April 25, 2025
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
AframNews.com
Vol.30, Issue 14
FREE
African-American News&Issues
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
POPE FRANCIS PASSES AT 88
THEY TOOK OUR LAND NOW THEY’RE SELLING IT BACK AT LUXURY PRICES By: Roy Douglas Malonson
It’s a story that has repeated itself across generations: Black families worked hard to secure land, only to have it taken through systemic practices and later sold to developers for profit. Today, that cycle continues—only now, the very land that was lost is being sold back at luxury prices that many of the original residents could never afford. From Third Ward to Freedmen’s Town, Houston’s historically Black neighborhoods are in the middle of a modern land war—one fought with rising property taxes, investor buyouts, and zoning decisions. What was once land passed down through generations is being snapped up by developers, flipped, and marketed as high-end real estate. The people who
built these neighborhoods are being priced out—and told they should be grateful for the “revitalization.” Over a century ago, Black Americans steadily acquired land, particularly in the South. After emancipation, land ownership was viewed as a key to freedom, stability, and wealth. By 1910, Black farmers owned over 14 million acres. But through a combination of legal loopholes, intimidation, and predatory development practices, 90% of that land has been lost. One of the major culprits is a system known as heirs’ property. After slavery, many Black families inherited land informally, without wills or official Land on pg. 3
Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pope, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He died in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta residence following complications from a stroke. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, confirmed the news, stating that at 7:35 a.m., the Bishop of Rome “returned to the house of the Father” . Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, Francis became pope in 2013 after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. His papacy was marked by a focus on humility, social justice, and outreach to marginalized communities. He was known for his simplicity, evident in his living arrangements and modest attire, and for his advocacy for the poor and environmental causes . In recent years, Pope Francis faced health challenges, including respiratory issues and chronic conditions. He had been hospitalized earlier this year for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis . Despite these health setbacks, he remained active in his duties, delivering messages of peace and compassion. His passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from world leaders and religious figures. U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron both honored his legacy, describing him as a global moral leader and champion for the poor and voiceless . Pope Francis’s funeral is scheduled for April 26 in St. Peter’s Square, following traditional rites. The College of Cardinals will convene to elect a new pope, with many considering the influence of Francis’s appointments in shaping the future direction of the Church. AA