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BLACK AMERICA BEARS THE COST OF WAR
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
When America goes to war, history shows that Black America o en pays a price long before the history books are written.
e expanding military con ict between the United States, Israel, and Iran is no longer distant geopolitics. Con rmed strikes inside Iran, damage to a nuclear facility acknowledged by international authorities, retaliatory attacks across the region, and the closure of U.S. embassies in key Middle Eastern countries signal a widening confrontation. President Donald Trump has publicly indicated that further military action may be forthcoming. Markets are already reacting.
Whenever instability spreads across the Middle East, global oil markets tighten. Roughly one- h of the world’s seaborne oil ows through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage bordering Iran that is central to global energy supply. Even the threat of disruption can drive oil prices upward. When crude oil rises, gasoline prices follow. When gasoline rises, transportation, food, shipping, and utility costs climb with it. In ation rarely waits for the ghting to stop. For Black America, this pattern is not theoretical. It is historical.
Federal Reserve data consistently shows that Black households Black America on pg. 3
By: Fred Smith
e Dallas community is mourning the loss of Ernest McMillan, a respected and beloved human rights activist whose work le a lasting impact on countless lives. Known for his unwavering commitment to justice and equality, McMillan spent decades advocating for underserved communities and pushing for meaningful social change. His passing marks the end of an era for many who looked to him as both a leader and a source of inspiration.
roughout his life, McMillan was deeply involved in grassroots organizing, working tirelessly to address issues ranging from civil rights to economic inequality. He collaborated with local leaders, mentored young activists, and remained a consistent voice for those who o en went unheard. His e orts helped shape important conversations in Dallas and beyond, earning him widespread respect across generations.
Friends, colleagues, and community members remember McMillan not only for his activism but also for his compassion and humility. He had a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life, o ering guidance and encouragement to those seeking to make a di erence. Many credit him with inspiring their own journeys into advocacy and public service. As news of his passing spreads, tributes continue to pour in, highlighting the profound in uence he had on the city of Dallas. While his presence will be deeply missed, his legacy of courage, service, and dedication to human rights will continue to inspire future generations to carry forward the work he so passionately championed.
EDITORIAL
A Revival of God Consciousness
Bobby Mills, Ph.D.
THE ILLEGAL IRANIAN WAR
War is hell. is is why in a constitutional democracy a declaration of war is not a one-man-show (declaration). Only Congress, as established by the Constitution, holds the power to declare war— not the President. Sadly, the MAGA-Cult GOP controlled congressional body is simply a rubber stamp for any othe-cut “whim” of President Trump. President Trump and his GOP Cult will soon nd out that you cannot physically kill a cultural religious ideology that is based upon “death to my enemies”. Individuals can only replace an evil ideology with a Godly ideology: “love your neighbor and do good to those that despitefully persecute you”. Of course, ungodly individuals might naively ask who is
politics as an absolute zero-sum-war: I win my neighbor? In the Good Samaritan
the Gospel of Luke (chapter 10:30-37), Jesus addresses the question of “who is my neighbor” for individuals guided by religious principles and precepts. e moral of the Good Samaritan story is simply that the Samaritan treated the man in need as a brother that needed love. President Trump and his MAGA-Cult Administration just treated Iran as an eternal enemy that needed to experience hell, and in return future generations of Americans will experience untold terrorist hell. Iranian culture has been hijacked by religious fanaticism based upon revenge: “for we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, e Lord shall judge his people.” (Hebrews 10: 30). Will someone please inform President Trump’s MAGA-Cult that God’s power is far more awesome than any manmade power, because God’s power is eternal, not temporal. erefore, President Trump and his MAGA-Cult followers view politics as an absolute zero-sum-war: I win
Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher
SO MANY BLACKS & HISPANICS FOR TRUMP We Must Understand
as conservative Catholics or evangelical Christians, say cultural issues such as abortion and education policies in uence their choices more than party loyalty.
In recent election cycles, one of the most discussed political shi s in America has been the visible increase in Black and Hispanic voters expressing support for President Donald Trump. For decades, conventional political wisdom suggested that these communities were rmly aligned with the Democratic Party. Yet polling data and voting patterns show a measurable movement, particularly among Black men and working-class Hispanic voters, toward the Republican candidate. is shi has sparked passionate debates at kitchen tables, barbershops, churches, and community meetings across the country. e central question many are asking is simple but loaded: What are they getting out of it?
parable found in
War on pg. 5
Supporters within these communities o en point to economic messaging as a driving force. Some cite tax policies they believe bene t small business owners. Others highlight rhetoric around law enforcement, border security, or religious values that align with their personal beliefs. A number of Black entrepreneurs say they feel overlooked by traditional Democratic leadership and are open to alternatives that promise deregulation or fewer business restrictions. Similarly, segments of Hispanic voters, especially those who identify
Yet critics argue that symbolism and slogans do not always translate into measurable gains. ey question whether federal investments, contract opportunities, or targeted programs are reaching Black and Hispanic neighborhoods at levels that match the political energy shown during campaign seasons. Some community leaders describe the outcome as “crumbs,” suggesting that photo opportunities and rhetoric have not resulted in sustained improvements in housing a ordability, healthcare access, or wealth-building opportunities in historically underserved communities. Economic data paints a complicated picture. During di erent periods of Trump’s leadership, unemployment rates for Black and Hispanic workers reached historic lows before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the economy nationwide. At the same time, the pandemic exposed deep disparities in healthcare access, small business survival, and generational wealth. In ation and rising housing costs have continued to strain working families of all backgrounds. For many voters, the issue is not about loyalty to a political brand but about whether their daily lives feel more stable and prosperous.
Political analysts note that neither major party has a permanent claim on any demographic group. Voting trends shi
GREATER
Black America
hold signi cantly less wealth than white households and have smaller nancial cushions in times of economic stress. A greater share of income goes toward essential expenses: housing, transportation, food, and utilities. When energy prices spike, families already balancing tight budgets feel the increase immediately. A jump at the gas pump is not just an inconvenience; it can mean cutting back elsewhere.
Energy-driven in ation also squeezes Blackowned small businesses.
Cont. ere is also the human dimension. Black Americans have served in the U.S. military in signi cant numbers across generations. As con icts expand, so do the demands placed on service members and their families. e emotional and nancial toll of deployments, injuries, and long-term care o en reverberates within communities already navigating economic vulnerability. is is why the current war cannot be viewed only through the lens of foreign policy. Military escalation abroad has economic consequences at home. Rising energy prices feed in ation. In ation compresses household budgets. Wealth gaps determine who has room to absorb the shock — and who does not.
Higher fuel costs increase delivery expenses, supplier costs, and utility bills. Businesses operating on thinner margins have less room to absorb those increases without raising prices or reducing sta . In past economic slowdowns tied to energy shocks, Black unemployment has historically risen faster and taken longer to recover.
e connection between war and economic strain is not new. During previous Middle East con icts — including the Gulf War and the Iraq War — oil price spikes contributed to broader in ationary pressures that disproportionately a ected lower-wealth communities. e
United States produces more of its own energy today than in past decades, but global oil remains interconnected. When supply risk increases abroad, prices adjust here at home.
BLACK COLLEGE STUDENTS WERE ARRESTED IN 1961 FOR READING AT A SEGREGATED PUBLIC LIBRARY
By: Fred Smith
If oil prices continue to climb in response to this con ict, the strain will show up quickly: higher gasoline bills, higher grocery receipts, rising transportation costs, and increased pressure on small businesses. Communities with less accumulated wealth and fewer nancial bu ers will feel that pressure rst.
e bombs may fall overseas. e economic impact will not. For Black America, the question is not whether war a ects us. History suggests it does. e question is how prepared our communities are when global instability once again turns into rising costs, tightened budgets, and widening disparities here at home.
In 1961, nine Black college students in Jackson took a quiet but powerful stand against segregation by entering a whites-only public library and attempting to read. At the time, strict Jim Crow laws enforced racial separation in public spaces, including libraries, which denied Black citizens equal access to knowledge and resources. e students, many from Tougaloo College, deliberately challenged these unjust rules through a nonviolent act of protest.
Upon entering the library, the students selected books and sat down to read, refusing to leave when ordered by sta . eir simple act of reading—something ordinarily seen as harmless—was treated as a criminal o ense under segregation laws. Police were called, and all nine students were arrested and charged, highlighting the harsh realities Black Americans faced for asserting their basic rights.
e arrests quickly drew attention from civil rights activists and organizations, including the NAACP. e case became a symbol of the broader struggle against segregation in public facilities. It underscored
how even the most peaceful actions could lead to punishment when challenging systemic racism in the South.
HISTORY
Rather than paying nes, the students chose to serve jail time, a strategic decision meant to bring further awareness to their cause.
eir willingness to endure imprisonment demonstrated courage and commitment, aligning with the broader philosophy of nonviolent resistance championed during the Civil Rights Movement. eir actions helped expose the moral contradictions of segregation to a wider audience.
e incident contributed to growing pressure to desegregate public spaces across the United States. It was part of a larger wave of sit-ins and protests occurring during the early 1960s, where young people played a crucial role in pushing for change.
ese e orts collectively helped shi public opinion and laid the groundwork for future legislative victories. Ultimately, the bravery of these nine students helped advance the
ght for equality and access to education.
eir protest remains a powerful reminder that even quiet acts—like reading a book—can become transformative
when used to challenge injustice. eir legacy lives on as part of the broader Civil Rights Movement that reshaped American society.
July 26, 1948: President Harry Truman issues Executive Order 9981. It stated that “there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed forces without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin.”
May 17, 1954: Brown v. Board of Education, a consolidation of ve cases into one, is decided by the Supreme Court, e ectively ending racial segregation in public schools. Many schools, however, remained segregated.
August 28, 1955: Emmett Till, a 14-year-old from Chicago is brutally murdered in Mississippi for allegedly irting with a white woman. His murderers are acquitted, and the case bring international attention to the civil rights movement.
March 9th, 1965: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a group of protestors from Brown Chapel to Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.
March 10th, 1913: Harriet Tubman died in Auburn, New York. March 10th is observed as Harriet Tubman day in the United States, to remember the contributions she made.
March 11th, 1959: A Raisin in the Sun, the rst Broadway play produced by a Black woman, Lorraine Hansberry, debuted at the Ethel Barrymore eatre.
March 12th, 1917: e rst Black Girl Scouts troop was
HOUSTON
EL PASO
TEXAS TAKEAWAY
e Houston Food Bank announced plans to construct a new facility in northwest Houston, with an estimated cost of approximately $145 million. e expansion is aimed at increasing its capacity to serve a growing number of families facing food insecurity across the region. O cials say the new site will allow for more e cient distribution, improved storage, and enhanced disaster response capabilities. e project is part of the organization’s long-term strategy to meet rising demand and strengthen its infrastructure. Construction timelines and additional details are expected to be released as planning moves forward.
DALLAS
Beloved civil rights activist Ernest McMillan has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy, courage, and commitment to justice. He was a veteran human rights activist who worked through the 1960s in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia with the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and throughout the 1980s with the National Black United Front and the United League of Mississippi.
AUSTIN
A new safety initiative by the Texas Department of Transportation is highlighting the increasing dangers that pedestrians and cyclists encounter on roadways throughout Texas.
e El Paso City Council announced on April 1 that a construction contract has been secured for the Sun City Lights project at Pueblo Viejo Park, located at 233 North Zaragoza Road.
SAN ANTONIO
Plans for a new downtown baseball stadium received preliminary approval Tuesday, just under two years before the minor league ballpark is slated to open.
Madam C.J. Walker (born Sarah Breedlove; 1867–1919) was a pioneering entrepreneur, philanthropist, and social activist who became the first female self-made millionaire in America. Rising from extreme poverty in the post-Civil War South, she built a massive beauty empire by developing and marketing hair care products specifically for Black women.
MADAM C.J. WALKER
formed in the New York area.
LOCAL JAQUAVOUS DOUCETTE ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR CITY COUNCIL
By: Frederick V. Roberts
April 28. Doucette encourages all residents to stay informed, get involved, and make their voices heard.
Doucette’s campaign centers on four key priorities: restoring trust in local government, strengthening the partnership between the city and the university, improving infrastructure and basic city services, and
Jaquavous Doucette, a dedicated student leader at Prairie View A&M University who serves simultaneously as President of the Student Government Association (SGA) and Student Regent for e Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, is formally announcing his candidacy for Prairie View City Council. and basic city services, and ensuring responsible growth and development. His platform also supports thoughtful economic development that creates opportunity City Council. e election for Prairie View City Council will take place on May 2, 2026, with early voting scheduled from April 20 through
while preserving the character and long-term interests of the Prairie View community.
Incidentally, Doucette ran for the same At-Large City Council seat in 2024 and came within one vote of being elected. He says that experience strengthened his commitment to public service and deepened his connection to the Prairie View community.
A graduating senior, Doucette was elected SGA President at PVAMU in 2025 and has led e orts focused on advocacy, communication, and for the students and community engagement. Later in 2025 was appointed by the Governor of Texas to serve as Student Regent for e Texas A&M University System, a statewide role where he represents more than 150,000 students and helps guide policy and accountability. He also holds membership in several campus organizations to include the Collegiate 100 and NAACP. For more information on Doucette visit: www.Jaquavousdoucette.com Email: Jaquavousforpv@ gmail.com
and you lose. Compromise is weakness. erefore, the opposition is an absolute enemy. America, democracy depends upon; in fact, requires an intelligent population. is is why the Constitutional Founders created a mass universal educational system. Attend school to avoid becoming spiritually ignorant or easily misled. e Bible states it in this manner: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1: 3). President Trump and his MAGA-Cult Kool Aid Drinking Followers do not spiritually understand win-win, that is all parties winning. Or as Spike Lee has said: “Do e Right ing”. American society is fragile, because it is built upon noble Constitutional Ideals of universal Human Dignity, Human Rights,
LEGAL
and Civil Rights. Hence, only individuals with a God conscience can comprehend this spiritual moral truth: “that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness---That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed”. Democracy focuses on servant leadership instead of topdown authority, based on the principle that everyone is created equally. There are no kings. More importantly, God is King of kings and Lord of lords, and death is the equalizer among men regardless of race, creed, color or wealth (Hebrews 9: 27). America, we all can win when we obey the Two Great Commandments of LOVE. Amen!
NOTICE TO RESPONDENTS:
NOTICE TO PROPOSERS
Lone Star College will receive Competitive Sealed Proposals for:
Request for Proposal will be received by Lone Star College for:
CSP 26-03-04 Star of Tomorrow Exterior Signage Electronic responses are due by 9:00 AM on 4-24-2026
RFP #26-03-11 Travel Management Services. Electronic submittals due by 1:00PM, Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Contact: Lydia Sterling, Sr Commodity Manager @ Lydia.Sterling@lonestar.edu
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Request for Proposal will be received by Lone Star College for:
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So ware. Electronic submittals due by 3:00PM, Monday, April 20, 2026. Contact: clave@lonestar.edu or (832)813-6723.
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Request for Proposal will be received by Lone Star College for:
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SPORTS
NOLAN SMITH NAMED HBCU COACH OF THE YEAR
By: Donal Ware
Tennessee State head men’s basketball coach
Nolan Smith has been named BOXTOROW
HBCU National Coach of the Year, presented annually to the top head coach in Division I HBCU college basketball
Tennessee State University head men’s basketball coach Nolan Smith has been selected the BOXTOROW HBCU National Coach of the Year.
Smith’s debut was historic in a lot of respects. e Tigers won the most games in any season in their Division I history (23). ey nished atop the OVC regular season (sharing the title with Morehead State) for the rst time since the 1992-93 season and won the OVC tournament championship for the rst time since the 199394 season. He guided the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament for the rst time in 32 years.
Smith joined TSU following the 2024–25 season as an assistant coach at the University of Memphis under Penny Hardaway. At Memphis, he played a key role in player development and recruiting, helping guide a young roster through one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country and a competitive American Athletic Conference slate.
Before Memphis, Smith served two seasons as
an assistant coach at the University of Louisville (2022–24), where he was instrumental in roster development and known for his mentorship of guards. He joined Louisville a er six seasons on the coaching sta at his alma mater, Duke University.
Smith spent his entire playing career at Duke under Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history. at experience helped shape Smith’s foundation as a tactician, motivator, and leader. Roaming the Cameron Indoor sidelines, Smith began as a special assistant before being promoted to director of basketball operations and player development. In 2021, he was elevated to assistant coach.
Duke history. From 2007 to 2011, he helped lead the Blue Devils to the 2010 NCAA national championship. He was named the South Regional Most Outstanding Player and earned AllFinal Four honors during that run. As a senior in 2011, Smith averaged 20.6 points per game, led the ACC in scoring, and was named ACC Player of the Year, ACC Tournament MVP, and a consensus First-Team All-American. He nished his collegiate career with 1,911 points, ranking 17th alltime in Duke history.
time in Duke history. Smith was selected with the 21st overall pick in the 2011 NBA Dra by the Portland Trail Blazers. He played two seasons in the NBA before continuing and player development. In 2021, he was elevated
his professional career in the NBA G League and overseas, including stops in Croatia and Turkey.
his professional career in the NBA G League and overseas, including stops in Croatia and Turkey.
During his tenure, he helped guide the Blue NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four run in championships. Smith worked closely with
During his tenure, he helped guide the Blue Devils to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four run in 2022 and several ACC championships. Smith worked closely with NBA-bound stars such as Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, RJ Barrett, and Paolo Banchero. In total, 25 players he coached at Duke went on to the NBA.
NBA-bound stars such as Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Paolo Banchero. In total, 25 players he coached at Duke went on to the NBA. As a player, Smith was one of the most
As a player, Smith was one of the most decorated guards in
under Republican
Others simply want to disrupt a political system vote for granted.
when communities feel unheard, undervalued, or economically squeezed. Some Black and Hispanic voters who support Trump say they are motivated by frustration with crime in urban areas, concerns about immigration policies a ecting wages, or a belief that entrepreneurship thrives under Republican economic policies. Others simply want to disrupt a political system they feel has taken their vote for granted. Still, skepticism remains strong. Grassroots organizers argue that true empowerment requires more than campaign outreach. It demands sustained policy commitments: equitable access to capital for minority-owned businesses, investments in public schools, fair criminal justice reforms, and a ordable housing initiatives. ey caution that political alignment without policy accountability can leave communities with little to show a er election season ends. e broader conversation is not just about one candidate or one election cycle. It is about political leverage. When Black and Hispanic voters diversify their political a liations, some believe it increases bargaining power. If neither party can assume automatic both must compete more aggressively for votes with tangible Read more at aframnews.com
