A little over a month ago, the President announced the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework – a bipartisan agreement to make largest long-term investment in our infrastructure and competitiveness in nearly a century.
By: Roy Douglas Malonson The late-great comedian and activist Paul Mooney said, “the Black man in America is the most copied man on this planet, bar none. Everybody wants to be a nigger, but nobody wants to be a nigger.” He’s damn right. We Black people know this all too well. And even though the Black man is the “most copied” man in the world, he is also the “most disrespected,” and it starts with one damn word. The “politically correct” reference these days is to say “N-word,” but everyone knows they say it loud and proud as often as they can – NIGGER – a word White Supremacist racists derived from a word originally used to classify our race – NEGRO. Negro is not an ugly word, but because of the way that racists have turned it into a negative, Black folks have been moving away from it so much that we have gotten confused with who the hell we are. We were once Africans, then we were Negroes, then we were colored, then Black, then African Americans, and I think – since they claim our LIVES MATTER – we are now Black again. And what about the “negro?” Well, some people want to remove the word altogether, just to remove the negative “nigger” associated with it. Can you believe, there are still plenty of public places that bear the name, starting right here in the Lone Star State. The word “Negro” appears in dozens of places across Texas. Although the Texas Legislature passed a law three decades earlier that would rename the locations after prominent Black Americans, it was blocked by the U.S. Board for Geographic Names. The reasoning given was that there was a lack of support for renaming these places and lack of opposition for the current names. Many of the bill’s supporters were unaware that the legislation had no effect. Rodney Ellis, Harris County Commissioner and former state lawmaker that supported the bill in 1991, said that he did not know the name changes hadn’t been made until he was contacted by NPR last year.
Still pushing to remove the “N-word” Read More »
merica has perpetually and spiritually been engaged in an Ethnic Exclusion War, because there are too many White Americans who do not believe: “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Where Is America’s God Conscience? Read More »
Christian Right Evangelicals have been lured into spiritual complacency, and consequently have confused right and wrong. Christians should never replace one sin with another sin. Sin is sin, and “all individuals have sinned, and have come short of the glory of God.”
Don’t get on the devil’s side! Read More »
By: Roy Douglas Malonson “Hear me clearly,” says Senator Tim Scott, currently the only Black Republican senator, “America is not a racist country.” Now, my expectations for 2021 are pretty low, but I never thought I’d hear such an egregious lie being uttered from the mouth of a Black person, no matter the political party. Senator Scott’s rebuttal came in response to President Joe Biden’s address to Congress Wednesday evening. As expected, many Republicans, conservatives, rightists, whatever they call themselves, rallied behind Scott to support the notion that the United States is not a racist country. Surprisingly, our “Chucks and Pearls” wearing HBCU graduate Vice President Kamala Harris also panders to White America by responding that she too, does not believe that America is a racist country, but that we need to speak truth on racism. What’s contradictory about VP Harris’ response, is that in order to speak the truth on racism in America, we have to admit that America is racist. I want to believe that there is a general disagreement on what makes a country racist. Senator Scott argues that American people can be racist, not the country. The issue with this is that racist people in America are often protected and rewarded by American laws. We cannot say that racism in America is limited to a minor group of people, when we are currently exposing entire systems for their racist practices. Systemic or institutional racism lies in the structures that build the United States. Systemic racism is racism that is immersed in the laws and practices of a society or organization. Examples of industries that have been proven time and time again to be embedded with racism include the educational system, the health care system, the economic system, the criminal justice system, etc. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black, American Indian, and Alaskan Native (AIAN) women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related deaths than their white counterparts. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Black Americans are two times more likely to not have health
‘Uncle’ Tim says ‘America is NOT a RACIST country’: Data says otherwise Read More »
There are some things we know about human behavior and some we don’t. The 2016, Presidential leadership mentality brought to the forefront open racist behaviors. We know that Christian Right Evangelicals, The KKK, Qanon, The Oath Keepers, The Proud Boys, The GOP, Trump Loyalists, and all other White Nationalistic Groups are exclusionary and racists.
Is America a Racist Country? Read More »
Cold-blooded killer Derek Chauvin was found guilty in the death of George Perry Floyd Jr., and cheers erupted around the nation. A Black man who grew up in Houston, Texas helped change the world, and with his last breath, he may have just possibly saved the lives of so many others.
Guilty as hell! Justice for George Floyd Read More »
“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (James 3: 16-18). In the past, it was White males in white robes killing and terrorizing Blacks. In the 21st Century, it is White males in blue uniforms, with guns, badges and the law on their side terrorizing and killing and Blacks. Thus, the Law Enforcement Constabulary was established to check-mate Blacks as well as other minorities. Even though, in American society crime is an intra-racial phenomenon: Whites rob, kill and steal from other Whites. Blacks and other minority groups rob, steal, and kill from each other, as well. Hence, crime in America is intra-racial, and not interracial. Whites should fear other Whites, not minorities. Therefore, the Law Enforcement Constabulary is an after the fact investigatory agency, not a preventive agency. The more things change, the more they remain the same. Of course, the Bible spiritually warns us concerning wolves who masquerade in sheep’s clothing. This is why Jesus talked about children of God learning to live in the midst of evil men (wolves), and therefore, they must learn how to be wise like a serpent, but harmless as a dove. Twenty-first century American society is defined and characterized by gun violence. The spiritual question is why? The answer lies in the fact that America has become a country without a sense of the SACRED, oriented towards a gun-culture society; whereby the gun is god: guns, guns and more guns. As a matter of fact, vanity is running rampart. American society has more guns than citizens. And, when America references god, she is not talking about the Universal God who created the heavens and earth, but referencing the god that is inscribed on the U. S. currency system, which in turn, is the god that most Whites worship: guns, oil and drugs because this
COMMENTARY: White Robes & Blue Uniforms Read More »
By: Dr. John E. Warren The conviction of Derek Chauvin on all three counts in the death of George Floyd represents a much needed breeze of change, but it is neither the storm or whirlwind needed to correct the malignant, cancerous attitude of law enforcement against not only Black men and women and people of color, but a society which says it’s alright to be judge, jury and executioner of those having contact with police in particular. The prosecution and its witnesses in the trial made it clear that the issue is not police training, nor is it about anything other than treating people with the respect and dignity the police would expect if they were in the shoes of those who have become their victims. We know that crime does exist, that there are people who must be apprehended and not all can be done without use of force; but those selected to wear a badge and gun must know the difference and must no longer be able to hide behind such legal myths as “qualified immunity” which has excused so much of what so many police officers should be held accountable for. The verdict is a good start, but let’s not think it solves our problems. In the midst of celebrating, let us keep our eyes on the national war before us which finds Republican legislators at the Congressional and State legislative levels mounting a relentless battle for “voter suppression.” They are attempting to do to people of color what Derek Chauvin did to George Floyd. Their knee is being placed on our neck of democracy and we cannot breathe without fighting back. Let’s identify not only those Republican legislators in each state pushing such legislation, but mount people to run against them. At the same time, let us withhold our dollars from those corporations who refuse to stand up and speak out with their dollars against those very elected officials they have funded for so long. There are still more trials to come. Let’s stay vigilant, for the struggle continues.
COMMENTARY: The Verdict, The Nation, and Us Read More »
“It is important to recognize the International Decade for People of African Descent as an international corrective to combat the systematic indoctrination of the lie of African inferiority,” said Dr. Kevin Cokley, the director of the Institute for Urban Policy Research & Analysis. “Passing H.R. 40 would count as the most significant legislative achievement to impact the victims of the transatlantic slave trade.”
The Transatlantic Slave Trade: A Day of Remembrance Read More »
African American News & Issues
(713) 692-1892
P.O. Box 41820
Houston, TX 77241
Copyright © 2024. African American News & Issues. All rights reserved. | Private Policy | Terms of Use 
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.
