July 3, 2022
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
African-American News&Issues
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
Vol. 27, Issue 24 The Civil Rights Bill had too many loop holes in it to really protect your civil rights. - Roy Douglas Malonson
Freedom for America, But Not For Blacks Cont. on Pg. 3
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July 3, 2022
EDITORIAL
President/Chief Editor
Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.: Associate Editor Nick Jones: Afram TV Tristar: Layout Design
News:
How long is too Long ByTravis McGee
Sunnyside Office: (713) 692-1892 Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
How long is too long for any community to be neglected for as long as ours? And when I say “ours,” I mean “We The People.” We all have the same problems—some just worse than others. An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere. All taxing authorities and ELECTED officials should be held accountable for over taxation without any representation. As I evaluate the conditions of my neighborhood, I still see un-drivable city streets, ditches filled with trash and water (some up to 10 ft deep), so-called “affordable” housing surrounded by drug houses, high concentrations of halfway housing, no sidewalks, no zoning, school closures, a high concentration of sex offenders, an increasing crime rate, with a steadily decreasing police presence. I think all areas should receive superior services from our local government and beyond, regardless of the economic, geographic, or demographic makeup of the community. Even though we continue to be neglected, some of us still don’t VOTE for our best interests and keep electing
the same people. In politics the only thing more valuable than money is the voice of the people, 100% for “We The People.” Our vote should be priceless and shouldn’t be bought by anyone who will SELL US OUT. Our vote is our power. The love of money is incentive for political corruption in which the politicians’ hidden agenda becomes priority over “We The People.” Our elected officials are supposed to represent our best interest and not their own financial gain or hidden agendas. The government is supposed to fear the people and not the other way around. Believe it or not our elected officials can only do what we allow them to do, because they are ELECTED officials—keyword ELECTED. Once they are elected they become incumbents, but incumbent shouldn’t mean untouchable or another free ride. It should mean representation of “We The People” 365/24/7 or “We The People“ should be organized enough to vote them out, regardless of race, and continue to do so until we get the representation we rightfully deserve.
For more visit aframnews.com
A Revival of God
Consciousness Bobby Mills, Phd
Change Your Lifestyle Lifestyle represents value orientation. However, an individual must first understand who he/she is before you can understand others, and these spiritual words will help you understand that you are nothing without GOD, therefore: “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and you are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s”(1 Corinthians 6: 19-20). Individuals need to consult with GOD before doing anything because you are not your own. Moreover, God is not through with you yet, because He tells you straight-up: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2: 9). Mindset dictates values and priorities because mind is about God conscience. Therefore, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2: 5). Too many Americans have an ungodly worldly self-serving materialistic mindset. As a result, America has a societal environment that is full of devilish confusion and social conflicts. In fact, some Americans are attempting to rewrite history by reclaiming a past vision of America: slavery rather than embrace multi-cultural democracy. Lair, lair the nation is on fire, because America has become the tyranny of the minority against the majority. Question: does America have the internal spiritual will to correct itself? Seemingly it is an absolute resounding NO, because Christian Right Evangelicals, The GOP, and White Nationalist Groups have too much societal influence over too many Americans, because of their ungodly desire for White Privilege. Moreover, their devilish undemocratic loyalty to former President Trump is an abomination to God, America, and an absolute dishonor to the principles of democracy. Hence, it is almost virtually impossible to change such sin sick minds because they do not understand: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” (Proverbs 23: 7a). For more visit aframnews.com
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
July 3, 2022
AFRAMNEWS.COM 3
LOCAL
Freedom for America, But Not For Blacks By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.
On July 4, 2022, millions of people across the United States, will be celebrating this day with drinks, foods, fireworks, events, family gatherings, and so much more. The fourth of July is known as America’s birth of independence. It was the Continental Congress who voted in favor of independence on July 2, 1776. Two days later, the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. America was now free, but what did this mean for Black people? Absolutely nothing. Black people were still not free. It wasn’t until January 1, 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared “that all persons held as slaves are and henceforward shall be free.” This was 87 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. For 87 years, Black people had to sit back and watch America celebrate freedom but continued to enslave millions of people. Although the Emancipation Proclamation took effect in 1863, there were many states, including Texas that still enslaved Blacks. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865,
that officially marked the end of slavey. That was two years too many. We recently celebrated Juneteenth as it is now a national holiday signed into effect by President Biden. For many Black people, this is our independence, and not the fourth of July. Frederick Douglas, once a slave was an important figure during the Abolitionist Movement. He continued to fight for freedom and for equality for Black people until the day he died. One of his iconic moments was during a speech he gave to his hometown on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York. He did not use this speech as a moment to celebrate America’s independence, but to remind everyone of the enslavement of many that still existed. 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
glorious occasion. He furthered continued his speech and discussed the “inheritance of justice, liberty, and prosperity, and independence,” which was not given to him or the people who looked like him. “The sunlight that brought life and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This fourth of July is yours, not mine.” Frederick Douglas then proposed the question, “What to the American slave, is your fourth of July?” In his response, he expressed the feelings that
many slaves felt as they watched celebrations and excitement surround them but would never include them. He noted that this was the day that would more than ever remind the slave that he is just that, a slave, and a victim to infinite injustice. He called out America, who demanded her freedom and independence, but used “fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy- a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour.” Douglas was firm in his tone and confident with the words he used to describe that current state. Today, even though Blacks are no longer enslaved, it seems as if we still aren’t free. We’re not free from racism, discrimination, income and wage disparities, stereotypes, social injustice, police brutality, and so much more. We are still bound by the weights that continue to try to weigh the Black race down. So how will you celebrate the fourth of July? Deion
Brown, an Education Consultant & Leadership Coach discussed what the fourth of July means to him and how he will celebrate. He stated, “Do I celebrate the day off called the fourth of July? Yes, I celebrate a day off. Do I celebrate it in the sense that American Independence is somehow indicative of my own personal, or Black or indigenous people’s freedoms? No.” This statement only confirms and enhances the words of the great Frederick Douglas that this holiday is not for us and will never be for us. Douglas also stated, “We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the present and to the future.” This statement explains how important history is and why we can not erase it. Without the past, there is no present or a future. We need our history now more than ever. Without it, how do we grow? How do we learn from our mistakes and misfortunes? How do we educate our future so that we are not enslaving future? America’s freedom was not meant for Black people, so how will you celebrate the fourth of July?
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July 3, 2022
POLITICS
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
OBITUARY
holmes SAMS The Honorable JEARLINE DECEMBER 20, 1926 – JUNE 28, 2022 Kentanji Brown Jackson By: Stacy Brown/NNPA
“It took just one generation to go from segregation to the Supreme Court of the United States,” Jackson asserted. “It is an honor of a lifetime to have this chance to join the court, to promote the rule of law at the highest level, and to do my part to carry out shared project of democracy and equal justice under law forward, into the future.” Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson officially joined the U.S. Supreme Court, marking a historic first for an African American woman. After receiving the required two oaths – Chief Justice John Roberts administered the constitutional oath, and outgoing Justice Stephen Breyer, provided the judicial oath – Jackson joined a court in turmoil. Protests have erupted with the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, and other controversial decisions by the high court, including expanded gun rights at a time where the nation has witnessed nearly a deadly mass shooting each day. Judge Jackson’s ascent to the bench still provides hope, she remarked. “It took just one generation to go from segregation to the Supreme Court of the United States,” Jackson asserted earlier. “It is an honor of a lifetime to have this chance to join the court, to promote
the rule of law at the highest level, and to do my part to carry out shared project of democracy and equal justice under law forward, into the future.” The court’s new term begins in September and Jackson immediately will help decide momentous opinions like the federal government’s jurisdiction over wetlands; an Alabama voter suppression law, and affirmative action cases that challenge admission policies at the University of North Carolina and Harvard. Jackson has stated she’ll recuse herself from the Harvard case because she served on the school’s board of overseers.
Mrs. Jearline Holmes Sams was born on December 20, 1926, to Ruben and Effie Holmes. She moved with her family to Houston in 1933 and attended Phyllis Wheatley High School. At an early age she professed her faith and joined Carter’s Temple C.M.E where she was a dedicated member. Jearline believed in family, home, and education. She was a devoted parent to her five children, Robert Delano, Lawrence Charles, Evelyn Joyce, Georgia Elaine, and Arnold Eugene. In April 1959, Jearline was united in holy matrimony with the love of her life, Reverend Dirley Sams. As a couple, they made a positive impact on the lives of many and were dedicated to community service. After she became a widow, Jearline stayed active and adventurous. She continued her love of traveling, visiting more than 40 states and 3 continents. At the age of 75, Jearline came out of retirement to help her granddaughter establish her medical practice serving the Acres Homes community. For her dedication to community service, she was officially recognized by the Mayor of Houston and Tarrant County Commissioners
Court (Fort Worth). One of her lifetime highlights was attending the White House Christmas Party in 2015, for her 89th birthday. She was overjoyed when she and four of her family members privately met and were photographed with Barack and Michelle Obama, who were immediately smitten by her. Jearline died peacefully at home on June 28, 2022, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her 5 children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren, 19 greatgrandchildren, 2 greatgreatgrandchildren, and lots of family and friends. Lovingly known as “Big Mama”, she showered love, advice, jokes, and stories on the many generations who followed. Her life will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at 11:00am in the Rose Chapel of Mabrie Memorial Mortuary.
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
July 3, 2022
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HEALTH/LIFESTYLE
Mental Health is Everyone’s Problem By: Crystal LaShan
Many times, mental health is hard to recognize or identify. Since the pandemic started in 2020, our world has become more perceptive to the need to address mental health and illness. It took the world to a standstill and made us collectively realize our mental health and well-being needed tender, love, and care. This was one of the tremendous residual benefits of the global pandemic. We are finally moving towards a better understanding of the need for and importance of self-care, mental health, and well-being. Mental health is even more
crucial for developing minds like our grade school scholars. The pandemic intensified the need for our scholar’s mental health to be addressed when students worldwide went to spring break and never returned to their beloved schools. Students had to reconstruct the way they learned overnight with educators who gave their best but lacked resources, technology, and understanding of the best strategies to assist their students during these unprecedented times. Due to lack of Mental Health work, limited cont’d pg. 7
L to R-Dr. Janice Beal, Dr. Tia Dole, CEO of the Steve Fund, Dr. Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General, Dr. Robert Ross, President and CEO California Endowment
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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Mental Health resources, and uncertainty of the cont’d pandemic, many students were worried about their future. The need for mental health resources became a necessity and not an afterthought. During the height of the global pandemic, homelessness began to rise. According to Life Coach, Porsche Thornton of Virtuous Phoenix, LLC (www.virtuousphoenix.com), the main reasons many grade school scholars became homeless were economic reasons, such as parents or guardians losing their jobs, or not being accepted in their household because their family turned their back on them because they chose to embrace who they are as LGBTQIA+, or as simple peer pressure. These circumstances have led many young people to believe they are better off being homeless and figuring it out independently. Dr. Janice Beal is glad to give them an alternative to deal with their mental health and wellness issues. Dr. Beal is a consultant and CEO of Beal Counseling Associates, providing individual, family, and group counseling services in Houston and New York. Dr. Beal developed a program for the Steve Fund called “Well Being in Color.” The
July 3, 2022 purpose is to remove the stigma of mental health for our youth. Along with a team of mental health experts, they provided services to middle and high school students from the height of the pandemic to the present day. Founded in 2014, the Steve Fund is the nation’s leading organization focused on supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color. Most recently, in Houston, during Mental Health Awareness Month this past May, Dr. Beal presented a forum entitled “Mental Health is Real,” “Let’s talk about it,” to the scholars of Kashmere High School. The panelists were Dr. Dashiel Geyen, Dr. Gina Evans Hudnall, Marita Padros, and LaKeisha Hughes, along with Dr. Janice Beal as the moderator. Dr. Beal believes this event brings us closer to changing the mental health stigma. Dr. Beal trained ROTC students as her ambassadors. There were over 350 students in attendance. Scholars discussed and answered questions about mental health, anxiety, and depression. Scholars also wanted to know how to cope with personal and family issues. Dr. Beal did such a great job that the students stayed after the presentation and asked
AFRAMNEWS.COM 7
Women of The Missouri City TX Chapter of the Links Incorporated and Kashmere High School students numerous questions. This important event was sponsored by The Steve Fund, The Missouri City TX Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Kashmere ROTC and Beal Counseling Associates. All scholars in attendance received t-shirts, and prizes were given. Dr. Janice Beal is tackling Mental Illness head-on by joining our nation’s top medical experts at events such as the Youth Mental Wellness Summit, a call to action with Dr. V. Murthy, US Surgeon General, sponsored by Steve Fund and the California Endowment. These are the opportunities our youth need to get the
resources, tools, information, and encouragement to find better alternatives to homelessness and running away from problems that will still exist if they don’t address them. The reality is that some youth won’t take advantage of these fantastic resources, so we must tackle our mental health problems from multiple perspectives. We can’t forget those youth who aren’t ready to take advantage of these beautiful For more visit resources. Here aframnews.com
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