Houston Style Magazine vol 29 No 52

Dec 27, 2018 - Jan 02, 2019

Houston Style Magazine Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication

Volume 29 | Number 52

Complimentary

Jesse Jackson

Prince of Peace Summons the Better Angels of Our Nature

Hena Khan

New Book: Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream

Kwanzaa: What You Didn’t Know

Words by Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor and Photography by Shutterstock

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Hispanic Advisory Board Holiday Party

Houston Texans

Hard Loss for Texans as Injuries Pile Up

Alvarado Reception

N E W S | C O M M E N TA R I E S | S P O R T S | H E A LT H | E N T E R TA I N M E N T

Adve rti se w i th Ho uston Styl e M agaz i n e

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Dec 27, 2018 - Jan 02, 2019

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04 Publisher Francis Page, Jr. Associate Publisher Lisa Valadez

Government Shutdown

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Managing Editor Jo-Carolyn Goode editorial@stylemagazine.com Social Media Editor/Videographer Reginald Dominique reggiedominique@me.com

NATIONAL WRITERS

Jesse Jackson jjackson@rainbowpush.org Roland Martin www.rolandmartin.com Judge Greg Mathis www.askjudgemathis.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS Vicky Pink vhpink@gmail.com

New Life for Madam CJ Walker’s Estate

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William Ealy Williamealy1906@gmail.com Semetra Samuel semetra@artistikrebelcreative.com Mike Munoz artrepreneur91@gmail.com Robert Franklin editorial@stylemagazine.com

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Celebrating Kwanzaa

©2015 Houston Style Magazine, a Minority Print Media, L.L.C. Company. All Right Reserved. Reproduction in whole or within part without permission is prohibited. Houston Style Magazine has a 2007 audit by Circulation Verification Council (CVC). Houston Style Magazine is a member of the Texas Publishers Association (TPA), Texas Community Newspaper Association (TCNA), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Independent Free Paper of America (IFPA), Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP) and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP).

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COMMENTARY Prince of Peace Summons the Better Angels of Our Nature

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By Jesse Jackson, National Political Writer

n this Tuesday, hundreds of millions of people will celebrate Christmas across the country and around the world. For many, the holiday is a joyous time: Families gather, music in the air, light-draped trees and lampposts; presents are exchanged; blessings are shared.

Jesus confounded both Herod’s fears and the peoples’ hopes. He raised no army. He was a man of peace, not of war. He gathered disciples, not soldiers.

He began his ministry by quoting Isaiah 62:1: “The Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.”

But Christmas can also be a hard time for the lonely, the poor and the imprisoned. Each year at this time, I use this column to recall the real meaning of Christmas.

We will be judged, he taught us, by how we treat “the least of these,” by how we treat the stranger on the Jericho Road. He called us on to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to care for the sick, to offer aid to the refugee.

Christmas is literally the mass for Christ, marking the birth of Jesus. He was born under occupation. Joseph and Mary were ordered to go far from home to register with authorities. The innkeeper told Joseph there was no room at the inn. Jesus was born in a stable, lying in a manger, an “at-risk baby.” He was the son of a carpenter.

It’s an extraordinary story. Jesus was a liberator, but by his words, not by his sword. He converted rather than conquered. He accumulated no worldly wealth. He threw the moneylenders from the temple. During his ministry, he owned no home, no land and had no regular paycheck. His time with us was too brief, and he was crucified for his ministry.

He was born at a time of great misery and turmoil. Prophets predicted that a new Messiah was coming — a King of Kings — one who would rout the occupiers and free the people. Many expected and hoped for a mighty warrior — like the superheroes of today’s movies — who would mobilize an army to attack Rome’s occupying legions. Fearing the prophecy, the Roman King Herod ordered the “massacre of the innocents,” the slaughter of all boys age two and under in Bethlehem and the nearby region.

And yet, he succeeded beyond all expectation to transform the world. The Prince of Peace, he taught us that peace is not the absence of violence; it is the presence of justice and righteousness.

These days, the mass for Christ has become a holiday, more secular than sacred. It is a time of sales and discounts, of shopping and Santa. In the midst of this, we should stop a moment and take stock of where we are. The record surely

POLITICAL

is mixed.

There is good news: Unemployment is down, poverty is down, incomes have slowly begun to rise. We continue to lock up more people than any nation in the world, but our generally dysfunctional Congress just passed a sensible reform that will reduce the number locked up for non-violent offenses or for inability to pay a fine.

Mostly, however, we are astray. The United States wastes lives and literally trillions in wars without end and without apparent purpose, yet when the president abruptly calls for withdrawing some of the troops, he gets criticized from all sides.

Inequality is at record extremes, yet Congress passed a tax cut that went overwhelmingly into the pockets of the already rich. Millions still struggle in this rich country with getting adequate food to eat, yet the administration is intent on cutting support for food stamps that allow the working poor to feed their families.

On our borders, the administration is tearing babies away from their mothers, and keeping so many locked up that we have no facilities to house them. Health care remains unaffordable for too many, yet a federal judge recently threatened the health care of millions by declaring the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional.

Jesus was not a partisan, but his birth

was immensely political, both in the expectations of the people and the fears of the occupiers. Instead of turning us on one another, he called us to our highest selves. We should not let the deeper meaning of Christmas be lost in the wrappings.

In Chicago, I will go — as I do every year — to visit prisoners. This year, however, many of the city’s ministers are joining together to raise the funds to liberate those who are locked up simply because they cannot make bail. I urge ministers across the country to take this initiative to their towns, visit the local jails, find out how many non-violent offenders are in jail simply because they cannot make bail and work to liberate as many of them as possible.

That surely will express the real meaning of the Christmas story.

Jesus demonstrated the overwhelming power of faith, hope and charity, the importance of love. He showed that people of conscience can make a difference, even against the most powerful oppressor. He demonstrated the strength of summoning our better angels, rather than rousing our fears or feeding our divisions.

This Christmas, this surely is a message to remember. Merry Christmas, everybody.You can write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this newspaper or by

Government Shutdown Threatens Access to Key Economic Data CNN/StyleMagazine.comNewswire

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mong the many public services that of Agriculture, which produces data on crop Americans will miss if the partial production, prices and sales. government shutdown continues beyond this week, here’s a big one: data.

Normally, a delayed release is not a huge problem. But these are not normal times.

Federal statistical agencies produce a The financial markets are swinging wildly, steady stream of reports on how the economy is doing, where investment is flowing, the President is railing against the Federal and who the United States is trading with. Reserve, and the Treasury Secretary is holdStarting this week, those updates will slow ing calls with bankers to make sure they have to a trickle. enough money to keep lending.

The Department of Labor is funded through September 2019, so the monthly jobs report scheduled for early January will remain on time. (The 2013 shutdown delayed the jobs report by 18 days.) Indicators like costs and productivity will also be released during a shutdown.

But both the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Census Bureau, which belong to the Department of Commerce, have ceased providing updates and can only resume after Congress and the White House agree on a deal. The same is true of the Department

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“Because we’re already experiencing heightened volatility, this just adds another combustible element into the mix,” says Joe Brusuelas, chief economist for the consulting firm RSM US. A data drought would be particularly concerning around international trade, because of the several rounds of tariffs that the economy is still digesting, with another round potentially set to go into effect in March, depending on the outcome of negotiations between Trump and his Chinese counterpart.

Dec 27, 2018 - Jan 02, 2019

If economists don’t know what effect the trade wars are having, they could be in for a shock when the numbers finally do come in.

This week, the BEA was only scheduled to report on the United States’ international investment position for the third quarter.

International trade figures for November are scheduled to be released on January 8. The Census Bureau had been planning to report on public pensions for the third quarter and residential sales, with more international

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trade data.

“The uncertainty tax that we have now mostly has to do with trade,” Brusuelas says. “You add a layer of lack of data on top of that, then you start to run into problems.”

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FINANCE

Tips for Taking Control Over Your Financial Destiny CNN/StyleMagazine.com

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hether you’re a novice or experienced investor, there are steps you can take in order to take control of your financial destiny, and you don’t necessarily need a professional financial planner to do so, say some experts.

“Many individuals are quick to hand over responsibility for their future to financial advisors and fund managers in the hopes of achieving better returns than they could on their own,” says Dale Gillham, an analyst, financial educator and author of the new book, “Accelerate Your Wealth: It’s Your Money, Your Choice. “If you’re looking for the best person to handle your investments without any conflict of interest, look no further than yourself.”

From losing money to being misled to falling victim to dubious investments -- such mistakes are not only prevalent, they’re also avoidable, says Gillham (www.wealthwithin.us), whose new book can help empower readers to confidently invest in the stock market.

Indeed, Gillham shows you how you could have grown the value of your portfolio over the past 10 years by over 400 percent just trading stocks on the Dow Jones Index (DJI) and significantly outperformed the returns achieved by

the majority of fund managers.

To help you get started, he is offering these quick tips and insights.

• Know your goals: Once you’ve identified your goals -- for example, are you seeking growth, or growth and income -- develop a watch list of stocks to suit them.

• Be comfortable: All stocks have their own personality. Some stocks are high risk, providing higher returns, while others are slow and steady. Consider the time you have available, as well as your skill and knowledge level, to find stocks that suit your risk tolerance. (Keep in mind, you can ultimately lower your risk by not straying too far outside the top 150 stocks on any market.)

• Protect your capital: Most people spend more time deciding where to go on vacation than they spend selecting stocks to buy. Protect your capital by doing your research.

• Think small: There’s a common myth that over-diversification is beneficial. “While this makes the brokers money, it does very little to enable you to generate wealth,” says Gillham.

Smaller portfolios -- between five and 12 stocks -- are easier to manage and represent lower risk. That said, never invest more than 20 percent of your total capital in any one stock.

• Stay focused: Eliminate emotions, such as fear and greed from the process, taking care not to get caught up in the roller coast ride of the market’s highs and lows. Strive to trade from an objective and detached perspective.

• Leave it be. Don’t overcomplicate trading by trying to predict the next best thing. Find out what you’re good at and keep doing it instead of chasing the next

pot of gold.

• Trade with the trend: Trading with the trend is about adhering to the laws of supply and demand. Become a smart trader who recognizes momentum early and rides with it.

More information about the book can be found at bookstores and online at Amazon.com.

“Investing is less complicated than you might realize,” says Gillham. “With some simple knowledge of proven strategies, you can build wealth on your own.”

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LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL & BUSINESS BRIEFS Houston’s Emancipation Avenue Becomes First ‘Texas Main [HoustonPublicMedia.org]

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mancipation Avenue in Houston’s Third Ward neighborhood has been designated a Texas Main Street, the first time the state historical commission has selected a street in a major city for the program. The Texas Main Street program is meant to help restore historic streets so they become economically viable for businesses. Typically, the historical designation is used to revitalize areas of smaller towns.

The Emancipation Economic Development Council, a group tasked with promoting revitalization and preservation in the Emancipation Park area of the Third Ward, will oversee the program. “How we can make it important for the businesses that are there, the residents that are there, as well as new businesses and new residents that are coming into the community so that everyone can work together to reflect the culture and the history of the community,” said Alicia Neal, deputy manager of the Emancipation Avenue Main Street program. Under the Emancipation Economic Development Council,

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Transform Madam C.J. Walker’s Estate into Training Center for Black Women Entrepreneurs [GoodBlackNews.org]

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n this 100th year anniversary of its completion, the historic Villa Lewaro estate of the nation’s first self-made female millionaire and beauty pioneer, Madam C.J. Walker, has been purchased. The New Voices Foundation, which helps women of color entrepreneurs achieve their vision through innovative leadership initiatives, will spearhead the stabilization of the structure and planning for future uses. The acquisition was facilitated by the Dennis Family, including entrepreneur, investor, and social impact innovator Richelieu Dennis, who once owned Shea Moisture and currently owns Essence Magazine. The 28,000 square foot property is a historic residence that embodies the optimism and perseverance of the American entrepreneurial spirit. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 for its architectural significance, Madam Walker’s Villa Lewaro estate, named after her daughter (A’Lelia Walker Robinson), was once a social and cultural gathering place for notable leaders of the Harlem Renaissance, such as James Weldon Johnson, Zora Neale Hurston, W. E. B. Du Bois, and

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METRO Delivers Holiday Cheer to Local Students & Seniors [StyleMagazine.com Newswire]

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here was no shortage of smiles or cheers as several Houston area school children got a surprise visit from Santa and bags full of toys this week.

It is part of METRO’s annual Adopt-aSchool program. Each year, operators, mechanics and other staff who work at the Authority’s bus operating facilities choose a school or senior community center to sponsor. Along with riding a METRO-style “sleigh” through the bus wash, the children from Black and Best elementary schools were treated to lunches, pictures with Santa and gifts. “This is something we look forward to the entire year. Our staff starts in January fundraising and planning each event,” said Robert Augustine, METRO’s Senior Director of Transportation. The holiday cheer was also spread at the Johnson & Johnson and Sheltering Arms senior centers where dozens of seniors welcomed visits and gifts from METRO staff. Augustine and other staff started the program nearly a decade ago to strengthen relationships in communities METRO serves.

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former sales executive for Marriott Vacations Worldwide alleges in a lawsuit that he was asked to dance during meetings as entertainment for other employees and that a photo of the character Buckwheat was used to represent him during a team building exercise. Daryl Robinson is suing for unlawful race discrimination, unlawful race harassment, failure to prevent race discrimination and harassment and retaliation for opposing forbidden practices. Robinson began working in February 2017 as a sales executive with Marriott selling timeshares to vacation properties. He says he was the only African-American employee in the office. In the suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, Robinson alleges that he was asked on multiple occasions to dance by a director of sales during sales meetings, usually to music by Michael Jackson.

Dec 27, 2018 - Jan 02, 2019

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ue to the events surrounding the passing of President George H.W. Bush, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner had to cancel his plans to lead the delegation. The delegation ultimately included Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Jerry Davis (a PVAMU alumnus from the College of Education), members from the Greater Houston Partnership, Commissioner Theldon Branch from the Port of Houston, members of the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from PVAMU and Texas Southern University. The PVAMU team representing President Simmons included Munir Quddus, dean, College of Business, Frank Jackson, assistant vice chair for governmental affairs, TAMUS and Oscar Taylor, Trustee, PVAMU Foundation (representing Gerard D’Souza, dean, College of Agriculture and Human Sciences). The PVAMU team arrived in the city of Nassau on Wednesday, Dec. 5, and later met a group of Bahamian alumni invited by Vernita Harris, a PVAMU College of Business alumna. As a member of IMPACT consulting, Harris served as the main organizer of this trade delegation.

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Black Marriott Exec Was Compared to ‘Buckwheat,’ Told to Dance for Colleagues, Lawsuit Alleges [NBCNews.com]

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PVAMU Team Participates in Houston Mayor’s Trade Delegation to Bahamas [PVAMU.edu]

n December 19th, the U.S. Senate finally passed the first anti-lynching bill in history. The bill, entitled the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2018, was passed by a voice vote.

Should it become law it would federally criminalize lynching, attempts to lynch and lynching conspiracies. The legislation was introduced in June 2018 by the three African American members of the U.S. Senate: Senators Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Tim Scott (R-SC) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). Murder by mob rule and with no due process, typically by hanging, was at its height in America in the late 1800s after the end of the Civil War. The end of slavery in America with the signing by President Abraham Lincoln of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865, was met with a backlash that sought to enforce white supremacy and intimidate newly freed blacks by way of racial terrorism.

Victims of lynching were often African Americans murdered at the hands of white mobs who would gather and photograph the proceedings and often create postcards of the victims.

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exas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment was 3.7 percent in November, remaining at the same historic 42-year low it was in October. The Texas economy added 14,000 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in November. Annual employment growth for Texas was 3.0 percent in November, marking 103 consecutive months of annual growth. “The addition of 365,400 jobs over the year and 14,000 jobs in November demonstrates the consistency with which employers in our state create job opportunities for the highly skilled Texas workforce,” said TWC Chair Ruth R. Hughs. The numbers are a testament to the resilience of our Texas employers and the diversity of our Texas economy.” The Manufacturing Industry recorded the largest private-industry employment gain over the month with 9,100 jobs added and led all industries in growth. In Texas’ private Service Providing sector, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities added 8,900 positions in November. Also within this sector, Professional and Business Services added 1,800 followed

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African American Senators Push First Federal Lynching Bill Through U.S. Senate [BlackPressUSA.com]

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Texas’ Unemployment Rate Remains at Historic Low 3.7 Percent [TWC.Texas.gov]

Family of the Black Wrestler Who Was Forced to Cut His Dreadlocks Speaks Out [CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire]

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he parents of the 16-year-old black varsity wrestler who was forced to cut his dreadlocks before a match have spoken out for the first time since the incident.

Charles and Rosa Johnson, speaking through their attor=ney, Dominic A. Speziali, said in a Monday statement that the conduct of the referee who forced their son, Andrew, to cut his hair “appears more egregious as additional information comes to light.” They allege that the referee was late to the meet and didn’t question their son’s hair or the need for a head covering during the initial evaluation.

The referee did not immediately respond to CNN’s requests for comment Tuesday afternoon. The referee later told Andrew his hair and headgear were not in compliance with league regulations, Speziali said in the statement. Andrew told the referee he could push his hair back, Speziali said, but the referee refused because Andrew’s hair “wasn’t in its natural state.” So he gave an ultimatum: cut the locks or forfeit the match. Andrew chose to have his hair cut rather than forfeit the match, according to a letter from the school district Superintendent David Cappuccio Jr.

ENTERTAINMENT Taft Alumnus, One of The ‘Black Panther’ Actor Dies [MySanAntonio.com]

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onald Glenn “Abongo” Humphrey, an alumnus of Taft High School and actor in the 2018 blockbuster film “Black Panther,” has died. A death notice from Dignity Memorial in Georgia shows Humphrey, a married father of three, died Dec. 11 at 41 years old. The notice did not specify the cause of death. Several weeks before his death, he told his sister Natalie Bootman he was the happiest he had ever been in his life, Bootman said. Though he wasn’t a native of San Antonio, Humphrey spent the majority of his teen years in the Alamo City. As a child, he had “more energy than ten children”, his sister said. At Taft, he played nose guard for the football team and was popular among his classmates, according to a former Express-News story about him.

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Suge Knight Opens Up In ‘American Dream/American Knightmare’ [CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire]

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ormer rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight muses about what might have happened if the architects of that business “were friends, instead of destroying each other.” That’s the inherent tragedy in “American Dream/American Knightmare,” director Antoine Fuqua’s documentary about Knight, which is premiering on Showtime. Fuqua, the director of movies like “Training Day” and “Southpaw,” conducted extensive interviews with Knight in 2011 and 2012. Although Knight isn’t always the most reliable narrator, the filmmaker gives him the latitude to tell his tale, describing a world of money, power and violence, while alternating between explaining and lamenting those dynamics.

Those conversations -- conducted long before Knight’s sentencing to 28 years in prison in October, having plead no contest to a voluntary manslaughter charge in a hit-and-run death -- shed light on a larger-than-life character, from its tough beginnings to the founding of Death Row Records.

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Kennedy Center Honors Highlights Schism Between Trump and The Arts [CNN/StyleMagazine.com Newswire]

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resident Trump skipped the Kennedy Center Honors in 2017, publicly stating that he wished to avoid marring the celebration with a “political distraction.” A year later, his absence at the event -- held earlier this month, and now being televised on CBS -- merely reinforces the disconnect between the commander in chief and key ceremonial aspects of America’s cultural life. The Kennedy Center tribute joins other touchstones -- like NBA championship teams visiting the White House -- that have fallen by the wayside since Trump’s inauguration. And while such matters aren’t necessarily important in the bigger scheme of things, it does feel as if there’s a donut hole at the center of all this pomp and circumstance. Perhaps more than most, the Kennedy Center has always been a kick in that respect, seeing Washington luminaries get in touch with their inner fan, dancing and singing along (often poorly, but so what?) during rousing tributes to stars in various artistic fields.

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Fabolous Spends 100K+ On Gifts for Brooklyn Youth in Annual Toy Drive [Good Black News]

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abolous made Christmas come early for kids in the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club of Brooklyn this year with his annual Christmas Toy Drive. The event was made possible by the Brooklyn rapper’s foundation A Fabolous Way (which is designed to merge communities and the arts), Def Jam and D’usse. The event was held at the lavish Red Rabbit in New York City’s Meat Packing District neighborhood. According to Page Six, Fab spent over 100K on the presents. “I don’t put a money amount on Christmas — I just want to show people that they are special to me,” he said. “But, it is safe to say I have spent over $100,000.” Although he’s definitely generous, he admits that doing the actual shopping is tough for him because of his busy life. What matters most to him is making sure he’s giving someone a thoughtful gift.

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FEATURE Kwanzaa: What You Didn’t Know

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor Photo Courtesy of Sutterstock

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e have decked the halls, jingled the bells, and sung the carols but there is still more holiday celebration. After Christmas comes the season of Kwanzaa. Founded in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa is a holiday based on African principles and is celebrated from December 26 to January 1. Most are familiar with the seven principles but may not be knowledgeable about other aspects of the holiday. Continue reading to find out what you don’t know about Kwanzaa.

Symbols of Kwanzaa The seven principles of Kwanzaa are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. But did you know there are also seven symbols of Kwanzaa. The symbols are just as important as the principles as the symbols are the visual representations that help with the meaning of the holiday. The symbols are crops, placemats, ear of corn, candles, candle holders, communal cups and gifts.

The crops represent the first fruits of the harvest that feed the people.

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Kwanzaa is based on African harvest festivals. Kwanzaa is also Swahili for “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits.” A placemat is a next symbol, which represents the foundation of communities. It is believed that nothing can be built without a solid foundation.

Ear of corn represents the foundation of the communities, the family, specifically the offspring of parents. During Kwanzaa one ear of corn is placed on the mat for every child in the family.

The seven candles symbolize the seven principles of Kwanzaa. A black candle is for unity and is placed in the center of the Kinara. Three red candles are for self-determination, cooperative economics, and creativity and are placed to the left of the black candle. Three green candles representing collective work and responsibility, purpose, and faith are placed to the right of the black candle. According to officialkwanzaawebsite.org, the candles colors are black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle. The candleholder or Kinara is a symbol to

Dec 27, 2018 - Jan 02, 2019

hold the seven candles. Some have said that the candleholder represents stalks of corn that branch off to form new stalks, like a family tree. Communal cups or unity cup is a symbol to honor those that came before, the ancestors.

During Kwanzaa, family members drink from the cup saying “harambee” which means, “let’s pull together.” Lastly is the symbol of gifts. Unlike Christmas, gifts are not those purchase from stores but are handcrafted and from the heart.

These gifts are the fruits of labor and are rewards for seeds sown by children.

Not an African holiday A big myth about Kwanzaa is that it is an African holiday. In fact, Kwanzaa is a U.S. holiday based on African principles. Karenga founded Kwanzaa during a time when racial tension heightened in the U.S. after the riots in 1965 of the Watts neighborhood in Los Angles, CA. It was his hope to create black pride and stronger communities.

to celebrate the holiday. In addition, the holiday has become more mainstream with the U.S. Postal Service creating a Kwanzaa stamp in 1997.

Official greeting Besides lighting candles and exchanging gifts, those who celebrate Kwanzaa are known to have their own greeting. It is not uncommon to hear the phrase Habari gani during the weeklong celebration. The phrase is Swahili for “What’s the news?”

Upon hearing the question, the appropriate response is the principle of the day.

The Black Candle Did you know there is a film depicting all you need to know about Kwanzaa called “The Black Candle?” Narrated by famed poet Maya Angelou, “The Black Candle” is the first full-length film about the growth of the holiday using the story of a black family as its backdrops. Also starring in this film directed by M.K. Asante Jr. are rapper Chuck D, Kwanzaa founder Maulana Karenga, former NFL star Jim Now the holiday is widely celebrated Brown, Molefi Kete Asante, Lovensky and has grown in popularity outside the Jean-Baptiste, Haki R. Madhubuti, TheU.S. Black Caribbean are also known odore Perkins, Dead Prez, and Synthia Sai

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LIFESTYLE

Celebrating The Seven Interesting Facts About Kwanzaa By wikihow.com/Celebrate-Kwanzaa

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eginning December 26 and lasting for seven days, Kwanzaa is a celebration of community, family and culture, established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African roots and heritage. Here are some interesting facts you may not know about this annual celebration.

1. Kwanza celebrated its 50th Birthday in 2016: The holiday was created

by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 to celebrate family, culture and heritage, and is modeled after the first harvest celebrations in Africa.

2. The Number Seven: There are 7 Principles and 7 Primary Symbols that emphasize a unique set of values and ideals during the 7 days of Kwanzaa… also spelled with 7 letters.

3. Umoja is Unity: With over 2000 languages spoken on the African continent, Kwanzaa adopted one of the many unifying languages, Swahili, which is spoken by millions on the African continent. The name Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase meaning “first fruits.”

4. Red, Black and Green: The colors of Kwanzaa are a reflection of the

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Pan-African movement representing “unity” for peoples of African descent worldwide: Black for the people, red for the noble blood that unites all people of African ancestry, and green for the rich land of Africa.

5. Stamp That!: The first US postage stamp to commemorate Kwanzaa was issued in 1997. There have been 5 designs released since then, the most recent being in 2016.

6. A Universal Message: Kwanzaa is rooted in African culture, however, people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds are welcomed to join in the celebration.

7. Star Power: Celebrities who have been known to celebrate Kwanzaa every year include Oprah, Maya Angelou, Chuck D, Angelina Jolie, and Synthia Saint James (who designed the first Kwanzaa postage stamp.)

7 Principles of Kwanzaa

“Umoja” — Unity “Kujichagulia” — Self-determination “Ujima” — Collective work and responsibility “Ujamaa” — Cooperative economics “Nia” — Purpose

Feb 9

“Kuumba” — Creativity “Imani” — Faith

Kwanzaa Vocabulary

Mazao — fruit or crops placed in a bowl, representing the community’s productivity.

Kinara — a seven-pronged candle-holder.

Mishumaa Saba — the seven candles which represent the seven core principles of Kwanzaa. Three candles on the left are red, representing struggle; three on the right are green, representing hope; and one in the center is black, signifying the African American people or those who draw their heritage from Africa.

Muhindi — ears of corn. Lay out one ear of corn for each child; if there are no children, place two ears to represent the children of the community.

Zawadi — various gifts for the children.

Kikombe cha Umoja — a cup to represent family and community unity.

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Feb 10

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HEALTH What Happens to Your Body When You Hold Your Pee Courtesy of BlackDoctor.org

W

e get it. You’re busy. We’re busy, everybody’s busy. You have things to do, people to take care of and places to go. So sometimes we put ourselves last, including our bladders. But how healthy is it to hold your pee and not go to the bathroom when your bladder tells you to?

A healthy adult bladder can hold up to 16 ounces, or 2 cups, of urine. This is great news if you’ve only had one cup of coffee, but not so much if you find yourself on cup number three with no restroom in sight.

The bladder capacity for children under the age of 2 is about 4 ounces. For children older than 2, the capacity can be found by dividing their age by 2, then adding 6. For example, an 8-year-old child can typically hold 10 ounces of urine.

Most everyone has held in urine at one time or another. You may have wondered whether holding your pee is healthy. Here’s what you need to know.

But is it safe to hold your pee?

There isn’t a set guideline for how long you can safely hold your pee. It varies from person to person, but you need to know what happens if you do: The cylindrical sphincters in your bladder close up tightly to keep all of the urine from leaking through your urethra.

These little muscles are great at what they do, until you make them do it consistently for a really long time, say if you’re a trucker and you’re holding in your pee on long trips several times a week.

If you make a habit of holding in your pee for ages, you’re subjecting yourself to pretty serious long-term effects, including a higher risk of infection. Constantly holding in your pee can weaken your bladder muscles, which could lead to urinary retention – the dreaded condition that prevents you from being able to fully empty your bladder when you pee, which means you feel like peeing a lot.

In certain circumstances, holding urine for any length of time can be even more dangerous. If you have any of the following conditions, holding your urine can increase your risk of infection or kidney disease: – enlarged prostate – neurogenic bladder – kidney disorders – urinary retention Women who are pregnant are already at an increased risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs). If you’re pregnant, holding your pee can further increase this risk.

So, what happens to your body when you hold your pee?

When you feel the urge to empty your bladder, the reason behind it isn’t as simple

as your bladder filling up with liquid. It’s actually a pretty complex process involving many muscles, organs, and nerves that work together to tell you that it’s time to go.

When your bladder is about half full, it activates the nerves in your bladder. These nerves signal your brain to give you the urge to urinate. The brain then signals the bladder to hold on until it’s time. Holding your pee involves consciously fighting this signal to urinate.

These signals will differ from person to person. They also vary according to your age, how much liquid your bladder contains, and what time of day it is. For example, these signals decrease at night — that way you can get a full night’s rest instead of running to the restroom every few hours!

For some women, the urge to urinate more frequently can increase after having children. This results from changes that occur during childbirth, including weakened muscles and nerve stimulation.

If you have an overactive bladder, holding your pee can be an important part of bladder training. Regular bladder training may help you develop a more convenient urination schedule.

So what does this all mean? Make sure you are going to the bathroom and emptying your bladder when the feeling hits. It doesn’t make you less manly or less womanly to excuse yourself and go to the bathroom.

When it’s time to go…then go!

BOOKS

“On Point: Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream” by Hena Khan

I

n your lifetime, you’ve done many amazing things.

You learned to walk. Imagine how hard that was, and you did it! You learned to make words and put them into sentences, which is no easy feat, either. You know how to get to school, do math, read, and play ball. But, as in the new book “On Point” by Hena Khan, could something be holding you back from greatness?

For weeks and weeks before try-outs, Zayd Saleem practiced his shots, dribbles, and lay-ups for a better chance at joining the best fourth-grade basketball team in the whole entire league. No kid was happier than Zayd when he finally made it – and the bonus was that his best friend, Adam, was on the team, too.

And that was great – it gave Zayd more time to hang out with Adam, and it allowed them more time to play ball.

But then the basketball team started doing poorly, losing games by a lot of points. Adam was the team captain, but he began hanging out with some other,

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older boys who preferred football.

Zayd was afraid that his best friend had lost interest in hoops, especially when Adam skipped basketball practice a couple of times, and that made Zayd sad. He figured the team was as good as done, but then Coach dropped a bombshell: Adam was out for awhile and Zayd was on point!

But how could that be? Zayd wasn’t sure how to tell Coach that he wasn’t ready! He wasn’t aggressive enough, or fast enough to move the ball along in play. He wasn’t nearly as good as Adam but with Adam gone, what were the choices?

Practice, practice, practice. That was the only option, and as Zayd thought about an upcoming game, he also thought about his beloved Jamal Mamoo’s predicament: Jamal Mamoo had recently gotten engaged but everybody had an opinion about the wedding.

Zayd could tell that Jamal Mamoo and Nadia Aunty were not happy about their ceremony becoming something they

Dec 27, 2018 - Jan 02, 2019

didn’t want. He practiced and thought, until the answer was finally clear. Was it possible that the solution for both of them was the same?

Here’s the first thought about “On Point”: though it’s based in basketball, your child doesn’t have to be a basketball fan to like it.

Indeed, author Hena Khan is careful to use correct terms in this hoops-book, but they (and other words) are quietly explained within the story itself, usually by its main character. Readers unfamiliar with b-ball are even schooled on the title’s meaning, but not in a manner that’s off-putting to kids who already know.

That’s perhaps what’s going to put this book in a youngster’s hands. What will keep it there is the story itself, which is one of tradition, confidence, and learning to lead, but it’s not a preachy message.

All around, that makes “On Point” a truly appealing book, both for kids and for parents who want subtle lessons

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learned. If that’s true for your 7-to-10year-old, then this book should do it.

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SPORTS M.A.S.H.: Texan Lose the Game and Key Players In the Loss to Philadelphia

By Brian Barefield, Style Sports Editor

F

rom 1972 until 1983, CBS aired a television show based off of the 1968 novel written by Richard Hooker.

M.A.S.H told the weekly stories about the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital that was based out of Uijeonebu, South Korea during the Korean War. The soldiers stationed there were in charge of taking care of the wounded soldiers who were wounded during the battle.

I imagine that’s what the Houston Texans medical staff must have felt like in Sunday’s game versus the Philadelphia Eagles. The Texans lost a heartbreaker to the Eagles 32 – 30 on a game winning field goal by Jake Elliott. That loss moved Houston from the 2nd seed in the AFC playoffs to the 3rd seed and hindered them from wrapping up the AFC South division title. To add injury to insult (no pun intended), the Texans lost a host of key players to injuries that will have a huge impact on their 2018 playoff run including S/CB Kareem Jackson and CB Keyvon Webster. But it was the loss of WR Demaryius Thomas who was carted off the field in the fourth quarter after suffering a season ending Achilles injury where Houston will really feel the pain. Thomas was brought over in a mid-season trade to replace another injured Texan WR (Will

Fuller) who also suffered a season ending lower leg injury.

“He has not been here that long, but everyone looks up to him. Everyone asks him questions, not just about football but life questions. So, for him to go out the way that he did, I hated that for him. I know that he loves football and he just wants to play football,” said DeAndre Hopkins when asked about the impact that will be felt in the locker room by the Thomas’ injury.

The defending Super Bowl champions took advantage of a depleted Texans secondary as QB Nick Foles passed for a franchise high 471 yards and 4 touchdowns. Foles, who also was the MVP of Super Bowl LII looked like he had not missed a beat from last year’s playoff run when he replaced starting QB Carson Wentz. He orchestrated that final scoring drive after taking a massive hit from Texans DE Jadaveon Clowney which resulted in a roughing the passer penalty and caused him to miss one play.

“It was a great hit. [Texans DE Jadeveon Clowney] got a good one on me. Our trainers got out there and I was able to get my breath back. My ribs are a little sore, but all in all, I feel great,” Foles told reporters

after the game.

Houston was still able to secure a playoff berth even with the loss when the New Orleans defeated the Pittsburg Steelers later on that day. The Texans will host the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday at NRG. If Houston wins they wrap up the division title and a home playoff game, but if they lose and the Colts win it will have them traveling on Wild-Card weekend. Either way, the Texans just want to prevent their

player from having to go to the M.A.S.H unit again.

“That’s the NFL. I mean, that’s what you have a roster for, you have a 46-man roster, so it’s just the next guy has to step in. That’s kind of the way it is. Every team is dealing with all kinds of things,” Houston’s head coach Bill O’Brien reiterated to the media on Sunday.

Kickoff is at 12:00 pm cst.

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EAT WITH STYLE 3 Popular Eating Plans You’ll See in the New Year Courtesy of Family Features

I

f you’re thinking about revamping how you eat in the new year, you might want to think twice about the trendy dairyfree plans that crop up on your social media feed – as they could leave you missing out on nutrients you need. These additional tips can help you get a healthy start to the New Year: Three of the most popular and health-promoting eating plans of the moment – the Mediterranean Diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet and Flexitarian Diet – all include dairy milk as an important component, and according to a study in the “Journal of the American Dietetic Association,” it’s hard to get nutrients you need without it.

New research also suggests adding an extra serving of dairy to the Mediterranean Diet makes it even more nutritious, boosting amounts of calcium, vitamin D and potassium without exceeding recommendations for nutrients to limit, like saturated fat and sodium, according to a study published in “The Journal of the American College of Nutrition.” A second new study found not

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only does incorporating more dairy improve the quality of the diet, it benefits health, as well – specifically improving blood pressure and levels of good cholesterol (HDL) compared to a standard low-fat diet, according to research in “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.” While the Mediterranean Diet typically includes around two servings of dairy a day, these studies built in 3-4.

The DASH Diet, long known for its positive effects on heart health, includes three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy per day.

Good news for fans of whole milk: it may be just as effective when it includes full-fat dairy, too, according to recent research in “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.” Researchers found a DASH diet that included whole milk and other full-fat dairy products lowered blood pressure just as much as the traditional version.

As a high-quality, complete protein, dairy milk is also an important part of the Flexitarian Diet, which encourages more plants and less meat. Many plant-based proteins are incomplete, which means they don’t provide some of the building blocks your

Dec 27, 2018 - Jan 02, 2019

body needs. Dairy milk is also an important source of calcium, as substituting milk with non-dairy calcium sources like fortified soy milk or leafy greens can lead to gaps in other key nutrients such as protein, vitamin D, phosphorus, riboflavin, potassium, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin B12, according to a study in the journal “Nutrition Research.”

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Instead of eating in a way that could leave you at risk of nutrient deficiencies, opt for a more balanced approach to the new year and consider a plan that includes dairy milk.

Visit MilkLife.com for more information and milk-inspired recipes.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SMALL

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

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2018

GREENS POINT COMMUNITY HOUSTON, TX

Doing Good in the Hood Photography by Vicky Pink

T

2018

he Green House International Church and partners share the joy of the Christmas season by sponsoring 200 kids. It was a day of pure cheer as each child received gifts, got their picture taken with Santa, and got cookies and refreshments. Members of the church also sang Christmas carols to the children and others in attendance.

RIVE UNIVERSITY HOUSTON, TX

Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board Photography by Vicky Pink ice University opened their doors for the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board Holiday Reception. Guests mixed and mingle with Mayor Sylvester Turner as they reflected over the past year. Some joining Mayor Turner during the festivities were Richard Tapia, Lenora Sorola-Pohlman, Roland Garcia, Sophia Adrogue, David Medina, Maria Del Pilar Montes, Jeff Syptak, David Solis, Helen Cavazos, Doug Miller, Peter Rodriguez, Ileana Trevino, Michael Trevino, David W. Leebron, Ximena Gaby Magana, Reynaldo Guerra, Peter Rodriguez, and Y Ping Sun.

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Dec 27, 2018 - Jan 02, 2019

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2018

THE POST OAK HOTEL HOUSTON, TX

Senator Alvarado Fundraising Reception Photography by Vicky Pink ilman J. Fertitta hosted a fundraising reception for Texas State Senator-Elect Carol Alvarado. Representing District 6, Alvarado will take over the seat once held by now Congresswoman-Elect Sylvia Garcia. Some in attendance were Keir Murray, Saul Valentin, Steven Quezada, Arthur Juarez, Rick Lord, Ross Winkler, Dennis Winkler, Russell Hamley, Melinda Little, Lindsay Munoz, City Councilwoman Karla Cisneros, Cindy Clifford, Maricarmen Tamez, David Bray, Teresa Flores, Robert Deleon, Ryan Castleman, Pamela Castleman, Mandy Harper, Patrick Bilnoski, Crystal Brown, Paul Benz, Yolanda Alvarado, Honorable Kim Ogg, Jamie Mercado, and Max Melchor.

2018

T

GEORGE R. BROWN CONVENTION CENTER HOUSTON, TX

Chris Paul Family Holiday Gift-Giving Photography by Vicky Pink

T

he Chris Paul Family Foundation, together with 30 of their family members and Academy Sports partnered to surprise children at the Urban Enrichment Institute with an incredible present—bikes for Christmas. Two hundred children between 5-11 years old had a very Merry Christmas thanks to the new bikes each received courtesy of the Chris Paul Family Foundation and Academy Sports. Paul’s parents Charles and Robin Paul, Charles Savage (Urban Enrichment Institute director) and Academy representatives Allen Rojas and Raymond Gonzales, welcomed attendees including Prentice Collins, Carmen Wilson, Brandy Jones, Tonia Wells, A.J. Richardson, Jada Paul, Matt Musil (KHOU) and hundreds others on hand for the festivities.

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