CELEBRATING
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
News Observer Bakersfield
Volume 45 Number 23
Serving Kern County for Over 40 Years
Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California
Black Love is Necessary Local woman empowers and educates black community through her advocacy work By Janell Gore South Kern Sol
Faheemah Salahud-Din lives to serve and empower the black community in Bakersfield with the hopes that one day her children — and every person of color — can live in a world where everyone is treated with respect and love. “My children have to live in a better world than I live in and their kids have to live in a better world than what we currently live in,” said Salahud-Din while explaining her drive to work for a better community. Salahud-Din started a clothing business that empowers women of color; works for a local non-profit that educates, unites and preserves the culture of indigenous “Afrikan” origin; and encourages people to lift up their voices through writing. “I think of all the little black girls and boys who deserve to have a better life, better living condition and better living experience in this country,” she said. “I continue to do the work for the youth because I know I’m not going to see this change in my life time, but I hope to see the change in my daughters’ lifetimes.” She began working in 2015 with First and Always Melanin (FAAM), a local nonprofit created by the VP Clifford Cole. FAAM’s mission is to unite people of indigenous “Afrikan” origin and preserve the life of black people in Bakersfield through “activism, holistic health, knowledge of self, unity, cooperative sustainable economics, education and by implementing programs that improve the community’s quality of life,” says the organization’s Facebook page. Salahud-Din, the executive director of FAAM, has done outreach work with the organization. Her first event with FAAM was a screening of “Hidden Figures” in 2015. After attending the Million Man March in 2015, she wanted FAAM to help create social change. As a result, FAAM hosted Black Winter, an open mic event for black artist to showcase their talent. The cost of entry was one gently used coat or five pairs of brand new socks. After Black Winter, people started asking, “What’s next?” That’s when Salahud-Din saw FAAM’s potential. The organization began working with other groups, such as The
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Man Killed by CHP on Interstate 5 in Kern County
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) – A man was fatally shot in a pre-dawn confrontation with California Highway Patrol officers on a rural stretch of Interstate 5 in the San Joaquin Valley. Kern County sheriff’s spokeswoman Angela Monroe tells reporters two CHP officers responded to a report of a crash shortly before 5 a.m. Friday and found a vehicle that had knocked over a light pole west of Bakersfield. Monroe says the officer-involved shooting occurred when a man claiming to have a gun approached the officers, did not comply with orders and had one hand concealed. Medical aid was rendered but the man died. Monroe says he has not been identified yet. It’s not clear whether both officers fired and whether the man actually had a weapon. Monroe says it’s early in the investigation.
Contractor Wants to Expand Border Towers Dolores Huerta Foundation and Faith in Kern. While working with FAAM, Salahud-Din also started her own clothing line, Glitter and Goon, which is geared toward creating social change and empowering women. “There is a need for clothing that empowers women of color — specifically black women — and to take it a step further, there is a need for clothing that empowers all women,” Salahud-Din said. When she launched Glitter and Goon in 2017, most of her customers were outside of Bakersfield. People in Hawaii and Trinidad began buying her clothes. It wasn’t until 2018 when the local community began purchasing her clothing. Some of the phrases on Glitter and Goon’s shirts include, “Women Do Not Belong To Men,” “Black Women Cannot Be Stopped,” and “Black Love Is Necessary.” “For me fashion was always about making a political statement,” Salahud-Din said. “From my head wraps to my clothing, it was always about making a statement about who I was as a black woman.” Salahud-Din doesn’t just express herself and advocate through her clothing line and nonprofit. She also expresses
herself through her words. She has been writing since she was 12 years old and wrote her first book when she was just 14. “I didn’t do anything with it, and I really regret that because I allowed fear of rejection and fear of validation to hold me back from doing something I know I was called to do,” Salahud-Din said. In 2018, she released her own poetry book, “Ascension,” inspired by a break up. “It freed me, and it gave a voice to my experience, and it gave the women who had my experience permission to feel comfortable in their truth and I’m very honored that I was able to do that for us,” said Salahud-Din. Now, Salahud-Din is providing a platform for others to be heard. On March 30, she is hosting her second Goddess Cypher, a place for women to come and heal through the arts. There will be several black women speaking on panels. The event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at Cal State Bakersfield. Tickets are available on eventbrite.com for $30. The event starts at 5:30 p.m.
BC Students Celebrate Black History Month with “Black Excellence” By Darlene L. Williams Contributing Writer Enrolling into college and staying enrolled can be intimidating and challenging for many students. Bakersfield College Umoja A.S.T.E.P (African-American Success Through Excellence & Persistence) students are proving that they are up for the challenge. Friday, February 8, 2019 the student-led Umoja Club celebrated Black History Month with a “Black Excellence Conference” from 8:00 am-2:00pm. 150 students from ten high schools were represented, 200 people were in attendance including BC students, faculty, staff, administration and community members. Dr. Jewel Jackson of African Soul International got the students moving to the rhythmic beat of African drums as she simultaneously taught them how the African people honor that earth, God, and self through various dance movements. According to africansoulinternational.org, ASI is an African Dance Company located in Los Angeles, Ca. that uses the traditional arts of Africa to empower and educate youth in the community and around the world. Keynote speaker for the event, Reverend Dr. Charles Dorsey is a motivational speaker, preacher, and community empowerment specialist (a few of his many accomplishments) spoke to the energetic crowd about the importance of commitment and “no more missed opportunities.” “I’ve got about 45-minutes to convince you that you’re more powerful than you realize,” Dorsey said. “You ought to value yourself enough to value your time and to make a difference. The only thing you never get back is your time. You’re too brilliant to not take advantage of a moment.” Dorsey told the students to get an ink pen in their hands and waited until they had one raised in the air. “ You cannot allow other people to write our story. What story needs to be re-told?” he asked. The six-hour event also included 6 break-out workshops: “Who You Lookin At? (Addressing Drama and Conflict), “The Complexities of Black Manhood”, “Thinking Outside the Box”(Careers Beyond Sports and Music),”Journey of Success”, “Student Leadership”,” What’s There to Protest? Times are Good: Activism Past and Present.” Dorsey closed out his empowerment message with questions and answers from the audience. Opportunities are thrown our way every day, said Dorsey. “ No more missed opportunities; anytime someone gives you an opportunity to speak up…SPEAK UP! The Bakersfield News Observer(BNO) spoke with several students about their take-away from the event or asked a question that Mr. Dorsey showed on his power-point presentation, “What would our nation be like if you were president?” Urika Grey (West High) told the Bakersfield News Observer,” It( the conference) was empowering to learn and see the African-American culture, the music, and the dancing.” Mya Smith(South High), “ I learned how powerful our culture is and the impact we have on the rest of the world.” Shantalyse Piper (Bakersfield College), “ I liked how
FREEEE!!
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) – A Fort Worth defense contractor that monitors part of the U.S.-Mexico border with high-tech surveillance towers wants to expand the technology in more states along the southern border. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Elbit Systems of America has operated dozens of towers along the border in Arizona since 2015 under a $145 million contract with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Texas company is a U.S. subsidiary of Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems. Radar sensors and cameras on the 80- to 120-foot towers detect motion along the border. The monitoring is used as an early warning system so border agents may be dispatched, if needed. Elbit officials say they’re eager to install towers in Texas, New Mexico and California as President Donald Trump continues border security talks.
Highway Segment Being Named for Civil Rights Activist CENTREVILLE, Miss. (AP) – A segment of highway is being named for a civil rights activist who wrote the memoir, “Coming of Age in Mississippi.” Legislators voted in 2018 to name part of Mississippi 24 as the Anne Moody Memorial Highway . The segment runs from Woodville to Centreville, in the southwestern part of the state. A dedication ceremony is set for Feb. 20 in Centreville, where Moody grew up. One of the speakers will be her brother, the Rev. Fred Moody Jr. Anne Moody was born in 1940. As a Tougaloo College student, she participated in a sit-in that challenged segregation at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Jackson in 1963. Moody also participated in the 1963 March on Washington and the 1964 Voter Registration Project. Moody was 74 when she died in 2015.
Feds Investigating Shooting Death of Black Man at Mall he (Dorsey) talked about your transcripts don’t define you, basically you make your own path. Yes, grades do play a factor, but you can always change those. And I liked how he talked about you can rewrite your story and you shouldn’t allow someone else to do it for you.” Bryshanique Morgan (West High) said, “ If I was president, I would make history because I would be the first African-American female president. I would create jobs. I would especially help black people more who don’t have a voice; we don’t get the opportunities like other people.” Umoja Community A.S.T.E.P. was started by Dr. Paula Parks in 2015. The program includes coursework (English, library and student development), study time with
tutoring support, counseling support to stay on track and graduate, academic and cultural trips. The Umoja program has expanded to include optional math courses depending on placement and in 2018, twice as many students were able to start the semester in Umoja courses. Success rates for African American students completing transfer level English have risen by 300% due to Umoja. “I am so proud of the Umoja Community Club leadership in conceptualizing, planning, and executing this cultural celebration of Black Excellence. They learned so much through the process of putting on such a large event. As the Umoja coordinator and Club adviser, I am beyond gratified, “Parks said.
HOOVER, Ala. (AP) – Federal officials are investigating an Alabama mall shooting in which a police officer killed a black man he mistook for the gunman. News outlets report that U.S. Attorney Jay Town issued a statement Friday that the Department of Justice has been reviewing and is continuing to investigate the shooting death of 21-year-old Emantic “EJ’’ Bradford Jr. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Tuesday that the officer will not face charges. The state’s investigation determined that the police officer in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover was justified in shooting Bradford because Bradford carried a weapon and appeared to pose a threat. That decision has prompted outrage among activists. The Alabama NAACP says Marshall’s decision essentially tells Alabama’s black residents their lives don’t matter. The officer mistook Bradford for the person who fired shots moments earlier on Thanksgiving night.
University Names Hall after President’s Slave
HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) – A university in Virginia will name a residence hall after a freed slave who once was owned by founding father James Madison. The Washington Post reports that James Madison University honored former slave Paul Jennings on Friday by naming the new residence hall after him. The building in Harrisonburg will open this fall and have 500 beds. Jennings spent more than half his life as an enslaved servant to Madison and his wife, Dolley Madison. That time included Madison’s stay in the White House as the nation’s fourth president. Jennings later earned his freedom and owned a home. JMU has about 22,000 students. About 5 percent of undergraduates are black. JMU’s honoring of Jennings is the latest effort by Virginia’s public universities to acknowledge slavery’s indelible mark on the state’s history.