Roland Martin Unfiltered
Roland Martin Unfiltered
April 20, 2026

Louisiana Father Kills 8 Children. White Brothers Commit Hate Crime. Skin by Miriam Be #TheBreakdown

YouTube · pAGj1DzDQ2I

Quick Read

This episode covers a tragic mass shooting in Louisiana tied to domestic violence, a controversial congressional exchange on "reparenting" Black children, Virginia's critical redistricting amendment, and a breast cancer survivor's journey to holistic healing and natural skincare entrepreneurship.
A mass shooting in Shreveport highlights the urgent need for domestic violence intervention and community support.
Controversial remarks by a federal official on "reparenting" Black children spark outrage over historical trauma and medical bias.
A breast cancer survivor's holistic healing journey leads to a successful natural skincare business, emphasizing self-love and clean living.

Summary

The episode opens with a press conference addressing a devastating mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, where a father killed eight children. Local officials detail the rapid response, emphasize the prevalence of domestic violence, and urge community support and accurate information sharing. Following this, a congressional exchange highlights a contentious statement by the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the "reparenting" of Black children on ADHD medication, drawing criticism for its historical insensitivity and lack of scientific basis. The discussion then shifts to Virginia's constitutional amendment on redistricting, with a campaign manager advocating for a 'yes' vote to empower voters against partisan gerrymandering. The episode concludes with an interview featuring Miriam Celeste Black, a 10-year breast cancer survivor, who shares her journey of combining traditional treatment with holistic healing, leading to the creation of her natural skincare line, Miriam B.
This episode provides a critical look at pressing societal issues, from the immediate aftermath of extreme domestic violence and the systemic challenges it represents, to the political discourse around race, health, and voting rights. It also offers an inspiring narrative of personal resilience and entrepreneurial spirit in the face of a life-threatening illness, providing practical advice on holistic well-being and business creation. The diverse topics underscore the complex interplay of public safety, political accountability, and personal health in contemporary society.

Takeaways

  • Louisiana officials detailed a rapid, multi-jurisdictional response to a mass shooting where a father killed eight children, stressing the need for domestic violence resources.
  • A congressional hearing featured a heated exchange over the Secretary of Health and Human Services' alleged comments on "reparenting" Black children on ADHD medication, drawing accusations of historical insensitivity.
  • Virginia voters are considering a constitutional amendment on redistricting, framed by supporters as a temporary measure to return power to voters and combat partisan gerrymandering.
  • Breast cancer survivor Miriam Celeste Black advocates for a holistic approach to health, combining traditional medicine with exercise, clean eating, stress reduction, and self-love, which inspired her natural skincare line, Miriam B.

Insights

1Domestic Violence Crisis in Shreveport and Call for Resources

A mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, resulted in eight child fatalities and injured women, stemming from domestic violence. Local officials, including Mayor Tom Marsho, Council Chair Uba Taylor, and Councilman Grayson Ber, emphasized the widespread nature of domestic violence in the city and the critical need for individuals experiencing abuse to seek available resources and support.

Mayor Tom Marsho stated, 'If you are experiencing abuse and violence in your home, seek the resources. Don't stay where you are.' Council Chair Uba Taylor added, 'Domestic violence is nobody's joke. It is real. And these are the residual effects of what happens if we're not paying attention.'

2Controversy Over "Reparenting" Black Children on ADHD Medication

During a congressional hearing, Alabama Congresswoman Terry Sewell challenged the Secretary of Health and Human Services on his alleged past remarks suggesting that Black children on ADHD medication should be 'reparented' and sent to 'wellness farms.' Sewell underscored the historical trauma of family separation within the Black community and criticized the Secretary for promoting unscientific statements from his position.

Congresswoman Sewell quoted the Secretary: 'Every black kid is now just standardly put on aderall, SSRI, benzo, which are known to induce violence, and that those children are going to have to go somewhere to get repared.' She later stated, 'For you to suggest that black families are not capable of raising their own children is deeply offensive.'

3Virginia's Redistricting Amendment and Voter Power

Virginia voters are set to decide on a controversial constitutional amendment that could allow lawmakers to re-enter the redistricting process under certain conditions. Karen E. Charles Donko, campaign manager for Virginians for Fair Elections, framed this as a temporary, necessary measure to reclaim voter power and prevent partisan gerrymandering, citing support from prominent Democratic leaders like Barack Obama and Governor Spanberger.

Karen E. Charles Donko explained, 'This is a temporary measure to address the emergency going on in our nation right now. Redistricting in Virginia will return to its normal process after the 2030 census.' She also stated, 'President Barack Obama is an absolute yes for this vote yes campaign.'

4Holistic Healing and Entrepreneurship After Breast Cancer

Miriam Celeste Black, a 10-year breast cancer survivor, shared her journey of combining traditional medical treatments with a holistic lifestyle, including exercise, clean eating, stress reduction, and self-love. This transformative experience led her to create Miriam B., a natural skincare line inspired by traditional practices from Africa, Asia, and India, emphasizing the importance of clean products.

Miriam stated, 'I did the traditional and added the holistic route.' She detailed her routine: 'I made exercise a part of my routine, eating right, reading labels.' She also noted, 'God said, 'I need you to share. I need you to tell your story. I want you to educate the people.''

Opportunities

Miriam B. Skincare Line

A natural skincare brand offering products like African black soap, Moroccan black soap, and white black soap, along with various fragrances. The line is inspired by traditional skincare practices from Africa, Asia, and India, focusing on natural oils, butters, and powders. It emphasizes clean ingredients and promotes a holistic lifestyle.

Source: Miriam Celeste Black

Lessons

  • If experiencing domestic violence, actively seek out available resources and support systems like domestic violence centers or non-profits; do not remain in unsafe situations.
  • Prioritize a holistic approach to health by integrating exercise, mindful eating (including reading product labels), stress reduction techniques, and self-love into your daily routine, especially when facing significant health challenges.
  • Before heading to the polls, thoroughly understand the implications of ballot measures, particularly those related to voting rights and redistricting, by seeking information from trusted sources and campaign managers.
  • For entrepreneurs, leverage personal transformative experiences, such as overcoming illness, to inspire and develop mission-driven businesses that educate and empower others, focusing on authentic storytelling and product development.

Notable Moments

Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith details a minute-by-minute timeline of the mass shooting incident, from the first disturbance call to the suspect's death and the discovery of victims across multiple crime scenes.

This provides a concrete, real-time account of a complex and tragic event, highlighting the rapid, coordinated efforts of law enforcement and the scale of the crisis faced by first responders.

Congresswoman Terry Sewell confronts the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding his controversial comments about "reparenting" Black children on ADHD medication, emphasizing the historical context of family separation in the Black community.

This moment exposes a high-stakes political debate on racial sensitivity, medical ethics, and the responsibility of public officials' statements, particularly concerning vulnerable populations.

Miriam Celeste Black shares her personal journey of surviving stage 3B breast cancer and transforming her life through holistic healing, which led to the creation of her natural skincare line.

This segment offers an inspiring narrative of resilience, demonstrating how a life-altering health crisis can be a catalyst for personal growth, a shift to healthier living, and entrepreneurial success.

Quotes

"

"If you are experiencing abuse and violence in your home, seek the resources. Don't stay where you are. Seek the resources to escape. The biggest lesson that we have is that we must protect those who cannot protect themselves."

Mayor Tom Marsho
"

"Domestic violence is nobody's joke. It is real. And these are the residual effects of what happens if we're not paying attention."

Council Chair Uba Taylor
"

"For you to suggest that black families are not capable of raising their own children is deeply offensive. Sir, you are the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the world's most powerful country, and your words matter."

Congresswoman Terry Sewell
"

"It's not only about eating right and exercise. It's about your spirit. It's about reducing stress. It's about loving you, right? Loving you. Because a lot of times in our community, especially as black women, we don't understand that all love begins and your first love should begin with you."

Miriam Celeste Black

Q&A

Recent Questions

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