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COMMENTARY: The Great Potential of Black Children in Texas

Published

2 months ago

August 25, 2026

Every child deserves a fair chance to learn, grow, and achieve their dreams. In Texas, millions of brilliant, creative, and hard-working Black children want to become doctors, engineers, artists, and leaders. However, facts show that Black youth face tough challenges that make it much harder for them to succeed. This is not because of who they are or how hard they try. Instead, it is because of unfair rules, historical problems, and a lack of resources in their schools and neighborhoods. By understanding these problems and looking at real solutions, we can help every Black child in Texas reach their full potential.To understand why this happens, we must look at where the money goes. Texas is a wealthy state, but it ranks 47th in the nation for how much money it spends on each student. Even worse, schools are funded by local property taxes.

This means neighborhoods with lower incomes get less money for education. Because of this, about 35% of majority-Black schools in Texas get low grades like a “D” or “F” from the state, while only 8% of majority-white schools do. Many underfunded schools do not have enough teachers, up-to-date computers, or advanced classes like Algebra II. On top of that, Texas recently started a voucher program that takes tax money away from public schools and gives it to private schools. This hurts Black children because most private schools are in wealthy areas, leaving public schools with fewer resources. Another major hurdle inside the school building is unfair punishment.

Studies show that Texas school districts are two and a half times more likely to suspend Black students in early grades, like Pre-K through second grade, than white students for the exact same behaviors. When kids are constantly kicked out of class, they miss important lessons and start to feel rejected by their school. This problem is called the “school-to-prison pipeline.”
When children are pushed out of classrooms, they are much more likely to fall behind, drop out of high school, or get into trouble with the law later in life. Additionally, many schools in low-income neighborhoods do not have enough counselors to help kids deal with stress, but they do have school police officers who treat normal mistakes like crimes.

Outside of school, life can also be very stressful for many Black families in Texas. About 29% of Black children in Texas live in poverty, which means their families struggle to pay for basic necessities. It is very hard for a student to focus on a math test if they did not eat breakfast, or if their family is worried about losing their apartment. Texas also has a very high number of people without health insurance. When a child cannot see a doctor or get glasses when they need them, their grades suffer. Furthermore, the child welfare system treats Black families differently. Black children make up only 11% of the Texas population, but they make up 21% of the kids taken away by Child Protective Services. This creates deep sadness and instability. Even though these problems are big, there are clear solutions that can fix them.

First, Texas needs to change how it funds education. Instead of taking money away for private school vouchers, the state should use its billions of dollars in extra cash to fund public schools equally. Schools should also stop punishing kids by sending them away. Instead, they should use “restorative justice,” which teaches students how to fix their mistakes and stay in class. Schools also need more Black teachers. Research shows that when Black students have teachers who look like them, they do better in school and feel more confident about their futures.Right now, there are also great groups helping Black children succeed.

Organizations like the 100 Black Men and the African American Youth Harvest Foundation offer free tutoring, fun summer camps, and mentors who help kids plan for college. At home, families can help by teaching children to be proud of their history and who they are. When kids know they are strong and intelligent, they can face tough challenges without giving up.In conclusion, Black children in Texas have all the talent in the world, but the system around them needs to be fixed. By giving schools equal money, stopping unfair punishments, and supporting families with healthcare and food, Texas can become a place where every child can thrive. It takes everyone working together to make sure that a child’s future is determined by their big dreams, not by the hurdles in their way.

The post THE GREAT POTENTIAL OF BLACK CHILDREN IN TEXAS appeared first on African American News and Issues.

Based on reporting by African-American News and Issues – Dallas.

The post COMMENTARY: The Great Potential of Black Children in Texas appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

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Oakland Post

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

1 week ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.