By Roy Douglas Malonson
Afram News
https://aframnews.com/
Let’s be real — the 18th Congressional District used to mean something. It was power, pride, and presence. But right now, Houston’s Black community is sitting quiet while politicians and power players keep making moves that don’t include us. The 18th seat is still without a real voice, and people are tired of waiting while the same names play the same political games.
We’re calling names because somebody has to. Governor Greg Abbott could’ve acted faster to ensure this district didn’t go months without representation. Folks here pay taxes, we vote, and yet we’ve been left without a seat at the table. Meanwhile, candidates are raising hundreds of thousands of dollars — Amanda Edwards pulled in over $1 million, Christian Menefee close behind with big law firm money — but how much of that came back to Black neighborhoods or Black-owned media? Almost none.
And now, the race just got even more complicated. Congressman Al Green has officially announced that he’s entering the race for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, saying the new redistricting map places his home within the 18th — which was most recently represented by the late Congressman and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. Green called it “the permanent seat,” signaling that he intends to stay and make his mark.
That means whoever’s running now — from Edwards to Menefee to anyone else with ambition — will have to go head-to-head with one of Houston’s most recognized political figures. But the question is, will any of them actually fight for the people in Acres Homes, Fifth Ward, or Kashmere Gardens? Because the truth is, voters there don’t care about who’s next in line — they care about rent, roads, and real results.
The 18th has turned into a trophy seat — a political stepping stone instead of a people’s platform. And while Governor Abbott’s delay left the district voice- less, the silence from local Democratic leaders made it worse.
So here’s the message from the people: whoever wins next — Al Green included — you better show up in our streets, our schools, and our media. Because Houston’s Black community is done being invisible.
