REFLECTING ON THE PAST TO SHAPE OUR FUTURE

By Haley Burke
From – https://aframnews.com/
Reprinted – by Texas Metro News

With the world in constant motion and recent Supreme Court decisions making headlines, it’s essential to remember the greats of the past. Thurgood Marshall’s birthday, coming up on July 2nd, reminds us of his incredible legacy. As the first Black Supreme Court Justice, Marshall played a pivotal role in the Brown vs. Board of Education decision. His dedication to family and community is truly inspiring. Picture young Thurgood, working in his father’s restaurant, earning a $20 tip from a belligerent, racist senator. Th at experience taught him to navigate a system designed to disenfranchise and humiliate minorities, turning adversity into sweet, southern lemonade. Marshall’s rejection from the University of Maryland fueled his drive to become one of the most strategic and diligent lawyers of his time. Th is setback motivated him to win cases that paved the way for the historic Brown vs. Board of Education decision. His tenacity and understanding of which battles to fight and where to fight them showcased his genius and innovative mind.

In stark contrast, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas oft en seems to undermine the very paths that allowed him to inherit his position. Michael Waldman on MSNBC described Thomas’s approach as “originalism,” meaning only laws rooted in history and tradition are valid. Th is perspective suggests that the views of property-owning white men from the 1700s should govern modern America. Bless his heart! Overturning crucial legislation during such a critical election year highlights the need for vigilance.

Honoring Thurgood Marshall’s legacy is more important than ever. With six Texas Supreme Court seats up for either re-election or new appointments, educating oneself about the candidates is vital. Th e Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest appellate court in Texas for criminal cases, decides every appeal on the Texas death penalty. Additionally, the Houston 1st and 14th Court of Appeals have vacant seats. Candidates such as Brendetta Scott, Sarah Beth Landau, Julie Countiss, Richard Hightower, Amber Boyd-Lora, Velda Renita Faulkner, Charles Spain, Frances Bourliot, Megan Hassan, and Margaret “Meg” Passant are running for these positions. Understanding their platforms and decision-making processes is essential.
From one southern belle to another, it’s time to use the power at hand.

Thurgood Marshall once said, “Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. Th is is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.” Recipe of the Month: Pineapple Coconut Cake No southern reflection is complete without a sweet treat. Th is month’s delight is a Pineapple Coconut Cake, adapted from grandbaby-cakes.com. It’s perfect for enjoying on a porch swing with a cool glass of sweet tea.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp coconut extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups cake fl our
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut For the frosting:
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room tem-perature
• 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp coconut extract
• 1 cup sweetened shred-