C E L E B R A T I N G
BLACK HISTORY Bakersfield
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News Observer Volume 47 Number 24
Serving Kern County for Over 47 Years
Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California
Celebrating Black History With
“HER-STORY HER-STORY”” Elizabeth K. Jackson PhD
By Darlene L. Williams Contributing Writer Bakersfield, Calif. - Since the landing of the first slave ship on American soil in 1619, African American men and women continue to change narratives, shatter glass ceilings, and land wherever they choose too. Dr. Elizabeth K. Jackson is no exception. She is a woman who has landed in places that many can only dream of. Jackson’s expansive educational background and history in the field of education is so extensive that it’s only possible to scratch the surface. So, here’s the surface we’ll scratch. Dr. Jackson is a full tenured professor of Communications at California State Bakersfield University (CSUB). She holds several degrees including: PhD and MA,
Communications, Northwestern University; MA Clinical Psychology, Fisk University; BA Psychology, University of California; Certificate-The Practice of Mediation in Italy, University of Bologna, Italy and the list goes on and on of the various colleges and universities where she has taught. Dr. Jackson facilitated many Elizabeth K. Jackson PhD (Courtesy Photo) communication projects including KUZZ-TV, Bakersfield— where she was producer, host, University, Ekaterinburg, Russia. She was invited back to and writer from 1989-1991. She the creator of several Russia as a Fulbright Senior Specialist and taught there documentaries and has won several awards in film, radio, three times totally. Jackson taught at the University of Virginia’s Semester journalism, and television. Dr. Jackson, was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship, at Sea University Floating University which extended her twice, which afforded her the opportunity to teach travels and teaching ability to Central and South America internationally as a visiting Professor at Ural Federal Continued on page A7
cloth masks and surgical masks that fit more loosely than N95s can be improved by either wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask, also known as double masking. To tighten the mask combo, knot the ear loops of a surgical mask where they attach to the edges of the face covering and tuck in and flatten any extra loose material close to the face. For double masking specifically, the study tested combinations of common surgical and multi-layer cloth masks by stimulating coughing between pairs of dummies in a laboratory. When a cloth mask was worn on top of a disposable mask, 92.5 percent of cough droplets were blocked, versus 42 percent of droplets when just wearing a disposable mask. The study also reiterated that universal mask-wearing is a highly effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19, in addition to physical distancing, avoiding poorly ventilated indoor spaces and good hand hygiene. Universal maskwearing has been one goal of the new Biden administration. Federal health authorities have mandated wearing masks in public settings, including planes, airports, buses and other forms of public transportation and transportation hubs, as of Feb. 1. At a White House COVID-19 briefing, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said, “I want to be clear that these new scientific data released today do not change the specific recommendations about who should wear a mask or when they should wear one. But they do provide new information on why wearing a well-fitting mask is so important.”
According to the updated CDC guidelines, effective masks both fit snugly against the wearer’s face and has layers to block COVID-19 particles. The two ways to layer that the website recommends is either wearing a cloth mask with multiple layers of fabric, or wearing a disposable surgical mask underneath a cloth mask. The website also points out that people should not layer two disposable masks on top of each other, or combine any mask with a KN95 mask. The authentic KN95 mask itself should be enough coverage. For a closer fit, the CDC suggests choosing masks with a nose wire that can be adjusted for a snug fit, or to use a mask brace to improve the fit. Before the new CDC announcement about mask wearing on Jan. 25, infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci told NBC News’ TODAY that it is likely that double masking provides more protection than wearing one mask. “This is a physical covering to prevent droplets and the virus to get in. So, if you have a physical covering with one layer, you put another layer on, it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective. That’s the reason why you see people either double masking or doing a version of an N95,” said Dr. Fauci. If options are scarce, or two masks are not available, researchers have recommended wearing a cloth mask with a pocket that can be stuffed with filter material, like the kind found in vacuum bags. For a test to see if the mask is effective, try to blow out a candle while wearing it. If the mask is effective, the candle won’t go out.
Jasmin Hall is First Black Woman to Chair a Major California Water Board Tanu Henry California Black Media Two elections held in the last three months have placed San Bernardino County resident Jasmin Hall in a position where she wields the most influence among a handful of African Americans serving in California water industry leadership roles. Late last year, Hall’s colleagues elected her the first African American president of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA). Earlier this year, she was sworn in to serve in that role. Now, as the head of the board of one of the largest water agencies in California, Hall takes on helm of an organization that is an essential public utility for about 875,000 people living in Southern California. IEUA’s service area covers a region in the Inland Empire that includes Chino Hills, Upland, Ontario, Fontana and Montclair. “It has been a wonderful experience to serve on the Board over the past seven years, and I am honored to be elected by my colleagues as the agency’s board President,” said Hall. “I have witnessed a lot of innovation and change throughout my time with the agency, and I look forward to building on IEUA’s legacy as a leader in the water industry by collaborating with my fellow directors, regional stakeholders, staff, and our community. IEUA is and will remain committed to ensuring a high-quality, reliable water supply for the region.” Hall was first appointed to a four-year term on IEUA’s board in 2013. She was re-elected in November 2018 to serve as the representative for an area of that circles Rialto, Fontana and Bloomington in the Inland Empire. The agency functions as a wastewater treatment facility and water supplier in addition to providing sewage services,
recycling water and manufacturing renewable products like compost and energy. Then last week, Hall won another election to a post that will allow her to impact issues relating to water that directly affect Black Californians. The California African American Water Education Foundation (CAAWEF) voted Jasmin Hall its new chair. In this role, Hall will lead the board of the statewide non-profit focused on educating African Americans across the state about water quality, cost, access and other critical issues. As CAAWEF board chair, Hall replaces former Assemblymember Gwen Moore, a founding member CAAWEF and the Sacramento-based organization’s first chair. Moore passed away last August. “I look forward to leading this important organization during these challenging times,” Hall said. “Water is the lifeblood of our state and CAAWEF will work to ensure that the African American community is informed and engaged on local issues and state water policy”. “Hall brings a breadth of experience and thorough understanding of the water industry in California and across the country. Her skills and knowledge will be invaluable assets as she steers our organization in a direction that leads to lasting and measurable change in water policy,” said Dale Hunter, executive director of CAAWEF. In addition to Hunter and Hall, a number of prominent African Americans from both Northern and Southern California are either founding members, or they serve on the board, of the organization, which was founded in 2019. They are: Gloria Gray, Chair, Board of Directors, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Rick Callender, CEO, Santa Clara Valley Water District and President, California/Hawaii, NAACP; Harold Williams,
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Nicki Minaj’s Father Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver
MINEOA, N.Y. (AP) – The 64-year-old father of rapper Nicki Minaj has died after being struck by a hitand-run driver in New York, police said. Robert Maraj was walking along a road in Mineola on Long Island at 6:15 p.m. Friday when he was hit by a car that kept going, Nassau County police said. Maraj was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead Saturday. Police are asking any witnesses to the fatal crash to come forward. Minaj, 38, was born Onika Tanya Maraj in Trinidad and was raised in the New York City borough of Queens. She has not made any public statement about her father’s death.
LAPD Investigating Report of George Floyd ‘Valentine’
Amanda Gorman Was Step Ahead of CDC on Rocking Double Masks Quinci LeGardye California Black Media Since President Biden’s inauguration, people have been raving about the “riveting” inaugural performance – and equally enchanting Super Bowl appearance -- of former Youth Poet Laureate of Los Angeles Amanda Gorman. Beyond her gripping poetry and captivating sense of fashion, another Gorman style that has been catching media attention is her choice to wear two masks at once -a decorative cloth mask strapped over a plain surgical one. Now, it seems, double masks have been popping u p everywhere, quickly becoming the newest trend in fashion-aware COVID-19 protective wear. Several lawmakers and celebrities have been spotted wearing two masks at once in public. Then, last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report that found that double masking can drastically reduce the spread of COVID-19 particles, both for the wearer and for those around them. According to the CDC research, the effectiveness of
Free!
LOS ANGELES (AP) – The Los Angeles Police Department has launched an internal investigation after an officer reported that a photo of George Floyd with the words “You take my breath away” in a Valentine-like format was circulated among officers. Police Chief Michel Moore said Saturday that investigators will try to determine how the image may have come into the workplace and who may have been involved, the Los Angeles Times reported. Moore said the officer who made the complaint will be interviewed Monday. “Our investigation is to determine the accuracy of the allegations while also reinforcing our zero tolerance for anything with racist views,” Moore said. Floyd, a Black man, died last May after a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck as Floyd repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe.” His death launched massive protests nationwide over racial injustice and police brutality. Ben Crump, an attorney for Floyd’s family, said Monday that the family is outraged. “This is beyond insult on top of injury – it’s injury on top of death. The type of callousness and cruelty within a person’s soul needed to do something like this evades comprehension – and is indicative of a much larger problem within the culture of the LAPD,” Crump said. “We demand that everyone who was involved is held accountable for their revolting behavior and that an apology be issued to the family immediately.” If the probe confirms LAPD officers were circulating the image, “people will find my wrath,” the police chief said. The Times reported that Moore also confirmed the department is investigating two anonymous Instagram accounts reportedly linked to department personnel – including one called the “Blue Line Mafia.”
Founder of Black Megachurch Dies LOS ANGELES (AP) – Frederick K.C. Price, the televangelist who built his Los Angeles ministry into one of the nation’s first Black megachurches, has died. He was 89. Price died Friday, according to a statement his family posted on the Crenshaw Christian Center’s Facebook page. His daughter said in an earlier post that her father had been hospitalized due to complications from COVID-19. Price founded the church in 1973 with about 300 members, according to the church’s website. He expanded his reach, first through radio broadcasts, then televised services, and grew the ministry to over 28,000 members. The services were famously held at the FaithDome, a 10,000-seat sanctuary housed in a large geodesic dome built on the former campus of Pepperdine University. The sprawling property also includes schools, a ministry training program and a prison ministry. Price is survived by his wife, Betty, and their four children.
President, Board of Directors, West Basin Municipal Water District; Robert Luke, Managing Director, Strategic Global Marketing Group; Carolyn Veal Hunter, an attorney at Sloat, Higgins, Jensen; Emma Maxey, Retired Executive, Golden State Water Company; Steve Welch, General Manager, Contra Costa Water District and Bill Patterson, Board of Directors, East Bay Municipal Utility District.
Hundreds Pay Respects at Cicely Tyson’s Viewing
Jasmine Hall (Courtesy Photo)
NEW YORK (AP) – People traveled across the country and stood in a block-long line to pay respects to Cicely Tyson at a public viewing Monday. Hundreds of admirers of the pioneering Black actor lined up outside Harlem’s famed Abyssinian Baptist Church on a wintry Monday. Some said they had come from as far as Atlanta or Los Angeles to be there. Many in the multigenerational crowd held photos of Tyson, who died Jan. 28. The New York-born actor was 96. Her family said masks and social distancing would be required at the viewing. Tyson was the first Black woman to have a recurring role in a dramatic television series, the 1963 drama “East Side, West Side.’’ Her performance as a sharecropper’s wife in the 1972 movie “Sounder’’ cemented her stardom and earned her an Oscar nomination. She went on to win two Emmy Awards for playing the 110-year-old former slave in the 1974 television drama “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman’’ and another Emmy 20 years later for “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All.’’ At age 88, Tyson won a Tony Award for the revival of Horton Foote’s “The Trip to Bountiful’’ in 2013. President Barack Obama awarded her the Medal of Freedom in 2016.