Houston Style Magazine Vol 31 No 24

Houston Style Magazine June 11 – June 17, 2020

Houston’s Premiere Weekly Publication, Since 1989

Volume 31 | Number 24

A TEARFUL LIZZO SPEAKS OUT

Complimentary

Jesse Jackson Criminal Justice Policy Reform Won’t Be Easy

Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. Senate Confirms Brown To Lead Air Force In Historic Vote

STAY SMARTHWORK SAFE CORONAVIRUS – US NUMBERS: Cases: 2,071,491 Deaths: 115,291

Follow Us #TeamStyleMag

Twitter @HoustonStyle

Instagram @HoustonStyleNews

Houston Hosts George Floyd’ Goodbye Memorial

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Police Reform: Executive Order

PM – Jacinda Ardern No Active COVID-19 Cases Reported In New Zealand

2020 Valedictorians

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 Support Black Owned Businesses

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June 11 – June 17, 2020

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Publisher Francis Page, Jr. fpagejr@stylemagazine.com Associate Publisher Lisa Valadez lisa@stylemagazine.com

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

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NATIONAL WRITERS

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

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

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d.b.a. Houston Style Magazine & StyleMagazine.com Phone: (713) 748-6300 • Fax: (713) 748-6320 Mail: P.O. Box 14035, Houston, TX 77221-4035 ©2020 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 2019 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). National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc. (NAHP, Inc.), Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HHCC), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Latin Women’s Initiative (LWI), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals (HAHMP), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and Members of Greater Houston Partnership(GHP)

SAY HIS NAME: GEORGE FLOYD

By Brian Barefield, Feature Writer – StyleMagazine.com Newswire

www.StyleMagazine.com

June 11 – June 17, 2020

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COMMENTARY

Policy Reform Won’t Be Easy

By Jesse Jackson, National Political Writer

A

s the worldwide demonstrations continue two weeks after the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis policeman, the question is whether outrage will lead to real reforms? Fundamental reforms would begin with ending the “qualified immunity” of police, curbing the militarization of police forces, transferring funds and functions to social agencies, imposing residency requirements and finally making lynching a hate crime.

There is good reason to be skeptical. After the remarkable Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country in 2014, very little changed. Police continue to kill over 250 African Americans a year (of nearly 1,000 Americans each year). In most cities, racial profiling, constant harassment, routine brutality, and mass arrests continue. Powerful police unions block reforms.

Cynical politicians - in this case led by Donald Trump who has been tweeting “more money for Law Enforcement - fan fears. Callous officials like Attorney General William Barr deny the existence of systemic racism in our criminal justice system. With 18,000 separate police organizations organized locally across the country, real reform is hard.

There is also reason for hope. After dozens of commissions beginning with the Kerner Commission in 1967 and moving forward, we know a lot about what needs to be done. What has been missing is will, not ideas. And now, as the demonstrations reveal, Americans - black and white, young and old - are demanding change.

On Monday, Democrats - led by Rep. Karen Bass, chair of the CBC, and Senators Corey Booker and Kamala Harris - introduced The Justice in Policing Act of 2020 which calls for basic reforms.

It would revise the “qualified immunity,” which has protected police from liability for excessive

use of force, curb the transfer of military equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies, mandate data collection of police misconduct and a centralized registry of offenders, mandate racial training and outlaw choke holds and no-knock warrants. It would finally make lynching a hate crime, passing legislation that has been pending for over 100 years.

Many of these same reforms can and should be passed at a state level, not allowing Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump to bottle up reform.

Similarly, as Campaign Zero has detailed in #8Can’tWait, local officials or city councils can simply order basic changes in police techniques: outlawing choke holds, mandating de-escalation efforts, requiring warning before shooting, creating a duty to intervene against excessive force by other officers, banning shooting at moving vehicles and more.

“Defund the police” has been added to the massive “Black Lives Matter” painted on the road leading to the White House in Washington. Trump, of course, has jumped on the slogan in an effort to discredit any reform.

But the advocates of “defund the police” aren’t fools. They understand that the police will be with us -- but that their role and their functions need to be dramatically rethought. “We must end policing as we know it,” stated Lisa Bender, the Minneapolis City Council President who leads a veto-proof majority of the city council dedicated to “recreating a system of public safety that will actually keep us safe.”

Defunding means transferring resources that now go to police into investments in communities in health care, schools, housing. It reflects the reality that in minority communities, particularly, overcriminalization has made virtually everyone a potential target.

Police have gotten involved in areas better left to others, from school discipline, eviction enforcement,

addiction and substance abuse. Police are soldiers in the so-called War on Drugs when it is fought in poor and minority communities while deferring to public health agencies addressing opioid and drug abuse in suburban and exurban neighborhoods.

Defending would include organizing community groups to help intervene to de-escalate tense situations that can lead to violence. Mayors in Los Angeles to New York have announced plans to transfer some funds from the police budget to social services, but what’s required is a real commitment like that of the Minneapolis City Council to rethink public safety from top to bottom.

One part of this has to recreate real community policing. In Minneapolis, 92 percent of the police live outside the city. They are literally an outside occupying army, too often seeing the neighborhoods they patrol as alien, even enemy territory.

Residence requirements that a far higher percentage of police come from the neighborhoods they patrol would dramatically change the tenor of the cops and the trust of the citizens.

Real change won’t be easy. The resistance will be fierce. At the national level, Senate Republicans will no doubt seek to block the reforms that pass the House.

Trump will enlist the police unions to posture as a law-and-order strong man. The demonstrators must build a political force able not only to defeat those who stand in the way, but to hold those promising change accountable. What is clear is that the abuses won’t stop, the police murders won’t end until fundamental reforms are made.

You c-n write to the Rev. Jesse Jackson in care of this newspaper or by email at jjackson@rainbowpush.org. Follow him on Twitter @RevJJackson.

Share this story online at StyleMagazine.com.

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June 11 – June 17, 2020

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S

SENATE CONFIRMS CHARLES BROWN, JR. TO LEAD AIR FORCE IN HISTORIC VOTE

By StyleMagazine.com / Rachel S. Cohen for AirforceMag.com Newswire

enators confirmed Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. as the first black military service chief in American history in a 98-0 vote June 9.

Brown, the decorated four-star general in charge of Pacific Air Forces, will begin his four-year term as Air Force Chief of Staff once he is sworn in on Aug. 6. His confirmation comes as the military responds to nationwide protests over police brutality and systemic racism, spurred by George Floyd’s death in Minnesota last month.

“There is no one I know who is better prepared to be Chief of Staff, no one who has the experience and the temperament to lead the Air Force,” said Gen. David Goldfein, the service’s current top uniformed official. “The Air Force and our nation will be in good hands under his leadership.”

Parochial concerns delayed the confirmation vote. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) held up Brown’s nomination to press the Air Force to base its new KC-46 tanker in his state, Defense News reported June 3. Sullivan reportedly dropped his formal hold after discussions with the Air Force.

Vice President Mike Pence presided over the unanimous vote. Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin of Maryland and Ed Markey of Massachusetts were

absent.

Air Force 4-Star General – Charles Q. Brown, Jr.

As the 22nd Air Force Chief of Staff, Brown will inherit a 2020 budget of a $168 billion and about 685,000 employees. He has pledged to carry out the service’s sweeping modernization plan, continue fighting insurgents in the Middle East and Africa and posturing against Russia and China—all while adjusting to operations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, he opened the door to a review of the Air Force’s roles and missions, and said he would pursue new approaches to aircraft and personnel readiness.

Brown, who was nominated for the top job in March, has racked up more than 2,900 flight hours in more than a dozen aircraft, held leadership positions at U.S. Central Command, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa. He’s also earned nearly 20 military decorations since the 1980s.

Growing up in a military family, his father served in the Vietnam War and retired as an Army colonel after 30 years of service.

As Chief of Staff, Brown’s priorities include pursuing joint all-do-

MASK UP!

main command and control, changing how the service works with the defense industry and non-traditional suppliers, using new technology to train Airmen, empowering commanders to make decisions, ensuring space superiority, and establishing flexible logistics.

“I see an emerging challenge where our strategic aspirations and our resources available may be on divergent paths driving future tough choices,” Brown wrote to the Senate Armed Services Committee. “As we review strategic objectives and priorities in the post-COVID-19 period, and continue the journey we started to build the Air Force we need to align with the NDS, we have many constraints and restraints that could hamper our ability to achieve our objectives as originally envisioned.”

Brown’s promotion to become the first African American Air Force Chief of Staff, and a rare black member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, carries particular significance at the present time. He plans to build on diversity initiatives already underway, said Pacific Air Forces spokeswoman Col. Megan Schafer on June 3.

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NO ACTIVE COVID-19 CASES IN NEW ZEALAND

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By StyleMagazine.com, Ben Westcott – CNN / Newswire

lmost all coronavirus restrictions in New Zealand will be lifted tomorrow, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced, after the country reported no active cases.

Schools and workplaces will be able to open under the new “level 1” rules, with no limitations on gatherings or domestic travel.

Social distancing, however, is still encouraged and Ardern said New Zealand’s international borders will remain shut to non-residents to prevent new outbreaks. Residents

arriving in New Zealand will still have to quarantine for two weeks.

New Zealand currently has no active coronavirus cases, and no positive cases reported in the past 17 days. There has been no one receiving treatment in hospital for Covid-19 for the past 12 days and it has been 40 days since the last case of community transmission.

“This freedom from restrictions relies though heavily on the ongoing role that our border controls will play in keeping the virus out ... The virus will be in our world for some time to come,” Ardern said at a press conference Monday.

The announcement came as the global number of confirmed coronavirus infections surpassed 7 million on Mon-

day, according to Johns Hopkins University’s tally, with more than 402,000 people killed. New Zealand has had 1,504 confirmed cases and 22 deaths.

Ardern said she had danced from excitement on hearing the news that New Zealand currently has no active Covid cases.

“It was very exciting information to hear, so I confess that when I heard that information I did do a -- I don’t even know if I could describe it as a dance -- some semi-coordinated movement around the lounge,” the PM said during a Facebook live Monday.

For more information:

Jacinda Ardern - New Zealand Prime Minister

www.govt.nz / www.NewZealand.com

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June 11 – June 17, 2020

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Houston City Council Approves Mayor Turners Proposed 2021 Budget Budget Avoids Furloughs and Funds Police & Fire Cadet Classes

By StyleMagazine.com Newswire

NASCAR Bans Confederate Flags At All Races, Events

By CNN / StyleMagazine.com Newswire

O A

fter six hours of discussion and consideration of several proposed amendments, the Houston City Council today approved Mayor Sylvester Turner’s proposed $5.1 billion operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

The complete proposed FY 21 budget may be found online.

This year, the City of Houston faced a $169 million budget crisis - the worst in recent history - exacerbated by the decline in sales tax revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through belt-tightening and by tapping into the $404 million in CARES Act funding, Mayor Turner and the City Council managed to pass a fiscally re-

6

sponsible budget that balances revenue and spending without furloughing city employees.

The approved FY 2021 $5.1 billion budget provides: • Funding for five police cadet classes • Funding for four fire department cadet classes • Restores the City’s fund balance to over eight percent • The ability of the City to move forward on its top priorities.

“I want to thank each city council member for the work they put

June 11 – June 17, 2020

in and for unanimously passing the budget. It is a balanced budget that meets the needs of Houston residents,” said Mayor Turner. “We are funding parks, trash collection, libraries, and upgrades to our drainage and streets. This budget provides the basic services our residents expect and deserve.”

Unlike other municipalities, the City of Houston must operate under the property tax revenue cap, while contending with the loss of revenue from COVID-19 in FY2021 and possibly beyond.

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n Monday, the only full-time African American driver in NASCAR’s Cup Series called for the auto racing body to ban Confederate flags from its events. Two days later, his dream came true.

“The presence of the Confederate flag at NASCAR events runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry,” NASCAR said in a statement on its website hours ahead of its race Wednesday night in Martinsville, Virginia.

“Bringing people together around a love for racing and the community that it creates is what makes our fans and sport special.

The display of the Confederate flag will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties.”

This week, driver Bubba Wallace told CNN he wanted NASCAR to go further than 2015, when it asked fans not to bring the Confederate flags to races.

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June 11 – June 17, 2020

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Harris County D.A. – Kim Ogg Dismisses Nearly 800 Cases Against George Floyd Peaceful Protesters In Houston

By CNN / StyleMagazine.com Newswire

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he Harris County District Attorney dismissed nearly 800 cases against protesters who were arrested during marches against police brutality in the past three weeks.

DA Kim Ogg announced that prosecutors dismissed 796 cases after conducting a review that divided the cases into two groups — those who sought to do harm to others and property and those arrested for simple civil disobedience. Ogg’s office said they began filing motions to dismiss before sunrise Tuesday.

The cases dismissed were for non-violent misdemeanor offenses, mostly obstructing a highway and trespassing.

“The job of the prosecutor is to seek individualized justice in every case,” Ogg said in a press release.

“While probable cause existed for the arrests of those people who refused to disperse after being ordered to do so by police, our young prosecutors worked hard to identify the few offenders who

came to inflict harm on others and intentional damage to property.”

“The result of their case-bycase review is astounding,” Ogg said.

Only 51 adults and one juvenile now remain charged with active cases, which include 35 misdemeanor charges and 19 felony charges. Those charges range from weapons offenses to aggravated assault of a peace officer.

“With so many professionals wanting to contribute, I am confident that the criminal defense bar will volunteer their services to clean up the criminal records of all involved,” Ogg said.

She said by dismissing the charges, it will allow law enforcement authorities to focus resources on those who endanger public safety.

“We will always protect the First Amendment rights of peaceful protestors,” Ogg said. “The only people I will be prosecuting are those who intentionally hurt others and intentionally destroy property.”

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June 11 – June 17, 2020

Attending the George Floyd’s Services were Fort Bend District Attorney – Brian

Middleton and Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg with Rep Ron Reynolds

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2020

HOUSTON HOSTS

GEORGE FLOYD’S

George Perry Floyd, Jr. H October 14, 1973 – May 25, 2020

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June 11 – June 17, 2020

9

Say His Name: George Floyd The World Came To Houston To Say A Final Goodbye

By Brian Barefield, Feature Writer – StyleMagazine.com

A

s I walked inside of the Fountain of Praise sanctuary where the public memorial for George Floyd was being held, a cold, eerie, and chilling feeling came over my body. It caused me to take a pause stopping me in my tracks before I took my next step. I began to replay the audio from the murderous video of the tragic day that Floyd died in an almost nine-minute encounter in my mind.

The words of anguished spoken

by Floyd, “Please, the knee in my neck,” blared loudly in my head.

Floyd’s scream of, “Mama!

Mama!” yelled out to me as I continued to walk down the aisle.

“My stomach hurts, my neck hurts, everything hurts. Just some water or something, please.” I could hear Floyd’s words ever so clearly as a deep state of panic began to take over my body and the desire to do something to help infused my soul. And then his final words called out to me that was filled with anger, pain and sorrow:

“I can’t breathe!”

As I snapped out of the transient state I had fallen into, I realized that I was at the front of the sanctuary and the voice I was hearing was right in front of me in a peaceful state. Houston native George Floyd’s body was laid out in a beautiful gold casket with blue trimming at the Fountain of Praise Church.

He was dressed in a cream suit, fresh haircut, and looking very clean. The turmoil he had suffered was not visible.

Although Floyd was physically gone, his spirit will remain a live by the many who came to pay their final respects to the gentle giant known simply as “Big Floyd.”

Over 6,300 people attended the public memorial service including the Governor of Texas (R), Greg Abbott, who spoke with the media afterwards about his emotional meeting with the

10

George Perry Floyd, Jr. H October 14, 1973 – May 25, 2020 Floyd family.

“I had a chance to meet with the Floyd family and they love the state of Texas,” Governor Abbott said. “Today is a sad day. Ever since his death (George Floyd), it has been a sad day. George Floyd is going to change the arc of the future of the United States.”

It was over a week ago that the world watched in shock and horror as Floyd cried out for his life while being detained by four now former Minneapolis police officers using a technique banned by law enforcement. Leading the torment for Floyd was Derek Chauvin who used his neck to apply pressure to Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. He never let up as Floyd tried to fight for his life. Floyd lost consciousness and his body went limp. Medical personnel attempted to revive Floyd but e would eventually die due to the actions of Chauvin could.

June 11 – June 17, 2020

The reaction that followed Floyd’s death sent shockwaves throughout the world. Over ten consecutive days of civil unrest moved through every county, city, state, and country.

People took to the streets with a familiar chant “Black Lives Matter” no longer asking for the killing of unarmed Black civilians by law enforcement stop but demanding it.

“With each passing, especially when it’s one of ours, I always hurt,” said Lekendric H. about another African American male being killed in the United States. “Lately, I have been finding myself getting numb to it and I think that is the scariest part.”

The following day after the public memorial, the mood stayed somber for the private funeral where family and friends would say their final farewell to Floyd. The invitation only funeral drew over 500 people including Mayor

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Sylvester Turner, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, Rev. Al Sharpton, actor Jamie Foxx, actor Channing Tatum, R&B singer Al B. Sure, R&B singer Neyo, former NBA star Stephen Jackson, Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt, Chairman, CEO of the Texans Cal McNair, and family of Ahmaud Arbery, Botham Jean, Eric Garner, and Trayvon Martin, and many others.

Many in attendance were brought to their feet when Brooke Williams, the niece of George Floyd, addressed the crowd.

“Why must this system be corrupt and broken?” Williams asked speaking about the racial injustices in the criminal system in America as tears rolled down her face. “Laws were already put in place for the African-American system to fail. And these laws need to be changed. No more hate crimes, please! Someone said, ‘Make America Great Again’, but when has America ever been great?”

At the conclusion of the service, Floyd’s casket was driven to the Houston Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Pearland, TX so that his body could be laid next to his mother. Before he reached his final resting place, Floyd took the last mile of his journey in a horse drawn carriage.

“George Floyd is a name I will never stop saying as long as I live,” said Jarret Franklin who stood amongst many who had gathered across the street from the church during the funeral wearing a “I Can’t Breathe” t-shirt that had a picture of George Floyd on the front.

The Houston Style Magazine

family would like to send our deepest condolences to the family of George Floyd and stand in solidarity demanding police reform and for an end to racism.

For more info: www.Stylemagazine.com

12 | June 4, 2020 |

DEFENDER NETWORK

Mayor Turner and City Council Implement FOCUS SOCIAL Police Reform Through Executive Order

DN InFocus

No Chokeholds • No No-Knock Warrants

We Wish to Plead Our M Own Cause‌

By CNN / StyleMagazine.com Newswire • Photos By Jeff Syptak

ayor Sylvester Turner has proven The signs say Black Lives Matter. Yet to be a man action and not just the very people who are supposed talk. During the public memoto protect us too often, in too many rial for George Floyd, whose death places, don’t seem to agree. Instead of has sparked protests around the world accountability, police have been given demanding for justice for his wrongful impunity. There were 17 complaints ďŹ led against Chauvin in his 19 years on the force.â€? death, Mayor Turner declared that things Upon these words the Black Press was founded. would change in Houston with a new Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. executiveToday, order. the Houston Defender Network will “LET THE PEOPLE BE President and Founder - Rainbow PUSH Coalition HEARD, opening

“In this �city, we willthe bandoor choke-to allow our community to post their 60-90 second videos. ThIn e death of Houstonian George Floyd has generated a range holds and strangleholds. this city, we will require de-escalation.

In this, you of emotions, opinion and perspectives that deserve to be heard. We invite have toyou givetoa warning before you shoot. share your response to the questions: In this, you have a duty to intervene. In Whyrequire is thecomprehensive death of George Floyd dierent?

We do not need to see any more this city, we• will • Where do we go from here? videos of people of color being beaten reporting. In this city, you must exhaust

Houston Police Chief Art to Aceand killed understand the horror and • How do we this and tragedy becoming justapproval another hashtag? fromwithout written all alternatives before a keep shooting, vedo said the order is inline with what barbarity of these acts. What we need is there will be other things in this exec- -De-escalation techniques the police is doing already.

The order the individual and collective courage and utive order,� said Mayor Turner as the -Requiring intervention and brings the policy into a formal writtento declare that this must stop.....� commitment crowd cheered.

Share your opinion and raise the

notification before using agreement for future police chiefs. consciousness by making others

The executive order includes Daniel W. Snare President,

deadly force aware of what you are thinking. Go to: such mandates as: American Leadership Forum, Houston/Gulf Coast Chapter bit.ly//hearthepeople_georgeďŹ‚â€œAll oyd the rules read today, regardless of

Mayor Turner signed the order whether they’re existing or new ... canNote: Please keep your comments 60-90

-Ban on chokeholds with the Houston City Council watching not be changed by a future chief without cannot be changed in the dark, cannot seconds in length and avoid profanity.

Read their editorials at www.DefenderNetwork.com

-Ban on no-knock warrants on June 10th. coming through the mayor’s office, be changed overnight,� Acevedo said.

KNOW PREDICT PREVENT

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Offic e of Di s t r ict At tor n e y h a r r i s c o un t y, T X

Kim Ogg

H a r r i s Co u n t y DA . COM

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June 11 – June 17, 2020

11

A TEARFUL LIZZO SPEAKS OUT

By BlackPressUSA.com, Rollingout.com and StyleMagazine.com Newswire

LIZZO: Protest & The Fight Against Racism

L

izzo broke down into floods of tears as she vented about “the real story not being told fully” amid the protests against racism.

Since the death of unarmed Black man George Floyd in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, last week, protests have broken out across the globe.

Policeman Derek Chauvin was shown in footage kneeling on the 46-year-old man’s neck, and the officer has since been arrested on charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter and sacked from the force.

And the “Truth Hurts” hitmaker — who has lived in Minneapolis — is among many celebrities using their platform to call out the injustice, and she has demanded the full picture to be told as she shared information from people actually living in the state of Minnesota.

On an Instagram Live, she began: “What they just told me is at this point all the violence, the majority of the violence that’s happening in that city is coming from the KKK and the heavily militarized police.

“There are people coming from the South, there are White supremacist terrorist groups coming from the South, patrolling the streets, shooting people.

“Follow some people in Minneapolis.

12

“‘Cause the real story is not being told fully.”

The “Scuse Me” singer insisted that all people of color want is to be treated equally.

In tears, she said: “It’s never Black people, it’s always White people using the term ‘race war’ …

We don’t want that s—.

“We want what we’ve always wanted from the beginning of being in this f—ing country, the same right that all these other people have. It’s not this difficult.”

After taking a moment, she said: “I’ve been trying to stay composed this entire time. I’m really working on it this entire time. Let me just gather myself…

“It’s not that hard to see. The people that don’t see it don’t want to see it. “I don’t have sympathy for people who don’t see it anymore.

“Black people are tired. We are so tired.”

The 32-year-old singer fumed that she is fed up of feeling her life is at “danger” because of “police who don’t value” her and the “White supremacist groups” who are shooting at and plowing into protesters with their cars.

Lizzo also insisted that the problem lies in “racism running through the veins” of America.

She continued: “I’m tired of

June 11 – June 17, 2020

putting myself in danger.

“It’s not danger from the protesters, [it’s] danger from the police who don’t value me.

“Danger of the white supremacist groups who are shooting at people, who are running people over with their cars. How do we not see where the issue is?

“Why is everyone being so — in the media — political?

“This isn’t a political issue. The issue is in politics, but it’s not a political issue. It’s so much deeper than politics.

It’s in the veins of this country … there is racism running through its veins.”

Elsewhere, Lizzo spoke out on the Black Lives Matter campaign and said anyone using the term “all lives matter” is part of the problem.

She explained: “If you believe that ‘all lives matter,’ then where is your outrage for Black lives?

“To me, ‘all lives matter’ … ‘all lives matter’ is fake equality and full-on anti-Blackness.

“I still love my Blackness. I still love your Blackness.

“I still believe that everybody’s life matters.

“But until we start treating each life equally and respecting each life equally, we gotta say Black Lives Matter.

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“I hope that everybody can just really see this s— for what it is.

“Open your mind, open your heart, listen, believe … When you see that vandalism, when you see that senseless violence, know that that ain’t us.”

She ended the lengthy Live by warning those out on the streets partaking in mass protests to stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic.

She concluded: “Wear a mask, wear some gloves, wear some goggles.

We’re still in a pandemic.”

The post A tearful Lizzo speaks out about protests and the fight against racism appeared first on Rolling Out. For more info: www.RollingOut.com / www.StyleMagazine.com

GEORGE FLOYD

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Offer ends June 30, 2020. Restrictions apply. Limited to Internet Essentials (“IE”) service from Comcast for new residential customers meeting certain eligibility criteria. Offer limited to 2 months of complimentary Internet Essentials service. Taxes extra. After promotion, regular rates apply. Comcast’s current rate is $9.95/mo. (subject to change). Advertised price applies to a single outlet. Actual speeds may vary and are not guaranteed. For factors affecting speed visit www.xfinity.com/networkmanagement. If a customer is determined to be no longer eligible for the IE program, regular rates will apply to the selected Internet service. Subject to Internet Essentials program terms and conditions. May not be combined with other offers. Call 1-855-846-8376 for restrictions and complete details or visit InternetEssentials.com. © 2020 Comcast. All rights reserved. FLY-ILL-BIL-2MO-0320

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June 11 – June 17, 2020

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2020

SALUTING 2020 AFRICANAMERICAN & HISPANIC HIGH SCHOOL VALEDICORIANS HOUSTON, TEXAS

We Salute 28 Minority Valedictorians for the H.I.S.D. High School Class of 2020: Nothing Will Stand In Their Way

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor StyleMagazine.com Newswire

Sheryl Munoz

Graduate of Austin High School

Plans to attend the UT Austin majoring in neuroscience

Aaliyah Duffy

Graduate of Booker T. Washington High School

Plans to attend Notre Dame majoring in electrical engineering

Jasmine Aranda

Graduate of Eastwood Academy

Plans to attend Rice University majoring in biology

T

he year 2020 has proven to be a year we will never forget. From the onset of a global pandemic to being quarantine for months to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, 2020 has worn us out and we still have half a year left. The very way we have live our lives has been drastically altered. This time has unfortunately brought on many tragedies but nothing beats a resilient spirit. Despite what’s going in the world everyday we search for joy. Nothing could be more joyful than the accomplishment one’s goals.

That sentiment could not be more appropriate for the class of 2020.

Their senior might have been mapped out a certain way but none of them surely planned for the senior year they got. Schools were closed. Stay-athome mandates were ordered. Nevertheless the class of 2020 made it a point to find new ways to do senior traditions to not damper than fun. Hosting backyard proms, zoom check-ins, and drive thru graduations, the class of 2020 left their mark using technology and innovation.

Houston Style Magazine salutes these creative thinkers by recognizing the African and Hispanic American valedictorians of Houston ISD. Congratulations on literally letting absolutely nothing stand in your way!

Meet the valedictorians!

Arneevia Toliver

Graduate of Kashmere High School

Plans to Albion College majoring in nursing

Jasmine Jalloh

Graduate of North Forest High School

Plans to attend TSU majoring in forensic science/psychology

Ramon Rodriguez Pacheco

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Plans to attend the UT-Austin majoring in biomedical engineering

June 11 – June 17, 2020

Plans to attend Pomona College majoring in computer science

Edna V. Gutierrez

Graduate of North Houston Early College High School Plans to attend Colgate University majoring in computer science/architectural engineering

Maria Rosas

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LENARD SMITH, JR. Plans to attend Emory University majoring in neuroscience

Sterling Aviation High School

#MASKUPHOU

Joram Amador

Graduate of Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy

Graduate of Westbury High School

MASK UP! www.StyleMagazine.com

Janie Fuentes

Graduate of Madison High School

Plans to attend Sam Houston State majoring in homeland security

Melissa Reyes

Graduate of Northside High School

Plans to attend Hamilton College or the UT-Austin majoring in economics/political science

Jose Castorena

Graduate of Wheatley High School

He is undecided on the college he will attend or his major

#MASKUPHOU

2020

SALUTING 2020 AFRICANAMERICAN & HISPANIC HIGH SCHOOL VALEDICORIANS HOUSTON, TEXAS

Michael Diego Duru Graduate of ESTEM Central

Plans to attend the U. of Virginia majoring in computer science

Lizbeth Gomez

Graduate of Middle College High School at HCC Gulfton Plans to attend the UT-Austin majoring in architecture

Deysi Davila

Graduate of Sam Houston MSTC

Plans to attend the U of H majoring in business

Daniela Campillo

Graduate of Wisdom High School

Plans to attend the UT-Austin majoring in nursing

Daniela Luna

Emily Ramirez

Graduate of Furr High School

Plans to attend the U of H majoring in business

Jonathan Martinez

Graduate of Middle College High School at Felix Fraga Plans to attend HCC majoring in electrical engineering

Benjamin Brown

Graduate of Scarborough High School

Has not decided on a college to attend but will major in computer science

Kerdian Jn Baptiste

Graduate of Worthing High School

Plans to attend the UT-Austin majoring in pre-law/criminal justice

#MASKUPHOU

Christian Acosta

Graduate of Heights High School

Plans to attend Harvard University majoring in government

Mariela Banda

Plans to attend the U of H majoring in mechanical engineering/business

Mairena Vera Romero

Graduate of Sharpstown International School

Plans to attend Yale University majoring in neuroscience

Malon Garner

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Graduate of Mount Carmel Academy

Plans to attend the U of H majoring in mechanical or chemical engineering

Dianeth Ramirez

Graduate of South Early College High School

Plans to attend the UT-Austin majoring in chemical engineering

Eliana Morales

Plans to attend Southern University majoring in civil engineering

MASK UP!

Plans to attend Rice University

Arturo Villarreal

Graduate of Milby High School

Graduate of Yates High School

Graduate of Houston Academy for International Studies

Graduate of Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy Plans to attend Texas A&M University majoring in animal science

#MASKUPHOU June 11 – June 17, 2020

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CE

S E T A R B LE

t a h t e v e i l e b . s e t w n , u B o c n o s r At H-Ee p y r e e h v t e t d s n n i a a g a r each e h t e g , o e t c n d a n r a e l o t n i We st f o . e e r t u a t h a n d n a n o i t divisive a n i m i r c s i d , m s i c ra

©2020 HEB, 20-5157

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June 11 – June 17, 2020

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