Bayou Beat News - January 2023

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FREE 'HEART' OF A GLADIATOR HOUSTON COACH KNOWS FIRSTHAND CARDIAC SCARES EXPERIENCED BY DAMAR HAMLIN, JJ WATT INSIDE THIS EDITION PAGE 9 PAGE 5 ANOTHER BLACK HOUSTON TEXANS HEAD COACH BITES THE DUST WHO WILL PERFORM AT BUN B’S ‘SOUTHERN TAKEOVER’ FOR RODEOHOUSTON? January 2023 Volume 1, Issue 10 NEW YEAR | NEW YOU | NEW BEGINNINGS SCAN ME TO SUBSCRIBE

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

Dear Black Women,

This is a repeat of what I told you last month. You are PHENOMENAL and don't let ANYONE tell you differently!

Why am I saying this? Well, if you check your latest social media feeds and local headlines, you will see that a prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney's Office by the name of Waymond Wesley II has come under fire after making what some are calling the most reprehensible remarks about Black women on his social media feeds.

It should be noted that Wesley is a TikTok chef who posted the videos on his (now deleted) account under the name of @WaymoTheGod.

you all need to review all of his cases in which black women were the victims as well as the accused. There could be real ramifications. #ChefWay

- He has no business being a lawyer when he discriminates black women/ skin color. #ChefWay #colorism #BlackTwitter

Well, Ogg has come to his defense, releasing her own statement saying ..while she does not condone his past statements.. that was nearly 7 years ago, and she feels that anyone can change.

MEMBERS OF

Posts show Wesley publicly comparing Black women to TRASH, particularly showing an extreme disdain for the chocolate drops with the darker hues of skin.

After being called out on social media for his past postings, this "brother" released a statement saying he was once a troubled man.

The post read, "To those I’ve hurt with my past tweets that have resurfaced, I am deeply sorry. That was a moment in my life when I was sick in more ways than one. Cooking saved me. You have watched a flawed man heal. I will continue to heal and learn. Thanks for being along for the journey.”

Honestly, you know many Black women are not buying that, with many calling on Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg to remove him from his position.

Women are expressing fear, asking that since it appears Wesley has no respect for Black women, how could he ever be trusted to be in any legal case involving them? Some of their responses read:

- @HarrisCountyDAO is Waymond Wesley one of your employees? Is he a district attorney for Houston, TX? If so,

That doesn’t sit well with many of the Black women Wesley offended, with some of them questioning, if Wesley was talking about WHITE or LGBTQ women, would Ogg be singing a different tune of forgiveness?

No matter what you believe, Malcolm X may have explained it best when he said, “The most disrespected person in America, is the black woman. The most un-protected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America, is the black woman.”

Take a moment and let that marinate – no pun intended to the prosecuting “chef.”

With Love, Nakia Cooper

Publisher, Bayou Beat News

President, Houston Association of Black Journalists

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Houston Association of Black Journalists

TOP STORY

‘HEART’ OF A GLADIATOR

HOUSTON COACH KNOWS FIRSTHAND CARDIAC SCARES

HAMLIN, JJ WATT

On Jan. 2, football fans across the nation were at a standstill while doctors worked to resuscitate 24-year-old Damar Hamlin after he collapsed on the football field following what appeared to look like a standard tackle. Doctors said Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest possibly due to commotio cordis, a "remarkably rare" condition in which he sustained blunt force trauma to his chest in the exact right spot and at the exact right moment during his heartbeat, which caused his heart to have an arrhythmia. While Hamlin is now on the road to recovery, many are questioning whether he will ever be able to play at maximum level again.

A few months before that, on Oct. 2, 2022, former Houston Texans Defensive End J.J. Watt stunned fans when he announced on Twitter that he suffered a cardiac event.

"I went into A-Fib on Wednesday, had my heart shocked back into rhythm on Thursday and I’m playing today. That’s it," he posted just hours before taking the field to play in an Arizona Cardinals game. The 33-year-old, who was a new father, retired after his last home game of the 2022 season, officially ending his 12-year NFL career.

And just like that, in a field where people say “you gotta have heart” mentally to succeed, these "gladiators" were sidelined because their physical "hearts" placed their lives at risk.

A Houston coach knows all too well what his fellow athletes were experiencing.

At 6 feet 5 inches tall, it is impossible to miss Joseph Randolph when he enters a room. Black, athletic, and handsome, he gets the stares, followed by the unavoidable question: "What basketball team do you play for?"

His reply, once a sad answer to provide, is "no team professionally."

It definitely wasn't for lack of skills, because Randolph has proven since childhood to be a natural-born athlete, but just like Hamlin and Watt, his own heart caused the “heartbreak.”

Randolph was 13 years old when he came home one day from playing basketball and his heart was racing. As hours passed and it didn’t slow down, he knew something was wrong and alerted his mother, Cheryl Randolph, who rushed him to the hospital.

racand it didn’t slow down, he knew something was wrong mother, CherDoctors gave symptoms had from

Doctors gave him medication and the symptoms went away, but his mother had a gut feeling that she needed to keep her son from playing sports. She made the tough decision to restrict him from strenuous activity.

“My mom would no longer let me play and every time I went to school, because of my appearance and height, a coach would try to persuade me to play, and it just made it more difficult for me to understand, or make them understand, that it just wasn’t going to happen.”

For 12 years, Randolph resisted the urges to join teams, but when he reached his 20s, he decided to give it another try and started working out to possibly play overseas, but his body “betrayed” him once again.

“Irregular heartbeat, I could barely sleep at night, could barely walk a couple of feet without having to stop and bend over, gasping for air. I was weak and lethargic,” Randolph described.

Another trip to the hospital revealed, this time, there would be no medication to make the symptoms go away. He was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation and needed emergency surgery to place a lifesaving defibrillator in his chest.

He now sees a cardiologist, Dr. Jasvinder Sidhu, of the DeTar Medical Group, every three months.

“He’s extraordinary, he’s a Godsend and, in some ways, I look at him as a best friend,” he said. “The amount of care that he’s given and has shown me leaves me at a loss for words.”

hospital room, having a conversation with God.

“I asked Him why would he would give me a talent and not allow me to use it? I never watch TV, but on that day, I turned to C-Span and, ironically, they were showing a conference or forum on student athlete safety in sports, speaking about concussions and cardiac arrests,” he said.

Randolph said the message from there was clear.

“I had to understand that it just wasn’t in the plan for me to play professionally, but it was something I could help others with. It all started to make sense.”

Randolph now is placing his focus on the next generation of athletes.

“The ones who have the heart issues, the ones who don’t take a sport seriously. The ones who don’t understand it is a blessing to do something you love while you are healthy,” Randolph said. “Don’t take it for granted because there are millions of people, myself included, who wish they had the opportunity that you have.”

Randolph said, if it wasn’t for Dr. Sidhu, he wouldn’t

traordinary, as he said. “The be here today.

“In my situation, there is no medicine that you can take, this is not something dealing with arteries or unhealthy eating habits,” he explained. “This is an electrical issue and the only thing that can fix it is a defibrillator to make the heart have a normal rate again. Anytime I get to a dangerous heart rate, my device will “fire off,” basically shocking me back to a safe rhythm.”

After one medical episode a few years ago, Randolph found himself alone and crying in his

Randolph is currently a teacher at Willowridge High School, coaching girls basketball and volleyball. He previously served as a coach at Meyerland Middle School, the Boys & Girls Club, Patrick Beverley’s summer basketball camp and other AAU teams.

The Missouri City native graduated from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama with a degree in Public Relations and Communications, and a minor in political science. He also has a Master of Educational Administration from Lamar University and is currently working toward completing his Doctor of Education in Global Sports Leadership from East Tennessee State University.

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ON THE BEAT

LOCAL STATE NATIONAL

A bill championed by Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) to rename the post office on Galveston Road in Houston after US Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén was signed into law by President Biden.

The brutal murder of Vanessa at the hands of another soldier sparked a national movement across the country, leading to historic military justice reform that moved sexual assault and harassment investigations outside of the military’s chain of command.

“Vanessa was a strong and ambitious young woman who was taken from her family and Houston much too soon. However, because of her, countless veterans and service members can live without fear. I hope this post office renaming brings some comfort to Vanessa’s family and loved ones,” said Congresswoman Garcia.

The bill renames the postal office, located at 5302 Galveston Road, in Houston, Texas, as the Vanessa Guillén Post Office Building. This post office is only a few blocks away from César Chávez High School – which is where she graduated from high school before enlisting in the United States Army.

“We are very honored and joyful to see this second bill in her name as it shows how important Vanessa’s life is as her only desire was to serve and protect our country, unfortunately, her life was taken but we know her legacy will live on forever,” the Guillén family said.

JANE NELSON

TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE

By: TX Gov.'s Office of Communication

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Senator Jane Nelson as the 115th Secretary of State for Texas. The Secretary of State has a number of high-ranking duties, including serving as Chief Election Officer for Texas, assisting county election officials and ensuring the uniform application and interpretation of election laws throughout Texas, keeper of the state seal and attestor to the Governor's signature on official documents, in addition to being senior advisor and liaison to the Governor for Texas Border and Mexican Affairs and Chief International Protocol Officer for Texas.

Senator Nelson is a businesswoman and former teacher who was first elected to the Texas Senate in 1992 after serving two terms on the State Board of Education. She was Chair of the Senate Health Committee longer than anyone in history before becoming the first woman to be Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. In addition to writing four balanced state budgets, Senator Nelson has a long list of accomplishments that include establishing the Cancer Research & Prevention Institute of Texas, reforming medical liability, achieving tax relief, overhauling the foster care system, expanding access to mental health care, and passing over 30 bills to protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Her work has been recognized with dozens of awards.

Senator Nelson and her husband, J. Michael Nelson, owned and operated an aircraft component manufacturing company in Denton County. They have five children and 12 grandchildren.

Exorbitant telephone call rates have historically made it almost impossible for loved ones to keep in touch with family and friends behind bars.

With rates as high as $20 per call in some areas, Congress has finally acted, and in 2023, inmates and family members will pay a lot less.

Both the House and Senate passed the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, which gives the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the authority to guarantee reasonable charges for telephone and video calls in correctional and detention facilities.

“Too many families of incarcerated people must pay outrageous rates to stay connected with their loved ones,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel remarked in a statement. “This harms the families and children of the incarcerated — and it harms all of us because regular contact with kin can reduce recidivism.”

African Americans comprise about 13 percent of the U.S. population, and they also make up 35 percent of inmates. Phone calls in prison are said to generate more than $1.4 billion per year, and the FCC previously capped rates.

“The astronomical fees are predatory and perpetuated by the phone companies and prisons, creating a mini-monopoly,” D.C. Democratic Delegate Eleanor Holmes-Norton said.

She said that the profits from the calls are sometimes shared with sheriff’s offices, who say they use the money for security needs.

The measure now heads to President Joe Biden for his signature.

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POST OFFICE TO BE NAMED IN HONOR OF SLAIN SOLDIER, SPC VANESSA GUILLÉN
SENATOR
APPOINTED
HOUSE, SENATE PASS LEGISLATION TO LOWER COST OF INMATE TELEPHONE CALLS
HOUSTON

BAYOU HEAT

‘TRILL OG’ BUN B RETURNS TO RODEOHOUSTON FOR BLACK HERITAGE DAY!

We were all wondering how the folks at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo would top last year’s Black Heritage Day performance featuring Bun B and friends, and it seems they got the memo – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

The rodeo has announced that UGK’s “Trill OG” would be returning to centerstage at NRG Stadium on March 3 to headline the 2023 Black Heritage Day RodeoHouston performance.

“We are thrilled to welcome back so many talented artists, including some fan favorites such as Houston rap legend, Bun B, who will be taking the stage alongside some additional iconic southern performers,” said Chris Boleman, HLSR President and CEO.

This time, though, Bun B will not be focusing on only H-Town talent, like he did last year, he an-

nounced that it will be a true “Southern Takeover,” featuring artists from other states, like Louisiana and Georgia.

In 2022, Bun B shared the stage with other legendary Houston artists including Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Letoya Luckett, Tobe Nwigwe, Lil’ Flip and more, but it is time to expand the map to include more Dirty South A-Listers.

Now, the big question is — who will be with him?

If you would leave it up to me, we MUST bring in Master P, 8 Ball & MJG, Outkast, T.I., Ludacris, and a slew of others that we can argue over for days to come. Also, we do hope that Bun B will bring on Scarface, who could not appear last year possibly due to health reasons. His Geto Boys partner, Willie D, however, did perform.

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WHO WILL BE COMING TO H-TOWN TO PERFORM?

HOUSTON JOURNALISTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE COMMUNITY

It was back-to-back days of holiday fun as journalists across the city joined to, not only fellowship with each other, but to make the season a little bit brighter for children in need. On Dec. 16, journalists from multiple organizations gathered at Karbach Brewing Co. for “Jingle Bell with the Journalists,” and the next day, the Houston Association of Black Journalists held its annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive, donating toys to the “Substitute Fathers” organization. The toy drive was held at Phil & Derek’s Restaurant and Jazz Lounge located at 1701 Webster Street in midtown Houston.

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COMMUNITY SCAN

LAW AND ORDER

Law ORDER

BLACK WOMEN RISING!

30-year-old becomes Harris County’s youngest district court judge

DROPS MIC!

Hakeem Jeffries gives powerful speech on ABCs of Democracy

Black women are continuously showing that "ain't no mountain high enough," when it comes to what we can and can't conquer.

At only 30 years old, Katherine Thomas has become the youngest district court judge in Harris County, in addition to being the first woman of color to sit on the bench in the 184th District Court, replacing Abigail Anastasio.

“One of the things that my mentor told me was that age does not include experience and that it doesn’t matter how old you are, you should be confident about experiences that are for you to this point," Thomas said after she was sworn in with a roomful of friends, supporters and family members by her side.

Thomas, a native Houstonian, attended the High School for Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) where she majored in Theatre. At HSPVA, she fell in love with oral advocacy and decided to commit her life to public service.

She then moved to Atlanta to study political science and prelaw at Spelman College. While at Spelman, she interned under President Obama’s Administration in the office of Presidential Correspondence. After Spelman, Thomas attended Howard University School of Law in Washington D.C. where she represented underrepresented constituents in the Criminal Justice Clinic.

After graduation, Thomas returned home to Houston and began her legal career at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, serving as an Assistant District Attorney. As an African American woman raised in Houston, Thomas says she has firsthand knowledge of the disproportionate treatment that black and brown men and women experience when faced with criminal allegations. She takes solace in knowing that she is making a difference in her community by applying the law fairly, speaking up for unjust sentencing, and holding every participant in the criminal justice system accountable.

Thomas is committed to bringing safety back to our communities and trust in the criminal justice system, while understanding the need to set appropriate bonds given the nature of the offense. Thomas says she is not afraid to revoke bonds for repeat violent offenders and those who continue to violate bond conditions.

For community affiliations, Thomas is an active member of Abounding Grace Church in Houston, in addition to being a proud member of the Fort Bend County Chapter of The Links and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the first Black leader of either major US political party, drew cheers and sneers as he made his first official speech as the new highest-ranking Democrat in the chamber. In his inspiring 15-minute address to the 118th Congress,

legendary Rev. Jesse Jackson, as he did the ABCs of Democracy before turning over the gavel to Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who finally became the newly elected Speaker of the House after a historic 15 rounds of intense voting.

Check out the epic speech:

We will never compromise our principles. House Democrats will always put: American values over autocracy Benevolence over bigotry The Constitution over the cult Democracy over demagogues. Economic opportunity over extremism Freedom over fascism Governing over gaslighting Hopefulness over hatred Inclusion over isolation

Justice over judicial overreach Knowledge over kangaroo courts Liberty over limitation Maturity over Mar-a-Lago Normalcy over negativity

Opportunity over obstruction People over politics

Quality of life issues over QAnon Reason over racism Substance over slander Triumph over tyranny

Understanding over ugliness Voting rights over voter suppression Working families over the well connected Xenia* over xenophobia Yes, we can over you can’t do it and zealous representation over zero sum confrontation.”

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SPORTS

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: TEXANS FIRE HEAD COACH LOVIE SMITH AFTER JUST ONE SEASON

The Houston Texans continues to struggle to find themselves and, more importantly, a leader, after the team fired its head coach, Lovie Smith, after just one season. The news was announced after the team played its final game of the season. Even though they beat the Indianapolis Colts 32-31, it was not enough to recover from the overall disappointing 3-13-1 record.

“Nick Caserio and I spoke with Lovie Smith tonight and informed him that we will be moving in a different direction as an organization. I appreciate Coach Smith and his entire family for their contributions over the last two seasons,” said Cal McNair, Texans CEO. “We are grateful for his leadership and character, and we wish him the best moving forward. While we understand the results have not been what we had hoped for, we are committed to building a program that produces long-term, sustainable success. Our fans and city deserve a team that they can be proud of. I will work alongside Nick Caserio throughout this process and I’m confident we will find the right leader for our football team.”

Lovie is the third coach to be fired in back-to-back seasons by the Texans. Last January, the Texans relieved David Culley, also after just one Culley went 4-13 in 2021. Smith was the defensive coordinator and associate head coach on Culley’s staff, and was elevated to head coach after Culley was terminated.

The hiring of Culley and Smith was exciting for the city as both are African American. The NFL has

come under scrutiny for not having enough people of color in head coach positions. Still, both men were let go seemingly before being allowed time to find their footing.

Before that, former coach and GM Bill O’Brien was fired after starting 0-4 to begin the 2020 season after completing six full seasons. O’Brien was given one opportunity after another to continue on even when fans were pleading for him to be let go. Romeo Crennel was interim coach for 12 games in 2020 after O’Brien was fired.

The Texans hired Caserio as their new GM in 2021. Caserio vows to find the right man to lead the team.

“On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Lovie Smith for everything he has contributed to our team over the last two seasons as a coach and a leader. I’m constantly evaluating our football operation and believe this is the best decision for us at this time,” Caserio said. “It is my responsibility to build a comprehensive and competitive program that can sustain success over a long period of time. We aren’t there right now, however, with the support of the McNair family and the resources available to us, I’m confident in the direction of our football program moving forward.”

The next coach the Texans hire will be their fifth in four seasons.

WILL ANDRE JOHNSON FINALLY BE INDUCTED INTO THE HALL OF FAME?

Former Houston Texans WR Andre Johnson has been named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the second consecutive year. Johnson, who was the inaugural member of the Texans' Ring of Honor, joins 15 modern-era finalists for the Class of 2023. “Once again, I’d like to congratulate Andre on this tremendous honor,” Texans Co-Founder and Senior Chair Janice McNair said. “I’m so proud of him and everything he has accomplished on and off the field. He is a shining example of a teammate, friend and father, and he’s already a Hall of Famer in my book.”

After being drafted with the third overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, Johnson played and started 169 games for the Texans from 200314 and led the team in receptions and receiving yards in 10 of those seasons. He set the single-season franchise record for receptions with 115 in 2008 and receiving yards with 1,598 in 2012. Johnson also had a stretch of 133 consecutive games played with a reception (11/6/05 to 12/21/14) and scored 64 career touchdowns with the Texans, which marks the second most in franchise history.

rec-

“I’m thrilled for Andre that he has again earned this well-deserved ognition,” Texans and CEO Cal McNair said. “He is a legend in every sense of the word, and I will always be grateful for his incredible contributions to our team and the impact he continues to have on our organization and the City of Houston. From the day he became a Texan in 2003, he was the definition of a competitor on the field and a pillar in our community. We will continue to take every opportunity to celebrate Andre’s career and everything he has accomplished.”

Johnson played 12 seasons with the Texans and is the all-time leader in nearly every receiving category including career receptions (1,012), receiving yards (13,597), receiving touchdowns (64) and 100-yard games (51). Johnson also holds multiple single-game records for the Texans, including most receptions (14), receiving yards (273) and receiving touchdowns (three) in a game.

Following his final two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans, Johnson signed a one-day contract with the Texans that allowed him to retire as a member of the organization. The team honored him at a press conference on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at NRG Stadium and also on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017 during their game against the Arizona Cardinals, when they inducted him as the inaugural member of the Texans' Ring of Honor at halftime.

Johnson, who founded the Andre Johnson Foundation in 2003 as a way to give back to the community, finished his career with 1,062 catches for 14,185 yards and 70 touchdowns. He was a four-time All-Pro selection (2006, 200809, 2012) and seven-time Pro Bowler (2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014).

The Hall of Fame selection committee will reveal their 2023 Class at NFL Honors during the week leading up to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona. The class will then be enshrined over the summer in Canton, Ohio. There is no set number for any class of enshrinees, but the Committee's current ground rules do stipulate that between 4-8 new members will be selected each year. Every candidate must receive at least 80 percent approval of the Selection Committee at the annual meeting before he can be elected.

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IKEOMA’S EYE

WE WILL NO LONGER 'EAT YOUR F***ING CAKE'

A DISCUSSION ON AMERICA'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATIONSHIP WITH BLACK WOMEN

We all remember the infamous scene in the movie “What's Love Got To Do With It,” better known as “The Tina Turner Movie,” where Ike Turner forces Tina to eat a piece of cake that she didn't want to. In order to keep the peace, an intervening friend begged her to "Just eat the cake, Anna Mae!" Despite not wanting to eat the piece shoved in her face, she reluctantly bit a corner. To those familiar with the dynamics of domestic violence, eating that piece of cake was also symbolic of ingesting the abuse as we're told so that everyone else can be comfortable. Even though everyone witnessed the abuse,

it was still expected for this “Black Woman” (BW) to not resist and comply for everyone's benefit. As so is the story of BW in the US.

Being a survivor of domestic violence, I know what abuse feels like. Because I escaped such situations and have lived free of abuse in my home, I know what freedom feels like. Although I've mastered living in a peaceful home, I still live in an abusive society -one which expects me to ingest the injustices that affect me while being silent and complacent. Signs of an abusive relationship usually consist of grooming, isolation, physical, men-

tal and emotional abuse. Grooming and Isolation • Initially abusers entrap their victims. They do so by love bombing and intense romance such as showing overwhelming attention, perfect chivalrous behavior, and gift giving. America does the same thing by using propaganda as a means to seduce us into the infamous "American Dream" of wanting to achieve a "luxury" lifestyle with huge houses, expensive cars, and designer clothes shown on television. The people living these lifestyles are shown with big smiles on their faces as if their money is making them happy. The abuser/ society knows that there is not only a nonmonetary price to pay but the victim will be so engrossed in the benefits that they ignore the abuse. The abuse is the countless hours one has to use which eventually takes a toll on their physical, mental, and emotional energy in the name of work or living "The American Dream." For those who are lucky enough to live to reach retirement age, most have poor health due to years of unnatural, chronic stress secondary to this lifestyle. How many people retire with uncontrolled high blood pressure?

• Abusers also groom family and friends to cut ties with the victim so that no one will believe the abuse to the victim… a form of isolation. This can be done by acting very charming

to everyone else and sometimes making up lies to ruin their victim's reputation. They will strategically make up stories and twist scenarios to make the victim look incompetent and crazy. This is very common in abusive relationships. I was made aware of the negative international publicity about African Americans when I went to Ghana in 2006 and was asked how it felt to be in a drive-by and how lucky I was to have the government take care of my children, so I didn't have to work. For the record, I've never experienced a drive-by nor do I know anyone who has. The government did not take care of my children, me, nor my parents. This is why many come to the United States with a disdain towards African Americans. The negative propaganda is not only prevalent but is almost engraved in the beliefs of many immigrants before arrival. This creates a divisive community between those who have recently arrived and those who have been here. So, the new immigrants also have no sympathy with the abuse witnessed and may even participate.

Physical abuse

Unfortunately, a lot of women are killed at the hands of their domestic abusers. It's not uncommon for victims to be beaten, shot and even killed in their homes. Unfortunately, because of the grooming from the abuser, many times

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IKEOMA’S EYE

the victim's family and friends will not intervene. Many will go as far as blame the victim. Even though we have cameras today that record these violent acts, we're still blamed or ignored for such tragedies. What is so appalling is that there can be overwhelming evidence of our abuse, such as Megan Thee Stallion having medical records confirming gunshot wounds in her feet, yet she was still expected to cover up for her abuser (which she initially did) and take the blame for the abuse. Because of social conditioning, it's considered normal behavior to validate a BW abuse due to her sexual histo-

ry and marital status. Instead, we need to stop protecting our abusers; stop shaming the victims, and report those who put us in harm or danger. We need to demand justice with the same vengeance and solidarity as we do others.

Mental and Emotional abuse

Many are hyper-critical or judgmental about ANYTHING we do. First, we were labeled “Crackhead Welfare Queens,” despite the fact that we were never the majority on welfare. Now that BWs are, statistically, the most educated minority in the US, we're considered "masculine" because our educations afford us better economic opportunities. Dismissing us and our feelings is also considered emotional abuse. Too many times, major decisions have been made that affect our

lives without giving us a seat at the table. We're told to vote for certain politicians and parties in order to change our living conditions. Yet, the politicians that we vote into office, after pandering to us during their campaigns, refuse to funnel resources specifically to the Black American community unlike other "disadvantaged" groups. Another tactic is gaslighting BW by telling us that we're not attractive while uplifting other women who imitate our natural attributes, mannerisms, and styles. When men of other races find us attractive, we're told that they're only fetishizing us because no one would see us as beautiful nor love us because we're not worthy. Meanwhile, there are so many BW stepping out of their comfort zones and finding love within other races, countries and cultures.

NO DAMN MORE!

Just like any of my previous abusive situa-

tions, I became "Sick and tired of being sick and tired." Traveling internationally allowed me to experience life as an American and not as a stereotypical BW in America. The latter, full of disrespect. It's time we not only acknowledge our situations but do something about them. We have to become the support system to other BW that we would like to have for ourselves. Explore opportunities outside of our comfort zones such as international traveling - learning new languages and cultures. BW are not a monolith. We are more than the over sexualized, negative stereotypes that US propaganda has fed the world about us. We thrive under the most brutal circumstances…. walking away like Angela Bassett as she set that BMW on fire in Waiting to Exhale, It's time we stop "eating the f***ing cake," speak our truth unapologetically, be loyal to ourselves and live authentically without caring about who is uncomfortable with our happiness. We deserve it.

"Live Your Purpose, Follow Your Path"

Have questions or concerns about life?

Go to our website to get clarity today.

www.ikeomaseye.com

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