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Voice of Inglewood Digital Edition September 5th, 2019

Page 1

September 5, 2019

VOL. 34, No. 35

ETHNIC STUDIES REP. WATERS SUPPORTS BAHAMAS PROPOSED FOR IN HURRICANE DORIAN AFTERMATH CALIFORNIA STUDENTS

By Francis Taylor, Asst. Publisher

The high school requirement — the first such in the nation, according to a legislative analysis — appears to have broad backing among Sacramento lawmakers and beyond. A separate bill, mandating an ethnic studies class for every Cal State student, has drawn a mixed reaction at campuses. Although there is wide support for ethnic studies courses, some Cal State faculty and administrators strongly oppose a state requirement. The public’s chance to comment on the model curriculum closes Thursday. “California is committed to getting this work right,” Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the state Board of Education, said in a letter to the Los Angeles Times. “We will not accept a curriculum that fails to address difficult issues in a way that promotes open-mindedness and independent thought — skills our students need to understand vital societal and civic forces.” At its core, supporters say, ethnic studies classes teach students how to think critically about the world around them, “tell their own stories,” develop “a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and 2

By Francis Taylor, Asst. Publisher

Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Cochair of the Congressional Caribbean Caucus, issued a statement of support for the Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, which, according to the National Hurricane Center, “battered the Bahamas… with wind gusts of up to 150 m.p.h., storm surges as much as 15 feet

above normal tide levels and devastating flooding from up to 30 inches of rain.” “I am heartbroken and terribly worried by the reports of mass devastation and flooding in Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. During my husband, Ambassador Sidney Williams’, tenure as the U.S. Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and through my work

in Congress as a co-chair of the Caribbean Caucus, I have created many longlasting friendships with the people of the Bahamas, and have an enduring love for the entire nation. I am deeply concerned about the well-being of many of our dear friends with whom we have not been able to make contact, as well as for the safety and recovery of the 2 Commonwealth in the af-

CALIFORNIA BOAT FIRE: EIGHT CONFIRMED DEAD AS 25 REMAIN MISSING NEAR SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

ON THE INSIDE •News •Community •Health / Fitness / Wellness sponsored by Centinela Hospital •Real Estate •Business •Sports/Entertainment

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Four bodies have been recovered and a further four identified on the ocean floor following a fire on a diving boat off Santa Cruz Island, California.

Lt Cmdr Matthew Kroll of the US asleep below deck. Coast Guard said the bodies were He said the bodies showed injuries found close to the wreckage of the consistent with drowning. Conception, which caught fire in the At least eight people are confirmed early hours while 33 passengers were to have died. A further 25 5

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September 5, 2019

Continued from page 1:Ethnic Studies Proposed for California Students

inclusion” and engage “socially and politically” to eradicate bigotry, hate and racism. This description, from the draft of the model curriculum, is meant to guide California K-12 educators in creating coursework whether or not the new graduation requirement becomes law. The draft curriculum has drawn criticism from some Jewish and proIsrael groups for its treatment of ArabIsraeli issues and its omission of antiSemitism. Supporters of ethnic studies embrace their intensely political focus. The model curriculum dives right into how the Trump administration has handled unaccompanied immigrant children: In California, as nationwide, these courses are increasing in number, with grade-school enrollment nearly doubling from 8,678 in 2013-14 to 17,354 in 2016-17, according to the state Department of Education. In 2014, 19 schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District offered ethnic studies. Last year the number was 83, officials said. The assignment that energized a proponent called for her to interview family members, trace their languages, make a timeline of their history and draw a map of where they came from. For white and middle-class students in Santa Monica, ethnic studies class has been an exercise in empathy. One project came about after students realized Advanced Placement classes were filled mostly with white students from

affluent backgrounds — so they set out to develop a plan to address this inequity. Ethnic studies are rooted in California activism — in 1968 when the Black Student Union and a coalition of student groups at San Francisco State University, known as the Third World Liberation Front, began a student strike calling for ethnic studies. Scholars see their field as an antidote to mainstream doctrine. The proposed curriculum focuses mainly on four groups: Latinos; Asian Americans; African Americans; and indigenous peoples, those who lived in the Americas before the arrival of colonizers from Europe. Ethnic studies curriculum has traditionally been framed around the experience of these four groups in the U.S. In addition, there’s material on Arab Americans, Pacific Islanders, and on Central Americans, distinct from Mexican immigrants. These three groups were included at the request of these communities. Although the official public comment period ends this week, state officials say ample opportunity remains to revise the curriculum. The state Board of Education is scheduled to approve a final version by March of next year.

Continued from page 1:Rep. Waters Supports Bahamas in Hurricane...

termath of this horrific storm. “While the full scope of the hurricane’s destruction is still unknown, we know that Hurricane Dorian is one of the worst natural disasters to ever face

the Bahamas, and that the storm has already resulted in the death of seven people, displaced hundreds of families, and caused widespread damage to homes and building structures. My prayers and heartfelt sympathies are with the families of the victims and all those who have been impacted by this horrific storm. Rest assured, the United States is standing with you during this difficult time, and we will do all that we can to aid in recovery efforts in the coming weeks and months.” The hurricane clobbered the Bahamas for 48 hours. Thousands of homes are believed to be damaged or destroyed and tens of thousands don’t have drinking water. Seven people were confirmed dead on the Bahamas’ Abaco Islands and officials expect the death toll to rise. Hurricane Dorian is slowly mak-

ing its way up the Southeast coast, hitting much of Florida with strong winds and heavy rain. Dorian was still a strong Category 2 hurricane but much weaker than it was a few days ago. However, the storm has widened, meaning it could reach a much larger

area along the coast. In the Bahamas, parts of the nation of low-lying islands were in ruins. Two more deaths were confirmed overnight, bringing the official total to seven. The country’s prime minister said he expects that number to rise. As of 12 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Dorian had maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. Its core was some 95 miles east-northeast of Daytona Beach, Florida, and about 195 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina. Dorian was moving north-northwest at 9 mph. Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 70 miles from its center and tropical storm-force winds extended outward up to 175 miles.

to

6th

Councilman Alex Padilla’s Annual District 2 Potluck Picnic and Chili Cook-off

Free Community Event

north park

625 E. Hargrave Street, Inglewood, CA 90302 Saturday, September 7th, 2019 12pm - 4pm

Food * Games* Face Painting * Music * Raffle Prizes * Chili Cook-off contest * Giveaways * And Much More

For more Information contact Ramon Quinones at: 310-412-8601 or rquinones@cityofinglewood.org


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September 5, 2019

KEVIN HART’S

‘GOING TO BE JUST FINE’

COMMUNITY SOUNDS OFF Do you think Inglewood Schools should have an Ethnic Studies Curriculum?

By City News

Following Kevin Hart’s “major” back injury in the crash of his vintage muscle car in the hills above Malibu early Sunday, his wife Eniko says the actor and comedian is going

to be OK. “He’s great. He’s going to be just fine,” she told TMZ on Monday outside the hospital, adding that Hart was “awake” but declining to answer further questions about his current state. People and TMZ report that Hart is recovering after surgery for his

back injury. After the accident, Hart went to his home nearby to get medical attention before heading to Northridge Hospital Medical Center, according to a California Highway Patrol collision report obtained Sunday by USA TODAY. According to the report, Hart, 40, was a passenger in his 1970 Plymouth Barracuda when it drove off Mulholland Highway and rolled down an embankment around 12:45 a.m. local time Sunday. The report says Hart and the driver, Jared Black, 28, suffered back injuries. Another passenger, Rebecca Broxterman, 31, complained only of pain. The CHP report says the car lost control as it turned from a canyon road onto the highway. Two of the car’s three occupants were trapped in the vehicle.

Carlos Powell Yesenia Berdecia Yes and no. Depends on who’s Absolutely! As long as it’s the teaching the class. No need to con- truth. They should hire people who tinue to get white washed dishonest have degrees in the study of World history. History as the history teachers so the truths aren’t fabricated and convoluted like they were when I was in school.

Armand Andrews Yes. Education starts in the home. Ethnic Studies are extremely important. I’ve educated myself on things that are interesting to me about certain Ethnicities. I don’t count on the Public School system teaching my kids too much of anything in depth so when the time comes, I will make sure they go deeper into all subjects. It’s my responsibility to make sure they are well rounded, not the schools.

Alejandrina Terrones Yes! I think it is very important for kids to study all ethnicities. There is more in the world than just Black, White, and Hispanic. Both of my children are in high school and haven’t learned too much of any other cultures. It’s actually really sad and a shame when you think about it.

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September 5, 2019

RIHANNA ‘S

HELP IS ON

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER/ EDITOR Willie Brown

THE WAY

VICE PRESIDENT Gloria Kennedy

By Harmony Wortham

ASSISTANT EDITOR Francis Taylor

I’m sure you all know by now and have seen the devastation of the catastrophic Hurricane Dorian plastered all over the news. Hurricane Dorian crashed the Bahamas at a Category 5 on Sunday. The natural disaster moved southeast at only one mile per hour for more than 40 hours. Pop Star, Rihanna is reportedly helping the devastated areas through her Clara Lionel Foundation (which funds emergency response programs), as Hurricane Dorian aftermath is settling and it is becoming more clear what is needed in in the Bahamas. The Clara Lionel Foundation was founded by the pop star in 2012 in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. On Monday, the Barbados native took to twitter to express her love and her support for the Bahamian people.

ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Francis Taylor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Francis Taylor Harmony Wortham QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER Gloria Kennedy Inglewood Today Weekly is a legally adjudicated newspaper of public cir­c ulation, published weekly by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. News and press releases may be submitted for consideration by mail to 9111 La Cienega Boulevard, Suite 100, Inglewood, CA 90301 or by email to itnetworks@msn.com.

You can reach us at 310-670-9600 or by fax 310-338-9130 www.inglewoodtoday.com The artistic contents of Inglewood Today Weekly are copyrighted by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. and permission to reprint any article herein must be obtained in writing from the Publisher.

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LEGAL NOTICES

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019236536 The following Person is doing business as: Diamond Security Services 4031 W. 141st Street, Apt. #1 Hawthorne, CA 90250

Registered Owner(s): Emeka Amaku, 4031 W. 141st Street, Apt. #1, Hawthorne, CA 90250

FREE Document Shredding

This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on September 3, 2019.

and Donations Event

I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Emeka Amaku, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk on September 3, 2019. NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.) Original September 5, 12, 19, 26, 2019 IT004223012002085 Inglewood Today

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When: Where:

Saturday, September 28, 2019

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

On Grevillea Avenue off Manchester Blvd. (in front of Inglewood High School)

DRIVE THROUGH DROP OFF

Bring all of your non-working household appliances, computers, tablets, phones, TV's and any other electronic devices that you would like to get rid of. We will also accept gently used clothing, shoes, accessories and bicycles. NO FURNITURE ACCEPTED! *NOTE: Document shredding is limited to Inglewood Residents Only, ID IS REQUIRED (3 boxes or bags per car ONLY) Tax compliant donation receipts will be provided

For more information, please contact the City of Inglewood Public Works Department at (310) 412-5333.

According to Red Cross spokesman Matthew Cochrane, over 60,000 people in the Caribbean will need food, 62,000 will need clean drinking water and 45% of the homes in Grand Bahamas and Abaco were believed to have been severely damaged or destroyed. Reports confirm that at least five people have been killed in what Prime Minister Hubert Minnis is calling a historic tragedy. Rihanna is no newbie to humanitarian efforts. This is just the latest work from the Mogul. It’s partially one of the reasons why there was very little to no uproar about her liking shady tweets about her manager and Hip Hop Icon Jay Z, regarding his decision to join forces with the NFL after being so vocal about not supporting them last year (in Lieu of the Colin Kaepernick Scandal). She literally puts her money where her mouth is. The 31-year-old also contributed to hurricane relief efforts after Harvey, Irma and Maria. Harvard University presented her with their Humanitarian of the Year Award for her support to enrich education and health care advocacy in the Caribbean In 2017. God Bless Rihanna.


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September 5, 2019 Continued from page 1:California boat fire: Eight confirmed...

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

WHO IS YOUR PRESIDENTIAL PICK IN

2020?

As we begin to look forward to the 2020 election I wonder how the democratic candidates will address some of the most pressing issues we face as a nation. From climate change and immigration reform to reasonable gun control, our nation’s sour relationship with our allies, and our international policy towards China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, to name a few, Trump’s opponents have their hands full. Below I have summarized a few of the distinctive areas that distinguish the current front runners. Although former Vice President Joe Biden continues to lead in the National Polls, he has not proposed free healthcare for all or free college education but wants to build Obama care and get as many people covered as possible. Biden has proposed a free Community College education, a halt to election gerrymandering and making the one percent and Wall Street pay their fare share. Biden wants a fair pre trial bail system and is against laws that attack women. He is extremely vocal about making our Vets a priority and restoring rights of vets kicked out of the country. He is an avid supporter of the LGBTQ community. Bernie Sanders describes himself as a democratic socialist and is struggling with black and Latino voters. His proposed policies emphasize reversing economic inequality and he proposes free healthcare, raising the minimum wage, free college tuition, and eliminating student debt. Sanders is a pro union and pro-environmental candidate.

Elizabeth Warren is known for her passionate position on women’s issues and equality. She proposes to strengthen trade laws and enforcement. She has a proven record of small business development and supports America’s labor movement. She plans to take action with the short and long-term job development and in fact, Warren has a plan for most of the issues that face our nation. She is an advocate for free healthcare and Criminal Justice Reform and has avoided negative assaults because of her straightforward, no nonsense approach to the issues. Kamala Harris’ campaign made a significant mark after her second debate but has not followed-up with clear messages. She has proposed teacher pay increases as the key to our future and supports prison reform, justice reform, climate change, as well as implementing better gun control. Her supporters seem to want to hear more detailed plans of what she will do if elected. At the same time, she maintains high favorable ratings among the base and Democrats seem to want a sure reason to vote for her. Labor Day was the unofficial start of the presidential election season and INGLEWOOD TODAY will be watching closely to see who emerges as the most formidable candidate to face Donald Trump. In my opinion, either of the democratic candidates will surely restore the normalcy that we had previously come to expect with a president who is dignified and of unbending principles.

are still unaccounted for. The 75ft diving boat caught fire off the north coast of Santa Cruz Island. Rescuers reached the scene at 3.28am local time. Five crew members who were on deck at the time were rescued by a passing boat, the Grape Escape. It was initially thought there were 34 people trapped on board but that number was later corrected to 33. Lt Cmdr Kroll told CNN that “there could still be people out there so we’re still searching” but said that the more time passed the less chance there was of finding people alive. He said: “We don’t know if it was an explosion or a fire that slowly grew. Everything happened quickly enough that people could not get off the ship.” The search was being carried out by boats and helicopters, with dive teams arriving on the scene shortly, he said. Part of the mayday call made by the captain of the Conception has been released, in which the dispatcher can be heard asking: “Can you get back onboard and unlock the boat?” He can also be heard asking: “You don’t have any firefighting gear at all? No fire extinguishers or anything?” The captain’s answers are indistinct in the recording. The Conception is thought to have been on a three-day diving trip which had been due to finish on Monday afternoon. The US Coast Guard said it had dispatched ”multiple rescue assets along with assets from local agencies” in an effort to save the people on board, arriving at the scene 14 minutes after being alerted. At a press conference, Captain Monica Rochester, US Coast Guard Los Angeles Long Beach sector commander, said that shoreline searches were continuing. There are hopes that some of the passengers may have been able to get off the boat and been able to swim to shore. The boat is believed to have been anchored not far off Santa Cruz Island overnight. The vessel sank in about 54ft of water about 60ft from shore although a portion of its bow was still above water.

PLACE YOUR DBAS, PROBATES, TRUSTEE NOTICES, LEGAL NOTICES, SUMMONS AND MORE IN

SAVE MONEY AND SUBMIT ONLINE AT WWW.INGLEWOODTODAY.COM OR CALL: 1.888.676.1011

IN CASE YOU

MISSED IT: NATIONAL DOG DAY Francis Taylor, Asst. Publisher/Editor

Celebrated annually every August 26th, National Dog Day is a day for people to recognize the importance of dogs and how they impact their lives on a daily basis. It is also a day to recognize how hard service dogs work on our behalf and also to draw attention to the plight of abused and abandoned dogs. This day was founded by author and animal behaviorist, Colleen Paige in 2004. She invented this observational holi-

day to not only show appreciation for dogs, but to bring attention to the plight of abused dogs, to end puppy mills and to bring an end to breed-specific legislation that regulates, or outright bans, certain breeds in the hope of minimizing dog attacks. There are a number of different ways to celebrate this day. Some people choose to use this day to spend more time with their dog and to buy him/her new toys or sweaters. Other people take time during this day to volunteer their time and money to various dog welfare organizations. This day is the perfect time to not only reconnect with your furry family member, but also to consider how you can help society realize the importance of dogs and how their treatment should become more humane.


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SERENA

September 5, 2019

the most major tennis titles and is week, after a floppy second round considered as one of the sports all where Serena seemed to be off of time best players). Williams began her game, one of the post-match interviews when asked, “Serena, you

Congratulations are in order as we celebrate more black girl magic with one of our favorite female athletes. On Tuesday night Serena Williams, annihilated Qiang Wang 6-1, 6-0 in the quarterfinals to win her 100th singles victory at the U.S. Open. She’s now just two match wins from the 24th major title she needs to tie Margaret Court’s record (Margaret Court, a former world number 1 is a retired Aussie player who holds

plied, “But it’s OK, I’m alive. I’m still here. I’m happy to be on this court somehow and I’ll do better, I promise!” To assure him that she was right on point. She kept her promise. Win after win until the end. The quarterfinal match was less than 45 minutes and tied for shortest finished match of the WTA season. As we all already know she is coming for Margaret Courts neck for that title, do we also know that it’s time to officially give Serena Williams The Greatest female Athletes Of All Time Title or am I moving too prematurely? Lets note that The Women’s Tennis Association ranked her world No. 1 in singles on eight separate occasions between 2002 and 2017. She reached the No. 1 ranking for the first time on July 8, 2002. We are rooting for Serena and wishing her the best of luck as she approaches the semifinals and for the U.S. Open obliterating Maria made way too many errors today. the rest of the competition. Bring it Sharapova in the first-round. Last What were you thinking?” She re- home!

HS STUDENTS

Carolina Public Radio online, stu- high praise for her finance class and Treasurer Janet Cowell, who made a dents, staff, and families will be able banking experience, and tells how donation from the state’s Unclaimed to use the school branch to open ac- they taught her to balance her mon- Property fund. Cowell had this mes-

WILLIAMS

FOR 100 PLEASE By Harmony Wortham

TEACH FINANCIAL LITERACY Open an On-Campus Bank

What do Mike Tyson, Michael Vick, Lenny Dykstra, Latrell Sprewell, Lawrence Taylor, and Scottie Pippin have in common? They are all on the list of once ultra-rich athletes who have lost their fortunes and are now nearly broke. Sadly, the list is pretty long as many young sport stars leave high school, even college, without a clue how to handle their finances. In an effort to improve financial literacy among youth, Hillside High School in Durham, North Carolina, has opened an actual bank branch on the school campus. The partnership with Woodforest National Bank provides student internships and is a hands-on learning center for students to learn banking skills and finance. Woodforest, while based in Texas, has over 80 branches in North Carolina. The bank’s senior vice president, Jessica Valentine, says that it is the first branch that they have opened in a high school. According to WUNC, North

counts, make deposits, and take care of their banking needs. A staff was hired to oversee the branch, including a manager and service representative. Valentine added, “We’re here on a weekly basis sort of providing any follow-up training or questions or things like that. So, we’re just supporting the staff that’s here, the kids.” In addition to classes and internships, some students have actual jobs at the bank. Senior Kiara Lowther is not only a student at Hillside, but she is a Loan Officer as well. She has

ey and not waste so much “on fast food and a lot of pointless stuff.” Priscilla Ross, head of Hillside’s Business and Finance Academy said, “Hopefully this will generate some more interest in students wanting to learn more about the Finance Academy, especially those students who are going to be accountants, or are thinking about going into anything finance. They definitely would want to come to Hillside High School.” The first $500 deposited during the grand opening came from State

sage during the ceremony, “Promoting financial literacy is a top priority for my office. This year, I’m looking forward to traveling the state to emphasize the importance of building better money management life skills and saving practices that will benefit North Carolinians from early childhood through retirement….This student-run bank training center is an exciting opportunity to help students with sound money management skills, career-training skills, and mentoring opportunities.”


Page 7

September 5, 2019

EYE ON THE CITY

6TH ANNUAL D2 POTLUCK PICNIC AND CHILI COOK-OFF 400 YEARS SINCE THE BIRTH OF US SLAVERY

GEORGE DOTSON

ALEX PADILLA

JAMES BUTTS

ELOY MORALES

RALPH FRANKLIN

AROUND THE CITY

The City of Inglewood has demonstrated that their community events provide an outstanding opportunity for Inglewood residents to share and enjoy, with their friends and neighbors, all of the best of Inglewood. This week will surely be no exception with Councilman Alex Padilla’s 6th Annual District 2 Potluck Picnic and Chili Cook-off. This free community event will be held this Saturday, from 12 pm until 4 pm at North Park, 625 E. Hargrave Street, Ingle-

wood, 90302. This free community summer event and will feature picevent will feature food, games, face tures and comments from Inglepainting, music, raffle prizes, give- wood residents next week. aways and the competitive Chili See you there! Cook-off where Inglewood’s best amateur chefs will showcase their best recipes. Sponsored by local businesses and community organizations, the event will provide another opportunity to meet and greet local elected officials. INGLEWOOD TODAY will be on hand to document this end of

In August 1619, an English ship landed on the shores of Virginia with some 20 African captives aboard. Four hundred years later, the date is

the colony (who is perhaps best remembered for marrying Pocahontas), noted that it “brought not anything but 20 and odd Negroes”. As the Hampton History Museum recounts, the captives came from the kingdom of Ndongo, in present-day Angola. They were reportedly captured there by Portuguese colonists then driven to the port of Luanda, where they were brought on board the slave ship São João Baptista. Altogether, the boat carried some 350 enslaved people. As it sailed toward Veracruz, in present-day Mexico, the ship was intercepted by the

the rest of the Americas, however, a forced labor regime was already well under way. “Prior to the slave trade, indigenous people were enslaved in the Spanish and Portuguese colonies,” says Michael Thomas, assistant professor of philosophy at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. “Enslaved people from Africa were brought over to reinforce their numbers.” Spanish conquistadors had already brought African slaves to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola (today shared between Haiti and

the events would prefer he keep his distance. As Gaylene Kanoyton, the president of the Hampton branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), said: “He’s not welcome because of everything that we’re commemorating, the arrival of slavery. He’s for white supremacy, he’s for nationalism, he’s for everything that we are against.” Two years ago, it was in the same state of Virginia that the United States witnessed one of the most significant acts of white supremacist violence under Trump’s presidency.

being commemorated as the beginning of the age of slavery in North America. Just along the boardwalk in Virginia’s seaside town of Hampton – once known as Point Comfort – stands a stark plaque. It reads: “The first documented Africans in Virginia arrived here in Aug. 1619 on the White Lion, an English privateer based in the Netherlands.” Four hundred years ago, the ship dropped anchor in what was then an English colony. John Rolfe, the plantation owner and official overseeing

White Lion. The British crew robbed part of the Portuguese cargo, including a few dozen African captives – among those who had survived the brutal journey thus far. A few days later, it was at Point Comfort that the British vessel finally landed, in the hopes of trading the enslaved Africans for food and supplies. The exact date of the ship’s landing is not known, but historians have fixed August 1619 as the moment that slavery began in what would become the United States. In

the Dominican Republic) as early as 1502. In 1526, a Spanish expedition also brought African captives to present-day South Carolina, almost a century before the date of the Virginia landing now considered the birth of slavery on the continent. However, the settlement there was abandoned the following year after the Africans rebelled. The US president has not announced plans to return to the area for commemorations in the coming days– and some of those behind

On August 12, 2017, during a farright rally in the city of Charlottesville, an avowed neo-Nazi intentionally rammed his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing 32-yearold Heather Heyer. Trump later sparked widespread outrage when he stated that there was “blame on both sides” for the day’s violence. The return of such open racist violence in the United States is one of the reasons that it’s so important to understand how the history of slavery shaped the country’s history.

Francis Taylor, Asst. Publisher/Editor


Page 8

September 5, 2019


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