HOUSTON ISD BOND GOES DOWN
By: Bill King
Voters decisively rejected Houston ISD’s request to approve $4.4 billion in bonds to rebuild and renovate some of its facilities. e proposal was the largest bond proposal in the state’s history. For many years, it was unusual for voters to give the thumbs down to bonds for public schools. at trend began unwinding a few years ago, as taxpayers began to recoil from proposals that included lavish athletic facilities in particular. Also, a new
We the People
We need to start holding each other accountable.
- Roy Douglas Malonson
JACKSON CARES
By: Natiece Ford
“A er everyone else went home, I went back to check on the families to see if I could help them get some sense of normalcy.” at is the kind of man Freddie Jackson is and what has allowed him to excel within the Houston Fire Department. For y years, Jackson has been involved in helping the community. A Houston native, he joined the Houston Fire Department in November 1973 and was a member of Local #341 from 1974 to 1993. When asked if he always dreamed of becoming a re ghter, his answer pointed to the discrimination that Black individuals face, both then and now. “I could never have dreamed of becoming a re ghter when I was a kid because they didn’t hire their rst Black re ghter until 1955.” Jackson was born in
Texas law in 2021, which required school districts to state that approving the bond would result in a tax increase, put a damper on new proposals. Nonetheless, a study done by the Texas Tribune found that in recent years, 70-80% of school bond proposals were approved by voters. But in most cases, even when bonds were rejected by the voters, the vote was close. But not so in HISD’s case. e nal vote was 58-42 against. I could Jackson on pg. 5 Bond on pg. 3
EDITORIAL
A Revival of God Consciousness
Bobby Mills, Ph.D.
THE IDEAL VERSUS REALITY
e history of racism as a socio-political governing ideology has never spiritually and institutionally been embraced by all Americans, not even during chattel slavery. At the same time, the Godly idealistic principles of multicultural democratic governance are written in the Preamble and the U. S. Constitution, but not spiritually etched on the hearts of all Americans. e 2024 Presidential election is a perfect example of the oxymoron. us, America has never lived up to the lo y spiritual governing ideals and moral values of the documents. erefore, the ght for a Godly multicultural democratic society is an everending spiritual battle because mankind sins against God and each other. e American hierarchical caste system of
racism, sexism, and classism was on full display in the 2024 Presidential election. Sadly, many permanent-tan minorities were willing to participate in their own dehumanization without fully understanding that, spiritually, America’s day of reckoning is coming concerning racism and sexism because God is not mocked nor fooled. Individuals reap what they sow. Mahatma Gandhi socio-politically said it best: “Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your destiny.” Dr. Martin L. King Jr. stated it in another morally profound manner: “We live in a world of guided missiles and misguided men.” America, the spiritual-moral principle and wisdom of Dr. King’s statement is that spiritually misguided men should never oversee guided missiles (nuclear booms). Once again, the brother of Jesus, James, said it spiritually profoundly: “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his own heart,
Mike Miles was a U.S. Army Ranger before he was appointed superintendent of HISD. at experience motivates his unyielding surveillance and micromanagement of teachers, his dedication to timers, the transformation of libraries into prison-like detention halls, and his persistent drilling of standardized test-style questions with disproportionate devotion to data, and none on creativity or critical thinking.
dards on the reading segment of the STAAR, about twenty percentage points below the HISD norm. Math scores are worse. Nearly all are economically oppressed. Two-thirds of students are deemed “atrisk” by the Texas Education Agency.
Reality on pg. 3
Now he intends to raise soldiers in his image from the children of Cullen Middle School, a declining campus with signi cant academic de cits and reports of disciplinary mayhem. e student body is 70% Black, 20% Latinx, and a few are white, Asian, or biracial. Half did not meet grade-level stan-
Lt. Col. Louis King, Cullen’s Dean of Cadets, is retired from the U.S. Army. He says he feels a connection (being “not the best kid” himself) with many of the students already enrolled. e classrooms of this “mini–West Point” are camou aged and display mannequins in military attire. e obstacle course is identical to those at military bases, except that they are sized for impressionable and excitable 11 to 13-year-olds who wear uniforms and practice with ri es in militaristic regulation. Miles told the Chronicle his goal is to improve students’ habits such as showing up on time, interacting with adults courteously, and demonstrating a “level of excellence in both mind, body and spirit … I want it to be run like a rigorous academy.”
Miles on pg. 3
“We Africans in America have been socially engineered to reject our past, and far too many of us live in a state of suspended animation. We deny the historical realities confronting us daily. Too many of us mistakenly believe that the past has no bearing on the present and is unrelated to the future. Thus, we have been conditioned to live our lives disconnected from cultural values, principles, and ideals - essential for peaceful living.”
- Anthony T. Browder
MIKE MILES’ “MINI WEST POINT”
And all that Jazz Esperanza Jazz Paz
not nd de nitive statistics, but I suspect this is one of the worst school bond defeats in the State’s history. So, why did voters so soundly reject this proposal?
I think there were two factors. First, rightly or not, for many the election became a referendum on Mike Miles’ leadership of the District. It is clear that Miles is wildly unpopular. His accomplishments in raising test scores in historically low performing schools have been swamped by his imperious, tone-death leadership style, which has managed to o end almost everyone. One of his worst blunders in my estimation has been the personnel shake-ups in schools that were performing well. He has repeatedly broken the old adage - “If it’s not broke, don’t x it.” But beyond the Miles factor,
the bond proposal was ill-conceived. ere is no doubt that many of HISD’s schools are decrepit and badly in need of repair and renovation as was dramatically laid out in this Houston Chronicle story. But this proposal went far beyond that kind of triage.
ose laying out this proposal seemed to be oblivious to HISD’s declining enrollment. In the last decade, the District’s enrollment has dropped from about 220,000 to under 180,000. HISD’s own projections are that it will fall by about another 10,000 over the next few years. at loss of enrollment is costing the district about $400 million annually in lost student allotments from the State. Also, apparently there was no consideration given to what e ect voucher/school choice may have when it inevitably passes in the upcoming Legislature.
At least some of recent decline is likely the result of the state takeover and Miles’ controversial administration of the District. But far more consequential, especially in the long term, is that the District’s population has stalled and is likely to dri lower. ere has been little change in the population inside Loop 610, which makes up a large portion of HISD, for the last sixty years. Also, the U.S. birthrate hit a new low last year of 1.67. at means that, unless people suddenly decide to return to Houston’s core or start having larger families, every generation of schoolage children in HISD from now on will be smaller than the one before it. is demographic reality is what made me scratch my head over the bond proposal’s inclusion of about $2.1 billion to completely rebuild thirteen
elementary schools and eight middle schools. e coming demographic decline will rst begin reducing enrollment in elementary schools, with middle schools not far behind. e thirteen elementary schools that were to be rebuilt are currently at 108% of the design capacity. However, all of the excess enrollment was accounted for in just two schools, Bonham and McNamara. In six, the current enrollment is already below the design capacity. e enrollment in the eight middle schools to be rebuilt is only 86% of their design capacity. Only two are currently operating above their design capacity. But here’s the real kicker, HISD is already projecting that the enrollment of twenty-one schools is going to decline by the 2028-2029 school year!
Building a school is a long-
term investment, typically 50 years or longer. Given the demographic trends, what do you think the enrollment of HISD will be in 50 years? How many elementary schools will the District need in 2075? e reality is that HISD is in decline demographically and its plan for the future should focus on how to best manage that decline.
e logical thing for the District to do at this point would be to come back to the voters with a dramatically reduced bond proposal that focuses exclusively on the immediate needs. Ideally, the District also should develop a plan to begin reducing the number of schools. I know that closing schools is unpopular but that is the District’s new reality.
However, the
Reality Cont. Miles Cont.
Community members are apprehensive about bringing a military academy to the neighborhood since recruitment o en targets marginalized citizens in low-income populations to more closely achieve their quotas, which have been unmet for years.
Cullen Middle alumni and current parent Sandra Hicks wishes HISD would focus on more urgent challenges, like the dearth of bus routes, before spending scarce funds on promoting aspiring warriors. Other agree, noting that military service-related injuries can persist over a lifetime, obliterating veterans, and their families, and they say the United States is inadequately protecting our service people. e suicide rate for veterans ages 20-24 is estimated at two to four times the national average for civilians, and 20% of the country’s homeless population has previously served in uniform.
It is no coincidence that Mile’s military indoctrination school is located where it is. It is a common practice of the Army to especially disproportion-
this man’s religion is vain.” (James 1: 26). America, this is God’s perfect law of liberty and freedom. Know this, America: God’s law is a true re ection of our sinful individual and societal condition and a ords all of us an opportunity to ask God for forgiveness. erefore, living as God created us to live is hard; it is di cult because sin is always knocking on your door. Of course, Presidentelect Trump has said that he has nothing to ask God to forgive him for. Glory to God, Hunters have a chance to enjoy the outdoors just 1 hour from downtown Houston in Waller County.
and blessed be the name of Jesus Christ, the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world!
God’s ideal is embodied in the Two Great Commandments: “ ou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. is is the rst and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. ou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the prophets and the law.” (Matthew 22: 37-40). With the election of Donald J. Trump as
e guides will be with you all the way and show you around property, a er the hunt you can spend time shing, target shooting, horse shoeing or just relax. WITH
President, America’s political governance, reality, and ideal are now enshrined in Project 2025. What a shame! However, “Verily I say unto you, is generation shall not pass, till all these things be ful lled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24: 34-35). Project 2025 is cra ed as a blueprint to re-institute White Privilege Autocracy as America’s governing IDEAL, not multi-cultural democracy as enshrined in
Read more at
RACIAL JUSTICE & CIVIL RIGHTS
Taken from justiceatthegate.com
THE DEMOCRATS’ PLATFORM
No mention of racial equality or civil rights.
No mention of racial equality or civil rights.
No mention of racial equality or civil rights.
Democrats killed every anti-lynching bill in Congress. As a result Congress never passed an anti-lynching bill.
16 of 26
THE REPUBLICANS’ PLATFORM
1924
We urge the Congress to enact at the earliest possible date a federal antilynching law so that the full in uence of the federal government may be wielded to exterminate this hideous crime.†
1928
We renew our recommendation that the Congress enact at the earliest possible date a federal anti-lynching law so that the full in uence of the federal government may be wielded to exterminate this hideous crime. †
1932
For seventy years the Republican Party has been the friend of the American Negro. Vindication of the rights of the Negro citizen to enjoy the full bene ts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is traditional in the Republican Party, and our Party stands
1920
We urge Congress to consider the most e ective means to end lynching in this country, †† which continues to be a terrible blot on our American civilization.
† See note on p. 20. One of the many Republican attempts to ban lynchings had occurred in 1921 when Republican U. S. Rep. Leonidas Dyer of Missouri introduced a federal anti-lynching bill, but Democrats fought its passage. at delay was costly. e NAACP sadly reported that “since the introduction of the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill in Congress on April 11, 1921, there have been 28 persons murdered by lynchings in the United States.” e Dyer bill was eventually killed by Democrats. In fact, Democrats killed every single anti-lynching bill introduced in Congress – even those occasionally introduced by an individual Democrat. As a result of the steadfast Democrat obstruction on this issue, Congress never passed an anti-lynching bill. (See also note on p. 15 about lynching laws.)
EDUCATION
By: Dwight Daniels
Houston Community College (HCC) Trustee Dr. Pretta VanDible Stallworth was elected to serve as vice chair of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) during the 2024 ACCT Leadership Congress held Oct. 2325 in Seattle, Washington.
In addition to that role, Dr. VanDible Stallworth will also serve as regional director for the Western Region, advancing community college governance and leadership in that area and the nation.
e ACCT is a nonpro t educational organization representing over 6,500 elected and appointed trustees on more than 500 governing boards of community, technical and junior colleges in the U.S. and beyond. Its annual Leadership Congress is a vital gathering for community college trustees, leaders and educators to share knowledge, network and engage in discussion.
“In this leadership role, Dr. VanDible Stallworth will help shape policies and initiatives that positively impact over 1,000 colleges and more than 10 million students annually,” said Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D. “Community colleges are fortunate to have her important voice at the table.”
VANDIBLE STALLWORTH ELECTED VICE CHAIR OF ACCT
Dr. VanDible Stallworth has worked tirelessly for decades to make HCC and other communities accessible and welcoming. “ is is an incredible opportunity to advocate for HCC and other
community colleges that are working so hard to enhance the educational landscape and workforce development in our communities,” she said.
Dr. VanDible Stallworth holds a Bachelor of Science and Master’s in chemical engineering from Rice University, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Texas Southern University, and an MBA and a Ph.D. in Christian Education. She is a Project Management Professional certi ed by the Project Management Institute International and holds a Minority Business Certi cation from Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business.
About Houston Community College: HCC is composed of 14 Centers of Excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCC is one of the country’s largest singly accredited, open-admission community colleges o ering associate and some bachelor’s degrees, certi cates, workforce training and lifelong learning opportunities. 1924
EDUCATION
FOR THE RECORD: NOVEMBER 5, 2024
By: Alexandra Elizondo
Dear Friends,
Friday, November 1, 2024, marked one year since the launch of our seven Sunrise Centers in HISD, which have become lifelines for our students, families, and surrounding communities. e Sunrise Centers were developed to create a welcoming, reliable place for families to get what they need—from basic needs like food and supplies to more comprehensive services like health care and social assistance. Each
center is a one-stop shop designed to address the real-life challenges our families face. Sta ed by caring support professionals, the centers are equipped to help with case management, foster care assistance, legal aid, doctor’s visits, and so much more—deep support resources we weren’t able to o er with wraparound services alone in prior years.
To date, the Sunrise Centers have served more than 30,900 families, and the impact continues to grow. Each
1951.
Jackson Cont. response was, “I’m not running up into any burning houses.”
“ ere were only a few places that Blacks could have worked, and where I lived in the 5th Ward, you would have never seen a Black person on a re truck. Now they are about to put my name on one of the re trucks in Acres Home—that is mind-boggling to me.”
Before becoming a reghter, Jackson worked at what was then Foley’s in the delivery department, which is today‘s Macy’s, and he also worked as a longshoreman. Many of the Black re ghters at the time worked at Foley’s parttime. Initially, Jackson was hesitant; when told to apply, his initial
However, he was nally convinced, and he lled out the application and was selected.
When asked if the re department was diverse by the time he was selected in 1973, Jackson’s response was “no.” “I was hired on a consent decree, where 10 percent of minorities had to be hired. ey were giving us a chance because they had to.” Out of a class of thirty, two of the men were Black, and the other hiree was Hispanic. Jackson was sure to emphasize that even if a person did not graduate from the academy, the re department did not have to hire someone
week, over 200 families visit the centers for food. Hundreds of students have been able to access a erschool care, summer programs, and health care at no cost, as well as school uniforms and supplies, easing the nancial burden on parents. Parents are taking ESL classes and engaging in workforce development, opening up pathways and opportunities for them as well.
a erschool care, sumhealth care at no cost,
to replace the original cadet; instead, the void would remain un lled, and the minority quota would still be satis ed. When Jackson graduated, he was the only Black person from his class. When asked what the biggest challenge he faced as a re ghter was, Jackson pointed to discrimination against minorities in line for promotions. Because of this, Jackson, along with other Black re ghters, helped create the Houston Black Fire ghters Association, a caucus within the re ghters’ union. A er being unable to grow within the union, the group decided to join the International Association of Black Professional
only was her Sunrise
Fire ghters. With the help of the IABPFF, they were able to change the hiring practices of the Houston Fire Department. Jackson pointed out that there are 605 Black re ghters in the Houston Fire Department, which he emphasized is out of 5,000 total re ghters. In Chicago, there are 350 Black re ghters out of 11,000. e rst Black re ghter was not hired in Dallas until 1970.
at West Orem Family YMCA - our rst Sunrise Center to openfound help
Last Friday we celebrated the anniversary with a panel discussion at West Orem Family YMCA - our rst Sunrise Center to openher uniforms and school supplies, but she also found help with nding
and we got to hear from Jessica, a mother to one of our pre-K students. She shared that not only was her Sunrise Center able to get
