July 2, 2023
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
African-American News&Issues
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
Vol. 28, Issue 24
FREE
Justice Clarence Thomas This person is very dangerous for black people for reversing everything we have fought and died for.
Terri Broussard Davis
YMCA and Tootsie Fashion Show
By: Crystal LaShan
America’s Independence By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.
Frederick Douglas was a prominent figure during the Abolition Movement and made strides in getting himself and others to freedom. He gave a speech titled, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” in Rochester, New York on July 5, 1852, that reminded Black people to not be fooled by America’s independence. In the speech, Douglas never referred to American independence as mine or ours, he continuously used the word yours. He stated, “The freedom gained
is yours; and you, therefore, may properly celebrate this anniversary. The 4th of July is the first great fact in your nation’s history —the very ring—bolt in the chain of your yet undeveloped destiny.” Douglas knew that no matter what, this celebration would mean nothing to him because of the shackles that were still present around many slaves. Douglas knew the “disparity between” the free and the enslaved as he mentioned, “I am not included within this Independence on pg. 7 glorious occasion.”
Houston’s Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) leadership is working hard to engage the community to raise funds to maintain and improve its programming. So, partnering with Tootsie was a perfect way to inspire prominent women in the Houston community to give to this worthy cause. The YWCA’s goal is to raise over 10 million dollars to build a new facility to serve the Houston community and to create a safe space for the women and children of Houston. YWCA Houston is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. They aim to help women and girls educate, empower, advance, lead, serve, and thrive. YWCA’s vision is to help women and girls thrive without barriers and change their community. YWCA Houston is signing up children in grades 5th – 11th for their free Youth STEM Summer Camp. The camp will be held at the Emancipation Park Cultural Center from July 11 to August 11 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. All camp instructors are engineers from Linde. Projects include model rockets, Bluetooth speakers, computer hardware, coding basics, electrical circuits, motors, clean energy, and more! Space is limited so sign up soon. For more information about YWCA Houston programs and services for the community or to donate to this worthy cause, go to www.ywcahouston.org. Fundraiser on pg. 5