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By Lou Yeboah

“I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come…: And there followed him another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation, and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”

Such, my, friends, is God’s message for this generation. I want you to know that this judgment of God is now in session. You and I are in a world emergency. The financial crisis, racial conflicts, and violent weather should make us realize that God wants to get our attention. He is shaking everything that can be shaken. We are already feeling the ’birth pangs’ Jesus said would proceed the end times. This world’s contractions are close together, the earth is dilated to 10 and could deliver at any time! The New Testament tells us that the day of his return is not far away: “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here” [Romans 13:12). “The Lord is at hand” [Philippians 4:5]. “The Lord’s coming is near” [James 5:8]. “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” [Revelation 22:20].  Jesus said, “Learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things [signs of the end of the age], know that He [Jesus] is near, even at the doors.” [Matthew 24:32–33]. Jesus adds this important exhortation: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” [Luke 21:36].

I tell you, BE PREPARED because we are living in a day and age unlike any other time in the history of mankind; and if we become complacent, we could suffer loss. So watch and consider the following “buds of the fig tree.” There is the proverbial “handwriting on the wall.” It is vitally IMPORTANT that we do not underestimate the perilous times we’re living in!

Consider there are conditions that could easily erupt into a rapid progression of circumstances igniting the world into catastrophic chaos. The book of Revelation explains that “power was given unto them [the four horsemen] OVER THE FOURTH PART of the earth, to kill with the sword [second horseman], and with hunger [third horseman], and with death [fourth horseman], and with the beasts of the earth” [Revelation 6:8].

The apostle John warned us that 25 percent of the population of the world will be destroyed by the effects of these four horsemen contained in the FIRST FOUR SEALS [Revelation 6:8]! Then following right on the heels of these first four seals, is the fifth seal describing a horrific Christian martyrdom. Quickly following is the sixth seal, describing heavenly signs in the sky, with the seventh seal opening up thereafter to announce the “seven trumpets,” outlining the great day of God’s wrath [Revelation 6:17].

The point is, we are living in volatile times that are unlike any time before. Beware, and WATCH [Luke 21:29–36]! A storm is brewing! Indeed, the “fig tree” is putting forth “buds”!

Will you repent of your sins and turn to God? Or will you be just like the people in Noah’s day, ignoring the warning messages and rejecting God’s righteous ways [Matthew 24:37-39, 44].

Just like Noah, the prophet of God, was very likely mocked and ridiculed for preaching “righteousness” [2 Peter 2:5]. The Bible reveals that in the end times, prior to Christ’s return, people will also ignore warnings to repent. As Peter notes, “Scoffers will come in the last days, … saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:3-4). But Jesus added, “Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” [Luke 21:34-36].

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media  

The California Democratic Party African American Caucus (CDPAAC) is calling on all elected officials in California at the local, state and national levels to take a firm stand against racism.   

By signing the Emmett Till Anti-Racism Pledge, the CDPAAC says politicians, who are the most important decision makers in California, can demonstrate in a public and symbolic way that they denounce racism and support a society for all Californians that is fair, just and safe.  

“The Democratic party and the people of California?must never forget about the murder of Emmett Till. It ignited the first civil rights movement. He was that generation’s George Floyd and Breonna Taylor,” said Taisha Brown, chair of the CDPAAC.   

Brown, who lives in San Diego and was elected last year to lead the statewide group that represents Black registered Democrats across California, said standing up against Racism in all of its forms is one of the top priorities of the caucus.   

“The Black Caucus continues to serve in its historic role?as the conscious of the California Democratic Party,” Brown told California Black Media. “Many in this country and around the state of California are trying to find out what they can do to contribute to this historic time in our nation’s history. The caucus wanted to assist individuals and elected officials in doing their part to fight against racism. It is a public health crisis.”  

In California, about 73% of all likely Black Voters are registered Democrats, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.   

Named for the 14-year-old African American boy who was brutally lynched in Mississippi in 1955 after being accused of offending a White woman, the Emmitt Till Pledge calls on elected officials to direct their “energies to combat bigotry and hate in our great state.”  

“We are committed to standing up for equality, safety, and justice for ALL of the citizens of California,” the pledge continues, before asking the politicos to sign. “We pledge to take the bold and aggressive steps to combat bigotry and racism throughout our state to ensure that every individual is able to claim their ‘unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness’ as our Declaration of Independence states.”   

“The cruelness, barbarism, and brutality of his murder were heartbreaking,” a statement the CDPAAC released said of Till’s murder.   

In 2017, Till’s accuser, Carolyn Bryant Donham, told Timothy B. Tyson, an author and Duke University professor, that she lied when she reported that Till of assaulted her 65 years ago.   

After a five-day trial, a jury in Sumner, Miss., acquitted Till’s killers.   

The CDPAAC pledge asks elected officials to make seven affirmations, which include not allowing racist conversation in their presence; protecting all people who face discrimination; contracting with Black-owned businesses and vendors for campaign and government-related events; enacting policies that promote all Californians; among other positive actions.   

“The Black Caucus will work with the Democratic party to email the petition to elected officials and encourage our members to request that their elected representatives at all levels sign it,” said Brown.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On Friday, September 11, Community Action Partnership San Bernardino will be doing a CAPSBC Cares Meals Challenge. There are two ways that people can participate, which is through a virtual food drive and food donation.

The event will kick off at Inland Center Mall in San Bernardino from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.capsbc.org/virtualfooddrive.

By Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media

California’s overall 2020 Census response rate is a few points higher than the national response rate. But advocates pushing for an accurate and complete count in the state say in many of the counties where African Americans and other minorities live, the response rates remain a few points lower than the state average.  

On Sept. 3, Los Angeles County held a briefing where county administrators from across the state stressed the importance of the census for communities of color and warned residents about the new deadline to complete their census form.  

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Director Steven Dillingham announced Aug. 3 that the agency would end all counting efforts, including door-knocking and collecting responses online, over the phone and by mail, on Sept. 30, a month earlier than the previous deadline. 

As of Sept. 7, 67.6 % of Californians had self-responded to the census either online, by phone or by mail. In census tracts in L.A. County with an African American population of 33.3 % or higher, an average of 59.6% of households have self-responded to the census. 

“The accelerated timeline to complete the census has the potential to harm low-income individuals and people of color. We know they are traditionally harder to reach and would benefit most from door-to-door outreach, which began just last month. The concern is that this administration is trying to undercount those who would most benefit from funding that is determined by census data,” said Judith Vasquez, Senior Advisor to L.A. County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, 1st District. 

The National Urban League, the League of Women Voters and multiple advocacy groups and local governments, including the City of Los Angeles, filed a lawsuit opposing the federal government’s decision to shorten the timeframe of the 2020 Census, arguing that ending the count early would result in an inaccurate tally. On Sept. 6, a federal judge ordered the Census Bureau to resume its full-scale population count through Sept. 17, when the lawsuit will be considered. 

The population count compiled by the census is used to allocate political representation and federal funding for numerous programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the national school lunch program, housing assistance and COVID-19 aid. If communities of color are counted inaccurately, they would lose millions of federal dollars and adequate political representation. 

“The more people that are counted means more resources for the programs and services that so many county residents rely on. Not filing out your census literally means that you are throwing away money for your neighborhood and for your community,” said Acting Los Angeles County Chief Executive Officer Fesia Davenport. 

“At a time when so many of our communities are feeling short-changed, and the need for federal resources more than ever, filing out the census form is more than just sharing information, it’s actually a way of taking action to claim the resources that we are entitled to, and that the county needs to improve lives through caring, effective and equitable services in every community,” said Davenport. 

Official census takers going door-to-door wear census ID badges with a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and expiration date, and they may also carry a bag or other equipment bearing the U.S. Census Bureau logo. They are also required to wear masks in compliance with Centers of Disease Control regulations. 

The census can be completed online, by phone or by mail. The online form and general information in 59 languages are available at my2020census.gov, and the phone number is 844-330-2020. 

Jesse James Nichols was the fourth of seven children born to James Edward and Carrie Bell Nichols on December 9, 1958, in San Bernardino, California.  He attended California Elementary, Shandin Hills Middle School and Eisenhower High Schools. During those years, Jesse became a skilled football player and a self-taught artist.  The family attended St. John Church of God in Christ where Richard Tribble was the pastor.  After high school, Jesse attended San Bernardino Valley College for two years. He played football while there. In 1978, he enlisted in the U. S. Army. His tours included travel to many parts of the world including: England, Panama, Korea and Germany.

In July 2003, Jesse married Victoria (Vicki) Lee and the couple donated their time, skills and passion to the service of others, feeding the homeless, assisting seniors, and serving people in need throughout the community in more capacities than his page can contain. The people of San Bernardino know and love the dynamic duo, Vicki and Jesse, the King and Queen of the Black Culture Foundation, and the city mourns with Vicki and the family.  In 2003, Jesse joined New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in 2003 under the leadership of Dr. Robert L. Fairley. He was a member of the Drama Ministry and the New Hope Security Team. He remained an active member until God called him home on Tuesday, August 18, 2020.  The viewing will take place on Thursday, September 10th, 2 PM – 4 PM, Community Memorial Chapel, 738 East Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, California 92404.  The homegoing service will be live streamed from Community Memorial Chapel on Friday, September 11, 2020 at 11:00 AM.  Please call Community Memorial Chapel at (909) 713-2093 for the link.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Omnitrans is set to implement significant service changes on September 8, including new, realigned, and eliminated routes, a microtransit pilot project, and restoration of some service that was reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re pleased to welcome our customers back with enhanced cleaning and increased frequency on our most popular routes,” said Omnitrans CEO/General Manager Erin Rogers. “This service change implementation maximizes system efficiency to prepare our agency for future transit needs and financial sustainability.”

In all, 27 of the agency’s 32 current routes are scheduled for changes, including resumption of 20-minute service on Omnitrans’ core network, Routes 1, 3, 4, 14, 61, 66, the elimination of seven routes and the introduction of four new routes to cover most of the impacted service areas. The new routes also will provide connections to the communities of Eastvale and the Ontario-East Metrolink station for the first time.

The agency also will introduce OmniRide microtransit service in Chino Hills and parts of Chino, which allows customers to make reservations on the OmniRide On-Demand mobile app and be picked up and delivered to specific locations in the service area on weekdays, much like Uber or Lyft service.

Detailed information on all service changes is available at www.omnitrans.org/guide-to-september-2020-service-changes/.

These service changes implement Omnitrans’ ConnectForward plan, which was introduced earlier this year at a series of 22 public meetings throughout the region. The plan was finalized following customer feedback and approved by the agency Board of Directors this summer.

LOS ANGELES, CA—- Many people have experienced violence and abuse yet live in silence. Fear, shame, rejection and the thought of further abuse has kept secrets locked away from even our closest family and friends.

Voices of Truth project is an opportunity for those who have experienced violence or abuse to empower themselves, by telling their truth and as a result, help prevent someone else from a similar experience. Your truth can be anonymous if you prefer!

The Positive Results Center is looking for Black/ African (Americans) and their Descents of all ages and genders that are interested in sharing their truth for an upcoming handbook. This project will create awareness, helping to prevent violence and abuse, and assist people in healing.

Research shows that even brief autobiographical storytelling exercises can have substantial impacts on psychological and physical health even months after the storytelling. Resilience is strengthened by recognizing that we are all experts in our own lives, and we all have something to share with others.

“Silence allows the violence to grow“, says Kandee Lewis, Executive Director of The Positive Results Center. “We are seeking truth to the experiences of those who have been victimized, including: Signs of abuse; what others (parents, guardians & the general public) may not see, which is hidden in plain sight; concerning behavior to be aware of; and strategies for prevention that can help further victimization”.

We are seeking information on all types of violence including dating, domestic & intimate partner violence, gun violence, sexual assault, stalking, sex trafficking, survival sex and sex industry, financial and spiritual abuse to name a few.

To submit your Truth go to https://bit.ly/VoicesofTruth

If your submission is selected you will receive a $50 Gift Card

Not all submissions will be published.

Deadline is September 22, 2020.

ABOUT THE POSITIVE RESULTS CENTER

Positive Results Center address trauma from a cultural and age perspective; specializing in healthy relationships, dating & intimate partner violence, sexual assault, bullying & suicide awareness.

Their workshops include Understanding How Trauma is Manifested; QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Awareness; Youth Peer Advocacy Training; Healthy Relationships; Positive Family Dynamics; Leadership Development; College and Career Readiness, and Self Esteem. Learn more at http://prc123.org .

By Hazel Trice Edney

As COVID-19 wreaks havoc on a digital and educational divide that has already severely impacted African American and other children of color, yet another situation on the horizon could further increase disparities by hindering access to crucial technological tools, according to experts.

Two cases pending before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) are being watched by educators and lawmakers who describe them as deeply troubling. Many big names in technology are under attack – including Amazon, Apple, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Samsung, and Sony – and tech experts say the outcomes of these cases are absolutely realistic threats to the ability to obtain certain mobile communication devices – an outcome that would increase the digital divide even further during this unprecedented time of online learning.

In a nutshell, Neodron, a company just recently created in Ireland, is seeking to block the import of more than 90 percent of mobile touchscreen devices, like smartphones, tablets and touchscreen laptops, that come into the United States. Neodron doesn’t design or manufacture products within the U.S. Its business plan is to acquire patents and then sue for infringement.

The cases have caught the attention of members of Congress, and those in the tech world express major concern.

“When we talk about digital divide, you’re talking primarily about the availability of high-speed internet and its distribution across our nation. The big problem with this patent infringement claim is that the vast majority of inner-city schools still have barely sufficient internet connection,” says Michael Russell, the lead instructor for information technology, security and forensics at the Pittsburgh Technical College since 2002.

Russell points out that “the majority of young people who access the internet today access the internet from their smartphones.” Particularly low-income children often use their smartphones in order to get on the Internet.

He believes the Neodron case could impact their educational lives.

Russell used the term “patent pirate” when describing the activities of companies like Neodron which acquires patents for the purpose of financial gain. Neodron recently obtained patents from Microchip Technologies, possibly with the motive of filing petitions asking the ITC to investigate and close the U.S. market to nearly all smartphones, tablets, and laptops. In short, Neodron is putting the devices that people rely on at risk amidst a season when they need them most.

According to a statement by the ITC, the complaint “alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain touch-controlled mobile devices, computers, and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.”

Restricting the import of these devices into the United States would cause educational and personal hardships for people largely dependent on their smartphones and other affected devices.

The issue is so dire that two members of Congress formed a bipartisan partnership to deal with it. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) and David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) introduced the Advancing America’s Interests Act to stop patent abuse through the ITC and to assure that the agency adheres to a high standard of public interest.

“The ITC was established to protect U.S. companies and consumers from unfair foreign competition, but in recent years, patent licensing entities have abused the ITC process for financial gain,” said DelBene in a joint release. “This legislation addresses this problem and helps protect American businesses from unfair and unjustified claims.”

Schweikert called the legislation “an important step in the right direction towards reforming the ITC’s unfair imports process to ensure that American businesses have equitable access to protection for their ideas.”

This potential impact of this case cannot be overlooked as African-Americans and other racial minorities have been so disproportionally impacted by COVID-19. As lives have become almost totally dependent upon access to the internet and remote services, the impact of an ITC exclusion order would have a broad reach.

Instead of rushing to get children out the door to catch the school bus and then driving into work, many parents now struggle to manage their children’s education as schools have shifted to remote learning and parents work from home. Government services of all types are now online, from job applications to business licenses to unemployment claims. And then there’s access to health care.  

Throughout the pandemic, it has become clear that telehealth is surging and is a crucial resource that allows people to protect both their community as a whole and the healthcare workers providing their critical services.

According to a recent study, up to 42 million people may not have access to broadband, a figure that is disproportionately made up of African-Americans and other people of color. But without the devices necessary to even access the internet, the problem becomes worse and communities of color are at a great disadvantage.

A key concern is that since the COVID-19 pandemic, an already serious struggle for low income students of color, has been exacerbated.

The Greenlining Institute, a 27-year-old multi-racial organization in Oakland, Calif. that aims to end economic discrimination such as redlining, conducted a survey of Oakland and Fresno, Calif. residents before COVID-19. The findings were as gloomy as expected. But all of the common themes were “made more urgent by the pandemic”, the Institute reports on its website.

Those common themes include “Internet access is not a luxury; Lack of access creates significant hurdles for everyday life; Smartphone access is insufficient; Internet plans designed for low-income families are inadequate; Lack of access is a barrier to academic success.”

Russell says if Neodron prevails, these issues could expand and get even worse for more people across the nation.

“I’m not only talking about just young people,” he said. “I’m talking about the elderly needing to monitor their health care, making appointments with the doctor and things of that nature. All of those things could be adversely impacted. Mostly inner city; mostly Black and Latino families would continue to have the largest impact.”

As the issue spirals, even more considerations will come into play.

“The educational, financial and personal need for the internet could lead to an even greater conflict than the inability to get online,” says Russell, who also teaches regulatory compliance. “I do believe that technology has a potential of being another form of warfare,” he says. “I’m really concerned about that. Like economic warfare. We have a company located in another country filing a claim against American corporations that could adversely impact the way we live and do business. That’s a real deal.”

By Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media

Inmate firefighting crews, made up of more than 2,000 inmate firefighters per year, have helped extinguish many of the biggest wildfires in California.  

However, once they’re released, they cannot serve in that profession under current law because of their criminal records.  

Now, AB 2147, a law that would lift that restriction, has been sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign after passing both the State Senate and Assembly on Aug. 30. The bill allows nonviolent offenders who’ve participated in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations’ fire camps to have their records expunged after release. 

In California, previously incarcerated persons are often turned away from fire departments because of their conviction records and state licensing rules, even if they fought fires while incarcerated. Currently, it takes years to get their records expunged, which would allow them to obtain Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification. 

“AB 2147 ensures that formerly incarcerated people who have successfully participated as incarcerated firefighters have a pathway to meaningful employment,” said Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes (D – Grand Terrace), the bill’s author. “These individuals have received valuable training and placed themselves in danger to defend the life and property of Californians. Due to their service to the state of California protecting lives and property, those individuals that successfully complete their service in the fire camps should be granted special consideration relating to their underlying criminal conviction.” 

The bill comes to Gov. Newsom during a particularly strong wildfire season, which has collectively burned 1.48 million acres and has seen multiple lightning complex fires — all complicated by unprecedented heatwaves across the state.  

Because of the intensity and scale of the fires, Gov. Newsom declared a state of emergency on Aug. 18. The next day, he announced that the state’s resources to fight wildfires were stretched thin. 

Allowing previously incarcerated persons to be firefighters also gives them the chance to get well-paying jobs, Reyes has argued, pointing out that steady and meaningful employment would lower recidivism rates. Inmate crews are paid between $2 and $5 a day, with a $1 per hour increase while fighting a fire. 

“Those that have served on the fire lines deserve a second chance,” tweeted Reyes on August 30. 

Quinci LeGardye | California Black Media  

On Aug. 17, the “Yes On Prop 17” campaign held its Official Proposition 17 Campaign Virtual Kick-Off on Facebook Live. The event featured testimony from previously incarcerated persons on why more than 50,000 parolees in California deserve the right to vote.  
Prop 17, which passed the state legislature as ACA 6 in June, is a measure on the November ballot. If Californians vote to approve it, Prop 17 would amend the state constitution, granting any eligible person who is not currently incarcerated the right to vote.   If passed, California would join 17 states that allow parolees to vote.  Initiate Justice Co-founder and Executive Director Taina Vargas-Edmond hosted the event that featured Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D – Sacramento), author of ACA 6, as well as Brandon Flynn, an activist and actor on the Netflix show “13 Reasons Why.”  To start the event, Flynn and McCarty spoke about how the current global political movement calling for the dismantling of systemic racism has affected their understanding of – and advocacy around — the proposition.  “We’ve learned that this is just a remnant of some of these old Jim Crow values and racial oppression –when they want to hold back African American voters from being able to participate in the democratic process, and that’s wrong. That’s what we’re going to change,” the lawmaker said.   The program’s anchor event was a Q&A moderated by Edmond featuring “Yes On Prop 17” Fellows Betty McKay and John Windham. McKay and Windham, who are both on parole, spoke about the importance of voting for currently and previously incarcerated persons.  McKay, who is a motivational speaker and organizer with Initiate Justice, talked about the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), arguing that she has done the time for his crime and should not be punished for it after her release.   “The people who make the rules, the system, CDCR gives you a long list of things that if you do this, this, this, this and this, then you’re a productive citizen,” she said. “Well, I’ve exceeded all that. So why aren’t I voting? I’m paying taxes. So why aren’t I voting?”  Edmond also presented data from Initiate Justice’s 2019 “Democracy Needs Everyone” report, compiled from a survey of 1,085 incarcerated members of California state prisons as well as members on parole. According to the report, only 37 % of respondents said they voted before they were incarcerated, but 98 % said they would vote now if they could. Also, the top three political issues that the respondents listed as “very important” were jobs and the economy, education and healthcare.   For Windham, who was incarcerated for 30 years and now mentors youth in his community, not having experienced voting was a deterrent in urging kids to vote.   “The one thing I couldn’t really delve into with him is talking about voting. I tell them to vote, but I was shut down when they asked me, did I vote. It was the hardest thing for me to have to tell a child – that   couldn’t vote because I’m on parole. I no longer want to have to tell no child that, because that takes away their hope. They see me as hope and the only hope they see was dashed.”  When asked to respond to the arguments of Prop 17 opponents, McCarty said, “They’re saying that Betty and John still need to pay their debt to society. But when the parole board releases people from state prison, they’ve determined that you’ve served your time [and they] want to reintegrate you back into society. So, it makes no sense to say we want you to go back to your community, but we’re going to make you a second class citizen.” 
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