One of the first African-Americans to graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary, Hawkins is now involved in mentoring men in his church to run for office. Dr. LaSalle Vaughn of the New Life Christian Center in San Antonio spoke about the need for churches to educate Christians about racism from a Christian perspective. In reference to the Million Man March, both Vaughn and Brown lambasted Louis Farrakhan, admonishing the Nation of Islam leader for what they view as a shameful, divisive appropriation of religion. According to the publication Texas Lawyer , Gonzales has held a weekly prayer and Bible study meeting at his courthouse for the past ten years. Gonzalez' speech was ridden with 'pro-family' non sequiturs.
Family values are the true check against crime.
Of the seven member seats on the Coalition's board, he reported, two have been offered to persons of Hispanic heritage. Listening to focus group participants has apparently enlightened Coalition leaders to a number of factors that influence Latino perceptions of Reed and his ilk. They have learned, for instance, that many Latinos reject the Republican party because they regard it as the guardian of the interests of the wealthy. Latino participants have expressed offense at the Anglo-centered Texan tradition of glorifying the battle of the Alamo. In collective Texan memory, the battle is historicized through the memorializing of Anglo heroes like Davy Crockett and William Travis, and the demonizing of the Mexican army and its leader General Santa Anna.