Happily Divorced And After

By Gail Fry | Contributor, WSS News

EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK— The West Side Story attended the October 7, debate between Mayoral Candidates Jim Penman and Helen Tran sponsored by the Northwest Project Area Committee held at the Sixteenth Street Seventh Day Adventist Church where attendees heard two different visions for the future of the City of San Bernardino.

Candidate Helen Tran

Candidate Helen Tran (Tran) who, according to the Tran campaign website, worked for the City of San Bernardino as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Human Resources and after ten years was elevated to Director of Human Resources.

While Helen Tran was Human Resources Director for the City of San Bernardino in early 2019, three female employees filed complaints against the city’s mayor John Valdivia claiming inappropriate conduct according to a webpage for law firm Pelayes, & Yu, APC.

The law firm alleged on March 14, 2019, Human Resources Director Helen Tran issued a memorandum to Mayor Valdivia warning him about having employee Mirna Cisneros work out of class by repeatedly assigning her to work various after-hours events, which were not within the scope of her work duties.

Shortly after, Helen Tran left her position at the City of San Bernardino, and accepted a position as Director, Human Resources & Risk Management at West Covina according to Voter’s Edge website.

Based on the Tran campaign website, in 2006, Tran earned her Bachelor’s degree in American Studies with a minor in Education from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Candidate Jim Penman

After graduating law school, Jim Penman became an attorney in private practice in the City of San Bernardino.  In 1987, he was elected with 70% of the vote as City Attorney for the City of San Bernardino after being named “the Best Lawyer in the Inland Empire,” and held that office for 26 years.

Until he was recalled by 60.66% of the voters in 2013, according to records at the San Bernardino County Register of Voters.  At the time, John Husing, an economist and political strategist was quoted saying, “From the day he was elected city attorney, he fought with every mayor to try to run the city from his office.” Mozingo, J. (12/30/2015) Did hard-nosed ex-city attorney clean up or cause San Bernardino’s problems? Los Angeles Times

At that time, former Mayor Judith Valles shared, “Anyone who came as mayor, he didn’t trust. He didn’t trust me. Everyone was suspect.” Mozingo, J. (12/30/2015) Did hard-nosed ex-city attorney clean up or cause San Bernardino’s problems? Los Angeles Times

Jim Penman obtained his Bachelor of Arts, California State University, San Bernardino, June 1969, followed by receiving a Juris Doctorate from Western State University, College of Law, in December 1979, according to the Jim Penman campaign website.

Out, “He was the major disrupting influence who brought the city to its knees. He’s made it impossible to get anything done….,” John Husing, an economist and political strategist who writes the Inland Empire Quarterly Economic Report.  Mozingo, J. (12/30/2015) Did hard-nosed ex-city attorney clean up or cause San Bernardino’s problems? Los Angeles Times

The Debate

Tran cited her knowledge of what the city has gone through and the complexity of city government after working for the city for 14 years.  Tran explained she would engage with council members to effectively address many issues facing the city such as homelessness, public safety, to repair streets, improve infrastructure, redevelop downtown, and provide affordable housing.

Penman cited his dedication to the City of San Bernardino and that he thought he was done with politics after being voted out of office.  Penman explained the only people he was mean to were slumlords, and developers who were trying to get a free ride from the city.  Penman revealed his plan to take two vacant buildings, convert them into homeless housing, and provide mental health, anti-addiction services, and job training.

As to what Tran’s first item to accomplish in her first year would be, Tran spoke of creating relationships with council, the administration, and with the community, everyone that needs to be at the table to move the city forward.  Tran spoke of being an ally to those at the table, working collaboratively, and then working together to deliver services effectively and efficiently while holding the city manager and administration accountable.

While Penman explained he won’t waste his time building relationships with people he already has a relationship with, explaining when you have a mayor in training, they have to spend the first year establishing relationships with the council, referring to his opponent.  As to what his first item to accomplish in his first year as mayor would be Penman said he would hire more police officers and that citizens should not have to wait hours or days to have an officer to respond when they call 911.

In response to issues of homelessness and mental health, Penman explained the city needed to provide the homeless housing before they could legally enforce its ordinance prohibiting outdoor camping.  “We are going to treat them with respect, kindness and decency, we are going to get them housing,” Penman voiced explaining numerous studies show less than 40% want to be off the streets.  Penman offered, “We are going rehire retired law enforcement officers to move them, and move them, again, and again, until they either decide to go to the housing or go to another city.”

Tran criticized Penman’s plan to rehire retired law enforcement officers to address homelessness, explaining it would jeopardize their pension per CalPers Regulations, claiming Penman made empty promises to gain support.  Tran countered that Penman had never been mayor and should stop saying she is a mayor in training.  On homelessness, Tran explained, “There are so many ways of dealing with it, it’s complex, there is not a one size fit all on homelessness.”   Tran reasoned you can’t work alone as the mayor, you have to work collaboratively with the county, with council to create a policy, a plan of action, and adopt it before you can access government funds.

On the question of affordable housing, Penman questioned Tran’s plan.  “How are you going to work with them?” Penman asked, adding, “Who has the money, the federal government has the money, the state has some.”  As the former director of human resources, my opponent should know it doesn’t affect the pension of retired police officers to be hired as investigators.  We are going to get affordable housing.  We will get it like mayors have always gotten it.  I don’t need to wait around to start working with council members to do these things.

Tran acknowledged, “Affordable housing is a huge crisis, not just in our city, but throughout the state and the state is already implementing a mechanism for us to really push and build affordable housing quickly.”  Tran continued, “Mr. Penman talked about abandoned buildings and turning them into housing for the homeless, we should turn that into affordable housing.  We need to create a pathway to homeownership for renters.  You have to work with your partners, that is with your state legislators, and that is the county, that is with our organizations out in the community.

With the power of the mayor having been reduced by the council, Jim Penman explained why he still wants to run for the office of mayor.  “I have been out of office for nine years and I have watched the city go down, down, down,” Penman observed explaining when he left office people opined it couldn’t get any worse, and some thought half their problems would leave when he left.  The city is worse, Penman opined voicing that he has a passion for San Bernardino, his children and grandchildren live in San Bernardino and would be remiss if he didn’t take action to help the city.

“I am raising my three children, with my husband who I met at Sierra High, and we are living in San Bernardino, raising our children, investing our time and our life within the city,” Helen Tran voiced.  “I am sorry Mr. Penman, 26 years of failed leadership, adversarial relationships, having seen directors and leaders leave this city because they got fed up,” Tran declared adding, “That is why I am running.”  Tran concluded, “I look forward to moving this city forward, not backward, new leadership, new energy, that is much needed because we have a huge list of things to do, we have to get things done immediately.”

As to the biggest obstacle she found at city hall, Tran recognized there was a lack of leadership.  “If you can’t lead effectively, everything else falls apart,” Tran explained adding, “You have to make sure that you are working as an ally, not as an adversary.”  Tran apologizing opined, “And I’m sorry, my opponent has been an adversary for 26 years as a former city attorney.”  Tran promised to lead with humility, work together with council, set aside differences, represent all of the citizens and to be an effective leader for the city moving it forward get to the bottom of it to tackle a laundry list of issues facing the city.  Tran said there is a solution to every problem.

“The biggest obstacle when I was city attorney, was corruption, and that’s the biggest obstacle today, corruption that’s what needs to be addressed,” Penman explained saying that was why he was adversarial.  “And sadly, my opponent is getting into the same thing, a memo went out from her campaign last week, saying that women in city hall had accused me of sexual harassment that was a big lie.”  Penman declared that he was investigated, and cleared of any wrong doing by the California State Bar, holding up documents to support his statements.  Penman warned that a candidate that would lie during a campaign would use those same tactics in office.

Tran countered, “I am going to stand up for these women, who were faced with harassment and I am going to stand up for them, because you did them wrong all these women.”

“I just heard my opponent say that she is going to stand up for women,” Penman voiced, asking, “She is going to stand up for them the way she stood up for the women that complained to her office about Mayor John Valvidia?”  Penman opined that Tran abandoned the women and ran to West Covina.

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media  

Athletes at a northern California high school are the latest group of students to be punished for a racially insensitive prank.

Football players at River Valley High School in Yuba City were seen in a video acting out a “slave auction” involving their Black teammates. In the video, which was posted to Twitter, the African American students are seen stripped to their underwear and paraded into the locker room where their teammates are yelling and jeering at them.

This prank cost the football team its season because the players featured in the video have been barred from participating in games. The football team now doesn’t have enough players to field a team.

African American students make up a small fraction of the student body at River Valley High School, which is predominantly Hispanic. According to school data, there are only 31 African American students at the school out of an enrollment of 1,801. There are 760 Hispanic/Latino students enrolled.

Yuba City Unified School District Superintendent Doreen Osumi said the video reflected poorly on the school district.

“Re-enacting a slave sale as a prank tells us that we have a great deal of work to do with our students so they can distinguish between intent and impact,” said Osumi in a press statement.

“They may have thought this skit was funny, but it is not; it is unacceptable and requires us to look honestly and deeply at issues of systemic racism,” she said.

These kinds of incidents happen regularly. Earlier in the month, Amador High School, also in northern California, had to cancel its football season after school authorities found several players were involved in a Snapchat thread called “Kill the Blacks.”

A similar event happened back in 1997 when a Torrance teacher tried to enact a slave auction. Student Natalie Jackson complained to her mother, who took the issue up with school administrators and the press.

Jackson said she went public with a video because she wanted to inspire change.

“Some say that I am overreacting, but they didn’t have this experience,” Jackson told the Los Angeles Times. “I don’t want to go back to my U.S. history class, but I am going back. I am going to do my work and everything that I am supposed to do, be strong and face the music. Maybe my action will break some barriers.”

“Mock slave auctions and other racist actions on the sports field have been occurring with an alarming and increased frequency in schools throughout California,” said Rick L. Callender, president of the California/Hawaii NAACP. “The CA/HI NAACP will be pushing the State to collect data statewide so that we can understand the prevalence of how often the activities are occurring in schools throughout California.”

Callender called on California high schools to ensure the safety of Black students and continue educating all students about the importance of Black history.

NATIONWIDE—- The ASCAP Foundation introduces The ASCAP Foundation HBCU Scholarship to provide financial assistance for students who are enrolled at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and have an interest in pursuing careers in music. Two recipients will be selected for the scholarship, and each will receive $2,500.

The scholarship was announced on Monday, October 10 at a special ASCAP Homecoming SZN: Meet the Graduates event at Clark Atlanta University, hosted by ASCAP’s Rhythm & Soul Membership team. Students enrolled at various HBCUs attended a panel discussion with music executives, who have graduated from HBCUs, including songwriter and producer Khari “Needlz” Cain; Fox Rothschild Associate John Rose; Atlantic Records Director of A&R Sammye Scott; and Quality Control Music Operations Manager / Investment Portfolio Manager Dazayah E. Walker. During the event, the HBCU alums detailed their journey to success from student to professional and shared their favorite HBCU memories and advice for students to take with them as they pursue their entertainment careers.

ASCAP’s Homecoming SZN series celebrates the impact HBCU alumni have made in the entertainment industry – specifically in music. Next year, scholarship recipients will be invited to attend an event hosted by ASCAP Rhythm & Soul with students from ASCAP Aspire, ASCAP’s paid internship program for HBCU students

“The ASCAP Foundation HBCU Scholarship is a natural extension of our efforts to help foster and encourage diversity throughout the music industry,” said The ASCAP Foundation Executive Director, Nicole George-Middleton. “We hope this will be the beginning of an amazing musical future for the selected students.”

The ASCAP Foundation HBCU Scholarship is accepting applications until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on November 10. Entrants must write a 250-500 word essay describing their music career goals and how an ASCAP Foundation scholarship can help support those goals. Applicants will be judged by a panel of industry professionals on a specific set of criteria which will include the relevance of the essay response to the topic provided, a unique and creative writing style, and organization and clarity of goal. The rules and application process can be found at www.ascapfoundation.org/HBCU.

For further information, please email foundation@ascap.com.

(L-R) ASCAP Director, Rhythm & Soul Membership Jason Reddick, Khari “Needlz” Cain,
Dazayah E. Walker, Sammye Scott, John Rose and ASCAP Manager, Rhythm & Soul Membership
Jennifer Wilson Walker at ASCAP’s “Homecoming SZN: Meet The Graduates” event
at Clark Atlanta University on October 10, 2022. (Photo Credit: Paras Griffin for ASCAP)

Sammye Scott answers a question from an HBCU student during ASCAP’s “Homecoming SZN: Meet The Graduates” panel at Clark Atlanta University on October 10, 2022. (Photo Credit: Paras Griffin for ASCAP)

(L-R) Khari “Needlz” Cain, Sammye Scott, John Rose, Esq., Dazayah E. Walker and ASCAP Manager, Rhythm & Soul Membership Jennifer Wilson Walker take a photo together on-stage following ASCAP’s “Homecoming SZN: Meet The Graduates” panel at Clark Atlanta University on October 10, 2022.
(Photo Credit: Paras Griffin for ASCAP)

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, California Black Media writer McKenzie Jackson takes a look at the lives and accomplishments of some people of Hispanic heritage in California.

Dayane Mendoza Solis considered throwing her hat in the ring for a trustee seat on the Sonoma Valley Unified School District’s board in the upcoming November election.

The 28-year-old accountant, a graduate of the Wine Country’s public school system, says more Latino representation is needed on school boards and in government, more broadly.

In the end, Solis decided not to run. Instead, she chose to focus on her budding career as an accountant. Still, Solis said, she would like to see more Latinos in prominent positions across the Golden State.

“People were so happy to know that I, a Latina, was ready to step into a leadership role,” said Solis, an admirer of New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “More Latino leaders are needed to step up and guide younger generations because there are so many people of Mexican and other Latin American descents in California.”

Solis hopes Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, shines a light on that.

“The Latino community is made up of hard workers, who are willing to thrive and help others in need,” Solis told California Black Media (CBM). “We have a strong presence in the state.”

Hispanic Heritage Month places that work ethic front and center. The monthlong national recognition is held annually to celebrate the diverse cultures, contributions, and extensive histories of the U.S. Latino community, the second largest racial or ethnic group in the country

Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) says the occasion is an opportunity to acknowledge and uplift the voices and experiences of Latinos in America.

 “We are still living in a time and place where we need to make sure we elevate the experiences of Latinos,” Bonta who is a Black Latina (or Afro Latina) said to CBM. “Having a month dedicated to telling their stories, focusing on their legacies and the everyday heroes who make a difference is very important.”

According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), Latinos are largest ethnic group in the state. They are about 39.4% of the state’s population or about 15.7 million people. Non-Hispanic Whites are 34.7% and African Americans are 5.4% of the population.

The largest concentration of people of Hispanic Heritage in California lives in Imperial County (79.6%), which is adjacent to San Diego County along the southern border of California. Latinos make up 48% of Los Angeles County’s population and over 50% of the population in San Bernardino and Fresno counties. One in every four Hispanic American call California home.

Among Latinos in California, Mexican Americans account for the largest number of people of Hispanic origin in the state (30.7%) followed by Hispanics originating from the Caribbean (0.8%) and people of Central American descent (3.0%).

Throughout California’s 170-year history Latinos have contributed to every aspect of life including agriculture, construction, entertainment, health care, hospitality, sports, and politics. In fact, people of Hispanic Heritage have been living in California since the 1600s, according to some reports.

California has been home to a number of national heroes of Hispanic heritage including labor leaders Cesar Chavez and Delores Huerta, cofounders of the organization that became the United Farmworkers Union; former and current United States Poet Laureates Juan Felipe Herrera (2015-2017) and Ada Limón; and American civil rights activist Sylvia Mendez.

The economic impact Latinos have on the state and nation was celebrated at the L’ATTITUDE conference from Sept. 22-25 in San Diego. The event allowed Latino professionals to network and share ideas. It attracted business and political leaders and celebrities like former President Barack Obama and Cuban American singer Gloria Estefan.

Obama said, “Success of the country economically is going to depend on how well the Latino community does and other quote unquote minority groups because they’re growing in importance and in strength.”

Alex Padilla, who became California’s first Latino U.S. Senator when Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed him to replace Vice President Kamala Harris, appeared at L’ATTITUDE for a conversation titled “Public Policy Imperatives for the 21st Century America.” Padilla, the son of Mexican immigrants, introduced the Senate bill, “The Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929” to expand a pathway to permanency for millions of long-term U.S. residents three days after the event.

According to PPIC, one-fourth of the undocumented immigrants in the United States (between 2.35 and 2.6 million people) live in California.

The Senate bill Sen. Padilla introduced would allow an immigrant to qualify for lawful permanent resident status if they have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least seven years before filing an application for lawful permanent resident status and are of good moral character. It provides a pathway to a green card for up to eight million people.

The undocumented individuals covered in Padilla’s bill after they become citizens, potentially would contribute about $83 billion to the U.S. economy annually and about $27 billion in taxes according to FWD.us, a bipartisan political organization advocating for immigration reform.

According to Padilla, America’s outdated immigration system is holding back the economy and hurting an unnumberable number of individuals.

“This could have a profound impact on millions of immigrants, some who have been living, working, and contributing to the United States for decades, by allowing them to live freely without the fear of an uncertain future,” he said.

One immigrant the Padilla bill could help in the future is Yenny Soto, a 31-year-old immigrant from Venezuela. Soto crossed the Arizona border last December. She spoke with CBM about her odyssey from Panama to the U.S.

Soto’s journey included multiple plane and bus rides before she and nine other Latin Americans entered the U.S. The band walked through crop fields and barren lands until they met with a group of around 50 other migrants fleeing unstable countries like Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.  Seeking asylum, they called law enforcement and were all arrested.

Soto was held in the custody for over a week and after being assigned a court date for her asylum plea, she landed in New York City where she has been working as a waitress and bartender in clubs and restaurants.

“I knew I had to come and work a lot since I had been told the American Dream was to work and work,” said Soto, who jokes about becoming U.S. president one day.

Ninety-nine percent of Hispanic immigrants in California come from Latin America, with 77% coming from Mexico.

Solis, whose family immigrated legally from Mexico, said immigrants need help getting acclimated to America.

“Families are moving to find a better life,” she said. “Mexico, in particular, has a lot of violence.”

However, Bonta said it is a misconception that immigration concerns are exclusively about Latinos. She said California’s Latino community is not monolithic.

“There is very diverse Latino community — from Central and South America, the Caribbean and people that have been in California for generations,” said Bonta. “Latinos have an incredible history of contributing to the economy of the state.”

Solis hopes all Californians can enjoy Latino culture.

“I think it’s beautiful that it is being celebrated — our diversity, our cultures,” she said. “I find it innovative, but at the same time I would like everyone to question what they are celebrating. Are they going to take the time to learn about Latino cultures? Are they going to make an effort?”

“This publication/project was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On Saturday, September 24, Michael Torres was crowned Mr. Cardinal City and Anne Martinez was crowned Miss Cardinal City during the combined pageant held at Sturges Center for the Fine Arts.

The Mr. and Miss Cardinal City pageant is the brainchild of Bilingual School Outreach Worker Jaime Rios, who wanted to bring positive attention to both San Bernardino High School (SBHS) and the entire San Bernardino community. He also wanted to build confidence and inspire positive values in the young men and women of SBHS, home of the Cardinals, which is why the focus of the entire process is on academics, social skills, and community service.

“Every one of the contestants, no matter how they placed, proved they are fit to represent Cardinal City and have demonstrated they are role models for the students and adults in our community,” Rios said. “These students dedicated more than 40 hours to practicing for the pageant and 25 hours of community service in addition to their schoolwork, after-school clubs, sports, music, and a host of other activities.

Other big winners were Jamie Lusung, who was crowned Teen International Beauty 2022–2023, and Raven Solar, who was crowned Miss International Beauty 2022–2023. Both will be part of Miss Cardinal City’s court. Jasmine Toolan was awarded a full scholarship, excluding the cost of equipment, to attend the JA School of Hairdressing in Corona to pursue her dream of becoming a cosmetologist or aesthetician. Karina Roldan was awarded a $3,000 scholarship from Dr. Sam Nguyen’s SAM Foundation and also earned recognition for being the contestant with the highest GPA at 4.89.

Rounding out the Miss Cardinal City Court are first runner-up Rachelle Hutto and second runner-up Anitzia Garcia. The Mr. Cardinal City Court includes first runner-up Freddy Martias and second runner-up Anthony Arias.

Other award winners included Mr. Photogenic Freddy Matias, Miss Photogenic Anne Martinez, People’s Choice Award winners Michael Torres and Jamie Lusung, and Director’s Award winners Jasmine Toolan and Rachelle Hutto.

Mr. and Miss Cardinal City and their Courts will represent Cardinal City, which is an official chartered city that encompasses the SBHS campus and all of its current students and staff, at various in-person and virtual functions.

Miss International Beauty and Teen International Beauty are owned by Ms. America Pageant Inc. and are registered federal trademarks. Both titles focus on using the exhilaration of pageantry to teach women and girls important life skills, encourage involvement in community service, and use their Crown for a Purpose, while shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Louise Madlin founded Miss International Beauty in 1970, and Susan Irvine founded the Teen International Pageant in 2020. The titles are donated to the Miss Cardinal Pageant to give more students the ability to be out and serve in their community. Miss International Beauty and Teen International Beauty are eligible for scholarships based on meeting required appearances and volunteer work during their reign.

Mr. and Miss Cardinal City are eligible for college scholarships when they graduate from SBHS. To donate to the Cardinal Scholarship fund, contact Communications/Community Relations secretary Susan Zavala at (909) 381-1250.

YUCAIPA, CA—- Crafton Hills College (CHC) Theatre Program presents its fall 2022 production “Open”, written by Melissa Harkness and directed by Paul Jacques.

Judy has her Hollywood life all figured out. She just landed the role of her dreams in a big movie. She has an awesome best friend, Natalie, who always supports her. She has a great husband, Gil, who is a production designer and is about to jump onto a new movie with Marcus, a hotshot Director. She’s even finally figured out how to navigate the ins and outs of her open marriage with Gil, coming up with rules and boundaries that both he and she can live with. However, problems arise when a pregnant set dresser shows up to work on Gil’s new film. As Judy becomes more and more suspicious of her husband, her whole world begins to unravel.

WHEN:

Friday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 9 at 2 p.m.

WHERE:

Finkelstein Performing Arts Center

Crafton Hills College

11711 Sand Canyon Road

Yucaipa, Calif. 92399

TICKETS: 

Tickets are available at craftonhills.edu/tickets and at the Finkelstein Performing Arts Center Box Office. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for General Admission.

CAST:

Judy: Sophie Ball

Gil: Sebastian Hernandez

Marcus: Jacob Brantmeyer

Natalie: Bella Sequeira

Please note: This production is for mature audiences only and includes mature language and adult topics.  

Check out the release of “Waking Up to my Purpose” Memoirs by Kim Cartert his week on the Jennifer Hudson Show on Thursday, October 6.

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 Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

On Sept. 29, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill (AB) 2296 authored by Assembly member Reggie Jones-Sawyer.

The bill proposed extending the term for the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans by an additional year until July 1, 2024.

“I am returning Assembly Bill 2296 without my signature,” Newsom said in a written statement. “At the request of the author of the original legislation that created this task force, I am vetoing this bill.”

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber authored AB 3121 the legislation establishing the task force in 2020 – while serving in the Assembly. The task force was formed to study slavery and its lingering effects on African Americans with a “special consideration” for descendants of persons enslaved in the United States.

Jones-Sawyer is a member of the Task Force.

As written, AB 2296 would “remove the specified term of office for appointees and, instead, subject the appointees to removal at the pleasure of their appointing authority.”

That action would authorize the Task Force, by majority vote, to elect officers and create advisory bodies and subcommittees to accomplish its duties.

Currently, Los Angeles attorney Kamilah Moore is the task force chair and civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown of San Francisco serves as vice chair.

The Task Force consists of nine members. Five of them are appointed by the Governor, two members are appointed by the President pro Tempore of the Senate, and another two are appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.

The Assembly passed AB 2296 with a 59-13 majority vote. In the Senate, it passed 32-6 at the end of August. It was sent to the Governor on Sept. 9 for his signature.

Jones-Sawyer avoided making any public comment about AB 2296 since introducing the bill in the Assembly on Feb. 16, 2022.

At a two-day meeting in Los Angeles on Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 at the California Science Center and the Wallis Annenberg Building in Exposition Park, Jones-Sawyer made a public statement about the bill.

“The Task Force report will be completed on time as richly envisioned by Dr. Shirley Weber. It will not be delayed and will be done (July 1, 2023) whether the governor signs my bill or not,” Sawyer said. However, he avoided commenting on the removal of members mentioned in the bill.

Many speakers during public comment at the first day of the meeting voiced concerns about extending the Reparations Task Force sunset date for an additional year.

Jones-Sawyer said his intention to extend the task force was to allow members to lobby the Assembly and Senate legislators who may not be in favor of the recommendations or “dollar amount.”

“That is the purpose why I wanted this group to stay together, not to hold up part of the report, but to keep this group together so they can lobby our colleagues and other individuals who may not be in line or in lockstep with what we want to do. And there are several of them who are not in line with what we want to do,” Sawyer said.

The members of the Coalition of a Just and Equity California (CJEC) and other advocate groups for reparations conducted a month-long continuous social media campaign on all platforms and made pleas to the public to call the governor’s office urging Newsom to veto AB 2296.

“The Governor made the right decision. As Reparations advocates, our job is to make sure the Reparations development process is open, transparent, led by the descendant community, and free from political influence,” said Chris Lodgson, a member of CJEC. “We are thankful to Governor Newsom and Secretary Weber for agreeing with us, as well as everyone who reached out to the Governor or encouraged people to reach out to the Governor to help achieve this victory. AB 2296 was a bad bill and deserved to be vetoed.”

The San Francisco Black and Jewish Unity Coalition offered its support against the bill when it was asked by Rev. Brown and Weber to “reach out” to all the participants in the “Teach-In on Reparations: for African Americans in California and San Francisco.”

Brown and Weber were guest speakers at the teach-in held in San Francisco on Sept. 18 at the Congregation Sherith Israel. The Unity Coalition is a grassroots organization, made up of people of faith and/or social activists, committed to the causes of racial, social, and economic justice and to dismantling systemic racism at the local, regional and national levels.

“Please immediately contact Governor Gavin Newsom’s office and ask him to veto the Jones-Sawyer legislation — AB 2296 — that would extend the term of the (California) State Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans and open up the opportunity to remove and replace members,” the coalition said in a statement to the teach-in participants. “The work of the Task Force is on track and on schedule, and we need to stay the course. The Task Force has not asked for an extension.”

On June 1, the Task Force submitted its interim report to the California Legislature. The interim report covers the ongoing and compounding harms experienced by African Americans as a result of slavery and its lingering effects on American society today.

A final report will be issued before July 1, 2023.

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!