Worth Police and the “justice” system. Much of his protesting success was born out of trial and after a rash of fatal police shootings around the country. Black Out Downtown Fort Worth is a movement born out of the unprofessional behavior and disrespect the Fort Worth Police Department demonstrated in the case involving Jacqueline Craig The movement is a serious and organized protest whose roots spring from the actions of Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama. Last December, Jacqueline Craig, called police for help for an incident involving her 7-year old son and a White neighbor. The result of the call was instead of justice and service, Craig and teen members of her family were disrespected and arrested by white police officer. For his role in the incident, the White Fort Worth officer
who was shown on video bullying the black mom and earned a 10-day suspension. That sparked the community to organize Blacks and Browns and hit the streets of downtown Fort Worth with chants of “enough is enough”. King said the recipe for successful protests that yield results is based on four basic principles. Those principles involves full investments in awareness, time, energy and strategy. AWARENESS
King said awareness is only the first step in change, but does not mean it brings desired results out of the starting gate. “Without it, there is no chance for change,” he said. “However, awareness alone does not equal change. All it does is awaken it and primes things for change. It does not do it.” Understanding that reality is key start in the process of making that difference and knowing the issue. According to King, whether that issues is brutality, sexism or racism, the problem will continue without all affected groups working together to solve it. “All must have skin in the game,” he said. “Those groups causing the problem have to get under the hood and work with primary victims and fighters and try to solve it.” For example, with police brutality, the call is for good police officers and leaders to have the courage to be honest and speak out on the issues and call for removal of “bad” cops from the force. Denials, cover ups and ignorance on the part of the abusers only makes problems worse, he said. TIME King pointed out that any boycott success is dependent upon groups remaining
focused, patient and united realizing that justice take longer to win than a news cycle. “Change is not a sprint, it’s a marathon,” he said. “Commitment to an issue means more than fighting one meeting or one day. Change takes time and this could take one month, a year, five years or even 10 years. I encourage you to think and have vision beyond the moment.” He shared how the family of Emmett Till is still fighting for justice decades after his death. Emmett Louis Till was an African-American teenager who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955 at the age of 14 after reportedly and allegedly flirting with a White woman. The brutality of his murder and the fact that his killers were acquitted drew attention to the long history of violent persecution of African Americans in the United States. His death is still be debated as new evidence has come forth that the accuser may have lied and made up the who accusation that resulted in Till’s death. “It’s an inter-generational fight for that family and they fight on,” King said. “Sometimes, it just takes a long time.” ENERGY According to King, Fort Worth is ripe for protest and change and must seize the moment to build on its community activism momentum. He encouraged protesters and interested parties to pool energy, resources and support the boycott. “We all have power and we must use what we have,” he said. “That power is financial power and energy...how you spend your money and where you spend your money...That’s power.” Cont. reading online @ AframNews.com BY: DARWIN CAMPBELL
TEXAS • MARCH 13 - 19, 2017
Ms. Jacqueline Craig THE ROSA PARKS OF FORT WORTH
(l-r) Jacqueline Craig, Roderick Smith, Jazzmon Julien, Dajoun Julien,Dee Crane … Something whispers in my limelight at the hands of the ear and says rude and rough treatment by That you are not alone Fort Worth Police Officer For I am here with you William Martin that fateful day Though you’re far away of Dec. 21, 2016. I am here to stay It has charged the comYou are not alone munity and sparked the #Black I am here with you Out Fort Worth Campaign. Though we’re far apart The Black Out Fort You’re always in my heart Worth Campaign is now a You are not alone -Excerpt from song, You are protracted effort mirroring the Not Alone, 1995, Michael Montgomery Alabama boycott Jackson of 1955, that was sparked when
FORT WORTH - You are not alone Jacqueline Craig. That is the strong message from 400-plus local community activists, pastors and other supporters from across racial and ethnic cultures, classes and colors in Fort Worth came together to send a strong message to the city hall and business community. Also, sentiments continue to flow in from across the United States and the Globe sharing and identifying with Craig struggles and her fight to overcome the horrors of injustice, police abuse and brutality. “I am thankful for all the support from the community,” she said in an interview with African-American News & Issues. “I felt alone in the jail cell after the arrest. Now I am encouraged and have a second wind as people stand up on both sides of me in the fight for justice.” Since her ordeal, a woman who once had faith in the system, police and the order of community systems to protect her and her family still remains somewhat shocked and shaken over her being thrust into the
Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks was arrested after refusing to give up her seat on a city bus. Civil rights activist Parks was heard round the world after she refused to surrender her seat to a white passenger on a public bus Montgomery, Alabama. It spurred on a citywide boycott and helped launch nationwide efforts to end segregation of public facilities. Even though she was arrested and later released, her sacrifice sparked a boycott that brought the city transportation system to its knees and set off a national movement that ended segregation. The incident with Craig and her family in Fort Worth is only the tip of the iceberg and points to dozens of other cases of police abusing power on the beat and community leaders intend to turn over every stone and open every curtain for the world to see the real meaning of how the “Fort Worth Way” has made the city a type of modern urban slave plantation. Cont. reading online @ AframNews.com BY: DARWIN CAMPBELL
Texas • March 13 - 19, 2017
College Connection
African
American News&Issues
11
Lone Star College-Victory Center A Balancing Act By Faith Baynard It is already difficult to manage one job in a career field, but dealing with two is rarely heard of. Kevin Nunn, a teacher at Victory Early College and a professor at Lone Star College-Victory Center, has gotten the hang of balancing two jobs for 17 years now. He has been teaching for 22 years, and just five years into his career, he turned what used to be a hobby into a business. Nunn originally wanted to go into the engineering field, but found that he was drawn to math, more specifically, teaching it. The feeling of giving something back and knowing that he is making a difference in the world is one of the things Nunn likes most about teaching. One of Nunn’s other passions is creating board games. His love for playing board games began at the age of four when his mother taught him to play chess. From that point on, he would fiddle with and scribble down different game ideas that would pop into his head. By the time college came around, Nunn found himself without money. He was not able to afford gifts for friends, so instead, he gifted them with items that were more personal: games he designed himself. What began as card games and small board games turned into a business for Nunn. Nunn claimed that working as a designer is “a lot like being a writer.” He creates the games and then leases them to publishers. That lease gives the publishers permission to create the art, graphics and publication. They then pay him a royalty based on how many copies are sold. His most popular game is called “Duck, Duck, Go.” It consists of rubber ducks racing around the bathtub. This game has been selling non-stop for ten years now. It sells well in hobby shops and has been in several test stores for Barnes and Noble. He also keeps a few of his games in his
classroom for students to play. So, what is Nunn’s secret? He claims that “it’s all about time management.” He dedicates about 50 hours a week to teaching and 20 hours to game designing. He uses any free time he might have to scribble down his game design ideas. Every Monday and Wednesday night, as soon as he finishes teaching, he meets with a team to test his products. Although balancing two jobs has proven stressful to Nunn, he said, “if you’re really dedicated to a thing, that doesn’t mean that it’s always fun.” “No matter how much you love your job, there will be bad times. You have to have determination, you have to have what they call stickiness: a willingness to keep going and keep working at something—even when it’s not fun. Once you overcome those hurdles, once you get past those challenges, then it’ll become good again,” he said.
An Involved and Worthy Student By Tina Bui Xavier Jernard Bishop is an 18-yearold senior who attends Victory Early College High School at Lone Star College-Victory Center. At a young age, he was a troublesome child who caused a ruckus in classes and at his home. “I was dragged out of class by the principal. . .I was just seeking attention,” Bishop now says. Today, after transitioning Tina Bui through his rebellious stage, he is an outgoing
student who desires to be involved in his community. He has evolved into becoming a responsible and passionate leader who serves in many of the organizations at school. Bishop is currently president for Brother for Brother, a leadership organization at LSC-Victory Center. He is also involved in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) where he maintains records and organizes upcoming events. Although Bishop is a very active student, he faces many stressful moments with his education and committees. However, with self-motivation and the support from his friends and family, Bishop always finds a way to overcome anxiety and strive towards his goal of helping others. Along with his huge support system, he copes with stress by cooking. His passion for cooking has inspired him to pursue a career in the Culinary Arts.
at Lone Star College-Victory Center
Summer Registration Now Open!
TURN FREE TIME INTO CREDIT! Register now for May mini-mester, Summer I and Summer II classes.
LSC-Victory Center • 4141 Victory Drive, Houston, TX 77088
LoneStar.edu/Victory-Center TX-11
12
African
American News&Issues
TEXAS • MARCH 13 - 19, 2017
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