Voting

“We the People”: The solution to our problems

By: Dr. John E. Warren While a great deal of time and attention is being given to the many sins and acts of evil by Republicans and the Ultra Right who believe that their privileges are greater than our democracy, it is important to remember that “We the People” hold the keys to our own deliverance. There are more of us than them as evidenced by the last election which placed President Joe Biden in the White House instead of a second term for Trump. The Bible says “we  have not because we ask not, and when we ask, we ask for the wrong things”. Lawrence O’Donnell, an MSNBC Commentator, recently pointed out that “we” are responsible for Donald Trump being able to appoint three judges to the U.S. Supreme Court. As he indicated, it started when we, the democrats, didn’t bother to vote in past presidential elections that allowed the Regans, the Bushes and the Trumps to be in position to stack the Court with conservative right wingers. You will remember that when Trump was running against Clinton, the Christian Right and Ultra Conservative Right were not concerned with his sexual sins, only having him in position to appoint judges to the Highest Court in the land because it would influence policy for decades to come. Now the ball is back in the court of “We the people”, if we choose to take it. We the people out number the conservative Ultra White element that would end democracy. We the people, whether Democrat or Independent, have sufficient numbers to out vote any conservative wave and laws of voter suppression are now being put on the books. It was this kind of voter turnout that elected two Democratic U.S. Senators from the State of Georgia, in spite of the Trump effort to undermine the voter turnout of the state. When we look at the characters that are holding the U.S. Senate hostage and refusing to live up to their oath to “Protect and Defend the Constitution of the United States”, then we have an obligation to organize and vote them […]

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Voter suppression: ‘For the People’

The voting rights fought for in blood during the Civil War era are being reversed in front of our eyes, and the Republican Senate isn’t even trying to hide it. The Republican Senate committed a filibuster — an action to obstruct progress or action on a bill — on Tuesday regarding an ambitious voting rights bill calling for reform. Voter suppression has run rampant across 48 states with over 300 voter restriction laws and continues to go unchecked by the federal government. These restriction laws primarily target Black and Brown communities, young people, people with low incomes, and people with disabilities. In an effort to counter these blatant acts of discrimination and voter suppression, national campaigns such as the Freedom to Vote campaign proposed the For the People Act. The For the People Act addresses preventing deliberate barriers that affect targeted demographics from voting, making campaign finance transparent, and creating national standards for voter accessibility such as early voting, online voting, pre-registration for 16-17 year olds, and protection against voter roll purges. The act also demands ethical reform for the Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branches of the federal government. Another major proposed federal legislation is the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which ensures that changes made to local and state elections are reviewed by the federal government, otherwise known as a federal pre-clearance, and restores full rights that were included in the original Voting Rights Act of 1965. Preclearance in the original Voting Rights Act of 1965 ensured that counties, towns, and states that could not be trusted to hold non-discriminatory elections, due to their history, would have elections reviewed by the federal government. In a federal Supreme Court ruling of Shelby County vs. Holden in 2013, the court decided that the formula for determining which areas needed preclearance was outdated and called on Congress to update the formula. Eight years later in 2021, Congress still has not updated the formula for preclearance, and the lack of action has severely weakened the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The weakening of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the sheer

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 Voting made tougher in Texas

By: Roy Douglas Malonson Old Jim Crow laws have officially returned to Texas. Really, they never left. Lawmakers in Texas are already trying to attack the Black vote ahead of the 2022 midterm elections by making it even tougher to cast a ballot. The State Senate approved an election law that is basically ending all of the provisions made last year that made it safer and easier to vote during the pandemic. They have now put roadblocks in place, including statewide limits on polling-place hours, a new formula for locating polling places and a ban on drop boxes to assist mail-in voters. The proposal also would ban anyone except the voter who filled out a ballot from dropping it in a mailbox or delivering it to an election official. This move adds new paperwork requirements for voters who need help because of language problems or disabilities. And it will give so-called poll watchers the right to videotape voters if they deem them suspicious. We know what this is — a clear case of voter suppression. They may as well ask us to count jellybeans in a jar again! Texas is now following in the footsteps of Iowa and Georgia, where lawmakers also attacked voters’ civil rights by tightening voting rules last month. ‘Trump Republicans’ are waging a war after jumping on the baseless claims that former President Donald Trump was “cheated” out of the election. Despite there being no evidence of election fraud in Texas last year, supporters of the bills say their measures are needed to make the state’s elections more secure. “This bill is designed to address areas throughout the process where bad actors can take advantage, so Texans can feel confident that their elections are fair, honest and open,” State Senator Bryan Hughes said during Senate debate. Forgive my speech, but that is complete and total BS. There was not voter fraud and Trump lost, plain and simple. What everyone fails to realize is that Trump said early on that he would not accept any decision of defeat, with the egomaniacal thought he would not — or

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In many cases, the same baseless and thinly-veiled rationales used to challenge ballot access in the 1960s are resurfacing today in support of these efforts to shrink our democracy. Top left: Alabama police attack Selma to Montgomery marchers, known as "Bloody Sunday," in 1965 Top right: Marchers carrying banner "We march with Selma!" on street in Harlem, New York City, New York in 1965 Bottom left: Participants in the Selma to Montgomery march in Alabama during 1965 Bottom right: Dr. Martin Luther King, Dr. Ralph David Abernathy, their families, and others leading the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965 (Photos: Wikimedia Commons)

OP-ED: On Bloody Sunday’s 56-Year Mark, President Biden’s Words Remind Americans That Democracy Needs a Renewed Push for Voting Rights

“Fifty-six years ago, Bloody Sunday marked a turning point in our nation’s civil rights movement. The brutal assault on peaceful civil rights demonstrators ranging from the young to the elderly left an indelible imprint on the collective conscience of the nation and led to the passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, our nation’s most important federal civil rights law.

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October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com

As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.

Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.

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