CHANGE PEOPLE'S PERCEPTIONS OF BLACK MEN

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

Alton Sterling was killed testing the entrepreneurial waters selling DVDs and CDs in the same America where a nine-year-old boy can start a $700,000-a-year necktie and bowtie company, Mo’Bows. Philando Castile was killed at a traffic stop in the same America where Garrett Morgan invented the traffic light. Tamir Rice was killed playing with a toy gun in the same America where Lonnie Johnson invented the super soaker gun. Trayvon Martin was killed walking the street in a hoodie with Skittles and iced tea in the same America where three brothers can establish a chocolate candy manufacturer. Botham Jean was murdered while eating ice cream in the same America where Augustus "Father of Ice Cream" Jackson was an ice cream innovator. Despite all these successes achieved by black men that have helped make our world more enjoyable today, they are still perceived as a threat, thought of as less than, and are highly underestimated. All black men are not criminals, unemployed, or in poverty. America needs to understand and be reminded of this as much as possible for the black man to stop being thought of as the biggest threat in American society.

A CNN report on "Black Men Making It In America" collected data to reflect that, compared to stats from the 1960s, the number of black men in poverty had decreased by 23% and that of those in the upper class had increased by 19%. This proves that, despite all the negativity and threats to their lives, black men are finding ways to succeed in America and are thriving at it. Black men are resilient.

Tyre Nichols was one of those resilient men. As a 29-year-old man, he was an entrepreneur with his own photography business and made money working for FedEx. He was a 6-foot-3inch family man with a young son. He was trying to do right in life when his life was snatched from him in a most violent way by five boys who looked just like him. Then, probably also because of his race, responding officials did not render any aid to him. As a believer, I won’t say that Tyre Nichols should still be here, because if he were, God would have kept him here. Tyre Nichols, on the other hand, did not have to be another black man added to the list of those who die in heinous ways at the hands of another human being.

Black men were brought to this country as property to work, be beaten, and be treated less than, yet they are always deemed dangerous. Why is the white man with a whip less frightening? Or Stephen Paddock, who injured 867 people on the Las Vegas, Nevada, strip in 2017 less frightening? Less not forget about Dylan Roof, who walked into a place of worship and killed nine people. Don’t forget the names of Chunli Zhao and Huu Can Tran, who recently gunned down eighteen during Lunar New Year celebrations this year. Salvador Ramos was 18 when he murdered 21 at an elementary school in Uvalde, TX. The list could go on and on and all of these men don’t hold a candle to the terror some people feel of black men.

No matter their age, level of intelligence, income level, style of dress, marital status, etc., a black man is seen as one who would cause harm. Let’s change the narrative in America by trying to assume the positive before the negative, not just of black men but of all men. It is perfectly fair to be on guard and cautious in our day-to-day lives. In this age, one has to be aware of their surroundings. However, do not be overly suspicious of one race over another.

Referencing the CNN article again, "Black Men Are Succeeding in America," they found that black men are more likely to be successful when they work, have an education, and are married. Black men who have an education and work are generally in a higher income bracket and have core values of respect. They want to provide for themselves and their families and offer protection for them. Black women assist black men in succeeding by providing them with the necessary support. Furthermore, black women tend to be that success factor for some black men who are in the middle class or higher as a re- sult of the size of their personal income adding to the household income.

Another factor to note for success is military experience. Championing those virtues of duty, responsibility, and loyalty helps give black men a solid foundation and builds their own code by which to live. The study found that it increased success by over 70%.

Changing the way people think of black men will not just keep them stay safe, but it will help them stay on a progressive path for a better future. Just think of children in a similar scenario. Those who are loved, supported, and know more is expected of them will generally achieve more than those who are not. If one expects a child to fail, they will. Put black men in a positive light, and they will know they are not alone in their fight and that someone is expecting more of them. This type of behavior raises one’s self esteem.

Don't group all black men together and project your personal prejudice on the species. As W. Bradford Wilcox, senior fellow at the Institute for Family Studies and a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, writes, "The evidence suggests that if more Americans knew how many black men were succeeding, and more about the routes they were taking, it would reduce racial prejudice and engender hope among today’s young black males that they too have a shot at making it in America."

This Black History Month see black men in a positive light rather than a negative one. Thought provoking thinking might just save a black man’s life.

BUN B’S TRILL BURGERS TO RETURN TO HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO FOR THE 2023 SEASON

Award-winning smashburger concept set for an encore appearance at NRG Park

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire

Trill Burgers has announced that it will make its much-anticipated return to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Rap legend Bun B’s award-winning smashburger concept – which was named “Best Burger in America” by Good Morning America in 2022 – will be a food vendor at booth RP130 in Rodeo Plaza at NRG Park, located on NRG Parkway East near the Champion Wine Garden and NRG Astrodome. It will be next to the booth that Trill Burgers operated last year, with an updated buildout for 2023.

Trill Burgers made its Rodeo debut in 2022, serving up more than 12,000 burgers during the 21-day festival. That culminated with 1,234 burgers sold on Bun B’s birthday, March 19 – which will be the final day of the 2023 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Bun B will once again grace the revolving star-studded stage inside NRG Stadium on Friday, March 3, for

Bun B’s Southern Takeover, leading an all-star cast of hip-hop elite from the Southern United States.

“As excited as I am to be performing again at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 3, I’m equally excited to be serving our Trill Burgers on Restaurant Row again for the entire Rodeo,” Bun B said. “There’s no better way to present our amazing burger to as many Houstonians in one setting. See you there!”

The news of the smash hit concept returning to Houston’s marquee public event comes as work continues on Trill Burgers’ first brick-and-mortar location at 3607 S Shepherd Dr. in Montrose. The 3,236-square-foot building, which features a drive-thru, was formerly home to one of Houston's oldest James Coney Island locations. An opening date will be announced soon. Read more at RodeoHouston. com

BEYONCE’ BRINGS RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR TO HOUSTON SEPT. 23

By StyleMagazine.com - Newswire