Houston Newsmakers: Houston-area survey shows 40 years strong

Big changes after year of pandemic

Auto Emissions create pollution

HOUSTON – Dr. Stephen Klineberg, Ph.D., has been taking the pulse of the Houston area for 40 years through the Houston area survey that started at Rice University.

The survey results became so popular for leaders in business and politics that it is now a part of the annual efforts of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research for which Klineberg is the founding director.

This year’s survey was particularly important as it highlighted changes in attitudes in the greater Houston area after a year of pandemic.

Among this year’s findings:

  • Minority groups hit especially hard
  • More government involvement welcomed
  • More tolerance for undocumented immigrants

Dr. Klineberg is a guest on this week’s Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall. See the full interview there and more in this week’s Houston Newsmakers EXTRA.

Racism studied by Critical Race Theory Scholars

Racism continues to be a divisive topic in America. It’s always difficult to talk about with some denying it still exists or was a part of the founding of this country.

What is the truth? Scholars of Critical Race Theory say their goal is not to assign blame but help all of us face the facts.

“If we are going to advance toward racial progress, we have to face the truth about the wickedness and horror about our American past,” said Dr. Jonathan Chism, Ph.D., Assistant History Professor at UH-Downtown.

Chism and several colleagues edited the text, “Critical Race Studies Across Disciplines” and he says focuses on college-level conversations about the deep roots and unintended consequences of racism. “It is at times uncomfortable and challenging but we have to face it.”

More with Dr. Chism in Houston Newsmakers EXTRA

11,000 Texas children are waiting to be adopted

Ashley Fields co-founded The Way Home Adoption program six years ago as a way to focus attention on the thousands of children in Texas between the ages of 11-17 waiting to be adopted.

“This is where we traditionally see the adoption rates start to decline,” she said. “There are more than 11-thousand kids in Texas Foster Care system waiting to be adopted and a large percentage of those are over the age of 11.”

Fields is a guest this week along with 14-year-old “Devante” who is waiting for and hoping to be adopted. Please watch and see how you can help. Contact information to the organization is below.

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