African-American News&Issues

WWW.AFRAMNEWS.COM

DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2016 | FREE

African-American News and Issues Newspaper

AframNews

VOL. 21 ISSUE 48

AframNews

2nd Edition

Coming Soon to a Location Near You!

January 2016

The

H-Town Black Konnect Connecting Our Communities to the services they need!

#TheHTownBK

The #1 100% Black-Owned Worldwide Digital News Source

Bishop Johnny A. Tate

Everyone is not privileged to genuinely sing the song, “May the Works I’ve Done Speak for Me” and resonate that they have lived the life accordingly.

Nonetheless, one of Houston’s own is definitely worthy of the praises that this song yields. Johnny A. Tates is a powerful preaching and teaching machine, and one that has made full proof of the ministry for nearly 40 years. Evidently, his loyalty and commitment to the faith has been acknowledged and recognized. Thus this man of integrity and nobility was recently appointed to the office of Bishop in the Church of God in Christ faith. Read on to become acquainted with this awesome man of the cloth! ~ See page 4

Call (713) 692-1178 today to find out more about enrolling in the Houston Black Business Directory!

“Alzheimer’s Disease: Some Things Matter a Little More Than Politics”

Happy Holidays

From: African-American News&Issues & Staff

Mr. Roy Douglas Malonson

Ms. Chandra Jarmon Mrs. Shirley Ann Malonson

Mr. Anthony Stewart

As Donald Trump fills his cabinet with swamp drainage, many of us sane Americans are finally coming to grips with the reality that it really is a White man’s world. That within itself is nothing to boast about; it only exemplifies the simple fact that millions of Americans see perversion, homophobia, bullying, sexism, and racism as “normal” occurrences in everyday life. This was highlighted by the election of THE White man in a White man’s world, the president-elect Trumpster himself.

I got to give it to Mr. Trump, he had an excellent plan and campaign strategy. He focused on the very things that much of white America was angry about and used it to drag even the most illiterate voters from under rocks and bushes to vote for him. The conscience of “his” United States was exposed on a scale not seen in American politics since the post Reconstruction Era and reminiscent of the “Red Scare” tactics of McCarthyism in the 1950s. Gotta give the man credit, he went after and got what he wanted despite a popular vote tally having him being defeated by Hilary Clinton by over 2 million votes.

Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com By: Mark Spivey, M.Ed.

African

2

American News&Issues

Editorial & Opinion

They Fired the Wrong Damn Coach!

Before I Lay it Down...

By “Coach” Mark Spivey, M.Ed

I’ve been a girl’s head basketball coach for 11 out of my 13 years of teaching. It's not easy coaching girls.

You gotta put up with a whole lot of ISH and emotions, but that's okay; I just continue to coach my little heart out. My girls have always played hard, win or lose. We won games we weren't supposed to win and we lost games we shouldn't have lost.

We've been deep in the playoffs and we've lost in the opening round.

Nevertheless, my girls never gave up...

Every now and then I would talk to my girls about life and what to expect out of it. I was all up in their business when it came to boyfriends and other "distractions" to our goals.

I tried my best to prepare them for success outside of basketball. Many of them will tell you that I yell a lot and might cuss a little bit every now and then, but they all knew/know I cared about them. I taught them to be tough, resilient, and how to fight. Some of they asses fought too much. But, in doing so they learned how to persevere and compete. They

also learned how to "finish".

I can proudly boast and say that at least 75% of my girls who played ball for me have graduated or are attending college. That's been my ultimate goal for them all along.

The other 25% better hope I don't see them because I'm talking about they asses. They gotta finish. As I wind down my coaching career I'd like for my girls to remember me for being honest and truthful to them.

If they ass couldn't play basketball, I told them they ass couldn't play.

Go play soccer or softball. You can only be good at what you're good at.

You can't do everything, but you can graduate college if you WANT to. I will never tell a kid they can't...

My college graduates are intelligent, spunky, and hard working.

Patriotic Opposition to Donald Trump Roy Douglas Malonson Chairman Shirley Ann Malonson President/C.E.O. Chandra Jarmon

Production/Editor

LaToya Hamer

Production Asst.

Rebecca S. Jones

Contributing Writer

Mark Spivey

Contributing Writer

Chelsea Davis-Bibb

Contributing Writer

Darwin Campbell

Contributing Writer

Sandra Davis

Distribution

DeMarcus Hubert

Distribution

General: news@aframnews.com Ads: sales@aframnews.com Website: www.aframnews.com African-American News&Issues is published

by African-American News & Issues, Inc., 6130 Wheatley Street, Houston, Texas 77091, (713) 692-1892. Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm. The entire contents of the paper are copyrighted by African-American News & Issues, Inc. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. African-American News&Issues is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers.

The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the publisher.

African-American News&Issues assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other material, unless accompanied by a self-address stamped envelope.

Letter to the Editor

W

e welcome all original responses from our readers to content found in the African-American News&Issues.

Letters to the Publisher may be sent via e-mail to news@aframnews.com. Please keep all letters under 300 words. Be sure to include the author’s name, area of residence. All letters and articles may be verified before they are published. All letters are subjected to editing or being cut for spacing purposes. Thank you in advance for your submission.

Charles M. Blow Author, Political & Social Analystv

Nothing is safe or sacrosanct in Donald Trump’s developing governance team, and America had better start being alarmed about it and moving to actively oppose it.

The time for voting has elapsed, but the time for being vocal has emerged.

Let’s take the tally: He has chosen a man hostile to immigrants and with a complicated — to put it mildly — history on race to be attorney general.

He has chosen a man who is anti-abortion, pro-fetal “personhood,” and antiObamacare to be secretary of health and human services.

He has chosen a man who has criticized paid sick-leave policies and opposes increasing the federal minimum wage to lead the Department of Labor.

He has chosen a climate change denier and anti-environmental-regulation crusader to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

He has chosen a vocal proponent of school vouchers to run the Department of Education.

In a way, Trump seems to be trying to destroy these agencies from the inside out, the way a worm slowly devours an apple.

Furthermore, he is stacking these jobs with people who have given him cash.

According to The Washington Post: “President-elect Donald Trump has now tapped six big donors and fund-raisers to serve in his adminis-

They'll tell you in a MINUTE that they don't need a man, but they lying. EVERY woman who "acts" like a woman wants a man. They just won't take any kind of man.

I taught my girls that, too. Don't settle for a feller just because he is well-endowed or good looking. Men in the porn industry get paid. Yo lazy ass man, doesn't.

Orgasms won't pay yo mortgage, car note, or electricity bill. Learn that early...

In closing, coaching shouldn't only be about wins and losses. UT

TEXAS • DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2016

fired a good man in Charlie Strong.

Character, integrity, and discipline is what's needed in today's schools.

If you play for Coach Spivey that's what you're gonna get.

God bless, good night, and keep yo families together.

tration, lining up an unprecedented concentration of wealthy backers for top posts.

Together with their families, Trump’s nominees gave $11.6 million to support his presidential bid, his allied super PACs and the Republican National Committee, according to a Washington Post analysis of federal campaign filings.”

Trump’s defense: “I want people that made a fortune!”

And, just as the C.I.A. was asserting that Russia meddled in our election specifically to provide succor to this sap, reports emerged that Trump’s likely pick for secretary of state is Exxon’s chief executive, who has close ties to Vladimir Putin. Daddy Warbucks is hellbent on appeasing Mother Russia.

Angry yet? Yes. Good!

And understand this: You are not alone; you aren’t even in the minority.

A Pew Research Center report published last week found: “Trump also receives low marks for his initial cabinet choices and other high level appointments. By 51 percent to 40 percent, more say they disapprove than approve of the cabinet choices and appointments Trump has made so far. In contrast, majorities approved of the choices made” by the past four presidents-elect.

“In fact, approval ratings for Trump’s cabinet choices are 18 points lower than for the next lowest-rated president-elect.”

Furthermore, the report found: “Just 37 percent of the public views Trump as well-qualified; 32 percent of registered voters described Trump as well-qualified in October. Majorities continue to say Trump is reckless (65 percent) and has poor judgment (62 percent), while 68 percent describe him as ‘hard to like.’”

Since the election I have heard from more people than I can count who express fear and anxiety about Trump and the future of the country. There is a stifling sense of discontent and foreboding and apprehension.

Receive occasional updates and special offers for The New York Times’s products and services.

I know that it can feel like we are all drowning in a deluge of compounding outrages, with every headline about this impending administration appearing to one-up the last, but take heart.

You may have been on the losing side of this year’s election, but you are on the right side of history. In the final tally, courage will always defeat fear; love will always conquer hate; the beautiful diversity of America, and indeed all of humanity, will always outshine the darkness of racial enmity.

This is the reason I write, to remind people of honor and courage; to tell them that their cause isn’t lost, that their destiny is victory.

To continue reading online visit Source: nytimes.com

Read us online @www.aframnews.com The #1 100% Black-owned Worldwide Digital News Source TX-2

TEXAS • DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2016

Editorial & Opinion

The Never-Ending Ben Carson Nightmare Earl Ofari Hutchinson Author & Political Analyst

When Ben Carson emphatically declared that he has no government experience that would qualify him to run a federal agency, most took this to mean that he would quietly recede if not fade from public attention. We should have known better. Trump saw to that when he brushed aside Carson’s momentary candid admission and plopped his name down as the Secretary to be of HUD. This was a remarkable but not surprising return from the political dead for Carson.

Now we’ll have a man who self-admits he has no government experience running a crucial agency that ladles out billions annually in public housing subsidies, rental assistance, and housing finance activities, employs more than 8000 workers and administrators and operates more than 100 subsidy programs. If that’s not bad enough, Carson doesn’t even like what HUD does. He has a long and well-documented track record of lambasting housing discrimination suits, over-dependence on “social safety net” programs, getting government out of competition with private enterprise, and denouncing anything that supposedly deadens individual initiative.

This was the stuff of snickers, chuckles, and lampooning when Carson was simply private citizen Carson, or, the mercifully brief, failed GOP presidential candidate Carson.

Few then could ever imagine that Carson would ever be in a position to actually act on any of his rabid antique ultra-right notions of how a government should be run. However, with the Trump HUD post offering, Carson now can give free rein to his basest impulses about government.

HUD has been a long standing favorite whipping boy of ultra-conservatives. They have repeatedly ripped HUD for its alleged corruption and cronyism, and complained long and loud about the high cost and waste of public housing projects and vouchers

for low income renters. But HUD’s biggest sin to them has been that it supposedly shackles private housing developers by putting the federal government directly in the business of subsidizing home ownership. They don’t stop here. They have made the totally unsupported and outlandish claim that HUD’s butting into the housing business was one of the biggest reasons for the 2008 financial meltdown.

The only thing missing from the conservative hit plan on HUD was finding the right someone to do the dirty work to totally defrock the agency. And who better than Carson? He is black, and he and other conservatives never tire of repeating his woeful tale of rising from the hard scrabble streets of an urban ghetto to the pinnacle of success in the medical profession. He even lightly played on it again when he said with hopefully his tongue deep in his cheek that he had great expertise on poor people living in public housing because he once lived in a ghetto.

It is no accident that Trump’s biggest and most visible black cheerleader was Carson.

The trotting out of Carson to deliver the right-wing gospel from on high this time in the hacking up of HUD fits in with yet another by now familiar ploy used by ultraconservatives during the Obama years. And that was to float Carson as a GOP presidential contender. It worked twice in 2012 and 2016. And as always, some in the media took the bait and actually treated Carson as a serious contender for the nomination.

That absurdity only got too much when Carson made ever more bizarre statements about anything that came to his mind. However, it was more than political theater of the absurd. It got even more attention for the GOP. But more importantly, it touched a deep, dark, and throbbing pulse among legions of ultra-conservatives who fervently believed that Obama and many Democrats are communists, gays are immoral, and that the healthcare reform law was exactly what Carson likened it to “slavery,” meaning the tyrannical intrusion by big government To continue reading online visit Source: huffingtonpost.com

African

American News&Issues

3

“Freedom is never given. It is won.” We cannot expect them to stop treating us as second class citizens until and unless we stop believing that we are second class citizens and until we stop behaving as second class citizens. - A Philip Randolph

T

BLACK FOLKS NEED TO BECOME

INDEPENDENT

he first president of the United States of America, George Washington once made reference to a thought. In it he expressed that, “A free people ought not only be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.”

Even though his words were stated a couple centuries ago, his points still hold true today. I use his words in this editorial because he is the one and only POTUS that never belonged to a party affiliation. In fact, he warned the people of the dire consequences that would emerge from belonging to one as well. Though most Americans have disregarded his sentiments, the way that things are makes we wonder was Washington really on to something?

As it is, there has got to be a change within the overall landscape of Black America. We Africans living in America are constantly seeing the affects of the restraints that the political and judicial system places on members of our communities. With that being stated maybe we should take note to the old saying, “If you do what you always do, then you are going to get what you always have gotten.” I stated that to state that maybe Black folks should consider a different party affiliation from what we have become accustomed to associating ourselves with.

Perhaps, if we were to subscribe to a non-Democrat or non-Republican party, our voices will not be taken for granted. There is a strong possibility that we might be able to really flex our muscles then. Even the PresidentElect Donald Trump said, “What do

you have to lose?”

We MUST Understand that we are in a situation now that once President Barack Obama finishes out his term, there will really be no Blacks in the Democratic party who have ultimate authority in regards to our community.

At the present, we have a LGBT District Attorney, Hispanic-American

Sheriff, Hispanic-American Police Chief, Hispanic-American Fire Chief, Hispanic-American Houston Community College System Chancellor, Hispanic-American Houston Independent School District Superintendent, Black Mayor and a White States Senator Chair of the Criminal Justice System. So now we can only ask ourselves…. What in the world is going to happen now?

In order for our readers to best understand what I am trying to present here, I will provide a brief history on the Democratic, Republican and Independent parties. First of all, the Independent American Party was originally established as the Utah Independent American Party. As time went on and the party grew bigger it simply became IAP. According to, http://www.independentamericanparty.org, the Independent Party was designed to: “uphold and revere the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers as the only and supreme law of this land; restore Constitutional Republic, Constitutional

We MUST Understand

By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman

Law and all rights, liberties and properties rightfully belonging to the people and to the states; identify and reverse legislation, case law, regulations, and treaties, etc., that are unconstitutional or an offense to God and the Founding Fathers; permanently restore American sovereignty and independence from foreign; return the control of government back to the people as intended; greatly minimize taxes, and limit the size, power, and function of government to the intended constraints established within the original Constitution and Bill of Rights; advance the principles of freedom, patriotism and traditional family values; preserve and honor the Judeo-Christian heritage, and rights of all religions; identify and defeat all efforts to undermine and overthrow the Constitution; achieve at all levels in government, superior ethics, integrity and accountability; restore fair and responsible redress of grievances, as allowed in the Constitution and unite the independent votes, the silent majority, grass roots organizations, and other patriots and lovers of liberty under one umbrella, while keeping our separate identities, standing united as sovereign people.”

Here is a brief breakdown of the comparisons of both the Democrat and Republican parties, according to www. enkivillage.com.

On tax policies: “The Democrats believe there should only be cuts for middle and low income families, but believe they should be higher on corporations and wealthy individuals.

Continue reading We MUST Understand online @ AframNews.com!

TX-3

4

African

American News&Issues

TATE FROM PAGE 1

HOUSTON - Bishop Johnny A. Tates was initially reared in the Fourth Ward community until his parents relocated to the legendproducing, Fifth Ward segment of the city in 1950. His fundamental years of education were spent in the Houston Independent School District. He attended Kashmere High School, from grades 7-12.

Attending school with students from different age brackets assisted Tates at an early age with his maturity level and development. He revealed during an interview that, “Being exposed to his upperclassmen and having the ability to socialize and network with them was a tremendous experience.”

At the time that Tates was attending high school his principal, Dr. Bryant had received certification in the gifted and talented program from John Hopkins University in 1957, after Kashmere first opened. As a result, he tested all of the incoming seventhgraders and the highest scoring students on the tests were grouped together. That number amounted to 33 students, who were chosen to be a part of the “Gifted and Talented” program. Back then, Tates was privileged to be coupled with the likes of individuals such as: Dr. Casey in Philadelphia who was valedictorian of their class and Dr. Herman Mabrie, III, M.D. who currently practices medicine in Houston, as the salutatorian of their class. Other influential personalities from their class included: Dr. Patrick W. Wills, M.D. and Dr. Richard Evans (Des Moines, Iowa), amidst a gallery of others. Tates said, “It was very special to me to be exposed to those young people for 7 of my 8 classes and it really helped develop me and them.” He continued, “I believe if you talk to them, they would agree that the fact that we were able to interact with one another at an early age went well for all of us.” In reference to those golden years, Tates said, “A lot of people with very high ranks came out of Kashmere, and I give all the credit to Dr. Bryant’s brilliance and the teachers that helped formulate our preparatory stages.”

After graduating high school, he was given a short list of options on an index card from his father. They included: go to the military, become a police officer, go to school or move out. He had already set his sight on attending Howard University. Yet his oldest sister the late Laverne Colvin had begun college already and his father earned enough money as a barber and beautician, which would not allow their family to qualify for loans. Therefore, his father asked him to wait a couple of years and transfer to Howard later. As a result, Tates went to Texas Southern University. By the time his junior year arrived, his younger sister Inez had enrolled into TSU. Therefore, they rode to school together and he finished out his final years at TSU. Consequently, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Design and Engineering Technology. A few years later, he acquired a Master’s degree in Municipal Planning and Public Policy. He also has a 2nd Master’s in Secondary Education.

Secular Experience In 1966, Tates secured employment at Shell Oil as a Service Engineer (Janitor). He explained that even while working at a low level, he was earning over $600 a month. During this dispensation, $600 was a lot of money for working adults. He would go on to work there until he graduated from college. Upon graduating from TSU, he was recruited into the Oil Production and Research industry. In this capacity, he would track and define all of the salt and sulfate in high-content areas. Petroleum, salt and sulfate are the resources that Shell used to find drilling. Fortunately, Tates was on the team that discovered the highest probability of oil on all of the Shell-owned properties around Australia.

Having received much success in the oil industry, he was then recruited by a head hunter to venture into a Structural Engineering initiative with Bethlehem Steel Corporation in 1970. He took advantage of the opportunity and was afforded the privilege to study TX- 4

Cover Story

Trey Lewis, Bishop Johnny A. Tate & Aaron Houston

structural engineering from Lee High University. In the course of doing so, he designed most of the structural steel in the Chase Tower (59-tower building in Downtown Houston). He also worked with W.S. Bellows Construction, during this phase. He was responsible for the foundation of the Pennzoil plant in Houston. The Nuclear containment building for the South Texas Nuclear Project in Bay City was also implemented by him. Within his tenure at Bethlehem, he led, spearheaded and worked on a slew of projects; so many that space, would not allow me to list everyone.

After resigning from Bethlehem, he did some work for the Texas Highway Department and Continental Steel. He was a part of the effort that designed the five-bridge bypass around Cleveland, Texas. After a brief period of unemployment, he went to work for the Houston Independent School District (HISD) in 1984-85. He initiated his career at HISD as a Supervisor for one of four transportation centers in the district. Opposed to his continual advancement at Bethlehem Steel, Tates soared through the ranks rapidly within the school district. After dedicating nearly two decades of service to HISD, he retired in 2000. By the time, he retired he’d held several administrative positions: including Deputy Superintendent for Facilities Management, Operations and Transportation from 1994 until January of 2000, under the management of Dr. Rod Paige. In January 2000, he began to serve in the Alief Independent School District, as Deputy Superintendent for Administrative Services until his retirement in June 2007. According to his biography, “In these roles and various others that he has filled, he has functioned in critical decision-making, including the employment of architects and contractors in the HISD $678 Million dollar Bond Program.”

The Struggle Although, Bishop Tates has had a well-productive and successful career in more than one arena, he is certain that it did not come without a cost. During our interview, I asked him about struggles and challenges that he had to overcome in order to attain a level of success. He reminisced back to his early adulthood when he worked as an engineer. He conveyed that in the midst of the six years that he trained as an engineer, all of those he trained proceeded to become his supervisor the following year. After some time, it became blatantly obvious to him that he was smart enough to train his White counterparts; but not supervise them apparently. When he asked why he was passed over for so many promotions, he was told that he was the best engineer on the board and the point was not to take him off of the board because of his knowledge, technique and style. Tates shared that he told his superior, “Well then, you too dumb for me to work for; because if you had put me over the

TEXAS Texas • DECEMBER 1912-18, - 25, 2016 • August 2013

department I would have trained everybody.”

Accordingly, he made the decision to resign from Bethlehem Steel and a year later they went out of business in Houston. In an ironic turn of event, years after his leaving Bethlehem; the same man that refused to promote him saw him on television being interviewed by the national media and called him up the next day.

It just so happened, that he had taken a downward spiral in life and Tates ultimately hired him to work for HISD. While there remained many other challenges that would confront him throughout the years, he maintains that he always kept his trust in the Everlasting Father and he has been abundantly blessed for doing so. He said in regards to him being passed over multiple times that he recognized it all was the hand of the Lord at work in his life. He expressed that, “If they had not passed over me I would not have left the company, and if I never would have left then I would have never made it to HISD. So, the second part of my career is a result of me not having been shown favor in the first part of my career.”

The Religious Experience: The year was 1979. It was then that Tates had an encounter with the Lord that would change his life forever. He was saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. His experience was one that to this day he has never forgotten. One day he was playing basketball at TSU and injured his knee. After having surgery on his knee, he was placed in a body cast for 13 weeks. His knee developed keloids as a result of the healing process and he was unable to bend his knee. Medical professionals discussed different avenues in regards to his recovery. Granted, much of the new developments that are available now, were not yet in place during that era. As such, part of his recovery was to hang his leg off of the bed with weights attached, in order for him to gain strength in his leg again. He shared that it was a painful situation and he passed out several times during. One day, he went by his father’s house who was a Pastor, his father prayed for him and much to his chagrin he immediately began to have increased motion in his knee. Upon returning to his therapist the next day, he was inquired as to what had happened to him the day before? It was then that he exclaimed to his therapist, “I found the Lord!” The therapist told him that it was obvious something had changed, because he had too much range and motion in comparison with other days.

Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com By:Rebecca S. Jones

Happy Birthday F. N. Williams Sr. From African-American News&Issues

TEXAS • DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2016

Entertainment

Read us online! www. aframnews. com

LOVE MY BODY AGAIN

5

MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER:

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, “ 80 percent of U.S. women are unhappy with the way they look.” With this is mind, Austin wanted to provide women with a resource that they can use in order to help them start loving the person they see in the mirror. A lot of Austin’s book has come from her own personal experiences, as she herself has struggled to find and sustain a healthier lifestyle. In addition to being an author, Austin is also the owner of J.I.V.E. (Juicing Is Very Essential), which is a mobile juice bar that specializes in providing organic beverages to patrons in Houston and surrounding areas.

Austin is also a certified health coach. She leads life-saving workshops, personal consultations, and corporate lectures that inspire children, adults, pregnant women, and even seniors to eat and drink right, exercise, and achieve healthy milestones.

Recently, Austin held a book signing at the Houston Museum of African American Culture.

During this event, there were beautiful and powerful women who sat on a panel and discussed some of the issues, themes, and topics that are discussed in the book. These women who were apart of

the panel have had their own struggles in their journey to live a healthier lifestyle. The women on the panel included athlete and wellness expert Crystal Hadnott; Crystal Wall, wife of rapper Paul Wall and healthy living advocate; Leverette Baldwin, personal trainer and body builder; and Velma Trayham, founder of ThinkZILLA PR & Consulting Group. Each of these beautiful ladies had something special to share that resonated with the audience.

6 1 0 2

in holes t o p ir Repa ✔ ✔ r us on 24 ho milli 0 6 1 e$ Clos ficit ✔ ✔ et de budg ced alan me b a rd ti Pass ✔ ✔ et in reco nd budg arou y it c e the age of Unit ✔✔ oric pack st an hi n reforms io pens city uild a m B

✔✔ tea n’s rship e d ousto a e H l f o ctive refle sity diver ry

One powerful message was from Crytal Hadnott who spoke on the idea of being “Naked Fine”, which means, “are you fine with where you are? Are you fine with how you look naked, not naked with clothes, but minus the weave, the makeup, the titles, the degrees, and minus the man on your arm, are you fine with that? Naked Fine is about taking off all the stuff that the world puts on you, and being fine with what you see in the mirror.” This was just one response of many in regards to the discussions on self-love. It was imperative that people understood the importance of loving and embracing every aspect of who they are as a person.

Austin was very excited about the release of her new book, and wanted people to know that, “ they can do anything…once you change your mind, your body will follow. You’re able to do anything you put your mind to and set.” She further expressed some of her thoughts on why it is hard for people to get in the mindset of making healthier decisions by stating, “It’s change …until they realize they need to do something different. Once you figure that out…the power lies in you.”

When people read her book, Austin wants them “to be ready to make a change and to be ready to begin this journey and feel good about themselves.” Tamala Austin is in love with her body, and she challenges anyone else who is ready to make the steps towards living a healthier lifestyle.

To continue reading visit us online @ www.aframnews.com By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, M.Ed.

Pol. adv. Sylvester Turner Campaign

HOUSTON - When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you see a person you’re in love with, or someone you don’t like? Are you pleased with every aspect of the person that you see in the mirror including body, mind, and spirit? Well, if you’re not happy, Tamala Austin, MBA, wants women to love their bodies again with the debut of her first book “Love My Body Again: 21 Days of Meditation to Live Your Best Healthy Life Now,” which offers a holistic and innovative approach to helping women learn to put themselves first, stretch the canvas of their lives and paint a brighter, healthier and more fulfilling picture. Tamala Austin was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Texas Southern University, and an MBA from Texas Women’s University. Austin is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.

MAKING A LIST AND CHECKING IT TWICE…

e ish ev afe and W ✔✔ nian a s ! to ason s e u s o y H ida s hol u o y less jo flaw

ta : Hos p u (stay g n l LI Comi w o 5!) erb uary r Sup b e on F tuned

TX- 5

6

African

American News&Issues

Photo Credit: Meeko Graphics

Black Santa is Back

Texas • December 19 - 25, 2016

Happy Holidays from Constable Alan Rosen, Pct .1

Happy Holidays from Mayor Sylvester Turner

Happy Holidays from Acres Home Chamber of Commerce

HOU-6

EDITION DATE: December 19 - 25, 2016 (Vol. 21 Issue 48) TION DATE: December 26 - January 1, 2017 (Vol. 21 Issue 49)

What’s Happenin’

TEXAS • DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2016

PUBLIC NOTICE Houston Community College Invitation for Bid (IFB) Asphaltic Parking Lot Reconstruction & Restoration Project No. 17-20

5

JAN THURSDAY

African

American News&Issues

Marketplace Heading: TUNEPublic IN TO Notice KYND RADIO 1520AM Every WEDNESDAY Contact Information - 6PM Name: Arturo 5PM Lopez WITH MR. PARIS EALY AND Phone: 713.718.7463Fax: AFRICAN-AMERICAN Email: arturo.lopez@hccs.edu NEWS&ISSUES Address for Tearsheet/Copies: “Your KYND of Talk - Your 3100 Main Street KYND of - Your KYND Houston, TexasMusic 77002 of Radio” Call-In (832) 230 - 5592

7

ONE PrEP PILL A DAY IS 92% EFFECTIVE AT te and size of Ad to run in AAN&I’s Greater Houston edition.

EDITION DATE: December 19 - 25, 2016 (Vol. 21 Issue 48) PREVENTING HIV. TION DATE: December 26 - January 1, 2017 (Vol. 21 Issue 49) Sealed bids will be received in Procurement Operations (3100 Main Street, Room No. 11A06, Houston, Texas 77002) until 2:00PM (local time) on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

A Pre-Bid Conference (Non-Mandatory) for IFB 17-20 will be held at HCCS Central Campus, San Jacinto Building, Room No. 112, Houston, Texas 77004, on Thursday, January 5, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. (local time).

GUEST SPEAKER AD COST www.kyndradio.com to listen live HONORABLE WARREN FITZGERALD MUHAMMAD on your desktop or download FORMER JUDGE CITY OF HOUSTON ATTORNEY AT LAW FREENET Mobile App for Android or TOTAL COST: $204.48

Apple Devices to listen on the go!

Acres Home Chamber for Bus. & Eco. Dev, Inc. Total Cost toSUNDAY Run Ad for 2 Weeks Networking Luncheon First Baptist Documents can be obtained at: 6112 Wheatley St $408.96 Marketplace Heading: FBC Praise Dancers www.hccs.edu/procurement.

Houston, TX 77091 Public Notice 844 Fortune St From 11am -12:30pm Houston, TX 77088 Houston Community College For more info contact: Contact Information Beginnning at 11:30am Request for Competitive Sealed (713) 692-7161 Name: Jennifer Proposals (CSP) For moreChiu info contact: info@acreshomecenter.org Phone: 713.718.5138 Culinary Art Building (832)892-5078 Project No. 17-31 Fax: Please for approval and fax back 713-692-1183 CCEPTING Email:tohua.chiu@hccs.edu Sealed proposalssign will be received in Procurement Operations (3100 Main TUESDAY Address for Tearsheet/Copies: OLLEGE by 12 NOON Wednesday the week before Monday Street, Room No. 11B01, Houston, Windsor Houston 3100 Main Street Texas 77002) until 2:00PM (local NTERNS Skilled Nursing FacilityHouston, Texas 77002 time) on Tuesday, February 7, 2017.

Networking Breakfast PPLICANTS Pre-proposal meeting will be held 6920 TC Jester AD COST Are you ready to work in O#112784on January 10, 2017 at 11:00 am Houston, Texas 77091 the media industry but at 3500 Fannin Street, San Jacinto Beginning at 9:30am Auditorium, Houston, Texas 77004. you need hands on For more info contact:TOTAL NET COST: $174.96 Documents can be obtained at: training?

Well you have (281) 224-0280 Marketplace Heading: www.hccs.edu/procurement. come to the right Public Notice to Run Ad place! for 2 Weeks Now HiringTotal Cost Look no further and Join $349.92 Production Asst Houston Community College Contact our team ofInformation excellence to Request for Proposals (RFP) Trainee Name: Arturo Lopez gain that real world Parking Lot & Parking Garage w/ Basic Office Skills Phone: 713.718.7463 Cleaning Services experience in $10/hr Project No. 17-24 Fax: News, Reporting, Date to Visit aframnews.com Sealed proposals will be received in Email:Proofi artuor.lopez@hccs.edu ng, Editing, Design, apply online Procurement Operations (3100 Main Address for Tearsheet/Copies: For more info call Street, Room No. 11A06, Houston, Photography and More!

3100 Main Street (713) 692 -fax 1892back Please sign and to 713-692-1183 Texas 77002) until 2:00PMfor (localapproval Call 713-692-1892 Houston, Texas 77002 time) on Tuesday, February 7, 2017.

15

A C 10 te and size of Ad to run in AAN&I’s Greater I Houston edition.

EDITION DATE: December 19 - 25, 2016A (Vol. 21 Issue 48)

TION DATE: December 26 - January 1, 2017 (Vol. 21 Issue 49)

te and size of Ad to run in AAN&I’s Greater Houston edition.

EDITION DATE: December 19 - 25, 2016 (Vol. 21 Issue 48) TION DATE: December 26 - January 1, 2017 (Vol. 21 Issue 49) by 12 NOON Wednesday the week before Monday Email sales@aframnews.com for aHeading: copy of Marketplace

Documents can be obtained at:

www.hccs.edu/procurement.

Houston Community College

O#112784Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Engineering Services Project No. 17-34

Sealed qualifications will be received in Procurement Operations (3100 Main Street, Room No. 11B01, Houston, Texas 77002) until 2:00PM (local time) on Wednesday, February 8, 2017.

Documents can be obtained at: www.hccs.edu/procurement.

More info at PrEPtoPreventHIV.org

AD COST Public Notice AANI’s 2016 Media Kit

Contact Information

TOTAL NET COST: $122.40 COMMUNITY WRITERS Name: Jennifer Chiu

Searching forPhone: community news chasers.

713.718.5138 Total Cost to and Run Adonfor Follow what goes on in your community report it! 2 Weeks Fax: Call 713-692-1892 For more information $244.80 Email: hua.chiu@hccs.edu for Tearsheet/Copies: Fort Bend GreenspointAddress Fifth Ward Third Ward Inwood Acres Home Fourth Ward Homestead 3100 MainAlief Street Trinity Garden Sunnyside South Park South Acres Houston, Texas 77002 Crestmont Park Northshore

Independence Heights

AD COST

HOUSTON HEALTH d e pa rt m e n t

Supported by funding from Gilead Sciences, Inc.

And Other surrounding Communities

Dateback to 713-692-1183 Please sign for approval and fax TOTAL NET COST: $136.08 by 12 NOON Wednesday the week before Monday

HOU-7

8

African

Community

American News&Issues

TEXAS • DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2016

Essay Contest Promotes Black History and Acres Home Pride Linking YOU to the World

Black Kollectibles & F lowers

SHEPARD-ACRES HOMES LEGENDS: A STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST

Great Commemorative !

Holiday Gifts New

The Acres Homes community was established during World War I and is considered to be one of the largest African American communities in the southeast region. ln honor of African American History Month, students in Pre-K through 12th grade are encouraged to research and write an essay about Acres Homes leaders (past and present) who are community legends.

Students may choose one or more Acres Homes community leaders to profile. Suggestions for community leaders are Mayor Sylvester Turner, Loretta Devine, Jewel Houston, Ruby Mosely, Dorothy Hubbard, Beulah Shepard, Pastor F.N. Williams, Pastor Edwin Davis, Pastor Floyd Flakes, Slim Thug, or a student may choose another Acres Homes legend that is not listed. Entries will be judged on originality, grammar and creativity.

Submit Entries:

Requirements:

Beulah Shepard-Acres Homes Neighborhood Library 8501 West Montgomery Rd., 77088

•

Include: • • •

Student’s name & age School & grade Contact information

• •

Prizes: •

Game console, Galaxy tablet and more!

TM

Contest Deadline: •

•

Saturday, February 27, 2017

Awards Ceremony: •

•

Pre-K – 1st grade: Provide collage or drawing of the community leader and a one sentence description of this leader. Child must make the collage/drawing and adult may write the sentence using the child’s words.

2nd – 3rd grade: 20 – 50 word paragraph with a collage or drawing of the community leader.

4th – 5th grade: 250+ word, well written, original essay on a community leader(s).

6th – 8th grade: 500+ word, well written, original essay on a community leader(s).

9th – 12th grade: 750+ word, well written, original essay on a community leader(s).

Saturday, March 4, 2017 | 10 AM This event is part of Houston Public Library African American History Month Activities.

Please call 832-393-1700 or visit www.houstonlibrary.org/aahm for more information.

Available Now!

16 Month Calendar “The Obama Years” Collector’s Edition y r Mer s!

44th President n

a

Christm

New !

12” x 12”

Available Now!

Obama Out Magnet 2 /2” x 3 /2” 1

1

Gift Shop: 713-692-1195

Happy Holida ys!

Holiday Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 5pm

6130 Wheatley Street | Houston, TX 77091

We Appreciate Our Customers!

TX-8

If you have a special physical or communication need that may impact your participation in any of these activities, please contact the library staff prior to the program to discuss accommodations. We cannot ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations without prior notification of need.

11/29/16

Linking YOU to the World www.houstonlibrary.org

03/05/17

ACRES HOME - It is the Fourth great year for the annual event that seeks to instill community pride and nurture needed writing skills of youth.

“The essay is geared toward Black history,” said Etta Crockett. “It focuses on bringing back pride in the community and helping our young people to improve and continue their education and grammar goals.”

Both Diane Shepard and Crockett are founder and co-founders of the Friends of Beulah Shepard Legacy work tirelessly to bring the event to life annually.

The group is an avid supporter of the Beulah Shepard Library in Acres Homes and provides neighborhood support for education, enrichment, computer skills development for Acres Homes youth and the community.

Shepard, who is also the daughter of Acres Home well known legend and icon Beulah Shepard, said it is important to remember the rich homegrown history that was born right here in the “44”.

“Acres Homes is valuable place where valuable people and greatness has come,” she said. “Our goal is to remember and revive that greatness and never forget those who paved the way for us today.”

She said it is important for young people to get in touch and stay connected to the history of the community in order to pass that pride from generation to generation.

Crockett said she is proud of the great accomplishments of many from Acres Homes currently making great strides in education, science, engineering and politics.

Shepard wants people to believe in the community and understand that Acres Homes has made valuable contributions to Black History, Houston History and the history of this great state.

“My mother was part of the community and left a legacy of service the Acres Homes and the (African-American) community,” she said. “We do not want people to forget those icons, history makers and trailblazers. That is why we seek to keep it alive and build on that tradition by developing the next generation of leaders.” ~ By: Darwin Campbell

Texas • December 19 - 25, 2016

College Connection

Read us online! www. aframnews. com

9

Lone Star College-Victory Center Educating Black Males

By Jeremiah Kirkland

Kobe Bryant, Drake and Jay Z are all very successful black men who did not go to college. I thought success was obtaining nice jewelry, a big house and expensive cars. I thought you could be successful in America without a higher education. It is 2016, and I figured I can try to be a social media star at the very least in conjunction with working as many jobs as possible. I thought college was a bonus in life. You go to college if you have parents or family members who can help you pay for school.

LSC-Victory Center student Jeremiah Kirkland is pictured with native Houstonian Dana D. Wells, a doctoral candidate completing her Ph.D. in Human Capital Management at Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE.

Rapper 50 Cent said, “Get rich or die trying.”

A lot of young black males like myself have very limited resources.

We are not only fighting for financial stability, but also for our lives. We deal with racism, lack of opportunities, bad credit and poverty at early ages. I was afraid to turn down a pay check to instead pay for school and sit in a classroom. I was already struggling, living from place to place, cheap cars constantly breaking down and no health insurance. I was feeling trapped

and overwhelmed with basic life trials and tribulations. I knew I was smart, ambitious and had a lot of potential.

However, I did not see the point of adding college expenses to my already overloaded plate.

One day I was working a second job at Walgreens when Ms. Dana D. Wells came into my department to print off some photos. She asked me the question, “Are you in college?”

I gave her every reason why I was not in college. She passionately responded with every reason why I should be in college and offered to help me. Ms. Dana D. Wells is a 19year native Houstonian and full-time doctoral candidate completing her Ph.D. in Human Capital Management at Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE. She has worked with many global, Fortune 100 companies such as Shell, Waste Management, and Flowserve Corporation. She is passionate about helping young people go to college, especially young black males. She reminded me that, “Education is the key to success and we have to be lifetime learners.” She taught me that we have to continue to advance ourselves as we get older.

My idea of what college is meant for and what true success is has changed because of Ms. Wells. Things can happen in life. People can lose that great job, big house and fancy material things. You can never take away someone’s education. An education will take one past their possessions and open up more doors of opportunity. With racism and discrimination still existing in America today, as minorities we have to be prepared and ready to compete with people who are more privileged.

Some of us do not have access to the knowledge and people who have helped Kobe Bryant, Drake and Jay Z. This is why college is so important.

College leads to an abundance of

knowledge and preparation to help us make something great out of ourselves.

We do not have to sell drugs, try to be famous, or work two or three jobs to be successful. There are people like Ms. Wells who can help us with college, but we have to first realize how essential college is. We must be willing to sacrifice, study, do the work and find resources to ensure we graduate. We can be somebody!

Spread a Little Kindness

By Angelica Moreno

The holidays are here! It’s that time of the year we have all been waiting for.

Time to hang out with relatives that we haven’t seen all year, wear warm sweaters, drink lots of hot cocoa and eat lots of delicious food.

Let’s not forget about spending money on gifts with spectacular Angelica Moreno holiday discounts.

Yet despite this year-end season of cheer, looking back, much hate has been going around the world. It seems like people have forgotten how to be kind to each other and the real meaning

of the holiday spirit. I believe that we need to bring kindness back and spread it all around. It is time for a change and it starts by being kind. Here are five simple ways to spread a little kindness.

First, give a genuine compliment to your fellow co-workers or classmates.

You never know what is going on in people’s lives, so getting a nice compliment will surely bring a smile to someone’s face. Second, leave money on a vending machine for the next person to use. Leaving money for someone is a wonderful way to give back. Third, you can make delicious baked goods for your fellow co-workers or classmates.

Bringing baked goods will not only make you popular in the workplace or in school, but it will also bring a smile to everyone around you. Fourth, donate books to your local school or library or just give them out to complete strangers. In fact, actress Emma Watson is part of Books On the Underground, a program that leaves books for travelers to pick and read. Finally, start a conversation with someone you are not used to talking to. There is always a quiet person in the workplace or classroom who would appreciate a little conversation.

The holidays are a good time to spread a little kindness. So get out there and be kind to friends, neighbors, even complete strangers. End this year and bring in the new year with a good heart.

Happy Holidays!

LoneStar.edu/Victory-Center AANI_9.6x9.6_Dec_Jan.indd 1

12/2/16 1:20 PM TX-9

10

Read us online! w w w.a f r a m n e w s .c om

Law & Politics

TEXAS • DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2016

Does Protecting Undocumented Illegals Set the Stage for A Political “Alamo”

Welcoming Plan: Houston in the Middle of the Fight to Intergrate Illegals and Immigrants “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

- Phrase from Statue of Liberty Inscription

HOUSTON - When it comes to the “sanctuary cities” for undocumented illegals, the immigration issue and setting the rule of constitutional law in Texas, arguments are heating up statewide.

The challenges and rhetoric from city and state government leaders are starting to resemble scenes from the Wild Wild West.

The Call Out In this case, pro-constitution, pro-border control and pro-law proponents have “political guns” drawn in a vicious standoff in the middle of dusty, dry Texas streets and are at odds and struggle with those leaders seeking to make their cities more “sanctuary” friendly in a way that protects undocumented and illegal immigrants living and working in those cities.

In a Nov. 29 Tweet, Texas Governor Greg Abbot said. “Yes. I’m going to sign a law that bans sanctuary cities. Also I’ve already issued an order cutting funding to sanctuary cities.”

In a later Tweet on Dec. 1, Abbott added.

“Texas will not tolerate sanctuary campuses or cities. I will cut funding for any state campus, if it establishes sanctuary status.”

A sanctuary city is, by definition, a place where undocumented immigrants can freely go about their lives without fear of prosecution or deportation by local authorities.

The latest twist in this growing controversy on “protecting undocumented immigrants and illegals” was announced this week subtlely

by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner when he organized a task force called “Welcoming Houston” and created a new office called the “Office of New Americans.”

“The Houston that existed before the November election is the Houston that still exists today,” he said. “We will not tolerate violence or criminal activity against anyone. Houston is going to remain a city where all are welcome, where neighbors look out for one another and where we are proud of our diversity.”

The creation of the Office of New Americans TX-10

and the Welcoming Houston Task Force are the latest in a series of steps Mayor Turner has initiated to make Houston a more welcoming city.

The office, formerly known as the Office of International Communities, will serve as a clearinghouse for information and engagement with Houston’s thriving immigrant community and work with a task force of stakeholders to develop the City’s Welcoming Houston program.

He also said one of the goals of the new alliance will also be to focus on aggressively going after anyone who commits hate crimes against those “New Americans”.

“Play on Words” Teases Conflict Even though, Turner stopped short and did not call the initiative a move towards Houston becoming a sanctuary city, the play on words takes it dangerously close to the edge and could place the city at odds with and on collision course for a possible showdown with PresidentElect Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

President-Elect Trump, who is a Republican, has made it clear that he would prioritize deporting or jailing any undocumented immigrants who were members of gangs or had criminal records.

He also vowed during the campaign to block federal dollars from cities that give sanctuary to undocumented immigrants.

Two of eight major initiatives Gov. Abbott set for the state include securing Texas and restoring the rule of law.

Abbott has promised to do what the federal government has failed to do and secure our border and that included keeping drug cartels out and gangs out that import crime to our state.

“You have a right to be safe in your own home, your children protected in their schools and enforcing the rule of law,” Abbott said during his campaign for the office. “There is no greater priority than protecting our citizens, families and communities.”

As the drama unfolds, Black, White and Hispanic Texans are watching and holding their proverbial breath to see who draws first, who falls and who eventually wins the fight to shape policies that will either make Texas a strong model of the true rule of law and order or just a safe “soft” landing pad for illegal and undocumented immigrants.

Concerns about Sanctuary Cities & The Undocumented Homeland Security officials counter that sanctuary cities release dangerous criminals onto the streets, are a threat to national safety and security and endanger federal officers who must risk their lives to round the people up.

According to Homeland Security Chief Jeh Johnson, last year Texas had more than 25,000 people come across the border illegally every month. Today, that figure has jumped dramatically as more and more illegals attempt to come into America illegally because of the current lax approach towards enforcement.

What to do about border control and the cost of illegal immigration that has drained the U.S. Treasury of millions, cost thousands of African-American job opportunities, impacted countless lives and harmed tens of thousands of innocent Americans who have fallen victim to crimes committed by undocumented illegals is political fuel feeding

the emotional arguments. However, the fact is many who have come, waltzed gingerly into the United States by crossing the Texas border from Mexico.

Last July, the U.S. Justice Department even warned sanctuary cities to quit shielding illegal immigrants from deportation agents or else lose federal grant money, putting some muscle behind Republicans’ push to punish cities and counties that have refused to cooperate.

Despite that, a number of major American cities have declared themselves “sanctuary cities” for illegals and have challenged the incoming Trump administration on the immigration issue.

“Sanctuary Cities” Defenders Make Noise Democratic mayors and governors still oppose action and are willing to ignore federal laws on immigration.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti both vowed to oppose Trump on deporting criminal illegal immigrants. Last month, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel promised to defy President-elect Trump, saying, “Chicago will always be a sanctuary city.”

Dallas and Austin also have similar plans and proposals for the undocumented immigrants currently living, working there or who make their way into those cities.

Also last week, Turner joined other mayors from across the nation in urging President-Elect Trump to continue the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program until Congress provides permanent relief.

Continue reading online @ www.aframnews.com Reporting: Darwin Campbell

African

TEXAS • DECEMBER 19 - 25, 2016

The Eagle’s Nest Newspaper

A New Celebration

By: Jeffrey Bonilla, BTW Student It is that time of year when we finally come to the conclusion of 2016 and get ready for the New Year, but in the meanwhile, in these final months of this year, we are in the holiday season. This is a great time of the year when

MISSION STATEMENT

families get together and reflect on how they performed this year or whether they have improved their standard of life or if they are still a work in progress. It is time when we all share meals and share smiles and laughter. It is when people are the most charitable and willing to help others without feeling the need to be compensated. It is also the time when we get to see how diverse we are. This also happens to be quite a coincidence with both Christmas and Hanukkah being on the same day. What a way to celebrate the commonalities of all people and our common origins.

While we all seem to involve ourselves in holiday shopping with the yearly chaotic day known as Black Friday and worry about getting the newest technology, toys, and clothes, we need to understand that the holidays should be less about the materialistic aspects of this time, but more about being united. One student referred to Christmas as “Thanksgiving Part 2”which I found quite humorous because she told about how it was a time to spend with family and her favorite holiday dishes. Another student said he said he was going to travel to Michigan for the holidays to visit loved ones. These and others seem to “get it,” that Christmas is all about family and honoring your life, the good and the not so good about it. It’s a welcomed sight to begin to see people focus more on the small things.

This year more than any in recent history do we all need

Anything But the Same Ol’ Soup

The Christmas season can be just as much celebration as preparation for some, but the work need not be laborious.

Share the load. Be creative.

Remember your heritage.

Our cultural ties to variety run deep. As African and European cultures struggled to stay true during the American slave trade, their blending gave birth to colorful adaptations of holiday tradition. Historically,

the slave was allowed or commanded to celebrate the holidays in a variety of ways that depended solely upon the whims and inclinations of the slave master. Some were allotted gifts and freedoms impermissible any other time of the year, while others endured ever more grueling workloads catering to the indulgences of their owners. Stemming from West Africa and

American News&Issues

subsequently the southern coastal states of America, a uniquely African Christmas tradition, Johnkankus, was celebrated with costumes made of rags and scraps complete with masks that were the most monstrous or beautiful expressions of their plight thus far in America.

Ironically, this lesser known ritual was later put on by many local whites who adopted the practice simply

for the enjoyment of adorning masks and participating in jovial street parades.

Over generations, our customs and traditions have become even more assorted for various reasons, but they are provocative manifestations of our diversity.

Cherish them and, build upon them to make coming together fresh and relevant for the young among us.

Make something new again, and make it memorable.

As we enter into the 2016 Christmas season and prepare to welcome loved ones, infuse some fun, nostalgia and the unexpected into what can sometimes be a predictable time with predictable foods and activities. Whether you choose to keep the crew close to home or venture into something new, ways to add a little interest abound. Consider the following excursions: -The Festival of Lights: Take the trek down to Moody Gardens (ends 1/8/17) -Zoo Lights: See the jungle

11

“The faculty and students of Booker T. Washington High School for the Engineering Profession are striving for the successful outcome of its students through learning, companionship, research, and diligence.”

a break from the brutishness and self-centered overtones of 2016. From losing some of our greatest personalities and talents like Muhammad Ali, David Bowie, Gwen Ifill, Gene Wilder, Prince and recently, space pioneer, John Glenn, let’s take a step back. It makes us take a moment to reflect on what makes people special and how we should take time to enjoy each other. The aftermath of election 2016 is enough to make anyone sigh that not only it is over, but make grand wishes that we don’t return to some of the ugly sentiments that were highlighted on the road to the White House. What Americans need is a Silent Night, a Holy Night, a return to humanity and gentleness to our neighbors, associates and even to those who do not believe as we do. As we enter into this season and a new year, we hope that good cheer, donations to help those in need, and generous toy drives happening around the country will flood the airwaves more than anything negative and provide for us the change that is so very needed.

We are doing our part at Washington High School to get into the proper holiday spirit. We have ditched the dress code to spread love in Santa hats, ugly sweaters and Christmas costumes this last week of school. As we celebrate without so many of the tangible objects that eventually get forgotten about, let us never forget to focus on giving and the true meaning of Noel. come alive in lights! (ends 1/14/17) -Milk and Cookies with Santa at the Children’s Museum of Houston: The little ones won’t be little for long! (ends 12/24/16) -“Ice” at Discovery Green: Join the fun on the ice rink! (ends 2/12/17) Each of these are fun, active alternatives to being couch potatoes on the big day. If staying closer to home is on the menu, here are a few great ideas to break the monotony and create interesting memories for both young and old.

-“Extended” Family Game Night: Break out the board games and get competitive!

-Organize bingo and domino tournaments complete with prizes or trophies!

-Family Recipe Swap: Encourage everyone to bring copies of their best recipe to keep family recipes alive!

-Volunteer at a homeless shelter: Share the love and teach the importance of giving back.

-Keep memories alive by

videotaping portions of your holiday celebration when relatives introduce themselves and tell of their favorite family memory.

-Create a true Family TreeHave each branch of the family decorate their favorite family picture creating a tree ornament to present and hang on your tree.

-Explore Kwanza- Research and explain the tenants of the holiday during the day’s events.

-Create a hot cocoa or cookie decorating bar for the kiddos: What a great way to gather around and enjoy an after-dinner sip complete with every fun and festive topping for young and old to savor.

Christmas can look very different from family to family, but what should always remain constant is the time we take to cherish our heritage and those closest to us.

Step outside the box and end 2016 with a bold, reflective and innovative spirit.

by Stacy Flemming TX-11

African

12

American News&Issues

Texas • December 19 - 25, 2016

®

®

Get up to

meal deal!

save more than

17 50

$

BUY

in

assorted varieties

25

with in-store coupons

FREE X

buy

Rice Chex or Corn Chex Cereal

items!

18 oz.

with in-store coupons

H-E-B Spiral Sliced Bone-in Half or Whole Ham, Boneless Spiral Sliced Ham, H-E-B Fully Cooked Boneless Prime Rib Roast or Fully Cooked Brisket

That’s up to

$

2.50

free!

buy

8

Tapanco Corn Husks 16 oz.

That’s up to

• H-E-B Texas Sheet Cake with Frosting Mix, 25 oz.

• Herdez Salsa, 15.7 or 16 oz. assorted varieties • H-E-B Pure Cane Sugar Soft Drinks, 12 pk., 12 oz. cans

$

2.73

free!

buy

Nestlé Abuelita Mexican Hot Chocolate Drink Tablets

assorted varieties • H-E-B Glaze, 10 oz. assorted varieties

• H-E-B Frozen Sauced Vegetables, 10 - 12 oz. assorted varieties

• H-E-B Easy Melt Shells & Cheese, 12 oz., or Deluxe Mac & Cheese, 14 oz.

• Jiffy Giant Oval or Rectangular Foil Roasting Pan • H-E-B Casa Magnífica® Tortilla Chips, 11 oz. assorted varieties

19 oz.

$

with in-store coupon

Peter Pan Peanut Butter

15 - 16.3 oz. assorted varieties

GET Llévatelo

free! ¡gratis! with in-store coupons

• Hill Country Fare Instant Masa Corn Flour, 4.4 lbs.

• Hill Country Fare Mexican Style Refried Beans, 16 - 16.5 oz.

Regular or No Fat

Llévatelo GET

¡gratis! free! with in-store coupon

Nestlé Toll House Morsels, 10 - 12 oz.

2.44

free!

buy two (2)

H-E-B Mi ComidaTM Tamales, 16 oz. assorted varieties

Llévatelo GET

¡gratis! free! with in-store coupons

• Mark’s Good Stuff Salsa, 16 oz. assorted varieties

That’s up to

$

5.58

H-E-B Fully Cooked Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks 24 oz.

HOU-12

free!

assorted varieties

buy

Some items may not be available in all stores. Items not valid at Central Market. Due to the popularity of our Extra Low Prices Every Day, we reserve the right to limit quantities. Limit Rights Reserved. We Accept Lone Star Card, WIC And Manufacturers’ Coupons. ©2016 HEB, 16-5522 visit www.heb.com

GET

That’s up to

free!

Prices Good Wednesday, December 21 Thru Tuesday, December 27, 2016 At Your Neighborhood H-E-B Stores.

FREE

15 in 7 items!

$

That’s up to

$

2.00

free!

• Wolf Brand Chili

19 oz., With Beans or No Beans

Llévatelo GET

¡gratis!

free! with in-store coupon

H-E-B Flyin’ Saucy Wing Sauce 12 oz. assorted varieties

Llévatelo

¡gratis!