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News Observer Bakersfield
Volume 47 Number 5
Serving Kern County for Over 47 Years
Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California
California Governor Signs Reparations Bill into Law
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent On September 30th, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law historic legislation that paves the way for African Americans and descendants of slaves in the Golden State to receive reparations for slavery. The bill, authored by California Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, establishes a nine-person task force that will study the impact of the slave trade on Black people. It does not commit to any specific payment, but the task force will make recommendations to legislators about what kind of compensation should be provided, who should receive it, and what form it would take. “After watching [the presidential] debate, this signing can’t come too soon,” Newsome declared during a California Governor videoconference with lawmakers Gavin Newsom. and other stakeholders, (Courtesy Photo) including the rapper Ice Cube, who championed the bill. “As a nation, we can only truly thrive when every one of us has the opportunity to thrive. Our painful history of
slavery has evolved into structural racism and bias built into and permeating throughout our democratic and economic institutions,” the governor stated. At the abolishment of slavery in the United States in 1865, Union General William T. Sherman promised freed slaves would receive 40 acres and a mule from a redistributed tract of Atlantic coastline. That promise was certified by President Abraham Lincoln and the U.S. Congress. Still, only slave owners received reparations, and African Americans continued to toil in the face of oppression – suffering during infamous eras like Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement and white supremacy. Earlier this year, Asheville, North Carolina, made headlines when its City Council formally apologized for its role in slavery and voted unanimously to provide reparations to African American residents and their descendants. “Hundreds of years of Black blood spilled that fills the cup we drink from today,” said Councilman Keith Young, one of two African American members of the City Council that voted 7-0 in favor of reparations. “It is simply not enough to remove statutes. Black people in this country are dealing with systemic issues,” Young declared. Asheville’s resolution did not include monetary payments to African Americans but promised investments in areas where Black people face disparities. Weber, a San Diego Democrat, said her bill signed by Newsom recommends reparations not just for slavery, but
also for some of the institutional practices that continue to disproportionately affect African Americans. “This is an extremely important time for all of us,” Weber demanded. “California tries to lead the way in terms of civil rights, and we have a responsibility to do that.” “California has come to terms with many of its issues, but it has yet to come to terms with its role in slavery. After 400 years, we still have the impact.” U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) has worked closely with former Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer on pushing a platform on slavery reparations on the federal level. Earlier this year, Congress members examined the topic of reparations for African Americans over slavery at a hearing on a proposed study on the issue from Jackson Lee. It marked the first time in more than a decade that such hearings took place. “This is long overdue,” Jackson Lee declared. “Slavery has never received an apology.” Weber made clear that the new California law wasn’t a knee-jerk response to the murders of George Floyd, Ahmad Arbery, and other Black people at the hands of law enforcement. “This is not just because of the circumstances we face. What happened is that, of course, those circumstances reinforced the fact that what we were saying all along was true,” Weber said. “Some think we’re just responding to the moment, but we’re responding to the history of California and the life of Black people in California and in this nation.”
Free!
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Mormon President Calls on Members to Help End Racism By BRADY McCOMBS Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ president issued another plea for members to help end racism, saying Sunday at the faith’s signature conference that God loves people of all races equally and that it pains him to see Black people suffer prejudice. Russell M. Nelson’s comments followed similar speeches by other top leaders Saturday at the conference that comes as many members live through a reckoning over racial injustice, especially in the U.S. following the May police killing of Black man George Floyd. “God does not love one race more than another. His doctrine on this matter is clear,” Nelson said. “I assure you that your standing before God is not determined by the color of your skin.” Members believe church presidents are living prophets who receive revelations from God. Like the leaders who spoke on Saturday, Nelson didn’t mention the church’s past ban on Black men in the lay priesthood. The prohibition _ which stood until 1978 _ was rooted in the belief that black skin was a curse. It remains one of the most sensitive topics in the faith’s history. The church disavowed the ban and the reasons behind it in a 2013 essay but has never issued a formal apology – a necessary step for some members. The Utah-based religion known widely as the Mormon church doesn’t provide ethnic or racial breakdowns of its 16.6 million members _ but scholars say Black followers make up a small portion of adherents. None of the 15 men who will sit on the faith’s top leadership panels are Black. Church leadership did become more diverse in 2018 when it sent to the previously all-white Quorum of the Twelve Apostles its first-ever apostles of Latin American and Asian descent. Since becoming president in 2018, the 96-year-old Nelson has called for racial harmony and launched a formal partnership with the NAACP. “I grieve that our Black brothers and sisters the world over are enduring the pains of racism and prejudice,” Nelson said.
Cali Hometown Talent Report Oprah Conversation By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Bakersfield’s Lawrence White IV helped lead Iowa State to a 37-30 upset win over BIG 12 power Oklahoma in Ames. The Senior helped lead a defense that allowed the Sooners just 300 passing yards, while holding them to 4 of 13 on 3rd down conversions. The Redshirt senior from Ridgeview High had a team leading 10 tackles 2 solo. That included stopping Sooner running back at goal-line on fourth down early in the first period. “It’s our senior class,” said Campbell, Iowa State’s fifth-year coach. “We’ve got 16 seniors who came here on a dream that we someday could turn Iowa State football around. They came here at 3-9 and believed in us and believed in our vision.” It was the first time OU lost back-to-back games since 1999. It was also the first time the Cyclones (2-1,2-0) defeated the Sooners in Ames since 1960. The win was celebrated by a crowd of 13,724 at Jack Trice Stadium. No fans were allowed for the Sept. 12 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette. Add White: White is 12th in the conference in tackles with 20 with 15 of them solo. Matt Corral of Long Beach Poly helped OLE Miss come back from a 28-14 third quarter deficit to defeat Kentucky 42-41 in a thrilling overtime win. The sophomore completed 24 of 29 passes for 320 yards. In overtime the Wildcats (0-2) scored first and a missed PAT. On the ensuing possession Corral hit Elijah Moore with his 4th touchdown pass of the day to tie the game at 41, then Luke Logan kicked his 6th extra point of the day for the win. Corral also had 51 yards rushing on 13 carries including a 14- yard scamper for the (1-1) Rebels. Mississippi State quarterback KJ Costello completed 43 of 59 passes in a 21-14 loss to Arkansas. The former Santa Margarita Catholic high and Stanford standout had is second straight 300-yard
with Caste Author
By The Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) – Oprah Winfrey will have an in-depth conversation with famed author Isabel Wilkerson as part of the next episode of her “Oprah’s Book Club.’’ Winfrey’s episode will focus on Wilkerson’s book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,’’ which will air free on Apple TV+ on Friday. The detailed discussion will explore context of the book that delves into Wilkerson’s exploration of race and hierarchy in the U.S.\ In the episode, Winfrey will also ask the reason behind writing “Caste’’ for Wilkerson, who won a Pulitzer Prize for her book “The Warmth of Other Suns.’’ In August, Winfrey picked Wilkerson’s “Caste’’ for her book club. Winfrey will dig deeper to discuss themes of the book in a two-part episode on Apple TV+ on Oct. 9. “Caste’’ continues Winfrey’s book club partnership with Apple that began last fall. It includes previous picks such as Ta-Nehisi Coates’ novel “The Water Dancer’’ and the nonfiction “Hidden Valley Road,’’ by Robert Kolker.
Bakersfield’s own Lawerence White IV (11) making on of his team high 10 tackles in Saturday’s upset win against the University of Oklahoma. Download and use your “Observer Interactive” App to see more highlights of Lawerence from Saturday’s big win. (Courtesy Photo)
game passing for the Bulldogs (1-1) but he also had 3 interceptions in a loss to the (1-1) Razorbacks. The senior is the SEC Leading passer with 936 yards.
followed by LB Polys Corral with 715 yards to go with 7 touchdown passes and a 94.8 QBR.
More Than a Vote:
King James Leads Plans to Increase Poll Workers
By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor An effort by pro athletes called More Than a Vote is working to increase the number of poll workers in Black electoral districts has amassed 10,000 volunteers since it began. State elections officials in many cities have sounded the alarm regarding a shortage of poll workers to handle in-person voting. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has caused an unexpected problem for local officials. The problem is a bigger issue in Black communities that have far longer wait times to vote than polls in white communities. The specific plan to increase workers at the polls is called We Got Next. The efforts will include a partnership with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and was focused on during the first game of the NBA Finals between the Miami
Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers. As the national anthem was played for game one, players on both teams knelt and wore shirts with the word “vote” on them in large letters. “We are Black athletes and artists working together. Our priority right now is combating systemic, racist voter suppression by educating, energizing, and protecting our community in 2020. Please read our letter asking fans to join us in the fight against Black voter suppression,” reads the website for the initiative which can be viewed at www. morethanavote.org. The cities that will be focused on feature thousands of Black voters and include Birmingham, Montgomery, Jackson, Houston, Charlotte, Cleveland, Detroit, Flint, Milwaukee and Philadelphia. A second phase of the initiative would be even more targeted and will be aimed at 11 cities, “where significant
(Left to right) Anthony Davis, LeBron James and Quinn Cook of the Los Angeles Lakers kneel during the national anthem with VOTE shirts on. The efforts will include a partnership with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and was focused on during the first game of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
poll worker shortages remain.” Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke
SNL Recreates Debate
By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) – “Saturday Night Live’’ went political with a parody of this week’s presidential debate, Chris Rock’s jab at President Donald Trump and Megan Thee Stallion’s message supporting Black people during her performance. The NBC late-night sketch series on Saturday night jumped into the reenactment of the recent debate between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden. The series opened its 46th season, returning to the studio this week after the coronavirus pandemic halted production. Alec Baldwin returned to play Trump before the president’s COVID diagnosis, while Jim Carrey made his feature debut as Biden. In the sketch, Baldwin’s Trump commandeered the debate in the same fashion as on Tuesday, trying to trip up Biden by interrupting and insulting him. Meanwhile, Carrey’s Biden tried to maintain his anger by breathing into a paper brown bag and talking to himself. “Look man, I’m a nice guy, but you give anymore guff tonight, I’ll rip your face off like a mad chimp,” Carrey yelled before talking to himself again saying, “The country’s counting on you Joe. Just stand here and look lucid.” Maya Rudolph made a cameo appearance as Sen. Kamala Harris calling for a WAP (Woman As President) _ a nod to the hit song by Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B _ before Carrey’s Biden pulled out a remote control to pause Trump. “Let’s bask in the Trumplessness,’’ Carrey said. The show was hosted by Chris Rock who stepped onstage with a mask before snatching it off to perform his monologue. He opened in front of a live audience, which included about two dozen first responders who all wore masks. Rock joked about how the coronavirus pandemic has ruined much of 2020. The actor-comedian also sarcastically showed empathy toward Trump being hospitalized after his virus diagnosis. “President Trump is in the hospital from COVID, and I just want to say that my heart goes out to COVID,’’ he joked. Rock offered his thoughts on America needing to “renegotiate their plans’’ with the government. “What job do you have for 4 years no matter what? Just show me one job. If you hired a cook, and he was making people vomit every day, do you sit there and say `Oh, he’s got a 4-year deal,’’’ he said. “We just got to vomit for four more years.’’ Rock was once part of an “SNL’’ cast that included Chris Farley, Mike Myers, David Spade and Adam Sandler. Rock spent three years on the show before he left in 1993. Megan Thee Stallion hit the stage as the musical guest performing her hit single “Savage.’’ While wearing a black-and-white ensemble, the rapper delivered a message calling for the protection of Black people, in addition to the words “Protect Black Women’’ flashing on the screen behind her.