WSSN Stories

Publisher’s Commentary By Wallace Allen IV

Today, and every new day presents an opportunity to choose to attempt to go forward or to quit or possibly do something in between. The President Elect, Donald Trump, said things that some will find encouraging. He will rebuild the inner city and African American Community, build bridges and highways and create jobs, and he has not at this writing, mentioned building a wall!

However, many people are disappointed and possibly afraid of the Trump Presidency. I suggest that depending on government action is risky business even when you feel good about who is elected. Life is surely stressful if you feel disrespected by them. I suggest that the election of Donald Trump can and must become a good thing, and to assure our community’s success, we must play our “Trump” card!

Economic issues confronting our community require that concerned and talented community members visualize and effect plans that acknowledge our resources. Demonstrating respect for our resources and potential is a big but very achievable step. Consider that our churches deposit a estimated $500,000,000 per Monday. That deposit is not being levered. Additionally, our trillion dollar annual buying- power is promptly diluted by our propensity to immediately spend it outside of our community. Correcting that bad habit will change things very quickly. Circulating money is how a community grows itself. There can be safety and security in numbers. A community that successfully utilizes its member resources will find that others outside their community will respect that accomplishment and want to work with them also. Whether the President Elect is somehow able to do something for us or not, controlling our resources can be more beneficial than any government program.    

That a group of people can spend a trillion dollars a year and not be economically viable is a demonstration of inappropriate behavior. The fact is, behavior is something that can be corrected. In the ‘games of life’ we know that doing the unexpected, the unusual, can lead to triumph. Our community will find economic triumph by doing the unexpected, the unusual. Focusing on levering our resources and ‘vesting our money in developing our community’ is indeed, an unexpected change and definitely appropriate behavior!

In this game of economics, changing from a random, suicidal spending attitude to a focused buying/spending strategy is in effect, “playing our Trump card”!

By Naomi K. Bonman

Despite the harsh reality of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States, there is still a little praise to cheer about. California showed up and showed out in electing the state’s first new U.S. Senator in 24 years. State Atty. General Kamala Harris has become the first black politician in history to represent California in the Senate. This the start that we need in turning over the House of Representatives and Senate from the Republicans. Not only is Harris the states first new U.S. Senator in years, but she is only the second black woman ever to be selected to the Senate since 1999. 

As reported by the Los Angeles Times, the Harris-Sanchez Senate race was the first major test of California’s “top-two” primary system, an experiment in democracy that California voters approved in 2010 in an effort to reduce the highly partisan influence of the Democratic and Republican parties and give independents and moderates more clout in the political process. 

Like many Californians, I voted for Harris, and not just because she was a Black woman but because I believed in and loved her vision that she has for not only for the our state but for the Nation. I admired her speeches and I feel a little comfort knowing that she will be representing us in the Senate. Even after the news of our 45th President selection, she gave us even more comfort and perseverance through her words. 

“Our ideals are at stake right now, and we all have to fight for who we are,” she said in a speech far more somber than most victory addresses. “I believe this is that moment in time for our country, where we are collectively being required to look in the mirror, and with furrowed brow, we are asking a question: Who are we? In California, I believe the answer is a good one: We are a great country.”

The country has survived horrible presidents in the past and this one is no different. We can still preserve and achieve our greatness. Let’s not let fear hinder us, but to push us further into achieving what we need to achieve. 

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

“Though the storms keep on raging in my life, and sometimes it’s hard to tell my night from day, still that hope that lies within is reassured, as I keep my eyes upon the distant shore; I know He’ll lead me safely to that blessed place He has prepared. But if the storms don’t cease, and if the wind keeps on blowing, my soul has been anchored in the Lord. [My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord.” Lyrics, by Douglas Miller]

Regardless of the storm that tosses your life and mine, if we have the same confidence that Paul had in his relationship to the Lord, then we can have faith in His promise to be with us always – [Matthews 28:20; Hebrews 13:5 Psalm 23:4]. What an encouragement it is to know that we will never face an instant of life on our own. Every step, every valley, every mountain will be graced by God’s presence. [Psalms 23:6] – Goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives. I tell you just having a word from God is enough to anchor us and give us blessed assurance. Why? Because God is as good as His Word [Romans 4:21] His promises are steadfast and true [Roman 3:4; Hebrew 6:18]. Promises of….. Brighter Days – [Psalms 30:5] Deliverance – [Psalms 34:19] Everything is for our Good – [Romans 8:18; 28;32] Divine Grace – [2 Corinthians. 12:9] Ultimate Glory – [Revelations. 21:4] promises based in and on His Word. So go ahead and claim the promises of God as an anchor for your soul as you sail the seas of life. You see if ever there was a time when we need to heed Paul’s warning not to be “…tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” [Ephesians 4: 14] it is today. Because what we all need if we are to withstand the spiritual winds, which are howling about us, is a real sense of stability. We need spiritual mooring. We need something solid and firm to hold on to. 

I don’t know about you, but I still believe that God is Sovereign! This just means that He is in absolute control of everything that happens in life. He is a Sovereign Lord – [Isaiah 45:7]. Listen to the testimony of James concerning this sovereign Lord – [James 1:17]. “If I didn’t know God was on His throne I would not want to live in this world another second, but as long as I know He orders the storms – [Mark 6:45-50] I can weather them. He knows what is best and that is all He sends into your life and mine [Romans 8:28]. So the best thing we can do when the storms rage about us is run to Him for refuge and cling to Him until the storm passes” [Psalms. 57:1; Isaiah 25:4].

I want you to know that I’ve faced more storms than I care to recount, but my anchor of faith holds. God rides the storms with me as Jesus did with the disciples [Matthew 8:23]. Storms of change, tragedy, disillusionment, depression, financial meltdown, loss, and turmoil come, but I’m at peace because -the anchor- holds. It’s secured to an immovable Rock who knows all, controls all, sees all and loves me unconditionally. My ship may bruise and the winds tear the sails. It may even rub up against a few rocks, but I’ll never be blown beyond God’s perimeter or sink beneath His reach. Nor will you. So when storms test your anchor, remember it’s anchored to an all powerful unchangeable God. Let me say I am here by God’s appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time.”That is the kind of confidence that will let you shout in the devil’s face, even while the storm still rages, [Job 1:20-21]. So as we go through life’s storms, may we always have this song in our hearts. Let the winds blow. Let the waves surge. Let the questions fly. Let the threats come. Let the world speed on.  We have an anchor! We have a hope! We have stability here and now and eternity guaranteed in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love. “My soul’s been anchored in the Lord!”

Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program and White House Partner to Launch Historic Program to Improve the Hollywood Pipeline

Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program and the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities launch HBCUs in L.A. Internship Program. Hosted by SAG-AFTRA on Friday, November 4.

SAG-AFTRA is honored to host the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP) and the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHI-HBCU) to showcase the talented young men and women produced by our nation’s HBCUs with the launch of this historic internship program.

The first program of its kind to take on Hollywood’s pipeline problem, the HBCUs in L.A. Internship Program inaugural class will include White House HBCU All-Star students and a select group of the best, brightest and diverse student leaders from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation.

Launching in the Summer of 2017, the program will provide students with an immersive, real world work experience designed to supplement their academic curriculum and prepare them for careers in the entertainment, media and communications industries. The internship program stems from many of President Obama’s initiatives, such as A Call to Arts and My Brother’s Keeper, which aim to engage and mentor the next generation regardless of who they are or where they come from.

Special guests will include Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Deputy Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, Acting Executive Director White House Initiative on HBCU’s; David White, National Executive Director, SAG-AFTRA; and Stacy Milner, founder of the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program and author of Leveraging UP! The Key to Launching Your Entertainment Career; Federal officials; HBCU Presidents and Community Leaders; and other special guests.

The event will take place at SAG-AFTRA Plaza, James Cagney Boardroom – Lobby Level, located at 5757 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. Parking will be validated. The event will start at 6 p.m. and will resume until 9 p.m.

Please email Alexandra Tashman at alexandra.tashman@sagaftra.org to RSVP. As space is limited, only CONFIRMED media will be able to attend. For more information please contact: Pamela Greenwalt, SAG-AFTRA Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at (323) 549-6872 or pamela.greenwalt@sagaftra.org.

Janet Kirtley

Janet Kirtley is What It Do Inland Empire. She is the Founder of S.E.S. Management (5 yrs), Founder of S.E.S. Music Group (3 yrs), Founder of S.E.S. Street Team (2 yrs), and Founder of Put Down Your Guns – The Cali Movement (1 yr). Read all about this amazing lady right here in my column.

S.E.S. stands for “Something Extra Special”. They’re in the business of helping others achieve their goals and dreams in the music industry in the fields of Stage Management, Artist Management and Artist Branding and Promotions. Keeping with the philosophy of taking care of the independent artist, S.E.S. only works with upcoming local talent, promoters and businesses. S.E.S. is contracted with OutDaHouse Productions, Observatory and Novo to run all Hip Hop & R & B Shows for the following venues: The Observatory Orange County & San Diego, The Novo formerly Nokia, Pomona Fox Theatre and The El Rey Theatre.

S.E.S. Management has done a lot of their own independent shows, as well as Stage Management, running and booking acts and opening up for Tech N9ne, DJ Quik, E40, RJ, Lupe Fiasco, Desiigner, Snoop, Asher Roth, Mac 10, WC, Kurupt, 2 Chainz, Nipsey Hussle, Jarule & Ashanti, Fat Joe & Remy Ma, Young Thug, Juciy J, Iamsu, DMX, Hopsin and Psycho Realm just to a name a few. S.E.S. has become the premier stage management company for major and small promoters to run their shows with expertise and professionalism. SES has also played a major role with headlining acts that come to town in booking and stage management for the recent 2 Pac Tribute Show.

Trust me artist Janet Kirtley is someone you want to know. Until next week keep them L’zzz in da air!

Publisher’s Commentary By Wallace J. Allen

San Bernardino L & M; Charter Change… FOR… City Clerk Treasurer, City Attorney not elected   AGAINST want to vote for those positions   Measure O, Repeals S B Ban on sales N;   & P; Regulates growing and sales of MJ…

51… School Bonds, K-12 & Community College Facilities…   YES!

52… Medi-Cal Hospital Fee…       YES! BENEFITS Total Healthcare in Ca…

53… Revenue Bonds Statewide Voter Approval     YES! Though investor money develops, resident use is the ultimate payback to investors! Work done in phases is more transparent and efficient, especially when done with public money!

54… Legislature, Legislative Proceedings… YES! Requires 72 hour internet before legislation can be voted on… Video and record all Legislative meetings.

55… Tax Extension…   YES! Taxes people earning $250,000 per year to aid Education & Healthcare… (We should all look forward to qualifying to pay this tax)

56… Cigarette Tax … NO!  This 2-dollar tax is a misguided attempt to stop poor people from smoking… It is targeting poor and mentally challenged people who would probably stop smoking if they had a job with a living wage… Jobs and mental services would probably be a better means of producing the next wave of Tobacco Use Reduction… And a tax on luxury items would probably raise more money than the cigarette tax! (Possibly)

57… Criminal Sentences…   YES!     Court assignments for juveniles will be made by Juvenile Court Judges… Parole for non-violent convictions! Will not release prisoners convicted of violent crimes as defined by the California Penal Code! See page 143 of your large California Official Voter Guide

58… English Proficiency Multilingual Education… YES!     Allows parents/schools to locally determine the bilingual teaching methodology…

59… Corporations, Political Spending …   YES!   Gives California an Official Billboard stating opposition to “Citizens United”! It speaks against creating a “Corporate Humanity” class as super political contributors.

60… Adult Films, Condoms… Requires Condom use during filming… NO!   This provides no additional protection for workers and creates right to sue for uninvolved entities…

61… State Prescription Purchasing, Pricing standards… YES!   Do not worry about Big Pharmacy raising the price on the VA and thus on everyone else! The VA contract is for all 50 states! Big Pharmacy cannot raise prices in California ONLY!

62… Death Penalty Repealed… YES! Saves Money, Eliminates executing the innocent and coddling the guilty!

63… Firearms, Ammunition Sales…   NO!   How much is too much ammunition? Too expensive to enforce and is potential result worth it? One can make his own ammunition as well as build his/her own firearm… How it that going to be regulated

64… Marijuana Legalization… NO!   This Prop is too complicated… possession of one ounce is all ready legal for adults. Need a bill to decriminalize… Legalization is an economic opportunity that needs transparent regulations that allow for equal access to the industry.

65… Carryout Bags Charges (Directs funds)   NO!   Plastic bag companies need your vote to keep selling bags…

66… Death Penalty… Mend It Don’t End It…   NO!   Lawyers are the main beneficiaries of a “yes”!

67… Ban on Single Use Plastic bag Sales… NO!    Let your city decide!

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

“…. Let my distress and the tears I shed in consequence of it be ever before thee, 0 Lord” [Psalms 18:6].

For those that don’t understand why it is hard for a mother to let go of her child no matter what they do, I want you to know that a mother called by God will never relinquish the title. Mothers never relinquish the title, even if the child is rebellious, harsh, and cruel or has gone wayward. Her heart just will not allow it; not when she is called by God. A mother loves her child no matter what they do or have done. Yes a foolish son brings sorrow to his mother, and the pain of seeing so much time, expense, effort, and affection go to waste sucks the life from her soul. It tears at her heart and spirit. Like David, she cries for her foolish son and wept, “O my son, my son, my son” [2 Sam 18:33]. Like Mary, she just doesn’t stand stoically and passively by at the foot of the cross, as if she were already made out of stained glass. No, she crumples at the cross. She falls down to the depths there, moaning and wailing and begging the God of heaven to stop her hell on earth. If a son will consider these things and be wise, his father will rejoice. [Proverbs 27:11] and his mother will have gladness in her heart [Proverbs 23:25]. But a Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble [Job 14:1].

How many mothers’ hearts have been broken by willful and wayward children? My hand is raised! But only the LORD knows such large numbers! The heart that almost daily burst with pleasure and affection caring for the newborn is torn deeply by the willful disobedience and foolishness of the sinful child. Mothers shed many tears. When you look into any mother’s eyes and see them glistening with tears, when you look into any mother’s eyes and see them about to brim over, remember that the love there is a reflection of a much higher love. It is a reflection of the love of God, “love divine all love’s excelling.”

Some of you know all too well what I’m talking about, or perhaps I am the only one with a prodigal son… by his own admission, he chose the path of worldly pleasure. The grief that I feel – grief over the foolish choices that bring consequences to him, pain to others, and reproach to God’s name. The fear – fear of the future and what will happen to him and to my family. If you know the sorrow of a wayward child may I encourage you to — lift up your eyes and look to God? Receive his comfort in your grief, His joy for your fear, His forgiveness for your sin, His righteousness for your shame, His hope for your future. In all cases, the Word of God gives us one recipe for the curing of all their ills, ‘Bring him unto Me” says the Lord.

I tell you we must never cease to pray until they cease to breathe. No matter how far gone they may seem do not give up hope for them. Lay them at the feet of Jesus, and then intercede for them! Go to God on their behalf, and plead with Him for their lives! Don’t give up, and thereby miss the opportunity to see God work a miracle! Regardless of their age; from young to old, unsaved to backslidden, rebellious stricken to criminal, or indifference, prayers based on God’s Covenant Promises will prevail because the Lord has bound Himself to the Word of His own lips… So don’t let Satan drag your kids through Hell… or to Hell. You have a covenant with God! FIGHT IN PRAYER [Nehemiah 4:14]. Ever since God announced in the Garden of Eden, that the woman’s seed would be against the serpent, Satan has been trying to steal and destroy the seed of God’s people. He is so terrified of our children that he often works overtime against them. This is because he knows that the next generation might just be the generation that is his undoing, ushering in the return of Jesus. The need of the hour is for parents to become skilled in SPIRITUAL WARFARE! There are times when the only thing standing between our children and the enemy is prayer, the key to winning the battle. No matter what the enemy determines to do in the lives of our children, he is no match for our Almighty Father. “The battle for our children’s lives is waged on our knees. When we don’t pray, it’s like sitting on the sidelines watching our children in a war zone getting shot at from every angle. When we DO pray, were in the battle alongside them, appropriating Gods power on their behalf. It’s time to go to War! Pray without ceasing!

By Mildred D. Henry

In this year of unprecedented politics, there are those who would tell me how I should think and feel as an African-American. I ask, if the African-American experience is so bad, what have you personally done to alleviate the situation? What is your personal experience with the African-American community? I have a few personal experiences I would share.

• On a visit to Little Rock, Arkansas, shortly after Bill Clinton was elected president, I personally met with key administrators of his transition team decision-makers, which were African-American. African-Americans have been employed in his administrations throughout Bill Clinton’s political career.
• President Clinton appointed Rodney Slater U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Rodney is an African-American married to the daughter of my schoolmate, Henry Wilkins III, who attended all-Black Merrill High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
• Hillary Clinton worked with the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) which was founded by African-American Marion Wright Edelman in 1973. CDF is the leading nonprofit advocacy organization in the United States for children’s rights. A leading coalition is the Black Community Crusade for Children.
• In 1968, when Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated, Hillary Clinton worked with the African-American student organization at Wellesley College to organize a two day strike.
• On October 16, 2016, while visiting the Museum of Black History and Culture at the historically Black AM&N College/University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, I met an art major graduate who is currently employed as an archivist in the Clinton administration. This young lady is responsible for preserving artifacts, and making restorations, such as she did on the broken nose of President George Washington’s face. She is employed to also be responsible for archiving memorabilia, such as Hillary Clinton’s wardrobe. I have found African-Americans involved at all levels of the Clinton’s experience.

I could go on and on. If my African American experience is as bad as you purport, you have not walked in my shoes, and if you provided no jobs or shoes for my feet, you cannot talk to me, or for me.   Sorry, “I can’t hear what you say for seeing what you do”.

On Tuesday November 8, I will cast my vote for proven experience.

By Michael H. Cottman, Urban News Service

Negest Dawit, a savvy businesswoman from Ethiopia, steered her 1998 Mercedes Benz past a vacant building on 9th Street near downtown Washington, D.C. and gazed into her future.

“I looked at the building and said ‘This will be my store,’” Dawit told Urban News Service.

That was 10 years ago. Today, Dawit — affectionately called TG — owns a cigar store. TG Cigar Lounge is at 1118 9th Street, NW.

But her journey from Ethiopia to entrepreneurship was not easy.

She moved from that East African nation to Canada in 1996 and worked as a housekeeper. That job paid the bills, she said, but not one she wanted for long.

“I only had $50 when I got to Canada,” she said. “My mother gave me the money.” Dawit sat in her modest apartment, talked to her sister, and, during meals, discussed her future.

In 2000, Dawit packed her bags and moved to Washington, D.C. seeking better opportunities. She spent four years at an Ethiopian restaurant on U Street.

Even as she waited tables there, she planned her next move, next job, and next challenge.

“It was very hard moving here,” she said. “I had to learn the streets, the Metro, driving. It was a lot to learn. I moved here and started from scratch.” 

And there also was the language: Dawit learned English at school in Ethiopia and speaks it well. But her thick accent reveals her African heritage.

Dawit took a job at Presidential Cigars at Union Station in 2004, and it changed her life.

“They taught me everything I know about cigars,” she said. “I worked in sales, and I learned the business. And the owner encouraged me to open my own business.”

And that’s just what she did.

“I was a housekeeper, a waitress, a cigar saleswoman, and then I opened my own cigar store,” Dawit said. She now is Washington’s only female cigar store owner. 

“Customers ask if they can speak with the owner, and they are surprised when I tell them I’m the owner,” Dawit said.

Dawit opened her business in 2006 after standing inside the dusty storefront building and imagining what how her operation would look after she renovated. 

“It was formerly a T-Mobile store,” Dawit said. “It was dirty, and it needed a lot of work. But it was mine.” 

Mark Jackson, Dawit’s store manager, recalls meeting Dawit as he strolled through Presidential Cigars.

“I was checking out local cigar shops, doing research to launch my own line of cigars, ‘Blacksmoke,’ which I eventually did,” he said.

Jackson said he was immediately drawn to Dawit.

“She was absolutely beautiful and very knowledgeable about cigars,” Jackson said.

But opening her own store had its unique challenges, Dawit said. She required inventory — $30,000 to start — and needed people to vouch for her, tough things for someone just getting started. 

“They were asking me for referrals, but I didn’t have any,” Dawit said. “It was a challenge. I built relationships with sales people and wholesalers, and they helped me build my inventory, and some gave me credit.”

Dawit now has a $500,000 inventory and is arranging to buy the property, which she now leases. She has more than 3,500 customers, some of whom pack into the shop seven days a week to smoke cigars, sip Scotch, and network with other smokers.

“My customers include businessmen, politicians, and cigar club members,” Dawit said. “One third of my customers are women.”

She said the three cigar clubs that loyally meet at her store help her business flourish.

“They feel like they are at home,” she said. 

Dawit proudly points to the 2,000 cigar brands for sale inside her state-of-the-art glass-case humidors

The aroma of cigar smoke fills Dawit’s spacious location. Next to the well-stocked bar is a roomy lounge with comfortable seats and a large flat-screen TV.
While nearly 13 billion cigars were sold in America in 2015, according to the Center for Disease Control, Dawit is not the typical cigar store owner: She doesn’t smoke.

“I don’t smoke cigars, and I don’t drink,” Dawit said as she walks through her stylish venue, and cigar smoke hangs in the air. “But I do offer my customers a great deal of knowledge about cigars.”

Dawit is friendly, attractive and formidable. She has a sly smile, long black hair that flows over her shoulders, and a sultry accent that hints of mystery.

“TG’s gift is certainly her personality,” said Jackson. “She hugs people, shakes hands, it’s a genuine passion for her business and it brings folks back.” 

Dawit agreed.

“I haven’t had a vacation in 10 years,” she said. “I work seven days a week; I’m always here.”

Dawit says her store also offers a full-service tobacco shop with house-blended tobaccos, cigar lighters, novel ashtrays, vaporizers and hookah pipes. 

And she drives to work in her 2017 Range Rover.

“I know everything there is to know about cigars,” Dawit said. “I can smell cigars, roll them, merchandise them, and sell them. I just don’t smoke them.”

By Frank Kineavy 

Black and Hispanic minors in New Jersey are far more likely to be prosecuted as adults than those in other groups, according to a new analysis of court records by WNYC. Further, far more Black and Hispanic youths are given adult sentences or, in some cases, sent to adult prisons.

Over the past five years, state prosecutors were asked to try 1,251 minors as adults. According to the data, 87.6 percent of those minors were Black or Hispanic.

Roughly half — 692 — of those requests were granted, and those minors were all tried as adults. Of those minors, 87.4 percent were Black or Hispanic.

According to the U.S. Census’ QuickFacts, New Jersey is 56.2 percent white, 14.8 percent Black, 19.7 percent Hispanic, 9.7 percent Asian, 2.1 percent two or more races and less than one percent American Indian and Native Hawaiian.

WNYC went through New Jersey prison records for everyone currently incarcerated who was a minor at the time they committed a crime and found:

“• At least 152 inmates are still in prison today for crimes they committed as kids in the past five years

• 93 percent of them are Black or Latino

• The most common crime they committed was robbery

• 20 percent of them have sentences of 10 or more years

• 2 are female inmates”

If a minor is convicted as an adult, they are subjected to adult sentences, which are longer than juvenile sentences. Adult sentences also give the minor a permanent record, rather than juvenile records that usually end up sealed. The minors are also sent to adult prisons. A minor is only tried as an adult if a prosecutor makes a special request, and then the judge either accepts or denies that request.

The study also showed that some county prosecutors are more likely than others to make special requests, and some counties are more likely to accept these requests for Black minors to be tried as adults compared to their white counterparts. Hunterdon County’s prosecutor has not requested to have a minor tried as an adult in the last five years, and their minor population is 80 percent white.

“Controlling for nature of offense, controlling for family background, controlling for educational history — all of the things that go into a prosecutor’s decision, there are still disparities, significant disparities, that cannot be explained by anything other than race,” says Laura Cohen, the director of the Criminal and Youth Justice Clinic at Rutgers Law School.

The data from New Jersey matches up with trends nationally, as an estimated 60 percent of those under 18 serving life sentences without parole are Black.

Psychological research also supports these statistics. In 2014, the American Psychological Association published a study, “The Essence of Innocence: Consequences of Dehumanizing Black Children.” The study concluded that Black children are less likely to be seen as children or “childlike” than white children:

“We find converging evidence that Black boys are seen as older and less innocent and that they prompt a less essential conception of childhood than do their White same-age peers. Further, our findings demonstrate that the Black/ape association predicted actual racial disparities in police violence toward children. These data represent the first attitude/behavior matching of its kind in a policing context. Taken together, this research suggests that dehumanization is a uniquely dangerous intergroup attitude, that intergroup perception of children is underexplored, and that both topics should be research priorities.”

According to the study’s authors, white children are more often perceived as innocent than Black children.

“The evidence shows that perceptions of the essential nature of children can be affected by race, and for Black children, this can mean they lose the protection afforded by assumed childhood innocence well before they become adults,” said co-author Matthew Jackson, PhD, of the University of California, Los Angeles. “With the average age overestimation for Black boys exceeding four-and-a-half years, in some cases, Black children may be viewed as adults when they are just 13 years old.”

“Children in most societies are considered to be in a distinct group with characteristics such as innocence and the need for protection. Our research found that Black boys can be seen as responsible for their actions at an age when white boys still benefit from the assumption that children are essentially innocent,” noted author Phillip Atiba Goff, PhD, also from UCLA.

In March of 2016 New Jersey signed into law that minors who are tried as adults will no longer be sent directly to adult prisons until they are the appropriate age. However, this law is not retroactive, meaning minors already serving sentences in adult prisons will not be moved to a juvenile facility.

Read more @ DiversityInc.com