UpLift Chronicles May 2024 International District Edition v3i3

TRUE NM EXHIBITION COMBATS STATE’S TRICULTURAL MYTH

By Kristin Satterlee

You’ve probably heard New Mexico’s tricultural myth: the common misconception that the state’s culture is a harmonious blend of Indigenous, Latinx, and Anglo heritages. Setting aside this myth’s other inaccuracies, where does that fable leave the stories of African American and AAPINH (Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian) New Mexicans who are just as much a part of the tale?

Twelve young New Mexicans move the needle on that myth in the fourth annual True NM 2024 Sawubona Exhibition, taking place during this May’s Albuquerque Artwalk on May 3. The True NM program, cosponsored by New Mexico Black Leadership Council and New Mexico Asian Family Center, is designed to combat racism by bringing young people together to share their stories with the community through art. The artists receive a stipend for supplies and to pay for their time, allowing them to focus on creating. But before the art gets made, the artists do a deep dive into their own stories and those of their wider communities.

“We asked the youth from the start… What matters to you?” says Sarah “Zee” Azibo, program coordinator. “When you’re talking about

anti-racism, what do you want to talk about? It’s been really powerful. [The youth artists] are the ones who made this what it is.”

Those discussions ranged wide and deep from February through April, through topics like affirmative action, equity vs. equality, intersectionality, othering, identity, and self-perception. As well as having those weighty conversations facilitated by youth coordinators Kai Warrior and Ayami Nakanishi True NM artists met with BIPOC guest artists and participated in activities: A shoe swap helped them learn deeply about the other youth in their cohort, a Downtown art walk led to reflection about representation in public art, and more.

The 2024 True NM cohort selected “Sawubona”—a Zulu term that means “I see you seeing me”—as this year’s exhibition theme. The True NM program does more than combat racism and the tricultural myth: It develops leaders by increasing participants’ self-esteem and awareness of themselves, their communities, and the wider world. You can be part of that development by attending and supporting the True NM Exhibition, and by getting the kids in your life involved in other arts-based leadership development opportunities like NMBLC’s Roots Summer

Leadership Academy (RSLA). RSLA helps youth develop self-esteem and leadership through interpersonal connection, STEM, arts, and social-emotional learning. Registration opened in April, so learn more and sign up at bit.ly/rsla2024.

Don’t take our word for the value of these programs in the development of the youth who will lead us into the future. In the words of 2024 True NM artist Isabella Park, “This is the first time I’ve ever had people that look like me and share the same cultural identities as me speak about the passions I share. … I was able to connect and process traumas and my own experiences that I didn’t realize were there.”

TRUE NM SAWUBONA EXHIBITION OPENING RECEPTION

May 3, 2024 • 5:30-8:30pm Orpheum Community Hub 500 Second Street NW

True NM 2024 Cohort Members (from left to right) during the public art walk in front of Noé Barnett’s “To the Mountaintop”: Aveolela Freeman, Alex Le, Mursal Hussaini, Isabella Park, Lilly Tang, Kara Stricklin, Dahlia Jarjusey, Dayana Calle, Andrew Michael Joseph, Lana Nguyen, Floretta Stewart, Soniah Davis-Crump

LEARN TO D.R.² I.V.E. SERIES PROMOTES CIVIC UNDERSTANDING

DEBUT WEBINAR ENGAGES EXPERTS TO EMPOWER THE PEOPLE

By Samantha Anne Carrillo

In addition to federal and tribal law and policy, life in New Mexico is largely informed by legislation that gets passed on the state level. Yet the process by which a need and a solution are identified and a bill gets drafted, presented, voted on and potentially becomes a governor-signed law remains a mystery to many—if not the majority—of those governed and theoretically served by state government.

New Mexico Black Leadership Council hosted and simulcast on Facebook Live and YouTube the first in a series of educational events, D.R2.I.V.E. Demystifying Roundhouse Rules: Introduce • Vote • Enact, on April 11. Organized and moderated by NMBLC Founder Cathryn McGill and featuring a panel of elected officials—Rep. Janelle Anyanonu, Rep. Pamelya Herndon and Senator Harold Pope, Jr.—and guests like Adrián Avila of the State Senate Majority Office among others, the goal was to begin to demystify the process by which legislation is introduced and passed in New Mexico, including the annual state operating budget a.k.a. HB 2 and to make more transparent the annual timeline for capital outlay expenditures a.k.a. distribution of funding.

“We’re starting a conversation about not just learning about but also actively engaging and understanding the very fabric of our government— our legislative process. Just as a driver knows the rules of the road, each of us needs to grasp how our government functions, recognizing that it’s supposed to be of the people, by the people and for the people. All of the people,” said McGill. “This session is designed to foster a nonpartisan, nonpolitical dialogue that goes beyond any single issue. Tonight’s conversation is about the overarching processes that guide how all these issues are addressed in our community. It’s about empowering each of us to understand these processes and participate in them actively.”

Topics covered in the initial D.R2.I.V.E. event’s first segment, “The Foundations of New Mexico’s Legislative Process,” by the panel of elected officials and Avila include: key differences between New Mexico’s 30- and 60-day sessions as well as special sessions; what the governor’s call for legislature means; the constitution and structure of interim committees; the legislature’s appropriating power and timeline; the annual capital outlay process and timeline for HB 2; how the state’s new GRO funding works; and New Mexicos’ anti-donation clause and its relevant amendments.

The second segment, “From Ideas to Action: Getting Your Voice Heard,” featured guest speakers with expertise in this area: Marilyn Pettes Hill, a former state Deputy Treasurer; Alexandria Taylor, executive director of New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs; Stephanie Maez, an activist and former state legislator; and Monet Silva, executive director of New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness. This segment covered: how individuals and communities can influence legislation and legislative agendas; strategies for navigating and engaging legislators and committees; and how to work with state departments and agencies.”

The first D.R2.I.V.E. Demystifying Roundhouse Rules: Introduce • Vote • Enact event is available to stream anytime on YouTube, at bit.ly/drriveyt, and on NMBLC’s Facebook Page, at bit.ly/drrivefb.

“Just as a driver knows the rules of the road, each of us needs to grasp how our government functions, recognizing that it’s supposed to be of the people, by the people and for the people. All of the people.”

—Cathryn McGill

UPLIFTING WELLNESS:

ON VACCINES, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE

ACCESS

AND HEART HEALTH

By Samantha Anne Carrillo

DISEASES DON’T TAKE VACATIONS

Summer is traditionally quieter when it comes to news about flus, viruses, and respiratory infections. While these common, potentially serious illnesses capture more headlines in fall and winter, thanks to environmental conditions and news cycles, the best way to protect yourself and your community is by keeping vaccinations current. This is particularly true for diseases that can be deadly for individuals older than 60 and those with secondary health conditions. Diseases including COVID, RSV, and influenza are still circulating and summer is the perfect time to take stock of your personal vaccination record and update it as necessary. The state health department created its online vaccine portal to assist citizens with this very quest. At the New Mexico Department of Health’s portal, vaccine.doh.nm.gov, you can quickly locate the vaccine you need in your city and schedule the procedure in three simple steps. It only takes a few minutes to make preventive healthcare a part of your wellness plan.

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE ACCESS EXPANDS

Making reproductive healthcare more accessible for New Mexicans continues to be a priority for the Lujan Grisham administration. On March 27, 2024, the state Human Services Department announced that the state Medicaid program, Centennial Care, has added the over-the-counter daily contraceptive pill Opill to its copay-free formulary. Other reproductive healthcare options that are newly available to New Mexicans covered by Medicaid include pregnancy tests and emergency contraception available without a copay. The department’s statement announcing no-cost pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, and Opill for Medicaid enrollees also referenced the Lujan Grisham administration’s efforts to “safeguard abortion rights, establish a hotline for reproductive healthcare assistance and support the healthcare workforce by introducing a new payment method for Medicaid-covered pregnancy terminations.” Learn more at hsd.state.nm.us.

TAKING CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH TO HEART

Besides eating healthfully and maintaining an active lifestyle, another way to optimize wellness any time of year is by keeping tabs on your blood pressure. Did you know 45 percent of adults over the age of 40 suffer from hypertension? According to the American Heart Association (AHA), that statistic is even more worrisome among Black men in America, coming in around 55 percent for those 40 and older. Here’s another case where preventive medicine can work wonders. Paths recommended to improve cardiovascular health by the AHA include maintaining adequate nutrition, exercising for at least 20 minutes every day, and reducing your overall stress. Chronic physical and psychological stress impacts heart health, even if you do all the other things. If you’re 40 or older—especially if you’re male and African American—prioritize heart health by getting a blood pressure screening and having an honest discussion about hypertension with your doctor.

PROTECTING MOTHERS IN NEW MEXICO

Maternal mortality rates are rising across the country and New Mexico has an even higher percentage of these deaths than the rest of the nation. Black women are most affected across the country, being 2.5 times more likely to die after childbirth according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The state health department recently reported that—while the national pregnancy-related mortality ratio through 2019 was 17.3 deaths per 100,000 live births—New Mexico’s maternal mortality rate through 2020, measured up to one year after giving birth, is 31.2 deaths per 100,000 births. The increased statewide maternal mortality rate is largely attributable to mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders. According to the New Mexico Department of Health, such deaths are preventable. Abigail Reese, manager of the state’s Maternal Health Program, recently wrote, “We need to do more to direct treatment and resources and support to people who are navigating substance use while pregnant and in the postpartum period.” Learn more at bit.ly/matmortnm.”

By Shannon Yvonne Moreau

When NMBLC collaborated with Core-Visual to produce mini-documentary “The State of Black Health in New Mexico,” Dr. Vanessa al Rashida, MD, MPH participated as one of the featured physicians. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, al Rashida attended medical school in Kansas City. When it came time to do her residency, a fruitful interview with the University of New Mexico and their Department of Internal Medicine convinced her to make the move to the high desert. Since 2015, al Rashida has called New Mexico home and she now practices primary care at Optum in Rio Rancho.

The documentary “The State of Black Health in New Mexico” is dedicated to physicians and providers who have been at the forefront of community doctoring. For al Rashida, the philosophy of giving back to the community, which was instilled in her since childhood, is something she wanted to continue here in New Mexico.

Al Rashida organized her first health fair here at the 2023 Juneteenth celebration in Albuquerque. She’d noticed trepidation toward the medical field among her African American patients, especially during the pandemic, when some folks shared with her that they weren’t getting the COVID-19 vaccine. “I understand, especially given our collective history of not just vaccines, but other tests that [Black people] were not educated on or that were forced onto us. It’s important to have those real conversations and come to a shared decision,” said al Rashida.

She figured the Juneteenth event would be an opportune time to reach the community with solid and approachable information and resources. UNM, Presbyterian, Blue Cross Blue Shield and the New Mexico Department of Health participated, providing blood pressure screenings and

DR. VANESSA AL RASHIDA PROMOTES WELLNESS WITHIN COMMUNITY

blood sugar and cholesterol testing. Her second event, held at Saint Timothy’s Lutheran Church, focused on immigrant and refugee populations.

Three more health fairs are planned in 2024 and al Rashida sees them as a way to get trustworthy information to those who need it most. “I can give some general counseling and direct people to the care that they need, especially if they are in lack of access or having trouble getting access,” she notes.

For al Rashida, the philosophy of giving back to the community, which was instilled in her since childhood, is something she wanted to continue here in New Mexico.

An ongoing shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs) in the state is one of the reasons for that lack of access. In fact, al Rashida considered specializing in cardiology but changed her mind when she saw the huge PCP shortage in New Mexico. Not only are PCPs the main entry point to accessing health care, but they also play a critical role in preventing serious health conditions down the road. “I don’t see the point in going into cardiology if the problems could be addressed before

the disease is present,” said al Rashida.

Health fairs help close wellness gaps by serving as check-ins while also providing free services such as childhood vaccines and health screenings. “Are you going on a good path with what you’re seeing, numbers-wise, or is this something for which we need to start looking into some other resources?” asks al Rashida.

Start down a good path to wellness at one of these upcoming health fairs:

■ Spring Community Health Fair on Saturday, May 18, 11am-3pm at Al Zahra Islamic Center, 10810 Menaul Blvd NE

■ Juneteenth Freedom Day on Saturday, June 22, 10am-2pm at Haynes Community Center and Park, 2006 Grande Blvd SE in Rio Rancho

■ Scare Yourself to Health on Saturday, October 26th, 11am-3pm at St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, 211 Jefferson St NE

Original documentary “The State of Black Health in New Mexico,” produced by Cathryn McGill and New Mexico Black Leadership Council, created in collaboration with Core-Visual, and featuring interviews with Vanessa al Rashida, MD, MPH; Duane Ross, MD; Lauri Andress, J.D., Ph.D., MPH; Jamal Martin Ph.D., MPH; and Stephanie Garcia MD at t.ly/b1lWL

The State of Black Health in New Mexico

NEW MEXICO PRIMARY ELECTION VOTING DEETS AND DEADLINES

By Samantha Anne Carrillo

Here in New Mexico, the 2024 primary election happens on Tuesday, June 4 and UpLift Chronicles shares the following information and deadlines for members of our community who are interested in engaging in that democratic voting process. If you are a US citizen and New Mexico resident who is at least 18 years old, you are eligible to vote in New Mexico.

The state of New Mexico holds closed partisan primaries, which means that only voters registered with a political party are eligible to participate. For primaries, New Mexico recognizes the following as qualified major parties: the Democratic Party of New Mexico, the Libertarian Party of New Mexico, and the Republican Party of New Mexico.

The deadline for new voter registration for the June 4 state primary election is May 7, 2024. If

you are currently registered as Independent, you can update your party affiliation to a qualified major party during early voting and even up to the day of the primary thanks to same day voter registration at your County Clerk’s Office. If you are currently registered with a qualified major party, any updates to your affiliation processed after May 7 will not be updated until after the June 4 primary election.

Early voting and same day voter registration runs from May 7 through June 4. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is May 12 and they will be delivered by May 21. Voters can return their absentee ballot to any early voting location prior to June 4, after which they must be turned in at a County Clerk’s Office by 7pm to be counted.

In addition to selection of presidential candidates for the national Democratic and Republican

parties, the 2024 primary election will inform general election candidate selection for: US Senate, US House of Representatives, New Mexico State Senate, New Mexico House of Representatives, New Mexico Public Education Commission, Bernalillo County Clerk, Bernalillo County District Attorney, Bernalillo County Treasurer, New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney and Bernalillo County Commission.

The 2024 general election will be held in New Mexico on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 and UpLift Chronicles will cover information relevant to that election, including deadlines, in our October 2024 issue.

To learn more or register to vote, update your party affiliation, or request an absentee ballot, visit NMVote.org

OPINION A VIEW TOWARD UPLIFT: RACISM’S SHADOW LINGERS IN AMERICAN MEDIA AND JUSTICE SYSTEM

In the labyrinthine narrative of America’s justice system, the interplay of race and legal proceedings casts a long, ambiguous shadow over the lives of high-profile African Americans. When members of this community face accusations, the ensuing media frenzy often blurs the line between individual actions and collective identity, deepening the scars of systemic racism. Not confined to the legal system, this is a cultural crisis wherein past prejudice colors present perspectives.

Systemic racism within the American justice system is not just a statistical reality; it is a multi-dimensional problem that influences how people of color are prosecuted and sentenced. This complex, nuanced issue is mirrored by the struggle to achieve fair, balanced media portrayals of Black, Latine, Indigenous, and other minority groups’ interactions with law enforcement. These conversations are difficult and often divisive but remain critical and essential for cultural transformation.

The polarizing effect of such media coverage was starkly highlighted by the recent death of O.J. Simpson, a figure whose legal battles became a cultural spectacle. Simpson, a celebrated African-American athlete and actor, was at the center of the first widely televised police chase and a highly publicized trial. Though acquitted, his case remains a benchmark for discussing racial bias in media reporting and public perception.

Simpson’s story may be an outlier, but it reflects broader societal questions, including those raised by ongoing legal issues faced by Sheryl Williams Stapleton, a longtime former state legislator. Witnessing Stapleton’s transition from respected lawmaker to accused criminal forces us to ask questions. How should society view individuals who are accused of crimes? Are they only to be defined by their alleged missteps?

Stapleton, who served in the New Mexico House of Representatives from 1995 to 2021, was a prolific legislator. She sponsored or co-sponsored

over 370 bills, including significant legislation like the Black Education Act, which passed into law in 2021. That legacy now risks being overshadowed by accusations of funneling funds from Albuquerque Public Schools to businesses and charities she was affiliated with. These charges, both state and federal, carry severe penalties and also test our commitment to the principle of “‘innocent until proven guilty.”

In March 2024, the gravity of those federal charges led Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to order the removal of Stapleton’s name from the African American Performing Arts Center, a move that highlights the preemptive judgment often passed in the court of public opinion—especially when race and high-profile status intersect. This reaction begs the question of whether Stapleton’s race and public stature have predisposed her to harsher judgment, a scenario that’s not unfamiliar within the historical context of American justice.

This brings us to a critical juncture in our discourse. Systemic racism can lead individuals to view people of color not as individuals with unique identities but as monolith representatives of their race, burdening them with collective judgments and stereotypes. When high-profile African Americans face accusations, their singular stories are often lost in a sea of generalized narratives that fail to recognize personal achievements, specific challenges or individual choices.

New Mexico Black Leadership Council and UpLift Chronicles are actively seeking to foster a community discourse that can move us beyond these stereotypes. We encourage public input on how we, as a community, can maintain a balance between accountability and grace, ensure people are not solely defined by their worst acts, and question whether treatment within the justice system and by the media is equitable.

REDEFINING JUSTICE: A CALL FOR COMMUNIT y ENGAGEMENT

As we reflect on these narratives, we must challenge ourselves and our institutions to rise above the historical confines of racial bias and afford every individual the dignity of being seen as more than simply the sum of their most infamous actions. The journey towards equitable treatment in the American justice system and within media representation remains long and fraught with challenges but this is a necessary path to approach the ideals of equality and justice for all. Join the conversation, and let your voice be a beacon of change. Together, we can ensure that our collective actions today pave the way for a fairer tomorrow. Email your thoughts to info@nmblc.org to inform future coverage.

A View Toward UpLift reflects the opinions of the UpLift Chronicles Editorial Board. Our newspaper’s contributors hold diverse perspectives and viewpoints. This opinion column aims to discuss news and issues and pose questions that are relevant to local communities as well as our overarching readership.

Sheryl Williams Stapleton

Courtesy New Mexico State Legislature

ONE LOVE DEEP DIVE: THE MISSING MESSAGE OF BOB MARLEY’S LEGACY

By Shannon Yvonne Moreau

To say I was pumped to see the Bob Marley biopic One Love, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir (High Fidelity, One Night in Miami), is an understatement. The movie set the Valentine’s Day opening record with a $14 million gross. Days after viewing, however, I finally admitted that I found it disappointing. A bit of research helped me figure out why. Missing was the context of Marley within the political strife in Jamaica, the dramatic significance of the concerts bookending the film (“Smile Jamaica” in 1976 and “One Love” in 1978), and the ways his philosophy impacted his music and the world. As author Roger Steffens (So Much Things to Say: The Oral History of Bob Marley) said about the mainstream shaping of Marley’s legacy: “They neutered his revolutionary image.”

According to the documentary Who Shot the Sheriff (Netflix), Marley conceived the “Smile Jamaica” concert to bring back peace and unity: “When you have political violence and I see the youth fighting against the youth for the politicians, I really feel sick.” Those “politicians” were prime minister Michael Manley, People’s National Party (PNP), and challenger Edward Seaga, Jamaica Labour Party (JPL). They rallied votes through

“I know I am of benefit to the people, you know? That’s the only consciousness I have of myself, that I can be beneficial to a people.” — Bob Marley

street gangs and, due to Marley’s popularity, wanted his support. Marley refused to take sides, staying true to his idea of unity. PNP manipulated the upcoming election date around the concert to make it appear as if Marley favored them. In response, JLP pressured him to cancel. Death threats culminated in an assassination attempt at Marley’s home. The question of who sent the gunman remains. Many suspect the PNP or the JLP. The timing of events makes one thing clear: Marley’s music was so powerful that political players coveted its potency without embracing its message, and, when co-opting it failed, tried to destroy him.

The show went on, but took its toll. Marley exiled himself to London and focused on writing music. Exodus (1977, Island Records) spoke to individual pain and people toiling under oppression.

Back home in Jamaica, violence escalated. When rival gang leaders Bucky Marshall (PNP) and Claudie Massop (JLP) were incarcerated, they realized they had been used as political pawns. They worked to call a truce, convincing Marley to return to Jamaica by promising his safety. The seeds of “One Love” were planted.

“This unity in Jamaica is to unify the universal Black people all over the Earth.” Marley demonstrated his commitment to the themes of love, togetherness, and peace by calling Manley and Seaga onstage to shake hands, underscoring the ideals of people working together for the common good. Ultimately, though, the possibility of peace proved too scary. Massop was later murdered by police, and Seaga won the 1980 election amid deadly violence.

“How long shall they kill our prophets while we stand aside and look?” — “Redemption Song”

Marley’s music was a threat to those who gain power through violence. His legacy of staying true to his belief in peace inspired and uplifted people fighting for their own freedom. “He was revered by people who were in South Africa,” says photographer Bruce Talamon. “He spoke to people who had the boot on their neck. What he did was revolutionary.”

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE

Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice: abqpeaceandjustice.org

Veterans for Peace: veteransforpeace.org

Southern Christian Leadership Conference New Mexico: sclcnm.org

NAACP Albuquerque: naacpabq.org

New Mexico MLK Commission: nmmlksc.org

Common Cause New Mexico: commoncause.org/new-mexico

New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence: newmexicanstopreventgunviolence.org

LINKS

Remastered: Who Shot the Sheriff on Netflix: netflix.com/watch/80191047

‘Bob Marley: One Love’ Could Gross $46 Million In Opening Stretch: t.ly/9_G-f

Redemption Songs - The Ringer: t.ly/kFfNu

How Bob Marley Used the ‘One Love’ Concert as a Gesture for Peace: t.ly/TZSso

People honor Martin Luther King Jr. 56 years after his assassination: t.ly/x8ohJ

PROTECT YOURSELF

THIS SUMMER

Staying up to date on vaccinations for COVID-19, the flu, Mpox, and RSV is the best way to protect yourself this summer. Vaccines are safe and effective and staying up to date lowers your risk of infection, hospitalization, and death. Scan the below QR code to access the New Mexico Department of Health’s interactive map to schedule vaccine appointments

THE UPLIFT INITIATIVE IS ALL ABOUT CONNECTING YOU WITH RESOURCES.

Using collective strategies, we are here to connect you to more resources like affordable internet, housing assistance, legal aid, and healthcare equity. Find out more at nmblc.org/ uplift or scan the QR code below.

Holla at us at uplift@nmblc.org or call (505) 407-6784.

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS!

Promote your Black-owned local business by submitting company info to New Mexico Black Leadership Council’s BLACK OWNED BUSINESS DIRECTOR y. Scan the below QR code (or email info@nmblc.org) to share relevant details about your enterprise, including phone number, email address, website, location, specialty and social media accounts, for inclusion in our digital directory.

UPLIFT CONTRIBUTORS

For inquiries, comments or ideas: uplift@nmblc.org or 505.407.6784

PUBLISHER

CATHRYN MCGILL

MANAGING EDITOR

SAMANTHA ANNE CARRILLO

DESIGN & LAYOUT

KEITH GILBERT

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

SAMANTHA ANNE CARRILLO

SHANNON YVONNE MOREAU

KRISTIN SATTERLEE

New Mexico Black Leadership Council 1314 Madeira Drive SE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108 (505) 407-6784 nmblc.org, info@nmblc.org facebook.com/nmblc instagram.com/newmexicoblack