February 20, 2022
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol. 27, Issue 05 Why was the only time blacks were equal to whites was during the Reconstruction Era from 1865–1877?
“Addressing Current & Historical Realties Affecting Our Community”
- Roy Douglas Malonson
ERIC FAGAN
Ruth Olivia Purifoy
By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.
Eric Fagan has been a Fort Bend Country resident for 30 years. He was elected as the Sheriff of Fort Bend County on November 3, 2020. He was sworn in on January 1, 2021, and became the 45th Sheriff of Fort Bend County, Texas and the first African American to serve in this position since reconstruction 151 years ago. pay a poll tax which His education includes a Bachelor’s degree they couldn’t afford, in Criminal Justice, and a Master’s degree in and if you could afJuvenile Forensic Psychology from Prairie ford it, then you had View A & M University. While earning his to take a literacy test. master’s degree, he was able to obtain If you passed the liteducation and training regarding mental eracy test, they would health. This allowed him to conduct accuse you of cheatpsychological evaluations on inmates under ing, and they would a licensed psychiatrist before their day give you another test in court. With this knowledge, he’s able and make you answer to recognize mental illness, and how to questions like how deescalate a situation that involves someone many beans are in a who is mentally ill. bushel.” These were Due to these experiences, Sheriff Fagan some of the things understands the importance of officers being that were put in place properly trained on how to to try Selma cont’d handle their encounters with Fagan cont’d and page 2 those who are mentally ill. page 3
LIFE IN SELMA
By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.
Dr. Ruth Cummings grew up during the civil rights movement in Selma, Alabama. She was born on February 29, 1952, the seventh born of thirteen children. Her father Nelson Purifoy was a Methodist pastor for the AME church and was a church planter. He would plant AME churches in cities that did not have one and would revive the AME churches that needed coming back
to life. Her mother, Laura Ellen Perry Purifoy, stayed home to take care of the household and children, until she decided she wanted to do more and became a bus driver. She would later transport people to and from mass meetings, the voting polls, and so much more. In the early 1940’s, her family moved into a three-room house, but her father, who was also a carpenter, expanded the house
over time and they had three bedrooms, a dining room, an inside bathroom, and a den. Growing up in Selma, Alabama was not easy as Dr. Cummings experienced and witnessed a lot from her time there as a child. Her involvement with the Civil Rights Movement began when blacks (at that time were called Negroes) were fighting for their right to vote. She reflected on how black people “had to
2 AFRAMNEWS.COM President/Chief Editor
Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.: Associate Editor
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February 20, 2022
EDITORIAL A Revival of God
Consciousness Bobby E. Mills, PhD
Office: (713) 692-1892 Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Grow-Up America America is still experiencing growing-up pains primarily because Christian Right Evangelicals and one of America’s major political parties (The GOP) has an unofficial-official anti-democracy platform. In fact, the GOP has not publicly published an issues platform since the advent of Donald J. Trump on the political scene in 2016. Question: was the platform Trumpstyle Autocracy? Sadly, because the GOP has no moral platform bases for its existence they seek to normalize insanity, and White Privilege Christian churches magnify and glorify the insanity of The GOP. This allows some Whites to live in the insanity of La, La Land: White Privilege. Sadly, some Whites do not understand that there is more White Privilege for some than oth-
ers in the perimeters of White Privilege. Question: how can this be in a democratic multi-cultural society? Easily: the poorest Whites can rationalize that they are better off than Blacks and other minorities, because of real and perceived White Privilege. Consequently, The GOP promotes hyper-partisanship as a political platform to divide and pit White Americans against Blacks and other Minority Americans. Sadly, the Party of Lincoln (GOP) does not have an inclusive democracy oriented mentality; but a White Privilege Autocracy Mentality, if you are yellow you are mellow (Asians) because you are more discipline than me, if you are Brown (Hispanics) you can stick around and cut my grass; but if you are Black you must get back. Asians and Hispanics simply just desire to fit, but Blacks cannot fit in the melting pot American experience.
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block ther stated, “We got the complacent. We let black vote. Dr. Cumdesegregation change min Dr. Cummings who we were as a had the opportunity people, when desegreto see Dr. King speak gation was the worst in person on a few thing that happened occasions. When to us. It hurt us. It asked what Dr. King really did. We had was like in person, our own businesses. she recalled that he We had everything. was “bigger than life.” We decided that we The work that Dr. wanted to be like the King and many others white man but we’re did was very imnot like them.” The portant to the black community, but sadly things are coming around full circle. Dr. Cummings expressed, “We are struggling now to get the right to vote. It’s unbelievable.” The issues that we are currently facDr. Ruth Olivia ing when Cummings it comes to voting are just “another form of a poll black communities tax or a literary test.” were sufficient and We are almost power- had everything they less to do anything needed to survive, about it, except to but when integration go out and vote,” she occurred, it was the stated. beginning of the black If Dr. King were communities being alive today, she torn apart. emphasized that we She made it known would not be in this that life in Selma condition that our was not a fun time nation is in now. “He because you were would have raised always looking over up so many people your shoulder. “It like him to carry on was amazing that we his work.” She furmade it out of there
Selma cont’d
by the Grace of God,” she stated. She also spoke about the current state of Selma and how you can feel the history in its presence, especially when you cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. You can feel the agony and anguish that is still there, which is why she does not go home as much as she should. “It’s stuck in the 60’s, so you can feel the history there,” she exclaimed. Dr. Cummings is saddened by the state of our nation and how history is repeating itself. She said that “you try to let the law work,” but that maybe it is time that we do some “civil disobedience” again. It is time that we get out again and start marching to get our voices heard. She also cannot stress enough the importance of voting. We must get out to vote! In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION During his career, Sheriff Fagan worked under the Recruiting Division of the Houston Police Department as a background investigator. He traveled throughout the United States to perform thorough background investigations on citizen applicants and law enforcement officers from other agencies. During his time with the Houston Police Department, Sheriff Fagan won the Officer of the Year Award three times, and also served as President of the African American Police Officer’s League, and was named President Emeritus for his outstanding work on bridging the gap between the community and law
Fagan cont’d
February 20, 2022 enforcement. Sheriff Fagan also worked in the Internal Affairs Division specifically the Alternative Dispute Resolution sections where he served as a mediator/ facilitator. He mediated over 200 cases with a 100 percent rate of agreement between parties. Sheriff Fagan had the privilege of serving on Mayor Tuner’s protection detail where he gained experience in working with city, state, federal, and international dignitaries while ensuring their protection and safety. He is certified by the Texas Department of Public Safety in Dignitary Protection. This training equipped him with the knowledge of protecting domestic and foreign
dignitaries, and how to be alarmed for possible terroristic and domestic threats. During Super Bowl LI, he worked with the NFL security team, the FBI, Homeland Security, Metro, Harris County Sheriff ’s Department and other law enforcement municipalities around the City of Houston in planning for and keeping over one million citizens and visitors who attended the event safe. Fagan’s career has been nothing less than exceptional, and he is the epitome of what great leadership looks like. He enjoys serving the residents of Fort Bend County as their sheriff. - AANI
African-American News & Issues ENDORSES
ELECTION: MARCH 1 EARLY VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE FROM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14 THROUGH SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, AND TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 THROUGH FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25.
AFRAMNEWS.COM 3 “ David Patronella has demonstrated an ideal combination of judicial temperament and Democratic values. OUNTY
Judge Patronella has my vote.”
ARRIS C AT FOR H DEMOCR URT AT LAW 4 CO
Sheila Jackson Lee Congress
Al Green Congress
Hubert Vo Alma Allen State Representative State Representative
– MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER
Sylvia Garcia Congress
Carol Alvarado State Senate
Senfronia Thompson State Representative
Garnet Coleman State Representative
Harold Dutton State Representative
Letitia Plummer Councilmember
Robert Gallegos Councilmember
May Walker Constable
Sherman Eagleton Constable
Zinetta Burney Justice of the Peace (retired)
DAVID PATRONELLA
PROUDLY ENDORSED BY:
Experienced Judge. Strong Democrat. Proven Judicial Experience • Elected eight times to the Justice Court 1, Place 2 bench • Named Texas Judge of the Year in 2019 by the Texas Justice of the Peace and Constables Association • Instructor for Texas Justice Training Center • Consistently rated “excellent” or “very good” in Houston Bar Association Judicial Qualification Polls
Dedicated Democrat • Elected four times as a Democrat to the Texas House of Representatives • Former member, Harris County Democratic Executive Committee and the Texas State Democratic Executive Committee • Past President of the University of Houston Young Democrats and Vice President of the Young Democrats of Texas • Delegate to Democratic National Convention Political Advertising paid for by David Patronella Campaign in compliance with the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act. The Judicial Qualifications and Candidate Preference Polls are not an endorsement by the Houston Bar Association.
IBEW Local 716
Plumbers Local 68
Afro American Sheriff’s Deputies League
Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, Harris County
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February 20, 2022
BLACK HISTORY
a Tip from Gilbert
DELOYD PARKER
By: Jeniece Thompson
Deloyd T. Parker Jr. has been the co-founder and executive director of S.H.A.P.E. since 1969. Growing up in Port Arthur, Texas, his parents instilled in him a sense of humility, a willingness to help, the courage to face adversity, and the strength to fight injustices whenever and wherever it raises its ugly face. Parker worked in the Ujamaa Villages of East Africa and traveled to many countries in the eastern part of Africa, spreading S.H.A.P.E.’s philosophy. He went to The Gambia in West Africa where he met with the President of The Gambia and was able to expand relations with the
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
government as well as grassroot community leaders. Parker, along with countless volunteers, staff and supporters have built S.H.A.P.E. into a comprehensive and holistic community For more visit institution. aframnews.com
SENFRONIA THOMPSON
Talk, Inspiration and Prayer
Mondays 11:00 am to 11:45 am KWWJ 1360 AM/96.9 FM
By: Jeniece Thompson
Texas Representative Senfronia Thompson has been a true champion fighting for social,
economic and criminal justice reform throughout her career, which has earned her the respect and admiration of many people from Texas and beyond. Rep. Thompson’s legacy is one built from a strong principle of faith, an unwavering defense of freedom, and a staunch belief in fairness. She exemplifies the American ideal that one person can make a difference. Thompson was born in Booth, Texas and raised in Houston. She represents District 141, which includes northeast Houston and Humble.
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Call in at: 832-570-8075
www.atipfromgilbert.com
Episodes are also streamed live on my facebook: www.facebook.com/gilbertandrewgarcia1 www.instagram.com/gilbertandrewgarcia
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February 20, 2022
AFRAMNEWS.COM 5
BLACK HISTORY CRAIG A. FAYE BEVERLY WASHINGTON BRYANT
By: Jeniece Thompson
Craig A. Washington was born on October 12, 1941, in Longview, Texas. He attended Fidelity Manor Senior High School in Galena
Park from which he graduated in 1958. Washington attended Prairie View A&M University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in biology in 1966. He went on to attend Texas Southern University Law School from 1966 to 1969, graduating number one in his class, with honors. Washington also served Texas Southern University Law School as Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor of Law, teaching a course in legislation. In 1970, he left the University to enter private law For more visit practice.
By: Jeniece Thompson
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Faye Beverly Bryant was born on March 15, 1937, in Houston, Texas. She was the 21st International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. Under Bryant’s leadership, the theme of the AKA Sorority became P.O.W.E.R. Bryant was initiated into the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Howard University in 1955. After graduating from Howard University with her B.A. degree, Bryant returned to Houston and transferred her affiliation to the Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter of Houston in 1957. She went on to earn her M.A. degree in counseling and guidance from the University of For more visit Houston. aframnews.com
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BLACK HISTORY
How we’re boosting the fight against hunger Bank of America is proudly supporting our employees’ health and safety and addressing one of our local community’s most critical needs. Each day, millions of Americans suffer from food insecurity, which typically spikes during the winter months. For every employee who lets us know they’ve received a booster shot, Bank of America is donating $100 to local hunger-relief organizations. This is a direct investment in the health of our teammates, and in the well-being of the communities where we work and live. Through this effort, our team in Houston recently presented Houston Food Bank with a check for $125,000. This contribution is in addition to our long-standing philanthropic support to help fight hunger and food insecurity across the country. We are proud to be able to help our community as we work together to move forward.
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Learn more at bankofamerica.com/houston
Donations in each market reflect $100 per employee who has recorded their booster and an additional company contribution. Vaccination boosters and vaccination reporting are voluntary. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.
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