WSSN Stories

LOS ANGELES, CA—- The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) wrapped its 12-day marathon of offerings from around the Diaspora.  It celebrated its 28^th anniversary in grand style with a string of highly-anticipated films, which included a comedy by the multi-hyphenated host and entertainer Nick Cannon; a feature, executive produced by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal; plus, a special screening of the action-packed series, “Queen Sono,” out of South Africa, presented by Netflix along with a wedding! The festival was held from February 11 – 23, 2020 at the Cinemark 15 Theatres, located at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles. 

PAFF is the largest Black film festival in the United States and the largest Black History Month cultural event in the nation. Here are the festival stats: PAFF has selected a record-breaking 225 film, representing 52 countries in 26 languages – that is, 86 feature films; 128 short films and 11 new media selection. Plus, ArtFest will feature more than 100 fine artists from around the world. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has designated PAFF as an official qualifying film festival for live action and animation short films.

The festival has cemented its role as a hub for breakthrough and award-winning Black films and filmmakers from around the world. PAFF is dedicated to the cinematic promotion and cultural exploration of peoples of African descent. It is PAFF’s goal to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help destroy negative stereotypes. PAFF believes film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, ethnicities, and lifestyles in an entertaining way.

The festival handed out a variety of juried prizes, including Best Narrative Feature, Best First Feature Film, Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short, and Best Narrative Short as well as audience favorite awards during an awards ceremony at the close of the festival.

In honor of the late actress and co-founder Ja’Net Dubois, who unexpectedly passed away during the festival, prizes were re-named in her honor. Dubois was best known for her role as Willona in the TV series, “Good Times.” 

And so, without further ado, here’s a list of winners from the Pan African Film Festival. 

AND THE WINNERS ARE …

Best Feature Narrative Award

The Mercy of the Jungle (Rwanda) Directed by Joël Karekezi

Honorable mention

Knuckle City (South Africa) Directed by Jahmil X.T. Qubeka

Best First Feature Narrative Award

A Taste of Our Land (Uganda) Directed by Yuhi Amuli

Honorable Mention

Mr. Weekend (US) Directed by McKenzie Woodward

Best Documentary Award

One Child Left Behind: The Untold Atlanta Cheating Scandal (US) Directed by Jodi Gomes

Honorable Mention

PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools (US) Directed by Jacoba Atlas

Best Short Narrative Award

White Gold (South Africa) Directed by Luke Bradford

Honorable mention

My Father Belize (Belize) Directed by Leon Lozano

Programmers’ Best Narrative Feature

She Ball (US) Directed by Nick Cannon

Programmers’ Best Short Narrative

Sixteen Thousand Dollars (US) Directed by Symone Baptiste

Programmers’ Best Documentary Award

parTy boi: black diamonds in ice castles (US) Directed by Micheal Rice

Programmers’ Best First Feature Narrative Award (Tie)

Coming From Insanity (Nigeria) Directed by Akinyemi Sebastian Akinropo

Gonarezhou The Movie (Zimbabwe) Directed by Sydney Taivavashe

Special Programmers’ Award

The Cuban (Canada/Cuba) Directed by Sergio Navarretta

Ja’Net Feature Narrative Award

HERO – Inspired By The Extraordinary Life & Times of Mr. Ulric Cross (Canada/Trinidad and Tobago/Ghana/UK) Directed by Frances-Anne Solomon

Ja’Net Short Narrative Award

Code_Switch (US) Directed by Sigin Ojulu

Ja’Net Documentary Award

My Friend Fela (Brazil/Nigeria) Directed by Joel Zito Araújo

Ja’Net First Feature Narrative Award

Zulu Wedding (South Africa) Directed by Lineo Sekeleoane

Special Ja’Net Award

Foster Boy (US) Directed by Youssef Delara

LOS ANGELES, CA—- Visionary founder of The Diaspora Dialogues Koshie Mills is bringing together hundreds of black women from around the world to celebrate sisterhood at the 3rd Annual International Women of Power Luncheon in Los Angeles.

The event will be held at the Arbat Banquet Hall on Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The star-studded event will also host over 300+ African American and African women for an elegant afternoon with Champagne cocktail reception, 3-Course Luncheon, Live performances, Awards presentation and a few surprises. 

This year’s theme is centered around women who are Innovators and Change Agents in Entertainment, Business, Fashion, Music, Beauty and Diaspora.

Confirmed & Invited Honorees, Presenters, Performers, Host include Amara La Negra (Love & Hip Hop Miami),Kimberly Paige (Chief Marketing Officer BET Networks), ILwad Elman (2019 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee),Normani (American Musical Artist), Tiffany Pearsons (Founder, Shine On Sierra Leone), Tracee Ellis Ross(ABC’s Black-ish), Lisa Leslie (WNBA Champion), Angela Bassett (Black Panther), Cynthia Erivo (Oscar Nominee, Harriet), Kelly Rowland (Music Artist), Lynn Whitfield (OWN’s Greenleaf), Stacy Barthe (Singer-Songwriter for artists: Nipsy Hustle, Beyonce), Logan Laurice (Dear White People), Bresha Webb (A Fall From Grace), Folake Olowofoyeku (Bob Hearts Abishola), Megalyn Echikunwoke (Almost Family; A&E’s “Damien”; “Night School”), Rosario Dawson (Jane The Virgin; Luke Cage), Cree Summers (Actress), Antonique Smith(Marvel’s Luke Cage), Gina Yashere (Co-Creator, Writer, Producer of CBS’s Bob Hearts Abishola), Gabrielle Dennis (Bobby Brown Story).

For ticket information visit www.IWOP2020.eventbrite.com.

By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach

SAN DIEGO, CA—- Nearly two years ago, Seaman Percy Williams joined the Navy because his older brother was joining at the time and he did not know if he wanted to go to college. Now, he is serving aboard the USS Boxer.

Williams is an operations specialist who is responsible for collecting and processing tactical data and displaying it for the ship and aircraft to see.

“My favorite part about the job is being important, being vigilant and always being aware of what is going on,” said Williams.

Williams is a 2018 Grand Terrace High School graduate and native of San Bernardino, California.

According to Williams, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in San Bernardino.

“San Bernardino taught me teamwork is essential for the mission to be completed,” said Williams.

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

Boxer is an amphibious assault ship that has recently returned from a Western Pacific-Indian Ocean-Persian Gulf deployment. It is the sixth ship to carry the name Boxer.

Amphibious assault ships are used to transfer Marines, equipment and supplies and can support helicopters or other aircraft. They also are capable of accessing 75% of the world’s beaches.

According to Admiral Mike Gilday, the Chief of Naval Operations, the focus of today’s Navy is squarely on warfighting, warfighters and the capabilities needed for the Navy of the future.

“I am confident we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow,” said Gilday. “And we will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners.”

There are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers. Williams is most proud of finishing his first deployment successfully.

“It is not really an easy task,” said Williams. “Deployment brings a lot of stress and negativity and it is hard to stay positive. However, I did a good job of staying positive and focusing on the task at hand.”

For Williams, serving in the Navy is a tradition passed down from generations and one Williams hopes to continue.

“My uncle was in the Navy, great uncle was in the Air Force, another great uncle served 20 years in the Navy, my sister is in the Army, and my cousin is station in Lemoore, California,” said Williams. “Everyone in the military has different stories so when I joined I was able to create my own story to be able to tell them.”

As a member of the U.S. Navy, Williams, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.

“Serving in the Navy means being a part of something bigger than myself,” said Williams.

By Michael Vallante, U.S. Small Business Administration’s

During Black History Month, we celebrate the achievements of African Americans and recognize the central role they, as individuals and communities, contributed to U.S. history.

At the U.S. Small Business Administration, our role is to support entrepreneurs in achieving their dream of owning a business.

We celebrate the incredible contributions that Black businesses make to their local communities and the American economy. We hear from Black businesses of the socioeconomic and capital funding challenges with starting and expanding a business.

Our goal is to work with Black entrepreneurs to overcome these entrepreneurship challenges.

When an entrepreneur starts their own business, they create new jobs in the community. In fact, small businesses generate two of every three net new jobs and deliver essential goods and services to our community.

Here are the top 10 resources that small business owners can utilize today to make their entrepreneurship dream a success:

10 SBA Resources for Entrepreneurs:

1. Funding: Starting or scaling up a business requires capital. Our online Lender Match program connects entrepreneurs with financial institutions that provide business loans backed by the SBA. SBA-Guaranteed Loans can be used for most business purposes, including operating capital and financing equipment and other long-term fixed assets.
2. Business Plan Development: Small Business Development Centers offer free, one-on-one counseling, low-cost training services, market research and more.

• Mentoring: SBA’s resources, such as SCORE provide free mentoring and education to business owners to learn from others who have been through the entrepreneurship journey. SCORE is a network of thousands of volunteer business counselors around the country who mentor and educate small business owners. SCORE provides free in-person and online counseling as well as educational workshops.
• Scaling Up their Business: SBA’s Emerging Leader’s program is a no-cost “mini MBA,” that assists entrepreneurs take their business to the next level.  We encourage entrepreneurs to reach out to their local SBA office to find where this program is being offered and apply.

• Assistance to Woman Entrepreneurs: Black women are starting their own business at record rates.  Women’s Business Centers assist women in starting and growing small businesses. They provide a full range of services for women entrepreneurs at all stages of planning, implementation and growth.

• Support to Veterans with Starting their Own Business: Boots to Business is an entrepreneurial education and training program available to active duty service members (including National Guard and Reserve), veterans and their spouses in starting or growing their business.
• Taking their Business to the International Market: Export Assistance Centers help small businesses entering the international marketplace.  Entrepreneurs can learn how to export, participate in foreign trade missions and trade shows, translate websites, and design marketing campaigns.

• Accessing Government Contracts: The Mentor-Protégé Program is designed for small businesses to learn from an experienced government contractor.  Women-owned business certification helps provide a level playing field for women business owners, as the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses certified as women-owned.

• Online Resources: SBA.gov includes online resources and information about upcoming webinars to assist entrepreneurs in overcoming common business challenges.
  
• Local Support: SBA District Offices can connect you to local SBA resources, mentors and training. Visit www.SBA.gov for more information. 

As the Regional Administrator for the Pacific Rim for SBA, and as Associate Administrator for the Office of Field Operations for our agency, SBA recognizes the contributions of the Black community, the job-creating entrepreneurs and their families for their daily sacrifice to keeping local economies thriving. We encourage you to reach out to SBA.

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Michael Vallante, U.S. Small Business Administration’s Associate Administrator for the Office of Field Operations, overseeing the 68 district offices and nine Regional Administrators; and Regional Administrator for Region IX, overseeing the agency’s programs and services in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and Guam

By Naomi K. Bonman

Just a couple of weeks ago we loss NBA legend and MVP, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant. On Tuesday, February 18, the Hollywood world is mourning the sudden death of Ja’Net Dubois. She was 74-years old and passed away peacefully in her sleep in her Glendale, California home.

According to TMZ, a cause of death was not immediately given and Dubois’ family stated that she hadn’t complained of any pain or illness in the days leading up to her death.

A few years ago, I had the pleasure to meet and photograph Ja’Net Dubois at the Pan African American Film Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles on multiple occasions. She was seen across multiple red carpets at various events. For those who do not know, Dubois co-founded PAFF in 1992. PAFF showcases “the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help destroy the negative stereotypes”.

Ms. Dubois played the role of Willona Woods on the 70s sitcom “Good Times”. She went on to become a two-time Emmy Award winner for her voice-over work on the animated series “The PJs” and in 1969 she won a Peabody Award for the CBS children’s movie “J.T.”.

Throughout the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, Dubois appeared in almost every hit TV series, which include: Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, Cold Case, Everybody Loves Raymond, Touched By An Angel, The Wayans Bros. and Moesha.

The actress was also featured in big screen films, which include: Heart Condition (1990) alongside Denzel Washington, Waterproof (2000) alongside with Burt Reynolds, and recently She’s Got a Plan (2016).

In addition to her acting career, Ja’Net released an album showcasing her vocal talents in 2008 entitled, “Hidden Treasures”.

Ja’Net Dubois is survived by her three children: Rani, Burghardt, and Yovanne Dubois.

CORONA, CA—- Meet legendary Yolanda Holder, a professional ultramarathon walker and a long-distance endurance athlete.  At age 61 she is breaking boundaries in the ultra-marathon world.  On January 25, 2020, Yolanda became the first African American Woman to finish a 50K Race Walk placing 6^th in the Women’s National Championship 50K Race Walk and the 2020 National 50K Age Group Champion and won a purse of $1000.

In 2019, Yolanda became the first African American Woman and second African American to earn a United States Race Walk Centurion #94 and the oldest person to race walk 100 miles in under 24 hours (23:52:17).  Also, in 2019 at the Six Days in the Dome in Milwaukee, she set a World and American Age Group Record (60-64) 413 miles in six days.

Yolanda’s list of accomplishments as a walker that competes with runners in long.  She’s a two-time Guinness World Record holder for “Most Marathons Completed in a Calendar Year”, finishing a staggering 106 marathons/ultras in 2010 and breaking her own record in 2012 finishing 120 marathons/ultras.  She is the first American Woman and African American to Run or Walk over 100 marathons in a calendar year and the first woman in the world to ever do it twice.

Yolanda’s accomplishments are amazing, at the 2017 Sri Chinmoy Self Transcendence 3100 Mile Race she set a World Record first Pedestrian (walker) to walk the entire race finishing in 51 Days, 17 hours and 13 seconds.  She is also the first African American male or female, runner or walker to ever compete in this brutal footrace. The Sri Chinmoy 3100 Mile Race called “The Mount Everest of ultramarathons” by The New York Times, this is the longest certified footrace in the world that is held in the heat of the summer in New York. The athletes can test themselves in a f format unlike any other ultra-marathon event. In order to meet their goal of 3100 miles in 52 days, they must log an average of 60 miles per day. The race starts at 6am and the athletes have until midnight when the course closes for the night.  Yolanda is known as the Walking Diva and she took 52 outfits looking very stylist as she finished each day.

Yolanda is a master’s athlete at her athletic peak setting and breaking World and American records with no plans on stopping.  What’s special and close to her heart is “Extreme Walk 4 Diabetes”, an annual event she founded in honor of her parents. Losing both her parents to this horrible disease she promotes healthy living through Walking 4 Your Health.  Walking a mile or more daily and making small changes to your eating habits can help control not only diabetes but all diseases.  She practices what she preaches for over two years daily, she walks a mile or more, a headstand, a plank, drinks waters, and writes down what’s she’s grateful for.  Her purpose in life is to inspire and motivate everyone to take care of their health by moving your body daily.

Yolanda is a wife, mother of two grown children, inspirational speaker, and author.

If you would like to hear more of Yolanda’s amazing story she’s available for speaking engagements and can be reach at yolandaholder@gmail.com or on Facebook.

By Khalil Abdullah

Everyone in the United States plays a race or ethnic card some time, or at least everyone responding to the census. Despite the scientific view that race is an artificial social construct, unmoored from biological reality, is there a box that best describes you?

Whether you plan to respond to the census online, in writing, or by telephone, one question you’ll have to answer will be how you self-identify.

What are the race and ethnic categories on the census form?

Your racial choices are: (1) White; (2) Black or African American; (3) American Indian or Alaskan Native; (4) Asian – with numerous boxes as subsets; and (5) Some other race. The questionnaire also asks, separately, if the respondent is “of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin,” but instructs that, “for this census, Hispanic origins are not races.”

What if I’m not White or Black? I’m Egyptian and my neighbor is from Iran. What are our options and who determines the categories?

You and your neighbor fall into what is called the MENA classification: Middle Eastern and North African. There was a proposal to add MENA to the 2020 form, but the Office of Management and Budget, which makes the assigned identity group determinations about the census, decided to keep the same basic categories that were on the 2010 census form.

So, if I’m MENA, what box best describes me?

That’s a personal choice. Many MENA residents, and others, end up checking “Some other race,” the third-largest race category after White and Black or African American.

But I thought Hispanics and Latinos were now the second-largest racial group in the United States according to their population. So how do you get “Some other race” as the third-largest group?

As far as the census is concerned, Hispanics and Latinos are ethnic classifications not racial classifications. Some will check the “White” box and some will check the “Black” box or write in Afro Latino, for example, as an addition. Many will check the “Some other race” box. MENA respondents also frequently check the “Some other race” box as well. They don’t see themselves as Black or White, and in most cases, they are not of Hispanic or Latino origin.

Have census categories changed over time?

Yes. Mulatto, octoroon or quadroon once were options on the census form to describe African Americans of mixed heritage. One estimate calculates that 500,000 of these individuals checked the “White” box on the 1920 form. In later years, public demand and pressure resulted in the OMB removing “Negro” as an option for American-born residents of African descent. The term still appeared on the 2010 decennial census, but on the 2020 form the choices are “Black” or “African American.”

What if I was born here, but my parents are from Africa?

There is a lot of subjectivity involved in making these choices. For some, Black has come to mean anyone who is a descendant of the African diaspora, regardless of where they were born or live. One Somali man, a longtime resident and U.S. citizen, married an American woman who identified as Black. When asked how he describes his U.S.-born children, he said, “Well, now that I think about it, I guess they are African American.”

What if I am of mixed heritage? My parents are African American, but I know some of their ancestors were from Europe. They were Irish, for example, Dutch or German. Other ancestors, we think, were Native American.

The questionnaire is set up so that you can “Mark one or more boxes AND print origins.” We know America has had a complicated history (https://tinyurl.com/EMS-FAQ), as more people are discovering through genomic testing. One adult census respondent recalls discouraging his mother, who identifies as Black, from checking every major race category box on the form.

Why would it have mattered if she had? What difference does the box I check make or any information I may add?

For one, you have a better chance of “owning” who you are. Therefore, you are less likely to be misrepresented by a census employee who, without that information, would make a determination about your identity. So, in that sense, checking every box would be a more accurate contribution to understanding our country’s history. Individual census data is sealed for 72 years, but in the future your descendants or distant relatives will be able to look you up by name on the census form you respond to this year. In fact, the census is among the primary tools genealogists and researchers use to trace family histories. You might also reflect on that first constitutionally mandated census in 1790. To achieve a political compromise, those held in bondage were counted only as three-fifths of a person, and their names were not recorded on the census. Even as late as 1860, the last census before the Civil War, some owners reported the age and sex of their captives, but not their names.

But how does filling out the census or not filling out the census affect my immediate financial or economic condition?

For practical purposes, as a measure of population, census data is used to determine how the federal and state governments allocate funds and resources, in addition to determining the number of seats states get in the U.S. House of Representatives. Data can be a double-edged sword. Some data are critical to attempts to address structural disparities among America’s peoples, but data also can be used as a guide to steer resources away from those deemed political adversaries. How and why data are used is an important conversation, but it’s a different conversation from whether it is in your interest to respond to the census. However, unless you are clear about who you are by identity, you may be grouped with a different race than your preference. That was why the individual discouraged his mother from checking every box. He wanted to make sure that if there were resources linked to her identity, those resources would be allocated to and benefit the community with which she primarily identified.

This article is a monthly column by Ethnic Media Services aimed to educate about the need to respond to the 2020 U. S. Census. 

Initiative aims to provide scholarships, internships, entrepreneurship training, and leadership and career development to HBCU students at qualifying institutions, while also igniting giving from additional corporate partners to increase HBCU funding

Southern Company and its subsidiaries today announced a $50 million multi-year initiative to provide students attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with scholarships, internships, leadership development, and access to technology and innovation to support career readiness. This initiative will provide support for students attending select HBCUs within the Southern Company system’s service footprint in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina.

“This investment is a statement of our belief that America needs these HBCU graduates in order to ensure a thriving economy for generations to come,” said Thomas A. Fanning, chairman, president and CEO, Southern Company. “We invite others to partner with us to create the scholarships, internships, and opportunities to train the leaders of tomorrow.”

Southern Company acknowledges that building the talent pipeline at HBCUs cannot be done by one corporation –additional partners are needed to join in support with matching gifts.

HBCUs have a longstanding tradition of graduating compelling and impactful leaders. Founded before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, HBCUs were created, primarily, to provide African Americans with high quality education and skills development when laws prohibited them from being admitted at predominantly white colleges and universities. As a result, HBCUs have become incubators for innovative and bold leadership. The legacy of HBCUs includes pioneering leaders like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Morehouse); Alice Walker (Spelman College); George Washington Carver (Tuskegee Institute); and many others. With an influx of support, HBCUs can grow this legacy by ensuring students have the resources and support not only to graduate, but to excel.

“Southern Company’s initiative is a tribute to the legacy of HBCUs as difference-makers for the American workforce. With this investment, we aim to foster a generation of graduates ready to disrupt industries and offer solutions to address the needs of our changing world,” said Chris Womack, executive vice president and president of external affairs, Southern Company.

Southern Company’s $50 million HBCU initiative is envisioned as a leadership development platform. It seeks to provide funding for programs that address four priorities necessary for producing HBCU graduates who are ready to become innovative leaders:

• Provide critical scholarship dollars to ensure talented students can attend and complete college;
• Equip HBCU students with access to new technology and train them to use the technology to solve real-world problems;
• Expose HBCU students to curricula, mentoring, and pathways to funding that increase their access to entrepreneurship; and
• Develop a corporate pipeline for leadership and career development, beginning with internships provided by Southern Company and corporate partners, to create avenues to prosperity.

Further details on this competitive program will be announced by May 1, 2020. The first round of funding will be awarded in time for the academic year beginning in fall 2021.

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.

While most people agree that it is in the public’s best interest to have safe and efficient airports that can accommodate increased passenger travel, proponents of increasing the passenger fee have been a little misleading about the condition of the nation’s airports.

NNPA NEWSWIRE – Why is it that poor people are always asked to pay more in America?  Last year, I warned about the possibility that Congress might try to impose a new tax on air travelers. Well, it’s 2020 – and here we go again.

Even in the midst of a historic impeachment trial and potential military conflict abroad, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have managed to find time to dust off their plan to soak air travelers, including working people who struggle everyday just to make ends meet.

Make no mistake about it: this is a tax hike, even though backers of this plan won’t call it a tax hike, for obvious reasons. And it’s one that hits relatively low-wage workers harder than it hits those who make a lot more money. And it hits those who routinely fly for business especially hard too.

This week, Democratic leaders are expected to unveil their broad infrastructure agenda for the coming year – a plan that is sorely needed given our aging highways, railways and other transportation needs.

But here is what is galling: sources tell me that buried in the broad array of transportation initiatives is a proposal to raise the so-called Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), a hidden fee on airline travelers that Congress enacted long ago to help pay for renovation projects at airports around the country.

Most Americans have probably never heard of the PFC, now capped at about $4.50 per person for each leg of a flight. But working families across the country, including our readers, may soon feel the impact if some members of Congress have their way.

Here is how the fee works. Passengers are charged the fee at the ticket counter, allowing the airport that collects it to keep it for local repairs and renovations. Current proposals in Congress include one to nearly double the fee to $8.50 per person for each leg of a flight. Another possibility is eliminating the cap entirely, thereby allowing airports to charge whatever they like.

If the fee is raised to $8.50, a family of four on a trip with a connecting flight would pay nearly $150 in this tax alone – a tax that is layered on top of the price of the ticket itself, a major reason people don’t notice it. Such a substantial increase could be the deciding factor between that family taking a much-deserved vacation or staying home.

While most people agree that it is in the public’s best interest to have safe and efficient airports that can accommodate increased passenger travel, proponents of increasing the passenger fee have been a little misleading about the condition of the nation’s airports.

In reality, airports are undergoing something of a revitalization, particularly when compared to rail or highway travel. Passengers are traveling at record rates, airport revenues are at all-time highs, and infrastructure upgrades are booming across the nation.

Just take a look at the balance sheets of our nation’s airports. U. S. airports have over $16 Billion of unrestricted cash and investments on hand, with $7 billion sitting in the aviation trust fund. And, in the last decade, more than $165 Billion in federal aid has been directed to airports for improvement projects at America’s largest 30 airports alone.

Some of these projects have been completed. Others are currently underway. And some have received approval to move forward in the coming months. For example, Los Angeles International Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport are both undergoing multi-billion-dollar upgrades. Smaller facilities like the Long Island MacArthur Airport and the Shawnee Regional Airport are also upgrading their terminals and runways.

The bottom line, then, is that there is no substantive basis for a fee hike. And it makes even less sense politically.

With Election Day just months away, most lawmakers will likely make the safe calculation and reject any proposed hike presented on the floor for a vote, lest they stir a voter backlash. Yet it should be worrisome that House Democratic leaders appear willing to put a fee hike on the table for consideration.

It could be nothing more than a trial balloon released in an attempt to test whether rank-and-file lawmakers have the stomach for taking up such a measure in an election year. But even if it is just that, there’s still reason for concern, given that even unpopular ideas have a way of gaining sudden momentum in the topsy-turvy politics of Congress.

Air travel remains one of the most popular and necessary forms of transportation because it is relatively safe and convenient.  But it should not become more expensive because a hidden tax that few people expected is added.

Congress should not put air travel out of the reach of American families who are still trying to get out of poverty.  Thus, increasing taxes on airline tickets won’t fly for Black Americans and won’t fly for all others who believe in economic fairness and equality of opportunity.

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Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) representing the Black Press of America. He can be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa.org.

By Lou Yeboah

“…You think you can tell me anything and I will believe it? You got me twisted! I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am your Creator! I know your deeds and your thoughts. I know the true intent of your heart [Jeremiah 17:10; Genesis 6:5]. Talking ‘bout “Lord, forgive me, I repent.” Knowing doggone well you don’t mean what you say, because as soon as you are done uttering those words, you are going back to your old ways.  You know it and I know it. You snake! You brood of viper! How are you to escape being sentenced to hell? [Matthew 23:33]. You can’t repent and remain the same. I wish that you were either hot or cold, but because you are lukewarm, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” [Revelation 3:15-17].

I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. When you come to appear before Me, who requires of you this trampling of My courts? Bring your worthless offerings no longer, incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies– I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.  I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed fasts, they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.  So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Because your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourself, make yourself clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,  Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. [Isaiah 1:11-17] and consider how far you have fallen, because I’m fed up with you! You are a spiritual stranger to me. Your actions do not follow your intentions.  Truly, I say to you, I do not know you. I don’t recognize you as my disciple. I don’t acknowledge you as my follower. When your heart breaks over your sin and deep sorrow engulfs you for what you have done, then I will listened and offer full forgiveness, [2 Samuel 12:13]

I want you to know that God struck Ananias and Sapphira dead because He wanted to teach the church both then and now an important lesson about hypocrisy and deceit, and lying to the Holy Spirit. So don’t you ever think that you are smart enough to pull the wool over God’s eyes. You may be able to get away with deceiving people, but you cannot deceive God. Deception is always detected by God. You better know that you know! Lying to the Holy Spirit and lying to God extremely dangerous.

Do not be like Saul, Nadab and Abihu, and Ananias and Sapphira. Obey the Word of God completely and make your entrance into the Everlasting Kingdom sure [2 Peter 1:1-11]. And why you at it, read [Psalms 2:9-12] a Scripture about vengeance. A Scripture that lets you know what happens when God says “Enough is enough!” It’s a Scripture that reminds us that God is to be feared and revered. It’s a Scripture that lets us know that one day, Jesus is going to look over at His Father and say, “Let me have them Father” and the Father will grant the request of His Son. Judgment will be unleashed on the Earth. Sin will be dealt with.  So if you want to escape the wrath of God: “Be wise!” Lying to the Holy Spirit and lying to God is extremely dangerous!