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LOCAL

2015 RUN-OFF ENDORSEMENTS

HOUSTON MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER CONTROLLER CHRIS B BROWN CITY COUNCIL AT-LARGE 1 GEORGIA PROVOST CITY COUNCIL AT-LARGE 2 DAVID W ROBINSON CITY COUNCIL AT-LARGE 4 AMANDA EDWARDS

THE SMALL BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT SERIES

see.pg 6 (l-r) Don Ball, Quinton Washington, Marsha Johnson, Patty Daigle, Bola Mayungbe, Elevation Allah

NATIONAL

RACISM & MONEY AT MIZZOU

POLITICS

HOW CAN THEY THINK IT’S NOT RACIST?

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT F RICHARD NGUYEN CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT H KARLA CISNEROS CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT J MIKE LASTER HOUSTON ISD, DISTRICT II RHONDA SKILLERN-JONES HOUSTON ISD, DISTRICT III MANUEL RODRIGUEZ

see.pg 4

see.pg 9

2

African

American News&Issues

WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE:

The Lies of Bill King are Brought to Light Yet Again

By: #WhoisDanFreeman here are moments when as ability becomes impossible. a writer, I attempt to ‘slide’ Houston Mayoral hopeful Bill something implicit into a King, who also serves as a columnist story that conveys my actual feelings for the Houston Chronicle, knows regarding a situation; you know, sayexactly what I am speaking about. On ing something without really saying it. June 8, 2014, King used his political When seeking to drive a point home, platform to simultaneously criticize yet not wanting to be so straightforthe Houston Police Department’s reward with the message, I will point quest for additional funds and publicly the reader in the direction that I desire slight the African-American Chief their thoughts to go via innuendo and of Police via a yarn that he claims to a good portion of sub-discourse. The have heard some forty-years ago while only problem with such writing is that a collegian. In the alluded to tale, if one is not careful, not only will the King has the unmitigated gall to liken true intentions behind one’s words be HPD Chief Charles McClelland to a uncovered, but also plausible deniwatermelon salesman.

T

Edit rial & Opini n

Predictably in the face of a vociferous public outcry from the AfricanAmerican community, King and his editors at the Houston Chronicle issued half-hearted apologies for the crude racially-tinged analogy. If one did not know any better they would be swayed by King’s remark that “… it is true that watermelons have been used as a symbol to stereotype, insult and demean African-Americans. And I truly regret if the chief or anyone else interpreted my retelling of this story in this context because that certainly was not my intent…It is a reminder that we all need to be more sensitive, not just to what we intend to say, but also how others may hear and interpret what we say.”

Unfortunately for Mr. King, it

“LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MY MOTHER-IN-LAW…” Before I Lay it Down...

By “Coach” Mark Spivey

Roy Douglas Malonson Chairman Shirley Ann Malonson

President/C.E.O.

Chandra Jarmon

Production/Editor

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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.

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I married a country girl from Hempstead, Texas. Yes, THAT Hempstead situated in the heart of Waller County. It used to be home to a pretty popular railroad junction back in the day and Confederate soldiers once roamed the watermelon patches there during and after the Civil War. “Six-Shooter Junction” was home to some violent people around that time, right at dawn of Reconstruction. Old folks will tell you it once was home to the Ku Klux Klan and African-American residents recall stories of black folk being lynched from a huge oak tree that stood proudly near the grounds of the Waller County Courthouse. Yes, THAT Waller County Courthouse where protests against garbage dumps and the death Sandra Bland have bought notoriety to a once peaceful community popularized in Lawrence Marshall Car Dealership commercials.

I lived in Austin, Texas from 1974 to 1985 and my family used to travel through Hempstead on “old 290” when it was two lanes.

Traffic used to be backed-up for miles on the weekend as travelers returned to H-Town from Aggie and Longhorn games as well as holiday

travel. Dairy Queen still sits in the same spot cranking out Steak Finger Baskets and Dilly Bars. Little did I know that I would make a permanent connection to Hempstead some twelve years later; marrying the girl of my dreams right there in that same ole Waller County Courthouse in Judge June Jackson’s chambers on Valentine’s Day. It was then I knew there was something special about this place…

When I first met Julle, it was love at first sight. Yep, she fell “head over hills” for me, reminiscent of the first time you guys tasted Blue Bell Ice Cream. She, like you, was captured “hook, line, and sinker”. The first person she introduced me to was her momma, Ms. Ora Mae. She’s a pretty woman with flowing gray hair and a smile as bright as the sun. She looks vivacious when she puts on her Sunday best on the way church.

Next to my mom, no one can wear a hat like her. I tell my wife all the time that her mom must have been “fine” back in the day; her backside posterior has remained intact. (I know I’m mannish…) Every now and then when I go by to visit, I can stroll through the family albums and see her “modeling” with her hands

appears that even his apology is supported by a host of lies. King claims that he “…did do a quick check on Google and found scores of references to the story in business journals and even in the popular media, including a column in the Huffington Post. None of the retellings of the story took place in a racial context.” The primary problem with such is that a thorough search of the Huffington Post brings forth a similar joke, however, it in no way, shape, or fashion involves African-Americans.

The actual joke follows: WATERMELON SALESMEN Two Irish farmers bought a truckload of watermelons, paying one dollar apiece for them. Then they drove to the market and sold all their melons

for the SAME price they’d paid for them. After counting their money at the end of the day, they realize they’d ended up with no more money than they’d started with. “See!” said one.

“I told you we should have gotten a bigger truck.”

It appears that Bill King took this joke, intentionally altered it to match the subject of his column to intentionally insult the Black Police Chief at the same time. Making matters worse, King was slow to issue a half-hearted apology that included a misrepresentation of the actual joke.

Now if he is behaving this way prior to getting into office, what awaits Houstonians once he is elected to the Mayoral office?

on her hips in front of a ’65 Chevy or Pontiac. Yep, Ms. Ora was the bomb back in the day! So much for that…

Most mother-in-laws, according to television shows, are nosy, intrusive, and overbearing. Not mine.

I’ve been blessed. I’ve been Ms. Ora’s favorite son-in-law for nearly 20 years. She has three others besides me, but I know I’m her favorite AND best-looking. We’re aware that country women can cook; Ms. Ora is no exception. Her potato salad and peach cobblers are outta this world!

She has always been good to me.

More importantly though, is her love for her children, grandchildren, and family. That’s the way mother-inlaws should be.

I know it may seem odd or strange for a columnist/writer to be talking about his mother-in-law when there’s other news to talk about. We got the mayor’s race going on in Houston (Vote for Sylvester), and Civil Rights issues on the campus of the University of Missouri. There’s a presidential race we can talk about or we can discuss the upcoming holidays. There’s lots of stuff to converse in. But, how many articles have you read lately on mother-in-laws? We don’t talk about them much and that’s too bad. There

are a lot of “good” ones out there. I wonder if there’s a “Mother-in-Law” Day. We have days for everything else. I gotta check that out…

In closing, yo mother-in-law doesn’t have to be ‘fine” or be able to “throw down” in the kitchen.

Neither, does she have to choose who her favorite son-in-law is. (I already know). The only requirements that mother-in-laws have is to supply us with daughters who are sweet, loving, and kind. Just like they are. God bless, good night, and Business Card for Paper 14_Layout 1 12/11/14 keep yo families together.

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TEXAS • NOVEMBER 16 - 22, 2015

979-921-9908 28820 FM 1736 Road Hempstead, TX 77445 Waller County

Breeder of Trophy Whitetail Deer, High End Beef-Type Registered Brahmans and Herefords Cattle.

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TEXAS • NOVEMBER 16 - 22, 2015

Edit rial & Opini n

BILL KING: THE GREAT DIVIDER Manhood, Race & Culture

By Dr. James Thomas Jones III

While researching the two remaining candidates in the Houston Mayoral race, it did not take me very long to discern that one of the candidates, Bill King, could be aptly termed ‘the great divider’. It did not take very long for me to discern that although he has an impressive record as a business owner, King also has a distinguished record when it comes to his interactions with non-whites.

Many have gone so far as to use the word racist in their characterization of King.

One of Bill King’s most revealing moments occurred when he associated Houston Police Department Chief, Charles “Chuck” McClelland, to a watermelon salesman without the capability of managing the HPD. According to King, McClelland viewed the only solution to his mismanagement of the department was expansion or analogous to getting ‘a larger watermelon truck’ that would be operated in the same inefficient manner. Such rhetoric angered a significant portion of Houstonians, regardless of race.

What follows is an e-mail that an offended Rodney Hill, a Sergeant in the CIRT Unity --- Mental Health Division --- wrote to Mr. King; a communication that I must add the Mayoral hopeful did not respond to either this communication from Sgt. Hill nor a subsequent communication.

An open letter to Chronicle Columnist Bill King Dear Mr. King, As a 37-year veteran of the Houston Police Department and white, I’m personally offended by the obvious racially insensitive joke you referred to in your column about my chief and his management of HPD. This is just the kind of stereotype that keeps all blacks mentally in the back

of the bus. Your explanation was a nice try, but to me it is clear that you and whoever checks your work are either out of touch with where we are as a people trying to overcome years of racial injustice, or I guess you and the Chronicle Editorial Board are just closet racists.

Moving forward, I will be meeting with prominent members of the black community to try to get support for a stronger measure than your weak attempt to blame an old business school story as the reason for such a racially insensitive article. I was born in the 1950s Shreveport, Louisiana, and if I relayed any of the things that I saw and heard regarding blacks in letters to your paper – or just in my contact with the Houstonians that I serve – I would have been fired and labeled a racist many years ago.

I think it’s time for you to be held accountable for your slap in the face of my chief and to all Houston police officers and to the citizens of all races that you and the Chronicle have offended.

Rodney Hill Sergeant CIRT Unit Mental Health Division Considering the fact that Houston’s diversity is one of the more attractive aspects of the city and serves as encouragement for people throughout the world to relocate here, the last thing the city needs is a Mayor who neither reflects those values nor understands how divisive the use of racial icons and innuendos are. Individuals such as Hall either fail to realize or care that the prejudicial statements and stereotypes of yesteryear are as damaging to this nation today as they were during the Jim Crow era.

It is for this reason that Houstonians must exercise extreme caution when thinking about casting a vote for Bill ‘the Great Divider’ Hall in this year’s Mayoral election. One must realize that if Hall’s racist verbiage is clearly displayed while he is attempting to be elected, one can only imagine what tone and tenor he will set for this city on matters of race, diversity, and inclusion if elected.

African

American News&Issues

3

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR HISTORY! FORGETTING WHAT - ROY DOUGLAS MALONSON HAPPENED TO US CAN DESTROY US!

A CITY TOO DIVERSE TO BE DIVIDED

I have come to learn that politicians will tell you exactly what they want you to believe, however, if you listen to them long enough they will eventually speak their actual feelings about people, situations, political beliefs, etc. Often these moments of truth are unintentional and considered a ‘Freudian slip’, meaning an unintentional error that reveals one’s subconscious and true feelings.

It is my general understanding that a ‘Freudian slip’ never occurs with the written word; especially when we are talking about editorials that cross the desk of experienced editors such as those found at the Houston Chronicle.

As the editor of AfricanAmerican News & Issues, I would like to remind Houston voters of all races and ethnicities of a perspective that flowed from the pen of Bill King during his tenure with the Houston Chronicle. On June 8, 2014, Mayoral hopeful Bill King used his political platform to issue one of the most innuendo filled columns this city has probably ever seen.

In the alluded to column, Mr. King addressed Houston Police Department Chief Charles McClelland in quite possibly the most racist terms that any law enforcement official has ever been referred to in the Bayou city’s history.

King began his column with a story that he claims to have heard while enrolled in business school some forty years ago. According to King, the story goes as follows: There’s an old saw about a fellow

who was in the watermelon business. He bought watermelons for $2 each, loaded them on his truck and took them to market, where he sold them for $1 each. Not surprisingly, he found he was losing money. After agonizing over the problem for some time, he came up with the solution to his problem: He bought a bigger truck.

Apparently, Bill King either possesses little comprehension of the history of American race relations or just does not give a damn about how he comes across to the African-American community; either option makes him unfit to serve as the Mayor of a city as diverse as Houston.

Bill King’s failure to understand that associating Houston Police Department Chief Charles McClelland, an African-American man, with the highly stereotypical ‘watermelon’ icon, raises significant questions about his intelligence, judgment, and common sense.

I think that it would be a grievous error for all Houstonians, not just African-Americans, to not pay attention to Bill Hall’s literary ‘Freudian slip’ as it provides the clearest view of his true feelings regarding minority populations. Houstonians should not take Bill Hall’s revealing words lightly, especially because they were directly aimed at the AfricanAmerican community. There is one thing that is certain about injustice, prejudice, and discrimination that all minority groups should expect from the train that carries this unfortunate cargo; that being, this train is never

We MUST Understand

By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman

late and rarely misses any stops on its route.

This entire issue reminds me of the prophetic words of Martin Niemoller, a Protestant pastor who was a vocal critic of Adolph Hitler, regarding what happens when good people fail to stand up against the type of evil that Bill Hall has spewed; I have taken the liberty to slightly alter Niemoller’s famous quotation to fit Houston politics.

First they came for the Blacks, and I did not speak out— Because I was not Black.

Then they came for the LGBTQ, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a part of the LGBTQ community.

Then they came for the Mexicans, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Mexican.

Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak for me.

I hope that Houstonians realize the danger that Bill Hall poses for this multi-racial city and agrees with me that Houston is far too fabulous a city to be divided by the type of racist filth that Hall projects.

all original responses from Letter to the Editor Weourwelcome 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.

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4

African

American News&Issues

From Pg. 1 ~ Missouri

C ver St ry

TexasTexas • November 1612-18, - 22, 2015 • August 2013

Why there was no justice found at Mizzou until the money was threatened

O

ne of the most common conversations bantered about among the African-American activist community is how do we get whites to take our grievances about racial injustice seriously. AfricanAmericans have implemented nearly every conceivable form of protest and resistance possible: marching, praying, chanting, singing, sitting-in, boycotting, rioting, protesting via the pen, and even slave insurrections that included the killing of whites. There is still significant debate regarding the most assured means of grasping the attention of American white elites and lessening the material suffering that so many within our community experience on a moment-by-moment basis.

In many ways protest strategies and tactics are as diverse as the individuals endorsing them. For example, Bible-toting Christians take their problems to the Lord in prayer as they take comfort that their Lord and Savior is “an on-time God, yes he is!” While others, within the same faith, implement a slightly different tactic as they hold onto James 2:14 --- What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? --- as they put on the whole armor of God. Less hermeneutically grounded individuals advocate for urban rebellions, voting, or circulating the Black dollar within the Black community.

Considering the present plight of the Black community, these protest strategies have failed to uplift the people. Significant discord regarding the correct path to liberation reveals an absence of racial solidarity; its absence makes the term Black unity appear to be the ultimate oxymoron.

Such discord that makes the recent events

at the University of Missouri so promising in regards to illuminating a path to liberation.

Encouraged by the courageous leadership of Jonathan Butler, 25, the young students from the University of Minnesota have illuminated a long forgotten, most definitely not new, liberation road.

To understand the things that occurred on the University of Missouri campus, one must be aware of the treatment that young AfricanAmericans on predominantly white campuses endure. According to Damon Thomas, an alum of The Ohio State University, “there are definitely going to be moments of racial discord between African-American and white students. In many ways, I think that this collision of cultures is more difficult for whites to adjust to than Black students because we have always had to deal with them and their privileged position. Many of them are absolutely shocked when something that they would say as a part of their normal conversation causes Black students to step to them about the offense. The average white student who has never been around African-Americans has absolutely no idea of how to interact with Black students.”

If it can be stated that white students have no comprehension of how they should deal with African-American students, powerful administrators, professors, and staff often have the same issue. University of Missouri President Wolfe is the poster child for such matters. Unfortunately his ignorance of racial matters was the primary catalyst behind his demise; Wolfe is quite possibly the greatest manifestation of the quote ‘pride cometh before the fall’. I guarantee you that it was nothing other than a mixture of pride and

arrogance that facilitated Wolfe’s refusal to seriously entertain the repeated occurrences of discriminatory behavior and prejudiced statements that Black Mizzou students reported to campus administrators.

Missouri System President Tim Wolfe is fairly representative of white elites who are unconcerned with non-elites frustrations.

This unconcern is only magnified by their comprehensive belief that non-elites, in this instance 25-year-old Jonathan Butler, have no leverage anytime they conflict with superiors. Unfortunately for President Wolfe, such beliefs led him to the grievous error of underestimating his adversary. Wolfe was apparently unaware that Mr. Butler was not

E v e r b od y

is

I nvi t e d

to

alone in his demand for change; it appears that the vast majority of African-American students on the University of Missouri campus harbored similar feelings.

Aiding Butler in what Wolfe erroneously thought was a one-man crusade was a group calling itself Concerned Student 1950, a highly symbolic name as 1950 was the year that the first African-American student graduated from the University of Missouri. Concerned Student 1950 apparently made repeated overtures to President Wolfe regarding racial tensions that needed to be addressed immediately. During a meeting with Concerned Student 1950, Wolfe “…verbally acknowledged that he cared for Black students at the University of Missouri, However he also reported he was ‘not completely’ aware of systemic racism, sexism, and patriarchy on campus, not understanding these systems of oppression therefore renders him incapable of effectively performing his core duties.”

African-American students at the University of Missouri have related repeated incidents and injuries on the campus from being publicly called “niggers” to a most recent occurrence of a Nazi swastika being drawn on a dormitory wall. They were begging to dialogue about the matter so much that they interrupted the homecoming parade by stopping the vehicle that Wolfe was traveling in to speak with him; all to no avail. I am certain that Wolfe now realizes that he made a colossal mistake when he avoided meeting with the students.

By : Dn Freeman Continue reading online @ www.aframnnews.com

A t t e nd & P a r t i c ipat e !

Northeast- Northwest “Run-Off” Mayoral Forum SYLVESTER TURNER BILL KING

HOST State Representative Sefronia Thompson

Tuesday -- November 17, 2015 Forest Brook Middle School 7525 Tidwell Rd Houston, Texas 77016 From 6:30pm to 9:00pm For more info contact: (713) 692-1892

Get Out & Vote!

It’s Not Over; Let’s Do

it

CO-HOST Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher

A gain

**Remember the Dates:** Early Voting: Wednesday -- December 2, 2015 Election Day: Saturday -- December 12, 2015

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TX- 4

Community

Texas •November 16 - 22, 2015

UNDERSTANDING THE LAW: INSURANCE COVERAGE

The aftermath of a car accident can be very expensive. Medical bills resulting from the accident must be paid, lost wages need to be reimbursed, and the vehicles involved must be repaired. Navigating the insurance claims process can be stressful enough, but imagine getting into a car accident with a driver with no car insurance. If a driver responsible for a car accident has no car insurance, the other drivers involved are left with limited options for recovery. There are ways to protect yourself if you find yourself in this predicament.

PIP Insurance - PIP Insurance also referred to as Personal Injury Protection is additional insurance coverage that is offered when purchasing auto liability insurance.

PIP covers a portion of your medical bills and lost wages resulting from an accident; allowing drivers recourse if they are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.

Medical Payments Coverage

–Medical Payments coverage will reimburse medical expenses incurred as a result of a car accident, but this type of coverage differs from PIP insurance because it does not cover lost wages.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) -Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage protects drivers when they are involved in an accident with a motorist with no insurance or not enough insurance. There are two types: bodily injury and property damage. Bodily injury pays for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and disability. Property damage pays for auto repairs.

Rental Reimbursement Coverage –Rental Reimbursement coverage helps pay for the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired.

Towing and Labor Coverage –Towing and Labor coverage pays for the cost of towing your vehicle if your vehicle can not be driven after

Krystin Collins Attorney at Law

an accident.

When purchasing auto liability insurance you have the option to purchase the additional types of coverage listed above. Be proactive and have protection in place if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist.

Attorney Krystin Collins is a native of the Acres Homes Community. She is a graduate of Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law and has been a licensed attorney since 2009.

Her primary practice areas are criminal defense, civil litigation, personal injury, estate planning, and divorce. She may be contacted at 713-775-0332 or krystin.collins@gmail.com.

PROJECT HONORED

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5

a uNaNiMous VoTe oF aPProVal For TirZ

SUNNYSIDE - Today, Houston City Council Members voted unanimously to approve the creation of the Sunnyside TIRZ #26. This is a great victory for the residents of Sunnyside and a move in the direction of bringing much needed economic development to the community.

Sunnyside is a historic community; however, over the years, there has been a lack of infrastructure and economic development, with many residents feeling as though the area has been underserved and overlooked. When I was elected as the District D Council Member, I made a commitment to bring a TIRZ to Sunnyside in order to revitalize and bring more resources to the community.

The Sunnyside Zone will contain approximately 3,142 acres of land (4.9 square miles) with a western boundary of SH 288, a northern boundary of Loop 610, an eastern boundary of Cullen, and a southern boundary of Fuqua.

Plans for the development of the TIRZ include the expenditure of public funds for project costs including the construction of new streets, storm drainage improvements, cultural and public facility improvements, parks and other improvements. The 2015 taxable value of the area is approximately $200,180,051 and the duration of the TIRZ is to be 30 years.

Development in this area will be an important feature in the revitalization of the community.

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BELLERIVE GARDEN - It was great to see the Bellerive Garden Project honored at the 31st Annual Mayor’s Proud Partners Luncheon!

The Mayor’s Proud Partners Luncheon is the single largest event dedicated to raising funds to further Keep Houston Beautiful’s (KHB) mission. KHB works to build more beautiful communities through conducting year-round conservation, greening and solid waste management programs and services throughout our city.

The Bellerive Garden Project was a joint initiative that helped constituents at a senior housing project transform an old drainage easement into a sustainable vegetable garden.

These improvements were made possible through an amazing partnership between the Houston Housing Authority, Keep Houston Beautiful, TBG Partners, Public Works’ Street and Drainage Division, the City’s Reuse Warehouse, the Solid Waste Department, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, St. Agnes and Strake Jesuit student groups and other community volunteers, and your District J office.

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er school enrichment programs are ofNATURAL KREATIONS -5:45 daily. Reese will be unaffected by

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Wednesday 7:30PM Leonard N. Barksdale, Pastor Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church 4300 Noble Street, Houston TX 77020 Ph: 713/675-5111 • Fx: 713/675-1522

Website: www.fwmbc.org

Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church members will endeavor to provide a strong foundation of love; we will stand on Biblical Truths; and we will equip one another to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our community and in our (713) 697-1758 world.

6616 D.S. BAILEY LN

Galilee M.B.C

Rev. Edwin A. Davisr, Pastor

TX 77091 CHURCHHOUSTON, OF CHRIST

FIDELITY CHURCH OF CHRIST Guiding Light “The Church That Cares” Inspirational

Baptist Church Sunday Morning Bible Class (713) 699-4448 9:30 a.m.

SOUTH WILCREST Morning Worship6719 COHN ST Rev. Joseph elimination. 11718 Other schools would 10:45 a.m.

HOUSTON, TX 77099 HOUSTON, TX 77091 Baker, Pasor Evening Bible Class be Smith, Stovall, Harris and Hill, 5:00 p.m.

R e a d u s o n l i n e all based on the same criteria. StuEvening Worship House 6:00 p.m. of a f r aprograms m n e wthat s . chad om dents of magnet Chorus Group Rehearsal Prayer been eliminated would return to 7:30 p.m.

BLACK CHAMBER their home campus and given first Wednesday M.B.C. MINISTER: Mid-Week Bible Class priority for available slots in other (281) 773-2750 Theaster Maloy, Sr. 7:00 p.m. magnet programs, with the excep3521 DESOTO ST Rev. Lloyd OFFICE: tion of 4th grade students, who HOUSTON, TX 713/674-5131 77091 Giles, Pastor 140 Fidelity Rd. Houston Tx 77029 will be given the option of continuing at Houston 713-692-7161 Academy. Staff will FLOWERS & GIFTS FIFTH WARD CHURCH OF CHRIST WHEATLEY be placed into 6112 vacant positionsSTon HOUSTON, TX 77091 other campuses.

SUNDAY The order would have given the 8:00 a.m. Worship Black Kollectibles magnet programCHEMICAL a protected status 10:00 a.m. Bible Class Flowers and funds from the government 11:15 a.m.& Worship would have been provided for their p.m. Worship F6:00 lower Shop 713-692-1100 operation. Also, several events and MONDAY Citywide Chemical Gift Shop 713-692-1195 items wereJanitorial reduced & orCommercial eliminat10:00 a.m.

6130 WHEATLEY GaryST Smith ed, such as the magnet festival and Ladies Bible Class Pest Control Company HOUSTON, TX 77091 Minister 3521 Jensen St. technology fair. The proposed cuts WEDNESDAY Houston, TX 77026 713/227-4808 or 4809 were approved by district trust7:30 p.m. Bible Class for all FUNERAL HOME Janitorial Supplies ees at the January 25 school board Sales-Service-Supplies meeting before a packedWholesale-Retail house of Website www.fthwardcoc.org We repair buffers, incensed parents and student.

But Boyd Funeral vacuum, shampooers Bamberg warns the cuts still “GIVING, GROWING, & GAINING” and allmay other machines.

Charles Home 4308 Stonewall St. Hou. Tx 77020 not be enough to meet needs SAMEthe DAY FREE DELIVERY Dawson 713-672-2654 of the nation’sUSChemical 12th largest district.

METRO 281-445-0971 Dawson Chemical In addition their other activities, Administrators say they still need 7411toWHEATLEY ST. the Fifth Ward COC also holds a Bible 713/697-7137 $18 million to713/633-9019 balance the budget.

HOUSTON, TXon 77088 Class for non-members Thursday nights at 7:30 PM. For more informa“The only way we’re going to tion on the various special events or CHURCH activities you really should visit their get additional revenue at this point website, it is very well done, informative is to look to the community,” said and worth a visit even if you have another church home.

Bamberg, alluding to the need for Cliffdale Funeral Home, Inc increased property tax revenue, Baptist 746 West 22nd Street which could Church be as much as 13 cents CHURCH OF GOD per $100 value of property.

Houston, Texas 77008 (281) 447-8850 IN CHRIST Ed.- Last week’s story, provided 713-869-4529 854 ENTERPRISE ST Pastor inaccurateHOUSTON, demographics for AISD. DUNCAN MEMORIAL “Committed to the Future” TX 77088 Fred Sanders The correct numbers are 68.2 perCHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST cent Hispanic, HOU-627 percent AfricanSr. Pastor Elder Greg Edwards American, 2.2 percent White.

Shirley Ann’s

& Janitorial Supply Company & Janitorial Supply Company 6010 Irvington -Hou.,TX 77009 4308 Kelley St. • Hou., TX 77026

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Texas • November 16 - 22, 2015

FUNERAL HOME

PUBLIC NOTICE

Johnson Funeral Home

NOTICE TO PROPOSERS: Request for sub-contractor proposals for Northeast College – North Forest Campus Project

5730 CALHOUN RD. HOUSTON, TX 77021

“Durotech, Inc., as Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for Houston Community College System, will receive proposals from subcontractors and vendor trades for the Northeast College – North Forest Campus Project, based on documents issued by PGALArchitects.

713-747-9604

O.W.Wiley Mortuary

713-681-7475

1290 PINEMONT DRIVE HOUSTON, TX 77018

A Non-Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 2.00 P.M., local time at the HCC Northeast North Forest Voc-Tech Campus, 6010 Little York Rd., Houston, TX 77016.

Call 979-921-9908

Proposals and qualification statements will be received by Durotech, Inc., until 2:00 P.M. local time on Wednesday, December 09, 2015, in the presence of the Owner and Architect at the offices of Durotech, Inc. at 11931 Wickchester Lane, #205, Houston, TX 77043-4501.

Proposals may be emailed to bids@durotechgc.com or faxed to 281-496-5637. Prevailing wage rates in conformance with Texas law will be paid on this project. All proposals shall remain valid for sixty (60) days.

Adver tise online aframnews.com

Durotech, Inc. is committed to meeting the SBE goals set for this project and encourages all SBE firms to submit a proposal for this project.

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Drawings and Specifications will be available for review at the offices of Durotech, Inc., and at the plan rooms of AGC, Dodge Data & Analytics, Virtual Builders Exchange, Brazos Valley Contractors Association, Construction Data and CMD Group. Contact Sidhesh Kakodkar (sidheshk@durotechgc.com) or Alan Montgomery (alanm@durotechgc.com) at 281-5586892 for information on this project.

The Owner, Architect/Engineer and Construction Manager reserve the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive any informalities and irregularities in the proposal process, and to make the awards in the best interest of HCC. By submitting a proposal, each proposer agrees to waive any claim it has or may have against the Owner, the Architect/Engineer, Construction Manager and their respective employees arising out of or in connection with the administration, evaluation, or recommendation of any proposal; waiver of any requirements under the Proposal Documents, or the Contract Documents; acceptance or rejection of any proposals; and award of a Contract.”

Business & Economics

Series from Pg 1

The Acres Home Chamber hosted The Small Business Entrepreneur Empowerment Series from October 26-29 at 6112 Wheatley Street, in the Beulah Ann Shepard Building. Other sponsors include , Lone Star college north Harris, Americas SBDC, and U.S. Small Business Association ( SBA). The event was a four series, four day information pack seminar that covered plenty of great material and very important things that a future business owner would want know before they started a business. One would think that starting a business is simple, and in theory it is.

All a person would have to do is go down to their local courthouse and creates a business name not in use, purchase a DBA (doing business as); a DBA is a document that says you're doing business as

a certain person under a certain entity that differs from your own name. After that request an EIN (employer identification number). An EIN is like a Social Security Number for your business and it allows you to report and file taxes. Once this is done the person officially has a business, however this is one of the common mistakes that people make if they haven’t done their homework. It’s one thing to start a business, but to keep it going and make it profitable is another story, explained by the two presenters, Don Ball and James Evens Way before a future business owner purchases a DBA, it would be to their advantage if they went in with a strategic plan, not just any plan, a solid business plan, tailored to the needs of that specific business in development. This will help along the way.

Continue Reading Online @ www.aframnews.com

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ITION DATE: November 16 - 22, 2015 (Vol. 20 Issue 43) DITION DATE: November 23 29, 2015 (Vol. 20 Issue 44)

What’s Happenin’ 21 Saturday 25 Highland Heights

Texas • November 16 - 22, 2015

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American News&Issues

Wednesday Monday Houston Children’s Aldine ISD Museum Free Evening Meals Lodge No. 200 Marketplace Heading: Houston Community College Thanksgiving w/ Santa During School Year HealthPublic Fair & Food Drive Notice Request for Proposals (RFP) eature 1500 Binz St All Middle & High • Acres Home MSC Pest Management Services Houston, TX 77004 School Students 6719 W. Montgomery Rd Project No. 16-09 tories Beginning at 10am For more info contact: Houston, TX 77091 Contact Information ommunity Documents can be obtained at: For more info contact: (281) 985-6213 Name:• Jennifer 3rd Ward ChiuMSC www.hccs.edu/district/depart(713) 522-1138 3611 Ennis riters Phone: (713) 718-5138 SUBSCRIBE ments/procurement.

Houston, TX 77004 Tuesday Searching for for Fax: Thursday • NorthEast MSC Acres Home Sealed proposals will be community news chasers.

Email:9720 hua.chiu@hccs.edu Association of Spaulding Thanksgiving Feast received in Procurement OperaFollow what goes on in your Address for Tearsheet/Copies: Fundraising Professionals Houston, TX 77016 Little York & tions (3100 Main Street, Room community and report on it National Philanthropy 3100 Main Street From 10:30am - 2:30pm W. Montgomery No. 11A06, Houston, Texas Day Houston, Texas For more77002 info contact: Houston, TX 77091 77002) until 2:00PM (local HARRIS 1600 Lamar St (832) 893-9633 From 10:30am - 1:30 time) on Wednesday, December MONTGOMERY AD COST Houston, TX 77010 16, 2015.

Open to the public Saturday FT BEND Beginning at 11am Let the Fashions Begin WALLER Monday For more info contact: PUBLIC NOTICE Style Gala HOUSTON TOTAL Men NETofCOST: $331.20 Project Row Houses (713) 266-2800 5150 Westheimer Rd GALVESTON Tutoring Houston Community College Thursay Houston, TX 77056 LIBERTY 2521 Holman St Request for Proposals (RFP) iprayz Beginning at 6pm Houston, TX 77004 Call 713-692-1892 Gospel Party For more info contact: Documents can be obtained at: From 5pm - 9pm Marketplace Heading: For more information 1112 Southmore Blvd www.letthefashionbegin.com www.hccs.edu/district/departFor more info contact: Public Notice Houston, TX 77004 ments/procurement.

Saturday (713) 526.7662 Beginning at 6pm Iota Phi Lambda www.projectrowhouses.com sign for approval and back to 713-692-1183 For more infofax contact: • Please RFP 16-12 Bridgepoint Sorority, Inc. Alpha Contact Information G e t o u t a n d Vo t e “ Ru n - O f f ” Series 1 Milling Machine (800) 319-9231 Kappa Chapter by 12 NOON Wednesday the week before Monday – HCC Stafford Campus Jennifer Chiu R e a d u s o n l i nName: e December 12, 2015 American Education • RFP 16-13 Grinder, Drill (713) 718-5138 a f r a m n e w s . c oPhone: m Program Presses and Horizontal Fax: 3550 Lydia St Band Saw - HCC Stafford Email: hua.chiu@hccs.edu Houston, TX 77021 O#107176 Campus.

Friday - Saturday Beginning at 12pm Tearsheet/Copies: • RFP 16-14 HAAS CNC Houston Zoo LightsAddress for For more info contact: Lathes, Mills and Simula3100 Main Street 2015 Women’s Global tors – HCC Stafford (713) 747-0244 Houston, Texas 77002 Leadership Conference Campus Tuesday 6200 Hermann Park Dr AD COST Graceland Houston, TX 77030 Sealed proposals will be Community Church Beginning at 6pm received in Procurement OperaThanksgiving Worship Svc For more info contact: tions (3100 Main Street, Room TOTAL NET COST: $532.80 4440 Lexington Blvd www.houstonzoo.org No. 11A06, Houston, Texas Missori City, TX 77459 Friday 77002) until 2:00PM (local time) on Tuesday, December Beginning at 7:15pm St. Philip’s College Date 8, 2015.

For more info contact: Celebrating a Saint (281) 208-4722 **Artemisia Bowden Holy Woman** Saturday 1801 MLK Dr UNCF Houston Please sign for approval andTX fax back to 713-692-1183 San Antonio, 7778203 27th Annual Gala Beginningthe at 5:30pm Mind Is...” by 12- Wednesday NOON Wednesday week before“AMonday Saturday For more info contact: 1600 Lamar St Ensemble Theatre (210) 486-2900 Houston, TX 77010 A Soulful Christmas Beginning at 6pm Saturday 3535 Main St. For more info contact: Acres Home Chamber O#107176 Houston, TX 77002 (713) 942-8623 for Bus. & Eco. Dev, Inc. Times Vary Digital Computer Class Thursday For more info contact: 6112 Wheatley St H-E-B & City of (713) 520-0055 Houston, TX 77091 Houston Email Your From 11am -12:30pm Thanksgiving Day For more info contact: Upcoming Events to: Parade (713) 692-7161 Smith at Lamar news@aframnews.com info@acreshomecenter.org Beginning at 9am MUST RSVP 4 weeks in advance! www.aframnews.com 6 ATTENDEES NEEDED MINIMUM6

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

ITION DATE: November 16 - 22, 2015 (Vol. 20 Issue 43) DITION DATE: November 23 29, 2015 21 (Vol. 20 Issue 44)

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Betty Adams Dean of Prairie View A&M Nursing School

Acres Home Chamber for Bus. & Eco. Dev, Inc. Networking Luncheon 6112 Wheatley St Houston, TX 77091 From 11am -12:30pm For more info contact: (713) 692-7161 info@acreshomecenter.org

Don’t miss out on your chance to win a

$25 - $100 H-E-B Gift Card random drawing will be held during event

Nov 20 - Jan 9

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African

American News&Issues

IF WOMEN RULE THE WORLD

Life Style

IS IT FAIR TO BLAME BLACK WOMEN FOR THE PRESENT PLIGHT OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALE/FEMALE RELATIONSHIPS?

I

have oftentimes been referred to as a Benedict Arnold by male friends and colleagues when it comes to gender politics, because I often find myself supporting women in debates and discussions regarding gender wars between African-American men and women.

During a recent discussion with a close friend, he posed the following query that I have not been able to get out of my head.

The question was: “If women rule the world, is it far to blame Black women for the present plight of African-American male/ female relationships?” For some reason, this question has stuck

in my mind so much that I have decided to put pen to paper in hopes of answering it.

Although my initial reaction is to say, it is not fair to blame Black women for the present plight of African-American male/female relationships.

However, as with most things, it is not that black and white; there are many shades of grey to be found in this matter.

To answer this question, one must first ascertain why do African-American males do the things that they do? What is the primary motivating factor behind what they do? Although I have tried many different answers, one continues to emerge; that

being, African-American males do the things that they do to attract, and hopefully impress, women. Make no mistake about it, when a man is enchanted with a woman, he will try nearly anything to get her attention with an unprecedented persistence.

When viewed from that perspective, it is obvious that Black women set the standard for what can be aptly described as acceptable behavior from male suitors.

It is at this moment that Black women have a phenomenal opportunity to set the stage for what is, and more importantly is not, acceptable. The truly smitten man will quickly tailor his actions, behavior, language, dress,

TEXAS • NOVEMBER 16 - 22, 2015

and timeliness to synch up with his potential mate’s demands.

Put simply, men have a tendency to either rise, or fall, to the expectations of the one they are pursuing.

I truly believe that it is at this moment when expectations are being revealed that the character of the woman, and therefore the quality of the man, is revealed.

For many, African-American women the ultimate goal of dating is either marriage or at the least a committed monogamous relationship. Considering this goal, there are women who refuse to even entertain the compliments of what is best termed unmarriageable men. I am sure that you are wondering what makes a man unmarriageable, well that answer is easily answerable.

• He is already married

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

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Cup of Santa 10” Tall

Gift Shop: 713-692-1195

Store Hours: Thursday 11:30am - 4pm | Friday & Saturday 11am - 5pm 6130 Wheatley Street | Houston, Texas 77091 TX-8

Americans are fond of saying that our children are our nation’s most valuable resource. But if our actions are the measure, do we really mean it?

Mounting research evidence from neuroscience, public health, economics and social science supports a simple conclusion: investing in early childhood, through affordable early childcare and enrichment opportunities, pays dividends for the individual and for society.

Yet we know that not all children have an opportunity to experience high-quality early childcare—and it’s because we have chosen not to support universal access.

Scientific research supports the long-term value of creating the conditions children need for a strong start.

We also know how to scale and support effective social and educational programs and make them accessible.

Why, then, aren’t we committed to ensuring these opportunities?

Political discussions about early childhood generally center on parents’ choices and responsibilities. We expect parents to make good decisions for their young children. But wouldn’t a tighter safety net of opportunities and support make good decisions easier,

and make parents less likely to stumble in their efforts?

We need a new conversation, one that places what is optimal for children at the center.

That’s what The Raising of America, a new documentary series, is trying to do. I’m proud to be a part of the film, which probes how conditions faced by young children and their families form the foundation for future success— and brings to light the consequences of our failure to provide adequate support for parents raising young children.

OUR EXPERIENCES SHAPE OUR BIOLOGY In recent years, medical professionals have learned that health is profoundly influenced by factors outside the healthcare system. Study after study has shown that social determinants influence the ways our biological systems operate.

We also know that children who live in environments with a lot of concentrated disadvantage and in high-stress home environments are most likely to have adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs. A higher prevalence of ACEs can affect their emotional regulation, which in turn can impair optimal learning.

•

He is not gainfully employed • He is not interested in marriage • He is not interested in a monogamous relationship • He is selfish and self-centered • He is a consistent drug abuser/alcoholic It goes without saying that the opposite qualities make a man marriageable.

Without a doubt, the population of women who refuse to become involved with nonmarriageable men will find themselves better off in the longrun as they will not have wasted significant portions of their lives nor be forced to carry the baggage of an abusive relationship with them for the rest of their lives.

Renee BoyntonJarrett MD, ScD

Yet with all of this knowledge, we still haven’t bridged the gap between data and practice.

It strikes me that as a society we have accepted that the challenges parents face are all “just part of raising a child.” That the stress of trying to balance time and cost against what’s best for our kids is now the norm. That it’s not imperative to offer all children the opportunity to experience the highquality early care they need to succeed.

The truth is that families cannot do it alone. It’s my hope that the larger conversation we’re launching— through ongoing research and with The Raising of America—will prompt a closer look at how we can develop an opportunity agenda for our nation’s children, and steer a course that puts children front and center.

I hope this is the moment when society says, “This is not our goal.

TO CONTINUE READING VISIT WWW.AFRAMNEWS.COM

Politics

TEXAS •NOVEMBER 16 - 22, 2015

Read us online! w w w. aframnew s. com

9

Why is The Houston Chronicle Hiding Behind A Truckload of Watermelons? * This article is being re-issued to further illuminate the racial storm that Mayoral hopeful Bill King, along with the Houston Chronicle, created last year. Not a few years ago, this occurred last year.

What doWatermelonshave to do with Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland and the Houston Police Department?

Absolutely nothing in terms of describing the overall performance or issues facing the police chief or his department.

So, why did the Houston Chronicle allow Bill King, one of its editorial writers, to write an anecdote about the department that was not only offensive to African-Americans and Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland, but also raises questions about racist innuendo in writing.

“What was written was insensitive to African-American history, culture and heritage,” McClelland said. “As one who grew up hearing the jokes, taunts and experiencing Jim Crow and walking past the signs (that promoted discrimination and racism), it is not right to still see and hear such things from a newspaper in the nation’s 4th largest city – and an international city too.”

On June 7, Bill King wrote about HPD in editorial that stated, “Before we boost HPD, let’s look carefully at How it’s Run.” King’s subtitled stated, “DON’T THROW GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD: THE POLICE BUDGET HAS SOARED IN THE LAST DECADE, BUT RESULTS HAVE BEEN DECIDEDLY MIXED.” However, to open the piece King wrote what appears to be a racist business anecdote, “There’s an old saw about a fellow who was in the watermelon business. He bought watermelons for $2 each, loaded them on his truck and took them to market, where he sold them for $1 each. Not surprisingly, he found he was losing money. After agonizing over the problem

for some time, he came up with the solution to his problem: He bought a bigger truck” Chief McClelland, who is Black, runs the Houston Police Department, who the anecdote was written to describe.

McClelland was sworn in as Chief of the Houston Police Department on April 14, 2010.

He has served 35 years at the Houston Police Department, joining the department as a patrol officer in 1977 and rising through ranks to his current position as Chief of Police. His management experience has touched virtually every aspect of law enforcement throughout his career with the Houston Police Department.

His duties include managing the 5th largest police agency in the United States with an annual budget of more than $695 million dollars and a staff of 5400 sworn police officers and more than 1600 civilian employees.

“To suggest the Houston Chronicle is racists\ is patently false,” said Jeff Cohen, Houston Chronicle Executive Editor, Opinions and Editorials. “The Houston Chronicle in the Mr. King’s column suggests a third party review is needed to ensure taxpayers get the services they are paying for. Instead of answering the criticisms of internal management needing a third part review, the police chief and the police officers union chose to say the newspapers questions are racist and they are not.”

But why is the use of this anecdote offensive? Maybe it takes the true Black Press to help the Houston Chronicle be more sensitive and understand why using watermelons when describing Black people or any innuendo directed towards a Black person is off color and uncalled for.

Lisa Wade, Ph.D and professor of sociology at Occidental College examined the connection in piece called, “Watermelons: Symbolizing the Supposed Simplicity of Slaves” Historically, when you see racist portrayals of African Americans, you will notice the frequent appearance of watermelons. racist portrayals of African Americans, you will notice the frequent appearance of watermelons. Why watermelons? The trope has its roots in American slavery, Wade notes.

According to David Pilgrim, the curator of the Jim Crow Museum, defenders of slavery used the watermelon as a symbol of simplicity.

Pilgrim notes that African Americans, the argument went, were happy as slaves. “They didn’t need the complicated responsibilities of freedom; they just needed some shade and a cool, delicious treat.”

“The association of Black people with a love of watermelon isn’t just a neutral stereotype, nor one that emerged because there is a “kernel of truth” (as people love to say about stereotypes). Instead, it was a deliberate tool with which to misportray African Americans and justify slavery.”

“If you don’t think statements relating to watermelons, fried chicken and other stereotypes against Black people is not supporting racism or indeed is wrong, then you need to be out of the newspaper business, if you don’t understand that or can’t see that something is wrong with the statement,” said AfricanAmerican News&Issues Publisher Roy Douglas Malonson.

This is an issue of poor judgement and poor choice on the part of the Houston Chronicle

Police Chief says: Still Not Good Enough…

* This article is being re-issued to further illuminate the racial storm that Mayoral hopeful Bill King, along with the Houston Chronicle, created last year. Not a few years ago, this occurred last year.

There’s an old saw about a fellow who was in the watermelon business.

He bought watermelons for $2 each, loaded them on his truck and took them to market, where he sold them for $1 each. Not surprisingly, he found he was losing money. After agonizing over the problem for some time, he came up with the solution to his problem: He bought a bigger truck.

Bill King (Houston Chronicle Columnist)

While not issuing a formal written public apology for disparaging comments made by Bill King, a member of the Houston Chronicle editorial board about Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland, an executive of the newspaper took one step toward

being more sensitive to AfricanAmerican culture and history by calling the police chief.

However, sometime the best efforts to heal an injury only makes it hurt even worse.

“I did receive a call from Mr. (Jeff) Cohen who said he called to apologize on behalf of the Houston Chronicle,” Chief McClelland said. “Even though I appreciate it, it is still not enough. I am still upset because the apology needs to come in the paper and from the columnist who wrote it.”

Bill King, one of the Houston Chronicle editorial writers, wrote an anecdote about the department that was not only offensive to African-

Americans and Houston Police Chief Police Charles McClelland, but also raised questions about racist innuendo in writing.

King allegedly was challenging the premise that the department has issues that a third party review should address. However, to open the news piece King wrote what appeared to be a racist business anecdote referring “Watermelons” and talking about the department McClelland heads.

Chief McClelland, who is Black, runs the Houston Police Department, who the anecdote was written to describe.

McClelland was sworn in as Chief of the Houston Police Department on

Editorial Board.

Defending the lack of sensitivity to AfricanAmericans in using the anecdote, Cohen said the Houston Chronicle stands by King and offers no apology or clarification about being insensitive at this time.

“The Houston Chronicle has criticized people of all stripes over the years, no matter if they were White, Black, Brown, Jewish, Muslim, old and young,” he said. “Asking questions and seeking answers is what we do. There have been 20,000 crimes that an independent study says have gone without investigation and many victims are African-American. The newspaper’s job is to question that and question management.” That’s what media organizations do.”

Something that may have been meant written to hook readers, has actually offended a segment of the Houston community and casts somewhat of a negative shadow in the Black community on the premise of fair, unbiased, non-racist reporting tactics of Mr. King and the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board, when it comes to covering African-Americans and the Black community.

The title may have seemed fair enough game and the questions also, but the opening anecdotal statement used a stereotypical anecdote that muddied the water, is totally offensive and out of line. It not only offends the Black police chief, the police union, but also many in the African-American community.

The Black community calls on King, the Editorial Board and The Houston Chronicle to make it right.

April 14, 2010. He has served 35 years at the Houston Police Department, joining the department as a patrol officer in 1977 and rising through ranks to his current position as Chief of Police. His management experience has touched virtually every aspect of law enforcement throughout his career with the Houston Police Department.

His duties include managing the 5th largest police agency in the United States with an annual budget of more than $695 million dollars and a staff of 5400 sworn police officers and more than 1600 civilian employees.

Something that may have been meant written to hook readers, actually offended a segment of the Houston community and casts somewhat of a negative shadow in the Black community on the premise of fair, unbiased,

By: Darwin Campbell

non-racist reporting tactics of Mr. King and the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board, when it comes to covering African-Americans and the Black community.

It is one thing to question and seek answers, but it is never appropriate to use word-smithing skills to poke fun or deliberately harm others.

Using “watermelons” as an anecdote was very offensive because of the link to slavery and the notion that Blacks were happy as slaves and didn’t need the complicated responsibilities of freedom; they just needed some shade and a cool, delicious treat.

The Houston Chronicle’s efforts to understand sensitivity is a good start.

TO CONTINUE READING VISIT WWW.AFRAMNEWS.COM By: Darwin Campbell TX-9

10

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Educati n/Y uth

Voters Overwhelmingly Approve $798 Million Bond Referendum

Texas •November 16 - 22, 2015

Students to Participate in Global Computing Challenge

ALDINE ISD - Recently, Aldine voters approved a $798 million bond proposal for the construction of new schools, renovations, enhancements and other projects to meet the growth needs of the school district over the next five years.

Aldine ISD officials said 9,640 voted for the proposal and 3,663 voted against it. The referendum passed by a 72% margin.

“We are delighted with these results and want to thank the Aldine community for its support in passing the bond referendum in such an overwhelming fashion,” said Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg. “I am excited and grateful for the community’s support as we plan for the future in Aldine. I also want to thank the Steering Committee members who

helped us plan for the bond and provided input during the planning process.”

The bond referendum will provide funding for major renovations at some campuses including Carver High School, Aldine High School, Anderson Academy and MacArthur High School.

The referendum will also provide technology upgrades throughout the district and the installation of WiFi at all Aldine campuses to improve Internet access.

The bond referendum will also address safety and security with security camera additions and upgrades at all facilities, the installation of GPS on all buses, the installation of automated door lock systems and additional fencing.

Other improvements include the renovation of

Smith Stadium, the renovation of middle school auditoriums, swimming pool upgrades, the construction of a north side transportation facility, parking lot expansions, and land purchases.

The district will sell bonds as needed for the construction of new schools, renovations, purchases, replacements and improvements that are outlined in the proposal.

The bond referendum should have a minimal impact on taxpayers because voters in Texas approved Proposition 1 in the November election.

Proposition 1 changes the homestead exemption amount for school property taxes from $15,000 to $25,000, which means a house valued at $100,000 in Aldine would be taxed at $75,000 in the future.

HOUSTON ISD - Nearly 5,000 Houston Independent School District students from 52 schools will participate in the global Bebras Computing Challenge that introduces computational thinking to students.

Beginning Monday, students in fifth through 12th grades will join their peers from more than 30 countries in a 45-minute timed web challenge. The challenge requires students to answer 15 multiple-choice questions that focus on computational and logical thinking.

Students can participate in the challenge once between now and Nov. 20, and those with the highest score will advance to the next round of the challenge in the spring.

The Bebras Computing Challenge is designed to get students exciting about

computing through tasks that do not require prior knowledge of digital technology. Students can participate in the online challenge at school and home.

The challenge will allow students to see computational thinking as a fundamental way of thinking, problem solving, and understanding of people and the world. Through these challenges, students will develop HISD Global Graduate skills – critical thinking, communication, adaptability, decision-making, and leadership.

HISD Board of Education Trustee Rhonda SkillernJones, Forest Brook Middle School Principal Tannisha Gentry, Forest Brook students, Forest Brook Middle School technology and computer science teachers, HISD Innovative Curriculum staff

CY - FAIR ISD - If you are the parent, grandparent or legal guardian of a student enrolled in the CFISD school where you wish to volunteer, please register with the district by: Creating - Virtual Volunteer Account (receiving your password from support@ raptorware.com may take up to 5 business days).

Contacting your school’s Community Engagement liaison for additional volunteer opportunities at your campus. A record of your volunteer hours is of vital importance to the school where you volunteer and to the district. Please remember to document all your volunteer hours at www.v-volunteer. com. All volunteers who have recorded at least one volunteer hour in the current school year will receive an invitation to the annual VIPS Appreciation Luncheon. Get more info on The 2015 Luncheon by visiting www.v-volunteer.com.

KATY ISD - Receives Certificates for Excellence in Financial Reporting​The Katy ISD Financial Services Department was recently awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA), and a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) for their Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This is the 32nd consecutive year that Katy ISD has received these prestigious awards.

The GFOA established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting

TOMBALL ISD - School is back in session and Tomball Independent School District has opened three new schools for the 2015-16 school year.

The new schools, Creekview Elementary, Wildwood Elementary and Oakcrest Intermediate, were funded by Bond 2013, the district’s $160 million bond program. According to Dr. Staci Stanfield, director of communications, the district has grown approximately six percent in the last three years.

“Opening three new schools will relieve our enrollment numbers at elementary campuses in the southern and northeastern portions of our district,” said Stanfield. “We are expecting a strong enrollment at Wildwood Elementary and Oakcrest Intermediate.”

Creekview Elementary anticipates a smaller enrollment number when opening its doors is thankful for the community.

FORT BEND ISD -The Willowridge High School Band Program is dedicated to excellence in instrumental music education. Students participate in ensembles such as marching band, symphonic band, and indoor percussion. Willowridge High School feeder system consists of students from Christa McAuliffe Middle School and Missouri City Middle School. Students begin instrumental music instruction in the sixth grade. Classes are taught homogeneously during 6th grade and divided into two performing ensembles in seventh and eighth grade. Middle School students audition for the Willowridge Band Program in the spring semester of eighth grade and scheduled into the appropriate band class according to their playing ability.

The Willowridge Band performs in various events throughout the city of Houston to include the Fort Bend.

GALVESTON ISD - Students will be able to meet with representatives from more than 50 colleges from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 16 in the cafeteria at Ball High School. In collaboration with Galveston College and O'Connell College Preparatory High School, the annual event helps students make informed decisions about their futures.

"It's a great opportunity for them to talk to a lot of different schools at one time, which normally they don't get," said Tiffany Vaiani, STEM Community Counselor and Dual Credit Coordinator.

Both Ivy League and instate schools will be in attendance.

Upon arrival, students will sign in and receive a map to easily locate specific colleges.

The back of the map will have a list of suggested questions that a student may want to ask a representative. Students will also be able to maximize time spent.

SPRING ISD - Education Foundation is teaming up with the Spring community to give the gift of reading to students this holiday season. In an effort to foster a love of reading, the Foundation will host a winter wonderland experience for district elementary students where each student will receive a new book.

“The gift of a book can impact a student for a lifetime,” said Ed Wade, Spring ISD Education Foundation president. “We want to change the lives of students by giving them a book they can read not only during their holiday break but can keep forever.”

Each book will be wrapped and presented to students who attend the winter wonderland event at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17 at the Spring ISD Transportation Center, 341 East Richey Road.

KLIEN ISD - The fifth annual Claus Market takes place on Nov. 5-7, 2015, at the Klein ISD Multipurpose Center located at 7500 FM 2920, Klein TX 77379.

The market is a three-day shopping event. Merchants from the greater Houston area and beyond showcase the latest trends in apparel, accessories, jewelry, clothing, holiday gifts, home and garden décor, and gourmet foods.

During this event, items will be collected for the Claus Project to help the students of Klein ISD. The Claus Project started in Gleannloch Farms to help community members in need. For the first two years, coats were donated to the neighborhood elementary schools, but with so many generous donations it was time to grow.

The Claus Project reached out to Cindy Doyle, the director of community relations and Klein ISD Education Foundation and discovered that the schools needed more than just coats.

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Houston Community College awards more Associate Degrees to all minorities than any other 2-year college in the nation.

No. 1 in awarding Associate Degrees to all minorities No. 2 in awarding Associate Degrees to African American students No. 2 in awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanic students No. 4 in awarding Associate Degrees in all disciplines NO. 5 in awarding Associate Degrees to Asian American students

We are Houston’s Community College Learn more at hccs.edu

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