Bobby Mills, Phd
The Overflow
By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.
In the Black community, we have different names and social designations for individuals who are spiritually confused and misguided concerning self-identity, such as: Handkerchief heads, Oreos, and Uncle Toms. These social designations are given to Blacks who are confused concerning their God-given identity out of self-hatred, not out of the love of God.
God created all of US to be Godlike: “Let Us make man in Our image, ac cording to Our likeness” (Genesis 1: 27). There is a sickness in the GOP that no derivative of anti-biotics can cure. It’s a spiritual mental condi tion which is grounded in the desire of some to destroy themselves for nothing, because: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matthew 16: 26). The senatorial candidacy of Herschel Walker is a clear-cut example of rac ism driving individuals insane.
Unfortunately, every thing is exchangeable with the GOP, nothing is sacred. Everything is profane, because Repub licans do not understand that: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18: 21). Modern day Uncle Tom-ism is alive and well in the Peach State (Georgia), and there is no shame in the GOP’s ungodly game. Regretta bly, Herschel Walker has only hurt himself and exposed many Whites as having malnutrition of the brain for nominating someone who is out of touch with reality.
On the other hand, Justice Clarence Thomas, and Former Secretary of HUD, Benjamin Car son, with their ungodly Uncle Tom-ism have truly hurt multi-cultural democracy in America.
An “ism” is a schism, and all schisms divide, not unite. America is called the United States because of spiritual and moral aspirations, not for partisan political reasons. However, there is always a cure for un godly personality charac teristics and aspirations: PRAYER! Because PRAYER is internal self-intro spection.
It has been said that ever since young people have been able to vote, they are the group that is more likely to not go out and vote. Why is this?
When young people don’t vote, they are missing out on the chance to make a difference, express their concerns, to be a part of history, and to get their voice heard.
In a time where voter suppression is very real, young people need to educate themselves on what is going on, what candidates are listed on the ballot, who and what they represent, and what their platform is.
It was mentioned that young voters represent a
good portion of the voting population. This shows just how powerful young people are and why their vote is needed. Young vot ers have a direct impact to make change.
One of the main doubts that young people may have within the voting sys tem is that their vote does not count. It does. We saw every vote counts in the state of Georgia not too long ago. So many people came together and turned a red state into a blue one.
Every vote counts!
Another doubt that young people may have that may deter them from voting is the lack of trust within the voting system. With so many thoughts out there regarding “voter fraud,” many have lost faith in the one thing that has made America the “voice of the people.”
from all over the houston area (Acreage home, independent heights, Third Ward, fifth Ward, missouri City, Piney Point, Carverdale, Bordersville, north forest, and all other Black communities) that can produce stories that address current and historical realities affecting our community.
The Trayvon Martin case sparked national outrage and started a trend that has left many Black lives shat tered. Trayvon Martin was a 17-year-old Af rican American male who was shot and killed by George Zim merman on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida. Zimmerman, a “neighborhood watcher” saw Mar tin returning from a convenient store and thought he looked “suspicious.” Zimmer man called the police and was told to stay in his vehicle. He did not listen. Instead, he confronted Martin, things escalated, and he ended up shoot ing Martin in close range and killed him. Zimmerman, who remained uncharged for a little while claimed self-defense, and because the state permitted the “use of deadly force in selfdefense,” they couldn’t charge him. This angered many across the United States as many people demanded justice. Zimmerman was eventually charged and went through due process, and on July 13, 2013, he was found not guilty. Many people felt that this incident could
have been avoided and that Zimmer man simply profiled Martin as nothing more than a criminal. After the Trayvon Martin case, this prompted the birth of an organization called Black Lives Matter (BLM). Founded in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, BLM was created to help combat racism and injustice that contin ues to impact Black people daily. While the original intentions of BLM began as pure and were needed as the organization brought many Black people across the world together like Martin Luther King Jr. once did during the Civil Rights Movement. However, there has been skepticism regarding BLM and their motives. Some people now think the movement has turned into a scam, one that is purely out for money. For one, there are now two separate organiza tions. There is BLM and the T Black Lives Matter Global Net work Foundation (BLMGNF). It has been noted that BLM is the “modern Civil Rights Movement,”
while BLMGNF simply “collects the funds.” Sean Camp bell, an investigative journalist, and ad junct professor for Columbia University made it known in an interview that BLM
chased a $6 million dollar home.
According to BLM, the purchase was made so that people could have a safe house if they feel threatened and a place for Black cre
had his doubts about the organization includes Kanye West, also known as Ye. West is no stranger to controversy and has been in recent contro versy due to wearing a White Lives Matter shirt to his daughter’s basketball game.
Many have been up set and disappointed by the singer’s recent publicity stunt, but West has been vocal in the past about his thoughts about BLM, so this act may not be surprising to some.
As a Donald Trump supporter, there was also speculation about him running for president, and some might view him wearing this shirt as a political move to increase his support from the “right wing.”
shows the lack of unity we have within our race, and pro motes hatred. Why not wear a shirt that says All Lives Matter instead? Because it wouldn’t have created the attention that he is getting now. All of this only adds to the millions of fol lowers he already has. It continues to create his image and set him up for more global success. It’s no secret that West has suffered from bipolar disorder, and some have speculated that his image and mental state changed when his mom died.
and BLMGNF are two different things run by different people and leadership. Ac cording to National Public Radio, the movement allegedly made $90 million dol lars in 2020 and spent $30 million by 2021. Skepticism rose even more when BLM pur
ators where they can come and create art. Many were upset by the purchase and did not understand the need for it and have questioned how the funds are being managed and why the need for two separate entities. One of those individuals who has
Regardless of what some may think of the movement, it has brought a movement of diversity, equity, and inclusion, which has seemingly be come a trend amongst various employers and other entities.
Nonetheless, West has been disrespectful to what the move ment represents and to the Black race.
Wearing a shirt that says “White Lives Matter” only creates more racial tension,
In response to West’s comment, BLMGNF stated, “Black Lives Matter means fight ing to dismantle this system that causes institutional harm… our mission will never become a White Supremacist capital istic commodity — a dangerous machine that consumes its own for profit.”
When it comes down to it, All Lives Matter, but All Lives Can’t Matter until Black Lives Matter too. For more visit
Founded by Crystal Haynes in 2021, A Greater Way is a nonprofit organization that strives to inspire, motivate, bring stability, and hope in helping human ity thrive while advancing the communities. The organization is geared towards helping the elderly and providing them with the resources they need such as a place to live, or even the tools needed for them to continue to “live their journey.”
The inspiration behind A Greater Way was derived from two seniors in the park who were homeless. Haynes recalled that day stating, “I was walking one day, saw them in the park and they were homeless. I had a conversation with them, and we were able relocate them.” It was a good friend of hers who
there is always a way to do many things, but there is always a better way to do things,” she stated.
In addition to helping the elderly, A Greater Way helps the home less by providing them with the needed tools and resources to get shelter. For the elderly, they also go into senior facilities and work with them to continue “fulfilling their pot” and for them to con tinue to reach their full potential in life and help make their journey a little brighter.
A Greater Way also help kids from kindergarten through the sixth grade with literacy and math. Every year, they give away backpacks with school supplies in rural areas. They have given out supplies in Houston, Port Arthur, and Longview to reach those “communities that are not touched by nonprofit organizations.”
Getting the organization started was not a huge challenge for Haynes as she received a great amount of support from others who wanted to
help. For the two homeless people Haynes helped early on, they were able to raise enough money to put them in a hotel for two weeks, get them food, and relocate them into housing. This is just one example of the many things A Greater Way does to help as many people as they can.
This journey has been great for Haynes as she continues to learn how her organization can help the commu nity through different resources. Haynes stated that, “A Greater Way has opened my mind and has opened my heart to love on people who are not getting that physical touch everyday or not getting that encouraging word every day…I find so much peace and joy in it. It’s like being fulfilled with some thing that you don’t even have to get paid for.”
A Greater Way has done many great things thus far and they are just getting started.
In closing, Haynes said, “My heart is just to bring people together for a greater purpose, and that’s just to show humanity that there’s hope even in disparity.”
For more information, you can find A Greater Way on Facebook.
Despite lawsuits from Republicans and other opponents, President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan appears a hit with Black voters.
HIT Strategies, which bills itself as the only millennial and minority-owned public opinion research company, found that the approval ratings for both Biden and Con gressional Democrats increased by 79% to 82%, respectively, after the loan forgiveness announcement.
Researchers show 56% of Black voters be lieve Biden has made progress on issues af fecting Black voters, an increase of 12 points since July.
Fielded via an online opt-in panel from September 15-19 (with a margin of error of +/-3.1%), the survey revealed that 86% of Black voters supported President Biden’s loan forgiveness plan, including 60% who “strongly supported” the policy.
“President Biden’s loan forgiveness plan rep resents another promise fulfilled on one of the most critical economic priorities for Black vot ers,” Terrance Woodbury, a founding partner at HIT Strategies, said in a statement.
“Now, the President must message this plan directly to voters and continue to illustrate how his policies are improving the economic well-being of Black America,” Wood bury stated.
An estimated 165,900 borrow ers from the District of Co lumbia are eligible for student debt relief under President Joe Biden’s recent loan forgive ness plan, including 60,300 Pell Grant recipients.
In Virginia, 965,100 borrowers are eligible for relief, including 566,500 Pell Grant recipients. In Maryland, 747,100 enjoy eligibility, includ ing 419,400 Pell Grant recipients.
State-by-state data released last month by the U.S. Department of Education estimated that more than 40 million borrowers nationwide could benefit from the student debt relief plan, and nearly 20 million might see their remain ing balance discharged.
In August, Biden announced his plan to for give borrowers up to $10,000 in debt relief and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients.
“The Biden Administration’s student debt relief plan will help borrowers and families recover from the pandemic and prepare to re sume student loan payments in January 2023,” administration officials stated.
They said about 90% of relief dollars would go to those earning less than $75,000 per year – and no relief would go to any individual or household in the top 5% of incomes in the United States.
Officials said by targeting relief to borrowers with the highest economic need, the adminis tration’s actions are also likely to help narrow the racial wealth gap.
The White House noted that nearly 71% of Black undergraduate borrowers are Pell Grant recipients, and 65% of Latino undergraduate borrowers are Pell Grant recipients.
Moreover, HIT Strategies said Biden’s plan should help Democrats in the Nov. 8 midterm elections.
Chris led the 2020 elections effort in Har ris County as County Clerk and gained na tional acclaim for protecting and expanding voting rights for 2.5 million Houston-area voters during the most important election in our lifetime.
Today, Chris is calling for Houstonians to defend democ racy once again by voting in the No vember election.
How did we get here?
Chris's innovations, including drive-thru voting, 24-hour voting, online mail ballot tracking, and tripling the number of early voting centers, led to record-breaking voter turnout despite the pandemic and harsh op position from Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton.
Now, the governor and state legislature are working overtime to suppress our right to vote; but they cannot take it away.
Chris Hollins is running for Mayor of Hous ton in the November 2023 election.
Chris believes that we can be the safest ma jor city in America with the strongest local economy. We can invest in the limitless po tential of every child, and value them for who they are. We have the ingredients to top every desired destination list for aspir ing entrepreneurs and growing families.
Learn more about Chris and his vision for Houston at ChrisHollins.com.
This year, the American Can cer Society (ACS) estimates that health professionals will diagnose more than 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 51,400 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ/stage 0 breast cancer in women in the United States.
While there has been an overall 43 percent decline in breast cancer deaths over the last three decades – thanks to gains in awareness, early diagnosis, and treatment –there remains a persistent mortal ity gap between Black women and white women.
Succinctly, African American women have a 31% breast cancer mortality rate.
Earlier this year, BET HER an nounced four original 20-min ute dramas to premiere during Minority Mental Health Month (July) and Breast Cancer Aware ness Month.
The short films celebrate the stories of Black women, which are all written, directed, and produced by Black women while bringing awareness to issues directly affect ing the Black community.
Actresses Meagan Good, Naturi Naughton, Tichina Arnold, and LisaRaye Mccoy serve as specially invited directors.
For McCoy, who slayed in films like “The Player’s Club,” “The Wood,” and “Twice Bit ten,” her behind-the-camera directorial skills shined on Oct. 6 with the premiere of “The Pink Fight,” a captivat ing film about a female boxer diagnosed with breast cancer.
The film follows Tomeka –played by boxing champion Claressa Shields – as she and her wife fight for survival after a devastating breast cancer diagnosis. “Breast cancer has attacked my family. Some have survived, and some have not,” McCoy said during an appearance on the National Newspaper Publishers As sociation’s live morn ing show, Let It Be Known.
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO)
Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, TX (METRO), will hold a public hearing on Monday, October 24, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. to receive public comment on its proposed January 2023 changes to METRO service. The public is invited to attend the hearing and provide comments in person.
The public may also join the hearing and provide comments virtually on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81905935612 or by dialing: 346-248-7799 or 1-888-475-4499 (toll free), meeting ID: 819 0593 5612. Additionally, if you do not want to provide comments during the public hearing, visit RideMETRO.org/Pages/BoardStreamingVideo.aspx to view a livestream of the public hearing. A video recording of the meeting will also be archived on METRO’s website at RideMETRO.org for review.
The proposed service changes may include: Discontinuation of the 418 Harris County Jury Shuttle; changes to routes 23, 26, 88, and 236 / 237; schedule changes to routes 2, 4, 6, 11, 32, 40, 46, 48, 49, 54, 60, 65, 80, 82, 151, 161; Park & Ride Corridors serving Downtown, and the METRORail Red Line; and the proposed bus stop optimization pilot project on Travis and Milam Streets. METRO will continue to make temporary service adjustments in response to changing ridership and workforce availability.
Copies of proposed route maps and available timetables will be available beginning on Monday, October 17, 2022 for public review online and in the lobby of the METRO RideStore, located in the Lee P. Brown METRO Administration Building at 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.
The public hearing on Monday, October 24, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. will be held in the 2nd floor Board Room at 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX (served by METRO routes 6, 11, 32, 44, 51, 52, 54, 82, 85, 102, 137, 160, 161, 162, and METRORail).
If you would like to make public comments in person or virtually, please register as a public speaker with the METRO Board Office at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing, by calling 713-739-4834 or sending an email to BoardOffice@RideMETRO.org, and providing your name, address and telephone number. As explained above, you may attend the public hearing in-person or virtually on October 24, 2022 to provide comments. If you pre-register, your comments will be heard first at the public hearing. Your name will be called at the appropriate time for you to make your comments.
You may also provide comments by:
• Writing to us at METRO, ATTN: January 2023 Service Change, 1900 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002
• Faxing comments with a subject line referencing "January 2023 Service Change" to 713-652-7956
• Calling or texting METRO's Customer Service at 713-635-4000
• Submitting comments on METRO's website – RideMETRO.org
All comments should be submitted to METRO by 12:30 p.m. on Monday, October 24, 2022.
For individuals with disabilities, assistive services or copies of public documents in an alternate format can be provided. Individuals with impairments may call 713-750-4271 a minimum of five (5) working days prior to the public hearing.
Upon request, METRO provides free language assistance to help patrons who have a limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English, in accordance with its language assistance plan. Please call 713-739-4018 or email METROPublicAffairs@RideMETRO.org to request language assistance or other accommodations at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.
1. This Public Hearing conforms to requirements described in the Federal Transit Administration's Circular 9030.1E, published January 16, 2014, page VI-7.
2. METRO does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or in treatment or employment in, its services, programs, and activities.
3. METRO is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, its transit services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
RideMETRO.org • Call or text 713-635-4000
