Volume 29 Issues 20

“Addressing

We the People

Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

By: Shelley McKinley, Ed.D.

August 20th, called Slavery Remembrance Day, is fast approaching and commemorates the day that the rst 20 enslaved Africans arrived to American shores on the slave ship called the White Lion at Point Comfort, VA in 1619, near what is today called Norfolk. Unlike Juneteenth which celebrates the liberation of enslaved African American people, August 20th is intended to annually observe African American contributions to America while enslaved. It also memorializes those who did not survive the deadly middle passage, and honors the generations of people of African descent who were born to and died in slavery between 1619 and 1865. “We were

We need to start holding each other accountable.

Roy Douglas Malonson

THE CONSCIENCE AGENDA COOK WINS BY 74 VOTES

brought here to be a permanently, identi able caste of enslaved people,” clari ed Congressman Al Green.

Slavery Remembrance Day, a component of the Conscience Agenda and considered our moral imperative, also observes the victories of an enslaved people in spite of the seemingly invincible challenges. e Conscience Agenda involves ve points.

“Dr. King reminds us that the time is always right to do what is right. More importantly than the right thing to do, is the righteous thing to do. is is what we must do if we are to be respected in this country because we are disrespected. e conscience is that thing that

By: Diego Martinez

State Senator Molly Cook appears to have narrowly clinched victory over state Representative Jarvis Johnson in the Senate District 15 primary runo for the second time within this month, positioning herself to retain the long-held Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s seat in the upper chamber.

Cook currently leads Johnson by 74 votes, with all precincts reporting, as per uno cial results, a margin well within the range for a potential recount. is count also excludes late-arriving mail-in ballots.

By Zibora Gilder Tales and Tastes from the South

SOUTHERN TALES

Memories of loud Saturday mornings with Johnny Guitar Watson playing in the background, the smell of thick-cut bacon with the rind on, butter melting on the shiny glaze of sugar on grits, so scrambled eggs seasoned with salt and pepper, and oven-toasted toast with three perfect indentations of melted butter. at was a typical Saturday morning in Mary Zina’s house—a southern grandmother from the piney woods of East Texas who passed down cherished southern values, impeccable cleaning habits, crisp ironed clothes, and Christian beliefs. e desire to have a good life in the city while passing down values of family, community, and collaboration coexisted. A er the deaths of the most important individuals in a family—the matriarch and patriarch—the question arises: what was all the work and sacri ce for? Was it to let years of ownership go to the highest bidder? To let strangers live in spaces where they have no investment? Was it to let families ght over money that will be gone within two weeks of inheritance? Where does the entitlement come from? Where do all the elaborate plans for property come from when no e ort was made to earn it?

With the elder statesmen dying at such a rapid rate, feelings of sel shness arise. ere is a longing to have recorded every moment, to remember

every conversation, and to know more about family history. eir hard work continues to pay o in the lives of their descendants, but how it would be wonderful for them to see it.

In the historic Fi h Ward community, rich history stands resilient against the attempt to rename it as EaDo (cue eye roll). A year of trajectory shi s turned a short ight for a weekend of fun and educational experience into a life-changing event. From visiting D.C. for the Black Deaf Symposium to having one day to complete an application and getting accepted with a full scholarship into Howard University. Howard University challenged students to the core. Daily reminders of southern roots confronted assumptions of being ghetto, talking slow, and having undereducated opinions. Attending Howard’s Chapel sparked a true mental shi , compelling students to question their entire Southern Christian faith. What was thought to be liberal thinking leaned more towards southern conservative beliefs. Life, education, and values had been shaped by a very white supremacist, exclusionary lens.

e remnants of slavery and Jim Crow intertwined into every aspect of life. Food deserts had become normalized. In Fi h Ward and Homestead, the only grocery options were Fiesta on Lyons and Lockwood. e “why” behind this was never questioned.

e neighborhood store Allie’s across from Collingsworth Apartments was overpriced and lacked healthy food options.

America is crazy. Craziness is simply a carnal mind: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the esh cannot please God.” (Romans 8: 6-8). e Presidency of Donald J. Trump was carnalminded abnormality to the nth degree, because in all of Trump’s thinking, and actions craziness prevailed. In fact, the Presidency of Donald J. Trump was so abnormal, until it was an abomination. A great American scientist profoundly stated that: “doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a di erent result is Insanity.” America, we have seen the Trump insanity show, and we do not need a repeat performance. America, if we give Trump an encore devilish performance, we are practicing ungodliness to the nth degree. Nothing that Trump and his “MAGA” Cult followers are dealing with is normal, because democracy is for spiritually intelligent individuals. America is a multi-cultural democratic society and our Declaration of Independence, Preamble, and Constitution boldly declare that Godly fact, and many of our ancestors lived and died for human rights, civil rights, and human dignity, and are still doing so, both Blacks,

Whites, and others. Hence, we should never forget that: “Righteousness exaltheth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14: 34). Donald J. Trump boldly declared that he has nothing to ask God to forgive him for, either Donald J. Trump is abnormal or every individual in the world is abnormal. All individuals ask God daily to forgive them, because sin is about motive. Only God can judge motive and forgive sin, because: “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.” (Proverbs 21: 3). Every individual has a God conscience that informs him or her concerning right from wrong, and at the same time, every individual must be able to bridle his own tongue, because: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18: 21). Demonic spirits need human bodies to execute the devil’s programmatic will of telling lies to create confusion, selfannihilation, and destruction. Demonic minds are carnal minds. If individuals care about themselves, they will seek wisdom, because wisdom will: “create in me a clean heart O’ God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10). All individuals are born in sin and wrapped in iniquity. erefore, our natural inclination is sel shness to please ourselves rather than God, and therefore, in twentyrst century America, it is di cult times for Christian service, but: “ is know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Bobby Mills, Ph.D.

tells you the rightness or wrongness of something. e moral imperative emanates from the conscience. If there is something you know is wrong, then you are to correct it,” explained Rep. Al Green.

e rst point is to expand Slavery Remembrance Day to prevent the evils of slavery from fading from our collective memory so as to prevent it or its discriminatory practices such as mass lynching, black codes, lawful segregation, and institutional racism from making a comeback. is is extremely important in the current political climate. Slavery Remembrance Day, sponsored by Rep. Al Green and co-sponsored by 77 others, passed in the U.S. House, but not the Senate. However, it was acknowledged by President Biden in an August 2022 press release. Slavery Remembrance Day seeks to recognize slavery as we recognize 9/11, Pearl Harbor, and the Holocaust. “We Black people of African ancestry have to be proud of our ancestors because they were the economic foun- dational mothers and fathers of

the country, and were sacri ced so that America could achieve the greatness that it has,” shared Rep. Al Green.

e second point is to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the American Enslaved, as we did for the Confederate soldiers on July 18, 1956, who fought to maintain slavery. Congress has never awarded a Congressional Gold Medal to the over 10 million enslaved men, women, and children who arduously labored to fuel our nation’s foundational wealth. Awarding of a Congressional Gold Medal is not unprecedented as it has been awarded to Confederate soldiers, the Tuskegee Airmen, the Navajo Code Talkers, and posthumously to the Service members who died in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021. e economic foundational mothers and fathers of the country deserve a Congressional Gold Medal. Rep. Al Green’s third point is to remove the name of Richard Russell from the Russell Senate O ce Building in Washington, D.C. e building, referred to as the Old Senate Building prior to 1972, took on the

self-proclaimed white supremacist’s name largely due to his longevity of 40 years in the Senate. Richard Russell, however, was an opponent of federal civil rights legislation and co-authored the 1956 Southern Manifesto that criticized the Supreme Court’s landmark Brown vs. Board of Education desegregation case as an abuse of judicial power. Rep. Al Green argues that his name should be removed from the tax-supported building. “It is a place of national shame. I assure you that if this building was named in such a way to o end Anglos, then the name would come down. e name should come down because it o ends people of African ancestry.”

e fourth point is to enact a Securities and Exchange Atonement Act, which will investigate the extent ofnancial companies’ historical connections to slavery and facilitate atonement from those companies, namely insurance companies and banks, who pro ted directly from slavery. Such an Act would amend the Securities Act of 1934 to require issuers of securities to conduct a racial equity audit every two years regarding civil

rights, equity, diversity, and inclusion. e audits will be reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and publicly. Additionally, the Act would create an O ce of Reparations Programs at the Department of Treasury to provide funding for racial equity.

e h point is to establish the Department of Reconciliation (DOR) tasked with creating a national, comprehensive strategy to eliminate racism and invidious discrimination. e Department would correct past, and prevent future transgressions against all minority groups (African American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, female, LBGTQ) who face unjust discrimination and disadvantage. To ensure the Department will always have funding, Rep. Al Green proposes no less than 10% of the Defense Department’s budget, roughly $84.1 billion, to ensure that the work will go uninterrupted. ere is pending legislation sponsored by Rep. Al Green to jumpstart the work of the DOR.

Congressman Al Green and Members of the Ever Ready Masonic Lodge #506, Charles Mills (103 year old Veteran)

IS AMERICA SPIRITUALLY BLIND?

By: Bobby E. Mills, Ph.D.

Too many Americans believe that might makes right, because they are spiritually blind. Without a doubt, Donald J. Trump is one of the greatest proponents of this fool hearty philosophical principle. However, God says: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4: 6). e life of Jesus is a spiritual reminder that the Kingdom of God cannot be established with physical weapons of warfare when he told Peter: “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” (Matthew 26: 52). Individuals can have physical sight, but are spiritually blind, and vice versa. In the Gospel of Mark Jesus encountered a physically blind beggar, Bartimaeus, as he was leaving Jericho, sin city. Bartimaeus was only physically blind, not spiritually blind deep in sin. Bartimaeus had heard about Jesus and was waiting for Jesus by the roadside. When Jesus came by Bartimaeus yelled Son of David, and Jesus answered: “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” (Matthew 10: 51). “ e blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and fol-

science. Christian Right Evangelicals, e GOP, White Nationalists, Fox “FAKE” News, and some spiritually misguided ties open your spiritual eyes and allow the life, because: “If have fellowship

places when God has asked us to hold fast, and to become a living sacri ce to Him: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

lowed Jesus in the way.” (Mark 10: 51-52). Isn’t it amazing that in the 21st century, individuals that have physical sight can be so spiritually blind to a sinful carnal-minded male, such as Donald J. Trump. A carnal minded male is someone without a God Conscience. Christian Right Evangelicals, e GOP, White Nationalists, Fox “FAKE” News, and some spiritually misguided Blacks and other minorities open your spiritual eyes and allow the light of God to prevail in your life, because: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1

sus Christ his Son sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1

John 1: 6-8). Donald J. Trump is a classic spiritual example of an individual that has lied to himself as well as others time a er time.

John 1: 6-8). Donald J. Trump is a classic spiritual example of lied to himself as well

Too many Americans have become spiritually blinded by sin and corruption in high

Too many Americans have become spiritually blinded by sin and corruption in high

is success marks Cook’s second win over Johnson this month. Initially, she defeated Johnson with a 57% to 43% margin on May 4 in a special election triggered by Whitmire’s resignation to assume the mayoral o ce earlier in the year. Sworn in on May 16 to serve out the term until year-end, Cook now advances to the November ballot to contest for a full term, representing a diverse segment of Harris County.

In a statement announcing her victory on Wednesday, Cook re ected on her journey to the Senate, recalling her initial attempt to challenge Whitmire in 2022.

Being the rst individual other than Whitmire to occupy the seat since 1983, Cook, an emergency room nurse and community organizer, also holds the distinction of being the rst openly LGBTQ+ member in the Texas Senate.

During the campaign, both Cook and Johnson advocated for progressive causes, such as supporting abortion access, LGBTQ+ rights, and increasing public school funding. Nonetheless, they diverged on their approaches to serving in the minority party. With Republicans currently holding 19 of the 31 Senate seats, Johnson emphasized the necessity of collaborating with the majority to in uence Republican-led legislation to align more with Democratic values. In

contrast, Cook expressed her intention to utilize her position to challenge Governor Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.

Similar to the runo , the earlier special election this month saw a head-to-head contest between Johnson and Cook. Johnson initially appeared as the frontrunner, securing 36% of the vote compared to Cook’s 21% in the March 5 primary.

Following the loss in the special election, Johnson’s team attributed their defeat to a failure in mobilizing their base, citing insucient resource allocation to counter what they termed as “misinformation” from Cook’s supporters.

Cook, despite being a relative newcomer, surpassed Johnson in fundraising a er the March 5 primary, with signicant contributions from Leaders We Deserve, a Washington D.C.-based PAC focused on electing young, progressive lawmakers nationwide.

In contrast, Johnson relied on his extensive experience, having served on the Houston City Council from 2006 to 2012 and succeeded former Mayor Sylvester Turner in the Texas House of Representatives.

Cook emphasized her grassroots organizing background and regular interactions with emergency room patients, positioning herself to the le of Johnson by critiquing his support for certain Republican-

backed legislation. Senate District 15, housing a diverse populace of nearly a million Harris County residents, holds signi cant political signi cance for Democrats. Encompassing liberal strongholds like Montrose, the Heights, and Acres Homes, alongside key neighborhoods crucial for Democratic aspirations in Texas, such as Bellaire and select suburban areas, the district is pivotal in the Democrats’ e orts to ip Texas. In 2022, Cook made her debut in politics by challenging Whitmire in the Democratic primary, where she garnered approximately 42% of the vote. Re ecting on her recent victory, Cook described it as an extension of that initial campaign. Her triumph occurred amidst a severe a ernoon storm that le many Houston-area residents without electricity, causing temporary power outages at over a dozen voting locations. Following her win, Cook expressed her immediate focus on addressing the needs of constituents who were a ected by power loss. Describing the day as typically Houstonian, with unexpected weather events, Cook emphasized the groundwork laid over the past two-and-ahalf years leading up to Election Day. Despite the challenges, there was a noticeable surge in voter turnout a er the storm, showcasing the resilience and determination of voters in her district and across Harris County.

Cook Cont.

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DIFFERENCE

As a born-and-bred Texas company, H-E-B is committed to fostering a culture of diversity & inclusion in Texas, both in our workplaces and the communities we serve. Celebrating the differences and similarities of all Texans is integral to everything H-E-B does, every day, from employee recruitment to supplier registration, store locations to in-store product selection.