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WHO WILL BE THE CITY OF HOUSTON’S NEXT MAYOR? SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD #6 - 2015 HOUSTON MAYORAL CANDIDATE FORUM

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A ‘CULTURE OF BIAS’ INCUBATED, BIRTHED, NURTURED, AND PROTECTED BY INSTITUTIONAL RACISM Manhood, Race & Culture

By Dr. James Thomas Jones III

D

Ph.D., M.A., M.A., M.A.

espite their best attempts to deny it, we all realized that there is a tipping point in the repeated conflicts between citizen and officer that would cause even the most naïve White folk to realize that the aforementioned problem facing this nation’s is not caused by the actions of a few rogue officers, rather a systemically corrupt system. That moment has apparently arrived. A recently released report related that San Francisco prosecutors have begun investigating the actions of 14 police officers in 3,000 cases that they personally handled. The reason for this inquiry into what many are suspecting to be systemic inappropriate actions was the unveiling of racist, sexist, and homophobic text messages.

Earlier this year, San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon

Roy Douglas Malonson Chairman Shirley Ann Malonson

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James Jones

Contributing Writer

Shelondra Peavy

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TX-2

was empowered to investigate the aforementioned cases to determine if they should either be overturned due to officer misconduct or dismissed if the case has yet to go to trial. Gascon related to the LA Times his feelings on this matter, “If just one individual was wrongly imprisoned because of bias on the part of these officers — that’s one too many.” Gascon told the LA Times.

One would be hard pressed to find a single African-American who disbelieves that a “culture of bias” exists within America’s police departments. Unfortunately, the White community has resisted such blatant realities. Fortunately for African-Americans, the officers roguish behavior has made their pleas and lamentations regarding systemic police misconduct all the more believable.

The firestorm of activity against San Francisco police officers flows from shocking revelations that came to light during the trial of former officer Ian Furminger. During the trial that centered upon corruption charges, Furminger’s text messages were introduced as evidence and have left little doubt that there is a systemic ‘culture of bias’ afflicting the San Francisco police department. Found in the text messages, some of which were sent/received from fellow officers, are communications stating that “All Ni%@ers must fucking hang.”

A text that “All Ni%#ers should be spayed” received a reply from Furminger that “I just saw one an hour ago with 4 kids.” Predictably, the institutional racism that bred

this ‘culture of bias’ does not restrain itself when addressing fellow officers who happen to be African-American. For example, Furminger referred to a colleague who had just been promoted as a “fuckin ni%#er”.

Considering that this is occurring in San Francisco, a city that has historically been considered the bastion of liberalism, if not radicalism, one can only wonder what the racial tone and tenor must be in city’s/states that are bastions of racial discord. However, the Rev. Amos Brown related that one should not be unduly swayed by the city’s reputation as the numbers indicate that racism is ingrained, meaning institutionalized. Brown relates that African Americans comprise a minuscule 5 percent of the city’s population, but comprise over 60 percent of its juvenile hall residents and 47 percent of its arrests.

Although prior movements against the police followed the murder of Black men in this nation’s streets, this time action is being caused by the very words of police officers. I am not surprised by the officers private communications, in fact, the harassment and brutality that my community has received merely validates what we know through experience, that ‘the boys in blue’ take pride in brutalizing us. Unfortunately for African-Americans, Black officers often join in on the activities as they seek to change the tint of their skin from Black to blue by following the brutal methods of Continue Reading Online Online @ Aframnews.com

TEXAS • AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

WOMEN AND THE 19TH AMENDMENT Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson TX 30th Dist.

O

n August 26th our nation pauses to acknowledge the day in 1920 when the 19th Amendment to our country’s Constitution, giving women the right to vote, became law in the United States. The struggle to secure the right to vote for women in America began in in the late 1800s when groups of women called “suffragists” demanded that women should have the same rights as men.

In 1848, large numbers of women convened at the very first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York. Male activists such as Frederick Douglass, the Black abolitionist, were present and urged the women to protest and fight for their rights.

One of the organizations that emerged from the Seneca Falls Convention was the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Under the leadership of Susan B. Anthony, it organized marches and protest demonstrations throughout the country. Its leaders took their cause all the way to the United States Supreme Court which refused in 1875 to rule that women had a constitutional right to vote.

In the early 1900’s groups of women joined picket lines at the White House, and even went to prison after they were charged with breaking the law by voting, although they were barred from doing so. In prison some women went

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on hunger strikes and continued to support the national women’s group formed after the Seneca Falls convention, which by then had formed chapters in numerous states across the country.

In addition to voting rights, women also fought for equal treatment in divorce settlements, disputes over property and wages.

Women’s groups continued to pressure federal and state officials for equality. At the time, the only female member of the Congress was Representative Jeanette Rankin from Montana.

Public opinion began to support the efforts of women to secure equal rights. The 19th amendment was introduced in Congress in 1918.

Two years later it was ratified by the states. It reads, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”

The ratification of the 19th amendment brought radical changes in American politics. Women became actively engaged in elections after years of civil disobedience, protest marches and political involvement. Slowly, the number of women elected to political office began to climb. This would not have occurred but for the passage of the 19th amendment.

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Edit rial & Opini n

“THAT MOMENT WHEN NOTHING SEEMS TO MAKE SENSE” Before I Lay it Down...

I

By “Coach” Mark Spivey

guess most people have been waiting for my response on the renaming of University Drive. All I can say is this: if God wanted to stop ANY of this, He would have stepped in and moved in that direction already. This is what baffles those of us who have an opinion on this matter. I remember teaching my history students about how imperfect Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was to everybody who hated what he did for the Civil Rights Movement.

Many African-Americans had never heard of him prior to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the locals there thought he was a trouble maker.

Those locals were majority Black folk who never understood his drive and determination to make life better for Black people who had been lynched, raped, beaten, and unjustly arrested by unlawful police.

No one seemed to mind that he had many affairs with women other than his own wife, yet there is a monument sitting on the banks of the Potomac River in the Washington Mall where Dr. King is honored along with presidents who owned slaves.

He was not perfect, yet he is revered.

I get it; to many Sandra Bland was a “nobody”. She was a back-talking, shit-talking, marijuana-smoking, crazy ass Black woman who should have stayed in her place and shut the hell up. Yep, I get it. Sandra Bland should have been a passive, obedient woman who didn’t have the right to question a police officer who was clearly in the wrong about her civil rights. No, she doesn’t deserve

to have a street named after her. Neither does Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, or any other Black woman who was unpopular during their time. I get it.

We should have named it after a perfect person; a retired university professor or president. Somebody who was a little more prestigious, titled, and more polished. Yep, that would have been more fitting. I get it. Sandy Bland just doesn’t measure up to our expectations as “good” enough to be honored with a street named after her.

She was too Black, too female, too dirty.

Let me tell you all something about somebody named Jesus Christ. He was rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and we hid our faces from him; he was despised and we esteemed him not. Jesus just didn’t fit the mold of somebody who was “worthy” of anything.

And, he was perfect.

Yet, they (his own people) still rejected him.

The rest of America outside of Waller County is rejoicing that Prairie View’s City Council had the balls to name its University Drive after somebody who was a “nothing” to many people inside of Waller County.

They feel that the significance of the event is bigger than the renaming of some old country road that was once home to thousands of slaves who died and were abused on its former plantation. Sandra Bland had a purpose and I pray that God makes it plain to many of those who don’t/won’t understand or accept it.

Here’s my advice to you: Don’t argue over it no mo. Just leave it alone. We’ll never truly understand why God allows things to happen. Sandra Bland was a “nothing”, but God is still using her for something. Let God be God while we all remain perfect...

African

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

DOES BLACK AMERICA NEED A H.E.R.O.?

R

arely a day goes by that I do not receive a phone call from someone asking me about the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (H.E.R.O.). Many are confused by the ordinance and are largely uncertain as to what it means for the AfricanAmerican community. After much pondering, it is obvious to me that Houston Equal Rights Ordinance holds very little benefit for my community; by my community I am speaking about the mainstream of the African-American community, not some fringe aspect.

As I write my opinion on this matter, I recognize, and am well-prepared to deal with the backlash that will invariably come from Black homosexuals and those that live an ‘alternative lifestyle’ who feel that they are a notable part of the Black community.

They are bound to argue that they have aided the Black community in ways that they have not been recognized for.

Unfortunately for what amounts to a subculture of the African-American community, I take significant issue not only with their assertion that they are a notable part of the Black community, but also that their marginal existence within the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender) should affect the negative gaze that AfricanAmericans should view H.E.R.O. through.

It is time that the African-American community set its priorities straight and focused exclusively upon advancing a Black agenda that will uplift the masses of our community in regards to political empowerment and the development of economic power. Although I realize that my position is the epitome of being politically incorrect, issues such as the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance do absolutely nothing to advance the current politico economic plight of Black Houstonians and should therefore not even be a consideration for the Black community.

H.E.R.O. has divided the city of Houston, Texas, for obvious reasons.

Most notably because it not only raises the issue of gay rights, but also places it squarely in the laps of all Houstonians. In its totality, H.E.R.O.

prohibits discrimination against people in the workplace, housing, and public accommodations --- restaurants, hotels, etc. --- because of their sex, race, ethnicity, age, etc. Despite what many within the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender Community are attempting to erroneously propagate, the protections that the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance provides for AfricanAmericans are firmly secured by other legislative measures.

Considering that these protections already exist in other pieces of legislation, there is little reason for Black Houstonians to support the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance other than an unwise moral argument that has never been a comfortable fit within any political arena. Unfortunately for gays, regardless of their race/ethnicity, who have assumed an “alternative lifestyle”, their push for a moral call from a largely Christian Black community is bound to fall upon deaf ears as that population has historically relied upon scripture to guide their judgment during such moments. Historically speaking, a largely socially conservative Black community has refused to assume the position of being a ‘compromising Christian’ when faced with outside world demands. Put simply, homosexuality and alternative lifestyles have been and will continue to be repudiated and rejected by the majority of Black clergy and their often large congregations.

In fact, many African-American Christians tend to cite homosexuality and alternative lifestyles as the source of a notable portion of the problems affecting the community. The alluded to homosexuality and alternative lifestyles that have seemingly proliferated among all groups has not been readily accepted among African-Americans. It is this reality that makes me question why in the world would we support the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance? Put simply, H.E.R.O. will have absolutely no impact upon the African-American community and any resources used for that cause are quite simply, a waste; particularly when one considers that the homosexual and alternative lifestyle community has not lent its tremen-

We MUST Understand

By Roy Douglas Malonson, Chairman

dous political machine behind any African-American initiatives that did not ultimately end up benefiting them in one way or another.

Now this does not deny the historical contributions of African-Americans who have embraced an alternative lifestyle. Even a cursory view of the historic struggle for African-American rights throughout the twentieth-century simultaneously highlights not only the presence of many African-American homosexuals in prominent spaces (Bayard Rustin, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, and Alice Walker), but also our community’s ability to simultaneously accept their sizable intellectual and activist gifts while repudiating their lifestyle.

So the question before the AfricanAmerican community remains, should Black Houstonians support the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance? Once again, there are several prominent reasons why I feel that the African-American community should not support the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. In the contemptuous world of American politics, resources mean everything and they should therefore not be wasted.

Considering the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance’s non-impact upon any of the pressing problems affecting the Black community --- homelessness, drug abuse, police brutality, singleparent households, gentrification, crime, unemployment, poor schools, prison industrial complex, poverty, domestic violence, an absence of Black businesses --- I feel that there is no justifiable reason for Black Houstonians to support the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance as it is little more than a waste of precious political resources that would be better served to address the collective political and socioeconomic problems affecting the Black community on a daily basis.

TX-3

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African

American News&Issues

Mayor From Pg. 1

Pastor F.N.Williams Sr.

HOUSTON - As it relates to declared candidates, declined candidates, potential candidates, popular candidates, unknown candidates, and so on; the race to replace Houston Mayor Annise Parker is crowded and filled with different styles and flavor. The 2015 Houston mayoral election will take place on November 3, 2015, but at least a handful of the candidates have been already out blazing the campaign trail since the latter part of last year.

Volunteers have gotten an early start to door-to-door campaigning, hanging fliers, nailing signs in place, spreading the word, and sporting politically inspired badges and buttons with the name of their preferred candidates on them.

Recently, a forum presented by the Acres Homes Super Neighborhood Council #6 (Old Acres Homes Citizens Council) brought out a handful of the mayoral candidates who have plans of succeeding term-limited Mayor Annise Parker (D), who is prevented from seeking a 4th term after 6 years in office.

The event’s Moderator for the night was Houston KPRC’s news personality, Khambrel Marshall.

And coincidentally, despite Khambrel’s plea for the occasion not to turn into a rendition of the Maury Povich or Jerry Springer show, the gloves came off almost TX- 4

Demetria Smith

as soon as the bell rang.

Mayoral candidate, Demetria Smith came out swinging when she accused her political opponents of “hiding her”. She offered the citizens several outbursts such as “They been hiding me! ... All of these politicians up here!” She also spoke with obviously great displeasure towards the other political challengers, especially Ben Hall. With some of her phrases beginning with words like “You call yourself a preacher….!”, she gave the audience several passionate promises in between the shots she took at Ben Hall and her other mayoral candidacy rivals. Miss Demetria Smith refers to her campaign as the S.E.X.Y. (Spiritually Empowering Xalting Yourself) Concern Citizen Campaign which assures the public that she will rebuild, restructure, and create.

Other topics that are of primary interest to Ms. Smith are affordable housing, promoting security and safety in the community, working to revisit credit policies and qualification standards as it relates to home-buying, job creation, health awareness, and a few other noteworthy issues. Her passion for these matters is very evident, but unfortunately, so is her lack of preparedness to lead our nation’s fourth largest city through its major economic challenges.

Including Ms. Demetria Smith,

C ver St ry

Texas • August September 6, 2015 Texas31• -August 12-18, 2013

Sylvester Turner

the forum panel consisted of six people who have thrown their hats into the ring to fight for the people’s votes.

Sylvester Turner seemed to be a favorite among the people in the room, based on how the crowd roared when Khambrel Marshall made mention of his name. Mr. Turner reveled in his local fame by reminding the people that he was born and raised in the Acres Homes area. Along his campaign trail, Mr. Turner has referred to his own story as “Houston’s Story”, siting facts like becoming a successful business man in the face of growing up in a small house in Acres Homes. It clearly appears that it is his expectation for the people of Acres Homes and other economically challenged neighborhoods to relate to him due to his humble beginnings. Additionally, he boasts of “always fighting for the middle class”, although the middle class is steadily fading into becoming a class which is only a few paychecks away from being absolutely poor. During the forum, he commented about his close affiliation with several successful projects that are associated with the Houston Super Neighborhood, Acres Homes. Turner called out to Randy Bates (seated in the audience), and he solicited a smile and accompanying head nod from Mr. Bates regarding how

Chaney Ellis & Bill King

the two of them had spearheaded the efforts towards getting the Lonestar College Victory Center established in the Acres Homes area. “What’s concerning is how Mr. Turner fails to make mention of the most notable shoulders he’s stood on to get some things accomplished,” says Shante LeBlanc, a native citizen of Acres Homes.

“Mr. Roy Malonson was actually the person who initiated the Lonestar College Victory Center project, but Sylvester didn’t even mention him or his organization.

In fact, Sylvester mentioned the need for economic and business development, but he never even bothered to make mention of the Acres Home Chamber of Business and Economic Development, which is a grass-roots organization that has been in his corner and on his team for a really long time.” Miss Jarmon went on to say, “I hope this is not indicative of how Sylvester will be in the future… reaching past the small businesses that deserve his support… and reaching for the big businesses that don’t care about him, his people, or his cause.”

Another familiar candidate who was present, Adrian Garcia, seemed very neutral in his overall approach as well as on the issues that were brought up during the forum. He seemed to carefully ride the generally positive wave of

his time spent as Harris County’s Sheriff. It’s true that Garcia has been a uniquely effective Sheriff, while his campaign promotes him as a promoter of the “American Dream”. Much like Turner, Adrian Garcia points to his humble beginnings as the son of legal immigrants and how he worked his way up the ladder to success by starting with a career as a Houston Police Officer and then as a Houston City Council Member. In short, Adrian Garcia has vowed to balance the city’s budget, save millions of dollars for the taxpayers, and to protect Houston’s children and families.

Another popular contender was Ben Hall; a self-proclaimed man of family values (married to Saundra Hall for 34 years and father of two sons; Zachary Hall and Ben Hall IV). Mr. Hall is also a highly educated candidate, having degrees from the University of South Carolina, Duke University Graduate School, Duke Divinity School, and Harvard. Ben Hall has distinguished experience including having been the Attorney for the City of Houston under the leadership of Mayor Bob Lanier.

He is also a successful businessman (owner of KCOH Radio, KCOH TV, and Hall Law Firm) and an Ordained Minister for 42 years. However, his stance at the To Continue Reading see Pg 5

Texas • augusT 31 - sepTember 6, 2015

2015 Mayoral Forum

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

5

aDriaN garCia marty mCvey

Pastor Dale Perry

rev. JeW DoN BoNey

forum hosted by the Acres Homes Super Neighborhood Council #6 was a relaxed and relatable one.

He asked the people, “Do you want a political answer or do you want the truth?” That was a wellreceived and refreshing approach to the questions and concerns of the people. From there, he told the citizens about how he has been personally fighting in and for a number of underprivileged citi-

BeN hall

the CommuNity gathereD to aNtiCiPate the

zens, communities, and businesses in Houston.

Aside from the most popular contenders and the boisterous newcomer, the other candidates who were present also did their part in staking their claim in the mayoral race.

Bill King seemed to be more of a strategic competitor who is set apart with a certain measure of charm, wit, and full knowledge of

CoNstaBle alaN roseN & roB aNDersoN

resPoNses oF the uPComiNg

the art of war. For the most part, he kept his declarations simple and to the point: he vowed to fix the streets, catch the crooks, and balance the budget. Other than that, he treaded lightly and did more observing than debating or dropping any promises into the laps of the audience members.

On the other hand, the final mayoral contestant on the panel, Marty McVey probably should

2015 mayoral CaNDiDates.

have used Bill King’s strategy as his own. A true connection to the people in the room never came for him.

He used phrases like “I don’t have any problem saying no” and “…it takes hard work,” thus, leaning more towards the depiction of an unyielding and shrewd businessman as opposed to the ‘Savior of the City’ that many citizens are longing for.

On that note, one might expect for the turnout to this year’s election to increase because of so many strong candidates.

Moreover, the true expectation is that Houston’s new mayor will certainly have big shoes to fill, considering the general temperament of the citizens and the overall standards and political climate of the city. sToRY & PHoTos BY: sHeLondRa PeaVY

TX- 5

n-American News&Issues • Texas • February 10-16, 2010• 7

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(281) 447-8850 Ed.- Last week’s story, provided ENTERPRISE ST Pastor inaccurate854demographics for AISD. HOUSTON, TX 77088 Fred Sanders The correct numbers are 68.2 percent Hispanic, HOU-627 percent AfricanAmerican, 2.2 percent White.

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

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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.

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H-E-B LAUNCHES FREE LAYAWAY IN ALLPLUS! STORES

SAN ANTONIO - H-E-B is offering customers more ways to save with special promotions and the launch of its annual layaway program in preparation for the upcoming holiday season. The Free Layaway program will be offered in all H-E-B plus! locations and requires no opening fee for customers to get started.

“As we expand our product offerings, this layaway program is another way we can offer families more value, and in turn more savings,” said Bill Anderson, H-E-B Group Vice President of General Merchandise. “Free Layaway will allow families to stretch their dollars and plan their budget this holiday season.”

The layaway program will run from August 30th through December 11, 2015 and can be used toward the purchase of toys, small appliances, outdoor grills, patio furniture, gaming consoles, televisions and other entertainment items. To help make this program more valuable for families, there are no fees to open and maintain a layaway account. The minimum purchase is $50, with each item having at least a $10 value, and

a down payment of either $10 or 10 percent of the total purchase, whichever is greater. Each H-E-B plus! location will have a special layaway area, located in the electronics department, with dedicated Partners to assist customers with layaway purchases.

In order to bring even more savings to our customers, H-E-B will be offering special promotions in September and October on popular general merchandise items that will include special offers on televisions, sound systems, appliances, grills, gaming consoles and much more.

“H-E-B is committed to offering new programs and opportunities that bring more value to our customers,” said Leslie Sweet, H-E-B Public Affairs Director. “We want to help everyone who shops our stores save money during the holiday season.”

Customers will be made aware of the program and special offers through in-store signage, print ads and digital and social media channels. Layaway is subject to terms and conditions (including cancellation fee) – see heb.com/layaway for full program details.

TEXAS • AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

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The Stress and Strain of Being Black in America

Vester Lee Flanagan II, AKA Bryce Williams

Anytime you put too many sparks around the powder keg, the thing is going to explode, and if the thing that explodes is still inside the house, then the house will be destroyed. ~ Malcolm X The Negro and the American Promise

A

lthough many foolishly choose to shy away from the issue of mental illness and psychological distress it is honestly nothing to ignore; particularly as it relates to African-Americans, the primary victims of American racism, prejudice, and discrimination. The unmistakable truth of the matter is that being Black in America is a heavy burden whose weight we all have strained beneath at some point. The recent incident involving Vester Lee Flanagan II, AKA Bryce Williams, should openly display to all, particularly those within our community, the toll that workplace stress and daily strain can have upon an individual.

I am certain that you are aware that the aforementioned Vester Lee Flanagan II, who used the on-air

personality name Bryce Williams, took it upon himself to execute two of his co-workers, an attack that Flanagan II not only filmed with his cell phone, but also shared via social media in the moment following the horrific 15 shot attack on August 26, 2015 in Central Virginia. The alluded to attack resulted in the murder of two of Flanagan’s colleagues, reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward who were in the midst of interviewing a local official at an outdoor shopping mall.

Although many ‘mainstream news outlets hurried to denounce the ‘senseless and unprovoked murders’.

Such a conclusion misses the mark in regards to a larger discussion that needs to occur regarding the ‘stress and strain’ of being Black in America.

Although there is no excuse for such a loss of life, I realized several things after viewing the incident: (a) this was a man who was suffering from a psychological illness, (b) there was something that pushed him over ‘the edge’, (c) more than likely the things that led to his psychological break were not only associated with the workplace environment, but also a direct extension of his status as an African-American male.

Generally speaking, in the wake of such an unexpected attack, the public is left with so many unanswered questions that conjecture, pontification, and ‘expert analysis’ is left to rule the day. Similar to Sandra Bland, Flanagan II refused to allow others to have the final word in regards to his story; Flanagan II is speaking from the grave via a 23page document that he faxed to ABC News moments after the shooting.

It is worth noting that Flanagan II had recently approached ABC News about ‘pitching a story’ to them, unfortunately the story was never proposed. However on August 26, 2015, at 8:26 A.M., approxi-

mately two hours after the shooting occurred, a fax, that many are calling Vester Lee Flanagan II’s ‘manifesto’ appeared in the ABC News fax machine. Incredibly, a short time later Flanagan called ABC News and revealed that he had just shot two people and that the police were after him. Prior to ending the call and his own life, Flanagan related that the police were “all over the place.”

That would not be the final verbal communication that anyone would have with Vester Lee Flanagan II, his final communication was the 23-page document that explains the forces that drove him to execute two former colleagues.

It is in the aforementioned ‘manifesto’ that Vester Lee Flanagan II reveals a confused mind that has been pushed to the point of no return by workplace stresses. This troubled young man cites various things as catalyst for his actions from workplace stresses to the recent shooting at the Charleston, South Carolina, Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Flanagan II relates the following in his manifesto “Why did I do it?

I put down a deposit for a gun on 6/19/15. The (Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal) Church shooting in Charleston happened on 6/17/15…What sent me over the top was the church shooting. And my hollow point bullets have the victims’ initials on them.” Equally troubling is Flanagan II’s direct statement to Charleston shooter Dylan Roof. “You #%$^@! You want a race war? BRING IT THEN YOU WHITE…^#$&#^$#%!!!”

Flanagan II’s ‘manifesto’ would later offer praise upon other mass killers such as Seung Hui Cho, the young man who executed many on the Virginia Tech campus.

Most revealing of Flanagan’s writings is a portion that he termed “Suicide Note for Friends and

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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Texas • August 31 - September 6, 2015

Family.” It is in this portion that Flanagan II reveals the multiple sources of his pain and anger when he reveals that he has lived a life that has included repeated attacks by both Black men and White females; not to mention the endless suffering and ostracism he received as a consequence of being a gay Black man. Additionally, Flanagan II relates that he was the recipient of workplace racial discrimination, bullying, and sexual harassment. It is apparently the workplace issues that not only pushed this young man over the edge, but also provided him opportunity to exact some semblance of revenge against those that had tortured him for so many years.

Flanagan II relates via twitter of all places that “Alison made racist comments,” and “Adam went to HR on me after working with me one time!!!!!” Of course, the Alison that he speaks of is reporter Alison Parker who he shot to death and Adam, is Adam Ward, the camera man who met his demise in the same attack.

Flanagan II relates that his workplace environment was filled with “nasty racist things” that led him to not only sue WDBJ but also left him with no alternative other than “to fight. ... They truly f----d with my life and caused an awful chain of events.”

WDBJ President and General Manager Jeffrey Marks fired Flanagan II in 2013 and remembers him as “an unhappy man…(who was) difficult to work with (and always) looking out for people to say things he could take offense to…Eventually after many incidents of his anger coming to the fore, we dismissed him.

He did not take that well.” Marks remembers Flanagan II’s refusal to leave the building after he had been terminated.

In the end, Vester Lee Flanagan II offers the following sentiments that ironically sums up the feelings of many of my African-American male peers who have experienced little other than frustration during their attempts to navigate highly contemptuous workplace minefields as they pursue professional success.

“Yes, it will sound like I am angry. I am! And I have every right to be. But when I leave this Earth, the only emotion I want to feel is

peace…The church shooting was the tipping point…but my anger has been building steadily…I’ve been a human powder keg for a while…just waiting to go BOOM!!!!”

“I tried to pull myself up by the bootstraps…The damage was already done and when someone gets to this point, there is nothing that can be said or done to change their sadness to happiness. It does not work that way…It’s too much…Yeah, I’m all f----- up in the head.”

Mainstream media outlets have hurriedly rushed to offer reassurances to a frightened White community that Vester Lee Flanagan II is the exception to the rule. Nothing could be further from the truth when race, work, and professional success intersect in the American workplace.

One would be hard-pressed to find an African-American, regardless of their gender or age, who if provided immunity against retribution from their employer and co-workers who would not relate feelings of being discriminated against in their workplace environment by a pervasive culture that seemingly provides Whites an easy path to promotion and professional success. Workplace discrimination and bullying is quite possibly the single most frustrating aspect of being Black, educated, and working in a professional environment.

According to school teacher Damon Thomas, “even in my line of work you see an absence of meritocracy. Many young Whites are seemingly anointed as the next vice-principal or administrator the moment that they begin teaching. And they are groomed by other Whites currently occupying these positions to eventually assume those posts.”

One Columbus, Ohio, based youth center leader, who chose to remain anonymous related that “Although the processes for promotion are spelled out, they are routinely ignored when it comes to the top-level positions. It is at that moment that Whites will go outside and find the perfect candidate, meaning a White person, to fill the leadership position.

Most times they have absolutely no experience working with youth. But what can you do?”

Continue reading Online @ www.aframnews.com By: Dan Freeman

Texas • augusT 31 - sepTember 6, 2015

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#laUghingWhileBlack on The naPa ValleY Wine ToUr

There is a popular saying that conveys much to African-Americans, or any minority population for that matter, through its relative simplicity. That statement is quite simply, “there are different rules for different people.”

Put simply, everyone is not treated the same in America. Frequently, this difference in treatment revolves around racial matters.

Considering this peculiar situation of being Black in a White land, I was not in the least bit surprised to hear that a book club composed almost exclusively of African-American women (11 African-American women and one White woman), traveling through the Napa Valley Wine country via train ran afoul of Whites for the simplest of reasons, laughing and talking too loudly; the raucous group of females were reportedly discussing the latest book club offering. Experience has

taught me that it does not take much for African-Americans to offend Whites, oftentimes; our mere presence moves Whites well beyond their racial ‘tolerance threshold’.

Lisa Johnson, one of the women removed from the train as it reached its mid-point related that “it was humiliating…I felt like it was a racist attack on us. I feel like we were being singled out.”

Predictably, Kira Devitt, the spokeswoman for the Napa Valley Wine Train Company, issued the usual half-hearted apology and denied that the incident had anything to do with racial bias, discrimination, or prejudice. According to Devitt, her company had “received complaints from several parties in the same car and after three attempts from staff, requesting that the group keep the noise to an acceptable level, they were removed from the train and offered transportation back to the station in Napa.”

What Whites such as Kira Devitt will never be able to comprehend is that their lackadaisical attempt to make these women ‘whole’ after this incident will invariably miss the mark as there is no way to heal the psychological and emotional trauma that such racial incidents have upon victims.

So the question facing not only

these 11 African-American women, but also the race in general is a simple, yet piercing, one. Where do we go from here? It appears that in today’s climate, social media has usurped traditional modes of Black protest, most notably economic boycotts; the most assured path to capturing the attention of powerful Whites in America. We must remember that it was an economic boycott that caused the seemingly omnipotent White community of Montgomery, Alabama, to reconsider its policy of racial segregation on its public bus system.

During the Civil Rights Movement and Black Power Era we had the economic boycott and political solidarity, today we have the hashtag.

So it stands to reason that there has been no discussion of an economic boycott of the Napa Valley Wine Train Company, rather there has been the creation of #LaughingWhileBlack.

Although this social media hashtag will invariably publicize this incident to the masses, history teaches us that popularity is a poor excuse for political activism and economic efficiency. So in the end, there will be no recompense for these ladies.

To continue reading visit: www.aframnews.com

By Dan Freeman

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Texas • augusT 31 - sepTember 6, 2015

Welcome home, Dr. Eli Jones!

Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School is pleased to announce our new dean, Dr. Eli Jones. Dr. Jones’ return to the Lone Star State is a homecoming for the three-time alumnus, having earned his bachelor’s in journalism at Texas A&M and his

“Mays Business School has been on an upward trajectory for some time, and I am truly honored to carry on the tradition of excellence as we meet the global demand for strong ethical leaders.”

Dr. Eli Jones, dean

MBA and Ph.D. in marketing at Mays.

Dr. Jones takes the helm of Mays Business School at an exciting time in the school’s history, as we step up to meet the educational needs of working professionals, experienced leaders and businesses in Houston. At our CITYCENTRE facility, Mays offers Professional MBA and Executive MBA programs, customized programs for business clients and open-enrollment courses covering topics such as finance, accounting and leadership.

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Texas • August31 - September 6, 2015

Educati n/Y uth

Blueberry Boot Camp May Lead to New Cafeteria Choices

Future HISD students could be seeing more dishes incorporating blueberries in their school cafeteria menus, after HISD Nutrition Services Dietitian Kasandra Davis attended a summer blueberry boot camp in Napa Valley, California.

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council held the conference at the Culinary Institute of America’s Greystone campus July 18–20, and only 16 school districts were invited to participate.

While there, Davis learned ways to add blueberries to every meal and spent time in the kitchen using fresh, frozen, dried, powdered, and pureed blueberries to create ketchups, sauces, ice cream, and other delicacies.

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Deploying Resources To Keep Kids Safe

Those new skills were then put to the test in an “Iron Chef”-style competition, which was judged by local schoolchildren. Davis and her teammate presented the Blue Dynamo Melt — a variation on a patty melt using blueberry-turkey meatloaf and provolone on Texas toast — as their main entrée, and came in a respectable second place.

“Most of us think of blueberries at breakfast,” explained Davis, “and we’ve tended to use the ones we receive in muffins. But this experience gave us ideas on how to do different things. Most of the dishes we created were more for lunch, and that’s something I could definitely see us doing in HISD.”

Aldine ISD Trustees set Board election for November 3, 2015

Aldine ISD will hold a trustee’s election on Tuesday, November 3 for Positions 1, 2, 6 and 7. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on November 3.

Patricia Ann Bourgeois holds the Position 1 seat. Bourgeois, a director of a non-profit organization, has resided in the Aldine community for 20 years.

Tony Diaz, a college professor, will join Bourgeois in the Position 1 race. Diaz has resided in the Aldine community for 14 years.

Paul Shanklin holds the Position 2 seat. Shanklin, an attorney, has resided in the Aldine community for 25 years.

Carleen “Jinx” Kerr, an assistant manager, will join Shanklin in the Position 2 race. Kerr has resided in the Aldine community for 50 years.

Merlin D. Griggs holds the Position 6 seat. Griggs, a senior production underwriter, has resided in the Aldine community for 16. He is running unopposed in the Position 6 race.

Dr. Viola M. Garcia holds the Position 7 seat. Dr. Garcia, a college professor, has resided in the Aldine community for 39 years. She is running unopposed in the Position 7 race.

Early voting will take place from Oct. 19 to Oct. 30 at any polling place in Harris County. Voters may apply for a ballot by mail between September 1 and Oct. 23 (applications must be received, not postmarked). To apply for a ballot by mail, visit www.harrisvotes.com or call

(713) 755-5792. Ballot by mail applications can also be picked up at any public library. Harris County will provide polling place locations prior to the election.

Locations will be listed on the county’s website and in the Houston Chronicle prior to the election.

Harris County reminds voters that in 2011, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 14 creating a new requirement for voters to show photo identification when voting in person. Voters are now required to present an approved form of photo identification in order to vote in all Texas elections. Below is a list of the acceptable forms of ID. • Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) • Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS • Texas personal identification card issued by DPS • Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS • United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph • United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph • United States passport For more information about voter identification, contact the Harris County Election Department at (713) 755-5792.

W

ith school back in session, we teach our children to be safe in that environment. But “school safety” is also the responsibility of adult drivers --parents and non-parents alike.

For instance, drivers have the commonsense responsibility to refrain from using a cell phone in a moving vehicle in a school zone -- unless it’s an emergency or the driver uses a hands-free device. In fact the Texas Legislature outlawed such irresponsible behavior. Drivers can face a heavy traffic fine for a violation.

Why? Because, as we know, cell phone use can be a distraction for a driver in any situation, and around schools it’s as important as ever that drivers be alert to the presence of children on sidewalks, in crosswalks and elsewhere.

In fact, drivers under 18 years old or who’ve had a learner’s permit for six months or less are banned from using cell phones in all driving situations.

Obviously, a school zone is the place to sloooow down. That’s as easy as, well, ABC. Crossing guards deserve our cooperation – and our respect and thanks. School zones throughout Precinct 1 are marked very well with special speed limit signs. In the city of Houston, speeding in a school zone can trigger a driver’s speedy trip to a $215 ticket for exceeding the limit by 1 to

5 mph, all the way up to $350 for exceeding it by 30 mph.

Most drivers know to halt when a stopped school bus nearby activates a visual signal such as flashing red lights. But many may not know that passing a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading students can result in a fine up to $1,250!

According to state government, at least 40,000 school buses carry 1.5 million children in Texas every day. That’s a lot of opportunities for drivers to exercise care.

Of course, many families take kids to and from school in private vehicles. And those vehicles should include properly installed and functioning booster seats for kids 4 to 8 years old. This is also a good season in which to remember that it is against Texas law to leave a child under 7 years old alone in a vehicle longer than 5 minutes – no matter how hot or cold the outside temperature.

I don’t remind the public about these laws to be threatening or punitive. Local government would be glad to give up the income from traffic and safety fines in exchange for 100% safe school days for our young people. Please join our deputies in working for safety of people of all ages throughout our wonderful neighborhoods.

Help me in protecting our most precious gift, our children.

By: Constable Alan Rosen | Photo Credit: Erica Davis, Pct 1 TX-11

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TEXAS • AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

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