A Dangerous Precedent: Criminalizing Black Women’s Leadership and Silencing Our Right to Serve
When
Oversight Becomes a Crime: What the Charges Against Rep. McIver Reveal About Our Democracy
By Glynda C. Carr
Earlier this month, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver of New Jersey’s 10th District visited the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, joined by fellow Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez. Their goal was clear and constitutional: conduct oversight of a federally operated immigration detention center that has drawn widespread concern over its conditions and its connection in an alarming rise in unjust arrests, particularly of Black and Brown immigrants.
Instead of being met with transparency, these elected leaders were confronted by masked, militarized federal agents. What should have been a routine and lawful inspection escalated into a disturbing clash, one that ended with Congresswoman McIver charged with a crime for
doing the very job the people elected her to do. Let us be clear: this is not about law enforcement. It’s about power—who holds it, who questions it, and who
gets punished for doing so. These charges are not rooted in justice; they are rooted in retaliation. This administration is sending a message: that when Black women lead
In Memoriam: A Legend of Black Politics in Harlem and Beyond, Congressman Charlie Rangel Dies at 94
By Lauren Burke
Charlie Rangel, the longterm Congressman and a heavyweight in New York politics as a member of Harlem's"Gang of Four", has died at 94. His colorful and charismatic personality, bowties, and raspy voice made him a character on Capitol Hill who was impossible to forget. Rangel was simultaneously larger than life but also approachable and engaging. Rangel was the last living member of the “Gang of Four” made up of powerful African American leaders in New York: David Dinkins (1927-2020), Basil Paterson (1946-2014), and Percy Sutton (1920-2009). The four dealmakers were powerbrokers at a time when political decisions were made in smoke-filled rooms over poker games. In 2010, President Obama suggested that Rangel
resign from Congress “with dignity” after he was targeted by an ethics investigation that would eventually mean he had to give up the Chairmanship of the Ways & Means Committee. “This guy from Lenox Avenue is retiring with dignity,” Rangel would later tell reporters as he departed Congress on his terms and at the time of his choosing. Rangel ignored Obama and remained in Congress for another six years with an aura that made many forget about the ethics investigation. Before serving Congress, Rangel did about every job in politics that existed. In 1961, Rangel was appointed by Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy to be an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York. Rangel was also a legal counsel for the New York Housing and Redevelopment Board.
Charlie Rangel was born in Harlem in 1930. He would go on to represent one of the most storied parts of Manhattan for 46 years in the U.S. Congress. Along with the late John Conyers, Rangel was also a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. “We all have a large stake in preserving our democracy, but I maintain that those without power in our society, the black, the brown, the poor of all colors, have the largest stake not because we have the most to lose, but because we have worked the hardest, and given the most, for what we have achieved,” Rangel once said. Rangel was the first African American to serve as Chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. As chair and as a member of the Committee, Rangel played a central role in shaping U.S. tax
Fort Worth Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge Gears Up for a Summer of Fun for Everyone
Fort Worth Public Library’s annual reading challenge aims for another recordbreaking year
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
– The Fort Worth Public Library is hosting a kick-off to Summer 2025 with a free celebration at Trinity Park on Saturday, May 31 at 10 am. Residents are encouraged to come out with friends and family to enjoy outdoor games and activities, sign up for the Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge, enjoy local entertainment and make memories.
“Summertime in our public libraries is about exploration and reading for fun,” said Library Director Midori Clark.
To encourage more reading for everyone and combat the summer slide in young readers, the Fort Worth Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge
is back after a record-setting 2024, with participants reading more than 4.5 million minutes. In partnership with the Fort Worth Mayor’s Office, this program encourages residents and families to spend more time reading this summer.
“We know that students lose on average about 20% of their school-year gains in reading during the summer break,” said Mayor Mattie Parker. “The Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge encourages our kids to spend more time reading this summer vacation to prevent that backslide.”
Within the challenge, reading minute milestones are tracked easily in the Beanstack app or website,
and prizes are awarded at local library locations when participants complete the challenge. Residents can sign up 24/7 in the Beanstack app (iOS and Android) and anyone who needs help can ask the Library’s staff on their next visit.
When participants sign up for the challenge, they can earn a free short stack from IHOP. There are prizes along the way like free books, tote bags and more. The real prize might be in finding a new favorite author, story, or library experience – like story times with free admission to the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, the first Monday of each month, all summer long.
with integrity and courage, they will be met not with respect, but with resistance and reprisal.
Delaney Hall is a facility that has already come un-
der scrutiny for its treatment of detainees, many of whom are immigrants of color. In this climate, oversight is not just appropriate, it is imperative. Congresswoman McIver’s presence there was an act of service to her constituents and to the democratic principles she swore to uphold.
The Department of Justice may attempt to frame this prosecution as impartial law enforcement. But we know better. When lawfully elected officials, especially Black women, are met with force, criminalized for oversight, and punished for defending their communities, it is not justice. It is authoritarianism.
This moment is not just about Congresswoman McIver. It’s about the dangerous precedent this administration is setting, one where holding institutions accountable is met with intimidation and punishment. It reflects a
deeper, enduring pattern in this country: the policing of Black bodies and the systemic discrediting of Black leadership, especially when that leadership challenges injustice. If visiting a detention facility can get a member of Congress charged, what hope do ordinary citizens have of being heard, protected, or treated with dignity?
At Higher Heights, we refuse to be silent. We know that Black women have always led movements for justice. We know the power of our voice, and we will not allow it to be silenced by political prosecutions or weaponized law enforcement.
Glynda C. Carr is the President and CEO of Higher Heights for America, the leading national organization dedicated to building Black women’s political power and leadership. www. higherheightsforamerica.org.
legislation. He advocated for progressive tax reform, closing corporate loopholes, and increasing tax equity. Rangel was also a strong supporter of Social Security and Medicare and defended and expanded programs aimed at reducing poverty and supporting working-class families. The legendary Harlem Congressman also championed federal investment in affordable housing and urban infrastructure, especially for Harlem and other underserved communities.
In a noteworthy policy move, Rangel also pushed to reinstate the military draft during the Iraq War—not to promote it, but to spark debate on the fairness of who bears the burden of war. Rangel earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service in the Army during Korea. Rangel served as a member of the New York State Assembly from 1967 to 1971 and went on to defeat another New York political legend —
“Reading and literacy is foundational
community,”
Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (Courtesy of the McIver campaign)
Congressman Charlie Rangel
in a thriving
said Parker,
“And our wonderful libraries make it so much fun for Fort Worth families through this initiative.”
The Impact of Inflation on Real Estate
What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
As inflation continues to shape the national economy in 2025, its influence on the real estate market particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area remains significant. Rising prices, shifting mortgage rates, and ongoing supplyand-demand imbalances have created both challenges and opportunities for today’s buyers and sellers.
Home Prices and Local Market Shifts
Inflation typically drives up the cost of goods, and housing is no exception. The DFW area has seen continued growth, but more moderate price growth compared to the explosive increases of the last few years. However, signs of softening in the market are
Talking R eal e s TaT e with Stephanie Spann
emerging. Over the last seven days alone, there were 4,924 new listings, and 6,817 properties had price reductions.
This shift suggests that while home values remain strong, sellers are beginning to adjust to a more price-sensitive buyer pool. Sellers are recognizing that overpricing in today’s market can lead to longer days on market and missed opportunities. Price corrections reflect increased competition among listings and evolving buyer expectations, many driven by higher borrowing costs.
Mortgage Rates and Buyer Affordability
Inflation also affects interest rates. To tame infla-
tion, the Federal Reserve keeps lending rates elevated, which directly impacts mortgage rates. Today’s 30year fixed rates are hovering around 6% to 7%, a sharp contrast to the 2%–3% rates seen just a few years ago.
Higher rates have eroded purchasing power, especially for first-time buyers. As a result, many are opting to wait, downsize their expectations, or consider loan programs such as adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) to keep monthly payments manageable.
Active Market Activity Despite Headwinds
Despite these challenges, the DFW market remains active. In the past week: • 2,455 homes went under contract
• 2,862 properties are pending closing • 3,010 homes successfully closed
These numbers indicate that while buyers may be more selective, they are still making moves especially when a property is priced appropriately and well-presented.
Inventory and Market Balance Low inventory remains a defining factor in our market. Although new listings are increasing, overall supply still trails demand. This continues to support a slight seller’s market in most DFW neighborhoods, meaning wellpriced homes in good condition are still selling quickly, often with multiple offers.
Advice for Today’s Market For Buyers:
Continued on page 3
Mayor Parker grants $15,000 to THRIVE Market at O.D. Wyatt High School
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, in her role as chair of the national Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, granted $15,000 to O.D. Wyatt High School’s Chaparral THRIVE Market.
The market provides a variety of dry and refrigerated grocery items as well as hygiene products at no cost to students and families in need. The grant, which was approved by the Fort Worth City Council on Tuesday, will help expand the market’s services to the entire O.D. Wyatt High School pyramid community.
“We must ensure our students and families in need have access to nutritious food — this is absolutely foundational for the success of our young people,” said Parker. “I joined the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger because mayors across the country are working together to solve this complex issue. I’m grateful for the generous grant and happy to partner with Fort Worth ISD and THRIVE Market as we continue the fight against food insecurity in Fort Worth.”
School in January 2024 with
Congressman Rangel
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in a primary, before winning in the general election in 1970. Rangel retired from Congress in 2016 at 86 years old. At a time when many are discussing the age of members of Congress and the many who have died in office over the past two years, Rangel was an exception who departed on his terms. Rangel’s seat in Congress would go to Dominican-born Adriano Espaillat. The moment represented a shift in Harlem’s
The THRIVE Market (Together Harnessing Resources to Give Individuals Voice and Empowerment) opened at O.D. Wyatt High
Continued from page 1
demographics and the power of the Latino community in the Bronx. Rangel’s wife Alma Carter, passed away last year. The two met in the 1950s at the famous Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. They married in 1964 and have two
the support of Texas Health Resources and Aetna. The 76119 ZIP code, where the campus is located, has been identified as a food desert — an area disproportionately impacted by limited access to nutritious food and related health challenges. The market aims to provide essential resources and empower the community through greater access to healthy food options. The THRIVE Market currently serves more than 140 families, distributing approximately 14,000 pounds of food annually. The new grant will help increase this reach to serve even more families in the community.
“The partnership with the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger enables our district to strategically address food insecurities that impact not only stu-
dents' health but also their academic performance and social-emotional well-being,” said FWISD Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar.
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to supporting the whole child, both inside and outside the classroom. Together, we're building a foundation of care, dignity and opportunity for every family we serve.”
The $15,000 grant was provided by the No Kid Hungry Campaign of Share Our Strength and the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger. Mayor Parker serves as the 2025 chair of the nonpartisan Alliance, which launched in 2022.
The Mayors Alliance taps the individual and collective leadership of mayors to take meaningful action
continued on page 6
Celebrating the funding for THRIVE at O.D. Wyatt High School are FWISD Superintendent Karen Molinar, Lajeania Young-Allums, Principal Armando Gallegos and Mayor Mattie Parker.
Commentary Commentary
When Demagogues Blame the Vulnerable, We All Lose
In hard times, people look for answers. The decimation of American manufacturing starting in the 1990s with trade agreements like NAFTA led to decades of downward economic mobility for working families. That creates ripe conditions for demagogues to come out of the woodwork offering an easy answer for people’s pain. And if history teaches us anything, that answer is usually someone else to blame.
Today’s anti-immigrant movement follows the same dangerous pattern: stoke fear, tell lies, and divide working people against each other. We should recognize the humanity of people fleeing poverty, violence, or climate chaos, who come here with little more than the hope they will find opportunity and be treated with dignity. Instead we get bombarded with claims that immigrants are taking jobs, draining welfare programs, and driving up crime.
Let’s be clear – the data says otherwise.
Immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than US-born citizens, according to studies from the Cato Institute and the American Immigration Council. They contribute more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. And far from taking jobs, immigrant labor fills critical shortages in healthcare, construction, farming, and more – keeping our economy going while supporting their families and ours.
The myths persist because the truth is harder to confront.
Our economy has failed too many people for too long. Factory towns across the Midwest
and elsewhere are hollowed out. Wages have stagnated. Housing costs have skyrocketed. College debt weighs down the next generation before they can even begin. When real solutions feel out of reach, fear finds a foothold.
But the solution is not scapegoating. The solution is building.
Right now, the green economy is our best shot at economic revival. Spurred on by legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are opening new factories for wind turbines, electric school buses, and solar panels. We are building a power grid for the next century. We are creating careers – not just jobs – that pay well, reduce pollution, and lower energy bills.
This transition is already underway. But the budget reconciliation bill just passed by the US House and heading to the Senate attempts to bring it to a grinding halt. Instead of investing in the jobs that will power the global economy, the bill guts clean energy funding. It slashes Medicaid and food assistance for working families to pay for billions in tax cuts for the top 1%.
The bill does not solve a single problem. It makes every one of them worse.
What is in that disaster of a bill has been well reported: Attacks on Americans who get their health care through Affordable Care Act exchanges ... deep cuts to Medicaid and food assistance ... all to pay for tax cuts for billionaires and corporations and Trump’s immigrant
E. Jackson E. Jackson E.
Serving the Metroplex for over 47 Years
TACLB013851E
Office: 817-451-6350 Mobile 817- 832-3264
Real Estate:
• Be Prepared and Pre-Approved: With high competition, getting your financing in order is critical.
• Watch for Price Drops: Use recent price adjustments to your advantage during negotiations.
• Don’t Delay on the Right Property: Homes that are move-in ready and priced well still sell fast.
For Sellers:
• Price Realistically: Don’t rely on last year’s prices, listen to your agent and the market.
• Stage and Market Strate-
Continued from page 2
gically: Professional photos, staging, and digital exposure make a difference.
• Know Your Leverage: In a slight seller’s market, you still hold an advantage but only if you’re competitive.
The DFW housing market is adjusting to economic pressures brought on by inflation, but it remains vibrant. Whether you’re buying or selling, understanding how inflation affects real estate combined with real-time local market data can help you make confident, informed decisions.
deportation (and detention) agenda.
The House-passed bill
By Ben Jealous
would also repeal most IRA clean energy tax credits and investments and undermine public health by inviting a flood of air and water pollution. The repeal of the clean energy tax credits alone would reportedly increase US household energy costs by $16 billion by 2030, and cost more than 830,000 jobs and $1 trillion in GDP over the next eight years.
The cruelty of it is the point. The pain inflicted on everyday Americans is across the board. It tells struggling Americans: You will not get affordable healthcare. You will not get relief from rising rent or energy prices. But we willshow you someone to blame – and punish them in public.
Scapegoating is about power. It’s about exploiting people’s anxieties and frustrations to gain that power. And it’s about making an example of a group to chill dissent and create a climate of fear. We’re already seeing how this administration is trying to retaliate
against those who are calling out and standing up to its dehumanizing immigration sweeps. That is also part of the playbook. Meanwhile, the real drivers of hardship go unaddressed. Climate change, for example, is already uprooting communities around the world. In El Salvador, climate-fueled droughts forced rural families into overcrowded cities where gangs preyed on their desperation. Many fled north to escape the violence. Some walked thousands of miles. Along the way, they risked kidnapping, assault, rape, and death. Many did not survive the journey.
Imagine how bad things must be to make that trip with
your children in tow. It is also worth remembering that some of the people we just honored on Memorial Day were immigrants. Foreign-born Americans have always served and sacrificed for this country – from the Civil War to Afghanistan. It is but one example that shows creating paths to citizenship and legal status is not giving people a handout. It is giving them a chance to fully belong to the
nation – a nation many of them have already helped defend. We can choose to turn away from politics that prey on fear. And turn toward a future built on shared prosperity, shared responsibility, and shared humanity. That’s an America worth fighting for. Ben Jealous is the Executive Director of the Sierra Club and a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.
La Vida News The Black Voice Recording Black History Since 1957!
Sunday School Lesson Sunday School Lesson
The Offerings of Cain and Abel
Genesis 4:1–25
Key Text: The LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?
—Genesis 4:6–7a
Introduction:
Limited Resources
For over 30 years, my wife has worked as an editor of children’s Sunday school curriculum. She has always had a passion for teaching children about the Bible, so this job has been an ideal position for her. Her duties include editing lessons, selecting worship songs and choruses for children to learn, deciding which teaching pictures should accompany each lesson, and providing a variety of other helps for the teacher. And she works for just one of several companies that offer such materials!
The number of resources available nowadays for teaching children the Bible is staggering. Printed materials have been around for many years; add to that all of the resources that today’s technology has made available to teachers. Over the 30-plus years that my wife has held her position, she has had to receive appropriate training from time to time so she can keep up with how ministering to children in a church setting has changed.
Imagine what it was like for the first parents, Adam and Eve, to try and teach their two sons, Cain and Abel, about the God who created them. Their resources were limited, to say the least! They could have used the world around them, “the things that are made,” as Paul stated, to draw attention to the greatness and power of the One who created them (Romans 1:20). What did Adam and Eve understand about such basic matters as prayer, worship, and giving? We take these acts for granted, but what kind of instruction did the first family receive (if any)?
In today’s lesson, we examine the first acts of worship recorded in the Bible, as carried out by Adam and Eve’s two sons, Cain and Abel.
The book of Genesis does not explicitly claim an author. But Exodus 17:14; 24:4; 34:27; Numbers 33:2; and Deuteronomy 31:9; Matthew 19:8; Mark 10:5; John 5:45–47; etc., suggest that Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, a section we call the Pentateuch. However, many modern scholars have proposed that the text of the book of Genesis we possess today is a composite work of several different sources written hundreds of years after Moses would have lived. Because Genesis was part of the Law of Moses and Moses was certainly capable of writing, it seems best to take Genesis as having been authored by Moses.
The account of the offer-
ings presented by Cain and Abel follows the eviction of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. That was a consequence of their sin against God. Adam lived 930 years (Genesis 5:5), but determining how long Adam and Eve lived in the garden is impossible. Neither can the events of today’s lesson be reliably dated.
I. Two Births (Genesis 4:1–2a)
Cain (v. 1)
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD
In a context such as this, the word knew implies sexual intimacy between Adam and Eve. As a result, Cain was born. The Genesis record indicates that this was the first child of the first couple. God commanded the first couple to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:28), and Cain is the first evidence of that obedience. Cain sounds like the Hebrew word for “acquire.” Eve praised the Lord, acknowledging that this child was acquired from the Lord. The name Eve comes from a Hebrew word meaning “living.” Adam had given her that name “because she was the mother of all living” (3:20). Eve was privileged to experience the fulfillment of that name.
Abel (v. 2a)
And she again bare his brother Abel. Eve then gave birth to Abel, though we do not know how much time passed between the births of the two sons. No words of Eve are recorded following Abel’s birth. The name Abel comes from a Hebrew word meaning “breath” or “vapor.” The intentionality of their names should not be lost, as a Hebrew hearer would recognize the lesson of each of the sons’ names. Cain reminds us that life comes from the Lord, while Abel’s name would remind the hearer that life is brief, like a vapor.
II. Two Offerings (Genesis 4:2b–7)
Different Occupations (vv. 2b–4a)
And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
The account records the occupation of the two boys: Abel became a shepherd, while Cain tilled the soil. Tilling the ground is what Adam began to do after he and Eve were sent out of Eden (Genesis 3:23).
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. Adam and Eve would have taught their sons how to worship as they had learned from God while in the garden. While we do not know when the brothers began to offer sacrifice, we do know
that they chose to worship through their giving. It is clear from the text that each man gave from the produce of his labors. Cain, already described as a “tiller of the ground,” brought something from the ground, most likely a grain or vegetable offering. Abel, a “keeper of sheep,” offered something from the firstlings, or firstborn, of his flock. This description brings to mind later laws given to Israel (Exodus 13:12; 34:19). Nothing is said, however, about Cain bringing the “firstfruits” of the soil, which was also later commanded of Israel (23:19). This may point to a higher quality of offering on Abel’s part.
Another indication of higher quality may be seen in how Abel brought … of the fat as a part of his offering. Once again, later requirements in the Law of Moses indicate the significance of offering the fat of an animal because “all the fat is the Lord’s” (Leviticus 3:16). The fat was considered the choice portion of the meat and thus the best part of the sacrifice.
Different Reactions (vv. 4b–5a)
And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering. But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect.
Why did the Lord accept Abel’s offering but reject Cain’s? One proposal is that Abel’s offering was a blood sacrifice, while Cain’s was only a grain offering, not costing him much. If so, the hearts or attitudes of the two men were the key factor distinguishing the two offerings. At this point, the New Testament offers some important insights. Hebrews 11:4 states, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous.”
Our text does not indicate precisely how the Lord expressed His acceptance of Abel’s offering and His rejection of Cain’s. Later, the Lord will speak to Cain, so He may have addressed each of the brothers, much as He had earlier spoken to the serpent, Adam, and Eve (Genesis 3:14–19).
Cain’s Anger (v. 5b)
And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Cain could have reacted with either remorse or anger. He chose the latter. So great was his bitterness that his facial expression showed his displeasure. As the sacrifices were acts of worship, Cain’s heart posture is obvious.
The Lord’s Warning (vv. 6–7)
And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
God had addressed Adam with a series of questions following his and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:9–11). He questioned Eve as well (3:13). Then the Lord confronted Cain about his anger. His
questions were designed to make Cain think about his condition, and they prepared him for the counsel the Lord was about to provide. The Lord was as concerned about the offerer as He was about the offering.
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
All was not lost for Cain. He did not have to remain angry. But Cain’s heart needed to change; though the word repent is not used in this passage, Cain needed to do just that and determine to do what was pleasing to the Lord. If he did not take this step, sin was ready to exercise even further control over him. While the Lord did not specifically mention the devil, the language used in this verse is reminiscent of what Peter says about how the devil is like a roaring lion on the prowl, “seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
The Lord’s warning assumes that Cain had some understanding of sin. (This is the first time the word is used in the Bible.) Perhaps his parents had told him about their own sad experience with sin in the Garden of Eden and tried to warn Cain not to follow that same path. Sin did not have to have the upper hand with Cain, any more than it did with his parents. If Cain did what was right, he would indeed rule over sin.
III. Two Outcomes (Genesis 4:8–12)
Cain Kills Abel (v. 8)
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. Anger is a powerful emotion that can be a gateway to sinful actions. Perhaps at some point, Cain persuaded Abel to go to a field, where the older brother took his younger brother’s life.
First John 3:12 offers insight into what motivated Cain to do the terrible thing he did to his brother. John contrasts the message of loving one another with the actions of Cain, “who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother.” John then raises the question of why Cain killed Abel. The answer? “Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” Rather than heed the Lord’s counsel to do what was right, Cain harbored his bitter, envious feelings toward his brother to the point of killing him. It is sobering to consider that this early in the biblical record (we are still in single-digit pages in our Bibles), such a tragic act has occurred.
The Lord Confronts Cain (vv. 9–10)
And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
The Lord knew where Abel was and what Cain had done to him, just like He knew Ad-
am’s location when He asked him, “Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:9). The question allowed Cain to do something right (3:7) rather than allow sin to tighten its stranglehold on him. Cain, however, denied knowing where Abel was. He even became defiant in his reply: Am I my brother’s keeper? Cain tried to deflect God’s question away from himself, much like his father had done in his response to the Lord after being confronted with his disobedience (3:12).
And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
The Lord asked yet another question of Cain—a question that revealed His full awareness of what Cain had done to his brother. The Lord’s description of how Abel’s blood was crying to Him from the ground may indicate that Cain had buried his brother’s body in an effort to conceal his deed. His parents, too, tried to hide their sin (Genesis 3:8).
The writer of Hebrews mentions Abel’s blood, contrasting it with Jesus’ blood, which speaks a message of “better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24). Abel’s blood cried out for judgment on his brother. Jesus’ blood given at the cross speaks grace and forgiveness.
The Lord Punishes Cain (vv. 11–12)
And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand. Previously, the Lord had cursed the serpent because of its role in deceiving Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:14). Here, Cain was cursed from the earth, meaning that the focus of the curse was to be the ground from which Cain made his living. Later, the Law of Moses will describe an act such as Cain’s shedding of his brother’s innocent blood as a defilement of the land (Numbers 35:33). When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
The Lord had already told Adam that the ground would be cursed “for thy sake;” that is, because of his sin (Genesis 3:17). Working the soil would become a rigorous, demanding task, and the ground would produce thorns and thistles (3:18–19). Here, God told Cain that his labor in the soil would yield nothing in return. Thus what had been the source of productivity and satisfaction for Cain would become a source of frustration and devastation.
The Hebrew word translated earth at the end of this verse differs from the word earlier rendered ground and indicates a much larger area (perhaps the entire planet as it does in Genesis 1:1–2). Cain was consigned to live as a fugitive and a vagabond, likely having to search for food
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from whomever would be willing to share with him. Two Epilogues (Genesis 4:13–16)
Cain’s Anguish (vv. 13–14)
And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Cain was grieved to hear that his livelihood was being taken from him. While he saw his punishment as severe, at a later time, the Lord declared that death was the appropriate punishment for murder (Genesis 9:5–6; Exodus 21:12). Thus, Cain’s punishment was less severe than it could have been.
Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me
At no point did Cain offer any admission of guilt or remorse for his action; like his father (see Genesis 3:12), Cain saw God as the culprit to be blamed for what lay ahead for him. Cain acknowledged that he could well become the target of revenge for his killing of Abel. Perhaps he was thinking of future family members who would learn of his despicable act. That Eve knew about it is clear from her statement in Genesis 4:25. One wonders how much Cain read into other people’s thinking about the evils of his own heart. If others were like him, he was indeed in grave danger.
Of course, it was not true that Cain would be hidden from the Lord. That is an impossibility for anyone, as David recognized (Psalm 139:7–12).
The Lord’s Provision (v. 15)
And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
The use of the term sevenfold likely signifies completeness; that is, full vengeance will be carried out on anyone who kills Cain. It’s all too easy to speculate about the composition of the mark placed upon Cain and where it might have been placed on his body; it would have had to be someplace visible, such as his forehead. A primary point not to be overlooked is the Lord’s measure of grace by not administering the punishment of the death penalty that Cain, in fact, deserved. But such a penalty isn’t announced until Genesis 9:6.
Cain’s Departure (v. 16) And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. We do not read of any expression of gratitude on Cain’s part for the Lord’s provision of protection from possible vigilante justice. Cain simply went out and began a new phase of his life in the
Health & Fitness Health & Fitness
Women and the Intersection of Heart, Kidney and Metabolic Health
(Family Features) Women may be unaware of their risk for heart disease, kidney disease and metabolic conditions like diabetes, which drive risk for cardiovascular disease.
Consider these facts women should know about cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health, or CKM health, from the scientific experts at the American Heart Association.
Cardiovascular Disease is the No. 1 Killer of Women
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes heart disease and stroke, affects nearly 45% of women ages 20 and older, and 1 in 3 will die from it.
Women may experience symptoms uncommon in men. Chest pain is the most
common heart attack symptom, but women are more likely than men to experience pain in the arms, jaw or neck, too.
Early Action is Key
Women with either Type 2 diabetes or chronic kidney disease are predicted to reach elevated risk for CVD 8-9 years earlier than women with neither condition.
Risk Factors are Connected The health factors that comprise CKM syndrome are connected. They include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, being overweight, high blood sugar and low kidney function.
Pregnancy and Menopause Affect Women’s CKM Health
Pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension are risk
factors for future chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Changes during menopause also influence
long-term heart and metabolic health. This includes declining estrogen levels, increased body fat around the
Grants $15,000 to THRIVE Market at O.D. Wyatt High School
to end childhood hunger in communities nationwide through policies and partnerships that promote access to school and summer meal programs, grocery benefits, and a host of local resources.
“This grant to the O.D. Wyatt High School’s Chaparral THRIVE Market exemplifies the power of community partnerships in combating food insecurity. By supporting local initiatives like the THRIVE Market, we can ensure that more children and families have access to nutritious food, setting them up for success in school and life. We are proud to work with Mayor Parker and the Mayors Alli-
ance to End Childhood Hunger to ensure that no kid goes hungry in Texas.”
About the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger
Launched in 2022, the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger harnesses the individual and collective leadership of mayors to end childhood hunger
In Cinque: Our Times Now
By Renetta W. Howard
June 25, 2025_Today is the day before a national holiday, MEMORIAL DAY, once know as DECLARATION DAY, the day that communities cleaned up the burial plots of veterans whose lives had been lost in some war. Of course, the focus was on veterans, but it became a day to clean up and decorate all graves in some communities. In later years, our Congress decided to set a day aside, the last Monday in May for this purpose and called it MEMORIAL DAY.
For some Americans, Memorial Day is a day free from work whether it is spent decorating graves or having a barbeque party in the back yard, or just resting. In times like we are witnessing now, many veterans are being deported to the country of their origin and I wonder how families feel about that. Immigrants from many other countries have fought in wars abroad and find themselves being shipped out of this country because of some technicality in their being in the United States by the current President, whose parents were, and wives are immigrants.
At this time in America, about the only two groups of Americans whom are shielded from deportation are Black Americans through the U. S. CONSTITUTION and native Indians by way of treaties. Of course, Mr. Trump is working hard to change the CONSTIUTION and it my hope, and that of many other Americans that the U. S. SUPREME COURT will wake up and make certain that that does not happen.
Dismantling the government to accommodate a dictatorship is what is happening in our government now and it is proof positive that our schools, our educational systems have failed a majority of students when it comes to knowledge of the workings of our government and the power levels, by the articles and propositions voted on and passed by the representatives and senators whom we have elected on the state and
federal levels. It appears that the majority of our legislative officers are in the “ban” business. Freedom is being banned on all levels and is being introduced by entities who seem to prefer a dictatorship.
It appears that religion has no influence in government
in our times now. No God is anywhere visible in what is happening now. We need that DEVINE INTERVENTION and I will be paying for it and hoping that more people will get ‘in cinque’ and join me for a righteous change in our lives today that we may live in peace without fear.
in communities nationwide. There is no excuse for children to go hungry in our county. Yet it happens — every day, in every community. The Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger is a nonpartisan coalition working in partnership with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign to ensure that
every child has the healthy food they need to thrive.
About No Kid Hungry
organs, increased cholesterol levels and stiffening or weakening of blood vessels. Early menopause (before age 45) is linked to a higher risk for kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes and CVD.
Social Factors Affect Women’s Heart Health
Negative economic, environmental and psychosocial factors are associated with lower levels of physical activity and healthy eating and higher levels of conditions like obesity and diabetes.
Women should know their risk and advocate for their health by requesting thorough screenings that assess heart, kidney and metabolic health at regular medical checkups. Visit heart.org/myCKMhealth to learn more.
No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids could face hunger this year. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty.
Get your Digital copy of the paper. Send your e-mail address to newsdesk@lavidanews.com
Sports & Entertainment Sports & Entertainment
Eight Legends Inducted into Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2025
By Cedric Bailey and Andrea George-Carrington
ARLINGTON, Texas —
The storied history of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl
Cedric Bailey Sports
Classic welcomed eight new legends on Monday as the Class of 2025 was officially inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame in a ceremony that celebrated their contributions to one of college football’s most iconic bowl games. This year’s class spans generations and roles—players, coaches, and leaders who have shaped the game on and off the field.
Honorees include Notre Dame fullback Jerome Bettis, Texas linebacker Randy Braband, Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliffe, Nebraska running back Tony Davis, Auburn star Bo Jackson, Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans, longtime Cotton Bowl Athletic Association (CBAA) ambassador Fin Ewing III, and CBAA historian Charlie Fiss.
“Today is a special day to celebrate the contributions of eight extraordinary individuals who have impacted our
game and our organization in so many positive ways,” said CBAA Chair W. Kelvin Walker. “The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is honored to have these legends now a permanent part of our history.” Each inductee received a personalized bronze statue in the image of a 1930s football player, paying tribute to the era when the Classic was born.
Among the standouts was Texas linebacker Randy Bra-
Cain and Abel
land of Nod, a designation that means “wandering.” It was certainly a fitting location for someone who had been sentenced to live as a vagabond.
Conclusion: Cain’s “Worship War”
From time to time, churches have engaged in what have come to be called “worship wars.” Usually, the issue that creates the conflict is the style of music. Cain, however, was engaged in another kind of worship war. It had nothing to do with music. Cain’s worship war went much deeper. Faith, which God has always required from those who would please Him (Genesis 15:6; Hebrews 11:6),
was absent from Cain’s offering. Instead of seeing Abel’s righteous act as something to learn from and imitate, Cain responded in anger. John says that Cain’s actions were evil (1 John 3:12), and evil will always seek to persecute and silence righteousness.
Prophets such as Isaiah challenged God’s people in his day to recognize that, despite all of the observances of worship in which they participated (incense, sabbaths, assemblies, feasts, and prayers), it was all worthless. Why?
“This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me” (Isaiah 29:13). Je-
band, who etched his name in Cotton Bowl lore with a game-saving tackle in the Longhorns’ 1973 upset over No. 4 Alabama. Braband played in three Cotton Bowl Classics, recording 33 tackles across his appearances, including 19 in that victory alone. Jerome “The Bus” Bettis powered Notre Dame to a commanding 28–3 win over Texas A&M in the 1993 Cotton Bowl, scoring three touchdowns and accounting
Continued from page 4
sus quoted these words to the religious leaders of His day, whose worship, like that of the people in Isaiah’s day, was filled with religious actions “but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:7–8).
In many churches today, an abundance of resources aid in worship through modern technology. It is sobering to consider that if the condition of our hearts is deficient, our worship may be just as unacceptable as Cain’s was.
Thought to Remember: Make your life an offering to the Lord.
Standard Publishing. KJV Standard Lesson Commentary® 2024-2025 (p. 931). (Function). Kindle Edition.
for 18 of the Irish’s points. Similarly, Bo Jackson, Auburn’s Heisman Trophy winner, dazzled fans in the 50th Cotton Bowl with a record 31 carries for 129 yards, including a breathtaking 73yard touchdown on a screen pass. Nebraska’s Tony Davis,
known as the “Tecumseh Tornado,” bullied his way to 106 rushing yards and a touchdown in the 1974 game, helping head coach Tom Osborne secure his first bowl win.
From the sidelines, coach David Cutcliffe led Ole Miss to a 10-win season—their
first in 32 years—capped by a 31–28 triumph over Oklahoma State in the 2004 Cotton Bowl. His Rebels held off a late rally with a gameclinching drive that ran out the clock. Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryans was a force in the Tide’s 13–10 win over Texas Tech in 2006. Ryans notched seven tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and was named the game’s Outstanding Defensive Player. He also stood out academically, graduating with honors as the university’s top male studentathlete. Away from the field, Fin Ewing III and Charlie Fiss were recognized for decades of service. Ewing played a crucial role in the CBAA’s move to AT&T Stadium and helped lead numerous committees. Fiss, a cornerstone of the Cotton Bowl’s media and communications efforts since 1985, was instrumental in the creation and continuation of the Hall of Fame itself. With this year’s inductees, the Hall of Fame now honors 93 individuals who have helped build the legacy of the Cotton Bowl Classic.
2025 Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame Class Group Photo courtesy of the Cotton Bowl
Here’s What’s Happening Here’s What’s Happening
Ongoing Events
Are you a resident of the Rolling Hills area? Join the Glencrest Civic League Neighborhood Association and become part of our mission to create a safe, secure, clean, and well-maintained community. We actively seek residents’ support for our mission by spearheading neighborhood committee initiatives, coordinating, supporting, and planning various community events, actively engaging local leaders and nurturing a strong sense of community unity.
Join us for our Monthly Community Meetings:
• When: 10:00 AM on the 3rd Saturday of Each Month
• Where: C.R. Bradley Center, 2600 Timberline Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119. For more information and to become a member, check out our Facebook Page (Glencrest Civic League Neighborhood Association) or visit our website at https:// www.glencrest.org. You may also email us at glencrest. na@gmail.com.
Fort Worth Wiley College Alumni Club Membership Meeting: Second Saturday of each month, 1 p.m., Carter Metropolitan CME Church, 4601 Wichita St. Fort Worth 76119. For additional information, contact one of the following members: Helen Crowder (817) 688-8937, Larry Pugh (817) 293-6543, Daisy Kahn (817) 292-1077.
I.M. Terrell Alumni Association Membership Meeting, 1st Tuesday of each month, 5 p.m., I. M. Terrell Stem/VPA Academy, 1411 I M Terrell Way, Fort Worth 76102.
M.L.Kirkpatrick Alumni Association Membership Meeting: First Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist
Church, 2823 North Houston Street, Fort Worth 76106.
P.L. Dunbar Alumni Association Memberships Meeting: 3rd Saturday of each month at 3p.m. at The CenterFor STOP SIX HERITAGE, 5100 Willie St. next to Young Men’s Leadership Academy, Fort Worth. pldalumniassoc@gmail.com
Como Alumni. Every third Tureday, 7 p.m., Como Community Center, 4900 Horne Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Join the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats! We meet every fourth Saturday of the month from 5-6 p.m. at the Charles F. Griffin Sub-courthouse, 3500 Miller Ave. Fort Worth 76119. New Monthly Speakers.
United Methodist Church, 522 Missouri Ave. Fort Worth 76104. The Food pantry is open on the third Saturday of each month from 8 -10 a.m. For questions or concerns, please contact the Church Office at (817) 336-2117.
Forest Hill Ushers Union, “Welcomes All Church Ushers/Doorkeepers in Tarrant County”
Juniors & Young People (7-18)
Young Adults (19-35) Seniors (36+)
Affiliations: Texas Church Ushers
Southern Region Ushers
National United Church Ushers
Association of America, Inc. (NUCUAAA) For more information contact: Wanda King (817) 821-3017, Helen Moore (817) 584-7370, Thomas E. Troupe (817) 2292509
AARP Southeast Chapter #4508. Meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m., Southside Community Center, 959 E. Rose-
dale, Fort Worth, TX 76104. For additional information contact Debra Rivers by email:riv3ers@sbcglobal.net.
Wed. June, 4, 2025
Art Tales at the Carter!
It’s Legendary From tall tales to local lore, dive into storytelling through books, gallery games, art making, and a performance by Georgia Frawley and the KGCO Radio Music Show.
Sat. June, 7, 2025
Junteenth Strong: Ecumenical Breakfast of Prayer. www.juneteenthstrong..com
Junteenth Strong: Miss JuneteenthDFW Scholarship Pageant. www.juneteenthstrong..com
Wed. June, 11, 2025
Art Tales at the Carter!
Close To Home
Celebrate connection and community! Meet local author Ann Katagiri, enjoy a performance by Narwhals and Waterfalls, and explore shared histories in East of the Pacific: Making Histories of Asian American Art.
Wed. June, 18, 2025
Art Tales at the Carter!
Jam Session It’s music to our ears! Explore musical themes in Classically Trained: The Gentlings and Music with percussionist Mark Shelton, plus stories, games, and hands-on art activities.
Thur. June, 19, 2025
Opal’s Walk For Freedom,Farrington Field, Fort Worth, TX . Walk starts at 9:00 a.m. register at www. juneteenthstrong.com
Wed. June, 25, 2025
Art Tales at the Carter!
Working Together Team up for a collabora-
tive morning inspired by Jean Shin: The Museum Body. Join us for group storytelling, creative play, and a musical performance by David Chicken.
Wed. July, 2, 2025
Art Tales at the Carter!
Red, White, And Blue
Reflect on freedom and community ahead of Independence Day. Enjoy a morning full of stories, art making, and a special guest performance from storyteller Maricela and Friends.
Wed. July, 9, 2025
Art Tales at the Carter! Snack Attack
Satisfy your artistic sweet tooth! Inspired by foodthemed artworks, this day features tasty tales, imaginative art making, and a lively performance by Brown Girls Do Ballet.
Wed. July, 16, 2025
Art Tales at the Carter! Powerful Patterns
Spot polka dots, stripes, and zigzags across the Carter! Enjoy a pattern-filled morning of stories, hands-on fun, and a performance by A Real Mad Hatter.
Wed. July, 23, 2025
Art Tales at the Carter!
Fun, Feathers and Scales
From sea creatures to prairie dwellers, animals take center stage! Explore wild artworks with The Creature Teacher, plus themed stories, games, and art making.
Wed. July, 30, 2025
Art Tales at the Carter! Material Mixup
Wrap up the summer with a creative celebration! Repurpose materials into imaginative art and enjoy music from Brandi Waller Pace, alongside favorite activities from the season.
Public Transportation Help
Are you in need of transportation services? Here’s a list of resources that are available to you across Tarrant County. Trinity Metro TEXRail operates daily between downtown Fort Worth and DFW International Airport’s Terminal B. Serving Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Grapevine. RIDETRINITYMETRO.org/texrail or 817-2158600
Trinity Railway Express operates between downtown Fort Worth and downtown Dallas. Serving Fort Worth, Hurst, Irving, Dallas. trinityrailwayexpress.org or 817215-8600
ZIPZONE on-demand service areas: Alliance, Crowley, Mercantile. Trinity Metro has expanded the Southside ZIPZONE to reach the TCU campus, the Fort Worth Zoo and the entertainment district along the West 7th corridor, including Crockett Row and Montgomery Plaza. Formerly known as the Near Southside ZIPZONE, the service area will continue to include access to the hospitals and facilities within the Medical District and the many popular destinations along Magnolia Avenue, plus grocery stores and other services throughout the Southside. Southside ZIPZONE riders may also connect to TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express at Fort Worth T&P Station or to bus routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 24 and The Dash.
Hours of operation
Current schedule:
Daily: 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday:6 a.m.8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday: 6 a.m.midnight
RIDETRINITYMETRO. org/zipzone or 817-215-8600
Service modifications begin June 8
May 7, 2025
Trinity Metro is launching the Blue Line, updating hours and increasing frequency beginning on Sunday, June 8. The new color-coded route replaces Molly the Trolley and will feature bright blue buses with downtown-themed designs. Additionally, several modifications will be implemented to reflect necessary detours for long-term construction projects across the system.
Route 2 Camp Bowie — Update the turn-by-turn directions to accurately represent the current route the bus is taking to bypass the ongoing longterm construction project along Camp Bowie Blvd. between Montgomery and University Drive.
Route 12 Samuels/Mercantile Center Station — Update the turn-by-turn directions to accurately represent the current route the bus is taking to bypass the ongoing long-term construction project at NE 28th Street and Decatur Avenue.
Molly The Trolley — Rebrand as Blue Line, change service hours to 7 a.m.-7 p.m., and increase frequency to every 7 minutes.
Orange Line — Update the turn-by-turn directions to accurately represent the current route the bus is taking to bypass the ongoing long-term construction project at NE 28th Street and Decatur Avenue.
Route 52 Hulen — Update the turn-by-turn directions to accurately represent the current route the bus is taking to bypass the ongoing long-term construction project along Camp Bowie Boulevard between Montgomery Street and University Drive.
Route 91 North Side Station/Normandale — Update the turn-by-turn directions to accurately represent the current route the bus is taking to bypass the ongoing long-term construction project at NE 28th Street and Decatur Avenue.
