WSSN Stories

By Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media

The NAACP commissioned the leading millennial and minority-owned public opinion research company HIT Strategies to analyze Black voter engagement and explore trends and devise strategies to reach voters on the issues that they care about. They found that Black voters are far from being a monolith – though they have many similarities.

However, critical nuances contribute to creating diverging trends among Black voters, particularly when researchers factor in sex and age.

The 2020 election cycle had historic turnout among people of color. HIT Strategies found that 14% of Black voters, 31% of Latino voters, and 39% of Asian American or Pacific Islander voters were new voters. Joe Biden did worse with all three of these demographics than Hillary Clinton did in 2016, though he did significantly better with White seniors, White men, and White college-educated voters.

The Democratic Party had one of the most diverse tickets ever. Candidates of color like Stacy Abrams and Raphael Warnock are supported by significantly different coalitions from Joe Biden. They may not do as well with White voters, thus it is imperative to increase their support among Black voters to succeed, according to the report.

Gender Gap

The research showed that the “Trump Bump,” where Donald Trump’s support increased among Black men voters, affected down ballot elections as well.  Tom Tillis (R-NC), who beat Cal Cunningham by just 95,000 votes, would have lost if Black men were voting for Cunningham at the same rate as Black women.  Though the Trump bump is not unique among Black men, since polls find men are generally more conservative than women, it was unique because they voted Democratic during Barack Obama’s election. In order for Democrats to succeed, they will need to reach voting Black men at the same rate as former President Obama did.

Pain – Power – Progress

In 2020, among Black voters polled in Georgia, 73% said that they felt extremely powerful and 71% turned out to vote.  HIT Strategies determined there was a direct correlation between perceived political power and voter participation. Astonishingly, in 2022 this perception of power has dropped by almost 30%.  If this leads to an equivalent decline in Black voter participation, in any state, HIT Strategies believe that it is likely that the candidates at the top of the ticket are much less likely to succeed. From these results, the NAACP found that in order to increase political participation, they must make Black voters feel powerful, knowing that if they feel powerful that they will not waste that power.

Understanding that Black voters are not a monolith, the research group conducted a combination of high propensity surveys and low propensity focus groups in different battleground states where Black voters could be the margin of difference for a winning candidate.  The goal of the high propensity surveys was to see how voters’ views changed over time, while the focus groups allowed researchers to dive more into the nuances of people’s views.

They found that, consistent with other groups, Black voters were deeply concerned about the economy, probably driven by anxieties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The voters also expressed that they want solutions for gun violence – encompassing mass shootings and gang violence.

“They do not want a gun violence reaction that lends to further mass incarceration, but they do want to see more sophisticated reforms and more aggressive regulation, that is not just criminalizing those that are perpetrating this violence but preventing the violence from happening in the first place,” Terrance Woodburry, CEO and founder of HIT Strategies said.  “Just like the economy, they are not separating gun violence from racism.”

The Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade caused abortion access to surge as an issue, especially among Black voters under 50 years old. “There is no gender gap in support for abortion, it is constant across all young Black voters,” Woodbury said.

The Generational Gap

 HIT Strategies uncovered a potentially threatening generation gap as they conducted their research.

“Young Black voters are extremely cynical, extremely frustrated — not just with Democrats, not just with Republicans, not even just with politics,” Woodbury said. “They are cynical towards institutions that they feel like have failed them.”

“When Black voters were asked if their lives had improved since Joe Biden was elected, 73% said that their lives had not improved, including 21% who said that their lives had gotten worse.  When young Black voters were isolated, 28% said their lives had gotten worse. That’s where the erosion happens, both the erosion in turnout and the erosion of support for these candidates,” said Woodbury.

Though these same voters felt empowered in 2020, many of them don’t think that there has been enough progress.  The critical challenge in future elections is “activating those young people, keeping them engaged in the process and making them feel that their votes are powerful enough to make a difference,” Woodbury concluded.

By Lou Yeboah

Well so be it, have it your way, but I tell you; you will be sorry because there are consequence to pay when one does not heed My warnings. Disobedience brings My punishment. Disobedience attracts My Judgment. Disobedience attracts My Wrath. Disobedience damns you in Hell. But you don’t want to listen, well so be it, because it is what it is, and it will be what it will be.

I am going to appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume your eyes, and cause sorrow of your heart: I am going to set my face against you, that ye shall be slain before your enemies: and those that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when no one pursueth you.

And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.

And if ye walk contrary unto me and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your highways shall be desolate. And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things but will walk contrary unto me. Then will I also walk contrary unto you and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me but walk contrary unto me; Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savor of your sweet odors. And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. And I will scatter you among the heathen and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies’ land; even then shall the land rest and enjoy her sabbaths. [Leviticus 26:14-34]. It is what it is, and it will be what it will be!

Cursed shall you be in the city and cursed shall you be in the country. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Cursed shall you be when you come in and cursed shall you be when you go out. For the Lord will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Him. [Deuteronomy 28:15-21].

Second the motion. If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name, I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed you already because you do not take it to heart. [Malachi 2:2].

It is what it Is and It will be what It will be! You don’t want to listen!

By Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

Responding to a crime trend involving the theft of catalytic converters, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills on Sept. 25. The new laws, the Governor’s office said, prohibit the sale of used catalytic converters by parties who aren’t licensed auto dealers or dismantlers.

The bills require recyclers to keep specific records establishing a paper trail that tracks the devices used to control car emissions, which the legislations’ supporters say will reduce thefts.

Catalytic converters convert pollutant gases into less harmful gases in cars and cost between $800 to $1,200.

“California is helping to put the brakes on catalytic converter theft with the signing of two new bills. By eliminating a root cause of this issue these bills will help reduce crime and make Californians and their vehicles safer,” read a tweet from the California Bureau of Automotive Repair.

According to a study conducted by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), catalytic converter thefts jumped from 3,389 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020 – a 325% increase.

Thieves often resell materials in the converters to other parties.

“People who buy and sell these parts now have to keep detailed records so we can better trace thefts if indeed they do occur,” said Newsom. “You take away the market for stolen goods, you can help cut down on stealing.”

The bills Newsom signed are Assembly Bill (AB) 1740, authored by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), and Senate Bill (SB) 1087, authored by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach).

“Catalytic converter theft has been a major problem in recent years & @AirResources & I join @CAGovernor in supporting efforts to deter theft by ensuring lawful transactions & imposing fines on violators,” tweeted (California Air Resources Board) CARB Chair Liane Randolph.

Violations of this new law will be punishable as a misdemeanor, leading to fines of up to $4,000.

According to NICB, in California, over the past three years, the cars that catalytic converter thieves targeted most often were the Toyota Prius, Honda Element, Honda Accord, Ford Econoline, Honda CRV, Ford F-250, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, Ford Excursion and the Toyota Tacoma.

EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Screenwriter, director and producer, and Riverside native, Naomi K. Bonman, along with her team, have released their sneak peek for her lighthearted, romantic comedy, Manifested Bliss. Manifested Bliss is a testament to both women and men that they can manifest and create the relationship that they desire. No one has just to settle for a dead-end situation. People will walk out knowing that there is life after divorce and that you’re never too old to find your soul mate if you have yet to come across him or her.

To watch the sneak peek, please visit www.theawakenedlounge.com/manifested-bliss.

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

One hundred and ten African Americans died or suffered serious bodily injury during encounters with law enforcement officers in the Golden State over the course of the last year.

Blacks made up 16.7 % of the civilians that were killed or suffered severe injury injured during incidents involving the discharge of a firearm or the use of force by police officers in 2021. Of the 660 civilians, who died or were injured, 50.6 % were Hispanic and 25.5 % were White.

The report, however, does not indicate how many of the 149 individuals that died during the 628 incidents were Black or of any other race.

The stats were gleaned from the Use of Force Incident Report released by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) late last month.

The report was one of four annual criminal justice statistical breakdowns released to give the public, policymakers, researchers, and law enforcement statistics to support informed policy choices based on data and analysis and to help protect the safety and well-being of all Californians, according to an Aug. 25 press release from California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

“Good data,” Bonta said, “is key to good public policy.” He urged people to read the documents.

“Accurate statistics and the data in the annual crime reports are a critical part of calibrating our response, ensuring policymakers and law enforcement are able to make informed decisions,” Bonta stated.

The other reports released by the DOJ include Homicide in California, Crime in California, and Juvenile Justice in California.

The quartet of documents are available online and offer an analytical breakdown of criminal activity and related statistics such as the number of homicides reported last year, how much violent crime has increased in the state and the specificity of those crimes, a breakdown of age, race, sex of crime victims and offenders, and the various types of force used by law enforcement during encounters when an individual died or was injured badly.

The information found in the Use of Force report reveals that the types of force used by law enforcement officers against the 660 individuals included blunt impact weapons, chemical sprays, firearms, impact projectiles, vehicles, electronic control devices and their hands, feet, fists use or other body parts.

According to DOJ, officers shooting a firearm hit 233 people and missed 58 others. They used K-9 dogs on 77 people and controlled holds or takedowns on 121 others. While officers perceived that 383 civilians were armed during the incidents, 341 or 89% of them were confirmed to have been carrying weapons.

1,462 officers were reported to be involved in shooting a firearm or using excessive force during incidents that resulted in death or serious injury. Fifty-eight of the officers were Black.

The Crime in California report presents an overview of the criminal justice system in California. It revealed that the violent crime rate rose 6.7 %, from 437 crimes per 100,000 people to 466.2 last year. The property crime rate increased 3 % and the homicide rate jumped up 9.1% while the rape incidence rate increased 8.6 %. The motor vehicle theft rate rose 8.2%. The state’s burglary and arson rates dropped.

There were 153,546 violent crimes in the state in 2021. All the data are based on the number of known victims and incidents.

Bonta said crime rates remain below historical highs, but property and violent crimes continue to have terrible effects on California communities.

“Gun violence, in particular, remains a consistent and growing threat. In fact, in 2021, nearly three-fourths of all homicides in California involved a firearm,” he said. “As we confront these ongoing challenges, we must have accountability and appropriate consequences for those who break the law.”

The total number of reported civilian complaints against peace officers increased from 16,547 in 2020 to 28,617 last year. The number of complaints from civilians accusing officers of crimes — 683 — was the lowest since 1983.

There were 2,361 homicides reported in 2021, according to the Homicide Crime in California report. Of the homicides where the victim’s race or ethnicity was identified, 29.5 % or 690 were Black, second only to the 47.1 % or 1,102 victims who were Hispanic. The largest segment of Black victims — 38.4 % or 264 — were aged 18-29. Three hundred and twenty-five of the Black victims were killed on a street or sidewalk. None were killed on school grounds.

Blacks are 5.5% of the total California population.

The Juvenile Justice in California report detailed the 19,355 juvenile arrests in California reported by law enforcement last year.

Felony arrests made up 47.2 % or 9,132 of the apprehensions, with Black juveniles being 60.3 %. Black juveniles were arrested for 49.0 % of the felony violent offenses.

Over 70 % of all juveniles, including 77.3 %of the Black juveniles arrested were referred to probation departments by law enforcement.

Bonta said the DOJ is using every tool it has to prevent violence and combat crime.

“Whether it’s successfully securing federal certification of our data systems or taking guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals,” he said, “my office remains committed to doing our part to support safety and security for all Californians.”

By Lou Yeboah

In the distance, there is a vague tumult, like that of the sea with its roaring, incoming tide. My heart pounds as I think of this. It trembles within me. I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: “Blessed is the glory of the LORD from His place!” I also heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, and a great thunderous noise. [Ezekiel 3:12-13]. The roar of His voice, to the rumbling that comes from His mouth. He unleashes His lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth holding nothing back” [Job 37:1-4]. Thunder, lightning, hailstones and coals of fire, sound of the roar. [Psalm 18:13].

“Then the Spirit lifted me up and I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” [Revelation 6:1]. God is sending invading armies to punish roaring nations. Because the world, in its blindness and arrogance thinks that it can defy God with impunity, daring to cast aside His laws and foolishly thinking that it has power even to push aside the Almighty.

Listen! Listen, the Lord will roar from on high; He will thunder from His holy dwelling and roar mightily against His land. He will shout like those who tread the grapes, shout against all who live on the earth. The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth, for the Lord will bring charges against the nations; He will bring judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to the sword.” [Jeremiah 25:30-31].

And “The Lord will destroy Babylon; He will silence her noisy din. For the Lord is a God of retribution; He will repay in full” [Jeremiah 51:55-56]. Whether the Babylon of old or that of today, the principle remains the same, the punishment the same, for God’s ways are eternal. [Habakkuk 3:4-6]. Don’t take it lightly! The history of the world is full of examples of the wrath of God being revealed. Consider Noah’s flood and the fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Look at the history of the Canaanites. When their iniquity reached its fullness, God wiped them out [Genesis 15:16; Deuteronomy 9:5]. Look at the history of the children of Israel, who were also exiled because of their sin. The history of the world is a history of divine judgment [Daniel 2]. Yet man refuses to recognize God as the Lord of history. Do you hear what I hear?

I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.” So, the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea. The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments. [Revelation 16:1-21].

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for His judgments are true and just; for He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality and has avenged on her the blood of His servants.”

Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, small and great.” [Revelation 19:1-21]. Do you hear what I hear?

“If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their latter end!” [Deuteronomy 32:29].

By Edward Henderson ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

The Supreme Court Ruling overturning Roe vs. Wade has opened the eyes of the public to how much representation matters when it comes to decision makers in courtrooms across America. This revelation has raised awareness on the local level as well.

On the November 8th General Election ballot will be two African American Women running for judgeships on the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.

Holly Hancock is running for judge seat no. 70 and Melissa Lyons is running for judge seat 90. Both won their June primary races taking 47% and 35% of the vote respectively.

Hancock is a unique candidate for judge because she is a public defender with significant trial experience. A vast majority of individuals running for a judicial seat have been prosecutors.

“There has never been a public defender elected in Los Angeles County,” said Hancock. “Black, White, Male, Female, nothing. It says a lot about how the bench is very unbalanced. We are trying to balance the bench.”

In California, 9 out of 10 judges are appointed by the governor. For example, Gov. Newsom, just selected Pamela Dansby to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court and she is a former public defender.

A graduate of Southwestern Law School, Hancock believes her 16 years of experience as a public defender gives her a unique perspective when it comes to making rulings. Because defense attorneys are always negotiating, they look for solutions instead of simply handing out harsh penalties and imposing high bail amounts. Hancock has represented homeless and mentally ill individuals and believes these things need to be in consideration when examining a case.

“The county did not have the resources to give the clients the kind of treatment that they needed in lieu of sending them to jail or prison. The prosecutors continued to file for jail and prison and continued to file these cases as if the person was perfectly sane. That was always a problem for me from the very beginning … Once I was in felonies and people were getting really long sentences, I just felt like there should be more and better discretion used.”

This will be Hancock’s second time running for a judge’s seat. She suffered a narrow defeat in 2018 and believes this time around the outcome will be different because she has gained the trust of the community through her grassroots campaign.

With the small number of Black judges in the Los Angeles Superior Court compared to the number of Black defendants in court, Hancock believes more qualified people need to see this route as a possibility.

“It’s 4% of black women on the bench and 3% of black men on the bench. That’s 7% total. I can safely say that it’s about 38% of black people in criminal courts in LA County. That’s a huge amount. We’re not talking about who’s behind the bench. It’s not the same look behind the bench than in front of the bench.”

Lyons offers the unique perspective of being an immigrant from Jamaica. Her family moved to the United States when she was 11 years old and settled in a small farming town in Iowa where they were the only black family. She attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and then attended Loyola University law school because of her desire to be a voice for others and to speak out where injustice and inequality exist.

“I’m an immigrant and I personally understand the generational impact a single decision can have,” Lyons said. “That’s the mindset I’m coming into my decision making with. There is no decision that’s too small. It might be the 3000th traffic ticket of the day but for that person that’s in front of me that traffic ticket can mean the difference between rather or not they eat. Those are things you have to think about, obviously while still operating within the law.”

Lyons has been a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney since 2006. She is currently in charge of juvenile prosecutions at the Superior Court’s Compton branch. She has completed more than 85 trials. She was assigned to the District Attorney’s Sex Crimes Division, including a two-year tenure at Stuart House, where she exclusively prosecuted sexual crimes against children.

Lyons understands the impact electing a Black woman a judge could have on fellow judges in the Superior Court. “I also think it is important behind the scenes in terms for judicial officers as well. People act different when other people are in the room. I think diversity on the bench is just as important for the public as it is for judicial officers because the more interaction you have with diverse people you get to learn things that you may not have had an opportunity to do before.”

Lyons believes that the greatest challenge her campaign has had to overcome has been bringing awareness to voters of how important voting for judgeship is and getting her name out there enough so people can make an informed decision. There are limitations on what stances candidates can take while campaigning, but Lyons does her best to leave a lasting impression when she attends events.

Hancock and Lyons hope to join Judge Carol Elswick in the Superior Court who retained her seat by receiving 68% of the vote during the June primary.

HOUSTON, CA — Starting in October, The Black Man Project will launch free group Therapy for Black Men to create a safe space for men to share openly, begin their wellness journey and build community. Over the past few years, The Black Man Project has toured the country, hosting conversations focused on the Black male experience in contemporary society, engaging more than 100 men in Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, Tulsa, OK, and New York, NY. The upcoming Black Men Healing sessions will take place bi-weekly at The Black Man Project studio in Houston’s Third Ward community. For those interested in participating remotely from all parts of the country, there will also be free virtual sessions held. The first session will take place on October 1, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

“This series of events was inspired by my own story, growing up as a Black man, and also by the people I’ve captured over the years through the organization,” said Brian Ellison, Founder of The Black Man Project. Research shows that only one-in-three African Americans who need mental health care receive it. “We’ve spent years asking men to be vulnerable, and this is my way of supporting them during their healing journey. It’s my responsibility to provide tools once someone has opened the door to engage. We do a disservice to communities when we simply empower them; this is our work in action,” Ellison added.

Licensed Professional Counselor Femi Olukoya will guide the sessions, operating from his belief that every client deserves peace and freedom to be their authentic self. The series will kick off with an intro session focused on accountability, and thereafter, the session topics will include grief, father figure issues, trauma, coping skills, anger management, and sessions dealing with the inner child.

“We’re addressing issues that we commonly see within Black households, and we hope to normalize conversations like this taking place wherever we gather, beyond this space,” said Ellison.

According to Mental Health America, Black men are particularly conscious of stigma when seeking help from an expert such as a psychologist. For that reason, The Black Man Project offers year-round programming and events focused on health and wellness, such as a gardening session, in-school programming with youth, a podcast, and an upcoming wellness festival. The events are hosted by The Black Man Project and funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance and the BIPOC Arts Network and Fund. Registration for the Black Man Healing sessions is open now at theblackmanproject.com.

ATLANTA, GA— The Power of Technology Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, is pleased to introduce the Inaugural Black Tech Gala taking place on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 8:00 pm EST at the Hyatt Regency Villa Christina – Atlanta Perimeter. This immersive formal black tie tech affair will feature an elegant night of live entertainment, dining, dancing, fundraising, and an awards ceremony for those who have initiatives supporting the black tech community.

In the US tech sector, 62% of careers are held by white Americans. Black Americans only hold 7% of tech careers, Latinx Americans hold 8%, and Asian Americans hold 20% according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The goal of this event is to help raise funding for scholarships, bring more awareness towards high-tech careers, and increase economic development for local and global underserved communities.

The high-tech sector has become a major source of economic growth fueling the U.S. economy. As an innovation industry, the high-tech sector has impacted how everyone communicates and access information, distribute products and services, and address critical societal problems. A major issue facing this high growth segment is the lack of representation of women and minorities in tech roles. Global tech pioneers and entrepreneurs Jamila Brown and Cameron Hairston founded the Power of Technology Foundation Inc to help address these critical issues. Brown and Hairston’s goal are to advise and educate the community while helping to increase the participation of women and minorities in the fast-growing field of technology.

“The statistics regarding women and minorities in tech are alarmingly low, and since technology is the future, it is more important than ever to get involved in these high paying careers,” says Brown. “Development of a high-tech workforce has long been a source of concern; it is a major growth sector that requires workers with specific skills. It is often believed that tech talent is in short supply among U.S. workers.” “This is proof that the time is right for women and minorities to increase their skills and seek out quality technology training and personal development”, says Hairston.

The Black Tech Gala is the leading fundraiser for the Power of Technology Foundation and all contributions are 100% tax deductible. Limited tickets, sponsorships and tables are available for corporations, small businesses, entrepreneurs, influencers, and local communities by visiting www.blacktechgala.com.