11.2.15
Triumph 10th Edition
Blackertheberryent.wordpress.com
TRIUMPH!!!!! The importance of perseverance
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.�- Fredrick Douglass
11.2.15
Triumph 10th Edition
Blackertheberryent.wordpress.com
The “Injustice” System Prayer is powerful but the bible does say that faith without works is dead. How long shall we continue to have prayer vigils at every tragedy without real issues being addressed? With the severe cases of police brutality, mass shootings at churches and school violence, there is definitely something wrong with the so called justice system in America. The police department is good for nothing. Either the police unjustly murders innocent people or they do not protect the people at all. America is falling and black people have been put in a position where they must protect themselves, even from the police! Because of the lack of concern for their lives, black people are angry, hurt and confused and are lashing out on one another for the slightest disagreements. What shall we do? First, we as Black people should be open and honest about issues that have plagued this country for years. The main issue in America is racism. All of the issues that affects us as Black people have its roots in racism and white supremacy. Racism is the main reason for police brutality against black people and the prison industry which is a new form of slavery. Racism is the reason why white teens like Dylan Roof can walk into a church and murder nine innocent black people in cold blood while screaming, “The black men are rapists”. While on his rampage, Dylann Roof repeated the same false rhetoric racist white people used in the 1920’s as a reason to mercilessly lynch Black people. Throughout history, the typical mass murderer have always been a deranged white male but with the massive dehumanization of black people in America through police brutality, media and at their own universities, black youth are now lashing out on one another! How can you continue to put a person in a hopeless condition and act surprised when you receive a negative reaction? Since these places of higher learning do not do its job to educate and inspire black youth, they give them over to the streets and that Black person turns to whatever they know best and most of the times, it is violence. On the campus of Texas Southern University, there have been a total of seven shootings so far in just three months. Only three of these seven shootings went reported. Since the first shooting on August 26th 2015, administration enforced no action to make TSU a safer place for its students. Another shooting occurred Oct.9th in the same location as the first shooting and another student was shot and killed and three days before that shooting, on Oct. 6th, there was yet another shooting on the campus of TSU. With all of these shootings one would think that administration at TSU would work towards making the campus a safer environment for its students but that sadly has not happened. With a lack of cameras, lights on campus and in the parking lot and barely no officers present or walking around campus, TSU becomes a breeding ground for violence! It is clear, that even at an HBCU, black students are the least of the administration’s concern. Because of the dehumanization of Black people in America, there have been no end to police brutality, mass shootings in churches and violence at schools. America have showed Black people time and time again that black people are the least bit of anyone’s concern, it doesn’t matter if that black person is a wannabe gangster, religious person or even an everyday student striving to get a degree. It is time for Black people must wake up to reality and stop having so many prayer vigils and actually come up with programs that will make our conditions here better as a people. We can march, petition, pray and riot but without our own independent schools, security and black owned businesses, we will constantly be at the mercy of a government who have proved to us time and time again that they do not care about us!!! Every effort of activism is greatly appreciated and much needed but true freedom comes from Independence and we must NEVER forget that!
11.2.15
Triumph 10th Edition
Blackertheberryent.wordpress.com
Where her strength lies In 2015, most black women are encouraged to sit on the sidelines while the men lead. Some people feel like the woman’s true place is in the kitchen washing dishes or being a cheerleader of a strong man. With many Black women degrading themselves for attention, it is no wonder that this new generation of Black women have given up their power. A Black woman is a queen and in Africa, many societies were matriarchal. Throughout history, most heroic stories are told of great warriors who were kings almost forgetting or purposely leaving out the Black woman. There were plenty of powerful Black women throughout history and many powerful women today. A woman does not have to degrade herself as a woman for recognition in society, nor does she have to take the back burner to let the man lead. Consider Queen Nzinga who fought endlessly against the Portuguese to help end the slave trade in Central Africa. Other Black women who were powerful were Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer, Angela Davis, Assata Shakur and many others. Many Black women continue this legacy of activism in the black community that most Black people will never hear about during their lifetime. It is time for the Black woman to be admired not only for her attractiveness and what she can offer a man but what she can give the world through her intelligence, activism and heart for people. Black women most talked about in the Black community have been reduced from the likes of Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu to the foolish antics of entertainer Nicki Minaj. It is time for Black women to stop hiding in the shadows and show the world their greatness. It is time for the true beauty of Black women to be celebrated and appreciated. Malcolm X said, "The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman, the most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman." A real man respects and protects the Black woman, not forces her to take a backseat but propels her to go forward. Black women are queens, lovers, mothers, sisters, activists, teachers and the caretakers of planet earth. The black woman is not a footstool or an object for anyone to use and abuse. It is time for the rise of the true Black woman in America and it is time that she gets the credit for all she have done to uplift the human race!
SIGN UP TODAY!!!!!! “Author, Lecturer, Activist & Daughter of Malcolm x & Dr. Betty Shabazz” Ilyasah Shabazz is coming to TSU October 30th!!!! Click on the link below and sign up for FREE!!!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blacklivesmatter-with-ilyasah-shabazz-tickets-18872657627
11.2.15
Triumph 10th Edition
Blackertheberryent.wordpress.com
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The keys to Succe$$ Now is the time for Black people more than ever to start supporting Black businesses. The longer we sit around and wait for corrupt politicians to do something for us, the more time we will waste. As a collective, Black people own less than ½ of 1 percent of the wealth in America and collectively Black people spend 1 trillion dollars as consumers. According to the news article, Black Enterprise; Wealth For Life, “…the National Association of Black Accountants Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, found that the African American population is an economic force to be reckoned with, with a projected buying power of $1.1 trillion by 2015.” With 1.1 trillion dollars as a collective, why is it so hard for Black America to come together and rebuild a new Black Wall Street? According to that same article, “… the population of African-American consumer’s growth outpaces the rest of the population by 30 percent.” It is clear that Black people are the largest consumers but are the least producers. At Blacker The Berry, we have created a list of Black owned businesses in Houston, Texas called, “H-Townz Black Wall street” which includes a list of over forty black businesses from cleaning services, grocery stores and even a black bank for the community to go out and support. We cannot force black people to care about one another but what we can do is give the community that option. We cannot sit around and complain to a government who never cared about us in the first place. If the black community wants change, the
11.2.15
Triumph 10th Edition
Blackertheberryent.wordpress.com
people in the black community must be active in making that change happen. Black people have had countless riots, protests and petitions, all to no avail. The education system is still underfunded and black children are still treated less than human. Black neighborhoods are still run down, stores in the black community sell old food with outdated items and police brutality is an ongoing issue in the black community. In reality, nothing have worked. Until the black community decides to say YES to supporting black businesses and becoming self-sufficient, black people will continue to be on the bottom of the totem pole. How many activists have to die before we get it? Do we as Black people truly believe that #Blacklivesmatter or has that been a popular feel good slogan. If you believe that Black Lives Truly matter then take action! That action begins with supporting black businesses. A MESSAGE of HOPE in an Age of Despair Frustration, anger and sadness fills my mind as I think about the current state of Black people in America. What does a person do when they try so hard to make change and it seems like all they have worked for is in vain? These words entered my mind as I tried my hardest to write another news article to somehow motivate the Black community towards some type of greater awareness of themselves and others. When pressed against the wall, it is up to each and every one of us to make a decision. Pressing on or giving up is the only two decisions that we have. Because you are reading this article, then my message to you was the same message I received, “Don’t give up because God is working it all out in the midst.” Though it may seem like we are going through a storm and what we want to achieve isn’t happening for us now, we must continue to press on. It is easy to get depressed and give up but having the strength to carry on really shows up who we are and also builds patience and character. Greatness is not something that happens overnight but it takes longsuffering to achieve that which we want. There is a light in each and every one of us and we must use that light to continue to inspire others and sometimes even ourselves. We must be thankful for the blessings that we do have and trust that in due time, God will work it all out. We must stop wasting so much time on what didn’t work or should have happened but begin to make things happen. There are opportunities all around us and if we would just take a look and see then we may find it. The greatest opportunity comes from within, the ability to create. When we begin to create opportunities for ourselves and try new things, then new doors will open up for us. Taking a moment to reflect on my life, I’ve had
11.2.15
Triumph 10th Edition
Blackertheberryent.wordpress.com
so many disappointments but from that all I was able to learn, grow and develop into the perfect, imperfect person that I am today. If no one ever tell you this, thank God for you and thank God for your life, you are unique and beautiful, regardless of what the world may say. Whatever you believe in, if it’s positive, go for it! Push pass fear and become that which you already are! Thank you for your contribution to Blacker The Berry News!!! We ask for a $2 fee to help with the continuation of our theatre, media and research team. Support Blacker The Berry News so we can continue to put out truth! - Nikki Luellen, chief editor of B.T.B News Any Donation will be gladly received!!!! Thank you https://www.gofundme.com/blackertheberrynew * If you have a story about police brutality or any story you would like to share with the public, lets us help you get your story out! * To place an ad in our newspaper is only $5 for a week and the fee is only $10 to run your ad for an entire month! * If you are interested in being a part of our research team, or want to be a contributing writer, email us. You will be contacted promptly!
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UPCOMING PROJECTS: We have an upcoming documentary about police brutality in the black community. If you would like to participate in this project in any way call us at (713) 305-3811 If you would like to help out in our stage play in November in any way, Call us at 713-308-3811