Commentary
CHERYL BROWN Guest Columnist
“California Governor’s Recall is Misguided and Dangerous”
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s an older Californian, I want to commend Governor Gavin Newsom for the work he has accomplished to make us the center of his “California for all” idea. He recognizes California’s population is aging rapidly. According to the California Department of Finance, in just ten years, our state’s population will have nearly twice as many older adults as in 2010. This shift will be felt by all of us- young and old alike, while impacting our economy, our families and our communities. His plan prepares us to meet the needs of this growing population. For senior citizens, the attempt to recall Governor Gavin Newsom is particularly misguided and even dangerous. For the first time in California’s history, we have a Governor who has prioritized the needs of our aging population. In June of 2019, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-14-19 calling for the creation and development of the California Master Plan for Aging, providing a roadmap for coordinated, system-wide change that equitably uplifts older adults, people with disabilities, and their family caregivers. In this time of urgent need, the Master Plan is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to boldly advance solutions over the next 10 years. One of the most important parts of the plan is the Equity portion. The racial, disability, income, immigration status, language, religion/faith, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation and family status included looking at those issues through an equity lens. As the plan was developed it was carefully making sure equity was “baked in not sprinkled on”. Equity requires strategies to equalize resources and opportunities. His plan notes that strengths and assets of each community must be highlighted to help us move in culturally inclusive ways. Systemic racism can only be eliminated through systemic solutions.
Recommendations must be very specific and about the communities they are addressing. Terms like Communities of color or generic language weakens and takes power away from the group who has been systemically underrepresented. Included in his plan are a set of equity questions that guide staff and volunteers in making recommendations. Over the years, our aging population has suffered greatly from the lack of attention to their needs - whether poverty, lack of access to affordable housing, lack of transportation alternatives, lack of access to affordable in-home care, food insecurity, and workforce shortages, among others. Negative stereotypes and fears of aging have historically pushed aging issues into the background of societal discourse. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified long-standing systemic problems that for
From the Editor
years have been neglected. This has been found to be true across the country, with other states facing similar challenges. California’s Master Plan has the potential to re-imagine aging affecting how society thinks about, plans for and responds with equity and inclusion to the needs of a diverse aging population that has often been forgotten. Many said it would be impossible to accomplish in California, but today there is hope for meaningful reform, because of Governor Newsom. The Scan Foundation documented that he put his money where his mouth is. This year included in his budget is the funding needed for many of the programs. During these difficult times, the Master Plan provides a critical template for a better life for all Californians, not only for our older generations — but for all of us — to age with dignity and justice. As Governor Newsom has noted, California’s demographics are shifting, and older adults are the fastestgrowing population group. All of us, young and old alike, share a stake in planning for our future. A Master Plan that enables older Californians to age well at home, with innovative solutions to address isolation and loneliness, enriches all our communities. Recalling Governor Newsom is a futile effort grounded in misguided political animosity. Our state needs real, bold leadership. This is no time to jeopardize progress for older Californians by recalling the only Governor who has recognized this issue and taken action. Older Californians should reject this recall which distracts us from the necessary work at-hand. Cheryl Brown is a former memver of the Caliornia Assembly (47th District 2012-2016) and Chair of the Aging and Long-Term Care Committee.
LISA COLLINS Publisher
“Honoring Our Fathers”
L.A. Focus/June 2021
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y dad rarely speaks of the things he has accomplished, except to reflect in one moment or another on a memory that was triggered by an event, statement or something he saw on television. In many cases, he has stood on the precipice of history, whether as a famed Tuskegee Airman or at the side of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., for whom he served as West Coast executive director of what was then known as the Western Christian Leadership Conference andwas responsible–along with the famed Xernona Clayton–for raising millions in the struggle for civil rights. Because of all he did we grew up in a home where our phones were tapped and if Dr. King was in Los Angeles, our house was under watch and my Dad and his pastor friends were shadowed by law enforcement officials. He counted among his close allies–former Ambassador Andrew Young, Gilbert Lindsay, a City Hall janitor who worked his way up to becoming the city's first black City Council member and Tom Bradley, L.A. first black mayor, who also just happened to be a high school classmate of his. My Dad was a man that let very few of his talents go to waste, including a great singing voice that early on landed him in local choruses and as the associate minister, under my grandfather, led to beautiful Sunday morning solos. When two years ago, he was asked to be a special guest at a ceremony posthumously honoring the life of Jessie Robinson, the first Black woman songwriter to be admitted to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, ASCAP, he had forgotten that she had dedicated one of her songs to him. His vocal skills also landed him a stint as extra on
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the star-studded 1959 film, Porgy and Bess, starring Sidney Poitier, Dorothy Dandridge, Diahann Carroll and Sammy Davis Jr, whom he would later work with in the fundraising efforts for the March from Selma to Montgomery. But one of my biggest delights as a kid was seeing him alongside the great character actor, Joel Fluellen, in one of the opening scenes of the original “Mighty Joe Young” film as they sold the young gorilla to a young white girl. Fact is, I grew up a Daddy’s girl, and believe that what I got most from him was the fearlessness to spread my wings and make the fullest use of my talents. Now, don’t get me wrong, he was hardly perfect which is why his biggest gift to me was raising me up with a strong foundation in the church. In a column I once read titled “Fatherlessness Is Not Fatal”, author Chandra White writes, “the absence of an earthly father, while sad and unfortunate, can be overcome. The absence of God the heavenly Father cannot be overcome and is deadly. There is no substitute for Him. It’s vital we shift our focus to include the absolute necessities of our children knowing, loving, and following God; and parents making Him the foundation of our homes.” Not to make light of the fact that the impact of the absence of fathers in any home–regardless of race–has been well documented. Strong fathers can make the difference as parental separation is known to affect a child’s development and the psychological effects of growing up without a father can be traumatic. So, kudos to all you great Dads out there. You are loved, you are vital, and I join in the celebration of you this Father’s Day.
In closing, I want to share one of my earliest memories of my Dad. It is also my earliest experience with Acrophobia, or the fear of heights. (Seems I’ve always liked being on solid ground). I must have been about four or five when he took my brothers and I to an amusement park and strapped us in to what was to be my first and last turn on a Ferris Wheel. I grew more and more uncomfortable as the gondola spun upward to about 60 or so feet and as it reached the top I began to scream. Note that this was probably the first rotation and just seconds into the ride. My brothers were fine and had that, ‘Oh-just-ignoreher, we’re-having-fun-look.’ But my Dad–who was standing near the Ferris Wheel operator– nearly choked on his popcorn as he nudged the guy and pointed to me. Realizing the man was not going to stop the ride, he tossed the popcorn, forcefully took the guys arm and said, “Stop the ride and let her off.” Fearful of what he might do next, the man acquiesced and just like that, my Dad became my hero. Happy Father’s Day. Keep the faith.
