“Our public servants work day-in and day-out on behalf of the people of California as our nurses, teachers, first responders, state workers, and more. I urge you to take advantage of the new PSLF Limited Waiver Opportunitybefore the Oct.31 deadline.” California ranks No. 13 among states on student loan debt with borrowers owing an average of $37,084. California’s student loan debt adds up to $141.8 billion, the largest amount of any state. According to EDI, student loan debt statistics show tremendous disparities among racial and ethnic groups. African American college graduates owe an average of $25,000 more debt than White graduates. Four years after graduation, 48% of Black students owe an average of 12.5% more than they borrowed. Black student borrowers are the most likely to struggle financially due to student loan debt, with 29% making monthly payments of $350 or more. About 3% of California borrowers owe more than $200,000 and nearly 10% of the state’s population have student loan debt. The moratorium on federal student loan payments expires on Aug. 31. A total of 43 million Americans owestudent loan debt — worth $1.6 trillion, federal data shows.“Thankfully now, there are federal and state programs that can play a critical role in reducing or eliminating student debt altogether,” Mia Bonta said. “Now we have this last opportunity to spread awareness about these programs. Beyond that, we have to simplify the application process and create a better coordinated, outreach program between institutions of higher learning, the government, and the private sector.” Under the limited PSLF waiver rules, any past periods of repayment count as a qualifying payment, regardless of loan type, repayment plan, or whether or not the borrower made a payment, or if the payment was made in full or on time.Each borrower needs to work for a qualifying employer, private or non-profit. The Temporary change applies to borrowers with Direct Loans, those who have already consolidated into the Direct Loan Program, and those who consolidate into the Direct Loan Program by Oct. 31, There2022.are two requirements in order to receive additional qualifying payments: Full-time employment - Borrowers must have worked full-time for a qualifying employer during the prior periods of repayment. They receive credit only for periods of repayment after Oct. 1, 2007, which is when the PSLF programLoanbegan.consolidation – Borrowers with Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans, Federal Perkins Loans, or other types of federal student loans that are not Direct Loans must consolidate those loans into the Direct Loan program by Oct. 31, 2022.If the borrower had Direct Loans and had PSLF employment certified, ED will award additional payments without further action. If necessary, Federal Student Aid may contact the borrower to certify additional months of employment.Anemployer needs to be a governmental organization, a 501(c)(3) organization, or a not-for-profit organization that provides a designated public service in order to qualifyfor PSLF under normal rules and the Limited PSLF Waiver.
“My team has advocated for years for the Department of Education to fix this broken program, and with the recent changes under the Biden Administration, Californians are finally beginning to receive relief,” AG Bonta stated. Get more information on the loan forgiveness program.
Apply Now for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Continued on page A2
Duke RacialResponsePlayer:VolleyballBYUSlowtoSlurs
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) – Two men were arrested after a K-9 officer located 500 pounds (226 kilos) of methamphetamine in their SUV during a traffic stop in Southern California, authorities said Monday. A California Highway Patrol officer pulled over a 2017 Land Rover for an unspecified violation Aug. 16 on State Route 99 in Bakersfield, the CHP said in a statement.“After noticing indicators of criminal activity, the officer deployed his canine, which alerted to the odor of narcotics,’’ the statement said. A search of the SUV turned up cardboard boxes filled with meth, according to the CHP. Two suspects, both residents of Fresno, could face charges including possession of a controlled substance and selling or transporting methamphetamine.
Richardson, a 19-year-old sophomore from Ellicott City, Maryland, wrote that she didn’t believe the fan’s actions were a reflection of BYU athletes, saying her opponents showed respect and sportsmanship, adding that BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe had reacted quickly once he was notified.
Arrest After 11 Dead Dogs Found at Bakersfield Homes
Bakersfield Serving Kern County for Over 48 Years Volume 48 Number 52 Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California Wednesday, August 31, 2022
By The Associated Press
“Although the heckling eventually took a mental toll on me, I refused to allow it to stop me from doing what I love to do and what I came to BYU to do: which was to play volleyball,” Richardson said. “I refused to allow those racist bigots to feel any degree of satisfaction from thinking that their comments had `gotten to me,’ So, I pushed through and finished the game.
The #BlackDocsBelong campaign held a rally in Pasadena last Friday calling on Black medical doctors to join their movement dedicated to keeping and growing the ranks of Black physicians. “We actively support and advocate for Black trainees and physicians facing workplace discrimination,” states the website of Black Doc Village, the group organizing the rally. “We aim to expand the Black physician workforce to improve health outcomes in the Black community.” The national kickoff for the not-for-profit organization Black Doc Village, began with a breakfast at the Pasadena Hilton hosted by two Black Doc Village cofounders: nephrologist Vanessa Grubbs and educator and physician Aysha H. AboutKhoury.100young medical students and staff gathered to march to the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. A wide range of ethnicities came to provide support. A student who chose to remain anonymous shared the contents of a message about the protest from the KaiserSchool of “StudentsMedicine.who choose to participate in the demonstration tomorrow will not be penalized or retaliated against for doing so,” reads an email by senior associate dean for student affairs Dr. Anne M. Eacker, “and absence from class or clinical sites tomorrow morning will beconsidered an excused absence.”
“This is not the first time this has happened in college athletics and sadly it likely will not be the last time,’’ Richardson said. “However, each time it happens we as student athletes, coaches, fans, and administrators have a chance to educate those who act in hateful ways.’’ Richardson also responded to the idea that some people would have liked to see Duke’s team respond quickly, such as by refusing to continue playing in what became a 3-1 victory for BYU.
2 Arrested After Highway Patrol K-9 Finds 500lbs of Meth
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) – A 22-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of felony animal abuse after nearly a dozen dogs in her care were found dead at three residences in Southern California, authorities said Monday.Policeand Animal Control began investigating Aug. 11 after ten dead dogs were discovered in closed kennels at an abandoned home in Bakersfield, the city’s police department said. Search warrants were served at three residences and officers found 29 living dogs “suffering from various levels of neglect,’’ along with three living cats, according to a police statement. A total of 11 deceased dogs were discovered at the three locations. Investigators determined the suspect, a Bakersfield resident, was operating an unlicensed private animal boarding and training business “and was directly responsible for the neglect of the animals,’’ the police statement said. The woman was not present at any of the residences during the course of the initial investigation, officials said She could face charges including 11 counts of felony animal abuse. Some of the deceased and living animals were microchipped and officers were locating and notifying their owners, police said.
BYU banned a fan from all athletic venues on campus Saturday, a day after the match. The fan was not a student but was sitting in the student section.
News Observer One!Take Jay Z and Beyoncé Continue Adding to Their Legacy of Giving Back Page A3 CSUB NIHAwardedProfessor$1.3MillionGrant Page A10
The Kaiser School of Medicine was named the 6th Most Diverse Medical School in the nation and ranked 2nd in California by U.S. News & World Report after the School of Medicine at the University of California Davis. With handmade signs and white lab coats the rally set off for a two-block march to the medical school. Walking in a single file line the doctors raised their voices in a shouted
“No athlete, regardless of their race should ever be subject to such hostile conditions,’’ said Richardson, the only Black starter on the Blue Devils team.
(Shutterstock
“Therefore, on behalf of my African American teammates and I, we do not want to receive pity or to be looked at as helpless. We do not feel as though we are victims of some tragic unavoidable event. We are proud to be young African American women; we are proud to be Duke student athletes, and we are proud to stand up againstTheracism.’’Duketeam released a statement, saying: “We stand against any form of racism, bigotry or hatred. As a program we have worked extensively to create an inclusive and safe environment where our student-athletes feel heard and supported but are not naive to the fact that there is always work to be done.’’
Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media California Attorney General (AG) Rob Bonta is urging Californians to take advantage of recent changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness (TEPSLF) programs.Bonta’s announcement coincides with a CNBC survey that reports 31% of Black women are disproportionately impacted by student debt. Also, four years after graduation, 48% of Black students owe an average of 12.5% more than they borrowed, according to the Educational Data InitiativeAssemblymember(EDI). Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) shared her own struggles with paying back student debt she owed. “I graduated with over $150,000 in student debt. I was in my 20s then,” she said. “I didn’t make my final payment until almost 20 years later, just in time to send my oldest daughter to college.” According to Bonta, a Black woman owes 112% of the loan amount she takes out 12 years after starting college. For a Latina, 12 years after starting college, she will owe86% of that loan. “Black and Latino students, coming from low-income communities take on a disproportionately amount of school debt,” Bonta said. “I witness this every single day.”
The PSLF and TEPSLF programs are entirely different from President Joe Biden’s plan for targeted student debt cancellation to borrowers with loans held by the Department of Education. Qualifying borrowers musthave “annual income of under $125,000 (for individuals) or under $250,000 (for married couples or heads of households). Borrowers who qualify can have up to $10,000 worth of eligible debt canceled. If the borrower received a Pell Grant, the borrower could have up to a total of $20,000 of debt canceled.
Biden also extended the pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections through December 31, 2022.Last year, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) launched a limited-time PSLF Waiver opportunity that runs through Oct. 31. It allows eligible borrowers to receive credit for past student loan payments that would otherwise not qualify under the PSLF program. ED improved the PSLF program in response to a lawsuit and years-long advocacy by a number of state attorneys general and others urging ED to fix the broken program.Following resolution of the lawsuit, AG Bonta has continued to advocate for changes to the PSLF program. The California Department of Justice (DOJ) is taking part in the California Student Loan Debt Challenge to raise awareness about the PSLF program to help DOJ employees’ access loan forgiveness. “On behalf of the more than 5,000 public servants at the California Department of Justice, I’m proud to take the California Student Debt Challenge,” AG Bonta said.
Black Doctors March
Aysha Khoury gets emotional as she speaks in front of her former workplace the Kaiser Medical School in Pasadena. A founder of Black Doc Village, she is suing the school for racist practices. Pasadena, California, Friday August 26, 2022 (by Solomon O. Smith)
The Duke volleyball player who was subjected to racial slurs during a match at BYU said Sunday that officials onsite didn’t react quickly enough when they were made aware of the behavior during play. Nor did they adequately address the situation immediately after the match, Rachel Richardson said in a statement posted to her Twitter account.
Solomon O. Smith| California Black Media
Shines Spotlight on Institutionalized Racism Photo)
To which the White House put him on blast: “Congressman Markwayne Mullin had over $1.4 million in PPP loans forgiven.” Responding to Hern’s tweet that claimed the administration “forced [taxpayers] to pay for other people’s college degrees,” the White House replied: “Congressman Kevin Hern had over $1 million in PPP loans forgiven.” The White House also pointed out that Congressman Mike Kelly had $987,237 in PPP loans forgiven, and Congressman Matt Gaetz had $482,321 in PPP loans forgiven.Social media erupted over the White House’s diss of Republicans attacking loan forgiveness.
“Today is the day that Joe Biden officially became the second Black president of the United States,” Twitter user @BlackKnight10K wrote. “Because only my people would do some [stuff] as gangster as this.” @BlackKnight10K wasn’t done. “Yo, the White House twitter account has temporarily reinstated slavery in the United States because they are owning every single Republican who had a PPP loan forgiven,” the user wrote. Added U.S. Military Veteran Eric Garcia: “My house provides shelter. The White House provides shade.” The White House “Twitter account pulling a ‘this you?’” Philip Lewis, a Huffington Post editor, tweeted. Singer and actress Malynda Hale tweeted, “The @ WhiteHouse putting Republicans on blast that had PPP loans forgiven is the kind of petty I want to see more of. Drag them. DRAG. THEM.” Rep. Eric Swalwell of California chimed in: “Dear GOP colleagues, before you offer your hot takes on student debt relief, please make sure you or your colleagues didn’t have one of your government loans forgiven. Otherwise, I will absolutely scorch you.” Biden also offered a hot take.
The indictment alleges that Jaynes and Meany knew that the affidavit contained false and misleading statements, omitted material facts, relied on stale information, and was not supported by probable cause. Jaynes and Meany knew that the execution of the search warrant would be carried out by armed LMPD officers and could create a dangerous situation both for those officers and for anyone who happened to be in Taylor’s home, the indictment noted. The officers tasked with executing the warrant were not involved in drafting the warrant affidavit and were not aware that it was false, the DOJ said. Jaynes also face charges of conspiracy for agreeing with another detective to cover up the false warrant affidavit after Taylor’s death by drafting a false investigative letter and making false statements to criminal investigators. The DOJ also leveled a charge of falsifying a report with the intent to impede a criminal investigation into Taylor’s death against Jaynes. Another charge included allegations that Meany made a false statement to federal investigators. The DOJ said Hankison willfully used unconstitutionally excessive force, while acting in his official capacity as an officer, when he fired his service weapon into Taylor’s apartment through a covered window and covered glass door.
Officer in Breonna Taylor Case Pleads Guilty
“Since the founding of our nation, the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution has guaranteed that all people have a right to be secure in their homes, free from false warrants, unreasonable searches, and the use of unjustifiable and excessive force by the police,” Clarke continued.
White House Drags Republican Opposition to Student Loan Forgiveness
In Epic Tweets,
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By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Kelly Goodlett, one of the former Louisville police officers charged with falsifying a search warrant that led to Breonna Taylor’s killing, has pleaded guilty. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Goodlett with conspiring with former Detective Joshua Jaynes to falsify the search warrant for Taylor’s home and to cover up their actions afterward. Also charged are current Louisiana Police Department Sergeant Kyle Meany, and former detective Brett Hankison. Goodlett faces up to 5 years in prison. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland charged Jaynes and Meany with federal civil rights and obstruction offenses, alleging they prepared and approved a false search warrant affidavit that led to Taylor’s shooting death. The indictment against Hankison charges that the former detective with civil rights offenses for firing his weapon into Taylor’s apartment through a covered window and glass door.
Black Doctors March Shine Spotlight on Institutionalized Racism
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent While in the White House, Former President Donald Trump enjoyed a well-earned reputation for using Twitter to attack and hit back at critics of his administration. Since President Joe Biden took office, the use of the @WhiteHouse account on the social media platform was limited to touting specific policies and legislation for which the current administration sought to lift up. Until Whoevernow.oversees the White House Twitter account has quickly learned the art of throwing shade and has done so by dragging certain Republicans who have bashed the administration’s new student loan forgiveness plan. In a series of tweets, the White House spotlighted lawmakers complaining about student loan forgiveness despite the government ultimately forgiving those members of Congress Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The White House account specifically homed in on GOP Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene off Georgia, Reps. Markwayne Mullin and Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, and Vern Buchanan of Florida. Each received large PPP loans during the pandemic. Greene went on television to call Biden’s student loan forgiveness unfair – to which the White House Twitter account sprang into “Congresswomanaction.Marjorie Taylor Greene had $183,504 in PPP loans forgiven,” the White House tweeted along with a video of the congresswoman complaining about Biden’s new student loan policy. On Fox News, Buchanan insisted, “As a blue-collar kid who worked his way through college, I know firsthand the sacrifices people make to receive an education. Biden’s reckless, unilateral student loan giveaway is unfair to the 87 percent of Americans without student loan debt and those who played by the rules.” Tweeting the video, the White House rebuked Buchanan: “Congressman Vern Buchanan had over $2.3 million in PPP loans forgiven.” Also, on Fox, Mullin claimed that “we do not need farmers and ranchers, small business owners, and teachers in Oklahoma paying the debts of Ivy League Lawyers and doctors across the U.S.”
A2 Bakersfield News Observer Wednesday, August 31, 2022 World & Nation Adjudicated a Newspaper of General Circulation Au gust 11, 1980, Kern County Superior Court Decree, Case No. 16964, Government Code 6023. Bulk Mailing Permit 724 Bakersfield, CA 93385 Published By Observer Group Newspapers of South ern California, Inc. Corporate Office 1219 20th St. Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661) 324-9466. Member of The National Newspapers Publishers Association, Associated Press, and The Better Business Bureau President: Ellen Coley CEO: Jon Coley Publisher/ Editor: James Luckey Jr. Operations Manager: James Luckey Credo-The Black Press believes that Ameri ca can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accounts to every person, regardless of race, color, or creed full hu man and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as any one is held back. The Observer Group Newspapers reserves the right to publish views an opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the staff and man agement and are solely the product of the re sponsible individuals who submit commentaries published in these newspapers. Letters, articles and comments appearing in the Observer News papers reflect the opinions of the contributor and do not constitute the opinion or endorsement by The Observer Newspapers or its staff. The Ob server Group Newspapers assumes no responsi bility for photographs, articles, letters, press re leases and unsolicited materials. Decisions as to the editing and publishing of materials are at the discretion of the Publisher and Editors. All rights are reserved on materials accepted for publica tion unless otherwise specified. Bakersfield News Observer The Valley’s News Observer Valley’s News Observer 1219 20th St. Bakersfield, Ca 93301 Mailing Address P.O. Box 2341 Bakersfield, CA 93303 Phone (661) 324-9466 Fax (661) 324-9472 Emails and general info: observernews@gmail. com, Advertising: observeradvertising@gmail. com Available online: www.ognsc.com BakersfieldNews Observer
“We believe the officers violated federal civil rights laws, and that those violations resulted in Taylor’s death,” GarlandAddedstated.Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, “On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor should have awakened in her home as usual, but tragically she did not.”
Robert Rock traveled from the east coast to support the BlackDocsBelong rally. Rock is an award-winning physician who has worked as an advocate for equality for doctors and patients of color. Pasadena, California, Friday August 26, 2022 (by Solomon O. Smith)
“To those Republicans in Congress who believe student debt shouldn’t be forgiven: I will never apologize for helping America’s middle class – especially not to the same folks who voted for a $2 trillion tax cut for the wealthy and giant corporations that racked up the deficit,” Biden wrote.
call-and-response chant. “Stop pushing,” they shouted followed by the comeback, “Black docs out.” Black medical professionals from across the country came to support the Black Doc Village rally. Dr. Robert Rock, who practices on the East Coast, says he was inspired to go into medicine by his grandmother and the strength she exhibited when she “refused to be disrespected” by medical professionals during her care. He witnessed a racist act aimed at a patient which he described as shocking.“Wewere deterred from talking about it,” said Rock. “It was then that I lost my faith (in the system).” Jessica Isom is a Boston-based psychiatrist and an advocate for equity and justice for BIPOC patients. She has been an outspoken resource and advisor in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs through her company Vision for Equality, which has worked with several major brands and medical institutions. She sees part of the issue as a flaw in the culture of medicine which makes changingit difficult.Isomsays resistance to change is “perpetuated through training” and that people may not be conscious that change is needed. She referred to an article written by Rhea W. Boyd, a pediatrician who has spoken before Congress about racism in the medical profession. “People see it. The person who serves you your food looks like me. The person who provides you your medical care often does not, and that is an intentional process of segregation,” says Isom. Doctors were not the only ones who want more Black physicians and medical professionals in the industry. Robert Phillips was looking for a Black nephrologist, a doctor specializing in diseases and functions of the kidneys and found Dr. Grubbs. He felt ignored and unheard byWhiteScoresdoctors.of studies show that health outcomes for African Americans have historically been among the lowest, according to various metrics. The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) recently reported African Americans have the highest rate of infant mortality of any ethnic group. The number of Black doctors is also disproportionately low, at just 5 %, according to a 2019 survey by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Some at the rally are in litigation against Kaiser, including Khoury. She is well-known for a viral thread on Twitter relating her story of how she was removed fromKaiser Medical School. Kaiser has released a statement disputing Khoury’s claim.“Regarding Dr. Aysha Khoury, one of the founders of the Black Doc Village organization, the school has been clear that Dr. Khoury was not placed on leave because she brought content related to anti-racism to the classroom or because she shared her experiences as a Black woman in medicine,” the Kaiser statement says. Khoury and Grubbs say that issues with Kaiser are a small part of a bigger problem in the medical community and are hoping that their stories can be the jumping-off point for “Kaiseraction.iswhere we are today, but this is everywhere, not just there,” said Khoury. “This is why we need the whole village.”
Twitter and other social media users are again gushing over the impact Beyoncé and her husband Jay Z’s commitment to students in select high schools and historically Black colleges and universities.
Twitter and other social media users are again gushing over the impact Beyoncé and her husband Jay Z’s commitment to students in select high schools and historically Black colleges and universities. Two years ago, they announced a new scholarship program that will award 10 scholarships worth $100,000 each to “exceptional” high school seniors who demonstratefinancial needs. The duo said the award will serve as a dedicated university-based fund for each selected student throughoutthe duration of the student’s enrollment. In 2021, Beyoncé’s “BeyGOOD Initiative” and Jay Z’s “The Shawn Carter Foundation,” partnered with Tiffany & Co. to donate $2 million to HBCUs. As a new school semester dawns, fans and others are anticipating another major power move by the couple. Meanwhile, the “About Love” Scholarship is distributed among students who pursue the arts and creative fields at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania; Norfolk State University in Virginia; Bennett College in North Carolina; the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, and Central State University in Ohio. The power couple have had a long history of helping students with The Shawn Carter Foundation spearheading college tours to historically black colleges and universities and providing scholarships to college bound students throughout the country. Through her BeyGOOD initiative, Beyoncé created the Formation Scholars Award, a merit program to help female students start or further their college education, and this year they announced the Homecoming Scholars Award, a second merit program, opened to qualified students, regardless of gender, to enter or continue their studies at one of eight HBCUs. Jordan Davis decided to apply for the BeyGood scholarship but said doubted he would receive the award. About a month later though, the Plano, Texas, native learned he was one of the eight finalists who had won the inaugural scholarship sponsored by Beyoncé and Google. “I was so ecstatic,” Davis told the Houston Chronicle. “It was a dream come true. It almost felt like Beyoncé had chosenHomecomingme.”
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 Bakersfield News Observer A3 Entertainment
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Popular music’s most powerful couple continue to make power moves. And, even when their good deeds are a year old, the significance never fades.
Jay Z and Beyoncé Continue Adding to Their Legacy of Giving Back
Scholars was inspired by Beyoncé’s performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Beyoncé, the first black woman in the festival’s 19-year history to be its headline performer, referenced HBCUs throughout her performance that incorporated a 100-piece all-black marching band and song selection. “The show, with its homage to excellence in education, was a celebration of the homecoming weekend experience, the highest display of college pride,” according to a news release.“The energy-filled production put the spotlight on art and culture, mixing the ancient and the modern, which resonated masterfully through the marching band, performance art, choir, and dance. It was the impetus to mark her second scholarship program.”
By RON HARRIS Associated Press Marcus King, “Young Blood'' (American Records/ Republic)Fiery fretboard master Marcus King is out with his new album “Young Blood,'' with his guitar skills on full display _ but diverging some from his blues-heavy themes of theKingpast. goes into high gear immediately on this, scorching his way through the opening tracks including “Lie, Lie, Lie,'' on which he bends and shreds his strings into “Pain''submission.isanother standout effort. “I used to be a diamond/ Now I'm just a rolled up dollar bill,'' King sings in his trademark throaty voice. The guitar solo is a bit more blues-infused, with a massive amount of overdrive effect and speed.Kinghas been public about his bouts of depression and says this work is what has been going on inside of him. The lyrics here are deeply personal to King and his emotions.
If there's a weak spot on “Young Blood,'' it's that the vocals are tracked much cleaner and quieter than the raucous instrumentals. With King's abilities on all fronts, this feels like a bit of a disservice to the energy of the artist. Still, Marcus King on “Young Blood'' serves notice that high-powered blues rock is in good hands.
Marcus King Smolders on ‘Young Blood’ Review:
Change To Penal Code Allows Hiring Firefighters with Criminal Records
Aldon Thomas Stiles California Black Media Nationwide, book banning is on the rise. It’s reached a 20-year high, according to the American Library Association and Unite Against Book Bans. Some of the books that have been banned include titles like “Beloved” by Toni Morrison, “I Am Enough” by Grace Byers and “Maus” by Art Spiegelman. “It is also worth noting that most challenged books feature LGBTQIA-related topics or are by BIPOC authors,” Kadie Seitz, a librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library who focuses on youth services, wrote on the organization’s blog.Troy Flint, Chief Information Officer at the California School Boards Association (CSBA), pointed out that book bans are not happening in California at the same level as in other states but cautioned that there is still cause for concern.“There are a wide range of books that have been banned in a number of districts, although it’s a relatively small number,” Flint said. “However, this is a concerning trend because the actual effects are on a much bigger scale than they might appear,” he continued. Gov. Gavin Newsom says the bans are largely partisan. “Republicans are trying to destroy public education. Banning history. Banning books. Banning student speech. And now Betsy DeVos is admitting it,” Newsom tweeted last month, responding to the former U.S. Secretary of Education declaring that she believes the nation’s Department of Education “should not exist.” In March, the governor tweeted a picture of himself reading several frequently targeted books with the caption, “reading some banned books to figure out what these states are so afraid of.”
Flint also spoke about some of the perceived political motivations for the renewed vigor of book banning efforts across the United States. “Partisan interest has been driving these kinds of decisions as opposed to objective assessments of material on the basis of what children can handle and what they should learn,” Flint said. In 2020, the liberal leaning city of Burbank banned five well-known titles: “Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain, “The Cay” by Theodore Taylor, “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” by Mildred D. Taylor and “Of Mice and Men” by JohnTheSteinbeck.Burbank Unified School District objected to the inclusion of these books in their schools’ curriculum because according to them these titles “cast Black people in negative, hopeless, and secondary roles; and all but one are written from the lens of a White author.”
The same year Burbank Unified made its decision to challenge the use of five books, Pennsylvania’s Central York School District banned eight times the number of books and educational materials banned by the California district, including Brad Meltzer’s “I Am Rosa Parks” and the James Baldwin centered documentary “I Am Not Your Negro” directed by Raoul Peck. While all the 40 books and multimedia articles that the Central York School District banned were either written by authors of color or relate to race, the board insists that the motivation for its controversial decision was the “content” of the material -- not the race of the material’s content creator.Flint argued that this trend of widespread book banning could lead to complications at the local level for educators and institutions who want to avoid legal trouble. He warned that districts that ban several books in similar demographic target audiences could risk “selfcensorship at a classroom and district level, even if some books have not been officially banned.”
Inmates who participated in one of the 44 California Conservation Camps received the same training from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection or CAL-FIRE as it gives to seasonal firefighters but inmates are paid $2 to $5 a day in camp and an additional $1 to $2 an hour when they’re on a fire line. But once they were out of custody, former inmates couldn’t get hired on with fire crews despite their training and experience because of their criminalThatbackgrounds.changedin 2020 when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2147. The law changes the penal code so that formerly incarcerated firefighters can file a petition to request their records to be expunged of convictions and gain early termination of probation or parole. This opened the door for their employment in firefighting. “This legislation rights a historic wrong and recognizes the sacrifice of thousands of incarcerated people who have helped battle wildfires in our state, and I would like to thank the Legislature for passing this bill,” said Newsom in a press Smithrelease.saysAB 2147 opens opportunities in the fire protection field to formerly incarcerated people. “Signing AB 2147 into law is about giving second chances. To correct is to right a wrong; to rehabilitate is to restore,” said Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes, the bill’s Accordingauthor. to Smith, finding employment continues to be a challenge for people with criminal backgrounds. But it’s not just finding work; it’s finding well-paying jobs too. He was looking at minimum-wage jobs when he got out of prison, but now he could find a good job because of his firefighter training. It’s not just about financial compensation for Smith. He genuinely loves his job and finds the work meaningful. “The first fire I did, we saved 10,000 lives,” said Smith. Smith credits retired Chief Betty Ashe for giving him a chance when he got out of prison. He had tried to get a job in the fire protection field but ran into obstacles because of his record.Professional firefighters initially hesitated to work alongside former inmates, but eventually, they were glad for the“Theyhelp.want to find a way to get more people into the program,” said Smith Forest fires continue to be a major problem in California. The situation has been exacerbated for several reasons, such as climate change, hotter temperatures, drought, and mismanagement of forests. Current climate conditions have created a perfect storm for forest fires, and there is a great need for people with the skills to work in fire protection and prevention.
“There are not enough people to do the work,” said Smith.Smith admits that fighting fires is dangerous and scary. He said the first time he fought a fire, “I have never been that scared in my life.”
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 Bakersfield News Observer A7 Features
However, for Smith, being a firefighter allows him to “be a good citizen for the state of California.” Being a firefighter has allowed Smith’s family to improve their situation. Now his daughter wants to be a wildland firefighter. And members of his church are interested in getting their family members into the program.
Trend in the Golden State
Brandon Smith and Royal Ramey pose together at Victor Valley College Wildland Firefighting Academy. (Courtesy of Brandon Smith) Manny Otiko California Black Media After Brandon N. Smith was imprisoned for the ninth time, he found himself at a crossroads. That’s when he learned about the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) conservation campfire crews, which allows inmates to train as firefighters. Smith initially joined the program to get out of his cell, but something changed after working alongside firefighters and saving lives and homes. Smith said he found direction and realized he gained satisfaction fighting forest fires. Smith is no longer incarcerated and now serves as executive director of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, a nonprofit organization that supports formerly incarcerated firefighters, and those currently incarcerated in California’s Conservation Camps. He said, “This work changed my life.”
Book Banning Is a Concerning
PGA Tour Diversity Report Reveals a $40 million Charitable Impact in Year 2 of 10-year $100 million Commitment
The administration said nearly 90% of relief dollars are going to borrowers earning less than $75,000 annually.
The Tour has partnered with organizations like the 100 Black Men of America in its ongoing efforts.
President Biden Announces up to $20,000 in Student Loan Relief
The Department of Education reported that the typical undergraduate student with loans now graduates with nearly $25,000 in debt. “We are a proxy for a lot of HBCUs across the country. For example, at Delaware State, 67 percent of our students are Pell eligible, and 90 percent receive some sort of federal aid,” Allen stated. “The one fact I’ve been talking about is that 90 percent of all federal aid and relief as a result of this initiative will go to folks making $75,000 or less. “That’s recent alum. The President and his team literally just made the impossible possible for millions. It’s an investment that will pay back big dividends in the American economy.”
A8 Bakersfield News Observer Wednesday, August 31, 2022 Features
Earlier in 2022, representatives from Regions Bank, the PGA TOUR, historically Black Miles College, and others gathered at the Roebuck Hawkins Park and Recreation Center and municipal golf course in Birmingham, Alabama, for a panel discussion exploring diversity, representation, and access in golf. The goal of that scantily publicized meeting was to get more Black youth onto the golf course. Such efforts that receive little national attention might not necessarily be unfavorable. On the contrary, it might pose as routine, particularly for Tour officials who have long made diversity, equity, and inclusion a primary goal.
Pell Grants once covered as much as 80 percent of the cost of a four-year public college degree for students from workingNow,families.thosegrants cover only one-third of the cost.
ForgivenessTotal
Some Black Borrowers to Receive
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent After signing an Executive Order on the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities, President Biden appointed Dr. Tony Allen to lead the White House Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Allen, the President of Delaware State University, had already implemented part of the vision of the Biden-Harris administration attacking student loan debt. So, it proved a no-brainer for the White House to tap Allen to help lead messaging after President Joe Biden introduced a three-part plan the administration said delivers on his promise to cancel $10,000 of student debt for low-to-middle-income borrowers. “HBCUs do more with less,” Allen asserted. “Less is no longer acceptable, and the Biden administration has heard us in word and deed.” Biden announced up to $20,000 in debt cancellation for Pell Grant recipients and as much as $10,000 to nonPell Grant recipients. The President also extended the current federal loan pause through December. “The opportunity for Pell-eligible students to receive $20,000 and for non-eligible students to receive $10,000 is a significant marker for them as they are thinking about how to repay their loans and continue their career,” Allen said. Last year, Delaware State University joined several other HBCUs in forgiving large amounts of student loan debt, using funds to cover the bills from Covid relief dollars.He called the administration’s loan forgiveness a big deal.“Some might see this as significant as just the first step,” Allen said during an interview on the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s flagship morning show, “Let It Be Known.” “I see it as a significant step as it relates to the discussion around college affordability and student debt and what that might mean if we continue to support efforts like this over a longer time over the horizon.”
“HBCUs do more with less,” Allen asserted. “Less is no longer acceptable, and the Biden administration has heard us in word and deed.”
Following Commissioner Jay Monahan’s 2020 announcement committing a minimum of $100 million over ten years to supporting nonprofits that advance equity in the communities in which the PGA Tour plays, the Tour joined the 3M Open as a presenting sponsor of the “Be The Change” golf tournament in Minneapolis. The 3M Open hosted a series of events during its 2022 tournament.Theywelcomed 500 youth from the Minneapolis and St. Paul area to the tournament to enjoy golf, music, art, and discussions with local and national celebrities, sports figures, golf enthusiasts, and corporate leaders. Additionally, the tournament hosted a “Shark Tank” style business competition presented by a local sponsor that featured three finalists selected from nearly 50 applicants that pitched their businesses to a panel of business leaders before a live audience. Grants totaling $100,000 were awarded to assist the finalists with mentoring, business development, and networking resources. Golf also returned to Florida’s oldest HBCU, Edward WatersTHEUniversity.PLAYERS Championship granted $50,000 to Waters’ women’s golf program, which helped support the school’s launch of a Student-Athlete Golf Mentoring Program.The program counts as a dual-purpose initiative that engages student-athletes to serve as mentors in unique professional development environments – including exposure to career opportunities within the Tour and THE PLAYERS network – and off-campus volunteer experiences with community-based programs. Further, after being inspired by a global awakening toward race relations in the United States following the 2020 murder of George Floyd, the Tour announced a $100 million commitment over ten years to support racial equity and inclusion efforts. In delivering the Tour’s diversity, equity, and inclusion report, Monahan proudly announced that they’d achieved more than $40 million in charitable impact in just two years since the pledge. “On the road toward that aggressive goal, we’ve spent the necessary time listening to understand,” Monahan stated.“There isn’t a single solution or one-size-fits-all approach to addressing social inequities and injustices. “Experiences differ. Issues are complex. And we must invest more than dollars in becoming a true and effective resource.”Monahan noted that he’s grateful that the Tour is “uniquely structured in sports to bring our tournaments and corporate partners together to help organizations drive vital equity efforts.” The diversity, equity, and inclusion report include a breakdown of the Tour’s priorities. The charitable impact for health and human services counted for $12.7 million, while $8.9 million have gone toward youth development. Additionally, racial equity and social justice reform reaped approximately $7.5 million, and community economic growth and empowerment realized a $5.5 million impact because of the effort of the Tour and its partners. In January, the PGA TOUR received a score of 95/100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, becoming the first major sports organization ever included.Since its inception, the PGA Tour reportedly has generated more than $3 billion in charitable impact. Monahan said the investments directly result from the support of partners, players, sponsors, fans, volunteers, and communities.In2014, the PGA Tour adopted a strategic plan, “formalizing a long-held commitment to diversity efforts that strengthen its workforce, operators, and industry.”Monahan then “convened a task force of leaders across the organization to assess its progress and identify specific actions, initiatives, and opportunities that reflect its core values,” PGA Tour officials stated. The PGA Tour and Advocates Pro Golf Association Tour (APGA) launched the APGA Collegiate Ranking in 2021, providing exemptions for five African American golfers to play on the APGA Tour and the pre-qualifying stage of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament. The Tour has provided $500,000 to HBCUs and its affiliation with the APGA Collegiate Ranking. “As former Commissioner Deane Beman once stated, the PGA TOUR is ‘more than just a sports league; we are a public trust,’” Monahan said. “With that as our North Star, our success as an organization is through a long-held commitment to showcasing the world’s best players to fans around the world, always with an impact on local lives, communities, and economies.”
“Twenty years after first enrolling in school, the typical Black borrower who started college in the 1995-96 school year still owed 95% of their original student debt,” officials“Evenstated.before applying the additional $10,000 for recipients of Pell Grants, the typical Black borrower will see their balance cut nearly in half, and more than one in four Black borrowers will their balance is forgiven altogether,” administration officials concluded. In a Fact Sheet, the White House noted that since 1980, the total cost of four-year public and four-year private college had nearly tripled, even after accounting for inflation.Federal support hasn’t kept up, administration officials stressed.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
The Tour has partnered with organizations like the 100 Black Men of America in its ongoing efforts. In 2020, the PGA TOUR established a five-year partnership to help 100 Black Men of America to enhance educational and economic opportunities for African American and minority residents and communities. According to the Tour’s latest diversity report, nearly 1,000 youth have benefited in two years from resources and programming that promote career and workforce readiness, financial literacy, community service, and golf.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
“Exposure to artificial light from the street and commercial buildings has been found to suppress melatonin—a hormone that helps initiate sleep,” Researchers wrote. “That causes people to fall asleep later at night, resulting in poorer sleep overall.” Science.org also found that Black, Hispanic, and Asian people in the United States are also exposed to disproportionately high levels of particulate air pollution.
A staggering 90 percent of people fail to achieve a good night’s sleep, according to new international research presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2022. The study found that suboptimal sleep was associated with a higher likelihood of heart disease and stroke.The authors estimated that seven in ten of these cardiovascular conditions could be prevented if everyone was a good sleeper. And while researchers homed in on the sleep behaviors of 7,200 people comprised mostly of Europeans, Americans also aren’t sleeping. Black Americans suffer worse from short sleep or sleep apnea.Earlier this year, the JAMA Open Network indicated that the problem continues to worsen for African Americans.JAMA researchers discovered that Black Americans get less sleep than white people, a deficit of 15 minutes a day in childhood that grows into almost an hour in adulthood. Additionally, an Oxford study found that far more Black and Hispanic people than white people report routinely getting less than 6 hours of sleep, well short ofthe recommended 7 to 9 hours for adults. “Sleep is a privilege,” Dayna Johnson, a sleep epidemiologist at Emory University, told Science.org. “If we can target sleep, we might be able to reduce the burden of all types of diseases among racial minorities.”Science Direct found that more than a dozen studies have identified racial discrimination as a contributor to sleep disparities.
Wednesday, August 31, 2022 Bakersfield News Observer A9 Local
“Black people reported more discrimination and more severe insomnia symptoms than white people, and a statistical analysis determined discrimination accounted for 60% of their insomnia severity,” researchers wrote at ScienceResearchersDirect. also discovered that environmental factors also cut into sleep. For example, multiple studies have found that Black, Hispanic, and other individuals of color tend to reside in areas where they are exposed to approximately twice as much ambient light at night as white people.
The researchers reported that exposure to this type of pollution can cause inflammation of the nose and throat, and some evidence suggests chronic exposure can worsen sleep apnea and increase daytime sleepiness. “And then there is night-time noise, which a 2017 study at hundreds of sites across the United States found is higher in neighborhoods with a higher proportion of Black residents,” they wrote. The low prevalence of good sleepers “was expected given our busy, 24/7 lives,” said study author Dr. Aboubakari Nambiema of INSERM (the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), in Paris, France. “The importance of sleep quality and quantity for heart health should be taught early in life when healthy behaviors become established. Minimizing night-time noise and stress at work can both help improve sleep.”
According to a news release from the ESC, previous studies on sleep and heart disease have generally focused on one sleep habit, such as sleep duration or sleep apnea, where breathing stops and starts while sleeping. Researchers in France used a healthy sleep score combining five sleep habits. They investigated the association between the baseline sleep score, changes over time in the sleep score, and incident cardiovascular disease. Researchers recruited men and women aged 50 to 75 years and free of cardiovascular disease to a preventive medical center between 2008 and 2011. The average age was 59.7 years, and 62% were men. Participants underwent a physical examination and completed questionnaires on lifestyle, personal and family medical history, and medical conditions. According to the news release, researchers used questionnaires to collect information on five sleep habits at baseline and two follow-up visits. Each factor was given 1 point if optimal and 0 if not. A healthy sleep score ranging from 0 to 5 was calculated, with 0 or 1 considered poor and 5 considered optimal.Those with an optimal score reported sleeping 7 to 8 hours per night, never or rarely having insomnia, no frequent excessive daytime sleepiness, no sleep apnea, and an early chronotype (being a morning person).
The researchers checked for incident coronary heart disease and stroke every two years for a total of 10 years. At baseline, 10% of participants had an optimal sleep score, and 8% had a poor score. “During a median follow-up of eight years, 274 participants developed coronary heart disease or stroke,” according to the release. The researchers analyzed the association between sleep scores and cardiovascular events after adjusting for age, sex, alcohol consumption, occupation, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, cholesterol level, diabetes, and family history of heart attack, stroke, or sudden cardiac death.They found that the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke decreased by 22% for every 1-point rise in the sleep score at Morebaseline.specifically, compared to those with a score of 0 or 1, participants with a score of 5 had a 75% lower risk of heart disease or stroke. The researchers estimated the proportion of cardiovascular events that could be prevented with healthier sleep.They found that if all participants had an optimal sleep score, 72% of new cases of coronary heart disease and stroke might be avoided each year. Over two follow-ups, almost half of the participants (48%) changed their sleep score: in 25%, it decreased, whereas, in 23%, it improved. When the researchers examined the association between the change in score and cardiovascular events, they found that a 1-point increment over time was associated with a 7% reduction in coronary heart disease or stroke risk.
And while researchers homed in on the sleep behaviors of 7,200 people comprised mostly of Europeans, Americans also aren’t sleeping. Black Americans suffer worse from short sleep or sleep apnea. African American woman suffering from insomnia lying in bed, without sleeping with alarm clocks close up, and panorama. Get a Good Night Sleep
As Black Americans Struggle to
“Our study illustrates the potential for sleeping well to preserve heart health and suggests that improving sleep is linked with lower risks of coronary heart disease and stroke,” Dr. Nambiema stated in the release. “We also found that the vast majority of people have sleep difficulties. Given that cardiovascular disease is the top cause of death worldwide, greater awareness is needed on the importance of good sleep for maintaining a healthyheart.”
California State University, Bakersfield students studying in biomedical fields will soon be able to take advantage of a new training program.
Dr. Sumaya hopes students who participate in the U-RISE program will not only get into great doctoral programs but will go on to have a positive impact on the biomedical fields. “One of the major things we want from the program is we want to train these students to be good citizens of the science world,” she said. “We not only want them to be premier scientists — we want them to show social responsibility in their work, to be ethical, to be able to critically think, to be good citizens of the scientific community who can go out into the world and represent CSUB.”CSUB is accepting applications for the U-RISE program through Sept. 30. Students must have a 3.2 GPA or above to be eligible for the program. To apply or for more information about U-RISE, contact Dr. Sumaya at 661-900-5280 or isumaya@csub.edu.
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‘Good citizens of the science world’
A few CSUB students have already been accepted into the program. Brandon Krieg is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is looking to get his Ph.D. with a focus on neuroscience.“I’vealways thought it would be the coolest thing to become a scientist,” he said. “Research has always interested me, and joining the U-RISE program has given me the opportunity to pursue exactly that. It’s incredibly exciting. It’s setting me up for things I never imagined were possible.”Krieg hasn’t had any research experience during his time at CSUB, which was what largely attracted him to the program. This fall, he will be joining other students to research the impact high sugar intake among adolescents has on the likelihood of drug addiction as adults.
Although the number of diverse student trainees has increased over the years, Dr. Sumaya said they remain underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. To address these needs, U-RISE will help a diverse group of students become expert research scientists who will successfully transition into the biomedical workforce. The U-RISE program kicks off this fall. Students are partnered with a faculty mentor and will be able to start working in a research lab. The cornerstone of the program is a new course titled From CSUB to Ph.D., which will educate students on topics such as bioethics and the process of getting into a doctoral program. This course will be available to students in the“It’sspring.agreat opportunity to bring students together so they can learn about what research their peers are doing in their labs leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the field of the biomedical sciences,” Dr. Sumaya said of the course, which will also be made available to students outside of U-RISE in the future. “This expanded perspective will be important when they go on to collaborate with their colleagues as young research scientists.” Participants are required to stay in the program for a minimum of one year but are encouraged to be in the program for two years, Dr. Sumaya said. Students who are selected for U-RISE will receive a $14,000 stipend for work they do in the research lab. In addition, the university will pay for about half of students’ tuition each semester. The program will also sponsor a summer research experience at outside institutions for participating students.
A10 Bakersfield News Observer Wednesday, August 31, 2022 Local
Dr. Isabel Sumaya — a psychology professor and interim associate vice president of grants, research and sponsored programs — has been awarded a five-year $1.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish an Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) program at CSUB. Through U-RISE, eight biology, chemistry, psychology and kinesiology students will receive training in the biomedical sciences through research, course work, service-learning opportunities and faculty mentoring to help sharpen their knowledge and skills in preparation for pursuing a doctoral degree in their field. “I’m so excited to get started. This is going to change the lives of our students,” Dr. Sumaya said. “The ultimate goal of the program is for the students to be competitive for entrance into Ph.D. programs in the biomedical sciences.”
“Everybody has an understanding that there’s a lot of sugar in the average person’s diet these days, so it’s important for us to recognize what effect that might have,” he said.Krieg never thought he would be selected for a program like U-RISE. Having grown up in the Orange County area, he said he often struggled to stand out and be noticed in school. “The schools there have tremendously high populations, but CSUB is a smaller campus, so I felt like this would be my chance to get recognized, to be found out as someone who could pursue something at this level,” he said. “I’m just so excited to be able to be doing this. I think it’s really going to be a positive experience for me and for otherOnestudents.”ofthose other students is Andres Orea, who transferred to CSUB in 2020 and is majoring in biology. Orea said he was a little surprised to be selected for U-RISE but is excited to get started. “This is a nice program that really supports students. A lot of other schools don’t have research opportunities like this,” he Oreasaid.said he appreciates the stipend that comes with being in the program, as it will allow him to stay focused on academics and worry less about work. He is joining an organic chemistry lab that is researching enzyme inhibitors and their associations with the development of cancer. Orea is looking forward to working with his fellow students in the lab and in the U-RISE program. “Having the opportunity to work with other students and mentors in this way is amazing,” he said. “Everyone is working together and trying to help each other out.”
