BLESSED ARE THE CHILDREN

By Jesse Jackson, National Political Writer

Why are Black women and babies at greater risk than white women and their babies? The answer is apparent. As Dr. Jana Richards of UChicago Medicine writes, “the most straightforward answer is racism. The root causes of disproportionate pregnancy complications in Black women are driven by inequality, discrimination and long-standing racism deeply rooted in the U.S. healthcare system.”

Even as some right-wing politicians – like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis – deny the very existence of systemic racism – and want to ban discussion of it in our schools and universities, it punches us in the gut.

“It’s not race, it’s racism,” said Tiffany L. Green, a University of Wisconsin economist specializing in public health and obstetrics.

“The data are quite clear that this isn’t about biology. This is about the environments where we live, where we work, where we play, where we sleep.”

Black mothers struggle with far greater stress – from low wages, food and housing insecurity, unemployment, far less access to health care and childcare, greater exposure to poisonous air and water pollution. Too few states guarantee paid leave, child supplements, adequate transportation to health care. Even more affluent

Black women struggle to get equal treatment. It isn’t an accident that deaths of babies and mothers from pregnancy decline when a Black woman has a Black doctor and nurse.

In declaring April 11 to 17 Black Maternal Health Week, President Biden issued an “urgent call to action,” since Black women are “three times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications than white women," and this is in addition to the fact that “women in America are dying at a higher rate from pregnancy-related causes than in any other developed nation.”

The president has pushed to address the problem. His rescue plan extended Medicaid postpartum coverage for a full year, and he’s pledged to sustain that in states that accept extended Medicaid coverage. His new budget has more than $400 million targeted to reduce mortality rates – seeking to improve access to care in rural and urban communities, support the health workforce that deals with pregnancy, and even expand implicit bias training for health care providers. Sadly, the Republican majority in the House has called his proposals “dead on arrival,” blind to the meaning of that to babies.

During the pandemic, the rescue plans by Donald Trump and Joe

Biden gave an indication of what is possible. Poor and low-wage families actually fared better during the economic shutdown. Evictions were banned, paid leave required, Medicaid coverage extended, supplemental food and school meal programs were passed. The child tax credit reduced child poverty by one-third; the stimulus and boosted unemployment payments sustained incomes. A record high percentage of Americans had health care coverage. If extended – and combined with greater focus on pregnancy and early childhood care – these programs could have dramatically reduced the rate at which mothers and babies are dying in America. But while most Americans support the programs, conservatives in the Congress in both parties do not. So, the eviction ban expired, as have the increased unemployment benefits, the income supplements, the extended Medicaid coverage, and sadly the child tax credits, and more. The Congress as presently constituted stands in the way of saving the lives of mothers and babies. There is no excuse for this wealthy country to put the lives of mothers and babies at greater risk. We cannot let racism or ideology or greed keep us from ensuring that mothers and infants get the care that they need. That surely is a measure of a civilized society.

You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this Newspaper or by email at: jjackson@rainbowpush.org

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, JULIA C. HESTER HOUSE OFFICIALS CELEBRATE HISTORIC COMMUNITY CENTER’S

80th Anniversary Of Providing Programs And Social Services To Fifth Ward Area

CELEBRATION INCLUDES DEDICATION OF MURAL THAT RECREATES A LATE JOHN BIGGERS’ PAINTING

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Julia C. Hester House officials on Thursday, April 13 celebrated the 80th anniversary of the community center that was established as a settlement house to enhance the quality of life for African Americans in Fifth Ward.

“Julia C. Hester House was established as a nonprofit in 1943 to promote the health, education and welfare of Black Fifth Ward residents and provide recreation and entertainment facilities,” Commissioner Ellis said. ”The legacy of Black settlement houses lives on in institutions like Hester House. Their place in the history of that movement is often overshadowed, but this institution is a beacon of inspiration.”

Julia Hester, a teacher and longtime Fifth Ward resident, was recognized for opening her home to neighborhood youth. She sought to ensure their safety and to educate them. She also was a community leader and active volunteer until her death in 1940. Today, Hester House, which receives funds from Precinct One, honors her legacy by providing a safe haven for youth and promoting education and quality of life for the mostly Black and Brown families living in the area.

“Standing on the shoulders and commitment of Mrs. Julia C. Hester and other notable Fifth Ward pioneers, I am excited that Hester House continues to thrive and provide vital services to the community,” said Sherea McKenzie, Hester House’s executive director. “The staff is to be commended for their diligent efforts to expand and improve services so that Hester House will be a community epicenter for another 80plus years.”

Jeremy Brown, chairman of the nonprofit Hester House’s Board of Directors, said the community center part- ners with Atherton Elementary across the street and the Gulf Coast Community Services Association Early Headstart on the community center’s campus to provide opportunities for youth.

“Coach at a Christmas party had a 3-year-old or 4-year-old playing chess,” Brown said. “Now where can kid in this neighborhood play chess? Where can a kid in this neighborhood learn to swim?”

Dr. Youletta McCullough, a Fifth Ward Chamber of Commerce board member, said Ms. Hester inspired generations of Houstonians through her community service.

“The historic Fifth Ward is so overwhelmingly grateful for Ms. Hester’s vision and her service within this community,” Dr. McCullough said. “She opened her home to neighborhood children and actively engaged and nurtured them in development. So we have a lot of community leaders and successful individuals who have come out of Fifth Ward as a result of her involvement.”

In 1941, a bi-racial committee established the Hester House as a center to host recreation and entertainment activities for the community.

The Hester House was also the first African American organization to receive its seed funding from the Houston Community Chest, which is now the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast. In the 1950s and ‘60s, it was known for hosting sock hops for teens.

The community center initially was to be called the Houston Negro Community Center of Fifth Ward. However, before the doors opened, it was renamed after Julia C. Hester.

Hester House became a nonprofit organization in June 1943. Then located on Lyons Avenue, it provided services for youth, adults and families.

It also operated a childcare center on McGowan Street. After a successful fundraising campaign, Hester House moved from the rented facility on Lyons and consolidated its services at 2020 Solo St., where it’s located today.

In 2014, with a grant from the state of Texas and Precinct One funds, Hester House added a Wellness Center that includes a gymnasium and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

In December, an artist, who wishes to remain anonymous, completed a mural on the Wellness Center that recreates a John Biggers painting. At the anniversary celebration, which fell on the same day of the late Biggers’ 99th birthday, Commissioner Ellis, Hester House officials and Street Art of Mankind co-founders Audrey and Thibault Decker dedicated the mural along with community members.

“We also have the opportunity to honor John Biggers and officially unveil the first replica mural in this series in partnership with Street Art for Mankind,” Commissioner Ellis said. “Public art has the power to inspire, make change, remind us of our history and unite people for a common cause.”