June 19, 2022
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol. 27, Issue 22
African-American News&Issues
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
It’s sad that sometimes you have to f ight the people you’re f ighting for. - Roy Douglas Malonson
Mayor Ron Leverett
Waymond Perry
Xante Wallace
Charles Zech
Terralyn May
Jonathan Randle
Nathan Alexander
Wendy Williams
PRAIRIE VIEW DILEMMA Cont. on Pg. 3
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June 19, 2022
EDITORIAL
President/Chief Editor
Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.: Associate Editor Nick Jones: Afram TV Tristar: Layout Design
News:
Partin’ the Waters By Omowale Luthuli-Allen
Y This Will Not End Well Unless Office: (713) 692-1892 Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
According to sage Maya Angelou, courage is the indispensable virtue. In street parlance, courage is the result of nuts and guts, testosterone and estrogen, amygdala and cerebellum seizing the reigns in a distressful moment. The blood of the children and teachers are on the hands of those who continue to sit on their hunches and push back against meaningful gun resolutions. Let me share this word with you. BESLAN. BESLAN was a mass casualty event in Russia in 2003. BESLAN was a domestic terrorist attack that targeted a school. 1100 people were taken hostage, 333 were killed and 186 of them were children. Wikipedia reports that over 100 people are missing and that 100 were burned alive. Powerful explosives had been smuggled into the school and snipers had been positioned to repel a rescue. The majority of the children were treated for burns, gunshot injuries, shrapnel wounds and mutilations caused by explosions. Some had limbs amputated and eyes removed,
and many children were permanently disabled. Let me share this word with you. Oklahoma City bombing, 2005. American domestic terrorists exploded fertilizer equivalent to 4,000 pounds of dynamite at the Federal building. The building contained a day care center and among the 168 murdered by the terrorists were 19 children. The youngest child to die was 6 months old. Let me share this word with you. The 16th street Brimingham church bombing swallowed the lives of four girls who were destined for greatness. Unrepentant white supremacists declared a false victory, but they paved the way for the Mother Bethel mass killing of nine saints. Red Flagg laws are a bare minimum. A red flag law is somewhat like a restraining order. Think of a deranged husband or lover that is bent on retaliating for being dropped. Often these demented souls kill their exes and often any children or family members that were related to the victim. A Red flag law would allow the courts to confiscate weapons that could be used in an attack. The person then loses the ability to carry a concealed weapon and is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a For more visit firearm. aframnews.com
A Revival of God
Consciousness Bobby Mills, Phd
Open-Casket Funerals Mass murders in American society are becoming too sinfully common place. The spiritual moral question is WHY? Moreover, why hasn’t American society been able to stop most mass murders? At the heart of the problem is the spiritual and moral breakdown of the nuclear family structure. Too many Black males are growing-up without positive father-figure role models in their homes. Far too many White males are growing-up with a spiritually misguided gun-culture attitude. Thus, too many White mothers are not giving Godly motherly advice to their husbands, concerning guns in the home and larger society. Women/mothers are ordained by God to be the spiritual nurturers and protectors of children from misguided notions about guns as protection from the Federal government and others. Unfortunately, White women are spiritually failing to help their husbands understand that guns are not the answer. Question: why is it that Western democratic free nations do
not have a gun culture and mass murder problem? In fact, European nationstates are much older than America as civilized democratic nations! By and large, White women because of their spiritually and morally confused voting patterns have allowed America to devolve into a vulgar gun culture nation, which in turn, kills their children: Columbine, Sandy Hook, and Parkland to only name a few. Christian Right Evangelicals, The GOP, White Nationalists and some spiritually confused Black males believe that guns are the answer, not GOD. Hence, they really do not have FAITH in GOD, and believe that God is the only answer. Consequently, guns, guns and more guns have America headed for the eternal bonfire. Jesus teaches us about the futility of weapons and violence: “Put up again thy sword into his place, for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matthew 26: 52). The current legislation under consideration in the Senate is not worth the paper it is written on, because it does not address the spiritual-moral root cause of guns, guns, and more guns. It’s only a form of political cover for the GOP. For more visit aframnews.com
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
June 19, 2022
AFRAMNEWS.COM 3
LOCAL
PRAIRIE VIEW DILEMMA By: Bobby Mills, PhD
PRAIRIE VIEW-Recently, the City of Prairie View, Texas held its duly constituted fair and free democracy Mayoral election on May 7, 2022. There was a clear-cut decisive certified winner: Ron Leverett. The winner, Ron Leverett, for undemocratic and ungodly political reasons has been locked out of City Hall, and not given the keys to commence the normal duties of serving all the citizens of Prairie View as mayor. Intelligent individuals of sound moral character would think that in 2022 in a multi-cultural democratic society the peaceful transition of elected positional authority would be a normal peaceful transition of leadership. Elections have consequences. Former President Trump’s ungodly and undemocratic mentality has transcended Washington, D. C., and has implanted itself in a small town populated mainly by Black residents: what a shame! Apparently, some city council officials undoubtedly desire a Black Autocratic form of governance rather than a democratic form of government of the people, by the people and for the people. It is not about skin pigmentation. Its about Power, Privilege and
Pleasure without color distinction. Individuals, White or Black who will not conform to time honored established transitions of orderly democratic transition of leadership power and will not follow time honored democratic traditions should be punished to the “letter of the law”. It is obvious that some Blacks need to be disciplined in political discourse and have a “Come To Jesus Experience”. The City of Prairie View is almost (70%) Black and there is untold leadership confusion among some Blacks concerning “Who Is The Greatest.” All Godfearing individuals know that if you desire to be great (greatness), you must first be willing to serve! Questions: how can you lead if you have not served? How can you serve if you are not willing to follow, and obey laws that are established for the orderly transition of leadership roles? Some individuals say that they have been born again, but have they? When individuals who are duly elected members of City Council refused to accept
the orderly tradition of power to the mayor’s position; the question must be asked have they really been born again? Because “being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (1 Peter 1: 23). If individuals are willing to allow a City Secretary to take arbitrary actions to limit the authority of the mayor to control
the agenda and budget (money), and deny the mayor physical office space, and refuse to give him the keys to City Hall that is Trump-style autocracy, not democracy. Question: under these circumstances how can we have a democratic orderly society? Somebody needs to make an appointment with a Pastoral Professional to get a Godly spiritual understanding concerning leadership, because some City Officials in Prairie View clearly do not
understand the Word of God and His Statutes, because “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119: 11). The duly constitutionally elected Mayor of Prairie View and citizens of good will should immediately file a class-action lawsuit against the City Secretary and those members of City Council who are partakers of this ungodly vulgar power grab. We all know about secular authority, and we all know about God’s authority to judge the quick and the dead. Therefore: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1: 20-21). Doing the devil’s work is a dangerous proposition because it creates untold confusion and consequences. Now, with devilish impunity the City Secretary and some members of City Council are hell bent
on restructuring the city’s strong Mayoral form of governance to a City Manager form of government and hire the White female City Secretary as the City Manager to control the city budget (taxpayers’ dollars). To make matters more ungodly insane and nonsensical, the proposed City Secretary/City Manager lives in Tomball, not the City of Prairie View. Likewise, the White City Attorney lives in Austin a blatant display of malnutrition of the brain. The City of Prairie View is a noted college town and a HBCU noted intellectual center, and yet devilish confusion is occurring in City Hall: shameful. Finally, the editorial writer would like to suggest two scenarios of moral action: (1) members of City Council need to have a spiritual meeting of the minds concerning how they desire to live and govern the affairs of the City of Prairie View, especially as a godly example of leadership for future generations: (a) how does public leadership negativity and conflict affect our children when adults behave like disobedient children?
For more visit aframnews.com
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June 19, 2022
POLITICS
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
THIS DAY IS FOR US By: Laisha Harris
The Civil War began on April 12, 1861. During the war, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that declared all enslaved people in the south were ‘free.’ The South was defeated on April 9, 1985. Mind you, there were no cell phones or email, so the message of freedom didn’t reach Texas until General Gordon Granger came to Galveston, the morning of June 19, 1985. Juneteenth is a celebration that began in cities with large slave populations like Austin, Galveston, and Houston. At the time, we weren’t welcome at public parks and white spaces. In 1872, former slave Reverend Jack Yates, Richard Allen, Richard Brock, and Reverend Elias Dibble purchased land for a park that we know as Houston Emancipation Park.
As the oldest park in Texas, the land on Emancipation Park symbolizes more than a place for children and families to gather and play. Emancipation Park symbolizes the determination and subsequent action taken by those former slaves. For hundreds of years, they were property, incapable of owning the land they were forced to work on. As soon as an opportunity presented itself, Yates, Allen, Brock, and Dibble acquired $1,000 and purchased 10 acres of land to exclusively provide a space where black people can celebrate Jubilee Day. In 1938, Governor James Allred declared June 20 as the observance of Emancipation Day. For nearly 150 years, the black population has found a way to acknowledge and embrace the history and joy associated with Juneteenth before
it was acknowledged as a Federal Holiday. In 2021, President Joe Biden declared Juneteenth as the eleventh American federal holiday. Since then, brands such as Walmart, Amazon and Party City have started selling red, yellow, green, and black party favors, party décor and Juneteenth themed products “celebrating black freedom.” “My favorite is the coozie that says, ‘it’s the Freedom for me.’ Like, I can tell these places do not have black people on their marketing team because there is no way a black person would’ve signed off and been like, ‘You know what, Jim, that’s a great idea!’” says Houstonian Brianna Perkins. “We have celebrated this day for years. If Walmart would have donated to the families were
lost loved ones at the supermarket or gave black people a raise, they would have done something. But I literally do not care about the ice cream, and I don’t need table covers or stickers.” The response shows clear polarities in what is valued amongst the two groups. On one hand, the value is in the dollar – what people will waste their money on in the spirits of celebration. On the other, the value is in the history: acknowledging the journey of our ancestors and the willingness to act. It is not a marketing scheme; it is not pandering with products, it is not a moment for mocking, nor is it a moment we have to share. How did Solange put it? “Don’t feel bad if you can’t sing along, Just be glad you got the whole wide world – This us.” This day is for us.
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
June 19, 2022
AFRAMNEWS.COM 5
FATHER’S DAY SPOTLIGHT
BLACK FATHERS IN AMERICA
Sergeant Jeremy Lahar, Kari Lahar, Kingston Lahar, and Alaina Lahar
By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.
Being a Black man in America is hard, but being a Black father in America, that can be challenging. Being a father is more than just having a child. It means being there for them, supporting them, educating them, and raising them into respectable young adults who will eventually go out into the world and start a life on their own. Five fathers were interviewed and were asked the same questions regarding their perceptions of being a father. Q: What does being a father mean to you? Being a father is an amazing thing. It means being part human part superhero. You have to be loving, stern, supportive and so much more to give your children a foundation to grow. -Daniel Keaton Being a father is a blessing that I do not take for granted. It’s an opportunity that is not afforded to everyone. To watch someone with half of what makes you unique grow up before your eyes in your children, is nothing less than remarkable. -Sergeant Jeremy Lahar Being a father to me is both having Privilege and Opportunity. The Privilege of being able to go through life with the seed that God gifted you, through you. Being able to Love and cherish every moment throughout life together. -Devin Johnson It takes an exceptional man to be a dad… Being able to cultivate a growing and loving environment, while providing resources, and
protecting my daughter are the most important things to me. -Chris Burrell Being a father is everything! It’s challenging but so rewarding; and I have a girl and that changes how you act. For the better of course. -Tony Warfield. Q: In your eyes, how are Black fathers perceived in society? Black fathers in society’s eyes are rare. Society thinks most of us left to get milk but, in actuality we came back home with bags of groceries. -Daniel Keaton Unfortunately, they are perceived as inconsistent or even absent. - Sergeant Jeremy Lahar I believe the Black Father is not honored, appreciated, and respected as much as they should be. Perception as a whole has been looked at in a more negative way than positive. -Devin Johnson In today’s time, the social convention of the black father is very dismal. Society demonizes Black fathers as absent from the child’s life, womanizing, and neglectful when it comes to raising children; often using the power of money as a substitute for their presence. But I am grateful that perception isn’t always reality and that there are countless Black men in this world that are great fathers, and their work, effort, and presence are now visible (due in part with social media) and changing the social paradigm to a more positive reflection for Black fathers everywhere. -Chris Burrell
Taige Simon and Tony Warfield
Chris Burrell and Carsyn Burrell
I think my generation is definitely changing how Black fathers are perceived in society. We are present, we are providing, we are loving, and we are dope. -Tony Warfield Q: What do you love most about being a father? I love the smiles my boys give me every time they see me and seeing that little bit of me in everything they do. -Daniel Keaton I love the opportunity to teach my children everything I’ve learned so they can exceed their mother and I in what they can accomplish in life. - Sergeant Jeremy Lahar
Devin Johnson and Bryson Johnson
What I love most, is being able to watch my kids laugh, smile, and enjoy the moments of life that excites them. -Devin Johnson For me, what I love most about being a father is seeing my child grow up and having a hand in their development. -Chris Burrell The best thing about being a father is knowing you’re a superhero to somebody and they will love you, just like you love them. -Tony Warfield
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June 19, 2022
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
June 19, 2022
COMMUNITY HISTORIC DISTRICT DENIED
AFRAMNEWS.COM 7
Join me Gilbert Andrew Garcia in celebrating
By: Crystal Toussant
not pleased with how the start THIRD WARD - When I was of the Historic District process made aware of the Historic was conceived and carried out. District fight, I was confused The first meeting that established about why so many people were the desire for the Third Ward against it. I have a love for all Residents to be designated as things history, so I didn’t quite understand the pushback. I think a Historic District was sent via text message and told to people Houston has a very diverse and rich history in Third Ward, so why only in the Black neighborhoods. The City of Houston guidelines wouldn’t anyone want to preserve it. I believe that the City of states that there needs to Houston could do a better be a public forum that is job of truly creating an open invitation to more landmarks and everyone. The ordinance signage to explain the also says there is a series history of the place, of public meetings that people, and landmarks must occur. that make Houston such The first meeting an amazing city. that was listed as the public forum I chose to attend the only consisted Historic District of 15 property Town Hall owners who were Meeting at St. directly contacted Mary’s Church Dr. Carolyn to attend, but Multi-Purpose Evans-Shabazz no public effort Center Gym. to invite the The meeting community was was sponsored made. The next meeting was by Councilwomen Dr. Carolyn also attended by a select few Evans-Shabazz of District D because the notice to the Super and moderated by Khambrel Neighborhood Head was never Marshall, KPRC News Anchor received. with guest speaker, Director Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz Margaret Wallace Brown from discovered that the email was the City of Houston’s Planning incorrect which was the reason and Development Office. The for the low participation and late purpose of the meeting was to dissemination of information to help people of the Third Ward the community about the second Community to better understand meeting. Many the Neighborhood Preservation residents feel that Tools, to give the community a the city doesn’t chance to have a question-andwant to work with answer session, and to share a Community Leader’s Presentation the citizens of for Riverside Terrace, Third Ward, Third Ward, so For more visit they are trying to and Timber Crest. Many Third Ward residents were circumvent them. aframnews.com
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June 19, 2022
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
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