Volume 25 Issue 31

August 30, 2020

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

TRUMP DEMOCRACY

What is democracy?

The dictionary describes it as a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. But what does that really mean?

In a truly Democratic society, the people have the authority to choose their governing legislation. Who people are and how authority is shared among them are core issues for democratic

theory, development and constitution.

Some cornerstones of these issues are freedom of assembly and speech, inclusiveness and equality, membership, consent, voting, right to life and minority rights.

Democracy consists of four key elements: a political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections; the active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic

life; protection of the human rights of all citizens; and a rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.

On the opposite end, a dictatorship is a form of government characterized by a single leader or group of leaders and little or no toleration for political pluralism or independent programs or media.

Dictatorships are not democracies, but some say President Donald Trump is trying to

turn our democracy into a dictatorship.

“President of the United States” is, arguably, the most powerful title and position in the world. And with great power comes great responsibility.

America has forever been the beacon of light and hope for those who seek freedom and basic human rights. But are those being taken away from us under this administration? Are we still Democracy cont’d page 4

Vol. 25, Issue 31

BLACK VOTES MATTER

LAW AND ORDER IN AMERIKKKA A black man shot seven times in the back by police in front of his children. Three police officers placed on administrative leave. Two protesters killed and a white man accused in the killings arrested peacefully by white officers.

Is it a surprise? Many say not.

The latest miscarriage of justice began to unfold on Aug. 23 in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

On that day, a woman called police saying, “her boyfriend was present and was not supposed to be on the premises,” authorities said.

Full details surrounding the incident are unknown, but when officers arrived, they encountered Jacob

Blake Jr. A video filmed by a neighbor shows Officer Rusten Sheskey, who’s been with the police department for seven years, following Blake and pulling on his tank top as Blake tried to enter an SUV. His three children -- ages 3, 5 and 8 years old -were inside the vehicle.

Shots rang out.

“They shot my son seven times, seven times. Like he didn’t matter. But my son matters,” Jacob Blake Sr. said.

Sheskey and two other officers who were present at the shooting were placed on administrative leave.

Civil rights attorney Law and Order cont’d page 3

2 AFRAMNEWS.COM

August 30, 2020

EDITORIAL

President/Chief Editor

Tristar

Griselda Ramirez: Production

Partin’ the Waters

By Omowale Luthuli-Allen

Office: (713) 692-1892 Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Politics, Birthers and Voting 101 Which of the ladies in the photo established citizenship by chain migration and who was born in Oakland, California, USA? Political power speaks to the power of who it can define. Who can define who is a citizen and who is not a citizen? The constitution requires a candidate for the Presidency and Vice Presidency to be born in the United States and 35 years old. It’s time to drop the “birther” conspiracies and focus on the real issues at hand.

Power is the ability to define a phenomenon and make it act in a desired manner.

Politics is the gaining, maintaining and use of power for black well-being. Or political power can be used for acquiring necessary goods and services for poor people, native Americans, brown, red, white or people who are dwarfs.

Political power acquired by the VOTE

and secured by the confidence of the American people determines our ability to secure our livelihoods, healthcare-insulin prescriptions, good housing and schools, continuation of Medicare and Medicaid and a timely direct deposit of Social Security checks.

Politics determine whether a retention pool gets dug along Sims Bayou to prevent your house and hood from flooding.

Does your community have police protection?

Quick responses to 911 distress calls? If not, perhaps your community is not sufficiently organized and voting intelligently. The mayor prepares and administers the budget. The budget is the political expression of goods and services to be delivered to neighborhoods. Have you checked to see what benefits your community should receive?

Houston, along with most big cities, has a strong mayoral form of government.

A short time ago, our ancestors had to pay a tax to vote or take a fake test that required you to tell how many jellybeans are in a jar or how many bubbles are in a bar of Ivory soap. Imagine your anger-rage at a regis-

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

Pictured: President Donald Trump’s mother Mary Trump, ex-wife Ivana, current wife Melania and Sen. Kamala Harris

trar asking you to read a Chinese newspaper.

Yes, you are correct, there is a reason that we were prohibited from learning to read or write and vote.

It is simply a falsehood that voting doesn’t matter. Although voting and political power has not closed the racial exclusion gap, it has

improved incomes and opportunities for the boats stuck on the bottom.

President John F. Kennedy in 1960 won the presidency by 100,000 popular votes- 1 vote per percent. Kennedy believed that “a rising tide lifts all boats.”

Blacks and other racial minorities were

citizens in 1960, but the unprecedented political participation led to happier faces and few wrinkles in our bellies.

John Lewis, Fannie Lou Hammer, Amanda Boynton and all our freedom fighters, WE LOVE YOU BACK!

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

A Revival of God

Consciousness Bobby E. Mills, PhD

Fools of a Fool Democracy is for spiritually intelligent individuals, and this is precisely why the founders created a mass universal educational system.

They wanted everyone to be able to read and understand the spiritual principles of the Bible as a guide for nation-state-unity: “One nation under God, in-

Law and Order, cont’d Benjamin Crump is now representing Blake’s family.

“Jacob did nothing to provoke police,” Crump said. “He was a great father and was only intending to get his children out of a volatile situation.”

Blake suffered injuries to his spine and internal organs. His family reports he is partially paralyzed.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, spoke by phone with members of Blake’s family.

“All [Biden] did was offer his support,” said Jacob Blake Sr. “He was 100 percent real.”

August 30, 2020

AFRAMNEWS.COM 3

EDITORIAL

divisible with liberty and justice for all.”

King Solomon, the wisest leader to have lived, said it best: “As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.” (Proverbs 26: 1). Hence, King Solomon said: “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” (Proverbs 26: 4-5). America, there is a time-honored adage: “convince a fool against his will, he remains a fool still.”

Question: do White Privilege oriented individuals really want

to destroy America, because too many of them are not experiencing the American Dream (millionaires and billionaires)? Of course, you can never satisfy GREED. Greed only produces more greed. Christian Right Evangelicals, GOP and Trump Loyalists, I hope you see yourselves in this scriptural verse. If so, and you want more for you, and less or even nothing at all for other Americans, please reelect Donald Trump for four more years!

And Russia will conquer America without firing a SHOT, because Trump will give

the reins of power to Putin because he has destroyed America’s checks and balances democratic-institutional structures.

The GOP is waging an unholy WhitePrivilege-Culture-War against an inclusive American democratic society: reason versus folly (nonsense). Thus, the GOP is not seeking to address a multi-cultural-inclusive-America; only White Privilege America, not the United States of America. When God delivered the Israelites out of bondage Joshua addresses all the people; not some with these words: “Now therefore

fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seems evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Slave days were not America’s best days, America’s best days are ahead of her, because God is a God of the present and future moments, not the past. Living in the past is a recipe for disaster.

The past belongs to the devil because it was imperfect.

Wise individuals make choices based

upon the greatest need.

Fools do not listen, because they cannot control their tongue.

This is why: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” We are witnessing a lot of nonsensical WhiteCultural-Rage in the GOP-Convention, because children of spiritual-darkness do not understand that: “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” Sin is serious, not because of what it does to US, but because it is against God! Selah.

Demonstrators took to the streets to protest the shooting of (yet another) Black man by (yet another) white officer, and armed “vigilantes” were also out in full force.

Demonstrators scuffled with a group of men carrying long guns who claimed they were protecting the area from looting.

Two men, a 26-yearold and a 36-year-old from Kenosha County, were killed, and a third person was injured, according to authorities. Cellphone video taken shortly before the shooting showed police officers thanking armed civilians for being on the streets after curfew and handing them bottles of water.

Recently released video appears to show 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse opening fire in the middle of the street with a semi-automatic rifle.

I just killed somebody,” the shooter could be heard saying.

Another video shows police letting Rittenhouse walk past them with a rifle over his shoulder and his hands in the air. He then leaves the scene as members of the crowd were yelling that he had shot people. A few days later, Rittenhouse was arrested charged with first-degree intentional homicide.

Rittenhouse’s social media pages show he is a Trump supporter, and a video shows Rit-

tenhouse stood in the front row of a Trump rally in Iowa in January.

President Trump expressed his views about the protests on Twitter.

“I will be sending federal law enforcement and the National Guard to Kenosha, WI to restore LAW and ORDER!” he wrote on Twitter, adding, “We will NOT stand for looting, arson, violence, and lawlessness on American street.”

Black America is taking a stand, saying this has nothing to do with “law and order.”

Protests over Blake’s shooting expanded to sports, where the N.B.A. postponed multiple playoff games on Wednesday after

the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted their matchup with the Orlando Magic. The Houston Rockets also joined the protest.

Former Rockets player and current sports broadcaster, Kenny Smith, walked off the set of “NBA on TNT” in solidarity with the protest.

Tennis star Naomi Osaka postponed her semifinals match, also in solidarity.

“Before I am an athlete, I am a black woman,” she said, continuing, “Watching the continued genocide of Black people at the hand of the police is honestly making me sick to my stomach.

I’m exhausted of having a new hashtag pop

up every few days and I’m extremely tired of having this same conversation over and over again. When will it ever be enough?”

“Some things are bigger than basketball,” Bucks senior vice president Alex Lasry wrote on Twitter. “The stand taken today by the players and org shows that we’re fed up. Enough is enough.

Change needs to happen. I’m incredibly proud of our guys and we stand 100% behind our players ready to assist and bring about real change.”

We agree.

- AANI

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! - AANI

4 AFRAMNEWS.COM

Democracy cotnt’d 2 AFRAMNEWS.COM

the “land of the free and the home of the brave?” Well, that dePresident/Chief Editor pends on who you ask.

Tristar According to his acGriselda Ramirez: Production tions, Trump has teetered dangerously close to crossing over from democracy to dictatorship.

He has used tactics similarOffice:to(713)martial law 692-1892 during protests, has ripped children from Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. their families who try to cross the US-Mexico border, has allegedly withheld funds from states and governors who oppose his views, threatened institutions like NATO and the World Health Organization, and withdrawn from multilateral treaties like the Iran nuclear deal and Paris Climate Accord. Most recently, he is publicly challenging and undermining the democratic voting process by compromising the US Postal Service, sabotaging the mail-in ballot options and casting doubt among his supporters, claiming that the process is rigged and will “cheat” him out of re-election.

With countries around the world watching us, this puts America in a weakened state.

“The problem isn’t just Trump failing to endorse democratic process, it’s that he uses the same strategies as undemocratic leaders to undermine the democratic pro-

August 30, 2020 cess,” said Nic Cheeseman, professor of democracy at the University of Birmingham.

Cheeseman says there is aA “real threat Revival in Trump sending of God Consciousness out a message that he won’t stand up for democracy” that less Mills, democraticBobby E.global PhD leaders will take this as a green light to lower The 2020 their own standards.

Democratic “Leaders around the National world really do look at Convention: Life the international cliThrough Truth! mate to see what they can get away with. If Th e see 2020 you thatPresidential Trump is election is what indiunwilling to promote viduals know about democracy not in other themselves, what countries then they think about backs Donthat Trump. up by underminald Americans ing democracy his must honor God,in and own country, the risk through prayer/suppliat playcome for you, say, cation to know rigging your and own electhe truth, with God’s change the tion help is significantly mindset lowered.” of Christian Right Evangelicals, GOP Trump’s action make Party and Trump America and Loythe alists because process slavery Democratic is Original lookAmerica’s like a joke.

Also, Sin. Slaves didn’t have the president’s “inabila choice, because death itynot to handle” corois a choice.the Death is navirus/ COVID-19 condemnation for the pandemic caused original sin has of disobediinternational scrutiny. ence to God. We know TheGod Institute for Dethat is God, and mocracy published an there is nothing imposopen for letter thisHence, sumsible God. being a slave to sin is mer, in which more really SIN. Moreover, 500 aformer world making slave leaders one’s andself aNobel to sin is sin personifi ed Laureates warned that to whom, and what inauthoritarian regimes dividuals are using thelove/serve. pandemGod gives democracy. every indiic to erode vidual choice. Choices The letter, organized have consequences. On by the 3,StockholmNovember 2020 chose based Institute for conDeto VOTE your God mocracy, highlights science. that theawake Godinhas Ram of in the the crisis,and both authoribush, it happens to tarian and Kamala democratbe Joe and be-

ically-elected govern- Hitler, the ruthless ments the worldAugust over 23, dictator 2020 responsible have used emergency for the Holocaust. powers to arrest pro- It has been noted that testors and sidestep both Trump and Hitdemocratic norms. ler attack the judiciary The letter warns: “Auof law is norule excuse for and not cause God has seen the and thoritarian regimes, degrades anyone not travail of his people. voting, because it’swho noterefore: surprisingly, are disagrees withit’s them. about Trump, about Th “If my peousing the are crisis to siBoth denigrate the GOOD versus ple, which called

by America: EVIL and GOD my name, shall lence critics andhumble tight- immigrants and versus made EVILDOERS. In 2016, themselves, and grip. pray, border en their political closings the Donald Trump, and seek my face, and centerpiece But even some demoof asked their the Black-community turn away from govtheir campaigns. cratically-elected Hitler this question: wicked ways; then will I ernments are fight- wanted to free “What Gerthe Hell You Have hear frompandemic heaven, and ing the by many of Do the Jews, and will forgive emergency their sin, to Lose?” In 2020, the amassing and will heal the land.” answer to Trump’s quespowers that restrict VOTE your God conhuman rights andyour enscience, because hance state surveillife and your children’s lance hang without regard future in the balto legal constraints, ance. Thus, our checks parliamentary overand balances institutionsight, or timeframes al-democratic-system of for theis off restoration of voting ering us hope and life, not chaos and constitutional order. death.

On November 3, “Parliaments are bewe can glorify God, and ing sidelined, journalgive himbeing all the glory, ists are arrested honor and power, and and harassed, minoriat the same time, we reties are being scapeceive the rewards.

“Th ou goated, and the most art worthy, O Lord, to vulnerable sectors of receive glory and honour the population face and power: for thou hast alarming dangers created allnew things, and as the economic lockfor thy pleasure they are downs the very and wereravage created. ” Th ose fabricseek of societies evwho to play God erywhere. and take” the glory from God, also Godstated, will The letter correct us.

Remember “Democracy is unthe Gardenand of people Eden der threat, swho p i r icare t u a labout - d i s oitbmust edience to God. Rememsummon the will, the ber the Sodom discipline, and the and solGomorrah disobediidarity to defend it. At ence when God told stake are the freedom, the Lot-family: “Don’t health,Back.” and dignity of Look America, people everywhere. we must press on toAnother causecallfor ward the high concern is that Trump ing of democracy and sings praises dic“Don’t Look ofBack” tators including wishing for slavery.

WhenJong all is Un said and and Kim done, and you still don’t Vladimir Putin, and vote manyyour have conscience, compared shame on there Trump you! to For Adolph

EDITORIAL

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION we all know the tragic jority.

If we do notEDITION recoglengths he went to tryGREATER HOUSTON and accomplish their nize history, we are “extermination.” And doomed to repeat it.

Trump has, seemingly, And when things are waged an all-out war right in front of your you cannot igagainst immigrants GOP Party have made tion is your very life, face, nore it. from Mexico -ripbecause overwhelm- a mockery of sin: “Fools It’s time to dig a little ping families at a mock at sin: but ingly apart the majority of make the the tragic border,COVID-19 snatch- deeper among and the wipe righteous there is of favour. ” (Provdeathscrying have been Black/ corners your eyes. ing children erbspicture 14: 9).isHence, Browntheir individuals.

In A w orth“Be a from parents and not deceived, God What is not 2020, the Democratic words. locking them all up in thousand mocked:doforyou whatsoever Party is offering an in- image see? a camps. man soweth, that shall he clusive America, full of In addition, neither also reap. ” (Galatians 6: 7) hope for the future, bewas elected by the macause Christian Right Evangelicals and the

- AANI

- AANI

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

August 30, 2020

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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

‘OH BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?’ BLACK TRUMP SUPPORTER SPEAKS Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones, a Black man from the Deep South, delivered a speech in support of President Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention. His appearance, and what he said, was criticized by many Black Americans. Jones wrote an op-ed for CNN explaining why he chose to leave the Democratic party. Here are some excerpts from his letter.

Brace yourself, this brother is making us ask, “SAY WHAT?” ...I’m sure many watching on Monday night were puzzled about my participation in the Republican National Convention for President Donald J. Trump. I don’t blame them. ...The purpose of my speech was to serve as a culture shock, helping others break free of the groupthinkshackles placed on us by White liberals. Black Americans like me are free people with free minds. ...After watching the 2016 presidential campaign efforts, President Trump seemed to me to be one of the only Republican candidates to recognize that. He disrupted what I believe is a false Democratic narrative that the Republican Party doesn’t care about Black Americans. ...Trump uttered those famous words to tens of millions of Black Americans across our land, “what the hell do you have to lose?”

Predictably, the liberal mainstream media and politically correct folks lost their damn minds. …Since taking office, President Trump continues to prioritize earning the support and trust of all Black Americans. He’s championed policies that positively affected our community. …President Trump secured

critical funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. As a proud graduate of North Carolina Central University, I know how important of a springboard HBCUs are to young black men and women working hard to achieve their own American dreams. …President Trump also delivered historic commonsense criminal justice reform. The president signed the bipartisan FIRST STEP Act, helping to reverse the mass incarceration of Black and Brown people caused, in part, by policies like the 1994 Crime Bill, which at the time had broad bipartisan support. ...President Trump spearheaded the civil rights issues of our time -- school choice.

The President and his administration hold a fundamental belief that no child in America -- black or white -- should be denied the right to a high-quality education based on their zip code, and are pushing policies that allow more children to attend the school of their choosing.

This is especially important for kids in minority communities who are disproportionately served by schools with fewer resources and less qualified teachers. ...Despite disgusting assertions from the left-wing media, I am not being paid anything for my support.

President Trump has earned my support. Actions speak a hell of a lot louder than words, and the historic actions taken by President Trump throughout his time in office have improved the lives of many Americans -of every race, background, religion, and creed.

We ask you …. does this Black man need a WAKE UP CALL? - AANI

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

August 30, 2020

Getting more masks to where they’re needed most Across the country, Bank of America continues to work with local organizations to provide critical resources to vulnerable and underserved populations hardest hit by the coronavirus.

To support the safety and health of those most at risk in our community, we are partnering with local leaders and organizations to distribute PPE masks here in Houston.

This is in addition to the four million masks we donated earlier this year in cities across the country — and part of our ongoing commitment to provide millions of masks to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

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Hong Ogle Houston Market President

600,000 masks distributed to our neighbors here in Houston.

We’re partnering with: Houston Complete Communities Initiative

Houston Food Bank

To learn more, please visit bankofamerica.com/community.

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender

© 2020 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

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