December 12, 2021
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
“Your vote and your money are the two most powerful things you have. Be careful who you give them to.”
“Addressing Current & Historical Realties Affecting Our Community”
- Roy Douglas Malonson
IS IT TIME FOR REPARATIONS? By: Roy Douglas Malonson
injustices faced by Blacks caused by cenThere’s been an in- turies of racism and creasing amount of failure from the Unitconversation sur- ed States government. rounding reparations One ambitious and for the Black Ameri- long-overdue proposed can community and legislation is the GI Bill righting the economic Restoration Act.
Recently, Congressional Democrats reintroduced the GI Bill Restoration Act, a legislation that would provide descendants of Black World War II veterans the GI Bill benefits that many
Vol. 26, Issue 47
Black WWII veterans were denied. Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of South Carolina and Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts intro-
Reparations cont’d page 3
CHURCH PURCHASES NEW FACILITY In a pivotal move as guided by the Holy Spirit, He Heard My Cry Christian Fellowship Church, is now Victory International Church Houston (The VIC). The church made the decision to change its name and rebrand to better reflect the mission, values, and vision for greater global impact of the ministry. The idea behind expanding the church’s location and name comes on the heels of the purchase of a new church edifice and launch of its non-profit arm. “The goal is to provide more viable ministry outreach, resources and services to the diverse commuChurch cont’d nity we now serve,” says Pastor page 4
2 AFRAMNEWS.COM
December 12, 2021
President/Chief Editor
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Griselda Ramirez: Production
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A Revival of God
Consciousness Bobby E. Mills, PhD
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Do You Know This? Do you know this? “The Lord gave the word: great was the company that published it.” Do you know this? Christian Right Evangelicals, Trump Loyalists, and White Nationalists Groups have literally destroyed the GOP, and transformed it into a White Privilege Cult? Do you know this? The GOP has no political platform or democratic policies, but they do have alternative facts, and conspiracy theories (LIES). Do you know this? The GOP does not want Blacks and minorities to vote; only Whites who agree with the socioeconomic doctrine of White Privilege? Do you know this? White Privilege is something for nothing because of skin-color? Do you know this: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is reproach to any people.” Do you know this? Crime in America is primarily intra-racial rather than inter-
racial! From 19762005 (86%) of crimes against Whites were committed by Whites, and 94% of the crimes against Blacks were committed by Blacks. Do you know this? Most Blacks who achieve high status positions do not socio-economically help other Blacks socioeconomically? Do you know this? Most Black elected politicians love to be seen, and heard at major social events, but they do not socioeconomically deliver to the communities that elected them, and they are duty bound to serve. Do you know this? Two-parent family structures are on the decline in American society. The real question is WHY? Two parent families by race/ ethnicity: Asians 85%, Whites 74%, Hispanics 64%, and Blacks 36%. Do you know this? Everything begins and ends with family structure, because God is the designer of family. Do you know this? Church begins and ends in the home, and when a society has broken families it has broken churches! Families that pray together stay together. Do you know this? “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
EDITORIAL
whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith.” America, the devil is anyone with an evil mind, and we need to learn how to spiritually/morally shepherd our children in the midst of societal confusion; especially about guns. Do you know this? In educational child development one plan does not fit all learning environments or children. In Black learning environments prayer is an essential, because prior to desegregation (1954) prayer was a mainstay in Black educational institutions, because prayer is internal selfintrospection. Do you know this? Law enforcement has always been the first line of defense for White Privilege? Do you know this? The love of money is the root of all evil; therefore: “Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.” (Proverbs 15: 16). Do you know this? Children are our future. Do you know this? Climate change is destroying our natural habitat (earth); not space or some other planet, because God gave us dominion over the earth.
For more visit aframnews.com
Partin’ the Waters By Omowale Luthuli-Allen
Gun violence: An American Dilemma It is useless to quote Shakespeare from his play The Tempest. “The past is prologue” is an overused cliche but useful for my rant on the runaway gun violence in certain areas of the country and our great city. Moaning about Chicago styled weekends in this southern Mecca does not move us to a different and peaceful neighborhood future. Past is prologue suggests that future choices will determine the quality of life going forward. I know that we have been told that Atlanta is the black Mecca and Washington D.C. is the chocolate Mecca. H Town has almost one and three fourths’ times as many black people than New Orleans and Atlanta combined and a stronger economy. This is true before and after Hurricane Katrina. In Washington, D.C. a mini billboard signs read, “IF BLACK LIVES MATTER,
WHY ARE BLACK PEOPLE STILL KILLING EACH OTHER. “I do not mean to suggest that this problem is solely a black problem, it is an American Dilemma. A few weeks ago, a young black man was sentenced in the murder of Delindsey Mack. Mack, affectionately known as “Poppie,” was a young Lamar student that was the victim of a gangster styled execution a few blocks from the school. As I and a legion of social workers were trying to redirect and refocus his life, street life caught up with him and all the kings’ horses could not prevent his murder. This past Monday night and early Tuesday morning witnessed six shootings in six hours in H- Town. As of the writing of this article, all the victims are recovering. It is truly disgraceful that in this technological superpower and moral dwarf (USA), 90 Americans are killed every day by handguns. It is equally disgraceful that nine kids are accidentally killed by guns every day in America. This is not griping about spilled milk. This is a quest for solutions that work and last.
For more visit aframnews.com
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Reparations cont’d duced the legislation in the House, and according to a news release on Clyburn’s website, Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia was to introduce the legislation in Senate. “While the original GI Bill ushered in decades of prosperity for post-war America, access to this prosperity was limited for Black World War II veterans who were denied full access to these benefits by mostly-white state and local Veterans Administrations,” the release said. The bill would provide surviving spouses and descendants of Black WWII veterans access to the VA Loan Guarantee Program, which provides assistance for buying and building homes, and the Post-911 GI Bill educational assistance that provides financial assistance for school or job training. The legislation would also establish a Blue Ribbon Panel “to study inequities in the distribution of benefits and assistance administered to female and minority members of the Armed Forces and provide recommendations on additional assistance to repair those inequities,” according to the release. The bill honors Black WWII veterans Sgt. Isaac Woodard Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H.
Maddox, and aims to supply “a transferable benefit” for Black World War II descendants and surviving spouses “to attend college, secure housing, start businesses and build generational wealth.” In 1944, the GI Bill was established to assist “qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school and training,” according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. While white veterans received these benefits and other financial assistance, Black veterans were excluded from the full benefits of the bill. “We all know that the quickest way to build wealth is through education and homeownership. So many Black families were denied this path to the middle class. It is important to acknowledge this injustice and help address the wealth gap that was exacerbated by the government’s failure to fulfill this promise to World War II veterans of color,” Clyburn said in a statement. In a statement, Moulton said that while the GI Bill is considered one of the
December 12, 2021 most successful pieces of legislation ever, not everyone reaped its benefits. “Most Americans don’t know that many Black veterans were left out: denied bene-
fits, denied homes, denied the generational wealth that comes from going to college,” said Moulton. “We can never fully repay those American heroes. But
AFRAMNEWS.COM 3 we can fix this going forward for their families. While our generation didn’t commit this wrong, we should be committed to
making it right. This legislation honors our nation’s commitment to America’s vets.” - AANI
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December 12, 2021
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
HEALTH NAACP’S ‘COVID. KNOW MORE’ INITIATIVE CONTINUES AS BLACK AMERICA’S BEST DEFENSE AND RESOURCE By: Nevaeh Richardson
This month, the nation marked a foreboding, record death toll: More than 5,230,000 deaths worldwide as a result of COVID-19. It’s a sad, painful and tragic milestone that signals the obvious: The coronavirus pandemic— here in the U.S. as well as around the globe—is far from over, and simply isn’t going away anytime soon. As Americans begin to ponder once again the safety of gathering with friends, families and loved ones for the holidays, infections once more are on the rise in multiple states. Although the Delta and Lambda variants are showing signs of a steady decline, the new and highly transmissible Omicron variant is emerging across the Atlantic as a cause for concern, and has now arrived in the U.S. Misinformation
about the virus and the efficacy of the vaccines, coming from professional athletes and entertainment celebrities alike continues to be recklessly spread, and health professionals are issuing dire warnings about more spikes in cases looming this winter as people will likely choose to socialize indoors, with fewer following mask guidance in confined spaces. For African Americans, who place a high value on their traditional seasonal gatherings, the potential threat of contracting COVID-19 is even greater. Though the majority of eligible Black adults have been fully vaccinated (62 percent) and the numbers of children now being vaccinated also continues a consistent rise, reliable, credible information is still the primary battleground. Deep in the trenches still fighting this fight is the NAACP, which through its ‘COVID.KNOW MORE’ national initiative has been tirelessly working to deliver resources, timely research and data specific to the Black community that can be found nowhere else. “The specter of the COVID-19 pandemic has
plagued our nation and the world for 20 long months now, but all of its devastating effects, whether health wise or economic, disproportionately impact our Black community,” states Derrick Johnson, NAACP presi-
dent & CEO. “Trust the science, and trust the data. As we’ve worked hard to move African Americans toward a phase of recovery, our research shows that the concerns of experts are justified about the coming winter months. “Worries about the Delta variant are on the decline, but other variants like Omicron are on the horizon and have now officially landed in the United States. Overall cases are ticking
up across the nation. Some 777,000 people have now died and this has clearly become a pandemic of the unvaccinated,” President Johnson adds. Among the latest facts: Proprietary research commissioned by the NAACP reveals that reports of breakthrough cases and side-effects persist as concerns among the unvaccinated, fueling their continued uncertainty and making them less likely to remain unvaccinated or accept the available booster shot (amid debates about its necessity). African Americans further remain divided in their mistrust of media influencers and celebrities, with most trusting no one to provide reliable COVID-19 information other than the NAACP, the CDC, physicians or local leaders. M o s t further believe that life
will not return to any semblance of pre-pandemic normalcy until at least 2022. “‘COVID.KNOW MORE’ was conceived and launched to provide Black Americans with comprehensive, relevant data and resources about all things COVID-19, intent upon powering Black America’s journey through the crisis toward recovery,” Johnson continues. “Thanks to ‘COVID.KNOW MORE’ individuals, families and communities of color have access to the most current, well-researched, expertvetted facts they need to make the best choices for their wellbeing. We’re proud of the work that we’re doing for our people to help inform their decision making, and that work will continue undaunted. The NAACP will stay this course.” - AANI
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Church cont’d
December 12, 2021
Cry Ministries, INC. Rebranding efforts Claude Cummings III. includes a new logo, “The process has been church app, podcast, guided by prayer, es- and website. The comtablishing an execu- plete roll out of these tive committee and new digital touchongoing discussions points will be unveiled related to the church’s in the coming weeks. vision, moving for- The new logo visually represent that The ward.” The church acquired VIC Church Houston the buildings located is focused on at 170 Rittenhouse city, community, Street, in Houston, and global imTexas 77076. The pact, in bringing 28,000 square feet people to Christ. campus sits on close to These updates ten acres of land, and and creation of includes two build- a stronger digiings, a beautiful wor- tal footprint will ship edifice and a spa- vastly improve ministry’s cious multipurpose the center which has a visibility. “If COgym and offices spac- VID-19 taught es. They will be used the church anyto house He Heard My thing it is that
having a digital strategy is important. It is a vital tool for engagement and connection. The VIC and HHMC is positioned for both in-person and virtual presence, as we enter 2022. While many saw the pandemic as a crisis, it was the perfect opportunity, time, and location to launch The VIC and HHMC,”
INVEST IN F L E S R U YO cation.
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college is t how to pay for ou g in ur fig , ts l For most studen degree. Financia a g in rn ea of s rt st pa one of the toughe to help. ps are available hi rs la ho sc & s aid, grant GET MORE OUT OF YOUR EDUCATION FOR LESS!
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shares Michelle Harden. Most recently located in Northwest Houston the ministry functioned, since i t s inception in 2013, under the name He Heard My Cry C h r is -
AFRAMNEWS.COM 5 tian Fellowship Church. This brand will remain as He Heard My Cry Ministries, INC., the (501 c3) non-profit arm, and service the needs of the community. Victory International Church Houston (The
Vic) seeks to live up to its new name by serving more multicultural and multiethnic communities. The VIC’s core values are built on four biblical principles: Seeking, Saving, Serving and Sending. - AANI
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December 12, 2021
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
EDUCATION
LSC-NORTH HARRIS RECEIVES AWARD HOUSTON - The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recognized Lone Star College-North Harris as a recipient of the 2021 Star Award on Thursday, Dec. 2, at this year’s Leadership Conference. LSC-North Harris is one of 10 higher education institutions across the state selected for the Star Award because of its outstanding response to COVID-19. The criteria for the award were based on a clear demonstration of implementing strategies to ensure the health, safety, and success of our community through partnership
and innovative and creative strategies. “This award validates that the return to building plans developed by the Chief Operating Officer and implemented by LSC-North Harris was effective in doing its part in training and certifying essential personnel, and getting them into the workforce, even in the midst of the pandemic,” said Dr. Archie L. Blanson, president, LSC-North Harris. The college’s response to COVID-19 began by shifting nearly 75% of classes online while still making traditional resources available through online
access. Each building on campus displayed signage to ensure social distancing and the latest CDC guidelines, along with a thorough check-in process, including temperature checks and online sign-in for contact tracing. To help students adapt to the changes on campus, the college created a web page providing updates to campus protocols, important contact infor-
mation, and links to resources about mental health and ways to stay connected. Campus leadership also participated in a series of videos offering reassurance and helpful tips for taking online classes to students through videos shared on the college’s social media platforms. Throughout the pandemic, partnerships provided the opportunity to offer CO-
VID-19 testing onsite when needed through the Harris County Health Department, along with two vaccination clinics with the help of HEB. “We’re honored that this recognition highlights our commitment to student success and the wellbeing of our community,” said Dr. Blanson. Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 93,000+ students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support stu-
dent success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2021 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education and ranked 35th in Texas in the Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers By State’ list. LSC consists of seven colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu. - AANI
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
December 12, 2021
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