Crystal A. deGregory is Magic and Mortal See page 3
Xernona Clayton, other ‘herstory sheroes’ honored in Atlanta See page 2
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John Wick: Chapter 4 and Lance Reddick dies See page 7
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volume XXXvii, Number 12
People Are Talking Democrats join push to ban TikTok from Americanheld devices by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent Democrats in Congress are making it clear that they want to ban the Chinese app TikTok in the U.S. Reported national security concerns over massive amounts of data that TikTok collects on its millions of American users sit at the core of why lawmakers want the app banned. Democrats and Republicans alike have said certain information of serious concern could be transferred to China, making it a national security issue. However, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has repeatedly denied that it shares user data with the Chinese government. “TikTok is a modern-day Trojan horse of the [Chinese Communist Party], used to surveil and exploit Americans’ personal information,” said Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “It’s a spy balloon in your phone,” McCaul said, alluding to a February incident in which a spy balloon from China traversed American skies. Last month, House Foreign Affairs Committee members pushed for a bill that would give President Biden the power to ban TikTok on all mobile devices in the U.S. However, Democrats voted against the measure. Democrats in the U.S. Senate did offer support late last year for a bill that would ban TikTok on federal devices, and a bipartisan group of senators, led by Mark Warner (D-Va.) and John Thune (R-S.C.), also introduced a bill that would let Biden ban TikTok and other apps that come from other countries. Five Democrats and five Republicans have signed as cosponsors on that legislation. President Biden reportedly supports the measure and has indicated a willingness to ban TikTok, which has more than 1.53 billion users globally as of 2023, with one billion monthly active users. “Unlike most social media platforms, TikTok poses a unique concern because Chinese law obligates ByteDance, its Beijingbased parent company, to ‘support, assist, and cooperate with state intelligence work,’” said Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), who has demanded that Apple and Google remove TikTok from their app stores. During a national television appearance, Senate Majority Continued on page 5 The Nashville PRIDE Newspaper is on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @pridenews
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Womens History Month
Remembering the 6888’s By Cass Teague There are sheroes of the Second World War you should know about. The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, nicknamed the “Six Triple Eight,” was an all-black battalion of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). The 6888th had 855 black women, both enlisted and officers, and was led by Major Charity Adams. It was the only all-black, all-female battalion sent overseas during World War II. During World War II, there was a significant shortage of soldiers who were able to manage the postal service for the U.S. Army overseas. In 1944, Mary McLeod Bethune worked to get the support of the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, for “a role for black women in the war overseas.” Black newspapers, too, challenged the U.S. Army to “use black women in meaningful Army jobs.” The group motto was “No mail, low morale.” Most of the 6888th worked as postal clerks, but others were cooks, mechanics and held other support positions, so that the 6888th was a self-sufficient unit. The women who signed up went to basic training in Georgia. Women who were already in the WAC served at different locations, including the Pentagon, before they joined the 6888. In February 1946, the unit returned to the United States where it was disbanded at Fort Dix, New Jersey, with no public recognition. Members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion were awarded the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal during their service. On February 25, 2009, the battalion was Continued on page 5
(Top photo) Members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion take part in a parade ceremony in honor of Joan d'Arc at the marketplace where she was burned at the stake, 27 May 1945. (Photo courtesy: Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Office of the Chief Signal Officer.) and (bottom photo) Tyler Perry with cast of his new film Six Triple Eight.
Breaking news, global media app take center stage at State of Black Press Address
(center) National Newspaper Publishers Association President/CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. delivers the State of the Black Press address. by Stacy M. Brown, detailed the importance of the presiNNPA Newswire senior dent’s fiscal plan to communities of national correspondent color. The State of the Black Press in Jean-Pierre engaged the NNPA in America in 2023 is strong, resilient, her office, where she promised that and getting stronger day by day. the administration has continued to Black Press Week culminated push for equity and equality for Black with National Newspaper Publishers Americans. Association (NNPA) President/CEO “I would happily argue with anyDr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. delivering one that this administration has done the State of the Black Press address. more for Black people than any other More than 30 NNPA publishers administration in history,” Jeanand journalists followed up the Pierre said. address with a special White House Though she acknowledged there’s visit in which Shalanda Young, the still more work needed legislatively, director of the U.S. Office of Man- Jean-Pierre noted what the Bidenagement and Budget, and White Harris administration has accomHouse Press Secretary Karine Jean- plished through executive orders and Pierre spoke exclusively to the group. legislation like the American Rescue Young, the first Black woman to Continued on page 5 lead the White House budget office,
Researchers find Obamacare has significantly reduced racial disparities in health care
President Barack Obama signs the Affordable Care Act imto law. by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent Former President Barack Obama’s signature piece of legislation has proved the gift that’s kept on giving for Black and Brown communities in America. Since its passage in 2010, the Affordable Care Act (better known as Obamacare) has helped cut the U.S. uninsured rate nearly in half while significantly reducing racial and ethnic disparities in both insurance coverage and access to care—particularly in states that expanded their Medicaid programs, according to a new report issued by the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit that promotes a high-performing healthcare system. Obamacare has reduced racial and ethnic disparities in both insurance coverage and access to care, particularly in states that expanded their Medicaid programs, the report’s authors noted. Continued on page 5
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