July 4, 2021
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol. 26, Issue 23
who police the police? “Addressing Current & Historical Realties Affecting Our Community”
PRINCESS NEVAEH WADE By: Dr. Stacey Jones-Reed
By: Nevaeh Richardson
PRIDE
We hear the words “objective,” “non-bias,” and “acceptance,” but how many of us are really living the truths we speak? We preach and protest for freedom of speech and freedom to love, but how many of us truly – deep down inside – support others’ lifestyles and opinions? How many of us say we accept certain choices of another person -- as long as it does not affect our own homes or family members. You may have many gay friends and co-workers and outwardly support them, but how would you really feel if your child came and said the words to you, “Mom and Dad, I’m gay.” Gay Pride is not just a “month” of recognition, it is every day and in this era of social justice, it is not just about race. The rights of gay people are also front and center. In order to move forward in this country, we have to open up and be honest with ourselves and take a look at the
man in the mirror. Ask yourself, “are YOU the person who is really in the closet?” In today’s culture, there is no greater fear than to be labeled. We’re not referring to just any kind of label, we’re talking about labels that end careers and warrant a collective shun from today’s “progressive” culture. Terms such as homophobe, racist, misogynist, ableist, etc. can often make people feel as though they are not able to express their thoughts and opinions. Phrases and questions can be taken out of context and turned into something completely different from its original intentions. On one hand, while this era of political correctness can seem overbearing, it is the result of people and communities wanting to be respected, recognized, and emancipated from the oppressive forces that have Pride cont’d page 3 kept these marginalized
Her list is simple, wanting basic things that many of us take for granted daily. She wants to decorate her room, eat nachos and get her nails done. Not too much to ask, but extremely difficult when you are fighting for your life. Nevaeh Wade, 14, has suffered from Lupus, a chronic autoimmune condition, for years. Nevaeh and her family were recently told that her Lupus has advanced to where it is affecting multiple organs. Nevaeh’s Mom, Eco Wade, says her daughter now has brain inflammation, leaky heart valves, fluid in her lung as well as kidney disease. She’s also diabetic. Doctors told the family that no further treatment would be curative, and the focus is now more on treating her symptoms. Instead of thinking about the news the doctors delivered, however, Nevaeh is finding ways to “live her best life” and her loved ones are helping her do it. Nevaeh wrote her bucket list and her “village” went to work, reaching out to business and community leaders who could make it all happen. Houston judge, the Honorable Wanda Adams, temporarily gave up her seat on the bench to allow the teenager to be a judge for a day. Another one of her dreams was to go horseback riding, Princess cont’d however, since she has been page 5
“OUR VOTE AND OUR MONEY ARE THE TWO MOST POWERFUL THINGS WE HAVE. BE CAREFUL WHO YOU GIVE THEM TO.” - ROY DOUGLAS MALONSON