Weighing in on Waltz
Now that the mystery is over, concerning who would become Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, the news of the day is all about Democratic Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz.
Who is Tim Walz?
Tim Walz is the 60-year-old Governor of Minnesota, who grew up in West Point, Nebraska. He served in the Army National Guard for 24 years. A former social studies teacher, Walz served six terms in Congress starting in 2007, and won the race for governor in 2018 and 2022. He is the father of 2 children, married to another long time educator Gwen Walz.
Responses to COVID and George Floyd
During his 6 years as governor, Walz has faced the two biggest challenges in his political career— COVID and the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Both occurred simultaneously in 2020.
Similar to fellow Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom, Walz took an active approach when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. He used emergency powers and put the state under
By Veronica Mackey
The city of Inglewood became a literal epicenter of sound last weekend, as music from the HARD Summer Music Festival could be heard and felt as far as El Segundo (8 miles away) and Redondo Beach (11 miles away).
Fox11 News reported that South Bay residents were none too pleased about the loud music which emanated from Hollywood Park Grounds at SoFi Stadium, and dominated the air waves August 3-4.
Culver City, Westchester, Playa del Ray, and Lawndale were among other nearby areas impacted by the concert.
restrictions that would lead to lockdowns, school closures and closed businesses. He would also do daily afternoon briefings to give updates on the state’s handling of the virus.
Floyd was killed by Derek Chauvin
when he kneeled on Floyd’s neck for several minutes on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis, leading to Black Lives Matter protests in the city and throughout the country.
The governor was criticized for
his delayed response in getting the National Guard involved. Walz and his team have said, however, that they dealt with the issues as best
Eyeballs and EarPlugs
Residents complained of unbearable noise, booming vibrations, and migraine headaches resulting from the 2-day Techno music fest, featuring Disclosure, Under Construction, Chris Lake, Nelly Furtado, and many others. Residents said the noise from SoFi interfered with their ability to hear, sleep and concentrate. One woman turned up the volume on her television to counteract the music, but said it did little to mitigate the noise. Aside from venting about the inconvenience on the Next Door app, many called law
Inglewood Today News
Publisher’s Message
By Willie Brown
When I first heard the National Association of Black Journalists invited Donald Trump to speak at their conference, I have to admit, I felt a certain kind of way. In fact, I felt a little betrayed and bewildered about the invitation. It seemed to me that Black folks –even Black journalists— tend to bend over backward to do things the “acceptable” way—whether it is in their best interest or not.
I found myself asking what an interview with Trump could possibly accomplish for Black journalists or Black America.
Was Trump being setup by the NABJ so more of his racism and misogyny could be put on public display? As a journalist organization, are they ethically obligated to extend
invitations to candidates of each political party?
After a discussion with a colleague, I decided to look at both sides. I sat through the painful 20 minutes of Trump disrespecting Black journalists, Black people and Black presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. With all the problems in this country, you’d think Trump could reel in his dysfunction long enough to give lip service to the concerns of his Black audience.
But NO!!! He went right in on Harris with the first question, saying she was Indian and only recently “turned black” since running for president. He talked about everything except how voting for him would help Black people.
Was NABJs Mission Accomplished? Inglewood Today Announces Summer Internships
publisher, I am unbeholden to rightleaning sponsors. I feel no personal obligation to allow Trump or anyone with his ideology to take up space in print or on our website, that could easily be used for better purposes.
The debacle was more than enough to let me know my first instincts were correct. And, after reading the opinion piece in the Washington Post by Karen Attiah, a long-standing NABJ member, I found myself in good company.
Attiah made some good points and brought into focus why she feels the interview was a mistake. The point that I resonate with most is that “none of the moderators represented Blackowned, independent or Black local media outlets. In that sense, the event essentially perpetuated the same exclusion and disrespect to historically Black media and Black issues that we associate with White systems.”
As an independent Black news
Of course, we have written about him, but his appearance in Inglewood Today, after the 2016 election has been sparse, to say the least. Inglewood Today has been in this community for 31 years, so we know our readers, and we know Trump. Let the mainstream post news about him all over the media, while we focus on the people of Inglewood.
If you know the history of Inglewood Today, then you know I started my company because mainstream media was being unfair in its coverage of Inglewood residents.
News about Inglewood was usually negative and distorted. There was a time, folks—black and white—were afraid to come here because of all the bad press. Inglewood got blamed for all the bad things whether they happened here or not. Good news was totally ignored. So positive news about Inglewood and its residents became Inglewood Today’s sweet spot.
Attiah also made the excellent point that NABJ commentators didn’t touch on anything that directly impacts Black people. “We did not hear any questions about Black maternal mortality, reparations, Black immigrants, or foreign policy in Africa and the Caribbean,” Attiah said.
As a proud member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, I agree with NNPA Chairman, Bobby R. Henry, Sr. that both the NABJ and NNPA have important roles to play. We must recognize and celebrate their unique contributions.
While The NABJ seeks to support and uplift through its focus on diversity and inclusion to insure fair and accurate media representation of black voices, the NNPA “focuses on promoting and uplifting Blackowned media companies, ensuring that our stories are told from our own perspectives.”
Truth is, we need both, but we also need to be discerning about who we give the mic to. As Black media professionals we cannot allow the ideal of “inclusion” blur our judgment as to who to invite into our space. Some doors are best left unopened.
Inglewood Today (https://inglewoodtoday.com) has announced immediate internship opportunities for aspiring journalists and data/research assistants. The 31-year old media company is considering college and high school students for 3-6 month internships working hybrid 4-8 hours per week.
Journalist interns will have an opportunity to build their writing portfolios while interviewing celebrities, elected officials and other community leaders. They will also cover issues related to Inglewood and surrounding areas. Data/research assistants will work behind the scenes maintaining databases and helping to organize and launch a new blog.
Interested candidates may apply by submitting resumes to veronica@ inglewoodtoday.com. If applying for the journalist internship, candidates must also submit their best 2-3 writing samples.
Trump Struggles to Counter Harris’ Campaign Momentum, Resorting to a Game Plan Stuck in the Past
Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media
Since Pres. Joe Biden decided not to seek re-election, Donald Trump has struggled to find his footing in a campaign that was previously geared toward attacking Biden’s age and fitness.
His performance at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention last week highlighted his inability to redefine
instead highlighted Trump’s persistent use of racially charged rhetoric. His failure to adequately address issues relevant to the Black community, such as the rising cost of living, small business support, maternal mortality, voting rights, and police reform, further alienated the NABJ audience.
Trump’s inability to adapt is also evident in his decision to cancel the
Court nominees, addressing issues at historically Black colleges and universities, or hosting Diwali celebrations. Code-switching is not about deceit but about adapting communication styles to resonate with different groups, a testament to her versatility and relatability.
Trump’s inability to grasp this concept underscores his disconnect from the experiences of people of
Harris can use Trump’s attacks to her advantage by staying focused on her message of unity and progress.
Harris’ campaign mentioning the “weirdness” and outdated nature of Trump’s worldview may prove effective. She is presenting herself as the candidate of the future. This framing helps her cast Trump and his allies as out-of-touch with modern American values as she and her
his new opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s comments, particularly his questioning of Harris’s racial identity, failed to resonate with the audience and underscored his reliance on divisive rhetoric.
Trump’s response to Harris’s candidacy has focused on personal attacks rather than her record or Biden’s policies. He has used nicknames like “Laffin Kamala, Lying Kamala, and Phony Kamala” and he has concentrated on her race -- her father is Black Jamaican, and her mother is East Asian Indian.
At the NABJ convention, Trump clashed with a panel of Black women journalists, accusing Harris of “switching her race” to gain political advantage. “She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she turned Black, and now she wants to be known as Black?”, Trump claimed.
This approach, intended to sow doubt about Harris’s authenticity,
Sept. 10 ABC Presidential debate, insisting on a new format with Fox News. This reflects his difficulty in keeping up with Harris’s campaign momentum. He characterized Harris’s rise as a “coup” within the Democratic Party, as he struggles to address her ascent effectively.
Harris, who attended Howard University, a historically Black university (HBCU), and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), a Black sorority, has been measured in responding to Trump’s divisiveness. At a Sigma Gamma Rho sorority event in Houston, she stated, “The American people deserve better. The American people deserve a leader who tells the truth. A leader who does not respond with hostility and anger when confronted with the facts.”
Harris, as a multiracial American, has the ability to “code-switch”—a skill many people of color use to navigate various cultural environments and connect with diverse audiences. This skill allows her to authentically engage with different communities, whether she is rigorously questioning Supreme
color and multiracial Americans. Instead of recognizing codeswitching as a valuable skill, Trump has tried to frame it as deceitful. This tactic plays into a broader narrative Trump has pushed that questions the authenticity of people who do not fit into a narrow, often racially homogenous, mold. By framing Harris’s multifaceted identity and her ability to adapt her communication as something suspect, Trump reveals his limited understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of American identity.
In contrast to Trump, Harris’ campaign is focused on issues resonating with a broad spectrum of voters, such as voting rights, women’s reproductive freedoms, and economic inequalities. Her message of inclusivity and progress stands in stark contrast to Trump’s attempts to rekindle fears of a changing America. She has even begun defending her border record, releasing a video framing her as pro-border security.
Trump’s reliance on racially charged rhetoric reinforces his image as a candidate stuck in the past.
surrogates point out the rollback of rights spelled out in the ultraconservative Project 2025 agenda, which includes proposals to restrict voting rights, undermine reproductive freedoms, weaken environmental protections and rewrite parts of the Constitution, such as the 14th Amendment which grants citizenship rights.
As we approach the November election, we can expect the contrast to become starker between Trump’s provocative rhetoric that yearns for a return to an ambiguous bygone era of American greatness and Harris’ upbeat message that imagines a unified, forward-looking, stronger America where our diversity is an asset.
In an increasingly multi-racial and multi-cultural America where there are tendencies to focus on the concerns that divide us, it is incumbent on both candidates to build their candidacies on a commitment to inspire voters to collectively pursue the best possibilities for our country and for all Americans.
We are all in this together.
Area Communities
Serving Ladera, Hawthorne, Westchester, Lawndale, Gardena, Carson
Those That Came Before Us
By Stephanie Vargas
The native people of the Los Angeles Basin believed the world emerged from a song. Quaoar the creator sang and danced, first creating Weywot the sky and Chehooit the earth. Then came Tamit the sun and Moar the moon. From the song and dance of these five beings, humans and plants and everything else came into being.
These first nation people were one of the most prominent groups in modern-day Los Angeles. They referred to themselves based on their tribe, but their pan tribal name was Tongva, or “people of the earth.”
The Spanish referred to them as Gabrieleño and Fernandeño based on the name of the mission the natives lived around.
More than just living descendants remain today, the Tongva leave their mark all over LA County. For example, the Aguaje de Centinela has a dedicated plaque recognizing the springs to be significant to the natives. Part of it reads: “PREHISTORIC ANIMALS, INDIANS, AND EARLY INGLEWOOD SETTLERS WERE ATTRACTED HERE BY THE PURE ARTESIAN WATER.”
This California Historical Landmark marker can be found at Edward Vincent Jr. Park.
Thanks to archaeological digs, it was discovered that the Tongva often fished and hunted in the areas around Gardena because the Dominguez Slough waters made the land one of the most fertile areas between Los Angeles and the coast.
The Tongva are also a maritime culture, meaning the sea played a significant role in their lives. They built sturdy canoes from driftwood in order to hunt and fish in the Los Angeles River. These canoes also allowed mainland villages to trade food and goods with their Channel Island counterparts, such as the tribes of Catalina Island.
The Chumash natives resided near and around the Los Angeles Basin, and Acjachemen natives resided in Orange County. For ceremonies and other special occasions, people from all three tribes would gather at a special meeting place and village called Puvungna. It is known as the place where life began according to Tongva cosmology.
The area of Puvungna used to extend beyond the Los Cerritos Wetlands to which it is associated today, allowing entrance to maritime travelers from the Pacific Ocean. After colonization, in 1950 during the development of the city of Long Beach, the City Council bought 320-acres of land that included the village
Puvungna. The land bought was then used to establish California State University of Long Beach. Today, Puvungna is 22 acres of land protected under the National Register of Historical Places. Living descendants of the Tongva, Chumash,
and Acjachemen natives still gather there today for ceremonies and celebration. They epitomize the cultural importance of Puvungna by bringing song and dance back to where life began.
Sports & Entertainment
Lesser Known Facts About the Olympics
By Maya Mackey
If you’re anything like me, you are deep into the Olympic Games lore. Feverishly switching between sporting events each day. While we all know the most popular events (swimming, gymnastics and track), it’s the lesser-known sports that often hold the deepest intrigue and curiosity. I’m here to answer your not-so-frequently-asked questions about the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Starting with…
What’s in the box?
Jess Fox from the USA’s Canoe team revealed on TikTok that inside the golden box, given to all athletes who medal, is a cartoon stylized map/ poster of the Olympic Games arenas. Yes, that is all. Lackluster but hey, the medal is the real prize after all. Why do water poloists jerk/wave their arms around?
My sister got me into watching water polo matches and we were both tickled by players twerking their behinds just below the surface. That’s when I learned players are forbidden from touching the bottom of the pool, hence they “tread” water in any way they can. But then I started to notice another weird thing they do. Players tend to jerk their arms a lot before a throw. It looks like a stiff one-handed milly rock. Turns out there’s a reason for this too. Apparently there are 3 ways to shoot your shot in water polo, the wind-up being the most popular.
During a wind-up, as a water polo player prepares to throw, they stabilize the body with one arm in the water. In the wind-up phase, the athlete extends the shoulder back. The shoulder is externally rotated and abducted, with the elbow positioned at a 45-degree angle. In this phase the muscles are mostly inactive, but they are extended and rotated. It serves as a way to “fake out” the opposing team and tire them out.
What’s with the cone helmets in water polo?
These weird cone-shaped caps are for the players’ protection. Along with boxers, water poloists are at risk of suffering severe head and ear injuries as the ball moves swiftly and the players are up close and personal throughout the games. It doesn’t look like it, but according to those more knowledgeable on Sports.com, the potential for damaged ear drums is
incredibly high:
Water or Sports Drinks: What’s Best for Thirst, Exercise, Summer Heat?
In the ongoing debate over whether water or sports drinks are more beneficial during exercise, it is important to examine the key components of both options. While water has been a reliable source of hydration for centuries, sports drinks have gained popularity due to their additional ingredients aimed at improving performance.
One common component of sports drinks is carbohydrates, typically in the form of sugar. These carbs are intended to provide fuel for the body during exercise, as the body uses sugar for energy. However, consuming sugar in the form of a sports drink may contradict the goal of burning calories through physical activity. As a result, manufacturers have introduced low- or zero-carb options to cater to those looking to avoid unnecessary calories.
Electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, are another key component of sports drinks. These minerals are lost through sweat during physical activity and are crucial for maintaining proper bodily functions. While excessive sweating can lead to electrolyte imbalances, most individuals do not lose enough electrolytes during short periods of exercise to necessitate the use of sports drinks. Water and a balanced diet can typically provide sufficient hydration and electrolyte replenishment.
For those engaging in prolonged and vigorous physical activity, such as endurance sports, sports drinks containing electrolytes may be beneficial. However,
“The ear guards on water polo caps act as a protective barrier, shielding the delicate ear structures from potential injuries. These injuries can range from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious conditions like broken eardrums and cauliflower ear, a painful deformation of the ear it is important to assess individual needs based on factors like sweat rate and duration of exercise before determining whether sports drinks are necessary. Ultimately, the decision between water and sports drinks should be based on personal preferences and specific circumstances. While sports drinks may offer benefits for certain individuals, water remains a simple and effective choice for hydration during most types of exercise. It is essential to prioritize proper hydration and electrolyte balance to support overall health and performance, regardless of the beverage chosen.
Tracking Discrimination in Healthcare: A California Imperative
trends disproportionately impact Black women and other communities of color.
Having spent more than 25 years advocating for equitable healthcare, I’ve listened to countless stories from individuals whose lives have been forever changed by the historic inequities that exist within our healthcare system.
I’ve heard mothers share their heartbreak over traumatic birth experiences and outcomes, and families recount the devastating complications from surgeries. These stories, though deeply personal, often feel like whispers lost in the wind because our current data doesn’t capture the full picture. We know that racism impacts the type of care and quality of care, but without demographic data, we can’t fully understand or address these issues. It’s crucial that we find a way to connect these personal stories to the larger narrative of healthcare equity, ensuring that every patient’s experience is acknowledged, and that there’s transparency and accountability, so that every community’s needs are addressed.
For communities of color, racism in the healthcare system can have a devastating impact, affecting not only the quality of care that patients receive but also their overall wellbeing. Research shows that these communities experience higher rates of patient adverse events -- incidents that cause permanent harm, necessitate life-saving interventions, or potentially lead to death at greater frequencies than White patients. Disturbingly, these
A recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that a third of Americans see racism as a major problem in health care, compared to over half (52%) of Black people surveyed. Disparities in maternal health outcomes and overall distrust of the medical system are historic and well-documented.
According to the California Health Care Foundation’s “Listening to Black Californians” research report, nearly one-third of Black Californians say they have been treated poorly by healthcare providers just because of their race or ethnicity. Additionally, a significant number of Black Californians overall (38%) and of Black women in particular (47%) say there has been a time when a provider did not treat their pain adequately.
While we know this to be true, right now, no demographic information is collected for patients who experience things like negative birth outcomes, surgery complications, patient safety events, or other adverse experiences in hospital settings. The California
Rhonda Smith | Special to California Black Media
Department of Public Health (CDPH) tracks these events, but doesn’t collect Continued on page 7
Continued from page 6: Discrimination... information like the age, race or gender of these patients. As a result, the state doesn’t know who is suffering the most from these avoidable mistakes, and therefore how to prevent them from happening in the future.
This is why we are working in partnership with the California Pan Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN), Black Women for Wellness Action Project, and the office of Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) to advance Assembly Bill (AB) 3161, legislation that will seek to collect demographic data on patient complaints and safety incidents. It is our hope that a bill that collects this important demographic data can be a step toward in capturing evidence-based data on racial bias trends in California’s healthcare system
and the impact they have on the safety, health, and well-being of patients.
AB 3161 would require the collection of self-reported patient demographics when receiving complaints regarding hospitals and long-term care facilities. It will assist in compiling, reviewing, analyzing, and publishing trends of patient safety events. This bill would also require the publication of adverse event trends based on demographic data in a manner that is consistent with patient confidentiality.
Critics, such as the CDPH, have raised concerns over the cost of updating their forms to accommodate demographic data collection. The department estimates the annual cost for updating, modifying or creating a new system for this demographic
data collection could cost at least $1.6 million each year for the first two years.
While we appreciate the state’s estimate, the cost of doing nothing, when health and lives are at stake, is far greater.
Understanding and addressing health disparities is not just about statistics; it’s about real people with real stories. By collecting demographic data, we take a significant step toward true transparency and accountability in our healthcare system. This will allow us to see the full picture and make informed decisions that can save lives and improve the quality of care for all Californians. Let’s ensure that every patient’s experience is acknowledged, and every community’s needs are
addressed, inclusive of their race or ethnicity.
About the Author
Rhonda Smith is the Executive Director of the California Black Health Network.
This article is supported by the California Black Health Journalism Project, a program created by California Black Media, that addresses the top health challenges African Americans in California face. It relies on the input of community and practitioners; an awareness of historical factors, social contexts and root causes; and a strong focus on solutions as determined by policymakers, advocates and patients.
Continued from page 5: Lesser Known...
caused by repeated trauma.” It also helps players to hear their teammates clearer.
Why do runners jump in water in the 5000m Steeplechase?
Emmett Knowlton and Tyler Lauletta from the Business Insider report that this practice originates from old school London. “Runners, as they were apparently wont to do, would often race each other from one town’s church steeple to the next. The steeples were chosen because they were easy to see from long distances, leading to the name “steeplechase.” The countryside would also require runners to jump over various barriers during the course of their race. These included stone walls and small rivers.
Continued from page 1: Eyeballs...
enforcement and their respective city halls.
Some residents called El Segundo Mayor Drew Boyle’s Office, who in turned called Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts’ Office.
Butts, who said in a statement that he was aware of noise complaints on Saturday, said he took steps to mitigate the noise at the music festival on Sunday. He speculated that the loud decibel levels were most likely the result of “atmospheric conditions that allowed it (noise) to travel way to the west. “
HARD summer organizers also issued a statement that they had been in contact with SoFi Stadium
When the race was modernized, the walls were simulated with hurdles and the rivers and creeks were simulated with the water pit.
According to the International Amateur Athlete Federation, the modern 5,000-meter steeplechase track event — with the barriers and the water pit — first originated at Oxford University in the mid-19th Century. It was then included in the English Championship in 1879. In the Olympics, men have raced the steeplechase since 1920, while the women, somewhat shockingly, only first raced it at the Olympics in 2008 in Beijing.
Are Suni Lee and Devin Booker dating?
management and Mayor Butts, and were working to solve the problem.
A major adjustment made, according to Butts, was to lower the stage.
“The City regrets any inconvenience caused related to yesterday’s event. This is the first time in 5 years that complaints of this volume have been received,” Butts said Sunday afternoon.
Back in 2018, when SoFi Stadium was just an embryo, Mayor Butts would often comment on the economic indicators of a city’s prosperity as cars and eyeballs. With that, residents often raised concerns about the downside of said prosperity –noise and traffic.
Maybe. Both Team U.S.A. athletes were photographed Monday night standing outside of a black SUV. It looks friendly and innocent, like they’re going to dinner but much of Twitter is convinced that this could easily become an intimate situation. Time will tell!
Other interesting discoveries have been the sorcery that is artistic swimming. Basically, underwater ballerinas. I watched team after team reverse gravity by performing 5-minute routines of actual ballet with a side of gymnastic flips. It’s something you have to see to believe.
I’ve learned so much this week. Thanks Olympics!
Let’s hope measures taken by Mayor Butts, concert and stadium officials to abate the noise will hold up when the next mega concert hits Inglewood on August 31. Fools in Love will take place on the SoFi Grounds, and will feature nearly every major R&B artist since the 1970s, including Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, Al Green, Santana, the Jacksons and many more. See the full lineup at https://foolinlove.com.
If you’re planning on sitting this one out, you may want to invest in a good set of earplugs or make other plans, just in case.
Bill Would Make Feminine Products Readily Available to Incarcerated Persons
Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) and Issac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) introduced a bill in January that requires lock-up facilities to provide menstrual products to incarcerated persons without requiring a request.
The bill will be reviewed by the Senate Appropriations Committee after the Legislative recommences in August.
Assembly Bill (AB 1810), “Incarcerated Persons: Menstrual Products,” passed with a 5-0 vote in the Senate Public Safety Committee in June after advancing from the Assembly on May 21 with a 71-0 floor vote.
Bryan told California Black Media (CBM) that he was “comfortable” with the bill’s progress.
“AB 1810 will bring our state closer to the menstrual health equity that other states are seeing that require that menstrual care products are free and readily available for all incarcerated people,” Bryan said. “It will also bring our state into parity with several other states such as Louisiana, Tennessee, and Florida – all of which do not require their incarcerated people to request these basic necessities from their correctional officers.”
Bryan and Bonta are members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC). Fellow CLBC members, Assemblymembers Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), and Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) signed on as the bill’s co-authors Assemblymembers Eloise Reyes (D-Colton) and Rick Zbur (D-West
Hollywood) have also joined as coauthors.
Under existing law, individuals incarcerated in state prison or confined in a local detention facility, or a state or local juvenile facility, and “who menstruates or experiences uterine or vaginal bleeding” entitled to request and receive personal hygiene products for their menstrual cycle and reproductive system, according to the bill language.
The materials include but are not limited to, sanitary pads and tampons. By imposing additional duties on local detention facilities, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
“There are currently incarcerated women and formerly incarcerated women who brought this bill before us,” Bryan said. “Anyone, any person who menstruates deserves that care. It’s not a luxury, it’s not a privilege. It’s a right.”
The California Constitution mandates that the state compensate local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. AB 1810 would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill “contains costs required by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions,” the bill language states.
Tatiana Lewis, a member of All of Us or None (AOUON), testified in support of AB 1810 in front of the Senate Public Safety Committee on June 11. Lewis says she spent time in a juvenile facility and said that some correctional officers delay providing menstrual materials as a punishment or intimidation.
Lewis said she has heard from countless former and current incarcerated women about how they had to create makeshift tampons or how their prison-issued uniforms would be covered with blood. AOUON is a statewide, grassroots civil and human rights organization that fights for the rights of formerly- and currently incarcerated people and their families.
“That power is in their hands,” Lewis said of requesting menstrual products from correctional officers. “This bill needs to pass. It’s essential for incarcerated individuals who need these products as soon as possible instead of going through someone who intimidates them. We’re already humiliated by strip searches and searches of your (cell). It would also give us some type of liberty should this bill pass.”
According to a Feb. 16, 2023, report, “The 2023-24 Budget: The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation,” by the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), the state is currently operating 32 state prisons and one leased prison.
As of Jan. 18, 2023, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) was responsible for incarcerating a total of about 95,600 people -- 91,300 men, 3,900 women, and 400 nonbinary people. CDCR provided that transgender, nonbinary, or intersex are mandated to be housed in a men’s or women’s facility based on their preference.
Not everyone is on board with the specifics of AB 1810. Some familyoriented organizations and members of religious institutions across California say they have an issue with the word “person” in the bill. They want it to
be amended to refer to only biological females.
California Family Council’s (CFC) Outreach Director Sophia Lorey testified in front of the Assembly Public Safety Committee on Feb. 27. CFC’s vision and mission statement says the religious organization Advances “God’s Design for Life, Family, and Liberty through California’s Church, Capitol, and Culture.”
Lorey said AB 1810 replaces all mentions of “females and women” in the current statute. The bill attempts to “to obscure obvious biological distinctions between males and females,” Lorey stated.
“I urge you all to vote no on AB 1810 unless this bill is amended to only provide birth control and menstrual products to actual women,” Lorey told the committee. “To vote yes or abstain on this bill further advances the erasure of women and ignores basic biology. Oh, and if men menstruate…I am intrigued. Where does the tampon go?”
The bill passed out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee with an 8-0 vote. Committee members Reyes, Zbur, Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove), Juan Alanis (R-Palmdale), and Tom Lackey (R-Modesto) all voted in favor of AB 1810.
“I appreciated the wording (in AB 1810),” said Wilson, the chairperson of CLBC. “It says ‘a person who menstruates or experiences uterine or vaginal bleeding’ will have access to what they need and be able to take care of that. That is a beautiful thing. It’s empowering to those who have that issue.”
Continued from page 1: Weighing in on Waltz... they could, including deployment of the National Guard. The two-term governor acknowledged his decision to delay deploying the National Guard and called the city’s response an “abject failure,” during a press conference a few days after protests gripped the Twin Cities and the greater Minneapolis area, causing extensive damage to buildings, businesses, and a police precinct that was overrun by rioters and set ablaze.
Supporters, however, have praised him for being instrumental in prosecuting the officers involved in Floyd’s murder.
Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney for the families of George Floyd and Daunte Wright (a 20-year-old African American who was killed by a police officer in Minnesota in 2021) said Gov. Walz is a “strong choice” as Kamala Harris’ Vice Presidential running mate.
“I gained personal respect for him in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, when he reached out to the Floyd family on multiple occasions, and
later to the family of Daunte Wright. He used his position to advocate for passage of police reform legislation,” Crump said.
Civil rights activist and icon, Rev. Al Sharpton supported Vice President Harris’ nominee as well:
“In 2020, we demanded justice for George Floyd in Minneapolis. Governor Walz listened to our calls and appointed Attorney General Ellison to lead the investigation. This showed me he is a man who listens and acts in the best interests of his constituents,” Sharpton tweeted. Sharpton’s post included a video of Walz attending Wright’s funeral.
Democrat and Republican Leaders
Weigh In
Not surprisingly, Democrats and Republicans remained loyal to their political bases when discussing Harris’ VP pick. Here is reaction from both sides:
California Democratic Gov. Gavin News called the choice “brilliant,” saying that Walz has been “an
incredible partner as a governor.”
He added, “Tim Walz is about doing the right thing. Whether it’s free school meals or standing up against gun violence -- he’s never been intimidated. He’s about honor…”
Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla said Walz has “a long track record of public service and delivering results for working families.”
Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat who is running for U.S. Senate, said Walz has a “plain-spoken demeanor” who advocates for “common sense policies that improve the lives of all Americans.”
“Harris-Walz will be well equipped to deliver a clear vision for the future, and contrast that forward-looking message with the shambolic horror show that is Trump-Vance.”
James Gallagher, the California Assembly Republican leader, called the selection a “hard swing to the far left of the party.”
“The Harris VP pick (and who was not picked) says a whole lot about the
modern Democrat Party… and it’s not good.”
Rep. Kevin Kiley called Walz a “Gavin Newsom wannabe” who has “copied California’s worst policies” in Minnesota.
Paul Mitchell, an expert with Political Data Inc., explained that Walz, like some other potential running mates, was not too well known. He said about 70% of voters nationally did not know who he is, while 90% of voters nationally do not have a strong opinion about Walz as a VP pick.
Mitchell described Walz as someone Harris is more comfortable campaigning with rather than him being an “electoral vote choice.”
“It is also a ‘do no harm pick,’ Mitchell said. “It’s kind of [a] vanilla choice.”
As far as whether Walz is a beneficial or detrimental choice, Mitchell said he was a safe pick, explaining that running mates don’t really affect public opinion.