#NNPA BlackPress

C.J. Stroud Shares Message After Statement Win

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud powered his team to another win on Sunday, Nov. 12. With under two minutes left and Houston clinging to a 27-24 lead, Stroud led the Texans on a successful scoring drive, setting them up for a game-winning 38-yard field goal by kicker Matt Ammendola. It was the second week in […]
The post C.J. Stroud Shares Message After Statement Win first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 year ago

November 18, 2023

Forward Times Staff

It was the second week in a row that he’s rallied the Texans to a last-minute win; he was similarly impressive on Nov. 5, against the Cincinnati Bengals. With the Texans down 37-33 and just 16 seconds to go, Stroud located wide receiver Tank Dell for a huge gain. And then — with just 0:10 remaining — he hurled the ball to the end zone, where Dell leapt into the air for an 11-yard touchdown. The Texans held on to win, 39-37.

C.J. Stroud threw for five touchdowns (tying a rookie record) and 470 yards — the most ever by a rookie quarterback in one game. His 147.8 passer rating was the highest by a first-year QB in NFL history. It was a star-making performance. But when Stroud took the podium to address reporters after the game, he didn’t start with any of that. His mind was on something else, namely his father.

Coleridge Bernard Stroud III pled guilty in 2015 to charges of carjacking, kidnapping, robbery and misdemeanor sexual battery after he broke into a woman’s parked car, demanded she take him to a nearby house to buy drugs and touched her between her legs (over her clothes), then (after she escaped) led police on a chase that ended with him crashing the stolen vehicle into a pole and jumping into San Diego Bay.

According to Sports Illustrated, the elder Stroud explained to the judge in 2018 that it had been 20 years since his last conviction. He said he’d spiraled after the end of his marriage in 2012 and had begun using drugs again, after two decades of sobriety. The appeal was denied. He got 38 years to life.

He’s still serving that sentence — handed down partially because of California’s three-strikes law. He and his son still talk by phone, though. “I got to talk to my dad a little bit today, and I’m praying to God that something can happen that he can get out and cone to one of these games, man,” C.J. Stroud said Nov. 5. “I didn’t want to make this public man, but our criminal justice system isn’t right. It’s something that I probably need to be a little more vocal about because what he’s going through is not right.”

Perhaps sensing the inevitable questions that would come — about why his father did what he did, about whether he even deserves to be freed — Stroud broadened his appeal. He stated that “it’s not just my dad’s situation. But the whole criminal justice system is corrupt. I’ve been watching videos, and in Mississippi some of the prisons have rats and roaches and things like that. And don’t get me wrong: criminals, they should do their time and everything like that, but they’re still humans, you know?”

Stroud is shining a light on a systemic problem. Aside from the obvious issues around California’s “three-strikes” law (which the Justice Department found led to increased jury trials and thus increased the pretrial prison population), he’s right about prison conditions. Inmates at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman reported that it was common to see rats and roaches there; state health inspections found repeated problems with broken toilets and moldy showers. 300 deaths happened there in just three years.

In Louisiana, a judge ruled this month that the state penitentiary in Angola violated the 8^th Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment and the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Conditions there included brutal beatings by guards and water that was unsafe to drink.) And in Texas, the state pen at Huntsville forces inmates to endure often-hellish summer conditions without air conditioning.

Even the Harris County Jail has come under scrutiny. It’s failed two inspections in the past year, and in August the non-partisan newsroom Houston Landing found that the jail remains out of compliance with the state’s minimum safety standards. Dozens of people were jailed while waiting to be processed in holding cells for over 48 hours — a violation of state code. 27 people died while in the jail last year; this year the number is at least 15. Hopefully Stroud’s statements will spur systemic change.

The post C.J. Stroud Shares Message After Statement Win appeared first on Forward Times.

The post C.J. Stroud Shares Message After Statement Win first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Forward Times Staff

Posts by Forward Times Staff

Up Next

Open Letter to Tidewater Capital Developers: What’s Your Plan to Prevent More Harm to Black-Owned Business and Cultural Artists?

Don't Miss

BRIEF SUMMARY OF CHECK PRESENTATION AND THE JACKIE ROBINSON FOUNDATION

Forward Times Staff

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org