Volume 30 Issue 10

Page 1


African-American News&Issues

AframNews.com

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

WAR ON THE DOJ

emissionoftheDepartmentofJustice(DOJ)is toupholdtheruleoflaw,tokeepourcountrysafe, andtoprotectcivilrights.

On March 14, 2025, President Donald Trump delivered an explosive speech at the Department of Justice (DOJ), setting o a heated debate over his allegations of deep-seated corruption, weaponized law enforcement, and his vow to “expel rogue

actors” from the federal government. Trump’s words, lled with accusations and promises of retribution, have sparked intense discussions about justice, accountability, and the implications for marginalized communities, especially African Americans.

“Department of Injustice”—Trump’s Assault on the DOJ In a speech heavy with controversy, Trump wasted no DOJ on pg. 3

HOUSTON

$6 million will soon be spent to repave a stretch of Washington Avenue along I-10 and Franklin Street.

FORT BEND

Join the Coastal Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists on from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Saturday, March 29, for Nature Day at Seabourne Creek Lake!

MONTGOMERY

NH Davis Museum in Montgomery Looking for Docents and Volunteer Help

GALVESTON

Almost 40 U.S. military veterans from across the nation arrived at the Texas City Dike early Saturday morning for a dawn bike ride as part of the Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride Program.

NEW BRAUNFELS

New 65-acre park in New Braunfels will break ground this fall. Word Park is the first installment of a 480-acre connected park system in New Braunfels

AUSTIN

The university of Texas at Austin celebrates their first Black graduates to earn a degree in Zoology. Exalton Delco was UT’s first Black person to receive a Ph.D. in Zoology.

A Revival of God Consciousness

We are looking for historical writers That can produce stories that address current and historical realities affecting our community. PLEASE SEND YOUR INQUIRIES TO

A large percentage of Americans who voted for President Donald J. Trump, voted for him out of racialized emotionalism, political misinformation, and a devilish mindset. erefore, Democrats need a spiritually thoughtful and Godly measured response to the racialized DEI emotionalism of Trumpism. Donald Trump is a president characterized by signi cant disruptions, and Elon Musk a prominent South African entrepreneur; recently was seen with President Trump promoting/advertising Tesla cars at e White House. To add fuel to the international re, former senator Rubio in six weeks has been rendered irrelevant as Secretary of State. As a Senator Rubio was spiritually introspective and measured in both thoughts and actions. What America now has in Secretary of State Marco Rubio is an ungodly disgraceful shame, because as Secretary of State, Rubio, has forgotten to spiritually remember that: “the man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.” (Proverbs: 21: 16). Senators on both sides of the political aisle thought that Senator Rubio as Secretary of State would have a moderating in uence on President Trump’s extremism and irrational impulses. Not so, because President Trump has not spiritually learned

EDITORIAL

that: “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keep his soul from troubles.” (Proverbs 21: 23). Moreover: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” (Proverbs 23: 7a). America, listening is a Godly quality and a sign of leadership spiritual-moral strength. Now we all know why President Trump and his MAGAcult Followers will not listen to common sense, because common sense among GOP politicians is not common. It is a rare intellectual commodity.

Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting

Our Community e struggle for Black identity in America has taken many forms. From the days of slavery, through segregation, and into the so-called “postracial” era, one thing remains constant: the battle over the Black mind. Today, one of the most insidious challenges facing the Black community is the confusion experienced by integrated Blacks—those who have been conditioned by predominantly white institutions yet still search for an authentic Black identity. is confusion is not accidental. It is the result of a deliberate system that, even in integration, seeks to control the Black mind.

Segregation and the Strength of Black Education

Even with fewer resources, segregated Black schools produced some of the greatest minds in history. ink about it: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and countless other leaders of the Civil Rights Movement were educated in a system that, while underfunded, was dedicated to preserving Black excellence. ese institutions created a foundation for selfdetermination. However, integration disrupted that. Not because learning together with white students was inherently wrong, but because the system of integration was never about equality—it was about control.

The Illusion of Integration

When desegregation was forced upon America, it did not create equal opportunities for Black students. Instead, it shut down Black schools, removed Black teachers, and placed Black children into environments where their history, struggles, and identities were secondary to white-centered narratives. Integration was never about giving Black children a better education— it was about dismantling Black self-su ciency. In these white-controlled spaces, Black students were— and still are—taught to conform, assimilate, and adopt the values of their oppressors. e cost of this assimilation? eir own cultural identity. Many integrated Blacks grow up believing that success means proximity to whiteness. ey adopt Eurocentric ideas of professionalism, success, and even beauty. ey internalize the belief that to be accepted, they must erase parts of themselves. is is why many struggle with their identity—they are Read more at aframnews.com Integrated on pg. 3

President Trump is not just shaking things up; he is messing things up. In fact, Trump’s Project (25) blueprint-playbook for dismantling multi-cultural democratic governance is in full force, and the Grand Ole Party (GOP) has become victimized by ungodly devilish groupthink. Sadly, Trump and his billionaire cabinet view public service solely as money-making self-service. In fact, President Trump has become a want-to-be Emperor with no clothing on, and his soul has been laid bare before the entire world community. Shame, Shame on US, because children of spiritual light know that children of darkness cannot kill the truth. Nor make God out of a liar, because truth crushed to the ground shall always rise again. In the nal analysis, not even death and the grave can hold truth down, because: “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32). America, there is only one Godly stipulation, based solely upon the spiritual willingness of individuals to embrace God’s Truth, that equal is equal, not

Many of our elders will tell you that during segregation, Black schools, businesses, and communities thrived— not because segregation was fair, but because Black people had no choice but to support each other. Schools were led by Black teachers who understood the reality of our struggle. ey didn’t just teach reading, writing, and arithmetic; they taught dignity, self-worth, and cultural pride. Our history wasn’t an a erthought—it was central to our learning.

We MUST Understand
By Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher

Cont.

caught between the lessons of their ancestors and the expectations of white society.

Who Controls the Black Mind?

e greatest tool of oppression has never been physical—it has always been psychological. When white-controlled institutions dictate what Black children learn, what is considered history, and what is labeled as success, they control the Black mind.

It’s no coincidence that Black history is being erased from schools. It’s no accident that predominantly Black schools remain underfunded while prisons are overfunded. e goal has always been control.

Black people who grow up integrated o en nd themselves disconnected from their community. ey are conditioned to see their own people as inferior, uneducated, or “less than.” Some even become gatekeepers for white supremacy, upholding the very systems that oppress them.

Breaking the Cycle of Confusion

So, what is the solution? How do integrated Blacks reclaim their identity?

1.    Re-educate Yourself: If you grew up in whitecontrolled institutions, chances are your understanding of history is incomplete. Read books by Black scholars, listen to Black intellectuals, and engage with authentic Black history.

2.    Support Black Institutions: Whether it’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Black-owned businesses, or Black-led media, supporting our own ensures that our voices are prioritized.

3.    Understand the Power of Community: Individual success means little if the community remains oppressed. Integrated Blacks must recognize that true power comes from collective progress, not assimilation.

4.    Reject the Need for White Validation: Success does not mean being accepted by white society. It means building and sustaining institutions that upli Black people on our own terms.

Conclusion

e confusion experienced by integrated Blacks is not a personal failing—it is a system-wide design. It is the result of decades of psychological conditioning meant to keep Black people divided, unsure of themselves, and dependent on white approval. But we have the power to break free. By reclaiming our education, supporting our own, and rejecting the lies we were taught, we can restore the pride, unity, and strength that segregation-era Black institutions once instilled in us.

Because at the end of the day, the only mind that should control the Black mind—is a liberated Black mind.

time branding the DOJ as a “Department of Injustice,” accusing past o cials of politically motivated attacks against him and his allies. “ e deep state thought they could take me down, but they failed,” he declared amidst supportive cheers. “Now, it’s time to clean house.”

Trump’s rhetoric was unmistakably clear: he claims that previous DOJ leaders used the power of the justice system as a political weapon. His promise to overhaul the department resonates strongly with his base, but civil rights advocates fear the broader implications of these actions.

Justice for All—or Just for Trump? Critics argue Trump’s speech was less about genuine justice and more about protecting his personal interests. While out of o ce, Trump faced multiple criminal charges, including mishandling classi ed documents and election interference. His aggressive targeting of prosecutors involved in these cases, labeling them “bad people” and suggesting imprisonment, raised alarming concerns.

is approach is especially troubling considering African Americans’ historical and ongoing experiences with unjust prosecution, wrongful convictions, mass incarceration, and systemic bias. Trump’s intense focus on personal grievances neglects the broader injustices deeply rooted in America’s justice system.

e Double Standard: Trump’s Justice Reform Promises Trump’s recent speech also emphasized law and order, promising harsher punishments for drug o enses, including the death penalty for drug tra ckers and those convicted of killing police ofcers. While tackling crime and drug issues seems appealing, it raises critical questions about potential impacts on Black communities, who have historically borne the brunt of aggressive “toughon-crime” policies.

shi back toward policies known for disproportionately a ecting Black Americans.

Police Reform: A Notable Absence Trump’s speech notably omitted any mention of police reform or accountability. While advocating stronger protections for law enforcement, he remained silent on issues of police brutality, racial pro ling, and misconduct, despite widespread calls for reform a er high-pro le incidents like the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

For Black America, police accountability remains a core issue in the ght for racial justice. Trump’s lack of acknowledgment or proposed reforms in this area signals a clear message about where his priorities lie, leaving critical systemic issues unaddressed.

Political Strategy or Genuine Concern? Trump’s accusations against the DOJ undeniably energize his political base, but they dangerously erode trust in the institutions responsible for upholding justice. By declaring war on the Justice Department, Trump risks creating a justice system driven more by political power than fairness and integrity.

e community must ask: who exactly will be targeted in Trump’s promised purge? Are these “rogue actors” truly corrupt, or are they individuals who simply dared to hold him accountable?

Real Justice Requires Real Action If Trump genuinely wants a fair justice system, his concerns must extend beyond his personal vendettas. Authentic justice involves dismantling mass incarceration, eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent crimes, addressing police brutality, and ensuring fair legal treatment for all Americans, irrespective of race or political a liation.

ough Trump previously supported criminal justice reforms, such as signing the First Step Act—which sought to reduce mandatory minimums and support rehabilitation—his current stance suggests a troubling

As the election cycle intensi es, voters must see beyond political theatrics and demand genuine reform. Will Trump’s approach deliver true justice, or is it simply a strategic play for power and revenge?

Ultimately, the ongoing ght for justice requires vigilance. It’s up to citizens—especially within the African American community—to ensure fairness and equity prevail over political agendas.

December 1, 1955: Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama bus. Her de ant stance prompts a year-long Montgomery bus boycott.

January 10-11, 1957: Sixty Black pastors and civil rights leaders from several southern states— including Martin Luther King Jr.—meet in Atlanta, Georgia to coordinate nonviolent protests against racial discrimination and segregation.

July 2, 1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law, preventing employment discrimination due to race, color, sex, religion or national origin.

May 2, 1963: More than 1,000 Black school

February 1, 1960: Four African American college

November 14, 1960: Six-year-old Ruby Bridges

June 11, 1963: Governor George C. Wallace stands

which became known as the “Children’s Crusade,” was to provoke the city’s leaders to desegregate.

BLACK HISTORY FUN FACTS

- Jackie Robinson Breaks the Color Barrier in Baseball: On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the rst African American to play Major League Baseball in the United States, breaking the decades-old “color line” in baseball when he took the eld for the Brooklyn Dodgers against the Boston Braves.

- Founding of the NAACP: e NAACP, or National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was established in 1909 and is America’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. It was formed in New York City by white and Black activists, partially in response to the ongoing violence against Black Americans around the country.

- Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad: Harriet Tubman, a conductor on the Underground Railroad, risked her life to lead enslaved people to freedom in the North. She made multiple dangerous journeys back to the South to guide others to freedom.

-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech: On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Equality, advocating for civil and economic rights for African Americans.

served. e Greensboro ins” throughout the city

actions inspired Norman Problem We All Live With

President John F. Kennedy sends the National Guard

EDUCATION

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON STUDENTS SOLVE NASA LUNAR RESEARCH PROBLEM

e High Schools

United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH) Program has partnered with student teams to challenge them to make critically-valued products for NASA. Each year, the quality, quantity and diversity of products has improved and expanded as indicative of the growing number and diversity of students involved. Over 500 classroom programs

gaining experience in developing a product, this challenge work

ideas from each center, enabling students to collaborate and present their very innovative ideas at the design reviews. e Program this year included 2000 students from 48 states and from hundreds of schools. In addition to gaining experience in developing a product, each student can add this challenge work as a bona- de

accomplishment on

culinary, design and pro-

their future resume. is year’s HUNCH Program included challenges identi ed by NASA engineers and astronauts who address di culties while working and living in space. Seven categories of those challenges are: culinary, design and pro-

totyping, biomedical, precision machining, sewn ight articles, video, and ight congurations. Many of the past successful projects have included the Galley Table and Stowage Lockers which have own to, and are used daily, on the International Space Station.

e Booker T. Washington student team tackled a Design and Prototyping project and did very well. eir project addressed an innovative design and testing of tarp stakes to mitigate dust issues on Lunar equipment and clothing. eir concept, along with those from over 90 schools, was

clothing. eir concept, along with those from over 90 schools, was

evaluated by Elementum 3D, the independent engineering rm, which looked for the top 15 entries but also looked at the diversity of congurations.  Elementum 3D then chose the top 5 concepts to print.  e Booker students being commended are: Samuel Johnson, Jared Monreal, Emiliano Navarro, Cameron Johnson, Roberto Constante, Emily Pallares, and Micaiah Hamilton. Well Done! eir dedication to the projects brought honor to the Booker T. Washington community and themselves.

the International Space Station. being commended are: Monreal, Emiliano Nason, Roberto Constante, Emily Pallares, and in middle schools and high schools partnered with mentors from NASA centers across the country to develop unique solutions. is Pro- gram brought out the best Micaiah Hamilton. Well to the projects brought Washington community

THE BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL TEAM FOR THE NASA HUNCH COMPETITION: MICAIAH HAMILTON, EMILY PALLARES, EMILIANO NAVARRO, SAMUEL JOHNSON, CAMERON JOHNSON, ROBERTO CONSTANTE, AND JARED MONREAL (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT).

EDUCATION SPORTS

TSU’S EARL CARL INSTITUTE RECOGNIZES COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS

On April 10, 2025, the Earl Carl Institute at TSU will recognize individuals and organizations that have greatly impacted lives. e award was established in the name of the Institute’s founder, Professor Marcia Johnson. Professor Johnson is a visionary who created the Earl Carl Institute for Legal and Social Policy, Inc. in 1992 as a nonpro t organization a liated with the urgood Marshall School of Law. Professor Johnson named the Institute a er a founding law school professor, Earl Carl, who, blind since his early teens, epitomized accomplishment despite obstacles.

Center Harris County Public Defender’s O ce Harris County Eviction Defense Coalition (comprised of Houston Volunteer Lawyers, Lone Star Legal Aid, STCL Civil Practice Cli and UHLC Civil Justice Clinic).

GEORGE FOREMAN PASSES AT 76

George Foreman, world heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist who later became an entrepreneur known for the indoor grills that bore his name, died Friday at 76.

“Our hearts are broken,” an announcement on Foreman’s Instagram page read.

“With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones,” it read. A cause of death was not provided.

1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City when he was 19 years old.

He won the world heavyweight championship ve years later in a stunning knockout of Joe Frazier in two rounds in 1973, but he lost it to Muhammad Ali the next year in the famous “Rumble in the Jungle.”

Marcia Johnson Change Agent Award recipients were selected because of their unyielding e orts in improving lives through action and advocacy. is year, the annual award celebrates individuals and organizations that have shown innovation and accomplishment through legal service. e 2025 Honorees are:

Attorney Robert A. Jones

Honorable Lora Livingston

Collective Action for Youth

Texas Legal Service

e award reception takes place on April 10, 2025 at the TSU Museum located directly behind the Fairchild Building at 3100 Cleburne from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. You need to register to attend at https:// ecilawevents.com.

e mission of the Earl Carl Institute for Legal & Social Policy, Inc. is to empower underserved and disenfranchised communities by addressing systemic social issues through legal representation, research, education and advocacy.

e Institute is a 501(c) (3) organization exempt from taxation by the Internal Revenue Service.

not provided. Foreman, known as “Big George,” won an Olympic gold medal in boxing at the

But Foreman was not nished. At 45, Foreman reclaimed the heavyweight title in 1994 when he beat Michael Moorer — a comeback that made him the oldest boxer to win the championship. Foreman retired from boxing in 1977 and

boxing in 1977 and became a born-again Christian. He said in his biography on his website that he had a

religious experience in a dressing room a er losing in a decision to Jimmy Young on March 17, 1977, in Puerto Rico. He was ordained as a minister the next year, founded the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in 1980, and in 1984 founded the nonpro t George Foreman Youth and Community Center in Houston. Foreman returned to boxing in 1987, a decade a er he retired. He was also known as an entrepreneur for the “George Foreman Grill” — o cially called the George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine. More than 100 million were sold worldwide,

George Foreman Lean according to

Foreman’s website, and he became a xture on television programs promoting the device in an apron.

“A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose,” the statement announcing his death Friday read.

Humility and purpose were not always character traits for which Foreman was known.

GEORGE FOREMAN WITH HIS EXTENDED FAMILY

NOTICE TO PROPOSERS

Request for Proposal will be received by Lone Star College for: RFP #25-03-02 – Online Tutoring Services. Electronic submittals due by 3:00PM, Friday, May 2, 2025. Contact: pamela.johnson@lonestar. edu or (832)813-6782. Must Register to Bid: https://lonestar. ionwave.net/Login.aspx. If registered, please ensure your registration is up to date. For assistance with the on-line registration process, contact MC-vendors@lonestar.edu.

Risk on behalf of Harris County, Texas will receive subcontractor/vendor proposals for the Harris County Sheri ’s Complex project located at 5910 Navigation Blvd., Houston, Texas 77011. is solicitation is for Package 2 consisting of the following scopes of work: general requirements, concrete, masonry, structural steel, railing, casework, roo ng, waterproo ng, insulation, metal panels, doors, glazing, drywall, acoustical ceilings, ooring, painting, canopies, specialties, equipment, elevators, re suppression, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, earthwork, site paving, landscaping, fencing, and utilities.

Proposals and quali cation statements will be received by Durotech, Inc., from interested proposers, subproposers and suppliers until 2:00 PM on Monday, April 14th, 2025, for Package 2 scopes of work in the presence of the Owner and Architect at the o ces of Durotech, Inc. at 11931 Wickchester Lane, #205, Houston, Texas 77043-4501, Phone: 281-558-6892. All bids should be submitted by email at bids@durotechgc.com or hand delivered to the o ces of Durotech, Inc.

Construction Manager Contact: Sidhesh Kakodkar or Julian Ciarella. All MBE/WBE/HUB rms are highly encouraged to submit proposals on this project. Prevailing wage rates in conformance with Harris County, Texas requirements will be paid on this project with certi ed payroll. All proposals shall remain valid for one hundred twenty (120) days.

A preproposal meeting will be held on Monday, April 07th, 2025 @ 9:30 AM at AGC Houston Chapter (3825 Dacoma St, Houston, TX 77092). Drawings and Speci cations will be available for review at the o ces of Durotech, Inc., and at the plan rooms of AGC, Dodge Data & Analytics, Virtual Builders Exchange, Brazos Valley Contractors Association, Construction Data and CMD Group, and Durotech’s Online Plan Room.

e Owner, Architect/Engineer and Construction Manager reserve the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive any informalities and irregularities in the proposal process, and to make the awards in the best interest of the Owner. By submitting a proposal, each proposer agrees to waive any claim it has or may have against the Owner, the Architect/ Engineer, Construction Manager and their respective employees arising out of or in connection with the administration, evaluation, or recommendation of any proposal; waiver of any requirements under the Proposal Documents, or the Contract Documents; acceptance or rejection of any proposals; and award of a Contract.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

H-E-B celebrates the trailblazers of the past and the women of today for your leadership, courage, strength, influence and impact. You inspire us.

RENEE RHOTEN MORRIS, UNCLE FUNKY’S DAUGHTER
KORTNEY CHASE, PECANA
FLORENCE BUTT, H-E-B FOUNDER

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