September 19, 2021
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol. 26, Issue 35
BLACK
“Addressing Current & Historical Realties Affecting Our Community”
VOTERS MATTER
DR. THOMAS FREEMAN AVE? By: James Ford
BLACK WOMEN PROTECTING FAMILIES IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
By: N. L. Preston
their rights, their land During a time when and their freedom. Thanks to Governor many feel that Texas is well on its way Greg Abbott, Texans to become the new can now carry a hand“Wild, Wild West,” gun in public without many Black families a permit or the backare making sure their ground check and households are pro- training the state pretected. A new wave viously required. The of protectors, remi- new “permitless carniscent of the origi- ry” or “constitutional nal Black Panther carry” law lauded by Party, are focusing on gun rights advocates health, wealth, safety has made many, inand PROTECTION of cluding law enforce-
ment officers, fearing what could happen when messages get mixed and situations become volatile and people in compromised situations feel it’s their right to shoot. Also, having the guns in public can make an officer’s job more dangerous than it already is. But -- in the wake of mass shootings -- is it a way to further pro-
tect ourselves? If so, how do we ensure the guns are in the right hands? We may not ever have the answers for that, but one thing is for certain - many Black families are not willing to be “sitting ducks” at the hands of the government or overzealous people. They are making moves to protect their
Protection cont’d page 3
A little over a year ago, Dr. Thomas F. Freeman passed after teaching at Texas Southern University for over 70 years. He was only two weeks away from his hundred and first birthday. Freeman, the debate coach at Texas Southern University, mentored and taught a number of well known political and social justice figures to include Martin Luther King, Jr., Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, Congressman Mickey Leland, and Texas Representative Senfronia Thompson. Watching the funeral services for Dr. Freeman was both informative and inspiring as several people approached the lectern and quietly praised his contributions to humanity while others fostered suggestions that his name should be etched in granite or a statue built to celebrate him. Only a week would pass, and this writer submitted a narrative to the Harris County Historical Commission for a historical marker for Dr. Freeman. That narrative was approved Freeman cont’d 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