Vol 28 Issue 5

African-American News&Issues

THE NEW APARTHEID

By: Roy Douglas Malonson

We are seeing many changes in our communities, and even our schools. Consider the events that are currently taking place at the historic Prairie View A & M University, which is known as the largest HBCU in the state of Texas. The current President Dr. Ruth Simmons, who has been president of Prairie View since 2017, has decided to step down from her role four months earlier than the original date. Her last day would have been June 1st, now that has changed to the end of February.

e abrupt leave is due to di erences with the Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp regarding hiring over the rest of

Dr. Simmon’s Term. It was noted that she could remain as president but only with “limited presidential authority.” She disagreed with this notion and decided to resign early. Dr. Ruth Simmons said, “My immediate response was that I could not and would not agree to being president in name only. No enduring good can arise from subservience to low standards and expectations.” Again, it all comes down to power and control.

Prairie View A &M was established during the Reconstruction period a er the Civil War. It was the rst college in Texas that was created for Black people. Apartheid cont. on pg. 3

BEHIND THE PULPIT

By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.

Passionate, dedicated, phenomenal and faithful are just a few words that describe Rev. Dr. Edwin A. Davis, pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church (GMBC), the oldest African American Baptist church in Acres Homes. Pastor Davis has been pastor of GMBC for 35 years and has grown the church signi cantly over the last three decades. It was in 1987, when he preached what is known to some as his most famous sermon, “ e Boomerang,” which played a signi cant role in him becoming the 8th pastor of the church. A native Houstonian, Pastor Davis grew up in ird Ward and lived on Truxillo Street where his grandmother, Ophelia P. Davis raised and taught him many life lessons.

As a child, Pastor Davis attended church with his grandmother every Sunday morning. He learned to play the organ at an early age and played for several churches in the Houston area, and later received the call from God to enter the ministry. “ e Holy Spirit reveals this calling to you, and you either obey the calling or do something di erent.

BLACK HISTORY IS 24/7/365, NOT 28–29 DAYS

FREE

Rev. Dr. Edwin A. Davis

Chokwe Antar Lumumba

Dr. Ruth Simmons

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

Pulpit cont. on pg. 7

Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D. - Editor

The Overflow

By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.

EDITORIAL A Revival of God Consciousness

News:

Office: (713) 692-1892

Another Day Another Shooting

It seems as if gun violence has become the norm. Another day passes and another shooting occurs. Nowhere seems safe, and no one seems to be doing much about it. It’s like shootings have now become the “norm” and are a part of our everyday life. Just the other day, there was a shooting at Michigan State University where three people died and ve people were injured before the gunman took his own life.

For this year thus far, there have been 71 mass shootings nationwide. We are only in the second month of the year, and sadly, more shootings will occur before we reach the end of the year. What will it take to get this under control? How do we prevent these situations from occurring? It is troubling to think that at any moment, someone can come in, no matter

where you are (school, church, movies, work, etc.), and just open re and kill innocent people. I personally think it begins with holding our politicians accountable. In Texas, we are known to be a state that carries guns, and it doesn’t help that Governor Abbott took away any requirements that were needed to carry a gun, like a license, and training, and implemented the open carry law. I understand the importance of protecting yourself, but some people are not responsible enough to own a gun, and some should simply not have one. e measures that were put in place to carry a gun, were put in place for a reason.

It is sad, but I think some political decisions are not made based on protecting the people, but more of a “self-agenda” to get elected and stay elected. But with guns, this comes at the expense of peoples’ lives, and this sadly includes children. We will never forget the Uvalde school shooting that le 19 children and two teachers dead. Innocent lives that shouldn’t have been taken. More is needed and more needs to be done so we can protect our families and our communities.

Bobby Mills, Phd

Conservatism Has Become Racism

ere is always calm before the storm. is is the record conservatism has become against all things that are of God and against democracy. erefore, in the 21st century conservatism has turned inward against itself, God, family, and country. Self is the enemy. What a shame! Christian Right Evangelicals, e GOP, White Nationalists, Fox “Fake” News, and some spiritually misguided Blacks and other minorities God has

admonished US concerning being angry with our neighbors and brothers, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath, neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4: 25-26). America, this is the spiritual beginning of the reconciliation process, and bringing us in to fellowship with God and one another. en and only then, can we honestly discuss the (1619) Project. Hence, we can honestly a rm that all things work together for good for those who love God, and are called for his purpose (truth). e Golden Rule.

President/Chief Editor

Contributing Writers

Dr. Bobby Mills

Dr. Chelsea Davis Bibb

Crystal Lashan Travis McGee Kenneth Payne

Tristar Web Graphics - Layout Design/Print

Prairie View went through many changes before it became a part of the Texas A&M University system in 1973. Although Prairie View is a Black institution, it is controlled by White people. Dr. Simmons and the new president who will be starting soon are Black, and they hold important titles, but they do not hold the power, nor are they in control.

In Jackson, Mississippi, 82.8% of residents are Black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which has made it the blackest city in America. Even though this city is majority Black, a White supermajority of the Mississippi house voted to create a separate court system and to expand the police force within Jackson. is new “system” would be completely run by White o cials.

e House Bill 1020 did pass and has now moved to the Senate. According to Mississippi Today,

this is what the bill looks like. With House Bill 1020, the White chief justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court would appoint two judges to oversee a new district within the city—one that includes all the city’s majority White neighborhoods, among other areas. The white state attorney general would appoint four prosecutors, a court clerk, and four public defenders for the new district. The White state public safety commissioner would oversee an expanded Capitol Police force, run currently by a White chief. The appointments by state officials would occur in lieu of judges and prosecutors being elected by the local residents of Jackson and Hinds County—as is the case in every other municipality and county in the state. How do you have an entire system run by White people, when the city is majority Black? ere

are several issues with this. First, you are declaring that a Black city can’t take care of itself and must be saved by Whites. Secondly, you have no representation that actually looks like the community. erefore, the Black voice is not heard and the Black vote has been eliminated. irdly, you are not improving the city by doing this, but instead, are making matters worse and taking this city and demolishing the progress they’ve made to live in a city that cares about the people who live there. e Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, is 39 year old Chokwe Antar Lumumba, who called this practice “plantation politics.” If you aren’t familiar with the phrase, IGI Global de ned it as, “ e understanding that institutions including higher education are based on the practice of plantation life, slavery, and slave economy, whereby operationalizing the purchase, sale, safety, and invisible

exploitation of Black bodies.” Under this new system, the Black folks that live there will be the slaves controlled by the masters, who are White people.

e Jackson Mayor also said that this bill reminded him of apartheid. It is the new apartheid. Apartheid occurred in South Africa from 1948 to 1994 and consisted of racial segregation under an all-White government.

e majority population there was non-White South Africans. Does this sound familiar? During these times, Blacks had to be separated from Whites, they couldn’t vote or participate in politics, had to live separately, and couldn’t get involved in interracial relations. What is currently happening in Jackson is nothing new. It’s just new to those who don’t know their history.

2023 ANNUAL WINTER SUPER BALL

By: Crystal LaShan

e Eldorado Social Club had an Elegant and Beautiful 2023 Annual Winter Super Ball celebrating “98 Years of Excellence”. e Eldorado Club was conceived by scholars at Ryan Middle School in 1925 a er they read Edgar Allen Poe’s poem Eldorado. e poem is about a Knight who was in search of the City of Gold.

e club was founded by 14 men and women, but in 1931 the members decided to make the Eldorado Club for Men Only. “No prestige without obligation” is the motto of the Eldorado Club. ey are a dedicated group of Men striving to believe it takes a full Community.

eir 2023 Honorees were Congressman Al Green, Councilwoman Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz of District D & Anthony R Chase, Chairman & CEO, ChaseSource, LP.

Congressman Al Green of 9th Congressional District and City Council Member at

The Eldorado Social Club President, Sam Ford III (middle) with his beloved family.

(L to R) His son, Sam Ford IV, wife, Liz Ford, and daughter, Simone Ford.

Ladies’ Night Out for these Gorgeous Beauties.

(L to R) Dr. Melanie Thomas, Ashley Shelton, Cna Allen, Ebony Cumby, Dr. Angela Jones, Dr. Ashandra BatisteCumby, Dr. Kylie Durand, Anika Porter,

The Eldorado Club guests were enjoying the beautiful Ballroom at the Chateau Crystale.

Mr. Leon & Mrs. Jennifer Williams enjoying a glamourous Date Night out.

Beautiful family photo to commemorate The Eldorado Club 2023 Winter Super Ball.

(L to R) Enrico Calloway, Nakia Edwards, Thelissa Edwards, David Feldman, Tracy Fuller, Corey Fuller, Mitchell Cockrell, Chad Wilson, Charlotte Calloway, Charmaine Feldman, Ivalyn Patterson Cockrell, Melanie Dailey

2023 Honoree Texas

Large #5 Dr. Letitia Plummer.

L to R-Theo Woodard, Councilmember Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Sam Ford III, and George Wyche (Vice President).

MISSOURI CITY DAD& DAUGHTER DANCE

By: Crystal LaShan

e City of Missouri City works really hard to have unique, fun, and engaging programming that brings out the best in their Fort Bend Constituents. eir Encanto themed #MCTX Dads & Daughters Dance was an awesome family event. is popular event was sold out again this year. What an amazing experience for all of the daughters and Dads who came out to have a special date and spend quality time with their loved ones. If you couldn’t join the fun this year, mark your calendars for 2024! is is a mustattend event. Follow the Missouri City Instagram at https://instagram. com/missouricitytx for more details about future events.

HONORING THE MOTHER OF THE JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY MOVEMENT

For 50 years, e Honorable Barbara Jordan was the only African American portrait hanging in the Senate Chambers. On February 10th, 2023, Mrs. Opal Lee was honored by the State of Texas to be the second Black Woman to have a portrait. HERstory is now a part of Texas History with the unveiled portrait of Mrs. Opal Lee. Mrs. Lee is considered the mother of the Juneteenth Movement. Without her determination, persistence, and unwavering commitment to ensuring that Juneteenth was recognized, celebrated, and understood, President Joseph R. Biden and the United States of America would not have o cially made Juneteenth a National Holiday in 2021. We salute Mother Opal Lee and thank her for preserving and becoming a part of Black History.

Texas Representative Ron Reynolds gives his daughter a sweet kiss on the cheek.

The daughters were excited when Missouri City showered them with colorful confetti.

The cutest ever Dads & Daughters Shenanigans were in full effect with Andre Humphrey and his daughter Zoe.

Mrs. Opal Lee and Texas State Representative Ron Reynolds.

As God told Jeremiah, even when I was in my mother’s womb, I was destined and ordained to be a preacher.”

ere are many things that come with being a Pastor, and Pastor Davis does not take for granted the call he answered in 1985. “I have been able to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and have tried to save as many souls as possible. God allowed me to be there on many occasions for God’s people in their time of need, providing them with the comfort they needed. My hope and prayer is that in some way, I’ve been an inspiration to many,” he said.

In addition, being a pastor does not come without its set of challenges. One challenge he mentioned was working with di erent personalities and trying to reach hundreds of people who are at di erent levels in their spirituality. Pastor Davis stated that Co-

vid brought with it its own set of challenges. “Covid stabbed and wounded the church, and it has not recovered yet.” He discussed how this is not only a challenge for GMBC, but a challenge for churches all over the nation.

“It impacted the church in a big way and hindered a lot of people from actively attending church. Although we o er online streaming for service, being online is quite di erent from being in the sanctuary for praise and worship in person.”

Under the leadership of Pastor Davis, GMBC has reached sig-

ni cant heights. In 1993, a new fellowship hall was built, which expanded the square footage of the church. e 15 year mortgage for the construction of the fellowship hall was paid o in four and a half years.

Over the years, GMBC grew even more with the construction of a 15,964 square feet, 860 seat sanctuary, which was completed on September 14, 2003.

A strong believer in supporting the community, Pastor Davis has overseen many community events at the church over the past several years. ese events include festivals, food giveaways, hurricane relief, vaccination and childhood immunization events, and the church has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to assist their youth in pursuing higher education. Pastor Davis stressed that none of this would have been possible without the help of his faithful members.

e 30 year mortgage for this construction was paid in full in fourteen and a half years.

e 30 year this construcin and a half years.

More recently the entire fellowship hall and bathroom areas have been renovated.

Pastor Davis has always stressed the importance of getting an education to his members, and has even been an example of what education can do. Education opens doors and provides better opportunities, but a lack of education can bring larger and more serious issues to the community.”

For more visit aframnews.com

Pulpit cont.

Pastor Davis and First Lady Dr. Charlotte J. Davis

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