Election Night Winners, Losers and Upsets
By Veronica Mackey
Democrats and Republicans who voted for Vice President Kamala Harris were shocked when they woke up on Wednesday morning to learn Donald Trump is the projected President of the United States. Trump won more popular votes and electoral votes than his opponent, capturing 50.9% compared to Harris’ 47.6%. He also appeared on track to win every battleground state, giving him a decisive lead.
Early Wednesday morning, folks in Inglewood were up getting their fill of Randy’s Donuts, and telling NBC4 reporter Brittany Hope who they voted for and why.
Nomecio Valadez said he was “happy” Trump won. For him, it means taxes will be lower, especially on overtime pay.
A woman named Porcha said, “My fear is more racial divide. People in
lower communities and populations won’t have the things they need to survive.”
Anthony Bowdry, a Harris voter, said
he “just couldn’t sit or stand in one spot. I had to get out and get some air because I just found out he (Trump) reached 276 (electoral votes).” Hope
said the man was crying. Speaking from her alma mater,
Continued on page 7
Dodger’s Victory Turns Violent, Nearly Deadly
By Veronica Mackey
When it comes to fan loyalty, one would be hard pressed to find any more dedicated than L.A. Dodger fans. In the days leading up to the team’s 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 5, hundreds of fans dressed in Dodger gear filed into Inglewood’s Cosm near Hollywood Park to watch the World Series. The atmosphere was electric as all eyes were glued to the big screens, and there was thunderous applause.
Around Southern California, people decorated their homes in Dodger blue for Halloween. Assortments of skeletons and ghouls were outfitted in
team jerseys and graves were erected on lawns, inscribed with “RIP Yankees.”
The team’s 8th World Series victory
on Wednesday was a welcome break to the stressful election season. Unfortunately, mayhem overshadowed
what should have been a joyful reprieve.
Following the Dodgers’ win in New York, some fans took to the streets of Los Angeles bent on creating mischief and committing crimes. The chaos backfired for one fan who injured himself so severely, he had to be rushed to a hospital.
By the early morning of Halloween, pandemonium had set in. A Metro bus was vandalized, then set on fire. Store windows were smashed, allowing looters to break in. Fireworks were set off and taggers spray-painted “F**k the Yankees” on a restaurant façade.
tactical alert and dispersal orders
Continued on page 7
Publisher’s Message
Accept Defeat, But Don’t Lose Hope
By Willie Brown
“We must accept the results of this election.” These are not the words that I and many of you want to hear. But as difficult as it was to watch Vice President Kamala Harris deliver her concession speech, we must be adults and continue to fight the good fight.
I won’t get into all the reasons I believe this election confirms that America is headed in the wrong direction. Nor will I reiterate everything that is wrong about Donald Trump returning to the White House. Frankly, I’m exhausted about striving to live a quality life in a country that I love, a country which doesn’t seem to love me back—no matter what I do. How in the world could a man with 34 felonies—many committed against
the United States—even be allowed to run for President? I digress. . .
Vice President Harris said in her speech from Howard University, “The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for. But hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always burn bright.”
At the moment, these words may fall flat. You may no longer believe in America’s promise because for many Black and Brown people— who comprise the majority of Inglewood Today readers— that promise keeps slipping further and further away.
If you’re disappointed, angry, frustrated or depressed, just know you’re not alone. And, it’s perfectly okay to feel the way you feel. Allow yourself to rest, vent, do what you need to do to get yourself together. Just refrain from violence, as that will not change a thing.
Then pick up the pieces, revisit your goals, and know that God is way bigger than Donald Trump. Don’t lose the faith! God will always make a way for his people, no matter what. See what you can do to re-ignite the promise so that it does not die out entirely.
As those of us who voted for Harris seek to make sense of what has happened, I think it will do us all a world of good to take a collective deep breath. Let go of the mental and emotional stresses that you have been carrying during this election season.
If you donated your time or money to the Harris-Walz campaign; if you voted for her and encouraged others to vote, just know you did all that you could do. So at least be proud of that. It’s time now, to decompress, hug a loved one, play with your pets,
find something your soul loves. Take a break, have your moment, then lace up your shoes and get back in the race. There are still things that need to be done if we are ever to claim our rightful place in this society. And, as you know, nothing we achieve is ever handed to us. You are a valuable person, and very much needed. We must move forward, even if the path seems cloudy. Now may not be the time for a President Harris, but nothing lasts forever and as she says, “If we fight, we will win.”
Inglewood Today
Announces Internships
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.
The Next Four Years: Debt and Rent are Among Top Issues for Young California Voters
By Edward Henderson | California Black Media
As America elects a new President this week -- and a slate of new elected officials at the local and state level -the voices of young voters in California are resounding as political campaigns and policy makers order their priorities and shape their messages to include their perspectives and respond to their concerns.
But what are those issues on the minds of the next generation of California’s
we know and several things that we can expect in the next four years, including that young Californians, Gen Zs, and aging millennials will become the largest political voting bloc here in California,” said Saa’un Bell, Senior Associate Director of Power California.”
Among responders to the survey, 35% were Latino or Hispanic, 25% Black, 20% Asian American and Pacific Islander, 16% were White, non-Hispanic. There were about 4%
Young Black and Latino Californians are more likely to have a second job or report postponing bills and 1 in 5 young Black Californians have moved back home with family.
Kaja Wilson, a youth member of Power California living in Fresno, spoke during a digital webinar organized by the organization. She shared her perspective on the priorities of young voters in the state.
“Young people are still having a hard time seeing ourselves reach
“Many young Californians blame low wages, elected officials, and corporate landlords for the housing crisis. Things are so bad that one in four young Californians have considered leaving the state. Young Californians are also motivated by their experiences with economic insecurity as well as their commitments to social justice causes. Economic concerns, including inflation and housing, are top issues that they want the government to address, and those issues are motivating their
Power California, an organization that informs and empowers young voters, and Latino Decisions, a political research company, set out to answer this question in their Rising Electorate Survey, whose findings were released earlier this fall.
The survey polled 1,754 young Californians ages 18-30 on the issues they cared about the most. While many of the findings showed a growing stress and uncertainty surrounding rent control, housing, better wages and special interest groups being too involved in government, nearly half of the young Californians surveyed believed things will get better in the future.
“For us, there are several things
identifying with some other racial groups, which includes those who identify as Indigenous. In terms of geography, 28% of the participants surveyed came from Los Angeles County, followed by 16% from the Bay Area, 16% from the Central Valley. And the remainder of the sample, which was roughly 40%, came from other parts of the state.
Economic pressures were one of the areas covered in the survey. One in 4 young Californians have thought about leaving the state, taken on a second job or postponed bills. One in 5 is supporting friends and family or had to choose between rent and paying their bills. For young Black and Latino Californians, the impacts of economic insecurity were more significant.
milestones like home ownership, savings, investments, and personal development, all the while we deal with the burden of debt, including student loans. Over the last year at Power California, I’ve seen the potential of young people to show our power. We’ve been working on a rent control campaign. I’ve been activated to get the Fresno community members to take action on local issues. It’s possible to create a better and affordable future for me and my community, and a world that’s easier for us all to navigate.”
Dr. Andrew Proctor, Senior Analyst for Latino Decisions, was one of the leads facilitating the young voter survey and shared his analysis of the data collected during the Power California webinar.
decision to turn out and vote in 2024.”
The survey also found strong support for rent control laws and addressing climate change. Reproductive rights and gun control are also salient issues for young Californians, and they are active participants in several movements for social justice. However, individuals taking the survey also shared their belief that organizations and political parties are not reaching out and engaging the full potential of young Californians.
“There are many narratives that young people, young voters, are apathetic, pessimistic, and cynical. Those narratives are out of context –and not true,” said Bell.
electorate in 2024?
Area Communities
Serving Ladera, Hawthorne, Westchester, Lawndale, Gardena, Carson
By Maya Mackey
Women’s March in Inglewood
On Nov. 2, hundreds of people showed up at Inglewood City Hall’s South Lawn in support of women’s reproductive rights. It was part of a nationwide march which initially began in January 2017, following the inauguration of Donald J. Trump.
Assembly Member Tina McKinnor wanted to raise concerns about reproductive rights this election season.
“I’m 60 years old. I never thought that we wouldn’t have abortion rights in this country, never dreamed of it,” she said.
The event titled, “March Forward Inglewood,” was underscored by marchers holding a banner saying “We’re not going back”—a prominent theme in Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris’ campaign. The event was followed by a postmarch concert featuring EeVaan Tre and the Show.
The Women’s March aims to be a powerful political and organizing tool to protect women from government dictating what happens in their own
bodies. The march and rally brought together women and men opposed
to revocation of the Roe vs. Wade decision that ended rights to abortion
and other reproductive procedures like IVF in several states.
Women’s rights activists took issue with Trump---a man with 34 felony counts, including rape—forming a majority conservative US Supreme Court that took away the right to save a mother’s life in the event of an at-risk pregnancy or terminate a pregnancy caused by incest.
While the battle has been lost so far, the march (and fight) to certify women as legal, equal, autonomous beings in this country remains. It appears now that Trump has won a second non-consecutive term as America’s president. The battle against the known racist and misogynist, with 6 bankruptcies and 2 impeachments—yet, still allowed to run for president—has never been more fierce.
Amazon, Planned Parenthood, Westchester-Playa Democratic Club, Westside Activists, Black Women’s Collective, National Association of Social Workers (California Chapter) are among the sponsors and supporters of March Forward Inglewood.
Sports & Entertainment
Legendary Musical Icon Quincy Jones Dead at 91
Quincy Jones, one of the most powerful forces in American popular music for more than half a century, died on Sunday night in his home in the Bel-Air section of Los Angeles. He was 91.
His death was confirmed in a statement by publicist, Arnold Robinson, who did not specify the cause.
Born on March 14, 1933 in Chicago, Quincy began his career in the 1950s as a jazz trumpeter and arranger, writing and collaborating with the big band artists, including Count
Basie and Frank Sinatra. He later came into prominence as a record producer, songwriter, composer, arranger and film and television producer. In the 1980s. Quincy produced three of Michael Jackson’s top selling albums, including Thriller in 1982—the highest selling album of all time. In 1985, Jones produced and conducted the charity song We Are the World, which raised funds for victims of famine in Ethiopia.
Over the course of his sevendecade career, Quincy received many accolades including 28 Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy
Award and a Tony Award as well as nominations for seven Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.
Film credits include composing scores for In the Heat of the Night (1967), In Cold Blood (1967), The Italian Job (1969), The Wiz (1978), and The Color Purple (1985). He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series for the miniseries Roots (1977).
Television credits include working as executive director on Bel-Air (2022) The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
(1992) and Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel (2002).
Quincy was the also the recipient of numerous honorary awards. including the Grammy Legend Award in 1992, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2001, the National Medal of the Arts in 2011, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2014, and the Academy Honorary Award in 2024. He was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time. He leaves behind 7 children—6 daughters and 1 son.
Inglewood Today News
Edward Henderson | California Black Media
About 99% of the commercially grown crops consumed by people across the United States come from California, according to
Between
Manuel Ortiz Escámez, a sociologist, audio-visual journalist, and cofounder of Peninsula 360, a news organization based in Redwood City. “I hold interviews with people
data compiled by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
Astonishingly,
“People
who later call and say, ‘Please do not publish anything, because I’m afraid of what could happen,’” he added.
Escámez spoke earlier this month during a news briefing organized by Ethnic Media Services (EMS) that addressed the plight of migrant workers in California, particularly those who live in the United States
Continued on page 7
were issued by LAPD. Rowdy crowds threw objects at police and at least a dozen arrests were made. During the mayhem, police say a half-naked man covered in blue paint was seen on his hands and knees writing “L.A. Champs” on a sidewalk.
While most rioters escaped the scene unscathed, one fan was seriously injured, and learned the hard way not to play with fire. Kevin King, Jr., 25 lost two or his fingers after a firework explosion.
“He’s basically missing his pointing
Continued from page 6: With Immigration...
without legal status.
During an election year when immigration is a polarizing issue with strong opinions on all sides, Escámez says the lives and critical contributions of farmworkers have been reduced to soundbites or barbs in Left vs. Right talking points.
The fervent anti-immigration rhetoric these debates generate can brew hate and motivate hate crimes and hate incidents against migrants, creating an atmosphere of fear and danger among California’s farmworkers, advocates warn.
In these situations, the debate shifts from the virtues of legal vs. illegal immigration to politicians scoring political points by finding a group to blame for the country’s problems.
“Power in politics needs to invent a physically and morally repugnant enemy who wants to take what’s yours because the feeling of emergency creates unity and the need of a savior,” said Escámez. “That’s why migrants have always been the ideal enemy of some U.S. political campaigns … and the data shows that it works.”
No matter where Californians stand on immigration, the contributions migrant farmworkers make to California’s economy and the country’s food supply are undeniable.
In February 2024, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) calculated that immigration will generate a $7 trillion boost to gross domestic product over the next decade. A vast majority of
Continued from page 1: Election...
Howard University—one of the nation’s most prominent historically black universities—in Washington, DC, Harris said. “Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win.”
Facing steep odds from the start, Harris unexpectedly became the presidential nominee when President Joe Biden pulled out of the race for reelection. With just 107 days until the General Election, Harris managed to energize the Democratic Party—which was on life support with Biden at the helm—and even win the support of Republican leaders.
finger,” His dad, Kevin King Sr. told FOX 11, referencing the middle finger. “The meat portion between the pointing finger and the thumb area. He did have some issues between both his ears.”
Surgeons said it was a ‘miracle’ that the younger King’s condition was not worse, after watching the viral video. He protected 90 percent of his face from the explosion. So far, he has undergone three surgeries. King Jr. said he has learned his lesson and plans to raise awareness of the dangers
of fireworks.
The Dodgers parade went on without a hitch on Friday, the birthday of late Dodger’s icon Fernando Valenzuela, who passed away on October 22, 2024—just 3 days before the 2024 World Series opener. The left-handed, Mexico-born pitcher was known for pitching screwballs. Valenzuela was also one of the better hitting pitchers of his era. He had ten career home runs and was occasionally used by Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda as a pinch-hitter.
Valenzuela was released from the Dodgers in 1991. He returned in 2003 as the Spanish-language radio color commentator for NL West games. In 2015, he joined the Dodgers cable TV affiliate SportsNet LA and stepped down in the last week of the 2024 regular season. L.A. fans paid homage to the late Dodgers great by wearing his #34 jersey.
these contributions come from immigrants like California’s farmworkers who perform jobs and endure conditions many Americans choose not to.
“I’m undocumented with a sliver of privilege. I’m still in a precarious position, but millions of people would love to be in my shoes,” said Gustavo Gasca Gomez, immigration outreach specialist and a Stop the Hate coordinator at the Fresno-based Education and Leadership Foundation.
“I can work, and I have social security. But I can’t vote or leave the country and return without express permission. And before I was a DACA recipient in 2012 I was a farmworker right out of high school,” said Gomez. “The work is difficult. It’s hot, dirty and tedious. It makes your mind numb in many ways. But it’s a job that the entire country depends on.”
If the stress of enduring long hours and harsh working conditions weren’t enough, the added pressure stemming from the national political discourse surrounding immigration has impacted these communities even more.
“Ninety nine percent of the communities we’ve reached out to are farmworkers and all have expressed anxiety and fear. All feel their future is deeply impacted by this,” said Gomez. “They’re most concerned about public charge, about being deported if they access benefits like health care that they or their children -- who are often U.S. citizens -- qualify for.”
As the nation’s sitting vice president, Harris sits in the awkward position of overseeing the certification of the election.
In other national races. Adam Schiff beat opponent, Steve Garvey to become California’s newest U.S. Senator, an office that was temporarily left vacant with the passing of Dianne Feinstein. Congresswoman Maxine Waters cruised to another term in office, easily defeating her rival, Steve Williams with over 73% of the vote in the 43rd District.
In state races, 61st District Assembly Member Tina McKinnor held onto
Escámez said, that until now, many of these farmworkers had built good relationships, including with the White population in the mostly rural areas where they work.
“Now, they tell me they’re more isolated. That they just go to church, to work, to the store, then stay home, because they don’t know what could happen,” he said.
Arcenio Lopez, executive director of Ventura-based Mixtec Indigenous Community Organizing Project discussed the centurieslong history of oppression faced by indigenous communities and notes that they are the original people of the American continents and therefore are not immigrants.
“We talk about the politics, but the indigenous Mexican migrant communities we work with experience this hate daily,” explained Lopez. “We’re called ‘Oaxaquitas’ (‘little Oaxacan’) and ‘indito’ (‘little Indian’). We’re told what we speak is a dialect, not a language. We hear ‘You’re brown,’ ‘You’re short,’ ‘You’re ugly’ … When this language takes the mic, it gives the green light for these actions.”
Around 84% of California farmworkers are born in Mexico and 9% identify
as indigenous
“When we talk about this, we should also mention why people leave their lands to come here. Many don’t want to,” he added. “If you go to Oaxaca, you’ll see so many companies from the U.S., Canada and Europe extracting natural resources. How does that impact indigenous communities who can’t compete, who don’t have trees or clean water? What are the decisions that this government is making? Who is in power?”
This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
her seat with 75.3% over Alfonso Hernandez. Laura Richardson won the District 35 state senate race, beating out her opponent Michelle Chambers with 51.39% of votes. Outgoing District 35 Senator Steven Bradford was forced out due to term limits.
In the heavily contentious race for Los Angeles County District Attorney, Nathan Hochman was victorious over incumbent George Gascon, winning 61.35%.
Locally, Inglewood City Councilwoman Dionne Faulk will retain her seat in District 4 with 54.65% percent of votes, winning
over Carlos Zurita, Leslie Jones, and Angelique Y. Johnson. Long time District 3 Councilman Eloy Morales and Inglewood City Clerk Aisha Thompson ran unopposed. Angela Allen is Inglewood’s new City Treasurer, replacing outgoing Treasurer Wanda Brown and beating rival Taylor R. Bryant with 58.40%. In the races for Inglewood Board of Education Member Trustee, Margaret Turner-Evans won in Area 4 with 68.49% over Ronald Gomez. Ernesto Castillo ran unopposed in Area 5.
