"Do you see that guy on the left? Well, that guy is Captain Grady Castleberry. And do you see the guy on the right? Well, that guy is Constable Allen Rosen. How am I doing so far? Are we good? Well, check out this petition drive before Monday, July 19, 2021." - Aubrey
"Do you see the five people pictured above? Well, these people are going to select the next Harris County Sheriff on Monday, July 19, 2021, at their regularly scheduled Commissioner’s Court Meeting. Now? If Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis nominates Captain Grady Castleberry, history will be made, as Captain Castleberry will become the first Black sheriff in the history of Harris County. Did you know that there has never been an African American sheriff in the 184 years of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office?" - Aubrey
If you live in Harris County, Texas, and would like to see Captain Grady Castelbery make history by becoming the first African American Sheriff -- Please sign today!
Several of My Close Friends Have Assured Me that Captain Grady Castleberry Would Make A Great Sheriff for Harris County, Texas
AUBREY R. TAYLOR REPORTS©
Over the course of the last few days, I’ve been inundated with phone calls about the situation regarding picking a replacement for Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, as the next Harris County Sheriff. Man – this is a tough one. But anyways, the top three names I’ve been hearing are, Captain Grady Castleberry, Constable Alan Rosen, and Jerome Moore, the Chief Deputy at Harris County Constable Precinct Two, where Jerry Garcia is the current Constable. So, of the three aforementioned individuals, I would be highly surprised if
Captain Grady Castleberry was not leading the pack. Why? Well, at this point, Captain Castleberry seems to have the most community support. And beyond that, he’s already demonstrated, that he can go toe-to-toe with Constable Alan Rosen on a Democratic Party primary ballot. That being said, in a straight-up race with no other African Americans in the race, I see several different scenarios where Captain Grady Castleberry (based on his credentials) could actually be a very viable candidate if he chooses to actually run for the sheriff’s position in the 2022 Midterm Election.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR COMMUNICATIONS
EMAIL: aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77058-3039
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "Captain Grady Castleberry (pictured above) ran a strong race against Constable Alan Rosen back on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in the Democratic Party Primary. If it had not been, for another African American candidate in the race, in my opinion, Captain Castleberry could have very well given Constable Rosen a run for his money. So, just for the record, Alan Rosen received 4,130 votes, for 27.96% of the vote. Cindy Vara-Leija received 3,512 votes, for 23.78% of the vote. Grady Castleberry (African American) received 3,219 votes, for 21.79% of the vote. Quincy Whitaker (African American) received 2,916 votes, for 19.74% of the vote. Jaime Tellez, Jr., received 539 votes, for 3.65% of the vote. And Richard Talamantez received 454 votes for 3.07% of the vote."
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: “For those of you who don’t know, Captain Grady Castleberry put on a stellar performance against Constable Alan Rosen, Major Quincy Whitaker (also African American), Richard Talamantez, Cindy Vara-Leija, Jaime Tellez, Jr., back on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, on the Democratic Party Primary ballot race for Harris County Constable for Precinct #1. Hell, Captain Castleberry actually beat all of them in the “ABSENTEE BALLOT” category. Comparatively speaking, Captain Castleberry received, 688 absentee ballots, Constable Rosen received, 593 absentee ballots, Quincy Whitaker received, 421 absentee ballots, Cindy Vara-Leija received 352 absentee ballots, Jaime Tellez, Jr., received 59 absentee ballots, and Richard Talamantez rounded out the field with 52 absentee ballots."
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: “The guy you see pictured above is Major Quincy Whitaker. He was one of the candidates who also ran against Constable Alan Rosen back in 2012, in the Democratic Party Primary race for Harris County Constable for Precinct #1. Now, as a community, we must understand that running two strong viable African American candidates in the same race (in the 2022 Midterms) is a losing proposition. Let me show you why – Major Quincy Whitaker received 2,916 votes, and Captain Grady Castleberry received 3,219, votes. So, like I said, these two Black men were too evenly matched to be running in the same political race against one another.”
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "From what I understand, Captain Castleberry has more than 30-years of experience that he’s attained inside the Harris County Sheriff’s department. And on top of that, as a senior officer, Captain Castleberry has received extensive training in law enforcement and leadership. Now, the guy you see on the right, is Constable Alan Rosen, the current constable for Harris County’s Precinct #1 Constable’s Office. For those of you who don’t know, I published a report about Constable Alan Rosen last week on Monday, July 5, 2021, and then, a couple days later, a story broke a few days later, on Thursday, July 8, 2021, talking about the FBI Investigating Harris County Constables After Female Deputies Alleged Sexual Assault. The negative report about Constable Rosen went on to state, “A lawsuit filed in May accuses Constable Alan Rosen, along with Assistant Chief Chris Gore, Lt. Shane Rigdon and Harris County, with being complicit in the alleged sexual assault of female deputies during undercover operations.”
Sign this Petition if You Would Like to See Captain Grady Castleberry Become the First African American Sheriff
HARRIS COUNTY, TX – The Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), founded in 1837, is the largest sheriff's office in Texas and the third-largest in the United States. The HCSO has nearly 5000 employees dedicated to ensuring the safety of over 4.1 million residents who call Harris County home. Harris County encompasses 1788 square miles and includes forty-one incorporated municipalities, including the city of Houston, Texas.
Harris County is a vast metropolitan area - home to one of the most culturally rich cities in the nation. As of 2021, there have been 30 sheriffs elected and/or appointed. All of which were white males, except two. In 2008, Adrian Garcia was elected the first Hispanic sheriff and in 2017, Ed Gonzalez became the 30th sheriff and the 2nd Hispanic elected to the office.
There has never been an African American sheriff in the 184 years of the Harris County Sheriff's Office.... Houston, we have a problem!
Similar to his predecessor, the current sheriff, Ed Gonzalez, has recently announced he has been asked by the Biden administration to serve as the Director of ICE, Department of Homeland Security.
So here is where YOU come in.... we NOW have the opportunity to elect the first black sheriff in Harris County, but FIRST, our Commissioner's Court must appoint a replacement for the vacating sheriff, Ed Gonzalez.
Now allow me to introduce
CAPTAIN GRADY CASTLEBERRY. Not only is Captain Castleberry a 30-year veteran of the Sheriff’s department, but as a senior officer, he has received extensive training in law enforcement and leadership. After this past year with increased tensions between police and black communities across this country, including Houston, appointing the first black Sheriff is one way to re-establish community trust.
Captain Castleberry is often called upon by Sheriff Gonzalez to serve on special forces, like the emergency management unit and special crimes. He is vice-president of the African American Deputies Union, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and has been endorsed by state legislators, educators, community activists, and church leaders as the number one candidate for the appointment to sheriff.
"Good policing and departments come more from the culture of police departments rather than the individual officers". (PEW study on criminal justice) It is with this in mind that Captain Castleberry with a master's degree and FBI National Academy training is best suited to follow the data and best practices toward reducing crime and building better relationships with neighborhoods.
Please show your support by signing this Petition! The Democrat members of Commissioner's Court are Commissioners Rodney Ellis, Adrian Garcia, and County Judge, Lina Hidalgo. It is up to them to make history by appointing the FIRST BLACK SHERIFF.
When Rodney Ellis decided to seek the appointment to County Commissioner, he looked to the black community for support. We now call upon him to stand up and support the most qualified candidate! Wouldn't YOU like to see Commissioner Rodney Ellis be the FIRST to nominate Grady Castleberry as the first black sheriff of Harris County!
All three of these Commissioners were elected to office due to 89% of Black voters in Harris County. Rodney Ellis, Lina Hidalgo, and Adrian Garcia could NOT have won without the support of black people in this county.
WE ONLY HAVE UNTIL JULY 19TH before they vote!
Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis was born and raised in Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood.
The proud son of a yardman and a maid, Ellis attended Texas public schools from grade school through law school. He holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Southern University, a master's degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and a law degree from the University Of Texas School Of Law.
As Commissioner of Harris County Precinct One, Ellis has played a critical role on the Court by securing misdemeanor bail reform, flood equity guidelines, stronger worker protections and economic opportunity provisions, funding for indigent defense and COVID-19 recovery funding, including direct relief for residents, small businesses, emergency rental assistance, shelters for those experiencing homelessness, as well as other innovative programs, including providing computers to low-income students, among other achievements.
Before serving as a County Commissioner, Ellis was elected to Houston City Council and served three terms before being elected to the Texas Senate in 1990. For 26 years, he represented Texas' 13th state senate district and he passed over 700 pieces of legislation. On November 8, 2016, Ellis was elected county commissioner and sworn into office on January 1, 2017.
As County Commissioner, Ellis prioritizes inclusive economic growth that uplifts low income communities, ensures access to parks and green-space in under-served neighborhoods, advances criminal justice reform that protects the rights of all people, and provides safe, affordable transportation options. Following Hurricane Harvey, Ellis successfully advocated for equitable investment in flood control infrastructure and disaster recovery in vulnerable communities through a $2.5B bond approved by voters in 2018.
He is an avid art collector and cycling enthusiast. Commissioner Ellis is married to Licia Green-Ellis and has four children.
Five Star General Discusses What Freedom Means to Him
FIVE STAR GENERAL: “Freedom, generally, is having the ability to act or change without constraint. A person has the freedom to do things that will not, in theory, or in practice, be prevented by other forces. Outside of the human realm, freedom generally does not have this political or psychological dimension. Freedom means African Americans not being murdered unjustly by law enforcement. Freedom is quality education for every person. Freedom is when Black America is paid reparations. When that is done Blacks will enjoy financial freedom in my opinion.”
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "You are looking into the eyes of a free Black man in the photo above. This is what FREEDOM looks like in my opinion. Judge DaSean Jones is one of the strongest Black male elected officials in all of Harris County, Texas. He has the backbone, intestinal fortitude, and the heart of a lion. Yes, he's a Democrat, but nobody has a key in his back. And he does not seek to legislate from the bench in his 180th Criminal District Courtroom. Judge Jones is a firm believer in our United States Constitution and the laws that govern us as a free nation. So, it's vitally important that we as a nation, make it our business to show our young Black men all across America images of other powerful, strong, successful Black men."
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "As an amateur prizefighter, Carr racked up 56 wins with only 6 losses. And along the way spared with the likes of Tommy "Hit Man" Hearns, the former WBC Continental Middleweight Champion Kid Fire Parks, and 1984 Olympic medal winner Frank Tate, who went on to win a World Middleweight Championship."
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "Today my good friend former prizefighter Eric Carr is a successful businessman who has beat the statistics and is living life on his own terms."
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "Think about it for a second! When is the last time you've seen an image of three strong, vibrant Black men, smiling in the local mainstream media? The three men you see pictured above are, former amateur prizefighter, Eric Carr who racked up 56 wins with only 6 losses in the ring; Tommy "HITMAN" Hearns, a former professional prizefighter who racked up 61 wins with 5 losses in the ring. And the guy on the right is is a former professional boxer Milton McCrory, who was a world champion in the welterweight (147lb) division. McCrory ended his career with 35 wins and only 4 losses."
Successful Businessman and Former Prizefighter Eric Carr Discusses What Freedom Means to Him
"What does freedom mean to me? Let me see what freedom truly means to me. FREEDOM is when you can have the resources to meet your needs and satisfy your wants as well. In my situation, FREEDOM means being your own boss. Calling your own shots. Determining your destiny. FREEDOM to me is having stability in my life. There’s a passage of scripture that says, "A feast is made with laughter, and wine makes the heart merry, but "money" it answers all things." – Ecclesiastics 4:19, in the Holy Bible.
What FREEDOM means to me is having the ability to think what I want to think – not having to succumb to what society says I must do, but doing what I want to do. Being so self-sufficient that I don't have to compromise myself for anyone. There was once a great boxing champion who I will always admire, “The Great Muhammad Ali.” He was told that he had to conform to be champ, but Ali said, “I will be the champ like I want to be – not the champ like you want to be.” That statement has stuck with me throughout my entire life. I will forever respect him for making that statement. Whether you choose to get a degree, master a trade, have a business, climb the corporate ladder, or do what makes you whole on your own terms – you’re still just as FREE AS THE NEXT MAN! So, to me, freedom is to thine own self be true. So, earn your money, and live your life to the FULLEST!!!"
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "This is what it looks like to get knocked out! The man you see in the photo above towering over his adversary is the late Muhammad Ali, who is widely regarded by boxing historians and commentators as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time. Why do we no longer see images of Black men in positions of strength, success, and power?"
The Hall Law Firm is located at 530 Lovett Blvd, Houston, TX 77006. For more information on attorney Ben Hall, please call: (713) 942-9600 today!
The Firm Where Right Wins Over Might.
Dr. Benjamin L. Hall, III is a Harvard-trained lawyer who founded The Hall Law Firm in 2000. The Hall Law Firm concentrates on litigation matters, including complex construction litigation, complex commercial and contract cases, as well as consumer/personal injury claims.
Over the years, Hall and his Firm have generated more than $300,000,000 in recoveries for clients.
Of all things, Hall prides himself in being a Christian minister. He has been an ordained minister since 1975 and has served the congregation of the Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ since 1974.
Hall was the City Attorney for the City of Houston during the administration of Mayor Bob Lanier. For approximately three years, he managed and supervised a 200+ member legal department, as well as an annual budget of $12+ million dollars. Hall has received many scholastic honors, including but not limited to: Rockefellar Scholar to Africa; Duke Merit Scholar; Duke Black Graduate Fellow; DAAD Scholar to Germany, and German Research Fellow.
Hall is a recognized legal expert in construction law and personal injury litigation. He has received numerous honors and accolades for his services in the legal field, including but not limited to the following: The highest rating for professional competence and ethical standards awarded by Martindale-Hubbell, the leading legal reference manual in the United States (AV Rating); dual board-certified which is achieved by less than 1% of all Texas lawyers; four times recognized as a “Texas Super Lawyer” by Texas Monthly Magazine; recognized as a Houston Top Lawyer for the People by “H Magazine;” obtained the highest reported verdicts/awards ever obtained as recognized by the legal website “Verdict Search.”
Hall is also a popular lecturer on a wide variety of topics ranging from insurance and legal issues to minority rights and ethics. Hall is a lifetime member of the NAACP and is a recipient of the NAACP’s highest local “ALEX” Award.
He has been married to Saundra Turner Hall and they both are the proud parents of two sons: Benjamin, IV, and Zachary.
Hall is fluent in German and can read French.
Judge Lucia G. Bates Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
JUDGE LUCIA G. BATES: “Freedom to me means that I can express myself and opinions while exercising diplomacy. Having the freedom to pursue positions that have been historically unheard of and unattainable. Freedom allows me to enhance my creativity and appreciate my uniqueness, unabashed. Freedom also means overcoming obstacles despite lacking what others perceive as absolute, allowing me to continue my daily responsibilities of serving my community while being compassionate and keeping my integrity intact. Freedom allows me to compete with myself and always remembering who paved the way to make my impossibilities possible.”
Judge Jeralynn Manor Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
JUDGE JERALYNN MANOR: “"Freedom to me is the ability to walk in the calling God has destined for my life. I do not take for granted the trials nor the triumphs." Now, don't let her pretty smile fool you! This is what a strong Black woman looks like in my opinion. Judge Jeralynn Manor is one of the brightest young Democratic judges in America today. And she actually took the time to practiced law before she decided to run for the 80th Civil District Court back during the 2020 Presidential Election. Nope, she's not a token, and she certainly didn't run for the 80th Civil District Court bench playing on anyone's emotions. She's the real deal. Get this, at the age of 7 years old, she decided that she wanted to become a judge one day. And when she decided to launch her bid to become a judge, one of the first people she turned to was me, and I'm grateful for that."
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar Discusses What Freedom Means to Him
COMPTROLLER GLENN HEGAR: “Freedom is anyone’s opportunity to achieve their goals without fear of an oppressive government standing in their way. It’s the idea that you get to choose how to run your business, what religion to practice, what moral guidelines you want your children to follow, and many other personal decisions that government shouldn’t be regulating. It is about living in a society without over-burdensome and forced government mandates that try to dictate the details of daily life and instead is when an individual is the sole arbiter of their decisions.
In Texas, we have shown that the more liberty, or freedom, you give the people, the more likely they are to achieve success. This is why Texas continues to lead the nation in fastest-growing cities and job growth. As Americans, we are given the privilege to follow our dreams and are allowed to do so without fear of an oppressive government holding us back.”
Former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman Stepped Down from Her Bench to Run Against Ken Paxton in the 2022 Republican Party Primary
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "This is what freedom is all about in my opinion. Anyone who want's to run for office should be able to run without having to kiss the ring of local politicians. "I’m running to be your next Attorney General because it’s time for leaders to show up, stand up, and speak up for what’s right. Simply put, it’s time for justice." I totally agree with former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman -- It's indeed time for justice in Texas!
State Rep. Senfronia Thompson Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
STATE REP. SENFRONIA THOMPSON: “In the United States, freedom is heralded throughout our land because of the liberation from the British, the freedom granted to slaves after the Civil War, and our sovereignty as a nation after various battles. For me, freedom is more than being emancipated on paper. It is about being free in all aspects of life. It is about being free from the control of another.
We know freedom is not free. Many have paid the price for the rights and comforts that we possess today, and we must ensure that the rights we have attained are not eroded.
I want my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other families, to grow up without being judged by the color of their skin, who they love or where they grew up. As a state representative, that is why I am so passionate about making laws that protect the lives of all Texans. I want us to celebrate our own expressions of religion without fear of bombings or retaliation because our beliefs may differ from the convictions of others. I want us to be able to express our love, our speech, our thoughts, as well as our votes without suppression.
Ideologically, we are free, but we must continue to fight for the preservation of our freedom.”
Political Analyst Jacquie Baly Craig Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
POLITICAL ANALYST JACQUIE BALY CRAIG: "My parents migrated to America many years ago to give their only child a better life and a chance of achieving the American Dream. As a result, freedom embodies having the opportunity to pursue a great education, pursuing a promising career and becoming an accomplished business owner and entrepreneur. I am blessed to achieve these goals and so much more. But Freedom does not stop there. It also encompasses being a dedicated public servant and giving back to our wonderful community that has given so much to me. I am now a proud mother of two very accomplished young men. Freedom now has new meanings as they follow in my footsteps in public service and help make our community even better than it is today. Creating a positive legacy and promoting goodwill, our freedom as Americans will continue for many generations to come."
Judge Sandra J. Peake Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
JUDGE SANDRA J. PEAKE: “What does freedom mean to me? Freedom today looks much different to me than it used to. Freedom is a feeling of optimism, of the confidence that adversity can be overcome, that the people around you are able to define the dream of freedom for themselves individually, and, to be able to visualize, actualizing those dreams for themselves and their families. Freedom is reflected in a feeling of hope and empowerment in organizations that I am proud to be a member of as the organizations strive to serve the communities in which we live, raise our families, worship and work in. It also means that I can experience freedom in seeing progress. Improvements in our justice system, housing, educational achievements demonstrated by graduations at various levels, scholarship opportunities, employment opportunities, and a more equal playing field while competing for even greater opportunities. All of these things point to significant progress and greater freedoms for more people and improving the quality of life for all. Visible and steady progress towards these goals means freedom to me."
Judge Michelle Moore Discusses What Freedom Means to her
JUDGE MICHELLE MOORE: “Freedom to me means being your true authentic self. It means to live life on your terms without restrictions or being confined to what others think you should be. Freedom to me means being able to pursue your dreams and make your own life choices without the fear of condemnation.”
Jessica K. Swain, a Houston Area Realtor® Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
JESSICA K. SWAIN: “Freedom means, to me, the ability to have CHOICES, Options, and Variety!!! Without freedom we would all be the same and that’s boring!!! Freedom means that I can be unapologetically ME while at the same time appreciating the differences in YOU!! Freedom is not a privilege but a Right that we all should be able to enjoy!! Ultimately, freedom = the ability to experience God’s abundance both mentally and physically of which I feel we All Were born to do!”
Attorney Nyanza Moore is One of the People Who Made this Freedom Series Possible
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "As an entrepreneur, Attorney Nyanza Moore celebrates a type of freedom that many Americans can only dream about. Now, the 2021 Hurricane Season started back on June 1, 2021, and won't end until, Tuesday, November 30, 2021. So, please support my friends over at The Moore Law Group if you are dealing with any weather-related issues."
Free Women Like Jessica K. Swain Are Not Afraid To Speak Their Minds
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: "As a Realtor® in the Houston area Jessica K. Swain celebrates a type of freedom that many Americans can only dream about. That's one of the key reasons, I asked her to share her thoughts about what freedom means to her as part of my freedom series. Jessica K. Swain can be reached at (832)885-6576 if you need commercial retail or residential Realtor®."
Dr. Nissi Hamilton Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
DR. NISSI HAMILTON: "Well, to me freedom means the ability to correct some of life's worse problems to achieve God's perfection. And when God's perfection is achieved, there's nothing more to add and then there's nothing more to take away...FREEDOM -- There's nothing no one else can take away from me!!!"
Mayor Kevin Cole Discusses What Freedom Means to Him
MAYOR KEVIN COLE: “Freedom – I believe freedom is the ability to say or think according to ones’ beliefs without duress. I also believe we all have the free will for our own pursuit of happiness in this world. I have lived my life in a way to be in a position to have freedom of my time, freedom of my thought, freedom to live my faith and long for everyone to do the same.”
HCRP Chairwoman Cindy Seigel Discusses What Freedom and Liberty Means to Her
HCRP CHAIR CINDY SEIGEL: “They are two of the most beautiful words in the dictionary. It means that I have the personal freedom to make decisions on how I am going to live my life. They mean that I and my daughters have the opportunity to make our lives into whatever we want with hard work. However, along with freedom and liberty goes personal responsibility. That means working to ensure that we continue to have freedom and liberty now and for future generations because without America standing for freedom and liberty - where do people go?”
Former Mo City Mayor Allen Owen Discusses What Freedom Means to Him
HONORABLE ALLEN OWEN: “It has been said that freedom is a powerful word in and of itself. It can and does mean a lot of different things to different people. In democracy and government, it means having the right to speak, to act, to be independent, and to be yourself. I believe that I was given that freedom by our forefathers and by those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our Country and those still serving today. Freedom comes with sacrifices and is not to be taken lightly. I am fortunate to live in a Country that has freedoms. As we are seeing in today’s times, that is not true for everyone. Freedom to worship, to vote, to hold office, to own a home, get an education, and to live without the fear of persecution is freedom by definition alone. I pray that those freedoms will continue for many years to come and wish that other nations and countries had those same freedoms. Maybe someday they will.”
Dr. Steven F. Hotze has signed on as one of the "TITLE SPONSORS" of the "Proud Americans Celebrating Freedom Together" series.
Thoughts on Freedom and Liberty
Steven F. Hotze, M.D.
The Bible clearly teaches that “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). This means that everyone has chosen to violate God’s standards, as written in the Scriptures, and is enslaved to sin and under God’s righteous judgment. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from the penalty of our sins and to give new life to anyone who would accept Him.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
Biblical Christianity instructs us that in Christ we are free to practice whatever is good, right, honorable, holy and pure. Our liberty in Christ Jesus does not give us license to do as we please. “Live as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as a servant of God.” (1 Peter 2:16)
Atheistic Communism rejects God and His law, and exists in direct opposition to the revealed truth in the Bible. Communism exalts the totalitarian state and its rulers as the final arbiters of right and wrong. Biblical Christianity exalts God as the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. His laws and standards have the ultimate authority on how an individual should conduct himself.
Freedom and liberty for an individual, and for society at large, can only exist as we submit under the Sovereignty of Almighty God. “His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and His dominion rules throughout all generations.” (Psalm 145:13)
Where God’s law is forsaken, there is tyranny. “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive with them.” (Proverbs 28:4)
Opposition to tyranny is obedience to God. Christians must demonstrate the liberty that they have in Christ by opposing the forces of evil and wickedness that are seeking to destroy both Christianity and our American Constitutional Republic.
Congressman Kevin Brady Discusses What Freedom Means to Him
CONGRESSMAN KEVIN BRADY: “Freedom is everything. But what Freedom will never be is free. Freedom is a precious gift that our veterans and our fallen have secured for us and continue to secure for us.
Being an American is about being free.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior said “we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom.” He was so right that “a man can't ride you unless your back is bent.”
As Americans we must always stand proud and tall for freedom and against injustice. We must have faith to take the harder path with the greatest rewards. Being a servant leader will never be the easy path, but it is the most rewarding path.
Serving my constituents and my state in Washington, DC is an honor that I do not take lightly. It’s my duty to preserve freedom for all Americans. As Dr. King said “The time is always right to do what is right.” That time is now.”
Angelique Bartholomew Shares Her Thoughts on Freedom to her
ANGELIQUE BARTHOLOMEW: “As an African American Female being asked what freedom means to me is a challenging question to address. Freedom symbolizes a multitude of things. As a woman, Freedom is the right to choose and control my own destiny, make choices and participate in society on any level without any ceiling. As an African American it means to be able to perform at my greatest potential and not worry that I will be judged or overlooked for my skin color and hair texture before having the chance to prove that I am great!
Freedom is not personalizing the many misconceptions that strangers or family members may have of who they envision me to be and being sure of who I AM. Being Free is in so many ways to, just be authentically you.
Freedom is continually breaking chains that have locked away my confidence; breaking my own invisible mental and emotional limitations. Freedom is learning but even more important, unlearning the ways of the world. Being on the receiving end of growth and change. Even Rosa Parks road the back of the Bus before making History. Freedom to Me is making my mark in History.”
Judge Toria J. Finch Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
JUDGE TORIA J FINCH: “Notwithstanding of the fact that the literal meaning of freedom is defined as the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved, when I think of what freedom means to me personally, I immediately think of sacrifices. Freedom never stands alone in my mind, but it is accompanied with thoughts of longsuffering and sacrifices. Since the beginning of time, the freedoms that we at times carelessly possess, whether it is the freedom of physical liberties, the freedom of thought, the freedom of religion, the freedom to love, or the freedom to simply exist in a space and time without inequality or injustice, it all has been achieved at the expense of the many sacrifices of those that came before us, and the many women and men that continue to fight for us on the grand stages of the battlefields of the world and our local communities. Although, easily taken for granted, freedom is something that if we don’t continue to vigorously protect, we stand to lose, because unfortunately freedom is just not free.”
Justice Ken Wise Discusses What Freedom Means to Him
JUSTICE KEN WISE: “Freedom means the ability to achieve whatever you want and live however you want based on your own talent and willingness to work hard. The United States of America was founded on this ideal. Our founders desired a society with a very limited government designed only to protect the nation and foster the commerce that would help everyone succeed. Our founders wanted to avoid a big government, which restricts freedom. Our founders want to avoid oppressive and voluminous laws, which restrict freedom. I pray for a return to the idea that each of us can succeed if we respect each other, work hard and develop our talents.”
Judge Shannon Baldwin Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
JUDGE SHANNON BALDWIN: “Freedom means the ability to have choices without restraint. Typically, I’ve always associated freedom of choice with education. The better education, the better your choices are and the more freedom you achieve. While that is true, I’ve learned that we still have a long way to go to achieve real freedom.
Our society must strive to achieve freedom of ALL of our marginalized communities. We should eliminate homelessness, focus on mental health and wealth should not determine a person’s value. One’s sexual preference or identity should not be life threatening!
Your rights end where the next person’s rights begin!”
Diane Trautman Discusses What Free Means to Her
DR. DIANE TRAUTMAN: “Freedom comes in many forms – the ability for each of us to practice our chosen faith, share our differing opinions, and vote for candidates that represent us. Elections are one way we celebrate freedom beyond Independence Day, and I believe each citizen should earnestly exercise that right and responsibility in every election, large or small.”
Judge Angela Graves Harrington Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
JUDGE ANGELA GRAVES HARRINGTON: “Freedom is the absence of mental or physical enslavement. Freedom is the ability to boldly walk into your destiny without being tied to the expectations or doubts of others. Freedom is the realization of one’s full potential and the right to exist in authenticity. Freedom is “an absolute equality of personal rights.” Freedom is, quite simply, being free.”
Judge Beau Miller Discusses What Freedom Means to Him
JUDGE BEAU MILLER: “We have a complicated relationship with freedom in this country, because the Enlightenment values on which we were founded, while progressive at the time, only applied to land-holding men. Women, people of color, of differing cultural and economic backgrounds, of different sexual orientations, and people of diverse faiths all had to fight not just for liberty, but for basic equality. “We, the people,” means everyone.
What freedom means to me is the upholding of laws that advance personal freedoms, and which embrace the joyous diversity we all share.
It is how a person acts that gives their true measure: acting without prejudice, discrimination, or harm, but acting with openness, generosity, and goodness.
As the Transcendentalist Theodor Parker so memorably said, who inspired Martin Luther King, Jr. and I believe his words now more than ever, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice”. Justice and the law are freedom.”
Judge David C. Newell Discusses What Freedom Means to Him
JUDGE DAVID C. NEWELL: “At the risk of stating the obvious, "freedom" means a lot of different things to different people. People find its meaning in the inspirational words of Martin Luther King, Jr. or maybe even a popular song. But one thing that I have observed about freedom is that people, including myself, do not seem to think specifically about what it means to them on a regular basis.
If you look at the dictionary definition it can mean the quality of being free as in the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action. It certainly means that to me as I often marvel at little things many of us take for granted such as the ability to catch a quick bite to eat at a fast-food restaurant. But I also see it quite often in the big things like the ability to vote for who will be my voice in passing the laws that will govern my daily life.
And that leads me to another definition of freedom, that of a political right. It is a great paradox that our freedoms are based upon our responsibilities as citizens of the United States to participate in the process of self-governance. You can feel that responsibility not only in those little reminders such as a notice for jury duty, but also in the eyes of soldiers returning from foreign soil where they fought to bring freedom to others and preserve it for us at home.
So perhaps that is what freedom means most to me. Those dictionary definitions and real-life examples serve as humbling reminders of how truly blessed I am to live in a country with so much freedom that I rarely have to question my access to it. And they also serve to obligate me to exercise that freedom in a way that preserves that liberty for my family, my friends, and my fellow citizens.”
Constable Herschel Smith Discusses What Freedom Means to Him
CONSTABLE HERSCHEL SMITH: “When I think of freedom, I imagine all the slaves and activists who fought and died for me. Now I have the freedom and right to act and speak as I want without physical hindrance or enslavement. One may ask are we really free though? I would say good question because in order to really be free we have to break chains from the inside by freeing our minds from bondage and be bold enough to take that first step. We have the right to stand up for ourselves and what we believe in. Standing up for ourselves allows our light to shine so that others can imitate that power. As a veteran who served in the U.S. Army, I have seen the good and indifferences in people of all dimensions. I now understand that we are so much more alike than different, but in most cases our circumstances determine the outcome of the choices we make. I am empowered because I have the ability to make choices and face the consequences of my decisions – which is my responsibility. Freedom for me begins from within. So, let’s start there and not allow anyone to take that away from you.”
Councilwoman Martha Castex Tatum Discusses Freedom Means to Her
COUNCILWOMAN MARTHA CASTEX TATUM: “Freedom is a beautiful and powerful word. The meaning of freedom for each person is shaped by their environment and their sphere of influence. My parents encouraged me to never stop learning and to value education and life lessons. I was encouraged to sacrifice and work hard during my early years so I would have a knowledge base leading me to recognize the importance of being free from enslavement of the mind, potential bad jobs, unhealthy relationships, unnecessary debt or anything that threatens your peace and hope. Freedom is also about knowing when to push and pull for yourself and others. It is the limitless thoughts that allow you to live without boundaries while being keenly aware that decisions have consequences. Freedom is my desire to inspire others to limitless thinking and the preservation of being free.
Freedom is a state of mind and we were chosen to be free. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
Trustee Danyahel Norris Discusses What Freedom Means to Him
DANYAHEL NORRIS: “The word “freedom” is generally defined as a lack of any restriction. In the social and personal context, it means so much more. In the social context, it means the ability for each person to pursue their dreams and passions, without any hindrances. I believe it’s what the founding fathers had in mind when they included the phrase “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” in the Declaration of Independence. While there are a variety of things that have derailed these plans for many in our society, like slavery, racism, poverty, and a variety of other factors, I believe it is the society we should strive to be. A society which removes any hindrances from citizens as they use their God-given abilities to make this world a better place.
Personally, the word freedom represents even more. It represents a long line of ancestors who came to this country several generations ago. Some willingly, and some in bondage. I think of my 4th great-grandmother, Judy Crocker, who was born a free negro around the same time and same county as Nat Turner. I think of my parents, who were the first generation in their families to go to college. I think of long conversations between myself and my wife, regarding the dreams we are still pursuing. Last, but not least, I think of my children’s dreams and aspirations, as they grow and prepare to make their mark on this world.”
Judge Ramona Franklin Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
JUDGE RAMONA FRANKLIN: “Freedom reminds me of a beautifully handcrafted quilt. Each patch in the quilt symbolizes the uniqueness of one being permitted to live the way a person chooses to live without unlawful restraints. One patch that is crafted in the quilt of freedom stands for one to live in the United States with the opportunity to lawfully speak his or her mind without being censored. Another patch that is crafted in the quilt of freedom is the right of religion. The third patch that is crafted in the quilt of freedom allows a woman the right to make decisions for her own body. The fourth patch that is crafted in the quilt of freedom allows a law-abiding citizen to live anywhere they desire to live. The fifth patch that is crafted in the quilt of freedom is the ability to receive an education. The sixth patch that is crafted in the quilt of freedom is the ability for one to think as one wants without constraints. The last patch that is crafted in the quilt of freedom is the right of choice. Freedom symbolizes the complete handcrafted quilt that has all of its unique and beautiful patches woven together.”
Dr. Cynthia Lenton Gary Discusses Freedom and What it Means to Her
DR. CYNTHIA LENTON GARY: “According to the dictionary, freedom is the act of being free or at liberty instead of being in confinement or under physical restraint. In January of 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed what freedom means to him during his State of the Union Address. He said that every American has four basic freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear. However, in my opinion, Nelson Mandela stated it better. He said, “For to be free is not merely to cast off ones’ chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” Freedom entitles us to quality of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It presents us with opportunities that were non-existent for our ancestors. I can recall being in the fifth grade; my parent, my siblings and I went to visit my uncle in Fort Polk, Louisiana. My sister was a baby at the time, and she needed more milk. We stopped at a store and on the door was a sign that read, “COLOREDS ENTER IN THE BACK”. That sign worried me because in my heart I thought because we were living in America, a country known as the land of the free, the owner of that store should not have been allowed to put that sign up. From that day, I was determined to pursue a field of study that very few African American considered. I received my bachelor’s degree in Chemistry/ Mathematics and worked as a Chemist for many years.
As an African American female, and a citizen of the United States, I was able to receive a quality education that resulted in a bachelors, a masters and a doctorate degree. The lack of confinement and the lack of being restrained by racism and inequality also gave me the opportunity to be the first African American female to service on Missouri City council, the first African American female appointed to Fort Bend Independent School District board of trustees and it gave me the opportunity to service on the board of directors of the Houston Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). I have been blessed with many other opportunities that would not have existed had I not been free. As the mother of sons, I can proudly say that freedom of education and opportunity is why all my sons are college graduates who are working to pursue their dreams to ensure a successful future. I thank GOD for the most important characteristic of our lives and that’s FREEDOM.”
Judge LaShawn A. Williams Shares Her Thoughts on Freedom Means to Her
JUDGE LASHAWN A. WILLIAMS: “I cannot help but think of Freedom in two contexts: one as a free black woman, descendent of slaves; and the other as having freedom of thought and spirit... both essential to who I am and how I live. As a free black woman in what I consider to be the best country in the world, I appreciate what it took to create our system of government, for me to be an elected official now, to love whom I choose, to care for my body as I choose, and to be able to worship the God I serve in the way that I choose. So, I am conscious of protecting all that has been won, lost and yet to be, in the name of freedom in the world. In terms of my freedom of mind and spirit, I try to live my life free from mindsets that restrict or vex my spirit. As we celebrate Independence Day, I do so gratefully and fully appreciating that I am entirely free! We cannot celebrate freedom without Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said: “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic…Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” Therefore, we are free to love, fight for justice and pursue “power correcting everything that stands against love,” and I would add freedom.”
Judge Sedrick T. Walker Discusses What Freedom Means to Him
JUDGE SEDRICK WALKER: “At its core, freedom means the ability to speak your mind and live your life as you see fit. However, in our constantly evolving society, the notion of freedom applies in so many different areas. The pursuit of achieving freedom for everyone is a centuries-old battle that continues today. As a criminal court judge, I deal with the issue of freedom in its most literal sense on a day-to-day basis. As we pause to celebrate our freedoms, I believe it’s important that we reflect on the steps our ancestors took to fight for the liberties we currently enjoy.”
Dr. Pretta VanDible Stallworth Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
DR. PRETTA VANDIBLE STALLWORTH: “Freedom is Catharsis – LIBERATION! The greatest challenge in public service is the freedom and courage to stand up for what is just, fair, and right. As public servants we must have freedom and courage to speak on behalf of the people. A good public servant must be the voice of the people, must address the needs of the populace, and must remain steadfast in the work of community relief.
As a public servant I choose to exercise my blood-bought freedom by engaging in catharsis for my community. I choose courage -- to liberate my people. While I’ve chosen to liberate my people, I’ve come to the full realization that my choice comes at a great price. My chosen path makes me a moving target, a political pariah if you will. However, being a moving target does not matter to me. I believe the work of community relief must be done, and I’m committed to doing it. The needs of the populace must be addressed, and I’m making it my mission to address them.
Choosing the path of public service requires freedom and courage. Freedom and courage bring about catharsis (the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong repressed emotions) in my opinion. Catharsis is necessary for the education of the community. Education leads to the liberation of the minds of the people.”
Judge Linda Dunson Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
JUDGE LINDA DUNSON: “Freedom means being truly unshackled. Unshackled so that my mind can dream dreams; Unshackled so that opportunity is an open door; Unshackled so that I can embrace humanity in all of its gore; Unshackled so that I am seen instead of looked at; Unshackled so that I am not one of a few; Unshackled so that I can love freely; Unshackled so that I may serve my God without offending; Unshackled so that wealth, health and justice are not kept from me; Unshackled so that "all men are created equal" is a truth instead of an ideal; Unshackled so that the chains are forever shattered to the point that I don't ever even remember being shackled…That's FREEDOM.”
Dr. Rhonda Skillern Jones Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
HCC TRUSTEE RHONDA SKILLERN JONES: “Freedom is POWER. It is a state of mind and body, an individual's mental and physical power to act, speak and think without hindrance, restraint or control. It is our right as Americans granted by the Constitution and protected by our brave sisters and brothers in the military. Freedom means every person regardless of their beliefs, affiliations, physical presentation, affinities and or life station can and must have full self-governing authority over their life and life choices. It is the ability to define ourselves and live in our truth unabashedly and without conforming to prescribed constraints. The goal of freedom is independence and the key is education. America must ensure it lives up to its promise of freedom by ensuring each and every person is afforded the opportunity to exist independently on their own terms and provided the education to do so. My freedom comes from the confidence my parents instilled in me to be unafraid to live my life bold and unafraid. My mother set an example of what it is to exercise your freedom as a black woman in this country. My father raised me with the fortitude to stand up to infractions against my rights. They never stopped reinforcing that education in this country makes the difference in one's ability to experience freedom in its purest form. I live in those principles and pass them down to my own children and those around me. If freedom is to be realized, it must be actively exercised.”
Kathy Blueford Daniels Discusses What Freedom Means to Her
KATHY BLUEFORD DANIELS: “Freedom means not being imprisoned or enslaved -- mentally or physically. To believe that blacks, browns, and LGBTQ+ people receive equality. That everyone is able to achieve prosperity and greatness without hindrance or judgment from others. Freedom means assurance that our black and brown children are provided equal educational opportunities as children attending suburban schools. Freedom means our legal system and the religious beliefs of others does not “continue” to the minimize Constitutional Rights of those based on skin color or economic status. Freedom also means picking up the baton from those who bled and died for future generational opportunities. As a Gold Star aunt, I know freedom is not FREE!”
Community Leader Travis McGee Discusses What Freedom Means
COMMUNITY ACTIVIST TRAVIS MCGEE: “Freedom means a lot of things to a lot of different people, but freedom should mean the same for all people. When I think of freedom I think of affordable housing, livable wages -- innocent until proven guilty. I think of fair, quality, equitable education with options of affordable higher education. I think of a better quality of life for every man, woman, and child regardless of their race, color, or creed without the fear of deportation. Freedom is transparent leadership for “We the People” vs. “Sellout” or dictatorship for everything, but “We the People.” Freedom is the right to be afforded a fair trial in a court of law regardless of one’s economic, geographic or demographic status. Freedom is representation equal to taxation. Freedom is a world without racism, classism or anything else that discriminates and/or causes division among us. Freedom is a judicial system that is for all people vs. continuous injustice for “just us”. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor it must be demanded by the oppressed.”
Councilman Mike Knox Discusses What Freedom Means to Him
“Give me LIBERTY or Give me Death!” These words are attributed to Patrick Henry from a speech he made to the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775. What was he talking about? Are these words relevant today?
The words Freedom and Liberty are often used interchangeably in conversation, and I will use them interchangeably in this article. Realistically they amount to the same thing. Both mean, in the broadest of terms, the absence of hindrance, restraint, confinement, or repression. Both Liberty and Freedom mean you can do whatever you want to do. Did Patrick Henry mean that Americans should be completely without restraint – I don’t think so.
Our Founding Fathers were avid readers of philosophy, logic, and apologetics. They studied Socrates, Aristotle, John Locke, and of course, the Bible. Many were in the habit of discussing serious issues like Freedom and Liberty as a source of evening entertainment. They came to understand that Freedom and Liberty meant individuals were free to do as they pleased provided; they did not hinder another person’s Freedom or Liberty. To put it in modern language, “your freedom to swing your arm ends where my nose begins.”
These founders of our country recognized that government authority (laws) inevitably leads to the tyranny of the people and places humans in an unnatural state of servitude to the will of the ruling class. They set about inventing a new form of government — not a Democracy, but rather a Republic.
Our founders understood that Democracy was flawed because it depended on the rule of the masses or majority rule. They understood the majority would always favor the larger group over the individual. A Republic, on the other hand, is based on the rule of law designed to protect the freedoms of the individual over the will of the majority. Unless, of course, the Republic was taken over by a despot, tyrant, or king. Their solution was brilliant. A democratically elected governing body, which could be managed by the majority, confined by the law enacted by the people through their elected representatives. The purpose of the whole exercise was to free the individual to have the liberty to pursue their definition of happiness through the exercise of individual free will.
We have all been engaged in this grand experiment for well over two hundred years, and we have not perfected it yet. Some would argue we have steadily yielded our Liberty to gain safety and security, that we are stifling free speech with political correctness and are losing the ability, as a nation, to disagree without being disagreeable. It seems our schools have stopped teaching the classics in favor of the convenient. Perhaps all this is true. However, I like to think these struggles are not new to the United States and that Liberty and Freedom will ultimately prevail.
Freedom and Liberty are, to me, the light at the end of the tunnel. The goal to which we must constantly struggle to achieve.
Americans have died in places near and far attempting to obtain this “Holy Grail” we call Freedom. From the first person killed in the Boston Massacre, Crispus Attucks, to the next person who gives their full measure of devotion in service to this nation and all who have sacrificed in past conflicts so we can continue to seek Freedom, Americans would rather have Liberty than life itself. So, it would appear to me, Patrick Henry’s words in 1775 are as true today as they were then.
I, for one, agree. Give me Liberty or Give me Death!”