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Although objectivity is the foundation of a newspaper’s creditability, African-American News & Issues has more than a transitory interest in Frances Elaine Newton’s sad situation. Newton, who’s only known by most citizens to be the first Black woman in Texas’ history to receive the death penalty for allegedly cold bloodedly killing her husband and two kids, is no stranger to ANN&I. It just so happens that Newton is a member of one of Acres Home’s well-known and respected pioneer families that lived a stone’s throw from (our publication’s corporate headquarters) Malonson Company, Inc’s compound. In addition, the publisher’s family could literally stand in their backyard and talk with Newton’s family members. Consequently, her stepfather’s siblings were our publisher and several staff member’s classmates. Further-more, the family had a brood of boys who regularly got their hair cut at (the Malonson clan’s late patriarch) Curley’s barbershop. Therefore, because of the ties that certainly bind alone, it would be very difficult to believe that our lifelong neighbors and friends could produce a monster that deserves to be put to death. Objectivity notwithstanding, Newton’s story should be taken very personal. Moreso, by Black youngsters that fail to grasp the concept of family values. Then again, perhaps, it’s time for African Americans to redefine their family values from an “old school” Black perspective, insofar as it has become a hollow political buzzword.

We Must Understand, when any ethnicity’s younger generation is Americanized by the nation’s education system, e.g., the media (infecting their thought processes like a computer virus), their family values are at risk. Ironically, in spite of our slave history, Black people were known for our strong family values. So, what happened? In essence, Frances Elaine Newton’s sad situation should send a message to our confused younger generation wont to emulate The Brave New World. It’s essential that they understand that their (good or bad) personal choices ultimately impact their whole family. Perish the thought that Frances doesn’t have our utmost sympathy, albeit she has made some very poor and/or selfish choices in her young life. Nor are we making a veiled attempt to pass judgment on her, or the generation that she represents. We are only warning Black America’s future leaders that “Black family” values are germane to our people’s survival. Fact is, as the uncompromised editorial voice of Black Ame-rica, we would be remiss not to seize an opportunity to use Newton’s unfortunate situation to send a message to made in America Africans that no longer value the family values that our slave ancestors instilled in our elders. The destruction of the Black family is far too devious and complex to be fully addressed. It in this limited space. But, suffice it to say, that we’ve allowed our malleable minded children to become divided and confused under the guise of education and edification via the mainstream media (FYI: “Hollywood’s greedy movie moguls will do almost anything to make a dollar. That includes producing silly, foolish sitcoms. Meanwhile, they appeal to those that find that they need to be entertained in a frivolous way. But, too many people watching sitcoms on television is a waste of time. So, while many conservatives speak for intelligent White people and conservative White America, they do not speak for Black people. It is tragic and tough that some Blacks have become so confused that they think they have the same family values as White people. Therefore, many foolish Blacks actually thought that the conservative right was talking about Black family values also. So, if I take issue with the Republicans and the other conservative family value seekers on the right, I also don't opt for Hollywood. You are crazy if you think that the movie industry has some responsibility toward principles. It is totally out of the question for any sane person to let a bunch of actors and materialistic Hollywood tycoons set standards in the Black community. The success of the Black family rests on love by mother, father, aunt, uncle and the true essence of parental and sibling love. This particular love has to realize the particular circumstances that have caused certain behavior. The standards of Black family values can also lean heavily on the essence of a mother and father and not just a one-parent household. As you know, certain circumstances have caused an ongoing rise in Black female head of households. Once again, Blacks are left out of the equation, because White family values are exclusive to Whites. There are some basic parallels, but each ethnic group has definite cultural values unique a-mong themselves.” -www.blackseek, com.) And that’s how it is, whether we tell it or not. Meanwhile, we can’t even imagine what a person on death row goes through. Even so, it can’t be much worse than what their family goes through. Especially when the family values its wayward children, whether they value their family or not.