June 28, 2024
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION African-American News&Issues
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
Vol. 29, Issue 24
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African American News & Issues: Your Trusted Source: 85,000 Weekly Circulations, 212,500+ Readers, and 147,000+ Facebook Community and still growing
We the People We need to start holding each other accountable. - Roy Douglas Malonson
A MODERN DAY BUFFALO SOLDIERS’ JOURNEY By: Paul J. Matthews as told to Sharon C. Jenkins
As an African American leader in Houston, my journey has been shaped by several pivotal moments and experiences that have significantly influenced my work and contributions to the community. Among these, the establishment of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum stands out as a most cherished accomplishment. This museum not only demonstrates the ability of African Americans to create something inspiring but also highlights the incredible history and contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers, the black peacekeepers of the American West. These soldiers built camps, and railroads, delivered mail, maintained telegraph lines, and chased down outlaws, playing a crucial role in the westward expansion of the United States.
One of the challenges I faced while pursuing my dreams was learning how to navigate the complexities of establishing and maintaining a museum. At the time, I was the Director of Military Sales for Merck, the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, overseeing all military installations in the US and Europe. This role afforded me the opportunity to travel extensively, which in turn enriched my understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and histories. Reflecting on the current challenges young African Americans face, such as the Florida governor’s efforts to remove black history from school curricula, I emphasize the importance of black history as Buffalo on pg. 3
REGGIE JACKSON AND THE DISCRIMINATION HE ENCOUNTERED By: Kiara Alfonseca
Reggie Jackson, a Major League Baseball legend and National Baseball Hall of Famer, openly recounted the racism he encountered while playing in Alabama, expressing, “I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.” During a Negro League tribute game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, where he joined other Black baseball stars, Jackson reflected on the hardships he faced, including being subjected to racial slurs and denied service in restaurants and hotels because of his race. “It was tough,” Jackson shared on a Fox Sports pregame show, recalling incidents where he was singled out with derogatory language. He described an unsettling encounter at a country club dinner hosted by the Kansas City A’s owner, Charlie Finley, where he was initially barred entry until Finley intervened and insisted they Read more at leave for a more accepting place. aframnews.com