WSSN Stories

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media 

A new report, Disrupting Disparities: Ending the Black Women Wage Gap in California, reveals that Black women, particularly single mothers, continue to face significant wage disparities, earning far less than White men in the state. At the current rate, the report highlights that California’s Black women wage gap will take 100 years to close.

The report found that in 2022 Black women earned an average of $54,000 annually, while Black single mothers earned $50,000 compared to $90,000 for White men. When factoring in total income, Black women earned $60,000, while single mothers earned $53,000, still well below their White male counterparts. This means Black women earn just $0.60 for every $1 a White man makes, with single mothers making only $0.56.

The financial impact extends beyond paychecks, affecting access to housing, childcare, and basic necessities. If paid equitably, the report states, a Black single mother in California could afford an extra year of rent or two years of childcare.

To address these disparities, the report recommends expanding pay transparency laws, increasing access to affordable childcare, investing in workforce development programs, and implementing region-specific minimum wage increases. It also calls for enhanced workplace protections, leadership development initiatives, and a statewide task force to focus on Black women’s economic equity.

Advocates argue that closing the wage gap is critical not only for Black women and their families but also for strengthening California’s economy.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) wants to amend the state’s penal code to increase the salaries incarcerated firefighters earn while they are actively fighting fires.

Assembly Bill (AB) 247 would require inmate firefighters who have completed training for assignment to a state or county facility to be paid an hourly rate equal to the lowest nonincarcerated firefighter in the state (around $28 per hour).

“I think every time we have a major wildfire, we call in incarcerated firefighters who step in heroically to help suppress these fires. And every time that that happens, we have a long conversation about how they’re risking their lives for subminimum pay,” Bryan told California Black Media (CBM).

“I refuse to let this moment where California and Los Angeles in particular, has experienced its largest wildfire, be another moment where we just talk about this issue,” Bryan continued.

During the wildfires that raged in Southern California last month, more than 900 incarcerated firefighters were dispatched to battle the flames. Incarcerated firefighters work on teams called ‘hand crews,’ using hand tools to clear vegetation and create firebreaks that slow the spread of wildfires. During the emergencies, it’s common for responders to work in 24-hour shifts despite the grueling conditions.

While the position is voluntary, the work can be dangerous and even deadly, says Bryan.

Despite the life-threatening conditions the incarcerated firefighters face, their pay is between $5.80 and $10.24 per day, earning an additional $1 per hour when responding to emergencies and up to $26.90 over a 24-hour shift. These wages are lower than what the lowest-level firefighters earn for only an hour of work.

Under existing law, a prisoner can reduce his or her term of imprisonment by earning a two-day credit for every one day served fighting a fire. This would not change under the new bill.

The lower wages incarcerated firefighters earn are legal due to provisions in the U.S. and California constitutions that permits involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime.

Last November, California voters rejected a ballot initiative, Proposition (Prop) 6, that would have amended the State Constitution to outlaw involuntary servitude in California.

“While it’s disappointing that our measure to remove slavery from California’s constitution was not approved by the voters, this setback does not end the fight,” said Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) in a statement after the election.

Wilson, a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), authored the legislation that became Prop 6.

 “Together, we will continue pushing forward to ensure that our state’s constitution reflects the values of equality and freedom that all Californians deserve,” added Wilson.

Prop 6 sought to repeal language prohibiting involuntary servitude except to punish crime and replace it with language prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude absolutely.

Bryan’s AB 247, however, has more modest goals. It would increase pay only for incarcerated firefighters actively fighting wildfires, aiding in structure fires and responding to overdoses and roadside accidents. They are often put in harm’s way responding to these situations as well.

“Every single firefighter that is out there right now, I’m sure they’re proud to be there,” said former incarcerated firefighter Amika Mota in an interview with The Marshall Project. “Every single one of those people has signed away their rights to any sort of compensation if they die on the fireground. They’re putting themselves on the frontlines without really understanding the health impacts long-term.”

Bryan visited a base camp for incarcerated firefighters in Pasadena last month to spend time with some of the incarcerated firefighters and hear their stories firsthand.

“Many of them are coming home in the not-too-distant future. Being paid a dignified wage for your life-saving work, fighting these fires is actually part of helping folks succeed in their reentry back into society,” said Bryan.

A few celebrities have also recently shown their support for inmate firefighters. Kim Kardashian has been outspoken about the need for wage increases. NFL quarterback CJ Stroud and singers John Legend and Chris Brown also visited the same Pasadena base camp Bryan visited to speak with program members.

“Not supporting folks who are doing this kind of work is setting them up to continue to cycle from poverty to incarceration. They were all incredibly excited, grateful to be seen,” said Bryan.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

In celebration of Black History Month, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and the California Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) recognized 16 honorees at the annual Black Business Brunch on Feb. 10 at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento.

The small business owners from every corner of the state were recognized for their entrepreneurship, contributions to their respective communities, and vital roles in improving California’s economic landscape.

The proprietors were chosen by members of the CLBC and CBCC. They were honored on the Assembly floor at the State Capitol later that afternoon.

“We gather here today to honor the incredible African American, small business owners of California,” Jay King, President and CEO of CBCC, told California Black Media. “We have to show them some love because they are the heart and soul of our communities. Their tireless work and unwavering dedication show what it means to be leaders”

CLBC members Sen. Laura Richardson (D-Los Angeles), Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles), Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), and Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton) presented awards to respective honorees.

Assemblymembers Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City), LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-San Diego), and Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) also paid homage to Black business leaders.

CLBC chair Sen. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) was unable to attend due to a prior commitment. CLBC Vice Chair Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) spoke on her behalf.

“While we recognize you today, you are recognized in your communities every single day,” Bryan told the honorees. “We need you and we rely on you. You were not just picked at random (to receive this award).”

Featured speakers at the brunch were California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), was also present at the annual brunch.

Omishakin’s message was brief, highlighting ways the state helps support Black small businesses. The Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) allocates substantial amounts each year to finance construction projects started by state and local governments, public transit agencies and airport authorities.

Omshakin said Caltrans’s most important tool for meeting its commitment to inclusion of minority-owned businesses has been its Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) program. Small businesses must be DBE-certified to receive state funding.

Caltrans ensures that firms competing for state-assisted contracts for these projects are not disadvantaged by unlawful discrimination. In fiscal year 2022-2023, nearly $1 billion was awarded to small businesses in the state. African American small businesses received about $40 million, leaving “money on the table,” Omishakin said.

“That’s hundreds of millions of dollars,” Omishakin said about possible procurement opportunities for Black businesses. “There’s a lot of work still to do, with Caltrans and other places, to make sure that African American and Latino owned firms get more opportunities to get that work.”

CLBC member, Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), was presented with the Chairman’s Award for his significant leadership in fostering economic empowerment and his dedication to his constituents in the 65th Assembly District.

The Legacy and Literacy Leadership Award was bestowed upon Georgia “Mother Rose” Peat West, the founder and owner of Underground Books in Sacramento.

West passed away in December. Her son, Ronnie West, accepted the award on her behalf.

The year’s business honorees were Nelson German (alaMar Kitchen and Bar); Jonathan Kinnard (Coffee del Mondo); Brad Cooper (Coop’s West BBQ); Victor Headley (Every Little Thing Jamaican); Eugene Bennett (Grocery Outlet Bargain Market); Marques McCammon (Karma Automotive); Joseph Cannon (KJ’s Barber and Hair Creationz); and Jauneice Munoz (La Casa Azul Design).

Rounding out the awardees were Malik Muhammad (Malik Books); Aimbrell Shanks (Partytime Machine Rentals), John Cleveland (Post and Beam); Mark Jenkins (Preferred Cremation); Herb Hudson (Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles); Dennis Peterson (That Guy Eye Wear); Eric Calvin (Ultra Unlimited); and Kedrin Johnson (WAYS Home Care and Health Agency).

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” King said. “Your role within this large framework cannot be overstated. Black small businesses bring innovation, creativity, and vital services to every corner of California. Today, we stand together to honor and celebrate you.”

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

“Destiny demands that you dig deep and finish strong. You didn’t come this far to only come this far. Dig deep, finish strong, and make yourself proud! Get going. Walk if you have to but finish the damned race.”  [Gary Ryan Blair ? Ron Hill] and get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW! There is no time to waste.

Bible prophecy is quickly being fulfilled in rapid succession. One after another. The progression and convergence of all the fulfilled end time prophecies in our current generation is not by coincidence. This fast progression and convergence of fulfilled prophecy is revealing to us that we can appropriately say that we are extremely close to the Mark of the Beast crisis, Intense Persecution of the True Remnant, the Loud Cry, and the Latter Rain experience. [Isaiah 58:1-9; James 5; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Matthew 5:13-20; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13:16-18].

We are being plunged into a period of time which the Bible talks about more than any other period in history, including the time when Jesus walked the shores of Galilee and climbed the mountains of Judea. [Matthew 15:29]. The Bible says that the end of this age will have distinct signs, telling us what would be taking place. [Matthew 24 and Luke 21]. I tell you; the proverbial writing is on the wall, and it is telling us that the end of the Age of Grace is at hand and that the pause in Daniel’s timeline that occurred at the 69th week is about to end.

The stage has been set, and the actors are in place.

What Prophecies Reveal ?

(1) The Unification of Europe

Scripture Reference: “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.” [Revelation 13:1-7; Revelation 13:5-7]. A turning point in human history that will dramatically change the course of world events. [Daniel 2:40–45; Daniel 7:8-24].

Fulfillment/Pending: The full unification under a single authority, which will affect the whole world as described in Revelation, is still pending. [Revelation 13:16; Revelation 17:12].

(2) The Rise of a Global Government and Economy

Scripture Reference: “He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead.” [Revelation 13:16].

Fulfillment/Pending: The rise of a global government and economy, along with the implementation of a mark for buying and selling, has not yet occurred. However, the increasing push toward globalism and digital currencies suggests that this prophecy is nearing fulfillment.

(3) The Great Apostasy

Scripture Reference: “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.” [2 Thessalonians 2:3].

Fulfillment/Pending: The great falling away from the faith, known as the apostasy, is already occurring in many parts of the world, where churches embrace false teachings. This prophecy is currently being fulfilled, with more to come as the end approaches.

While there’s no definitive timeline for when all this will occur, we are urged to discern the times and stay spiritually vigilant. [Matthew 24:42; 1 Peter 5:8].

Why? Because Bible prophecy has been fulfilled and continues to be fulfilled, and every prophetic sign seems to point to an imminent rapture. [1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54]. If you want to be saved, get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW! For the Bible tells us that once the entire world “sighs” and says finally, we have “peace and safety,” that is when total destruction comes.

The Bible also tells us that there will be a final world battle, the battle of Armageddon, with the East. There will be a 200-million-man army in which it is said that [China or India are the only countries who have or could do this] that will rise up against the global world order and that nearly three quarters of the world population will perish in this horrific war.

We now have this undeniable convergence of prophesied events in the natural realm, in the political realm, and in the economic realm, yet – so many do not know and are not paying attention. Jesus said, when you see all these things happen, “Look up!”

Jesus is urgently letting His people know how soon His coming will be. Even though it is impossible to know the exact day and hour of Jesus coming at this time, we are instructed by Jesus that we need to carefully “watch and pray” and know His coming is “even at the doors.” [Luke 21:35; Matthew 24:33].

Get Going… Walk if You Have to But Finish the Damned Race – [Gary Ryan Blair]. The time is short!

But they say, “When I have a convenient season, I will call for you.” [Acts 24:25]. The same presumption that condemned Felix and will condemn many.

[Acts 24:27] reveals that Felix never received Christ. Felix made three tragic assumptions: that convenience will come, that conviction from the Holy Spirit would continue, and that conflicts would cease, but he forgot as many of us do… tomorrow may never come. [James 4:14].

So I say again, “Get Going… Walk if You Have to But Finish the Damned Race.” [Quote by Gary Ryan Blair].

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Flu cases in California have surged to the highest levels the state has seen in years.

By the end of January, 26% of tests sent to state laboratories had come back positive for influenza. This is a significant increase compared to flu season peaks over the past 4 years, according to the most recent data captured by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on respiratory viruses.

Flu-related deaths in California are also on the rise. As of Jan. 25, 2.4% of deaths in the state (484 people) were attributed to influenza this season, compared to 1.6% last season.

California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Dr. Jerry P. Abraham, a Los Angeles-based Physician and Public Health advocate who currently serves as the Director & Chief Vaccinologist of the CDU-KEDREN Mobile Street Medicine program in Los Angeles. He explained why cases of the flu may be increasing and preventative measures people can take to protect themselves until the flu season ends next month.

“Be fully vaccinated. It’s not too late to get the flu shot for this flu season. We stop giving it out about March every year,” said Abraham.

“Be fully boosted with COVID-19 vaccines as well. This is a very tenuous time because people are not fully vaccinated,” he continued.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that “everyone 6 months or older get a flu shot — ideally by the end of October to boost protection against the disease during high-circulation winter months.

Dr. Scott Flinn, regional medical director for Provider Partnerships at Blue Shield of California, says people should be aware of flu symptoms and be able to recognize them.

“These symptoms can come on suddenly and hit hard,” says Flinn. “If you start feeling unwell, it’s important to rest and monitor your condition closely, especially if you are in a higher-risk group, including elderly individuals, pregnant women, young children, or those with chronic health conditions.”

Typically, those symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue and, for some people – especially children – may experience vomiting and diarrhea.

Flu symptoms typically last five and to seven days, though fatigue and cough can persist for two weeks or longer in some cases.

If contracted, Flinn recommends getting plenty of rest, using over-the-counter meds, and taking steps to not spread the flu like staying home for 24-hours after avoiding close contact with others. He also advises that people fighting the flu should get plenty of rest; use over-the-counter medication; and consult a healthcare professional.

Abraham also recommends wearing masks when out in public if you are exhibiting flu symptoms. He also urges individuals who have insurance to schedule appointments with their primary physician as emergency rooms and urgent cares have become overcrowded.

While the cause of the spike in flu cases is still unknown, Abraham attributes some of the causation to changes in climate and rising temperatures across the state.

“That is why these bugs, these viruses, these bacteria are behaving in these new novel ways because we’re just not used to living amongst them like this; living in these warmer temperatures, getting more infected. There’s more of us too, and we’re interacting in different ways. We’re interacting with animals in different ways, industry, all those things. They’re all coming together and so we’ve got a perfect storm,” he said.

The Bay Area is reporting the highest rates of flu-related hospital admissions in the state at 9.9 per 100,000 people, compared to 9.1 in Southern California, 7.5 in Los Angeles, 7.3 in the Greater Sierra-Sacramento region, 5 in Central California and 2.8 in the rural northern part of the state, according to the California Department of Public Health.

“It really is incumbent upon us and each other to do what we did during COVID when no one came for the Black community to help us. We need to look after each other. If you’re sick, stay home. Remember, there are elders and there are cancer patients and people living with all sorts of conditions that they cannot afford to get sick.”

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and the College Board brought together educators, students, and lawmakers at the State Capitol to celebrate the progress of the Advanced Placement African American Studies program.

The AP African American Studies program is available to 117 schools across the state and is implemented in 42 states nationwide. It was launched nationally in the Fall of 2024 and over 500 colleges and universities now provide college credit for it.

Sen. Akilah Weber-Pierson, the chair of the CLBC, stated that Black lawmakers are “committed to expanding its reach” to all high schools in the state to ensure “every student has the opportunity to engage with African American history in a meaningful way.”

“We are thrilled to be able to celebrate the success and impact of the AP African American Studies course in California high schools,” stated Weber-Pierson. “The success of this course is a testament to the power of representation in education. We are committed”

A not-for-profit organization founded more than 120 years ago, the College Board reaches over seven million students a year, helping them navigate their journey from high school to college and into their professional careers.

AP African American Studies provides students with the opportunity to explore the history, culture, and literature of African Americans and the larger African diaspora.

The special occasion at the State Capitol included AP students and educators who have taught AP courses in California since the program’s inception three years ago. It also combined an informational session about the program with a tribute to Black History Month.

A news conference was held to share the success of the program and talk about opportunities to expand access to the AP African American Studies’ course in more high schools in California.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) shared their thoughts as a new ethnic studies requirement goes into effect this fall.

“We know that when people learn about themselves – we all do better,” Thurmond said at the gathering. “The other thing is that an inclusive education benefits everyone of all backgrounds.”

The AP Program is designed to academically prepare students to seek out college-level studies — with the freedom to attain college credit, advanced placement, or both — while attending high school.

Tony Green, an AP African American Studies instructor at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland told California Black Media (CBM) that he and Susan Miller Dorsey High School teacher Donald Singleton have been teaching the course since the California pilot program began in 2022 and have been College Board advocates for over three decades.

“We (Singleton and Green) are among the original 60 AP professors. I have 94 students in my AP class consisting of 11th and 12th grade students,” Green said. “We are in year four (of the AP African American Studies course) where I teach three classes.”

Through AP courses in 40 subjects, each culminating in a rigorous exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue — skills that prepare them for college and beyond.

“The benefits are profound,” Singleton said of AP courses and the AP African American Studies program. “It equips students with critical thinking skills by having them examine intersectionality, resistance, and resilience.”

Singleton continued by adding “Also, young people have to learn how to make choices by examining their past.”

The AP program began at the start of the 2022-2023 school year with 60 pilot schools across the country. It has now expanded to about 700 schools in the United States. The pilot students took the first AP African American Studies exam in the Spring of 2024.

The course will be available to all students in the United States in Spring 2025.  According to College Board, over 200 colleges and universities have signed on to provide college credit.

“The introduction of the AP African American Studies class is a major step in strengthening and inclusion in our community,” Gipson said. “This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of African American culture, history, and contributions African Americans have made in our country and state of California.”

London Walker, a junior at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland shared her experiences, explaining that the AP classes have been effective for her, presenting challenges to achieve success and providing a strong foundation in African American history.

Walker, who calls herself “a law fanatic who watches Columbo,” is a lead closing attorney of Bishop O’Dowd’s Mock Trial Team. She aspires to be a criminal defense attorney and has already interned at the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office.

Through AP courses, Green said she and other students study cases that not only concern the United States Supreme Court but how they affect the people who disagree with the structure of the court system.

The AP African American Studies program is beneficial in the legal field because it encourages critical thinking. “It’s more than just a class,” Walker said.

“It’s important to know that AP African American Studies is not just an ethnic study class,” Walker said. “It’s a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) class, history class, and music program. It’s about culture, about connection, and about making change.”

By Dr. Wilmer J. Leon, III

“I don’t know who you are and I don’t know why you like this guy (Trump). I think what you like about him; he appears to be strong and the rest of us are weak… That’s what he’s selling…Here’s what you’re buying…He’s a race-baiting, xenophobic religious bigot. He doesn’t represent my party. He doesn’t represent the values that the men and women who wear the uniform are fighting for… He’s the ISIL man of the year.” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on CNN 2015

There are periods in history… epochs, distinctive periods in time marked by notable events, that in many instances signal change. Columbus stumbling upon the Americas where Indigenous peoples had been living for thousands of years. The French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, the invention of the semiconductor, WWII, the Civil Rights era, etc.

In many instances, one may not realize that they’re living in the historic moment. It’s only upon reflection that you realize the significance of the time. There are other periods, I call them Oppenheimer moments, where you know that you are in the moment. The first atomic bomb was tested on July 16, 1945. The bomb, nicknamed “Gadget”, released 18.6 kilotons of power. We are told that Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, upon watching the first ever atomic bomb explode, quoted a line from Hindu scripture; the Bhagavad Gita, “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”. Oppenheimer knew he was in the moment.

As we look at the current geopolitical landscape, we find ourselves firmly in the grips of the second Trump administration. There is a dramatic decline in the status of America, both domestically and internationally. The economic outlook is uncertain. America is funding a war in Ukraine and a genocide in Gaza. Homelessness, unemployment and incarceration rates are continuously on the rise. One can only conclude that we are living in a historic moment. Steve Bannon, the former Trump campaign and White House advisor calls it “managed decline”.

One of the ironies in all of this is we have seen this movie before. We are watching Trump Redux. We are not just watching the film; we are actors in it. For those of us that are old enough to remember, watching the news and political programs today is analogous to watching the Rocky Horror Picture Show. We find ourselves constantly yelling at the screen, except this is unscripted.

People are aghast listening to President Trump attack DEI policies, firing federal Inspectors General, threatening to close the Department of Education and pledging to fire FBI agents that investigated January 6. Steve Bannon told us in 2019 of what was to come, “…we had a whole tiger team of the White House counsel guys, the ‘deconstruction of the administrative state,’ which is a huge element…we want less (government intervention). In fact, we want to start to take apart certain parts of the apparatus.” America, you were warned.

Now, the authoritarian that over 77M Americans voted for wants to disregard the constitutionally guaranteed right of “birthright citizenship”. He is impounding funds, freezing nearly all foreign aid, federal grants and loans as if he has been magically granted the power of the “ex post facto veto”.

Almost none of President Trump’s policies have gone through legislation or House votes.  Trump issues his edicts through Executive Order. The American people are being subjected to a flurry or whirlwind of executive action. Bannon called it “flooding the zone and muzzle velocity”. “Every day we hit them with three things. They’ll bite on one, and we’ll get all of our stuff done, bang, bang, bang. These guys will never—will never be able to recover. But we’ve got to start with muzzle velocity.” Some people may think Trump is crazy. If he is, he’s crazy like a fox.

But it’s not just him. President Trump is not alone. The racist suggestion of Trump saying, the United States should own Gaza and develop it into “the Riviera of the Middle East” by displacing the Palestinians from their homeland to other countries in the region, was first posited by former President Joe Biden. The AP reported, “A Western diplomat in Cairo said Egypt rejected similar proposals from the Biden administration and European countries early in the war.” Trump’s major faux pas was he made Biden’s secret proposal public.

Trump is not alone in his racist deportation efforts. CNN reported, “According to an analysis by the Migration Policy Institute, more than 12 million people were “deported” – either removed or returned – from the US during the Clinton administration. More than 10 million were removed or returned during the Bush administration. Far fewer – more than 5 million – were removed or returned during the Obama administration.” Lest we forget, President Obama was dubbed the “Deporter in Chief”.

Trump’s ideas of deconstructing the administrative state, cutting government agencies or his privatization/neo-liberal policies via Project 2025 are not new. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich proposed similar tactics with his “Contract with America”. Former President Bill Clinton thought he could make government more efficient by employing principals from the private sector by “Reinventing Government as We Know It”.

The major problem with these schemes is very simple. The goal of private sector capitalism is the maximization of profit. The goal of democratic/republic government is the protection of the people and the delivery of services. Contrary to the beliefs of the oligarchs, government is not in the “business” of making money. It’s lucky if it breaks even.

Don’t let this context confuse you. Sen. Graham is correct, President Trump is “…a race-baiting, xenophobic religious bigot.” This is evidenced by his baseless rants about Mexican rapists, his proposed Muslim ban, his lie about Barack Obama’s birthplace, his attack on the Central Park 5, his baseless attack on DEI programs, removing historical videos of its storied Black Tuskegee Airmen from Air Force training modules, supporting genocide in Gaza, just to name a few. Remember, all of this resonated with over 77M Americans.

So, what are we to do? Well, for starters do not listen to Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Anyone who tries to insist that the election was not a rebuke of the Democrats is delusional and anyone who argues that Democrats don’t need to change is clueless.

I strongly suggest reading Dr. King’s 1963 Letter from a Birmingham Jail, “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” Then read Frederick Douglas’, 1857 speech, If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress –“Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”

After that, read more and remember, when they tell you about their own, they are also telling you about themselves. Believe them.

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Dr. Wilmer Leon is a nationally broadcast radio talk-show host. Author of Politics Another Perspective. Host of the podcast Connecting the Dots w/ Dr. Wilmer Leon. Go to www.wilmerleon.com or email: wjl3us@yahoo.com. www.twitter.com/drwleon and Dr. Leon’s Prescription at Facebook.com © 2025 InfoWave Communications, LLC

 

 

 

 

By Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media

In recent months, the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) and Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) have been hit with two lawsuits and numerous reports alleging racist incidents targeting Black residents.

Last November, a formal complaint was filed on behalf of several students and two teachers — Bella Ivory and an anonymous complainant — against Beverly Hills High School. Attorneys Bradley C. Gage and Benjamin Crump are representing the plaintiffs.

The complaint details incidents of harassment, retaliation and violence targeting Black students, according to Gage. Some Latino students had been the victim of racial slurs and are also considering a suit.

In a video Gage shared with the press that was recorded on Election Day White students can be seen marching through the school’s halls celebrating the election of Trump while waving a Trump flag. They pounded on a classroom door in the video. Behind the door were Ivory and several Black students. During a press conference in January, Ivory described how she and Black students felt during that experience.

“The profanity aimed towards our vice president, who is part Black,” said Ivory referring to Kamala Harris, “combined with students congregating outside of my classroom, increased my fears and also the fears of those students that were locked inside that room with me.”

Another video shows feces on the floor of a bathroom and graffiti reading “I hate ni**ers.” There is also a TikTok video describing a cafeteria as dirty while showing Black students having lunch.

“So, we have had for a number of years now, children at Beverly Hills High School, who claim they have been called racial slurs, had monkey sounds made at them, and around them, been threatened with violence and actually received violence,” said Gage.

Gage told California Black Media (CBM) that he interviewed alumni going back at least 10 years, many of whom were willing to go on the record about racist incidents and the school’s inability to deal with them. In another instance parents and students complained about the use of a “ni**er card,” a card White students claimed to have purchased from Black students allowing them to freely use the epithet.

“They have what’s called as an N-word pass. And what they’re doing with that is students will give either $50 or $100 to Black students,” said Gage. “They’ll pay them on Apple Pay. Then they get an “N-word pass, and start using the “N-word around some other Black kids.”

These new cases are not the only ones brought against the city of Beverly Hills based on discrimination or racism. The second set of major suits was filed against the BHPD in January. The class action suit claims there have been a thousand instances of racial profiling by police.

“There are now 1,085 identified putative class members in the first lawsuit which is awaiting a ruling by the court on class certification,” reads a press release from Brad Gage, APC, the law firm representing the plaintiffs.

“There is also a second, class action for continuing acts of racial profiling,” the statement continues.

CBM contacted the city of Beverly Hills for comment, but a spokesperson referred us to archived statements on their website.

Michael Bregy, BHUSD’s superintendent put out a statement refuting the complaints against the school district.

“We do not have evidence that suggests that there was racism at the recent spirited demonstrations,” wrote Bregy. “However, BHUSD has implemented proactive measures to ensure that any concerns related to racism and antisemitism – perceived or real – are addressed promptly and effectively.”

Bregy wrote that the district is planning to work on “empathy” programs with groups like the NAACP.

The city also released a statement about the allegations of police profiling in November when the first complaint was announced.

“The role of the Beverly Hills Police Department is to enforce the law, regardless of race.   The statistics presented referencing the number of convictions is a mischaracterization of the evidence in this case,” reads the statement.  “In addition, the 1,088 arrests referenced includes people cited and released, not just custodial arrests. The city denies and will continue to strongly defend itself against these allegations.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of White residents is about 75%, while Black residents make up only 1.9% of Beverly Hills. With the installment of the Trump administration there is concern that incidents of violence against minorities will become commonplace and that the federal and local courts may be less inclined to provide relief.

Gage has filed and won discrimination charges against Beverly Hills in the past, and Crump has handled some of the most controversial racial bias cases in the country, including representing the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor who were both killed in incidents involving police officers.

Gage is concerned about the future of discrimination cases.

“It’s very serious. It’s very violent. It’s escalating on a daily basis,” said Gage. “And I feel concerned with the way that our country is going right now, where ordinary individuals seem emboldened to say and do things that never would have been acceptable, even six months ago or three months ago,” said Gage.

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media

A lawsuit filed in federal court accuses the University of California (UC) of racial discrimination in undergraduate admissions, alleging that Black and Latino students are favored over Asian American and White applicants. The lawsuit, filed by the group Students Against Racial Discrimination, claims UC’s admissions policies violate Proposition 209, a state law passed in 1996 that prohibits the consideration of race in public education.

The lawsuit also alleges UC is violating the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars racial discrimination by federally funded institutions.

In response, UC stated that race is not a factor in admissions, as per state law, and that student demographic data is collected only for statistical purposes.

Stett Holbrook, a spokesperson for the UC system, said the entity had not been served with the lawsuit.

“If served, we will vigorously defend our admission practices,” said Holbrook.

“We believe this to be a meritless suit that seeks to distract us from our mission to provide California students with a world class education,” he said.

The complaint criticizes UC’s use of a “holistic” admissions process, arguing it replaces objective academic criteria with subjective considerations that disadvantage certain racial groups. It cites admission rate disparities at UC Berkeley, noting a decrease in Black student admissions from 13% in 2010 to 10% in 2023, compared to an overall drop from 21% to 12%.

The lawsuit follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling banning affirmative action in college admissions, which has prompted challenges to race-conscious policies nationwide. The plaintiffs seek a court order preventing UC from collecting racial data in applications and request a federal monitor to oversee admissions decisions.

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you, people. Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it! I want to tell you what the future holds. [Isaiah 24:1-17].

A great demonic flood is descending upon humankind. The devil knows his time is short, and he is preparing to unleash overwhelming winds and waves of evil. [Revelation12:12]. He is about to bring a fierce downpour of filth, wickedness, and testing beyond anything your mind can conjure. He is going to use his millions of evil spirits in an effort to subdue the whole earth to his complete control by tyranny, oppression, cruelty, violence and agonizing torments to a degree the world has never known. Producing unparalleled suffering for the people of earth. But above it all will be the hand of God, permitting Satan this freedom, guiding every detail to the accomplishment of His purposes: the ultimate defeat of Satan, the destruction of sin, the establishment of His kingdom of righteousness and peace, and the release of creation from its bondage to corruption.

As often as it passes through, it will carry you away; it will sweep through morning after morning, by day and by night. But those who believe will enter into eternal life, and those who do not will enter into eternal punishment. [Matthew 24:13; Matthew 25:31–46].

Stunned by Jesus prophecy, the disciples ask Him, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” [Matthew 24:3].

Jesus responds with a detailed discourse, known as the Olivet Discourse, which covers the events leading up to His second coming. [Isaiah 24].

He warns them about: False Messiahs and False Prophets ? Wars and Rumors of Wars ? Famines, Pestilences, and Earthquakes ? Persecution and Betrayal of Believers ? The Abomination of Desolation ? The Great Tribulation. [Matthew 24:4-14; Daniel 9:27].

The Olivet Discourse ends with Jesus telling His disciples about the final judgment at the end of the Tribulation and to be vigilant and discerning. [Revelation, Chapters 8 to 11].

God mercifully keeps saying, “Turn ye, turn ye, why will you die?” The first woe is passed. Behold, two woes are still coming after these things. [Revelation 9:12; Isaiah 34: 1-17].

Repent, and get under the Umbrella of the Almighty God NOW before it is too late!

Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations. All the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I AM THE LORD. The only unshakeable power. [Ezekiel 38:20-23; Joel 3:16; Haggai 2:6-7; Hebrews 12:26-27].

To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me?

All this wrath to come. All this torment.  You would think that men would repent of their sins and turn to God, but the Scripture says they won’t. Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. Their consequences are just exactly what Satan intended them to be. They resisted God. They turned their back on God. They did not honor God. The word of the Lord has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it. What a picture of the utter depravity and degradation of the human heart. Wrath and judgment break loose, but men will not repent.

What sorrow awaits my rebellious children, says the Lord. [Isaiah 30:1].

This is a warning from the mouth of Almighty God — and its fulfillment is found throughout the Bible. Already you see signs of such calamity in America. [Ezekiel 33]. The enemy is already at the gate!

Then I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar, which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” [Revelation 9:13-21].

So, the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus, I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed — by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.

Father, we thank you for the warning that we’ve received of what is to come. I pray that we will tremble with it, that we would take it seriously. I pray that it would bring us to tears as Jesus wept over Jerusalem. I pray that we will be deeply troubled by the concept of just the bloodshed that is coming and repent while there is still a time of grace. In Jesus Name. Amen!